As Secretary of Commerce, I have one overarching goal:  improving America’s competitiveness so all our workers and companies can succeed in the global economy. And equity is at the core of our mission and underpins everything we do at the Commerce Department. This pursuit of equity is not just the right thing to do – it’s the right thing to do for our economy.

America has over 4.7 million Latino-owned businesses that contribute $800 billion to our economy each year. It is projected that by 2030, one out of five workers will be Latino. Closing the opportunity gap between minority-owned and non-minority-owned businesses could add nearly $6 trillion more to the economy.

Supporting minority-owned businesses, closing the wage gap, and investing in underrepresented communities are all crucial to our nation’s economic well-being. Gaps in access mean gaps in opportunity. America’s diversity is a competitive advantage – but only if we give everyone an opportunity to fulfill their potential and fully participate.

As we come to the end of Hispanic Heritage Month, I want to thank our employees who work hard every day to support and invest in the Hispanic business community. I encourage everyone to continue to embrace diversity and celebrate everyone’s potential. We must remain true to our mission of creating the conditions for economic growth and opportunity—for all Americans. I am excited about the opportunities ahead of us.

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, several of the Commerce Department’s many diverse bureaus worked together to recognize and celebrate the Hispanic community’s wide range of accomplishments by highlighting leaders who have made a lasting impact in computer security, quantum computing, entrepreneurship, communication, and invention.

Take a moment to read these powerful blogs.

Blazing a Trail Through Hard Work, Consistency and Service to Others

Hispanic Inventors, Entrepreneurs Bring New Technologies to Market

NIST Scientist and NOAA Public Affairs Officer Lead Efforts in Quantum Computing, Communicating Life-Saving Messaging

Please also see some of the outstanding Hispanic employees highlighted this month in our spotlight series.