>> buenos d^as y bienvenidos. good morning and welcome once again to "tiempo." i'm joe torres. tonight are the academy awards right here on channel 7. by now, you've certainly heard of the controversy, with many latinos and blacks outraged at the lack of diversity among the top nominees. well, this morning, we talked to a pair of latina broadway stars. you will hear their thoughts about the controversy and how this season has been one of the most diverse on broadway in years. that's coming up later in the show. right now, though, we are talking about the latino vote in this 2016 presidential election year. this year, according to one

latinos are eligible to vote. throughout their campaigns, the presidential candidates have debated and discussed many issues of great concern to latinos like immigration reform, healthcare, jobs. as for latino voting trends, take a look at this. in 2008, 9.8 million latinos cast their presidential ballots. four years later, the number was 11.2 million latinos that voted. that represents an 8% increase, if my math is correct. and it's been wrong before. a coalition of latino organizations from across the country recently announced "our vote, our future," a nationwide mobilization effort aimed at the ever-growing number of potential latino voters. here to tell us all about it this morning, our good friend jessica orozco from the hispanic federation, roberto frugone from the naleo educational fund, and julio huato, professor from st. francis college in brooklyn. welcome to you all. thank you for being here this morning. campaigns -- always different.

do you see that trend that we just pointed out from 2008 to 2012 continuing in 2016? >> most definitely. >> why so? >> we're not only an ever-growing population, but we're ever-changing. so since 2012, we had 3.2 million latinos turning 18, aging into registering to vote. we had 1.2 million latinos naturalizing. we had over 130,000 puerto ricans from puerto rico coming to the united states -- american citizens, registering to vote. so we see this trend just increasing, increasing. and, you know, if not more than ever, what's at stake is really, you know, our latino community community. >> and i know naleo just wrapped week. tell me about what the findings showed in terms of what you can expect this year amongst latino >> absolutely. and based on the projections from four presidential cycles ago, for the last four presidential cycles, we anticipate actually 17% more latinos will come out to vote this year. >> really? okay.

13.1 million latinos across the country voting this november. >> let's hope. what in particular, julio, do you think drives -- what issues are driving latinos to the polls perhaps this election cycle more than ever before? question. perhaps a bigger question is the reason why a large percentage of latinos who are eligible to vote are kept from voting. >> are kept or don't vote? yeah. >> yes, and i believe that has to do with the fact that latinos are disproportionately represented among the poor in this nation. and also young, which, you know, in general, they tend not to vote as much as older adults. >> yeah. >> so, those are some of the factors. we hear the candidates, in particular bernie sanders, mentioning that there is a

and i believe that latinos, the working and living conditions for latinos are exhibit 1 of the existence of a rigged economy. >> but you guys must know that, as you try and look at latinos and voting trends, that they're younger and younger, which says to me that campaigns like yours are needed more so than ever. needed. you see, for example, robo-texting is a huge thing now. so we're reaching individuals and getting them out via robo-texts when, a few years back, it was robo-calls, right, on the phone. so we are evolving our campaigns to mobilize our community to get to the polls and definitely catering to them. >> go ahead. >> and that direct contact is tremendously important. keep in mind, in 2014, latino decisions, as well as naleo and other national latino organizations put together a poll and polled 5,000 latino voters to see if they were coming out to vote. half of them reported that they were never contacted by either a candidate or a political party or even a local nonprofit, a local organization, asking them to vote or inviting them to

>> what do you think the reason for that was, why they neglected? >> i think there's always a tendency to go after the people that already vote, right? so we neglect anybody that doesn't vote. yet latinos, when asked to vote, do come out. and so that's the key. >> yeah. okay. sit tight. i got a few more questions to ask you, particularly, as we look down the road, in terms of. yes, it's one thing to have latinos registered to vote. it can be a far different thing in terms of the number who actually do. and he alluded to that. we'll talk more about that when we come back on "tiempo." more on latino voters and the 2016 presidential election. still ahead on "tiempo," two latina broadway stars join us to talk about diversity on the great white way and the lack of diversity amongst this year's academy award nominees. all of that ahead of tonight's oscars broadcast right here on

