hccstl.com
FALL 2021
Bringing Leaders Together
From left to right: Anita Hansen, Commercial Relationship Team Administrator Support Manager, Vice President, Regions Bank; Santiago Navarro, Cell Sciences and Imaging Platform Lead, Bayer; Michelle D. Tucker, President & CEO, United Way of Greater St. Louis; and Eileen Wolfington, Coordinator of Health and Wellness Program, LifeWise StL.
Board of
DIRECTORS Facundo Oyenard
Suzanne Sierra
Jose Ponce
Daniela Velazquez
Sisi Beltran
Elias Corpas
Jomo Castro
Carlos Rivas
Berto Garcia
Ainette Martinez
Claudio Abreu
Claudia Ochoa-Espejo
Claire Schenk
Nolan Ruiz
Robert Clark
Editorial
TEAM
Fernanda Estrada-Ridaura Karina Aquino Sydni Jackson
Fall En Contacto Digital magazine
The total or partial reproduction of the content, images, texts, designs, and photographs is prohibited without publisher authorization. The information and content of the articles are the responsibility to the authors. The information and data contained in this publication are for informational purposes only, being able to vary from time to time. The magazine should not be considered as a fundamental, main, or single source of information. This publication may vary without notice, including between the time that the article was made and until the moment of the magazine publication. The citations of opinions and/or comments of people contained in this publication, were made independently by themselves. Connect with us! Send us your comments and suggestions at: festrada@hccstl.com 2
FALL 2021 HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
NEW MEMBERS
WELCOME to the HCC family By joining, the following individuals and companies have decided to make an investment in the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and our community at large. We encourage you to find out more about them and, whenever possible, to use their services. If you would like more information about any of these individuals or organizations, please contact us at 314.664.4432.
Agile Packaging Solutions Inc
LegalShield Business Solutions
Anna Crosslin
Leigh Walters Communications, LLC
ArchWell Health
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Missouri & Kansas
Argentinian Baker Balchem Corporation Banner Road Baking Company Bette J Welch CPA Bilingual tax services Boricakes by Roxanna Butler’s Pantry C and C Seamless Guttering, Inc. CatatumboLight, LLC City of St. Louis, Treasurer’s Office
Maria Rivera-Ripoll Coaching, LLC Miguel Lopez Missouri Botanical Garden National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Prefinished Door Works LLC Rung for Women She Spirits Promo Co LLC Smart Home Decision St. Louis Community Foundation
Country Financial
St. Louis Inter-Faith Committee on Latin America (IFCLA)
Dollar General Distribution Center
STL Language Academy
Enviro-Master Services
Sureste Mexican
Fairstart
Sweet and Crafty
Family Forward
Tacos California, LLC
Gene Slay’s Girls & Boys Club of St. Louis
Tazmanian Freight Services The Maids of St. Charles County
Health Protection and Education Service
The Muny
Homer Sedighi DMD, PC
The Req Room
Jennifer Vazquez
Two Men and a Truck
KD Pride Transportation
Unleashing Potential
La Colombianita
USDA—Rural Development
LABS, Asesoría y Consultoría Contable
Viven Health
LAUNCH Clothing & Accessories
Workforce Connections LLC
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Letter from the Interim Director Dear members and friends, This last half of the year has brought a lot of changes, not only at the Chamber, but also in our St. Louis community at large as we all work to return to in person events and meetings in a COVID present world. At the Chamber, we saw staff leave for new opportunities; we’re sad to see them go and wish them the best of luck. But we also brought in new staff; people who are passionate with new ideas and new vigor, and ready to do the hard work needed to help the Hispanic business community grow in the greater St. Louis region. And we’re always in search of new talent. As you can see from my title, I am the interim director and the Board, with input from the staff, is actively searching for a new President and CEO who can help lead the Chamber to the next level. New staff isn’t the only thing that’s new this second half of the year. Our social media interactions are reaching record breaking numbers as we bring you new ways to engage, with new programs such as Los Sabores de St. Louis on Instagram introducing our restaurant members in a new light, and the new Hispanic Leadership Institute Class XI started last month, with the students representing different industries and their resumes just as impressive and varying as their backgrounds. As we shift back into in-person events with online options, we want your insight on how we can continue to provide events like these. We want to make sure the community is aware of upcoming events and initiatives; let us know if you have suggestions or feedback. Email us at staff@hccstl.com to share your feedback. To learn more about us, visit our Facebook page where you can watch Cámara en Vivo, Café with Business and Contractor Connect. Also, visit us at Business After Hours every third Thursday of the month from 6 pm to 8 pm. This free networking event is open to the public and a wonderful place to connect with members from a variety of companies. Warm Regards, Ainette Martinez 4
