The Hispanic Collective

?? As #HispanicHeritageMonth comes to a close, we want to take a moment to celebrate and recognize the incredible efforts of The Hispanic Collective! Our Executive Leadership Board is working diligently to create opportunities to #educate, #collaborate, #develop our membership and empower our communities. This month has been a testament to the strength of unity and diversity, showcasing the rich contributions of Hispanic culture in our workplaces and beyond. We invite you to join us in this journey! Becoming a member means being part of a vibrant community dedicated to supporting and uplifting Hispanic voices. Together, we can create lasting change and make an even greater impact. Let’s continue this momentum! ?? Join us by clicking the link below! https://lnkd.in/ex2A_Awe Special thank you to our collaborators and sponsors! We value your partnership immensely! What is next? It seems our team is growing... ?? #staytuned Photo: Ashley Nu?ez ?? Bailey F., Elena Gutierrez, CDFA, Ishell Escalona, Eileene Vicencio Rivas, Jennifer Rivera, Arelisse Munoz, EIT, Clara Maria Alcaraz, Brandon Nieves, CMIT #HispanicHeritageMonth #TheHispanicCollective #JoinUs #ERG #BRG #Multiculturalgroups #CommunityEmpowerment #Leadership #Diversity #Inclusion #PanelDiscussion #HispanicHeritage #Unity #Community #Empowerment #Gratitude #Networking #Development #Policy #LatinoLeadership #Architecture #Engineering #Construction #RealEstate #Beverages #Law #Impact #HispanicCulture #AEC #Policy #NYC #DMV #California #Boston

?? As #HispanicHeritageMonth comes to a close, we want to take a moment to celebrate and recognize the incredible efforts of The Hispanic Collective! Our Executive Leadership Board is working diligently to create opportunities to #educate, #collaborate, #develop our membership and empower our communities. This month has been a testament to the strength of unity and diversity, showcasing the rich contributions of Hispanic culture in our workplaces and beyond. We invite you to join us in this journey! Becoming a member means being part of a vibrant community dedicated to supporting and uplifting Hispanic voices. Together, we can create lasting change and make an even greater impact. Let’s continue this momentum! ?? Join us by clicking the link below! https://lnkd.in/ex2A_Awe Special thank you to our collaborators and sponsors! We value your partnership immensely! What is next? It seems our team is growing... ?? #staytuned Photo: Ashley Nu?ez ?? Bailey F., Elena Gutierrez, CDFA, Ishell Escalona, Eileene Vicencio Rivas, Jennifer Rivera, Arelisse Munoz, EIT, Clara Maria Alcaraz, Brandon Nieves, CMIT #HispanicHeritageMonth #TheHispanicCollective #JoinUs #ERG #BRG #Multiculturalgroups #CommunityEmpowerment #Leadership #Diversity #Inclusion #PanelDiscussion #HispanicHeritage #Unity #Community #Empowerment #Gratitude #Networking #Development #Policy #LatinoLeadership #Architecture #Engineering #Construction #RealEstate #Beverages #Law #Impact #HispanicCulture #AEC #Policy #NYC #DMV #California #Boston

At the start of this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month, The Hispanic Collective celebrated its official unveiling with great ceremony—and great success! The networking and panel event showcased the power of community and how initiatives such as these point toward a more inclusive future, from learning about different experiences to discussing how to make ideas develop into action. We’re proud to have two JB&Ber’s on the Executive Board, Jennifer Rivera and Bailey F., as they help bring The Collective’s goals to fruition. The Hispanic Collective Clara Maria Alcaraz Brandon Nieves

?? Spotlight on Our Hispanic Heritage Month Partner: Bonita Fierce Candles ?? We are delighted to highlight one of the fantastic small businesses that contributed to the success of our Hispanic Heritage Month event - Bonita Fierce Candles! Founded by Melissa Gallardo, Bonita Fierce Candles is a premium heritage-focused home fragrance brand. Melissa's mission is to revolutionize the home fragrance industry by creating better-for-you products that celebrate, honor, and represent the cultural crossroads of being Latine and American. In 2020, Melissa realized that the scents she grew up with, like Cafe Con Leche, Coquito, and Horchata, were not represented in the home fragrance industry. This realization inspired her to create fragrances that reflect her cultural heritage. As the Founder & CEO of Bonita Fierce Candles, Melissa oversees product development, content strategy, marketing, and community growth. Her dedication to creating unique and culturally significant fragrances has cemented a space for Latinas in the fragrance industry. We are incredibly grateful for Melissa and Bonita Fierce Candles' support and contribution to our celebration. Their beautiful and meaningful products truly made our event special. Thank you, Bonita Fierce Candles, for being a part of our Hispanic Heritage Month event and for bringing your wonderful fragrances to our community! ????? Check out Bonita Fierce's website, or find the candles in your local store, such as Nordstrom! #HHM #Bonita #Smallbusiness #promotion

