About the Author

SAMUEL DIAZ CARRION (January 3, 1947 -- June 30, 2017) was a Puerto Rican poet and writer born in the South Bronx and raised in Puerto Rico. While working as a chemist, he participated in meetings that led to the founding of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, New Rican Village and other venues. Over the years, he coordinated poetry and reading series, and managed theatrical events for Pedro Pietri and at the Cafe. Diaz also served as a coordinator for the Puerto Rican-based Bienal de la Poesía Puertoriquena and for La Muestra de la Bienal. He also served as director of Computer and Administrative Office Services (BxCAOS), which assisted small businesses and nonprofits in the arts and housing. OUR NUYORICAN THING was his first book.