A&E Premieres ‘The Chicano Squad’ Docu-Series, Celebrating Latino Heroes In Houston‌ ‌

At an exclusive screening at the Creative Artists Agency, the audience was treated to a viewing of one episode of the docu-series The Chicano Squad which is set to premiere on A&E beginning on Monday, September 2nd at 9pm/8pm central.

It is a fascinating story of the little group of Chicano Detective up against having to prove themselves and solving cases that had long been abandon. They were given 90 day to solve hundreds of open cases if not they would shut them down.

The Chicano Squad chronicles the groundbreaking team of bilingual patrol officers plucked from their beats and suddenly promoted to Detectives to form the first all-Latino homicide unit dedicated to tackling Houston’s soaring rate of Latino homicide cases in 1979. Dubbed “The Chicano Squad” by the Houston media, the story of these men becoming one of the most highly decorated law enforcement units in the history of Houston is told through firsthand accounts of the original squad members and those impacted by their work.

The docu-series interviews some of the original members of the Chicano Squad, including Jim Montero, José Selvera, Raymond Gonzales, U.P. Hernández, and Cecil Mosqueda about their story which will air 45 years after the formation of the squad.

Original members of the Chicano Squad, including Jim Montero, José Selvera, Raymond Gonzales, U.P. Hernández, and Cecil Mosqueda. COURTESY

In attendance were Executive Producers Nancy de Los Santos and Sergio Selvera (whose dad is one of the original Chicano Squad members). It was their collaboration on the story that was taken to Bender Brown Productions who then teamed up with A&E to produce it.

Among the creative talents in attendance at the screening were showrunner/director and executive producer Mario Diaz (who is repped by CAA), Kevin Brown and Lawrence Bender of Bender Brown Productions, and original Chicano Squad members Selvera Jr. and Hernandez.

Hats off to A&E for documenting this very important, untold story about Latinos who for once were the heroes in the story rather than the stereotypes.

The Chicano Squad is produced by Jupiter Entertainment (Snapped) and Bender Brown Productions (Seven Seconds) for A&E.

Carlos Eric Lopez is known for his eclectic taste in glamor, culture and one of LA’s most sought-after photographers in the nation.  His clients like Vogue, Netflix, Amazon, Disney+ and high-profile brands like Ralph Lauren, Fendi, and Nike.  And now Carlos adds entrepreneur to his list of titles.  Always ahead of the cultural curve last week as Carlos launched the delicious and healthy community-driven wellness drink Curalita.

Inspired by his Abuelita – his affectionate grandmother…Carlos named his drinks Curalita, choosing Mexican inspired flavors with names like La Virgen, Por Amor, Mal de Ojo and Sana Sana. 

In attendance to help him launch his brand in a spectacular way was literally a who is who of Latino Hollywood’s hottest talents who have all been photographed by Lopez to support the launch of his product.  His friends actor Xolo Maridueña (Blue Beetle, Cobra Kai),  Annie Gonzalez (Flamin’ Hot, Jenni, Gentified) who also sang, TV Showrunner/actress Gloria Calderon Kellett (With Love, One Day at a Time), Jessica Marie Garcia (On My Block), actress Nicole Richie (Project Runway)  and several others. 

A screening of the documentary Ugly Little Monkeys took place last week under the stars on a cool L.A. summer night at La Plaza de Cultura Y Artes.

Ugly Little Monkeys is a compelling documentary that brings to life the remarkable journey of Los Changuitos Feos de Tucson, the pioneering youth Mariachi group in the United States.

Inspired by Wilfred Arvizu’s captivating book, this film delves into the heart of Tucson, Arizona, where the group was formed in the 1960s under the guidance of an unlikely mentor, Father Charles Rourke, an Irish priest with a deep passion for Mariachi music.  

Audience members experience a rollercoaster of emotions as the documentary screened. With a combination of laughter, shock and in some cases, anger, at the end of the evening several audience members were ready to nominate it for an Oscar!

Participating in the pre-screening Q&A were Co-Directors Enrique Castillo and David Valdez and Richard Moreno the Editor, and moderated by Estrella TV news Anchor, Jose Ronstadt. The latter three, Valdez, Ronstadt and Moreno were all born and raised in Tucson, where the story mostly takes place, and are very familiar with the story.  Still the interviews with the original members were quite a revelation – to them and the audience.

Five years in the making, nineteen original members were interviewed for the documentary, each telling their first hand recounting of the story, from the founding of the group by Father Rourke, the excitement or traveling across the country, to the unraveling of the priest and ultimately to the triumph of their spirits.

The Changuitos Feos are still thriving after 60 years.  To commemorate this the filmmakers are offering the documentary to non-profit organizations as a fundraising screening to help them raise funds for the arts, and in particular youth mariachi groups. 

Outdoor screenings at La Plaza de Cultura Y Artes are always a fun experience. In spite of the helicopters flying by – the audience was captivated!

Until next week!

Produced in association with Latin Heat