Julio Ricardo Varela

Julio (Julito) Ricardo Varela is part of Futuro Media’s leadership team, with key responsibilities in editorial, digital and new business development. 

In 2011, Julio founded LatinoRebels.com, one of the top U.S. Latino media sites in the world. In 2017, Latino Rebels officially joined the Futuro Media family. Julio also co-hosts the award-winning In The Thick podcast with Maria Hinojosa and has been a frequent contributor to Latino USA ever since joining Futuro in 2014.

Previously, Julio was digital producer for Al Jazeera America’s “The Stream,” and his work has been featured in many global outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, NBC News, The Guardian, ESPN, Quartz, Le Monde, NPR, WGBH, WBUR, WNYC, CBS News, MSNBC, Univision and Telemundo. He has made numerous national TV and radio appearances for Futuro Media.

In 2015, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists honored Julio with its inaugural DALE (pronounced like Pitbull would say it) Award, given to “given to an individual or company that steps up and goes above and beyond to ensure Latinos are fairly and accurately represented.” 

A native of Puerto Rico, Julio spent his childhood between San Juan and the Bronx. He was also a contributing reporter at The Boston Globe. Julio graduated cum laude from Harvard College in the history and literature in Latin America, with a specific concentration on Puerto Rico.