New York – 9-27-2015 Today the Dominican Day Parade Inc. will announce a list of honorees, the King and Queen, and the Parade’s Grand Marshall at a press conference at the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute at 11:00AM. As New Yorkers and local visitors prepare for the end of summer, the Dominican American community is gearing up to march up Sixth Avenue on Sunday, August 9 to celebrate the best of Dominican and American pride. It’s the organization’s first press conference since announcing the board’s new leadership in April.
“We are excited to announce an all-star honoree list of accomplished Dominican Americans who will participate in this year’s Banquet Gala on July 30,” said Angela Fernandez, Chair of Dominican Day Parade Inc. “This year’s honorees embody the traditions of first and second generation Dominicans, and we are honored to celebrate their contributions to the communities where we live, both in the US and in the Dominican Republic.”
Among the names to be announced today, the king of the parade, an international music legend, the recipients of two lifetime achievement awards, and actors from the popular Netflix Series, Orange Is The New Black.
The organization will also reveal the Parade’s Grand Marshall.
In addition, the media will hear from multiple board members including Leonardo Ivan Dominguez, master of Dominican Folkloric tradition and the Parade’s Art and Cultural Committee Chair.
“This year’s parade is a manifestation of both carnival and daily cultural staples of Dominican identity,” said Mr. Dominguez. “The attendees should expect to see a procession of more than 500 young people from a variety of cultural institutions throughout New York City.”
The Dominican Day Parade 2015 is the kick-off to a year-long calendar of activities focused on the educational and economic empowerment of New York City’s Dominican community.
CONFIRMED HONOREE LIST:
Grand Marshall:
Pedro Martinez, Baseball Player and Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee
Queen:
Celines Toribio, Actress, Model and Television Personality
King:
Johnny Ventura, Dominican Singer and Former Mayor of Santo Domingo
Madrina:
Julissa Reynoso Pantaleon, Former United States Ambassador
Padrino:
Judge Rolando Acosta, Associate Justice of the New York Appellate Division of the Supreme Court
Madrina Internacional:
Merijoel Duran, Univision 41
Padrino Internacional:
Eduardo Selman, Consul General de Republica Dominican
Ambassador:
Isolda Peguero, Reporter, Telemundo
Ambassador:
Sofia LaChapelle, Telemundo Network Correspondent
Ambassador:
Jose Acosta, Dominican Writer and Author
Ambassador:
Andres Merejo, Dr. Andres Perejo, Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo
Anacaona:
Sheila Garcia, Community Leader
Cacique:
Jose Zabala, Digital Communications and Dominican Film Festival Organizer
Cacique:
Cesar Romero, President of Instituto Duartiano
Cacique:
Ramon Anibal, Producer, Ramon Anibal TV Show
Cacique:
Negro Santo, Director and Host “Santo Domingo Invita”
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Johnny Pacheco, International Salsa Legend and Percussionist
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Dr. Marilu Galvan, Executive Director, Centro Civico Cultural Dominicano
Lifetime Acievement Award:
Fefita La Grande, Prolific female accordionist
Rising Stars:
Jackie Cruz, “La Flaca” Orange Is The New Black
Jessica Pimentel, “Maria Ruiz” Orange Is The New Black
Laura Gomez, “Blanca Florez” Orange Is The New Black
Selenis Leyva, “Gloria Mendoza” Orange Is The New Black
Dascha Polanco, “Daya Diaz” Orange Is The New Black
