Special Projects

On May 1, 2003, the United States Navy finally left the Island of Vieques, located east of Puerto Rico, after years of using the small island as a bombing practice range. But, the U.S Navy, over a 60-year stay, left a damaging impact on the island. “Vieques was a scene of war…it was a kind […]

Father Michael Bertram, a member in the Capuchin Franciscans, for 18 years served as pastor at St. Francis of Assisi in Milwaukee, a historic facility located on North Vel R. Phillips Avenue and West Brown Avenue. There he helped people in need, fed those who are hungry and spoke the Word of God. St. Francis […]

To be or not to be. That is the question for Puerto Rico in regards to the looming debate of statehood. Should Puerto Rico become a state? Is it its own country?  Puerto Rico is not a state nor a country. However, it is United States territory, leaving many citizens with dual identities. Are they […]

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Puerto Rico has been an affluent epicenter for the art of drag since the 1960s. According to Waves Ahead Executive Director Wilfred Labiosa, the bustling nightlife in areas like San Juan is largely due to drag queens and transgender performers.  According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word drag started […]

Christopher Perceptions is a Milwaukee native who plans to give the Milwaukee community access to learning about cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency and Bitcoin are relatively new concepts at 13 years-old, a pimple popping teenager according to Perceptions, created by the pseudonymous person ‘Satoshi Nakamoto.’ According to Perceptions, gold is God’s money, fiat is the government’s money, but […]

Milwaukee – Alberto Maldonado is a man who is proud of his culture and connects Milwaukee with Puerto Rico.   His dad was a coffee grower in Puerto Rico and came to the States in 1966 when there were added job opportunities. He got married in Milwaukee and Maldonado was born there. Maldonado moved between Milwaukee […]

A crime ridden town where people stopped visiting their families was transformed by community activists into the houses of colors.  

“First it is important that our fellow U.S. citizens know that the 3 million American citizens in Puerto Rico have different rights when they live in Puerto Rico than when they live in the continental U.S.”  Juan Pablo Gutiérrez-González, local owner of the strategic design and branding agency, Gutigon, said. There are more than 6 […]

OLD SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Pigeon Park (Parque De Las Palomas) is a place close to home for the residents of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Destined as a popular tourist attraction, the park used to host consistent visitors and residents from Old San Juan. Built in the 18th century and nestled on top of […]

Dozens of pigeons roamed around the Plaza de Colón in Old San Juan. They were not afraid to go up to the tourists that were mingling together enjoying the warm weather. The plaza was mostly filled with locals, and a few sat on a bench smoking a cigarette, which was rare to see on the island.   One man […]

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic church in Milwaukee welcomed the LGTBQ community, started ministries for Puerto Ricans and Spanish speakers during the 1950s, as well as ministries for Black people, and helped German immigrants during the early 20th century. At North Vel R. Philips Ave and West Brown Street, St. Francis of Assisi church was […]

SALINAS, Puerto Rico — In every Puerto Rican municipal or town, there is the same set up: a plaza, a Catholic church and the city hall building, according to Samuel González Rodríguez, a Puerto Rican architect and mosaic painter. Salinas had a tan, cobblestone plaza with some stone benches placed directly in the Puerto Rican […]