Commerce : City That ‘Goes to Bat’ for Latino Community Honored

Commerce has become the first city to receive the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation’s annual Aztec Award, which recognizes contributions to the Latino community.

“Commerce is a city that goes to bat for the Hispanic community,” foundation President Dionicio Morales said. The city has encouraged local businesses to hire Latino youths and has helped the foundation establish child-care centers, among other projects, he said.

Commerce’s population of 12,300 is about 93% Latino, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Aztec award is usually given to an individual or corporation that has provided support to the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation or helped provide equal opportunities for Mexican-Americans, a foundation spokeswoman said. The foundation operates nine child-care centers in Southeast Los Angeles County as well as programs in child nutrition, job training and aid for senior citizens.