About
JPD
Addressing cultural, civic, and academic needs of the largely low-income, Northern Manhattan immigrant community of Washington Heights/Inwood of NYC.
Mission
& History.
To be the conduit for opportunities in the cultural, arts, and educational arenas that celebrate the enduring legacy of Dominican heritage.
The story of the Juan Pablo Duarte Foundation begins on a street in Washington Heights.
In 2000, a stretch of St. Nicholas Avenue was renamed Juan Pablo Duarte Boulevard, honoring one of the founders of the Dominican Republic in the heart of New York's Dominican community. The celebration began as a neighborhood parade along the Boulevard and grew over time into Festival del Boulevard, a one-day, multi-street celebration of music, art, food and community.
Three years later, Laura Acosta and Dr. Guillermo Linares—the first Dominican elected to public office in the United States—decided to build something more lasting. In 2003, they co-founded the Juan Pablo Duarte Foundation, with an early focus on helping Dominican students pursue their education.
As JPD grew, so did its understanding of what opportunity could mean. The Foundation began supporting not only students, but also artists, grassroots organizations and community groups—often people doing important work with limited resources. Festival del Boulevard became a platform for local artists, performers and businesses as well as a celebration of Dominican and Latino culture.
That same idea eventually found a permanent home in Washington Heights. As rising rents and gentrification made affordable gathering space increasingly difficult to find, JPD opened its Community Space inside the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal. The space has given youth programs, artists and community organizations a place for classes, workshops, exhibitions, performances, meetings and civic gatherings. Today, it is also home to programs and partnerships including Chín Gallery and DUSA Tech.
Today, JPD's work spans education, arts and culture, and community. The programs have changed over more than two decades, but the idea behind them has remained remarkably consistent: give people the space, support and opportunity to do what they are capable of doing.
Culture.
Community.
Opportunity.
Who we are
JPD Board of Directors
JPD has always been shaped by people with deep ties to the communities it serves. Meet the people carrying that work forward today.
Executive Director & Founder
LAURA ACOSTA
Laura Acosta founded the Juan Pablo Duarte Foundation in 2003 after years of community and public-service work in New York City. Born in Santiago, Dominican Republic, and raised in New York from age 12, she has worked across education, government, civic organizing and political campaigns, with a longstanding commitment to expanding opportunity for the Dominican and Latino communities.
Board Chair
WILLIAM A. GARCIA
A founding member of JPD, William A. Garcia has served Washington Heights and Inwood for more than 25 years through legal practice, nonprofit leadership and civic service. An attorney in private practice, he has held leadership roles with organizations including Viva Uptown, Community Board 12 and the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone.
Board Treasurer
DAVID RIVAS
David Rivas is a longtime Northern Manhattan business owner and community advocate. As President and General Manager of Rivas Travel and Multi-Services, he brings more than two decades of experience serving the neighborhood, along with a deep commitment to civic life, families and community service.
Board Member
ELEAZAR F. BUENO
Born in Santo Domingo and raised in the United States from age 15, Eleazar F. Bueno brings experience in business, public advocacy, community relations and event production to JPD. A longtime member of New York's Dominican community, he has helped produce Dominican cultural events, including Festival del Boulevard, for many years.
Board Member
VERONICA SMITH
Veronica Smith is a strategic leader with more than a decade of experience in community engagement, advocacy and government relations. As Senior Director of Health Policy and Government Affairs at Public Health Solutions, she works across government, nonprofit and community organizations to expand access to health and social services for underserved communities.
Press & Recognition
JPD in the news, in the community, and beyond.
Altanto
Marea Humana en Manhattan: Miles de Personas Celebran el 27° Aniversario de la Fundación Juan Pablo Duarte en el Festival del Bulevard (2026)
RB Noticias Y Mas
La Fundación Juan Pablo Duarte celebra con éxito la 27.ª edición del Boulevard Juan Pablo Duarte (2026)
Geronimo Show
Laura Acosta detalla todo lo del Festival del Boulevard dedicado a Johnny Ventura (2022)
AMNY
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced the opening of the Juan Pablo Duarte Foundation Community Space within the George Washington Bridge bus station (2019)