September 15 – October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month, and we are proud to have a diverse team of talented individuals, whose varied backgrounds and perspectives make us stronger as an RCI family. This week our Diversity Spotlight shines on Emilio Colon who has been with RCI for over 9 years and is currently an Onsite Liaison in the Member Services department, based in our Carmel, Indiana office.
“I believe RCI is a company that truly cares about our heritage, traditions and history.”
Living in the US is a wonderful privilege. As a Hispanic I truly feel I belong to a big family. I belong to a culture that brings music, food, arts, sports and many other great traditions to this great country. I always say all Hispanics/Latinx are like a big family. It does not matter if you are from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia or Panama, we are all a big family.
As a company, RCI celebrates our Latinx/Hispanic Heritage with billboards, cafeteria Menu and as a company they brought a group of speakers such as chefs and lawyers to help all of us as employees. Also with the FUERTE group I was able to be participate in a job fair at the Annual Fiesta in Indy in 2013 which we were advertising RCI as a great employer.
Q:
How do you support or connect with other Latinx people in your community?
A:
I enjoy helping the community every way I can. From going to a PTA meeting and translating to parents, helping them to find jobs or even helping them finding doctors and clinics.
Q:
How has RCI made you feel welcome as a person from a Hispanic/Latinx background?
A:
I believe RCI is a company that truly cares about our heritage, traditions and history. As a company they celebrate our Latinx/ Heritage with billboards, cafeteria Menu and as a company they brought a group of speakers such as Chefs and Lawyers to help all of us as employees. Also with the FUERTE group I was able to participate in a job fair at the Annual Fiesta in Indy in 2013 which we were advertising RCI as a great employer.
Q:
What is your favorite tradition from your Hispanic/Latinx culture?
A:
My Favorite tradition is the Christmas Holidays. All my family come to Florida and we start cooking at 6AM Turkey, pork and rice. We listen to Latin music all day from Salsa, Cha Cha Cha, Guaguanco, Montunos and Boleros. Believe it or not our Christmas Holidays start on Thanksgiving Day and it lasts until February the 2nd, day of the Candelaria.
Q:
What do you like to do in your free time?
A:
Cooking. From Mexican Enchiladas to Argentinian Chimichurri. I love watching You Tube channels and am thinking of doing one myself. I truly believe every country has something special and thanks to YouTube we can all see it. Oh, keep in mind that when I cook I do it for the neighbors and their family. It`s always a joy and a pleasure to cool for the people.