AGP Executive Report

Puerto Rican Music & Culture: Elvis Crespo says he’s in a “magical moment” after filming the “La Graciosa” follow-up era and releasing “Pa Bailar,” while Bomba roots keep spreading in Florida through the Escuela de Bomba y Plena Tata Cepeda in Kissimmee, teaching dance, percussion, and the history behind the rhythm. Local Arts & Heritage: Ponce marks a major milestone with “Ponce 100,” a monthlong celebration of the 1926 Ponce City Market building, including a Sept. 26 community bash with music, food, art installations, and workshops. Pageantry & Identity: Miss Universe politics stay messy as the MUO faction tied to Raul Rocha revokes Nawat Itsaragrisil’s franchise agreement, putting licenses and control of the brand in limbo. Sports Spotlight: Detroit honored Roberto Clemente on Sept. 15 by letting Riley Greene wear No. 21, tying the MLB tribute to his Puerto Rican heritage. Community Events: Fort Buchanan held “A Moment for Life,” a suicide-prevention gathering focused on connection, reflection, and local resources.

Miss Universe Drama: The Miss Universe Organization says the “Miss Universe Eastern” franchise tied to Nawat Itsaragrisil has been revoked after a fight over who controls the brand, with Puerto Rico’s hosting of the 75th edition still in the spotlight. Music & Film: “Once Upon a Time in Harlem” won the Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film, taking home $200,000 for its Harlem Renaissance reunion story. Sports (PR ties): Inter Miami’s Nu Stadium will host Hispanic Heritage Night presented by Modelo on Sept. 20, with giveaways and performances. Local Culture: Fort Buchanan held “A Moment for Life,” a suicide prevention event built around connection, reflection, and resources. Puerto Rico Business: Retail sales in Puerto Rico hit $52.156B in FY2026, up 1.2%, but inflation means it’s basically flat in real terms. Arts & Heritage: “Flamboyants!” is touring the U.S. and Puerto Rico, linking Creole identities from Reunion Island, New Orleans, and the island.

Miss Universe Drama: The MUO faction linked to Raul Rocha has revoked the franchise agreement with Nawat Itsaragrisil, raising fresh concerns about the eligibility of six contestants after a public feud over authority and brand control. Puerto Rican Pride in Sports: Crystal Palace Women signed Puerto Rican defender Caitlin Cosme, making her the first boricua to play in England’s Women’s Super League. Music & Culture: Bacardí returns to the 2026 MTV VMAs as official spirits partner and brings back the Best Dance category after a seven-year gap. Local Community Spotlight: Guitars Over Guns is using free music mentorship to help underserved youth build confidence and stay on a positive path. Real Estate: Guaynabo’s new $45M residential project “The Legacy” will add 44 homes in Garden Hills/San Patricio after 25+ years without new construction. Boxing Rivalry: Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz is gearing up for Nestor Bravo in the next Mexico vs Puerto Rico chapter.

Puerto Rico & Hispanic Heritage: HITN is premiering El Sueño Americano, a Spanish-language special of Amerigo: The Search for the American Dream, airing Sept. 20 and streaming on HITNGo—right on theme for Hispanic Heritage Month. Beauty & Local Stars: Maripily Rivera teams up with OFRA Cosmetics for Alegría, a new eyeshadow palette plus lip products, celebrating her Puerto Rican style with bold, blendable shades. Arts & Dance: PBS debuts Joffrey Ballet: The Next Movement on Sept. 18, following Winning Works choreographers, including a Puerto Rico connection, as personal stories turn into stage-ready choreography. Culture & Community: A Puerto Rican artist’s work, Bearing Witness, is featured in a UMD exhibit tied to “Weed It Wednesdays,” blending campus care with art about empowerment. Travel & Entertainment: Southwest expands Caribbean routes including nonstop service to San Juan, while Costco’s DoorDash delivery rollout keeps shoppers and snack runs moving. Music & Pop Culture: Keith Richards covers “Bright Lights, Big City” for Grand Theft Auto VI, joining a soundtrack that already includes Rauw Alejandro.

