Velez (Young Lords) by Justin Romero

Artist: Justin Romero

Year: 2022

Medium: Ink & Acrylic on Canvas

Size: 20" x 20"

Frame: Stretched Canvas

About: 

This piece pays tribute to Denise Oliver-Velez, Denise
played a crucial role in strengthening the Young Lords by
integrating strategies from the Black Panther Party and
other sources, ensuring efficiency and deep community
trust. She also fought against sexism within the movement,
pushing for gender equality in leadership and
representation in Palante newspaper. I’m grateful to have
captured her seriousness she appears to be either deep in
thought or preparing to take action. This expression
perfectly reflects who she was in that moment and who she
continues to be. A woman of action.