Unidos US awarded Eduardo Diaz, Acting Director for the National Museum of the American Latino, the Graciela Olivarez La Raza Award. The recognition was done in honor of Latina women’s rights activist Graciela Olivarez.
UnidosUS is the biggest Latinx civil rights and advocacy organization and recognizes those who have made a significant contribution to the Latinx community. Diaz worked as a Director at the Smithsonian Latino Center and later became Acting Deputy Director at the National Museum of the American Latino in 2020.
Additionally, Diaz serves as the Director of the popular gallery, the Molina Family Latino Gallery, and the exhibition ¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States. The gallery displays historical concepts, moments, and biographies that explore Latino History and its culture.
He oversaw the gallery’s development and had many plans but little funds for the project—however, the children of C. David Molina and Mary Molina donated $10 million to the museum. Allowing the gallery to be built, launch its opening exhibition, and enact multiple public programs.
Diaz strongly believes in including all Latino communities and sharing their stories of diversity and culture. Those stories include the origin and culture of Latin Jazz, the Spanish American League Against Discrimination, and the efforts of the Cuban community in Miami struggling against English-only laws and advocating in favor of bilingual education.
“People don’t know those stories, right? There’s so much to tell,” Diaz said.
Before Diaz was the Director of the Smithsonian Latino Center, he acted as the Executive Director of the National Hispanic Cultural Center from 2005 to 2008. As Executive Director, he implemented a state outreach program, taking exhibitions and performances to underserved communities. He also administered cross-cultural programs with the African American and American Indian communities. Today, Diaz is a member of the National Association of the Latino Arts and Culture.
Recent Comments