1980s-1990s: Emerging growth of Hispanic/Latino community in the Piedmont Triad area.

1990-1992: Local Hispanic/Latino leaders collaborate to share the rich and diverse Latino culture with the Winston-Salem community

1992: First Fiesta Festival held at Trade and 6th Streets. Hispanic Coalition Meetings begin.

1995: Beginning of high school mentoring program at RJ Reynolds, transitioned to YMCA Latin Achievers Program

1997: Middle School Achievers Program started (Wiley Middle School). Hispanic League of Piedmont Triad (HLPT) becomes a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

2000: First 2 Scholarships awarded at Spanish Nite Gala, using the Center for Scholarship Administration to process/select recipients. Hispanic League receives the Latino Diamante Award.

2001: First part-time Administrative Assistant hired, Lorena Muñoz Holladay (2001-2003). First Christmas Giving Program with Fermin Bocanegra at Iglesia Cristiana Wesleyana

2003: Won United Way Volunteer Center Award.

2004: First Bookmarks Festival attended, continued annual sponsorship.

2005: First Hanesbrands Hispanic Leadership Award presented to Dr. Joy McLaughlin.

2008: First rebranding and new logo designed by M Creative Group.

2009: HLPT officially changes to Hispanic League (HL). First part-time Executive Director, Ericka Reynolds, is hired (February-November). No ¡Fiesta! was held this year. Amy Barnhart hired as first full-time Executive Director (2009-2011)

2010: First HL Golf Tournament. First HL International Wine Tasting. First HL Beating Hearts Zumbathon® held.

2011: Hispanic League moves to offices in the American Red Cross building

2012: Mari Jo Turner hired as Executive Director. Former scholarship recipient, Liz Romo Kelly, becomes the first alumna to give a full scholarship

2013: HL receives ECHO Award at Winston-Salem Foundation luncheon. The 20th Anniversary of Hispanic League was celebrated. First time ¡Fiesta! attendance over 25,000, due to the expansion of the footprint. HL becomes a member of the Arts Council of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County. Articles of Incorporation changed to Membership Organization

2014: First Running of the Bulls 5K Fundraiser held at Fiesta. Salem College “The Firm” evaluation of scholarship program. First Community Engagement & Resource Coordinator hired. Begin using International Scholarship & Tuition Services (ISTS) for the scholarship process and selection. 15th Anniversary of Spanish Nite Gala.

2015: New Winston Museum Award received. 15th Anniversary of Christmas Giving Program. Scholarships exceed $500,000 in total value! First LatinaCon-Latino American Women’s Conference, sponsored by La Noticia. HL received the 2015-2016 award from the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics as a Bright Spot in Hispanic Education

2016: Program Coordinator Juan Aguilar hired to oversee Middle School Achievers, Marketing, and Volunteers (replaced Community Engagement & Resource Coordinator Position). First Faith Action Community ID Drive held in January, with over 600 attending (4 more are held throughout the year). First Virtual Raffle for Spanish Nite Gala raised $7500, including matching funds from Woody Clinard. Record 42 scholarships given at Spanish Nite Gala. First Colorful Sounds in Concert: Latin America, with Roberto Martínez (Colombian), held at Reynolda House Museum of American Art. First Development Director hired.

2017: 20th Anniversary of Middle School Achievers. New Logo for HL’s 25th Anniversary, designed by Reuben Rink, unveiled at Spanish Nite Gala – first board president is keynote speaker. Rededication of The Light of Diversity “La Luz de Diversidad”, Hispanic Mural at CVS Building. 25th Anniversary Fiesta and Running of the Bulls Magnifico Miles. 25th Anniversary Volunteer and Donor Gathering.

2018: Participated in the BlueCross BlueShield of NC Leadership Academy. Wrote our first White Paper to review current programs and initiatives and to establish clearer metrics to measure our impact in the community. Partnered with the Forsyth County Public Library to archive important papers from the first 25 years of the Hispanic League to be available to the community. Celebrated the 20th Anniversary of our Middle School Achievers program with over 600 students participating in 9 Forsyth County Schools. The Hanesbrands Leadership Award was presented to long-time volunteers and former board members Ray and Pat Gardea. Our Community Service Program served over 270 families, bridging resources to those in need.

2019: 20th Anniversary of giving scholarships at Spanish Nite Gala, setting a record of 43 scholarships and exceeding one million dollars in scholarship value.

2020: HL Spanish Nite Gala was celebrated virtually record of 50 scholarship recipients and sponsors, and had to be postponed to October 3rd to a virtual event; it has had over 1,000 views. The HL helped with Mask the City distribution of over 2,000 Nightingale masks to stop COVID-19 to 83 Hispanic/Latino small businesses like grocery stores, bakeries, auto mechanics, and more! As one of the founding members of the Hispanic Task Force, the HL helped distribute 4000+ masks, food, hand sanitizer, and more at Free Covid Testing locations, feeding sites, and other local events. The HL received $146,000 in Covid 19 funding from several foundations, churches, and organizations to help an estimated 80 families that have COVID-positive members.  In a collaboration with the Forsyth County Department of Health, Crisis Control Ministry, FaithHealth, and others, we have assisted with rent/mortgage, utilities, food, and some prescriptions for many Hispanic/Latino families.  This will continue in 2021. Created our Sabor D’ Casa – the Hispanic League’s cooking at home event.

2021: Continued to provide rent and utility assistance to families.

2022: Fiesta was celebrated in person again in Downtown Winston-Salem, NC. The PyMEs Committee was created to assess Hispanic/Latino entrepreneurial needs.

2023: Carla Catalan Day is selected as the new Executive Director. Fiesta was held at Truist Stadium with over 18,000 attendees. First Marketing Specialist Hired.

2024: A record-breaking 51 scholarships were awarded during the 25th Spanish Nite Gala with the help of sponsors. The first Cumbre de Negocios was held with over 120 participants. The Children’s Ballet Program started with summer sessions.

2025: Diane Massas becomes Executive Director of Hispanic League. First Virtual Golf Tournament held in May. The largest Fiesta Festival is celebrated in Downtown Winston-Salem, with over 25,000 attendees and 90 vendors/exhibitors. The Children's Ballet Program was extended to fall and Spring semesters with Professor Alejandra Dore.