2026 Annual Meeting & Awards

Antojitos Salvadoreños y Más

Elvia Mezquita is the proud owner of Antojitos Salvadoreños, a business built on tradition, resilience, and a deep passion for sharing her culture through food. Originally from El Salvador, Elvia moved to Cleveland in 2010 in search of new opportunities after a significant life change that led her to leave behind her career as a dentist. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Elvia reconnected with her love for cooking, drawing inspiration from her cultural roots and family traditions. Determined to build something of her own, she sought guidance and support from local organizations, eventually connecting with the Hispanic Business Center. Today, Antojitos Salvadoreños has become a beloved part of the community, offering authentic Salvadoran cuisine and participating in meaningful events, including serving the Mayor of Cleveland.

Cafe Roig

Cafe Roig is a small coffee business that carries forward the Roig family legacy of coffee cultivation, brought from Spain in the 1800’s, from generation to generation. Today we source our beans directly from Roig family coffee farms in Puerto Rico, small business to small business, directly to your cup. Our purpose is for the flavors and smells of our coffee and pastries to transport you to Puerto Rico or even a place and time. We are passionate about sharing our love of coffee and culture through our fusion of traditional and contemporary favorites with everyone!

El Kiosquito Boricua

From owner Jose Pagan: Many people ask how this journey began and if I always wanted a restaurant. The answer is yes. Before opening the restaurant, I ran a car lot. For years, I told my team, “One day I’m going to open a restaurant.” I’ve always loved traveling and trying new foods. Seeing how food connects culture, family, and community inspired me to create something meaningful of my own. Then the opportunity came. I connected with two talented cooks whose food I had enjoyed for years and asked them to join me. They said yes — and that was the beginning. El Kiosquito Boricua was built on vision, faith, and action. It reflects who I am: a businessman, a dreamer, and a builder who believes that with the right people, anything is possible.

Flying Pig Mexican Cuisine

Jorge Hernandez was born and raised in Mexico City, where he developed a deep love for his culture and traditional Mexican cuisine. Over the past five years, Jorge has passionately dedicated himself to collecting cherished family recipes and mastering time-honored dishes. His goal is to share the authentic flavors and heartfelt stories that have shaped him with the community around him. Jorge combined his passion for genuine Mexican food with a strong commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences to found Flying Pig Mexican Cuisine. Jorge brings a personal touch to each meal, ensuring authenticity and quality in every bite. The menu showcases a variety of traditional Mexican dishes, made from scratch with fresh, high-quality ingredients—including fresh guacamole, house-made tortillas, and flavorful street-style tacos. Beyond food, Jorge strives to create memorable moments that resonate with guests, offering catering, cooking experiences, and private chef services designed to connect people through food and culture.

La Esquina Dominicana

La Esquina Dominicana was born in December 2024 with a clear purpose: to share with the Cleveland community the authentic, rich flavors of the Dominican Republic. Founded by Aneudy Rijo (former doctor in Medicine) alongside Elizabeth Valdez (Hospitality and culinary professional), La Esquina Dominicana is a family project. Behind every dish are generations of tradition, with the women of the family, led by Esmeralda Cedeno, (Aneudy’s mother and Elizabeth’s aunt), preserving the original flavors of our beautiful country worldwide renown as “Quisqueya la Bella.” With a deep connection to their roots and a genuine passion for hospitality, the team has created a space where food is not only enjoyed but also brings people together. Our menu celebrates the best of Dominican cuisine, from the traditional Mangú with “Los Tres Golpes” to iconic dishes like Sancocho, all prepared with fresh ingredients and a homemade touch that defines our identity.

Sazón Latino

From owner Danielly Chávez Ramírez: Sazón Latino is not just a restaurant; it is the reflection of a story full of love, effort, and tradition. From a very young age, I grew up in kitchens in Cuba, learning from my mother. Today, I bring directly from Cuba that authentic flavor so that our Cuban community can always feel the warmth of their land and their roots. Each recipe carries a piece of my story, my family, and my country. With every dish, I share a little piece of Cuba with you.

