The name Gilberto Pinela is synonymous with Latino St. Louis. His interests are wide-ranging as are his influences. From radio and television pioneer, actor, civic leader to successful businessman, Pinela has traveled a long and ultimately fulfilling road to St. Louis beginning in San Juan, Puerto Rico with a stop in New York City.
Pinela is the FIRST non-native Hispanic in the state of Missouri to host a Spanish language television variety talk show.
In 2001, “Ahora San Luis”, a variety community affairs talk show debuted on STL-TV/Cable Channel 10 in the city of St. Louis with news and interviews of significance to both Latino and non-Latino communities. Guests included Mayor Francis Slay, Cardinal Baseball player, Albert Pujols and actor, Cheech Marin.
Beginning March of 2003, Pinela co-hosted STL-TV’s most popular hour long mainstream live entertainment variety show, “Best of the STL”. Gilberto’s versatility in front of the camera places him as one of the most solicited TV personalities from STL-TV. Pinela has also hosted for broadcast: St. Louis Fashion Week and St. Louis Mardi Gras Celebrations on STL-TV. Currently, he hosts segments on HEC-TV Channel 26 Arts and Entertainment half hour show, “State of the Arts”. Starting in 2002 and running for five seasons, Pinela produced and hosted “Enterate with Gilberto Pinela” on CW11 and later on MY46TV.
Pinela has also become a much sought-after Master of Ceremonies and Speaker in St. Louis having presented for such community-minded organizations as: Food Outreach, Doorways, Safe Connections, Hispanic Educational-Cultural Scholarship Fund, Mental Health Assn., St. Louis Zoo and St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Speaking engagements include: “Hispanic Americans Making a Positive Impact on American Society” National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, United Way Media Seminar, HUD St. Louis Focus Group Conference, North County Cares Conference at Saint Louis Community College, Benton Park West Neighborhood Association keynote “Hispanics as Neighbors”, “Financial Empowerment and the American DreamýMake Your Move” National Black/Hispanic MBA Chicago, and “The Media Portrayal of Hispanics as Illegal Immigrants” St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission District Division Council.
Acting is also his passion. Pinela’s feature film roles include being cast as an extra in “Alice”, “Saving Grace” and most recently, “The Informant” with Matt Damon. On the theatre stage, he played roles as Bildad in “JOB” and a TV News Anchor in “P.S. I love you mi Amor.”
Prior to discovering his passion for the media, Pinela was elected President, and later appointed as the first Executive Director of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan St. Louis. The focus of his leadership was promoting the entrepreneurial talents and inclusion of Latino business owners.
Pinela currently serves on the Boards of the United Way, Community Partners, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Friends of the Zoo, St. Louis Convention and Visitor’s Commission Multi-Cultural Committee, The Missouri Historical Society, Alumni Association of the FBI, AFTRA as Broadcast Representative and Kevin Kline Awards Board.
PRESENTATIONS:
- Crack the Code to Identifying Niche Latino Markets
- Hispanic American Making a Positive Impact on American Society
- Hispanics as Neighbors
- Financial Empowerment and the American Dream...Make Your Move
- The Media Portrayal of Hispanics as Illegal Immigrants
TESTIMONIALS:
“We appreciate the outstanding job you did as Master of Ceremony for the 7th Annual St. Louis Regional Fair Housing Training Symposium Luncheon. Ms. Carolyn Y. Peoples, Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington DC, had high praise for the event and Gilberto’s ability to connect with the audience and the marvelous interview he conducted with her. We commend you for a job well done.”
Roy E. Pierce
Field Office Director
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
“I have watched ENTERATE since I came to St. Louis nine months ago. It is a very well done show. Gilberto is articulate and very professional. I like the way he conducts himself on the show. I think we Latinos deserve to be shown as classy people.”
Juan Isaias
“Thank you so much for taking part in the debut of, “Ay, Mija! Why Do You Want to be An Engineer?” at the St. Louis Science Center. This event marked a historical moment in St. Louis and the Science Center. It couldn’t have taken place at a better time, since March is National Women in History Month. It is of great importance that we continue to document the contributions that women are making to our great nation. My mother brought us up with this idea imprinted in our brains: ‘If you want to make a difference and you want things to change, then you have to show up!’ Thank you for showing up and making a difference.”
Marti Cortez
Vice President
Visitor Experience Division
St. Louis Science Center
“You did an outstanding job on Sunday at “Ay, Mija! Why Do You Want to be An Engineer?” I am honored to work with you as we leave our imprint on American History. I look forward to our continued success and friendship. What we are doing is important to all of us!”
Edna Campos Gravenhorst
Author of “Ay, Mija! Why Do You Want to be An Engineer?”
“I heard nothing but glowing reviews for your part in the [Multicultural Marketing] workshop. Thank you so much for agreeing to speak.”
Debbie Whitlock
Ad Club St. Louis
9th Annual AAF 7th District Conference
“Lots of people saw the show and really loved it! Again, our thanks!”
Tango Society of St. Louis
“Boy, you know how to spice up a show! Thank you so much for participating in the fashion show for the Parkinson’s Disease Association. It was such fun meeting you, and I truly appreciate the time you took out of your schedule to help this worthy cause. I thought you were great.”
Jill Slay Garlich
“I’ve received great feedback from those who attended - including our sponsors and celebrity co-hosts. Great Job!!!”
Nikki Weinstein
Policy & Community Engagement Director
FOCUS St. Louis
“It was so great to see a Latino presence there! Good lord...if there’s one thing St. Louis lacks, it’s sexy Latinos.”
Lewis Kalmback
“You did great! It is difficult to command the attention of a room that big! You did! Well done!”
William A. Donius
Chairman & CEO
Pulaski Bank/Pulaski Financial Corp.
“The evening was extraordinary due to your generosity and commitment to Doorways.”
Lynne Cooper
President & CEO
Doorways
“Very good! I wish I could have utilized Mr. Pinela a little more.”
Marsha Bonds
North County Cares
St. Louis Community College
