Dr. Pedro R. Rivera. 1 woman, standing. 2 men, standing. 1 woman speaker. crowd seated. awards. certificate.
 
On February 4, the Hostos Heritage Lecture Series marked the beginning of the celebration of Dominican Heritage and Black History months with a visit from a special guest.

A lecture from Hostos alumnus, distinguished scholar and author, Dr. Pedro R. Rivera, filled Room C-391 with students and faculty. Dr. Rivera received an A.A. in Liberal Arts from Hostos in 2002. He also graduated Magna Cum Laude from The City College of New York in 2005 and was awarded the History Department’s Cromwell Award. He went on to complete his Ph.D. in History at Howard University and is now Assistant Professor in Latin American History in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Savannah State University.

His lecture at Hostos, “Pan-Africanism from Santo Domingo to Harlem,” touched on the themes of multiculturalism and tolerance, while offering the perfect history lesson for the dual national celebrations. The event also marked the 172th anniversary of independence of the Dominican Republic.

Dr. Pedro R. Rivera

Dr. Rivera’s dissertation, entitled “Carlos Cooks and Garveyism: Bridging Two Eras of Black Nationalism,” which he is currently revising for publication, is a biographical narrative examining the life, times, and work of a Dominican-born Pan-African organizer who promoted the ideas of Marcus Garvey in Harlem in the period between the New Negro and Black Power movements.

The popular event was organized by Ana I. García Reyes, Associate Dean for Community Relations; and co-hosted by Professor Howard Jordan, Esq., Chair of the Behavioral and Social Sciences department; Dr. Ana Ozuna, Assistant Professor/Black Studies/Latin American and Caribbean Studies Humanities Department. 

Dr. Rivera was presented with a citation from the Office of State Senator Adriano Espaillat and the Hostos Distinguished Alumnus Medal presented by Associate Dean García Reyes on behalf of the Office of Alumni Relations. The event drew several distinguished guests, including the Hon. Eduardo Selman, Consul General of the Dominican Republic in New York; and Dr. Ana Ofelia Rodríguez, Broadway Housing Communities.

The latest Hostos Heritage Lecture Series event was made possible thanks to the financial support and in-kind sponsorship of the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute; Dominicanos USA; the Office of the Associate Dean for Community Relations; the Communications Office, the Office of Alumni Relations; Broadway Housing Communities; the Hostos Conference Center, the Office of the President, the Dominican Studies Association and the COPE program.

Special thanks are also due to the Honorable Eduardo Selman, Consul General of the Dominican Republic in New York and the Honorable NYS Senator Adriano Espaillat for their support.

About Hostos Community College
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College is an educational agent for change that has been transforming and improving the quality of life in the South Bronx and neighboring communities since 1968. It serves as a gateway to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility, as well as a point of departure for lifelong learning, success in professional careers, and transfer to advanced higher education programs. The College’s unique Student Success Coaching Unit provides students with individualized guidance and exemplifies its emphasis on student support services.
 
Named one of the top 10 finalists for the 2015 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, Hostos offers 27 associate degree programs and two certificate programs that facilitate easy transfer to The City University of New York’s (CUNY) four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. The College has an award-winning Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. Hostos is part of CUNY, the nation’s leading urban public university, which serves more than 500,000 students at 24 colleges.