Photo courtesy of the Office of the Bronx Borough President
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, in partnership with the Bronx Economic Development Corporation (BXEDC), the Bronx Tourism Council, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, and Storyland Book Haven, hosted a press conference at Storyland Book Haven Lounge on Monday, April 27, to officially kick off Bronx Week, announcing this year’s Bronx Walk of Fame inductees and upcoming Bronx Week events.
“Bronx Week is a celebration of the people, culture, and institutions that make our borough resilient, vibrant, and unique,” said Gibson. “As we recognize this year’s Walk of Fame inductees and come together for another year of an exciting series of events, we continue to uplift the stories and contributions that define The Bronx. Thank you to our partners, sponsors, and community members who help to make Bronx Week bigger and better each year.”
As reported, there was initial disappointment after the borough president had announced in early March that for budgetary reasons, Bronx Week would not be going ahead this year, but that decision was happily later reversed shortly afterwards.
The press conference, emceed by Bronx-native, award-winning voiceover and film actor Summer Rose Castillo, brought together community leaders, partners, and stakeholders for an afternoon of remarks, recognition, and celebration of Bronx culture, pride, and resilience.
For his part, Winston Peters, BXEDC president, said, “Bronx Week 2026 is a powerful reflection of the Bronx’s continued ascent as a center of culture, commerce, and community leadership. Under this year’s theme, ‘The Bronx Leads,’ we celebrate not only the extraordinary individuals honored on the Walk of Fame, but also the small businesses, cultural institutions, and residents who drive our borough forward every day.”
Photo courtesy of the Office of the Bronx Borough President
He added, “The Bronx is a place of innovation, resilience, and opportunity, and Bronx Week invites the world to experience the energy, diversity, and strength that define who we are. We are proud to partner with Borough President Gibson and our community stakeholders to showcase all that the Bronx has to offer.”
Hosted at Storyland Bronx Book Haven, Sulma Arzu Brown, its director, welcomed attendees and set the tone for the event, delivering remarks alongside Julius Drake, director of development at the Bronx Tourism Council, Winston Peters, president of the BXEDC, event sponsors, and Gibson, who highlighted the significance of this year’s theme, The Bronx Leads.
Rafael Roger, president of Business Initiative Corporation of New York (BIC), said, “BIC is proud to continue our support of Bronx Week 2026. This is a celebration that captures the spirit, resilience, and cultural richness of this remarkable borough. I remain committed to uplifting the Bronx, investing in its future, and honoring the people who make it thrive. We look forward to another year of strengthening partnerships and building a more vibrant and inclusive Bronx.”
During the press conference, the 2026 inductees to the Bronx Walk of Fame were unveiled. This year’s inductees are Lenny “Lenny S” Santiago, veteran music business executive, Darlene Rodriguez, American journalist and co-anchor of “Today in New York” on WNBC, Darrin Henson, choreographer, dancer, actor, and producer, and Roberto “Fanum” Escanio, Dominican-American content creator and streamer.
Photo courtesy of the Office of the Bronx Borough President
For her part, State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez (S.D. 34), said, “The Bronx is a cultural gem of New York City, and Bronx Week gives us a chance to celebrate the people and communities behind that legacy. Thank you to Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson and our community partners for carrying forward this cherished tradition and bringing our borough together in celebration.”
The program also recognized this year’s Tourism Award recipients, The Bronx Children’s Museum and Pregones Theater, both members of the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG), and acknowledged the People’s Choice Award and the Key to the Borough, with the winners to be announced at the upcoming Sponsorship Appreciation event on May 5.
Marcos Crespo, SVP of community affairs at Montefiore Einstein, said the hospital network was a proud sponsor of the 2026 Bronx Week celebration. “We are thrilled to join Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson and The Bronx Tourism Council in celebrating all that is vibrant and unique about The Bronx,” he said. “As a premier academic health system, providing quality and personalized care to approximately three million people, we are immensely proud to call The Bronx our home. Congratulations on launching what is set to be a successful Bronx Week 2026!”
State Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81) said as Bronx resident all his life, he could say that The Bronx truly is the perfect place to call home. “Bronx Week 2026 is a powerful reminder of the pride, culture, and community that defines our great borough,” he said. “Our unique history, spirit, and people deserve to be celebrated, and I thank Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson for organizing this amazing week of events.”
Photo courtesy of the Office of the Bronx Borough President
Now in its 54th year, officials described Bronx Week as a beloved tradition that celebrates everything that makes the borough a vibrant, resilient, and welcoming place to live, work, and raise a family. Celebrations begin Friday, May 1, and culminate over the weekend of May 17 with a lineup of hallmark events, including:
- The Bronx Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony
- The Bronx Ball
- The Bronx Week Parade
- The Food & Arts Festival
- The Bronx Week Concert
The launch was also celebrated by City Council Member Kevin C. Riley, who said there was no place like The Bronx, and that Bronx Week stands as a testament to the culture, resilience, and unity that defines the borough. “I’m proud to stand with Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson and partners as we kick off this year’s celebration, uplifting the people, small businesses, and creatives who move our borough forward every day,” he said. “Even in the face of challenges, The Bronx continues to lead with strength, pride, and community. That’s what Bronx Week represents, and that’s what we carry with us year-round.”
For a full list of Bronx Week events, visit: https://www.
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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.