La Interconectados: U.S. Latino Affairs Initiatives Recognizes Atlantic City For Spanish-Language Access, Governance
Photo courtesy of Diego Maya LinkedIn.
Edberlinda ‘Mimi’ Nambo Also Recognized With International Recognition Award for Her Work with the City’s Multicultural Affairs Office
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first post for Front Runner New Jersey.com’s new column La Interconectados, which will examine Latino issues and opinions by The Latino Spirit’s Diego Maya.
BY DIEGO MAYA | La Inconectados
The City of Atlantic City this month was recognized for its pioneering Spanish-Language access and inclusive governance.
Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his administration were formally recognized for their historic investment in Spanish-language education and communication tools for city leadership and staff.
The recognition, presented by U.S. Latino Affairs Initiatives and Latino Spirit Media, honored the city’s proactive approach to closing longstanding communication gaps that have affected public safety, education, healthcare, and civic participation for Spanish-speaking residents.
“For decades, thousands of families were left out of important conversations simply because of language,” I said at the recognition. “Atlantic City didn’t wait to be pressured. This administration chose to lead.”
During a ceremony held at the Mayor’s Office, Mayor Small received the 2025-2026 “Ally of the Community Award” for his leadership in building institutional systems that respect language, culture, and dignity. The award recognizes Atlantic City’s commitment to ensuring that all residents can access government services and information in their primary language.
“Leadership is not about speeches. It’s about systems,” Maya stated. “This administration has built a system that works.”
The event also recognized key members of the Mayor’s administration who played critical roles in implementing language access initiatives, including directors Jarrod Barnes, Brian Gunter and staff members Milton Chowdhury, Anh Lee, Samantha Jackson, and Afia Nasrin. Their efforts have helped institutionalize best practices in communication, training, and community engagement.
In addition to local leadership, the ceremony included an International Recognition Award for Edbelinda “Mimi” Nambo, whose work in multicultural affairs has strengthened global connections and earned recognition from the Government of Ghana. Her award highlighted the growing international impact of Latino leadership in New Jersey.
The recognition ceremony concluded with the signing of a commemorative poster and the presentation of the Éxito Latino magazine, which documents leadership stories across the state and beyond.
“This is not about certificates,” Maya said. “It is about setting a public standard. Inclusion is not charity. It is good governance.”
Atlantic City’s approach is now being viewed as a replicable model for municipalities across New Jersey and the nation. By investing in communication, cultural competence, and institutional trust, the city continues to position itself as a leader in equitable public administration.
Organizers emphasized that the recognition marks the beginning of deeper collaboration between community organizations and local government, aimed at expanding access, strengthening public trust, and ensuring that all residents are fully included in civic life.
BIO: Diego F. Maya is the Founder and Executive Director of U.S. Latino Affairs Initiatives and Founder of Diverse Voices Link, specializing in multilingual public communications and civic engagement. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he became the first individual in the nation to simultaneously interpret and broadcast a governor’s daily briefings in Spanish, reaching more than 1.7 million viewers and establishing a model now used by municipalities and public agencies across New Jersey. Through platforms including The Latino Index and East Coast Latino Public Media, he works with governments, school districts, and community organizations to deliver accurate, real-time information to multilingual communities. Learn more at www.diegofmaya.com.
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