Awards Gala 2021 by Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of NJ

YEAR IV * EDITION 04 * DECEMBER 2021

We are Strong because we are

FAMILIA

Voice of New Jersey´s 120,000 | Hispanic Owned Businesses

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LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN LUIS O DE LA HOZ “Quien lo vive es quien lo goza.”

Members and Family

Welcome to the 2021 Gala Event of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey!

t’s that time of the year again when our familia comes together to celebrate the holidays and connect with other SHCCNJ members and supporters with our shared culture and the spirit of entrepreneurship. We are excited to see how new and extended professional networks will evolve into flourishing partnerships and friendships beyond the New Year – 2022. On this evening, it is also essential to reflect on the invaluable lessons COVID continued to impart to our SHCCNJ community this past year. We may have had to take unexpected turns and adjust our schedules, budgets and business plans. Yet, we forged ahead, translating our experiences into powerful, actionable best practices that we can depend on for the sustainable growth of our businesses and our families’ livelihoods at home. Our perseverance and strong work ethic to secure upward mobility for our families demonstrated our capacity to impact beyond the 120,000 businesses Latinos own in New Jersey. Indeed, converting challenges into opportunities during COVID has been a master class for all of us. And while the lessons are many, I think you may agree three simple and powerful themes resonate: respect, love and celebration.

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We are proud of what each of you is accomplishing and the incredible exponential economic power we are as the thriving and communitybuilding chamber of small businesses. Respectively, the chamber has been a reliable support system for those of you seeking guidance and assistance. In 2021, SHCCNJ helped small businesses with the resources and know-how needed to effectively apply to federal, state, local grant programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), EIDL, SBA Express Bridge Loans, and SBA Debt Relief. Know that the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey is continually working to assist you with the tools and resources you need to prosper. We remain steadfast in our mission to promote the continued growth and development of New Jersey businesses. As such, we invite you to apply to our programs, including the upcoming Hispanic Entrepreneurship Training Program, which provides culturally and linguistically appropriate business education and mentorship services for free to Hispanic small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Let’s embrace the Hispanic business community’s resilience and that we are exceptional role models of the American Dream. When we work hard, we can reap the fruits of our labor or, as we say in Colombia, “Quien lo vive es quien lo goza.” We are profoundly grateful for the enduring support of our members, board, volunteers, staff, partners, and all of you who came together to build upon our accomplishments this past year. Join me in a toast wishing all of you – our peers, friends and family – a healthy and prosperous New Year 2022 filled with opportunities for growth and harmony.

Luis O. De La Hoz Chairman SHCCNJ Edition 4 | Page 3

A NOTE FROM OUR PRESIDENT & CEO

CARLOS MEDINA The numbers are out! Latinos are the leading ethnic group in the U.S. to open a business.

he 2020 Census data and the findings in the 2021 State Latino GDP Report confirm Latino’s population growth and our collective economic force in the United States. The total U.S. Latino Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the eighth largest globally. When represented as a country, it would surpass that of Italy’s or South Korea’s GDP. It places New Jersey as one of the eight states making up a combined $2.6 trillion GDP and 75% of the U.S. Latino population. And with our state’s GDP of $97 billion and Latino consumption of $73 billion likely well above the reported numbers for 2018, our economic impact is felt beyond our local economies. Yes. These numbers underscore what we, business owners and community leaders, have known all along. Our community’s strong work ethic, growing human capital and increasing lifespan are a powerful combination. And while major brands have begun to target Latinos with multicultural campaigns more representative of our diversity, they need to make more significant investments in their leadership and procurement contracts that align with our numbers. The fact remains that while Latinos make up 20% of the U.S. population, we hold only 3% of Fortune 1,000 board seats. I invite our members and business partners to work with us on a strategic call to action to drastically increase the inclusion of Hispanic members on corporate boards in 2022 and procurement opportunities. Together, we can do this! We are employers creating jobs that translate into tax revenue to support federal, state and local services and social programs that our employees and families in New Jersey can depend on. And as we know, our numbers are substantial in terms of our growing population and our increasing impact on large organizations’ revenue streams. That means essential opportunities for small business owners, such as providing multicultural marketing or healthcare services targeted to population segments with the know-how representing our values, traditions, and culture authentically. SHCCNJ knows well that Hispanic businesses stimulate local economies and can complement large corporations’ bottom lines more significantly. In effect, when organizations partner with Latino-owned small businesses, they can more effectively secure positive ROI. Correspondingly, SHCCNJ is driven to empower our members as we continue to grow and influence our participation in a profitable supply chain that expands from our local community to beyond our state’s border. In the coming year, we look to expand upon the successes we achieved in 2021 with our free entrepreneurial training programs, such as the Latina Entrepreneurship Training Series and Entrepreneurship Training Program. We will continue to create a path enabling small business owners to reach their goals by facilitating corporate networks, offering informational events and providing the assistance needed to secure state and federal grants and bank loans. And as we work on filling corporate board memberships with Latino talent, we will ensure that our Latinas are securely seated among the most influential C-Suite where they can lead with exponential impact. As your president and fellow Hispanic, I take pride in the humility of our familia of businesses. And as reflected in our powerful numbers, we can confidently celebrate that we are set on a path toward broader inclusivity and success with our individual accomplishments and collective achievements. Join us in driving our business community’s influence across all sectors and corporate boards as we move forward in 2022.

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Carlos Medina President & CEO SHCCNJ

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We are proud to support the

Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey Congratulations to all of the 2021 Awardees.

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“Congratulations to all of the 2021 Awardees”

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L I F E

STATEWIDE HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NEW JERSEY

Is the Engine Helping Hispanic Small Business Bounce Back Stronger from Covid-19 From shelter-in-place to recovery, the vitality of NJ Hispanic businesses has proved to be a consistent model of resilience. And as a resultsdriven organization, the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey is honored to be there for you during all challenges.

“We are Strong because we are FAMILIA”

As SHCCNJ members and friends witnessed during the early challenges of the global pandemic, our leadership and staff immediately pivoted into a multimedia channel empowered by our commitment to deliver relevant, timely and actionable information. Since then, we have been on a mission to serve the needs of our businesses and provide best practices for the well-being of everyone throughout New Jersey’s communities. We offered weekly ChamberTalks featuring guest speakers specializing in various industries, from storytelling to human

resources to SBA loan applications. Simultaneously, SHCCNJ President and CEO Carlos Medina and Chairman Luis De La Hoz worked with federal and state offices to advocate on behalf of our business owners, helping you receive grants and loans and have access to resources. Our legacy Covid-19 content and ChamberTalks episodes are available on the SHCCNJ website and YouTube Channel. COVID-19 disproportionately affected small businesses, especially those in the service and hospitality industries where indoor and outdoor capacity limits were lifted in New Jersey for the first time this past spring since we went into shelter-in-place in midMarch 2020. Yet, our state’s economic recovery is coming back stronger, with Hispanic-owned businesses paving the way motivated by an unapparelled work ethic and a laser-focus set on economic prosperity, firmly grounded on the path

toward the American Dream, our familia has been moving forward the only way we know how – with perseverance.

in the shared values and goals that unite the Hispanic business community beyond individual ownership.

And in recognition of SHCCNJ’s solutionsdriven initiatives to mitigate the effects of the global pandemic, our chamber was invited, in the first quarter of 2021, by New Jersey state officials to join them in engaging our members, Latino small business owners, into leading NJ’s economic recovery in a collective effort to increase vaccination numbers.

Respectively, our free programs, including The Hispanic Entrepreneurship Training (HETP) and Latina Entrepreneurship Training Series (LETS), have significantly benefited participants during COVID. By providing exceptional training and counseling with friendly specialists, these programs have ensured that business owners can build the solid, yet nimble foundations needed to meet their markets’ needs. These types of training have been especially significant for Alejandro Ferrer, owner of Cavany Foods, who participated in HETP. With access to numerous resources and tools – market research, business and marketing plan, working capital – he was able to push through COVID’s obstacles and boost his business.

At the time, the Hispanic vaccination rate was 12.4% or 958,142 of those who had already received their vaccines, according to NJ Spotlight News analysis of NJ Department of Health data as of May 3, 2021. Correspondingly, the SHCCNJ devised a targeted bilingual campaign to help drive vaccination rates upward. It included media coverage with articles in notable business and community publications. Our goal was to partner with business owners and their managers by providing them with the guidance and resources needed to educate their patrons about vaccine safety and no-cost vaccine availability to everyone regardless of legal status or health insurance. In a published article, SHCCNJ President Carlos Medina underscored the campaign’s mission, stating: “The fastest and easiest path to get there is by containing the virus and promoting positive attitudes and actions that will get us back even stronger than before.” Then in anticipation of the summer celebration with family and friends, Uber and Lyft announced they would provide free rides to individuals and families needing transportation to vaccine centers through the Fourth of July. In effect, inspirational case studies of our economic recovery from COVID have begun to emerge. These stories are rooted

