To ISDA’s members and followers,

On behalf of the Italian American community, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our Vice President John Viola, and his parents, Vincent and Teresa, on winning this year’s Kentucky Derby.

The Viola family’s horse, “Golden Tempo,” a 23-to-1 long shot, stunned the racing world by winning the Derby on Saturday afternoon.

This victory, coupled with the family’s two recent Stanley Cup Finals championships with the Florida Panthers, cements their place among America’s most successful forces in sports.

Watch the incredible photo finish below:

It’s especially meaningful to see the Viola family achieve such success, given their generosity and leadership within the Italian American community.

John has truly become one of the most prominent and influential Italian American figures in the nation. He serves as National Vice President of the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO), NYC District Vice President of ISDA, founder and host of the Italian American Podcast, and co-founder and Chair of the Italian American Future Leaders (IAFL) program.

Working with John has given me a firsthand appreciation of his passion for our heritage, and of all he does to preserve and promote it.

John’s parents, Vincent and Teresa, have been instrumental in the rise of the Italian American Future Leaders program, generously opening the Amerant Bank Arena in South Florida for IAFL events and providing VIP hospitality and thoughtfully curated event programming for participants.

The Viola family stands as a pillar of excellence in the Italian American community. They set an outstanding example for all of us to follow. We take pride in their accomplishments, and wish them continued success.

Sincerely,

In 1930, immigrant families banded together to create the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), now one of the most prominent and financially successful Italian American organizations in the nation. In the last decade, we built a 730,000-strong social media community, grew our not-for-profit fraternal association, ISDA Financial Life, to nearly a half billion dollars in member assets, co-founded the Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum (RBIAFF), and launched the fastest-growing Italian American publication (La Nostra Voce). 

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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 23, 2026: AGBO and the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) are proud to announce the 2026 grant recipients for the Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum (RBIAFF). Five filmmakers were each awarded a $10,000 production grant to produce a short film based on an original concept that explores the Italian American experience.

Applicants from across the country submitted 3-minute sizzle reels, which were then reviewed by a committee composed of AGBO executives and ISDA leadership. The five chosen grant recipients will now have several months to complete their short films. Once the films are finished, one filmmaker will be chosen to receive an additional $10,000 grant and invited to join the AGBO Storytellers Collective, an alumni network of emerging filmmakers who have won AGBO fellowships or competitions.

The Storytellers Collective offers ongoing mentorship and industry guidance from AGBO executives. In addition to providing mentorship, the collective fosters a collaborative community where filmmakers can connect, exchange ideas, and support one another’s artistic development. To date, AGBO and the ISDA have awarded over $500,000 in RBIAFF grants, aiding over 50 passionate filmmakers to realize their creative visions.

Chief Creative Officer of AGBO and RBIAFF co-founder and judge Angela Russo-Otstot shares,

“Each year, the Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum introduces filmmakers with distinct voices and perspectives. This year’s recipients have created stories that are deeply personal yet universally resonant, exploring themes of identity, connection, and belonging with honesty and nuance. At AGBO, we’re committed to championing emerging storytellers and creating space for bold, original voices to thrive, and we’re proud to support these artists as they bring their visions to life.”

The 2026 grant recipients and the concepts of their films are:

ALL ABOUT CLAIRE directed by Davide Fiore (California)

Logline: Among forgotten boxes in a dead neighbor’s basement, a filmmaker unearths the buried legacy of Claire Giannini Hoffman, an Italian-American woman so trusted by U.S. Presidents she represented American banking abroad, yet so thoroughly erased that history never whispered her name. Some silences are not accidents.

DUE VENTI (TWO WINDS) directed by Veronica Maccari (California)

Logline: When a former Italian champion sailor returns to Lake Como after becoming a U.S. citizen, she enters a local regatta to prove she still belongs – but the race forces her to confront what it means to live between two worlds.

IL FUNERALE directed by Jeremy Tyler Owens (California)

Logline: Amidst the chaotic, heartfelt drama of an Italian-American funeral, 13-year-old Jimmy is tasked with cooking a legacy family dish after his uncle’s death. When he discovers his late uncle’s secret daughter, Jimmy must decide if honoring his memory means keeping the truth buried or risking his family’s peace.

