HISPA’s 2026 Three Kings Banquet Honorees!
Edison, New Jersey.- By Natalia Osorio Quintero
HISPA Announces 2026 Three Kings Banquet Honorees and Invites Community to Celebrate and Support Youth Empowerment HISPA proudly announces its annual fundraising and awards gala, the Three Kings Banquet, a celebration honoring those who have gone above and beyond to affirm the dreams of youth in low-income communities and give them the confidence and knowledge to fulfil their academic and professional potential.
The 2026 events will take place on: Thursday, January 15, 2026 – Pines Manor, Edison, New Jersey Thursday, January 22, 2026 – InterContinental at Doral Miami, Miami, Florida. The Three Kings Banquet brings together business, education, and community leaders to celebrate mentorship, leadership, and collective impact. More than an annual gala, the event is a powerful opportunity to create lasting change. Proceeds directly support HISPA’s year-round educational programs—the Role Model Program, Imagine Days, Youth Conferences, and more—which connect students from low-income communities with professionals who share their stories and encourage them to pursue higher education and careers in high-skill fields.
HISPA is proud to announce this year’s distinguished honorees: Share Award – Role Model of the Year: Divina Tucci, Bloomberg. This award recognizes the HISPA Role Model whose outstanding commitment has inspired countless students. Divina’s consistent participation across multiple HISPA Leaders in College cohorts—including Rider University, NJIT, Mercer County Community College, and Passaic County Community College—has empowered many first-generation college students to envision their success and exemplified unwavering reliability, passion, and advocacy for educational equity.
Inspire Award – Champion of the Year: Prudential and Juntos Prudential and Juntos are recognized for their extraordinary partnership with HISPA. Over the past year, fourteen volunteers mentored 108 students at HISPA’s Youth Conference while others led Imagine Day activities at Prudential Tower for 86 Passaic middle schoolers. With 21 classroom visits reaching more than 680 students nationwide and active participation in the HISPA Speaker Series, Prudential and Juntos have demonstrated exceptional commitment and collaboration.
Transform Award – Sponsor of the Year: Bristol Myers Squibb Bristol Myers Squibb’s leadership and generosity have been transformative for HISPA and the students it serves. In the past year, BMS employees participated in 73 volunteer engagements, reaching nearly 1,050 students across New Jersey and Texas. Volunteers delivered 20 Role Model sessions, led STEM workshops at Montclair State and Princeton Universities, and hosted students for Imagine Days and Leadership Workshops. BMS’s triple-match employee giving campaign and sustained volunteerism exemplify corporate social responsibility at its finest.
Leadership in Mentoring Award: Verizon Foundation Verizon Foundation is recognized for setting a national standard in mentorship and advocacy. Over the past year, 24 Verizon volunteers delivered 60 Role Model Program visits, inspiring 2,260 students across five states. From STEM workshops at Montclair and Princeton to Imagine Days in Tampa and nationwide virtual events, Verizon’s 250 volunteers demonstrated unmatched commitment and passion for education and mentorship. Their contributions have strengthened HISPA’s programs at every level, from middle school through college.
Corazón Award – In-Kind Support of the Year: University of Pennsylvania School of Arts and Sciences’ Science Outreach Initiative For three consecutive years, the UPenn School of Arts and Sciences’ Science Outreach Initiative has opened its campus to HISPA’s Imagine Day, welcoming Merck volunteers and Norristown students for immersive STEM exploration. Their generosity and partnership have provided students with hands-on learning, college exposure, and cultural enrichment—embodying the true spirit of the Corazón Award.
The HISPA Role Model Program Participation Award We’re proud to announce the creation of a brand-new honor: the HISPA Role Model Program Participation Award. Distinct from the SHARE Award for Role Model of the Year, the HISPA Role Model Program Participation Award recognizes the Role Model who has made the most Role Model Program visits.
This award was inspired by its first recipient, Kevin Lizama, who set a remarkable record with 26 school visits in 2024-25—the highest number ever completed by a single HISPA Role Model! Kevin’s journey with HISPA began years ago as a Leaders in College participant at Rider University. Today, he continues to give back as a HISPA consultant and volunteer, empowering the next generation through his story, mentorship, and passion.
Special Recognitions In Florida, HISPA will award special recognitions to honor select individuals and organizations who have demonstrated an incredible commitment to HISPA’s work there: ● Nestor Carlos of Aflac will be recognized for his outstanding contributions as a HISPA Role Model. ● For their leadership supporting HISPA’s educational programming, Amazon and Visa, generous Annual Partners that also hosted Imagine Day Corporate Visits. ● For their ongoing in-kind support, Turner and Miami Dade College, which respectively hosted meet and greets to increase volunteerism and the American Dream Debate to celebrate public speaking. ● For both their leadership and in-kind contributions, Bank of America will be recognized for a partnership that has engaged volunteers, funding support, and hosting HISPA’s Kick-Off event.
Want to support HISPA’s mission?
The Three Kings Banquet offers many ways for individuals and organizations to make an impact: ● Attend or Sponsor a Table: Get tickets or tables for yourself, colleagues, or loved ones, or reserve seats for others so students and teachers can attend at no cost. ● Donate: If you cannot attend, you can make a donation.
Many employers also match donations—check with your company to maximize your impact. ● Sponsor the Event: Become a recognized supporter through sponsorship opportunities ranging from $1,000–$2,500 for individuals and $5,000–$20,000 for corporate partners. Each contribution fuels programs that change lives—empowering students to dream big, pursue higher education, and envision careers they may have never known about or considered for themselves.
For tickets, sponsorships, or to learn more, visit www.hispa.org/ThreeKingsBanquet.
We would like to thank the sponsors who make this event possible:
Platinum Sponsors Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck, and Verizon; Gold Sponsors Crum & Forster and LSEG; Silver Sponsor Prudential; and Bronze Sponsors PNC and the Shepard/Zanders Family. HISPA’s educational programs are made possible by its 2025-26 Founding Partner Verizon, Co-founding Partners and Supporters Merck, Bloomberg, and PSEG, and Annual Partners Bank of America, Bristol Myers Squibb, Citi, the Delta Dental Foundation, the LSEG Foundation, Prudential Financial, and Visa. HISPA is a UnidosUS affiliate.
