Hispanic Heritage Month



Celebrating the Pieces that Make Up the Whole

What is Hispanic Heritage? Finding one answer to that question may be impossible. More than 30 countries are considered Hispanic. That’s more than 400 million people, from Spain to El Salvador, all with different traditions and values, making this time of year a unique opportunity to learn about the nuances of culture and celebrate the similarities that unite us all.

We’re proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by sharing stories, experiences and memories from our Hispanic and Latino team members that highlight the vibrant diversity this community offers.


The History Behind the Month

For more than 50 years, Americans have observed and celebrated Hispanic and Latin culture. President Lyndon B. Johnson first established Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968, reflecting a growing awareness of the impact Hispanic communities have on the country’s history and culture.

Twenty years later, President Ronald Reagan expanded the observance, officially establishing Hispanic Heritage Month. Choosing September 15 as a start date coincides with the independence anniversaries of Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, with Mexico and Chile celebrating their independence days shortly after that.


Notable Historic Figures

The Hispanic community has played an important role in influencing every corner of American society. This list is far from exhaustive but represents a wide range of accomplishments.

  • Ellen Ochoa was the first Hispanic woman to go to space and flew on four space shuttle missions, later becoming the first Hispanic director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

  • Roberto Clemente became the first Puerto Rican MLB player to win a World Series as a starter and to be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

  • Frida Kahlo was a Mexican artist, celebrated for her many portraits and colorful works inspired by folk art and popular Hispanic culture.  Her unique style embraced women's strength and brought a realistic portrayal of Mexican traditions to art lovers all over the world.

  • Luis von Ahn, a Guatemalan American computer scientist and entrepreneur, co-invented CAPTCHA and reCAPTCHA, systems that help protect websites from bots. He is also the co-founder, Chief Executive Officer & Board Chairman of Duolingo.

  • Rita Moreno is the first and only Latina woman to achieve EGOT status having won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards. Best known for her portrayal of Anita in “West Side Story,” the Puerto Rican performer has a decorated film, stage and television career spanning over 70 years.

  • Dr. Héctor Perez García  was a Mexican American physician and surgeon who earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1984. The World War II veteran voluntarily served in the U.S. Army to provide medical care and founded the American GI Forum of Texas to ensure educational equity and medical benefits for Hispanic American veterans.

Making it Personal

Learning from someone who's lived a different culture captures the human element of heritage that stats and reports can’t possibly represent. The employee resource groups at Synovus provide community, connection and conversation for team members and allies throughout the footprint.

Aquí Nos, the ERG for Hispanic/Latino team members, continues to grow each year and currently represents more than 13 countries. Hailing from several different corners of the world, Synovus team members proudly share beloved memories and treasures to display what this celebration means to them.

Kathryn Arana – Colombia

Tony Fuentes – El Salvador

Leonardo Guillen – Peru

Robert Ketter – Guatemala

Alexander Noda – Cuba

Julissa Santoyo – Mexico

Carolina Sosa – Cuba

Rudy Sosa-Febo – Puerto Rico


Never Stop Learning

Helping people navigate financial complexity through education is a core principle of ours. Regardless of who you are, where you’re from or your stage of life, you deserve access to resources that help you successfully manage your finances. Use the articles in our Personal Resource Center to stay informed and gain insights on everything from fraud prevention to mortgage basics. Learn more: https://www.synovus.com/personal/resource-center/.


Committed to Inclusivity

We understand the value of creating an environment that appreciates the individuality of all team members. Learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion at Synovus: https://www.synovus.com/2023-dei-report/.