Cheech Marin: From Counterculture to Cultural Institution

Minneapolis: The Human Cost of ICE & the Power of Community Resistance

After the enforcement surge in Minneapolis earlier this year, communities were living through a reality that headlines and social media couldn’t fully capture: families in fear, businesses shutting down, and neighborhoods forced into survival mode. In this episode of Fritanga, Minneapolis community leaders - Henry Jiménez, Carolina Ortiz, and Rev. Hierald Osorto - share what they witnessed on the ground, how their communities responded in real time, and the long-term ramifications of a moment that reshaped how entire communities live, work, and move through their daily lives. From disruption and fear to solidarity and collective action, we discuss both the human cost and the strength that emerged in response. ABOUT OUR GUESTS: Carolina Ortiz – Associate Executive Director, COPAL, brings over seven years of experience with COPAL, where she has led communications and environmental justice work and now guides development efforts. Through coalition building, policy advocacy, and strategic storytelling, she works to uplift the voices of Latin American communities and drive meaningful change that improves their quality of life. Rev. Hierald Osorto, Lead Pastor, St. Paul’s–San Pablo Lutheran Church, a bilingual Reconciling in Christ congregation in South Minneapolis. He is a former teaching fellow at the Leadership Center for Social Justice at United Theological Seminary and previously served as Executive Director for Student Equity & Belonging at Ithaca College. His work centers on faith, justice, and building communities rooted in dignity and belonging. Henry Jiménez – President & CEO, Propel Nonprofits, a Community Development Financial Institution that provides nonprofits with access to capital and capacity-building services. A longtime advocate for Latino and immigrant communities, he previously led the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), advancing efforts in wealth-building, cultural investment, and community development. He serves on multiple national and local boards and is a 2023 Bush Fellow. EPISODE RESOURCES: 🔹 Support Impacted Families The Yesod Fund provides flexible, direct support to individuals and families most impacted by the recent Metro Operation Surge in Minnesota. 👉 https://yesodfund.org [https://yesodfund.org/] 🔹 Immigrant Support & Legal Resources 👉 https://immigrantdefensenetwork.org/#resources [https://immigrantdefensenetwork.org/#resources] 🔹 Support Latino-Owned Small Businesses Mercado Central has served as a cultural and economic anchor in Minneapolis for over 26 years, supporting Latino entrepreneurs and strengthening the East Lake Street corridor. 👉 Donate to support Mercado Central: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-mercado-central-from-closure [https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-mercado-central-from-closure] WATCH THIS EPISODE TODAY: https://hispanicheritage.org/fritanga/  [https://hispanicheritage.org/fritanga/] FOLLOW: @FritangaPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/fritangapodcast] CONNECT: Fritanga@HispanicHeritage.org [Fritanga@HispanicHeritage.org]

Cheech Marin: From Counterculture to Cultural Institution

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Season 5 of Fritanga looks in three directions: past, present, and future. We begin with someone whose life spans all three. The legendary comedian, actor, author, and art collector Cheech Marin!  For over five decades, Cheech has helped expand who gets to be visible and heard in American culture. Born in South Central Los Angeles, Cheech left the United States during the Vietnam War era and met Tommy Chong in Vancouver. What they built together moved from underground comedy stages to national influence, blending satire, music, and lived experience in a way that reshaped American entertainment. In this conversation with our host, Antonio Tijerino, Cheech reflects on identity, reinvention, and belonging. They talk about growing up Mexican American in LA, about music as the rhythm behind comedy, about leaving America and returning to reshape it. From film to television to Disney animation to sold-out reunion tours decades later, Cheech shares what it takes to pivot without losing who you are. The conversation culminates in his work as a collector and advocate for Chicano art. What began in the 1980s as a personal commitment became national exhibitions and ultimately The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art and Culture, the first museum dedicated to Chicano art. For Cheech, institutions matter because they affirm presence. This episode is about who we have always been in relation to this country, and what it means to make that presence permanent.   Follow The Cheech Center: Instagram -  @theCheechCenter [https://www.instagram.com/thecheechcenter] TikTok - @theCheechCenter [https://www.tiktok.com/@thecheechcenter] Facebook - @theCheechCenter [https://www.facebook.com/TheCheechCenter/] Support The Cheech in their effort to uplift diverse artists: https://bit.ly/thecheechlegacy [https://bit.ly/thecheechlegacy]   WATCH THIS EPISODE TODAY: https://hispanicheritage.org/fritanga/  [https://hispanicheritage.org/fritanga/] FOLLOW: @FritangaPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/fritangapodcast] CONNECT: Fritanga@HispanicHeritage.org [Fritanga@HispanicHeritage.org]   TEAM: Host: Antonio Tijerino Executive Producer: Antonio Caro Senior Producer: Connor Coleman Producer: Ambrose Davis

