STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Two local community leaders were honored on Sunday for their work on Staten Island.
Dozens gathered on Minthorne Street in Tompkinsville to honor Marjorie Garcia and Hala Maroc during the Staten Island Urban Center’s Puerto Rican and Latino Heritage Celebration Benefit Brunch.
On top of raising money for Staten Island Urban Center’s community work, Sunday’s event was intended to highlight the contributions that both women have made to the community, according to organizers.
“Both Marjorie Garcia and Hala Maroc are innovative women that we wanted to recognize for Puerto Rican and Latino heritage month,” said Kelly Vilar, founder of the Staten Island Urban Center — a non-profit organization that focuses on youth development.
“We wanted to lift their work as people who have contributed to the Latino community, especially the Puerto Rican Latino community,” Vilar continued. “They’re both wonderful models for our community. We want to encourage that and celebrate when things like that happen.”
Marjorie Garcia speaks after being honored at the Staten Island Urban Center’s Benefit Brunch.(Advance/SILive.com | Mike Matteo)
Garcia was recognized by the organization for her volunteer work and for founding the Staten Island Puerto Rican Neighbors organization and Boricua Legacy Project.
Garcia was also honored for her work in the community, helping to organize the inaugural Boricua Culture Fest on Staten Island, where over 3,000 people celebrated Puerto Rican Day in Snug Harbor this June.
“I’ve never been recognized for my public service before, but I never look to be recognized. I did this for my people here on Staten Island,” said Garcia.
Hala Maroc, owner of Build a Dream Incubator, was honored at the Staten Island Urban Center’s Benefit Brunch on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025.(Advance/SILive.com | Mike Matteo)
Maroc, in turn, was honored for her work leading entrepreneurs, artists and community activists at Build a Dream Incubator, which hosted Sunday’s ceremony.
The 24-hour space provides educational programming, resources and services designed to help community members further develop their businesses and creative projects.
“For me, I’m not Puerto Rican but I understand the importance of representation,” Maroc said when asked how she felt about being celebrated on Sunday. “As an Afro-Arab woman, it was an honor to be recognized in a space based around culture.”
Since her business focuses on building community, Maroc described being honored by the Staten Island Urban Center as a “full-circle” moment as Build A Dream Incubator nears its one year anniversary.
“After a year of all types of events happening here, you come to realize that we would be four walls without the magic of the people,” Maroc continued. “So this is another opportunity to see this place light up, so full of energy. Even if I wasn’t honored, I’d still be here.”
Special acknowledgment was also given on Sunday to Sajda Musawwir Ladner, who was recently honored with a street co-naming in front of the pioneering non-profit Universal Temple of the Arts, which she helped found.
Vilar recognized the influence that Musawwir Ladner had on the work of the Staten Island Urban Center and spoke glowingly of the upcoming Staten Island Jazz Festival, hosted by the Universal Temple of the Arts.
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