ISDA National President Basil Russo and VP John Viola were presented with the inaugural “Reputation Award” at the Italian Cultural Institute of NYC (Istituto Italiano di Cultura di New York) by Davide Ippolito, a celebrated publisher, filmmaker and producer. At the ceremony, Russo and Viola were honored for creating the Italian American Future Leaders platform.

The IAFL has attracted significant attention in Italy because of its goal in preserving and passing on our heritage to younger generations of Italian Americans. Fabrizio Di Michele, the Consul General of Italy in New York (above-left), was present along with an impressive delegation of notable Italians, as well as much of the Italian news media.