Local elected officials and residents toasted several distinguished Puerto Rican trailblazers at a prestigious ceremony.
Hosted by Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr.; assembly members Marcos Crespo, Luis Sepulveda and Victor Pichardo, Councilman Rafael Salamanca and Senator Marisol Alcantara, the annual ‘Abrazo Boricua in New York’ was celebrated on Thursday, June 8 at Eastwood Manor Caterers.
This year’s honored leaders were the Bronx Historical Society‘s Angel Hernandez; Dr. Howard Rosas, Hebrew Home of Riverside-River Health South consultant; Julia Garced Rodriguez, Community Board 9 member; Angel Caballero, Davidson Community Center executive director and Jenny Rivera Lozada, Aguila, Inc. director.

(l-r) MC, Kayla Santos and Ramel Johnson enjoyed this year’s cultural celebration.
Photo by Miriam Quin

Honoree Angel Hernandez (r) proudly accepted his citation of merit from Assemblyman Marcos Crespo.
Photo by Miriam Quin

Angel Caballero (4th from l) accepted his awards from (l-r) Assemblyman Crespo, Senator Diaz, assembly members Pichardo and Sepulveda, Borough President Diaz, Senator Alcantara and Councilman Salamanca.
Photo by Miriam Quin

Dr. Howard Rosas (l) was honored with a senate proclamation and citation of merit at the gala.
Photo by Miriam Quin

Julia Garced Rodriguez proudly displayed her senate proclamation and City Council citation.
Photo by Miriam Quin

Jenny Rivera Lozada was all smiles while receiving her NYS Assembly Citation at the ceremony.
Photo by Miriam Quin