Ulises Navarro accepts the Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Hispanic Chamber Gala.
At the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala in October, Ulises Navarro became the youngest person to ever receive the Entrepreneur of the Year award. The Chamber released the following statement:
"Ulises has been an exceptional advocate for the Latino community, consistently supporting and empowering individuals through his work. His contributions extend beyond business success; they are deeply rooted in his passion for uplifting others. Through his platform, Ulises provides valuable resources, inspiration, and a sense of community for Latinos, helping them overcome challenges and embrace their potential. His commitment to advocacy reflects his deep dedication to fostering positive change in our region.
Ulises embodies the spirit of leadership and community support. His growth of Alcon Media and support for Latin voices in published media throughout Washington State and the Columbia Basin showcases his commitment to inclusivity and representation."
The Chamber also awarded three other community leaders at the Annual Gala: Community Ally of the Year went to Amanda Lorraine, the founder of Grace Kitchen; Educator of the Year went to Sylvia van Breda Vriesman, the Assistant Director of Student Services at WSU Tri-Cities; and Nonprofit Leader of the Year was awarded to Stephanie Sparks, the founder of Restoration Market.
“These outstanding individuals are paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future,” said a spokesperson for the Chamber.
Entrepreneur of the Year isn’t the only award Navarro has received for his community work. Two years ago, the Transportation Choices Coalition (TCC) held a fundraising gala called Tuxes & Trains: Generation Transit where, along with community leader Jaime Torres, the TCC honored Navarro for his work to help preserve the budget for Ben Franklin Transit. Navarro and the other honorees were entered into the TCC Hall of Fame.
When asked for comment, Navarro said:
Two years ago, when I was given the opportunity to work in the media, I had a process of learning and action in my soul that guided me through the fight against discrimination and misinformation. Taking my projects to a medium like radio, and developing a company with a social focus, demonstrates that you can be an entrepreneur and be successful without ceasing to be an artist, and without losing the essence of what you represent inside. Alcon Media is a company that seeks to significantly impact the most needy communities by fighting against misinformation, and by educating, empowering, and bringing dignity to the lives of our audience members. (Translated from Spanish) *
In fact, dignity is an important issue for Navarro. Just over one year ago, Alcon Media saw the grand opening of El Centro de la Dignidad (The Center for Dignity) at their Kennewick offices. Navarro says that El Centro de la Dignidad exists to showcase resources to everyone in the community. This includes not only the Hispanic and migrant communities, but also other minoritized communities, such as BIPOC communities, people with physical or intellectual disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ communities.
Navarro says that “respect, responsibility, and a love for justice” are the driving forces behind Alcon Media and El Centro de la Dignidad, as they continue to create educational projects and campaigns, “demonstrating that justice and dignity are not just for those who can afford them.”
https://alcon.media/centro-de-la-dignidad
*Navarro’s original quote in Spanish:
Hace dos años cuando se me presentó la oportunidad de trabajar en los medios de comunicación, yo llevaba en mi alma un proceso de aprendizaje y acción que me guiaba por la lucha contra la discriminación y la desinformación. El llevar mis proyectos a un medio como la radio y generar una compañía con enfoque social que pueda servir de inspiración de que también se puede ser empresario y tener éxito sin dejar de ser artista y sin perder la esencia de lo que uno representa en su interior. Alcon Media es una compañía que busca impactar de manera significativa a las comunidades más necesitadas luchando contra la desinformación, educando, empoderando y dignificando la vida de nuestras audiencias.
Sara Quinn is the Editor-in-Chief at Tumbleweird and serves on the board of Tri-City Area Gaming. She lives with her amazing spouse (Brendan), and her doggos (Jewel and Ruby). Sara makes art, writes stuff, reads A TON, and plays a lot of video games. 💜
