MISSION The mission of the New Jersey Future Educators Association (NJFEA) is to foster the recruitment and development of prospective teachers through the dissemination of innovative programming and relevant research. By elevating the image of teaching, the NJFEA will attract dynamic and diverse students who will become great teachers.
Our Goals The New Jersey Future Educators Association shall: • Strive to interest students in the field of education early in their school experience. • Place a strong emphasis on the recruitment of future educators with diverse ethnic, racial, social, and economic backgrounds. • Strive to promote excellence in students interested in the teaching profession by promoting academic achievement, developing a positive self-image, and encouraging leadership responsibilities. • Recruit and encourage today’s students to become teachers in high shortage subject areas (e.g., special education, STEM, and world languages), and in high poverty, hard-to-staff schools. • Enhance the quality of the school’s educational program by fostering an appreciation for teaching and contributing to the smooth operation of the school. • Promote a positive image of education to students, parents/guardians, and the community and disseminate information about the teaching profession. • Encourage members to be positive role models in the school, the organization, and the community. Dr. Jeanne Del Colle, Executive Director of the New Jersey Future Educators Association
Science Park Future Teachers Jaryssa Geraldino, President Mark Perez, 1st Vice President Emma Soares, 2nd Vice President Kayla Inahuazo, Treasurer Samantha Serrano, Secretary & CommunicaBons Director Chapter Members Aishah Bacchus Alisha Maharaj Arianna Ordóñez Ava McCune Avinash Venukopan Hannah Pérez Jahkai Coleman Jeremiah RobinsonHagans Keyana Bamba
Breanna Campbell Gabriela Serrano Guillaume Tivoli Isaiah Diaz Iyiola Ajanaki Joseph Onwusogh-Stanley Layla Ellaboundy Melissa Silva-Figueriedo Samuel Oriowo Sara Rengel
Aiden Lott Elijah Blakeley Farisa Manifold Ferdousi Begum Leah Amador Liz Hernández Nathaniel Esubonteng Prince Owusu Victoria Rengel
Inés M. Davis-Parks, M.Ed., MA Spanish Teacher & Science Park Future Teachers Coordinator
Homage to Afro-Latinos Jaryssa Geraldino ……………..…Program Introduction and the New Jersey Future Educator’s Mission Emma Soares ………. Goals of the Future Teachers & and Portugal’s Role in the Triangular Slave Trade Samba Dancers Yanne Santos Almeida, Aishah Kareema Bacchus, Talía Caguana, Alesha Mahara, Gomes, Kauany and Arianna Ordóñez
Did you know? Students will share information about notable Afro-Latinos/Hispanics from some of the Spanish-speaking countries. Spain ............................................................................................................. Nathaniel Esubonteng Argentina ........................................................................... Hannah Pérez and Avinash Venukopan Bolivia .................................................................................................................... Victoria Rengel Colombia ................................................................................................................. Keyona Bamba Cuba............................................................................................................................... Mark Pérez México ................................................................................................................ Samantha Serrano Ecuador ................................................................................................. Arianna Guerrero-Valencia Panamá .................................................................................................. Joseph Onwusogh-Stanley Afro-Paraguayans ........................................................................................................... Aiden Lott Puerto Rico ................................................................................................................. Ava McCune The merengue “El Costo de la Vida” (The cost of living) by Juan Luis Guerra talks about the plight that marginalized people are experiencing) Dancers: Yanne Santos Almeida, Aishah Kareema Bacchus, Talia Caguana, Alisha Maharaj, Kauany Gomes and Arianna Ordóñez, Cynthia McMillan, Lizly LaLa Guaman, Anna Julia Silva-Sales, Janeli Juliette Garay, Jaylah Bernice Spann,
Dominican Republic ........................................................................................................ Geraldino Sra. Davis-Parks, appreciation to all Afro-Americans in the building (Salsa Cuero Na Ma) Honorees: Jonathan Alston, Terry Brewin, Andre Barnes, and Mr. Mario Banks Finale ……All dancers and William Xiloj and Joseph Onwusogh-Stanley (Agua que va a caer)
Special Thanks Darleen L. Gearhart, Principal -Vice Principals: Ms. Berry, Mr. Gifted, Mr. Uddin Department Chairs: Mr. Barone, Mr. Bosolasco. Ms. Brown-Nickson Mr. Nguyen, Ms. Thatcher Costumes provided by Nieves Ramos Yaneira, Choreographer Francisco Mercedes Davis (Back Cover design ) MLD Communications of Montclair NJ Ruben Johnson, Denise Baskerville, Deborah Smith-Gregory, Carl Gregory, Denise Brooks Ms. Mazara, Ms. Richardson, Ms. Rivera, Ms. Diaz, Ms. Weingast Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Washington, Heidi Castillo
Science Park High School Future Teachers
Honorees Jonathan Alston By Victoria Rengel Jonathan Alston is a phenomenal educator and is considered an impactful mentor. After graduating from Science Park High School, he attended Yale University. He then expanded Brent Farrand’s legacy by creating a nationally competitive debate squad at Science Park that has lasted thirty years. Mr. Alston stands out nationally amongst coaches as he centers social justice in his education, ensuring all debate alumni become great citizens of the world as well as accredited debaters. His work was recognized by the National Speech and Debate Association; in June of 2023, he was inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame. When he is not coaching or teaching, Mr. Alston leads a Newark-based political podcast “All Politics are Local” and advocates for democratic pedagogical practices across the state of New Jersey.
Terry Brewin, Teacher of Art Ms. Brewin is one of eleven children. She has nine brothers. Her father’s family are descendants of slaves from Jamaican and her mother’s family are descendants of slaves from Tennessee and Mississippi. She has lived all over the world, taking her from Liberia, to Boston, to Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles, and doing her high school years in rural Minnesota. From there she attended college in NYC at Cooper Union and after getting married she ended up in Daytona Beach, Florida for a few years. Ms. Brewin didn’t start teaching until much later in life. She’s held numerous jobs from a school bus driver, to waitressing, to coaching youth basketball and swimming, to owning her own business at the age of 25. She is certified in carpentry and was a professional artist before starting her career in education. She is now in her 17th year of teaching for Newark Board of Education. Once an avid horseback rider and skier, Ms. Brewin now enjoys life on the water in her houseboat she’s been renovating for the past few years. She plans on creating new adventures traveling along the Hudson River and eventually doing the Great Loop when she retires.
Andre Barnes, Music Educator Mr. Barnes currently serves as Director of Choral Activities for Science Park High School, this is his eighth year at Science Park High School and his 12th year in Newark public schools. Mr. Barnes also taught in Paterson for many years and was an adjunct instructor at Passaic County College. Mr. Barnes comes from a musical family and started piano lessons at the age of nine. It is interesting to note that Mr. Barnes has six siblings and they all received lessons in the arts. Educational degrees include a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from William Paterson University, and a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Rutgers University New Brunswick, Mason Gross School of the Arts. Mr. Barnes is currently a doctoral candidate at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. He is also active as a jazz pianist and composer in the New York metropolitan area and has recorded two albums. Mr. Barnes is passionate about music and feels it is a privilege and a blessing to share his skills and experience with his students at Science Park High School.
Mario Banks Mr. Mario B. Bank is the Director of Bands at Science Park High School in Newark, NJ. He is a native of Detroit, Michigan and it was there where he developed a strong understanding of the importance of arts education. After studying at the historical Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Mr. Banks went on to studied Music Education at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia. There Mr. Banks received both his Bachelors of Arts Degree as well as his Masters in Music Education. Passionate about urban education and mentorship, moving to New Jersey has been a very natural fit. In addition to his education, Mr. Banks has also been a professional musician for over 20 years. Mr. Banks has had the pleasure of performing with a host of esteemed professionals and groups such as the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, The Tidewater Winds (professional concert band), Jennifer Hudson, Bon Jovi, The Isley Brothers, Usher Raymond, TLC, Fantasia, and even Paul McCartney. Throughout his time in Newark, Mario has had the opportunity to work with some of the best musicians and music educators in this region and looks forward to continuing to hone his craft. Mario has also had the pleasure of working with the amazing Jazz House Kids of Montclair, New Jersey in the capacity of Summer Workshop Co-Director for the past 10 years which has allowed him to cultivate relationships with other musicians and students. As an educator for over 14 years, Mr. Banks has provided numerous students with scholarship opportunities for college as well as serving as a primary source for youth mentoring in his community. Mario plans to continue his outreach and mentoring in the urban environment where he feels he has the greatest calling. Mario believes that "the goal in true music education is not only that you teach music, but that
you teach through music the life skills necessary to be as much of an outstanding person as you are as an artist". According to G.A. Rogers “the part that Africans played in the making of South and Central America is still a neglected aspect of history. In order to understand the Africans in South and Central America, one must look especially at this area and in general at North and South America, the West Indies, and then at developing Europe and the ideas that brought this development into being. In looking at the Africans it is necessary that we honestly examine the
interpretations of the role that they played in shaping the destiny of this hemisphere.” (G. A. Rogers. 1947. World’s Great Men of Color Page167).