De Guayama Pa'l Mundo: The Scenic Design of Gerardo Díaz Sánchez at The Hispanic Heritage Awards

This month, guest host and executive producer Antonio Caro pulls back the curtain with acclaimed set designer Gerardo Díaz Sánchez—the creative mind shaping this year’s Hispanic Heritage Awards stage. From the show’s guiding theme of gold (not of greed, but reciprocity and ancestral respect) to designing a world that works both live and on TV, Gerardo breaks down how he turns stories into spaces, memory into architecture, and heritage into design. They get into: Bad Bunny’s Puerto Rico–rooted staging and what it signals about home and identity; how queerness and culture shape Gerardo’s voice; the do-or-die realities of designing with tight budgets; and the line between spectacle and intimacy when the set should shine—and when it should disappear so the story can lead. In this episode: * The vision behind this year’s Hispanic Heritage Awards set and its “gold” as offering & reciprocity * Designing for two audiences at once: the room and the national PBS broadcast * From Guayama, Puerto Rico, to Yale * Stage Design Process Deep-Dive * Authenticity on screen Learn more about Gerardo's work at https://www.gerardodiazsanchez.com/  Watch the Episode on YouTube @HispanicHeritage Follow: @FritangaPodcast on Instagram today! Reminder: Watch the 38th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards on PBS – September 26 at 9/8c and stream on PBS.org + the PBS app in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

