Oct 13, 2021
1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. team members across the country have been celebrating the rich culture and traditions of the Latinx community during National Hispanic Heritage Month. At the forefront of this celebration has been Cristal Feliciano, Vice President, Benefits and Human Resources Information Systems at the company’s corporate headquarters in Jericho, NY.
Cristal serves as co-leader of the company’s Latinx & Allies Employee Resource Group (ERG), which helps foster a welcoming and inclusive environment throughout the organization. As the month-long celebration comes to an end, Cristal reflected on some of the most significant issues currently facing the Latinx community, her favorite cultural traditions, and some of the Latinx heroes who have inspired her most.
Q: Why is it important to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and other cultural occasions throughout the year?
A: Who doesn’t love celebrating? Celebrations are a time when people connect in many ways. Celebrating diverse cultures provides us with an opportunity to understand our different perspectives and experiences. These celebrations foster awareness, respect, and inclusion.
Q: What role do ERGs play in fostering a culture of belonging?
A: We spend a lot of time working and it is so important to bring our whole selves to work. ERGs give us the opportunity to create networks of support within our company where we can connect with our co-workers, share our experiences, and celebrate who we are. It is truly liberating to accept ourselves the way we are. Being part of an ERG may help others connect and share similar experiences that they are trying to work through or overcome.
Q: What are some of the biggest issues and opportunities facing the Latinx community today?
A: One of the biggest challenges faced by our community today is the economic fallout and loss of affordable childcare resulting from the ongoing pandemic. COVID-19 has impacted all of us, but it has wreaked havoc on communities of color. The lack of childcare has been particularly hard on Latinx women and has made it difficult for them to return to work. But I have hope. Throughout history, the Latinx community has contributed significantly to American society and our economy – and we will continue to do so. There are many opportunities to support communities of color, from improving economic conditions, to providing family and childcare support, to focusing on professional development and growth. Our Latinx & Allies ERG is another way to help address the needs, goals, and accomplishments of our Latinx team members, helping the company give back to this community that contributes to our society’s overall success.
Q: What are some of your favorite Latinx cultural traditions?
A: Both my parents were born in Puerto Rico, and I was born in New York, which makes me a Nuyorican. My ancestors were from Spain and descended from the Taino, the indigenous people of the Caribbean who were the principal inhabitants of Puerto Rico. Food and music are the center of our celebrations and traditions. Whether it is salsa or merengue at a birthday celebration or saying farewell to a loved one with a soft ballad, music allows us to connect as a community. Cooking traditional meals for the holidays brings back memories of my mom in our little kitchen cooking rice and beans in a pot that was passed down from generation to generation. The scent of the spices and herbs while making sofrito brings back many loving memories, while also creating new memories with my daughter.
Q: Who within the Latinx community have you drawn inspiration from, and why?
A: I am inspired by many in the Latinx community. One particular person who has inspired me includes Sonia Sotomayor. She made history when she became the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice and the third woman to become an associate justice of the Supreme Court. She is the daughter of Puerto Rican parents and grew up in New York – two things I strongly relate to. Sotomayor sets an example of perseverance, hard work, and success that serves as inspiration to me, the Latinx community, and the next generation of children. When I think of Sonia Sotomayor and other Latinx leaders who have paved the path before us, I think of a famous and inspirational Spanish motto: “Si se puede” – “Yes, you can.”
Learn more about our company’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion here.
