Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Discover the incredible legacy of Miguel Algarín, the queer scholar and poet whose poems and advocacy paved a way for spoken word artists in American literature. Born in Puerto Rico and raised on the streets of New York City, Algarín co-founded the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York City's Lower East Side, which became a sanctuary where LGBTQIA+ folks, Caribbean immigrants, and artists of color could be heard. The popular venue drew crowds with poetry slams, hip-hop and Latin jazz. Through the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Algarín used his skill set to celebrate and uplift marginalized voices and demand social change.
The cafe celebrated 50 years in 2023 and is holding offsite events while completing a major renovation.
Subscribe to THIRTEEN newsletters to stay informed:thirteen.org/email-preferences/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=HonoringOurStories&utm_id=HonoringOurStories
This episode is from Hidden Voices in the Historical Narrative, a video series produced by THIRTEEN’s Kids’ Media & Education team in collaboration with the New York City Public Schools social studies department, with funding from the New York City Council.
The WNET Group presents Honoring Our Stories: LGBTQIA+ Pride featuring films, documentaries and digital-first archival content from the THIRTEEN vault. Throughout the month of June, we'll highlight programs that focus on our civil rights history and milestone events and the vibrant cultural contributions to stage, screen and the arts from the LGBTQIA+ community.
#MiguelAlgarin #CivilRights #QueerHistory #SocialJustice #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #PrideMonth #HiddenVoices #PrideMonth #QueerHistory #NuyoricanPoetsCafe #SpokenWord #SlamPoetry #BlackAndBrownPride
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For full episodes, check out thirteen.org
Facebook: facebook.com/thirteenwnet
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TikTok: tiktok.com/@thirteenwnet
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THIRTEEN is one of America’s most respected and innovative public media providers. Part of The WNET Group, THIRTEEN is a unique cultural and educational institution that harnesses the power of television and electronic media to inform, enlighten, entertain and inspire. The flagship public television station of the New York City tri-state area and the most-watched public television channel in the nation, THIRTEEN reaches millions of people with programming that celebrates arts and culture, offers insightful commentary on the news of the day, explores the worlds of science and nature, and invites people of all ages to have fun while learning.
Discover the incredible legacy of Miguel Algarín, the queer scholar and poet whose poems and advocacy paved a way for spoken word artists in American literature. Born in Puerto Rico and raised on the streets of New York City, Algarín co-founded the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York City's Lower East Side, which became a sanctuary where LGBTQIA+ folks, Caribbean immigrants, and artists of color could be heard. The popular venue drew crowds with poetry slams, hip-hop and Latin jazz. Through the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Algarín used his skill set to celebrate and uplift marginalized voices and demand social change.
The cafe celebrated 50 years in 2023 and is holding offsite events while completing a major renovation.
Subscribe to THIRTEEN newsletters to stay informed:thirteen.org/email-preferences/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=HonoringOurStories&utm_id=HonoringOurStories
This episode is from Hidden Voices in the Historical Narrative, a video series produced by THIRTEEN’s Kids’ Media & Education team in collaboration with the New York City Public Schools social studies department, with funding from the New York City Council.
The WNET Group presents Honoring Our Stories: LGBTQIA+ Pride featuring films, documentaries and digital-first archival content from the THIRTEEN vault. Throughout the month of June, we'll highlight programs that focus on our civil rights history and milestone events and the vibrant cultural contributions to stage, screen and the arts from the LGBTQIA+ community.
#MiguelAlgarin #CivilRights #QueerHistory #SocialJustice #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #PrideMonth #HiddenVoices #PrideMonth #QueerHistory #NuyoricanPoetsCafe #SpokenWord #SlamPoetry #BlackAndBrownPride
Please SUBSCRIBE if you enjoyed: youtube.com/@ThirteenWNET?sub_confirmation=1
For full episodes, check out thirteen.org
Facebook: facebook.com/thirteenwnet
Instagram: instagram.com/thirteenwnet
TikTok: tiktok.com/@thirteenwnet
-----------------
THIRTEEN is one of America’s most respected and innovative public media providers. Part of The WNET Group, THIRTEEN is a unique cultural and educational institution that harnesses the power of television and electronic media to inform, enlighten, entertain and inspire. The flagship public television station of the New York City tri-state area and the most-watched public television channel in the nation, THIRTEEN reaches millions of people with programming that celebrates arts and culture, offers insightful commentary on the news of the day, explores the worlds of science and nature, and invites people of all ages to have fun while learning.
