The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) announced the presence of First Lady Jill Biden at its 48th Anniversary Gala scheduled for October 14th in Washington, D.C., to be held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. Notably, Dr. Biden is the first Italian American First Lady, boasting Sicilian heritage that can be traced back to her great-grandfather, Gaetano Giacoppa.
“We are deeply honored in welcoming First Lady Jill Biden to our flagship event, celebrating Italian culture,” NIAF President Robert Allegrini said. “Her participation serves as a testament to the significant contributions that Italian Americans have woven into the tapestry of American society.” The evening is set to celebrate distinguished figures of Italian and Italian American descent across various fields. The honorees include Gerry Cardinale, the Founder and Managing Partner of RedBird Capital Partners; Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1©; Veronica Berti Bocelli, CEO of Almud Music Editions and Vice Chair of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation; the iconic musician and songwriter Neil Giraldo; and Dr. Sara Farnetti, a highly regarded medical practitioner and scientist.
Maria Bartiromo, the Anchor and Global Markets Editor for FOX Business Network and FOX News Channel, along with the beloved entertainer Joe Piscopo, will serve as the emcees for the Gala dinner. The event will also feature special guests such as Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN and Sports Content at The Walt Disney Company, the legendary race car driver Mario Andretti, Italian actress Cristiana d’Anna, and Grace Nelson from the National Prayer Breakfast.
The evening’s proceedings will include a special tribute to the centennial anniversary of the Italian Air Force, featuring an appearance by Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, Lieutenant General Luca Goretti, and a captivating performance by the Italian Air Force Band.
Prior to the Gala, NIAF will host a series of informative seminars as part of the NIAF Forum. These seminars will focus on various topics, including the global Italian diaspora, transatlantic relations, Italian stereotypes, and a screening of a film dedicated to A.P. Giannini.
The Forum will also feature a distinctive luncheon with Anita Bevacqua McBride, co-author of the first textbook on U.S. first ladies and former Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush. Michael LaRosa, the former Press Secretary to First Lady Jill Biden, will moderate a discussion on the new book, “U.S. First Ladies: Making History and Leaving Legacies,” which features a foreword by Dr. Biden.
