During Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 through October 15) the UCSF Anchor Institution Initiative team wants to recognize Hispanic, Mex-Am, Chicana/Chicano, Latina/Latino and Latinx owned businesses. Our commitment to supplier diversity and inclusion affirms the importance to celebrate the many cultures that make up American communities as well as in the marketplace.

The pandemic has disproportionately impacted women and Latina communities both personally and financially. According to the Pew Research Center, 52 percent of Latino adults reported having a family member or close friend that was hospitalized or died from COVID-19. Despite these challenges, this community is the fastest growing business demographic group across many industries in our nation. We seek to attract diverse suppliers by promoting cross-cultural communication to connect with this emerging market.

COVID-19 has severely impacted the restaurant industry, with Latino-led businesses being some of the hardest hit. UCSF is in the process of onboarding a new Mexican street food caterer to our Supplier Diversity Catering Program with America To Go that came our way through our community advocacy group Working Solutions.

To learn more about the state of Latino entrepreneurship read the Stanford Research Study.

To participate in the month long celebrations with a collective of organizations and our UCSF community, check out resources at Latinx Heritage Month 2021.

If you would like support in your effort to include diverse, small and local business in your purchasing or want to join the Anchors Away Team Brainstorming Meetings, please contact Marliz Copado.