\u00a0<\/p>\n
The event, held in conjunction with the Bronx Tourism Council, the Bronx Economic Development Corporation (BXEDC), and the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, also recognized this year\u2019s sponsors, community partners, and community stakeholders whose continued support, Gibson said, help make Bronx Week possible each year.<\/p>\n
BRONX WEEK 2026 Sponsorship Appreciation Event, Pregones Theater, Walton Ave, Bronx 05\/05\/2026. V2 Video by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n
During her prepared remarks, Gibson said this year, the chosen category for the People\u2019s Choice Award was culinary arts. Previous categories included education,<\/a> healthcare,<\/a> and media & the arts<\/a>, as reported.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The borough president said Bronxites were asked to nominate a restauranteur \/ entrepreneur \/ small business owner or leader who has been more than 25 years in the culinary industry. In announcing Rodriguez Jr. as the 2026 Bronx Walk of Fame People\u2019s Choice honoree, Gibson said he was born and raised in the South Bronx and has been 40 years in the business. \u201cHis entrepreneurial journey began when he was a high school drop out working on the streets alongside his father,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n BRONX WEEK 2026 Sponsorship Appreciation Event, Pregones Theater, Walton Ave, Bronx 05\/05\/2026. V3 Video by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n \u201cTogether, they sold seafood at Westchester and Bronx River Avenue, later moving their operation to the Cross Bronx and Webster Avenue, working through every season and in every type of weather.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n She continued, \u201cHumble beginnings instilled in him the work ethic, the strength, resilience and self-belief that would go on to define his entire career. Over the years, he has owned and created more than 20 venues,\u00a0establishing himself as a cultural pioneer in Latin nitelife and dining.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n BRONX WEEK 2026 Sponsorship Appreciation Event, Pregones Theater, Walton Ave, Bronx 05\/05\/2026. V4 Video by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n Joking that she was about to give it away, Gibson added, \u201cHis flagship\u00a0 Jimmy\u2019s Bronx Caf\u00e9, a 48,000 square-foot complex with a 400-seat dining room, a sports bar, a nite club, and a catering hall became the largest Latin restaurant \/ nite club here in our City and across the State. But it was more than a restaurant, Folks. It was a destination where relationships were forged, where people gathered, where history was created.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n She said the Caf\u00e9 attracted an extraordinary roster of celebrities, athletes, business leaders, elected officials and international dignitaries. \u201cOther major venues in his portfolio have included Dangoti, Sofrito, SoBro Garden and so many establishments across the tri-State area,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cBeyond hospitality, he became a true man about town and a community pillar in the borough. He sponsored more than 100 Little League teams, supported Bronx-based charities ranging from food shelters and senior housing, and organized business mixers that regularly drew crowds of many small business leaders,\u201d Gibson added.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The borough president went on to say that through his work, Rodriguez Jr. helped to elevate Latin culture to mainstream [inaudible\/\/promise?] and broke barriers in an industry that had not seen leadership quite like it before. \u201cHis influence has extended far beyond his business,\u201d she said. \u201cToday, he channels four decades of experience into mentoring our emerging entrepreneurs and guiding individuals with life coaching.\u201d<\/p>\n BRONX WEEK 2026 Sponsorship Appreciation Event, Pregones Theater, Walton Ave, Bronx 05\/05\/2026. V5 Video by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n Gibson said Rodriguez Jr. works with businesses and people who want to build something meaningful and lasting. \u201cHis consulting approach centers on one truth: \u2018belief precedes achievement.’\u201d She added, \u201cAs he puts it, the hardest part is believing, the other part is achieving. Every venture he has built from street level seafood sales to a hospitality empire began with a decision to believe it was all possible. He continues to redefine what hospitality can look like in our borough that shaped him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n BRONX WEEK 2026 Sponsorship Appreciation Event, Pregones Theater, Walton Ave, Bronx 05\/05\/2026. V6 Video by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n The borough president went on to say that he is currently developing Jimmy\u2019s in Castle Hill, an exclusive, members-only venue that\u2019s already open, \u201ccontinuing his legacy of premium hospitality and cultural innovation.\u201d She added that a documentary chronicling his life, legacy, career, philosophy, and impact is currently in the works. His story is one of vision, one of resilience, one of cultural transformation, and the power of self-belief.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A video, a copy of which can be watched above, was then shown of how Rodriguez Jr. was surprised with the news. Gibson said what made the recognition so special was that it comes from the people of The Bronx (who vote for the winner).