Celebrating Hispanic Arts and Culture
Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15) honors the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week and was expanded in 1988 to its current 30-day period.
Ben Mendez, facilities manager at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, discusses how he and his family recognize the month.
“Our family celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by promoting our culture through the arts. We created a non-profit called Mariachi Festival and organize events that showcase mariachi and Ballet Folklorico dancers. We feel it’s important that current and future generations see first-hand how beautiful our culture is.”
To join and learn more about the Hispanic LatinX Alliance ERG, email HispanicLatinXAlliance@houstonmethodist.org. Employees across Houston Methodist can join any of the eight ERGs if they are a member of the group or would like to learn more and support the group.
ERG Symposium Set for October 7
Make plans to participate in the inaugural Employee Resource Group (ERG) Symposium on October 7 from 10 a.m. to noon in the HMH Dunn Rio Grande conference room. The symposium offers a unique opportunity to learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across Houston Methodist, ongoing ERG research programs and studies that emphasize the importance of joining these employee-led groups. The symposium will include remarks by Houston Methodist President and CEO Marc Boom, MD, Houston Methodist Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Arianne Dowdell, JD, MA, Houston Methodist Manager, System Analytics, Sayali Kelkar, MPH, and guest speaker Shanta Eaden, MBA, PMP, CDP.
Click here to register. ERGs will host an information booth, so feel free to drop by and learn more about HM’s eight ERGs. A virtual option is available: Zoom Webinar – ID: 948 8362 2426 Passcode: ERG.
Did You Know?
The two days of Rosh Hashanah (September 25-27), the Jewish New Year, are among the most important days on the Jewish calendar and usher in the “Ten Days of Repentance,” which culminate in the fast day of Yom Kippur (Oct. 4-5), or the Day of Atonement. A signature tradition of Rosh Hashanah is the sounding of the Shofar, a ram’s horn that makes a trumpet-like sound, which serves as a call to repentance and marks God’s sovereignty and past and future acts of grace. Many also observe the tradition of eating slices of apples dipped into honey, a practice that symbolizes the hope for a “sweet” new year.
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