The story of American entrepreneurship is being rewritten—and Hispanic-owned businesses are at the center of that transformation. What was once considered an emerging segment is now one of the most powerful growth engines in the U.S. economy, fueled by demographic momentum, cultural influence, and an increasingly sophisticated approach to business creation.
Today, nearly 1 in 4 new businesses in the United States is Hispanic-owned, signaling a shift that is not only economic but generational.
Women’s History Month is more than a celebration—it’s a reflection of progress, a recognition of leadership, and a call to keep building what comes next. Across the country, March continues to spotlight the achievements of women while also highlighting the work still ahead.
In Chicago, that spirit came to life through HispanicPro’s Women’s History Month programming—most notably ElevateHER 2026 and Noche en la Ópera: El último sueño de Frida y Diego—two experiences that blended leadership, cultur
Across the United States, Latinas are redefining leadership in education—bringing resilience, cultural insight, and community-centered vision into classrooms, school systems, and policy spaces. As one of the fastest-growing segments of the student population and education workforce, Latina leaders are not only responding to long-standing inequities; they are actively reshaping what inclusive, effective education looks like for future generations.
Their impact extends far beyond individual insti
Latina Equal Pay Day, observed this year on Wednesday, October 8, represents how far into the new year Latinas must work to earn what white, non-Hispanic men made in the previous year. According to the U.S. Census Bureau and National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), Latinas working full-time year-round earn just 57 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men. When part-time and seasonal workers are included, that figure drops to 52 cents.
Over a 40-year career, that gap adds up to a loss
Latinas are one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. workforce, yet they continue to face persistent barriers to advancement and pay equity. Despite driving innovation and leadership across industries, Latinas earn just 58 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men.
Closing that gap requires more than awareness — it requires action, connection, and community. Mentorship, allyship, and sponsorship are three powerful forces that help Latina professionals thrive, break throu
Latina Equal Pay Day, Wednesday, October 08, is more than a symbolic date. It marks the point in the year up to which Latina workers must continue working to earn what white, non-Hispanic men had already earned by the end of the prior year. That day starkly underscores the wage gap. On average, Latinas receive only about 54¢ for every dollar paid to white men (across all types of work). For full-time, year-round workers, the gap is narrower but still severe: Latinas typically earn about 58¢ on
Join us for an empowering evening of insight, connection, and celebration at the 4th Annual Uplift Latina Forum on Latina Equal Pay Day, Wednesday, October 8, at Azul Chicago. Experience a distinguished lineup of Latina leaders and allies who are driving impact, shaping change, and inspiring the next generation.
Presented in partnership with NBC/Telemundo Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Illinois Tech, and Today’s Inspired Latina, this signature forum brings together community, cultur
Latina women in the United States face some of the largest wage disparities of any demographic group. On average, full-time, year-round Latinas earn just over half of what White, non-Hispanic men earn. When considering part-time workers, that gap widens even further. These disparities persist across every state, across industries, and even within the highest-paid roles. If current trends remain unchanged, experts project that Latinas will not reach pay equity for generations to come.
Each August, a powerful celebration takes place that doesn’t just honor heritage—it uplifts an entire community. National Latina Day, recognized every year on August 20, has quickly grown from a grassroots social media idea into a day that spotlights the resilience, brilliance, and achievements of Latinas across the globe.
Far more than a date on the calendar, it’s a cultural affirmation: a reminder that Latina women are leading in boardrooms, classrooms, laboratories, and creative spaces—while
The information technology (IT) sector in the United States is a rapidly expanding landscape, yet its diversity, particularly concerning Latina representation, remains a critical challenge. Despite Latinas being a dynamic and growing demographic, their presence in tech roles is strikingly low. However, their increasing educational attainment and entrepreneurial spirit present a powerful opportunity to bridge the digital divide, fuel innovation, and strengthen the U.S. economy.
Latinos account for nearly half of Miami’s population — and 27% of local small business owners, according to a report released this week from consulting firm McKinsey. Latinos are creating 36% of new businesses overall in the United States, nearly double their representation in the population, the report says.
That phenomenon has been helped by a rise in Latina-owned businesses. From 2017 to 2021, 31 percent of new Latino businesses were started by Latinas. READ MORE AT MIAMI HERALD
A report by Bank of America found that Latinas are responsible for 30.2% of growth in the U.S. labor force since 2010. The data found that Hispanic women are major economic drivers for the U.S. economy. The data also shows that Hispanic women in the U.S. contributed to a total economic output equal to $1.3 trillion in 2021. READ MORE AT SCRIPPS NEWS
Though Latinas have collectively seen socioeconomic gains, their educational and economic circumstances are varied. Younger Latinas and U.S.-born Latinas, for instance, are more likely to report having a bachelor’s degree than older and immigrant Latinas, respectively. Though labor force participation rates have increased in the last two decades for Latinas overall, some are more likely to be employed or seeking work. READ MORE AT PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Yoloxochitl “Yolo” Lopez DeMarco is one of the many Hispanics in the Region who is taking her financial future into her own hands. Her company is among the 5 million Latino/Hispanic-owned businesses nationwide generating more than $800 billion in annual revenue, according to a report by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. READ MORE AT NORTHWEST INDIANA BUSINESS MAGAZINE
While the gender pay gap persists for all women relative to their white male counterparts, it has long been widest for Latinas, who are paid 46% less than white men and 26% less than white women. One explanation offered for this gap has been that Latinas are more likely to hold low-wage jobs—but research indicates that those pay disparities remain in place among women who are more educated or work in more lucrative industries. READ MORE AT FAST COMPANY
From Women's History Month to global International Women's Day celebrations, March is a time to champion the power of women's voices and drive positive change. As you make your plans to celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, here are four ways to access inspiring content from the past and even find new voices. READ MORE AT GOOGLE VOICES
Griselda Aldrete’s career path has been a journey. A native of Milwaukee, she has never shied away from opportunities and challenges in the things she has set out to do. She has plied her considerable talent in the non-profit, government, corporate and now legal realms. She served as President and CEO of Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee (HPGM) for eight years where she grew the organization’s footprint, budget and brand. She then led the City of Milwaukee’s Fire and Police Commission
For so many years when filling out forms that asked about race or ethnicity, AMA member Theresa Rohr-Kirchgraber, MD always checked the “other” box because she never wanted to make it seem as though one side of her heritage was more important than the other. Her father is German American and her mother is Mexican American. It took her several more years to understand what those boxes really meant. READ MORE AT THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
The market for luxury brands is rapidly changing with a boom in the Hispanic consumer market, the fastest-growing demographic of households with incomes of $150k+, according to two new studies.
The rapidly rising affluence of Hispanics, their greater representation compared to other ethnicities in the top two quintiles, and the fact they are the fastest growing ethnicity bar none means they are an increasingly important demographic for brands to understand. READ MORE AT FORBES
A new study finds Latina workers earn just over half what their white, male counterparts do. The study from the National Women's Law Center found that in 2021, Latinas working full time earned just 57 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men.
The study provides a breakdown by community of national origin. It finds that Spanish and Argentinian women earned the most on average at 82 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men. Honduran women earned the least at just 44
