Center for Puerto Rican Studies
The Center for Puerto Rican Studies (CENTRO) at Hunter College, CUNY, is the largest university-based research institute, library, and archive dedicated to the Puerto Rican experience in the United States, serving scholars, policymakers, educators, and the public.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Center for Puerto Rican Studies does
The Center for Puerto Rican Studies (CENTRO) at Hunter College, City University of New York, is the largest university-based research institute, library, and archive dedicated to the Puerto Rican experience in the United States. Founded in 1974 and celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, it operates as a non-commercial public research institute with a staff of 51–100 across three New York-located facilities (main office, library & archives, and gallery). CENTRO's core outputs span research, archival preservation, scholarship, education, and arts programming: the peer-reviewed CENTRO Journal (published since 1987), the RicanWritings publication series, the Data Hub generating demographic analyses and dashboards from U.S. Census Bureau and federal-agency data, the Diasporican Educational Program (a free multilingual online curriculum), the Diasporican Art in Motion digital repository profiling diasporic Puerto Rican visual artists, the CENTRO Library & Archives, the CENTRO Gallery, and the Emmy Award-winning Puerto Rican Voices television series. The five-year Mellon Foundation-funded 'Rooted + Relational' research initiative (2024–2029) provides the strategic umbrella and fellowship backbone for new thematic programming across archives, race and body politics, LGBTQ activism, and environmental futures.
CENTRO's underlying technology stack is grounded in digital archives, databases, and data visualization rather than proprietary AI/ML — supporting artifacts include the Diasporican Art in Motion database, the Data Hub dashboards and web apps (Puerto Rico Child Vulnerability Index, U.S. Territories 2020 Census Dashboard, State of Puerto Ricans in the U.S. Dashboard), and the multilingual self-guided online course platform at DiasporicanED.org. Distribution operates globally via self-serve website downloads, the La Bodega e-commerce store, and institutional access through Hunter College/CUNY, with audiences reached top-of-funnel through TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, Threads, Bluesky, YouTube, email newsletter, gallery exhibitions, and community events.
Revenue mechanics are institutional rather than commercial. CENTRO is funded by CUNY institutional budgets, foundation grants (notably a $6.4M Mellon Foundation award in 2024 and a $150K NHPRC award in 2022), individual donations processed via Blackbaud, paid CENTRO Journal subscriptions ($45 individual / 2026), and modest publication and merchandise sales through La Bodega. Customers are segmented horizontally across scholars and academic researchers, policy makers seeking demographic data, educators and students using classroom curricula, data researchers using the Data Hub, and the general public engaged through cultural programming. Leadership is anchored by CENTRO Directora Dr. Yomaira Figueroa-Vasquez (joined 2023), with a director-level team covering Public Policy & External Relations, Education, Communications, Research Programs, and Arts & Culture.
Center for Puerto Rican Studies firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Center for Puerto Rican Studies
- Legal name
- Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College
- Website
- https://centropr.hunter.cuny.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The Center for Puerto Rican Studies (CENTRO) at Hunter College, CUNY, is the largest university-based research institute, library, and archive dedicated to the Puerto Rican experience in the United States, serving scholars, policymakers, educators, and the public.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Center for Puerto Rican Studies industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cultural and Ethnic Studies Research Institute
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (51921), Periodical Publishers (513120)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Digital Archives, Libraries & Institutional Access Platforms (MPAJAMAJ)
Keywords
Where Center for Puerto Rican Studies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Center for Puerto Rican Studies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization accepts donations from individuals to support its mission of preserving and sharing the Puerto Rican experience
- Publication and Product Sales: La Bodega virtual store sells publications, educational materials, research resources, cultural materials, and merchandise related to the Puerto Rican experience
- Foundation Grants and Awards: Funded by foundations such as Mellon Foundation and National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) for specific research initiatives and educational programs
- CENTRO Journal Subscriptions: Individual and institutional subscriptions to CENTRO Journal, a peer-reviewed scholarly journal
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Resources - Diasporican Educational Program |
| Subscription | Annual | CENTRO Journal Individual Subscription 2026 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Publications and Merchandise |
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Center for Puerto Rican Studies product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CENTRO conducts scholarly research and produces peer-reviewed publications, digital archives, demographic data tools, free multilingual educational curricula, and arts/cultural programming dedicated to the Puerto Rican experience in the United States. Its standalone offerings include the CENTRO Journal (peer-reviewed academic journal), RicanWritings (cultural publication series), the Data Hub (census-based research platform with dashboards and data requests), the Diasporican Educational Program (free online course), Diasporican Art in Motion (digital artist repository), the CENTRO Library & Archives, the CENTRO Gallery, and the Puerto Rican Voices TV series, sold or accessed through its website, La Bodega store, and diasporicaned.org.
