Author Archives: Ken

Mario Azpeitia, First Latino to Head a National Union

Mario Azpeitia (1899–1982), the first Latino to serve as president of a national union, led the Cigar Makers’ International Union (CMIU) from 1949 to 1974. The child of Cuban immigrant parents with a Basque surname, Azpeitia was born in Key … Continue reading

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Upcoming Roybal Exhibit

My latest cultural project is advising the La Plaza de Cultura y Artes museum in old Los Angeles on a forthcoming exhibit in early 2022. They have also agreed to display some of my political buttons. One of my favorites … Continue reading

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Armando Ramirez, Pioneering Labor and Political Leader

Armando Ramirez was one of the most important Latino leaders in the US during the 1930s and 1940s. His career had an amazing trajectory and it is one of the great untold stories. I was writing a book based on … Continue reading

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