About the Ibero-American Action League

Ibero, a dual language multi service agency that uplifts, empowers, and advocates for Latinos and the underserved.

Mission Statement

 Ibero, a dual language multi service agency that uplifts, empowers, and advocates for Latinos and the underserved.

 

Vision Statement

Ibero will advance social progress and inclusion for Latinos in New York State by the end of the decade. 

Identity Statements

We uplift, empower, and advocate for Latinos and their families.

We serve the underserved, the vulnerable, and those most at-risk without regard to race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, or age.

We are committed to social justice and to addressing systemic disparities in housing, education, health, entrepreneurship, and employment.

We remove systemic barriers by increasing access to an array of services that are person-centered, community-rooted, bi-lingual, and culturally responsive.

We will be sustainable by continuing to respond to emerging needs, increasing community partnerships, demonstrating measurable outcomes, and diversifying our revenue streams.

We rapidly respond to crises, transforming ourselves to serve the needs of our community.

Our cultural competency, coupled with our passion, compassion and longstanding commitment to the community has made us a recognized leader. 

Our future indeed is bright. 

Proposition

Empowering People and Transforming Communities

Tagline

Conduit. Convener. Catalyst.

Over 50 Years and running

Established in 1968

The Ibero-American Action League, Inc. was incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization in 1968, with the help of the Catholic Diocese of Rochester.

The Catholic Church donated the building where the Spanish Apostolate was housed at Holy Redeemer Church to Ibero. This first office was located at 938 Clifford Avenue in the heart of the city, where day–to-day operations and services were handled by a staff of eight.  Its purpose was to provide resources to the growing Hispanic community in the area.  Many of these families left Puerto Rico to work on farms in the Rochester area and as new arrivals, needed many services. 

The Ibero-American Action League, Inc. quickly established deep roots in the Rochester community.  Many of the programs were geared towards helping those in need, especially Hispanics, so they could gain the necessary skills to raise their socioeconomic status and self-sufficiency.  The Bilingual Secretarial Training Program and the Skilled Trades Programs were two examples of the agency’s many initiatives during that time.

In 1969, Ibero helped launch the Rochester Puerto Rican Festival, parade and pageant: a weeklong celebration of Puerto Rican culture and music. The Puerto Rican Festival is still an independent volunteer committee and the festival is the longest running festival in the Rochester region.

In 1971, the Ibero-American Action League established the Puerto Rican Arts and Cultural Center at 954 Clifford Avenue, on the corner of Clinton avenue and Clifford. Ibero also established the Biblioteca Manuel Alonso, a library stocked with Spanish-language books for the community.

In 1974 Ibero launched the Ibero-American Credit Union to offer financial services to the underserved communities of the Northeast Rochester. The Credit Union offered neighborhood banking and loans with bilingual staff.

In 1975, Ibero completed the construction of Los Flamboyanes. The 153-unit project included the iconic high rise building on North Clinton Avenue surrounded by town houses for families. At the time it was the largest affordable housing project in the country built by a Latino organization.

In 1981, the  Ibero Puerto Rican Arts and Cultural Center launched the Borinquen Dance Theater to preserve and promote traditional Latin dance and music.

The Ibero-American Development Corporation was established in 1986 as an affiliate of the Ibero-American Action League, Inc. (IBERO) under the name Pueblo Home Development Corporation. In 1995, the name of the Corporation was changed to Ibero-American Development Corporation.

In 1998, Julio Vázquez, the President and CEO of Ibero American Action League, saw the Charter School Legislation as an opportunity to improve the educational alternatives for city students. Ibero sponsored the development of the Eugenio María de Hostos Charter School. In March of 2000, SUNY approved the application and a charter was issued authorizing the establishment of the Eugenio María de Hostos Charter School. The school welcomed its first group of 120 Kindergarten through second-grade students in September 2000. During its first charter, the school grew to include grades K – 6. The middle school grades were added in September 2010. During its third renewal, the school was authorized to expand from 2 sections to 4 sections per grade level and to add the high school grades. EMHCS now offer bilingual education from kindergarten to the 12th grade.

In 2015, Ibero launched the first 24-hour Latin radio station in the state, outside of New York City. Poder 97.1 FM WEPL first broadcast was on November 30th, 2015 and after a social media contest, “Vivir la Vida” by Marc Anthony was chosen to be the first song ever broadcast on the air.

In May 2015, Centro Civico entered into an intent merger relationship with Ibero-American Action League and in October 2020 the two entities were legally merged, with Ibero as the surviving entity. Incorporated in 1986, Centro Civico has served the immigrant, refugee and Latino community in the Capital Region and surrounding counties. Together we serve a large regional area of upstate New York including 6 counties in the Capital Region, 5 counties of the Mohawk Valley, and Monroe County.

