Ollin Yoliztli Calmecac

I've known Brujo since summer 2013, and I have served as Board Member of his non-profit, Ollin Yoliztli Calmecac, since fall 2015. Brujo is an immensely talented multidisciplinary, self-taught artist, teacher and performer, inspired by the cultural narratives of Mexican indigenous traditional art. He has proven himself to be a true leader in the greater Philadelphia arts community. Brujo played a key role in starting and implementing Philadelphia Indigenous People's Day, now a much-anticipated tradition each October, and through this event, he has spread awareness of the special issues facing the native peoples of the Americas. Over the past 20 years he has been in Philadelphia, he has established deep roots in the community. Through his work, he has done outreach with and provided support and empowerment to some of the most vulnerable members of society, including at-risk juveniles and the elderly. In my interactions with him, he strikes me as incredibly compassionate and dedicated.