Posts Tagged ‘Latino Leaders’

Hispanics and Health Care Reform

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Last night, Univision national news featured an exclusive interview with President Obama on the economy which included thoughts on healthcare reform. Among the points emphasized by the President:  he said his proposal would provide increased access to quality health care coverage, include options for preventive care for immigrant workers who have legal status, and ultimately reduce healthcare costs for all Americans. But why is it so critical to our demographic?

While more than 47 million people in the United States are uninsured, access to health insurance and ongoing health services is a more serious problem in the Hispanic community. More than 34 percent of Latinos do not have health insurance and Latino immigrants, at 58 percent, are much more likely to go without medical coverage. Sadly enough, despite higher pregnancy rates, 11 percent of Latina mothers do not receive prenatal care during the critical first 3 months. Although most Americans access private health insurance through their employers, it is estimated that only 2 in 5 Hispanics are covered by employer‑sponsored insurance.

Meaningful health care reform in the Hispanic community will increase access to health services and lower out-of-pocket medical costs. Another essential component of health care reform is ensuring that health services provided are delivered in a culturally competent and linguistically appropriate way. Approximately 1 in 8 Hispanics report that their health care provider rarely explains their medical situations in a way they can understand. Legislation that was recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act (H.R. 3200), includes languages that would call for healthcare professional to receive linguistic and cultural training and also includes provisions to boost scholarship opportunities for disadvantaged students in the health profession.

Latino leaders such as Representative Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Vice‑Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, has stated that “no community is less insured today in this country than the Latino community. So we absolutely need to reform our health care system.” We can only agree that inaction of meaningful health care reform brings serious consequences to the well‑being of the future of the Hispanic community in the United States.  As Congress moves forward with solutions to fix our broken health care system, it is important that our elected officials hear from the Hispanic community and we communicate with them the importance of meaningful reform for all Americans.

| July 30th, 2009 1 Comment »
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Supreme Court to Look More like America

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President Obama nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor during a press conference on Tuesday. Supporters argue Sotomayor would bring a much-needed perspective from a population that is increasingly becoming the face of America in many cities and neighborhoods, including the candidate’s own hometown of the Bronx.

Sotomayor serves on the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in New York and is a member of the Puerto Rican Bar Association. Another Latino, Justice Carlos R. Moreno from California, was also considered.

For more on the story, click on CNN’s Obama nominates Sotomayor to Supreme Court, or la Opinion’s Obama nomina a jueza hispana Sonia Sotomayor a la Corte Suprema.

| May 26th, 2009 No Comments »
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Our Nation Makes History

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Yesterday was a day for the books.  The 44th president elect took office.  He's the first black man to run the nation.  He also is an agent of change.  No wonder millions took to the national mall to celebrate him and with him, and no wonder so many influential groups, luminaries, celebrities and media flocked to fete the occasion in due measure. The Latino community was no exception.

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Our colleague Marieli Colon-Padilla was there, in D.C., at the center of the action and tells us that there were more than 10 celebrations put together by Latino groups to celebrate the inauguration.  NCLR and other influential groups hosted  the most notable event: the star-studded Latino Inaugural Gala. Latino entertainers Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony said “presente” at the Hispanic inauguration pre-celebration at Union Station. Other entertainers at the event included Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi, Mexican singer Lila Downs, Colombian singer Shakira, comedian George Lopez, actress Rosie Perez, actor Edward James Olmos, Chiefs’ tight end Tony Gonzalez, telenovela actress Angelica Vale, and others. Members of Congress filtered in and mixed in with the crowd and the stars.

They also held a Latino State of the Union meeting alongside MALDEF and LULAC, and, as expected, immigration reform figured at the top of the list. Immigration remains a highly divisive political issue, particularly since concerns about terrorism amplified the debate about border security in recent years. The issue was presented as a topic separate from border discussions and presented as an issue of national interest defined by cooperation, rather than confrontation, with Mexico and Latin America.

But we can say now Latinos have “friends in high places” in the Obama administration, like the Interior secretary designate, Ken Salazar; the Labor secretary designate, Hilda Solis; and the White House’s director of intergovernmental affairs, Cecilia Muñoz, formerly a vice president of the National Council de la Raza.

