2010 Calendar Journal

Transcription

Puertorriqueño...de alma, vida y corazón
COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE...mes de la herencia puertorriqueña
Puerto Rican Heritage Month | 2010 Calendar & Gala Journal
COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND IS SINCEREST GRATITUDE TO THE SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS OF
PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE MONTH 2010
CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
NEILSEN MEDIA RESEARCH
1199 SEIU
WOLF POPPER, LLP
UNITED FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
LEHMAN COLLEGE
NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE
COLGATE PALMOLIVE
HOSTOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
PUERTO RICO CONVENTION BUREAU
CON EDISON
ST. BARNABAS MEDICAL CENTER
BRONX LEBANON HOSPITAL CENTER
GOYA FOODS, INC.
CENTRO DE SALUD COMUNAL DR. JOSÉ S. BELAVAL, INC.
NBC4/TELEMUNDO
NYU LANGONE MEDICAL CENER
BRONX COMMUNITY COLLEGE
RCHN COMMUNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION
INSTITUTE FOR THE PUERTO RICAN/HISPANIC ELDERLY
HEALTH PRO MED
ASPIRA OF NEW YORK
CY SOLUTIONS
MEMBER AGENCIES
ASPIRA OF NEW YORK
EL CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS PUERTORRIQUEÑOS
EL MUSEO DEL BARRIO
EL PUENTE
EUGENIO MARÍA DE HOSTOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
LATINOJUSTICE – PRLDEF
NATIONAL CONGRESS FOR PUERTO RICAN RIGHTS - JUSTICE COMMITTEE
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR LATINO POLICY
PUERTO RICO FEDERAL AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATION
PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE MONTH FISCAL AGENCY
105 EAST 22ND STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10010
(212) 677-4181; (212) 777-5106 (FAX)
WW.COMITENOVIEMBRE.ORG
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
JOSE ACEVEDEO, JAIME BELLO, ELBA CABRERA, LUIS CORDERO, SULEIKA CABRERA DRINANE,
WALLACE EDGECOMBE, CLARISEL GONZALEZ, MARTHA LAUREANO, EILEEN REYES,
TERESA A. SANTIAGO, ANGEL SANTINI, LILI SANTIAGO SILVA AND NIDIA TORRES
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: CARMEN D. LUCCA, ANGELO FALCON, MADELINE FRIEDMAN,
DR. IRIS ZAVALA-MARTINEZ, PH D., SULEIKA CABRERA DRINANE AND CASA PUEBLO
© 2010 COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
ARTWORK BY: PEDRO J. BRULL
LAYOUT: LUIS CORDERO, CEMIUNDERGROUND.COM
PHOTOGRAPHY: LOURDES R. TORRES & ROBERT FIGUEROA
EDITOR: TERESA SANTIAGO
24th Anniversary
c o m i t é
m e s
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h e r e n c i a
p u e r t o r r i q u e ñ a
MESSAGE ON BEHALF OF COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
For the past 24 years, Comité Noviembre, CN has been celebrating Puerto Rican Heritage Month in this country. A nonprofit organization dedicated to commemorating and acknowledging the contributions Puerto Ricans have made to this city,
state and nation. CN is composed of ten of the oldest and most prestigious Puerto Rican organizations: the Institute for the
Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, ASPIRA of New York, el Museo del Barrio, Eugenio María de Hostos Community College, El Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños, El Puente, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, the National Institute for Latino Policy, the
National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights – Justice Committee, and the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration. This
coordinating body plans and promotes CN’s annual programs and events.
The charge of CN is to create awareness of our rich culture, language, and heritage and to acknowledge and take ownership
of it everyday but specifically during the month of November. The annual theme is developed with the understanding that
beyond celebrating our heritage, it must help to motivate, mobilize and empower our community around critical concerns.
This year’s theme: This year’s theme: “Puertorriqueño de alma, vida y corazón” “Puerto Rican…mind, body and soul,”
speaks to the essence of what being Puerto Rican means. It is living breathing embracing our culture, history and identity in
our daily lives in everything that we do. It is the recognition from the bottom of our heart that speaks to our soul that affirms
our life as a Puertorriqueño. It is a state of mind, of being that comes from deep within us that empowers us to affect change
and to continue to contribute and make accomplishments to this city, state and nation. CN is thrilled that five time Grammy
winner Olga Tañon is our 2010 Spokesperson and gala honoree.
This journal also carries interesting, cultural, political and educational information that we hope will be of interest to you.
We pride ourselves in being able to discuss all aspects and issues of our community – with respect, objectivity and pride.
Contributing writers include: Angelo Falcon, president, National Institute for Latino Policy; Carmen D. Lucca, president of
the Association for Puerto Rican/Hispanic Culture; Madeline Friedman, LatinoJustice–PRLDEF, Dr. Iris Zavala-Martinez,
professor at Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños at Hunter College; Suleika Cabrera Drinane, Executive Director, Institute
for Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly and Casa Pueblo, Adjuntas, P.R.
Most importantly, we want to share with you the inspiring stories of our Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad award recipients
– truly exceptional, dedicated individuals who are the unsung heroes of our community and who are making a difference
in not only the Puerto Rican community but society as a whole. The Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad award honors Puerto
Ricans whose pride in their heritage and strength of character have empowered themselves and inspired others to make
significant impact on our community. What is important to understand is that these award recipients are chosen by CN
from nominations submitted by the community. CN will be awarding seven individuals with a special recognition to Taller
Boricua on its 40th anniversary.
For twenty-four years, CN has created and developed programs all geared to the support and enhancement of educational
opportunities and leadership development for our youth with a cultural twist. These programs are firmly rooted in the belief,
that in order to succeed in life, you must pursue a higher education, give back to your community through volunteer efforts
and know your cultural history. In order to secure that our youth have better educational opportunities the CN Scholarship
Awards Program (CNSAP) was established and has awarded $179,000 in scholarships since its inception fourteen years ago,
an average of 12 scholarships a year and with a college graduation rate of 90%. An additional $7,000 has been awarded in
the Richie Pérez Scholarship for Peace and Justice. The 2010 recipients of both scholarship programs are highlighted in the
journal. You will be inspired by the clear sense of self and strength of character of these incredible young people that are
building our communities and making a difference early on in their lives.
This year’s benefit event will take place on Friday, November 12, 2010, at the NY Hilton in Manhattan and will honor: Oscar
Hernández, Renowned Pianist, Arranger & Grammy Award Winner, Carlos López López, Esq., Partner, Wolf Popper, LLP,
Pedro Julio Serrano, IDS/Human Rights Activist, Founder, Puerto Rico Para Tod@s, and Julia Velez, Esq. MHSA, Executive Director, Centro Se Salud Comunal Dr. Jose S. Belaval, Inc.
The proceeds of this annual event, supports all of our programs and allows CN provide free programming and information
to the community year round as well as scholarship dollars. Our programs include: two scholarship programs, the annual
Leadership Development – Role Models Forum, conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA
personnel, the Artisans Fair & Exhibit, the Health Fair, the educational trip to Puerto Rico, “Buscando Nuestra Raíces”, the
Day of Community Service & Social Responsibility and food drive, a Three Kings celebration and toy drive, the annual CN/
El Diario La Prensa Puerto Rican Heritage Month Supplement, the production of this commemorative calendar journal, the
artist competition, selection and commission process, the annual educational commemorative poster, selection of a spokesperson, the kick-off celebration and annual benefit event, the Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad and Puerto Rican Heritage
Awards, our website information as well as cultural and health related workshops, forums and events sponsored by CN.
Many events have been planned throughout New York State as well as New Jersey and Puerto Rico to celebrate our rich
culture, traditions and history. CN urges everyone to participate in these events including our 5th Annual Artisans Fair that
will take place on Saturday, November 20, 2010, from 10AM – 9PM at Hostos Community College in the Bronx.
The 15th annual Day of Community Service and Social Responsibility will take place on Sunday, November 21, 2010 from
11AM – 4PM in several locations through the City, in Manhattan at El Museo del Barrio, in Brooklyn at El Puente and in the
Bronx at Hostos Community College. On this day CN along with young people from ASPIRA of New York, Inc., El Puente
and Hostos will be conducting a food drive to create Thanksgiving baskets for the poor of New York.
Let us live in the moment of the history that we make each day, standing up for what we believe in and supporting causes
that enhance, promote, preserve, and protect our culture, history, identity, language, community and natural resources. Let
us embrace every day the essence of what it means to be Puertorriqueño de alma, vida y corazón”
For Comité Noviembre
Teresa A. Santiago, Chairperson
Member Agencies:
Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly
ASPIRA of New York
El Museo del Barrio
El Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños
El Puente
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College
LatinoJustice PRLDEF
National Institute for Latino Policy
National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights – Justice Committee
Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration
comite noviembre 2010
spokesperson & honoree
Olga Tañon
A beautiful face, a husky alto, and an energetic rapport with her audiences
characterize only part of two-time Grammy and five-time Latin Grammy
winner Olga Tañón’s appeal. Since she first started performing solo in 1992,
Tañón has established herself as one of the leading merengue performers,
standing out in the traditionally male genre. Her merengue albums have sold
millions of copies, earning fans across the Americas and in Europe. Born
Olga Teresa Tañón in Santurce, Puerto Rico, she is the youngest of four
children. Her parents raised Tañón and her siblings in a solid working-class
neighborhood in Levittown. When she was a teenager she auditioned for the
merengue group, Las Nenas de Ringo y Jossie. She eventually left the group
and became part of another all-girl group, Chantelle.
While singing with Chantelle, Tañón met representatives of the record company WEA Latina. In 1992 she signed with WEA Latina
as a solo artist and released her first album Sola. With her second album, Mujer de Fuego, Tañón was named “Queen of Merengue.”
But she wasn’t satisfied with singing only merengue, and she experimented by adding salsa, cumbia, and ballads to her records. Her
third album, Siente El Amor, stretched outside the borders of Puerto Rico and, garnered her, an audience in the United States, Spain,
and Mexico. In 1995 Tañón won Univision’s Premios Lo Nuestro Awards for Best Song, Best Tropical Artist, and Best Tropical
Album for Exitos y Mas.
The success of Tañón’s previous albums would pale in comparison to the popularity of her 1996 offering. Taking a break from merengue, Tañón released an album of purely pop songs and ballads. Nuevos Senderos. The single from that album, “Basta Ya!” made
it to number two on Billboard’s Hot Latin Tracks. Tañón didn’t abandon merengue even after the success of Nuevos Senderos. She
went on to win Grammy Awards for Best Merengue Album for her live release Olga Viva, Viva Olga, in 2000, Yo Por Ti, in 2001 as
well as the Tropical Female Singer of the Year of the Latin Music Awards and the Musica Latina Award for Best Selling Tropical
Album, “Sobrevivir,” in 2003 her first album in the Pop category and “Nueva Mujer” in 2006 for Tropical Contemporaneo
In 1999 Tañón received the Spirit of Hope award at the Billboard International Latin Music Awards. She received this reward as
recognition for her charitable work, which is enduring and wide-ranging. Early in her career she began supporting the Pediatric
AIDS Center in Puerto Rico. She has sponsored fund-raising events, donated money, and volunteered her time to help this organization. In an agreement with the cereal company Kellogg’s, a percentage of sales from boxes with her likeness on them is donated to
two shelters run by the Pediatric AIDS Center. She also supports Hogar Cuna San Cristobal, a home for pregnant teens who want
to give up their children for adoption. A percentage of sales from prepaid phone cards with her image on them are donated to Hogar
Cuna San Cristobal.
In 1998, after the destruction of Hurricane Georges, Tañón and her second husband, baseball player Juan Gonzalez, rented a truck
and filled it with supplies. They drove around Puerto Rico delivering essentials like food, clothing, and medicine to those who were
affected. In response to the September 11th tragedy, she performed at Hispanos Unidos por New York at Madison Square Garden
where the proceeds of the concert went to the United Way’s September 11th Fund and the Hispanic Federation Fund.She performed
with Egyptian singer Hakim a pop song they collaborated on entitled “Ya albi” at the World Economic Forum at the Waldorf Astoria
in NYC sharing the stage with such as human rights activists as Bono, Peter Gabriel, India Arie, Lauryn Hill, Herbie Hancock, and
Quincy Jones, among others and at the One World Jam concert at Radio City Music Hall.
In September of 2009, Olga was a headliner at Juanes’ historic second “Peace Without Borders” concert in Cuba. She received the
Arts Award from the 22nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. She met with several Latino leaders, legislators and President Obama where she expressed her feelings about the Cuban situation.
Tañón’s success is based on many factors. Whether it’s her appreciation for her audience or her gifts to humanitarian causes, she
gives as much as she gets. She has an impressive list of accomplishments in the music industry and will continue to make valuable
contributions to Latin music and to the world as a humanitarian.
Her new album, “Ni Una Lágrima Más,” is scheduled for release early next year.
24th Anniversary
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h e r e n c i a
Pedro Brull
Pedro J. Brull was born in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico in 1938. From
a very early age, he demonstrates great aptitude for drawing and
convinces his father to pay for a correspondence course in drawing “cartoons” from Argentina. These studies help him many
years later to work as a cartoonist for Disney.
At fifteen, Puerto Rican painter and muralist Rafael Rios Rey
takes Brull under his wing as a student. It is Rios Rey who gives
Brull his first paints and brushes, an old box full of tradition that
belonged to Rios Rey’s father an artist from Ponce.
With these almost dry colors and paint brushes, Brull creates his
first piece of art work. After working with Rios Rey at the Tapia
Theatre in San Juan and graduating from high school, Rios recommends, Brull to work in the Department of Staging for WKAQTV Channel 2 in San Juan, P.R. in 1957.
One year later, Brull moves to New York to study television at
the Television Workshop of New York, where he graduates and
returns to work at WKAQ-TV Channel 2 for the next 21 years.
While at the station, he studies commercial art and completes his
Bachelor of Fine Arts at the School of Fine Arts of the Institute of
Puerto Rican Culture, Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña. During this time, he associates himself with artists Augusto Marin,
Jose Alicea, Jose Oliver, Fran Cerbony, Luis Hernandez Cruz, and
many others. It is the influence of these painters who form Brull’s
character as an artist.
In the twenty-one years, Brull works for Channel 2, eleven of
them was as Art Director and Manager of Production. In addition to creating wonderful works of art, Brull teaches at the Casa
Alonzo Museum in Vega Baja and has been of inspiration to
countless young artists in Puerto Rico and Florida.
In 1998 he moves to the City of Kissimme, Florida and continues
his work as the painter of everyday experiences – a graphic reporter of everyday life – “reportero grafíco de la vida diaria.” He
works for a company of caricatures and became a freelance artist.
Brull’s works are exhibited in museums and galleries in Orlando,
Kissimmee, Tampa, Melbourne, Miami, De Land, Lakeland and
Stanford, CT. Brull has created works for such corporations as
General Electric, Segursos Multiples, VACO, Corp., NITCO,
Corp. Commonwealth of P.R. and SITGO Corp.
Brull is an award-winning artist whose paintings form part of a
broad number of private and public collections throughout New
York, Florida and Puerto Rico. A collection of masterfully created portraits forms part of the Casa Alonzo Museum’s permanent
collection, as well as in many Government offices in the Municipality of Vega Baja. Among the many awards he has received,
Brull was honored with the First Prize in painting from Disney’s
Animal Kingdom and a special recognition award form the Art at
the Park of Lakeland, FL.
Pedro Brull can be reached through email at: [email protected] [email protected], 407-957-5955, 4914 Raylene
Way, St. Cloud, FL 34771
About the Poster
Cuando eres comisionado
a pintar una obra es muy
diferente a cuando las
ideas son tuyas. Cuando
eres comisionado tienes
que mantenerte fiel a la
idea originales que son
creadas por una o más
personas. Solamente puedes ser un intérprete de
esas ideas y traducirlas en
su estilo.
When you are commissioned to paint a work it is
very different from when
ideas are yours. When
you’re commissioned you
have to stay faithful to the
original ideas that are created by one or more people. You can only be an
interpreter of those ideas
and translate them into
your style.
Esta pieza fue un proyecto
de colaboración, entre el
Comité Noviembre y yo
como el artista comisionado. Incorporamos elementos de las tres grandes
culturas que dan lugar a
lo que somos, “Una mermelada de razas - los taínos, española y africana,”
la esencia que nos hace
“Puertorriqueños de alma,
vida y corazón.”
This piece was a collaborative project, between the
Comité Noviembre and
me as the commissioned
artist. We incorporated elements of the three great
cultures that give rise to
what we are, “una mermelada de razas - Tainos,
Spanish and African,” the
essence that makes us
“Puertorriqueños de alma,
vida y corazón - Puerto
Ricans of mind body and
soul.”
El sol y el cemí Taino de
la isla sientan la base, los
tambores y las bellas mujeres africanas, imparten
el ritmo, la música y la
cadencia en nuestra raza, coronada la pieza con el
legado de la música, el idioma y la religión española
con la imagen de los tres reyes. También incorporamos nuestra bandera en las congas, güiro y maracas
algo típico de los Boricuas. No podría prescindir
nuestra “mancha de plátano,” las casitas del Jíbaro y
la bandera de Lares, todas las cosas que recordamos
aquellos que estamos lejos de nuerstra patria.
The sun and the Taino
cemí are the base, congas and African beautiful women, teach rhythm, music and the cadence in
our race, crowned the piece with the legacy of music,
language and Spanish religion with the image of the
Three Kings. We also incorporated our flag in the congas, güiro and maracas something typical of Boricuas. I
could not leave out our “mancha de plátano,” las casitas
del jibaro and the Lares flag, all things that remind us of
our home away from home.
Los bailarines de Salsa sobre la conga, los “rascacielos” y las imágenes de la gente común nos conecta
y nos une con Nueva York y nuestra Isla. La comunidad Puertorriqueña que emigró a los Estados, que
lucharon para crear una comunidad fuerte, vibrante y
poderosa, y que nunca se olvidaron de donde veniron
siendo siempre orgullosos de ser “Puertorriqueños de
alma, vida y corazón.”
We connect and unite Puerto Rico with the mainland
with the Salsa dancers on the conga, the “skyscrapers,”
and the images of ordinary people. The Puerto Rican
community that migrated to the States that struggled
everyday to create a strong, vibrant and power Puerto
Rican community, never forgetting where they came
from and being proud of being “Puertorriqueños de
alma, vida y corazón.”
Peter J. Brull
Peter J. Brull
24th Anniversary
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HISTORY/MISSION
Established in 1987, Comité Noviembre…mes de la herencia puertorriqueña is the only collaboration of its kind in the United States. A
non-profit organization, CN, brings together the collective talents and resources of the oldest and most prestigious Puerto Rican organizations on the northeast: the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, ASPIRA of New York, el Museo del Barrio, Eugenio María
de Hostos Community College, CUNY, el Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños, Hunter College, CUNY, Latino Justice: PRLDEF, the
National Institute for Latino Policy, the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights – Justice Committee, the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs
Administration, and El Puente. This coordinating body plans and promotes Comité Noviembre’s annual programs and events
CN’s mission is to commemorate and acknowledge all aspects of Puerto Rican life from the social and cultural to the educational, economic and political. The charge of CN is to create awareness of and preserve our rich culture, language, and heritage specifically for our
youth – to recognize and take ownership of it everyday but specifically during the month of November.
For twenty-four years, CN has created and developed programs all geared to the support and enhancement of educational opportunities
and leadership development for Puerto Rican/Hispanic youth with a cultural twist. These programs are firmly rooted in the belief, that
in order to succeed in life, you must pursue a higher education, give back to your community through volunteer efforts and know your
cultural ancestral history.
CN ANNUAL PROGRAMS & EVENTS
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Two Scholarship Programs
CN Scholarship Awards Program
The Richie Perez Scholarship for Peace & Justice
Annual Leadership Development – Role Models Forum
Conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA personnel
Educational trip to Puerto Rico, “Buscando Nuestra Raíces”
Puerto Rican Heritage Month kick-off celebration
Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad Award
Annual benefit event
Puerto Rican Heritage Award
Artisans Fair & Exhibit
Health Fair
Day of Community Service & Social Responsibility and Food Drive
Three Kings celebration and Toy Drive
CN/El Diario La Prensa full color Puerto Rican Heritage Month Supplement
Commemorative calendar journal
Artist competition, selection and commission process
Annual educational commemorative poster
Selection of a spokesperson
Website programs and information
Cultural and health related workshops, forums and events
CN SCHOLARSHIP AWARD PROGRAMS
In order to secure that our youth have better educational opportunities the CN Scholarship Awards Program (CNSAP) was established
and has awarded $179,000 in scholarships since its inception fifteen years ago, an average of 12 scholarships a year and with a college
graduation rate of 90%. An additional $7,000 has been awarded in the Richie Pérez Scholarship for Peace and Justice. Each year, the
members of the CN Scholarship selection committee are awed by the clear sense of self and strength of character of these selfless and
inspiring young people that are building our communities and making a difference early on in their lives.
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In November of 1996 in celebration of its tenth anniversary of Puerto Rican Heritage Month, the CN Scholarship Awards Program (CNSAP) was established. To date, CNSAP has awarded 179 scholarships of $1,000. Four years ago, to commemorate our 20th
anniversary, CN enhanced the Scholarship Program to continue to award the top two scholars $1,000 scholarships each year until graduation. These scholars must maintain a 3.5 grade point average and documented community work within the Puerto Rican community to
continue to receive the 4-year $1,000 scholarship.
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THE RICHIE PEREZ SCHOLARSHIP FOR PEACE & JUSTICE
In 2004, the Puerto Rican community lost an advocate, community leader and urban warrior. Richie Pérez was a beloved activist and
leader in the fight for social justice and human rights. He brought integrity and unity to many causes to which he was committed,
which included the struggle for racial justice and against police brutality, Puerto Rican independence and universal human rights. In his
memory, Comité Noviembre has established the Richie Pérez Scholarship for Peace and Justice. The award recognizes Puerto Rican
young people for their commitment, activism and achievements in any of the areas of human rights and social justice. This annual award
promotes both the advancement of new leaders, in the movement for peace and justice and invests in their continued growth by providing
support for their ongoing education and political development. The scholarship recipient will receive a $1,000.
THE COMITE NOVEIMBRE/NASA PARTNERSHIP – ANNUAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT – ROLE MODELS FORUM
To ensure that young adults have the opportunity to meet and interact with professionals in all fields and careers, CN partnered with
NASA and established a leadership development forum that took place at Hostos Community College, CUNY in the middle of the South
Bronx. Several Puerto Rican/Hispanic microbiologist, scientist and engineers from NASA Centers conducted a presentation on Careers
at NASA to a group of Latino high school and college students interested in engineering, biology and the study of space. The event was
a huge success. Having professionals that looked liked them, spoke their language and had similar backgrounds at these high level positions at NASA reinforced their career goals and dreams. Having NASA personnel address these young people reinforces the mission of
CN’s leadership development program and gives these young people a day they will remember for the rest of their lives. These visit give
young adults from the inner city, specifically Puerto Rican and Hispanics, the opportunity to realize that they too can achieve greatness.
ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CULTURAL TRIP TO PUERTO RICO
“BUSCANDO NUESTRA RAÍCES”
Buscando Nuestras Raíces is an adventure into a cultural and educational experience for Puerto Ricans and others who want to explore
the richness of Puerto Rico’s culture, ancestral roots and history. Making this trip a reality was a natural progression of CN’s mission and
goals. The itinerary takes into account that many of us, although we visit the island frequently, rarely visit the cultural and historical sites
and landmarks unique to Puerto Rico and renowned throughout the world. It is a journey participants will remember for many years to
come. The third annual Buscando Nuestra Raíces trip is being planned for the summer of 2011.
PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE MONTH KICK-OFF CELEBRATION
The CN Puerto Rican Heritage Month kick-off event honors Puerto Rican community heroes through Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad
Awards, unveils its annual poster and distributes its journal calendar of event. This event is free for the community. Over 300 key community and business leaders as well as elected officials attend this very festive, musical and cultural event.
LO MEJOR DE NUESTRA COMUNIDAD AWARD
Through Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad award, CN recognizes outstanding individuals who are the unsung heroes of our community and who are making a difference in the Puerto Rican communities of this country. Puerto Ricans whose pride in their heritage and
strength of character have empowered themselves and inspired others to make significant impact on the community are recognized. The
recipients of this award are chosen by CN from nominations submitted by the community.
CN’S ANNUAL GALA BENEFIT
The CN Annual Gala Benefit was instituted in 1996 at its tenth anniversary to raise funds for its scholarship award program and other
CN educational, cultural and leadership development activities. The event has continued to attract key leaders of New York’s Puerto
Rican community and Corporate America. The gala is scheduled for Friday, November 12, 2010 at the NY Hilton in Manhattan. The
proceeds of this annual event, supports all of our programs and allows CN provide free programming and information to the community
year round as well as scholarship dollars.
CN’S PAST GALA HONOREES
1996 – Dr. Antonia Pantoja, founder of ASPIRA, Goya Foods and Luis A Miranda, President of Miranda y Más
1997 – Actress Miriam Colón, Carlos L. Santiago, Vice President, NYNEX, Millie Herández Becker, President & CEO, Westchester
Air, Tonio Burgos, President, Burgos & Associates and Carlos D. Nazario, Jr. President & CEO, Metro Beer and Soda Distributors.
1998 – Nereida S. Andino, Former Deputy Manhattan Borough President, Actress Jennifer Lopez, Fernando L. Perez, Senior Specialist
for Customer Outreach, Con Edison and Polito Vega, on-air personality for La Mega.
1999 – Dr. Antonia C. Novello, NYS Commissioner of Health, Carlos M. Morales, Esq., Senior Vice President and General Counsel,
Merrill Lynch & Company, Angelo Figueroa, editor-in-chief, PEOPLE en Español and The Young Lords Party.
2000 – Roberto Clemente Jr., Broadcast Analyst/New York Yankees and President of The Roberto Clemente Foundation, Susan Hernandez, attorney at Law and Carol Robles Román, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company, and Jose O. Agiuar, President & CEO, Kleener King Industries.
2001 – Selma Betancourt, Director of External Communications, Health Plus, Dr. Ricardo R. Fernandez, President, Herbert H. Lehman College, Luis Garden Acosta, Founder & CEO, El Puente, Inc., and Denise Quiñones, Miss Universe 2001.
2002 – Vice Admiral Richard Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, United States Surgeon General Commander, USPHS, Nydia Caro, Singer
and Entertainer, Debbie Delgado Vega, Founder and Chairperson of the Latino Organization for Liver Awareness, Carmen Gomez Goldberg, President, AVET Transit, Inc. and José R. Sánchez, CSW, ACSW, Senior Vice President, Generations+ Health
Network.
2003 – Dr. Ricardo Alegría, Historian/Anthropologist, the Honorable Sila María Calderón, Governor, Puerto Rico,Danny Rivera, Humanitarian, world renowned Puerto Rican Singer, Rafaél Tufíño, el Pintor del Pueblo.
2004 – Orlando Figueroa, Space Mission Director, Deputy Associate Administrator for Programs, NASA Headquarters, Jorge Ramos,
2005 –
2006 –
2007 –
2008 –
2009 –
Anchor, Telemando 47, Ada Rodríguez, Chief Marketing Officer, Health Plus
and In Memoriam, Richard Perez, former Young Lord, Community Activist, co-Founder, the Justice Committee, National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights.
Mary E. Medina, Executive Director, Center for Trustee Initiatives and Recruitment, Greater New York Hospital Association,
Dennis Rivera, President, 1199 SEIU, Monsi C. Roman, Chief Micro biologist environmental Control and Life Support Systems Design and Development Group, NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center and Salsa Sensation Frankie Negron
Lynda Baquero, Anchor, News Channel 4, Luis Fonsi, international recording artist and producer, Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU and Daisy Martinez, Chef, Entrepreneur and Host of Daisy Cooks.
Dr. Diana Caballero and Dr. Luis O. Reyes, Education Activist, Antonio Martorell, Renowned Artist, Poet, Author, Yolandita
Monge, International Recording Artist, Lisa Thon, Fashion Designer and Ana Ortiz, Co-Star, Ugly Betty
Catherine Gonzalez, Senior Architectural Designer, Thornton Tomasetti, Hector Feliciano, Author, The Lost Museum, Margarita Lopez, Community Activist and Board Member, NYC Housing Authority, Carlos Alberto, Couture Fashion Designer,
Melina León, Singer/Actress
Choco Orta, La Sonera del Milenio, Carlos A. Picón, Curator in Charge, Department of Greek and Roman Art Metropolitan
Museum of Art, Katilia Velez, Student & Community Activist, Inter American University of Puerto Rico, San German
CN’S ANNUL PUERTO RICAN ARTISANS FAIR & EXHIBIT
The Artisan Fair & Exhibit was established in 2006, in celebration of Comité Noviembre’s, 20th anniversary. Making this fair a reality
was a natural progression of CN’s goals and mission and made possible by CUNY’s Vice Chancellor Ernesto Malave who passed away
last November.
Each year CN has invited Puerto Rican artisans from throughout the US and Puerto Rico to participate in this Fair. Over 40 artesanos
puertorriqueños participated and the event boasted an attendance of over 5000 people in this very first Fair in 2006 at Hunter College and
again in 2007. In 2008, the Fair continued to exceed CN’s expectations with over 60 artisans participating and a steady 5000 people the
fair was moved to Church of St. Paul the Apostle in Manhattan. Last year found its home at Hostos Community College in the Bronx.
For the past four years CN has conducted workshops for children and adults, to ensure that our youth learn about our culture, traditions
and folklore. This event, which is free to the community, is advertised as an opportunity to kick-off the holiday shopping season and
purchase unique Puerto Rican original gifts for that special person on your list and, at the same time support our artesanos.
CN’S ANNUL HEALTH FAIR
Last year, CN instituted the First Annual Health Fair that ran concurrently with the Artisans Fair. The Health component of the Fair
was added because of the great number of residents concentrated in the Bronx and neighboring boroughs with chronic diseases such as
diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity. This year CN will partner with health care providers to conduct health fairs
during the summer as well as in November.
CN’S DAY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Day of Community Service and Social Responsibility, was established in 1995 to coincide with the theme: “The Sprit of Commitment …The Power of Action. Live it! For the past fourteen years, CN has set aside the Sunday before Thanksgiving as a day of community service and social responsibility in commemoration of November 19th, traditionally known as Puerto Rican discovery day or
as we like to call it Puerto Rican “encounter” day. The event began as a day when people participated in several volunteer efforts that
aided the Puerto Rican community and its organizations to show the spirit of commitment and the power of action. Over the years, this
event has been a great success and organizations throughout the city have benefited from this collaboration, including homeless and battered women’s shelters and senior centers as well as individual families. Through this effort, CN has collected coats, clothing, food and
toiletries for these organizations. In recent years, the food drive has been instituted and CN along with ASPIRA of New York spearhead
the event. This year’s event will take place on Sunday, November 21, 2010 at several location throughout the City including at El Museo
del Barrio in Manhattan, El Puente in Brooklyn and Hostos Community College in the Bronx, simultaneously from 11AM. – 4PM.
FOURTH CN EL DIARIO LA PRENSA SUPPLEMENT
For the past three years, CN in partnership with El Diario La Prensa has produced an 8 to 14 page Puerto Rican Heritage Month color
supplement for the community. This special Spanish-language supplement has a circulation of 57,550 and readership of over 287,000
daily. CN works with EDLP’s editorial department for content which will highlight CN’s honorees and programs as well as any topic
the exclusive sponsor may want to cover.
ANNUAL SPOKESPERSON
Each year, CN selects a spokesperson that is making a difference in this country, empowering others and shaping, not only our future as
Puerto Ricans, but the future of all Americans. They have all played an important role in leaving our unique imprint in the current and
future history of this country.
Our past spokespeople have been:
1990 – Musician and activist Willie Colón
1991 – Radio talk show host Malin Falú
1992 – Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer and New York City Public School Chancellor Dr. Joseph A. Fernandez
1993 – Former Surgeon General of the United States Antonia Novello
1994 – Actor and community activist Luis Guzman
1995 – Actress Lauren Velez; and salsa diva India
1996 –
1997 –
1998 –
1999 –
2000 –
2001 –
2002 –
2003 –
2004 –
2005 –
2006 –
2007 –
2008 –
2009 –
Actor Jimmy Smits
The “king of Latin music” Tito Puente
Actress and AIDS activist Rosie Perez
Welter Weight Champion of the World Felix “Tito” Trinidad
Internationally acclaimed Latin Jazz artist Dave Valentin
NYPD officer and tenor Daniel Rodriguez
Admiral Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, US Surgeon General Commander, USPHS
World renown singer Danny Rivera
Salsa sensation Tito Nieves
Singer and entertainer Frankie Negron
Daisy Martinez, Chef, Entrepreneur and Host of “Daisy Cooks”
Ana Ortiz, co-star, Ugly Betty
Melina León, Singer/Actress
Jesus Omar Rivera, Historian/Author, El Boricuazo
THEME DEVELOPMENT
Each year, CN selects a theme with a two-fold purpose: to celebrate Puerto Rican Heritage and to motivate, mobilize and empower our
community specifically our youth to take ownership of our culture, traditions and heritage.
1987 – “Building on our Heritage to Create Our Future/Our Children and our Youth”
1988 – “Empowerment….From the Shadows to the Light …de las sombras al Poder”
1989 – “Count on Us…Si Nos Nos Cuentan No Contamos”
1990 – “From the Homeland to the Mainland,”
1991 – “La Mujer Puertorriqueña…La Verdadera Borinqueña,”
1992 – “Los Encuentros del Pasado….Nuestra Determinación Para Forjar el Futuro Encounters of the Past…Our Determination to
Shape the Future,”
1993 – “Reconquista ’93: Affirming our Identity Preserving our Community”
1994 – “Nuestro Poder Puertorriqueño: Usalo! Define Nuestro Destino,”
1995 – “The Puerto Rican Renaissance: The Sprit of Commitment …The Power of Action. Live it!,”
1996 – “United, Moving Forward…The Future is Ours,”
1997 – “In the Mix: Voices that Affirm Our Vibrant Heritage...Voces Que Afirman Nuestra Herencia Dinámica”
1998 – “Puerto Ricans Confronting the Challenges of a Changing World,”
1999 – “Puerto Ricans for the New Millennium: Facing the Dawn of the New Age”
2000 – “Entendiendo Nuestro Pasado Creamos Nuestros Futuro,”
2001 – “Puerto Ricans United for World Peace Puertorriqueños Unidos Para la Paz Mundial,”
2002 – “Salud Boricua”
2003 – “Nuestra Herencia Cultural es el Camino al Futuro…Our Cultural Heritage is the Path to the Future,”
2004 – Preserving our Legacy, Cultural Affirmation, Community Empowerment & Social Justice: Preservando Nuestro Legado …
Afirmación Cultural, Poder Comunitario y Justicia Social
2005 – “Boricua! Atesora lo tuyo…Boricua! Treasure What is Your!”
2006 – “Comité Noviembre…mes de la herencia puertorriqueña, XX Aniversario…Celebrando con orgullo nuestra cultura…Hoy,
Mañana y Siempre!”
2007 – “Encuentro con Nuestra Patria”
2008 – “Live your Culture…!Vive Boricua¡”
2009 – “Puertorriqueño… de nuestras raíces nace un pueblo,” “Puerto Rican...from our roots a community is born.”
COMMEMORATIVE JOURNAL/ARTIST/ POSTER
The annual journal calendar becomes a collector’s item because of the articles and historical information that it provides. These essays
and articles, written by community activists, educators, artists and CN members, are published annually in several newspapers ranging
from The New York Daily News, El Diario La Prensa, as well as the San Juan Star and El Nuevo Día in Puerto Rico. The journals are
distributed to educational, cultural and community organizations. Over 250 events and activities are sponsored and held by community
based organizations, cultural institutions and government officials throughout New York alone.
Since its inception, the annual CN poster has been in high demand by teachers and educators. The competition to be the commissioned
artist of CN and design the coveted poster has also been exciting throughout the years and has led to the promotion, acknowledgement
and exposure of very talented Puerto Rican artists. The poster is created each year to promote and inform the public about Puerto Rican
Heritage Month and to create an artistic expression of the organization’s theme. The poster is distributed throughout New York, New
Jersey and the tri-state area.
CN WEBSITE – www.comitenoviembre.org
The website provides the history of CN as well as the Puerto Rican community in Puerto Rico and the United States. The website serves
as an educational vehicle of all those searching for information on the Puerto Rican history and culture especially educators and students.
Due to high printing costs and the world going “green” CN will promote heavily the use of the website for access to calendar journal
information as well as scholarship applications and other educational materials.
24th Anniversary
c o m i t é
m e s
d e
l a
n o v i e m b r e
h e r e n c i a
Ce le bra ndo Lo Mejo r de N uestra C o m un idad
Ainta Antonetty
Born and raised in the South Bronx, Anita Antonetty has community
service and activism in her blood--literally. She credits this to her
mother, Evelina Antonetty—activist, organizer, and founder of United
Bronx Parents, Inc. It was at United Bronx Parents that Ms. Antonetty
received her early training in community service. She also holds a
Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal arts from Herbert H. Lehman College and a Master of Science in Library and Information Science from
Pratt Institute.
Recently, Ms. Antonetty was employed as the Job Skills Advocate for
Rocking the Boat, Inc., a South Bronx-based youth development program for teenagers from public high schools. She worked with the
high school juniors and seniors training them in the practical skills
necessary to get and keep a job, as well as helping them transition
to the next phase of their lives after graduation by exploring various
career paths; educational opportunities; and, of course, community
advocacy. In addition she has also acted as community liaison for
the organization and is still involved in many neighborhood projects
in the Hunts Point area. Previous to Rocking the Boat, she was the
Assistant Director of Financial Aid at Bank Street College Graduate
School of Education where she advised teachers on financing their
New York State certification requirements.
Coming of age in the tumultuous 60’s and 70’s in the heat of its grassroots, civil rights and revolutionary struggles, Ms. Antonetty developed a keen sense of taking up the issues of the day, all the while
increasingly sensitive to the needs of the underprivileged.
Her volunteer work includes board membership at Hope of Israel Senior Citizen Center, Morrisania
Neighborhood Health Center Community Advisory Board, secretary for the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development Bronx District 4 Neighborhood Advisory Board,
WBAI Radio—Friday Wake-Up Call with Ibrahim González and Radio Libre Assistant Producer.
She was the former secretary for Bronx Community Board 4 where she is still a member of the
Parks & Recreation committee. She has also collaborated with the United Parents of Highbridge,
For A Better Bronx, MUD BONE/Studio 889, 4 D South Bronx Community Coaliton, South Bronx
Community Supported Agriculture, South Bronx Community Congress.
Anita Antonetty continues to take up crucial social justice concerns, which as a result, contributes
to the quality of life for those most in need in our city.
Photo: Joaquin Cotton
Yesenia Aponte-Meléndez was born and raised in Comerío, Puerto Rico. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree
in Political Science and Sociology from the University
of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras in 2002. In 2009, she
received her Masters in Sociology degree from the City
University of New York (CUNY). Currently, she is a
Doctoral candidate in the Department of Sociology at
The New School for Social Research. For the past five
years, Yesenia has been employed for the past five years
as a Senior Investigation Assistant at the National Development and Research Institute in New York.
Her community volunteer work is connected to Puerto
Rico and New York in the field of HIV/AIDS. Yesenia
created “Punto en la Montaña,” (a needle exchange program) and is a founding member of “Unidos Dandole
Cara al SIDA en Nueva York” (UDCAS-NY). Both these
organizations are community based working to help raise
funds as well as support for people with HIV/AIDS or
SIDA in Puerto Rico.
As a researcher and interviewer in New York City, she
has worked on projects relating to drug users. She has
also added Puerto Rico to her research. Yesenia has been
involved in fund raising and grants writing to assure that
monies is dispensed for this cause. Although she is now
considered an outsider in Puerto Rico because she is living in New York, she is not deterred to do what she can
to keep this issue in the forefront. She continues to be a
leader in the movement of social justice.
Yesenia was also very involved in the successful campaign to end the bombing in Vieques before becoming a
leader in the fight against HIV/SIDA.
Yesenia A ponte- Meléndez
Cel eb r a ndo Lo Mejo r d e Nuestra C o m uni dad
Javier E. Gómez is one of New York’s most seasoned
Latino communications professionals, with over
15-years experience working with multiple media outlets, cultural institutions, City and State government,
and not-for-profit organizations. He has designed and
implemented successful outreach and marketing campaigns in most areas of public life including business,
economic development, health, education, housing,
tourism, advocacy, legislative affairs, government reform, civic engagement, the environment, and the arts.
Javier E. Gómez
As City Hall, Police, and Bronx Bureau Chief Reporter at El Diario/LA PRENSA, he helped raise awareness on important issues affecting Hispanics. He won
four National Hispanic Publications Print Awards for
his work, and also collaborated with Harlem Community Radio, News 12 The Bronx, Norwood News, Dollars & Sense Magazine, Pie Derecho Magazine, and
El Nuevo Día Newspaper, among other outlets.
Photo: Darryl Calmese
Javier served as Deputy Press Secretary to Bronx Borough Presidents Fernando Ferrer and Adolfo Carrión,
becoming an influential force in the design and implementation of policies that promoted the revitalization
of the borough. He later served as Press Officer to
Governor George E. Pataki, crafting Latino media and
community outreach initiatives on key issues such as
the Rockefeller Drug Law Reform, Domestic Violence
Prevention, Public Safety, Hispanic participation and
representation in government, and the redevelopment
of Lower Manhattan after the 9/11 terror attacks.
A former Deputy Press Secretary for State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Javier also served as
Director of Marketing and Communications at the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, the leading school
funding advocacy group in New York, and the Latino International Theater Festival of New York
(TeatroStageFest). Born in Lajas, Puerto Rico, he constantly works on projects that strengthen government, economic, and cultural relations between New York and the island. Some of these include
the PromoExport Exhibit that introduced new “Made in Puerto Rico” products to New York, Cine
Sin Pantalla (the celebrated film series that brought long lost Puerto Rican movie classics to New
York), as well as the effort that sought Navy Withdrawal from Vieques, and the development of
infrastructure after military exit from the territory.
Javier has volunteered his work for organizations such as the National Puerto Rican Day Parade,
Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade, Bronx Dominican Day Parade, Bronx Pride, and Comité Noviembre, among others. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Journalism from the City University of New York, and a Conservatory Degree in acting from the world-renowned William Esper
Studio. As producer and actor, he was most recently seen in the New York Premiere production
of The Smell of Popcorn/El Olor del Popcorn, the internationally acclaimed play by Puerto Rican
novelist José Luis Ramos Escobar.
In 2002, she founded The Latina Network Inc. (TLN) and launched its
website www.thelatinanetwork.com. TLN’s emphasis is to inform,
educate and advise Latinas about their professional development issues. Since its founding, TLN has provided guidance to hundreds of
men and women seeking advice on how to advance their careers. TLN
also provides consultation services to organization’s aspiring towards
excellence in their particular market.
As a board member for five years for the Association for Hispanic Arts
(AHA) and the past year for Latinas United for Political Empowerment PAC (LUPE), Brenda is committed to supporting their mission
and service goals despite the economic challenges in the marketplace.
AHA and LUPE PAC has provided Brenda with a platform to work
with local NYC artist and aspiring Latina Politicians in NJ.
As a professional in the non-profit sector, Brenda has been committed
to giving Latinos a voice in large mainstream service organizations. She has a great appreciation for service organizations needing sustainable business practices that ensure quality services to their clients.
Brenda is currently an Associate Director of Agency Development in the northeast region for
Big Brother Big Sisters of America (BBBSA). She provides management consultation and
executive coaching for 45 out of 96 affiliated agencies. In her current position, Brenda has
influenced mergers, expansion and more effective management practices.
Prior to joining BBBSA, Brenda worked for Girl Scouts of the USA as a Volunteer & Diversity
Resource Development Consultant. Her primary responsibility was to oversee a 1.9 million
dollar project that aimed to explore systems that enhanced recruitment and retention of volunteers. In her five year tenure, she managed and contributed to two published research studies
“Voice of Volunteers 18-29” and “What Works, What Doesn’t: Girl Scout Volunteers Speak
Out” released by the Girl Scout Research Institute.
Her first work experience was for the United Way of Essex and West Hudson as Director of
Public Sector Campaigns. Her major responsibilities included raising money in city, county,
state, and federal agencies and managing close to 1000 volunteers. During her three year tenure Brenda helped raise over three million dollars.
Brenda L. Jimenez- Peralta
Brenda Jimenez-Peralta was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico. Brenda
was raised in a military family that was stationed in Germany, Texas
and various other states. In her adolescence her family settled in the
Bronx. Brenda was an honor student at Cardinal Spellman H.S. She
received a Bachelor degree in Psychology from Seton Hall University.
Brenda’s commitment to women’s issues and Latino rights have been
a focus in her service to the community, as well as, a catalyst to her
professional choices.
Frances Lucerna
Frances Lucerna has been a pioneer of community arts and
education for the past 20 years. Ms. Lucerna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Dance from Hunter College and
Masters of Arts, in Education and Supervision, from Bank
Street College. She danced professionally for 13 years and in
1980 returned to her community Williamsburg, Brooklyn and
founded the Williamsburg Arts & Cultural Council for Youth,
a community performing and visual arts program for adolescents. In 1982, Ms. Lucerna became co-founder of El Puente,
a Brooklyn based community/youth development organization nurturing holistic leadership for peace and social justice.
As Artistic Director of El Puente and with the Williamsburg
Arts and Cultural Center as its cornerstone, Ms. Lucerna has
developed Brooklyn’s most comprehensive Latino Arts and
Cultural Center, providing pre and professional training in five
arts disciplines. She has also nurtured three professional performing companies in Dance and Drama comprised of former
El Puente students, and has produced and presented the talent
of local as well as international artists to the community.
As an advocate for the recognition and support of communitybased holistic arts services and institutions, Ms. Lucerna has
broken new ground on the frontier of national school reform
as the Founding Principal of El Puente Academy for Peace
& Justice, a New Visions/New York City Board of Education
High School. It is one of the only schools in the country dedicated to human rights
and a nationally recognized model for “CBO Schools.”
Ms. Lucerna has served as panelist for the New York State Council on the Arts, the
Advisory Committee to the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, and
the Community School Task Force for the White House Conference on Character
Building for a Democratic, Civil Society. She was on the Board of 651, An Arts
Center, an affiliate of the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and also served on the Community/Youth Development Guide Team of the National Network for Youth. Her
many awards include “Celebrating Success from the Children’s Defense Fund, the
Brooklyn Council on the Arts Arts Advocate Award and the 1998 Heinz Award for
the Human Condition. In March, 2010, Frances was honored by El Diario/la Prensa
with the Mujeres Destacada Award. Ms. Lucerna is currently Executive Director of
El Puente.
Lance Rios is a Cleveland, Ohio native born of Puerto
Rican parents. He sought his future in New York City
where he has rapidly become a vibrant, energizing and
vital member of the community. After graduating from
Bowling Green State University in Ohio he worked in
English and Spanish language media.
On a zero budget, Lance has traveled to speak to students at the University of Michigan, participated in a
global gathering in Bolivia, marched in an immigration
rally in Arizona and spoken at the New Generation Latino Consortium. He does this to encourage all Latinos
to come and stand together as one community. Non-Latinos are also welcome to engage in conversation about
the many issues facing this nation today.
His fund raising efforts include assisting the victims of Haiti’s earthquake
and the annual AIDS Walk NY. To add to these efforts, he has helped cook
and serve dinner in a homeless shelter—while encouraging others to find
ways to contribute to their local communities. He is a long time mentor
working with Big Brothers Big Sisters Latino of NYC.
Lance accomplishes in 24 hours what many of us struggle to do in 48 hours.
Lance Rios
His professional and personal accomplishments have a
global approach to his view of the Latino community.
In May, 2009, Lance created a fan page on the social
network media Face Book. The fan page, “Being Latino,” now has over 38,000 followers drawn from around
the country, the Caribbean, Latin America and countries
worldwide. The page seeks to educate and entertain as
it brings people, from all walks of life, together to celebrate their differences and similarities; while never forgetting how the language and culture bind their country
of origin.
Jose Santiago is News Director at WBAI radio in New York, one of five
radio stations owned by The Pacifica Foundation. Before coming to WBAI
in the early 1990’s, Santiago worked as a reporter at KYW Television in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and WFSB TV in Hartford, Connecticut, was the
New Haven and Western Massachusetts Bureau Chief.
His stories have aired on The CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite and
The NBC Nightly News. Santiago covered aspects of the Accident at the
Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant in Pennsylvania and the taking of
U.S. hostages by Iran in the late 1970’s, among other national stories.
José Santiago
Investigative work included a 57-million-dollar scandal at SEPTA, the
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, as well as a series of
stories that led to major changes in the treatment of State Prison Inmates
across Pennsylvania.
At WBAI, Santiago has led a news team that has garnered numerous local and national reporting awards. His work at WBAI includes the training of community residents to produce news stories. Participants in the
WBAI training program have gone on to work in the field of News at places
like WNBC TV, The Boston Globe, WNYC Radio and The New York Post.
Santiago won two national awards from the National Federation of Community Broadcasters for his coverage of the case of Anthony Baez, a young
Bronx man killed by an NYPD police officer. He was also the recipient
of a Friends of the South Bronx, Community Pulitzer award and has been
cited for his reportage on issues related to the Puerto Rican Independence
Movement and Puerto Rican Political Prisoners. Santiago was Story Editor
for “Palante, Siempre Palante,” a documentary on The Young Lords Party
produced by Iris Morales that has aired on PBS.
Jose Santiago was born in Puerto Rico and raised in The Bronx, a few
doors away from the notorious 41st Police Precinct, often referred to as
Fort Apache. He was an undergraduate student at Columbia University and
graduated from the Michelle Clarke Minority Journalists Program at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 1973, the same program that produced Geraldo Rivera and CBS Senior Correspondent Randall
Pinkston, among others.
George Torres is a father, husband, community
leader, radio host and blogger. He is most proud
of being a Boricua. George is the founder and creative force in the on-line magazine “Sofrito for
your Soul.” This site promotes the evolution of
Latino Culture in the United States. The website
was founded in 1997 while attending SUNY at Old
Westbury in Long Island.
Through this media, he brings an awareness, appreciation and understanding of the cultural, political,
artistic and social issues affecting the community.
It is an exciting venue where these issues can be
discussed and explored and shared. It brings the
Puerto Rican experience to a diverse audience.
He is passionate about his work and is passing on
his vast knowledge to all who will listen.
Photo: Sandra Guzman
In addition to his involvement with these ventures;
he also finds the time to volunteer in a number of
organizations. In the past, the Headstart Program
at Bushwick United has welcomed George or rather
Santa Claus to entertain the children. An activist
for healthy living—Boricua style, he has been the
Social Media (Internet Marketing) Chairperson
for the American Diabetes Association’s “Feria de
Salud” in the South Bronx, where he is committed
to getting the word out to the families in the local areas about Diabetes awareness, prevention and
treatment. He also organized the 1st Latina Empowerment Series in Spanish Harlem with the proceeds from the event going to the American Heart
Association.
George Torres
He is also a partner in Capicu Poetry and Cultural
Showcase. In this bricks and mortar venue he provides a platform to emerging and established poets
to perform. Artists works are represented which
reflect Puerto Rican culture; thus making each
event a multi-disciplined experience.
Taller Boricua
Special Recognition
Taller Boricua was established in 1970 in New York as a non-profit
arts organization. Taller Boricua/Puerto Rican Workshop Inc. has
expanded into a multi cultural institution by providing a variety of
programs that stimulate the social, cultural and economic development of the community. El Taller’s workshop offer artists the opportunity to share ideas and inspirations with colleagues, enhances
productivity and collaborations with other non-profit organizations,
schools, artists, public service providers, private corporations; and
the community. El Taller Boricua has evolved into a highly respected
community arts organization that continues to be a proactive resource
for the promotion of the arts. They have been successful in attracting the art community to function as an essential nucleus supporting
creative means of expression.
Following the mission of the organization there are artist files in
house which focus on contemporary art by artists of all ethnicities.
The majority of its archives and research materials document the history of El Taller Boricua and the Nuyorican artistic community.
The recorded interviews and performances include: Poets, Tato Laviera, Papoleto Meléndez, Sandra Esteves and novelist Nicholasa
Mohr. There are also photographs and slides documenting the works
of the artists of El Taller such as Marcos Dimas, Fernando Salicrup,
Nitza Tufiño and others.
Art objects and artifacts—this collection is comprised of works on
paper created by artists who started or joined the Taller through the
years such as Marcos Dimas, Fernando Salicrup, Rafael Tufiño, Nitza
Tufiño and Jorge Soto.
El Taller’s relations to other organizations lies in collaborating with
exhibitions, public programs and print portfolios which include: The
Association of Hispanic Arts (AHA), The Bronx Museum of the
Arts, The Center for Puerto Rican Studies, Friends of Puerto Rico, El
Museo del Barrio and The New Museum of Contemporary Art.
Taller Boricua is extremely proud to be honored by Comité Noviembre on our 40th Year Celebration as “Lo Mejor de la Comunidad.”
The Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, Inc. is a nonprofit multi-service organization serving New York’s growing Latino and other ethnic/racial minority seniors, and their families. The Institute
serves over 100,000 minority seniors every year through its central offices in Manhattan, four borough
offices, and ten senior centers across the City. These senior centers are located in the City’s neediest neighborhoods and several are based in public housing developments.
The Institute provides critical multi-lingual multicultural counseling, case management, advocacy, information and referral services, and housing to New York’s most vulnerable population ---senior citizens,
who live on small fixed incomes, are all too often abused and alienated, and live in fear for their future
health and well-being. IPR/HE is an advocate and defender of their rights and entitlements under the law,
with special programs to prevent seniors from falling prey to fraud, abuse, domestic violence, crime , and
malnutrition. The Institute’s mission is to make their “golden years” fruitful, peaceful and fulfilled by directly impacting on the quality of their lives through our intervention programs mentioned above, as well
as our many social and cultural activities, civic empowerment education, leadership development training,
and conferences and workshops on important topics for seniors and their families. The Institute is also
home to the dynamic Hispanic Senior Action Council with over 6000 members and network of 100,000
participants.
The Institute serves as an important resource for non-profit organizations, government agencies and businesses throughout the United States and Puerto Rico by providing technical assistance, training, and consultation in areas such as culturally responsive service delivery and access to minority communities. The
Institute founded the Minority Aging Defense Council, co-founded the Hispanic AIDS Forum, sponsored
the Coalition of Hispanic Service Providers, and is a founding member of Comite Noviembre.
Suleika Cabrera, President, IPR/HE & First Vice Chair, Comite Noviembre
Angel Santini, IPR/HE Staff & Coordinator, Comité Noviembre
Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly
105 East 22nd Street Suite 615, New York, NY 10010, (212) 677-4181; (212) 777-5106
IN THE CELEBRATION OF THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF
SOCIAL SECURITY,
PUERTO RICAN VOICES
NEED TO BE HEARD
By Suleika Cabrera Drinane,
Founding CEO & President- Institute for Puerto Rican and Hispanic Elderly, Inc.
This year Social Security celebrates its 75th anniversary. Enacted through the tireless efforts of President Franklin
Delano Roosevelt in 1935, this watershed social program had a magnitude and impact previously unseen by the
American people. Social Security—guaranteed by law for all Americans—to this day is a lifesaver for millions
of elderly and disabled Americans. For almost two-thirds of our older adults, social security provides the majority
of their income. Amazingly, for the other one-third Social Security provides all of their income. Without Social
Security, nearly one-half of Americans age 65 and over would live in poverty.
In 2003, nearly one out of five (18%) Puerto Ricans received Social Security, less than one-half (46%) of these
beneficiaries were retirees and more than one-half (54%) of beneficiaries were widows or widowers, workers with
disabilities, wives or husbands of workers, or children. In 2004, Social Security constituted at least 50% of the total
income of two-thirds of Puerto Ricans age 65+ (67%). Also in 2004, nearly one-half (46%) of Puerto Ricans age 65
or older relied on Social Security as their only source of income.
In the United States, nearly one-half (47%) of the older population would be living in poverty if they were not
receiving Social Security. In Puerto Rico, the number of older adults lifted from poverty is likely to be even greater
given the poverty level for the Island is even higher than that in the US, and the percentage of residents who rely on
it as their only source of income is higher.
The Institute for Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly (IPR/HE) supports Social Security, a promise made to all American
workers, from 1935 onward. Social Security is a right and belongs to the workers and their families who pay their
taxes, and contribute to this Fund. Social Security did not cause the federal deficit, and therefore these benefits
should not be cut to reduce our current deficit. On the contrary, the
Government continually takes money from the Social Security Fund
for unrelated programs! Furthermore, if the federal Government
could find the money to save Wall Street from bankruptcy—it
should be able to find money to pay what is owes to the Social
Security Fund.
IPR/HE is also concerned about the reactionary attempt to cut
Social Security! On February 2008, President Obama created
the bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and
Reform to address our nation’s fiscal challenges. The Commission
was charged with identifying policies to improve the fiscal
situation in the medium term and to achieve fiscal sustainability
over the long run. The Executive Order directs the Commission
to recommend how to reduce the annual deficit to three percent
(3%) of the national economy by 2015. Although Commission
members have declined to expressly say what options they are considering to meet this charge, Social Security has
recently been the predominant target of debate at the Commission especially during their two past meetings. The
Commission’s first report will be issued on December 1, 2010. As a community, we must strongly stand for and
defend Social Security.
In addition to preserving Social Security, we believe Puerto Ricans on the Island, as US citizens, should be entitled
IN THE CELEBRATION OF THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF SOCIAL SECURITY,
...continued
to Supplemental Security Benefits. We must also fight to reduce systemic discrimination from Washington against
Puerto Ricans on the Island, which treats them as “second class” citizens when it comes to Social Security Benefits,
Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP.
Note the following lack of equity between benefits to Puerto Ricans on the Island, as against citizens living on the
Mainland and in other U.S. Territories:
• Medicaid Funding—Puerto Rico has 4.5 of the Nation’s population living under the poverty level, but receives
just 0.13% of Medicaid fund.
• Medicare Benefits—Residents and Health Care providers in Puerto Rico are unequally treated under Medicare
in four respects. (1) Residents of Puerto Rico are not automatically enrolled in part B, which pays for doctors
and outpatient services. (2) Island hospitals do not receive a fair Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) rate
of payment for serving low income patients because the Supplemental Security Income program has not been
extended to Puerto Rico, and the number of SSI recipient is a major factor in the calculation of DSH payments.
(3) The Government of Puerto Rico receives limited block grant funding for Part D prescription drug benefits
for Medicare beneficiaries, rather than funding based on need. (4) Payments for in-patient hospital services are
significantly lower than the reimbursement rates that apply in all other U.S. jurisdictions.
• Medicare Advantage—The lack of equal treatment facing Puerto Ricans on the Island has resulted in a high
percentage having to enroll in Medicare Advantage Plans. Now that the Federal Government has reduced
Medicaid Advantage benefits, Puerto Ricans on the Island will be disproportionately impacted and the quality of
care will suffer significantly.
• Children Home Intervention Program (CHIP) funding in Puerto Rico is unequal because the program’s basic
funding is granted on a limited set-aside basis rather than based on the number of low-income children eligible
for CHIP as in other jurisdictions.
As Puerto Ricans, we must advocate for the following:
1. Puerto Ricans on the Island should be entitled to full parity and quality of care within the National Health Care
Reform. They should be entitled to Supplemental Security Income Benefits (SSI).
2. The retirement age for Social Security—already planned to increase from 65 to 67—should NOT be increased
further.
3. Social Security benefits, which average $13,000 for 2010, for pensioners and their dependants protects against
loss of wages resulting from disability, death, or old age. These benefits must not be reduced, including changes
in the cost of living adjustment.
4. Social Security benefits must be increased for the most disadvantaged.
The Obama Administration must end current eligibility and funding disparities in the treatment of Puerto Rico
and guarantee full participation in the Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP programs as part of the Health Care Law
initiative. Join us in this important effort.
IPR/HE has been a multi-service and advocacy organization for the last 33 years in the city. Along with its Senior
Action Council, IPR/HE is committed to promote civic participation and advocate for equal treatment and access to
services for all Hispanics and minority groups in the country.
IPR/HE with great pride celebrates the 75th Social Security Anniversary and will continue to defend its promise to
all. However, we must demand the equitable and fair treatment of Puerto Ricans on the Island; and, the expansion
of SSI benefits to Puerto Rico. We should not rest well until we are sure that our brothers and sisters in need on the
Island receive equal treatment, parity in benefits, and can access the highest quality of health care.
HISTORY
ASPIRA was founded in New York City in 1961 by Dra. Antonia Pantoja to combat the exorbitant dropout rate among Puerto Rican high school youth and became
incorporated in New York State on May 24th, 1965. In 1968, ASPIRA of America
(today known as the ASPIRA Association now based in Washington, D.C.) was
created. Since then, the ASPIRA movement has grown and established additional
SASPIRA associate offices in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico.
MISSION
To foster the social advancement of the Puerto Rican/Latino community by supporting its youth in the pursuit of
educational excellence through leadership development activities and programs that emphasizes commitment to the
community and pride in the Puerto Rican/Latino culture.
VISION STATEMENT
To be the premier Latino youth-serving organization in New York, to the 38%, roughly 1.1 million New York City
public school students who are Latino, aspire to improve their lives and community by exercising their leadership
skills and by achieving educational excellence.
ABOUT ASPIRA OF NEW YORK, INC.
