Sylvia del Villard was a pioneering Afro-Puerto Rican artist and activist born on February 28, 1928, in Santurce, Puerto Rico. She was renowned for her passionate advocacy of Afro-Puerto Rican culture and heritage. Throughout her career, she performed globally, showcasing African influences in Puerto Rican culture through dance, theater, and lectures. In 1981, she became the first and only director of the Office of Afro-Puerto Rican Affairs at the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture, cementing her legacy as a trailblazer for Black Puerto Rican artists. Del Villard passed away on February 28, 1990, but her contributions continue to influence and inspire.