Yes, Chef!: Cooks Around the World, a culinary journey without a passport that sparks children’s creativity

The “Yes, Chef! Cooks Around the World” morning camp has become an unforgettable experience for our mini chefs, who have traveled the globe with a spoon in hand, discovering new flavors, cultures, and a deep passion for cooking.

The stoves were fired up with an explosion of flavors. From juicy hamburgers to colorful tacos and creatively decorated cupcakes, participants explored the cuisines of the United States and Mexico. The grand finale was the highly anticipated Sweet Friday, a day dedicated to desserts that unleashed their imagination and love for all things sweet.

The second week took our young cooks on a journey through Spanish and Dominican cuisine. Dishes full of history, traditional techniques, and delicious flavors filled the kitchen with enthusiasm. On Friday, a festival of appetizers joyfully wrapped up a week that celebrated culture and teamwork.

The third week was a true nonstop journey. From Italian pasta to intense and varied Asian flavors, the mini chefs tasted new ingredients and learned techniques from different parts of the world. The week concluded with a delicious brunch Friday, combining sweet and savory dishes for a feast for the senses.

“Yes, Chef!” continues to show that cooking is much more than just recipes; it’s a way to learn, share, and grow. Every dish has been a living lesson in culture, teamwork, and creativity. We’ll see you next year!

The School of Art and Culture successfully concluded its summer camp, SUMMER COMICS

For three weeks, the space was filled with imagination, color, and high energy at the SUMMER COMICS camp—an educational initiative where our young participants became true storytellers.

During this time, students learned drawing techniques geared toward comic creation, exploring themes like anatomy, clothing movement, character design, narrative structure, and timeline development. Each day was a chance to unleash creativity and turn ideas into unique characters.

The result was a vibrant collection of comics full of talent and originality—an outcome shaped by the effort, passion, and guidance of our facilitators.

We thank every family for trusting in this project, and our young artists for pouring their hearts into each page.

See you on the next creative mission!

The Dominican American Cultural Institute celebrated the Independence of the United States with a Farmers Market

On Wednesday, July 3rd, we held a Farmers Market to commemorate the Independence Day of the United States. The event was open to our entire educational community and welcomed staff members, students, teachers, and visitors, all of whom enjoyed a unique day in true farmer style.

During the celebration, the main campus of our institution transformed into a vibrant space filled with music, recreational activities, traditional food, vendor stations, and a lively, positive atmosphere. The stars of the day were various local entrepreneurs who joined the event to offer natural, handmade products with an authentic flair that delighted everyone in attendance.

Beyond the shopping and flavors, this initiative fostered integration among our community members, supported entrepreneurial talent, and honored a date that holds great significance in American culture—a core part of our identity as a binational center.

We’re grateful to everyone who made this experience possible, from the organizers to each participant who brought the event to life.

The Domínico Americano Holds Its 2025 General Ordinary Assembly of Associates

Last Tuesday, June 17, 2025, the Instituto Cultural Dominico Americano held its General Ordinary Assembly of Associates, a space for dialogue and accountability in which the institutional advances of the year 2024 were presented and new members of the Board of Directors were elected for the period 2025–2027.

The activity was presided over by Mrs. Darys Estrella, president of the Board of Directors, who offered opening remarks highlighting the impact of initiatives developed during the past year and reaffirming the commitment to responsible leadership that guides the mission of Dominico Americano.

During the day, Eng. Ramón Sosa, Executive Director, presented the institutional management report; Mr. Frank Abate, Treasurer, shared financial information based on audited statements; and Mrs. Hilda Patricia Polanco, Secretary of Council, conducted the voting process and validation for the new board composition.

The Executive Committee Board that begins its functions with immediate effect is composed of:

Darys Estrella – President
Lucy Threan de Lamarche – Vice President
Hilda Patricia Polanco – Secretary
Francisco J. Abate Franjul – Treasurer
Darío Lama Reyes – Vice Secretary
Robert Valdez – Vice Treasurer

Additionally forming part are:
Francisco J. Abreu Vitetta, Bassa Isaac Castañeda, Enrique A. Fernández Malla, Marielle Garrido, Jeffrey Johnson, Mari Carmen Orizondo, Leonardo Santoni, Arthur Valdez

We thank all associates who participated actively in this assembly, contributing to strengthening our institution’s mission to promote cultural exchange between the Dominican Republic and the United States.

Rafael Chaer shares his experience with students of the Tourism and Hospitality program

Students from the Tourist Marketing course, part of the Tourism and Hospitality program at UNICDA, received a very special visit: Rafael Chaer, renowned Creative Director and Brand Strategist, who shared his extensive experience in branding, visual communication, and strategic development in digital environments with the future professionals.

With over 15 years of professional experience, Rafael has led projects for major national and international brands such as Ágora Mall, Grupo CCN, Club Atlético Licey, BM Cargo, Brugal, Downtown Center, CEPM, Cervecería Nacional Dominicana, among others, establishing himself as a key figure in the field of marketing and creativity in the Dominican Republic.

During his talk, Chaer addressed essential topics for the tourism industry, including: the importance of strategy as the foundation for any project, the design of action plans, the impact of digital media, the development of creative concepts, and the relevance of understanding the target audience through the use of color, promotion, and effective visual communication.

This enriching session allowed students to gain first-hand insight into the tools and approaches used in the development of purpose-driven brands, creating a practical, inspiring learning space aligned with the current demands of the tourism market.