APRIL 2017
EMPRESARIO
Presented by:
A MOMENT WITH THE PRESIDENT
From the Desk of John Hernandez, President of the FWHCC
We've touched on the theme of "building capacity" throughout this year and one of the many ways we're focused on achieving that goal for the betterment of your business and the City of Fort Worth is through our work on the M/WBE program. This program is a critical component to ensuring that small, minority-owned businesses gain access to the direct contracting and sub-contracting opportunities offered by the City. We believe that this program is a powerful and dynamic tool that could lead to success for many of our Members. However, we also acknowledge a very tangible opportunity ahead of us to ensure that the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is partnering with our Member base to help them prepare for not only the certification process, but the ensuing requirements that make their bids successful.  It is in that spirit that we seek to continuously hone our overall program strategy so that we can develop rich content and enablement opportunities. This will help our Members prepare for the bidding process and potential changes that these projects could require of their businesses. We believe that ultimately, this will lead to more positive experiences for our Members and those that seek their services. Should you have any questions about this program, please don't hesitate to reach out to our office to discuss in more detail. 
EVENTS CALENDAR Calendar
Chamber Calendar
Women in Leadership
The FWHCC celebrates and supports women in leadership roles who are trailblazers in their industries and presents panel breakfast events for our entire membership and community.  Join us on April 13th to hear from a panel of women who are called to be public servants, including Jennifer Treviño, Ann Zadeh, Pilar Candia, and Ashley Paz, moderated by Rachel Vogel Marker. These women will share their experiences as community leaders and will candidly discuss the risks and rewards associated with their experiences. Please register online.
BAH Mixer
Mix and mingle with FWHCC members and prospective members alike at our upcoming Business After Hours Mixer on April 20th. Experience a tour of the extensive Norris Conference Center in Downtown Fort Worth while you enjoy drinks and appetizers and the chance to win door prizes.  Don't forget to bring your business cards for networking! 
Complimentary parking in any Sundance Square parking garage and complimentary valet in front of Reata. Free to attend, please register in advance online.
44th Annual Gala
The FWHCC's Annual Awards Gala showcases successes of the previous year. At the 44th Annual American Salute Gala on May 20th, we will recognize and celebrate those who volunteer their time for the success of our organization, pay tribute to the past and current military servicemen and women of our communities and recognize an outstanding community partner, BrothersKeepers. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the FWHCC Scholarship Program as well as BrothersKeepers. Please register online.
Community Calendar
NCTRCA Workshop
The North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency will be visiting the FWHCC on April 10th to host a special certification workshop for our members. Certification is a critical component to assist disadvantaged, minority and woman-owned business enterprises in public entities' procurement activities. We invite our members to j oin us for this interactive session which aims to provide a detailed walk-through of the certification process. Free to attend.  Register online .
Movies That Matter
Movies That Matter is a film series created to increase awareness in the community about human rights issues affecting people in Fort Worth and worldwide. Join us on April 13th for Southern Rites, a  film documenting a town's painful struggle to progress while confronting longstanding issues of race, equality and justice, and ultimately asks whether a new generation can make a different future for itself from a difficult past. Free to attend, please register online.
Senior Synergy Expo
Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley and Cigna invite you to the 2017 Senior Synergy Expo on May 4th. Come learn about the services available in Tarrant County that will empower boomers, seniors and caregivers to live a healthier lifestyle. Those 50+ will leave the expo feeling more empowered to live a healthier lifestyle. Free admission, free health screenings, free workshop, free parking and free lunch for those who register before April 24th. To attend the Expo, register online or by calling (817) 884-1234. 
CHAMBER Chamber
Five Pillar Lecture Series: Civics
Just last month, the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce commenced the beginning of its second annual Five Pillar Lecture Series. This series was created and designed to address each of the areas that we believe are the cornerstones of a productive, thriving business environment: civic engagement, economic activity, a thriving education system, quality business development, and diversity in leadership. After a successful launch in 2016, we are excited to bring this series to our members again in 2017 with all new guest speakers.

We were honored to be joined at our first of five lectures in 2017 by Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley who facilitated a wonderful conversation about civic engagement and the role that county government plays in our lives and the many services that it provides. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us at this insightful event and a special thanks to all the organizations that made this event possible, including our presenting sponsor, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP.

Mark your calendars for our next lecture, focusing on economic activity, on May 3rd.
Gala Partnership Opportunities


The Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that our 44th Annual Awards Gala will honor past and current servicemen and women of  our communities.

At the American Salute Gala, which will be held on Saturday, May 20th at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel, we will celebrate and honor our military forces. We invite you to join us in this effort by partnering as a sponsor, purchasing individual tickets or donating an item to our silent auction. More than 600 attendees are expected at the event, which allows our sponsors to benefit from the exposure and goodwill generated.

In addition, we are using this opportunity to highlight the efforts of BrothersKeepers,  a nonprofit organization committed to empowering and honoring veterans, first responders and others called to serve. Sharing our audience in an effort to increase awareness of BrothersKeepers' services is one of the many ways we're giving back to our servicemen and women.

Please click here to register as a sponsor or contact Nicole Antonini at (817) 625-5411 for further information regarding sponsorship, ticket sales and donations .

We thank you for your ongoing support of our efforts to increase business activity in Fort Worth.
COMMUNITY Community
Migrational Growth in Tarrant County
This past week, the United States Census shared significant findings about our community, namely, the increase in population growth including migration into our community. According to the report, Tarrant County shows that it had the 5th largest population growth in the Nation from July 2015 to July 2016. Why is this the case and what does this mean for us? What are the problems accompanied by such rapid growth?
 
