More than 10 Million black African slaves were sent to several islands throughout Latin America during the middle passage. There were only 400,000 slaves sent to the United States. The native population was nearly wiped out due to disease and mass murders. The descendants of those slaves have not disappeared. Their faces can be seen on television sets and in movie theaters around the world.

As the New York International Latino Film Festival comes to a close, we celebrate Latino/Hispanic actors and actresses of black African ancestry. Note: Neither “Hispanic” nor “Latino” refers to a race, as a person of Latino/Hispanic ethnicity can be of any race. Like non-Latinos, a Latino can be of any race or combination of races.

Afro-Latino Actors and Actresses

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Heather Hemmens is best known for her work on the CW's 'Hellcats' television series. She is of half Afro-Costa Rican decent.

Afro-Latin Americans: A Rising Voice

Why it’s Necessary that all Afro-Descendants of Latin America, the Carib, and N. America Know Each Other More

Black In Latin America: Television Series (Video)