In 2016, Ibero-American Development Corporation produced the El Camino Charrette & Vision Plan, which highlighted the needs and desires of the El Camino neighborhood. In that plan, the theme of creating an “International Avenue” to celebrate the various cultural assets along North Clinton Avenue emerged. One project identified in the El Camino Vision Plan was the International Plaza (formerly known as La Marketa). The vision was to create a plaza across from the iconic St. Michael’s church infused with cultural activities, vibrancy, vendors and a social gathering space. In the Fall of 2020, after years of strategy and advocacy, that vision became realized and the International Plaza was constructed and opened to the public. Today, the Plaza is known for its Sunday Market Days and cultural events and a beacon of hope in the heart of the Latinx community. 

Ibero American Investors Corporation (IAIC), in partnership with Ibero American Action League, launched the Ibero Business Center (IBC) in early 2021. With multiple locations in the Finger Lakes, WNY, and soon Mohawk Valley region, IBC assists minority/women owned business enterprises across upstate NY. IBC specialized in the launching stages of a business life cycle by providing cohort style business courses, business pitch competitions, one on one business coaching, and business incubation (this service is currently limited to the City of Rochester). The IBCs are a fast growing service of Ibero as more and more bilingual business cohorts are launched in counties outside of the City of Rochester, making Ibero an Upstate NY entrepreneurial service organization.

In 2023, Ibero moved their headquarters to the St. Michael’s campus. Now located at 124 Evergreen Street, in the former convent, Ibero provided the first step in the revitalization of the entire St. Michael’s campus into a vibrant neighborhood multiple-service center. This move brought the Ibero leadership team ‘home,’ for the first time after 38 years and during a time when most resources are leaving the neighborhood.

Today Ibero has evolved into an agency that serves individuals and families of all ethnic backgrounds, and our unique ability to target the Latino community remains unprecedented in this region. We have offices in Rochester, Buffalo, Albany, Amsterdam and Geneva. We’ve grown from eight employees to over 300 staff and owns Rochester’s first 24-hour Latin radio station, Poder 97.1 FM.

Leadership Team

Leadership Team Angelica Perez Delgado

Angelica Perez-Delgado

President & CEO

In 2018, Angelica (Angie) Perez-Delgado was named the seventh President and CEO in the 50-year history of the agency. Angie had previously worked at the Villa of Hope, where she served as Chief Administrative Officer/Chief Compliance Officer. While there her responsibilities included: executive oversight of all behavioral health services and administration of compliance; quality; organizational development; human resources; information technology; facility operations and enterprise-wide strategic initiatives. She has over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and began her career as a substance abuse therapist before transitioning into administration in the last decade. Angie describes herself as one of the “lucky ones” from the city’s North Clinton neighborhood. Even though she experienced poverty, trauma and dropped out of high school, she was able to turn her life around through the services she leads today. Her personal experience of our failed systems as a young teenage mother, prepared Angie for her return to her roots and her current position as the President and CEO of the Ibero-American Action League.

Angie has a Master of Science in Health Administration from Roberts Wesleyan College, an Advance Certificate in Theology, Scripture and Ministry from Northeastern Seminary and a Bachelor of Science in Community and Human Services from Empire State College. Angie is a very active grassroots Latino community organizer in the Northeast part of the city of Rochester and participates in various advisory groups and boards throughout the community. In her spare time, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends as well as riding motorcycles with her motorcycle club.

Leadership Team Lucia Colindres

Lucia Colindres

Chief Program Officer

Lucia Colindres-Vasquez is the Chief Program Officer at Ibero-American Action League, Inc. She oversees several Ibero programs and related health initiatives throughout the Finger Lakes and Capital region.

Lucia has 23 years of experience in Community Health and worked for Rochester Regional Health, where she led the Community Health Worker-DSRIP initiative, the National Health Service Corps, supported several FQHCs projects, and was responsible for the creation and transformation of the Multicultural Resource Center project at the Wilson Multicultural Medical Campus.  Lucia has a B.S. in Social Science-Sociology from SUNY College at Brockport and a Master of Healthcare Administration from Roberts Wesleyan College. She also holds a Family Development Credential from Cornell University. 

Lucia was the Executive Director of the Community Health Workers Association of Rochester, Inc., and is currently the board co-chair. Lucia is a member of the Community Health Worker Leaders of the National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW).

Leadership Team Katie Fuller

Katie Fuller

Chief Administrative Officer

Katie Fuller is the Chief Administrative Officers at Ibero-American Action League, Inc. She oversees human resources, information technology, compliance and quality. Previous to this role, she oversaw a variety of Home and Community Based Services at Ibero which assist individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities in the City of Rochester. Katie has a BS in Physical Education and Sport Management. She has 15 years of professional experience of working with people with I/DD and program administration. She has life experience as well, as she has an older brother with Down Syndrome that has driven her passion in the field. Prior to joining Ibero, she was a Director of Residential Services and Supports at Lifetime Assistance Inc.

