Women Celebrate Their African And Latin Heritage

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

Recently, the Afro-Latin community in the United States and Latin America has moved to change the narrative that paints the Latin American demographic as one composed only of people of white and European descent. Their work has borne fruit in the form of bookstores, documentaries, music and festivals that are creating a new model for the community, as well as spaces that celebrate their African heritage.

This new generation of Afro-Latinas was joined on a panel moderated by Shirley Velásquez, CHICA Executive Digital Editor. The panel included authors Sulma Arzu-Brown and Elena Romero, entrepreneurs Noelle Santos- owner of The Lit Bar bookstore in the Bronx in New York- and Mai-Elka Prado- founder of the Afro-Latino Festival- and documentary filmmaker Omilani Alarcón.

"I have learned to dream, to take action on projects that will have an impact on the community," said Prado, who will hold the Afro-Latino Festival in New York in July. "[I have learned to] take that first step and trust that the community is going to come closer, that it is going to have a positive impact."

The five women discussed how their respective projects originated, how their experiences have inspired their work within the Afro-Latin community, and what have been the most important lessons they have gained through their community and academic work. "The most important lesson is that we all have to appreciate what makes us unique," said Arzu-Brown, author of the book Bad Hair Doesn't Exist.

Check out the conversation here and participate in our survey to help us learn more about the Afro-Latin community.