East Harlem Remembers Legendary Young Lords and El Barrio Photographer Hiram Maristany

By Ismael Nunez El Museo del Barrio honored the memory of Hiram Maristany with a community celebration on May 15. The former director of El Museo, Maristany was remembered as one of the community’s most gifted artists, a longtime El Barrio resident, a community activist, and a former member and official photographer of the Young Lords Party. “As a photographer, Maristany’s work transcended the purely documentary, and testified to the beauty in our communities,” El Museo del Barrio said in a statement. “Today, and always, we are grateful for his friendship, and loyalty, and continue to be inspired by his commitment to uplifting Puerto Rican and Latinx communities. Rest in power.” He was 76 (August 10, 1945 – March 10, 2022).

The program for the event stated: “Maristany first picked up the camera in 1959 while still a teenager, and dedicated the next six decades documenting the life, history, culture, and beauty of his neighborhood.” Active in the cultural and political movements in the Puerto Rican community, he was a founding member of the Young Lords Party. He would be the official photographer and capture many of their iconic actions. He later became involved in the early history of El Museo where he served as director from 1974 to 1977. His photographs are part of the permanent collections of such respected institutions as the Smithsonian American Art Museum, The National Museum of African American History and Culture, and El Museo Del Barrio. Among those who attended the event were Hiram Maristany’s son, Pablo Maristany, and daughter Alita Maristany; former members of the Young Lords Felipe Luciano and Mickey Melendez; Patrick Charnel, executive director of El Museo Del Barrio, Pedro Pedraza El Museo Trustee; Marta Moreno Vega, founder of the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute; Evelyn Carmen Ramos, chief curatorial and conservation officer, National Gallery of Art; and Susana Torruella Leval, president emerita and former executive director, El Museo Del Barrio. They all expressed how the photographer’s work and his love for the community helped promote issues and causes that mattered to the people of El Barrio and the Puerto Rican community in NYC. The bomba/plena group, BombaYo, ended the show singing and dancing proudly to the sound of: “Hiram Presente, tu trabajo, artista, Young Lords Presente!”

As for this reporter, you will always be my friend, mi hermano. Whenever I see the Young Lords Church at 111th street and Lexington Avenue, the Young Lords book written by former Young Lords member Iris Morales, and your photography showcased in East Harlem, I will remember. I will never forget you. Pa’lante Hiram. To view more of Ismael's photos, visit his Hiram Maristany tribute album.

Tribute to PRSUN Mascot: Sol (2003-2021)

My beautiful feisty Sol and mascot of PRSUN Communications passed away August 27 at our Bronx home. She was 18. My girl, a rescue from San Juan, Puerto Rico, was and will continue to be a source of inspiration. Her fighter spirit lives on. Feel free to visit Sol's memorial page at Pet Heaven.

PRSUN Mascot Sol Turns 18

Happy Birthday to our own #prsun mascot Sol. My rescue girl from Puerto Rico is 18. Her birthday was August 14, 2003.

@ the Hurricane Maria Memorial, NYC

@ Rockefeller Park To view full album, click on image. (photos by Clarisel Gonzalez)

Puerto Rican Day Parade in Melrose

While the National Puerto Rican Day Parade was virtual this year, the Villa Cuerno community in the South Bronx hosted its own Puerto Rican Parade on Brook Avenue in the South Bronx. Click on image to view full album. (photo by Clarisel Gonzalez)

Mayors Bill de Blasio and Miguel Romero Establish Partnership Between NYC and San Juan

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero this month laid the foundation of a partnership on culture, tourism, public safety, and emergency preparedness between New York City and San Juan, Puerto Rico. New York City is home to more than 666,000 Puerto Ricans, one of the largest Commonwealth diaspora communities in the United States. “Puerto Rican New Yorkers make our city the most vibrant city in the world, and they never forget where they came from. Their city won’t, either,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “As New York City and San Juan fight back COVID-19 and build a recovery for all our residents, now is the perfect time to deepen the ties between our cities and find new ways to support our friends in the Commonwealth.” "New York City provides San Juan with a great example of an energetic and cosmopolitan city in continuous development and growth. The lessons learned by NYC will provide a great tool for our administration to replicate and learn from. On behalf of all San Juan residents, as well as the tourists who visit us, I thank Mayor de Blasio for his commitment to the people of Puerto Rico and to the development of our capital,” said Mayor Miguel Romero. On a recent phone call, Mayors de Blasio and Romero discussed a variety of new ideas to deepen coordination between New York City and San Juan, including: In celebration of San Juan’s 500th anniversary, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and San Juan's Departmento de Arte y Cultura (Department of Art and Culture) will work together to incorporate the NYC-based Puerto Rican community in the celebration. In anticipation of the upcoming hurricane season, New York City Emergency Management will work with San Juan's Office of Emergency Management to plan joint training sessions for staff on the island. Additional coordination between the San Juan Police Department and the NYPD to train local officers on the island and share community policing procedures. Replicating the NYC City Cleanup Corps and how San Juan can implement a similar model using federal funding. # # # source: NYC Mayor's Office Press Release

