From a child migrant growing up in Longview to a Harvard graduate and attorney, Jose Sanchez shared stories of times he felt like he didn’t belong with an audience of almost 700 people.
“Don’t let anybody ever tell you that you don’t belong,” said Sanchez, who was the keynote speaker at the 2023 Tyler Hispanic Business Alliance’s Hispanic Achievers and Business Leaders Awards. “We belong here in East Texas. We belong here in the state of Texas, and we belong in the best country in the world, the United States of America.”
The 15th annual awards program was held Tuesday at W.T. Brookshire Conference Center in Tyler to recognize Hispanic business and community leaders in the East Texas region.
Nine awards were presented, including:
EcoVance Landscaping, awarded Emerging Business of the Year;
ETX Tree Clearing and Dirt Work, awarded Small Business of the Year;
Dora Miranda with Flowers by Dora, awarded Woman Owned Business of the Year;
Rob and Nancy Properties, awarded Construction Business of the Year;
Fuzion Radio, awarded Nonprofit Organization of the Year;
Don Juan Mexican Restaurants, awarded Restaurant Business of the Year;
Elena Gomez, of Austin Bank, awarded Professional of the Year;
Dolores Price, of NET Health, awarded Community Impact Leader of the Year; and
Shannon Dacus of Dacus Firm, awarded the Adelante Award.
“I’m still in shock. I’m still trying to process it. I’m still trying to just take it all in,” Dolores Price said after being awarded Community Impact Leader of the Year. “I was kind of behind the scenes. I never really think that anyone is looking. So, being recognized today, I’m thankful to God.”
Price said receiving the award hit home because she’s always taken pride in helping others and her community. She has helped to grow the Hispanic population through her work, as the only bilingual health inspector and involvement in various organizations for many years.
There are more Spanish speakers becoming health inspectors who can help the growing number of Hispanic business owners in their native languages, she said.
“I’m very proud that I am not the only Spanish-speaking health inspector in our area anymore,” she said. “We have so many businesses starting…being able to help them and help them in their own language that they understand does make a difference. Being behind the scenes, doing the hard work, does make a difference.”
When the awards ceremony began 15 years ago, there were only 10 to 15 attendees, said Nancy Rangel, Tyler Hispanic Business Alliance president. The community’s support has grown the event to its current size and shows strength in diversity.
“It’s such an amazing feeling to not only see it but to feel the support from Hispanic and non-Hispanic partnerships, business leaders, community leaders,” Rangel said. “We all want to make Tyler a better place.”
The feeling of belonging makes humans happy, comfortable and united. Whether it’s in a group or at an event, it’s human nature to want that feeling, Sanchez said. People might often feel or be told they don’t belong, but the important part is how people handle it. Don’t give up because you never know who’s watching and looking up to you, whether it’s a child or a smaller business just starting out, he said.
