As he has done the past several years State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. has held an Abrazo Garifuna in honor of Garifuna-Americn Heritage Month. Over 500 people attended this years event that was held Friday night at Maestro's Caterers. The elected officials on hand with Senator Diaz were Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, Congressman Charlie Rangel, State Senator Fernando Cabrera, Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson, Councilwoman Maria Del Carmen Arroyo, Civil Cort Judge candidate Brenda Rivera, and others who stopped in.
After there was an award reorganization of the four honorees there was a fabulous dance performance in which several audience members joined in with the Budari Dance Company. Below are some photos of the event.
The new Team Diaz? City Councilwoman Maria Del Carmen Arroyo and Congressman Charlie Rangel join Assemblymen Marcos Crespo & Luis Sepulveda and State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr.
Left - As Assemblyman Marcos Crespo is speaking Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda tries on Senator Diaz's hat.
Right - Assemblymen Luis Sepilveda and Marcos Crespo point to Senator Diaz's favorite assemblyman.
Left - State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. reads from Community & Civic Leadership Award presented to Aquina Valentin.
Right - Assemblyman Luis Sepilveda reads from the Culture & Arts Award presented to Felix Gamboa.
Left - State Senator Fernando Cabrera reads from the Faith Leadership Award presented to Pastor Andrew Nunez.
Right - State Senator Marcos Serrano reads from the Youth Leadership Award presented to Perla Gonzales.
Senator Diaz, Assemblyman Crespo, and Jose Avila join the Budari Dance Company for this photo.
The dance company at the start of the performance.
The dancing was so inviting that even several audience members joined in.
