Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Jennifer Adriana LaDelfa has been charged with organizing The Italian Heritage & Culture Committee of New York is commemorating its 50th anniversary, and Jennifer Adriana LaDelfa is chairing the celebration.
Since its inception 50 years ago, the Italian Heritage & Culture Committee of New York (IHCC-NY) has endeavored to promote, present and preserve Italian and Italian-American culture.
The organization — which serves the Tri-State area centered on New York City encompassing parts of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut — has done so by hosting, coordinating and publicizing myriad special events, concerts, exhibits, lectures and proclamations.
Its highest recognition, the Leonardo da Vinci Award, honors individuals who have demonstrated exemplary contributions to the Italian-American community. Past recipients include film director Martin Scorsese, Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Foundation President/CEO Stephen Briganti, St. John’s University basketball coach Lou Carnesecca, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci, astronaut Michael Massimino and Yale University President A. Bartlett Giamatti.
In conjunction with the American Association of Teachers of Italian – Società Onoraria Italica, the organization also sponsors an essay contest to encourage high school students to write about their study of Italian culture and history.
Jennifer Adriana LaDelfa, chairwoman of the IHCC-NY 50th anniversary commemoration, talks to Fra Noi about the history of the IHCC-NY, the significance of Italian Heritage Month and plans for this year’s celebrations.
ELENA FERRARIN: How was the IHCC-NY first formed?
JENNIFER ADRIANA LADELFA: Dr. Angelo Gimondo envisioned Italian Culture Week and brought the idea to Dr. Leo Bernardo, director of the New York City Board of Education’s Bureau of Foreign Languages. Together with Steven Aiello, president of the New York City Board of Education, and Mayor Abraham Beame, they embraced the initiative, appointing Dr. Gimondo as the first coordinator of Italian Culture Week, held May 17-23. The first proclamation ceremony was hosted at New York City Hall by Mayor Beame in 1976 and the IHCC-NY was formed.
EF: Dr. Gimondo passed away in 2021. How would you describe his contribution over the years?
JAD: The IHCC-NY was established during a pivotal period of educational reform in New York City that included the Bilingual Education Act of 1968 and the 1974 ASPIRA Consent Decree. Serving as an Italian bilingual education coordinator, Dr. Gimondo was a pioneer whose vision transformed an educational idea into a lasting cultural movement. For his efforts, he was awarded the title of Grand Ufficiale, the fourth-highest rank of knighthood in the Italian Republic.
EF: In 1985, the festivities moved to October and grew to become Italian Heritage Month. What sparked this increased desire to celebrate Italian heritage?
JAD: The move to October, coinciding with Columbus Day celebrations, reflected a broader cultural awakening taking place across America due to the educational reforms and Civil Rights Movement. During the 1970s and 1980s, Italian Americans became more established in American society and increasingly looked for ways to embrace their ancestral roots.
EF: What are some IHCC-NY highlights over the years?
JAD: From its inception, IHCC-NY established annual educational themes. Past themes have included Amerigo Vespucci, whose name America bears; Giovanni da Verrazzano, who first entered New York Harbor; Maria Montessori, who revolutionized education; and Antonio Meucci, a telephone pioneer.
EF: President George W. Bush proclaimed October as Italian American Heritage and Culture Month in 1990. How significant was this event?
JAD: The proclamation elevated Italian-American Heritage Month to the national stage. Referring to Italian Americans, he said that “virtually every aspect of our life as a nation has been enriched by their unique talents and hard work.” The proclamation affirmed a legacy already woven into the American story.
EF: How much effort does it take to present Italian Heritage Month celebrations each year?
JAD: Italian Heritage Month is the result of year-round planning. Behind every October celebration are dedicated board members who generously contribute their time and expertise to preserve and promote our shared heritage.
EF: Who are the major players involved in this effort?
JAD: The major players are President/Chair Comm. Joseph Sciame, who has led IHCC-NY for nearly 20 years, and Vice President Maria Marinello, Esq.
EF: What will this year’s commemoration consist of?
JAD: The 50th Anniversary Commemoration began July 1 celebrating “250 Years of Italian American Contributions to the United States of America.” The Leonardo da Vinci Award ceremony was accepted by Lou Del Bianco, on behalf of (his grandfather) Luigi Del Bianco, an Italian-American sculptor and chief carver of Mount Rushmore. It was a pleasure designing this year’s commemorative poster alongside Luciano and Hayley Di Rico of Arland Printing.
EF: What is your role as chair in the organization and/or planning of Italian Heritage Month celebrations?
JAD: My passion is creating immersive educational experiences. Working with Dr. Mariella DeGennaro, Cav. Anthony Julian Tamburri, Ph.D., and the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute team — including Carmine Pizzirusso and Nicholas Grosso — we brought the “Italian American Coloring Book” to life for children. Readers can download a complimentary copy at mediterraneanfoundation.org.
EF: How long have you been involved with the IHCC-NY and in what roles?
JAD: I have served on the board for seven years. As a journalist, I have maintained a living cultural record of our events through my work as founder of La Media New York published by Mediterranean Press Ltd. and as on-air correspondent with Rita Monte’s “Profumi d’Italia” on 90.3 WHPC-FM.
EF: How and why did you initially get involved?
JAD: Cav. Joan Migliore Marchi was my study-abroad coordinator when I studied in Florence. In 2019, I met some board members at the mayor’s Italian Heritage celebration when I was the publicist for the Columbus Day Parade on Fifth, and they invited me to join the committee. I was honored. These initiatives honor the legacy of my father, Filippo LaDelfa, and my mother, Adriana, with whom I traveled from a young age. The world became my laboratory, teaching me to appreciate cultures and recognize our shared humanity. That philosophy inspired me to establish the Mediterranean Foundation, guided by the ethos of interconnection and recognizing New York as the modern Mediterranean — a place where civilizations meet, exchange ideas and enrich one another.
EF: What has the experience been like for you?
JAD: The experience has been deeply meaningful. My uncle, Cav. Angelo Siciliano, served on IHCC-NY’s board. In 2011, he gifted me the commemorative book and bookmark with the year theme celebrating the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy, which I still have. He passed away this year, so in many ways I feel grateful to be carrying forward his legacy.
EF: Are there other organizations across the United States that are doing similar work to the IHCC-NY in terms of scope, especially during Italian Heritage Month?
JAD: Organizations such as COPOMIAO (Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations) unite Italian-American leaders from across the country. COPOMIAO advocates nationally, working with member organizations, government leaders and the White House to advance issues important to the Italian-American community.
The above article appears in the September 2026 issue of the print version of Fra Noi. Our gorgeous, monthly magazine contains a veritable feast of news and views, profiles and features, entertainment and culture.
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