¡El Poder Empresarial! Why Latino Business Week is Vital for Minneapolis' Future

The corazón of Minneapolis beats stronger because of its diverse business community, and this October, we are thrilled to spotlight the immense contributions of our Latine entrepreneurs during the City of Minneapolis' Second Annual Latino Business Week (October 5 - October 11).

This week-long celebration, coinciding with National Hispanic Heritage Month, is a powerful affirmation of the Latine community's economic influence, innovation, and resilience.

A Week Dedicated to Éxito Empresarial

The City has curated an essential schedule aimed at celebrating existing success while fostering future growth. This is about building capacity and creating connections. Events throughout the week include:

• The NDC Latino Business Week Summit (Éxito Empresarial): A key day for networking, sharing vital resources, and connecting with established Latine business leaders via inspiring panel discussions.

• Contingency and Continuity Plan Workshops (Plan de Continuidad y Contingencia): Crucial sessions focused on strategic planning, financial reporting, and risk management—skills essential for long-term wealth building and business stability.

• Arts & Business Activations (Latinidad en Acción): Highlighting the incredible intersection of Latine creativity, culture, and commerce, demonstrating that our economic contributions are deeply rooted in our vibrant identity.

The Importance: Economic Inclusion and Wealth Creation

Why is an official Latino Business Week so important? Because it directly addresses the need for Economic Inclusion.

Latino-owned businesses are one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. economy. They are not just creating opportunities for their families; they are creating jobs, revitalizing neighborhoods, and significantly diversifying the city's economic portfolio. By officially hosting and promoting this week, the City of Minneapolis is publicly acknowledging the undeniable role Latino entrepreneurs play as primary engines of local prosperity. This spotlight provides the essential visibility and access to resources needed for these businesses to scale.

LatinoLEAD: Connecting Business Week to Our Mission

At LatinoLEAD, our mission is to drive impact through economic and workforce development. Latino Business Week is a perfect manifestation of this work. Some of the events include but are not limited to:

1. Fostering Entrepreneurship: The workshops and summits directly empower our community members with the tools needed to start, sustain, and successfully grow their ventures. This is the ultimate form of workforce development—creating the jobs themselves.

2. Building Human Capital: Events focusing on strategic planning and leadership are essential for strengthening the skills of Latine professionals and business owners. This aligns with our efforts to elevate Latine leadership across all sectors.

3. Mobilizing Networks: The networking mixers and forums create the vital social capital—the connections, mentorship, and peer support—that are often the difference between a stalled business and a thriving one.

We view the success of Latino Business Week as a measure of progress in our collective goal: to ensure that the economic success of the Latine community is fully realized and integrated into the broader success of Minnesota.

We encourage all our community members, partners, and corporate allies to attend and engage. Let's celebrate our accomplishments, invest in our future, and continue to build a stronger, more inclusive economy together!

Learn more and register for events: Latino Business Week - City of Minneapolis