#LeadTheChange Latinx-Owned Business Roundtable – Western Mass

Join us for one of our Minority-Owned Business Roundtable Series geared towards Meaningful Access & Upward Mobility for All. This is an opportunity to meet with business leaders and community at large in an environment that fosters learning, networking and information exchange related to your business growth and workforce development.

About the Series

In the U.S., minority business enterprises (MBEs) contribute substantially to the economy. Minority firms are growing at a faster rate than non-minority firms and the minority-owned business sector plays a critical role in reducing the unemployment rate nationally. Language and cultural barriers, technology gaps, and the lack of existing credit lines make it challenging for minority entrepreneurs to get the help and funds they need to keep their doors open and staff on payroll– and the situation is only getting worse.

Job creation, innovation, economic parity, and productivity in the country will suffer as a result of the loss of MBEs. As a result, Commonwealth Corporation and our local partners are dedicated to aggressively address the constraints in place to ensure the short-term survival and long-term success of MBEs.

We will be hosting a dynamic speaker followed by an interactive roundtable, where we will be discussing how to create meaningful access for minorities to state funding, what barriers are in place and which programs are available to overcome these barriers and promote impact and success.

This event will also have a component of networking and referrals with local partners that cater to Minority-Owned Businesses. There is no cost to attend this event.

Learn more about this initiative and other local events geared towards Minority-Owned Businesses here →

Meet the Speakers

Josiane Martinez

Founder and CEO, Archipelago Strategies Group

Josiane holds nearly 20 years of experience working in public policy, cross cultural communications, public affairs and public administration. At ASG, she’s the marketing mastermind behind campaigns that have generated record results for clients, particularly in the Public Health sector. Prior to founding Archipelago Strategies Group, she served as Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Josiane is a musician and poet at heart. She holds BA in Public Communications from the University of Puerto Rico and an MBA with a concentration in Marketing from Simmons University.

Jesús García Mota

PowerUp Business Outreach Coordinator, Amplify Latinx

In April 2022, Jesús García Mota joined the Amplify Latinx team as the inaugural PowerUp Business Outreach Coordinator. Jesús moved to the United States in 2009 to work as Deputy Officer in the Department of Citizen Protection at the Consulate General of Mexico in Boston. In that job, he built 9 years of experience in constituent services assisting immigrant populations in five New England states. He has engaged with people facing very challenging situations, including poverty, imprisonment or immigration detention, and victims of crime, ensuring they were aware of their legal rights and felt supported every step of the way.

In September 2017, he joined the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services to serve as a liaison for the East Boston neighborhood, and in 2019 he took the role as Citywide Latino Liaison for the administrations of the Mayors; Marty Walsh, Kim Janey, and Michelle Wu. During this time he provided community services, organized community meetings, and helped to resolve constituent issues by partnering with neighborhood leadership in the City of Boston.

Pedro Sánchez

President & Founder, BlueX | Coach, LEDC

Pedro Sánchez is a speaker, author, entrepreneur, and Founder of BlueX, with over 20 years of experience in leadership, management, coaching, and training in diverse sectors and organizations. He is also a coach for the Latino Economic Development Corporation. Sánchez has trained in Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University and the Maxwell Leadership Team and, throughout the years, has developed strategies that have demonstrated positive outcomes for based communities of color. Most recently developed a self-paced financial literacy program for the Latino Community.

As a leader, he seeks to support individuals in their pursuit of advancement. His core values are rooted in integrity, loyalty, and people. He strives to empower individuals by deconstructing limited beliefs, identifying growth opportunities, and empowering them by highlighting strengths and endless possibilities. His commitment is to lead from a place of truth and grace, ultimately propelling them towards purpose and legacy.

Meet our Partners

EforAll Holyoke

In 2018, SPARK Holyoke joined forces with EforAll to create an even stronger entrepreneur ecosystem for entrepreneurs in the local area. Just one year later, the EforAll Holyoke team can be found at their beautiful new co-working space in the heart of downtown Holyoke.

Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll) is accelerating economic and social impact through inclusive entrepreneurship in communities nationwide. EforAll offers free one-year business training programs with dedicated mentors in English and Spanish.

Latino Economic Development Corporation

Established in 2021, The Latino Economic Development Corporation’s mission is to work with different partners throughout New England area connecting the Latino Business community to: Capital Infusion, Coaching & Professional Development, as well as Connecting them to a network through advocacy to make their voices be heard.

Western Mass Economic Development Council

The Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts (EDC) is a private, not-for-profit corporation that provides resources and information to businesses operating in or entering the region by aiding in expansion, relocation and networking.

Its mission is to deliver the services and business resources that will enable companies to thrive in Western Massachusetts while improving the region’s economy and lifestyle through the creation of quality jobs and enhanced public and private investment. They accomplish this through their own work and the collective efforts of nine affiliated partner organizations: the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, Springfield Regional Chamber, Amherst Business Improvement District, Springfield Business Improvement District, Westmass Area Development Corporation, Westover Metropolitan Airport, Valley Venture Mentor, ERC5 and SpringfieldWorks.Learn More →

ALPFA Boston

ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals For America) was the first national Latino professional association in the United States, established in Los Angeles in 1972. Throughout our 50-year history we have experienced steady growth and demonstrated consistent value. ALPFA continues to build upon its proud legacy with a mission: To empower and develop Latino men and women as leaders of character for the nation, in every sector of the global economy.

Supplier Diversity Office (SDO)

The SDO’s mission is to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in state contracting for businesses owned by minorities, women, Portuguese, veterans, service-disabled veterans, those with a disability, and LGBT individuals, as well as small Massachusetts businesses. The SDO certifies these businesses and manages several programs that help them enhance their marketability when bidding on public contracts.