Hispanic Heritage Month takes place in the US annually from 15th September to 15th October as a time to recognise and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures and extensive histories of the American Latinx community. Beginning in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month was originally observed as “Hispanic Heritage Week” under President Lyndon Johnson, but it was later extended to a month during President Ronald Reagan’s term in 1988.
Since then, the month has been celebrated nationwide through festivals, art shows, conferences, community gatherings and much more. The month also celebrates the independence days of several Latinx American countries, including: Cost Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua on 15th September, Mexico on 16th September and Chile on 18th September. They also include holidays that recognise Hispanic contributions such as Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship Day that is celebrated in the US Virgin Islands.
As PHD recognises the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history and culture of the US, the PHD US team is highlighting a few Latinx PHDers who exemplify the PHD spirit.
Meet Doug Valiente, Planning & Optimisation Manager, PHD US
What is your role? How long have you been at PHD?
Valiente: I am a programmatic manager leading programmatic trading best practice and expertise on the SC Johnson account. I have also acted as a Chicago trading resource for other traders in the Chicago office. At the end of October I will have been at PHD for two and a half years.
What is your Hispanic background?
Valiente: My parents are both from Guatemala City, Guatemala.
What Hispanic traditions do you incorporate in your daily life?
Valiente: I keep Hispanic cuisine close to the heart and go out of the way to find local restaurants that bring the home cooked meal feel to their food. I believe Hispanic cuisine is very bold and you can feel the emotion, care, and hard work of the people who work hard to bring their native cuisine and specialties to cities like Chicago. I like to support that passion.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you? Why is it important to have this type of month?
Valiente: Hispanic Heritage Month is a month to be proud of being Hispanic and celebrate all the hard work we do. It brings a sense of community from people across different areas of expertise that potentially may not have overlapped which I believe is an extremely important connection to have.
What advice can you give other Hispanics/Latinos pursuing a career in media?
Valiente: Be confident in yourself and never back down from your ideas. Just because something has never been done before or is not the way things have been done does not mean it cannot be accomplished. Pushing the boundaries of what is expected helps drive innovation and in media there is always room for new ways of thinking. So let the creativity and passion flow as it will push those around you to think outside the box.
Fun question, what is your favorite Hispanic dish?
Valiente: Lechon.
