Latino small businesses provide social, economic, and cultural comfort to their communities. They are also excellent facilitators of community capacity-a major component of effective social work practice. Social work practitioners have a vested interest in seeing such businesses grow, not only among Latinos but all communities of color. Reviewing the latest research on formal and informal economies within urban communities of color, Melvin Delgado lays out the demographic foundations for a richer collaboration between theory and practice. Delgado deploys numerous case studies to cement the link between indigenous small businesses and community well-being. Whether regulated or unregulated, these establishments hire from within and promote immigrant self-employment. Latino small businesses often provide jobs for those whose criminal and mental health backgrounds intimidate conventional businesses. Recently estimated to be the largest group of color running small businesses in the United States, Latino owners top two million, with the number expected to double within the next few years. Joining an understanding of these institutions with the kind of practice that enables their social and economic improvement, Delgado explains how to identify and mobilize the kinds of resources that best spur their development.

About the Author
Melvin Delgado is professor and chair of the macro-practice specialty at the School of Social Work, Boston University. The author of nineteen books, including Social Work Practice with Latinos: A Cultural Assets Paradigm and Social Work Practice with Immigrant and Refugee Youth in the United States, his research focuses on community-capacity enhancement, Latino populations, and other marginalized groups.

Reviews
A unique and remarkable piece of work that integrates knowledge from both the economy and social work fields. This book educates readers in the contributions of Latino enterprises towards building capital, strengthening our economy, and protecting the Latino culture. Melvin Delgado proposes a framework for assessment and intervention and highlights what community practice can achieve. -- Lirio K. Negroni, University of Connecticut Delgado presents a comprehensive and thoughtful perspective while also giving readers a clear and masterfully articulated text. A significant contribution to professionals working with Latino communities. -- Betty Garcia, California State University, Fresno Melvin Delgado provides a datadriven, theoretically-grounded foundation for the mobilization of Latino small businesses in social and economic development initiatives by social workers. -- Julie Birkenmaier Journal of Community Practice



Book Information
ISBN 9780231150897
Author Melvin Delgado
Format Paperback
Page Count 296
Imprint Columbia University Press
Publisher Columbia University Press