SPAIN’S CULTURAL EXCHANGE by Nathaniel Esubonteng In the realm of cultural exchange, the African influence on Spain has been profound, manifesting in various facets of daily life. One notable arena is music, where the rhythms and melodies of North Africa have intertwined with Spain's flamenco tradition. This fusion has birthed a vibrant musical landscape, where the haunting strains of Moorish melodies find harmony with the passionate cadences of flamenco guitars. Additionally, African culinary traditions have left an indelible mark on Spanish cuisine, introducing ingredients, spices, and cooking techniques that add depth and richness to the gastronomic tapestry. Dishes like tagines and couscous have become beloved staples in Spanish kitchens, embodying the fusion of cultures across the Mediterranean. Identity and Integration: The African diaspora in Spain has catalyzed discussions around identity and integration, prompting a reexamination of what it means to be Spanish in a multicultural society. Afro-Spaniards, whether descendants of migrants or Afro-Latinos, have forged their own unique identities, enriching Spain's cultural mosaic. However, they have also faced challenges in navigating societal perceptions and stereotypes, often grappling with issues of discrimination and marginalization. Nonetheless, Afro-Spaniards have actively advocated for recognition and representation, asserting their rightful place within Spanish society. Initiatives promoting diversity and inclusivity have emerged, fostering dialogue and understanding across racial and cultural divides. Through these efforts, Spain continues to evolve as a nation that celebrates its diversity, embracing the myriad influences that shape its collective identity. Spain, a country rich in culture and history, has seen the contributions of many influential Black individuals throughout its past. In recognition of Black History Month, here are brief profiles of several notable Black people from Spain: 1.
Juan Latino: Born in the early 16th century, Juan Latino was an Afro-Spanish scholar and poet. He was enslaved in Granada but later gained his freedom and became a prominent figure in Spanish intellectual circles. Latino is best known for his Latin poetry, particularly his collection of poems titled "Rhymes."
2.
Juan Parejas was a painter in Spain. He worked side by side Diego Velázquez
4. Gaspar Yanga: Yanga was an enslaved African who led a rebellion for freedom in colonial Mexico during the early 1600s. Although not born in Spain, his story is significant in the context of Spanish colonial history, as many enslaved Africans brought to the Americas were under Spanish rule. 5. Paco Lucía: Born Francisco Gustavo Sánchez Gomes in 1947 in Algeciras, Spain, Paco de Lucía was a world-renowned flamenco guitarist, considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time. His innovative style revolutionized flamenco music and brought it to international audiences, earning him numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. 6. Cécile Kyenge: Cécile Kyenge is a Congolese-born Italian politician and ophthalmologist who served as Italy's Minister for Integration from 2013 to 2014. While not originally from Spain, her story resonates with the challenges faced by Black individuals in European politics and society. 7. José Celestino Mutis: Mutis was a Spanish botanist and physician born in 1732 in Cadiz, Spain. He is known for his significant contributions to the study of the flora of the Americas, particularly in what is now Colombia. Mutis led the Royal Botanical Expedition to the New Kingdom of Granada, documenting thousands of plant species and laying the groundwork for botanical research in the region.
Estevanico – research by Sara Rengel, retrieved from https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/estevanico ESTEVANICO (unknown–1539). Estevanico, also spelled Estebanico, was a native of Azamor on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. In Spain prior to 1527, he was baptized as a Christian and became the slave of Andrés Dorantes de Carranza. The African accompanied his master as a member of the Pánfilo de Narváez expedition, approximately 300 men who landed in mid-April 1528 near present-day Tampa Bay. Permanently separated from his support vessels, Narváez and his command marched up the inner Florida coast and by late summer arrived near the mouth of the Wakulla River in the Florida panhandle. At that time, the surviving Spaniards and at least one African numbered just less than 250 men, the others having died of accidents or been killed by Indians. Narváez chose to slaughter his horses, build five makeshift barges, and attempt to sail along the Gulf Coast toward Mexico. The five rafts left Florida on September 22, and the craft containing Estevanico was placed under the joint command of Dorantes and Alonso Castillo Maldonado. After a month at sea, that raft landed on Galveston Island, or perhaps more likely to the west of it. By spring 1529 those three men—the only survivors from their craft—had traveled on foot down the Texas coast to the environs of Matagorda Bay. They were later captured and enslaved by Coahuiltecan Indians who lived southwest of the Guadalupe River. In fall 1532 the three men were joined in slavery by Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, the sole survivor from a second raft. By early 1535 these four castaways had escaped their captors by fleeing south along the inner coast and entering Mexico near the present-day Falcón Lake Reservoir. Estevanico was assuredly the first African to traverse Texas, and, in the company of three Spaniards, reentered Texas from Mexico at La Junta de los Ríos. From La Junta, the trekkers eventually made their way across northwest Mexico to the Pacific Coast. Throughout
their travels in both Texas and Mexico, the three Spaniards and Estevanico gained fame and sustenance as faith healers among Indians. After walking south along the Pacific Coast, the four men encountered Spaniards north of San Miguel de Culiacán and then traveled on to Mexico City, arriving there in late July 1536. By 1539 Dorantes had either sold or loaned Estevanico to Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza, who assigned the African to the company of Fray Marcos de Niza, charged with leading a follow-up expedition toward lands visited by the castaways. On March 21, 1539, the Niza expedition arrived at the Río Mayo in present-day Sonora. There, Estevanico, apparently restless over the slow progress of the friar and his large party, was sent ahead as an advance scout. Separated by several days’ travel from the friar and his entourage, Estevanico approached the Zuni pueblo of Hawikuh in western New Mexico where he was killed by numerous arrows fired into his body
Juan Garrido – RESEARCH By: Sara Rengel https://www.nps.gov/people/juargarrido.htm Juan Garrido a.k.a "Handsome John" was an free African conquistador who worked alongside Ponce de Leon for thirteen years. African conquistadors like Garrido were not uncommon. Many found their way into Spanish life, rather than becoming slaves. They joined Spanish conquests as soldiers, some in exchange for freedom and others for financial gain. They enjoyed the spoils of their conquests, which included land, official jobs, and pensions. Garrido was born on the west coast of Africa ca. 1487 and later moved to Lisbon, Portugal. It is unknown how, when, or why Garrido was a free man among the enslaved. One historian, Ricardo Alegria, suspects he was the son of a king. This hypothetical king would have traded with the Portuguese and set Garrido up as a commercial liaison. Other historians argue that Garrido might have been a slave who was granted his freedom. This theory comes from the coincidence that his name matched that of a Spaniard on his first voyage to the New World. Fifteen-year-old Juan left Lisbon and traveled to Seville, Spain, and joined the convoy to Hispaniola in 1503. Pedro Garrido, who was aboard a ship in the convoy, might have been Juan's master and Christian namesake. Garrido spent six years in Hispaniola. The Spanish government allowed conquistadors to take land, people, and treasure. This was the Crown's attempt to convert the world to Catholicism. In 1508, he joined Juan Ponce de Leon on his mission to search for gold in Puerto Rico. Once there Ponce de Leon settled and became governor on the island. Garrido stayed with him and fought alongside the Spanish against the natives who revolted in 1511. After Ponce de Leon lost his position to Diego Columbus in 1513, he took Garrido and others to look for another treasure island. Instead, they found Florida. Though they claimed and named the land, they were illequipped to fight the Florida natives. They left Florida with plans to return to conquer it. By 1519, Garrido was a veteran conquistador. He was a member of the Hernan Cortes' expedition that invaded Meco and lay seize on the Aztec capital at Tenochtitlan. After watching and surviving the slaughter of Cortes' troops in 1520, Garrido helped collect the remains of Spanish soliders. He also helped erect a commemorative chapel near the site of the slaughter. For his service, Garrido was given property on a dried out lake ped outside the former Aztec capital in 1522. He became a farmers and was one of the first cultivators to harvest wheat in the America. His wheat production, along with grapes, was in direct response to Spanish secular and religious settlers in Mexico. Garrido married and settled in Mexico City. Together, Garrido and his wife had three children. Garrido returned to Florida with Ponce de Leon in 1521. They arrived with settlers, livestock, supplies, and weapons to control the natives. Before they were able to get settled, Native American's once again ran the Spanish off. Ponce de Leon took an arrow and was rushed to Cuba for medical attention. He died a month later in Havana. By the end of his life, Garrido had served with Spanish forced for over 30 years. He went on a final expedition with Cortes in 1533. According to legal documents, Garrido died in Mexico City sometime between 1547 and 1550.
