Story and photos by Robin Elisabeth Kilmer
Hon. Julissa Reynoso is the first Dominican-American ambassador in U.S. history and served as keynote speaker at the school's event.
It was the first day of school at Democracy Prep – and already the students were getting a talking-to in the school gymnasium.
This was no run-of-the-mill lecture, however.
Parents were invited and despite attendance not being mandatory, the auditorium was filled to capacity.
The many students who came were eager to partake in the school’s celebration of the Dominican Diaspora, which was being marked that day at 207 West 133rd Street.
The day-long festivities, intending to herald “the incredible contributions of Dominican-Americans to the city, nation, world, and democracy,” as per organizers, culminated with keynote address from the Honorable Julissa Reynoso, the United States Ambassador to Uruguay.
Reynoso, who was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in the South Bronx and Washington Heights, is the first Dominican-American to become an ambassador.
She is also the country’s youngest ambassador.
Read more: Democracy Prep celebrates the Dominican diaspora| Manhattan Times.
See below for a few videos of Dominican-American powerhouse, the Honorable Julissa Reynoso, who went from humble beginnings in the Heights and the South Bronx to become the US Ambassador to Uruguay.
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