Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to reflect on values, experiences, and family

Hispanic Heritage Month, which spans Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, is when we honor the cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities and celebrate heritages rooted throughout Latin American countries.

I love to see how Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated across the United States. On Sept. 15, Roberto Clemente Day, I watched as the Tampa Bay Rays became the first Major League Baseball team to field an entire lineup of all Latin American-born players. Each player wore Clemente’s No. 21 —  a testament to the journeys of those who came before us.

Now is also a time to reflect on our own journeys. Family is everything to me. I was born in Nicaragua, one of five children. We were pushed out of our country by our government and forced to seek refuge elsewhere. I’m tremendously grateful to live and work in the United States, which opened its doors to my family and allowed us an opportunity to build meaningful and fulfilling lives.

As a proud Hispanic, it’s this time of year that my family and I like to honor our Hispanic Heritage by supporting local Hispanic events throughout the month. One of the many things I love about being Hispanic is honoring the rich traditions and values that we live by each day. By participating in events and connecting with others in the community and workplace, we help honor our heritage and ancestry and embody the spirit of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Similarly, I’m proud to work for a company that fosters inclusion and celebrates not just my own heritage and culture, but all heritages and cultures. These core values are a hallmark of Conduent’s dedication to our people. Such values help us further a company culture of respect that in turn creates value both for our clients and for millions of people all over the world.

Though it originated in the U.S., Hispanic Heritage Month provides a remarkable opportunity to amplify Latino culture and national heritages across Conduent. Thanks to our LatinX Employee Impact Group, we are excited to participate in celebrations of independence for several Latin countries, highlight the diverse expressions of cultures through food, dance and music, and conduct a virtual tour of the new Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino. 

Conduent’s commitment to Employee Impact Groups is just one of the many ways that the company fosters inclusion and helps create a culture of belonging. In my 14 years at Conduent, I’ve enjoyed seeing our company’s commitment to these areas grow exponentially, and I encourage everyone to take part and have a voice in their own communities and workplaces.