Latest news with #Latinos'
Business Wire
28-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
The Latino Donor Collaborative Releases Preliminary Numbers from Part One of the 2025 Official LDC U.S. Latino GDP Report™: U.S. Latino Economy Hits $4 Trillion, Surpassing UK and India
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC) today released preliminary data of its 2025 Official LDC U.S. Latino GDP Report™, the eighth edition of its annual report. The data reveals that the U.S. Latino economy has reached a historic $4 trillion in GDP, surpassing major global economies including India, the United Kingdom, and France. The full report will be published later this year. 'The U.S. Latino cohort is one of the most powerful forces in today's economy. Anyone who wants to grow market share or drive innovation needs to start here.' - Sol Trujillo, Chairman of the Latino Donor Collaborative. Share The findings confirm that Latinos are not only vital to U.S. prosperity, they are its most dynamic growth engine. Since 2017, when LDC first began measuring Latino GDP at $2.17 trillion, the U.S. Latino economy has grown at an impressive average annual rate of 4.4%. In fact, from 2015 to 2023, it doubled in size, far outpacing the 30% growth of the overall U.S. GDP during the same period, highlighting Latinos' outsized role in U.S. economic growth. 'The information in this report is critical for leaders across the country in business, investment, policy, and media,' said Sol Trujillo, Chairman of the Latino Donor Collaborative. 'The U.S. Latino cohort is one of the most powerful forces in today's economy. Anyone who wants to grow market share or drive innovation needs to start here.' Preliminary key findings include: The U.S. Latino GDP hit $4 trillion in 2023, doubling since 2017. It remains the second fastest-growing economy in the world, behind only China. Latino purchasing power surged to $4.1 trillion, growing 2.4 times faster than that of non-Latinos. Latino consumer spending reached $2.5 trillion, growing at 4.9% annually, more than double the non-Latino rate. Latino Gross Domestic Income is growing 2.5 times faster than that of the rest of the country. 'This is not just a report, it's a strategic wake-up call,' said Ana Valdez, CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative. 'The data tells a simple story: Latinos are driving U.S. growth.'
Int'l Business Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Democrats Shift Focus Away From Immigration And To The Economy To Capitalize Trump's Plunge With Latinos
Throughout the 2024 general election cycle, countless polls showed that Latinos' no. 1 priority was the economy and pocketbook issues, not immigration. Now, as the latter continues to be a controversial issue, with the Trump administration taking steps to crack down immigration, Democrats are catching up, trying to court Latinos through their economic plans and goals. A September Pew Research Center poll showed that 85% of Latino voters viewed the economy as the most important issue of the 2024 presidential election, followed by health care (71%), violent crime (62%), gun policy (62%), and immigration (59%). Another November poll from UnidosUS showed 52% of respondents ranked inflation and cost of living as the most important issue of the elections, followed by jobs and the economy (36%), housing costs and affordability (27%) and health care costs (25%). Donald Trump's victory, who as a candidate promised economic prosperity and a severe crackdown on immigration, helped solidify this view, bringing a record-number of Latinos to the polls last fall. Because of this, liberal strategists, organizers and some politicians are urging Democrats to increasingly focus on the economy in this year's elections, rather than on immigration, a new report from The Associated Press explains. They argue that concrete plans on the economy can translate better across nationalities and cultures, unlike more controversial issues like immigration. "Where we fell short was failing to fully appreciate the bread-and-butter economic issues that were driving them," said Tom Perez, a former Democratic National Committee chair who advised President Joe Biden. He is now co-chair of the American Bridge 21st Century, a group that does opposition research on Republicans. "Many folks felt like we were too focused on identity politics and not focused enough on the cost of eggs, the cost of gas, the cost of living." Likewise, Chuck Rocha, a Democratic strategist who mobilized Latinos for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential bid in 2020 and for U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego last year, as well as started a super PAC to reach out to Latinos in key races, told the AP that Democrats "mess up by bringing a policy book to a boxing match." "It's about three things: affordability, affordability, affordability," he said. "Affordability is the only thing that they care about because that's what's hitting them in the face every day." The pivoted strategy will come to the center stage during New Jersey's primary for governor . The race is crowded among Democrats with different track records and points of view, including congressman Josh Gottheimer, Newark mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City mayor Steven Fulop, congresswoman Mikie Sherrill and former state Senate president Steve Sweeney. Most notably, Sherrill has molded her campaign to focus on her military service while also arguing how she will stand up to Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk. One of her ads promises she will "drive down costs from health care to housing." On the other hand, Baraka has gained national attention for his pro-immigration activism, recently being arrested for protesting against U.S. immigration authorities' plans to open a detention facility in his city. A new strategy could work for Democrats at this time, as the president is seeing collapsing approval ratings among Latinos. A May AP-NORC poll found that 38% of Hispanic adults approve of Trump's handling of the economy, which is roughly in line with U.S. adults overall. Originally published on Latin Times Elections Donald trump Immigration New Jersey
