WHO WE ARE
Mission: “To change the intentionally distorted and damaging Mexican-American narrative by educating the community and supporting film & television makers and their stories which will change that narrative.”
MACEF is 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
BOARD MEMBERS
Jose-Luis Ruiz – President
Born in Mexico City, JL Ruiz attended university at UNAM, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in North America. Relocating to the U.S. as a young man, he experienced the unique challenges and opportunities of a Mexican immigrant. He observed similar encounters by other immigrants as well, and he witnessed the life and perspective of countless U.S.-born Mexican-Americans. He is a nationally recognized professor, researcher, cosmetic dentist, Amazon bestseller and award-winning Mexican-American novelist. A lover of history, psychology and culture, his socially charged, best-selling novels offer a fresh understanding of how historical events shape the present and the future.
Luis Vargas – Treasurer
Luis Vargas is a Mexican-born immigrant with a degree in dentistry since 1984 when he graduated as a general dentist. He has been practicing mainly in the Inland Empire since 1994, the last 25 out of 35 years of practice. He works mainly with the Hispanic and underserved community and enjoys many of the aspects of dentistry, including orthodontics and implant and cosmetic dentistry, but above all, he truly likes the human relations and personal aspect of it! He has been a resident of Southern California for over 30 years and is married with four wonderful kids who are proudly fluent in Spanish. He is anti-climate change, pro-green, pro-peace, pro-immigration and pro-human globalization, and he loves basketball and jogging.
Robert Ruiz – Secretary
Rob Ruiz is a recent graduate from the Management and Human Resources Master’s program at University of Tennessee Knoxville. In 2018 he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management from San Francisco State University.
Luis F. Fernandez – Executive Director
Luis F. Fernández is an Assistant Professor of History at Chaffey College. Prior to his teaching appointment, he was the Executive Director of the Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum, where he led community awareness of the Dominguez Family, the Homestead Adobe and Rancho San Pedro. Prior to that, he was an Assistant Curator and consultant for museum exhibitions, such as “A Class Action: The Grassroots Struggle for School Desegregation in California,” and “Intolerance Versus Freedom.” Fernández earned a Master of Arts in history from California State University Fullerton. He is the co-author of “Mexican American Baseball in Orange County,” “Doss v. Bernal: Ending Mexican Apartheid in Orange County” and “Paul P. Duron: Design and Manufacture of Cryogenic Industrial Pumps.” Due to his success in local historical research, he was named “Best Local Historian of 2012” by the OC Weekly. His research has been featured in StoryCorps, La Plaza de Cultura y Artes, UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center, OC Weekly, Los Angeles Times, and Spanish news stations Univision Noticias34 and Telemundo52 Acceso Total.
ADVISORY BOARD
Moctesuma Esparza
Mr. Esparza established Maya Cinemas, a growing chain of modern movie theater megaplexes committed to providing the highest quality movie-going experience in new and redeveloping market areas with a strong Latino presence. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Mr. Esparza received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. From the onset of his career, he dedicated himself to empowering and transforming the images of Latinos in Hollywood.
Mike Gomez
A longtime veteran of the entertainment industry, Actor MIKE GOMEZ is perhaps best known for his memorable performance in Jeff Bridges’ cult classic, THE BIG LEBOWSKI, as the AUTO CIRCUS COP. His comedic scene, ‘LEADS?’, in the film remains as one of the favorites of ‘Dude’ audiences everywhere. MIKE is also known as the actor who effectively started the Ferengi race in the phenomenal Sci-Fi series, STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION as ‘Daimon Tarr’, and later continued as ‘Daimon Lurin’. As an actor, Mike’s credits reflect a body of work which spans a forty-year history of television, theater and film.
MIKE’s civic involvement includes support of various nonprofit and charitable organizations including the L.A. Special Olympics, AIDS WALK LA, March of Dimes, American Red Cross, and NOSOTROS, among others. He is a three time Governor’s Appointee to the Performers Peer Group Committee of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (EMMYS). He has also served on numerous commissions for the City of El Monte, including the Planning Commission, the Measure GG Tax Oversight Committee, the Cultural Commission, among a number of others. MIKE currently serves as a County Commissioner, Chair of the Los Angeles County Consumer Affairs Advisory Commission, having been appointed by Supervisor Hilda Solis.
Selina Ringel
An award-winning Mexican-American filmmaker, has carved a niche in the independent film scene with her compelling narratives and unique voice. As a writer, producer, and actress, her recent feature film, "You, Me & Her," has won 15 awards, including Best Picture at the Mexican-American Film & Television Awards. It was released in 250 theaters Nationwide on Valentine's Day as the Alpha test for Fithian Groups’ innovative new platform, Attend, which is revolutionizing theatrical distribution. Selina's groundbreaking film "Single Mother by Choice" captured her real-time pregnancy journey during COVID-19 and premiered on HBO Max. She is also known for her engaging comedy special on Amazon Prime, "2 Moms 1 Mic," and her internationally recognized film "The Best People," distributed domestically by Samuel Goldwyn Films. Selina's work continues to resonate globally, pushing boundaries and sparking conversation. Selina recently wrote a book Be The Train: The Mindset & Tools You Need to Make Your First Feature to help inspire others to take control of their creative careers and get into motion with their own projects, she shares everything she has learned. Her book is a #1 Best Seller in its category on Amazon.
