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our PROGRAMS

PROPA Programming

what we
do for our communities
Signature Programs
& Initiatives

PROPA designs and leads programs that function as long-term preservation strategies rather than isolated events. PROPA operates at the intersection of historical preservation, artistic expression, and cultural activism, offering dynamic programs that ensure Puerto Rican traditions remain vibrant and accessible.

Since 2003, our impact includes strengthening cultural networks, recovering endangered histories, marking and protecting historical sites, supporting descendants and elders, and mentoring emerging archivists committed to community-led preservation.

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The Biennial Bomba
Research Conference (BRC) 

A cornerstone of PROPA’s work since 2005, the Biennial Bomba Research Conference (BRC) is a transformative gathering that brings together scholars, artists, and practitioners from across Puerto Rico, the diaspora, and beyond. This immersive conference serves as a platform for historical research, performance, and community engagement, exploring the evolution, significance, and sociopolitical role of Bomba, Puerto Rico’s oldest surviving African-derived musical tradition.

Through panel discussions, live demonstrations, workshops, and academic presentations, the BRC highlights Bomba’s role as a form of cultural resistance, storytelling, and ancestral remembrance.

The conference also fosters intergenerational dialogue, ensuring that knowledge is passed down and continually evolving.

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la competencia
de enaguas (cde) 
La Competencia de Enaguas is a one-of-a-kind cultural event that celebrates Puerto Rican textile heritage, particularly the enagua, a traditional skirt with deep historical ties to Bomba, daily life, and expressions of identity.
This initiative highlights the symbolism, artistry, and craftsmanship embedded in historical Puerto Rican dress, exploring how textiles have played a role in cultural expression, gender identity, and resistance.
By uplifting the legacy of handwoven and embroidered garments, this event showcases the connection between fashion, history, and cultural pride. Participants engage in design competitions, exhibitions, and performances, bringing traditional dress to life in a modern context.
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Lugares Históricos
Project (LHP)

The Lugares Históricos Project (LHP) is a groundbreaking heritage preservation initiative dedicated to identifying, documenting, and protecting historical sites linked to Afro-Indigenous communities in Puerto Rico.

This project ensures that forgotten or overlooked sites of artistic, cultural, and civil resistance are given formal recognition and protection. Through extensive research, archival work, and community engagement, PROPA places historical placards at key sites tied to Afro-Caribbean history, the evolution of Bomba, and civil rights movements in Puerto Rico.
These sites serve as educational landmarks, offering the public an opportunity to learn about the rich history of Puerto Rican resilience, activism, and artistic contributions.
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¡Africa Habla
en Mí! (AHEM)
Africa Habla en Mí is a powerful intersection of genealogy and the arts, fostering personal and communal connections to African ancestry. This initiative helps individuals trace their lineage, understand ancestral migration patterns, and explore the resilience of Afro-Caribbean communities. Through historical research, DNA exploration, oral histories, and creative expression, this program empowers participants to reclaim and celebrate their African roots
By engaging in storytelling, drumming, dance, and visual arts, Africa Habla en Mí ensures that our ancestors’ perseverance, strength, and cultural legacy remain alive and relevant today.
This project also sheds light on the historical contributions of African-descended Puerto Ricans and how their traditions have shaped music, art, language, and social movements.
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el areito
Series & Cultural Programming

El Areito series is a year-round educational and performance-based event that celebrates Puerto Rican and Afro-Caribbean culture through music, dance, storytelling, and academic discourse.

The term “Areito” originates from the Arawak/Taíno people, who held these gatherings as communal celebrations of history, identity, and spirituality. In keeping with this tradition, PROPA’s Areito Series serves as a modern cultural convening, where artists, historians, and activists come together to share knowledge, honor ancestors, and strengthen community ties.

This series includes:
  • Workshops and lectures on Taíno, African, and Spanish influences in Puerto Rican culture.
  • Live performances featuring Bomba, Plena, Jíbaro music, and storytelling traditions.
  • Community gatherings that promote intergenerational learning and cultural exchange.
The Areito Series bridges ancestral traditions and contemporary expressions of Puerto Rican identity, ensuring that these legacies remain an active part of community life.
These initiatives reflect PROPA’s commitment to cultural preservation, historical justice, and artistic innovation, ensuring that Afro-Indigenous Puerto Rican traditions continue to thrive for future generations.
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reach out

4700 Millenia Boulevard
Suite 175
Orlando, Florida 32839

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Phone: 407-583-6233

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