José C. Feliciano Awarded Cleveland Heritage Medal
The Cleveland Heritage Medal is bestowed upon individuals whose significant contributions through leadership, collaboration and service have left an indelible mark on all spheres of the Cleveland community. But for these extraordinary men and women, the magnificent story and history of Cleveland would not be what it is today. In a ceremony on Thursday, November 16, 2023 in the Cleveland City Hall Rotunda, José Feliciano, Sr. was the well-deserved recipient of this prestigious honor.
The Cleveland Puerto Rican Community community demonstrated their proud heritage at One World Day in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. One World Day has been the official event of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation since 1946. Over 50,000 people visited the gardens on One World Day 2023.
The Puerto Rican Community participated in the Parade of Flags which had 1500 people from over 53 countries.
Puerto Rican community in Parade of Flags on One World Day
Pleibol is a fundraising weekend filled with games, food, and festive celebrations. This event pays tribute to the profound impact of Black and Latino individuals on the world of baseball. Pleibol spans three days leading up to Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month; A Gala Dinner Friday Night, Community Games on Saturday and The Tournament on Sunday. The goal is to honor the rich history of minorities in baseball while raising funds for two deserving organizations, Julia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center and Baseball Heritage Museum.
Carlos Baerga and Julia de Burgos dancers at Pleibol
The annual Cleveland Puerto Rican Parade was held Sunday August 6, 2023. The Parade was put on by the Hispanic Police Officers' Association (HPOA) which has been proudly serving it's members and the greater Cleveland community since it was founded in 1986.
Good Friday Procession: St Michael the Archangel Church, St. Colman Church, La Sagrada Familia
A procession covered 3 churches in Cleveland on Good Friday 2023. It began in the mostly Puerto Rican St. Michael the Archangel Church at Scranton and Clark in Cleveland. Bishop Edward Malesic offered a welcome and prayer and then led the procession with other priests, men carrying a large statue of the body of Jesus, ladies carrying a statue of the Sorrowful Mother, a man dressed as Jesus carrying a cross, Roman Centurions, Saint Veronica and more. They marched through the neighborhoods to St. Colman Church where they processed in for a service. The final stop was at La Sagrada Familia Church on Detroit.
The gymnasium at La Sagrada Familia Parish on Cleveland's West Side, was filled with dozens of colorful, sawdust carpets, known as the Carpets of Holy Week. In Spanish, they are called Alfombras de Semana Santa. The handiwork was done by individuals, families, parish organizations, nonprofits and other groups.
The annual Cleveland Puerto Rican Parade was held Sunday August 7th. The Parade was put on by the Hispanic Police Officers' Association (HPOA) which has been proudly serving it's members and the greater Cleveland community since it was founded in 1986.
The 2022 Parade Honorees were:
Ramonita Vargas, Grand Marshal
Victor Ruiz, Padrino
Keisha González, Madrina
Zaria Ivelisse Ortiz, Miss Teen Puerto Rico 2022
Click on the white arrow below to watch a video of some highlights of the Parade including former Cleveland Indians Carlos Baerga and Candy Maldonado. I did not include the cars and other vehicles in the parade - they will be in a separate video. I also did not include the many politicians in the parade.
After the 2022 Cleveland Puerto Rican Parade, the crowds gathered at Roberto Clemente Park for a Festival with music, food, camaraderie and dignitaries.
Mayor Justin Bibb, Council President Blaine Griffin, Councils Jasmin Santana, Kerry McCormack and others spoke as well as Cleveland Indians great Carlos Baerga.
Victor A. Ruiz inducted into Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Since 2010, the Cleveland International Hall of Fame (CIHF) has inducted people who have made significant and lasting contributions to our multicultural society. Cleveland is home to people representing about 120 different ethnic groups. The CIHF exists not only to honor those special people but also to inspire a new generation of leaders to follow in their footsteps.
Over 150 worthy candidates were nominated for both the 2020 and 2022 Classes of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. The selection committee was advised by previously inducted members of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.
Victor Ruiz was inducted by Tri-C President Dr. Alex Johnson.
José C. Feliciano receives honorary degree from Tri-C
Born in Yauco, Puerto Rico, and raised on Cleveland's near west side, Feliciano became the city's first major Hispanic public official when he was appointed chief prosecutor in 1980. Deeply committed to advancing Cleveland's Hispanic community, Feliciano founded the Hispanic Roundtable, the Hispanic Leadership Development Program, the Hispanic Community Forum and the Ohio Hispanic Bar Association.
José Feliciano receives honorary degree from Tri-C
2019
Puerto Rican community in the Cultural Gardens on One World Day
The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation hosted the 74th annual One World Day on August 25, 2019. Police estimates say that over 30,000 people visited the Gardens and attended One World Day. Though they do not yet have a Cultural Garden, the Puerto Rican community was active and participated in the Parade of Flags.
The Parade of Flags where people in costumes of their heritage carry the flags, is a highlight of One World Day and the Puerto Rican community was a great part of it. This year was undoubtedly the largest and most colorful in memory.
Puerto Rican community in the Parade of Flags on One World Day
The 51st annual Cleveland Puerto Rican Parade was held Sunday August 4th. The Parade was put on by the Hispanic Police Officers' Association (HPOA) which has been proudly serving it's members and the greater Cleveland community since it was founded in 1986.
