Social entrepreneur and business guru Charlie Garcia visited Philadelphia as part of the AL DÍA News National Speaker Series; he talked about the impact of Latino population growth as a competitive advantage for the country and the power of mentorship and education in the Latino community.

Currently the CEO of ALPFA—Association of Latino Professionals For America — Garcia was introduced by Richard Negrin, Philadelphia’s managing director. Other presenters included Javier Suarez, President of ALPFA’s Philadelphia Chapter, and Hernan Guaracao, CEO of AL DÍA News.

More than 60 guests were in attendance Thursday for the event at the Union League of Philadelphia.

The event was made possible by presenting sponsor, Independence Blue Cross, and friend of AL DÍA sponsor, PHLDiversity.

The AL DÍA National Speaker Series highlights national Latino leaders at quarterly luncheons at the Union League of Philadelphia, convening a diverse audience of regional leaders who shape political, economic, cultural, and education policy.

Charlie Garcia during his presentation at the Union League of Philadelphia on Thursday.

Prior to the event Garcia visited City Hall and was welcomed by Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter.

From left to right: Richard Negrin, Philadelphia’s managing director, Hernan Guaracao, CEO of AL DÍA News, Javier Suarez, President of ALPFA’s Philadelphia Chapter.

From left to right: Abelardo Lechter, President of the Pan American Association of Philadelphia and Eduardo Varela in conversation with Charlie Garcia.

Aileen Connolly, of AL DÍA News; Claudia Trani-Melgar; Rosa Torres, from Aramark, and Ana Flores, Executive Director of the Mexican Cultural Center.

From left to right: Charlie Garcia, keynote speaker at AL DÍA News National Speaker Series; Javier Suarez, President of ALPFA’s Philadelphia Chapter; Raymond Yabor, CEO at Havana Holdings & Busines Consultants, and Adalberto "Bert" Lopez, Public Affaris Manager at Atlantic City Electric.

From left to right: Annette "Chana" Cohen, next to Lydia Holiat and Shana Fladger, of AL DÍA News.

Rosa Torres speaks to Charlie Garcia, CEO of ALPFA—Association of Latino Professionals For America.

From left to right: Jacques Singer, member of ALPFA Philadelphia; Javier Suarez President of ALPFA’s Philadelphia Chapter; Hernan Guaracao, CEO of AL DÍA News; Lynnette Perez-Santos, of Independence Blue Cross, and Richard Negrin, Philadelphia’s managing director.