2016, a milestone in the history of the Italian Heritage and Culture Committee of New York: 40 years of promoting Italian heritage and culture. Four decades ago, a group of educators led by founder/president Comm. Dr. Angelo Gimondo, then Superintendent of Schools, District 30, Queens, had the vision of creating a committee for an annual, week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture.
In 1985, the celebration grew to a month long program of varied events, every October, throughout the Tri-State area. After 30 years of his leadership, Dr. Gimondo retired from his position, and the IHCC-NY elected Cav. Uff. Joseph Sciame, vice-president for community relations at St. John's University and former National/State Past President of the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA), to be their leader for the past ten years.
Throughout the past forty years, the Committee, consisting of Italian and Italian American leaders in the community, have organized and presented a high caliber program of events; published an annual calendar of community events in greater New York during Il Mese della Cultura Italiana, and produced educational materials, including annual theme posters, bookmarks and brochures. The IHCC-NY has continued its strong collaboration with the Italian Consulate, Embassy and Cultural Institute in NYC, and as well with other state and national Italian and Italian American organizations. In addition, the IHCC-NY has advocated for issues pertinent to preserving the Italian language and heritage.
Its annual theme and educational materials have inspired programming by other cultural organizations, community associations, community centers, schools and universities in the Greater New York area in celebration of October's Italian Heritage and Culture Month. Moreover, other states such as Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Florida, Washington D.C. and Wisconsin have followed the lead of the IHCC-NY, Inc., mirroring their annual themes, enhancing their activities in their respective states during the cultural month of October.
What began as a vision among a small group of dedicated Italian American educators, who believed in the value of preserving and promoting Italian heritage and culture, is now the fundamental charter of a large committee of dedicated Italian American leaders in the greater New York area. In saluting the achievements of the past forty years, President/Chair Sciame stated: "We are very proud of the efforts of our Board members who make this happen each year and, indeed, this is a "Ruby" year to celebrate. We shine brightly!"
