37th ANNUAL THREE KINGS DAY HONOREES
KING EMERITUS
Jesús “Papoleto” Meléndez: Poet, Playwright, Performance Artist and long-time El Barrio resident
Long considered one of the original founders of the Nuyorican Movement, Meléndez addresses political, intellectual and linguistic topics in his work that remain relevant today. A New York-born Puerto Rican award-winning poet, playwright, teacher and activist, he began his career nearly 40 years ago as a poet-facilitator in public schools, working at workshop programs in California and New York. In 1974, Meléndez’s play, “The Junkies Stole The Clock,” was the first Latino play produced by the New York Shakespeare Festival, The Public Theatre’s Nuyorican Playwright’s Unit. Over the years, Meléndez has performed his poetry with his musical group “Exiled Genius,” with Eugene Mingus on piano, and M’Chaka Uba on bass, a trio that combined the tradition of jazz spontaneity and precision with the natural melody of the poetic voice in poetry/jazz collaboration.
Poem: Healthy, Be by Jesus Papoleto Melendez
Love Be the healer of the pain that be; Health Be the wealth of the Soul on Earth as he That keeps the Fruit of Life alive bright, wholesome, as a child’s wide open eyes, And finds the Will within the Bein to fight the good fight against dis-ease Allows for kisses, and the hugs of Lov That's what good health does.
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KINGS
Dr. Harold Fernandez, Professor of Surgery, Co-Director of the Stony Brook University Heart Institute, and Deputy-Chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Notable medical professional, Fernandez received national publicity for his story as an undocumented immigrant who has made his childhood dream of helping others a reality. As a teen, he arrived in the United States from Medellin, Colombia in an epic journey to reach the coast of Miami, and later travel to New York to meet his parents. As an undocumented immigrant, he received a degree in Molecular Biology from Princeton University, where he was also awarded the Moses Taylor Pyne Honor Prize (the highest general distinction at Princeton), Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude. Following his Princeton years, he was accepted into the highly selective Harvard Medical School—MIT program in health sciences and technology. After graduation from Harvard, he underwent training in general surgery and cardiothoracic surgery at the New York University (NYU) Medical Center and Bellevue Hospital.
Most recently, Fernandez published a memoir entitled “Undocumented: My Journey to Princeton and Harvard and Life as a Heart Surgeon,” and has been featured in national media stories, including the New York Times, and the Daily News. He also developed a web-based program, "Show del Doctor Fernandez: Su Salud en Espanol", to inform the Hispanic community about a wide variety of health-related topics. In addition, for the last several years, Fernandez has been selected by Castle-Connolly as one of the top thoracic surgeons in New York.
Bobby Sanabria, Multi-Grammy-nominated Percussionist, Producer, and Educator
A seven-time Grammy-nominated drummer, percussionist, composer, arranger, conductor, producer, educator, and bandleader, Sanabria has
1230 Fifth Avenue 212.831.7272 New York, NY 10029 www.elmuseo.org performed and recorded with legends such as Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaría, Ray Barretto, Cándido, Henry Threadgill, Larry Harlow, and the Godfather of Afro-Cuban jazz, Mario Bauzá. Among his many recordings, his 2008 Grammy nominated, Big Band Urban Folktales was the first Latin jazz recording to ever reach #1 in the national Jazz Week charts. He is an associate producer of documentaries, The Palladium: Where Mambo Was King, winner of the IMAGINE award for Best TV documentary of 2003, and PBS’ From Mambo to Hip Hop: A South Bronx Tale. Most recently, Sanabria was recognized as Percussionist of the Year (2013) by the prestigious Jazz Journalists Association.
Carmen Vasquez, Housing, Health, Education and Environmental Advocate
El Barrio native, Vasquez is an active member of the community and an active contributor to organizations that address issues dealing with quality of life, health, education, and self-empowerment. Beginning her career as a successful Textile Industry Executive, she went on to do volunteer work at Metropolitan Hospital with the ‘border babies,’ which eventually inspired her to work with Hope Community Inc., a not for profit Developer and Property Management organization of affordable housing. She entered as Community Relations Manager, and soon became Deputy Executive Director and Director of Community Affairs, a position she held until her recent retirement. Vasquez now serves on the board of the Violence Intervention Program, Co-Chair of the East Harlem Diabetes Prevention Task Force, the East Harlem Holiday Tree committee, and others.
