PBS SoCaL's "Community Champions: Rueben Martinez" spot won an award for Best On-air Advertising at last week's Imagen Awards ceremony. The event, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, was a tribute to the positive portrayals of Latinos in all forms of media, as well as a way to encourge and recognize the achievements of Latinos in the entertainment and communicaton industries.

As PBS SoCaL continues to work in the diverse communities of Southern California, we are continuously looking for ways to partner with and highlight the amazing work that individuals and organizations are doing. "Community Champions" is an on-air project that highlights the positive work of these individuals and organizations. Rueben Martinez and his work in the Santa Ana community through the Libreria Martinez Bookstore and Art Gallery set him apart as a community leader and literacy advocate who promotes reading, education and lifelong learning.

PBS SoCaL was proud to work with Rueben Martinez as part of this project and honored to recieve an award from the Imagen Foundation.

Accepting the award was PBS SoCaL Director of Programming Pat Petric and Broadcast Promotion Manager Ty Woodson. "It's been a lot of fun working with [everyone] this past year. With a little luck I hope we can earn many more awards for the station", Woodson said after accepting the award.

Petric stated, "It is my personal pleasure and privilege to celebrate and help showcase the invaluable efforts of Rueben Martinez in support of the children of Southern California. He is truly a role model for us all".

The Imagen Foundation works to create, promote, and enhance opportunities for all Latinos in front of and behind the camera throughout the entertainment industry, and serve as a liason between the industry and the Latino community by providing access, education and resources.

Find a complete list of winners from the 27th Annual Imagen Awards here, and see all of the Community Champions PBS SoCaL has honored this year.