En Contacto- Summer '16

S U M M ER 2016

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CENTENE VICE PRESIDENT

HELPS HCC SPREAD ITS MISSION TO THE COMMUNITY

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HCC STL FOUNDATION

10TH ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC

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A Q&A WITH LEADERS OF

UNITED WAY’S MULTICULTURAL LEADERSHIP SOCIETY

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

Welcome New Members!

By joining, the following individuals and companies have decided to make an investment

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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 » » ACN — FRANCISCO BUENO

» » KAHLO MEDIA GROUP

» » SHEET METAL LOCAL 36

» » ACN — STACEY LACROIX

» » LATINO INSURANCE AGENCY

» » SIERRA PUBLIC RELATIONS

» » AMY CULWELL

» » MAYANA MEXICAN KITCHEN

» » SISI BELTRAN

» » BENEFITS TO GO

» » NATURE’S BAKERY

» » SMART INSURANCE AGENCY

» » BOMMARITO AUTOMOTIVE GROUP

» » NERIUM #ONE TEAM

» » ST. LOUIS BLUES

» » CERVECERÍA DEL VALLE DE MÉXICO

» » NINA HARRIS

» » TABA-CO

» » COUNTRY FINANCIAL

» » OPIFEX, INC.

» » TACO CIRCUS

» » CULTURAL EXCHANGE NETWORK

» » PENGUIN PRIVATE PROPERTIES, LLC

» » THE REALTY ONE GROUP

» » EDWARD JONES — CLAUDIA OCHOA

» » PINNACLE— ST. LOUIS

» » VIVID VOZ, LLC

» » FIRST BANK

» » QUALICARE FAMILY HOME CARE

» » WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

» » GSG CONSULTANTS INC.

» » QUIALA JIMENEZ PRESSURE CLEANING

» » JENNIFER CARRILLO

» » SANTIAGO BELTRAN

Thus, we decided to focus on providing events that would make our members proud to advocate for our organization.

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Gear Up for Learning with Enterprise University’s 2016 Fall Courses Centene Vice President Helps HCC Spread Its Mission to the Community HCC Hosts 2nd Hispanic Working Women Event HCC STL Foundation 10th Annual Golf Classic A Q&A with leaders of United Way’s Multicultural Leadership Society Engineering a Better World Fiesta Cardenales Midwest BankCentre —Why Do We Need Insurance?

Dear Members/ Readers.

The Hispanic Chamber has had a busy quarter with the celebration of our second Hispanic Working Women event, the 10th Annual HCC STL Foundation Golf Classic, Kicking Off Hispanic Heritage Month with a festive BAH at St. Cecilia Catholic School and the first ever Fiesta Cardenales event with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Every year we identify areas of focus and goals for the upcoming year and this year was no different. We knew that as we continue to grow, it is still crucial to support the members who have so graciously supported us. Thus, we decided to focus on providing events that would make our members proud to advocate for our organization.

I was blown away to see such a diverse crowd of over 160 attend our Hispanic Working Women event in August and a record-breaking 200 golfers attend our golf tournament in September. These record-high attendances reassure me that our organization is fulfilling a need and contributing to the betterment of the St. Louis community.

Additionally, Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity for us to recognize and celebrate the achievements and history of our culture. This year, we were able to host several events where we were able to share our culture with the St. Louis community.

On September 15th, we kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with our Business After Hours at St. Cecilia and were very pleased with the turnout. We had many new faces, including university students in attendance. This was a great way to have more people learn about the great mission of St. Cecilia and how much they assist the Hispanic community in St. Louis.

The next notable celebration was the Fiesta Cardenales event on September 30th.

This was a historic event for the St. Louis Cardinals as this was the first time they had broadcast the game in Spanish. Despite the rain, the pre-game party was still a success. With “Cardenales” t-shirt giveaways and Latin music filling the ballpark, it was a memorable night at Busch Stadium.

