Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson joined the Bronx Care Health System, Ponce Bank, Fidelis Care and ProHealth Connect in hosting her annual Puerto Rican Heritage Month celebration at the newly-opened 14,000-square-foot, 250-seat Bronx Music Hall, located at 438 East 163rd St. in Melrose, on Thursday, Nov. 14.
At the event, Gibson paid tribute to the Puerto Rican community, which has played a major role in revitalizing the Bronx, transforming it into a cultural hub that draws thousands of visitors and residents eager to explore its rich heritage, diverse cuisine, and vibrant arts scene. The program was hosted by David Rodriguez, a Bronx native and 23-time Emmy award-winning anchor and reporter for Telemundo.
“It is with immense pride that we celebrate Puerto Rican Heritage Month at the newly opened Bronx Music Hall, honoring individuals who have left an indelible impact on our borough,” Borough President Gibson said. “Our communities have thrived thanks to the extraordinary contributions of our Puerto Rican brothers and sisters, and we are honored to recognize and celebrate that vibrant legacy right here in the heart of the Boogie Down.”
Among the honorees at this year’s event were Puerto Rican-born community advocate and Rainbow Garden of Life and Health Founder Maximino “Maxi” Rivera, Culinary Educator and Celebrity Chef Billy Jack Peres, Ponce Bank Executive Vice-President and Chief External Affairs Officer Madeline V. Marquez, 116th Street Festival Co-Talent Coordinator Jerry Vargas, Bronx Business Owner and Philanthropist Gina Pacheco and Youth Honoree Ambar Cardona, who is a junior enrolled at Bronx Legacy’s Future Ready NYC Business Marketing program.
There were also performances at the event by the Young Ambition Dance Company, Estrellita’s Latinas Culturales from P.S. 42, the NYPD Options Youth Program’s La Jara Youth All Stars, Kaila Bule y Atabeira Libete Our Art curator, Robert “BC” Figueroa and more. Additionally, a reading was done by Puerto Rican Poet Jennifer Diaz.
