L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 30 L'Italo-Americano I t's one of the busiest times of the year in Washington DC and everywhere in Ameri- c a . W h e n F a l l approaches, many from the Italian-American community g e t r e a d y f o r o n e o f t h e biggest, most special, unpar- alleled events of the year. The NIAF Anniversary Gala celebrates the great legacy that unites the com- munity and all the objectives achieved by the foundation in its forty-nine years history. Set to take place on October 26th at the Omni Shore- ham Hotel in the capital, the 2024 edition gives the spotlight to Friuli Venezia Giulia as designated Region of Honor. We talked to NIAF Presi- d e n t , H o n . R o b e r t V . Allegrini, who now repre- sents the nation's seventeen million Americans of Italian descent, to learn more about his role, the Foundation's legacy and future. President Allegrini has the responsibility of celebrating and advancing the inspiring a c h i e v e m e n t s a s w e l l a s uplifting values of Italian cul- ture and presence in Ameri- c a . T h e f i n a l g o a l i s t o strengthen and empower the t i e s b e t w e e n t h e U S a n d Italy. This happens through a foundation that gives out more than a million dollars a year in scholarships, grants, a n d h e r i t a g e t r a v e l , a n d guides a nationwide network of citizen diplomats who are always advocating for closer bonds between the two coun- tries and their citizens. H o n . A l l e g r i n i b e c a m e N I A F P r e s i d e n t i n 2 0 2 1 ; t h r e e y e a r s i n t o t h e r o l e , many things keep him busy, some exciting, some other full of challenges. "I feel like I am just scratching the sur- face of what we can do for this community. My ultimate goal is to provide its mem- bers with a more comprehen- sive understanding of the full richness of their cultural her- i t a g e . U n f o r t u n a t e l y , t o o many young Italian-Ameri- cans have allowed their iden- tity to be defined by Holly- wood and the stereotypes that it continues to associate with it. I want them to appre- ciate everything that Italy and Italian Americans have given to the world. It is an incomparable cultural patri- mony that should make them burst with pride," he admits. "I can achieve this by focus- i n g a g r e a t e r p o r t i o n o f NIAF's resources on grants, on subjects of Italian and Italian American culture and history that have the ability to influence and inform audi- ences. We have supported grants for lectures on impor- tant figures of the American revolutionary period, such as Filippo Mazzei and Gaetano Filangieri, as well as grants for films on Mother Cabrini and on the Italian aviator Francesco dePinedo, who piloted the first foreign plane to land in the USA." President Allegrini's com- mitment to the community isn't new; it goes back to the late '80s, when he served as E x e c u t i v e D i r e c t o r o f t h e J o i n t C i v i c C o m m i t t e e o f Italian Americans. Then, he founded the Chicago chapter of the Accademia Italiana Della Cucina and was Presi- dent of the Italian American Chamber of Commerce of the M i d w e s t f o r t h r e e y e a r s . Having people engaged in activities and initiatives for the community is part of his plan. "I believe in Italian American exceptionalism. We are a tremendous force for good on both sides of the Atlantic, we embody the best characteristics of our Italian forefathers and our American neighbors: that is an unbeat- able combination. From our Italian forefathers, we main- tain a sense of family, which is rapidly disappearing in America. We provide a sense of la dolce vita to this coun- t r y , e n r i c h i n g i t w i t h o u r food, wine, and fashion." And continues: "We embody an Italian sense of humanity which makes us good and generous. Simultaneously, from our American neigh- bors, we manifest a patrio- tism and civic sense which is all too often missing in Italy itself. Our DNA carries the virtues of model citizens and I, for one, want to see Italian Americans continue to be role models who deserve to b e p r i z e d , e s t e e m e d , a n d emulated both in Italy and throughout the US." Looking back at these past forty-nine years, he reveals, relations between NIAF and I t a l y h a v e n e v e r b e e n stronger or more appreciat- ed. It's not by chance that I t a l i a n F o r e i g n M i n i s t e r , Antonio Tajani, singled out NIAF in several televi- s i o n i n t e r v i e w s f o r t h e important role it plays in relations between Italy and the United States. "NIAF is truly a national foundation and there are Italian Ameri- cans to be found in all fifty states. Those in California are no less important than t h o s e o n t h e E a s t C o a s t , " President Allegrini states. "We have even branched out and signed an accord with our Canadian brethren to create a united Italian dias- pora in North America of s o m e 2 0 m i l l i o n p e o p l e . There is so much we have in common with our Canadian cousins, so much so that we can, together, promote our common heritage." N I A F i n i t i a t i v e s t o u c h many people and lives. From folks who've been part of this community for a long time to t h e n e w g e n e r a t i o n s . T h e organization is always trying to balance these efforts, so everyone is heard and bene- fits from being a NIAF mem- ber and supporter. "Those who have been part of our community for a long time are aware that, to keep our community going, the focus h a s t o b e o n o u r y o u t h , " President Allegrini shares. "That is why we have new and old programs for those who are 40 years old and younger. Each year, we bring more than fifty college stu- d e n t s o n a t w o - w e e k a l l expense paid trip to Italy so they can experience the land o f t h e i r a n c e s t o r s . " T h e Peter F. Secchia Voyage of Discovery is now linked to NIAF's network of almost fifty affiliate organizations a n d t h e s e s t u d e n t s c o m e from all over the country. " T h i s p a s t y e a r , w e a l s o added an important initia- tive, the DiLella Fellow- ship program. It takes ris- i n g s t a r s i n v a r i o u s professions, who are between t h e a g e s o f 2 5 a n d 4 0 , t o Italy's leading business and p o l i t i c a l c o n f e r e n c e , t h e Ambrosetti Forum. Then, to Rome where they meet with leading political figures of the Italian government a n d c o m e a w a y w i t h a greater appreciation of how Italy functions. This way, they can be greater advocates for Italian American rela- tions, as well as form a cadre o f f u t u r e l e a d e r s o f t h e National Italian American Foundation." T h e A n n i v e r s a r y G a l a , which attracts people from all over the US, is approach- ing a big milestone – half a century – in 2025. "We are a l r e a d y s o l d o u t f o r t h i s year's gala and I am proud to say that several hundred of our guests will be coming from Italy. We also have a stellar line up of female hon- orees this year, including individuals like the Com- merce Secretary, Gina Rai- mondo; the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti; and the Direc- tor of the National Institute of Health, Monica Bertag- noli. This being an election year, we might even have some unexpected political dignitaries show up. Stay tuned!" A conversation with NIAF President, Robert V. Allegrini: the Foundation's everlasting impact and the path forward SERENA PERFETTO From left, Paganini Prize President, Giovanni Panebianco, NIAF President Robert Allegrini, Genoa Cultural Department Chief Gloria Piaggio, and legendary Italian political figure Gianni Letta (Photo courtesy of Premio Paganini) LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE

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