Racial or ethnic groups. Now, demographers had expected the shift for decades. Abc7 News Reporter chris nguyen took a look at the shift throughout the state when the numbers were released in july. At the dia de pesca restaurant in san jose, Xavier Sanchez savors the chance to share his passion for food. I call it the path of the heart. You follow the path of the heart, and you know when youre doing right. You feel good in your heart. Sanchez was born in whittier, but moved to san jose at the age of 4. He would eventually graduate from san jose state, go on to serve in the army, and later become one of san joses first latino firefighters. Hes proud of his heritage and was inspired to open his restaurant after growing up in his fathers cantina. My father, i learned to work hard and to be honest. Sanchez is one of the many who have contributed to the cultural fabric of the south bay. In fact, according to the most recent data available, the state now has approximately 14. 99 million latinos compared to about 14. 92 million nonhispanic whites. Together the two groups make up nearly 80 of californias population. Ron gonzales, the first hispanic to serve as mayor of san jose since statehood says its all about perspective. Just having sheer numbers doesnt matter if were not engaged in all aspects of our society whether its jobs, housing, politics, or Civic Engagement in general. Gonzales is now president and c. E. O. Of the Hispanic Foundation of silicon valley. He says latinos are a committed community, one thats worth investing in. Theres a lot of needs within the Hispanic Community, but we have a lot of strengths, too. And regardless of what the numbers say. Were all americans now, and we should all help each other, and you dont necessarily have to have blue eyes to be an american. A reminder that the u. S. Is a nation of immigrants. In san jose, chris nguyen, abc7 news. And joining me in the studio today are Adriana Lopez, the manager of programming, development, and Community Outreach at the Mexican Museum. Rolando bonilla, principal partner of the Public Relations firm ford bonilla, and Stephanie Bravo is the founder of studentmentor. Org and is now the Vice President of programs for strive for college. Bienvenidos. Gracias. Thank you. Well, you heard the report by our colleague, chris nguyen. Let me ask you what the implications are. Were already here. Whoa we made it. What are those implications . Anybody want to start . Rolando . I think this is a great political opportunity for the Latino Community because it gives us the understanding that although were here in numbers, we still have to have a presence on the political front. Yes, its true the California Latino legislative caucus is a very influential wing of our government within the legislature. Yes, its true that we have a lot more City Council Members throughout the state, but we also have to make sure that our voice is heard at the ballot box. Just like our voices are now being heard at the consumer point of sale reference, on the political front, we have to make sure we have a presence at the ballot box, and on that front, although weve made tremendous strides, we still have a long ways to go before that really becomes a presence thats here longterm. So why arent we voting in higher numbers . Well, i think one of the reasons and feel free to jump in. One of the reasons that i see that as a political scientist is, candidly, were working. Not that everyone else isnt working, but the immigrant thinking and concept of getting to this country and getting the two, three jobs to sustain your family is such an overarching theme that anything that competes with that just doesnt have a chance of getting in. So, do we feel that were not represented . I think so. I mean, just in terms of College Completion and getting into college, were some of the lowest minority groups that have attainment, and so i think we need to also make sure that not only are we working, but were also in school, and so taking time out of classes, taking time away from our day to days is difficult for us to actually do, but were making significant strides and significant jumps in getting a lot of our latino children not only out of high school and into college, but also getting through college, as well. So once we get into college, though, why are so many hispanics dropping out . Well, a lot of it has to do with social support, and thats one of the reasons i founded an organization all around mentoring and am currently leading an organization all around virtual mentoring, as well, is social support is a huge need within our community, and those who are mentors as professionals or even College Students themselves can go back and take up the next generation to really show them that its possible to make it to college and to make it through college. Well, how about Financial Support . Are we not getting the Financial Support that we need . I was going to say i think its also financial, and i think that theres wonderful organizations like the Chicana Latina Foundation here in the bay area that are helping young latina students get through college, and i think more of us need to work towards that, as well, in our creation of nonprofits and foundations and start helping our latino students. What else is holding us back . I think at times the and this is again more from the political front at times, we are competing with so many socioeconomic issues that, from my own personal experience, theres so many socioeconomic issues getting in the way, that