Flag Raising of the Puerto Rican Flag in White Plains, NY

History was made in White Plains, NY with a flag raising event of the Puerto Rican Flag. Hosted by the White Plains Puerto Rican Cultural Committee and the leadership of Evelyn Santiago as its Chair who is also running as the first Puerto Rican woman for the White Plains Common Council. This Puerto Rican festival offered everything from PR Artesania, comida criolla, face painting, and dancers from the Addie-tude Cultural Arts Center and representatives from COMITE NOVIEMBRE-MES DE LA HERENCIA PUERTORIQUENA. 

It was a pleasure meeting Mariel Perez Plains Public Library; Mari Iturbe-Ortiz Christine Avalo, Princess Puerto Rican Day Parade, Wilma I. Mendez-Bernardo and reconnecting with long time community leaders Teresa Santiago Santiago founder and President of Comite Noviembre and Maria Roman long time government and civic leader.

The flag raising was a powerful and poignant moment that was accompanied by Debbie Resto’s beautiful rendition of the National Hym of Puerto Rico, La Borinquena. The Latino population in New White Plains is a suburb of NYC and approximately 33% and is contributing to the city’s strength, beauty and vibrancy.

It was an honor to be invited to present my book at this groundbreaking event. I cannot wait to see what lies ahead.

Palante, Siempre Palante!