Hispanic Heritage Month: Belleville Community Leader Honored

BELLEVILLE, NJ — A community leader in Belleville is being honored to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month: Nelson Barrera.

The Essex County Board of County Commissioners recently held its third annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, paying tribute to several local residents. Watch a video of the ceremony here.

This event celebrates the accomplishments of local residents and their “unique contributions to the Essex community and society as a whole,” according to a news release from the commissioner board.

According to the board, here’s why Barrera earned a nod this year:

"Nelson Barrera, presented by Commissioner Vice President Carlos Pomares, is a financial professional advising clients for over 35 years. He has worked with companies such as Financial Benefits, LLC, Union City, NJ Legacy Benefits, LLC as a Senior Acquisitions Manager, and New York Life – Financial Professional throughout his years of service. In 2015-2020 Nelson had the honor of serving the Belleville Board of Education. Humility and perseverance allowed him and the Board the opportunity to impart programs of educational growth and community enrichment to all those we serve. As an immigrant child who studied in and raised four successful daughters within our country's changing school systems, Nelson understands firsthand from every level the role we all play. He has moved from student to parent, to professional and community volunteer in many capacities. The Belleville school district needs dedicated individuals to work as one to get the job done, and Nelson is proud to contribute his part."

“Today we celebrate Hispanic Americans and Hispanic culture,” Commissioner Vice President Carlos Pomares said. “Our honorees exemplify and are a reflection of the outstanding people in our Hispanic community who have done great things here in Essex. Because of your contributions, we are all the better as a community. We thank you for all you do, and we congratulate all of you on this honor.”

“As a Hispanic American, I am certainly proud to take part in today’s ceremony,” agreed District 1 Commissioner Robert Mercado.

“The Hispanic community is defined by our culture, history, pride, and diversity,” Mercado added. “It is impossible to imagine where Essex County, New Jersey and the country would be without the work and contributions of Hispanic Americans and communities.”

In addition to Barrera, the board recognized Marcia Almeida, a community leader in Montclair,Rosaura Bagolie, a Livingston councilwoman, Amiris Perez, a humanitarian leader in Newark, and Griselle Ponce of Newark, president of the Puerto Rican Day Parade Inc.

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