The Cuban singer Cimafunk was invited to a special celebration, no less, than at The White House, in Washington DC, where he arrived this February 22 for an event in honor of the Afro-Latin community.
The singer, whose real name is Erik Iglesias Rodríguez, attended along with other guest artists from various musical genres, such as salsa and funk, in an event to celebrate the Afro-Latin influence in the United States and its cultural legacy.
The Cuban was one of the speakers at the ceremony, as was the African-American actress of Puerto Rican descent, Paige Hurd. In his speech, the interpreter of Break it He thanked the invitation, and recognized the work of personalities who have paved the way for Afro-Latinos in the United States.
Among the artists named by the Cuban, artists and activists with well-known influence in the US stood out, such as Chucho Valdés, Mohammad Ali, George Clinton, Benny More, Fela Kuti, James Brown, Martin Luther King, Celia Cruz, Los papines de Cuba, Omara Portuondo, the recently deceased Juana Bacallao, among many others.
Cimafunk has gained increasing fame in recent years, known for his innovative style of tropical, electronic and jazz musical fusion, which reveals the cultural blend of his Afro-Cuban roots.
During his speech, the singer highlighted that African American and Afro-Latin heritage is rooted in all aspects of culture, from music to gastronomy, and underlined its influence on the nation’s identity.
For his part, Hurd highlighted the importance of these platforms to show the prominence of Afro-Latinos and their impact on American society. Both she and Cimafunk agreed that “time still has to pass” for racism to no longer be so present in the United States, because “there is still a lack of understanding and there are many stereotypes,” Hurd said.
To liven up the evening, the Colombian composer and actor Mauro Castillo, accompanied by his band, performed songs from his album Artificial intelligencemaking the attendees dance.
The event, framed in African American Heritage Month, highlighted the theme ‘African Americans and the arts’. In addition to musical performances, the day included panels and conversations about the link between Afro-Latinos and artistic expressions.
The president of the National Endowment for the Arts, María Rosario Jackson, the first African American and the first Mexican American woman to occupy the presidency of said institution, highlighted the importance of giving visibility and respect to the artistic expressions of these communities.
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