Dr. Ernesto Castañeda
Director, Center for Latin American and Latino Studies, American University
Dr. Ernesto Castañeda is the Director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies and the Immigration Lab at American University, where he is also a Full Professor. His research spans migration, urban issues, health disparities, and social movements, with a focus on Latin American and North African immigrant populations. Dr. Castañeda is the author of several books, including Immigration Realities: Challenging Common Misperceptions (2024) and Reunited: Family Separation & Central American Migration (2024), and his work explores immigrant integration, transnationalism, and ethnic political mobilization in the U.S. and Europe.
Dr. Castañeda holds a PhD in Sociology from Columbia University and has been a visiting scholar at renowned institutions such as the Sorbonne and the University of Oxford. His fieldwork spans countries like the U.S., France, Mexico, and Morocco. He has written for The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Hill, CityLab, Medium, NPR, and many other outlets. As a frequent analyst of current events, Dr. Castañeda offers insights on U.S. and international news programs, including Univision, Telemundo, France 24, NTN24, RTVE, MBN, Voice of America, CBS, NBC, and BBC. His research sheds light on the challenges immigrants face as they navigate the complex processes of integration and exclusion in their new environments.
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Panel Information
Wednesday, March 11, 2025
3:30 PM EST
Latino Powerhouses: Entrepreneurship, Consumerism, and Economic Growth
This session will explore the effects of outsourcing, economic instability, and shifting market dynamics on Latino communities in the U.S., while highlighting the growing importance of economic resilience. Latino entrepreneurship and consumerism are vital drivers of the workforce economy, creating opportunities for innovation and growth in local communities. However, as industries evolve, Latino workers in sectors like agriculture and manufacturing may face new opportunities alongside significant challenges. Panelists will discuss the complexities these communities encounter, including job displacement, the role of entrepreneurship in economic recovery, and the power of Latino consumerism in shaping market trends. The session will also emphasize strategies to strengthen economic resilience and ensure Latino workers and businesses thrive in an ever-changing economic landscape.
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