Celebrating Traditions and Trailblazers
Mauricio Quintanar
Software Engineer
Why is National Hispanic Heritage Month important to you?
National Hispanic Heritage Month allows the sharing of the many diverse stories, customs, and traditions that showcase the beauty of our culture. There are different countries, with their unique traditions, food, and music represented and it provides the opportunity to educate others about our culture and the diversity that exists within the Hispanic community.
I think it serves a reminder of the unity within the Hispanic Community and that we bring different things. I am grateful that I can share and continue the traditions with my family and friends, such as “Día de los Muertos” (Day of the Dead) in November and posadas (Christmas parties) starting in mid-December — and emphasize the importance of preserving these traditions for future generations.
Who is a Latinx figure you admire, public or personal, and why?
I am a huge fan of Edward James Olmos, not only for his influential and impactful roles in movies such as Stand and Deliver, Selena and Zoot Suit, or television shows such as Battlestar Galactica and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., but also for all his advocacy work helping advance important causes for the Mexican American community. He is a supporter of numerous social and political causes, such as civil rights, education, and Latino representation in the entertainment industry. I was fortunate to meet him in person while I was in college, where he was a guest speaker for the Latino Student Union and spoke on issues important to the Hispanic community.
How can others get involved and show their support during National Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond?
I recommend attending local Hispanic Heritage Month events, such as cultural festivals or museum exhibits. Many of them have dance performances, music, and art and crafts exhibitions. My family and I have been going to the “Día de los Muertos” celebration for some time now. We watch the parade, enjoy the food, listen to music and we often buy some crafts or clothes from the vendors — it is an excellent way to show support.
An Emphasis on Community and Curiosity
Johnana Bustillos
Director, Global Taxation
How is Q2’s mission to build strong and diverse communities reflected, through its employee resource groups or in other ways?
I see a lot of servant leadership, which is a part of Hispanic leadership. Q2 is actively involved in the community through many avenues – food drives, volunteering and giving back. I think it’s important to emphasize the idea that to motivate and engage those around you, you need to ‘get your hands dirty’ in the process.
Why is National Hispanic Heritage Month important to you?
To me, it is the opportunity to learn about Hispanic history, culture and civic contributions. The term “Hispanic” took hold in the U.S. in the 1970s, when organizations lobbied the government to have their community included in the U.S. Census as a distinct ethnic category. Latinx Q2 has an active book club focusing on Latino leadership. As we discuss the current book, we are learning about amazing, strong Hispanic leaders who made changes in their communities. It’s part of the “we” orientation of thinking, la familia, present in Hispanic/Latino communities today that continues to move us forward.
How can others get involved and show their support during National Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond?
Be curious. Ask others around you about their experiences. Attend a local festival or event. Read books by Hispanic authors. Learn some Spanish or Portuguese. The contributions of Mexicans, Latin Americans, and Caribbean groups are present in many traditions that define us as Americans. Cowboy hats, rodeos and the livelihood of ranching all originated in Spain and Mexico. The word “barbecue” is derived from the Spanish word barbacoa and comes from a mix of Spanish and Caribbean traditions. For local events, check out your local Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Drive, Dedication and Perseverance
Edwin Catano
Customer Success Manager
How is Q2’s mission to build strong and diverse communities reflected through its employee resource groups?
When I joined Q2, our mission and Ten Guiding Principles gave me an insight on the culture at Q2. Being a part of our employee resource groups (ERGs) has helped me gain valuable knowledge about the diverse communities that are within Q2. It has been a pleasure to see our Latinx ERG form and develop a community where we can support each other and see the positive impact around us. Many of us are members of multiple ERGs, and it is because we truly are a diverse community that is here to strengthen each other. Although we all have busy days, I highly recommend participating in some of the activities that our ERGs host! Each of us is a part of this strong and diverse community.
What does National Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you and your family?
National Hispanic Heritage Month is a special time for me and my family. It is a time that we can celebrate our culture by looking back in our family tree and remembering how our ancestors contributed to society and paved the way for us today. It gives us strength to continue their legacy by upholding their values, spreading kindness to all, and do our very best in all walks of life. We especially enjoy making traditional dishes that have been passed down in our families. While we are cooking, we put on music that our parents and grandparents listened to, which takes us back to those memorable times when they were around us. We can be proud of our heritage daily, but during this month, we dig a little deeper and take time to learn more about the countless positive contributions from the Latinx community.
Who is a Latinx person that you admire and why?
There are many Latinx people that come to mind with this question. The one person that I admire the most is my father. He instilled many strong values in me that have helped me become the person that I am today. My dad always put our family first and tried to provide us with the best life possible. We grew up without having much and we had to watch the pennies to have the dollars take care of themselves. Wanting to provide us with a better life, my dad went back to school in his mid-40s and acquired a mechanical engineering degree. Throughout this journey, I witnessed him reach this goal through dedication and persevering through any challenge that arose. He dealt with Parkinson’s throughout his later years, and it made everything tougher for him, but he never gave up. His drive, dedication, and perseverance became a part of who I am and always will be.
