As usual, the 53rd Annual Bronx Week celebrated the best of what the borough has to offer, and took place this year from Monday, May 6, through Sunday, May 19. It featured a host of events honoring seniors, youth, parents, educators, entertainers, small businesses, healthcare professionals, union members, veterans, industry professionals, volunteers and more.

 

Among the many events that took place was, of course, the obligatory unveiling of the 2024 Bronx Walk of Fame honorees. Others included the Annual Bronx Ball, and the week was capped off with the Annual Bronx Week Parade, Festival and Concert.

Announcing the planned festivities and in reference to those who help “make this borough a great place to live, work, and visit,” Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said, “This is our time to highlight the cultural institutions, neighborhoods, restaurants, and people that help make our borough a premier tourism destination.”

 

On Monday, May 6, Gibson joined Bronx week’s main sponsors, the Bronx Tourism Council, the Bronx Economic Development Corporation (BXEDC), Montefiore Einstein, JP Morgan Chase & Co, Cricket Wireless, and the former Whitestone Multiplex Cinemas, to officially kick off Bronx Week 2024 at the newly opened Chase Community Center Branch located at 128 East Fordham Road.

There were also a range of other sponsors involved in the celebrations. There, Gibson announced the 2024 Bronx Walk of Fame honorees, including the unveiling of the People’s Choice Award in Healthcare. [We will publish a separate story on this shortly.]

Melissa Cebollero, senior associate vice president of community relations at Montefiore Einstein, said in part that as a premier academic health system, providing quality, personalized, and accountable care to approximately three million people, Montefiore was immensely proud to call The Bronx its home. “We stand in gratitude to all Bronxites who are part of our pioneering institution,” she said.

For her part, Yesenia Quiñones, VP and community manager at Chase’s new community center branch on East Fordham Road, said in part that The Bronx was known for its vibrant culture, unmatched diversity, and resilient communities. “I am proud to work every day with the BXEDC and partners across The Bronx to empower our communities and small business owners,” she said.

 

On Thursday, May 9, Gibson hosted the Annual Bronx Week Labor Breakfast at F&J Pine, located at 1913 Bronxdale Avenue, together with this year’s co-sponsor, LiUNA. The annual event celebrates the social and economic achievements of union workers throughout New York City.

This year, the event honored Jeff Crews, IATSE Local 1, Carl Johnson Jr., Plumbers Local Union No. 1, Victor Nieves, Carpenters Union Local 212, Julio Romero, TWU Local 106, and William Woodruff, United Federation of Teachers (UFT). New York State Senator, and chair of the State labor committee, Jessica Ramos, acted as the keynote speaker.

On Friday, May 10, the annual Bankers Breakfast was held at Villa Barone Manor, located at 737 Throggs Neck Expressway. “The Bronx continues to grow and transform because of the continued investment of Bronx stakeholders, financial institutions, and businesses,” officials from the Office of the Bronx Borough President wrote.

 

Following through on a commitment made during her 2024 State of the Borough address to support Bronx business owners, Gibson joined Rob Walsh, president of BXEDC, to announce a new microloan program for small businesses in The Bronx.

The microloan program follows the $10M New York Empowerment Zone Corporation Loan Program launched in the summer of 2023, according to BXEDC, which in partnership with The Business Initiative Corporation of New York (BICNY), recently closed on the first three loans for the program.

“The Business Initiative Corporation of New York continues to propel small business equity into the Bronx and statewide.” The Bankers Breakfast was a ticketed event that honored those who have made and are making The Bronx a place for businesses to thrive, according to the organizers.

 

Later, on May 10, despite some gloomy weather, the Bronx Week Silent Disco was held outdoors at the Loreto Playground, located at 1111 Van Nest Avenue, billed as a free, family-friendly, fun event. With wireless headphones, attendees jammed out to music of their choosing and created their own dance parties.

 

On Saturday, May 11, the Annual Health Day event was held at the Northeast Bronx YMCA, located at 1250 East 229^th Street. The theme for the event was “Empowering Women is Empowering Health!” Officials from the Office of the Bronx Borough President said, “In the Bronx, there are factors influencing the significant racial disparities and a lack of awareness of women’s health issues.”

As part of the Health Day event, there was a Community Baby Shower, hosted by the NYPD “to celebrate and empower women in the gym,” as well as outdoor events in the courtyard and parking lot. There were also health screenings, workshops, and lots of giveaways.

