Un Periódico Diferente / A Different Kind of Newspaper
Un Periódico Diferente / A Different Kind of Ne
Foto del Mes /Photo of the Month
contents
2 Foto del Mes /Photo of the Month Remembering our December 2004 Edition
3 ¡Los Jibaritos Celebran su 30 Aniversario!
4 Holyoke - New State-Designated Puerto Rican Cultural District
5 The Massachusetts Educator Diversity Act has passed!
6 Daniel Lind-Ramos recibe grado Doctor Honoris Causa en UPRH
7 Opinión / Opinion
Seat at the Table
8 Empowering Success Beyond Tests
9 Educación / Education
STCC Announces $1 Million MassMutual Foundation Gift to Support Health Programs
Holyoke Community College Honored for Excellence in Marketing
10 Literatura / Literature
Mellon and Flamboyan Foundations Announce the 2024 Letras Boricuas Fellows
11 Primera Feria del Libro Latino de Springfield
12 Libros / Books
Latinas: Gender, Race, and Class: Struggles in 21st Century USA, Vol. 2
Cuban Fusion - The Transnational Cuban Alternative Music Scene
13 Hermanas del ñame - Mujeres negras y nuestra recuperación
14 Arte / Art
Dos Lentes: Una Cultura - Exhibición de Arte
Puertorriqueño en la Biblioteca Pública de Holyoke
Conversaciones
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Editor Manuel Frau Ramos manuelfrau@gmail.com 413-320-3826
Assistant Editor Ingrid Estrany-Frau
Art Director Tennessee Media Design
Business Address El Sol Latino P.O Box 572 Amherst, MA 01004-0572
Editorial Policy
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El Sol Latino is published monthly by Coquí Media Group. El Sol Latino es publicado mensualmente por Coquí Media Group, P.O Box 572, Amherst, MA 01004-0572.
Holyoke - New State-Designated Puerto Rican Cultural District
BOYLSTON, MA | MASS CULTURAL COUNCIL | On November 13 during the 164th business meeting of the Mass Cultural Council, three new state-designated cultural districts were approved in the communities of Holyoke, Watertown, and Westfield. With the addition of Holyoke, Watertown, and Westfield, the Cultural District Initiative is now a 58-member network in host communities located statewide. Mass Cultural Council’s Fiscal Year 2025 Spending Plan calls for a $15,000 investment into each of these state-designated Cultural Districts to encourage their ongoing development, programming, and success.
Established in 2011 by an act of the state Legislature, the Cultural Districts Initiative drives economic growth, strengthens the distinctive local character of communities, and improves the quality of life for families across Massachusetts. By supporting cultural and creative experiences, each of the Commonwealth’s 58 state-designated cultural districts attracts tourists and entrepreneurs, which helps cities and towns develop their cultural sector and expand their tax base. Cultural districts are located in communities of all sizes in every region of Massachusetts and are easy-to-navigate areas with a density of cultural facilities, activities, and assets.
State law stipulates that state-designated cultural districts can benefit from programs, services, and economic development tools offered by state agencies, constitutional offices, and quasi-governmental agencies. This year, the Healey-Driscoll Administration advanced this notion by adopting policies that prioritize grant applications submitted to the Community One Stop for Growth portal with projects located within cultural districts. Similar language is included in the pending economic development bond bill for the Mass Office of Travel and Tourism’s Destination Development Capital Grant Program.
Since the early 1980s, the Puerto Rican community in Holyoke has created memorable work, influences, and community building resulting in meaningful change and economic and cultural enhancement of the city. As a result, Holyoke has the largest per capita Puerto Rican population of any city in the United
States outside of Puerto Rico. From art installations to non-profit innovations, the Puerto Rican community continues to be a compelling asset to the city.
The Cultural District will serve as an outlet or extension of Puerto Rico for the Puerto Rican-identifying residents and everyone who lives in and visits Holyoke. The district will serve as an encanto for the City of Holyoke, working to ensure a livable, navigable, and safe place for all to enjoy its enchantment, through many different forms of cultural expression.
“In a City with the highest concentration of Puerto Ricans outside the island, this Cultural District stands as our oasis – preserving and sharing the richness of our culture with pride and purpose,” said Stephanie Colón, City of Holyoke’s Planning and Economy Development Office.
The Holyoke Puerto Rican Cultural District begins at the first decommissioned tower on Lyman Street to the 391-underpass tower. Its Main Street corridor is filled with colorful banners highlighting Holyoke community heroes, vibrantly lit towers, and booming locally owned businesses, mirroring the strong culture of the surrounding neighborhoods, enhancing neighborhood perceptions, and catalyzing economic opportunity for the local community. Food is a significant part of Puerto Rican culture, and the district is home to numerous Latino-owned businesses offering culturally appropriate Puerto Rico fare. Moreover, Main Street is home to many large-scale murals, offering residents autonomy over their community and invoking a sense of pride in where they come from and where they are. The artwork tells the story of the culture in Holyoke and symbolizes how Holyoke and its Cultural District are a part of that story.
The Cultural District will develop the Main Street area, which is welcoming not only to the Puerto Rican community but to all residents and visitors of the city, with a goal of attracting more Latinoowned businesses to occupy vacant storefronts and promoting the area as a vital and bustling destination that includes food, entertainment, shopping, and partnerships.
“The Holyoke Puerto Rican Cultural District is a bridge across generations, a home where the vibrant traditions of Puerto Rican culture can thrive and inspire, keeping our roots alive in the heart of our community,” said Colón.
“I am thrilled that the Holyoke Puerto Rican Cultural District has been recognized by the Massachusetts Cultural Council as one of the state’s new cultural districts,” said State Senator John Velis (D- Westfield).
“The City of Holyoke is proud to be home to one of the largest populations of Puerto Ricans in the continental United States and this new cultural district will foster new opportunities to celebrate the community’s rich heritage through arts, music, and other forms of creativity.”
The Massachusetts Educator Diversity Act has passed!
