Be the Orgullo! Join us at Tampa Hispanic Heritage Inc. Hispanic Woman and Man of the Year Gala

Still overwhelmed, emotional, grateful, honored, humbled, and beyond thrilled about last week's news that Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc. will honor Andrea Gonzmart Williams and I as 2024 THHI #HispanicWomanoftheYear and #HispanicManoftheYear for our service and contributions to our community at the #36thAnnual #TampaHispanicHeritageGala on Saturday, September 21st, 2024, at the Hilton Tampa Downton. As a result, hope you will be able to join us to celebrate our history, our heritage, our traditions, our families, and our community.

Tampa's Rich Hispanic Roots

Tampa's rich Hispanic roots can be traced to the early conquistadors who named what is now Old Tampa Bay, La Bahia del Espiritu Santo, (Bay of the Holy Spirit.) However, it was at the turn of the century with the advent of the cigar factories that Tampa's Hispanic population increased tremendously with the influx of Spanish and Cuban immigrants. In recent years, the Tampa Bay area has experienced a boom in its Hispanic population, this time being enriched by immigrants from Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean.

Hispanic Heritage Month

In 1975, President Gerald Ford proclaimed the first Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States. That year a committee of Hispanics appointed by the then Tampa Mayor William F. Poe organized the first Hispanic Heritage Celebration in Tampa. The 1975 celebration consisted of a simple ceremony on Columbus day at his statue on Bayshore Blvd. in Tampa. In 1979, as the enthusiasm for the annual celebration grew, Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc. became autonomous. The celebration of Tampa's Hispanic Heritage has expanded from the once simple ceremony to a ninety plus event days in the months of September, October and November each year.

Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc.

Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc. (THHI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 1979. THHI serves as an umbrella for Tampa Bay Area Hispanic groups and other interested organizations and individuals who want to share the rich Spanish language, culture and traditions with the community during Tampa's Hispanic Heritage Celebration.

THHI's vision is to contribute to the cultural richness of the Tampa Bay community fostering among Hispanic youth a desire for higher education and leadership to become examples and advocates of our language, music, food, traditions, and values. Simply put, their mission is to promote, preserve, and celebrate?Hispanic heritage in the Tampa Bay area.

Each year THHI presents a diversified calendar of events that is educational, entertaining, and exciting. From the Mayor's official proclamation of the Hispanic Heritage month, to the Inaugural Gala, to the Hispanic Leadership Class, to the Annual Essay and Poster Contests, yearly festivities generate tremendous community involvement and excitement.

THHI Hispanic Woman and Man of the Year Gala

The Gala is one of Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc.’s signature events held during Hispanic Heritage Month, bringing people in the Tampa Bay area together to celebrate the region’s rich Hispanic heritage while simultaneously raising funds for higher education scholarships for deserving Hispanic students.

The Hispanic Woman and Man of the Year Award is a lifetime achievement award that honors Hispanics who have contributed significantly to the success of our community. These Hispanic women and men have excelled in their endeavors to advance, promote, maintain, and enhance our Hispanic heritage and, by their outstanding contributions, have improved the quality of life for Hispanics in the Tampa Bay area.

Andrea Gonzmart Williams: Tampa Hispanic Heritage 2024 Hispanic Woman of the Year

Andrea Gonzmart Williams, a 5th generation owner and operator of the Columbia Restaurant Group, is an extraordinary business owner, philanthropist, and community member. With over 30 years of experience, Andrea has served on numerous boards and organizations including the USF Foundation, Hillsborough County Tourist and Development Council, Florida Aquarium, and the Humane Society.

Her extensive list of accolades includes being named one of the "30 under 30" by the Tampa Bay Business Journal and the 2024 Leadership Award Winner by Working Woman of Tampa Bay.

Andrea's commitment to preserving her family's legacy and her dedication to various causes makes her a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.

Rafael Gonzalez: Tampa Hispanic Heritage 2024 Hispanic Man of the Year

Rafael Gonzalez, Esq. is a partner at Cattie & Gonzalez, PLLC. For over 40 years, he has made significant contributions to Tampa Bay's Hispanic community through his extensive legal career and community service. Rafael's professional journey includes roles such as corporate counsel for FCCI Insurance Company and President of UnitedHealthcare/Optum Settlement Solutions.

His community service includes serving in the Hillsborough County Human Relations Council, City of Tampa Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Council, Board of Directors of Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc., the Tampa Bay History Center, the Tampa Hispanic Bar Association, and the Tampa Bay Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

His dedication to the Latino community is evident in his active leadership of the USF President's Latin Community Advisory Council and his years of teaching at the USF Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, USF Department of Occupational Medicine, USF College of Public Health, and USF College of Medicine.

Rafael's leadership and advocacy have made a lasting impact on the community, earning him the title of Hispanic Man of the Year.

Join us

Tampa Hispanic Heritage Inc will honor Andrea Gonzmart Williams and Rafael Gonzalez, Esq. for their years of outstanding contributions to our community at the 36th Annual Tampa Hispanic Heritage Inc. Gala on Saturday, September 21st, 2024, at the Hilton Tampa Downton from 6 PM to 11 PM.

To purchase tickets and corporate tables for the Gala or to inquire about sponsorships, please visit www.tampahispanic.org or contact María Bermúdez-Torres , THHI President and Co-Chair of Gala Committee, at [email protected] , or Maribel Garrett , THHI Past President and Co-Chair of Gala Committee, at [email protected]