If you would like to learn more about the HCC, I encourage you to attend our free monthly networking events, Business After Hours, or our educational forums, Café with Business. All of the information for these events is listed on our website www.hccstl.com. These events are a great way to take advantage of your Hispanic Chamber membership, hone your skills and connect with business leaders in the community.

Thank you for your continued support,

contributing author: VANESSA GARCIA

Karlos Ramirez President & CEO 3

U offers a wide range of courses E that provide participants opportunities to learn how to approach and address business, marketing, legal, human resources and leadership situations strategically.

Gear Up Now is the time to gear up for your professional development goals this fall! A fantastic opportunity is now available to you through Enterprise University (EU), a program that offers high-impact courses on vital business subjects, taught by experienced professionals for free.

FOR LEARNING WITH ENTERPRISE UNIVERSITY’S 2016 FALL COURSES. EU OFFERS a wide range of courses that provide participants opportunities to learn how to approach and address business, marketing, legal, human resources and leadership situations strategically. As a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan St. Louis, you understand that as a business owner you are often too busy working in your business to stop and work on your business.

to attract more business and increase profits, to leverage social media and ways to address human resource issues. Enterprise University is open to any business owner, executive or professional in the community. Participants of EU do not have to be clients of the bank to attend.

The curriculum is refreshed each semester with new courses introduced this fall. Fall courses run from September through November. Registration Enterprise University, a program offered by is required because seating is limited. Classes fill Enterprise Bank & Trust, provides the opportunity up quickly and are on a first come, first serve basis. to learn about a relevant business topic and have You are invited to experience Enterprise shared experiences with other St. Louis business University for yourself and your management owners and executives attending the same class team for the 2016 fall semester. We really think who have the same goal as you — to GROW you’ll enjoy meeting the exceptional people who your business! That’s why Enterprise University teach these interactive courses as well as other is an ideal opportunity to learn and fit the course business leaders with interests and challenges into your busy schedule. So why would a bank similar to yours. To register online for the 2016 offer a program like Enterprise University? fall course, please visit www.enterprisebank.

Enterprise Bank & Trust has long recognized com/eu?l=stl. the value of building the knowledge and skill Enterprise University is one of the unique ways base of the business community. Stronger Enterprise Bank & Trust serves private business companies make for better opportunities for all owners, their families and other success-minded in our St. Louis community. Join the more than individuals. Each spring and fall Enterprise Uni15,000 business leaders who have attended versity presents a series of workshops that deliver our classes. You’ll have the opportunity to learn real value to business owners and their teams, from a wide variety of classes ranging from ways community leaders and not-for-profit executives.

KAY ERB is Vice President, Director of Enterprise University, at Enterprise Bank & Trust, where she oversees and manages Enterprise University for the St. Louis, Kansas City and Phoenix markets, where the bank has its operations.

Kay can be contacted at 314.512.7203 or kerb@enterprisebank.com.

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Hispanics are a growing minority in this country and need more representation in our workforce and our communities. Companies like Centene make that possible.

CENTENE

VICE PRESIDENT HELPS HCC SPREAD ITS MISSION TO THE COMMUNITY.

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce board member Ainette Martinez brings passion to her new role with the Hispanic Chamber while also serving as Vice President of Contracting and Network Development at Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company and the largest Medicaid managed care organization in the country.

MARTINEZ JOINED the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in March 2016 and embraces her opportunity. “I’m very proud of my heritage and my background,” said Martinez. “I think that it has really helped me throughout my career because you bring a different appreciation for where you live now and what you have and what you’re able to enjoy.”

Martinez said the HCC is focused on finding ways to grow small business ownership and membership in the Hispanic community. She said a majority of the Hispanic Chamber’s growth can be attributed to the leadership of the people and the effort the members make, “knocking on a lot of doors of large corporations, such as Centene, and people responding to that call.”

“Centene has been a very strong sponsor,” Martinez said. “We have supported the Hispanic Chamber and the recruitment of Hispanics into our ranks.” Centene donated resources in 2009 to help purchase the Hispanic Chamber’s new Technology & Resource Center on Grand Boulevard. Centene has also sponsored classes as part of the HCC Foundation’s Hispanic Leadership Institute, said Martinez.

