to the 10th Year Anniversary Gala OF Welcome Wednesday Venue : July 19, 2023 Valley Regency 1129 Valley Rd. Clifton, NJ Time 5:00pm
Message from the President Letter
Program Welcome Remarks
Judge Michael A. Shipp was nominated to the federal bench to serve as a United States District Court Judge for the District of New Jersey by President Barack Obama in January 2012. He was confirmed by the Senate and appointed in July 2012. Prior to his elevation to the District Court, Judge Shipp served as a United States Magistrate Judge for the District of New Jersey, Newark, from October 2007 through July 2012. Prior to his appointment to the federal bench, Judge Shipp served in several different capacities in both government andprivate practice. He began his legal career with a clerkship for the Hon. James H. Coleman, Jr., Supreme Court of New Jersey. Thereafter, he spent eight years with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP law firm. At Skadden, Judge Shipp handled complex commercial litigation, labor and employment, product liability, and contract disputes. In September 2003, Judge Shipp joined the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety as the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the State’s Consumer Protection Practice Group. As an Assistant Attorney General, he managed and assisted counsel in the litigation of large institutional investor class actions and individual lawsuits, served as the primary point person on Consumer Protection enforcement issues, and reviewed and commented on proposed legislation and policy issues. In February 2007, Judge Shipp was named Counsel to the Attorney General, where he served as a top advisor on a variety of sensitive legal issues relating to ethics, appointments, and other matters requiring personal involvement by the Attorney General. He also assisted in managing day-to-day issues and advised and strategized with attorneys, directors, commissioners, and other government officials on significant litigation matters. Judge Shipp is an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University School of Law. He is a graduate of Rutgers University and Seton Hall University School of Law. Judge Shipp also received a Master of Science in Jurisprudence from Duke Law School. Honorable Michael A. Shipp United States District Judge District of New Jersey
Mr. Hector Baralt is very ambitious and has a remarkable ability to manage and run a business; he is an excellent communicator who speaks English, Spanish, conversational Portuguese, and Italian. Mr. Baralt has been involved in all phases of business management and effective communication for over 40 years. He is currently the Founder and CEO of Lacoa Inc. He was a sales executive in the business for Sommers Plastics before then for over 20 years. He has been involved in many other business endeavors that have led to successful tradeoffs and the development of people. Currently, he serves as Commissioner on the Board of Adjustments for the city of Paterson. He also serves as a consultant and networking agent for many who need business automation, financial planning, and business consulting assistance. Mr. Baralt holds an Associate’s degree from Pace University in Accounting Technology/ Technician and Bookkeeping capacities. He was also enrolled in Computer Science in Engineering program at City College of New York, where he learned computer integration and digital accounting. Mr. Baralt and his spouse of 49 years, Maria Baralt, have persevered and maintained the entrepreneurial dream of immigrants alive. He is the proud father of Dr. Melissa Baralt and Mr. Emmanuel Baralt. His love for all and continued educational spirit has been perpetuated by his love for his grandchildren: Giada, Liam, Kalel, and Milan. A leader and influential person that tries to impact companies and people in a positive way. Hector Baralt Lifetime Achievement Award
Michael J. Plata, Esq. Hermano Leadership Award Michael J. Plata is the founder of Plata Law Group LLC. His practice is focused on corporate counseling, advice, and complex business and commercial litigation in federal and state courts. Mr. Plata counsels his business clients on a wide range of legal issues, including employment law, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, cybersecurity, privacy, data protection, intellectual property, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate transactions. In addition, he serves as Board Counsel for the Zoning Board of Adjustment for the City of Newark, New Jersey. Mr. Plata is currently an adjunct professor at Rutgers Law School with the Community and Transactional Lawyering Clinic, where he teaches and supervises students in their representation of not-forprofit corporations. He is a former President of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey ("HBA-NJ") and currently serves as the Treasurer of the New Jersey Hispanic Bar Foundation. Mr. Plata