Evelio Grillo


Evelio Grillo was a Black Cuban-American writer and community organizer. He is a well-known advocate for civil rights. He is best known for his book Black Cuban, Black American: A Memoir.

Early life & education

Grillo was born in Ybor, Florida to Cuban parents.
As a child, Grillo went to segregated schools, noting "Black Cubans were closer to black Americans and white Cubans were closer to white Americans became culturally African American." Later, Grillo went on to the prestigious Dunbar High School before attending Xavier University of Louisiana, where he received a BA. Post-war, he took classes at Columbia University in New York City, specializing in Latin American history.

Writing

Grillo is the author of the seminal text, Black Cuban, Black American: A Memoir. This memoir detailed not only Grillo's life but the way segregation affected Black Americans during the World War II. It discussed the specific way Afro-Latinos had to live as both Latinos and African-Americans.

Personal life

Grillo died on December 28, 2008 when he was 89.