On September 21, 2024, Wikimedia NYC, afrolatin@, the International Museum of Salsa and Equis Institute hosted “Wikicurious: Editing to the Beat”. The edit-a-thon brought together more than 50 enthusiastic participants at Lehman College in Bronx, New York. The vibrant and engaging day combined the energy of live music, culture, and community-building as part of Hispanic Heritage Month while focusing on expanding the representation of Afro-Latino artists and musical genres on Wikipedia.
Empowering Editors to Close the Knowledge Gap
Guided by experienced Wikipedia trainers, participants of all skill levels—ranging from first-time editors to Wikipedia veterans—started to edit and worked on improving and creating articles about Afro-Latino icons, songs, and genres. The hands-on editing sessions helped demystify the Wikipedia editing process, empowering attendees to make meaningful contributions and close the content gap related to Latino, and in particular, Afro-Latino representation on Wikipedia.
The list of articles that need improvement is still open for anyone who wants to continue contributing. Given the scale of the task, plans are already underway to launch other events (not only in the United States, but also in the Caribbean) that can help to continue the project.
A Day of Music, Culture, and Wikipedia
The highlight of the day was the live performance by Aurora & Zon del Barrio, a talented 9-piece orchestra led by the dynamic Aurora Flores. More than just a musician, Aurora is also a historian who brought the spirit of salsa, merengue, boogaloo, and other musical genres alive with her captivating performances and insightful commentary. Between musical sets, she shared stories about the rich and complex history of these musical styles, detailing their deep roots in the Caribbean and their evolution in New York City.
The performance was more than entertainment; it was an educational journey. Aurora explained how these genres emerged from the blend of African, Indigenous, and European influences, reflecting the vibrant history and identity of Afro-Latino communities. The audience was transported not only by the music, but also by the stories that connected the beats to the cultural legacies they represent.
Deep Conversation on Afro-Latindad
Participants were also treated to a powerful Afro Latindad workshop, hosted by the afrolatin@ forum. This interactive session dove deep into the history, identity, and contributions of Afro-Latino communities. Through thoughtful discussions, participants explored questions of race, ethnicity, and cultural intersectionality. The importance of amplifying Afro-Latino voices and ensuring their representation on platforms like Wikipedia became a shared mission.
Join WP:LATINOS!
The “Editing to the Beat” Edit-a-Thon was a powerful reminder of how culture, knowledge, and community can come together to create lasting impact. But our work doesn’t stop here. In the words of Aurora, our history is yet to be told—there’s still much to be done to ensure that Latino and Afro-Latino histories and contributions are fully represented on Wikipedia. If you’re passionate about contributing to this movement, we invite you to join WP:LATINOS in English and Spanish, where we are starting to move the needle in this direction. Together, we can continue to celebrate and uplift the stories of underrepresented communities, ensuring that the contributions of Afro-Latinos to music, culture, and history are not forgotten.
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