Latino diversity is beyond skin deep

Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States is celebrated each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. This is an opportunity to highlight and commemorate the contributions that American Latinos have made to the country throughout history.

As the Latino demographic has grown to nearly 18 percent ($57 million) of the entire population, the movement toward making diversity a priority in corporations, organizations, and in general a public interest, Hispanic Heritage Month has grown in intensity.

Despite this, education and awareness about Latinos continues to be a necessity as Latino encompasses people from various races, ethnicities, and nationalities. As a chef entrepreneur, it is my mission to help individuals and companies bridge the knowledge gap and develop a broader understanding and appreciation of Latin cultural nuances through consulting, keynote speaking, and healthy gourmet experiences.

My goal of using gourmet cuisine as a platform to educate is beyond skin deep as diversity is a multifaceted term that encompasses much more than ethnicity or nationality. Respect and tolerance out to be at the top of this movement’s agenda as they are better tactics to establish dialogue or solve any conflict or misunderstanding.

As the country progresses to a minority-majority and the aging trend reverses, confusion and disruption has created challenges and opportunities for individuals and businesses alike. A lack of precedence and experience in handling diversity from a multi-cultural angle continues to be a challenge for some corporations and as a result, new executive titles (chief diversity officer and the like), are growing in our business environment to address the fast-changing situation.

This is a change in the right direction. Historically Latinos have made great strides and sacrifices that have gone unnoticed or unrecognized. New generations are beginning to change this as Latinos are emerging with greater strength and numbers than in the past in politics, entertainment, education, business, and in many more industries where there was a low number of participation or an absence altogether.

Progress has been made but much work still lies ahead especially in the professional women and entrepreneur area. My work encompasses not only education about cultural nuances but inspiring aspiring women entrepreneurs to self-empower to pursue their passion and purpose.

During this time, I present to corporations in Minnesota and in other states on a variety of topics. Here I am recently at Ecolab, one of the most admired companies by Fortune Magazine, speaking about entrepreneurship, wellness, grit, resilience, Latin culture and gourmet cuisine, and signing books in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

REVUE magazine article by Chef Amalia Moreno-Damgaard

Amalia Moreno-Damgaard is an award-winning bestselling chef author born and raised in Guatemala City currently living in the Twin Cities. She provides individuals and companies with a taste and understanding of Latin cultures through healthy gourmet cuisine education, consulting, bilingual speaking and writing and fun culinary experiences.

Her cookbook “Amalia’s Guatemalan Kitchen-Gourmet Cuisine With A Cultural Flair” has won 9 international awards. AmaliaLLC.com