The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® and Ford Motor Company Fund join forces for the 24th time to offer the virtual educational program and donate $40,000 in musical instruments
MIAMI, FL (DECEMBER 9, 2021) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®, in partnership with Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, donated musical instruments valued at $40,000 to Robert Morgan Educational Center and Hialeah Gardens Middle School in Miami, Florida.
The donation was part of a virtual Latin GRAMMY In The Schools™ educational program, featuring a conversation and performance by five time Latin GRAMMY® winning and GRAMMY® nominated singer-songwriter and producer, Camilo.
Music students from Robert Morgan Educational Center participated in the pre-recorded hybrid experience which will be available today to stream on the Latin GRAMMYs® YouTube Channel at 3 p.m. EST/12 p.m. PST. It also includes a Q&A with Camilo moderated by Emmy winning journalist Maity Interiano.
“Talent is a seed that flourishes if you nurture it through consistent practice and there are many people, especially my family, who encouraged me to pursue my heart and dreams while giving me the instruments as well as space and time to cultivate my passion”, said Camilo. “I feel blessed to be with the students and pay it forward with Latin GRAMMY in the Schools, sharing the opportunity for youth to follow their hearts and chase their dreams.”
This donation could not have come at a better time. The Robert Morgan Educational Center Instrumental Music Program has struggled in the last year and a half due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is in the process of rebuilding. This donation will help put instruments in the hands of students who will be key pillars to the revival of the school’s music program. As this program rebuilds, this support will ensure the music programs remain a vital part of the students' education.
"The Latin GRAMMY in The Schools Program represents an investment in both education equity and access, ensuring students – regardless of their background – have access to instruments and music-focused programming," said Tanya Ramos-Puig, President of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. "Thank you to Ford Motor Company Fund for its donation, which will put musical instruments directly in the hands of students, that need it the most, and to Camilo, for the inspirational conversation and performance. This crucial support helps us provide transformational experiential learning while simultaneously preserving and celebrating Latin music."
The band program at Hialeah Gardens Middle School has consistently grown from year to year since its inception in 2009. The generous donation recently awarded by The Latin GRAMMMY Cultural Foundation, in partnership with Ford Motor Company Fund will help expand and enhance the schools current course offerings to make quality instrumental music education accessible to more students in our community.
“Education is a priority at Ford, and music has a great impact on youth learning and cognitive and personal development,” said Joe Ávila, manager, Ford Motor Company Fund, U.S. and Latin America. “At Ford Fund, we are proud to continue supporting students by offering them access to musical instruments and other educational resources.”
Since the beginning of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation's partnership with Ford Fund in 2014, more than 26,810 students have benefited from donations of almost $520,000 worth of musical instruments to schools in U.S. cities such as Aransas Pass, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and New York; as well as internationally in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Mexico City, Mexico; Arecibo, Humacao, Yauco, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Latin GRAMMY In The Schools is an educational program that informs and connects music students with professionals in the Latin music industry and supports educational music departments that have financial limitations. The Foundation invites artists, professional musicians and sound engineers to visit middle and high schools, universities or music education institutions to share their personal stories and experiences with students that highlight the effort it takes to overcome career obstacles. The goal is for students to learn to optimize the educational opportunities presented to them, giving them an advantage and strong academic preparation to be able to compete in the music industry.
Previous artists who have participated in the program include: Ángela Aguilar, David Bisbal, Marilina Bertoldi, Miguel Bosé, Calle 13, Pedro Capó, Chino & Nacho, Chiquis, Luis Coronel, Silvestre Dangond, Joss Favela, Fonseca, Luis Fonsi, Becky G, Karol G, Kany García, Gente de Zona, Leslie Grace, Carlos Jean, Jesse & Joy, Natalia Lafourcade, Poncho Lizárraga, Claudia Montero, Ednita Nazario, Christian Nodal, Ángel "Cucco" Peña, Prince Royce, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Olga Tañón, Thalia, Christian Serratos, Diego Torres, Carlos Vives, Wisin, and Sebastián Yatra.
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ABOUT CAMILO:
Armored with impeccable writing skills and intuitive sensitivity, five-time Latin GRAMMY® winning and two-time GRAMMY® nominated Colombian singer-songwriter, musician, and producer Camilo is considered one of the greatest exponents of Pop from his generation. Hailed by The New York Times as a singer who "writes hits even when he’s not trying” and named by PAPER as one of the “12 Latinx Artists to Stream Right Now,” Camilo has amassed over 13 billion views and streams across all digital platforms worldwide. In 2021, he released his latest album Mis Manos, which includes singles “Vida de Rico,” “BEBÉ” with El Alfa, “Ropa Cara,” and “Millones.” This summer, he released “KESI (Remix)” with Shawn Mendes. Mis Manos is the follow-up to his first globally distributed album Por Primera Vez, which was certified platinum in 4 different countries, including the US. Por Primera Vez features the hit single “TUTU” ft. Pedro Capó, which was certified 10x platinum and has accrued over 1.7 billion worldwide streams. Prior to his chart and streaming success, Camilo wrote smash hits for artists like Bad Bunny (“Si Estuviésemos Juntos”), Becky G and Natti Natasha (“Sin Pijama”), Sebastian Yatra y Mau y Ricky (“Ya No Tiene Novio”) and many others.
ABOUT THE LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION:
The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established by The Latin Recording Academy® in 2014 to further international awareness and appreciation of the significant contributions of Latin music and its makers to the world’s culture. The Foundation provides college scholarships, educational programs and grants for the research and preservation of its rich musical legacy and heritage, and to date has donated more than $6.5 million with the support of Latin Recording Academy members, artists, corporate sponsors and other generous donors. For additional information, or to make a donation, please visit latingrammyculturalfoundation.com, Amazon Smile or our Facebook page. And follow us @latingrammyfdn on Twitter and Instagram, and at Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook.
ABOUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY FUND:
As the automaker’s philanthropic arm, Ford Motor Company Fund has been supporting underserved and underrepresented communities for more than 70 years. Working with nonprofit organizations, community partners, and across the Ford network in the U.S. and around the world, Ford Fund provides resources and opportunities that advance equity and help people reach their highest potential. Since 1949, Ford Fund has invested more than $2.1 billion in initiatives that ensure basic needs are met, provide access to essential services, offer tools to build new skillsets and open pathways to high quality jobs. For more information, visit www.fordfund.org or join us at @FordFund on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
MEDIA CONTACT:
The Latin Recording Academy
Nathalie Alberto
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