The Latino Commission on AIDS Cielo Gala, took place on Friday, June 6, 2025, at the elegant Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
Marking the organization’s 35th anniversary, the Gala continues its tradition under the theme Designing a World without AIDS, honoring trailblazers in the fight against HIV and AIDS while raising vital funds to support the Commission’s advocacy and community-based programs.
Acclaimed actors and comedians Dominic Colón and Jenni Ruiz, bringing a blend of warmth and humor to an inspiring evening, hosted this milestone event.
Guests enjoyed a dynamic program featuring live entertainment by the Grammy Award-winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra and a fashion presentation spotlighting designers Cindy Castro and Adrian Alicea.
The Commission also presented the Ilka Award, named in memory of Dominican actor and activist Ilka Tanya Payán, who courageously battled AIDS and passed away in 1996.
This year’s honoree is Daphne Rubin-Vega, the celebrated actor and advocate, recognized for her unwavering commitment to raising awareness and breaking stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS since her breakout role as “Mimi” in the original Rent.
“The Cielo Gala is not only a celebration of resilience and progress, but a call to action,” said Guillermo Chacón, President of the Latino Commission on AIDS.
“As we celebrate 35 years of community service, we reflect on how far we’ve come and recommit to the work ahead—especially in the Hispanic/Latino community, where new HIV infections remain disproportionately high and services are threatened by several challenges.”
This year’s Cielo Awards will honor outstanding leaders and organizations making a difference:
Esperanza Award – Dr. Laura Cheever, former Associate Administrator, HIV/AIDS Bureau, HRSA, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, for her groundbreaking work in HIV treatment and care.
Compañero Award – Hispanic Federation, for its enduring partnership and leadership in improving the quality of life for Latino communities affected by HIV/AIDS.
Business Leadership Award – Michael Dowling, CEO of Northwell Health, for his corporate leadership and advocacy in health equity.
Dennis de León Voz de Compromiso Award – Francisco Ruiz, former Director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy, for his unwavering commitment to HIV education, leadership development and public service.
In addition to dynamic entertainment, the evening included cocktails, dinner, and a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting the Commission’s work in prevention, education, healthcare access, and health policy advocacy.
The Cielo Gala also continues to highlight the Commission’s partnership with the Hispanic Health Network, reinforcing efforts to expand access to care and address health disparities within Latino communities nationwide.
About Latino Commission on AIDS: The Latino Commission on AIDS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating the HIV and AIDS epidemic in Hispanic/Latino communities through education, prevention, and advocacy.
Established in 1990, the organization has worked tirelessly to address the health inequities that disproportionately affect Hispanic/Latinos and to elevate the voices of those affected by HIV and AIDS.
The Commission provides health education; advocacy, HIV prevention, capacity building, and health behavioral research that lead to community-based initiatives that aims to reduce the spread of HIV and improve the quality of life for those living with the virus.
For more information about Latino Commission on AIDS and its many programs click here.
Cielo Gala in Celebration of 35th Anniversary 2025, was well attended by a little over 300 people in attendance, supporting this wonderful cause. It was World Liberty TV’s 15th Appearance covering and showcasing the Celia gala to our audience, see exclusive interview with Guillermo Chacón, President of the Latino Commission on AIDS, by clicking here.
See much more in our World Liberty TV, Latin Channels, Blogs and who is Who? of the Latin Community by Clicking here.
BY: Adal Hussain, Chief Editor, 4th Annual Japanese Day Parade NYC , May 10th 2025.
Beginning on Central Park West at West 81st Street and traveling south to West 67th Street, the Japan Parade featured: the music and taiko groups Soh Daiko, COBU and Taiko Masala Dojo, the choir group HARLEM JAPANESE GOSPEL CHOIR, the traditional dance troupes.
The Japanese Folk Dance Institute of NY, and Yosakoi Dance Project – 10tecomai / KAZANAMI, martial arts groups International Karate Organization KYOKUSHINKAIKAN and kendo dojo New York Kenshinkai. Marchers from Anime NYC joined the parade in Japan-themed costumes.