ASPIRA of New York, Inc. serves over 8,000 Latino youth and families annually in the areas of youth development,
educational achievement, leadership and parent engagement. ASPIRA’s current menu of program services, incorporate both in-school and after school programs with over 85% of all services being delivered on school grounds.
These programs and services include:
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Over 25 ASPIRA leadership clubs in High Schools
Drop-out prevention and attendance improvement services in high schools and middle school
SAT preparation courses
College counseling and other advisement services
21st Century Community Learning Centers
After School neighborhood based services in the Mott Haven and Kingsbridge sections of the Bronx
ASPIRA volunteer Initiative Program which links corporate and individual volunteers as mentors androle models for ASPIRA Youth
In recent years ASPIRA of New York, Inc. has become active in the arena of small school reform resulting in
the creation of:
The Marble Hill School for International Studies, a small college-preparatory high school focusing on global
awareness and language acquisition.
The Bronx Studio School for Writers and Artists, a small 6th — 12th grade combined middle & senior high
school located in the heart of the South Bronx
ASPIRA of New York is committed to:
• Effectively engaging Latino youth and their families.
• Collaborating with organizations that affect the lives of young people in a positive way.
• Seeking to positively change attitudes among young people and between youth and adults.
• Preparing young people to be leaders and decision makers in all aspects of their lives.
• Working to influence policies and practices that reflect the aspirations and contributions of young people as full
valued members of the communities they live in and of society at large.
ASPIRA OF NEW YORK, INC.
520 Eighth Avenue, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10018
(212) 564-6880, (212) 564-7152 (f), www.nyaspira.org
Hector Gesualdo, Executive Director
Hector Artiles, Student Leadership Program
ASPIRA: “to aspire”
COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
mes de la herencia puertorriqueña
16TH ANNUAL
DAY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2010
IN MANHATTAN
EL MUSEO DEL BARRIO
1230 Fifth Avenue
(@ 104th Street) NYC 10029
IN BROOKLYN
EL PUENTE
211 South Fourth Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
IN THE BRONX
HOSTOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
500 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10451
11AM TO 4PM
FOOD DRIVE - NON-PERISHABLE FOODS
ITEMS NEEDED TO CREATE A TYPICAL
PUERTO RICAN THANKSGIVING MEAL
RICE
GANDULES
CANNED HAMS
BROWN SUGAR/MAPLE SYRUP
CLOVES
CANNED SLICED PINEAPPLES
CANNED YAMS
CANNED VEGETABLES
(CORN, GREEN BEANS MIXED)
5LB BAG OF POTATOES
MAYONNAISE
CRANBERRY SAUCE
GRAVY
STUFFING (BOX)
CANNED FRUITS
(PINEAPPLES, PEACHES, FRUIT
COCKTAIL)
CRACKERS
COOKIES
PERMALOT MILK
SODA
COFFEE
SUGAR
MEDIUM/LARGE BASKETS
NAPKINS
For the past fifteen years, Comité Noviembre has set aside the Sunday before Thanksgiving as a day of community
service and social responsibility in commemoration of November 19th, traditionally known as Puerto Rican discovery day or as we like to call it Puerto Rican “encounter” day. The purpose of the day is to show the spirit of commitment and the power of action. Over the past years, this event has been a great success and organizations throughout
the city have benefited from this collaboration, including homeless and battered women’s shelters and senior centers
as well as individual families.
Community service and social responsibility are the strongholds of the Puerto Rican community. Throughout the years
our experience has shown us that when we dedicate ourselves to improving the quality of life of those around us, we build
a more unified and stronger society.
Comite Noviembre urges you to conduct your own food drive at your work place, church, school or simply participate in
this day as a volunteer
Live the Spirit of Commitment and the Power of Action Come Join Us!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED BEFORE AND AFTER THIS DATE FOR FOOD COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION!
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO VOLUNTEER PLEASE CONTACT
Eileen Reyes, El Museo, 212-660-7160, [email protected],
Martha Laureano, El Puente, (718) 387-0404 [email protected],
Hector Artiles , ASPIRA, (212) 564-6880, [email protected],
Teresa A. Santiago, CN, (914) 263-6599, [email protected]
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Highlights of the 16th Annual
CN/ASPIRA DAY OF COMMUNITY
SERVICE & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Last year, CN members and ASPIRA students distributed 100 turkeys
and food baskets at IPRHE/UPACA Senior Center in East Harlem.
People came from as far as Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx to receive
this donation. By 2PM the over 4,500 cans of food collected by the 18
ASPIRA Clubs were gone.
CN along with ASPIRA of New York conducted a food drive of nonperishable foods, to create Thanksgiving dinner baskets for the poor of New York. The goal was to create 75 food baskets. The ASPIRA
Clubs in 18 high schools around the entire City of New York conducted food drives at each of the clubs. The drive garnered over 4,500
cans of foods. The items of non-perishable foods collected created a typical Puerto Rican Thanksgiving meal were: rice, gandules,
canned hams, brown sugar/maple syrup, cloves, canned sliced pineapples, canned yams, canned vegetables (corn, green beans mixed),
5lb bag of potatoes. The food boxes were prepared and distributed by ASPIRANTES and volunteers on the Sunday before Thanksgiving
to needy families as well as to the families that showed up to the UPACA Senior Center the day of the drive.
This Year, CN Is Expanding The Food Drive To 3 Locations:
In Manhattan
El Museo Del Barrio
1230 Fifth Avenue
(@ 104Th Street) NYC 10029
In Brooklyn
El Puente
211 South Fourth Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
In The Bronx
Hostos Community College
500 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10451
CN urges each and every one of you to conduct your own food drives in your schools, colleges/universities, work place, churches,
hospitals and supermarkets and help us feed the needy and hungry in our community. It just takes one person to ask the question – the
only thing they can do is say No the best thing that can happen is that we make a solid difference.
In these tough economic times it is very difficult to provide for our own families however community service and social responsibility
are the strongholds of the Puerto Rican community. Throughout the years our experience has shown us that when we dedicate ourselves
to improving the quality of life of those around us, we build a more unified and stronger society.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO VOLUNTEER PLEASE CONTACT
Eileen Reyes, El Museo, 212-660-7160, [email protected], Martha Laureano, El Puente, (718) 387-0404 [email protected],
Hector Artiles , ASPIRA (212) 564-6880, [email protected]
Teresa A. Santiago, CN, (914) 263-6599, [email protected]
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COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS PROGRAM
Fifteen Years of Success
For the past twenty-four years, CN, has created and developed programs all geared to the support and enhancement of educational opportunities and leadership development for Puerto Rican youth with a cultural twist. These
programs are firmly rooted in the belief, that in order to succeed in life, you must pursue a higher education, give
back to your community through volunteer efforts and know your cultural ancestral history. Focusing on educational
excellence and leadership development is the key to the future of the Puerto Rican community.
In celebration of its tenth anniversary, the CN Scholarship Awards Program (CNSAP) was established. To date,
CNSAP has awarded 179 scholarships boasting a 90% college graduation rate since the inception in 1996. The
scholarships are for $1,000. The selection process is competitive and documented community service is, key to be
selected.
To be eligible for the CN scholarship award, applicants must be of Puerto Rican descent; have a minimum of one full
year of community service experience; be enrolled in an accredited college or university by the Fall of the applying
year and have a B average or better. The application process includes an application form, an essay, two letters of
recommendation, academic transcripts, a short biographical sketch, and a personal interview for finalists.
In 2006, to commemorate its 20th anniversary, CN enhanced the Scholarship Program to continue to award the top
two scholars $1,000 scholarships each year until graduation. These scholars must maintain a 3.5 grade point average
and documented community work within the Puerto Rican community to continue to receive the $1,000 scholarship
for the full four years. These scholars are: Louis Alberto Sanchez, III, senior at NYU, majoring in computer science
with interests in psychology, mathematics and education; Nicholas Berrios, senior at Farmingdale College majoring
in biology; and Juan Carlos Tapia, a senior at Siena College, majoring in economics and finance.
Comité Noviembre selects leaders from various sectors of the community who have demonstrated genuine interest
in the educational excellence of our youth to serve on the selection committee. Currently, the committee members
are: Co-Chairs: Deacon Jaime Bello, Holy Cross Church and Jane Arce-Bello, education and youth advocate; Elba
Cabrera, community leader, Lourdes R. Torres, Executive Assistant to the Provost and Director of Administration,
Budget & Grants Management, Hostos Community College, CUNY, Pedro Lugo - educator; and Teresa A. Santiago,
Chairperson, Comité Noviembre.
The 2011 CNSAP process is underway. To receive an application please email the contact name and mailing address
to Jaime Bello at [email protected], or visit our website at www.comitenoviembre.org to download a copy
of the application.
COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Paloma Jazim Martine
Freshman
LIM College
Christopher A. Perez
Freshman
Fordham University
Javier S. Henriquez
Sophomore
Bates College
Kailani Capote
Freshman
Delaware State University
Paloma Jazim Martinez is a graduate of New Rochelle High School and presently attending LIM
College. Paloma was enrolled in the PAVE Program (Performing and Visual Arts Education at New
Rochelle High School and has participated in The National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC) in
Washington, D.C. Paloma served as the President of the Hispanic Culture Club. Under her leadership, the club increased its membership, and she organized a number of positive and informational
activities for the students and staff. Paloma demonstrated a genuine concern for her community and the
many socio-economic issues affecting Latinos in our country. Paloma dedicated her time and talents
with Trinity Elementary School in New Rochelle where she coordinated the 21st Century Community
Learning Centers, after school and summer programs designed to provide enrichment and remediation
to some of the neediest children. Paloma has been involved as a volunteer with the American Cancer
Associations in White Plains in tribute to her grandmother who died of Breast Cancer. Paloma’s greatest goal is to try to improve the Puerto Rican’s community’s social education by exposing them to
different cultural and social experiences starting at a young age.
Christopher A. Perez is a graduate of Cardinal Spellman H.S. in the Bronx and presently attends
Fordham University in the Bronx. While in Cardinal Spellman H.S., Christopher was an honor student
and served as a tutor and counselor of grammar school children. Christopher dedicated some of his
time with the Church Pension Group, NYC, served as a Camp Counselor with the Saint Vincent De
Paul Camp in Putnam Valley, was a member of the National Honor Society, played basketball and soccer on the schools team. Christopher’s passion for the Puerto Rican Community is the effects of political efficacy arguing that the profile of those who voted for change in 2008 will not have a voice in the
mid-term elections of 2002 because of their desire to vote. Christopher’s desire to engage the Puerto
Rican people by inducing them to exercise their constitutional right and utilize their voting privileges.
He hopes to spread his passion as a passion for a stronger community. Christopher is described as
an individual who strives to exceed expectations and as one who takes pride in his work. Arguably,
Christopher’s mantra can be seen as seeing the good qualities of all people and in all people. “We are
all made in the image of God.
Javier S. Henriquez is a graduate Pelham Memorial High School in Pelham, NY and now attends
Bates College in Lewiston, Maine where he is an American Cultural student. Javier is quite an eclectic
individual who spent all the summer months of his formative years with his grandmother and aunt in
Toa Alta, Puerto Rico. His time in Puerto Rico were the happiest times of his life spending much of his
time climbing trees, eating mangoes, catching lizards and hunting for coqui’s. As a potential leader in
the Puerto Rican community, Javier would like to exercise greater control and enforcement of laws for
planned land use and support laws that all new construction be sustainable utilizing the latest “green”
technology. Javier sees that changing the mindset of the people of Puerto Rico will not happen immediately, but by implementing an aggressive campaign in educating for the future. The importance of
preserving the environment is critical for Puerto Rico so that it can provide its people, my people with
a good and healthy quality of living allowing it to remain a desirable tourist destination and to build
a sustainable environment. Javier has participated in the Harvard National Model UN Conference,
the 2008 Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute, worked with the Riverside Church and Project People
Foundation, Inc, to represent Riverside Youth by going on a humanitarian mission and tour HIV/AIDS
clinics and orphanages in South Africa and Botswanna. He raised $1,600.00 in private funds to bring
medical supplies on his mission. Javier also spends much of his free time as a Coach’s assistant at Holy
Family Church in the Bronx. Javier has played on the Bates College Bobcats Football Team, Pelham
Memorial High school Varsity team and Pelham Memorial High School Varsity Lacrosse team.
Kailani Capote is a graduate of Mount St. Ursula Academy in the Bronx and presently attends Delaware State University. She is described as a young woman who has great determination with a willingness to place her pursuit of knowledge first. While at the Academy of Mount St. Ursula, Kailani was
the president of the Umoja Dare Club, Vice-president of the Student Council, a member of the Italian
Club, a member of the Retreat Team and received the Liberty Leads Medal for two years. Two things
that have impacted Kailani culturally are respect and reputation. At an early age her parents insisted
that Kailani carry herself in a positive way and care for the needs of others. Kailani has a passion
for teaching, psychology, dance and travel. She considers a problem affecting the Puerto Rican Community to the loss of culture within some and hopes to be able to continue throughout her formative
years to provide some balance in her own way within her own age group and developing there from.
She looks to organizations such as the Caribbean Cultural Center, the Side Street Kids Academy and
Comité Noviembre as vehicles that have allowed her to explore and expand upon her culture.
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2010 Buscando Nuestra Raíces
Fourth Annual Trip to Puerto Rico Highlights
Saturday, August 14, 2010 – Saturday, August 21, 2010
Embassy Suites Hotel and Casino, Isla Verde, Puerto Rico
This trip was an adventure into a cultural and educational experience for Puerto Ricans and others who want to explore the richness of Puerto Rico’s culture, ancestral roots and history. Making this trip a reality was a natural progression of CN’s mission
and goals. As we planned this trip we took into account that many of us although we visit the island frequently rarely visit the
cultural and historical sites and landmarks unique to Puerto Rico and renowned throughout the world. The itinerary planned
took our participants on a journey you will remember for many years to come. Please join us in Summer 2011
Trip highlights:
• La Bienvenida reception at El Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, Santurce, PR with film presentation of “Sudor Amargo,” producers Alba
Nydia Diaz and Sonia Valentin, production studio Copelar
• Tour of the town of Adjuntas with lunch sponsored by the Municipality of Adjuntas
• Visited CASA PUEBLO an award winning internationally recognized communitarian self determined organization that promotes
through a collective and/or individuals the voluntary participation that proposes and creates alternatives to protect the environment
and fortifies human and cultural values.
• Explored Old San Juan - Viejo San Juan; Toured el Museo de las Americas with presentation on the history of the Ballaja building and
the Architecture of Old San Juan. The goal of the museum is to provide permanent and seasonal exhibitions whereby the public can
gain an understanding of the history and culture of the Americas. The Museum of the Americas is located in the Old Quarter of Ballaja
which is in Old San Juan. The building itself has historical value and many enjoy looking at the various aspects of its architecture.
• Toured el Castillo San Cristobal which was built by Spain to protect against land based attacks on the city of San Juan. It is part of
San Juan National Historic Site. Castillo de San Cristóbal is the largest fortification built by the Spanish in the New World. When it
was finished in 1783, it covered about 27 acres of land and basically wrapped around the city of San Juan.
• Attended Le Lo Lai Festival at Castillo San Cristobal in Old San Juan. This cultural and entertainment program has been in place
for over three decades. It was created to foster Puerto Rican culture through its music and rhythms, and through various events that
showcase our Spanish, Taíno and African heritage.
• Tour and presentation at Centro de Bella Artes Luis A. Ferre, in Santurce PR. Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferré (CBA), is a multiuse performance centre located Santurce, it features three main concert and theater halls for performing arts displays, including ballet,
plays, operas and concerts, as well as contemporary music. CBA houses many works of art by renowned artists. In the Antonio Paoli
Festival Hall’s second floor, a 30 by 15 foot mural titled La Plena by Rafael Tufiño is on display and represents twelve famous Puerto
Rican plenas by local songwriter Manuel “Canario” Jiménez. The Muses another work seen is an assortment of 6 foot tall bronze
female sculptures along the Juan Morel Campos Plaza.
• Tour of Loiza: Puerto Rico’s African heritage is front and center in the town of Loíza. Known as, “El Pueblo de la Cacica, the town
was established in the 17th century and named in honor of Yuisa or Luisa, one of the women caciques on the island when the Spanish
conquerors arrived.
• Tour and presentation by renowned artist Samuel Lind’s Art Studio in Loiza. Lind is most identified with the Afro-Caribbean cultural
trends of his home town Loiza. He has produced a great number of works celebrating dance, carnival and other aspects of Puerto
Rican experience. Lind emphasizes the African dimensions of jibaro life.
• Explored the Town of Aibonito, a small mountain town in Puerto Rico located in the Mountain range of Cayey, its main plaza is the
highest in the island at 2,401 ft/731 m above sea level.
• Attended Noche de Bohemia at Café de la Plaza at Plaza de Santurce
• Tour of Casa Barcardi, Cataño, which blends contemporary architecture and modern technology with a heritage and tradition that
dates back to 1862, when Don Facundo Bacardí Massó revolutionized the rum making process.
• Farewell Reception @ the Embassy Suites Isla Verde honoring Rafael Cepeda Foundation, El Nuevo Día, Jorge L. Gómez Gonzalez,
Presidente, Asociación Pro-Rescate y Desarrollo de la Perla BellaLa Perla Dra. Lourdes Ramos, Presidenta, Museo de Arte de Puerto
Rico and the honorable William “Willie” Miranda Marín, Mayor of Caguas, Puerto Rico from 1997 until his death in 2010.
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With Samuel Lind at his studio.
Join us next year!
Celebrating Over Four Decades
of Educational Excellence
Hostos Community College was created by an act of the Board of Higher Education on April 22, 1968, in response to the demands
of Puerto Rican and other Hispanic leaders who urged the establishment of a college to meet the needs of the South Bronx. In
September 1970, Hostos admitted a charter class of 623 students at the site of a former tire factory at 475 Grand Concourse.
Enrollment grew rapidly to more than 2,000 students by June 1974. In the same year, the state legislature acted to ease an
increasing space shortage by passing a special bill to acquire the “500 Building” across the Grand Concourse from the original
site. Today, the campus has six buildings, three of which have been specially designed to meet the institution’s needs. Hostos
takes pride in its well-equipped science, mathematics, writing, and computer labs, its excellent physical education facilities, and
its state-of-the-art theaters. We are also proud of our growth and our diversity. This semester, the student population exceeded
6,100, with first-time freshmen alone numbering 1,235, which is nearly twice the enrollment of the 623-member charter class
in 1970. And in terms of diversity, this class includes students from 66 different countries all over the world!
The mission of Hostos Community College is to offer access to higher education leading to intellectual growth and socioeconomic
mobility through the development of linguistic, mathematical, and critical thinking proficiencies needed for lifelong learning
and for success in a variety of programs including careers, liberal arts, transfer, and those professional programs leading to
licensure. The vision is to make Hostos Community College a “college of excellence” for students seeking a liberal arts or
career education in a dual language, multicultural learning environment.
On July 1, 2009, Eugenio María de Hostos Community College of CUNY welcomed Dr. Félix
V. Matos Rodriguez as its new president. Trained as a social scientist, Dr. Matos Rodríguez
previously held leadership positions in foundations, universities, policy centers, and branches
of government in which he combined his scholarship with social policy, advocacy, and change.
While at Hostos, Dr. Matos Rodríguez is on leave from his tenured position as an Associate
Professor of Black and Puerto Rican/Latino Studies at Hunter College of CUNY, where he
teaches courses on Caribbean, Latin American, and Latino history. He has also served as director
of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter, which is one of the largest and most important
Latino research centers in the United States. In addition, Dr. Matos Rodríguez is part of the
History Department at CUNY’s Graduate Center.
Dr. Matos Rodríguez has an extensive publication record in the fields of Women’s, Puerto Rican,
Caribbean, and Latino Studies and Migration. He has also served as Secretary of the Department
of the Family for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Expressing his commitment to the mission and vision of Hostos, Dr. Matos Rodríguez has said: “For over four decades, Hostos
has been a gateway to educational advancement and professional opportunity. It is also an economic and cultural anchor for
the communities it serves. We must never forget that Hostos was created, fought for, and nurtured by the people of the Bronx.
As its president, I hope to continue building on the achievements in student life and support, academic offerings, faculty
innovation, and community involvement that have characterized this institution over the years.”
HOSTOS IS PROUD TO BE A MEMBER AGENCY OF COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE.
Dr. Felix V. Matos Rodriguez, President
Lourdes R. Torres, Comité Noviembre Representative
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College
500 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY 10451
www.hostos.cuny.edu
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Fourth Annual Artisans Fair & Exhibit
For the past four years, CN has invited
artisans from throughout the US and Puerto
Rico to participate in this Fair. The number of
participating artisans averages 55. Over the
years, CN has transformed, Hunter College West
Building, the Church of St. Paul the Apostle and
Hostos Community College into a typical Puerto
Rican plaza with a fountain, palm trees, piragua
and coquito carts and artists, sculptors, vejigante
mask makers promoting and selling their wares
while musical and cultural acts entertained
throughout the day. Additionally each year, CN
conducts workshops for children and adults,
like mask making, the history of the three kings’
celebration, Taíno storytelling in order to make
sure that our youth learn about our culture.
Last year CN conducted a Health Fair that ran
concurrently with its Fourth Annual Artisans Fair
& Exhibit. The Health component of the Fair was
added because of the great number of residents
concentrated in the Bronx and neighboring
boroughs with chronic diseases such as diabetes,
high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity.
This year the Fair is dedicated to CUNY’s Senior
Vice Chancellor for Budget and Finance Ernesto
Malave (1958 - 2009).
Photos by Robert Figueroa
Fourth Annual Artisans Fair & Exhibit
Photos by
Robert Figueroa
Puerto Rican
Legal Defense and
Education Fund
Founded in 1972 as the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, LatinoJustice PRLDEF has played a critical role in
improving the lives and well-being of the now 8 million Puerto Ricans and more than 30 million other Latinos in the United
States. LatinoJustice PRLDEF has worked to secure, promote and protect the civil rights of the Puerto Rican and wider Latino
community, making it a leading civil rights organization and one of the premiere Latino organizations in the country.
EDUCATION RIGHTS: The Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund’s first lawsuit, ASPIRA v. NYC Board of Education, resulted in the groundbreaking ASPIRA Consent Decree which forced the school system to implement bilingual education techniques to effectively instruct students who spoke mostly Spanish. Since then, LatinoJustice PRLDEF has combated
the forced segregation of Latino children in many parts of the country. The group has successfully intervened in desegregation cases in Wilmington, DE; Waterbury, CT; Buffalo, NY, and Boston, MA. LatinoJustice PRLDEF also brought a lawsuit
challenging a decision to the double the tuition rates for undocumented students at CUNY. A political victory ensued, which
allowed students graduating from NYS high schools to be eligible for State tuition rates.
EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS: In 1972, in two class action suits against the NYC Police Department, LatinoJustice PRLDEF was
able to get the courts to force the department to institute fair hiring and promotional practices which increased the number of
Latino officers and sergeants. Additionally, the group filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations
Board resulting in a $1.075 million settlement on behalf of Latino immigrant employees at a food processing plant. In 2002,
LatinoJustice PRLDEF intervened in an EEOC suit against a Connecticut beauty supply company, for its imposition of an illegal English-only policy against its Latino employees.
VOTING RIGHTS: In 1973, as a result of a LatinoJustice PRLDEF court victory, for the first time in NYC history bilingual
ballots and interpreters, in English, Spanish and Chinese, were provided to parents to vote in the school board elections. The
same legal arguments were applied in the landmark voting rights case, Torres v. Sachs, which required the use of bilingual ballots for all NYC elections. In 1975 the federal Voting Rights Act was amended which secured the voting rights of all linguistic
minorities throughout the country. In 1981, LatinoJustice PRLDEF successfully challenged the redistricting plan passed by the
City Council and signed into law by the Mayor, which had been drawn to preclude additional minority representation on the
City Council.
HOUSING RIGHTS: More than 30 years ago, LatinoJustice PRLDEF sued the NYC Housing Authority proving discrimination against Latin and African-American applicants for apartments in three housing projects in Williamsburg. After years of
litigation, the parties agreed to a far-reaching settlement in 2002. In 1977, the group filed a class action suit against a Lower
East Side co-operative which would not make apartments available to Latinos. Since then, LatinoJustice PRLDEF has fought
for the rights of tenants in Brooklyn, against housing discrimination in city-owned apartments and for access rights to housing
in Newark and Hartford.
FROM MIGRANTS’ TO IMMIGRANTS’ RIGHTS: In 1972, the group challenged the State of New Jersey and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for deliberately failing to protect the rights of migrant farm laborers throughout the state. Recently, in
Hazleton, PA, LatinoJustice PRLDEF challenged a virulently anti-immigrant ordinance that fined employers or landlords who
hired or rented to undocumented immigrants and limited all government business to English only. This ordinance had tremendous impact nationally; since it was introduced in June 2006, at least 80 localities have proposed or passed laws modeled on
it. LatinoJustice PRLDEF was successful in blocking the ordinance’s implementation after a federal judge granted permanent
injunctive relief which enjoined Hazleton from putting the challenged ordinance into place.
DIVERSIFYING AMERICA’S LEGAL SYSTEM: Since its inception, the organization’s Education Division has been committed to increasing the diversity of the legal profession. LatinoJustice PRLDEF offers preparatory courses for students who
wish to pursue a law degree, along with other education programs.
LatinoJustice PRLDEF, 99 Hudson Street 14th Floor, New York, NY 10013
Cesar Perales, Esq., President and General Counsel, (212) 219-3360, [email protected]
Overview of Puerto Rico’s Political Parties
The most important question in Puerto Rican politics is the island’s political status. It has been studied by White
House Task Forces, voted on in plebiscites, and is debated by almost everyone who has any connection to the
island. Even the platforms of Puerto Rico’s three main political parties revolve around status. Though the three
parties are united in their desire to alter the original definitions of Puerto Rico’s commonwealth-- or Estado Libre
Asociado-- status that were agreed upon in 1952, they are all fiercely divided in their belief of what new political
system would be most beneficial to the people living on the island.
A brief description of the island’s parties, along with their key objectives and leaders follows:
New Progressive Party
(Partido Nuevo Progresista)
Platform
The New Progressive Party supports Puerto Rico’s annexation to the United States
as a State with full powers and responsibilities.
History
Luis A. Ferré founded the New Progressive Party in 1968, as an alternative to the
pro-statehood Puerto Rican Republican Party.
Objectives
The NPP rejects the island’s political status quo and considers Puerto Rico’s lack of
federal representation to be a form of disenfranchisement. Party members argue that
as a state, Puerto Rico would have more political power.
Important Leaders
Luis A. Ferré (First Republican and NPP Governor of Puerto Rico and Party Co-Founder)
Carlos Romero Barceló (Former Governor and Resident Commissioner)
Dr. Pedro Roselló (Former Governor)
The party’s current leader is Governor Luis. A. Fortuño. He served as Resident Commissioner from 2005 to 2009.
Popular Democratic Party
(Partido Popular Democrático)
Platform
The PDP platform calls for an autonomous Puerto Rico that maintains a binding
relationship with the United States in areas of mutual benefit.
History
The Popular Democratic Party was founded as a result of a split amongst
members of the then-Liberal party. Luis Muñoz Marín and his followers legally
incorporated the new party in 1938.
Objectives
In recent years the PPD objectives have trended towards gaining further autonomy and greater local control over the
foreign relations of the Commonwealth, while still maintaining ties to the United States.
Puerto Rico’s Three Major Political Parties
continued
Important Leaders
Luis Muñoz Marín (Party founder and first elected governor of the island)
Roberto Sánchez Vilella (Second elected governor of the island)
Sila María Calderón (Former Mayor of San Juan and first female Governor of Puerto Rico)
The party’s current leader is Héctor Ferrer Ríos, an at-large member of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives.
Puerto Rican Independence Party
(Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño)
Platform
The independence party believes that Puerto Rico should have complete sovereignty
in its foreign and domestic issues. The party argues that for all political intents and
purposes, Puerto Rico is still a colony of the United States.
History
The party was founded on October 20, 1946 by Gilberto Concepción de Gracia.
It began as the electoral wing of the Puerto Rican pro-independence movement.
It is the largest of the independence parties, and it represents the independence
movement on the ballot during elections.
Objectives
Members of the Puerto Rican Independence Party believe that the island has a right to assert its independence from
the United States.
Important Leaders
Gilberto Concepción de Gracia (founder)
Manuel Rodríguez Orellana (Party leader, current Party Secretary for North American Relations)
Fernando Martín García (current party Executive President, law professor, former Senator at Large in Puerto Rico
senate)
The party’s current leader is Ruben Berríos Martínez. He has served in the Puerto Rico Senate and has been the
Independence Party’s candidate for governor several times in the past three decades.
References:
1. “Historia del Partido Popular Democrático.” Ppdpr.net, website of the Popular Democratic Party.
http://ppdpr.net/info/ 2. Mélendez, Edgardo and Edwin Mélendez, eds. Colonial Dilemma: Critical Perspectives
on Contemporary Puerto Rico. Boston: South End Press. 1993. 3. “New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico.”
Wikipedia. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 5 October 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/New_Progressive_Party_of_Puerto_Rico. 4. Popular Democratic Party.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia.
Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 5 October 2010. 5. Puerto Rico Independence Party. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia.
Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 5 October 2010. 6. “Quienes somos y nuestra historia.” Independencia.net, website of
the Puerto Rico Independence Party. http://independencia.net/historia.html. 7. “Reglamento Final del Partido Nuevo
Progresista.” Fortuñogobernador.com, website of the governor of Puerto Rico and chair of the New Progressive
Party. http://www.fortunogobernador.com/pdf/reglamento_final-PNP-2009.pdf. 8. Wagenheim, Kal and Olga
Jiménez de Wagenheim. The Puerto Ricans: A Documentary History. Princeton: Markus Wiener Publishers. 2002
National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights
Puerto Ricans in the 21st Century
Reafirmación de un Pueblo
In 1981, Puerto Rican activists from around the country including the late Richie
Perez, a longtime activist and leader in the struggle for global human rights,
founded the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights (NCPRR). For more
than 20 years the NCPRR engaged in grassroots campaigns in many cities, including a march on Washington D.C.
The NCPRR is a power resource that was created by the Puerto Rican people’s grassroots struggle - it has
history, legitimacy and weight. Hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours, the rejecting of government
funding, the rejecting of the single, charismatic male leadership model; the promotion of women and
young leadership (women must be at least half of all leadership bodies within the organization), the successful uniting of previously disconnected community forces; the emphasis on learning to use all tactics
and avoid marginalization (community education, working the media, voter mobilization, coalition building, lobbying, litigation, and direct/action); the groundbreaking work around bilingual education, environmental justice, the right to representation, holding elected officials accountable, racial justice, against
police brutality and Puerto Rico’s right to self-determination are part of our legacy.
