Abril García is a bridge builder whose vision and grit have shaped Latino media in Nebraska. For over 25 years, she has led Mundo Latino Publications, amplifying stories of community, opportunity, and justice through print and digital platforms.

Early in her career, Abril recognized a gap: Latino communities often lacked access to media that spoke their language, lived their experiences, and advanced their interests. She stepped into that void. Over time, under her leadership, Mundo Latino Network expanded to include Radar, a Hispanic-focused job board initiative, and digital platforms aimed at closing communication gaps in recruitment and employment.

Stephen Johnson “Steve” Turre was born in Omaha, Neb., but his musical soul carries echoes of mariachi, blues, jazz, and ancestral whisperings through conch shells. Today, the 77-year-old stands among the jazz world’s most inventive voices: trombonist, arranger, educator, and pioneer of the seashell as an instrument.

When Gladys Godínez co-founded the high school activist group Nuestro Futuro (Our Future), she was still a teenager, but already, she had begun to reshape narratives in Lexington, Nebraska. Today, she carries that same spirit forward as an organizer, broadcaster, and defender of immigrant and worker rights across rural Nebraska.

Albert Varas currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Latino Center of the Midlands, having first held the role of Executive Director from 2017 to 2020. Since 2021, under his leadership, the organization has expanded strategic partnerships, boosted capacity, and streamlined operations to better serve Omaha’s Latino community.

When Magdalena “Maggie” García first imagined a Latino museum in Omaha, she did so with little more than conviction, elbow grease, and a deep devotion to art. Over thirty years later, El Museo Latino stands as one of the Midwest’s cultural mothers, her legacy writ in wood, canvas, clay, and community.

Registration is closing this week for The Bloc’s 50 Over 50 Nebraska Awards, an annual tribute to Nebraskans whose leadership and service continue to shape the state. The awards dinner is set for Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, 5:30–9:30 p.m. at Embassy Suites by Hilton Downtown Omaha (555 S. 10th St.).

In South Omaha, the name Jacobo’s means more than groceries. It’s tortillas pressed fresh each morning, tamales wrapped in corn husks by hand, and salsa so authentic it carries a lineage. Behind it all were Ramon and Cirina Jacobo, a husband-and-wife team whose faith, grit, and vision built one of the community’s most enduring institutions.

Dr. Athena Ramos is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Promotion at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and a leader in community-based health research focused on Latino and immigrant well-being.

Raised in Nebraska, Ramos holds a PhD in International Family & Community Studies from Clemson University, and dual master’s degrees from UNO in Business Administration (MBA) and Urban Studies. Her credentials also include certification as a Public Manager (CPM).

Douglas Vincent “S.A.” Martinez, born October 29, 1969, in Omaha, Neb., has carved out an extraordinary career as the DJ and co-vocalist of 311, a band that has become one of the most successful alternative rock acts of the last three decades. His journey from South Omaha to international stages speaks to both his talent and his relentless commitment to innovation.

Marta F. Nieves, a longtime advocate for equity and inclusion in Nebraska, devoted her career to lifting up Latino voices and building bridges across communities. She passed away on May 28, 2025, at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy of service, mentorship, and civic engagement.

Ben Salazar has spent more than five decades as one of Nebraska’s most visible Chicano activists, community advocates, and storytellers. Born in Scottsbluff, he earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a juris doctorate from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. His activism began in the late 1960s, when he worked alongside farmworker organizers to fight for dignity and fair treatment.

Julia Carrillo arrived in Omaha at age 17 and today she leads one of the Midwest’s boldest cultural movements for Latina empowerment. As founder of the Soy Chingona brand and co-creator of Midwest Chingona Fest, Carrillo is reshaping how Latina identity is celebrated — and challenged — in Nebraska’s heartland.

In a city better known for its stockyards than its TikTok trends, Omaha has an unlikely new cultural ambassador: Leduar Lopez. With millions of views across TikTok and Instagram, Lopez has built a loyal following by doing something deceptively simple: sharing everyday life through the lens of La Familia Lopez.

Maria Luisa Gaston’s story begins with courage and movement: she fled Cuba at age 15, when the Castro regime nationalized her family’s sugar mill. From that early upheaval to decades of service in Nebraska, she has carried with her a fierce commitment to justice, faith, and uplifting Latina voices.

Robert “Bob” Campos was born February 5, 1938, in Omaha to Mexican immigrant parents. Raised in South Omaha, he attended Assumption Catholic School and Omaha South High before serving in the U.S. Coast Guard. Skilled in carpentry and construction, he turned that experience into a business legacy.

Yesenia Peck’s journey spans continents and sectors, but the throughline is always the same: service, equity, and connection. Originally from Lima, Peru, she worked as an attorney in the Peru Supreme and Superior Courts before moving to the United States, where her drive to advocate and lead found new forms.

Edward “Babe” Gómez was born August 10, 1932, in Omaha, into a large Mexican American family, one of thirteen children of Modesto and Matiana Gómez. He grew up in South Omaha and attended Omaha South High School, where he played football and ran track. Though he left just one quarter shy of graduation, Babe would become one of the community’s most revered figures.

Viridianna Almanza Zavala has built her career around a simple truth: service is a calling. As Director of Programming at the Latino Center of the Midlands, she channels her passion for immigrant rights, indigenous peoples, and youth empowerment into programs that open doors and expand opportunity across Omaha.

Javier Fernández is a leader whose impact reaches far beyond the energy sector. As Chief Executive Officer of the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD), he oversees one of the nation’s largest publicly owned electric utilities, ensuring that affordable, reliable power fuels homes, businesses, and communities across Nebraska.

Inclusive Communities is proud to present Transformational Leadership Retreat from Oct. 15 to 17, in Grand Island, Neb. This immersive three-day event is designed to equip today’s mid-level and people managers with strategic, human-centered tools to lead tomorrow’s workforce with authenticity, vision, and impact.