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San Diego-based Project Concern International announced Tuesday that it was awarded a total of $11 million in federal grants to improve health for Latina mothers and children along the U.S.-Mexico border.

A $9.5 million, five-year grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration will fund PCI’s Healthy Start program, which will provide care for 500 pregnant women annually, plus their children until they are 2 years old.

Also, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded PCI a grant of $1.5 million to increase chronic disease prevention, reduce risk and manage care for low-income, Latina women in four zip codes of San Diego county – – 92102, 92105, 92113, and 91950. Those areas include National City and the San Diego neighborhoods of Chollas View, City Heights, Shelltown and Southcrest. READ MORE AT FOX 5

Ready for your big Silicon Valley break? Cosmo for Latinas asked three Latinas who've soared to the top what it really takes to channel your inner Mark Zuckerberg. Below, they share their best tips and tricks for making it big in engineering, tech, and more.

Julissa Ramirez, 28
Job: Industrial engineer at Intel Corporation
Credentials: Studied manufacturing mechanical systems at Rochester Institute of Technology; three college internships
Her story: In high school, this Dominicana wanted to be an illustrator but encouragement from a physics teacher led her to a NASA summer robotics program, and from then, on she was all about engineering.
 READ MORE AT COSMOPOLITAN FOR LATINAS

U.S. minority groups’ buying power has reached new levels heights and continues to outpace cumulative inflation, according to the latest Multicultural Economy Report from the Selig Center for Economic Growth at The University of Georgia Terry College of Business.

The study, defines “buying power” as the total personal income of residents available after taxes. It does not include dollars that are borrowed or were previously saved.
Highlights

Hispanics are an economic powerhouse. The $1.3 trillion 2014 Hispanic market shows a gain of 155 percent since 2000, which is far greater gain than the 71 percent increase in non-Hispanic buying power and the 76 percent increase in overall buying power since that time. READ MORE AT ATLANTA BUSINESS JOURNAL

America is stuck in neutral, with stagnant unemployment, slow economic growth, and out of control government spending. But as Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, it is important to note that Hispanic-owned businesses are poised to lead America’s long awaited economic recovery.

Gallup Organization data proves first-generation migrants are more likely to start a business, take business-related risks, feel optimistic even when things go wrong, and exhibit more of a “never give up” attitude. Hispanics most of all - they start businesses at twice the rate of the average American. READ MORE AT ATLANTA BUSINESS JOURNAL

As the worst of the Great Recession wanes, the big banks have begun opening the money spigot for small-business lending, but cash-strapped Latino entrepreneurs are still feeling the pinch.

The irony is that this sector is launching start-ups at the fastest rate among all small businesses, which has helped buoy the economy's unemployment picture since 2008. During this time, the number of Hispanic entrepreneurs grew by 71.5 percent, according to a report by the Partnership for a New American Economy. Currently, there are more than 3 million Latino-owned businesses in the U.S., and that figure is expected to double in five years. They generate an estimated $500 billion in annual sales.

National Hispanic Month recognizes the growing importance of the Latino population in America today. An estimated 54 million Latinos live in the U.S. They comprise 17 percent of the country's population and are the fastest-growing ethnic group. Nielsen research shows Hispanic purchasing power is approaching a staggering $1.5 trillion. READ MORE ON CNBC

Hilo, Hawaii is nearly 2,500 miles from the mainland of the United States and even further from Mexico, Central America and South America. But for Hispanics who move here, it can feel like familiar territory.

“What I love about Hilo culture is that it’s similar to Latin culture,” said Marlene Calderon, a retired accountant who was born in Panama and spent most of her life in California. “That’s why Hispanics like it here. With the culture here, they may have just met you, but they embrace you, feed you, love you, and pretty soon you feel like family. That’s how Hawaiians are. The cultures are very similar.”

Calderon, who moved here in 2012, is one of the Hawaiian transplants who is helping make Latinos the fastest growing ethnic group in the state.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the “Hispanic or Latino” population grew 40 percent between the 2000 Census and the 2012 American Community Survey. READ MORE AT FOX NEWS LATINO

Opening Remarks

Susana Mendoza, City Clerk of Chicago

Susana A. Mendoza was sworn in as City Clerk of Chicago on May 16, 2011. She is the first woman ever elected to the Office, one of only three city-wide elected positions.

