To celebrate the end of Bronx Week, the Office of the Borough President inducted five new honorees into the Bronx Walk of Fame on Saturday.
The annual event celebrates influential Bronx natives whose lives and careers have reached far beyond the borough. Three-time Emmy Award-winning PIX11 transportation reporter Greg Mocker emceed the ceremony and introduced the honorees.
Each year, honorees receive a street sign along the Grand Concourse. This year’s signs were unveiled in Lou Gehrig Plaza, across from the Borough President’s Office.
Choreographer, author, dancer, actor, director and producer Darrin Dewitt Henson was among the first honorees recognized. Henson, who grew up across from Taft High School on Sheridan Avenue, said he always dreamed of success.
Over the course of his career, Henson has choreographed for artists including Michael Jackson, Prince and Jennifer Lopez. He is perhaps best known for creating the iconic choreography for “Bye Bye Bye” by NSYNC and Lopez’s “Love Don’t Cost a Thing.”
“I am grateful to The Most High for allowing me, a son of the Bronx, to be acknowledged by those who love and care for our borough,” Henson said. “To acknowledge me as someone who is worthy to have their name held up high, for it is with this thought that allows my light and the light of the Bronx to be seen in perpetuity.”
“When you’re from the Bronx, you can do anything,” Henson added during his speech.
Journalist and “Today in New York” co-anchor Darlene Rodriguez also received the honor. Rodriguez said she got her start as a young reporter at BronxNet in 1993, shortly after the station launched. She later worked as a general assignment reporter for WCBS Newsradio 880 before becoming co-anchor of “Weekend Today in New York” and eventually “Today in New York.”
“We learn early that everything here is earned the old-fashioned way,” Rodriguez said in her speech. “The street code that I learned here has helped me in my career more than any college degree. We have a keen understanding of what will get you punched in the face,” she joked.
Music and culture executive Lenny Santiago was the third honoree. Santiago got his start as an intern at Roc-A-Fella Records before working his way up to become Senior Vice President of A&R and Artist Management at Roc Nation. Throughout his career, he has worked with artists including Jay-Z, The Roots, Ghostface Killah, DJ Khaled and Jadakiss.
At the unveiling, fans held posters sponsored by We the Best Music Group congratulating Santiago on his induction, while a digital billboard parked across Lou Gehrig Plaza played a custom video message from DJ Khaled.
“I wanted to make the Bronx proud. I wanted to make my mom proud and I wanted to make my community proud,” Santiago said.
The fourth inductee was streamer and influencer Roberto ‘Fanum’ Escanio. Escanio, who was born in the Bronx to Dominican parents, built a large online following through his streaming content on YouTube and Twitch.
“Growing up as a Bronx child, the energy of these streets shaped my entire mindset. This honor isn’t just for me: it’s for every kid in the borough dreaming of something bigger. From the Bronx to the world,” Escanio said.
The final honoree was legendary restaurateur Jamie “Jimmy” Rodriguez Jr., who was selected by the public as the 2026 Bronx Walk of Fame People’s Choice Award winner in the Culinary Arts category. Rodriguez owned several well-known restaurants, including Jimmy’s Bronx Cafe, Jimmy’s City Island, Don Coqui, Jimmy’s Uptown in Harlem and Jimmy’s Downtown in Manhattan. He currently owns Sobro Garden.
Reach Marina Samuel at msamuel@schnepsmedia.com. For more coverage, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!
