September 15 to October 15 | A national holiday celebrating the contribution of Hispanic and Latino artists, scientists, activists and human rights leaders to the United States.
Credit: Rebecca Amber [PUBLIC DOMAIN] via US Air Force
Jessica Recinos, a choreographer based in San Francisco is yearning to pursue her identity and culture through dance.
Planting Roots
By: Erica Negrini
Many locals in San Juan la Laguna do not have the resources to educate their youth and build community - but one local leader has created a new school to do just that.
Empowerment In Action
By: Yuelin Liu
This short documentary centers on the work of the Eco Spanish School, persevering in a small town on the shores of Lake Atitlán
Cadena en Cadena (Stitch by Stitch)
By: Juliana Kasmanas
A women's embroidery collective in Mexico passes down traditional Maya patterns while innovating new designs and expanding gender roles for future generations.
Films from Ascot Avenue Elementary School
Ildauara Murillo-Rohde
By: Emma Lazcano
This video was made by Ascot Avenue Elementary student Emma Lazcano.
Yajaira Sierra
By: JC Castro
This video was made by Ascot Avenue Elementary student JC Castro.
El Pipila
By: Sergio
This film about El Pipila was made by Ascot Avenue Elementary student Sergio.
Santiago Ramon y Cajal
By: Samantha Morales
This film about Santiago Ramon y Cajal was made by Ascot Avenue Elementary student Samantha Morales.
Ildaura Murillo-Rohde
By: Sophia Guillen
This film was made by Ascot Avenue Elementary student Sophia Guillen.
Nicole Hernandez Hammer
By: Nicole Hernandez Hammer
This film about Nicole Hernandez Hammer was made by Ascot Avenue Elementary student Jade Figueroa.
Films about Hispanic/Latino Heroes
Hispanic and Latino community activists, educators and filmmakers are featured in this selection of short films highlighting the heroism of individuals in the United States.
Cries of the Children
Produced by:Angel Miracle Espericueta
Cries of the Children is a short film about how Latinos are affected by social media postings illustrating child separation.
Erica Fernandez: The Tool of Protest
Produced by:The Center for Advancing Unity & The Working Group
Erica Fernandez, a brave and passionate young activist, defends her community from corporate polluters!
Velo Visionaries - Alicia Tapia
In Episode 3 of Velo Visionaries, we talk/ride with Alicia Tapia, creator of Bibliobicicleta, a free library on wheels that can be found weekly in The Panhandle in San Francisco.
G.I. José
Alejandro Marquez Vela
The film director, Alejandro Marquez Vela , creates a riveting and poignant narrative about the immigration crisis. This film is recommended for mature audiences - it contains strong language and violence -viewer discretion advised. PASSWORD: Jose
A Mexican-American U.S. Army soldier comes back home and has a dilemma.
An educator, journalist, activist and sometimes nurse, Idár is one of the most historically significant Texans that you've never heard of. And that's no surprise.
Founded by Zoe Saldana, BESE's mission is to broaden and reshape the cultural narrative by shining light on the untold stories that reflect today’s America. We respect all identities and admire the people who have the courage to say, “this is who I am.”
MY HERO Suggested Video
"We can do something about global warming" - Nobel Laureate Mario Molina (1995 Chemistry) by Nobel Prize
My Family Journey: Pathway to Empowering Hispanic Women
Angelina Pendleton-Mendez
Angelina Pendleton-Mendez interviews Maria Mendez, her paternal grandmother about her family and their journey.
The Community They Fight For
Producer: Mill Valley Film Group
Latino community activist Mark Lopez pushed government officials to provide comprehensive lead testing and cleanup of East Los Angeles homes contaminated by a battery smelter that had been operating for over three decades.
Stories about Hispanic/Latino Heroes
Ada Limón: The 24th Poet Laureate
By: Natalia Osuna
Astronaut , José Moreno Hernández
By: Abigail Richardson
José Moreno Hernández is an American engineer and former NASA astronaut
Regina G. Barber, Ph.D., ‘Chin@-Chicana’ Scientist Hero
By: Deborah Neff, MY HERO Staff writer
Dr. Helen Rodriguez-Trias
By: Naomi Gledhill
Judith F. Baca / The Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC)
By: Deborah Neff, MY HERO staff writer
Judith F. Baca is the Chicana muralist who painted the Great Wall of Los Angeles.
Leo Limón
By: Deborah Neff
L.A. activist and artist Leo Limon, a leading figure in Chicana/o art scene, gives back to his community.
Elizabeth Acevedo
By: Deborah Neff
Afro-Latina poet Elizabeth Acevedo writes about her own people for young adult readers and adults alike.