A reaffirmation of the NCPRR is needed at this point in our history because there is a lack of significant
Puerto Rican voices or representation on the national agenda on issues like bilingual education, the national immigration debate, Puerto Rico Self-Determination, Post-Vieques, No Child Left Behind, Voting
Rights & Political Education, social discrimination, Police Brutality, Health Care Reform and the release
of the remaining PR Political Prisoners.
During the weekend of October 9th – 11, 2009 the NCPRR held its eighth national convention in Philadelphia. The convention was attended by over 300 people representing Puerto Rico and ten states including
Ohio, Illinois and Florida. This historical conference represents a historical turning point for NCPRR. The
panels, workshops and plenary sessions addressed how to:
• Help NCPRR determine what works in 2009 and beyond in order to address the many challenges facing
the Puerto Rican people.
• Learn from and build on the experiences of different cities as well as towns across the country where
Puerto Ricans live.
• Effectively utilize the history, name, recognition and credibility of the NCPRR to affect social change.
• Address the issue of organizational life-support and financial stability to make the NCPRR viable in the
new century.
The intergenerational reflection, interaction and a sharing of experiences during the convention helped
determine how NCPRR will identify itself as the continuation of a proud organizational tradition while
simultaneously serving as an effective organizational tool and asset for the next generation of leadership
in our communities across the country. Additionally it will provide a platform to follow as well as methods
for the direct engagement of the next generation of community leaders and unified efforts for making positive social change into the future.
Please Join Us for the 8th National Convention of the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights
October 8 – 10, 2011, Miami, Florida
For more information about the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights or to become a member
contact: www.puertoricanrights.com
THE RICHIE PÉREZ SCHOLARSHIP FOR
PEACE & JUSTICE AWARD
PURPOSE
In 2004, the Puerto Rican community lost an ally, advocate, community leader and urban warrior. Richie Pérez was a beloved activist and leader in the fight for social justice and human rights. He brought integrity, zeal and unity to many causes
to which he was committed. These included the struggle for racial justice and against police brutality, Puerto Rican independence and universal human rights. As a former Young Lord and founding member of the
National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights, Richie was our inspiration and conscience.
Richie wrote and lectured extensively on the Puerto Rican urban experience and as a
professor in the CUNY system taught classes in mass media, US social policy and the
history of the labor and civil rights movements. Richie believed greatly in the power and
potential of young people to create social change. He personally mentored many youth
and believed that the torch of the movement for justice had to be passed on to the next
generation.
In his memory, Comité Noviembre has established the Richie Pérez Scholarship for Peace
and Justice. The award will recognize Puerto Rican young people for their commitment,
activism and achievements in any of the areas of human rights and social justice. This annual award will both promote the advancement of new leaders in the movement for peace
and justice, and also invest in their continued growth by providing support for their ongoing education and political development The scholarship winner will receive a $1,000
scholarship. The application form will be ready for distribution and posted on Comité
Noviembre’s website, www.comitenoviembre.org, in early December.
ELIGIBILTY
• Applicants must Be of Puerto Rican descent
• Document a minimum of one-year active participation and organizing work in a social justice or human rights issue.
• Be enrolled in an accredited college or university by the fall of each year or at the
time of the scholarship award.
• Be between the ages of 17 and 25.
GUIDELINES
• A completed application package must include an application form, essay, two letters of recommendation and a short
biographical sketch. All items must be submitted in one package.
• Letters of recommendation must be from community members who personally know their work, leadership and commitment to social justice and human rights causes.
• Application package must be received or post marked by the deadline dated indicated.
• Application package received or post marked after the deadline date will be disqualified.
• Finalist will be notified in a timely manner.
• A mandatory personal interview will be conducted by the scholarship committee. Finalist will be notified of the interview at least one week in advance. Finalist will not be considered if he/she does not show-up for interview. Other
arrangements will be made for finalist away at college.
• Recipients of the Richie Perez Scholarship Award will be disqualified should any of the following conditions occur: (1)
recipient provides false information on application (2) recipients is not en rolled in an accredited college or university
by the fall or at the time of the award (3) recipient is not of Puerto Rican descent
• Scholarship payment will be made by Comité Noviembre upon recipient of official documentation from college Registrar or Bursar’s Office.
Please contact Martha Laureano, (718) 387-0404, [email protected], if you have any questions or to receive
an application form. You can also visit our website at www.comitenoviembre.org
RICHIE PEREZ SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Miguel Rodriguez
Miguel Rodriguez was born in 1991 in Queens, New York, and raised
in the Bronx. With a passion for filmmaking, he attended and graduated
from New Explorer’s High School for Film and Humanities and was a
Ghetto Film School Fellow. High school was a roller coaster ride going
from cutting class and playing what his father called the “catch up game”
in sophomore year to being on the math honor roll his junior year. Currently completing his second year at CUNY Hostos Community College.
At the age of 16, he was introduced to a youth organization called Sistas
and Brothas United (SBU). He began his involvement at SBU through
the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), going through SBU’s
intense leadership development curriculum and political education track.
Almost 3 years later, he has found himself rooted in the work of SBU and
has challenged himself to take a lead in educational justice work. Because of the knowledge and skills he has obtained in SBU he has been able
to represent the organization in the Urban Youth Collaborative (UYC),
been voted Chairperson of the Youth Strategy Team of the Alliance for
Educational Justice (AEJ), and served as Board Member of SBU’s parent organization, The Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition
(NWBCCC). Miguel plans on continuing his work and fighting for the
rights of low-income and students of color across the country. “We have
the right to access a quality education that pushes all students to college,
not prisons. It is our duty to strive for justice and open the minds of those
who have denied us that right”.
Eric Nieves
Eric Nieves is in his senior year at Williamsburg Prep High School. He has overcome many
personal struggles in his life with the love and support of his family. Since he was six years
old, Eric has been an active member of El Puente, a community rights organization based in
Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Through El Puente, he has built awareness of social justice issues
in his community and in the world.
Eric has participated in numerous rallies and community mobilizations. Among them, a
community led effort that halted the expansion of Radiac, a waste transfer station. Eric
has been involved in the Anti War movement and is passionate about empowering young
people to make positive change in their lives and their community. He has worked on the
campaign to re-elect Councilmember Diana Reyna, an advocate of affordable housing in
Williamsburg. His creative side emerged when at El Puente he discovered break dance.
Eric realized that he could tell his story through movement. One of his goals is to dance
professionally with Breaks Kru and travel internationally. Last year, Eric joined The Possibility project formerly know as City at Peace, where young people receive arts training
to develop an off Broadway play based on their personal stories. The experience expanded
Eric’s arts training and helped him understand that the struggles in life are what help shape
a person. Eric is also an outstanding athlete in track (cross country, indoor and outdoor)
and baseball. He is among the top athletes at his school and has won many awards. Eric is
inspired to dedicate his life to the things that will help him become a better person and community leader. He seeks to make a difference in his community and serve as a role model.
EL PUENTE
Nurturing and Inspiring Leadership for Peace and Justice
El Puente — Spanish for The Bridge — is a community-based human rights organization that promotes
leadership development by engaging youth and adult members in the arts, education, public health,
environmental justice and social action programs. Founded in 1982 on the Southside of Williamsburg,
today El Puente engages more than 2,500 individuals annually throughout North Brooklyn through
its Center for Arts and Culture, a Community Health & Environment Institute (CHE), four Youth
Leadership Centers, and a partnership with an New York City public high school it gave rise to, the El
Puente Academy for Peace and Justice.
THE ARTS – El Puente’s Center for Arts & Culture is Brooklyn’s most comprehensive Latino preprofessional arts center and home to three Tony award-winning alumni. The Center provides arts training
to El Puente’s Youth Leadership Centers and the Academy in a variety of arts disciplines to include:
dance, drama, voice, dj/scratch, filmmaking, studio/public art, graphic design & Hip-Hop. Teaching
artists & youth create collaborative theme-based projects and original artwork that promote human
rights & social action. El Puente also collaborates with a broad network of artists & arts organizations to
provide workshops, master classes & training for North Brooklyn’s indigenous artists. The Center also
produces & presents works by local & international artists as well as cultural events for the community,
including our Three Kings Celebration attended by 1,600 people each January.
EDUCATION – The El Puente Academy for Peace & Justice, established in 1993 by El Puente in
partnership with the New York City Department of Education & New Visions for Public Schools, was the
first public school in the nation to expressly focus on human rights-centered education. The Academy’s
students are engaged in a rigorous academic program that focuses on leadership development within the
context of human rights & community development. The Academy is nationally recognized has for its
cutting edge school reform work & was featured in the Eisenhower Foundation’s report, “What Works:
Public School Reform”. It is an “A” rated school and is one of the new York City’s top 3 safest schools.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP – El Puente operates four Youth Leadership Centers in Williamsburg and
Bushwick that together engage more than 1,200 young people (ages 6-19) each year. Rooted in El
Puente’s holistic approach to youth/community development, our Leadership Centers help young people
evaluate their strengths and assets and guide them in creating and implementing individualized holistic
development plans through 1- on-1 mentoring and peer support. Leadership Center activities include
pre-professional training in the visual and performing arts, academic enrichment, college prep, fitness/
recreation, health & wellness and environmental justice projects.
WELLNESS – El Puente’s emphasis on individual, community and environmental wellness dates
back to its origins in early 1980s as the Southside Health Promotion Center. Today, our Community
Health & Environment (CHE) Institute programs include a health care insurance advocacy program
for Williamsburg’s residents; Teatro El Puente, NYC’s first and longest running HIV/AIDS & health
education theater group; and the Espiritu Tierra Community Garden. Currently, El Puente is preparing
to launch its “Green Light District Initiative”, a 10-year neighborhood improvement campaign that will
bring its holistic vision of health and wellness to the entire Williamsburg community.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION – Coming Up Taller Award, as one of the nation’s top ten arts institutions
engaging youth; Heinz Award for the Human Condition from the Heinz Family Philanthropies; Celebrating
Success Award from the Children’s Defense Fund, Arts Advocate Award from the Brooklyn Council on
the Arts; 2009 Public Health Community Organization Award, from the Public Health Association of
New York City; 2010 New York Environmental Quality Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency; and Tony Awards for alumni Wilson Jermaine Heredia (Featured Actor-Musical, “Rent”) and
Lemon Andersen & Suheir Hammad (Special Theatrical Event (ensemble), “Russell Simmons’ Def
Poetry Jam”).
El Museo del Barrio, New York’s leading Latino cultural institution, welcomes visitors of all backgrounds
to discover the artistic landscape of the Latino, Caribbean and Latin American cultures. Their richness
is represented in its wide-ranging collections and exhibitions, complemented by performing arts, music
concerts, cultural celebrations, and educational programs. A dynamic artistic, cultural, and community
gathering place, El Museo is a center of cultural pride on New York’s Museum Mile.
After undergoing extensive renovations to its City-owned facility located at 1230 Fifth Avenue and 104th
Street, El Museo reopened to the public on Saturday, October 17, 2009. Our renovated and expanded facility hosts an exciting menu of public programming, the new Carmen Ana Unanue Galleries devoted to our
Permanent collection, and a Café that serves as a multipurpose programming space, bringing a sparkling
new face to Museum Mile’s only Latino institution.
El Museo was founded 40 years ago by artist and educator Raphael Montanez Ortiz and a coalition of
Puerto Rican parents, educators, artists, and activists who were determined to see Puerto Rican culture
represented in their children’s school and fought fervently for changes in the public school curriculum.
Led by Ortiz, the coalition grew into a community movement that wanted to promote Latino artists’ presence in mainstream museums.
Since its inception, El Museo has been committed to celebrating and promoting Latino culture, thus becoming a cornerstone of El Barrio as well as a valuable resource for New York City. Its Permanent collection of over 6,500 objects spanning more than 800 years of Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino art
includes pre-Columbian Taino artifacts, traditional arts, twentieth-century drawings, paintings, sculptures
and installations, as well as prints, photography, documentary films, and video.
From its founding, El Museo has been a place of cultural pride and self discovery for the Puerto Rican
community who founded it, and for the many cultures and communities of the Caribbean and Latin America in New York that it now represents. Come join us!
Georgina Nichols
Susan Delvalle
Deborah Cullen
Gonzalo Casals
Eileen Reyes
Mariana Salem
Interim Director and Director of Finance
Director of External Affairs
Director of Curatorial Programs
Director of Education and Public Programs
Community and Government Affairs Manager
Manager of External Events
1230 Fifth Avenue (at 104th Street)
New York, NY 10029
www.elmuseo.org
ANNUAL THREE KINGS
CELEBRATION
This year’s Three Kings Day Parade was a meaningful one for El
Museo del Barrio—its first holiday celebration held in its newly
renovated facilities! The program began with a special breakfast
in El Museo’s El Café that welcomed the Honorary Kings, Madrinas, Padrinos, local community leaders, supporters, and friends
from across the city. A number of other distinguished guests
joined the event, including New York City Mayor Michael R.
Bloomberg, New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn,
Councilmember Melissa Mark Viverito, and Councilmember
Ydanis Rodriguez. Also present were Commissioner Galen Kirkland of the New York State Division of Human Rights, who presented El Museo with a proclamation from NYS Governor David
A. Paterson; and Socrates Solano, who presented a letter of recognition on behalf of Congressman Charles Rangel; former
Congressman from Long Island Rick Lazio, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs Nazli Parvizi; and
Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Rights Fatima Shama.
The 2010 Honorees included several luminaries, selected by El Museo’s Three Kings Steering Committee for their significant contributions to the arts and our Latino communities. Honorary Kings included Lin-Manuel Miranda, actor/composer/
lyricist of Broadway’s 2008 Tony Winner for Best Musical, In the Heights; Oscar Hijuelos, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of
The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love and other novels; and Raphael Montañez Ortiz, founding director of El Museo del
Barrio and internationally renowned artist. Jesús “Papoleto” Meléndez, poet and long time supporter of the Three Kings
parade, was named King Emeritus.
Honorary Madrinas included Lori Mari Carlson, editor, translator, and novelist; María “Mariposa” Fernández, award-winning Nuyorican poet; Caridad “La Bruja” De La Luz, dedicated artist-activist and author of Boogie Rican Blvd; Eva De La
O, founder of Música de Cámara; and Cleo Silvers, former Young Lords party Member. Honorary Padrinos included Carlos
Aponte, former Lieutenant for Education for the Young Lords Party; Felipe Luciano, founder and Chairman of the Young
Lords Party; Nick Lugo, founder/publisher of La Voz Hispana and a Taste of East Harlem Magazine; and Francisco Pérez,
Jr., playwright and Obie Award-winning Director.
The Three Kings Steering Committee, who helped make this year’s celebration a success with their hard work and diligence,
included Yvette Armstrong, Diana Ayala, Sulieka Cabrera Drinane, Marco A. Carrion, Lucia Gomez-Jimenez, Annette Negron, Yvonne Przybyla, Debbie Quiñones, Melanie Reyes, Maria Rivera, Nina Gale Olsen, Alicia Rodriguez, José Rodriguez, Mónica Tavares, Jaritza Taveras, and Carmen Vasquez.
Peter Quinones and Raphael Morales, who for the last 11 years have become a mainstay of this celebration, once again
contributed their liveliness to the parade as the two beloved Three Kings Day Monks.
The 2010 parade welcomed a new generation of giant, colorful puppets created by artist Polina Porras Sivolobova, who
draw inspiration from Taíno cosmological traditions. The synergy of the Christian and Taíno traditions, wonderfully embodied by the new puppets, perfectly synthesizes the unique cultural mix that characterizes our community, as well as El
Museo’s mission.
To introduce school children to the Thee King tradition before they attended the parade, El Museo offered school classroom
visits, where its artist educators gave presentations and workshops to complement the students’ experience.
The Three Kings Day Celebration was generously supported by the following sponsors: Consolidated Edison, Inc., Mount
Sinai Medical Center, The New York Yankees, Toy Industry Foundation, K.I.D.S. Kids in Distressed Situations Organization, Fashion Delivers Organization, and Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center, Media Sponsors: The New York Times Community Affairs, Univision41, NY1 News and NY1 Noticias.
The National Institute for Latino Policy (NiLP) is a 5019C)(3) nonprofit and nonpartisan
policy center established in 1982 in New York City originally as the Institute for Puerto Rican
Policy (IPR). The National Institute for Latino Policy provides a unique approach and voice
to the policy analysis and advocacy needs of the Latino community. Originally focused on the
Puerto Rican community, our work has increasingly included all Latinos and has gone from a
local to a national scope.
The Institute’s approach includes:
•
•
•
•
• Focusing on the intersectionality of Latino policy issues
The use of action-research that is used as an organizing tool for advocacy
A strategy that focuses on the development of local and state level strategies for policy analysis and organizing
The creative and aggressive use of the internet and the media as community education and organizing tools
An emphasis on working in critical policy areas that are underdeveloped or not addressed in the Latino community
In the past year, NiLP’s accomplishments include:
• Leading a major educational campaign to raise awareness of the 2010 Census and its importance to the Latino community. NiLP
has created and coordinated the Latino Census Network, an informational network with 28 of the leading national and regional Latino
organizations in the United States and the leading clearinghouse on Census issues affecting Latinos in the country.. In recognition of
this work, NiLP President has been appointed by the U.S. Commerce Secretary to the Census Advisory Committee on the Hispanic
Population, and he has been elected to the National Steering Committee of the Census Bureau’s Census Information Centers (CIC)
Program.
• Being a founder of the Defend the Honor Campaign that put community pressure on PBS and filmmaker Ken Burn to include the
Latino experience in their 7-part documentary series, The War. NiLP is also part of a group of national Latino organization that have
been meeting with the leadership of PBS to promote greater Latino representation in their programming, staff and governance.
•
Providing an independent and nonpartisan voice analyzing the role of the Latino vote in such media as the New York Times,
Washington Post, El Diario-La Prensa, Shimbun Yumiori Newspaper (Japan), CNN, CNN en Español, O Estado de S. Paulo (Brazil),
Univision, Telemundo, Radio Bilingue, Politico, Hispanic Link, Spanglish Magazine, El Nuevo Dia (Puerto Rico), Hofstra University Radio, National Public Radio (NPR), Hispanic Market Weekly, XM Radio, the New Jersey Network and even Comedy Central’s
Colbert Report, among others.
• Working with national Latino coalitions like the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, the National Latino Media Council, the
Defend the Honor Campaign, the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights and others to develop Latino agenda for change.
• Developing one of the most effective national informational networks on the Internet on Latino policy issues through our Latino
Policy eNewsletter, Email Bulletins and National Latino Opinion Leaders’ Surveys.
• Efforts to increase the accountability of philanthropy to Latino and other communities of color through being part of the establishment of the NYC Collaborative for Fairness and Equity in Philanthropy, being part of the Diversity in Philanthropy Project at the
New York Regional Association of Grantmakers and the Foundation Center, and related activities.
•
Putting pressure on CNN to remove a fundraising appeal by Lou Dobbs from their website for the Town of Hazelton to fight
support their anti-immigrant policies. Upon receiving NiLP’s objections, CNN took down the biased ad within a day from the Lou
Dobbs Tonight section of their website.
• Presentations on Latino policy issues throughout the United States. Including at Brandies University, Cornell University, the
Dominican-American National Roundtable Conference in Providence, Rhode Island, the New York Chapter of the Labor Council
for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), the Latino Policy Forum in Chicago, LULAC Annual Conference in Washington, DC,
Northern Illinois University, the Puerto Rican Studies Association 8th Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Proskauer Rose LLP,
Smith College, UBS, the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute Annual Conference in Chicago,the University of Puerto Rico,
and the University of Texas at Austin. Among others.
Angelo Falcón, President
National Institute for Latino Policy (NiLP)
101 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013
212-334-5722 Fax: 917-677-8593
[email protected]
www.latinopolicy.org
The Puerto Rican Connection
to the Immigrant Rights Movement
By Angelo Falcón
One of the major developments that Latinos and the country as a whole will remember for some time is the controversy over the adoption of the anti-immigrant bill by the state of Arizona, AB 1070. While similar legislation had
been adopted or contemplated throughout the country at the state and local levels, the Arizona legislation encapsulated more than anything else the rising nativism in the United States and the consequences of the failure by the
federal government to adopt comprehensive immigration reform. Puerto Ricans, who in contrast to other Latinos
enter the United States as US citizens, have been affected by this rising anti-immigrant sentiment despite technically
not being “immigrants.” Some, in fact, have argued that Puerto Ricans, as US citizens, might join in on this nativist
movement.
But certain unique factors in the history and circumstances of the Puerto Rican experiences have resulted in a more
complex relationship of this community to the immigrant rights struggle. While at the street level there is considerable anti-immigrant sentiment in Puerto Ricans communities stateside and in Puerto Rico, this sentiment has not
risen to the political level. On the contrary, and to the surprise of many, Puerto Ricans political and community
leaders and activists have become one of the progressive forces in the movement to defend immigrant rights and the
advocacy of comprehensive immigration reform.
In the United States Congress, it is clear that the most progressive
positions on immigration, even more so that the Mexican-American
members, have consistently been taken by the three Puerto Ricans
members of that body: Luis Gutierrez of Chicago, and Jose Serrano
and Nydia Velasquez of New York. Gutierrez, in fact, has emerged as
the most high profile advocate of comprehensive immigration reform,
tirelessly speaking out on this issue and becoming an outspoken critic
of the Republic an opposition to this reform and even of the Obama
Administration’s lack of movement on this issue.
Puerto Rican community, faith-based and labor organizations have been leaders in the struggle to protect immigrant
rights and promote federal legislation that would create a path to citizenship for the undocumented. The Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund (now renamed LatinoJustice PRLDEF) was among the first to take on the
The Puerto Rican Connection to the Immigrant
Rights Movement (continued)
rise of local anti-immigrant ordinances when they, along with
the ACLU and others, successfully legally challenged the town
of Hazelton, Pennsylvania. Hector Figueroa, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 32BJ SEIU, and Sonia Ivany, head of the New York
Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement,
both Puerto Rican, have been important labor leaders, among
many others, promoting progressive immigration reform. Samuel Rodriguez of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership
Conference, Luis Cortez of Esperanza, and Miguel Rivera of
CONLAMIC, all Puerto Rican, have been major players in the
immigration rights movement.
The Puerto Rican experience also presents an interesting challenge to this immigrant rights movement as well. The holy grail
of this movement is the notion that the acquisition of US citizenship and the benefits it will bring to those that attain it in terms
of their integration into American society. However, despite being US citizens since 1917, Puerto Ricans still find themselves disproportionate mired in higher poverty rates than
other American citizens, both stateside and even more so in Puerto Rico. This does not negate the importance of US
citizenship but underscores that it is not a magic bullet and that the realities of being Latino im American are more
complicated and challenging.
In fighting of their own rights as a community, Puerto Ricans have helped to shape policies and practices in the
United States that have opened opportunities for new Latino and other immigrants. From language policies and
programs like bilingual education, voting rights, affirmative action and many other areas, Puerto Ricans have been
pioneers in ways that have made the conditions of Dominicans, Mexicans, Colombians, Ecuadorans and others
more supportive. This is a role that Puerto Ricans have played historically that perhaps needs to be more frequently
acknowledged.
At first glance, Puerto Ricans and immigration reform may not seem to have much to do with one another. But the
unique history and experiences of the Puerto Rican people have, as it has in many other instances, defied the conventional wisdom to the benefit of all of the American people. When opponents of the anti-immigrant Arizona law
point out that “We are all Arizona,” this definitely includes the Puerto Rican community.
Angelo Falcon, a political scientist, is President of the National Institute for Latino Policy (NiLP) (formerly the
Institute for Puerto Rican Policy). He is co-editor of the book, “Boricuas in Gotham: Puerto Ricans in the Making
of Modern New York City.” He is a resident of “Los Sures” section of Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Angelo Falcón, 800-590-2516 (Work), 917-836-6780 (Cell)
The Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration represents the Government
of Puerto Rico before federal, state, and local governments, promotes Governor Fortuño’s economic and public policy initiatives to achieve a better
quality of life for the four million U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico, and advises
local government agencies and municipalities on issues of interest to Puerto
Rico before the federal government.
As such, the Washington office is the primary liaison between Puerto Rico’s
officials, the White House, Congress, and the federal agencies. Additionally,
the office interacts with national organizations representing Governors from
other states, including the National Governors Association (NGA) and the Southern Governors’ Association to
advance Puerto Rico’s interests. Like many other states, Puerto Rico’s focus areas include economic stimulus and
development, transportation funding, energy, health care including Medicare and Medicaid, as well as issues that
affect veterans and our national defense.
PRFAA Washington Roles and Responsibilities
• Articulating and advocating gubernatorial and Puerto Rico-related policy positions to Members of Congress and
their staff, the White House, federal agencies, state offices and national organizations.
• Collaborating with the Resident Commissioner to assist him in his duties as representative in Congress of the 4
million U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico, a constituency more than six times greater in size than that of any other U.S.
Congressman.
• Serving as a primary focal point in the nation’s capital for the Governor, the Governor’s staff, and senior state
officials.
• Providing guidance and support to individuals, businesses, municipalities and other organizations in successfully
navigating the federal grants process.
• Providing status reports on federal initiatives and representing the island’s priorities in Washington, D.C.
• Communicating with national, regional and specialty media on issues of importance to the Governor and Puerto
Rico.
• Serving as a point of contact for state citizens and businesses in their contacts with the Washington, D.C. community.
During the first four months of 2009 alone, PRFAA has provided critical support in advancing the Federal agenda of
more than a dozen Puerto Rico Government Cabinet members and agency heads, as well as Puerto Rico legislative
leaders and mayors. The agency has played – and continues to play - a critical role in helping to secure hundreds
of millions of dollars in federal funding for vital infrastructure, public security, health, and education programs,
among others. As part of these efforts, the agency also embarked this year on an intensive round of workshops held
throughout the island, aimed at helping agency and municipal government staff - as well as staff from non-profit
organizations- compete successfully for available federal grant and funding opportunities.
PRFAA REGIONAL OFFICES
In addition to the Washington office which serves as the government’s primary liaison in the nation’s capital, PRFAA also has regional offices that are responsible for forging close relationships with our stateside communities.
Over the last 70-plus years, the regional offices have evolved from providing guidance to Puerto Rican migrants, to
promoting cultural awareness, to helping the community get involved in the political process. Today, the emphasis of the regional offices is on three main areas: economic development through promotion of business ventures
between the Island and U.S.-based Puerto Rican communities; education and empowerment to bridge the stateside
Puerto Rican youth’s educational gap through a partnership with the University of Puerto Rico; and leadership
development through partnerships with local community organizations. All the regional offices’ operations are
consolidated in two geographical hubs and the central office in Washington, D.C.
PRFAA - NEW YORK OFFICE: This office covers the Northeastern Corridor: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. It provides services to over
two million Puerto Ricans. Established in 1930, this office is the oldest office of the Government of Puerto Rico
in the United States.
Luis Balzac, Regional Director; Reyes Rodríguez, Senior Community Officer
135 West 50th Street, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10020; (212) 252-7300; Fax: (202) 726-9957
PRFAA - MIDWEST OFFICE: This office, first established in 1948, covers the Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio,
Kentucky, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North & South Dakota, and Iowa. It serves approximately 500,000 Puerto Ricans. 2511 West Division, Chicago, Illinois 60622, (773) 365-0071; Fax: (773)
365-0072
Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños (Centro) is a research institute dedicated
to the study and interpretation of the Puerto Rican experience in the United States
by producing and disseminating relevant interdisciplinary research and by collecting, preserving, and providing access to archival and library resources documenting its history and culture. We seek to link scholarship to social action and
policy debates, and to contribute to the enrichment of Puerto Rican studies.
Founded in 1973 by a coalition of faculty, students and community leaders, Centro seeks to achieve its mission by working closely with a network of education,
research, archival advocacy and community-based partners. Centro has been
housed at Hunter College since 1983; yet, it is a CUNY-wide research center.
Library and Archives: The Centro Library & Archives is devoted to collecting, preserving and providing access
to resources documenting the history and culture of Puerto Ricans. The collections include books, newspapers,
periodicals, audio and video tapes, manuscripts, photographs, prints and recorded music. The holdings include personal papers, records of organizations and institutions, photograph collections, broadsides, programs and ephemera.
Among the collections are the records of civil rights organizations, the papers of activists, writers, artists, scholars,
educators and elected officials. A highlight of the holdings is the extensive records of the offices of the Government
of Puerto Rico in the U.S. Special features of the Archives include its photographic holdings, are art prints/posters
by artist from New York and Puerto Rico and sound recordings of Puerto Rican popular music. Finding aids and
guides are available online on the Centro website.
CENTRO Journal: Since its first publication, in 1986, the journal has proved to be one of Centro’s most important links to the academic community. A multidisciplinary, bilingual, refereed publication that welcomes scholarly
articles in the humanities and the social sciences, CENTRO Journal reflects the latest developments in the field of
Puerto Rican studies. The journal has won 10 academic, design, and community service awards. CENTRO Journal
is published twice-a-year (spring and fall) and is available by individual subscription and through various institutional online subscription services.
The Centro Research Exchange program promotes faculty and doctoral student’s intellectual and scientific advancement through the sponsorship of dissertation completion and post-doctoral fellowships.
Centro Events are part of an important complement to a broader outreach effort. All events are based on an open
call for proposals. All events are widely marketed, offer post-event receptions for networking, and are free and open
to the public. Centro Events are categorized as follows: Conferences, Exhibits, Forums, Legacy Series, Meet the
Author, Research Seminars, Student Initiatives and Barrios Series.
Centro Voices is a new online magazine devoted to Puerto Rican studies. It is a web-based outlet for the exchange
of ideas and scholarship not regularly covered by traditional academic journals. Centro Voices is intricately related
to Centro’s mission.
The Center for Puerto Rican Studies (Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños) Centro
695 Park Avenue, 1429 Hunter East
New York, NY 10065
(212) 772-5688
http://www.centropr.org
Director: Dr. Edwin Meléndez
Lares up in arms:
conflicting changes and historical erasures
By Iris Zavala Martínez, Ph.d.
During the November 2008 elections, the town of Lares
elected a new mayor, Roberto Pagán Centeno of the New
Progressive Party (PNP in Spanish). During his campaign, he used the phrase, the city of the open skies (la
cuidad de los cielos abiertos). Once elected this phrase
was put up on a bulletin board in the town plaza, then on
all of the town motor vehicles and then it was put up at
the entrance of the town where it used to say: la cuidad
del grito. These actions were unilateral ones undertaken
by the mayor without consulting the town residents who
began to protest and denounce the change of the historical subname of the town. The heat of this issue began to
be felt gradually but more militantly this past August to
present. In early September a boisterous, well attended demonstration through the streets of Lares held high
dozens of the revolutionary flag denouncing the actions of the Mayor. He, on the other hand defends his actions by indicating that the new subname is non-political, non-partisan nor religious but promotes a metaphor
of an open sky to usher in peace, wellbeing and prosperity. Clearly, peace has not been ushered in but a cry
for the restitution of the Grito name. The Mayor has been criticized for being out of step with the residents of
his town by attempting a single handed coup of historical collective memory and cultural pride. History nor
the experience of its significance can be erased or silenced.
