The first Hispanic Achievement & Business Leadership Awards (HABLA) will take place on Thursday, October 9, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. at 103 West in Atlanta. The event, which is being celebrated during Hispanic Heritage Month, highlights the accomplishments of the city’s Hispanic civic and business leaders and features keynote speaker, Jose Cancela–one of the most successful Hispanic Media executives in the country.

HABLA is an opportunity for Hispanic business and community leaders to come together to recognize the success of their peers. The ceremony will feature awards in four categories: entrepreneur, corporate executive, civic/government, and unsung hero. “Atlanta’s Hispanic business community is booming and HABLA allows us to honor the contributions of those who have made a difference,” says Ralph Herrera, president of Lanza Group, LLC, the event’s organizer.

The event’s sponsors include Mundo Hispanico and the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and presenting sponsor, Verizon Wireless.