On Sept. 19, Chattanooga’s Latino community and its supporters filled the ballroom of The Westin Chattanooga with joy, energy and pride as they celebrated the 2025 Latino Leadership Awards (LLAs), hosted by La Paz Chattanooga, the longest-serving nonprofit organization dedicated specifically to empowering and engaging the area’s Latino population.
The LLAs are more than just an awards ceremony. The evening was one of storytelling, cultural celebration and heartfelt recognition of individuals and organizations who are shaping the future of Chattanooga.
More Than 15 Years of Celebration
La Paz Chattanooga launched the Latino Leadership Awards in 2012 as a way to highlight the many ways Latinos were contributing to the city through business, education, civic advocacy, and the arts. In its earliest form, the event took place as a midday luncheon, offering a professional setting that brought area leaders together.
In 2023, however, the event was reimagined as an evening gala. Since then, the result has been a richer, more vibrant experience, one that mirrors the culture and joy of the community it honors. Guests now gather over dinner and then dance to lively music alongside the recognition of honorees.
That spirit of celebration was alive and well this year as hundreds of Chattanoogans gathered downtown for a festive evening.
It’s amazing to see not only the growth of the Latino Leadership Awards over the years, but also the incredible leadership within the community, said Stacy Johnson, CEO of La Paz Chattanooga. “This event has always been about more than just honoring individuals–it’s about showing our city and the world that our community is thriving, resilient, and integral to Chattanooga’s future.”
Honoring Leaders Across Chattanooga
The heart of the LLAs is its recognition of leaders, some of whom are longtime champions whose work spans decades, and others who are just emerging. This year’s program featured eight award categories. Below are the winners from each:
* Latino Leader of the Year: Xavier Cotto
* Chattanooga’s Choice: Ensamble de México
* Latino Community Champion Award (organization/
business): The Pop-Up Project
* Emerging Latino Leader Award: Steisy Vasquez, Jennifer Velasquez and Alex De La Cruz (The selection committee elected to recognize all three finalists as winners for this award)
* La Paz Volunteer of the Year Award: Brittany Faith
* Latino Business of the Year: Sign Revolution
* Latino New Business of the Year: Radio Fiesta Latina
The nominees represented a wide range of industries and backgrounds, from educators and nonprofit leaders to artists, small-business owners, and volunteers. Each of them has made a lasting mark on Chattanooga, whether through innovative work in their field or through service that strengthens the community fabric.
As La Paz’s COO, Vivian Lozano, put it,”celebrating the accomplishments of Latino leaders in Chattanooga is more than honoring individual success. It is a recognition of the talent, resilience, and contributions that strengthen our entire community. The 2025 winners and honorees showcase the power of collaboration and support, reminding us that Chattanooga and Tennessee thrive through diversity, shared opportunity, and the collective power of all who call this place home.”
A Night of Joy and Connection
Beyond the awards themselves, the event offered a chance for Chattanooga’s Latino community and its friends to connect, network, and celebrate with one another. Guests enjoyed a festive dinner program, complete with cultural performances that highlighted the richness and diversity of Latino traditions.
For many in attendance, the evening carried deep personal meaning. It was an opportunity to celebrate not only the achievements of individuals but also the collective strength of the Latino population in Chattanooga, a community that is growing and vital to the city’s present and future.
Why the Latino Leadership Awards Matter
Recognition is powerful. For La Paz Chattanooga, the LLAs are more than a single night of celebration. They are a way of telling stories that too often go unheard. By lifting up business owners, educators, advocates, and artists, La Paz affirms the integral role of Latinos in Chattanooga’s growth.
Over the years, honorees have gone on to lead new organizations, expand businesses, and inspire others to pursue their dreams. The awards don’t just celebrate past accomplishments. They help fuel future leadership.
This year’s winners will join the ranks of more than a decade of honorees whose names reflect the deep impact of Chattanooga’s Latino population.
La Paz Chattanooga: Building Community Year-Round
While the awards serve as a high-profile annual celebration, La Paz’s work continues year-round. Founded in 2004, the organization provides resources, advocacy, and support to Chattanooga’s Latino community. Programs range from business creation and leadership development to cultural education, with the goal of creating a more inclusive city for everyone.
The awards are one visible expression of this mission. By highlighting the leadership within the Latino community, La Paz underscores its broader commitment to empowerment and engagement.
Looking Ahead
As the evening drew to a close, attendees left not only with memories of an inspiring celebration but also with a sense of anticipation. Chattanooga’s Latino community is growing rapidly, and with that growth comes new opportunities for leadership, collaboration, and cultural enrichment.
As we look ahead, my hope is that the Latino Leadership Awards continue to shine a light on the remarkable contributions of our community,” said Johnson. “Each year, we celebrate people, organizations and accomplishments but also the promise of what’s next: Leaders who will inspire, connect, and strengthen Chattanooga for generations to come.
For La Paz Chattanooga, the 2025 LLAs were both a milestone and a launching pad. A moment to reflect on how far the community has come, and a glimpse of the bright future ahead. u
Lily Sanchez is the Communications & Development Director at La Paz Chattanooga.
