For Latinx Heritage Month, The Root is highlighting black Latinxs who’ve made history. “Mi Gente Afrodescendiente” (My People of African Descent) is a series that sheds light on Afro-Latinx figures whose stories are often left out of our history books. In episode 1, actress and Dominican native Dascha Polanco (Orange is the New Black) tells the story of Esteban Hotesse, the only Dominican-born member of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Watch above.