Rhode Island Latino Voices

Latina | Latino | Latinx Changemakers

RHODE LATINO VOICES features individuals in Rhode Island who have contributed to and helped shape Latino history over the past 60 years. Rhode Island's Latino story dates back to the 1950s and 60s and is one of immigration, isolation, creative survival and celebration. Today, it mirrors what is happening around the country and includes individuals, Pioneers, that are still making history as each day goes by.

Marta V. Martínez, Executive Director of Rhode Island Latino Arts and oral historian partnered with Rhode Island PBS to interview first eight (8) Latino Pioneers during the month of August 2015, five (5) more in 2017, seven (7) in July of 2018 and seven (7) in August of 2019. The result are these short videos.

The original interviews sent messages to today's emerging leaders and young people who will be taking the torch and making history on their own. And the more recent videos feature individuals who are today involved in issues and activities that represent today’s growing Latinx population.
NOTE: Some of the videos on this site, plus additional excerpts of the interviews, aired on Rhode Island PBS as part of the rebroadcasting of Latino Americans: 500 Years during Hispanic Heritage Month 2015 on these dates/times:

Thursday, October 1, 2015: 7:55 p.m. (Patricia Martínez) • 8:55 p.m. (Luis Aponte) • 9:55 p.m. (Miriam Gorriaran)
Thursday, October 8, 2015: 7:55 p.m. (Sandra Cano) • 9:00 p.m. (Roberto González) • 10:05 p.m. (José González) • 10:10 p.m. (Carlos Lopez) • 10:15 p.m. (Patricia Martínez) • 10:18 p.m. (Miriam Gorriarán & Luis Aponte)
Thursday, October 15, 2015: 7:55 p.m. (Patricia Martínez) • 8:55 p.m. (Lydia Pérez) • 9:55 p.m. (José González & Miriam Gorriaran)

The other interviews were taped in 2017, 2018 and 2019 after the initial Rhode Island PBS broadcast, and will become part of a broader documentary of Latino History and Voices of Rhode Island.
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Produced in partnership with Rhode Island PBS