This year, our Gala theme will be “A New Era”, showcasing our early childhood education programs, which serve hundreds of low-income preschoolers through our daycares, as well as our transformative work with kids, youth, and families through our affiliate, the Community Association of Progressive Dominicans (ACDP), which provides integrated programming to more than 7,500 K-12 students and families annually.

Founded in 1979, ACDP promotes and nurtures the physical, emotional, and socioeconomic wellbeing of underserved communities in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx by facilitating community empowerment through education, the provision of human services, and the development of individual skills and community leadership. ACDP’s robust portfolio of afterschool and family engagement programming includes Beacon, COMPASS / SONYC, and Cornerstone Programs, as well as Community Schools and the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), among other initiatives. Services include afterschool enrichment activities, youth development programs, family support services, food and nutrition initiatives, family wellness & health education, counseling, and more. ACDP became an affiliate of the Acacia Network in 2013, marking the 10-year anniversary of our affiliation!

Join us at our Gala to support our work with youth and help us continue to build bright futures!

Debralee Santos is a journalist, writer, and editor whose work centers on issues of political, civic and social interest - en inglés y en español. The communications strategist serves as Publisher and Editor in Chief of the award-winning Manhattan Times and The Bronx Free Press, New York's bilingual weekly community outlets.

She provides analysis and commentary across various outlets including WNYC, BBC, NY1, Univision, Telemundo, PBS' MetroFocus, CNN en Español, TV Quisqueya, Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN), and BronxNet, as well as The New York Times, City & State, Politico, El Diario La Prensa, Philadelphia Inquirer, and The Daily Beast, among others. Her work has appeared in anthologies on writing, motherhood and Latina folklore. She has written about habichuelas con dulce, reproductive healthcare, electoral politics, Greek food and the power of el chisme. Ella baila.

Community Innovation Award

Alicka Ampry-Samuel 

HUD Regional Administrator

Alicka Ampry-Samuel presently serves as Regional Administrator for Region II of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As Regional Administrator, Ms. Ampry-Samuel presides over HUD’s activities in New York and New Jersey.

Appointed in January of 2022, Ms. Ampry-Samuel oversees over $6 billion in programs and activities in HUD’s New York Regional Office and its field offices in Albany, Buffalo, and Newark. The Regional Administrator works with Members of Congress and local elected officials to ensure that the Department’s policies and programs create more affordable, environmentally sustainable, and inclusive communities.

Ms. Ampry-Samuel has over 20 years of experience helping individuals, families, and organizations in the housing and community development fields. She formerly served as a New York City Council Member, where she was appointed Deputy Leader and Chair of the Public Housing Committee. Her council district included the highest concentration of public housing in North America. Prior to being elected to the City Council, she served on the senior team at the New York City Housing Authority. She has held a number of public service positions from Chief of Staff in the New York State Assembly to Democracy and Human Rights Coordinator at the United States Embassy in Accra, Ghana.

Orgullo Nuestro Award

Adolfo Carrión Jr.

HPD Commissioner 

Adolfo Carrión Jr. is the HPD Commissioner. Carrión has spent his professional career working to build and improve historically marginalized communities in the Bronx, in other areas of New York City, and around the country.

He previously served as regional administrator for Region II of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, deputy assistant to President Barack Obama, and director of the White House Office of Urban Affairs. Carrión’s work resulted in the establishment of a White House Urban Policy Working Group and the first interagency review in 30 years of federal government policy and funding in U.S. urban and metropolitan areas.

Prior to his tenure in the federal government, Carrión served as Bronx Borough President and as a member of the New York City Council. His work as Borough President ushered in a new era of building and growth in the Bronx that increased investment in housing, schools, millions of square feet of commercial space, the new Yankee Stadium, and new businesses. Carrión also served as president of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO), is an Aspen Institute Rodel Fellows alumnus, and has served on numerous boards for non-profit and government entities. He also served as executive vice president of Stagg Group, a housing development and management firm, and senior advisor for Corporate Development to the CSA Group, the largest Hispanic-owned architecture and engineering firm in the U.S.

Prior to joining HPD, Carrión was the CEO and founder of Metro Futures LLC, a real estate development and consulting firm, whose focus is the development of affordable housing, mixed-use and economic development projects, and strategic planning in the New York City Metro Area. He received his B.A. from the King’s College and a Master’s in Urban Planning from Hunter College.

Government Leadership Award

Rafael Salamanca Jr.

Council Member, 17th District

Rafael Salamanca Jr. is the Council Member for the 17th District of the New York City Council, representing the South Bronx and serves as Chair of the Land Use Committee. The son of first-generation Puerto Rican immigrants, Council Member Salamanca grew up in the Bronx understanding the value of hard work and the importance of giving back to the community.

Beginning his career working in healthcare to expand access for low-income and working families, Council Member Salamanca went on to serve as the District Manager for Bronx Community Board 2 for nearly six years. As former President of the 41st Precinct Council, he worked closely with the NYPD and other local leaders to help improve public safety in the community.

Since his special election in 2016, Council Member Salamanca has been a champion for affordable housing, approving more than 6,000-units of new 100% affordable housing and 2,000-units through preservation efforts, and focusing on ensuring residents of all incomes have access to new apartments. Driving more than $220 million in capital investments to his district, Council Member Salamanca has fought for job creation by requiring companies investing in the community to hire local residents, and has committed to providing children in the Bronx with access to a quality education.

Council Member Salamanca resides with his wife Jessenia, and son Aidan in the Longwood neighborhood of the Bronx.