Clerk Mendoza is committed to improving the Office by making it the most technologically savvy, user-friendly and efficient City Clerk’s Office in the country. Her Office recently successfully transitioned 1.3 million motorists from an inefficient seasonal Chicago City Vehicle Sticker sales program to a modern Year-Round Sales system. Since being elected Clerk, she has overhauled the Office, cut overtime and increased Wheel Tax compliance, generating new, sustainable revenue for the City of Chicago. In March 2014, she championed a landmark ordinance to require that City pet stores sell only rescue animals from humane shelters. The Companion Animal & Consumer Protection Ordinance received 49 votes in the City Council and Chicago is now one of just a select number of major U.S. cities to have enacted a ban on the sale of animals from large-scale mills, including dogs, cats, and rabbits.

Prior to serving as City Clerk, Mendoza was elected as the youngest member of the 92nd General Assembly where she proudly served six terms as a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 2001 to 2011. As a State Representative, she was publicly recognized for her leadership and legislation on social services, education, law enforcement, animal welfare, and job creation. She served as Co-Chairperson of the Conference of Women Legislators and twice served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. Most recently, she served on the Board of the National Foundation of Women Legislators.

Mendoza has been named one of Crain’s Chicago “40 Under 40” and one of its “Women to Watch.” She lives on the northwest side of Chicago with her husband David and their son David Quinten.

MODERATOR

Lourdes Duarte, Co-Anchor, WGN TV Morning News Chicago

Lourdes Duarte is co-anchor of WGN Morning News from 4-6am. Prior to the early shift, Lourdes was co-anchor of WGN Evening News and a reporter for WGN News at Nine. Lourdes came to WGN-TV in September 2007 as a general assignment reporter for WGN Midday News, WGN Evening News and WGN News at Nine.

Prior to joining WGN-TV, Lourdes worked for three years as a reporter and fill-in anchor for WJBK-TV, the Fox affiliate in Detroit, Michigan. She also worked for two years as a reporter for WXIN-TV in Indianapolis. While there, she launched and hosted the station’s public affairs program, “Hoy en Dia,” and anchored daily news cut-ins for radio station WEDJ-FM. Lourdes was a reporter in Peoria at WHOI-TV and at Metro Networks in Miami, Florida for radio stations WLRN-FM and WTMI-FM. She got her start here in Chicago, working as a freelance reporter for Telemundo.

Lourdes has won several awards including an Emmy award for her work on “Hoy en Dia” and Society of Professional Journalists awards for Minority Issues Reporting. Most recently, she won an Emmy award for her story titled “Unlicensed and Serving.” She also received an Emmy nomination for a story on deportation. Lourdes and a WGN photographer where aboard the plane that transported undocumented immigrants to their home country.

Currently, Lourdes hosts “Adelante Chicago” on WGN and sits on the board of Arden Shore Child and Family Services. In the winter of 2010, Lourdes began contributing video pieces to Hoy, Chicago’s largest Hispanic newspaper.” Last year, she was picked as one of DePaul University’s 14 Under 40.

Lourdes received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from DePaul University.

PANELISTS

Elba Aranda-Suh, Executive Director, National Latino Education Institute (NLEI)

Elba Aranda-Suh leads the National Latino Education Institute (formerly Spanish Coalition for Jobs, Inc.) as its Executive Director. The National Latino Education Institute (NLEI) is a nationally accredited nonprofit organization founded in Chicago forty two years ago. NLEI has served generations of Latino families enabling economic empowerment through comprehensive industry-driven job training, career placement and supportive services that include capacity building in technology, financial literacy and worker health and wellness. NLEI's mission is to enhance the quality of life for Latinos through educational, vocational and employment services and through advocacy, thus enabling the achievement of economic independence.

Ms. Aranda-Suh is a transformational leader with an entrepreneurial spirit and pragmatic approach to community development and works tirelessly in forging opportunities that develop, strengthen and afford meaningful systemic change for the Latino community. She is an accomplished Workforce Development professional with more than 17 years in leadership roles. Since 1999, she has led NLEI in creating and delivering award winning and nationally recognized career education programs for the Latino community.

She has served on boards of directors and executive committees for several community-based organizations including: The Latino Council on the Media (LCOM), Illinois League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), National LULAC Educational Center, Maria High School, and People's Music School and was a founding board member of the Pilsen/Little Village Information Center and served on the Michael Reese Hospital Advisory Council. She has been recognized by corporations such as Citibank, Pepsi-Cola, Lucent Technologies and the National Diversity Council for her community leadership.

