Dear Colleagues,
Unique in its timing among all federally designated months, Hispanic Heritage Month is observed annually not on September 1st, but from September 15th to October 15th. During this month, the nation takes time to celebrate the rich diversity of cultures, histories, and traditions found in the American Hispanic/Latino/Latinx community. People who identify as Hispanic and Latino (according to the most recent available data) make up 18.7% of the U.S. population, making them the largest ethnic minority in the country. Some trends indicate that by 2050 Hispanics will represent nearly 30% of the U.S. population. Here are a few statistics about our Hispanic population here in New Jersey.
- Of the approximately 60 million Hispanic people who live in the U.S., 3.1% (or 1.7 million Hispanic people) live here in New Jersey
- The Hispanic population in New Jersey is the seventh largest in the nation
- New Jersey’s population is 19% Hispanic, the eighth largest Hispanic statewide population share nationally (and greater than the 18.7% national population percentage)
- Of the 1,028,981 New Jersey residents (age 5+) who speak English less than “very well,” 7.1% speak Spanish or Spanish Creole
These numbers speak to the prominence of the Hispanic community in New Jersey, and the importance of considering this community as we think about the diversity of our customers. Whether we focus on increasing Hispanic representation in our recruitment efforts for new employees, creating a welcoming and culturally relevant experience in our stations that reside in predominantly Hispanic communities, or exploring how we might enhance the language assistance we provide to our Spanish speaking customers who are limited in their English proficiency, advancing inclusion for this community is an important part of our diversity and inclusion plans and future as an organization.
The theme for Hispanic Heritage Month 2021 is “Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope”. Join me as we take this month to reflect on and celebrate the rich legacy and exciting future of this vibrant community.
Warmly,
Kevin
