National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15) traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of US and Latinx communities as we also celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson. President Ronald Reagan expanded it to a month in 1988 and enacted National Hispanic Heritage Month into law on Aug. 17, 1988.
In 2020, Greater Twin Cities United Way continued its commitment to our Hispanic American neighbors through the Twin Cities Rebuild for the Future Fund. The fund provided immediate support to small businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and People of Color (BILAPOC) that were damaged due to unrest sparked by the murder of George Floyd. Funding covered repairs, equipment, technology and building materials. United Way dispersed funds to organizations on the frontlines of serving the community, like Latino Economic Development Center an association of Latino entrepreneurs and leaders in Minnesota. The Latino Economic Development Center focuses on business needs of its members including: providing capital, fostering education, and influencing policy and systems that benefit the Latinx community.
Additionally, Centro Tyrone Guzman, a Greater Twin Cities United Way education partner, has been a key part of our community since 1974. The organization is a current grantee of Greater Twin Cities United Way’s Women United giving community, and is using the funds to expand its Siembra Montessori program.
For more background on National Hispanic Heritage Month, go to: https://www.history.com/topics/hispanic-history/hispanic-heritage-month
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