Historican

In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker, historian, and author Noemí Figueroa-Soulet — the visionary behind The Borinqueneers, the groundbreaking documentary that brought national recognition to the Puerto Rican soldiers of the 65th Infantry Regiment, the only all-Hispanic unit in U.S. Army history. For more than 26 years, Noemí has dedicated her life to documenting the legacy of these veterans — from producing her award-winning PBS film to helping advance the Congressional Gold Medal initiative that honored the regiment’s service. Through hundreds of interviews, archival discoveries, and her book The Borinqueneers: A Visual History of the 65th Infantry Regiment, she has...

Special Episode Aired 9-28-25: Celebrating Latino Heritage Month with Bomba de Aquí In this special Latino Heritage Month episode, we visit Bomba de Aquí, a vibrant dance and music company dedicated to preserving and sharing Afro-Puerto Rican traditions across western Massachusetts and central Connecticut. We sit down with founders Brendalíz Cepeda—granddaughter of legendary bomba patriarch Rafael Cepeda—and Saul Peñalosa, the group’s musical director, to hear about their family’s deep connection to bomba and the vision behind the Bomba de Aquí Center. Together, they share how their work brings bomba into schools, churches, colleges, and...

In this season finale, we journey with Raquel Z. Rivera—writer, scholar, musician, and activist—through the evolving landscapes of identity, art, and belonging. From her roots in Puerto Rico to her scholarship on hip hop and reggaetón, from her music inspired by bomba and salves to her current work in reproductive justice, Raquel’s story embodies the multiplicity of being Boricua in diaspora. Together, we explore how identity is lived, remade, and reclaimed across borders, creative practices, and generations. Raquel reflects on the intersections of art and activism, scholarship and spirituality, and the ongoing work of shaping a just...

In this episode of Historican, we explore the world of Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez — artist, activist, and creator of the groundbreaking Afro-Boricua superhero La Borinqueña. Through his work, Edgardo blends art, culture, history, and activism to reimagine what heroism looks like for Puerto Ricans at home and across the diaspora. La Borinqueña isn’t just a comic book character — she’s a symbol of resilience, resistance, and cultural pride. From community organizing to creative storytelling, Edgardo uses his platform to honor Puerto Rican identity and amplify the power of representation. His work reminds us that art can be both a weapon a...

The Nuyorican Poets Cafe has been a revolutionary home for poetry, music, theater, and activism on New York’s Lower East Side since 1973. It’s the stage where legends were born—and where in 1996, a young Bronx poet named Caridad De La Luz first performed, giving rise to the legendary name, La Bruja. In this episode, Caridad takes us back to that night, the moment “La Bruja” was born, and reflects on how the Cafe shaped her voice and her mission. Now, decades later, she has come full circle as the Executive Director, guiding the Cafe into a new chapter wi...

In this episode of Historican, we sit down with Power Malu—artist, athlete, activist, and founder of Artists Athletes Activists. Born and raised in New York City, Power made his mark on the groundbreaking MTV series The Lyricist Lounge Show before dedicating his life to grassroots organizing and community building. Power shares his journey from the running tracks of East River Park to using culture, Hip Hop, and wellness as tools for justice. We dive into his work in Puerto Rico after Hurricane María, where he mobilized support for the island and deepened his connection to his Boricua roo...

In this episode of Historican, we sit down with Americo “Tuffy” Questell—actor, casting director, and cultural icon whose career has shaped hip-hop and Hollywood alike. From his early days on Video Music Box, capturing the rise of hip-hop in real time, to his behind-the-scenes work with directors like Spike Lee, Tuffy’s journey is a testament to the power of representation and storytelling. We talk about his upbringing in the Bronx, the intersections of identity that informed his path, and his dedication to mentoring and uplifting his community. With over three decades in entertainment and a legacy etched in the s...

In this episode of Historican, we sit down with Joe Conzo Jr., the Bronx-born photographer whose iconic images captured the birth of Hip Hop. Known as “the man who took Hip Hop’s baby pictures,” Conzo documented the early days of the culture through his work with the legendary Cold Crush Brothers, preserving a visual history of a movement that would go on to change the world. Joe shares stories from his upbringing surrounded by activism and Latin music, his experiences photographing the South Bronx in the 1970s and ’80s, and how his personal journey—including his work as an EMT and...

In this episode of Historican, we sit down with Vivian Vázquez Irizarry, creator of the powerful documentary Decade of Fire. She takes us back to the Bronx of the 1970s — a time of turmoil, burning buildings, and systemic abandonment — and reminds us how Puerto Rican communities still found ways to love, create, and resist. #puertoricans #history #boricua #bronx #newyorkcity #podcast #boogiedown

In this episode of Historican, we sit down for part 2 of our conversation with the Official Bronx Historian to explore the powerful story of Puerto Rican migration to New York City—especially the Bronx. From the first waves of families searching for opportunity to the realities of poverty and displacement, we uncover how Puerto Ricans shaped, and were shaped by, the city around them. We dive into the neighborhoods that became home, the struggles of survival in neglected boroughs, and the rise of movements born from resilience—like Salsa, Hip Hop, and the Young Lords. This is more than hist...

In this episode of Historican, we sit down with the Official Bronx Historian, Angel Hernandez, to explore the powerful story of Puerto Rican migration to New York City—especially the Bronx. From the first waves of families searching for opportunity to the realities of poverty and displacement, we uncover how Puerto Ricans shaped, and were shaped by, the city around them. We dive into the neighborhoods that became home, the struggles of survival in neglected boroughs, and the rise of movements born from resilience—like Salsa, Hip Hop, and the Young Lords. This is more than history. It’s the st...

In this powerful debut episode of Historican, we explore the rich and layered dimensions of Puerto Rican identity—especially for those living in the diaspora. Through heartfelt conversations and personal storytelling, our speakers reflect on what it means to be Boricua beyond the island: the pride, the pain, and the resilience that come with carrying culture across borders. We dig into family histories, the complexities of belonging, and how migration shapes the way identity is understood and passed down. This episode honors the diversity within the Puerto Rican experience, celebrating the shared history that unites a global community while ac...