Hispanic Heritage Month is a month-long celebration of the contributions, history, culture, and achievements Hispanic Americans have made in the United States. The celebration begins on September 15 and ends on October 15.

In 1988, Hispanic Heritage Week was extended to Hispanic Heritage Month, highlighting the anniversaries of Latin American countries’ independence. During this month, we also celebrate the Independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico (Sept. 16), Chile(Sept. 18), and Belize (Sept. 21).

Hispanic Heritage month is not limited to those of Hispanic descent. A person who is Latino can also be Hispanic. Watch this video as BBC News explains the difference between Hispanic and Latino.

In 2019, the US Hispanic population was 60.6 million, and it is continuously growing today. 24% of the population is Afro-Latino. Black and indigenous people within this group endure discrimination despite their contributions to the Hispanic and Latinx cultures.

Check out these trailblazers that contributed to Hispanic and Latinx history that you may not know:

Miriam Jiménez Romań

Jiménez was an activist and known for her book The Afro-Latin@ Reader: History and Culture in the United States. She continuously created opportunities for Afro-Latinos and Puerto Ricans by amplifying, researching, and centering the stories of Afro-Latino people.

Gwen Ifill

Ifill paved the way for more Afro-Latino journalists by being the first black women to moderate a vice-presidential debate. She also was the first black woman to host a national public affairs program.

Princess Nokia

Princess Nokia is a Puerto Rican rapper that speaks up for her fellow afro-Latinas. She focuses on gentrification in her home in New York, displacement, and feminism.

Breena Nuñez Peralta

Peralta is an afro-Salvadoran-Guatemalan cartoonist drawing afro-Latino characters as the hero.

Judy Reyes

Reyes is an actress who played both African American and Latino characters throughout her career. However, in the ‘Black and Latino’ Documentary on NBC Universo, Reyes shares a comment that people tell her she does not look Latino enough because of her curly hair.

 These women continue to pave the way and be an excellent role model for little girls just like them. Check out the Aint I Latina Instagram Page that beautifully highlights Afro-Latinas culture, history, achievements, and more influential people.

As a multicultural toy company, we believe representation matters.

Representation aids self-love. We love to celebrate people of all backgrounds and cultures. Especially the intersectionality between identities that Afro-Latino people experience. 

Loving yourself starts within.

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month.