Latiné Heritage Month

Latiné Heritage Month (also known as Hispanic, Latino, or Latinx Heritage Month) is a month's long celebration that is observed in the United States from September 15th to October 15th. This annual celebration honors the culture, history, and contributions of people whose ancestors/family come from Hispanic and Latino backgrounds.

"Hispanic" refers to any of the peoples in the Americas and Spain who speak Spanish or are descended from Spanish-speaking communities. It was coined in the 1970s by the U.S. Census Bureau to offer a pan-ethnic name for peoples such as Puerto Ricans, Mexican Americans, Cuban Americans and others, whose social, economic and political needs were often ignored. (Campos, 2021)

In contrast to Hispanic, the term Latino describes any person with ancestry in Latin America, a politically defined region usually unified by the predominance of Romance languages. This definition usually includes Portuguese-speaking Brazil and French-speaking Haiti, but excludes Spain. (Campos, 2021)

At College of San Mateo (CSM) we honor the diversity of our shared heritage by using the term "Latiné" which denotes a more gender and language inclusive way to refer to a large umbrella of people who are not monolith.

This Year's Theme: The Expansiveness of Latinidad

The term Latinidad is a complex one, as it implies the existence of a common Latiné identity that crosses boundaries and binds entire communities together (Caminero-Santangelo, 2013). At the same time, it is important to question who has historically counted as Latiné, recognizing that Blackness, indigenous heritages, and many other groups are often erased in the concept of Latinidad (Flores, 2021).

This year's theme highlights the expansiveness and diversity of our shared Latiné heritage, centering communities and cultures that are often marginalized and pushed to the margins. The CSM Latiné Heritage Month 2026 is a celebration of the differences that bring us together, a celebration where everyone feels welcome, honored, and represented.

Get involved!

We are currently planning the upcoming 2026 Latiné Heritage Month at CSM and we invite you to join us. You are welcome to collaborate on any of the events already under way or lead a new one. Take a look at our LHM calendar and choose how you want to get involved.