Tyler Perry to Puerto Rico: The Atlanta producer says he’s relocating to Puerto Rico in 2027 with his 11-year-old son, aiming to “slow down” after years of building his studio empire. Local Culture & Tourism: A new look at Bad Bunny’s “Debí tirar más fotos” argues the global spotlight is boosting Puerto Rico’s tourism buzz—though the big question is whether the island will fully cash in. Arts & Media: Lawmakers and industry leaders keep pushing a federal film tax incentive, pointing to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands among existing incentive players. Puerto Rico Spotlight in Music: Howie D’s “Midweek Cafecito” Season 2 kicks off with his Spanish-only single “Coquí,” plus talk of his Puerto Rican roots and near-miss with Menudo. Money & Privacy Debate: Christian Briggs’ “On The Record” episode warns CBDCs could threaten cash and financial privacy—an issue now landing in Puerto Rico conversations too. Water Crisis Meets Politics: A SOMOS conference op-ed questions how to celebrate Latino power in Puerto Rico while many residents still face unreliable water access. Tech Security: ESET reports China-aligned FamousSparrow expanding Latin America targeting governments with a new backdoor, SparroWocky.

Puerto Rican Pride at Disney World: Walt Disney World’s Hispanic & Latin American Heritage Month celebration, “Together We Are Magia,” runs Sept. 15–Oct. 15 with live Latin music, Encanto-themed experiences, new Coco-inspired merchandise—and a special visit from Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi. Music & Culture in Puerto Rico’s Orbit: Myke Towers is set to headline SiriusXM and Pandora’s “El Pulso” in Miami on Oct. 15, performing hits including “Carita Feliz,” with RSVP access for fans. Local Arts Spotlight: Seattle Public Library’s weekend programming highlights Puerto Rican cuatrista Fabiola Méndez (Sept. 18 at UpStage at the Phillips Center) and features Puerto Rico-rooted Bomba performances. Entertainment & Community: JCPenney’s “The Other September Issue” puts real educators in the fashion spotlight, while “Midweek Cafecito” returns for Season 2 with Backstreet Boy Howie D discussing his Spanish-only single “Coquí.” Puerto Rico Business Scene: A new look at entrepreneurship on the island points to rising registrations but still-low grant access and high startup hurdles. Big Celebrity Move: Tyler Perry says he’s moving to Puerto Rico in 2027 to slow down and spend more time with his son.

Tyler Perry Puerto Rico move: The filmmaker confirmed on “Today with Jenna & Sheinelle” that he’s relocating to Puerto Rico at the start of 2027 and “pulling back” on work to spend more time with his 11-year-old son. Hispanic Heritage Month on-screen: PBS KIDS is pushing Spanish-language viewing for families, including “Alma’s Way” and “Rosie’s Rules,” plus a Spanish carousel on Prime Video. Music & charts: ARIA VEGA’s “Chévere” with Ryan Castro hits No. 1 on Latin Airplay, marking her first Billboard chart-topper. Culture in the streets: Chicago’s Puerto Rican domino tradition continues at Pe Erre La Casa del Dominó, keeping the game—and the heritage—alive for younger players. Health spotlight: A new American Heart Association report says cardiovascular disease now leads death among Hispanic adults, with heart issues showing up years earlier. Community arts: Orlando City Hall’s Hispanic Heritage Month art exhibit spotlights nearly 30 Latino and Hispanic artists, including Puerto Rican “bomba” dance-inspired work.

Puerto Rico in the spotlight: Tyler Perry says he’s officially moving to Puerto Rico in early 2027 and “pulling back a whole lot” after decades of nonstop work, aiming for more time with his 11-year-old son. Hispanic Heritage Month, arts edition: Orlando City Hall is hosting a Hispanic Heritage Month art exhibit featuring nearly 30 Latino and Hispanic artists, including Puerto Rican creators celebrating bomba culture and “unidos, somos más.” Music & pop culture: Carín León announces a 3-night Las Vegas Sphere return in 2027, with presales starting Sept. 15. Baseball legacy: MLB’s Roberto Clemente Day continues to spark Puerto Rico conversation, including a look at Clemente’s 3,000-hit chase and the impact of his final mission. Health & community: A new American Heart Association statement says cardiovascular disease has overtaken cancer as the top killer of Hispanic adults, urging culturally tailored prevention and better access to care.