LEATHER FLOWERS directed by Lucie Reese (New York)

Logline: When a traditional Italian grandmother agrees to attend her granddaughter’s rock gig, memories of the life she dreamt of and abandoned resurface, forcing her to confront the woman she left behind to become the perfect Nonna.

THE SEMOLINA SCORE directed by Roman Molino Dunn (California)

Logline: Growing up with his Italian grandmother in rural Pennsylvania, a teenager begins to have synesthetic experiences. He soon realizes that the “inner melody” heard at the family table is the cumulative love of the generations who cooked before him.

ABOUT AGBO 

Founded in 2017 by Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO is an artist-led independent studio shaping the future of film and television. The Russo Brothers and AGBO have generated more than $7 billion at the global box office, including Avengers: Endgame. The studio’s projects include Academy Award–winning Everything Everywhere All at Once, Netflix hits The Gray Man and Extraction, and Prime Video’s global Citadel franchise. Citadel Season 2 premieres in May 2026, while The Bluff debuts on Prime Video February 25, 2026. AGBO is currently in production with Netflix on Tygo and Mercenary, both part of the Extraction universe, as well as with Lionsgate on John Rambo, a prequel to the iconic franchise. The studio is in post-production on The Whisper Man, starring Robert De Niro, and Avengers: Doomsday, which will be released December 18, 2026. AGBO will begin shooting Avengers: Secret Wars later this year. Both upcoming Avengers films are directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and co-produced by AGBO and Marvel Studios.

CONTACT:

Marian Koltai-Levine, mkoltai@agbo.com

Sarah Caruso, scaruso@agbo.com

In 1930, immigrant families banded together to create the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), now one of the most prominent and financially successful Italian American organizations in the nation. In the last decade, we built a 730,000-strong social media community, grew our not-for-profit fraternal association, ISDA Financial Life, to nearly a half billion dollars in member assets, co-founded the Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum (RBIAFF), and launched the fastest-growing Italian American publication (La Nostra Voce). 

Make a Pledge and join Italian Sons and Daughters of America today. 

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The 28-year-old man from Paramount, Calif., was charged with grand theft after he gained about $34,000 in fraudulent transactions, the Irvine Police Department said on social media.

Target reported at least 70 thefts across the country that were tied to the scheme, the police said.

While officers made light of the crook’s pasta-and-switch method, calling it a “pasta-tively terrible plan,” his crimes were just the latest in a trend of Lego thefts.

Thieves have targeted Lego products because of their high resale value.

Officials have said that the toys are targeted because the pieces and kits are small, untraceable and in high demand.

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According to early accounts, she demonstrated a strong religious inclination from a young age and she was even said to have made a private vow of dedication to God around the age of seven. As a teenager, she resisted family expectations of marriage, at one point cutting her hair as an act of protest.

Rather than entering a convent, Catherine joined the Mantellate, a lay branch of the Dominican order, and lived primarily at home under a disciplined routine of prayer and service.

By her 20s, her role had expanded beyond private devotion. She became active in caring for the sick and poor, particularly in local hospitals in Siena, where plague victims suffered in conditions that were beyond substandard.

Her reputation for piety and commitment drew attention, and she became known locally as a santa donna, or “holy woman.”

Catherine is perhaps best known for her extensive correspondence. She wrote hundreds of letters to a wide range of figures, including civic leaders, clergy and rulers, addressing political, social and religious issues of the time.

During the period when the papacy was based in Avignon, she urged Pope Gregory XI to return the papal seat to Rome. He did so in 1377, a move to which her advocacy is often linked.

In addition to her letters, she authored The Dialogue, along with various prayers and writings that contributed to her lasting influence in both religious and literary contexts.

Catherine died in Rome in 1380 at the age of 33.

Her recognition grew in the centuries that followed.

She was canonized in 1461, declared a Doctor of the Church in 1970, and is recognized as a patron saint of Italy and, later, of Europe.

Catherine of Siena resonates less as a distant historical figure and more as a reflection of lived tradition.

Her outspoken advocacy was grounded in her home and community, a pattern familiar to generations of Italian Americans, where devotion is practiced daily and often shaped by a matriarchal influence.

