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Blog May 23, 2023

The Salsa Museum (Cohort 9, Willy R.) - How My Journey and Passion Turned Into a Museum

Written by Willy Rodriguez (Cohort 9, 1st Award Winner)


The Salsa Museum is currently in its planning phase and we aim to open in 2028 in the Bronx, NY. Please follow our Instagram @intlsalsamuseum and visit our website www.internationalsalsamuseum.org for more information. 


 

How it all started

 

Willy with his first keyboard at six years old


I will never forget the day my father bought me my first Casio keyboard. It was April 1987, and I was five years old, sitting on the living room floor playing with my toys when my father walked in from work carrying a huge box. As he placed the box on our 1970s-style coffee table, I watched with excitement. "Open it," he said. Filled with anticipation, I tore off the wrapping and saw the keyboard inside. To his surprise, my tiny fingers started playing "Happy Birthday" within minutes of the box being opened. After a while, my father asked me, "Who taught you how to play that song?" I shrugged my shoulders and replied, "I don't know," and kept on playing. Fifteen minutes later, my father looked at me and asked, "Would you like to take piano lessons?" Without hesitation and still focused on playing "Happy Birthday," I looked up at him and said, "OK." Who would have thought that by saying "OK" at the age of 5, my life was completely going to change forever. 

Music has always been an integral part of my life. It's the beans to my rice, the sofrito to my pernil (roast pork), and the driving force behind everything I do. From a young age, I was drawn to the piano and amazed by all the other pianists I would see on TV. From Raul Di Blasio, Richard Clayderman, and my inspiration Ramon Orlando. My father exposed me to various musicians. By the age of ten, I was performing at a college level and competing in national piano competitions at Carnegie Hall.




From Teen to Pro


Willy performing at sixteen years old




In 1996, I received a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and was accepted into the prestigious F.H. Laguardia High School of Professional Performing Arts, also known as "The Fame School." During my time in high school, I was introduced to a world of creativity that showed me that there were no limits to what I could achieve artistically. Attending Laguardia was a turning point in my life, igniting a passion for music and art that only grew stronger as the semesters went by.

At the age of 14, a friend from Laguardia introduced me to Clave Azul, a youth band in Washington Heights. The group was made up of inner-city kids that had a love for all types of music. With Clave Azul, I was able to step outside of my classical music training and learn how to play Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Hip Hop, and Jazz. Clave Azul not only helped me hone my musical skills but also taught me about the music business and what it takes to become a professional musician. We performed at various events throughout NYC. Out of all the performances we had, there was one particular performance that left an imprint in my heart, and till this day I still carry it with me. That was the first and only time I performed in front of the Queen, Celia Cruz.



The day I met Celia Cruz 

Celia Cruz




When I was 16 years old, my band Clave Azul performed at the Consulate office of the Dominican Republic. We were thrilled to learn that the legendary salsa artist Jose Alberto "El Canario" and Celia Cruz were going to be in attendance, so we rehearsed a song to perform with Jose Alberto. After we finished our song with Jose Alberto, we started playing another song that featured a piano solo. I was very nervous because I knew that all eyes would be on me. When it was time for my solo, I gave it my all, and from the corner of my eye, I saw Celia Cruz getting up from her seat. She was dressed in all yellow with big brown sunglasses, and she shouted "AZUUUUCARRRRRR" while dancing to my solo. It was a moment that made all the hard work and sacrifices I had made to practice and take lessons worth it.



As soon as the performance was over, Celia Cruz came up to me, gave me a big motherly hug, and looked straight into my eyes. She told me, "Tu vas a ser alguien bien grande cuando seas adulto" (You're going to be someone big when you become an adult). At that moment, I smiled and thanked her. Although I didn't fully comprehend what she saw in me at 16 years old, I always cherished her words and that moment in my life. 



What I did know was that my purpose in life was becoming clearer: I was ready for the big leagues.



