Chiqui Vicioso offered a detailed overview of Afro-Antillean poetry and how Aída Cartagena Portalatín influenced this movement.
On Tuesday, March 5, as part of Women’s History Month celebrations, Hostos Community College's Faculty Dining Room transformed into a space for literary discussion about race, gender, and poetic expression. President Daisy Cocco De Filippis and poet, playwright, and essayist Chiqui Vicioso led a compelling exploration of Aída Cartagena Portalatín's legacy and enduring influence on Dominican literature.
"Whenever I enter a space, Aída Cartagena Portalatín's poem, 'A Woman is Needed Here,' inspires me. It reminds me of women's vital role wherever they go,” said Cocco De Filippis. "I am delighted to have my friend Chiqui here with me, who has courageously spoken out on topics many shy away from, especially regarding Aída Cartagena Portalatín's exploration of blackness and womanhood. Her work sheds light on themes that, despite apprehension, are crucial for open dialogue in the Dominican Republic."
The impact of Cartagena Portalatín's contributions extends far beyond her time, fueling a continuous dialogue among younger writers who seek to challenge societal norms and advocate for inclusivity and understanding through their poetry.
“She has become a symbol for writers outside of the canon on the island and in the diaspora. We have to remember that we’re talking about a woman who embraced her blackness during a time in which identifying as Black or mulatto was a fully rejected idea for the Dominican elite. Aída was influenced by the Harlem Renaissance and her time in Paris, where she became part of the most influential postcolonial thinking groups,” said Vicioso during her talk in which she offered an overview of Afro-Antillean poetry.
Cartagena Portalatín was also a scholar who received her doctorate in Humanities from the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo and furthered her education with postgraduate studies at the École du Louvre in Paris, specializing in Museology and Fine Arts. She played a pivotal role in the
Poesía Sorprendida literary movement, which delved into the realms of the psyche and soul using surrealistic techniques.
Following Vicioso's talk, the event took a creative turn as students and faculty engaged in a bilingual poetry reading, showcasing works by various women writers who have drawn inspiration from Cartagena Portalatín's work. The selected poems, read in both English and Spanish, underscored the diverse ways in which her exploration of race, gender, and identity continues to resonate and inspire a new generation of writers.
The readers were Social Media Intern Laura Saint-Hilaire, Student Government Association (SGA) President Dainma Martínez, SGA Senator and Communications Office Scheduling Assistant Ansumana Jammeh, and English Assistant Professor Victoria Muñoz.
To conclude the event, several attendees, including student Erika Mata, Development Officer Idelsa Méndez, and Professor Thelma Ithier-Sterling, elegantly participated in an open mic session. This moment allowed for a vibrant sharing of artistic expressions among the participants.
Poetry readers and open mic participants pose with Chiqui Vicioso at the end of the event. From left to right, Prof. Victoria Muñoz, Laura Saint-Hilaire, Prof. Thelma Ithier-Sterling, Chiqui Vicioso, Idelsa Méndez, Ansumana Jammeh, and Dainma Martínez.
About Eugenio María de Hostos Community College
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 for over half a century. Since 1968, Hostos has been 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.
Hostos offers 28 associate degree programs and two certificate programs that facilitate secure transfer to The City University of New York’s (CUNY) four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. A two-time Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence finalist, the College has an award-winning Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. Hostos also boasts both men's and women's basketball teams, which have won multiple CUNY Athletic Conference championships, with the women's team making history in 2024 as the only team ever to secure seven consecutive titles in the conference's history. The College is part of CUNY, the nation’s leading urban public university, which serves more than 500,000 students at 25 colleges.
For inquiries, email
publicrelations@hostos.cuny.edu.
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On Tuesday, March 5, Hostos Community College's Faculty Dining Room transformed into a space for literary discussion. President Daisy Cocco De Filippis and poet, playwright, and essayist Chiqui Vicioso led a compelling exploration of Aída Cartagena Portalatín's legacy and enduring influence on Dominican literature. Hostos President Daisy Cocco De Filippis was delighted to welcome attendees to a discussion about a woman poet who has inspired her greatly throughout her career as an academic and higher education administrator. She was especially overjoyed for the opportunity to welcome back Chiqui Vicioso to the College, who talked about Afro-Antillean poetry and how Aída Cartagena Portalatín influenced this movement. After her talk, the event took a creative turn as students and faculty engaged in a bilingual poetry reading, showcasing works by various women writers who have drawn inspiration from Cartagena Portalatín's work.
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