FALL 2021 HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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FALL 2021 Welcome to the HCC family Letter from the President & CEO Authentic Mexican Food Learn More About Our Members Hispanic Leadership Institute Class V Business Counselor Recommendations United Way of Greater St. Louis Health Awareness by Archwell Health Food Outreach 15th Annual HCC STL Foundation Golf Classic Small Business Academy by Midwest BankCentre Hispanic Leadership Institute Class XI Everything We Can Offer 2022 Events Calendar Follow Our Social Media
TELL US ABOUT
LUCHA II
Authentic Mexican Food
By Catalina Valdez, owner of Lucha II
As some of you might know, I am not the first owner of Lucha. When I visited St. Louis, I saw that the Lucha space was for sale, and when I saw it, I instantly fell in love. In this space, I knew I could accomplish my dream of offering Oaxacan food a reality. As someone from Oaxaca, Mexico, I would love to bring the rich culture and tastes of my country, while also offering a diverse take on “traditional” Mexican food. So, in early 2020, I invested my life savings into buying and making Lucha II. The constant changes of the pandemic made having a new restaurant very hard. But it’s with the help of the Chamber that I’ve been able to keep my business and my dreams alive. With the first free year membership to the Chamber to new businesses, I was able to connect with other restaurant owners and understand the tricks and tips of owning a Mexican restaurant in St. Louis. I’ve also taken the Restaurant Training offered at
the Chamber, and that’s really helped me better understand how to market my business and also how to run a restaurant business more efficiently. These skills really helped me keep up with all the changes happening during the pandemic. But training isn’t the only thing I’ve gotten from the Chamber. Very recently I was featured on the Chamber’s Instagram Live for their <<Sabores de St. Louis>> segment, and am very excited to be hosting the Business After Hours event in March. And with the help and suggestions of others, I’m also going to be implementing more authentic Oaxacan food into the menu! So, between a new menu, appearances, and the return of the shows at the Fox Theater, I can see my restaurant being very busy these next couple of months! Contact Information 522 N Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63103 Phone: (314)445-7511 Email: restaurant@lucha2.com
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MEMBER SHOUT OUT
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR MEMBERS Find out what services or products they offer, and if you have some time, visit them.
Ricardo Martinez,
Owner & Project Manager CentralJA
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FALL 2021 HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CentralJA, a Digital Marketing Agency focused on bridging the language gap of Spanish-speaking businesses. We provide digital services such as blog writing and website development to help Hispanic companies succeed in today’s market with their online presence! Our team also provides social media management for small or large-scale organizations, so they can maintain an effective branding campaign despite not having English fluency—all while using our keyword translating tool, which will make sure that none of your content gets lost due to translation errors. CentralJA, was founded by me to help
entrepreneurs navigate the everchanging business conditions that came with COVID-19—an event which made me aware just how interconnected our world has become through technology and marketing efforts. My immigrant roots come from Mexico, where I hold strong beliefs about helping companies understand how they can grow their businesses by leveraging both traditional strategies like advertising plus new ones such as social media campaigns or interactive website solutions.
Victor Lopez,
Operations Manager
Diane Berry,
Executive Director
Health Protection & Education Services
Health Protection and Education Services is a medical humanitarian organization operating for more than 21 years. Health screenings are extensive; and what makes HPES unique is that we provide dental and vision examinations. Follow-up teeth cleaning and vision needs are free. What also makes HPES unique is the following: No identification requirements No income requirements No insurance requirements Confidentiality guaranteed
1. Volunteer physicians provide consultation
after full health screening testing that includes dental and vision.
2 . Washington University School of Law students provide free counseling on legal challenges.
3. Medical social workers counsel HPES screening participants about the challenges they are experiencing and then make referrals to appropriate services.
Screenings are held in University City at 6901 Washington Avenue at the corner of Trinity and Washington. Interpreter services provided by phone, on-site at the screening and following the screening by Eric Tamayo. Call Eric at 314 312-5213.
