Planeta Venus Celebrates 10 Years of Service with the 2025 Latino Award Dinner
- Planeta Venus
- 11 ago
- 3 Min. de lectura
Wichita Kansas | August 11, 2025
Planeta Venus
For the past decade, Planeta Venus has been more than a bilingual newsroom — it has been a voice, a bridge, and a safe space for the Latino community in Kansas. Since its beginnings as a weekly radio show in 2015, we have grown into a trusted source of information, telling the stories that matter, uncovering issues that others overlook, and connecting people to resources that make a difference in their daily lives. Our mission has always been clear: to serve, inform, and empower.
On August 28, 2025, Planeta Venus will celebrate the 10th anniversary with the 2025 Latino Award Dinner, honoring individuals and organizations whose humility, dedication, and everyday work have left a lasting mark on our communities.
Our 2025 Honorees
Community Service – Blanca López: Founder of the Coffeyville Hispanic Heritage Alliance, Blanca creates welcoming spaces for Latinos and offers her interpreting skills freely to ensure no one is left out.
Community Service – Fabián Armendariz: Wichita Public Schools leader who brought Fiesta del Río to the Wichita River Festival main stage, celebrating culture and representation.
A Difference in Education – Bellaly Escalante: Director of Hispanic Serving Initiatives at Friends University, building programs that empower Latino students and connect the university with the community.
A Difference in Education – Gabriel Padilla: West High math teacher and mentor, inspiring students and researching ways to engage Latino parents in education.
A Healthier Kansas – Lucy Watie: Community Health Worker who supports rural residents in southwest Kansas living with HIV and founded the first promotoras de salud group in her area.
A Healthier Kansas – Mayra Mauricio-Rosales: GraceMed outreach worker guiding families through Medicaid applications with compassion and trust.
Civic Engagement – Aileen Rueda-DaCosta: Photographer and founder of The Nacerá Project, capturing the stories and civic moments of the Latino community. Serving in different boards always makes sure there is a seat for our Latino community at the table.
Civic Engagement – Lalo Muñoz: Executive Director of El Centro of Topeka, championing equity and education access in Topeka. Teaching Leadership development to Latinos in Kansas.
Civic Engagement – Alejandro Arias Esparza: DEI and Talent Development leader at Emprise Bank, creating inclusive spaces in the workplace and community.
Business Development – Eddie Sandoval: Founder of Pinole Blue, preserving tradition while mentoring and supporting new entrepreneurs.
Business Development – Gabriel “Gabe” Muñoz: Founder of The Toolbox, helping thousands of small business owners succeed.
Arts & Culture – Fred Sosa: Musician who mentors youth and uses music to unite and uplift communities.
Arts & Culture – Marco Hernández: Artist and educator inspiring students at Wichita State University while showcasing his work worldwide.
Leadership – María Retana: Advocate who distributed over 30,000 Know Your Rights cards across Kansas.
Leadership – Atziri Campos: Founder of ICT Blessing Bags and organizer of the “Families Belong Together” march.
Latino Business of the Year – Las Adelitas Coffee Co.: Wichita café blending Latino flavors with community building.
The Legacy – Jim García: Late community leader whose lifetime of advocacy and service changed systems and lives and inspired new generation with his legacy.
This celebration is not only about awards — it’s a tribute to a community that has trusted Planeta Venus for 10 years to tell its stories with dignity and truth.
We remain committed to amplifying Latino voices, countering misinformation, and building bridges between communities.
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