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The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court on Friday overturned the dismissal of a lawsuit that was filed to block the planned removal of Pittsburgh’s Columbus statue, writing in a 24-page opinion that a lower court “erred” in its dismissal of the case in 2022. Philadelphia litigator George Bochetto filed the lawsuit, and subsequent appeal, on behalf of t...

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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 Lead...

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AGBO and the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) are pleased to announce the 2024 grant recipients for the Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum (RBIAFF). Five filmmaking teams were each awarded a $10,000 production grant to make a short film based on a submitted concept that depicts and explores aspects of the Italian American e...

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Vanessa Racci is a touring vocalist and recording artist of Italian American descent with a passion for retro jazz and music made famous by Italian Americans. This passion led her to develop a unique niche of music that educates as much as it entertains audiences in Italian enclaves across the country. Vanessa grew up in a blue collar Italian Ameri...

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Louis D’Esposito is one of the primary producers of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the co-president of Marvel Studios. His family is originally from Torre del Greco, Naples, and two of the franchise’s greatest directors, Joe and Anthony Russo, are also of Italian heritage. Along with their sister, Angela Russo-Otstot, they have conceived and org...

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It’s a new day in Tinseltown. Italian Americans, of Hollywood, are, from now on, to be rightly recognized for their important contributions to cinema. New filmmakers are to be encouraged to make short films with themes related to the Italian American experience. Enter the Russos. Film directors, Joe and Anthony Russo, along with their sister, Angel...

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AGBO announced today that Louis D’Esposito will be presented with the inaugural award at the Russo Brothers’ Italian American Filmmaker Forum Event on January 18. The Renaissance Award celebrates outstanding contributions to Italian American heritage and the entertainment industry. This is the first annual event for the Russo Brothers’ Italian Amer...

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ISDA Financial Life total member assets have eclipsed $381M, with millions more on the way from the fourth quarter of 2023. ISDA National President Basil M. Russo, National Controller Joann Blackwell, Sales Manager Jim Laick and ISDA Investment Manager Nick DePersis (along with Nick’s father, Ed) have elevated ISDA to a world-class organization, wh...

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Michael Rosella, a member of the St. Jude Lodge of the ISDA, published a monograph of his photographic works entitled Pittsburgh Streets 1950s. The book was released in November with a book signing event at the Heinz History Center, which is part of the Smithsonian. The center’s Italian American Program sponsored the event as an evening in conversa...

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Chicago’s Italian American community, represented by the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (JCCIA), came together this week to address opportunities and challenges that are elevating and impacting our shared heritage. JCCIA President Ron Onesti convened the meeting and invited COPOMIAO President Basil Russo to speak on the transformative s...

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