?? Small Business Highlight: Zu Creations ?? Zu Creations is a fantastic small business known for its delicious and beautifully crafted food. From mouth-watering desserts to exquisite charcuterie boards, they offer a variety of treats that are sure to delight. Whether you're looking for a unique gift or a special treat for yourself, Zu Creations has something for everyone. Visit their store or check out their online shop to discover their amazing creations. Support local, support creativity, support Zu Creations! ?? #HHM #Smallbusiness #appreciation #hispanic #homecookedmeals #catering #aec

In the spirit of #HispanicHeritageMonth, I’d like to take a moment for deep reflection and share with you insight into who I am, inspired by my experience at The Hispanic Collective Unveiling HHM Event a few weeks ago. I’ve always believed in fostering intentional, honest, and meaningful relationships. But in order to achieve this, it requires a level of self-awareness and expression that can often feel uncomfortable. Embracing that discomfort is a sign of #growth. To truly maximize your impact, it calls for a courageous embrace of #vulnerability. This post is an example of that vulnerability. I’d like to share my thoughts and reflections from our stellar panel discussion with Frank R. Alvarado, Dr. Ebony Kirkland, and Lily Marquez, who each brought their wisdom to the table. Here are my biggest takeaways: ?? Communication, Public Speaking & Empowering Others Over the years, I’ve come to understand the power of words. I may not be the best speaker, but I’ve made it a priority to hone that skill. The more I grow in this area, the more I can empower others, which is central to my mission. ?? Feeling Latino "Enough" & Speaking Spanish Coming from a family with parents of completely different shades and navigating the clash between formal and informal Spanish, I’ve struggled with feeling "Latino enough." It’s a shared experience for many of us who don’t fit into one mold, and it’s something I’m continually working through. ?? Leveraging Relationships Intentionally & Without Guilt Family is a core value in Hispanic culture, but as we assimilate into corporate spaces, many of us shy away from seeking support or advocating for ourselves. Silence, even in the face of opportunity, has been our cultural way of thinking. But now, it’s time to shed that guilt and intentionally leverage relationships—without losing sight of the power in unity and collaboration. These reflections are just a small part of what was such a meaningful and eye-opening event for me. I hope sharing this encourages you to embrace the uncomfortable, speak up, and stay true to yourself. #VulnerabilityIsStrength #Empowerment #TheHispanicCollective #GrowthInAction #PanelDiscussion #CommunityEmpowerment #DiversityAndInclusion #Networking #Purpose #LatinoEnough

?? Spotlight on Our Hispanic Heritage Month Partner: LJK Homestyle Cooking ?? We are excited to highlight one of the amazing small businesses that contributed to the success of our Hispanic Heritage Month event - LJK Homestyle Cooking! Founded by Sandra Ramos, LJK Homestyle Cooking is a small Latina-owned catering business that has been thriving for 30 years. Sandra's passion for cooking began at the young age of 9, and over the years, she has perfected her craft, offering a #diverse range of culinary delights. Named after the initials of her three children, LJK Homestyle Cooking specializes in traditional Latin cuisine but also excels in #multicultural dishes, including sushi, egg rolls, and soul food. Sandra's talent extends to pastries as well, making her a versatile and sought-after caterer. LJK Homestyle Cooking has catered numerous unforgettable events, from private company parties to family reunions and #charitable donations. Sandra's #dedication and love for cooking have even earned her a spot in the New York Times for her recipe featured in the "Go Green East Harlem Cookbook" edited by #Manhattan Borough President Scott M Stringer1. We are incredibly grateful for Sandra and LJK Homestyle Cooking's support and contribution to our #celebration. Their delicious food and commitment to excellence truly made our event special. Thank you, LJK Homestyle Cooking, for being a part of our Hispanic Heritage Month event and for bringing your incredible #flavors to our community! ????? Bailey F., Elena Gutierrez, CDFA, Ishell Escalona, Eileene Vicencio Rivas, Jennifer Rivera, Arelisse Munoz, EIT, Clara Maria Alcaraz, Brandon Nieves, CMIT #TheHispanicCollective #CommunityEmpowerment #Leadership #HHM #THC #Hispanic #LatinX #AEC #Empowerment #Community #Advocacy #Diversity #Inclusion #PanelDiscussion #HispanicHeritage #Unity #Community #Empowerment #Gratitude #Networking #Development #Policy #LatinoLeadership #Architecture #Engineering #Construction #RealEstate #Beverages #Law #Impact #HispanicCulture #ERG #BRG #AEC #Policy #NYC #DMV #California #Boston #grandopening #ribboncutting #HHM #Hispanic #Catering #homemade #foodandculture #culture

