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On Labor Day, Honoring the Latino Workforce

Throughout the decades, Latinos have been a driving force for America’s economy. We have been involved in almost every employment sector imaginable and have gained a reputation of hard work and perseverance in any area that we pursue to make an honest living. This is why for Labor Day we want to recognize the efforts of the diligent men and women that have been a backbone to American history providing support and an overwhelming desire to move forward. It is this desire that makes us Latinos one of the populations with the heaviest involvement in the creation of labor unions and the push for fair labor practices. Our impact on America’s workforce shows no signs of diminishing, the strength of the American economy is increasingly linked to the strength of the Latino workforce. Latinos are the fastest-growing segment of the American workforce, with 23.3 million Latinos at work in the United States representing nearly 16% of the labor force (1) and it is estimated that by 2050 1 in every 3 employees will be Latino. [caption id="attachment_3895" align="aligncenter" width="631"] Cesar Chávez[/caption] A new report, the Kaufman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity released by the Kaufman Foundation, has proven that Latinos are the ethnicity most likely to start new businesses, and there are a number of initiatives that facilitate and encourage entrepreneurship. For example Hispanic Net, “an organization dedicated to bridging understanding between Hispanic entrepreneurs and executives in technology.” They host events to facilitate partnerships, encourage growth in labor market, and honor those who are already established and setting the example. Recently they honored retired NASA astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria, who is now working in developing commercial visits to space. And just like Lopez-Alegria there are many remarkable Latinos everywhere. They are in fields of innovation and government; supreme court justice, Sonia Sotomayor, is the first Latino justice to be appointed in the U.S. In film; like Alfonso Cuarón who became the first latino director to win an oscar for best picture. Also in music; with the many Latino artists who are making their mark and even influencing the current music scene, and much more shaping the future of our nation. [caption id="attachment_3894" align="aligncenter" width="562"] Sonia Sotomayor[/caption] There is no better way to prove this than with the very current example of the presidential elections. Every news outlet is stressing the fact that the deciding factor in 2016 will be the Latino vote. As explained by an article in NPR, “It's true that the Hispanic population, at 53 million, is still much smaller than the non-Hispanic population, at around 260 million. But it's also a population that represents a massive opportunity for either party. In 2012, only 48 percent of eligible Hispanic voters went to the polls, compared to around two-thirds of both non-Hispanic whites and blacks, according to data gathered by the Brookings Institution. Both parties have wrestled for years with how to get those non-voters to the polls (and voting for their own candidates).” Hispanic media has come to the forefront of conversation and they hold an incredible amount of influence over the possible outcome. The reality is that Latinos have been contributing to the makeup of America’s economy for hundreds of years, as well as influencing the course of history. That’s what our organization is about, we empower individuals by providing them with opportunities through our College and Workforce Development Program to receive an education and acquire the skills needed to keep on raising the bar in our communities. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your dedication and wish you prosperity. We hope you have a relaxing and well deserved Labor Day. It is because of your contributions that our College and Workforce Development program is such a success. To keep on giving access to our community to an education and an honest living donate here.

1. NCLR

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