EXECUTIVE TEAM MEDIA CONTACT: [email protected]

Cristina Contreras #DRMovingForward Chair, Board of Directors @NATDDP Wilton Cedeno Immediate Past Chair Special Advisor PRESS RELEASE

María M. Khury Chair Emeritus Co-Chair, Education/Scholarship AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS CLOSES PERMITTING A SPECTACULAR

Dr. Teodoro E. Regus, D.D.S. DISPLAY AND PRESENTATION OF DOMINICANIDAD 1st Vice President Education/Scholarship Committee , NY, JULY 30, 2021 – The National Dominican Day Parade, Inc. (NatDDP.org) a nonprofit, national organization that promotes the culture and folklore of the Dominican Leonardo Iván Dominguez 2nd Vice President people in the United States and whose mission is to fund raise in support of talented Co-Chair, Arts & Culture students in their educational endeavors announced today that the pandemic had María T. Osorio cancelled all parades. But that did not stop NatDDP.org in 2020 to successfully showcase a Secretary virtual celebration of the “Dominican Spirit.” In mid-June NYC informed NatDDP.org that José Ramón Martínez they would be permitted and be the first organization on 6th Avenue (with full street Treasurer Co-Chair, Education/Scholarship closure) to display and uplift their community. Although mindful that the challenge of the time is still delicate the organizers felt compelled in 2021 to focus “Hacia Delante and Honorable Diana Reyna Development Committee Chair Move Forward.” Advancing and uplifting our community takes perseverance, resiliency, hope, adaptation, growth, courage and transformation that will lead to a victory in all Estela Vazquez Co-Chair, Arts & Culture situations. We must be mindful and respectful but knowing that our Honorees exemplify Chair, Audit Committee these attributes of advancing our “Dominicanidad” there was no option but to produce

on Friday, August 6 a Benefit Gala, on Sunday, August 8 a Virtual Parade live streamed (12pm-1Pm) and continue at 6th Avenue (1pm-3:30pm) with on stage performances and BOARD OF DIRECTORS presentation of our people” said newly elected Chair Cristina Contreras. Mario Báez Board Member This year’s honorees are a diverse, talented and accomplished group, to name a few;

Gregoria Feliciano Leading the group of Honorees and this year’s Grand Marshal is the beloved Nelson Education/Scholarship Committee Javier. He is one the most respected media personalities in the . He María Lizardo is better known in the Dominican Republic as the “El Cocodrilo” Crocodile. Nelson Parade Logistics (In House) Javier is a veteran broadcaster, producer, and television host. Bridging our Motherland Annie Minguez to our work in the USA has been our priority. This year live streaming all our effort both Parade Logistics (On Route) here and there meets that objective. “It gives me great honor that NatDDP.org has FDNY Bernie Rodriguez selected me to be the storyteller of their work y lo hago con mucho orgullo!” said Director of Volunteers Nelson Javier. Joining him is the distinguished Dominican Consul Eligio Jáquez, who Manny Saez assumed the position as Dominican Consul in on August 22, 2020, Board Member progressively representing the Dominican government, promoting Dominican Remysell Salas participation initiatives to strengthen ties that unite the Dominicans in the U.S. and in Board Member the Dominican Republic. During these enduring times our students need a champion leader who has fought to elevate the level of education for all Dominicans, we have the

Honorable Guillermo Linares, President of the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). The NatDDP is also proud to recognize the trailblazing lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island Sabina Matos who is working for equity in wages and housing as well as Johana Vargas Casanova, a licensed professional engineer and real estate development professional supporting mission driven developments in Chicago creating more housing opportunities for seniors, families, and people of disabilities.

During the pandemic our Honoree Tomas Ramos exemplified resiliency and recovery when he led initiatives to test, vaccinate, and feed those most vulnerable. In Jessica Jayy Nunez, AGT (America’s Got Talent) contestant and talented singer who has shown strength despite enduring her family’s tragic story. From the Dominican Republic and now living with his basketball coach in Florida, Hansel Emmanuel Donato “Kikimita,” surpassing all expectations and proving that two hands don’t define your willingness to succeed. There are several more men and women of distinction that will be unveiled during our festivities. This year’s honorees are not only moving forward but they are advancing Dominicanidad all over the world.

We will recognize Johnny Ventura, who transitioned recently, but has left the World a legacy of his musical talents. He will forever live in the hearts of all Dominicans, and we will honor him with musical tributes at our Gala and at our 6th Avenue presentation.

Most important and the heart of our organization are the scholarship recipients. During our festivities we will present students from 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 with their certificates. Stories of our scholars from 2015 to the present and how they have excelled are important stories to be told. To date over $600,000 has been awarded to our students in scholarships. Visit Natddp.org/scholarships to learn more.

We welcome new BOD Gregoria Feliciano, Manny Saez and Remysell Salas. Visit NatDDP.org/about/bod/ to learn more.

Working closely with our NYC and NYS partners to ensure the safety and health of our community all our activities will be restricted to comply with applicable safety protocols. We request our participants and guests be vaccinated, maintain social distancing and wear a mask.

The NatDDP is thankful to all our main sponsors who ensure that every year we support the educational endeavors of our students. Notably, GOYA, and SOMOS Community Care as are ; WABC7, Dominican Republic Consulate in New York, Liberty Coca Cola Beverages, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, New York- Presbyterian, PRESIDENTE Beer, Montefiore Hospital, DELTA, Corona, Ponce Bank, Bronx Democratic Party, Transport Workers Union, NYC Health & Hospitals, Univision, El Diario, Hearst Magazine, Beer Distribution, PIX11, the Office of the Borough President, Telemundo, Bronx Rising Initiative, Papi wines, KHURY Tours, Mamita’s Ice , Manhattan Mini Storage, WORKSPACE OFFICES, Puerto Plata Seafood, ALTA and Lino Press. The sponsorship list is still in formation; Please excuse any omissions.

In a historic agreement with NatDDP.org, ABC7 will be livestreaming our virtual parade from 12 noon to 1:00 pm and a special livestream of NatDDP 6th Avenue Presentation of our Dominicanidad from 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm, this will take place on August 8th, 2021. Join us at our benefit Gala which will be held August 6th at the Greentree Country Club. Visit NatDDP.org/gala for tickets.

NatDDP Honorees

23. Hansel Adaptation Basketball Youth Superstar - Dominican Republic and Florida Emmanuel Donato Surpassing all expectations and proving that “Kikimita” two hands don’t define your willingness to succeed.

24. Jessica Jayy Courage Philadelphia- AGT (America’s Got Talent) contestant and talented Nunez singer who has shown strength despite enduring her family’s tragic story.

High School Name / City / Undergraduate School Name Graduate School and State / State Program / State Major Business Technology Early College High School/ Brooklyn College Feirstein Interdisciplinary Studies Village/ New York Amherst College / MA Graduate School of Cinema / NY and Political Science Cardinal Spellman High School / Assumption University, Worcester, Columbia University School of Management and New York City / New York State MA Social Work, New York, NY International Business Charter New Visions Charter High School Advanced Math and Computer Science & Science Brooklyn College Harvard Law School, JD / MA Theater Cristo Rey New York High School DePauw University Biochemistry Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Political Science/ Hicksville Senior High School Fitchburg State University Medical School, New Jersey International Politics manhattan center for science Florida International University/ SUNY Upstate Medical University and mathematics/ New York/ NY Florida / New York Nutrition & Dietetics Manhattan Village Academy, Florida SouthWestern State Teachers College, Columbia New York, Ny College University/New York Education Maxine Greene High School, New York, New York Georgetown University Sociology New Visions Charter High Sociology and Dominican School for the Humanities Harvard College/MA Studies Screenwriting / Creative St. Jean Baptiste HS Hunter College / NY Writing Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts / Manhattan / Computer Science & New York John Jay College Information Security Biology and Business Administration with a Lehman College concentration in finance

Manhattanville College Musical Theatre

Princeton University, New Jersey Anthropology Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey Sociology

Roxborough School of Nursing Nursing Stevens Institute of Technology/ NJ Finance

Syracuse University - New York Psychology

The City College of New York Biomedical Science Counseling Psychology, Bilingual Latinx Mental Trinity College/Connecticut Health Concentration

University of Connecticut/ CT Civil Engineering