Denise Oliver-Vélez, professor and activist, will be honored by the Puerto Rican community group Power 4 Puerto Rico Education, hosting its inaugural Boricuas Holding It Down! awards program on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
The 76-year-old African American is widely recognized as a former Black Panther and Young Lord. She serves as a contributing editor for the influential blog Daily Kos and has previously held the position of adjunct professor of anthropology and women’s studies at SUNY New Paltz.
The event will honor other leaders and allies committed to empowering the U.S. Puerto Rican diaspora and aims to highlight Brooklyn’s historical significance as a gateway for the Puerto Rican community.
The awards program will support a new training series for emerging community organizers, rooted in the Puerto Rican experience. Council Member Alexa Avilés will be among the speakers.
Creative partners for the event include the New York City Latinx digital archive NuevaYorkinos, the Nuyorican culinary arts company Cocotazo, and Sylvia Hernández, president of Quilters of Color of NYC.
Find the complete event information below.
WHAT: Power 4 Puerto Rico Education to host 1st Boricuas Holding It Down! Awards Program
WHEN: Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 06:30 PM – 07:30 PM EST
WHERE: BRIC ARTS at 647 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
WHO: Speakers & honorees include:
● Alexa Avilés, New York City Council Member
● Former NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito
● Denise Oliver-Vélez, writer, educator & former Young Lord (honoree)
● Jerry Maldonado, Vice President of Programs, Policy Link (honoree)
● Mariposa, renowned spoken word artist and poet
Click HERE for tickets and other information.