Puerto Rico Recovery Boost: Gov. Jenniffer González Colón announced FEMA approved $108,999,844.75 for 14 reconstruction projects, including $107.1M to modernize Puerto Rico’s electric infrastructure for Vieques, Culebra, and other communities. Local Business & Tech: The DDEC is inviting entrepreneurs to apply for the Digital Store Academy, offering training and support to build e-commerce stores on Shopify, with in-person sessions in Hato Rey. Entertainment & Culture: Tyler Perry, 57, says it’s “time to slow down” as he plans a move to Puerto Rico and pulls back on work to spend more time with his son. Music Spotlight: Shakira kicks off her “Es Latina” Madrid residency with Latine and Spanish artists, including Puerto Rican rapper Tommy Blanco. Hispanic Heritage Month Talk: A Puerto Rican student at ASU questions whether the label “hispana” fully represents Puerto Rico’s identity and history. Aviation Update: Amazon paused operations with cargo carrier 21 Air after a deadly Miami crash involving a flight from San Juan.

Puerto Rico Business & Tech: The DDEC is inviting local entrepreneurs to apply for its “Digital Store Academy,” a Shopify-focused program with training from Oct. 1 to Dec. 17 plus in-person sessions in Hato Rey, aiming to help small businesses build online stores and boost holiday sales. Entertainment & Culture: Tyler Perry says he’s officially moving to Puerto Rico in 2027, telling TODAY he’s “pulling back” to slow down and spend more time with his son. Arts & Media: A new stage production, “The Birth of the Pill,” is drawing attention for its take on the pill’s history, including trials tied to Puerto Rico’s Río Piedras. Music Spotlight: Puerto Rican urban artist Yan Block drops “Modo Oculto,” a darker, more melodic single ahead of his debut album “Individual.” Sports Media: Nielsen reports Hispanics logged 149B minutes of sports viewing in H1 2026, underscoring sports as a major driver of entertainment consumption.

International Theater Festival: The Institute of Puerto Rican Culture announced the program for its 56th International Theater Festival, honoring Rafael Fuentes, with an opening Spanish production “Bernarda y Poncia” (Oct. 22–25) and more official selections including Pinter’s “El montaplatos.” Puerto Rico Politics & Pageants: Puerto Rico Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz is pushing back hard on the Miss Universe controversy, spotlighting the $8.7M public funding questions and demanding resources for Culebra’s medical services. Music & Fashion: Bad Bunny and adidas are gearing up the BadBo 1.1 “Chalk White” sneaker drop on Sept. 15, with the brand citing Puerto Rico coastline inspiration. Sports (Puerto Rico ties): Aaron Gordon says the Nuggets’ Puerto Rico mini-camp helped him reset for next season after an injury-shortened playoff run. Tech/Everyday Life: Apple Wallet’s ID feature needs different iOS versions by location, including Puerto Rico requiring iOS 18.1+ (or Apple Watch Series 6+). Community Culture: Feria del Barrio in Philadelphia returned with bomba music and Puerto Rican pride, celebrating “El Bloque de Oro” as the community’s “golden block.”