?? I’m excited to share my experience as the moderator for a recent panel discussion at the unveiling event for The Hispanic Collective! ?? It was such an honor to lead this vital conversation on unity and the intersection of cultural and corporate values. Our incredible panelists— Frank R. Alvarado, Lily Marquez, and Bishop Dr. Ebony Kirkland—shared powerful insights that truly resonated with everyone in the room. Frank R. Alvarado kicked off the discussion by sharing how traditional Hispanic values like family and community can often blend with corporate ideals like individualism and competition. Lily Marquez shared her personal journey of juggling cultural and corporate expectations, showing how those experiences helped her find a stronger sense of belonging at work. She really hit home on the power of mentorship in bridging the gaps caused by socioeconomic differences, reminding us that we all play a role in lifting each other up. Her stories about navigating these challenges felt so relatable and truly resonated with everyone in the room. Dr. Ebony Kirkland brought such a thoughtful perspective on generational divides, explaining how our different experiences shape who we are. She encouraged us to not only embrace those differences but to create spaces where everyone’s voice is heard. She also spoke beautifully about the role of faith, reminding us of how God guides us through these challenges and helps us find strength in our shared values. The energy in the room was electric as we discussed how to uplift Hispanic voices and foster collaboration across industries. I left the event feeling inspired and motivated to continue these important conversations. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this event possible! Let’s keep the dialogue going and work together to create opportunities for future generations. ??? #TheHispanicCollective #PanelDiscussion #CommunityEmpowerment #DiversityAndInclusion #Networking

?? Highlighting HHM Event Small Businesses: Traditas Pizza ?? We are thrilled to spotlight one of the incredible small businesses that made our Hispanic Heritage Month event a huge success - Traditas Pizza in #Brooklyn and #NYC! Founded by Leonard Krkuti, Traditas Pizza brings a unique blend of family tradition and modern flair to the heart of New York City. Leonard, inspired by his father Nick and uncle Rudi, has carried forward their legacy of over 35 years in the pizza business. Their journey began with the opening of "Not Ray’s Pizza" in 1991, and since then, they have expanded throughout Brooklyn and NYC. Leonard's vision for Tradita's Pizza is to create a cohesive brand that becomes a household name across the tri-state area and beyond. At our recent #HispanicHeritageMonth event, Traditas Pizza delighted attendees with their delicious offerings, embodying their slogan, "Pizza with a Brooklyn accent!" We are incredibly grateful for their support and contribution to our celebration. Check out Traditas Pizza at their NYC location at 83 Maiden Lane and experience their amazing pizza for yourself. Visit their website at traditaspizza.com for more information. Thank you, Traditas Pizza, for being a part of our event and for your dedication to bringing authentic, mouth-watering pizza to our community! ???? Bailey F., Elena Gutierrez, CDFA, Ishell Escalona, Eileene Vicencio Rivas, Jennifer Rivera, Arelisse Munoz, EIT, Clara Maria Alcaraz, Brandon Nieves, CMIT #TheHispanicCollective #CommunityEmpowerment #Leadership #HHM #THC #Hispanic #LatinX #AEC #Empowerment #Community #Advocacy #Diversity #Inclusion #PanelDiscussion #HispanicHeritage #Unity #Community #Empowerment #Gratitude #Networking #Development #Policy #LatinoLeadership #Architecture #Engineering #Construction #RealEstate #Beverages #Law #Impact #HispanicCulture #ERG #BRG #AEC #Policy #NYC #DMV #California #Boston #grandopening #ribboncutting

We are not just cutting ribbons—we are opening doors to new opportunities, empowering communities, and shaping the future. ?? A special thanks to everyone who joined us to celebrate this achievement. This moment wouldn’t have been possible without the collective effort and passion to bring this vision to life. In the spirit of community and #HispanicHeritageMonth, we reach out as a community to our network of professionals and companies -- share with us individuals that are looking for #community, #connection, and #purpose. Comment below those #people, #companies, #organizations making a difference and creating impact in their communities. We want to continue to support others! Tell us about other amazing #HHM events happening in #NYC! Bailey F., Elena Gutierrez, CDFA, Ishell Escalona, Eileene Vicencio Rivas, Jennifer Rivera, Arelisse Munoz, EIT, Clara Maria Alcaraz, Brandon Nieves, CMIT, Rachel J. Hong, Iris Rosa, Michelle D.,Sophie Avoine #TheHispanicCollective #CommunityEmpowerment #Leadership #Diversity #Inclusion #PanelDiscussion #HispanicHeritage #Unity #Community #Empowerment #Gratitude #Networking #Development #Policy #LatinoLeadership #Architecture #Engineering #Construction #RealEstate #Beverages #Law #Impact #HispanicCulture #ERG #BRG #AEC #Policy #NYC #DMV #California #Boston #grandopening #ribboncutting