National Hispanic Heritage Month takes place from September 15th to October 15th each year. It celebrates “the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.”

We interviewed two of our Senior Recruiting Partners, Antonio Soto and Jamaloan Abraham, to learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month and what it means to them. 

Antonio, what does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?  

“For a son of Puerto Rican parents growing up in Florida, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is a deeply personal and meaningful experience. It’s a time to connect with our roots, honor our family and ancestors, and embrace the rich cultural heritage passed down through generations. 

Growing up in a Puerto Rican household, I was immersed in the vibrant culture from a young age. We danced salsa, enjoyed traditional Puerto Rican dishes like mofongo, arroz con gandules, and lechón, and listened to the rhythms of salsa (nowadays, with my oldest son, it is more reggaeton). Not a day went by when we did not have Latin music playing in the background of our home. These experiences have shaped my identity and given me a strong sense of belonging to my island heritage that I continue to share with my family. 

This month provides an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by my parents, grandparents, and others. After getting married at a young age, my parents left Puerto Rico to seek better opportunities for me and my sister in Florida. Their experiences have inspired my family to appreciate our heritage and work towards a brighter future. 

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is a way to honor our past, embrace the present and our love for family, and look forward to the future with pride and hope. It’s a time to celebrate, connect with your family and community, and continue the legacy of our ancestors. 

I am incredibly proud to be Hispanic. Vamos, mi gente Latino”

Jamaloan, What is the theme for Hispanic Heritage Month this year?  

“This year’s theme is Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together. This theme reminds me of my upbringing and how in Hispanic countries and homes, it truly feels like you are raised by a village.  

I was born in Bluefields, Nicaragua. My mother was 1 of 9 siblings, and my father was 1 of 6 siblings. You could say that there was always someone around to watch you, feed you, take care of you, and play with! Cousins are family and your first best friends. We truly grew up in an ‘everyone helps everyone’ type of environment. We shared everything and always looked out for one another. This is often the norm in Hispanic families, and we carry that into our everyday lives – whether that be at work, with friends, sports, school, and community involvement. It seems as though we are always trying to find ways to stick our noses in everything and help everyone! There is a certain unbreakable unity that exists among Hispanic families and everyone that we interact with. Reaching out without being asked and going above and beyond to lend a hand is something that is in our Hispanic DNA. From the moment you are born, you see it and feel it happening all around you. It is a generational and cultural rule and norm. Even today, my mother, who lives here in the United States, helps her siblings in Nicaragua so my cousins can go to college. She helps with any resources she possibly can from across the miles.”

Jamaloan, do you feel companies can create that same, ‘It Takes a Village’, feeling among their teams? 

“Definitely! I think it’s up to the companies themselves to create the right kind of culture.  

Before joining Goodwin Recruiting, I was in an aggressive sales environment, feeling as if I had to watch my own back and be fast or you’re out. Coming from that type of background, I was a little nervous about joining the Goodwin Recruiting team. But I quickly learned that at Goodwin Recruiting it was the opposite! In working alongside my fellow recruiting partners, I discovered that everyone wanted to find the right opportunities for our candidates. It was not all about “this is mine.” Instead, it was: “How can we collaborate to give these candidates more opportunities for them and their families?” and “How can we exceed our clients’ expectations and truly be a partner providing long term solutions?”.  

My first placement at Goodwin Recruiting was with Simón de Swaan. Simón took the time to have real conversations with me – to teach and guide me. It was not transactional and there were never any conversations about fees or money. It was only about the candidates and the clients. What was good for them – what made sense – and was it going to work long-term. 

Throughout these past 4 years at Goodwin Recruiting, my colleagues and leaders have reminded me in numerous ways of my family, my aunts, and my cousins. They go above and beyond to help and advise. To do what is right when it does not benefit them in any way. The culture that Eric Goodwin and the entire Goodwin Recruiting Team provide every day is insurmountable. There is always someone to lean on if you are having a bad day, always someone to talk to when you need to vent, always someone to give advice during any sort of negotiation, always someone who will have your back and cover for you if you are sick or a family member is sick or something is going on. And 10/10 they do it without getting anything in return. They do it because it is the right thing to do. We are just like a large Hispanic family. We are there for each other even when it’s hard and even when it does not benefit us in any way. With the 2024 theme for Hispanic Heritage Month being Pioneers of Change, my message to everyone reading this is to think… What would happen if I treated everyone I encounter as family? Think of how many people’s lives you can touch and help to positively shape their future!”

Antonio, in the recruiting space, how can employers better connect with diverse talent pools? 

“Connecting with diverse talent pools is essential for fostering innovation, creativity, and a more inclusive workplace. One major way for employers to attract and retain diverse candidates is to reevaluate their hiring practices – use blind resumes or structured interviews to minimize personal biases, gender-neutral language in job descriptions to avoid stereotypes, and include diverse individuals in interview panels to provide different perspectives. They can also utilize job boards specifically designed for underrepresented groups, implement programs and policies that promote diversity and inclusion, offer mentorship programs, and provide flexible work options to accommodate diverse needs. 

Another way is to enhance their employer branding. Highlight their company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in their employer branding materials. Be genuine and transparent about company culture and values. Offer training programs that address unconscious bias and cultural competency. Create opportunities for growth. And the list goes on! But ultimately, companies have the ability to create a more inclusive and welcoming workplace, which will attract and retain diverse talent.”