“Hispanics are a growing minority in this country and need more representation in our workforce and our communities. Companies like Centene make that possible,” said Martinez. “I’m honored to work for Centene due to its strong commitment to organizations such as the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.”

improvement of relations with Hispanics in St. Louis and who have made a lot of strong sacrifices, in terms of their time and their commitment, to some of those projects.”

She said it’s inspiring to see people from all walks of life come together at Hispanic Chamber events. “We have people that are single moms that have their own businesses, we have people who are young professionals that are launching their careers. We have small and medium-sized business owners who are trying to improve their businesses and the community that they live in.”

Martinez’s community involvement doesn’t stop at the Hispanic Chamber. She is also a member of the Alzheimer’s Association, working closely with the organization’s Diversity Committee. The group’s goal is to bring awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and spread the available resources for both patients and their family members throughout communities. Martinez said she joined the committee to help bring down barriers between communities to deliver the message in ways every one could benefit.

ALEXANDRA COUNCIL is a junior at the University of Missouri. She is studying journalism with an emphasis in print and digital editing.

The best part about the Hispanic Chamber, Martinez said, is the people who work there. “I see people who have passion for the

SUMMER 2016 HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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“ We are stronger when we advance together, not by doing it alone.”

WORKING WOMEN This event provided an opportunity for women to network and foster mentor/mentee relationships with other Hispanic women in the St. Louis community.

HCC Hosts 2 nd

HISPANIC WORKING WOMEN EVENT As little black dresses began to trickle in, so did the excitement. After its inaugural launch in 2014, the Hispanic Working Women event skipped 2015 and was brought back on the schedule for August 25, 2016.

“We found that many women were young professionals, entrepreneurs, business executives and workers in a variety of fields. There was an obvious need for support, encouragement and empowerment; and the sharing of wisdom gained over the years, for Latinas in the St. Louis area,” recalls Hispanic Chamber Board Chair, Martha Garcia Kampen.

The Hispanic Working Women event’s theme this year was “Confidence Never Goes out of Style” and was held at the beautiful Missouri History Museum in conjunction with the museum’s Little Black Dress Exhibit.

“The Little Black Dress exhibit at the MO History Museum tied in well with our Hispanic Working Women event because it resonated with our theme of confidence and flexibility. A little black dress is a great item in our wardrobes since you can dress it up or down for all different types of occasions. Similarly, today’s working women needs to be ready for a variety of changes at work and at home as they come up. Add that notion to confidence and a Hispanic Working Woman will be prepared for the many challenges women face,” shares Programs Chair and HCC Board Member, Carol M. Quick.

As guests arrived, they were greeted with fashionable promotional items and warm welcomes from the title sponsor, Midwest BankCentre. “As a community bank, we are committed to the success of local customers,” said Jim Watson, Midwest BankCentre Chairman and CEO. “The Hispanic Chamber’s Working Women event echoes the model of our WomenConnect program, which connects and advances the success of professional women here. We were excited to learn more about how we can help support the success of the Hispanic business community and appreciated getting to know many women who aspire to contribute and succeed.” Once people gathered in the Grand Hall, the Hispanic Working Women event began with opening remarks from HLI graduate and Midwest BankCentre employee, Kathleen Spies. “I felt honored to represent the Bank at this specific event because I was able to share

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how Midwest BankCentre has supported me and continues to do so. I feel that Midwest BankCentre is genuine when we offer our support to the Hispanic community and I feel proud to be part of that support,” recalls Kathleen. After a word from our sponsor, the Hispanic Chamber’s Board Chair, Martha Garcia Kampen graced the stage. “I wanted to share some thoughts from my own journey as a woman, as a first-generation MexicanAmerican growing up in the Midwest, and as a business professional working in an Anglo, Male-dominated world, striving to build a fulfilling and profitable career for myself and my family.” Martha’s story continued to resonate with women as she expressed how she had very few Latina role models during her early career, but reminded guests that “we are stronger when we advance together, not by doing it alone.”

