Key Takeaways
- Colombian superstar Shakira gifted tickets to her upcoming Brooklyn concert to various groups.
- The recipients included union workers, volunteers supporting Venezuela relief efforts, and Colombian restaurant owners.
- Shakira expressed gratitude for the contributions of these individuals during the World Cup.
Colombian singer Shakira has taken a significant step towards community engagement by honoring essential workers ahead of her upcoming concert in Brooklyn. The star gifted tickets to three groups: union workers, volunteers supporting Venezuela relief efforts, and Colombian restaurant owners who participated in the city’s World Cup dining special.
Ahead of her Tuesday (July 21) show at Barclays Center, Shakira shared a statement with Billboard, expressing gratitude for the people of New York City who made the World Cup experience possible. 'So much of what made this World Cup special is the work that most fans never see: the thousands of hotel rooms kept clean, all of the stadiums that worked so smoothly,' she said.
Among those honored was Biviana Pereira Leiva, a NYHTC member and proud union member from Barranquilla, Colombia. 'I came to NYC from Barranquilla, Colombia, 10 years ago, and today I am a proud union member and room attendant at a Manhattan hotel,' she shared. Her recognition by Shakira felt especially meaningful.
Maya Handa, known as the New York World Cup Czar, praised Shakira’s gesture, stating that 'Union workers, so many of them women, who are making this World Cup possible, volunteers supporting Venezuela relief, and Colombian restaurateurs who opened their doors for the community are the heart of this city.'
Shakira's actions reflect her commitment to giving back to the community. Sandra Leiton, a 32BJ member from Queens, praised Shakira’s resilience, saying that immigrant women identify with her strength and the way she represents Colombia while recognizing 'hardworking women and fighters like herself.'
The event also highlighted other significant moments in Latin music this week. Ximena Sariñana, a Mexican singer-songwriter, is set to receive the award for music at the 39th annual Hispanic Heritage Awards on Sept. 10 at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. The recognition honors her more than two decades of work across music, activism, and film.
Ximena Sariñana expressed gratitude for this honor: 'I’m truly honored to receive this recognition from the Hispanic Heritage Foundation,' she said. 'I accept this honor with immense gratitude and as a reminder of the responsibility we all have to continue creating, uplifting one another, and celebrating the richness of our Hispanic community.'
Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, added: 'Ximena is an embodiment of the leadership that our community and the world needs.'
So much of what made this World Cup special is the work that most fans never see: the thousands of hotel rooms kept clean, all of the stadiums that worked so smoothly.
Shakira, Colombian superstar
I’m truly honored to receive this recognition from the Hispanic Heritage Foundation.
Ximena Sariñana, Mexican singer-songwriter
