Cuba Libro Café & Bookstore in Havana, Cuba… an interview with founder Conner Gorry

An interview with journalist and author Conner Gorry, who is the founder of Cuba Libro café and bookstore in the Vedado neighbourhood of Havana, Cuba.
Cuba Libro, a coffeehouse and English-language bookstore, is an ethically- and socially-responsible cultural center dedicated to building, strengthening, and supporting the Havana community in which it operates.
Through a variety of services, cultural activities, and literary- and educational-related initiatives that are accessible to Cubans and visitors regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or financial resources, Cuba Libro serves as an example of socially-responsible business in Cuba’s emerging private economy.
The founding principles of Cuba Libro café and bookstore include:
Cuba Libro will be accessible to all, regardless of national origin, race, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation or financial resources;
Cultural events will be free and open to the public;
Cuba Libro staff will earn a dignified salary and a share of the profits; they are guaranteed non-discriminatory hiring and firing practices, and healthy, comfortable working conditions;
Community outreach through educational initiatives, donations, cultural events, solidarity and consultation with our neighbors and community will inform all our of our policies and practices;
Core values at Cuba Libro - treating others fairly and with respect, honesty, transparency, understanding, and compassion will be emphasized and demonstrated at every available opportunity;
Promoting environmental stewardship and protection;
Supporting Cuban youth through skill-sharing, job opportunities, active consultation on decision-making and continuing education to help younger Cubans envision a future in Cuba, rather than on foreign shores;
Advocating and implementing a collective decision-making model;
Cooperation among many, rather than the control and direction of a few, to achieve excellence, will be used as both a means and end; and
Cuba Libro is an alcohol- and reggueton-free zone;
For more on Cuba Libro café and bookstore, see their website at:
www.CubaLibroHa...
or from Conner Gorry’s website at:
www.ConnerGorry...
And on Conner Gorry’s “Here Is Havana” blog, see:
HereIsHavana.c...
And for more on journalist and author Conner Gorry herself, see her website at:
www.ConnerGorry...