"Duality: Blaxicans of L.A." is curated by Nathalie Sanchez and inspired by Walter Thompson-Hernández's Instagram project exploring Afro-Latino identity in Los Angeles.  

Walter Thompson-Hernández, Dr. Rebecca Romo (Santa Monica College), April J. Mayes (Pomona College) and Sabrina Smith (UCLA) will explore the historic and contemporary issues of mixed-race identities in the context of the Blaxican, Afro-Latino, and the Black and Latino experience in Los Angeles and Latin America. We will also discuss the larger history and experiences of Afro-descendants in the Americas, especially in Mexico and how it relates to Los Angeles.

Moderated by Cynthia Gomez & Nathalie Sanchez

RSVP: EVENTBRITE

About Blaxicans of L.A. : Since its founding in 1781 by a group of settlers of predominantly Afro-Mexican descent, Los Angeles has been a city with multiracial and multilingual roots. Today, L.A. has evolved into one of the world’s largest and most diverse metropolises, but still boasts a large concentration of people who identify as “Black” and “Brown.” Using a multimodal storytelling approach, the Blaxicans of L.A. project ultimately builds from this genesis story and exists as a way to situate contemporary questions of race, ethnicity, and identity as they unfold in Los Angeles and the United States.

Thompson-Hernández hopes that a project of this kind can both create stronger links between African Americans and Latinos and raise critical awareness for the pressing inequities faced by both groups who continue to live, work, and love together in spite of these challenges.

About the Artist: Walter Thompson-Hernández is a Los Angeles-based writer, photographer, and researcher. He was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and is a recent graduate of the Stanford University Latin American Studies Master’s program. He is currently a researcher at the University of Southern California (USC), Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration (CSII), and Program for Environmental and Regional Equity (PERE).

Opening night reception: Saturday, February 13, 2016, 7:00 -11:00 pm. Exhibit continues through March 5, 2016.

Parking Information: Street parking available.There are a small number of spaces in the unpaved parking lot behind the studio; it is accessible through the driveway adjacent to the Metro Gold Line (do not park in the parking lot adjacent to the apartments). Please arrive early as parking is limited.

Cost : Free and open to the public. Due to limited seating, Eventbrite tickets are required.

Sponsor(s): Center for Mexican Studies, Center for Mexican Studies, Avenue 50 Studio