Google Doodle honours unsung hero Raoul A Cortez, pioneer of Spanish media in America
Emily Wilson
Updated on March 24, 2026
The October 17th Google Doodle honors Raoul A Cortez, a media pioneer known for creating the roots of Spanish language media in the US.
Google is honoring a lesser-known but high-impact personality with its latest doodle. The latest illustration is the creation of Mexican-American guest artist Rafael Lopez. The October 17 Google Doodle aims to honor Raoul A Cortez, a Mexican-American broadcaster and media personality, on his birthday.
Who was Raoul A Cortez?
If this is the first time you’ve heard Raoul A Cortez’s name, let us introduce you to one of America’s greatest media pioneers. Raoul, who was born on this day in 1905 in Veracruz, Mexico, was the trailblazer who made Spanish language content available to a US audience in the 1940s.
Raoul’s family migrated to the US and settled in San Antonio, Texas when he was still young. He started his career as a reporter for the La Prensa, a Spanish-language daily newspaper. He quickly excelled in the field. In the 30s, he became the owner of a Theatrical Agency responsible for introducing talented performers from Mexico and other South American countries to the U.S. audience.
His next move was to purchase airtime on KMAC Radio, during which they would play Spanish songs, comedic sketches, and more. He started his own radio station in 1946. Soon after, the station began broadcasting on television. His station became the first Latino-operated American TV station in the Spanish language.
Raoul A Cortez was also a civil rights advocate
Besides his massive accomplishments in media, Raoul was also a civil rights advocate. He famously oversaw the court case Delgado v. Bastrop Independent School District in 1948. The case ended the segregation of Mexican Americans in Texas public schools.
He met the US and Mexican presidents to discuss immigration reforms. He also helped to develop the Bracero Program, which allowed Mexican farmworkers to travel to the US for short-term labor contracts.
To honor his undying efforts to improve the lives of America’s Spanish-speaking community and South Americans, Radio Ink created the Medallas de Cortez Hispanic Radio Award. He passed away in 1971 but his cause of death has not been revealed.
Cortez’s son built America’s largest Spanish-language network
The Texas Cultural Trust’s website notes that Raoul’s son Emilio, along with his partners, built Univision; the largest Spanish-language television network in America.
Raoul’s grandson Guillermo C. Nicolas, on the other hand, is a long-time real estate developer who sold his company in 2021. He now serves as the Board Chairman of the Texas Cultural Trust.
