TULSA, Okla. — Hispanic Heritage Month in America is September 15-October 20, 2020.
It's a time to recognize and honor the contributions of Hispanic people who emigrate to this country and begin a new life.
2 Works for You reached out to the Tulsa community to learn about those who are making a difference and discovered a popular Mexican bakery where serving up sweet pastries is a way of life.
Through the night and early morning hours, employees at the Pancho Anaya bakery in East Tulsa roll out and mix up Mexican pastries, bread and cakes. It is a family tradition.
We started in our hometown of Sahuayo, Michoacan in Mexico. My great-great grandfather started everything.
"The first bakery opened in Mexico in 1912," added Katia Anaya, Director of Human Resources at Pancho Anaya Bakery.
Jennifer and Katia Anaya are sisters who are proud to represent the fifth generation of the Anaya family bakers. They grew up in their family's bakery in Mexico. So, when their father, Francisco Anaya, emigrated to Tulsa more than twenty years ago, it wasn't long before the family opened a new bakery in Tulsa.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Pancho Anaya Bakery
According to the Anaya's, entrepreneurial spirit is at the heart of Mexican and Latino people.
"A lot of immigrants are able to open their own business and contribute and give back to the community in that way by creating jobs," Katia said.
The Anaya family and extended family work at the bakery along with many other employees. By working long hours and providing customers with quality products, they have expanded to three locations in Tulsa.
Their wholesale business, which provides products to stores and restaurants across Oklahoma and in nearby states, is so successful, they outgrew their current production facility. Construction is already underway on a new, larger bakery site.
Their recipe for success includes hard work, and commitment to family, customers and the Tulsa community. The Anaya sisters, and the multiple generations of relatives who work at the bakery, are grateful to finding their success in the United States.
"We are so thankful to our parents for making the decision to come to the U.S., specifically to Tulsa," Katia Anaya said. "We are able to get an education, graduate from college and continue to grow our family business."
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