BOSTON, MA | LATINOS FOR EDUCATION | November 20, 2024
— The Massachusetts Legislature has taken a historic step toward creating a more equitable and inclusive education system with the passage of The Educator Diversity Act. This landmark legislation, advanced in partnership with the Massachusetts Educator Diversity Act Coalition, was led by Latinos for Education and sponsored by House Assistant Majority Leader Alice Peisch, and Co-Chair of the Joint Education Committee, State Senator Jason Lewis
The Educator Diversity Act, included as an amendment to the state’s economic development bill, lays the foundation for transformative change by addressing barriers to recruiting and retaining educators of color. Through its eight key provisions, the law establishes:
• Multiple pathways toward certification to ensure accessible entry points for aspiring diverse educators.
• A statewide data dashboard to track and address educator workforce diversity across districts, and
• Increased uniformity in hiring practices to support equitable opportunities for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.
“This is a monumental victory for Massachusetts students, families, and educators. Research consistently shows that all students benefit from a diverse educator workforce, and this law ensures we are building a system where every child can see themselves represented in the classroom,” said Amanda Fernandez, CEO and Founder of Latinos for Education. “This bill is the first of its kind in the nation and will serve as a model for other states eager to pass similar legislation. We want to thank Speaker Mariano and Senate President Spilka for their leadership on this critical issue and our bill sponsors, House Assistant Majority Leader Alice Peisch, and Senator Jason Lewis for their resilient leadership. Additionally, Latinos for Education
and the Coalition are grateful to the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus for making this their only education priority for the session and the over 90 House and Senate co-sponsors of the bill.”
The success of the Educator Diversity Act is the result of four years of collaboration and advocacy. “This legislation is an example of what’s possible when policymakers and education leaders come together with a shared goal,” said Jacqueline Monterroso, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Latinos for Education. “The broad coalition of 50+ organizations, including teacher unions, advocacy groups, district and charter leaders, and higher education partners, played a pivotal role in shaping and championing this bill. Their collective effort ensured that educators of color were at the table, sharing stories and experiences that helped make this historic moment a reality.”
Massachusetts continues to rank among the top-performing states in education nationally, yet disparities in representation persist. While students of color comprise more than 45% of public-school enrollment, educators of color make up only 10% of the teaching workforce in the Commonwealth. The passage of The Educator Diversity Act is a critical step toward closing this gap and achieving equity in education.
“I was glad to see this language included in the final version of the economic development bill.” said House Assistant Majority Leader Alice Peisch “Students must learn from educators who represent diverse backgrounds, and students from diverse backgrounds must be taught by educators who reflect their experiences. Although the Commonwealth remains a national leader in public education, we have a lot of work to do to diversify the workforce in our schools; this is a large first step in that direction as the final bill includes many provisions necessary for the recruitment and retention of diverse educators.”
Senator Jason Lewis added, “There is a distinct mismatch in our schools between the percentage of students of color and the percentage of educators and administrators of color, and we have strong evidence of academic and social-emotional benefits for students of color who have even just one educator of color. I am so proud of the coalition that brought the Educator Diversity Act over the finish line that will help more students to see themselves represented in the classroom.”
For more information about The Educator Diversity Act and Latinos for Education’s work, visit https://www.latinosforeducation.org/ educator-diversity-act/ or contact elvis@latinosforeducation.org
Daniel Lind-Ramos recibe grado Doctor Honoris Causa en UPRH
HUMACAO, PR | UNIVERSIDAD DE PUERTO RICO – HUMACAO |
Octubre 30, 2024- En una emotiva ceremonia, el artista Daniel Lind Ramos recibió el grado académico de Doctor Honoris Causa por su excepcional trayectoria y su invaluable contribución a la preservación de la cultura puertorriqueña y afrocaribeña. La ceremonia tuvo lugar el viernes, 25 de octubre de 2024, en el Teatro de la Universidad de Puerto Rico en Humacao (UPRH).
Izquieda a derecha, Dr.Carlos A Galiano rector de la UPRH, Dr.-Daniel-Lind, y Dr. Luis A. Ferrao-presidente de la UPR
La armoniosa integración de todos los asistentes que se dieron cita, en los que se incluyen, miembros de la comunidad académica, estudiantes y distinguidos invitados dio vida a una ceremonia académica muy significativa para el campus humacaeño. El Dr. Carlos Rojas Osorio, distinguido Profesor Emérito del recinto, dio lectura del preámbulo el cual explicaba el significado del Doctor Honoris Causa. Tras esta intervención, la marcha magistral resonó en el Teatro, marcando el inicio del vistoso desfile académico, que incluyó al claustro, al Dr. Luis A. Ferrao Delgado, presidente de la UPR, al Dr. Carlos A. Galiano Quiñones, rector de la UPRH, rectores del sistema universitario, decanos de la institución y, por supuesto, al maestro Lind Ramos.
Al caminar hacia el proscenio, Lind Ramos recibió cálidos aplausos y un público de pie que validaba su extraordinaria trayectoria artística y su impacto en el arte contemporáneo. La apertura de la ceremonia fue conducida por el doctor Daniel Rodríguez Howell, decano interino de asuntos académicos de la UPRH, seguido de los saludos protocolares tanto del doctor Galiano Quiñones como del doctor Ferrao Delgado.
El doctor Galiano destacó la importancia del reconocimiento al Dr. Lind Ramos, así como reconoció su loabe labor como profesor en la UPRH.
“El Maestro Lind Ramos compartió su vasto conocimiento con generaciones de estudiantes en la UPRH, donde fue un pilar del Departamento de Humanidades. Durante más de 20 años, impartió cursos de dibujo, pintura, apreciación e historia del arte, y participó en prestigiosos eventos internacionales, como las ferias del libro en República Dominicana y Cuba, y expuso su obra en el Museo Roig”, destacó el rector Galiano.
