Abrazo Boricua in New York

Last night at Maestro's Caterers Mayors, Dignitaries and community leaders traveled from Puerto Rico to join more than 500 people who attended the Abrazo Boricua in New York. 

The Abrazo Boricua in New York has been coordinated by Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, and Assemblyman Michael Blake. 

This annual celebration is a prelude to the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in recognition of the many contributions of the Puerto Rican community to the development of the City of New York. 

This year, the Abrazo Boricua in New York was dedicated to: Dr. Ricardo “Ricky” Rosselló, Mr. José Perez, Dr. Rosa Gil and Ms. Maria Del Pilar Avila – four distinguished members of our community both here in new York and in Puerto Rico. 

Photos of the Abrazo Boricua are below.

Above - Ms. Yolanda Cruz sang both the American and Puerto Rican Anthems.

Below - A photo of the packed room as usual for one of Team Diaz Abrazos. 

Above - Bronx Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Marcos Crespo speaks, as State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson, and Assemblyman Michael Blake are seated on the Dias. Seated in front you can see State Committeeman and son of Assemblyman Sepulveda his son Julian Sepulveda. 

Below Assemblyman Crespo awards Mr. Jose Perez with several citations for his work on behalf of furthering Puerto Rican causes as President of Mastermind Ltd. 

Above - Sra. Maria Del Pilar Avila the Executive Director of the New American Alliance receives her awards from Assemblyman Michael Blake.

Below - Dr. Rosa Gil the Founder, President, and CEo of Comunilife receives her awards from Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, who expressed his sadness that Dr. Gills organization was not around to help a very close family member many years ago. 

Above - State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. (left and half out of the photo) introduces his honoree Dr. Ricardo "Ricky" Rossello , Doctor of Ingenieria Biomedica.

Below - Dr. Ricardo "Ricky' Rossello inspires the crowd to the pleasure of Team Diaz.

Lower Bottom - Dr. Ricardo "Ricky' Rossello, with his awards given to him by State Senator Ruben diaz Sr.