Discover the history and contributions of notable Afro-Latinos like Celia Cruz, Manny Mota, Toña la Negra, and many more.

Our educational resources highlight the impact of Afro-Latinx figures in music, sports, and culture, providing valuable insights for students, educators, and history enthusiasts.

Explore biographies, multimedia content, and lesson plans that celebrate Afro-Latin American heritage.

SPORTS

  • Manny Mota

    Manny Mota

    Dominican former professional baseball player and coach, Manny Mota was best known as a pinch-hitting specialist for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Over 20 MLB seasons from 1962 to 1982 with the Giants, Pirates, and Dodgers, he set the record for career pinch hits (150). Mota’s consistency and skill left a lasting legacy in Major League Baseball.

  • Ana Fidelia Quirot

    Ana Fidelia Quirot

    Afro-Cuban middle-distance runner Ana Fidelia Quirot dominated the 800 meters in the 1990s, winning World Championships in 1995 and 1997. She earned multiple international medals, including Olympic bronze in 1992 and silver in 1996, and became a source of inspiration for future Cuban athletes through her remarkable speed, endurance, and competitive spirit.

  • Roberto Clemente

    Roberto Clemente

    Afro-Puerto Rican baseball legend Roberto Clemente is remembered as one of MLB’s greatest right fielders and a humanitarian. Born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, he overcame racial and language barriers to excel on the field and advocate for social justice. Clemente’s achievements on and off the diamond made him a trailblazer for Latino and Black athletes worldwide.

  • Kid Chocolate

    Kid Chocolate

    Born Eligio Sardiñas Montalvo, Kid Chocolate became Cuba’s first world boxing champion and dominated the featherweight and junior lightweight divisions in the 1920s and 1930s. Known for his speed and skill, he won multiple world titles, paving the way for future Afro-Cuban boxers. His success cemented him as a legendary figure in Cuban sports history.

  • Black and white photo of a soccer player wearing a jersey with the number 10, standing on a field, pointing with his left arm, and looking intently.

    Pelé

    Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pelé is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. An Afro-Brazilian, he won three FIFA World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970), a feat unmatched in history. Known for his incredible skill, vision, and goal-scoring ability, Pelé became a global icon who inspired millions of fans and athletes across generations.

MUSIC

  • Celia Cruz

    Celia Cruz

    Born in Havana, Cuba, Celia Cruz became the “Queen of Salsa,” rising to fame in the 1950s with La Sonora Matancera. After leaving Cuba following the Revolution, she became an international ambassador of Latin music. Her powerful voice, energetic performances, and enduring influence made her a beloved figure across generations worldwide.

  • Eric Dolphy

    Born to Afro-Panamanian parents, Eric Dolphy (1928–1964) was a groundbreaking jazz musician on alto saxophone, bass clarinet, and flute. Known for daring improvisations and harmonic innovation, he collaborated with Charles Mingus, John Coltrane, and Ornette Coleman. Dolphy’s fearless creativity left a profound impact on modern jazz despite his brief career.

  • Black and white portrait of a woman with short, curly hair, wearing earrings, and a light-colored top, looking thoughtfully to the side.

    Toña La Negra

    Born María Antonia del Carmen Peregrino Álvarez in Veracruz, Mexico, Tona La Negra was a celebrated Afro-Mexican singer renowned for her mastery of bolero and son. Her deep, emotive voice reflected the African and Caribbean influences of her hometown. She remains a vital figure in Mexican music history, inspiring generations of performers with her artistry.

  • Black and white photo of a man smiling, wearing a hat, with a mustache and beard, holding a medal around his neck, and wearing a watch, with people in the background.

    Oscar D'León

    Afro-Venezuelan musician Oscar D’León is celebrated for his powerful voice and dynamic performances that helped shape modern salsa. Known for hits like “Que Manera de Quererte” and “Llorarás,” he blended Afro-Caribbean rhythms with contemporary Latin sounds. D’León’s energy and innovation made him one of the most influential figures in Latin music worldwide.

