NAHCC Celebrates 25th Annual Membership Meeting, Signs Strategic Cooperative Inter-Organization Partnership Agreement with Darrell S. Freeman Sr. Incubation and Innovation Center at Fisk University

Nashville Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Yuri Cunza, along with board members and Darrell S. Freeman Sr. Incubation and Innovation Center Executive Director Holly Rachel, celebrate the signing of their Strategic Cooperative Inter-Organization Partnership Agreement (4/30/2024).

Dear NAHCC members and friends, We are excited to share the highlights from our recent 25th Annual Membership Meeting, where the theme "everything is possible" reverberated throughout the event. It was a resounding success, drawing a sold-out, standing-room-only crowd deeply engaged in networking and eagerly listening to our annual report and the compelling journey of the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NAHCC), recognized as the oldest and longest-running Hispanic business 501(c)(6) membership association in Tennessee. The presence of numerous minority certifying agency representatives and resource partner agencies on-site added significant value. Attendees were captivated by the testimonies of NAHCC member speakers and gained invaluable insights into private and public procurement opportunities. A panel discussion with key Metro Government officials shed light on the challenges and opportunities facing our Hispanic and small business community. Of particular note is the thriving landscape of Hispanic entrepreneurship in Nashville, boasting over 2,000 Hispanic-owned businesses. This underscores the immense contracting prospects available with both metro government and the private sector. It reaffirms our unwavering commitment to equipping small businesses with the resources necessary for leadership, empowerment, and sustainable growth.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell congratulates NAHCC on its 25th Annual Membership Meeting

The meeting began with a warm welcome from Donna Mattick, Chief Strategic Alliances Officer at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC), who highlighted the partnership between NAHCC and EC, formalized in 2018. NAHCC Chair Claudia Zuazua, NAHCC Foundation Executive Director Loraine Segovia Paz, and NAHCC President and CEO Yuri Cunza delivered opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of partnerships and the impact of our Hispanic community. NAHCC Chair Claudia Zuazua highlighted the recent collaborative effort between Williamson Inc., where she serves in the Economic Development department, and NAHCC with the Entrepreneurship Academy, whose first cohort graduated the following day on May 1st.   Mayor Freddie O’Connell, via a video message, congratulated the NAHCC on 25 years of connecting people to opportunities in Nashville. A proclamation by Mayor O’Connell was presented, highlighting NAHCC's history, organizational role, and achievements through the years. Mayor Freddie O'Connell is the tenth mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.

EC's Chief Strategic Alliances Officer Donna Mattick

The celebration continued with a packed agenda featuring guest speakers from the robust and growing NAHCC membership providing valuable insights:   Luis Parodi, Vice President, Senior Regional CRA & Community Development Officer at Republic Bank, spoke on the importance of small businesses to our local economy. He highlighted how small businesses are the backbone of our community, driving economic growth and innovation.   Erica Pahua, owner of Interim Healthcare, addressed the significance of healthcare options for the Hispanic community and the unique challenges she faces running her business in Tennessee. She emphasized the need for accessible healthcare and how it directly impacts the productivity and well-being of Hispanic business owners and their employees.   David Plazas, Opinion and Engagement Editor for USA Today/The Tennessean and Latino Tennessee Voices, shared recent data from the Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC), highlighting the significant impact of Hispanics on the U.S. economy. He discussed the findings from the 2023 Official LDC U.S. Latino GDP Report, noting that the U.S. Latino GDP has reached $3.2 trillion, reflecting a 14% year-over-year increase, and growing 2.5 times faster than the non-Latino GDP.

NAHCC member Luis Parodi, Republic Bank Vice President, Senior Regional CRA & Community Development Officer

NAHCC member Erica Pahua, owner of Interim Healthcare

NAHCC member David Plazas, Opinion and Engagement Editor for USA Today, The Tennessean and Latino Tennessee Voices, shares Hispanic population impact information from the Latino Donor Collaborative report.

Everything is Possible!: Jamila Gilbert Attendees enjoyed a special video greeting and salute to the NAHCC by Virgin Galactic astronaut Jamila Gilbert,  a Latina woman of Purépechan-Mexican roots, a visual artist, and a communications professional who speaks four languages. On May 25, 2023 during the Unity 25 mission, Jamila became the 3rd woman to fly to space with Virgin Galactic, the 4th Latina to have flown to space, one of the first 100 women astronauts in history (83rd), and only the 650th human in space. (See video) Her inspiring message, "Todo es posible!" (Everything is possible), resonated deeply with our audience, particularly as over 51% of our membership consists of women-owned businesses. Among the attendees acknowledged was Ruth Cante, owner and founder of The C&F Company, LLC, who was recently awarded "Latina Entrepreneur of the Year" by Latina Style Magazine during their Business Series in Nashville. Ruth shared her journey as a business owner, emphasizing the importance of empowering other Latinas in the construction and business sectors, and how her company supports the local community. Ruth’s achievement exemplifies the spirit of Jamila's message, showcasing the incredible accomplishments of Latina women within our community.

Award winning entrepreneur Ruth Cante speaks to a packed room of NAHCC members

NAHCC President and CEO Yuri Cunza presents a summary annual report to NAHCC members.

