WASHINGTON, D.C. - Univision Communications, Inc. will receive the NAB Education Foundation's (NABEF) President's Special Award for its nationwide Es el momento (The Moment is Now) education campaign. The Service to America President's Special Award recognizes historic and extraordinary achievement by a broadcaster. Univision will receive the award at NABEF's annual Celebration of Service to America gala on Monday, June 11, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
"Univision has a rich history of dedication to serving local communities and our nation's Hispanic population at large," said NABEF President Marcellus Alexander. "The Es el momento initiative builds on this record of public service, and is a testament to Univision's commitment to providing younger generations with the educational tools they will need to be successful."
Es el momento was launched in February 2010 as a comprehensive, multi-platform, national education initiative aimed at improving academic achievement among Hispanic students. Conducted in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, educators and community leaders from around the country, the initiative focuses on college readiness, high school and college completion, as well as engaging Hispanic parents, students and the broader community. The campaign has included an Education Week leveraging all of Univision's media platforms as well as an Education Town Hall in Washington, D.C. and in other cities around the country.
Since its inception, the campaign has reached over 16 million people through radio and television programming, social media outreach, community events, phone banks and other local services. So far, in the six states where campaign efforts have been focused, growth in the Hispanic college student population has outpaced total college population growth by seven percent.
As previously announced, multiple award-winning actress Glenn Close will receive the 2012 Service to America Leadership Award, NABEF's highest honor, for her mental illness advocacy work. State Farm will receive the Corporate Leadership Award for its extraordinary focus on community service and corporate social responsibility. NABEF announced the following broadcasters will receive Service to America Awards at this year's gala: KRGV-TV Weslaco, Texas; WBHJ-FM Birmingham, Ala.; KWTV/KOTV Oklahoma City, Okla.; WBLS-FM New York, N.Y.; and Belo Corp.
About The Celebration of Service to America Awards
The Celebration of Service to America Awards are sponsored and produced by NABEF with major support from Hubbard Broadcasting Inc., Bonneville International Corporation and the National Association of Broadcasters. In recent years, Academy Award-winning actor Jeff Bridges, entertainment industry icon Quincy Jones, legendary rock star Sir Elton John, former President Bill Clinton, First Lady Laura Bush, Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, boxing legend Muhammad Ali, former President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalyn Carter, former First Lady Nancy Reagan, and others have been presented with the Celebration of Service to America Leadership Award at the event. Details about the Celebration of Service to America Awards are available here.
About NABEF
The NAB Education Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to reinforcing the future of broadcasting through a commitment to education and to advancing excellence in the diversity and community service efforts of our industry. Learn more at www.nabef.org.
