Message from our CEO, Veronica Cool

With 2023 in full swing, we have hit the ground running as we continue to serve as the Spanish voice for organizations while simultaneously serving our Hispanic community.

The first couple months of the year have been full of exciting new projects, history-making inaugurations, and important commemorations.

Here in Maryland the inauguration of Wes Moore, Aruna Miller, Brooke Lierman, and several others represented historic firsts, which we were elated to celebrate. We can't wait to see the impact of our increasingly diverse leadership, both throughout the DMV and across the country!

Throughout the month we have also witnessed the incredible growing influence of Latino music, with Bad Bunny's enthralling Grammy's performance in an ode to Caribbean culture, and the news that Celia Cruz will be the first Afro-Latina to appear on a U.S. quarter.

February has also been a beautiful commemoration of Black History Month, as we have paused to reflect on the inspiring achievements of Afro-Latinos on U.S. culture, as well as the complexity of the Afro-Latino identity.

One of my favorite parts of our work is getting out into the community to share our story and empower others, and this month I had the pleasure of participating as a mentor in the Baltimore Business Journal's 10th annual Mentoring Monday event, and was able to join the Working Mom Hour Podcast to discuss Cool’s essential work building bridges between the mainstream and the Hispanic segment and the importance of knowing your worth!

It's been a celebratory start to the year, and we are looking forward to a busy spring, which is just around the corner!

Saludos, 

Veronica Cool

Historic Firsts During 2023 Inaugurations

History was made last month as Maryland witnessed the inauguration of its first Black governor, Wes Moore, alongside running mate Aruna Miller, the first woman of color and first immigrant to serve as lieutenant governor, who are both vocal advocates for the Latino community. As the new leaders of one of the most diverse states in the country, they voiced their commitment to "leave no one behind."

Other historic firsts include Brooke Lierman, who was sworn in as Maryland's first woman comptroller, and Anthony Brown, the state's first Black attorney general. We also saw progress in representation across the country, with a record-setting 54 Hispanic leaders now in the 118th Congress, and for the first time Hispanic legislators now make up over 10% of the 435-member House of Representatives. We are thrilled at the increasing diversity in leadership and representation!

A quarter of all U.S. Latinos self-identify as Afro-Latino, Afro-Caribbean, or of African descent with roots in Latin America. Our community’s rich and diverse mix of heritages has played an important role in shaping our country’s culture.

Afro-Latinos have a long history of overcoming obstacles and discrimination to carve out a place for themselves in the U.S. They have been a vital part of the civil rights movement, and their activism has been essential in the fight for equality and justice for all.

Our incredible Founder and CEO Veronica Cool was featured on the Working Mom Hour Podcast with Erica Mechlinski, Mads Caldwell, and Marla Clendenin, discussing Cool’s essential work building bridges between the mainstream and the Hispanic segment, her background and impressive accomplishments that led her to found Cool, the importance of knowing your value, and how she balances it all with being a mother of two!

The Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus kicked off the year with its Annual Community and Legislative Priorities Night, to discuss priorities and proposed solutions to issues that impact Maryland's Latino and immigrant communities, which included the participation of several of our key community partners.

Financial Health Workshop Series for Hispanic Students

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® has partnered with JPMorgan Chase to launch its Educación Financiera financial health education workshops as part of the Latin GRAMMY® Master Series. Through live and virtual sessions, high school seniors and college students will have access to money and credit management information and resources— and expert advice from financial leaders, music executives and creators.

“Empowering Hispanic and Latino students with financial education tools is key to building a stronger future for our communities,” said Silvana Montenegro, Global Head of Advancing Hispanics & Latinos at JPMorgan Chase. This collaboration is part of the ongoing efforts to drive inclusive economic growth and close the racial wealth gap for Latino and other unbanked and underbanked communities. 

Celia Cruz Becomes First Afro-Latina to Appear on U.S. Quarter

The Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz, has made history again as the first Afro-Latina selected to appear on the U.S. quarter! As part of the 2024 American Women Quarters Program, Celia will be honored along with four other pioneering women who made a significant impact on our nation. 

Known for her powerful voice and energetic performances, Celia Cruz was a cultural icon throughout the 20th century and a recipient of five Grammy Awards, a National Medal of Arts, and a posthumous Grammy for Lifetime Achievement. We are proud to see Celia, an Afro-Latina icon, be recognized for these significant contributions!

We are proud to have collaborated with Maryland Health Benefit Exchange in getting the word out to our Latino community about affordable health coverage, resulting in a record number of Marylanders enrolling in coverage for 2023 through Maryland Health Connection, and a 9% increase in enrollment among Hispanic residents compared to last year! Enrollment grew even more among Hispanic young adults ages 18-34: by nearly 13% in just one year.