Lares is an inland mountain town of Puerto Rico on the central-western area of the island almost two leisure
hours from the capital city of San Juan. It was founded on April 26, 1827 during the period of the Spanish
colonization and named after one of its settlers, Don Amador de Lariz. The change from Lariz to Lares was
evolutionary although some still pronounce Lares as if it ended with an “ I ”. It has a population of about
33,000 people in an area of 62.2 square miles made up of the core town and 10 outlying barrios.
More importantly, Lares was the site where the September 23, 1868 insurrection to free Puerto Rico from
Spanish colonial rule began and where the short-lived republic was declared. The name of this insurrection
is known as the Grito de Lares or the Proclamation/Cry of Lares. This indisputable historical event was to
resound throughout not only the history of this small town but throughout the island as the birth of the Puerto
Rican nation, of its own identity. It would color the lives of the Lareños with the historical significance related
to the struggle for independence and the heroic actions of the patriots (patriotas) who led it. Moreover, Lares
gained a flag associated with the insurrection and was the first town with its own flag and where September 23
is celebrated yearly as a holiday.
However, it was not until 1930 that the monumental significance of this event would be appropriately recognized and commemorated given the on-going colonial appropriation of Puerto Rico but of the United States
post the invasion of 1898. The leader of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party, Don Pedro Albizu Campos resuscitated, rescued, resignified the importance of the Grito de Lares for the anti-colonial struggle. Lares would be
seen in new eyes and recognized for its historical transcendence thereafter. Yearly commemorations ensued
with interruptions related to political upheavals or repression. But the identification of the town of Lares as
the town of the Grito was imprinted in the historical memory and culture of its inhabitants.
Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture presents
OSCAR HERNANDEZ AND
THE SPANISH HARLEM ORCHESTRA
10th Anniversary Gala
In celebration of Puerto Rican Heritage Month. Concert repetoire
will feature their latest CD release Viva La Tradicion.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
7:30PM
Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture
450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street in the Bronx.
For information and tickets call the box office: (718) 518-4455
or visit Hostos Box Office on Monday - Friday, 12:30 - 6:30 p.m.and two hours
before showtime.
Evaluation of the Northern Gas Pipeline Proposed
by the Power Authority Agency of Puerto Rico
(AEE): Community Response to the Energy Crisis
Presented by Casa Pueblo, August 17 2010
The Government of Puerto Rico declared a state of energy emergency to push through what they have named the
“Greenway Project.” This involves building a pipeline from Peñuelas across the island to Arecibo and from there to San
Juan. It would carry non-renewable liquid fuel to the generator plants in Cambalache (Arecibo), Palo Seco (Cataño) and
San Juan. According to the government, their investment of $350 million dollars will promote “a savings in the pocket of
consumers and the environment.”
The AEE (Power Authority Agency) GREEN VIA PROJECT – Contradictions:
The area of direct impact includes 1,500 acres of woodlands. Among formerly protected areas now designated for destruction are the Olympia Forest, Bosque del Pueblo and the Foreman Preserve in Adjuntas, Down River Forest, Vega Forest,
El Caño Tiburones, Punta Salinas River Beach, and Linear Park in Bayamón. Residents in these areas are also threatened
with relocation. Forests are homes for our biodiversity and cradles for the aquifers that produce water for the entire island.
The area of impact on the forests is the equivalent to twice the size of the Bosque del Pueblo. It is this destruction of forests
the government calls the Green Way (Via Verde in
Spanish).
The pipeline route is 146 km long with a Potential
Radial Impact of more than 100 meters wide, according to the AEE plans. The route entails access roads
for machinery and building materials requiring extensive removal of vegetation and soil. An estimated 8,235,230 cubic meters of earth, will be moved.
This breach will have a further ecological impact of
at least 50 additional meters on each side due to the
alteration of microclimate conditions, humidity, temperature and light. The fragmentation of woodlands
caused by the access roads will lead to (i) the potential loss of biodiversity, (ii) the entry of exotic invasive pathogens facilitated by this cross island pathway, (iii) wildfires and other disturbances that affect
endemic species of birds and (iv) a segmentation of
ecosystems that endangers bird populations requiring
continuous forested areas.
Hundreds of wells, springs and streams will be affected as a result of the construction and maintenance
of the pipe line road and the access roads. The watersheds of the Rio Grande de Arecibo and Rio Portuguese will be seriously impacted by the construction and operation of
the pipeline. Other bodies of water threatened by the pipeline include Rio de la Plata, Río Bayamón, Quebrada Diego, Rio
Cibuco, Matos Cano, Canal Perdomo, Rio Grande de Arecibo, Rio Caguana Caguanita River, River Pellejas, Rio Corcho,
Quebrada Arenas, Río Tallaboa, Tanamá River, Indian River, and the Rio Grande Manatí Yunes rivers.
The route includes 106 km gas pipeline across the Karst Region, including a direct impact on 223 acres of the Special
Conservation Area. The Karst area is a unique geological formation that has high biodiversity and feeds the Great Northern
Aquifer of Puerto Rico. This aquifer supplies more than 25% of the total water demand in the country, including industrial,
agricultural irrigation and domestic usage. There will also be serious impacts on agricultural land, including 106 acres of
coffee, 305 acres of hay, and 329 acres of other crops.
The pipeline route will affect some 51 communities, lands of the University of Puerto Rico at Utuado, and entrances to
churches, gas stations and other important community institutions, with the potential to directly affect 22,854 families
(based on the 2000 Census). The government has declared the pipeline to be at “a prudent distance from communities”,
but, for example, the main tube is planned to be located along side the highway serving the community of Levittown (approximately 30, 071 people). It will also pass along segments of High PR10 through Arecibo and Utuado, travelled by an
Evaluation of the Northern Gas Pipeline (continued)
average of 13,104 vehicles per day.
Relief in the energy bill as AEE – Contradictions • The AEE claims that the cost of electricity, which currently stands
at approximately 21 cents per kilowatt hour, will be reduced to about 15 cents per kilowatt hour in 2012 and 12 cents per
kilowatt hour in 2015. They allege this will lower customers’ bills by up to 30%. However, the reduction in cost is subject
to market price fluctuations and variations in the efficiency of electrical generation. Efficiency of generation by AEE will
be lower than those of EcoEléctrica Company, which was used as the reference, because the AEE Plants were not initially
designed to operate with natural gas, and will have to be adapted, causing lower efficiencies. Furthermore, using information
from a particular month to estimate the economic benefit is not acceptable statistical analysis. Prices will vary according
to global fluctuations beyond the control of the Puerto Rican Government. Our analysis of actual generation data available
for the year 2008 (as opposed to government projections) indicates a reduction in fuel cost by 18%, not the 30% promised
by the AEE. For the period studied, natural gas cost $10 per MBTU. For this same period of time, the cost of bunker fuel
used by most of the six AEE plants was 12.25 dollars per MBTU. It is recognized that gas is marginally more efficient and
cleaner than oil, but the difference in price was only $2.25 per MBTU. In summary: 1. The fuel savings is only 18%, not
30%, as the government alleges. 2. This percentage of savings does not apply to the total bill to the consumer, but only to
the fuel portion. 3. Any savings will also be diminished in large part by the cost of the pipeline construction, the conversion
of the generating facilities from oil to natural gas and the cost of operation and maintenance, all of which will ultimately be
charged to the consumer.
• Plants that use light petroleum distillate, the most expensive fuel on the market, represent 20% of power capacity on
the island, but the actual generation of these plants is very low, about 10% of the island’s electricity, therefore the real
fuel savings is minimal.
• The government promises the creation of 4,000 jobs, directly and indirectly, during the pipeline construction phase in
2011. This means 4,000 more unemployed people by January 2012.
• The $350-400 million in project costs are hidden from public scrutiny by the government. The costs of converting the
plants from oil to gas are not disclosed.
AEE Strategic Plan – Contradictions: 70% of fuel for energy production in the Puerto Rico will be under the control of a
single company at a single supply point (EcoEléctrica). In the event of a major accident, hurricane, tsunami or terrorist act
the Puerto Rican public would be at the mercy of a single corporation with monopoly powers over the power grid. This could
lead to drastic price increases and blackouts such as was the case with Enron’s manipulations of the California Electricity
Crisis in 2000-2001.
Transitioning from one non-renewable resource (petroleum) to another non-renewable resource (natural gas), replacing one that pollutes a lot for one pollutes less, but maintaining the same pattern of fossil fuel dependence, and
adding all the hazards attendant on monopoly control, replacing the Oil Cartel with a Gas Cartel, is not a solution.
After a careful evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the Northern Gas Pipeline Project, aided by the participation
of hundreds of citizens in multiple town meetings and radio symposiums, as well as the voluntary contribution of scientists,
engineers and economists, Casa Pueblo presents the following alternative proposal. While we recognize natural gas has
some value as a transition away from petroleum, the proposed pipeline is an assault on the life and territorial integrity
of our island.
Given this reality, Casa Pueblo of Adjuntas adopts the following resolution:
Whereas: the process of approving the pipeline project has been undemocratic without the participation of municipal governments, communities, NGOs, and civic and religious groups, and has created great public mistrust in the country;
Whereas: Puerto Rico’s government has initiated processes to expropriate land from Puerto Rican families on the pipeline
route without holding hearings or listening to the people, thus creating rule by decree;
Whereas: the pipeline route will impact areas of high ecological value protected by law, such as the Bosque del Pueblo,
Bosque La Olimpia, Foreman Reserve, Rio Abajo Forest, Caño Tiburones, Karst Natural Reserve Zone, as well as impact
agricultural land, rivers, watersheds, and damage the habitat of endemic and endangered species.
Whereas: the government of Puerto Rico has implemented a disastrous public policy toward natural resources, evident in
the following actions: the recent amendment to the 1999 law that protects the Karst area, of high ecological and watershed
value, which removes it’s designation as the Natural Reserve of the Northeast Corridor; by eliminating areas of the Natural
Reserve of Patillas and by facilitating developments in the buffer zone of El Yunque Rain Forest. All of the above should be
part of our non-negotiable natural heritage;
Whereas: the pipeline route passes through multiple communities in Peñuelas, Adjuntas, Utuado, Arecibo, Barceloneta,
Manati, Toa Baja, and Toa Alta, and crosses the costal area in front of Levittown in Bayamon, putting thousands of families
at risk;
Evaluation of the Northern Gas Pipeline
(continued)
Whereas: the current governor of Puerto Rico dismissed the similar Southern Pipeline project after the affected communities denounced the high risk they faced;
THEREFORE, Casa Pueblo demands and requires an immediate halt to construction plans and deceptive public relations
campaigns about the cost and benefit of the pipeline, and calls for efforts to refocus the country’s energy policy to include
the participation of all sectors and organizations. We propose the following alternatives.
ON USE OF NATURAL GAS
1. By recognizing the partial value of natural gas as a transition fuel, converting the plant in Guayama Aguirre to natural gas
(not coal as proposed by the draft ESA), transported by barge or through other means that are environmentally, but not over
land. This measure, together with private production, would lead to the EcoEléctrica South Coast Plant get the 55% of actual
operating capacity on the basis of natural gas. Although the country’s total actual capacity reaches 4,500 MW, the current
daily consumption ranges between 3.200 to 3.500 MW during peak hours. Therefore, the generation from these power plants
operating at capacity could represent up to 71% of actual demand. These measures comply with AEE’s set goal of 70%
natural gas. 2. Should there be a need for natural gas in the north of the island, fuel supply facilities and storage plants could
be established in San Juan. These facilities should cost approximately $ 150 million (based on EcoEléctrica’s expenditure of
approximately $ 300 million to develop its facilities for generation and storage t [$ 80 million 10 years ago] and docks for
unloading). AEE’s proposal would invest $ 350-400 millions just for a pipeline. This measure would put the access control
and distribution of natural gas in northern Puerto Rico in the hands of the AEE and break the monopoly of natural gas supply by EcoEléctrica. It also reduces the country’s vulnerability to disasters, accidents and monopoly by doubling fuel inlet
points. 3. Keep Cambalache Plant operating as designed because it has low power generation capacity (247 MW) compared
to 1.360 MW at Costa Sur Plant, 1.492 MW at Aguirre, 880 MW at San Juan and 432 MW at Palo Seco.
ALTERNATIVE: TRANSITION TO GREEN ENERGY
1. We strongly support a goal of reaching 15% renewable energy sources by 2015 through distributed electrical generation
and net metering of photovoltaic systems or others truly green technologies. Our proposal is supported by the study prepared
by UPR-Mayaguez for the Energy Affairs Administration of Puerto Rico entitled “Renewable Energy Targets Achievable
for Puerto Rico’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard.” The study concludes that photovoltaic panels on 65% of the country house roofs could generate all the energy required to supply consumers during peak usage. Just by installing photovoltaic
panels in all schools, public buildings and public housing we would create a Multiplier Effect in the economy. This could
incentivize companies to manufacture solar panels and accessories, creating thousands of jobs in factories and installation
services, and bringing revenue to suppliers of pipes, fittings, cables, electrical equipment, etc. This in turn will foment a
shift in social awareness of the environment and the ozone layer. Puerto Rico could become a model country for sustainable
development in the region. It must be the public policy of the country that future investments are in renewable energy,
not more financial commitments to outmoded, environmentally incompatible technologies.
2. We also strongly advocate a public policy targeting a 10% reduction of energy consumption in homes, public places,
schools, workplaces, and businesses by 2015. Advances in technologies have made possible more efficient systems of lighting, refrigeration, water heating and other amenities which could achieve a rapid reduction in energy consumption and fuel
costs. The responsibility to educate our community about energy conservation is critical to human survival and involves a rethinking of ethical positions for the sake of future generations. 10% less fuel to operate the country means
$240 million a year flowing into the Puerto Rican economy. Achieving both goals 15% renewable energy and a 10%
reduction in consumption--$600 million annually-- would represent for the country’s biggest advance in emerging from
the economic crisis that has mired down the country. Both measures together would almost supply the entire demand of the
north coast of Puerto Rico. Therefore, this attainable goal could reduce electrical generation on the north coast to a tertiary
role and make investment in a pipeline even more unnecessary.
For more information on Casa Pueblo contact: ([email protected]) 787.829.4842, PO Box 704, Adjuntas, Puerto Rico
00601, www.casapueblo.org
Julia de Burgos Celebrated
By Carmen D. Lucca
On July 5th,1953 Julia De Burgos was found unconscious and without identification, on Fifth Avenue at 105th Street. Though a few steps
from the Flower Fifth Avenue Hospital, Julia was taken by ambulance to the Harlem Hospital where she died the following day. She was
39 years old. Weeks later her body was exhumed from Potter’s field after her family discovered the tragedy. Julia De Burgos rested in a
humble grave in the cemetery of Carolina, PR. In the early 1990’s a mausoleum was built for her remains.
Fifty-seven years have passed since the poet’s death but her fame spreads just as
she foretold in Poem for my Death. Many venture to say that Julia De Burgos has
become a myth but a myth is defined as: “an imaginary or unverifiable person or
thing.” Julia De Burgos is real and verifiable in her own biography: her letters, her
essays and her poems. She’s verifiable in the extensive bibliographies, chronologies and biographies written by scholars for whom Julia has become a passion, a
mission. That the United States Postal Service has honored her with a Commemorative Stamp in its Literary Series proves beyond doubt that De Burgos is a literary
figure at the national level. In the New York City Literary Map, our Julia occupies
the same geography with Edgar Allan Poe, James Baldwin, Arthur Schomburg,
Willa Cather, Mary McCarthy and other great writers.
Like a phoenix, for the last three decades, Julia De Burgos has been rising from the ashes to assert her immortality. With her ascent to
posthumous glory Julia has become a shining star for all who have discovered the magnificent world of her poetry and humanity. And
yet, it wasn’t always like that. For too long Julia De Burgos was not rightly recognized. It is sadly true but some of her contemporaries
depicted Julia as a drunken loose woman and misguided “independentista”. Historian Peter Bloch wrote that in 1965 Clarence Senior,
Director of the Center for Studies on Migration at Brooklyn College, was violently opposed to the idea of having a public school named
after Julia De Burgos. Mr. Senior openly dismissed Julia as an “ independentista”whose name could not honor a school. Julia, who rose
against injustice and bared her soul in poems, was not on Mr. Senior’s list of politically assimilated Puerto Ricans. He failed to grasp
the permanence of Julia De Burgos’ poetic presence and prophecy: “A carnation, interposed
between the wind and my shadow, child of mine and of Death, shall call me Poet...
“A carnation, interposed
between the wind and my
shadow, child of mine and of
Death, shall call me Poet...
We call her Poet and our voices echo her name when we repeat her song to Rio Grande de
Loiza, where her entire childhood was a poem in the river of her first dreams. We call her Poet
as she becomes a portrait, a mural and a name upon the route she walked in El Barrio. We
call her Poet and Prophet in our land, more so now, that she has brought all of us the joy of
seeing her immortalized by the United States Postal Service- her lovely face depicted in that
Commemorative Postage Stamp thirty million times. Oh, how wonderful to call her, to see
her, on thirty million stamps, on the Julia De Burgos’ Boulevard, on Manny Vega’s mural at
106th Street.
Julia De Burgos, eldest child of Paula Garcia and Francisco Burgos Hans, born at dawn on February 17, 1914. Although she witnessed
the death of six of her siblings in early infancy and lived in extreme poverty, Julia persisted in achieving her dreams. She graduated from
the University of Puerto Rico in 1933, became an elementary school teacher and wrote plays for radio broadcasts. Always hungry for
knowledge she continued to study in Puerto Rico and in Cuba, where she lived from 1940 until 1942. In New York City she became the
editor of Pueblos Hispanos, conducted interviews and wrote brilliant essays. As her letters and diary reveal, from 1948 until 1953, Julia’s
life became a constant journey from hospital to hospital. With so much stacked against her she still held onto her “oficio de poeta” and
kept on pouring her reality in poems. In her last poem, Farewell from Welfare Island, composed in February 1953 she says: “It has to
be from here/right this instance/my cry to the world/My cry that is no more mine/but hers and his forever/the comrades of my silence/
the phantoms of my grave/It has to be from here/forgotten but unshaken/among comrades of silence/deep in Welfare Island/my farewell
to the world.
Even towards the end Julia De Burgos lived as a poet. She may have been forsaken and abandoned by others but the vitality of her poetry never left her. The young, passionate author of: Poemas en veinte surcos ( 1938), Cancion de la verdad sencilla (1939), El mar y
tu (1941) is the same one who courageously bids us goodbye from that stony island in the midst of the East River. She’s the same poet
that, with a clear and daring voice declared to the classicist society of her time: “I meant to be what men wished me to be/ an intention
to live/a game of hide and seek with my being/But I was made of gifts/and my feet leveled upon the promised land/could not bear to
walk backwards/and they kept going forward, forward,/avoiding the ashes to reach out for the kiss/of the new paths/…Thus, my route so
defined in the present,/I felt I was the sprout from all the soils of earth/the soils without history/the soils without future/the soils without
shore/of all men and all eras/ And I was whole within me/I meant to be what men wished me to be,/an intention to live/…when the heralds
had already announced me/in the regal parade of the ancient tree trunks/the wish to follow men was bent within me/and the homage was
left waiting for me./ (Carmen D. Lucca’s translation)
Carmen D. Lucca is president of the Association for Puerto Rican/Hispanic Culture
In Memoriam
Puertorriqueños de alma, vida y corazón
Ernesto Malave, (1958 – 2009), Vice Chancellor for Budget and Finance at The City University
of New York, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, November 22, 2009. He was 51 years old.
Throughout his 27-year career at CUNY, including the last six years as the University’s chief
financial officer, he was known for his keen financial acumen, creative leadership, and genuine
concern for students and colleagues alike. His distinguished and dedicated service enhanced the
University in every way. Above all, he was passionate about protecting the students who would
be most affected by the vagaries of the economy, preserving counseling, advisement and other
services critical to student retention and success. Even as funding for the University constricted,
he found ways to bring more full-time faculty into the classroom. Ernesto lived and breathed CUNY but he was also a husband, the father of two sons, a brother, a mentor, beloved colleague, and friend to many. Ernesto managed a vast financial
universe, but he was no ordinary chief financial officer. His bottom line was keeping CUNY’s riches affordable for the most
economically vulnerable of students—whether hailing from his old South Bronx neighborhood, Flatbush, East Elmhurst,
or the Lower East Side—who surge through the University’s golden doors each year. That he kept that promise will always
be remembered.
William “Willie” Miranda Marín (1940 – 2010) was the beloved mayor of Caguas, Puerto Rico
from 1997 until his death in 2010. The son of a sugar cane cutter, and a tobacco stripper, Miranda Marin was born in the Tomás de Castro sector of rural Caguas, and graduated from the José
Gautier Benítez High School in Caguas in 1957. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting
from the University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras. In 1969 he completed his law degree at the
University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras and was admitted to the bar in 1970. Miranda Marín
was the chairman of the U.S. Democratic Party Chapter of Puerto Rico, secretary-general of the
Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico (PPD), chairman of the PPD Status Commission, and president of the Puerto Rico
Mayors Association. Until his death, he was chairman of the board of the Municipal Revenue Collections Center (CRIM).
Miranda Marin’s views were regarded as “soberanista” which seeks more sovereign political powers from the US outside
the current framework of E.L.A (Estado Libre Asociado). In 2002, Miranda Marín earned the distinction of being voted as
Caribbean Business’ Public Sector Person of the Year.
Juan Mari Brás (1927 – 2010) was an advocate for Puerto Rican independence from the United
States who founded the Puerto Rican Socialist Party (PSP). On October 25, 2006, he became the
first person to receive a Puerto Rican citizenship certificate from the Puerto Rico State Department. (Photo: Mari Brás after receiving the first Certificate of Citizenship of Puerto Rico, September 14, 2007). Mari Brás was born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, at 18 years old, he founded a
pro-independence movement and the first pro-independence political radio program “Grito de la
Patria”. In 1946 became a founding member of Gilberto Concepción de Gracia’s Puerto Rican
Independence Party. Mari Brás became the president of the party’s “Puerto Rican Independence Youth”. Mari Brás went
to Lakeland, Florida, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree. He obtained his law degree from American University. In
1959, Mari Brás founded the “Pro-Independence Movement”, which grouped Puerto Rican independence followers who
supported the Socialist philosophy. Along with César Andreu Iglesias he founded the political newspaper Claridad, which
he directed for three decades. In 1971, the “Pro-Independence Movement” was renamed and became the Puerto Rican Socialist Party (PSP). In 1973, he spoke before the United Nations about Puerto Rico being a colony of the United States and
demanded the decolonization of the island. He was the first Puerto Rican to raise this issue. On July 11, 1994, Mari Brás
renounced his United States citizenship at the American Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela. He did this to test a technicality
in United States citizenship laws. Legally, a citizen of the United States who renounces his citizenship would be deported
to his country of origin. Since Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, the country’s Department of State would have had no option but to deport Puerto Ricans who renounced to their
citizenship to Puerto Rico. Mari Bras was taken to court in San Juan on the allegation that if he
had renounced his American citizenship, then he also had renounced his right to vote in the local
Puerto Rican elections. The courts ruled in his favor twice. This action continues to be a popular
subject of debate.
Dolores “Lolita” Lebrón Sotomayor (1919 – 2010) was an active advocate for Puerto Rican independence. She was born and raised in Lares, Puerto Rico, where she joined the Liberal Party.
In her youth she met Francisco Matos Paoli, a renowned Puerto Rican poet, with whom she had
a relationship. In 1941, Lebrón migrated to New York City, where she joined the Puerto Rican
Nationalist Party, gaining influence within the party’s leadership. Within the organization she
In Memoriam
Puertorriqueños de alma, vida y corazón
promoted ideals based on socialist and feminist principles. In 1952, after Puerto Rico’s official status was changed to “Commonwealth”, the Nationalist Party began a series of revolutionary actions, including the Jayuya Uprising. As part of this
initiative, Pedro Albizu Campos ordered her to organize attacks in the United States, focusing on locations that were “the
most strategic to the enemy”. She became the leader of a group of nationalists, who proceeded to attack the United States
House of Representatives in 1954. She was incarcerated as a result. Lebrón remained imprisoned 25 years, when Jimmy
Carter issued pardons to the group involved. After their release in 1981, the nationalists returned to Puerto Rico, where
independence movements received them with a celebration. During the following years she continued her involvement in
pro-independence activities, including the Navy-Vieques protests.
Juan Alindato García, (1920 – 2010) a Puerto Rican artisan famous for his vejigante masks (traditional papier-mâché masks), died on, May 28, 2010, at 90. Born to Filipino parents in Caja de
Muertos, Alindato García may have been the last person known to have been born on this tiny
island off Puerto Rico, according to his family. Alindato won numerous awards in his hometown,
Ponce, for his exquisite carnival masks for the Ponce Carnival and the Vejigante Carnival of Playa
de Ponce. His renown has also traveled beyond the shores of Ponce. In 1987 he won the National
Artisan Award, National Heritage Award from the National Endowment for the Arts (1987) and
in 1991 National Geografic dedicated a spread to Alindato for his contribution to Latin American
arts. His masks have been exhibited in throughout Puerto Rico, the United States, and Europe.
Benito de Jesús, (1912 - 2010) Legendary composer and singer of el Trio Vegabajeño. Trío
Vegabajeño stands apart as the most beloved and representative of Puerto Rico - an institution
that touched the national nerve because of de Jesús The trio performed for radio broadcasts in
Puerto Rico on the Rafael Quiñones Vidal show. Their first recordings of songs such as “Lucerito
de plata”, “El amor del jibarito”, “Fichas negras” and the classic “En mi Viejo San Juan” (lyrics), firmly established them as the premier trio at a time when trios were kings. Moreover, their
style was copied by others - the most sincere flattery. de Jesús was born in 1912 in Barceloneta,
Puerto Rico, and was one of the best regarded composers in the island. His compositions were
known throughout Latin America, even today, as evidenced by the recent recording of his song
“Nuestro Juramento” by the young Colombian artist Charlie Záa. The legendary Felipe Rodríguez recorded de Jesús song “La Copa Rota” many years ago but was likewise recorded recently
by Puerto Rican artist José Feliciano.
Jorge Steven López Mercado, (1990 – 2009). In November 2009, the brutalized body of gay teen
George Steven Lopez Mercado, 19, was found by the side of a road in Caguas, Puerto Rico. Lopez
Mercado was a very well known and beloved person in the gay community of Puerto Rico. He was
found on the site of an isolated road in the city of Cayey, he was partially burned, decapitated, and
dismembered, both arms, both legs, and the torso. This horrific incident has caused a huge reaction
from the gay community in Puerto Rico and around the world, but it’s a difficult situation. Never
in the history of Puerto Rico has a murder been classified as a hate crime. Even though Puerto
Rico has to follow federal mandates and laws, many of the laws which are passed in the US, do
not always get practiced in Puerto Rico. The police agent that is handling this case made a public
statement on television that “people who lead this type of lifestyle need to be aware that this will
happen”. Many believe that the statement suggests that the murdered
boy Jorge Steven Lopez was asking to get killed. CN stands in solidarity with our community to bring justice and awareness when it comes to human rights.
Dennis De Leon, (1948 – 2009), President of the Latino Commission on AIDS, passed on December 14, 2010. De Leon was a former New York City human rights commissioner who was
one of the first city officials to announce that he was infected with the virus that causes AIDS at
a time of great stigma. He was a courageous leader and activist and had an unwavering commitment to the Latino community, creating educational and prevention programs not just for the gay
Latino community, but for Latino women, immigrants and inmates. Under his leadership, the
Latino Commission on AIDS grew from a staff of two to a staff of 45 and a budget of $5 million.
The LCA now works in partnership with 380 organizations nationwide. Although, Denis was not
of Puerto Rican descent, CN wanted to honor his passion and dedication to the community in the
fight against HIV/AIDS.
Calendar of Events
NYS GOVERNOR DAVID A. PATERSON ISSUANCE OF PROCLAMATION OF PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE MONTH
NYC MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG ISSUANCE OF PROCLAMATION OF PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE MONTH
MONTH LONG EVENTS
El Museo del Barrio presents Nueva York (1613-1945). Presented in collaboration with the New-York Historical Society,
this intriguing exhibition reveals the powerful role that Latinos and Spanish-speaking countries have played across four
centuries to help shape New York into the most culturally vibrant city in the world. Art works, documents, printed books,
artifacts, an installation by Puerto Rican artist Antonio Martorell, and a documentary by Ric Burns all serve as testaments to
this dynamic history. Exhibition ends Sunday, January 9, 2011. VOCES Y VISIONES: Four Decades Through El Museo
del Barrio’s Permanent Collection. Presented in the Carmen Ana Unanue Galleries, this exhibition features milestones
in the history of El Museo through artwork, documentation and memorabilia from our Permanent Collection and archives.
Gallery Tours available at 3pm on Saturdays in both English and Spanish. On View through December 12, 2010. El Museo
del Barrio: 1230 5th Avenue at 104th Street, NYC. Museums hours: Tuesdays to Sundays, 11AM to 6PM. Suggested
admission: adults: $9.00, students : $5.00; members and children under 12: Free; Seniors free on Wednesdays. For more
information call (212) 831-7272 or visit the website www.elmuseo.org.
Taller Boricua Gallery presents DRAWING CONCLUSIONS with works by 8 New York artists: Firelei Báez, Matthew
Burcaw, Ricardo Hernández-Santiago, Juan Hinojosa, Chuyen Huynh, Jongil Ma, Adrian “Viajero” Roman and
Melquíades Rosario-Sastre. Exhibit ends November 20, 2010. Through drawing, the artists challenge the boundaries
of both the medium itself as well as the underlying context of the social and political issues presented. Incorporating
other art forms such as sculpture, installation, collage and new media, their work explores the underlying constructs and
institutionalized norms of culture such as gender, identity, government, economics as well as the sociology and psychology
of our collective behaviors and desires. Julia de Burgos Cultural Center, 1680 Lexington Avenue & 106 St., New York.
Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 12pm - 6pm, Thursday 1pm- 7pm. For information call (212) 831-4333 or visit www.
tallerboricua.com.
The Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture and the Bronx Council on the Arts presents Las Casitas Revisited: An
Urban Cultural Alternative. A timely recreation of the legendary Casitas exhibition originally produced in 1990 by the
Bronx Council on the Arts. The original exhibition opened at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., traveled to
Chicago and closed at the Bronx Museum of the Arts in 1991. Las Casitas Revisited highlights a unique urban phenomenon
featuring an actual casita recreated in the Longwood Gallery along with photography, found objects, video, footage, musical
instruments and art. Contributing Artists: Martha Cooper, Juan Fernando Morales, Jose “Chema” Soto, and Aurelio Rivera.