Afro-Argentines by Avinash Venukopan Argentina is a land of rich culture and history. It has a vibrant arts scene, with renowned ballet, theater, and music traditions. The country is also home to a variety of delicious food, such as asados (barbecues), empanadas (pastries filled with meat or vegetables), and dulce de leche (a sweet milk spread). Here are a few famous Black Argentines: • María Remedios del Valle: A soldier who fought for Argentina's independence, earning the title "Madre de la Patria" (Mother of the Nation). • Juan Bautista Azopardo: An Afro-Argentine naval officer who commanded ships during the War of Independence.
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Gabino Ezeiza: A renowned "payador" (improvisational singer and storyteller), considered one of the pioneers of tango music. María Josefa Ezcurra: A prominent figure in the May Revolution, known for her bravery and influence on key revolutionary leaders. Alejo Brown: A boxer who held the Argentine and South American middleweight titles and was a successful businessman. Juan Pedro Zufriategui: A political leader and abolitionist who advocated for the rights of Black Argentines. Pedro Lino Falu: A military man who fought in the War of Independence and subsequent conflicts, reaching the rank of colonel.
Afro-Argentines Research by Hannah Perez) • • • • • •
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In 2010, 149,493 Afro-Argentines lived in Argentina, only around 0.37% of their population. The Afro-Argentine community originates from the slaves brought by the Transatlantic slave trade, which reached the Rio de Plata colonies in 1588. 12 million slaves were brought to Latin America, with a majority of them being brought to the Port of Buenos Aires. Most slaves brought to Argentina spoke Bantu, from modern-day Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of the Congo In the 18th and 19th centuries, Afro-Argentines accounted for fifty percent of the population in many provinces After the abolishment of slavery many Afro-Argentines faced discrimination and awful living conditions and were not allowed to attend university until 1853. They also were only allowed to study at secondary school for 2 years, while white Argentines got the customary four. November 8th is the National Day of Afro-Argentines and African Culture Afro-Argentines contributed heavily to Argentine culture, including Candombe, the Tango, and Murga
https://aaregistry.org/story/afro-argentines-a-brief-story/ María Remedios del Valle (1768-1847) was a solider and nurse during the Argentine War of Independence. “Madre de la Patria” (Mother of the Homeland) was captured and imprisoned by the Spanish after The Battle of Ayohuma. She aided in the escape of many of her fellow Argentinians, and even after losing her entire family in the war, continued to return to the front lines to treat soldiers. https://enslaved.org/fullStory/16-23-126856/ Cayetano Alberto Silva (1868-1920) was a composer of “La Marcha de San Lorenzo”, which is presently used as the oIicial march of the Argentinian Military and has also been played by many notable countries in the world, including the United States of America, The United Kingdom, and Germany. After he died in 1920, although working as a police employee, he was denied being buried in the Police Pantheon due to his race. He was instead buried in an unmarked grave. In 1997, his remains were finally buried in the cemetery of Venado Tuerto. https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/mastertalent/detail/107801/Silva_Cayetano_Alberto Bernardino Rivadavia(1780-1845) was the first president of Argentina. He founded the University of Buenos Aires, encouraged the creation of museums, and enlarged the National Library of Argentina. He also expanded freedom of the press, ended the slave trade in Argentina, and disbanded the Spanish courts. He ended tithes for the church and expanded on individual rights. In 1880, his birthday became a national holiday in Argentina. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bernardino-Rivadavia
Bolivia research by Victoria Rengel Most of the 23,300 Afro-Bolivians live in the Yungas region of the Department of La Paz, where they are employed on farms, cultivating the coca-leaf, coffee or citrus fruits. Many Afro-Bolivians are bilingual in Aymara and Spanish and their religion shares the Roman Catholic Andean syncretism. They are usually distinguished from ‘whites’ and mestizos in economic rather than racial terms, and the majority tend to think of themselves as Bolivian rather than African. ‘Afro-Bolivian’ was adopted as a self-description with the emergence of a black consciousness movement in the early 1990s; but the movement has faced organizational problems as well as a split between the interests of urban intellectuals and rural peasant farmers. Bolivia’s Afro-Latin population is descended from slaves who were brought to work in the silver mines in Potosí in the early 1500s. Many died due to maltreatment and inhumane conditions. They were also unaccustomed to the high altitude and cold temperatures. When mining declined they migrated to the Yungas, where they were exploited as slaves on the large haciendas. The agrarian reform of 1953 ended this form of slavery. Since the 1980s a large number of Afro-Bolivians have migrated from the Yungas to the cities of La Paz, Santa Cruz and Cochabamba. Over time many Afro-Bolivians adopted Aymara language and culture, and the Afro-Bolivian Spanish dialect, and their music and dance, became less distinctive. However, this trend was reversed in the late twentieth century with the revival of the saya dance, as part of a black consciousness movement. The Movimiento Cultural Negro was formed in 1994; literature on the country also makes reference to a Casa Afro-Boliviana in Santa Cruz and a Centre for Afro-Bolivian Development in La Paz. …’ Afro-Bolivians were also included in the 2012 census as a distinct category, allowing for a more accurate assessment of their population as well as providing further formal recognition of their place in Bolivian society. Retrieved from https://minorityrights.org/communities/afrobolivians/#:~:text=Profile,the%20Roman%20Catholic%20Andean%20syncretism.
Chile Research by Kayla Inahuazo During Black History Month, it's important to recognize the often-overlooked contributions and experiences of Afrodescendant communities around the world, including Afro-Chileans. The history of Afro-Chileans traces back to the arrival of African slaves in what is now Chile in 1536. These individuals endured harsh journeys across the Atlantic Ocean, with many perishing before reaching their destination due to the harsh conditions of captivity. Overland routes from South America and maritime transport via the port of Valparaíso facilitated the traIicking of enslaved Africans to the Spanish colony. Despite facing unimaginable hardships, Afro-Chileans have played a significant role in shaping Chilean culture and society, contributing to various aspects of the nation's heritage. Recognizing their history and honoring their resilience is an integral part of celebrating Black History Month and promoting inclusivity and diversity.
Costa Rica Research by Prince Owusu Epsy Campbell Barr, the first Afro-Costa Rican woman to serve as vice president, is another prominent figure who has shattered barriers and inspired Afro-Latinas across the country. Her election marked a historic moment for Afro-descendant representation in Costa Rican politics and signaled a step forward in the ongoing struggle for racial and gender equality. Writer Quincy Duncan is a professor of Literature at the University of Heredia. populations in Costa Rica. His novels and short stories have been awarded Costa Rica’s National Literature Prize and the Costa Rican Editorial Prize. A growing number of global scholars writing on AfroLatin@s are clamoring for more work by Duncan in English, and scholarly texts have explored his considerable contributions to the canon,
including Dorothy Mosby’s “Quince Duncan: Writing Afro-Costa Rican and Caribbean Identity” and Dellita MartinOgunsola’s “The Eve/Hagar Paradigm in the Fiction of Quince Duncan.” According to Duncan “Ticos do not recognize what racism actually is. They have seen the public markers of racism in South African Apartheid or the Jim Crow Laws of the Southern United States. Signs that separated races were clearly racist. Since these public signposts were not used in Costa Rica, people automatically assumed there was no racism here and so, for instance, they cannot understand why “Cocori” is an offensive book to the Afro-Costa Rican population. These workshops opened up these types of radical, honest discussions. Retrieved from https://ticotimes.net/2016/08/29/elegance-quince-duncan-chat-celebrated-writer
