Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Basil Russo was the guest of honor when the presidents of the affiliated organizations of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans gathered for a year-end summit at the Des Plaines Theatre on Nov. 14.
The meeting was called by JCCIA President Ron Onesti to look back on last year’s successes and announce initiatives for 2024.
Russo is the president of the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations as well as the Italian Sons and Daughters of America. He came to Chicago to sing the praises of the JCCIA and invite its affiliates to join COPOMIAO.
“The JCCIA sets an example for other organizations across the country to follow when it comes to being united,” he told the more than 70 community leaders in attendance. “You demonstrate strong leadership and you show that you’re not afraid to stand up and demand the same rights and respect as other groups.”
Onesti celebrated a landmark year capped by a remarkably vibrant Italian American Heritage Month and reported progress with the city in negotiations over the Columbus statues. He announced plans to relaunch the JCCIA’s video blog, Il Bollettino, and post events and scholarships on the organization’s website, among other initiatives.
