Bay Path partners with Latino Economic Development Corporation to launch Latino Professional Leadership Institute

Bay Path University and the Springfield-based non-profit Latino Economic Development Corporation formalized a partnership to launch the Latino Professional Leadership Institute at a signing ceremony held today on Bay Path’s Longmeadow campus.

Through the partnership, the Institute will offer 10-week courses three times a year to aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners from the Latino community, focusing on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, operational efficiency, marketing strategies, and other business topics. These non-credit, bilingual courses will be taught by Bay Path instructors and will provide learners with an introduction to a college-level business curriculum, while positioning them to thrive in today’s business environment.

There are approximately 3–4,000 Latino-owned businesses in Western Massachusetts, with a strong presence in Springfield and Holyoke, and an additional 20–25,000 Latino-owned businesses in the Greater Boston area. In the city of Springfield, 25% of businesses are owned by Latinos. Estimates show that over the last 10 years, Massachusetts’ Latino-owned and operated businesses have grown over 34% compared to 1% growth for other small businesses in the state.

“As we enter a new era, our acquisition of Cambridge College gives us additional resources to do this work and additional opportunities to serve this growing, ambitious population of entrepreneurs,” said Dr. Ruth Lahti, dean of Bay Path’s School of Education, Psychology & Humanities.

In July, Bay Path formalized their acquisition of Cambridge College, which includes programs in San Juan, Puerto Rico, positioning the University to offer select courses in English and Spanish.

“The Latino Economic Development Corporation was created to help businesses access coaching, capital, and connections–critical, foundational resources that can be out of reach for so many people of color. This partnership will give Latino entrepreneurs and micro businesses, folks who are driven, creative, and ambitious the knowledge and support they need to grow,” said Andrew Melendez, founder and director of the LEDC. “To be able to offer this content, with a supportive network and instruction and conversation in Spanish is a game changer.”