Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from September 15th to October 15th, honors the culture, experiences, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans. This year, organizations can make Hispanic Heritage Month more than a celebration – it can become a call to action to better support the thriving, but still underrepresented Hispanic business community.

Hispanic-owned businesses now account for over 5% of all U.S. firms, employing more than 3 million people and generating $500 billion in revenue. From 2012 to 2022, the number of Hispanic-owned businesses grew at more than three times the national average rate. But Hispanic entrepreneurs still face obstacles in accessing capital, contracting opportunities, and equitable representation across industries.
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Here are some ideas for how businesses can step up during Hispanic Heritage Month 2023:

• Actively source from Hispanic-owned suppliers and vendors. Seek out minority-owned firms when searching for new suppliers or issuing RFPs.
• Set goals for spending a target percentage of supplier budget with Hispanic-owned businesses. Track metrics and share results - both good and bad - internally and externally.
• Highlight Hispanic entrepreneur success stories on company publications, social and traditional media. Showcase their innovations and encourage other Hispanic founders.

Hispanic consumers have more than $1.7 trillion in annual buying power. And the Hispanic population is projected to grow to 1 in 4 Americans by 2050. Companies that successfully embed Hispanic-owned businesses into their supply chains and partnerships have the opportunity to gain a greater share of Hispanic customers, employees, and brand ambassadors.

Hispanic Heritage Month is the optimal time to re-evaluate business relationships and purchasing behavior through an equity lens. Because supporting Hispanic-owned companies is not only a moral imperative, but an economic one – it’s good for business, community, and the nation’s prosperity as a whole. Equity in entrepreneurship lifts us all.
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#HispanicHeritageMonth #LatinxHeritageMonth #HispanicBusiness #LatinxBusiness

August marks Black Business Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black entrepreneurs and business owners. This annual observance originated in 2004 when John William Templeton, founder of the National Black Business Trade Association, declared the month as a way to drive the policy agenda impacting the 2.6 million Black-owned businesses in America. Nearly two decades later, Black Business Month continues to highlight the tremendous progress Black entrepreneurs have made, while also underscoring the ongoing challenges they face.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's Annual Business Survey, the number of Black-owned employer businesses increased by 26% from 2012 to 2021. And research shows that supporting these businesses boosts the economy overall. A 2021 McKinsey study found that achieving racial equity in business could add $5 trillion to U.S. GDP by 2030.

So how can business leaders maximize Black Business Month 2023? Here are a few ideas:

• Encourage diversity in our supply chains. Source from Black-owned vendors. Ensure RFP lists include minority suppliers. Request diversity data from suppliers.
• Invest in Black entrepreneurs. Support Black crowdfunding campaigns. Join an angel investment group funding minority founders. Sponsor a Black startup competition.
• Measure progress - Define clear KPIs for how you want to improve year-over-year. Track the percentage of spending with Black-owned vendors. Assess employee satisfaction with DEI efforts.

The potential benefits of embracing Black Business Month make it worth prioritizing. According to a 2022 Groupon survey, 73% of consumers are more likely to buy from a Black-owned business if given the option. And employees increasingly expect employers to advance racial equity internally and externally.
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Fostering an environment where Black businesses have equitable access to financial, educational, and community resources will benefit the economy as a whole. Black Business Month serves as a reminder of the vital role these entrepreneurs play and the potential they hold to reshape industries, spark innovation, and build generational wealth, if given the chance to fully and fairly compete. Equity in entrepreneurship benefits everyone.

As we face record-setting temperatures across the globe this summer, organizations large and small will be challenged address the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation on their business growth trajectories. Today’s youth, Generation Z, are deeply concerned about climate change and environmental protection. This cohort represents $143 billion in spending power and bring eco-conscious values to their purchasing decisions and brand affiliations.
 
For C-suite leaders and small business owners, developing an authentic sustainability strategy is crucial for earning Gen Z’s long-term trust and loyalty. Superficial greenwashing won’t suffice. You must approach sustainability substantively, and with accountability. Here are three best practices for integrating sustainability in a way that resonates with Generation Z:
 
1.Set Ambitious Corporate Climate Goals
Analyze your carbon footprint across operations. Establish targets for waste and emissions reductions aligned to climate science, then enlist all business units in creating action plans.  
 
Join industry coalitions pursuing net zero commitments. Advocate for climate policies and renewable energy – locally and globally. Demonstrate systematic commitment by reporting progress transparently.
 
2.Embed Sustainability Across the Brand 
Infuse eco-messaging consistently through marketing touchpoints - packaging, advertising, social media, website, partnership. Feature diverse voices and support local communities.
 
Make sustainable options the default for customers by innovating to eliminate waste throughout the supply chain. Investigate circular production models.
 
3.Walk the Walk Inside Your Own Walls
Before engaging externally, evaluate internal sustainability practices. Provide climate education for all employees, not just operations or manufacturing teams. Set green office/plant policies limiting waste, energy use and resources.
 
Incentivize sustainable employee commutes through public transit and car-pooling credits. And remote work has been found to significantly reduce pollution, energy use and traffic.
 
The Bottom Line
For Generation Z, commitment to sustainability can be a make-or-break factor in purchasing and employment decisions. With courage and accountability, climate-driven business practices will generate resilience, innovation, and affinity with the next generation. By dedicating focus and resources to environmental issues, businesses can help strengthen society while future-proofing their brand relevance.

Check out this informative and inspiring collection of video programs about the history and contributions of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians - available via your local PBS station. Programs range from documentaries about political leaders and social movements, family stories of immigration and migration, generations uniting around shared recipes, newcomers and long-time citizens building businesses and communities.
​#AAPIHeritageMonth #AAPIPBS

What better way to honor the contributions of American women than through the The American Women Quarters Program. This four-year program celebrates the accomplishments and contributions made by women of the United States. Beginning in 2022, and continuing through 2025, the U.S. Mint will issue up to five new reverse designs each year. The honorees for 2023:

• Bessie Coleman – first African American and first Native American woman pilot
• Edith Kanakaʻole – indigenous Hawaiian composer, custodian of native culture and traditions
• Eleanor Roosevelt – first lady, author, and civil liberties advocate
• Jovita Idar – Mexican-American journalist, activist, teacher, and suffragist
• Maria Tallchief – America’s first prima ballerina

​#AmericanWomenQuarters #WomensHistoryMonth #BessieColeman #EdithKanaka'ole #JovitaIdar #MariaTallchief

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this May and check out some great programming on your local PBS channel.  #AAPIHeritageMonth2022 #PBS #KCTS9

Check your local PBS channel for an informative selection of documentaries celebrating Women's History Month.
From KCTS9: Celebrate Women's History Month by exploring pivotal points in American history and learning more about women who fought for progress. Here's what to watch.https://lnkd.in/eaHSKvh3

#WomensHistoryMonth2022 #KCTS9 #PBS