Product overview
The Center for Puerto Rican Studies (CENTRO) at Hunter College operates as the largest university-based research institute, library, and archive dedicated to the Puerto Rican experience in the United States. The organization offers a portfolio of interconnected products and services centered on research, education, archival preservation, and cultural programming. Its core offerings include the CENTRO Journal (peer-reviewed academic journal), RicanWritings (cultural publication series), the Data Hub (research and data platform with dashboards and web apps), the Diasporican Educational Program (free online curriculum), Diasporican Art in Motion (digital artist repository), the Library & Archives, CENTRO Gallery (art exhibitions), and Puerto Rican Voices (Emmy-winning TV series). Additional offerings include the Rooted + Relational five-year research initiative, virtual store La Bodega, reports, infographics, and data request services. These products collectively serve scholars, policy makers, educators, students, and the general public interested in Puerto Rican and diaspora studies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CENTRO Journal Peer-reviewed academic journal publishing scholarly research on Puerto Rican studies, Puerto Rican diaspora, and related topics in Latino/Latin American studies; published since 1987 with multiple volumes and issues annually and available by individual annual subscription ($45 for 2026).
- RicanWritings Publication series featuring essays, articles, interviews, and critical writing about Puerto Rican art, culture, history, and contemporary issues including coverage of diasporic Puerto Rican visual artists.
- Data Hub Research and data platform generating robust analysis using publicly available data from the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal agencies to provide information about Puerto Rico and stateside Puerto Ricans through reports, infographics, dashboards, web apps, and data requests for scholars, policy makers, and the general public.
- Diasporican Art in Motion (DAM) Digital repository and research catalyst documenting the impact of migration on Puerto Rican visual culture through in-depth profiles and database of contemporary diasporic Puerto Rican visual artists, with submission capability.
- Diasporican Educational Program Free, self-paced multimedia online course teaching the social history of the Puerto Rican Diaspora, offering an adaptable curriculum titled 'Reframing Puerto Rican Diasporas' with instructor lesson plans, worksheets, original illustrated videos, and multilingual resources for high school and college classrooms. Accessible via email registration at diasporicaned.org.
- Rooted + Relational Five-year research initiative (2024-2029) funded by the Mellon Foundation that seeks to reimagine CENTRO's research agenda and scholarly impact through annual themed programming and a fellowship program, creating a unifying higher learning community addressing social, political, and economic issues facing Puerto Rico and the diaspora.
- CENTRO Library & Archives The largest university-based archive dedicated to the Puerto Rican experience in the United States, preserving historical documents, photographs, and materials related to the Puerto Rican diaspora; located at 2180 3rd Ave, 6th Floor, Rm. 610, New York.
- CENTRO Gallery Art gallery showcasing Puerto Rican and diasporic Puerto Rican visual artists through exhibitions, including 'Diasporic Collage: Puerto Rico and the Survival of a People' (January 31, 2026 - October 17, 2026) and 'On Both Sides of the Lens' (on view since November 21, 2024); located at 2180 3rd Ave, 1st Floor, New York.
- Puerto Rican Voices Emmy Award-winning television series produced by CENTRO that documents the Puerto Rican experience and community stories.
- La Bodega (Virtual Store) Virtual storefront honoring the iconic Puerto Rican institution of la bodega in New York, selling publications, educational materials, research resources, cultural materials, and merchandise (e.g., 'animal fiero y tierno' book at $25.00) related to the Puerto Rican experience produced or sponsored by CENTRO.
Companies that use Center for Puerto Rican Studies
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Center for Puerto Rican Studies technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Center for Puerto Rican Studies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Hunter College, CUNYcoreHost institution of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies. As part of the City University of New York system, provides institutional infrastructure, academic credibility, and access to university resources and networks.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Center for Puerto Rican Studies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- CUNY Dominican Studies Institute: Sister CUNY-based research institute at The City College of New York focused on the Dominican experience in the U.S. Operates an archive, library, and publications program on a comparable model, making it the closest structural and thematic peer to CENTRO.
- UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center: University-based research center with a library, archive, and publications program focused on Chicano/Latino studies. Highly comparable in mission, structure, and product mix (journal, archive, educational programming).
- National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture: Chicago-based museum and cultural center dedicated to Puerto Rican arts and culture. Directly comparable in its mission of preserving and presenting the Puerto Rican experience through exhibitions, programs, and collections.
- Hispanic Society of America: New York-based museum, library, and research institution dedicated to Hispanic and Iberian culture. Operates a comparable research library/archive model and produces scholarly publications, with a broader Hispanic scope.
- CUNY Bildner Center for Western Hemisphere Studies: CUNY-based research and policy center focused on Western Hemisphere affairs, with publications and educational programming. Comparable as a CUNY-affiliated institute producing scholarly and policy content for a defined cultural/geographic community.
Broad incumbents
- Inter-University Program for Latino Research (IUPLR): A consortium of university-based Latino research centers including CENTRO. Comparable as a coordinating body for Latino research, data, and policy outputs, and as a network peer in the same funding ecosystem.
- Smithsonian Latino Center: The Smithsonian Institution's central unit for Latino programs, exhibitions, and educational content. Operates a similar mix of cultural programming, exhibitions, and educational resources, but at a far larger institutional scale and broader Latino scope.
Regional players
- El Museo del Barrio: New York-based Latino and Latin American cultural institution with a museum, gallery, and educational programs. Comparable as a NYC-based Latino cultural institution with a museum, education, and exhibitions focus, but with a broader pan-Latino scope.
Others
- Library of Congress Hispanic Division: Federal library division providing access to Hispanic and Latin American collections. Functions as both a research resource and reference service for the field, and is a relevant ecosystem peer for archival and bibliographic scope.
Emerging players
- National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies (NACCS): Academic association advancing Chicana/o and Latina/o studies through a journal, conferences, and scholar networks. Comparable as a scholarly ecosystem anchor in the broader Latino studies field that CENTRO also serves.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Center for Puerto Rican Studies social profiles
Digital presenceCenter for Puerto Rican Studies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Center for Puerto Rican Studies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Center for Puerto Rican Studies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Center for Puerto Rican Studies M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Center for Puerto Rican Studies
What does Center for Puerto Rican Studies do?
CENTRO conducts scholarly research and produces peer-reviewed publications, digital archives, demographic data tools, free multilingual educational curricula, and arts/cultural programming dedicated to the Puerto Rican experience in the United States. Its standalone offerings include the CENTRO Journal (peer-reviewed academic journal), RicanWritings (cultural publication series), the Data Hub (census-based research platform with dashboards and data requests), the Diasporican Educational Program (free online course), Diasporican Art in Motion (digital artist repository), the CENTRO Library & Archives, the CENTRO Gallery, and the Puerto Rican Voices TV series, sold or accessed through its website, La Bodega store, and diasporicaned.org.
Is Center for Puerto Rican Studies a public or private company?
Center for Puerto Rican Studies is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Center for Puerto Rican Studies founded?
Center for Puerto Rican Studies was founded in 1974. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Center for Puerto Rican Studies based?
Center for Puerto Rican Studies is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Center for Puerto Rican Studies make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are publication and Product Sales, foundation Grants and Awards and CENTRO Journal Subscriptions.
Who are Center for Puerto Rican Studies's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are CUNY Dominican Studies Institute, UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center, National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, Hispanic Society of America and CUNY Bildner Center for Western Hemisphere Studies. Broad incumbents are Inter-University Program for Latino Research (IUPLR) and Smithsonian Latino Center. El Museo del Barrio is listed as a regional player. Library of Congress Hispanic Division is listed as an others. National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies (NACCS) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Center for Puerto Rican Studies have an API?
No public API is recorded for Center for Puerto Rican Studies.
What industry is Center for Puerto Rican Studies in?
Center for Puerto Rican Studies's product category is Cultural and Ethnic Studies Research Institute. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAMAJ, Digital Archives, Libraries & Institutional Access Platforms. Its NAICS code is 51921 and its SIC code is 2731.