Part II: Transforming Culture Into Power—Backed by Real Economic Strength

Political Editor's Note

Welcome back to Crystal Negron's compelling series on transforming the Central Florida Hispanic community's economic strength into civic power. In Part One, Crystal laid out the undeniable economic might of our region's fastest-growing demographic, highlighting contributions of over $16 billion locally and the support of more than 20,000 businesses. She passionately argued that this financial prowess must be translated into political influence, asserting that economic power without civic engagement is incomplete power.

Now, in Part Two, "Transforming Culture Into Power—When the Numbers Speak, We Must Act," Crystal delves deeper into the real-world barriers that Hispanic entrepreneurs face, providing data that underscores systemic challenges in accessing capital. She reveals how these disparities—from loan denials to insufficient funding—impact families and delay the pursuit of the American Dream. Crystal then powerfully outlines concrete steps for our community to leverage its $90 billion statewide economic impact into meaningful policy change and proportional representation. Her message is clear: transparency, support, and collective action are essential to ensure the Hispanic community's undeniable contributions are met with the recognition and policy influence they deserve.

David Washington, Political Editor

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Part II: Transforming Culture Into Power—Backed by Real Economic Strength

By Crystal Negron

We’ve spent generations building legacy—not only through our culture, but through commerce. From bustling tamale stands in East Orlando to thriving Hispanic law firms in Buenaventura Lakes, we’ve turned ambition into enterprise. Our influence is visible in our businesses and in the vibrant neighborhoods we’ve invested our hearts in. Yet despite that growth, something still isn’t connecting.

Every day, entrepreneurs hit barriers that feel more daunting than the work itself.

That’s because the roadblocks are real—and the data proves it.

According to the 2021 Small Business Credit Survey (Federal Reserve), 44 percent of Hispanic business owners were denied loans, compared to just 34 percent of white applicants. When Hispanic entrepreneurs presented strong credit profiles, only 25 percent received full funding, while 48 percent of white business owners in similar standing were fully approved. Bankrate’s 2023 analysis confirms the same disparity: only 19 percent of Hispanic applicants received the full amount requested, versus 35 percent of white-owned firms.

These aren’t merely numbers—they’re signals. They suggest barriers at every stage of growth. While I can’t speak for every entrepreneur, I can safely guess that some feel discouraged, blocked, or left out—not for lack of effort, but for lack of access.

These challenges are deeply personal. They might impact the single mother selling pastelitos from her kitchen while raising children, or the teenager helping Abuela close the family shop each night instead of attending social events. These barriers affect parents balancing payroll with college tuition payments, trying to give their children the shot they never had. They hit families who apply for business loans in the morning and home loans by afternoon, only to hear “denied” again and again—sometimes for reasons as thin as a missing document or unclear credit history.

When capital access is uneven, opportunity becomes conditional. When we are denied, our families are delayed. When we’re delayed, the American Dream starts to feel reserved for someone else.

Florida Statutes Chapter 288.703 defines a “Minority Business Enterprise” and outlines requirements for technical assistance, training, and outreach. But Florida does not require financial institutions to track or report loan outcomes by race or ethnicity. Without transparency, we cannot hold lenders accountable. We cannot identify gaps. We cannot correct course.

This lack of data keeps our community invisible. Invisibility limits action. Silence around our financial contributions is no longer acceptable.

Our economic strength is undeniable. Hispanic-led businesses in Florida generate more than $90 billion in annual impact. That figure reflects job creation, community investment, and consumer demand. And yet, influence in policy remains disproportionately low.

So how do we translate economic might into civic power?

We must mandate statewide reporting of loan approval data by race and ethnicity, following the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s upcoming SBA lending rules.

We must fund bilingual business development centers where Latino entrepreneurs can receive credit-building support, navigational guidance, and policy education.

We must tie public contracts and grant programs to Hispanic inclusion benchmarks, ensuring our firms have a seat at every table they helped build.

We cannot wait for someone to give us a voice. We must use the one we already have.

When culture and commerce align with consistent civic action, transformation happens. “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” We cannot split culture from politics, identity from advocacy. They are interconnected—just like our communities.

We are not seeking handouts. We are demanding fairness. Access. The same opportunities that others have long been granted. Our contributions require representation. Our businesses deserve policies that reflect our values.

To every Hispanic entrepreneur navigating these challenges: your efforts don’t just fuel your household—they shape Florida’s future. The choices we make now—to organize, to vote, to advocate—determine whether we will be counted or considered. Civic power isn’t granted. It’s nurtured—step by step, policy by policy, voice by voice.

Because we’re not just building businesses—we’re building leverage.

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Crystal Negron’s article is the kind of thoughtful, data-driven advocacy that The Orlando Voice exists to amplify—voices that understand that real change happens when communities move from the margins to the center of political discourse.

This article first appeared in The Orlando Voice Politics, July 23, 2025