Issue 1: September 2026
Desde la Mesa / From the Table
Hispanic Heritage at the President’s Table
John Lucas reflects on family, entrepreneurship and the people moving New Jersey’s economy forward
Every morning all across New Jersey, small business owners walk up to the doors of their businesses, put the key in the lock, and open the door to get ready for the day.
Maybe it’s a store front, perhaps a restaurant or even a construction site. In this post-COVID era, maybe they are just going down to the basement where they have their office. They start the coffee pot and begin to think about their day.
As opening time gets closer, the pressure begins to build. What will happen today? How many customers will visit, and what will they buy? Will they leave me a good review or comment favorably on my Instagram post?
John Lucas, CEO and President
SHCCNJ
Sept 2026
This Is Tu Momento: New Jersey’s Latino Business Story Has a New Home
Every movement reaches a moment when its stories need a home of their own. For New Jersey’s Latino business community, this is that moment.
Welcome to Tu Momento.
If you are reading this, you are already part of nuestra familia. That includes the 11,000+ members of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, the 180,000+ Latino-owned businesses we represent and the partners, sponsors and readers who show up for this community year after year. About 45% of our members are not Latino. You chose to build alongside us anyway. This publication is for you too.
Thought Leadership
From New Jersey to Colombia: Dr. Alexander Rios Answers the Call to Serve
Board contributor Dr. Melissa Baralt explores what moves us to serve through Dr. Alexander Rios’ relief work in New Jersey and Colombia.
Upcoming Signature Event
Health & Wellness Fair Panel on NJ’s Growing Health Care Workforce + Economy 9/24
Somerset County Commissioner Sara Sooy, Andrea Martinez-Mejia and David Perez-Herranz will discuss New Jersey’s growing health care workforce and economy.
The Quiet Side of Influence
A chief of staff’s perspective on how listening, observation and earned trust become powerful tools of leadership
For a long time, I thought influence belonged to the loudest person in the room.
The one who raised their hand first. The one who spoke with certainty before everyone else had finished thinking. The one who could walk into a meeting, command attention, and make people follow simply because their voice carried farther.
That was never me.
Contributors on Marketing Matters
In this issue, we turn to marketing experts and graduates of our ETP and LETS signature programs who know what it takes to reach today's consumers and earn their trust.
Nadya Ramos
01
Brand Messaging and Marketing Consultant | MRK Marketing Consulting
Building a brand that is here to stay has never been easier, and it also has never been harder. In the age of AI, anyone can whip up a logo, new website, and 30 posts in less time than it takes to make a cappuccino. It feels like the wild Wild West.
Alison Salamanca
02
Content Creator & Social Media Strategist | Creative Solutions by Alison Salamanca
For Latino entrepreneurs, our businesses carry our culture, our families and the communities we serve, and that is not something to hand over in the name of efficiency.
Programs Corner · ETP & LETS
SHCCNJ’s two flagship no-cost, bilingual programs support entrepreneurs at every stage—from building strong foundations through ETP to scaling through LETS. Applications open annually, and the Pitch Competition is open to all.
No Cost ETP
Our Entrepreneur Training Program offers free, culturally relevant bilingual business education, expert mentorship and practical resources to help small business owners start and grow. Learn more about our program.
Applications Closed for 2026.
No Cost LETS
Our Level Up Training Series (LETS) is a bilingual program for established businesses generating $150K+ annually. Strategic tools for scaling, growth, and long-term success. Learn more about our program.
Applications Closed for 2026.
LETS Weekly Recap with Dr. B
Follow the weekly LETS journey as entrepreneurs build skills, connections and strategies to strengthen their businesses and accelerate growth.
Watch this week's episode
During the 13-week ETP program, Dr. Borja delivers weekly insight and motivation direct to members.Watch 2026's weekly episodes →
Chairman's Corner
"El que lo vive es quien lo goza."
