CULTURAL PRESERVATION FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
Dedicated to preserving history by establishing the Puerto Rican Cultural Garden in Rockefeller Park in Cleveland, OH
ABOUT US
Our Mission
The Cleveland Puerto Rican Heritage Coalition celebrates, preserves, and uplifts Puerto Rican culture by creating spaces for community, education, tradition, and pride. Through events, partnerships, and cultural programming, we honor our heritage, strengthen connections across generations, and share the vibrant spirit of Puerto Rico with the greater Cleveland community.
OUR TEAM
Gerardo Colón Jr.
Margaret Colón-Ramos
Margaret Colón-Ramos
Cofounder & President
Gerardo Colón serves as Chair of the Cleveland Puerto Rican Heritage Coalition, helping lead the effort to establish a Puerto Rican Cultural Garden within the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. A proud Puerto Rican Clevelander and longtime public servant, he brings more than two decades of experience in public safety, commu
Cofounder & President
Gerardo Colón serves as Chair of the Cleveland Puerto Rican Heritage Coalition, helping lead the effort to establish a Puerto Rican Cultural Garden within the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. A proud Puerto Rican Clevelander and longtime public servant, he brings more than two decades of experience in public safety, community engagement, education, and nonprofit leadership. As a Cleveland firefighter and public educator, Gerardo has dedicated his career to building trust, mentoring youth, and strengthening connections between communities and public institutions. His leadership with CPRHC is rooted in honoring Cleveland's Puerto Rican history, uplifting elders and pioneers, and creating a lasting cultural space for future generations.
Margaret Colón-Ramos
Margaret Colón-Ramos
Margaret Colón-Ramos
Vice President
Margaret Colon-Ramos is a community leader, human resources professional, and advocate for the Puerto Rican community in Northeast Ohio. With family roots in San Juan, Puerto Rico, she proudly continues a legacy of service established by her grandparents, who relocated to Cleveland more than 60 years ago. As Vice President o
Vice President
Margaret Colon-Ramos is a community leader, human resources professional, and advocate for the Puerto Rican community in Northeast Ohio. With family roots in San Juan, Puerto Rico, she proudly continues a legacy of service established by her grandparents, who relocated to Cleveland more than 60 years ago. As Vice President of the Cleveland Puerto Rican Heritage Coalition, Margaret is dedicated to preserving Puerto Rican culture, fostering community engagement, and empowering future generations. Professionally, she has built an extensive career in Human Resources and Talent Acquisition, helping connect individuals with meaningful career opportunities and supporting inclusive workplaces. Guided by a lifelong commitment to service, leadership, and collaboration, Margaret remains passionate about strengthening communities and creating positive change throughout the region.
Leticia Maldonado
Margaret Colón-Ramos
Leticia Maldonado
Co-Founder & Treasurer
Leticia Maldonado is Co-Founder and Treasurer of the Cleveland Puerto Rican Heritage Coalition. A lifelong Clevelander with deep Puerto Rican roots, her parents are from Utuado and Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, and she is the granddaughter of Moisés Maldonado, founder of the Puerto Rican Parade and the Spanish American
Co-Founder & Treasurer
Leticia Maldonado is Co-Founder and Treasurer of the Cleveland Puerto Rican Heritage Coalition. A lifelong Clevelander with deep Puerto Rican roots, her parents are from Utuado and Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, and she is the granddaughter of Moisés Maldonado, founder of the Puerto Rican Parade and the Spanish American Committee, and the daughter of Miriam Ortiz-Rush, a pioneering community leader and advocate for bilingual education. Raised on Cleveland’s west side and now residing on East Boulevard directly across from the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, Leticia is committed to preserving and celebrating Puerto Rican heritage for future generations. Professionally, she has dedicated more than 24 years to public education and currently serves as Director of Procurement for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, where she leads strategic purchasing initiatives that support student success and district operations..
Jasara Rivera
Margaret Colón-Ramos
Leticia Maldonado
Board Member
Jasara Rivera serves as a Board member of the Cleveland Puerto Rican Heritage Coalition and is a proud Puerto Rican woman born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. With roots tracing to Yauco through her mother and Arroyo through her father, Jasara embraces the rich traditions, values, and resilience of Puerto Rican culture that hav
Board Member
Jasara Rivera serves as a Board member of the Cleveland Puerto Rican Heritage Coalition and is a proud Puerto Rican woman born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. With roots tracing to Yauco through her mother and Arroyo through her father, Jasara embraces the rich traditions, values, and resilience of Puerto Rican culture that have shaped her identity and sense of community. As a dedicated healthcare professional, she has devoted her career to caring for others and improving the well-being of individuals and families in her community. Growing up in Cleveland, she developed a deep appreciation for the role that family, faith, and cultural traditions play in bringing people together and strengthening neighborhoods. Through her service with the Coalition, Jasara is committed to preserving Puerto Rican heritage and ensuring that Puerto Rican culture continues to flourish for future generations.
Ivonne Enid Quiñones
Ivonne Enid Quiñones
Ivonne Enid Quiñones
Secretary
Ivonne Enid Quiñones serves on the Cleveland Puerto Rican Heritage Coalition and brings more than 20 years of public-sector leadership and governance experience through her career with the federal judiciary. Currently the Courtroom Deputy Work-leader for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, she has
Secretary
Ivonne Enid Quiñones serves on the Cleveland Puerto Rican Heritage Coalition and brings more than 20 years of public-sector leadership and governance experience through her career with the federal judiciary. Currently the Courtroom Deputy Work-leader for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, she has held multiple leadership and operational roles, including Deputy-in-Charge, with expertise in court administration, case management, and judicial operations. As a Cleveland native born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Ivonne has a strong commitment to community service, leadership, and cultural engagement. Drawing from her Puerto Rican heritage, she is committed to strengthening and supporting the Puerto Rican and Latino communities through active service, advocacy, and civic involvement. She holds a bachelor’s degree from John Carroll University and has completed graduate-level coursework in Justice Administration at Tiffin University.
Hector Vega
Ivonne Enid Quiñones
Ivonne Enid Quiñones
Board Member
Hector Vega serves as the Artistic Advisor. He is a prominent and highly acclaimed artist based in Cleveland, Ohio, who is known for his vibrant, geometric, and bold artistic style that reflects his Puerto Rican roots and his deep connection to the local community. Moving to Cleveland from Gurabo at age eight, Hector overcam
Board Member
Hector Vega serves as the Artistic Advisor. He is a prominent and highly acclaimed artist based in Cleveland, Ohio, who is known for his vibrant, geometric, and bold artistic style that reflects his Puerto Rican roots and his deep connection to the local community. Moving to Cleveland from Gurabo at age eight, Hector overcame significant academic challenges, including dyslexia, to pursue his passion for art, ultimately graduating from the Virginia Marti College of Art and Design. His career, which spans over two decades, features notable works such as his iconic guitar designs for Cleveland's "Guitarmania" project and various cityscape collages found in private, corporate, and educational collections across the United States. Beyond his artistic achievements, Hector is a dedicated advocate for community involvement and the arts, contributing extensively to numerous charitable and non-profit organizations both locally and internationally.
SUPPORT CULTURAL PRESERVATION EFFORTS
Contribute to the development of the Puerto Rican Cultural Garden in Rockefeller Park, Cleveland. Your donations enable educational programs, cultural events, and the preservation of heritage for future generations. Join us in sustaining this important cultural landmark.