Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center
The Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center (SRBCC) is the longest-standing Puerto Rican cultural center in Chicago. Established in 1971, it was named in honor of Segundo Ruiz Belvis, a Puerto Rican patriot and member of the secret abolitionist society in Puerto Rico that bought and freed slave children. The society contributed greatly to the end of slavery in Puerto Rico in 1873. In that spirit, the Center’s mission is to present and promote appreciation of the arts and culture of Puerto Rico, specifically its African heritage SRBCC realizes its program philosophy by developing multi-disciplinary programs highlighting the presence of African cultures in Latin America. The organization utilizes dance, music, theatre, singing and other artistic mediums to celebrate Afro-Puerto Rican and Afro-Latino cultural traditions
