MARK SANCHEZ
The New York Jets’ quarterback, Mark Sanchez, is a third-generation Mexican–American. Sanchez, drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, started playing football in the eighth grade, following his father and his older brother, who played the same position at Yale University.
Now fluent in Spanish after taking classes, he has said that: “I am not trying to prove how Mexican I am or how American… I’m proud to be both.”
JOAN SMALLS
Puerto Rican native Joan Smalls has taken to the catwalk for such fashion powerhouses as Givenchy, Gucci, Prada, Burberry, Christian Dior and Diane von Furstenberg.
In 2011, she became the first Latina model to be chosen as the face of Estée Lauder, and is the only Puerto Rican to earn a coveted role as a Victoria’s Secret angel.
The lovely Latina has said that she is “honored to rep my culture and want[s] to show the world out there that the Latin culture is beautiful and exciting.”
CAROLINA HERRERA
Despite having no formal training in fashion design, Herrera has run one of the most successful high-end fashion houses for over 25 years. The designer has garnered many awards including the 2002 Gold Medal of Merit for Fine Arts (one of Spain’s highest awards) and the 2012 Designer of the Year from the Style Awards. Now in her 70s, the Venezuelan-born Herrera is still a commanding presence in the industry.
LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA
Lin-Manuel Miranda as been dubbed the Broadway It Boy for his monster hit “In The Heights,” winner of four Tony awards in 2008.
Born to Puerto Rican parents and raised in Washington Heights, Miranda delved heavily into his cultural background for the hit musical, which he started writing at 19.
In addition to his work as an author and composer, the multi-talented Miranda is also a poet, actor, singer and lyricist. He co-wrote the music for “Bring It On: The Musical” and translated “West Side Story” into Spanish for a bilingual production of the musical.
In 2009, he performed his poetry jam at the White House for President Obama.
NYDIA VELÁZQUEZ
Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez was born in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, where she watched her father campaign-ing from a flatbed truck. From his example, she developed the desire for a life in public service.
Known as “la luchadora,” (Spanish for “fighter”), Velázquez is now serving her 10th term in Congress, the first Puerto Rican woman to be elected to the US House of Representatives. She was also the first Hispanic to be appointed to the New York City Council. She has said, “I want to remove more barriers so that Latinas nationwide can achieve their dreams.”
VICTOR CRUZ
New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz is known for his Latin touchdown victory dance, which he says is a tribute to his grand-mother, and to let people know that he is not “scared of representing his culture.” Puerto Rican Cruz is also the founder of the Victor Cruz Foundation, to help underprivileged children.
JENNIFER LOPEZ
Actress and singer “Jenny from the Block” is the US’ most celebrated Puerto Rican. Lopez has now teamed up with the English-speaking cable network for Latinos, nuvoTV, to produce programming through her company Nuyorican Productions, since she remembers growing up in the Bronx “watching TV and not having a lot to identify with.” — Georgett Robert