(L. to r.): Raquel Salas, Paul Salas, Brian Romero, Assemblymember Cathy Nolan, Tai Hernandez McShane, Van Bramer, Angel Gil-Orrios, Edwin Cadiz and Nick Troya. Photo Julian Ballen On October 29, City Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer hosted his first Hispanic Leadership Awards at Floresta Restaurant in Sunnyside. More than one hundred community members attended the award ceremony where several individuals from the area were honored and recognized, including FOX 5 Reporter and Anchor Taina Hernandez. As a reporter and anchor on FOX 5’s “Good Day New York”, Hernandez has made many distinguished contributions to journalism. As a Sunnyside resident she continues to be an active participant in her community through her role as a member of Community Board 2 working specifically with the City Service & Public Safety Committee.

SEIU 32BJ activist Nick Troya is a longtime resident of Queens and has demonstrated his commitment to the borough as a political activist and union member of the SEIU local 32BJ by fighting for the rights of workers and rallying for immigration reform.

Co-Owners of Big City Graph-X & Printing Raquel & Paul Salas are active community members. They serve multiple local organizations and provide printing services to P.S. 78Q and area businesses affected by the recession.

LGBT activist Brian Romero is a lifelong Queens resident and member of the Colombian- American community. An adult educator, a student activist and a religious activist Romero is very involved in bringing equality to all people regardless of their socio-economic level, sexual orientation or religious background.

Known as the Mayor of Ravenswood, Edwin Cadiz is a painter and photographer. He has also taught studio art classes for over twenty-two years at local colleges and schools throughout New York City. In addition to his artistic pursuits, Cadiz has been an advocate for quality of life improvements for the residents of Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside and Woodside.

Finally, Angel Gil-Orrios has garnered international acclaim and won numerous awards, having produced, designed and directed more than one hundred and twenty productions in the United States, Spain and France. In 2000 Orrios became the Artistic and Executive Director of the Thalia Spanish Theatre, Queens’ first and only bilingual Hispanic theatre, showcasing his commitment to maintaining quality productions, as a director, producer, designer, writer and teacher.

“These individuals have helped enrich our community with their talent, dedication and involvement,” Van Bramer said. “I would like to thank the honorees for being such outstanding leaders and for helping to make our community be the very best in all of New York City.”

Van Bramer plans to make this an annual event for the community.