It’s Premiere Week on CAN-TV, and Illinois Latino News is a part of the event! Two new programs debut Thursday, ¡Presente! (7 pm) and Sazón De Illinois (7:30 pm).
¡Presente! highlights Latino leaders who are showing up for the community by actively fostering grassroots solutions to challenging social problems. Francia Garcia Hernandez is the host.
“It is an honor working on a show that responds to the critical need for sharing solutions to the challenges of Latino communities,” said Hernandez. “Each episode shows how community leaders respond to some of the challenges that affect their quality of life and health.”
Dayana and Jessica Klein, the Venezuelan sisters behind Klein’s Bakery in Lakeview, are featured in the program’s first show along with Jaime Di Paulo, president of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Diana Alfaro, Latinx Business Development Manager for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Sazón De Illinois samples the stories, culture, and cuisine of restaurants that give neighborhoods its flavor. Hugo Balta, Publisher of IL Latino News, is the host. “I am excited to showcase the small business leaders and anchor businesses that bring our communities to life,” Balta said. “There’s no better way to get to know someone than over a meal.”
The first restaurant to be profiled is La Casa de Samuel in Little Village, “La Villita.” Founded in 1989 by acclaimed chef Samuel Linares, the menu offers classic Mexican dishes such as quesadillas de huitlacoche and charales empanizados. But it also entertains more exotic palates, offering iguana en salsa de ajillo and cecina de venado.
Balta, the Executive Producer for Sazón and ¡Presente!, is also the host of Chicago Politics. This solutions journalism news program goes beyond surface-level discussions and dives deep into the societal issues impacting Chicago’s diverse communities.
Recently, Balta was the co-host of a special edition of Chicago Politics that covered the Democratic National Convention. Miguel Blancarte Jr., with Metropolitan Family Services, led a roundtable talk with fellow Illinois Latino Agenda members Juan Carlos Linares, Cristina de la Rosa, and Marcela Rodriguez, focused on the issues that matter most to the Latino community this election cycle.
All three programs are part of a strategic partnership between IL Latino News and CAN-TV announced earlier this year. “This expanded partnership represents a significant step in furthering our mission to supercharge community-driven journalism,” said Darrious Hilmon, Executive Director of CAN TV. “Together, we unlock a unique opportunity to magnify the rich stories and perspectives that weave Chicago’s cultural fabric.”
Balta began working with CAN-TV in 2023 as the host of “3 Questions With…”, a public affairs program elevating the voices and visibility of matters most important to the Hispanic-Latino community by speaking with community and industry thought leaders on the social determinants of health and democracy.
“It’s incredible to look back at the beginning of the collaboration and see where we are now in best serving our diverse communities,” said Balta. “I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
Cover Photo: Francia Garcia Hernandez sits behind the anchor desk of the ¡Presente! set in CAN-TV’s Studio A.
ABOUT ILLINOIS LATINO NEWS
ILLN’s mission is to provide greater visibility and voice to the Hispanic-Latino community, amplify the work of others in doing the same, mentor and provide young journalists with real-world experiences, and apply the principles of solutions journalism in producing stories focused on the social determinants of health, and democracy.
ABOUT CAN TV
For four decades, CAN TV has unlocked the voices of Chicagoans with community access news, hyperlocal stories and journalistic education and resources. Through original and public programming, alongside educational opportunities that build media literacy, skill and independence, CAN TV takes community access to the next level, supporting local Chicagoans to hear and tell the stories that matter most. CAN TV’s programming can be viewed on its five local cable channels (CAN TV 19, 21, 27, 36, and 42) or on streaming platforms including Roku, Fire TV Stick and iOS and Android devices. During 2023, more than 34 million viewers watched CAN TV programs. For more information on the organization and upcoming initiatives, events and programming specials, visit www.cantv.org.