Here we are in the heart of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the very midpoint of the month-long celebration that got underway Sept. 15 to honor the history, culture, and achievements of Americans whose ancestry can be traced to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.
I’m particularly pleased that this year’s chosen theme is “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation.” It seems fitting given what our entire global community has endured coming out of the pandemic and since. Ily Soares, Supervisory Accountant at Farm Credit Administration submitted that winning theme to the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers (NCHPM).
Speaking from the heart, “One uniting factor within our Hispanic community is our desire to be included and represented in all aspects of American society,” Soares emphasized. “As has been proven, when different voices are sitting at the metaphorical table and included in key decisions, the entire community benefits from greater solutions that address concerns from all people.”
Certainly, while negativity abounds in society, this year’s theme offers all of us a powerful, uplifting message. Not only does it encourage us to celebrate our heritage, but it also shows how great our tomorrow can be if we simply be united in our resilience – and hope.
The Roots of Our Celebration
Case in point, the Hispanic Heritage observance began in 1968, another challenging time in our nation’s history with the Vietnam War in full swing, racial strife on the rise and violent protests on college campuses. But Hispanic Heritage Week was a positive focus. It began as a weekly celebration under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan to cover a 30-day period; it was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.
Personally, I view Hispanic Heritage Month as a great way of honoring cherished ancestors and building on their legacy. Our own company, Prime Logistics is a minority-based Hispanic company and was founded 20 years ago in Quito, Ecuador. But from the outset, the company’s vision was to grow and prosper – becoming a global leader in logistics services and products.
Solid Partnerships and Growth
Thanks to the solid partnerships we’ve established and maintained over the years with the world’s top air cargo carriers including Emirates SkyCargo, Atlas Air, and others, we’ve done just that. Early on, we also moved our headquarters to Miami, and over the years continued to build our expertise and reliability.
So, while we’re now considered the top “go to” provider of air cargo logistics and transport for the flower industry in both Ecuador and Colombia, we’ve also widened our business horizon by handling shipping and transportation for all types of sensitive perishables – from seafood to medications, from meat to fresh produce. In addition, Prime Logistics’ shipments are increasingly headed for more distant destinations across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
I am also happy to note that Prime Planet is also thriving – our Miami-based snack chip company that produces a line of delicious fried green Tostones from fresh plantains harvested in Ecuador, and then manufactured there, too. Talk about a success story, with a “taste” of Hispanic pride and ingenuity in every bite.
I think the overall message is that people of diverse cultures and backgrounds have much to contribute and are also “stronger together.” That message definitely reflects our corporate philosophy and is a key element of our dealings with our employees, our partners, and our customers.
So, if you are Hispanic, let me thank you for your contributions to our country, our world – and our company, of course! For those of other cultures or ethnic backgrounds, thanks too for all you do. Together, “united,” we are stronger, better, and can create greater amazing opportunities for future happiness and success.
Visit Us at Expo Flor Ecuador
On a final note, I am excited to announce we are heading to Quito, where Prime Group got its start 20-plus years ago, to attend Expo Flor Ecuador, Oct. 5-7. We are extremely excited that our entire PrimeAir sales staff from Colombia, Ecuador, and Miami will be there, in full force. As the one of the largest international flower fairs in the industry, this is a huge opportunity for our team, and we want to make the best of it. So if you are in the “neighborhood” this week, at Centro de Convenciones Metropolitano de Quito, please come by Booth M09 for a visit.