Hispanic Federation partners with Lin-Manuel Miranda to unveil “America is Us” PSA as part of a national campaign highlighting the profound and enduring impact of U.S. Latino History
From the economy to the arts, the national Latino education campaign will highlight the significant role Latinos have and continue to play in the United States with a bilingual PSA and Latino facts website
NEW YORK, NY – At a time of wide spread misinformation and huge knowledge gaps about the Latino experience, “America is Us” centers the crucial role Latinos have and continue to play in shaping our nation’s history and growth.
The PSA video, “America is Us,” narrated by award-winning songwriter, actor, producer and director Lin-Manuel Miranda, highlights how Latino history is inextricably intertwined with the American story, while the accompanying website provides an overview of the indelible impact Latinos have made to our national economy, population, military, education, sports and entertainment, and overall progress. With in-kind support from the Entertainment Industry Foundation, Hispanic Federation is launching this year-long campaign nationwide, starting during this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month, to highlight the undeniable truth: Latino history is American history.
The groundbreaking “America is Us” campaign with bilingual public service announcements and a website celebrates the monumental force and impact of 67 million Latinos who power the U.S. economy, defend our nation, and define our culture. The PSA was developed by Unsinkable, a Latino-led production company.
With $4.1 trillion in GDP contributions, U.S. Latinos would rank as the fifth largest economy in the world – surpassing India and trailing closely behind Japan. Nearly one in five Americans is Latino, yet their impact reaches far beyond their numbers.
Lin-Manuel Miranda elaborated on the ‘America is Us’ campaign: “Latino stories are foundational to the telling of the American experience. They are an indelible part of America’s heartbeat. From the hands of Latino farmworkers who feed us, to the wisdom of Latina educators who guide us, to the compassion of Latina nurses who heal us – they represent the essence of who we are and form the rich tapestry that continues to power and strengthen our nation.”
“The purpose of this campaign is to highlight the essential contributions of Latinos to this country, from the founding of the nation to the present day, said Frankie Miranda, Hispanic Federation President and CEO. “Latinos have long been a vital force in America’s development, driving progress and enriching our society. As we celebrate this Hispanic Heritage Month, it is crucial to recognize and honor the significant achievements of Latinos throughout our nation’s history, emphasizing their integral role in shaping the American experience.”
The PSA and website highlight the following facts:
- Latino History in America is Profound and Enduring: 500+ years ago, long before the arrival of the pilgrims, Latinos lived in the lands that now comprise the United States.
- Latinos Power America’s Economy: Latinos are launching businesses faster than any group and are the backbone of essential U.S. industries, representing: 78% of agricultural workers, 42% of construction workers, and 29% of home health aides.
- Latino Service and Sacrifice: Starting with the American Revolutionary War, Latinos have served bravely in every American conflict, and today there are 314,000 active-duty Latino service members, representing 28% of all U.S. Marines.
- Latinos Drive Culture: Roughly 30% of baseball and soccer players are Latino and Latin music is the fastest growing genre generating $1.4+ billion globally in 2023.
- Latinos are Essential to America’s Future: Latinos represent a quarter of the U.S. population ages 0-5, are projected to comprise 30% of the public school student population, and hold the highest workforce participation rates in the nation.
Far from the narrow narratives often portrayed, U.S. Latinos represent a vibrant tapestry spanning 20 origin countries, with indigenous, African, European, and Asian roots. This diversity of 67 million Americans shares common threads of resilience, contribution, and an unshakeable commitment to the American dream.
View the 45 sec campaign video in English here or Spanish here and explore the full story on the America is Us website here.
About Hispanic Federation
Founded in 1990, Hispanic Federation (HF) is the largest Latino umbrella organization in the nation. With programs in 43 states and U.S. territories, HF is committed to empowering and uplifting Hispanic communities nationwide through grant-making, capacity-building assistance, policy advocacy, and community programs focused on education, economic empowerment, immigration, health, civic engagement, disaster relief, and the environment.
