Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, alongside the Business Initiative Corporation (BIC) hosted the 27th annual Bronx Bankers Breakfast on May 7. Held at Villa Barone Manor in Throggs Neck, sponsors included The Bronx Tourism Council; BX EDC; Verizon; Montefiore Einstein; BronxCare Health System and more.
The breakfast is a part of the 2026 Bronx Week initiative, hosting events that show the wonder and pride of the borough.
“You all know that when we talk about Bronx Week, it is about recognizing the people, the places, that make our borough what it is today,” Gibson said. “The greatest place to live, to work, to raise our families, and do business, right here in the Bronx.”
Notable guests include James Lanfranchi, BIC Chairman; current New York City Comptroller Mark Levine and Comptroller of New York State Thomas Dinapoli, who was the keynote speaker of the morning. Citations from the office of the Borough President were presented to Webster Bank, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Ponce Bank and TD Bank.
Three awards were presented that morning. The Terence Martin Award was presented to Webster Bank. The Charles Johnson Award was presented to M&T Bank. And the Madeline Marquez Award was presented to Fordham University.
“This borough [Bronx], is probably the most entrepreneurial place in America,” NYC Comptroller Levine said. “The spirit here of people who are willing to take a chance and start a business ranging from the bodega to an online business, and everything in between. It has been fueling this borough for generations, [and] is an inspiration.”
