The father of Hispanic Radio, Raul Alarcon Sr., died on June 11, 2008 in Miami at the age of 82. Alarcon pioneered in an industry once closed to minorities and founded the Spanish Broadcasting System. The SBS operates four of the eight top-ranked Spanish language stations in the country. Alarcon Jr., who was given full ownership of the company in 1999, oversees 21 radio stations in the country’s largest Hispanic markets, as well as nationally distributed MegaTV and online entertainment site LaMusica.com.

The life of Raul Alarcon Sr. is a true testimony of how his immigration to America from Cuba was definitely a great move. Not only did he overcome obstacles to live out his dreams, but he also paved a way for other Hispanics to enter the radio industry and feel welcomed. “He had the vision of creating a radio company owned by Hispanics for Hispanics. That vision helped motivate a lot of other Hispanics in the industry. He made us all realize, ‘Hey, there are opportunities out there. You can compete, build a great company and be respected.’ He gave us all hope,” said Eugenio “Gene” Bryan, founder of the Miami-based trade journal HispanicAd.com. Bryan worked for Mr. Alarcon as the general manager of WSKQ in 1996 and maintained a friendship with the Alarcon family over the years.

If you are ever in the South Florida area, you can check out these stations:

Clasica 92″ (WCMQ-FM 92.3)

El Zol 95 (WXDJ-FM 95.7) in Miami

Alarcon Sr. is survived by his wife, Alma, and his son, Raul Alarcon Jr.