Hispanic Heritage Month provides an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the rich and diverse tapestry of Hispanic and Latinx voices that have made Chicago what it is today.
Their contributions aren’t just evident in Little Village’s authentic Mexican cuisine, Pilsen’s vivid murals of its icons and cultures, or Humboldt Park’s National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture. Historically, Latinx-led organizations have played an influential role in advocating for environmental justice, women’s and workers’ rights, access to quality education, affordable housing and beyond.
Today, the Latino community — which makes up nearly one-third of Chicago’s population and whose businesses generate $15 billion annually in Illinois — will carry the torch forward and continue to deeply impact the city.
“Hispanic Heritage Month gives us the space to highlight how we’re enabling a better understanding of who we are and the challenges we have overcome,” said TransUnion’s Senior Director of Strategic Planning Oscar Machado, who serves as the company’s inclusion and belonging group for Hispanic and Latino colleagues and allies.
Machado shared how his company is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, strengthening communities and supporting its Hispanic and Latino professionals throughout the year.
TransUnion is a global information and insights company that aims to build trust between businesses and consumers through credit reporting and public record data.
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, what is TransUnion doing to celebrate and honor the cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans throughout history?
The Hispanic and Latino community represents a wide range of countries, races and ages, but sometimes we see a common misunderstanding of our community as monolithic. This can lead to missed opportunities to leverage our strengths and experiences.
As the global president for FUTURO, TransUnion’s inclusion and belonging group for Hispanic and Latino associates and allies, I’m proud of the knowledge, visibility and accomplishments our members bring to the organization. Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, TransUnion is celebrating the full breadth of diversity our community has to offer through global events featuring Hispanic and Latino speakers who’ve achieved tremendous success, plus — as always — a focus on our music, one of the best contributions we make to society — aside from food!
What other activities or charitable initiatives do you have planned for Hispanic Heritage Month?
FUTURO has a great lineup of events planned in alignment with our Hispanic Heritage Month theme “TU y tú”, starting with a special “Cafecito” about our South America business, their region-specific challenges and lessons learned. In the second week, we’ll welcome a speaker to discuss her experience as a second-generation Latina businesswoman and how she broke down walls to achieve success. We’re also hosting a panel to celebrate the diversity of our Latino associates and learn how we show up authentically at work based on our unique backgrounds. Finally, we’ll end the month with a musical celebration of our heritage — taking a trip across the wide spectrum of Hispanic and Latino music.
Over the course of the year, FUTURO works closely with TransUnion’s DEIB office to empower our Hispanic and Latino associates via professional development, mentorship programs and volunteer opportunities.”
What are some ongoing programs, initiatives or benefits TransUnion offers to support and empower Hispanic and Latino employees throughout the year?
Over the course of the year, FUTURO works closely with TransUnion’s diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging office to empower our Hispanic and Latino associates via professional development, mentorship programs and volunteer opportunities — including through cultural events that encourage networking and growth opportunities. We’re also proud to support our enterprise commitments to inclusion and efforts to promote TransUnion as a great place to work for job seekers.
