My name is Eduardo Lara and part of the Creative Department in NYC. I have been with CSM for over nine years and I am an immigrant from Chile.
Who/What makes you proud to be a Hispanic?
My mother brought me here when I was five years old. She taught me to work hard, the value of education, and to always shake hands. While these aren’t necessarily things that are specifically Latino, it makes me proud to represent Latinos in that way, especially because these values are not in culture and media.
This year’s theme is a celebration of Hispanic heritage and hope- who in your community inspires and keeps you hopeful?
A lot of the older generation in my family sacrificed lifestyle and left their comfort zone in Chile so that they could give my generation a chance at success and have a better life. I always appreciate and respect older generation Latinos who have come to this country in hopes of a better life. Believing in something they couldn’t yet see. That’s what hope is.
What are some things that allies, brands, and communities can incorporate into their practice to make it a more welcoming environment?
It’s a simple thing, but one thing that everyone can do is ask how to pronounce Latino/Hispanic names. Respecting and acknowledging someone’s name in that way goes a long way. It’s as simple as asking – “Can you tell me how to say your name? I don’t want to mispronounce it.”
Is there a specific celebration or cultural moment that you look forward to?
September the 18th is Chilean Independence Day. It is always a big celebration where the whole family gets together and eats traditional foods. We enjoy grilled meats, salads and more. My favorite thing to eat are empanadas (think a stuffed calzone with flavorful spices, steak, hard boiled eggs, onions, raisins, and an olive – don’t knock it till you try it!).
Is there a holiday that you would like to see celebrated more or recognized in the US or globally?
I think a holiday is tough, but what I would love to see people acknowledge that Hispanic people, our accomplishments and belonging in the community exists beyond just a month.
My name is Flip Chavez and I’m part of the brand experiences team in the North America office and I’ve been with the company for one week.
What is your Hispanic Heritage background?
I can track my heritage back 7 generations in the Northern New Mexico/Southern Colorado region on my father’s side. With the rise of genetic DNA testing I can see that further back my heritage goes across the Atlantic to southwest Europe and northern Africa and I think it’s cool to see how that lines up with history.
What are some things that allies, brands, and communities can incorporate into their practice to make it a more welcoming environment?
Some things allies, brands, and communities can incorporate into their practice to make it a more welcoming environment would be to approach everyone with the same respect and to remember that there are unique cultures and identities across all of North, Central and South America. Hispanic, Latinx, Chicano/a, all encompass large groups and there are key differences in there. Ask questions, learn and embrace the many different paths that people have taken and kindly ask if you want to know someone’s preferred noun. I’m happy that this is a discussion people are willing to have and it feels great to be seen.
My name is Vanessa Santos and I am part of the People & Talent team here at CSM. I have been here for a little over a month and am based out of NYC.
Who/What makes you proud to be a Hispanic?
Our alegría (happiness, cheerfulness) is what makes me the most proud to be Hispanic. Our ability to make any situation joyful is one of the things that I appreciate the most of our community, despite all of our hardships, we remain resilient and take any opportunity we get to sing, dance and celebrate life.
Is there a specific celebration or cultural moment that you look forward to?
One of my all-time favorite holidays is Nochebuena, or Christmas Eve, it is when the Hispanic community is at its happiest. Families get together after spending days cooking and buying clothes in preparation for the party where they get to forget their worries. The cheerful and celebratory feeling of Nochebuena goes beyond the merengues and villancicos playing on the radio, or the pernil and potato salad on the dinner table; Nochebuena is about celebrating the birth of baby Jesus, it’s when people put aside their problems and celebrate life and all its blessings.