MADRINAS
Aurora Anaya-Cerda, Owner of La Casa Azul Bookstore
A dynamic and passionate supporter of literacy, Anaya-Cerda is the founder of one of El Barrio’s most popular bookstores, La Casa Azul Bookstore, East
1230 Fifth Avenue 212.831.7272 New York, NY 10029 www.elmuseo.org
Harlem's only independent bookstore, and the only bookstore in NYC that specializes in books and art by Latino artists and promotes children’s literature, educational programing and literature by Latino writers. Following a successful and noteworthy crowd-funding campaign, the bookstore opened its doors on June 1, 2012 in El Barrio. Formerly Family Programs and Cultural Celebrations Manager at El Museo del Barrio, Anaya-Cerda, organized major cultural events in East Harlem, including the annual Three Kings Day Parade and the Dia de los Muertos celebration. In addition, she is the founder of the East Harlem Children’s Book Festival, a one-day family event that features authors, storytellers and music for young children and their families.
Most recently, The White House recognized Anaya-Cerda as a Champion of Change based on her experience as an entrepreneur who is pioneering the use of crowd-funding, and has been awarded the Juanita Centeno Leadership Award, the UCLA Women for Change Leadership Award, and the Casa Atabex Ache Women Warrior Award for outstanding dedication and service to her community.
Sonia Guinansaca, Poet and Activist
Born in Ecuador and raised in Harlem, Guinansaca has been involved in the immigrant rights movement through direct actions, civil disobedience, campaigns to end deportations of undocumented people, culture organizing, and organizing undocumented youth in New York. As a very public undocumented immigrant since 2007, she joined the New York State Youth Leadership Council (NYSYLC), the first undocumented youth led and membership led organization that empowers immigrant youth to drop the fear and challenge the broken immigration system in 2008, where she currently serves as a Board member. In 2011, Guinansaca launched the Dreaming In Ink creative writing workshop for undocumented youth and performance spaces known as UndocuMic’s. Most recently, she joined CultureStrike as coordinator of the UndocuWriting Project.
1230 Fifth Avenue 212.831.7272 New York, NY 10029 www.elmuseo.org
Yasmin Hernandez, Artist
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Puerto Rican artist Hernandez’ work is rooted in struggles for personal, political and spiritual liberation. Basing much of her work in East and West Harlem, she drew inspiration for her art, sharpened her activism and served as an artist educator with both El Museo del Barrio and the Studio Museum in Harlem. Her mural Soldaderas (2011), in the Modesto Flores Community Garden, honors painter Frida Kahlo and poet Julia de Burgos, and celebrates solidarity and the common histories of the Mexican and Puerto Rican communities in East Harlem and beyond. Most recently, Hernandez was invited to participate in another East Harlem-based project, organized by the Caribbean Cultural Center—Mi Querido Barrio, which utilizes augmented reality technologies to re-envision the historic and cultural significance of East Harlem.
She also has several on-going projects currently underway, including Bieké: Tierra de valientes combining oral histories, painting and video to explore the struggle for peace and justice in Vieques; Linea Negra, inspired by the midwife-assisted homebirths of her two sons, reclaims birthing as natural, sacred and women-centered; and Fluido, inspired by the tradition of espiritismo, she was raised in. For more information visit www.yasminhernandez.com.
Josephine Mangual, Educator
Born and raised in NYC, Mangual was taught early on by her mother the importance of education. Recently retired, she has both taught and learned in the New York City Public School system for more than 25 years, where her classroom was a place where students learned two languages - Spanish and English and where they shared rich experiences that transcended cultural differences. Ii is Mangual's belief that being a teacher was to create
1230 Fifth Avenue 212.831.7272 New York, NY 10029 www.elmuseo.org community. She has facilitated shared classroom experiences that incorporated and unified the diverse backgrounds of students. In this way children find their voice and realize that it is valuable. She engaged young students in common experiences that celebrate diversity. She used her role as a teacher to explore social issues relevant to language, race and culture. The key, or "la clave" to social justice teaching is how to promote conversation in the questions you ask.
Norma Ojeda, Community Activist
Born in Puerto Rico and raised in El Barrio, Norma Ojeda worked for nearly 30 years with New York Life Insurance. Since 1997, she has worked as a community associate for Manhattan Community Board 11, where she serves the community of E Barrio as a public servant, assisting people with their housing needs, social services and improving their quality of life. She has maintained her roots and affection for the local community, which has been her home for over 50 years, and remains dedicated to assisting those who need it the most.
