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Fieri
was founded in 1984 by a group of young people who were enrolled
in college and post-graduate studies The founders of the Organization
shared a few key characteristics at that time. They had been
members of their school's Italian Clubs, were proud of their
heritage, and wanted a new way to express their pride and
sense of community. Realizing young Italian Americans needed
a place to call their own to unite young Italian-American
students and professionals beyond the confines of a college
campus, they started their own organization.
John Calvelli,
the founding President, was also the President of BIACA -
Belmont Italian-American Cultural Association. Although other
Established organizations were already in existence, they
all catered to an older age group. A dedicated group of students
and young professionals including John, Gina Biancardi, Louis
Calvelli, Casimiro Cibelli, Maria DiMeo, Mario Gazzola, Rosanna
Greco and Anthony Villani recognized that there was a need
for an Italian American organization that focused on youth.
Under the BIACA banner, meetings were convened in Belmont,
which was considered the "Little Italy" of the Bronx. BIACA's
success was overwhelming and a demand continued to develop
from potential members throughout the metropolitan area.
The leaders
recognized then, that the organization's name needed to Change
to encompass a much broader membership base, not only from
the Belmont community, but from all over New York, perhaps
all over the United States. Through the years, FIERI has continued
to grow beyond our wildest dreams.
A second
chapter, founded in Washington DC by Lisa Gueli, was created;
and was almost immediately followed by the formation of a
third chapter in Brooklyn, NY headed by Dante Naccarato. The
FIERI leadership recognized a need to take this concept national
and in 1989 FIERI became FIERI National Inc., incorporated
as a not-for-profit organization.
As the
founding members searched for a new name, they heard a song
From the 1983 Italian Sanremo Music Festival, by Toto Cutugno
- "L'Italiano." This was the number one song at the Festival.
In this song the word Fiero (proud) is mentioned repeatedly
with respect to the singer's pride in being Italian. Perfetto!
Ultimately "FIERI," the plural form of fiero, became the organizations
new name: signifying our collective pride in our heritage,
our culture, and our roots.
Four goals
have always been at the core of Fieri's beliefs: Preservation
of the Italian culture; encouragement of the study of Italian
language and Italian American history; fostering the value
of higher education and personal achievement in young Italian-American
men and women; facilitating career opportunities and networking
relationships for young professionals; and promoting a positive
image of Italian-Americans in the mass media and popular culture.
As our
founders hoped, we began spreading across the country and
in 1997 inducted our first Midwest Chapter in Chicago. As
interest continued to spread across the country, we eventually
became an International organization in 2000 with members
in Toronto Canada. Even today we continue to expand, with
requests from all over the world coming in to join our celebration.
With our
20th Anniversary celebration, 2005 promises to be our best
year yet! 20 years after our founders had the foresight to
recognize the need for unity amongst the Italian-American
youth, we too recognize the changing needs of our community.
As the demand for togetherness increases amongst Italians
and Italian-Americans,
FIERI
continues dedicate our efforts in developing important programs
like VIVA - Vital Italian Voices of America - which focuses
on new and exciting ways to connect today's young American
professionals of Italian descent to Italy of today and to
a new generation of Italians. FIERI has grown to include 13
Chapters throughout the United States and Canada; and currently
includes International members based in Rome. As Fieri continues
to expand and unite our youth, it promises to be the shining
star of Italian communities throughout the world!
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