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��ɫ����Ƶ makes long-term investment into the National Museum of Mexican Art during Hispanic Heritage Month

The Pilsen neighborhood is a hub of Mexican culture in Chicago and, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage month, both culture and business converged at a recent ��ɫ����Ƶ event at the neighborhood’s National Museum of Mexican Art. Colorful banners, authentic Mexican food and treats, and – of course – Mexican art from one of the country’s largest collections were the backdrop for an important conversation about Hispanic culture, heritage and how the narrative of Latinos in the U.S. is changing.

More than 125 ��ɫ����Ƶ employees attended in person and hundreds more joined from across the country via livestream. The event – the bank’s signature employee celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month – brought together Lyanne Alfaro, founder of Moneda Moves, top ��ɫ����Ƶ leaders and others to talk about the beauty and brilliance of Hispanic heritage, culture and success.

��ɫ����Ƶ is a longstanding supporter of the museum, home to one of the largest Mexican art collections in the United States.

“Visiting this special museum is a wonderful way to experience some Mexican art and culture,” said Greg Cunningham, chief diversity officer for ��ɫ����Ƶ, who also helped moderate the event.

“Every historical era and facet of Mexican culture is represented within the four walls of this impressive museum,” he said. “At ��ɫ����Ƶ, we are proud to sponsor this museum and the many other community organizations focused on enriching the Hispanic and Latino communities across our footprint. As we reflect during this Hispanic Heritage Month, we are focused on continuing to better serve our Hispanic and Latino customers.” 

Cunningham and Dominic Venturo, chief digital officer for ��ɫ����Ƶ, hosted the event alongside the ��ɫ����Ƶ Nosotros Latinos Business Resource Group.

Alfaro built her career as a reporter and producer at CNBC, Business Insider and NBC Latino and via Moneda Moves, tells stories about money and culture through a newsletter and podcast. Alfaro also led a discussion that included Oscar Martinez, owner of Azteca Mufflers; Jose Ochoa, president and CEO of the museum; and Cynthia Anthony, a ��ɫ����Ƶ retail branch hub manager in Chicago.

“Growing up in a working-class Latino neighborhood, I saw first builders everywhere,” Alfaro said. “There are three pieces to Latino generational wealth – culture, community and hustle. My parents knew hustle and encouraged me to find it as well through my passion for journalism. For years, Latinos have been absent from U.S. national headlines, and I set out to change that.”

Here’s one example of hustle: Alfaro said new businesses by Latinos made up 36% of launches in 2023. Another example is Martinez, who has grown his Azteca Mufflers to 10 locations in Chicago.

“Our triple threat (culture, community and hustle) has helped us make leaps and bounds in progress,” Alfaro said. “The future still rests on our shoulders, and we have to decide to own it. We need to step into our power, step into community when we ask for help and offer our services. Then we can truly accept the power of we.”