Throughout September and October, DroneDeploy hosts various events and educational opportunities representative of Latinx culture in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Originally founded in 1968 as a week-long celebration aligned with multiple Latin American Independence Days, National Hispanic Heritage Month has since expanded to a month-long observance recognizing the histories, culture, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. As we’re right in the middle of this celebration, we take a look at some of the activities DroneDeployers are participating in, courtesy of our People Operations team.
Lunch & Learn
On Thursday, September 24th, our Office Coordinator, Stephanie Sanchez, hosted a virtual “Lunch & Learn” event detailing the history and cultural significance of Hispanic Heritage Month. Throughout the presentation, employees learned about correct inclusive language, ethnic groups, and charitable causes within the diverse Latinx community. Among the topics highlighted were notable Latinx inventors, musicians, activists, and everyone’s favorite - food.
Zumba
Zumba originated in Cali, Colombia as an exercise fitness program by choreographer Alberto Perez. Since its inception in 1998, Zumba has exploded in popularity, with over 14 million students enrolled in 186+ countries.
To support employees’ health and wellness, DroneDeploy hosts weekly Zumba classes with Latina business owner Margarita Garcia. An instructor for over 6 years based in Riverside, California, Margarita told us, “Dancing is my passion - so whether it’s virtual or live, I hope to make participants happy throughout my classes. Zumba is not just a workout, it’s about expressing yourself through dance!”
Resources
In addition to these events, our People Operations team shares helpful educational resources for those interested in learning more about Hispanic heritage. Our #music Slack channel is filled with Hispanic/Latinx musician spotlights weekly, and we also receive book recommendations from various Hispanic/Latinx authors.
Although Hispanic Heritage Month ends October 15th, we can celebrate all year round. We encourage our employees to actively educate themselves and support Latinx voices. ¡Nuestra Voz Volará!