unless we as a community do a better job of coming together and providing resources, providing mentorship, its very easy to sometimes see folks along the way who dont necessarily feel that theres a light at the end of the tunnel. You know, i used to joke around that my first exposure to lawyers was in the neighborhood. My first exposure to doctors was in the e. R. Right. But theres a lot of truth to that not just for me, but for a lot of latinos. Right . So how do you make those folks realistic and tangible . Thats what changed my perspective in my life. At age 18, i was able to work at the citys Health Department and see people like yourself. Its what chief Justice Supreme CourtJustice Sonia sotomayor said about going to when she would go to the island of puerto rico, she would see people like her. She would see the lawyers, the doctors that she wouldnt see in the bronx. Exactly. So how important is that to have those mentors, to see people like you . Well, i was fortunate enough to spend my life going to venezuela very often, so i did get to see this incredible culture, professionals. My cousins were taking incredible classes and doing so well in the universities, and the art of venezuela i owe so much to seeing what latinos can achieve in the arts. So for me, that was really instrumental in pushing me forward. And its a beautiful country. It is. And so how do we get people to understand that we have to invest in these kids now for the future of california . 15 seconds. Sure. I think economics. Giving a child an opportunity will not only change that childs future, it will change that familys economic forecast, period, and by extension, that communitys forecast. So by extension, some of the sacrifices that have to be made through education will provide the longterm goal of economic strength for those families and those communities. Lets awaken everybody out there. Thats it. Well, we need to take a short break. Well be back, and well learn more about the important work that our guests are doing around the bay area. Come back. And welcome back to beyond the headlines with cheryl jennings. I am Lyanne Melendez sitting in for my colleague on this very special edition. We are discussing the bay areas vibrant hispanic communities. Next we have a story about a man considered a gigante among giants in the entertainment world the iconic latinamerican host Don Francisco presented his last show this year after 53 years on the air the longestrunning Television Variety Show in the history. Wow. Heres how it all started. [speaking spanish] Don Francisco my real name is Mario Kreutzberger blumenfeld, and i used to work in a jewish club doing an impression of a huge guy that couldnt speak well the language in spanish. The name of this guy was Don Francisco. And so the name Don Francisco stuck. For the past 53 years, it has been a household name in just about every community in the United States and in the rest of latin america. He was born in chile. His father was a concentration camp survivor who fled from germany. In 1962, he started a tv show in his native chile so popular that, at times, 80 of the country tuned in. Years later, the show was moved to miami and broadcasted on the Spanish Language network univision. The shows name . Sabado gigante spanish for giant saturday. Its often described as an entertainment, interview, and humaninterest show three hours long. Okay he maintained the pride in our culture, and one of the things that was so important, and the reason why people loved him so much is that he was always very positive. At la Palma Mexicatessen in San Franciscos Mission district, employees told us the 74yearold Don Francisco has long been an icon in this community. Lo admire y lo quiero. Sara gomez says, i admire him and love him el carismo, los consejos que daba al public. Ramiro quintana says he liked his charisma and the advice he offered viewers. Im very honored and very proud of what we did these 53 years. Were closing that cycle. Were opening another one. Don francisco has said he wants to leave with dignity. My parents loved him loved him. Anyway, were any of you guys Don Francisco fans . Mmhmm. Every weekend. Yeah. Every saturday night. Could i just say what i loved about him . He would always say, no matter or i guess the message he conveyed no matter whats going on, whatever they tell you, always be proud of who you are. Is that not the message we have to send our kids . Yeah. I think thats really important. I grew up in san jose. Im born and bred in the bay area and my grandfather actually owned the taqueria that was down the road, so we grew up with this community of mentors, as well as being able to really bask in our heritage and understand that our roots were very important to us. And so thats what i brought foard when i went as a firstgeneration college student, and thats what i took with me. It also reminds me of like the univision presenter jorge ramos. He has been going headtohead with donald trump on all these immigration issues. Anybody care to comment about that . I think thats what has to happen. Someone has to create that hard line and say, enough is enough. We have a voice. Were not going to allow anyone to speak about our community that way, and i think thats the value of a jorge ramos. You look at the value of a Don Francisco beyond the show. Lets talk about what he did every single saturday night. He brought families together. Right. He allowed for the culture to transfer from one generation to another through a variety show every single