What Does Hispanic Heritage Month Mean to San Antonio?

As one of the many U.S. cities where the majority of residents have Hispanic heritage, San Antonio is steeped in Hispanic—particularly Mexican and Latin American—culture and influence. From Spanish colonization to the development of a distinct Latino American culture to the valuable contributions of new and recent immigrants, the impacts of San Antonio's history and Hispanic communities can't be contained to only thirty days. Like all cultural historical recognition months throughout the year, this period shouldn't limit our conversations about Hispanic heritage—rather, we can appreciate this month for the additional opportunities it provides to reflect and celebrate.

"Hispanic Heritage is an opportunity to celebrate and share our authentic selves," said Juan Solis, Community Development Manager - Texas for Truist, who also serves as LISC San Antonio's Local Advisory Committee Chair. "We celebrate our ancestors' legacy of hope, love, and faith. We also celebrate as a family rooted in an indigenous beginning and a strong vision for a better tomorrow."

While we consider what Hispanic Heritage Month means for the communities with which we partner, LISC San Antonio asked some of our incredible partners to reflect with us, asking this question: What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

Hispanic Heritage Month means honoring and celebrating my culture and ancestors who forged their way in the United States to make a better life for themselves and their families. It helps me resonate with the current struggle of migrants at the border. With all of the issues ongoing throughout a year, during Hispanic Heritage Month I reflect on the point that if my father had not braved crossing the border in the 1930s, I and all my ensuing family members would not be here!

– Zeke Romo, Our Casas Resident Council

Hispanic Heritage for us means we get a lot of attention. We start getting the calls in summer asking what we’re doing for this month, and we say, “Nothing particularly special—we celebrate Hispanic heritage year-round. It’s why we exist.”

But it is a month where opportunities for partnerships come up, like our partnership with the San Antonio Blood and Tissue Center this year, also supported by the Gonzaba Foundation, where they will funnel rewards points from their donors to support our programs, or last year's partnership between the San Antonio Museum of Art and Guadalupe Dance Company to commission an entire show based on a nationally-touring exhibit they hosted, “La Malinche.” These are truly meaningful partnerships where our respective nonprofits enhance each others’ work, our constituents learn more about an organization that perhaps they did not know about before, and we go deeper into the meaning of our respective services and work.

These heritage months can end up being surface-level acknowledgements of the contribution of different ethnic groups in this country, but they can also be deeply meaningful exchanges. The Hispanic Heritage Month campaign provides a framework for these exchanges to take place.

– Cristina Ballí, Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center

To me, Hispanic Heritage month means a deep acknowledgment and appreciation of who I am today. It is a representation and celebration of the work and struggle of the many Hispanics who have come before me. And during this month, we should reflect on the fact that our culture, through predecessors' actions modest and grandiose, allowed us the opportunity to leverage their efforts for our benefit. Most importantly, it should remind us not only that should we not squander their efforts, but also that we must find ways to improve the lives of those who will come after us.

– Gilbert Gonzalez, San Antonio Board of REALTORS

Thank you to Cristina, Gilbert, Juan, and Zeke for sharing your words with us—and for everything you and your organizations do for the San Antonio community. See how more San Antonians recognize Hispanic Heritage Month in this article from the San Antonio Report.

¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana!