SPOTLIGHT: Luis A. Miranda Jr. Talks New Book, "Hamilton" & More

Hey, you're Keepin' Company w/ Conor, and thank you for checking out another Townsquare Spotlight! Today, we are shedding some light on political strategist, philanthropist, and advocacy consultant Luis A. Miranda Jr.

Media Guest Quest, Luis A. Miranda Jr.

Published with Hachette, Relentless: My Story of the Latino Spirit that is Transforming America, in both English and Spanish, Luis shares the story of his life and career – from his early days as a Puerto Rican activist to the decades of political strategy and Latino community organizing right up to this crucial 2024 election year.

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Readers will experience the thrill of the ascendency of Hamilton, created by his son Lin-Manuel Miranda, the family’s remarkable humanitarian action after the devastation of Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria, and all the grit, triumphs, and challenges of Luis’ ongoing work in an ever-changing political climate. The book is part memoir, part political playbook, and all heart.

About the Author, Luis A. Miranda Jr.

Luis A. Miranda Jr. arrived in New York City from Puerto Rico in 1974 to study psychology at NYU but soon found himself drawn to community action when he organized his neighbors to fight for better schools for their children. In the 1980s he was a special advisor for Hispanic Affairs to Mayor Ed Koch, and he continued to serve in key roles for the Dinkins and Giuliani administrations.

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As a founding partner of the MirRam Group, Miranda has consulted on several successful political campaigns, including the senatorial campaigns of Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Most recently he managed New York Attorney General Letitia James’ successful reelection. Miranda is the founding president of the Hispanic Federation and is currently the chairperson of the Latino Victory Fund, the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance, Viva Broadway, and the Public Theater. He is a board member of The City, and former chair of the Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center.

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RELENTLESS
My Story of the Latino Spirit That Is Transforming America

By Luis A. Miranda, Jr.
with Richard Wolffe

Featuring a foreword by his son, Lin-Manuel Miranda

Media Guest Quest, Luis A. Miranda Jr.

In 1974, Luis A. Miranda Jr. could not have anticipated the far-reaching effects and reverberations of his decision to study psychology at New York University instead of law in his native Puerto Rico. Little did he know that his seemingly personal choice would go on to significantly influence American politics and culture throughout the late 20^th and early 21^st centuries. Sometime after arriving in New York City, Miranda found himself drawn to community action, such as improving employment opportunities for people of color and organizing his neighbors to fight for better schools for their children. Seeing the political potential within the varied Latino population in the city, Miranda sought to bring them together and ensure their voices found representation. As his influence began to grow, so did his reach across local, state, and national arenas.

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In RELENTLESS: My Story of the Latino Spirit that is Transforming America, Miranda shares the poignant narrative of his life and career—from his early days as a radically-minded Puerto Rican activist, to his decades of political advice and problem-solving. Amid the triumphs, challenges, and ongoing hard work, Miranda examines what his experience reveals about our ever-changing politics and democracy, demographics, and society. In RELENTLESS, readers can look forward to discovering:

Miranda’s work in New York City with numerous mayoral administrations from Koch, Dinkins, and Giuliani (the latter ending in Miranda’s resignation due to ethical concerns that made it impossible for him to continue working for the administration)
Miranda’s key role in organizing and galvanizing the Latino community for numerous political candidates including Hillary Clinton, Letitia James, Kirsten Gillibrand, and a then-unknown Chuck Schumer
The thrill of the ascendancy of In the Heights and Hamilton, created by his son Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Luis’ fervent belief in transforming success into future opportunities for the next generation of artists
Miranda’s personal narrative starting with his life-changing decision to leave Puerto Rico for New York City to pursue a degree in psychology that led him on an unexpected path, including a family with his partner of over 45 years Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda and two additional children, Luz Miranda-Crespo, and Miguel Towns, and establishing a platform, alongside Lin-Manuel, with a megaphone for change built upon their own successes
The family’s call to action in 2017 during the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, and the logistical challenges and small, but vocal political opposition to organizing Hamilton as a fundraising event in Puerto Rico

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Debunking the myth of the monolithic “Latino voter,” Miranda underscores the pivotal role voters of Latin descent will play in the 2024 election, and outlines what politicians must do to effectively harness their voices for progressive action. Anticipating the Latino population to be 1 in 4 by the year 2060, RELENTLESS stands as a crucial asset, aiming to spotlight the unwavering spirit of this community. Through the perspective of Luis A. Miranda Jr., witness the story of a man dedicated to advocating for his family, community, and Latinos’ place in this country.

Media Guest Quest, Luis A. Miranda Jr.

Luis A. Miranda Jr. is a founding partner of the MirRam Group, founding president of the Hispanic Federation, and chairperson of the Latino Victory Fund, Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance, and Viva Broadway. He is a board member of the Public Theater and The City, and the chair of the Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center. He lives in New York City. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of RELENTLESS will go to The Miranda Family Fund.

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ABOUT THE MIRANDA FAMILY FUND:

For over 40 years, the Miranda Family has championed community activism. They have created and supported institutions that have served both underserved populations in Upper Manhattan and communities throughout New York City, across the country, and in Puerto Rico. Luis A. Miranda, Jr. and Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda are proud parents to Luz Miranda-Crespo, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Miguel Towns. Now as adults, Luz and Lin-Manuel are married to Luis Crespo and Vanessa Nadal, respectively, with children of their own. They continue to foster the family’s commitment to advocacy for education, the arts, and social justice - along with a sustained focus on relief and rebuilding efforts in Puerto Rico post-Hurricane Maria.