Our chamber has helped numerous businesses in similar situations during the pandemic. With our own access to federal and New Jersey’s civic, community and business leaders, such as the Governor’s office, Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, we have been able to transfer our shared knowledge into plans aligned with the individual needs of a business. SHCCNJ’s methodology enabled us to translate the overwhelming relief and loan program processes into a workflow that would allow us to work with chamber members directly, from reviewing program

requirements to completing forms to overseeing an application’s resolution. In addition, our network of CPAs and attorneys has been readily available to provide guidance on government-funded Loans such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), EIDL, SBA Express Bridge Loans, and SBA Debt Relief. As the engine helping Hispanic small businesses bounce back stronger from Covid-19, SHCCNJ remains invested as the dependable organization that continually works for business owners and our broader familia at home. With our open multimedia events, access to policy and business leaders, and a reliable network of resources, programs and tools, we are eager to bring SHCCNJ’s successes into a new era defined by our growing collective influence as Hispanic business owners and entrepreneurs beyond our state. We can look toward the future, just around the corner, with confidence that we are stronger because of our individual and collective strengths. And as we reach for the American Dream, we should be proud that in the face of adversity, our community will continually demonstrate the growing power we have when we work together toward achievable goals.

SHCCNJ is ready to amplify our mission with every step forward in 2022. We will continue to develop business opportunities, educate our members and be the proactive and influential advocate of trade in the political process for the Hispanic business community.

top competitive retail and commodities business, which provides electricity, natural gas, and other energy-related products and services to two million residential, public sector and business customers nationwide, including more than two-thirds of the Fortune 100. When Exelon completes the planned separation of its generation and utility businesses in 2022, Dominguez will become CEO of the future Constellation, pairing the nation’s leading customer-facing energy solutions platform with the nation’s largest producer of clean energy. The transaction is pending regulatory approvals.

Professional History Previously, Dominguez served as CEO of ComEd, an Exelon company, which powers the lives of more than four million residential and business customers, or 70 percent of Illinois’ population. In that role, he was responsible for the safe and reliable delivery of electricity to customers and oversight of the management of the electric grid for over four million customers in Chicago and most of northern Illinois.

President´s AWARD

Joseph Dominguez

Chief Executive Officer, Exelon Generation

Prior to joining ComEd, Dominguez served as executive vice president of governmental and regulatory affairs and public policy for Exelon, where he led the development and implementation of federal, state, and regional governmental, regulatory, and public policy strategies. Prior to joining Exelon, Dominguez was a partner in the law firm of White and Williams, LLP, with a broad-based litigation practice counseling large and small corporations, institutions, and government entities. He is a former assistant U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Civic Involvement Joseph Dominguez is the Chief Executive Officer of Exelon Generation, which employs 14,000 workers, produces more than 31,000 megawatts of power and serves more than 20 million homes and businesses with clean energy. With revenues of more than $17 billion and total assets of $49 billion, Exelon Generation comprises both the nation’s lowest-carbon fleet of power plants and the largest competitive energy supplier, Constellation. Together, they are America’s clean energy leader, producing over 10% of the nation’s clean energy and helping America transition to a clean, sustainable future. As CEO, Dominguez oversees Exelon Generation’s clean energy fleet of nuclear, wind, solar, hydroelectric and natural gas facilities in 19 states, and Constellation, the nation’s

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Dominguez serves on several boards of directors and councils, such as Hispanics in Energy, the United Way, the Adler Planetarium and the Lyric Opera House.

Education Dominguez earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He earned his law degree from Rutgers University School of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude, and was recognized as a Dean’s Scholar.

Rising Star of the Year Award

Jessica Gonzalez, Esq.

essica serves as a Cannabis and Intellectual Property attorney at Hiller PC as well as outside General Counsel for the national organization Minorities for Medical Marijuana Inc. Jessica was named on NJBIZ’s Next Generation of Leaders List in 2021 for her work shaping cannabis policy on the state and municipal level in New Jersey. She was deemed one of the 21 people to watch in the NJ Cannabis Industry and named as one of NJ’s top 20 Cannabis Influencers by NJ.COM and NJ Cannabis Media. Jessica is a member of the International Cannabis Bar Association where she serves as Chair of the Social Equity CLE Webinar Series. As a cannabis attorney, Jessica assists cannabis clients navigate the legal cannabis and hemp industry in the areas of corporate, intellectual property and state licensing applications. As a sought-after speaker, author and contributor, Jessica has presented at over 100 events on the municipal, state and federal level on topics such as social justice, IP protection, cannabis legislation and state cannabis licensing. Jessica was a member of the social impact committee for NJ CAN 2020, the coalition that ran the most successful cannabis campaign in the country. She is also an alumni of the NJ New Leader’s Council chapter, a national organization that selects civically engaged leaders in their respective fields. She’s been quoted and featured in numerous media outlets such as New York Times, Rolling Stone, NJ Law Journal, Emerald Magazine, Cheddar, Bezinga, NJBIZ, and NJ Cannabis Media and the Cannabis Business Times.