Agile Packaging Solutions At Agile Packaging Solutions Inc we offer logistics and warehousing services with a focus on repacking and co-packing products for our customers. We have locations in Celaya, Guanajuato Mexico, Laredo and Eagle Pass, Texas and in January of 2021, we opened our new facility in Hazelwood, MO. We have extensive knowledge and experience in all things related to supply chain including storage, distribution and logistics.
We have partnered with AB Inbev, which is also an HCC member, to provide them with our services and they been absolutely great to work with. We are continuously looking for new customers and opportunities in the warehousing/co-packing industry for our facility in Hazelwood. We have a very knowledgeable staff on site that provide world class customer service.
Joining the HCC was a decision that we felt was important to support the Latin communities We are a 100% Hispanic owned and business in the St. Louis area company focused on the as well as an avenue to develop development, education and relationships that would help us advancement of our associates. to be successful in a new market. We offer our employees a safe Since joining the HCC we have and consistent work environment attended some of the monthly with excellent opportunity for after-hours events which have advancement. In Hazelwood, been extremely beneficial. We we employ an average of fifty have developed key relationships associates throughout the year with members we met at the with that number topping out events that have yielded positive at 130 during peak season. Our results. We look forward to facility in Hazelwood is roughly becoming a more active member 250 thousand square feet, 30 of the HCC and continue to build docks and dedicated space our relationship with all for repacking services focused the members. in the beverage industry. For more information contact Victor at v.lopez@agilepackaging.com
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PROGRAMS
HIGH SCHOOL HISPANIC LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
Class V—Summer 2021 SPONSORED BY
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis Foundation has established the Hispanic Leadership Institute for high school (10th-12th grade) students as a select program for 15-20 individuals to develop leadership skills and give back to the St. Louis community. The purpose of this program is to:
Identify Hispanic leaders and develop their leadership skills Create a network of Hispanic student leaders interested in giving back to the community Provide new networks and opportunities for Hispanic students
Congratulations Class V (Summer 2021) of the High School Hispanic Leadership Institute! Alessandra Rojas Beatriz Tourinho Catalina Enz Christopher Garcia Esthefani Aguilar Isabel Jimenez-Gutierrez Isabel Rehg
Karen Barbosa Lillian Vallina Mariana Briceño Natalia Velázquez González Sophia Francis Tania Perez Landeiro Zoraya Piedra
The HCC STL is very happy and proud to have graduated young leaders. We hope you have obtained resources for your professional development. 8
FALL 2021 HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
TESTIMONY I really enjoyed participating in the HLI High School Program this past summer. It was a very fun and informative week for me. It was such a good experience to be able to be in an environment with not only people of my age, but people with my same cultural background. It was also interesting to learn about new universities and explore what their campuses look like and what they have to offer. This further led me to investigate upon them and see what I want my future to look like. During this course I got to learn new leadership skills with multitude of lessons and activities which I will continue to use throughout my life in leadership positions. I also learned more about the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, its goals and what they do to help Hispanics around the area. Finally, the course was not only a new way to learn new essential leadership tactics, but also the opportunity to make new Hispanic friends and connections in various colleges that I may attend. Just having a week of this course gave me lessons and experiences that will last a lifetime. — Catalina Enz
TIPS
BUSINESS COUNSELOR RECOMMENDATIONS
Certification To Be Certified or Not to Be Certified?
Many of you may have heard about certification opportunities. Certification can be seen as a complex process because there are many types of certification and certification bodies. Businesses may be certified as minority-owned, women-owned, disadvantaged, veteran, or LGBTQ. Certifying bodies may be national, regional, statewide, city-wide, or specific to one area, like transportation. They may target the public sector or the private sector. That’s a lot to process... but don’t panic! With some research and guidance you can figure out if certification is right for your business.
How Certification May Benefit My Business? Cities, states, the federal government, and private corporations have established targets designed to open up opportunities to other groups of nontraditional businesses. Reaching those targets is where certification comes in. Frequently a company must be certified as a minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, LGBTQowned, or disability-owned business in order to partake in such opportunities. Certification helps because it proves the business in question is legitimate. Certification also brings value to the subcontractor or minority or womanowned business because it shows the owner is willing to do what it takes to meet certification requirements, which gives others a sense of comfort and confidence in their buiness.
Which Certification Should I Choose? When it comes to certification there really is no “one size fits all” option. There are mainly two big groups:
1. Private sector certifications will work
if you’re interested in working with corporations or private companies. Most organizations that issue private certifications are national in scope, which can give your business broader reach, depending on your goals. These groups are nonprofits that charge fees for certifications based on the size of your company.
