Representative Domb Nominates Manuel Frau-Ramos for the 2026 Latino Excellence Award

(AMHERST, MA) – Representative Mindy Domb (D-Amherst) has nominated Manuel Frau-Ramos for the 2026 Latino Excellence Award for the 3rd Hampshire District. Frau-Ramos is a scholar, founder and editor of the monthly publication, El Sol Latino.

The Latino Excellence Awards event is hosted annually by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus “to commemorate Latino community leaders, trailblazers, and changemakers that are moving the needle forward in cities and towns across the state.” The event gives each legislator an opportunity to nominate a resident from their district for the special statewide recognition.

As the editor of El Sol Latino, a prominent bilingual publication based in western Massachusetts, Manuel Frau-Ramos plays a key role in promoting and fostering Latino culture in the region and the commonwealth. Established in 2004 and published from the town of Amherst, the newspaper serves as the only Latino-owned media outlet in the region, amplifying Puerto Rican and Latino voices and culture in the Connecticut River Valley. El Sol Latino publishes articles in both English and Spanish, covering local news, literature, health, sports, and more with a primary focus on news and advocacy in the greater Puerto Rican community, giving voice to many organizations in the region. He also founded the Puerto Rican Cultural Project, which built a relationship between the Holyoke Public Library and the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College. Frau-Ramos has taught at both the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the University of Puerto Rico. 

Reflecting on the day, Frau-Ramos said, “Receiving the 2026 Latino Excellence Award fills me with gratitude and pride. I am truly thankful for this recognition of my work alongside the Western Massachusetts community. This honor inspires me to continue uplifting voices through El Sol Latino newspaper, championing independent, diverse, and inclusive journalism that boldly advocates for social justice. Thank you to State Representative Mindy Domb for nominating me, and to everyone who has supported us over the years. I want to share a quote from Spanish poet Antonio Machado:“Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar” (Traveler, there is no road; you make your own path as you walk).”

In nominating Frau-Ramos, Domb shared: “Through his publication and his commitment to education and Puerto Rican culture, Manuel is a local treasure and leader. He has contributed so much to our valley. His dedication to promoting independent journalism, sharing news, and giving attention to the community’s successes and struggles has fostered connection and strengthened the Latino community in the region and our democracy.”

The special event honoring residents from across the commonwealth was held at the Massachusetts State House on Thursday, September 24th.