Observing Hispanic Heritage Month in the ‘Burgh

by Kaidia Pickels, D&I Committee Member

National Hispanic Heritage Month 2022 kicked off on September 15th, marking the beginning of the annual celebration of the many historical and cultural achievements of Hispanic Americans and their immeasurable contributions to the United States.

To both honor this month and offer meaningful content that supports Hispanic American PR professionals in our region, PRSA Pittsburgh has gathered a selection of resources and organizations dedicated to the development, recruitment and promotion of Hispanic American PR talent here in the ‘Burgh. Feliz Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana!

Professional Development

The Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (PMAHCC) is the preeminent regional organization that advocates for Hispanic-led businesses and the Hispanic community’s economic and civic interests in Pittsburgh. Its activities include networking opportunities with Latino business people and professionals in the region, access to U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) resources and events, education and advisement for business owners and professionals, and invaluable development tools such as microloans, brokered introductions to corporations and elected officials, and access to public contracting opportunities.

Since 2008, the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) chapter in Pittsburgh provides its members with opportunities for “professional networking, development of leadership talent, relationship building and proving of integrity.” The organization also offers best practice guides and a mentoring program to support Hispanic and Latino professionals in every stage of their careers.

The Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation (PHDC) is an organization that focuses on community development in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area and is “dedicated to improving the lives of Hispanics in the region, increasing the Hispanic population, supporting existing and new Hispanic businesses, and increasing Hispanic investment in the region.”

Lastly, Hispanic and Latino professionals in Pittsburgh should also be aware of Vibrant Pittsburgh, a nonprofit membership organization with the goal of attracting, retaining, and elevating a diversity of talent to boost the economic vitality of the Pittsburgh region. Last year we heard from Vibrant Pittsburgh’s president and CEO Sabrina Saunders-Mosby about how her organization works with member corporations to enhance their diversity of talent through its D&I Forum, Employee Business Resource Group (EBRG) Council, mentorship program, and more.

Recruiting and Promoting

The New America Alliance (NAA), the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE), and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute provide employers with opportunities to engage with and invest in developing future Latinx leaders in business, and the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) represents nearly 50 million Hispanic professionals through its coalition of 14 member organizations that combine to create an unmatched national pool of Latinx talent.

Industry-specific groups like the Society of Hispanic Engineers (SHPE), Prospanica, and the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA) support Latinx talent in their chosen fields, and student organizations like the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and the National Hispanic Institute (NHI) offer corporations the opportunity to invest in and network with the next generation of Latinx professionals.

Additionally, the Alliance for Board Diversity (ABD) and the National Diversity Council (NDC) are coalitions of diversity-focused groups that offer opportunities for corporate partnerships with diversity councils and referrals for aspiring women and minority professionals who aspire to be board members. The Association of ERGs and Councils also offers its members top-tier resources and training for developing and maintaining a diverse workplace.

INROADS, Inc. and The Ph.D. Project are organizations that support students from diverse backgrounds in pursuing professional opportunities and advanced degrees, which helps to create a more diverse future workforce. Both organizations provide opportunities for career placements and job postings.

Learn More & Take the PRSA Pittsburgh D&I Pledge

PRSA Pittsburgh encourages its members to access its Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit for more information on ways to cultivate diversity and inclusion in the workplace all year round.

Additionally, PRSA Pittsburgh’s D&I Committee is proud to present our D&I pledge to PRSA members. The intent of the pledge is to advance diversity and inclusion in the communications and PR profession. After taking the pledge, we hope employers spark hard conversations in their workplaces and begin to build a more diverse and inclusive environment, ultimately earning deeper trust and more commitment from their employees.

PRSA Pittsburgh encourages PRSA members to virtually sign and commit to our D&I pledge. We also encourage members to print out and share the pledge (PDF) with their colleagues and peers who may not have access to technology. 

Communications and PR professionals of all identities and seniority levels are encouraged to inquire about joining our Diversity & Inclusion Committee at info@prsa-pgh.org.