How has CCNMA Latino Journalists of California helped you over the years? Here's my story. #CCNMA50

By Daniel Hernandez

I remember distinctly the sense of pressure and uncertainty that defined my third year of college. Just like high school, I knew my senior year would be a relative cruise to the finish line. But junior year? I had to think strategically, candidly, and start envisioning what sort of course I wanted for the second half of my college education and the initial years of my professional career.

That's when CCNMA came through and offered its support.

With a CCNMA scholarship, I was able to more clearly picture where I would see myself in the coming two years, and carry out my goal of landing an internship at a premium news organization while I finished my undergraduate studies. The scholarship gave me the psychological encouragement to keep pushing, keep challenging myself, and keep believing in myself.

I landed an internship at the Los Angeles Times in the summer between my junior and senior year, and my course was set for a career in journalism. Twenty years later, I'm still here. I'm now Food editor at The Times, and also a board member with CCNMA. I couldn't have done it without Latino Journalists of California, all those years ago.

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of this indispensable organization, and prepare for our in-person gala fundraiser event on Nov. 4 in Los Angeles, we want to hear from you. We'd love to share your stories about how support from CCNMA or its members has impacted your career. First, of course, buy your tickets or ask your organization to support your attendance. Ticket sales end this Friday!

The event is really a call for reflection. The founders of CCNMA identified a void and set out to fill it. Our community needed an anchor and a champion in the competitive news business in California. Hundreds, thousands of folks just like you and me can trace that one bit of encouragement, that moment of inspiration, that is the reason for everything we do.

So has CCNMA helped you? As we count down the days, share your stories on social media and tag us #CCNMA50. We will repost them as we approach this special occasion.

See you there!