Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 16

The Miami-Dade County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board (HAAB) invites you to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with a vibrant celebration featuring mariachis in honor of Mexican Independence Day, a tribute to Colombia and Latin America through art and music, paintings from across the Hispanic world, and the lively rhythms of salsa and merengue celebrating Cuba and the Caribbean. The event will take place at noon, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in the lobby of the Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 NW 1st Street, Miami, FL. Elected officials and members of the Consular Corps of Miami will be in attendance to celebrate the occasion.

The observance of Hispanic Heritage Month started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson. It was expanded by President Ronald Reagan and enacted into law in 1988 to cover a 30-day period from September 15 to October 15. It is a time to appreciate and celebrate the colorful cultures, rich histories, and diversity of Hispanic communities.

September 15 is set as the starting date for the month as it is important for many reasons. It is the independence anniversary for the following Latin American countries: El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras. Then, the independence days of Mexico and Chile fall on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, every year on October 12, several Latin American countries celebrate Día de la Raza (National Day of Spain and Día de la Hispanidad), which commemorates the day when Christopher Columbus arrived on the continent. In the United States, Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday of the month, this year falling on Oct. 13, 2025.

All meetings and events of the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board are open to the public, and residents are encouraged to attend. Miami-Dade County provides equal access and opportunity in its programs, services, employment, and activities, and does not discriminate based on disability. For more information or to request materials in accessible format, sign language interpreters, CART services, and/or any accommodation to participate in any County-sponsored program or meeting, please email HAAB Program Officer Griselle Marino or call 305-297-3139. Follow the board on Instagram, Facebook and X.

The Office of Community Advocacy, operating under the Board of County Commissioners, oversees 12 advisory boards, including the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board, as well as the Goodwill Ambassadors Program. The Office is committed to fostering a unified and inclusive community in Miami-Dade County. Stay updated by subscribing to our YouTube channel and following @AdvocacyMDC on Facebook, Instagram, and X.