I grew up in culture and religion. Growing up in the Inland Empire, specially San Bernardino, and from there I learned diversity. I am forever grateful for the opprotinues my grandparents gave me with growing up in IE. My grandfather is Hispanic, so I also grew up surrounded by what he valued, his own culture. Every Christmas we would make tamales and give them out to our family and friends. We would make all of his favorite dishes like pozole, menudo, enchiladas and homemade salsa. There was more than food that my grandfather brought to our family, he showed me hard work. I worked hard to bring myself top in my classes during high school which then helped me get into Biola University. Being a student athlete has also taught me the importance of building within your community. 

When I had gotten into this course, Media Narrative, I was instantly excited to start this project. Being able to uplift individuals that might not have a voice at times or have been forgotten in the ongoing crowd. With my experience growing up in San Bernardino, an area that is known for its culture and diversity, I knew I wanted to include it into this project. From there I based my story on a church friend that owns her own business. She is one of the hardest workers I know and wanted to learn more beyond just her story. From there I was able to learn a lot about my community throughout this project, things I hadn’t known. I learned that there were multiple organizations that strive to help minority business owners. 

Organizations like HCSB and LBWA strive for helping minority owned businesses to kick start their careers. LBWA specially helps latina owners, while creating fundraisers and clinics where they can get help. I wanted to bring light to these small corner shops that are getting lost in the crowd of big corporations. I was able to talk to Christine Rodriguez who spoke to me about HCSB and her own business CGR. She is a latina woman who strives to help her community. This entire project made me realize that there is still hope for San Bernardino, that people still care to uplift smaller communities rather than big corporations. I would love to continue this project and make it bigger if there were enough time. Being able to speak to empowering women has made me into a better person and customer.

Links:

1. https://surviveandthriveboston.com/index.php/latina-small-business-owners-cultural-social-challenges-in-la-county “According to the Ninth Annual State of Women-Owned Businesses Report conducted by American Express, women-owned businesses have grown twice as fast as the overall population in the past five years. In addition, the research states that women of color have been starting their own businesses at 4.5 times the rate of the overall population.”
2. https://www.hasb.org/ Provides minority owned small businesses with business tools. They have services that provide free of charge/ low cost for the benefit of local business owners. They have workshops and scholarship applications to get more help.
3. https://newsdirect.com/news/hispanic-coalition-of-small-businesses-hcsb-launches-organization-focused-on-advancing-small-business-communities-983666972The Hispanic Coalition of Small Businesses, and alliance of diverse organizations based in Southern California and committed to Advancing Small Business Comminities in the region. Non profit organization comprising an alliance of diverse organizations based in IE region
4. https://entre.csusb.edu/content/SOER This research study was done to bring the voice of local entrepreneurs to those who need to hear it most. Overall research report on the need for empowerment and improvement for small businesses.
5. https://illatinonews.com/noticias-newswire/?l=hispanic-coalition-of-small-businesses The San Bernardino International Airport was selected for the organization’s event because it shines the spotlight on his  the revitalization occurring in the Inland Empire, and the significance of pivoting and adapting to the business environment post-pandemic. This event shed light on ways forbusinesses to connect to a sustainable future. Helping them develop as a business and gain connections within the IE.
6. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/with-more-than-40-000-scholarship-funds-granted-in-2021–the-national-latina-business-women-association-inland-empire-inland-southern-california-is-well-on-its-way-to-transforming-the-region-with-technical-assistance-and-capaci-301428899.html  This discusses a $40,000 scholarship funds granted in 2021, for the National Latina Business Woman Assocaition. Its mission is to connect and elevate Latina Owned Businesses to cope with the pandemic disruptions and help Latinas reinvent and pivot businesses. “During the year, about 500 program participants participated virtually and in person, 55 scholarships were provided, and 195 business owners received technical assistance”.
7. https://www.nlbwa-la.org/