Black History Month: Latin American Heritage

Notable people who represent Latin America's Black legacy.

Latin America's Black Legacy  - In celebration of Black History Month, BET.com honors the Black heritage of Latin America. Here are a few notable people who represent Latin America's rich Black legacy.—Naeesa Aziz

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Latin America's Black Legacy - In celebration of Black History Month, BET.com honors the Black heritage of Latin America. Here are a few notable people who represent Latin America's rich Black legacy.—Naeesa Aziz

Benedita da Silva - Benedita Da Silva is Brazil's first Black female governor. She has used her platform to advocate for women and the poor.  (Photo: JOYCE NALTCHAYAN/AFP/Getty Images)

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Benedita da Silva - Benedita Da Silva is Brazil's first Black female governor. She has used her platform to advocate for women and the poor.  (Photo: JOYCE NALTCHAYAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: JOYCE NALTCHAYAN/AFP/Getty Images

Dr. José Celso Barbosa - Dr. Barbosa was a physician, sociologist and political leader in Puerto Rico. He is credited with being the first Puerto Rican to earn a medical degree in the U.S. and was known for championing the Puerto Rican statehood movement.(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

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Dr. José Celso Barbosa - Dr. Barbosa was a physician, sociologist and political leader in Puerto Rico. He is credited with being the first Puerto Rican to earn a medical degree in the U.S. and was known for championing the Puerto Rican statehood movement.(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Pelé - Pélé has one of the most fascinating comeback stories of all time. The retired Brazilian soccer player was 17 when he helped Brazil win the FIFA World Cup in 1958, then he led them to win in 1962 although he suffered a severe groin injury. In the 1966 World Cup, he was injured again in a tackle that would leave him limping and on the injured list.  But in 1970 he came back to help Brazil secure its fourth win.(Photo: Evening Standard/Getty Images)

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Pelé - Born as Edson Arantes do Nascimento, but better known as Pelé, the Brazilian soccer player is regarded as one of the best to ever play the game.(Photo: Evening Standard/Getty Images)

Susana Baca - Grammy Award-winning Peruvian singer and politician Susana Baca recently became Peru's first Black cabinet minister.(Photo: Mariana Bazo/Reuters)

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Susana Baca - Grammy Award-winning Peruvian singer and politician Susana Baca recently became Peru's first Black cabinet minister.(Photo: Mariana Bazo/Reuters)

Photo By Photo: Mariana Bazo/Reuters

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Celia Cruz - Widely regarded as Cuba's greatest export, this legendary musician and Queen of Salsa spent her childhood on the island before achieving fame and moving to New Jersey. Her career spanned more than 50 years and influenced everyone from Gloria Estefan to Pitbull. Cruz died in 2003 of brain cancer. (Photo: REUTERS/Fred Prouser)

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Celia Cruz - Cuban salsa powerhouse Celia Cruz was regarded as the "Queen of Salsa" and is still one of the most widely renowned Salsa performers of all time.(Photo: REUTERS/Fred Prouser)

Photo By Photo: REUTERS/Fred Prouser

Toussaint Louverture - Born as a slave, Toussaint Louverture went on to lead the Haitian Revolution and successfully liberated Haiti from French rule. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

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Toussaint Louverture - Born as a slave, Toussaint Louverture went on to lead the Haitian Revolution and successfully liberated Haiti from French rule. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Arthur Friedenreich - Arthur Friedenreich is remembered as Brazil's pioneering Black soccer player.(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

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Arthur Friedenreich - Arthur Friedenreich is remembered as Brazil's pioneering Black soccer player.(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Photo By Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Rafael Cordero - The self-taught Puerto Rican educator is known as "The Father of Public Education in Puerto Rico" for his commitment to providing free schooling to children regardless of race or class. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

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Rafael Cordero - The self-taught Puerto Rican educator is known as "The Father of Public Education in Puerto Rico" for his commitment to providing free schooling to children regardless of race or class. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Photo By Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Nicolás Guillén - The acclaimed Cuban poet was known for using the distinctive language and rhythm of Cuba's poor Blacks in his work.(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

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Nicolás Guillén - The acclaimed Cuban poet was known for using the distinctive language and rhythm of Cuba's poor Blacks in his work.(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Photo By Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Edwidge Danticat - The Haitian-American novelist has won numerous accolades for her literature, including a National Book Award and a MacArthur Foundation "genius" grant.(Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

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Edwidge Danticat - The Haitian-American novelist has won numerous accolades for her literature, including a National Book Award and a MacArthur Foundation "genius" grant.(Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Lt. General Antonio Maceo Grajales - As second-in-command of the Cuban Army of Independence, Grajales played a pivotal role in Cuba's fight for independence from the Spanish, earning him the popular title of  "Bronze Titan."(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

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Lt. General Antonio Maceo Grajales - As second-in-command of the Cuban Army of Independence, Grajales played a pivotal role in Cuba's fight for independence from the Spanish, earning him the popular title of  "Bronze Titan."(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Christiane Taubira - Taubira represents French Guiana in France's National Assembly. (Photo: JOHANNA LEGUERRE/AFP/Getty Images)

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Christiane Taubira - Taubira represents French Guiana in France's National Assembly. (Photo: JOHANNA LEGUERRE/AFP/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: JOHANNA LEGUERRE/AFP/Getty Images

Michaëlle Jean - Haitian-born Michaëlle Jean served as Governor General of Canada from 2005 to 2010.(Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

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Michaëlle Jean - Haitian-born Michaëlle Jean served as Governor General of Canada from 2005 to 2010.(Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Piedad Córdoba - Colombian Senator Piedad Córdoba served four terms and dedicated her career to assisting minorities and supporting legislation that addresses inequalities based on gender, sexual orientation and race.(Photo: REUTERS/Fredy Builes)

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Piedad Córdoba - Colombian Senator Piedad Córdoba served four terms and dedicated her career to assisting minorities and supporting legislation that addresses inequalities based on gender, sexual orientation and race.(Photo: REUTERS/Fredy Builes)

Omara Portuondo - The career of this legendary Cuban singer and dancer has spanned over half a century.(Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Omara Portuondo - The career of this legendary Cuban singer and dancer has spanned over half a century.(Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images