Luis A. Miranda Jr. Comes to Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University, Presenting His Memoir, Relentless, Followed by Q&A

Reported on Friday, September 13 2024.

Pictured Above: Luis A. Miranda’s memoir’s cover art. Photo Credit: Sourced.

NEWSROOM POST: BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA

"My Story of the Latino Spirit That Is Transforming America" By Luis A. Miranda - A Free Event on September 19th

Bethlehem, PA – Luis A. Miranda Jr. will speak at Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University on Thursday, September 19 at 11 am as part of the Notations Series. There will be a Q&A after the talk. This is free, open to the public with limited availability. No tickets required.

In 1974, Luis A. Miranda Jr. could not have anticipated the far-reaching effects and reverberations of his decision to study psychology at New York University instead of law in his native Puerto Rico. Little did he know that his seemingly personal choice would go on to significantly influence American politics and culture throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Sometime after arriving in New York City, Miranda found himself drawn to community action, such as improving employment opportunities for people of color and organizing his neighbors to fight for better schools for their children. Seeing the political potential within the varied Latino population in the city, Miranda sought to bring them together and ensure their voices found representation. As his influence began to grow, so did his reach across local, state, and national arenas.

In RELENTLESS: My Story of the Latino Spirit that is Transforming America (Hachette Books, 5/7/24, 9780306833229), Miranda shares the poignant narrative of his life and career—from his early days as a radically-minded Puerto Rican activist, to his decades of political advice and problem-solving. Amid the triumphs, challenges, and ongoing hard work, Miranda examines what his experience reveals about our ever-changing politics and democracy, demographics, and society. In RELENTLESS, readers can look forward to discovering: 

-Miranda’s work in New York City with numerous mayoral administrations from Koch, Dinkins, and Giuliani (the latter ending in Miranda’s resignation due to ethical concerns that made it impossible for him to continue working for the administration)

 

-Miranda’s key role in organizing and galvanizing the Latino community for numerous political candidates including Hillary Clinton, Letitia James, Kirsten Gillibrand, and a then-unknown Chuck Schumer

 

-The thrill of the ascendancy of In the Heights and Hamilton, created by his son Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Luis’ fervent belief in transforming success into future opportunities for the next generation of artists

 

-Miranda’s personal narrative starting with his life-changing decision to leave Puerto Rico for New York City to pursue a degree in psychology that led him on an unexpected path, including a family with his partner of over 45 years Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda and two additional children, Luz Miranda-Crespo, and Miguel Towns, and establishing a platform, alongside Lin-Manuel, with a megaphone for change built upon their own successes

 

-The family’s call to action in 2017 during the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, and the logistical challenges and small, but vocal political opposition to organizing Hamilton as a fundraising event in Puerto Rico Debunking the myth of the monolithic “Latino voter,” Miranda underscores the pivotal role voters of Latin descent will play in the 2024 election, and outlines what politicians must do to effectively harness their voices for progressive action. Anticipating the Latino population to be 1 in 4 by the year 2060, RELENTLESS stands as a crucial asset, aiming to spotlight the unwavering spirit of this community. Through the perspective of Luis A. Miranda Jr., witness the story of a man dedicated to advocating for his family, community, and Latinos’ place in this country. 

Luis A. Miranda Jr. is a founding partner of the MirRam Group, founding president of the Hispanic Federation, and chairperson of the Latino Victory Fund, Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance, and Viva Broadway. He is a board member of the Public Theater and The City, and the chair of the Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center. He lives in New York City.

For tickets, call 610-758-2787 (7LU-ARTS) or zoellnerartscenter.org

Pictured Above: Lehigh University Choral Arts. Photo Credit: Contributed.

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