sits on the Boards of Essex-Newark Legal Services and the Boys to Leaders Foundation, Inc. He is a Commissioner with the Bloomfield Civil Rights Commission and serves on the Amicus Committee and New Jersey Lawyer Editorial Board Standing Committee of the New Jersey State Bar Association. Mr. Plata began his legal career as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Ariel A. Rodríguez, Judge, Appellate Division, Superior Court of New Jersey. The following year he served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable John E. Wallace, Jr., Associate Justice, Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Lazaro is a proud servant leader of the Latino community. Having moved to the U.S. at the age of 12, Lazaro experienced firsthand the challenges of being an immigrant. In 2020, Lazaro completed the NJ Governor’s Hispanic Fellows Program while attending Montclair State University. In 2022, Lazaro graduated with a B.A. in Language, Business, and Culture and began his professional career at PNC Financial Services as a Treasury Management Analyst. Lazaro currently serves on the Board of Directors of Boys to Leaders, which he has been part of since 2020. Lazaro Valdes-Fraga Rising Start Award
Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Recipients Patric J. Penafiel LISC Leaership Scholarship Onan Beneath Paul Rajah Leadership Scholarship Richard Abi-Darko Dr. Jose Aviles Leadership Scholarship Jesus Delgado Baralt Fund Leadership Scholarship Christian Feliciano Gabriel A. Senade Leadership Scholarhip Jeremiah Plata I Matter Leadreship Scholarship Nicholas Torres Hercules Pena Leadership Scholarship Caudell Cajuste Baralt Fund Leadership Scholarship
Who We Are About US B o y s t o L e a d e r s F o u n d a t i o n ’ s m i s s i o n i s t o e m p o w e r , m o t i v a t e a n d i n s p i r e y o u n g m e n b y p r o v i d i n g l e a d e r s h i p t r a i n i n g , m e n t o r s h i p , e d u c a t i o n a l p r o g r a m s , a n d p o s i t i v e a n d p e r s o n a l p r o f e s s i o n a l d e v e l o p m e n t . Mission Lat ino Youth Leadership Conference is to encourage and mot ivate al l youth to st r ive for educat ional excel lence. Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program recognizes the recipients for thei r capaci ty to lead, serve, and commi t to significant ly impact ing thei r schools and communi t ies. The Boys to Leaders Foundat ion Emerging Leaders Advisory Counci l is a select group of young leaders who provide a youth perspect ive to the Board of Di rectors on var ious communi ty and youth- related issues through research, peer discussion, and communi ty interact ion. The Boys to Leaders Foundat ion, a 501(c)3 nonprofi t , was founded in 2013 wi th the vision of a single mother , raised and st i l l a resident in the Ci ty of Newark, who has a growing concern for the lack of programs that reinforce leadership ski l ls and expose her son to resources that wi l l st rengthen him in becoming a posi t ive and successful man. In response to her commi tment to her communi ty and, most impor tant ly, her son, she created an organizat ion that wi l l benefi t young Lat ino men, giving them a st rong sense of di rect ion to enhance thei r achievement and demonst rate her commi tment to them and her communi ty. Boys to Leaders Foundat ion has grown into an organizat ion that has developed and provided different services to the communi ty, such as:
Board of Directors Board Members Sara Pena, President Dr . Reinaldo Sant iago, VP of Development Yesenia Lopez, Treasurer Mar ia Tores, Recording Secretary Lazaro Valdes-Fraga, VP of Communi ty Par tnership Dr . Diana Hi l l Mar ia Andrades Goldin Mar t inez M. Anthony Cardona Dr . Enmanuel Mercedes Among Field Michael J . Plata Esq. Mi lagros Peral ta Kei th H. Green Miguel A. Melendez Janet Pena Executive Leadership
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
on their 10 Year Anniversary! Kean University Foundation Congratulates Boys to Leaders Foundation
Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz MTeresaRuizNJ SenMTeresaRuiz SenMTeresaRuiz Congratulations BOYS TO LEADERS FOUNDATION ON YOUR 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY and tonight’s honorees
Congratulations! to the Boys to Leaders Foundation On the celebration of their Tenth Anniversary Wishing you much success in the future And always remember If there is a “Will” there is “The” way! William B. Sampson IV Assemblyman, 31st District 25 West 8th Street Bayonne N.J. 07002 201-455-2966
Congratulations to the for celebrating your 10th Anniversary. Boys to Leaders Foundation We are grateful for the leaders who have made a positive impact on the young men in our communities. We wish you all a successful event! With Great Respect, Carlos Lejnieks and your BBBS Family Be Inspired… Be Inspirational…Be Part of the Solution... Be a BIG. MENTOR a child today! 973-642-BIGS www.BigsAndKids.org