You'd be hard pressed to find a greater advocate for the Hispanic community than Luis Borunda. Since graduating from New Mexico Highlands University and moving to Baltimore, MD, Borunda's goal has been to increase the participation of Hispanics in economic development, public and private partnerships, and academic achievement.
After moving his company, the Signman, Inc., to its current headquarters in Baltimore, he went straight to work accomplishing that goal. In 1996, he helped establish the Baltimore Hispanic Business Association and served as president of the Baltimore Hispanic Business Group, precursor to the Baltimore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which he helped set up in 2001. A year later, Borunda helped establish the Hispanic Roundtable. In 2003, Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., selected Borunda for the Governor's Minority Business Reform Commission.
Then, in September 2004, he was appointed to the Baltimore County Public School (BCPS) board of education. The same year, he initiated the U.S. Hispanic Youth Entrepreneur & Education Foundation. HE&IT magazine caught up with this very busy man after the launch of his most recent venture: Maryland Hispanic Youth Symposium, a program designed to enhance Hispanic students' education-to-career continuum.
HE: What is the mission of the Maryland Hispanic Youth Symposium?
Borunda: When the census numbers came out in 2004, indicating Hispanics were the largest minority in the United States, I took a closer look at where Hispanic youth were in the educational continuum. The numbers were dismal.... This led me to start the U.S. Hispanic Youth Entrepreneur Education Foundation. We believe our young people can learn critical skills to create their own businesses, using technology as the tool to create wealth.
We have teamed up with the Hispanic College Fund and other partners to develop a program that gives Hispanic young people this type of opportunity. Last year, the Hispanic Youth Symposium pilot program was launched at Marymount University in Virginia. In July 2005, the second pilot was inaugurated at the University of Maryland Baltimore County....
Our strategy is to take the Hispanic Youth Symposium to a national level. We believe this program is unique, and we look forward to building strategic partnerships with others who understand the benefit of helping to build this nation's future.
HE:"Hispanic Americans: Strong and Colorful Threads in the American Fabric" is the theme for this year's Hispanic Heritage Month. What comes to mind when you reflect on those words?
Borunda: Hispanics add color and strength to this wonderful country and are an inseparable part of her fabric...The other thing that comes to mind is the richness of our culture and the pride I sense as I see Hispanics achieve national prominence.
HE: As a father and a BCPS board member, what do you think Hispanic Heritage Month means to young Hispanic Americans?
Borunda: I hope Hispanic Heritage Month brings awareness, not only to our children, but to all Americans, of the part that Hispanics have played in this nation's history. There have been ups and downs for Latinos, but the future has never been brighter for those of us who choose to work for the benefits the United States offers.
HE: How do Hispanic businesses plan to join in the month-long celebration?
Borunda: We will be celebrating by having our fourth annual Maryland Hispanic Business Conference in Columbia, MD. I believe the dates are October 6 and 7. I know this is after the official Hispanic Heritage Month, but we don't mind extending the party a little. (Visit www.hispanicbusinessconference.com for more information.)
Luis Borunda is a business and municipal leader in Baltimore, MD. Mr. Borunda was 2004 Hispanic Businessman of the Year. He is also chairman of Hispanic Republicans of Maryland.
