On July 2, 2026 we unveiled Pedro Joaquín Aguiar Carrión Way in the Bronx, honoring a proud Dominican, devoted family man, entrepreneur, television analyst, and community leader whose life was rooted in service. For more than 30 years, Pedro built, informed, and empowered our community, from supporting small businesses and taxi drivers to keeping families connected through La Verdad Hablada.
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It was my absolute pleasure to join @doechancellor Kamar Samuels at the NYCPS press conference announcing and celebrating the opening of the Bronx School of Arts & Exploration and the Bronx School of Hip-Hop.
I love to see our students being given opportunities to learn in ways that truly connect with them—through music, the arts, and experiences that reflect their voices and creativity.
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When these students came to me with a problem, I made a commitment to them that their voices would not be ignored—and within months, we made government work on their behalf.
What started as a classroom project turned into real action because their advocacy was clear, thoughtful, and impossible to overlook. I wanted this to be a defining moment for them—to see that their local elected official listened, took them seriously, and delivered—installing new trash baskets along their block
Our schools don’t run without the people who keep families connected, informed, and supported every single day.
I had the honor of presenting citations to over 30 District 8 Parent Coordinators—leaders who show up for our students and their families in ways that often go unseen, but never unfelt. From navigating resources to building trust between schools and communities, their work is essential to how our education system actually functions.
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Council Member Amanda Farías sponsored and hosted the 2026 Garifuna Celebration with performances from Wabafu Garifuna Dance Company Theater and Cumbe: Center for African and Diaspora Dance. Blanca Arzu, Arturo Martinez, and Barbara Neil Bennett were each honored with a New York City Council Proclamation.
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What an incredible day in Soundview! With the partnership of the Caribbean Equality Project (CEP), Phipps Neighborhoods, and a long list of generous sponsors, we were able to support over 1,300 families with fresh food, Thanksgiving staples, and essential resources. This is our annual community event, and it’s gotten bigger every year! This is what community looks like — neighbors showing up and organizations uniting to give back.
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