Dominican Pride and Star Power Take Over New York City

Dominican's celebrate. Actress and singer Leslie Grace. Media sensation Santiago Matías “Alofoke". Courtesy images from IG

NEW YORK — Manhattan’s Sixth Avenue came alive Sunday as the 44th National Dominican Day Parade filled the streets with music, dance and a sea of red, white and blue celebrating this year’s theme, “Identity and Culture.”

Among the notable faces participating were actress and singer Leslie Grace, media mogul Santiago Matías “Alofoke,” Frederick “El Pachá” Martínez, La Perversa, J One, Shino Aguakate and Lizbel Ortiz. Alofoke’s appearance comes amid growing attention surrounding his political ambitions and talk of a potential future run for president of the Dominican Republic.

The celebration stretched beyond Sunday’s parade. Earlier festivities included a special Empire State Building event and Dominican flag-colored lighting, with Alofoke among the personalities participating.

Major brands including Goya and JetBlue supported this year’s festivities, while PIX11 broadcast the parade live from Manhattan, bringing one of New York’s largest celebrations of Dominican culture to viewers across the city.

— Hollywood Latino