After the 2019 Cleveland Puerto Rican Parade, the crowds gathered at Roberto Clemente Park for a Festival with music, food, camaraderie and dignitaries.
According to the Cleveland Puerto Rican Parade website "A parade celebration of Puerto Rican arts and culture has been observed by Cleveland's Puerto Ricans each summer since the late 60s. Its purpose has been to bring together the city's residents and to educate the community-at-large about the rich Puerto Rican culture. As we celebrate 50 years of history, we welcome the next organizers, Hispanic Police Officers' Association, and look forward to a gleaming future for this event.
Ivan "Papo" Ruiz, Padrino and Selina Pagan, Madrina of the Parade
The Puerto Rican Parade of Greater Cleveland carries a strong history of cultural awareness, pride, and education, led by a resilient community who's love for their homeland, spirit of freedom, justice, and unity have never waivered. After 50 years, when the Parade's founders first celebrated their Puerto Rican heritage in the City of Cleveland, we proudly continue this legacy."
After the 2018 Cleveland Puerto Rican Parade, the crowds gathered at Roberto Clemente Park for a Festival with music, food, camaraderie and dignitaries.
Officer Emmanuel Velez and 2018 Miss Puerto Rican Image Nayeli Claudio and Runnerup Aleishka Marrero
Cleveland Puerto Rican community at Cleveland Multicultural Event
The Cleveland Puerto Rican Community was represented at the 7th annual International Community Council - Worldwide Intercultural Network (ICC-WIN) holiday party on December 14, 2016.
120 people participated in the fashion show and each walked the runway to music from their country. Click on the white arrow to watch the short video of the Puerto Rican models, Sofia, Lily and Phoebe Barlow.
Every 3 years Convencion Hispana is put on in Cleveland by the Hispanic Roundtable. The 2016 Convencion was held at Max Hayes High School on West 65th Street. This free assembly provided education, empowerment, health and workforce development resources for Northeast Ohio's Latino community.
One highlight of the Convencion was the discussion led by Hispanic Roundtable president Jose Feliciano with Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Cuyahoga County executive Armond Budish.
Jose Feliciano and Cleveland Fire Chief Angelo Calvillo
The legendary Rita Moreno came to Cleveland to be the keynote speaker at the 2016 Convencion Hispana. The evening before she was a guest at a preview reception at Baker Hostetler where Hispanic Roundtable president Jose Feliciano practices law.
Rita Moreno is a Puerto Rican-American actress and singer. Her career has spanned over 70 years; among her notable acting work are supporting roles in the musical films The King and I and West Side Story, as well as a 1971–77 stint on the children's television series The Electric Company, and a supporting role on the 1997-2003 TV drama Oz.
Honorable José A. Villanueva inducted into Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Honorable José A. Villanueva was inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame on April 29, 2015. Judge Villanueva was born in Utuado, Puerto Rico. Judge Villanueva has served in the General Division of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas since 1988. His election marked the first time a member of the Hispanic Community achieved elective office in Cuyahoga County. He also became the first Hispanic elected county-wide in the state of Ohio.
Judge Villanueva is a founder of the Ohio Hispanic Bar Association, the Hispanic Community Forum and the Hispanic Roundtable. In 2014 Judge Villanueva was honored by the Ohio Hispanic Bar Association, receiving the organization's first Leadership and Community Service Award.
Honorable José A. Villanueva was inducted by José Feliciano
The 60th annual Humanitarian Award Dinner of the Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio honored Rick Chiricosta, President and CEO of Medical Mutual of Ohio, and Jose C. Feliciano, Partner at Baker Hostetler.
ClevelandPeople.Com congratulates these two worthy choices and gives a special shout out to our Puerto Rican and Hispanic Ambassador, Jose Feliciano.
Jose Feliciano Jr and Sr. at the Diversity Center event
2013
History of Puerto Rican Music and Dance performed by the Julia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center
The History of Puerto Rican Music and Dance was performed by the Julia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center at International Cleveland Community Day in the Atrium of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This included Bomba, Plena, Mrengue, Salsa and modern music from Ricky Martin, Bruno Mars and Jennifer Lopez.
Highlights of the annual Puerto Rican Parade in Cleveland Ohio. Floats, music, Mayor Jackson, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, Gina de Jesus, cool cars and more.
Dance performance at Culture Shock 2013 Tri-C West April 18, 2013
Miss Puerto Rican Image 2012 Aidelis Rivera performed at the 2013 Culture Shock event which was put on by Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) West and the Parma City School District.
Puerto Rican Dance by Explosion Divina from the Julia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center Opening of Ames Family Atrium in Cleveland Museum of Art October 28, 2012
Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center The Julia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center is dedicated to preserving and sharing the Puerto Rican and Caribbean traditions through the teaching and practice of the visual, performing, & literary arts.
The dark blue represents countries where Spanish has official status. The light blue is where Spanish is spoken without official recognition.
Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following Columbus' second voyage to the Americas.
In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War.
Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917. Popularly-elected governors have served since 1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self government.
In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters chose not to alter the existing political status.
Read more about the Puerto Rican and other Ambassadors. If you are interested in being considered to be an official ClevelandPeople.com Ambassador to the Cleveland Puerto Rican community, please contact us.
