Today begins National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15 each year and honors the unique cultures and contributions of Hispanic Americans to the US. The observation was introduced in 1968, on the cusp of the Civil Rights movement, and was expanded in 1988 to cover an entire month.

Despite being the 2nd largest voting bloc during the 2020 election, Hispanic and Latinx people still continue to be underrepresented, unheard, and unequal in the eyes of many.  During this month, we call on you to educate yourself about the important contributions  of Histpanic Americans to our nation.

Here are your calls to action:

Educate yourself about the impact Hispanic & Latinx communities make in our country. Check out the National American History Museum’s Latino History topic page, where you can find exhibitions, programs, museum collections, and resources that reflect the richness and diversity of Latino history in the United States. Learn more here! 

Uplift Hispanic & Latinx voices in your everyday life, particularly underrepresented ones. From the books you read to the history you learn, add more diversity and representation to your world. Love to read? Here is a collection of books for all ages from the
DC Public Library. Podcasts more your style? Here is a great list to get you listening to more Hispanic & Latinx voices.

Support organizations that work with Hispanic and Latinx communities. Here are a few suggestions:

• Voto Latino is a grassroots political organization focused on educating and empowering a new generation of Latinx voters, as well as creating a more robust and inclusive democracy.
• Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) serves over 4,000 youth and families through youth centers, school-based sites, and public charter schools in the District of Columbia and Maryland’s Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties as the Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers (MMYC).
• Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) helps to equip the Latinx community and other underserved communities through programs that teach participants how to build their long-term financial security.
• The Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights Coalition strives to ensure equal justice for all immigrant adults and children at risk of detention and deportation in the Capital region area and beyond through direct legal representation, know your rights presentations, impact litigation, advocacy, and the enlistment and training of attorneys to defend immigrants.

P.S. Don’t forget to follow us on social media for the next 30 days as we highlight to learn about some awesome local Latinx leaders, organizations, and businesses.