South America – Peru
Luis Miguel Sánchez Cerro (1889-1933)
Luis Miguel Sánchez Cerro was an Afro-Peruvian army officer who served as the 41st President of Peru from 1931 to...
MarÃa Elena Moyano Delgado (1958-1992)
María Elena Moyano Delgado was an Afro-Peruvian community organizer and mother whose assassination by the Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) sparked...
Victoria Eugenia Santa Cruz Gamarra (1922-2014)
Victoria Santa Cruz (Victoria Eugenia Santa Cruz Gamarra) is widely considered the mother of Afro-Peruvian dance. Born in Lima, Peru,...
TransAtlantic Food Migration: The African Culinary Influence on the Cuisine of the Americas
In the article below, culinary historian Diane M. Spivey describes the centuries-old diaspora of African foods and cooking traditions in...
Leopoldine Emma Doualla Bell Smith (1939– )
“Image Ownership: Public Domain” Leopoldine Emma Doualla-Bell Smith is the world’s first black flight attendant. Smith was born in Cameroon...
Brian A. Nichols (1965- )
In 2013, Brian A. Nichols, career Foreign Service officer with the rank of Minister Counselor, was appointed by President Barack...
Juan Garcia (1495?- ? )
“Image Ownership: Public Domain” Juan García was one of the best known black auxiliaries aiding Francisco Pizarro in the conquest...
James I. Gadsden (1948- )
In 2002, Ambassador James Irvin Gadsden, career diplomat, and educator, was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as...
Ericka Yadira Cruz Escalante (1981- )
Ericka Yadira Cruz Escalante became the first Miss Mexico of African descent. With that victory she completed in the Miss...
