My Latinidad Is Enough – Natalie Warren

My name is Natalie. I am a 26-year-old Afro – Latina and Afro-American woman. My mother’s side comes from the Dominican Republic & Puerto Rico. My father’s side is African American, originally from the south. I grew up in the south with my mother where there were not too many Afro Latinos. I grew up around many non-black Central Americans, non-black Mexicans, and African…

What are YOU? I am more than just an Afro Latina!—Tracey Phipps

“What are you?” That’s a common question I normally get asked. I’ve also heard “I knew you were mixed with something but didn’t want to ask,” or “there’s something different about you.” To some people this is offensive but I appreciate the curiosity. I’m flattered now when people assume I am an exotic creation handcrafted…

Don’t Question My Afro – Dominican Heritage – Magnolia Vilma

  By: Magnolia Vilma  — “Wait, say your last name again?” If I had a dollar for every time I heard that phrase I’d probably own ten mansions, swimming pool, and jacuzzis attached. I would have maybe five or ten people’s student loans fully paid off in cash money. I sleep, breathe, eat, and dream of…

Dear You – Sharee Yveliz

  Dear you, My “Dominican side” is not showing. It didn’t make an appearance as if my blackness was hiding it. My American status doesn’t take away from the culture I was raised in. Dear you, I am Dominican. I shout in Spanish when I’m frustrated; curse words roll off my tongue when I’m angry….

Pelo Crespo: How my Afrolatinidad Identity Saved Me

Beyazmin Jimenez  I had been using alisando on my hair since I was 8 years old. I hated the routine. I hated being in a packed salon, with chapiadoras getting their nails and hair paid by their drug-slinging men, and the wanna-be chapiadoras staring in awe hoping one of them would pay attention. The never-ending…

5 REASONS TO LOVE AMARA LA NEGRA

By Jenay Wright- Amara La Negra is no stranger to the Latin market and Afro-Latinx community. Her Latin urban twist musical influence is recognized world wide. She is a Black Latina who is  Bold and most of all a Boss. This will be revealed on her new show Love and Hip Hop Miami. There is thousands of…

Mabel Guzman; Being Black & From DR

  Dominican Republic. The motherland that I couldn’t be prouder to represent. The food, the music, the heat, the enormous amount of people in my family, are just a few aspects of my country that make me love it. But what about culture? It’s probably the first thing people mention when talking about their own…

EL PALO

-Yazmerlin Rodriguez- “Ay qué palo mama, que palito. Ay qué palo mama, que palito. A mi me gusta bailar pegaito, a mi me gusta bailar pegaito.” Mama Africa although it seems your children have forgotten you, tonight we feel your spirit in the hypnotizing melody of your song. Let every beat of drums bring us…

The Afro-Dominican Writer, Womanist and Healer

As a woman of color, black woman and a conscious Afro-Latina I find their are a lack of outlets devoted to mental and spiritual healing for our community. These resources are imperative to have access to. The process of self-healing is a useful tool to have in your life and for individuals who are interested in using this tactic we need platforms…

United Nations of Melanin

By Yokary Cruz-Garcia — Growing up in the Dominican Republic, people told me how lucky I was that my light-skinned father is a fourth generation Spaniard. I was the “piel morena ” with good hair, blessed because I didn’t need a “desrizado ” to straighten my hair. People made comments about my dark-skinned mother’s good fortune…