Uva C. Coles

Uva will visit Panama to create a short documentary on the cultural, societal and personal challenges/successes of Panamanian Afro-Latinas. Uva will write and overlay spoken word for the film based on interviews with Afro-Latina relatives, community educators, and leaders about history, oppression, racism, sexism and ultimate triumph in a society that has historical devalued the presence and beauty of the Panamanian Afro-Latina. She will also collaborate with Panamanian musicians who will compose Latin and Afro-Caribbean pieces as a soundtrack for the documentary. This film will allow for collaborations that cross many barriers and borders. In addition to using the documentary during her presentations, copies of the documentary will be donated to Panama’s Afro-Antillean Museum, the country’s sole museum dedicated to promoting Afro-Latino/Caribbean cultural pride, for educational viewing and as a powerful educational tool.