Celebrating Hispanic heritage, moving towards racial and social equity
September 8, 2023
National Hispanic Heritage Month is happening from September 15 - October 15! It’s a time to celebrate those who trace their roots to Central America, Mexico, South America, Spain, and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean.
The annual celebration’s kickoff date is intentional and historically significant. September 15 is the anniversary of independence in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, followed by Mexico and Chile on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Read more about Hispanic Heritage Month.
At the Blueprint, we applaud the many rich contributions of our Hispanic and Latino communities to our shared history, culture, and efforts to end hunger. But we also recognize that poverty and hunger disproportionately impact families and individuals in these communities – the result of a long history of policies that have created and maintained barriers to opportunity for people of color.
We believe that everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to live the healthiest life possible, no matter who we are, where we live and come from, what language we speak, or how much money we make. And we remain committed to our values around equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging – and anticipate a larger focus on them as the Blueprint transforms in 2024. Right now, that means prioritizing and creating space for community voice and participation, compensating those with living or lived experiences, and ensuring language justice during all Blueprint-hosted meetings, activities, and public communication. Find out more about our equity framework.
We’ll continue to work alongside all of you in our network (and anyone else who wants to join) in removing obstacles, increasing access, building community power, and elevating community voice. And, as part of the Blueprint, you’re playing an integral role in moving us closer to our collective vision – a Colorado where everyone can access the food they choose when they need it, and where they want it.