Legacy Scholarship Foundation

About Us

Little Joe Hernández

a Grammy Award-winning Tejano legend whose career spans over six decades. Born in Temple, Texas, he co-founded Little Joe and the Latinaires in 1959, which later became Little Joe y La Familia. Known as the “King of the Brown Sound,” he blends Tejano, conjunto, norteño, country, and R&B into a signature style that broke cultural barriers and earned him international acclaim. With 70+ albums, multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy wins, and a 2015 National Heritage Fellowship from the NEA, Little Joe is celebrated not only for hits like Las Nubes and Por Un Amor but also for his activism with the United Farm Workers and his lasting influence on generations of Latino musicians. In honor of his late wife Christy Hernandez he has vowed to leave a legacy to support education, a cause near and dear to his heart. He is the founder of the Little Joe and Christy Hernandez Legacy Scholarship foundation.

Criselda “Cris” Cantu Hernandez

was the beloved wife of Tejano legend Little Joe Hernández and known as the “First Lady of La Familia.” Born August 7, 1938, in Skidmore, Texas, Cris met Joe in 1955 and they married in 1962, sharing 69 years together and 62 years of marriage. A pivotal figure in the Tejano music industry, she served as president of Leona Records and co-founded DeLeon Publishing. She also co-founded Little Joe and the Latinaires, which later became Little Joe y La Familia. In the early days of Joe’s career, Cris worked as the band’s costumer and seamstress, creating their stage outfits while raising their four children: Ivan, Christie, Ike, and Ady. Beyond music, Cris was a devoted mother, grandmother, avid sports fan of the Houston Astros, Dallas Cowboys, and Texas Longhorns, and enjoyed barrel racing, softball, and bingo. She passed away peacefully at home in Temple, Texas on October 10, 2024, at age 86.

Christie Hernandez

Christie Hernandez is the daughter of Tejano legend Little Joe Hernández and Criselda Cantu Hernandez, and currently serves as Business Manager and Road Manager for Little Joe y La Familia. One of four children alongside Ivan, Ike, and Ady, Christie is also a mother to Amber, Josh, Catalina, and Jazzmeen. Following in her mother Criselda’s footsteps — who helped build the foundation of the family’s music business as president of Leona Records and co-founder of DeLeon Publishing — Christie continues the tradition of hands-on family management that has guided Little Joe y La Familia for decades. She will serve as the executive director to the Little Joe and Christy Hernandez Legacy Scholarship Foundation.

Lupita Gutierrez

A Laredo, Texas native and San Antonio community leader with a distinguished record in nonprofit and public service. She is the former Director of Bridging the Gap, San Antonio’s largest nonprofit networking group, and currently serves as Executive Director of United Community Pantries and CEO of Elevation Fundraising. Lupita also serves as Director of Community Engagement for District 124, representing the office of Texas Representative Josie Garcia. A devoted mother, she believes that unity builds community and that together we can leave an everlasting imprint for good. Lupita considers working with Tejano legend Little Joe y La Familia one of the true highlights of her career, blending her passion for service with her love of culture and music. She is a current head of development for the Little Joe and Christy Hernandez Legacy and Scholarship foundation