By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Afro-Latino leaders across the U.S. are using their platforms to address issues unique to their communities and build a more inclusive future. From media to politics, their work is rooted in cultural pride and a drive for visibility.
The cultural intersection of being of African descent and Latino–two marginalized identities in the U.S.–creates unique challenges. This Hispanic Heritage Month, the AFRO spotlights Maryland Del. Gabriel Acevero (D-Md.-39), North Carolina State Rep. Jordan Lopez (D-N.C.-112) and Janel Martinez, an Afro-Latina writer and speaker.
Each leader shared what being an Afro-Latino leader means to them, how they are currently serving their communities and their hopes for the next generation.
Maryland State Del. Gabriel Acevero (D-Md.-39)
Acevero, 34, was born in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, a twin-island country in the West Indies, on Oct. 23, 1990, to a mother who is Trinbagonian and father who is Afro-Venezuelan.
“I was raised to embrace both of my identities,” said Acevero. “I’m proud of my Hispanic heritage my African heritage, and I don’t leave any of it at the door.”
Acevero makes a point of bringing that intersection into his work at the Maryland State House. Since 2019, he has served in the Maryland General Assembly as the first openly queer Afro-Latino elected to the state Legislature.
He has served on the Appropriations Committee, a 2020 Work Group to Address Police Reform and Accountability in Maryland and has served as vice-chair of the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus since 2024.
During the 2025 Maryland General Assembly session, he championed House Bill 1473, “Equal Access to Public Services, which mandates that Maryland agencies create a language access plan that will help residents get state information in a language they can understand. The bill, three to four years in the making, takes effect Oct. 1.
“It will have a huge impact on our community’s ability to access public services,” he said. “We know Black people are underserved and underrepresented, and it’s even worse if you’re a Black immigrant and you are struggling with that language barrier.”
“We are only as strong as our most vulnerable members,” he added.
For him, Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and learn.
“It’s continuing to connect with my Hispanic heritage,” said Acevero. “Learning more, not just about Venezuela, but the history of African people in Venezuela–both pre and post colonial times–as well as the cultural contributions, the political contributions of Afro-Venezuelans.”
In a climate where race-specific initiatives are being divested in and discouraged, visibility and perseverance is more important than ever.
“This work has always been a struggle, especially for people like us, but it should not serve as a disincentive,” he said. “Future generations are depending on us to do the work today.”
North Carolina State Rep. Jordan Lopez (D-N.C.-112)
Lopez, 27, is the youngest legislator and first Afro-Latino to serve in the North Carolina General Assembly. He began serving the 112 District of North Carolina in January.
“Walking into that building, knowing that I’m the first of what will be many more to come over the course of this state’s history, it means a lot,” said Lopez, whose mom is Black and dad is Puerto Rican. “It also means that I want to do this right. I want to make sure that I stand up for the people who sent me to Raleigh, N.C.”
Lopez said he wants to ensure that, while in this seat, he is doing meaningful work that keeps the door open for other Afro-Latinos to have the opportunity to step into positions like his.
His legislative priorities include housing access, food security and marijuana legalization as a source for community reinvestment.
“We have a housing shortage in North Carolina that I believe we need to address on the supply side,” said Lopez. “We’ve got to be building more homes of a variety of types, whether they’re single family homes, townhouses, duplexes, triplexes, complexes, apartments–we need more of it all.”
According to the North Carolina Housing Supply Gap Analysis by Bowen National Research, the state faces a five-year housing gap of 764,478 units. The majority of this gap, 422,118 units, pertains to for-sale properties, highlighting a need for more home ownership options over rental units.
Janel Martinez, a writer and speaker
Martinez is founder of the award-winning blog, “AintILatina?” where she celebrates and amplifies Afro-Latina voices and experiences.
“What it means to be Afro-Latina is to be a Black woman who happens to be of Latin American descent,” said Martinez, a Honduran-American of Garifuna heritage. “That identity shapes how I navigate the world.”
The Garifuna are descendants of Africans who survived shipwrecks near St. Vincent and intermarried with the indigenous Carib population. Forced out by British colonizers, the Garifuna dispersed and settled along Caribbean coasts in Central America.
When she was younger, Martinez felt she had to over-explain her identity. Now, she simply states it, unapologetically.
“Being Garifuna is a rich history and culture, and I’m proud to share it,” said Martinez.
Through her writing, Martinez makes sure to center Afro-Latinas that are doing impactful work.
“Whether it’s through my own platform, journalism or publishing, I’ve had the opportunity to center voices that aren’t often heard,” said Martinez. “Our community exists because so many of us are doing our respective work to amplify Afro-Latina voices.”
Martinez offered advice for the next generation.
“If you don’t see your identity represented, that’s your invitation to lead,” she said. “Use your voice, take up space and know that you are worthy.”