On February 18, the Colin Powell School launched its spring Conversations in Leadership series with Maria Hinojosa — Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, founder of Futuro Media, and anchor and co-executive producer of Latino USA. Moderated by award-winning author and journalist Linda Villarosa, the conversation explored Hinojosa’s personal and professional journey, her recent investigative reporting on Palestinians in the West Bank, and current immigration policies and their impact on Hispanic communities in the United States.
Encouraging students to remain hopeful and resilient, Hinojosa shared a Spanish phrase that has guided her: “no hay mal que por bien no venga” — “there is no bad from which good cannot come.” Reflecting on her career, she emphasized the importance of perseverance, courage, and seeking wisdom from elders and mentors. Her story offered students both inspiration and practical guidance as they consider their own paths in journalism and public life.
On the day after the event, Hinojosa was awarded the George Polk Career Award in Journalism. The George Polk Awards were established in 1949 by Long Island University to commemorate George Polk, a CBS correspondent murdered in 1948 while covering the Greek civil war. The awards, which place a premium on investigative and enterprising reporting that gains attention and achieves results, honor special achievement in print, online or broadcast journalism. The 2025 recipients were selected by a panel of journalists and educators from 492 entries submitted by news organizations and individuals or recommended by former winners. Watch the full event:
