BRONX WEEK 2026 Sponsorship Appreciation Event, Pregones Theater, Walton Ave, Bronx 05/05/2026. V1 Video by Síle Moloney

Bronx Week 2026 is well underway, as reported, and on Tuesday, May 5, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and partners hosted a Bronx Week 2026 Sponsorship Appreciation Event at Pregones Theatre in the South Bronx, during which this year’s Bronx Walk of Fame People’s Choice Award winner was announced as Jaime “Jimmy” Rodriguez Jr. of Jimmy’s Bronx Café.

 

The event, held in conjunction with the Bronx Tourism Council, the Bronx Economic Development Corporation (BXEDC), and the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, also recognized this year’s sponsors, community partners, and community stakeholders whose continued support, Gibson said, help make Bronx Week possible each year.

BRONX WEEK 2026 Sponsorship Appreciation Event, Pregones Theater, Walton Ave, Bronx 05/05/2026. V2 Video by Síle Moloney

During her prepared remarks, Gibson said this year, the chosen category for the People’s Choice Award was culinary arts. Previous categories included education, healthcare, and media & the arts, as reported.

 

The borough president said Bronxites were asked to nominate a restauranteur / entrepreneur / small business owner or leader who has been more than 25 years in the culinary industry. In announcing Rodriguez Jr. as the 2026 Bronx Walk of Fame People’s Choice honoree, Gibson said he was born and raised in the South Bronx and has been 40 years in the business. “His entrepreneurial journey began when he was a high school drop out working on the streets alongside his father,” she said.

BRONX WEEK 2026 Sponsorship Appreciation Event, Pregones Theater, Walton Ave, Bronx 05/05/2026. V3 Video by Síle Moloney

“Together, they sold seafood at Westchester and Bronx River Avenue, later moving their operation to the Cross Bronx and Webster Avenue, working through every season and in every type of weather.”

 

She continued, “Humble beginnings instilled in him the work ethic, the strength, resilience and self-belief that would go on to define his entire career. Over the years, he has owned and created more than 20 venues, establishing himself as a cultural pioneer in Latin nitelife and dining.”

 

BRONX WEEK 2026 Sponsorship Appreciation Event, Pregones Theater, Walton Ave, Bronx 05/05/2026. V4 Video by Síle Moloney

Joking that she was about to give it away, Gibson added, “His flagship  Jimmy’s Bronx Café, a 48,000 square-foot complex with a 400-seat dining room, a sports bar, a nite club, and a catering hall became the largest Latin restaurant / nite club here in our City and across the State. But it was more than a restaurant, Folks. It was a destination where relationships were forged, where people gathered, where history was created.”

 

She said the Café attracted an extraordinary roster of celebrities, athletes, business leaders, elected officials and international dignitaries. “Other major venues in his portfolio have included Dangoti, Sofrito, SoBro Garden and so many establishments across the tri-State area,” she said.

“Beyond hospitality, he became a true man about town and a community pillar in the borough. He sponsored more than 100 Little League teams, supported Bronx-based charities ranging from food shelters and senior housing, and organized business mixers that regularly drew crowds of many small business leaders,” Gibson added.

 

The borough president went on to say that through his work, Rodriguez Jr. helped to elevate Latin culture to mainstream [inaudible//promise?] and broke barriers in an industry that had not seen leadership quite like it before. “His influence has extended far beyond his business,” she said. “Today, he channels four decades of experience into mentoring our emerging entrepreneurs and guiding individuals with life coaching.”

BRONX WEEK 2026 Sponsorship Appreciation Event, Pregones Theater, Walton Ave, Bronx 05/05/2026. V5 Video by Síle Moloney

Gibson said Rodriguez Jr. works with businesses and people who want to build something meaningful and lasting. “His consulting approach centers on one truth: ‘belief precedes achievement.'” She added, “As he puts it, the hardest part is believing, the other part is achieving. Every venture he has built from street level seafood sales to a hospitality empire began with a decision to believe it was all possible. He continues to redefine what hospitality can look like in our borough that shaped him.”

The borough president went on to say that he is currently developing Jimmy’s in Castle Hill, an exclusive, members-only venue that’s already open, “continuing his legacy of premium hospitality and cultural innovation.” She added that a documentary chronicling his life, legacy, career, philosophy, and impact is currently in the works. His story is one of vision, one of resilience, one of cultural transformation, and the power of self-belief.”

A video, a copy of which can be watched above, was then shown of how Rodriguez Jr. was surprised with the news. Gibson said what made the recognition so special was that it comes from the people of The Bronx (who vote for the winner).