>> welcome back to "tiempo." a major effort and a strategic partnership now under way to engage millions of latinos in

enlightening us on the partnership, jessica orozco from the hispanic federation, roberto frugone from the naleo educational fund, and julio huato, professor from st. francis college in brooklyn. you guys have had these efforts in the past. and i've been hosting "tiempo" long enough to see that each election year, there's an effort. what have you learned from previous efforts that perhaps you've catered this time around to make it more effective? >> sure. so, it's in the messaging, right? a lot of people think that they're the only person staying home on election day. latinos would say, "there's 27.3 million other latinos out there who are voting. what does it matter?" but when you tell them that they're not the only ones with that novel idea, right? they're not the only ones that are staying home on election day. if everybody who stayed home on election day would actually mobilize out to the polls, you're talking about millions and millions of people who would make the difference. >> so it's an inclusionary kind of thing? >> exactly. you ask them, "bring your brothers and sisters. you're responsible for bringing five people out to the polls,

and we've also seen that when you follow up, or you say, "we're gonna contact you, and we're gonna ask you if you went to go and vote and follow up with you," they feel a little bit more responsible for that. >> you're gonna guilt them into voting. >> a little bit. a little bit. >> how hopeful are you, roberto, that that strategy will work? and i ask that question from this perspective -- because weeks after these campaigns, we've often seen it in the past. you make a hard effort to get the people out, and then voter turnout amongst latinos is dismally low. and it's so frustrating. how hopeful are you that this approach and this turnout will be different than times past? >> i'm optimistic. our numbers are there. i think the key, as jessica mentioned, is really the contact. it's the investment. it's making sure that the campaigns are reaching out, that the parties are reaching out, the local organizations are reaching out. so i think then making the case on why they should vote one way or another is really important. and i think internally, as a community, we need to be voting together, as well, right? so we need to be encouraging

vote to go out there and vote. the numbers are there. >> julio, are there -- go ahead. jump in. >> yeah, i will take his optimism, because there is a tremendous need for increasing political participation by latinos. >> but how do you go about convincing them of that need? >> well, if i'm looking at it from the perspective of a candidate campaigning, i would emphasize the issues of economic justice -- jobs. i think that they'll care, you know? if there are almost 30 million americans who are still uninsured or underinsured, at least i'm pretty sure about 1/3 of them may be latinos, because usually latinos are over-represented. >> well, you're the professor, so let me ask you the question this way. are the reasons for latinos to come out to vote any different than the reasons for anyone else to come out to vote? >> that's a very good question. i think that basically, the same issues that afflict most working people in the united states intersect with the needs of

of course, latinos have some special needs, like for example, the fact that we have 11 million hispanics, latinos, who are in the shadows because of the legal status, immigration legal status. and of course, that's a particularity. but there are candidates, like bernie sanders, who's been speaking about broken justice system and broken immigration system. and so latinos have to listen to those messages and step up. those campaigns are perhaps very easier now trying to reach out. and latinos who understand the need to participate, they should reach out, as well, to the campaigns. >> and he's attracted a very young demographic, as well, of latinos. let me ask you this. and he mentioned bernie sanders, and we know of other candidates, and i won't mention any by name. but do you think their stances and their positions are actually driving more latinos to "a," get registered, and "b," to vote? >> i do, honestly. we see that, you know, we care about people going to the polls

if it's anger, if it's frustration that's driving them, we'll take it. so, they feel that their community is directly under attack, that they are being used as a political football. they're gonna go out there, and we're gonna show our value in the numbers, and we're gonna show our value in the vote. >> do you find it convincing when you go to latinos and say, "latinos will make the difference in this presidential election, in deciding who is the next commander in chief"? does that really convince people to register and to get out there and cast a ballot? >> there's a lot of reasons why people register and vote. i mean, it was mentioned before about, like, healthcare or education, right? so, if you take 10 voters that care about healthcare, for example, right, and you only talk to 5 of them, 5 are gonna come out and vote, right? so if you're talking to 10, then 10 will come out to vote. >> you guys have a hotline. i'm gonna put the phone number up now. and you also have toll-free and correct? >> absolutely. >> and there's the number.

if you call that number, what what do you learn? >> you talk to an operator, who will help you register to vote, tell you where you can vote. and if you have an issue on election day, they'll help you >> well said. thank you guys all very, very much. coming up next on "tiempo," the nominations for this year's academy awards has sent ripple effects through hollywood, with many latinos and blacks upset at the lack of diversity. the feelings are different, though, on broadway.

us to explain why next. this is violet. she's been waiting for this moment for awhile. a moment other kids wouldn't think twice about. her first bowl of cheerios. because now that cheerios are gluten free, violet, and many others are enjoying their first

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arts and sciences is under fire for the lack of diversity among the top acting categories for this year's oscar awards. calls for a boycott of the academy awards have been growing. it is a totally different story, however, on broadway. broadway is becoming more diverse and inclusive. and here to talk about this are two leading latina broadway actresses, ana villafae, lead star of the new broadway show "on your feet!" it's great. and bianca marroqu^n, recent lead star of "chicago" on broadway. welcome to you both, as well. how's the show going? you've been in it for several months now. >> ah, yes. >> you got it down, right? >> it's just so much energy, you know? the moment those gloria estefan songs start, the same feeling you have at a wedding or at a party, when you just want to get up and dance, i get to do that eight times a week, so... and we all do. it's a group of like 32 of us. and we're all actually latinos, so it's like, that is -- >> lot of spanish. >> party con pay is what we call it. [ laughter ] >> and physically, are you holding up to the demands of it? >> yeah. i mean, you got to condition. you got to, you know, eat the

i have to force myself to rest and not speak and, you know, say things. >> it's a lifestyle. lifestyle. >> it's all about your show. >> you can appreciate it, right? when do you wrap up on "chicago"? >> recently, several weeks ago. but yes, eight shows a week. i've been doing this for, uh... 18 years now in my life, in my career, you know? >> and you're only 20, so... >> exactly. exactly. can you just put it together? >> tell me about viva broadway, because one of the reasons we had you both here is, especially with what's been going on in the motion picture industry -- we saw what you're doing. and for me, it's an example of what's positive and what's right and how to lift up and get latinos involved and included and recognized, as well. so, viva broadway. >> so, viva broadway is an extension of broadway league. and this is to give information to the latino community about broadway -- everything that's going on, who's leading, what shows are new, how to get tickets, discounts, all of that, and projects, as well, you know,

and to lead them into the arts. >> is it your hope and goal and aspiration that some of those kids will ultimately star on broadway and come on broadway? >> i mean, we were those kids who had that hunger for theater and who had that hunger and wanted the accessibility. and i think that's what viva broadway stands for. i think it's making it accessible for that next generation of latinos who might either -- whether you're supporting the theater from the house or are on stage. >> do you think it ultimately will lead, or has it already, to recognition of latinos on broadway? >> i would hope so. and i think -- i mean, this is my first broadway experience. this was my first broadway audition. it's very much my debut. and i look to bianca. i look to andr\a burns, alma cuervo, the women i get to work with. and there are people who have already kind of made their mark and who have already said, "we're here," you know, from chita to now, to bianca, you know? like, so it's kind of cool to be following in that legacy. >> well, then, as someone who's a little bit more of a veteran, has the recognition come?

recognized for their performances? >> yes! for instance, when i came over 14 years ago and did my crossover from mexico to broadway with roxie hart in "chicago," then soon after that, i headed the third national tour of "chicago," opening in washington, d.c. and that nominated me for an award, for a helen hayes award, which i won. >> wonderful. congrats. >> which i won that year in 2010. so, and apparently, i was one of the first latinas to ever win that category, no? >> so let me ask you this. let me put it frank. does hollywood have anything to learn from broadway in this regard? >> oh! >> oh, gosh. >> well, it's just very different, right? you know. you're coming from film. >> i mean, you've seen what's been happening. and for the second year in a row, there's much criticism, that when they put the nominees and they put the faces up, none of them are latino. none of them are people of color. >> well, the thing about it is that you need the innovators like lin-manuel miranda, for example, who will write, who's willing to take the risk and write these roles and cast these characters in a diverse way, you

we've been fortunate enough to put our names out there and to become a face of something and to be able to represent latinas on broadway. but, you know, you can't nominate someone for an oscar if that role didn't exist for people of color. if there aren't latino roles, if there aren't latino actors being cast, if there aren't people willing to take that chance, then you can't nominate performances that aren't there. >> so, the stories. we've got the directors, right, and being successful and out there. we're so proud -- mexican. [ both laugh ] >> but i think, listening to that, some people would argue that there are latinos out there -- that they are directing, that they are producing. >> there are! we have friends that are writers that are doing their -- >> of course. i think in television more than in film right now. yeah, look at "orange is the new black," "jane the virgin." you know, there are so many, so many people of color, like, tv. i don't think it's the same for film yet. i think it's breaking in, and i think that with the directors and with the writers, that'll come, you know? but it's down to casting directors, as well, though. >> true. and it's a slow-moving ship.

>> but i think they can look at you and what's happening on broadway and say, "okay, it's happening within the arts." it's just got to filter its way all the way to the -- >> well, the arts are a reflection of what's going on in the world. it's a reflection of our day-to-day life. look around the city. you're not seeing all one kind of cookie-cutter person. >> not at all. >> so it's beautiful to see the "great white way" really representing that in such a colorful way. >> exactly. >> i've got only 10,000 more questions, so sit tight. we're gonna talk to you for a few more. we'll find out what you're doing next, which i think is equally exciting.

