New latino center designed to build leaders

Marcus Atkinson

HispanicOhio.com editor

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In Ohio, the most recent unemployment rate for Latinos stood at 9.9 percent, about two percent higher than the state average.  In addition, according to the latest U.S. Census results, the average median income for Latino households in Ohio is $36,000, while the overall state average is about $47,000.  One blockade to advancement in the Latino community is the perceived lack of leaders or executive level talent and in Ohio; the Center for Hispanic Leadership (CHL) is designed to end that.

The CHL has leadership Certification Program created by business owners and is the first of its kind in the United States. The CHL has a goal to help talented Hispanic executives develop to their full potential and therefor grow the organization.

The CHL was founded by Glen Llopis and has been on record from other news outlets as saying Latinos are not represented in media and in high level positions of corporations, and at times it is because of the lack of talent.  That is why in addition to traditional courses at their office, the CHL now has a series of online workshops and webinars to further reach those who cannot attend courses in person.

The certification programs are for individuals and organizations empowered those to growth their business and succeed.  Retired Air Force Colonel, Rafael “Rafi” Rodriquez has joined the Center for Hispanic Leadership after meeting Llopis at an Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce gathering and now as a member of the CHL, he helps develop future Latino leaders.

“The Web based training is about leadership training that helps Hispanics elevate themselves as they move up in the profession ladder,” said Rodriquez.

The Hispanic Leadership Certification Program will unite, empower, and expand upon the l growing minority Latino population and help Latinos grow into a role that will revitalize America in the second decade of the 21st Century…

“These people will probably be noticed the most to move up in the chain, it levels the playing field as far as business know-how,” he said.

Although the name is “Hispanic Leadership”, it is not just for Latinos and it is not only for those with a college degree.  The courses are designed to show the importance of all forms of diversity and there are courses for all levels of personal development.

The CHL also has blogs, and uses social media such as twitter and Facebook.

“[The Center for Hispanic Leadership] is for people who want to move forward, it has nothing to do with a college degree, it serves as a catalyst to move forward,” said Rodriquez.

Latinos are the fastest growing minority population in the United States with a population over 50 million according to the latest U.S. Census results.  The CHL says Latino purchasing power will reach $1.2 trillion and Latinos make up 8.5 percent of small businesses in the United States.  These statistics along with latest revelation of the Latino vote has caused much of America to take note of the influence Latinos are having on America.

“The Latino vote was crucial, now they’re beginning to listen,” said Rodriquez.  “We finally got to the point where they will listen.”

To put it simply the center is designed to create a competitive job environment Rodriquez said.

“When you come from where we come from,” said Rodriquez, “Where things are really hard back home, we come to America with an entrepreneurial spirit that we’re going to make it happen. Latinos are hard workers we show up early and work late, we work through lunch, Latinos are a great work horse, and we have a commitment to succeed.”

For more information visit www.cenerforhispanicleadership.com