Ana Carricchi-Lopez: Senior Community Officer/Acting Director Puerto Rican Federal Affairs Administration

Latin Beat Magazine, Nov, 2003 by Haydee Vicedo

The effect of arts, music and culture is immense. Just imagine the different ways it can bring together a variety of people. A compelling piece of art on a gallery wall can break the silence between two strangers. At any given moment, two people from different parts of the world are listening to the same note. Meanwhile, the attempt to understand someone's culture can begin by simply tasting his or her indigenous food. As the Senior Officer for the Puerto Rican Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA), Ana Carricchi-López uses these very tools to spread the rich culture of Puerto Rico and, in turn, bring forth a connection among people from all walks of life.

Although she now handles numerous projects promoting the arts, music, and culture of Puerto Rico, Carricchi's educational and professional background was headed towards a different path. She received her undergraduate degree in Political Science and always dreamed of becoming a lawyer and to eventually work with juvenile and social welfare issues. After an internship in Washington, D.C. (during her senior year), she decided against a law career. She experienced first-hand what a law career would entail: A lot of paper pushing functions that she wanted no part of. She decided that if she couldn't administer legislation as a lawyer, she would still continue to work with legislature in a different aspect. Thus, she continued her education and received a masters degree in public policy from the University of Wisconsin and, afterwards, accepted a fellowship from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. She then obtained a significant position in the Department of Justice's Office of Civil Rights. Ana worked in President Clinton's White House for three years, where she gathered massive data and research, and made great contributions to the first federal publication on race relations. Being active in social issues was always a big part of her life, and her string of impressive government-based positions were clear indications of a successful course towards becoming a great leader in the Latino community.

Carricchi returned to Los Angeles after her stint at the White House and became a field deputy for the president of the L.A. City Council, Alex Padilla. Although she enjoyed and excelled in this position, another opportunity came her way that she couldn't pass up. The Puerto Rican Federal Affairs Administration (which serves as the U.S. presence of Puerto Rican Governor Sila M. Calderón) wanted to relocate its western office to Southern California and asked Ana to take the lead.

"The challenge of opening an office, exploring the interest and needs of a community and building on alliance with other Latino groups in representation of Puerto Rico excited me. Hence, I embarked in helping establish the first office of the Government of Puerto Rico on the West Coast."

Carricchi was always active in Latino-related politics during her D.C. years, and although this was another important government-related position her work was now going to delve into more creative aspects. As someone who once dreamed of becoming a lawyer and whose flourishing career until then dealt mainly with budgets, legislation, and hard data, Ana was about to change gears. She realized the best way to spread the wealth of Puerto Rican culture was through music and arts. As she duly stated, arts and music are great entryways in budding race relations; it's a good way to bridge the gap between cultures.

With Ana's concerted effort and hard work, the two year old West Coast PRFAA office has already planned and executed several major events. This past March, they introduced the first annual "Cultural Exchange" program, which allowed people from all walks of life to discover the diversity of Puerto Rican heritage. The "Exchange" consisted of a month-long "Festival of Puerto Rican Culture" celebration which included art showcases with top Puerto Rican artists, food workshops, and a benefit concert for a children's center. PRFAA also held events this past summer in conjunction with the Los Angeles Latino International Festival, and recently co-sponsored an event with the Director's Guild of America to honor Puerto Rican actor/director José Ferrer. This month, the PRFAA will be one of the main supporters of the Second Annual International Latino Theatre Festival of Los Angeles showcase. Next year, Ana and company are planning to hold another "Cultural Exchange," which has been described as a "musicology program." PRFAA will bring three Puerto Rican musicologists from the island, that will hold seminars and workshops and will be paired with collaborating local musicians. The finale is slated to be a Latin jazz ensemble performance.

Ana Carricchi López's lifelong desire to create social change is being manifested through her amazing work at PRFAA. She is combining her experience in the political arena, passion for working with the community, and the powerful force of music and the arts m bring the rich Puerto Rican culture to the forefront. With each career choice and chosen path, she continues to position herself as one of a handful of flourishing leaders in the Latino community.