Unity, strength at Hispanic business summit

A panel of Hispanic business owners at the Sept. 17 Northern Westchester Hispanic Business Summit at the Bedford Hills Community House. From left, co-moderators Bedford Councilman Andrés Castillo and immigration attorney Karine Patiño, and Latino business leaders from around the county.

Keynote speaker Carmen Martinez-Lopez, a dean at Westchester Community College. Abby Luby photos

By ABBY LUBY

Spirited discussions and a networking buzz were in full swing at the Northern Westchester Hispanic Business Summit on Sept. 17 at the Bedford Hills Community House. 

Billed as an “evening of empowerment,” the event welcomed more than 100 people who heard from a panel of local business owners how they grew and strengthened their businesses. The speakers also encouraged those planning to launch a new business. 

Marking the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, the summit was a part of conscious effort to minimize the growing angst many in the immigrant community face from ongoing threats from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who have appeared in Mount Kisco and Bedford, creating an environment of fear and anxiety. The summit’s goal was to show how the local immigrant community can come together and support one another. 

“As we celebrate this important month, we honor the rich history and culture and countless contributions of our Hispanic community here in Bedford and throughout the nation,” said Bedford Councilman Andrés Castillo, who leads the organization Bedford Hispanos Unidos, one of the summit’s sponsoring organizations.

Castillo acknowledged how many Hispanic families face difficulties.

“From policies that threaten immigrant rights to inequities that limit access to opportunities, these challenges weigh heavily, yet they have not diminished the strength, spirit or resilience of our community,” he said.

Keynote speaker Carmen Martínez-López, the dean of Business, Social Science and Public Service at Westchester Community College, spoke about how education was not only essential but empowering. She emphasized best practices when helping others, including mentoring, guidance, support and employing people in the community. 

Blanca López, Westchester County commissioner of planning, reminded the audience that Latinos make up about 30% of Westchester’s population, while the Latino population in Mount Kisco accounted for nearly half of its residents. 

Co-moderating the panel was Castillo and criminal defense and immigration law Attorney Karine Patiño. Speakers included Lisbel Rosario, business loan officer at Community Capital New York; Luis Zhunio, CEO of Westchester Roofing Group; Natalia Cardona, owner and manager of Rochambeau Farm; and Sonia Montano, vice president of Montano Wood Care Corp. and president of the Westchester Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. 

Each speaker shared their own success story as Hispanic entrepreneurs, offered thoughtful and timely advice and cited the multiple resources available to current and aspiring business owners. Their message was strength during a time of economic uncertainty. 

By the end of the two-hour forum many were actively networking between business owners, nonprofit organizations, financial planners, accountants and bookkeepers. 

“This is the time to support our community and our businesses,” noted Patiño, whose father owns D&J Express in Mount Kisco. “It’s a moment when the community needs it most.” 

Castillo summed up the evening by noting how important it was to keep the Hispanic community strong. 

“Tonight’s summit will leave a lasting impact by not only raising awareness of the resources available to underrepresented entrepreneurs, but also by fostering an inclusive environment where business owners from all walks of life can thrive and collaborate locally,” Castillo said.

The event was supported by numerous businesses and organizations who spread the word and invited people to the summit. Co-hosts included the Westchester Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Bedford Hispanos Unidos, Legado Latino of Westchester, Mount Kisco Chamber of Commerce and Bedford Hills Business Association.