During his visit to New York to attend the 13 August 2023 Dominican parade, President Luis Abinader and First Lady Raquel Arbaje took time to honor outstanding Dominicans abroad. The event was organized by the executive director of the Institute for Dominicans Abroad (INDEX), Foreign Relations Deputy Minister Carlos de la Mota. 26 outstanding Dominicans in the United States were recognized for their work in favor of fellow Dominicans.
Among those honored were academics, politicians, artists, athletes, professionals from different fields, community leaders and entrepreneurs.
The third edition of “Outstanding Dominican Abroad” recognized César Presbott for his work on behalf of vulnerable youth in the United States and Latin America; Dr. Richard Ramón Peralta Hernández, who is a native of San Francisco de Macorís and opened his clinic in Haverstraw, NY; Fernando Teodoro Taveras, for his medical services to the Dominican community; and Rosibel Ventura Almonte, who became the first Dominican to be an assistant district attorney in Rockland County.
Also recognized were Manny Pérez, for being one of the most recognized Latino actors in Hollywood; Rafael Bello, for his work as a communicator abroad; attorney Genesis Peduto, for her pro bono services to the Hispanic community; the so-called mayor of Washington Heights, Nurys De Óleo; Carlo Otilio Hernández Medina, for his social activism; and the successful veterinarian, Luciano García-Trejo.
Also recognized were Ramón Antonio Fernández Henríquez, the first Dominican-born councilman of the city of Peekskill; Nidia Iluminada Henríquez, known as the queen of habichuelas con dulce in New York; María Luna, known as the political legend of Washington Heights; Dio Lluberes, recognized for his productions on the Univision network; Dr. Iván Espaillat, affiliated with Baptist Hospital of Miami; and Sandra Harris, an experienced professional in government and community affairs.
In addition, Pedro Mejía, Assemblyman-elect and businessman related to the residential real estate industry; Milly Quezada, Dominican merengue singer and actress known as “La Reina del Merengue” 5 times winner of the “Latin Grammy Awards”; Pedro Pablo Pérez, sports talent scout, recognized for his work as a manager of educational scholarships for basketball players; Ricardo Ureña, historian, folklorist, anthropologist and dancer with more than 40 years representing Dominican art and folklore; Angel Mescain, sports leader, founder of the first patriotic games with more than 40 years of experience in Dominican community sports in New York; Hector O’Neil, resident of the NY Baseball Association and founding member of the NY Sports Union; Eliazar Bueno, is the only Dominican member of the disciplinary system of Lawyers of the New York State Court and recent president of the District Board of Upper Manhattan. The event also included a posthumous tribute to Officers Jason Rivera and Wilber Mora.
Also attending the Index outstanding Dominicans recognition event were:
Administrative Minister of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza; the President of the Senate, Eduardo Estrella; the Dominican Ambassador to the United States, Sonia Guzmán; the Dominican Consul General in New York, Eligio Jaquez; the Director of Research and Study of MIREX, Pablo Asencio and the head of the INDEX Office in New York, Jhon Sanchez, as well as other members of the INDEX Offices in the United States of America.
The INDEX’s Sociodemographic Registry counted 2,835,593 Dominicans abroad, most living in the United States.
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Ministry of Foreign Relations