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This interview with Ana Velazquez took place on September 6, 2013 in Orchard Park, NY and was conducted by Stephanie Bucalo. Ana Velazquez grew up in Texas with her family until they later moved to Bay City, Michigan where her parents found new…

This interview with Benjamin Matta took place on August 7, 2013 at his home in Hamburg, NY and was conducted by Stephanie Bucalo. Benjamin Matta was born in Puerto Rico and came to the Brooklyn with the rest of his family after his father found…

Carmen Rodriguez was born in Puerto Rico and arrived in Buffalo to reunite with her sister. Carmen did not speak English when she arrived but could read and write. Her brother-in-law brought her to the unemployment office where she found a job…

This interview took place on July 31, 2012 at the West Seneca Library in West Seneca, NY. The interview was conducted by Stephanie Bucalo and accompanied by Casimiro Rodriguez. Father Antonio Rodriguez is a Spanish-born priest who was assigned to the…

This interview with Lucy Candelario took place on May 8, 2014 at the Father Belle Center in Buffalo, NY and was conducted by Stephanie Bucalo. Lucy was born in Buffalo, NY to a Puerto Rican migrant family. Lucy’s father and grandfather both worked…

This interview with Nivian Rodriguez Perez took place on October 24, 2013 in Buffalo, NY and was conducted by Stephanie Bucalo. Nivian Rodriguez Perez was born in Puerto Rico but moved to Buffalo in 1952 when she was 9 years old. She was placed in a…

This interview with Rosa Rodriguez took place on October 20, 2013 in Buffalo, NY and was conducted by Stephanie Bucalo. Rosa Rodriguez was born in Puerto Rico in a small town on top of a mountain. She moved to the United States in 1952 after her…

The Pentecostal Church is one of many sects of Christianity practiced by Hispanics in Western New York. In 1952, the first Pentecostal Church was established in Buffalo under the Concilio Latinoamericano. The Pentecostal Church provided structure and…

The 3 Kings Celebration is a large community festival taking place in January. Local organizations and/or churches organize festivities each year. Community members design costumes and decorate various venues to celebrate the arrival of the 3 Kings.

The Puerto Rican Parade originated at the Immaculate Conception Church on Virginia Street 1974. The parade continued over the years and became a large scale community event. Participants would work on floats, costumes, and performance routines for…