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
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.
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