The Big Leagues

Performing at Lincoln Center



At the age of 17, I auditioned for a salsa group that would later become known as La Excelencia. La Excelencia started from humble beginnings, but through hard work and dedication, we gained recognition. We produced, arranged, and performed original music, and our audiences loved it. With La Excelencia, I was able to perform salsa music all over the world and meet people from all walks of life. From Norway to Cyprus, from Mexico to Istanbul, La Excelencia was gaining popularity. We shared stages with renowned artists such as Lauren Hill, Oscar De Leon, Gypsy Kings, Aventura, UB-40, Shaggy, Juan Luis Guerra, George Clinton, and many more.



Salsa music took me out of the hood and changed my perspective on music. Before, music was about chords, notes, arrangements, theory, and the music business. But after traveling the world and experiencing the magic that music can bring, my outlook on music changed. Music is about culture, people, love, unity, emotion, community, and joy. Music is life, and salsa music was at the very center of this discovery.



 

Working with Tito Puente Jr. 

Willy with Tito Puente Jr. (right) and archival footage of Tito Puente (left) 



 

At 19 years old, I became La Excelencia musical director. While still working with La Excelencia, a man named James saw me performing at an NYC nightclub/restaurant called Gonzalez y Gonzalez. James was very impressed with my directing skills and approached me after my first set. He said, “My cousin is looking for a musical director. I would like for you to talk to him.” I asked, “Who is your cousin?” He stated, “Don’t worry about his name. He will give you a call on Sunday.” I simply replied, “OK” and got back on stage to perform my second set.



Sunday afternoon came around, and my phone rang. I picked up the phone and all I heard was, “Hello, this is Tito Puente Jr. My cousin James gave me your number. I have a gig coming up in Long Island, and I am looking for a musical director to put the band together. Can you do it?” I said, “Yes, I can.” I was extremely nervous because I had never directed a band of this caliber, and the music we were playing was directly from the files of the “King of Mambo, El Rey Del Timbal” Tito Puente.



There is a reason why he is called the King of Latin Music, and here I am at 19 years old about to lead his son’s band with his father’s original music. I said yes, not being sure if I could do this, but life has a way of presenting you with opportunities, and I was not going to miss out on this one. 21 years later, I am still his musical director, and this journey with Tito Puente Jr. has opened up another level of awareness when it comes to music. That is the history behind the music and appreciating the legacy of those musicians and artists that came before us and opened up the doors for us Latinos to walk through. Tito Puente Sr. was at the forefront of all of it, and here I am, like a kid in a candy store, learning about him and all the hard work he did to make sure that Latinos were represented through music.



Working with Tito Puente Jr. has not only taught me about his father’s legacy, but I have also been able to sit down with musicians that played with Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Hector Lavoe, Fania All Stars, Ismael Rivera, Eddie Palmieri, and the list goes on. At this point in my life, I have come to realize that the universe has been prepping me for this moment. What started off as a hobby at 5 years old grew into something more than what I could have ever imagined, and that is the International Salsa Museum.

 

The Creation of the International Salsa Museum (ISM)

An early International Salsa Museum pop-up (left) and recent Press Conference (right) 



The idea for the ISM was sparked by my Co-Founders Manny and Lily, who questioned the lack of a Salsa Museum in New York City, given that the genre originated in the streets of Spanish Harlem and the Bronx. Surprisingly, there is currently no museum dedicated to Salsa, a genre that has transformed the lives of people from all walks of life around the world. While there are museums dedicated to a variety of topics, from Hip Hop to Country music, from Food to clothing, Salsa music, which has its roots in African and Caribbean culture, is still overlooked. The International Salsa Museum is a necessary addition to the cultural landscape, especially for the Latino community worldwide. 



This opportunity represents the culmination of my life's journey and passion, and has the potential to be life-changing not only for me but also for many others. The International Salsa Museum aims to create a space where music and culture intersect, and where the past meets the present, imparting knowledge to future generations for years to come.



The ISM will not only provide visitors with the opportunity to learn about iconic figures such as Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, La Lupe, Gilberto Santa Rosa, and Fania All Stars, but it will also serve as an educational platform where people from diverse backgrounds can learn about the music itself, from its creation to production and marketing. It is crucial to nurture new music and introduce fresh talent to the genre in order for it to survive. The museum will not only focus on the music, but also on the dance component, including various styles such as mambo, Cha Cha Cha, and Rumba just to name a few. 



