The Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA) is a 501(c)(5) nonprofit arts service and advocacy organization dedicated to expanding the presence of Latin/Hispanic artists in entertainment and media through their development, cultivation, education, empowerment, and recognition. HOLA strives for an accurate, informed and non-stereotyped portrayal of the full spectrum of Hispanic/Latin/Latino/Latina/Latine/Latinx culture and heritage in all entertainment and media industries. Under the leadership of our current Executive Director, Pablo Andrade and Board of Directors Chair, Paul Slee Rodriguez, our organizational priorities are education, diversity and resource development. This is part of the vision to strengthen the company and support HOLA’s staff to succeed in our mission.

HOLA was founded in 1975 by a group of Hispanic actors concerned with the images of Latinos in the media. Over the years, HOLA has functioned as a leading advocacy group in the industry and facilitated industry access to jobs, playing an instrumental role in increasing the percentage of Hispanic actors employed in the media from less than 1% in 1975 to 7.7% in film today (Hollywood Diversity Report 2022), 6.3% in TV, and 4.8% in NYC theater. However, this is still short of the percentage of Hispanics in the total U.S. population (now over 18.7%).

The following are some of the services and programs HOLA offers:

• ONLINE TALENT DIRECTORY – an actor database of our members offering casting directors a comprehensive resource of Latin actors
• REFERRALS – email blasts to our subscriber list offering employment opportunities and professional development
• ANNUAL HOLA AWARDS – providing prestige, publicity and visibility for Latinx artists and institutions
• EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING – professional development and free training to members which is also open to non-members at a discounted fee
• DIVERSITY INITIATIVE – focuses on our HOLA Spotlights and HOLA Panels series for conversations on inclusion and empowerment of our communities