Prominent members of the Massachusetts Latinx community spent most of Friday in partnership with local organizations, discussing how to move forward on a number of issues affecting its members — notably housing and how to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The virtual Amplify Conference: Activating our Latinx Power was hosted by Amplify Latinx, an organization run by Rosario Ubiera-Minaya of Salem. Among those who spoke were Gov. Charlie Baker; Mike Kennealy, the state Housing and Economic Development Secretary; and Lynn English graduate Carlos Prudencio, one of the driving forces behind the establishment of a Black Lives Matter mural on Essex Street in Lynn.
Among the emcees was Lynn School Committee member Brian Castellanos. Also, St. Mary’s graduate Amanda Mena, who earlier this year competed on “American Idol,” sang “This is Me.”
The conference brought together Latinx leaders, community organizations, businesses and power-building groups from across Massachusetts to strengthen relationships and co-create a Latinx policy blueprint that advances its prosperity.
“I thought it was fantastic,” said Ubiera-Minaya. “We put together a stellar lineup of speakers representing Latino leadership, not only in Massachusetts, but nationally.
“We really wanted to engage in this discussion and conversation that is going to move us forward, and give us a renewed sense of responsibility in making the changes we want to see for our communities.”
Prudencio alluded to the difficulties he and co-sponsor Damianny Garrido faced in getting the Lynn City Council to approve a BLM mural, “but I’d rather focus on the positivity,” he said.
“We have created an awareness of the separation of the phrase ‘Black Lives Matter’ and the organization,” he said. “We have come to a consensus that the phrase ‘Black Lives Matter’ is important to us. That is what we stand for.”
Prudencio also noted that even though his name is Hispanic, “this hair that I have,” he said, pointing to his locks which were tied up in a bun, “came from Black roots. That’s why I do it. The positivity that came out of the project is what’s important.”
Both Kennealy and Baker talked about state initiatives that target the Latinx population.
“One of our big goals is equity,” Kennealy said. “Every citizen deserves an opportunity for success. We’ve made investments to create affordable housing, zoning reform. Housing has been a big goal for us.”
Another priority, Kennealy said, is helping small businesses.
“We recognize that small business had incredible challenges during the pandemic,” he said. “We gave out grants to small businesses where 42 percent of them were minority-owned. They were the hardest-hit sectors during the pandemic. We need to get capital in the hands of these businesses, and that’s possible with great partners like Amplify. It is a great example of partnership.”
Both Baker and Kennealy saw the early college programs in cities and towns as a boost for those who struggle with tuition costs or don’t know if the environment is right for them.
“When we started this program, most people thought that it was only the students in the suburbs who would be interested — white students and their families,” Baker said of the program, which allows high-school students to take college courses. “What’s most gratifying to us is that it’s not the kids you’d assume would be interested. About 63 percent of the kids in that program are people of color, and they’re from disproportionate communities.
“(Some of the students) come from families where no one went to college,” Baker said. “Some of them may not think they’re college material themselves. This program allows them to kick the tires and see for themselves.”
Baker also discussed housing.
“There’s a lot of evidence that shows home ownership among people of color is greater in Massachusetts than anywhere else in the country,” he said. “Housing creates a huge opportunity for us.”
Both Baker and Kennealy said that owning a house is one of the best ways to create generational wealth for families.
“I feel very motivated,” said Castellanos. “We’re all here to help move forward some very vital initiatives that are important. It takes a village. I’m excited to be in public service and be in a position to help kids.”
“We’ve had experiences coming to this country and not having diverse representation for teachers, administrators, and, going forward, professors that understand our cultural experience,” said Ubiera-Minaya. “We want to create a platform for more representation in every sector. That’s the pathway to get more economic mobility for our communities.”
