Hispanic Heritage Month - La Familia Network is a Hispanic community website that promotes the contributions of Hispanic engineer, Hispanic entrepreneurs, Hispanics and Latinos in the United States to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. La Familia focuses on the Hispanic engineer, Hispanic entrepreneurs, and Latinos in information technology, engineering, communication technologies, and IT. La Familia also highlights Hispanic engineer, Hispanic entrepreneurs, and community computer technology awareness program activities for Hispanic Heritage Month throughout Spanish-speaking America and in the U.S.
Addressing the gap in Internet usage and computer ownership between the U.S. mainstream and the many cultural groups that are Hispanic is both a moral imperative and good business. Hispanics quickly are becoming the new "minority majority" in America. Moreover, in several cities, Hispanics make up the majority of the population. In California, Hispanics, African Americans, and Asian Americans together outnumber non-Hispanic Whites.
These demographic changes have made Hispanics a major consumer group. Consumer buying-power among minorities has nearly doubled over the past decade. Hispanic spending alone is expected to reach $454 billion this year.
Addressing the inequalities in technology usage and ownership provides fertile ground for companies in the Digital Economy. Only 47 percent of Hispanic households have a computer. At the median age of 26 years, compared with 35 for the general population, Hispanics are more likely to embrace technology-oriented products than are others.
For industry, an even more compelling reason to address technology and the Hispanic community is the changing face of the employment pool. Hispanics are now more than 11 percent of the total work force. Yet, they make up less than 4 percent of the technical work force. As companies tap into previously ignored segments of the work force, issues like work force preparedness will become even more important.
La Familia Technology Week will address the Digital Divide by spotlighting events around the country that will demonstrate how technology can provide numerous opportunities for Hispanics. This public awareness campaign will focus attention on technology through media campaigns, family educational programs, and local, community-based initiatives.
La Familia Technology Week will be held October 2008, during Hispanic Heritage Month. La Familia Technology Week will create an environment where children, parents, teachers, and community leaders can find ideas and programs to address the Digital Divide.
