This Hispanic Heritage Month - which runs from September 15 - October 15 - Up2Us Sports will honor and celebrate our Hispanic and Latinx coaches, VISTAs, staff, and host sites. Each week we will feature members of the Up2Us Sports family who proudly represent their Hispanic heritage and who all wanted to share a bit more about themselves, their culture and how it has shaped who they are and the work they do in the SBYD field.

NAME: James Bruno

POSITION: Up2Us Sports Coach

LOCATION: Uptown Soccer - New York, New York

Why is Hispanic Heritage Month so important?

I feel like Hispanic Heritage Month is so important because there are others who aren’t comfortable sharing about their culture or are afraid of discrimination. I used to think like that too, but honestly, I’m glad I grew out of that. Why? Because I feel like hiding where your culture is from, you’re also hiding a huge piece of yourself - meaning you don’t get to fully express who you are. And it’s very important to express yourself. You would be able to meet amazing people too. Not only that, but it’s a very interesting experience to learn many things about your culture.

What do you love most about your culture?

What I love most about my culture is the music and, of course, the food!!! Especially the different kinds of tacos! Who doesn’t like tacos!?!?!?!

What would you like others to know about what it means to be Hispanic/about your Hispanic culture?

I would like others to know that, although I was born and raised in the USA by my Mexican parents, they taught me that we are hard workers, that we should always show care for one another no matter what and that it’s important for family to have each other’s back. Life is too short to be stuck up on unnecessary problems or hold a grudge. My mom always told me this: “tienen que quererse ahora que estamos juntos, no sabemos que pasará el día de mañana,” meaning “love each other now when we are together, we don’t know what will happen the day of tomorrow." Another piece of advice in which I live by today is: “hablando se entiende la persona,” meaning “with talking out, you’ll be able to understand another person.” There’s so much more both of my parents and my culture have taught me: the music, the food, the parties, and the importance of preparing for the future. Being Mexican is a blessing - don’t be afraid to express where your bloodline is from, learn more about your culture - it is beautiful! With that being said, Happy Hispanic Heritage Month and ARRIBA MEXICO!!!

NAME: Sarah Chavez

POSITION: Up2Us Sports VISTA

LOCATION: SheIS - Cook, Illinois

Why is Hispanic Heritage Month so important?

Hispanic Heritage Month is a perfect reminder to be proud of who you are and where you come from. It is a chance to celebrate our culture, to pay tribute to Hispanic world-changers, and to yell at the top of our lungs about how proud we are of the people that came before us and their contributions to our world!

What special point of view has your Hispanic heritage given you?

My Hispanic heritage has allowed me to appreciate everything that I have. As a Mexican-American living in the United States, I am so appreciative of the choices my great grandparents made, their hard work, and their dedication to love and family. This perspective has allowed me to relate to other immigrant families, looking to better their life, and use my voice to help them on their journey.

What do you love most about your culture?

I love the resilience of my people. Every inch of Mexican culture is a testament to the hard work and perseverance of those that came before us. From the incredible food, to the beautiful music, to the breathtaking artwork, Mexican culture pays tribute to the sacrifices made and the love that was passed down from generation to generation.

Is there a Hispanic figure that has inspired you in your life?

Selena Quintanilla! Selena was a Mexican-American icon who completely changed music and redefined what it meant to be a proud Tejana. As one of the only women in Tejano music, she faced that prejudice head first and taught me how to be a strong woman. She was unapologetically herself and has inspired me to be the same!

What would you like others to know about what it means to be Hispanic/about your Hispanic culture?

All of Hispanic culture is complex and beautiful! Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates so many different people, from different places and backgrounds, each with their own distinct and beautiful culture – when it comes to Hispanic heritage there is so much to celebrate!

NAME: Frank Nares

POSITION: Program Director, Up2Us Sports

LOCATION: Chicago, Illinois

Why is Hispanic Heritage Month so important?

Hispanic Heritage Month is very important to me because it is who I am. It's a chance for the world to not only see important and iconic Hispanic people, but to get a greater understanding of Hispanic culture.

Why do you think it’s important for organizations like Up2Us Sports to have a diverse representation on their staff, especially when working in communities of color?

Plainly put, you can't be what you can't see. The more black and brown coaches and staff members we have, the black and brown kids that we serve can see someone who looks like them, grew up like them, etc. and see a clearer path to achieving their goals.

NAME: Sebastian Diaz

POSITION: Up2Us Sports Coach Alumni (2017-18); Program Manager - Cultures United FC

LOCATION: Seattle, Washington

How do you hope to inspire your athletes through representation as a Hispanic coach? 

I hope to inspire future generations of leaders to pursue their dreams and achieve success. I often see the lack of specially LatinX role models, that is why I work so hard to master my craft so that young generations see that when you are passionate about something and the determination is there, the sky's the limit.

Why is Hispanic Heritage Month so important?

In the United States it is very important that we recognize Hispanic Heritage & celebrate LatinX culture as this country has immensely been impacted by our legacy. Today we are one of the biggest cultures in the country, we are here and contribute to the economy and many aspects of the success of this country. Our footprint is deep in the history of this country as we helped build it, maintain it, and are well interconnected with every big moment this country has faced. This is our country too, and that deserves to be recognized.

How does your organization support young Hispanic/LatinX individuals?

We empower young LatinX individuals through the sport of football. First thing is that we make sure the sport is completely available to everyone that wishes, making sure there are no barriers. We also make other resources available to participants, and families, because we know that essential needs sometimes aren't met, so we work hard to network with other organizations to learn about resources available around us. Another thing we are proud of is empowering individuals to give back to their community and to work on their leadership skills. We understand that the key to a better future lies in showing future leaders what they are capable of doing and exploring their career options.