About

– A Grassroots Media Delegation –

THE CRISIS

In Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory of 3.4 million, the people are hungry, homeless and dying. Many towns lack access to clean water, communication and transportation. Despite the worsening reality on the ground, the federal government and mainstream news media alike have alleged that the situation is getting better, that it is a “good news story” as U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke infamously described.

The people of Puerto Rico have been suffering under U.S. colonial control for 119 years. They deserve their plight to be told and documented accurately, untainted by imperialists and vulture capitalists ready to snatch up the land and build a Puerto Rico without Puerto Ricans.

THE CURRENT NARRATIVE

The mainstream news media has all but neglected the humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico. Data from Media Cloud, a database that collects news published on the Internet every day, shows that the devastation in Puerto Rico is getting relatively little attention from digital and cable news outlets compared to coverage of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey.

At the same time, relief for Puerto Ricans has been slow and insufficient. U.S. president Donald Trump dedicated a golf trophy to hurricane victims, and on his October 3rd visit to the island he suggested that hurricane Maria was not a “real catastrophe,” proceeding to throw toilet paper to a crowd of Puerto Ricans.

THE TEAM

We have put together a team of Puerto Rican and Latinx journalists, videographers and media professionals to tell Puerto Ricans’ unreported stories. Our team highlights the conditions in the western part of the island and amplifies the people’s response to the delayed, inadequate aid from the U.S.

Our goal is to visit all 78 municipalities over the next 6 months. Together, we’ll meet with residents of each pueblo, investigate slow and questionable federal relief efforts, and document the devastation. From this reporting, our team will produce a short film, several written articles, and a feature-length documentary.

Rosa Clemente

Journalist / Organizer

 Rosa Clemente

Rosa Clemente

Journalist / Organizer

Rosa Clemente, a native of the South Bronx, is one of the most raw, honest, political, social, and cultural voices in the country. From Harvard to prisons, Rosa has spent her life dedicated to scholar activism. She is currently a doctoral student in the W.E.B. Dubois department of UMASS-Amherst. Throughout her scholarly career, Rosa has been a constant on the ground presence through the many political struggles facing Black and Latinx people in the 21st century.

Rosa is the president and founder of Know Thy Self Productions, which has produced four major community activism tours and consults on issues such as Hip-Hop activism, media justice, voter engagement among youth of color, third party politics, intercultural relations between Black and Latinx, immigrants’ rights as an extension of human rights, and universal healthcare. Rosa is a leading scholar on the issues of Afro-Latinx identity and she is a frequent guest on television, radio, and online media.

Rosa ran for Green Party Vice President in the 2008 U.S. election. Along with Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, the pair became the first women of color ticket in American History.

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Daniel Hernández

Director of Photography / Filmmaker

 Daniel Hernández

Daniel Hernández

Director of Photography / Filmmaker

Daniel “Sense” Hernández is a cinematographer, Director, editor and Director of Photography.

Born in Peru and raised in Chicago since the age of 8, Daniel learned how to produce digital film on his own via self determination and his will to learn.

He’s directed commercial content, music videos, and short documentaries. His work has been featured in different platforms and companies such as MTV, Univision, Remezcla, Noisey, Vice, CNN, and The Fader among others.

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Yanira Castro

Communications Strategist

 Yanira Castro

Yanira Castro

Communications Strategist

Using a distinct blend of brand strategy knowledge, social media know-how, and communication expertise, Yanira helps brands incite advocacy and meaningful connections across a variety of media.

In today’s world, it's not enough to send messages out. You must be engaged with your customers on a daily basis to create real conversation. Her expertise in branding, marketing, social media, public relations, advertising, and content strategy allows her to understand all aspects of business and the ability to create a brand that is authentic with impact.

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Kat Lazo

Video Producer

 Kat Lazo

Kat Lazo

Video Producer

Kat Lazo is a New York born director, producer, writer and public speaker of Colombian and Peruvian heritage. She has managed to transition her work and attention as a youtuber (TheeKatsMeoww) to a thriving career as a video producer.

Lazo has concentrated her career on amplifying the work and voices of marginalized people; typically with a strong concentration on race and gender.

With more than 5 years of experience under her belt as a digital video producer, her work has been featured by Buzzfeed, Upworthy, Daily News and HuffPost to name a few. And she’s collaborated on projects with MTV’s Decoded, Bustle and U by Kotex.  You can learn more about Kat Lazo and her work by visiting KatLazo.com

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Raquel Reichard

Print Reporter

 Raquel Reichard

Raquel Reichard

Print Reporter

Raquel Reichard is a journalist and editor covering Latinx social justice, political and cultural issues.

Previously the Politics & Culture Editor at Latina magazine, her work has also been published in The New York Times, the Washington Post, Teen Vogue, the Fader, the Independent, Mic, Cosmopolitan, Remezcla, mitú and more.

She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from the University of Central Florida and a master’s degree from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, where she centered her research on race/ethnicity and new media.

Born in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York to Puerto Rican parents, she spent her childhood on the Caribbean island and was raised in Orlando, Fla., making her a proud NuyoFloRican.

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Mateo Zapata

Creative Director

 Mateo Zapata

Mateo Zapata

Creative Director

Mateo Zapata is a Creative Director and Brand Consultant born in Bogota, Colombia of Colombian/Chilean descent raised on the south side of Chicago.

Mateo has a background in immigrant civil rights advocacy and has mentored youth in Chicago Public Schools.

His portfolio includes content produced for brands like Jägermeister, Miller Lite, Montana Cans and The NHL; and has worked with artists like El Dusty, Molotov, Kali Uchis, J Balvin and BJ The Chicago Kid. Mateo has also amassed a ridiculous amount of rare vintage vinyl records.

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