Luis Gutierrez, Founder & Executive Director, Latinos Progresando

Luis founded Latinos Progresando in 1998 to serve Chicago's Pilsen and Little Village communities, where he was born and raised and continues to live today. Beginning in a small office on 18th Street, with just $200 in the bank, Luis has built a nearly 17-year-old organization that has served more than 25,000 families.

Luis was also responsible for founding the Marshall Square Resource Network (MSRN), a coalition of 20 organizations on Chicago's southwest side that meets monthly for capacity building and developing collective impact strategies.
In addition to serving on Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Advisory Committee to the Office of New Americans, Luis also participated in the Donors Forum's "Communities of Practice," a year-long program bringing together leaders from both the nonprofit and funding communities to discuss true costs of running nonprofit organizations.

Luis currently serves on the Board of Directors of the ACLU of Illinois, and the Latino Policy Forum. Luis received the Excellence in Community Service Award from MALDEF, the Community Partner Award from the University of Chicago, a "35 Under 35" Leadership Award from the Community Renewal Society, and a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Chicago.

Tricia Martinez, Founder & CEO, Basic Transfer

Tricia Martinez is the Founder and CEO of Basic Transfer, a Fintech social venture focusing on underbanked women in developing countries. Through their peer-to-peer platform, you select different communities to support and send money directly to the women who need it most. Once you invest in a community, you will receive updates on the groups progress and learn more about their lives through feature stories, videos, and impact reports.

Prior to Basic Transfer, Tricia founded two impact companies and worked with technology- driven startups based in Chicago. Tricia completed her Master of Public Policy at the University of Chicago's Harris School. With a background in development economics and poverty, Tricia is a strong believer that technology can scale social innovation and achieve immense impact.

Victor Herrera, President, NSHMBA Chicago

Victor Herrera joined the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) Chicago Chapter in 2009, where he has served as Education Officer, Executive Vice President, and currently as President. With more than 17 plus years broad-based general management experience gained working with Chicago Public Schools, he understands how each part of an operation functions on a deep level. Victor also knows that it is imperative for organizations to continuously review their strategic plans to further their goals. Another lesson learned is that, above mentoring and leading, being capable of motivating staff must be every organization’s primary goal.

Throughout his leadership with NSHMBA Chicago, Victor has contributed not only to increasing membership by more than 100%, but also providing their constituents with the highest quality events, programs, and activities they expect from the premier organization for Hispanic professionals. Victor takes pride in professional development and dedicates substantial resources to developing new and better ways to enhance member, sponsor, and partner experience.

Victor is extremely generous in sharing his talents, time, and success with his community and numerous organizations. He genuinely cares about giving back to the community and his country through his activism. His passions away from work include serving on the Board of the Illinois Technology Foundation, Lead for Organizing for Action Chicago North Chapter, and Advisory Board Co-Chair for Organizing for Action.

Most recently, Victor was awarded an Honorary Ph.D. Degree from Robert Morris University and recognized as one of 25 young rising Latinos of Chicago by Latino Leaders Magazine. These are Latinos who are in the forefront of the next generation of Powerful Leaders. His recognition is featured in the "Club Leaders of the Future" section of the magazine.

Victor received a Masters degree from Morris Graduate School of Management in Chicago.

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In today’s STEM-driven economy, the need to talent ratio in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields is less than favorable. The scarcity and availability of qualified talent in STEM is creating a huge talent gap – and therefore, a problem for companies looking to innovate at the velocity required to stay competitive.

Taking the STEM field analysis a step further, the STEM field also lacks diversity. It is a hugely male-dominated field, which limits the talent pool even further. And based on the latest stats, the outlook for filling that gap doesn’t look too promising; it may even get worse before it gets better.

According to a Department of Education study, only 16 percent of high school seniors are interested in pursuing careers in STEM. And although those with STEM degrees are highly sought and earn higher wages than their non-STEM majoring counterparts, of those graduating with STEM degrees, 74 percent pursue non-STEM jobs, such as healthcare, law, education, and the like. From the gender standpoint, nationally only one in four girls graduating college go into any profession within the STEM field. READ MORE AT BUSINESS2COMMUNITY

Network, update your resume, and network are keys to finding the right job

Fall is the start of many things - cooler weather, first days of school and, for many, a new career search. 

"Finding a job is more difficult than having a job." That's the consensus of most job search professionals. So looking for a job might mean starting from scratch — like hiring a career coach to get you over those hurdles.

Although there is some good news on the employment front — The Bureau of Labor Statistics latest job numbers show that nonfarm payroll employment increased by 248,000 in September, and the unemployment rate declined to 5.9 percent — the reality is that many people are actively looking for jobs or to switch careers.

