Hispanic Heritage Month is unfolding in the Inland Empire with celebrations in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, with events/festivals, campus celebrations, and exhibits. The most common celebrations are in the colleges and universities among first-generation Latino students. They are celebrating their culture and using their families’ sacrifices as motivation, such as seeking higher education and more.
In the Inland Empire, there is a large Latino population that continues to grow. “Latinos now comprise a majority of the region’s population at 51.5% – an estimated 2.37 million people.” Many of these individuals are the first in their families to pursue higher education; this month holds more significance for first-generation students, as it serves as a form of recognition for their hard work, pride, and identity amid academic pressure.
“As a first-generation student, my family’s heritage has shaped the way I view my education and goals,” said Crystal Jimenez, a student at the University of California, Riverside. “Growing up, I watched both my parents work tirelessly to build a better life for my siblings and me. My mom gave up her dreams and her childhood to create a better life for her family, and my dad gave up all his time working hard to make sure my siblings and I always had fresh food or clothes. Their sacrifices taught me the real meaning of perseverance and gratitude.”
Deyanira Ledesma, now a registered nurse, shares the meaning of education and her dedication to her parents.
“Education for me is not just about earning a degree; it’s about honoring my mother and father. Not only will my name be on there, but my mom’s and dad’s names will be on there. Being the first in my family to go to college has made me realize that achieving goals doesn’t end with me; if anything, I will carry that success and share it with those who will come after.
Local colleges celebrate this month with events to bring the community and their students together. The Riverside Community College hosted events throughout the month, including Aztec dance performances and a Latin Banquet. Mt. San Jacinto Community College District also held events, such as an embroidery workshop and a café with pan dulce, both open to all students.
Seeing all these celebrations and cultural events on campus deeply showcases that representation matters. For many Latino students, these moments affirm that they belong and that their voices, heritage, and stories have a rightful place within higher education. Not only are academic pressures among the many challenges students face, but they are also challenging long-standing stereotypes and expectations within their own communities. They are seeking something greater, beyond personal achievement; they are striving to create lasting change and uplift the Latino community, hoping to become role models for future generations. While there is growth in the representation and achievements, not only in Southern California but across the United States, educational gaps still remain. In the Inland Empire, “Only 11% of Latinos have a bachelor’s degree or higher, well below the state average (35%) and the national average (33%). Latinos in the IE are also nearly only a third as likely as non-Hispanic Whites in the region to hold a bachelor’s degree or higher (11% versus 29%, respectively).”
When asked what Hispanic Heritage Month means to her personally, Crystal says it represents pride.
“Hispanic Heritage month to me signifies the roots of where I come from, and it should be something I should be proud of and not something to hide. It is a celebration of resilience, unity, and the beauty of the Hispanic traditions,” she says. “As a college student, I express my culture by teaching others about our traditional foods and sharing recipes or hacks. I carry my culture by the way I treat others, which is with warmth and respect, just as I was always taught. This beautiful celebration is a reminder that my culture is my strength that will always continue to guide me in my education and my future.”
Information on more celebrations:
https://www.msjc.edu/hsi/documents/Celebrating-Latine-Heritage-Month-2025.pdf
https://riversideca.gov/calendar/event/hispanic-heritage-celebration
https://www.rcc.edu/life-at-rcc/events/hispanic-heritage-month-2025.html
https://www.csusb.edu/heritage-months/hispanic-heritage-month
