Newsletter: September 2025 Issue 2
- Cultures Connecting
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
National Hispanic Heritage Month Starts Today
National Hispanic Heritage Month starts today and last through October 15th. This month was established to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Spanish, Mexican, Caribbean, and people of Central and South American ancestry. Starting as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968, it was later expanded to include an entire month in 1988.
While "Hispanic" is the official term used to describe heritage, it has a problematic history rooted in mislabeling, cultural erasure, Eurocentricity, and colonization. Teen Vogue explores the controversy in their well cited article, "The Problematic History of the Word "Hispanic". Latino(a), Latinx or Latine are alternative terms used today, with each connotating different meaning. In the article, Hispanic, Latino/a, Latinx or Latine? Find out how to use the terms, three professors from Temple University explore how each of these terms carry a complex history and are used by different people for different reasons. Ultimately, there is no one right answer and it's best to ask a person how they prefer to be referred.
Locally in the greater Puget Sound region, we are highlighting the work of the following organizations serving this community:
Casa Latina - Their goal is to help break the cycle of poverty within the Latino immigrant communities by helping women and men become economically independent. They offer job dispatch for day laborers and domestic workers to help meet their immediate financial needs. We've mentioned them in the last newsletter under our Ways to Take Action for Change section. If you would like to support the community during this turbulent time, they ask that you hire workers through them.
El Central De La Raza - Translated to "The Center for People of All Races," this organization is a voice and hub for the Latino/a community in King County. Their mission is to build a beloved community unifying all racial and economic sectors; to organize, empower, and defend the basic human rights of our most vulnerable and marginalized populations; and to bring critical consciousness, justice, dignity, and equity to all the peoples of the world.
To look for event highlights throughout September and October, be sure to check out of Social Justice/DEIB Calendar or visit Mexam's calendar of events.
Only One Week Left for Speaking Up without Shutting Down Workshop
Our workshop, Speaking Up without Shutting Down: Tools for Hard Conversations, is happening next week on Thursday-Friday, September 25th & 26th 8:30-12:00pm PT / 11:30-3:00 ET on Zoom.
At our workshop, you'll learn to lead conversations with purpose and learn strategies to stay present, repair relationship when you cause harm, and offer constructive feedback that promotes listening and understanding.
This workshop will be facilitated by our co-Founder, Dr. Caprice Hollins. Click the button below to learn more and register today!
Culturally Responsive Practices for Black Students with Delbert Richardson Part 2
Our co-Founder Ilsa Govan talks to Delbert Richardson in part 2 of their conversation on culturally responsive practices for Black students. Mr. Richardson of The Unspoken Truths, the American History Traveling Museum, talks about ways White teachers relate to Black students and suggests an alternative way of engaging.
To watch the part 1 of this conversation, visit our blog.
Attend the Know Your Rights: Immigration Updates for Employers Webinar
The Port of Seattle is hosting a Know Your Rights: Immigration Updates for Employers Webinar to "equip businesses, nonprofits, and community partners with critical updates and best practices related to immigrant policies, employer compliance, and workplace rights." This free event will be held on Friday, September 26th from 1:30-3:00pm PT.
This event is presented through a collaborative initiative led by the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce in partnership with American Business Immigration Coalition and Port of Seattle.
Watch White Right: Meeting the Enemy
In our August newsletter, we shared about the documentary Homegrown by director Michael Premo, a Black filmmaker, who embedded himself with White nationalists before, during, and after the January 6th insurrection.
We also recommend this documentary that also goes behind the lines of the White nationalist movement. Filmmaker Deeyah Khan, a Muslim woman and child of immigrants, wanted to understand what drives their anger and hate in White Right: Meeting the Enemy. This 55-minute film is eye opening and models how reaching across the divide can make a real difference.
Upcoming DEIB/Social Justice Events
For details on these and other events, workshops and conferences happening in the social justice space, visit our Events Calendar. If you have an event you would like us to share, please reach out to us!
9/15: Hispanic Heritage Month Art Exhibition Opens
9/16: Race Forward: Power Building for Racial Equity
9/16: NAMI BIPOC Support Group
9/18: SURJ Abolition Action Hour
9/18: Balancing the Scales: Trauma, Mindfulness & Building Resilient Classrooms
9/18: NAMI LGBTQ+ Support Group
9/20: La Resistencia: United Methodist Church Solidarity Day
9/20: Columbia City Night Market
9/23: Book Club: Nervous: Essays on Heritage and Healing
9/23: SURJ: Fight Back Fall Recruitment Phone Bank
9/24: Deep Diversity Audit Demo w/Anima Leadership
9/24: Grief Circles: A Practice of Dealing with World Events and Resolving Conflict on Work Teams
9/25: Speaking Up without Shutting Down Workshop*
9/25: Freedom Lifted: Shared Power in Supervision
9/26: Know Your Rights: Immigration Updates for Employers Webinar
9/30: DEI Crisis Leadership Forum
9/30: Supervisory Skills for Creating Meaningful Change
9/30: Jodi-Ann Burey Authentic Book Tour
...and so much more! Visit our Events Calendar to see the most up-to-date full schedule.
*Cultures Connecting workshop.
