Rathbun Insurance CEO Ben Rathbun and Producer Rafal Kopacewicz had a great time attending the 4th Annual Cafecito Awards hosted by Cafecito Caliente, an evening dedicated to celebrating the people, businesses, educators and community leaders making a difference throughout Mid-Michigan.
The annual awards recognize outstanding contributions to our region and the Latino community, with honors including Small Business of the Year, Rising Star of the Year, Educator, Legacy and Latina of the Year, among others. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the individuals and organizations whose leadership, entrepreneurship and commitment continue to strengthen our community.
The Cafecito Caliente Group plays an important role in bringing greater visibility to what is happening within Mid-Michigan’s Latino community. Beyond creating and supporting community events, the organization works to connect individuals and businesses with resources, build relationships and create opportunities for Latino leaders and entrepreneurs.
That work continues to grow in 2026 as Cafecito Caliente Group takes over Latino Business Conexions of Michigan, an organization focused on supporting and connecting Latino-owned businesses throughout the region. This year’s efforts include networking mixers, workshops, a golf outing and additional projects designed to strengthen connections within Mid-Michigan’s business community.
Cafecito Caliente Group is also behind the annual Latino Night with the Lansing Lugnuts, which brings together culture, music, dance and baseball for a community celebration each summer. The organization has also expanded its investment in Lansing through the purchase of the iconic Arctic Corner Ice Cream Shop in Old Town, bringing together two longtime community-focused brands.
At Rathbun Insurance, we believe being part of our community means showing up, building relationships and celebrating the people who make Mid-Michigan a great place to live and work.
Congratulations to all of this year’s Cafecito Award recipients and nominees! We are grateful for organizations like Cafecito Caliente Group that continue to create opportunities, elevate community voices and recognize the people doing meaningful work throughout our region.
Ben and Rafal were proud to represent Rathbun Insurance and celebrate another great year of Latino leadership, entrepreneurship and community impact in Mid-Michigan.