Once the welcomes had concluded, it was time to begin the first half of the HWW program. With the help of Hispanic Chamber board member, Elizabeth Marengo, the layout of the night was established and it was time for the panel to begin. “It was a true blessing to have such an intimate conversation on behalf of the 150+ women in the audience. Being able to be the voice of those women so they can learn, grow and motivate themselves in their professional and personal lives was truly an honor that I will cherish forever,” recalls Elizabeth. The panel was selected to highlight Latina women across many sectors and backgrounds. Panelists included women who are small business owners, corporate professionals, young professionals and nonprofit professionals. The panelists for this event were: Alejandra Berra, Angelica Gutierrez, Ampy Kollman-Moore and Cileia Miranda-Yuen.

to share our thoughts with excellent and successful women about the challenges we have to overcome in this society as Latinas. Also, having the opportunity to show my daughters our successes and confidence, filled my heart with joy because I know they will remember this and will be motivated to achieve great things in life,” expresses Angelica Gutierrez, Senior Public Works Manager at University City.

“The mentoring circles following the panel session were a great opportunity to connect with other women with similar paths. I was moved by how my story resonated with a lot of women in the room. No matter how strong we are, we all need a network of women we can trust and learn from. As Hispanics, we naturally have the need to build relationships and connect with others.

Women also need to continually fuel their desire to succeed, especially when we have to balance family and work; that’s what brought all these women together that night,” states Alejandra Berra, Portfolio Manager Associate at Commerce Bank.

This event provided an opportunity for women to network and foster mentor/mentee relationships with other Hispanic women in the St. Louis community. The Hispanic Chamber recognizes that as more Latinas are graduating college and entering the workforce, it is essential to equip them with the tools and support they need to succeed. The next Hispanic Working Women event will take place in 2017 and will continue “The best part of being on the HWW panel was having the opportunity to support and promote our Hispanic working women.

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THE FOUNDATION IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE PARTICIPANTS OF CLASS VI OF THE HISPANIC LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE SPONSORED

BY CENTENE CORPORATION: Angel Recci — Emerson Bernardo Romero — Citi Carlos Restrepo — Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Carolina Nunez — Meridian Cintia Ribeiro — Monsanto Claudia Barona — Lifepack, LLC Claudia J. Smith Espinoza — Monsanto

HCC STL Foundation 10TH ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC On September 19th, the HCC STL Foundation hosted their 10th Annual Golf Classic at Norman K. Probstein in Forest Park. This golf tournament was a huge success with over 200 golfers participating and over $29,000 raised.

THIS YEAR’S TITLE SPONSOR for the 10th Annual Golf Classic was Anheuser-Busch and other sponsors included Gonzalez Companies LLC, Express Scripts, Polsinelli, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Commerce Bank, Sheet Metal Workers Local 36, Ballpark Village, Lodging Hospitality Management, CTS Group, State Farm-Steve Martinez, Valdivia Enterprises, Ameren, ARC Construction, The Home Depot, Clark|Fox Family Foundation, Garcia Properties, Madrina’s, Aetna, CS Group, Alzheimer’s Association, Magnolia Hotel-ST. Louis, Midland States Bank, Schaefer Autobody Centers, Weber Chevrolet-Creve Coeur, MO and State Farm-Kayla Creek.

The day also consisted of specialty holes from Don Emiliano’s Restaurante Mexicano, El Indio, Ponce Realty Powered by Remax Gold, Schaefer Autobody Centers, Señor Pique and Southtown Pub. In addition to the tournament, a list of exceptional raffle and Super Rifa items were available.

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These items included Cardinals merchandise, St. Louis Blues tickets, hotel stays, golf bags, gift baskets, autographed Cardinal’s baseballs and more!

Because of the generosity of our gracious donors and to everyone who participated in the tournament, the Golf Classic revenue raised will assist the HCC STL Foundation’s main program, the Hispanic Leadership Institute.

