The Heart of Progress
- Community Icons
- Oct 24
- 3 min read
Empowering Dreams. Building Legacies.
Strengthening Arizona.
At this year’s DATOS: The State of Arizona’s Hispanic Market, leaders from across the state, including Governor Katie Hobbs, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, and President and CEO Dr. Mónica Villalobos, stood side by side to celebrate the power of collaboration and the growing influence of Arizona’s Hispanic community.
For the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (AZHCC), which produces DATOS each year, that gathering represented more than an event. It reflected the Chamber’s enduring mission to build pathways of opportunity, strengthen business ecosystems, and champion a shared vision of prosperity for all.
According to the AZHCC, the organization is "committed to building Hispanic-owned businesses by empowering them to succeed and prosper." The Chamber adds that "it’s our shared culture that bonds our collaborations and partnerships."
Building Pathways, Not Just Programs
Advocacy has always been at the heart of the Chamber’s work, grounded in three foundational pillars: education and workforce development, access to capital, and business growth through international trade. Through these focus areas, AZHCC has become a launchpad for entrepreneurs like Anna Dempsey, founder of AmeriScan, LLC, and Dina Escutia, owner of Dina’s Taste of Home.
Anna began her journey through AZHCC’s DreamBuilder program, completing its six-month business development training before advancing to the Chamber’s Capital Readiness Program. With guidance from the AZHCC team, she refined her proposals, earned key certifications, and secured new contracts, transforming her vision into a sustainable, thriving business.
Dina, who founded Dina’s Taste of Home, shares a similar story of empowerment. After completing the DreamBuilder program, she launched her catering company with seed funding and mentorship from the Chamber. Today, her business continues to grow as she works with AZHCC’s consulting and marketing teams, proof that when opportunity meets guidance, community dreams take root.
Data That Drives Change
Each year, AZHCC’s DATOS report brings Arizona’s economy to life through numbers that tell a profoundly human story of contribution, progress, and shared success. Between 2019 and 2021, all businesses in Arizona grew by 5.7 percent, while Hispanic-owned businesses grew by 13.4 percent, accounting for 45.9 percent of all business growth statewide. In 2022, Latinos contributed $112.8 billion to Arizona’s GDP and were responsible for 38.1 percent of the state’s total economic growth between 2017 and 2022.
"DATOS gives us the foundation to build programs that lead to generational wealth," the Chamber explains. "It’s factual evidence of our impact."
This research is not simply a collection of figures. It’s a reflection of the immense strength, creativity, and resilience of Arizona’s Hispanic community. It’s data with purpose, designed to inform policy, shape partnerships, and inspire action.
A Future Built on Legacy
With nearly half of Arizona’s K–12 students identifying as Hispanic, AZHCC understands that the state’s future is deeply tied to the success of its Latino youth. Through legislative advocacy, education initiatives, and scholarship programs, the Chamber is helping shape a workforce ready to lead the next generation of innovation and growth.
"There are three generations in today’s workforce," the Chamber notes. "Each is working toward a different kind of future, and we must be ready to help them build it."
As Arizona continues to evolve, so does the Chamber’s vision, ensuring that every entrepreneur, student, and professional has access to the resources they need to thrive.
"We don’t just launch businesses; we launch dreams," says Dr. Mónica Villalobos, President and CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
From research to advocacy, from mentorship to celebration, AZHCC continues to lead with purpose, turning possibility into prosperity and progress into legacy.
Photo Credit: Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Event: DATOS: The State of Arizona Hispanic Market
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