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by Wendaline Perez

Wilmer Valderrama has been staying busy this year.  Not only did he recently sign a development deal with 20th Century Fox TV as acting star and executive producer for the studio, he also became the official spokesperson for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s (CHCI) Ready to Lead (R2L) program and he just finished shooting a Spike Lee movie in New York City.

photo by TJ Kirkpatrick/PictureGroup‬

We caught up with the Venezuelan actor at the CHCI 33rd Annual Awards red carpet in Washington DC and here’s what he had to say:

Valderrama on attending the CHCI Gala:

"It's a big night for everyone, it's a big night for the community, specifically for the CHCI organization, I think every year they definitely outdo themselves. All of their programs and youth-leadership programs have definitely become an inspiration for young kids so it's a big moment and that's what we are here to do, to support their cause and continue with their efforts."

photo by TJ Kirkpatrick/PictureGroup‬

Valderrama gives us the latest scoop on his latest movie 'The Girl is in Trouble':

"I just finished this movie with producer Spike Lee and actor Columbus Short. It’s a fantastic story of New York and its going to be bad ass… I play a Dominican gangster…"

Stay tuned to Tr3s to find out when 'The Girl is in Trouble' will be released in a theatre near you!

Tags CHCI, Columbus Short, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, R2L, Ready To Lead, Spike Lee, The Girl Is In Trouble, Wilmer Valderrama

By Michael Lopez

We always love hearing about young Latino stars taking the time to give back. Think about it… You’re in the prime of your life, making millions of dollars, and working constantly on film and TV projects. Do you really think there would be time time to lead workshops across the country and counsel young people on the importance of education? Wilmer Valderrama is proof that it's possible!

The actor and activist has quietly donated dozens of hours to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) and was recently honored for his work with their Ready To Lead (R2L) program.

As the nation’s premier Hispanic non-profit leadership development organization, CHCI works to groom the next generation of influential Latinos by promoting higher education and improved graduation rates. Wilmer has made a major impact, via his numerous R2L sessions and PSAs.

As he puts it, "This has been some of the most rewarding work I have ever done. It is crucial that we embrace the youth of today for the future of America. When I tell them they can, that's all they need."

With all of his success and a high-profile image, it’s no surprise that CHCI announced that they’re extending Wilmer’s partnership through 2012. Keep up the good work amigo, because we all know a little inspiration can go a long way!

For more info about CHCI, check out http://www.chci.org/.

Source: [CHCI]

What causes would you like to get the most involved with? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Agentes De Cambio, Awards, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, leadership, Ready To Lead, Wilmer Valderrama

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

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!

Read more...

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