2024 LALCC Newsletter by CP.Design

latino chamber of commerce

¡Adelante Sí!

Uniting Latino Business Owners to Grow and Create Positive Economic Impact

4 Pillars: Key Levers That Promote Economic Growth and Impact

A Thriving Partnership: Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Bank

The leading organization dedicated to uniting Latino business owners to grow and create positive economic impact.

2023-2024 ACCOLADES

2023

Recipient: LALCC

Presented by: United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Award: Large Chamber of the Year

2024

Recipient: LALCC

Presented by: The California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Award: 2024 John Aguilar Procurement Achievement Award

2024

Recipient: LALCC

Presented by: The California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Award: 2024 Chamber of the Year

Vision

An environment where Latino aspirations are attainable and opportunities for upward mobility are plentiful; where Latino leaders are at the table shaping the engines that power the LA economy.

Mission

To facilitate economic structures and policy initiatives that empower Latino business development and foster economic growth across Los Angeles.

14,000+ Current Active Members and Subscribers

2800+ Supported Latino-owned businesses

168+ Corporate & Non-Profit Supporters

LALCC

Darrel Sauceda Chairman, LALCC darrel@acsgroup-usa.com

A Letter from Our Chairman

Small Business Latino Entrepreneurs: Building a Brighter Future

As we get ready for 2025, the resilience and innovation of Latino small business owners in Los Angeles are inspiring. Despite ongoing challenges, Latino entrepreneurs continue to drive growth, create jobs, and contribute to our community and regional economy. Latino-owned businesses in Los Angeles County now generate over $50 billion in annual sales, fueling economic vitality across the region.

To address these challenges and support success, the Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce (LALCC) focuses on four critical pillars: Procurement, Policy, Partnerships, and Programs. These pillars help optimize economic mobility for businesses and their communities:

Procurement: Advocating for fair contracting opportunities to ensure purchasing practices reflect the demographics of Los Angeles County.

Policy: Engaging with policymakers to create a favorable business environment and equitable access to resources.

Partnerships: Building alliances with organizations and institutions to provide access to capital, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

Programs: Offering workshops and training on topics like digital transformation, marketing strategies, and financial planning to help businesses thrive.

Your support and commitment are the backbone of our success. Together, we are building a future where Latino entrepreneurs and communities overcome challenges and rise to new heights of achievement.

Wishing you and your families prosperity and success in the year ahead. ¡Adelante!

Darrel Sauceda

Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce

A Thriving Partnership: Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Bank

The Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce (LALCC) is proud to celebrate its enduring partnership with U.S. Bank, a relationship founded on shared values and a commitment to empowering Latino-owned businesses. U.S. Bank understands the significant contributions these businesses make to the economy and the role they play in driving the growth of the greater Los Angeles region. This partnership continues to reflect a shared belief in powering human potential and fostering economic opportunity.

Latino-owned businesses are a cornerstone of the regional economy, creating jobs, revitalizing communities, and fueling innovation. U.S. Bank has long recognized the importance of these contributions, not only to the Latino community but to the broader economic fabric of Los Angeles. Through this partnership, U.S. Bank has been instrumental in supporting the LALCC’s mission to provide resources, advocacy, and programs that enable Latino entrepreneurs to thrive.

From the very beginning of our collaboration, U.S. Bank has shown its dedication by investing in initiatives that empower Latino business owners. Whether through financial support, educational workshops, or mentorship opportunities, U.S. Bank’s involvement has had a transformative impact on many businesses within the LALCC network. This commitment remains as strong as ever, with continued efforts to support Latino entrepreneurs as they navigate challenges and seize new opportunities.

Both organizations are united by a mutual interest in fostering growth and prosperity. By leveraging U.S. Bank’s extensive resources and expertise alongside the LALCC’s deep community ties, the partnership has helped countless businesses access the tools they need to succeed. Together, we are building a stronger economy where Latino-owned businesses are not only recognized but celebrated for their contributions.

As we look to the future, the LALCC is excited to continue working with U.S. Bank to empower more entrepreneurs, strengthen our communities, and drive economic progress in Los Angeles. This partnership stands as a testament to what can be achieved when organizations come together with a shared vision of unlocking human potential and creating opportunities for all.

LALCC Partner

Cover Story 4 Pillars

The Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce (LALCC) is focused on uplifting the Latino-owned business community by concentrating on the following four (4) critical pillars which are key levers to optimizing the economic mobility of businesses and their communities by focusing on: Procurement, Policy, Partnerships and Programs. These pillars promote economic growth making a substantial impact at the state and local levels.

Procurement Programs

Policy

Partnerships

Procurement

The LALCC advances business opportunities for diverse businesses and enterprises and connects them to corporate government and prime contracting opportunities. The Chamber advocates supporting, facilitating, and integrating diverse businesses to provide services to corporate, public sector, and prime contractor supply chains. We build diverse business capabilities and competitiveness through the program and other educational tools to facilitate partnerships that meet the needs of our corporate members and their procurement and supplier diversity needs.

