Businesses in Rhode Island have to appeal to the growing Hispanic population to achieve long-term success.
That’s the message keynote speaker J.R. Gonzales, chairman of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, sent at the fourth annual Rhode Island Chapter of the Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce awards banquet last night.
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The event at the Rhode Island Convention Center was part of the 2004 Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce Business Expo.
“Hispanic businesses are growing three times faster than any other business in the country, and Hispanic women businesses five times faster,” Gonzales told more than 100 people at the event.
He stressed the importance of supporting the growing Hispanic population and Hispanic children as they become adults and workers of the future.
“By 2050, one out of every four people in this country will be Hispanic. The majority of the work force will be Hispanic. … Business owners have to hire more Hispanics to be able to understand the minority market,” Gonzales said.
He encouraged members of the Hispanic community to focus on education, political involvement and creating wealth, while asking the non-Hispanic community to reach out to the population, saying, “We need to learn where our common ground is and work as one to achieve in this country.”
Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri, Secretary of State Matthew Brown and Providence Mayor David Cicilline also addressed the importance of the 2,200 Hispanic-run businesses in the state and promised to foster more.
The Hispanic American Chamber honored Fleet Bank Rhode Island Chairman and CEO Neil Steinberg with the Corporate Leader of the Year award for his civic relations in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island Democratic Party Executive Director Melba Depena received the Community Leader of the Year award, and Ermin Rolando Paiz, owner of Mi Guatemala Restaurant, was recognized with the Rhode Island Hispanic Business of the Year award.
Staff Report
