Merengue, with a history spanning 170 years, began in the 19th century among the poor in the Dominican Republic as a means to express their daily lives through music and dance. Initially dismissed by the elite as crude, intellectuals like Eugenio Perdomo and Ulises Francisco Espaillat even saw it as a threat to traditional dances. Over time, Merengue evolved, blending African, Spanish, and native rhythms, leading to its widespread popularity in the Caribbean. A significant milestone was the incorporation of the accordion in the 1870s, which transformed its sound and made it a fixture at local celebrations.
Honorees
- El Gran Mariscal: Los Hermanos Rosario
- El Rey del Desfile: Jochy Santos
- El Rey Internacional: Bulin 47
- El Padrino: Pedro Brache Álvarez
- Cacique del emprendimiento: Antonio Espaillat
- Ambassador of Community Services: Jacqueline Guilamo
- Ambassador of Culture: Amaurys Grullon
- Ambassador of Governmental Stewardship: Ariana Collado
- Ambassador of Innovation: Denise Felipe Adams
- Ambassador of Excellence in Government: Zoila Del Castillo
- Ambassador of Excellence in Sports: Esmery Martinez
- Ambassador of Media: Alfredo Acosta (NBC)
- Ambassador of Media: Eliecer Marte (PIX 11)
- Ambassador of Public Service: Deputy Chief Jose Frias
- Ambassador of Strategic Servics: Deputy Mayor Ana J. Almanzar
- Embajador de Excelencia en Periodismo: Manuel Ruiz (TeleMicro)
- Embajador de Negocios: Ramon Fausto Cabral
- Embajador de Radio y Entretenimiento: DJ Aneudy (La Mega)
- Bronx Borough Dominican Honoree: Janet Peguero
- Bronx Borough Dominican Honoree: Fernando Ortiz
- Bronx Borough Dominican Honoree: Pedro Rivera
- Bronx Borough Adopted Dominican Honoree: Anderson Torres
- Brooklyn Borough Dominican Honoree: Michael Cruz
- Brooklyn Borough Dominican Honoree: Modesto Flako Jimenez
- Brooklyn Borough Adopted Dominican Honoree: Michelle Neugebauer
- Manhattan Borough Dominican Honoree: Led Black
- Manhattan Borough Dominican Honoree: Yokarina Duarte
- Manhattan Borough Adopted Dominican Honoree: Luis A. Miranda, Jr.
- Yonkers Adopted Dominican Honoree: Winston Brewster
- Yonkers Dominican Honoree: Wilson Terrero
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Felix Cabrera
- Gala Benefit MC: Rafael Bello
Benefit Gala
News Splash
Aug 12, 2024
Aug 12, 2024
Cultural Celebrations
Bronx Dominican Heritage Celebration
Yonkers Dominican Heritage Celebration
On July 15th, Yonkers City Hall buzzed with the vibrant spirit of the Dominican community from 5 PM to 7 PM. Hosted by Mayor Mike Spano, the event honored Wilson Terrero as the “Dominican Honoree” and celebrated Winston Brewster as an “Adopted Dominican” for their significant community contributions. The evening wrapped up with dynamic performances, showcasing the rich Dominican culture. 
Brooklyn Dominican Day Resource Fair
On Tuesday, July 30, we successfully hosted the Dominican Day Resource Fair in Brooklyn! 🎉🇩🇴
The event took place at Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation, where attendees accessed a wide range of services and resources, including public benefits enrollment, housing assistance, small business support, and passport services provided by the Dominican Consulate. We also had HRA offering SNAP and other services, HPD with information on Housing Connect, Verizon providing free internet for eligible participants, and NYC Votes for voter registration.
Thank you to everyone who participated and made this event a great success! 🌟
Sponsors
As we look ahead to 2024, we carry the momentum of 42 years of growth, progress, and empowerment. Our journey continues, and we invite you to be a part of the ongoing success story. Your continued sponsorship and partnership will enable us to reach even greater heights.
Together, we can break more barriers, empower more minds, and inspire more hearts.
Thank you to our sponsors for being an essential part of the NatDDP family, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for us all.
Your unwavering dedication and support have played a pivotal role in making 2023 a year filled with inspiration, hope, and empowerment.
Press Release
THE NATIONAL DOMINICAN DAY PARADE ANNOUNCES GRAND MARSHAL, KINGS OF PARADE, AND MORE HONOREES FOR THE 42ND ANNUAL CELEBRATION
Our Scholarship Program
In 2023, we upheld our dedication to education by granting scholarships to 35 deserving students. This marked a significant milestone, as our total scholarship amount has now exceeded one million dollars since 2015. Your support has not only enabled us to offer vital financial assistance but also to provide valuable internships and leadership training, nurturing the future leaders of our Dominican Community.