Contributing Collections: Henry Medina, Ivan Torres and Richard Tanco. Exhibit on view until December 11, 2010. Gallery
hours Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM and Saturday 10AM-2PM. Free Admission. The Longwood Art Gallery is located at Hostos
Community College, 450 Grand Concourse at 149th Street in the Bronx. For information call (718) 518-4455.
The Americas Society and the Museo de Arte Alvar y Carmen T. de Carrillo Gil presents Shattered Glass: Rethinking
the Museo de Arte Carrillo Gil Collection. Guest Curators: Bertha Aguilar, Alejandra Olvera, and Sandra Zetina. This
project originated with the Museo de Arte Alvar y Carmen T. de Carrillo Gil in collaboration with the Programa de Estudios
de Posgrado en Historia del Arte de la UNAM (Art History Postgraduate Program at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de
México). Through an academic seminar, a renowned group of scholars and post-graduate students developed the curatorial
proposal resulting in the Shattered Glass exhibition, which brings new scholarship to the work of Mexican modernist artists,
particularly in regard to their influence on contemporary art. Exhibition opens November 6 to December 18, 2010. The
gallery is free and open to the public Wednesday through Saturday, 12-6PM. The Americas Society, 680 Park Avenue, NYC.
For more information visit www.americas-society.org.
Franklin 54 Gallery + Projects presents Latin Art Experience. An off-site exhibition featuring 3 contemporary artists:
JAVA, Elisa Pritzker, and Fernando Rangel. Curated by Jennifer Groves. Exhibition opens November 4 through January
31. Exhibition on view Mon. to Fri. 9AM-5PM & Wed. until 7PM. Weill Cornell Medical Associates, 201 East 80th Street,
2nd Floor, NYC. Free Admission. For more information: www.thefranklin54gallery.com .
Centro Cultural Dominicano presents The Power of Art/El poder del arte. Two female artists, Dominican and Argentinian,
and a young Dominican male artist discovering art. Exhibition on view November 5 to November 30. Centro Cultural
Dominicano, 619 West 145th Street, Suite 201, NYC. Free Admission. For more information: www.neighborhoodlink.com/
org/cccdom/.
Consulate of Argentina presents Alberto J. Guzzetti : Argentina, Timeless Beauty - Photographs from Cordoba,
Argentina. Exhibition opens November 4 through November 29. Exhibition on view Mon. to Fri. 11AM-5PM. Consulate
of Argentina, 12 West 56th Street, NYC. Free Admission. For more information: www.congenargentinany.com.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2010
COMITÉ NOVIEMBRE ANNUAL PUERTO RICAN
HERITAGE MONTH KICK-OFF EVENT, honoring
the unsung heroes of our community
through “Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad”
Awards and the unveiling of the 2010 poster
and journal calendar. El Museo del Barrio,
2130 5th Avenue at 104th Street,NYC. 6PM.
By invitation only. For more information call
(212) 677-4181.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2010
The Institute for The Puerto Rican /
Hispanic Elderly Senior Action Council
presents 33rd Annual Empowerment
Conference for Hispanic & Minority
Seniors: LIVING A GOOD LIFE: Strong,
Informed, Engaged and United.
All
day conference touching the key issues
impacting seniors such as Health Care
Reform Law, Social Security, Economic
Security, Chronic Disease Management
,Civic Engagement,
Elections & the
New Voting Machines, Immigration and
more. Columbia University - Alfred Lerner
Hall, West 115th Street and Broadway,
NYC (Train: #1 to 116th Street or buses:
M4, M60, M104, M11). 8AM – 4:30PM.
Admission: Free. Call or email Angel
Santini for additional information at 212677-4181/[email protected].
Baruch Performing Arts Center, The Paul
Andre Feit Memorial Lecture Series and
the Department of Modern Languages
and Comparative Literature at Baruch
College present
Las Rutas de Julia de Burgos. A staged
reading of the play Las Rutas de Julia
de Burgos, based on the life and works
of Puerto Rican writer Julia de Burgos.
The play will be presented in the Spanish
language, and will be followed by a question
and answer session. The playwright Oscar
Montero is a professor at Lehman College
and The Graduate Center/CUNY. The play
is a production of Teatro IATI (International
Theater Arts Institute). Baruch Performing
Arts Center, Baruch College: 25th St. (bet.
3rd and Lex Aves.), NYC. 1 PM. Admission:
Free. For more information about the play,
please visit www.lasrutasdeJuliadeBurgos.
com. For reservations, call the BPAC Box
Office at (646) 312-5073.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2010
The Puerto Rican Family Institute
presents October Moon Food Tasting
Fiesta. Emmy Award winning TV journalist
and Chef Denise Oller is Event Chairperson
and will be putting together this culinary
affair with her favorite picks. Joining her
as Honorary Chairperson is former Food
Network Chef Alex Garcia of New York
City’s Nuevo Latino restaurant Calle Ocho.
Proceeds of the event will benefit the PRFI’s
New Jersey programs. Westin Hotel, 479
Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ
07310. 6 PM – 10:00 PM. Tickets: $65. For
more information : visit www.prfi.org or call
Migdalia Rivera-Taratunio, (212) 414-7836.
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
COLOMBIA Alma y Pasion/Passion and
Soul. A new music/dance spectacular from
Ballet Mestizo and Harold Guttierez & his
band. A celebration of the exhilarating music
and dance of Colombia. Thalia Spanish
Theatre, 41–17 Greenpoint Avenue,
Sunnyside, NY. 8:00 PM. Admission: $25.
For information call (718) 729-3880 or visit
www.thaliatheatre.org.
Nuyorican Poets Café presents Friday
Night Poetry Slam. Hosted by Mahogany
Browne. Spotlight: Queen Godis. The
Nuyorican Friday Night Poetry Slam is pretty
popular and fills up fast, so please get in
line early. (suggested arrival latest 9:15pm).
Nuyorican Poets Cafe 236 East 3rd Street
(Between B & C). 10 PM. Admission $10.
For more information, please call (212)
505-8183 or visit www.nuyorican.org.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2010
The Caribbean Cultural Center African
Diaspora Institute
presents the 7th
Annual
International
Latin/Tropical
Music Collectors Festival of New
York. This year’s theme is Remembering
the Village Gate: Salsa Meets Jazz. In
addition to choosing between thousands of
collector’s albums, attendees can dance to
the sounds of Mambo Legends Orchestra.
The day also includes panel discussions,
presentations and more. Taino Towers
Crystal Room, 240 East 123rd Street /
near Second Avenue, NYC. 1 PM – 10:00
PM. If you are a collector, vendor or want
more information please call: 212.307.7420
ext. 3009 or email [email protected] or
[email protected].
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
Sunnyside, NY. 8:00 PM. Admission: $25$30. For information call (718) 729-3880 or
visit www.thaliatheatre.org.
Bronx Zoo presents Boo at the Zoo, all
day Halloween activities. 11:00 AM– 4:30
PM. Admission: $19-25. Special: A child
dressed in an animal costume can go free
with a full priced paying adult. Only one
offer per family. For more information or
directions to the Zoo visit www.bronxzoo.
com.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2010
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
Bronx Zoo presents Boo at the Zoo, all
day Halloween activities. 11:00 AM– 4:30
PM. Admission: $19-25. Special: A child
dressed in an animal costume can go free
with a full priced paying adult. Only one
offer per family. For more information or
directions to the Zoo visit www.bronxzoo.
com.
Nuyorican Poets Café presents Bobby
Sanabria and his New School AfroCuban Jazz Band. Bobby Sanabria is a
professor of music at the New School, and
the students that make up the band are
the next generation in the music scene.
Sanabria helps them keep the traditions of
Afro-Cuban music alive, and they play the
classic compositions of Chano Pozo, Tito
Puente, Dizzy Gillespie and Mario Bauza.
Nuyorican Poets Cafe 236 East 3rd Street
(Between B & C). 8PM. Admission $10.
For more information, please call (212)
505-8183 or visit www.nuyorican.org.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2010
Repertorio Español presents Mi Bebe
es un Héroe (My Baby is a Hero) by the
Scaramouches Theatre. A puppet play
for children about a prince named Azulito,
who along with his beloved Princess
Perlita, who happily await the arrival of their
first baby. Not But not all is happiness when
the villainous and mischievous Cuchiflin,
plans to steal the Prince’s baby. Presented
in Spanish with Simultaneous English
translation available. The Gramercy Art
Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between
Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 12 Noon.
Admission: $25 with discounts available
for Seniors, Students,and Groups. For
reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or www.
repertorio.org.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2010
El Centro De Estudios Puertorriqueños
presents “If These Wall Could Speak”:
Nuestras Identidades In and Out of the
Streets. An exhibition opening by artist
María Dóminguez, Reception to follow.
El Centro Library At Hunter College 68th
and Lexington East Building, 3rd Fl. 5:00
PM. Admission: Free. For information call
Rosalie Roman: (212) 772-5714.
presents Puerto Rican Women In The
Arts. A panel discussion with women artists
on Puerto Rican women in the Arts. Hunter
College Faculty Dinnig Room West Building
8th Floor . 6:00 PM. Admission: Free. For
information call Rosalie Roman: (212) 7725714.
Repertorio Español presents Pilar Rioja.
Pilar Rioja is known worldwide as the
Queen of Spanish Dance. Rioja performs
to live music with flamenco guitarists and
Spanish cantaores. The Gramercy Art
Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11:00
AM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts
available for Seniors, Students, Children
and Groups. For reservations, call (212)
889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2010
Repertorio Español Presents: La Gringa,
by Carmen Rivera and directed by Rene
Buch. María arrives in Puerto Rico and is
very excited about seeing “her homeland.”
As she visits her uncle in Puerto Rico she
is faced with many questions about being
Puerto Rican. La Gringa is a story about
cultural identity and family. The Gramercy
Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street
(between Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC.
11AM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts
available for Seniors, Students,and Groups.
For reservations, call (212) 889-2850 or
www.repertorio.org
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2010
Repertorio Español presents: La Casa
de Bernarda Alba by García Lorca,
directed by René Buch. Bernarda Alba
attempts to dominate and control her five
unmarried daughters. In this repressed
environment, Lorca creates an explosion
of hatred, jealousy, despair and passion.
The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th
Street, between Lexington & Third Avenues,
NYC. 11AM.Tickets begin at $30, with
discounts available for seniors, students,
children and groups. Performances
presented in Spanish with simultaneous
English translation via headphones for an
additional $3. For reservations, call (212)
Consulate of Argentina presents opening
reception for the exhibition Alberto J.
Guzzetti : Argentina, Timeless Beauty Photographs from Cordoba, Argentina.
Consulate of Argentina, 12 West 56th
Street, NYC. 6 PM. Free Admission. For
more information: www.congenargentinany.
com .
The Consulate General of Brazil in
New York and the Ministry of External
Relations of Brazil Presents Marcelo
Bratke and Camera Brasil, A Tribute
to Villa-Lobos. The Brazilian pianist and
an ensemble of young musicians bring a
program of music by Villa-Lobos and Ernesto
Nazareth. Zankel Hall, at Carnegie Hall, 54
West 5th Ave., NYC. 7:30 PM. Tickets $30,
students and senior citizens $15. For more
information: www.carnigiehall.org.
PM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts
Purchase Repertory Theatre presents
The House of Bernarda Alba by Garcia
Lorca, directed by Nancy Gabor. In a
small Spanish town, adult daughters rebel
against the repressive tyranny of their
domineering mother, who is intent upon
thwarting their dreams of love and marriage
in order to preserve the family reputation. A
twentieth century masterpiece, this is a play
about the nature of fascism, the power of
sexual desire, and the effect of societal rules
on the human psyche. SUNY Purchase
Performing Arts Center, Purchase, NY. 8
PM. Tickets $20. For more information:
www.artscenter.org .
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2010
Repertorio
Español
presents:
El
Insólito Caso de Miss Piña Colada (The
Preposterous Case of Miss Piña Colada),
directed by René Buch. A hilarious play
about a mother’s outlandish and incredible
measures to make sure that her daughter
is crowned Miss Piña Colada. Don’t miss
Carlos Ferrari’s bitingly funny exploration
of society’s frivolous consumption and its
obsession with appearances.The Gramercy
Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street,
between Lexington & Third Avenues, NYC.
11 AM. Tickets begin at $25, with discounts
available for seniors, students, children and
groups. For reservations, call (212) 8892850 or www.repertorio.org.
Society of the Educational Arts, Inc.
(SEA) and Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural
& Educational Center presents Opening
Reception & Awards Ceremony for
BORIMIX: Puerto Rico Fest 2010. LES
& Abrazo Interno Gallery at Clemente Soto
Vélez Cultural & Educational Center, 107
Suffolk Street, 1st & 2nd floor, NYC. 6 PM.
Admission: Free. For more information call
212-529-1545 or visit www.sea-online.info.
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
Sunnyside, NY. 8:00 PM. Admission: $25.
For information call (718) 729-3880 or visit
www.thaliatheatre.org.
Browne. The Nuyorican Friday Night Poetry
Slam is pretty popular and fills up fast, so
please get in line early. (suggested arrival
latest 9:15pm). Nuyorican Poets Cafe 236
East 3rd Street (Between B & C). 10 PM.
Admission $10. For more information,
please call (212) 505-8183 or visit www.
nuyorican.org.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2010
Los Bomberos de Brooklyn and EL
PUENTE presents RAICES II. Get in
touch with your roots with a workshop on
Puerto Rican medicinal herbs with Sylvia
Elie Rivera followed by Bomba & Plena with
BombaYo. El Puente, 211 South 4th Street,
corner of Roebling St., Williamsburg,
Brooklyn, NY 11211. 3 PM – 7:30 PM.
Admission: Donations accepted. For more
information visit www.elpuente.us
or call (718) 387-0404.
PAMAR and Symphony Space presents
Puerto Rico: More Than Salsa with
Arturo O′Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz
Orchestra. Arturo OFarrill and the Afro-Latin
Jazz Orchestra explore new and existing
trends in Puerto Rican Music, with special
attention on folkloric and traditional forms,
especially bomba and plena. Peter Norton
Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, NYC.
8 PM. Tickets: Same Day $43; Advance
$38; Members $32; under 30 $15. For more
information: www.symphonyspace.org.
PAMAR and Pedro Reñe presents his
album “Nos”. Argentine guitarist singer
and composer, presents argentine tango
and folklore through his second solo
album “Nos”. El Taller Latinoamericano,
2710 Broadway, 3th floor, NYC. 8 PM.
Contribution of $10. For more information,
visit www.pedrorene.com.ar.
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
The Association For Puerto Rican_
hispanic Culture, Inc. in partnership with
The Museum Of The City Of New York
present their annual concert of Puerto
Rican composers at 2:00 PM.
THE
RAFAEL HERNANDEZ-SYLVIA
REXACH FESTIVAL
This year’s concert features JULITO
CUEVAS y SU TRIO LOS PLATINOS,
guitarist JULIO ROSALY and CARMEN D.
LUCCA Info: [email protected] or
718-367-0780 Directions to the Museum
of the City of New York 1220 Fifth Avenue
@103rd Street
Train # 6 to 103rd St,
or # 2 to 110th Street (It’s the day of the
NYC MARATHON ** The APRHC,INC.’s
programs are free to the public but the
MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
suggests a very small and voluntary
donation
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
E. 22nd Street, 4th floor, NYC. 10AM.
Admission: Free. Call or email Angel
Santini for additional information at 212677-4181/[email protected].
AM. Admission: $25-$50 with discounts
The Americas Society with PAMAR
presents Instituto Superior de Arte del
Teatro Colòn (ISATC). The Teatro Colón is
one of the Americas’ leading opera houses,
and its Instituto has been educating young
artists for decades. A group of ISATC
musicians will perform opera favorites.
The Americas Society, 680 Park Avenue,
NYC. 7PM. Admission: Free with RSVP;
members priority. For more information
visit www.americas-society.org.
Repertorio Español presents Mario
Vargas Llosas’ critically-acclaimed La
Fiesta Del Chivo (The Feast of the Goat).
The story of General Rafael Leonidas
Trujillo, who subdued the Dominican
Republic in a cruel dictatorship from 1930 –
1961, as told by Urania, a New York lawyer
whose father was part of Trujillo’s Ministry,
who returns to the Dominican Republic
after 35 years; by the band of conspirators
who plan his assassination, and through
the thoughts of the dictator himself. The
Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street
(between Lexington and Third Avenue)
NYC. 11AM. $20 - $55. Performances
Repertorio Español Presents: La Gringa,
by Carmen Rivera and directed by Rene
Buch. María arrives in Puerto Rico and is
very excited about seeing “her homeland.”
As she visits her uncle in Puerto Rico she
is faced with many questions about being
Puerto Rican. La Gringa is a story about
cultural identity and family. The Gramercy
Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street (between
Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM.
$25 - $55. For reservations, call (212) 8892850 or www.repertorio.org.
The Institute for The Puerto Rican /
Hispanic Elderly Senior Action Council
presents Celebrando Con Orgullo La
Herencia Puertorriqueña . IPRHE, 105
El Instituto Cervantes presents the
film Almost A Woman. A young named
Esmeralda and her family emigrate to
New York City from a rural area in Puerto
Rico. The transition is difficult due to the
many challenges Esmeralda will have
to face, such as translating for her family
whilst she follows her dream to make it as
an actress. With Wanda De Jesús and
Miriam Colón. Based on the homonymous
novel by Esmeralda Santiago. There will
be a Q&A session between the author and
the audience after the screening. Spanish
with English Subtitles. Auditorium, Instituto
Cervantes, 211-215 East 49th Street, NYC.
Free admission. 6:00 PM. For information
call (212) 308-7720.
The Americas Society presents Vis-a-Vis
Series: Pablo Vargas Lugo and Yasmil
Raymond. As part of the inaugural event
for PINTA Modern and Contemporary Latin
American Art Fair, visual artist Pablo Vargas
Lugo will discuss his work and recent
projects with Yasmil Raymond (Curator, Dia
Art Foundation). The Americas Society, 680
Park Avenue, NYC. 6 PM. Admission: Free
with reservations. For more information
visit www.americas-society.org.
www.artscenter.org.
Repertorio Español presents Vagón
(Boxcar). Winning Play of the MetLife
Nuestras Voces National Playwriting
Competition 2004 by Silvia Gonzalez S.
The stories of five undocumented men
who cross the border intersect with that
of an immigration officer who struggles
between his duties as an officer and his
conscience as a son of immigrants. The
Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th Street
11 AM. Admission: Tickets start at $25. For
repertorio.org.
PINTA Art Fair 2010. PINTA is a unique
event exhibiting annually – for sale through
the participating galleries – the best of Latin
American art, coinciding with Christie’s and
Sotheby’s Latin American art auctions and
with important exhibitions in museums and
cultural institutions in New York City. Pier
92 at the Hudson River, 711 12th Avenue,
NYC. General Admission $25, Student
$10, Groups (8+) Reduced price $10. 12
PM-8 PM. For more information, visit www.
pintaart.com.
Hostos Community College Modern
Languages Unit / Humanities Department
presents Tres Voces Boricuas En Nueva
York. Dramatic Readings By Puerto Rican
Playwrights: Kisha Burgos,
Miguel J.
Concepción & Tere Martínez . Art Gallery,
Hostos Community College, 450 Grand
Concourse, C-Building, Bronx, New York
10451. 12:30 PM. - 1:45 PM. Admission:
Free. For more information, contact
[email protected] or call
(718) 518- 6581.
El Museo presents THE FUNNY OF LATIN
DANCE by Bill Santiago. Puerto Rican
Stand-up comic Bill Santiago hunts for
The Funny of Latin Dance in this hilarious
audience participation series. Prepárate
to share your own dance stories and move
to live Latin music. Here you can enjoy
dance at any level and style—salsa, tango,
bachata, samba, flamenco, ranchera, and
cumbia—without holding back. Santiago
will be signing his new book Pardon My
Spanglish, ¡Porque Because! immediately
following the performance. Book for sale at
La Tienda. El Café at El Museo del Barrio,
1230 5th Avenue, NYC. 7 PM. Free. RSVP
required at www.elmuseo.org/calendar.
Pregones Theater presents The Harlem
Hellfighters on a Latin Beat. A new Latino
musical play inspired by the story of sixteen
Puerto Rican musicians recruited to join
the all-black regiment of the 369th Infantry
during World War I with Danny Rivera. U.S.
Army Lieutenant James Reese Europe
traveled to Puerto Rico to enlist local
musicians in the all-black 369th Infantry,
later known as the Harlem Hellfighters. His
dream was to put together a formidable
regimental band and to champion the cause
of the Allied forces to the strains of ragtime
jazz. This is their story. But as it happens
in all official stories, a portion of it will be
told on this stage full of ghosts for the first
time. Production conceived and directed
by Rosalba Rolón with musical director
Desmar Guevara. Presented in Spanish
& English with titles. Pregones Theatre,
571-575 Walton Avenue, Bronx, New York
10451. 8 PM. Admission: $36-$45. For
more information call (718) 585-1202 or
visit http://www.pregones.org.
PAMAR and The Latin American Piano
and Song Festival of NYC presents the
Piano Dances of Latin America and
Barbados. Double CD presentation: Conga
de Medianoche by Michiyo Morikawa and
“De Folk Music In Me” by Neil Walker. The
first festival in the United States dedicated
to the exploration of classical, folk and
popular traditions of Latin American piano
and song repertoire. Founder, Pianist and
Musicologist César Reyes will be joined by
some of the most important specialists on
Latin American piano music. Renee Weiler
Concert Hall at Greenwich House Music
School, 46 Barrow Street. 8PM. Admission:
$10 / $5 Students. More Information: www.
greenwichhouse.org.
Pane & Vino presents the Importango
Trio. Octavio Brunetti (piano), Adam Tully
(guitar), Machiko Ozawa (violin) play a
brand of instrumental tango that is unique
and creative. Argentine tango and folk
music. The trio creates a soundscape and
aesthetic that are completely original. Pane
& Vino, 174 Smith St. Brooklyn. 8:30 PM.
Free Admission. For more information:
www.importango.com.
Sabrina Lastman presents River of
Painted Birds . A music perfomance for
solo voice, pre recorded voice/sound tracks
and percussion, inspired by writing created
as a consequence of the repression
during/after the dictatorship in Uruguay.
The Old American Can Factory, 232 3rd.
Street, Brooklyn, NY. 8 PM. General
Admission $8. For more information: www.
issueprojectroom.org.
Noviembre Fifteenth Annual Benefit
Celebrating Twenty four Years of Puerto
Rican Heritage Month. 2010 honorees
are Oscar Hernández, Renowned Pianist,
Arranger & Grammy Award Winner, Carlos
López López, Esq., Partner, Wolf Popper,
LLP, Pedro Julio Serrano, AIDS/Human
Rights Activist & Founder, Puerto Rico Para
Tod@s, Julia Velez, Esq. MHSA, Executive
Director, Centro Se Salud Comunal Dr.
Jose S. Belaval, Inc., and Grammy Award
Winner & Latin Pop Artist Olga Tañon,
2010 Spokesperson. Black Tie. Reception
6:00 PM followed by Dinner 7:00PM. New
York Hilton, 1335 Avenue of the Americas
(between W 53rd Street and W 54th
Street), NYC. For more information visit
www.comitenoviembre.org or contact (212)
677-4181.
Repertorio Español presents La Casa
de Los Espiritus. A new play by Caridad
Svich based on Isabel Allende’s novel.
Charting the rise and fall of the Trueba
family in an un-named Latin American
country (reminiscent of Chile), the piece
spans the 1920s through the 1970s, as
the country moves through enormous
sociopolitical changes that culminate in a
devastating dictatorship. The play is told
from the point of view of, Alba, the youngest
of three generation of women. 11AM.
Admission: $25-50 with discounts available
for seniors, students, children and groups.
The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th
Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue),
NYC. Performance. For reservations, call
(212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.
pintaart.com.
Americas Society presents Camerata
Aberta. A cutting-edge contemporary
mùsic ensemble from the Escola de Mùsica
do Estado de Sao Paulo, Tom Jobim,
the group will perform a concert of music
by Brazilian composers. The Americas
Society, 680 Park Avenue, NYC. 7 PM.
Admission: Free with registration; members
priority. For more information visit www.
americas-society.org.
10451. 8 PM. Admission: $36-$45. For
Repertorio Español presents Anna In
The Tropics with Francisco Gattorno
Winning Drama of the 2003 Pulitzer Prize,
this poignant and poetic play is set in
Florida in 1929 in a Cuban–American cigar
factory, where cigars are still rolled by hand
and “lectors” are employed to educate
and entertain the workers. Tickets start at
$25. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East
27th Street (between Lexington & Third
Avenue), NYC. 8 PM. Admission: Tickets
start at $25 with discounts available for
Seniors, Students, Children and Groups.
www.repertorio.org.
PAMAR and DOM presents Julio Botti
- Music from Argentina. Julio Botti
(saxophonist) will be performing music
from his upcoming album “Music from
Argentina”. Repertory will include various
traditional tangos, new tango as well as
original songs. Musicians include Carlos
Pavan (guitar), Franco Pinna (drums) and
Special Guests. DROM - Restaurant &
Lounge, 85 Avenue A, NYC. 7 PM. Tickets
$10. For more information: www.juliobotti.
com.
PAMAR and Centro Español presents
The Sounds of Spain with Mar Sala and
Dientes de Caramelo. A night of eclectic
music from Spain- Flamenco, Spanish
Rock, Celtic music and much more.
Featuring the bands Mar Sala and Dientes
de Caramelo.
Centro Español, 41-01
Broadway, Astoria Queens. 8 PM. Tickets
$5. For more information: www.myspace.
com/marsalaband.
The Northen Manhattan Arts Alliance
presents Duo Caramba.
Performing
classical works for flute and guitar by Latin
Composers. The Cornerstone Center, 178
Bennet Avenue, NYC. 8 PM. Tickets $20
for adults, $10 for students and seniors. For
more information: www.duocaramba.com.
nuyorican.org.
Repertorio Español presents Mi Bebe
es un Héroe (My Baby is a Hero) by the
Scaramouches Theatre. A puppet play
for children about a prince named Azulito,
who along with his beloved Princess
Perlita, who happily await the arrival of their
first baby. Not But not all is happiness when
the villainous and mischievous Cuchiflin,
plans to steal the Prince’s baby. Presented
in Spanish with Simultaneous English
translation available. The Gramercy Art
Lexington & Third Avenue), NYC. 12 Noon.
Admission: $25 with discounts available
for Seniors, Students,and Groups. For
repertorio.org.
pintaart.com.
10451. 8 PM. Admission: $36-$45. For
Repertorio Español presents Nobel Prize
Winner Gabriel García Márquez’ Cronica
de una Muerte Anunciada (Chronicle of
a Death Foretold). Directed by Jorge Alí
Triana. A spectacular wedding, a savage
scandal, and a murder to which an entire
Latin American town appears to be an
accessory to the fact. The Gramercy Art
www.repertorio.org.
World Music Institute presents Flamenco
Festival Gitano with Pepe Torres. The
powerful and riveting dancer Pepe Torres,
known for his work with the award-winning
ensemble Son de la Frontera, returns to
New York with the debut of his acclaimed
company. Raised in Andalusia’s Moron de
la Frontera, a hotbed of Gypsy flamenco,
he toured extensively with Martirio,
Antonio Canales, Sara Baras and Manuela
Carrasco and appeared in the New York
Flamenco Festival with Son de la Frontera
(2006 and 2008) and with Farruquito and
Juana Amaya (2003). This program marks
the NY premiere of Homenaje, a centennial
tribute to Torres’ grandfather, Gypsy
flamenco singer Joselero de Moron, and to
the unique contributions his family (which
includes his grand uncle, guitar legend
Diego del Gastor) has made to the history
of flamenco. Skirball Center, 566 Laguardia
Place at Washington Square South, NYC.
8 PM. Tickets $55 and $65. Reservations
212 352 3101, Info: 212 545 7536 or www.
worldmusicinstitute.org.
SOB´s, presents Liliana Araujo and Forro
da Madame. Born in Brazil (Fortaleza,
Ceara), a researcher of folkloric traditions
and a dynamic, charismatic singer. Forro
da Madame maintains the traditions of forro
while also infusing a contemporary touch.
SOB´s,200 Varick St, NYC. 8:30 PM &
10:30 PM. Tickets: $15, Free with dinner
reservation. For more information: www.
sobs.com.
Repertorio Español presents Doña Flor
y sus dos maridos. Doña Flor misses her
late husband’s passionate intimacy. She
re-marries and magical realism allows her
to live (and sleep) with her two husbands.
The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East 27th
Street (between Lexington & Third Avenue),
NYC. 8 PM. $25 - $55. For reservations,
call (212) 889-2850 or www.repertorio.org.
pintaart.com.
Dr. Antonia Pantoja Fellowship, Inc.
presents the Annual Theater and Dinner
Fundraiser featuring the Pregones
Production of The Harlem Hellfighters on
a Latin Beat starring Singer/Songwriter
Danny Rivera. A new Latino musical play
inspired by the story of sixteen Puerto Rican
musicians recruited to join the all-black
regiment of the 369th Infantry during World
War I. Presented in Spanish & English with
titles. Pregones Theatre, 571-575 Walton
Avenue, Bronx, New York 10451. Dinner
will be held at Giovanni’s Restaurant
following the play (579 Grand Concourse,
Bronx, NY 10451). 3 PM. Tickets: $115
for dinner and theater.
Proceeds will
support DAPF’s Leaders of Integrity college
scholarship award given to Puerto Rican
and Latino youth. For more information
or to purchase tickets, please contact:
[email protected] or
visit www.dantoniapantojafellowship.org .
Repertorio Español presents Doña Flor
y sus dos maridos. Doña Flor misses her
late husband’s passionate intimacy. She remarries and magical realism allows her to
live (and sleep) with her two husbands. The
2:30 PM. $25 - $55. For reservations, call
Repertorio
Español
presents:
El
Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street, between
Lexington & Third Avenues, NYC. 6:30
PM. Tickets begin at $25, with discounts
North / South Consonance presents Art
Songs from Latin America and Spain. A
recital of art songs from throughout Latin
America and Spain including music by
among others Guastavino, Villa-Lobos, de
Falla, and Ponce. Christ & St Stephen’s
Church, 120 West 69th St (bet Bway &
Columbus). 3PM. Free admission. For
more information: 212-663-7566 or www.
northsouthmusic.org.
World Music Institute presents Flamenco
Festival Gitano with Angelita Vargas &
Jairo Barrull. Direct from Seville, Gypsy
flamenco dance icon Angelita Vargas
and the dynamic young Jairo Barrull join
together for a mesmerizing night of Gypsy
flamenco. Vargas appeared on Broadway
with Flamenco Puro and was recently
featured in the Farruco family’s Gitanas
which toured extensively throughout
Europe. Barrull, the great-grand nephew
of famed guitarist Diego del Gastor, has
performed with such important figures as
Concha Vargas and Juana Amaya. With
guest artist Juan del Gastor, their program
Gitanerias is a celebration of the passing
down of flamenco traditions from generation
to generation in the Gypsy community.