There are Japanese language schools and organizations participating in the Parade, and they include: THE JAPANESE SCHOOL OF NEW YORK (The Greenwich Japanese School), Japanese Children’s Society, Inc., Keio Academy of New York, and The New Jersey Japanese School, and many more.
Chef Masaharu Morimoto served as the parade’s Grand Marshall, and Sandra Endo, news correspondent on KTVV Los Angeles, Fox 11 News and feature reporter for Good Day LA, served as Emcee of the parade.
Participating groups showed Japan’s various attractions, such as culture, tradition, sports, music, cosplay, etc. for everyone’s enjoyment.
Following the great success of the last three years, the 4th annual Japan Parade in New York City was held on Saturday, May 10, beginning at 1pm. Starting on Central Park West at West 81st Street and traveling south to West 67th Street, the purpose of the parade is to celebrate, express, and bring awareness to the friendship between NYC and Japan with a thank you from the Japanese community. Chef Masaharu Morimoto is this year’s Grand Marshall and Koji Soto is this year’s Japan Parade Community Leader.
Sandra Endo, news correspondent on KTVV Los Angeles, Fox 11 News, and a feature reporter for Good Day LA, will serve as Emcee of the parade.
The Japan Street Fair will feature tents offering fun and educational cultural activities including calligraphy, water balloon yo-yo fishing, origami, photo opportunities, and a giveaway. In collaboration with JAPAN Fes, one of the largest organizers of Japanese food festivals in the world that hosts over 20 Japanese food fair events a year in New York City, the Street Fair will also feature about 20 tents serving authentic Japanese food.
The latest information on Japan’s many tourist destinations will be made available at several other tents, and as with last year, there will also be a tent where visitors may donate to a charitable cause. The Japan Street Fair is your chance to experience a Japanese festival, or matsuri, unlike any other.
It was our 3rd annual appearance at the Japanese day parade, thousands of people lined up on the streets on 81st and Central park West, and thousands more at The Japan Street Fair trying many different Japanese foods, desserts and beverages.
Honored guests included: Iron Chef Restauranteur and Author Masaharu Morimoto, who was also the Grand Marshall of the 2025 Parade. Koji Sato, president of the Japanese American Association of New York & 2025 Japan Parade Community leader. Mikio MORI Ambassador, Consul-General of Consulate General of Japan, New York, were the force behind putting on a parade on this magnitude.
Other political guests in attendance included: Mayor Eric Adams, New York State Comptroller, Thomas P. DiNapoli, Council member Gale Brewer, representatives from NY Governor’s office, Assembly members and many more in attendance. Emcee for the 4th year in a row was classy Sandra Endo, news correspondent on KTVV Los Angeles, Fox 11 News, and a feature reporter for Good Day LA and Mayor of Toyama Hirohisa Fuji , who traveled from japan to be part of the parade.
See much more about 4th Annual Japan Day Parade in New York city 2025, in our World Liberty TV, Political channels by clicking here.
The annual New York Produce Show and Conference (NYPS) opened Dec.10-12 2024, with Where PASSION BECOMES ACTION as the overall theme.
The show had a record audience of more than 5,000 executives attending the one-day trade show and three co-located events.
There were close to 350-plus exhibiting companies and a record of 41 sponsors. The New York Produce Show is organized by Produce Business and the Eastern Produce Council.
“Feeling grateful and showing our gratitude can be our choice as we endeavor to change forever how we experience the challenges and blessings presented by our vibrant and vital produce industry,” says Ken Whitacre, chief executive/publisher, Produce Business.
The conference opened Tuesday with the Global Trade Symposium at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel.
The symposium provided an intensive look into global trade from the perspective of produce moving in Routes of Success.
The critical strategies and roadmaps importers use to bring the freshest, highest quality produce into the U.S. and Canada from every corner of the globe.
