In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, here is a message from Lorena Mancia, co-chair of Partners in Diversity Latino Community Resource Group (CRG).
Dear Partners in Diversity Community,
From September 15 through October 15, we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. This month is a time to pay tribute to the generations of Hispanics who have positively enriched our society and culture. According to the 2019 U.S. Census Bureau population estimate, 60.5 million Hispanics live in the United States, making up 18.5% of the total population. One out of five people in the nation is Hispanic, representing the largest minority in this country.
National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to cherish our roots and honor our unique stories. It is an opportunity to celebrate and highlight the culture, traditions and contributions of people whose ancestry traces back to Spain. Hispanic communities certainly play a crucial role in this country, bringing shades of color, textiles, dances, foods and flavors from our Spanish, Caribbean, Mayan, and Andean backgrounds. We are a wonderful blend of hard-working people, always willing to go the extra mile. We build our dreams with great effort using our strong family bonds, self-authenticity, rich historical past and traditions.
As a Latina, I am committed to giving the best to this country. I want to take this moment to invite my community to showcase the best side of Hispanic culture and essence. To our allies, please take a moment to visit our businesses in Oregon and southwest Washington. Enjoy our art galleries, performances, boutiques, food carts and diverse cuisines. Let's celebrate our history together and build the bold, brave, inclusive society we desire.
Sign up for the Latino or other Partners in Diversity community resource groups here.
Sincerely,
Lorena Mancia
Co-chair, Partners in Diversity Latino Community Resource Group