Dominican Consulate in NY and Banco BHD present to the diaspora “Origins of Excellence 2025”

New York.- Next Thursday, October 30, 2025, the Dominican community in the city of New York will experience a key moment, the second phase of the launch of the campaign “Origins of Excellence 2025”, promoted by the Consulate General of the Dominican Republic in New York together with Banco BHD. The event will take place at the Center for Culture and Innovation for Dominicans Abroad (CIDEX), located at 2406 Amsterdam Avenue, 4th floor, New York, NY 10033. This meeting is not a simple award ceremony; it is part of an ambitious institutional plan and reaffirms the commitment of the Dominican diaspora with their country of origin.

Since his appointment as Consul General in the Big Apple, Jesús Vásquez Martínez has driven a transformation in the mission of the Dominican Consulate in New York. He presented before the Dominican Senate the Strategic Plan 2025-2028, aimed at strengthening the bond with Dominicans living abroad. The plan includes areas such as modernization of consular services, recognition of the diaspora, academic excellence programs, promotion of cultural identity and citizen participation.

The campaign “Origins of Excellence 2025” responds directly to this vision, becoming a visible instrument of his strategy. Vásquez Martínez states that the event on October 30 will have a symbolic and practical nature, based on recognizing the talent of young Dominicans in the diaspora, making their achievements visible and reaffirming a permanent bridge with the Dominican Republic.

Banco BHD and the support of the private sector

The presentation of the “Origins of Excellence” campaign on October 8 in Santo Domingo was attended by Jesús Vásquez Martínez, Dominican Consul in New York; Carolina Mejía, Mayor of the National District; Opinio Díaz, Vice Minister of Consular and Migratory Affairs; Celinés Toribio, Vice Minister for Dominican Communities Abroad; José Rafael Espaillat, Ambassador and Rector of the Institute of Higher Education in Diplomatic and Consular Training; Major General Ramón Guzmán Peralta, Director of the National Police; Miriam Germán, former Attorney General of the Dominican Republic; Andrés Maldonado, Executive President of the BHD Financial Center; Steven Puig, President of Banco BHD; Fidelio Arturo Despradel, Executive President of Banco BHD, and Josefina Navarro, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communication and Social Responsibility of Banco BHD.

The alliance with Banco BHD adds a key private dimension. The bank identified the initiative of the Consulate and decided to support it significantly. The banking entity has stated that “Origins of Excellence” is born with the purpose of exalting roots and recognizing outstanding young people who inspire through their academic, cultural or community excellence. That support is not purely symbolic; it facilitates resources for awards, logistics, audiovisual production and massive dissemination of the campaign, which strengthens its sustainability and impact.

The campaign began with a first phase that combined recognition, experience and identity. In June 2025, thirty Dominican students residing in New York were selected through a process that valued academic performance, leadership and community commitment. These young people participated in a significant experience in the Dominican Republic, where they carried out an institutional visit to the National Palace, where they were received by the Dominican president himself, Luis Abinader, meetings with legislators, a tour of the Colonial Zone and a trip to the place of origin of their families. This first moment planted the meaning of “origin”, connection with the homeland and identity pride, central elements in the narrative of the campaign.

Second phase, the Dominican diaspora as the protagonist

Now, in New York, the campaign enters a stage focused directly on the Dominican diaspora in the Big Apple. The event on October 30 at CIDEX marks that new phase and is expected to bring together the community, leaders, selected young people and consular authorities. More than a recognition, it is a platform to project the achievements of Dominicans abroad, reinforce the idea of belonging and show a Consulate that assumes a broader role, serving as a cultural, educational and social bridge between the diaspora and their country of origin. The networking opportunity will also be key, opening paths for these young people to connect with organizations, sponsors and community networks.

The value of the campaign “Origins of Excellence 2025” lies in its potential to transform realities. The diaspora receives a clear message; their talent matters and must be made visible. At the same time, the cultural identity of those who grew up far from their homeland is strengthened, encouraging community participation and Dominican pride. However, the challenge is to turn recognition into concrete actions, such as mentorships, scholarships, professional opportunities and continuous follow-up. It will also be crucial to ensure that the program remains active beyond the initial applause, and that each phase becomes part of a measurable and inclusive process that involves the entire Dominican community in New York.

The alliance between the Consulate General of the Dominican Republic in New York, Consul Jesús Vásquez Martínez and Banco BHD has given life to the campaign “Origins of Excellence 2025”, an initiative that seeks to build a real bridge between the diaspora and their country of origin. The event on October 30 symbolizes that bridge between young people, community, identity and excellence coming together to reaffirm that wherever they are, Dominicans can proudly represent their roots and contribute to a shared future. What is truly decisive now will be transforming that historic moment into trajectories of impact, platforms of opportunity and networks of belonging that will endure beyond the CIDEX stage.