Peter Heymann sees a lot of people who are starting a new career or business and are in transition. "I give them a road map and plan, and be someone they can be accountable to," says Heymann, who runs break/through Career and Life Coaching. "My job is to guide people. What a coach can do is give someone objective, be a cheerleader and a nudge. They can take the first small steps and build on that success." READ MORE ON IOHUD

It’s called the Hispanic mortality paradox. In the United States, Hispanics die at slower rates than non-Hispanic whites. This is true even before accounting for differences in incomes and health-care access, which put Hispanics at a disadvantage.

One of the first people to point that out was Kyriacos Markides, a professor at the University of Maine who noted in a 1986 paper that Hispanics in the Southwest were remarkably healthy. Compared to whites, they had lower rates of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer, and lower rates of infant mortality. The “accumulating evidence,” he wrote, “suggests that the health of Hispanics is much closer to that of other whites than to the health of blacks, with whom Hispanics share socioeconomic conditions.” READ MORE AT THE WASHINGTON POST

We’ve all heard the stories about job interviews gone wrong, like the eager young applicant who brought a sandwich to the interview, because, after all, it was lunch time. But a candidate’s first impression begins long before the interview. It starts with cover letter and CV or resume, which often are far from blemish-free.

BBC Capital asked recruiters, hiring managers, and career coaches to share some of the most egregious errors they see in applications — and how to fix them.

Cut and paste isn’t your friend

Matthew Lanier, a Boston-based corporate recruiter at technology staffing firm Eliassen Group, recalls the resume of an applicant in her twenties, who had mostly retail and customer-service experience. So he was surprised when lower down on the CV, he found an executive-level position with a major finance company and dates of employment spanning almost 10 years. Turns out the applicant had searched professional-looking resumes online, found one she really liked, and cut and pasted her own experiences over it. But, she mistakenly left some of the other person’s work history and personal contact information on the document. READ MORE AT THE BBC

It doesn't take long for Latinas entering the workforce to find themselves up against heaps of structural barriers. As gender and ethnic minorities, who, many times, also experience discrimination based on their race, class, language, or immigration status, we quickly begin to realize that papi might have been onto something when he griped about "working twice as hard and getting half as far." Despite these very real structural barricades though, there are some trabajos looking to hire Latinas specifically — and they're pretty well-paying. These careers are in demand for mujeres just like you.

1. Marketing/Advertising

It's estimated that by 2050, Latinos will make up about 29 percent of the U.S. population, increasing marketers' attention to the ethnic group. Edward Rincon, president of market research firm Rincon & Associates, says it's not enough to just have bilingual workers; Latino insight is crucial too. READ MORE AT COSMOPOLITAN

While it has become common knowledge that Latinos represent the fastest growing segment in the country, their force and power in the economy, politics and business are yet to be fully leveraged by America’s decision makers across sectors.

Somehow the math does not seem to be enough to unlock the audience, consumer or voter population that is set to make a winning difference for many.

With a projected population growth of 167 percent from 2010- 2050 versus 1 percent for non-Hispanic whites and a thriving $1.2 trillion in buying power, when compared to the GDP of the G-20, Hispanics are the 11th largest economy in the world, according to the U.S. Census and the Selig Center for Economic Growth. READ MORE AT FOX NEWS LATINO

1. Prepare for the event by wearing something bright like a pretty brooch or statement necklace. When you are introducing yourself to 100-plus people, it will be hard to re-approach a person as the event comes to a close. Everyone is wearing similar clothing, and who was that woman with the job you admired?! The least you can do is make yourself stand out so they can find you. Men call this peacocking when they wear bright colors to pick up girls. There is definitely a science behind making yourself memorable.

2. Get out of the cold corners of the room, find a group of people, and stand on the outskirts of their cluster. You're at an event ready to make an impression, but you don't know anyone there to introduce you to people. This trick is called the penguin because you have to huddle for warmth. Eventually, you may be able to jump into the conversation, and now you have an in. Time to introduce yourself.

3. Don't just share your title; share what you do. READ MORE AT COSMOPOLITAN

Top universities turn out black and Hispanic computer science and computer engineering graduates at twice the rate that leading technology companies hire them, a USA TODAYanalysis shows.

Technology companies blame the pool of job applicants for the severe shortage of blacks and Hispanics in Silicon Valley.

