The GIA Board Takes to Puerto Rico

On November 30 through December 1, 2022, the GIA board took to Puerto Rico for the final days of learning, and the last board meeting of the year.

First on the agenda was a formal introduction to incoming board members Amber Hamilton (Memphis Music Initiative), and Glenisse Pagán Ortiz (Filantropía Puerto Rico). Afterward, they spent their first day of learning with AgitArte, where they shared their scroll project capturing the history of resistance from the people of the Borican Archipelago.

Sharing the scroll project at AgitArte

Then came a visit to artist Jorge González's studio in Santurce where he shared about his micro-residency project with student-artists. The board also met with artist Jesús Búbu Cruz Negrón and Brigada Puerta de Tierra Plaza & Vivero de Puerta de Tierra Community. Lastly, they joined Artist Chemi Rosado Seijo to tour El Bowl La Perla in Viejo San Juan.

The second day, activities kicked-off with a guided tour from Daniel Lind Ramos through his childhood home where he first worked collecting coconuts and palms for carnival mask making. He explained how he learned about working with natural materials from his family, and gave a special tour of his studio.

Guided tour from Daniel Lind Ramo

At Corredor Afro, Dr. Marta Moreno Vega; Maricruz Rivera Clemente; Olga Chapman Rivera; Celso González; and Daniel Lind-Ramos spoke about their work of ensuring community as monument in the face of historic marginalization and active racism & displacement facing Loíza.

Discovering the connection to the African ancestral land

The board also visited Corporación Piñones Se Integra (COPI), and learned about the work of the Pinoñes, Loíza communities work preserving and educating their community on African Descendant history and culture, as well as their connection to the African ancestral land through community-led environmental stewardship and justice efforts. They enjoyed traditional Loiza food by Aracely Pizarro Piñones.

Finally, nomination was in order for Eleanor Savage as vice chair to begin January 2023, and Tariana Navas-Nieves as chair-elect to begin January 2024. They thanked and honored outgoing board members, Jaime Dempsey, and Ken May.

The GIA board and team are feeling grateful as we wrap up another incredible year!