Arts & Culture • Community • Community Voices
By Haley Hoekstra • October 15, 2025
This year, Downtown Phoenix Inc. (DPI) proudly celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a community-centered campaign honoring the vibrant culture and inspiring stories of local leaders who enrich our city.
Throughout the month, we connected with our Hispanic and Latin business community to learn about the generations of traditions that fuel their abundant passion for their craft. In doing so, we formed valuable relationships with individuals whose voices and leadership contribute to Downtown’s diverse cultural identity.
Downtown Phoenix is home to 30+ Hispanic and Latin-owned businesses, 40% of which opened within the past year. This impressive growth speaks volumes about the energy and entrepreneurial spirit driving the city forward.
Rooted in intentional branding, powerful messages, and a deep pride in the heritage that continues to shape our city, Hispanic Heritage Month came to life in Downtown Phoenix.
The campaign’s visual identity drew inspiration from the artful components often used to symbolize how culture is celebrated in Hispanic and Latin American regions. Custom graphics incorporated stylistic motifs like food, animals, flowers, and music to reflect this diversity and its enduring influence on our community.
These designs were strategically integrated into our branding to build familiarity across multiple communications, including DPI’s social media and website, the DTPHX Insider newsletter, print materials, What’s Happening Guides, and placemaking initiatives.
In addition to digital storytelling, DPI launched a strategic PR campaign that expanded its impact. Through broadcast, print, and online media coverage, the campaign reached an audience of nearly 200,000 people across the Valley and generated a total of 192,000 social media impressions.
At the core of this month-long celebration was storytelling. By collaborating with local Hispanic and Latin entrepreneurs, we explored what this month means to them and how they proudly weave their heritage into their businesses.
From a behind-the-scenes tour of the Arizona Latino Arts & Culture Center (ALAC) with Resident Artist & Latino USA Director Roman Reyes to extending a warm welcome to several new neighbors, the month was full of candid moments of celebration and kinship.
While DTPHX Lotería has always been a cherished annual event, it held even more meaning this year as we gathered with the community to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in one lively evening with over 10 participating locally-owned businesses.
DTPHX neighbors, families, businesses, and lovers of the traditional Lotería game congregated at the Renaissance Square Plaza on September 18 to enjoy local bites, shopping with Mujeres Mercado, and live entertainment from our newfound tallest friends—Cultural Coalition’s Dancing Katrinas—and more festive activities. One of the standout elements we incorporated into this year’s event was inviting local business owners to call each Lotería round, making for a truly engaging and communal experience.
As Hispanic Heritage Month ends, the stories shared and connections made leave a lasting impact. The recurring themes of strength, passion, and cultural identity remind us that supporting Hispanic and Latin-owned businesses is a commitment with no expiration date.
We are deeply grateful to the business owners who shared their time and stories with us. Their passion continues to inspire the Downtown Phoenix community.
Unidos en cultura, unidos en Downtown Phoenix.
Click here to explore a full guide to Hispanic and Latin-owned businesses in Downtown Phoenix to support, today and every day.
