L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025 www.italoamericano.org 28 L'Italo-Americano calendar is the designation of L a z i o a s t h e R e g i o n o f Honor: each year, the foun- d a t i o n s e l e c t s a n I t a l i a n r e g i o n t o s p o t l i g h t , a n d Lazio's choice for 2025 mir- rors the historical and cultur- al ties between Rome and the Italian-American communi- ty. At the heart of Lazio's cel- ebrations are a range of activ- ities including business and c u l t u r a l f o r u m s t h a t w i l l b r i n g I t a l i a n a n d I t a l i a n American leaders together for direct collaboration. This year, NIAF has also entered into a partnership with Lega Serie A, Italy's t o p p r o f e s s i o n a l f o o t b a l l l e a g u e , w i t h t h e a i m o f increasing cultural visibility and build new transatlantic c o n n e c t i o n s , p a r t i c u l a r l y among younger Italian Amer- icans who may relate more directly to sport than to tradi- tional heritage programs. Joint events in the US are planned, with a focus on both community outreach and the promotion of Italian excel- lence in sport. T h e h i g h l i g h t o f t h e anniversary year will be the 50th Anniversary Gala, scheduled for October 18, lege students in Italian histo- ry, art, and society, strength- ening their understanding of where their families come from and how those roots c o n n e c t t o t h e i r l i v e s i n America. Since its inception, t h e p r o g r a m h a s b r o u g h t hundreds of young people to Italy, creating lasting bonds between participants and their heritage. In addition to these long- running initiatives, NIAF has responded to changing times by increasing its support for heritage language pro- grams, digital cultural archives, and business networking among Ital- i a n - A m e r i c a n p r o f e s - sionals, and it continues to do so through partnerships with academic institutions and cultural organizations. This sustained commit- ment to education, advocacy, and cultural preservation is at the heart of NIAF's 50th anniversary program- ming. Throughout 2025, the foundation is rolling out a series of special events and initiatives designed to honor its past while creating new opportunities for engage- ment. Central to this year's 2025 , at the Washington Hilton; long considered one of the most prominent events on the Italian-American cal- e n d a r , t h i s y e a r ' s g a l a i s expected to draw a particu- larly high-profile audience and offer a program rich in cultural and symbolic mean- ing. Among the honorees are w o r l d - r e n o w n e d t e n o r Andrea Bocelli and busi- ness leader John Elkann, chair of Stellantis and heir to the Agnelli family legacy, b o t h c h o s e n f o r t h e i r achievements and their role in representing Italian excel- lence on the global stage. The evening will also feature a t r i b u t e t o t h e R e g i o n o f Honor, Lazio. NIAF has stated that this year's celebration will stand out not only for its scale but a l s o f o r i t s i n t e n t i o n t o engage a wider spectrum of the Italian-American com- munity: guests can expect appearances by public fig- ures, cultural ambassadors, and leaders from both sides of the Atlantic, which will transform the gala into a cel- ebration of connection and continuity. For the future, NIAF has a number of strategic priori- ties: expanding scholarship f u n d i n g r e m a i n s c e n t r a l , especially efforts that reach underserved students and those pursuing Italian stud- ies, international relations, or cultural preservation. The f o u n d a t i o n a l s o p l a n s t o deepen its institutional part- nerships in both the US and I t a l y , w i t h t h e a i m o f strengthening academic and economic cooperation. Pro- grams tailored to younger generations are a key focus, particularly those that com- bine cultural education with digital formats such as webi- nars, online archives, and interactive learning tools. By investing in new platforms a n d e x p a n d i n g o u t r e a c h , NIAF is positioning itself to remain relevant to a chang- ing community while contin- uing to honor the historical experience of Italian Ameri- cans. The emphasis moving forward is on accessibility, inclusion, and building sus- tainable cultural ties across generations. frescoes by Constantino Brumidi in the US Capitol Building, one of the most vis- ible symbols of Italian-Amer- ican contribution to national history. NIAF has also been piv- otal for the recognition of Italian-American achieve- ments in politics, science, b u s i n e s s , a n d t h e a r t s through its annual galas and public outreach and, v e r y s i g n i f i c a n t l y , i t h a s served as a point of contact between the Italian-Ameri- can community and US poli- c y m a k e r s , a d v o c a t i n g o n issues ranging from immi- gration and dual citizenship to the promotion of Italian l a n g u a g e a n d c u l t u r e i n American schools. Over the years, it has hosted members of Congress, ambassadors, and Italian government offi- cials, creating a space for dia- logue on issues of shared interest. For young Italian Ameri- cans, programs like the Voy- a g e o f D i s c o v e r y h a v e offered the opportunity to visit Italy, many for the first time: designed as a cultural and educational exchange, the program immerses col- I n 2025, the National Italian-American F o u n d a t i o n (NIAF) celebrates its 50th anniversary, a l a n d m a r k m o m e n t f o r a n organization that has long played a central role in repre- senting and supporting the Italian American community. Established in 1975, NIAF was created to preserve Ital- ian heritage in the United States and to strengthen the cultural, political, and eco- nomic connections between I t a l y a n d t h e U S . T o d a y u n d e r t h e l e a d e r s h i p o f Chairman John F. Calvel- li and President and CEO Robert V. Allegrini, the foundation has continued to e x p a n d i t s r e a c h w h i l e remaining faithful to its origi- nal mission: over the past five decades, it has awarded m i l l i o n s i n s c h o l a r s h i p s grants and heritage travel opportunities, contributed to the preservation of historic landmarks, and amplified the voice of Italian Americans on the national stage. This anniversary year will feature a series of special events, including a high- profile gala in Washing- ton, DC, designed to high- light the foundation's past achievements and its evolv- ing mission. As NIAF reaches this milestone, it's worth examining the substance of its work, what it has done, who it has supported, and how it has shaped the Italian- American experience. Education has been one of the foundation's defining commitments: each year, NIAF allocates approximate- l y o n e m i l l i o n d o l l a r s i n scholarships and grants to Italian-American students and cultural exponents. It also reinforces a sense of belonging among younger generations. The foundation has been playing an impor- tant role in preserving and promoting Italian cultur- al heritage in the United States, too, notably by sup- porting the restoration of sig- nificant historical artworks and landmarks, including the In 2024, President Allegrini received the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic from Ambassador Zappia (Photo cour- tesy of NIAF) Italian-American stories, then and now: NIAF celebrates its 50th anniversary STAFF LIFE PEOPLE REVIEWS EVENTS

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