2022 HCC Adelante Awards

2022 HCC AWARDS

ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, AT THE “FOUR SEASONS” HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN ST. LOUIS, THE “2022 ADELANTE AWARDS” EVENT WAS HELD.

This award ceremony was sponsored by several companies including Enterprise Holdings and the St. Louis Children’s Hospital to name a few. The entertainment included the participation of the master of ceremonies Carol Daniel from KMOX, and the guest of honor Domenika Lynch, who spoke about the importance of defining your power and knowing the resources available for the Latino/Hispanic community.

Domenika is the Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Latinos and Society Program (AILAS), with the mission of empowering Latino communities and promoting longterm economic growth and resiliency. Over the course of two decades in leadership roles, Domenika has overseen strategic planning, policy advocacy, and public affairs campaigns for nonprofits and corporations, increasing donor and stakeholder support and raising millions of dollars for organizational endowments.

As part of the program of the event, this year Facundo Oyenard was recognized for his 6 years of dedicated service, visionary guidance, exceptional leadership, and unconditional commitment serving as Chairman of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

The event ended up with words from Eduardo Platon, HCCSTL President & CEO, and gave way to the music of DJ Fonzo. Thank you to the Planning Committee for their hard work on this event: Ainette Martínez, Facundo Oyenard, Paola Read and Fernanda Estrada-Ridaura.

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year: Jacqueline Duty, Collinsville Daily News Hispanic Emerging Leader: Alejandro Santiago, Office Rep. Cori Bush

Hispanic Lifetime Achievement Award: Esmeralda Aharon, SLU School of Medicine Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Recognition: Enterprise Holdings

Hispanic Company of the Year: Tazmanian Freight Systems, Inc Hispanic Businessperson of the Year: Bruno Nobre, Minas Espresso

Civic Award of the Year: St. Louis Crisis Nursery, Latinx Outreach Program and Rene Vences, Carrollton Bank

Hispanic Emerging Business of the Year: CARTEL Strategies

Wow! I am still walking on cloud 9! From the reception to the dinner, the Adelante Awards committee of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (HCC) made sure attendees, nominees, and winners felt special and seen. The awards ceremony was high-class and yet, felt like home as we dined with family, colleagues, and friends. As a winner of the Hispanic Lifetime Achievement Award, the art piece I received as the award is indicative of the attention to detail demonstrated by the committee.

This was not a plastic, marble, or wood plaque. It is a work of art intricately drawn with colorful threads like the St. Louis Latino community, who came from many countries and became one. The award showcases the Huichol people from northern Jalisco, part of Nayarit, Zacatecas and Durango who remain true to their culture to this day. From this Latina Veteran who loves and supports all cultures and their people, to the HCC, muchas gracias! Friends next year when you see the ads go out for this event, get your ticket right then and there. You don’t want to miss it!

Esmeralda Aharon, M.A., Program Director, Staff & Community Engagement.

Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Saint Louis University School of Medicine.