NEW YORK(SMI-WIRE,06.02.18)-The Latino Commission on AIDS, celebrated its annual CIELO Gala this evening (Friday, June 01),honoring and inducting rising young star Jenna Ortega (Disney Channel Star) as its Youth Ambassador,and introducing its 2018 Co-Madrinas(Ambassadors), Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (2018 Miss Universe), and International Hip-Hop artist, Amara La Negra at the Cipriani's Wall Street in downtown Manhattan.

The CIELO Gala raises funds in support of the Latino Commission on AIDS to create and promote HIV and AIDS

service programs and initiatives aimed at increasing awareness, prevention, and treatment education, as well as

building capacity among other organizations serving Latino communities throughout the U.S. and its Territories. 

This year, the Cielo Gala highlighted the great work of the Commission's Latinos in the Deep South program. 

The project launched in 2006 as regional assessment to learn about the realities and needs of growing Hispanic/latino communities in the southern United States, where new HIV infection rates have been in the highest in the nation. 

Additional Honorees and award recipients included :

Johanne Morne (Director, NYS Department of Health, AIDS Institute- Awarded with " Companera Award "

Pilar Rocha-Goldberg (President / CEO of El Centro Hispano of North Carolina)- Awarded with " Fuerza Award "

Kelly Cushman(VP of PhRMA)- Awarded with the " Business Leadership Award "

Dr. Jeremy Boal (Executive VP and Chief Medical Officer of the Mount Sinai Health System) awarded

with the " Esperanza Award ".

* Jenna Ortega (Disney Channel Star), Inducted as a Youth Ambassador of Latino Commission on AIDS.

Jenna Ortega: " I feel incredibly honor, I feel this is a very important message to be share with the world and to be my age at an event like this, its really inspiring and very good." said rising star Jenna Ortega to Starlight Illustrated on the carpet on " What it means for her to be named or inducted as The First Youth Ambassador of Latino Commission on AIDS

During the middle of the gala's elegant seated dinner;  actor J.W. Cortez & AIDS activist for the Latino Commission On AIDS, introduced and inducted the newest 2018 Madrinas (Ambassadors) for the Latino Commission; 2018 Miss Universe, Demi-Leigh Nel Peters and International Love & Hip-Hop Artist from Miami, Amara La Negra to the full house of supporters and guests that attended this special gala in New York.

Demi-Leigh Nel Peters: It's a very good honor to be part of the commission and to be part of this organization, what they stand and for what they do for people and differences that they make on peoples lives.It's just so impactful and to be able to support this by using Miss Universe timelines and platforms, and an absolute honor and Miss universe(Organization) has been part of it of this commission over a decade and will continue to support it" said Demi-Leigh New Peters (2018 Miss Universe) to Starlight Illustrated on the red carpet about what it means for her to be the new ambassador of " The Latino Commission On AIDS ".

Amara La Negra: " It's an honor & pleasure  that I've been chosen to be this year one the 2018 Madrinas (Ambassador) of Latino Commission on AIDS and use my voice and my platform to expand the information and mostly for the latino community, that the AIDS does exist and there is alway an assumption that AIDS could only happen to certain people but it could happen to anybody but protect yourselves and use protection (Don't forget to use your Sombrerito..!)". said Amara La Negra to Starlight Illustraed on what it means for her to be named one of the new Madrinas(Ambassador ) on this 2018 Cielo Gala.

For entertainment; Tenor & NBC "American's Got Talent " star Carlos Aponte and Brooklyn based band Los Hancheros performed at the gala. Additional Entertainment included a special runway fashion show from the renowned Puerto Rican's fashion designer, Stella Nolasco, with a special theme called  " Designing a World Without Aids ". 

A runway show & presentation, that stunned the audience with ten looks and designs in exhibition, leaving the guests mesmerized and enchanted with the overall gala.

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The fashion theme spoke and exhibited the critical health issues, along with the Latino Commission on AIDS's efforts to address stigma  and isolation, and to highlight the harsh reality of the disproportionate impact of HIV and AIDS faced by some of our most vulnerable populations.

Stella Nolasco: First, as a Puerto Rican; I feel very grateful and honored that I've been invited with my work and talent to be part of this great cause. And I also want to thanks for all the help specially to the AIDS patiences and for Hurricane Maria.It's a cheerful collection because we are celebrating the work accomplished by many people that were involved and the pieces will exhibit great details and vibrant designs ". said Stella Nolasco to Starlight Illustrated at the carpet on attending and exhibiting a collection presentation at the 2018 Cielo Gala.