Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.'s DAY - January 21 - MONSEÑOR ROMERO CELEBRATION, MARCH 22
MZO 
MR
OUR MISION
The Mission of the Manuel Zapata Olivella Center is two-fold: (1.) to provide educational opportunity, life skills, work-related capacity building, and leadership development to that part of the immigrant community in the Washington, DC metro area which is most disadvantaged; and (2.) to lift up and celebrate the histories, cultures, and contribution of people of African descent to the societies of Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States.
Our Educational Program Main Objective
The objective of the Manuel Zapata Olivella program is to provide an educational alternative for the immigrant community, which helps them to develop job skills and increase English communication abilities with the intention of easing their inclusion in the community at large.
Dr. Manuel Zapata Olivella
Manuel Zapata Olivella was a doctor, anthropologist, folklorist, diplomat, and writer. Olivella is the most important representative of Afro-Colombian literature and one of the most distinguished figures in contemporary Colombian literature. Born in 1920 in Lorica, a town located in the state of Cordoba on the Atlantic coast of Colombia, Manuel Zapata Olivella studied medicine at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. From 1943 to 1947, Olivella traveled to Central America and the United States to work on various projects. Later, he taught at universities in the United States, Central America and Africa. Olivella, who was from an intellectual family, founded and directed the literary magazine Letras Nacionales. One of the main characteristics of this writing is that he brings into focus the role of “el negro” in the history of Colombia, as well as, in the Americas. More specifically, we get a view of the plight of Afro-Colombians living on the Atlantic coast during Olivella’s lifetime. However, he studied all aspects of Afro-Colombian culture. Olivella’s dedication to cultural research and pride in Afro-Colombian embody the spirit in which the training program in his name was created.
THE MANUEL ZAPATA OLIVELLA CENTER
FOR EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
COMING EVENTS
- Interfaith Sanctuary Network: Lunch and Program on Immigarnt Rights: Sturday, April 19, 12 m - 2:30 pm.
- Monseñor Romero's Anniversary. MILPA Cultural Association. Saturday, March 22, 2008, at Wesley United Methodist Church (Wesley UMC).
- MZO Center First Anniversary. Friday, April 18, 2008, at Wesley UMC.
- First Photography Exhibit: "Africa in America: Images of Land, Struggle and Resistance", welcoming the Carabana de Pastores por la Paz. June 20-22, 2008, at Wesley UMC.
- MZOC Handcraft Festival. November 14, 2008, at Wesley UMC.
WESLEY UNITED METODIST CHURCH, 5312 Connecticut Avenue & Jenifer Street, NW, Washington DC 20015.
Con el Co-Patrocinio de: MILPA, GRUPO AFRO-DESCENDIENTE,
FRIENDS OF THE CONGO & TRANS AFRICA FORUM
Dr. Manuel Zapata-Olivella
Writings of Zapata Olivella: Special LinksNovels
Short Stories
Theatre Plays
Con el apoyo de Wesley United Methodist Church y del Centro Manuel Zapata Olivella la Asociación Cultural MILPA:
EN ESPAÑOL
Donde Estamos:
Wesley United Methodist Church –WUMC 5312 Connecticut Av. & Jenifer Street, NW, Washington, DC. 20015
Para Más Información:
Tel.: 202-558-7230 (L-V, 1 - 7PM)
Fax: 202-244-1759
manuelzapataolivellacenter@gmail.com
La Misión del Centro Manuel Zapata Olivella tiene dos facetas:
(1.) Proveer oportunidades educativas, mediante la adquisición de destrezas de comunicación básicas, creando capacidad para realizar tareas en el campo de trabajo; promover además el ejercicio del liderazgo de los miembros más vulnerables de la comunidad inmigrante en el área metropolitana de Washington, DC.
(2.) Reconocer y celebrar la historia, cultura y aporte de los afro-descendientes en la comunidad social Latinoamericana, Caribeña, y Estadounidense.
PROXIMOS EVENTOS 2008
Red Interreligiosa Santuario: Almuerzo & Programa sobre derechos de Inmigrantes, Sábado, 19 de Abril, 12 M-2:30 PM
Primer Aniversario del Centro Manuel Zapata Olivella, Sábado 26 de Abril, 6:30 PM.
Festival de Primavera en la Iglesia Metodista Unida Wesley, Sábado 7 de Junio, 1-5 PM, Juniors & 6-9 PM Adults.
Primera Exhibición Fotográfica de la Diáspora Africana: "Africa en América: Imágenes de tierra, lucha y resistencia", recibiendo la Caravana de Pastores por la Paz, 20 - 22 de Junio, 2008.
Primer Festival Artesanal de la Diáspora Africana, 15 de Noviembre, 2008.
IN PROCESS... Performing at Archbishop Romero's Celebration, March 22, 2008
The audience...