Finalmente estoy compartiendo esta nota después de que Aaron Bushnell, un miembro de 25 años de las fuerzas armadas de Estados Unidos, transmitiera en vivo su autoinmolación frente a una embajada israelí en Twitch el fin de semana pasado en protesta por el genocidio palestino en curso. Es el segundo que lo hace en los últimos meses y el primero en perder la vida en el proceso. Esta nota es para los mártires.

I woke up feeling sick to my stomach in the middle of the night during my recent delgation to Cuba; probably a side effect of mixing 3 plates of Ropa Vieja at dinner with cigars and beer at La Fabrica the night before. Chastising myself for hitting my body with 3 things I normally avoid at home (tobacco, alcohol, and meat), I wasn't able to make it downstairs to the cafeteria for breakfast or the day trip with the group. I was allowed to stay and rest at the center in the morning while they checked out El Rincón de los Milagros,where they learned about the impact of the Haitian revolution on Cuban society. Everyone said I would have loved it. After looking through their pictures and videos of the drum sessions,I'm certain I would have. I'm going to prioritize visiting this spot next time I'm in Cuba.

Me desperté sintiéndome mal del estómago en medio de la noche, durante mi reciente delegación a Cuba; probablemente un efecto secundario de mezclar 3 platos de Ropa Vieja en la cena, con cigarros y cerveza en La Fábrica la noche anterior. Regañándome a mí mismo por someter mi cuerpo a 3 cosas que normalmente evito en casa (tabaco, alcohol y carne), no logré bajar a la cafetería para desayunar ni unirme al viaje del día con el grupo. Me permitieron quedarme a descansar en el centro durante la mañana mientras ellos visitaban El Rincón de los Milagros, donde aprendieron sobre el impacto de la revolución haitiana en la sociedad cubana. Todos dijeron que me hubiera encantado. Después de ver sus fotos y videos de las sesiones de tambores, estoy seguro de que así hubiera sido. Voy a hacer de visitar este lugar una prioridad la próxima vez que esté en Cuba.

On the flip side, I was deficient in sleep hours, so catching up on rest put me in a better position to participate in the evening social at El Sauce. El Sauce is a smaller venue that wasn't nearly as packed as La Fabrica the previous evening. I enjoyed down time with my fellow delegates, happy to get to know them in an intimate space and eventualy joining them on the dance floor for an electric slide.

Por otro lado, me faltaban horas de sueño, así que ponerme al día con el descanso me colocó en una mejor posición para participar en el evento social de la noche en El Sauce. El Sauce es un lugar más pequeño que no estaba tan lleno como La Fábrica la noche anterior. Disfruté del tiempo libre con mis compañeros delegados, contento de llegar a conocerlos en un espacio íntimo y finalmente uniéndome a ellos en la pista de baile para un electric slide.

I watched a man dressed in plain shorts and a red shirt dance enthusiastically with at least 5 separate partners of varying ages and genders throughout the night, radiating joy with each graceful spin as if he hadn't a care in the world. His magnetic energy drew everyone around him into his orbit despite coming to El Sauce alone that night. The circumstances of an inhumane blockade on his country did not seem to phase him as he laughed and sang along to the music, his humanity on full display for us to see.

Observé a un hombre vestido con shorts sencillos y una camisa roja bailar entusiasmado con al menos 5 parejas distintas de variadas edades y géneros a lo largo de la noche, irradiando alegría con cada giro elegante como si no tuviera ninguna preocupación en el mundo. Su energía magnética atraía a todos a su alrededor a pesar de haber llegado solo a El Sauce esa noche. Las circunstancias de un bloqueo inhumano sobre su país parecían no afectarle mientras reía y cantaba junto a la música, mostrando su humanidad para que todos la viéramos

Before dinner the next evening, the group gathered in the cafeteria for a reflection activity about our first few days in Cuba where we broke the ice by sharing an African word that we were familiar with and its significance to us. My mind instantly snapped to "Ubuntu", a word that represents the inception of my programming journey and my intentions with what comes from it. From the African Journal of Social Work,