Leveraging ARPA to Fund Hispanic Engagement Efforts

As the lingering COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect communities across the United States, small businesses, non-profits, and government agencies may struggle to find the funding needed to cover the costs of engaging and supporting Hispanic communities. Fortunately, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides many funding opportunities to support these important efforts.

Mentoring and Empowerment with the Baltimore Business Journal

Our very own Veronica Cool always prioritizes mentorship and empowerment for women and communities of color. We are proud that she was invited by the Baltimore Business Journal to participate as a mentor for their 10th annual Mentoring Monday event on February 27! 

The event empowers women by connecting them with the region’s most influential female leaders. 

Bad Bunny Showcases Power and Diversity of Latin Music During Grammy Awards

We are still talking about this! Bad Bunny wowed viewers with his electrifying performance at the 65th annual Grammy Awards!  

As a proud Puerto Rican musician, he showcased the diversity and power of Latin music to the world with an ode to Caribbean culture – all in Spanish too!

His performance at the award show and its positive reception solidifies the importance of representation and cultural influence in the music industry.

• March 1: United Latinas' Build Wealth with Confidence Workshop
• March 3: National Employee Appreciation Day
• March 4: Creative Alliance CIELO Artesanitos program begins [runs March 4-May 27] (Baltimore, MD)
• March 6: El Poder de Ser Mujer's 6th Annual Conference (Silver Spring, MD)
• March 6-8: HACR's Latina Empow(h)er Summit (Scottsdale, AZ)
• March 7-10: Annual LULAC National Legislative Conference & Awards Gala (Washington, D.C.)
• March 7-13: National Foreign Language Week
• March 8: International Women's Day
• March 9: Women of ALPFA Baltimore Presents: Latinas & Entrepreneurship (Baltimore, MD)
• March 12: Alianza Nacional de Dominicanas en America (ANDA)'s RED Latin Jazz Brunch, Hat Fashion Show & Contest (Silver Spring, MD)
• March 12: Daylight Saving Time begins
• March 20: First day of Spring
• March 20-22: 2023 USHCC Legislative Summit (Washington, D.C.)
• March 23: United Latinas' Women's Month Leadership Summit 2023 (Virtual)
• March 23: Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute's Tech Talk (Washington, D.C.)
• March 25: Maryland Day
• March 25: The BIG Baltimore Kite Fest (Baltimore, MD)
• March 25: Fiesta Del Sol: Latin American & Caribbean Festival (McLean VA)
• March 31: César Chávez Day

Latino Corporate Directors Association

The Latino Corporate Directors Association (LCDA) convenes accomplished Latino executives at the highest levels of corporate leadership who are committed to paying it forward and advancing the mission to develop, support and increase the number of US Latinos on corporate boards. Their model is focused on expanding opportunities and lifting up the next wave of Latino directors. LCDA serves as an advocate and resource to corporate boards, search firms, private equity, and institutional investors interested in gaining access to exceptional Latino board talent.

Centro de los Derechos del Migrante

Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, Inc. supports Mexico-based migrant workers to defend and protect their rights as they move between their home communities in Mexico and their workplaces in the United States. With their binational, multilingual staff and geographic reach they have grown in response to increasing needs for its advocacy and services and seek to overcome the border as a barrier to justice.

Aspen Institute Latinos and Society Program

The AILAS Program seeks to empower Latino communities and promote long-term economic growth and resiliency. They have four core initiatives: Scholarships for Latinos to participate in Aspen Institute leadership programs, Aspen Latino Business and Entrepreneurship Initiative, Research on the Latino Inclusion in the Digital Economy, and the Aspen Economic State of Latinos in America. They harness the Institute’s convening power to change the narrative about American Latinos, sharing Latino economic contributions and how these strengthen our nation’s global competitiveness and promote prosperity for all Americans. 

SUMA Wealth 

SUMA Wealth is the leading financial technology company devoted to increasing prosperity, opportunity, and financial inclusion for young, U.S. Latinos. Through a holistic approach of digital media, fin-tech, and virtual experiences, SUMA spices up dry and complex topics such as investment, debt management, and creating and sustaining wealth. By creating culturally relevant content and providing financial tools, they are demystifying and reimagining financial inclusion to help the Latino community both overcome current financial challenges and create a more prosperous future.

Centro Sol

Centro Sol promotes equity in health and opportunity for Latinos by advancing clinical innovations, diversity in research, education access and exposure, and advocacy in active partnership with the Johns Hopkins Institutions and our Latino neighbors. 

Yo Quiero Trabajo FB Group

YQT is a resource for Spanish-speaking individuals focused on workforce opportunities and development. Become a member today!