We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lorena Patterson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lorena, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

As the President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of the State of North Carolina, I focus on helping Latino and Hispanic business owners prosper by helping them grow their businesses in NC, nationally, and internationally. This is a passion of mine as I am also a Latina business owner and understand the challenges experienced by entrepreneurs and see the growth opportunities available to my community. This is particularly important because Hispanic/Latino businesses contribute $36.9 billion to NC’s GDP and yet many residents are unaware of this contribution. Additionally, there are stigmas that exist that portray Latinos as only doing manual labor or construction jobs. We at the Chamber are working to change this stigma by advocating for Hispanic/Latino businesses and highlighting the community’s contributions to influencers in the State.

Lorena, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I serve as the President and CEO of Connect@ Corp, a cultural and equity firm dedicated to enhancing cultural proficiency for organizations and businesses across both public and private sectors. Additionally, I work as a supply chain consultant for the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council. In this role, I assist minority companies in developing a nuanced understanding of Mexico and Latin America within the business context. Subsequently, I leverage this knowledge to aid them in expanding their businesses internationally. And as my new role of the President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of the State of North Carolina I’m working on a strategy to bring innovative commerce and bring opportunities for Hispanic businesses. The focus is on facilitating real access to capital, and access to new emerging industries establishing connections beyond the state both nationally and internationally. Prior to my current roles, I was the Latin American Programs Director at the University of North Carolina System, where I managed programs that helped government and community leaders to positively integrate and serve the changing population in North Carolina. I been leading programs to Mexico and Latin America including Cuba.
I have dedicated my career to collaborating with leaders, guiding them through immersive experiences in various countries. The purpose is to extract and apply best practices that can positively impact immigrant communities in North Carolina. Through these global programs, leaders gain invaluable insights to navigate challenges and seize opportunities on an international scale. The initiative involves connecting policymakers and business leaders with countries like China, India, Germany, Singapore, and Mexico, emphasizing areas crucial to North Carolina’s strategic interests, such as international business, trade, and education. The impact has been significant, particularly in enhancing the well-being of immigrant communities. While abroad, discussions extend beyond cultural understanding, delving into topics like public safety, life sciences, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and agriculture.

Driven by my passion for connecting people, the name of my company reflects this commitment. Over the course of my career, I’ve observed a growing understanding and empathy, leading to tangible policy changes that positively transform the lives of those with limited voice and influence.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to reevaluate the lessons ingrained in me during my upbringing, recognizing that not everything learned in those formative years holds absolute truth. Understanding that racism often stems from a fear of the unknown became a pivotal realization for me. In 2015, I decided to channel the transformative power of witnessing individuals shift their perspectives and hearts towards positive change into the realm of public safety.

The dynamic between the police and the Latino community has often been characterized by fear, distrust, and various other issues that detrimentally impact both groups. Launching the inaugural delegation of law enforcement, I encountered an initial sense of trepidation during meetings with several departments. This unease was rooted in preconceived notions I had absorbed about law enforcement while growing up. Unlearning these ingrained beliefs was initially challenging, yet the experience has been profoundly rewarding. Witnessing the positive change in people’s perspectives, including my own, has fostered a deep appreciation for law enforcement both in North Carolina and in my home country, Mexico.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

During my final semester at NC State University, an unexpected health setback occurred—I experienced a ruptured appendix that led to an eight-day hospital stay. As the semester approached its end with finals looming, the prevailing advice from my professors was to take a break and resume the following semester to complete my studies. Despite the challenges, I made a plea to be allowed to finish. I assured them I would attend all finals and commit to extensive self-study.

Navigating through the remaining coursework, I found myself studying for finals from the confines of my bed due to the physical limitations imposed by my recent health ordeal. It proved to be one of the most arduous tasks I’ve faced. Nevertheless, I walked into every classroom to take my final exams—slowly but resolute. I share this experience, especially for readers who, like me, are adult learners with additional responsibilities beyond the traditional student role. As a single mother of three children, including a special needs daughter, this chapter of my academic journey demanded resilience and determination.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://connecta-corp.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectacorp/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connectacorp1
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connecta-corp-llc/

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