From September 15 to October 15, we are invited to celebrate the Latino community’s rich cultural heritage through food, the power of song and the stories that shaped us through film.
This year’s theme: “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future” theme, set by the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers, emphasizes how the shared histories and cultural experiences inspire future generations and help build stronger more inclusive futures. Hispanic and Latino identities are often used interchangeably, but they have two different meanings.
“Hispanic,” derived from the Latin word for Spain Hispania and later España, is generally accepted as a term that “refers to people who speak Spanish and/or are descended from Spanish-speaking populations.” It is also a term used to represent culture and people of countries formerly controlled by the Spanish Empire. In the United States, “Hispanic” was adopted by President Nixon’s administration and has been used in the Census since 1980 (Diffen). “Latino/a” describes “people who are from or descended from people from Latin America,” according to the Hispanic Network. “Latino” was not included on the U.S. Census until 2000.
The heritage of Hispanic Americans is rooted in 20 countries and territories: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Today and every day, CCRC recognizes the achievements, contributions, and rich cultural heritage of the Latino community. Want to learn more? Check out the following resources this month.
Resources to check out this month:
Latino History & Culture in Parks by National Park Foundation
Hispanic Heritage Month by PBS
Books for adults:
- The Latinx Guide to Liberation by Vanessa Pezo A powerful nonfiction guide to healing from historical and personal trauma within the Latino/a community.
- My (Half) Latinx Kitchen by Kiera Wright-Ruiz A vibrant cookbook with essays exploring identity through food.
- Tsunami: Women’s Voices from Mexico (Anthology) Essays and poetry from Mexican women on feminism, identity, and resistance.
Books for children:
- Dreamers by Yuyi Morales A poetic picture book about immigration and creativity.
- Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal A celebration of heritage and identity.
- Islandborn by Junot Díaz A young girl explores her roots and community through storytelling.
- Areli Is a Dreamer by Areli Morales A true story of a DACA recipient’s journey.
- Los Angeles Public Library Reading list: https://www.lapl.org/kids/books/latino-heritage
Latino/a Nonprofits
- Latino Coalition of Los Angeles focuses on equity and justice through community engagement, coalition building, and policy advocacy.
- Somos El Poder empowers Latino/a nonprofits with fundraising training, mentorship, and professional development.
- Casa Latina supports Latino/a immigrants through employment, education, and community organizing.
- Latino Resource Organization offers safety-net services including senior support, immigration assistance, and environmental education.
Mental Health Resources
- Latino/a Therapy identifies therapists and culturally competent mental health professionals.
- Spanish Speaking Psychosocial Clinic – UCLA offers bilingual, culturally responsive therapy and psychiatry services.
- NAMI Westside LA – provides the Latino/a/Hispanic community with resources like Spanish-speaking support groups and connects families with mental health services.
- Latino USCC – is a group, under the LA County Department of Mental Health Community, committed to driving initiatives that reduce stigma and improve access to care for Latino/a communities.