\u201cLeading the only Hispanic chamber in Fort Worth is a privilege I do not take lightly,\u201d she told members.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She said the chamber team worked with grace under pressure as she led the transition from former president and CEO Anette Landeros, now chief strategic officer for Trinity Metro transit agency, while learning more about the city and its residents.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I joined in March, I stepped into a city in motion, a city that just surpassed 1 million residents, officially making us the (11th) largest city in the United States, a city where 40% of our residents are Hispanic, a city growing faster than almost anywhere in the nation,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20251203_115529-1024x768.jpg\")
Ericka Garza, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, prepares to speak to members during the 2025 State of the Chamber event Dec. 3 at Cullen Yards. (Eric E. Garcia | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
Garza said she took the time to listen deeply, to learn the business end to end, and to understand the chamber\u2019s strengths and gaps.<\/p>\n
\u201cFort Worth isn\u2019t just growing,\u201d she said, \u201cFort Worth is evolving (and) Fort Worth is opening doors\u201d as the city positions itself as a leader of technology, innovation and opportunity.<\/p>\n
Mayor Mattie Parker, who gave opening remarks at the event, said Fort Worth will shine when the two Latino organizations come to the city because the local Hispanic chamber is one of the most successful organizations in the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will bring national visibility to Fort Worth and highlight our commitment to Hispanic entrepreneurs and small businesses, provide a platform for those entrepreneurs to connect with national networks, corporate partners and potential investors, expanding economic opportunity, and, of course, strengthen our booming tourism and generate significant local impact,\u201d she said at the chamber\u2019s luncheon. \u201cCongratulations to the team for bringing this historic conference to Fort Worth.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20251203_113614-1024x768.jpg\")
Mayor Mattie Parker talks at the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce\u2019s 2025 State of the Chamber event at Cullen Yards. (Eric E. Garcia | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
Parker also praised the collaborative partnership between the Hispanic chamber, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce to advance economic opportunities across the city.<\/p>\n
Those groups \u201cstood shoulder to shoulder\u201d for small business development, contract opportunities and business support.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am proud to call them partners, but I also call them friends,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
In 2025, the Hispanic chamber evolved to reimagine the office and create a Business and Learning Resource Center, a community hub designed for education, resources and networking.<\/p>\n
That effort will help, officials said, as the organization aligns each investment with tangible outcomes.<\/p>\n
The chamber\u2019s membership grew to 255 and 65 new ambassadors were recruited in 2025. The chamber helped members win $1.9 million in contracts, provided more than 200 consultations, had more than 20 entrepreneur graduates, maintained its business pitch competition and launched a podcast.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The chamber also led efforts to improve the Northside through the Main Street America<\/a> program, including the beautification of Mercado Plaza. Partnerships were expanded and about $6.5 million of aligned investment was reached, said Dee Lara O\u2019Neal, the program\u2019s manager.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Northside is changing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Chamber members also raised more than $28,000 from its annual golf tournament for Tarrant County students and has more than 800 students involved in the scholarship application process. The chamber also reached the $1 million mark in scholarships for full-time Master of Business Administration students, officials said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are the people who act, the people who build, people who rise quickly under pressure,\u201d Garza said. \u201cPeople who just don\u2019t talk about change, we actually create it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not just a message for today, it is the mindset we must carry into 2026 \u2014 clear, visible, ready to act,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Eric E. Garcia is a senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20251203_115711-1024x768.jpg\")
Ericka Garza, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, speaks to members during the 2025 State of the Chamber event Dec. 3 at Cullen Yards. (Eric E. Garcia | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n