The Hispanic Leadership Institute was initiated in 2011 and was created to support emerging Hispanic employees who wanted to develop their leadership skills and become leaders in the St. Louis community. The institute will consist of nine training sessions conducted once a month which will focus on a particular skill set for the developing leader. The Institute will train this group of Hispanic professionals on for-profit and non-profit management skills and network development within the St. Louis business community.

Session topics consist of Leadership 101, Effective Communication Skills, Emotional Intelligence, Maximizing Your Cultural Diversity in the Workplace, Leading Change & Failing in a Dynamic Environment, How to Serve on Non-Profit Boards, Finance for Non-Financial Manager, Personal Productivity and The Brand Called “You.” In addition to leadership training, participants will be encouraged to give back to the St. Louis region through community involvement.

Claudia Ortiz — The Nielsen Company Cynthia Chavez — L anguage. Access. Multicultural.

People. (LAMP) Diana Ramirez — McCarthy Building Companies Esti Fernandez — Thomson Reuters Gaby Marroquin — Ponce Realty Powered by Remax Gold Georgina Montero — Monsanto Jesse Marquez — Centene Corporation Liliana De La Garza — St. Francis Southside Community Luimil Negron — UMSL Maria Diaz Arias — Monsanto Michele Suazo — SSM Health Nathalia Garcia — Southern Illinois University Priscila Melo — Nestlé Purina Tony Randazzo — Facilitec Corporate Furnishings

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Our journeys include people, known and unknown, who lend a hand.

When I give back, I’m becoming a part of someone else’s story.

When we work together, we are a powerful force in building a stronger St. Louis region for everyone.

Santiago: You have to believe in what the organization stands for.

I think a sense of community and collaboration is very important.

Organizations that support my heritage are a focus for me as well as ones that support education and development. As a result, I’ve gotten involved with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Regional Business Council, the Hispanic Educational Cultural and Scholarship Fund, and the St. Louis Chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America.

fun events, and members have different backgrounds and cultures with diverse interests so you’re constantly learning. One of the great benefits, I believe, are the annual development and service projects that break from the traditional mold of networking. We’re constantly striving to lace new cultural influences and experiences into the programming.

Q: WHY IS BEING INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY AND GIVING BACK IMPORTANT TO YOU?

Santiago: Being a member allows you to give back to the people who live and work right here in St. Louis. Last year, the Multicultural Leadership Society raised $2.25 million for United Way’s annual campaign and since its inception in 2009, members have raised over $10 million for the community.

SiSi: Volunteering was a shared activity for my family so I have many great memories that revolve around giving back to the community.

I was born in Puerto Rico and while growing up, my father was a board member of United Way of Puerto Rico for many years. After I graduated from college in St. Louis, I became involved with United Way’s GenNext Committee and my company’s workplace campaign for United Way.

A Q&A

Santiago: SiSi and I have been volunteering together since the start of our relationship. It’s something we always look forward to doing as a way to give back while spending time with each other.

Seeing the impact of nonprofit and community organizations is a great motivator for both of us to stay involved and become more engaged. Our interest in participating only grows stronger each year and we’ve met incredible and inspiring people and made new friends through our work.

WITH LEADERS OF UNITED WAY’S MULTICULTURAL LEADERSHIP SOCIETY ABOUT PHILANTHROPY

Spouses SiSi and Santiago Beltrán, who work for and met at Build-A-Bear, are actively engaged with several local nonprofits and community organizations. This year, they will serve as co-chairs for United Way’s Multicultural Leadership Society. Here, they discuss why they choose to be active in the community through philanthropy: Q: BOTH OF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN SEVERAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT ST. LOUIS. HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHAT CAUSES OR NONPROFITS TO GIVE BACK TO?

