South Bronx pride radiated on Thursday, May 1 from the Hostos Community College Foundation’s 2025 Scholarship Benefit where the spirit of perseverance, community, and joy was as strong and vibrant as it was 57 years ago when the College opened its doors. Two-hundred fifty friends of the College reveled in the pleasant spring evening at the stunning Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle, and the event raised a staggering $350,000 in support of scholarships. 
 
Noteworthy international talents added to the festive atmosphere. Génesis Suero ’20, a bilingual entertainment reporter with Telemundo and rising star in real estate, emceed the celebration of her alma mater with her signature warmth and humor. Renowned violinist Suliman Tekalli serenaded guests during the cocktail hour, and DJ Ralphie Mercado brought everyone to the dance floor to close out a memorable evening. 
 

Among the distinguished guests were prominent CUNY leaders, including Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, Vice Chancellor Hector Batista, and Associate Vice Chancellor to the Executive Office and Chancellor’s Chief of Staff Dolly Martínez. Several representatives from Hostos’ sister CUNY schools were in attendance, including Bronx Community College Interim President Milton Santiago. 
 

Hostos President, Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D. happily lauded the College’s achievements.

Guests were inspired by the words of Hostos President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, who reflected on several of the College’s achievements this year. In January, Hostos was honored with one of just six Postsecondary Success Recognition Program Awards from the U.S. Department of Education, the College received a record-breaking $1 million endowment from Benny Lorenzo and the Wright Foundation, and initiatives, like the Student Research Symposium and the Hostos Research Center, have flourished thanks to the gift of Ms. MacKenzie Scott, and many more friends of the College. President Cocco De Filippis concluded her remarks by commemorating the 20th anniversary of the College’s literary journal, Revista Hostosiana, and presenting a certificate to its chief editor, Associate Professor Inmaculada Lara-Bonilla.

Student Franyeli Contreras, pictured with her father Francisco, received a standing ovation for her inspiring speech.

Current student Franyeli Contreras, who will graduate in just a few weeks before transferring to City College, reminded the audience that the impact of scholarships reaches far beyond financial support. "What you are doing tonight is not in vain—you are helping people like me pursue our dreams.” Franyeli, who aspires to attend medical school, shared her hope that one day she’ll return to this event as a successful alum, helping support the dreams of the next generation.
 

Honoree Cira Ángeles identifies so closely with the mission of the College, she proudly declared that “I am Hostos”

The evening’s honorees echoed that sentiment, highlighting how philanthropy, especially when it comes from within the community, carries value well beyond its monetary worth.
Cira Ángeles, co-founder, president, and CEO of L.A. Riverside Brokerage, received the Philanthropic Impact Award. In addition to her longstanding advocacy for the taxi and livery industry, Cira has served on the Hostos Community College Foundation Board and is a former chair of the Nasry Michelen Foundation. She shared, “I feel that we have a commitment; we have a legacy. I want my granddaughters to come to Hostos someday and feel that ‘Mamá did something for people like me!’” 
 

Honoree Benny Lorenzo has endowed the College with a fund for STEM scholarships

Benny Lorenzo, managing partner at Aspira Capital Management, was also honored with a Philanthropic Impact Award. A lifelong supporter of Latin and Hispanic-owned businesses, he recently established the Aspira/Wright Endowed Scholarship for Students in STEM at Hostos. Benny paid tribute to his mother, who returned to school and earned her associate degree at 59, nearly 50 years after leaving school in the third grade. He encouraged the audience, already generous with their families and churches, to seek ways to deepen their philanthropic impact.
 

Honoree Julissa Reynoso appealed to the attendees’ love for the American values of diversity, democracy and justice for all.

Finally, the Global Impact Award was presented to Julissa Reynoso, whose mother graduated from Hostos. A partner at Winston & Strawn, former chief of staff to First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, and U.S. ambassador to Spain, Andorra, and Uruguay, Julissa represents the generational power of a Hostos education. “As an ambassador, I was representing the best of America...its commitment to diversity, to democracy, to liberty, and to the pursuit of justice—and that is Hostos,” she said. Julissa closed with a powerful reflection: “God bless the America that gave me, Benny, Cira, and all the extraordinary people of Hostos opportunity. That is the America we should continue to build up.”
 

Hostos Development Officer Idelsa Mendez gathered students onstage to showcase some of the beneficiaries of the scholarships being funded by the benefit gala.

This event, like all those hosted by the Hostos Community College Foundation, furthers Hostos’ mission to provide access to higher education to all who seek it by funding scholarships to help remove financial barriers that would otherwise prevent some students from pursuing higher education. If you were unable to attend the Benefit but would like to support the College’s educational mission, please visit www.GivetoHostos.com. 
 

Among the sponsors present at the event was the team from Trane Technologies

Thank you to the generous sponsors whose support creates so many opportunities for Hostos students. Premium Event Sponsor: Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF); Diamond Sponsors: Montefiore Einstein, Southpole Foundation, and Trane Technologies; Community Sponsors: 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, BronxCare Health System, Friends of the Chairman, Montefiore Einstein, Ponce Bank, Unitex Healthcare Laundry Services, Winston & Strawn, and The New York Yankees; Ambassador Sponsors: Bronx Community College, Catholic Charities, ConEdison, Oyate Group, and TellDaniel Personal Injury Lawyers; Friend Sponsors: Aspira Capital Management Fund II, Bill and Kathi Aguado, Bronx Terminal Market,  Lead Security Group,  L+M Development Partners, Macquarie, and Monge Capital .