Powerful Tribute to Diaspora Women at The AfroLatino Festival NYC 2017

Amara La Negra performs at the AfroLatino Festival NYC July 8

It was a powerful tribute to Diaspora women at the 5th edition of the AfroLatino Festival NYC, and it couldn’t have been done at a more important time, as they have essentially been the backbone – as well as at the forefront – of the struggle for basic human rights and justice. At a time when the very existence of AfroLatinos and other Afrodescendientes is still questioned, spaces and events like this two-day festival are vital to the survival and evolution of Diaspora and Afrolatino communities. The festivities started at the historic Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, in Harlem, with a AfroLatin Talks symposium and a Liberación Film Festival. Afro-Peruvian singer/songwriter Susanna Baca received

Melvis Santa and Ashedi onstage at the AfroLatino Festival NYC in Brooklyn, July 8

a Lifetime Achievement Award at an awards ceremony later in the evening, which also saw Zahira Kelly, Elizabeth Acevedo, and others receiving awards. Day 2 was the main celebratory event, with food and craft vendors, and an array of live music performances from Nitty Scott, Melvis Santa, Queen of Merengue Milly Quezada, Amara La Negra, Calma Carmona, and Soca Queen Alison Hinds. Amara La Negra’s rousing remarks as she kicked off her set served as perhaps the

Amara La Negra getting down to her sound at the AfroLatino Festival NYC in Brooklyn, July 8

most fitting statement to encapsulate the spirit of the festivities. Check out the video above and look out for more on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more African Diaspora stories.

Bless…