PROGRAM
Roosevelt House is pleased to present a discussion of the new book Relentless: My Story of the Latino Spirit That Is Transforming America by Luis A. Miranda Jr.—father of Hamilton-creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, and longtime star in his own right of the New York political scene. In this deeply personal and inspiring memoir, Miranda articulates his profound understanding of how to work within the Latino community, and with all communities, to change our world for the better. Miranda will be in conversation with Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, Chancellor of The City University of New York (CUNY)
As heartfelt as it is informative, Relentless delivers the fascinating narrative of Miranda’s life and career—from his early days as a radically-minded Puerto Rican activist to his decades of political counseling and problem-solving. Included are Miranda Jr.’s recounting of the thrill of the ascendency of his son’s Broadway sensation Hamilton; chronicling of the suffering that followed the devastation of Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria; and an examination, amid triumphs and challenges, of what his experience reveals about our ever-changing politics, demographics, and society. Widely considered the preeminent voice on the Latino, New York, and national political landscape, Miranda’s new memoir brings to bear his unique breadth of experience, passion, and storytelling charm.
“Luis Miranda’s memoir transcends politics—it’s a deeply personal reflection on identity, resilience, and the pursuit of justice.” –Nancy Pelosi
Luis A. Miranda Jr. arrived in New York City from Puerto Rico in 1974 to study psychology at NYU but soon found himself drawn to community activism when he organized his neighbors to fight for better schools for their children. In the 1980s, he was a special advisor for Hispanic Affairs to Mayor Ed Koch, and he continued to serve in key roles for the Dinkins and Giuliani administrations. As a founding partner of the MirRam Group, Miranda has consulted on several successful political campaigns, including the senatorial campaigns of Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Most recently, he managed New York Attorney General Letitia James’ successful reelection. Miranda is the founding president of the Hispanic Federation and is currently the chairperson of the Latino Victory Fund, the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance, Viva Broadway, and the Public Theater. He is a board member of The City and NYC Tourism + Conventions, and is former chair of the Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center.
Félix V. Matos Rodríguez is the eighth chancellor of The City University of New York (CUNY), serving over 240,000 degree-seeking students across 25 New York City colleges with an operating budget of $4.1 billion. To build on CUNY’s unrivaled role as an engine of economic mobility, Matos Rodríguez has focused his tenure on championing student equity, building career opportunities for graduates and creating innovative academic offerings. An accomplished and award-winning historian who previously worked at three CUNY campuses, his historic appointment in 2019 made him the first educator of color and the first Latino to lead the nation’s largest urban university. Matos Rodríguez is driven by his belief in CUNY’s unparalleled effectiveness in propelling students up the economic ladder, along with the interconnected role the University plays in lifting New York. He has a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from Yale University and received his Ph.D. in history from Columbia University.
