The first edition of Afro-Latino Week 2024, presented by The Latin Times celebrates the contribution of Afro-Latinos to the United States by highlighting their rich history and cultural impact. Based on data from the Pew Research Center, which points to a population of about 6 million Afro-Latinos in 2022, the event highlights the importance of this community within the Latino/Hispanic identity in the U.S.

Exploring the complexity of Afro-Latino identity, The Latin Times story uses interviews, videos and original content to highlight the role of these individuals, who find themselves at the intersection of two minorities in the United States: Latinos and African Americans. The report by the Latino Policy & Politics Institute at the University of California (UCLA) defines ‘Afro-Latinxs’ as those who identify with both Hispanic or Latino ethnicity and the black race, in any combination.

The publication highlights six factors that highlight the importance of Afro-Latinos in the United States, including their youth demographics, population concentration in specific areas such as New York and the Atlantic Coast, higher levels of education compared to non-Black Latinos, different ethnic backgrounds within the Latino community, and the reality of discrimination they face. In addition, it is noteworthy that a significant portion of Afro-Latinos do not explicitly identify as Hispanic.

To further enrich the special, The Latin Times interviewed prominent Afro-Latino experts and journalists, such as Rosa Clemente, an award-winning activist, political commentator, and independent journalist, who made history as the first Afro-Latina to run for vice president in 2008. Clemente delves into the political landscape as the 2024 election approaches, offering valuable insights into important issues affecting the African Latinx community in the United States.

Afro-Latino Week 2024, presented by The Latin Times, offered an important platform to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Afro-Latinos to American society, highlighting their diversity, challenges, and achievements in an ever-evolving political and cultural context.