The Afro-Latino Development Alliance, Inc. (ADA) is a dynamic, young 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen the capacity of Afro-Latino communities in the United States and throughout Latin America to meet the challenges of global interdependence.  In 1999, former Governor Luis Gilberto Murillo and Mr. Robert Asprilla decided to create an organization that would effectively respond to the pressing challenges facing Afro-Latinos and create opportunities for their underserved community. ADA has a three-prong strategy: 

• To create/enhance awareness of Afro-Latinos issues in American institutions;
• Inclusion of Afro-Latino Leadership in the bilateral talks between the United States (U.S.) and Latin American countries; and
• Ensure that Afro-Latinos are included in present and future U.S. foreign aid packages.

ADA has established itself as a leader in the area of understanding and anticipating development concerns of Afro-Latino communities.  To strengthen that position and to further understand the needs of the people we serve, we work in partnership with: grassroots organizations, elected officials, multi-lateral organizations, colleges and universities, the religious community, and the private sector.

Former Governor Murillo opined that in order to have the most profound impact on the Latin American Region, our organization should focus on the Afro-Colombian population first, given the strategic role which Colombia plays with U.S. policy makers. Secondly, Colombia’s internal conflict and narco-trafficking is having a tragic impact on Afro-Colombian women and children. To this end, ADA has formed alliances with Afro-Colombian organizations and leaders to assist in promoting awareness and direct funding to their communities. ADA’s goal is to develop a model program in Colombia that may be applied in other Latin American countries.

It is daunting, when you consider that of all the enslaved Africans which were forcibly brought to the Americas for their precious knowledge of metallurgy, farming techniques, and for their sheer labor, only 5 percent ended up in North America. Thus, the vast majority of enslaved Africans were transported to Latin America. The following are examples of Latin American countries and their percentage of African descendant population compared to the total population:

• Colombia - 26% out of 40,262,000;
• Brazil – 45% out of 169, 799,000;
• Cuba – 62% out of 11,224,000;
• Dominican Republic – 84% out of 8,721,000; and
• Haiti – 95% out of 7,084,000.

African slavery left an indelible mark on this region.  Today, Afro-Latinos continue to serve as the foundation for agriculture, mining, fishing, commerce, sports, and culture for the majority of Latin American countries.