Brooklynites celebrate Dominican heritage at Borough Hall

Hundreds of Brooklynites joined Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in celebrating Dominican Heritage last Thursday with an evening of dance, music and delicious Dominican Republic foods at Brooklyn Borough Hall.

Hosted in partnership with the National Dominican Day Parade for the second year in a row after becoming the city’s first Dominican Republic Borough President, the evening kicked off with the Dominican and United States’ national anthems sung by Franco Morillo from Café Wha?; featured baile folklórico and a merengue lesson from bailarines dominicanos Leticia Raquel Olivero Garcia, Elizabeth Crooke, Joel Cespedes Herrera, and Santiago Radhames Antigua Muñoz; and was followed by the merengue típico stylings of Berto Reyes and his band.

“Growing up, celebrations of Dominican culture filled our homes and the streets I grew up in. I’m so excited that we could bring that celebration into Borough Hall so that all of Brooklyn could come and enjoy in the culture, music, and dance of the Dominican Republic and our diaspora,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “This evening isn’t just about having fun, it’s also about honoring the Dominican and Caribbean dream – the sacrifices we make so that our kids have the freedom to accomplish their dreams and the community and home we have grown here in Brooklyn. Thank you to the National Dominican Day Parade and everyone else who brought the party this Thursday.”

After welcoming the crowd to Brooklyn Borough Hall, Reynoso recognized Stuart Cinema & Café’s Emelyn Stuart, a veteran and the first Afro-Latina to own an independent movie theater in New York, for her leadership and dedication to serving the community through art and culture.

The Borough president also recognized EBC High School’s Principal Dr. Shawn Federico Brown for the culture of trust and collaboration he has built in Brooklyn classrooms.

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams delivers remarks flanked by Brooklyn Borough Prez Anthonio Reynoso. Photo courtesy Office of Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, City Comptroller Brad Lander, and Assembly Member Brian Cunningham provided remarks, as well as Cristina Contreras, the board chair from the National Dominican Day Parade, and representatives from the event’s sponsors Ponce Bank and Aetna.

Sazon Perez treated Brooklynites to Dominican Republic savory and sweet eats, including pollo al horno, maduros, yuca and pernil.

The evening event was made possible by the support of Ponce and Aetna, with a special thanks to MetroPlusHealth, Montefiore Medical Center, Goya Foods, NYC Health + Hospitals, Papi Wines, Presidente Beer, and Mamitas for their support of this event and the parade.

“Thank you, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, for such an exciting celebration,” said Cristina Contreras, National Dominican Day Parade board chair. “We appreciate all that you do for Dominicans and all Brooklynites. You exemplify our theme this year – Nuestra Historia, Nuestra Gente. You are part of our trailblazing history for being elected the first Dominican Borough President. Que viva la Dominicanidad!”

“I want to thank Antonio Reynoso, our first Brooklyn Borough President of Dominican heritage, for inviting us to participate in this Dominican Heritage Celebration,” said Ponce Bank CEO and President Carlos Naudon. “At Ponce Bank we believe that culture is our community, and I want to express our gratitude to the entire Dominican community – for everything you bring to this celebration, this great borough and to our city. ¡Viva la República Dominicana!”

“For Aetna – Medicare and Medicaid it is a priority in investing in people’s health so that health is easier to access and afford,” said Maria Clara Delgado, Sr. Manager of Community Development Strategy for Aetna Better Health of New York.

The Dominican Day Parade, Inc. is a nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, that organizes the annual parade and festivities that promote the richness of the culture, folklore and popular traditions of the Dominican Republic.

The organization said it strives to provide an understanding of the heritage and contributions of the Dominican community in the United States of America and throughout the world.