“We are in the business of business,” is one of the messages stated on the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s website.
It’s a powerful slogan, there’s no doubt, a catchy phrase, too, but one that tells with just a few words what that organization is all about. Basically, that the Chamber is in the business of helping Hispanic businesses thrive. In more ways than one.
Based on information published in that chamber’s 2025 Annual Report, there are several opportunities available in that organization that help achieve its lofty objectives.
One of the contingencies available at the Chamber is the Lanzar Cohort program, a one-day-a-week for ten weeks course that helps entrepreneurs, among other things, create a business plan that can eventually lead to a successful launch of their specific business ventures.
IMAGES: Iconic building housing the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, its media room, and posters pointing out its 2026 goals.
There are two versions of the Lanzar Cohort program. One’s done in English, in the spring, and the other one in Spanish, in the fall.
Capital Tandas is another available program that helps chamber members thrive and achieve their individual business goals. According to the Hispanic Chamber’s website, the program “provides entrepreneurs with free one-on-one consultations to strengthen their business plans, financial strategies, and access to capital.” The Tandas are available every Friday. Interested chamber members are asked to book a consultation online.
For member businesses that have a need to create digital or other types of media content for their specific requirements, the organization also offers exclusive use of its state-of-the-art media room. It can be used for different purposes, among them, to film a promo, to record a podcast, or to host a livestreaming event. The soundproofed media room is equipped with dual cameras, a display monitor, an audio mixer, and professional lighting.
But there’s much more that needs to be said about the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and what it does for its members. To begin with, it’s a business-people’s organization that’s been around for a while. It was founded in August of 1973 by visionary leaders of Mexican American ancestry. According to historical records, those visionaries believed in the power of business folks of the same ancestry helping each other, networking, and being there for each other if needed. It’s been a little over fifty years since that prophetic decision took place, when visionaries like Dick Salinas, the Chamber’s first president, and others decided to have a business organization to call their own.
Much has changed since then. The Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber has grown tremendously over the last five decades and so has its membership. It has also added a long line of corporate partners, and just as long a line of the services it offers to its members. What was started mainly as a way for Hispanic businesses to network and to help each other, has now become a hub of business know-how that is shared with its members to help them thrive.
The Chamber has also become iconic in a national way. The city of Fort Worth and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce are about to host the 2026 United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) yearly national conference. On September 14 to 16 of this year to be exact.
It’s a huge event, for people and businesses of Hispanic heritage and for others. It will showcase other Hispanic chambers in the country, the local chamber, its leaders and its staff. And, of course, the city of Fort Worth.
“Securing the 2026 USHCC National Conference was one of our proudest achievements,” states Ericka Garza in the Chamber’s 2025 Annual Report. Ms. Garza is the President and CEO of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She’s been at the helm of the organization for over a year.
“It puts Fort Worth at the national stage and affirms the growing economic influence of Latino-owned businesses,” Ms. Garza adds.
There’s no doubt, the Chamber has come a long way since its humble beginning. Judging by the large number of well-known corporate members that support and work with the organization, it’s easy to conclude that the Chamber’s leadership and its staff are doing what it takes to attract that type of support. Its staff is also delivering the services members need, which are varied and plentiful. Services that at the end of the day help member businesses thrive and succeed.
The Chamber’s job, though, is never done. According to its 2026 Golazos posters, it has plenty work ahead. The small and large versions of the printed pieces talk about being future ready and championing advocacy for the benefit of its members. They also talk about investing in people, about wealth building, and about cross-sector partnerships.
Those are lofty goals (golazos) no doubt. But achievable, as long as the organization’s leadership and its staff continue to support the tenets that have over the years helped the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce be what it is today. A business leader in the Northside District of a once Old West destination, for people and for cattle. And an organization with Hispanic roots that over the years has helped others thrive. Especially, Hispanic owned businesses, those that need to be guided and helped. With training programs, with access to capital initiatives, and with networking.
Again, those are lofty goals, but achievable. As long as the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce continues to do what it has been doing for years. In the guiding and helping side of the organization, in the business of business.