HISPA Celebrates Stories, Service, and Mentorship at 2026 Three Kings Banquets
EDISON, NJ, and MIAMI – January 29, 2026
HISPA, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to affirming the college and career aspirations of youth from low-income communities, hosted its annual Three Kings Banquets on January 15, 2026, at Pines Manor in Edison, NJ, and January 22, at Intercontinental Doral in Miami, FL.
These events brought together some 300 corporate partners, community leaders, volunteers, and supporters to celebrate mentorship, philanthropy, and the power of storytelling.
In New Jersey, the program opened with a powerful message from Antonio Hernandez, a HISPA Leaders in College alumnus and student at Passaic County Community College. Reflecting on his journey, Hernandez shared how HISPA helped him build confidence by teaching him to say yes to opportunities for growth. He encouraged students and guests with a phrase that has guided him—first shared by Rod Colón, HISPA’s Talent Development & College Program Director: “Don’t say you think—say you know.”
HISPA leadership welcomed guests and presented awards recognizing individuals and organizations whose service and partnership exemplify HISPA’s mission. HISPA CEO Dr. Ivonne Díaz-Claisse emphasized the importance of storytelling in mentoring and education, stating, “With our stories, we bring examples of courage, of how we build confidence, and we bring awareness of the many possibilities students have ahead of them.”
The evening also included remarks from Kathleen Larkin, President of the HISPA Board of Directors, who reminded attendees of their collective role in creating impact: “You are all part of a village—you are building blocks of lasting change.”
2026 Three Kings Banquet Award Recipients:
- HISPA Role Model Program Participation Award (Inaugural): Kevin Lizama
This award will be named in Kevin Lizama’s honor in future years. - Corazón Award – In-Kind Support of the Year: University of Pennsylvania School of Arts and Sciences’ Science Outreach Initiative
- Leadership in Mentoring Award: Verizon
- Share Award – Role Model of the Year: Divina Tucci, Bloomberg
- Inspire Award – Champion of the Year: Prudential and Juntos
- Transform Award – Sponsor of the Year: Bristol Myers Squibb
Accepting the Transform Award on behalf of BMS, Paula Glickenhaus, Chief Procurement Officer at BMS, offered inspiring remarks about her own journey, sharing that she achieved success by saying “Why not?” to new opportunities. She underscored the responsibility of leaders to give back, noting, “We need to be role models for people who don’t know what’s possible. When you get to the top, then you need to help others.” Glickenhaus also pledged BMS’s continued volunteerism in support of HISPA’s mission.
In Florida, in addition to remarks from Díaz-Claisse, guests heard from Martin Maradiaga, a Miami Dade College student; City of Doral Councilman Rafael Pineyro and Councilwoman Nicole Reinoso; and Andres Polo, Rene Herrera, and Monica Díaz of HISPA’s Board of Directors.
“We are here celebrating mentorship, opportunity, and the power of our youth,” Councilman Pineyro said, welcoming our guests in Florida. “When we come together as a community, we help light the path for the next generation of leaders.”
HISPA awarded special recognitions to honor select individuals and organizations who have demonstrated an incredible commitment to HISPA’s work there.
2026 Three Kings Banquet Florida Special Recognitions:
- Miami Dade College
- Turner Construction
- Nestor Carlos, Aflac
- Amazon
- Bank of America
- Visa
HISPA extends its sincere gratitude to the sponsors who made the Three Kings Banquet possible: Platinum Sponsors Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck, and Verizon; Gold Sponsors Bloomberg, Crum & Forster, and LSEG; Silver Sponsor Prudential; and Bronze Sponsors Camera Mundi, PNC, PSEG, and the Shepard/Zanders Family.
HISPA’s educational programs are made possible through the support of its 2025–26 Founding Partner Verizon; Co-founding Partners and Supporters Merck, Bloomberg, and PSEG; and Annual Partners Bank of America, Bristol Myers Squibb, Citigroup, the Delta Dental Foundation, the LSEG Foundation, Prudential Financial, and Visa. HISPA is a UnidosUS affiliate.
