El Centro, a Louisiana-based non-profit organization (501c3) founded by Lindsey Navarro in 2018, provides coaching and entrepreneurial training in Spanish with the mission to empower the Latinx community through culturally relevant and competent financial capability.

El Centro has served more than 3,000 individuals and entrepreneurs through its in-person entrepreneurship education, advisory services, and access to capital programs. Using virtual education, they have reached approximately 68,000 customers through live lectures and educational and instructional videos with topics such as how to start a business, purchase a home, and credit counseling services. 

Through its various educational services, El Centro has developed programming to strengthen the financial well-being of low-income entrepreneurs throughout the State of Louisiana. These programs include Camino Financiero (Financial Roadmap) and Impúlsate (Momentum) (both cohort-style programs), Business and Financial Coaching Services, Entrepreneurial and Financial Workshops, and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Service.

These services are available free of cost to participants, thanks to partnerships with organizations like the Mexican Consulate of New Orleans, Capital One Bank, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Louisiana Small Business Development Center, National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB), W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Louisiana Economic Development, U.S. Economic Development (EDA) and the Greater New Orleans Foundation.

In 2022, through its VITA Latinx program, El Centro filed 92+ tax returns, securing $184,000 in refunds for individuals and families earning less than $58,000 annually. El Centro is part of the SEE CHANGE Collective, a catalyst for closing the wealth gap for Blacks and Hispanics/Latinos in the Greater New Orleans region.

El Centro is located at the Latinx Business Incubator in the Colmex Construction Building. They manage the incubator and are excited to provide a welcoming workspace for Latinx-owned businesses. 

Every day, El Centro builds a strong community that encourages Latinx individuals and entrepreneurs to pursue their American dream by creating businesses, financial wellness, and racial equality for their families and communities. 

For more information about their programs, visit elcentrola.org.