In Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month: How to Support Locally

In Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month: How to Support Locally

Hispanic Heritage Month is here, and at Happy Girl Club, we believe the best way to celebrate is to put our support where it counts. There are a plethora of incredible Latina-owned businesses, wellness spaces, artists, and organizations shaping our communities across Southern California. From San Diego to Los Angeles, Orange County to the Inland Empire, here are a few establishments and spaces worth knowing, visiting, and cheering on all year long.

As Dolores Huerta reminds us, "We must use our lives to make the world a better place to live, not just to acquire things. That is what we are put on the earth for." So let's use ours to show up for each other.

Eat Locally

Nothing brings people together like good food, and these spots are serving up flavor with heart:

  • Drinky Promise - San Diego
  • Mujeres Brewing - San Diego
  • Plantology Cafe - San Diego
  • Cuscatlan Salvadorean Food - San Diego
  • Avila's El Ranchito - Orange County
  • Gabbi's Kitchen - Orange County
  • Our Matcha Place - Temecula
  • Amara Kitchen - Los Angeles
  • Fan Girl - Los Angeles

Shop Locally

Support small and shop with intention at these Latina-owned boutiques and studios:

  • Sew Loka - San Diego
  • Artelexia - San Diego
  • Persona the Shop - Los Angeles
  • Plantitias - Long Beach
  • Lil' Libros - Los Angeles
  • Senora Calzones - San Diego
  • Moonlight and Sage - San Diego
  • Earthy Corazón - Los Angeles
  • Hija de Tu Madre - Los Angeles
  • Viva La Bonita - Los Angeles

As Zoe Saldaña puts it: "People think of Latina women as being fiery and fierce, which is usually true. But I think the quality that so many Latinas possess is strength." You'll feel that strength behind every one of these small businesses.

Health + Wellness

Because taking care of yourself is its own kind of celebration:

  • Activate House - San Diego
  • The Lion Heart Gym - Temecula
  • Babes of Wellness - Los Angeles
  • Brave Wellness Studio - San Diego
  • Ritual Wellness Collective - San Diego
  • Diosa Collective - Long Beach
  • Rebirth Massage - San Diego
  • Brujita Skincare - Los Angeles

Stories Through Art

Art has always been one of the most powerful ways to carry culture forward. This month, check out:

  • We the People: Chicano Art in the U.S.A. at Riverside Art Museum & The Cheech - Riverside
  • Ink: Stories on Skin at the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) - Long Beach
  • Chrome and Candy Dreams at Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center - San Diego
  • The Dean Collection Presents: Hometown Heroes at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego - San Diego

Justice Sonia Sotomayor's words feel especially fitting here: "Soy la nieta de esclavos que se atrevieron a soñar. Soy la hija de inmigrantes que desafiaron el status quo. Soy un símbolo de esperanza y resiliencia" which means "I am the granddaughter of slaves who dared to dream. I am the daughter of immigrants who defied the status quo. I am a symbol of hope and resilience."

Organizations to Know

Beyond shopping and eating local, these organizations are doing the deeper work of advocacy, leadership, and community-building:

  • Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles (CHIRLA) - Los Angeles
  • Chicano & Latino Youth Leadership Project - Los Angeles
  • TODEC Legal Center - Inland Empire
  • Resilience Orange County - Orange County
  • ALPFA Orange County - Orange County
  • MANA de San Diego (MANASD) - San Diego
  • National Latina Business Women Association (NLBWASD) - San Diego
  • The Latino Community Foundation - California-wide

Celebrate With Happy Girl Club

Want to celebrate in person? Join us at these upcoming events:

  • Sept 20 - Salsa and Bachata Styling at Stone Brewing Liberty Station
  • Sept 26 - Amigas y Reggaeton
  • Oct 11 - Astrology Workshop with Soco Rey

Diane Luna said it best: "Collaboration, creativity, and respect build lifelong connections that matter and make a difference, propelling us to work together across all boundaries." This Hispanic Heritage Month, let's put that into action — one dinner, one purchase, one workshop, one shared story at a time.

Follow along and stay in the loop: @happygirlclub

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