 

Accepting the honor, Rodriguez Jr. thanked Gibson and all those responsible for it, and said it was especially meaningful because it came from the people. He said reading some of the emails he received from colleagues during the nominating process was especially meaningful. “I remember growing up in The Bronx when it was burning,” he said.

 

He added that now seeing the borough grow, he was grateful to be a part of the beautiful work and what everyone in the room and the sponsors was doing to elevate it and to create opportunities.

 

“Being born and raised in the Bronx, dropping out, and then going to SBU (“South Bronx University”), the school of hard knocks!” he said, adding that he learned from so many different mentors growing up.

 

“[Former NYC Mayor] David Dinkins, Charlie Sutton, Percy Sutton, former Congressman José Serrano (NY-15), Tito Puente, so many memories of people coming in to the restaurant and having drinks with…” Rodriguez Jr. said in part. “There are so many memories but, you know, believing in yourself and saying that you can overcome anything in this world, for me, was everything and I continue to do this and I instill this in my children and anyone in my life and in my circle.”

 

He added in part, “I remember when I built Jimmy’s Bronx Café and I couldn’t get a loan! I did finally get it at 24% and I was, like, so happy to be able to get it at 24, because I had one guy at 32% in Connecticut, and those memories of learning to believe in yourself, to be able to overcome these situations is so important and I share that with everyone I speak to everyday.”

 

Rodriguez Jr. said when he gets the opportunity to talk to people about business, he tells them it’s important to have people around them that can help them grow and that that is everything. “I’m so honored to be chosen by the people,” he said. “None of this happens without a great team.” He then paid tribute to his team, his family, his children, and his grandchildren.

He went on to say, “The Bronx creates builders. For me it’s such an honor to be here, to be acknowledged by the people of The Bronx, and to hear all the things that have been said about me is so heartwarming. Thank you.”

Paying tribute to Rodriguez Jr., BronxNet host and journalist, Gary Axelbank, who was the 2025 Bronx Walk of Fame People’s Choice Award inductee, mentioned that the late David Bowie, among other musicians, had also been an attendee at Jimmy’s Bronx Café.

As above, the evening was emceed by Axelbank, welcome remarks were delivered by Rosalba Rolon, artistic director of Pregones Theater, and additional remarks were delivered throughout the evening by Gibson, Winston Peters, president of the BXEDC, and Julius Drake, director of development for the Bronx Tourism Council, who also delivered the evening’s closing remarks and sponsor acknowledgments.

Gibson provided an overview of Bronx Week 2026, and re-announced this year’s Bronx Walk of Fame inductees: actor and choreographer Darrin Dewitt Henson, journalist, Darlene P. Rodriguez, music and culture executive, Lenny Santiago, and entertainer and influencer, Roberto “Fanum” Escanio.

BRONX WEEK 2026 Sponsorship Appreciation Event, Pregones Theater, Walton Ave, Bronx 05/05/2026. V7 Video by Síle Moloney

The evening also featured recognition of this year’s Key to the Borough recipient, former New York State Attorney General and Bronx Borough President, the Hon. Robert Abrams, and the announcement of the 2026 Tourism Award honorees, the Bronx Children’s Museum and Pregones Theatre.

 

BRONX WEEK 2026 Sponsorship Appreciation Event, Pregones Theater, Walton Ave, Bronx 05/05/2026. V8 Video by Síle Moloney

“Bronx Week continues to be one of our borough’s most important traditions because it celebrates the people, organizations, and institutions that help move the Bronx forward every day,” said Gibson.

 

“This evening was an opportunity to recognize the sponsors and community partners whose continued investment allows us to create meaningful experiences for our residents, and to honor individuals and organizations whose contributions have helped shape the culture, energy, and spirit of our borough,” she continued.

 

The borough president added, “Congratulations to our People’s Choice Award Inductee, Jimmy Rodriguez; our Key to the Borough recipient, Bronx Borough President, the Honorable Robert Abrams; and our Tourism Award recipients, Pregones Theatre and the Bronx Children’s Museum. Thank you to everyone who continues to support Bronx Week and help demonstrate why The Bronx leads.”

BRONX WEEK 2026 Sponsorship Appreciation Event, Pregones Theater, Walton Ave, Bronx 05/05/2026. V9 Video by Síle Moloney

Media partners for Bronx Week 2026 include BronxNet, News 12 The Bronx, PIX11, 1010 WINS, ABC7, and the Bronx Times.

Now in its 54th year, Bronx Week continues throughout May with events celebrating the borough’s culture, leadership, and community spirit, culminating with the Bronx Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony, Bronx Ball, Parade, Festival, and Concert on May 17. For a full list of Bronx Week events, visit: www.ilovethebronx.com.