LACCC History

Established in 1995 by a pioneer effort, LACC Charlotte operated initially within the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce as “La Americas Business Council.” Those Latino and non-Latino visionary leaders that spearheaded that effort included Manuel Zapata, Tony Arias, Victor Guzman, Elisa Rodriguez, Wayne Cooper, German de Castro, Olma Echeverry, Jennifer Roberts, Carlos Sanchez, Dan Ramirez, Cecilia Ramirez and Astrid Chirinos among others. In 2001, they received their own non-profit charter 501 c (6) from the State of North Carolina as the Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Charlotte (LACCC). It was created in response to the explosive growth of Latino/Hispanic population, workforce and businesses during the 80s and 90s that needed to get connected in the Charlotte region.

Today, the LACCC is governed by a dynamic 12-member board of directors under the chairmanship of Julio Colmenares, the organization operates daily under the executive directorship of Astrid Chirinos. Their mission is “to foster the economic growth and development of the Latin American business community in the Charlotte region.” LACC Charlotte’s membership is made up of Latino and non-Latino business owners, professionals and non-profits who share in a desire to network, mentor and participate in a platform of relevant programs and events that include retooling, leadership development, access to opportunities and resources and empowerment to benefit its partners and membership. LACCC also operates its own 501 c(3) LACCC Foundation, established by Elisa Rodriguez in 2008 to support its programs, efforts and outreach.

On April 2011 it was announced that the LACC Charlotte and the LACC Georgia (formely the Mexican American Business Chamber of Georgia) have struck a strategic alliance to provide resources and support to create a regional non-profit organization, the Latin American Chamber of Commerce of the Southeast (LACC Southeast) that will engage and support Latino Businesses in this economic recovery. The alliance will also include other states such as Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina and Kentucky. By formalizing this unprecedented Latino Business initiative and alliance, these two non-profits believe that they will have more access to wealth transfer and new resources, training, contacts and business opportunities that in turn they will share with their respective memberships as well as other Southeastern Latino business communities.