José Rafael Simón Agapito Serra y Montalvo (March 24, 1858 – October 24, 1909) was an Afro-Cuban intellectual who played a large role in supporting the Cuban War of Independence.

Rafael Serra played a prominent role in raising awareness and support for the efforts that led to the Cuban War of Independence during the 1880s and 1890s.

Rafael Serra served on the Board of Trustees along with pro-independence and pro-labor revolutionaries Justo Lanigua, Martín Morúa Delgado, and Vicente Diascosmas.

La Liga de Instruccion was an educational institution founded by Rafael Serra, designed to "elevate the character of men of color born in Cuba and Puerto Rico".

[2] Black Cuban and Puerto Rican men living in New York City came to study, where they learned how to fight for social justice, equality and labor rights.

It was noted as "an important newspaper for all Cubans" by José A Malberti, the president of El Club Político Cubano Bartolome Masó, based in Mexico.