Tumbao58

Marielis Navarro is a Latina immigrant entrepreneur, mother of two, and the visionary founder of Tumbao58, proudly recognized as the first Venezuelan restaurant in Cleveland. With nearly two decades of experience as a sales executive with companies like Johnson & Johnson and Colgate-Palmolive in her home country, Marielis brings a powerful combination of business expertise, resilience, and passion to everything she builds. After arriving in the United States, she faced language barriers and cultural challenges, starting from the ground up while working in local school cafeterias. Instead of giving up, she transformed her journey into purpose—creating Tumbao58 as a way to share the rich flavors, traditions, and warmth of Venezuela with her new community. Known for its handcrafted arepas, empanadas, tequeños, tres leches cake and vibrant dishes, the brand has become a symbol of pride, perseverance, and representation. Marielis continues to expand through catering, delivery platforms, and community events, with the ultimate goal of opening a full-scale restaurant.

Alnairis’s Custom Design

Aixa Carrasquillo, the creative mind behind Alnairis’s Custom, is a passionate entrepreneur dedicated to transforming ideas into meaningful, tangible creations. Specializing in personalized products for all occasions and custom branding solutions for small businesses, she has built her brand on quality, originality, and attention to detail. What sets Aixa apart is her commitment to creating pieces that go beyond products—they are experiences. Each design is thoughttully crafted to reflect the unique vision of her clients, ensuring every creation is truly one of a kind.

Cary’s 15 Boutique

Cary’s 15 Boutique is a premier quinceañera boutique proudly serving the Cleveland area. We specialize in elegant, high-quality gowns that celebrate tradition, style, and individuality. With personalized service and attention to every detail, we help each young woman find the perfect look for her special day. At Cary’s 15 Boutique, every quinceañera is a moment to shine with confidence and grace.

Hola Island Provisions

Hola Island Provisions is dedicated to crafting genuine Caribbean marinades that are rich in flavor. Our selection includes three unique varieties: a flavorful garlic mix from Puerto Rico, a lively combination of citrus and garlic from Cuba, and a spicy garlic concoction from Jamaica. Each 8 oz. jar offers both taste and convenience. Our marinades are crafted for simplicity, requiring only one tablespoon for every five pounds of ingredients. Additionally, they cater to keto and gluten-free diets. Immerse yourself in the diverse tastes of the Caribbean and enhance your cooking experience with Hola Island Provisions.

Mine Angel Collections

Mine Angel Collections has one-of-a-Kind handmade jewelry with high-quality gemstones and crystals. Designed with the intention to elevate your style, balance your energy, and express your essence.

Mine Angel Collections Piezas incas hechas a mano con piedras naturales y cristales de alta calidad. Diseños con intención que eleven tu estilo, armoniza tu energía y cuenta tu esencia.

Tabako 1941

Tabako 1941 is a distinctive cigar shop dedicated to reclaiming the pre-Colombian heritage of tobacco and honoring its significance to Indigenous cultures throughout the Americas. Far from a traditional cigar retailer, our shop serves as a cultural center, offering patrons an immersive journey into the rich history, rituals, and reverence surrounding tobacco. Our carefully curated selection features cigars and tobacco products that honor ancient practices, paired with educational experiences to deepen appreciation for this sacred plant. Through interactive tastings, storytelling sessions, and heritage displays, we aim to revive the knowledge of tobacco as a meaningful cultural practice, reconnecting our patrons with its original significance. Nick De Leon, founder of Tabako 1491, has spent 25 years cultivating a deep appreciation for the art of cigar smoking and has explored hundreds of cigars and visited countless lounges across the country, immersing himself in the rich culture, craftsmanship, and Indigenous heritage of this time-honored tradition.

Vintage & Vaina

Reinaldo DeJesus is a proud Cleveland native, father, community advocate, Navy veteran, and entrepreneur dedicated to uplifting the culture and people around him. Raised in the city, Reinaldo’s journey has always been rooted in service, first through his time in the United States Navy, where he developed discipline, leadership, and a deep sense of responsibility, and now through his continued work in the community as a member of the New Era Young Lords. As the owner of Vintage & Vaina, he has built a cultural hub where collaboration is key and creativity thrives. Inside the shop, you’ll find a unique blend of handcrafted and nostalgic items. From handmade soaps and candles to pop culture treasures like comic books, collectible toys, and vintage finds, every item tells a story. Reinaldo’s goal is to bridge generations connecting childhood memories with present-day creativity while providing a platform for others to shine.