Completing the United States’ Story: We The Hispanos Foundation Hosts Historic El Paso Gala

As the United States commemorates its 250th anniversary, one organization is working to ensure that America's story is finally told in full. The We The Hispanos Foundation is leading a national movement to educate the public about the indispensable role Hispanics played in the founding of the United States, and its recent fundraising gala in El Paso served as both a celebration and a call to action.

Held at the historic Hotel Paso del Norte, the "Celebrate America's 250" gala welcomed community elected officials, County Judge Ricardo Samaniego, City Representative District 2 Josh Acevedo and City Representative District 4 Cynthia Boyar Trejo.  Also in attendance were business executives, philanthropists, and history enthusiasts for an evening dedicated to preserving and sharing a chapter of American history that has too often been overlooked.  Visiting from Seattle Washington was Retired Honorary Consul of Spain Luis Fernando Esteban, VP of the Foundation; from Dallas, TX, Adrian Rivas, Treasurer; and Shaylah Conley and Caleb Leger from WACU Radio of Abilene, Texas.  Also present was Hotel Paso Del Norte’s Sommelier, Antonio Gonzalez, who appears in the full feature documentary, We The Hispanos.

The Daughters of the American Revolution Rebecca Stoddard Chapter were present in their Revolutionary Figures and Fashion representing heroes such as George Washington, Bernardo de Galvez and Deborah Sampson.

Sponsors for this unforgettable evening were Jarritos, Castro Enterprises, Technosylva, Hotel Paso Del Norte, El Paso Chamber of Commerce, Johnson Brothers Maverick, Border Heritage Magazine, Honorary Consul of Spain in Seattle Fernando Esteban, and Dr. Robert and Honorary Consul Martha Vera.

At the center of the evening was an exclusive sneak preview of the upcoming feature documentary, We The Hispanos: Hispanic Roots of the United States, directed by acclaimed Spanish filmmaker José Luis López-Linares. The film explores the profound influence of Spain and Hispanic communities in the Americas on the birth of the United States, highlighting contributions that have rarely been included in traditional history books.

"The story of America cannot be complete without acknowledging the Hispanic men and women who helped secure our nation's independence," said Foundation President Martha Vera during her welcome remarks. "Our mission is to restore the missing chapter of America's history so future generations understand the full story of who built this nation."

Throughout the evening, guests learned about the Foundation's ambitious educational initiative, which extends far beyond the documentary itself. The organization is developing a nationwide campaign that includes educational resources, public lectures, museum collaborations, conferences, and community screenings designed to bring this history into classrooms and communities across the country.

The documentary reveals compelling historical evidence of Spain's critical support during the American Revolution, including financial aid, military assistance, supplies, and leadership from figures such as Bernardo de Gálvez, whose victories along the Gulf Coast significantly weakened British forces. It also highlights the contributions of settlers, ranchers, merchants, missionaries, and soldiers throughout Spanish North America who helped shape what would eventually become the United States.

The El Paso gala reflected the Foundation's belief that education and philanthropy go hand in hand. Funds raised during the evening will support the completion of the documentary's national marketing campaign, educational outreach, community screenings, and efforts to bring the film to theaters throughout the United States in 2027.

Guests also heard about opportunities to become founding sponsors of the Foundation's America 250 initiative, helping expand public awareness through national premieres, educational conferences, media campaigns, and strategic partnerships with schools, universities, and cultural institutions.

Beyond fundraising, the evening fostered meaningful conversations about identity, heritage, and historical understanding. Many attendees expressed appreciation for learning about aspects of American history they had never encountered in school.

The Foundation's work resonates particularly strongly in border communities such as El Paso, where the rich cultural heritage of the region reflects centuries of Hispanic influence. Yet organizers emphasized that this is not simply a regional story—it is an American story.

"We are not rewriting history," Vera explained. "We are completing it."

As excitement built around America's Semi-quincentennial, the We The Hispanos Foundation hopes its message will inspire Americans of every background to recognize the diverse people and cultures that contributed to the nation's founding.

The El Paso gala marked another important milestone in that mission, demonstrating the power of community partnerships, historical scholarship, and storytelling to bridge generations and deepen our understanding of the past.

For those who attended, the evening offered more than a film preview—it provided an invitation to become part of a national effort to preserve history, celebrate shared heritage, and ensure that future generations inherit a richer, more complete understanding of America's origins.

Because when every chapter is finally told, the American story becomes stronger, more inclusive, and more inspiring for us all.

To make a donation or learn more, visit www.wethehispanosfoundation.org.  Contact martha@wethehispanosfoundation.org if you would like to volunteer.