4 MORE: Cincinnati Hispanic Chamber
As part of our year-end issue, we are revisiting Cincinnati People stories from throughout 2021.
We checked in with Alfonso Cornejo, president of the Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati, about the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
The original interview from September is below.
What’s been the biggest surprise to you in 2021?
I was extremely optimistic that the COVID pandemic was going to be over by mid-year and our summer would be like things were before the pandemic. But the strength of this pandemic forced us to continue to do all kinds of virtual events.
Now I hope that my dreams are realized in Summer 2022.
What’s changed since we last spoke?
This pandemic negatively impacted all Chamber of Commerce operating in our area.
We love to have massive networking meetings where you can say hello to 50 or 60 people, and exchange business cards with 30 of them, in one meeting. In Zoom meetings we can share information, but you cannot have 25 different conversations at the same time. Virtual meetings are better than no meetings at all, but is just not the same
Due to the pandemic, we had a small event to celebrate our 25th anniversary as a chamber of commerce. We framed our presentations as “our first 25 years and our plans for our next 25 years.”
What did TOPIC teach you about Cincinnati?
The recent 2020 Census showed how much our community is growing. In a clear way, Hispanics are the human energy that sustains the economic growth of the nation.
While in Ohio Hispanics are only 4.4% of the population, roughly half of the entire growth in the state of Ohio was due to Hispanic growth.
We clearly need to seek, attract, and motivate more Hispanic entrepreneurs to relocate and operate in our area. To help the 147 Latino restaurants operating in our region, we created a new program this year, Cincy-Sabroso. The website had all the different restaurants by type of cuisine we have – Colombian, Venezuelan, Mexican, and more – and promoted eating at them during Hispanic Heritage Month.
What are you looking forward to most in 2022?
I’m looking forward to the bringing people together again with our programs and event. I am happy and optimistic about the future, because we believe that our best years are still ahead especially as the Hispanic population and entrepreneurs continue to grow and help our local community.
“This Hispanic Heritage Month is especially important because the new 2020 Census data shows that Hispanics are providing the ‘human energy’ that this nation need to continue its growth,” says Alfonso Cornejo, president of Cincinnati Hispanic Chamber.
Since 2007, local Hispanic leaders and organizations have celebrated Greater Cincinnati’s Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. Honoring Spanish-speaking people and their contributions enriches our experience and understanding of heritage.
“As we enter Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, we are extremely proud of all the many and different activities that are organized to really show our Hispanic roots and the tremendous contributions we are doing for the overall economy, our culture and new creating new traditions in the nation,” says Cornejo.
The Hispanic Heritage Festival in Sharon Woods (in Cardinal Crest Meadow) is Sunday, Sept.19 from 12–5 p.m., sponsored by La Mega Media. Along with food from MashRoots and Taqueria Los Cuñados, attendees will enjoy an afternoon of entertainment from Dayton Salsa Project, Zumba with Aida, El Alacrán de Durango, Cincinnati Baila! Dance Academy, and DJ Alexis. Salsannati will offer salsa dancing lessons at 1 p.m. and 3:40 p.m., so you can join in the fun.
Great Parks is following protocols from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ohio Department of Health. Physical distancing and sanitation recommendations will be followed.
The Reds once again celebrate their Fiesta Rojos at Great American Ballpark on Sept. 24, featuring activities in the community and ceremonies at Great American Ball Park.
In celebration of Fiesta Rojos, Reds players and coaches will wear special “Los Rojos” jerseys for that evening’s game against the Washington Nationals. Many of the pregame and in-game ceremonies will feature members of Cincinnati’s Hispanic community including a live band and DJ, Honor Guard with flags from Latin countries, National Anthem, Hometown Hero, First Responder of the Game, and the Hispanic Community Advocate Award presented by TriHealth. Students from local schools have been invited to visit the P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy for a PLAY BALL clinic, Q&A session with Academy coaches plus salsa dancing.
Salsa on the Square, every Thursday now through Sept. 3, from 7-10 p.m. on Fountain Square features local and regional Latin bands specializing in Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, and Latin Jazz.
On Oct. 2, the Hispanic Heritage Celebration: Festival and Expo sponsored by Green Umbrella highlights Latinx culture and its many contributions to the local community. Held at the Fairfield Lane Library (1485 Corydale Drive), the event will include many agencies and organizations sharing bilingual-friendly community resources and opportunities, along with crafts, performances, and activities for the whole family.
“The truly unique program we are initiating this year is the Cincy Sabroso initiative.” says Cornejos. “This is a weeklong celebration with the many Latin American cousins we have in our Cincy-metro area, with more than 350 establishments.”
“From Oct. 3 to Oct 10, we are encouraging the public to visit their favorite Latino restaurant or to try a new one,” says Cornejos.
Cincy Sabroso pays tribute to the colorful and delicious flavors of Latin American dishes, including Argentinian, Cuban, Mexican, Peruvian, Spanish, and Venezuelan cuisines, that all add diverse flavors to the city. See the full list at of participating restaurants.
“We can tell you there are opportunities for everybody to participate depending on what they would like to do,” says Cornejo.