A celebration of Boricua culture, music, food and traditions in an inter generational environment is a great way to build community. Councilwoman Evelyn Santiago, first Puerto Rican woman to be elected in White Plains NY, and The White Plains Puerto Rican Cultural Committee hosted and show cased artists, performers and authors this past weekend. It was a pleasure to be invited back as an award winning author to participate in this groundbreaking and inspirational event. A special thank you and appreciation for Raesha Cartagena and PRIDA Artists for the camaraderie and beautiful art pieces and Juan Guitterez and Los Pleneros De La 21.
Please join me on Sunday March 15th, 2026 at the Bronx Music Hall where I will be honoring the legacy of one of the greatest Boricua woman, warrior and leader that I have ever met, Dr. Evelina Lopez Antonetty. Please join me for a special reading of the chapter from my book dedicated to Evelina where I recount my first encounter with this fierce, compassionate and graceful woman. She spoke truth to power and fought numerous battles on behalf of her people for equitable housing, bilingual education, food insecurity and social and economic justice.
There will be remarks made by her daughter, Anita Antonetty and a photo exhibit of images taken by her grandson Joe Conzo, Jr. A special thank you to Elena Martinez, Executive Director for BMH for coordinating this special event.
Shortly after the release of my memoir “The Fight for Equity in the Bronx: Changing Lives and Transforming Communities One Scholar at a Time”, I started working with the team at Forbes Books on the Spanish Translation of my book in order to deliver my story to the Spanish speaking Latinx and Immigrant communities throughout the US, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
I am delighted to announce that the translated version will be released on June 23, 2026 in hard copy and as an e-book. All royalties earned will go toward first in family college scholarships to support our scholars at the International Leadership Charter High School.
PRE-ORDER NOW:
https://www.amazon.com/Lucha-por-Equidad-Bronx-Transformando-ebook/dp/B0GZQ6BX6Y
This week on @GlocalCitizens, just in time for the Back to School season, we're in conversation with Founder and CEO of International Leadership Charter High School, Dr. Elaine Ruiz Lopez. In 2024, in addition to expanding the ILCHS model to include middle school, she also stepped into the literary world with her first book, "The Fight for Equity in the Bronx: Changing Lives and Transforming Communities One Scholar at a Time." This is a #flashbackforward episode of a different sort as I worked with Elaine in a realestate capacity when the school was in its infancy. Her vision has grown into a fully formed middle and high school standing as a legacy of community service to her family's adopted home in The Bronx after leaving the shores of hashtag Puerto Rico.
Listen and learn more @ https://lnkd.in/eG9Qmh9g!
On this episode of OPEN FRIDAY host Rhina Valentin sits down with Diasporican author and Bronx Native Dr. Elaine Ruiz Lopez to talk about her recent success with her book “The Fight for Equity in the Bronx: Changing Lives and Transforming Communities One Scholar at a Time”.
The ILBA awards were an extraordinary experience. I am honored that my book, “The Fight for Equity in the Bronx: Changing Lives and Transforming Communities One Scholar at a Time” has received an award in three distinct categories earning two Silver medals for the Most Inspirational Non-Fiction Book, and Best Self Transformation Book and a Bronze medal for the Ambassador Julian Nava Best Ethnic Studies Book. When my memoir was released 16 months ago in 2024, and became an Amazon Best Seller within the first two weeks of its release by Forbes/Advantage Media, I never imagined that my story would receive this level of recognition and visibility. I simply wanted to tell my story.
Please tune in to Tiempo on ABC on Sunday November 30th @ 11:30 AM for my interview with Anchor Joe Torres.
I recently had the distinct pleasure of being interviewed by two award winning journalists and anchors last week.
History was made in White Plains, NY with a flag raising event of the Puerto Rican Flag.