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 best known female poet in Puerto Rico and one of the best of Latino America, was born on February 17th, 1917 in Carolina, Puerto Rico. De Burgos graduated from the University of Puerto Rico as a teacher. She also studied in Havana and later moved to New York. At age nineteen her first verses were published. Her best-known poem is "Río Grande de Loíza". De Burgos published several books including; Poemas Exactos de mí Misma, Poemas en Veinte Zurcos and Canción de la Verdad Sencilla. She received several honors and homenages before and after her death. De Burgos died on July 6, 1953 in New York.
Leadership Team
Letitia Lopez
Executive Director
Sandy Rosa
Executive Assistant
Parent / 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
Madeline Corchado, President
Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland
Mariely Luengo, Vice President
Goldsmith Family Fund
Yarimilka Rodriguez, Secretary
Cleveland Public Library
Daisy Diaz
Podiatrist, Trustee
R.L. Render
Cleveland Public Library, Activist, Trustee
Maria Ritchie
CareSource, Trustee
Jazmin Torres-Lugo
Cleveland Municipal Judge, Trustee
Hilda Abreu
Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Trustee
Robert Kunkle Jr.
Teacher, Trustee
Lydia Torres-Diaz
PNC Bank, Trustee