National Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) is a time to recognize the rich cultural contributions that Hispanic Americans have brought to our society. This year’s theme of Building Prosperous and Healthy Communities is a powerful call to action, and we are proud to highlight Hispanic alumni who have made a significant impact in promoting economic growth within their communities through their hard work and dedication.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Ulloa International Shipping
Gumercindo Frias says he followed his passion when he started an international shipping business and gets excited every day to help move goods and services between New England and the Dominican Republic. Handling door-to-door delivery services primarily for the Dominican community, Ulloa hires locally and supports several local Latino nonprofits. Read More

Cube Care
Susana Robledo found her business niche after being asked to create privacy curtains for a local hospital. She launched Cube Care Company, a multi-million-dollar enterprise providing privacy curtains and services for the healthcare industry. Susana invests heavily in employee development, hiring from local neighborhoods in the Miami-Dade area. Cube Care manages the entire curtain lifecycle for customers, bridging the gaps between maintenance, manufacturing, and installation.  Read More

Cheluna Brewing Co.
Cheluna Brewing Co., which derives its name from a combination of the Mexican slang word for beer (chela) and the Spanish word for moon (luna), is the first Latinx-owned and operated craft brewery in Colorado. Husband and wife Jen and Javi Perez founded their brewery as a place of community and were inspired by the region where Javi’s family comes from in Oaxaca, Mexico. They do more than just make and sell beer, their brewery is a community hub and offers running clubs, live music by local musicians and other unique events. Prior to opening Cheluna, both Javi and Jen spent several decades working in community service – Jen as a Peace Corps volunteer and teacher, and Javi as an ER physician at the Denver VA Medical Center where he still currently works. Through the unexpected impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cheluna’s founding values of cultivating community in addition to brewing high-quality beer helped them weather the hard times. Read More

King Automotive Services
Maria Ureña and her husband, Cesar, have turned their family-owned auto repair shop, King Automotive Services Inc., in Moreno Valley, California, into a thriving business. Ureña became CEO and focused on professionalizing the business, expanding it, and hiring mechanics from the local community. They credit the Inner City Capital Connections program with helping them reframe their business and build a business plan. They are dedicated to community impact, local job creation, and supporting education and public health programs. Read More

Growth Opportunities for Hispanic-Owned or Led Small Businesses

We understand that Hispanic-owned/led small businesses in underserved communities face unique challenges. We are committed to providing them with the resources and support they need to thrive. Whether it’s through access to capital, mentorship opportunities, or networking events, we are here to help.

• Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) launched in 2005 in partnership with Bank of America, helps match investment-ready companies in under-resourced areas with growth capital. The program has served more than 5,000 businesses that have raised over $2.4 billion in capital. ICCC will host its second Latinx cohort in October. The full course will be delivered in Spanish.
• The ICIC Annual Conference: Reflect, Reunite, Renew is our premier annual event for small business leaders across North America. It presents a valuable opportunity to reconnect with fellow small business owners, economic development practitioners, thought leaders, major corporate stakeholders, policymakers, community partners, and other professionals. The conference aims to reinforce growth strategies and promote solidarity with diverse entrepreneurs, including BIPOC, women, and others from the U.S. and Canada. This year’s conference is marking its first in-person gathering since 2019 in Miami, Florida. We are excited to have Alberto Perlman, CEO and co-founder of Zumba Fitness, as a keynote speaker.