2 . Public certifications like the federal
government, State of Missouri and City of St. Louis offer a range of certifying bodies and programs that help connect contractors with certified subcontractors. Because municipal organizations are funded by taxpayer dollars, municipal certifications are offered free of charge.
I can provide you with a list of certification bodies and requirements for you to explore. Many of those entities also offer free virtual workshops to learn more about the process. It will help you to decide which certification body will work better once you define your market, potential clients and customers.
What Can I Expect Once I Am Certified? There are many advantages such as credibility, access to public and private organizations and opportunities to bid for work, growth and networking opportunities, education and tools given by the certification bodies to help you succeed, validation of your status with a seal you can use on your website and marketing materials and an opportunity to support other businesses like yours. Hope this article was useful to get an idea about certification. Please contact me if you are interested in learning more at mdegregorio@hccstl.com.
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MEET OUR MEMBERS
HELPING HERE Mobilizing the community with one goal in mind — helping people live their best possible lives. United Way of Greater St. Louis plays an important role in our region’s foundation — and they have for nearly a century. Next year, the nonprofit will celebrate its 100th year of helping people across the Bi-State area. By providing funding and support to a network of local nonprofits and managing other community programs, United Way is a critical organization in sustaining the St. Louis region’s safety net. “We are helping locally every day to serve more than 1 million people in our region,” says Michelle D. Tucker, president and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis. “We join together to help children and youth, seniors, people with disabilities, immigrants and refugees, and so many more.” Serving 16 counties in Missouri and Illinois, United Way helps through five impact areas: foster learning, establish financial security, improve health, provide food and shelter, and strengthen communities.
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FALL 2021 HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Providing a Safety Net for the Community In order to be strong and thriving, a community must have highperforming nonprofit organizations with strong outcomes and impact. United Way provides vital year-round funding to a network of 164 local nonprofits. This support enables nonprofits to quickly respond to the region’s pressing and changing needs by giving them resources to create new programs, implement creative solutions and partner with one another for greater impact. In addition to fostering beneficial connections, United Way supports the region through the Volunteer Center and STLVolunteer.org, connecting local nonprofits to people who can give their time and talents to help their missions. Last year, even during the COVID-19 crisis and when most volunteering was virtual, United Way’s Volunteer Center connected more than 6,000 local volunteers to over 200 volunteer opportunities, adding up to more than 11,000 hours of service to the community.
United Way 2-1-1 is a regional helpline that connects local people with free, fast and confidential assistance to move from crisis to stability. With more than 24,000 organizations and programs in its database, 2-1-1 resource specialists can connect people to help for many needs, like job training programs, food pantries, after-school and summer programming, mental health resources, disaster relief and more.
Their Approach to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion United Way leverages the unique contributions of diverse individuals and organizations to create equitable opportunities across our region. The organization aligns partners, strategies, policies, employment practices, volunteer recruitment, programs and investments with the values and commitment of fostering and promoting equity. In addition, United Way employs a racial equity framework to identify, develop, and implement strategies and processes to drive equitable community change through funding decisions and programs.
Bringing Leaders Together “Supporting racial equity work is important for our community because it helps to bring about change in a meaningful and lasting way,” says Sherita Haigler, vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion at United Way of Greater St. Louis. United Way is also committed to recruiting members for its board of directors, volunteer groups and employees who reflect and represent the region’s diverse cultures and backgrounds.
United Way brings the community together to give back and get engaged, and Leadership Giving is one of the organization’s largest groups of donors. With more than 7,000 members and six affinity Societies, United Way Leadership Givers are deeply committed and passionate about St. Louis. One such affinity group, the Multicultural Leadership Society, represents a myriad of cultures and ethnicities and is the strongest multicultural philanthropic group in the entire region.
44% 211
United Way served
18,623
who identified as Hispanic or Latinx*
To get involved with United Way or the Multicultural Leadership Society, visit HelpingPeople.org.
The Multicultural Leadership Society has 700 members and has raised over $20 million through United Way since its inception in 2009. Members have the unique opportunity to learn about community issues, and the Society provides a platform for diverse professionals to network at exclusive events and have access to key leaders in the community to make new career connections.
of individuals served by United Way and partners identify as multicultural* Received over
190,000
requests for help through 2-1-1 Helpline*
324
Serves ZIP codes in the area
*These numbers are from 2020 impact data.
