Center for Puerto Rican Studies

From state politics to grassroots organizing, from poetry to performance, Puerto Rican women have left a lasting impact across generations. Their stories of resilience, creativity, and activism are preserved in CENTRO’s archives, offering a window into their work and influence. This Women’s History Month, we invite you to explore their collections and learn more about their contributions. Want to learn more? Explore our archives and continue sharing these stories. [https://lnkd.in/e6smGKHT] #WomensHistoryMonth #CentroArchives

The history of the Puerto Rican diaspora is more than a community story—it’s an essential part of U.S. history. ?? In this episode of Ask A Librarian, Aníbal Arocho, Library Manager at CENTRO, talks about why preserving the struggles and successes of Puerto Rican communities is so important and how these stories help us understand the present. Watch the full episode on YouTube and learn how CENTRO’s Library keeps this history alive for future generations. https://lnkd.in/egqU8eB5 #AskALibrarian #CENTROArchives #PuertoRicanHistory

Did you know today is #WorldPoetryDay? As we kick off CENTRO x Cumbre – Sites of Black Memory: Our Ancestors, Archives, and Arts, the work of ángela María Dávila Malavé is at the front our minds. As our Directora, Dr. Yomaira Figueroa-Vásquez said in her opening remarks, "I am reckoning with the archive of Black memory, with the fact of Black survival, and with the growing forms of accounting, mending, and suturing our often-fractured histories as individuals and as a collective...Dávila’s poem speaks of the memory we carry, our bodies laden with the weight of them as we traverse “lo hondo” or the “deep snares,” moving ever forward. “Y nos vemos aquí,” she writes, “and we find each other here,” emphasizing the collectivity of the journey of undertaking both memory work and eluding the traps that ensnare us into docility, disaffection, or death." ANIMAL FIERO Y TIERNO/FIERCE AND TENDER ANIMAL, by ángela María Dávila Malavé, translated by Poet Laureate of Philadelphia Roque Raquel Salas Rivera, is the first book from the Puerto Rican Literature in Translation collection at CENTRO Press. Get your english/spanish edition today --> https://lnkd.in/eVqFEGMD

What are some of the most requested topics in the CENTRO Library? CENTRO’s Library Manager Aníbal Arocho highlights some of the most popular topics at CENTRO, including the Young Lords, genealogies, the Nuyorican poetry movement, Puerto Rican life in Hawaii, and Puerto Rican influence in hip hop. Want to explore these topics and more? Watch the full Ask A Librarian video on YouTube! https://lnkd.in/egqU8eB5 #AskALibrarian #PuertoRicanHistory #CENTROArchives #LibraryLife #CulturalPreservation

How many items does the CENTRO Library have? In this Ask A Librarian video, Library Manager Aníbal Arocho takes us inside the Center for Puerto Rican Studies Library! From over 500 films, documentaries, and TV series to 300+ historical newspapers on microfilm, CENTRO offers a wealth of resources for anyone researching Puerto Rican history and culture. Want to learn more? Watch the full Ask A Librarian video on YouTube to discover the full extent of these amazing collections! Link to the video: https://lnkd.in/egqU8eB5 #AskALibrarian #PuertoRicanHistory #CENTROArchives #LibraryLife #CulturalPreservation

Cumbre Afro is Coming to NYC! For the first time ever, Cumbre Afro will be held in East Harlem, bringing together two iconic archives: CENTRO at Hunter College and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. This year’s theme, "Sites of Black Memory: Our Ancestors, Archives, and Arts," honors Arturo Schomburg and, in collaboration with PR-AFRO at UPR, transforms this gathering into more than just an event, it’s a celebration of Afro-Latinx memory. Through archives, arts, and storytelling, we uplift our shared histories as Black Diasporic peoples, ensuring that knowledge and resources extend beyond academia and nonprofits into our communities. Click here to RSVP! → https://lnkd.in/ep2dk--M

Bad Bunny’s CAFé CON RON brings back a rhythm deeply embedded in Puerto Rico’s history—Plena. This musical genre has long been a form of resistance, telling the stories of working-class struggles and social movements through song. For years, Plena’s influence declined, but musicians like Tito Matos dedicated their lives to keeping it alive. His work not only revitalized Plena but reshaped it into a tool for activism, ensuring its message continues to inspire new generations. Discover the history behind Plena and how it remains relevant today. Watch now on Youtube! https://lnkd.in/eGmRc8HA

In 1976, ángela María Dávila Malavé wrote a moving dedication to the women who shaped her life and poetry—her abuela, her mother, Sylvia Rexach, Julia de Burgos, and Lolita Lebrón. Now, for the first time, you can read her words in English. ANIMAL FIERO Y TIERNO is available in its first-ever English translation, brought to life by Raquel Salas Rivera. Order your copy now from La Bodega: [Insert Link] ?? Photos courtesy of ángela María Dávila Malavé’s family, Archivo General de Puerto Rico, CENTRO Library & Archives, and more. #AngelaMariaDavila #AnimalFieroYTierno #RaquelSalasRivera #PuertoRicanPoetry #CENTROPR

Happy International Women’s Day! This #WomensHistoryMonth, we celebrate Puerto Rican women who shaped history—from fighting for reproductive justice to leading labor movements and preserving cultural heritage. Throughout history, Puerto Rican women have led the fight for justice, equality, and cultural representation. Their impact continues to inspire generations. Learn more about these trailblazers and their impact. Visit our Library and Archives to keep exploring their stories. https://lnkd.in/eQS5JC8z

How does the CENTRO Library support researchers and scholars? The CENTRO Library plays a crucial role in preserving and sharing Puerto Rican history, offering invaluable resources to anyone engaged in this vital area of study. Aníbal Arocho, Library Manager at CENTRO, shares how the library ensures access, whether in East Harlem or beyond. From on-site assistance to a robust email reference system and digital resources, CENTRO makes Puerto Rican studies accessible to all. With these services, scholars can access materials from anywhere, breaking down geographical and logistical barriers to research. Full video up now on our Youtube channel! https://lnkd.in/egqU8eB5 #AskALibrarian #CENTROArchives #PuertoRicanHistory