In a significant gathering aimed at bolstering Latino entrepreneurship, Julio Ibanez, President of the Hispanic Retail Chamber of Commerce (HRCOC), alongside Board Member Luis Vivas, represented the chamber at the #NCLatinoCommunityRoundtable. The meeting, orchestrated by Steve Benjamin, Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the Office of Public Engagement, was spearheaded by Lorena Patterson, Executive Director of the NC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, with the backing of the NC Rural Center.
This roundtable served as a pivotal platform for entrepreneurs, city officials, stakeholders, leaders, and representatives from Governor Cooper’s Office of Public Engagement to discuss the essential tools and opportunities necessary to nurture and support the Latino business community. Key topics included the need for access to capital, overcoming language barriers, addressing the challenges faced by mixed-status immigrants, navigating the intricacies of investor visa programs, and fostering cultural awareness, diversity, and representation.
Steve Benjamin highlighted the Biden-Harris administration’s unwavering commitment to the Latino community. This commitment is reflected in a Cabinet that mirrors the diversity of America, the achievement of the lowest Latino unemployment rate in history, the provision of SBA-backed loans to Latino entrepreneurs, and a substantial investment of $1.6 billion in Latino-owned financial institutions. Furthermore, nearly $15 billion has been allocated to Latino-serving colleges and universities. The administration is also tackling the digital divide, which impacts over a third of Latino households, with a historic investment aimed at ensuring affordable high-speed internet access for all by 2030. Efforts to increase healthcare access and other initiatives were also discussed.
President of NC hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Lorena Patterson, facilitating a panel exploring issues impacting the Latino community in NC, and discussing collaborative opportunities in the state. Senior advisor to the President of the United States and Director of the Office of Public Engagement, Stephen Benjamin joining other NC Hispanic/Latino leaders including Cristina Espana from the Governor’s office, Ana Lanzas, Small Business consultant with Prospera, Julio Ibañez, President of the Retail Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Luis Vivas, Retail Chamber of Commerce, Daniela Rivera, Executive director Farmers Fresh, Cristina Leos, City of Raleigh, Dave Kaiser, Policy Director at the NC Rural Economic Development Center, and Cesar Remis, NC Hispanic Chamber Board Chair.
