Barriers to access are meant to discourage bilingual broadcasters from
reaching mainstream media opportunities. Mercedes Soler is co-owner of Solmart Media, a Spanish language radio station group based in Southwest Florida. In this Tedx talk the 5-time Emmy award winner tells a story of
perseverance about breaking down those barriers. Mercedes Soler is co-owner and President of Solmart Media, a Spanish radio and digital media company in Sarasota, Florida, founded with her husband Tomás Martínez. Solmart Media’s core mission is to entertain, inform, educate and elevate its underserved community.

Prior to this, she spent 25 years as a Spanish language international correspondent with Univisión and an anchor for CNN Español. She also wrote weekly columns for El Nuevo Herald and co-authored the book Dish & Tell: Life, Love and Secrets [HarperCollins].

Mercedes serves on the board of directors at the John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and Campowerment’s Give her Camp. Ms. Soler is the recipient of 5 Emmy Awards, 1 Peabody and 1 GLAAD award, among other accolades. Her most valuable title is that of “Mamá” to Victoria and Thomas, who are both pursuing post graduate degrees in Philanthropic Management and Law, respectively. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx