A Letter from our COO
Dear readers,
My earliest memories are of a tenement apartment in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx.
My father owned a “bodega” (a small grocery store), and my mother raised three boys until I was old enough to attend school. She then commuted daily from the South Bronx to Lower Manhattan, where she worked as a counter waitress. Growing up in what had been referred to as “Ft. Apache" with a Cuban-born father and Puerto Rican-born mother, my brothers and I often struggled to envision a future beyond our immediate surroundings.
We each got our start the the Sisters of Charity, a small parochial school just up the block on Fox Street. My older brother, Joe, left the Bronx at 18 and embarked on a challenging 12-year journey that included service in the National Guard, junior college, undergraduate studies, and finally law school, culminating in a 40-year career as a private practice attorney. My middle brother, Aldo, achieved distinction through service in the U.S. Army, earning multiple master’s degrees and a Ph.D., rising to senior positions in education within Nevada, Illinois, eventually becoming a Director of Education in Iowa. He became a tenured professor. My own path led me to a football scholarship at Boston College, where I earned a BS in Finance. That foundation launched a dynamic trajectory in the media industry, where I’ve had the privilege of working for organizations that tell stories in both English and Spanish.
The journey my brothers and I have taken reflects the sacrifices and determination of our parents, who instilled in us an unshakable belief in the American Dream. Our lives, like those of countless other immigrants and their children, show that through hard work, education, and opportunity, a better future is possible.
Today, the Hispanic population—now 63,7 million strong, nearly one in five people in the United States—faces both extraordinary opportunities and significant challenges. While many linguistic barriers are fading (72% of Hispanics are now English proficient), many immigrants encounter entry-level skills gaps and “mid-career obsolescence” as the skills needed for success in the 21st-century economy evolve rapidly. This issue isn’t just about the future workforce; it’s about millions of Hispanic workers—already essential to our economy—who need upskilling and reskilling to secure stable, middle-class jobs to continue contributing meaningfully.
Although the U.S. economy offers opportunity, many Hispanic families face significant barriers to achieving upward mobility.
Many jobs today require advanced technical knowledge and most require digital literacy, yet affordable training programs remain limited. At the same time, college costs continue to soar, often leaving students saddled with debt for degrees that don’t always align with available jobs. Without stronger pathways to skills development, these systemic barriers make it harder for Hispanic workers to build the economic stability they need to support their families and strengthen the middle class.
The stakes are high—not just for Hispanic communities but for the nation as a whole. Hispanics represent both a younger workforce and a vital part of the current labor force, contributing significantly to the economy. Addressing these skills gaps is critical to uplifting Hispanic workers, strengthening the middle class, and fueling economic growth for everyone.
This is why I am proud to be part of WorkingNation, where we created this magazine to spotlight the stories and solutions shaping the future of work. At its heart is the five-film series, Hispanic Communities: Powering a New American Economy. These films take us to Puerto Rico, New York, Houston, Los Angeles, and Chicago, showcasing the resilience and ingenuity of Hispanic workers across the nation. From wage theft and access to vocational training to community-led efforts that create opportunity, the series sheds light on critical challenges and innovative solutions.
The magazine expands on these themes by featuring stories from smaller cities that highlight the unique ways local communities are driving change. In New Mexico, Santa Fe Community College is setting a national example for family-friendly campuses by providing wraparound support for student parents and making higher education more accessible to its younger, Hispanic population. In Liberal, Kansas, local leaders are fostering Hispanic entrepreneurship by improving access to capital, transforming the town into a hub for business growth. And in Tempe, Arizona, an early-outreach program is helping first-generation students and women of color prepare for higher education, with strong family involvement paving pathways to enrollment at Arizona State University.
As part of the magazine, we also highlight two episodes from our Work In Progress podcast series: “The Risk of Being Left Behind in the Tech Workforce” and “Increasing the Number of Diverse Startups Begins With Changes in the VC Industry.”
These episodes dive deeper into challenges like the digital divide and the importance of representation in innovation-driven fields.
Our goal with this magazine is to amplify these stories, sparking conversations and inspiring the investments and policies needed to empower Hispanic workers and their communities. By addressing systemic barriers, we can create a stronger, more inclusive economy—one that ensures the American Dream remains attainable for generations to come.
The success of Hispanic workers is America’s success. Together, we can build an economy that ensures the promise of upward mobility remains alive for generations to come. It is the “American Dream 2.0”!
Thank you for joining us in this important conversation.
Sincerely,
Richard P. Ramirez
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