Blog: News & Events

A New Chapter For Nueva Esperanza

Nelson Roman
Nelson Rafael Roman
Interim Executive Director

Nueva Esperanza is excited to announce the hiring of an Interim Executive Director Nelson Roman.

A new chapter for this iconic organization in the center of the Puerto Rican district. Congrats to Nelson Roman we are looking forward to creating a new chapter with you at the lead!!

Here is a brief bio about our new Interim ED:

Nelson Rafael Roman was born and raised in Waterbury, CT. He is the proud Puerto Rican son of Yvonne Roman. Nelson has two brothers, one older; David Roman Jr, who is in his final year of being a Catholic Priest. As well as one younger brother; Ivan Roman who is finishing his Master’s Degree in Communications. Nelson also has family members in Puerto Rico in the town of Guanica. He lives with his partner Manuel Hernandez on Commercial Street, in the Churchill section of Holyoke.

Nelson moved to Holyoke in 2011 and immediately became immersed in the culture and fabric that makes Holyoke unique. Overcoming obstacles such as homelessness, and poverty, Councilman Roman immediately began giving back and organizing in the Puerto Rican and LGBT Communities. He has worked for or with many Holyoke Non-for-profits such as Enlace de Familias, New England Farm Workers Council, LightHouse Personalized Education for Teens, Valley Opportunity Council & Nueva Esperanza to name a few.

Nelson is currently the Founder / Board Member of Pa’lante Theater Company & Founding Member / Past President of the Imperial Court of Western Mass Inc. Nelson has also previously served on the boards of Holyoke PRIDE, the Puerto Rican Cultural Center of Springfield, the AIDS Foundation of Western Mass, and Springfield MASS PRIDE. He has received numerous awards including the Audre Lordes Founder Award (the Hispanic Black Gay Coalition of Boston, 2013), and an International Court Commendation (Queen Mother Nicole the Great, 2014).

In November of 2015, Nelson was elected as the City Council representative for Ward 2. He is the Chairman of the Joint Committee of the City Council & School Committee and serves on the Council’s Development & Government Relations Committee. Nelson has helped to create three Neighborhood Associations, Co-Founded & Chaired the Inaugural “Taste of South Holyoke Festival,” and helped the city to create, plan and execute the first ever “Holyoke World AIDS Day Event.”

He is known for his continued presence in the ward, (Especially South Holyoke), and as someone who is always available to his constituents, colleagues and others. Nelson Roman has proved time and time again that he is a proven leader, proving real results for the businesses/churches/residents of Ward 2 and Holyoke as a whole. Now he will perform the same for Nueva Esperanza.

We welcome Nelson Roman as the new Interim Executive Director of Nueva Esperanza.

#ourcollectivehistorywillnotbeerased

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