SiSi: Before committing to a nonprofit, I ask myself if I care about the cause and determine the skills I have to offer. I’m involved at Washington University because I moved to St. Louis to attend school there, and it’s become my first family here. I’m also involved in groups that I’ve come across organically or because of my interests. I co-founded the Young Friends of Forest Park Forever as a way to preserve the beauty of St. Louis. I also focus on efforts related to my culture, such as Casa de Salud, the Regional Business Council, and United Way’s Multicultural Leadership Society. These organizations encourage and sustain diversity in our community.

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Q: HOW DO YOU PRIORITIZE YOUR PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL LIFE?

SiSi: People often say, “I don’t know how you have time to do so much.” For me, I find it relaxing to volunteer or attend events and seminars. I look forward to these activities, especially as they relate to giving back. It’s not work, and I don’t consider it one more thing taking me away from home. It’s part of my balance. The good thing is my husband sees it the same way.

Q: HOW IS THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY ENGAGED TO GIVE BACK AROUND ST. LOUIS?

SiSi: The Hispanic culture is heavily focused on family and community.

While the Hispanic community is growing in numbers in St Louis, its ability to give back and make a difference is growing as well. One great example is the United Way of Greater St. Louis’ Multicultural Leadership Society, which connects leaders of many different backgrounds and heritage.

Santiago: The Multicultural Leadership Society is much more than just another networking group though. There are many unique and

Q: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BECOMING A MEMBER OF UNITED WAY’S MULTICULTURAL LEADERSHIP SOCIETY?

Members receive invitations to special events, volunteer projects and networking opportunities to engage with other business and community leaders. Becoming involved in the Multicultural Leadership Society is also a great gateway to learning about nonprofit board service and identifying opportunities to join local boards.

Q: WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT GIVING BACK AND KEEPS YOU INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY?

Santiago: Everyone has a story, a reflection of our own personal journey. These stories consist of the trials and tribulations that shape the person we have become and the person we strive to be. Our journeys include people, known and unknown, who lend a hand.

When I give back, I’m becoming a part of someone else’s story.

SiSi: For me, I’m inspired and energized to see so many generous people in St. Louis come together with the common goal of helping our neighbors. When we work together, we are a powerful force in building a stronger St. Louis region for everyone. That is what excites me.

United Way of Greater St. Louis serves one in three local people in a 16-county region in Missouri and Illinois. United Way raises and allocates funds to support a network of more than 170 quality agencies focusing on five impact areas: financial stability, health, education, basic needs and strong communities. Last year, United Way supported agencies served more than 28,000 Hispanic/Latino individuals and families in the region.

United Way’s Multicultural Leadership Society, one of the strongest multicultural philanthropic groups in the St. Louis region, engages over 800 individuals from all cultures and recognizes diversity-minded professionals. If you’d like to learn more, visit helping people.org/ multicultural.

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As part of the Latino Legacy Project, the intention of “Engineering a Better World” is to prompt effective action towards encouraging, preparing and supporting young Latinos.

AN ARTICLE FROM FORBES MAGAZINE by James Marshall Crotty says that college graduates, specifically Hispanics, are struggling to find jobs in their respective fields, and the so-called ‘American Dream’ is slipping farther out of reach. Yet, there are 3.2 million available jobs in this country in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields. Right now. Today. This moment.

Moreover, according to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, 63% of those with only associates degrees in STEM earn more than those with bachelor’s degrees in non-STEM occupations. In addition, 47% of those with bachelor’s degrees in STEM occupations earn more than Ph.D.s in non-STEM occupations. Also, there is a much smaller salary gap between men and women in STEM fields than in other occupations. Nevertheless, 3.2 million STEM jobs go unfilled because the lack of qualified applicants to fill them.

With these facts as a backdrop, you would think that every child in America would be scrambling to take a STEM major. Wrong. One study showed that nearly half of high school students surveyed say they will most likely not pursue a STEM-related degree. Whom then can we get to qualify for these high-paying, readily available, yet evidently not very popular jobs?

Answer: Hispanics. Over the last several decades, it has primarily been Hispanic immigrants, legal and undocumented, who have done America’s hard work. Janitors, construction labor, factory workers, meatpacking, housecleaning, cooks, chefs, you name it, Hispanics have done these jobs with drive and aplomb. No matter where you stand on immigration issues, there’s no denying that Hispanic immigrants have taken jobs most Americans forgo.

