In coordination with multiple initiatives commemorating Jefferson Parish’s Bicentennial, the Hispanic Chamber of Louisiana has had and will continue to have a presence at celebratory events through the end of the year.
Additionally, though, leaders from the Chamber and its Jefferson Parish members on both the East and West Bank, have purposely used the milestone anniversary as an opportunity to pause, reflect upon, and share their own stories and the notable accomplishments and achievements of Hispanic residents and the businesses they own.
“I am so incredibly proud that Jefferson Parish is the most diverse parish in Louisiana, with the largest Hispanic population in the state,” Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng says. “The Hispanic community has played a vital role in shaping our culture and driving economic growth through both large and small Hispanic-owned businesses. Their impact and investment continue to strengthen and enrich our parish every day.”
According to the most recent U.S. Census, 322,500 residents of Hispanic descent live in Louisiana. Nearly 1/5th of those reside in Jefferson Parish, which has witnessed its Hispanic population rise exponentially from less than 30,000 in 2000 to approximately 80,000 in 2020. With that population growth has come an influx of small and large Hispanic-owned businesses in the parish, as Hispanic residents of Kenner account for more than 1/3 of all occupational licenses in the city.
“Hispanic-owned businesses play a crucial role in the success of the Jefferson Parish economy, driving growth across every key sector,” says Jerry Bologna, CEO of the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission. “Their mark is seen across every part of the Parish; in culturally diverse commercial corridors, in our strong ties to Latin American markets, and in the bold, resilient, and forward-thinking entrepreneurs who are building successful enterprises from the ground up. Their ventures not only create jobs and revitalize neighborhoods but also enrich our cultural landscape and inspire future generations of business leaders. Their contributions are essential to the economic fabric of our parish, and we are deeply grateful for the role they continue to play in making Jefferson Parish a destination for business.”
Facilitating that organic economic growth, the Hispanic Chamber of Louisiana and those within its membership have crafted multi-pronged curriculum designed to shepherd proprietors of Hispanic-owned businesses through much of the regulatory minutiae that comes with operating a business.
In particular, the Chamber shined the spotlight on Katharine Gonzalez Kay, Capital One’s new market president in New Orleans. Moving to south Louisiana from Puerto Rico when she was 10 years old, Kay received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of New Orleans then earned her MBA from Loyola University a decade later after working for years in regional banking.
As Kay has ascended the corporate ranks within Capital One, she’s stayed true to her sense of community, recently participating in a Capital One small business development program that was delivered entirely in Spanish. The multi-week course guided local Hispanic entrepreneurs – many from Jefferson Parish – through various facets of business operations, learning first-hand from Spanish-speaking experts valuable training in marketing, finance, labor regulations, social media, and overall business planning.
“I am very proud of my Latino heritage,” Kay says. “Throughout my 30+ year career, I’ve had the privilege of working with inspiring business leaders, mentors, and colleagues who have shaped my journey. If I can serve as a role model to even one person in my community — especially a young Hispanic professional just starting out — I will consider that a success.”
