CELH Celebrates 10 Queer Graduates From Their Professional Development Program

Last Tuesday, Cámara de Empresarios Latinos de Houston (CELH) celebrated 10 queer graduates from their latest professional development program, Soy Yo: Mi Imagen Hacia el Futuro, in partnership with Fundación Latinoamericana de Acción Social (FLAS), a nonprofit organization that offers a range of programs and social services to support the Latinx LGBTQIA+ community in Houston regarding behavioral health, substance use treatment, HIV/STD counseling and testing, food assistance, and referrals to other services.

“Diversity and inclusion is to speak about equality, acceptance, education, and fair treatment of all people,” said Adriana González, President of CELH; “That is why our mission is to create educational foundations that improve the strategies and business success of members, while sustaining cultural heritage, generating business opportunities and empowering the next generation of Hispanic Entrepreneurs.”

The program is their first pilot-program partnership in which FLAS members had the opportunity to learn professional development skills for their futures. Some of the professional development opportunities the attendees experienced included: learning how to fine-tune their personal resumes and tips for interviewing for potential job opportunities through mock interviews; discussing tips about how to arrive as the best dressed to networking events; creating healthier habits as professionals; and getting professional photographs for their LinkedIn profiles.

All participants heard testimonials from diverse professionals, including Jackie Aguilera, Project Manager, Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy; Alexis Vargas, Owner and Publicist, The Latinx Publicist; Luis Ortiz, Chairman, Cámara de Empresarios Latinos de Houston, and Engineer, NASA; Elia Chino, Founder and CEO, FLAS; and Grace Olivares, Community Empowerment Director, Univision.

During their last meeting, all participants listened to three panelists give their testimonials and advice: Logan Vargas, Representative, The Latinx Publicist; Viridiana Maldonado, Owner and Publicist, The Social Click; and Osvaldo Corral, News Anchor, Univision 45. The participants then introduced themselves, expressed their overall takeaways from the program, and received certificates of completion. At the end of the meeting, the participants had their professional headshots taken, networked amongst each other, and celebrated their accomplishments together with cake.

CELH is preparing for their next program in partnership with CBBA Productions, Círculo de Mujeres Empresariales. This series will be held at 6 p.m. every Tuesday starting on June 25, 2024, through Aug. 13, 2024, where they’ll connect businesswomen in a series of workshops relating to professional image, health, yoga, communications, and more. For more information about their next series, visit the CELH website.

Author

Sonia Sanchez

Sonia Sanchez is a vibrant journalist with Mexican roots that has a penchant for spreading good news. Her journey into journalism began at The Dateline, the student-run newspaper for The University of Houston-Downtown. She has a Master of Science in Technical Communication and Bachelor of Science in Professional Writing. She is also a Latina in Tech that runs a technical writing business called Simply Write for clients such as HP, Inc. She enjoys taking Hip-Hop and Street Jazz dance classes around Houston for fun. Recognized for her contributions to journalism, Sonia received a scholarship from the Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals. With a passion for cultural topics and a dedication to uplifting the Latino community, Sonia continues to make her mark as a journalist with heart and credibility. She is also passionate about the advancement of women, especially Latinas.

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