September 15 to October 15 marks National Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the culture and traditions and observe the many achievements and contributions that Hispanic and Latino Americans have made in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2019, Hispanic and Latino Americans make up nearly one-fifth of the US population, and have been influential in every part of our nation's history, from arts and politics to business and the military. 

While the term Hispanic and Latino are used interchangeably, Hispanic describes someone of Spanish-speaking origin, while Latino, Latina, and Latinx are used to describe a person of Latin American origin. For example, a person from the Latin American country of Brazil may consider themselves Latino but not Hispanic, since Brazilians speak Portuguese and not Spanish. Regardless, the traditions and cultures are rich and have added to the vibrancy that is the melting pot of New York and our nation. 

While this year’s celebration will be different due to COVID-19, there are a number of virtual events in which you can participate including Viva Broadway - Hear our Voices, a digital concert in celebration of Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month, as well as Latinx milestones in theatre, featuring an extraordinary roster of award-winning stage and screen Latinx talent. Or check out the Hispanic Heritage Foundation online events called Charlas (Spanish for “chats”) which are informative discussions led by community leaders across the country and open to anyone. The Hispanic Museum and Library also offers virtual events and exhibits.  You can even enjoy Miami’s annual Calle Ocho Festival, and tune in for performances from a variety of Latinx artists on October 4.  Make it a family affair and celebrate with a festive month-long menu of Latin American dishes or visit one of the many Latino restaurants in your neighborhood.  And since we have an entire month to celebrate you can sit back and relax with a good book by a Spanish-language author that takes you into someone else's experience—such as these immigration stories largely by Latinx authors.

Whatever you decide to do, enjoy the amazing talents, traditions and contributions of our Hispanic and Latino neighbors.  Gracias! Obrigado!