She held no formal authority, yet her voice carried weight, reinforcing a cultural respect for influence earned through service and conviction rather than title.

Her Feast Day is celebrated on April 29.

Make a pledge and become a member of Italian Sons and Daughters of America today.

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Prep time: 20 minutes / Cook time: 13 minutes / Serves: 6

INGREDIENTS

2 cups broccoli, cut into florets

1 lb. uncooked pasta, rigatoni or penne

3 tbsp. pine nuts

1 cup green olives, pitted

2 cups fresh basil leaves

3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped

3 tbsp. Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

¼ tsp. black pepper, plus extra for seasoning

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt, for seasoning

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rapid boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for one minute.
2. Transfer the broccoli to a food processor or blender with a slotted spoon.
3. Bring the water back to a boil and add the pasta, cooking until al dente.
4. Drain the pasta, reserving one cup of the pasta water in a measuring cup. In a small saucepan, cook the pine nuts over medium heat until toasted and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
5. Add the pine nuts to the food processor or blender along with the olives, basil, garlic, cheese, pepper and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Pulse until well combined.
6. With the processor on, add the olive oil slowly, stopping to scrape the sides as needed, until the pesto is pureed. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. In a large bowl, toss the pasta with a desired amount of the pesto, thinning with extra pasta water two tablespoons at a time as needed. Serve.

Make a pledge and become a member of Italian Sons and Daughters of America today.

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EOIR Director Daren K. Margolin delivered remarks, and Chief Immigration Judge Teresa L. Riley administered the oath during a ceremony held at the Department of Justice’s Great Hall in Washington, D.C. on April 8.

Hurst will begin hearing Cleveland Immigration Court cases this month.

Hurst earned a Bachelor of Arts from Xavier University in 2013 and a Juris Doctor from Cleveland State University College of Law in 2016.

Hurst served with the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court in Cleveland from April 2019 to March 2026, including as a magistrate from May 2021 to March 2026 and as a staff attorney from April 2019 to February 2023. From October 2020 to February 2023, he also served as an assistant prosecuting attorney with the Adams County Prosecutor’s Office in West Union, Ohio. He previously worked as an assistant prosecuting attorney with the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office from October 2017 to March 2019.

Earlier in his career, Hurst served with the Geauga County Probate and Juvenile Court in Chardon, Ohio, first as a law clerk and later as a staff attorney from May 2014 to October 2017. He is a member of the Ohio State Bar.

Hurst and his wife, Nina, have two sons, and the family belongs to ISDA’s Our Lady of Mount Carmel Lodge, located in Cleveland’s Gordon Square neighborhood.

Maria Hurst, secretary of OLMC Lodge, and Jonathan Barry Hurst, OLMC lodge member and one-time sergeant-at-arms, are the proud parents of Anthony Hurst.

The couple remains active in under-40 Italian American initiatives at both the local and national level, including their support of ISDA’s Inizio Lodge in Cleveland’s Little Italy and their attendance at the fourth annual Italian American Future Leaders (IAFL) Convention this past January in South Florida.

Make a pledge and become a member of Italian Sons and Daughters of America today.

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JOIN THE FIGHT: SUPPORT THE LAWSUIT HERE

The 28-page suit was filed by attorney George Bochetto on behalf of several plaintiffs, including the Friends of Christopher Columbus Foundation (FOCCF) — a Columbus, Ohio-based nonprofit — and the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO), a nationwide Italian American advocacy coalition.

The lawsuit argues the statue’s removal was unlawful, discriminatory and in breach of binding agreements — all carried out without proper authority, due process or required historic protections.

“Six years ago, in a rushed and inconsistent response to unrest, city leaders removed the Columbus statue but not the name of the city itself,” said COPOMIAO President Basil Russo, who also leads the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA). “Columbus Day emerged in the aftermath of the 1891 New Orleans lynching, when 11 Italian immigrants were killed by a mob of thousands, an event that prompted a national effort to promote the acceptance of Italian Americans. That legacy continues to shape the meaning and importance of these monuments today.”

Read about the historical origins of Columbus Day here.

