The Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a community based organization located in the heart of Oklahoma City with a membership of over 375.  The Chamber is a nonprofit 501(c) 6 organization whose primary purpose is to serve local community needs, focusing on those that impact businesses.

The Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was founded by a group of Hispanic entrepreneurs on June 12, 2000. The purpose of this organization is to promote the advancement of the commercial and economic interests of Hispanic-owned businesses, Hispanic-managed businesses, and the Hispanic-oriented businesses, trades and professionals in central Oklahoma.

In our five years of existence, the Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has focused on business development issues. In a new initiative the board has expanded that focus to include a range of community development issues including:

• Business Development
• Physical Infrastructure
• Cultural and Environmental Stewardship
• Workforce Development
• Civic Infrastructure
• Business assistance through our Business Assistance Center

• The Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce frequently provides services to the Hispanic community in the form of business training workshops as well as one on one counseling through our Business Assistance Center.

• Viva Oklahoma is a publication which reaches over 40,000 Hispanic families throughout Oklahoma City and provides information to the community about projects, such as OHLAP.

• Viva! Expo, the Chamber's annual business and consumer expo where over 200 Hispanic and non-Hispanic businesses promote and display products and services. Over 15,000 people attended last year.

• Monthly network " Business after Hours " for members to network and promote their business and projects. The monthly network is held every third Thursday of the month.

• Christmas Gala and award ceremony in December.

Oklahoma City's Hispanic population is substantial and growing. As the Hispanic community grows it will continue to impact the city's economy and future:

• In 2003 the Hispanic population in Oklahoma City was estimated to be 9.97 percent of the city's population and 5.74 percent of the state's population.

• About one in thirteen children in Oklahoma City are Hispanic and Hispanic students make up the majority in the Oklahoma City Public Schools.

• Young Hispanics will be a significant part of Oklahoma's labor force a decade from now on.

(Sources: Eilrich, F. C.; Clair, C. F. & Doeksen, G. A. “The Importance of Health Care Sector on the Economy of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma,” September 2004. Daily Oklahoman. Hispanic population continues to grow in Oklahoma, July 26, 2004; U.S. Census Bureau 2003)

According to the 2004 census update, Oklahoma had over 223,000 Hispanic residents. Some 43% (95,890) of those reside in the 10 county greater Oklahoma City area. Most of those (57,336) live in Oklahoma County. The remarkable aspect of Central Oklahoma's Hispanic population is that a majority of the Hispanic residents of central Oklahoma are concentrated in a real community of neighborhoods in South Oklahoma City.

In the core of the Hispanic community are 30 square miles of neighborhoods and commercial areas where more than 30% of the population is Hispanic. Some neighborhoods approach 70% Hispanic. Adjacent areas encompass approximately an additional 20 square miles where the population is at least 15% Hispanic.

Although these figures were from the 2000 census, we estimate the Oklahoma City metropolitan area Hispanic population exceeds 90,000 and in statewide over 300,000.