Overall it was clear that the Latino vote is too important to be ignored.

Around Hispanic networks and Hispanic print, the media turned its focus to the story of the day.  All the leading correspondents reported from the nation's capital. Impremedia did a terrific job with photos and coverage on the site (check out their El Cambio section),  Univision reported live from DC from the swearing in ceremony, even during ’Despierta America’ and then worked out a deal with Comcast to offer the coverage available on-demand post the event, Telemundo also did a great job of covering the event.

And as the day gets documented and added to the U.S. history book, one Latina will always be close to Michelle Obama on the day she became First Lady: Cubana Isabel Toledo.  She designed the dress and coat that Mrs. Obama wore as she stood next to the man who today begins a new chapter for our nation.

| January 21st, 2009 No Comments »
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Preparing Hispanas for Leadership: An Interview with NHLI

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The National Hispana Leadership Institute—an organization devoted to cultivating leadership among Latinas around the nation since 1987—will celebrate is 8th annual leadership conference next month. Our colleague Marieli Colon-Padilla in FH’s Washington, D.C. office, a member of the organization, interviewed NHLI president Cristina Lopez (photo below) about what are the leadership opportunities available to Latinas and how to seize them. NHLI works to expand the pool of qualified Latinas and connect them through networking opportunities so that corporate America, as well as the public and non-profit sectors are more reflecting of the new American reality. This is the first of a two-part Q&A:

MCP: Hispanics are the largest minority in the nation. What does this mean to Hispanas? Clphoto

Cristina Lopez: Hispanics being the largest minority means they are also the fastest growing segment of the workforce/largest number of entrants into the labor force over the next 25 years. And programs that target Latinas and empower them to become better prepared to compete in today’s demanding workplace are crucial.

MCP: How does NHLI respond to the changing demographic?

CL: Latinas are tremendously underrepresented among decision-makers and positions of influence. NHLI develops strong, savvy, influential Latinas. Through skills-building training, NHLI prepares them to take on leadership positions in corporate America, become public elected officials and nonprofit executives. And through Latinas Learning to Lead develop the next generation of Latina leaders.

MCP: What role does NHLI have in representing Hispanas?

CL: NHLI’s network is a broad cross section of Hispanas in this country. We inform, connect and advocate for Latinas. NHLI is the “go to” organization for Latinas and on the issues that affect Latinas and their families. The voice of Latinas on the issues challenging our country.

MCP: How does NHLI’s work with Latinas impact Hispanics and other communities?

CL: NHLI has directly impacted the lives of Latinas in every corner of the country, and touched thousands more through alumnae-led projects focused on education, employment, health, technology and other quality-of-life issues. Among our executive alumnae are community leaders, award-winning authors, filmmakers, social workers, educators, elected officials and entrepreneurs. In addition with our youth program, Latinas Learning to Lead, we engage the most inspiring and motivated young Latinas in the country, and contribute to the growing number of Latinas graduating from college.

NHLI has created one of the most powerful professional women’s networks in the country. By enhancing the leadership skills of Hispanic women, NHLI has helped position Latinas as key players in the national stage and ensured that Latinas in leadership positions have access and power to influence policy. NHLI has a multiplier effect – just through mentoring, leadership projects, and networking, NHLI has measurably affected the lives of more than 56,000 Hispanics nationwide

MCP: Do you think the private and public sectors are aware of what NHLI does to promote leadership, professional development, relationship building, inclusion, community and world activism? How would you see this be integrated into other platforms across the board (i.e. politics, corporate, government, education, etc.)?

CL: NHLI is one of the best kept secrets and we want to get the secret out. In the corporate sector, we have some corporate partners who are very aware of NHLI’s value and they have been staunch supporters for years – StateFarm, Walmart, MillerCoors, (others GM, Ford, Verizon, AT&T, CocaCola). We need to do better in the Public Sector and especially in the non-profit/philanthropic/Academic sectors. The nonprofit sector is currently grappling with how to get people of color into executive positions and be more reflective of the changing face of America. Foundations need to see us a vehicle that can help in this arena.

| October 23rd, 2008 No Comments »
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Happy Presidents (and Hispanic Elected Officials) Day

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Today we celebrate the birthdays of two important American presidents, Lincoln and Washington. And while there hasn’t been a Hispanic to serve in the Oval Office – yet – there have been a number of Hispanic cabinet members and presidential advisors, including Alberto Gonzales, Attorney General (Bush), Carlos Gutierrez, Secretary of Commerce (Bush), Mel Martinez, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Bush), Federico Pena, Secretary of Energy (Clinton) and Henry Cisneros, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Clinton).