Durante la ceremonia, el Dr. Rubén Moreira Vidal, catedrático del Departamento de Humanidades, ofreció una semblanza de Lind Ramos, resaltando su extraordinaria trayectoria en y fuera del País. Concluyó su intervención con un emotivo mensaje. “Es por su
visibilidad y pertinencia a nivel internacional que la UPRH le otorga hoy el Doctorado Honoris Causa. Para mí, Daniel, ha sido un honor ser tu amigo y testigo de tu impresionante legado. Gracias, Doctor Daniel Lind Ramos.¡Enhorabuena!”, expresó el doctor Moreira. Ha llegado el momento de la investidura y otorgamiento del grado académico. El Dr. Ferrao Delgado, pronunció las palabras que sellaron esta distinción y dio paso al Dr. Lind Ramos, para que ofreciera su discurso de aceptación a los allí presentes. El Maestro compartió reflexiones de su trayectoria por la UPRH, y aprovechó para agradecer a su familia, amigos, colegas, autoridades universitarias y, en especial, a los estudiantes.
“Haber enseñado en este recinto constituyó un importante proceso de educación continua. En una larga mesa de reunión, llamada “El Ágora”, ubicada en mi Departamento de Humanidades, convergíamos profesores de diferentes materias. El debate constante y apasionado –junto al incesante fluir de información filtrada a través de la más rigurosa investigación– aumentó grandemente mi conocimiento. Además, los estudiantes, quienes entran a la universidad pensando que los profesores los vamos a cambiar, no se percatan de cómo ellos nos cambian a nosotros. Su refrescante mirada, producto de las experiencias de su generación, activan nuestra curiosidad y nos sintonizan con nuevas formas del saber, abonando así al enriquecimiento vital del profesor”, expresó el maestro Lind. La ceremonia culminó con el himno del Alma Mater de la UPRH, interpretado por el Coro de estudiantes del recinto, creando un cierre sublime que elevó el sentido de pertenencia entre los presentes. Es con este cierre que la UPRH celebró, una vez más, el compromiso hacia la excelencia académica y reconoce a figuras que, como el Dr. Lind Ramos, han dejado una huella indeleble en la sociedad.
Dr. Daniel Lind Ramos, Nacido en Loíza, ha dedicado su carrera a explorar temas como la identidad, la raza y la historia de las comunidades tradicionales afrodescendientes en Puerto Rico y el Caribe. En 1975 obtuvo un bachillerato en Bellas Artes de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. En el 1980, realizó una maestría en Arte en New York University en los Estados Unidos. Su obra ha merecido premios y menciones entre los que se destacan, el Primer Premio en el Salón Internacional Val D’Or de Hyères en el sur de Francia (1990), el Premio de Delegación del Salón Internacional de Plástica Latina en Meillant, Francia (2000), un reconocimiento del World Festival of Black Culture and Arts en Dakar, Senegal, África (2010), Premio Artadia (2019) y el Artsy Vanguard (2020).
Entre sus múltiples reconocimientos, Lind-Ramos ha recibido el Premio Joan Mitchell Foundation (2020), el Pérez Prize (2020), el USA Artist Fellowship (2021) y el Genius Fellowship Award de la McArthur Foundation (2021). Sus obras han sido exhibidas en destacados museos y galerías a nivel mundial, tales como el Whitney Museum of American Art, el Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), el Museo Solomon R. Guggenheim en Nueva York, el Museo de Arte Contemporáneo y el Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico en San Juan, entre otros.
El título de Doctor Honoris Causa es la máxima distinción académica otorgada por la Universidad de Puerto Rico, en reconocimiento a personas que, a través de su obra y trayectoria, han dejado una huella indeleble tanto a nivel local como internacional.
Seat at the Table
MIGUEL L. ARCE and JOSÉ P. ARCE
This guest editorial is presented during a period of political and social change… of great social turmoil. America is polarized by the current, growing anti-democratic and nationalist rhetoric. Unsettling challenges to democracy are present. The possibility for making progress in this challenging political environment requires the conviction that positive transformation can happen, despite the incredible challenges faced by too many citizens. Tragically, in 2024, the chasm continues to grow between those who have a great deal and those who have too little in our local, national and international communities. Let us recall that democratic principles stress the importance of recognizing and protecting individual rights and engagement. As a society, we must seek to achieve a secure, personcentered democracy.
Democracy—meaning rule by the people—was first defined and practiced in Greece. Democratic principles refer to the foundational concepts that government derives its power through the consent of the governed, ensuring that citizens, people like you and us, have a voice in decision-making processes. Democracy also stresses the importance of protecting individual rights and fostering a culture of political engagement in the populace. It guarantees and actively depends on citizen participation in governance. Our Constitution certifies that all citizens have the same legal rights. It requires public officials to answer for their actions and inactions. Given the above explanation, a robust protection of minority rights is central to a vigorous democracy.
Essentially, democracy requires what Langston Hughes (1901-1967) calls, a seat at the table. In a poem written by Hughes in the early 1940s, “a seat at the table” alludes to the African American experience of exclusion.
I, TOO
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong.
Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table When company comes. Nobody’ll dare Say to me, “Eat in the kitchen,” Then.
Besides, They’ll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed—
I, too, am America.
The poem delves into societal pressures and expectations of African Americans, applied by the white majority that refuses to give them a “seat at the table.” To have a seat at the table, one requires sufficient authority to be taken seriously. According to the Cambridge Dictionary (dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/seat-at-thetable), it is a situation in which someone is included in a discussion and can influence any decisions that are taken. The Free Dictionary identifies a seat at the table as requiring an active role in some group or activity in which one’s opinion is heard and one has influence in how decisions are made. Democratic principles foster an environment where free speech and open debate are encouraged, allowing diverse viewpoints to be expressed and considered. Overall, Hughes’ verse contains a powerful message about triumphing over oppression; thereby recognizing the paramount importance of equal rights for all. The poet speaks of the difficulties faced by African Americans, as well as the solidarity necessary in the struggle for justice. A seat at the table is a call to action, encouraging African Americans (and in general any minority) to continue the fight regarding the value of their voices, their central role in a democracy, and their constitutional rights. In addition to this, Hughes lyrically underscores the importance of one’s own identity in an inequitable society.
