NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – (TN Tribune) -The Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NAHCC) announced the official beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month this morning from the steps of Nashville’s historic Metro Courthouse.
The ceremony lead by the organization’s President and CEO, Yuri Cunza, featured members of the NAHCC Board of Directors and NAHCC Foundation members, as well as participants from its first seven (7) week Digital Empowerment and Acceleration for the Latin@ Entrepreneur (DEALE) program co-hort.
Special guest speakers joined for the official kick-off event that began with the national anthem performed by Hispanic-American youth singer Elena Jimenez, followed by NAHCC Foundation Chair Loraine Segovia-Paz; clothing designer entrepreneur and NAHCC board member Manuel Cuevas, journalist David Plazas, business banking leader and former NAHCC chairman, Luis Parodi; Marie Sueing, Senior VP, Diversity and Inclusion for Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp., and Office of New Americans Director Mohamed-Shukri Hassan.
The Honorable Nashville Mayor John Cooper presented a Proclamation on behalf the City of Nashville (see below) honoring the celebration. The NAHCC’s month-long business and community education calendar of programs was announced including key business and community partners.
The NAHCC ceremony begins with Hispanic-American youth singer Elena Jimenez
performing the U.S national anthem
NAHCC’s calendar highlights Hispanic population growth, purchasing power and economic impact. Latinas for Equal Business Opportunities (L4EBO) women entrepreneur empowerment, engagement and support group activities; music, arts and culture, civic engagement, voluntarism, several business leadership and diversity, equity and inclusion round-tables and a continuing mentorship initiative by Hispanic business leaders with students from Simon Youth Academies. Strategic partnerships will be announced throughout the month-long program. In addition the NAHCC will facilitate access to the U.S Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 42th hybrid National Convention (Las Vegas Nevada Sep 26-28) to members of it 300+ members entrepreneur network.
Since 2005, the NAHCC undertakes the largest most comprehensive recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, from September 15 through October 15.
NAHCC Foundation Chair, and entrepreneur, Loraine Segovia-Paz, recognizes
the entrepreneurial spirit of Latin@s in the U.S, especially women “emprendedoras”
Hispanic Heritage Month is a nation-wide celebration of the many contributions to our nation, by those who trace their roots to Spanish speaking countries. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on Sept. 15 and ending on Oct. 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
Business banking leader and former NAHCC board chair, Luis Parodi talks about the
significance of Hispanic Heritage Month and our growing Hispanic population in Nashville.
“Census numbers released for National Hispanic heritage month are encouraging, placing our population at more than 62 million” said Yuri Cunza, President & CEO of the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “Before COVID-19, Hispanic businesses were growing at 3 times the rate of all U.S. companies, and also Hispanics were 3 times more likely than the general population to start a business. Hispanics have been, job creators, starting and operating small businesses in a global economy they have contributed to the economic empowerment of our communities adding billions in revenue to the national economy. Over the past 10 years, the number of Latino business owners grew 34% compared to 1% of all business owners in the United States. In Nashville alone, Hispanics constitute 14% of the population at over 100,000 and almost 7% of the state of Tennessee, at 479,187,000. This is what makes our country strong. It is everyone’s priority to ensure that Latin@ entrepreneurs, mostly small businesses in the United States, have the resources and guidance necessary to access the economic support and opportunities in order to empower this essential sector, dramatically impacted by COVID-19, for the sake of our country’s economic recovery.” said Yuri Cunza, Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President and CEO.
Designer Entrepreneur Manuel Cuevas speaks of the significance of Hispanic Heritage Month
Marie Sueing, Senior VP, Diversity and Inclusion for Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. and NAHCC board member, highlights the importance of our multicultural communities in Nashville
To close the month-long festivities, on Friday October 15, the NAHCC will host its 17th Excellence in Business and Community Awards, an annual recognition of the Hispanic entrepreneurship spirit and how it impacts our local and state economy. The ceremony also recognizes Corporate and Community partners who help make the work of the chamber and it mission possible. The event traditionally features a reception with guest speakers, awards, food and beverage, and live music.
Cunza highlighted the support of the following corporate members Google, Regions Bank, Advance Financial, Piedmont Gas, Comcast/NBC Universal, Republic Bank, Toyos Clinic, First Horizon, Williamson Inc, the Nashville Film Festival, Nashville Public Library Foundation, Simon Youth Academies, and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce so far. He anticipates many other sponsors and community partners will join before the end of Hispanic heritage month.
David Plazas, Opinion and Engagement Director, USA TODAY Network /
The Tennessean newspaper speaks about the newly released U.S Census numbers
Nashville Mayor John Cooper presents a Proclamation honoring Hispanic Heritage
Month to Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s CEO Yuri Cunza and members
Office of New Americans Director Mohamed-Shukri Hassan joined in celebrating
Hispanic heritage month with remarks on behalf of his office.
During Hispanic Heritage Month the NAHCC recognizes the professional, civic, cultural and business contributions of members and non-members in our community. To nominate someone who demonstrated commitment and leadership to the advancement of our organization, the Hispanic community, and our city, please send us you nomination via our nomination form online HERE before October 10, 2021. Click HERE for a list of NAHCC members.
“With more than twenty (20) business and community programs and events honoring Hispanic Heritage Month, we expect our 2021 celebration to be a memorable experience as we celebrate 17 years of recognizing the contributions of those who help make our city the best place to live, work and visit. Please join us!” – added Cunza.
* A NAHCC Foundation program in partnership with NAHCC Corporate and Community partners.
For sponsorship opportunities please contact us via email or call 615-216-5737
Mayor John Cooper joined Latin@ entrepreneurs at the NAHCC ceremony
performing the U.S national anthem
Month to Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s CEO Yuri Cunza and members
Heritage Month official kick-off ceremony at Nashville Historic Metro Courthouse
Hispanic heritage month with remarks on behalf of his office.
significance of Hispanic Heritage Month and our growing Hispanic population in Nashville.
The Tennessean newspaper speaks about the newly released U.S Census numbers
