Abstract Angel Saltos tells the story of how, as a recent young student immigrant from Ecuador, he landed his first professional job with ABL Associates, a D.C. public relations marketing firm. Saltos who studied public relations and marketing at American University was interested in the Hispanic Marketing arena. In the late 1980’s Hispanic marketing was a brand new field. Tensia Alvirez, President of ABL Associates, was known in the D.C. community for her public relations work with private and...

Abstract Arturo Griffiths tells the story of how he got involved as a Latino immigrant teenager in the very first D.C. Latino Festivals held in Adams Morgan. He tells the story of various presidents, many of whom were elected before he was elected President in 1987. Griffiths, together with his committee, organized the last D.C. Latino Festival to b e held in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. In 1989 Griffiths took the Festival “downtown” – to the grounds of the Washington Monument. He tells the story...

Scope and Contents

Arturo Griffiths discusses his childhood in Panama, his family's move to DC, learning English, attending Howard University, his political awakening, DC's latino community, Mayor Barry's relationship with the latino community, the ways in which the 1991 riot affected latinos in Mount Pleasant, and the effects of gentrification in the neighborhood.

Scope and Contents In 1981, Beacon College conducted a total of 17 oral history interviews with Latinas who had immigrated to Washington, D.C and settled in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. Topics include childhood experiences in interviewees’ country of origin, immigration to Washington D.C., family structure, work and social experiences, comparison between their country and the United States, religion, and the Hispanic community in Washington. As stated in thier grant application, the project focused on the...

Abstract In this oral history interview, Brenda Richardson, a long time D.C. resident, discusses her life and experiences moving from El Paso, Texas, to Washington, DC. Beginning with her upbringing in El Paso, Ms. Richardson discusses her early life and her family’s move to the nation’s capital in 1969. She then talks about her educational experiences in the District and further education at the University of Michigan and the University of Maryland. Ms. Richardson concludes with a discussion of her...

Abstract Audio of interview with Carlos Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez discusses his early years growing up in New Holland, Pennsylvania after immigrating with his family from Colombia, his relocation to Washington, D.C. and unique exposure to the many varied cultures and histories of Latin American countries in the city, the story of how he became a member of the Organizing Committee for Fiesta D.C. in 1990 and the work he continues to do to help Latin American communities. Mr. Gonzalez reflects on the...

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The collection consists of background research materials gathered for issues of the Columbian Newspaper. Included in the materials are correspondence, clippings, press releases, photographs, government documents, publications, reports, flyers, legal pleadings, and handwritten notes. The folders are arranged alphabetically by topic.

Abstract Audio of interview with Jorge Lozano. Mr. Lozano discusses immigrating from La Paz, Bolivia to Washington, D.C. in the early 1970s, going to school for engineering and beginning his career in the security-related industry, organizing the Panamerican Festival in Alexandria, Virginia in 1988, his participation in the DC Latino Festival in 1989-90, his reflections on the important role Festivals play in the Latino community, opening the only Bolivian arts and crafts store in the area and his...

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José Diaz discusses moving to the US at age 15, his recovery from polio, Mount Pleasant in the 1980s, tensions between latino and african-american youth, the Mount Pleasant riot, and community-police relations.

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José Sueiro discusses his studies at GW university, his move to Panama, his return to DC, his start in the newspaper industry and work at El Latino, DC police's lack of experience with latino youth, his memories of the Mount Pleasant riot, and Mayor Barry's close relationship to the latino community in DC.