  • El General

    El General

    Born Edgar Ríos, El General is an Afro-Panamanian musician and a pioneer of reggaeton. In the 1990s, his fusion of reggae, dancehall, and Latin rhythms shaped the genre, with hits like “Te Ves Buena” and “Muevelo.” His catchy rhythms and socially conscious lyrics brought Latin urban music to global audiences, leaving a lasting mark on reggaeton and Latin music culture.

  • Black and white close-up of a man wearing sunglasses and making a finger point gesture.

    Tego Calderón

    Afro-Puerto Rican musician Tego Calderón is a pioneering figure in reggaeton and Latin hip-hop. Known for blending Latin rhythms with urban music, his songs often address social and racial issues while celebrating Afro-Latino identity. Calderón’s distinctive style and powerful lyrics earned him international recognition and a lasting influence on the Latin music scene.

  • Mellow Man Ace

    Mellow Man Ace

    Born Ulpio R. Gómez in Havana, Cuba, Mellow Man Ace is an Afro-Cuban-American rapper recognized as a pioneer of Latin hip-hop. Moving to Los Angeles as a child, he gained fame in the 1980s with Cypress Hill before launching a solo career. His bilingual rap and Latin-infused style opened doors for future generations of Latin artists in hip-hop.

ARTS & CULTURE

  • Black and white photo of a man with curly hair, mustache, dressed in formal attire with a bow tie.

    Arturo Schomburg

    Puerto Rican historian, writer, and activist of Afro-Caribbean descent who played a crucial role in documenting and preserving Black history. Schomburg’s vast personal collection of rare manuscripts, books, and historical documents became the foundation for what is now the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at the New York Public Library.

  • Nancy Morejón

    Nancy Morejón

    (1944) is an acclaimed Afro-Cuban poet, essayist, and translator whose work explores themes of race, identity, feminism, and the African diaspora in Cuba. Born in Havana, she studied French literature at the University of Havana and became a leading voice in post-revolutionary Cuban literature. Her poetry, deeply rooted in Afro-Cuban history and culture, often highlights the struggles and resilience of Black women.

  • Black and white photograph of a man with short curly hair, mustache, wearing a suit, dress shirt, and tie.

    Nicomedes Santa Cruz

    (1925–1992) was a Peruvian poet, journalist, and folklorist who dedicated his life to preserving and promoting Afro-Peruvian culture. Born in Lima to a family of African descent, he became a leading figure in the revival of Afro-Peruvian poetry and music in the mid-20th century. His work, deeply rooted in the oral traditions of décima poetry, addressed themes of racial identity, social justice, and the historical contributions of Afro-Peruvians.

  • Jean-Michel Basquiat

    Jean-Michel Basquiat

    (1960–1988) was an influential Afro-Puerto Rican and Haitian artist known for his bold, expressive style that merged graffiti, street art, and abstract expressionism. His work often explored themes of race, identity, and social issues, incorporating elements of his Afro-Puerto Rican heritage. Basquiat's raw, energetic paintings, such as Untitled and Hollywood Africans, made a lasting impact on the art world.

  • Julia Lopez

    Julia Lopez

    Afro-Mexican artist who has made significant contributions to the art world, particularly in the representation of Afro-Mexican identity and culture. Born in the Costa Chica region of Guerrero, Mexico, López’s work explores the complex and rich heritage of Afro-Mexican communities through various mediums, including painting, sculpture, and installations. Her art reflects her Afro-Mexican roots, often addressing themes of race, identity, and the underrepresentation of Afro-Mexican people in mainstream Mexican art and culture.

Sharon Cruz Sharon Cruz

Designing Afro-Latino Curriculum for Self-Determination

During the 2015 Afrolatino Festival of New York in a panel discussion on the contextualization of blackness, William Garcia briefly mentioned working to implement Afro-Latino curriculum in schools, which greatly intrigued us. Thus, we reached out to him to learn more.

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Sharon Cruz Sharon Cruz

The Voice of Passion and Bolero

Born into a humble Afro-Mexican family in the port city of Veracruz, Toña la Negra grew up surrounded by the rich musical traditions of her hometown. Veracruz, with its strong Afro-Caribbean influences, was a melting pot of rhythms and sounds, shaping her early exposure to music. As a young girl, she displayed a natural talent for singing, often performing at local events and family gatherings.

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