50th Anniversary

The Centro Cultural Cubano is honoring Alberto Vasallo Jr., a native of Habana, Cuba, who became a trailblazer in New England’s Latino community, a pioneer in the Spanish Language media, and a most renowned entertainment promoter. In 1972, he founded El Mundo Newspaper, the region’s oldest Latino publication, and led Spanish-language radio through Radiolandia, introducing Boston’s first talk-radio format, named La Hora del Cafė. A lifelong advocate for Latino nonprofit community organizations like the Concilio Hispano de Cambridge, la Alianza Hispana, Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion, Vasallo has received numerous honors, including a Doctorate Honorary Degree in Humanities from Cambridge College. He was nationally recognized with the Outstanding Americans by Choice Award. In his career, he was granted the Boston Business Journal’s Trailblazer Award. Locally, the city of Cambridge named a square after him, and he was honored by the Cambridge Community Foundation as one of Cambridge’s Cultural Visionary entrepreneurs. Among some services he performed, he was part of the advisory board for Hispanic Affairs under Mayor Kevin White and a member of the Small Business advisory board for Governor Michael Dukakis. In sports, the Boston Red Sox team designated him to throw the first ball at Fenway Park in one of their games. At the time of his retirement, he had received more than 120 awards and recognition from various governors, mayors, and different agencies and community organizations. He has been a member of the Centro Cultural Cubano since its beginning and was President of the Board of Directors from 2009 until 2020. Presently, as vice president of the Board, he continues to promote and preserve the objectives and goals of the Centro Cultural Cubano, its history, culture, and Cuban traditions.