Puerto Rico Pageant Politics: Puerto Rico Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz is calling the Miss Universe spending “scandalous,” questioning the $8.7M in public money tied to the event while Culebra’s healthcare needs reportedly remain underfunded. Tech & Daily Life: Apple Wallet’s ID feature requires different iOS versions depending on where you live, with Puerto Rico listed at iOS 18.1+ (or Apple Watch Series 6+). Music & Fashion Buzz: Adidas x Bad Bunny’s BadBo 1.1 “Chalk White” drops Sept. 15, with the brand saying the color story is inspired by Puerto Rico’s coastline. Local Culture Spotlight: The Dalí Museum marks Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15) with Puerto Rican bomba music and other Latin-themed events. Community Events: Milwaukee’s 13th annual Puerto Rican Festival is underway on the lakefront, celebrating music, dancing, food, and Puerto Rican representation. Sports Entertainment: 90 Day: Hunt for Love returns for Season 2, premiering Oct. 5 on TLC, with dates and relationship workshops in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rican Festival in Milwaukee: The 13th annual Puerto Rican Festival is underway on the lakefront, with music, dancing, food, and community representation for the city’s Puerto Rican population. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for kids, and it runs until 9 p.m. Saturday. Hispanic Heritage Month arts: In Holyoke, Puerto Rican native Emily Roman is launching her first solo exhibit, “Patria,” on Sept. 16 at Nueva Esperanza’s Galeria, featuring acrylics, mixed media, and collages centered on pride and nostalgia. TV for the week: TLC announced “90 Day: Hunt for Love” Season 2 will premiere Oct. 5 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, with dates and workshops in Puerto Rico plus salsa, street parties, and a Festival del Amor. Local culture in Boston: Embrace Massó ¡Con Salsa! is a free block party for Hispanic Heritage Month with El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico and DJs, happening Saturday at Downtown Crossing. Miss Universe finance watch: Puerto Rico’s Miss Universe spending is under scrutiny after reports say $8.7 million of public money was used, with senators demanding answers.

Puerto Rican Arts & Culture Spotlight: Chicago’s National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture hosted its Raíces Gala, celebrating Puerto Rican pride and honoring entertainment standouts, while also highlighting the museum’s recent American Alliance of Museums recognition. Sports + Community Pride: An 11-year-old’s winning design now becomes the home uniform for Puerto Rico’s Gigantes de Carolina, with flowers, a brain, and a heart to promote growth and mental/emotional well-being. Latin Music Watch: Grupo Frontera teamed up with Ricky Martin for a fresh take on “Tu Recuerdo” as part of Martin’s ReVivo EP. Hispanic Heritage Month Energy: Embrace Massó ¡Con Salsa! brings free salsa, food, and performances (including El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico) to Boston’s Downtown Crossing as the season kicks off. Local Event Buzz (PR diaspora): Milwaukee’s Puerto Rican Festival of Wisconsin returns Saturday, Sept. 12, with music, food, and culture at Henry Maier Festival Park. TV Picks: “Alley Cats” lands with a sharp, Ricky Gervais-style review roundup, plus a full week of streaming premieres and finales.

Puerto Rican Arts & Culture: Chicago’s National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture hosted its Raíces Gala, celebrating community pride and earning major museum recognition from the American Alliance of Museums. Music & Pop Culture: Puerto Rican artist Jota Rosa drops “DETECTIVE,” a Latin Alternative collaboration with Álvaro Díaz, while Grupo Frontera revisits Ricky Martin’s “Tu Recuerdo” for the “ReVivo” EP. Pageants & Politics: Miss Universe 2026 funding is under fire—Puerto Rico senators are demanding answers over Univision reporting that $8.7 million in public money was used, with questions about oversight and audits. Local Business & Beauty: Río Piedras makeup brand Necromancy Cosmética is expanding into a larger Callejón del Carmen space to turn it into a community hangout. Hispanic Heritage Month: HITN announces a Spanish-language town hall on kids and screen time ahead of Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations starting Sept. 15. Sports (PR connection): Wisconsin volleyball’s Decelise Champion—who starred on Puerto Rico’s senior national team—makes a debut in a five-set thriller.

Puerto Rican Pride in Music: Ricky Martin’s new ReVivo EP keeps the spotlight on his Puerto Rican legacy, pairing him with Carín León, Kany García, Los Ángeles Azules & TINI, Grupo Frontera, and more—fresh takes on classic hits. Cultural Crossover: Grupo Frontera drops its version of Martin’s “Tu Recuerdo,” blending cumbia norteña energy with the iconic track. Local Beauty & Community: Necromancy Cosmética is expanding in Río Piedras, adding a bigger Callejón del Carmen space meant to become a community hangout. Hispanic Heritage Month Events: Connecticut’s celebrations include the Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade & Festival del Coqui, plus Latino culture tributes and exhibitions. Media for Families: HITN’s town hall “Los niños y el tiempo en pantalla” offers Spanish-language expert guidance on healthy screen time for early childhood. Sports Spotlight: Team USA heads into the FIBA Women’s World Cup semis after a strong response to coaching—now set for a USA vs. Spain showdown.