saturday night. That was my memory. My grandmother, my parents, my siblings everything was happening together. Thats what makes us strong. And of course honoring our traditions and let me talk a little bit about that with you, adriana. The Mexican Museum tell us a little bit about that. 40 years in the bay area. Talk about pride. [ chuckles ] amen. I think one of the most beautiful ways to show a cultures pride is through the visual arts, and i think that that is exactly what the Mexican Museum has been doing for 40 years, and not just showing mexican arts, but the best of the best and what beauty can really and diversity and depth and richness. Latino culture overall has i think the way that latinos are sometimes portrayed in television or in books, sometimes in the United States, they dont really portray latinos in that full way that we should be and have that more diverse view of our culture. We can be artists. We can be great. Yes. Tell us a little bit about the museum cause youre moving to a different location. Well, youre building. Exactly. I think thats what happens, you know, when your family starts to grow. You run out of room and you have to move somewhere bigger, and thats been the museums goal for now 20 years, and its finally happening, and im pretty young, but i see the love in the communitys eyes and how excited they are for this move, and it makes me so proud, to use that word again, and it is such an exciting moment for the museum. We also are trying to pick up our outreach programs so that we can help teachers develop their curriculum and bring latino arts into the classroom and make sure that kids know the joys of Rufino Tamayo and Gunther Gerzso at an early age, and, you know, i was fortunate enough to see that. Tell us about the director, cause hes been very influential in the Hispanic Community. Sure. So, thats peter rodriguez, our founder, and i absolutely love that image of him. I love that picture. Yeah. [ chuckles ] he is still painting at 89 years old, which is so incredible and we are so proud to be hosting an exhibition of his work opening on the 40th birthday of the museum. November 19th will be the grand opening of the exhibition, and peter has this very playful style where he will combine popular forms with a very abstract expressionist style. So you have these very Traditional Mexican themes in his work, but also presented in this completely new way. So thats sort of what the Mexican Museum tries to do overall with its mission. And cant wait to go again. Now its time for another break. Next well talk about Rolando Bonillas experiences im gonna put you on the spot in Public Service and as an entrepreneur when we return. And welcome back to beyond ththe headlines with cheryl jennings. Im Lyanne Melendez sitting in for cheryl as we celebrate hispanic heritage month with a round table discussion with local community leaders. In honor of hispanic heritage month, cocacola released an ad to celebrate the many hispanic family names. Im melendez. The ad has been playing extensively on social media and now its getting criticism from some in the Hispanic Community who call the Marketing Campaign listen to this hispandering. Garcias my family name, and theres a legacy and heritage that comes with a name. I love the name rodriguez. When i consider my name, i think of my father. Cocacola made this short film to highlight a few hispanic families and the pride they share towards their last names. Then a bright red cocacola truck comes into the neighborhood handing out coke cans, each one displaying a hispanic last name. Yeah, we call it hispandering. Hispanic groups like the online blog latino rebels say coke goes too far, linking pride to a soft drink during hispanic heritage month. More and more, its turning into some extended Cinco De Mayo marketing freeforall, and, you know, people see through that. Ha ha reyes these particular coke cans used only in this ad also come with a temporary tattoo to be displayed anywhere on the body. I think its kind of stereotypical to put the neck tattoo type of thing. Years ago, tattoos on the neck were associated with gang members. Cocacola based out of atlanta didnt address the controversy, but said. We went around San Franciscos Mission district asking people to watch the ad and give us their opinion. As a latina, you know, there is a lot of sense of pride like i saw in the commercial, and why not . An excuse, a ploy to exploit. At the tail end of the ad, the company has a link for you to order bottles of coke with any hispanic last name for 5 each. I almost bought the melendez one. I get it. Im joined again by Adriana Lopez from the Mexican Museum, Rolando Bonilla of the Public Relations firm ford bonilla, and Stephanie Bravo from strive for college. So, bad move . Good move . I think, although not necessarily the right message, definitely a move in the right direction. We recall that recently the ads that portrayed our community were extremely negative, werent in any way attempting to show us in a positive light. What this tells me is that folks understand that the Latino Communitys a very important consumer, and whether folks want to accept it or not, a major fabric of our community. But at the more micro level, what it tells me is that in that marketing room, we didnt have latinos in the room. Right. Right, to have that discussion, and thats where you see the disparity. Were great consumers, were great voter blocks when we do get organized, but when it comes to the decisionmaking component of things,