Clearcover Celebrates Latinx Heritage Month
Written by Team Clearcover
Clearcover's Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Council (EIDC) honored the national theme of Latinx Heritage Month 2022, Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation, with a series of programs that showcased the Latinx community and the cultures that comprise it. In our monthly newsletter, EIDC members compiled a list of suggested reading and viewing recommendations that explored a variety of Latinx cultural experiences and highlighted Latinx writers, performers, and filmmakers. The EIDC offered Clearcover-ers a further exploration of Latinx culture through food (recipes included in our newsletter), dance (a virtual salsa lesson), and a presentation on the rich mix of cultures that constitute the Latinx population.
Clearcover's observance of Latinx Heritage Month began in our monthly, company-wide newsletter. Among other announcements, the newsletter included a list of suggested reading and viewing that showcased a wide range of aspects of Latinx culture. The list, compiled by Latinx members of the EIDC, featured works of fiction like How the García Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez, non-fiction examinations of the Latinx experience such as Living Beyond Borders: Growing Up Mexican in America by Margarita Longoria, and portrayals of Latinx culture in movies and television shows from Roma and Volver to Jane the Virgin and several others. And, since no celebration of Latinx culture would be complete without food, the newsletter also featured some Clearcover-ers' traditional recipes including Claims Representative Tamara Gonzales's Puerto Rican Tostones which can be found at the end of this post.
After sharing a sample of Latinx influences on literature, film, television, and food, the EIDC turned their focus to another integral aspect of Latinx culture - dance! They invited all team members to attend a virtual salsa class with Chicago-based dance instructor Matthew Echevarria. From their home offices, Clearcover-ers practiced basic salsa steps, turns and flares. Tamara Gonzales remarked that all of the participants enjoyed the opportunity to be temporary dance students. "We had a great time! I'm very appreciative that Clearcover gave us the space to celebrate Latinx culture and bring in a professional dance instructor."
At the conclusion of the month, several Latinx members of the EIDC hosted a presentation highlighting the mix of cultures and traditions that make up the larger Latinx culture. The presentation included evolving terms for LatinXers such as the difference between Hispanic and Latinx. Presenters delved into the African influences on food, music, and other aspects of Latinx cultures, and explored the variety of Indigenous tribes that shaped Latinx culture and traced the impact they continue to have on modern language and traditions. Customer Advocate Paola Flores Bak presented on Mexican traditions and highlighted the history and process of producing tequila. She even demonstrated her own recipe for the perfect strawberry margarita which can be found at the end of this post. Susana Shanahan, Director of Product Management and a native of Madrid, gave an overview of her Spanish roots and emphasized the passions of all Spaniards - family, food, football, and lifestyle. This quick-moving and informative presentation afforded all Clearcover-ers yet another opportunity to learn about cultures and communities outside of their own.
Throughout the year, the EIDC hosts events and programs that increase Clearcover-ers' knowledge of the multitude of backgrounds that our team members bring to the company. Following recent initiatives during Disability Pride, Pride, and World Autism months, the culture-sharing activities during Latinx Heritage Month furthered the EIDC's goal of creating a workplace where all Clearcover-ers feel seen and heard, are comfortable to fully share their ideas and opinions, and can contribute to their maximum potentials.
We invite you to add your unique viewpoint to our team by applying for one of our open positions today!
