Charlie Billups
Board President
Charlie Billups was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico and moved to Chicago in the early 90’s. Since then he has been working as a healthcare services executive, community activist and a published photojournalist, documenting the cultural aspects of the Puerto Rican and Latin American diaspora in Chicago. He loves living with his family [Lorena (wife), Sarah and Pachi (kids)] in Humboldt Park. Charlie Billups has been serving as president of the board since 2016.
Maritza Nazario
Maritza Nazario came to Chicago from Puerto Rico 30 years ago and since then she has been busy working in the field of performing arts. Her experience includes teaching, writing, acting, and directing theater and leading various artistic programs. She currently serves as the Executive Director and Acting instructor of En Las Tablas Performing Arts, a not-for-profit, performing arts community organization in Chicago, which she co-founded 10 years ago. Maritza earned a Bachelor’s Degree at University of Puerto Rico and a Master’s Degree at University of Illinois, both degrees are in Theater. Maritza has deep passion for working with children and adults in the community, helping them to develop their “untapped” talent.
Brenda Torres-Figueroa
Brenda Torres-Figueroa (Fajardo PR, 1976) is an Interdisciplinary artist, educator and curator living in Chicago since year 2000. Graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (MFA 04) and University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras (BA 00)- Brenda currently teaches Integrated Arts at the Chicago High School of the Arts and has worked as curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Puerto Rico (MAC) and has coordinated of Barrio Arts Fest (2010-2013) among other exhibitions at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture. She has composed and published several curatorial essays for individual artists and museums including artists such as Rafael Trelles, Victor Vázquez and Norah Hernandez. In 2014 co-Founded and became the creative director of Freedom Effect LLC. In 2015 was featured in the Chicago Artist Month with the video project of Candela co-produced in collaboration with Bomba con Buya.
Additional Board Members:
James Ramos
Brenda Delgado