for extended research of African ethnic roots in Cuba. The rhetoric of the Revolution incorporates black history and its contribution as an important stratum of Cuban identity. The Revolution has funded many projects that restore the work of Afro-Cubans in an effort to accommodate an African-driven identity within the new anti-racist Cuban society. Notable Afro-Cubans Arts and entertainment Carlos Acosta - dancer Laz Alonso - actor Renny Arozarena - actor Gastón Baquero - poet Matt Cedeño - actor and model Celia Cruz - singer Sammy Davis Jr - singer, dancer, actor Rosario Dawson - actress Ángel Escobar - poet Lola Falana - actress, singer and dancer Rome Flynn- actor Sara Gómez - filmmaker Nicolás Guillén - poet Nestor Hernández - photographer Georgina Herrera - poet Wifredo Lam - artist Coco López - artist Faizon Love - actor Mellow Man Ace - rapper Nancy Morejón - poet Luis Moro - actor and filmmaker Gina Torres - actress Alexis Valdés - artist and comedian Soledad O’Brien - journalist Karamo Brown Music Afro-Cuban All Stars Francisco Aguabella — percussionist Federico A. "Tata Güines" Soto Alejo — percussionist and bandleader Carlos Alfonso — bassist and leader of Síntesis X Alfonso — singer Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros — trumpeter and bandleader; cousin of Benny Moré Guillermo Barreto — percussionist with Israel "Cachao" López Abelardo Barroso — singer and bandleader Mario Bauzá — musician and songwriter; brother-in-law of Machito Ignacio Berroa — percussionist Leo Brouwer — composer and guitarist Descemer Bueno — singer, composer and record producer Christina Milian — singer-songwriter, actress Cándido Camero — percussionist Humberto Cané — tres player and singer with Sonora Matancera; son of Valentín Cané "Changuito" — percussionist and former member of Los Van Van Félix Chappottín — trumpeter and bandleader; when Arsenio Rodríguez left Cuba never to return he handed over to him leadership of his group Julito Collazo — percussionist and singer Celia Cruz — singer Anga Díaz — percussionist and former member of Irakere Barbarito Diez — singer Addys D'Mercedes — singer Richard Egües — flute player, a member of Orquesta Aragón Ibrahim Ferrer — singer (Buena Vista Social Club) Juan de Marcos González — musical director of the Buena Vista Social Club Rubén González — pianist (Conjunto de Arsenio Rodríguez and Buena Vista Social Club) Graciela — singer; stepsister of Machito Francisco Raúl "Machito" Gutiérrez Grillo — singer, musician, and bandleader Marcelino "Rapindey" Guerra — singer and composer