Hispanic Latino Heritage Month

Student Reflections

Brooklyn:

What is it to be Afro-Latina? Being Afro-Latina means navigating the rich interplay between maintaining connections to African ancestral roots while also creating and embracing new traditions within the diaspora. It involves honoring the heritage passed down through generations, celebrating African influences in our culture, and staying in touch with the history and values of our ancestors. At the same time, it means adapting and evolving these traditions within the context of our new environment and blending them. This duality allows Afro-Latinas to honor their past while shaping a vibrant present and future, contributing to a diverse and evolving cultural landscape.

How is the Afro-Latina contribution woven into the American fabric? Afro-Latina contributions are deeply woven into the American fabric through influential figures like Arturo Schomburg, Celia Cruz, and Roberto Clemente. Arturo Schomburg played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting Afro-Latinx and African American history. His extensive collection of artifacts and documents led to the creation of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, which continues to serve as a critical resource for understanding and celebrating of African descent. Celia Cruz, the "Queen of Salsa," elevated Afro-Cuban music to international acclaim, celebrating and sharing Afro-Latina culture with a global audience through her vibrant performances and powerful voice. Roberto Clemente, a legendary baseball player, challenged racial stereotypes and used his platform to advocate for social change and support underserved communities, exemplifying the resilience and generosity of Afro-Latinx. Through their contributions, these figures have enriched American culture and highlighted the strength and diversity of the Afro-Latina experience.

What are your personal feelings about your identity? As an Afro-Latina with Mexican and Dominican roots from my father’s side, my Heritage is a blend of rich cultures and traditions. Growing up, I struggled to navigate the complex intersections of race, ethnicity, and culture that come with being Afro-Latina. However, my family provided a foundation of strength and pride, teaching me to embrace every aspect of who I am. Through stories, traditions, and celebrations, we honor the struggles and triumphs of our African and Ta no ancestors, fostering a strong sense of cultural pride and solidarity. Through their guidance, I learned to celebrate the diversity within my identity. Today, I carry forward their teachings with pride, recognizing the beauty and resilience of our heritage. My heritage is not just a part of who I am; it is a guiding force that empowers me to embrace my identity unapologetically and stand proudly in my truth.

Emily:

What is it to be Afro-Latina? To be Afro-Latina is to live in two worlds at once. You’re both Black and Latina, which means you're constantly navigating different identities. There’s the pride in my roots, the African heritage that flows through my veins and the Dominican culture that raised me. But it’s also a struggle because sometimes you’re not “enough” of either—you're not Black enough for some, not Latina enough for others. In the U.S., I’m seen as Dominican, but back in the DR, I’m viewed as American. There’s beauty in it, but it’s not always easy to stand tall when you’re torn between two worlds.

How is the Afro-Latina contribution woven into the American fabric? Afro-Latinas have always been part of the story here, but our contributions often get overlooked. We’re in music, art, activism, and more. Think about artists like Celia Cruz, who brought Afro-Latinidad to salsa music, or activists like Miriam Jim nez Rom n, who helped shed light on our place in society. Even here in the Bronx, you can see it in the food, the bachata playing on the street corners, and the way our culture influences the whole vibe of New York. We’ve always been here, fighting, creating, and shaping what it means to be both Black and Latina in America.

What are your personal feelings about your identity? I feel proud, but sometimes it’s complicated. I love being Afro-Latina because it connects me to rich histories and cultures, but it also comes with struggles. Growing up in the Bronx, I’ve faced racism, discrimination & colorism for being Black, but also had to deal with colorism and being looked at as too Americanized within my own community. It’s frustrating when people expect me to choose one side of my identity over the other. But at the end of the day, I stand in my truth. I’m a proud Dominican woman, and I’m Black. My identity is layered, and that’s what makes me, me.

Sina:

What is it to be Afro-Latina? To me, being Afro-Latina means being a part of something larger than yourself, understanding that you are connected to other Afro-people within the diaspora, and having a responsibility to advocate for yourself and those people. It also means living authentically in your blackness, understanding that both your blackness and latinaness can coincide, the two not having to be separate parts of yourself but all of the rich culture and heritage that makes you, you. It’s embracing my curly hair, dark skin, and black features, understanding that my blackness is a strength, not a weakness.

How is the Afro-Latina contribution woven into the American fabric? The Afro-Latina contribution is everywhere, especially when it comes to the fabric of freedom fighting in our nation; afro-Latinos were joining hands with black and Indigenous collectives at the forefront of the battle for our human rights as every other black person of the diaspora was, although afro-Latinos don’t often get as recognized in their fights for freedom. Even our history within our communities of decolonizing blackness, these movements began with Afro-Latinos, with Negrismo, with the Nuyorican movement, and many others that sought for Latinos and black Americans alike to blackness as a blessing and not a curse.

