Boricua Profiles | Boricua.com

Ed Morales | Author Journalist Professor

September 8, 2024September 9, 2024 boricua01

Ed Morales is an author and journalist who has written for The Nation, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone, and the Guardian. He was staff writer at The Village Voice and columnist at Newsday. He is the author of Fantasy Island: Colonialism, Exploitation, and the Betrayal of Puerto Rico (Bold Type Books), Latinx: The New Force in Politics and Culture (Verso Books 2018), The Latin Beat (Da Capo Press 2003) and Living in Spanglish (St. Martins 2002). In 2019 Latinx was shortlisted for the Nayef Al-Rodhan Prize for Global Cultural Understanding by the British Academy in London. In 2009, while a Columbia University Revson Fellow,…

Esmeralda Santiago – Acclaimed Puerto Rican Author

July 30, 2024September 3, 2024 boricua01

Esmeralda Santiago is the author of three groundbreaking memoirs; When I was Puerto Rican and Almost A Woman, which she adapted into a Peabody Award-winning movie for PBS’s Masterpiece Theatre, and The Turkish Lover. Her novels include America’s Dream, the national best seller Conquistadora, and Las Madres. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Esmeralda lives with her husband documentary filmmaker Frank Cantor in Westchester County, New York. Esmeralda Santiago, a name synonymous with resilience and the power of storytelling, was born in 1948 amidst the sugarcane fields of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. The eldest of eleven children, her early…

Arturo Alfonso Schomburg | Historian Writer Activist

July 2, 2024July 4, 2024 boricua01

Early Years Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, born on January 24, 1874, in Santurce, Puerto Rico, emerged as a pivotal figure in the early 20th century, championing the recognition and preservation of African and African diaspora history and culture. His contributions laid the groundwork for what would become an enduring legacy in the realms of African American studies and library science. Schomburg was born to a Puerto Rican mother of African descent, Mary Joseph, and a German father, Carlos Federico Schomburg. This biracial heritage positioned him uniquely at the intersection of multiple…

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor

June 9, 2024July 4, 2024 boricua01

A Pioneering Figure Sonia Sotomayor, a pioneering figure in American jurisprudence, stands as a beacon of justice, intellect, and resilience. Born on June 25, 1954, in the Bronx, New York, to Puerto Rican parents, her journey from humble beginnings to becoming the first Latina and third woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court is a testament to her unwavering dedication and remarkable abilities. Sotomayor’s formative years were marked by struggle and perseverance. Raised in a South Bronx housing project, she navigated the challenges of poverty and faced the realities…

Francisco Oller: A Pioneer in Puerto Rican Art

April 2, 2024May 10, 2024 boricua01

Early Life and Education Francisco Oller (1833-1917) stands as a towering figure in Puerto Rican art history. More than just a talented painter, Oller was a pivotal figure who bridged the artistic gap between the Caribbean and the burgeoning Impressionist movement in Europe. His prolific career, encompassing various styles and themes, not only documented Puerto Rican life but also helped shape the artistic identity of the island nation. Born into an affluent family in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, Oller’s artistic talent was evident from a young age. He received his initial…

Caridad de la Luz | La Bruja

February 24, 2024March 1, 2024 boricua01

Caridad de la Luz, widely recognized by her stage name “La Bruja,” is a multifaceted artist whose life and work have left an indelible mark on the landscape of New York City’s cultural and artistic scene. Born and raised in the vibrant and diverse neighborhoods of the Bronx, Caridad’s journey is a testament to the power of art to transcend boundaries and bridge communities. La Bruja’s story begins with her early exposure to the rich tapestry of Latinx and African-American cultures that defined her upbringing. Growing up in a melting…

José Campeche: A Brushstroke of Identity in Colonial Puerto Rico

February 24, 2024April 3, 2024 boricua01

José Campeche y Jordán, born in 1751, emerges not only as the first known Puerto Rican visual artist but also as a beacon of artistic talent and cultural representation in the midst of colonial society. His life, intertwined with the social and political tapestry of 18th-century Puerto Rico, left an indelible mark through his vibrant portraits and religious imagery, capturing the essence of a complex era. Campeche’s story begins in San Juan, where he was born to Tomás Campeche, a freed slave, and María Jordán, a Canarian native. This mixed…

Rita Moreno: A Trailblazer in Entertainment

January 30, 2024January 22, 2024 boricua01

Rita Moreno, a living legend in the entertainment industry, has left an indelible mark on Hollywood through her remarkable career spanning over seven decades. Born on December 11, 1931, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, Moreno’s journey to becoming an iconic figure in the world of film, television, and theater is a testament to her talent, resilience, and groundbreaking achievements. Puerto Rican Heritage Moreno’s Puerto Rican heritage has been a source of pride and influence throughout her life. She moved to New York City with her mother at the age of five,…

Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez

January 2, 2024February 24, 2024 boricua01

Nydia Velázquez, a prominent and seasoned politician, has dedicated her life to public service, advocating for the rights and well-being of her constituents. Born on March 28, 1953, in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, Velázquez has become a trailblazer in American politics, making history as the first Puerto Rican woman elected to the United States Congress and the first Hispanic woman to chair a full congressional committee. Nydia Velázquez currently represents New York’s 7th Congressional District, a diverse and dynamic area encompassing parts of Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. The district is characterized…

Luis Muñoz Marín

May 13, 2021June 24, 2024 boricua01

Luis Muñoz Marín (1898 – 1980) was a Puerto Rican journalist, politician, and prominent figure in creating ties between the United States and Puerto Rico. He was the founder of the Popular Democratic Party, president of the Puerto Rican Senate, and the first democratically elected governor of Puerto Rico. During his regime, Puerto Rico saw political and economic reform, mass migration, and suppression of independence ideals. José Luis Alberto Muñoz Marín was born February 18, 1898 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. A few months after his birth, Puerto Rico was…