Youth Advocacy on the West Side: Latest Guest, Sonny Melendrez
- Brenna Calhoun
- Jan 16
- 2 min read
Long time residents of San Antonio have a shockingly uniform reaction to the name Sonny Melendrez. The not-so-shocking part is the reaction itself, one that the neologist of the term "Intentional Enthusiasm" himself would likely approve of for its overwhelming excitement. To quote my grandmother, "Sonny Melendrez? You interviewed Sonny Melendrez?" The exclamation was promptly followed by a nostalgic conversation about The Jetsons, in which Melendrez voiced a handful of characters including Mr. Rocket. Many people know Sonny from many places and, considering his incredible career with countless accolades and achievements, this is no surprise.
Sonny began his career in radio young, and his genuine joy and excitement for life catapulted him into an induction in the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, an inclusion in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, an award for the National Radio Personality of the Year (twice!), and one for the National Hispanic Radio Personality of the Year. In actually speaking with Sonny, it's safe to assert that there may be none out there who can quite match his love of career and life!
There is much more to the influence of Mr. Melendrez, however, than the recognition and awards rightfully given over his sixty-year-career. More than a radio or TV personality, Sonny Melendrez' true impact comes from his youth advocacy. One of the projects he is most proud of, as discussed in our interview with him, was the 1985 release of the children's version of "We are the World," where all proceeds for record sales went to USA for Africa. Over 1500 children gathered in LA, each of them participating in the production of one of that year's Grammy nominated Best Children's Recordings.
Melendrez' advocacy work didn't stop in LA, though, and he continued to champion the education and opportunities for disadvantaged youth in our very own San Antonio, earning him the title of honoree of the Sonny Melendrez Community Center on the West Side of the city.
As a motivational speaker, Melendrez has provided over 1400 presentations throughout local schools, he has raised thousands in youth scholarships, and it's estimated that he has contributed 100 million dollars throughout his career to local and national charities alike. Sonny Melendrez is a name which has been the subject of countless recognitions, but his greatest impact remains to be the work he has done--and continues to do--for youth and families in San Antonio and across the country.
Take a look at our interview with Sonny Melendrez for more on his background, inspirations, life story, and where he will go next.
Works cited:
All information was retrieved from Sonny Melendrez' professional bio at sonnymelendrez.com.
Comments