Remesa y Sobremesa with Pedro Regalado:

Business, Commerce, and Culture: Exploring Latino and Immigrant Business Impact on NYC

The inaugural Remesa y Sobremesa discussion, presented by Historias, will explore the multifaceted influence of Latino and immigrant businesses on New York City’s economic, social, and cultural landscape. From their roles as drivers of economic growth to their impact as cultural anchors, these businesses have long created a “cultural scaffolding” that strengthens and sustains communities. The conversation will delve into the complexities of Latino entrepreneurship in NYC, where small businesses act as hubs of commerce, identity preservation, and resilience amidst evolving challenges. 

The Remesa y Sobremesa series invites participants to gather around the table, where the warmth of food and shared meals meets thoughtful dialogue. 

About Pedro Regalado:

Pedro A. Regalado is an Assistant Professor of History at Stanford University and serves as an advisor for The Clemente’s Historias Initiative. As a historian and author of the forthcoming book Nueva York: Making the Modern City, he researches and teaches the history of race, immigration, planning, and capitalism in urban America. His book explores the Latinx community in New York City during the twentieth century, from the “pioneers” who arrived after World War I to the diverse Latinx populations that rebuilt the city following the 1975 fiscal crisis. Covering topics ranging from urban renewal and the rise of Latinx bankers to U.S. military operations in Central America and the repurposing of tenement buildings, Nueva York illustrates how the democratic ideals of the city were largely shaped by the experiences of Latinx New Yorkers.

Regalado's work has been featured in The Journal of Urban History, Boston Review, The Washington Post, and The Chronicle of Higher Education. Prior to joining Stanford's Department of History, he was a junior fellow at the Society of Fellows at Harvard University. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New York City’s Washington Heights, he earned his BA in History from Loyola University Chicago, as well as his MA and PhD in American Studies from Yale University.