Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration from September 15 - October 15 recognizing the achievements, cultures, and histories of the American Latine community. FM is proud to celebrate this month by featuring some of our amazing staff members. We asked:
What does being a Latino/a/e mean to you?
Steve Ramirez, P&C
“When I think of what it means to be Latinx, I think of resilience and strength that manifests itself in the culture whether it is food, music, traditions, or the people themselves. I come from an immigrant family where both of my parents were born in Mexico and settled in Southern California. My father immigrated in his late teens while my mother immigrated when she was just under a year old. Both had very different lives, my mother was a naturalized citizen from a baby and afforded all the opportunities that came with that while growing up in the 60's and 70's while my father had to take a longer more arduous path to citizenship. Both were faced with very different difficult situations that they were able to rise above and be successful in life and this showed me the strength and resilience that comes with our culture. Growing up in Southern California and being so close to the Mexican border, I saw the struggles that many Hispanic people were faced with including some of my extended family. But I also saw the tenacity and drive that was created out of those struggles. For that, I am proud to be Latino and I am proud of my culture.”
Erika Sorto, FBO
“Being Latina means embracing culture, history, and resilience. It's about celebrating my heritage—our customs, food, and languages that tell stories of our ancestors. It means standing strong in my identity, advocating for my community, and honoring the struggles and achievements of the family that came before me. Ultimately, it means keeping the traditions and spirit of the country I am from alive because we always remember ¡Sí Se Puede!”
Besi Martinez, B&LM
“Being Latina for me means language, culture, and a lot of tasty food! Speaking Spanish is a big part of my Latin culture. I am from El Salvador and the local vendors sell the most beautiful art, crafts, and homemade candy made from Central American fruits that you can’t get anywhere else. Food is a huge part of any culture and you can’t mention El Salvador without also mentioning Pupusas! A thick tortilla filled with something as simple as just cheese or pork, beans, cheese, and a local flower called loroco.”