Advancing Latine Prosperity Through Community Empowerment and Strategic Partnerships
At Adelante Mujeres, we get to see what becomes possible when we invest in people, center community voice, and build systems that reflect the realities of those we serve. Through our small business and economic development programs, we support immigrant entrepreneurs as they launch businesses and shape their own futures.
Why This Moment Matters
Today’s economic landscape is increasingly complex. Families are navigating rising costs of living, job and income uncertainty, and limited access to capital. At the same time, many face barriers to essential services, complicated systems, and ongoing immigration challenges. Layered onto this is a broader climate of political division that makes equitable access to opportunity even more urgent.
In moments like this, leadership must be intentional. Systems must be inclusive. And those most impacted must be represented in decision-making spaces, public policy, and community conversations.
At Adelante Mujeres, we have a responsibility to serve as a trusted voice that is grounded in community values, lived experience, and cultural strength.
The Strength and Barriers Within Latine Communities
Latine communities across Oregon are growing. Latines are essential to our state’s workforce and entrepreneurial landscape. There is no shortage of talent, vision, or determination. What’s missing is equitable access to opportunity.
Too many entrepreneurs face structural barriers. There are language and digital divides, and limited access to capital. Systems are not designed for microbusinesses or first-generation entrepreneurs. Even when resources exist, they are often too technical or inaccessible. And as systems move increasingly online, they assume a level of digital literacy that not everyone has.
That’s why our work begins with meeting people where they are. We simplify communication, provide culturally relevant education, and build programs that reflect the real experiences of our community.
Rethinking Economic Development
Traditional economic development models often take a top-down, one-size-fits-all approach. But communities are not one-size-fits-all, and neither are their solutions.
We believe in designing systems with the community, not for the community.
A participant-centered approach shifts the focus to lived experience, cultural relevance, and long-term stability. It recognizes that entrepreneurs don’t struggle because they lack talent. They struggle because systems were not built with them in mind. True inclusion requires more than helping people navigate broken systems. It requires changing the rules altogether.
A Model Rooted in People
The participants we serve reflect both the challenges and the strength within our communities:
78% identify as female
71% are between the ages of 35-54
52% are working full-time or part-time
18% are self-employed
48% 4-5 ppl households
53% annual household income < $35,000
These statistics reflect trends in low-income Latine groups, where women often lead income-generating activities. For many, microenterprise is not just a dream—it’s a practical pathway to economic stability.
Economic development isn’t just building businesses, but building leaders. It isn’t just increasing income, but strengthening families. It isn’t just creating opportunity, but sustaining it across generations.
Our Approach: Building an Ecosystem of Support
Our programs are locally grounded, culturally responsive, and deeply connected to real economic conditions. We take a unified ecosystem approach by integrating business development, financial education, market access, and policy advocacy.
We support entrepreneurs at every stage by:
Providing bilingual, culturally responsive education and technology support
Promoting values-based leadership grounded in People, Planet, Profit, and Purpose
Supporting business launch, stabilization, and long-term growth
Offering practical market insights to help entrepreneurs make informed decisions
We know that prosperity is not just about income. It’s about dignity, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
The Power of Partnerships
Economic justice does not happen in isolation. It is built through collaboration.
Our partnerships—with community-based organizations, government agencies, financial institutions, and local and national coalitions—expand access to resources, open new markets, and influence policy. They allow us to amplify community voice and ensure that entrepreneurs are not just participants in the economy, but architects of it.
Through these partnerships, we create space for entrepreneurs to:
Share their stories
Name the barriers they face
Engage with decision-makers
Advocate for systemic change
When we work together, small programs grow into systems change. And entrepreneurs grow into community leaders.
What Happens When Community Comes First
When we center community, transformation follows. We see women opening businesses and families achieving stability. We see rural economies growing stronger. We see young people imagining new possibilities for their futures. We see new leaders emerging who invest back into their communities and advocate for change. Small businesses often become engines of belonging, resilience, and civic participation. Because when entrepreneurs gain economic power, they gain civic power too.
We envision an Oregon where economic prosperity is inclusive, community-driven, and rooted in equity. We want community voices to lead the way, and cross-sector partnerships that drive meaningful change.
Latine entrepreneurs are building businesses that are integral to the future of our communities and vital to our economy, and Adelante Mujeres is proud of our role in helping these entrepreneurs succeed.
Note: This blog was adapted from a presentation given by Lourdes Herencia at the 2026 NCRC (National Community Reinvestment Coalition) Just Economy Conference in Washington DC.