LATINO AMERICANS DOCUMENTARY

LATINO AMERICANS is the first major documentary series for television to chronicle the rich and varied history and experiences of Latinos. Esteemed actor, Benjamin Bratt, narrates it.

Latinos have helped shape North America over the last 500-plus years and have become, with more than 50 million people, the largest minority group in the U.S. The changing context of American history provides a backdrop for the drama of individual lives. It is a story of immigration and redemption, of anguish and celebration, of the gradual construction of a new American identity that connects and empowers millions of people today.  

                                                 

The documentary special will air during Hispanic Heritage Month, September and October, 2013: Tuesdays -- September 17, September 24 and October 1 -- 8-10 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings). Additionally, the series will broadcast nationally in Spanish on Vme, the Spanish-language channel on public television, over six consecutive Fridays beginning on September 20.

A book accompanies the series by PBS News Hour anchor and renowned journalist, Ray Suarez, also titled LATINO AMERICANS, published by Penguin/Celebra.  The book will be available in English and Spanish in September.

Education continues to be one of the most important issues Latinos in the US face today.  To this end, the LATINO AMERICANS project has a commitment to leverage the stories and content in the series to inspire youth and their families to learn more about their unique cultural heritage, history, and contributions to this nation.  A team of Latino educators developed a rich curriculum that will be available at no cost via the PBSLearningMedia.org web site. 

A total of 14 multi-media lessons and activities have been developed to enrich the learning experience offered through LATINO AMERICANS:

·         All materials are aligned to relevant Common Core and National Social Studies Standards.

·         All content are free and accessible online, as of September 2013, at www.PBSLearningMedia.org .

·         Story Share: Teachers and students are invited to construct and share their own stories through the program website’s story sharing interface. http://www.pbs.org/latino-americans/en/

Here are some easy things your organization can do to participate:

·         Ask for a complimentary one-on-one coaching session on how to use the content in learning settings or with community groups by emailing LatinosPBS@gmail.com.

·         Promote broadcast tune-in gatherings at local schools, PTA committees, faith organizations, and other service and nonprofit agencies.

·         Tweet during the broadcast, #LatinosPBS.

·         Contact LatinosPBS@gmail.com to obtain video(s) for screenings in your local community.

·         Upload a 2-minute video about your family, history, Latino pride: http://www.pbs.org/latino-americans/en/

 Watch episode   trailers, here: http://video.pbs.org/program/latino-americans/

Visit PBS’ online pressroom for photographs, updates and news releases: http://pressroom.pbs.org/Programs/l/LATINO-AMERICANS.aspx

For more information and to forge a partnership with LATINO AMERICANS, contact:

·         Neyda Martinez, National Engagement Consultant and Tony Gomez, National Education Consultant at LatinosPBS@gmail.com.