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Latina Trailblazer of the Year Award

Marlene Cintron Regional Administrator, Region II United States Small Business Administration

arlene Cintron was born and raised in the Bronx. In 2010 Marlene was named President of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and The Business Initiative Corporation of New York, where she utilized her government relations and financial acumen to attract over 90 billion dollars in private equity which drove down the borough’s unemployment rate from 14.2 down to 3.7. During her trajectory she has worked for a number of elected officials in Congress, the NYS Legislature, Puerto Rico and the City of New York. In between these government public policy stints, she was in leadership roles at Citibank and Merrill Lynch. On November 4th 2021, President Biden appointed Ms. Cintron as SBA’s Administrator for Region 2 which covers New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands where she will use her skills to bring much needed programs and services to those states and islands. Ms. Cintron has a Master’s in Education Administration from Fordham University and her Juris Doctorate from the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC.

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STATEWIDE HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NEW JERSEY

HIGHLIGHTS 2021

With the Hispanic population at 21%, New Jersey is the eighth largest Latino economy in the country. Coupled with the fact that Hispanic businesses are at the forefront of entrepreneurship, it makes us one powerful economic and influential community. And we are growing. And as eternalized in Spiderman’s Peter Parker’s words, “With Great power comes great responsibility.” Así es. “Con un gran poder viene una gran responsabilidad.” This past year, the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey echoed that commitment to responsibility with perseverance alongside our members, business and community partners to create a sustainable path of economic recovery for our familia. We have deepened existing partnerships while growing our network across sectors with organizations, including AT&T, Bank of America, PSEG, Wells Fargo, New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, New Jersey Economic Development Authority and many others. Together, we are securing pathways where our members can attain

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industry-valued credentials, access to capital, entrepreneurship and skills training and other resources and tools for business growth. Correspondingly, we offered a multitude of events, online and in-person, including SHCCNJ signature programs that continue to expand year-to-year with proven results. In recognition of our collective efforts, we are delighted to share highlights of this past year’s programs and events, which continue to receive positive feedback from participants. As Sandra Torres shared on our Facebook page, “The best part is that everyone seems so welcoming, and that makes a world of difference.”

WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS ELISA CHARTERS AND JOHN LUCAS We invite you to welcome two new members to the SHCCNJ Board, Elisa Charters and John Lucas. As a certified Diversity & Inclusion professional with over 20 years of public-sector finance and transactional experience, Charters is an executive strategist working toward the advancement and positive impact of BIPOC professionals and under-represented and multicultural women. As the Head Corporate Risk Business Strategy at Wells Fargo, Lucas develops strategic initiatives helping corporate risk achieve measurable outcomes.

EXPOSURE, PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND ACCESS TO CAPITAL WITH FREE ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING PROGRAMS WEBINARS HELD YEAR-ROUND As part of a diverse business coalition that included the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, NJ State Veterans Chamber of Commerce, New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and AECOM-Tishman, we hosted a series of webinars. These included November’s “Opportunities for Diverse Businesses in the New Jersey Wind Port Project.” led by NJEDA. This initiative educates women, minority, veteran, and service-disabled veteranowned businesses on how to gain access to capital and project procurement opportunities. NJEDA also selected our chamber and the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey to assist businesses impacted by Hurricane Ida through the process of applying for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) Non-COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program or Business Physical Disaster Loan Program.

LATINA ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING SERIES (LETS) KICKED OFF IN MAY You probably know that Hispanics start businesses in the U.S. at a rate 2-3 times faster than the average entrepreneur. But did you know that Latinas surpass Latinos in starting a business? SHCCNJ knew this in 2020 when we launched LETS. We proudly share that the program’s success metrics are off the charts after just one year. So, LETS returned in May thanks to our sponsors New Jersey Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development, Latina Surge, and Bank of America. 30 Latinas received training and mentorship as part of this 8-week program, held on Fridays. Participating Latinas must have been in business for at least two to three years with the foundation of running a business and are looking to scale up. During this series, participants put together business plans, deepened their understanding of the foundational principles of day-to-day operations, learned several subject-matter experts, panels, and participated in unique networking and community-building opportunities. At the end of the course, selected participants received one-on-one mentorship and coaching to expand their business plans further or focus on areas of interest.