Antes de la cena la siguiente noche, el grupo se reunió en la cafetería para una actividad reflexiva sobre nuestros primeros días en Cuba, donde rompimos el hielo compartiendo una palabra africana con la que estuviéramos familiarizados y su significado para nosotros. Mi mente se dirigió instantáneamente a 'Ubuntu', una palabra que representa el inicio de mi carrera en la programación y mis intenciones con lo que resulte de ello. Según el Journal Africano de Trabajo Social:

Ubuntu refers to a collection of values and practices that Black people of Africa or of African origin view as making people authentic human beings. While the nuances of these values and practices vary across different ethnic groups, they all point to one thing – an authentic individual human being is part of a larger and more significant relational, communal, societal, environmental and spiritual world.
Ubuntu se refiere a un conjunto de valores y prácticas que las personas negras de África o de origen africano consideran que hacen a los seres humanos auténticos. Aunque los matices de estos valores y prácticas varían entre los distintos grupos étnicos, todos apuntan a lo mismo: un ser humano auténtico es parte de un mundo más amplio y significativo que incluye lo relacional, lo comunal, la sociedad, el medio ambiente y lo espiritual.

I explained my philosophy around the use of open sourced software and a healthier relationship with the Internet highlighting the need to boycot corporate tech platforms that inflict irreparable harm on the massses. The constant bombardment of corporate advertising guided by antagonizing algorithms fuel a dire behavioral health crisis that's actively destroying the fabric of our society and disconnecting us from our humanity. Open source software is my weapon in this war against the tech corporations that dominate our dystopic digital lives that I will leverage to center humanity and dignity in communications.

Expliqué mi filosofía sobre el uso de software de código abierto y una relación más saludable con internet, resaltando la necesidad de boicotear las plataformas tecnológicas corporativas que infligen un daño irreparable a las masas. El constante bombardeo de publicidad corporativa, guiado por algoritmos antagonistas, alimenta una grave crisis de salud conductual que está destruyendo activamente el tejido de nuestra sociedad y desconectándonos de nuestra humanidad. El software de código abierto es mi arma en esta guerra contra las corporaciones tecnológicas que dominan nuestras vidas digitales distópicas, el cual utilizaré para centrar la humanidad y la dignidad en nuestras comunicaciones.

I shared this with the group, happy to look over at a fellow delegate and see her point to the bracelet on her wrist with the letters U-B-U-N-T-U spelled out. I felt right at home with this crew.

Compartí esto con el grupo, contento de mirar a una compañera delegada y verla señalar hacia la pulsera en su muñeca con las letras U-B-U-N-T-U. Me sentí como en casa con este equipo.

As sleep deficient as I was yesterday, I agreed to join Kelvin and two supporters of the Martin Luther King Center for dinner and live Jazz at Eclectico Restaurante Italiano.

I was nodding off the whole way back to my room at the center. I hit the bed like a pile of bricks, waking up this morning feeling refreshed and ready to change the world!

The delegation officially starts this evening with an orientation scheduled for 5pm. Until the rest of the delegates arrived, I was free to explore! After a cup of coffee and a few minutes of jump rope, I left with Kelvin into the city for a side quest to check out Proyecto Cumunitario Quisicuaba. Juan scooped us up around 9, stopping on the way to pick up a beautician we got acquainted with over dinner last night. The more, the merrier!

