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Hollywood companies are facing a series of challenges, including technology disruption, increasing competition, online piracy, economic slowdown, and, importantly, the pressure to demonstrate a continuous growth trajectory. By ignoring the U.S. Latino consumer group, Hollywood may also risk alienating the major source of demographic growth in the country for years to come.

It's time to make Latinos visible again, behind the cameras, in leading roles, and as decision-makers at the C-suites. Hollywood is in the spotlight; industry leaders must recognize the untapped potential of the U.S. Latino consumer group and take decisive action to foster inclusivity, ensuring a thriving and culturally rich future for the entertainment industry. READ MORE AT FORBES

Some educators and advocates say the best way to break the cycle of poverty is by accessing well-paid STEM jobs, as well as the many scholarships that go unawarded each year due to a lack of applicants. In some places, the door seems tightly shut. In Silicon Valley, for example, where the largest number of STEM jobs in the country are concentrated, and where the Latino population is almost 50 percent, less than 3 percent of high-tech, high-wage jobs are filled by Latino professionals. READ MORE AT GOVTECH

The nation’s fast-growing Hispanic population made dramatic strides in educational attainment in recent decades — especially among younger age groups. The number of people of Hispanic or Latino origin (referred to as the Hispanic population in this article) more than quadrupled from 14.6 million 1980 to 62.1 million 2021, and their share of the U.S. population jumped from 6.2% to 18.7%.

As the Hispanic population grew so did its educational attainment, especially high school graduation rates. In 1996, 58.2% of the Hispanic population ages 25 to 29 graduated from high school; by 2021, the share increased to 88.5%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. READ MORE AT UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU

Data shows Afro Latinos have higher educational attainment rates but fewer markers of financial success when compared to other Latinos. Nearly 80% of Afro Latinos are U.S. born, compared to less than of 65% of other Latinos, and they skew younger too.

An analysis of the data in a report by UCLA's Latino Policy and Politics Institute is among the first to delve into the differences and disparities between Afro Latinos and Latinos who are not Black. Researchers say highlighting the differences is key to illuminating the strengths of Afro Latinos as well as to addressing the unique challenges they face. READ MORE AT AXIOS

Over the past decade, Minnesota has seen a 38% increase in residents who identify as Latino or Hispanic. Amid a tight labor market, a new report suggests they could play a big role in bolstering the region's workforce.

This spring, the state Department of Economic and Employment Development issued findings that lay out opportunities and challenges for this population when it comes to economic well-being. For example, Latinos have the highest regional labor force participation rate of any race or origin group - but there are disparities, such as household income. READ MORE AT PUBLIC NEWS SERVICE

 Zócalo Health, the healthcare company reinventing primary care delivery and care navigation for the Latino patient, announced today its collaboration with Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, PBC (Cost Plus Drugs) to focus on improving access to all medications available through Cost Plus Drugs. Zócalo Health, launched in 2021, is focused on removing barriers to quality primary care for Latino patients. All users of Zócalo Health will have access to Cost Plus Drugs' prescriptions through membership packages or one-time urgent care visits. READ MORE AT KCRG9

A good night's sleep is essential for good health, but many Latinos in the U.S. just don't get enough of it. Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night, but about 1 in 3 Latino adults sleep less than seven hours, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's on par with the overall U.S. population.

Insufficient sleep, insomnia and disorders such as sleep apnea have been linked to obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes – conditions that can increase the risk of heart disease. READ MORE AT HEART.ORG

From camps for girls to networking events for grownups, organizations all over the country are working to promote Latinos in tech. In 2021, Hispanics made up a small share of Google (8.8%), Netflix (8.6%), Apple (8%), Microsoft (7%) and Meta/Facebook (6.5%) tech workers.

The numbers of Latinos and Latinas in the industry has been rising gradually in the past few years, but they're still disproportionately low in most companies. READ MORE AT AXIOS

A growing emphasis on mental health care — some of it brought into renewed focus during the pandemic — has led more Americans to seek therapy or other support. But recent data show Latinos are less likely to look for help.

While the number of Black, Asian and white Americans seeking mental health treatment has increased in recent years, the rate for Latinos has barely changed, according to an analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The reasons why are complicated, but a lack of cultural context contributes to the trend.  READ MORE AT THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

The Illinois Office of Tourism (IOT) recognizes the importance of celebrating the expansive African American communities that are part of our state during Black History Month. To encourage Illinoisians to learn about and experience Black history and culture, IOT has partnered with Chicago Urban Historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas to highlight significant moments and places in Black history across the state with a new video series, “Discover Illinois with Dilla.” The first video features Alton, in southern Illinois, “the birthplace of cool,” where Dilla visits a statue honoring jazz icon Miles Davis, the Elijah P. Lovejoy Monument and the historic Lincoln-Douglas Square. Additional videos with “Dilla” will focus on Black history in Springfield, the state capital, and Black artist, sculptor and educator Preston Jackson, an Illinois native.

Illinois Tourism’s African American history & heritage trip itinerary was created to encourage people to experience and learn about the rich legacy of Illinois’ African American history. The itinerary features museums and historical sites throughout the state, including where freedom seekers traveled along the Underground Railroad.

