video | Representation of Puerto Ricans / Representación de puertorriqueños

Presentation language: English and Spanish with French subtitles

About the presentation:
Can we break the silence by utilizing the fine arts and cinema to impact the next generations of Puerto Ricans? Often, the Puerto Rican culture representation on different platforms lack appropriate social norms, social behaviors, beliefs, and capabilities. Is it time to make a change? Join Vivionne Keli as we explore the future of Puerto Rican representation in cinema. Our silence is killing our ancestral identity. Are we ready to speak up and empower future generations and the rest of the world? We will write ourselves back into history, one song, one invention, one series, and one movie at a time. We are silent no more.

About Vivionne Grace Keli:
Currently a Hospital Spiritual Counselor and Chaplain in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Vivionne Keli graduated from the prestigious Studio Makeup Academy in Viacom Studios and has spent more than two decades working on independent films as a Key Makeup Artist and on FX makeup. From 2001 to 2003, Ms Keli was COO of Extreme Salon and Day Spa of La Jolla, California where she catered to local sports figures, television celebrities, musicians, and actors. Additionally, Ms. Keli has years of experience producing, directing, casting, and consulting for independent film projects. Ms. Keli’s passion for working on Indigenous indie films began in 2008, which also led her to research her own Taíno roots in Puerto Rico. In 2022, Ms. Keli and her husband relocated to Puerto Rico, where she enjoys working within her community. Ms. Keli holds a master’s degree in Psychology and in the fall of 2023, she will resume pursuing her PhD.

About Reencuentro Taíno Conference:
This first-of-its kind event, focused on the evolution of the Taíno language and featured linguists working on language revitalization, archeologists, artists, musicians, spiritual leaders, and esteemed members of our Taíno community from around the world.

To learn more, please follow @tainoconference or visit us at https://www.tainoconference.org/