About
The National Puerto Rican Day Parade (NPRDP) is the largest demonstration of cultural pride in the nation. Now in its 63rd year, the parade takes place from 44th Street to 79th Street along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, in honor of the 3.5 million inhabitants of Puerto Rico and over 5 million people residing in the United States.
Reborn in 2014, our programs and events focus on promoting Culture, Arts and Education, with special tributes to prominent, historical figures and campaigns to raise awareness of important issues in the community. We are also committed to advancing the pursuit of higher education, awarding scholarships to students of Puerto Rican descent.
Each year, NPRDP hosts a variety of cultural, educational and social, cultural and social events throughout the New York City leading up to the day of the Parade. These include the Education Leadership Awards, Rising Stars Challenge, 152nd Street Cultural Festival, Annual Parade Mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, and the Gala Fundraiser Banquet.
National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit tax exempt organization and we rely heavily on the support of its sponsors and donations from the community to help produce the events that make up the largest demonstration of cultural pride in the United States. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent permissible by law.
An iconic institution for over half a century, the mission of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade (NPRDP) is to create awareness and appreciation of Puerto Rican culture and history, as well as to highlight our community’s contributions to the global society. Under the theme Un Pueblo, Muchas Voces (One Nation, Many Voices), NPRDP celebrates the creativity and diversity of thought in Puerto Rico and across our patria extendida (diaspora).
The NPRDP delivers on its mission by producing and hosting a series of events and programs that are designed to celebrate and advance Art, Culture and Education in the Puerto Rican community, both in Puerto Rico and the mainland U.S. NPRDP is committed to promoting the pursuit of higher education through its annual scholarship program, having expanded the NPRDP Scholarship Program 20-fold since 2013, awarding a total of $200,000 to 100 exceptional high school and college students of Puerto Rican descent in 2018.
The National Puerto Rican Day Parade Board Members graciously & generously donate their time and expertise to make the parade a monumental success, year after year. In compliance with our bylaws and given our commitment to succession planning we welcomed three new board members in 2019.
Louis Maldonado, Chair
Louis Maldonado is an award-winning marketing professional and champion for the Hispanic community. He was appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in 2014, where he has been instrumental in ushering in a new era for an iconic institution. In late 2017, he was selected to be Board Chair, and his work, in partnership with his fellow board members, has resulted in three consecutive Emmy nominations for the Parade television broadcasts in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Louis also served on the Board of Directors for the José Limón Dance Foundation, and he sits on the Latina Advisory Panel for Girls Inc. He was a member of the Next Generation Council for the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas and provided pro-bono consultation to Start Strong Bronx, an organization dedicated to fostering healthy, positive relationships to prevent teen violence and abuse. He is regularly tapped to serve as a guest speaker at leading MBA and undergraduate marketing programs at universities including Columbia University, Fordham University, Indiana University, and New York University.
Louis earned an MBA from Indiana University, with concentrations in Marketing and International Business. He completed his undergraduate studies at Baldwin-Wallace College, where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Music.
Vincent Torres, Vice Chair of Operations
Vincent Torres serves as Vice Chair of Operations for the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Board of Directors.
Born and raised in New York City “Vinny” has been involved with the non-profit sector for over 25 years. As Director of Positive Workforce, a Construction advocacy organization dedicated to obtaining gainful employment opportunities for local and minority building trade workers, he has been responsible for over 10,000 placements in the construction industry. Vinny currently is a board member of El Barrio/East Harlem Community Board 11. He has an important role in initiating and reviewing planning, land use and zoning matters, the City budget, municipal service delivery and many other advocacy matters relating to the welfare of East Harlem. With a number of monthly public committee meeting covering a range of important community issues, Vinny currently serves both the Economic Development and Land Use Committees.
Dora Díaz, Vice Chair of Communications
Rosevelie Marquez Morales, Corporate Secretary
Ms. Márquez Morales is past president of the Puerto Rican Bar Association and general counsel of the Hispanic National Bar Association. She has served as co-chair of the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, and chair of the Defense Research Institute’s Diversity Committee.
Ms. Márquez Morales received a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and a B.A. from Barnard College, Columbia University.
Rosa J. Gutierrez, Treasurer
Rosa J. Gutierrez (MBA, AIAF) serves as Treasurer and Executive Board member for the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc.
Ms. Gutierrez recently served as Chief Executive Officer for the Puerto Rican Family Institute, Inc., a not-for-profit, multi-program health and human services organization operating in New York and Puerto Rico and as a Board Member for the Hope for Families and Children Foundation (HFFC), the supporting organization and fundraising arm of the Puerto Rican Family Institute.
Ms. Gutierrez has over 30 years of experience in the Insurance Finance sector with her last role of Vice President of Finance for American International Group (AIG). Ms. Gutierrez also served as Business Leader and President of the AIG Latino Network; an Employee Resource Group.