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Undocumented Immigrant Students Protected by Plyler v. Doe Ruling
This article was originally published in Beacon: Kansas City. Students began asking questions soon after President Donald Trump took office. 'How old do I have to be to adopt my siblings?' an area student asked a teacher, worried that their parents could be deported. 'Can I attend school virtually?' asked another student, reasoning that they would be safer from being targeted by immigration agents if they studied online at home. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter A straight-A student from a South American country stunned and saddened her teacher by saying, 'So when are they going to send me back?' 'Can I borrow a laminator?' asked another, who wanted to make a stack of 'Know Your Rights' flyers sturdier. High schoolers have been passing the guides out, informing people what to do if stopped and questioned about immigration status. Trump campaigned on a vow to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, boasting of mass deportations. What that might mean for the children of targeted immigrants, or whether they would be rounded up, has been the subject of speculation, rumor and fear. In early March, the Trump administration began detaining families at a Texas center, with the intention of deporting the children and adults together. Kansas City area school districts are responding, training teachers and staff on protocols in case immigration agents try to enter a school and sending notices to parents. 'Not every school district, not every charter school, not every private school, has addressed the issue,' said Christy J. Moreno with Revolución Educativa, a Kansas City nonprofit advocating for Latinos' educational success. Parents in some local schools have had their fears calmed through district communication. 'There have been some districts that have been a little bit more public about their stance on this, but in general terms, they're not being very public,' said Moreno, an advocacy and impact officer. 'It's because of all the executive orders and the fear that federal funding will be taken away.' Indeed, when asked to comment, most area districts declined or pointed to district policy posted online. Immigrant children's right to attend public school, K-12, is constitutionally protected. A 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Plyler v. Doe, guarantees it regardless of immigration status. The Plyler ruling also ensures that schools do not ask the immigration status of children as they enroll, something that area districts have emphasized in communication to parents. The Shawnee Mission School District relies on policies that are the responsibility of building administrators if any external agency, such as law enforcement, requests access to or information about a student. 'We strongly believe that every child deserves free and unfettered access to a quality public education, regardless of immigration status,' said David A. Smith, chief communications officer, in a statement. 'While we cannot control the actions of others, we can control how we respond.' Schools were once understood to be off limits for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Schools were considered to be 'sensitive places,' along with hospitals and places of worship. Trump rescinded that nearly 14-year-old policy by executive order immediately upon taking office in January. In February, the Denver Public Schools sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, arguing that the schools' duty to educate students was hindered by the change. Students were missing school out of fear, the Colorado educators said. And administrators and teachers were forced to redirect resources to train staff on how to react in case immigration agents entered school grounds. On March 7, a federal judge sided with Homeland Security in denying the injunction. The ruling gleaned some clarity for schools, with the government noting that the current policy requires 'some level of approval on when to conduct an action' in a school. But that guardrail doesn't negate anxieties, the judge acknowledged. In the Kansas City area, one mother, with two children in public school, indicated that her district's support was too hesitant. 'I know that the districts at this time have not come out in support of immigrant families in these difficult times,' she said. 'They are just being very diplomatic, saying that education comes first.' Plyler v. Doe isn't as universally understood as Brown v. Board of Education. The U.S. Supreme Court case guaranteeing immigrant children's right to a public K-12 education is a landmark decision, said Rebeca Shackleford, director of federal government relations for All4Ed, a national nonprofit advocating for educational equity. 'Kids are losing out already, even though they still have their right to this education,' Shackleford said. 'There are kids who are not in school today because their parents are holding them back.' The class-action case originated in Texas. In 1975, the state legislature said school districts could deny enrollment to children who weren't 'legally admitted' into the U.S., withholding state funds for those children's education. Two years later, the Tyler district decided to charge $1,000 tuition to Mexican students who couldn't meet the legally admitted requirement. James Plyler was the superintendent of the Tyler Independent School District. The case was brought by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Lower courts ruled for the children and their parents, noting that the societal costs of not educating the children outweighed the state's harm. The lower courts also ruled the state could not preempt federal immigration law. Eventually the case was taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court, which in 1982 upheld the rights of the students to receive a K-12 education, 5-4, citing the 14th Amendment's equal-protection clause. 