![\"Journalist](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/55273520402_a2d42b75fd_o.jpg\")
Journalist Darlene Rodriguez removes the cloak on her street sigh in Lou Gehrig Plaza. Photo courtesy of the Office of Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson<\/p>\nTo celebrate the end of Bronx Week, the Office of the Borough President inducted five new honorees into the Bronx Walk of Fame on Saturday.\n<\/p>\n
The annual event celebrates influential Bronx natives whose lives and careers have reached far beyond the borough. Three-time Emmy Award-winning PIX11 transportation reporter Greg Mocker emceed the ceremony and introduced the honorees.<\/p>\n
Each year, honorees receive a street sign along the Grand Concourse. This year\u2019s signs were unveiled in Lou Gehrig Plaza, across from the Borough President\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n
Journalist Darlene Rodriguez removes the cloak on her street sigh in Lou Gehrig Plaza. Photo courtesy of the Office of Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson<\/p>\n
Choreographer, author, dancer, actor, director and producer Darrin Dewitt Henson was among the first honorees recognized. Henson, who grew up across from Taft High School on Sheridan Avenue, said he always dreamed of success.<\/p>\n
Over the course of his career, Henson has choreographed for artists including Michael Jackson, Prince and Jennifer Lopez. He is perhaps best known for creating the iconic choreography for \u201cBye Bye Bye\u201d by NSYNC and Lopez\u2019s \u201cLove Don\u2019t Cost a Thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am grateful to The Most High for allowing me, a son of the Bronx, to be acknowledged by those who love and care for our borough,\u201d Henson said. \u201cTo acknowledge me as someone who is worthy to have their name held up high, for it is with this thought that allows my light and the light of the Bronx to be seen in perpetuity.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you\u2019re from the Bronx, you can do anything,\u201d Henson added during his speech.\n<\/p>\n
Journalist and \u201cToday in New York\u201d co-anchor Darlene Rodriguez also received the honor. Rodriguez said she got her start as a young reporter at BronxNet<\/a> in 1993, shortly after the station launched. She later worked as a general assignment reporter for WCBS Newsradio 880 before becoming co-anchor of \u201cWeekend Today in New York\u201d and eventually \u201cToday in New York.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe learn early that everything here is earned the old-fashioned way,\u201d Rodriguez said in her speech. \u201cThe street code that I learned here has helped me in my career more than any college degree. We have a keen understanding of what will get you punched in the face,\u201d she joked.<\/p>\n Music and culture executive Lenny Santiago was the third honoree. Santiago got his start as an intern at Roc-A-Fella Records before working his way up to become Senior Vice President of A&R and Artist Management at Roc Nation. Throughout his career, he has worked with artists including Jay-Z, The Roots, Ghostface Killah, DJ Khaled and Jadakiss.<\/p>\n At the unveiling, fans held posters sponsored by We the Best Music Group congratulating Santiago on his induction, while a digital billboard parked across Lou Gehrig Plaza played a custom video message from DJ Khaled.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to make the Bronx proud. I wanted to make my mom proud and I wanted to make my community proud,\u201d Santiago said.\n<\/p>\n The fourth inductee was streamer and influencer Roberto \u2018Fanum\u2019 Escanio. Escanio, who was born in the Bronx to Dominican parents, built a large online following through his streaming content on YouTube and Twitch.<\/p>\n \u201cGrowing up as a Bronx child, the energy of these streets shaped my entire mindset. This honor isn\u2019t just for me: it\u2019s for every kid in the borough dreaming of something bigger. From the Bronx to the world,\u201d Escanio said.<\/p>\n The final honoree was legendary restaurateur Jamie \u201cJimmy\u201d Rodriguez Jr., who was selected by the public as the 2026 Bronx Walk of Fame People\u2019s Choice Award winner in the Culinary Arts category. Rodriguez owned several well-known restaurants, including Jimmy\u2019s Bronx Cafe, Jimmy\u2019s City Island, Don Coqui, Jimmy\u2019s Uptown in Harlem and Jimmy\u2019s Downtown in Manhattan. He currently owns Sobro Garden.<\/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![\"Bronx](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/55274673389_c08e1e14d4_o.jpg\")
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and veteran music executive Lenny Santiago.Photo courtesy of the Office of Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson<\/p>\n![\"Restauranteur](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/55274439466_44351d3d91_o.jpg\")
Restauranteur Jimmy Rodriguez gives a speech accepting his induction into the Bronx Walk of Fame.Photo courtesy of the Office of Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson<\/p>\n