Evelio Grillo
Evelio Grillo (June 4, 1919 - December 28, 2008) was an American writer and community organizer. He is a well-known advocate for civil rights. He is best known for his book "Black Cuban, Black American: A Memoir". Early life and education. Grillo was born in Ybor, Florida to Cuban parents. As a child, Grillo went to segregated schools, noting "Black Cubans were closer to black Americans and white Cubans were closer to white Americans [so we] became culturally African American." Later, Grillo went on to the prestigious Dunbar High School before attending Xavier University of Louisiana, where he  received a BA. Post-war, he took classes at Columbia University in New York City, specializing in Latin American history. Writing. Grillo is the author of the seminal text, "Black Cuban, Black American: A Memoir". This memoir detailed not only Grillo's life but the way segregation affected Black Americans during the World War II. It discussed the specific way Afro-Latinos had to live as both Latinos and African-Americans. Personal life. Grillo died on December 28, 2008 at the age of 89.