The awards ceremony will take place on October 16 at The Queen in Wilmington
By HOY en Delaware
This year’s edition of the Hispanic Awards includes 62 categories reflecting ten economic sectors (restaurants, bakeries, construction, real estate, insurance, etc.).
These categories comprise 362 nominations representing approximately 345 businesses.
Public voting opened on August 13. During the first week, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce –the event’s organizer–reported over 35,000 votes, marking “a joyful public acknowledgment of the contributions the Latino immigrant community makes to this state and nation.”
Voting will close on August 31. From that date on, “the voting results will remain hidden to maintain suspense and excitement, just as we have done in previous editions,” the organizers note on their Facebook page.
A night of light
“At a time when so many families are living with uncertainty, this night is a light,” said Karen Lucas, Director of Operations for the Delaware Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (DHCC).
“Our nominees include the woman who provides childcare in her home, the mechanic from Georgetown, and the family that opened a bakery after twenty years of working for others. Many are first-generation immigrants who built something from nothing, in a second language and without connections. Once a year, this community pauses and declares: we see what you have built, and this state is better because of you.”
Not a competition, but an acknowledgment
The organizers describe the event less as a contest and more as a community’s annual expression of gratitude: a traditional ceremony honoring nominees for their work, regardless of the final vote count. Participation is free. Each nominee receives an official certificate and publicity throughout the voting period.
Origin of Nominees
This year’s nominees hail from all three Delaware counties –including separate lists for the Northern Zone (New Castle) and Southern Zone (Kent and Sussex) across various categories– as well as from Chester County, Pennsylvania (including Kennett Square and Toughkenamon) and businesses serving the Cecil County, Maryland corridor.
Growth of Latino Businesses in Delaware
The growth in the list of nominees reflects the rise of Latino-owned businesses in the state and across the country (increasing from approximately 5% of Delaware businesses in 2022 to 6% in 2023, according to data from “The Philadelphia Tribune”).
Today, approximately one in 16 businesses in the state is Latino-owned, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy.
Nationally, Latino- or Hispanic-owned businesses with employees have grown at an average annual rate of 7.7% –compared to 0.46% for all businesses with employees– and expanded in nearly 90% of the country’s metropolitan areas between 2017 and 2022, according to Brookings Institution data. Researchers from the Stanford University School of Business note that Latino entrepreneurs continue to launch businesses at a rate higher than the national average and create jobs significantly, making Latino enterprises key drivers of economic expansion (2026 State of Latino Entrepreneurship).
The Delaware Hispanic Chamber of Commerce opened its doors in March 2024, alongside BIKI, the Bilingual Kitchen Incubator.
October 16 at The Queen
The 2026 Gala will be held on Friday, October 16, at The Queen in Wilmington. Winners will be announced in September. Voting concludes on August 31. Sponsors include DelDOT, WSFS Bank, Nemours Children’s Health, the Delaware Division of the Arts, SpotOn, New Castle County Government, and Del-One Federal Credit Union. Sponsorships make the Gala possible and support the Chamber’s economic and business development programs throughout the year. Companies and organizations interested in becoming sponsors may contact Francisco Zambrano at Francisco@HChamber.org.
The Delaware Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization. Depending on the level of sponsorship and the benefits received in return, a portion or the entirety of the sponsorship or contribution may be tax-deductible; sponsors are advised to consult their own tax advisor.
Voting and tickets
You can vote for the nominees here
Tickets for the Gala are now on sale at: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/delaware-hispanic-awards