<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Accepting the honor, Rodriguez Jr. thanked Gibson and all those responsible for it, and said it was especially meaningful because it came from the people. He said reading some of the emails he received from colleagues during the nominating process was especially meaningful. \u201cI remember growing up in The Bronx when it was burning,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n He added that now seeing the borough grow, he was grateful to be a part of the beautiful work and what everyone in the room and the sponsors was doing to elevate it and to create opportunities.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBeing born and raised in the Bronx, dropping out, and then going to SBU (\u201cSouth Bronx University\u201d), the school of hard knocks!\u201d he said, adding that he learned from so many different mentors growing up.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201c[Former NYC Mayor] David Dinkins, Charlie Sutton, Percy Sutton, former Congressman Jos\u00e9 Serrano (NY-15), Tito Puente, so many memories of people coming in to the restaurant and having drinks with\u2026\u201d Rodriguez Jr. said in part. \u201cThere are so many memories but, you know, believing in yourself and saying that you can overcome anything in this world, for me, was everything and I continue to do this and I instill this in my children and anyone in my life and in my circle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n He added in part, \u201cI remember when I built Jimmy\u2019s Bronx Caf\u00e9 and I couldn\u2019t get a loan! I did finally get it at 24% and I was, like, so happy to be able to get it at 24, because I had one guy at 32% in Connecticut, and those memories of learning to believe in yourself, to be able to overcome these situations is so important and I share that with everyone I speak to everyday.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Rodriguez Jr. said when he gets the opportunity to talk to people about business, he tells them it\u2019s important to have people around them that can help them grow and that that is everything. \u201cI\u2019m so honored to be chosen by the people,\u201d he said. \u201cNone of this happens without a great team.\u201d He then paid tribute to his team, his family, his children, and his grandchildren.<\/p>\n \n He went on to say, \u201cThe Bronx creates builders. For me it\u2019s such an honor to be here, to be acknowledged by the people of The Bronx, and to hear all the things that have been said about me is so heartwarming. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n Paying tribute to Rodriguez Jr., BronxNet host and journalist, Gary Axelbank, who was the 2025 Bronx Walk of Fame People\u2019s Choice Award inductee<\/a>, mentioned that the late David Bowie, among other musicians, had also been an attendee at Jimmy\u2019s Bronx Caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n As above, the evening was emceed by Axelbank, welcome remarks were delivered by Rosalba Rolon, artistic director of Pregones Theater, and additional remarks were delivered throughout the evening by Gibson, Winston Peters, president of the BXEDC, and Julius Drake, director of development for the Bronx Tourism Council, who also delivered the evening\u2019s closing remarks and sponsor acknowledgments.<\/p>\n Gibson provided an overview of Bronx Week 2026, and re-announced this year\u2019s Bronx Walk of Fame inductees: actor and choreographer Darrin Dewitt Henson, journalist, Darlene P. Rodriguez, music and culture executive, Lenny Santiago, and entertainer and influencer, Roberto \u201cFanum\u201d Escanio.<\/p>\n BRONX WEEK 2026 Sponsorship Appreciation Event, Pregones Theater, Walton Ave, Bronx 05\/05\/2026. V7 Video by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n The evening also featured recognition of this year\u2019s Key to the Borough recipient, former New York State Attorney General and Bronx Borough President, the Hon. Robert Abrams, and the announcement of the 2026 Tourism Award honorees, the Bronx Children\u2019s Museum<\/a>\u00a0and Pregones Theatre.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n BRONX WEEK 2026 Sponsorship Appreciation Event, Pregones Theater, Walton Ave, Bronx 05\/05\/2026. V8 Video by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n \u201cBronx Week continues to be one of our borough\u2019s most important traditions because it celebrates the people, organizations, and institutions that help move the Bronx forward every day,\u201d said Gibson.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis evening was an opportunity to recognize the sponsors and community partners whose continued investment allows us to create meaningful experiences for our residents, and to honor individuals and organizations whose contributions have helped shape the culture, energy, and spirit of our borough,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The borough president added, \u201cCongratulations to our People\u2019s Choice Award Inductee, Jimmy Rodriguez; our Key to the Borough recipient, Bronx Borough President, the Honorable Robert Abrams; and our Tourism Award recipients, Pregones Theatre and the Bronx Children\u2019s Museum. Thank you to everyone who continues to support Bronx Week and help demonstrate why The Bronx leads.\u201d<\/p>\n BRONX WEEK 2026 Sponsorship Appreciation Event, Pregones Theater, Walton Ave, Bronx 05\/05\/2026. V9 Video by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n Media partners for Bronx Week 2026 include BronxNet, News 12 The Bronx, PIX11, 1010 WINS, ABC7, and the Bronx Times.