Colombia research by Keyona Bamba In Colombia, African culture has played a significant role in shaping the country's cultural landscape, particularly in regions with a history of African diaspora, such as the Pacific coast and certain areas of the Caribbean coast. The presence of African slaves brought to Colombia during the colonial period left a lasting impact on music, dance, cuisine, religion, and language. For example, the rhythms of cumbia and champeta are rooted in African musical traditions, while dishes like sancocho and mote de queso reflect the fusion of African ingredients and cooking techniques with indigenous and Spanish influences. Additionally, Afro-Colombian communities maintain vibrant cultural practices, such as traditional dance forms like bullerengue and cultural celebrations like the Festival de San Pacho, which honor African heritage and contribute to Colombia's rich multicultural tapestry. Despite this influence, Afro-Colombian communities have faced historical marginalization and discrimination, leading to socioeconomic disparities and challenges in preserving their cultural heritage. EJorts to recognize and empower Afro-Colombian communities have been ongoing, including constitutional recognition of their rights to collective territories and cultural identity. Nonetheless, further eJorts are needed to address systemic inequalities and ensure the full inclusion and celebration of African culture within Colombian society Several Afro-Colombians have made significant contributions to Colombian culture, politics, and society. One notable figure is Manuel Zapata Olivella, a prominent writer and anthropologist who explored Afro-Colombian culture through his novels, essays, and research. Another important figure is Petrona Martínez, a renowned singer and composer known for her preservation of traditional Afro-Colombian music, particularly bullerengue. In politics, Piedad Córdoba stands out as a prominent Afro-Colombian leader, having served as a senator and advocate for human rights and peace initiatives. These individuals, among others, have played crucial roles in promoting Afro-Colombian heritage, fostering social change, and enriching the diverse tapestry of Colombian identity. Francia Elena Márquez Mina (born 1 December 1981) is a Colombian human-rights and environmental activist and lawyer, she is the 13th and current Vice President of Colombia. She was born in Yolombó, a village in the Suarez municipality in Cauca Department.[5] She first became an activist at 13, when construction of a dam threatened her community.[6] After taking office, she became the first Afro-Colombian vice president in the country's history. She is also the second woman to hold the post, after Marta Lucía Ramírez.[7] In August 2020, Márquez announced her candidacy in the 2022 Colombian presidential election and sought the nomination for the Historic Pact for Colombia coalition. She was later chosen by the coalition's nominee, Gustavo Petro, to be his running mate. In 2023 she was also appointed as Minister for Equality and Equal Opportunity of Colombia. In 2018, she was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for her work to stop illegal gold mining in her community of La Toma and for her community organising. Márquez led a protest march of 80 women who trekked 560 kilometers (350 miles) to the capital city of Bogotá, and demanded the removal of all illegal miners from their community.[6][8][9] In 2019, the BBC listed Francia Márquez on their 100 Women list for that year. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francia_M%C3%A1rquez
Cuba Research by Mark Perez
Celia Cruz Lovingly Known as the Queen of Salsa Born: October 21, 1925, Havana, Cuba Died: July 16, 2003 (age 77 years), Fort Lee, NJ
Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso, known as Celia Cruz, was a Cuban singer and one of the most popular Latin artists of the 20th century. Cruz rose to fame in Cuba during the 1950s as a singer of guarachas, earning the nickname "La Guarachera de Cuba". In the following decades, she became known internationally as the "Queen of Salsa" due to her contributions to Latin music.[1][2][3] She had sold over 10 million copies, making her one of the best-selling Latin music artists.[4] She began her career in her home country Cuba, earning recognition as a vocalist of the popular musical group Sonora Matancera, a musical association that lasted 15 years (1950–1965). Cruz mastered a wide variety of AfroCuban music styles including guaracha, rumba, afro, son and bolero, recording numerous singles in these styles for Seeco Records. In 1960, after the Cuban Revolution caused the nationalization of the music industry, Cruz left her native country, becoming one of the symbols and spokespersons of the Cuban community in exile.[5] Cruz continued her career, first in Mexico, and then in the United States, the country that she took as her definitive residence. In the 1960s, she collaborated with Tito Puente, recording her signature tune "Bemba colorá". In the 1970s, she signed for Fania Records and became strongly associated with the salsa genre, releasing hits such as "Quimbara". She often appeared live with Fania All-Stars and collaborated with Johnny Pacheco and Willie Colón. During the last years of her career, Cruz continued to release successful songs such as "La vida es un carnaval" and "La negra tiene tumbao".[6] Her musical legacy is made up of a total of 37 studio albums, as well as numerous live albums and collaborations. Throughout her career, she was awarded numerous prizes and distinctions, including two Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards. In addition to her prolific career in music, Cruz also made several appearances as an actress in movies and telenovelas. Her catchphrase "¡Azúcar!" ("Sugar!") has become one of the most recognizable symbols of salsa music.
“THE LION, THE CENTAUR, THE INVINCIBLE” (1848-1846) “ANTONIO MACEO was the last of the spectacular patriots of history. With his horsemanship, whole-souled vivacity, and daring in the face of tremendous odds, he attracted worldwide attention. On that December morning of 1896 when the news came that he had been treacherously slain, indignation and profound regret filled the hearts of lovers of liberty and justice the world over. No one since, fighting for freedom's cause, so captivated the world's imagination as Maceo. Maceo was born in the province of Santiago de Cuba in 1848, of a mulatto father, Marco Maceo, and a black ex-slave mother, Marianna Grajale. Very poor, he began as a driver of oxen on a sugar plantation and was not able to read or write until he was twenty years old. When the first Cuban insurrection broke out in 1868, he was the first to join. When it failed, ten years later, he was the last to yield. During this war, he did
something characteristic of him. As a boy on the plantation of Don Leandro, he had seen the latter order his slave driver to strip a female slave to the waist and then had her so brutally beaten that she died. One of his first acts, when he had an armed band, was to go to Don Leandro's mansion and punish him in the same way.” Retrieved from Rogers, 1947.
A LITERARY GIANT Nicolás Guillén Batista was born July 10, 1902, in Camagüey, Cuba, the eldest of six children (three boys and three girls) of Argelia Batista y Arrieta and Nicolás Guillén y Urra, both of whom were of mixed-race, AfricanEuropean descent.[4] His father had fought for independence as a lieutenant. When his first son Nicolás was born, the father worked as a journalist for one of the new local papers.[4] He introduced his son to Afro-Cuban music when he was very young. Guillén y Urra belonged to the Partido Libertad and founded the daily newspaper, La Libertad, to express its views. Government forces assassinated Guillén's father for protesting against electoral fraud and destroyed his printing press, where Nicolás and a brother were already working.[4] Argelia and her children struggled financially. Nicolás and his siblings encountered discriminatory racism in Cuba similar to that suffered by AfricanAmericans in the United States.[5] Guillén drew from his mixed African and Spanish ancestry and education to combine his knowledge of traditional literary form with firsthand experience of the speech, legends, songs, and songs of Afro-Cubans in his first volume of poetry, Motivos de son. It was soon acclaimed as a masterpiece and widely imitated.[1] In the 1920s, when Afro-Cuban sounds and instruments were changing the world of Cuban music, Afro-Cuban culture began to be expressed in art and literature as well. Initially, Afro-Cuban poetry, or "negrista" poetry, was mainly published by European Cubans such as Emilio Ballagas, Alejo Carpentier, and José Tallet. It was not until the 1930s that Guillén would appeal in literary terms by expressing a personal account of the struggles, dreams, and mannerisms of AfroCubans.[6] Guillén became outspoken politically, and dissatisfied with picturesque portrayal of the daily life of the poor. He began to decry their oppression in his poetry volumes Sóngoro cosongo and West Indies Ltd. Guillen also wrote Cantos para soldados y sones para turistas, which reflected his growing political commitment.[1] Guillén is probably the best-known representative of the "poesía negra" ("black poetry"), which tried to create a synthesis between black and white cultural elements, a "poetic mestizaje".[7] Characteristic for his poems is the use of onomatopoetic words ("Sóngoro Cosongo", "Mayombe-bombe") that try to imitate the sound of drums or the rhythm of the son. Silvestre Revueltas's symphonic composition Sensemayá was based on Guillén's poem of the same name, and became that composer's best-known work, followed by José Limantour's suite from his film score for La noche de los mayas. Guillén later became acknowledged by many critics as the most influential of those Latin American poets who dealt with African themes and re-created African song and dance rhythms in literary form.[1] of eight short poems using the everyday language of the Afro Cubans. The collection stood out in the literary world because it emphasized and established the importance of Afro-Cuban culture as a valid genre in Cuban literature. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicol%C3%A1s_Guill%C3%A9n
Afro-Cuba by Mark Perez The first set of enslaved Africans were taken to Cuba in the year of 1513. They were taken to Cuba to replace the Taino that were killed off due to European disease. Many of the slaves in Cuba were sent to work in mines, in search for raw materials.
