Advancing Economic Opportunity
In March our Director of Microenterprise, Lourdes Herencia, traveled to Washington, D.C. to represent Adelante Mujeres at the UnidosUS Prosperity Forward Convening. This event gathered leaders from across the country who are committed to building a more inclusive, resilient economy. Among nearly 200 changemakers in the room, Adelante Mujeres stood as the only organization from Oregon, bringing the voices, experiences, and innovations of our community to the national stage.
We are proud to share that Adelante Mujeres is also among the first 30 organizations nationwide to endorse the UnidosUS Economic Prosperity Agenda, a bold, community-informed roadmap for advancing economic mobility and shared prosperity. This moment reflects a policy alignment and deep affirmation of what we see every day: when Latine communities thrive, our entire nation moves forward.
Grounded in Community, Built for the Future
The UnidosUS Economic Prosperity Agenda was shaped by hundreds of listening sessions with families, workers, and entrepreneurs across the country.
As UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía shared in a press release, “Over the past year, UnidosUS crisscrossed the nation and sat down with families, workers, small business owners, community leaders and what emerged was a picture of an economy that is leaving too many people behind. Our Economic Prosperity Agenda has their priorities at its core, because investing in Latino prosperity is not a side bet, it is the central economic strategy that will power America’s economic future.”
Latines are projected to make up 78% of net new workers this decade. Latino-owned businesses already generate more than $650 billion in revenue and employ 3.5 million people nationwide. These statistics show the ingenuity, resilience, and leadership within our communities. The Economic Prosperity Agenda is rooted in the lived realities of families striving for stability and opportunity.
Four Pillars, One Shared Vision
The Economic Prosperity Agenda is built on four interconnected pillars that align closely with Adelante Mujeres’ work:
Housing: Everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home. Expanding access to homeownership can close wealth gaps and create lasting economic security for families.
Labor & Workforce Development: Quality jobs with fair pay, safe conditions, and opportunities for growth are essential. Policies like raising the federal minimum wage to $17 could deliver $70 billion annually to workers and strengthen the broader economy.
Entrepreneurship: This pillar is especially close to our hearts. Expanding access to capital, mentorship, and networks empowers entrepreneurs to launch and grow businesses that uplift entire communities.
Family Security: Helping families thrive is core to our mission. From childcare to paid leave, families need systems that allow them to care for loved ones without sacrificing economic stability.
Where Policy Meets Practice: Adelante’s Microenterprise Programs
Our microenterprise programs are rooted in the belief that entrepreneurship is a pathway to dignity, self-determination, and community wealth. We support Latine entrepreneurs—especially women—with culturally relevant training, access to capital, and ongoing mentorship. These small businesses go on to create jobs, preserve cultural traditions, and reinvest in local economies.
When the UnidosUS agenda calls for expanding access to fair financing tools and strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems, we see our participants. We see the food entrepreneurs launching at local markets, reducing carbon emissions by shortening supply chains. We see artisans and service providers building generational wealth. We see innovation grounded in culture and community.
This is what economic prosperity looks like in action.
Building Momentum, Together
Our engagement doesn’t stop here. This July, our Co-Founder and Executive Director Bridget Cooke and Director of Leadership & Advocacy Gabriela Ordóñez will represent Adelante Mujeres at the UnidosUS National Conference in Austin, continuing to build partnerships and elevate the voices of our community on a national platform.
As the country looks ahead to critical policy decisions and elections, the UnidosUS Economic Prosperity Agenda offers a clear call: we must invest in solutions that reflect the realities and aspirations of working families.
We are part of a growing movement that bridges sectors, uplifts community-driven solutions, and insists on an economy that works for all of us.