Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration In Newark: 2024 Event Info

NEWARK, NJ — An annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration will return to Newark this weekend.

The City of Newark will hold its 2024 celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27 at the Newark Museum of Art, 49 Washington Street. The event is held to “recognize the community’s achievements and contributions to America’s story.”

Entertainment will be provided by Grupo Cimarrones, an Afro-Puerto Rican percussion and dance ensemble performing authentic bomba and plena.

This year’s celebration will honor 15 local luminaries who have distinguished themselves with important contributions to the city’s wellbeing:

• Pastor Marcelino Nieves, Jr.: Faithful Servant of the Year
• Minister Nivea Nieves: Faithful Servant of the Year
• Newark Fire Battalion Chief Kenneth Perez: Hero of the Year
• Newark Police Officer Johnny Aquino: Hero of the Year
• Univision DJ Carlo Villamar (DJ C-Lo): Radio Celebrity of the Year
• Univision Newscaster Jonathan Inoa: Communicator of the Year
• Telemundo News Anchor Allan Villafaña: News Anchor of the Year
• Chef Gabriel Bido: Chef of the Year
• Dr. Saul J. Bautista: Doctor of the Year
• Newark Hispanic Affairs Commissioner Diego Fernandoz Munoz Guarnizo: Community Hero of the Year
• Entrepreneur Glenis Mojica: Business Woman of the Year
• Yvette Soto: International Community Leader of the Year
• Gertrudis Catano: West Ward Leader of the Year
• Executive Gold Lincoln Service President Lucio Lemmo Grieco: Business Man of the Year
• Artist Gabriel “Cavanna” Ruiz: Artist of the Year

In addition, a Latino student from each ward of the city has been awarded a scholarship. The recipients are:

• West Ward: Jose Salazar, West Side High School
• East Ward: Joffre Neira, East Side High School
• Central Ward: Yarolin Paredes, Newark Vocational High School
• South Ward: Geraldine G. Alvarado, University High School
• North Ward: Susi Rodas, Donald Payne Technology High School

“It is always a pleasure and honor to join with our Latino community to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, and even more so to recognize these achievers,” Deputy Mayor of Community Engagement Jacqueline Quiles-Mercado said.

“These men and women are a source of pride for a Latino community that has achieved a great deal and has much to celebrate,” Quiles-Mercado added. “Happy Hispanic Heritage Month, mi gente!”

“Right now, all people of Newark are benefitting from the industriousness and influence of Latino residents of yesterday, who have shaped and inspired our city’s history and development,” Mayor Ras Baraka said.

“Those we honor here today continue that lineage of legacy, making contributions that will enrich our city for decades to come – in education and government, commerce and economy, arts and culture. This celebration is a time to acknowledge how Newark shines all the more brighter because of the vibrancy and diversity of our Latino community,” Baraka said.

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