Maria's Message

No surprise to many of us that the latest Census Bureau statistics show that Hispanics are now the nation's largest ethnic group. The Hispanic population in Wisconsin and Milwaukee has grown significantly, 107% in the state and doubling in Milwaukee to 12% (2000 Census).

Hispanics now comprise 13% of the U.S. population growing to 37 million in July 2001. The estimates are the Bureau's first statistics on race and ethnicity since the release of the 2000 census. The Hispanic population is expected to continue its extensive growth given the younger median are and the higher birth rate compared to other groups. The Federal Government considers "Hispanic" an ethnicity not a race. As such, people of Hispanic ethnicity can be of any race.

We are seeing our impact. Our buying power, no longer ignored and estimated at 580 billion, has prompted accelerated target marketing. Hispanic owned firms are on the rise with many of them their own success stories as the fastest growing and most successful.

Population explosion notwithstanding we must harness this growing energy to continue charting a positive course to economic and small business prosperity. We must attain, through our own merits, positions of influence and authority. We must continue to advocate the important benefits of higher education to our young. We must avow to a vision of progress, encourage a renewed commitment to restore and transform our urban Hispanic communities. Above all we must rid ourselves of apathy on all levels and always remain intolerant of mediocrity.

Adelante Juntos,

Maria Monreal-Cameron
President and CEO