As Americans seem to be eschewing key white-collar STEM jobs too, now comes the next and most important chapter of the Hispanic immigration experience in America: how to move from low-paying but steady work as America’s default blue collar labor force to the leaders of the STEM education revolution that must happen if this nation is to maintain its top-tier economic status.

Engineering A Better World AN EXHIBIT INSPIRED BY THE BOOKS “AY MIJA” AND “AY MIJO” —WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE AN ENGINEER?

“...there’s no doubt that the future of the United States is inextricably linked to the future of the Hispanic community.” —PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA 12

EDNA CAMPOS GRAVENHORST Author, historical researcher and a San Antonio Certified Tourism Ambassador. Her books received the International Latin Book Awards in 2007 and 2008; and a Kid Power Book Award in 2007 escritora@att.net.

SUNNY SANTOS Illustrator of Ay Mija and Ay Mijo Books. Employee Relations Specialist, U.S. Forest Service.

As part of the Latino Legacy Project, the intention of “Engineering a Better World” is to prompt effective action towards encouraging, preparing and supporting young Latinos. Additionally, this project will inspire Latinos to contribute to the future of this great nation by embracing STEM careers and bring about innovative solutions and creative outbreaks for the betterment of life in general.

This exhibit is inspired by the life stories of Latino engineers featured in Campos Gravenhorst’s books, by the outstanding work done by SHPE Society of Professional Engineers and by FIRST firstinspires.org among other great initiatives. “Engineering a Better World” exhibit is on display at the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce STL from October 20, 2016 through March 2017.

CILÉIA MIRANDA-YUEN Art Curator and Leadership Development Specialist. Celéia embraces multiple leadership roles in the workplace, and in the artistic, cultural and educational segments, with keen professionalism, visionary spirit, and charisma.

Founder of the Latino Legacy Project, Ciléia Miranda-Yuen is the president of the leadership and diversity consulting company Genway International, and executive director of Belas Artes, where she promotes cross-cultural understanding and appreciation through art. Contact: cmy@belas-artes.net • 314-898-2256.

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When an organization like the Cardinals understands the Hispanic growth and invests in it, it is significant. We are looking forward to hopefully making this an annual event.

Why Do We Need Insurance?

BY KATHLEEN SPIES, MIDWEST BANKCENTRE, MORTGAGE OFFICER — COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Fiesta Cardenales

WITH LATINO PLAYERS CONTRIBUTING TO 29.3% OF ALL BASEBALL PLAYERS IN 2015 1, IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID THE POPULARITY WITHIN THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY. So when the St. Louis Cardinals decided to launch their first Spanish-language Twitter account, @cardenales, it was a step in the right direction. Then months later, the St. Louis team decided to host their first ever Hispanic Heritage Month event, Fiesta Cardenales.

THE CARDINALS invited all members of the Latino and Hispanic community for a special cultural celebration at the ballpark. The festivities kicked-off with a pre-game event featuring a live DJ and current Cardinals players for a bilingual interview. Polo Ascencio, a LA-based announcer, welcomed Miguel Socolovich, Brayan Pena and Alex Reyes to the stage and the Q & A session began.

Ascencio invited the players to share their experiences about their Latin backgrounds and as Cardinals players. The players reminisced on food and traditions from back home, but shared how they still carry their vibrant culture with them in the locker room.

across home plate and into the catcher’s glove. “It was great to be a part of this event. It shows the Cardinals’ dedication to inclusion and the Hispanic community,” states Ramirez.

Despite the rain, dedicated fans still filled the stadium and proudly wore their one-of-a-kind “Cardenales” t-shirt and cheered as the game was about to begin. The Hispanic Chamber was eager to cheer on Karlos Ramirez, President & CEO of the HCC, as he took the mound for the ceremonial first pitch. As the stadium roared with cheers and filled with cameras flashing, Ramirez launched the ball

“When an organization like the Cardinals understands the Hispanic growth and invests in it, it is significant. We are looking forward to hopefully making this an annual event,” expresses Ramirez.