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TESTIMONIES
Anita Hansen,
Commercial Relationship Team Administrator Support Manager, Vice President, Regions Bank.
Eileen Wolfington, Coordinator of Health and Wellness Program, LifeWise StL.
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FALL 2021 HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Being a first-generation American, I’ve heard the stories from my immigrant parents about the challenges they faced when they arrived to a foreign place in making their way, knowing no one and without the support of family or friends. I never want anyone to have to struggle like my grandparents did and am grateful to the organizations that are dedicated to helping immigrants realize their hopes and dreams for a better life. United Way’s partners provide education and workforce
development training so people can secure jobs and build careers. They provide food and clothing to families in need. They’re helping to create a pathway for people to achieve the “American dream.” My involvement with the Multicultural Leadership Society offers an opportunity to encourage others to see the benefits of giving to and volunteering with United Way. I want to motivate and inspire others to action! My hope is that those who have supported United Way will continue to pay it forward by then influencing others to create a ripple effect of growing more leadership givers.
United Way funding helps LifeWise StL create and run high impact programs that change lives, not just stabilize participants where they are. This funding enables our agency to help infants through senior adults in our following core programs: Early Childhood Center, Young Scholars Program, Literacy Summer Camp, LifeWise Academy, Emotional & Physical Wellness, Economic Wellness, Senior Companion Program and Senior Resiliency Fund.
United Way funds agencies and programs that touch and impact the lives of all races and cultures throughout the 16 county metropolitan area, addressing the greatest needs as identified by their community assessment. United Way is the primary driver of charitable giving in our community, more than any other organization. They create a collaborative environment for agencies to share resources and promote positive community impact.
United Way is a convener that brings together nonprofits, businesses, governments and citizens to help identify and address some of the biggest social issues facing our region. It helps to bring focus and resources to the services that are most in need here. Serving on the United Way board has helped me to establish personal and professional relationships that I truly value. As a member of the board, I am able to speak directly with local leaders and experts about the challenges facing our region and how we can all play a role in helping to address them.
In addition, as a member of the Anheuser-Busch team, I take our legacy and contributions to the St. Louis region seriously as Anheuser-Busch has played an essential part of the fabric of the St. Louis community for over 160 years. My service on the United Way board is one of the many ways that we continue our ongoing commitment to the St. Louis region.
The Multicultural Leadership Society allows me to come together outside of where I work with people that are passionate about St. Louis, with the opportunity to connect with others that value diversity and want to see change that impacts our communities. The beauty of the MCLS members is that they come from different corners of the world and have great ideas, flavored by their unique
perspectives. Through my involvement with MCLS, I get to be at the table and give my perspective, to join hands with like-minded individuals. I get to learn other perspectives and approaches cabinet members are taking to instill change for the better of the St. Louis region.
Julio Suarez,
Senior Director of Community Affairs and Better World, Anheuser-Busch InBev
Santiago Navarro,
Cell Sciences and Imaging Platform Lead, Bayer
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H E A LT H
HEALTH AWARENESS
BY ARCHWELL HEALTH
What Everyone Needs to Know About Influenza (or the Flu)
Influenza (or the flu) is a viral illness that can easily be transmitted between individuals, especially children and the elderly. It usually occurs in the winter months and spreads from person to person through coughing, sneezing or touching surfaces.
These symptoms (especially weakness and extreme tiredness) may last for a week or more but usually gets better within two to five days.
However, in some cases the doctor may want to do special laboratory testing to confirm the diagnosis.
Complications
Most individuals infected with influenza get better within one to two weeks without any treatment. However, there are cases in which serious complications do occur and may need the attention of a healthcare provider.
In some people, especially individuals with a weak immune system, pregnant women, young children People at high risk for serious illness or less than 5 years of age, people aged complications from the flu, which may lead them to the emergency room, urgent 65 and older, people with chronic lung disease such as asthma, heart care or to be admitted to the hospital include the following: Very Young, Older disease, diabetes, HIV, or transplant; Adults, Pregnant Women, and/or Asthma are at high risk of developing complications of influenza (flu) such (or other forms of lung disease). as pneumonia. Pneumonia is a Symptoms serious infection of the lung. It may Symptoms of seasonal influenza (the develop in the same group of people flu) can be different from one person to mentioned above who are at high risk the next. However, the more common of developing influenza (flu). symptoms include fever (temperature greater than 100.4). Fever usually last Diagnosis for two to five days (different than Influenza can by diagnosed clinically fevers from the routine cough or upper based on the symptoms individuals respiratory infections (URIs) which present to their doctors with. usually lasts for only 24-48 hours. Some people also complain of runny nose.