The creation of this museum will help build community, provide job opportunities, keep young people off the streets, inspire people to learn more about their culture, and empower them to dream big. The ISM will be a cultural hub where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together and enjoy the rich history of Salsa. I am delighted to be part of this journey, and I am confident that the legacy of our musical heroes will live on forever. Que Viva La Salsa!



The Salsa Museum is currently in its planning phase and we aim to open in 2028 in the Bronx, NY. Please follow our Instagram @intlsalsamuseum and visit our website www.internationalsalsamuseum.org for more information. 

 

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You must provide and are solely responsible for all hardware and/or software and internet connections necessary to access the Site. You assume the entire cost of and responsibility for any damage to, and all necessary maintenance, repair or correction of, that hardware and/or software and internet connection.

The information presented on or through the Site is made available solely for general information purposes. We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. We disclaim all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on such materials by you or any other visitor to the Site, or by anyone who may be informed of any of their contents.

The Site may include content provided by third parties, including materials provided by other users, members, bloggers, and third-party licensors, syndicators, aggregators, and/or reporting services. All statements and/or opinions expressed in these materials, and all articles and responses to questions and other content, other than the content provided by the Company, are solely the opinions and the responsibility of the person or entity providing those materials. These materials do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Company. We are not responsible, or liable to you or any third party, for the content or accuracy of any materials provided by any third parties.

Your interactions with companies, organizations, and/or individuals found on or through our Site, including any purchases, transactions, or other dealings, and any terms, conditions, warranties or representations associated with such dealings, are solely between you and such companies, organizations, and/or individuals. You agree that we will not be responsible or liable for any loss or damage of any sort incurred as the result of any such dealings. You also agree that, if there is a dispute between users of the Site, or between a user and any third party, we are under no obligation to become involved, and you agree to release us and not make any claim against the Company from any claims, demands, and damages of every kind or nature, known or unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed, arising out of or in any way related to such dispute and/or our Site.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, NEGLIGENCE, WILL THE COMPANY BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES THAT RESULT FROM THE USE OF, OR THE INABILITY TO USE, THE SITE, INCLUDING ITS MATERIALS, PRODUCTS, OR SERVICES, OR THIRD-PARTY MATERIALS, PRODUCTS, OR SERVICES MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE SITE, EVEN IF THE COMPANY IS ADVISED BEFOREHAND OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IF YOU ARE DISSATISFIED WITH THE SITE, OR ANY MATERIALS, PRODUCTS, OR SERVICES ON THE SITE, OR WITH ANY OF THE SITE’S TERMS, YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY IS TO DISCONTINUE USING THE SITE.

BECAUSE SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF DAMAGES, THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. IN SUCH STATES, THE COMPANY’S LIABILITY IS LIMITED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY SUCH STATE LAW. FOR EXAMPLE, THE FOREGOING PARAGRAPH SHALL NOT APPLY TO RESIDENTS OF NEW JERSEY. WITH RESPECT TO RESIDENTS OF NEW JERSEY, WE AND OUR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, MANAGERS, EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS, AGENTS, AFFILIATES, SUPPLIERS, REPRESENTATIVES, LICENSORS, service providers, and vendors SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSSES OR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE, THE SITE, UNLESS SUCH DAMAGES OR INJURIES ARE THE RESULT OF OUR FRAUDULENT OR RECKLESS ACTS OR INTENTIONAL MISCONDUCT.

Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Company and its directors, officers, managers, employees, contractors, agents, affiliates, suppliers, representatives, licensors, service providers, and vendors from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, expenses, damages and costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, that arise out of your use of the Site, or violation of these Terms by you, or your violation of any rights of another. We reserve the right (but not the obligation) to take over the exclusive defense of any claim for which we are entitled to indemnification under this section. In such event, you agree to provide the Company with such cooperation as is reasonably requested by the Company.

Suspension and Termination of Access

You agree that, in our sole discretion, we may suspend or terminate your use of the Site, or any part of the Site, at any time, for any reason, without notice. You agree that we will not be liable to you or any third-party for any suspension or termination of your use of the Site. In the event that we suspend or terminate your access to and/or use of the Site, you will continue to be bound by the Terms that were in effect as of the date of your suspension or termination.