'By denying these children a basic education,' the court said, 'we deny them the ability to live within the structure of our civic institutions, and foreclose any realistic possibility that they will contribute in even the smallest way to the progress of our Nation.' The court also said that holding children accountable for their parents' actions 'does not comport with fundamental conceptions of justice.' There have been efforts by state legislatures to challenge the ruling. In 2011, Alabama saw a dramatic drop in Latino student attendance, even among U.S.-born children, when the state ordered districts to determine the immigration status of students as they enrolled. The law was later permanently blocked by a federal court. Tennessee is currently debating passage of a law similar to the Texas law that led to the Plyler ruling. The proposed law would allow districts to charge undocumented students tuition, and would require districts to check the legal status of students as they enrolled. The bill recently passed out of an education committee. The chilling effect of such proposals, like current calls for mass deportations, can be widespread for children, advocates said. 'How can you learn if you're worried about whether or not your parents are going to be home when you get home from school?' Shackleford said. Teachers nationwide are seeing the impact as students worry for themselves, their parents and friends. 'I think sometimes we forget that the words that we use as adults and the messages that we send are affecting our kids,' Shackleford, a former teacher, said. 'And no one feels that more than teachers and classroom educators, because they're right there in the rooms and hearing this and seeing the pain of their students.' Voids in information leave room for misinformation, which is quickly spread by social media. Local advocates for immigrant rights have been tamping down rumors about raids, especially in regard to schools. There have not been any reported incidents involving ICE agents inside or on local K-12 school grounds. But in February, a man was detained near a Kansas City school, presumably as he was getting ready to drop a child off for the day's lessons. Homeland Security officials arrested a man they said had previously been deported. Staff of the Guadalupe Centers Elementary & Pre-K School acted quickly, escorting the child into the building. For districts, managing communications can be a balance. North Kansas City Schools began getting questions from parents about ICE and Customs and Border Protection early this year. On Jan. 24, the district sent a notice to parents emphasizing policies that had been in place for several years. 'In general, law enforcement has the same limited level of access to student records as members of the public with no special permissions,' according to the notice. 'Law enforcement agents are not permitted to speak with nor interact with students without a valid subpoena, court order or explicit parent permission unless it's an emergency situation.' Kansas City Public Schools Superintendent Jennifer Collier addressed immigration in a late January board meeting. Collier said that work had begun 'behind the scenes' after Trump rescinded the sensitive-places policy. 'What we didn't want to do was to get out front and begin to alarm everybody, to create anxiety,' Collier said, noting the 'feelings of heaviness and in some cases feelings of hopelessness.' All staff would be trained, including legal and security teams, in identifying valid court orders or warrants. She emphasized the emotional well-being of students. And the district has posted guidance online. 'We're going to make it to the other side of this,' Collier told her board. 'So hold on. Don't lose hope.' This article first appeared on Beacon: Kansas City and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Forbes
10-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Latino Freeze Movement Economic Opportunities And Challenges
Vector illustration of the word Boycott red ink stamp Something is happening that exemplifies the Latino community's socioeconomic power, strength, and significance: The Latino Freeze Movement. The Latino Freeze Movement is an economic resistance movement that leverages Latino spending power to foster respect and inclusion. Structural inequities are pervasive in Latinos' lives, but they have started to erode primarily due to social policy commitments to diversity and equity. However, calls to eliminate or roll back these policies have begun to negatively affect previously achieved victories for equitable access and opportunity. The directive to dismantle policies designed to address diversity and inequities has ignited a call to action for many Latinos. Civil rights activist Dolores Huerta aptly says, 'If you don't respect our community, then you shouldn't have our dollars.' Professor Caroline Chen of San Jose State University notes that the Latino Freeze Movement is a targeted spending boycott led by various Latino leaders and consumers. The boycott focuses on companies that have set aside diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, with movement leaders encouraging Latinos to significantly alter their buying habits. When purchasing necessities, if possible, the Latino Freeze Movement says that Latino consumers should not patronize businesses that have discarded their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Furthermore, when considering discretionary spending - such as buying a new