Myrna Salazar, a major advocate for more Latino representation in cinema, died on August 3, 2022, at the age of 75.
Salazar co-founded the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (CLATA), a nonprofit organization created to energize the city’s local Latino theater community, where she served as its executive director.
A notable influencer, Salazar championed the equality and representation of Latino artists in mainstream media and Chicago’s live theater scenes, serving as a catalyst for the launch of many careers in the industry and helping many up-and-coming actors, models and spokespeople sign contracts. .
“To say Myrna was a force of nature would be an understatement. She has been a leader, advocate, change maker and strong voice for the Latino community on issues from education to the arts. She was and always will be a part of of our family. We will mourn her loss. The Chicago Latino Alliance (CLATA) is part of her legacy. We will continue to work in her memory to ensure her continued success,” said Marty Castro, Chairman of the Board of CLATA and President and CEO of Castro Synergies, LLC. .
“We’re pausing. We’re going to mourn her and we’re going to celebrate her. However, it would be a disservice to her memory if we don’t redouble our efforts to continue working toward equality because we’re not there yet for Latino theater. and in the end, let’s build that house for the Latin theater”, added Castro.
Salazar co-founded CLATA in 2016 to foster the city’s local Latino theater community by providing local groups with organizational and financial support.
Salazar’s career began as an economic development specialist at the West Town Economic Development Corporation. Years later, she served on the Chicago Board of Education for five years after being appointed by then-Mayor Jane Byrne. She was also the founder and president of Salazar & Navas Talent Agency Inc.
Salazar also generated over $10 million in housing and business development from private and public circles. She completed a two-year fellowship with the National Economic Development Council and was appointed by then-Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne to the Chicago Board of Education, where she served for five years.
From 2007 to 2011, Salazar was the Director of Development and Marketing at the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago (ILCC).
She leaves a legacy as a pioneer who worked to break glass ceilings for herself and others.
Since news of her split broke, many have paid tribute to her.
“She fought through a time when intersectionality wasn’t a thing between talent divisions,” said producer and playwright Miranda González. “You know, if they were looking for a Latina, I’d be too dark. If they were looking for an African-American, I wasn’t American enough. She fought. She knew I was a talented person, and she never surrendered, even when I surrendered.”
Carlos Tortolero, President, CEO and Founder, of the National Museum of Mexican Art, said, “Myrna was an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime, super-artistic super-activist. In just a few years, she transformed the Latino Theater Alliance of Chicago in a culture. force in Chicago, across the country and throughout Latin America. She is truly a cultural treasure of Chicago and will be sorely missed.”
A celebration of Salazar’s life and legacy will take place on Friday, August 12 at St. John’s Catholic Church. Ita, 5500 N. Broadway starting at 5:30 p.m