Notice of Modification/Changes at Will

The Site is provided as a service to the Site’s visitors. We reserve the right to delete, modify or supplement the content of the Site, or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, the Site, or any portion thereof, with or without notice at any time. We reserve the right to terminate operation of the Site entirely at any time for any reason without prior notice. You agree that we will not be liable to you or to any third party for any deletion, modification, supplementation, suspension or discontinuance of the Site or any portion thereof.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, that provision shall be ineffective in that jurisdiction without affecting the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of these Terms.

Dispute Resolution by Binding Arbitration

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY AS IT AFFECTS YOUR RIGHTS.

  1. Agreement to Arbitrate. This Dispute Resolution by Binding Arbitration section is referred to in these Terms as the “Arbitration Agreement.” You and the Company agree that any and all disputes or claims that have arisen or may arise between you and us, whether arising out of or relating to this Terms of Use (including any alleged breach thereof), the Site, or any aspect of the relationship or transactions between us, will be resolved exclusively through final and binding arbitration before a neutral arbitrator, rather than in a court by a judge or jury, in accordance with the terms of this Arbitration Agreement, except that you or we may (but are not required to) assert individual claims in small claims court, if such claims are within the scope of such court’s jurisdiction (as explained further below). Further, this Arbitration Agreement does not preclude you from bringing issues to the attention of federal, state, or local agencies, and such agencies can, if the law allows, seek relief against us on your behalf. You agree that, by accepting these Terms, you and we are each waiving the right to a trial by jury or to participate in a class action. The Federal Arbitration Act governs the interpretation and enforcement of this Arbitration Agreement.
  2. Prohibition of Class and Representative Actions and Non-Individualized Relief. YOU AND WE AGREE THAT EACH OF US MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVE ACTION OR PROCEEDING. UNLESS BOTH YOU AND WE (WHERE EITHER OR BOTH ARE A PARTY TO AN ASSERTED CLAIM) AGREE OTHERWISE, THE ARBITRATOR MAY NOT CONSOLIDATE OR JOIN MORE THAN ONE PERSON’S OR PARTY’S CLAIMS AND MAY NOT OTHERWISE PRESIDE OVER ANY FORM OF A CONSOLIDATED, REPRESENTATIVE, OR CLASS PROCEEDING. THE ARBITRATOR MAY AWARD RELIEF (INCLUDING MONETARY, INJUNCTIVE, AND DECLARATORY RELIEF) ONLY IN FAVOR OF THE INDIVIDUAL PARTY SEEKING RELIEF AND ONLY TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO PROVIDE RELIEF NECESSITATED BY THAT PARTY’S INDIVIDUAL CLAIM(S), EXCEPT THAT YOU MAY PURSUE A CLAIM FOR AND THE ARBITRATOR MAY AWARD PUBLIC INJUNCTIVE RELIEF UNDER APPLICABLE LAW TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED FOR THE ENFORCEABILITY OF THIS PROVISION.
  3. Pre-Arbitration Dispute Resolution. We are always interested in resolving disputes amicably and efficiently if there is an opportunity to do so informally. Before an arbitration (or suit in small claims court, if available) is commenced, you or we agree to attempt to avoid the costs of formal dispute resolution by giving each other a full and fair opportunity to address and resolve a dispute informally. Both parties recognize this is an important requirement, and that breach of this requirement would be a material breach of these Terms. To provide this opportunity, before commencing any arbitration (or suit in small claims court, if available), each party agrees to send to the other party a written notice of dispute (“Notice”). The Notice to the Company shall be sent to 461 West 126th Street, New York, New York 10027 with a copy to privacy@communitasamerica.org. The Notice to you shall be sent to the last email address we have on file (each, a “Notice Address”). The Notice must (i) describe the nature and basis of the claim or dispute in sufficient detail to evaluate the merits of the claiming party’s claim and for the other party to determine if an amicable resolution is possible and (ii) set forth the specific relief sought, including the amount of money (if any) that is demanded and the means by which the demanding party calculated the claimed amount. Both parties agree that they will attempt to resolve a dispute through an informal negotiation within sixty (60) calendar days from the date the Notice is received. If the claim is not resolved within sixty (60) calendar days after the Notice is received, you or we may commence an arbitration proceeding. Each party agrees that state and federal courts in New York, New York, may enter injunctive relief to enforce the pre-filing requirements of this paragraph, including an injunction to stay an arbitration that has been commenced in violation of this paragraph.
  4. Arbitration Procedures. The Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1-16, including its procedural provisions, fully applies. Arbitration will be conducted by a neutral arbitrator in accordance with the American Arbitration Association’s (“AAA”) Consumer Arbitration Rules in effect at the time that such arbitration is initiated (collectively, the “AAA Rules”), as modified by this Arbitration Agreement. For information on the AAA, please visit its website, http://www.adr.org. Information about the AAA Rules and fees for consumer disputes can be found at the AAA’s consumer arbitration page, http://www.adr.org/consumer. If there is any inconsistency between any term of the AAA Rules and any term of this Arbitration Agreement, the applicable terms of this Arbitration Agreement will control unless the arbitrator determines that the application of the inconsistent Arbitration Agreement terms would not result in a fundamentally fair arbitration. The arbitrator must also follow the provisions of these Terms as a court would. Except as set forth above, all issues are for the arbitrator to decide, including, but not limited to, threshold issues relating to the scope, enforceability, and arbitrability of this Arbitration Agreement and issues relating to (a) whether the terms of these Terms (or any aspect thereof) are enforceable, unconscionable, or illusory and (b) any defense to arbitration, including waiver, delay, laches, or estoppel. Although arbitration proceedings are usually simpler and more streamlined than trials and other judicial proceedings, the arbitrator can award the same damages and relief on an individual basis that a court can award to an individual under these Terms and applicable law. While an arbitrator may award declaratory or injunctive relief, the arbitrator may do so only with respect to the individual party seeking relief and only to the extent necessary to provide relief warranted by the individual party’s claim.  The arbitrator’s decision and judgment thereon will not have a precedent or collateral estoppel effect on any other claim or dispute.  Decisions by the arbitrator are enforceable in court and may be overturned by a court only for very limited reasons.

