Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Guest Speaker Aida Rodriguez

With National Hispanic Heritage month in full swing from September 15th through October 15th, there is no better time to celebrate the contributions of the Hispanic and Latino community in the United States.  The celebration runs throughout two months instead of one because many Central American countries celebrate their independence days within these dates, beginning on September 15th with Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.  

This year, GSTV recognized Hispanic Heritage Month this year by inviting guest speaker Aida Rodriguez to share about her experiences as a Latina in media and beyond. She is an accomplished American comedian, actress, writer, producer, and activist of Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage. 

Aida shared the inspiration behind her memoir, Aida Rodriguez: Legitimate Kid, stating that, “Writing Legitimate Kid was my way of reclaiming my narrative and speaking for myself. This is just my truth, and I hope we get to the point where we learn to respect others and different thinking. I wanted to share my story because so many people feel like outsiders, and I hope my journey shows them they aren’t alone.”  

She also spoke on the media and entertainment industry, drawing attention to the importance of highlighting Hispanic voices in media. “It’s important to create spaces where people can tell their stories without it being filtered through someone else's lens. I’m here to create space for the next generation of storytellers who look like me,” she said. By creating a space for unfiltered stories to be told, Aida is encouraging other likeminded creatives to share their experiences.  

In addition to creating safe spaces for storytellers, Aida spoke on the importance of inclusion in advertising and popular media as it currently stands.  

“DEI isn’t a trend; it’s a responsibility. Companies need to go beyond tokenism and make investments in diverse voices. If you want to market to our community, you need to understand us authentically - don’t just check a box, listen to our stories. Representation matters because it shapes how we see ourselves and how others see us. It’s not just about filling quotas; it’s about changing the narrative.”  

To close, Aida shared her thoughts on Hispanic Heritage Month. "Hispanic Heritage Month isn’t just about celebration; it’s about recognizing our contributions and understanding the diversity within our community. We are a rich, diverse culture, and I want my work to reflect that. Our stories, our voices, and our experiences are vital. It’s important to honor where we come from and ensure our heritage is part of the larger cultural conversation."  

We are grateful to have hosted such a powerful and direct conversation with her and our team for this year’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Get to know more about Aida on her website and social media accounts. She gained recognition on the 8th season of Last Comic Standing and as a commentator on The Young Turks. Aida’s notable works include her feature in Tiffany Haddish’s Netflix series, They Ready, her Max special, Aida Rodriguez: Fighting Words, and her memoir, Legitimate Kid.