LATINOS ON THE MOVE

LATINOS ON THE MOVE...

Elizabeth Hernandez Ramos

Vice President of Branch Administration

Charlotte Metro Federal Credit Union

Elizabeth Hernandez Ramos is a banking professional leader with over 20 years of experience. She is a passionate, extremely reliable individual with a positive attitude who is an asset to any organization. Her persistence and determination to do the right thing makes her a true financial services professional.

Being Latina in the financial services industry has been advantageous for Elizabeth. Besides opening many doors in the workplace, it has also allowed her the opportunity to educate Latinos new to our country on our banking policies and procedures.

Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico(the year is irreverent) and raised in Queens, New York, Elizabeth’s mother made sure Spanish was always spoken in the house, as well as instilling a great sense of pride in her Puerto Rican heritage. For this she will eternally be grateful to Mami. She has three children ages 25, 20 and 12. And she is now a proud abuelita to a beautiful granddaughter.

Tropic Culture

It was 2007 and brothers Alberto and Jorge Espinosa followed a vision -- to build a high-energy band that skillfully fuses their love for Latin, Jazz, Rock, Reggae and Soul into a sound to make the feet dance and heart smile. The result: An award-winning band and genuine sound that keeps getting hotter.

In 2008, the award-winning band released their debut album -- Live to Love, Love to Live. Packed with thought-provoking lyrics, charged vocals and a sizzling team of percussionists, wind and brass players Tropic Culture continues to earn positive press, and a soaring fan base. But that‘s just part of their story.

In less than 3 years, this young band has scored placements on two respected compilation CDs that highlight various up-and-coming artists. Dedicated to delivering what they call “feel good music,” they were recently hailed as “a powerhouse of a sound that reaches all ages & cultures” after performing before a crowd of thousands.

This funky, energetic, young band connects with audiences by taking on social issues such as hate and intolerance with smooth tunes like “Eliminate the Hate” and “Freedom Fighters.” What’s more, they balance the audience’s music selection using sensual ballads and spellbinding songs like “Samba da Vida” that make you croon “oh-eh, oh-aahhh” while waving your hands in the air. Simply stated, this band is focused on becoming one of the commanding forces in the world fusion scene.

While the band characterizes themselves as world fusion with an undeniably distinct sound, they openly express their admiration and influences from industry leaders such as Manu Chao, India Arie, Café Tacuba, Ozomatli, Santana and the Dave Matthews Band. Like the greats they admire, their performances are fun and evocative -- with crowds rocking to beats that call for the merengue, salsa, the two-step or a little hip drop at any given time.

The band never lets up to deliver their absolute best and in early 2009, the brothers recruited their little sister, Jani, to join Alberto as lead singer. With Jani’s sultry sound added to the mix, the band believes it has the perfect 10 member cast to compete on the grand stage and record a captivating sophomore album. Having learned a great deal from their freshman album, the band is taking a slightly different sound direction with the sophomore release.

To give their audiences a preview of the sound evolution, Tropic Culture has added a few new songs to their live performances; 3am, Train, and Trust happen to be a few of the new favorites that demonstrate a slightly sexier, edgier sound that leave the crowds yelling “Encore, Encore!” The new music has been especially popular in college crowds and the band is looking forward to expanding their presence in that market.

This award-winning, Charlotte-based band is now booking 2010 tours as they continue to build out the musical and lyrical stylings for their much anticipated 2011 sophomore album. Tropic Culture is definitely working hard and smart to survive in an industry where many don’t make it. As the lyric to their Darker Days song reads, they must “take the world one song at a time.”

One thing is obvious; their growing and diverse crowds, increased bookings and continued positive press show Tropic Culture could be a solid contender in the music world. They are a band to get to know.

To inquire or book this sought after band today,

email bookings@tropicculture.com or call 704.819.9963 704.819.9963

www.TropicCulture.com

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Elizabeth Cuevas-Neunder

Founder, President

Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce -SM

NRCC Business Woman of the Year 2005-06

Elizabeth has been in business for the past 38 years, from international model, TV Programming, non-for-profit organizing, and helping others to be masters of their own destiny is her passion. She has been married for 34 years, has three very accomplished children and is very involved in politics lobbing on behave of small business. She has a consulting business and develops inexpensive website's.

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President Obama Nominates Charlotte's Judge Albert Diaz to 4th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Judge Albert Diaz

Special Superior Court Judge for Complex Cases

On November 4th, President Obama nomiated Judge Albert Diaz to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. If confirmed Judge Diaz would become the court's first hispanic judge.

The Honorable Judge Albert Diaz was raised in New York and has been a resident of Charlotte since August 2000. He has been a resident of North Carolina for 17 years. Judge Diaz's parents are both from Puerto Rico, his father is from Rio Piedras and his mother is from Bayamon. His wife was also raised in New York and is a native of Guayaquil, Ecuador. Judge Diaz holds a M.S., Business Administration, Boston University, 1993; J.D., New York University School of Law, 1988; B.S., Economics, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 1983.

Experience:

2005 - Present: Business Court Judge; 2003-2005: Special Superior Court Judge; 2001-2002: Resident Superior Court Judge, Judicial District 26; March 2005-October 2005: Appellate Judge, U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals; 2000-March 2005: Military Judge, U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Trial Judiciary; 1995-2001: Attorney, Hunton & Williams; 1988-1995: Judge Advocate, U.S. Marine Corps (served as prosecutor, trial defense lawyer, and appellate counsel), retired as Lt. Colonel, USMCR.

Community Involvement:

Member, ABA Judicial Division (where I serve on the National Conference of State Trial Judges and on the Standing Committee on Minorities in the Judiciary); Vice-President, North Carolina Bar Association; Member, NCBA Hispanic-Latino Lawyers Committee; Member, NCBA Minorities in the Profession Committee; Member, Hispanic National Bar Association; Member, Continuing Judicial Education Committee, North Carolina Conference of Superior Court Judges; Secretary, Chief Justice William H. Bobbitt Inn of Court; Member, American College of Business Court Judges; Member, Mecklenburg County Bar Nominating Committee & Member, Special Committee on Diversity

We are very proud of Judge Diaz and his many contributions to our community. He is another example of a Latino on the Move.

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International Fine Artist Puerto Rican Illustrator - Oscar Ortiz

Oscar Ortiz was born in 1964, March 21, the same day Johann Sebastian Bach was born. As much as Oscar enjoys music too, it was painting what turned out to be his true passion.

Since 2002 Oscar has been sharing his work with the world through his website www.oscarortiz.com.

His art encompasses a wide variety of subjects, yet, it is the Puerto Rican culture what is mainly represented in his vibrant and colorful canvases.

The Puerto Rican artist has been featured in several art magazines. Oscar Ortiz is the first Boricua artist invited to be part of the contemporary artists’ catalog of Bridgeman Art Library, a famous international art licensing agency located in London, United Kingdom.

Images of his painting has been showcased on music CD’s and promotional posters, such as the Concierto Latino celebrated in Monroe, North Carolina and the Día Nacional del Cuatro Puertorriqueño in Puerto Rico.

Oscar is also the Coordinator of the Hispanic Services Department of the Union County Public Library and member of the Board of Directors of the Union County Community Art Council in Monroe, North Carolina.

Oscar can be contacted online via Twitter or Facebook where he regularly posts photos of his pieces in progress along with sketches and updates of events and sales. He invites the whole community to visit his Fan Page and become member of a growing community of followers that enjoys his art. Email Oscar today at oscarortiz.com@gmail.com. He will love to hear from you!

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