Cast by renowned Italian sculptor Edoardo Alfieri in Genoa, Italy, the 20-foot bronze statue was unveiled in 1955 before 100,000 people. Its dedication marked the beginning of a formal sister-city relationship between Genoa and Columbus, Ohio, rooted in cultural and commercial exchange.

COPOMIAO’s Pro-Columbus Legal Momentum

COPOMIAO won back-to-back unanimous rulings in Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court, blocking the removal of Pittsburgh’s Columbus statue in 2024 and restoring Columbus Day as a citywide holiday in Philadelphia in 2025.

As part of its ongoing bipartisan advocacy efforts, COPOMIAO worked with the Trump Administration this past March to install Baltimore’s toppled Columbus statue on White House grounds — a collaboration that made international headlines.

“Public monuments cannot be removed at the unilateral discretion of elected officials, without process, authority or regard for binding agreements. Courts exist to check that kind of overreach,” said Bochetto.

ABOUT COPOMIAO

The Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO), founded in NYC, is a national coalition of 74 cultural, educational, fraternal and anti-defamation groups. Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA) is a proud member of COPOMIAO.

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Ingredients

1 lb Brie cheese

1 (17.3 oz.) box frozen puff pastry

Raspberry preserve

Instructions

1. Cut the brie into ½ inch pieces. Place on a platter and put the cheese in the freezer while you thaw the puff pastry for 30 minutes at room temperature.
2. Unfold the thawed pastry, press together seams and roll lightly with a rolling pin to smooth it out. Cut each sheet into 16 squares per sheet.
3. Lightly spray a mini-muffin pan with nonstick spray. Fit a piece of dough into each cup, pushing into the cup but leaving the edges sticking up.
4. Place a dab of raspberry preserve in each cup, then top with a piece of cheese.
5. Bake at 400 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes, until golden. Serve warm.

Notes:

Can be prepared ahead and refrigerated until ready to bake, or you can bake them and re-warm about 10 minutes at 350 degree F before serving.

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Victory Lodge #33 of Pittsburgh, PA, invites the ISDA community to celebrate the 99th birthday of Joseph B. Falce on April 8 (belated wishes are more than welcome).

“Uncle Joe” has been a lifetime member of the Victory Lodge of the ISDA. Joe was interviewed recently by Melissa Marinaro of the Heinz History Center. In the interview, Joe shared many of his life stories, including being the youngest of eight children of Italian immigrants.

Joe lived in the Hays section of Pittsburgh during the Depression. He quit school to join the Navy, taking part in three invasions during WWII. When he returned home, he finished high school.

Then he attended the University of Pittsburgh. For 44 years, Joe worked for US Steel, being an instructor of various trades.

He was active in the union. When he retired, he found a new career in local politics.

To hear more of Joe’s remarkable stories, visit the Heinz History Center when you are in Pittsburgh.

You can send birthday cards to:

Joe Falce

Discovery Commons

2000 Cool Springs Drive

Pittsburgh, PA 15234  

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In the Italian American community of Western New York, tradition is not simply remembered, it is lived, shared, and passed lovingly from one generation to the next. Few families embody that spirit more beautifully than Danette Porto and her granddaughter Danielle Salasavage, whose commitment to heritage, community, and service has helped strengthen Italian American organizations both locally and nationally.

Danette’s journey of service began in 1962 when she joined the Order Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA). Over the decades, she became a respected and beloved leader within the organization and the wider Italian American community. For more than 16 years, Danette served as WNY District Vice President, dedicating countless hours to advancing the mission of ISDA and supporting lodges throughout the district. Her leadership extended nationally as well, serving as a National Councilor and as a member of the ISDA Financial Life Board of Directors.

Danette’s devotion to community extends far beyond titles. She has long been a cornerstone of the Buffalo Italian Heritage Festival, an event deeply tied to her family’s history. The festival was co-founded in 1975 by her late husband, Ed Porto, and Danette has continued to honor his legacy through her ongoing volunteerism and dedication to the event. Her passion for preserving Italian culture and bringing the community together remains as strong today as it was when the festival first began all those years ago on Connecticut Street in Buffalo, N.Y.

See past Donna Distinta winners here. 

