Baltimore, MD - The Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (MDHCC) awarded the William & Lanaea C. Featherstone Foundation one of their highest honors, Nonprofit of the Year, during their Annual Business Awards gala on Jan. 8 at the BWI Marriott.

The Baltimore-based charity improves the lives of Maryland’s growing Latino community through its signature computer literacy program, Empowering Latinos: One "Click" at a Time. The initiative teaches Latino families basic computer and Internet skills so that they can secure better paying jobs. Program participants also receive laptops for their homes to bridge the opportunity divide.

The gala attracted more than 200 business owners, government officials and community leaders. During the event, the Honorable Speaker of the House of Delegates for Maryland Michael Busch received the Chairman Leadership Award, U.S. Congressman Chris Van Hollen won the Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award; and Catalina Rodriguez Lima, the director of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant and Multicultural Affairs received the Professional of the Year Award. Winners also included: Daytner Construction Group, Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Ober Kaler and SPAGnVOLA.

 “Their life-long achievements speak volumes to what’s possible with hard work, dedication, and a commitment to give back to our community,” said Enrique Melendez, MDHCC Chairman.

Representatives from the offices of U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski, U.S. Congressman Elijah Cummings and MD Congresswoman Donna Edwards also attended.

The Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is the premier state-wide institution for the representation and advancement of business interests before the public and private sectors. MDHCC focuses on developing a business network that provides the Hispanic community and the business community at large with cohesion and strength. @MDHispanicCC | www.mdhcc.org

The William & Lanaea C. Featherstone Foundation creates sustainable solutions to bridge the opportunity divide among the Latino and underserved communities. @FeatherstoneFdn www.thefeatherstonefoundation.org.