The moment the band kicked it off in the studio, singer Johnny Hernandez felt as if time stood still. Back in the early 1960s, he recorded a cover of the Radiants’ soulful classic “Ain’t No Big Thing” as part of his brother’s now iconic Tejano band Little Joe and the Latinaires. But after more than 50 years, he never imagined he’d find himself back in a studio re-recording the song for a new generation of listeners. “Chicanos of Texas have always complemented the soul music genre,” Hernandez says. “Now we get to shine a spotlight on it.”

Austin’s Latino cultural arts scene saw the end of chapters and beginning of new ones this year, but what’s moved me the most has been how central the themes of resistance and resilience have been to our community in 2018.

The fourth video in our "Austin Gente" series about Latino identity features leaders in the Austin LGBTQ community. Odaymara Cuesta, Olivia Prendes, Luis Ramirez, and State Rep. Celia Israel share stories of what defines them outside of their sexual identity.

When he first painted on the sprawling exterior wall of the now-decommissioned Holly Power Plant in East Austin more than 25 years ago, Robert “Kane” Herrera, was still a promising young artist blazing a trail in the city’s early wave of graffiti and street art. As part of the Austin League of Tejano Artists, he began transforming a 107-foot-long portion of the wall near Holly Shores and Festival Beach. The sound wall, built to reduce the power plant’s deafening sounds, did little to quiet the roaring facility that at the time also spewed fumes throughout the neighborhood. The vibrant mural, featuring Chicano imagery and symbolism, offered hope and inspiration against the backdrop of the looming power plant. But over time, and even as the power plant was silenced, the mural fell into disrepair as it faded, was tagged and had portions painted over.

Latin American icon Rúben Blades, who helped revolutionize the New York salsa music movement in the 1970s, has managed to lead a prolific decades-long career while keeping many parts of his life private or under the radar. Some, for example, might not realize that aside from penning the Latin American classic song “Pedro Navaja,” Blades has also had acting roles in more than 30 films, worked alongside greats such as Diane Keaton and Robert De Niro and now portrays Daniel Salazar in AMC’s “Fear

The third video in our Emmy-nominated "Austin Gente" video series about Latino identity features three Austin musicians. Haydn Vitera, Gina Chavez, and Joanna Saucedo share stories about how music has defined them.

On a Sunday morning last summer, Pastor Steve Blake gathered a small group of fledgling followers in the recreation room of a Mueller apartment building. Just a week before in South Carolina, a mass shooting in a nearly 200-year-old black church had resulted in the death of nine people, including the pastor. “How can focusing on Christ end hostility toward each other?” the sneaker-clad Blake asked the group of eight; then he walked around listening to the lively discussions.

The second in our Emmy-nominated "Austin Gente" video series features Austinites sharing their Latino identity experiences. Adelaida "Lala" Garza, Frederico Geib, and Dr. Ana María Tekina-eirú Maynard talk to us about their memories of food and family.

When Afro-Brazilian singer Liniker Barros steps on stage with her popular R&B band Liniker e os Caramelows, she helps break transgender barriers with every soulful note. Through the band’s evocative sound and magnetic stage presence, they’ve been able to perform in Brazilian spaces where black, transgender artists wouldn’t typically go before.

In the first installment of the Emmy-nominated "Austin Gente" video series we explore what it means to be Latino in the U.S. in the midst of a changing cultural landscape. We dive into the lives of three local Latinos who share their personal identity stories.

While most kids were relishing their time away from school during spring break last year, 12-year-old Connor was suffering through agonizing nights. Then one afternoon, Connor stepped into his mother’s sewing room and told her he had something to share. “This is kind of hard,” Connor said with a sigh. Robin Richard knelt down next to Connor and said, “Baby, it’s OK. Let me know what’s going on.” Connor had been scared and worried about his mother’s reaction. Their lives were about to change forever. Connor finally said, “I think I may be transgender. I think I’m supposed to be a girl.”

The sleepless nights don’t seem to end for Magda Acuña. On most days she drives from her Southeast Austin home throughout Austin and to nearby cities such as Bastrop, Lockhart and Buda, searching desperately for a new mobile home park to live in. Each time Acuña returns without any leads, she’s deflated.