National Hispanic Heritage Month lasts from Sept 15 to Oct. 15, and Oak Park residents celebrated its first official Hispanic Heritage Month with the community. Oak Park’s history of systemic oppression, redlining and segregation with people of color has often created conditions that made people of color in the community feel unwelcome. However, officials in Oak Park said they have been working on turning this around to make a more inclusive community.This celebration will now be an annual tradition and feature many events in which community members can reflect on Hispanic culture. Danielle Walker, diversity, equity and inclusion officer, reached out to Hispanic community members to ask them to participate in planning the celebration.Maya Puestes, a Broker Associate for Baird & Warner, Oak Park’s Public Library Latine Language and Culture Librarian Nora Sanchez; and Kribi’s Coffee vice president of business development Juan Muñoz served on the committee. Quetzali’s founder Alma Martinez and Oak Park Township’s Assistant Housing Specialist Yazmin Morales also were part of the committee.