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U.S. Bank Invests in Hispanic Heritage with National Museum of Mexican Art Partnership



11/04/2024


In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, U.S. Bank announced a significant, long-term commitment to support the National Museum of Mexican Art, a centerpiece of Mexican culture in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. The celebration brought together art, traditional Mexican food, and vibrant decorations, setting the stage for a discussion on Hispanic culture and the evolving Latino narrative in the U.S.
 
Over 125 U.S. Bank employees attended in person, with many more joining via livestream. This flagship Hispanic Heritage Month event, featuring Lyanne Alfaro—founder of Moneda Moves—alongside U.S. Bank leadership, highlighted the richness of Hispanic culture and success stories within the community. As a longstanding supporter of the museum, which houses one of the largest Mexican art collections in the nation, U.S. Bank emphasized its commitment to fostering cultural appreciation and community engagement.
 
Greg Cunningham, U.S. Bank’s Chief Diversity Officer, helped moderate the event, underscoring the museum’s role in preserving Mexican heritage across historical periods. “Supporting this museum is one of the ways we aim to enrich Hispanic and Latino communities within our reach,” Cunningham remarked, emphasizing the bank’s dedication to better serve Hispanic and Latino customers.
 
The event was co-hosted by Cunningham and U.S. Bank’s Chief Digital Officer, Dominic Venturo, in partnership with the bank’s Nosotros Latinos Business Resource Group.
 
Founded in 1987, the National Museum of Mexican Art educates and inspires through its extensive collection of Mexican art, educational programs, and artist support. With nearly $200,000 in support from the U.S. Bank Foundation since 2018, the museum has expanded its 20,000-piece collection, providing cultural programming to over 52,000 K-12 students each year. This 48,000-square-foot museum, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, spans ancient to contemporary Mexican art.
 
“Presenting exhibitions with cultural value is a unique responsibility we hold,” stated Jose Ochoa, President and CEO of the museum, highlighting the institution’s dedication to preserving and promoting Mexican culture and history.
 
U.S. Bank’s commitment extends to other cultural centers, with $1 million pledged to the National Museum of the American Latino in Washington D.C. and $150,000 to the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture in California.
 
Lyanne Alfaro, a Chicago-based media expert and Marketing Manager at Google, was a guest speaker at the event. Having built her career in journalism, she discussed the contributions of Latinos in the U.S., focusing on generational wealth rooted in culture, community, and resilience. Alfaro’s session, joined by Oscar Martinez of Azteca Mufflers, Jose Ochoa, and U.S. Bank branch manager Cynthia Anthony, underscored the influence of Latino entrepreneurs, who accounted for 36% of new business launches in 2023.
 
Through its Access Commitment® initiative, U.S. Bank has expanded its services to better serve Hispanic customers, including a new bilingual mortgage officer cohort and bilingual business advisors across key states. The company has also introduced Spanish-language resources, such as the voice assistant Asistente Inteligente, to increase accessibility for Hispanic clients.