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MISSION/ANNUAL PROGRAMS

Comité Noviembre’s mission is to commemorate and acknowledge all aspects of Puerto Rican life from the social and cultural to the educational, economic and political. The charge of CN is to create an awareness of the rich culture, language and heritage of the Puerto Rican community and to acknowledge its numerous contributions to this state and nation.

Established in 1987, CN…mes de la herencia puertorriqueña is the only collaboration of its kind in the United States that bring together the collective talents and resources of the oldest and most prestigious Puerto Rican organizations: the Institute for the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly, ASPIRA of New York, el Museo del Barrio, Eugenio María de Hostos Community College, el Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños, Latino Justice-PRLDEF, National Institute for Latino Policy, the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights – Justice Committee, PROMESA and the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration. This volunteer coordinating body plans and promotes CN’s annual programs and events.

CN Annual Programs & Events

  • Two Scholarship Programs
  • CN Scholarship Awards Program
  • The Richie Perez Scholarship for Peace & Justice
  • Annual Leadership Development – Role Models Forum
    (Conducted by NASA personnel)
  • Artisans Fair & Exhibit
  • Health Fair
  • Educational trip to Puerto Rico, “Buscando Nuestra Raíces”
  • Day of Community Service & Social Responsibility and Food Drive
  • Three Kings celebration and Toy Drive
  • CN/El Diario La Prensa full color Puerto Rican Heritage MonthSupplement
  • Commemorative calendar journal
  • Artist competition, selection and commission process
  • Annual educational commemorative poster
  • Selection of a spokesperson
  • Puerto Rican Heritage Month kick-off celebration
  • Annual benefit event
  • Lo Mejor de Nuestra Comunidad Award
  • Puerto Rican Heritage Award
  • Website programs and information
  • Cultural and health related workshops, forums and events.

Become an exclusive Sponsor of the 
2010 Comité Noviembre 24th Anniversary Puerto Rican Heritage Month. (Deadline: October 6, 2010)
Download Full Proposal.

2010 CN Puerto Rican Heritage Month Advertising Opportunities

ANNUAL SPOKESPERSON

Each year, Comité Noviembre selects a spokesperson that is making a difference in this country, empowering others and shaping, not only our future as Puerto Ricans, but the future of all Americans. A person, that has played an important role in leaving, our unique imprint, in the current and future history of this country.

2010 Spokesperson Olga Tañon, Recording Artist

Our past spokespeople have been:

  • 1990 – Musician and AIDS activist Willie Colón 
  • 1991 – Radio talk show host Malin Falú 
  • 1992 – Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer 
               and New York City Public School Chancellor Dr. Joseph A. Fernandez 
  • 1993 – Former Surgeon General of the United States Antonia Novello 
  • 1994 – Actor and community activist Luis Guzman 
  • 1995 – Actress Lauren Velez; and salsa diva India 
  • 1996 – Actor Jimmy Smits 
  • 1997 – The "King of Latin Music" Tito Puente 
  • 1998 – Actress and AIDS activist Rosie Perez 
  • 1999 – Welter Weight Champion of the World Felix "Tito” Trinidad 
  • 2000 – Internationally acclaimed Latin Jazz artist Dave Valentin 
  • 2001 – NYPD officer and tenor Daniel Rodriguez 
  • 2002 – Admiral Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, US Surgeon General Commander, USPHS 
  • 2003 – World renown singer Danny Rivera 
  • 2004 – Salsa sensation Tito Nieves 
  • 2005 – Singer and entertainer Frankie Negron.
  • 2006 – Chef, entrepreneur, host of Daisy Cooks, Daisy Martinez
  • 2007 – Star of TV show Ugly Betty, Ana Ortiz. 
  • 2008 – Singer/Actress Melina León
  • 2009 – Jesús Omar Rivera, El Boricuazo, Historian & Author

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THEME DEVELOPMENT

The annual theme is developed with the understanding that beyond celebrating our heritage, it must help to motivate, mobilize and empower our community around critical concerns.

This year’s theme: Puertorriqueño… de nuestras raíces nace un pueblo, speaks to the strong foundation of the Puerto Rican community around the world, of our perseverance, ingenuity, pride and achievements.  The theme explores and examines our unique ancestral roots and the very fabric that makes us Puerto Rican.  It calls for us to take ownership of our culture and heritage to promote and protect it.  Everyday as a community, we contribute to the development and success of this city, state and nation. The theme challenges us to learn about our pioneers, feel proud of our history and commit ourselves to promote and teach others about our culture, traditions, heroes and the great contributions Puerto Ricans have made to this country..

  • 1987 – "Building on Our Heritage to Create the Future…Our Children Our Youth”
    "Desarrollando Nuestra Herencia Creando Nuestro Futuro…Nuestros Niños y Juventud” 
  • 1988 – "Empowerment…From the Shadows to the Light” - "De las Sombras al Poder” 
  • 1989 – "Si No Nos Cuentan…No Contamos…Count On Us!” 
  • 1990 – "From the Homeland to the Mainland…Los Lasos que nos Unen” 
  • 1991 – "La Mujer Puertorriqueña La Verdadera Borinqueña… 
    Asumiendo Nuestra Historia Tomando Liderazgo en los 90” 
  • 1992 – "Encounters of the Past…Our Determination to Shape the Future” 
    "Encuentros del Pasado…Nuestra Determinación Para Forjar el Futuro” 
  • 1993 – "Reconquista ’93: Affirming Our Identity…Preserving Our Community.” 
  • 1994 – "Nuestro Poder Puertorriqueño: Usalo! Define Nuestro Destino
    "The Puerto Rican Renaissance: The Spirit of Commitment…The Power of Action. Live It!” 
  • 1995 – "United, Moving Forward…The Future is Ours”
    "Unidos, Adalante…El Futuro Esta en Nuestras Manos” 
  • 1996 – "In the Mix: Voices that Affirm Our Vibrant Heritage”
    "Voces Que Afirman Nuestra Herencia Dinámica” 
  • 1997 – "Puerto Ricans Confronting the Challenges of a Changing World” 
  • 1998 – "Puerto Ricans for a New Millennium ... Facing the Dawn of a New Age” 
  • 1999 – "Understanding Our Past…Defining Our Future – 
    "Entendiendo Nuestro Pasado… Creamos Nuestro Futuro” 
  • 2000 – "Puerto Ricans United for World Peace…Puertorriqueños Unidos Para la Paz Mundial” 
  • 2001 – "Salud Boricua” 
  • 2003 – "Nuestra herencia cultural el camino al futuro…Our cultural heritage, the path to the future” 
  • 2004 – "Preserving our Legacy…Cultural Affirmation, Community Empowerment & Social Justice” 
  • 2005 – "Boricua! Atesora lo tuyo…Boricua! Treasure what is yours”
  • 2006 –  "Celebrando con Orgullo Nuestra Cultura...Hoy, Mañana y Siempre"
  • 2007 –  "Encuentro Con Nuestra Patria "
  • 2008 – "Live Your Culture...! Vive Boricua¡
  • 2009 – "Puertorriqueño… de nuestras raíces nace un pueblo,"

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