Making a Difference: Gilberto Gonzalez

Turning Community Service into a Family Affair

As a young man, Gilberto Gonzalez worked with his father, Teofilo, as he helped their Spring Garden neighbors settle into new housing. Father and son would help move furniture and make small repairs in the homes.

Those experiences embedded deep values in the younger Gonzalez that motivate him to continue to give of himself. “Whether it’s getting assistance for neighbors, connecting them with city services or getting food for their families — I try to do what I can, and people appreciate that,” said Gil, 49, now a graphic designer at Community College of Philadelphia.

On Nov. 22, Gonzalez found himself in the local spotlight, yet again, after he was named one of the Delaware Valley’s Most Influential Latinos for 2013 by the Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress, Impacto Latin Newspaper, and The Most Influential Latinos Foundation.

Gonzalez received the prestigious award during a black-tie gala with more than 500 guests at the National Museum of Jewish History on Independence Mall. WPVI-6ABC’s Walter Perez and news anchor Ilia Garcia of WUVP Univision served as co-hosts at the event, where Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr., federal judge Nitza Quinones-Alejandro and Philadelphia managing director Richard Negrin were among the other honorees.

Though his list of community activities is too long to mention, many Philadelphians know Gil because he is an author of two books, a paint artist and, most recently, a documentarian whose film, “Cuentos,” a Spanish term for storytelling, documents the celebrated, yet often difficult, history of a Puerto Rican neighborhood in Philadelphia.

He also worked with world-champion handball player, Wally Amaro, to establish the Pennsylvania Handball Association and organize the first city-wide tournament.

When Gil was in his youth, his father worked as a locksmith for the College. Gil credits the creative faculty with shaping and guiding his artistic talents during his 19-year career. When he was ready for higher education, he began his path here. His son, Gilberto Kiati Gonzalez, later followed in his footsteps. His son is taking classes at the College while he pursues careers in physical therapy and nutrition.

“If the faculty had not cared about me as an artist, I would not have achieved a lot of what I have achieved,” said Gonzalez, who also hosts a weekly current affairs TV show, “Entre Nosotros” on CCPTV (Comcast53 – Fios21). “The College has played an integral role in my life.”