INDIANAPOLIS — As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, WISH-TV is highlighting Hoosiers who have built lasting legacies of leadership and inclusion. One of those leaders is Charlie Garcia, founder of the Indianapolis Latino Expo and a longtime advocate for Hispanic and Latino empowerment in Indiana.
Garcia, president and CEO of CGA, a construction and real estate development firm, came to Indianapolis in 1987 after being recruited from San Francisco. What began as a career move quickly became a lifelong mission to create opportunity for others.
“When I got here, I realized there was a lack of women and minority businesses,” Garcia said. “That led me on a journey to establish programs that developed all people of color and women — but especially my Latino community.”
Seeing few resources for Hispanic professionals, Garcia created his own programs to support Latino growth across business, social, and health sectors. His vision helped shape leadership pathways for young Latinos, fostering talent through initiatives like the Indianapolis Latino Expo and the Latino Institute Leadership program.
“When I started, Indianapolis was a one-horse town,” Garcia said. “Now, we have Latino presidents of banks, major corporations, and community organizations. We’ve built an ecosystem of talent.”
Through mentorship and education, Garcia continues to cultivate leaders who can navigate — and thrive within — a society that has not always made space for their success.
“My mission,” he said, “is to give them the tools to progress and be the stars.”
As Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the contributions of Latino communities, Garcia’s story stands as a testament to the power of vision, persistence, and purpose.