Unfortunately, a seat at the table may not necessarily be given to a capable and willing citizen who desires to participate. However, democratic principles dictate citizens should expect such access, i.e., to be represented in any decision-making that affects our communities, although not exclusively those particular communities. Nonetheless, it has been the experience of historically marginalized communities that “rights” are not graciously granted. So, there is an undisputed role for community leaders to head the charge to ensure that our moral and legal rights become a concrete reality. A vibrant democracy requires that we demand and receive consequential roles in the public sector—social, political and economic. Democracy is not handed down from one generation to another, it must be safeguarded. Democracy is manifested in deeds as well as in creed. Having a seat at the table demands that concrete actions follow hallowed words and the much-vaunted historical principles of the Constitution, i.e., freedom of belief, conscience, and expression essential to democratic governance. Public policy cannot be dictated by dictatorship. Democracy places responsibilities upon citizens. A seat at the table is not merely transparency; rather such a seat signifies that our voices are as important and should have as much impact as all the others.
In Langston Hughes’ terms, “tomorrow” has arrived, and anyone with eyes has been free to notice how we shine and how we are “beautiful.” Our time is right now and our undeniable beauty is proudly accompanied with hard earned and profound insights. We are here and more than ready to work with any who cares to work with us. Anyone who does not recognize our central role in a vibrant democracy should “be ashamed,” for We, “too, sing America.”
Empowering Success Beyond Tests
by Dr. SONIA E. DINNALL | Superintendent of Springfield Public Schools
This fall, Massachusetts voters made a pivotal decision: the MCAS test will no longer be required for future students to graduate. As superintendent, I want our community to know that Springfield Public Schools is steadfast in its commitment to what we believe is most essential—teaching students the skills they need to thrive in college, careers, and life.
In Springfield, we are guided by a philosophy of “Educating to Empower.” This belief means our focus goes beyond test scores, centering on the many experiences and habits that shape wellrounded, capable individuals. For example, good attendance is crucial. Our attendance campaign, “Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow,” reflects our belief that being present every day is more influential to a student’s long-term success than any single test. When students come to school consistently, they are part of a steady learning journey that builds knowledge, strengthens skills, and nurtures their growth as thinkers and problem-solvers.
Attendance is a powerful foundation for learning; it creates opportunities for students to connect with their teachers and peers, engage in critical discussions, and develop resilience. These daily interactions are where true learning happens, where students learn to face challenges, work through setbacks, and celebrate successes. By attending every day, students practice commitment—a quality that will serve them well in college, careers, and life.
Our teachers work hard to create inclusive, engaging classrooms where students are challenged and supported. High expectations are set, and educators are there to guide students every step of the way. I am grateful to the families, educators, and community members who advocate for these values and strive to provide every student with the support needed to reach their fullest potential. Together, we’re shaping a future that goes beyond tests—one where every student is empowered to show up, learn, and succeed.
Versión
en español Potenciar el éxito más allá de los exámenes
El poder de la asistencia y el aprendizaje constante
Este otoño, los votantes de Massachusetts tomaron una decisión crucial: el examen MCAS ya no será un requisito para que los futuros estudiantes se gradúen. Como superintendente, quiero que nuestra comunidad sepa que las Escuelas Públicas de Springfield son firmes en su compromiso con lo que creemos que es más esencial: enseñar a los estudiantes las habilidades que necesitan para prosperar en la universidad, las carreras y la vida.
En Springfield, nos guiamos por una filosofía de «Educar para Empoderar». Esta creencia significa que nuestro enfoque va más allá de las puntuaciones de los exámenes, centrándonos en las muchas experiencias y hábitos que dan forma a individuos completos y capaces. Por ejemplo, la buena asistencia es crucial. Nuestra campaña de asistencia, «Asiste hoy, triunfa mañana», refleja nuestra creencia de que estar presente todos los días influye más en el éxito a largo plazo de un alumno que cualquier examen. Cuando los alumnos acuden a clase con regularidad, forman parte de un proceso de aprendizaje constante que construye conocimientos, refuerza habilidades y fomenta su crecimiento como pensadores y solucionadores de problemas.
La asistencia a clase es una poderosa base para el aprendizaje; crea oportunidades para que los alumnos conecten con sus profesores y compañeros, participen en debates críticos y desarrollen su resiliencia. En estas interacciones diarias es donde se produce el verdadero aprendizaje, donde los alumnos aprenden a enfrentarse a los retos, a superar los contratiempos y a celebrar los éxitos. Asistiendo todos los días, los alumnos practican el compromiso, una cualidad que les será muy útil en la universidad, en su carrera profesional y en la vida.
Nuestros profesores se esfuerzan por crear aulas inclusivas y atractivas en las que los alumnos se sientan motivados y apoyados. Se establecen altas expectativas, y los educadores están ahí para guiar a los estudiantes en cada paso del camino.
Estoy agradecido a las familias, los educadores y los miembros de la comunidad que defienden estos valores y se esfuerzan por proporcionar a cada estudiante el apoyo necesario para alcanzar su máximo potencial. Juntos estamos forjando un futuro que va más allá de los exámenes, un futuro en el que todos los alumnos tengan la capacidad de presentarse, aprender y triunfar.
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SONIA E. DINNALL, Springfield Public Schools
Educación / Education
STCC Announces $1 Million MassMutual Foundation Gift to Support Health Programs
SPRINGFIELD, MA | SPRINGFIELD TECHNICAL COMMUNITY
COLLEGE | October 22, 2024 – Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) received a $1 million grant from the MassMutual Foundation – the largest philanthropic gift received by the college in the past 15 years – to help with the relocation of the School of Health and Patient Simulation (SHPS).
Leaders from Springfield Technical Community College and the MassMutual Foundation join together to celebrate a $1 million gift to STCC.
The college plans to move its health programs out of Building 20, an 83-year-old structure with a history of expensive emergency repairs. Most programs will be relocated to Scibelli Hall, or Building 2, a seven-story structure opened in 1988 on the historic STCC campus.
The total estimated project cost to relocate is approximately $50 million with committed funding from the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance ($38 million), STCC Board of Trustees ($11.5 million) and the STCC Foundation ($500,000).