Her commitment to heritage and service is reflected in the many organizations she continues to support. Danette serves on the boards of both the Association of Italian American Women and the Federation of Italian American Societies of Western New York, working to promote Italian culture, heritage, and unity within the community. Known for her warmth, generosity, and pride in her roots, Danette has always believed that the strength of the Italian American community lies in family, tradition, and giving back.

For Danette, preserving Italian culture has always been a family affair. She raised her family with a strong appreciation for Italian traditions from family dinners and gatherings to participation in community events and cultural celebrations. She believed that heritage was something meant to be lived every day, not just remembered on special occasions. Through her decades of involvement in organizations, festivals, and cultural initiatives, Danette helped ensure that future generations would continue to celebrate their Italian roots with pride.

It is perhaps no surprise, then, that Danette’s passion for heritage and service inspired the next generation. Her granddaughter, Danielle Salasavage, has proudly followed in her footsteps carrying forward the family’s legacy while making history of her own.

In 2008, when Danette stepped down after years of service as WNY District National Vice President, Danielle assumed the role, becoming the youngest District National Vice President in ISDA history. Like her grandmother, Danielle has also served on the ISDA Financial Life Board of Directors, continuing the family tradition of leadership within the organization.

In 2025, Danielle achieved another historic milestone when she was nominated and elected National Vice President for the Order Italian Sons and Daughters of America, becoming one of the first two women to hold a national office within the organization. Her election represents not only a personal achievement but also a meaningful step forward for women’s leadership within Italian American fraternal organizations nationwide.

Beyond ISDA, Danielle is deeply involved in numerous Italian American organizations and cultural initiatives throughout Western New York. She serves on the board of directors for the Buffalo Italian Heritage Festival, helping to steward the very event her grandfather founded, and her grandmother helped nurture for decades. She is also President of ISDA Volare Lodge #269, Vice President of the Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo, Assistant Treasurer for the Federation of Italian American Societies of Western New York and a member of the Association of Italian American Women. Danielle works alongside many community leaders including her grandmother to celebrate and uplift Italian heritage and culture.

Her commitment to cultural preservation is especially evident in her leadership roles within the region’s Italian Heritage Month celebrations. Danielle serves as Chairwoman of the Italian Heritage Parade and Co-Chair of the Italian Heritage Month Flag Raising and Opening Ceremony, helping to organize and promote events that celebrate the history, contributions, and traditions of Italian Americans.

On a national level in addition to her roles within the ISDA, Danielle also serves as an Ambassador for We the Italians, connecting with organizations, leaders, and advocates across the country who share a passion for celebrating Italian culture and promoting the positive impact of Italian Americans in society.

What makes Danielle’s work particularly meaningful is her commitment to ensuring that younger generations become involved in preserving Italian American culture. Having grown up attending festivals, parades, lodge meetings, and cultural events, Danielle developed a deep appreciation for the importance of community engagement at an early age. Those early experiences created lifelong friendships and connections that continue to shape her work today.

Through conferences, national meetings, and cultural initiatives, Danielle has helped build relationships with Italian American organizations and leaders across the country. Her efforts have strengthened collaboration between groups both locally and nationally, reinforcing a shared commitment to celebrating heritage and preserving traditions.

Both Danette and Danielle share a belief that Italian American organizations are about much more than meetings and events, they are about building relationships, preserving history, and creating a sense of belonging for future generations.

Their story is one of legacy, mentorship, and love for community. Growing up, Danielle witnessed firsthand her grandmother’s unwavering dedication to family, faith, and service. The lessons Danette instilled, pride in heritage, commitment to community, and the importance of honoring those who came before, continue to guide Danielle’s work today.

Together, Danette Porto and Danielle Salasavage represent more than two generations of leadership, they represent the enduring power of family and the importance of passing cultural traditions forward.

Their shared story serves as a powerful reminder that the strength of the Italian American community lies in the dedication of families who commit themselves to preserving traditions, celebrating culture, and ensuring that the spirit of their ancestors continues to thrive.

From grandmother to granddaughter, the legacy continues guided by the values that have long defined the Italian American experience: family, faith, tradition, and community.

The final 2026 Donna Distinta honoree will be announced in the May edition of La Nostra Voce.

Make a pledge and become a member of Italian Sons and Daughters of America today.

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