 

On Monday, May 13, the borough president and her Veterans Advisory Council co-hosted the Annual Bronx Veterans Appreciation Day Luncheon, a heartfelt tribute to the men and women who serve in the armed forces and live in The Bronx. The event was held at Eastwood Manor, located at 3371 Eastchester Road, and all past and current service members were invited to attend.

This year’s keynote speaker was New York City Civil Court Judge of Bronx County, Yadhira González-Taylor, who served in the United States Army from 1992 to 1998. This year’s honorees were Linda D. Catlett, notary public and notary signing agent (NSA) at Bronx Community College, and retired U.S. Navy veteran, Cornell Nolton, vice chairman of the BLISS, Inc. board of directors, sergeant-at-arms at BCHS Mental Health Board, and a retired Vietnam War veteran, and Juan Parra, chairperson of the veteran’s committee at Bronx Community Board 5, and a retired Marine Corp veteran.

 

They also included Joseph Mondello, a member of Bronx Community Board 10, district commander of the American Legion, former chairperson of the Bronx borough president’s veterans advisory council, and a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, SFC Ricardo Garcia, veterans coordinator at the Hostos Office of Veterans Affairs (HOVA at Hostos Community College,  and a retired U.S. Army National Guard veteran, and Tiana Sloan, coordinator for military and veteran services at the University of Mount St. Vincent, chair of the James J. Peter VA Medical Center’s volunteer student veterans coalition; and president of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 979.

On Thursday, May 16, the BX Factor & What’s Up in The Bronx event took place at Yankee Stadium. BX Factor is a competition hosted by the Bronx Economic Development Corporation.

 

Five local Bronx business owners were invited to present their ideas on how to improve their business to a panel of judges, with a chance to win a $10,000 cash prize to put toward that idea. Details of the context were announced in March, as reported.

Gomez Design Studio, a company that collects, sorts, and prepares discarded construction waste for use in its own line of sustainable products, won the competition, which was sponsored by Santander Bank and the New York Yankees.

 

Also, on May 16, the borough’s seniors were invited to the annual Centenarian Event, held at Villa Barone Manor, located at 737 Throggs Neck Expressway. The event also acknowledged the hard work and dedication of local nursing homes and older adult centers that provide care to Bronx seniors. The event was free for each centenarian and one guest.

On Saturday, May 18, the induction ceremony was held for this year’s Bronx Walk of Fame honorees at the Veteran’s Memorial Rotunda at Bronx Borough Hall, located at 851 Grand Concourse. [As above, we will publish a separate story on this shortly.]

 

The Bronx Week Parade and Festival returned to Mosholu Parkway and Hull Avenue in Bedford Park on Sunday, May 19, having been held along the Grand Concourse last year. Bronx Pride was on display as celebrities, marching bands, community organizations, schools, sports teams, and civic groups marched along Mosholu Parkway, highlighting the best of the borough. Participants included Bronx Community businesses, political leaders, schools, and institutions.

Hosted again by the Bronx borough president’s office, hundreds of people showed up to support the various community and other organizations who marched on the day. One young lady said she was happy the parade was once again held along Mosholu Parkway, after it took place on the Grand Concourse last year. Another man walking with his two daughters said he was also happy the organizers brought it back to Bedford Park because it was within walking distance of his home.

 

Among the many groups marching on the day were cure violence group, SOS Save Our Streets, Future of Mosholu Parkland, Bronx Community Board 7, youth foot group, The Bronx Giants, The Bangladeshi Academy of Fine Art, U.S. Army cadets, The Bronx GEMS and other cheerleading groups, marching bands, The 40+ Double Dutch Club, NYC Civic Engagement Commission (CEC), the NYPD, and many more. CEC encouraged attendees to engage in the participatory budgeting process to help decide how to spend “The People’s Money“

It was followed by the Bronx Week Concert, which featured DJ Ralphie Mercado, Tano, two-time Latin Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter, Luis Figueroa, singer, songwriter, television and radio personality, Lil’ Mo, Free-style sensation, Lisette Melendez, and International Women in Reggae.

In addition to Montefiore Einstein and JPMorgan Chase & Co, other sponsors included Cricket Wireless, Bronx Community Foundation, BronxCare Health System, Con Edison, ProHealth Connect/Sentry, AT&T, Amazon, Verizon, Metroplus Health, Pepsi Cola Bottling Co of New York, and Atlantis Fresh Market. Media sponsors were 1010 WINS, ABC7, Bronxnet Television, News 12 The Bronx, PIX11, and Schneps Media.

*Miriam Quiñones contributed to this story.