Brooklyn Borough President

BOROUGH PRESIDENT CELEBRATES HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH A PROGRAM HONORING LATINO LEADERS AND CULTURE

Photograph by Amelia D'Entrone
	In photo:left to right – Health Plus Chief Marketing Officer Ada Rodriquez, Coalition for Hispanic Family Service Executive Director Denise Rosario, Dominican Parade & Festival of Brooklyn Pres. Estella Jimenez, Latin American Workers Project Founder Oscar Paredes, and Borough President Markowitz.

Borough President Marty Markowitz kicked off this year’s Hispanic Heritage month with a special program honoring Latino leaders and organizations that deserve recognition for being among Brooklyn’s best.

“With 23 different Hispanic countries represented throughout Brooklyn, Hispanic Brooklynites bring a richness and vitality to the life of our borough and neighborhoods,” Borough President Markowitz said. “Brooklyn’s Hispanic community has long been justly recognized for its vibrant culture, which is certainly on glorious display tonight. But Brooklyn’s Latinos should also be proud of their tremendous civic contributions. The good work done by the leaders and the organizations honored tonight have benefited all Brooklynites.”

The evening’s program honored:

• Estella Jimenez, President, Dominican Parade & Festival of Brooklyn, Inc.
Ms. Jimenez is a leader in the Williamsburg community, and is the founder of this annual Dominican parade. She also publishes Spanish NY magazine.
• Oscar Paredes, Founder, Latin American Workers Project. The Latin American Workers Project organizes low-wage Latino workers to secure improved pay, conditions and overall civil rights.
• Coalition for Hispanic Family Service’s award was accepted by Executive Director Denise Rosario. The Coalition for Hispanic Family Services, which was formed in 1989, is a community-based, comprehensive family service agency serving North Brooklyn and the adjacent communities.

The reception featured music by Juanma Y Su Sonido Costeno, and food from Brooklyn restaurants - El Castillo De Jagua, Meson Flamenco and El Viejo Yayo.

Imani House, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and assisting low income youth, families and immigrants to make their own decisions, was also on hand collecting Hispanic recipes for a cookbook celebrating the diversity of Brooklyn foods