(l to r): Latino USA producers Zakiya Gibbons and Jeanne Montalvo Lucar listen as host Maria Hinojosa interviews Carlos Chavez, a restaurant owner at Plaza Fiesta in Chamblee, Georgia.

(l to r): Latino USA producers Zakiya Gibbons and Jeanne Montalvo Lucar listen as host Maria Hinojosa interviews Carlos Chavez, a restaurant owner at Plaza Fiesta in Chamblee, Georgia. / On Second Thought

The South has seen its Hispanic population increase 43 percent between 2007 and 2014, according to the Pew Research Center. The story of the 1996 Olympic Games is key to understanding the Latino boom in Atlanta, and in the South more broadly. Reporter Zakiya Gibbons of the public radio show "Latino USA" looked at how the games helped diversify the region.

 

"Latino USA" host and executive producer Maria Hinojosa recently visited Georgia to see what it’s like to be Latino and Southern. She is president and founder of the Futuro Media Group. We chatted with her about stories from the Peach State featured on her latest show.

 

Tags: Zakiya Gibbons  Maria Hinojosa  Latino  1996 olympics  Atlanta  Georgia