What are your personal feelings about your identity? My cultural identity shapes a lot of who I am and my values as I uphold my cultures and traditions, but being Latina to me is so much more than just being from a Latin country. I see it woven into everything I do, my relationship with myself, my body, and how I carry myself. My cultural identity influences all of these things as an Afro-Latina, and I wouldn’t see myself or my life any other way. quote — “You are not lucky to be here. The world needs your perspective. They are lucky to have you.” — Jos  Antonio Tijerino

Natalia:

What is it to be Afro-Latina? To me, being AfroLatina means recognizing the importance of family and community. Being away from home and being at Spelman, the influence of being AfroLatina has been demonstrated through the importance of having chosen family and blood family. AfroLatina contributions are woven into the American fabric through culture. There is a strong musical culture that is upheld by the contributions of Afrolatinas. We have also been very involved with various social movements including the farm workers’ movement and the civil rights movement. Growing up I felt like I always had to pick a side. When I first saw the word Afrolatina, I finally felt like I could actually be both. Neither side had to battle for my pride or their influence on my life. Now, I feel confident introducing myself as Afrolatina and I don’t have a fear of explaining what that means to the rest of the world and to me.

Conniya:

What is it to be Afro-Latina? To me, being Afro-Latina is more than being both black and Latin American. It's having the luxury of indulging in a rich tapestry of dual heritage. It's a powerful fusion of identities that shapes a distinctive worldview and enriches the cultural mosaic. Being Afro-Latina is so much deeper than it seems to the eye.

How is the Afro-Latina contribution woven into the American fabric? The Afro-Latina contribution is the basis behind many American trends. Afro-Latinas bring a unique cultural perspective that has inspired American culture in the same manner that black culture has.

What are your personal feelings about your identity? I was ashamed of my identity for so long. No one would believe me when I said I was Panamanian, even when I spoke spanish, and it became such a weight on my chest that I began to tell myself I was "just black". Even though my abuela spoke no English, and the only foods I knew were tamales and arroz con pollo, I listened to the scrutinizing white gaze and attempted to disregard my Latina side. Now, I feel much differently, and I embrace both sides with unabashed pride.

Cyrus:

What is it to be Afro-Latina? Being Afro-Latino allows us to embrace what it means to be Latino while also embracing what it means to be black. It means that we are special, multifaceted, and above all else, being Afro-Latino means that you are resilient. We come from two different cultures where being resilient was necessary for their survival, which means those qualities are also instilled in us.

How is the Afro-Latina contribution woven into the American fabric? From the music we consume to the food we eat, Afro-Latinos, and Latinos as a whole, have helped reshape American culture. Some pioneers include people like Cesar Chavez and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Zoe Saldana, Celia Cruz and Cardi B.

What are your personal feelings about your identity? I love being Afro-Latino. It allows me to experience two different types of cultures that have many differences, yet share so many culture similarities. It is because of these things that makes me proud of the skin that I am in.

Joasia:

What is it to be Afro-Latina? Being Afro-Latina means embracing the complexity of belonging to the African and Latinx worlds. It’s about celebrating your Blackness while deeply connecting to Latin culture, its language, music, food, and traditions. Afro-Latinas often navigate multiple identities, sometimes feeling like they don't fully fit into the Latin or Black communities, but in reality, they embody a beautiful fusion of both. It’s a pride that comes with knowing your roots run deep across continents, from Africa to Latin America, and that your story reflects the resilience, creativity, and vibrancy of those intertwined histories. It’s a unique cultural identity that embraces diversity in skin tone, hair texture , and lived experiences, all while pushing against the boundaries of stereotypes and colorism within the broader Latinx community.

How is the Afro-Latina contribution woven into the American fabric? Afro-Latina contributions, specifically from Afro-Cubans, have shaped America's cultural and social landscape in profound ways. Iconic figures like Celia Cruz brought Afro-Cuban music, rhythms, and energy to mainstream American culture, leaving a legacy that transcends genres. Meanwhile, activists like Marta Moreno Vega have fought for the recognition of Afro-Latinx identity and the celebration of African roots within the broader Latinx community. Their influence spans beyond art and music, driving important conversations around race, culture, and representation, helping to weave Afro-Latina identity into the diverse fabric of America.

What are your personal feelings about your identity? Sometimes, being both Afro-Latina and African American feels challenging because I don’t fit neatly into one category. When I fill out applications that ask for my race, I often have to choose between 'Black or African American' and 'Hispanic or Latin,' depending on who my target audience is. But this feels unfair, as it forces me to neglect a part of who I am. At my HBCU, I’ve sometimes felt different as a Black Afro-Latina because many assume that everyone here identifies the same way. My identity, however, is unique from my peers, and it took time for me to feel like my full self wasn’t being overlooked. Thankfully, clubs like Afro-Latinidad have given me the space to embrace and express all parts of my identity, allowing me to feel fully seen while attending my HBCU.

