My blog is brief today because I am working with the NAHREP research team to complete the annual State of Hispanic Homeownership Report. The report provides an overview on how Hispanics are faring in terms of homeownership, and reviews various metrics to predict what is likely to happen in the near future. For NAHREP, it is our benchmark report and also serves as a report card for the effectiveness of our work. The good news is that the Hispanic homeownership rate increased for the fifth consecutive year; the only ethnic demographic to have achieved this milestone during the same period. This year’s report will cover more detail about local markets, specifically, where Hispanics are buying homes and the areas where the greatest opportunities exist for future growth. I don’t want to give too much away, but I can tell you that the state of Texas plays a prominent role.
After my last video about Pharrell Williams, I heard from people who wondered why I’d respond to a comment that, on the surface, seemed harmless. In this episode, I explain why moments like this matter—because even well-intentioned remarks can reinforce damaging narratives about Black and Latino professionals, especially around DEI and merit. And when those narratives come from influential voices, they spread fast. I also get into why unity and consistency in our messaging is critical right now, and why staying silent when false narratives gain traction can cost us economically and professionally.
Every now and then a public comment goes viral that reveals just how deeply people misunderstand diversity programs — and how quickly nuance disappears. This week, Pharrell Williams sparked conversation by suggesting that some Black and Latino professionals get opportunities they “don’t deserve.” I recorded this episode because statements like that ignore how competitive admissions and hiring actually work, and they erase the reality that our communities have always had to be both talented and lucky just to get in the room.
Every once in a while, you can feel something shifting. Over the last few months, I’ve sensed a momentum building in our community—one that feels different from 2000 and different from 2020. This time, it isn’t coming from outside forces or corporate gestures. It’s coming from us. Latinos are frustrated, galvanized, and more unified than I’ve seen in years, and I believe we’re on the edge of a defining moment. In this episode of The Latino Brand, I break down why this matters and what it means for anyone who wants to shape—not just witness—the next chapter for our community.