On October 24, 2021, Italian Charities of America held their 85th Annual Dinner Dance at the Roma View in Howard Beach, Queens. Italian Charities of America is a nonprofit organization located in Elmhurst, Queens that promotes Italian American culture, heritage, history, and language as well as events for the local community since 1936. As in the past, Italian Charities of America honored distinguished notables who have been an instrumental force in preserving Italian American culture and heritage.

Cav. Joan Marchi Migliori, Director for Community and International Programs and CUNY/Italy Student Exchange Program at the Calandra Italian American Institute and Program Chair for the Italian Heritage and Culture Committee-NY was presented with the Christopher Columbus Award for successfully bridging the cultural connection between Italy and America in countless ways.