The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® and Ford Motor Company Fund joined forces, for a record 28th time, to offer a live educational program and musical instrument donation
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Credit: Fernando Leon/ Getty Images for the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation
KANSAS CITY, KS (DECEMBER 5, 2023) — The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®, in partnership with Latin GRAMMY® winner and founder of the all-woman mariachi band Flor de Toloache Mireya Ramos and Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, invested $40,000 as part of an educational experience that included a donation of musical instruments to J.C. Harmon High School in Kansas City.
This investment in music education marks the 28th time that Ford Motor Company supports a Latin GRAMMY In The Schools™ educational program. The program featured a conversation and performance with vocalist and composer Mireya Ramos, along with a Q&A session with students moderated by acclaimed journalist Irasema Torres.
“I am truly honored and grateful to the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation for inviting me to be a representative of their generous initiative,” said Mireya Ramos. “"We hope that through the gift of these instruments, each student experiences the freedom to dream and create."
The music programs at J.C. Harmon serve underprivileged communities with limited access to resources. In order to continue growing the program and impacting students’ music education, instruments coupled with educational experiences are needed. The school will use these instruments to replace outdated ones that are no longer functional. The music programs at J.C. Harmon consist of six different wind and brass ensembles, three string ensembles, and four different choral ensembles and a mariachi ensemble.
"We are so grateful to receive this donation of instruments! Our students are thankful that foundations like the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation exist to support and uplift our underserved communities,” said Weston Cook, Director of Bands at J.C. Harmon High School in Kansas City, Kansas. “The instruments that were graciously donated will be used for the entire music department.”
“As we celebrate the 28th Latin GRAMMY In The Schools with Ford Motor Company Fund, we are grateful for their ongoing partnership, as well as the continued support from artists such as Mireya who join our effort to support the next generation of Latin music creators through unique educational experiences that teach them about the music industry,” said Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®.
Since the beginning of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®'s partnership with Ford Motor Company Fund in 2014, the program has benefited schools in U.S. cities such as Aransas Pass, Dallas, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, New York and San Antonio; as well as internationally in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Mexico City, Mexico; Arecibo, Humacao, Yauco, 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 and professional musicians to visit middle and high schools, 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, Camilo, Chino & Nacho, Chiquis, Luis Coronel, Silvestre Dangond, Joss Favela, Fonseca, Luis Fonsi, El Fantasma, Becky G, Karol G, Kany García, Gente de Zona, Leslie Grace, Carlos Jean, Jesse & Joy, Natalia Lafourcade, Poncho Lizárraga, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mau y Ricky, Claudia Montero, Ednita Nazario, Christian Nodal, Laura Pausini, Ángel "Cucco" Peña, Prince Royce, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Olga Tañón, Thalía, Christian Serratos, Diego Torres, Carlos Vives, Wisin, and Sebastián Yatra.
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ABOUT MIREYA RAMOS:
Mireya Ramos is a Latin GRAMMY® winning and GRAMMY® nominee vocalist, musician, composer, producer, arranger and founder of Flor de Toloache – New York’s only all women mariachi. Mireya embodies all of her musical influences whether classical, mariachi, salsa, merengue or hip-hop, always creating a unique and refreshing sound. Her versatility, natural improvisational skills and beautiful tone has made her one of the top Latin artists in New York City. She is currently promoting her album featuring the Poor Choices, “Sin Fronteras”. Throughout the album, the musicians deftly blend ranchera and country, sprinkling in pop, jazz, and R&B along the way.
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 with the vision of becoming a global champion of music education and empowering communities through Latin music and culture. The Foundation provides educational opportunities through scholarships, education programs and grants that advance Latin music and celebrate its rich cultural heritage, and to date has donated more than $9.3 million with the support of The Latin Recording Academy’s members, artists, corporate sponsors and other generous donors. For additional information, or to make a donation, please visit latingrammyculturalfoundation.org or our Facebook page. And follow us @latingrammyfdn on X and Instagram, and at Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook.
About Ford Motor Company Fund:
As the global philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, Ford Fund focuses on providing access to essential services, education for the future of work and entrepreneurship opportunities for under-resourced and underrepresented communities. Ford Fund’s partnerships and programming are designed to be responsive to unique community needs, ensuring people have equitable opportunities to move forward. Harnessing Ford’s scale, resources and mobility expertise, Ford Fund drives meaningful impact through grantmaking, Ford Resource and Engagement Centers and employee volunteerism. For more information, visit fordfund.org or join us at @FordFund on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
MEDIA CONTACT:
The Latin Recording Academy
Nathalie Alberto
J.C. Harmon High School
Markl Johnson