BizBlock
A Closer Look at
By Celia Rentería Szelwach
¡ Hay mucha excitación en Tampa Bay sobre el comienzo de la organización nueva , HYPE ! HYPE stands for Hispanic Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs , Inc ., a new community-focused organization catering to young Hispanic professionals . According to founder and co-chair , Gilberto “ Gil ” Sanchez , a corporate attorney with Maney & Gordon , P . A ., HYPE is a nonprofit organization registered through the State of Florida which officially started in May 2006 . Sanchez developed the conceptual framework and philosophy underlying HYPE with co-chair Maria Elena Elisalde , Assistant Vice President of Commercial Banking with SunTrust Bank and past-President of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs ( NSHMBA ). Endorsed by the Tampa Bay Hispanic Chamber of Commerce , Sanchez and Elisalde formed a steering committee which has evolved into the 13-member Board of Directors . An Honorary Advisory Board comprised of five distinguished leaders also oversees HYPE ’ s strategic planning and offers expertise and resources as needed .
Currently , HYPE serves over 60 members . Ninety percent of the members are Hispanic and fifty percent are women . Annual membership fees are $ 50 and members have to be 21 years or older . In keeping with HYPE ’ s mission “ to fuse Hispanic / Latino young professionals amongst each other and integrate them within the community ,” members are expected to contribute their energy , knowledge and time to worthy causes .
Says Sanchez : “ From a community standpoint , HYPE members will assist students in elementary and high school through mentoring since education plays a large part in socioeconomic status . We ’ ll assist them as they rise through grade levels , expose them to different options for careers , colleges , or trade schools , and let them know what ’ s possible .” Since HYPE ’ s philosophy is not to reinvent the wheel , the community outreach committee intends to develop strategic community partnerships in order to leverage resources . One such partnership is already in the works with the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce . Approached by Jose Valiente , Chairman for the Chamber ’ s Board of Directors , Sanchez is looking for 400 mentors to work with high school students in the Junior Achievement program .
HYPE members will also reap tremendous business benefits through education , networking ,
professional development , and community leadership . Members will meet like-minded professionals with a variety of experiences and have access to influential community leaders who can offer career mentoring , entrepreneurial coaching , and start-up capital for new ventures . In addition , members will enhance their skills by participating in HYPE ’ s four standing committees : Social and Marketing ; Community Outreach ; Public Relations ; and Professional Development .
Sanchez expects HYPE ( www . hypetampabay . org ) to make a big impact initially in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties , eventually spreading into Pasco and Hernando counties as well . But his vision doesn ’ t stop there . Sanchez fervently declares , “ On a grander scale , ( when ) HYPE is a successful community organization in Tampa Bay , we want to replicate this throughout the country !” Latin Times enthusiastically says , “¡ Bien Hecho !”
Celia Rentería Szelwach is a writer , speaker , and president of Creative Collaborations Consulting . Contact her at cszelwach @ creative-collaborations . com or 941-795-0928 .
The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce Gulf Coast of Florida , Inc .
Announces the Election of the new Board of Directors
By Elizabeth Saldaña Kobel , President
The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce Gulf Coast of Florida , Inc ., founded in 1992 , has reemerged with a renewed dedication to create an awareness and appreciation of Puerto Rican culture and its contributions in economics , arts , government and industry and support business opportunities for the Puerto Rican community in the Tri-county area , as well as promoting increased trade and commerce between this market and the Island of Puerto Rico .
At a recent meeting , founding member and former Chamber President , Jose Ramos CPA , enthusiastically approved the renewal of the Chamber , and encouraged the new Board of Directors to continue with the Chamber ’ s tradition of outreach , networking , and establishment of partnerships with other community and business groups .
Charged with the task of reorganizing the Chamber of Commerce are Mrs . Elizabeth Saldaña Kobel and Mr . John Kobel – owners of Boricua . com – a website and company offering information , goods and services to the Puerto Rican community worldwide . The members of the new Board of Directors are :
Executive Directors : Elizabeth Saldaña Kobel – President Luis A . Lopez – Vice President Toni Cruz – Treasurer Yesenia Collazo – Esq . Directors : Awilda Castro Eric López Jolie González María A . López – Press Secretary John Kobel – Sergeant At Arms Jose Ramos – Past President
• July / August 06 • Abraza El Calor De Tu Cultura !