ACCP Staff
Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM), which runs from September 15 to October 15, was first observed in 1968 by President Lyndon B. Johnson as Hispanic Heritage Week. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded the week to an entire month, from September 15 to October 15. Whether you identify as a member of the Latino/a, Hispanic or, Latinx community, there are many valuable cultural moments to celebrate during what we know as “Hispanic Heritage Month” in the U.S.
So why is HHM celebrated across two calendar months? Because several Central and South American countries declared their independence around this time. Independence Day for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala falls on September 15. Additionally, Mexico and Chile celebrate their Independence Days on September 16 and 18, respectively. Finally, El Día de la Raza (Mexico), El Día de la Hispanidad (Spain), and Día de la Resistencia Indígena (Venezuela) are celebrated globally on October 12 to commemorate the Hispanic race and heritage. Rather than celebrate Columbus Day, the Latinx community has begun to reclaim the holiday to honor the lives lost during colonization and celebrate indigenous cultures and traditions lost during European colonization.
How can we commemorate and honor the many contributions the Hispanic community has made in the U.S.?
The Hispanic Society of America offers events and activities, and many of them are virtual
Read books by Hispanic or Latinx authors
Watch movies featuring Hispanic and Latino culture
Volunteer in the Hispanic community – the Hispanic Chamber offers opportunities around the country
What are ACCP member companies doing to commemorate HHM?
We know many of our member companies have employee resource groups (ERGs) specifically for employees of Hispanic descent, like Avery Dennison, who launched their Voz Latina ERG in 2021.
Member company NBCUniversal and Telemundo launched a bilingual campaign, “Come With Us” (“Juntos Imparables”), to celebrate HHM.
Walmart unveiled a mural commissioned to honor the Houston, TX Hispanic community.
Northrop Grumman is sponsoring the Hermanas in STEM event for Latina Engineer Week on October 13.
Coca-Cola Company and Sherwin Williams have partnered with The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities to offer scholarships for college and university students.
Conagra Brands was named among the 50 Best Companies for Latinas to Work in the U.S. by LATINA Style.
Abbvie’s seven-part ERG series, The time is AHORA, focuses on building a stronger Latinx and Hispanic workforce.
Other important information and resources:
https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/
According to the 2021 Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility’s Hispanic Inclusion Index (CII) – released September 14 – Hispanic inclusion in corporate America stalled or even regressed during 2020.
View funding trends in the Latinx community at LATINXFunders.
Celebrating Latinx/é and Hispanic American Contributions Especially for Heritage Month
We applaud the many ACCP member companies working to celebrate the Hispanic community this month and every month.
