Learn what's new at AMA PDX and how to get involved!
Learn what's new at AMA PDX and how to get involved!
October Newsletter | October 17, 2023
Forward Together
Time to slip on those rain boots and pick up that pumpkin spiced latte - fall is here! The end of summer not only marks a change in the weather but also the start of a brand new year of serving the marketing community at AMA PDX. An award-winning local chapter based in Portland, we are one of 70 professional chapters of the national American Marketing Association. Thank you for being a part of our marketing community.
What's Inside:
AMA PDX Agency Program - Celebrating our nonprofit partners and volunteers
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion - Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month

WELCOME FROM THE PRESIDENT

Hello Christian, 
Can you believe that 2023 is flying by? I hope that you had a wonderful summer and that you are enjoying the start to fall so far. If we haven’t met yet, I hope that we’ll get to meet soon as I serve as this year’s AMA PDX President. Welcome to the 2023-24 year with AMA PDX!

This issue, we take a moment to recognize the amazing work of our AMA Agency Program, the only program of its kind across AMA chapters in the country. As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to an end, our DEI team has put together a list of resources and meaningful ways to honor the Latinx community all-year-round.

As we recover from the pandemic, AMA PDX is focused this year on Building Community, Creating Connections, and Communicating Value. Will you take a moment to give us some valuable feedback on what kind of programming and activities you’d like to see from AMA PDX  this year? Thank you for leaning in and being a part of our community.
Thank you,
Kate Ludgate, AMA PDX President '23 - '24

AMA PDX NEWS & UPDATES

Join our Team! 

Want to give back to the marketing community? Looking to sharpen your leadership skills? Interested in expanding your professional network? Join AMA PDX’s team of amazing marketing leaders now. 

Currently, we have several exciting opportunities to be a part of our Membership Committee, AMA PDX Agency Program, DEI Committee, Programming Committee and Communications Committee. Take a look at the role descriptions and let us know if you are interested in one of the open positions.

Celebrating our Agency Program 

Did you know AMA PDX is home to a pro bono program that provides marketing services to the local nonprofit community? Every year, AMA PDX volunteers partner with local nonprofits to execute a six-month-long marketing project. For over a decade, the program has completed a variety of marketing work for dozens of nonprofits by utilizing the skills of hundreds of volunteers. 

This year, AMA PDX continued our focus on serving nonprofits that address issues of racial justice to reflect our organizational commitment to justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. This summer, we hosted a special gathering as AMA PDX teams wrapped up their projects supporting three incredible local nonprofits: Portland Refugee Support Group, RAIN Catalysts, and Rooted School Vancouver. Special thanks to all of this year’s AMA PDX Agency volunteers for sharing their time and talents!

Supporting the future generation of marketers 

Do you know a marketing student who may benefit from a virtual conference that will provide them a unique opportunity to focus on their career development in the marketing field? Encourage them to attend the AMA Collegiate Summit on October 20-21. Participants will hear from industry professionals through keynote presentations, panels, breakout sessions and facilitated small group discussions with their peers. Registration is only $45 and the event is limited to 150 participants. Even better: our very own AMA PDX VP of Communications, Christian Aniciete, is one of the featured speakers

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Meaningful ways to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual event from September 15-October 15 that acknowledges and celebrates the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the Latine American community. According to the U.S. State Department, Hispanic Americans are the largest minority group in the United States today, and generations of Hispanic Americans have played a pivotal role in strengthening our country. Hispanic Americans embody the best of our American values, including commitment to faith, family, and country. The Latine American community has left an indelible mark on our government, culture, and economy.
Originally established in 1968 as "Hispanic Heritage Week," this observance was later extended to a full month in 1988. Since then, National Hispanic Heritage Month has been celebrated nationwide through various activities, including festivals, art exhibitions, conferences, community gatherings, and more. The month also commemorates the independence days of several Latin American countries, such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Chile, and more.

What is the difference between Hispanic and Latino? 

Today, we hear terms like “Hispanic,” “Latino,” or “Latinx” to refer to people whose families come from Spanish-Speaking countries in Latin America. Latin America is recognized as South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean islands where Romance languages (like Spanish, Portuguese, and French) are spoken. These terms are used inclusively to recognize cultural commonalities. According to an article from PBS, “Latino” refers to people whose ancestors are from one or more of the 22 countries and territories in Latin America. “Hispanic” refers to a someone who is of, relating to, or being a person of Latin American Descent, especially of Cuban, Mexican, or Puerto Rico origin living in the U.S. Both Hispanic and Latino are used to be inclusive, because people from French and Portuguese-speaking countries like Brazil and Haiti are not Hispanic but share many cultural traditions and commonalities with Spanish-speaking Latin Americans.
However, language evolves, and new terms like "Latine" are emerging to be more gender-inclusive. Language can get complicated and some people may interpret these broad terms negatively and exclusionary because they leave out Indigenous communities in Latin America, which have preserved their languages and cultures despite colonization. While imperfect, the aim is to find words that celebrate the diversity and rich history of the Latin American diaspora in the United States. Resources such as books, movies, shows, documentaries, and podcasts are available to learn more about the Latine community's history, achievements, contributions, and experiences.
See below for a list of books, movies, shows, documentaries, and podcasts to learn about the history, achievements, contributions, and experiences of the Latine community.

