Governor Cooper has proclaimed September 15 – October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month to honor and celebrate the history, culture and achievements of the Hispanic, Latino and Latinx communities across North Carolina. This year’s theme is Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation.

“Thanks to the countless contributions from generations of Hispanic, Latino and Latinx people, our state is a stronger place to live and work,” Governor Cooper said. “As we celebrate their achievements, we must continue working to make North Carolina more just and equitable for all.”

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated between September 15 – October 15 when seven Latin American countries celebrate their independence days.

Governor Cooper is committed to uplifting and supporting the inclusion and equitable access of resources for our diverse Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx communities, which represent an important and growing demographic in North Carolina. In 2017, Gov. Cooper signed Executive Order No. 23, establishing the Governor’s Advisory Council on Hispanic/Latino/Latinx Affairs to advise the Governor on issues related to the Hispanic, Latino and Latinx population and how North Carolina can better support the communities.

As the state emerges from the pandemic, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) remains committed to supporting the Hispanic, Latino and Latinx communities. NCDHHS translated
COVID-19 information in Spanish and worked to ensure that access to vaccines was equitable across the state. In June 2020, NCDHHS awarded a total of $500,000 in grants to five local North Carolina organizations to help address the disparate impact of COVID-19 among the state’s Hispanic, Latino and Latinx communities.

Governor Cooper’s administration is committed to ensuring that Spanish-speaking communities have access to information across state government agencies with translators and language access plans.