Hispanic Heritage Month: Celebrating Shared Culture and Distinct Traditions.
By: Chelsey S., Sr Manager, Communications
As Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off, local chapters of Schwab’s Organization for Latinx (SOL) have plans to bring employees together to honor and highlight the shared culture and distinct heritages and traditions that form the fabric of Hispanic and Latinx culture.
For Michaela M., celebrating and learning about both the similarities and differences of members within SOL has been one of the most rewarding parts of being national co-chair of the organization. “I only have the perspective of my heritage, but I’m trying to lead an organization of diverse people. I’m learning as I’m leading and I’m gaining a greater perspective,” she explains.
Michaela’s heritage is Mexican on her father’s side and Anglo on her mother’s side, but it was her mother who taught her Spanish. “My dad wanted to make sure I spoke English fluently,” explains Michaela. “It’s an example of how many in our culture feel the need to fit in, and also a reason why we need to preserve and celebrate our heritage.”
A place where everyone belongs
SOL celebrates the Hispanic and Latinx identity, which encompasses a wide range of cultures and experiences. During Schwab’s Week of Belonging, the DFW chapter of SOL highlighted and encouraged people of all Latinx and Hispanic backgrounds to join SOL. They specifically brought awareness to Peruvian culture by volunteering with Academia Asi es mi Peru, a dance company that promotes the music and dance of Peru.
“It enriched the SOL experience by assuring members that we are inclusive and eager to learn more about different cultures,” said Abril M., DFW SOL leader. “We saw an uptick in pride in culture and heritage, and it led to new members from Cuba, Peru and elsewhere. It also brought curiosity and formed a bond of understanding and a celebration of others.”
The Denver SOL Chapter is also bringing in Week of Belonging themes to their Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, specifically focusing on culture and community and tying each week to a different Hispanic geography and heritage: Mexico, Central America, Asian Hispanic, and South America and Caribbean.
And Michaela says that with this greater understanding of cultures within SOL comes the realization that there are more similarities than differences. There’s unity in a shared language, a shared passion for food and family, and a Latinx and Hispanic identity to which they all belong.
Culture comes from community
“SOL is here for everyone. It’s a place where we can celebrate the differences in our backgrounds but also recognize the beauty in what connects us, “says Michaela. “This is our strength, and it’s a foundation of the community of SOL that brings us together as One Schwab.”
Michaela is inviting everyone at Schwab to get involved in Hispanic Heritage Month by emphasizing that culture thrives when people come together to learn, celebrate, and build connections.
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