The NAHCC Annual Membership meeting concluded with the signing of an inter-organizational agreement with the Darrell S. Freeman Sr. Incubation and Innovation Center. Executive Director Holly Rachel attended this historic signing, further cementing our commitment to collaboration and support for minority business development.   Rachel explained the mission of the Darrell S. Freeman Sr. Incubation and Innovation Center: "The Center serves as a starting point for ideas that entrepreneurs can develop into self-sustaining businesses or pursue further private investment. The center hosts tech boot camps, mentoring sessions, workshops, events, and more. Our partnership with the NAHCC will help empower our growing small and minority-owned business community."   The next day, Executive Director Holly Rachel expressed her excitement via a LinkedIn post, "This was such an amazing day! This week, the Darrell S. Freeman Sr. Incubation and Innovation Center signed a partnership agreement with the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce! A huge thank you to Yuri Cunza, Loraine Segovia Paz, and the entire NAHCC team for being so supportive and collaborative. The Freeman Center is looking forward to working together to break barriers and build bridges for the Nashville small business community!"

Darrell S. Freeman Sr. Incubation and Innovation Center Executive Director Holly Rachel

In addition, the program highlighted recent findings from the 2023 Official LDC U.S. Latino GDP Report. The Latino Donor Collaborative report included:   U.S. Latino purchasing power is estimated at $3.4 trillion. Latino income in the U.S. was $2.5 trillion in 2021, growing at 4.7% compared to 1.9% for non-Latinos. The Latino population has grown by 24.1% from 2010 to 2021, making up 52% of total U.S. population growth in that period. The number of Latinos holding a bachelor’s degree or higher increased by 6.8% annually from 2010 to 2021, compared to 2.8% for non-Latinos. If the U.S. Latino community were its own country, it would be the world's fifth largest economy.    During our program, we acknowledged and celebrated local business owners in attendance, including Ruth Rico of Delicias Colombianas RR, and Marcio Florez and Cynthia Pachas of Limo Eatery, for their recent restaurant openings. Special thanks were extended to Kurt and Zulema, owners of Zulema's Kitchen, for catering breakfast, and to Kellen Serra of Serra’s Birthdays, Juan Matias of Roast & Brews Coffee, and John Partipilo Photography for providing their services as hired vendors. We also extend our gratitude to members Karlha Ramon with Azul615 Magazine and Capital Analytics for being media partners of the event. See media coverage from Azul615 Magazine, Latino Tennessee Voices and a VIDEO by PonlePlay Media HERE.

Left: NAHCC Board Chair Claudia Zuazua. Hispanic entrepreneurs are a vital and growing part of Nashville's business community, contributing significantly to the city's economy and society. Despite facing obstacles like limited access to capital, language barriers, and lack of support networks, they demonstrate resilience and resourcefulness. Their determination and hard work are essential traits for success in the business world.

A sold-out, standing-room-only crowd engaged in networking and listened to the NAHCC's annual report and highlights.

Following our annual membership meeting, a panel conversation led by NAHCC Foundation Executive Director Loraine Segovia Paz, with key Metro Nashville government officials focused on the importance of minority certification and access to procurement opportunities.

Left to right: Panelists Jamari Brown, Director of Economic and Community Development, Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County, Dr. Isaac Addae, Mayor's Office Small & Minority Business Engagement Liaison and NAHCC Foundation Executive Director Loraine Segovia Paz.as moderator.

Guest panelists:   Jamari Brown, Director of Economic and Community Development, Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County Dr. Isaac Addae, Mayor's Office Small & Minority Business Engagement Liaison   NAHCCF Director Loraine Segovia Paz presented key questions to the panelists on:   The role and significance of minority certification for small business owners. Steps the city has taken to ensure small businesses have access to procurement opportunities amid Nashville's growth. Examples of services or products the city typically purchases from companies. The benefits of being certified as a minority or women-owned business and if businesses can work with Metro if denied certification.

NAHCC Vice Chair Juan Lombera, owner of MC Granite Nashville, inquires about Metro government procurement opportunities.

NAHCC’s resource partner agency representatives in attendance:   Richard Van Norman, Diversity Team Lead, Governor's Office of Diversity Business Enterprise (Go-DBE) and Karina Garcia, Procurement Outreach & Diversity Specialist Jessica Angulo, Program Support Specialist, Metro Procurement - Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance Destiney L. Williams, Director, Procurement & Inventory Management, Nashville International Airport Floyd Munn, Director, Business Diversity Development, Nashville International Airport Kia Hereford, Procurement Manager, WeGo Public Transit 

NAHCC key resource partner agencies for small business certification and their representatives were in attendance.

NAHCC members interacting with small business certification agencies in attendance.

We are deeply grateful to all attendees, speakers, members, and corporate and community partners who made this event a success. Your support is crucial as we continue to foster leadership, growth, and opportunities for our Hispanic community in Nashville.   Thank you for being part of our journey. We look forward to seeing you at our next event. On behalf of the NAHCC Foundation and NAHCC leadership, and members, thank you for being instrumental to the success of our organization. Sincerely,

Yuri Cunza President & CEO Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 

"Everything is possible": NAHCC President and CEO introduces the commemorative video greeting and professional achievement of astronaut Jamila Gilbert., the the 4th Latina to have flown to space. Click HERE for VIDEO

Breakfast catered by

Nashville Mayor John Cooper salutes NAHCC on its 25th Annual Membership Meeting

Executive Director, Loraine Segovia Paz speaks about her work at the NAHCC Foundation

NAHCC Corporate Members and Community Partners

About the NAHCC: The Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NAHCC) is the oldest, longest running Hispanic business 501(c)6 membership association in Tennessee, promoting the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs. With a membership of more than 400 businesses, the NAHCC represents their interests in Nashville and surrounding areas connecting entrepreneurs and micro-enterprises, facilitating strategic alliances, networking and sharing of business and financial best practices. The NAHCC is one of the first Hispanic chambers in the country to receive the CTI Minority Chamber Certification Designation issued by the University of Notre Dame and co-signed by the USHCC, USBC, USPAACC. The CTI Certification highlights the achievements made by the chamber. The NAHCC is a recipient of the "Chamber of the Year Award" presented by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC). Connect with us ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