Treatment
Things you can do to treat the symptoms of influenza (flu) include increased rest until the flu is over, drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration and to keep your urine color light yellow to nearly colorless and passing urine approximately six times a day. You should avoid the use of aspirin (and Pepto-Bismol) in children in order to prevent Reye syndrome. Cough medications are usually not that helpful and not recommended in children under the age of 6 years.
DR. OTHA MYLES is a board-certified internal medicine and infectious disease physician presently working as the Medical Director for Archwell Health Center in Overland Plaza (9150 Page Avenue, Overland, MO 63114). For appointments he can be reached at 314-449-9633, Monday thru Friday, 8am until 5 pm). Archwell Health provides primary care for senior patients aged 65 and older, with Medicare Advantage (MA) health insurance and living in the Metropolitan St. Louis region. Reference: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza antiviral medications: Summary for clinicians. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/ antivirals/summary-clinicians.htm (Accessed on October 26, 2021).
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FALL 2021 HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
MEMBERS
FOOD OUTREACH Providing Nutritional Support and Improving Quality of Life Food Outreach is the only organization in the state of Missouri and western Illinois whose mission is to provide nutritional support and enhance the quality of life of men, women and children living with HIV or cancer. Many of our clients live at or below an annual income of $36,000 with over 72% living on less than $10,000 per year. In 2020, we provided dietetic counseling, nutrition and education to nearly 1,600 people: who live with limited resources or access to food whose illness and treatments can make it difficult to prepare healthy meals who struggle with co-morbidities which complicate their health, and who are in the workplace and can extend their employment by removing extraneous demands. We provide free translation services and serve individuals living in 160 zip codes including St. Louis City and County, the counties of Jefferson,
Franklin, Saint Charles, and Madison and western Illinois. We provide curbside food pick up service as well as home deliveries at no charge to our clients. Our free monthly nutrition boxes include food for two meals per day for 30 days at a time which include fresh produce, scratch-prepared meals and shelf-stable groceries including many canned and frozen proteins, fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, and other staples. Our nutrition support gives our clients the opportunity to use their financial resources for their housing and utilities while eliminating the stress of having to choose between food and other living expenses. We use a “food as medicine” approach with the following goals: prevent or reverse nutrient deficiencies; preserve
lean body mass; help patients better tolerate treatments; minimize nutrition related side effects and complications; maintain strength and energy; protect immune function, decrease the risk of infection; and aid in recovery and healing. We offer scratch-prepared entrees and sides and medically tailored groceries (as illustrated in the photo, which includes one month’s worth of food for our clients), nutrition counseling, and nutrition education. As mentioned, all our services are provided at no cost to our clients, and in the thirty-three years Food Outreach has been in existence, we have never turned a client away. We ask the Latinx and Hispanic community and organization leaders for their support to help us welcome new clients who need our services in the St. Louis region.
For more information about our services, please call one of our registered dietitians at 314-652-3663 ext. 1112 (Melissa Brown) or 1113 (Rachel Kleinman). To learn more about our organization, you can visit our www.foodoutreach.org or call Julie Lock, our Executive Director, at 314-652-3663, ext. 1115.
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EVENTS
S P O N S O R E D BY
Our Golf Classic was held on September 22nd at the course, Forest Park, and in this 15th year, raised over $41,330.83 This money is used to fund the Foundation programs, which include the Hispanic Leadership Institute and the High School Hispanic Leadership Institute. These institutes educate and empower not only current Hispanic business leaders in the St. Louis area, but also young future leaders. As one of the only programs in this area, we strive to invest in these students so that they can go on to become innovative business leaders and strengthen Hispanic participation in the St. Louis business sector and beyond. We are so glad to have been able to hold the tournament again this year, with a record of 180 registered 16
FALL 2021 HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
players and 20 sponsors on that beautiful day. The staff incorporated new technology, which made the registration and tickets sales more streamlined, and the catered lunch, from Havana’s Cuisine and Guido’s Pizzeria & Tapas, was a success with people going back for seconds. We are so grateful that the participation and support for the Golf Classic continue to grow each year. Again, thank you so much for your donation and participation to the HCC STL Foundation Golf Classic this year. Without your support, it could not have been a success.
