Stay tuned for spotlights highlighting members of the Hispanic American community through Oct. 15.
09/23/2022 11:30 A.M.
2.5 minute read
National Hispanic Heritage Month marks a time to pay tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively impacted and enriched the U.S. and society.
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic American Heritage Month Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on Sept. 15. It was enacted into law on Aug. 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402, according to hispanicheritagemonth.gov.
Sept. 15 marks the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively. Columbus Day, or Día de la Raza, celebrated on Oct. 12, falls within this 30-day period as well.
ACA International represents a diverse industry. Hispanic workers have a high rate of representation at collection agencies, making up 17.2% of total collection agents in 2021, according to recent research from Kaulkin Ginsberg in partnership with ACA.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is also celebrating this month by recognizing the part Hispanic Americans play in influencing and contributing to the American society and workforce.
According to the SBA’s Joint Economic Committee Hispanic Entrepreneurship and Business Brief:
- Nearly one in four new businesses is Hispanic owned.
- The nearly 5 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the U.S. contribute more than $800 billion to the American economy annually.
- There are more than 300,000 Hispanic-owned, employer businesses located across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. These enterprises employ at least one employee other than the owner.
- Hispanic employer businesses employ about 1 million workers, with more than $100 billion in annual payroll. The number of Hispanic-owned businesses that employ at least one employee other than the owner increased by 14% between 2012 and 2017—more than twice as fast as the national average.
- In the decade preceding the pandemic, the number of Hispanic business owners increased 34% compared to an increase of just 1% among non-Hispanic business owners.
The SBA has a number of resources listed on its website to help Hispanic business owners and offer assistance to firms and entrepreneurs with access to capital, mentorship, and business opportunities.
Stay tuned through Oct. 15 for spotlight stories highlighting ACA members who are part of the Hispanic community and learn more about how to celebrate this month.
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