Arielis:

What is it to be Afro-Latina? To be Afro-Latina is to be a mix of two beautiful rich cultures. Many Afro Latinas have made a significant impact on American fabric, Celia Cruz pivoted the way for many like her when she truly embraced her identity within her music. Julia De Bargos is a well known poet, who also pushed past barriers and set a precedent for other Latinos. When looking at the impact, it’s important to remember the people and their actions that allowed many to fully embrace their culture, including myself.

How is the Afro-Latina contribution woven into the American fabric? I’m proud of who I am and where I represent, growing up surrounding with my culture and now having the ability of sharing that with my son is amazing privilege. It’s nothing to be ashamed of quote: Amara La Negra “Be proud of who you are. Be proud of the skin you're in. You're one in a million.”

Jameetrice:

What is it to be Afro-Latina? To be Afro-Latinx means many beautiful things. It means having a beautiful blend of rich cultural heritage and identities. It means honoring all sides of your identity from your indigenous ancestors down to your African ancestors. It means to be a fighter, taking advantage of every opportunity and not letting the world dim your story or your voice. It means a deep love for your family and respect and loyalty to your friends. It is to be Black and to be Latin and to be proud of both. It is all these things at once and it is rich and vibrant in all spaces. From New York to Los Angeles, the influence of Afro-Latinx culture can be found wherever you turn your head. Leaders such as Fel citas M ndez who helped lead a desegregation movement in California played a crucial role in the creating an inclusive American education system. In entertainment and film, you will find actresses such as Zoe Salda and others who are redefining representation in American media by speaking Spanish in American movies. It has also played a huge role in American music with genres like reggaeton and dembow becoming more and more popular.

As a Liberian American woman, I resonate with certain aspects of Latin American culture. I often recognize similar values such as being very close to your family. There are many other similarities that I notice such as certain patterned garments and skirts, popular dance steps and even similar percussion instruments in music. Something that I’ve often heard my Latinx peers speak about as well that I relate to is finding your fighting between your identity in the United States and Identity in your home country. These are things that I understand about the Afro-Latinx community and am proud to be a part of an organization that can highlight these identities on campus and all that comes with them.

Nyla:

What is it to be Afro-Latina? Being Afrolatina is to be strong. People will try to tell you who you are, what you can and cannot do, but being an Afrolatina gives you the mental fortitude and self-assurance to overcome that. Afro-Latinas have been at the forefront of social justice movements, advocating for the rights of both Afro-descendants and Latinx communities. To me, my identity as an Afrolatina is the most important thing about me. There is a rich culture and history that defines Afro Latin identity and I wouldn’t be here without the women in my life who are living representations of it.

Amare:

What is it to be Afro-Latina? Being Afro-Latina, means that you identify that your ancestors were stolen from the African continent, but created their own culture and identity.

How is the Afro-Latina contribution woven into the American fabric? The contributions of Afro- Latinas in America are pushed under the rug of American history. Afro Latina’s brought many genres of music, food, and culture to America.

What are your personal feelings about your identity? I identify as an Afro-Caribbean. Identifying as just black, takes away my culture and who I am. Also, in America, saying your “black” comes with its own history.

Kianis:

What is it to be Afro-Latina? For me, being Afro-Latina means embodying two rich cultural heritages—African and Latinx—and carrying the stories, histories, and legacies of both. The term "Afro-Latina" highlights the interconnectedness of these identities: being of African descent while also being part of the Latinx community. It’s truly the best of both worlds, as I get to embrace and live within these diverse cultural traditions every day. It shapes my worldview, how I think, and how I experience life. Being Afro-Latina is about celebrating the multiplicity of who I am and honoring every aspect of that identity.

How is the Afro-Latina contribution woven into the American fabric? Afro-Latina contributions are deeply embedded in American culture, influencing everything from music to food and fashion. In music, for example, Afro-Latina artists have played a pivotal role in shaping genres like hip-hop. In food, staples of Latin American cuisine, such as tacos, have become integral to American culture, often influenced or introduced by Afro-Latinas and Afro-Latinos. Even in everyday life—whether it's fashion, slang, or trends—Afro-Latina culture is a foundation of many things considered "American." Our presence has undeniably shaped the cultural landscape of the U.S.

What are your personal feelings about your identity? I truly love being Afro-Latina. Coming from a Dominican household, my mother instilled in me a deep pride for our culture. Being Dominican is a core part of who I am—it's reflected in how I carry myself, how I make decisions, and how I interact with the world. My identity has also taught me the importance of embracing other cultures and not being quick to judge, because I know firsthand how diverse and complex our own culture is. Every day, I learn something new about what it means to be Dominican and Afro-Latina, and it strengthens my connection to my roots and my pride in who we are.