Our History
Julia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center was founded in 1989 by Daisy Rivera and the combined efforts of the Cultural Educational Institute for Boricua Advancement (CEIBA) and the Hispanic Parents Union. These organizations united to realize a long time dream of establishing a family oriented center to serve the Latino youth and their families through programs and activities designed to foster cultural pride and art appreciation.
Our inspiration
Julia de Burgos
Julia de Burgos, the poet, the educator, the activist, the feminist, the woman! Yet the greatest gift to us was her life itself- our inspiration! As many renowned scholars assert, her life was the masterpiece of her work. She did not write for her time, but for the readers of the future.
Her strength, individualism, her love, her loyalty for “La Nación”, the culture, the people, and her sense of justice for ALL people is evident in her work. Her sense of justice and freedom and her work towards that goal makes her Julia of all!
Leadership Team
Letitia Lopez
Nahomy Ortiz-Garcia
Nahomy Ortiz-Garcia
Executive Director
Nahomy Ortiz-Garcia
Nahomy Ortiz-Garcia
Nahomy Ortiz-Garcia
Social Media Coordinator
McKenzie Merriman
Nahomy Ortiz-Garcia
McKenzie Merriman
Program Coordinator
Volunteer Committee
Gilberto Peña
Mary De Jesus
Lydia Torres-Diaz
Mary Luz Vazquez
Mileydy Lopez
Melissa & Danny Aponte
Gerardo Colon Jr.
Christina Rodriguez
Board of Trustees
Mariely Luengo, Chairwoman & President
Mariely Luengo, Chairwoman & President
Mariely Luengo, Chairwoman & President
Goldsmith Family Fund
Madeline Corchado, Co-chair
Mariely Luengo, Chairwoman & President
Mariely Luengo, Chairwoman & President
Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland, Trustee
Alicia Love, Secretary
Mariely Luengo, Chairwoman & President
Alicia Love, Secretary
A|L Consulting, Trustee
Yarimilka Rodriguez
Yarimilka Rodriguez
Alicia Love, Secretary
Cleveland Public Library, Trustee
Daisy Diaz
Yarimilka Rodriguez
R.L. Render
Podiatrist, Trustee
R.L. Render
Yarimilka Rodriguez
R.L. Render
Cleveland Public Library, Activist, Trustee
Maria Ritchie
Jazmin Torres-Lugo
Jazmin Torres-Lugo
CareSource, Trustee
Jazmin Torres-Lugo
Jazmin Torres-Lugo
Jazmin Torres-Lugo
Cleveland Municipal Judge, Trustee
Robert Kunkle Jr.
Jazmin Torres-Lugo
Robert Kunkle Jr.
Teacher, Trustee
Lydia Torres-Diaz
Lydia Torres-Diaz
Robert Kunkle Jr.
PNC Bank, Trustee
Kevin de Leon
Lydia Torres-Diaz
Kirby Suntala
Metro West Community Development Organization, Trustee
Kirby Suntala
Lydia Torres-Diaz
Kirby Suntala
The Cleveland Foundation, Trustee
© 2020 Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center