— Luis de la Hoz, SHCCNJ Board Chairman
En New Jersey vivimos aproximadamente 2.5 millones de hispanos, provenientes de 17 países y unidos por algo más grande que un idioma: nuestras aspiraciones, nuestra cultura de trabajo, nuestro espíritu emprendedor y el deseo de construir un mejor futuro para nuestras familias. Es un juego de números, pero también de organización, confianza y resultados.
Cuando una comunidad de este tamaño logra conectar su poder económico con las corporaciones, el gobierno y las instituciones que toman decisiones, podemos transformar oportunidades individuales en crecimiento colectivo. Ahí está una de las mayores responsabilidades de la Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (SHCCNJ).
Business Spolight
The Rey Sol Coffee Story
From a 1966 family farm in Balboa, Colombia to cafés in Ridgewood and Morristown, Rey Sol Coffee shows how tradition, community and giving back travel together.
Catch Up — Announcements
SHCCNJ Board Members Named 2026 BINJE’s Best: Health Care Honorees
SHCCNJ congratulates board members Ulises Diaz and Deborah Visconi on their recognition among the 2026 BINJE’s Best: Health Care honorees, recognizing leaders who are strengthening New Jersey’s healthcare ecosystem.
SHCCNJ LETS 2026: 37 Entrepreneurs. 10 Weeks. New Jersey’s Rising Stars
On August 24, SHCCNJ officially launched its 2026 Level-Up Entrepreneurship Training Series (LETS), welcoming 37 entrepreneurs ready to strengthen, scale and sustain their businesses.
National Nonprofit Day: Invest Where the Impact Is Local
We celebrate the nonprofit organizations strengthening communities—and invite New Jersey’s business leaders to help us do even more.
SHCCNJ Feria 2026: Expanding New Jersey’s Economic and Cultural Fabric
SHCCNJ's digital directory hit a new milestone ahead of the World Cup, with procurement teams already sourcing vendors through the platform.
Walmart Presents SHCCNJ with $5,000 Contribution
Jonathan M. Hernandez, Walmart Market Manager and Senior Director for South Jersey, shared that message during an interview with the SHCCNJ at the reopening of Walmart Store 2254 in Hammonton, New Jersey, on Friday, July 24.
SHCCNJ President & CEO John Lucas Delivers Remarks at Power NJ Act Signing
President and CEO John Lucas joined Gov. Mikie Sherrill, legislative leaders and members of NJ's business community today in Trenton at the New Jersey State House for the signing of the Power NJ Act, legislation designed to strengthen New Jersey's long-term energy capacity while protecting ratepayers.
RECIPE SECTION
Recipe Headline
Want to impress your party's guests? These light bites with a piquante kick are the perfect party pleaser.
RESTAURANT OWNERS: Share a delightful dish of yours in this space in a future issue of Tu Momento! Contact us(opens in new tab) for more information.
Ingredients
1 pound fresh crabmeat, picked over
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons minced red onion
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 jalapeño pepper, stemmed and minced
3 plum tomatoes, cored, seeded, diced
¼ cup cilantro, roughly chopped
2 limes, zested and juiced
Salt and black pepper to taste
8 flat tostada shells
1 ripe avocado, pitted and sliced
Preparation
1. Clean the Crabmeat
Place the crabmeat in a bowl and sift through it by hand, discarding any bits of shell or cartilage.
2. Mix the Ingredients
Add the olive oil, mayonnaise, red onion, jalapeño, tomatoes, cilantro, and lime zest and juice to the crabmeat. Using a rubber spatula or spoon, carefully fold everything together until evenly combined. Season generously with salt and pepper.
3. Build and Plate
Layer a few avocado slices on each tostada shell, spoon a generous portion of the crab mixture on top, and finish with a cilantro sprig. Serve alongside a lime wedge.
Events & Calendar
Sept 24
Health & Wellness Fair
Focused on uplifting our community by highlighting essential health and wellness resources for families and businesses.
Dec 8
2026 Gala Awards
New Jersey
Registration Opening Soon
Calendar listing — add your event
Partner events, community listings, World Cup activations
$150 / issue