Esperanza and Impacto Media’s Juntos! reception, The Latin Reception of the PA Society, brought nearly 200 attendees to the Hilton in Midtown Manhattan during the annual gathering of Pennsylvania’s leadership in New York City. In its third year, the reception featured Wells Fargo and Freedom Credit Union as presenting sponsors to celebrate the Hispanic community’s contributions to the Commonwealth while providing a dynamic space for networking.
Rev. Luis Cortes, Jr., Founder and CEO of Esperanza, opened the evening by thanking the organization’s Board of Directors, sponsors, and the elected officials in attendance, including Council President Kenyatta Johnson, Councilmembers Jim Harrity, Katherine Gilmore Richardson, and Cindy Bass, and State Senator Sharif Street. “This event allows for our community and friends to network while at PA Society,” Cortes affirmed.
Tiffany Tavarez of Wells Fargo, an Esperanza Board member and event co-chair, extended her gratitude to the attendees for their support of Esperanza’s work. The host committee also included Rev. Bonnie Camarda, Tom Caramanico, Cynthia Figueroa, John Parsons, and Dr. Christopher McGinley. The program concluded by honoring Rev. Bonnie Camarda for her service as Chair of Esperanza’s Board and contributions to the Philadelphia community during her career as a community leader.
The event was made possible by an impressive group of sponsors, which also included BSI Construction, JEVS, Customers Bank, IBX, Exude, PECO, Highmark, Stradley Ronon, FHLB Pittsburgh, JP Morgan Chase, M&T Bank, Morgan Lewis, and Withum. Their support underscores a collective commitment to fostering opportunities for diverse communities.
Guests were treated to an unforgettable experience featuring custom creations by Executive Sous Chef Michael Aguilar, a talented Mexican-Cuban American chef whose dishes included fine delicacies from the Puerto Rican culinary tradition. Philadelphia’s own DJ Serenity The Prophet kept the energy high with a dynamic music mix, that reinforced the evening’s theme of cultural celebration.
As part of the larger Pennsylvania Society tradition, Juntos! served as a powerful reminder of the strength of the Hispanic community and its integral role in shaping Pennsylvania’s future. The event left attendees inspired and energized, united by a shared vision of progress and leadership.
