Artwork courtesy of the LA Times/De Los
This story summarizes a recent piece by Fidel Martinez in the L.A. Times’ De Los, which highlighted the growing cultural influence of the Inland Empire and the need for more dedicated media coverage in the region.
The CIELO Fund at IECF is thrilled to partner with De Los, the L.A. Times’ Latino-focused vertical, to expand coverage of the Inland Empire’s Latino community. This partnership marks an important step toward ensuring that the voices, challenges, and successes of Latinos in the IE are heard—told by journalists with deep roots in the region.
Why This Partnership Matters
The Inland Empire is one of the largest Latino communities in the U.S. According to Pew Research, Riverside and San Bernardino counties rank as the sixth- and eighth-largest Latino counties in the country, with more Latinos living here than in Orange and San Diego counties combined. And yet, as local journalism continues to decline, media coverage of this vibrant region remains limited.
As noted in Martinez’s article, while the region has long been a creative powerhouse, its stories often go underreported. Our partnership with De Los directly responds to this need, helping to bring greater visibility to Latino voices, issues, and achievements in the IE.
De Los, launched in 2023 by the Los Angeles Times, covers Latino stories across Southern California and beyond. This new partnership will ensure more dedicated reporting on the Inland Empire—stories about the people, culture, history, and pressing issues that shape our communities.
Meet the Journalist Leading the Effort
At the heart of this collaboration is Paloma Esquivel, a veteran journalist with 17 years at the L.A. Times. A native of the Inland Empire, she has covered immigration, education, housing, and—most importantly—the IE itself. Esquivel’s leadership ensures that this coverage will be authentic, nuanced, and reflective of the community—not “parachute journalism” from outsiders, but real stories told by people who understand the IE firsthand.
What to Expect
With this partnership, expect deeper, more comprehensive reporting on the Inland Empire’s Latino communities, businesses, artists, educators, and leaders. Whether it’s exploring the region’s evolving cultural identity, highlighting local changemakers, or uncovering the stories that often go unheard, this collaboration will help paint a fuller picture of what it means to be Latino in the IE.
Get Involved
This initiative is about community-driven storytelling, and your input matters! If you have a story idea or a perspective that deserves a spotlight, reach out to the De Los team at LatinxFiles@latimes.com, or DeLos@latimes.com.
At IECF, we believe that local representation in media matters, and we’re proud that the CIELO Fund can play a role in uplifting Inland Empire voices. Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to follow De Los and IECF as we continue to support the stories that shape our region.
Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy. Sign up for our monthly eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters.
