Marta Moreno Vega

Marta Moreno Vega (born January 3, 1952) is the founder of the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI). She led El Museo del Barrio, is one of the founders of the Association of Hispanic Arts, and founded the Network of Centers of Color and the Roundtable of Institutions of Colors.

Vega was born in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York City. Her family is of Yoruba origin and she describes herself as Afro-Puerto Rican. Her parents were born in Puerto Rico: her mother in Caguas and her father in Loiza, Puerto Rico.

She received her B.A. and M.A. in Education from New York University and in 1995 received a PhD in African Studies from Temple University.

Vega taught history and arts-in-education in junior high and high schools in New York City.

From 1969 to 1974, she was a founder and the director of El Museo del Barrio.

From 1976 to 1995, she was the founder and director of the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute in New York City.

From 1996 to 2000, she was an assistant professor at Baruch College of City University of New York.

From 2000 to the present, she serves as co-director of the Global Afro-Latino and Caribbean Initiative at Hunter College.

Vega helped found the Association of Hispanic Arts and Network of Centers of Color, as well as other cultural organizations.

Additionally, Vega is a leading researcher on Yoruba culture and religion.

She has taught at San Juan's Center for Advanced Studies of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean

Vega was featured in the HBO documentary, The Latino List.

Vega was the inspiration for Guardians of the Infinity 3 heroine, Abuela Estela.

• Barnard College, Distinguished Visiting Gildersleeve Professor
• Association of American Cultures, Crystal Stairs Award
• Multicultural Council of New York City, Mosaic Award

She has two children: Sergio and Omar Vega. Although she grew up in the Catholic religion, she rejected that religion and now practices Santería.

• Vega, Marta Moreno (2000). The Altar of My Soul: The Living Traditions of Santería (1st ed.). New York: One World. ISBN 978-0-307-56710-9. OCLC 948132659. 
• Vega, Marta Moreno (2004). When the Spirits Dance Mambo: Growing Up Nuyorican in El Barrio (1st ed.). New York: Three Rivers Press. ISBN 978-0-307-54921-1. OCLC 682188980.