HABLA Seeks Nominations for Hispanic Leaders Making a Difference in Charlotte, NC

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As the city with the fastest growing Hispanic population in the nation, Charlotte is giving rise to Hispanic entrepreneurs, executives, civic officials, community leaders, and budding students. With the Hispanic Achievement and Business Leadership Awards (HABLA) program nominations now open through September 16th, judges will have a wealth of talented local Hispanic business and civic leaders, who have made meaningful contributions to the community, to choose from. 

For the second consecutive year, the 2013 HABLA program, the leading Hispanic business to business (B2B) event in Charlotte, will recognize the accomplishments of Hispanics as nominated by the community at large in the following four categories:

• Corporate executive
• Civic
• Entrepreneur
• Unsung hero

In addition to recognizing Hispanic professionals and community leaders, the program is an opportunity for budding Hispanic students to be acknowledged for their contributions as they evolve into tomorrow's leaders.

Verizon, the presenting sponsor for HABLA, has established a $5,000 scholarship for rising Hispanic students. The scholarship will be awarded to a deserving high school senior entering college in the fall of 2014 or currently attending college as a freshman.

"Charlotte is exploding with new Hispanic leaders and youth, and we want to spotlight their accomplishments in the business sector and throughout the community," says Jerry Fountain, Carolinas/Tennessee region president of Verizon. "Hispanics make so many contributions to our community, and we hope others who feel the same will nominate someone they know in areas of business, community and education."

The award winners will be announced during Hispanic Heritage Month, on Tuesday, October 8^th, during the HABLA luncheon, which is produced by Lanza Group, LLC, at The Mint Museum Uptown.  To nominate a corporate, civic, entrepreneur, unsung hero or student, please visit HABLAawards.com. All entries must be received by must be received prior to 11:59 p.m. Monday, September 16^th 2013. For tickets to attend the HABLA luncheon please visit HABLAawards.com or HABLA Awards on Facebook.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 98.9 million retail customers, including 93.2 million retail postpaid customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 73,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit VerizonWireless.com.  For the latest news and updates about Verizon Wireless, visit our News Center at News.verizonwireless.com or follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/VZWNews. 

About Lanza Group, LLC
Founded in 2003, Atlanta-based Lanza Group, LLC is a Hispanic marketing, PR and events firm that provides integrated bilingual and bicultural Hispanic marketing solutions and experiences – connecting marketers to Latinos throughout the United States. Our goal is to identify opportunities, create programs, and deliver turnkey execution for our clients that will generate brand awareness and incremental revenue growth from the fastest-growing consumer market segment in the country. Lanza Group's signature events include Atlanta's annual official Cinco de Mayo celebration, Fiesta Atlanta; Georgia's Hispanic Heritage Month kick-off celebration, Fiesta Georgia; and the Hispanic Achievement & Business Leadership Awards (HABLA) program in the Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston and Orlando markets.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Karen Schulz
Verizon Wireless
864.987.2006
[email protected]

Roselyn A. Castillo
Lanza Group
404.350.0200
[email protected]

SOURCE Lanza Group