Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15 to October 15 each year, is a time to honor the rich histories, vibrant cultures, and immense contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. The month-long celebration recognizes the influence of people with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, who have played an integral role in shaping the social, cultural, and political fabric of the United States.
The origins of Hispanic Heritage Month date back to 1968, when President Lyndon B. Johnson first declared a week-long celebration called Hispanic Heritage Week. It was expanded to a full month in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan. The chosen dates are significant, as they coincide with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, which all gained independence on September 15. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence on September 16 and September 18, respectively.
Today, the Hispanic population is the largest minority group in the United States, with nearly 64 million people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This group represents approximately 19% of the total U.S. population and is projected to grow even further in the coming decades. With this growth comes increased cultural and economic influence. Hispanic Americans contribute to the nation’s economy in many ways, including through their growing purchasing power, which is expected to reach $2.8 trillion by 2024, according to the Latino Donor Collaborative.
The celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month is marked by events across the country, including parades, festivals, cultural exhibits, and educational programs. Schools, libraries, and community organizations come together to share stories, art, and performances that highlight the diverse traditions of the Hispanic community. It’s a time for Hispanic Americans to take pride in their heritage while inviting others to learn more about their rich cultural history.
The month is an important reminder that the story of America is a shared one, written by the many voices, experiences, and cultures that call it home. This year, in the FY24 budget, we included funding for some Hispanic based organizations to help uplift their work:
A $100,000 to Worcester State University’s Latino Education Institute and pre-collegiate programs targeting urban youth will amplify proven asset-based strategies to improve academic outcomes and social well-being and contribute to the development of a skilled workforce.
The Worcester Caribbean American Carnival Association is an annual celebration of emancipation, liberation and self-expression through pain and satire. $10,000 provides an opportunity to invest in an historically underinvested community of people looking to express themselves through the arts.
There are 93,000 Caribbean Immigrants living in the Worcester Country and this association represents the recognition of this historically marginalized people. Not only does it attract thousands of people from Worcester County and beyond to enjoy the festivities, it also enhances the local economy during this day long event. We must uplift our communities and this is an opportunity to build equity and provide a platform to amplify the voices of a disenfranchised community.
Casita Cultura Latina, established in 2019, fills a critical void in the City of Worcester, with a population that is 22% Latino/a/e identifying. There is a lack of opportunities to celebrate Latino culture (Latinidad) and foster inclusive culture.
Their signature event Día de los Muertos in the Woo, launched in 2021, building upon the Mexican and Indigenous tradition, to honor those who passed during the pandemic and illuminating the crisis’s disproportionate impact on the Latino community.
$50 the Latino American Business Organization to provide technical assistance to BIPOC businesses in Worcester County focused on financial management, access to capital, legal compliance, startup fundamentals, and supplier diversity certification.
—-
Follow on Instagram & Facebook: @Senrobynkennedy
For media questions, please contact:
Giselle Rivera-Flores, Director of Communications at giselle.riveraflores@masenate.gov
Comments