Message from our CEO, Veronica Cool

It's that time of year again! The holiday season sure did come around quickly this year, but Thanksgiving is upon us, and for most it marks the beginning of a busy time filled with family gatherings while also hustling to wrap up the year's projects.

Here at Cool, things certainly aren't slowing down. This month, we have taken part in several exciting initiatives and events! We proudly sponsored the City of Annapolis' Day of the Dead festival, celebrating a beautiful Hispanic tradition to honor our family and friends who are no longer with us and to rejoice in the love and fond memories which keep them alive in our hearts. Then, alongside several community partners, we shared in sisterhood at Latinas USA's 7th National Meeting of Latina Women.

We also had the honor of sharing important resources about higher education opportunities in healthcare with our community by partnering with Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Pharmacy for their virtual event, The NDMU Difference: Why our Doctor of Pharmacy Program is Right for You.

As we head into the season of gratitude, one thing we want to make sure to pause and celebrate is our latinidad. Yes, Hispanic Heritage Month is over, but we firmly believe that our culture and heritage are worth rejoicing all year long! Check out our special commemoration here. Throughout the holiday season we will continue to give thanks through a special series featuring members of our Maryland Latino community, so stay tuned via our social platforms!

Saludos, 

Veronica Cool

It's here! The FIFA World Cup, the world's most prestigious sports tournament, has just begun and will dominate international viewership for the next month. Fans around the globe have been waiting for more than four years to enjoy the show of pure excitement that delights billions. But even if this tournament is a worldwide phenomenon, in Latin America, the passion for soccer goes above and beyond. In most of the region’s countries, soccer is not just a sport, it’s a religión, a way of life, a community bond.



What’s more, soccer’s role and importance in mainstream American sports is undergoing a major shift: it is now the fastest-growing team sport in the U.S. Hispanic Americans, who watch nearly three times as much soccer as non-Hispanic fans, are fueling this growth, just as they’re driving many other demographic and cultural trends throughout the country. With growing popularity among women and youth as well, the U.S. soccer market is primed with potential—just in time to co-host the next World Cup in 2026. 

Ser Latino Es...

Celebrating our latinidad – during Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond. We are proud to be Latinos ourselves and serve our Latino community every day. Tune in as we hear from our dear partners and friends Chele González, Alex Núñez, Jenny The Voice, Gilberto Zelaya, and Pedro A. Palomino in English, Español and Spanglish!

Katya Echazaretta Makes History as First Mexican American in Space

This Summer, Katya Echazaretta made history when she became the first Mexican American to go to outer space. The 27-year-old electrical engineer took part in the Blue Origin flight as a Space for Humanity Ambassador. When she moved to the U.S. from Guadalajara, Mexico at the age of 7, she began dreaming of going into space after her mom told her it would be the most difficult thing to accomplish. Truly inspirational! 

Hearing success stories like these is an important reminder to our Latino youth of what is possible. In order to democratize access to the STEM field, it is essential to improve education and skills-training initiatives.

November is National Entrepreneurship Month! Did you know that in the U.S., Latino-owned businesses generate nearly $500 billion in annual revenue and employ approximately 3.4 million people?

On Small Business Saturday, let’s support entrepreneurs who serve our community and fuel the American economy! Here is a great resource to find a local Latino-owned business to support near you.

Do you know a great Latino business owner whose products or services should be featured in Amigos' 2022 Holiday Gift Guide? Nominate them here!

Diabetes in Hispanic Communities:

Impact & Prevention

We all know someone living with diabetes, but what most people don’t know is that Hispanic adults are 70% more likely than their non-Hispanic white counterparts to be diagnosed with diabetes by a physician, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Diabetes can be a dangerous and even deadly chronic condition and understanding why it disproportionately impacts the Hispanic community is key to eradicating health disparities. 

There is still a significant need for culturally sensitive diabetes education and management programs that consider diverse traditions and practices, while maintaining high-quality care. Ultimately, this requires changes at both the clinical and organizational levels for health care institutions. Additionally, health literacy as a whole, whether taught in k-12 or in medical settings, needs to be modified to be inclusive of these cultural aspects. 

NDMU School of Pharmacy Shares Resources

In partnership with Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Pharmacy, our founder and CEO Veronica Cool recently moderated a virtual information session, The NDMU Difference: Why Our Doctor of Pharmacy Program is Right for You, during which alumni, faculty, staff, and students discussed a range of topics, including available scholarships and financial aid, leadership and community engagement opportunities through the school, the benefits of a career in pharmacy, how to prepare for a graduate-level healthcare program, tips for applications and interviews, and the School of Pharmacy’s connection to Puerto Rico.

Where to Donate for Giving Tuesday

Want to support the Latino community this Giving Tuesday but not sure where to donate? There are many to choose from, but Maryland Latinos Unidos, Creative Alliance, Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Latino Economic Development Center, Southeast CDC, Centro Sol, Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, and Latino Providers Network are some of our preferred partners!

• November: National Diabetes Month, National Entrepreneurship Month 
• November 24: Thanksgiving
• November 26: Small Business Saturday
• November 28: Latino Providers Network Annual Holiday Celebration (Baltimore, MD)
• November 29: Giving Tuesday
• November 30: Centro Sol's Holiday Drive Begins
• November 30: Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute's Public Policy Congressional Briefing: Changing TV Platforms (Washington, D.C.)
• December 1: World AIDS Day
• December 2: SaludConTech Digial Health Equity Conference (Hybrid: virtual and l.A., CA)
• December 2: Women Palante's End of Year Campaign with Kendra Scott's Giving Back Program (Bethedsa, MD)
• December 3: World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil & Reception hosted by Salem United Methodist Church (Baltimore, MD)
• December 6-8: Latinx Health Equity Summit (Phoenix, AZ)
• December 8: Latinas Network 2nd Annual Dinner (Location TBD)
• December 8: 22nd Annual Minority Legislative Breakfast (Rockville, MD)
• December 8: ALPFA Baltimore's Appreciation Gala (Baltimore, MD)
• December 10: Human Rights Day
• December 10: Launch Your Dream Business Bootcamp [Empieza el negocio de tus suenos], hosted by Latino Economic Development Center (Washington, D.C.)
• December 10: Latino Racial Justice Circle December Meeting (Baltimore, MD)
• December 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe
• December 15: Maryland Latino Unidos: People's Policy Series December Meeting (Virtual)
• December 16-24: Las Posadas
• December 18: International Migrants Day
• December 20: Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Masquerade Holiday Party (Baltimore, MD)
• December 24: Nochebuena
• December 25: Christmas
• December 31: New Year's Eve

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development: Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many homeowners experienced and continue to experience financial difficulties paying their mortgages or other home-related expenses. To provide financial relief to those affected by the loss of income or increased cost of living, the American Rescue Plan Act established the Homeowner Assistance Fund, or HAF. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development will distribute the funds among homeowners in need of assistance. In addition, the Department provides tools to homeowners to mitigate losses, financing to help with mortgages and other housing costs, counseling and legal services.

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. 

The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

USHCC actively promotes the economic growth, development, and interests of more than 4.7 million Hispanic-owned businesses that, combined, contribute over $800 billion to the American economy every year. It advocates on behalf of its network of more than 250 local chambers and business associations nationwide, and also partners with more than 260 major American corporations. 

Yo Quiero Trabajo FB Group

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