LEADING WITH LOVE THROUGH DANCE

Entertainment /

Thinking of the first time I met this fantastic human – my first thought was that she looked like she Loved what she was doing! A few days after my son, Asheem, was in the Fashion Show for El Batey fundraising in November 2022, someone asked me if my son would be interested in auditioning for a dance company. They told me the time, date, and location of where to show up and to ask for MarCe Zerrate. We showed up, and they warmly greeted us and invited Asheem on stage. There are a few other dancers there as well. They are there for a little under 2 hours dancing to different music as she encourages my calling out: ‘Essssooo!’ She’d play the song and then helps them adjust for positions on stage and choreographic adjustments.  At the end, I asked her how she thought he did, and she said, “He did an amazing job!” She gave me the next time that they would come together. I asked her if that meant he was accepted. She looked confused. I explained that I was told he was auditioning. And she says, “Ohhhh, yeah, well, he’s got the part! I Loved him! So bring him Friday!” We all laughed together!   Her dance company, Amor and Heritage, was gearing up to dance for an “Encanto” themed performance where everything was being pre-recorded! It was a fantastic experience for everyone!  Since then, MarCe has invited Asheem to perform multiple times, and he even participated in the Summer Camp at Buffalo State College this year. Each time I see her, she’s always positive and smiling no matter what’s going on around her. She encourages the children to do their absolute best lovingly.   During the Summer Camp, I saw her infused dancing with Love of One’s Heritage. Every week, the children explored different dances from around the world. Older youth and adult instructors would teach the dances from their cultural backgrounds. MarCe would explain when the dance was popular, what the songs were about, where the dance style was from, and what if any, other countries had adaptations of that dance style!  Also, each week, they would get stickers representing different countries/territories to put in a passport-style booklet where they would add a unique thing about that country. The children eagerly awaited their stickers and were glad to report what additional facts they learned from that country the following week!   MarCe Zerrate and Amor and Heritage Dance is on track to achieve its mission to promote Diversity, Multiculturalism, and Kindness through DANCE!   The educational component fosters tolerance, understanding of other cultures, self-confidence, sharing kindness, and staying healthy. All this through the fun, exciting, and diverse world of dance!  If you would like to experience all the love offered by Amor and Heritage Dance firsthand, you can find them on Facebook and Instagram or contact them on their website: www.amorandheritage.org.  Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Community Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Military & Veterans Peace People Politics Sports LEADING WITH LOVE THROUGH DANCE October 4, 2023/No CommentsRead More “UNAPOLOGETICALLY & UNCOMPROMISING” July 10, 2023/No Comments This month I am shining the spotlight on a woman whom I met a few years ago. When I met… Read More “MAKE LOVE HAPPEN!” June 7, 2023/No Comments As Juneteenth is quickly approaching, I decided to feature Jomo Akono. I have known him for over 15 years. He… Read More Load More End of Content.

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ROBERTO QUINTANA! SETTING THE RECORD

Politics /

“He who is without sin can cast the first stone.” The other day, I was thinking about Roberto Quintana and the history of his political involvement, including his descent from public service. I don’t have to go much into describing who he is as he is well known and recognized in the political and community arena. I became interested in Roberto Quintana when I got involved in his run for the assembly seat several years ago against the son of the Niagara District Councilman, David Rivera. I had an opportunity to get to know him, and I must admit, he has what the other Puerto Rican/Latino elected officials or community leaders do not have. He has charisma, personality, and an agenda for the growth and development of the community if provided the opportunity. I experienced the good and the ugly, the political system, or status quo went into the past and threw everything at him. They ganged up on him – bringing his past to life, the present. They were afraid of him and could not take a chance and allow him to come back to elected office. Regardless of his misdeeds, that was the past, and he should have been allowed to redeem himself. What happened to the concept of a “second chance.”  People need to read their bible.  Living in the community from 1970 to 1985, and from 2012 to the present, I know of the crimes committed by some of our leaders, but they have been well protected due to politics. If one did their research, you would find some of the hidden treasures. The political system gave them a “second chance.” Quintana deserves the same; he is a gift to our community. As an elected official, our community would regain the essential tools needed for the growth and development of our people – character, energy, imagination, and creativity.   Quintana will put our Puerto Rican/Latino community on the map. He does not take orders; he gives orders! He is progressive, independent, and has a strong character to represent the West Side, and with GANAS!  We all, or many of us, have done something in our lives that we are ashamed of, but we did not get caught. We were the lucky ones! Think about that when you criticize Quintana. Karna has a way of calling things to your attention. Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Community Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Military & Veterans Peace People Politics Sports ROBERTO QUINTANA! SETTING THE RECORD October 4, 2023/No Comments “He who is without sin can cast the first stone.” The other day, I was thinking about Roberto Quintana and the history of… Read More  A COMMUNITY GIFT OR A TROJAN HORSE?  October 3, 2023/No Comments This past month, on Friday, September 15th, the beginning of what has become known as “Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15… Read More LATINO COLLEGE STUDENTS FACE INEQUALITY AND CULTURAL ISOLATION AT THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK at BUFFALO March 25, 2023/No Comments LACK OF COLLEGE SERVICES FOR LATINO STUDENTS: This is in response to a story by UB Spectrum reporter, Kayla Estrada,… Read More Load More End of Content.

