Manny Mota is a former Dominican professional baseball player and coach, best known for his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a pinch-hitting specialist. Mota played 20 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1962 to 1982, primarily as an outfielder for the San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Dodgers. He set the MLB record for career pinch hits (150), a mark that stood for two decades.

After retiring as a player, Mota became a longtime coach for the Dodgers, serving from 1980 to 2013. His influence extended beyond the field, as he helped mentor young Latin American players and contributed to baseball development in the Dominican Republic. Mota remains a beloved figure in Dodgers history and Dominican baseball.

(1934–1972) was a legendary Afro-Puerto Rican baseball player and humanitarian, widely regarded as one of the greatest right fielders in Major League Baseball (MLB) history. Born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, he overcame racial and language barriers to become a trailblazer for Latino and Black athletes.

Clemente made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1955 and spent his entire 18-season career with the team. A 12-time All-Star, 4-time National League batting champion, and 12-time Gold Glove winner, he played a pivotal role in the Pirates' 1960 and 1971 World Series victories, earning the World Series MVP in 1971.

Born Eligio Sardiñas Montalvo, ‘Kid Chocolate’ was Cuba’s first world boxing champion and one of the greatest fighters of his era. Competing in the 1920s and 1930s, he dominated the featherweight and junior lightweight divisions, earning world titles in both.

Known for his lightning-fast footwork, technical precision, and charisma inside the ring, he won over 130 fights in his professional career. Kid Chocolate paved the way for future Afro-Cuban boxers and remains a legendary figure in Cuban sports history.

Ana Fidelia Quirot, an Afro-Cuban middle-distance runner, dominated the 800 meters, winning back-to-back World Championships in 1995 and 1997. Known for her speed and endurance, she earned multiple international medals, including Olympic bronze in 1992 and silver in 1996, inspiring future Cuban athletes.

In 1993, a severe household accident left Quirot with life-threatening burns, jeopardizing her career. Defying the odds, she made a remarkable recovery and won Olympic silver just three years later, cementing her legacy as one of track and field’s most resilient champions.

Born as Edson Arantes do Nascimento known as Pelé, is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, was a trailblazer in both Brazilian and global soccer. An Afro-Brazilian, Pelé’s incredible skill, vision, and scoring ability earned him three FIFA World Cup titles (1958, 1962, 1970), making him the only player in history to achieve this feat. He became a global icon, inspiring millions of fans and athletes around the world with his electrifying play and leadership on the field.

Pelé’s impact extended beyond his athletic prowess. He played a pivotal role in elevating Brazil’s footballing legacy, using his platform to advocate for racial equality and unity within the sport. His contributions to football and his humanitarian efforts solidified his status as one of the most influential figures in sports history, leaving a lasting legacy on the world both on and off the field.

(1925–2003) was a legendary Afro-Cuban singer known as the "Queen of Salsa." Born in Havana, Cuba, she rose to fame in the 1950s as the lead singer of La Sonora Matancera, a popular Cuban orchestra. After the Cuban Revolution, she moved to the United States, where she became a global ambassador of Latin music.

Beyond her musical impact, Cruz was a symbol of Cuban exile identity and resilience. She was outspoken against the Castro regime, which banned her from returning to Cuba, yet she continued to celebrate her Cuban roots through her music and performances.

(1912–1982) was a celebrated Afro-Mexican singer known for her deep, emotional voice and mastery of bolero and son. Born María Antonia del Carmen Peregrino Álvarez in Veracruz, Mexico, she grew up in a city rich with African and Caribbean influences, which shaped her musical style.

As an Afro-Mexican artist, she also played a significant role in highlighting Mexico’s African heritage, even if it was often overlooked in mainstream narratives. Her legacy lives on as one of Mexico’s greatest interpreters of bolero and son, influencing generations of Latin American musicians.

(Venezuela, b. 1943) is a legendary Afro-Venezuelan musician. His powerful voice and charismatic performances have made him one of the most influential figures in Latin music. With hits like Que Manera de Quererte and Llorarás, D'León helped shape the salsa genre, blending traditional Afro-Caribbean rhythms with contemporary Latin sounds. His contribution to the salsa movement has earned him a loyal following worldwide, particularly in Latin America and the United States.

D'León's career spans over six decades, during which he has released numerous albums, earning multiple accolades and Grammy nominations. Known for his infectious energy and stage presence, he has performed on some of the world's biggest stages, becoming an icon of Afro-Latino culture. His music continues to inspire new generations of salsa enthusiasts, and his legacy is solidified as one of the most important Afro-Latino musicians of all time.

born Edgar Ríos, is a pioneering Afro-Panamanian musician who is considered one of the founders of reggaeton. His music, which blends reggae, dancehall, and Latin rhythms, was instrumental in shaping the reggaeton genre in the 1990s. With hits like Te Ves Buena and Muevelo, El General brought Latin urban music to the forefront, influencing not only reggaeton but also the global Latin music scene. His distinct style, characterized by catchy rhythms and socially conscious lyrics, made him a beloved figure in the Latin music community.