>> welcome back to "tiempo." the academy of motion picture arts and sciences under fire for the lack of diversity among the top acting categories for this year's oscars awards, which are later tonight here on channel 7. we've been talking this morning with two leading latina broadway actresses, ana villafae, lead star of the new broadway show "on your feet!" and bianca marroqu^n, recent lead star of "chicago" on broadway. and she's very busy -- something exciting to tell you about. so, i want to get -- for those people who don't know, "on your feet!" is really the gloria and emilio estefan story, is it not? >> it is. it is. >> and give me the 30-second nutshell version for those folks who -- >> well, it's basically their rags-to-riches story, which is the american dream. and it uses their music to kind of chronicle what they went through to become, you know, the international superstars that they are today. but it's amazing, because you get to see her in concert, but you also get to see her in the kitchen, fighting with mom, you

daughter, being a granddaughter. so, you really, really see them as human beings, and it's incredible. >> and how did this role find you, or how did you find this role? >> oh, gosh. well, i heard about it. i've been in l.a. doing film and tv. and when i heard about this, i just knew i needed to try. so i kind of forced my management team to let me follow my broadway dream, which i always kind of had as a kid, but i never really tried out for it. and then just -- gloria says it was "written in the stars." >> and there's a cultural connection, is there not? >> absolutely. i'm half cuban myself. my mother is cuban-american, so... and i grew up in miami, so... yeah, so i know where she comes from. i knew that i had something i wanted to bring to the role. and i've been fortunate enough to work with her now for months, over a year, really, and get to know her as a character and as a woman. >> familia. yeah. she's part of the family now. >> familia. exactamente. >> bianca, talk to me about what's next for you, because [speaking spanish] 'cause i know what you're about to tell me, so... >> yes! >> puerto rico. >> que bueno.

>> well, carnegie hall is celebrating 125 years, right? for this anniversary, they decided to put on a full production of "west side story," which has been going on for the whole year with different exercises and workshops. >> okay. >> it's an educational program culminating in three performances, march 4, 5, and 6, of "west side story." i have the honor of playing anita. >> ai, que bueno. >> yes, so this is very exciting for me. and there has been projects like free concerts trying to bring the community, awake awareness of the issues that are going on now. >> so, the workshops are focused on what? >> like, bringing students with professionals and, like, composing music -- everything to do with "west side story," like the themes. it's all about the themes. it's all about love and what's going on today -- immigration and prejudice and loyalty and defending, belonging. >> and that's all the professional. from a personal standard, this

for you, because "west side story" has never been part of your r\sum\. >> it just goes to show, when you let something go in your life, if it's yours, it will come back. and twice in my life, i came very close to playing anita. and it just escaped, for some reason. that's another show. >> yes. [ laughter ] >> s^. but this time, i couldn't believe it, that carnegie decided to do -- chose "west side story." and then i was in mexico at the time, but i auditioned via tape, you know, had to put myself down on tape and then went back and forth. and finally, when they told me, "you are cast as anita," i -- gah! >> that is fabulous. >> so, i cannot believe it. and, of course, my icons, also chita rivera and rita moreno. >> rita moreno, cast here on "tiempo." >> yeah, wonderful. so it really is a true honor. i got to ask them both for their blessing, you know? >> and they gave it? >> yes! yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. >> what's next for you? i know you're in the middle of this. have you started to look out -- or let me phrase it this way.

this one opened up for you? >> oh, so many things. i mean, my heart is with the show, you know? it's a very big commitment, and i take it really, really seriously, as we all do. but i do have a movie coming out in august, which is exciting, called "max steel," which is a superhero franchise. and the fun part about that is actually, they were looking for a caucasian girl. she was written as a blond, blue-eyed girl-next-door. and when i walk in, and i ended up getting the job, they rewrote her to be sofia martinez all of a sudden. so it's that kind of thing that, you know, you change people's perspective, and you maybe change their minds. and that's how little by little -- but, so, that's an exciting thing. but i find that to be so far away. >> right. >> i mean, i can't believe we're, like, basically in march, but -- >> but to me, that's another example of how you can change people's minds with what you do and what you bring. and sometimes if your cultural background is part of that, so be it. >> yeah! >> and that's who we are these days. >> exactly. >> yeah. it's beautiful. >> well, ladies, we're out of time. thank you both for being here. >> thank you. >> and continued success. >> thank you very much. >> all righty. thank you very much.

"tiempo" community calendar for this week. every first wednesday of the month, el museo del barrio presents "coqui club," a rainbow of colors for children ages 1 to 4. the museum offers storytelling, art-making, plenty of playtime. and museo is located at 1230 5th avenue in east harlem. the fun begins at 9:30. and best of all, it's free. if you missed any part of our show, don't worry. you can watch at abc7ny on the web, on your tablet, or even on your smartphone. i'm joe torres. thank you for watching.

"tiempo." >> "here and now" -- the program featuring the news and interests of the african-american community. here's your host, sandra bookman. >> coming up, we are continuing our celebration of black history month with a look at a rare exhibit representing 400 years of african-american achievement -- the "re-discovering america: family treasures from the kinsey collection." plus the first national database that identifies slave burial grounds -- preserving and memorializing an important part of family and american history. later, encore presentations of some our most popular black history-focused segments, including a conversation with the descendants of frederick douglass, booker t. washington, and president thomas jefferson. but first this afternoon, we are turning our attention to a push for legislation that would