About the Author

Jesse Carrillo
Quest Oracle Community, Board Member and DEI Committee Chair
The Howard Hughes Company, Chief Innovation Officer

In the ever-evolving landscape of the technology industry, diversity is not just a buzzword; it is a necessity. Embracing and celebrating diversity is crucial for fostering innovation and ensuring that technology reflects the needs and experiences of a global community. One important aspect of this celebration is Hispanic Heritage Month, a time when we recognize and honor the rich contributions of Hispanic and Latinx individuals to technology and society at large. In this blog, we will delve into the history of Hispanic Heritage Month, explore why it is essential to acknowledge it in the technology sector, and highlight organizations working at the intersection of Hispanic inclusion in tech. We will also provide ideas on how companies and individuals can join in the celebration.

The History of Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month, also known as National Hispanic Heritage Month, is an annual observance in the United States that celebrates the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans. This month-long celebration begins on September 15th, the anniversary of the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico’s Independence Day falls on September 16th, and Chile’s on September 18th, making it a significant period for many Latin American nations.

The idea for Hispanic Heritage Month was born in 1968 when President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed a Hispanic Heritage Week. The celebration was expanded to a month-long observance by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, lasting from September 15th to October 15th.

Why Recognize Hispanic Heritage Month in the Tech Community?

The technology industry thrives on innovation, and innovation thrives on diversity. Diverse teams bring together a range of perspectives and experiences, leading to more creative problem-solving and groundbreaking solutions. Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to honor and celebrate the contributions of Hispanic and Latinx individuals who have played a vital role in shaping the tech industry.

While there have been many individuals who have made significant contributions, here are three notable ones who I would like to recognize:

• Ellen Ochoa – NASA:
  Dr. Ellen Ochoa was the first Hispanic woman astronaut, embarking on four missions with NASA that amounted to 978 hours in outer space. She also helped develop three patents in the field of optics that helped NASA process information from missions. Her patents were developed during her time at Stanford University, and their innovation came in the ways they helped computers process information faster and more efficiently. Until 2018, Dr. Ochoa was the director of the NASA Johnson Space Center.
• Maria Teresa Arnal – Stripe:
  Maria Teresa Arnal, from Venezuela, is the head of the Latin American division of Stripe and has held positions at both Google and Microsoft. Prior to those three positions, she worked at Boston Consulting Group (BCG). She was recently named as one of the fifty most influential people in technology in Latin America by the Hispanic Executive Technology Council.
• Roberto Goizueta – The Coca-Cola Company:
  Roberto Goizueta, born in Cuba, is renowned for his tenure as the Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. While not directly in the tech industry, his leadership and adoption of technology played a pivotal role in Coca-Cola’s global expansion. During his 16-year tenure at The Coca-Cola Company, the company’s value grew from $4 billion to $145 billion.

These incredible individuals have made/continue to make significant contributions across various facets of technology. Their achievements highlight the diverse and impactful roles that Hispanic professionals have played in shaping today’s technology landscape.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in the Tech Community

Now that we understand the significance of recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month in the tech industry, let us explore how companies and individuals can celebrate this important month.

Support Employee Resource Groups (ERGs):
If your company has a Hispanic or Latinx ERG, support their initiatives during this month. Strongly encourage employees to participate in events, discussions, and activities that celebrate Hispanic culture.

Amplify Hispanic Voices:
Share stories and achievements of Hispanic and Latinx individuals in tech on your company’s social media platforms and internal communication channels. Use your platform to amplify their voices.

Educational Initiatives:
Collaborate with local schools and colleges to organize tech-related educational programs for Hispanic and Latinx students. This can include coding workshops, STEM mentorship, or scholarship opportunities.

Partnerships with Hispanic Organizations:
Collaborate with Hispanic-focused organizations like these to support their diversity initiatives in a meaningful way and contribute to Hispanic inclusion in tech.

• Hispanic IT Executive Council (HITEC): A premier global executive leadership organization of senior business and technology executives who have built outstanding careers in technology. They aim to increase the representation of Hispanics in the IT industry through networking, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
• Latinas in Tech: Provides a supportive community which focuses on bridging the gender and diversity gap by increasing the number of Latinas working in the technology sector.
• Latinos in Technology Scholarship: This scholarship program, offered by the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley, provides financial support and mentorship to Latinx students pursuing degrees in technology-related fields.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to reflect on the rich history and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx individuals in the technology sector and society at large. Recognizing this month in the tech community is not just an act of inclusivity but also a strategic move to foster innovation and enrich the talent pool entering the field of technology. By celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and actively promoting diversity and inclusion, our industry can continue to thrive and lead in an increasingly globalized world. Joining hands with organizations working at the intersection of Hispanic inclusion in tech and implementing thoughtful initiatives can make a lasting impact.

Thank you for joining me and Quest in celebrating diversity and honoring the trailblazers from the Hispanic community who have shaped the industry.

With gratitude,
Jesse

Want more information and resources related to DEI and technology? Check-out Quest’s DEI Content Center, where you will find recorded sessions, blogs highlighting other communities and celebrations and so much more! Learn more