Grant program helping Hispanic businesses in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City is home to many local businesses including Luis Hernandez’s bakery, Panaderia de las Americas.

“Its a small bakery but we have a little part of Mexico and other countries in Kansas City,” said Luis Hernandez, owner of Panaderia de las Americas.

Hernandez also has a bakery in Mexico and wanted to bring a piece of it to Kansas City.

“When I came to the United States, my goal was to start my own business,” Hernandez said.

A business selling pan dulces, also known as sweet bread, a variety of Mexican pastries, but business hasn’t always been so sweet for Hernandez.

“Not all the time is a good time for business, so sometimes it’s a little slow and this came at a good time for me,” he said.

Hernandez was 1 of 10 Hispanic business owners who received $10,000 from Folklore’s grant program.

Folklore celebrates the contributions the Hispanic community has made in Kansas City.

Luis Padilla is the owner of Fresco Marketing, which helps organize Folklore.

“For me, for Fresco being able to do this and thanks to Wells Fargo and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, it’s a good feeling to help other entrepreneurs,” Padilla said.

Folklore grew from a celebration, bringing together people from all over the community to partnering with other businesses and organizations and setting up the grant program.

The trio’s work isn’t done yet. Padilla says they are doing the grant program again this year, helping Hispanic owned businesses like Hernandez’s, who used the money towards repairs in the shop.

“I just appreciate everything they did for the small business,” Hernandez said.

And sharing with the community through events like Folklore, the many businesses that contribute to Kansas City’s grown and local economy.

“That’s how we want this event to make a positive impact in the community, to get more people involved and make more people knowledgeable about what’s around,” Padilla said.

The Folklore celebration will take place on Thursday at 5 p.m. at the Corrigan Station rooftop. You can find more information online here .

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