Apr 1
The Blue Note Jazz Club in NYC is proud to present the music of Omar Sosa’s Quarteto AfroCubano from March 31st until April 3rd each night beginning at 8pm. Be sure to buy tickets to this wonderful event by clicking here.
by Kim Haas
Recently, I interviewed Chef Leticia Moreinos Schwartz, author of The Brazil Kitchen and My Rio de Janeiro: A Cookbook at the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) in New York City. The interview focused on the cuisine of her native Brazil and its African culinary influences. Coming soon, we’ll bring you our interview with Chef Leticia, her photos from Salvador da Bahia, Brazil (the center of the country’s African roots) and a recipe or two.
Until then, I share with you photos from “The Best of Latin Baking.” Chef Leticia invited me to observe this class which she was teaching immediately after our interview.
Originally, I had only anticipated staying a few minutes. Instead, minutes turned into hours and a blog post developed. It was delightful to witness the commitment, precision and dedication of the 9 baking students. They whirled around ICE’s kitchen like busy bees with tremendous focus and concentration. They beat, mixed, rolled and sifted ingredients, creating a mélange of Latin American desserts including:
Sharing these delicious desserts would not have been possible without the cooperation of the students. I sincerely appreciated their willingness to be photographed especially since this was not a planned blog post. It’s safe to say that “The Best of Latin Baking” would not have run so smoothly without the support of Will, ICE Culinary Assistant. He showed the students how to operate every appliance and worked his magic, appearing, disappearing and reappearing with whatever ingredient was needed. And special thanks to Chef Leticia, who freely shared her warmth, generosity and knowledge of Brazil and its wondrous cuisine.
Happy Baking!
Photo Gallery: Dulce De Leche Brownie photo is courtesy of Chef Leticia Moreinos Schwartz
Click on an image to open a slideshow and see the full-sized photos.
Did you miss the Speaking to Harmony Radio Show? Our founder Kim Haas was a part of a panel to discuss “The Other America – The Legacy and Struggle of Afro-Latin America” with the goal of widening the notion of the African Diaspora, and to discuss the cultural heritage of the Latin American region.
Don’t worry, the show has been archived and is available for you to listen to here.
The Panel
Melissa Valle- Columbia University
Kim Haas- LosAfrolatinos.com
Maconya – Florida International University
Zarena Leblanc- Florida International University
Denika Mays- Florida International University
We are very excited to announce that our founder, Kim Haas, will be a part of a panel on the Speaking to Harmony Radio Show, which is organized by the Sisters in Harmony. Kim will be joining four other panelists, hosted by Sister Calhoun and Dr. Walls, to discuss “The Other America – The Legacy and Struggle of Afro-Latin America” with the goal of widening the notion of the African Diaspora, and to discuss the cultural heritage of the Latin American region.
We hope you will be able to listen in to the discussion. Feel free to call in with any questions or comments you have.
The Panel
Melissa Valle- Columbia University
Kim Haas- LosAfrolatinos.com
Maconya – Florida International University
Zarena Leblanc- Florida International University
Denika Mays- Florida International University
Date: Sunday February 16, 7-9 PM Eastern Standard Time
Bogota, and Cartagena, Colombia 7-9 PM
San Jose, Costa Rica 6-8 PM
Call-in Number: 917-889-7765
Find out more info on the Facebook event page and feel free to invite your friends.
Sep 19
We have very exciting news to share! Tomorrow (9/20), our founder, Kim Haas will be on the “Lets dare to talk about race in our Latino community” panel at this year’s Latinos In Social Media Conference in New York City. Along with Alicia Anabel, Dr. Georgina Falu, and Guesnerth Josue Perea, Kim will be discussing the following questions:
“Why is race such a taboo in our Latino community? Is there such a thing as racism among Latinos? Do we really really really treat each other equally? Are Afro-Latinos equally positioned in media or leadership? Let’s dare touch the core of the race issues with the help of experts in the field who are dedicating their lives to this issue.”
If you are in NYC and attending the conference, join the conversation from 10 – 11 a.m. in the Park Avenue Suite South. Even if you aren’t attending the conference, join in the conversation. Feel free to leave your thoughts on the above questions in the comments section below or join us on Facebook or Twitter.
Find out more info about the panel and conference.
by Kim Haas
Seeking to unite the diverse Afro-Latino populations, Tania Molina, a proud Garifuna, reached out to her friend Mai-Elka Prado, an Afro-Panamanian. Together, the two Afro-Latinas created the 1st Afro-Latino Festival of New York held Saturday, June 29 at Brooklyn’s Parkside Train Station Plaza.
In the United States, there are an estimated four million Afro-Latinos – the great majority of whom reside in the New York City area. From countries as different as Andean Peru and tropical Cuba, to the Garifuna population of Central America and to the innumerable descendents of Afro-Latinos who may have never set foot in their parents or grandparents homeland, this mega city of eight million is home to Latin America’s African Diaspora.
Despite the diversity of Afro-Latinos in New York City, when there are gatherings and events, the focus is often on one particular group, nationality or concern like an Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba Performance or an Afro Colombian Land Rights Symposium. Rarely are there events focusing on Afro-Latinos as an entire group. Read more
Jun 6
We are pleased to announce that our event with Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa has been rescheduled and will now take place on Saturday, September 28 from 12 – 2 p.m., and will be hosted at the Jersey City Free Public Library.
Los Afro-Latinos and Biblioteca Criolla of the Jersey City Free Public Library present: An Afternoon with Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa.
Join us on a literary journey as we celebrate Dahlma’s debut novel Daughters of the Stone.
Dahlma Llanos-Figueroa is an Afro-Puerto Rican and wrote Daughters of the Stone to share the rich legacy of African cultures in Puerto Rico. Read more about Dahlma and her motivation to write this novel here http://bit.ly/WSqzDs.
This event is FREE and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2013
Time: 12 – 2 p.m.
Location: Jersey CityFree Public Library
Biblioteca Criolla
472 Jersey Ave.
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Photo courtesy of Llanos-Figueroa
Date: Saturday, September 28 2013
Time: 12 – 2 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Dr. Marta Moreno Vega has been leading the charge for Afro-Latino recognition and cultural identity for decades. As Founder of New York City’s Caribbean Cultural Center’s African Diaspora Institute, she has a distinguished career as an activist, scholar and filmmaker advocating for Afro-Latino issues.
Dr. Marta Moreno Vega
Oct 12
We’re excited to announce that we’ll be hosting our first live Twitter Chat.
Our guest will be Latin Grammy winner, singer-songwriter, Alex Cuba. Join us for a discussion on his music, life, career, and a chance to win a signed copy of his CD.
Los Afro-Latinos 