Emmy-nominated Latina journalist finds hope in Tri-Cities after she ‘lost everything’
Paula Lamas learned to overcome adversity when political turmoil left her family suddenly immigrating to the United States. Now through her work, she shares stories like hers — about Tri-Cities Latinos building resilience and finding opportunity and hope in their own communities.
In her early 20s in 2001, Lamas traveled with her mother from Venezuela to California and Nevada to celebrate the holidays.
By the end of the trip, it became clear that she and her mother couldn’t safely return home to Venezuela due to political unrest there.
“We went to Miami to wait until the political situation got better,” Lamas said. “It continued to get worse and worse.”
Lamas’ mother, a former consultant for the Venezuelan military, later received a call telling them not to return for security reasons.
“The uncertainty was the worst part because we weren’t prepared mentally, physically and economically to immigrate.”
She and her mother moved into an apartment with her aunt and cousins for four months, and Lamas began a job as a hostess at a restaurant in Miami. At the same time, she enrolled at South East University and started taking night classes in communication. In Venezuela, she studied at Santa Maria University.
She soon began an internship at a local radio station, Caracol Radio 1260-AM. On her first day, she proposed a list to her supervisor with the things she felt she could do to contribute to the newsroom.
Now a Richland resident, Lamas received an Emmy Award nomination for Best News Anchor from the National Academy of Television Arts and Science Northwest chapter for her work with Univision.
Lamas is the first Latina journalist in Washington to receive the nomination. The recipient will be announced on June 1.
In her 20-year broadcast career, Lamas worked at Univision Seattle, CNN Latino Miami, CNN en Español and Fox Business News, among other television and radio newsrooms.
Lamas was a reporter and producer at Univision Seattle for over eight years. It was the only local Hispanic newscast in the Puget Sound region before shutting down in December 2023.
Working in Seattle, she had a mission to share positive news about Hispanic communities.
“I didn’t feel like I was losing something when Univision Seattle closed because I already lost everything when I became an immigrant. I knew the community was going to lose its only Spanish newscast, but thanks to technology, people can still be informed. News is going to transform,” she said.
Lamas is the creator and host of the bilingual podcast and radio show, “Power Moment with Paula Lamas,” which launched in 2019, and manages a Hispanic marketing consulting company. In Tri-Cities, she is working on connecting with local nonprofits, schools and through social media.
She sees an opportunity to tell stories about Latinos as the Hispanic population grows in Tri-Cities.
“I try to showcase the accomplishments and contributions of Latinos in the Tri-Cities, and serve as a bridge between Latino heritage and American culture, particularly for younger generations, fostering better cross-cultural understanding,” Lamas said.
“The show provides a platform for Latino voices and stories, fostering a sense of belonging and community,” she said. “Personally, I choose guests who could be role models, highlighting stories of overcoming adversity. The show can inspire Latinos of all ages to persevere through their own challenges, and equip listeners with tools and strategies for navigating their own challenges.”
“Power Moment with Paula Lamas” is available on the radio every Saturday at noon in “La Z” 96.7-FM and on digital platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
To learn more, visit paulalamas.net.
