Hispanic Heritage Newsletter Issue 1, September 16, 2020 Each year, Holland & Knight and people across the United States observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of people living in the U.S. who came from or whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The firm is proud to continue to join in this celebration on its 52nd anniversary. During the next four weeks, we will showcase many of the achievements of our Hispanic lawyers and their contributions to the legal and philanthropic landscape. This newsletter, the first of four, will provide a glimpse into our group and what makes our Hispanic heritage unique.
Isabel C. Diaz Affinity Group Co-Chair Miami
OUR ROOTS BOND US
According to the Census, Hispanic origin can be viewed as the heritage, nationality, lineage or country of birth of a person or a person's parents or ancestors before arriving in the United States. People who identify as Hispanic may be of any race. There also are those who identify as "Latinx." The term Hispanic is generally used to refer to people with a Spanish-speaking background, whereas Latinx is used to refer to people from the geographic region of Latin America, including Central and South America and the Caribbean.
Observation of the National Hispanic Heritage Month started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson, was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period and was enacted into law on Aug. 17, 1988.
The 57-million-plus Hispanic and Latinx Americans make up more than 18 percent of the U.S. population, and more than half of them reside in three states – California, Texas and Florida. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Hispanics of Mexican, Puerto Rican or Cuban origin or descent remain the nation's three largest Hispanic country-of-origin groups. However, while the relative position of these three groups has remained unchanged since 2000, the number of Hispanics from Salvadoran, Dominican, Guatemalan and Colombian origin has grown faster during the past decade.
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE HISPANIC
Being Hispanic is much more than sharing the Spanish language – it's placing a strong value on family. It's knowing that greetings may include a kiss (or two!) on the cheek and small talk about fútbol and los niños. It's understanding that it might be acceptable to have a more casual attitude toward being on time to social engagements, and it's feeling that immediate connection and unexplainable familiarity when you meet another Hispanic. The Spanish language helps us identify as a community, but our food, music and culture have taken a foothold in the national and global landscape. From the Cuban ropa vieja (stewed beef), the Ecuadorian locro de papa (potato stew) to the forever delicious tostones (fried plantains) and alfajores (no translation, just order
Jorge Hernandez-Toraño Affinity Group Co-Chair Miami
African, European and indigenous ancestors had us covered in the kitchen. Similarly, our vibrant and fluid rhythms have influenced the world. Spain's flamenco, the Mexican rancheras, and Colombia's cumbia and vallenato are but a few Hispanic contributions to the world's dance stage and nightclubs.
Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day (which is Sept. 16) but is rather a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army's May 5, 1862, victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT WORK
At Holland & Knight, we seek to further develop an organization and a culture where all talented individuals – including those traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession – can have, and can see, a path to long-term success. We are committed to these efforts because diverse, equitable and inclusive teams reflect the world we serve and produce better results for our clients. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion begins with developing the pipeline of legal talent. It continues with helping diverse talent achieve success at the firm by ensuring equitable access to opportunities and an inclusive culture centered around belonging. As part of our efforts to build an equitable and inclusive organization, we have seven firmwide Affinity Groups. By promoting and encouraging members, these Affinity Groups help to sustain an environment that is inclusive and supportive, fostering both personal and professional success. The firm's Hispanic Affinity Group is the second-largest affinity group at the firm (the Women's Initiative is the largest) with more than 150 members representing 20 offices and 25-plus practice groups. This includes lawyers licensed in Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Spain.
Members of the firm's Hispanic Affinity Group are well represented in leadership. The leader of the firmwide Business Section, the deputy leader of the firmwide Real Estate Section, chairs of Industry Sector Groups, and the Billing and Collections partner for the firmwide Business Section are roles held by members of the Hispanic Affinity Group.
Sept. 15 was chosen as the start of the National Hispanic Heritage Month in the U.S. because it is the independence day for five Latin America countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
The Holland & Knight Hispanic Affinity Group's goal is to recruit, retain, promote, support, encourage and empower the firm's Hispanic attorneys. The firm is a leader in recruiting and retaining Hispanic lawyers, and is ranked No. 1 for most Hispanic partners on The American Lawyer's Diversity Scorecard. The firm, through its Hispanic Affinity Group, seeks to create and sustain an environment that is inclusive, challenging and supportive to maximize both personal and career success for its
Newsletter Contributors
Bibiana A. Cruz Associate Miami
Amanda M. Naldjieff Associate Miami
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