Journey of a Puerto Rican Jíbaro

As a youth, Julio Vázquez was pulled from his quiet, green country home in the mountains of Puerto Rico and dropped in a snow-covered industrial neighborhood in Rochester, New York.  New to the English language, he was incorrectly classified as a slow learner.  


Vázquez fought through people’s misconceptions to receive a master’s degree in education and become an entrepreneur and community leader. His roles as a Rochester city school teacher, CEO of the Ibero-American Action League Inc. and Commissioner of the Department of Community Development for the City of Rochester have given him unique insights.  


Journey of a Puerto Rican Jíbaro goes beyond the public accomplishments to reveal the personal and cultural conflicts that shape the American immigrant experience.