Henry Barros and Manuel Lopes collection (MSS-0083)

Biographical/Historical Note

Henry Barros was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he lived for most of his life. He served in the US Army during the Korean War and was a member of the Cape Verdean American Veterans Association. Barros also coordinated the Cape Verdean Recognition Parade for 18 years and was a teacher at Roosevelt Junior High School. The Moby Dick Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society of Roosevelt Junior High School was renamed the Henry J. Barros Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society in his honor. He died on November 20, 2018.

Manuel Lopes was born in New Bedford, MA in 1922 to immigrants from São Nicolau, Cabo Verde. He grew up on a farm in Dartmouth, MA. During World War II, Lopes served in the US Army Air Force and trained to become an airplane mechanic. Lopes was an active member of the Cape Verdean American Veterans Association for over 50 years, where he served in various leadership roles. He also helped establish the Cape Verdean Vets Education Foundation, which awards Cape Verdean Americans annual achievement and scholarship awards. Beginning in 1972, he was the chairperson of the Cape Verdean Recognition Committee in New Bedford. This committee was formed to increase awareness of Cape Verdean culture and identity, and it led to the first Cape Verdean Recognition Day Celebration in the United States on July 8, 1973. He chaired this committee for over 20 years. Lopes died on October 3, 2006.