Visit East Lake Street in Minneapolis or Payne Avenue in St. Paul—or go to St. Cloud, Willmar, and Rochester, for that matter—and the resounding impact of Minnesota’s Latino population is readily apparent. In areas that had become downtrodden, Lations have revitalized neighborhoods with their restaurants, businesses, and professional service ventures.
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is taking steps to spread the word about what it has known for years—that Latinos are making a difference in Minnesota. They are affecting the state’s economy and quality of life on multiple fronts, serving as bankers, lawyers, and real estate agents, as well as educating young people and starting their own companies.
Through a program in its second year, 25 On The Rise, the Chamber recognizes and celebrates Latino men and women who have achieved great things before the age of 40. Whether these men and women are native Minnesotans or new community members, each shares a common thread: Each is a talented, dedicated, and motivated person who is leaving a mark on the Latino community—and Minnesota as a whole.
“The Latino community is [good about] talking to itself, telling each other about our strengths and successes,” says Val Vargas, founder and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “[But] it’s like being in a canyon where it echoes and
bounces back—it never got over the top to mainstream businesses. We want to let people in the business community and the general public know about these success stories and the contributions that our community is making to the Minnesota economy and the well-being of the state.”
A
Multipurpose Program
The 25 On The Rise initiative has multiple missions. First, the Chamber wants to celebrate the achievements of young Latinos in Minnesota, many of whom are making substantial achievements in their careers. Another goal is to showcase these leaders as role models to other young Latinos, who might not realize that they, too, can become business owners, doctors, and lawyers—anything they want to be. Finally, the program gives promising Latinos an opportunity to network within their own community and the larger society, to help them open doors and achieve beyond what they have already accomplished.
“It’s an absolutely fabulous program, and it’s especially needed when we’re thinking about the Latino community. We have to have really good role models out there,” says Sandy Vargas, Hennepin County administrator and a long-time supporter of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “We need to identify the people who are up and coming and support and nurture them into leadership roles for now and the future. It’s absolutely essential that we have a community at large that looks to leadership from communities that haven’t had much visibility in the past.”
1 | 2 | 3 Next Page »
