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Tomorrow, Latina professionals, entrepreneurs, business leaders and allies will come together in Chicago for the 5th Annual Uplift Latina Forum, an evening built around connection, opportunity and conversations that can move careers, businesses and financial futures forward.

Held on the eve of Latina Equal Pay Day, Uplift Latina brings together accomplished women from across business, finance, entrepreneurship, media and corporate leadership to share their experiences, perspectives and practical

For decades, discussions about Latinas in the American economy have often been framed around future potential. That framing is increasingly obsolete. Latinas are already a major force in the U.S. workforce, consumer economy, higher education and entrepreneurship, and their influence is expanding as a younger generation moves into its prime working, earning and spending years.

The numbers make the case. Research from the U.S. Latina GDP Project found that Latinas generated approximately $1.3 tril

Fall can look like the beginning of the year-end slowdown, but professionally, it is often one of the most consequential periods on the calendar. Companies are finalizing budgets, assessing talent needs, filling open positions and determining which skills they will need in the coming year. Executives are setting priorities, managers are identifying leadership potential and professionals are considering their next moves. For anyone contemplating a promotion, new job, business opportunity or leade

For years, corporate America has talked about Latinas as part of an “emerging” demographic opportunity. That description is increasingly outdated. Latinas have already emerged as a major economic force. They are working, starting companies, buying homes, managing household finances and influencing purchasing decisions across some of America's largest industries.

The scale should command attention. The U.S. Hispanic population has surpassed 68 million, representing roughly one-fifth of the countr

CHICAGO — HispanicPro has announced seven featured guests for the 2026 Uplift Latina Forum, bringing together leaders in business, talent, finance and entrepreneurship for an evening focused on opportunity and long-term prosperity.

The forum takes place Wednesday, October 7, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Level Sporting Club, 3343 N. Clark Street in Chicago. Held on the eve of Latina Equal Pay Day, the event will connect Latina professionals, entrepreneurs, business leaders and allies through network

The latest economic data show an economy that is still moving forward. U.S. employers added 162,000 jobs in August, unemployment held at 4.1%, and the economy grew at a 1.5% annual rate in the second quarter. For professionals and business owners, that creates opportunities to pursue new roles, customers and sources of income. But growth alone does not determine who benefits from it.

The pressure on household budgets remains real. Consumer prices were 3.4% higher in August than a year earlier, w

Latinas are becoming one of the most influential forces in the American economy. They are entering the workforce, earning college degrees, launching businesses and shaping consumer spending at a pace that should place them at the center of the nation’s economic future. Yet their growing contribution remains disconnected from their compensation, leadership representation and access to wealth.

That contradiction gives Latina Equal Pay Day its significance. Observed on Thursday, October 8, 2026, th

Uplift Latina editorial series

The future of the American economy is increasingly Latina.

Latinas are launching businesses, earning college degrees, directing household spending and expanding their presence across nearly every major industry. Their economic output has reached $1.3 trillion, an amount comparable to the economy of a major U.S. state and larger than the gross domestic product of many countries. Yet their compensation, access to capital and representation in senior leadership remain

Hispanic entrepreneurship has moved well beyond being a promising demographic trend. It is becoming one of the most consequential forces shaping the future of American small business, job creation and economic growth.

The numbers illustrate the scale of that transformation. U.S. Census Bureau data show that there were approximately 496,000 Hispanic-owned employer businesses in 2023, generating $730.3 billion in annual receipts. When businesses without employees are included, the entrepreneurial

The story of the American economy cannot be told without acknowledging the extraordinary contributions of Latinas. They are launching businesses at record rates, earning college degrees in unprecedented numbers, filling critical workforce shortages, and generating an estimated $1.3 trillion in annual economic output. If U.S. Latinas represented a standalone economy, that output would rival or exceed the gross domestic product of many nations and outpace the economies of most U.S. states.

Yet thi

For many Americans, the Fourth of July represents a welcome pause from demanding work schedules, overflowing inboxes, and back-to-back meetings. While millions spend the holiday enjoying cookouts, fireworks, and family gatherings, entrepreneurs often see something else: uninterrupted time to think, create, and begin building something of their own.

The holiday celebrates independence in its purest form. For aspiring entrepreneurs, that symbolism extends beyond history. It becomes an opportunity

The modern workforce has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past several decades. Industries once overwhelmingly dominated by men are increasingly attracting talented women who are reshaping leadership teams, driving innovation, and expanding the talent pipeline. From technology and engineering to construction, manufacturing, transportation, finance, and skilled trades, women are making measurable gains in fields that were once largely inaccessible.

Yet despite this progress, signifi

The story of American entrepreneurship is being rewritten—and Hispanic-owned businesses are at the center of that transformation. What was once considered an emerging segment is now one of the most powerful growth engines in the U.S. economy, fueled by demographic momentum, cultural influence, and an increasingly sophisticated approach to business creation.

Today, nearly 1 in 4 new businesses in the United States is Hispanic-owned, signaling a shift that is not only economic but generational.

A

Women’s History Month is more than a celebration—it’s a reflection of progress, a recognition of leadership, and a call to keep building what comes next. Across the country, March continues to spotlight the achievements of women while also highlighting the work still ahead.

In Chicago, that spirit came to life through HispanicPro’s Women’s History Month programming—most notably ElevateHER 2026 and Noche en la Ópera: El último sueño de Frida y Diego—two experiences that blended leadership, cultur

Across the United States, Latinas are redefining leadership in education—bringing resilience, cultural insight, and community-centered vision into classrooms, school systems, and policy spaces. As one of the fastest-growing segments of the student population and education workforce, Latina leaders are not only responding to long-standing inequities; they are actively reshaping what inclusive, effective education looks like for future generations.

Their impact extends far beyond individual insti

Latina Equal Pay Day, observed this year on Wednesday, October 8, represents how far into the new year Latinas must work to earn what white, non-Hispanic men made in the previous year. According to the U.S. Census Bureau and National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), Latinas working full-time year-round earn just 57 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men. When part-time and seasonal workers are included, that figure drops to 52 cents.

Over a 40-year career, that gap adds up to a loss

Latinas are one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. workforce, yet they continue to face persistent barriers to advancement and pay equity. Despite driving innovation and leadership across industries, Latinas earn just 58 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men.

Closing that gap requires more than awareness — it requires action, connection, and community. Mentorship, allyship, and sponsorship are three powerful forces that help Latina professionals thrive, break throu

Latina Equal Pay Day, Wednesday, October 08, is more than a symbolic date. It marks the point in the year up to which Latina workers must continue working to earn what white, non-Hispanic men had already earned by the end of the prior year. That day starkly underscores the wage gap. On average, Latinas receive only about 54¢ for every dollar paid to white men (across all types of work). For full-time, year-round workers, the gap is narrower but still severe: Latinas typically earn about 58¢ on

Join us for an empowering evening of insight, connection, and celebration at the 4th Annual Uplift Latina Forum on Latina Equal Pay Day, Wednesday, October 8, at Azul Chicago. Experience a distinguished lineup of Latina leaders and allies who are driving impact, shaping change, and inspiring the next generation.

Presented in partnership with NBC/Telemundo Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Illinois Tech, and Today’s Inspired Latina, this signature forum brings together community, cultur

Latina women in the United States face some of the largest wage disparities of any demographic group. On average, full-time, year-round Latinas earn just over half of what White, non-Hispanic men earn. When considering part-time workers, that gap widens even further. These disparities persist across every state, across industries, and even within the highest-paid roles. If current trends remain unchanged, experts project that Latinas will not reach pay equity for generations to come.

Why the Ga