The 2021 Hispanic Chamber Golf Outing was another fantastic outing. The event drew a sellout crowd...again. We were very fortunate to have perfect weather.... again. Midwest Bank Center was our primary tournament sponsor....again! The Annual Hispanic Chamber Golf event has grown significantly since our first event in 1993. This year we followed all the pandemic protocols to ensure guest safety. Each year the committee focuses on pace of play and it is always a challenge. Fortunately, we had a good 3-some consisting of Gabriela Cornelius of the Federal Reserve Bank, Santiago Beltran of Build-a-Bear & myself. The food and drinks were plentiful on the scenic Probstein Golf course’s 27 holes in beautiful Forest Park. The Hispanic
Chamber filled all 27 holes...again mostly with repeat players and teams. The hole sponsors with the Margaritas and Paloma cocktails were especially good but may have affected our overall score. Our birdie celebrations were more appreciated after those holes. Thank you again to all of the sponsors. At the end of the day, we enjoyed a nice meal and watched the winners collect their prizes. Fortunately, I won one of the plentiful raffle prizes...again. An added special treat was the walk to my car. It was made more enjoyable by an evening concert by the St. Louis Symphony on Art Hill. See you next year! Michael Zambrana, President of Pangea Group & Golf Committee Member.
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MEMBERS
SMALL BUSINESS ACADEMY
BY MIDWEST BANKCENTRE
Midwest BankCentre and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce partner up to help Hispanic small business entrepreneurs scale up. Beginning in late August, Midwest BankCentre, St. Louis’ second largest privately held bank, and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis began an exciting initiative for local entrepreneurs and those looking to grow and expand their St. Louis based businesses. It’s called the Small Business Academy. The Small Business Academy, brainchild of Orvin Kimbrough and Michael Moehn is an eight-week course, created in conjunction with Lindenwood University on topics from Understanding Financial Statements and Cash Flow to Personal Credit and Thinking Like a Banker. A group of fifteen local small business owners and influencers, connected to HCC STL spent two hours each week with instructors from a wide variety of backgrounds, including community and economic development, commercial lending, and treasury management who advised each of them on building meaningful banking relationships, and on gaining access to capital to grow and scale their businesses.
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FALL 2021 HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
These fifteen individuals come from a variety of different backgrounds and areas of expertise, each with great talents in their field and the desire to learn from the skilled Academy instructors. Each Academy participant has been working to start or scale businesses in the service sectors, food and beverage, commercial cleaning, and more. Midwest BankCentre has committed to programs like the Small Business Academy which serve minority and disinvested communities in gaining access to capital. Midwest BankCentre aims to serve as a resource to these burgeoning, minority owned businesses, here in St. Louis. The Small Business Academy is part of this initiative. As the Midwest BankCentre Small Business Academy in partnership with HCC STL comes to a close, we would like to say thank you to each of the Academy instructors for their valuable time, and for imparting their knowledge on this passionate group of entrepreneurs.
Also, we would like to thank each of these fifteen individuals, for committing their time and efforts to learning from the business experts at Midwest BankCentre. We wish these entrepreneurs the best of luck and great success in their business futures. The partnership between HCC STL and Midwest BankCentre continues to be strong, as new line of ITIN products comes to market and as Karlos Ramirez, former President of HCC STL has transitioned to his new role as Vice-President of Community Engagement and Business Development at Midwest BankCentre. Look for opportunities to participate in future sessions of the Small Business Academy, and for local business owners who got their start with Midwest BankCentre.
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PROGRAMS
HISPANIC LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE Class XI It is with great honor that we welcome the eleventh class of the Hispanic Leadership Institute.
Each year we receive several applications for the program. We select those applicants who show the potential to become the competent businesses leaders of tomorrow and the role models needed for our Hispanic community.
MARIA ADAMS
MARIA DE GREGORIO
FERNANDA ESTRADA
BRENDA HERNANDEZ
JENNYLIZ HERNANDEZ
ADRIAN LEON
RAFAEL NEGRETE
MARCELLE PIRES
MARICELLA REYES
This class encompasses students from a variety of fields and positions. From business owners to analysts and non-profit workers, we believe that the experience they bring will enrich their conversations in class and with each other. The Hispanic Leadership Institute was founded in 2010 when leaders at the Chamber saw a need for more competent, communicative, and innovative leaders within the Hispanic community. And instead of importing them from other regions, they looked at their community and saw the opportunity to teach them these skills, not only for the advancement of individuals but for the advancement of the Hispanic business community of St. Louis. The 18 students will only spend nine sessions together, but the information they learn will last a lifetime.