Proyecto Comunitario QuisicuabaFounded in 1953, Proyecto Comunitario Quisicuaba is a mutual aid organization in Central Havana that provides hot meals, transitional housing, occupational training and social work services for the surrounding community. The name "Quisicuaba" is a combination of "kissi" and "cuaba", referencing the Kissis ethnic group of freed Black folks from Angola who settled in Habana and built their homes with hard wood from the Cuaba tree. Their objectives are to:

1. promote sustainable development and participation of the community in health, education, values, and identity
2. promote and preserve Cuban cultural heritage and optimize potential of its citizens

Single moms, "habitantes de la calle" (what they call the unhoused population), and other marginalized groups line up every day at 10am for a hot meal made with donations from organizations around the world. In the Santo Antonio municipality, they run an agro-centric assisted living center where with a focus on sovereignty and sustainability. Their motto, "luz y amor" (light and love), lies at the heart of their philosophy and guides their programming.

The vice president, Lien Lucía García Miranda, gave Kelvin and I and Meibis (the beautician from dinner last night) a tour, breaking down how their, kitchen, museum, and technical high school program preserve Cuban culture and counteract the blockade. I played translator between Kelvin and the staff as he asked questions to plan the iteniary for the next group trip he is putting together.

Click here to hear an audio of the tour

The technical school next door to the museum trains youth ages 15-16 in electrical wiring, masonry, and sewing. They are currently forced to teach a class of 50 students how to use a computer with a single desktop computer because of the blockade and lack of available computer parts. Hearing this had a big impact on me when I heard it because I'm in the middle of learning web development. It is truly unjust that in this hyperconnected world Cuban children are expected to learn in these conditions. Kelvin graciously noted that he would include some sort of material support around this in the iteniary for the trip he is planning later this year.

We ended the visit with lunch, making sure to thank them for their hospitality and promising to return. Kelvin expressing that he was going to organize material support around computer parts reminded me of the time I photographed Oscar Lopez Rivera in Loiza, Puerto Rico with the mayor as they set up a similar donation with a New York-based foundation. I'm inspired by the examples of "luz y amor" these legendary organizers provide while motivated to organizing structural changes in my community that will eliminate this need to begin with!

I finally got some down time to write! Its been non stop since I flew in to Jose Marti airport yesterday. The delegation didn't officially start until today, but I decided to arrive a day early to get acclimated and hunt for side quests. As we began to descend into Jose Marti airport, before the Wi-Fi cut out, I texted the taxi driver that was sent for me a picture of myself and mentioned that I would be outside soon carrying a pair of rollerblades. After one of the smoothest landings I had ever experienced on a plane ride, my adventure had finally begun.

I made it through customs and jumped to the baggage claim to retrieve my luggage, which, luckily, was among the first group that came out. My driver, Juan and I were able to locate each other within seconds of me walking out the door. After graciously helping me wheel my luggage to the car, he let me know he had one more pickup before heading to the Martin Luther King Center. At that point I could feel the dark circles forming under my eyes, but was happy to tag along and meet a new friend.

Overcome with a wave of nostalgia as we cruised through Havana, I explained to Juan that this was my second time in Cuba and that I was excited to be here with a group of like minded folk and a structured learning agenda. He mentioned that his wife organizes political education at the MLK center while he drives a taxi, supporting where he can with rides to and from the airport for delegations. He added that he spent time in Angola as a young man supporting African revolutionaries in their struggle for self determination, motivating me to finish the movie I downloaded for the flight but couldn't get around to completing. Now I can say I talked to someone who experienced it!

He parked on the side of the road somewhere in Havana Vieja and left me to find his next pickup a couple blocks up. I exited the vehicle to take in the scenery, smiling at whoever I made eye contact with. Havana is a busy city with a strong character. I can't wait to connect with Cuban professionals on a personal level and dive into the iteniary, which includes presentations from organizers, scientists, teachers, lawyers, and other civil servants who maintain an unparalleled literacy rate and healthy society despite having to do it under the boot of the u.s. blockade. Juan suddenly appeared onto the street ahead of me, approaching the car next to a tall Black man with a cap on. Enter, Kelvin!!!

Kelvin is an OG South African pastor who runs a community development corporation in Los Angeles. He is in Cuba planning a future cultural exchange for a group of young folks he works with. I was quick to commend his country with a fist bump for putting in work at the International Court of Justice in defense of Palestine. His lively spirit and contagious smile radiated a sense of safety in the car as we drove him to his meeting with an associate named Liz in Havana.

