Our Honorees


Don Andres Gonzalez Vega
2024
Hijo de Borinquen
Culture, Activism

Frankie Cutlass
2024
Hijo de Borinquen
Performing Arts
Producer, DJ & Songwriter

Maripily’ Rivera
2024
Huracán Boricua
Performing Arts, Pageantry

Stephanie M Moore
2024
Social Cause Ambassador
Activism, Law

Ramón Rodriguez
2024
Padrino
Performing Arts
Actor, Writer and Directed

Ana Teresa Toro
2024
Ambassador
Literature

DJ Charlie Chase
2024
Ambassador
Education, Government, Academia
Hip Hop pioneer

Glorimar Marrero
2024
Ambassador
Performing Arts

Ricardo Alberto Maldonado
2024
Ambassador
Literature
Author

Victoria Cruz
2024
Ambassador
Activism
Advocate & Activist

Xander Zayas
2024
Estrella Deportiva
Sports
Boxer

Stacey Lopez
2024
Lifetime Achievement
Academia, Performing Arts

Raúl Julia
2024
Posthumous Honoree
Performing Arts

BombaYo
2024
Special Recognition
Culture, Education, Performing Arts
In the spirit of Sankofa -looking to your past for a better future- BombaYo members.

Los Pleneros de la 21
2024
Special Recognition
Culture, Education, Performing Arts
Top venerated musicians and Bomba and Plena practitioners

David Antonio Santiago
2024
Trailblazer
Fashion, Visual Arts

Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez
2024
Education Leadership
Education, Government, Academia
Superintendent of Hartford Public Schools

Juan Otero
2024
Gala Honoree
Philanthropy, Business
Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for Comcast Corporation

Miguel A. Cardona
2024
Gala Honoree
Government, Education
U.S. Secretary of Education

Tito Nieves
2024
Grand Marshal
Performing Arts
Tito Nieves has become one of the most prominent salsa singers in the industry.

San Germán
2024
PR Municipality
PR Municipality
The 2024 celebration is dedicated to the municipality of San Germán, Affectionately known as “La Ciudad de las Lomas”

Andrea Navedo
2024
Ambassador
Performing Arts, Literature
Actor

David Zayas
2024
Ambassador
Performing Arts
Actor

Liza Colón-Zayas
2024
Ambassador
Performing Arts
Actor

Roberto Sueiro
2024
Ambassador
Law, Performing Arts
Composer, Playwright, Producer & Vocalist

Marcus Stroman
2024
Athlete of the Year
Sports
Widely regarded as one of the best pitchers in the game

Carmen Jovet
2024
Lifetime Achievement
Broadcasting

Lola Rodriguez de Tio
2024
Posthumous Honoree
Culture, Performing Arts

Zayra Pola
2024
Rising Star
Performing Arts

Bombazo Dance Co
2024
Special Recognition
Culture, Education, Performing Arts
Bombazo Dance Co is a Bronx based Non profit dance organization founded by Puerto Rican native Milteri Tucker Concepcion.

Margarita “Tata” Cepeda
2024
Special Recognition
Culture, Education, Performing Arts
Trailblazing figure in the realm of Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba musicand dance for 40+ years

Dr. Wanda Díaz Merced
2024
Trailblazer
Academia

Emilio Colón
2024
Orgullo Puertorriqueño
Performing Arts, Education
Musician

Luis A. Miranda
2024
Gala Honoree
Philanthropy, Activism
Jr., Strategist, Philanthropist and Author of RELENTLESS

Pedro Adorno & Cathy Vigo
2024
Orgullo Puertorriqueño
Visual Arts, Education

Lisa Lisa
2024
Madrina
Performing Arts
Singer and Actor

Hawaii
2024
Stateside Community
Stateside Community
The 2024 celebration is also dedicated to the Puerto Rican communities of Hawaii.

Asianna Saragosa
2024
Ambassador
Digital Media, Pageantry
Miss Latina Hawaii

Edison Lopez
2024
Ambassador
Digital Media
Comedian & Influencer

Rafi Mercado
2024
Ambassador
Performing Arts, Visual Arts
Filmmaker & Creative professional (Production designer, Costume designer, Creative director, and Visual Storyteller)

Taína Caragol
2024
Ambassador
Academia, Visual Arts, Education
Art Historian at Puerto Rican art from the archipelago

José "Piculín" Ortiz
2024
Estrella Deportiva
Sports
Former Professional Basketball Player

Jorge Rivera Nieves
2024
Lifetime Achievement
Broadcasting

Rafael Cepeda Atiles & Caridad Brenes de Cepeda
2024
Posthumous Honoree
Performing Arts, Culture

AREYTO Balleet Folklórico
2024
Special Recognition
Culture, Education, Performing Arts

Danza Fiesta
2024
Special Recognition
Culture, Education, Performing Arts
Non-Profit organization Diversity in Arts and Nations for Cultural Education, Inc.

Segunda Quimbamba
2024
Special Recognition
Culture, Education, Performing Arts
Percussion & dance ensemble that plays the Bomba and Plena music of Puerto Rico

Indigenous People of Puerto Rico
2023
Special Tributes/Cause
Conservation