Hispanic Heritage Month: Latin Music Festival Celebrates Leadership, Community and Youth
Photo of Yvette Soto courtesy of Yvette Soto LinkedIn
BY CLYDE HUGHES | AC JosepH Media
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP – In August, the Atlantic County Puerto Rican Parade and Latin Music Festival marked a milestone season, celebrating its 27th anniversary with events that honored community leaders and young people along with music in food that celebrated heritage and culture.
Under the direction of longtime organizer Yvette Soto, president of Worldwide Entertainment Enterprises Production, the annual celebration included the Our Roots Awards Black Tie Gala on Aug. 21, the Latin Music Festival on Aug. 22 in Pleasantville, and the announcement of the 2026 ACPRP Latin Music Festival Scholarship winners.
Black Tie Night Honoring Community Excellence
Held at the Seaview Dolce Hotel in Galloway, the Our Roots Awards Black Tie Gala recognized 17 honorees whose work strengthens Atlantic County and South Jersey. The awards spanned hospitality, education, civic leadership, social justice, communications, and community service.
Award recipients included:
–Cleare Belfield, Hard Rock Casino & Hotel Atlantic City – Hospitality Award
–Yusomil Bonet – Artisan Design Award
–Dr. Patricia Campos Medina – Ambassador Award
–Alice Carcilli – Sor Isolina Ferré Social Justice Award
–Dr. Merydawilda Colón, Stockton University – Higher Education Leadership Award
–Matthew DeNafo, ACUA – Corporate Leadership Achievement Award
–Debra Fox, AtlantiCare – Corporate Leadership Excellence Award
–Mimi Nambo, City of Atlantic City – Community Hero Award
–Ren Parikh, Ideal Institute of Technology – Trailblazer Award
–Felix Perez, Unite Here Local 54 – Community Leader of the Year
–Teudy Ramirez, Sonido Clave Media Group – Communications Excellence Award
–Miriam Ramos, Bally’s Atlantic City – Hospitality Lifetime Achievement Award
–Eric Schefler, CRDA – Community Development Leadership Award
–Carla Thomas, Pleasantville City Council – Elected Official of the Year
–Tracy Thompson, Hamilton Township Committeewoman – Elected Official of the Year
–Carmen Torres, Atlantic City Boys & Girls Club – Youth Leadership Achievement Award
–Esmeralda Vizcaino, La Casa Dominicana – Citizenship Education Award
Soto said the gala remains a cornerstone of the festival weekend, honoring “individuals that are doing wonderful things in the community.”
Latin Music Festival Draws Loyal Crowds in Pleasantville
The following day, the Latin Music Festival returned to 110 Tilton Road in Pleasantville — its home for the past eight years — drawing families, nonprofits, and music lovers despite less?than?ideal weather.
Soto said the festival featured more than six bands, delicious Puerto Rican food, and the signature piña coladas that attendees look forward to each year.
“People are loyal to coming every year,” she said, noting that the festival has grown steadily since relocating from Atlantic City’s boardwalk years ago.
The event also highlighted the pageant program’s evolution. For the first time, Miss Puerto Rico of Atlantic County and Miss Latina of Atlantic County expanded to become Miss Puerto Rico of South Jersey and Miss Latina of South Jersey, reflecting increased interest from young women across multiple counties.
This year’s Miss Puerto Rico of South Jersey is Diomairalis Martinez of Vineland, whom Soto praised for giving “100% of herself” at community events.
2026 Scholarship Winners: Building Leaders for Tomorrow
Soto’s Youth Advisory Council — founded in 1999 — continues to mentor students through FAFSA, college applications, trade pathways, and connections to nonprofits that match their interests. The festival’s scholarship program has produced more than 50 college graduates, including students who have gone on to Georgetown Law, Harvard Medical School, and military service.
This year’s ACPRP Latin Music Festival Scholarship Winners are:
–Angesca Rojas, U.S. Marine Corps – Dominican Republic; resident of Hamilton Township
–Estrella Figueroa, Stockton University – Puerto Rican; resident of Galloway
–Allison Bueno?Marte, Rowan University – Dominican Republic; resident of Pleasantville
–Doeliz Nicole Colón Nieves, Inter American University of Puerto Rico (Aguadilla) – Puerto Rican; resident of Mays Landing
Soto celebrated the young women publicly, saying:
“So proud of our young ladies. Tan orgullosa de nuestras jovencitas. Dios las bendiga.” She also thanked sponsors, volunteers, pageant alumnae, and community partners for supporting the scholarship program.
A Legacy of Service and Cultural Pride
Beyond her role with the festival, Soto publishes De Vista Esperanza – Hope Magazine, a quarterly digital publication highlighting positive community stories. She is also involved with the Spanish Community Center and collaborates closely with Sonido Clave Media Group, which operates radio stations across the United States and the Dominican Republic.
Despite juggling multiple responsibilities — including caring for her parents — Soto said she remains energized by the mission:
“Creating leaders for tomorrow. That’s always been my motto.”
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