Contemporary Afro-Latino Culture During Black History Month

Inside: Ideas for teaching contemporary Afro-Latino culture during Black History Month and beyond in the Spanish classroom. These strategies will make your high school Spanish classes more relevant and engaging for your Spanish students.

As Spanish teachers, we are uniquely positioned to illuminate the rich cultural intersections between the African diaspora and Afro-Latinos in the United States. This post pairs various aspects of contemporary Afro-Latino culture with lesson plans & ideas to inspire and energize your Spanish classroom.

Guest Author: Allison Perryman, founder of The Cultural Classroom

Published: January 29, 2025

Contemporary Afro-Latino Culture in Spanish Class on Mis Clases Locas

What is Afro-Latino Culture?

Afro-Latino identity has deep roots in colonial Latin America and encompasses a rich blend of racial and cultural influences. According to Pew Research, Afro-Latino cultures include the fusion of Indigenous Americans, White Europeans, Asians, and enslaved Africans. Afro-Latino means embracing the diversity of the intersections between black culture, African roots, and Latin American culture. 

The transatlantic slave trade played a significant role in shaping these identities. 96% of enslaved Africans were transported to the Caribbean and South America. Today, more than 130 million people of African descent live in Latin America (PERLA). This contributes to the vibrant and diverse cultural mosaic of the region. 

The Need for Contemporary Afro-Latino Culture in Our Classrooms

Afro-Latinos are often underrepresented and marginalized in Spanish classrooms. Many students arrive with preconceived notions of what it means to be “Hispanic.” This often exclude the rich diversity of Afro-Latino identities.

Black History Month provides a unique opportunity to challenge these stereotypes. A great way is to highlight Afro-Latino artists, musicians, writers, and other icons, and foster empathy and global citizenship. Incorporating contemporary Afro-Latino cultural figures makes lessons more relevant and meaningful.

This helps students connect with real-world examples of cultural diversity. Many African Americans in your classes and Afrolatino students can see themselves through diverse voices in your Spanish classes. 

Keeping Our Eyes Open for Afro-Latino Culture

Staying up to date on Afro-Latino culture is easier than ever with the resources available today. Start by exploring blogs like Mis Clases Locas or The Cultural Classroom. You can search for articles and resources on Afro-Latino culture. 

Social media platforms like Instagram as well as YouTube channels, are excellent for discovering trending songs, cultural icons, and current events. By remaining curious and observant, you can bring fresh, relevant content into your Spanish classroom.

10 Contemporary Afro-Latino Cultural Figures on Mis Clases Locas

10 Contemporary Afro-Latino Cultural Figures

Here are some examples of Afro-Latino icons to introduce to your students. Ideas of Contemporary Afro-Latino Culture in Spanish Class.

  1. Francia Márquez: Afro-Colombian; Colombia’s first Black Vice President (2022)
  2. Zoe Saldaña: Afro-Dominican & Puerto Rican; award-winning actress (Marvel films, Golden Globe winner)
  3. Elizabeth Acevedo: Afro-Dominican; acclaimed young adult writer (The Poet X, Hair)
  4. Harmonia Rosales: Afro-Cuban; painter known for reimagining classic works through an Afrocentric lens
  5. Isha Sumner: Afro-Honduran Garifuna chef based in New York
  6. Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez: Afro-Cuban; the first person of African descent to travel to space
  7. Edna Liliana Valencia: Afro-Colombian journalist and author of El Racismo y Yo
  8. Carolina Contreras: Afro-Dominican; hairstylist and social media influencer
  9. Adriano Espaillat: Afro-Dominican-American; Congressman from New York
  10. Miguel: Afro-Mexican-American singer celebrated for his genre-blending music

Ideas for AfroLatino Spanish Classroom Activities

Bringing Afro-Latino culture into your classroom can be fun, interactive, and educational. This could be any time in your Spanish curriculum. From Hispanic Heritage Month to the month of February with Black History month themes.

  • Interpretive Listening
    • Play Afro-Latino music. (Consider Mis Clases Locas’ Afro-Latino Music Bell Ringers!) Analyze the lyrics to explore themes of identity, resilience, and cultural pride while enhancing listening skills. It include musical artists like Celia Cruz, Susana Baca, and new songs from contemporary Afro Latinos. 
    • Movies that highlight Afro Latinx culture. For example Pelotero is a great documentary from the Dominican Republic that high school Spanish classes relate to. 
  • Reading Comprehension
    • Assign articles or biographies of Afro-Latino figures to deepen students’ understanding of their contributions to history and culture as a interpretive reading activity. You could do this as a gallery walk to get students moving as well. 
  • Cultural Comparison
    • Discuss Afrocentric art, like Harmonia Rosales’ work, alongside traditional Eurocentric counterparts to foster critical thinking about cultural intersections in visual arts. Graphic organizers are a great option to support novice students. 
  • Project-Based Learning
    • Do an engaging research project. Have students present on Afro-Latino contributions in areas such as vocal music, art, traditional dance, sports, or politics, blending creativity with academic inquiry.
    • You could use virtual field trips with Google maps as well. 
Afro-Latino Culture in Spanish Class on Mis Clases Locas

Afro-Latino Culture in Spanish Class

Incorporate Afro-Latino culture into your middle school and high school Spanish classroom during Black History Month. Plus all year-round to create opportunities for students to explore diverse identities, challenge stereotypes, and develop empathy.

Highlight the contemporary contributions of Afro-Latino icons and engaging students in meaningful activities. You can foster a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of cultures in the Spanish-speaking world. It is a great opportunity to connect Latin American countries with rich African culture from the African continent. 

Start small, stay curious, and watch your classroom come alive with the vibrant stories of Afro-Latino heritage!

Let’s celebrate and honor Afro-Latino culture together. How will you incorporate these ideas into your classroom?

Looking for Different Ways to teach about Afro Latino Culture in Spanish Class?

Ready to take your Spanish classroom to the next level by incorporating meaningful and authentic culture? Enroll in Celebrating Afro-Latino Heritage Mini-Course today from Allison Perryman, founder of The Cultural Classroom.

This three-module course is packed with adaptable lesson ideas, strategies for highlighting Afro-Latino contributions, and everything you need to create impactful lessons during Black History Month and beyond. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate diversity and bring cultural relevance into your classroom.

👉 Click here to enroll in the Afro-Latino mini-course now!

Let’s make your classroom a space where culture, connection, and compassion thrive! 🌟

Afro Latino culture in Spanish class

​Guest Author Bio

This guest post is from Allison Perryman, founder of The Cultural Classroom. She has taught Spanish for over a decade and enjoys exploring diversity within world language communities. She is passionate about inclusion, Afro-Latinidad, and diversity. Allison Perryman founded The Cultural Classroom to help other teachers integrate authentic culture into their curriculum. She has presented at various conferences and was the Keynote speaker at The Fellowship of Language Educators of New Jersey (FLENJ). If you have any questions about this post of the Afro-Latino course, please email Allison Perryman

Contemporary Afro-Latino Culture in Spanish Class on Mis Clases Locas

More Afro-Latino Culture in Spanish Class

Thank you to Allison Perryman for reaching out to share about Afro-Latino Culture in Spanish Class from Mis Clases Locas! Two Allisons with 2 LLs are better than one! 

Here are more resources to learn about Afro Latinx culture from Mis Clases Locas

Black History Month in Spanish class

Afro-Latino Music in Spanish Class

Black History Month Movies in Spanish

Afro-Latino Culture Freebie

Introduce the culture of Colombia & the characters of Encanto. Enter your email to be sent the editable Google Slides.

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