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Across busy neighborhoods in Miami and beyond, the hum of Latino-owned businesses tells a story of grit and ambition. They’re the bodegas, tech startups, construction firms, and family-run restaurants that keep local economies alive. The reality is that their contribution to the U.S. economy is essential. Yet, many of these businesses face barriers that prevent them from fully realizing their potential – and this is something that affects many other Latino-owned businesses across the nation. READ MORE AT BELATINA

Latinos are no longer on the sidelines of high-powered industries. Whether in Fortune 500 boardrooms or legislative chambers, they are breaking barriers, shaping policy, and redefining leadership. With cultural values emphasizing resilience, community, and innovation, Latino leaders are carving a path that benefits both their communities and the broader economy. READ MORE AT MARCO LOPEZ

 A new DATOS report claims Arizona Latino businesses represent $68+ billion in purchase power. CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO REPORT

SXSW panelists urge the industry to capitalize on the economic potential of Latino representation. Four Latino entertainment leaders gathered at SXSW on Friday to confront a striking economic revelation – the entertainment industry is missing out on approximately $18 billion annually by undeserving Latino audiences.

The 2024 McKinsey study titled “Latinos in Hollywood: Amplifying Voices Expanding Horizons,” revealed that improving Latino representation both on screen and behind the camera could generate billions in new revenue. READ MORE AT AUSTIN VIDA

Young Latinos are making waves, driving change not only within their community but across society. While Latino millennials initiated this shift, Gen Z is amplifying it—challenging outdated perceptions and reshaping the narrative around their identity. Frustrated by a lack of representation and tired of stories that don’t reflect their reality, this generation is determined to inspire a new outlook that recognizes their dynamism and influence. READ MORE AT KANTAR

Cancer is the leading cause of death for Hispanic and Latino people in the United States. Compared to members of other races and ethnicities, Hispanic and Latino people have higher rates of getting and dying from some kinds of cancer. However, Hispanic people have the lowest rates of getting and dying from lung cancer. READ MORE AT CDC

Latino-owned small and medium businesses (SMBs) are growing rapidly, according to a new McKinsey & Co. report. Latinos start more businesses per capita than any other U.S. racial or ethnic group. In 2023, they created 36% of new businesses in the states—nearly double their representation in the overall population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau,

Still, Latino-owned SMBs comprise only 7% of total small-business firms with employees, and 17% of non-employer firms (which have no employees and are mostly sole proprietorships). READ MORE AT CMM

Wealth is as often a measure of financial success as it is a source of pride, an opportunity to live a full life and the chance to secure a lasting legacy. For Hispanic-Latino investors, the Spanish word riqueza encompasses this multidimensionality of wealth.

What wealth-building strategies do Hispanic-Latino investors use to achieve riqueza? To learn more about their unique perspective on wealth, Morgan Stanley recently completed its State of Hispanic-Latino Wealth Report,1 featuring results of a survey of “emerging affluent” and high net worth Hispanic-Latino investors. READ MORE AT MORGAN STANLEY

According to research by consultancy firm McKinsey & Company released last year, which looked at movies and shows released from 2013 to 2022, Latinos held 4 percent of lead roles in theatrical films and television shows, and 7 percent on streaming series, despite making up 19 percent of the US population. That makes Latinos one of the most underrepresented groups in Hollywood; only Native American representation is similarly bad. READ MORE AT MOTHER JONES

More than 65 million people in the US identified as Hispanic or Latino in 2023, according to US Census Bureau data, making up over 19% of the total population. But the medical community doesn’t reflect that diversity. Medical schools and healthcare centers are increasingly prioritizing cultural competency training, but it’s not clear if these efforts are mitigating health disparities. READ MORE AT HEALTHCARE BREW

Latinos account for nearly half of Miami’s population — and 27% of local small business owners, according to a report released this week from consulting firm McKinsey. Latinos are creating 36% of new businesses overall in the United States, nearly double their representation in the population, the report says.

That phenomenon has been helped by a rise in Latina-owned businesses. From 2017 to 2021, 31 percent of new Latino businesses were started by Latinas. READ MORE AT MIAMI HERALD

Starting a new business is like embarking on a thrilling adventure—filled with opportunities, challenges, and the promise of success. But the path to entrepreneurial triumph is not always clear, and taking the wrong steps early on can derail even the most promising ventures. That’s why it’s crucial to have a solid foundation before you dive in. We’ve tapped into the expertise of top CEOs and founders who have been through the highs and lows of starting a business, and they’ve shared their invaluable insights. READ MORE AT THE PERSONAL BRANDING BLOG

In 2024, two of the three richest people in Latin America were Mexicans. The leader of the rank was the Mexican business magnate Carlos Slim, the 14th richest person in the world. Slim had a fortune of 102 billion U.S. dollars, derived from his multiple businesses and investments. At third place was a fellow Mexican businessman, German Larrea, with a fortune of nearly 27.3 billion dollars.

Within each country's economy, there exists a relatively small segment of wealthier individuals who contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of their respective countries. READ MORE AT STATISTA

Only 3% of Latino businesses in the United States have reached and surpassed the $1 million mark. Hispanic entrepreneurs who've achieved that milestone share tips on how they beat the odds. Latinos make up the fastest-growing segment of entrepreneurs, creating new businesses at multiples the rate of other groups.

But of the 4.65 million Latino-owned businesses in the United States, only 3% have hit $1 million or more in revenue. A major barrier is the lack of access to the capital they need to scale up. READ MORE AT US CHAMBER

Latinos are making substantial strides in college degree attainment, according to a report released Tuesday. Hispanic students accounted for the vast majority, 79%, of the 4% overall increase in degree attainment over the last five years, according to an analysis by Excelencia in Education, a nonprofit focused on improving ways to boost Latino college completion. However, Latinos still lag behind other groups in terms of college degree attainment. READ MORE AT NBC NEWS

In recent years, Latine business owners have shown significant growth. But year over year, investment numbers lag behind the trend. While the need to close the representation gap is great, performance should be a big reason why. READ MORE AT FORBES

Latinos are not only early adopters of AI but are also increasingly positioned as leaders in the field. With Latinos making up nearly 20% of the U.S. population and the youngest demographic group, their influence on the future of AI is significant. As AI continues to reshape industries and create new market opportunities, the inclusion of Latino talent becomes a business imperative. READ MORE AT LATINO DATA COLLABORATIVE

On the Latino economic front, there is good news, bad news, and worse news. The overall economic condition of Latinos is improving. The U.S. Department of Treasury reports that between 2013 and 2022, the median wealth of Latino families increased by 252%. However, the Latino wealth gap persists. READ MORE AT FORBES

About 7.1% of the nation’s 5,681,118 employer firms (businesses with at least one paid employee) in the United States were Hispanic-owned in 2021 and the construction sector had the largest number of Hispanic-owned businesses, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Hispanic-owned firms generated $572.9 billion in revenue, around 3.3% of the total revenue ($17.4 trillion) generated by all employer businesses in 2021.

California had the largest number of Hispanic-owned firms (88,920), but not the largest share (about 11.8%) of that state’s 750,821 employer firms. Around 18.1%, or 85,966 of Florida’s 473,751 firms and about 14.6% or 63,560 of Texas’ 436,808 firms were Hispanic-owned. READ MORE AT US CENSUS BUREAU

A lack of medical coverage is hurting the quality of life for millions of people in America, and Latinos have been disproportionately affected. They are among the least likely to have health insurance, they are more likely to die from diabetes than non-Hispanic white Americans, and they are less likely to have routine medical examinations or get treatment for debilitating conditions. READ MORE AT THE NEW YORK TIMES