Julio Ricardo Varela

Award-winning journalist and executive media leader with 30+ years of experience building trusted media brands, growing loyal communities, and driving sustainable revenue. Founded Latino Rebels in 2011 and grew it to 14 million pageviews and 400,000+ followers over 12 years, including after its acquisition by Pulitzer-winning Futuro Media. Launched The Latino Newsletter to $400,000+ in revenue in its first two years, with 50% of subscribers posting open rates of 95% or higher and click-through rates between 4-9%. Known for mentoring diverse talent, executing bold editorial visions, and creating storytelling formats that grow audiences and shape national conversations across public media, nonprofit, and digital spaces.

• 2025 HPRA ¡BRAVO! Journalist of the Year, Hispanic Public Relations Association.
• 2025 ALX100 Honoree, recognizing 100 leading Latino American changemakers across Massachusetts.
• Founded and scaled Latino Rebels, publishing 12,000+ stories from 500+ contributors, reaching 14 million pageviews and 400,000+ followers over 12 years.
• Named President of Pulitzer-winner Futuro Media in May 2022, successfully executing a 65/35 philanthropic/earned revenue ratio.
• Secured over $16 million in funding as Interim Co-Executive Director/President of Futuro Media and VP of new business for Futuro Studios.
• Directed a 1,348% increase in podcast users for Latino USA, the longest-running Latino-focused program on U.S. public media.
• Co-hosted the award-winning In The Thick political podcast, named the 2020 Diversity and Inclusion Podcast of the Year by Ad Week.
• Led business affairs team for Futuro's 2023 Frontline documentary about Uvalde, a Peabody Award and Emmy Award nominee.
• Co-launched Pressing Issues for Free Press and continue to co-edit it, achieving 60% open rates and 4% click-through rates within its first year. 
• Lifetime member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) and winner of NAHJ's inaugural DALE Presidential Award.
• Named one of the Top 40 Latinos in American Media (2013, 2014).
• National columnist on U.S. Latino issues. Bylines include MSNBC/MS NOW, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Atlantic. Full portfolio.
• Exceptional social media leader across platforms, managing combined communities of 500,000–1 million followers across two decades. http://twitter.com/julito77
• Fluent Bilingual/Bicultural communicator (English/Spanish).

"[Julio] He's the founder of a great media organization called Latino Rebels... they do a ton of reporting on Latinx issues. Not just things like Puerto Rico or migration, but the whole full panoply, and they do incredible work." 

—Chris Hayes

2025 HPRA ¡BRAVO! Journalist of the Year, Hispanic Public Relations Association: "Long before it was a part of our norm, Julio built one of the first Latino-led independent news spaces online, proving that a small, community-rooted outlet could shape coverage and defend editorial freedom. His ability to invent and reinvent the space over time is both inspiring and critical at a time when inflammatory rhetoric and misinformation are on the rise and local newsrooms are under threat." — HPRA National President Sonia V. Diaz. Joins past honorees Alicia Menendez, Ilia Calderón, León Krauze, María Elena Salinas, María Hinojosa, and Teresa Rodríguez.

2025 ALX100, We Are ALX / Boston Globe Magazine: Named one of 100 exceptional Latino leaders working across Massachusetts to be honored for contributions to the entire community. Selected by an independent committee based on community impact, diversity of geography, industry, and gender identity.

50th Anniversary Gala Honoree, 2018, Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción: One of 50 Boston area Latino honorees who "exemplify the best in our community, whether it’s through corporate philanthropy, excellence in the arts, or civic engagement."

Prudential 2018 Positive Impact Award: "As the founder of arguably the most influential Latino blog in the country — Latino Rebels — and a highly respected journalist online and on the air, Julio has dedicated his career to ensuring that Latinos are accurately represented by continuously raising awareness of the different issues that are impacting the community. As a Puerto Rican native, he has used the power of the pen, the reach of his online network, and his love for the island to shed light and truth on local issues such as the Puerto Rico debt crisis and the mishandling of the devastation on the island after Hurricane Maria."

2015 NAHJ Dale Presidential Award: "The inaugural 'Dale' award is given to an individual or company that steps up and goes above and beyond to ensure Latinos are fairly and accurately represented."