Empowered by seeing and helping others advance Jessica Cavazos, was named one of Wisconsin’s 29 most powerful Latinas in 2017 by Madison365. This President and CEO, of the Latino Chamber of Commerce, feels fortunate to have an opportunity to be a change agent, enhancing the quality of life and transforming communities by creating access to economic wealth, inclusion and revitalization. She believes economic growth is the most powerful tool in reducing poverty.
Latinapowerhouse, Jessica has climbed up professionally through the political arena, starting as a scheduler to being a former Congressional Liaison, for congresswoman Gwendolyn Moore, who has had a great impact in her life. After leaving government to become an executive director of the Volusia County Chamber of Commerce, Jessica came back home to start her own company,the Eleva Group Inc. A Milwaukee based firm whose mission is to create sustainable communities through effective Private/Public partnerships.
As a strong spokesperson for the underserved community in Wisconsin, Jessica was named UMOS Hispanic Woman of the Year in 2012, also awarded the Key to the Latino Community in Milwaukee and named Community Leader of the Year at Madison’s Herencia Hispana awards 2017. Since 2005, Jessica has been part of the founding mothers of several associations that advocate for political activism, civic leadership, and the inclusivity of Latinas in Leadership. Jessica also serves as the Vice-Chair of UW-Systems, Diversity and Equity Council, Board member of Dane BuyLocal, and has taken on a new role as a co-host WI-57 Television Station’s Girl Talk and recently started a local chapter of LULAC.
Jessica attributes her humble upbringing, to strong female role models,a loving family and amazing partner Temo, and children, Kaled (2), Soleil(7), and Aidan(13), as the foundation that helps her lead and empower others with purpose. Jessica has a A.A in Broadcasting, B.A in Business Administration, and a Certificate on Latino Nonprofit Leadership from UW-Milwaukee. (Source: USHCC.COM)
La Revista Binacional interviewed Jessica during the national convention in Orlando Florida, in September 2023.
LARB: Tell us Jessica, how were you inspired to pursue being the first Latina in this government position of being the first deputy secretary of the Department of Commerce on minority affairs?
“I come from very humble roots, from Mexican parents who suffered a lot to reach a level of, let’s say, independence. But on this path, my mother always encouraged me to help the community, to be a representative. When you come here you must translate, you must do so many things to help the parents. So, I think that always trained me how to be a person who advocates for our community. So, I want to say that advocating from an early age has helped me to, I don’t know, take a position now with the Biden administration that can advocate at an even greater level, right?
LARB: Where did you grow up, study, and prepare to get to where you are?
My mother is from Guanajuato, my father is Puerto Rican, but he was a man who always worked very hard and had a small store, if he was not in the warehouse, he was trying to spend time with the family. And well, he always taught me that one must work hard, one must be very, very proud of one’s roots. Since I was little, I have always volunteered in Latin associations and everything. I studied journalism in Florida, a very complicated career. I think that taught me that one has to know how to express oneself and be in front of people with a microphone. From there I got into politics.
LARB: Jessica, we as Hispanics, as Latinas, are always told ‘by being silent, you look prettier’, but we must speak, we must express and defend, and advocate, as you say, for the injustices that exist, that one cannot remain silent, one has to say it. So, what are the plans right now? How do you see the next five years at the government level for Hispanics?
I think there is a lot of opportunity, but we have to fight, we must unite and make a more vocal community for what Latin entrepreneurs need. I believe that right now in the federal government, there is a lot of money that can be allocated to small minority entrepreneurs, if they are well prepared, they can have contracts with the government but we as Latinos all receive 1% of those contracts so we must raise our voices. I think it is an opportunity right now for organizations like the National Chamber of Commerce to help entrepreneurs know what tools there are, and how to obtain them.
LARB: We started the magazine recently, prepared with some personal financing, knowledge and a great team and still we ran into obstacles. Tell me Jessica, what can we all who are just starting a business in this great country do?
The agency I represent is what it does. We have 88 centers in the US that help with technical support on what it is to run a business, how to grow the company, where to go for contracts, how to find money, and how to qualify for programs that sometimes we as Latinos don’t know what They exist and what they do is connect them. We help you scale your business, not just grow it. I believe that there is a lot of help, which one always must start.
LARB: Jessica, we admire how far you’ve come, but tell us, how do you do it? As Latinas, society still demands a lot from us, we have to be good at work but also at home and with the family. What’s your secret?
Since I was little, they told me that I had to follow the ‘Latin timeline’ of getting married, being a mother, etc. But I did everything very late. Now my mom is very proud of me and what I’m doing. She tells me to go to Washington DC, to follow my dreams and plans, and supports me in everything I am doing. If it weren’t for my mother, my family, and especially my partner who cares for the children when I am working, I wouldn’t be able to do it. A couple’s commitment is also required.
