Unlocking the Year-Round Power of Our Identity and Community

We've entered Hispanic Heritage Extravaganza Month, where HACE is bustling with keynotes and workshops led by our team, board members and program leads. But remember, we do this year-round! Lean into HACE for your year-round Latinidad fix. ??

My Latinidad encompasses being a proud Latina, Mexican-American, daughter of immigrants, first-generation college graduate, and a professional, among other identifiers. These intersecting identities have profoundly influenced my journey. I've encountered situations where certain identities brought negative experiences, like not being chosen over a White male because he made hiring managers "more comfortable," or experiencing how my socioeconomic status affected access to resources in school and the community. These experiences are just a few examples.

Our identities shape our world experiences, and it's how we respond to them that makes the difference. I've consistently chosen to use my experiences as a force for good, empowering myself and others to become the best versions of ourselves, working towards equitable and inclusive communities and society for everyone.

This Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity not only to celebrate but also to reflect, learn, and, most importantly, raise awareness.

Will you join us this month and throughout the year?

Take Action:

1.???? Share Your Latinidad/Identidad: Embrace your unique identity, as it contributes to the richness of our community. By sharing who you are, we unlock our potential to achieve greater things for ourselves, our families, and society. Whether you identify as part of the community or not, being comfortable in sharing our identities, who we are, is a critical leadership self-awareness tool for everyone!

2.???? Advocate with Facts: Latinos are a powerful force in the U.S. economy, and investing in our community is crucial. By 2050, 1 in 3 American workers will be Latino/e/x. Check out resources like the Hispanic Star Toolkit and Latino Donor Collaborative GDP Reports for more information.

3.???? Lean into Community: Join networks and organizations like HACE. They provide tools, connections, and access to empower you and future leaders.

When and where will you share your story? How will you advocate? What communities will you engage with? HOW WILL YOU TAKE ACTION? Share in the comments below.

A special thank you to our partners and friends Dotdash Meredith and Major League Baseball (MLB) , and featured guest speakers for kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month with HACE this year! Catalina Villegas, MBA, MS Chanel Zapata, M.S. Alanna Rizzo Frances Isabel Ariana Talai Xavier Murillo Claudia Romo Edelman Jason Rosario Sara Porritt Michael Roca

And thank you to all of of the HACE program leads leading sessions for HACE during HHM! ? Claudia Miller Armando Sepulveda Ruby Garcia Krizel Rodriguez Victor F. Ornelas ?

Check out other upcoming events to engage with this month and beyond here: https://haceonline.org/hace-events/

See you around during this HHM Extravaganza!!

#HispanicHeritageMonth #Latinos #Latine #Latinx #HHM2023 #Equity Yasmin Mendoza-Sewell, LMHC, MBA Emmanuel Lopez Bobbi Benegas