FRIDAY - MARCH 15, 2024

Taller Puertorriqueño
2600 N 5th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19133

2:00 pm Registration and Welcome Reception

4:00 pm President’s Reception: Cocktails & Live Musical Performance by Emmanuel Lozada-Mendez, Philadelphia native and multi-genre artist.

4:45 pm Official Welcome to Philadelphia by:

- Nilda Ruíz, NPRA President
- Nasheli Ortiz, Welcome Taller Puertorriqueno
- Cherelle Parker, Mayor of Philadelphia
- Norman Bristol, Commonwealth Chief Diversity Officer
- Monica Ruiz, NPRA-PA Chapter Vice President
- Jimmy Torres-Velez, NPRA Conference Chair,

Introduction of Dignitaries in the room
- Special Remarks from CT State Representative Minnie Gonzalez

5:40 pm Junte Boricua Presentation: Pedro Zorrilla - CEO GFR Media/Junte Boricua

6:00 pm Welcome Dinner/Cocktail Reception: Guest speaker introductions

7:00 pm Stand Up! Latina Comics with Che Guerrero: Shuttle service provided to:

TEATRO ESPERANZA
Esperanza Arts Center
4261 North 5th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19140

7:30 pm Comedian, playwright, storyteller, and Tik-Tok sensation, Che Guerrero returns to Teatro Esperanza to host an evening of bilingual stand-up comedy featuring Latina comedians.

Esperanza Arts Center

8:45 pm Shuttle Bus returns guests to Cambria and Meridian Hotels

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2024

Esperanza
4261 N 5th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19140

7:30 am Registration

8:30 am Breakfast/ Remarks: 

- Welcome by Jimmy Torres-Velez, Convention Chair
- Welcome prayer by Rev. Cortes
- Remarks: Chris Soto, Senior Advisor to US Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona

9:45 am Impact and Best Practices of Boricua Led Non-Profit Organizations: Implementing strategies in growing communities.

Distinguished Panelist:

- Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción – Mayra Negrón-Roche, COO

- Esperanza de Philadelphia - Rev. Luis Cortés, Founder and CEO

- Hispanic Association of Contractors (HACE) - Maria N. Gonzalez, CEO

- Asociación de Puertorriqueños en Marcha (APM) - Nilda Ruiz, President and CEO

- Puerto Rican Cultural Center of Chicago - José López, Founder and CEO

11:30 am Panel Discussion: Puerto Rican Studies and Educational Opportunities in the US

Moderator: Senior Advisor to US Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona
Panelist: Dr. Fernando Rivera, University of Central Florida / Dr. Carlos Vargas, CUNY Centro / Dr. Charles Venator, University of Connecticut

12:30 pm Lunch /State of Puerto Rican Voters in the Diaspora: Frankie Miranda, Pres. Hispanic Federation 

2:00 pm  The State of NPRA: Nilda Ruiz, President NPRA

2:15 pm NPRA Assembly and Legislative Caucus (simultaneously)

Assembly: facilitated by Parliamentarian Martín Pérez, Esq. 

1)     Welcome, Approval of the Agenda and account of delegate participation
2)     Review and approval of the Parliamentarian Rules
3)     Convention comes to order
4)     Board of Directors submit Board Approved Amendments to the bylaws for discussion, ratification, and approval.
5)    Board of Director Nominations and Officers elections.

1. President:
2. Vice President:
3. 2^nd Vice President:
4. Secretary:
5. Deputy Secretary:
6. Treasurer:
7. Public Relations and Communications

6) Resolutions and discussion on priority areas:
   a)  Economic Development
       i) Commercial/Business Development
       ii) Housing as first step to stability and homeownership to create general wealth
  b) Education
      i) Securing Educational Opportunities
      ii) Coordination and Promotion of Puerto Rican Studies

  c) Access to Quality Healthcare Services     

  d) Civic Engagement and Voters Mobilization

  e)  Puerto Rico Relation

7) Focus on PR issue

1. Support Initiatives for the Economic Development of Puerto Rico
2. Support decolonization process support through Self Determination
3. ii) Support and promote cultural opportunities exchange in our communities and interchange with Puerto Rico’s residents. Eg:  Festival, Parades, Theater, Cultural Arts, etc.

Legislative Caucus:
1)  NPRA's role in assisting legislators develop policies and move agendas that address the issues Puerto Rican people are facing: Voter participation, legislative days, etc.

2) How can legislators help NPRA advocate successfully for issues affecting the Puerto Rican people.

4:15 pm Coffee Break

4:30 pm Report back from Legislative Caucus: Consideration by newly elected BoD for the next two years.

5:00 pm Closing Remarks from President and Elected Executive Committee

5:30 pm Closing of Convention

6:00 pm Meet & Greet for NY Chapter Members: Light Refreshments/Snacks

 We have reserved a block of rooms for guests requiring hotel accommodations:

Cambria Hotel Philadelphia
Downtown Center City
219 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Le Meridian Hotel / Marriott Bonvoy
1421 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Code: NPRA Group