About Me
My name is Agustin Guzman. I was born in Puerto Rico in 1956 and brought to "El Barrio" in New York City when I was months old. My father was a black skinned Puertorriqueño and my mother is a white skinned Puertorriquña. I have a brother who is one year older. He is white skinned like our mother and I am black skinned like our father. I did not speak a word of English until I entered the first grade at the age of six. I am a survivor of the NYC public mis-education system. This laid my foundation and was the springboard to the next 67+ years of my life in America. This will be one of my most personal and significant projects.
As an adult, I have worked in various service industries, corporate America, non-profits, education and as a self employed entrepreneur. I am married to Franchesca Guzman who is the love of my life. I am a father of six - four boys and 2 girls. My first born is 51 and my youngest is 23 months. I also have 6 grandchildren.
I have lived and seen a lifetime of systemic injustices. Being Latino makes me a part of just one of the many groups that have been marginalized for years. Being a black skinned Latino has only added to the complexities of being raised in a racist society. This has compelled me to activism and community organizing for 30+ years now. It continues to drive me today. Welcome to "Pueblo Palante".
