L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 2 S ince the great waves o f e m i g r a t i o n b e t w e e n t h e l a t e nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, millions of Italians crossed the A t l a n t i c i n s e a r c h o f n e w opportunities, contributing decisively to America's eco- n o m i c , s o c i a l , a n d c u l t u r a l growth. Today, the descendants of those paesani who left with little more than cardboard suit- c a s e s b u t w i t h e n o r m o u s reserves of hope and courage, together with the steady flow of young Italians who still move abroad for study, work, research, and professional opportunities, form a community fully inte- grated into American society and present across virtually every sector of public life: from entrepreneurship to politics, from culture to scientific research, from entertainment to academia. And yet, their "double identity" remains one of their greatest strengths. Being fully integrated while still feeling connected to another cultural world creates a unique condition, one that benefits both sides of the Atlantic. Not businesses, but people. Not exports, but expats: the value of Italian Americans From the Editor Very often, it is precisely the presence of Italian-American communities that forms the real bridge between Italy and the United States. Not businesses, but people; not exports, but expats. Cultural familiarity, shared references, personal rela- tionships, and mutual trust frequently do more to strengthen transatlantic ties than institutional strategies alone. A classic example of this ability to move naturally between two worlds is Lee Iacocca. The son of Italian immigrants from Campania, Iacocca grew up in a family that maintained the language, traditions, and strong emotional ties to Italy. His father Nicola had arrived in the United States with very little money but managed to build several small businesses. Lee, meanwhile, became one of the most influential managers in American industrial history: he contributed to the success of the Ford Mustang at Ford Motor Company and later famously helped save Chrysler from bankruptcy during the 1980s. What made his trajectory particularly important was the way he transformed his Italian-American identity into a strength. At a time when stereotypes surrounding Italian Americans were still widespread, Iacocca helped reshape that image into one associated with entrepreneurship, manage- ment, innovation, quality, and design. He also supported international industrial collaborations and indirectly rein- forced American interest in Italian design, European engineer- ing, and specialized manufacturing. Today's newcomers move along a similar path. This highly skilled mobility – involving students, researchers, profession- als, and entrepreneurs capable of bringing innovation and expertise into international contexts – also helps keep alive the human, cultural, and social relationship between Italy and the United States. One of the most important elements is pre- cisely the role of trust and mutual understanding, together with a strong interest in Made in Italy products appreciated not out of habit or inherited nostalgia, but because of their quality, tradition, and innovative capacity. This established network of entrepreneurs, professionals, associations, and consumers understands both Italian culture and the American market, something that greatly facilitates trade, investment, and collaboration. Investing in these com- munities is a little like planting seeds in land that has already been prepared and made fertile. Many Italian-American entrepreneurs naturally become commercial partners for Italian companies looking to enter or expand within the US market. At the same time, younger gen- erations of Italian Americans active in sectors such as technol- ogy, finance, academia, and research can become strategic interlocutors for encouraging investment, technological exchange, and international cooperation between Italian and American businesses. Above all, however, they are promoters of relationships. They think, live, and consume both as Italians and as Amer- icans, and this helps foster joint ventures and the spread of Italian products in the United States, especially in sectors such as food, fashion, design, mechanics, and tourism. Italian- American associations and professional networks play a simi- lar role: they facilitate contacts and business opportunities, help Italian companies better understand the American eco- nomic system, local regulations, and market dynamics, reduc- ing barriers to entry and encouraging strategic partnerships. The real strength lies exactly in these bilateral relationships: the stronger and more frequent they become, the more lasting, constructive, and wide-ranging the benefits will be on both sides of the ocean. Simone Schiavinato, Editor Simone Schiavinato NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS Member of FUSIE (Federazione Unitaria Stampa Italianaall'Estero), COGITO L'Italo-Americano Please send correspondence to P.O. Box 40156 Pasadena CA 91114 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano Newspaper (a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization), www.italoamericano.org, is the largest and longest-running Italian news- paper in America, not to mention the cultural and news resource for all things Italian in the US. A bilingual newspaper which represents an historical landmark for the Italian American Communities in the West Coast and throughout the US. L'Italo-Americano benefits from subsidies by the Italian Government, Memberships and Donations intended to support and not interrupt a mission that began in 1908 to preserve and promote the Italian language and culture in the USA Periodicals postage paid at Monrovia, California 91016, and additional mailing offices. PUBLISHER Robert Barbera Grande Ufficiale EDITOR IN CHIEF Simone Schiavinato ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Patrick Abbate EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Barbara Minafra COPY EDITOR Francesca Bezzone LOS ANGELES CONTRIBUTOR Silvia Nittoli SAN FRANCISCO CONTRIBUTOR Serena Perfetto SEATTLE CONTRIBUTOR Rita Cipalla CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mariella Radaelli, Matt Walker, Francesca Bezzone, Luca Ferrari, Stefano Carnevali, Paula Reynolds, Teresa Di Fresco Nicoletta Curradi, Generoso D'Agnese, Jessica S. Levy, Fabrizio Del Bimbo, Maria Gloria, Chuck Pecoraro, Anthony Di Renzo Serena Perfetto, Kenneth Scambray, Chiara D'Alessio, Luca Signorini, Giulia Franceschini © 2025 L'Italo-Americano Membership: One year $59 - Single copy $2.25 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to L'Italo Americano P.O. 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