There is a newly emerging excitement in the Greater Lansing area surrounding workforce diversity. Major organizations and small businesses alike are seeking ways not only to learn about successful diversity strategies but how to implement them as well.

By way of networking opportunities and various resources, the Lansing Area Hispanic Business Association (LAHBA) is striving to lead such organizations down a smooth and steady path of workforce diversity.

Founded in 1999 by John Castillo, LAHBA is an ethnicity forum for Hispanic business owners, associates and other minority groups to promote public awareness for new businesses while providing networking opportunities for business owners and prospective clients. The association introduces members and meeting attendees to diversity strategies and business opportunities, in an effort to join the local business community and erase ethnic barriers.

Castillo previously held a number of managerial positions within the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. In his positions Castillo dealt regularly with civil rights laws and diversity issues across the state.  Upon his retirement from the State of Michigan Castillo founded his own business consulting firm, Castillo & Associates Consultants Incorporated. As he began joining business networking organizations in the area, he noticed the lack of Hispanic attendees, despite the area’s numerous Hispanic business owners.

It was then that Castillo realized a need existed within the Greater Lansing area for an association that aimed to provide education and implementation on workforce diversity.

“Workforce diversity is critical. The face of the community is changing. We are seeing individuals from all sectors of the world in our community. Diversity is not just race, religion or color; diversity encompasses that which makes us a community,” Castillo says. “It’s really about working together to build a better Lansing.”

LAHBA is currently made up of 48 members and approximately 30 associate members. While associate members include students from local universities and colleges, general members include everyone from local business owners and community members to employees of major organizations and corporations.

“We have diverse backgrounds and diverse entities that are part of LAHBA,” Castillo explains. “Individuals may not think they qualify but even those who are not minority, women or small business owners are welcome. [We are] open to individuals that want to work with Hispanics, want to utilize the resources that are available or to offer resources.”

With monthly meetings held every third Wednesday of the month, LAHBA aims to offer as many resources as possible to members and meeting attendees. By way of guest speakers, partnerships and key sponsorships, the association provides insight into such things as how to start a relationship with a new client, helpful and unique career services offered within the area, even various local employment opportunities. Some meetings are even held in both English and Spanish in order to encourage attendance and accommodate all interested attendees.

LAHBA also reaches out to aid the youth of the community. In addition to assisting students to receive the computer and job training necessary to enter the workforce, the association also helps to commence careers. The annual Tournament of Friendship, held every July at the Wheatfield Valley in Williamston, assists law enforcement agencies and firefighting departments to recruit minorities and women. Though its initial purpose was to establish communication and understanding among these entities, since its inception hundreds of scholarships have been provided to Lansing Community College and Michigan State University criminal justice students.

Castillo says reaching out to our children and encouraging them to continue education and seek a career is absolutely imperative for the future of our community.

“We cannot have thousands of individuals that have not had a proper education, training that prepares them for life and for appropriate workforce opportunities,” expresses Castillo. “We cannot have 25 to 50 percent of the Hispanic student body not completing high school. [We need to do] anything we can do to help motivate the students. Education is absolutely essential for all of our youngsters.”

In addition, LAHBA is also in the midst of organizing a local Hispanic Leadership Institute, where up to 20 participants a year will be educated and trained in enhancing leadership skills, with a focus on the importance of community involvement and social responsibility. The yearlong program will be open to interested Hispanic community members, ages 18 to 45 years old, seeking to elevate their leadership abilities. A start date for the institute has not yet been set; LAHBA is currently seeking program funding and sponsorship.

According to Castillo, LAHBA and all similar organizations are truly about bringing community members together, not dividing them, for it is only then that the community can strengthen and progress both socially and economically.