We chose the three authors who are the focus of this project, Jesus Colón (1901-1974), Pura Belpré (circa 1901-1982) and Antonia Pantoja (1922-2002) because they are integral to the history of Puerto Ricans living stateside, they were all writers and they all collected significant archives that are held by the Centro. Collectively, this group of writers addresses the theme of Puerto Rican arrival and incorporation into U.S. society, a process that was inflected in the twentieth century by their new status as citizens. All three authors were Afro-Puerto Ricans and their writing and reflections also provide first-person insight into the dynamics of race from a U.S. Latino perspective.

Using different genres of writing, each of these authors is credited with chronicling the culture of Puerto Rico and of Puerto Ricans in the United States.

There are many Puerto Rican authors who have published books stateside as well as in Puerto Rico. We have included links on this site if you want more information on Puerto Rican writers.