But these findings show that claim "does not hold water," said Darrick Hamilton, professor of economics and urban policy at The New School in New York.

"What do dominant groups say? 'We tried, we searched but there was nobody qualified.' If you look at the empirical evidence, that is just not the case," he said. READ MORE AT DETROIT FREE PRESS

Recent debates surround the "Browning of America" -- the continuous reshaping of America and its Hispanic influence. Yet many of us fail to grapple that America has always been Hispanic. In fact, according to the 2011 Census Bureau, one out of every six people in the United States is Hispanic. In 2010, the New York Times reported for the first time in our country's rich history that we had more brown and black children being born than white, yet despite this astonishing information, many Americans are confused as to who Hispanics really are.

For many of us, Hispanics are envisioned as migrant workers, cheap laborers with leaf blowers, non-English-speaking individuals or any number of media driven portrayals (and of course there are Cesar Chavez, Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin). The blending of various Hispanics' identities, cultures, traditions and lifestyles makes America culturally Hispanic without many of us even realizing it.

What mainstream Americans have failed to realize is that Hispanics have played and will continue to play a crucial role in our nation. Hispanics have contributed to every avenue of American life since the inception of this country. Hispanics' origins have played a key role in our country's socio-economic, political, and cultural development that many argue: What would America would be like without the presence of Hispanics and their influence? READ MORE AT HUFFINGTON POST

Networking is meeting and sharing information with individuals and groups of people in your field of interest. For example, if you are looking for a job, these people include potential employers, recruiters, head hunters, and HR agencies.

Networking is very easy to do, if you do it right. You can network pretty much anywhere and with whomever you are interested in networking with. There are no restrictions. You can even network when you’re riding on the subway. You can start talking with the person you are sitting next to and make a new connection.

Networking is all about meeting with new people and expanding who you know. However, it also depends on what you are trying to accomplish by meeting these new people. If you are searching for a new job, it is important to meet the right people to get the interviews you want. In order to meet the right people, you should start going to networking events... READ MORE AT BUSINESS2COMMUNITY

As the senior vice president and general manager for the Hispanic market at Nielsen, Juan Carlos Davila hears a lot of talking points about the Hispanic population. Unfortunately, those talking points tend to be overly focused on the group's size and growth rate.

"I assume we all know by now that's a fact," Davila said during his 2014 NACS Show educational session in Las Vegas. "What I want to give you today is information that you can use tomorrow in selling."

Of the 55 million Hispanics in the United States, 64% are U.S.-born. Although that percentage is growing, Davila said U.S.-born have been in the majority since the 1980s.

There are, however, a number of things that are changing within the Hispanic market. Compared to when Davila grew up, more Hispanics embrace their heritage, whether it's proudly identifying as Hispanic or encouraging bilingual households. READ MORE

A wary but tenacious middle class is fast becoming the majority in Mexico, breaking down the rich-poor divide in a profound demographic transformation that has far-reaching implications here and in the United States.

Although many Mexicans and their neighbors to the north still imagine a country of downtrodden masses dominated by a wealthy elite, the swelling ranks of the middle class are crowding new Wal-Marts, driving Nissan sedans and maxing out their Banamex credit cards.

The members of this class are not worried about getting enough to eat. They’re worried that their kids are eating too much.

“As hard as it is for many of us to accept, Mexico is now a middle-class country, which means we don’t have any excuse anymore. We have to start acting like a middle-class country,” said Luis de la Calle, an economist, former undersecretary of trade in the Mexican government and the co-author of a new report called “Mexico: A Middle Class Society, Poor No More, Developed Not Yet.” READ MORE

Looking for a new job when you already have a job, though common, is a risky proposition. It’s not a comfortable place to be in, especially if your current employer gets a whiff of your intentions. So how can you continue looking for a job without emitting any job-search scent?

1. Don’t look for external opportunities on your employer’s time.
When at work -- do your job. You don’t want to be caught in an awkward position when your colleague or manager sneaks up on you, only to catch you looking for opportunities elsewhere. This sends across a clear message that you are disengaged in your current role.
2. Don’t use company equipment.
For all job search related communication, use your personal email ID and personal equipment. Granted, your IT team has far more important work to do than to track individual employee activity, but the fact is that it is possible to do so when you use the company's email, software programs, or computers. Stick to your own laptop and handheld device.
3. Enhance privacy settings on your activities on LinkedIn profile.
Check out this tutorial on how to go about doing this. You can control who gets to see your activities, updates and connections without alerting your boss. READ MORE AT PAY SCALE