From the back seat, I couldn't help but notice he was texting Liz from Belly of the Beast, a popular internet documentary series where she interviews cultural and political icons like Francia Márquez and Elián González to tell an authentic story of Cuban resilience under blockade from the united states. I blurted out "Is that Liz from Belly of the Beast?!" You could probably imagine how hyped I was when Kelvin responded with an invite for Juan and I to join them for lunch. I enthusiastically accepted!

The slow onset of dementia from the lack of sleep offsetted how hyped I was to be sitting at that table. Kelvin and I learned that we are in community with some of the same organizers in Oakland while Liz gave commentary on her recent tour of the united states. Liz had to bounce for a meeting but invited us to her office for coffee after. (YES!!!) She ordered her food wrapped up to go, eventually leaving Kelvin, Juan, and I to continue to get to know each other and finish our food.

After lunch, we rode to Liz's office space where we met her producer, Gabriela, as she was in the middle of editing a new episode of Belly of the Beast. I spoke a little bit about my communications work and experience organizing cultural exchanges with systems involved youth while Liz and Gabriela told us production stories. They brought out coffee and let me connect to their Wi-Fi to check my messages. It was cool to see Wi-Fi access was not as restrictive as I remembered from my trip in 2017 and initially anticipated coming into this one. Private residences have internet access to do the same kind of communications work I am used to doing at home.

Our time kicking it with the Belly of the Beast team feels like a dream until I look at the group selfie we took on their balcony. God has my fucking back, man. Tomorrow I'll meet the rest of the group and officially begin my second adventure in Cuba!

Quick recap for my followers, Miguel is headed to Cuba tonight on a delegation with Solidarity Collective to meet with teachers, medical students, social workers, and organizers for a cultural exchange around Pan Africanism in the Latin American context with the aim of building solidarity across the Americas.

Questions our delegation will be exploring include:

1. How do Cubans, a Black-majority country, approach environmental protection, religious syncretism, housing rights, and healthcare?

2. What is the role of historic and contemporary abolitionist practices in their quest to eradicate racism?

3. What challenges remain to build an equitable society, especially under the yoke of 60 years of the US Blockade?

4. What do these lessons mean for the struggle for black liberation in the U.S.?

Today I spent time downloading material around Fidel and Che's support of African liberation movements to get up to speed on their experiences in the Congo and Angola. I also reviewed my travel documents to make sure I wasn't missing anything, as well as made contact with my ride to the Martin Luther King Jr Center in Havana.

I packed a random blood pressure cuff that I bought for an EMT course I took (and passed) in junior college to give to the first doctor I meet out there. I'm excited to meet new people and listen to their stories and perspectives on the world. I'm also bringing my rollerblades so I can skate through Havana on my down time! I skated with residents at a night skate event last time I was there in 2017, so I know its a sport that's alive and thriving.

I'm chillin at home right now waiting for my taxi to pick me up in an hour and a half to take me to Rafael Hernandez, where I'll officially embark on the first leg of my journey to Fort Lauderdale where I'll catch my flight to Havana.

I was up late last night trying to publish a blog post, but gave up after the connection faded and reset all I had typed to a blank text box. When I woke up this morning, I snoozed my 7:30 alarm for a half hour before heading downstairs to share a light breakfast with the other delegation members and enjoy our first presentation from a staff member about the history of the center.

Anoche me quedé despierto hasta tarde tratando de publicar una entrada en el blog, pero desistí después de que la conexión se interrumpió y borró todo lo que había escrito, dejando la casilla de texto en blanco. Cuando me desperté esta mañana, pospuse mi alarma de las 7:30 por media hora antes de bajar a compartir un desayuno ligero con los otros miembros de la delegación y disfrutar de nuestra primera presentación de un miembro del personal sobre la historia del centro.

