16 Famous Afro-Latinos to Know

There is no right way to be Black or Latino. But oftentimes, we ask the people who intersect with these identities—also known as Afro-Latinos—to choose between their race (Black) and ethnicity (Latino). This is especially true in Hollywood, where Black and Latino characters are already underrepresented. When we make Afro-Latinos choose, we aren't just erasing them from the narrative, but from within the community that they have significantly shaped and influenced. (We're looking at you, reggaeton!)

This was the main criticism of Lin-Manuel Miranda's film adaptation of his Broadway play, In the Heights. The musical is set in Washington Heights, New York, where there is a large Afro-Latino population, particularly Dominican people. While Miranda does feature Afro-Latinos in the movie, there are only a couple in lead roles—and none with darker skin star at all. Not only were critics disappointed by this, but it felt inaccurate. According to the Pew Research Center, "one-quarter of all U.S. Latinos self-identify as Afro-Latino, Afro-Caribbean or of African descent with roots in Latin America."

Afro-Latinos have spoken about the need for visibility in their respective industries. They do exist, and we're highlighting some of their work here. From actors and celebrities to music artists and journalists, here are some of the famous Afro-Latinos you should know.