Bronx Week 2019 kicked off with the announcement of three honorees that have always remembered their roots while excelling.
Championship boxer Iran Barkley – who never forgot growing up in the Patterson Houses, Regina Spektor, a singer-songwriter with hits on the charts since 2006, and Carolyn Porco, a planetary scientist who has helped all of us see our solar system through photography, will be enshrined onto the Bronx Walk of Fame outside 851 Grand Concourse during Bronx Week 2019’s induction ceremony on Sunday, May 19 at 11 a.m.
With over 50 events on the calendar for Bronx Week 2019 beginning on Thursday, May 9 and culminating with a grand finale parade on May 19 on Mosholu Parkway followed by food festival and concert featuring main act Fat Joe and Funkmaster Flex and salsa stars Hector Tricoche with Edgar Joel and Anthony Colon, the 11 days of events feature something for everyone.
Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. kicked off Bronx Week 2019 with an announcement of the honorees at The Lit. Bar in Mott Haven on Monday, May 6, where he spoke about the resurgence of the community thanks to the efforts of community leaders and entrepreneurs.
“Bronx Week is a chance for our borough to come together and celebrate what an incredible community we have here,” said Diaz. “The Bronx is recognized by the whole world as a rainbow of culture, talent, and spirit and today we host our annual homecoming for some of our best and brightest stars.”
Diaz said that the honorees were people who had honed their respective crafts and were proud of their Bronx personal history.
“This year’s honorees are role models for their achievements in their respective fields and they show that, if given a chance, a child from the Bronx can become a world-renowned pianist, a champion boxer or even a planetary scientist. I am proud to welcome them back to the ‘boogie down,’” said the borough president.
Diaz gave a ‘shout out’ to some of the events that are part of Bronx Week including a senior citizens appreciation event, a centenarian’s celebration and a breakfast celebrating the borough’s tens of thousands of veterans (see calendar).
The Bronx Zoo, part of the Wildlife Conservation Society, will be receiving a Bronx Week 2019 tourism award.
John Calvelli, WCS executive vice president, said that the Bronx Zoo is the largest cultural attraction outside of Manhattan with 2 million visitors and will soon celebrate 125 years.
This year’s gold sponsor for Bronx Week is Montefiore Medical Center.
“As the premier health system in the Bronx and the county’s largest employer, we are excited to work with Borough President Diaz and the Bronx Tourism Council to help support all of the family friendly and civic minded events that bring the Bronx together in celebration each year,” said Dr. Peter Semczuk, senior vice president and executive director of Montefiore Moses and Wakefield campuses.
Sponsors for Bronx Week 2019 include: Waste Management, Carpenter Contract Alliance of Metropolitan New York, Goya, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, Con Edison, United Healthcare, Altice USA, Bronx Community College, Lehman College, Hostos Community College, Lincoln Hospital, Mercy College, BronxNet, Bronx Design Group and Blink Fitness.