One thing that is rarely reported is the fact that there was multiple slave uprising in Cuba,especially in the year of 1533, in the Jobabo Mines. During these uprisings, the enslaved partnered with the Taino-Arawak people to establish different maroon settlements around Cuba. Mining activities in Cuba came to an end when precious metals were discovered in Latin America. Cuba remained important due to its convenient location as it linked the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean. This made Cuba one of the most important trade routes in the New World, where Gold, Silver, Emeralds, and other goods stopped in Cuba to be distributed around the New World. Large numbers of enslaved Africans arrived in Cuba in the late 1700’s, when British had temporary reign over Havana, during the Seven Years World. The British had brought 10,000 Africans into Cuba to work at the sugar factories. The African population in Cuba grew from 10- 25 percent in the 18 th century, whereas Cuba became the largest market for both sugar and enslaved Africans, where they imported 10,000 slaves a year. The United States also occupied Cuba for quite some time. They never really recognized the Cuban people’s struggle for independence, after centuries of European influence. Segregation in Cuba started in 1898, when the United States wanted Cuba to match its power structure. White and Black Cubans were separated into areas, which can be seen in its modern-day population density. America had major impacts on ethic/racial identity in Cuba. In 1930, the United States installed the dictator Fulgencio Batista, who had an alliance with the US-Elites in Cuba in order to meet the American Agenda. Ironically, Batista was of mixed ethnic background, but refused to end segregation in the region. Afro-Cuban religion and music were illegal during this time period. In 1959, the Cuban revolution was led by Fidel Castro, which had outlawed forms of discrimination and institutional racism. However, there was little achieved in eliminating racial discrimination. Castro’s government had insisted that they had eliminated racial discrimination, however, were far from that. _____________________________________________________________________________________
Guatemala Research by Kayla Inahuazo “RAFAEL CARRERA, dictator of five Central American republics and first President of Guatemala, is an amazing figure among the founders of the republics of the New World. Whereas all the others fought for progress and greater freedom for the masses, he upheld the opposite. But it was in so doing that he brought about the independence of his native land. The other side of the story is that what he really opposed were radical laws, which though aimed at freeing the people, had been introduced so sharply and suddenly that a population which was more than 95 percent illiterate was not prepared for them. By proponents of this view he is regarded as the champion of religion and stability. The Pope of Rome in recognition for what he had done in this respect commended him highly and sent him his highest decoration. Finally, any appraisal of Carrera must take into consideration the rape of his wife by members of the opposing force. This fact seemed to have influenced his whole career. When he was nine years old, in 1823, five of the former Spanish provinces of Central America, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salva-dor, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, formed the Central American Union. This Union, however, was dominated by the conservative element, which included the clergy, the old Spanish aristocracy, the landlords, and the monied class in general. This coalition was later known as the Conservative Party.” J.A. Rogers WORLD GREAT MEN OF COLOR, 1947, 1972, 1975, 1996
Did you know? • •
Mariah Carey - The musical icon's mother is Irish-American, while her father was Black and Venezuelan. Francisco Lindor - During the national resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, Lindor— who is the star shortstop for the New York Mets—was outspoken about colorism in baseball and racism against Afro-Latino players in the MLB. “In talking to leaders on other teams, it seemed like guys [are] starting to understand what Afro-Latinos go through, what Latinos go through, what Asians go through," the
athlete, who is from Puerto Rico, said. “We are fighting, not just for the Black community, we’re fighting for everybody of color
Afro-Dominican Research by Jaryssa Geraldino Aida Cartagena Portalatín: Aida Cartagena Portalatín was a renowned Dominican poet and writer, born in 1918. Recognized for her significant contributions to Dominican literature, she was a pioneer in addressing social issues and promoting women's rights through her work. Portalatín's poetry, which often explored themes of identity, love, and feminism, earned her widespread acclaim. Her legacy endures as a trailblazer in Dominican literature and a voice for social change. https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/people-global-african-history/aida-cartagena-portalatin-19181994/ Francisco Mercedes Davis Francisco was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Newark, New Jersey. He is a visionary, an accomplished detail artist, lecturer, and photographer. A graduate of Arts High School, and attended Howard University. He retired from the U.S Army. Francisco has lectured, taught basic drawing skills and shared artwork with elementary, junior high, high schools and civic organizations, in the United States and in Germany. During his military career, he received many honors and artistic awards for his outstanding work beyond the call of duty, which included the Meritorious Service Metal. He served as Vice President of the NAACP in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Francisco was nominated for the NAACP’s Roy Wilkins Meritorious Service Award for his exceptional contribution to his country in the area of civil and human rights, race relations, equal opportunity, affirmative action and public service. Francisco has been featured in Newspapers, Television programs, was “Winner of the U.S. Armed Forces European Art Contest - “Let’s Read”; Winner – U.S. Army European Art Contest – a. “Bus Stop”, b. “Daddy’s Boots!”. Currently he is a resident of Maryland. Francisco helped established the African American Artists’ Alliance of Howard County Center of African American Culture (HCCAAC) in Howard County, Maryland, and served as the group’s first President. Sra. Davis-Parks was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Newark, NJ. A graduate of Barringer High School. She holds and AAS degree in Fashion Design from Fashion Institute of Technology, NY, Certificate of Fashion Design from Paris Fashion Institute, Paris, France. Prior to her career in education, she held numerous positions in the fashion industry; worked under the tutelage of Mr. Lloyd’s Couturier, Bloomfield, NJ, most notably at Carole Hochman Designs Inc. as Design Assistant under the Christian Dior and Oscar de la Renta Sleepwear Division. Davis-Parks is a Kean University Project RITE scholar, and obtained a BA in Spanish, Master.in Education Administration from Grand Canyon University, Master in Spanish Language & Culture from La Universidad de Salamanca, Spain. Davis-Parks has been teaching in the Newark Public Schools for twenty-three years, taught at the former Morton Street MiddleSchool, West Side High School (she was the first Spanish Teacher to make history at West Side High School by taking students to Spain twice), American History High, and currently teaches at Science Park. Her students are exposed to multicultural experiential learning and educational travel. She has taken students to numerous colleges and universities, the United Nations, museums in the metropolitan area, Baltimore, MD, and Washington, D.C. Davis-Parks has participated in fashion and education activities throughout the continental U.S., Cuba, France, Germany, Spain, and St. Croix US Virgin Islands. David Ortiz: David Ortiz, born on November 18, 1975, is a retired Dominican-American professional baseball player renowned for his illustrious career primarily with the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball (MLB). Nicknamed "Big Papi," Ortiz played as a designated hitter and first baseman. Over his 20-year career, Ortiz became a ten-time All-Star, won three World Series championships with the Red Sox, and earned the 2013 World Series MVP. Beyond his on-field achievements, Ortiz is celebrated for his charisma and impact on and off the baseball diamond. https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/ortiz-david
Dr. Silvio Torres-Saillant: Dr. Silvio Torres-Saillant is a distinguished Dominican-American scholar, author, and professor known for his contributions to Caribbean and Latino/a studies. Born in the Dominican Republic, he has focused on issues of race, ethnicity, and cultural identity. Torres-Saillant is recognized for his academic work, including influential books such as "An Intellectual History of the Caribbean" and his efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in higher education. He has held various academic positions and played a significant role in shaping the discourse on Caribbean and Latino/a studies. “Dominican society is the cradle of blackness in the Americas, the island of Hispaniola or Santo Domingo, which Dominicans share with Haitians served as port of entry to the first African slaves to set foot on Spain’s newly conquered territories following Christopher Columbus’s eventful transatlantic voyage in 1492.” https://www.holycross.edu/faith-service/mcfarland-center-religion-ethics-and-culture/silvio-torres-saillentadvent-blackness-and-its-african-consequences Dr. Mateo Morrison Mateo Morrison is from the Dominican Republic. Dr. Morrison is a writer (he’s published over 35 book), and poet who studied Latin America and Caribbean Cultural Development in Venezuela. Morrison became the 20th recipient of the Premio Nacional de Literatura. He also worked as Sub-Secretary of Culture for the Dominican Republic.
Ulises Heureaux Research by Kayla Inahuazo IRON-FISTED DICTATOR OF SANTO DOMINGO (1845-1900) “AMONG THE MANY colorful tyrants ruling in the republics of Central and South America, none was more fascinating
than Ulises Heureaux, dictator of Santo Domingo, affectionately known as ‘Lilis.’ A rare combination of astuteness and audacity; ability and un-scrupulousness; ferocity and kindliness; ambition and disinterestedness, Heureaux guided the destinies of his country with an iron hand in a velvet glove. Like the Romans of old, he spared when friend no on steamed bon with the order among his turbulent countrymen and maintained peace for twenty years—a record. In the twenty-one years preceding him there had been twenty-four presidents and twenty-six revolutions. Santo Domingo, Columbus' favorite colony, after long prosperity had been reduced to chaos and bankruptcy in 1865 by the long wars with Spain and the adjoining republic of Haiti. Flordes of adventurers, wholly disinclined to pursue commerce of agriculture, pillaged the republic. Ambitious and domineering leaders, whose passions ran riot, murdered their opponents, only to be assassinated in turn. At last, the Dominicans sought relief by attempting to join the United States, but the proposal was de- ¡eated in the American Senate. Heureaux came on the scene at this point.” Retrieved from G. A. Rogers. (1947). World’s Great Men of Color.
Los tres mulatos de Esmeraldas, por Andrés Sánchez Galque, Los tres mul1599, Museo del Prado. "Los tres mulatos de Esmeraldas," por Andrés Sánchez Galque, in World History Commons, https://worldhistorycommons.org/lostres-mulatos-de-esmeraldas [accessed February 6, 2024]
https://worldhistorycommons.org/los-tres-mulatos-deesmeraldas#:~:text=This%20is%20a%20painting%20entitled,man%20named%20Andr%C3%A9s%20S%C3%A1nchez%20G o Los afroecuatorianos son un grupo étnico que surge a partir de la esclavitud de sus ancestros africanos traídos al territorio ecuatoriano en el siglo XVI. A partir de esta época hasta la actualidad han desarrollado una cultura musical que ha enriquecido al Ecuador.
