“People tend to put you in a box—you know, you’re Mexican, and you’re this way,” remarks , who this year earned a James Beard Award for his New York City cocktail bar Superbueno, reflecting on his initial endeavors to forge a life and career in the U.S.
This sentiment is widely shared by many Latinos in the U.S., despite the rich tapestry of their diverse identities and national origins.
Furthermore, research indicates an equally broad array of ways in which Latino immigrants and their descendants play vital roles in the country. An October 2024 report from the nonpartisan American Immigration Council cited a study demonstrating that communities with a higher proportion of Latinos were “associated with decreases in the number of homicides, assaults, and burglaries.” Latinos also launch more businesses per capita than any other racial or ethnic group in the U.S., as noted in a December analysis by McKinsey. And while Latinos constitute just under 20% of the U.S. population, they contribute to over 30% of the nation’s economic expansion, according to a UCLA study published in April.
America’s largest racial or ethnic minority is abundant with , innovative problem-solvers, and exemplary role models across numerous industries.
TIME previously observed Hispanic Heritage Month by featuring several of these individuals in and , and is now spotlighting 12 new Latino Leaders, including Jimenez, as well as Hollywood personalities like The Bear’s , of The Last of Us and Superman, and SNL’s ; influential changemakers such as Shark Tank’s and women’s-sports investor ; and storytellers like novelist .
As accomplished as these leaders are, their dedication to giving back is as strong as their pursuit of personal success. Hernandez states, “I’m actively striving to work as much as I can so that I can have the means and the power to do more and help more people and create a name for myself, but also crucially, to represent for Latinos, which is immensely important to me.”