purse or dining at fast-food restaurants - Latino consumers are encouraged to adjust their choices to support companies prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, they should strive to support Latino and Black-owned businesses, especially small enterprises, for all purchases. For example, when grocery shopping or looking for new shoes or a tote bag, Latinos' first choice should be to buy from a local business owned by a Latino or Black entrepreneur. Avoiding large corporations that have abandoned their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs should take precedence for Latino consumers. Movement leaders also suggest that if a necessary item cannot be found at a local Latino or Black-owned business, it should be purchased from a company dedicated to maintaining its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. A 2022 McKinsey & Company report revealed that Latinos are the fastest-growing segment of the nation's GDP. According to a 2023 report from researchers at Arizona State University, Latinos contribute $3.2 trillion to the U.S. GDP, while their purchasing power is $3.4 trillion. These significant economic markers, combined with the Latino population's youth, labor force participation rates, increasing levels of educational attainment, and their role in population growth, indicate that businesses need and rely on Latino consumers. "Businesses must seek to understand the impact the community has on their workforces and customer bases or be left behind,' says Professor Dennis Hoffman at the L. William Seidman Research Institute at Arizona State University. Businesses need Latinos to increase, or at least maintain, their purchasing levels. The economic behavior of Latinos is crucial for companies to achieve healthy bottom lines, ensure heavy traffic in online and brick-and-mortar stores, and sustain growth - all of which are essential for a robust economy. 'It is truly striking how vital the Latino cohort is for the U.S. economy,' says Arizona State University Professor and Business School Dean Ohad Kadan. Further elaborating on the importance of Latino economic power, he says, "Business leaders around the nation should internalize the growth of the Latino economic power for the success of their businesses.' The Latino Freeze Movement jeopardizes the steady flow of customers purchasing goods and services, affecting company profits and sustained growth. A boycott in which Latino consumers choose not to spend their dollars at specific stores or significantly reduce their spending will considerably impact businesses. This impact will be quantifiable and substantial. However, like most economic actions, there are likely to be unintended consequences resulting from the Latino Freeze Movement. Latina restocking merchandise at a big box store. There is no doubt that if the Latino Freeze Movement gains the momentum that many business leaders believe it will, certain stores may become less crowded, experience a decline in profits, and reduce workers' hours or even lay off employees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Latinos make up approximately 19% of the workforce in the service sector. One potential and unfortunate consequence of a successful Latino Freeze Movement is that Latino workers in service occupations, such as retail and customer service, may face economic hardship due to lost wages from reduced hours or layoffs. Simultaneously, the success of The Latino Freeze Movement is likely to result in more shoppers and purchases at businesses dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion. These businesses may need additional workers and increased hours for current employees. However, those businesses are unlikely to have the capacity to employ all the workers who may experience reduced hours or job loss at the companies that have abandoned their commitment to equity and fairness. While these unintended consequences are unfortunate, they also provide opportunities. Latina small business owners. The Latino Freeze Movement has the potential to remind companies that attention to a diverse workforce and a respected consumer base is as crucial as selling goods and services. If companies fail to show the respect Dolores Huerta spoke of, Latinos have an opening to develop and nurture creative and economically robust alternatives for their community. They can foster support for expanding the already significant entrepreneurial activities within the Latino community and enhance the skill levels of Latino workers. Moreover, the Latino Freeze Movement and its consequences afford Latinos a unique opportunity to reshape the community's economic landscape and wealth accumulation prospects. One specific action that can be taken is to generate economic support for Latinos to start new businesses. If Latino consumers stop purchasing goods and services from companies that have abandoned their commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion, these consumers will need to find alternative businesses. The demand for goods and services within the Latino community will not disappear. What better place to invest Latino consumer dollars than in Latino-owned businesses? Another potential action is for Latino leaders to identify and support improved job and educational training opportunities for Latino workers who may experience reduced work hours or layoffs due to a successful Latino Freeze Movement. These opportunities will enable affected Latino workers to enhance their educational and work credentials, potentially expanding their job options and possibilities. The Latino Freeze Movement's demand for respect and equity in exchange for their dollars sends a powerful message to businesses. Simultaneously, it creates opportunities for expanding Latino entrepreneurial activities and enhancing the work skills of Latino workers, which, in turn, will benefit the Latino community and the nation.