There are also thousands of Hispanic elected officials who serve our country at the state, county and local levels every day. According to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, today there are more than 6,000 Hispanics serving in elected or appointed office across all levels of government.

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| February 18th, 2008 No Comments »
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Grammys Gloss Over Latinos

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Where is Ricky Martin when you need him? That’s what I kept asking myself while watching the Grammy Awards telecast last night.

In celebration of the awards’ 50th anniversary, the show featured performances spanning different genres (a classical violinist played with the Foo Fighters) and generations (Beyoncé joined Tina Turner for an electrifying dance number), yet was disappointingly light on Latino musicians and celebrities, with presenters Juanes, George Lopez and Roselyn Sanchez notable exceptions.

As noted previously on this blog, U.S. Latinos have made immense contributions to the U.S. music scene, with salsa and reggaeton two of the strongest examples of Latino music forms that have influenced pop culture in the last 50 years.

And on this year’s list of nominees, Latino musicians and artists were well represented in many categories, including: best duo (Shakira and Beyonce), best comedy album (George Lopez), best female pop artists (Christina Aguilera), best picture score (Gustavo Santaolalla for Babel), as well as in the eight categories now devoted to Latin music (click here to see the winners).

So why weren’t there more Latinos on stage last night? I would have loved to see Santana jamming with Brad Paisley, Shakira singing with Sheryl Crow and Daddy Yankee dropping rhymes with Kanye – as I’m guessing the rest of this country’s fastest-growing demographic might have, too.

| February 11th, 2008 No Comments »
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A Woman on a Mission

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This week we continue with our series of posts about influential Latinos doing some unique, innovative and meaningful work related to marketing, public relations and connecting to the Latino experience and identity in the U.S. Community relations is a fundamental piece to truly penetrate the hearts and minds of this audience. Today, it is a pleasure to bring you a brief profile on Las Comadres, a Latina social networking phenomenon, based on conversations with La Comadre Mayor and the woman who powers the network: Nora de Hoyos Comstock.

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By all accounts, Nora de Hoyos Comstock is a friend, an ear, a shoulder and support to her Comadres: even when they amount to 10,000 women all over the country. The social networking phenomenon called Las Comadres began seven years ago in Austin out of a need and desire to connect with other Latinas. The goal, in Nora’s own words was to ’celebrate and preserve culture and pride in who we are and to share information and open doors for each other’. Nora’s labor of love took root in knowing that if she had an interest in connecting to other women in that way, the need was very likely to be reciprocated by women in cities all over the U.S. And so began the word of mouth. And the email list. Because Las Comadres contact each other online, share information, refer each other to jobs: ’I could not do this work if it were not for the Internet,’ Nora says.

Today, Las Comadres boasts 10,000 women of Latino origins, many Compadres (or men who have joined the group by association), located in more than 50 cities and connected via email and monthly Comadrazos, potlucks were members can grow their relationships. And members come from all walks of life but are mostly accomplished, professional women with cultural commonalities.

In the next couple of years, Nora envisions a lot of growth. She knows many more Latinas are looking for a community and she hopes to connect 1 million women — that’s her goal. Her focus will expand to include a leadership-building environment, providing a forum for authors, a connection between entrepreneurs, friends, trusted advice, resources and overall, the same connection based on camaraderie that has spurred the growth of the group today.

Nora and the board of Las Comadres welcome working with community-oriented projects, providing education and even access to her members for the right information. They are selective and protective of this network that’s grown under Nora’s leadership, but is fueled by the passion and energy of many comadres.

The email list always has room for more names. And with Latinas leading in small businesses and the home, we know there is a large universe of women likely to gravitate to a place that offers ‘comunidad’.