Ms. Gutierrez received her MBA in Finance from Benedictine University. She has also earned the designation of Associate in Insurance Accounting and Finance (AIAF) is completing the designation of Associate of Regulatory and Compliance (ARC) and received a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from the State University of New York, Purchase College.
Alan Taveras Sepúlveda
Born in San Juan, June 17th, 1987. Father Dominican and mother Puerto Rican but raised in Cupey, San Juan. Graduated from Universidad del Sagrado Corazón with a bachelor’s degree in Advertising and studied and MBA with a concentration in IT management from Universidad de Palermo in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He co-founded Très Epic a digital production boutique, the social media movement #standupforpuertorico and Brands Of, the e-commerce for local brands. Brands OF was a part of the second cohort of Parallel 18. He is very involved in the local entrepreneurship ecosystem focusing on local start-ups and innovation. Member of the board of directors of the Festival de La Palabra and collaborator of the Instituto Nueva Escuela. His passion for innovation, business, self-management, education, and his country is what drives his work.
Neysa I. Alsina
Neysa Alsina is an attorney who served as Counsel to the New York City Bar Association. As a general corporate attorney, Neysa has legal experience that includes labor and employment, intellectual property, corporate governance, privacy, and contract review and negotiation, among other practice areas. Recently, she worked as Senior Policy Advisor to Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez. Neysa is a member of the New York City Bar Association’s Puerto Rico Task Force, the Hispanic National Bar Association’s Special Committee on Puerto Rico, and the Friends of Puerto Rico Advisory Board. She graduated from Fordham University School of Law and Rutgers University at New Brunswick.
Evelyn DeJesus
Evelyn DeJesus is the vice president for education, National Vice President for AFT, National Vice President for LCLAA. She earned a BA in Psychology, a MS Ed in Education and Public Administration from Baruch College, an MS Ed in Reading and Curriculum Development from Fordham University and an additional 30 credits in Reading from New York University.
A skilled teacher and trained administrator, Evelyn DeJesus is a forceful advocate for justice undaunted and unafraid to speak truth to power.
DeJesus traveled an unexpected road from an engaged parent to educator and trade unionist. Her activism began when one of her daughters became ill during a school construction project. DeJesus publicly exposed the toxic environment. Her courageous whistleblowing actions led to what’s now commonly known as the Great Asbestos Scandal of 1993.
DeJesus’ innovative instructional strategies soon became the model within District Two for Collaborative Team Teaching and her classroom became a lab site for visitors and instructional leaders throughout the state and nation. Distinguished among educators in her district, DeJesus was selected for inclusion in the Aspiring Leaders Institute for prospective principals. While DeJesus graduated with all the qualifications to attain a school leadership position, she channeled her passion and full commitment to the UFT.
DeJesus was tapped to become the District Representative for District 2 and subsequently chosen as the Manhattan borough representative, a position she held for seven years prior to becoming the vice president for education in the fall of 2014.
DeJesus’s insight and counsel is sought in a variety of key positions at the state and national levels through her service on the NYSUT Board of Directors and NYSUT Executive Council, the New York State Labor and Religion Coalition and the Executive Board of the AFT Latino Caucus. DeJesus was elected as an AFT Vice President at its national convention in July 2014 where she sits on the AFT Executive Council Policy and Program and Human and Civil Rights committees, AFT English Language Learners Cadre, and Chair of the AFT Latino Task Force offering program and policy recommendations at the federal level. In 2018 DeJesus was appointed to the Executive Regional Board for the National Association of Bilingual Education. In 2017 DeJesus was appointed to the Board of Directors for the National Puerto Rican Day Parade. In December of 2018 DeJesus was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. Additionally in August 2014, DeJesus was elected as the AFT’s National Vice President of Latino Advancement. She is a chairman and leading voice directing our own UFT Charter School and a member of the UFT Executive Board.
DeJesus’s spirituality extends into every aspect of her and she credits her faith for her achievements. DeJesus is also a New York State Chaplain under the NYS Chaplain Task Force. DeJesus is the proud wife of Louie and the mother of two beautiful daughters, Tiffany and Kristina. She has been blessed with four grandchildren.
José “Fofito” Morales
Born and raised in Santurce, Puerto Rico, JOSÉ “FOFITO” MORALES is an art promoter and cultural manager, a visionary leader in the independent art scene of the island. His passion for Puerto Rican heritage has served as his inspiration. His contributions to the independent music scene in Puerto Rico include world known venues like El Café Seda and Aquí se puede, in Old San Juan and La Respuesta, home to Puerto Rico’s underground & independent artists. This last venue has revived and served as a catalyst for the contemporary art and cultural Santurcina’ scene since it opened its doors in 2008.
Looking to reconnect with the great cultural scene present in the historic Puerto Rican & Latino neighborhood of El Barrio in NYC, he created La Marqueta Retoña in 2013, an initiative to revitalize the social and cultural elements of this historical site through art, music and community activities. His vision is for La Marqueta Retoña to become a strong bridge and connection between Puerto Rico and New York, celebrating our Latin culture, educating and instilling a sense of pride in the next generation of residents living in El Barrio and beyond. In 2018 he once again played a critical role in the efforts to revive the economy in Santurce after hurricane María with his project Dulce Santurce. José Morales is the producer of the murals festival, Los Muros Hablan and Monument Art New York City and the proud father of Liliana and Silvio.
Jasmin Espada
Jasmin Espada is an award-winning entertainment PR Strategist, publicist and film producer founder of Espada Public Relations, the Number One Multicultural Entertainment Public Relations Firm in Hollywood.
Espada started her career in entertainment as a radio co-host at the age of 19. During Espada’s college years at UMASS Boston, she served as Assistant to the Student Trustee and helped coordinate rock concerts and special events on campus.
In 1991 Espada relocated to Los Angeles where she worked in the nonprofit sector. This led to her initiation in film publicity on the film Bound by Honor with publicist Katherine Moore.
In 2006 she founded Espada Public Relations an Entertainment PR Firm representing award-winning talent on both Hispanic and General Market.
Espada’s impressive list of clients includes some of the top names in entertainment starring in award-winning shows such as Ozark (Netflix), Titans (DC Universe), Goliath (Amazon Studios), On my Block (Netflix), Gentefied (Netflix), Tacoma F.D.(TruTV), Flipped (Quibi), Shameless (Showtime, Le Studio Canal +), All Rise, (CBS), Why Women Kill, (CBS), Jane The Virgin (CW), One Day At A Time (Netflix), Chicago Med (Universal Television), Chicago Justice (Universal Television), Chicago PD (Universal Television), Teen Wolf (MTV), Switched at Birth (ABC Family), How to Get Away With Murder (ABC Studios), and Criminal Minds (CBS), among many others.
Espada also worked on box office hits such as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (Columbia Pictures), Superfly (Sony Pictures), Bound By Honor (Buena Vista), Logan (20th Century Fox), Miracles from Heaven (Sony Pictures), Raul Julia: The World’s a Stage (PBS), Chavez (Lionsgate) and Indie hits such as El Guardia, 30 Days with my Brother, North By El Norte, La Frontera, The Wall of Mexico, H.O.M.E., Varsity Punks and MAG Film’s Dos Caminos. Espada is about to start working in the Mission: Impossible franchise with client Esai Morales who stars in the next three M: I movies opposite Tom Cruise.
Jasmin Espada is a member of the Television Academy and is an alumni of the University of Massachusetts and The School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Jose Rodriguez
José Rodriguez has worked in all levels of government for the past 25 years. He has worked with City, State, and Federal agencies to educate communities of color on ways to improve their quality of life, education standards, and performance via self-advocacy.
The relationships José has nurtured throughout his career affords him a certain credibility with Legislators and Community Organizations as someone that appreciates the process and their perspective. Throughout his career, José has worked to improve the socio-economic conditions of those constituencies he has been charged with by reinforcing the importance of taking personal responsibility.
José is currently serving the people of New York City as a Senior Advisor to Councilman Rafael Salamanca.
José resides in the Bronx with his wife of 15 years Prisca-Salazar-Rodriguez and sons José Andres Rodriguez, and Javier A. Matos-Rodriguez.
Lillian Rodriguez López
Lillian Rodriguez Lopez is a government relations, communications and strategy consultant for varied enterprises across the continental US, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. She previously served as Vice President, Stakeholder Relations and Customer PAC Support for the Coca-Cola Company. In this role, she was responsible for fostering dialogue and positive relationships with the company’s key stakeholders and supporting customer channels on PAC-related issues in North America.
Lillian previously served as Director, Latin Affairs for the Coca-Cola Company helping to position KO as the leading corporate citizen in the U.S. Hispanic community by managing external relationships, communications, and sponsorships. From 2004 – 2012, she served as President of the Hispanic Federation (HF), a non-profit membership organization of 100 Latino health and human service agencies in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.
Prior to her departure from HF to join Coca-Cola, she was elected by Hispanic national community leaders to chair the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, a coalition of the leading Hispanic national organizations focused on federal public policy. She also worked with various diversity councils at major corporations having served on the Nielsen, News Corporation and Comcast councils. Her efforts have resulted in her being recognized by People en Espanol as one of the 25 Most Powerful Hispanic Women in the country in 2010 and as one of the 25 Most Influential Hispanics in the country in 2009. She currently serves on the boards of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, La Amistad, and Chairs the Hispanic Advisory Council of the Nielsen Corporation, and the Board of Business Advisors for the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators.
Ms. Rodríguez López has a B.A. in Communications with a concentration in Broadcast Journalism from Fordham University.