Rafael is a social worker, published songwriter, musician, motivational speaker, community activist, and has been featured in a documentary titled “Afro Latinos in DC.” Rafael has held key roles in various organizations, including Clinical Director and Treatment Coordinator at Community Action Against Addiction in Ohio, Counselor at the Latin American Youth Center, Academic Advisor at the Multi-Cultural Internship Program, better known today as the Columbia Heights Educational Campus. He also served as Assistant Director at the Bureau of Rehabilitation, and Director of the Neighborhood Jobs Initiative a division of the Development Corporation of Columbia Heights.
Beyond his professional achievements, Rafael has led efforts to uplift the Afro Latino community when he served as the Chairman of the Afro Latino Institute, and is a graduate of the New School for Social Research.