The Puerto Rican Literature Project

Eduardo Arocho grew up in Humboldt Park, Chicago. He is a poet, author, historian, arts activist, community leader, and professional tour guide. Arocho is the author of six poetry books: Poems Behind The Mascara (2002), Paseo Boricua Renaissance (2003), The 4th Tassel (2006), Highway Island II (2007), Highway Island (2008), and Hot Wings (2013). Some of his poems have appeared in Another Chicago Magazine (2022); Dondequiera que esté, an anthology of Chicago poetry published by The Chicago Literary Hall of Fame, After Hours Press & Third World Press (2022); Fideicomiso Comunitario de Chicago (2016); Cantalogy I: The Love (Pure Word Poets) (Pandora Wolf Steppe Press, 2013); El movimiento de los reyes a la estrella solitaria de Ramón López (2008); Dialogue Journal; Centro Journal; and Líneas eléctricas: una antología de Tia Chucha Press (2000), among others. 

Arocho holds a Master’s in Human Services Administration from Spertus College in Chicago and a BA in history and Spanish literature from Northeastern Illinois University. He also has over a decade of experience as the executive director of the Division Street Business Development Association. In 2020, he founded the Paseo Boricua Tour Company, which offers guided walking tours of the historic Humboldt Park neighborhood, highlighting its rich Puerto Rican history. 

Works Cited

Arocho poeta. Author website designed by Eduardo Arocho, arochopoeta.com/index.html.

Arocho, Eduardo. Interview. Conducted by Claire Jiménez, 5 Mar. 2022.

“Our Tours.” Paseo Boricua Tours, paseoboricuatours.com.