THE LATINA CIRCLE Receives $150,000 in FY 2019 Massachusetts State Budget
Funding supports growth of non-profit social venture that is advancing Latinx representation across the Commonwealth
Boston, MA, August 20, 2018 – The Latina Circle, a Boston-based, non-profit social venture that is advancing Latinx civic engagement and leadership representation across sectors, today announced it has received $150,000 in funding as part of the FY19 Massachusetts State Budget. This seed funding will support the operational capacity of the organization and expansion of its culturally-adapted programming. The Latina Circle has, thus far, been led in a volunteer capacity by its co-founders, Eneida Roman and Betty Francisco, and an Advisory Committee comprised of prominent Latinx leaders. This funding will support the recruitment of a founding team, implementation of a three-year strategic growth plan and expansion of Amplify Latinx’s civic engagement and leadership programming across the state. The Latina Circle is grateful for State Representative Jeffrey Sanchez’s leadership in championing the funding, and for the support of the MA House of Representatives. We also thank Senator Joseph Boncore for his endorsement and for the support of his colleagues in the MA Senate. A special mention to the Boston City Council and the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus for expressing unanimous support of the measure. Finally, we are grateful for Governor Charlie Baker’s action to sign the seed funding into law.
“As the Latinx population continues to growth in the Commonwealth, its it critical to the state’s economic growth that the voice of the Latinx community be represented at decision-making tables” said Betty Francisco, co-founder of The Latina Circle. This collective support from our legislative leaders will enable The Latina Circle to launch a civic education and leadership institute focused on building economic and political power of the Latinx community in Massachusetts. The Latina Circle aims to build the Amplify Latinx Power Coalition of Massachusetts by leading, connecting, and advocating on behalf of Latinos
across the Commonwealth. “Through our collaborative model, we are amplifying the work of our partners to create meaningful representation of empowered Latinxs in decision-making tables in the Commonwealth” said Eneida Roman, Co-Founder of The Latina Circle.
In addition to building its capacity, this funding along with other foundation grants, will enable The Latina Circle to expand its Amplify Latinx programming, including PowerUp Latinx Biz, a Latinx-led initiative focused on increasing growth and economic opportunity for Latinx-owned businesses in Massachusetts.
About The Latina Circle
Launched in 2012, The Latina Circle (TLC) is a Boston-based, non-profit social venture that is advancing Latina leaders across industries into positions of power and influence. In 2017, TLC launched Amplify Latinx, a non-partisan, collaborative movement whose mission is to build Latinx economic and political power by significantly increasing Latinx civic engagement and representation in leadership positions across sectors. Latina Circle has over 2,000 subscribers and 90+ Latino-serving community organizations, social impact groups and power building advocates across the Commonwealth that support its broader goal of building a Latinx power coalition. Learn more at amplifylatinx.co and follow Latina Circle on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.
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