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CNN news anchor, Soledad O'Brien was at the MTV headquarters this Monday with an exclusive screening of her upcoming documentary Latino in America, in which she explores the Latino experience in the United States. She herself is Latina as her full name suggests, Maria de la Soledad Teresa O'Brien. Her mother is Afro-Cuban and her father is from Australia, with an Irish and Scottish background - that explains the freckles on her face!

Last month, when Blogamole interviewed Soledad O'Brien at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's 32nd Annual Awards Gala, la periodista shared with us her parents' experience in the United States and how they were forced to go to Washington D.C. to get married because interracial marriage was illegal at the time in Maryland, where they met.  Now, 40 years later, there are a different set of challenges that lie ahead for people of color. In this 2-part documentary, O'Brien introduces us to Latinos of all different ages and across the U.S., who share their personal stories.

The first part of the documentary is called "The Garcias," which O'Brien tells us is the 8th most popular surname in the U.S. today.  In this portion of the story, we are introduced to a handful of Garcias from all across the nation, including Cindy Garcia, a student who is struggling to catch up on credits - taking classes from 8am to 8:30pm - in order to graduate high school. Two weeks shy from finishing her classes, Cindy discovers something life-changing that may keep her from completing her credits.

In the second part of the documentary, O'Brien takes us to different Latino communities, including Miami, where we meet Martha, a 15-year-old girl who came to the U.S. illegally by crossing the Rio Grande river on a tire tube, despite not knowing how to swim, because she wanted to find her mother. Although she finds her, she is faced with an unfortunate circumstance that lands her in court, facing deportation. We witness as she struggles to stay in the U.S. instead of being sent back to a country where no one can take care of her.

Inspired by the stories collected for her documentary, O'Brien decided to write a book with the same name, Latino in America, where she not only includes more revealing accounts and never-before-seen interviews and exclusive photos from the special, but also tells the story of her own life.  El libro esta disponible in stores now.

Here is a short clip of Latino in America where Soledad O'Brien interviews Eva Longoria Parker. Watch to find out why Eva Longoria's nickname was "the ugly one" growing up!

Photos via Getty Images

Tags CHCI 32nd Annual Awards Gala, CNN, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Cuban, Eva Longoria Parker, Latinos, Latinos in America, Soledad O'Brien, Washington DC

In these tough times, it can’t be easy being the President of the U.S., but every once in a while… we think it must be nice, Señor Obama!

It's no secret that our Presidente loves him some música, but we're especially glad he's all about getting his Latino groove on! So far, he's had Shakira sing for him, and he's taken on the spotlight himself to sing for Marc Anthony at the CHCI 32nd Annual Awards Gala (it was only Happy Birthday, but it still counts!). We've also heard that Juanes and Olga Tañón will be paying him a visit soon, but the biggest news… drumroll please…

La Casa Blanca will be opening its doors for a special performance by el grupo Aventura, this October 13th! MTV News will be there to get the scoop, so look out for the exclusive coverage on MTV Tr3s!

Does President Obama know how to dance bachata? We can't wait to find out!

Photos via Getty Images

Tags Aventura, bachata, CHCI 32nd Annual Awards Gala, Juanes, Latin Music, Marc Anthony, Musica Latina, Olga Tanon, President Barack Obama, Shakira

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama came out last Wednesday to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the CHCI 32nd Annual Awards Gala in Washington DC, an annual kickoff event that recognizes the achievements of Latinos en nuestro país.  Over 2,000 guests joined President Obama in celebrating Latino culture, including Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, John Leguizamo and Miss Puerto Rico to name a few.  El orgullo Latino was certainly soaring high!

President Obama's speech highlighted the success of some of today's most prominent Latinos (including Marc Anthony who won this year's CHCI Lifetime Achievement Award), and also touched upon his plan to help solve the school dropout crisis (sadly, Latinos have the highest dropout rate in the country), and pressing social issues like the economy, health care reform, and immigration. He gave a special shout out to Justice Sotomayor and said his proudest moment as President was when she became elected as the Supreme Court Justice of the United States!

Politics are no fun without some risas, so President Obama made sure to throw in a joke after New York Rep. Nydia Velazquez gushed about Marc Anthony.  El Presidente declared that Nydia must have a crush on Marc, and warned JLo to watch out porque apparently, she's not the only one who's got her eye on the legendary salsero.  Cuidado with your man, JLo!  Listen to Obama's chiste below!

Obama Tells JLo to "Watch Out"

Listen to more exclusive clips from Obama's Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Gala speech after the jump!

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Tags CHCI 32nd Annual Awards Gala, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Hispanic Heritage Month, J.LO, Jennifer Lopez, John Leguizamo, Marc Anthony, Michelle Obama, Nydia Velasquez, Politics, President Barack Obama, Sonia Sotomayor