These are undoubtedly important and pressing questions about the overall impact of growth. While this report speaks loudly of good things within our community, it also asks us to examine our response. In this time, we have the opportunity to become an exemplary, kind and welcoming community. We do not have to lose our small-town feel and compassion for our neighbor simply because of this expansion. Our ask is that you join us as we set this example of solidarity and friendliness to new members of our community, whether they are a new family or a new business. Together we CAN and together we MUST set this example.  Learn more here .
Volunteer Opportunity - Make A Wish North Texas
Do you have a few hours each week?  Maybe a few days each week? Then you
can help bring the rejuvenation of wish experiences to kids with life-threatening medical conditions. You can join a network of more than 25,000 caring people nationwide who make it possible for Make-A-Wish ® kids to live their one true wish.

Wish granters are trained individuals who meet with our children to determine their wish. These volunteers work closely with the Make-A-Wish staff to make each wish come true. Most wish granters meet with their families in the evenings or on the weekends. Wishes can be granted in just several days, or may take up to a year to complete. A specialized training program is provided before contact is made with a wish family. We are currently looking for wish granters who are fluent in both English and Spanish.  We serve a large percentage of Spanish speaking with families, and with out Spanish speaking wish granters, we are not able to to quickly meet the needs of those Spanish speaking families.  If you are fluent in both English and Spanish, please consider becoming a wish granter.

Please find more information, including how to start the application process, here.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ED
by Cintya Segoviano

This past Thursday, the FWHCC kicked off its 2017 Seminario Para Negocios Hispanos series. The SNH series was designed to build capacity for Spanish speaking business owners by providing them with unbiased education on various business topics. The program was designed with the challenges in mind that many immigrant entrepreneurs face, including language and assimilation. Entrepreneurs are undoubtedly a critical piece of the American economy. You can read more about their vital role, as shared by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, by clicking here.

Unfortunately, a 2016 report by the Economic Innovation Group has found that there is a net loss of new companies year over year. Read more here.

This tells us that we must focus on supporting those entrepreneurs who reach out to us, eager to embark on their entrepreneurial journey. We must also work diligently to identify and understand what factors are contributing to this downward trend. As this year progresses, we will be working with different community partners to ensure that this trend is not a true reflection of our community. Stay tuned as we charge forward, towards innovative solutions for economically pressing issues within Tarrant County.
MEMBERS Members
Member Spotlight
Jeff Cuales, 
Cuales Productions

Jeff Cuales is the owner and director of photography at Cuales Productions. Jeff grew up in Fort Worth, Texas where he attended Amon Carter Riverside High School. It was at Carter Riverside that Jeff says he found his calling to be a photojournalist. After graduation, Jeff went on to attend the Art Institute of Dallas where he received a degree in TV Broadcast & Business. 

Jeff got his start in the television industry 25 years ago as a news photographer with KITV News in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was there that Jeff mastered his trade as a photojournalist and earned two Emmy nominations for Director of Photography in a Documentary. 

In 2000, Jeff returned to Fort Worth to start his own production company and since then has had the pleasure of working with the likes of former Beatle, Sir Paul McCartney on his DVD "Good Evening New York City" as well as ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox Sports just to name few. In 2016 and 2017, it has all been about sports. Jeff is currently working with Fox Sports covering Fox NFL Sunday Football, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars and has recently signed on to cover the Texas Rangers 2017 season. 

One of Jeff's proudest moments came this past February when Fox Sports handpicked him to run camera for their worldwide broadcast of Super Bowl LI in Houston. It was a goal Jeff set many years ago and to have achieved it was monumental. 

Jeff, a member of the FWHCC for over a decade and a past board member, credits his involvement with the FWHCC in meeting some of the greatest business minds in Fort Worth and building some lifelong friendships, two things for which he will always be grateful.
Ambassador Spotlight
Tanisia Castillo-Queppet, 
Prime Properties Realty

Tanisia Castillo-Queppet utilizes her 25 years of experience in the banking and mortgage industry to assist her clients with all their real estate needs. Her unique qualifications and experience in both the lending side and closing side of real estate provides her clients with the knowledge they need to make the best decisions in their real estate transaction. Unlike other real estate companies, Prime Properties Realty not only helps buyers and sellers meet their goals, but also specializes in building wealth for real estate investors. Tanisia will help an investor grow their personal dollars into the best investment of their lifetime with a proven process that includes acquiring, renovating, and managing properties to build wealth three ways: cash flow, tax advantages, and equity. This process is all in-house and is backed by proven professionals in the industry. Our process, your profit.

Tanisia is a busy lady; she is also the owner of Bilingual Notary Services, providing mobile notary and loan closing services wherever needed in the DFW area. Tanisia believes in the power of community and giving back. She currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Artes de la Rosa Culture Center for the Arts, has now served as a FWHCC Ambassador for four years, previously served on the Board of Directors for the Hispanic Women's Network Fort Worth Chapter, is an active member of MANA® and has volunteered on various committees and charities.

Tanisia's pride and joy are her three children: Julianne, Kevin Jr, and Joey and her grandson, Nash. She loves spending time with them and just relaxing with her friends. 
Interested in a Ribbon Cutting?
A great benefit of your FWHCC membership is that we offer ribbon cuttings for members who have started a new business, moved to a new location, or  have remodeled/ expanded an existing business. Please let us know if you are interested in scheduling a ribbon cutting by contacting Sandra Garcia at (817) 625-5411 or
sandra.garcia@fwhcc.org
A Special Thanks to Our Corporate Members