Forbes
28-03-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Excellence Was On Display, As The Council For Urban Professionals Builds Pipeline To Power
Never underestimate the impact of positive voices. As some of America's biggest and most recognizable companies, CEOs and boards of directors continue to fold and pivot away from investing in the power that lies within America's multicultural workforces, nonprofit groups are continuing to inspire, elevate and empower them. One of those organizations is the Council for Urban Professionals (CUP). This month, in the heart of midtown in New York City, under the vision of empowering the modern workforce in a changing world, CUP hosted a half-day experiential, cross-industry event to bring together over 400 registered mid-career professionals and inspiring senior thought leaders from all backgrounds in a town hall format. Their annual Pipeline to Power Summit focused on both the challenges and opportunities to deliver excellence in today's corporate environment. While the solutions may be academic in some cases, others—such as networking with like-minded professionals seeking to accelerate their careers—may be the key to unlocking that spark of imagination to proactively create a roadmap for their next steps. Held in the heart of midtown in NYC, CUPs 7th Annual Pipeline to Power Summit showcased the steps ... More needed to be taken by executives to overcome the recent attacks on DEI Pictured: Melissa Fenton | Executive Director, CUP, Angelina Darrisaw | CEO, C-Suite Coach, Maryam Banikarim | Co-Founder, MaryamB + NYCNext, James Francis | Founder, Artificial Integrity, Sam Lalanne | Managing Director and Chief Diversity Officer, Morgan Stanley It's no secret that America's demographics are evolving. Building a bridge to be inclusive of these new, exciting voices allows companies to overcome what has become an historic blind spot with these consumers. Addressing this blind spot encompasses messaging, marketing and elevating their importance within business and the economy at large. How big is this blind spot? Over $6 trillion domestically. It is estimated that Black Americans' spending power sits between $1.4 trillion and $1.8 trillion annually, a powerful economic bloc that's comparable to the gross domestic products of Mexico, Canada and Italy. Latinos' purchasing power in the U.S. reached $3.4 trillion in 2021 and grew over two times faster than non-Latino counterparts. Asian Americans, with $1.3 trillion in buying power, have a median household income of $104,646, well above the average income in the U.S. This demographic has grown 314% over the past two decades, becoming the fastest-growing of all ethnicity groups. Tapping into these consumer markets is not only smart, but also necessary for robust corporate bottom lines. An added bonus is that the collective intelligence, insights and skillsets of diverse populations provide opportunities for employers to strengthen their workforce head counts. Over 400 people gathered in the heart of midtown Manhattan to network to continue your career growth More and more professionals are seeking to increase their business knowledge and potentially pivot their careers. Networking is crucial for both of these goals, particularly career advancement, with so many people seeking new career opportunities, whether with their current employer or elsewhere. According to a LinkedIn survey, 54% of Americans say they plan to look for a new position this year. Why is this number so high? In 2024, many people who said they were looking for a role didn't find one, so they're still in the market today. CUP was born in 2007, to support the career progression of talented professionals nationwide, focusing on New York City and Los Angeles and more recently Martha's Vineyard. Today they serve nearly 20,000 professionals, of which, over 500 have graduated from their Fellows Program. Founded by Tarrus Richardson, CEO of IMB Partners, CUP's mission is to inspire, elevate and empower the next generation of business and civic leaders, by working with corporate partners - 75 and counting - and striving to connect more with individuals in finance, law and tech among other groups. Tarrus Richardson, Founder of CUP, alongside Michael A. Persaud, who serves as CUP Chairman of the ... More Board. 'In addition to our skill-building programs, we curate groups for cutting-edge conversations through our Forums and Summits." said Melissa Fenton, executive director of CUP "Ultimately, we recognize merit-based talent and individuals who are committed to giving back to others, and also recognize veterans who have served and sacrificed for our country.' Or, as Michael A. Persaud, who serves as the organization's board chair, and portfolio manager, global sports and entertainment associate director at Morgan Stanley puts it, 'CUP's core value proposition is to shine a light on the excellence and high performance of a group sometimes overlooked within the five industries we serve: finance, law, media/entertainment, tech and sports. We're providing pathways for them to connect the appropriate dots for further success.' In conversation: Melissa Fenton, Executive Director of CUP and Tiffany Dufu, President Tory Burch ... More Foundation. As the future of work evolves, engaging with CUP could be the game-changer for talent and businesses. Due to the organizations' ability to cross-pollinate across industries and fields, both public and private, they may prove to be the best path forward for job seekers looking to make a change. Their next Summit will take place in August in Martha's Vineyard where discussions on entrepreneurship, financial planning for ownership opportunities and investment strategies, will thrive. "At a time when DEI has been reduced by so many to refer only to race and sexual orientation, It's important to emphasize that it also means, contributing various perspectives, neurodiversity and disability, cultural and generational differences, and much more." stated Ms. Fenton
