The Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College (CENTRO) has announced the fellows and community micro-grant recipients selected for the second year of the “Rooted + Relational” research initiative. This year’s theme, “Boricuas in Relation,” invites researchers to explore Boricua archipelagic and diasporic community formation in dialogue with other racial and ethnic groups.
The fellows selected are:
- Adrianna Ríos, Dissertation Fellow
- Alex Sastre-Rivera, Dissertation Fellow
- Dr. Andrés Olán-Vázquez, Research Associate
- Ashley ‘Ash’ Torres Carrasquillo, Hybrid Fellow
- Gianna Elena Brassil, Archives Fellow
- Dr. Janelle Ashley Viera, Hybrid Fellow
- Dr. Katherine Morales, Research Associate
- Dr. Kiana González-Cedeño, Hybrid Fellow
- Dr. Mell Rivera Díaz, Research Associate
- Dr. Michael Staudenmaier, Hybrid Fellow
- Dr. Nichole Margarita Garcia, Hybrid Fellow
- Noelia Quintero Herencia, Artist-in-Residence
- Dr. Sara Awartani, Hybrid Fellow
- Dr. Yeongju Lee, Research Associate
CENTRO has also announced the recipients of its 2025–2026 Rooted + Relational Community Micro-grants. Each grantee will receive up to $5,000 to support their work in community-based arts, history, healing, and cultural practice.
The Community Micro-grants will support the following initiatives:
- El Taller Comunitario Afro–Puertorriqueño y Dominicano de Barrio Obrero – Juan M. Usera-Falcón
Santurce, Puerto Rico
- Community Brigade Days – Ceiba Arbor
Salem, Connecticut
- Raíces en Tinta: A Boricua Printmaking Journey – Mississippi Latinx Art Association
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
- Vieques + St. Croix, in Relation – Archivo Histórico de Vieques
Vieques, Puerto Rico
- Diaspora Diaries – Undoing Our Erasure
Chicago, Illinois
- Savia: Micro-Residencias de Etnobotánica y Arte – Tabonuco Inc/HASER Inc
Jayuya, Puerto Rico
- One Ummah, One Barrio: Alianza Islamica and the Legacy of Muslim Nuyorican Revolution – Maia Villalba
New York, New York
- Círculo de la Memoria: Humboldt Park Experiences – 9 Millones
San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Hermanas del Agua: Collective Care Workshop Series – Hermanas del Agua
Río Piedras, Puerto Rico
- Decolonizing Our Pelvis – BAAD! The Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance
Bronx, New York
- Literacy Across Harlem: Building Community Through Literature to Advance Black and Brown Literacy – Total Equity Now
Harlem, New York
- De Costa a Costa: Caribbean Social Impact Program Connecting, Sociogeographically Isolated Communities – Saltamontes Network
Oakland, California
The “Rooted + Relational” research initiative follows an annual thematic structure, unifying the work across CENTRO, and offering scholarly and cultural programming. This year’s theme showcases that Boricuas have long developed and sustained political, social, kinship, creative, labor, and spiritual practices with multiple communities across the United States and beyond. One example to consider is the multi-generational relationships Puerto Ricans in Hawaii have created with Kānaka Maoli, Filipino, Japanese, Black, and Portuguese communities after over 100 years of colonization and cohabitation. These works examine the experience and impact of migration, language, assimilation, cultural and linguistic resilience, and the connections between Puerto Ricans and other racial and ethnic groups.
“This year’s theme comes at a perfect time for Puerto Ricans everywhere, both on the island and in its diaspora. The culture is already having these discussions on what it means to be Puerto Rican, and the many meanings it takes as it blends with other cultures, relationships, and physical spaces. This cohort of researchers aims to bring a new perspective to these discourses and debates through their multi-media and academic research. I am thrilled that CENTRO will be hosting and leading this group of scholars who are committed to CENTRO’s mission and, most importantly, to the legacy of Puerto Rican culture,” said CENTRO Directora, Dr. Yomaira C. Figueroa-Vásquez.
Throughout the year, fellows will meet weekly at The Center for Puerto Rican Studies for seminars, workshops, and events. Dr. Jillian Baez, Professor of Africana, Puerto Rican, and Latino Studies at Hunter College, will be the CUNY faculty presider for the year, offering mentorship and support for the cohort. The fellowship will culminate in a symposium in Spring 2026, accompanied by an edited volume published by CENTRO Press.
Headshots and bios for each Rooted + Relational 2025-2026 Fellow and Micro-Grant organizations can be viewed here.