Some of the topics included; The Global scope of the U.S. Produce industry, importing from Mexico leveraging the most valuable Partnership, importing from Central America, importing from Europe, North America and South Africa: Leveraging the seasons and Transportation and Logistics, The dynamics of shipping and delivery.
Some of the Speakers for the Global Trade Symposium included: Ron Lemaire, President, Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA), John Pandol, director of Special projects, Pandol Bros, Andres Ocampo, CEO, HLB Specialties, Robert Schueller, Director of Public Relations, Melissa’s, Alejandro Moralejo, CEO Salix fruits, Peng Liu, President Orchard direct and many more.
Rising Star Reception 40 under 40, young and brilliant minds involved in the produce business were honored, during this VIP and only invite reception.
Opening Cocktail reception took place, on the opening day, with who is who? of produce business in attendance, networking, enjoying drinks and good food.
The Next day Dec 11th 2024, we are at New York Javits Center, welcoming remarks by Susan McAleavey Sarlund, Executive Director, Eastern Produce Council, and Co- Organizer of the Show Alongside Produce Business.
Next up Remarks by Theresa Lowden, President, Eastern Produce Council, (EPC), Executive Vice President Produce and Floral JOH. Also Presented Produce Business innovation awards, as well as The Joe Nucci Award, Consumption Awards Recognition.
National Anthem was performed by Harlem School of the Arts. Keynote speaker was Matthew Luhn, Former creative lead, Disney/Pixar (Monsters Inc., Cars, Toy Story), Mr. Luhn’s Speech was one of the best speeches I heard for a long time, you can listen partially to it by clicking link below.
The Ribbon Cutting took place just before the Show floor opened up, with VIP people in attendance from the produce world, cutting the ribbon and officially opening the show floor.
Consumer Media and Influencers Explore Health, Consumption at NYPS Media Lunch, A select group of 65 consumer media and influencers discussed and debated health trends, produce prescriptions and how to increase produce consumption to affect health during a private luncheon and presentation held during the New York Produce Show on December11, 2024.
Attending the event were top journalists which included our Chief Editor, Dr Adal Muneer, For World Liberty TV, Food Channels and dieticians from cooking magazines, social media, radio programs, news services and television as well as retail store dieticians.
Stefanie Katzman of wholesaler S. Katzman Produce welcomed the group, talking about the role of Hunts Point Market as well as the importance of increasing produce consumption.
Main speaker Marion Nestle, the Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, Emerita, at New York University, presented a provocative message looking at produce prescriptions and the politics of dietary choice and influencing consumption.
“We must address the politics of produce in America, from production to consumption, and argue for policy changes to make a positive difference in produce intake and population health,” said Nestle. “We need to rebalance the discussion.”
Attendees discussed the practical aspects of how to integrate more produce into diets with
Katie Calligaro, director marketing and communications at The Foundation for Fresh
Produce. “Plant-passionate communicators can help improve health through encouraging readers and shoppers to incorporate more fruits and vegetables,” she said. “We know nine out of ten Americans are not eating enough fruits and vegetables.
We want to help our communicators have access to the best information so they can deliver consistent, positive and inspirational content directly to consumers as we work together to improve consumption. This group is imperative to meeting consumers where they are.”
For a hands-on component, Robert Schueller of Melissa’s showcased unique specialty produce items and discussed Melissa’s top 20 trending specialty items for 2025 including top five: dutch yellow potatoes, ginger, baby red potatoes, steamed lentils and steamed red beets. “Reasons driving these trends are color, convenience, cross-cultural, organic, and plant based,” he says. “But, overall it still comes down to flavor.”
Attendees were treated to a fun, guided tasting of uncommon produce flavors by culinary expert Jill Overdorf of the Produce Ambassador. Additionally, event co-sponsor Thx!
Dreams, discussed its socially conscious program that partners with produce brands to provide authentic connections between shoppers and farmworkers. The initiative works to help farmworkers achieve their personal dreams.
See much more about New York Produce Show 2024, in our World Liberty TV, Food Channels by clicking here.
