Gilberto Gerena Valentín Papers

Content Description

Gilberto Gerena Valentín is a Puerto Rican community leader in New York City who was instrumental in the development of major Puerto Rican organizations in New York City between the 1940s and 1970s. He played a key role in the mobilization of Puerto Ricans in the famous 1963 and 1968 marches in Washington, D.C. as well as the 1964 school boycott in New York City, the largest in the history of the United States. He also served as director of the City Commission of Human Rights and as a City Councilman representing Council District 11 in the Bronx. Gerena was an active player in the founding and development the Council of Hometown Clubs, the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, the National Association of Puerto Rican Civil Rights, the Puerto Rican Folkloric Festival, and the Puerto Rican Community Development Program. This collection measures 9 cubic feet and contains Gerena's personal writings and calendars, as well as documentation and promotional material from a wide variety of organizations Gerena was associated with over the years. In addition, there are numerous artifacts including awards, medals, ephemera from the Puerto Rican Day Parade, banners and hats. Box 8 contains several reel to reel tapes, CDs and records.

Acquisition Type

Gift

Provenance

Gift of Gilberto Gerena Valentín

Restrictions Apply

No