Portrait
Popayan, Colombia
Juan De Valdenebro @2018

In 2002, Diego F. Maya made history by publishing the first Spanish Yellow Pages in New Jersey, a 50,000-print annual publication designed and produced in South America. After closing the business in 2007 to focus on his young child’s development, Diego relocated to Colombia, where his entrepreneurial vision evolved.

Recognizing the lack of accessible Spanish-language information, he began creating video content to increase Latino awareness in the United States. Partnering with a seasoned Latino producer from ABC’s 20/20 and FOX, he developed a public television series called Remedios, focused on Latino health. Although the project did not gain traction, it became a pivotal training ground for Diego’s storytelling, production, and pitching skills.

In 2011, he launched his own media concept, The Latino Spirit – Success Stories Building Community, investing his life savings and family support into professional equipment and training. He soon earned recognition for his multimedia work with Colombia’s Universidad del Cauca, producing visual content in indigenous regions—an experience that refined his craft and deepened his commitment to community storytelling.

After nearly a decade abroad, Diego returned to the U.S. in 2018 to expand The Latino Spirit into a full media platform dedicated to showcasing Latino success stories and fostering civic engagement. That same year, he founded the United States Latino Affairs Initiatives (USLAI), a nonprofit committed to empowering Latino communities through cultural pride, education, and leadership.

In 2019, USLAI and Latino Spirit Media launched the Hablamos Español Latino Index – New Jersey, the first comprehensive Spanish-language digital directory of nonprofit services, elected Latino officials, and community resources across the state. The initiative was poised to expand regionally before the 2020 pandemic halted operations.

During COVID-19, Diego’s leadership re-emerged. He broadcasted Governor Phil Murphy’s daily briefings in Spanish, reaching 1.3 million viewers, ensuring Latino families had access to lifesaving information. He also led the distribution of 10 tons of food to New Jersey’s hardest-hit inner cities, financed in part by Latino business leaders and his own contributions.

Today, Diego F. Maya continues to build a legacy through storytelling, advocacy, and innovation—creating platforms that amplify Latino voices, celebrate achievement, and unite communities across borders.