With Blue Beetle, Ángel Manuel Soto Shows the Superhero Strength of Latinidad

11/15/23 • 25 min

For Director Ángel Manuel Soto, Blue Beetle is for his younger self.

As a kid growing up in Puerto Rico, Soto didn’t have the opportunity to see an Indiana Jones that looked like him—to see Latinos in heroic spaces of power on the big screen. Through Blue Beetle he set out to change that.

His recent blockbuster not only highlights the truth that the Latino community is no monolith—and that it features everyday moments of superhero strength—it also shows how communities too often seen as ghettos are in fact full of rich, tight-knit relationships that span generations.

Any young Angel Manuel Soto would pay the price of admission to see that story in the theater.

For Director Ángel Manuel Soto, Blue Beetle is for his younger self.

Any young Angel Manuel Soto would pay the price of admission to see that story in the theater.

Previous Episode

Xavier Gutierrez Welcomes Latinos to the Rink

“Latinos don’t play hockey.” It’s a phrase that Xavier Gutierrez has heard often since becoming the first Latino to lead an NHL team.

As president and CEO of the Arizona Coyotes, Gutierrez sees the massive opportunity in welcoming Latinos to the hockey rink. It’s a vision he shares with friend and team owner Alex Meruelo, the first Latino owner in the NHL.

With the Coyotes expanding its presence across Arizona, it’s the perfect place for Gutierrez to be. He leads with a passion for serving the Latino community, which makes up nearly one-third of the state’s population, because he knows firsthand the impact of representation.

Gutierrez approaches his mission with intentionality and authenticity, whether it’s expanding a street hockey program to reach young Latino athletes or inviting Latino college students to attend a game against the Boston Bruins.

He’s doing the same thing that his parents, mentors, and peers have done for him throughout his career: opening doors for others.

Next Episode

Raquel González Invests in High-Impact Work at Bank of America

Raquel González doesn’t play witness to the changing Latino narrative, she helps author it.

With a career spanning decades at Bank of America, González is not only a leading example of what can be achieved through longevity and commitment to a revered financial institution, she actively invests in Latino entrepreneurs to help give them their own clear vision of success.

As market president for Bank of America Silicon Valley and the Hispanic-Latino Strategy Executive for Consumer and Small Business, González focuses on high impact work—whether that’s lending to small business owners or inspiring young talent to see the many ways Bank of America can positively affect their careers.

Like so many Latinos, González is a strong believer in family and surrounding yourself with individuals who care about your achievements as much as their own. She found that kind of familia at Bank of America long ago—and today she counts herself lucky that she gets to continue to see it grow, year after year.