State names West Michiganders as ‘top 25’ Latinxs

State names West Michiganders as ‘top 25’ Latinxs

Ana Jose. Courtesy West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

A governor-appointed commission has named nine West Michiganders among the Top 25 Latinxs in Michigan.

The Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan, or HLCOM, announced yesterday the recipients of the first-annual awards.

The honorees will be recognized on Oct. 10 at the 2019 Statewide Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at the Goei Center in Grand Rapids, at 818 Butterworth St. SW.

HLCOM said it created the Top 25 Latinxs in Michigan awards program as a gender-inclusive outgrowth of last year’s Top 50 Latinas in Michigan awards.

Top 25 Latinxs is meant to “recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves in their organization, profession and community,” HLCOM said.

The recipients "epitomize the values for which HLCOM stands and represent the best of who we are as Latinos and as leaders,” the commission said.

HLCOM added that the winners were chosen for “their significant level of involvement” in business and community activities, as well as their pursuit of personal and professional growth.

Nominations came from individuals across the state.

West Michigan winners

Ana Jose, Kentwood

Dolores Olivarez, Montague

Josephine Coleman, Wyoming

Elizabeth Briseno, Muskegon

Guillermo Cisneros, Grand Rapids

Lorena Aguayo-Márquez, Grand Rapids

Dante Villarreal, Grand Rapids

Salvador Lopez, Grand Rapids

Michelle Jokisch Polo, Grand Rapids

Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan

Created in 1975, the Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan exists to “advocate for the well-being” of the Hispanic/Latino population with the vision of “achieving an environment of social justice and economic parity.”

It is composed of a 15-member, governor-appointed commission under the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

The commissioners serve three-year terms.