Brooklyn celebrated Italian Heritage & Culture on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at FIAO Il Centro Cultural Community Center in Bensonhurst—Brooklyn’s own Little Italy.
Hosted by the Office of the Honorable Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn Borough President, and held in participation with the organization responsible for initiating Italian Heritage Month in New York 49 years ago, the Italian Heritage & Culture Committee of New York (IHCC-NY, Inc.), the evening paid tribute to the enduring beauty and spirit of Italian culture in the city.
Maria Marinello, Vice President of IHCC-NY, presented this year’s commemorative poster honoring Michelangelo: An Italian Genius, marking the 550th anniversary of his birth in the Tuscan hills of Caprese, Italy. Guests were welcomed with traditional music, dance, and culinary delights, as students from I.S. 201 Dyker Heights Intermediate School performed the Italian and American National Anthems symbolizing harmony and shared heritage.
Master of Ceremonies Carlo A. Scissura, President & CEO of the New York Building Congress and Vice Chair of FIAO’s Board, guided the evening with warmth and humor. Deputy Borough President Kim Council, accompanied by Communications Associate Darshanie Somwaru, attended on behalf of Borough President Reynoso to issue the official Proclamations of Italian Heritage & Culture Month that honor the ongoing contributions of Italian Americans in Brooklyn’s civic and cultural life. Her remarks underscored the importance of community rooted in pride, purpose, and shared values.
Four distinguished individuals were honored for their excellence and leadership. Justice Lara J. Genovesi, Associate Justice of the NYS Supreme Court Appellate Division, Second Department, has built a life of service grounded in mentorship and advocacy. Pasqualino “Pat” Russo, Esq., Partner at Windels Marx, embodies dedication, justice, and generosity. Nick Pesce, General Manager of FPL Foods and La Bella Marketplace, represents the entrepreneurial spirit shaping both business and community. Peter Ciaccia, Partner of Broadway Construction Group & APICII, Founder of Resolute Properties Global, and President of the Brooklyn Italians Soccer Club, bridges heritage and opportunity through real estate, hospitality, and sports.
One of the evening’s most moving moments reflected the celebration’s core message: "Our greater goal is to foster future leaders—people who embody character, discipline, courage, and community spirit. It’s not material possessions that are most impactful, but instilling faith, values, and mindset into our children—that is the greatest gift.”
The evening concluded with a joyful performance of the Tarantella by students from P.S. 112 Lefferts Park Italian Dual Language Program filling the halls with the rhythms of ancient Italian tradition.
The proclamation ceremony closed with gratitude and unity for the Il Centro team: Nancy Sottile, Executive Director; Jack Spatola, Chairman; and Board Members John Mazzola and Joe Rizzi, whose dedication continues to strengthen Brooklyn’s Italian American community. Guests then gathered for a reception showcasing the culinary mastery of Brooklyn’s finest Italian American chefs.
Contributions came from Il Colosseo Restaurant, Gargiulo’s, La Bella Marketplace, A & S Fine Foods, MP Brooklyn, Fiasconaro, Lioni Italian Heroes, Sirico’s Caterers, Ruan’s Restaurant, Pizza Wagon, and D. Coluccio & Sons. Each dish reflected craftsmanship, memory, and devotion, celebrating the richness of Italian heritage.
The evening wove artistry, pride, and community spirit into a tapestry of excellence and interconnection among cultures. Chinese American leaders demonstrated how Brooklyn thrives through the mutual respect shared with the Italian community, reflecting the borough’s living mosaic of heritage. All cultures came together in unity to honor the legacy of Italian culture—the very foundation upon which much of Brooklyn was built.
