OUR HISTORY

History of the Afro-Latino Culture Fest

The Afro-Latino Culture Fest is the signature event of the Afro-Latino Education and Arts Collective (ALEAC), a community-driven nonprofit dedicated to advancing education, cultural preservation, and social equity for Afro-Latinos. Curated by ALEAC Founder Sharon Cruz, this festival was born from a powerful vision: to shine a spotlight on the often-overlooked contributions of Afro-Latinos and create a space where our heritage, resilience, and creativity take center stage.

What began in 2020 as a grassroots community gathering has since evolved into a dynamic cultural event, attracting artists, performers, and thousands of attendees from across the globe. In 2023, we hosted the first official Afro-Latino Culture Fest in Compton, California, with the generous support of the City of Compton. As the festival grew, we relocated to LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes in Downtown Los Angeles, a stunning open-air venue that provides the perfect backdrop for celebrating Afro-Latino culture through music, dance, art, and storytelling.

Rooted in the mission of ALEAC, the festival serves as an extension of our nonprofit’s work to educate, inspire, and empower communities through the arts and cultural programming. It is a vibrant platform that honors the legacy, traditions, and contemporary influence of Afro-Latino communities, reinforcing the importance of representation, cultural pride, and narrative change.

While Los Angeles remains our home base, our vision extends far beyond one city. We are actively working to expand the Afro-Latino Culture Fest to multiple cities and states, bringing this powerful celebration to communities nationwide. By doing so, we amplify the presence, contributions, and diverse stories of Afro-Latinos, fostering deeper connections and ensuring that our history and identity are recognized, celebrated, and preserved.

This is more than a festival—it is a movement, a reclaiming of space, and a testament to the strength of our culture and community. And we’re just getting started.

Want to bring the Afro-Latino Culture Fest to your city? We’re expanding and looking for new communities to celebrate with! Send us a message on our Contact Us page and let’s make it happen!

To learn more about our Non-Profit, visit us at: www.afrolatinoeducation.org