HNBA VIA-VISION IN ACTION-FUND
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Mission Statement
To empower the U.S. Hispanic community through programs and initiatives that increase the community’s access and influence, and provide expanded education, career advancement, and leadership opportunities.
About This Cause
The HNBA VIA (“Vision in Action”) Fund is the Hispanic National Bar Association’s 501 (c)(3) charitable arm. Through a combination of targeted programmatic activities (accredited continued legal education courses, focused trainings, workshops, mentoring and pipeline programs, pro bono legal services, conferences, and other events and initiatives), the HNBA VIA Fund, in a joint enterprise with the HNBA, supports the educational, professional, economic and social development and advancement of Hispanic students, legal professionals and community members. The mission and work of HNBA/VIA is critical because, although Hispanics number nearly 61 million and account for 18% of the U.S. population, they are significantly underrepresented at nearly every level of the legal profession and society. With a projected growth to 111 million by the year 2060, Hispanics are the largest and fastest-growing ethnic group in the country, accounting for 52% of the overall U.S. population growth, and have the greatest GDP contribution of all ethnic groups at $2.6 trillion dollars. Hispanics are also the fastest growing group of small business owners and entrepreneurs, growing 15 times faster than any other population demographic, and 25% of school-age children in the U.S. are Hispanic, giving the Hispanic community the opportunity to cultivate future leaders in every sector. These numbers indisputably show the increased economic power, expanded social influence, and positive impact of Hispanic individuals living in the U.S. and contributing to our society. Yet the number of Hispanic legal professionals has not significantly increased for decades. According to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the American Bar Association (ABA), the number of Hispanic lawyers has remained between 4% to 5% of all licensed attorneys in the country since 2003, while the Hispanic population in the U.S. grows at an exponentially greater rate and is projected to reach 28% in the coming decades. In terms of Latinas, numerous diversity surveys conducted over the past decade (MCCA, NALP, ABA, HNBA Latina Commission) confirm that Latina attorneys are even more grossly underrepresented in the legal profession as compared to their overall percentage of the U.S. population, comprising less than 2% of all practicing lawyers. Guided by our mission, we are dedicated to addressing the underrepresentation of Hispanics in the law because the resulting disproportionate legal and civic participation has profound and wide-ranging economic and social implications for both the Hispanic community in the U.S. and the larger population. The absence of Hispanic voices in many law firms, C-Suites, and board rooms across the country deprives both the legal profession and the larger business community of the diverse perspectives and ideas that Hispanic attorneys can contribute, limiting the creativity and productivity of many legal practices and corporations. The lack of proportionate representation of Hispanics in the legislative, judicial, and executive branches of state and federal governments increases the likelihood of uniformed, unfair, or hostile legislation and judicial decisions; unequal protection under the law; unequal consumer protections; and unequal results for Hispanics and other persons of color in the U.S. justice system. Biased and unfair legal decisions limit the civic engagement of Hispanic citizens and the upward mobility of the Hispanic community overall, by reducing the opportunities available to students, entrepreneurs, and small business owners, as well as professionals and aspiring professionals in all sectors. It is clear that the underrepresentation of Hispanics in the law must be addressed, both for the good of the Hispanic community and the benefit of larger society in the U.S. The HNBA and HNBA VIA envision a world in which: - All U.S. Hispanics are represented in the legal profession, including the judiciary, legislature, and corporate leadership, in proportion to their percentage of the population. - All U.S. Hispanics have access to the educational opportunities and resources needed to achieve and advance in a legal career or any other professional field. - All Hispanic students in the U.S., from elementary school to law school, have the exposure to career choices, access to educational resources, and opportunities to build their educational and professional network so that they are able to advance in their chosen field. - All U.S. Hispanics can easily access legal services and high-quality legal representation. - Consistently fair and unbiased legal decisions that support all ethnic and racial groups in the U.S., resulting from the significant presence of Hispanics in the judiciary at the state and federal levels. - All U.S. Hispanics are educated and empowered to participate in the democratic and legal systems of the U.S. - Diversity, inclusion, and equity are present and truly valued at every level of society. Please consider the HNBA VIA Fund when deciding where to invest your or your organization’s charitable support. You may also consider partnering with the HNBA VIA Fund to advance your organization’s Hispanic diversity and inclusion or corporate citizenship programs and initiatives.