7th Annual Raices Gala

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Our Organization

The Annual Raices Gala helps to raise the funds necessary for the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture to continue to thrive as a cultural anchor in the City of Chicago as well as become the preferred destination for all those wanting to learn about our community’s rich history, art and culture. As the only self-standing Puerto Rican museum in the United States, our vision is to collaborate with other institutions to harness the resources necessary to expand our programming, exhibits and visitor experience.
While our 2020 Gala will not allow us to celebrate together in person, we are still honored and excited, to share many special surprises with the community, and guests who join us virtually this year. And of course, pay tribute and recognition to our 2020 Ceiba Awards winners.

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— Plante Bandera, Planting Flags —

Let us continue to honor our history as we celebrate our future.

2020 Honorees

The Ceiba Award recognizes an individual that demonstrates deep commitment in preserving the Puerto Rican Culture and traditions to the community.

This award is custom made by a Puerto Rican sculptor from the island, as a symbol of our gratitude for your contribution in the arts.

José Feliciano

José Feliciano (born September 10, 1945 in Lares, Puerto Rico) is one of the most prominent Latin music performers in the history of popular music. With already immense popularity in Latin America, he crossed over to mainstream success in the United States, and then around the world, with his cover of The Doors' "Light My Fire" and his rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner" in 1968. Most people will recognize him from the Christmas pop classic "Feliz Navidad," which was first released in the year 1970 and celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2020. Feliciano remains a beloved figure in Puerto Rico and beyond, having received a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and been inducted to the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Lucecita Benitez

When you ask a Boricua, who they think is the best Puerto Rican female singer of all time, probably with no hesitation, they will say, Lucecita Benitez. Before she won the “Festival de la Voz y la Cancion Mundial in Mexico”, which catapulted her to international stardom, she was already known in Puerto Rico as “la reina de la juventud”, the youth’s queen. But it was her rendition of “genesis” at the world musical festival in Acapulco that consecrated her standing as the national voice of Puerto Rico. Usually each country has one singer that embodies and conveys the soul, spirit, feelings and the vital essence of a people, Lucecita is that singer for Puerto Rico. Deeply patriotic and socially conscious, she is the kind of artist that does not bargain with her art and her political views to satisfy the status quo. Considered as sort of a rebel, she embodies what a real Puerto Rican is, the best way to describe her is with the name of her iconic concert “traigo un pueblo en mi voz”, I carry my people in my voice. You think of her and a picture of our flag comes to mind.

Puerto Rican theatre company Y No Había Luz celebrates 15 years of artistic labor that has continuously contributed to the growth and development of Puerto Rican culture. The company holds and extensive repertoire of original theatrical pieces, which has had national and international reach. They fuse together theatre, filk, dance, music, masks, puppets and the fine arts to produce a privative and reflexive mise-en-scène. Their mission s to contribute to social well-being through art and culture. Because of this, the educational component of the company is one of its main pillars. They aim to provide a space to foster creativity and leadership, motivating the community to reflect and be in control of their environment.

Hispanic Federation

Hispanic Federation (HF) is the nation’s premier Latino nonprofit membership organization. Founded in 1990, HF seeks to empower and advance the Hispanic community, support Hispanic families, and strengthen Latino institutions through work in the areas of education, health, immigration, civic engagement, economic empowerment, & the environment. Hispanic Federation serves as a national model for Latino social, political, and economic empowerment. With a strong presence in New York, Florida, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, and other key states throughout the U.S., HF works to uplift millions of Hispanic children, youth, and families across the country.