![\"Actress](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/55234792311_9df25d164c_o.jpg\")
Actress Summer Rose Castillo emcees the Bronx Week kick-off celebration. Photo courtesy of the Office of Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson<\/p>\nBronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson kicked off Bronx Week on Monday, April 28, launching a slate of events celebrating the borough\u2019s culture, businesses, and community leaders.<\/p>\n
The kick-off came during a press conference at Storyland Book Haven, the Bronx\u2019s only book lounge. The event was emceed by Summer-Rose Castillo, the Emmy-nominated voice behind the title character in PBS\u2019s \u201cAlma\u2019s Way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gibson unveiled this year\u2019s theme, \u201cThe Bronx Leads,\u201d alongside the 2026 Bronx Walk of Fame inductees: music executive Lenny \u201cLenny S\u201d Santiago, journalist Darlene Rodriguez, choreographer Darrin Henson and influencer Roberto \u201cFanum\u201d Escanio. She also announced Bronx Children\u2019s Museum and Pregones Theater as this year\u2019s Tourism Award recipients.<\/p>\n
Actress Summer Rose Castillo emcees the Bronx Week kick-off celebration. Photo courtesy of the Office of Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson<\/p>\n
Bronx Week will run from May 1 through May 17, marking its 54th anniversary with, for the first time, events taking place across the entire borough. Programming includes the Bronx Ball, Bronx Week Parade, Food & Arts Festival, Bronx Week Concert and additional community events.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe are intentional about making sure that our borough leads in all things good,\u201d said Borough President Gibson at the press conference.\n<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the story of the Bronx. It is one of the billions of strengths of being knocked down, but getting back up and realizing that our strength lies in who we are. Realizing that every setback has been a preparation for a comeback.\u201d<\/p>\n The return follows a sudden cancellation<\/a> in early March due to fiscal constraints, according to the borough president\u2019s office. Gibson said the expanded, two-week format reflects a renewed commitment<\/a> to borough-wide participation.<\/p>\n \u201cUnder this year\u2019s theme, \u2018The Bronx Leads,\u2019 we celebrate not only the extraordinary individuals honored on the Walk of Fame, but also the small businesses, cultural institutions, and residents who drive our borough forward every day,\u201d said Winston Peters, President of Bronx Economic Development Corporation.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe Bronx is a place of innovation, resilience, and opportunity and Bronx Week invites the world to experience the energy, diversity, and strength that define who we are.\u201d<\/p>\n Major sponsors of Bronx Week include Verizon, Santander Bank, Montefiore Health System, and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, alongside several corporate and community sponsors.<\/p>\n Additional honors, including the People\u2019s Choice Award and the Key to the Borough, will be announced at the Sponsorship Appreciation event on May 5.\n<\/p>\n Reach Marina Samuel at\u00a0msamuel@schnepsmedia.com<\/a>. For more coverage, subscribe to our\u00a0newsletter<\/a>\u00a0and follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram!<\/a><\/p>\n