Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Omar Torres-Kortright has contributed regularly to the Chicago arts scene in different capacities since his arrival to the city in the early 2000’s. He founded Agúzate, an organization dedicated to promoting independent Latin music with a strong emphasis on Afro-Latin culture. Through Agúzate, Omar collaborated with government agencies, long-standing local institutions, and organizations with an eye on international music, such as the Old Town School of Folk Music, Sound Culture, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and Hothouse.
After gaining extensive management experience in healthcare language services at Lurie Children’s Hospital from 2004 to 2015, Omar shifted his focus to the cultural sector and the Puerto Rican community. In 2015, he became the Executive Director of Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center (SRBCC), having previously served on its Board of Directors for five years. His journey with SRBCC is profound, evolving from music student to volunteer, Board member, and now Executive Director.
Under his visionary leadership, SRBCC has navigated significant challenges and achieved remarkable milestones. The center spearheaded the Chicago Hurricane Aid for Puerto Rican Arts and served as fiscal sponsor and one of the leading organizations for the Puerto Rican Agenda’s 3R’s for PR Campaign (Rescue, Relief, Rebuild). During the pandemic, SRBCC produced the Abrazo Virtual Series to sustain community engagement through the arts. The organization has been honored with the MacArthur International Connections Fund award in 2016 and 2019, and was recognized as one of Chicago’s Cultural Treasures in 2021.
Omar’s contributions extend beyond SRBCC; he is a member of the Mayor’s Cultural Advisory Council and a 2022 Chicago Peace Fellows cohort member.
Torres-Kortright is co-director and producer of the upcoming documentary Alive and Kicking: The Story of Chamaco Ramírez. With a list of appearances that includes Gilberto Santa Rosa, Tego Calderón, and Cheo Feliciano, for the first time ever, the film discovers the story of Chamaco Ramírez, one of salsa’s most influential soneros whose 1983 murder in the streets of the South Bronx is still unresolved today.
A native Venezuelan, Norma Nuñez-Ruch brings over two decades of dedicated involvement with programs and organizations that secure equal access to creative youth development, embodying a profound understanding of their philosophy, mission, and vision.
Fluent in both Spanish and English, Norma holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and a Master’s in Cultural Management.
She stands out as a trailblazer, being the first Venezuelan recipient of the Ford Motor Company International Fellow of the 92nd Street Y in 2011, and a graduate of the 2018 Cohort of the Global Leaders Program, an innovative nine-month professional certificate in Civic Leadership, Teaching Artistry, Cultural Agency, and Social Entrepreneurship.
The impact of her work has been extensive, as she has held pivotal roles in renowned organizations including Fundamusical Simón Bolivar (Venezuela), Grupo Concertante Talía (Spain), Allentown Symphony Association, and Ravinia Festival Association (USA). Emphasizing her commitment to transforming lives through music and civic leadership, Norma has served in several Boards of Directors as both member and consultant, such as the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts in Pennsylvania, and the Ismael Cala Foundation, in Florida.
Currently, Norma serves as Manager of Operations at Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, the longest-standing Latino cultural center in Chicago, Illinois, as her focus and commitment remains on creating vibrant and nurturing environments for youth development through community engagement, artistic performances, and cultural exchanges.
Born and raised in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, Wendy Navarro has been working in the customer service field in Chicago for over two decades. Wendy is energetic and passionate about the work of local non-profits, and has extensive experience in coordinating and supporting operations for grassroots organizations. She joined the SRBCC team in January 2023.
While in high school Tino studied piano as well as trumpet, participating in programs such as All-City Concert and Jazz bands, Merit and Sherwood Music Conservatories, the Chicago Youth Jazz Ensemble lead by Orbert Davis, as well as the Protege Philharmonic, and Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. Tino is also an alum of the Gallery 37 Latin Jazz Ensemble program when it was at the Block 37 site.
Currently Tino performs mostly with his bands that he manages through his small business, Ayem Pro Entertainment LLC as well as freelances with some of the top latin groups that tour through Chicago. He is also a long time member of the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest, a community orchestra led by Jay Friedman of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