There's a street or building named after Dr. Martin Luther King in almost every city and country I've ever been to! The MLK Center in Havana stands next to a church by the busy intersection of 51st and 100th street. The center, founded by Pastor Raul Suarez in 1987, builds transnational solidarity networks by hosting cultural exchanges with organizations from around the world in Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King's honor.

En casi todas las ciudades y paises que he visitado hay una calle o edificio nombrado en honor de Dr. Martin Luther King! El Centro esta ubicado al lado de una iglesia en la concurrida interseccion de las calles 51 y 100! Fundado por el Pastor Raúl Suárez en 1987, el centro construye redes de solidaridad transnacional al organizar intercambios culturales con organizaciones de todo el mundo en honor al Reverendo Dr. Martin Luther King.

It was inspiring to see the presenter tear up as she outlined the impact the center had on the surrounding community like wiring electricity to the neighborhood. Throughout the week, residents line up during business hours for water from a purifier machine inside the cafeteria, ensuring clean h2o for drinking, cooking, and cleaning for residents.

Fue inspirador ver a la presentadora emocionarse mientras delineaba el impacto que el centro tenía en la comunidad circundante, como llevar electricidad al vecindario. A lo largo de la semana, los residentes hacen fila durante el horario comercial para obtener agua de una máquina purificadora dentro de la cafetería, asegurando agua limpia para beber, cocinar y limpiar para los residentes.

The center is complete with rooms for guests that include bunk beds and a shared bathroom with an air conditioner. The cafeteria serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the day. The space is truly magical, with staff and volunteers walking around with bright faces, making you feel right at home.

El centro cuenta con habitaciones para huéspedes que incluyen camas y un baño compartido con aire acondicionado. La cafetería sirve desayuno, almuerzo y cena durante todo el día. El espacio es verdaderamente mágico, con el personal y los voluntarios caminando con rostros brillantes, haciéndote sentir como en casa.

During the oral history lesson, our delegation coordinator asked about how organized religions show up in Cuba since the revolution was declared atheist. It didn't occur to me until till that Martin Luther King was a minister! How did they come to name a center after him? The staff from the center explained that Fidel Castro, after a visit to Brazil in 1980 where he met with liberation theologian Friei Betto, famously remarked that if liberation theology existed in Cuba, they wouldn't have needed a revolution to liberate their country from the united states occupation, marking a shift towards greater religious tolerance and inclusion to address and rectify social inequalities and injustices, key themes of the Cuban Revolution.

Durante la lección de historia oral, nuestro coordinador de la delegación preguntó cómo se manifiestan las religiones organizadas en Cuba desde que la revolución fue declarada atea. ¡No se me ocurrió hasta ese momento que Martin Luther King era un ministro! ¿Cómo llegaron a nombrar un centro en su honor? El personal del centro explicó que Fidel Castro, después de una visita a Brasil en 1980 donde se reunió con el teólogo de la liberación Frei Betto, comentó famosamente que si la teología de la liberación existiera en Cuba, no habrían necesitado una revolución para liberar su país de la ocupación de los estados unidos, marcando un cambio hacia una mayor tolerancia religiosa e inclusión para abordar y rectificar las desigualdades sociales e injusticias, temas clave de la Revolución Cubana.

Liberation theology is a movement within the catholic church that emphasizes social justice and opposition to poverty and social injustice. This and subsequent discussions between the two leaders, among other factors, played a pivotal role in the gradual shift in the Cuban government's approach to religion and religious freedom. In 1992, Cuba amended its constitution to declare the state secular rather than atheist. This amendment allowed for the open practice of religion and acknowledged the powerful role that religious institutions and beliefs could play in Cuban society. It highlights a moment of reflection on the intersections between religious faith and revolutionary politics and led to structural constitutional reforms. Today, one will observe many religions and forms of African spirituality being practiced throughout the country with support from the government.

