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Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month 

September 15 – October 15 

 

Observed annually from September 15 to October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month commemorates the history and contributions of individuals who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean. 

Started in 1968 by Congress as Hispanic Heritage Week, it was expanded to a month in 1988. According to the Pew Research Center, The U.S. Hispanic population reached more than 62 million in 2020, up from 50.5 million in 2020. 

Did you know 1 in 5 entrepreneurs are Hispanic, and 8 in 10 new businesses are created by Hispanics? In recent years, Hispanics have gained strength as the country's economic engine, and this reality remains strong. Moreover, with the millennial generation joining the workforce and their interest in entrepreneurship, there is no doubt that Hispanic entrepreneurship will grow exponentially. 

According to SBA’s 2022 Small Business Profile for the District of Columbia, Hispanics made up 10.9 percent of workers and owned 7.7 percent of businesses. There’s a diverse Latinx presence in DC – the 12th largest in the nation. For the past decade, the number of Latinx business owners in the District has also grown a whopping 34 percent according to American University and the community is one of the fastest growing groups in the metro area. 

This month we celebrate the significant contributions and impact of the Latino community to the District.  

We encourage you to #ShopLatinx all month long and support our local DC latinx-owned businesses! Tag us on social @smallbizdc which DC #Latinxowned is business is your favorite. 

For more resources and information, see below:  

DSLBD Nosotras Program 

  • In partnership with El Poder de Ser Mujer, DSLBD is excited to sponsor a comprehensive program for entrepreneurial development called “Nosotras” -- which promotes personal, economic, and social empowerment for Latino men and women who reside in the District of Columbia. This program provides workshops, one-on-one mentoring and other support services for entrepreneurs to ensure the continued growth and success of their business. Click here to learn more: https://elpoderdesermujer.org/  

Mayor’s Office of Latino Affairs (MOLA) 

  • MOLA focuses on establishing partnerships, engaging residents in all eight wards, and disseminating information to the District’s Latino residents to increase their knowledge of and access to vital programs and services available to them. Click here to learn more: https://communityaffairs.dc.gov/mola