10 Achievements of Afro-Latino in the World
It was once said in the HIstoria Negra 365 that "without black history, there isn't Hispanic history." There are lots of things that everyone should know about the achievements and contributions of Afro-Latino that they have made over the years. However, most of these are not known to everyone.
In line with the celebration of Black History Month, we have compiled some of the significant achievements of Afro-Latino according to a published article in Hiplatina. Here are some of them:
1. Lola Falana- Queen of Las Vegas
Lola Fala is known as The First Lady or Queen of Las Vegas. She began her career as an entertainer in the 1960s. She made a big career in her industry. The Afro-Cuban acted on TV and Broadway and she even had her variety show. One of her biggest achievements was when she earned her Tony Nominations.
2. Celia Cruz- Queen of Salsa
Celia Cruz is a very well known person. She achieved a lot in her life. Some of her achievements include three Grammys plus a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, four Latin Grammys, 23 gold recordings, three honorary doctorates, and she also received National Medal of Arts.
3. Roberto Clemente- National Baseball Hall of Famer
Roberto Clemente is an Afro-Puerto Rican who made a name in the field of baseball. He was the first Afro-Latino who was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, won the Gold Glove Award for 12 seasons, and was a World Series MVP.
4. Amara La Negra- She stands up for Afro-Latina beauty
Amara La Negra is best remembered in the show "Love and Hip Hop: Miami" because this is where she shut down a music producer who wanted to change her looks. However, she showed the world the natural beauty of Afro-Latina and was not afraid to defend her natural hair.
5. Elizabeth Acevedo- Wins with Poet X
Elizabeth Acevedo was an Afro-Dominicana who wrote the award-winning Poet X. The poem is about Afro-Latina youth that earned awards from the National Book Award, Golden Kite Honor Award, and was the best seller in the New York Times.
6. Rafaela Lopes Silva- Wins an Olympic Gold Medal
Rafaela Lopes Silva is an Afro Brazilian. Her achievements include a Goll Medal for Judo during the Olympic Game in 2016 and a Gold Medal during the World Judo Championships in 2013.
7. Sammy Davis Jr.- Received the Kennedy Center Honors
Sammy Davis Jr. is an Afro-Cuban singer, actor, dancer, musician, and more who received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, an Emmy, Kennedy Center Honors, and more.
8. Zoe Saldana- Gets a Star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Zoe Saldana is an Afro-Dominican-Puerto Rican who received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last May 2019. She is the only actress ever to star in two films that grossed $2 billion.
9. Sarunas Jackson- Gets his character written as Afro-Latino
Sarunas Jackson is an Afro-Panamanian actor who asked the writers in one of his shows to make his character a Panamanian. This is a big win for the actor because it helped to make Afro-Latino everywhere became more visible including in Hollywood.
10. Cardi B- Breaks Music Records
Cardi B is an Afro- Dominicana rapper who quickly ascended to the top as a rapper. She was the first rapper since Lauren Hill around 17 years ago to reach no.1 on the Billboard.