La teología de la liberación es un movimiento dentro de la iglesia católica que enfatiza la justicia social y la oposición a la pobreza y la injusticia social. Esto y las subsiguientes discusiones entre los dos líderes, entre otros factores, jugaron un papel pivotal en el cambio gradual en el enfoque del gobierno cubano hacia la religión y la libertad religiosa. En 1992, Cuba enmendó su constitución para declarar al estado secular en lugar de ateo. Esta enmienda permitió la práctica abierta de la religión y reconoció el poderoso papel que las instituciones religiosas y las creencias podrían jugar en la sociedad cubana. Destaca un momento de reflexión sobre las intersecciones entre la fe religiosa y la política revolucionaria y condujo a reformas constitucionales estructurales. Hoy, se observan muchas religiones y formas de espiritualidad africana practicadas en todo el país con apoyo del gobierno.

Click for an intro to Santeria

Cubans across the country draw inspiration from Yoruba, a spiritual tradition rooted in West African heritage, also known as Santería. Followers of this faith turn to orishas, divine entities that govern human activities and natural elements, for direction and insight. Unlike public temples or churches, rituals are conducted within the privacy of a home. In reverence to the orishas, devotees often construct intricate altars or "thrones" – sacred areas that depict these mighty figures in majestic grandeur.

Los cubanos de todo el país se inspiran en Yoruba, una tradición espiritual arraigada en la herencia del África occidental, también conocida como Santería. Los seguidores de esta fe recurren a orishas, entidades divinas que gobiernan las actividades humanas y los elementos naturales, para obtener dirección e conocimiento. A diferencia de los templos o iglesias públicas, los rituales se realizan dentro de la privacidad de un hogar. En reverencia a los orishas, los devotos a menudo construyen altares o "tronos" intrincados - áreas sagradas que representan a estas figuras poderosas en majestuosa grandeza.

After an energizing intro to the history of the Martin Luther King Center, we thanked the staff and prepared to transition to the bus for our next activity, a tour of Casa Africa in Havana. During the transition, the group gathered in the courtyard to hear an inspirational pep talk from Pastor Kelvin before he headed to the airport to catch his flight home.

Después de una introducción energizante a la historia del Centro Martin Luther King, agradecimos al personal y nos preparamos para pasar al autobús para nuestra próxima actividad, un recorrido por la Casa África en La Habana. Durante la transición, el grupo se reunió en el patio para escuchar un discurso de ánimo inspirador del Pastor Kelvin antes de que se dirigiera al aeropuerto para tomar su vuelo de regreso a casa.

Kelvin's introduced himself to the larger group inspired us with the powerful words about the current state of the world and the power we wielded as organizers to change it.

Kelvin se presentó al grupo más grande e inspiró con palabras poderosas sobre el estado actual del mundo y el poder que tenemos como organizadores para cambiarlo.

Click Here to Listen to Kelvin's words about Resiliance, Resisting, & Reimagining

He hooked the group with a bottle of Havana Club as a parting gift! As sad as I was to see him go, I know this was not a "goodbye," but a "see you later". I hugged Kelvin tight before boarding the bus, thanking him for the memories we created yesterday and the wisdom he shared.

¡Al grupo nos regalo una botella de Havana Club de despedida! Aunque estaba triste de verlo ir, sé que esto no era un "adiós", sino un "hasta luego". Abracé a Kelvin fuerte antes de subir al autobús, agradeciéndole por los recuerdos que creamos ayer y la sabiduría que compartió.

Soon the group was off to the city for a tour of historic downtown to explore the origins of Villa San Cristobal de la Havana and a performance at Casa Africa!

Pronto, el grupo partió hacia la ciudad para un recorrido por el centro histórico para explorar los orígenes de Villa San Cristóbal de La Habana y una actuación en Casa África.

