The Welcoming Center held a presentation on the role of immigrants in Philadelphia’s economy at the WHYY studios in downtown Philadelphia on September 18, in collaboration with Pew Charitable Trusts.
William Marrazo, president and CEO of WHYY, a company with 70 years of service, welcomed the 175 attendees, who came from various nationalities. He emphasized that immigrants not only contribute to the city’s economy but also «culturally enrich the way we live.»
Mari González, Senior Research Associate at Pew Charitable Trusts, presented a demographic analysis.
Immigrants make up one-third of the city’s business owners
Among the businesses immigrants have launched are construction companies, restaurants, cleaning services, grocery stores, and many more offering various products. According to the demographic data, 158,000 foreign-born workers represented 1 in 5 working residents in 2022.
Anuj Gupta, Director of The Welcoming Center, spoke with Uruguayan writer Exequiel «Zeke» Hernández, author of the book The Truth About Immigration: Why Successful Societies Welcome Newcomers.
The Wharton School professor at the University of Pennsylvania stated, “There are five key contributions immigrants make to the economy: investment, innovation, talent, tax contributions, and job creation. They not only contribute to a larger economy but also a more diverse one.”
He noted that presidential candidates propose either mass deportation or significant restrictions on immigrant entry into the country. «These immigration policies are based on an unfounded fear,» he said.
Maiken Scott, host and producer of the radio show The Pulse on WHYY, moderated a discussion with four entrepreneurs, three of whom were immigrants: Veenu Aishwarya, co-founder and CEO of AUM Life Tech and AUM BioTech, two biotechnology companies; Mariangeli Alicea Sáez, entrepreneur and owner of Elévate, with 15 years of experience, and co-owner of Cantina La Martina with her husband, chef Dionicio Jiménez; and Ecuadorian Silvia Roldán, founder of Yaku Wear and part of The Welcoming Center. Thomas Young, president and CEO of World Trade Center, a nonprofit organization that accelerates global business growth, also participated in the panel.
During the conversation, they highlighted the challenges they faced, such as language barriers, navigating the complex regulatory system, lack of knowledge about available resources, and limited access to capital. The immigrant entrepreneurs pointed out their resilience and perseverance as key qualities that have helped them succeed in their respective businesses, as well as their ability to see opportunities where others might not. They also shared common values in their companies, such as empathy, compassion, and respect.
Mariangeli Alicea Sáez noted that there are now more resources available than when she first arrived in Pennsylvania 15 years ago, including educational programs, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, The Welcoming Center, and Widener University, among others.
All the panel members agreed on their desire to help others by sharing their experiences. Thomas Young encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to step out of their comfort zones, be more intentional, take advantage of opportunities to build social connections, and not be afraid to explore.
