Juan PaPo Santiago

Juan 'PaPo' Santiago is a Nuyorican poet, community engagement specialist and co-founder of Capicu
Cultural Showcase and The Capicu School of Poetic Arts which has been hosted at Boricua College, Loisaida Center and the Nuyorican Poets Cafe.

PaPo is also a founding member and facilitator of the Community Navigator Institute at the Hunter College Silberman School of Social Work, infusing arts with social justice and codeveloping a peer workforce model that is currently being studied by NYC government stakeholders.

PaPo has been the recipient of a New York State Assembly Citation of Merit in 2012, New York City Council Certificate of
Recognition and a Comite Noviembre Best Of Our Community Award in 2013, a 2014 Hispanicize National Positive Impact Award, and a 2016 NYS Assembly Citation of Merit for leadership in the arts community. Most recently, he has also received a 2020 Certificate of Appreciation from NYPD Community Affairs for antiviolence/community engagement work, and a 2022 Certificate of Merit from NYC Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams for contributions to Latine culture in New York City.

Media and Publications:

Hispanicize Conference Positive Impact Award Spotlight
VMe/Public Broadcasting Service

Puerto Rican Renaissance in New York City
Centro/Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College

Speak your story at La Sopa
amNY Metro Digital Edition featured article

The Next Generation Nuyoricans: An interview with the Founder of Capicu Culture
Centro/Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College