<\/p>\n Now in its 54th year, Bronx Week continues throughout May with events celebrating the borough\u2019s culture, leadership, and community spirit, culminating with the Bronx Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony, Bronx Ball, Parade, Festival, and Concert on May 17. For a full list of Bronx Week events, visit: www.ilovethebronx.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By S\u00cdLE MOLONEY BRONX WEEK 2026 Sponsorship Appreciation Event, Pregones Theater, Walton Ave, Bronx 05\/05\/2026. V1 Video…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":224317,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[128,9,24,63,129,131,130],"class_list":["post-224316","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-the-bronx","tag-bronx","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-nyc","tag-the-bronx","tag-the-bronx-headlines","tag-the-bronx-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/224316","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=224316"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/224316\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/224317"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=224316"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=224316"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=224316"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_1595.jpg\")
<\/a>MARCO CRESPO, SVP community affairs at Montefiore Einstein and colleague, attend the Bronx Week 2026 Sponsorship Appreciation Event on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Pregones Theater in the Concourse section of The Bronx.\u00a0
Photo by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_1581-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/a>BRONX BOROUGH PRESIDENT Vanessa Gibson is interviewed by one of Bronx Week 2026\u2019s media partners, News12 The Bronx, at the Bronx Week 2026 Sponsorship Appreciation Event held at Pregones Theater in the Concourse section of The Bronx on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.\u00a0\u00a0
Photo by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_1580.jpg\")
<\/a>WINSTON PETERS (LEFT) president of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and Gary Axelbank, BronxNet host, 2025 Bronx Walk of Fame People\u2019s Choice award winner, and host of the Bronx Week 2026 Sponsorship Appreciation Event, held at Pregones Theater in the Concourse section of The Bronx on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, pose for a photo together. \u00a0
Photo by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_1598-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/a>A PHOTO OF Lenny S, music and culture executive, and a Bronx Week 2026 honoree, is seen at the Sponsorship Appreciation Event held at Pregones Theater in the Concourse section of The Bronx on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.\u00a0\u00a0
Photo by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_1599-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/a>A PHOTO OF Roberto \u201cFanum\u201d Escanio, entertainer and influencer, and a Bronx Week 2026 honoree, is seen at the Sponsorship Appreciation Event held at Pregones Theater in the Concourse section of The Bronx on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.\u00a0\u00a0
Photo by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_1596-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/a>A PHOTO OF Darrin DeWitt Henson, choreographer, and a Bronx Week 2026 honoree, is seen at the Sponsorship Appreciation Event held at Pregones Theater in the Concourse section of The Bronx on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.\u00a0\u00a0
Photo by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_1597-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/a>A PHOTO OF Darlene P. Rodriguez, journalist, and a Bronx Week 2026 honoree, is seen at the Sponsorship Appreciation Event held at Pregones Theater in the Concourse section of The Bronx on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.\u00a0\u00a0
Photo by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_1577-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/a>A PHOTO OF the Hon. Robert Abrams, a key to the borough recipient during Bronx Week 2026, is seen at the Sponsorship Appreciation Event held at Pregones Theater in the Concourse section of The Bronx on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.\u00a0\u00a0
Photo by S\u00edle Moloney\n<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/IMG_1569.jpg\")
<\/a>ATTENDEES POSE FOR a photo at the Sponsorship Appreciation Event, held as part of Bronx Week 2026 at Pregones Theater in the Concourse section of The Bronx on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.\u00a0\u00a0
Photo by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-08-003510.png\")
<\/a>ATTENDEES POSE FOR a photo at the Sponsorship Appreciation Event, held as part of Bronx Week 2026 at Pregones Theater in the Concourse section of The Bronx on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.\u00a0\u00a0
Photo by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-08-004034-1024x583.png\")
<\/a>JAIME \u201cJIMMY\u201d RODRIGUEZ Jr. is the Bronx Week 2026 Bronx Walk of Fame People\u2019s Choice award recipient in the category of culinary arts. He is seen here speaking at Pregones Theater in the Concourse section of The Bronx on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, during a Sponsorship Appreciation Event.\u00a0
Screenshot by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-08-004227.png\")
<\/a>PREGONES THEATER, 575 Walton Avenue in the Concourse section of The Bronx, was one of Tourism award winners along with the Bronx Children\u2019s Museum, at Bronx Week 2026.\u00a0\u00a0
Screenshot by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n