Inland Empire Latino Economic & Policy Summit: Empowering a Growing Community
The Inland Empire Latino Economic & Policy Summit brought crucial discussions to the forefront about the state of the Latino community in Southern California’s Inland Empire (IE).
October 8, 2024
By: Andrea Gonzalez, Marketing Manager for the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce
(Corinna York, Board Member of the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce, Cristina Castro, Workforce & Community Specialist at the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce, Andrea Gonzalez, Marketing Manager at the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce, Adam Ruiz, Vice President /Public Affairs, Rincon Strategies)
Inland Empire Latino Economic & Policy Summit: Empowering a Growing CommunityHosted by the Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP), the Inland Empire Latino Economic & Policy Summit brought crucial discussions to the forefront about the state of the Latino community in Southern California’s Inland Empire (IE). With Latinos making up 2.5 million of the region’s 4.7 million people, their role in shaping the region’s future cannot be overlooked. However, the summit revealed significant challenges in education, healthcare, and economic opportunities that need to be addressed to ensure an equitable future.
IEEP’s Mission: A Thriving Inland Empire
IEEP’s mission is to unite business, government, and community leaders to create a thriving region. Dedicated to making the Inland Empire a premier destination for living, working, and investing, IEEP focuses on addressing current challenges and preparing for future opportunities. This summit was a critical part of that mission, focusing on the Latino community’s role in the region’s future growth and success.
Education & Economic Disparities
While Latinos are a large and growing part of the Inland Empire, only 9% hold a college degree, compared to 22% of the overall population. This educational gap is a significant barrier to economic mobility, which is further reflected in the fact that 22% of Latinos in the IE live below the poverty line. The connection between wealth and health was another focal point, with discussions highlighting that Latinos are more likely to work in poor health conditions compared to other groups.
The Importance of Representation
A recurring theme at the summit was the need for Latinos to not just be present but to be decision-makers. While diversity is important, it’s essential to ask, “Who are the people making decisions?” Latino voices must be included in leadership across sectors, particularly in healthcare, where only 2.4% of Latinas work in the medical field in the IE, compared to 6% of Latinos nationwide.
National Latino Physician Day and Civic Engagement
Coinciding with the summit, National Latino Physician Day was celebrated on October 1st, bringing attention to the need for increased Latino representation in healthcare. However, the call for participation extended beyond healthcare to civic engagement. With many Latinos still undecided or just beginning to engage with the political landscape, the summit emphasized the importance of voting and being involved in shaping policy. Issues like inflation, immigration, reproductive health, and crime will be key in upcoming elections, and Latino votes could be pivotal.
Economic Power and the Future of the Latino Community
The Latino community in the U.S. contributes an impressive $6 trillion to the national GDP, a figure that is growing as more Latino-owned businesses are established. The Inland Empire itself is the 12th most powerful metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in the country and has the 5th largest Latino population. However, summit leaders stressed that economic power must translate into political power. As one speaker put it, “We don’t want to be punching below our weight as a Latino vote.”
Mobilizing for the Future
As the IEEP and summit organizers emphasized, the time to mobilize is now. Civic engagement and representation are critical to building a future where Latinos are not just participants but leaders in every aspect of society. The Latino community must ensure they have a seat at the table, in rooms where decisions are made that will impact the future of the Inland Empire and the nation.
With the summit’s theme of unity and action, the message was clear: “Whatever happens to any of us, affects all of us.” By investing in education, boosting civic participation, and ensuring Latino voices are part of leadership conversations, the Inland Empire can continue to thrive and be a place where all communities can prosper. Together, we can build a more equitable and vibrant future.
Hosted at The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture in Riverside, CA
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