Stronger Together: The Elevation of Italian America

by | Jun 3, 2024 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

ISDA/COPOMIAO President Basil M. Russo delivers an address to scores of younger generations at the 2024 Italian American Future Leaders Conference “IAFL2,” at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla, in January.

Basil M. Russo unanimously elected to third term as leader of the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations at annual meeting in New York City.

VP John Viola unveils Red Sauce Studio in heart of NYC’s Little Italy.

The Italian American Museum to reopen this fall after multi-million dollar redevelopment.

COPOMIAO adds 5 new groups to its ranks.

Tom Damigella and Andre DiMino launch inter-cultural collaboration with Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) to promote heritage, history.

Consul General Fabrizio Di Michele lauds COPOMIAO’s winning effort to engage younger generations through Italian American Future Leaders movement.

Lower Manhattan-New York City, N.Y. — The annual COPOMIAO meeting, held on June 1 in NYC in Little Italy’s Italian American Museum, demonstrated a national coalition on the rise through the steady leadership of Basil M. Russo, who was unanimously elected to a third consecutive term by his peers.

The Italian American Museum, located at 151 Mulberry Street, is set to reopen this October.

The Italian American Museum is not yet open to the public, as crews wrap up with a years-long, multi-million reconstruction effort. IAM President and Founder, Dr. Joe Scelsa, projects that its grand opening will take place this October, during Italian American Heritage Month.

 

However, ISDA/COPOMIAO VP John Viola cut the ribbon on Red Sauce Studio / The Italian American Emporium (located next to IAM) on Friday, May 31. The new space will feature interactive heritage and oral history booths, and it will sell Italian and Italian American products, apparel and antiquities (it will also function as a studio space for the Italian American Podcast). The new store, studio and space is set to hold a grand opening this September.

 

ISDA/COPOMIAO VP John Viola greets the crowd at the ribbon cutting of Red Sauce Studio / The Italian American Emporium in Little Italy.

Joining the Ranks

At the annual meeting, five new groups were added to the COPOMIAO ranks, including:

  • Federation of Italian American Societies of New Jersey
  • Italian American Museum of Cleveland
  • Little Italy Foundation
  • Pittsburgh Italian Scholarship Fund
  • San Francisco Italian Athletic Club

A New Alliance

COPOMIAO leaders Andre DiMino and Tom Damigella addressed their COPOMIAO peers to discuss a groundbreaking collaboration with the Native American Guardians Association (NAGA). The new alliance aims to correct the false narratives and myths surrounding Italian American and Native American history. The collaboration will also focus on the preservation of Christopher Columbus holidays and monuments. More updates to follow!

The Future of Italian American Leadership

NYC’s Consul General Fabrizio Di Michele praised the efforts of Russo and Viola as they meaningfully engage younger generations through the Italian American Future Leaders movement, a national fellowship program that is proven to be a bellwether of cultural progress. Planning for the national “IAFL3” conference is underway, and, once again, hundreds of aspiring young leaders will meet in Ft. Lauderdale this January at Amerant Bank Arena to deepen their cultural ties.

A Major Announcement —  Coming Soon

“There’s strength, and strategy, in numbers. As a collective, we’re proving that no opportunity is out of reach,” said Russo. “From the local level to the international stage, COPOMIAO is elevating the Italian American community every step of the way, and I couldn’t be prouder of what our organization has achieved in a few short years. We’re eager to share our greatest endeavor yet, in the coming months. Stay tuned!”

NYC Consul General Fabrizio Di Michele addresses the COPOMIAO audience on Saturday, June 1, lauding the coalition’s efforts in empowering all generations of the Italian American community.

Discover more from Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading