Opinion: Employers must move beyond token celebrations of Hispanic Heritage Month

HISTORICALLY, HISPANIC HERITAGE Month has been a time when Corporate America has sought to recognize the largest non-white ethnic group, Latinos, through one-time, token event celebrations by providing workshops, lunches, and keynote speakers. It is time for organizations to step up and to do more for their Latino employees.

According to the 2020 Census, Latinos represent 51 percent of the population growth, accounting for over 62 million people in the U.S., constituting 19 percent of the nation’s population. Latinos are also the fastest growing ethnic demographic in the workforce, representing 32 percent of the Gen Z population. In fact, since the Great Recession, Latinos have contributed close to three-quarters of the entire labor force expansion. Additionally, 1 in 6 women are Latinas and projected to be 1 in 3 by 2060. Latinos are a dynamic and powerful force in the American economy, contributing $2.7 trillion to the GDP with $1.9 trillion purchasing power.