CONGRATULATIONS
once again on your acceptance into Class XI of the Hispanic Leadership Institute. 20
FALL 2021 HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
TESTIMONY
PATRICIA ESTRADA
HUGO FIGUERIA
ROBERTO GARCIA
MIGUEL LOPEZ
MARTHA MENDEZ-FISHER
JORGE MIRANDA
ELISABET RIVERA
RICARDO URIBE
FATIMA ZAPARA
I am a technology Team Leader at EdwardJones. Motivation and a culture of learning are key concepts that come to my mind when I think about Leadership so I decided to join the HLI program to grow my professional network and enhance my leadership skills. I also received positive feedback from peers that attended the program before. They all agreed that this is a program that all Hispanic Leaders must attend in St. Louis. It has been a month since I joined the program and I have the privileged to participate not only in training sessions but also in multiple networking events. I had the pleasure to meet multiple Hispanic leaders across the St. Louis area and also learn a lot about the St. Louis Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. I am looking forward to the rest of the program and to continue being an active leader at Edward Jones and the community. Miguel Lopez, Technology Team Leader, Edward Jones.
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JOIN US
WHY JOIN US?
Everything we can offer The Hispanic Chamber offers opportunities for everyone to grow, connect and develop your organization. Being part of our Chamber family gives you many resources & tools, whether you are a small business, nonprofit, big corporation, or an individual. Here are some of the benefits we offer:
Workforce
Job Fair: If your company is looking to hire, our Job Fair is a great place to search for talent. Each year, this Job Fair has been able to attract numerous qualified professionals. Amplifying Job Openings: We have a designated section on our website for job openings. We also feature them in our e-newsletter and social media platforms.
Networking
Business After Hours: Networking is at the core of what we do. Therefore, we have our Business After Hour events every 3rd Thursday every month. These events are meant to reunite all our members to connect and get to know each other. Make friends and create partnerships!
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FALL 2021 HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Exposure
Promoting your events, services, products, or accomplishments, is a great way to connect with the community. We help in promoting all of those, using all our platforms. That is our website, e-newsletter, social media pages and your own member-only system called ChamberMaster.
And more!
There is so much more that we do! We have a Business Counselor that can help you navigate the business world. Educational events throughout the year for everyone, a great golf tournament and our incredible annual gala! Please reach out to us if you have any questions or would like to learn more. Join our HCC family today! Reach out to our Membership Manager Alejandro Santiago at asantiago@hccstl.com.
CALENDAR
2022 EVENTS Calendar
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS*
Jan 20
Feb 17
Mar 17
Apr 21
May 19
Jun 16
Nov 17
Dec 15
TBD Jul 21
Aug 18
Sep 15
Oct 20
TBD
* Business After Hours networking events are free to attend and open to members and non-members. They are held on the third Thursday of every month. It is a great way to connect with the Hispanic Chamber membership and the Hispanic community in St. Louis.
SIGNATURE Events
JOB FAIR
GOLF CLASSIC
Thursday, February 24
Wednesday, September 21
HISPANIC WORKING WOMEN
HISPANIC LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
Thursday, April 28
HIGH SCHOOL HISPANIC LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
June 20 – 25
Friday, October 14
ADELANTE AWARDS
Friday, October 28
GOLF CLINIC
July
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SOCIAL MEDIA
CONNECT WITH US
on social media!
SCAN THE QR CODE to follow us and receive updates about our events and programs, members, and the community.
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FALL 2021 HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
TRIVIA
Did you LIKE our magazine?
TRIVIA TIME We invite you to answer a trivia and if you are one of the first 10 people to answer everything correctly, you will win a gift card.
How much do you REMEMBER of what you read?
Scan the QR code to start the trivia.
GOOD LUCK!
SCAN ME 25
FALL 2021 The Official Magazine of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan St. Louis P L AT I N U M
DIAMOND
GOLD
S I LV E R
BRONZE
www.hccstl.com | 3611 South Grand Blvd., Ste 105 St. Louis, MO 63118 | 314.664.4432
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