About US
It began with an idea, a vision and deep conversations among Afro Latino historians and cultural advocates, dedicated to celebrating and safeguarding our rich legacy as an essential part of the African Diaspora. Concurrently, we observed unsettling events in 2022: pervasive racial incidents spanning from west coast to east coast, and even reaching Caribbean nations and territories.
Dr. Marta Moreno Vega
Founder and President Creative Justice Initiative
Guesnerth Josue Perea
Executive Director afrolatin@ forum
These events included attempts to erase our history, prohibit our expressions, our words, enact laws displacing our communities, and intentionally instigate “cultural wars” to foster division and dominance. From Puerto Rico, where an Afro Boricua family faced constant racist harassment due to their skin tone, to other parts of the nation, we witnessed similar racially motivated actions and biased legislations that limited our human and women’s rights.
Motivated by these occurrences, in-depth conversations arose between Dr. Marta Moreno Vega, Guesnerth Josué Perea, and a diverse, multigenerational group of scholars, cultural advocates, and communicators. These discussions culminated in the formation of an Advisory Board, consisting of over 20 dedicated members.
Our Advisory Board
Unapologetically Black, Uniquely Latino
We are the heartbeat of two worlds, echoing from the Atlantic coast to major East Coast cities, a fusion of African ancestry with a Latin cultural tapestry from over 20 countries. As we bridge ‘Latinidad’ and ‘Blackness,’ our Afro Latino/a/e/x narrative unfolds, rich in heritage and laden with challenges. In the face of erasure, misinformation, and systemic inequalities, we stand united, championing a story resonating with global history, proudly representing our Afro Latino/a/e/x identity, and striving for a brighter future for the next generations.
The Conversations
November 19, 2023 , 2PM
AFRO LATINIDAD AND BLACK INSTITUTION BUILDING
The Oprah Winfrey Theater at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington, D.C.
* The public program, Black Institutions and Afro-Latine Community Building, scheduled for Sunday November 19th is postponed.
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) is a federal entity currently operating under a continuing resolution. We look forward to rescheduling this important program when NMAAHC has an approved fiscal year budget.
Feel free to reach out to NMAAHC curator Dr. Ariana Curtis at CurtisA@si.edu if you have additional questions.
January 25, 2024, 6PM EST
AFRO-LATINAS' REALITIES: A CONVERSATION ABOUT RACISM, HEALTHCARE, ECONOMICS, EDUCATION, AND MORE
El Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños, CUNY
* Virtual-live Panel
February 7, 2024, 6:30PM EST
Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá: The Afro-Latino/a/e/x Dilemma: Part of both (Black and Latin), excluded by both
The Gala Theatre, Washington, D.C.
February 17, 2024, 2PM PST
Afro-Latino/a/e/x Arts and Community Activism
Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA), Long Beach, CA
February 18, 2024, 2PM PST
RACISM AND COLORISM IN LATINIDAD
La Plaza de Cultura y Artes, Los Angeles, CA
March 18, 2024
CUMBREAFRO 2024
1PM AST
Rekindling and strengthening our
ancestral ties:
Reconnecting the Severed Links between People of African Descent in the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Afro-Latin Diaspora
2:30PM AST
Reframing Environmental Justice:
At the Intersection of Environmental
Gentrification, Urban Displacement, Race, Class,
and Migrations.
May 9, 2024
THE INTENTIONALITY OF BUILDING AND SUSTAINING AFRO-LATINO/A/E/X AND LATINX INSTITUTIONS
National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, Chicago, IL
May 15, 2024
AFRO-LATINXS NOW: DIALOGUES ON LAW, EDUCATION, AND DIASPORA
The University of Texas at Austin, TX
June 13, 2024, 6PM EST
THE DIMENSIONALITY OF BEING AFRO-LATINO/A/E/X
The Schomburg Center, Harlem, NY
Aug 21, 2024
Shared History, Shared Agenda, Panel on AfroLatinidad: African American and AfroLatine communities in the United States of America. Part 1
Democracy House @ theWit Hotel, 201 N State St., Chicago
Oct 29, 2024. 3:30PM EST
THE MAKING OF A DEMOCRACY: The importance of activism and civil engagement
Room E-500 in the E-building, CUNY LaGuardia College, 31-10 Thomson ave. Long Island City NY 11101
La Práctica
de la Libertad
Afro-Latino/a/e/x Conversations
Washington DC / Los Angeles, CA / Austin, TX / Chicago, IL / Harlem, NY / San Juan, PR