May 2023

Throughout this past month MHCC Staff, Board of Directors, and member businesses have participated in a number of significant events that have fueled my drive to keep working hard for our members businesses and Hispanic community. From ‘Grand Openings’ of new, ethnic restaurants bringing their traditions and cultures to our State, to a young CEO leading the way of transforming a 40-year-old company to a modern supplier, to Board members as panelists at the MMPC, to our member Corporations’ investment and support to assure supplier diversity and the success of their DEI efforts and ERG|BRG teams. Our members and the MHCC Familia are exceptional! Throughout this month’s Newsletter you’ll witness the job our members and community partners are doing to keep raising the bar and supporting the community.

In two weeks, we’ll be hosting our 13th Annual Supplier Diversity Matchmaker at the M1 Concourse. We are thrilled to provide the stage to those MBEs/HBEs/WBEs/VBEs looking to showcase their products and services to Corporate Buyers and Supplier Diversity professionals. Minority business owners and exhibitors, come and shine! Corporate Buyers and Supplier Diversity teams, come and connect with lots of great businesses! Registration closes May 12^th.

Another great piece of news we bring you this month is the return of the ELEVATE TOGETHER Program and Cash Grant opportunities! This is the perfect chance for Hispanic and Black Owned microbusinesses looking to receive custom mentorship, business development, and an opportunity to receive financial aid. We encourage you to share the news with those entrepreneurs that could really take advantage of it. Applications are due May 31^st!

Our MHCC team is growing and I’m excited to share that Laura Geftos is our new Programs & Events Director. We are thrilled to have Laura with us. Her leadership, customer focus, and experience in the hospitality industry will be a great asset for our organization and member businesses.

Finally, we look forward to enjoying a unique Tercer Jueves Business Networking event on May 18^th, sponsored by ICAT Logistics. Check out the details below, along with the many more initiatives that benefit our members.

We are thrilled to announce the latest member of the MHCC team, Laura Geftos, who will serve as our Program Director.

With her impressive background in the hospitality industry, we are confident that she will provide a wealth of knowledge, resources, and invaluable insights to our organization. We are excited to have her on board!

The world of business is always changing, with new technologies, economic conditions, and consumer trends emerging all the time. As a result, it's essential for business owners and managers to be willing to adapt to these changes if they want their company to remain competitive and successful.



Staying up-to-date on industry news and trends is an important part of being adaptable. This means regularly reading industry publications, attending conferences and seminars, and keeping tabs on what your competitors are doing. By staying informed, you'll be able to spot trends and changes early on and make adjustments to your business strategy accordingly.

One way to stay up to date, is to check out CO- by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. CO— is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s digital platform for small business and is dedicated to helping business owners across the U.S. start, run, and grow successful companies. They provide timely and actionable information and resources for business owners at all stages of growth through expert content, exclusive interviews with business leaders, and virtual and in-person events. Check out their website that is filled with informative articles on the latest trends!

At the MHCC, we believe that small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, and we are proud to support the small business community. In honor of Small Business Week, we are excited to highlight a few of our members who are making a big impact in the community. From local shops and restaurants to innovative startups and service providers, these small businesses represent the best of what our community has to offer.⁣

Show your support for the MHCC small business members that make our community great.⁣

Photo courtesy of Courtney Morales

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Good

MHCC member, M1 Concourse, has been recognized on a national level, having made it onto the Top 5 National Car Show List! This world-class facility is truly a gem for car enthusiasts, and those who have attended our events there can attest to its greatness.

For those who haven't yet had the chance to experience it, mark your calendars for our 13th Supplier Diversity Matchmaker event, July's Tercer Jueves, or check out their events calendar to plan your visit.

We are excited to share that one of our HBE members, Gloria Prevezinos from Prevez Plastics, has been featured in the Honda Partnership Network - Honda Diversity & Inclusion Report. As a Tier 1 supplier for Honda, Prevez Plastics produces high-quality stiffeners and brackets, among other things. We congratulate Gloria and the entire team at Prevez Plastics!

Visit to Prevez Plastics 

Mark and Raquel had the pleasure of witnessing the Prevez Plastics team's hard work firsthand, gaining valuable insight into their production processes, as well as learning about the company's rich history and ambitious goals for 2023. It was an incredible experience, and we are excited to share this with our members, who we know will be inspired by Prevez Plastic's commitment to excellence and innovation.

Tercer Jueves – Lansing

Our Tercer Jueves event in Lansing, MI united Hispanic professionals and entrepreneurs from various cities in Michigan, offering them an exclusive opportunity to connect, share ideas, and learn from one another. This event created a sense of community among attendees, and we express our gratitude to the speakers, raffle donors, and committed supporters whose efforts made this event a success. Be sure to join us at our next Tercer Jueves event on May 18th.

The Latin Kitchen Opening

The grand opening of The Latin Kitchen was a delightful culinary celebration. The MHCC joined the event to honor the occasion and participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony.  The vibrant and festive atmosphere of the event was a reflection of the restaurant's commitment to delivering an authentic Latin dining experience. ⁣

La Sed Luncheon

The MHCC team recently attended the Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development, Inc. (LA SED) 2023 Annual Recognition Luncheon at the MGM Grand Detroit. We are grateful to the entire LA SED team for their exceptional dedication to serving the Hispanic community and residents of Southwest Detroit since 1969. To learn more about LA SED and their important work, please visit: https://www.lasedinc.com

CasaArt Foundation

On Saturday, May 6th, CasaArt Foundation hosted an unforgettable celebration of Mexican culture with their gala event, Colores de Mexico “Ecos de la Gualaguetza”. The MHCC was honored to serve as a proud sponsor of this event, as we strongly believe in the significance of preserving our cultural traditions and sharing them with our loved ones. We extend our congratulations to our member, Elton Monroy from Corpus Art, for being recognized for his outstanding contributions to the arts.

The MHCC is committed to inclusivity, understanding that businesses and individuals have distinctive demands. To provide for all, we offer a range of membership options for everyone from large companies to professionals, students and individuals. Our goal is to ensure that everyone can benefit from our Chamber's resources and network, regardless of their size or background.

Register Today- Limited Capacity!