Darrin Dewitt Henson is a multi-talented American artist known for his versatility in acting, producing and choreography. He has made significant contributions to various fields within the entertainment industry. Darrin is best known for his roles in films: "The Express" (Jim Brown), " Stomp the Yard" (Grant), "Tekken" (Raven), and Netflix "Black Bear" (Cowboy). His diverse range as an actor has garnered him praise and nominations for the International AMAA Award in Africa for his role in the South African film "Zulu Wedding." Darrin is also a series cast member recipient for Best TV Series drama NAACP Image Award for the "Soul Food" TV series (Showtime), and one-time nominated Author for his book entitled "Intimate Thoughts and the Spirit of Change," all NAACP. Henson is a MTV Award recipient for his choreography in creating NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye." Henson can be seen on Starz "Double Cross" (Dt. Ryan) and on Netflix "The Family Business" Series, which is in season six.
One of New York’s best-known local broadcast journalists, Darlene Rodriguez is a multiple Emmy® Award winner with deep roots in our local community. She has been trusted by NBC 4 New York viewers for more than two decades for her knowledge, expertise and professionalism. For the past two decades, Rodriguez has served as the Co-Anchor of Today in New York, airing every weekday between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m.
Rodriguez’s anchoring was a key component of NBC 4 New York’s award-winning COVID-19 coverage, honored in January 2021 with the prestigious Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award for “creat(ing) a 360 view in real time of the coronavirus pandemic, with courageous and thorough reporting on the virus’s explosion in New York City.” The duPont has long been recognized as the broadcast, documentary and on-line equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize, also awarded by Columbia University.
In 2017, she was one of the first Tri-State broadcast journalists to visit Puerto Rico following the devastation of Hurricane Maria, spending a full week on the ground reporting the relief and recovery efforts. In conjunction with the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Maria, Rodriguez returned to Puerto Rico to chronicle the rebuilding and recovery process and interview key elected officials and community leaders. Her coverage of Puerto Rico’s recovery and continued service to the community was recognized in 2018 by the National Hispanic Media Coalition, which presented her with a coveted Impact Award for “Excellence in Broadcast Journalism”.
Over the past twenty years at NBC 4 New York, Rodriguez has covered many of the Tri-State’s most memorable stories, often sharing them outside of her daily role as news anchor. Rodriguez frequently goes to where the story is happening, including the police shooting of Amadou Diallo in 1999, the September 11th attacks and the crash of Flight 587 in Queens, while en route to the Dominican Republic. Rodriguez was also the first Tri-State television reporter on the scene in Vieques, Puerto Rico when news broke about the clashes between residents and the U.S. Navy. She later returned four times to cover the resulting developments.
Rodriguez’s heart is always with the Tri-State Area community, and she’s had the privilege of sharing many thoughtful stories over the years about Holocaust survivors, terminally ill children, police widows, September 11th survivors and many more special human interest stories.
Rodriguez has also traveled to Rome to cover Pope John Paul II’s meeting with U.S. Cardinals regarding the Catholic Church’s sex abuse scandal. In 2015, she also travelled to Cuba to cover Pope Francis’ visit to the nation. Her on-the-ground reporting from Cuba was later nominated for a New York Emmy®.
Rodriguez is a frequent contributor to the TODAY Show with one of her segments previously nominated for a national GLAAD award, and she also has served as a fill-in newsreader on Weekend TODAY. She joined NBC 4 New York from WCBS 880 AM where she was a general assignment reporter for four years. Prior to that, she worked as a reporter for BronxNet cable television for a year where she covered some of the most compelling stories about the borough’s politics, growth and renaissance.
Recognized regularly for her commitment to journalistic excellence and community service, in 2023 she was honored by the New York City Mayor for her contributions to journalism in New York City and she was also the recipient of the 2011 "Mujeres Destacadas (Distinguished Women) Award" from El Diario La Prensa. In 2022, she earned a “Latina Excellence” Award from Hispanic Magazine for her coverage of the Hispanic community. She has also received multiple awards from the National Hispanic Media Coalition, the New York Police Department and the NYPD’s Hispanic Society, and has been honored by the Drug Enforcement Administration. She has also been recognized and honored by the New York State Courts, the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, the Bronx Borough President, the City of New York, the National Coalition of Latino Officers and the City of White Plains for prominently and proudly representing the Hispanic community in her professional and charitable endeavors.
Rodriguez is actively involved in supporting many community events such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Hudson Valley and the Cristian Rivera Foundation, an organization dedicated to finding a cure for a rare fatal brain tumor in young children. In addition, she has worked with the New York Urban League and the American Heart Association of Westchester.
Rodriguez graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science. She resides in Westchester County with her husband and their family.
You can connect with Darlene Rodriguez on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Lenny “Lenny S.” Santiago is one of the most influential and enduring figures in the music industry, currently serving as the Senior Vice President of A&R and Artist Management at Roc Nation. He was born and raised in the South Bronx, the birthplace of hip-hop, where he developed a deep connection to the culture from a young age. While his family is from Puerto Rico, his mother famously traveled there specifically so he could be born on the island before returning to the Bronx. Growing up in the South Bronx, Santiago was inspired by groups like Run-D.M.C. and eventually started his career as an independent street team promoter, gaining a reputation for his relentless work ethic and presence in the local scene. His professional path took a definitive turn in 1996 when he joined the then-emerging Roc-A-Fella Records as an intern, establishing a lifelong partnership with JAY-Z.
