As part of the Chargers annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration, the team is pleased to announce the selection of Raymond Uzeta as the 2016 recipient of the Chargers/NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award. This annual award recognizes the important contributions of Hispanic leaders throughout our country.
Raymond Uzeta moved to San Diego in 1979, but began his work with non-profits in 1974 due to his life-long passion to assist people in need. Since then, he has worked for five non-profits in California, joining the Chicano Federation of San Diego County as its President & CEO in 1991.
When he started, the Federation had a budget of $550,000 and 18 employees. Today the Chicano Federation's budget is over $11 million with 65 full-time employees – and it owns and manages 300 units of affordable housing, with a portfolio valued in excess of $15 million.
As part of Raymond's selection, a $2,000 donation will be made to The Chicano Federation of San Diego County. In existence since 1969, the Chicano Federation serves predominately low and moderate income individuals and families touching the lives of more than 7,500 clients each year. Their services include Head Start, youth and senior health services and nutrition services, affordable housing, HIV research as well as leadership and small business training.
With his incredible impact on our community, it's easy to see why Raymond Uzeta has been selected as the 2016 recipient of the Chargers/NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award!
Previous Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award Winners
| 2015 | Fanny Miller, President/CEO of El Latino Newspaper |
| 2014 | Linda and Carlos leGerrette, Cesar Chavez Service Clubs |
| 2013 | Lidia Martinez, Manager Corporate Community Affairs for Southwest Airlines |
| 2012 | Dr. Guadalupe R. Corona, Director of Latino Acheivement Initiative at Alliant Internationl University |
| 2011 | Ruben Barrales, Former CEO of San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce |
