Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson held her annual Dominican Heritage Month celebration on Thursday, Feb. 16, at Grand Slam Banquet Hall, 478 East Tremont Avenue in Tremont, with live entertainment by Folkloric Dance Group/Folklorico and DJ Lex, with special greetings by consulate general of the Dominican Republic, Eligio Jaquez.

 

Gibson honored various community leaders, including president of the New York State Latino Restaurant Bar & Lounge Association and owner of Mon Amour Coffee & Wine, Jeffrey Garcia; winner of the Best Animated Short Film at Bridge Fest and children’s book author, Luz Maria Mack; president of Dominicanos USA, Eddie Cuesta.

 

The recipient of the youth award was Jamal Disla from the International School for Liberal Arts who arrived in the U.S. in April 2020 not speaking a word of English and who today is ranked 2nd out of 69 in his class with a cumulative average of 95.75, all while learning to speak English.

 

The keynote address was provided by NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Equity and Inclusion, Wendy Garcia, who was also honored on the night, News 12 The Bronx’s Elly Morillo acted as emcee, and Fidelis Care, Union Community Health Center, Ponce Bank, VNS Health, the Bronx Terminal Market and other partners sponsored the event.

 

Earlier this month, on Feb. 7, Gibson and deputy Bronx borough president, Janet Peguero, traveled to the Dominican Republic and were awarded the Key to the City of Santo Domingo West by Mayor José Andújar in recognition of their efforts and contributions to the development of the Dominican community in The Bronx.

According to representatives of Andújar, since taking office, the mayor has initiated several initiatives and projects that have improved the quality of life throughout the municipality. Among them are a clean streets initiative, intended to create open spaces where residents can safely congregate while also helping small business owners register their businesses and prosper.

 

“We are grateful to Mayor José Andújar for this incredible recognition and hospitality,” said Gibson of the occasion. “Every day I am reminded of the rich diversity in our Borough, which includes over 350,000 Dominicans who call the Bronx home. Lasting changes are made in collaboration, and I believe this friendship and partnership will bear much fruit for the Dominican community in New York as well as in the Dominican Republic.”