On July 28th, join The Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP) and community partners for Latino Politics: Philadelphia and Puerto Rico, a free panel discussion exploring Latino political participation at the local, state, and national levels.

The history of the stateside Puerto Rican Diaspora is one marked by struggle. As this Diaspora – as well as others – grapples with what role it can play in helping resolve the current Puerto Rican economic and humanitarian crisis, the panel will offer an historical perspective and stimulate dialogue about ways citizens – as well as politicians – might address the crises today.

HSP is proudly collaborating with the National Council of La Raza, National Puerto Rican Agenda, La Casa Latina at the University of Pennsylvania, and Taller Puertorriqueño to host the panel discussion. AL DÍA News Media is the program's media sponsor. 

The discussion will be moderated by Rafael Collazo, Political Director of the National Council of La Raza. Panelists include Nilda Ruiz, Co-Chair of the Pennsylvania for Puerto Rico chapter of the National Puerto Rican Agenda and President of the Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha, and Johnny Irizarry, Director of La Casa Latina at the University of Pennsylvania. Carmen Febo-San Miguel of Taller Puertorriqueño will make introductory remarks.

Free and open to the public. Feel free to bring your own lunch. 

About AL DÍA News Media

AL DÍA News Media is a dynamic news organization based in Philadelphia, with an increasingly national scope and reach. Our multi-platform news media organization showcases the fullness of the Latino experience in the United States — fostering engagement and driving a new American narrative. AL DÍA empowers Latinos to write their own story and is the only news media organization that defines the Latino experience proactively. AL DÍA offers readers a unique perspective in the midst of the cluttered media landscape with its national news website available in English and Spanish, a newspaper, English-language events including media panels, political conversations, film screenings, and other ambitious content initiatives. The content provided by AL DÍA across platforms actively impacts the lives of those who read it. Latinos find themselves fully represented; businesses learn about the fastest growing demographic in the country; and non-Latinos are engaged by content that doesn’t simply expand their cultural landscape but provides thoughtful and incisive attention to what’s happening throughout the nation. Other news media organizations may provide a means of communication between readers and advertisers, but AL DÍA creates an empowering and insightful partnership between the parties. AL DÍA blurs cultural lines to form one community. AL DÍA welcomes you to this community.

About La Casa Latina at the University of Pennsylvania
La Casa Latina at the University of Pennsylvania promotes greater awareness of Latin@ issues, culture, and identity at Penn. La Casa Latina works closely with the Penn community to offer a supportive environment where all students are welcomed and engaged in programs, events, and dialogues that address important issues affecting Latin@s/Hispanics locally, nationally, and internationally. 

About The National Council of La Raza
Every day Latinos work to make America stronger. They energize the economy and strive to make better lives for themselves, their families, and their communities. Our mission is to improve their opportunities for success in achieving the American Dream. Since 1968, the National Council of La Raza has remained a trusted, nonpartisan voice for Latinos. This is the community we serve through our research, policy analysis, and state and national advocacy efforts, as well as in our programs work in communities nationwide. We partner with Affiliates across the country to serve millions of Latinos in the areas of civic engagement, civil rights and immigration, education, workforce and the economy, health, and housing. We believe in fighting for our community and for an America where economic, political, and social advancement is a reality for all Latinos. 

About The National Puerto Rican Agenda
The National Puerto Rican Agenda (NPRA) is a nonpartisan coalition of major stateside Puerto Rican national and local organizations and distinguished community leaders from all over the nation. The mission of the NPRA is to unite, educate, and create solutions for the Puerto Rican people in the United States and Puerto Rico. We seek to work with the government, candidates, political parties, organizations, and, most importantly, the public to make the mission of this organization a reality. NPRA will currently focus on the fiscal and economic crisis in Puerto Rico as the issue with the greatest priority.  

About Taller Puertorriqueño
Taller Puertorriqueño (Taller) has been “Building Community through Art Since 1974.” Known as “The Cultural Heart of Latino Philadelphia,” Taller is a community-based multidisciplinary arts organization whose work bridges European, African, Caribbean and Latino societies and cultures. Taller’s programs work at the nexus of arts, culture, human rights, and social advocacy to catalyze social change towards community advancement. We offer programs for youth and adults, operate art galleries featuring Latin@ artists, the region’s only bilingual bookstore, sponsor musical and theater events, and organize a range of engaging cultural art education programs. Our education programs for at-risk inner city children and youth offer unique art and educational experiences as an effective vehicle to build creative and competent community members. Taller has thrived in a community struggling with high unemployment and dropout rates, drugs, prejudice, and violence. This stands as a testament to the role Taller plays in celebrating this community’s strength, resilience, diversity and cultural richness.