La Reina de Quechua Rap - Renata Flores, Peruvian Singer, Rapper, & Activist

From the Andes to the world: this month, we bring you the story of Quechua singer, rapper, and activist Renata Flores—a journey of rhythm, resistance, and reclamation straight from the mountains of Ayacucho, Peru. This episode of Fritanga features an English-language introduction, followed by a powerful conversation in Spanish with the viral artist redefining Latin music and honoring Indigenous identity by bringing Quechua to the world stage. Desde los Andes para el mundo: este mes, te traemos la historia de Renata Flores - cantante, rapera y activista quechua - una manifestación de ritmo, resistencia y reivindicación desde las montañas de Ayacucho, Perú. Este episodio de Fritanga Podcast comienza con una introducción en inglés, seguida de una conversación en español con una artista que está redefiniendo la música latina al honrar su identidad indígena y llevar el quechua al escenario mundial. ABOUT RENATA [ENGLISH VERSION]: At just 14, Renata Flores went viral rapping Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel” in Quechua—the Indigenous Andean language of her ancestors and the most widely spoken Indigenous language in Latin America. But that moment wasn’t just a remix. It was a reclaiming. Now 24, Renata has become a powerful voice for Indigenous youth across Latin America. Her music blends hip hop, pop, and ancestral tradition to celebrate her roots and challenge colonial narratives. Her lyrics speak truth to power, and to the soul of a people whose language and culture have survived conquest, marginalization, and war. Following her 2021 debut album Isqun - a 9-track tribute to the strength of Andean women throughout history - Renata is preparing to release her second album, deepening her commitment to cultural pride, Indigenous visibility, and sonic innovation. 📺 This episode is recorded primarily in Spanish. To watch with English subtitles, visit our YouTube channel @HispanicHeritage or click here to watch the episode today [https://youtu.be/ZjS1ozZNzIM]. 🎧 RESOURCES / RECURSOS Listen & Follow [Escucha y sigue a] Renata Flores: * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/3TZtFZu2rmUnoE0kr8QxdT?si=jtp3-IAfQ76ejzYNBcoRCg] * Apple Music [https://music.apple.com/pl/artist/renata-flores/1193433634] * YouTube - @RenataFloresRivera  [https://www.youtube.com/@RenataFloresRivera] * Instagram - @RenataFloresRivera [https://www.instagram.com/renatafloresrivera/] * TikTok - @RenataFloresRivera [https://www.tiktok.com/@renatafloresrivera] * Facebook - @RenataFloresPeru [https://www.facebook.com/renatafloresperu] _____________________________________ SOBRE RENATA [VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL]: A los 14 años, Renata se hizo viral interpretando “The Way You Make Me Feel” de Michael Jackson en quechua—la lengua ancestral de los Andes y la lengua indígena más hablada en América Latina, con más de 8 millones de hablantes. Pero ese momento no fue solo un remix. Fue una recuperación cultural. Hoy, con 24 años y su segundo álbum en camino, Renata es una voz imprescindible para la juventud indígena en toda la región. Desde su ciudad natal de Ayacucho, continúa mezclando hip hop, pop y tradición ancestral para celebrar sus raíces y desafiar los relatos coloniales. En este episodio, Renata conversa con Antonio Tijerino, presidente y CEO de la Fundación de Herencia Hispana, y con Marcos Marin Quintero, CEO y editor en jefe de Tiempo Company (El Tiempo Latino, El Planeta), sobre música, identidad y resistencia. Sus letras abordan desde la justicia climática hasta la equidad de género y reflejan el alma de un pueblo cuya lengua y cultura han sobrevivido a la conquista, la marginación y la guerra. 🎙️ Este episodio fue grabado íntegramente en español. Para verlo con subtítulos en inglés, visita nuestro canal de YouTube: @HispanicHeritage o haz clic aquí [https://youtu.be/ZjS1ozZNzIM].

The Soundtrack of the American Dream ft. Emilio Estefan, Grammy & Emmy Award-Winning Producer, Director, & Entrepreneur

What does the American Dream sound like? In this special Fourth of July episode of Fritanga, host Antonio Tijerino sits down with one of the composers of that dream: Emilio Estefan. Long before he became a 19-time Grammy-winning producer, a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, and one of the most influential Latino cultural architects of our time, Emilio was an 11-year-old Cuban boy arriving in Miami with an accordion, no money, and a belief in something bigger. A belief in this country. In music. In himself. From creating the “Miami Sound” to launching the global careers of artists like Shakira, Ricky Martin, and Gloria Estefan, Emilio’s story is one of hustle, heart, and the rhythm of possibility. In this episode, Antonio and Emilio dive into: * Emilio’s journey from Cuba to the global stage * How immigrant resilience redefined American music * Working with legends—and fighting for Celia Cruz’s comeback * Fatherhood and creative legacy with his daughter Emily Estefan * New projects including Raíces, Gloria Estefan’s first Spanish album in nearly 20 years * BASURA, the new Broadway-bound musical co-created by Emily and Gloria Estefan This isn’t just an interview—it’s a love letter to culture, legacy, and what it means to build something lasting from nothing. WATCH: Click here to watch this and other episodes on YouTube.  [https://youtu.be/FRcY6QyE3WI] FOLLOW: Follow us on Insta @FritangaPodcast [https://www.instagram.com/fritangapodcast/] CONNECT: For questions or guest recommendations, email us at Fritanga@HispanicHeritage.org Featured Resources & Mentions: 🎶 Gloria Estefan’s “Raíces” Album [https://open.spotify.com/album/7v0by35dP3weA7eMfpCRCQ?si=zmAGF1X3RF2o-oWiw0V7Gg] 🎭 Emily & Gloria Estefan’s Musical “BASURA” [https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/gloria-estefan-emily-estefan-basura-musical-music-lyrics-1235954152/] TEAM: Host: Antonio Tijerino Executive Producer: Antonio Caro  Senior Producer:  Connor Coleman  Producer: Ambrose Davis