Jerry Velasco
Jerry G. Velasco has been in the entertainment industry for over 40 years as an accomplished actor, producer, union organizer, personal manager, arts advocate and head of his own multimedia entertainment company, Velasco & Associates. A native of Jalisco, Mexico, Jerry was raised in Los Angeles from an early age. He began his involvement in the arts when he received a two-year scholarship to the renowned Actors Studio, studying under Lee Strasberg and Shelley Winters, among others. After completing his studies, he began to work extensively in the entertainment industry.
Jerry G. Velasco has also been involved for over four decades in the nonprofit sector, and he has been credited with being one of the most outspoken advocates in the country for the improvement of the Latino image and employment in the media, in front of and behind the camera. As President, Jerry led NOSOTROS into one of the most influential Latino Arts organizations in the country.
After serving the community in many aspects for over 40 years, in 2015, Jerry was elected to the El Monte City Council and currently serves on the City Council and previously as the City of El Monte Mayor Pro Tem (Vice Mayor). He also serves as a Los Angeles county commissioner on the Los Angeles County Commission on Local Government Services, having been appointed by Los Angeles county supervisor Hilda Solis.
Bel Hernandez Castillo
Bel Hernandez Castillo has over twenty-five years in the entertainment industry, first as an actress then transitioning into entertainment media, as founder the first entertainment trade publication focused on Latinos in Hollywood, Latin Heat Entertainment Through her company, Latin Heat Media, LLC, a multi-media media platform focused on Latino content, the company’s mission is to create content by Latinos, about Latinos, for universal audiences.
Ms. Hernandez Castillo’s work in Hollywood is well documented. Credited with the expanding the coverage of Latinos in Hollywood, Hernandez Castillo collaborated with the publisher of the Hollywood Reporter to promote the “crossover” coverage of Latinos in the established trade. For six years she produced the Latin Heat Entertainment Conference working with the highest level of industry participation from Hollywood’s studios and networks. Her work led to her being named “The Godmother of Latino Hollywood” by Moviemaker magazine and she was invited to serve on the prestigious Peabody Awards Board serving as the first ever Latina/o Chair of the Board.
The Executive Producer of three TV talk to give Latinas a place at the talk show table. Ms, Hernandez Castillo is also an award-winning co-author of 8 Ways to Say I Love My Life.
Naibe Reynoso
Multiple-Emmy and AP Award-winning Journalist Naibe Reynoso, has been working in front of and behind the camera for more than 20 years. She has worked and contributed to various regional, national and international networks including KTLA, France 24, Univision Network, Reelz Channel, CNN en Español, the Biography Channel, Fox News Latino, Larry King’s ORA TV, and has even filled in as a co-host on ABC’s “The View”. Her bilingual background includes investigative reporting, hosting, entertainment reporting, radio, and TV production. She also co-hosts the talk show “The TRENDTalk,” a one-hour talk show she co-created, co-Executive Produces.
She also co-founded the events company Latinafest LLC which has produced over a dozen successful events in the Los Angeles Area. In 2018 she created Con Todo Press, a publishing company that creates books to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities. Her first children’s book, “Be Bold, Be Brave: 11 Latinas who made U.S. History,” highlights 11 women who excelled in medicine, science, sports, the arts, journalism and politics.
Mrs. Reynoso has been a board member of the prestigious Peabody Awards since 2015 that same year she received the BIBO Award for “Outstanding work in Media.”
Michaela Ruiz
Michaela Ruiz is a business owner with bachelor degrees in Psychology and Computer Science. She has always had immense pride in her Mexican ancestry because she grew up learning about the many amazing contributions Mexican and Mexican-Americans have had on the world. She hopes to be a positive influence in her community and do what she can to help this next generation.
Jesus Salvador Trevino
Jesús Salvador Treviño is a talented writer/director known for his work on acclaimed TV shows like THE UNIT, LAW AND ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT, CRIMINAL MINDS, and PRISON BREAK. He began as a student activist documenting the Chicano civil rights movement and produced PBS documentaries such as AMERICA TROPICAL and CHICANO! HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. Treviño directed the films RAICES DE SANGRE and SEGUIN, and recently served as Co-Executive Producer for SHOWTIME's RESURRECTION BLVD. His accolades include multiple Directors Guild of America awards, an Alma award for Outstanding Director, and recognition at international film festivals. Treviño is also a published author with works like THE FABULOUS SINKHOLE AND OTHER STORIES and EYEWITNESS – A FILMMAKER’S MEMOIR OF THE CHICANO MOVEMENT.