For pictures, please click here.
Bronx, NY – On Thursday, February 22, 2024, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson joined Ponce Bank, MetroPlus, and Verizon in celebration of her 3rd annual Dominican Heritage Month event at Maestros Catering Hall located at 1703 Bronxdale Avenue, in the Morris Park section of the Bronx.
The festivities included live entertainment provided by Iconos Kids, La Jara Band and DJ Lex of Stylistics. Providing the keynote address was Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives, Ana Almanzar, and 41Univision Anchor, Yeila Lluberes, served as emcee.
Honorees recognized were Board Certified Internist with NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, Dr. Carmen Oviedo Hilario, MD; Educator, Dr. Altagracia Villalona; Founder of Don Carvajal Café, Hector Carvajal; Registered Nurse and Frontline worker during COVID-19, New York State Assembly Member Karines Reyes; 2024 finalist in the FINALISTA AL PREMIO NACIONAL DE LA JUVENTUD in the Dominican Republic, Steven Monegro Gilbert; and 1st Latino Executive Chef for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, German Eladio Rijo. Receiving a Youth Award was Xiara Cruz from the Bronx School of Law and Finance.
The festivities continue Monday, February 26th from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Borough Hall located at 851 Grand Concourse with the first-ever raising of the Dominican Republic flag followed by a ceremony in the Rotunda where 70 Dominican – Americans will be sworn in as United States citizens.