Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated annually from September 15th to October 15th, is more than just a time to reflect on the rich cultural contributions of the Latinx community. For organizations like the National Association of Latino Credit Unions & Professionals (NLCUP), it represents a critical period of recognition, advocacy, and empowerment. As the Executive Director of NLCUP, I believe this month is an essential opportunity for us to highlight the unique challenges and opportunities faced by Latinx credit union professionals and the communities they serve.

Honoring our roots

Hispanic Heritage Month serves as a reminder of the powerful history of resilience, innovation, and community-building that Latinos have brought to the United States. Our heritage is deeply intertwined with stories of perseverance, entrepreneurship, and social justice—qualities that are also at the heart of the credit union movement. As Latinxs, we bring a unique perspective to the financial industry, one that is rooted in communal support and a deep understanding of the challenges our community faces.

At NLCUP, we see this month as an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Latinx professionals in the credit union industry. Their work is vital in ensuring that our communities have access to fair and equitable financial services. This month allows us to reflect on the strides we’ve made while recognizing the work that still needs to be done to close the economic gaps that disproportionately affect our community and the intersectionality that our community has with many other underprivileged communities. 

Amplifying our voice

One of the most significant aspects of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month is the platform it provides to amplify the voices of Latinx professionals and communities. In an industry where diversity and inclusion are critical to success, it’s essential that our contributions are recognized and valued.

It is essential for credit unions to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work of their Latinx employees, not just during this month, but throughout their entire employment. We shouldn’t wait for this month to engage in Latinx-related activities that are often overlooked the rest of the year. Empowerment should happen consistently, even when it’s not in the spotlight. Inclusion and recognition of the Latinx community shouldn’t be reserved for special occasions. I challenge all credit union leaders to ensure that there is always adequate representation at the decision-making table to address the needs of the Latinx community, after all we are the fastest-growing population in the United States.

Building bridges for the future

Looking ahead, Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month is also about building bridges and creating opportunities. We have many partnerships with organizations like AACUC, Inclusiv and CUPride, but that is not enough. It’s time to foster stronger partnerships within our industry and outside of it, to ensure that the needs of Latinx communities are met. At NLCUP, we are committed to fostering collaboration between credit unions, community organizations, and other interested parties to ensure that the needs of the Latinx community are being met.

This month, we encourage credit union professionals to reflect on their role in this mission. How can we, as an industry, better support the financial health and well-being of Latinx communities? How can we ensure that our services are accessible, culturally sensitive, and responsive to the unique needs of our members?

A call to action

Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month is more than just a celebration—it’s a call to action. It’s a time to renew our commitment to the values of equity, inclusion, and community that are at the center of the credit union movement. As the Executive Director of NLCUP, I am proud of the progress we’ve made, but I also recognize the amount of work that we still need to do as a movement. We must continue to advocate for our community, to push for policies that promote financial inclusion, and to ensure that our voices are heard. Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month is a reminder that our heritage is not just something to be celebrated, but something to be leveraged in the search for a more just and equitable financial system. As we celebrate this month, let us not only honor our past but also look toward the future. Juntos, we can build a credit union industry that truly reflects the diversity and strength of the Latinx community. And in doing so, we can ensure that our contributions are recognized, and our communities are empowered for generations to come.

Original article available here.