Latino Business Report

Episode 137 - Join legendary actor, artist, and entrepreneur Pepe Serna for an inspiring conversation about his Hollywood journey, Latino representation, creativity, and the importance of perseverance, education, and giving back.

Episode 136 - Join us for a conversation with Ramiro Cavazos, President and CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. We explore the history and growth of the USHCC, its role in supporting Latino entrepreneurs, and the upcoming 47th Annual USHCC Conference in Fort Worth, Texas. Tune in for insights on Latino business, entrepreneurship, and Hispanic economic impact in America    Website - Homepage - USHCC 

Episode 135 - For millions of families, pets are more than companions—they’re family. They offer unconditional love, comfort, and a sense of connection. And yet, every day, countless animals are left without a home, without protection, and without someone to care for them. In 2025, 5.8 million dogs and cats entered shelters and rescues across the country, with nearly 60 percent of community intakes being stray animals. Behind those numbers are real lives—animals waiting for someone to give them a second chance. Today, we’re talking about the urgent need to adopt, care for, and protect the animals who depend on us. Joining us are Excelina Ordonez, founder of the Pet Love and Help Foundation, and board member Alex Villialobos. Their nonprofit is dedicated to keeping pets healthy, supporting families, and helping animals in need find safety, care, and loving homes. This is a conversation about compassion, responsibility, and hope—and a reminder that sometimes, changing an animal’s life starts with one simple act of kindness. Let’s hear their story and learn how we can all be part of the solution. Website: Pet Love & Help Foundation — Keeping Pets in Loving Homes     

Episode 134 - As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, it's time to revisit a chapter of American history that has too often been overlooked. In this episode of the Latino Business Report, J.R. Gonzales sits down with Martha Vera, LLM, MS, Honorary Consul of Spain in El Paso, to discuss We the Hispanos, a groundbreaking documentary that explores the vital role of Spain and Hispanics in the founding of America. Discover the history left out of many textbooks, why it matters today, and how understanding our shared past helps tell the complete American story. Trailer - https://vimeo.com/ondemand/wethehispanos  Website - https://wethehispanosfoundation.org/ 

Ep. 133 - In this episode of Latino Business Report, we feature La Voz, one of Texas' longest-running bilingual community newspapers. Joining us is Alfredo Rodriguez Santos, editor and publisher of the La Voz Newspaper Network, to discuss its 35-year legacy, its mission, and the vital role bilingual community journalism continues to play. Stay with us for this inspiring conversation on Latino Business Report. Southwest Texas Oral History Center - https://oralhistoryswt.org/  La Voz - http://www.lavoznewspapers.com/ 

Episode 132 - Midland, Texas, may be known around the world as the heart of the Permian Basin, but its story is evolving far beyond oil and gas. In this episode of the Latino Business Report, we explore how one of the world's most productive energy regions is diversifying its economy, attracting new investment, supporting entrepreneurs, and building the workforce needed for the future. Our conversation examines the opportunities and challenges shaping Midland's next chapter, the critical role of small businesses and Latino entrepreneurs in driving economic growth, and why the city is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for business expansion and innovation. If you're interested in economic development, entrepreneurship, workforce trends, or the changing face of West Texas, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Episode 131 - What does it take to stand up to the U.S. government and demand justice? In this episode, we share the inspiring story of Tina Cordova, a cancer survivor and sixth-generation New Mexican who transformed personal tragedy into a decades-long fight for accountability. As co-founder of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium, Tina helped bring national attention to the victims of radioactive fallout from the Trinity Test and fought for recognition, healthcare, and compensation for affected families. This is a powerful story of resilience, community, and the pursuit of justice against overwhelming odds.

Episode 130 - In this episode of Latino Business Report, we explore the growing national debate over academic freedom, educational censorship, and the future of higher education. As universities across the country face increasing political pressure to reshape curricula and diversity-focused programs, institutions like the University of Texas at Austin have become central to a larger conversation about who controls what can be taught, researched, and learned. Joined by Neto Longoria and Dr. Maria del Carmon Unda, we examine the tension between accountability and censorship, the impact on Latino Studies and academic independence, and the long-term consequences when public policy and funding become tied to ideology.

Episode 129 - In this National Small Business Week episode, we sit down with Julián Castro for a candid, forward-looking conversation on how Latino-owned businesses are shaping the future of the American economy. From his upbringing on San Antonio’s Westside—grounded in civil rights and community activism—to his leadership as Mayor, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and presidential candidate, Castro brings both lived experience and policy insight to the table. We dig into why small businesses are more than economic drivers—they are anchors of opportunity, resilience, and community power, particularly within Latino communities nationwide. Castro also shares perspective on what’s working, what’s not, and what must change to ensure Latino entrepreneurs have real access to capital, visibility, and long-term growth. This is a timely, no-fluff conversation about ownership, access, and who gets to participate in America’s economic future.

Ep. 128 - What’s the difference between Hispanic and Latino—and do those terms really mean the same thing? In this episode of The Latino Business Report, we sit down with Dr. Maria Del Carmon Unda to explore the origins and evolving meanings of Hispanic, Latino, and Chicano. This conversation goes beyond labels to uncover how identity is shaped—and why how someone chooses to identify is personal and worth respecting. Tune in and discover the deeper story behind the words we use every day. Recommended Reading: Pew Research Center. (2013). Preferences for the terms “Hispanic” and “Latino” [Data Set]. Pew Research Center Survey of Hispanic Adults. https://www.pewresearch.org/hispanic/2013/10/22/three-fourths-of-hispanics-say-their-co mmunity-needs-a-leader/ph-hispanic-leader-10-2013-03-04/   Revilla, A. T. (2000). LatCrit and CRT in the field of education: A theoretical dialogue between two colleagues. Denver University Law Review., 78, 623. https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.journals/denlr78&i=634   Perea, J.F. (2003). A brief history of race and the U.S. Mexican Border: Tracing trajectories of conquest. UCLA Law Review, 51, 1213-1258.    Beltran, C. (2010) The trouble with unity: Latino politics and the creation of unity. Oxford University Press.   Cadava, G. (2020). The Hispanic Republican: The shaping of an American political identity, from Nixon to Trump. Harper & Brothers.   Flores, T. (2021). Latinidad is canceled: Confronting an anti-Black construct. Latin American and Latinx Visual Culture, 3(3), 58-71. https://doi.org/10.1525/lavc.2021.3.3.58