National Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from September 15 to October 15, is a vibrant celebration of the rich cultural history, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latin American communities. This month is a significant opportunity to recognize and honor the diverse backgrounds and experiences of Hispanic and Latino individuals. By incorporating various Hispanic Heritage Month activities, workplaces can foster a deeper understanding of the unique perspectives that Hispanic employees bring to the table. Celebrating this month helps promote diversity and inclusion and encourages cultural awareness and appreciation among all employees.
What is Hispanic Heritage Month?
Understanding what Hispanic Heritage Month is and its significance is essential for anyone looking to celebrate it meaningfully. Established in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week and later expanded to a full month in 1988, Hispanic Latino Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Recognizing this month in the workplace is a powerful way to acknowledge and appreciate the diversity that Hispanic and Latino employees bring, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
Facts About Hispanic Heritage Month and Its Importance
Understanding the facts of Hispanic Heritage Month can enrich your celebration and ensure that your workplace activities are meaningful and respectful. This month provides a chance to reflect on the significant impact that Hispanic and Latino individuals have had in shaping our society, from arts and literature to science and politics. By acknowledging these contributions, workplaces can promote a greater appreciation for the diverse cultural heritage of Hispanic employees and encourage a more inclusive culture year-round.
25 Hispanic Heritage Month Activities for the Workplace
There are many ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the workplace, from hosting cultural events to educational activities. Implementing Hispanic Heritage Month activities can enhance team cohesion, promote learning, and boost employee morale. Whether it’s organizing a cultural potluck, inviting guest speakers, or highlighting Hispanic employees’ contributions, these activities help create a more inclusive work environment. To inspire your planning, we’ve compiled a list of the best Hispanic Heritage Month activities that can be adapted to fit any workplace setting.
1. Host a Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff Event
Kickoff Hispanic Heritage Month with a vibrant event that includes traditional Hispanic food, music, and guest speakers from the Hispanic community. For example, invite a local Hispanic band to perform, or feature a keynote speaker who can share their experiences and insights into Hispanic culture. Providing traditional dishes such as empanadas, tamales, and churros can make the event even more immersive. Additionally, consider Hispanic Heritage themed decorations such as colorful Mexican papel picado banners and Latin American country flags and giving out small cultural souvenirs like Hispanic Heritage Month bookmarks or mini piñatas, to employees as a reminder of the celebration.
2. Highlight Hispanic Employees
Celebrate the contributions of Hispanic employees by featuring them in newsletters, social media, or on the company website. For instance, create a weekly spotlight during Hispanic Heritage Month that shares an employee’s journey, cultural background, and contributions to the company. Accompany these stories with photos or videos, and encourage the featured employees to share something personal, such as a favorite family recipe or a tradition they cherish.
3. Host a Film Screening
Screen films that showcase Hispanic culture or the stories of influential Hispanic leaders. Select a mix of genres to cater to diverse interests. For example, you could screen the biographical film “Frida” about the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, the documentary “Dolores” about labor leader Dolores Huerta, or the animated film “Coco,” which beautifully depicts the Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos. To make it more engaging you can include themed snacks; if you’re watching Coco you can offer pan de muerto, skeleton cookies or marigold atole. After the screening, hold a discussion where employees can share their thoughts and insights.
4. Cultural Potluck
Encourage employees to bring in traditional Hispanic dishes from various countries for a cultural potluck. To ensure a diverse spread, create a sign-up sheet that includes different Hispanic countries, and ask employees to bring a dish representative of their assigned country. To make it educational, consider placing small cards next to each dish with information about the dish’s origin, ingredients, and cultural significance. For example, you could include chuchitos from Guatemala, arepas from Venezuela, and arroz con pollo from Puerto Rico.
5. Lunch and Learn Sessions
Arrange lunchtime sessions where employees can learn about Hispanic culture, history, and contributions. For example, you can invite a local historian or academic specializing in Latin American studies to speak about the impact of Hispanic culture in the United States. Alternatively, you can screen a documentary, such as “Latino Americans” by PBS, and follow it with a discussion. To keep the atmosphere engaging, consider providing traditional Hispanic snacks like plantain chips or sweet empanadas de manjar.