STCC President John B. Cook thanked the MassMutual Foundation at an Oct. 22 ceremony announcing the gift.
“We cannot express enough gratitude to the MassMutual Foundation for this leadership award, which continues our momentum for relocating the School of Health and Patient Simulation,” Cook said. “This gift is a remarkable investment in our regional workforce and will have a deep impact on students enrolled in essential health programs at STCC.”
The $1 million from the MassMutual Foundation will help enhance the educational and technological experience for students enrolled in programs in the School of Health and Patient Simulation at STCC.
“The MassMutual Foundation is proud to award this grant to STCC for this very important initiative,” said Dennis Duquette, President & CEO of the MassMutual Foundation. “Through this vital work, STCC not only provides hundreds of students with state-of-the art medical training, but the health services sector of our local economy will benefit tremendously when STCC graduates are hired. We are thrilled to help them relocate and update the School of Health and Patient Simulation, and look forward to seeing the impact this will have on both current and future generations of students in the greater Springfield area.”
The SIMS Medical Center includes over 70 patient simulators, the largest array in New England. Accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, the Medical Center provides a state-of-the-art, immersive educational environment where students and health care personnel obtain new skills while refining existing skills.
With an enrollment of over 1,500 students, SHPS offers 13 associate degree and five certificate programs in health. Health programs include nursing, dental hygiene, physical and occupational therapy, surgical technology and a unique open-admission Health Science degree with embedded certifications.
Healthcare careers are in critical need across the region. STCC – the only technical community college in Massachusetts – is one of the premier organizations directly addressing these shortages.
Additionally, SHPS programs play a critical role in advancing STCC’s commitment to equity and helping to build a diverse regional workforce. STCC is a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution, and about 34 percent of its students identify as Latino/a/x. The novel Health Science degree offered since 2018 has experienced significant enrollment increases partly due to MassReconnect/MassEducate, the initiative providing free community college to Massachusetts residents.
STCC continues to be the most affordable higher education institution in Springfield. With the MassEducate and MassReconnect programs, state residents pay no tuition or fees and eligible students receive an allowance for books and supplies.
Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.
Holyoke Community College Honored for Excellence in Marketing
HOLYOKE, MA | HOLYOKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE | November 14, 2024 – Two stories about Holyoke Community College (HCC) graduates earned awards for the college at the Fall 2024 District 1 Conference of the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations. HCC won the top two Medallion awards in the category of Excellence in Writing – Short Form, for stories up to 800 words. Taking gold: “Name That Tune,” a short profile of HCC math major Tom Dulac ’23, now a student at Westfield State University. In 2023, Dulac won a national award for musical composition that he submitted under the pseudonym “Zac Dune.”
Taking silver: “Ready to Go,” a Commencement profile about Tatiana McKnight ’23, who suffered from agoraphobia as a teenager. Encouraged by her grandmother, the Puerto Rican educator and author Sonia Nieto, McKnight enrolled at HCC, where she excelled and used as a springboard for transfer to Mount Holyoke College. Both stories were written by HCC Media Relations Manager Chris Yurko. “Name That Tune” was published in the Alumni Out & About section of the Spring 2024 issue of the HCC college magazine, The Connection, and “Ready to Go” in the Spotlight section of the HCC website in July 2023.
continued on page 13
Mellon and Flamboyan Foundations Announce the 2024 Letras Boricuas Fellows
NEW YORK, NY| MELLON NEWS | October 29, 2024 - The Mellon Foundation and the Flamboyan Foundation’s Arts Fund announced the third cohort of Letras Boricuas Fellows, comprising twenty Puerto Rican authors whose work spans a host of diverse literary genres and styles, including the newly added category of playwriting. Fellows will be awarded unrestricted grants of $25,000 each to support their literary practice and provided opportunities to connect and learn across cohorts.
The fellowship, born from a yearslong collaboration between the two foundations, aims to identify, elevate, and amplify the voices of Puerto Rican writers on the archipelago and across the U.S. diaspora while providing crucial support to preserve Puerto Rico’s rich yet historically underfunded literary tradition.
Since its inception in 2021, the Letras Boricuas Fellowship has awarded a total of $1.5 million in funding to sixty writers, spanning literary genres, geographies, and career stages, with the intention of fostering creativity, career opportunities, and convening an intergenerational community of Boricua writers. Since participating in the fellowship, writers from previous cohorts have gone on to publish and translate new works, secure university tenure-track positions, launch literary businesses, and pursue diverse creative projects.
“After being selected for the Letras Boricuas Fellowship, I was encouraged to pursue—and ultimately win—the Ambroggio Award from The Academy of American Poets. Thanks to the fellowship’s financial support, I knew I could invest in the translation costs regardless of the outcome,” said Margarita Pintado, 2022 Letras Boricuas fellow. “Letras Boricuas was a turning point for me as a writer, not only because of the doors it has opened, but also because of the relationships I have formed with other Puerto Rican writers with whom I hope to collaborate in the future.”
The 2024 Letras Boricuas Fellowship cohort was chosen to reflect the Boricua communities’ diversity and uplift Puerto Rico’s literary heritage. The cohort includes emerging and established writers whose literary practices span fiction, creative nonfiction, children’s literature, poetry (including spoken word), and, for the first time, playwriting. Fellows represent thirteen cities in Puerto Rico and across the U.S. diaspora, and many have persisted in their practices while enduring natural disasters, political turmoil, and limited funding opportunities.
“We are excited to announce this new Letras Boricuas cohort. We know this recognition’s powerful impact because we have seen it up close. Continuing to strengthen the ties between the Puerto Ricans of the archipelago and those of the diaspora with the construction of this literary community encourages us to create more opportunities for these talented writers,” said Carlos Rodríguez Silvestre, Executive Director of Flamboyan Foundation. “Likewise, including the playwright category resulted from the active listening of the two previous cohorts. We congratulate these twenty new fellowship recipients and can’t wait to see the next evolution of this initiative in the coming years.”
