Our Mission & Story

In 2020, we launched AfroCalifornia, a digital movement ignited by the urgent need for visibility, unity, and cultural pride. What began as an online platform quickly expanded into a national effort, evolving into the Afro-Latino Education and Arts Collective, Inc. 501(c)3 Non-profit. Recognizing that representation must extend beyond the digital space, we built an organization dedicated to empowering Afro-Latino communities through education and the arts.

Guided by our founder’s lifelong pursuit of representation, the Afro-Latino Education and Arts Collective is dedicated to creating the spaces she has long championed. What began as a personal journey has evolved into a mission-driven movement—ensuring that future generations don’t have to seek visibility but instead grow up in a world where Afro-Latino identity is recognized, celebrated, and empowered.

Our work centers on education, cultural preservation, and community engagement—providing a range of initiatives designed to amplify Afro-Latino voices. These include, but are not limited to, free-access Afro-Latino ethnic studies curricula for educators, school presentations, digital storytelling, engaging panel discussions, and cultural workshops. We are committed to bridging the gap between history and lived experience, ensuring that Afro-Latino voices are included in conversations about identity, heritage, and the arts.

Despite being an essential part of Latino identity, Afro-Latinos remain widely overlooked in the United States. According to the Pew Research Center, 1 in 4 Latinos in the U.S. identifies as Black (Pew Research Center), yet our histories and contributions are often erased from mainstream narratives. In Los Angeles—home to 47,000 Afro-Latinos—we saw firsthand how invisibility in education, the arts, and cultural representation impacted our communities. This realization fueled our commitment to expanding our reach, ensuring Afro-Latinos everywhere have the recognition, resources, and platforms they deserve.

To bring this vision to life, we produce immersive cultural experiences that amplify Afro-Latino heritage in ways that engage and inspire. Our signature event, the Afro-Latino Culture Fest, is a direct response to this need—an annual celebration where music, dance, food, and storytelling come together to honor the richness of Afro-Latino identity. More than just an event, it is a powerful statement of visibility and cultural pride, creating a space where people from all backgrounds can experience, learn from, and celebrate the Afro-Latino experience firsthand.

To learn more about our annual festival

Visit: www.AfroLatinoCultureFest.com

Beyond our own programming, we curate tailored cultural events for organizations and clients, crafting impactful experiences for Black History Month, Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month, and year-round cultural celebrations. Our expertise in dynamic storytelling and cross-cultural engagement allows us to create spaces where communities can connect, learn, and honor the diverse legacies that shape our world.

We are not just preserving history—we are shaping the future. Through education, the arts, and collective action, we are ensuring that Afro-Latino voices are heard, honored, and celebrated for generations to come.