Yvette Modestin, a writer, poet and activist was born and raised in Colón, Panama. She is Founder/Executive Director  Encuentro Diaspora Afro in Boston, MA.  Ms. Modestin is the Diaspora Coordinator of the Red de Mujeres Afrolatinoamericanas, Afrocaribeñas y de la Diaspora, an international network of Afro-descendent women. Ms. Modestin was named one of “30 Afro Latinas you should know” and has been profiled by the Boston Globe as "The Uniter" for her work in bringing the Latin American and African American community together and for her activism in building a voice for the Afro Latino Community. Ms. Modestin received the inaugural “Every Woman is an Activist” Award from March Forward Massachusetts in 2018. She is the narrator of the film ‘Cimarronaje en Panama/Maroons in Panama’ a film by Toshi Sakai.