Dear Colleagues,
Our San Antonio Hispanic Chamber asserts a strong leadership role to build opportunity and prosperity for all of San Antonio. Since our founding in 1929, growing stronger through the decades, we are now poised to influence our collective success in 2020. I am honored to serve as the 2020 Chairwoman and invite your proactive participation in your Chamber.
The Power of Our Voice is the 2020 theme for the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. We will continue to leverage our influence for greater success and opportunities in business both small and large, economic development, international trade, education and workforce, leadership development and policy advocacy. Prosperity, growth, and equity will ground us in ensuring that we are always doing what is best for our members and our community.
When the Cámara de Comercio Mexicana first started, we knew that our voices were diminished and excluded. This was 91 years ago. That is no longer the case. With 55 million Latinos in the U.S. today our voice and market influence will only become stronger. As a community, we value the voices of everyone that has a stake in our success: chamber members, allies, friends, and our public leaders.
It is even more critical to speak up in 2020 as policies are debated that affect our businesses and community during an election year, such as the USMCA and many others. We are also in a census year and the run-up to the Texas Legislative Session next January. We all should participate to exercise The Power of Our Voice in these arenas.
In addition to business and public policies, we must also focus on local quality-of-life issues. As a physician, I can attest to the importance of health and well-being for a productive workforce, stable families and communities. Mental health is one of my priorities and we will make strides to educate on this critical topic during the year.
The Power of Our Voice will drive a common vision and actions for prosperity for all of San Antonio.
The Power of Our Voice will mobilize our influence on policies and issues critical to our future.
The Power of Our Voice will have a platform and be amplified through your Hispanic Chamber of Commerce!
If you are in search of an advocate and a resource, we invite you to join or get even more involved, volunteer, support, and participate with our Hispanic Chamber. We look forward to 2020, with all its challenges and opportunities, confidently because we know The Power of Our Voice will make a difference.
Sincerely,
Dr. Erika Gonzalez
About Bar:
The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is the first organization of its type in the United States, having been originally chartered as the Mexican Chamber of Commerce in 1929. Today, there are about 35 Hispanic chambers of commerce in Texas and about 600 across the nation.
The Mexican Chamber was organized by Don Enrique Santibañez, Consul General of Mexico in San Antonio, who became its first president. Given the deep historical and commercial ties and tensions between the U.S. and Mexico, the chamber’s primary emphasis in its early years was to promote trade, policy and cultural harmony.
While the chamber’s leaders forged ahead to define modern Hispanic business, the social climate of the time posed many barriers. Minorities faced discrimination in business, just as in employment, education, voting, infrastructure, access to capital and markets. These social issues necessitated that the chamber go beyond the traditional scope for chambers of commerce and into one of dual social and business advocacy.
The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SAHCC) has been selected as one of the best-run chambers in America. A strong advocate for Hispanic business and Hispanics in business for 85 years, the Hispanic Chamber has been officially notified of its designation as a 5-Star Accredited Chamber from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It is the first Hispanic Chamber in the United States to be accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
www.sahcc.org
200 E Grayson St #203, San Antonio, TX 78215
Phone: (210) 225-0462