Policy

The principal goal of taking an active role as a chamber is to guide us in protecting the Latino business community members. We do this by actively working with our legislators, testifying, educating, advocating, and voting on real issues that impact our businesses and community.

Partnerships

To create a relationship and to understand the needs of our corporate partners as well as our members. This will allow us to tailor a strategic program to help our partners exceed their goals and help elevate our small businesses.

Programs

Through our partnerships, we have created programs and initiatives that have allowed us to fulfill successful program delivery using various platforms and resources. The intent is to involve chamber members and partnering leadership who are subject matter experts and who can deliver informational knowledge that can assist in elevating our member’s businesses.

Board of Directors

Ena Alcaraz

Loriann Serna

Moctesuma Esparza

Corporate Advisory Board

Anna Sauceda

Ruby Rose Yepez

Maira Braga

Anne W. Muchiri

Brissa Sotelo

Deborah Villar

Alex Ibarra Commercial Banker

Morgan Chase & Co.

Dr. Vanessa Montanez

Peter Hidalgo

Olivia E Rios

The Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce (LALCC): Driving Legislative Change for Disadvantaged Businesses

by Olivia Rios, Director of Operations & Programs, LALCC

The Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce (LALCC) is committed to fostering the growth of disadvantaged businesses in Los Angeles and throughout California through strategic legislative advocacy. Recognizing systemic barriers, the Chamber took action to shape impactful legislation.

In 2020, the LALCC undertook the critical task of revising Assembly Bill 962 (AB962). This legislation aimed to mandate an increase in partnership between hospitals and diverse businesses within marginalized communities across the state. Building upon this foundation, LALCC leadership Darrel Sauceda (Chairman), Dorene Dominguez (Vice Chair), Gil Vasquez (Chair Emeritus), Freddy Rodriguez (Assemblyman – California District 53), and staff assisted in building what ultimately led to the enactment of Assembly Bill 1392 (AB1392).

Central to the LALCC’s strategy was active participation in legislative processes in Sacramento. The Chamber diligently attended Senate and committee hearings to champion the interests of disadvantaged businesses, which had historically been excluded from procurement opportunities within the hospital sector. As a staunch advocate for Latino businesses in Los Angeles, its surrounding communities, and statewide, the LALCC ensured that AB1392 incorporated key provisions. These provisions include mandatory reporting requirements for hospital suppliers to outline plans for enhancing procurement opportunities, proactive outreach initiatives, and the appointment of two additional members to the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI). Furthermore, the legislation expands the supplier diversity clearinghouse and establishes a mechanism to verify the status of disadvantaged businesses serving as prime or subcontract suppliers within hospital procurement ecosystems.

Chairman Darrel Sauceda has played a pivotal role in advocating for the inclusion of community stakeholders in procurement opportunities that directly benefit their communities. Through extensive engagement, including testifying before legislative bodies, and collaborative meetings with the Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC) including 12 independent meetings with local hospitals, and other relevant entities, the LALCC has significantly influenced the development of AB1392. Chairman Sauceda continues to be a driving force in championing the interests of all stakeholders.

The mandatory reporting takes effect July 2025.

Darrel Sauceda addressing the LALCC Board.

The Biz Expo is Back!

by Olivia Rios, Director of Operations & Programs, LALCC

The Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce (LALCC) invites you to our 2025 Business Expo on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the Sheraton Fairplex & Conference Center.

Building on the tremendous success of our 2024 expo, we’re poised to unite businesses with key decision-makers, potential investors, strategic partners and community businesses. The LALCC is a recognized leader in scaling businesses to the next level, and our commitment is evident in our recent accolades: 2023-2024 Large Chamber of the Year (United States Hispanic Chambers of Commerce) and 2024 Chamber of the Year and recipient of the. John Aguilar Procurement Award (California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce).

The 2025 Business Expo offers opportunities to:

• Showcase your business to a targeted audience.

• Network with industry leaders.

• Gain Exposure and expand your brand.

• Access Workforce Resources for business growth.

1,600+ attendees

100+ vendors

This year’s expo features dedicated industry hubs, including Technology & AI, Finance, Health, Procurement, Construction, Transportation, Energy, and a dedicated Latina Marketplace. Attendees will benefit from insightful panel discussions and workshops covering critical topics such as procurement and contract readiness, connections to capital, workforce, and more. These sessions are designed to drive engagement and facilitate knowledge sharing, contributing to the advancement of Latino small businesses. We will share more at a later date as the agenda develops.

Last year, over $40 million dollars of business resulted from the expo. Don’t miss out on expanding your network and scale your business. More information is available at lalcc.org

Cutting of the ribbon at the first LALCC Biz Expo event.

