It is important to teach about Afro-Latinos during Black History Month because they are often overlooked and not celebrated.
Afro-Latinos make up a significant portion of the Latin American population, and yet their distinct racial, cultural, and linguistic identities are often ignored or conflated with those of other Latino groups.
Through learning about Afro-Latino history during this month, we can better appreciate the contributions they have made to society, recognize the unique challenges they face due to their hybrid African and Latino identity, and ensure their voices are heard in public discourse. Ultimately, celebrating Afro-Latinos during Black History Month allows us to gain a fuller understanding of their identity in many of its aspects.
13 Afro-Latino Class Activities for Students
Use these scaffolded activities in any order during Black History Month or through the school year. Each activity includes 3 versions to use with novice, intermediate low-mid, and intermediate high-advanced students. This is a huge time-saver if you have mixed groups or teach multiple levels. You can use any of these activities for Spanish 1, 2, and 3.
Also check our list of additional resources for Black History Month at the bottom of the page.
With this reading comprehension, cultural comparison, and writing activities, students review the reality of the Afro culture in Latin America, the positive changes that have been achieved, and also how the deficiency in education and work continues in this community.
This visual interpretation and reading comprehension activity addresses the influence of African music forged through the centuries, the history of influences, and the creation of the most famous genres.
Recetas latinas con raíces africanas: La identidad pública y privada. Identidad nacional y étnica.
With this reading comprehension activity, students learn about six Latin dishes with African roots.
El cabello afro al natural: La belleza y la estética. Definiciones de belleza
In this reading comprehension, writing, and speaking activities, students learn about 5 influencers from Colombia who uses social media to promote the natural beauty of natural afro hair.
Cuando el ritmo de la Bomba se suma a la misa: La vida contemporánea. Tradiciones y valores.
With this visual interpretation activity, students learn the story of a Catholic church in Puerto Rico where a weekly mass is celebrated with Bomba, a traditional dance and musical which origins are rooted in the island’s history of African slavery.
In this reading comprehension and writing activity, students learn about Teófilo Cubillas, the best soccer player in the history of Peru, the all-time leading scorer of the Inca National Team with 26 goals, and a three-time World Cup player.
Día nacional de los afroargentinos: La identidad pública y privada. Identidad nacional y étnica.
With this reading comprehension activity, students learn about the national day to celebrate the Afro culture in Argentina and its importance.
With these vocabulary builder, reading comprehension, and writing activities students learn the meaning of “afrodescendientes” and what is its legacy to the Argentinians.
Fundación Chiyangua : Familias y comunidades. Costumbres y valores.
With this visual interpretation, reading comprehension, and presentation activity, students learn about Fundación Chiyangua and the work that 300 women do to preserve traditional crops and Afro-Colombian gastronomy.
Bonnie Prado Pino – Ingeniera aeroespacial: La vida contemporánea – La educación y las carreras
With this reading comprehension, question formation, and speaking activities students learn about Bonnie Prado Pino, an Astrodynamics Engineer from Colombia.
La diseñadora afrolatina: La belleza y estética. Moda y diseño.
With these visual comprehensions and writing activities, students learn about Nia Murillo, a designer from Colombia that promotes its ethnicity with her work.
Navidad en febrero y con un Dios negro: Familias y comunidades. Costumbres y valores.
With these reading comprehension and cultural comparison activities, students learn about a town in Colombia that celebrates Christmas in February and with a black Baby Jesus to keep a tradition adopted by their slavery ancestors, who were denied celebrating Christmas on December 25.
Legado y elegancia en movimiento La identidad pública y privada. Intereses personales.
This reading comprehension and word search activity feature Marbella Burgos, a Puerto Rican designer that makes skirts to dance Bomba.
Check more Spanish class activities here.