Casa Africa.is a museum in Havana Vieja (where Juan and I picked up Kelvin from on Thursday) that preserves the African roots of the country through the collection of artifacts and performing arts. As we waited for the music performance to start, I got to know Amoke, one of the participants of the delegation who runs Yo Mamas House, a drop in resource center based out of Milwaukee for moms. She is a former special education teacher with a big heart and strong conviction for changing the world by supporting mothers. Originally from Los Angeles, she possesses great wisdom accumulated over years of traveling the world and organizing her community. I'm excited to get to know her more and visit Yo Mamas House soon!

¡Casa África! es un museo en La Habana Vieja (donde Juan y yo recogimos a Kelvin el jueves) que preserva las raíces africanas del país a través de la colección de artefactos y artes escénicas. Mientras esperábamos que comenzara la actuación musical, conocí a Amoke, una de las participantes de la delegación que dirige Yo Mamas House, un centro de recursos de acceso libre en Milwaukee para madres. Ella es una ex maestra de educación especial con un gran corazón y una fuerte convicción de cambiar el mundo apoyando a las madres. Originaria de Los Ángeles, posee una gran sabiduría acumulada a lo largo de años de viajar por el mundo y organizar su comunidad. ¡Estoy emocionado de conocerla más y visitar Yo Mamas House pronto!

A group of women suddenly marched onto the stage, beating drums and singing traditional African songs. Amoke sang along as I made my way to the front of the stage to get a better view!

Un grupo de mujeres de repente marchó al escenario, tocando tambores y cantando canciones africanas tradicionales. Amoke cantó junto mientras me abría paso al frente del escenario para obtener una mejor vista.

Click here for a video of the performancers dancing

Click here for audio of the performers drums and song

We ended the night at La Fabrica, a giant warehouse/art exhibit/venue/night club with multiple stages and contemporary art that spoke a loud social commentary about gender and humanity. It was easy to get lost in this giant building complete with multiple bars and outside patio areas for sitting and smoking cigars. I like their tab system - they collected money for drinks at the door on your way out vs paying each time you ordered one. The staff hands you a card on your way into the space that you give to the bartender to mark every time you order a drink to keep track of your tab. You settle up on your way out of the space and leave the card there. Thinking about my experience bartending, I think its a better system that allows the bartenders to show out and focus more on customer service.

Terminamos la noche en La Fábrica, un enorme almacén/exposición de arte/sala de conciertos/discoteca con múltiples escenarios y arte contemporáneo que hablaba un fuerte comentario social sobre género y humanidad. Era fácil perderse en este gigantesco edificio completo con múltiples bares y áreas de patio exterior para sentarse y fumar puros. Me gusta su sistema de pestañas: recogen el dinero de las bebidas en la puerta cuando sales en lugar de pagar cada vez que pides una. El personal te entrega una tarjeta al entrar al espacio que le das al barman para marcar cada vez que pides una bebida para llevar la cuenta de tu pestaña. Te pones al día al salir del espacio y dejas allí la tarjeta. Pensando en mi experiencia de bartending, creo que es un mejor sistema que permite a los bartenders destacarse y concentrarse más en el servicio al cliente.

Today was a dope day! I'm grateful to be connected with a dope group of folk through an experience like this. Shoutout to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King for inspiring the creation of the Center, Fidel Castro for his revolutionary leadership, and Pastor Kelvin for being an example for us younger organizers who face formidable obstacles in our struggle for liberation. We won't let y'all down!!

¡Hoy fue un día increíble! Estoy agradecido de estar conectado con un grupo tan genial de personas a través de una experiencia como esta. ¡Un saludo al Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King por inspirar la creación del Centro, a Fidel Castro por su liderazgo revolucionario, y al Pastor Kelvin por ser un ejemplo para nosotros, los organizadores más jóvenes que enfrentamos obstáculos formidables en nuestra lucha por la liberación. No los vamos a defraudar!

Cheers to making beautiful memories with like minded organizers and changing the world!

¡Salud al crear recuerdos hermosos con organizadores de ideas afines y cambiar el mundo!