The Spanish-language business development program Mercadito Ra铆ces graduated its largest group of Latino entrepreneurs Friday morning.
The celebration took place amid the ongoing setup for Festival Latino in Genoa Park 鈥� and in the shadow of changes to federal immigration policies, which have stoked fear in the Latino community.
Some communities, including Canton, have canceled Latino Festivals this year.
Columbus Councilwoman Lourdes Barossa de Padilla said Columbus' Festival Latino is going on "business as usual" which shows the resiliency and grit of the community.
"Latinos are not a monolith, right? And while, yes, right now it feels like our community is under attack, this is the time where we have to stand together in solidarity," Barroso de Padilla told 网曝黑料. "This is the time that we have to continue to celebrate our culture. We have to continuing to celebrate the contributions of Latinos in this country."
Owners of the two-dozen emerging businesses that completed the six-month Mercadito Ra铆ces program gathered for a ceremonial ribbon cutting, cheering and laughing as the ribbon fluttered to the ground.
New businesses include restaurants and caterers, candle arts, balloon decor, cleaning services, barbers, boutiques and crafts.
Iris Nunez of Columbus completed the program and is excited to expand her business, Golden Cleaning Services.
"I started my business with no knowledge and really just trying to do something better for my family. But I didn't have the right steps to make it happen, so I did it kind of blindsided and I didn't properly set it up," Nunez said.
She said Mercadito Ra铆ces, which is led by Catholic Social Services at Our Lady of Guadalupe Center, helped her get the business on steady ground with step-by-step instructions. Like many of the other graduates of Mercadito Ra铆ces, Nunez will be at Festival Latino this weekend.
Her excitement, however, is tempered by today's political climate.
"You're excited, but at the same time, you're not just because of so many changes that is going on right now," Nunez said. "If I can just give an advice it's just keep pushing forward and have faith in God and just don't stop yourself from an opportunity just because your afraid."
Barossa de Padilla acknowledged that some people may be afraid to even attend Festival Latino this year.
"I think that people are scared to come out anywhere. It's not just this festival, it's the grocery store, it's The Municipal Court, right?" Barossa de Padilla said, referencing a recent incident where Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested an 18-year-old at the Franklin County Municipal Court.
One of the festival's planned headliners, Daniela Darcourt, a Peruvian singer, was removed from the lineup due to issues with her Visa approval process. It's not clear whether the issue was tied to recent immigration policy changes in the U.S., or if it was unrelated.
Salsa singer and musician Michael Stuart, who was born in New York City to Puerto Rican immigrant parents, will take her place.
Barossa de Padilla encouraged those who can to attend Festival Latino to support the community and the emerging business owners featured this year.
"Spend your money here, support these businesses today and tomorrow," she said.
Festival Latino will include booths for almost 60 small businesses. Of those, over half are women-owned and about 40% are former or current graduates of Mercadito Ra铆ces, according to Ramona Reyes, vice president or Catholic Social Services.
