10 ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Google

This blog is also available in Spanish.

Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place from September 15 through October 15, is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of the Latino community. Search trends for Latin American culture have spiked over 570% during the past year with interest in searches about Hispanic food, art and traditions on the rise. Teams across Google are using their products to amplify the voices and culture of the Latino community, and Googlers are planning ways to celebrate the moment across our offices globally.

Here are 10 ways Google is celebrating, recognizing and elevating the Latino community:

1. Building digital skills with Grow with Google

In partnership with TECHNOLOchicas, Grow with Google recently announced a $150,000 grant to help 1,000 young Latinas in Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles study STEM.

Grow with Google will also host in-person trainings at the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce National Conference to help Latino-owned small and medium-size businesses improve their cybersecurity and productivity. Additionally, a free cybersecurity workshop for Spanish-speaking small businesses launched this week on YouTube. Small businesses can sign up to watch on demand at g.co/grow/ciberseguridad.

2. Supporting Latino-led startups

Google for Startups recently announced the recipients of this year’s Latino Founders Fund, a group of promising Latino entrepreneurs who each received $150,000 in cash, $100,000 in Google Cloud credits and hands-on mentorship from Google to grow their businesses. This year’s cohort includes inspiring founders who are solving big challenges — ranging from providing mental health support for children to helping businesses improve their cybersecurity.

3. Spotlighting Latino artists in Chrome

Chrome and Chrome OS’s Latino Artist Series features custom wallpapers and browser themes that reflect the unique perspectives and experiences of each artist. Visit the Chrome Web Store or your Chromebook’s wallpaper gallery to download them today — and look out for four new themes that will be added later this month.

4. Honoring a legend and activist

Today we are kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month with a Google Doodle celebrating Guatemalan American civil rights and fair-labor activist Luisa Moreno. The Doodle, illustrated by guest artist Juliet Menendez, brings to life Moreno’s work empowering and organizing workers across the U.S. for fairer wages and conditions.

5. Sharing stories from the Latino community with Google Assistant

Throughout the month, Google Assistant will feature stories and reflections from members of the Latino community. To hear them, just say, “Hey Google, Happy Hispanic Heritage Month.” You can even listen to them after this month by saying, “Hey Google, tell me a human story.”

6. Exploring Latino cultures on Google Arts & Culture

Google Arts & Culture is spotlighting a variety of meaningful topics, including the vibrant and rhythmic world of Caribbean salsa music, the impact of Latinos with disabilities and the long history of Indigenous Mexico.

7. Highlighting apps, games and books by Latino creators in Google Play

To celebrate this month, Google Play will spotlight apps, games and books made for and by the Latino community. Learn about the founders of Duolingo and Storyplace, discover GamingMermaid’s community-based games, check out author Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s must-reads, and more.

8. Featuring Latino stories on Google TV

Google TV will spotlight movies and TV shows featuring Latino stories and talent in the Featured Carousel throughout the month, using the tag “¡Viva la cultura!” You’ll also see Spanish channels like Estrella TV in the Live Tab, where you can watch content for free with ads. On the For You tab, a specially-designed content collection will also highlight shows and movies to explore and watch free with ads all month.

9. Connecting with Latino creators and influencers on YouTube

YouTube will be spotlighting Latino creators in areas like gaming, cooking and music. Channels to connect with throughout the month will include Ayy_TonyRomero, SassySounds ASMR and music artist Young Miko. Creators will also be featured on YouTube's social handles and in digital billboards at SoFi stadium.

10. Celebrating Latino culture at Google offices around the world

This year, HOLA – Google's Employee Resource Group for Hispanic/Latino Googlers and allies – is using the theme "We are on our way: a celebration of our culture." It aims to honor the past accomplishments, current momentum and future opportunities of the Latino community.

Within this theme, HOLA is organizing events and volunteer opportunities that align with their three pillars of music, leadership and art. Events will include a fireside chat about leadership, a talk with artist and illustrator Andrea Campos and even dance classes for Googlers to learn how to dance salsa and bachata.