Written by Sofia Otto
The Rooted in Purpose 2026 Gala will be located at FSU’s Alumni Center and the doors will open at 6 pm with the program beginning at 7 pm. The Gala is one of the Center for Hispanic Marketing Communication’s most important fundraising events. It presents an opportunity for students, faculty, alumni, community leaders, and industry professionals to eat, connect, celebrate and fundraise for the Center’s students and other minority students.
The Center for Hispanic Marketing Communication (CHMC) offers training to students and professionals through certificates, courses and a minor at Florida State University. The Center also sends students to conferences, offers the Latin American Caribbean (LAC) Scholarship for international students in designated countries to assist with furthering their education, conducts research on marketing affecting and surrounding the Hispanic community, and provides students with internships and mentorships with industry professionals. The Center provides these experiences to students to give them experience developing soft and hard skills within the industry as well as helping to build their careers.
The Gala will feature three performances by students from Florida State’s College of Music which include FSU’s Mariachi group. The Gala will also feature industry icons Gene Bryan, the owner of HispanicAd, and Cristina Pineda, one of the co-founders of the luxury brand Pineda Covalin. The host of this year’s Gala will be Diego Balado, a renowned Spanish commentator of football and basketball who commentated at this year’s FIFA World Cup.
Your support can help the Center continue providing valuable opportunities to students. Donations and sponsorships allow us to continue our LAC scholarship, support student travel to conferences, create more internship and mentorship opportunities, and provide the resources needed to prepare the next generation of Hispanic marketing professionals. If you would like to donate to the Center, click here or visit give.fsu.edu and search the fund number F01758. Donations can also be made for our silent auction that will occur from 9:30 pm to 10:00 pm at the Gala. If you would like to sponsor this year’s Gala or donate for our silent auction, please email Director Sindy Chapa (Sindy.Chapa@cci.fsu.edu) or Assistant Director Sofia Otto (smo20bb@fsu.edu). All donations will go directly to the Center to help continue the programs for our students and their futures as professionals in the marketing industry.
If you would like to attend this year’s Gala, you can follow the link here to register and purchase your ticket(s). You will also be able to sponsor this year’s Gala, if you choose, through this link as well. We would love to see you there to celebrate and support the Center, its students, and the beauty of Hispanic culture!
