Louis was incorporated on April 28, 1982. The incorporators were: Maria Elena Alonso; Manuel De La O; Michael Mahler; Jennie Ojeda; Anthony B. Ramirez; Maria Isabel Thompson; Mario Santander; B. Villarreal; and Luis G. Zambrana. Shortly thereafter, the Chamber was accepted as an affiliate of the United Stated Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), which currently has more than two hundred affiliate
s across the nation. In 2009, the Chamber established a charitable arm, the HCC STL Foundation, which will focus on youth, workforce development, and education. The Chamber attempts to strengthen Hispanic enterprise and small and minority business integration to promote a sustainable socioeconomic development and a better quality of life in the St. Louis region. The Chamber serves as facilitator in strengthening Hispanic enterprise, it anticipates new challenges and opportunities, encourages innovation, and promotes the development of the Hispanic entrepreneurial sector. The Chamber is a vigorous and vibrant arm of the economic community whose membership is not limited to Hispanic organizations or professionals. Currently, the Chamber has 450ish members. Membership in the Chamber is voluntary for all business owners and professionals. After joining, the members agree to abide by the principles, rules of conduct and regulations established by this institution for the benefit of its membership and the business community at large. The Chamber is open to those that share its goals of fostering progress to all sectors of the economy, and particularly to the Hispanic business community, for a better and stronger St.
