Hispanic Heritage Week was introduced in 1968 and became Hispanic Heritage Month in 1988. The extended time provided more opportunities for festivals and other celebrations that reflect the rich, diverse culture of Hispanic Americans. Today, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 through October 15. To honor milestones in Hispanic heritage, the celebrations begin mid-month which commemorates the independence of five nations – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, this timeframe covers Mexico’s Independence Day on September 16th, Chile’s on September 18th, and Belize’s on September 21st. In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, please see the information below.
- In 2021, Hispanic-owned businesses generated $766.8 billion in sales.
- In 2021, there were 5.1 million majority Hispanic-owned firms in the U.S.
- In 2021, Hispanic-owned businesses employed 2.9 million workers.
Advocacy outreach and resources:
- Small Business Facts: Hispanic Ownership Statistics 2024
- Lost in Translation: The Effects of Language on Business Ownership and Outreach
- The Impacts of COVID-19 on Racial Disparities in Small Business Earnings
- Latino Business Ownership: Contributions and Barriers for US Born and Immigrant Latino Entrepreneurs