6. Virtual or In-Person Dance Workshop
Organize a dance workshop that features traditional Hispanic dances such as salsa or bachata. Hire a professional dance instructor to lead the workshop, or host virtual salsa classes, ensure the session is interactive by encouraging participants to turn on their cameras and share their progress. If in-person, consider creating a festive atmosphere with decorations and music, and encourage participants to dress in comfortable clothes suitable for dancing.
7. Book Club Featuring Hispanic Authors
Launch a book club focusing on works by Hispanic authors. Choose a variety of genres, from novels like Isabel Allende’s “The House of Spirits” (Chile), Miguel Angel Asturia’s “Mr President” (Guatemala) and “Pedro Páramo” by Juan Rulfo (Mexico) to poetry collections like chilean Pablo Neruda’s “Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair”. Schedule regular meetings where employees can discuss the books and explore the themes presented. To add a cultural touch, consider providing refreshments related to the book’s setting, such as Guatemalan Rosa de Jamaica, Chilean mate tea or Mexican hot chocolate.
8. Language Exchange Program
Create a language exchange program that pairs native Spanish speakers with learners for weekly sessions. This program can be informal, allowing participants to practice conversational Spanish in a relaxed setting, or more structured, with specific topics or vocabulary lists for each session. Encourage participants to share cultural insights as they practice the language, such as discussing Spanish proverbs, idiomatic expressions, or traditional sayings.
9. Art Exhibit
Showcase Hispanic art in the workplace or host a virtual gallery walk featuring Hispanic artists. Collaborate with local Hispanic artists to display their work in your office, or feature well-known Hispanic artists like Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, or Fernando Botero in a virtual exhibit or check out the National Museum of the American Latino virtual exhibitions. You could also organize an art contest for employees to create pieces inspired by Hispanic culture, with the winning artworks displayed prominently in the office.
10. Storytelling Sessions
Invite Hispanic employees or community members to share their personal stories and experiences. Set up a series of storytelling sessions throughout the month where participants can discuss their cultural heritage, challenges they’ve faced, or what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them. For example, an employee might share a story about their family’s immigration journey or a cherished tradition they’ve passed down to their children.
11. Volunteer in the Hispanic Community
Organize a company-wide volunteering day with Hispanic-focused organizations. Collaborate with local Hispanic community centers, youth programs, or cultural organizations to find volunteer opportunities. Activities could include mentoring Hispanic students, assisting with community events, or participating in a neighborhood clean-up. This not only helps the community but also provides employees with the chance to learn more about the needs and contributions of Hispanic communities.
12. Hispanic Heritage Month Trivia
Host a trivia game focused on Hispanic history, culture, and contributions. Divide employees into teams and create categories such as Hispanic Leaders, Latin American Geography, and Hispanic Pop Culture. Include questions like “Who was the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice?” (Answer: Sonia Sotomayor) or “Which country is known for the traditional dance, Tango?” (Answer: Argentina). Offer small prizes for the winners to encourage participation.
13. Employee Resource Group (ERG) Meetings
Hold special ERG meetings focused on Hispanic heritage. Use these meetings to discuss issues affecting the Hispanic community, celebrate achievements, and plan future events that support Hispanic employees. For example, the ERG could host a guest speaker to discuss career development for Hispanic employees or organize a mentoring program pairing Hispanic employees with senior leaders in the company.
14. Display Hispanic Heritage Month Decorations
Decorate the workplace with flags, posters, and other items celebrating Hispanic cultures. Create a visual display that includes maps, traditional clothing, and cultural artifacts from various Hispanic countries. Consider setting up a “Wall of Fame” featuring notable Hispanic figures, or create a cultural corner where employees can learn more about different Hispanic traditions and holidays.
15. Host a Panel Discussion
Organize a panel featuring Hispanic leaders from within the company or the community. Topics could include leadership, diversity, and the Hispanic experience in the workforce. Invite panelists to share their career journeys, challenges they’ve faced, and advice for aspiring leaders. For example, a panelist might discuss the importance of mentorship in their career development or how their Hispanic heritage has influenced their leadership style.
16. Create a Hispanic Heritage Month Playlist
Curate a playlist featuring music from various Hispanic cultures. Include a mix of genres such as salsa, merengue, reggaeton, and boleros. Share the playlist with employees to enjoy during breaks or at company events. Consider organizing a “Music Monday” where a different genre is highlighted each week, with a brief explanation of its cultural significance. You can even invite someone play traditional music.
