MIAMI, Sept. 12, 2016 -- Hispanicize Media Group CEO Manny Ruiz, founder of the holding company that owns the annual Hispanicize event, DiMe Media and Hispanic Kitchen, has been named the recipient of the SCORE Miami Dade Entrepreneur Spirit Award.
A 25-year Hispanic media and marketing veteran, Ruiz is being recognized for pioneering the U.S. Latino social media space and turning the 8th annual, Miami-based Hispanicize event into the largest and most important gathering of influencers in U.S. Hispanic media, social media, marketing and entertainment.
“I’m honored and humbled to work with a terrific team of women and men who make what we do look so much easier than it is,” said Ruiz. “This award is a testament to our team’s work and creativity and to our continued belief that Miami is a very special base for entrepreneurs like ourselves.”
SCORE Miami Dade and the SCORE Miami Business and Leadership Awards committee will present Ruiz with the honor at the second annual SCORE Miami Business and Leadership Awards Luncheon that is taking place on September 29 from 12 to 2 p.m. at the 94th Aero Squadron. (Tickets can be purchased by clicking here).
Additional 2016 winners include:
Legacy Award: Bernie Navarro, Benworth Capital Partners
Client Success Award: Marcelo Zelicovich, Doctor Aromas
Cultural Award: Kristina Villaverde, Miami Light Project
Emerging Business Award: Zak H. Stern, ZAK the Baker
Innovation Award: Susan Perry, SpeechMed
Minority Business Award: Ed Haynes, Haynes Security Services
Nonprofit of the Year Award: Tony Lorenzo, Kiwanis of Little Havana Foundation
Service Award: Ian S. James, WorkSquare
Small Business Award: Elena Linares, RazzleDazzle Barbershop
Technology Award: Alexander Lopatine, Nymbus
Young Professional of the Year Award: Trisha Laney Hedgemond, Cultural Cosmetics
Media asset are available at www.hispanicizewire.com
About Hispanicize Media Group
Hispanicize Media Group, LLC (HMG) works with leading brands and advertisers to navigate the rapidly evolving, trillion dollar U.S. Hispanic market by offering branded media opportunities, brand integrations, digital marketing campaigns and social influencer management through its on and offline platforms that include the annual Hispanicize event, DiMe Media and Hispanic Kitchen.
HMG’s award-winning management team is credited with pioneering the U.S. Hispanic social media industry and creating culturally resonating and engaging content for today’s Latino consumers. HMG is headquartered in Miami with offices in New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta.
About SCORE Miami-Dade
The SCORE Miami-Dade chapter consists of more than 100 volunteer, business professionals supporting the South Florida business community. As an affiliate partner of the Small Business Administration, SCORE Miami-Dade offers free mentoring, workshops and expert resources and carefully crafted executive programs designed to help small business owners and entrepreneurs thrive. For more information about SCORE Miami-Dade, please visit www.scoremiami.org or email [email protected].
CONTACT: Katherine Johnson (786) 624-1864 [email protected]


Star Entertainment Secures $390M Refinancing Deal to Stabilize Operations
Norma Group Posts Revenue Decline in 2025, Eyes Modest Recovery in 2026
First Western Ship Transits Strait of Hormuz Since Iran War Began
Nike Beats Q3 Estimates but China Weakness and Margin Pressure Weigh on Outlook
Microsoft's $10 Billion Japan Investment: AI Infrastructure and Data Sovereignty Push
UAE's Largest Natural Gas Facility Suspended After Attack-Triggered Fire
TSMC Japan's Second Fab to Produce 3nm Chips by 2028
Jefferies Upgrades Sodexo to Buy With €55 Target After Historic CEO Appointment
Microsoft Eyes $7B Texas Energy Deal to Power AI Data Centers
Cathay Pacific Holds Firm on Flight Capacity Amid Middle East Conflict and Rising Fuel Costs
Trump Administration Plans 100% Tariffs on Pharmaceutical Imports
Europe's Aviation Sector on Track to Meet 2025 Green Fuel Mandate
Elon Musk Ties SpaceX IPO Access to Mandatory Grok AI Subscriptions
SoftwareONE Posts 22.5% Revenue Surge in 2025 on Crayon Acquisition
Tesla Q1 2026 Deliveries Miss Estimates as AI Strategy Takes Center Stage
Luxury Car Sales in the Middle East Take a Hit Amid Iran War
Annie Altman Amends Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman 