THE HISPANIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING (HETP) For the past eight years, the chamber has kicked off the HETP Cohort in early February. The 2021 team included Dr. Jairo Borja, Reina Valenzuela, Tatiana Orozco, Danilo Melan, Vicente Villalba and Daniela Velez, and whose combined expertise led 50 business owners in over 70 hours of classroom instruction who enrolled in more than 35 workshops. Graduation followed in June, with approximately 80% of business owners signing up for personalized coaching. This year, LETS/HETP was sponsored by the Center for Hispanic Policy Research & Development, Hudson County Development Corporation, JP Morgan Chase & Co, Investors Bank, PNC, Univision, Horizon and Visions Federal Credit Union. Then, in October, SHCCNJ offered HETP’s pitch competition with prizes up to $2,000. MLB Residential Landing, Starfish Global, Investors Bank and Borja Consulting Group sponsored the competition.

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SPONSORED CAPACITY-BUILDING AND UPSKILLING PROGRAMS New Jersey Manufacturing Extension AMAZON offered Business Owner Through the Amazon Delivery Service Partner Program, offered diverse entrepreneurs an excellent Program (NJMEP) and its Pro-Action Education Network opportunity to start their own businesses. Amazon committed $1 million

(PEN) offered the industry-recognized, in-demand, national credentialing training programs through a secured funding opportunity to the community leading to a career pathway in manufacturing.

AT&T Supplier Diversity

sponsored the Business Growth Acceleration program, a diversity initiative to support diverseowned businesses with plans for growth and capacity-building execution.

toward funding startup costs for aspiring owner-operators, offering $10,000 for each qualified candidate to build their own businesses in the U.S. For a complete list of SHCCNJ events, webinars and training programs, visit our website https://shccnj.org/ or our social media accounts. We invite you to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter: @SHCCNJ

PSEG

offered training for minority business owners in New Jersey to become MWBE certified, which would qualify them to apply and submit proposals for current and future contract opportunities with their company. It included masterclasses for instruction in business documentation for procurement opportunities and one-on-one coaching sessions with business experts on how to receive MWBE certification.

PSEG

offered its Clean Energy Jobs Program and Procurement Webinar to provide guidance on what the company considers for procurement contracts.

Wells Fargo’s “Retool, Recover, Restore Boot Camp Series taught participants how to retool their

Serving our communities

businesses by developing new and innovative go-to-market tactics to meet emerging needs.

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· 4/9 HETP Class “Maximize Google My Business with SEO” · 6/24 “Create YouTube Videos That Attract New Customers” · 7/20 Feria de Negocios “Reach more customers via Google – with ZERO budget”

That's why AT&T supports the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey for working to promote the continued growth and development of New Jersey businesses.

hosted Starfish*Global and Google sponsored by USHCC, an online webinar about using the Google Market Finder tool to identify potential new markets and what exporting can do for businesses.

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A proud partner of the SHCCNJ and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) for more than 20 years, Saint Peter’s University salutes this evening’s awardees! saintpeters.edu

Partner of the Year Award New Jersey Economic Development Authority

he New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) grows the state’s economy and increases equitable access to opportunity by supporting high-quality job creation, catalyzing investment, and fostering vibrant, inclusive community development. NJEDA works in partnership with a diverse range of stakeholders to implement programs and initiatives that improve quality of life, enhance economic vitality, and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.

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Business of the Year Award

LA FORTALEZA RESTAURANT This restaurant began as a small dream of great aspiration for Arturo Ortega who as a child watched his grandparents working hard in their market called “La Fortaleza” in Puebla, Mexico. It was there in that market that his love for food and service began. From his grandparents he learned to maintain healthy and lasting relationships and ties with clients. He also learned that the trick of all authentic Mexican cuisine is the use of the best herbs and spices in the country - which his grandparents supplied the people. In 1995, as an adult and eager to continue learning, he began working at El Hard Rock Café in Cancun, MX. And with that desire, he was part of a great team that opened several Hard Rock Cafe’s in Latin America. There his dreams of “La Fortaleza” would

