Carlos Hernández

Executive Director & Founder
Puerto Rican Arts Alliance

Carlos R. Hernandez is the Executive Director and Founder of the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA). Carlos has elevated PRAA, established in 1996, to become one of Chicago's premier Latino arts organizations—offering a wide range of cultural and academic enrichment programs for youth and children. PRAA is known for producing the annual Emmy Award-winning National Cuatro Festival. The organization also implements cutting-edge national music, visual, and performing arts programs.

Under Carlos's leadership, PRAA has earned a reputation for extending its regional arts program outreach and fostering collaboration with both Latino and non-Latino communities. He has developed inclusive programs that have positioned PRAA as a unique, culturally specific organization that promotes diversity while maintaining its mission and core values.

In 2012, Carlos successfully led PRAA's $2.5 million capital campaign, establishing and expanding the Puerto Rican/Latino cultural center in Chicago's Logan Square/Avondale community. Currently, under his leadership, PRAA is expanding its cultural facility and has increased its staff to 15 full-time employees.

Carlos holds a Master in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Southern Illinois University.

He has served in various leadership roles, including as Chair of the ENRICH Chicago Board, Co-founder of the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance, and Co-founder and Chair of the Chicago Latino Culture and Arts Summit. He has been a member of the City of Chicago Cultural Advisory Board.