Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Beyond October 15th
According to Hispanic Heritage Month’s website, “each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.”
As we near the end of this incredible month, we wanted to reflect on the idea that heritage shines through, and should be celebrated, beyond just a specific set of days. Though Hispanic Heritage Month is drawing to a close, the contributions made by those of Hispanic descent are felt daily across our lives.
In addition to honoring our teammates with spotlights, we wanted to share some tangible ways to help support and engage with the work and culture of Hispanic Americans, by sharing some of our favorite businesses, food, and media that showcase Hispanic heritage and success.
For those looking for a great sound, Ralph Zubiate, a Content Strategy Lead at Investis Digital, recommends the band Los Lobos. Ralph shares, “A band that had a major hit in the ’80s, ‘La Bamba,’ and instead of pursuing stardom, they stayed true to their East L.A. roots and released a Spanish-language album next. For years, they’ve followed their own muse and played their own music – rock, Norteno, Tejano, R&B, soul, mariachi.”
To go along with music, dance is often a great tenant of culture, and an incredible way to experience, understand, and celebrate more about it. Jess Beldon of our Client Management team wanted to spotlight a great inspiration in her life, dancer Arielle Rosales. Jess says, “Arielle is not only a beautiful dancer, but she has an amazing spirit and presence. Her passion for music and culture is contagious. Watch her, learn from her, listen to her play – your body and mind will thank you.”
Arielle is a Bessie Award nominated Social Engagement Performance Artist specializing in Flamenco, Percussion, Theater, and Improvisation. She is a 2020-2021 “AiRe” Artist in Residence at Flamenco Vivo’s Center for Flamenco Arts for her performance art project “Becoming Mother Duende: The Rebirth,” which explores “concepts of duende (the inner creative spirit) through the lens of the feminine divine and utilizes the experience as a collective holistic healing modality.” Watch some of her incredible performances on her Instagram, @ArielleRosales.
Meanwhile, Sam Poelstra, an SEO Lead, shares a great bilingual bookstore that is well stocked in all kinds of books in both English and Spanish for those looking to read more in the language or hoping to support an incredible business. Sam shares, “Palabras is an incredible bilingual bookstore in Phoenix, AZ that stocks poetry, nonfiction, fiction, and childrens’ books — all in both English and Spanish. Most of their business is done in-store, but they do offer a selection of zines, book accessories, and t-shirts online. Supporting Palabras also means you’re supporting Phoenix mutual aid work during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you live in Phoenix, check them out.”
Food is another big part of celebrating culture. For an authentic taste of Cuba, Emily Overholt, a Content Strategy Lead, is sharing her future mother-in-law’s recipe…or as close to it as she’s able. Emily shares, “Marrying into a big Cuban family can be intimidating. The culture, the language barrier, but man am I excited about the food. Every time we go visit my fiancé’s family his mother greets us with homemade Ropa Vieja. It’s unforgettable and I love that I get to share this meal with his family. The recipe I’m sharing isn’t exactly his mother’s (that’s a family secret I won’t get until after the wedding, yes, I have asked) but it’s a good representation.”
Or, to experience the food of Colombia, our Senior Analyst, Paid Media, David Velez, recommends La Tiendita Colombian Restaurant in Mesa, Arizona. David shares, “This is great tasting and authentic Colombian food restaurant. The people who work there make you feel that you are truly experiencing a local Colombian restaurant and the decoration is also on point to what you can find in an authentic Colombian restaurant.”
Finally, disruption has forced many changes in our lives, including requiring us to keep safe in new ways and look especially to entertainment we can enjoy in our homes.
Ariana Godles, a Digital Communication Manager on our team, shares this incredible, and chic, Hispanic-owned mask-making business. Ariana says, “While we all continue to do our best to stay safe, sane, and positive during these unprecedented times, it’s important that we have the tools to do so! Masks have been an ongoing staple throughout quarantine, and if you’re looking for a way to brighten up your mood and give some style to your quarantine outfits, all while keeping safe, I’d recommend checking out By Second Wind (https://shopsecondwind.com/). By Second Wind is a women-owned business based in NYC founded by stylist Karen Perez that specializes in handmade custom masks, all with USA-sourced materials, and they’re all super chic!”
Finally, Amy Licht, a Senior Analyst in SEO Link Development, recommends One Day at a Time (2017) for a feel-good, yet educational, sitcom which offers a look into the life of a Cuban-American family. Amy says, “If you’re looking for more shows to watch, I recommend checking out Netflix/Pop TV’s One Day at a Time. It’s a feel-good sitcom that centers around an intergenerational Cuban-American family. The show frequently celebrates the family’s Cuban heritage and is not afraid to tackle important societal issues like racism, homophobia, and mental illness.”
Join Our Team
At Investis Digital, we are always looking to hire a diversity of viewpoints and backgrounds. If you’re interested in exploring a career with us, learn more here. And make sure to read the rest of our Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlights!