The Chicago Bears have selected Ricardo (Ric) Estrada as the recipient of the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award.
The NFL and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) have partnered for the second annual NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Awards during the 2012 celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The awards recognize the contributions of Hispanic leaders in each NFL market.
The Bears will honor Estrada on September 23 at their Hispanic Heritage game when they face the St. Louis Rams.
Estrada is President and CEO of Metropolitan Family Services, one of Chicago’s first and strongest human services agencies, which gives hope and opportunity to more than 50,000 individuals and families in the Chicago area annually. He has two decades of leadership experience in human services, with expertise including strategic planning and management, program development, communications, fundraising and education.
Some of Estrada’s past positions include serving as First Deputy Commissioner of the City of Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS), and Executive Director of Erie Neighborhood House. His many civic roles include serving on the Executive Council of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Early Childhood Task Force, and as a Trustee of the University of Illinois. Estrada earned an MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago, an M.A. in Social Service Policy and Administration from the University of Chicago, and a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University of Chicago.
Each award recipient will select an organization of their choice that serves the local Hispanic community to receive a $3,000 donation. Estrada has chosen Metropolitan Family Services to receive this donation.
The NFL will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month during Week 3 of the 2012 season. A national spotlight will be shined on the NFL’s celebration during Thursday Night Football, Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football. The New York Giants take on the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, September 20, the New England Patriots face the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, September 23 and the Green Bay Packers take on the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, September 24.
Contacts: Caroline Schrenker, Chicago Bears: 847/739-5364, Caroline.Schrenker@bears.nfl.net Darlene Capiro, NFL: 212/450-2175, darlene.capiro@nfl.com Antonio Tijerino, HHF: 703/871-4844, antonio@hispanicheritage.org
About the Hispanic Heritage Foundation Since 1987, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) has inspired, identified, prepared and positioned Latino leaders. There call to action is to “help a Latino help a hundred more.” Please visit www.HispanicHeritage.org for more information.