History was made Sept. 24, when Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso — the first citywide Beep with Dominican roots — welcomed Luis Abinader, president of the Dominican Republic, to Brooklyn Borough Hall, celebrating the longstanding ties between the Dominican Republic and Brooklyn, which is home to more than 100,000 Dominican residents.

The visit marked the first official state visit by a Dominican president to Brooklyn. About 200 Dominican-American Brooklynites filled the historic courtroom on the second floor of Borough Hall. Reynoso, the son of two Dominican immigrants, said he was “incredibly” honored to welcome President Abinader to Brooklyn.

Reynoso was born and raised in Los Sures, a Williamsburg neighborhood with a large Dominican population.

Dominican-American Brooklynites were excited to welcome President Abinader to Brooklyn. Photo by Gabriele Holtermann Dominican-American Brooklynites were excited to welcome President Abinader to Brooklyn. Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

In recognition of the Dominican diaspora’s contributions to Brooklyn and to commemorate President Abinader’s visit, Reynoso declared Sept. 24, 2026, Día del Orgullo Dominicano, or Dominican Pride Day, in Brooklyn.

“President Abinader’s visit affirms what the Dominican Diaspora has long understood–that Dominicans play an essential role in shaping the culture, economy, and identity of Brooklyn,” Reynoso said. “I am tremendously grateful to President Abinader for making history as the first Dominican President to visit our borough, and I am proud to declare today as Día del Orgullo Dominicano as we continue to strengthen the bonds between Brooklyn and the Dominican Republic.”

Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso presented Dominican President Abinader with a proclamation. Photo by Gabriele Holtermann Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso presented Dominican President Abinader with a proclamation. Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

Reynoso highlighted the Dominican Republic’s growth during Luis Abinader’s presidency. Abinader, a businessman with a net worth exceeding $70 million, according to Bloomberg Línea, was first elected in 2020 and won his reelection bid in 2024.

The Brooklyn Beep said that since 2020, the president has worked to eradicate hunger, improve security and drive investment to develop the Dominican Republic’s economy.

“From the Santiago Monorail to the Plaza de la Bandera Tunnel, you are creating new infrastructure to improve lives, unite Dominicans, and usher in an era of modernity that our parents only dreamed of,” Reynoso told Abinader.

President Abinader, who was in town for the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where he delivered his speech on Sept. 23, spoke about the achievements and successes of Dominicans living in Brooklyn.

He thanked them for the support they provide to the Dominican Republic through “remittances, investments, and aid to their families,” assuring that his country will always be grateful to the community abroad.

According to a research study by the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute, 700,000 Dominicans live in New York City, making it home to the largest Dominican community in the United States.

“We are proud of you, of your achievements, and of your successes,” Abinader stated.

Dominican President Luis Abinader expressed his pride in the achievements and successes of Dominican-Americans. Photo by Gabriele Holtermann Dominican President Luis Abinader expressed his pride in the achievements and successes of Dominican-Americans. Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

The president recalled his family ties to New York and said he was all too familiar with the lives and hard work of the diaspora. He highlighted Reynoso as an example of the advancement achieved by new generations of Dominicans and noted the diaspora’s growing participation in business, institutions, politics and culture.

“I know what you have done, and I also know how U.S. officials speak of and admire the Dominican community for its contributions, its entrepreneurial spirit, and its progress,” Abinader said. “I am so glad I came to Brooklyn.”

Jesús Vásquez Martínez, the consul general of the Dominican Republic in New York, also attended the visit. He noted that Abinader’s presence in Brooklyn reaffirmed close ties with a borough where thousands of Dominicans have built homes, established businesses, created jobs and contributed to economic development.

Abinader and Vásquez Martínez described Reynoso as the embodiment of the aspirations of the many families who came to New York seeking a better future for their children before presenting him with a commemorative plaque.

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso welcomed President of the Dominican Republic Luis Abinader to Brooklyn for a historic visit celebrating the deep ties between the borough and the Dominican community. Photo by Gabriele Holtermann Dominican President Abinader greets Dominican Americans at a historic visit to Broooklyn. Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

Dominican American Brooklynite Julio Herrera told Brooklyn Paper that the visit was the culmination of decades of hard work and sacrifice by the Dominican diaspora.

“As a Dominican who is born and raised in Brooklyn, and for I think for myself and the community at large, it is. It is very, for lack of better words, vindicating to see the contributions of the Dominican diaspora be fully recognized, and it’s important that no matter if we’re first, second, third generation, you know, we always remember our roots and what connects us,” Herrera said.

Brooklyn High School of the Arts student Sasha Marte Suarez had the honor of singing the Dominican and American anthems. She told Brooklyn Paper she was “shocked” when she learned she would perform in front of the Dominican president.

“It was confusing, but it just felt exciting, just so nice and exciting to be part of something with my culture because I’m extremely proud of it,” said Marte Suarez, who was born in the Dominican Republic.