- February 19, 2025
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Kuniko Yamamoto dances with Pamela Callender.
Photo by Ian SwabyRafael Cepeda and Maria Cruz of Bomba Yemayá dance together.
Photo by Ian SwabyWill Knetge and Leslie Calero listen to the music.
Photo by Ian SwabyRomeo Bougere III takes the stage alongside his father, Big Chief Romeo Bougere, of the 9th Ward Hunters Mardi Gras Indian gang.
Photo by Ian SwabyLori Peacock and Eric Ryszkiewicz enjoy the music from a seat on the wall.
Photo by Ian SwabyThe Ringling's curator of performance Elizabeth Doud hands the microphone to Kelly Kirschner, a board member and co-founder of UnidosNow.
Photo by Ian SwabyVictor Quiñonez and Ayai Ortiz play with Bomba Yemayá.
Photo by Ian SwabyKylianie Echeevarria, 9, dances with Maritza Toro.
Photo by Ian SwabyMoses Cummings, ABC's "The View" co-host Sunny Hostin, Gabriel Hostin, Debra Thomas and Dewayne Martin.
Photo by Ian SwabyChristian and Alex Sarruff and Matilde and José Rodriguez enjoy the music.
Photo by Ian SwabyMartino Ospina, 7, UnidosNow co-founder CJ Czaia and Alejandro Ospina, 11, take to the stage.
Photo by Ian SwabyThe Flag Boy of Big Chief Romeo Bougere's Mardi Gras Indian tribe, performs with The 79rs Gang. The Flag Boy always carries the banner of the tribe and accompanies the Big Chief.
Photo by Ian SwabyMonika and Arthur White dance in the courtyard.
Photo by Ian SwabyAdelaida Chirivi and Rodrigo Mendoza
Photo by Ian SwabyRandic Morillo and Uma Morillo, 4 watch Bomba Yemayá perform.
Photo by Ian SwabyMaria Cruz dances in the performance by Bomba Yemayá.
Photo by Ian SwabyThe Spy Boy of Big Chief Romeo Bougere's Mardi Gras Indian tribe, performs with The 79rs Gang. In New Orleans, the Spy Boy always leads the procession of the Big Chief.
Photo by Ian SwabyRomeo Bougere III dances to the music of The 79rs Gang, which features his father Big Chief Romeo Bougere, in the courtyard.
Photo by Ian SwabyIt may be a month until Mardi Gras, but there was the sight of feathers and color as a bomba group, followed by the leaders of two Mardi Gras Indian tribes, took to the stage at The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art on Jan. 31.
UnidosNow co-founder CJ Czaia said being able to host NocheUnidos at the museum on Jan. 31, which celebrated Hispanic heritage, was "big time" for the organization.
He says the organization was founded to "inspire young people to understand we have a great country and we can participate, but we need to educate ourselves, and we need to be active."
"The longer we are here, the more we raise, the more we end up getting involved in the community, the more more of a strong foothold we have, partnerships we build, so we can give back and help," he said.
The event began with music by Bomba Yemayá, one of the leading groups performing the Afro-Puerto Rican genre of bomba, and continued with The 79rs Gang from New Orleans, led by the Big Chiefs of Mardi Gras Indian tribes, 7th Ward Creole Hunters and the 9th Ward Hunters.
Martin Alvarez, 13, said he was glad to be present for an event supporting the organization, which he said he helped him in ways that include gaining scholarships.
"When I came here, I had a bit of help from my parents, but I didn't really know what to do, and it's helped me understand some careers better than I did before, and also investigate things for my future, as well visit campuses in Sarasota County and outside, and just to know what they offer, and it's been really good," he said.