TikTok is once again recognizing the diverse communities that find support and connection through the app, as the social media platform announces the celebration of Latin Heritage Month and the first Latin Visionary Voices list.
The list features popular creators, musicians, and small business owners who “inspire and shape their communities for the better,” the platform explains. “Latin Heritage Month celebrates the wide range of identities and cultures drawn from Latin American communities. We are excited to take this opportunity to recognize and celebrate the Latin creators and community leaders who are pushing boundaries, inspiring others, and creating space for diverse voices. TikTok wrote in its announcement.
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As with TikTok’s previous cultural celebrations, the platform will host in-person events and in-app activations, including Latinx business spotlights via #CasaTikTok and music features on the Spanish Sounds Page and #MusicaLatina tag.
The celebration includes an expansion of TikTok’s #CreciendoConTikTok program, a grant opportunity for small business owners in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF). This year’s cycle first began in 2021 and includes a $200,000 grant pool, with TikTok awarding individual cash prizes of $5,000 to 40 Latinx small business owners “who have championed perseverance, resilience and entrepreneurship in their communities,” explains the platform.
“TikTok is creating a space for Latino business owners and creators to thrive and make a positive impact on their communities. HHF and TikTok share a common mission to promote cultural pride and economic opportunity for Latino entrepreneurs and leaders,” wrote Jose Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation.
TikTok will also collaborate with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation on a small business research effort focused on the Latinx community, as well as HHF’s coding program, Code as a Second Language (CSL), which introduces computer programming and provides tech career path connections to Latinx youth. .
![Illustration of a room with a pinata, vase and other objects with a border that says #CasaTok and "Forward!"](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/00pRxbvztH9D4ASiivyERc2/images-1.fill.size_2000x1006.v1694452432.jpg)
Credit: TikTok
The full Visionary Voices list can be found below.
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Makers
Adam Barrera (@AdamTheFlop), an internet culture and music industry creator who combines personal commentary and news about songs, chart positions, artist careers and other pop news.
Enasha Bondurant (@enashaolivia), a lifestyle influencer who focuses on self-care and gentle living through vlog-style videos.
Jesus Buttocks (@jesusnalgas), a TikTok comedian known for his POV skits, stories, and popular livestreams.
Maria Legarda (@misslegarda), a Colombian actor and content creator who makes videos that focus on cultural exchange and entertaining food content.
Brian Brigantti (@redleafranch), a gardener and content creator known for sharing his love of nature, cooking, and bountiful harvests with his followers.
Industry disruptors
Alex Ojeda (@alexojeda), a travel influencer focused on sharing the world’s most exciting travel experiences.
Reinforced connection (@eslabonarmadooficial), a Mexican music group from Los Angeles known for their global hits ‘Ella Baila Sola’ and ‘Con Tus Beso’ and more.
Stéphanie Valentine (@glamzilla), a beauty and body positive creator known for her unedited and unfiltered content.
Myke Torens (@myketowersmtyk), a four-time Latin Grammy Award-nominated rapper and singer from Puerto Rico, recognized for his viral TikTok hit “LALA.”
VRYWVY (@vryvvy), a DJ and event producer from Mexico City on a mission to inspire the next generation of musicians and creatives.
Small private companies
Jazz and Sam Sears (@aztaco.king), content creators and owners of Phoenix, Arizona-based restaurant AZ Taco King.
Alexandra Lourdes (@ilovesainthonore), entrepreneur, co-founder of Refined Hospitality Group and owner of Saint Honoré Donuts & Beignets in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Mike Alfaro (@millennialloteria), a content creator, entrepreneur and Guatemalan immigrant who created the popular game Millennial Lotería.
Eddy Sandoval (@pinoleblue), creator and founder of the Pinole Blue brand, inspired by indigenous blue corn recipes from his own family and the Tarahumara community in Chihuahua, Mexico.
Julissa Prado (@rizoscurlshair), a cultural changemaker and the founder and CEO of the clean hair care line Rizos Curls.