Over the last 18 years that I have lived here in the United States, I have talked to many Latinos and Latinas about their dreams and their journeys to pursue these dreams. I learned about their aspirations and the barriers that stood in their way.

Move over Millennials, here comes Gen Z. Who are they? Definitions vary but most demographers define Gen Z - also referred to as Centennials, iGen, or Plurals - as consumers born between 1995 and 2010.

Over the course of my career, I have very frequently run into "first timers." What do I mean by this? Companies, clients or brands that have never marketed their product or service to Hispanic consumers, and have decided to embark upon this opportunity. I cannot remember how many new clients I have serviced who were at this juncture.

A recent post in this publication, "Why Hispanic Agencies Are Fading," grabbed my attention and, I am sure, the attention of many of my colleagues in the Hispanic advertising agency business.

We've been hearing the death knell for acculturation for the past several years now in the Hispanic marketing world. A large percentage of Fortune 1000 companies, however, still use acculturation as a point of reference for segmentation so a research company we still see acculturation models regularly.

Hispanic Millennials, those aged 18 to 34, represent the largest segment of the Hispanic population after Generation Z (aged under 18). Their size and the purchasing power they wield provide a great opportunity for food marketers who want to tap this vital segment.