Afro Latina/o - Afro Caribbean Awards 2023
For Black Heritage Month 2023, the Afro-Latino Institute and the Afro Alliance propose positive recognition for people of Afro descent from Latin America and the Caribbean residing at the DMV. This recognition will be granted for the contributions in terms: civic and political, cultural and aesthetic, knowledge and education, health care and development of our Afro-Latin and Afro-Caribbean community in the city of Washington DC
Carmen Torruella-Quander
Carmen Torruella-Quander is a Representational Artist, Art Educator, Curator, and Internationally accredited classic artist, whose works are held in many corporate and private collections.
African-based or Latino-influenced, her art portrays a sense of place, a message of hope, and a determination to succeed, by those who extend from the African Diaspora.
A Washingtonian native, Carmen’s family planted their roots in the community in the early 1940s. Marrying her childhood sweetheart, they raised three children who have followed in their mother’s footsteps by also embracing the Arts.
Eduardo Perdomo
Eduardo Perdomo is the first Afro Latino Executive Director of The Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs, MOLA, possessing over 13 years’ experience in project management, working in community development and international development projects.
Under his leadership, MOLA increased its grants budget by 70%, and has serviced more than 420 community programs.
.He passionately utilizes his platform, to aid and enhance the lives of the community members, and is especially proud of working on ‘friendly immigrant policies” by assisting in the implementation of the immigrant Justice Legal Services Grant
Dr. Oswald Cameron Morales
Dr. Oswald Cameron-Morales was born in Trinidad & Tobago, raised in Puerto Rico, and following his father, studied dentistry at Howard University, providing compassionate care to those in need.
In 1991, he established his practice in Mt Pleasant, treating close to 100,000 patients during his 32 years of service. His global outreach includes decades of missionary work providing dental care in developing nations.
Dr. Cameron recently retired, planning to spend his leisure time scuba diving, photographing, painting, drumming, practicing Tai Chi, and enjoying life with his lovely wife, Barbara.
Johana Figueroa Camilo
During Johanna Figueroa Camilo’s formative years, a spirit of humanitarianism was instilled within her, and that by volunteering, she could better the lives of others, continuing to do so presently.
Yearning to understand and own her heritage, she is traveled internationally, enabling her to experience the diaspora, and integrating it within her internal tapestry.
Her passion and dedication of educating and molding young minds, thus building future community leaders, is a powerful motivating force within her.
Johanna is a true role model for other educators to admire and emulate.
Gustavo Torres
Gustavo Torres oversees the largest Latino and immigrant organization in the Mid-Atlantic. He is nationally and internationally recognized for his advocacy regarding immigrant rights movement within the United States.
Under his leadership, CASA has grown from a small social service organization, to a nationally awarded, multiservice, advocacy, organizing and support agency, operating in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania.
In 2012, CASA was integral in passing the Maryland DREAM act, providing in-state tuition to undocumented students, and led efforts allowing all Maryland drivers to obtain a driver license, regardless of status.