As our year of celebration comes to a close, we’re proud to honor 50 of our community members for the work they’ve done. From aiding survivors of Hurricane María to supporting the Latinx community here in Boston, our honorees make a difference every day. We look forward to honoring each of them at our gala on November 3rd! For more than 25 years, Aixa Beauchamp has worked in th...
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We’re excited to host the world renowned saxophonist who is transforming the jazz tradition by infusing it with Puerto Rican folkloric music: Miguel Zenón, a Puerto Rican native, along with Spektral Quartet, a string quartet based in Chicago. This multiple Grammy nominee, Guggenheim Fellow, and MacArthur (Genius) Fellow, is not only a master of balancing and blending musical traditions into a n...
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An all-star lineup of Boston-area chefs awaits attendees of our 50th anniversary gala! Chef Rodney Murillo of Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse and Chef Jose Duarte of Taranta will be co-chairs, bringing their signature blend of Caribbean and Italian cuisines. Although our chefs are all Boston-based, their food is inspired by cultures from around the world. With a focus on Latinx food, our ch...
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On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico, leaving extensive devastation in its wake. As we near the one-year anniversary of the storm, it’s important that we reflect upon the impact of the Hurricane and understand efforts underway to protect and aid the recovery of Puerto Rico. How did Hurricane Maria impact Puerto Rico? Puerto Rico suffered ex...
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In April 2018, we invited Bostonians to learn more about how an unlikely group of activists who rallied against local government to avoid being pushed out of their homes. We were humbled by the sheer number of people who came out to this event to share their connection to IBA and our community. As th...
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Nearly half a century ago, Latino members of the South End community organized to dedicate one July weekend to the celebration of their heritage with music, dancing, food, and activities for all ages. Over the years, what started as a neighborhood block party has grown into our annual Festival Betances! Each year we’re proud to welcome more than 3,000 attendees—and this year was no different!...
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As we finish up our month-long endeavour to feature our outstanding Youth Development Program, we decided to sit down with Youth Coordinator Angel Lopez and star player Erik Ramirez to talk about their involvement with the OneHood Peace Basketball League. Angel coached for nine years before taking on responsibility of coordinating the entire league. Now in its ...
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IBA’s Youth Development and Afterschool & Summer Learning Programs foster independence, creativity, and academic growth among children and teenagers. This month, we will highlight IBA youth on our social media and website to celebrate their achievements. We interviewed a previous YDP participant to provide some insight on what we do. Tell us a little about yourself....
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When gentrification enters a community, it doesn’t just impact low-income individuals and families. Rather, the small retail businesses, or mom-and-pop storefronts, that contribute to the vibrancy of a local economy are often pushed to the peripheries. For instance, according to a recent WBUR s...
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As part of April's focus on IBA's history, we will hold a historical forum next week featuring prominent individuals who have contributed to the foundation of IBA. We interviewed Mario Small, who will be on of our esteemed guests. With a Ph.D. from Harvard University, he has published books and numerous articles on urban poverty, personal networks, and th...
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Our Arts Program is an integral part of our community and our organization. With Villa Victoria Center for the Arts being the largest Latino Arts Center in all of New England, Arts Director Elsa Mosquera is responsible for sourcing Latinx talent from all over the world. Dedicated to diversifying the city of Boston and providing spaces for artists of all backgrounds, she is a true trailblazer in he...
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The month of March is deemed National Women’s History Month: a time to remember and appreciate the ways that women have contributed to the history of this country. In recognition of the celebration, we interviewed IBA CEO Vanessa Calderón-Rosado about her experience as a female leader in the field of government. Why do you think it’s important to have women represented in government? Vane...
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The IBA community is strong, but it has not thrived for the last 50 years all by itself. As a continuation of our focus on affordable housing, we interviewed María Laboy, the Senior Property Manager from Maloney Properties, to learn more about all the work they do for Villa Victoria residents. IBA: When did your relationship with IBA and Villa Victoria begin? ML: Maloney Propert...
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IBA: You’re the star of “Hecho en Puelto Rico.” Tell us a little bit more about the premise of this play. Angel Vàzquez: This is a monologue about a student in Puerto Rico who wants to leave the island as soon as possible. He receives a phone call from his dad and he thinks he’s going to get money to go to the states, but when he opens the suitcase his father sent him, it’s just full of s...
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We were thrilled at the turnout of this month’s Marca X Gallery opening featuring LGBTQIA Latinx artists from the Boston area. The Boston LGBTQIA Artists Alliance’s (BLAA) 14th exhibition was a collaboration with the Harvard Ed Portal Crossings Gallery (HEP), and the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies (DRCLAS). An array of different mediums were on display—including photography, p...
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