GBA’s February ‘Ganas’ podcast guests include CMA’s general counsel, dynamic pro-bono attorney

1. GBA’s February ‘Ganas’ podcast guests include CMA’s general counsel, dynamic pro-bono attorney Podcast Episodes Available on Apple Salinas, CA, January 21, 2021 Salinas, CA, January 21, 2021 - - Interviewing the youngest-ever Latino General Counsel at the California Medical Association and a tireless pro-bono attorney who represents the underserved, Gil Basketball Academy “Ganas —Leading from the Heart” podcasts for February. Designed to inspire today’s youth through unique views and perspectives on life, “Ganas” (which translates to “desire”) is recorded live from the family garage of Jose Gil and Eva Silva, co-founders of the academy that promotes the sport of basketball in East Salinas through camps, clinics, individual sessions and elite travel teams. But more than that, GBA builds confidence and character in a membership that exceeds 450 local kids ages 4 to 17. The “Ganas” podcast officially launched on Sept. 14, with past episodes available on Apple, or through the GBA website at www.gilbasketballacademy.com . On Feb. 8, Episode 13 features Francisco Silva, who grew up working in the fields in and around Salinas to become General Counsel and Senior Vice President for CMA’s Centers for Legal Affairs, Economic Services and Health Policy. Calling himself a “proud immigrant,” Silva attended Santa Clara University before graduating from the prestigious UCLA School of Law, where he served as an editor on the UCLA Chicano/a Latino/a Law Review. On Feb. 22, the “Ganas” team will interview Alma Silva, a pro-bono attorney in Bonita in Southern San Diego County, where she works to empower individuals in low-income and underserved communities. Over a 20-year-plus career, Silva has worked with La Raza and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, served as an associate with the law firm Connerton, Ray, and Simon, and has served two terms as an alumni representative to Stanford’s El Centro Chicano Guiding Concilio. The idea for a podcast grew from Gil’s growing frustration in not being able to completely connect with and inspire his GBA kids during the pandemic. “You have to think outside the box,” said the longtime coach and athletic director at Alisal High School. “I was used to having hundreds of kids together at one time, and now I have to figure out new ways to have an impact.” While the couple have little experience in media (and none in podcasting), they invested in the technology needed to turn the family garage into a functioning studio. “Ganas” podcasts (including video with guests appearing via Zoom) span 30 to 45 minutes, and include topics such as sports, health, fitness, leadership, community and more. Contact: Contact: Marci Bracco Cain The Buzz PR LLC Salinas, CA (831) 747-7455 https://gilbasketballacademy.com/ Gil Basketball Academy offers new