• En el Ecuador tradicional, a la mayoría de los afro descendientes los podemos encontrar en dos asentamientos convencionales: en la costa en la provincia de Esmeraldas, y en la sierra en las provincias de Imbabura y Carchi. • existen en el país 14 nacionalidades indígenas, 18 pueblos indígenas y un pueblo afrodescendiente. • Representan del 3% al 5% de la población del Ecuador. Ecuador tiene una población de alrededor de 1.120.000 descendientes de africanos. • El aspecto más visible y conocido de la cultura afroecuatoriana es la música. Se desarrolló y conservó la música característica de las comunidades afrodescendientes que se caracteriza principalmente por el uso de la marimba y tambores. • Alonso de Illescas (1528-1600s), African Maroon leader in Esmeraldas in colonial Ecuador. • María del Tránsito Sorroza, midwife and formerly enslaved woman. • Martina Carrillo (1750-1778), Ecuadorian activist, born enslaved, who fought for the rights of AfroEcuadorians. • Diógenes Cuero Caicedo. Diógenes Cuero Caicedo (Esmeraldas, October 28, 1948 – Ibidem, January 3, 2019) was an Ecuadorian poet, cultural activist, lawyer, university professor, and a prominent voice in celebrating and affirming black identity. • Slavery in Ecuador officially came to an end on September 27, 1852 with the ratification of the Fifth Constitution, which allowed landowners to be compensated by the national government for freeing their slaves. • In 1533, 23 enslaved Africans managed to escape a Spanish slave ship that capsized on the Pacific Coast. The group settled in the Esmeraldas province where they established a free community. The area came to represent a safe haven where enslaved Africans could escape. • Afro-Ecuadorian culture is a result of the Trans-atlantic slave trade. Their culture and its impact on Ecuador has led to many aspects from West and Central Africa cultures being preserved via ordinary acts of resistance and commerce. Por Heidi Castillo
Afro-Ecuatoriano Research by Arianna Guerrero-Valencia The five major ethnic groups in Ecuador are Mestizo, European, Afro-Ecuadorian, Amerindian, and Montubio. Around 7-10% of the population are Afro-Ecuadorian. A majority of Afro-Ecuadorians can be found in the province of Esmeraldas, in Valle del Chota, Guayaquil, and Ibarra, which is located in the Imbabura Province. The Esmeraldas region is an area that now is 70% Afro-Ecuadorian. Marimba, a style of music with African influence, is the most popular music to come from the Esmeraldas region. It is also popular in the small towns of San Lorenzo and Borbón. Accompanied by drums, this music is primarily played on a palm-wood xylophone. This music is often played throughout daily life as well as during popular festivals. It also plays an important role in helping to pass down stories and traditions from generation to generation. October 2 is the National Day of Black Ecuadorians. Afro-Ecuadorian Cultural Week in Quito, the nation’s capital, was started in October 1997. During this festival, leaders introduced a proposal to improve the economic, political, and cultural status of Ecuador’s Black communities. https://blackgirlnerds.com/8-things-you-didnt-know-about-afro-ecuadorians/
Costa Chica, México – Research by Sara Rengel https://minorityrights.org/communities/afro-mexicans
There have been no oIicial figures on the numbers of Mexicans of African descent since 1810, when a census found that black people made up 10 per cent of the total population. In more recent years, estimates put them at between 0.5 and 4.7 million. The 2015 preliminary survey to the 2020 census allowed Afro-Mexicans to self-identify for the first time and recorded a total of 1.4 million (1.2 per cent of the population). Though the term used in the survey, negro or ‘black’, is not widely used by Afro-Mexicans who prefer moreno or ‘dark’. Although Veracruz is thought to have the largest black population in Mexico due to its history as an important slave port, this is no longer the case. The majority of Mexico’s contemporary African descendant population lives in the Costa Chica region, which includes the Caribbean coastal regions of the southern states of Oaxaca and Guerrero.
Historical context During the three centuries of Spanish conquest and rule, Spanish authorities were responsible for the forced migration of an estimated 200,000 or more enslaved Africans to Mexico. Many died en route in the ships’ holds, while many others perished in the dire conditions of slave labour. By the early 1600s, Mexico had a larger African slave population than any other country in the Americas. In Mexico, Africans outnumbered the Spanish population throughout the colonial period until 1810, the last year data was collected on the African descendant population. Although there was a general decline in the number of slaves Mexico imported starting in the eighteenth century, Spanish authorities continued to import slaves from Cuba throughout much of the colonial period. Mexico’s slave population was distributed and worked in a number of industries throughout the country, and thus many people of African descent mixed with the Spanish and indigenous populations. Since the beginning of colonization, enslaved Africans resisted captivity by establishing Palenques or escaped slave communities in the mountains and other remote locations in Mexico. The most important of these communities was established in the state of Veracruz in 1570 by former slave Gaspar Yanga and withstood almost 40 years of existence without Spanish invasion. This community, originally known as San Lorenzo de los Negros, was renamed in honor of Yanga in 1932.
Afro-Panamanians Research by Joseph Onwusogh-Stanley Panama: Afro-Panamanians are descendants of African slaves who were brought to the region during the Spanish colonial period to work on plantations and in various labor sectors. The construction of the Panama Canal in the early 20th century played a crucial role in shaping the Afro-Panamanian community. Many AfroCaribbean workers, mainly from Jamaica and other Caribbean islands, were brought in to work on the canal. This contributed to the cultural diversity of Panama and led to the establishment of communities with distinct Afro-Caribbean influences. One notable Afro-Panamanian figure is Rubén Blades. He is a highly acclaimed musician, singer, songwriter, actor, and politician. Blades is known for his contributions to salsa music and has achieved international recognition for his talent. Apart from his musical career, he has also been involved in politics, serving as Panama's Minister of Tourism and later running for the presidency of Panama in 1994. Afro Paraguayans research by Aiden Lott The first African slaves arrived at Paraguay in 1556.[3] The majority of the slaves were of Nigerian and Angolan origin, similar to other black slaves arriving in South American from the slave trade. According to Argentine historian José Ignacio Telesca, the slaves that entered legally came from the slave ports of Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Córdoba, while those that entered illegally came from Brazil. The Spanish explorer Pedro de Mendoza - who reached the Rio de Plata in the 16th century and was appointed its viceroy brought enslaved Africans to Paraguay. According to the Telesca, more than 4% of the population were slaves in colonial times, keeping the same percentage in the 19th century after independence.[4] However, according to the Kamba Cuá "Afro-Paraguayan Association", in 1782, the black population represented 11.2 percent of the total population of the then Province of Paraguay.[3] This population continued to increase according to Telesca, and by 1811 half of the Paraguayan population was of African descent, whether slave or free.[5] So, several towns like Aregua, Emboscada (in English: "Ambush"), and Guarambare were established as black communities.[6] With the arrival of Artigas' also arrived, curiously, people of Kamba ethnicity, a Kenyan ethnic group, from Uruguay, who settled in Paraguay in the 1820s.[7][citation needed]. They arrived in a regiment of 250 spearmen, men and women, who accompanied General Jose Gervasio Artigas, the revolutionary leader of the now Uruguay, in his exile in Paraguay.[3] The Kamba Cua were dispossessed of their land by General Higinio Morinigo in the 1940s. Of his 100 hectares, they stayed with 3 hectares.[8] A Free Womb Law was adopted in Paraguay in 1842. Most of the male slaves born before that were drafted into the army during the Paraguayan War and then killed in it. The slavery was finally abolished for all ages in 1869. It is estimated that the number of Afro-Paraguayan people is only 8,013, equivalent to 0.13 percent of the 6.1 million inhabitants of Paraguay. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AfroParaguayans#:~:text=Afro%2DParaguayans%20are%20Paraguayans%20of,and%20the%20city%20of%20Embosc ada.&text=Afro%2DMestizo%20Paraguayan%20working%20in%20Emboscada.
