Harvey Guillén, Lisa Vidal, Diana Maria Riva, Isabel Allende, Blanca Uzeta O’Leary and Carmen Perez will be honored at the Raizado Festival for their artistic contributions to advancing justice, amplifying underrepresented voices and leadership.
Guillén will be presented with the Truth Icon Award, Allende with the Culture Icon Award, O’Leary with the Colorado Icon Award, Perez with the Power Icon Award, and Riva and Vidal will receive the Changemaker Award.
The award ceremony will take place at the fourth annual Raizado Festival in Aspen, Colo. on Aug. 23. The evening will include a culinary experience honoring Latin American culture curated by chef Grace Ramirez, chef Claudette Zepeda and mixologist Lynnette Marrero.
Hosted by Judy Reyes and Chrissie Fit, the event will feature a musical performance by Nella and an after-party to follow with Justina Machado as the host.
The Raizado Festival launched in 2022 by its founder, Mónica Ramírez, in response to the erasure and undervaluing of Latine lives during times of crisis.
“The Icon Awards are more than a celebration—they are a call to remember where we come from, who we fight for and what we are leaving behind for the millions of children and other community members who will follow us,” Ramírez said in a statement.
This year’s theme for the Raizado Festival is legacy. The festival will recognize Latine achievements in literature, cuisine, music, TV and film, storytelling and social impact. The four-day event will feature master classes, fireside chats, panels, screenings of official film selections and performances leading up to the awards ceremony.
“As our community continues to face harmful cultural narratives that have resulted in devastating consequences, it’s vital that we take time to honor the visionaries who are symbols of strength and power,” Ramírez said. “We must celebrate them, learn from them and continue to be inspired by the legacy that they are creating before our eyes. They show us what it looks like to rise and move forward together.”
Past honorees include Wilmer Valderrama, Sandra Cisneros, Maria Elena Salinas, Sylvia Mendez, Lydia Cacho and Luis Miranda Jr.