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 A COMMUNITY GIFT OR A TROJAN HORSE? 

1 Comment / Community /

This past month, on Friday, September 15th, the beginning of what has become known as “Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15), the Hispanic Heritage Council, along with a long list of who’s who in the political Kingdom, including the New York State governor, Gov. Kathy Hochul, did what they have long been waiting for, the ground-breaking ceremony for the Lower West Side “Hispanic Cultural Institute, on Hudson & Niagara Street, a center dedicated to arts, culture, history, and community service for the local Puerto Rican/Latino community. It is estimated that over 30 million will complete the project, which will begin within the next few weeks or sooner. The center is scheduled to be developed right on the corner of Hudson and Niagara on the Lower West Side, the heart and soul of the Puerto Rican community. This group makes up over 85% of the Latino population. It is estimated that over 70,000 Latinos live in western NY, with about 45,000 in the city of Buffalo, primarily Puerto Rican. The center, a three-story, 37,000 square footing building, plans to house an art gallery, museum, cafeteria, theatre space (Raices Theatre Company), gift shop, media program (radio, television & broadcast), and a 150-seating performing arts theater, among other community programs. The idea behind this institution came from Casimiro Rodriguez during 2019, a fixture in the community and founder of the Hispanic Heritage Council (HHC). To his credit, he convinced the city, state, and federal elected officials to support and help finance the project. Under his leadership, in 2021, HHC started an aggressive fundraising campaign to raise millions of dollars from the public (government) and private sector ($18 million). The local New York State legislators gave HHC about $12 million and nearly $2 million from the local federal elected officials. As of this writing, more tax money continues to pour in. While the Buffalo Latino Village gave thumbs up when the project idea was first revealed in 2018, and local Puerto Rican groups opposed it, we now have reservations. The support for the project comes mainly from HHC’s inner circle of friends or colleagues, including the politicians they support and donate for their political campaigns. There has also been a lack of transparency, and very few Lower West Side residents know anything about the project. Casimiro Rodriguez is articulate and a go-getter, a hard worker, and a long-time Buffalo resident with family roots. But we would like to see more transparency and communication with the grassroots community, open meetings, and press conferences with the public, not just the “chosen few.” Having said that, we keep our fingers crossed and hope the agenda is based on a passion for community and not political ambition or political theatre to advance the status quo at the expense of the Lower West Side community. Time will tell. For the sake of our community, we hope it is not a Trojan horse. Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Community Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Military & Veterans Peace People Politics Sports ROBERTO QUINTANA! SETTING THE RECORD October 4, 2023/No Comments “He who is without sin can cast the first stone.” The other day, I was thinking about Roberto Quintana and the history of… Read More  A COMMUNITY GIFT OR A TROJAN HORSE?  October 3, 2023/No Comments This past month, on Friday, September 15th, the beginning of what has become known as “Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15… Read More LATINO COLLEGE STUDENTS FACE INEQUALITY AND CULTURAL ISOLATION AT THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK at BUFFALO March 25, 2023/No Comments LACK OF COLLEGE SERVICES FOR LATINO STUDENTS: This is in response to a story by UB Spectrum reporter, Kayla Estrada,… Read More Load More End of Content.

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