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California has faced significant challenges due to devastating wildfires and immigration raids that have deeply affected local communities. In response to these urgent needs, the San Bernardino-based band Fuerza Regida has stepped up, earning recognition as the Variety Hitmakers Humanitarians of the Year.
Frontman Jesús Ortiz Paz described the rapid sequence of events following the wildfires, stating, “When the fires struck, it was overwhelming — the situation escalated quickly. As a collective, we felt a strong obligation to assist those affected, especially families lacking access to essential resources. Our immediate action was to secure hotel accommodations for those in need of urgent shelter. We were fortunate to have the means to do this.”
Community support initiatives
Since their emergence in the música mexicana genre, Fuerza Regida has consistently integrated philanthropy into their identity. Following their remarkable achievement of debuting at No. 2 on the U.S. charts with their album 111Xpantia, the band has committed to giving back to the communities that have supported them.
In January, they took swift action to aid families who lost their homes to a series of 14 wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The band provided shelter for over 50 households, demonstrating their commitment to community welfare.
Educational opportunities through scholarships
Continuing their support into April, Fuerza Regida established the 111Xpantia Scholarships at Cal State San Bernardino. These scholarships, aimed at promoting educational advancement, require recipients to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and submit a personal essay. The initiative garnered an impressive response, with over 270 applicants, setting a record for the highest number of submissions for a single scholarship at the university.
“We believe in the principle that if we are fortunate, we must extend our blessings to others,” Paz emphasized. “Our upbringing instilled in us the importance of community support and gratitude towards those who helped us along the way.”
Building a creative hub
Fuerza Regida initially honed their performance skills at local events and parties starting in 2017. Staying true to their roots, they recently launched Street Mob Records, an indie label dedicated to nurturing new talent in the music industry by signing songwriters, producers, and artists.
Additionally, the band hosted their second annual Don’t Fall in Love Fest at the NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, featuring popular artists like Future and Banda MS as headliners.
Community resilience and collaboration
Paz reflected on their upbringing in the Inland Empire, stating, “Having grown up in a Mexican-American community, we witnessed firsthand the challenges our neighbors faced. Our past motivates us to support causes close to our hearts. Whether it’s providing meals or educational support, we aim to empower others to create positive change.”
In May, Fuerza Regida collaborated with comedian Druski to launch a limited-edition merchandise line, with all proceeds directed towards the Immigrant Defenders Law Center. This initiative aimed to provide legal aid to families caught in immigration raids.
Frontman Jesús Ortiz Paz described the rapid sequence of events following the wildfires, stating, “When the fires struck, it was overwhelming — the situation escalated quickly. As a collective, we felt a strong obligation to assist those affected, especially families lacking access to essential resources. Our immediate action was to secure hotel accommodations for those in need of urgent shelter. We were fortunate to have the means to do this.”0
Continued commitment to social causes
Frontman Jesús Ortiz Paz described the rapid sequence of events following the wildfires, stating, “When the fires struck, it was overwhelming — the situation escalated quickly. As a collective, we felt a strong obligation to assist those affected, especially families lacking access to essential resources. Our immediate action was to secure hotel accommodations for those in need of urgent shelter. We were fortunate to have the means to do this.”1
Frontman Jesús Ortiz Paz described the rapid sequence of events following the wildfires, stating, “When the fires struck, it was overwhelming — the situation escalated quickly. As a collective, we felt a strong obligation to assist those affected, especially families lacking access to essential resources. Our immediate action was to secure hotel accommodations for those in need of urgent shelter. We were fortunate to have the means to do this.”2
Frontman Jesús Ortiz Paz described the rapid sequence of events following the wildfires, stating, “When the fires struck, it was overwhelming — the situation escalated quickly. As a collective, we felt a strong obligation to assist those affected, especially families lacking access to essential resources. Our immediate action was to secure hotel accommodations for those in need of urgent shelter. We were fortunate to have the means to do this.”3