Leadership Team Eugenio Marlin

Eugenio Marlin

Executive Vice President, Ibero-American Development Corporation

Eugenio Marlin serves as the Executive Vice President of Ibero-American Development Corporation, an affiliate of the Ibero American Action League, specializing in developing affordable housing and other structures for community use.

Eugenio was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to New York in 1971, and soon after he established himself in Rochester. He has been actively involved in the community ever since and is the longest tenured Ibero leader. Under Mr. Marlin’s guidance, IADC was instrumental in developing El Camino Estates and Pueblo Nuevo housing in northeast Rochester which consists of over 154 units of affordable housing. Additionally, IADC has led the charge with the El Camino vision plan and the implementation of programs aimed at empowering residents to become active participants in elevating the quality of life in their neighborhoods.

Prior to his role at IADC, he was vice president of Development and Communications at Ibero, where together with Julio Vazquez was instrumental in the conception and later development of the Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School, the first and very successful charter in Rochester. Through the years, Eugenio has served on various boards to include EMHCS, WXXI, Ibero, Puerto Rican Festival and Hispanic Lions Club among others. Eugenio was also named the 2017 Rochester Hispanic Business Person of the Year by the Rochester Hispanic Business Association and the 2021 Excellence in Construction – Individual Developer recognition.

Miguel Meléndez

Chief Community Engagement Officer

Miguel serves as our new Chief Community Engagement Officer. He is responsible for several projects that provide internal and external resources to numerous impact efforts in the Rochester community.

Miguel has a strong background in Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), organizing various efforts by building on community strengths. He has worked in the Community Development field for over a decade; organizing, leveraging, and advocating for quality of life improvements for residents living in Northeast Rochester. He has a proven ability to address the social determinants of health and has worked collaboratively to improve the built environment, safety, access to food and other essential health supporting amenities.

Miguel is a proud Northeast Rochester native having a bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. John Fisher College; with a minor in philosophy. He is a husband, father of three, who enjoys spending time with his family and finding other ways to serve his community through various boards and leadership opportunities.

Leadership Team Agustin Rodriguez

Agustin Rodriguez

Chief of Social Enterprises & Development

Agustin serves as our Chief of Social Enterprises and Development, overseeing the Ibero Business Centers, Language Services, DEI, Workforce Development, and Marketing & Development teams. The social enterprise programs are located all around the WNY and Finger Lakes regions of NYS. These programs provide entrepreneur and workforce services to all underserved in upstate NY, in addition to all manners of diversity & language services to organizations seeking to open to the Spanish speaking markets. The M&D team is tasked with the marketing strategy and fundraising initiatives of the Ibero.

Agustin joins Ibero with a background in banking and entrepreneurship. His background includes graduating from Roberts Wesleyan College with a double major in business and is graduate of the Latino Leadership Development Program from the United Way of Greater Rochester. He also serves in multiple boards around the City of Rochester and plays a key leadership role in the Rochester Hispanic Business Association.

Agustin adores his wife, (most days) enjoys his foster teens through Catholic Charities, and enjoys the leadership of the Lord in all areas of his life.

Evelyn-Solano-Ibero-American-Action-League

Evelyn Solano

Sr Director of Corporate Operations

Evelyn Solano serves as the Executive Assistant to Angelica Perez- Delgado, CEO of Ibero-American Action League, Inc. She brings 20 years+ administrative experience to the table with expertise in scheduling, correspondence, event planning, purchasing, maintenance, information technology and Human Resources. She has an extensive knowledge of various databases and applications used daily in the agency. And she is able to communicate at all levels of the organization, as well as the Board of Directors. She thrives working under pressure and multi-tasking while still maintaining the high standards of the organization.

Born and raised in the Northeast sector, Evelyn began her work in the non-for-profit sector in 2010 as an Office Manager for our OPWDD Division, where she truly grew her love for Ibero and became a strong advocate of the work it does in the community. And in 2014, she then stepped into the role of Executive Assistant to the CEO and in 2020 she became certified as a Notary Public.

Evelyn loves spending time with her witty husband and their two dogs. She is a strong believer in the Heavenly Father and lets him lead her in all aspects of her life.

Board of Directors

Jose Rosario

Board Chair

Arline Santiago

Vice Chair

Ted Cordes

Board Treasurer

Diane Cecero

Board Secretary

Celeste Amaral

Board Member

Denishea Ortiz

Board Member

Irene Sanchez

Board Member

Victor Sanchez

Board Member

Emeterio Otero

Board Member

James Sutton

Board Member

Thomas J. Hernandez

Board Member