[The Visionaries Award\Dominican Heritage Month]
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. hosted his annual Dominican Heritage Month celebration and honored Desus and Mero were chosen for The Visionaries Award.
Photo: Office of Bronx Borough President
Comedian Joel “Mero” Martinez, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and comedian Daniel “Desus” Baker at Bronx Museum of the Arts.
On Monday, March 2, the Borough President presented The Visionaries Award to comedy duo Daniel “Desus” Baker and Joel “Mero” Martinez at The Bronx Museum of the Arts Visionary Duos Gala.
Desus and Mero were chosen for The Visionaries Award in recognition of their witty and insightful commentary on pop culture and their steadfast pride and support of The Bronx, which among their tremendous accomplishments has changed the face of late-night television.
Proceeds from the gala will be used to continue offering free admission to the museum and their internationally recognized exhibitions, as well as provide free public programs and arts education to over 16,000 youths and 100,000 local and international visitors each year.
“Desus and Mero have done their part to bring Bronx bodega culture to the world and also to share their unique commentary on the latest current events so that it is accessible to our community,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “The Bronx is proud of their success and I am proud to have been a part of this moment honoring them with The Bronx Museum.”
Last Thursday, February 27, the Borough President hosted his annual Dominican Heritage Month celebration at the Grand Slam Banquet Hall on East Tremont Avenue, honoring individuals who have contributed to the growth and promotion of Dominican and Dominican-American community and culture.
This year honorees included 1199 SEIU Child Care Fund Associate Director of Operations Gregoria Feliciano, Bronx Native CEO and Co-Founder Amaurys Grullon, NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx’s Cristina Contreras, and a posthumous tribute for the late New York State Senator José Peralta.
“When you consider that over 723,000 individuals of Dominican heritage living in New York City and more than 15 percent calling this great borough their home, you cannot write the history of The Bronx without a whole chapter focusing on our quisqueyano community,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “Not only am I honored to recognize these individuals who have contributed to so much to our Bronx residents but I’m also extremely proud to recognize the culture and heritage of this growing population that has become integral to The Bronx’s transformative changes we have seen over the years.”
Also, last Thursday the Borough President inducted students into the Ruben Diaz Jr. La Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica at The Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice.
The Class of 2020 induction ceremony took place at The Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice, in Melrose, in front of students, faculty and parents, all of whom were extremely proud of these students’ accomplishments.
Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (SHH) is an honor society for high school students enrolled in Spanish and/or Portuguese, and is sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP). With more than 2,000 national and international chapters in their network, Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica recognizes the high school achievements of Spanish and Portuguese students while promoting interest in Hispanic and Luso-Brazilian studies. In 2015, The Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice named their chapter in honor of Borough President Diaz.
“These kids are our leaders of tomorrow and I take great pride in inducting these bright and talented student’s into this wonderful honor society,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “La Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica recruits some of the best and brightest in our borough and I remain honored and humbled that The Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice chose to name their organization after me.”
