The future of California's economy depends on Latino communities. This stark reality emerges vividly in our special town hall session recorded at the Cheech Collection for Chicano Art in Riverside, where experts gathered to discuss findings from "El Futuro es Latino," a groundbreaking research project from Chapman University.

The numbers tell a compelling story: Latinos will represent 78% of new US workers over this decade. In California, they comprise nearly 40% of the population and half of residents under 18. Yet despite this demographic significance, California's Latinos face persistent gaps in income, home ownership, and education compared to their counterparts nationwide.

Our first panel examines how Latinos form the backbone of California's "carbon economy" – disproportionately filling essential roles in construction, transportation, and manufacturing. These are precisely the industries most threatened by aggressive environmental policies, creating an economic vulnerability that policymakers rarely address. Meanwhile, the housing crisis hits Latino families particularly hard, with California ranking 41st nationwide in Latino homeownership, forcing many to leave coastal areas for more affordable regions like the Inland Empire.

The conversation shifts dramatically when our second panel explores concrete solutions. We hear from housing developers creating manufactured home communities where prices remain under $250,000, small business experts supporting Latino entrepreneurs who create their own economic opportunities, and workforce development specialists connecting workers to meaningful career pathways rather than just jobs.

Throughout both discussions, one theme emerges consistently: civic engagement remains the missing piece. Despite their growing numbers, Latinos remain underrepresented in voting and policy advocacy. As one panelist powerfully states, "Latinos don't need public policies written for them – we need to be writing them ourselves."

Whether you're concerned about California's economic future, interested in practical solutions to housing affordability, or seeking to understand the untapped potential of America's fastest-growing demographic, this episode offers rare insights from those working directly at the intersection of policy and community impact.

Support Our Work
The Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center’s senior staff.

Students work with the Center’s director and engage in research that will serve them well as they look to develop their careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Students also have access to our advisory board, which includes distinguished Chapman faculty and major demographic scholars from across the country and the world.

For additional information, please contact Mahnaz Asghari, Associate Director for the Center for Demographics and Policy, at (714) 744-7635 or [email protected].

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This show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.