TAMACC E-Newsletter

Leadership Advocacy Commerce

Friday, April 3, 2026 🌷 Happy Easter from TAMACC 🌷 Easter reminds us of the importance of faith, resilience, and collective purpose, that even in challenging times, there is always room for growth, gratitude, and the promise of brighter days ahead. We are grateful for the strength, unity, and resilience of our members and partners across Texas, and we hope this holiday brings you peace, joy, and meaningful moments with the people who matter most. HUB Program Hearings – Your Voice Is Critical   The Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program will soon undergo two pivotal hearings that will determine its future. These hearings provide a rare and essential opportunity for our community to be heard directly and on record.   Online Hearing – Tuesday, April 7 This hearing will be online only, and registration is required by Monday, April 6, to speak. Your participation is vital.   In‑Person Court Hearing – Monday, April 13 We must fill the room. Our presence matters, and it will send a powerful message about the importance of the HUB Program to minority‑, women‑, and veteran‑owned businesses across Texas.   We Need You Please show up, speak out, and help ensure our voices are heard. The strength of our advocacy depends on our collective action. ~~~~~~~~~~ HUB HEARING | Online Only   Tuesday, April 7, 2026 10:00 AM Join via Webex App: https://txcpa.webex.com/wbxmjs/joinservice/sites/txcpa/meeting/download/b96c07e36a4049a1a457ef2e276b766d?MTID=mac3fedd0742ad312afab6a350ab5e570 Access Code: 2481 363 9967 Password: SPDRULES   To register to speak at the hearing, contact Gerard MacCrossan no later than Monday, April 6, 2026. EMAIL: Gerard.MacCrossan@cpa.texas.gov TELEPHONE: (512) 463-4468   If you are unable to attend, you can still be heard by submitting written comments by April 12, 2026. You may submit by email or mail and include your name, business, and how this rule change has affected your business.    EMAIL: Gerard.MacCrossan@cpa.texas.gov MAIL: Gerard MacCrossan, Post Office Box 13528, Austin, Texas 78711   COURT HEARING | In Person   Monday, April 13, 2026 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Travis County District Court 1700 Guadalupe Austin, Texas 78701   A lawsuit has been filed regarding the change to the HUB Program. If you would like to read more about Globe Trucking, Inc., et al. v. Kelly Hancock et al., click here: gbef.com/the-hub-case   SHOW UP! SPEAK UP! BE HEARD! TAMACC Launches the Inaugural Roy P. Benavidez Scholarship Luncheon TICKETS ON SALE THIS MONDAY TAMACC is proud to introduce a powerful new event to our annual schedule. In partnership with the Roy P. Benavidez family and foundation, and alongside Leadership Tejas, we will host the first‑ever Roy P. Benavidez Scholarship Luncheon.   This luncheon is more than a gathering; it is an investment in the next generation of leaders. By honoring the legacy of Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez, a true American hero, we are raising funds to expand educational opportunities for deserving students across Texas.   Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez is one of the most extraordinary heroes in American military history. His story is not just about bravery; it is about resilience, sacrifice, and an unbreakable commitment to service.   Born in poverty to a Mexican American family in Texas, Benavidez overcame discrimination, hardship, and unimaginable odds. But it was his actions during the Vietnam War that defined him as a legend. Despite being gravely wounded, he volunteered for a rescue mission that saved the lives of multiple soldiers. He continued fighting, rescuing, and protecting others even after sustaining injuries that would have stopped anyone else. For his heroism, he received the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award.   His life reminds us that greatness is not defined by circumstance, but by character. That is why TAMACC is proud to honor him and invest in scholarships that carry his legacy forward.   Together, we can turn inspiration into action and ensure that more young people have the chance to pursue their dreams. If you are interested in attending, sponsoring a table, or helping underwrite the event, do not hesitate to contact the TAMACC office at president@tamacc.org or (512) 444-5727. Preserving Identity: The Battle for Mexican American and Latina/o Studies What happens when the spaces meant to support identity, culture, and opportunity begin to disappear? Across the country, DEI programs are being dismantled or redefined, and students are feeling it in real time. The University of Texas at Austin proposed changes within the College of Liberal Arts are raising serious concerns about the future of Mexican American and Latina/o Studies, and the broader network of programs that have long supported student success and community impact. In this episode of Latino Business Report, we sit down with a student leader who is speaking up, organizing, and refusing to be sidelined. This is more than a policy conversation; it is about voice, identity, and the fight to preserve spaces that have shaped generations. Tune in now and be part of the conversation. LISTEN OR DOWNLOAD HERE Walmart’s Annual Open Call Entrepreneurs Wanted   Are you an entrepreneur with a shelf-ready product made, grown, or assembled in the U.S.? Don't miss the opportunity to showcase your products and receive valuable feedback on your pitch during a stop on the Road to Open Call tour.   Selected entrepreneurs can even earn a coveted fast pass to our exclusive Open Call event in Bentonville, Arkansas. During Open Call 2025, 100+ entrepreneurs secured deals to sell their products on Walmart or Sam’s Club shelves or online at Walmart.com. Are you next?   This Year’s Tour Stops May 14: Dallas, TX - (Applications close April 24) May 21: Orlando, FL - (Applications close May 1) May 25-29: Baltimore, MD - (Applications close May 8) June 11: Indianapolis, IN - (Applications close May 22) June 18: Salt Lake City, UT - (Applications close May 29) June 24: Atlanta, GA - (Applications close June 5)   Click HERE to apply for a spot at one of the stops on the Road to Open Call.   Questions about Open Call? Find answers to frequently asked questions HERE.   TAMACC | (512) 444-5727 | Website | Podcast

Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC) | Post Office Box 514 | Buda, TX 78610 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice

TAMACC E-Newsletter

Leadership Advocacy Commerce

Friday, March 6, 2026 Walmart’s Annual Open Call Entrepreneurs Wanted   Are you an entrepreneur with a shelf-ready product made, grown, or assembled in the U.S.? Don't miss the opportunity to showcase your products and receive valuable feedback on your pitch during a stop on the Road to Open Call tour.   Selected entrepreneurs can even earn a coveted fast pass to our exclusive Open Call event in Bentonville, Arkansas. During Open Call 2025, 100+ entrepreneurs secured deals to sell their products on Walmart or Sam’s Club shelves or online at Walmart.com. Are you next?   This Year’s Tour Stops April 9: Los Angeles, CA - (Applications close March 20) April 15: New Orleans, LA - (Applications close March 27) May 14: Dallas, TX - (Applications close April 24) May 21: Orlando, FL - (Applications close May 1) May 25-29: Baltimore, MD - (Applications close May 8) June 11: Indianapolis, IN - (Applications close May 22) June 18: Salt Lake City, UT - (Applications close May 29) June 24: Atlanta, GA - (Applications close June 5)   Click HERE to apply for a spot at one of the stops on the Road to Open Call.   Questions about Open Call? Find answers to frequently asked questions HERE. TDLR Rule Change Raises Concerns for Texas Businesses and Skilled Workers The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) started a new rule that could block thousands of hardworking Texans from legally practicing their professions. For years, skilled workers without a Social Security number could obtain a license using an International Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and an affidavit. As of January, that option is no longer available; applicants will need a Social Security number. This change affects barbers, cosmetologists, massage therapists, HVAC professionals, midwives, dietitians, and many more, threatening small businesses and putting local economies at risk. Many of these workers have paid taxes, built businesses, and supported their communities for years. TAMACC and partner organizations are speaking out: this rule could worsen labor shortages, shut down businesses, and cost Texas economic growth. The state has not conducted a full economic impact study before moving forward. Texas Business Owners Fight Back Against Hancock’s Assault on Minority Contractors On Monday, March 2, four Texas business owners and a trade association took a stand against the state, suing acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock after he recklessly stripped minority- and women-owned businesses from the Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program. Created in the 1990s to give these businesses a fair shot at state contracts, the program has been gutted under Hancock’s unilateral actions. Plaintiffs, including Houston-based Ipsum General Contractors and the Greater Houston chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors, are calling out Hancock for blatant overreach, cutting businesses out of lucrative opportunities without so much as due process. Lead counsel Alphonso David slammed the move, declaring, “The Legislature passes the laws, not the comptroller.” Hancock’s changes have decimated participation, slashing the program from more than 15,000 businesses to fewer than 500—following Gov. Greg Abbott’s 2025 executive order banning DEI policies in state agencies. Plaintiffs are demanding immediate judicial intervention to restore the program while the lawsuit proceeds. For Hispanic and minority-owned businesses, this is more than a legal fight—it’s a battle to protect access, uphold fairness, and defend their rightful place in Texas’ multibillion-dollar contracting arena. Artificial Intelligence: The Next Frontier for Chamber Leadership Artificial intelligence is no longer an emerging concept for chambers of commerce. It is quickly becoming a strategic capability that directly affects how chambers operate, serve members, and lead in increasingly competitive markets.  Guidance from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and ongoing discussions within the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives reinforce a consistent message to chamber leaders: start small, focus on measurable member impact, and build with strong governance. For chamber executives, the question is no longer whether AI will influence the industry. It is how deliberately and strategically your organization will adopt it. READ MORE TAMACC Launches the Inaugural Roy P. Benavidez Scholarship Luncheon TAMACC is proud to announce a new event to its schedule this year. In partnership with the Roy P. Benavidez family and foundation, TAMACC and Leadership Tejas will host, for the first time, the Roy P. Benavidez Scholarship Luncheon. If you are interested in attending, sponsoring a table, or helping underwrite the event, do not hesitate to contact the TAMACC office at president@tamacc.org or (512) 444-5727.   TAMACC | (512) 444-5727 | Website | Podcast | Calendar

Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC) | Post Office Box 514 | Buda, TX 78610 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice