The Dominican Day Parade Inc. Announces Stellar List of Actors, Musicians, Personalities and Parade Grand Marshall

New York – 9-27-2015 Today the Dominican Day Parade Inc. will announce a list of honorees, the King and Queen, and the Parade’s Grand Marshall at a press conference at the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute at 11:00AM. As New Yorkers and local visitors prepare for the end of summer, the Dominican American community is gearing up to march up Sixth Avenue on Sunday, August 9 to celebrate the best of Dominican and American pride. It’s the organization’s first press conference since announcing the board’s new leadership in April.

“We are excited to announce an all-star honoree list of accomplished Dominican Americans who will participate in this year’s Banquet Gala on July 30,” said Angela Fernandez, Chair of Dominican Day Parade Inc. “This year’s honorees embody the traditions of first and second generation Dominicans, and we are honored to celebrate their contributions to the communities where we live, both in the US and in the Dominican Republic.”

Among the names to be announced today, the king of the parade, an international music legend, the recipients of two lifetime achievement awards, and actors from the popular Netflix Series, Orange Is The New Black.

The organization will also reveal the Parade’s Grand Marshall.

In addition, the media will hear from multiple board members including Leonardo Ivan Dominguez, master of Dominican Folkloric tradition and the Parade’s Art and Cultural Committee Chair.

“This year’s parade is a manifestation of both carnival and daily cultural staples of Dominican identity,” said Mr. Dominguez. “The attendees should expect to see a procession of more than 500 young people from a variety of cultural institutions throughout New York City.”

The Dominican Day Parade 2015 is the kick-off to a year-long calendar of activities focused on the educational and economic empowerment of New York City’s Dominican community.

CONFIRMED HONOREE LIST:

Grand Marshall:
Pedro Martinez, Baseball Player and Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee

Queen:
Celines Toribio, Actress, Model and Television Personality

King:
Johnny Ventura, Dominican Singer and Former Mayor of Santo Domingo

Madrina:
Julissa Reynoso Pantaleon, Former United States Ambassador

Padrino:
Judge Rolando Acosta, Associate Justice of the New York Appellate Division of the Supreme Court

Madrina Internacional:
Merijoel Duran, Univision 41

Padrino Internacional:
Eduardo Selman, Consul General de Republica Dominican

Ambassador:
Isolda Peguero, Reporter, Telemundo

Ambassador:
Sofia LaChapelle, Telemundo Network Correspondent

Ambassador:
Jose Acosta, Dominican Writer and Author

Ambassador:
Andres Merejo, Dr. Andres Perejo, Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo

Anacaona:
Sheila Garcia, Community Leader

Cacique:
Jose Zabala, Digital Communications and Dominican Film Festival Organizer
Cacique:
Cesar Romero, President of Instituto Duartiano

Cacique:
Ramon Anibal, Producer, Ramon Anibal TV Show

Cacique:
Negro Santo, Director and Host “Santo Domingo Invita”

Lifetime Achievement Award:
Johnny Pacheco, International Salsa Legend and Percussionist

Lifetime Achievement Award:

Dr. Marilu Galvan, Executive Director, Centro Civico Cultural Dominicano

Lifetime Acievement Award:
Fefita La Grande, Prolific female accordionist

Rising Stars:
Jackie Cruz, “La Flaca” Orange Is The New Black
Jessica Pimentel, “Maria Ruiz” Orange Is The New Black
Laura Gomez, “Blanca Florez” Orange Is The New Black
Selenis Leyva, “Gloria Mendoza” Orange Is The New Black
Dascha Polanco, “Daya Diaz” Orange Is The New Black

Special Recognition:
Francisca Lachapel, Nuestra Belleza Latina 2015

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About The Dominican Day Parade, Inc. The newly formed Dominican Day Parade, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(3)(c), non-partisan organization in formation that organizes the annual parade and festivities that promote the richness of the culture, folklore and popular traditions of the Dominican Republic. The organization strives to provide an understanding of the heritage and contributions of the Dominican community in America and throughout the world. Over time, the organization will focus on providing over $250, 000 worth of scholarship money to aspiring Dominican students in the Dominican Diaspora elevating our focus on educational achievement and excellence!