Reflecting during Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15)
Once upon a time, long ago after World War II, a wave of Puerto Ricans moved to New York City, growing the largest population of Puertorriqueños in the United States. In a blink, East Harlem transformed into El Barrio, while these hardworking, family-focused, music-loving people moved further downtown, creating “Loisaida,” a Nuyorican pronunciation of the Lower East Side.
Nostalgia grips me as I mourn the fading echoes of a Harlem I once knew. It doesn’t even sound like the place I grew up in during the late ‘80s. The beat of Puerto Rican hands on the bongos is gone. Back then, the Puerto Rican flag didn’t just fly — it danced, fluttering proudly from cars, light posts, and outside so many apartment windows. You would think those waving flags were one beating heart. I. I remember the music was everywhere, perfuming the air and infusing every block with ritmo (rhythm) and alma (soul). I. I remember … old men, seated at their domino tables, announcing their victories with the sweet lilt of the island on their tongues, and everything about them showing pride. They were always dressed sharp, even when the clothes were Harlem casual and that quiet dignity spoke louder than any words.
And I. I remember the food. Argue with me if you dare, but nothing compares to Puerto Rican rice and beans, especially when paired with classics like roast pork, sausage, or cuchifrito. Each bite takes you on a trip to the island and these spots were once on every corner. Not now. I can’t just roll out of my apartment and get delicious stewed bacalao, rellenos de papa, pastelillos, morcilla, lechón with its crackling skin … I’m blinking back tears just thinking about it. And of course, the coffee — unmatched.
But today, in my Harlem, I search for the people I grew up with. Not that I don’t love and honor the Dominican, Mexican, and growing Ecuadorian and Guatemalan communities. I am Afro Mexican, after all. It’s just that I miss the Puerto Ricans.
I. I will never forget, and to honor the Puerto Rican culture of my younger years, here are a few people and places that continue to represent their culture with such love and beauty that I cannot pretend their work isn’t inspiring my own journey as an Afro-Mexican storyteller.
Edra Soto — her newest piece “GRAFT” on Display at Doris C. Freedman Plaza
A Puerto Rican-born artist, curator, and educator, Edra Soto is co-director of the outdoor project space, The Franklin. Her latest piece, “Graft,” is on display at Doris C. Freedman Plaza, Central Park at 60th Street and 5th Avenue, until Aug. 24, 2025. This series of installations is based on rejas, wrought iron screens frequently seen outside homes in Puerto Rico. These screens, often featuring repeating geometric motifs, trace back to West Africa’s Yoruba symbol systems, contrasting the Spanish architecture celebrated in official Puerto Rican tourism. “Graft” investigates how Puerto Rican cultural memory often masks the island’s Black heritage as folklore.
Made from corten steel and terrazzo, Graft is a monument to working-class Puerto Rican communities and Soto’s first sculpture inspired by a specific house façade. Tables and seating invite visitors to enjoy a moment of rest, connection, and reflection. The sculpture creates a threshold, with one side representing a home’s exterior; the other, a more intimate interior.
Flaco Navaja — Playing the role of Jesús in “The Warriors” concept album
Flaco Navaja is one of the most gifted human beings to ever step foot — anywhere. This Bronx-born poet, singer and actor was recently added to composer Lin-Manuel Miranda and singer-songwriter Eisa Davis’s “Warriors” album — a 26-song project inspired by the novel and 1979 classic New York City film. He joins Marc Anthony, Luis Figueroa, Chris Rivers and others. Navaja will portray Jesús. The album, slated for an Oct. 18 debut, is executive-produced by Grammy-winning rapper Nas and is produced by multi-instrumentalist Mike Elizondo.
What truly grabbed my attention was Navaja’s one-man show, “Evolution of a Sonero.” If there’s one performance that leaves a lasting impact, it’s this — Navaja’s love letter to Puerto Rican culture. He dives deep into the heart and soul of a sonero — a Puerto Rican singer who masterfully improvises during salsa performances, capturing the essence of the music and the culture.
Richard Rodriguez — Work on Display at Art on the Avenue NYC, Oct. 21, 2024
A former graffiti street artist, Richard Rodriguez has used art and technology to transform his life, as detailed in the 2023 Bronx Times series Married to the Game. At the “Art on the Avenue NYC” exhibit this October, Rodriguez will honor his father and uncles, who were bongo players, by playing a recording of his father, adding a raw, personal touch to the performance.
Rodriguez is also developing his first play with music, which delves into growing up in New York City and the legendary Friday night music sessions in his family’s cramped apartment. These gatherings transported listeners back to the Bronx and captured the struggles of Puerto Rican immigrants through powerful, soul-stirring rhythms.
Melissa DuPrey — Currently co-starring in Hulu’s “How To Die Alone”
Melissa DuPrey is an undeniable force, and I believe she’s a future EGOT winner — a rare distinction reserved for those who’ve won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Her talents span acting, stand-up, music, and more, with her work rooted in diasporic Blackness, queerness, healing, and liberation. Currently co-starring in the Hulu comedy “How To Die Alone,” she’s also preparing for a tour of her acclaimed one-woman show.
Melissa’s artistry proudly reflects her Puerto Rican heritage. Her full-length play “BRUJAJA” was recently digitized as a theatrical film, expanding its reach and resonating with audiences through its powerful themes. On the stand-up circuit, she has captivated audiences in cities like Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. Her acting credits include “Chicago PD” (NBC), “The Chi” (Showtime), and the Emmy-nominated web series “Brown Girls,” where she delivers a nuanced portrayal of identity and culture.
Beyond the stage and screen, Melissa is a musician and cultural advocate, preserving Puerto Rican traditions through the rhythms of Bomba y Plena, performing with Africaribe and Las BomPleneras. Her commitment to healing and liberation extends to her community, where she is a strong voice for Puerto Rican and Afro-Latinx heritage. As an ensemble member at UrbanTheater Company and director of production and community relations at Free Street Theater, she combines her artistic vision with her passion for community engagement. Melissa’s multidisciplinary work, infused with the richness of her heritage, makes her a transformative force in the arts.
When you’re craving real, homemade Puerto Rican food, I recommend:
Casa Adela
This spot has earned the approval of Fat Joe and Rosario Dawson. Founded in 1976 by the late Adela Vargas, Casa Adela is synonymous with Puerto Rican food in NYC. Their tostones, mofongo, and chicharrón de pollo with rice and beans are unmatched.
La Fonda Boricua
Making stomachs happy for the past 25 years, La Fonda Boricua is known for its chuleta kan kan — a bone-in pork chop with a bit of belly and crispy skin attached, a Puerto Rican specialty created in 1957.
Cuchifritos
An East Harlem institution since the 1960s, Cuchifritos serves up home-cooked Puerto Rican classics. The restaurant on 116th and its second location on 188th feed the cravings of many hungry souls.
Sofrito
Don’t let the rainbow lights and salsa music fool you — this restaurant in the Heights is known for delicious empanadas, pernil, and churrasco. Make a reservation and try to get a table with a view of the George Washington Bridge.
The Freakin Rican
Often hailed for having the best pasteles in the city, The Freakin Rican started as a food truck and now has a brick-and-mortar location in Astoria.
La Isla Cuchifritos
In Williamsburg, Brooklyn, La Isla Cuchifritos has been serving up fried pork, ears, tongue, and sweet plantain since 1960, beloved by locals for decades.
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