The 19th Annual Latino Diamante Awards

Cary, NC — North Carolina’s most prestigious Latino/Hispanic event, the 19th Annual Latino Diamante Awards, will take place right here in Cary on Saturday, October 25, 2014.

A Longstanding Tradition

For the 19th year in a row, Diamante Inc. will be hosting an elegant evening designed to honor those who make significant contributions to North Carolina’s Latino and Hispanic communities. Attendees of the Diamante Awards are able to watch an important awards ceremony and enjoy fellowship, drinks and appetizers, a silent auction, a 3-course dinner, and, of course, dancing.

Everyone is invited to partake in this celebration recognizing the accomplishments and dedication of individuals within Latino and Hispanic communities. The event is particularly special in that it awards both hard-working students as well as the individuals and organizations that have supported and aided them in their achievements.

A Prestigious Occasion

The Diamante Awards celebration is a black tie event. Special guests will be in attendance, including Congressman David Price, Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, and Javier Diaz De Leon, Consul General of Mexico. Arthur Wiley, writer and CEO of AW Enterprises, will be the key note speaker.

Guests will be able to experience an art exhibit while at the event–this display will feature striking photography and artwork by Latino and Hispanic artists. Upon arriving at the Embassy Suites, attendees can browse this exhibit while networking, participating in a silent auction, and enjoying appetizers. After dinner and the awards ceremony, the night will conclude with dancing and live music by Orchestra K’Che.

In an interview, Diamante President David Flores emphasized the elegant and incredibly special feel of the event. He also noted that while the event is formal, it is also a fun and exciting way to meet new people while celebrating Latino and Hispanic culture.

The Scholarship and Awards Ceremony

Diamante means “diamond” in Spanish–a word that describes the sparkly and elegant evening perfectly. While this event–known to attract 300 guests–is well known for its excitement, it also serves as a recognition of something extremely important. The Diamante awards are not just a party; rather, they are a celebration of the great (and often under-recognized) work of individuals who have greatly influenced Hispanic and Latino communities.

During the ceremony, five students will be awarded a Youth Accomplishment scholarship–these individuals include graduating high school seniors/incoming college freshmen and sophomores in a college or university attending an NC institution of higher learning.

These scholarships mean a lot to both the students that receive them to and the community at large. Today’s teenagers are tomorrow’s future, and the Diamante Awards Ceremony provides both support for and recognition of their accomplishments while fostering confidence and success.

In addition to this recognition of youth, six individuals and organizations will also be receiving awards to thank them for their support of and contributions to the Latino/Hispanic communities in North Carolina. Their donations of time and money–in addition to their efforts to promote and celebrate the diversity within our state–will be recognized. In his interview, Flores emphasized the importance of recognizing those whose work is often done “in the shadows.”

While describing the upcoming Diamante Awards Ceremony, Flores summarized that,

Diamante invites the Cary Community to join us in celebrating the diversity that is Cary, while recognizing the great work done by the award winners.  Their work helps to accelerate the integration of all of the diverse communities of Cary and North Carolina.

Home in Cary

The Diamante office is located close-by on North Academy street in Cary, but the organization fosters activism and support throughout the entire state of North Carolina. Although the upcoming ceremony is often described as “The Most Prestigious Latino Event of the Year in North Carolina,” Diamante also hosts many other exciting events–all which foster awareness for and celebration of Hispanic/Latino communities.

These events, like the Ritmo Latino Festival, and holidays, such as “Three Kings Day,” celebrate diversity, create awareness of other cultures, and extend an invitation for the entire community to participate in all the enrichment and fun that the events offer.

The 19th Annual Latino Diamante Awards

Enjoy a night of networking, dining, and dancing–all while supporting a great cause.

Saturday, October 25th, 2014, 6 p.m. to midnight
Cary Embassy Suites Hotel
201 Harrison Oaks Boulevard, Cary, NC 27513

Tickets: 85$ per person
Available for purchase through etix

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Story by Jessica Patrick, Photos by Hugo Flores Photography.