¡Bienvenidos! As we stride through Hispanic Heritage Month 2024, United Way of Broward County is proud to celebrate the vibrant cultures, rich histories, and invaluable contributions of the Hispanic and Latino communities.
This time is a joyous occasion to honor diverse traditions, languages, and stories shaping our world. Broward County is a particularly vibrant illustration of Hispanic heritage. Over 600,000 residents, or about 31% of our population, identify as Hispanic.
Our community’s fabric includes a rich blend of traditions, languages, and cultural practices from dozens of Spanish-speaking countries, and the influence of Hispanic culture is abundantly clear in our community’s music, culinary arts, festivals, and community events.
The focus for Hispanic Heritage Month 2024 is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together,” and this theme gives special consideration to leaders within the Hispanic and Latino communities who have paved the way for progress and continue to inspire future generations.
We recently spoke with Broward trailblazer Maria Hernandez, LCSW, Chief Program Officer of Community Impact at United Way of Broward County, about what Hispanic Heritage Month and this year’s 2024 theme of “Pioneers of Change” embodies.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you personally?
Maria Hernandez: I am a first-generation Dominican, I immigrated to the United States when I was a teenager, and I grew up in New York City. Hispanic Heritage Month holds a variety of meanings for me. During this time of the year, we celebrate our culture, embrace our traditions, and acknowledge the many achievements of our people. Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to educate others about the diversity within Hispanic culture — dispelling stereotypes and promoting appreciation for our different backgrounds.
What role models or influential figures from the Hispanic community have inspired you?
Maria Hernandez: I am very inspired by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. She comes from humble beginnings in New York City. Her father passed away when she was age 9, and her mother worked two jobs to pay for her education. Despite growing up in low economic conditions and in a distressed neighborhood, Justice Sotomayor did not get distracted with life challenges. This girl from the Bronx graduated from Princeton University and Yale Law School, and she is the first Latina justice to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. She is an outstanding example of what perseverance, hard work, and dedication can do in the U.S.
What motivates you to empower other Hispanic-Americans in our community?
Maria Hernandez: I am inspired by my culture, heritage, family, and gratitude, and these values propel me to empower other Hispanics. I did not get to where I am in my life and career alone. I am the product of the love and opportunities others have given me, and I am committed to doing the same for other Hispanics.
How does our United Way’s work align with the work you are doing to uplift Hispanic-Americans?
Maria Hernandez: United Way Broward County has a commitment to uplift Hispanics through culturally sensitive and responsive programs across the lifecycle. Focusing on education, financial prosperity, and health through culturally responsive programming, our United Way is addressing immediate community needs and laying a foundation for long-term empowerment and growth. This holistic approach leads to stronger, healthier communities.
Our efforts are tailored to the community we serve, supporting unique cultural values, beliefs, and practices. By funding over 130 programs, our United Way provides educational resources catering to different age groups, from early childhood to adult education; offers workshops focusing on skills development, such as financial literacy, digital skills, and career planning; and ensure all individuals have the opportunity to be prepared for the future. Our programs teach budgeting, saving, and investing to help families build financial stability and wealth. And our United Way provides education and resources on health issues prevalent in Hispanic communities, including preventative care, nutrition, and mental health.
What is a message you have for younger generations of Hispanic/Latino individuals to build a better Broward?
Maria Hernandez: My humble advice to younger generations of Hispanics is stay focused and not get distracted! Work hard, do everything with passion and dedication, never let their own shortcomings or the perception of others determine their possibilities, and stay committed to your dreams even if achieving it takes a long time. And it is equally important to be a role model and mentor to other Hispanics living in Broward County.
Hispanic Heritage Month is collective effort to build an inclusive, equitable society — a central part of United Way of Broward County’s values. We celebrate the countless contributions made by Hispanic-Americans across the U.S. and in our own community, and we look forward to a dynamic, healthy future for every person who lives in Broward.
You can help our United Way build a stronger Latino community by joining us at one of our events, being a volunteer, or making a donation. To become active in our United Way’s Latino Initiative, contact Angela Ventura, director of Community-Based Strategies for our Commission on Behavioral Health & Drug Prevention, by calling 954-453-3758 or emailing [email protected].
Join us as we embrace Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrate unity, diversity, and the spirit of comunidad. ¡Vamos a celebrar!
