AMHS & THE NIAF 41st ANNIVERSARY GALA WEEKEND
AMHS was well represented at NIAF’s 41st anniversary Gala weekend, October 13 – 16, participating in events for the Italian American Leadership Council, a reception at the residence of the Italian Ambassador, at the Expo Italiana, and at the Gala. On Thursday evening, October 13, NIAF Board and Italian American Leadership Council (IALC) members and Gala VIPs attended a special reception, dinner and tour hosted by the White House Historical Association at historic Decatur House a block from the White House. President Maria D’AndreaYothers, who represents AMHS on the IALC, attended this dinner with Ray LaVerghetta, Chair of the AMHS Scholarship Committee.
This was a wonderful networking opportunity, to meet more members of NIAF’s Board and the IALC, and to firmly embrace our relationship with NIAF. On Friday night, AMHS President Maria D’Andrea-Yothers was honored to attend a reception at the residence of the Italian Ambassador, Armando Varricchio, held in celebration of the NIAF weekend. One of the highlights for Maria was meeting former Pittsburgh Steeler, Hall of Famer, and NIAF Gala honoree Franco Harris!
Saturday morning’s Expo Italiana proved a vibrant marketplace and forum for all things Italian and Italian American…and for more than 3,000 guests who were drawn to what has become the largest annual Italian festival in the nation’s capital. Mike’s Deli, the original Arthur Avenue Italian Deli, was on hand to serve complimentary Italian delicacies and whip up fresh mozzarella on site, made with water imported straight from Bronx, NY, in order to keep the flavor authentic. Peroni Nastro Azzurro served samples of Italian beer; Cibo Foods brought in its “Maserati of meat slicers” to provide amazing sliced Italian meats by the plateful; Chazz Palminteri’s BIVI Sicilian Vodka booth gave away shots; La Famiglia DelGrosso created a crowd pleaser with its “Meatball Martinis”; and LaVazza Café doled out fresh, hot espresso throughout the day.
Other vendors in attendance included Dolce Gelato, Alitalia, Ferrero, Maserati of Arlington, and the Region of Piemonte. The expo also included various programs, films, and seminars, including “Women Leaders in Advanced Cancer Research”, “Emergency Exit: Young Italians Abroad”, “NIAF – Ieri, Oggi, Domani: The Future of Little Italy’s”, workshop and forum with brothers Anthony & Joseph Russo (Gala honorees), directors of the TV shows Arrested Development and Community, as well as the films Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Captain America: Civil War, who discussed the art of filmmaking. The Gala on Saturday, October 15 was a star-studded event, with recognition of many important Italian Americans in the field of entertainment, sports, business, and philanthropy.
Entertainer and radio host Joe Piscopo, along with NIAF President and Chief Operating Officer John M. Viola, co-hosted the black-tie Gala. Gala Weekend Chairman Frank Giordano welcomed the evening’s guests, followed by Italy’s Ambassador to the United States Armando Varricchio, expressing gratitude for the more than half a million dollars raised for relief by NIAF and affiliates in the wake of the August 24 earthquake that devastated Central Italy. “We [Italians and Italian Americans] know we can count on each other,” said Varricchio. NIAF Board member Paolo Catalfamo and General Counsel Arthur J. Furia introduced the 2016 Region of Honor, Piemonte, which was celebrated in a lushly-shot video paying homage to the area.
Through the course of the evening, the more than 1,500 guests enjoyed wine and dinner that reflected Piemonte’s worldwide reputation as a culinary and wine lover’s destination A centerpiece of the Gala, which topped off the weekend, were the 2016 honorees. Directors Joe and Anthony Russo delivered an inspiring speech as recipients of the Jack Valenti Institute Award. “We feel blessed to have had a classic Italian American upbringing,” said the Russo brothers, telling a touching yet familiar story of belonging to a tight-knit, loyal family. “For all the things you can take away from the Italian American experience, this may be the most important – your family will always be there,” said Anthony Russo. “We stand on the shoulders of our parents and their parents.”
