DAY 1
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2026
THEME 1: History, Culture and Lived Experiences as the Foundation for Racial Equity
Why this Matters Now: This is a moment that demands urgency and collective resolve. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us, “we are tied in a single garment of destiny.” The question before us is whether we will meet at this moment together—and with intention.
04:00 - 05:30PM
REGISTRATION
Guest Registration and receiving welcome package.
Hotel Caribe Hilton
(1 C. San Gerónimo, San Juan, Puerto Rico)
04:00-5:00PM
LA CASITA CAFÉ PLACE Vida Afro-Latina: Mobilizing Philanthropy for Afro-Descendant Women
Led by Lori Robinson Vida Afro-Latina
06:00-8:00PM
WELCOME
RECEPTION
DIALOGUE
PREVIEW & NETWORK
CELEBRATION
Let’s get to know each other…
Dr. Nelson I. Colón Tarrats and REBIA, alongside our esteemed hosts and sponsors, will welcome guests and provide an overview of the upcoming two-day agenda. The session will feature a group icebreaker followed by a showcase of our site visits to the Municipality of Loíza, the Cueva María de la Cruz, and Puente Herrera.
Dr. Nelson I. Colón Tarrats, Miguel Vargas, Chairman of the Board PRCF, REBD Hosts and REBIA Leadership
DAY 2
THURSDAY
FEBRUARY 26, 2026
THEME 2: Reclaiming Our Narrative as Core to Democratic Inclusion: Amplifying the Voice and Interconnecting Afrodescendant Communities in the Americas.
Why This Matters Now: Because the wind on our back… Bad Bunny invites us to re-imaging the Americas as inclusive, multiethnic, and multilingual democracies.
08:15-09:00AM
NETWORKING BREAKFAST
09:15–9:30 AM
FORMAL OPENING
9:45AM - 11:00AM
How does the Americas landscape looks in your community? What is your foundation doing to interact with an inclusive and continental America? What is the highest value of connecting afrodescendant communities in the Americas?
Moderated by: Mary Skelton Roberts, Chief Executive Officer Philanthropy Massachusetts
Formal Opening and Framing of the event (Song of Birds – Pau Casals performed by Hiram Wiliams Figueroa, J.D. - Cello)
Dr. Nelson I. Colón Tarrats and Mary Skelton Roberts, Chief Executive Officer Philanthropy Massachusetts, Hiram Williams Figueroa, J.D.
Presentation Map of Afro-Descendant Communities
Conversation about the importance of owning our narratives. Is the media amplifying the voices of afrodescendant communities? How can the media communicate a vision of a multiethnic society? What is the highest value of connecting Afro-Latin communities in the Americas?
Commentator: Helga Silva PLENARY
Moderated by: Vivian Neptune, Dean UPR Law School
Speakers: Luis Alberto Ferré Rangel, Migdalia Figueroa, Telemundo, PR, Lori Robinson, Vida Afro Latina
11:00AM - 11:30AM
Presentation Map of Afro-Descendant Communities
Speaker: Hiram Williams Figueroa, J.D PLENARY
LA CASITA CAFÉ PLACE
11:30-12:00PM The Role of Philanthropy and Community Foundations in Promoting Racial Equity and Social Justice in the Americas. This session explores how the philanthropic sector and community foundations are uniquely positioned to dismantle systemic racism and foster a more equitable landscape across the Americas. While traditionally seen as grant-making entities, modern foundations are shifting toward becoming catalysts for social justice by centering the voices of Afro-descendant and marginalized communities.
Moderator: Emmett Carson
DAY 2
THURSDAY
FEBRUARY 26, 2026
12:00-01:00PM
POWER LUNCH
The Urgency of the Moment: Philanthropic strategies to strengthen democracy in the Americas.
We are witnessing systematic dismantling of democratic institutions, driven by colonial frameworks to codify inequality. This session sets the foundation for the dialogue by providing strategies for strengthening democracy in the Americas.
Moderated by Adi Martinez Román
Speakers: Vivian Neptune, Dean UPR Law School, Dr. Hadiya Sewer, St. Jan Co., Tania Rosario, Taller Salud, Jerry Maldonado, previously, Policy Link and Ford Foundation
01:15-2:15PM
PLENARY The Power of Networks, Re-imaging our Shared Future: Networks are effective mechanism for organizing action and amplifying the voices of racial equity builders. In this session, network leaders will share their views and experiences on building a collective agenda for a shared future.
Moderated by: Susan Batten ABFE
Speakers: Ana Marie Argilagos, HIP, Dra. Epsy Campbell Barr, Centro de Mujeres Afro Costarricense, Janvieve Williams Comrie, Afro Resistencia
02:30-9:30PM
SITE VISIT
Visit to the Municipality of Loiza.
We will journey to The Cave of María de la Cruz for a site meditation and healing session led by psychologist Dr. Yarí Colón. Then we will continue our journey to Puente Herrera for an immersive evening of grounding and cultural expression, beginning with a Bomba class with artist and cultural manager Sheila Osorio, and concluding with a dinner hosted by the REBIA Staff and Felicita 'Fela' Díaz at Villa Pesquera Herrera
DAY 3
FRIDAY
FEBRUARY 27, 2026
RECREATING CORE DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS
Why This Matters Now: Free expression is often the first target of authoritarianism. Protecting artists, journalists, educators, and independent media is essential to democratic participation and truth.
08:30-09:30AM
NETWORK BREAKFAST
What is your foundation doing to support racial equity in a multiethnic Democracy? How can this dialogue inspire collective action with your peers in the Américas?
Moderated by: Mary Skelton Roberts, Chief Executive Officer Philanthropy Massachusetts
09:45-11:15AM
CONVERSATION
PANEL
Strengthening Civil Society and Social Capital through Strategic Investments in Placed Based Initiatives.
Civic conversation over community—relationship as democratic infrastructure.
Moderator: Mary Thomas, CF Leads
Speakers: Dr. Susan D. Johnson, Lumina Foundation, Dra. Grace Lubwama, Meshie Knight, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Gretchen Sierra Zorita, Desiree Cormier Smith, Havard Senior Fellow
Commentator: Marshall Washington, Kalamazoo Community Foundation
11:15-11:45AM
LA CASITA
CAFÉ PLACE
Habitat for Humanity, International Spotlight on Housing Justice:
A facilitated session on how to secure land tenure.
Led by Natosha Reid Rice, Hope Eady, María Sepulveda
Commentator: Ing. Carlos Vivoni
DAY 3
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2026
THEME 3:
Building civic belonging— joy as fuel, love as strategy, action as practice
Why This Matters Now: No democracy exists in isolation. Multilateral institutions, an engaged citizenry, and human rights frameworks are essential to peace and accountability.
11:45-12:30AM
IN CONVERSATION + TABLE DIALOGUE
12:45-01:45AM
POWER LUNCH
The Wealth of Communities is the Wealth of Democracy: Strategic Investment in Afro Latin Communities:
This panel will explore the many ways to invest in Afro Latin Communities in the U.S and the Americas
Moderator: Arelis Díaz
Speakers: Danielle Goonan, Kenneth Jones, Mayra Díaz
Commentator: Oronde Miller
Healthy Communities are the cornerstone of a healthy of Democracy:
This panel is designed to share experiences in health strategies that foster civic engagement and community empowerment.
Moderated by: Robert K. Ross
Speakers: Karen McNeil-Miller, The Colorado Health Foundation, Jess Montesino, Senior Director San Francisco Foundation
02:00-03:15PM
PLENARY
Arts as Joyful Resistance.
This session is designed to explore the intersection of creative expression and the structural work of building equity, as seen in the work of Bad Bunny, who utilizes his global platform as a site of profound resistance.
Moderators: Dra. Marta Moreno Vega
Speakers: Modesto Rivera Lasen, Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro, Jaclyn Skalnik
03:30-5:00PM
IN CONVERSATION + TABLE DIALOGUE
DAY 3 FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2026
The Global Contract: Narrowing the Racial Inequity Gap through collective action:
This session seeks to build a collective agenda to interconnect afrodescendant communities in the Americas.
• A Funders Collaborative for Racial Equity in the Americas.
• A Global Alliance for Racial Equity in the Americas.
• UBUNTU Fund, a platform for sustainability for Racial Equity Movement in the Americas.
Moderated by Mary Skelton Roberts: Speakers: Susan Batten, Dr. Nelson I. Colón Tarrats
07:00-10:00PM
SIT DOWN DINNER AND CLOSING EVENT
Dr. Nelson I. Colón Tarrats - A Celebration of Courage & Leadership:
Program will include a special recognition of and tribute to Dr. Nelson I. Colón Tarrats for his lasting impact on social, economic, and racial equity.