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begin to take shape. Full of creativity and inspiration, it was said that in the future, he would have his own restaurant as well. He immigrated to the United States and continued to work towards his dreams. He looked for work and started working at a very popular Mexican restaurant in Montclair, NJ. The lack of Mexican authenticity prompted him to open his first restaurant in Passaic, NJ in 2001. Small and humble, the restaurant’s main dish was cemitas - a sandwich of immense popularity on the streets of Mexico. It went very well since Passaic is a town with a dense Mexican population, but Arturo wanted more! He wanted to extend the cultural riches of Mexico to other demographic areas. In 2011, after 10 years operating in Passaic, he opened his second restaurant

in Garfield, NJ where people from other cultures such as Italians, Poles and other Latin Americans predominate. Almost 10 years later from that date, La Fortaleza Restaurants is named one of the most important restaurants in the tri-state area with four restaurants in operation & one on the way -with the vision of going multinational we continue to grow! Providing employment and educational opportunities for professional growth to the Latino community.

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¡Gracias

to the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey for their support of the Hispanic community! #LATINX

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DISASTER NON-COVID RELATED LOAN ASSISTANCE THE STATEWIDE HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NJ IS PROVIDING SUPPORT Information ready

Technical Assistance

SERVICES TO BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY HURRICANE IDA AND SEEKING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

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DISASTER NON-COVID RELATED LOAN ASSISTANCE THE STATEWIDE HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NJ IS PROVIDING SUPPORT SERVICES TO BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY HURRICANE IDA AND SEEKING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

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Mistress of Ceremonies Awards Gala SHCCNJ 2021

Karol Scott

Latina leader entrepreneur, Emmy-award winning journalist who’s new mission is to empower women and help them build up their self-esteem by guiding them into creating healthy habits and improving their mental and physical health. As a mother of two, a wife, an immigrant, U.S. veteran, national bodybuilder champion, and news anchor, Karol understands how challenging maintaining a healthy life balance really is and wants to share her experience with everyone alike. Her commitment to lead comes from her service in the US Army where she was in direct support of operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. As a proud veteran her continuous commitment to serve her community and country, has been her biggest inspiration to help others. In her return, Karol continued with her educational goals and achieved her bachelor’s in international business, graduating Summa Cum Lade for maintain an outstanding GPA. To further her personal growth, she attended the prestigious New York Film Academy and the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute. Her education became her forte and has helped her become a successful communicator for the Hispanic community in the NY Tri-state Area.

Karol began her television career with Univision Network as a Talent in Nuestra Belleza Latina, which gave her the opportunity to connect with a wide Hispanic audience and gain their trust. This opportunity led her to become a Weather Anchor and News Anchor for Noticias Univision 41.

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Though she loved being part of everyone’s home through Univision 41, Karol learned the hardships of balancing work, motherhood, and health and she realized that she was not alone in that feeling. Her passion for fitness became her drive and she has made it her mission to give back by creating a community where young women and mothers can find the discipline and tools they need to stay healthy and improve their lifestyle both physically and mentally. This is how Karol Scott, “The Brand” is born.

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The Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (SHCCNJ) has partnered with the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP) and its Pro-Action Education Network (PEN) to offer industry-recognized, in-demand, national credentialing training programs through a secured funding opportunity to the community leading to a career pathway in manufacturing.

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TOOLING U - CERTIFIED MANUFACTURING ASSOCIATE

CLT - CERTIFIED LOGISTICS TECHNICIAN 2 modules (CLA & CLT)

CPT - CERTIFIED PRODUCTION TECHNICIAN - 4 modules

Requirements: 18 years old or older GED or High School Diploma Access to a Computer or Laptop Wi-Fi and Web Camera

Program is Free of Cost Contact Danilo Melan at dmelan@shccnj.org | 201.935.0035

DJS FOR ALL OCCASIONS

UTILITY HEAVY CIVIL TREATMENT PLANTS TRENCHLESS & TUNNELING Northeast Remsco Construction, a New Jersey Construction company, specializes in heavy civil, treatment plant, trenchless and tunneling, and underground utility construction projects located in the MidAtlantic and Northeast United States. MBE certified, family owned, and family operated for more than 40 years. Improving America’s Infrastructure one challenging project at a time. R E P U TAT I O N . W O R K E T H I C . T E A M A C C O M P L I S H M E N T.

northeastremsco.com

The NJEDA congratulates 2021 Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey Awardees

HELPING TO BUILD A STRONGER AND FAIRER NEW JERSEY ECONOMY FINANCING & RESOURCES TO HELP GROW YOUR SMALL BUSINESS Visit www.NJEDA.com for more information on our programs and services to support New Jersey businesses.