Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute Hosts 20th Anniversary Gala

On Friday, October 17, 2025, the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute (JAULI) will host its 20th Anniversary Gala at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The event will unite global leaders in numerous industries, including entertainment, sports, media, food, non-profit and education, to celebrate the servant leaders working to uplift Latino communities.

This year’s theme honors the “Generaciones” that have built the Latino community and celebrates JAULI’s 20th anniversary and milestone of $2 million in scholarships awarded since the Institute's founding. “As we honor the ‘Legacies of the Past, while Looking to the Future,’ we offer our supporters an elegant backdrop for an evening of reflection and celebration of Latino impact around the world,” said event organizers.

Distinguished honorees being recognized at this year’s gala fundraiser include Sonia Manzano, one of the first Latinas to hold a major TV role as “Maria” on Sesame Street and creator of Alma’s Way, receiving the Esperanza Award; ESPN broadcaster Fernando Palomo, recipient of the Viva Award; Rafael Toro, longtime National Director of Public Relations at Goya Foods, honored with the Magno Award; alumna and Data and Analytics Governance Specialist for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Erika Ota Liedtke ’18, receiving the Alumni Impact Award; and Kennis “Buttons” Fairfax, a beloved Newark educator and mentor, named Educator of the Year. 

Seton Hall alumna and Univision Emmy Award-winning journalist and anchor Damaris Diaz will serve as master of ceremonies.

In both their careers and communities, these esteemed honorees have generously shared their time, talent and resources to empower Latino and Hispanic populations and others they serve. Held as part of Seton Hall’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, this annual JAULI event helps raise scholarship support for the Institute’s mission to educate, inspire and develop the next generation of servant leaders prepared to meet the challenges of a global society.

“As we celebrate the Institute’s 20th anniversary at Cipriani Wall Street, this year’s gala marks a powerful moment of reflection and renewal,” said Executive Director, Lori Tarke. “We honor the generations who paved the way, while investing in the next wave of leaders. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, the Institute has now awarded approximately $2 million in scholarships and continues to offer transformative experiences — from mentorship and cultural programming to community engagement and leadership development — that empower our students to lead with purpose in a global society.”

In the 2024-25 academic year, JAULI helped support 55  scholars from diverse backgrounds to attend Seton Hall; many are first-generation students. Joseph A. and Carmen Ana Unanue’s vision established JAULI as a center of excellence on campus, dedicated to immersing all students in Latino history, culture and language while empowering them through financial academic, professional cultural and community programs. Joseph A. Unanue was the former Chief Executive Officer of Goya Foods, and his dream was to inspire students to reach their full potential within their chosen professional fields.

Sonia Manzano to Receive Esperanza Award  
Sonia Manzano will receive the Esperanza (Hope) Award, which honors Latino leaders whose work inspires change and provides hope through their contributions to culture, education and public service. A groundbreaking figure in children’s television, Manzano is the creator of Alma’s Way on PBS KIDS, which has received two Imagen Awards for Best Youth Programming, a 2022 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing in a Preschool Animated Program and a 2023 NAACP Image Award nomination.

Best known for her iconic role as “Maria” on Sesame Street for 44 seasons, Manzano influenced generations of children and families across the country. Her on-screen work earned her two Emmy nominations, and in 2016, she received the Lifetime Achievement Daytime Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. As a writer for Sesame Street, she won 15 Emmy Awards.

Manzano is also an accomplished author of four picture books and three young adult novels, including Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx and The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano. Her most recent book, Coming Up Cuban, follows four children from different backgrounds during the Cuban Revolution. Raised in the South Bronx, Manzano is a proud alumna of New York City’s High School of Performing Arts and Carnegie Mellon University. 

Fernando Palomo to Receive the Viva Award 
Fernando Palomo will receive this year’s Viva Award, which honors individuals who elevate Latino voices and culture through media and public engagement. A leading sports journalist and commentator, Palomo has spent nearly two decades with ESPN Deportes and ESPN International as host of SportsCenter and Fuera de Juego, and as the global play-by-play voice for World Cups, Olympic Games, UEFA Champions League matches and more.

A former member of El Salvador’s national track and field team, Palomo still holds the national record in the javelin throw. His voice has also reached millions through his work as a lead commentator for EA Sports’ FIFA video game series.

“Fernando Palomo’s voice has not only narrated some of the most iconic moments in sports but has also amplified the presence of Latinos on the world stage,” said Tarke.  “We are proud to honor his trailblazing career and the inspiration he brings to our community.”

Rafael Toro to Receive the Magno Award  
Rafael Toro, National Director of Public Relations at Goya Foods, will receive the Magno Award, honoring his decades-long commitment to advancing the Latine community through media, philanthropy and corporate leadership. Over nearly 40 years, Toro has shaped Goya’s public image and social impact, expanding its outreach through major initiatives such as Goya Gives, disaster relief campaigns and national health and education programs.

“Rafael Toro has leveraged his platform to create lasting change, building bridges between corporate success and community service,” said Tarke. “His leadership embodies the values of the Magno Award: impact, integrity and dedication to uplifting others across all sectors. This award is especially meaningful because Joseph A. Unanue, our namesake, was instrumental in Rafael’s career and life.

Erika Ota Liedtke ‘18 will Receive the Alumni Impact Award  
Erika Ota Liedtke ‘18, Data and Analytics Governance Specialist for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and a member of the JAULI Advisory Council, will receive the Alumni Impact Award. She is being recognized for her passion to align, connect and create a robust alumni community as well as for her commitment to uplift and mentor women and people of color for careers in finance and technology. 

Liedtke traces back much of her passion along with her fond memories to Carmen Ana Unanue, co-founder of JAULI with her husband, Joseph.
“Carmen was a holy woman who was so deeply connected to the Institute’s mission, a vision she and her husband made a reality. She continued Mr. Unanue’s legacy by connecting with students one on one and creating a sense of belonging for the scholars – her commitment to philanthropy was significant in every way. Her passion and legacy have heavily influenced my engagement with the institute today as the co-chair of the alumni group,” said Liedtke.

Kennis Fairfax to Receive Educator of the Year Award
Kennis “Buttons” Fairfax will receive the Educator of the Year Award in recognition of his extraordinary impact as a teacher, mentor and community leader. Fairfax has taught at Newark Arts High School for more than five decades, where he founded the school’s Latin Band and inspired generations through his dedication to arts education. Known affectionately as “Mr. Fax,” he has mentored countless students, including prominent figures such as Michael B. Jordan, Sabrina Dias, Grizel del Valle and Frankie Negron. In addition to his work in education, he has proudly served for more than 25 years as the Scarlet Knight, leading Rutgers Football fans into the stadium on horseback.

The 20th Anniversary Gala’s Cocktail Hour begins at 7 p.m., and the dinner and program begin at 8 p.m. at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall Street, New York City, New York. Reservations are being accepted now.

“We want to give our students every opportunity to succeed—many of them are the first in their families to attend college,” noted Tarke. “The leaders we honor this year share a deep passion for community, humanity and the generaciones who have built Latino excellence. This celebration is about lifting our collective story and showing our students what’s possible. Through the presence and example of these trailblazers and the greater community, our students can see that their dreams are within reach with hard work and purpose…and that is a life changing moment.”

Interested parties can support the annual gala through sponsorships, ticket purchases, or donations by clicking here.  A promotional code of “earlybird” is available until August 1.

Please visit the Institute's website for more information about the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute. 

Categories: Alumni, Arts and Culture, Campus Life