Nominations for the Diamante Awards are being accepted for this year’s 26th annual event.

The Diamante Awards will be held Thursday, Sept. 10 at The University of Toledo Driscoll Alumni Center during National Hispanic Heritage Month which is celebrated Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. Carlos Ruiz, president of the Latino Alliance of Northwest Ohio, will emcee this year’s event.

Founded in 1989 by IMAGE of Northwest Ohio, a local Latino advocacy group, the Diamante Awards celebrate the profound and lasting influence that Latinos have on American history, values and culture.

The awards recognize individuals and organizations for their outstanding achievements and service to Latinos. The event also serves to raise scholarship funds for Latino youth seeking advanced degrees.

The Diamante Awards initiative is a collaboration between The University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, Herzing University, Lourdes University and Owens Community College.

Nominations are open now through Monday, July 24 in the following categories:
– Latino/Latina Youth Leadership: Recognizes a young person (individual) of Latino descent, between the ages of 16-21 who has made an impact within the northwest Ohio community.
– Latino/Latina Adult Leadership: Recognizes an adult of Latino descent, over age 21 who has demonstrated significant leadership in any area in northwest Ohio.
– Latino/Latina Adult Professional: Recognizes the contributions from professionals of Latino descent making a significant impact in their workplace or profession.
– Corporation/Community Agency: This is the only “group” category. Recognizes an entity for supporting and making an impact within the northwest Ohio community.
– Friend of the Latino Community: Recognizes the contribution of an individual, of non-Latino descent, who is making an impact on the Latino community in northwest Ohio.

Nomination forms can be found at diamantetoledo.org/nomination.html. For more information, contact Alexis DeAnda Martinez at adeanda@bgsu.edu or 419.372.2678.