The Julio César Rodríguez Collection

Biographical Note: Julio César Rodríguez González was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on September 25, 1939. He is the son of Napoleón Rodríguez Espinal and Luz del Carmen González Veloz. His godfather was Dominican dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina. He completed his primary, secondary as well as commercial studies in Santo Domingo and immigrated to New York City on September 14, 1961 (via Puerto Rico). As soon as he arrived in New York, he became concerned about the lack of Dominican community organizations. In 1962, Julio César and a group of activists headed by musician Ricardo Rico and Alfida Fernández founded the first known Dominican organization in New York: Centro Cívico Cultural Dominicano. He co-founded or was a member of many Dominican community organizations including the Centro Cívico Cultural Juan Pablo Duarte, Centro Cultural Ballet Quisqueya, Dominican Day Parade and Festival, and Comité Dominicano en el Exterior. He also received numerous awards, plaques, and certificates for his contributions to the welfare of the Dominican community in New York.

Scope and Content Note: The collection consists of correspondence, newspaper clippings, and photographs produced or acquired by Julio Cesar Rodríguez during his community activities and memberships on the boards of several Dominican civic organizations in the City of New York. Included in these organizations are the Centro Cívico Cultural Dominicano, Centro Cívico Cultural Juan Pablo Duarte (now known as Instituto Duartiano en Nueva York), Dominican Day Parade and Festival Committee, The Bronx Dominican Day Parade, and Fundación Corazones Unidos Santo Domingo - New York Chapter. It also includes an original copy of the Constitution of the Comité del Desfile y Festival Dominicanos, Inc. and the minutes of meeting that approved the constitution of the Dominican Day Parade and Festival, Inc.