17. Cultural Attire Day
Encourage employees to wear traditional Hispanic attire to the workplace. Provide information about the significance of different cultural attires, such as the Mexican sombrero, the Guatemalan huipil, or the Puerto Rican guayabera. Consider holding a fashion show where employees can showcase their outfits and share the stories behind them, creating a fun and educational experience.
18. Share Hispanic Recipes
Distribute a collection of Hispanic recipes that employees can try at home. Include a variety of dishes from different countries, such as Peruvian ceviche, Cuban ropa vieja, Mexican enchiladas, Guatemalan pepián chicken stew, Colombian arepas or pupusas from El Salvador. To make it more interactive, encourage employees to share photos of the dishes they’ve prepared, and create a digital recipe book with contributions from across the company. You can find lots of traditional Latin American recipes to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month here.
19. Host a Charity Drive
Organize a charity drive to collect donations for Hispanic-focused charities. Choose a cause that resonates with your employees, such as supporting Hispanic youth education or providing disaster relief in Latin American countries. Collect funds, food, or other items, and consider matching employee donations to maximize the impact.
20. Cultural Awareness Workshops
Conduct workshops to educate employees on Hispanic cultural practices and history. Topics could include customs, traditions, and the impact of the Hispanic community on society. For example, a workshop could explore the significance of Día de los Muertos, or discuss the contributions of Hispanic artists, writers, and musicians to global culture.
21. Social Media Campaign
Launch a social media campaign highlighting Hispanic Heritage Month by sharing facts, employee stories, and photos from workplace events. Use platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, or your company’s intranet to showcase the contributions of Hispanic employees, promote upcoming events, and share educational content. You could also include a weekly spotlight on a different Latin American country, featuring its culture, history, and notable figures. Encourage employees to engage by sharing their own stories or cultural experiences using a designated hashtag.
22. Virtual Cooking Classes
Arrange for a chef to lead a virtual cooking class featuring Hispanic cuisine. Provide employees with a list of ingredients in advance so they can cook along with the chef during the class. The chef could demonstrate how to prepare dishes like buñuelos from Guatemala, ceviche from Peru, or mole from Mexico. Encourage employees to share their cooking experiences and results on a company-wide platform or during a follow-up virtual lunch. This activity not only brings employees together but also provides a hands-on way to learn about Hispanic culinary traditions.
23. Hispanic Heritage Month Quiz
Create a quiz about Hispanic history, culture, and contributions, and distribute it via email or an online platform like Kahoot or Google Forms. Questions could range from “Who was the first Hispanic astronaut?” (Answer: Franklin Chang-Díaz) to “Which country is known for the traditional dance, Tango?” (Answer: Argentina). Offer prizes for top scorers, such as gift cards to Hispanic-owned businesses or books by Hispanic authors. This activity combines learning with a bit of friendly competition.
24. Host a Cultural Workshop
Offer workshops on topics like traditional Hispanic crafts, cooking, or dance. Collaborate with local Hispanic artisans or instructors to provide an authentic experience. For example, you could host a workshop on painting alebrijes, weaving traditional textiles, or cooking a classic Hispanic dish like or Guatemalan traditional candy. These workshops allow employees to engage with Hispanic culture in a hands-on way, fostering appreciation and understanding.
25. Office Scavenger Hunt
Organize an office scavenger hunt with clues related to Hispanic heritage and culture. Include fun and educational clues that lead employees to different locations around the office or within a virtual workspace. For example, clues could reference famous Hispanic landmarks, traditional foods, or significant historical events. Participants could collect small cultural items or answers to trivia questions at each stop. The first team or individual to complete the scavenger hunt wins a prize.
As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, it’s essential to remember that celebrating diversity and fostering inclusion shouldn’t be confined to just one month. The activities you’ve implemented can lay the groundwork for a culturally inclusive environment that thrives year-round. Encourage employees to provide feedback on the events and activities, and consider incorporating their suggestions into future celebrations. By continuously acknowledging and valuing the rich cultural contributions of the Hispanic community, your workplace can cultivate a more vibrant, inclusive, and engaged workforce.
Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .
When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.
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