Columbus's vibrancy was showcased through the feats of newly minted Hispanic entrepreneurs; this was the spirit of the Capa Festival Latino that took place this weekend. As per a WBNS report, the festival, now in its 28th year, welcomed 24 local Hispanic-owned businesses, all of which were fresh graduates of the Mercadito Raíces program run by Catholic Social Services.
Striding to further the community's economic footprint, these entrepreneurs introduced a range of services, from eateries to fashion houses. The Mercadito Raíces program, a Spanish-language initiative, seeks to underpin these rising businesses with practical skills and mentorship. The program delivers over twelve workshops and sixty hours of coaching, tackling topics like marketing, pricing, and business licensing. In a statement obtained by NBC4i, Ramona Rayes of Catholic Social Services highlighted the event as "an inspiring story of perseverance" for the city's economic development.
However, the celebrations were not without a backdrop of tension; federal immigration policy changes cast a shadow on the community. As WOSU reports, Columbus's decision to proceed with the festival, despite other cities canceling similar events, is a testament to local resilience. Columbus Councilwoman Lourdes Barroso de Padilla captured the sentiment, telling WOSU, "This is the time where we have to stand together in solidarity."
It's also important to recognize some of the individual stories. Iris Nunez of Columbus, for instance, looked to Mercadito Raíces to guide her business, Golden Cleaning Services, onto stable ground. Nunez shared her mixed emotions, saying via WOSU, "You're excited, but at the same time, you're not just because of so many changes that is going on right now." Despite the adversity, Barroso de Padilla encouraged the community to not only support the festival but to "spend your money here, support these businesses today and tomorrow."
The festival, held at Genoa Park from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., featured nearly 60 small businesses, with over half being women-owned and approximately 40% being graduates of the Mercadito Raíces program. The entrepreneurs introduced to Columbus's marketplace signal more than the success of a program; they reflect the unyielding spirit and cultural richness that continue to define the community.
