NAHCC’s 22nd Annual Excellence in Business & Community Awards

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NAHCC will bring together members, partners, and community leaders on October 15 to celebrate excellence and close Hispanic Heritage Month.

Featuring Welcome Remarks & Special Greetings

“Hispanic Heritage Month is about more than celebrating our culture. It is also an opportunity to recognize the entrepreneurs, professionals, artists, workers and civic leaders who strengthen Nashville every day,” said NAHCC President and CEO Yuri Cunza. “Through this calendar, we bring people together to learn, build relationships and celebrate the contributions that continue moving our city forward.”

Since 2005, NAHCC has led one of Tennessee’s longest-running and most comprehensive Hispanic Heritage Month observances. Made possible by NAHCC members and corporate and community partners, this year’s calendar brings together business development, entrepreneurship, workforce education, civic leadership, music, film, arts, culture and community recognition.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 through October 15. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the nation’s Hispanic population reached 70.1 million in 2025—approximately 21% of the U.S. population. Learn more from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Hispanic Heritage Month Calendar Highlights

• September 14–16: NAHCC participates in the USHCC National Conference in Dallas–Fort Worth, providing business leadership and professional development opportunities.

• September 15: Official NAHCC Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off, including Hispanic-owned small-business interviews, media outreach and economic-impact information shared throughout the month.

• Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell proclaims Hispanic Heritage Month in Nashville joining in support of NAHCC and NAHCC Foundation efforts (see proclamation here).

• September 16: Founders of Color Happy Hour during 3686 at Monday Night Brewing, presented with the Nashville Entrepreneur Center.

• September 17–18: NAHCC participates in The Future Way Forward Conference at the National Museum of African American Music. On September 18, Yuri Cunza will speak on Leadership and Culture: Building a City Worth Belonging To.

• September 18: NAHCC celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and Mexican jazz vocalist Lucía’s Nashville debut at Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music.

• September 22 and October 6: Employer Rights and Responsibilities, part of NAHCC’s employer education series. Registration is required.

• September 24–30: NAHCC celebrates Hispanic films and filmmakers at the Nashville Film Festival, including feature films, shorts and the presentation of the Best Hispanic Film Award.

• September 29: Launch of FuturoListo (Future Ready), a digital-skills training program presented with the Nashville Business Incubation Center. Session One will focus on QuickBooks Online: Principios Básicos. The day will also include the NAHCC Women in Business Panel Discussion and Business Showcase with TSBDC.

• October 1: NAHCC in the News: About Our City and Our Stories

• October 4: NAHCC Celebrating Arts & Entertainment Business Networking Mixer in partnership with Acme.

• October 6: FuturoListo Session Two: Build Your Team the Right Way, presented with the Nashville Business Incubation Center.

• ​October 8: NAHCC FREE day at the Frist Art Museum --- All guests of the NAHCC will receive free gallery admission and discounted parking in Frist Art Museum parking lots as space is available. 

• October 9, FuturoListo (Future Ready) a digital skills training in partnership with Nashville Business Incubation Center (NBIC): QuickBooks online - Basic Principles.

• October 15: NAHCC’s 22nd Annual Excellence in Business & Community Awards, recognizing outstanding business, professional, civic, artistic and cultural contributions while honoring sponsors and community partners.

Additional programs include the NAHCC Foundation’s Bridging Narratives program and its Stories Through Art initiative, as well as upcoming sessions of Sueña (Dream It!), and Building Strong Latino Communities Business Leaders roundtable.

Registration requirements and event details vary. View the complete and continuously updated NAHCC 2026 Hispanic Heritage Month Calendar.

Interested in participating or supporting the celebration? Call 615-216-5737 for additional information.

#NAHCC #Unity in Community #Celebrate #HispanicHeritageMonth2026

BNA® Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Nashville International Airport® is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by highlighting the NAHCC calendar of events and hosting activities in the terminal, including live music by local artists.

Beginning October 15, Volaris will also launch nonstop service from Nashville to Guadalajara, Mexico—the birthplace of mariachi music and charrería.

We thank BNA® for recognizing the culture, contributions, and growing impact of Middle Tennessee’s Hispanic community.