TINO MEJIA WORKS ON THE BOOK “GALLARDO”

Tino Mejia is presently writing an introduction to the book, “GALLARDO”, to be published by the Buffalo Latino Village by the end of the year. The book is a collection of Ramon Gallardo’s monthly columns which were featured in the Latin Journal. Both were active members of the Lackawanna Mexican Club. Tino was the one that introduced and suggested that Ramon should write for the Latin Journal, which provided him a platform to write about his perspective on the Puerto Rican leaders and on elected officials at the time. He did not hesitate to address the lack of leadership, public and private corruption, and the lack of support from the local Puerto Rican/Latino community.

His writing had an impact that people picked up the journal only to read his columns, and the local press, like the Buffalo News, caught his attention and did a whole page spread on him.

The Journal publisher, Alberto Cappas, received a call from the editor of the Buffalo News, and immediately Alberto thought they wanted to do an article about the journal.  “No”, said the Buffalo News editor, “We are interested in interviewing one of your writers, Ramon Gallardo, we heard he’s an excellent and unique writer for your publication.”

Tino Mejia was a member of PODER, and he was also the founder of UB’s Chicano Student Union (1970). He also was a lecturer with UB’s Puerto Rican Studies Department.

A migrant advocate, with the help of Alberto O. Cappas, founder of PODER, WBFO-FM Latino programming, and PRCC, Tino was able to organize a group to assist and work with the migrant workers in Dunkirk and North Collins, who at the time, were facing racism and hardship and problems in finding decent housing. Tino was able to invite Cesar Chavez, an American labor leader & civil rights activist, to Buffalo where he spoke to UB students about the migrants and their working conditions in America. Under Dr. George Rivera, a Mexican American professor, together they wrote a paper on migrant workers in  New York State, at the time, the people had little information about migrants working on farms in western New York, mostly in Dunkirk and North Collins. The workers came from Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the south.

Both the Chicano Student Union and PODER used some of their student budget or funds to help the migrant workers. Later, Tino went on to host the Mexican hour with WBFO, and worked with the BUILD organization, at the time, the only advocate and civil rights group in the Black Community.

The book, “GALLARDO”, is scheduled for publication at the end of the year. To reserve or purchase a copy email latinovillage1@gmail.com.