Hispanic Communications Network Launches A New Breed Of Anti-Gang Violence Media Campaign

“2 Cooltura Eres Tú” Features Grammy-Nominated Superstars And A Modern Multi-Media Approach To Combating Street Violence In Latino Communities.

 

Washington, D.C. – The Hispanic Communications Network (HCN) announced today the launch of a new approach to combat gang violence in Latino communities across the United States: “2 Cooltura Eres Tú” is a preventive multi-media effort targeting Hispanic teens, which aims to substitute the allure of gangs with a message promoting cultural pride.  The campaign includes a radio, TV, print and web-based infrastructure that encourages Latino youth to find the “cool” in their culture by getting involved in art, poetry, music and positive cultural expression instead.

The campaign features the Grammy-nominated band currently topping the Latin Billboards, “La Secta Allstar” and their platinum-selling song: “Consejo,” a call to teens to heed the advice of those who’ve successfully exited gang culture. Also featured, a full-service website; music-based TV and radio public-service announcements; an interactive blog enabling teens to share their poetry, music and art; a national column, authored by Luis J. Rodriguez, the best-selling author of “La Vida Loca,” which will be distributed to over one hundred Latino publications during the month of June; and a toll-free 800 referral hotline to connect parents with anti-violence services in their area.

“2 Cooltura Eres Tú” is funded by the Department of Justice and developed by HCN, in partnership with the non-profit Self Reliance Foundation. “We knew we needed to do something different to help Latinos battle the hold of gangs on our youth,” noted Carlos Alcazar, President of the Hispanic Communications Network.  “We are delighted to partner with the Department of Justice to create this campaign that aims to inspire Hispanic parents and youth to reject gangs, resist recruitment and when already involved, raise awareness of the resources available to help them exit the gang culture,” he continued. 

In 2004, the last year for which complete OJJDP data is available, 49 percent of gang members were Hispanic.  An estimated 24,500 gangs exist, encompassing 772,500 gang members active in more than 3,330 jurisdictions across the U.S., according to the National Youth Gang Survey Report from 2000.

“2 Cooltura Eres Tú” was created in coordination with a dedicated advisory board of committed anti-violence and mass communications professionals, including:

For more information about “2 Cooltura Eres Tú”, visit www.2cooltura.com.  If you are a parent seeking assistance, call our toll free line at 1-800-317-1314.  To learn how your organization can be part of “2 Cooltura Eres Tú,” email us at info@2cooltura.com.

About the Hispanic Communications Network

The Hispanic Communications Network (HCN) is the largest educational and informational media company targeting U.S. Hispanics.  Utilizing an existing radio network, in 2005, HCN expanded into television, publishing and the web.  The company has over 200 radio affiliates across the U.S., reaching an audience of 781,700 active listeners per average quarter hour (AQH), and a weekly cume of 5.9 million.  HCN's newspaper columns are distributed to 97 Spanish-language newspapers with a weekly circulation of more than 3.5 million.  HCN also produces customized, fully-integrated media campaigns for major government agencies, private foundations, corporate clients, public relations and advertising agencies.  HCN’s educational campaigns strategically combine media and community outreach to inform and spur audiences to action through its partner non-profit, the Self-Reliance Foundation.