The filmmakers also announced the launch of a new NIAF program, The Russo Brothers Italian American Film Forum, a new grant initiative that will help fund young filmmakers to capture an aspect of the Italian American experience. They also introduced an exciting live auction item offering a family of five a visit to the set in Atlanta of the next “Avengers” film, including a private tour of the film set, meeting members of the cast and crew, and VIP access to the directors’ trailer. National Football League Hall of Famer and four-time Super Bowl Champion Franco Harris, recipient of the Special Achievement Award in Sports, told the audience about being raised in a household with an Italian mother and an AfricanAmerican father.
He noted that his mother often told stories of her experiences in Italy during World War II, and these stories made him comprehend the sacrifices she endured on behalf of her children. “Going to Italy,” Harris said, “did it help me understand and appreciate my Italian heritage? It really did.”
Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Stefano Pessina, accepted the honor of NIAF’s Special Achievement Award in Business. “I feel very pleased to be a very small part of the great contributions Italian Americans have made to this country,” Pessina said.
*Also attending the Gala, from AMHS, were the Mazziotti brothers and their families, and Tony and Elodi D’Onofrio. Gala attendees were treated to a special performance by legendary singer and songwriter Tony Renis, who, before singing his classic “Quando, Quando, Quando,” told the crowd that this performance would be his first in public in 20 years. When he learned he would be honored with NIAF’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Entertainment, Renis explained that a friend told him he must attend the Gala because “’The Italian Americans love you.’”
His authentic and eccentric character riveted the audience, and his offbeat comments – “Is it [the award statue] made of gold? It looks like gold!” – kept everyone laughing. Giuseppe Lavazza, vice chairman of Lavazza, the Italian coffee giant, received NIAF’s Special Achievement Award in International Business. “I feel myself really in a great family,” Lavazza told the crowd, adding that he was grateful to be honored by an organization that has worked for more than 40 years to preserve heritage and culture. Honoree Maria Franca Ferrero, the widow of Michele Ferrero of Ferrero Group, accepted her honor via video, stating, “We are proud to support NIAF and its activities and support the Italian culture and heritage in the United States.”
The Italian American Community Leadership Award was given to The National Organization of Italian American Women (NOIAW) and its founder Dr. Aileen Riotto Sirey. Dr. Sirey, who launched NOIAW 36 years ago, explained that when the organization was established, Italian Americans were in “a generation that was straddled between two worlds, two languages, two cultures. They wanted their kids to be American.” She noted that part of the impetus behind the organization’s creation was a desire to bust stereotypes of Italian American women, which more often than not depicted them as fat and hunched over a pot of sauce. “We weren’t ashamed of that,” Sirey said on Saturday night, “but we knew we were more than that.” NIAF Vice Chairman Hon.
Patricia de Stacy Harrison and Executive Vice President John F. Calvelli introduced a video detailing the Foundation’s Italian American Relief Fund initiative, originally created in the wake of the 2012 EmiliaRomagna earthquake, and now reinstated for the most recent catastrophe in central Italy. The Fund will remain in place as a resource should any other tragedy strike, Harrison and Calvelli explained. “We now have a support system in place” that connects Italians and Italian Americans. Board members Anita Bevacqua McBride and Dr. John Rosa updated the audience on NIAF’s vigorous scholarship programs that, in 2016, administered 180 scholarships valued at $950,000.
The Gala drew to a close with the honoring of NIAF Chairman Joseph V. Del Raso for his outstanding leadership, dedication and continuing service, marking the 41st as his last Gala as chairman. Fellow NIAF Board members took to the stage to honor Del Raso and introduce a video highlighting his service. Del Raso echoed a sentiment that was heard throughout the night in the speeches of honorees: Family saves and shapes us. “If you want to stay grounded,” Del Raso said, “have a good family.” Proceeds from The National Italian American Foundation’s 41st Anniversary Gala will benefit the Foundation’s educational programs.