Borough President Diaz announces Bronx Week 2015 honorees

Borough President Diaz announces Bronx Week 2015 honorees|Borough President Diaz announces Bronx Week 2015 honorees|Borough President Diaz announces Bronx Week 2015 honorees|Borough President Diaz announces Bronx Week 2015 honorees
Photo courtesy of Borough President Diaz’s office|Photo courtesy of Borough President Diaz’s office|Photo courtesy of the Borough President Diaz’s office|Photo courtesy of the Borough President Diaz’s office

Four outstanding individuals that are among the borough’s finest will be enshrined on the Bronx Walk of Fame as part of the Bronx Week 2015 festivities.

Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. has announced that actress and television commentator Stacey Dash, early National Basketball Association star Dolph Schayes, longtime business leader and philanthropist Alfredo Thiebaud and actor and activist Malik Yoba will be honored during Bronx Week 2015, and have their names immortalized on the Bronx Walk of Fame, on the Grand Concourse near East 161st Street.

Bronx Week 2015, the 44th annual, will include more than a week of events from Friday, May 8 to Sunday, May 17. Many are free, and almost all do not require any ticket, with the notable exception of a star-studded gala called the Bronx Ball.

“Bronx Week is always a great time to honor the famous men and women who grew up in our borough and welcome them back home to The Bronx,” said Diaz. “Great things are happening in our borough, and I urge our borough’s residents and visitors alike to spend the week celebrating the contributions of our Bronx businesses, veterans, seniors, youth, volunteers and our hometown greats.”

The honorees will have street signs dedicated in their honor on the walk of fame. All have roots in the Bronx, and Thiebaud was a fixture in the borough’s business community as the founder of Delicioso Coco Helado before his untimely accidental death.

Stacey Dash
Photo courtesy of Borough President Diaz’s office

Dash may be best known for her role in the 1995 film ‘Clueless’ and as a contributor to Fox News, where she is a commentator on culture.

“I am very grateful to have been chosen to be a part of such an important and significant event in the borough of my birth, a place that left an impact in my life and made me who I am – Bronx Strong,” said Dash, who has appeared in numerous television and film roles.

NBA all-star Dolph Schayes grew up in University Heights and led the Dewitt Clinton High School basketball team to a borough championship in the 1940.

He played in 12 NBA All Star Games and six All-NBA first teams.

“Growing up in the Bronx made a huge impact on my life and made me who I am,” said Schayes. “This borough is very special to me and I am very grateful to be recognized by Borough President Diaz.”

Alfredo Thiebaud
Photo courtesy of the Borough President Diaz’s office

Thiebaud helped create work for borough residents and brighten the spirits of those who enjoyed and continue to enjoy his flavored ice in summer.

“Alfredo was a friend, and he was someone the people of the Bronx could always count on for support. He created thousands of jobs during his career, and his business has become synonymous with summer in New York City,” said Diaz.

Yoba is an actor in Fox’s, Empire, a hip-hop drama that centers on a music industry heavyweight who is about to take his company public.

“This is an honor to be inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame, a borough that taught me the values of life and giving back to the community,” said Yoba.

Diaz will be announcing more about Bronx Week 2015 at a press conference scheduledfor Sunday, May 3.

Dolph Schayes
Photo courtesy of the Borough President Diaz’s office

Reach Reporter Patrick Rocchio at (718) 260–4597. E-mail him at procchio@cnglocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @patrickfrocchio.