MDHCC Hosts Eighteenth Annual Minority Legislative Reception

The Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (MDHCC) and

the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – Montgomery County, representing and connecting over 54,000 Hispanic-owned businesses in the region, held its 18th Annual Legislative Reception on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at the Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring, Maryland. Building. The evening started with a welcome from MDHCC’s new Chairman, Marco Ávila, P.E., who welcomed the attendees comprised by elected officials, community leaders, sponsors, and its key partner the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – Montgomery County represented by Carmen Larsen. Chairman Ávila also introduced MDHCC’s Board of Directors including Corina Morga Carter, Marcie Castañeda, Gigi Guzman, and Julie Dellinger.

The intimate reception brought together about 75 business leaders and local legislators that support small and minority-owned business interests. Among the elected officials present were Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Senator Malcolm Augustine, Delegate Heather Bagnall, Delegate Darryl Barnes, Delegate Erek Barron, Delegate J. Sandy Bartlett, Delegate Joanne Benson, Luis Borunda, Maryland Deputy Secretary of the State, Delegate Lorig Charkoudian, Delegate Wanika Fisher, Wendy Howard, Vice Chair of the Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce, Delegate Ariana Kelly, Delegate Lesley Lopez, Delegate Julie Palakovich Carr, Delegate Jesse Pippy, Delegate Lily Qi, Delegate Mike Rogers, Delegate Jared Solomon and Dr. Drena Valentine, Interm Executive Director of the Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce.

Leading the program was keynote speaker, Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk, who addressed the similarities between running for office and running a small business as it relates to financing, marketing and providing valuable services to your customers and constituency. Additionally, she highlighted the many contributions that the Hispanic business community and its leaders have made in improving minority business participation in Maryland’s state procurement program. In particular, she congratulated the MDHCC and the HCCMC for their many achievements over their 30+ years of existence.

BGE, represented by Misty Allen, sponsored MDHCC’s Legislative Reception. Ms. Allen spoke to the attendees and highlighted BGE’s commitment to small business including the many contract opportunities available through its programs.

Chairman Ávila concluded MDHCC’s Legislative Reception by stating that “MDHCC continues to expand its reach to Maryland’s Hispanic-owned businesses by collaborating with community leaders and organizations and by providing innovative programs and services to its membership.”