Who We Are

The Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a membership driven organization comprised of small-business owners, corporate representatives, community leaders, and association members representing various professions. With over 300 members and a database of over 17,000 subscribers, RHCC is the state’s fastest growing minority chamber in the state of California.

The Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit 501c6 organization. The RHCC was incorporated in the year 2000. In these nine years, our agenda has been to aid the small business community by providing ten seminars a year, an access to capital and procurement conference and an annual gala.

The Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce consists of 14 Board members. Advisory Council and an Ambassador team that cooperatively promote mutual beneficial relationships between businesses, corporate America, local, state and national government officials, government officials of Latin America, international trade partners and businesses abroad.

What We Do

The Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce supports the development and growth of member businesses through initiatives that encourage and promote business and economic development. In addition, RHCC is a strong advocate of legislation affecting small businesses. RHCC also provides access to valuable information, business leaders, procurement opportunities, and education and training. Not only does the Regional Hispanic Chamber give small businesses viability in the business community, it gives them a voice, unity, and strength.

Implementing and strengthening local programs that assist the economic development of firms. Increasing business relationship and partnerships between the corporate sector, the Government sector and Hispanic-owned businesses; promoting international trade between Hispanic businesses in the Southern California Region, Monitoring legislation, policies and programs that affect the business community while providing technical assistance to business associations, businesses and entrepreneurs.

When We Began

The Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, established in 2000, is Southern California’s fastest growing minority chamber of commerce. During the RHCC’s history, it has led the way for minority business development and won Local, Regional and National recognition for its achievements, the latest achievement received is the 2009 Minority Champion of the Year.

Partnerships and Collaborations

The RHCC has partnered with agencies and other organizations to such as CSULB Business Division, the Long Beach Small Business Development Center, the Thomas Rivera Policy Institute, Long Beach Center for International Trade Development, all Latin consulates, Local, State and National government agencies.

Memorandums of Understanding

The Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Small Business Administration Los Angeles District to provide technical assistance and to small and medium sized businesses.

Memorandum of Understanding with the Los Angeles Unified School District to distribute opportunities to do business with the Los Angeles School District.
Memorandum of Understanding with UNA Prescription Discount Card where RHCC’s database receives a discount on prescriptions filled in any local state and national participating pharmacies.
Memorandum of Understanding with United Postal Service where being a RHCC member entitles you to discounts on UPS air and international shipping every time you ship. Whether you send 50 shipments a month or two shipments a week, the savings add up.

Organization Structure

Members of the RHCC are categorized based on their level and job function within the organization. We have the following levels in our organization: President/CEO, Chairman, Chairman emeritus, Vice President of Finance, Vice President of Community Relations, Vice President of Communications, Treasurer, Board of Directors and Advisory Council.

Thursday, 16 July 2009 16:00

Sandy Cajas- Chamber President

Bienvenidos!

The Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is committed to developing businesses in Southern California by showcasing the strength and vitality of the Southern California business community. On behalf of the board of directors of the Chamber; I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to introduce you to the many opportunities available by becoming a member of our organization.

We will continue working with the leadership at the state and national levels to promote a stronger presence for Hispanic-owned businesses at the federal, state, and local levels. Our yearly "Procurement Conference" is very well attended, underscoring the need for new and better ways to access a larger piece of the procurement pie.

To address the prime issue of incorporating Hispanics into the local economy iwe have formed partnerships with the County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works. In order to provide a competitive edge in bidding for County contracts for a group of our members, we are creating a pilot project to certify businesses headquartered within the County of Los Angeles, which includes the unincorporated Los Angeles area and its 88 cities in the County's Local Small Business Enterprise Preference Program.

We formed partnerships with the Los Angeles Unified District, LAWA, CalTrans, Metro and belong to all Business Advisory Boards at each agency.

In 2007 the RHCC signed an MOU with the Small Business Administration where both agencies partner to support Minority businesses.

We are working with Carmen Navarro, Program Manager of the Department of Public Works, to develop and implement a plan to register businesses as vendors, guide them through the certification process for this program, and provide access to workshops on the County's bidding process. Once the businesses are registered as County vendors, they will automatically receive notices of upcoming bid opportunities within the areas of their particular interest.

For small businesses, obtaining information on bid opportunities can be time consuming and takes away from the time it takes to run a business. According to Carmen Navarro, this partnership will cut marketing time that can better be used to prepare bids and understand the County's bid process.

“We have been very active at the state level,’’ says the RHCC President and CEO Sandy Cajas. “Our biggest issue is how to fully incorporate the fastest-growing population, Hispanics, into the economy."

The road to economic success begins in our schools. Right now, the dropout rate and lack of academic preparation for college are the two limiting factors that must be mitigated if we are to "be all that we can be." Our Chair Emeritus Jorge Haynes has taken up the clarion call for better elementary and secondary education and preparation for the much needed college degree, which is the minimum requirement to open the doors to success.

Mission

The Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to the Promotion, Development and Continued Growth and Success of the Southern California Hispanic Business Community and its Associations.

Our goal is to provide our membership with professionally conducted seminars and workshops designed to advise the business entrepreneur with the strategies and formulas necessary to commence and sustain a business venture.

The Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce accomplishes its goals through Networking and developing Memorandum of Understandings with government agencies to promote inclusiveness in the Procurement arena.
Partnership with the U.S Small Business Administration is also a component of the RHCC developing strategy.

Vision

The Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is guided by a vision of building a vibrant and prosperous business community in the Southern California Region.

Written by RHCC

"The Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Mission is to Advocate, Promote and Facilitate the Success of Businesses of Southern California and its Trade Areas.”

The RHCC represents the Southern California Hispanic-owned businesses Interest. We support the development of these businesses by providing opportunities for Networking, Legislative Advocacy, Access to Capital, Education and Training Programs.

In 2000, several dedicated Hispanic business leaders realized the enormous potential of the Hispanic business community in the Southern California Region and envisioned the need for a local organization to represent its interests before the public and private sectors. Later that year, the Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (RHCC) was incorporated in the state of California, creating a structured organization aimed at developing a business network that would provide the Hispanic community with cohesion and strength.

"Regional" This perspective has given us the unique opportunity to include among our members surrounding businesses from Long Beach, Wilmington, San Pedro, Wilmington , Huntington Park , South Gate, Huntington Park, Lynwood, Harbor City and Los Angeles .

The Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's priorities are to:

* Implementing and strengthening national programs that assist the economic development of firms.

* Increasing business relationships and partnerships between the corporate sector and businesses.

* Promoting international trade between businesses in the Southern California Region and Latin America.

* Monitoring Legislation, Policies and Programs that affect the Business Community; and Providing Technical Assistance to Susinesses.