The Carlyle Impact Foundation and Hispanic Star have announced the launch of the Comeback Lounge at Barney’s Madison Avenue building. The historic pop-up lounge celebrates “Back to La Vida” today with a reception to kick-off Hispanic Heritage Month.

Jennifer Lopez

The event marks the launch of a partnership between the Carlyle Impact Foundation and Hispanic Star to raise scholarship funds that will enable Hispanics to pursue careers as nurses. The program includes the video premiere of Jennifer Lopez introducing the Nurse Heroes Hispanic Star Choir, singing the official Spanish version of America’s National Anthem, “El Pendón Estrellado,” as well as the Hispanic Heritage Month Opening Ceremony.

The Nurse Heroes Hispanic Star Partnership begins with key contributions from Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson and TikTok. The Carlyle Impact Foundation is offering a $1 million match for contributions to the scholarship fund. In anticipation of today’s launch, the partnership has already raised 142 scholarships.

“The Comeback Lounge will celebrate the accomplishments of women in art, music and philanthropy. But our real purpose is to make a difference, said Alex Charlton, Chairman & CEO, Carlyle Global Partner. “In less than 3 years there will be a shortage of 1 million nurses in the United States. We are proud to join with Hispanic Star to tap into the Hispanic community to help build the next generation of nurses. We are proud to have a program that not only addresses a looming crisis, but also advances the cause of diversity and inclusion,” he stated.

Claudia Romo Edelman

“Last year we saw the contributions and sacrifices of 19 million Hispanics, who served as essential workers everywhere. While 1 in 5 worked in healthcare, the percentage of Latino nurses is disproportionately small compared to the critical need of new nurses. These scholarships will create new opportunities for Hispanics who are eager to fill the nursing gap but do not have the means to do so,” said Claudia Romo Edelman, Founder and CEO of the We Are All Human Foundation. “This is a perfect realization of the Hispanic Star’s mission to unify Latinos and mobilize support from the private sector to accelerate the advancement of the community.”

The Comeback Lounge also opens with the world premiere of the “Women Who Dared” art exhibition that features Latina artists among the 60 works of art. This is the first public showing of this historic collection.