“The exceptional writers who make up this third group of fellows demonstrate the broad geographic and aesthetic range of Puerto Rican literary expression today,” said Elizabeth Alexander, President of the Mellon Foundation. “We at Mellon are pleased to welcome them to the Letras Boricuas community, reflecting our ongoing effort to acknowledge and uplift the brilliant cultural life of Puerto Rico and its diaspora.”
The 2024 Letras Boricuas Fellows are:
Children’s Literature
• José Rabelo – Gurabo, PR
Creative Nonfiction
• Jaquira Díaz – New York, NY
• Carina del Valle Schorske – New York, NY
• Roxana Domenech Cruz – San Juan, PR
Fiction
• Christian Ibarra – San Juan, PR
• Richie Narvaez – New York, NY
• Charles Rice-Gonzalez – New York, NY
• Huascar Robles – Los Angeles, CA
• Ana Teresa Toro – San Juan, PR
Poetry
• Mayda del Valle – Illinois, IL
• Tatiana Figueroa Ramirez – Maryland, MD
• Cindy Jiménez-Vera – Bayamón, PR
• Samuel Medina – San Juan, PR
• Willie Perdomo – New Hampshire, NH
• Alejandra Rosa – Trujillo Alto, PR
• Gaddiel Francisco Ruiz Rivera – Vega Baja, PR
• Roque Raquel Salas Rivera– San Juan, PR
• Vincent Toro – New Jersey, NJ
Poetry (Spoken Word)
• Rayze Ostolaza – Carolina, PR
Playwriting
• Aravind Enrique Adyanthaya – Lajas, PR
Literatura / Literature
Primera Feria del Libro Latino de Springfield por
El 8 y 9 de noviembre de 2024, el 7 Arts Latino Foundation llevó a cabo la Primera Feria del Libro Latino de Springfield en la Biblioteca Municipal de Springfield, Mason Square Branch, localizada en 765 State Street. La Feria del Libro Latino de Springfield fue gratuita y estuvo abierta al público.
Este evento histórico reunió a un considerable número de autores, tanto locales como de otras partes de Massachusetts. La Feria ofreció una nueva plataforma para los autores latinos poder exhibir, promover y compartir sus trabajos. Los autores tuvieron la valiosa oportunidad de mostrar su trabajo, interactuar con los lectores y fomentar una apreciación más profunda de la literatura y la cultura latinas dentro de la comunidad.
Además de lecturas y charlas por parte de los autores y la firma de libros, se realizaron otras actividades. Mesas redondas le ofrecieron la oportunidad a los presentes de interactuar con los autores y otros miembros de la comunidad, reflexionando sobre la importancia de la representación latina en la literatura.
MANUEL FRAU RAMOS
La programación también incluyó actividades para los niños con un enfoque educativo para promover la lectura. Música en vivo, baile y otros espectáculos culturales fueron parte del programa. Uno de los actos más sobresalientes fue la participación del grupo Elite “Revolution,” del Springfield Conservatory of the Arts, dirigido por Marcos Carreras. La violinista Shakira Tejada, del West Hartford Symphony Orchestra, interpretó varias piezas.
Exposición de libros de autores puertorriqueños, parte de la Colección de Celia Acosta Vice, donada al Puerto Rican Cultural Project/ Holyoke Public Library. Jorge David Martínez, presidente y director ejecutivo de la 7 Arts Latino Foundation, expresó que, “Estamos emocionados de traer este evento a Springfield y brindar un espacio donde los autores latinos puedan compartir sus historias y conectarse con la comunidad.” Añadió que, “Esta feria del libro no se trata sólo de libros; se trata de celebrar nuestra cultura y fomentar el amor por la lectura entre todas las edades”.
El 7 Arts Latino Foundation, Inc. es una organización sin fines de lucro, creada en el 1987, que tiene como misión apoyar al arte y la cultura latina en todas sus expresiones. La visión de la Fundación se fundamenta en el poder transformador de las artes, el cual impacta positivamente a individuos de todas las edades. Su meta es llevar programas de arte a los sistemas escolares de la región, a los complejos de vivienda con alta concentración de latinos, hogares para personas mayores y otros lugares para un público diverso. También buscan desarrollar la creatividad y el pensamiento crítico que sea de ayuda en sus vidas diarias.
Para obtener más información sobre la Fundacion y/o futuros eventos, visite nuestro sitio web en www.7artslatinofoundation.org o contáctenos en arts@7artslatinofoundation.org. Teléfono: (413) 391-4098
De izquierda a derecha: Jorge David Martínez, Marcos Carreras, miembros del grupo vocal Elite “Revolution” - crédito: 7 Arts Latino Foundation
Autores que recibieron reconocimientos de parte del Representante Estatal Carlos González. De izquierda a derecha, de pie: Judit Durán, Ester Veras Ferreira, Domingo Burgos, Angela Bianca Echavarría, Carlos González, Dorka Fernández, Wanda Torres y Jorge David Martínez. Al frente: Lhaira Guerrero, Gaby Cruz, Verónica Barragán y Norma Pilar Encarnación de Jesús.
Libros / Books
Latinas: Gender, Race, and Class: Struggles in 21st Century USA, Vol. 2
by IRIS MORALES (Author, Editor), KARINA HURTADO-OCAMPO (Editor)
NEW YORK, NY | RED SUGARCANE PRESS | August 14, 2024 | 204 pages
Overview
This powerful anthology centers on the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and working-class Latinas navigating the complex intersections of class, race, and gender that shape their lives. The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the extraordinary challenges they face as essential workers on the front-lines and within their homes.
Through personal narratives, poetic reflections, essays, critical analyses, and artwork, thirty-five contributors delve into the rich tapestry of Latina experiences. Exploring both new themes and historical legacies, they emphasize the interconnected nature of systemic oppression and the urgent need for collective action to achieve meaningful change. The volume amplifies the activism of Latinas in ongoing battles for women’s rights, economic and racial justice, and struggles against colonialism and imperialism. It documents the experiences of Latinas in today’s turbulent political climate, engaging with issues and concerns that resonate across borders and boundaries.
