Cracked, but Not Broken

The glass ceiling has been cracked, finally, but not broken. After passing
up two of the top Latinas in the nation to lead major departments,
President-elect Biden has finally nominated the first Latina to his
cabinet.
Last Friday, Biden nominated Isabel Casillas Guzman for the position
of Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). We
of course should be, and are, proud of her. But, in all honesty, this gives
us only one reason to be grateful. Sure, Biden has appointed Latino
men to head up three departments – Health and Human Services,
Homeland Security, and Education. We can be grateful for those three,
but one Latina is hardly acceptable or commensurate and we must keep
pushing for at least one or two more Latinas.

Isabel Casillas Guzman is more than well qualified and will make an
excellent SBA Administrator, especially in administering COVID-19
funds. She will be the fourth Latina to serve in that capacity and will
actually be succeeding Jovita Carranza, the outgoing SBA
Administrator. Ms Casillas Guzman is from California, where she is
presently the Director of the Office of Small Business Advocate in the
Governor’s Office of Small Business and Economic Development. Prior
to this, she was the chief of staff and senior advisor to the SBA
Administrator in the Obama administration. She is a graduate of the
Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Though
she was born in Burbank, CA, her parents were fourth generation
Texans from Mexico. In addition to being of Mexican ancestry, she is
also German, Chinese, and Jewish.

Biden said that his administration would “look like America,” which
sounds good but seeing is believing. Latinos expect to be highly visible
in cabinet, sub-cabinet, and other high level positions. On New Year’s
Eve, the Biden transition team released its Plum Book, which lists 9,000
jobs and a wide range of full and part-time positions on boards and
commissions. The book can be purchased through the Government
Publishing Office or accessed online at govinfo.gov. Now is the time for
Latinos and Latinas to make their move to claim our rightful share of
positions in the Biden administration.
Congratulations to Isabel Casillas Guzman!

About Dr Juan Andrade, Jr.

The 4th Latino in history to be honored by both a President of the United States and the
Government of Mexico. Has earned five degrees, received five honorary doctorates, and three
distinguished alumnus awards. His 100+ recognitions include Chicagoan of the Year, Lifetime
Achievement (four times), One of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in America (five times),
featured as Un Orgullo Hispano by Univision, and honored by most Hispanic magazines and
national organizations.

The only Hispanic in history to be a commentator on English-language radio (WGN) and

television (ABC), and newspaper columnist (Chicago Sun-Times). He helped promote
democracy in 10 Central and South American countries during the administration
of President George H.W. Bush.

Co-founded the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute in 1982.

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