Skirball Center, 566 Laguardia Place at
Washington Square South, NYC. 8 PM.
Tickets $55 and $65. Reservations 212 352
3101, Information: 212 545 7536 or www.
worldmusicinstitute.org.
SEA/BORIMIX Puerto Rican Festival
2010 presents La Cucarachita Martina/
Martina, The Little Roach. A popular
Cuban and Puerto Rican children’s tale of a
little roach who learns many lessons on her
journey to find true love. PUERTO RICAN
TRAVELING THEATRE, 304 West 47th
Street, New York, NY 10036. 10:30 AM. For
more information visit www.sea-online.info
or call (212) 529 – 1545.
Repertorio Español presents Anna In
The Tropics with Francisco Gattorno
Winning Drama of the 2003 Pulitzer Prize,
this poignant and poetic play is set in
Florida in 1929 in a Cuban–American cigar
factory, where cigars are still rolled by hand
and “lectors” are employed to educate
and entertain the workers. Tickets start at
$25. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East
Avenue), NYC. 11 AM. Admission: Tickets
start at $25 with discounts available for
Seniors, Students, Children and Groups.
www.repertorio.org.
El Museo presents SIMPOSIO 2010:
NUEVA YORK. This Latin American Art
Symposium expands on the exhibition
Nueva York by inviting established and
emerging scholars to discuss the role
that Latinos and Spanish-speaking artists
have played over four centuries in New
York’s art sphere. The program will include
a presentation by Marcus Burke, Senior
Curator at The Hispanic Society of America,
and a conversation between renowned
scholars Mike Wallace and Edward Sullivan.
To wrap up the event, performance artist
Carmelita Tropicana will host a Trivia show.
El Museo del Barrio - El Café, 1230 Fifth
Avenue, New York, NY 10029. 2PM – 6 PM.
Admission: FREE. RSVP required at www.
elmuseo.org/calendar.
or call (212) 529 – 1545.
Admission:
$25-$50
with
discounts
www.repertorio.org.
Consulate General of Uruguay presents
Uruguayan visual artist Andrea Nalerio.
First solo exhibition in New York. 6 PM.
Consulate General of Uruguay, 420 Madison
Ave, 6th Floor, NYC. Free Admission. For
more information: www.conuruyork.org.
Theatre for The New City presents
DanSur/DanSouth. Celebrating traditional
and contemporary dance from Latin
America. Produced by Pajarillo Pinta’o.
An Idea of Daniel Fetecua and Anna
Amadei. A two-days journey from folklore
to contemporary with the representatives
of the new waves of Latin American dance.
Theatre for The New City, 155 1st Ave,
NYC. 7:30 PM. Tickets $15. For more
information: www.theaterforthenewcity.net.
Maria Cangiano in Concert. Argentine
singer/Composer presents her own
compositions, an original fusion of Jazz,
Folk, Afro, Flamenco and Funk with lyrics
from famous poets (Jorge Luis Borges,
Alejandra Pizarnik, Alfonsina Storni among
others). 164 E. 56th Street (between
Lexington Ave & 3rd Ave, NYC. 10:30 PM.
No cover. For more information: (646) 3000305 or www.lacangiano.com.
or call (212) 529 – 1545.
Repertorio Español presents La Vida es
Sueño by Calderón de la Barca. Directed
by Rene Buch. Segismundo, a prince, is
imprisoned after his horoscope reveals that
he will bring disaster to the country. After
almost a lifetime in prison, he is released
to reign over the country. However, he turns
rebellious and commits rape and murder.
Drugged and re-imprisoned, he is told that
the previous events were a dream, which
brings him to question what parts of his
life are reality and which are dreams. The
www.repertorio.org.
Hostos Community College Modern
Languages Unit / Humanities Department
presents EL Nacionalismo En La Canción
De Arte Puertorriqueña/ Nationalism
In The Puerto Rican Art Song. Lecture
Performance by Thelma Ithier Sterling,
Soprano / Maria Antonia Garcia, Pianist .
Art Gallery, Hostos Community College,
450 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York
10456. 2:00 PM. Admission: Free. For
more information, contact Rvelazquez@
Hostos.Cuny.Edu or call (718) 518- 6581.
Theatre for The New City presents
DanSur/DanSouth. Celebrating traditional
and contemporary dance from Latin
America. Produced by Pajarillo Pinta’o.
An Idea of Daniel Fetecua and Anna
Amadei. A two-days journey from folklore
to contemporary with the representatives
of the new waves of Latin American dance.
Theatre for The New City, 155 1st Ave,
NYC. 7:30 PM. Tickets $15. For more
information: www.theaterforthenewcity.net.
The Alliance for Young Urban Design and
the Arts (AYUDA for the Arts) presents
fundraising reception and dance with El
Canario at the Latin Quarter. Reception
upstairs with Calle Ocho’s Chef Alex
Garcia for reception and dance at VIP
section of Latin Quarter. Proceeds go
toward scholarships and programs to
help the creative young students from
urban neighborhoods develop their artistic
potential. Latin Quarter, 511 Lexington
Avenue at 48th Street, NYC. 6:30PM.
Tickets: $75-$100 with RSVP. For more
information call (917) 968-4191 or visit
www.ayudaforthearts.org.
PAMAR (Pan American Musical Art
Research, Inc.) and Clemente Soto Velez
Cultural & Educational Center present:
LACW CLOSING EVENT CELEBRATION
with David Gonzalez: MC . Times and
artists are 7 PM: Pedro Giraudo Sextet ;
8 PM: Dock Sud playing new Tango; 9PM:
Pablo Mayor and Folklore Urbano team
up with Viña del Mar prize-winner Marìa
Mulata. Flamboyan Theater, CSV Center
107 Suffolk Street, NYC betw. Delancey &
Rivington. Subways F to Delancey or J, M,
Z to Essex. Tickets $15 dollars - Includes
a tasting of Wines of Argentina. Tickets
available online through OvationTix at www.
csvcenter.org.
10451. 7 PM. Admission: $36-$45. For
PUERTO RICAN HERITAGE MONTH IN
THE BRONX
The Bronx Museum of the Arts
1040 Grand Concourse at East 165th St.
5:30 Pm
Presented by
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
The Bronx Museum of the Arts
&
ComitéNoviembre
Celebrando Nuestra CulturaPuertoriqueña
To RSVP Please Call 718-590-3522 or
email [email protected]
or call (212) 529 – 1545.
The 3nd Annual Latin American Piano
and Song Festival of NYC presents A
Musical Journey from South America
to the Caribbean. As part of Encuentro
2010. Woody Tanger Auditorium, Brooklyn
College Library, 2900 Bedford Avenue,
Brooklyn. 4 PM. Free Admission. Visit www.
myspace.com/LatinoPianoFest.
The President’s Office / Hostos
Comm. College / CUNY presents From
Plantations To Resorts: The Caribbean
In The Age Of Globalization. Lecture by
the sociologist Dr. Emilio Pantojas Garcia
/ Presenter: Prof. Carlos Sanabria. This
lecture presents the dynamics of Caribbean
economic development in the first decade
of the twenty-first century and its impact on
the people of the region. Art Gallery, Hostos
Community College, 450 Grand Concourse,
Bronx, New York 10456. 5:30 –6:45 PM.
Admission: Free. For more information,
contact [email protected] or
call (718) 518- 4300.
The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East
27th Street, between Lexington & Third
Avenues, NYC. 11 AM & 7 PM; Tickets
begin at $30, with discounts available for
seniors, students, children and groups.
Performances presented in Spanish
with simultaneous English translation
via headphones for an additional $3. For
repertorio.org.
presents 19th Century Puerto Rican And
Caribbean Political Exiles in NYC. Panel
Discussion With Moderator: Dr. Arcadio
Díaz-Quiñones. Panelists: Dr. Orlando
Hernández, Dr. Laura Lomas, Dr. Lisandro
Pérez , Dt.Virginia Sánchez-Korrol, Dr.
Silvio Torres-Saillant. Hunter College
Faculty Dining Room West Building. 6:00
PM. Admission: Free. For Information call
Rosalie Roman: (212)772-5714.
The 2nd Annual Latin American Piano
and Song Festival of NYC presents Latin
American Songs of Revolution, as part
of “Encuentro 2010”. A musical journey
from South America to the Caribbean of the
most powerful composers and troubadours
of Latin America. Pianist and Musicologist
César Reyes will be joined by some of the
most gifted Latin American singers. Woody
Tanger Auditorium, Brooklyn College
Library, 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn.
4PM. Free Admission. Visit www.myspace.
com/LatinoPianoFest.
10451. 8 PM. Admission: $36-$45. For
or call (212) 529 – 1545.
The Americas Society presents Ibo
Cooper. Ibo Cooper is a Jamaican
keyboardist, a founding member of the
renowned band Third World, and a teacher
who bridges the gap between formal musical
training and oral tradition.The Americas
Society, 680 Park Avenue, NYC. 7PM.
Admission: Free. For more information visit
www.americas-society.org.
10451. 8 PM. Admission: $36-$45. For
Repertorio Español presents Mario
Vargas Llosas’ critically-acclaimed La
Fiesta Del Chivo (The Feast of the Goat).
The story of General Rafael Leonidas
Trujillo, who subdued the Dominican
Republic in a cruel dictatorship from 1930 –
1961, as told by Urania, a New York lawyer
whose father was part of Trujillo’s Ministry,
who returns to the Dominican Republic
after 35 years; by the band of conspirators
who plan his assassination, and through
the thoughts of the dictator himself. The
Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East 27th Street
(between Lexington and Third Avenue)
NYC. 11AM. $20 - $55. Performances
Repertorio Español presents La vida
en los Esclavos Unidos” (Life in the
United Slaves’). Saulo García, author
and performer, touches on themes such
as the financial crisis, healthcare in the
U.S.A., immigrants’ jobs and the lifelong
trauma left after the interview for a visa
at the U.S. Embassy. Presented only in
Spanish (No English translation available).
Recommended for adult audiences. The
8PM. Admission: Tickets start at $30. For
repertorio.org.
nuyorican.org.
Comité Noviembre presents the 5th
Annual Comité Noviembre Puerto Rican
Artisans Fair. Dedicated to CUNY’s
Senior Vice Chancellor for Budget and
Finance Ernesto Malave (1958-2009). In
keeping with its mission to promote Puerto
Rican culture and art, Comité Noviembre has
invited Puerto Rican artisans from Puerto
Rico and the United States to participate in
its fifth annual Puerto Rican Artisans Fair
by promoting and selling their wares while
typical Puerto Rican food is sold from kiosks
and musical acts entertain throughout
the day. There will also be workshops for
children such as mask making, the history
of the Three Kings’ celebration, Taino story
telling and much more! Come, have fun,
learn about our culture, and do your holiday
shopping purchasing unique gifts. Hostos
Community College, Hostos Center for the
Arts & Culture, 405 Grand Concourse at
149th Street, Bronx, NY. 11AM – 9PM.
For more information please visit www.
comitenoviembre.org.
El Museo presents SUPER SABADO!
Target Free Saturdays at El Museo – We
Love Música. Super Sábado continues
celebrating all things Nueva York… with a
focus on local music! Come listen to the
ritmo Latino, including musical storytelling
by Louie Miranda, Face the Music in
concert, and much more. El Museo del
Barrio, 1230 5th Avenue, NYC. 11AM-8:30
PM. Please note: Galleries are open from
11:00am - 6:00pm Admission: Free. Visit
www.elmuseo.org or call (212) 831-7272
for details.
Cuban and Puerto Rican children’s tale
of a little roach who learns many lessons
on her journey to find true love. PUERTO
RICAN TRAVELING THEATRE, 304 West
47th Street, New York, NY 10036. 3 PM.
For more information visit www.sea-online.
info or call (212) 529 – 1545.
presents Oscar Hernandez and The
Spanish
Harlem
Orchestra
10th
Anniversary Gala. In celebration of Puerto
Rican Heritage Month. Concert repetoire
will feature their latest CD release Viva
La Tradicion. Hostos Center for the Arts
and Culture, 450 Grand Concourse at
149th Street in the Bronx. 7:30PM. For
information and tickets call the box office:
(718) 518-4455 or visit Hostos Box Office
on Monday - Friday, 12:30 - 6:30 p.m.and
two hours before showtime.
El Museo presents OH, SNAP! Young
Powerful Voices at Work. Súmate! The
second season of our monthly spoken word
workshop for teens will be led by supercool Nuyorican performance poet Caridad
de la Luz “La Bruja.” Come learn about
writing techniques and tools, performance
practices, speech delivery, overcoming
stage fright, and much more! El Museo del
Barrio- El Taller, 1230 5th Avenue, NYC.
4:30-6:30 PM. Admission: FREE / RSVP
3 PM. Admission: $30-$50 with discounts
www.repertorio.org.
El Museo presents SPEAK UP! SPEAK
OUT!: Universes . Universes, the
international company of multi-disciplined
artists who fuse poetry, theater, jazz,
hip-hop, politics, down home blues, and
Spanish boleros, celebrates their 14 years
together by performing for the first time at
El Museo. Members Steven Sapp, Gamal
A. Chasten, Mildred Ruiz-Sapp, and Ninja
break the bounds of traditional theater
to create challenging and entertaining
theatrical works that will touch old and
new generations of spoken word lovers.
El Museo del Barrio- El Cafe, 1230 5th
Avenue, NYC. 6:30– 8:30 PM. Admission:
FREE / RSVP required at www.elmuseo.
org/calendar .
10451. 8 PM. Admission: $36-$45. For
repertorio.org.
COMITE
NOVIEMBRE
SIXTEENTH
ANNUAL DAY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE
AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. For the
past sixteen years, Comité Noviembre has
set aside the Sunday before Thanksgiving
as a day of community service and social
responsibility
in
commemoration
of
November 19th, traditionally known as
Puerto Rican discovery day or as we like
to call it Puerto Rican “encounter” day.
During this day people participate in several
volunteer efforts that aid the Puerto Rican
community and its organizations. The
purpose of the day is to show the spirit of
commitment and the power of action. Over
the years, this event has been a great
success and organizations throughout the
city have benefited from this collaboration,
including
homeless
and
battered
women’s shelters and senior centers as
well as individual families. Through this
effort, Comité Noviembre has collected
coats, clothing, and toiletries for these
organizations. In recent years, CN has
conducted a food drive of non-perishable
foods to create Thanksgiving dinner
baskets for the poor of New York. CN has
also worked with local supermarkets and
business leaders to provide turkeys to each
family. The food baskets are distributed
by volunteers the Tuesday before
Thanksgiving to needy families. This event
will be spearheaded this year by ASPIRA of
New York. Food dropoff points at several
member organizations: EL MUSEO DEL
BARRIO, 1230 5TH Avenue (between 104th
and 105th Street), NYC; IPRHE UPACA
SENIOR CENTER, 1940 Lexington Avenue
(between 119th and 120th Street), NYC; EL
PUENTE, 850 Grand Street Campus at
Bushwick Ave, Bklyn; and others. 11AM
- 4PM. For more information, visit www.
comitenoviembre.com .
Repertorio
Español
presents:
El
Cuban and Puerto Rican children’s tale
of a little roach who learns many lessons
on her journey to find true love. PUERTO
RICAN TRAVELING THEATRE, 304 West
47th Street, New York, NY 10036. 3 PM.
For more information visit www.sea-online.
info or call (212) 529 – 1545.
10451. 3 & 7 PM. Admission: $36-$45. For
visit www.pregones.org.
repertorio.org.
Repertorio Español presents El Beso
del Adios (Kiss Bessemer Goodbye).
Winning Play of the MetLife Nuestras Voces
National Playwriting Competition by Tencha
Avila. A quintessential American play about
the lives of a Mexican American family
living in Bessemer, Colorado in the 1970’s.
Lupita, the first family member to attend
university, is about to graduate, a cause
for celebration. But the festivities take an
unexpected turn when she announces that
instead of taking a job at a local school
which was pre-arranged by her uncle, she
will be moving away with her boyfriend. The
repertorio.org.
Repertorio Español presents El Quijote.
A carnivalesque adaptation of Cervantes’
masterpiece. Through Don Quijote’s
adventures, the production presents the
illusion of an utopian world with a festive
and colorful spirit. El Quijote is a polyphonic
play in which many different genres such as
comedy, tragedy and farce collide to form a
carnival-like and vibrant Don Quijote that is
rich in its musicality.” The play is a collection
of 12 scenes that present different stories
based on the original text of Cervantes.
Avenue), NYC. 11AM. Admission: $25$50 with discounts available for Seniors,
Students,and Groups. For reservations, call
Consulate General of Argentina presents
Tangos in Piano by Claudio Mendez
Claudio Mendez presents his book “Tango
arrangements for Piano in the Authentic
Argentine Style”. The concert will also
include his own compositions. Consulate
General of Argentina, 12 W 56 Street,
NYC. 6 PM. Free Admission. For more
information: www.gmtango.com.ar .
MARIPOSA presents SPit MY SOUL. All
artists performing have a special connection
to the legacy of the Hip Hop, spoken
word and Nuyorican poetry movement
in New York City. This event is filled with
passionate performances by visionaries
in their craft such as Mariposa, Sandra
Maria Esteves and Goya Robles. The night
promises inspiration, creativity and love...
all the makings of a legendary evening.
Nuyorican Poets Café, 236 E. 3rd Street,
New York, NY bet Ave B & C. 9PM - 11PM.
Admission: $10 General $8 w/ Student ID.
For information: www.goyarobles.com or
[email protected]
Repertorio
Español
presents:
El
11 AM. Tickets begin at $25, with discounts
groups. For reservations, call (212) 889-
2850 or www.repertorio.org.
Musica no Museu presents Angelica de
la Riva, Soprano and Nilko Andreas,
Classical Guitar performing Villa-Lobos
at Carnegie Hall. Angelica de la Riva,
Soprano and Nilko Andreas, Guitar, will join
the best of Brazilian Artists including Duo
Santoro from Orquestra Sinfonica Brasilera
and Priscila Bomfim, pianist from Teatro
Municipal do Rio de Janeiro in a concert
celebrating Heitor Villa-Lobos music. Weill
Hall at Carnegie Hall, 154 west 5th Ave,
NYC. 8 PM. Tickets $20 - 40 Student
discount available. For more information:
www.carnegiehall.org.
¡Feliz Día de Acción de Gracias! Happy
Thanksgiving!
Repertorio
Español
presents:
El
8 PM. Tickets begin at $25, with discounts
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
FLAMENCO TRIO MUSICAL. Part of
Thalia’s Thanksgiving Weekend Series
Concerts, this Flamenco show has guest
dancers directly from Spain. Thalia Spanish
Sunnyside, NY. 8 PM; Admission: $25 with
discounts for additional concerts of the
series. For information call (718) 729-3880
or visit www.thaliatheatre.org.
nuyorican.org.
2010 presents Coquito Master Qualifier
2010 Contest. The International Coquito
Federation and SEA invite you to participate
in this joyous Latino holiday tradition. Taste
and pick with the judges who will go on
to qualify as Coquito Master 2010. LES
Gallery at Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural
& Educational Center, 107 Suffolk Street,
NYC. 6 - 9 PM. Admission: Free. For more
information call 212-529-1545 or visit www.
sea-online.info.
Repertorio
Español
presents
El
Thalia Spanish Theatre presents SON
SUBLIME with SON de Cuba. Part of
Concerts, New York’s Premier Charanga
Band is back by popular demand. Thalia
Spanish Theatre, 41–17 Greenpoint
Avenue, Sunnyside, NY. 8 PM; Admission:
$25 with discounts for additional concerts
of the series. For information call (718) 7293880 or visit www.thaliatheatre.org.
Repertorio
Español
presents:
El
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
ZARZUELAS & BOLEROS. Part of
Concerts, this concert features singers of
Spanish Operettas and Romantic favorites.
Thalia Spanish Theatre, 41–17 Greenpoint
Avenue, Sunnyside, NY. 4 PM; Admission:
$25 with discounts for additional concerts
of the series. For information call (718) 7293880 or visit www.thaliatheatre.org.
Centro De Estudios Puertorriqueños
presents Puerto Rican Classic Film
Festival: “Lamento Borincano,” Directed
By Fernando Cortes. Festival features
films, documentaries and shorts from the
archives of The Center for Puerto Rican
Studies at Hunter College which depict the
Puerto Rican experience . Covello Senior
Center, 312 East 109th Street between 1st
and 2nd Avenue. 2 PM. Admission: $3.00
suggested donation, with group rates (10 or
more).
simultaneous English translation via
headphones available for an additional
$3.00. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138
East 27th Street (between Lexington &
Third Avenue), NYC. 11AM. Admission:
$25-50 with discounts available for
seniors, students, children and groups. For
repertorio.org.
Leonard Covello Senior Center and El
Festival: “Somos un Pueblo” , Dirección
Marcos Zurinaga. Festival features films,
documentaries and shorts from the archives
of The Center for Puerto Rican Studies at
Hunter College which depict the Puerto
Rican experience . Covello Senior Center,
312 East 109th Street between 1st and 2nd
Avenue. 2 PM. Admission: $3.00 suggested
donation, with group rates (10 or more).
Joyce Theater presents Ballet Hispánico
Special Opening Night Performance:
Puntos Suspensivos, Tres Bailes, Tango
y Yo (North American premiere), Mad’
moiselle. Ballet Hispanico celebrates
its 40th Anniversary year with groundbreaking choreography and stirring new
music. The extraordinary line-up includes
Mad’ moiselle, a world premiere work by
Annabelle Lopez Ochoa to a soundscape
inspired by Chavela Vargas, and Puntos
Suspensivos, a world premiere by Cuban
choreographer Maray Gutierrez set to live
music composed by Gabriela Lena Frank.
Joyce Theatre, 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th
Street, New York. 7:30 PM. Tickets $10-59,
for group sales, seniors and students call
(212) 242-0800 or www.joyce.org.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2010
Festival: “La Gran Fiesta” Dirección
Marcos Zurinaga. Festival features films,
Repertorio Español presents Carmen
Rivera’s La Gringa. Directed by René
Buch, a young woman travels from NYC
to Puerto Rico to meet her family and
discovers her roots. Her misconceptions
are transformed as she learns that being
Puerto Rican is a matter of the heart and
spirit. The Gramercy Arts Theatre, 138 East
Avenue), NYC. Performance 11AM & 1PM.
www.repertorio.org.
Joyce
Theater
presents
Ballet
Hispánico: Puntos Suspensivos, Tres
Bailes, Farewell, Mad’ moiselle, Tango
y Yo. Ballet Hispanico celebrates its 40th
Anniversary year with ground-breaking
choreography and stirring new music.
The extraordinary line-up includes Mad’
moiselle, a world premiere work by
A revival of Christopher Gillis’s Farewell,
a haunting duet by the late choreographer,
will be performed. Joyce Theatre,175
Eighth Avenue at 19th Street, New York.
7:30 PM. Tickets $10-59, for group sales,
seniors and students call (212) 242-0800 or
www.joyce.org.
which depict the Puerto Rican experience
. Covello Senior Center, 312 East 109th
Street between 1st and 2nd Avenue. 2 PM.
Admission: $3.00 suggested donation, with
group rates (10 or more).
Joyce
Theater
presents
Ballet
8 PM. Tickets $10-59, for group sales,
www.joyce.org.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2010
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2010
Repertorio Español presents Vagón
(Boxcar). Winning Play of the MetLife
Nuestras Voces National Playwriting
Competition 2004 by Silvia Gonzalez S.
The stories of five undocumented men
who cross the border intersect with that
of an immigration officer who struggles
between his duties as an officer and his
conscience as a son of immigrants. The
repertorio.org.
www.repertorio.org.
Festival:
Los Borinqueneers
,
Dirección Noemi Figueroa Soulet.
Festival features films, documentaries and
shorts from the archives of The Center for
Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College
Joyce
Theater
presents
Ballet
8 PM. Tickets $10-59, for group sales,
www.joyce.org.
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
FUENTE OVENJUNA CUIDAD JUAREZ.
A retelling of Lope de Vega’s play by
Sergio Adillo, set in contemporary Cuidad
Juarez with invited artists Mariachi Flor
de Toloache. A Taller del Siglo de Oro
Workshop production. Performed in
Spanish. Thalia Spanish Theatre, 41–17
Greenpoint Avenue, Sunnyside, NY. 8 PM;
Admission: $15. For information call (718)
729-3880 or visit www.thaliatheatre.org.
nuyorican.org.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2010
Third Avenue), NYC. 3 PM. Admission:
$25-50 with discounts available for seniors,
students, children and groups.
For
repertorio.org.
Joyce
Theater
presents
Ballet
2 & 8 PM. Tickets $10-59, for group sales,
www.joyce.org.
Lehman
College
presents
JOSÉ
FELICIANO: A Special Family Matinee
Performance.
Eight time Grammy Award Winner José
Feliciano in a special one-hour performance
dedicated to family audiences. Lehman
Center for the Performing Arts, Bedford
Park Blvd West, Bronx. 2 PM. Tickets: $25
(General Admission Seating)/ :$10 Children
12 and under. For more information or to
purchase tickets, visit www.lehmancenter.
org.
Repertorio Español presents La Casa de
Los Espiritus. A new play by Caridad Svich
based on Isabel Allende’s novel. Charting
the rise and fall of the Trueba family in an unnamed Latin American country (reminiscent
of Chile), the piece spans the 1920s
through the 1970s, as the country moves
through enormous sociopolitical changes
that culminate in a devastating dictatorship.
The play is told from the point of view of,
Alba, the youngest of three generation of
women. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138
Third Avenue), NYC. Performance. 8PM.
www.repertorio.org.
Lehman
College
presents
JOSÉ
FELICIANO: The World’s Greatest Living
Guitarist
Jose Feliciano, winner of eight Grammy
Awards and seventeen nominations is
considered by many to be the world’s
greatest living guitarist. He has recorded
over sixty albums, and has brought the
acoustic guitar to a new level of excitement
with songs in English, Spanish and Italian in
the genres of soul, pop, Latin and classical.
His artistry is rivaled by few in the industry
and makes him an American treasure.
Lehman Center is proud to bring him back
in this special Holiday celebration. Lehman
Center for the Performing Arts, Bedford Park
Blvd West, Bronx. 8 PM. Admission: $30$45. For more information or to purchase
tickets, visit www.lehmancenter.org.
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2010
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
Joyce
Theater
presents
Ballet
Hispánico; Puntos Suspensivos, Tres
www.joyce.org.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2010
Rivera’s La Gringa, directed by René
Buch. A young woman travels from NYC
to Puerto Rico to meet her family and
discovers her roots. Her misconceptions
are transformed as she learns that being
Puerto Rican is a matter of the heart and
spirit. The Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 East
Avenue), NYC. 11AM. $20 - $35. For
repertorio.org.
Festival: ‘ West Side Story’ , Director
Jerome Robbins. Festival features films,
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2010
Festival: ‘All Hawai’ and ‘1937/Masacre
de Ponce’.
Festival features films,
Joyce
Theater
presents
Ballet
Hispánico; Tres Cantos , Farewell, Nací,
Mad’ moiselle. Ballet Hispanico celebrates
inspired by Chavela Vargas. A revival of
Christopher Gillis’s Farewell, a haunting
duet by the late choreographer, will be
performed. Joyce Theatre,175 Eighth
Avenue at 19th Street, New York. 7:30 PM.
Tickets $10-59, for group sales, seniors and
students call (212) 242-0800 or www.joyce.
org.
Admission:
$25-$50
with
discounts
www.repertorio.org.
Festival: “Siempre Piel Canela” ,
Dirección Marcos Zurinaga. Festival
features films, documentaries and shorts
from the archives of The Center for Puerto
Rican Studies at Hunter College which
depict the Puerto Rican experience .
Covello Senior Center, 312 East 109th
Street between 1st and 2nd Avenue. 2 PM.
Admission: $3.00 suggested donation, with
group rates (10 or more).
Joyce
Theater
presents
Ballet
Avenue at 19th Street, New York. 7:30 PM.
org.
and Mass Transit Street Theatre presents
AIN’T EASY. A multi-media, storytelling
play by Lyn Pyle with Karen Wilson &
Aisha Norris performed with live rap & film.
Post-performance discussion with actors &
director. Especially appropriate for groups
& classes, middle school & up. Repertory
Theater at Hostos Community College, 450
Grand Concourse at 149th Street in the
Bronx. 10AM & 12PM. Admission: $6. For
tickets call Mass Transit Street Theater at
(718) 512-8519 or email: ainteasytheplay@
gmail.com. Info: www.mtstv.org.
repertorio.org.
Festival: “La Guagua Aérea” , Dirección
Luis Molina Casanova. Festival features
films, documentaries and shorts from the
archives of The Center for Puerto Rican
Studies at Hunter College which depict the
Puerto Rican experience . Covello Senior
Center, 312 East 109th Street between 1st
and 2nd Avenue. 2 PM. Admission: $3.00
suggested donation, with group rates (10 or
more).
El Museo presents THE FUNNY OF LATIN
DANCE by Bill Santiago. Puerto Rican
Stand-up comic Bill Santiago hunts for
The Funny of Latin Dance in this hilarious
audience participation series. Prepárate
to share your own dance stories and move
to live Latin music. Here you can enjoy
dance at any level and style—salsa, tango,
bachata, samba, flamenco, ranchera, and
cumbia—without holding back. Santiago
will be signing his new book Pardon My
Spanglish, ¡Porque Because! immediately
following the performance. Book for sale at
La Tienda. El Café at El Museo del Barrio,
1230 5th Avenue, NYC. 7 PM. Free. RSVP
SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music
presents The Purchase Latin Jazz
Orchestra conducted by David DeJesus.
The Purchase Latin Jazz Orchestra
features musicians from the Conservatory
of Music who study with some of the
leading jazz performers and educators
in the area. SUNY Purchase Performing
Arts Center, Purchase, NY. 7 PM. Tickets
$20. For tickets or more information: www.
artscenter.org .
Joyce
Theater
presents
Ballet
Avenue at 19th Street, New York. 8 PM.
Tickets $10-59, for group sales, seniors
and students call (212) 242-0800 or www.
joyce.org.
THE INSTITUTE FOR THE PUERTO RICAN / HISPANIC
ELDERLY 37TH ANNIVERSARY GALA. Black Tie.
Reception 6:00 PM followed by Dinner
7:00PM. New York Hilton, 1335 Avenue of
the Americas (between W 53rd Street and
W 54th Street), NYC. For more information
contact Suleika Cabrera-Drinane or Angel
Santini (212) 677-4181.
repertorio.org.
Joyce
Theater
presents
Ballet
Hispánico: Tres Cantos , Farewell, Nací,
Avenue at 19th Street, New York. 8 PM.
Tickets $10-59, for group sales, seniors
and students call (212) 242-0800 or www.
joyce.org.
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
nuyorican.org.
27th Street (between Lexington and Third
Avenue), NYC. 3 PM. $25-$50. For
repertorio.org.
