Marta Moreno Vega and the culture of East Harlem

From Expanded Home, Celebrating the Cultures of the African Diaspora
by Kia Gregory, The New York Times, September 24, 2014

I decide, I define: women of color documentary filmmakers speak out

Defining Myself for Myself: Women of Color Make Documentary

Saturday, October 12, 3pm am-4:30pm

Long Island University, Brooklyn (DeKalb & Flatbush Aves)
Room: LLC 116, Selena Gallery

Women of color offer an original perspective and point of view, documenting films that are not just the recording of reality. They are purposeful in their storytelling intent. Their stories define women of color by women of color. Our discussion explores the uniqueness that is the female documentarian of color. What are the particular perspectives of our storytellers which impact their films and make them so unique? How can we ensure that we can continue to define ourselves in the face of forces that seek to tell us who we are?

GUESTS:

Shantrelle P. Lewis, producer/director of the forthcoming film Black Pete, Zwarte Piet: The Documentary

Dr. Marta Vega, director When the Spirits Dance Mambo

Christine Turner, director of Homegoings and Rubber Soles.

Moderator: Leslie Fields-Cruz, VP of Operations & Director of Programming, National Black Programming Consortium.

Tickets: $7. For information call: 212-865-2982 or 718-488-1624.

Buy tickets here.

For information on Reel Sisters, click here.

Moving with ancestral spirits: Dr. Marta Moreno Vega at NJPAC

Meet

Dr. Marta Moreno Vega

Saturday, May 4 (3-5pm)

Chase Room, New Jersey Performing Arts Center

screening of 

Let the Spirit Move You!  Espiritismo in Puerto Rico

Advance screening of Dr. Marta Moreno Vega's new film and research regarding ancestral Kongo-based sacred tradition of Espiritismo in Puerto Rico. Dr. Vega explores the divine knowledge of traditional elders and practitioners and expresses the concern that the tradition will not be passed on / transferred to younger generations because traditional practices are in danger of not continuing.

Also, learn more about Dr. Vega's life-long legacy and work in the following clips, including an excerpt from the HBO documentary: Latino List.

Baraka Sele

guest curator / moderator

information and tickets

NJPAC directions

    Latino List - Marta Moreno Vega Interview on Vimeo

    Latina Spotlight: Dr. Marta Moreno Vega on New Latina

Equity now!

A Coalition Wants a New Kind of Equity in Arts Financing
by Felicia R. Lee, The New York Times, July 24, 2008

Sustaining artists and cultural organizations of color

Sustaining Our Artists, Arts Organizations and Cultural Institutions of Color During the "Recession"

Friday, May 9 (6pm-8pm)

Hunter College
Hall 714 West Building (7th Floor)
68th Street/Lexington Avenue

Please RSVP to elsa@latinoarts.org or call 212-876-1242.

Moderator:

Dr. Marta Moreno Vega, Founder of the Caribbean Cultural Center

Panelists:

Ms. Heather Hitchens, Executive Director of NYSCA

Arana J. Hankin, Assistant Secretary for Cultural & Economic Development Office of Governor David A. Paterson

Kathleen Hughes, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Assistant Commissioner

NYS Assemblyman Darryl C. Towns, 54th District, Chair, Black Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus

Laurie Cumbo, Founder of MoCADA

Organized by the Steering Committee of the Cultural Equity Group:

* Amerinda Inc., American Indian Artists
* Asian American Arts Centre
* Association of Hispanic Arts
* The Bronx Council on the Arts
* Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute
* Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College
* The Children's Art Carnival
* The Harlem Arts Alliance.
* International Museum of African American Cinema
* The Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Center Memorial and Educational Center
* Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA)
* Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance
* Nuyorican School Original Poetry Jazz Ensemble, Inc.

Dear Artists, Cultural Activists and People concerned about the community:

We have certainly brought in 2008 with a burst of energy and excitement filled with opportunity and hope for the future! We applaud everyone for their dedication and hard work to preserve and landmark our institutions and culture, which will have an instrumental impact on the quality of life for our communities as well as for future generations. In order to make an impact we must continue to educate ourselves about the funding process.

We need your voice to be heard and we would appreciate your support in sending this email far and wide to your perspective communities in order to demonstrate to our legislators that our culture is important to the cultural landscape of New York City. Please do not continue to allow the challenges of our community to fall on the shoulders of a few because we need everyone in order to create an impact.

The Cultural Equity Group (CEG) cordially invites you to attend a very important Town Hall Meeting on Friday, May 9, 6pm at Hunter College (68th Street and Lexington Avenue) 7th Floor, Hall 714, West Building, to discuss three very important issues that will impact our community:

1. Sustaining our artists, arts organizations and cultural institutions of color during the current "recession" and new stricter budget reforms;

2. Defining a new per capita funding model based on the ethnic and racial demographics of New York City-a more realistic support process, which would impact communities that are underserved;

3. Exploring recommendations, strategies and policies for cultural equity.

Your participation is important! It will help define New York City's Cultural policy of the future. Sample copies of letters to be sent to your elected officials will be distributed at the meeting. There will also be a petition for you to sign.

Please make every effort to attend. You can RSVP at elsa@latinoarts.org or call 212-876-1242. Thanking you in advance for remaining unified in our commitment to Cultural Equity for our artists and the communities we serve.

Very truly yours,
Steering Committee
Cultural Equity Group