David Hertz / Gastromotiva / For this Brazilian chef, stopping world hunger starts in local kitchens
By: Cathryn J. Prince, Correspondent
David Hertz and his nonprofit, Gastromotiva, seek local solutions to ending world hunger.
Sonia Smith-Kang: Mixed Up Clothing
By: Shannon Luders-Manuel
Sonia Smith-Kang is the founder of Mixed Up Clothing, a boutique children's clothing line. During the coronavirus, she is using her fabric to make masks for customers and medical workers.
Dolores Huerta
By: Rachel Parsons
Huerta began to see the need for agricultural workers to organize for labor rights as a teacher. Many of her students were children of migrant workers.
Abraham Nickin
By: Michel Nickin
ESL Stories
Cesar Chavez
By: Annie from San Diego
Cesar Chavez
was a tireless advocate for migrant farm workers.
Fabiola Cabeza de Baca Gilbert
By: Emma Navajas
Fabiola Cabeza de Baca Gilbert
made tremendous advancements in food safety in the American Southwest.
Dr. France Cordova
By: Barbara Field
Dr. France Cordova is a renowned astrophysicist who has broken gender and cultural barriers. She is currently the director of the US National Science Foundation. [This story is also available in Spanish.]
Latinx artists commemorate their ancestry, honor social activists, and uphold multi-generational stories through art.
Agave Americana by Noel Marquez, Muralist from New Mexico
Credit: Noel Marquez
Dolores Huerta by Marilyn Huerta, Portrait artist
By: Marilyn Huerta
Dolores Huerta is an American labor leader and civil rights activist of Hispanic descent who, with Cesar Chavez, is co-founder of the National Farmworkers Association
Hispanic Pride
By: Jose Acosta
" I was born in Cuba where I lived until the age of three, then, with my family, immigrated to the United States. Therefore, my paintings depict my history."
On Prom Night I Danced With My Grandmother by Theresa Rosado
By: Theresa Rosado
"Most images I create are from memory of people I know around me. Memory forces me to move away from realism towards something truly of the artist's origin."
Cesar Chavez by Marilyn Huerta, Portrait artist
By: Marilyn Huerta
Remembering the legacy of Cesar Chavez Hispanic heritage hero and labor organizer (UFW) who tirelessly fought for farm workers in California.
Rafael Lopez Art for BRAVO! POEMS ABOUT AMAZING HISPANICS
The Hispanics featured in this collection come from different backgrounds and from many different countries. Celebrate their accomplishments and their contributions to a collective history and a community that continues to evolve and thrive today! (Artwork displayed with permission from the artist.)
Cesar Chavez
By: Rafael Lopez
Chavez was a civil rights activist and fought for farm workers.
Julia de Burgos
By: Rafael Lopez
A Puerto Rican poet and advocate for Puerto Rican independence.
Jose Marti
By: Rafael Lopez
An illustrator and artist who brings diverse characters to children's books.
Juana Briones
By: Rafeal Lopez
A Mexican-American pioneer of the 19th Century.
Audio
"Recuerdos de Lieja (Live at Lukowski Festival)" by Leo Brouwer
A Classical Guitar recording
Juan Leovigildo Brouwer Mezquida was born March 1, 1939 in Havana is a Cuban composer, conductor, and guitarist.
CSM Stories
US poet laureate Ada Limón: ‘Things can grow here, and I can grow here.’
Credit: Shawn Miller/Library of Congress
‘El Librotraficante’: Getting banned Latino books into readers’ hands
Credit: The Christian Science Monitor
Latin American women are shortening the road from farm to table
Credit: CSM
Related Pages
Playas de Tijuana
Sophie Kim
An inspiring poem about the border fence that meets the sea, where names become prayers and where “the worst place to be is here and not there.”
Sincretismo
Sophie Kim
The words of a Guatemalan priestess of Maximón give insight into this deity and folk saint born of the ancient Maya traditions centuries ago
Águilas/Eagles [Trailer]
Kristy Guevara-Flanagan, Maite Zubiaurre
"Along the scorching southern desert border in Arizona, it is estimated that only one out of every five missing migrants are ever found...
5400 Children
Morgen Arguelles
A strong statement about child separation at the U.S. / Mexico border and its impact on knowledgeable youth that are watching its government's policies in action.
Official Website of the US Government The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.
Reading list of winners of the Américas Award, which recognizes books "...for young adults that authentically and engagingly portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos in the United States. By linking the Americas, the intent is to reach beyond geographic borders, as well as multicultural-international boundaries, focusing instead upon cultural heritages within the hemisphere."
A look at what Hispanic Heritage Month should look like today:
"While the time period, Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, is significant because seven Latin American countries celebrate their independence in that span, this association presents a complication: When dozens of countries’ traditions are meant to be represented, are any of them actually getting their due?"