Hispanic Heritage Month 2023

Join EDI in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month 2023 with the theme, “Todos Somos, Somos Uno: We Are All, We Are One!”

From September 15 through October 15, we will focus on elevating the voices and contributions of our Latinx colleagues at the NIH. This theme encapsulates an unwavering strength, resilience, and grit, which are deeply ingrained within our community.

In the words of Dinos Christianopoulos, “They tried to bury us, they didn’t know we were seeds.” These words resonate deeply with me and speak to the experiences of my community. Despite the myriad of challenges, from discrimination to economic stressors, our spirit remains unbreakable. Our rich cultural diversity provides a foundation of unity, optimism, and deep bonds that span generations.

Indeed, we are seeds, deeply rooted in love and unity, and with a fervent drive to rise above any challenge.

I invite you all to stand with us, learn from us, and celebrate with us during Hispanic Heritage Month. There are many events in store, and I hope everyone will embrace the power and strength of our stories.

Dear Colleagues,

We invite you to join the NIH community in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from September 15 to October 15. This year’s national theme is: "Todos Somos, Somos Uno: We Are All, We Are One." The theme highlights the idea that despite our differences, we are all interconnected and share a common humanity.

For the Hispanic/Latino (H/L) community, part of that shared common bond is Latinidad, a Spanish term that refers to the cultural and ethnic identity of individuals with Latin American heritage. When we listen to and amplify the voices within the H/L community, we can start to build bridges of understanding and empathy. When voices are united, they can become a powerful voice for change.

For instance, during last year’s heritage celebration, NIH held a listening session in which employees shared suggestions on how we can improve our ability to hire, promote, and retain members of the H/L community. Those insights were utilized in the creation of a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Strategic Plan for the fiscal year 2023-2027, as well as other agency-wide DEIA initiatives. Thank you to everyone who played a role by using your voice and sharing your concerns.

This year, we welcome you to attend an Open Stage Seminar hosted by Hispanic or Latin/LatinX Ambassadors and Allies to NINDS (HOLA NINDS) on September 19. In addition, on September 29, HOLA NINDS will host an in-person Mini-Symposium in Building 35. Then, on October 4, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will host a virtual panel on the Sense of Belonging in the Workplace.

Each of these events, along with content available for you this Hispanic Heritage Month, aims to help us broaden our cultural understanding and challenge our perspectives. By observing and uplifting the voices of the H/L community, we honor the principles of DEIA that form the bedrock of a thriving and harmonious workplace. We encourage you to find time to participate in the events, discussions, and activities in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Please visit EDI’s website, follow the Office on LinkedIn and Twitter, and watch EDI’s YouTube channel to keep informed of the exciting things that are happening this month.

Celebrating the spirit of Latinidad is not confined to a specific time frame; it is a continuous journey that we embark upon, together, 365 days a year.

Thank you for all that you do to help make the NIH an even better place to work.