Todo Somos, Somos Uno: Hispanic Heritage Month at LADWP
By Paola Adler
LADWP participates in Hispanic Heritage Month each year from September 15 – October 15 to recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latino people to our country and the Department. These communities make up the largest ethnic minority group in the United States, representing 18.8 percent of the total U.S. population, and include people who trace their heritage to Spanish-speaking countries in South and Central America, as well as Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Spain. Nearly 40 percent of LADWP's workforce identifies as Hispanic. This year’s national theme, “Todos Somos, Somos Uno: We Are All, We Are One,” reinforces the diversity inherent within the Hispanic population, as well as the power that comes from being a united community.
When developing programming this year, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the Board of Water and Power Commissioners and the LADWP Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (LADWP-SHPE) wanted to embrace the multifaceted Hispanic and Latino culture by offering engaging and educational opportunities for staff members. From participating in a Central American community event for the first time, a culturally rich art exhibition at JFB, soccer games and even a movie night, employees experienced a wide variety of options to immerse themselves in Hispanic and Latino heritage.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is not just a reflection of our past, but a vibrant celebration of our present and future. LADWP is proud to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Latino and Hispanic employees, and I am inspired by the effort to introduce new and culturally rich events for Department staff.”
Gregory Reed, Senior Assistant General Manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Celebrating Central American Independence
A fresh opportunity to celebrate the Hispanic community was undertaken this year when LADWP became a sponsor of the Central American Independence Festival and Parade for the first time. Organized annually by the Central American Confederation (COFECA), the festival is a community-centered event that recognizes the many countries that make up the fabric of Latino heritage in Los Angeles, and was held near Mac Arthur Park from September 16 -17 with over 150,000 in attendance. The Office of DEI, LADWP-SHPE and Communications and Corporate Strategy collaborated on a theme celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and promoting air conditioning rebates through the Cool L.A. program, developing a bucket truck float, hand fans and a booth with information about LADWP programs.
The parade kicked off on September 17 with an awards program. Dignitaries representing Central American countries were honored, and Senior Assistant General Manager of DEI Gregory Reed accepted award for LADWP in recognition of our support of COFECA. The national anthems of all Central American countries and the U.S. were also played. Over 40 employees marched in the parade contingent, passing out hand fans to excited crowds. Over at the information booth, LADWP also offered an air conditioning giveaway contest, with 65 attendees participating.
View photos from the event below:
De Colores, ¡Presente!
LADWP unveiled “De Colores, ¡Presente!” on October 11, an art exhibition featuring artwork representing the Hispanic/Latin American culture that is located on the lobby level of JFB. Curated by Joy A. Anderson and Summer Bernal, the exhibition is the second cultural showcase that LADWP has debuted this year following the “And Still We Rise” photo exhibit, which honored the Juneteenth holiday.
Sponsored by LADWP’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Board of Water and Power Commissioners, the exhibition was unveiled in a ceremony for staff members and artists featured in the exhibit. The event included readings from poet Iris De Anda, a performance by Haru Kuroi and remarks from LADWP leadership. Board President Cynthia McClain-Hill also unveiled a panel celebrating Reginaldo Francisco Del Valle, a Californio statesman and lawyer who served as a member of the California Senate and California Assembly.
The idea behind the “De Colores, ¡Presente!” theme was proposed by LADWP employees, and references the famous Mexican song "De Colores” (Of Colors) to capture the cultural diversity of Hispanic and Latino heritage. “Presente” (we are here or present) calls out to the stories of activism, social justice and civil rights marches and movements towards collective and self-determination. LADWP skilled craft staff helped construct and fabricate the exhibit. The exhibition is open to the public during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
“To all of our employees who worked collectively to make this happen, your dedication to making the space what we see today helps ensure this is a fitting tribute to Hispanic Heritage Month. It’s important that we take this time to celebrate with our fellow employees and honor the rich cultural traditions of our Hispanic communities.”
Aram Benyamin, Chief Operating Officer
View photos from the event below:
LADWP-SHPE Events
In addition to participating in the Central American Independence Festival and Parade, LADWP-SHPE also organized several events for staff.
On September 23, employees ventured into the Ancient Mayan Civilization at “Maya: The Exhibition.” Visitors were able to view priceless artifacts and learn about the technology of the Mayans. About 30 employees also gathered at Dignity Health Sports Park to watch the L.A. Galaxy face off against the Portland Timbers on September 30. During the exhilarating match, everyone enjoyed live music and great food, fueling their spirit to cheer on the team. To wrap up the month, LADWP-SHPE hosted a special screening of film “A Million Miles Away” on October 13 at the JFB auditorium. Those in attendance had the opportunity to savor a memorable evening featuring pan dulce, hot chocolate, champurrado and a chance to participate in an exciting raffle before settling in to watch the movie, an inspiring true story of Dr. Jose Hernandez's remarkable journey to the stars.
Throughout the month, the group also collaborated with California Dining services to feature lunch specials once a week showcasing traditional Latin American cuisines. The dishes featured were Mexican chicken mole, Cuban ropa vieja, Argentinian matambre arollado and Salvadorian pupusas revueltas.
View images from the events below:
Photos by Chris Corsmeier and courtesy of LADWP-SHPE, videos by Serena Beltran and Jason Cleanthes.
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