Happy Birthday to Esperanza

 

Our Esperanza's birthday was January 20. Here are a few images from her fifth birthday celebration. (photos by Clarisel Gonzalez)

#kittydoggienews

Happy New Year

 

Sol #prsun mascot

Looking forward to a prosperous new year despite the pandemic.

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Happy Puerto Rican Heritage Month

 

Siempre, Luis (2020): Official Trailer on Pioneering Activist Luis Miranda Jr.

A story that embodies the tenacity and passion of the American Dream, SIEMPRE, LUIS, debuting TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6 (9:00 p.m. ET/PT) during National Hispanic Heritage Month, is a portrait of the pioneering activist Luis A. Miranda Jr. Luis is a decades-long fighter for Latino communities, a key player in the New York and national political arena, and a loving father of three – including the award-winning composer, lyricist and actor, Lin-Manuel Miranda.

 

The film will be available on HBO and to stream on HBO Max.  Directed by first-time filmmaker John James, the film had its World Premiere at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. 

The documentary centers on Luis A. Miranda Jr. who left Vega Alta, Puerto Rico for New York City in the 1970s. Filmed over the course of a year, Luis’ devotion to family and country propels him forward despite recent health issues. Always searching for ways to assist communities in need, particularly when his beloved Puerto Rico is suffering, Luis moves to action following the devastation of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, coordinating relief efforts and raising money and awareness while managing the complicated and ambitious tasks involved in bringing his son’s award-winning production of Hamilton to the island. 

With humor and heart, SIEMPRE, LUIS tells the story of an unstoppable changemaker and proud American.  The film tracks Luis’ journey in the United States, which began with his acceptance to a clinical psychology doctoral program at New York University. Following his move at the age of nineteen, Luis quickly finds success in the competitive and fast-paced world of New York City politics, becoming a key figure in communicating to political candidates the importance of engaging with the Latinx community. 

A natural problem solver and indispensable bridge to multi-cultural communities, Luis consults for a number of winning political campaigns throughout his career, including Hillary Rodham Clinton, Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand’s campaigns for the U.S. Senate and Letitia James as public advocate and New York Attorney General, among others.   

The film explores Luis’ vast career and influence in politics, including his time in the 1980’s as special advisor for Hispanic Affairs to Mayor Edward I. Koch, and Director of the Mayor’s Office for Hispanic Affairs. In 1990, Luis was the founding President of the Hispanic Federation, where he became one of New York City’s leading voices for increased support to nonprofit Latino organizations.  

In 2017, when disaster strikes Puerto Rico in the form of Hurricane Irma and is quickly followed by the catastrophic devastation of Hurricane Maria, Luis uses his influence and resources to mobilize powerful figures and organizations to bring aid to his home island in a most dire time, working closely with his family along the way. He bears witness to unprecedented national political apathy in the face of the deadliest natural disaster to strike Puerto Rico, becoming an advocate for a Puerto Rican diaspora reeling in its aftermath. He grapples with a growing national xenophobia that threatens his family’s vision of a more inclusive Union. 

Without missing a beat, he works to bring a much-needed fundraising, and morale-building, new touring production of Hamilton to the island alongside his son, Lin-Manuel, all while remaining a committed father who refuses to outsource the around-the-clock obligations that define fatherhood. 

SIEMPRE, LUIS features interviews and appearances by notable figures in politics and entertainment, such as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, the late former NY Mayor Ed Koch, Senator Chuck Schumer, former NY State Assemblyman Roberto Ramirez, former NY Secretary of State Lorraine Cortez-Vazquez, U.S. Congresswoman Rep. Nydia Velazquez, Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller, and many more.  

SIEMPRE, LUIS is directed by John James; written by Raul Santos, John James, Carlos Garcia de Dios, Luis Alvarez y Alvarez; produced by Katie Taber, John James, Carlos Garcia de Dios; executive produced by Michael Stolper; cinematography by Carlos García de Dios; edited by Luis Alvarez y Alvarez. Endeavor Content financed the documentary. For HBO: executive producers, Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller; senior producer, Sara Rodriguez.  

source: press release