Over the next four weeks, Americans will be observing National Hispanic Heritage Month. The month-long event celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The observance started out as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson back in 1968. It was extended to a month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15.
The month-long celebration starts on the September 15 because it coincides with several Latin American country national independence days. September 15 is the anniversary of independence for the Latin American countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates its independence day on September 16, Chile on September 18 and Belize on Sept 21. Columbus Day (or Día de la Raza), celebrated on October 12, also falls within this 30-day period.
GROWING HISPANIC POPULATION
The celebration’s popularity is rising because of the growing Hispanic population in the US. Last year, the Hispanic population in the US reached a record high of 60.6 million – up by nearly a million from the previous year, according to the latest estimate from US Census Bureau. In the last decade alone, the country’s total Latin population increased from 16% to 18%, accounting for more than 50% of all US population growth. Hispanics are now the country’s second largest racial or ethnic group, after White non-Hispanics.
According to Pew Research, the share of Hispanics in the US with college experience has also increased since 2010. About 41% of Hispanic adults ages 25+ had at least some college experience in 2018, up from 36% in 2010. Those with a bachelor degree or further education also increased from 13% to 17% during this period.
MORE KEY STATISTICS
The share of Latinos in the US who speak English proficiently is also growing. In 2018, 71% of Latinos aged five and older spoke English proficiently, up from 59% in 2000, confirmed Pew Research. This growth is driven by US-born Latinos. Latin employees currently make up 16% of the US workforce and that number is also on the rise. It’s projected that by 2025, employees of Latin descent will account for one out of every two workers entering the US labour market. Yet according to a study published by the Center for Talent Innovation, 76% of Latinos repress parts of their personalities at work.
So what more could companies do to help Latinos feel comfortable and included at work to not only continue to attract and retain them as staff, but customers too? One way is through organising educational events during Hispanic Heritage Month to help staff members/teams learn more about Latin culture and celebrate their Latin colleagues’ contribution in the workplace. Check out how companies like Aramark are honouring the event here.
The theme for this year’s event is Hispanics: Be Proud of Your Past and Embrace the Future as depicted in the poster above. The National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers (NCHEPM) chose the 2020 National Hispanic Heritage Month poster in June. The winning poster was designed by Jesús Cudemus, Digital Services Division, Office of Safety Recommendations & Communications, National Transportation Safety Board in the US.
For more information on Hispanic Heritage Month, CLICK HERE.
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