New York City Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr. and the New York Botanical Garden partnered to co-host the Annual Festival de Flores event on Thursday, Oct. 10, to recognize and honor the people of Latin America and the Caribbean in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Multiple extraordinary and exemplary champions of the Bronx community were honored at the event for the contributions they have made to the community. The four honorees included New York City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farias, Bronx Community Board 2 Chairman Roberto Crespo, Bolton-St. Johns Partner Prisca Salazar-Rodriguez and R.A.I.N., Inc. President and CEO Dr. Anderson Torres.
Other notable attendees at the event included U.N. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who is the permanent representative for the United States Mission to the United Nations, Community Leader Freddy Perez Jr. and New York State Senator Nathalia Fernandez.
The Annual Festival de Flores event also featured guided tours of Caribbean Plants in the Haupt Conservatory; a fashion show by Bronx Fashion Week Founder Flora Montes, featuring designs by Edwin D’Angelo; a Floral Arranging Demo by Nsombi Woodson; Artists Giannina Gutierrez and Marthalicia Matarrita creating art inspired by New York Botanical Garden’s 2025 Orchid Show; and musical performances by Ray Martinez and Cuerda y Tambó Band.
“As a Puerto Rican kid from the South Bronx, this occasion is especially important to me as it serves as a special opportunity to reflect upon our collective heritage that has strengthened our City and our Borough for the better,” Council Member Salamanca said. “For most of us adults in this room, we did not have moments like this where we could gather to celebrate our rich and diverse culture, so now to be able to host an event entirely to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month – and to get to do so in front of my son, Aidan – is truly special for me.”