New Partner Introducing Susie Altamirano: A Force for Legal and Civic Excellence

by Olivia Rios, Director of Operations & Programs, LALCC

We are thrilled to announce Susie Altamirano’s well-deserved appointment as the newest partner at Olivarez, Madruga Law Organization LLP (OMLO). As a certified minority-owned firm, OMLO’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is exemplified by Susie’s pivotal role in driving the firm’s success.

Susie brings a wealth of expertise in Municipal law, government law, education law, labor law, land use, and environmental law. Her extensive experience includes serving as the City Attorney for the Cities of La Puente and South El Monte, Assistant City Attorney for Santa Fe Springs and Bell Gardens, and Deputy City Attorney for El Monte, Cudahy, and San Fernando. She also provides strategic counsel to numerous municipal and private clients.

Recently, Susie shared her insights on the policymaking process as a featured speaker at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO Educational Fund). Joining a distinguished panel, she provided invaluable guidance to newly elected public officials and government agencies nationwide.

Adding to her impressive list of accomplishments, Susie Altamirano has also been appointed as a new board director at the Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce (LALCC).

Please join us in congratulating Susie Altamirano on her remarkable achievements and welcoming her to the LALCC board. We look forward to her contributions to our community and the continued success of OMLO.

Susie Altamirano, LALCC Board of Directors

LISTO (the list):

Your Gateway to Business Growth

by Olivia Rios, Director of Operations & Programs, LALCC

Coming in March 2025...

We’re excited to introduce you to LISTO (the list), a unique platform designed to connect businesses with valuable resources and opportunities. LISTO was born from extensive collaboration with corporate partners and hospital associations, all seeking a streamlined way to identify and engage with qualified local businesses.

What is LISTO?

LISTO is a boutique portal created by the Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce (LALCC) to:

• Connect businesses with contracting opportunities: We’ve created a B2B tab where vetted chamber members can share resources and discover potential partnerships.

• Provide access to a qualified talent pool: Our Workforce tab offers temp services, workforce programs, training, subsidized payroll options, and PEO (Professional Employer Organization) services.

• Facilitate access to capital: The Connect to Capital tab provides up-to-date information on various loan options, including SBA loans, factoring, lines of credit, grants, and more. We even have a dedicated loan packager to guide you through the process!

Why LISTO?

• Vetted and Trusted Businesses: All businesses listed on LISTO are pre-vetted to ensure quality and past performance, fostering trust and reliability.

• Exclusive Chamber Member Benefits: LISTO is a valuable resource for chamber members, offering exclusive access to opportunities and resources.

• Comprehensive Support: From finding the right talent to securing funding, LISTO provides the tools and guidance you need to grow your business.

Spotlight on Key Features:

• B2B Contracting Opportunities: Discover new partnerships and expand your business network through our dedicated B2B tab.

• Workforce Solutions: Find the right talent and streamline your HR processes with our comprehensive workforce resources.

• Connect to Capital: Secure the funding you need to scale your business with our up-to date information and expert guidance.

Small Business Testimonials

“Being an active member of the LA Latino Chamber of Commerce has been incredibly rewarding for IT Systems Solutions. Over the years, we have received numerous benefits, including leads for grants, webinars, and valuable connections and referrals for business. We are deeply grateful for the LALCC for your outstanding work for the small business community. Your efforts have made a significant impact, and we truly appreciate your dedication and support.”

– Miguel Cuevas - Founder & CEO, IT Systems Solutions, Inc.

“Thanks to the LA Latino Chamber of Commerce, I know that I am not alone and have a network of business leaders who I can count on to be in my corner to push ahead.”

– Ulisses Sanchez, Principal, Centro Strategies

“As the CEO of Blue Icon Communications, I am incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received from the Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce. Through their programs, we were proud recipients of the Elevate Together grant, which gave us the tools to expand and refine our services. Their unwavering commitment to uplifting Latino-owned business has been instrumental in our growth.”

– Louise Reyes, President and CEO, Blue Icon Communications

Small Business Testimonials

“Cerveza XTECA are immensely grateful for the support and training provided by the Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce (LALCC). The capacity-building initiative, particularly the educational component on finances and certifications has been invaluable in preparing our company for access to capital opportunities and contracts.”

– Fred Sotelo, President and CEO, Cerveza XTECA

“I appreciate the personal guidance we have received, which helps us tailor our strategies to better serve our target marketing. Your commitment to fostering success among Latino-owned businesses truly stands out.”

– Anna Moreno, CEO, Anna’s Cleaning Service

“Being part of the Latino Chamber of Commerce and the Elevate Together program has not only helped by business thrive but has also inspired me to continue pushing boundaries and delivering excellence to my clients.”

– Luis Arandia, Personal Wardrobe Stylist, Arandia Designs by Luis