El General's groundbreaking work earned him recognition as a trailblazer in reggaeton and Latin urban music. He was one of the first artists to gain mainstream success with his music in both Latin America and the United States, helping to lay the foundation for future reggaeton stars. His influence on the genre continues to be felt, as his legacy as an Afro-Latino music pioneer remains cemented in the history of Latin music.

(b. 1972, Puerto Rico) is a pioneering Afro-Puerto Rican reggaeton and hip-hop artist known for his distinctive blend of Latin rhythms with urban music styles. His music often addresses social and political issues, with a focus on race, identity, and the Afro-Latino experience. Calderón’s unique sound and powerful lyrics made him one of the most influential figures in the reggaeton genre, earning him international recognition.

With hits like Pa' Que Retozen and El Abayarde, Tego Calderón played a key role in shaping the global reggaeton movement. His unapologetic voice for Afro-Latino culture and his fusion of Caribbean influences have cemented his status as a cultural icon and a champion of authenticity in Latin music.

(born Ulpio R. Gómez on April 12, 1967, in Havana, Cuba) is a pioneering Afro-Cuban-American rapper known for his groundbreaking work in Latin hip-hop. Mellow Man Ace moved to the United States from Cuba as a child and grew up in the Los Angeles area, where he became one of the first successful Latin rappers. He rose to fame in the late 1980s as part of the influential group Cypress Hill, before launching his solo career.

In 1990, Mellow Man Ace released his debut album, Live at the Funhouse, which included his hit single "Mentirosa.". The song’s success helped establish him as a key figure in the early Latin hip-hop scene, blending traditional hip-hop sounds with Latin rhythms and influences. His music, which touches on themes of Latino identity, culture, and the immigrant experience, paved the way for future generations of Latinx rappers. Mellow Man Ace’s contributions to the genre continue to influence the fusion of hip-hop with Latin music today.

(1874–1938) was a Puerto Rican historian, writer, and activist of Afro-Caribbean descent who played a crucial role in documenting and preserving Black history. Schomburg’s vast personal collection of rare manuscripts, books, and historical documents became the foundation for what is now the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at the New York Public Library.

His work helped challenge racial narratives and empowered Black communities by preserving their history. As a scholar and activist, he emphasized the interconnectedness of African diasporic experiences across Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States.

(1944) is an acclaimed Afro-Cuban poet, essayist, and translator whose work explores themes of race, identity, feminism, and the African diaspora in Cuba. Born in Havana, she studied French literature at the University of Havana and became a leading voice in post-revolutionary Cuban literature.

Her poetry, deeply rooted in Afro-Cuban history and culture, often highlights the struggles and resilience of Black women. One of her most famous works, "Mujer Negra" (Black Woman), is a powerful poem that traces the journey of enslaved Africans in Cuba and their role in shaping the nation's history.

(1925–1992) was a Peruvian poet, journalist, and folklorist who dedicated his life to preserving and promoting Afro-Peruvian culture. Born in Lima to a family of African descent, he became a leading figure in the revival of Afro-Peruvian poetry and music in the mid-20th century.

His work, deeply rooted in the oral traditions of décima poetry, addressed themes of racial identity, social justice, and the historical contributions of Afro-Peruvians. Through poetry collections like Cumanana and recordings of traditional music, Santa Cruz helped bring visibility to a marginalized community, advocating for the recognition of Black heritage in Peru and Latin America.

Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960–1988) was an influential Afro-Puerto Rican and Haitian artist known for his bold, expressive style that merged graffiti, street art, and abstract expressionism. His work often explored themes of race, identity, and social issues, incorporating elements of his Afro-Puerto Rican heritage. Basquiat's raw, energetic paintings, such as Untitled and Hollywood Africans, made a lasting impact on the art world.

Though his career was brief, Basquiat became one of the most important artists of the 20th century. His unique blend of street culture and fine art broke boundaries, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists.

an Afro-Mexican artist who has made significant contributions to the art world, particularly in the representation of Afro-Mexican identity and culture. Born in the Costa Chica region of Guerrero, Mexico, López’s work explores the complex and rich heritage of Afro-Mexican communities through various mediums, including painting, sculpture, and installations. Her art reflects her Afro-Mexican roots, often addressing themes of race, identity, and the underrepresentation of Afro-Mexican people in mainstream Mexican art and culture.

López is known for creating visually striking works that celebrate Afro-Mexican heritage, incorporating vibrant colors, symbolic imagery, and cultural references that connect to her community’s African ancestry. Through her work, López contributes to the ongoing dialogue about race, visibility, and cultural pride within the broader Mexican context. Her art plays an essential role in challenging historical narratives and promoting a deeper understanding of the Afro-Mexican experience.