Soledad O'Brien to Launch I AM LATINO IN AMERICA Tour This Month

Award-winning journalist Soledad O'Brien today unveiled "I AM LATINO IN AMERICA," a national tour of conversations that amplify the Latino voice on critical community issues.

The Tour kicks off September 28 at Florida International University, with plans to roll out in five more cities including Edinburg, TX and Los Angeles, CA. Additional tours are planned for the spring and summer of 2016, with more than 15 cities expected to host the live event.

O'Brien is a former CNN and NBC anchor and the CEO of multimedia production and distribution company, Starfish Media Group. She previously hosted two "Black in America" tours that highlighted issues like police brutality and civil rights. The "I AM LATINO IN AMERICA" tour will address voting, the economy, and education issues.

Influential celebrities, national and local advocates, business leaders, students and academics will join O'Brien along the tour. "Latinos are 54 million strong, make up a quarter of the children in this country, and include 25 million voters with $1.5 trillion in buying power," said O'Brien. "Our tour will empower the U.S. Hispanic community's collective voice in a crucial election year."

More than 4,000 college students as well as local and national Latino leaders are expected to attend the first three events hosted by the following colleges and universities.

- Sept. 28: Miami, FL - Florida International University

- Oct. 5: Edinburg, TX - University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley

- Oct. 15: Los Angeles, CA - Occidental College

Making the tour possible is presenting sponsor Northwestern Mutual and sponsors Macy's and Southwest Airlines. "Northwestern Mutual representatives and advisors are proud to serve as trusted partners helping Latino families and business owners achieve financial security," said Conrad York, Vice President-Marketing and a member of the company's diversity and inclusion committee. "Through our commitment to improving the lives of children, families, and the communities where they live, we are pleased to sponsor this conversation important to the Latino community."

The tour is co-produced by INGEÑUITY, a content and experiential event firm that creates, designs and produces groundbreaking signature platforms connecting brands to people experiences. "I AM LATINO IN AMERICA" is the inaugural tour from INGEÑUITY's Success Stories Live! Tours Division. "We are excited to develop such an important event with an exceptional talent as Soledad O'Brien," said David Chavez, CEO, INGEÑUITY. "We're designing the full experience for attendees from red carpets and musical performances to special guests!"

Soledad O'Brien has covered race, ethnicity and compelling social issues her entire career, creating a franchise of Latino in America and BLACK IN AMERICA documentaries, books and speaking tours that provoke conversation. She is the author of "LATINO IN AMERICA, a memoir" (2009) and "THE NEXT BIG STORY" (2010), the story of how her Black Cuban mother and Australian immigrant father came together to give their children a world of opportunities during the civil rights era.

To view the official I am Latino in America trailer, click here. For more information, visit www.iamlatinoinamerica.com, or follow the tour on Twitter @iamlatinoinam and Instagram @iamlatinoinamerica.

About Soledad O'Brien - Soledad O'Brien is founder and CEO of Starfish Media Group. She contributes reports for HBO Real Sports, National Geographic, Al Jazeera America, and other media organizations. She has anchored and reported for NBC, CNN and others, winning numerous awards, including three Emmys, the George Peabody, an Alfred I DuPont prize and the Gracie. O'Brien is also a critically acclaimed author, a speaker and philanthropist. Follow her on Twitter: @soledadobrien.

About Starfish Media Group (SMG) - Starfish Media Group is an integrated media production company and distributor, dedicated to uncovering and producing empowering stories. SMG takes a challenging look at often divisive issues of race, class, wealth, opportunity, poverty through personal stories. Founded by award-winning journalist and multifaceted broadcaster Soledad O'Brien, Starfish Media Group uniquely resonates with today's diverse global audience through impactful topics that define our time. For more information, visit www.starfishmediagroup.com.

About INGEÑUITY - INGEÑUITY is a business growth agency connecting +people +brands +experiences changing millions of lives and communities. We believe in pioneering and transforming experiences that turn feelings into action through event marketing, signature platforms, TV specials, concerts, conventions, galas, speakers & tours, exhibitions and world-renowned celebrity relationships. More information: WeAreIngenuity.com, @weare_ingenuity.

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