Throughout his tenure as an executive, Santiago has been a primary architect behind the careers of global superstars. During his time as Vice President of A&R at Def Jam Recordings, he played a pivotal role in the success of artists such as Ne-Yo, The Roots, and Jadakiss. One of his most notable executive achievements was the signing of DJ Khaled, whom he continues to manage today alongside other heavyweights like Fabolous and Meek Mill. His ability to bridge the gap between corporate label structure and the raw creativity of the streets has made him a trusted confidant for many of the world’s most successful performers.
Beyond his executive leadership, Santiago has earned international acclaim as a photographer under the moniker "Kodak Lens". For over 25 years, he has served as a visual documentarian for the world of JAY-Z and Roc Nation, capturing intimate, behind-the-scenes moments that define modern hip-hop history. He is particularly famous for his iconic gold couch, located in his office, where he has photographed hundreds of cultural icons ranging from Rihanna to Kevin Hart. This body of work has transformed him from a music executive into a multidisciplinary creative whose portraits serve as a historical archive of celebrity culture.
In 2026, Santiago remains a vital force in the industry, continuing to mentor the next generation of executives and artists through educational residences and media appearances. His career is a testament to the power of loyalty and vision, evolving from a street-level promoter into a Senior Vice President who oversees multi-platinum rosters while simultaneously defining the visual aesthetic of the genre. Whether through his A&R expertise or his photography, Lenny S. continues to shape the global narrative of hip-hop from the inner sanctum of the industry's most powerful label.
Escanio, known popularly as “Fanum,” has shifted the modern media landscape and elevated a new global generational voice.
Known for his outgoing personality and profound cultural impact, Fanum first established his platform through his love for video games, where his authenticity and witty personality fostered a loyal connection with a rapidly expanding audience that he would later name “The Troupe.” Throughout his rise to stardom, he used his local neighborhood as a set to create some of his most legendary videos, giving viewers a glimpse into what it’s like to be from the Bronx. Fanum’s rapid success on YouTube led to his next venture into streaming, which turned the Bronx native into a global phenomenon.
As the founder of the AMP collective, he has been instrumental in positioning the group at the epicenter of modern media, proving the global scale and influence of community-led entertainment.
Fanum’s contributions today extend beyond digital platforms to widely recognized cultural touchstones and expanding markets, illustrating his unique ability to drive social trends. What truly distinguishes Fanum is his role as an authentic voice for a new generation – every project reflects a genuine synergy with his community, paired with a disciplined commitment to elevating his craft. Rooted in his Bronx heritage, he represents the modern blueprint for creators: a legacy built on authenticity, cultural resonance, and a relentless drive to innovate.
Jaime “Jimmy” Rodriguez is a visionary restaurateur, entrepreneur, consultant, and life coach who has shaped the hospitality landscape for more than four decades. Born and raised in the South Bronx, Jimmy’s entrepreneurial journey began as a high school dropout working on the streets alongside his father. Together, they sold seafood at Westchester and Bronx River Avenue, later moving their operation to Cross Bronx and Webster Avenue, working through every season and in every kind of weather. Those humble beginnings instilled in him the work ethic, resilience, and self-belief that would go on to define his entire career.
Over the years, Jimmy has owned and created more than twenty venues, establishing himself as a cultural pioneer in Latin nightlife and dining. His flagship, Jimmy’s Bronx Café — a 48,000-square-foot complex with a 400-seat dining room, sports bar, nightclub, and catering hall — became the largest Latin restaurant nightclub in the country. It was more than a restaurant; it was a destination where deals were made, relationships were forged, and history was created. The café attracted an extraordinary roster of celebrities, athletes, business leaders, politicians, and international dignitaries. Other major venues in his portfolio have included Don Coqui, Sofrito, Sobro Garden, and numerous establishments across the tri-state area.
Beyond hospitality, Jimmy became a true man about town and community pillar in the Bronx. He sponsored more than one hundred Little League teams, supported Bronx-based charities ranging from food shelters to senior housing, and organized business mixers that regularly drew crowds of 500 small business leaders. Through his work, he helped elevate Latin culture to mainstream prominence and broke barriers in an industry that had not seen leadership quite like his.
Jimmy’s influence has extended far beyond business success. Today, he channels four decades of experience into mentoring emerging entrepreneurs and guiding individuals through life coaching. He works with businesses and people who want to build something meaningful and lasting. His consulting approach centers on one truth: belief precedes achievement. As he puts it, “The hardest part is believing. The other part is achieving.” Every venture he built, from street-level seafood sales to a hospitality empire, began with the decision to believe it was possible.
Jimmy continues to redefine what hospitality can look like in the borough that shaped him. He is currently developing Jimmy’s at 1161 Castle Hill Avenue in the Bronx, an exclusive members-only venue, continuing his legacy of premium hospitality and cultural innovation. A documentary chronicling his life, career, philosophy, and impact is also in development.
His story is one of vision, resilience, cultural transformation, and the power of unwavering self-belief.
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Thank you to the New York State Department of State for supporting the new Bronx Walk of Fame app, signs, and website.
