CNY Latino was founded based on Hugo Acosta’s personal life tragedy. He compared the steps taken as a “a spin-off” of a novela that resulted from his failed marriage with his former wife. But 15 years later, the Hispanic-centric media company shows how tragedy can be spun into a success.   

“You gotta wait until you watch the novela,” Acosta said.   

The founder, owner and publisher of CNY Latino said he had no idea he would end up in the publishing business. He initially studied architecture in college before switching to computer science and started a technology company before creating CNY Latino. 

Acosta began the CNY Latino newspaper 15 years ago with the first edition of the paper coming out in February 2004. The newspaper is a free monthly publication distributed in the central New York area, and each article is printed in both Spanish and English. 

The CNY Latino newspaper covers topics including religion, health and wellness, education and culture. As a monthly publication, the CNY Latino newspaper does not focus on breaking news, he said. 

But Acosta said he never planned to be in the publishing business in the first place.   

After taking a class in computer-aided drafting while studying architecture in college, Acosta switched his major to computer science. Describing himself as a “techie,” he started an internet consulting business with his former wife. After the divorce, Acosta decided to change his career path. 

A former client from Acosta’s technology business who published an African American newspaper advised Acosta about the demand for a Hispanic-centered newspaper in the area, he said. Having come to the United States from Venezuela in the ’80s, Acosta decided to go back to his roots and create CNY Latino. 

For CNY Latino’s inaugural few months, Acosta worked solo and struggled to find enough content. Acosta produced each edition himself, writing all the articles and taking on all the responsibilities. 

But a few months after launching the paper, he met Marisol Hernandez, who later became the editor-in-chief. Soon the paper would have columnists and writers to the point where Acosta would have to turn some away, he said. 

CNY Latino is a monthly publication and doesn’t focus on breaking news. Michael Collier | Staff Photographer

Along with the partnership, Hernandez and Acosta have been dating for 14 years, Hernandez said. She described Acosta as honest and methodical and said he doesn’t sugarcoat things or procrastinate. 

“He’s one of those doers,” Hernandez said. “If he says he’s going to do something he takes care of it right away, and he gets it done.” 

Rita Paniagua said Acosta was one of the first people she met when she came to Syracuse from Puerto Rico in 2003. As the former executive director of the Spanish Action League, Paniagua used to work with Acosta in organizing Syracuse’s Latino festivals. 

Paniagua said Acosta works quickly but can remain calm and collected when explaining himself. Acosta is funny and personable, she said.  

Paniagua treasures a memory of going to a jazz festival at Onondaga Community College with Acosta. Many people there knew him, and they had a blast, she said. Paniagua also sometimes goes out to dinner with him and Hernandez, whom she worked with at the Spanish Action League. 

Paniagua said Acosta’s perseverance stands out to her. She recalled having a conversation with him a few years after CNY Latino’s founding, in which Acosta said he wasn’t sure how long he could sustain the company, as it was difficult to balance circulation and production cost. 

Eva Suppa | Digital Design Editor

Acosta said his biggest challenge with CNY Latino has been adapting to the new digital era. His background in technology has helped him adjust though, he said. Now, the media company includes a web portal and a radio show, along with the newspaper. Acosta is working on adding a TV show and podcast as well. 

“It is amazing the way he pulled it together,” Paniagua said, “and all these years later, there’s still a CNY Latino out there.” 

Since then, the newspaper has expanded its circulation. Originally distributed only in Syracuse, it is now distributed to the area between Rochester and Albany and between Watertown and Binghamton. Acosta said the company is the only Hispanic-oriented newspaper distributed to the area between these four cities. The newspaper distributes 18,000 copies each year, Acosta said. 

Hernandez said Acosta is constantly thinking of ways to improve CNY Latino. She said he’s one of the most organized entrepreneurs and business owners she’s ever met. 

“He really cares about the community and highlighting the positive things that our Latino community is doing,” Hernandez said. 

Acosta said he is passionate about supporting other Latinos in the community, and his job provides him with an opportunity to get involved in various events, such as Latino festivals, in the central New York area. 

Interacting with Latino culture is his favorite part of his job, he said, as he enjoys engaging with the lifestyle, food, art and music. 

“It gave me back enjoyment in life,” Acosta said. “It’s one of those things where you are running your business, you’re making money and you’re enjoying it while you’re doing it.” 

Published on September 30, 2019 at 1:05 am

Contact Mandy: ackrayna@syr.edu | @MandyKraynak