Ignacio Dominguez-Coronado, recipient of the Hortencia Zavala Foundation Scholarship

RI Latino News

Ignacio Dominguez-Coronado, a junior at California Baptist University, is the winner of the 2023 Hortencia Zavala Foundation Scholarship.

Among Dominguez-Coronado’s many accomplishments is as the executive producer of Lancers Noticias, a Spanish language, student-run program on CBU-TV. He also writes for the Banner Newspaper, Pursuit magazine, and his hometown newspaper, Peninsula 360.

“Broadcast news intrigued me, but I didn’t see myself reflected in the profession – in the reporters, anchors, or even in the stories,” said Dominguez-Coronado. “My experience living through duality clarifies the importance of representation and allows me to identify strengths and struggles of my communities and tell their stories.”

Dominguez-Coronado was an intern with NBC Nightly News, and credits the experience for his interest in pursuing a career as a producer.


Domínguez-Coronado with José Díaz-Balart, anchor, NBC News


Dominguez-Coronado is the twelfth Hispanic-Latino student to receive an HZF Scholarship. The fund was created in 2016 by Hugo Balta, twice president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) and owner/publisher of Rhode Island Latino News (RILN), one of six independent news outlets overseen by the Latino News Network (LNN), as a way to help students while honoring the legacy of his abuelita, Hortencia Zavala.


René Franco Rubio, 2019 Hortencia Zavala 👵🏼 Foundation Scholarship recipient, Arizona Latino Media Association (ALMA)

Mike Gramajo, 2019 Hortencia Zavala Foundation Scholarship 👵🏼 recipient, NAHJ Central Florida Chapter


Since its inception, HZF has worked with NAHJ national and local professional chapters in identifying worthy candidates. “NAHJ has been working with the Hortenzia Zavala Foundation since it launched, and we’re happy to partner with them again this year to award a scholarship to a deserving student. Investing in students’ education is one of the key ways NAHJ supports emerging journalists in their efforts to work in the field. These students then become another avenue for having newsrooms represent the communities they cover,” said David Peña, Jr. NAHJ Executive Director.

Balta commented on the partnership with NAHJ, saying, “I know firsthand the benefit of the NAHJ in nurturing journalists professionally and personally. HZF is grateful to continue to collaborate in helping students like Ignacio, on their path of success.”



In 2021, HZF expanded its support of young journalists to include a journalism camp.

Covering race, ethnicity, and culture: a guideline for fair and accurate storytelling, led by Balta, is a free 12-week course designed to go beyond the inverted pyramid of basic news writing in examining the terminology, usage, and word choice of stories providing greater visibility and understanding of deep-rooted inequities in all aspects of society.

“The objectivity v. transparency presentation was the most relevant because as journalists of color we are often told that our experiences will create biased stories,” said Jacqueline Cardenas, DePaul University. “The conversation that came from the lecture was interesting too because it uncovered the ways objectivity can be used as a way to silence POC reporters meanwhile White reporters don’t face this dilemma.” Cardenas was a cohort in the class of 2022.

The Journalism Camp that returns this Fall has a curriculum that includes getting one-on-one mentoring and hands-on experience in producing stories from concept to execution focused on social justice, determinants of health, and community empowerment.

Guest speakers also shared insights on networking with a purpose, strategies for managing one’s career, and the experience of often being the only person of color in the newsroom.

As part of his award, Dominguez-Coronado has the opportunity to be one of the attendees in this year’s journalism camp and have his work published on LNN.


If you’re interested in applying for the Journalism Camp, please send your resume and letter of interest to info@LatinoNewsNetwork.com.

Please support the HZF’s mission by making a donation via PayPalGoFundMe, or Zelle (the account is under HZScholarship17@gmail.com