To learn more about how to celebrate Black History Month in Illinois, click here.

Chicago – Over 2,000 Hispanic high school students representing 45 high schools in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee, Oregon, and Nebraska have pre-registered to attend the launch of USHLI’s 2023 Student Leadership Series (SLS). The series will continue throughout the year nationwide.

The goal of the SLS is to motivate public school students to make education their personal priority, take responsibility, improve their academic performance, graduate and prepare themselves to meet the challenges that lie ahead, take advantage of the opportunities that await them and enjoy the benefits that an education will bring in their life and career.

The SLS launch will begin with a press conference at 8:45-9:15am, Thursday, February 16, in the Gold Coast room, lobby level, at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk. Present will be USHLI President Dr. Juan Andrade, launch speakers, and sponsors.

Three nationally prominent speakers will address the SLS Rally at 9:50-11am. They are Claudia Romo Edelman, Founder and CEO of the We Are All Human Foundation in New York, Mateo Magdaleno, CEO of IDQ (I Don’t Quit) in Dallas, and Melody Gonzales, executive director of White House Initiatives for Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics in Washington, DC.

Students will also attend workshops on how to finance their post-secondary education or training and meet with recruiters representing 61 colleges and universities. 

The SLS Chair is FedEx. Co-Chairs include the Coca-Cola Company, National Education Association, Rumba Meats, United Parcel Service, and Wells Fargo. Sponsors are Denny’s and the U.S. Department of Defense.

For more information contact David Cordova at davidcordova225@gmail.com or Dr. Juan Andrade at docandrade@ushli.org.

Though the lack of Spanish fluency is common among second- and third-generation Latinos, it can often result in teasing by family and friends. The name-calling — labeling someone pocho, gringo or “too American to be Mexican,” for example — can often be passed off as cariño, or joking with endearment.

But it can manifest into shame, and sometimes that shame can stop a person from wanting to practice the language or pass it down to future generations. READ MORE AT THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

Even though Latinos are the second-largest ethnic group in the U.S., they’re underrepresented across many industries, including finance, which can have long-term effects on the ability to grow wealth. Lack of access to capital markets makes it harder for Latinos to build meaningful wealth. It also means they’re underrepresented as shareholders of companies if they aren’t holding stocks and that they’re not lending a proportional voice to investing decisions. READ MORE AT CNBC

For so many years when filling out forms that asked about race or ethnicity, AMA member Theresa Rohr-Kirchgraber, MD always checked the “other” box because she never wanted to make it seem as though one side of her heritage was more important than the other. Her father is German American and her mother is Mexican American. It took her several more years to understand what those boxes really meant. READ MORE AT THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Hispanic people differ widely in their genetic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Now researchers say more precise data collection could help identify distinct risk factors for disease in certain populations. Having a more accurate understanding of genetic ancestry can help identify risk factors for certain diseases — as appears to be the case with brain tumors. READ MORE AT AAMC

Millennial age groups – born mid 1980s to early 2000s – now have more money at hand than they have ever controlled before. And they are spending it, says Olivia Johnson, assistant professor in the Department of Human Development and Consumer Sciences at the University of Houston College of Technology.

Tech gear, cars, travel, fashion, furniture, houses, home security, insurance – everything young consumers might want and would likely need – form a retail turf being fought over by companies seeking to occupy that market segment. READ MORE AT UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

In the abundant selection of fruits that supermarkets have at their disposal, pears are the secret weapon they use to capture their customers. They sell quickly, are available year-round, have more than ten varieties to suit all tastes, and have significant health benefits. Latino consumers buy them 34% more than the average U.S. shopper.

Latino pear consumers are young: seventy-six percent are Millennial and Gen X. These two groups of Latino consumers see pears as a healthy snack in their daily diet. READ MORE AT ABASTO

Jobs in STEM and media employ the least amount of Hispanic and Latinx workers, according to Credito en USA, a Spanish language personal finance insights platform. The company analyzed the 2021 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in order to identify the most underrepresented job titles for Hispanic and Latinx talent.

Biological scientists have the least amount of representation, as Hispanic and Latinx workers make up only 2.4% of the industry's workforce. Medical scientists, veterinarians and industrial engineers are also underrepresented fields, with Hispanic and Latinx workers making up just under 5% of the industries' overall workforce. READ MORE AT EBN

The market for luxury brands is rapidly changing with a boom in the Hispanic consumer market, the fastest-growing demographic of households with incomes of $150k+, according to two new studies.

The rapidly rising affluence of Hispanics, their greater representation compared to other ethnicities in the top two quintiles, and the fact they are the fastest growing ethnicity bar none means they are an increasingly important demographic for brands to understand. READ MORE AT FORBES

Latinos and Spanish speakers are getting better access to key mental health services thanks to several recent initiatives. A higher percentage of Latinos in the U.S. have reported symptoms of depression than their white non-Hispanic counterparts since the pandemic began, per the CDC.

Hispanics in the U.S. make up 19% of the population, but only 6% of licensed psychologists in the U.S. identify as Latino, according to the American Psychological Association. READ MORE AT AXIOS