35th Annual Diamante Awards

Welcome to the 35th Annual Diamante Awards! Join us at Lourdes University for a night filled with glitz, glamour, and celebration. Get ready to honor the brightest Latinx stars in our community and recognize their outstanding achievements. This in-person event promises to be a night to remember, so mark your calendars and get your best outfit ready. Let's come together to applaud the incredible talent and hard work of our award recipients. Don't miss out on this unforgettable evening!

History and Purpose

Throughout the country, including Northwest Ohio, September 15 through October 15 is recognized as National Hispanic Heritage Month.

To celebrate the profound and lasting influence that Latinos have on American history, values and culture, the Diamante (diamond in Spanish) Awards were founded in 1989 by IMAGE of Northwest Ohio, a local Latino advocacy group.

This year’s awards and scholarship event will take place on October 10, 2024 at the Franciscan Center on the campus of Lourdes University. The awards recognize individuals and organizations for their outstanding achievements and service to Latinos. The Diamante Awards also serve to raise scholarship funds for Latino youth who want to advance their education by attending a college or university in the region.

In 2003, the Diamante Latino Scholars Campaign was announced at the awards celebration. This fundraising initiative was a one-of-a-kind collaboration between Bowling Green State University, Lourdes University, Owens Community College, and the University of Toledo. At the time, the four institutions agreed to raise funds collaboratively for Latino scholarships. The Scholars Campaign resulted in a number of endowed Latino scholarships at all four institutions. Each year, the institutions announce their scholarship recipients at the annual Diamante awards ceremony.

Further, in 2016, the partner institutions agreed to have the Latino Alliance of Northwest Ohio, one of the leading Latino non-profit organizations in Toledo, to be the lead organization for the Diamante Awards moving forward.

The primary reason that Latino students do not attend or finish college is lack of finances. With the growing Latino population, this forward thinking effort will help ensure that more Latinos are able to graduate from college and fully participate in our communities.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Lourdes University, 6832 Convent Boulevard, Sylvania, United States