As marketers we know just how important word of mouth, community leaders, Latinas and community influencers are to the segment– Las Comadres is the perfect combination of these elements. Even more so when considering many members are bilingual/bicultural Latinas often a difficult to target through traditional means.

| November 6th, 2007 No Comments »
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Latino Entrepreneurs and Professionals

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RedEye, a Chicago Tribune publication, earlier this week published a cover story titled “This is Latino Chicago,” a thorough, by-the-numbers snapshot of the impact Latinos have made on our city. “Latinos have driven Chicago’s population growth, stirred changes in the city’s neighborhoods, redirected marketing campaigns and changed the face of the city’s schools,” stated the article.

As a lifelong Chicagoan, I have witnessed these changes myself and seen the impact in different facets of my own life, including the workplace.

When I started out in PR, I was often the only Latino account person. Today, in our Chicago office, we have grown to five Latino account staff members – all young, highly-educated Latinas. This is important to acknowledge because as more Latinos enter the workforce they will increasingly make their mark on the workplace and the economy.

For example, the number of Latinos in management and professional occupations is increasing. In addition, Hispanic business ownership is growing three times as fast as the national average. Given the example of my own office, it should come as no surprise that more and more Hispanic business owners are women.

Research shows that diversity is good for the economy. A survey by the Society for Human Resource Management and Fortune magazine showed that 79 percent of HR professionals at Fortune 1,000 companies believe that diversity improves corporate culture and 52 percent believe it improves client relations.

Statistics aside, one of the most exciting things for me about the rise of Latinos entrepreneurs and professionals is the collaborative way we help each other to achieve success.

Arturo Rico, a construction company owner in North Carolina, told CNN that he encourages his employees to learn what they can from him, so that they can one day go into business for themselves. And here in Chicago, the Chicago Latino Network connects Hispanic professionals for networking and social events. Stories like this exist across the country and additional proof is the growing number of local Hispanic business chambers in the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce network.

Marketers interested in reaching Hispanic influencers should pay close attention to the millions of business owners and professionals among us.

| October 25th, 2007 No Comments »
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Adiós Kansas

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**From Monica Talan**

On Saturday I received an alert from the National Council of La Raza stating that the organization has decided to move its 2009 convention from Kansas City because the Mayor decided to appoint an active member of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps to a city commission. For anyone not familiar with the size of the convention, this might not seem like a big deal. Except NCLR was expected to generate $5.5 million in revenue to the city. And they may set in motion a chain of events, since the NAACP is supposed to host its convention there in 2010 and is also looking at moving it because of this issue. The NAACP weeklong conference in 2010 could bring in $9 million. All in all, this could cost Kansas more than $14 million in new revenue over a two-year period.

So who is this city commissioner? She is a 73-year-old grandmother who joined the Minuteman group because of the government’s lack of attention to the immigration issue. Again, some might say NCLR and NAACP are exaggerating, but as groups like NCLR have no other ways to make their voices heard, just like the city commissioner did and therefore joined Minuteman group, they need to make these tough decisions to show the economic impact of the immigration debate. Conventions are big business. As cities look at being selected for convention sites, and as companies and organizations look for best sites, a new issue might be on their list for consideration if they want Hispanic participation.

| October 22nd, 2007 No Comments »
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Hollywood Latinas: From Invisible to Influential

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I recently learned that Kat Von D, one of the top female tattoo artists in the world and star of TLC’s Miami Ink and now L.A. Ink, is Hispanic. Born in Mexico to Argentine parents, Kat moved to the U.S. years ago.

She sports large tattoos of legendary Mexican actresses Maria Victoria and Elsa Aguirre on her shins and occasionally peppers her language (on-air) with Spanish words and phrases. From what I can tell, she strongly identifies with her Latino heritage but isn’t wholly defined by it. A go-to tattoo artist for Hollywood’s A-list, Kat is seen (by most of the world) first as an artist then as a Latina.

There once was a time when Latina actresses wouldn’t dare admit that they were Latina. Early film roles, such as the sexy Latina spitfire or exotic home wrecker, reinforced ugly stereotypes and limited talented actresses from finding non-ethnic parts. The only way around this was to suppress your Latina roots. Screen siren Rita Hayworth is probably the best example of this unfortunate reality.

Times have certainly changed.

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| September 26th, 2007 No Comments »
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