born in New York City of immigrant parents and settled here to study at George
Washington & American Universities. I am a Ward 1 resident and tenant at 1841 Columbia Road
since 1973. I was originally an ANC Commissioner in 1988 and later worked in the Office of
Mayor Anthony Williams. I’ve been a teacher, community activist, culture advocate, journalist,
businessman, and Mayoral appointee. I consult on issues of affordable housing and economic
development. My background includes:
Public Service
• Director, Latin American Youth Center,
• D.C. Recreation Dept. Roving Leader – delinquency and gang prevention,
• Teacher, Oyster Bilingual Elementary School; Soccer coach, Wilson & Bell H.S.,
• ANC Commissioner 1988-90.
• President; 1841 Columbia Road Tenant Assoc.,
• Member; AARP/DC Executive Committee,
• Neighborhood Services, Office of the Mayor, 2000-06.
Journalism
• Publisher; El Latino Newspaper, Spanish language community newspaper 1976-89,
• Publisher; La Nación Newspaper, Spanish language weekly newspaper, 1990-99,
• Editor; “Noticias del Mundo”; Washington Times Spanish language daily, 2000,
• Panelist, Reporters Roundtable, Channel 16
Culture
• Creator; “Escuela de Rumba” school of music,
• Co-Founder; GALA Hispanic Theatre
• Radio Host; ‘Duende & Caché’ Latin music show
• President; Hispanic Festival of Washington D.C.
Small Business & Affordable Housing
• Consultant; Development Corporation of Columbia Heights,
• Partner; LCHIP Development Group, LLC - affordable housing in D.C.,
• Director; Coalition of Park Road Businesses, Inc.
• Director; D.C. Hispanic Contractors Association, Inc.
Vote Jose Sueiro for ANC1C03 on November
If for no other reason, you should take in the latest show at GALA Theatre, 'The Old Man, The Youth and the Sea', to witness the tour-de-force performance by Horacio Peña who inhabits the main character of Miguel de Unamuno with authority, grace and charm. The play is a recreation of the 4 month exile in 1924 of the formidable Spanish writer and public figure to the island of Fuerteventura by the Spanish dictatorship of Primo de Rivera.
GALA Hispanic Theatre continues its 43rd season with the world premiere of "El viejo, el joven y el mar" by Irma Correa, which was commissioned by GALA. Directed by 2016 Helen Hayes Award winner José Luis Arellano from Spain, 'El viejo, el joven y el mar' is performed in Spanish with English subtitles from February 7 through March 3, 2019 at GALA Theatre, 3333 14th Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
David Cortinas seems like he has spent his entire life in defense of small, family owned publishing businesses who make up the bulk of the Spanish language press in the United States. A four time Secretary on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Hispanic Publishers (NAHP), he served under Clara Padilla Andrews, perhaps the most successful President in the Association's history. He was President-Elect of the organization and refused to serve due to matters of process and principle. He is expert when it comes to by-laws and the rules and behavior that make for a successful non-profit organization.
Seated at her favorite table at ‘La Taberna del Alabardero’ restaurant in Washington DC, it is with great relish that Gloria Rodriguez tells the story of her 5 minute interview with Ronald Reagan, a seminal moment in the hugely successful career of this pioneering figure in the world of national Hispanic media, communications and public affairs. It happened in Tampa in the mid 80’s on a trip the President was making to address the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In her inimitable and courageous manner she found herself waiting for the President to exit his limousine and then corralled him directly to ask for support for the National Puerto Rican Forum which had seen it’s federal funding drastically reduced, ironically enough, by his administration.
