In New York City, more than 800 Latino leaders, advocates, and allies gathered at the United Nations Headquarters for the 7th Annual Hispanic Leadership Summit, hosted by the We Are All Human Foundation. The summit, a cornerstone event for advancing Latino leadership, marked a pivotal moment for one of America’s most influential communities.
Over three days attendees from corporate, government, media, and entertainment sectors discussed strategies to elevate Latino representation and economic inclusion. The opening day at IBM’s headquarters featured interactive workshops, while sessions at the U.N. tackled key challenges such as consumer representation and community empowerment.
Claudia Romo Edelman, founder and CEO of the We Are All Human Foundation, set the tone with a call to action: “The U.N. is a place where decisions have shaped the world, and today, we can do the same for our community. Our goal is to equip Latino leaders with tools, data, and networks that empower them to lead with confidence and vision.”
Data Signals a Shift in Expectations
A central focus of the summit was the release of the Hispanic Sentiment Study, conducted in partnership with Nielsen, which highlighted the significant economic power and evolving expectations of Hispanic consumers. The findings revealed that 60% of Hispanic consumers are willing to cut ties with brands that fail to value their community, while 59% expect companies to actively support causes that matter to them. With Latinos contributing $3.2 trillion annually to the U.S. economy, the largest and fastest-growing minority consumer bloc—the study delivered a clear message to corporate America: inclusion, authenticity, and meaningful engagement are no longer optional but imperative for success.
Among the summit’s initiatives was the launch of the Hispanic Star Promise Pledge, a commitment urging individuals to take actionable steps in uplifting Latino voices and opportunities. Designed to foster unity and progress, the pledge serves as both a personal and collective challenge to reshape narratives about Latino contributions.
Leadership and Voices of Impact
The summit brought together prominent leaders from diverse industries, each underscoring the urgency of harnessing Latino talent to drive America’s economic growth. Notable speakers included Isabel Casillas Guzman, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration; Daniel Alegre, CEO of TelevisaUnivision; Marissa Solis, Senior Vice President of Global Brand and Consumer Marketing at the NFL; and Grammy-winning producer Emilio Estefan. Their collective insights highlighted the critical role of Latino leadership and representation in shaping the nation’s economic and cultural future.
The Hispanic Star Gala
The event culminated in the 4th Annual Hispanic Star Gala, held at Cipriani Wall Street, celebrating leaders who have advanced Latino representation. Honorees included Cesar Conde, Chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, and trailblazing journalist Maria Hinojosa.
Sports icon Billie Jean King reinforced the theme of collective empowerment: “Latinos, women, and allies have been pushing boundaries together for generations. Let’s stand up, speak out, and keep going. Vamos!”
The evening combined celebration with purpose, featuring fundraising efforts to support Hispanic Star initiatives and performances that reflected the community’s vibrancy.
A Movement, Not Just a Meeting
The Hispanic Leadership Summit underscored the growing influence of the Latino community in shaping America’s future. Through data, actionable initiatives, and a collective call to action, the event reflected a larger movement, one focused on unity, economic inclusion, and cultural pride.
Claudia Romo Edelman’s closing remarks captured the spirit of the summit: “We will not stop until Latinos are seen as the vital force driving this country’s growth and prosperity. Together, we are unstoppable.”
The summit’s impact extends far beyond the event itself. At a time when Latino influence in the U.S. is expanding across business, culture, and politics, initiatives like the Hispanic Leadership Summit set a path for meaningful change. The message is clear: America’s future is Latino, and the momentum is unstoppable.