First-Ever Reunion Brings Together Past Inductees to Immigrant Heritage Hall of Fame

On June 26, 2025 for the first time ever, inductees from across the 12-year history of the National Immigrant Heritage Center’s Immigrant Heritage Hall of Fame (IHHF) came together to meet, reconnect, and celebrate the remarkable contributions of immigrants to the American story.

Since its founding in 2013, the Hall of Fame has honored more than 40 exceptional individuals whose immigrant backgrounds have shaped education, health, civic engagement, and culture in Connecticut and beyond. Until this event, these honorees had never all gathered in one place. Some reunited with old friends; others met fellow honorees for the first time—but all shared a deep appreciation for the incredible journeys and achievements represented in the room.

Inductees shared their personal stories of challenge and success, and discussed new ways to educate the public about the essential role immigrants continue to play in helping America thrive. The gathering took place at Puerto Vallarta Restaurant in Newington, hosted by 2024 IHHF inductees and local business owners Juan and Esaul Rodriguez.

During the event, Asha Lassen, President of the National Immigrant Heritage Center, thanked board members Tim Norman and Ana Alfaro for making the event possible and announced the names of the 2025 inductees who will be honored at the IHHF gala on September 25, 2025 at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, CT. She also called on the assembled honorees to help build a stronger community of immigrant leaders and to welcome each new class of inductees into their ranks.

“We could not be prouder of the IHHF inductees, and we were thrilled to provide this opportunity for them to strengthen their own ties of community,” said Lassen. “In an era of bitter division, this event’s success reflected the very purpose of the Hall of Fame: a shared yearning to connect, learn from others, and hear stories of struggle and triumph. In that process, people from many different cultures found how much they have in common—and how much there is to appreciate in America’s rich diversity.”

The National Immigrant Heritage Center (NIHC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and promoting immigrant heritage and cultural diversity as defining features of the American nation. The Center also works to promote inter-ethnic and intercultural understanding and to highlight the vital contributions of immigrants to the U.S. economy, culture, and civic life.

The 2025 event will be on Thursday, September 25, 2025; this year’s honorees will be:

• Dr. Ali Antar, Emeritus Professor and Adjunct Professor of Physics at Central Connecticut State University. Born in Egypt, he came to the United States after earning his Bachelor Degree in Science. He subsequently obtained a Doctorate Degree in Atomic and Nuclear Physics from the University of Connecticut and has been an educator for six decades. Dr. Antar is founder and co-president of the Islamic Association of Greater Hartford, co-founder of the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut, and past president of the Islamic Council of New England. A leader in the interfaith community, Dr. Antar is a special advisor to the president of Hartford International University, and a founding member of We Refuse to Be Enemies in coalition with Muslims, Jews, and Christians.

• Atty. Dana Bucin is an award-winning immigration attorney and partner at Harris Beach Murtha. She leads one of the most respected immigration practices in Connecticut, representing immigrants and refugees, including 70 Afghan nationals applying for Humanitarian Parole, and assisting more than 2,000 Ukrainian refugees following Russia’s full-scale invasion. She is founder of the “Connecticut for Ukraine” program matching refugees with sponsors and assisted the CT National Guard in security collaboration with the Romanian Army. She is Honorary Consul of Romania to Connecticut and was named Attorney of the Year by the CT Law Tribune.

• Dr. Demetrios Giannaros, a Greek American, served for 16 years in the Connecticut Legislature, was Deputy Majority Leader and the first foreign-born individual to serve as Deputy Speaker. He immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager with his family, and went on to earn a PhD in economics, an MA in political economy, and an MA in economic development. While at the Capitol, he was Chairman of the Education and Energy & Technology Committees, Vice Chair of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee and a member of the International Trade Commission. After the collapse of the communist system, Dr. Giannaros was Director of the U.S. Consortium for Management Education in Central and Eastern Europe and assisted in the transition to a market economy by training professors, officials and business leaders, and assisted in establishing western-style business schools in Eastern Europe. He is former President of the World Hellenic Interparliamentary Association, has served on numerous nonprofit Boards, and is former President and is co-founder of the National Immigrant Heritage Center.

• Homa Naficy, born in France to Iranian parents, earned a bachelor's degree from the American University of Paris. After emigrating to the United States, she earned a Master of Library Science from Rutgers University. In 2000 she became a naturalized American citizen and joined the Hartford Public Library, where she conceived and developed The American Place, which became a highly regarded cornerstone of support for immigrant and refugee communities. The American Place is celebrated for its work helping immigrants learn English, study for the citizenship exam, and succeed in their new homeland. Ms. Naficy was appointed by President Obama to serve on the National Museum and Library Services Board and served until 2023. Her many distinctions include Champion of Change from President Obama’s administration, Hartford Changemaker from Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, and the prestigious Carnegie Corporation Great Immigrants, Great Americans award.

“The Immigrant Heritage Hall of Fame celebrates our diverse and multicultural nation and the significant contributions of our honorees and immigrant communities,” Lassen added. “We look forward to continuing this inspiring tradition at our annual gala this fall.”

The first group of inductees, in 2013, were Ted and Wanda Malkowski, Mary Mazurek Heslin, and Right Reverend Monsignor Lucyan Boynowski. Through the years, inductees have included:

2014: Harry Sitilides, Michael Guida, Luiz de Moura Castro, Michael Budney

2015: Igor Sikorsky, Igor Sikorsky, Jr. Helen and Vincent Knapczyk, Tariq Farid

2016: Alverio Family, Nick DeNigris, Naeem Khalid, Roman Nowak

2017: Franciszek Herzog, Rabbi Henry Okolica, Bessy Reyna, Angelo Tomasso, Sr., Angelo Tomasso Jr.. The Honorable Mohammad Nawaz Wahla

2018: Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Adnan Durrani, The Koh Family, Dr. Stanislaw Milewski

2019: Dr. Zulma R. Toro, Dr. Henry C. Lee, Mayor Lucian Pawlak, Rabbi Philip Lazowski

2022*: Dr. Radenka Maric, Chaplain Aida Mansoor, Marilda Gandara, Judith Altmann

2023: Dr. Leon Chameides, Rohan Freeman, Dr. Shyamala Raman, Dr. Galo Rodriguez

2024: Prof. Andre Blaszczynski, Dr. Azita Emami, Mr. James Michel, Esaul Rodriguez & Family

The National Immigrant Heritage Center aims to celebrate, preserve, publicize, and promote immigrant heritage and cultural diversity as defining characteristics of the American nation, and the contributions of immigrants and immigration to the American economy, culture, and civil society. The NIHC advocates for Immigrants and Refugees, facilitates collaboration among related organizations on mission-based services and programs and promotes inter-ethnic and cultural understanding.

Tickets for the 2025 Immigrant Heritage Hall of Fame gala are now available. A wide variety of sponsorships are also available to support the event and the National Immigrant Heritage Center. For up-to-date ticket, sponsorship and inductee information, visit immigrantheritage.org.