Read

  • “Signs Preceding the End of the World” by Yuri Herrera - Explores the strange transitional spaces, geographical and psychological, between and beyond borders.
  • “We the Animals” by Justin Torres - This brief, very intense coming-of-age novel is written from the perspective of a young boy, growing up in a wild, multicultural family wracked by love, instability, and poverty. 
  • “The Book of Unknown Americans” by Cristina Henríquez - A star-crossed love story of a beautiful but horribly injured teen who immigrates to the U.S. from Mexico to seek treatment, and the son of her new neighbors.
  • “Always Running” by Luis J. Rodriguez – An autobiography about life in LA street gangs in an attempt to persuade his son to disengage with gang life, exploring the roles schools, police, and communities play in perpetuating youth violence remain sobering and relevant.
  • “Our America” by Felipe Fernández-Armesto – This book corrects the dominant narrative of American history as starting with the English settlement of the east coast and moving westward. With meticulous detail and deft management of the complicated territorial conflicts and maneuvers of Spain, Mexico, and the United States, Fernández-Armesto builds the argument that modern America is equally the result of Spanish colonialism, and could be legitimately reconceived (maybe reborn) as a Latin American global power.

Watch

  • American Homeboy (2023) - Seeks to eliminate the stigma surrounding pachuco and cholo cultures. It’s informative, entertaining, and eye-opening, offering a new perspective on a topic most audiences might be familiar with but lack the proper tools to understand fully. An ode to Chicanos, American Homeboy is a powerful exploration of two movements that revolutionized pop culture.
  • A Million Miles Away (2023) – A biopic about a Mexican-born migrant farmworker who becomes an engineer and astronaut as a crew member on Space Shuttle mission STS-128.
  • Roma (2018) - An intimate slice-of-life tale about a family and how multitudes can be contained in most everyday moments. The film paints an engrossing portrayal of life in Mexico at a time of heavy political unrest and societal change, putting an often underrepresented figure — an indigenous housekeeper — front and center.
  • Becoming Frida Kahlo (2023) - Tells the often-turbulent story of the Mexican painter. The series explores the major events of Kahlo's life, both personal and political, from her health problems to her complicated relationship with artist Diego Rivera, and her experiences in the United States and Europe. 
  • Selena (1997) – A biopic of the beloved Texas-born Tejano singer. Watch her story unfold as she rose from cult status to performing at the Astrodome, as well as having chart-topping albums on the Latin music charts.

Listen

  • Latinos Out Loud - This weekly podcast covers all things Latinx culture and pop culture. It’s hosted by four best friends who are “moving the community forward while making them laugh.” They regularly feature improv and sketch bits, impressions, pop culture, and guest interviews.
  • Tamarindo Podcast - Discusses race, gender, representation, and life from the perspectives of hosts Brenda Gonzalez and Ana Sheila Victorino. This weekly podcast’s mission is to “use laughter and conversation to inform, inspire, and positively impact [their] community.”
  • In the Thick – Journalists discuss identity, race, and politics. Tune in for semiweekly episodes on topics like electoral power, cross-racial solidarity, a post-Roe reality, and more in over 590 episodes.
  • Latinx in Power ­– A technology-themed podcast featuring Latinx leaders across the globe, sharing advice, perspectives, and encouragement in episodes. 
  • Alt.Latino - Highlights Latinx culture and arts in episodes filled with music, conversations, and stories. Recent, re-released episodes this summer dug through their archives and shared conversations with guests like Ibeyi, Latina punk band Fea, Ivy Queen, and more.

WHAT AN AMA MEMBERSHIP MEANS TO ME...

"I’m so grateful to have been a part of the AMA since my undergraduate college days. To me, the AMA means knowledge, connection, community, support, professional development, and family. My AMA membership has opened doors, allowed me to stay on top of trends, and has even given me the opportunity to make a positive impact. Thank you for being a part of my professional journey every step of the way, AMA!” – Christian Aniciete, VP of Communications

Go here to learn more about what an AMA membership means and all the exciting perks that come with it.

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