Joyce
Theater
presents
Ballet
Avenue at 19th Street, New York. 2 & 8 PM.
org.
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2010
Thalia
Spanish
Theatre
presents
Joyce
Theater
presents
Ballet
performed. Joyce Theatre, 175 Eighth
Avenue at 19th Street, New York. 2 &
www.joyce.org.
Repertorio Español presents La Casa
NYC. 11AM.Tickets begin at $30, with
NYC. 11AM. Tickets begin at $30, with
www.repertorio.org.
Buch. The play is about a young woman
who travels from NYC to Puerto Rico to
meet her family and discovers her roots.
Her misconceptions are transformed as she
learns that being Puerto Rican is a matter
of the heart and spirit. The Gramercy Art
Buch. The play is about a young woman
who travels from NYC to Puerto Rico to
meet her family and discovers her roots.
Her misconceptions are transformed as she
learns that being Puerto Rican is a matter
of the heart and spirit. The Gramercy Art
nuyorican.org.
El Museo presents SUPER SABADO!
Target Free Saturdays at El Museo –
Super Holidays! Super Sábado goes
Super Crazy with Super holiday festivities!
Come celebrate with us as we say adios to
the old year. El Museo del Barrio, 1230 5th
Avenue, NYC. 11AM-9 PM. Please note:
Galleries are open from 11:00am - 6:00pm
Admission: Free. Visit www.elmuseo.org or
call (212) 831-7272 for details.
El Museo presents 9th Annual Coquito
Tasting Contest. The International Coquito
Federation and El Museo del Barrio invite
you to participate in this joyous Latino
holiday tradition. Come taste the winning
recipes of the month-long Coquito Master
Qualifier Series 2010, and add your vote
to the ones cast by this year’s honorary
judges. After el ganador is announced,
we will celebrate with a concert in El
Teatro! Please note: If you want to taste
the best Coquito in town, you must show ID
and sign a waiver. First come, first serve
basis. El Museo del Barrio- El Cafe, 1230
5th Avenue, NYC. 6 PM-9 PM. Admission:
Free. Visit www.elmuseo.org or call (212)
831-7272 for details.
¡FELIZ NAVIDAD!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Repertorio
Español
presents:
El
Saturday, November 14, 2009 Comité
Noviembre and Hostos Center for the
Arts and Culture were thrilled to present for the first time in New York Jesus
Omar Rivera, El Boricuazo, historian &
author, in his acclaimed sold out show,
“Puertorriqueñidad…Defendiendo
nuestra imagen.” Participants experienced a “Boricuazo” moment that they
will remember for the rest of their lives!
Growing up in Puerto Rico all he heard
was that Puerto Rico was a tiny island
that produced nothing. So, he became determined to prove this statement wrong
and armed himself with knowledge and
information. The more he researched the
more he realized the significant impact
this tiny island and Puerto Ricans have
had on the world. His enthusiasm, enU.S.A., immigrants’ jobs and the lifelong
6 PM. Admission: Tickets start at $30. For
repertorio.org.
repertorio.org.
Repertorio
Español
presents:
El
ergy and love for all things Puerto Rican
was contagious. He left us dizzy with the
“tidbits” he expounded, some funny, trivial
and others extremely profound, but most of
all he left us with a renewed sense of self,
pride, determination and a challenge to go
forth and teach others. It was truly a great
evening.
repertorio.org.
Repertorio
Español
presents:
El
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1, 2011
¡FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2011
El Museo de Barrio presents Día de los
Tres Reyes/Three Kings’ Day Celebration
Parade. El Museo del Barrio celebrates
its 34th Annual Three Kings Day Parade.
Watch our honorary Kings, Madrinas,
Padrinos, and thousands of school children
as this popular procession makes its way
throughout the streets of El Barrio with live
camels and sheep, music, dancing, and
parrandas! Parade Registration forms for
Schools and Community Groups to join
the parade are available at: www.elmuseo.
org/3kings. Admission: Free. Parade begins
at 11:00 AM. For more information call
(212) 831-7272 or visit www.elmuseo.org.
The Society of the Educational Arts/
La Sociedad Educativa de las Artes,
(SEA) presents Los Tres Reyes Magos/
The Three Kings. On January 6th 2010,
the light from a star will lead the Three
Kings to Teatro Sea to celebrate one of the
most important Latin American Holidays
for children, El Día de Los Tres Reyes
Magos/Three Kings Day. On this day, the
first thousand kids to arrive at Teatro Sea
will personally meet The Three Kings as
well as receive a free gift/toy. SEA at Los
Kabayitos Puppet Theater, 107 Suffolk
Street (between Rivington Street and
Delancy Street) NYC. 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM.
Free. For more information visit www.seaonline.info or call (212) 529 – 1545.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2011
EL PUENTE presents the 23rd Annual
Free Three Kings Celebration. El Puente
celebrates with food, music and a stage
performance retelling the story of the Three
Kings, teaching our children the values of
sharing and caring in our community and
preserving our cultural traditions. Every
child leaves with an age appropriate gift.
850 Grand Street Campus at Bushwick Ave,
Bklyn. 11211. Two Shows: 1 PM & 5 PM
. Admission: Free. For more information
visit www.elpuente.us or call (718) 3870404.
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Fifteenth Annual
Benefit Gala
Friday, November 12, 2010
New York Hilton
NYC
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November 12, 2010
Dear Friends:
On behalf of Comité Noviembre, CN, I would like to welcome you to our fifteenth annual benefit gala
celebrating twenty-four years of Puerto Rican culture and history in this country. I would like to thank
and recognize our Gala Vice-Chairs: Jay Hershenson, Executive Vice Chancellor of the City University
of New York and Don Lowery, Vice President of Nielson Media Research for their continued leadership,
commitment and support of Comité Novimebre and its programs.
I want to acknowledge and thank each of the members – the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic
Elderly, ASPIRA of New York, Inc., El Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños, El Museo del Barrio, El
Puente, Eugenio María de Hostos Community College, National Institute for Latino Policy, National
Congress for Puerto Rican Rights – Justice Committee, LatinoJustice: PRLDEF, the Puerto Rico Federal
Affairs Administration and our members at large for their dedication and commitment to keeping our
mission alive.
For the past twenty-four years, CN, has created and developed programs all geared to the support and enhancement of educational
opportunities and leadership development for Puerto Rican youth with a cultural twist. These programs are firmly rooted in the belief,
that in order to succeed in life, you must pursue a higher education, give back to your community through volunteer efforts and know
your cultural history. CN is thrilled that all of you here today are now part of our success story that boasts over 179 scholars with a
90% college graduation rate since the inception of the CN Scholarship Program in 1996, an average of 12 scholarships a year. An
additional $9,000 has been awarded in the Richie Pérez Scholarship for Peace and Justice since 2006. The proceeds of this gala dinner
support both scholarship programs as well as other CN annual programs. It is our sincerest hope that all of you here tonight will
continue to support this effort.
I would like to thank Jaime and Jane Bello co-chairs of the Scholarship Selection Committee and its members and Martha Laureano,
co-chair of the Richie Perez Scholarship for Peace and Justice for their commitment to leadership development and educational
excellence. I congratulate our honorees: Oscar Hernández, Carlos López López, Esq., Pedro Julio Serrano, Julia Velez, Esq. and Olga
Tañon, for the role that each of you, play, in leaving our mark as Puerto Ricans on this country by developing and strengthening our
history.
To all of the corporations and individuals that are in attendance tonight thank you for participating in this great event and for your
continued and generous support. This year more than ever your support was crucial. Your help tonight will enable CN to continue to
ensure our mission of providing educational and leadership opportunities to exceptional youth who are making a difference in their
community by volunteering and becoming involved in the social, civic and global issues of their time.
I want to especially acknowledge the City University of New York, CUNY for its steadfast commitment to this organization. And
tonight I want to remember the dedication, commitment and contributions of our friend and colleague Senior Vice Chancellor for
Budget and Finance Ernesto Malave who passed away last November. He will always be remembered and missed for his genuineness
and understanding of the educational needs of our community.
Let us always remember that being Puerto Rican means living breathing and embracing our culture, history and identity in our daily
lives in everything that we do. It is the recognition from the bottom of our heart that speaks to our soul that affirms our life as a
Puertorriqueño. It is a state of mind, of being that comes from deep within us that empowers us to affect change and to continue to
contribute to this city, state and nation – porque somos puertorriqueño de alma, vida y corazón.
Sincerely,
Teresa A. Santiago
Chairwoman
Vice Chairs
Jay Hershenson
Jay Hershenson is Senior Vice Chancellor for University Relations and Secretary of the Board of Trustees of
The City University of New York — the leading public urban university system in the nation. He oversees
the development and implementation of CUNY’s external relations program, including governmental, media
and community relations, marketing, communications and CUNY-TV and the administration of the Board of
Trustees’ agenda, meetings and records. Mr. Hershenson has served as a leader in many non-profit organizations and held many
national and state-wide public service appointments including: Executive Director of the Committee for Public Higher Education;
appointment by former President Jimmy Carter to the National Advisory Committee on Education; appointment by former Governor Hugh L. Carey as one of five Commissioners on the Temporary State Commission on the Future of Postsecondary Education;
and the Task Force on State Aid to Education. He currently serves on the New York State Board of Regents/ University of the State
of New York Technology Policy and Practices Council and the Ogilvy and Mather Advisory Committee on Diversity.
Mr. Hershenson’s leadership has been instrumental in the establishment of major CUNY academic exchange and outreach agreements established with the governments of Mexico and the Dominican Republic. He helped secure critical funding for the CUNY
Dominican Studies Institute at City College and the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College. Together with Allan
Wernick, he established the CUNY Citizenship and Immigration Project. He is the co-founder of the Model Senate Session, a
mainstay of the annual New York State Legislature Hispanic Task Force’s Somos El Futuro Conference, and initiated CUNY’s
co-sponsorship for ASPIRA’s annual youth conferences. He organized support to establish “CUNY in the Heights” and “CUNY
Express” in Washington Heights to assure greater access to CUNY for immigrants. He worked closely with 100 Hispanic Women,
Inc. to help establish the Young Latinas Leadership Institute. Together with Trustee Hugo Morales and Robert Isaacson, he helped
create “Nueva York” on CUNY-TV.
He has been involved with and recognized by many cultural groups and institutions including: the United Negro College Fund
Scholarship Committee; the Board of Directors of the Council of Churches; Casa Cultural Dominicana; receipt of the National
Education Award from the National Hispanic Corporate Achievers; presented with the “Man for All Seasons Award” from The
NYC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; honored by One Hundred Hispanic Women, Inc.; awarded the Dr. Antonia Pantoja Leadership Award by ASPIRA, Inc.; honored by the CUNY Committee for Disabled Students at their 30th Anniversary of Recognition
Ceremony; and awarded the Community Partner Award by Alianza Dominicana, Inc.
Don Lowery
Don Lowery is Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs for Nielsen Media Research, the
world’s leading provider of television audience measurement and related services. In his role, he supports
Nielsen’s on going programs that provide information about its various activities to local and national
media organizations including the trade, general and specialty press. In addition, he plays a key management role in Nielsen’s outreach efforts to community, civic and special interest groups and local, state and
federal governmental bodies.
Lowery has worked in newspapers, television and public relations positions for more than two decades.
He began his career as a general assignment reporter for the Roanoke (VA) Times & World News followed by reporting jobs
for the Norfolk (VA) Ledger Star and the Arizona Republic in Phoenix. In 1980, Lowery joined the Boston Globe as a business reporter specializing in coverage of the financial and credit markets and economic news. Three years later, he was hired
as editorial director of WNEV-TV (later to become WHDH-TV) and subsequently added the role of director of public affairs
to his responsibilities. From 1991 thorough 1993, he worked as a pubic finance investment banker for Lazard Freres and First
Albany Corporation.
In 1994, Lowery joined the New England Patriots Football Club first as vice president of pubic relations and community affairs
and later vice president of player development and community affairs until March 2002. Lowery spent two years as executive
director of communications for Viacom Boston’s WBZ-TV, WSBK-TV and WLWC-TV in Providence, RI. He joined Nielsen in
July 2004. Lowery has received several journalism awards during his career including those from the Associated Press, United
Press International and Lincoln (MO) University for editorial writing. A native of Chicago, Lowery received a Bachelors of
Arts Degrees in economics from Wesleyan University.
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Comité Noviembre Gala Honorees
Pedro Julio was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico and grew up in Isla Verde. In
1998, he became the first openly gay and HIV+ political candidate in the
history of Puerto Rico to run for office. In 1999, he became the political
and media director for the Human Rights Foundation of Puerto Rico. In
2003, Serrano founded Puerto Rico Para Tod@s (Puerto Rico for All),
an organization that advocates for LGBT equality and social justice in
Puerto Rico. Since then, the membership of the organization has grown
to more than 30,000 people that are connected through social media.
After moving to New York City in 2005, he worked as Voices of Equality coordinator for Freedom to Marry. He is the former co-chair of the
Board of Directors of Unid@s, the National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Human Rights Organization. Serrano has been
a member of many advisory boards, including the Commission Against
Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity of the Puerto Rican Bar Association, the Puerto Rican
Initiative to Develop Empowerment (PRIDE), the Puerto Rican Civil Rights Commission and the Puerto Rican ACLU
chapter.
Pedro Julio has been an outspoken advocate for LGBT and human rights, participating in thousands of interviews and
public events throughout his 13-year-old career as a human rights activist. He has written hundreds of columns in local, national and international news outlets such as The Advocate, Terra, El Nuevo Día, El Vocero, El Diario/La Prensa
and La Opinión.
Pedro Julio has been a prominent voice in the fight against hate crimes, denouncing and demanding full investigations
of possible hate crimes motivated by prejudice against the sexual orientation or gender identity of the victims. He led
the historic trip to Puerto Rico of elected officials and activists from New York and Illinois that travelled in solidarity
with the fight against hate crimes.
He made history in 2010, when the top-rated show in Puerto Rico, SuperXclusivo, had to apologize publicly for the
first time ever to the LGBT community and to people living with HIV/AIDS for using derogatory language. As a direct
consequence, WAPA TV launched a public service campaign against prejudice and fostering respect for all human beings, “We respect differences.”
He has received numerous awards for his extraordinary contribution to the community. In 2004, he was recognized
by Ambiente magazine as one of the Top 10 Latina/o LGBT activists. In 2007, he receives the PRIDE Award for his
outstanding contribution to the Puerto Rican and Latina/o LGBT communities. In 2010, he was chosen as one of the
25 most influential Latinas/os LGBT by LatinoVoice.com and was named one of the most promising Puerto Ricans by
AM New York.
Pedro Juan has been combating HIV for more than 17 years and recently defeated oral cancer. He currently lives in
New York City and is the author of his famous blog, El Blog del PJ, which is published on his Web site http://www.
pedrojulioserrano.com. He lives by Gandhi’s words: “Be the change that you want to see in the world.”
Pedro Julio Serrano
Pedro Julio Serrano is a human rights activist — a proud Puerto Rican
gay man — who fights from New York but with his heart in his “patria”
for a Puerto Rico for all. He is a well-known and respected Latino/a and
Puerto Rican LGBT movement leader and works as the communications
manager for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
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Oscaar Hernandez
Oscar Hernández has long been considered one of the most gifted and prominent
pianist/ arrangers on the contemporary latin,latin-jazz and salsa music scene. Since
its inception in the early 1980’s, Oscar has been responsible for charting the musical course of the Rubén Blades Band. Increasingly in demand as a pianist, arranger
and producer ,the Bronx native has produced such artists as Ruben Blades/Willie
Colón “Carabali”, Daniel Ponce, Rafael Dejesus, Eddie Torres, Phil Hernandez, Steve
Kroon,etc. and has made a more personal statement with the debut CD’s “Decision”
and “Alternate Roots” by his band Seis Del Solar the Rubén Blades Band sans Rubén,
and now with his Grammy Award nominated band ”The Spanish Harlem Orchestra”.
In addition to being Rubén Blades pianist, arranger and musical director, Oscar
Hernández has enjoyed a prolific musical career recording and performing with such
world renown artists as Latin music king Tito Puente, Queen of Salsa Music Celia
Cruz, Latin Pop Star Julio Iglesias, Juan Luis Guerra, Ray Barreto, Earl Klugh, Dave
Valentin, Johnny Pacheco, Ismael Miranda, Pete”Conde” Rodríquez, Oscar De’leon,
Luis “Perico” Ortiz, “Libre’ “Grupo Folkorico Experimental”, Willie Colón, Kirsty
MacColl, etc..... More recently, Oscar’s musical exploits include working as Musical
Director/Conductor, arranging and producing the music for “The Capeman,” pop-rock
icon Paul Simon’s Broadway musical. In addition, Oscar is also the music producer
of “The Capeman” cast recording. Oscar was Musical Director/Arranger for the hit
shows “Quien Mato A Hector Lavoe” and “La Lupe” at the 47th Street Theatre. He
was also,Music Supervisor/Arranger for the show “Four Guys named Jose & Una
Mujer named Maria” . He is currently working on the Broadway bound version of
“Mambo Kings”
Oscar’s work as a studio session player can also be heard on numerous commercial
jingles, some of which he has written and arranged. Among those are The hit show
“Sex and the City”,Dunkin Donuts, Waldbaums, General Motors, Cover Girl,1800 OK Cable, etc.
In addition to having firmly established his reputation as an excellent musician and producer/arranger, Oscar has
composed music for film having scored the music for the film documentaries, “If The Mango Tree Could Speak”
by Pat Goudvis &”Angela Tiene Un Bebé” by Paula Heredia,and Cuban Roots/Bronx Stories by Pam Sporn.
Currently, Oscar Hernandez is the leader of the world renown “Spanish Harlem Orchestra”. With their three CD’s
to date, Oscar and SHO as they are commonly known, were nominated for a Grammy on their first CD “Un Gran
Dia En El Barrio”, won the Grammy for their second CD release,”Across 110th Street” and nominated for their
third CD “United We Swing”. Oscar was the music producer as well as pianist/arranger on all CD’s. Since the
band’s inception in the year 2001, SHO have garnered numerous awards and world acclaim as one of the finest
exponents of Salsa and Latin/Jazz music. Spanish Harlem Orchestra is generally considered one of the best Salsa
orchestra today and one of the finest music ensembles in the world.
In addition to leading New York’s Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Oscar also leads an All Star Salsa Orchestra in Los
Angeles and performs with his Latin Jazz Quintet. As a musical director/arranger, he is in demand by many of
today’s top Latino artists.
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Wolf Popper LLP, founded in 1945, is a nationally recognized law firm concentrating
in securities litigation and consumer class actions. Wolf Popper represents institutional investors, as well as protects the rights of individuals; and the firm has comprehensive experience in advising pension funds on the fiduciary duties of board of
trustees. On behalf of the firm, Mr. López has conducted numerous lectures and presentations throughout the United States and Latin America to pension boards, labor
unions, associations, and their members regarding fiduciary responsibilities of trustees. The firm offers a Portfolio Monitoring Service to its institutional investor clients,
which provides trustees and investment managers with the resources and guidance
they need to ensure they satisfy their fiduciary obligations. Wolf Popper’s clients
in the area of securities litigation and portfolio monitoring include the Government
and Judiciary Retirement Systems Administration of Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico
Teachers Retirement System, the Retirement System of the University of Puerto Rico
and the Retirement System of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority. Wolf Popper
also has a long-standing international corporate and commercial practice, representing both domestic and foreign clients in business and financial transactions. With the
assistance of Mr. López, Wolf Popper’s San Juan office provides the firm a gateway
to Latin America and the civil law system.
Mr. López has represented many departments in the Executive Branch of the Puerto Rico government,
including the Executive Governor’s Office, the Secretary of Justice, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Education, among others, in sophisticated, high profile, and complex cases. He has practiced in
the state courts, U.S. Federal District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, and state and federal appellate
courts, as well as international arbitration tribunals. Mr. López was an Examining Officer of the Environmental Quality Board for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. He has taught courses at the Business
Administration Faculty in the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, and at the Eugenio Maria
de Hostos School of Law and the Inter-American University School of Law. Mr. López currently is a
member of the Executive Committee of the Inter-America Bar Association, President of the International
Relations and Law Commission of the Puerto Rico Bar Association and is a member of the American Bar
Association - International Law Section.
Carlos Lopez is actively engaged in community service. He is a Padrino (sponsor) for the Pediatric Center
School for Special Education in San Juan. He also devotes his time and energies to other Puerto Rican
charities dedicated to the community’s welfare, including Hogares Crea de Puerto Rico, a nonprofit organization that provides prevention and treatment services to drug addicts and Programa Abrigo, a shelter
program for abused children.
For Carlos López, family has always been and always will be a priority. He is married to Michelle Lugo,
and is the father of a son, Carlos Miguel, and a daughter Carolina.
Carlos Lopez López
Attorney-at-law Carlos E. López López was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto
Rico. Mr. López graduated from University of Puerto Rico in 1989. He attended the
Inter-American University of Puerto Rico’s School of Law, from where he received
his Juris Doctor cum laude in 1996. Mr. López then pursued his career in international
law by attending American University’s Washington College of Law, in Washington,
D.C., from where he received a Master of Law in International Legal Studies in 1996.
Mr. López’s avid interest in international law eventually brought him to the New York
law firm Wolf Popper LLP. Mr. López, who became a partner in Wolf Popper LLP
in 2010, manages the firm’s San Juan office. In his frequent travels throughout Latin
America and the United States representing the interests of the firm and its clients, he
has consistently been an advocate of Puerto Rican cultural and economic interests.
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Lcda. Julia M. Velez Sanchez
At age four, Julia M. Vélez Sánchez, began studying with Spanish nuns at the Colegio de la Inmaculada, an education which influenced her character. She obtained
her Bachelor Degree of Business Administration at the University of Puerto Rico. By
chance, she went to teach at the Manatí High School where she worked for about 15
years. Her life was changed when her oldest son was taken to the town’s Municipal
Hospital to suture a small wound on his forehead. There she met a young mother with
a baby with a huge infection in his face. The nurse on duty told the mother that she
had to buy an expensive antibiotic to which the mother replied that she had no money, “not even for milk.” When the mother asked if the hospital had any medication,
the nurse replied the hospital didn’t even have aspirins. This experience shocked and
changed Julia and for the rest of her life it has been present in her future goals.
Several years later, she enrolled in the School of Health Services Administration at
the School of Medicine of the University of Puerto Rico. She understood that the
lack of medications was an administrative matter of the facilities and that it should
help people who had no money to meet these needs. Her first experience was in the
Rural Health Center of Florida, Puerto Rico. A year later she was recruited by San
Agustín Hospital of Manatí, a small hospital that had twenty three licensed beds. After two months in this hospital she was recruited as Administrator of the Caribbean Hospital Corp., Dr. Alejandro Otero López Hospital in Manatí. This facility had three
hundred beds and also offered outpatient services. This Hospital was Ms. Vélez best learning experience developing and administering hospitals. Then she completed an internship in the Regional Hospital of Arecibo and Dr. Susoni Hospital, in Arecibo.
After a break, she returned to the primary healthcare level in the Community Health Center HealthPro Med at Santurce, in the
heart of Barrio Obrero. The patients of this Community Health Center are the neediest people in San Juan. Poor communities
constitute 90% of residents and most of these are illegal residents. There is also a wide range of teenage pregnancy, addiction,
single mothers, domestic violence, murder, homeless, school dropouts and a full range of other coexistence problems that exist.
HealthPro Med serves as a refuge for the underserved. Here, Ms. Vélez has found her niche helping those in need.
However, not everything was as perfect as it seemed. Belaval Center, as it was formerly known, was located in facilities owned
by the municipality of San Juan. Municipal administration, although the organization paid the rent, ordered the evacuation from
the property. The municipal administration got an eviction notice and court bailiffs evicted the local corporation. It was a 40,000
square feet property. The documents were discarded and the properties were seized. The Center’s leaders rented a little place of
four offices, with a bathroom and a kitchen that was turned into an office. Later, they rented a two-story building and after remodeling, accommodated the clinical and management staff. Later, they moved the clinic to an adjacent building area, to facilitate a
bigger waiting area for patient comfort.
At the time of this writing, the Center just received notice that it was awarded eleven and a half million dollars from the Federal
Health Dept. for the construction of a five-story building that will house the facilities of HealthPro Med. This building will become
an “Advanced Medical Home” for the community of Barrio Obrero. With this facility and style of service that has been developed
by HealthPro Med, Ms. Julia Vélez’s dream is fulfilled: to offer the best service for the neediest people.
Four months ago Ms. Velez’s biggest fan passed away: her husband, Benito. He would have been really proud of her as he had
always express to everyone who knew her and would’ve liked to be with her at this moment to enjoy it with her and with all the
people that admire her.
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Darlene Rodriguez is co-anchor of the award winning “Today in New York” which airs weekday mornings from 5-7AM.
Additionally, Rodriguez also fills in as co-anchor for WNBC’s
evening newscasts.
Rodriguez joined WNBC from WCBS NewsRadio 88 where
she was a general assignment reporter for four years. Prior to
that, she worked as a reporter for Bronxnet cable television for
a year where she covered some of the most compelling stories
about the borough’s politics, growth and renaissance.
As a result of her work, Rodriguez was honored by Hispanic
magazine with a “Latina Excellence” Award and in 2000 and
received a New York City Proclamation for her coverage of the
Hispanic community. She is also the recipient of a 1998 Silurian Award for Best Spot News Coverage for her report on a
Queens Subway Crash.
Rodriguez graduated from the University of Miami with a
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Political
Science.
Darlene Rodriguez
Since joining NBC4, Rodriguez has covered numerous breaking news stories throughout the city including filing multiple reports on the police shooting of Amadou Diallo, and coverage of
the crash of Flight 587 en route to the Dominican Republic. She
was the first television reporter in New York on the scene in Vieques, Puerto Rico when news broke about the clashes between
residents and the U.S. Navy, and then she returned four times to
cover the resulting developments. In addition, Rodriquez traveled to Rome to cover Pope John Paul II’s meeting with U.S.
Cardinals regarding the Catholic Church’s sex abuse scandal.
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Highlights of the 2009 Gala
The Comité Noviembre Annual Gala Benefit was instituted in 1996 at its tenth anniversary to raise funds for its
scholarship awards program. The event continues to attract key leaders of New York’s Puerto Rican community
and Corporate America. Since the inception, the musical entertainment at this event has drawn and generated
much excitement beginning with the appearance of salsa sensations Victor Manuelle in 1996, and followed each
year by Tito Nieves in 1997 and 1999, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico in 1998, George Lamond and Brenda K.
Starr in 2000, Frankie Negron in 2005 and 2009, Luis Fonsí in 2006, Yolandita Monge in 2007 and Melina León
in 2008. Over the years, CN has been honored with the presence and support of celebrities like: Actors Rosie
Perez and Jennifer Lopez, Danny Rivera, On-air radio personality Polito Vega and many more. The gala has also
showcased new talents and ventures. Most notably in 1997, Marc Anthony, Ednita Nazario and Ruben Blades
made a special appearance and performed several songs from the Broadway show Capeman.
Last year was no exception, the event started off with an electrifying bomba and plena extravaganza from the famous Danza Fiesta Dance Company which had all guests on their feet. CN honored, Laura Posada Co-Founder &
President, Jorge Posada Foundation and wife the that famous Yankee catcher; Carlos A. Picón, Curator in Charge
Department of Greek & Roman Art Metropolitan Museum of Art who was presented his award by American
business magnate, television host, author and magazine publisher Martha Stewart, Founder, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. Katilia Velez, a student & community activist who took on MTV for its docu-series True Life,
entitled “I’m Nuyorican” calling for the cancellation of the episode as it was socially and historically inaccurate,
racist and exploitative and won.
And the evening continued to enthrall guests with historian and author Jesús Omar Rivera affectionately known as
El Boricuazo, thrilled us with his enthusiasm, energy and love for all things Puerto Rican. It was contagious. He
left us with a renewed sense of self pride, determination and a challenge to go forth and teach others. The night
ended with the incomparable Choco Orta, La Sonora del Milenio who serenaded the audience with her incredible
voice. She was joined by international recording artist Frankie Negron. It was a night to remember and this year’s
event promises to be eve more memorable. The proceeds of this annual event, supports all of our programs and
allows CN provide free programming and information to the community year round as well as scholarship dollars.
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SILENT AUCTION
For the past five years at the annual gala, CN has conducted a Silent Auction. Many companies have supported
the Silent Auction by donating items that promote their company at the same time raise additional funds for
CN’s annual programs. CN has received items ranging from Couture Gowns by Puerto Rican Designers Lisa
Thon, Carlos Alberto and Luis Antonio; one of a kind Artwork by Puerto Rican Artist Gregory Torres entitled:
“Escudo de Puerto Rico,” Grammy Award winning Artist Dave Valentin’s Autograph Bamboo Flute & Case from
his Japanese Collection, Certificates for stays at the Five Star Hotel Gran Melia, Puerto Rico Golf Resort for
2. Three Night stay at the Embassy Suites San Juan Hotel & Casino, 2 certificates for a 2 night at the Embassy
Suites Dorado del Mar Beach & Golf, Resort, Ricky Martin Autograph book and CD collection, CD Collections
of Lissette, Victor Manulle, Jennifer Lopez, and Marc Anthony, Tickets to Tony Award winning musical, In the
Heights, Tickets to the Jose Feliciano concert, to 2 VIP Tickets to the 30th Anniversary Concert of “el Pavarotti
de la Salsa” Tito Nieves at Carnegie Hall, Moet/Hennessey champagne and cognac, two $250 Macy’s Gift Certifi
cates, a criollo meal for 10 from Salsa Caterers, dinners at La Fonda Boricua and Havana Central to Salsa Sensation Frankie Negron’s Complete Autograph CD Collection, Shape Magazine Fitness Basket, Scholastic Maya
and Miguel Fun Basket, Framed CN Posters by Ray Rosario, Colgate Palmolive Product Basket, Season Tickets
for Pregones, Tickets to the Conan O’Brien Show, Celia, Marc Anthony concert and items from the Puerto Rico
Convention Bureau, PRIDCO, Latino Sports Ventures, Banco Popular. The proceeds from the Silent Auction go
towards the CN Scholarship Awards Programs as well as other educational, cultural and youth leadership development programs of the organization. Last year the Silent Auction raised an additional $6,000.00 for these scholarships and programs.
Is proud to support
Comité Noviembre’s
15th Annual Benefit Event
As you celebrate your Fifteenth Annual Benefit
We Congratulate the 2010 Honorees
5th Annual
Comité Noviembre
Puerto Rican Artisans
Fair & Exhibit
SATURDAY,
NOVEMBER 20, 2010
Hostos Community College
450 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY
11AM – 9PM
FREE!
The Fair is dedicated to CUNY’s Senior Vice
Chancellor for Budget and Finance
Ernesto Malave (1958 - 2009)

2010 Calendar Journal

Transcription

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