Latino business and community leaders will hear from federal officials Tuesday about how they can do business, obtain grants and find employment with the federal government as part of the first Latino Economic Summit.
The event at UTSA’s Downtown Campus is hosted by the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity; the federal departments of Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, and Labor; the Small Business Administration and the Aspen Institute, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization.
The summit will feature several breakout sessions hosted by the federal departments, including one on procurement opportunities for entrepreneurs hosted by the Small Business Administration, a session on education equity and workforce development hosted by the U.S. Department of Education, community development with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and a discussion about essential workers with the Labor Department.
Also joining the inaugural event is U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio), San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, City Councilwoman Teri Castillo (D5) and UTSA President Taylor Eighmy.
The event will be held at the UTSA Downtown Campus in the Buena Vista Theater, at 501 West César E. Chávez Boulevard from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
“The Latino community, representing nearly 19% of our population, is central to our country’s present and its future, and we have a responsibility to build structures that create opportunity for people and families in this critical demographic,” said Dan Porterfield, president and CEO of the Aspen Institute, about the summit.
The White House initiative, originally created in 1990 to address educational disparities in the Hispanic community, was reestablished last year by President Joe Biden to advance educational equity and economic opportunity for Latinos.
“The Biden-Harris administration continues to champion diversity, as we strive for a more inclusive and prosperous society,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “These summits are part of our commitment to advancing equity and opportunities for Latino communities across the country.”
Following the event in San Antonio, a similar summit will be held in Denver on Saturday.