Afro-Peruvian Research by Guillaume Tivoli Victoria Santa Cruz was a multi-talented Afro-Peruvian artist, born in 1922. Renowned as a choreographer, composer, and poet, she played a pivotal role in promoting Afro-Peruvian culture. Santa Cruz co-founded the group "Cumanana," which aimed to preserve and showcase Afro-Peruvian traditions through music and dance. Her impactful work contributed significantly to the recognition and celebration of Afro-Peruvian heritage in the cultural landscape of Peru. Additionally, she was a key figure in the Afro-Latin American art movement, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire and influence artists today. https://AfroLantinaHistory.com
Afro Latinos from Puerto Rico by Liz Hernández In Puerto Rico censuses from the 1950s until now have not included ethnicity so it is diIicult to quantify AfroPuerto Ricans as a percentage of the population. However, the estimates range from 22 percent to 65 percent. AfroPuerto Ricans were among the first non-indigenous people to arrive on the shores of Puerto Rico and therefore can look back to a more than 500-year presence in Puerto Rico. Those who were directly from West Africa mostly arrived in Puerto Rico as part of the Atlantic slave trade, as agricultural, domestic, and menial laborers and as mineworkers. Today there are many Afro-Latinos from Puerto Rico that have made and been a part of history and our society. For example, Roberto Clemente who was a Puerto Rican professional baseball player who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, primarily as a right fielder. MJ Rodriguez, an actor and singer, who was born in Newark, New Jersey to an African American mother and half Puerto Rican, half African American father has made history by becoming the first transgender woman to win a Golden Globe Award for her performance in the show Pose. Finally, Maxwell is a Puerto Rican and Haitian American artist. He is credited with being one of the originators of the neo-soul movement that overtook R&B music in the 1990s, with hit songs including "Pretty Wings," "Ascension," and "This Woman's Work." Overall, Afro-Latinos have been an integral part of our culture and the way society and the media have developed. It is important to recognize them and their accomplishments. Resources https://minorityrights.org/communities/afro-puerto-ricans/ https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/g36942648/famous-afro-latinos
Afro Puerto Ricans research by Ava McCune
"THE SHERLOCK HOLMES OF NEGRO HISTORY" (1874-1938)
Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, though dead, still ranks as the foremost bibliophile and collector of books on the Negro, In 1926 the Carnegie Corporation of New York paid him $10,000 for his collection of books, prints, manuscripts, and pictures, which was about a fifth of its intrinsic value. He was born at San Juan, Puerto Rico, and was educated partly on that island and partly in the Danish West Indies. Interested from childhood in Negro history, he noted down every fact he could find on that subject, being especially prompted to do so because he saw the best of everything was reserved for whites and near-whites, with the blacks kept at the bottom.
His early research were to serve him well in debates with his white classmates, some of whom would declare that the Negro had never accomplished anything of note and never would. On such occasions he was able to refute them successfully. As regards their own Puerto Rico, he would tell them of José Campeche, whose portraits, taken to Rome, created a sensation in art circles there; and of Rafael Cordero, a poor cigar maker, who was a pioneer in the education of whites and blacks on the island, and in whose honor a street in San Juan is named. Such incidents inspired him to collect books and facts with increasing enthusiasm. This knowledge he gave freely to all who would listen. Retrieved from G. A. Rogers. (1947). World’s Great Men of Color Pages:449-453. Today the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem New York City, is the world’s premier institution that contains over 150,000 artifacts, books and manuscripts that record Black History from throughout the world.
(1751-1809)
José Campeche was the most significant Puerto Rican [Rococo] painter of portraits and religious imagery. Of Afro-Caribbean ancestry, he was the son of a slave who purchased his freedom. Although primarily self-taught, Campeche was influenced by the exiled Spanish court painter Luis Paret y Alcázar, who lived in Puerto Rico from 1775 through 1778. José Campeche was the most important painter of portraits and religious imagery in late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century Puerto Rico. He learned his skills from his father, a slave who purchased his freedom by carving altarpieces. José worked as a decorator and gilder before becoming a prominent portraitist. He probably learned about composition, style, and painting technique from imported prints and books as well as from the exiled Spanish court painter Luis Paret y Alcázar, who lived in Puerto Rico from 1775 through 1778. The details of Campeche's life remain mysterious because his belongings were destroyed after his death. https://americanart.si.edu/artist/josecampeche-y-jordan-7194 According to numerous sources José Campeche y Jordán, is the first known Puerto Rican visual artist and considered by art critics as one of the best rococo artists in the Americas. Campeche y Jordán loved to use colors that referenced the landscape of Puerto Rico, as well as the social and political crème de la crème of colonial Puerto Rico.
Pedro Albizu Campos
Let me tell you a story about racism. The first actual afro-latino valedictorian of Harvard Law School, Pedro Albizu Campos graduated in 1921. He graduated while simultaneously studying Literature, philosophy, Chemical Engineering, and Military Science. He was fluent in six modern and two classical languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Latin, and ancient Greek. Pedro was denied the valedictorian distinction by a professor who delayed his final grade to keep him from having the highest grade point average in the 1921 class. They wanted to avoid the "embarrassment" of having a black Puerto Rican be the valedictorian of one of the most prestigious law schools in the country. Pedro Albizu Campos turned down a Supreme Court clerkship, multiple prestigious firm oIers, and plum government appointments to go back to Puerto Rico and practice poverty law. Instead of making himself wealthy, he worked for folks and often receive payment in the form of chickens from poor farmers. He then began to lead the
nascent independence movement of Puerto Rico. For this, he was targeted by Hoover's FBI and eventually thrown in prison for leading the independence movement. At the time, it was illegal to fly the Puerto Rican flag. Pedro Albizu Campos suIered for years in prison and was subject to horrific torture and human experiments. They experimented on him using radiation. This was at a time where the U.S. military deliberately exposed Puerto Rican men to mustard gas to see how it aIected them. He later suIered a stroke after a decade in prison and was pardoned and released only to die months later in 1965. This is only a very brief retelling of this story. Racism is baked into the DNA of the United States government and how it's treated Puerto Rican people. Having a law degrees from an Ivy League school doesn't protect you when you go against the system. I recommend you read the book The War Against All Puerto Ricans to get a better picture of his life. #PedroAlbizuCampos #medicalexperiments #puertorico #blackhistory #harvardlawschool Pedro Albizu Campos (June 29, 1893[2] – April 21, 1965) was a Puerto Rican attorney and politician, and a leading figure in the Puerto Rican independence movement. He was the president and spokesperson of the Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico from 1930 until his death. He led the nationalist revolts of October 1950 against the United States government in Puerto Rico. Albizu Campos spent a total of twenty-six years in prison at various times for his Puerto Rican independence activities. Campos graduated from Harvard Law School in 1921 with the highest grade point average in his law class, an achievement that earned him the right to give the valedictorian speech at his graduation ceremony. However, animus towards his African heritage led to his professors delaying two of his final exams in order to keep Albizu Campos from graduating on time.[3] During his time at Harvard University he became involved in the Irish struggle for independence.[4][5] A polyglot, he spoke six languages. Because of his oratorical skill, he was hailed as El Maestro (The Teacher).[6][7] In 1950, he planned armed uprisings in several cities in Puerto Rico. Afterward he was convicted and returned to prison. He died in 1965 shortly after his pardon and release from federal prison, some time after suIering a stroke. There is controversy over his medical treatment in prison. Albizu Campos had alleged that he was the subject of human radiation experiments in prison. Albizu Campos has been the subject of hundreds of books and countless articles. He has also been honored both in the United States and in Puerto Rico in many ways: In Chicago, an alternative high school is named the Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School. La Casa de Don Pedro in Newark, New Jersey is named after him. In New York City the Campos Plaza Community Center and housing project in Manhattan are named after him. In New York City, Public School 161 in Harlem is named after him. In Puerto Rico, there are streets in most municipalities named after him. In Ponce, there is a Pedro Albizu Campos Park and lifesize statue dedicated to his memory. Every September 12, his contributions to Puerto Rico are remembered at this park on the celebration of his birthday. In Salinas, there is a "Plaza Monumento Don Pedro Albizu Campos", a plaza and 9-foot statue dedicated to his memory. It was dedicated on January 11, 2013, the birth day of Eugenio María de Hostos, another Puerto Rican who struggled for Puerto Rico's independence. Quite unique among Puerto Rican thought, the plaza-monument was erected and dedicated by a municipal government of the opposite (statehood) political ideology as that of Albizu Campos. In 1993, Chicago alderman Billy Ocasio, in supporting a statue of Albizu Campos in Humboldt Park, likened him to such American leaders as Patrick Henry, Chief Crazy Horse, John Brown, Frederick Douglass, and W. E. B. Du Bois. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_Albizu_Campos.
Roberto Clemente was a professional baseball player. He was the first Hispanic to be inducted into the
Baseball Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, after taking a small plane from his Native Puerto Rico to Nicaragua to help with the relief eIorts of a recent earthquake. His plane crashed and was never recovered. Clemente was known for his amazing skill as a baseball player, and for his humanitarian eIorts in in assisting those in need.