    Any arbitration hearings will take place in New York, New York, at another mutually agreeable location or, if both parties agree, by telephone or video conference. Whether the arbitration will be conducted solely on the basis of documents submitted to the arbitrator or by a hearing will be determined in accordance with the AAA Rules. Regardless of the manner in which the arbitration is conducted, the arbitrator will issue a reasoned written decision sufficient to explain the essential findings and conclusions on which the award is based.
  5. Small Claims Court. Subject to applicable jurisdictional requirements, either party may elect to pursue a dispute in a local small claims court rather than through arbitration so long as the matter remains in small claims court and proceeds only on an individual basis. If a party has already submitted an arbitration demand to the AAA, the other party may, in its sole discretion, inform the AAA that it chooses to have the dispute heard in small claims court.  At that time, the AAA will close the arbitration and the dispute will be heard in the appropriate small claims court, with no fees due from the arbitration respondent.
  6. Appeals. Arbitration awards are enforceable like any court order, but are subject to very limited review by a court.
  7. Cost of Arbitration. Payment of all filing, administration, and arbitrator fees (collectively, the “Arbitration Fees”) will be governed by the AAA Rules, unless otherwise provided in this Arbitration Agreement. If the arbitrator determines for any reason that you should not be required to pay your portion of the Arbitration Fees, we will pay your portion of such fees, subject to allocation in the arbitrator’s award. In addition, if you demonstrate to the arbitrator that the costs of arbitration will be prohibitive as compared to the costs of litigation, we will pay as much of the Arbitration Fees as the arbitrator deems necessary to prevent the arbitration from being cost-prohibitive. Any payment of attorneys’ fees will be governed by the AAA Rules.
  8. Confidentiality. Each of the parties shall maintain the strictly confidential nature of the arbitration, including all aspects of the arbitration proceeding, and any ruling, decision, or award by the arbitrator, and shall not (without the prior written consent of the other party) disclose to any third party the fact, existence, content, award, or other result of the arbitration, except as may be necessary to enforce, enter, or challenge such award in a court of competent jurisdiction or as otherwise required by law.
  9. Opt Out. You may reject this Arbitration Agreement, in which case only a court may be used to resolve any dispute.  To reject this provision, you must send us an opt-out notice (the “Opt Out”) within thirty (30) days after you first access the Site.  The Opt Out must be sent to the Company’s Notice Address.  The Opt Out must include your name, phone number and email address(es), including, where applicable, the email address(es) you used to sign up and use the Site.  This is the only way of opting out of this Arbitration Agreement.  Opting out will not affect any other aspect of these Terms, and will have no effect on any other or future agreements you may reach to arbitrate with us.
  10. Severability. If a court or the arbitrator decides that any term or provision of this Arbitration Agreement (other than the Section 2) above titled “Prohibition of Class and Representative Actions and Non-Individualized Relief” is invalid or unenforceable, the parties agree to replace such term or provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Arbitration Agreement will be enforceable as so modified. If a court or the arbitrator decides that any of the provisions of Section 2 above titled “Prohibition of Class and Representative Actions and Non-Individualized Relief” are invalid or unenforceable, then the entirety of this Arbitration Agreement will be null and void, unless such provisions are deemed to be invalid or unenforceable solely with respect to claims for public injunctive relief. The remainder of these Terms will continue to apply.
  11. Future Changes to Arbitration Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision in these Terms to the contrary, we agree that if we make any future change to this Arbitration Agreement (other than a change to a Notice Address) while you are a user of the Site, you may reject any such change by sending us written notice within thirty (30) calendar days of the change to the Notice Address provided above. By rejecting any future change, you are agreeing that you will arbitrate any dispute between us in accordance with the language of this Arbitration Agreement as of the date you first accepted these Terms (or accepted any subsequent changes to these Terms).
Situs, Venue & Jurisdiction

