Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off in Western New York

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Hispanic Heritage Month is officially here, and this year’s theme is “Collective Heritage: Honoring the past, inspiring the future.”

“This day reminds us of enduring spirit of freedom and unity, not only in our community but also that continues to inspire generations to come,” said Casimiro D. Rodriguez, the president and founder of Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY.

Hispanic Hertiage Month starts Sept. 15 and runs through Oct. 15.

“The September 15th date was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because of the anniversary of independence of our Latin American countries, such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua,” said Kelly Hernández, one of the board directors of the council.

Hispanic history, food, music, and culture filled the Erie County Public Library in Buffalo on Sept. 15 and will continued to be celebrated through various events throughout the 716.

As the Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY celebrates their 15th anniversary, they’re also working towards their future.

Rodriguez said the construction of the 38,000 square foot Hispanic Heritage Cultural Institute, which is being built on Niagara Street in Buffalo, is on track. They’re hoping to have a grand opening in the summer of 2026.

“Everything that we do today, we focus on the future generation, our children, our grandchildren, those students that are in elementary school, high school–we need to be able to share with them, and many of them were born here in the United States, so we want to make sure that they do not lose their heritage, their history, their culture, their traditions, their language,” said Rodriguez.

For more information about the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York and some of the local events going on throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, visit their website here.