National Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from September 15 to October 15 each year, celebrates the significant contributions and impact of Hispanic Americans on the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. In honour of this month, here’s a spotlight on some remarkable entertainers who embody both Black and Hispanic heritage.
List of Afro-Latinos to Know
- Zoe Saldana – An actress known for her roles in Guardians of the Galaxy, Avatar, and Star Trek. She is of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent.
- Tessa Thompson – An actress known for her roles in Creed, Thor: Ragnarok, and Westworld. She has a mixed heritage that includes Afro-Panamanian and Mexican roots.
- Danielle Vega – An actress and singer known for her role in the television series From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series. She has Afro-Cuban and Dominican heritage.
- Rome Flynn – An actor and model recognized for his roles on The Bold and the Beautiful, the Netflix series Daddy Issues, and With Love on Prime Video. He is presently filming for Godfather of Harlem. With a rich heritage that blends African American and Afro-Cuban roots—his father is African American and his mother is Afro-Cuban—Flynn brings a unique and diverse background to his work in the entertainment industry.
- Danielle Vega – An actress and singer known for her role in the television series From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series. She has Afro-Cuban and Dominican heritage.
- Mariah Carey – A musical icon, has a diverse heritage that influences her artistry. Her mother is of Irish-American descent, while her father is Black and Venezuelan.
- Francisco Lindor – A professional baseball player known for his impressive career in Major League Baseball (MLB). He is of Puerto Rican descent, with his heritage reflecting both his Afro-Caribbean and Hispanic roots. Lindor has made a significant impact both on and off the field, celebrated for his skill as a shortstop and his contributions to the sport.
- Mj Rodriguez – An activist and Emmy-nominated actress from Pose, proudly identifies as Afro-Latina. In a 2020 Emmy piece, she shared that her mother is African American and her father is of mixed heritage—half Puerto Rican and half African American. Rodriguez has also spoken candidly about her experiences as a trans actress of color in Hollywood, highlighting both her unique challenges and her trailblazing contributions to the industry.
- Jharrel Jerome – A Dominican American actor and musician, made history in 2019 by becoming the first Afro-Latino to win an Emmy for Best Lead Actor in a Limited Series. He received this honor for his powerful performance in Ava DuVernay’s When They See Us.
- Rosie Perez – A celebrated actress, choreographer, and activist with a rich cultural background. Born to Puerto Rican parents, Perez has made significant contributions to film and television with notable roles in movies like Do the Right Thing and White Men Can’t Jump, as well as her impactful work as a choreographer and her advocacy on social issues.
- Maxwell – The Puerto Rican and Haitian American artist, is renowned for his role as one of the pioneers of the neo-soul movement that transformed R&B music in the 1990s. His innovative sound and style helped shape the genre and leave a lasting impact on the music industry.
- Rosario Dawson – A distinguished actress and activist with a diverse heritage. Born to a Puerto Rican mother and a father of Afro-Cuban and Irish descent, Dawson has made a significant mark in film and television with roles in Rent, Sin City, and Daredevil. Beyond her acting career, she is also known for her activism and advocacy on social and political issues.
- Laz Alonso – An accomplished actor known for his roles in films like Stomp the Yard, Avatar, and Fast & Furious. With a heritage that includes both Afro-Cuban and African American roots, Alonso has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry through his dynamic performances and commitment to his craft.
- Colman Domingo – A versatile actor, playwright, and director known for his work in both theater and film. With a background that includes both African American and Afro-Cuban heritage, Domingo has made notable contributions through roles in Fear the Walking Dead, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Zola. His diverse heritage and talent have earned him acclaim in various aspects of the entertainment industry.
- Soledad O’Brien – An acclaimed journalist and television personality with a rich cultural background. Born to a mother of Afro-Cuban descent and a father of Australian and Irish heritage, O’Brien has made a significant impact in the media industry through her work as a news anchor and correspondent, as well as her role in producing documentaries and advocating for social issues.
- Gina Torres – A Cuban American actress, achieved a groundbreaking milestone in 2019 by becoming the first Afro-Latina to star in, create, and produce her own show with Pearson, a spin-off of the long-running legal drama Suits on USA Network.
- Miguel – The acclaimed musician known for his distinctive sound and style, was raised in South Los Angeles by his Mexican and Black parents. His diverse background has greatly influenced his music and artistic identity.
- Elizabeth Acevedo – An acclaimed author and poet known for her impactful writing. Raised in New York City, she draws from her Afro-Dominican heritage to inform her work. Acevedo’s notable books, including The Poet X, which won the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, and Clap When You Land, highlight her rich cultural background and address themes of identity and belonging.