National Latine Heritage Month is upon us! Well, technically it’s National Hispanic Heritage Month, but the word “Hispanic” can be fraught. And yes, we’re using the word “Latine” (la-TEEN-eh), which is equally fraught.

Debate about names and labels are pretty par for the course, but we have all year for that. This month, let’s focus on Latine contributions to pop culture, media, and activism! Actually, we have all year for that, too, but we’re giving it special focus over the next few weeks.

We wanna hear about your faves! Which Latine creators are telling your favorite stories? Who are your favorite Latine characters in media? Which Latine public figures are inspiring you? Reach out to us here, or write to us at [email protected] and tell us all about them!

Lastly, we have an awesome film giveaway below! If you love Disney/Pixar films, this one’s for you!

LATINES MAKING WAVES IN MEDIA

by Teresa Jusino

Sure, Latine Heritage Month is a great time to learn about Latines’ historical contributions to the United States, but I’m more interested in shouting-out the ones out there doing the damn thing right now!

Here are some Latines currently making waves, moving the needle, and doing big things that we all should be keeping an eye on:

GAMING

Did you know that “nearly 80% of Latinx adults in the U.S. are likely to play video games compared with 62% of (ed note: non-Latine) white adults?” Yet “only 3% percent of video gaming characters [are] Latino… [and] Hispanics account for 8.1% of video game developers compared with 70% for (non-Latine) whites.”

Shout-out to the newly-formed Latino Representation in Gaming Coalition (LRGC) for bringing these and other facts about the lack of Latine representation in gaming to light while advocating for increased representation across the industry. The LRGC, announced at a gathering of the National Press Club last week, was founded by Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), National Hispanic Media Coalition, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, MANA, Latinx in Gaming, the Hispanic Association for Corporate Responsibility and the Latino Corporate Directors Association, and Estuardo Rodriguez, principal/cofounder of consulting firm the Raben Group and president/CEO of the Friends of the American Latino Museum.

TELEVISION

Liza Colón-Zayas made history at the Emmys with her Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series win for her role as Tina Marrero on FX’s The Bear! Believe it or not, Colón-Zayas was the first Latina to take home the award for this category in 76 years of Emmys!

After two seasons of being in the background during much louder drama happening around her, the show’s third season gave her a beautiful showcase episode called “Napkins” (directed by Ayo Edibiri) that allowed Colón-Zayas to deliver a compelling and heartbreaking performance deserving of all the awards.

As TMS’ Lauren Salerno wrote, the episode “was a relatable commentary on job loss in this economic landscape. Colón-Zayas was exceptional in the episode, channeling the frustrations and fears of so many Americans with the added layer of complexities that race and class bring into the mix.” We can’t wait to see more Tina on The Bear, nor can we wait to see how her Emmy win embiggens her career!

FILM

Of course, we all know the fabulous Pedro Pascal. However, he’s not the only member of his family doing awesome things in the world of film. Pascal’s older sister, Javiera Balmaceda, has been the Head of Local Originals for the Latin American, Canadian, and Australian markets at Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios. In that role, she’s been responsible for several film successes that her little brother’s been all-too-happy to shout about on social media.

Back in 2022, she shepherded the film Argentina, 1985, which won the Golden Globe for Best Picture - Non-English Language. Most recently, one of her films (here’s the proud younger brother tag!) just premiered as an official selection at the Toronto International Film Festival! Titled Pimpinero: Sangre y Gasolina (English title: Pimpinero: Blood and Oil), the film is a Colombian crime thriller about a group of people who illegally transport gasoline over the border between Columbia and Venezuela.

While her little brother is bringing Latinidad to American film, Balmaceda is making sure Latine films have their time in the sun in front of international audiences.

LITERATURE

When thinking about Latine novelists to spotlight, I decided instead to spotlight someone who knows more about Latine authors than I ever will. I’ve been following Latina Bookstagrammer @tomesandtextiles (real name, Carmen) for years, and she’s made it her life’s work to get people reading more Latine authors all year round - not just during this month.

She is one of those Bookstagram/Book Tok influencers who’s doing the work that publishing house marketing departments usually don’t by spotlighting all books released by Latine authors every week. She is so thorough. So, if you’re looking to read more Latine authors, make sure you save @tomesandtextiles’ profile!

INSIDE OUT 2 GIVEAWAY!

Inside Out 2 is finally coming to Disney+ next week on September 25th, and we are totally filled with Joy! 

To celebrate the film, we’ve got two digital copies of Inside Out 2 to give to two lucky subscribers! Whether you have Disney+ or not, if you want to own a copy of this amazing film, enter to win between now and September 28th at 11:59pm Central Time.

How do you enter? Share this newsletter with folks you think would be into it!

All you need to do is click that button above and share The Clubhouse with the masses! That’s it!

Once the entry window is over on 9/28, we’ll tabulate the referrals and our TOP 2 referrers will each receive a digital copy of Inside Out 2. We’ll announce our winners in our October 4th newsletter.

Good luck!

ICYMI

Here are some recent posts over at TMS that you shouldn’t miss:

INTERVIEW SPOTLIGHT

Have you seen these interviews? Make sure you’re caught up with the convos TMS is having with the folks behind our favorite stories!

TMS talks with Juliette Lewis and Peter Dinklage about their new western thriller, The Thicket!

And here are some other chats that aren’t to be missed:

Thoughts? Ideas? Reply here, or write to us at [email protected] to tell us how we’re doing and what you’d like to see!