This Site is controlled by the Company from its offices in New York, New York. Visitors who choose to visit the Site from other jurisdictions do so on their own initiative. Those visitors are solely responsible for compliance with their local laws.

Claims relating to the Site, to the use of the Site, and to the information content, material, goods and services available through the Site are governed by and construed in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act, and by the internal substantive laws of New York, without regard to its conflicts of laws principles. By using our Site you hereby unconditionally, voluntarily, and irrevocably consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts, local and federal, located in New York, New York, United States of America for any litigation concerning the Site, your use of the Site and any purchases made through the Site that is not subject to arbitration, as set forth above. You agree not to plead forum non-conveniens in any such action. You hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive any right you may have to a trial by jury in respect of any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement that is not subject to arbitration, as set forth above. Please do not proceed to use the Site if you are not wholly in agreement with giving your consent.

No Assignment; No Third-Party Beneficiaries

These Terms are personal to you and you may not assign them or the rights and obligations under them to anyone. Any attempted or purported assignment shall be null and void, and will automatically terminate your right to use the Site. These Terms are not intended to benefit any third party, and do not create any third-party beneficiaries. Accordingly, these Terms may only be invoked or enforced by you or us.

Limitation on Actions

You agree that regardless of any statute or law to the contrary, any claim or cause of action that you may have arising out of or related to use of the Site or these Terms must be filed by you within one (1) year after such claim or cause of action arose or be forever barred.

Entire Agreement

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between us and you with respect to the subject matter contained in these Terms and supersedes all previous and contemporaneous agreements, proposals and communications, whether written or oral. You also may be subject to additional terms and conditions that may apply when you use the products or services of a third party that are provided through the Site. In the event of any conflict between any such third-party terms and conditions and these Terms, these Terms will govern.

Changes to Terms of Use

We reserve the right to change these Terms or to impose new conditions on use of the Site, from time to time, in which case we will post the revised Terms on the Site and update the “Last Modified” date above to reflect the date of the changes. By continuing to use the Site after we post any such changes, you accept the Terms, as modified. We strongly encourage and expect that you will review these Terms frequently and each time you log in to the Site so that you will be aware of any changes, since they are binding on you.

How to Contact Us

If you have any questions or requests, you can contact us at: privacy@communitasamerica.org.

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