Buffalo Puerto Rican/Latino Community Organizations
At the 2010 Census, the city’s population was 50.4% White (45.8% non-Hispanic White alone), 38.6% Black or African American, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.2% Asian, 3.9% from some other race and 3.1% from two or more races. 10.5% of the total population was Puerto Rican or Latino of any race.
We will have to wait until the 2020 Census to see what count they come up with regarding the Puerto Rican/Latino population. According to many of the local leaders, the numbers are always underestimated, or under-counted.
The fact is that since the early 1960s, there has been a large emergence of Puerto Ricans and Latin Americans, many attracted by the local colleges and universities, and many others coming from Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo, Latin America, and New York City looking to make a better life.
Today, the Puerto Rican/Latino population in Buffalo & Erie County is estimated to be over 70,000, with over 13% of that population living in the city. Out of the 13%, over 90% are Puerto Rican.
Puerto Ricans/Latinos considered movers & shapers in the Buffalo & Erie County Community (Names & Contact number):
Politics/Public Service – Hon. David Rivera: 716-851-5125 | drivera@city-buffalo.com
Politics/Public Service – Hon. Jonathan Rivera: 716-885-9630 | riverajd@assembly.gov
Politics/Community Activism – Roberto Quintana -716-316-8200 | quintana20@aol.com
Culture/Music/Bomba – Beatriz Flores: 716-348-0156 |elbateyprcenter@gmail.com
Heritage/Dance – MarCe Zerrate: 716-241-1510 | infor@amorandheritage.org
Arts/Education – Michele Agosto: 716-228-7370 | magosto@buffaloschools.org
Latino Veterans – Jose C. Pizarro: 716-207-7883 | roach14221@yahoo.com
Latino Heritage/History – Casimiro Rodriguez: 716-912-3489 |cdr3455@gmail.com
Community Activism/Climate Change – Luz Velez: 716-392-5483 | sistervelez3@gmail.com
Community Activism/Climate Change – Geovaira Hernandez: hernan18@mycanisius.com
Education/Youth Services/Columnist – Tania Rodriguez: 716-314-4519 | rodrigte@buffalostate.edu
Homelessness/Migrants – Nadia Pizarro: 716-563-3675 | npizarro@lake-short.org
Community/Government Activism – Christian Parra: 347-499-7892 | cparra@citizenactionny.org
Publishing/Arts/Education – Alberto O. Cappas: 646-248-2302 |latinovillage1@gmail.com
Latin American Art & Craft – Santiago Masferrer: 716- 885-6343 | lacabuffalo@gmail.com
Community Services/Events – Maritza Vega: 716-935-9773 | Emvega225@gmail.com
Public Service/Community Events – Wilmer Olivencia: 716-578-6254 | wolivencia716@yahoo.com
Housing Development – Jovino Morales: 716-715-5210 |jovinomorales@netscape.net
Housing Advocacy/Columnist – Danah Aponte: 716-370-3614 | dinahdiana555@gmail.com
Community Service/Latino Agency – Lucy Candelario: 716-845-6485 | lcandelario@thebellecenter.org
Community Service/Latino Agency – Geno Russi: 716-856-7110 |erussi@hubwny.org
Latino Senior Citizen Services – Benny Matta: 716-842-0172 | bmatta3@gmail.com