{"id":147703,"date":"2026-02-27T20:25:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T20:25:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/147703\/"},"modified":"2026-02-27T20:25:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T20:25:10","slug":"saint-barnabas-hospital-hosts-celebration-honoring-dominican-changemakers-during-dominican-heritage-month-bronx-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/147703\/","title":{"rendered":"Saint Barnabas Hospital hosts celebration honoring Dominican changemakers during Dominican Heritage Month \u2013 Bronx Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

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From January 21 to February 27, Dominican Heritage Month honors the contributions of Dominicans through parades, music and food.<\/p>\n

Photo by Keke Grant-Floyd.<\/p>\n

\t\t Search our comprehensive guide to things to do in the Bronx<\/a> for more local events \u2014 or submit your own<\/a>!<\/p>\n

In Belmont,\u00a0 Saint Barnabas Hospital (SBH), organized a celebration honoring Dominican community change makers during Dominican Heritage Month.\n<\/p>\n

Local band El Trio Ideal provided entertainment for the afternoon by performing Latin music. Guests swayed to the music with a Bachata style.\n<\/p>\n

From January 21 to February 27, Dominican Heritage Month honors the contributions of Dominicans through parades, music and food. The month-long celebration signifies the Dominican Republic\u2019s independence from Haiti in 1844, as well as their resilience and culture.\u00a0<\/p>\n

More than 700,000 Dominicans live in New York City, where the Bronx is home to more than 300,000, which is nearly half of the city\u2019s Dominican population.
\n\"\"Local band, El Trio Ideal, performing music at SBH\u2019s Dominican Heritage Month celebration. Photo by Keke Grant-Floyd.\n<\/p>\n

Among those honored at the event were SBH Telecommunications Technician Joshua Brito, lieutenant and operations coordinator Joreyni Martinez and Honorable Miguelina Camilo who is the chief of staff to NYC Council Speaker Julie Menin \u2013 who is the first Latina and first woman to serve in the role.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of pride in Quisqueya, as we call it, in our mother lands,\u201d said Brito, explaining what his Dominican heritage means to him.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope that what [guests] take away from this event is being proud of where we come from and the strong culture we have\u2026 the possibilities, everything is possible and just being part of our community is very important.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Honorees showing off their award plaques and Dominican flags. Photo by Keke Grant-Floyd.<\/p>\n

In her speech, Miguelina Camilo highlighted her work that uplifts Dominicans across the city.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m honored to be recognized as a Dominican honoree from friends, family and community that really has seen me grow up and has seen me serve and give back, which is what I really love to do,\u201d Camilo said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

She views her work as more than just a job, but a testament to what is possible.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThe work of giving back, it\u2019s not just work, it\u2019s just part of who I am. And in the new role of Chief of Staff, when we talk about being first, \u2018siendo la primera,\u2019 we cannot be the last,\u201d Camilo said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cMy goal is always to make those achievements and make sure that I\u2019m bringing people with me.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Camilo said that her office just hired two new secretaries and senior advisors who are Dominican, so that long after her, the City Council can keep having representation.<\/p>\n

\"\"Guests getting classic Dominican dishes, tres leches and empanadas. Photo by Keke Grant-Floyd.<\/p>\n

The last honoree to speak with the crowd was Lt. Joreyni Martinez from the 48th precinct in the Bronx.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very proud to be Dominican and to be representing my flag. I\u2019m also very proud and humbled by this award and to represent [Dominicans] during the Dominican Heritage Month,\u201d Martinez said.<\/p>\n

Anderson Torres, president and CEO of Rain Total Care<\/a>, a multi-social service agency for seniors and the disabled, attended the event to celebrate the achievements of Dominican leaders in the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe R.A.I.N. organization was established in 1964 and during the transition over the decades, we\u2019ve grown to serve different cultures, but there\u2019s a large cultural base especially in our workforce that represents the Dominican culture,\u201d Torres said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be able to celebrate and partake in a festive activity that recognizes leadership is something that we definitely want to support and understand that it recognizes and amplifies the wonderful work that\u2019s being done by leaders in the Dominican culture.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reach Keke Grant-Floyd at keiwana.grantfloyd19@gmail.com<\/a>. For more coverage, subscribe to our newsletter<\/a> and follow us on Twitter<\/a>, Facebook<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>!<\/p>\n

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