Encuentro Diaspora Afro was created in 2004 to provide a vital space for Afro-Latinos and all people of African descent - exploring and embracing our complex and multiple socio-political identities across the US, and throughout the world Hermanas Exchanging Roots (HER) Project- HER provides a much-needed space for girls and young women of color to explore their similar and different national hist
ories and embrace their diverse identities, and develop a strong sense of self –in community, which in turn builds self-confidence, encourages collaborations and fosters leadership skills. Sonia Pierre-Women’s Initiative-seeks to strengthen the identity of Women of African descent, placing special emphasis on women from Latin America and the Caribbean and generating relationship of solidarity among all women of color. Training, Community Gatherings and Alliance Building-We design and deliver training, organize community gatherings, make public presentations and engage in collaborative work on such issues as HIV/AIDS, Reproductive Justice, Domestic Violence and Immigration to name a few. The Community Gathering is especially important – often families do not allow questions of Black identity to come up at home, nor do families experience or adequately understand the identity struggles their children face in school. We engage with families and the community to explore racial and ethnic identity and how it is shaped – whether it’s laced with denial or pride, whether it comes from knowledge or lack of knowledge of one’s roots and history versus one’s skin color. What do they think we should do to promote racial healing? The Youth Dialogues propels vulnerable children to achieve success by strengthening their sense of self and their individual and community identity. Youth Dialogues provide a mechanism of support that recognizes what young people are experiencing. The Dialogue provides a space where families and communities can learn from their children and find ways to support their self-identification and anti-racist endeavors. Afro-Latinos can be uniquely positioned to cut through normative notions of race, culture, and ethnicity. If Afro-Latinos are empowered, they can be effective leaders that promote and build cross-racial/ethnic alliances.
