essex county commissioners honor local leaders for hispanic heritage month

L to R: Comm'r Robert Mercado, Juan C. Almeida, Maria Yllescas, Councilwoman Rosalee Gonzalez, Comm'r President Carlos Pomares, Comm'r Leonard M. Luciano, Comm'r Patricia Sebold, Laura Tamayo, Comm'r Vice President Tyshammie Cooper

(Newark, NJ) – On Wednesday evening, the Essex County Board of County Commissioners held its annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. This event is held yearly to celebrate the accomplishments of and honor outstanding Hispanic and Latino men and women of Essex County for their unique contributions to the Essex community and society as a whole.

This year, the Board recognized Councilwoman Rosalee González of Bloomfield; María Yllescas of Newark, Founder and President of Unidas en Un Sola Voz; Laura Tamayo, Founder of Sazón Livingston; and Juan C. Almeida, President of the Liberty Park NJ Stake.

“Today we celebrate Hispanic Americans and Hispanic culture,” said Commissioner President Carlos Pomares, “Our honorees exemplify and reflect the outstanding people in our Hispanic community who have done great things here in Essex. Because of your contributions, we are all the better as a community. We thank you for all you do, and we congratulate all of you on this honor.”

“As a Hispanic American, I am proud to take part in today’s ceremony. The Hispanic community is defined and strengthened by our culture, history, pride, and diversity,” said District 1 Commissioner Robert Mercado. “It is impossible to imagine where Essex County, New Jersey, and the country would be without the work and contributions of Hispanic Americans and communities. Congratulations to all our honorees!”

Comm'r A'Dorian Murray-Thomas (left) with the Arts High School Latin Jazz Band

Rev. Leslie Ramos, Senior Pastor of La Hermosa Christian Church in Newark delivered prayers during the occasion. The Arts High School Latin Jazz Band gave an excellent performance of Latin jazz classics and the national anthem.

See more photos of the event here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17NVNuycAM/

See a recording of the event here: https://vimeo.com/event/2263459

Honorees:

The Hon. Rosalee González, presented by Commissioner President Carlos Pomares and Commissioner Brendan W. Gill, is a proud Latina born in Brooklyn, NY, to a Puerto Rican family. She is a dedicated leader and passionate advocate for the Bloomfield community. She is currently serving as Bloomfield’s first Puerto Rican 1st Ward Councilwoman. Married since 2014, Councilwoman González is the proud mother of a blended family of four children. She graduated from SUNY Purchase College with a Bachelor of Arts in Language and Culture. Councilwoman González has worked in the medical field for over 20 years as a sleep technologist.

María Yllescas, presented by Commissioner A’Dorian Murray-Thomas, was born in Lima, Peru, and migrated to the United States seeking new opportunities. After experiencing verbal and emotional abuse early in her marriage, she faced divorce and the challenge of rebuilding her self-esteem. Through resilience and determination, she transformed her pain into strength, becoming actively involved with organizations such as La Casa de Don Pedro. Six years later, inspired to help women find the voice she once lost, María founded Unidas en Una Sola Voz, a nonprofit organization that supports victims of abuse and domestic violence, and is dedicated to empowering women and creating safe spaces for healing and community support. Today, she continues to be a strong advocate, sharing her story and offering hope to others who face similar challenges. María Yllescas began her service to Newark residents as a community activist while working for Newark Now, a nonprofit founded by New Jersey Senator Cory A. Booker. She went on to work for the Newark Police Department as a Traffic Control Officer, and for the past twelve years has worked for the Newark Parking Authority as a Parking Enforcement Officer. In addition to her full-time employment, María holds the following positions: Founder and President of the Peruvian Civic Committee of Newark, Commissioner on the Newark Hispanic Commission, Board of Trustees Member of the Essex County Family Justice Center, Board Member of Friends of the Hispanic Research & Information Center, and Board Member of Clara Maass Hospital Excellence in Latino Health.

Laura Tamayo, presented by Commissioner Patricia Sebold, a proud member of Livingston’s growing Latin community, was born and raised in Perú. After earning her degree in education from Sacred Heart University in 1994, she began her teaching career there, a role that quickly became her lifelong calling. In 2000, she and her husband, Carlos, made the courageous decision to immigrate to the U.S. in search of greater opportunities and a brighter future for their son, Giancarlo. In New Jersey, Laura continued her vocation as an educator. She taught for six years at St. Michael’s School in Newark, where she nurtured her passion for working with children. From there, she entered public education, and for the past 19 years she has proudly served in Newark Public Schools, where she currently teaches 5th grade math at Park Elementary School. Altogether, she has dedicated 25 years to teaching in Essex County, shaping young minds and making a lasting impact on generations of students. Laura Tamayo and her family made Livingston their home in 2008, and she quickly became a vibrant part of the community. Beyond her work in Newark, she has tutored dozens of Livingston students in math and Spanish, helping them thrive academically. Laura’s passion for teaching extends beyond the classroom. She has built a thriving Zumba community, teaching at NYSC, the JCC MetroWest, and now at the Livingston Senior Center, where her classes bring people together through wellness and dance. In September 2023, Laura Tamayo partnered with then–Livingston High School senior, Jessica Aldana, to organize the town’s first Hispanic Heritage Festival. With her energy and determination, she brought neighbors together to celebrate culture and community. The following year, she took the lead in expanding the festival, ensuring its continued success. Out of this effort, the Sazón Livingston Committee was born, with her as president. Under her leadership, the committee has hosted fundraisers, recruited local businesses, and strengthened community pride, now preparing for the third annual festival on September 28, 2025. Laura also serves on the Livingston Committee for Diversity and Inclusion (LCDI), where she represents Sazón Livingston in town-wide initiatives. This summer, she directed Sazón Kids, a free cultural dance program that introduced children to Hispanic heritage through music and movement. At her core, Laura Tamayo is both an educator and a community builder. She believes in the power of inclusiveness and the importance of celebrating culture, values she brings to every classroom, every event, and every relationship. Her journey from Perú to Newark to Livingston reflects her devotion to family, education, and community.

Juan C. Almeida, presented by Commissioner Mercado, is an Assistant Vice President Senior Banker with 25 years of experience in financial services, leadership, and relationship management. As a Senior Banker with Bank of America, he has built a distinguished career advising individuals and small businesses, strengthening client relationships, and delivering tailored financial solutions. Over more than two decades, he has held multiple leadership roles, consistently driving growth, mentoring colleagues, and achieving performance excellence across personal and business banking. Fluent in Spanish and English, with working knowledge of Portuguese, Juan has excelled in serving diverse communities across New Jersey. He is dedicated to advancing financial inclusion by ensuring that individuals and small businesses—especially those who may not fit traditional banking stereotypes—have access to the tools and resources they need to succeed. Through his ability to connect across cultures and backgrounds, he has helped broaden opportunities, foster equity, and strengthen trust between financial institutions and the communities they serve. Outside of banking, Juan Almeida is deeply committed to people and service. Since 2019, he has led the Liberty Park Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he oversees multiple congregations, counsels leaders, and supports families. His leadership in this role reflects the same principles that guide his professional work: trust, vision, and dedication to strengthening communities. Juan lives in Kearny with his wife of 18 years and their two daughters. His family is the center of his world, and he credits them as his greatest source of joy, strength, and perspective. His devotion to family shapes the way he leads, reminding him that lasting success is measured not only by professional accomplishments, but also by the relationships and values carried forward in everyday life.