I woke up on Saturday to some tragic news. Frank Amadeo, the president of Estefan Enterprises, passed away after suffering a heart attack on Friday night. He was 57 and in good health. When Emilio became a partner at L’ATTITUDE LLC, I became close to the family, but my working relationship was primarily with Frank. He ran everything from their entertainment company to their hotels and restaurants. I never saw Emilio without Frank being there by his side, making sure everything was perfect. He was a nice man and an immensely talented business person. This past Thursday, Frank and I spoke about organizing an intimate dinner at Emilio’s with a select group of Latino influencers. He was energetic and enthusiastic about what we were building together with L’ATTITUDE. The Estefans are devastated and so am I. Frank Amadeo lived an extraordinary life. He was like family to the Estefans, he worked with celebrities, attended the most prestigious events and went places most people could only dream about… and just like that, he is gone. It is a sobering reminder that everything is replaceable except our health. Sol Trujillo and I agreed that we would dedicate 2021 to the memory of Frank Amadeo. Stay safe and please be nice to one another.
I saw a video recently that made me both angry and a little sad — people saying that even though they’re citizens, they don’t feel American. I understand the pain behind that feeling. But I also believe something important: America doesn’t belong to a narrow group of people, and it never has. Too often, we allow small-minded voices to define who “counts.” In this episode, I talk about identity, ownership, and why no one gets to tell you that this country isn’t yours. If you contribute to it, believe in it, and are willing to stand up for it, America belongs to you — just as much as anyone else.
Some are openly saying that immigrants make America weaker, not stronger — but the data tells a different story. Immigrants bring work ethic, entrepreneurship, and a deep appreciation for opportunity. Latino immigrants who have lived in the United States for more than 10 years have higher homeownership rates and higher net worth, and their children achieve higher levels of educational attainment. At a time when demographic decline threatens long-term growth, immigrants bring youth, household formation, and economic momentum. Meanwhile, countries with strict immigration policies are facing aging populations and stagnant economies. Immigration isn’t a weakness — it’s one of America’s greatest strengths.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Latinos had a net gain of 441,000 new homeowners in 2025 — the largest increase ever recorded since homeownership tracking began in 1975. Even more striking, without those 441,000 new Hispanic homeowners, the overall number of homeowners in America would have declined. Let that sink in. At a time of affordability challenges and economic uncertainty, Latino buyers are not just participating in the housing market — they’re sustaining it. I also break down new household formation numbers, where Hispanic households accounted for the overwhelming majority of total growth in 2025. This isn’t speculation about the future. It’s evidence of what’s already happening in real time. Latino homeownership is keeping housing — and our broader economy — moving forward...