These 13 Hispanic Community Members In Newark Have Inspired Pride In Their City

NEWARK, NJ — An annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration will return in New Jersey's largest city for 2026.

The City of Newark will host this year's event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1 at Newark Symphony Hall, 1020 Mayor Kenneth A. Gibson Boulevard.

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The celebration recognizes the Hispanic community's "achievements and contributions to America's story," both locally and nationally.

Newark's 2026 Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration will honor 13 luminaries who have distinguished themselves with important contributions to the city's wellbeing:

• Lifetime of Public Service Award: Luis A. Quintana, Councilman-at-Large and Council President, City of Newark
• Excellence in Economic & Community Leadership Award: Carmen Gandulla, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Invest Newark
• Law Enforcement & Community Leadership Award: Detective Joan Marie Falcón, Newark Police Division
• Faith, Leadership & Service Award: Pastor Jorge L. Caban, Senior Pastor, Ignite Church, and Founder and CEO, The Hub Community Center
• Heritage & Community Leadership Award: Madeline Rodriguez, Board Member, Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc., and Pageant Director, Miss Puerto Rico New Jersey Statewide Pageant
• Hispanic Heritage Month Leadership & Community Empowerment Award: Dr. Francisco Dillon, President & CEO, Global Performance Group
• Distinguished Public Service Award: Robert Mercado, District 1 Essex County Commissioner
• Community Engagement & Advocacy Award: Jeannette Ramos, Senior Administrative Analyst, Office of the City Clerk
• Cultural Ambassador & Leadership Award: Maj. Isis M. Rosario, U.S. Army Nurse Corps, known professionally as IZIS La Enfermera de la Salsa
• Global Cultural Ambassador Award: Julio Adonis Gross González, disc jockey, music producer, and composer, known as DJ Adoni
• Excellence in Educational Leadership Award: Havier Nazario, Chief of Staff, Newark Public Schools
• Firefighter of the Year Award: Javier Morales, Newark Fire Division
• Excellence in Education & Cultural Leadership Award: Ashley Romero, ESL Teacher, Elliott Street Elementary School

Emmy Award-winning television personality Monica Morales will host this year's event, which will feature award-winning international DJ Adoni's live sets.

Goya Foods will be honored with a Key to the City for its "longstanding support of – and impact on – Newark's Hispanic community in its 90 years of service." Goya will provide $1,000 scholarship checks to five high school students: one from each ward.

Deputy Mayor Jacqueline Mercado-Quiles said the city isn't shy about celebrating its Hispanic heritage.

"We are proud of our local institutions built to serve Spanish-speaking residents, proud of our delicious catalogue of authentic cuisine, and most importantly, proud of our people, who have accomplished, and continue to, accomplish truly incredible things," Mercado-Quiles said.

"We built this year's program to put that history in front of people and to honor residents who keep showing up for their neighbors under conditions that would give anyone reason to stay home," Mercado-Quiles said.

Mayor Ras Baraka said that while Hispanic Heritage Month lasts only a few weeks, Newark celebrates its Hispanic residents all year round for continuously shaping its history, culture and character.

"Their contributions are woven into every part of our city: from our classrooms and small businesses to the arts, public service and civic life," the mayor added. "Newark is proud to honor the traditions, achievements and enduring impact of our Hispanic community, not only during this month, but throughout the year."

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