As we make our way through the vibrant and culturally rich month of September, the Cornerstone community is delighted to join the nation in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. This annual observance, which runs from September 15th to October 15th, is a time to recognize and honor the contributions, achievements and beautiful heritage of Hispanic and Latinx individuals and communities.
This year, the theme for Hispanic Heritage Month is "Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power and Progress in America." This theme highlights the incredible impact that Hispanic and Latinx individuals have had and continue to have on the accomplishments, victories and triumphs of our great nation. From business leaders and entrepreneurs to artists, activists and public servants, Hispanic and Latinx Americans have made significant and lasting contributions to every facet of American society.
At Cornerstone, we are proud to celebrate the diversity and invaluable achievements of our Hispanic and Latinx colleagues, clients and partners. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that recognizes the strength in our differences and celebrates the unique perspectives and talents across our company. This month, let’s come together to learn, appreciate and celebrate the rich tapestry of Hispanic and Latinx cultures that enhance our company and our nation.
Did you know that Cornerstone has a CRG (Cornerstone Resource Group, aka Employee Resource Group) named ¡Unidos! whose goal is to raise awareness, empower, represent and celebrate Cornerstone's Hispanic and Latinx employees? This group unifies Latinx and Hispanic employees and their allies by creating a sense of community, building a network and honoring cultural traditions.
Cornerstars will join us in commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month by taking part in the various events and activities ¡Unidos! has planned, including cultural showcases, educational programs and opportunities to engage with the Hispanic and Latinx communities within and beyond our organization. Together, we can honor the past, celebrate the present and build a brighter future of inclusivity, understanding and prosperity for all.
Planned activities during Hispanic Heritage Month include:
- Latinos Run 5k - this nationwide Hispanic Heritage Month Virtual 5K is for everyone who believes in the power of the Latino Community! ¡Unidos! has specifically created a Cornerstone group link for anyone to join virtually. Registration is FREE, with the option of buying a medal for $25.
- A Hispanic Heritage Month learning path in LXP for Cornerstars – take a deep dive into the rich tapestry of Hispanic and Latino culture, history and its influences. From ancient civilizations to modern-day heroes, this journey provides a holistic view of the challenges, successes and contributions of the Hispanic and Latino community. Through videos and book recommendations, explore the identity, representation, and resilience that define this diverse community.
- A Hispanic Heritage Month banner to be used internally to bring awareness
- An interview with Cornerstone CEO Himanshu Palsule about his immigrant story
- The inspiring conversation "From Challenges to Champion: The Empowering Story of Puerto Rico's Paralympic Veteran, Orlando Pérez Luna" (pictured)
Related Resources
Want to keep learning? Explore our products, customer stories, and the latest industry insights.
Blog Post
The Equity Advantage: Why equity matters
In my last article, I unpacked Cornerstone's first DEIB Principle: DEIB is good for everyone, highlighting the story of Ed Roberts, a pioneer for disability inclusion. His work resulted in onramps on public sidewalks at all intersections, enabling the inclusion of those with mobility challenges in public spaces. Just as these onramps created equity and inclusion for people with wheelchairs, organizations must ensure that their talent processes, and the decision-makers who run those processes, create 'onramps' for marginalized people whose talent, aspiration and opportunity are too often 'curbed' by the systemic barriers inherent in our society and organizations.
Blog Post
The Equity Advantage: Cornerstone’s equity-first approach to DEIB
In July, SHRM announced they are dropping ‘equity’ from their inclusion and diversity framework, citing polarization and misunderstanding about the term. The move ignited a robust dialogue amongst HR professionals about the future of DEIB efforts.
Article
The Equity Advantage: Why DEIB succeeds and fails
Have you ever heard the proverb “May you live in interesting times?” On its face, it reads as a blessing, but the irony is that living in interesting times can feel more like a burden. We certainly are living in interesting times – a time where the world order as we know it feels imperiled, the future of humanity is at risk due to climate change, fact and fiction are harder than ever to distinguish due to social media, polarization seems to force more and more of us into our own echo-chambers, and workforces and workplaces are changing rapidly due to AI, automation, and societal shifts.