Honoring heritage, inspiring the future: Celebrating Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month
From Metro’s Metro’s Equity, Inclusion and Belonging team
From Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, we recognize Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month, honoring the histories, cultures, and contributions of Latinx/Hispanic communities across our region and country. This observance also highlights the importance of representation, connection, and belonging; values we strive to integrate into our workplace and service every day at Metro.
The 2025 theme , “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future,” reminds us that our stories are interconnected, honoring traditions passed down through generations while shaping what lies ahead. In her foreword, Organizational Health & Development Manager Janine Anzalota reflects on what Hispanic Heritage Month means to her as a leader, the importance of representation, and how her own experiences living between cultures inspire her commitment to fostering belonging at Metro.
Foreword from Janine Anzalota (she/her)
As a Metro leader, Hispanic Heritage Month holds deep meaning for me. I know how important it is for Hispanic, Latino and Latine/x staff to see themselves represented in leadership, and I hope my presence helps show that these roles are within reach if that is the path they wish to pursue. Our community is vast and diverse, and the words we use to describe ourselves—Hispanic, Latino, Latine or Latinx—are all valid. What unites us are the powerful contributions that people across our region have made to advance equity, justice and opportunity. Latino leaders built organizations such as Sea Mar Community Health Centers, El Centro de la Raza and Casa Latina, which remain pillars in the fight for civil rights, immigrant rights, labor rights and culturally focused health care.
On a personal level, I connect with a saying in Spanish: ni de aquí ni de allá — “neither from here nor from there.” It reflects the experience of many who live between cultures, not always feeling fully rooted in either their birthplace or ancestral land. As a Puerto Rican living in Washington, where our community is smaller than in other states, I often long for more of the traditions that reflect my identity. And yet, through music, art and connection with others, I have found ways to bridge that space. Artists like Bad Bunny, who speak openly about Puerto Rican cultural pride and the struggles of gentrification and displacement, create a shared language that resonates with Latinos of many backgrounds and helps me feel more connected.
My message for all of us this month is simple: You belong here, and you are welcome here. We have each other’s backs, and we are in this together. Many of us may feel our own version of ni de aquí ni de allá, but what we can always control is how we show up for one another—with respect, compassion and solidarity.
Building on Janine’s reflections, a few of our share how their heritage influences the way they show up at work, connect with community and carry traditions into their daily lives.
Dre Austin (he/him), Transit Operator, Bus Operations
“Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, to me, is about family, culture, togetherness, and pride. Growing up, our traditions were rooted in family: my mom cooking and opening presents at midnight on Christmas Eve, celebrating birthdays with mariachi bands, and traveling to Guatemala to visit relatives. Those trips are some of my most memorable experiences—climbing the Mayan ruins in Tikal, walking the colorful markets in Antigua, and even buying a guitar there that still hangs in my office today. Music, food, and connection have always been central to my life.
My cultural background has shaped how I show up at Metro, both behind the wheel and in my creative work. It has taught me the importance of communication, inclusivity and connection. I take pride in bringing my heritage into my role, whether engaging with riders or contributing to storytelling efforts through visuals and photography that uplift our community.”
Vannessa Blea (she/her), Creative Chief, General Manager’s Office
“For me, this month is a celebration—and an opportunity to show the world that we are here, take up space, and celebrate the immense contributions that the Latinx/Hispanic communities have made. My family taught me to be welcoming, compassionate and curious, and those values carry into my work at Metro as I experience and celebrate diverse cultures every day.”
Omar Hernandez (he/him), Customer Services Coordinator Lead, Mobility
“I grew up in South Texas along the border, where culture and tradition were part of everyday life, not set aside for a single month. Family gatherings were full of music, food, and celebration, with mariachi, rancheras, and homemade Tex-Mex dishes bringing everyone together. Moving to Seattle gave me a new perspective, and Hispanic Heritage Month became an opportunity to learn about the many cultures in our community. In my role at Metro, I’m proud to create a welcoming experience for Spanish-speaking customers. Speaking their language and honoring their culture helps build trust and makes people feel at home, bringing a piece of my own traditions into the work I do every day.”
Metro is proud to celebrate Latinx/Hispanic Heritage through programs and community events year-round. Earlier this year, we partnered with Latino Northwest Communications to install new photomurals at bus shelters across King County, showcasing folkloric dance, community celebrations, and other cultural traditions. Read more about the Bus Shelter Mural Program on the Metro Matter blog. Additionally, Metro sponsored and participated in community events such as the El Grito Concert and the Fiestas Patrias Parade (pictured), offering meaningful opportunities to connect with and honor the Latinx/Hispanic community firsthand.
To learn more about Latinx/Hispanic Heritage visit the Sea Mar Museum of Chicano/a/Latino/a Culture in Washington State, or explore this digital guide from Revisiting Washington, highlighting Latino history, culture,\ and scenic routes in our region.