Celebrated from September 15 to October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the history, culture and contribution of citizens whose ancestors came to America from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Recently, YPTC colleagues attended the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) Convention in San Antonio, TX. This year, the convention’s theme was Real Power. True Culture, meant to celebrate and reflect the positive changes happening for the Latino community.
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked those who attended ALPFA to share their thoughts on what this theme meant to them:
Elizabeth Cooney, Staff Accountant
Elizabeth: Real power is influence. It’s about giving support and being able to uplift someone. True culture is shaped by our beliefs, values and traditions, things that are shared to us from generation to generation.
Jeff Dean, Associate
Jeff: “Real Power. True Culture” is a collaboration of Latinos or allies of Latinos, who foster the importance of values, family, opportunity and equality for the Latino community. There is a real power in individuals working together for a common cause. With that power anything can be accomplished!
Marever Gonzalez, Associate
Marever: Together, “Real Power. True Culture” encapsulates the idea that we possess the strength, resilience, and determination to overcome obstacles while celebrating and preserving our cultural identity. It reflects a deep sense of pride in our culture and a belief in our ability to shape our own future while remaining connected to our roots.
Silvia Rambaran, Staff Accountant
Silvia: Real power is taking all the good things from your culture and using them to help you succeed in all areas of your life. Real power is passing down all the invaluable knowledge you were given to the next generation. Real power is honoring those who came before you. When others are able to see your culture shine through in all you do, that is true culture.
Carole Melvin, Regional Director
Carole: “Real Power. True Culture” means ensuring that everyone’s history, heritage, values and traditions are respected and valued, and all people are empowered to embrace their true culture heritage and bring their authentic selves in order to come together to create a positive impact on the community and the world.
Lizeth Herrera, Manager
Lizeth: The Latino culture is incredibly rich, unique, and holds remarkable power. Within our community, we cherish and uphold values such as resilience, unity, perseverance, and diligence. By embracing these values wholeheartedly and taking pride in our heritage, we can create a profound and positive influence in our professions and the community as a whole.
Angela Hebert, Staff Accountant
Angela: “Real Power. True Culture” means living my life in a way that is true to my values, creating a more powerful and authentic culture for myself and future generations. Being a part of a culture steeped in tradition, where the focus is faith, family and community, has created a sense of support, empowerment, and strength to achieve any goals I may have.
Paulina Jordan, Associate
Paulina: “Real Power. True Culture” means embracing my authenticity and identity and using it to influence and contribute to the world around me. It also means drawing strength, resilience and perseverance from the unity, solidarity and collective action within the Latino community.
Patricia Bueso, Manager
Patricia: I have had the opportunity to live and world in different countries and with different cultures. This experience has taught me to be adaptable and flexible. Cherishing your culture and the culture of others gives you the power to adapt, change and think outside the box. “Real Power. True Culture” means that a person can have opportunities and can grow professionally, without having to sacrifice their culture and roots.
