HCLF & WEWI celebrated in Jersey City on 12/5 with a Year-End Gala
HCLF & WEWI celebrated in Jersey City on 12/5 with a Year-End Gala
Casino Night highlighting female strength in our community!
Jersey City, New Jersey — On Thursday, December 5th from 6-10pm at Battello in Jersey City; two non-profit organizations, Hudson County Latino Foundation (HCLF) and Women Empower Women, Inc (WEWI) came together to collectively celebrate their year-end gala(s) and to honor women who exemplify female strength. The evening featured live music by Flying South, a Latin Jazz Band, casino games, and raffle prizes. The Keynote Speaker for the Gala was Esmeralda Santiago. Our mistress of ceremonies was Crystal DeLeon. All photos were taken by Portraits by Sergio.
Both organizations together honored four (4) women with honorary awards, recognizing these honorees for exhibiting female strength and making an impact in their communities:
- Marie Blistan, President of the New Jersey Education Association and a high school special education resource center teacher in Washington Township
- Jennifer Aitken, Director of Specialized Services at NJCU
Marie Blistan and Jennifer Aitken were both presented proclamation/citations from the County.
- Lucia Alexandra Sollitti, Zumba & Spin Instructor
- Tinia Bland, a certified Chaplain, Minister and Pastor of St. John Baptist Church
Lucia Sollitti and Rev. Bland were both presented proclamations/citations from Jersey City.
Kim Haas, of Haas Media presented the trailer for an up-and-coming PBS Afro-Latino Travel Show; Fusion, which celebrates the historical and cultural accomplishments of Afro-Latinos in Latin America.
Our gala was made possible through sponsorships. Our Gala Sponsors were New Jersey City University (NJCU), NJCU Foundation, NJCU Ascend, NJEA, Liberty Savings Federal Credit Union, First Republic, BCB Bank, NJ Hispanic Bar Association (NJHBA), Hispanic American Law Enforcement Association (HALEA), Foot & Ankle Premier Specialists, Jadoo & Zalenski LLP, Hershey’s Sub Deli & Catering, GMA Electric Corporation, D’Arcy Johnson Day Lawyers and Jersey City Rotary, with donations by Barnes & Noble, New York Giants, New York Jets, New York Knicks, PNC Arts Center and New York Red Bulls.
Visit www.hclatinofoundation.org or www.wewiconnect.com for more information or contact David Miranda, Chief Operating Officer of Hudson County Latino Foundation at (201) 241-1415 or via email at david.miranda@hclatinofoundation.org.
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