Venezuela research by Breanna Campbell
Venezuela is a country located on the northern coast of South America, known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and significant oil reserves. It has faced economic and political challenges in recent years, including hyperinflation and social unrest. Some famous Black Venezuelans include: 1. Juancho Alí: Born in Caracas in 1945, Juancho Alí was a renowned artist and sculptor known for his AfroVenezuelan heritage-inspired artwork. His sculptures often depicted African figures and cultural symbols, contributing to the recognition and celebration of Venezuela's Afro-descendant heritage. 2. Ana Mercedes Pérez: Ana Mercedes Pérez was a prominent Venezuelan poet, writer, and educator. Born in Caracas in 1933, she was known for her poetry that explored themes of identity, race, and social justice. Pérez's work contributed to raising awareness of Afro-Venezuelan culture and the experiences of Black Venezuelans. 3. Alí Primera: Alí Primera was a legendary Venezuelan folk singer and songwriter, known for his socially conscious music and activism. Born in Coro in 1942, Primera's songs often addressed political and social issues, advocating for the rights of marginalized communities, including Afro-Venezuelans. His music continues to be celebrated for its powerful messages and cultural significance in Venezuela and beyond.
Afro-Venezolano Research by Emma Soares Pedro Camejo also known as Negro Primero (The First Black in Spanish) was a Venezuelan soldier
who fought with the Royal Army and then the Rebel Army during the Venezuelan War of Independence between 1810 and 1823. He was the only oVicer of African descent who was with the army of Simon Bolivar. Camejo was born enslaved on March 30, 1790, in San Juan de Payara, Captaincy General of Venezuela, Spanish Empire (Now Venezuela), the property of a Spanish royalist Vincente Alonzo, a landowner. Alonzo put Camejo into military service for the king of Spain Ferdinand VII. Camejo fought for Spain when the Venezuelan War of Independence began. Camejo’s loyalty shift from the Spanish Royalists to the Patriots after the battle of Araure on December 5, 1813. In that battle, an army led by Simon Bolivar captured more than 3,000 Spanish royalist troops. Impressed by Bolivar and the Patriot performance, Camejo hoped a peace treaty could end the conflict but fled with another soldier as the battle continued. He stay hidden for a time in the state of Apure until he later discovered that fighting for the Patriots could lead to the emancipation of Afro-Venezuelan slaves. In 1816, Camejo came before General Jose Antonio Paez, who fought with Bolivar. Patriot soldiers advised Paez to bring Camejo in the Patriot army since they were already familiar with his bravery and skill in battle. Camejo was accepted into the army and fought under Paez. Camejo fought for the Patriots in the battles of Santo Domingo, Chorrera, Cople, Misión de Abajo, Oriosa, Sombrero, San Fernando, Rincón de los Taros, Pedraza, Mamon, and Barinas. On April 2, 1819, Camejo participated in the battle of Las Quesearas del Medio. During that battle, 150 lancers led by Paez, including Camejo, defeated a battalion of artillery, infantry, and cavalry made up of 1,200 men under Spanish field marshal Pablo Morillo. The following day, Bolivar decorated Camejo with the Orden de Los Libertadores de Venezuela (Order of Venezuelan Liberators) and dedicated a proclamation to the battle’s heroes called “A Los Bravos del ejercito de Apure (To the Brave Men of the Apure Army) published on April 24, 1819, in El Correo del Orinoco, the principal newspaper of the Venezuelan Republic. On June 24, 1821, Camejo died after being wounded during the battle of Carabobo. He was 31. Despite his death, the battle of Carabobo was seen as the decisive battle won by the Patriots and led to the independence of Venezuela. In 1887, artist Martin Tovar y Tovar portrayed Camejo reclining in a painting of the battle of Carabobo that is found in the Federal Legislature of Caracas. In 1890, painter Arturo Michelena immortalized Camejo in an oil painting portraying an episode Pedro Camejo, commonly known as Negro Primero, was a prominent Venezuelan military oVicer born in 1820. He played a significant role in the Venezuelan War of Independence, fighting alongside Simón Bolívar. Camejo, an Afro-Venezuelan, earned renown for his bravery and leadership in various battles, ultimately sacrificing his life at the Battle of Carabobo in 1821. His legacy endures as a symbol of courage and the contributions of Afro-descendants to Venezuela's struggle for independence. https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/people-global-african-history/pedro-camejo-1790-1821// “The name Pedro Camejo might not be so popular in history books or around the world but in Venezuelan history and to the large black community in Venezuela, he is a celebrated figure whose presence as a soldier in the War of Independence moved the nation closer to becoming free. Pedro Camejo, who is called the First Black as a sign of reverence and respect in Venezuela, is often depicted wearing a soldier’s uniform; a bright red and yellow soldier’s suit that closely res https://orinocotribune.com/venezuelas-celebrated-black-soldierwho-led-their-war-of-independence-in-the-1800s/embles the Spanish flag. Spain ruled Venezuela until they fought for and gained their full independence. https://orinocotribune.com/venezuelas-celebrated-black-soldier-who-led-their-war-of-independence-in-the-1800s/
Pedro Alonso Niño (c. 1455 – c. 1505)[1] was a Spanish explorer. He piloted the Santa María during Christopher Columbus's first voyage to the Americas in 1492,[1] and accompanied him on his third voyage in 1498 to Trinidad. SANKOFA STUDIES
Pedro Nino and The Nino Brothers
Christopher Columbus did not sail to America by himself. He was accompanied by a crew of navigators who were of African descent. The crew included Pedro Nino and his brothers. Described as “El Negro,” navigator and explorer Pedro Alonso Niño, son of a white Spaniard and enslaved African woman, has long been acknowledged for accompanying Columbus on his first expedition to the Americas in 1492 as the pilot of the Santa Maria. Although Pedro is one of the most well-known of Columbus’s crew, he was not alone — his brothers Francisco (youngest) and Juan (oldest) were also part of Columbus’s voyages. In their home of Moguer, Spain, they were prominent sailors with experience on Atlantic voyages. Reportedly, Pedro even sailed the West African coast. During the first Columbus voyage, Juan helmed La Niña, which he also owned. Francisco was most likely a sailor on La Niña. The brothers also took part in Columbus’s second voyage in which it is well-documented that Pedro was with Columbus when he “discovered” Trinidad. Pedro set out on his own expedition, in search of riches in the Americas Columbus had not ventured through. Although he successfully returned to Spain, he was accused of cheating the King of 20 percent of the treasure and arrested. He died in prison before he could go to trial. Francisco died in Honduras. It is not widely known where Juan died. https://melaninmindscape.com/pedro-nino-and-the-nino-brothers/
Guatemala, Honduras & Beliz
Garifuna People, History and Culture
The Afro-Caribbean Garifuna people originated with the arrival of West African slaves who washed ashore on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent around 1635 while likely on their way to New World mines and plantations. Today, the global population of Garifunas stands at upwards of 300,000 people, many of whom live in the U.S. and Canada. Garifuna communities along the Caribbean Sea live mostly in coastal towns and villages in the Central American countries of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. A Brief History of the Garifuna People The West African transplants were either ship-wrecked or escaped from the Caribbean islands of Barbados, St. Lucia and Grenada, depending on the source. They intermarried with local populations of Arawaks and Carib Indians (Caribs), immigrants from South America, to become known as Garifunas or Black Caribs. (Click on the image below to view the full-size map in a separate window or browser tab.) For a time, the Afro-Caribbean Garifunas lived peacefully alongside French settlers who reached St. Vincent later in the 17th century, until being exiled by British troops in 1796 and eventually shipped oV to Roatan, one of the Honduras Bay Islands in the Caribbean Sea. After successfully developing a healthy crop of cassava, a mainstay of traditional Garifuna diets, on Roatan, Garifunas branched out to the Caribbean mainland to establish fishing villages in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. According to one source, the Spanish agreed to transfer the Garifunas from Roatan to Trujillo, Colon on the coastal mainland of Honduras, eVectively consolidating their claim on Roatan and the other Honduras Bay Islands and gaining better access to a workforce of Garifuna laborers. “A Masterpiece of Oral and Cultural Heritage” Afro-Caribbean Garifuna culture combines Caribbean fishing and farming traditions with a mixture of South American and African music, dance and spirituality. UNESCO declared Garifuna language, dance and music in Belize to be a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” in 2001. Nicaragua’s President Enrique Bolanos hosted the First International Summit of Garifunas in Central America on Nicaragua’s Corn Island to ratify the 2003 UNESCO Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. President Bolanos’ objectives were reported to include joining Corn Island, located 350 km east of Managua in the Caribbean Sea, with other Garifuna enclaves in the Caribbean and establishing a trade agreement among Caribbean Garifuna communities from Cancun, Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula to Nicaragua. Other aspects of the initiative included developing a partnership between Corn Island and Cancun and building a relationship with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). https://globalsherpa.org/garifunas-garifuna/