PHOTO RELEASE:

June 19, 2023

MEDIA CONTACT:

Amanda Karpinski

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BERGEN COUNTY CELEBRATES CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

HACKENSACK, NJ – On Wednesday, June 14 the County of Bergen hosted a celebration in honor of Caribbean American Heritage Month at the One Bergen County Plaza administration building.

Caribbean American Heritage Month was established in 2006 to celebrate the influence and contributions of the Caribbean community to the United States.

In attendance were Consul General of Jamaica in New York Alsion Roach Wilson, Consul General of Dominican Republic in New Jersey Ing. Angel Pichardo Acosta, and President and CEO of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in New Jersey Carlos A. Medina, as well as local community members.

The Bergen County Board of Commissioners presented Keys to the County to the Consul Generals of Jamaica and the Dominican Republican, as well as presented awards for outstanding service to local community members.

Due to the weather, the venue for Wednesday’s event was moved indoors as opposed to outside in the One Bergen County Piazza, as originally planned.

2023 Caribbean American Honorees for Outstanding Community Service Awards:

• Janice Ayala, McDonald’s Franchise Owner – Garfield, NJ
• Jillian Close, Nurse, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center – Paramus, NJ
• Mayor Hugo Jimenez, Borough of Ridgefield, New Jersey
• Officer Jones Pointdujour, Bergen County Sheriff’s Office
• Dr. Jennifer Reyes, Vice President of Student Affairs, Bergen Community College
• Wilton Thomas-Hooke, Chief Financial Officer, Bergen Community College
• Bergenfield Dominoes Club

Photos attachments:

• Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton, Commissioner Mary Amoroso, Commissioner Rafael Marte, Commissioner Chairwoman Germaine Ortiz, and Commissioner Tracy Silna Zur standing with Consul General of Dominican Republic in New Jersey Ing. Angel Pichardo Acosta, Consul General of Jamaica in New York Alsion Roach Wilson, and President and CEO of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey Carlos A. Medina.

• A group performance by students at Englewood’s Azucar Dance USA.

• A solo performance by a student at Englewood's Azucar Dance USA.

• Commissioner Chairwoman Germaine Ortiz, Commissioner Mary Amoroso, Commissioner Rafael Marte, Commissioner Tracy Silna Zur, and the audience applaud for a performance by a student at Englewood’s Azucar Dance USA.

• Commissioner Tracy Silna Zur and Commissioner Mary Amoroso deliver an award for Outstanding Community Service to the Bergenfield Dominoes Club.

• Commissioner Rafael Marte, Commissioner Tracy Silna Zur, Commissioner Mary Amoroso, Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton, and Commissioner Vice Chairwoman Germaine Ortiz standing with honorees for the 2023 Caribbean American Outstanding Community Service Awards.

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