Compiled & edited by IRIS MORALES is a longtime activist and educator. She is the author of Through the Eyes of Rebel Women, the Young Lords, 1969 through 1976, the first book about women’s experiences in the organization; her writings on this period have been widely
anthologized. Her documentary, Palante, Siempre Palante!, the Young Lords, premiered on national public television in 1996 and continues to be screened in classrooms and community venues across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Morales is a New York University School of Law graduate with an MFA in Integrated Media Arts. She is a lifelong activist, educator, and outspoken advocate for social justice and the decolonization of Puerto Rico. Her extensive experience as a community organizer and activist provides a deeply nuanced perspective on social justice issues. In her groundbreaking books, Revisiting Herstories: The Young Lords Party and Through the Eyes of Rebel Women, she documents the activism of Puerto Ricans in the social movements of the 1960s and 1970s.
KARINA HURTADO-OCAMPO is a filmmaker and (screen)writer. They have supported grassroots organizations and public television in social justice programming.
List of Contributors:
Natasha Acevedo, Soledad Aguilar Colon, Gammy Álvarez, Andrea Bolívar, Mili Bonilla, Tiffany Joy Butler, Ana Sofía Campos Calderón, Gisele Castro, Rosa Alicia Clemente, Karla Cordero, Molly Crabapple, Claudia De la Cruz, Susi Durán, Karina Hurtado-Ocampo, Mar Erazo Petroff, Ximena Leyte Escalante-Dávila, Marisa Franco, Magdalena Gómez, Lucia Martínez, Iris Morales, Zoila Morell, Lenina Nadal, Myrna Nieves, Sandy Plácido, Yvette Ramírez, Aisha Aurora Rivera, Carmen Rivera, Peggy Robles-Alvarado, Paula X. Rojas, Danielle Rodriguez, Lola Rosario, Irene Franco Rubio, Gia Santos, Keala Uchoa, Gabby Womack, and Angelica M. Yañez.
Cuban Fusion - The Transnational Cuban Alternative Music Scene
by EVA SILOT BRAVO • CHAM, SWITZERLAND
| PALGRAVE MACMILLAN | April 13, 2024 | 199 pages
Overview
“Surveying the impact of Cuba’s economic crisis after the demise of the eastern socialist block, this book documents a relatively unexplored transnational network of collaborations among Cuban musicians that migrated to many different countries from the 1990s forward. The book’s main argument is that in light of the 1990s crisis in Cuba, new transnational and alternative narratives emerged, resulting in creative “in-between” spaces that reflect a post-socialist aesthetic condition. The manuscript also documents important developments in the Cuban jazz and fusion scenes outside the island in the last 20+ years.”
About the Authors
EVA SILOT BRAVO, a 14 years experienced educator, Afro-Cuban
author, interdisciplinary scholar, former diplomat and international negotiator in the United Nations, New York, representing Cuba and developing countries. Currently the Ethnic Studies Teacher at Oakland School for the Arts, in Oakland, CA, she is a PhD. in Cultural Studies, Spanish and Literatures from the University of Miami since 2016, an M.A. in International Studies from Florida International University and a B.A. in International Relations from Instituto Superior de Relaciones Internacionales, in Havana, Cuba. She recently published her first non fiction academic book: Cuban Fusion: the Transnational Cuban Alternative Music Scene, on Cuban music and transnationalism with Palgrave MacMillan editorial. She has published 20+ articles, art reviews and interviews on Cuban music, literature, film, and other cultural topics. Her sustained commitment for documenting voices of migrant, Afro-descendent and female creatives led her to create the blog Cubanidad in between, and two bilingual podcasts “Miami Alternativo” and “Word Culture.” She produced concerts and collaborated with local cultural institutions in Miami, promoting Cuban alternative music and arts.
Hermanas del ñame - Mujeres negras y nuestra recuperación
por BELL HOOKS • traducido por JUMKO OGATA •CIUDAD DE MÉXICO, MÉXICO |
U-TÓPICAS EDICIONES | Abril 22, 2043 | 304 páginas
Sinopsis Hermanas del ñame. Mujeres negras y nuestra recuperación es una guía para poner sobre la mesa el bienestar y la plenitud de las mujeres negras. bell hooks nos propone pensar en la sanación individual como el primer paso para resistir y enfrentar los sistemas de opresión. Esta primera traducción al español busca tejer vínculos entre las formas de organización de las mujeres negras en Estados Unidos y los espacios creados por mujeres negras y racializadas en el mundo hispanoparlante.
Este texto contiene las claves para comprender cómo el sexismo, el racismo, el clasismo y la homofobia merman la salud mental y física de quienes reciben estas violencias. Fenómenos como el abuso de sustancias, el estrés y el trauma sexual son abordados de manera
compasiva por la autora, que se basa en el conocimiento tradicional afroestadounidense para invitar a las lectoras a recuperar una relación profunda y respetuosa con sus cuerpos. Aquí se encuentra un mapa para aprender a nombrar nuestros dolores, reconocerlos y sanarlos con ayuda de nuestras hermanas, la familia en la que nacemos y la familia elegida.
GLORIA JEAN WATKINS (Hopkinsville, Kentucky; 1952-2021), conocida como bell hooks (escrito en minúsculas), es una escritora, feminista y activista social estadounidense. El nombre «bell hooks» deriva del de su bisabuela materna, Bell Blair Hooks. El enfoque de la escritura de hooks es el de la interseccionalidad entre raza, clase y género, y lo que ella describe como su capacidad para producir y perpetuar sistemas de opresión y dominación de clase. Publicó más de 40 libros y numerosos artículos, apareció en documentales y participó en multitud de conferencias públicas. En sus trabajos se ocupó de la raza, la clase y el género en la educación, el arte, la historia, la sexualidad, los medios de comunicación y el feminismo. En 2014, fundó el Instituto bell hooks en Berea College, Berea, Kentucky.
Holyoke Community College Honored for Excellence in Marketing continued from page 9
HCC Media Relations Manager Chris Yurko and HCC Multimedia Specialist Louis Burgos hold gold and silver Medallion awards the college received on Oct. 24 from the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations during an awards ceremony at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland.
