Community builder
Emmanuel Davila
Age: 34
Title: Director of Business Initiatives
Name of Organization: Puerto Rican Cultural Center at Humboldt Park
In his job at the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, Emmanuel Davila focuses on helping Latinos start and grow their own businesses and helping them gain access to capital.
Davila has a diverse professional background with work in nonprofits, sales, music, nightlife, concerts, and the financial services industry.
His 14-year career encompasses all aspects of program management, strategic planning and execution, process improvement, and relationship management.
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He earned a bachelor’s degree in entertainment and media management from Columbia College in Chicago and took his love of Latin Urban music to the stage where he opened shows for Nicky Jam, RKM y Kent Y, and Jowell y Randy. After graduating from college, he opened his own recording studio and began working in the nightlife industry, managing nightly promotions, booking talent, and developing marketing strategies.
He has always loved business and entrepreneurship and pivoted his career to work as a small business specialist with JPMorgan Chase & Co. where he experienced firsthand the devastating impacts that COVID-19 had on small businesses.
At the Puerto Rican Cultural Center Humboldt Park he oversees six economic development programs and 11 business initiatives. This work has allowed Davila to make a difference in the Humboldt Park community, a place he has called home for over three decades. His team has provided close to 3,000 hours of one-on-one business advising to clients and almost 40 hours of online training to entrepreneurs. Davila has also launched his newest entrepreneurial venture META Fitness, Nutrition, and Lifestyle, a personal training studio located on Paseo Boricua in Humboldt Park Chicago, IL.
Davila also volunteers his time serving as president of the board of directors for Chicago Artist Guide, a nonprofit organization working to diversify Chicago theater.
WORDS OF WISDOM: “Remember that it’s all about momentum. Build upon small wins and build relationships. Create routines and habits that serve you and help you get closer to where you want to be.”
