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Dear residents, neighbors, and friends:
September is an exciting time of year. It's when students who will become our future leaders and change-makers head back to school. It is when the air feels a bit cooler, pumpkin spice lattes return and fall sports kick-off. But there's more to this month that speaks of our District's celebration of our diversity – African Heritage Month and National Hispanic Heritage Month (from September 15th to October 15th).
Since 2010, our District has officially recognized African Heritage Month to celebrate Africa's influence, diasporic legacy, and the profound significance our African community has played in shaping the contours of our daily lives. Since its recognition, it's been getting more popular, and in 2022, our neighbor, the State of Virginia, recognized it. The Mayor’s Office of African Affairs leads the charge in celebrating this month with events showcasing our District African community's art, culture, food, history, and music.
Simultaneously, the reverence for Hispanic and Latino/a heritage and National Hispanic Heritage Month traces its roots to the 1960s, an era marked by the Civil Rights Movement and a growing awareness of different cultures in the United States. It was 1988 when President Ronald commemorated September 15th as the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month because it marks the independence anniversaries of some Latin American countries like Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Reach out to the Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs to learn how to connect to our District's Latino/a community, and be sure to celebrate and enjoy the festivities throughout DC.
Here at OHR, as we celebrate our District's diversity, we focus on cultivating a linguistically inclusive environment to make residents and visitors feel included and respected. Over the following four weeks, we'll share more about this on our social media. Still, for those whose enthusiasm knows no bounds, a comprehensive resource titled "Words Matter: A Guide to Inclusive Language around Racial and Ethnic Identity" awaits your perusal—a collaborative effort with the Office of Racial Equity to educate, break down barriers, and promote equal opportunities.
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