Mayor Bowser Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and 50 Years of Partnership with DC's Latino Communities

(Washington, DC) - Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs (MOLA) kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month, observed nationally from September 15 through October 15. This year's celebration carries special significance as MOLA marks its 50th anniversary: five decades of advocacy, culture, and partnership with DC's Latino communities. Throughout the month, MOLA will join District agencies and community organizations to host and support events across the District.

"Fifty years ago, the District created the Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs to ensure we were listening to more voices and creating opportunities for more residents," said Mayor Bowser. "This Hispanic Heritage Month, we're honoring five decades of partnership and community and uplifting the stories of the thousands of Latino residents who have helped make Washington, DC the city that it is today."

Established in 1976 under the District of Columbia Latino Community Development Act, MOLA serves as the primary liaison between Latino residents and DC government. Over the past 50 years, the office has supported more than 70,000 residents through language access services, workforce training, civic engagement programs, and navigation of housing, health, and education systems.

MOLA's Latino Community Development Grant program has been central to that work, issuing grants of up to $50,000 to local nonprofits and investing hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in community-driven initiatives. Since 2015, Mayor Bowser has grown MOLA's grant funding by nearly 80%, including the launch of the Immigrant Justice Legal Services Grant to expand legal support for immigrant residents. In 2026 alone, these grants have helped dozens of community organizations grow, supported the launch of new Latino-owned small businesses, and strengthened public-sector outreach citywide.

"For generations, Latino communities have helped build and shape Washington, DC, enriching our culture, strengthening our economy, and contributing to the social fabric of our communities," said Eduardo Perdomo, Director of the Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs. "For 50 years, MOLA has been part of that journey, working alongside residents and community organizations to expand access to resources and opportunities and strengthen the connection between Latino communities and District government. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and this important milestone, we honor the generations who have helped make DC the welcoming, inclusive, and diverse city it is today, while continuing our work to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to thrive."

Hispanic Heritage Month began as a week-long national observance in 1968 and was expanded to a full month in 1988. September 15 marks the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, followed by Mexico on September 16 and Chile on September 18. Latino residents, entrepreneurs, artists, advocates, and community leaders have shaped DC's history, culture, and economy for generations-and MOLA's 50th anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate that legacy while looking ahead.

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the Bowser Administration will sponsor and support the following events:

My Little El Salvador - Cumbia Fest

Celebrate Salvadoran culture and heritage at this year's Cumbia Fest, featuring vibrant cumbia music, traditional performances, and family-friendly activities in honor of MOLA's 50th anniversary.

• When: Saturday, September 26 at 3:30 pm
• Where: Lamont Plaza, 3210 Mt. Pleasant Street NW
• RSVP: s.dc.gov/CumbiaFest26

Walk with Mayor Muriel Bowser - Fiesta DC Parade

Join Mayor Bowser and thousands of residents to walk in the Parade of Nations, a citywide celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

• When: Sunday, September 27 at noon
• Where: 15th Street NW & Constitution Avenue NW
• RSVP: s.dc.gov/FiestaDC26

Noche Cultural

A special evening marking MOLA's 50th anniversary, honoring five decades of service, storytelling, and cultural leadership in DC's Latino communities through music, art, performance, and a celebration of the generations of residents who have helped shape MOLA's legacy.

• When: Wednesday, September 30 at 6 pm
• Where: Mexican Cultural Institute, 2829 16th Street NW
• RSVP: Invite only

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