Palm Trees, Belonging, and Hispanic Heritage

I’ve never written a personal post for Hispanic Heritage Month, but as a proud Latina, it seems especially important this year to honor my heritage and reflect on what it means to me.

My mom’s family is from South Texas, also known as the Valley. She was born and raised in McAllen, growing up speaking both Spanish and English. My grandparents were also born in the U.S., but some of their family members were not.

On my mom’s side, I have ancestors of Spanish descent who fled to Mexico, and Indigenous ancestors as well. Some in my family say they didn’t cross the border—the border crossed them. Others tell stories of ancestors moving back and forth across the river to follow work before the border was even formalized.

Growing up, I loved going to the Valley. The trips down from Dallas were long, but they were full of anticipation. One of my favorite traditions was keeping an eye out for the first palm tree. That was the signal: we were almost there. Palms meant family, warm weather, delicious food, and a deep sense of belonging.

That memory of palm trees has stayed with me because it represents what culture really is. Culture lives in the symbols, rituals, and shared meanings we pass down. For my family, palm trees became a symbol of home and connection.

Why This Matters for Workplaces

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor the stories and sacrifices of those who came before us. But it’s also a reminder of how culture works in every context—including the workplace.

Culture isn’t abstract. It’s felt in the small things that signal whether we belong. It’s shaped by the stories we tell, the symbols we create, and the rituals we repeat.

In organizations, leaders can choose whether those stories and rituals build belonging or exclusion. Whether they create symbols of trust or symbols of fear. Just as my family found belonging in palm trees, employees look for the markers of whether they are truly seen, valued, and respected at work.

Honoring Heritage, Cultivating Culture

This month, I’ll be celebrating my heritage while continuing my work helping organizations cultivate cultures of trust, respect, and connection. Because when we honor where we come from, we create space for everyone to belong.

🌱 That’s what culture is all about, whether at home or in the workplace. It isn’t something you fix. It’s something you cultivate.

👉 If you’d like weekly insights on culture and belonging, subscribe to my newsletter GrowCulture.
👉 If you want to explore these ideas in community, join The Culture Collective Book Club—our first read in October is Brené Brown’s Strong Ground. Just let me know you are interested, and I’ll send more information.