We were lucky to catch up with Brendaliz Cepeda recently and have shared our conversation below.

Brendaliz, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

As a Puerto Rican woman deeply rooted in the island’s vibrant folklore, I lead a Bomba and Plena group, celebrating and preserving the rich cultural traditions of my heritage. Bomba, with its African-influenced rhythms, and Plena, which blends Spanish and African musical elements, are at the heart of Puerto Rican identity, telling stories of struggle, joy, and resilience. Through these forms of music and dance, I channel the stories of our ancestors and the power of community, guiding our group to honor these traditions while keeping them alive for future generations.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Brendaliz Cepeda, a passionate cultural advocate from Western Massachusetts, is the granddaughter of Rafael Cepeda, the revered patriarch of Bomba music both in Puerto Rico and beyond. In addition to her grandfather’s legacy, Brendaliz is also proud of her Indigenous roots, which trace back to the Taino people, the original inhabitants of Puerto Rico. This deep connection to both African and Indigenous heritage shapes her commitment to preserving the diverse cultural history of Puerto Rico. With a master’s degree in Special Education, Brendaliz dedicated thirteen years to teaching before pursuing her love for Puerto Rican culture and music.
In 2013, she founded Bomba de Caribe, a local group dedicated to preserving and sharing Bomba, the vibrant traditional dance and music of Puerto Rico. Later, alongside her husband Saul, the group evolved into Bomba de Aquí, reflecting their shared vision of expanding their reach within the community. Together, they have worked tirelessly to educate both youth and adults about the significance of Puerto Rican folklore and the powerful rhythms of Bomba.
In 2021, Brendaliz and Saul launched the Multicultural Learning Center, an afterschool program that currently spans twenty schools, enriching students’ knowledge of Puerto Rican culture through the arts.
As the proud owner of Brass City Bomba in Waterbury, Connecticut, Brendaliz continues to make an impact by providing a platform for the next generation to learn and appreciate their cultural heritage. She is also a sought-after motivational and cultural speaker, regularly sharing her story and expertise at universities and schools across New England.
Brendaliz’s mission remains rooted in her family’s legacy and her Indigenous and Afro-Puerto Rican heritage: to preserve and pass down the rich traditions of Puerto Rican culture, particularly through the lens of Bomba, empowering youth to embrace their heritage and tell their stories.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Introducing my folklore music, Bomba y Plena, to a wider audience and teaching it in schools via social media is a powerful way to share cultural heritage while engaging with both younger and older generations. Here’s a tailored strategy to help you achieve that goal!
I often use platforms such as Facebook, Instagram TikTok and etc. By using these platforms, I teach students and or the community: the history, rhythms, and instruments associated with Bomba y Plena. My advice for people building new businesses is start by deciding who is your audience. Once you know your purpose and your audience de than you can build a platform where you can display your product based on their needs.

Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?

Every day as a new owner I am learning. I have three years in running my business Multi Cultural Learning Center. I was running payroll and I had a lot of mistakes and backed up checks. I had to change companies of payroll twice. I lost some good employees because I was behind on payroll. One of the things I am doing is taking workshops on how to be a GOOD business owner. I am also trying to build new and rebuild old relationships so I can learn from my mistakes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bomba-de-aqui.com/
• Instagram: bombadeaqui413
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566466687579
• Youtube: Bomba De Aqui