The Associazione Culturale Italiana di New York will celebrate its 15th annual gala on October 12, bringing together prominent figures from sports, journalism, business, education and public service for an evening dedicated to Italian excellence and the Italian American community.
The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, Queens. The association has spent years promoting Italian culture, language and traditions in the United States while strengthening ties between Italy and Italian communities abroad.
This year’s honorees reflect the organization’s broad reach. Soccer legend Roberto Baggio will be recognized as the greatest Italian soccer player of all time, while Maria Falcone, president of the Falcone Foundation, will receive the Woman of the Year award. Enzo Odoguardi, who works on economic relations and connections with communities across North and Central America and the Caribbean, has been named Man of the Year.
Former Palermo star Fabrizio Miccoli will receive a career achievement award. Journalist Stefano Vaccara, a former founder of La Voce di New York and now a New York correspondent for Italpress, will receive the Christopher Columbus Award.
Business and community leadership will also be highlighted. Mauro Salamone, director of business operations at DOR-WIN MFG, has been selected as Businessman of the Year. Former New York State Senator Serphin Maltese and former New York Community Bank CEO Joseph Ficalora will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Distinguished Service Awards will go to Quintino Cianfaglione, president of SILPA USA, and Josephine A. Maietta, president of the Association of Italian American Educators.
The gala is part of a broader mission pursued by the association through cultural initiatives, charitable activities and NYCanta, the Italian music festival of New York. Entering its 15th year, the organization continues to connect generations while showcasing the influence of Italian culture across the United States.