PADRINOS
Louis Bauzo, Percussionist, Arranger, and Bandleader
For more than 35 years, Bauzo has been a percussionist, arranger, and bandleader. A graduate of the Juilliard School of Music, Louis is a recognized authority on Afro-Caribbean folklore, and has studied in Africa, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. Previously, Bauzo was a member of the Tito Puente Orchestra, where he recorded with Dizzy Gillespie, Machito, Eddie Palmieri, and Celia Cruz, among others. Most recently he serves as Director of the Conservatory’s Latin Percussion Program, Musical Director, and Conductor of the Harbor Latin Big Band at Boys and Girls Harbor.
1230 Fifth Avenue 212.831.7272 New York, NY 10029 www.elmuseo.org
Victor Cruz, Actor, Comedian, and Producer
Raised in the South Bronx, Cruz landed his first professional acting job on HBO’s The Sopranos, a day before graduating from the acting conservatory at SUNY Purchase College. Since then he has appeared on numerous TV shows, films and national commercials. In 2004, Cruz decided to take on the behind the scenes world of filmmaking and went on to produce and direct over twenty short comedies, two dramas, a couple of comedy concerts on DVD, as well as two sketch comedy shows: The Victor Cruz Comedy Show Vol. 1: Who is Victor Cruz?. A long-time resident of El Barrio, his TV and Film credits include: Annie (2014), The Other Woman (2014), House of Cards (Recurring), Blue Bloods (Recurring), Person of Interest, Side Effects, Lola Versus, Disney’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and The Taking of Pelham 1:23. Currently, Cruz is working on his next film, "The Stockroom," based in El Barrio with an all Latino cast.
Jorge Estevez, Research Assistant at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
Estevez has done hundreds of lectures and programs across the tri-state area, the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. He is currently involved in the “Caribbean Indigenous Legacies Research Project” which focuses on the indigeneity of the region. These efforts will lead to a Taino Exhibit at the museum scheduled to open in July of 2016. In addition Mr. Estevez is founder of Union Higuayagua, a group dedicated to the rescue of Indigenous culture and Identity in the Dominican Republic and abroad.
1230 Fifth Avenue 212.831.7272 New York, NY 10029 www.elmuseo.org
José "Cheo" Oliveras, Founder and Artistic Director of Teatro Círculo
An educator, professional actor, director and arts administrator, Oliveras has worked for leading companies in New York City, such as Repertorio Español, The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre and the Public Theater, among others. In 1994, he founded and later served as Artistic Director for Teatro Círculo. Throughout his tenure, the company has received more than 35 awards for artistic excellence including one OBIE Award for its classical work. In addition to its regular seasons in New York City, Teatro Círculo travels extensively throughout the USA, Latin America and Europe, and offers a variety of educational and training programs for students and professional actors. Most recently, under Oliveras’ leadership Teatro Círculo successfully completed a multi-million dollar capital campaign to renovate its own theatre in the Lower East Side, thereby becoming the first Puerto Rican/Latino theatre company in Manhattan to own its own performing space. In addition, as an actor and director Oliveras won one Hola Award and five ACE Awards, including the Institutional Award in 2010.
Rob Vassilarakis, Activist, Youth Mentor, Actor, and Weaver of Dreams
Born and raised in New York, of Greek and El Salvadorean descent, Simply Rob was disowned at a the age of 17 for being gay. Taking to the streets, and learning to fend for himself, his experiences paved the way for his spoken word journey with concrete inspiration, and led him to dedicate himself to working with the "at risk" inner city youth of NYC focusing on issues of sex/sexual identity and HIV/AIDS prevention and education. He has been blessed to work with many LGBT adolescents, their straight counter parts and those who might be questioning.
Founding member of El Grito De Poetas an all Latino poetry collective, Simply Rob is also the subject of an award winning self-titled documentary short that uses his poetry as a narrative to raise awareness of HIV and open a dialogue
1230 Fifth Avenue 212.831.7272 New York, NY 10029 www.elmuseo.org about the social issues which affect the community. He has also appeared in several plays including lead roles in Charles Rice Gonzalez's "Los Nutcrackers: A Christmas Carajo" at the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance (BAAD). Simply Rob now works as an Intake/Outreach Specialist for the El Faro ADHC in East Harlem, a day program that serves people living with HIV/AIDS, many of whom struggle with substance abuse and mental health issues.
POSTHUMOUS HONOREES
For the first time in Three Kings Day Parade history, we will be honoring, posthumously, those who have made significant contributions to El Barrio and to Latino communities everywhere through their hard work and dedication, thereby opening the doors to the next generation of Latinos. Inspiring, courageous, and relentless, these individuals fearlessly shared their struggle, stories, and vision and fought for what was just and right. El Museo del Barrio honors their legacy and will continue this tradition for years to come.
