As part of Comerica Bank’s recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, the bank’s Michigan Hispanic Business Resource Group (BRG) was active in connecting with several nonprofit partners to impact the community.
Among the philanthropic initiatives included donating and distributing 245 new backpacks filled with new school supplies for students in grades pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at Harms Elementary in Detroit this month.
Comerica Bank colleagues have coordinated the annual backpack drive initiative supporting Harms Elementary, located at 2400 Central St. in southwest Detroit, since 2018.
“Supporting our youth and giving back is vital to our commitment to help communities thrive,” stated Yolanda Serra, Vice President of Comerica Bank’s Small Business Banking Group and Chair of the Michigan Hispanic Business Resource Group (BRG). “By providing these critical core supplies to the most vulnerable students, learning can continue without placing the financial burden on teachers and parents to furnish classroom needs.”
Through the Michigan Hispanic BRG over the years, Comerica has donated nearly 1,500 backpacks and 36,000 new pens, pencils, erasers and other needed school supplies to support Harms Elementary students.
According to the National Archives, the observation and recognition of the contributions of Hispanic Americans began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.
The theme for 2024 is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.”
Behind the leadership of Serra and Anna Guerra, Comerica Assistant Vice President and Corporate Quality Compliance Specialist and Michigan Hispanic BRG Co-Chair, Comerica and the Michigan BRG sponsored the Mexican Heritage Association of West Michigan’s Fiesta Mexicana and the Consulate of Mexico in Detroit’s El Grito Mexican Independence Day Celebration.
“During Hispanic Heritage Month, we have the food drive that we have done for almost 16 years,” says Guerra. “The whole team volunteers to pack food that is distributed during the holidays to families in southwest Detroit. And it’s open to any family in need, not just Hispanic (families). We’re also very, very close to the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. We participate with them in different events. We support the businesses with financial education and Business $ense workshops.”
Additionally, as part of Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings Game Changers program, members of the Hispanic BRG helped recognized some long-time community partners Raymond Lozano, CEO of Mexicantown CDC and Jorge Chinea, Director of Wayne State University Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies, among others. Michigan Hispanic Collaborative Founder, President & CEO JoAnn Chávez, The Ideal Group Founder & Chair Frank Venegas Jr., were also honored as Game Changers.
“There was also the recent Hispanic Heritage Celebration in southwest Detroit. La Nordia is a restaurant right at Michigan Avenue and Junction. And we inspired our members to showcase traditional accessories from various Hispanic cities, from Guatemala, Sonora, Jalisco, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Monterrey, Puerto Rico,” says Guerra. “This was the first time we did that, and we got positive feedback.”
She adds, “And one of the things that I always say is like, ‘What event is next? You know, when we finish an event, I’m just so excited to be ready and coordinate the next one, because we’re growing, and we’re going to continue to expand.”
One of the more exciting events this year was The Consulate of Mexico in Detroit’s Entrepreneurship Program for Mexican Women Abroad where members of the Michigan Hispanic BRG helped mentor (24) women of Mexican origin with educational tools, information, and training in entrepreneurship to help them develop and establish a business idea.
The program exists in three stages. In the first stage, participants take part in a program called DreamBuilder, weekly meetings, keynote addresses, and more. In the second stage, the participants are mentored by other Hispanic leaders. In the third stage, a pitch competition helps the women develop public speaking skills, put into practice the knowledge acquired during the program and encourage participants to improve their business plan.
These programs are significant for the Hispanic community and Comerica.
“I believe that it is important for us to showcase what the Hispanic community is about, what the beliefs are and the culture that they bring to their communities,” said Serra. “The more you understand a culture, the more you can embrace something. And that’s one of the things I want to highlight, what it is to be Hispanic. What are the traditions? Because a lot of times you’ll see a tradition and like, oh, that’s kind of weird. It’s not weird. It’s just that they don’t understand the meaning.
Serra concludes: “Keep in mind, the BRG members are not all Hispanic. We have different nationalities, and as they go around, obviously supporting Comerica brand, we’re also supporting the Hispanic community in which we work because we do have a lot of locations in southwest Detroit.
“So to me promoting the Hispanic Business Resource Group is promoting not only Comerica, but also promoting the culture that the Hispanic community has and all of their stories, traditions, and values.”
Comerica Bank’s Business Resource Groups (BRGs) operate across the bank’s primary markets to pursue strategies that meet the banking needs of diverse communities. Each team supports business development and community outreach with relevant associations and nonprofit partners assisting underserved communities to increase financial inclusion. Each BRG focuses on creating strategies to support and promote business outreach and financial education to a specific community group. Their goals and efforts target a narrower pool of community members, and Comerica’s BRGs partner with members of the External Affairs team and local organizations to serve diverse communities across our markets.
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