The NYPALC Portugal Day Leadership Gala will take place on Saturday, May 11, at the Portuguese American Center of Suffolk in Farmingville where, over 60 Portuguese-American organizations, along with public officials and special guests, will celebrate those who contribute selflessly for the enhancement and strengthening of the Portuguese-American Community in New York State.
This year’s Gala keynote speaker and President’s Award is Dr. José Luís Carneiro, Secretary of State for the Portuguese Communities Abroad.
Among the awardees are the Mayors of the City of Yonkers and the Village of Mineola.
“I can’t overstate how supportive Mayor Mike Spano and Mayor Scott Strauss have been to the New York State Portuguese Community – it’s certainly, a long overdue recognition. Mineola’s Deputy Mayor, Paul Pereira, a much-respected member of our Community, will be the Grand Marshall for this year’s New York State Portugal Day Parade in Mineola. We are looking forward to honoring all the amazing Awardees on May 11th” said NYPALC President Isabelle Coelho-Marques.
Performing at the event will be Beatriz Nunes, vocalist of the Portuguese group Madredeus.
2019 Award Recipients
Keynote Speaker & President’s Award: José Luís Carneiro
Founders Award: Miguel Rodrigues, President of the Common Council City of Middletown, NY
Friend of the Community Award: Mayor Mike Spano (City of Yonkers)
Friend of the Community Award: Mayor Scott Strauss (Village of Mineola)
Man of the Year Award: Mario Alberto (Portuguese Community Center of New Rochelle – Westchester County)
Woman of the Year Award: Adriana Santos (Portuguese American Community Center, Spring Valley – Rockland County)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Carlos Alexandre (Portuguese American Center, Mt. Vernon – Westchester County)
Young Man of the Year Award: Brian DaPonte (Portuguese American Center of Suffolk – Suffolk County)
President of the Year: Antonio Mendes (Portuguese American Community Center, Spring Valley – Rockland County)
Revelation Leadership Award: Luis Rocha (Portuguese American Center of Suffolk – Suffolk County)
Revelation Leadership Award: Gabriella Leitao Lisboa (Rancho Sonhos e Juventude de Portugal, Mineola – Nassau County)
Educator of the Year: Odete Pereira (Escola Julio Dinis, Mineola – Nassau County)
Portugal Day Parade Grand Marshall: Paul Pereira (Mineola Portuguese Center, Mineola – Nassau County)
Fernando Silva Leadership Award: Sebastiao Afonso Silva, in posthumously (Portuguese American Cultural Center of the Tarrytowns – Westchester County)
Business of the Year: Roger and Sons (Hudson Valley Portuguese American Community Center, Lagrangeville – Dutchess County)
About NYPALC
The New York Portuguese American Leadership Conference (NYPALC) is the association of Portuguese-American organizations in the state of New York. NYPALC is an independent, non-profit organization with no political affiliations that empowers the New York Portuguese and Portuguese American citizens through advocacy, civic engagement, community development and, education. Currently with 67-member organizations, NYPALC represents approximately 180,000 Portuguese and Portuguese Americans in the State of New York.
About Leadership Awards
The NYPALC Leadership Awards:
– Man of the Year
– Woman of the Year
– Young Man of the Year
– Young Woman of the Year
– Leadership Revelation Award (girl/boy)
– Organization President of the Year
– Educator of the Year
– Business of the Year
– Lifetime Achievement
– Portugal Day Parade Grand Marshall
– Fernando Silva Community Service
– Friend of the Community
– NYPALC Presidents Award
