NEWARK TO HOST HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, AT 11 A.M., AT NEWARK SYMPHONY HALL, 1020 MAYOR KENNETH A. GIBSON BOULEVARD

Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced today that the City of Newark will host its Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at Newark Symphony Hall, located at 1020 Mayor Kenneth A. Gibson Boulevard, on Friday, October 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Newark's Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration recognizes the community's achievements and contributions to America's story, both local and nationally.

"Newark is prouder than ever of our Hispanic community and the way it has infused vibrancy into every aspect of our city life," said Mayor Baraka. "In this time of great intolerance and exclusion, as our Hispanic residents grapple with uncertainty about their safety and their future, I want to emphasize that Newark values and treasures our Hispanic neighbors and coworkers, knowing full well how their hard work strengthens not only their family, their block and our city, but also contributes to both the economic and cultural and artistic richness of our entire nation. I am happy to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month today and salute the countless ways you have uplifted the City of Newark."

"Hispanic people have contributed to American life since the American Revolution, and have served our country in every military conflict since. Hispanics continue to advance communities across the country through their involvement in business, education, public service, the arts and every aspect of our society," said event organizer Jacqueline Mercado-Quiles, Deputy Mayor of Community Engagement. "Hispanic Heritage Month allows us in Newark to recognize how their achievements have enhanced our city. This year we have put together a special event, highlighting the community's contributions and their courage and unwavering engagement in American life regardless of blatant racism, othering, and unconstitutional detainment and prosecution."

This is the eighth Annual Celebration hosted by Mayor Baraka. It recognizes the City's Hispanics' hard work and deep commitment to faith and family, which have shaped the character of Newark and helped strengthen the values of America.

Newark's 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration will honor 10 luminaries who have distinguished themselves with important contributions to the city's wellbeing:

• Humanitarian of the Year: Don Alfonso Perez, founder of Twin Cities Supermarkets
• Community Activist of the Year: Cesar A. Vizcaino, Executive Director, Partnership West, Inc. Business Improvement District
• Firefighter of the Year: Firefighter Antonio Padilla, First Vice President, Vulcan Pioneers of New Jersey
• Police Officer of the Year: Police Officer Kelvin Arroyo, Community Service Officer, 7^th Precinct
• Community Servant of the Year: Newark Homelessness Office Director Luis Ulerio
• Businessman of the Year: William Perez, Founder and Owner, Visual Protection Security Services
• Businesswoman of the Year: Veronica Solano, President, Milenios Express, Inc., DBA Classic
• Volunteer of the Year: Ronald Reyes. Transformed Hank Aaron Field into a park and created community garden in the Central Ward and North Ward Cleanup
• Religious Partners of the Year (Servant's Heart of the Year): Pastor Elias F. Penson and Pastor Jessica O. Penson, Pastors, We The Church of God Pentecostal MI "Calvary"
• Director of the Year: Aisha Glover, Audible Global Head of Urban Innovation
• Principal of the Year: Alejandro Lopez, Hawkins Street School
• Telemundo 47 Consumer Reporter of the Year: Liz Gonzalez
• Entertainer of the Year: Grizel "La Chachi" Del Valle Performer, Singer, and Humanitarian

Mayor Baraka and Newark Board of Education Superintendent Roger Leon will award $5,000 worth of scholarships to five Hispanic students, one from each of the city's wards.

The distinguished recipients are:

• Central High School: Jostin Mateo Belizaca
• High School of Data Science & Information Technology: Jeidymar Molina-Cruz
• East Side High School: Jostin Bernardo Guaman
• Weequahic High School: Daynara Ramirez
• Barringer High School: Carmen Elianna Ramirez Marte

Additionally, there will be a special presentation to honor these eight winners of Link Community Charter School's Hispanic Heritage Month essay competition initiated by Deputy Mayor Mercado-Quiles:

• Gavin Hyde
• Desmond Esonwune
• Zoraya Clarke
• Kalanie Phillip
• Jamie-Lynne Amon-Ferebee
• Jaziyah Nelson
• Victoria Wilson
• Abigail Flores Torres

DJ Cassanova and Mariachi Juarez International will provide rousing musical entertainment throughout the event. Entertainer of the Year award recipient Grizel "La Chachi" Del Valle will lend her talent to the day's program, performing an emotional tribute to Hispanic people and immigrants. A Newark native, the songstress, dancer and recording artist is currently starring in The Three Kings and Their Queens in New York City.

During the event, guests can enjoy the unique art exhibition "3.0 in USA" by artists Arroyo Ceballos (Abstraction), Jose Dominquez (Impressionism) and Gotasi (Chromatic Pyramidism).

The Hispanic Heritage Month celebration is sponsored by the City of Newark, Popular Bank, Goya and The Newark Community Impact Fund. The Fund was created by the Newark Philanthropic Liaison in partnership with the Community Foundation of New Jersey to support people, programs, and initiatives in city of Newark. It receives support from the Victoria Foundation, the Prudential Foundation, the Schumann Fund for New Jersey, and the Burke Foundation, among others.

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