Define American Celebrates Building Naming Dedication at Riverdale Country School in Honor of CEO Jose Antonio Vargas Receiving Jolli Humanitarian Award

Riverdale Country School in the Bronx titles school building on Hill Campus to “Define American” as part of annual building renaming in recognition of the work the organization does over the past 13 years to transform the narrative around immigration in the United States

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bronx, NY – Define American, an award-winning organization dedicated to amplifying and positively portraying the immigrant experience, announces a significant milestone event taking place today at Riverdale Country School, located at 5250 Fieldston Road, Bronx, NY 10471. During this meaningful ceremony, Riverdale Country School honors Define American’s Founder and President, Jose Antonio Vargas, with the esteemed Jolli Humanitarian Award. A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and Tony-nominated theatrical producer, Vargas is an undocumented immigrant whose transformative work reshapes the narrative surrounding immigrant experiences.

In addition to the award, Riverdale Country School recognizes Vargas’s contributions and Define American’s mission by naming a building “Define American.” This honor comes 13 years after the organization’s founding, during which it becomes a leading voice for nuanced immigrant storytelling across various media. Define American has consulted on over 120 films and television projects across 22 networks, influencing the portrayal of immigrant stories in productions like NBC’s “Superstore,” ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” OWN’s “Queen Sugar,” and CW’s “Roswell, New Mexico.”

The Jolli Humanitarian Award, established in 2010 by Gregg Hymowitz, is awarded annually by Riverdale’s sophomore class to individuals who demonstrate exceptional humanitarian contributions. Jose Antonio Vargas was nominated by junior Sebastian Irausquin-Petit and was selected after a comprehensive voting process, recognizing his outstanding commitment to humanitarian causes and the mission of Define American. Vargas’s work embodies the spirit of this award, utilizing research and storytelling to reshape perceptions of immigrants and advocate for their representation.

This event holds profound significance, reflecting the journey of Define American, which was founded by an undocumented individual with no full-time staff. Today, the organization stands as a powerful voice in the immigration discourse, inspiring the next generation—including high school students who were infants when Define American was established. This recognition serves as a bold acknowledgment of ongoing efforts to advocate for immigrant rights and transform public perceptions.

“Receiving the Jolli Humanitarian Award, especially having been nominated by Sebastian, a student and young aspiring filmmaker, is one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Jose Antonio Vargas. “The fact that this recognition comes from the Riverdale community, a diverse and vibrant space that mirrors the changing face of America, makes it even more meaningful. At its core, the work we do at Define American has always been about humanity—the belief that being seen as human comes first. In a time when our identities should serve as bridges rather than walls, it’s crucial that we recognize our shared humanity. At Define American, we strive to shift the narrative around immigrants and immigration by helping storytellers tell complex, nuanced stories that reflect a full human experience.”

“I’m incredibly honored that Jose Antonio Vargas is coming to accept the Jolli Humanitarian Award and speak to our student body,” said Sebastian Irausquin-Petit, 11th grade student at Riverdale Country School. “I first read his book in seventh grade, which sparked my passion for immigration issues and inspired my own path as an aspiring filmmaker. Seeing the Define American building on campus is a daily reminder of the power of storytelling and the impact of Jose’s work. I hope it encourages my peers, just as it has encouraged me, to use our voices to create authentic stories that challenge narratives and inspire change.”

ABOUT DEFINE AMERICAN:

Define American empowers diverse and nuanced storytelling about immigrant experiences across mediums and industries through research, partnerships, and storyteller engagement. Founded in 2011 by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Tony-nominated producer Jose Antonio Vargas, our work is helping audiences see all immigrants with their full humanity. To learn more, visit www.DefineAmerican.com.