Ibrahim Gonzalez (1956-2013)
Bronx-native Ibrahim Gonzalez was an Artist, Activist and Musician, widely known for his work in local public-access television and radio. As part of Bronxnet, a local cable access channel, he featured his musical abilities and highlighted his love of travel and ethnic foods. As a host on WBAI, a location radio station, Gonzalez mixed talk and music, and focused heavily on the city’s Latino culture. Also, he graced stages across the country, performing with both a quintet and a big band as a Percussionist, Pianist, Composer and Music Producer. The conga-playing bandleader was a staple at the annual Bronx Ball event as well as Bronxnet’s BETA awards. Earlier in his life, while attending the City College of New York, in the 1970s, Gonzalez protested tuition hikes, and later co-founded Alianza Islamica, one of the nation’s first Islamic-Latino organizations.
Gonzalez, one of five sons who had five children of his own, grew up in the Johnson Houses in East Harlem, and moved to the Bronx in the early 1990s. One of his great influences, his mother, Carmen Gonzalez, was a well-
1230 Fifth Avenue 212.831.7272 New York, NY 10029 www.elmuseo.org known voice in East Harlem who loudly fought against the closure of the 121- year-old Queen of Angels Church, in 2007.
Tato Laveira (1950–2013)
Nuyorican Poet Jesús Abraham Laviera Sánchez, also known as 'Tato' Laveira was born in Puerto Rico and moved to New York City with his family in 1960. A resident of El Barrio, his poetry, often written in Spanglish, addressed language, cultural identity, race, and memory, particularly as it affects the transculturated lives of Puerto Ricans in the United States. His acclaimed poems and plays captured the rhythms and language of Puerto Rico and the Lower East Side — his twin loves — with equal measures of protest, playfulness and hope. Widely anthologized and with numerous titles that remain in demand among students and fans. In a career that spanned more than four decades, Laviera published books, plays and poems and made hundreds of appearances at colleges, workshops and literary events, and later became the director of the “University of the Streets,” as well as a Professor at Rutgers University.
Olga A. Méndez (1925-2009)
Elected in 1978 as Senator to the New York State Legislature, Olga Mendez became the first Puerto Rican woman as a New York Senator. For more than 25 years, she represented the 28th Senate District of East Harlem and the South Bronx. In addition, Mendez was elected Delegate for the Democratic Conventions of 1980, 1984 and 1988, and in 1984 was elected Secretary of the Minority Conference. Often criticized by her peers for her bi-partisanship, she offered political support to Republicans in the interest of her district. A groundbreaking pioneer in politics, she developed a reputation as one of the city's most prominent powerbrokers. She was a tireless advocate for the concerns of her constituents, for the Puerto Rican community and for Latinos
1230 Fifth Avenue 212.831.7272 New York, NY 10029 www.elmuseo.org across New York State. Mendez, who held a Ph.D. in psychology, was considered a political renegade.
Yolanda Sánchez (1932-2012)
Trailblazer and leader in the world of social work, with nearly 30 years of progressive experience in people-caring organizations, Sánchez was not only longtime resident and community activist in East Harlem, but also a dedicated leader in the Puerto Rican community. In addition, she was an author, educator, social worker, community organizer, and administrator. Considered a defender of Latino rights in New York City, she held a number of key roles in our community, including, Executive Director of the Puerto Rican Association for Community Affairs (PRACA), founding Member and later President of the National Latinas Caucus, President of the East Harlem Council for Human Services, and a former Director of CUNY’s office of Puerto Rican programs. She was instrumental in the creation of three major institutions for the poor and working class of El Barrio: Taino Towers (Section 8 housing), Borinken Health Center (primary care) and Casabe Houses (senior housing). At Dr. Antonia Pantoja’s request she joined ASPIRA in 1962, and organized leadership development programs for youth. Later a founder of Muevete, a youth conference. Before her passing she had most recently been the program coordinator for the CACHE Cultural Arts Program hosted by Casabe Houses.
She received her bachelors from the City College of New York (CUNY) and held a master's from Columbia University in Social Work with a specialization on community organizing. She also served as a National Urban Fellow at Harvard University. Sanchez taught at numerous colleges and universities and has lectured at many seminars and conferences. She sat on various boards, including the New York Urban Coalition, the Puerto Rican Association for Community Affairs, and the National Conference of Puerto Rican Women.
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