2015 Major League Baseball Racial and Gender Report Card.” Howard Bloom’s Sports Business News. N.p., 15 Apr. 2015. Web. 1

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The game was a great success and the Cardinals walked away with a 7 to 0 victory. Although the game concluded, the Fiesta Cardenales festivities were just getting started. The fans quickly made their way to Ballpark Village for the after party. The terrace filled with proud fans and live Latin music. Specialty drinks such as Palomas were offered and fans enjoyed a night of live music and fireworks to celebrate the win.

For news and updates about the Cardenales, visit http://stlouis. cardinals.mlb.com/es/index.jsp?c_id=stl and follow them on Twitter at @cardenales.

To put it simply, insurance helps you manage risk. When you buy insurance, you transfer the cost of a potential loss to the insurance company in exchange for a fee, known as the premium. Insurance companies invest the funds securely, so they can grow, and pay out if there is a claim.

PROTECT YOUR FINANCES Without proper insurance, your finances are in a precarious situation. If a tornado destroys your home, for instance, or if a medical diagnosis involves costly treatments, you could lose all your savings trying to cover the costs.

ENSURE A STABLE FUTURE FOR YOUR LOVED ONES Insurance can provide compensation if you die or become disabled and are no longer able to work. This is important in helping your family members maintain their current lifestyle even if you stop earning an income.

AVOID HIGH REPAIR COSTS OR FINES Few of us can afford major repairs as a result of an accident and driving a vehicle without insurance could lead to hefty fines and penalties.

SAFEGUARD YOUR BUSINESS No business is immune to possible problems, such as an accident, error or property damage. Fortunately, if the unthinkable occurs, insurance can help protect your business from undue financial loss.

To learn more about why we need insurance, contact Kathleen Spies, Mortgage Officer — Community & Economic Development at Midwest BankCentre. (314) 633-6745 or kspies@midwestbankcentre.com.

KATHLEEN SPIES is a Mortgage Officer with the Community & Economic Development team for Midwest BankCentre, in St. Louis, Missouri. Her work focuses on community outreach programs in the areas of lending, refinancing, financial education, and volunteerism throughout the St. Louis region. Her goal is to improve local neighborhoods through partnerships with community groups.

She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Law with an emphasis in International Law from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. She is a native of St. Louis, Missouri and is fully bilingual in Spanish and English.

SUMMER 2016 HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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C O R P O R AT E S P O N S O R S PLATINUM

Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Centene Corporation

Nestlé Purina

Regional Business Council United Way of Greater STL

SILVER

BRONZE

FRIEND

Anthem Armstrong Teasdale LLP Ballpark Village BMO Harris Bommarito Automotive Group Carrollton Bank Central Bank of St. Louis Citrus Springs Commerce Bank Country Financial CTS Group Dot Foods, Inc. Enterprise Rent-A-Car Facilitec Corporate Furnishings Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis First Bank Fontbonne University Garcia Properties Graybar

GSG Consultants, Inc. Guarantee Electrical Company Home Depot LHM Lindenwood University LUXCO, Inc. Madrina’s Magnolia Hotel Major Brands McCormack Baron Salazar, Inc. Midland Sates Bank Midwest BankCentre Mississippi Lime Company Missouri History Museum Montgomery Bank NextGen Information Services, Inc. Pangea Group People’s Health Centers Pinnacle — St. Louis PNC Bank

Regions Bank Reliance Bank Republic Services Southern Illinois University—Edwardsville Spire, Inc St. Louis Community College St. Louis Post-Dispatch Strategic Staffing Solutions Success Promotions Talisen Technologies, Inc. TheBANK of Edwardsville Thompson Coburn LLP University of Missouri System USA Mortgage ValDivia Enterprises Washington University Weber Chevrolet Creve Coeur Webster University Western Illinois University