Published: July 17, 2026
Five Nations, One Community: ACC Honors Local Leaders During a Special Independence Celebration
On Thursday, July 16, Americas Community Center brought together community leaders, business professionals, journalists, volunteers, and friends for an evening dedicated to heritage, service, and civic pride.
Hosted at the beautiful Power Financial Credit Union location in Pembroke Pines, the event commemorated the independence celebrations of five nations with deep roots in South Florida: the United States, Venezuela, Argentina, Colombia, and Peru.
Each country marks its independence during the month of July: the United States on July 4, Venezuela on July 5, Argentina on July 9, Colombia on July 20, and Peru on July 28. While each date carries its own history and meaning, the evening focused on a shared value that reaches across every nationality: service to others.
ACC Founder Fabio A. Andrade welcomed the crowd, followed by remarks from host sponsor Power Financial Credit Union, represented by Marcela Martinez and Gerardo Latimer, and General Manager of PANNA Stores at Weston Town Center, Oswaldo Peña. Jonathan Gomez, ACC’s Board Secretary, put it simply: different backgrounds build this community.
Then came the recognitions of the evening.
Alicia Quevedo, was recognized for her outstanding dedication and commitment to serving our local business community. Through her work in the Business Services Department at Power Financial Credit Union, she has helped support entrepreneurs and local businesses with professionalism, integrity, and a genuine spirit of service.
Karen Garcia Tuñón, generously volunteers her time through Eagle Point Elementary as the Ways and Means Vice President, and her church St. Bonaventure. Through Eagle Point, she became an integral part of the Dine & Give initiative, where her leadership, teamwork, and commitment have helped bring together restaurants, nonprofits, and the Weston community.
Fabiana Jiménez, through her leadership and determination, she coordinated a donation drive at Weston Town Center that filled three trucks of humanitarian aid for Global Empowerment Mission (GEM). Her compassion, initiative, and pride in her Venezuelan heritage inspired countless members of our community to come together for a greater cause.
Isabel Magette, has a remarkable gift for connecting people and bringing our community together. Through the Sports & Activities Directory, she helps families stay informed and engaged while generously volunteering her time with Americas Community Center, the Rotary Club of Weston, and countless community initiatives. She proudly shares her Peruvian heritage while building bridges that make our community stronger.
Three journalists rounded out the night. Diego Bas, representing Argentina and heard across Actualidad Radio on A Primera Hora, Con Sabor Argentino, and his podcast Donde Dije Diego, was recognized for turning the airwaves into a gathering place for Hispanic voices. María Fernanda López, representing Colombia, has covered South Florida for Univision 23 Miami for nearly two decades and carries multiple Emmy Awards to prove it — but the most striking part of her award came from Fabio himself. Presenting it, he told the room how years ago, the two of them kept noticing that Broward’s Hispanic stories went untold while the news stayed fixed on Miami. That frustration turned into a partnership, and María Fernanda became the first reporter to cover Broward’s Hispanic community, a collaboration that helped shape reporting today.
Ronald Acha, honored for his work in Spanish-language television with Estrella TV, got called away at the last minute to cover breaking news. His colleague Jennifer Santana — already being honored that night, representing Venezuela — stepped up and accepted on his behalf. Her own story is one of the night’s most striking: before RCTV was shut down under the Chávez government, she was reporting there. She rebuilt her career after relocating to Weston in 2017, and has reported for N+ Univision 23 since 2022.
Antonio Lobo, also representing Venezuela, does the kind of work no one applauds until someone points it out. A real estate investor by trade, he’s become one of ACC’s most reliable volunteers — the one coordinating logistics, setting up and breaking down events, mentoring the next wave of student volunteers.
By the end of the night, a pattern had emerged: honoree after honoree turned their moment back toward ACC, thanking the organization not just for the recognition, but for honoring the people serving their community.
A group photo closed things out: five nationalities, one room, one purpose.
Americas Community Center thanks Power Financial Credit Union for opening its doors, and PANNA Stores for helping recognize every honoree with a certificate of their own.
Independence Day looks different depending on where you’re from. But service doesn’t need a translation.