“It always feels good to be recognized by one’s colleagues, but it gives me even greater joy to be able to bring attention to the great work being done at the college and the remarkable achievements of our students,” said Yurko, who is also editor-in-chief of the college’s award-winning magazine, The Connection, which received a national Paragon award from NCMPR in 2023.
NCMPR represents marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges in the United States and beyond. The NCMPR Medallion Awards recognize outstanding achievement in design and communication in each of NCMPR’s seven districts. HCC resides in District 1, which includes Connecticut, Delaware,
District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec, and the United Kingdom.
The NCMPR District 1 Conference was held Oct. 23-25 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Dos Lentes: Una Cultura
- Exhibición de Arte Puertorriqueño en la Biblioteca Pública de Holyoke por MANUEL FRAU RAMOS
Por primera vez dos artistas puertorriqueños locales, Frankie Borrero y Jankaleishka (Jankie) Cruz, ambos residentes en la ciudad de Springfield, llevaron a cabo una exposición de sus trabajos en la Biblioteca Pública de Holyoke. La exitosa exposición estuvo abierta al público desde el sábado, 5 de octubre hasta el 5 de noviembre.
El proyecto colaborativo Dos Lentes: Una Cultura nos llevó en un viaje artístico y cultural de dos artistas pertenecientes a diferentes generaciones, con diferentes experiencias de vida pero con una cultura común que los une.
profundamente personales y convincentes.
En el 2019 Frankie se relocaliza a la ciudad de Springfield. Desde entonces su trabajo artístico lo ha mantenido ocupado con múltiples exposiciones, espectáculos y murales en todo el oeste de Massachusetts. Participó en dos subastas silenciosas para recaudar fondos para ayudar a las víctimas del huracán María en Puerto Rico. Entre sus más recientes creaciones se encuentran los murales en la pared exterior del edificio de Nueva Esperanza en Holyoke, el Brain Injury Community Clubhouse en Westfield, el Springfield Cultural Coucil y el Fresh Paint Springfield.
El evento fue patrocinado por el Proyecto Cultural Puertorriqueño de la Biblioteca Pública de Holyoke. Los curadores de la exhibición fueron los propios artistas junto a Jimmy Camacho, Floris Wilma Ortiz Marrero y Manuel Frau Ramos.
Ambos artistas exhiben sus puntos de vista sobre identidad, arte y representación cultural. Tanto Frankie como Jankie encuentran intereses comunes al reconocer que tanto las expresiones tradicionales como las expresiones modernas del arte contribuyen a la narrativa de la identidad puertorriqueña.
Frankie Borrero nació en Manhattan, Nueva York, en 1971. Soy un artista auto-didacta que también es color-blind. A pesar de esta desventaja con los colores, pude sacar provecho de esto y enfocarme en crear contraste y detalles en mis trabajos. Durante su infancia, Frankie se dedicó al arte como una forma de terapia para alejarse de las caóticas calles del Bronx durante la década del 1970. En la década de 1980, Frankie se sumergió en la escena del hip hop como artista de grafitis. Este medio artístico definiría su visión a lo largo de la década y hasta los años ‘90.
Frankie sufrió una lesión cerebral traumática en 2015 que cambió su vida por completo, pero que reavivó su deseo de crear obras de arte
Otros proyectos incluyen varias exhibiciones en conjunto con el Art for The Soul Gallery en Springfield, el Good Space Gallery en Lee, un proyecto nacional con otros artistas de varios estados llamado Creative Quarantine, y la Saatchi Gallery en Londres, Inglaterra.
Desde el 2022, se ha enfocado en programas de tutoría a jóvenes como el proyecto artístico ART project, A Walk In que se lleva a cabo bajo el auspicio del Hispanic American Library en el Springfied Union Station.
Jankaleishka (Jankie) Cruz es una artista visual puertorriqueña que trabaja principalmente en pintura y dibujo. Creció en el pueblo de Juncos, Puerto Rico A los 12 años se muda a Springfield, Massachusetts. Jankie obtuvo su bachillerato en psicología de Westfield State University. Fue estudiante de honor y trabajó como asistente de programación para iniciativas de diversidad en el departamento SAIL (participación y liderazgo en actividades estudiantiles).
Los recuerdos de la infancia y las experiencias puertorriqueñas son temas comunes en su trabajo. Trabajo que tiene como objetivo lo mundano y la evocación de sentimientos de anhelo y nostalgia. “Estuve rodeada de arte puertorriqueño creciendo, pero nada de eso me hablaba. Esa es probablemente la razón por la que descuidé representar mi herencia puertorriqueña en mi arte durante tanto tiempo. Descuidé representar mi herencia puertorriqueña en mi arte durante mucho tiempo, simplemente no tenía la imaginación para crear algo que no hubiera visto antes. Todo lo que tenía que ver con mi cultura se sentía tan rígido e intocable. Me tomó años hasta que pude reconciliar la idea de que yo, como persona puertorriqueña, encarno la cultura. No tengo que tratar de hacer que mis interpretaciones sean auténticas. Son auténticas simplemente porque vienen de mí y se derivan de mis experiencias”.
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Jankaleishka (Jankie) Cruz
Frankie Borrero y Jankaleishka (Jankie) Cruz
Dos Lentes: Una Cultura - Exhibición de Arte Puertorriqueño en la Biblioteca Pública de Holyoke continued from page 15
“Una vez que me di cuenta de esto, comencé a hacer arte con sensibilidades artísticas modernas que incorporarían la cultura puertorriqueña. Utilizo estéticas variadas, particularmente el maximalismo ecléctico, una estética que se basa en amontonar la mayor cantidad posible de cosas en un espacio mientras que todas las partes separadas se derivan de diferentes estilos. Con esto, mi objetivo es crear arte que se sienta divertido y oportuno. El objetivo de mi arte es que se sienta como una reliquia de la época. Si mis piezas tienen un encanto anticuado en diez años, estaré muy feliz”.
A la izquierda y extrema derecha, abajo: obras de Frankie Borrero. A la derecha, arriba y en el medio: obras de Jankaleishka (Jankie) Cruz
