overview

• Dr. Mariluz Franco-Ortiz holds a Ph.D. in Social-Community Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, and brings over 25 years of experience in anti-racist education, psychosocial research, and community-based initiatives across Puerto Rico. She currently serves as Co-Principal Investigator of the Visualizing Afro-Dignity Project, which critically explores the representation of African heritage, Blackness, and anti-racism in Puerto Rican elementary school social studies textbooks. Additionally, she is a researcher in the Mellon-funded program Invigorating Scholarly Communities at the Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, University of Puerto Rico, Cayey.

  Her work bridges academic research and grassroots activism, particularly through her long-standing involvement with Colectivo Ilé. Through this organization, she has supported anti-racist and decolonial education by co-facilitating community workshops and fostering leadership development, especially among women. One notable contribution includes the illustrated workshop Africa on My Skin, Africa in My Soul, which promotes cultural pride and historical awareness. As a member of the Advisory Community, Dr. Franco-Ortiz helps advance Colectivo Ilé’s mission to educate, organize, and conduct research aimed at transformative social change.

  Among her key contributions is the co-authorship of the educational guide Pulling up Myths from the Root: A Guide for an Anti-Racist Education of African Heritage in Puerto Rico, which has been widely disseminated among educators and communities. Her career reflects a deep commitment to racial, gender, and social justice, consistently bridging academic inquiry with community empowerment.