Bel Hernandez Castillo has been at the helm of Latin Heat Media, a multi-media company since it founded as the first entertainment trade publication focused on Latinos in entertainment in 1992. After printing for 13 years, Latin Heat is now online at www.latinheat.com and has expanded into content production and events focused on U.S. Latinos.
Extending the Latin Heat brand, she produced the Latin Heat Entertainment Conference for six years, with the participation of Hollywood’s top talent, studios, networks, and executives.
Hernandez Castillo’s work led to her being named “The Godmother of Latino Hollywood” by Moviemaker Magazine. She also served for six years on the Peabody Awards Board, which honors excellence in TV, Film, and the internet, the last year becoming the first Latina/o to serve as the Chair of the Board.
In 2012 she received an NCLR ALMA Award from the National Council of La Raza (now UNIDOS) for her contributions to the entertainment community. Recognition for her journalist endeavors came from the Hispanic Public Relations Association, Latina Style Magazine, La Opinion, National Hispanic Health Foundation, National Hispanic Media Coalition, the City of Los Angeles, the HPRA, The Art Center Los Angeles, and Women in Theater Festival.
In 2021 she was named the Publisher of the year by the National Association of Hispanic Publications. In 2022 she received a nomination from the Los Angeles Times Inspirational Women the winner to be decided on October 18 at the Beverly Hilton.
