Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Foundation Inc.
Who are we?
"If Cubans are on the streets in Cuba, we are on the streets with them"
This foundation exists to give you a one-stop access point to current events on Cubans and resources so you can take action.
After the “Patria y Vida” protests, there was a wave of passion and helplessness felt by emigrated Cubans across the world. Cuban-Americans went to the streets of Miami alongside their brothers and sisters on the island saying “if Cubans are on the streets in Cuba we are on the streets with them.” They blocked freeways, started petitions, even gathered boats full of supplies and tried to cross the straits of Florida. Cubans across Europe started protests and started humanitarian organizations to assist their fellow Cubans on the island.
What can we do as Cuban-exiles and emigrants, the same ones that have felt the pains of losing everything we own, having to abandon our relatives and homes for the sake of freedom. What can we do now for our homeland? This corporation exists for all those.
We have stories from the mouths of Cubans and we have the fire and passion of our own family line. We want Cubans everywhere to know there are practical ways we can help our brothers and sisters back home.
Why Carlos Manuel de Céspedes?
El Padre de la Patria-Céspedes issued the Grito de Yara, the cry of Cuban independence from Spain. In the Manifesto de la Junta revolucionaria de la isla de Cuba, Céspedes and other prominent men declared they would not stand for the injustices suffered by Cubans from Spain.
General Bartolome Maso
Coronel Enrique Céspedes Romagosa
Bartolome Céspedes Maso/Estela Bello
Céspedes began what we call the Ten Years War from 1868-1878 which was the first official revolutionary spark needed for Cuba to eventually become free in 1902.
Now the Céspedes family is spread across the United States but mostly resides in California. Enrique Céspedes, great-great-great nephew of El Padre would hold the Cuban flag at the annual parade in Havana growing up. His name was and is known across Cuba. His family prospered, owning several dairy farms, hundreds of acres in Bayamo and having titles in the family of doctors, lawyers and presidents. In 1960, right before the Bay of Pigs invasion, Enrique Céspedes left Cuba with his wife Isabel with the help of his loyal friend Jan. He started working in the dairy business in California then started his own company which has now become a generational family business. He had to start over just as many Cuban exiles have had to do. But we don't forget where we come from.
Our family wants to keep this name and heritage alive. We want to be a part of the work to help Cubans on the island and give you the resources to act. It is only through movements that change comes.
The Céspedes Family in California early 2000's
OUR FOUNDERS
2nd Generation Cuban-American
U.S. Air Force Broadcast Journalist
Briana Céspedes
President
2nd Generation Cuban-American
Certified Public Accountant at Price Waterhouse Coopers
Belicia Céspedes
Treasurer
1st Generation Mexican-American and
married to Jan Enrique Céspedes
Business Owner, Real Estate Broker, Homeschool Mother
Virginia Céspedes
Secretary
Advisors
