Our 2020 Latinas in Business Highlights and Most Read Articles are here!
This year has been unpredictable from start to finish. At first glance, we may think 2020 was all bad, but looking back at our 2020 highlights and most read articles, it’s hard not to see how much we’ve still managed to accomplish amidst all the chaos and uncertainty. We have been challenged this year and we have all struggled, but the Latinas in Business community has risen to the challenges and come together to uplift and support each other. Through collaborative initiatives and virtual events, our community has innovated and adapted to the unexpected changes brought on by 2020.
Each year we strive to set the bar higher and this year was no different here at Latinas in Business Inc. We are so blessed and honored to have such an amazing community to readers, supporters, and collaborators. We thank you so much! Gracias!
Now, here are the 2020 Latinas in Business highlights and most read articles on LatinasinBusiness.us, our dedicated editorial platform that promotes and empowers Latinas and other minority women entrepreneurs.
2020 Latinas in Business most read articles
In March we honored community leader and advocate, Sara Peña, as Latina Leader of the Month. As a Newark native working toward community empowerment, Sara strives to empower Latinos, especially the youth, through advocacy, legislature, and mentorship. She is currently the Director of the Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development in the NJ Department of State, as well as the founder of the Boys to Leaders Foundation. Sara was also previously President of LUPE Fund -Latinas United for Political Empowerment– whose focus is to educate, empower, and engage Latinas to promote leadership and civic service.
Through her community leadership and service work, Sara helped to improve the quality of life and the empowerment of the New Jersey’s Hispanic community. We can’t wait to see what she will do next!
In May, Latinas in Business shared a step-by-step guide to help you through the PPP sole proprietor application process.
For sole proprietors and micro-businesses -also known as solo-preneurs-, the SBA subsidies and loans this year have been a frustrating experience. And these programs have been designed with large employers in mind, making it all the more difficult for small businesses and sole proprietors to navigate the application process.
But Latinas in Business had you covered with a list of resources, explanations, and step-by-step instructions on how to get the best results with your PPP application.
Check out this reader-favorite article for more tips and resources for your next application process.
In July we said goodbye to a beloved Latina leader, Jessica K. Asencio. Friends, family, and colleagues came together to honor and remember Jessica and her legacy with loving words and fond memories of the fearless leader.
Born in Ecuador and raised in Brooklyn, NYC, Jessica dedicated her life to supporting Latino-Hispanic causes and uplifting their voices in the workplace. Jessica became a D&I leader, and was recognized as a Diversity Champion at JPMorgan Chase. She also founded the Latino Networks Coalition (LNC), originally inaugurated in 2010 by JPMorgan Chase, Deloitte and Thomson Reuters. The coalition was launched with additional partners including American Express, Bank of America, Citibank, Credit Suisse and The New York Times.
Throughout her entire career Jessica strove to support and uplift others. She was remembered by many for her hard work, kindness, enthusiasm, and love.
“She was a leader who led by example with optimism, strength, devotion, and focus,” says Alicia Garcia, friend, and Latino Networks Coalition’s Leader.
“Her desire to elevate the power of our community in numbers combined with her ability to create consensus and bring us together as leaders will forever be remembered,” says Lili Gil Valletta, CEO & Co-Founder of CIEN+.
“She built a legacy on relationships,” says Jonathan Wunderlich, Dream Project Development Director. “I only hope I can follow in her footsteps and continue to listen, to care, and build from there.”
We ended the summer regaining confidence with Ella’s Eve Cosmetics. Owned by Latina sister-duo, Melissa and Lissa, Ella’s Eve Cosmetics is a new beauty brand that is building a community around self-confidence, authenticity, and empowerment.
Originally a hobby, the sisters soon found a passion for makeup while watching YouTube tutorials and following their favorite influencers on social media. Then, when they began doing their own research into the makeup industry, they soon found that there were not many Latina owned makeup brands. Additionally they noticed many viewed makeup as “fake” or an inauthentic “mask.” This motivated the sisters to launch their own brand, with a focus on being real, authentic, and confident by using makeup to help people highlight their natural beauty not hide it.
“Confidence comes from being real, the makeup only enhances the beauty that was already there.”
Finally, in fall we learned how these adorable and fun personalized Spanish books for children by Libro Magico Amarillo are helping parents raise bilingual children.
Founded by Maria Victoria Sanchez, Libro Magico Amarillo is a publishing company that creates personalized Spanish children’s books. Her books offer a mix of adventures and educational content that keep children engaged and reading longer, all while playing and having fun. These books also serve as a tool for parents raising bilingual children, helping them foster a love and appreciation of Hispanic language and culture in their children.
With many options to choose from, these personalized books also make great gifts for the children in your life!
2020 Regain Our Latino Power highlights
In October, Latinas In Business hosted the Regain Our Latino Power virtual event where important Latinx issues were discussed in the weeks leading up to the 2020 Presidential Election.
Some key topics included: discussion about Latinxs essential workers, Latinxs and the economy, Immigration Reform, Deportations and Incarceration of Latino Children.
We were also honored to have award-winning journalist and author, Maria Elena Salinas as guest and Keynote Speaker.
The multi-day event took place over the two last Fridays of October, leading up to the November 3rd election. Throughout the two days we welcomed guest speakers: Alana Cueto, Amy Hinojosa, Rev. Carmen Hernandez, Attorney Cesar Martin Estela, Gabriela Chavez-Lopez, Maria Santiago-Valentín, and many more.
You might be interested: 12 Latina leaders honored in 2020
Oldies but goodies: These past articles made a come-back this year
These articles made a comeback this year, piquing the interest of our readers.
In the year of COVID-19 and travel restrictions, many of our Latinas In Business readers were interested in learning the 6 Benefits of top management diversity in the hospitality and tourism industry. With 8 million people employed in the travel and tourism industry and 1.2 million of those jobs linked directly and supported with international tourists, many hospitality and tourism workers were left unemployed this year due to COVID-19, travel bans, and border control. With travel and tourism at an all-time-low, it’s no wonder our readers were interested in how the industry might be affected.
Readers were also curious about the 8 Top dating sites for business and professional women. Perhaps another COVID-19 inspired read as many were forced to turn their social lives to the virtual realm during lockdown. Due to social distancing, our social lives have also suffered and the dating scene has most definitely not been the same. It’s no wonder readers were interested in the best dating sites to connect with others while still staying safe social distancing during the pandemic.
In Workplace, a popular article this year was 3 Common mistakes companies make in understanding assimilation in the workplace. As the Black Lives Matter movement brought the issues of racism and diversity to the forefront of national conversation, more and more companies were called out for issues regarding racism in the workplace. An unfortunately persistent issue, many companies still do not prioritize diversity and inclusion in their hiring process, resulting in a marked absence of people of color in leadership positions. Our article on the assimilation in the workplace touches on some of the common mistakes companies make when approaching the issue of diversity and inclusion and how companies can better approach this important matter.
Finally, in Lifestyle readers were curious about which Latina celebrity is the smartest business woman. From Jennifer Lopez to Eva Longoria, Sofia Vergara, and Salma Hayek, who do you think is the best business woman? Check out our reader-favorite article to find out!
Thank You!
Looking back on our 2020 Latinas in Business highlights and most read articles reminds us of what an amazing and inspiring community we have here. Once again, we are so very grateful for all the support from sponsors, hosts, supporters, collaborators, and reades that allowed us to continue our mission to advocate for the economic empowerment of Latinas and other minority women entrepreneurs.
Thanks for your support and Happy Holidays for all from us! See you in the New Year!
Latinas in Business Inc. Team
