In recognition of Garifuna-American Heritage Month, council members Ruben Diaz and Rafael Salamanca, Senator Luis Sepulveda and assembly members Victor Pichardo and Marcos Crespo hosted their eighth annual Abrazo Garifuna Banquet in New York on Friday, May 11 at Maestro’s Caterers.
An Anyana Yankunu Dance Group dancer gave a gravity defying performance.
Photo by Miriam Quin
This year’s cultural celebration honored local Garifuna leaders Pablo Blanco, musician and activist; Daysi Fernandez, Safe Horizon senior case manager; Luz Soliz Ramos, Learn Garifuna Now! founder and author; Eduardo Solano, LaPrensa reporter and Emi Valerio, She Commands, LLC founder, life coach, testimonal speaker and author.
Daysi Fernandez (2nd from l) graciously accepted her proclamations and citations from (l-r) council members Diaz and Salamanca and assembly members Crespo and Pichardo.
Photo by Miriam Quin
Pablo Blanco (2nd from l) happily accepted his awards from the local elected officials.
Photo by Miriam Quin
Emi Valerio was awarded proclamations and citations from the elected officials.
Photo by Miriam Quin
(l-r) Luz Soliz Ramos, Crespo, Emi Valerio, Eduardo Solano, Diaz, Pablo Blanco, Pichardo, Daysi Fernandez and Salamanca.
Photo by Miriam Quin
