2025 Columbus Day Celebration Committee Honorees
The Columbus Day Celebration Committee will honor three at this year’s Columbus Day Banquet to be held Sunday, Oct. 12 at the Italian American Cultural Center in Clinton Twp. Doors open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person. For reservations, call Cynthia Patrick (586) 805-1010. To be honored are:
Giovanni LoIacono – Columbus Day Man of the Year
Giovanni LoIacono, was born in the coastal town of Mazara del Vallo, Sicily. In 1968, when just 14 years old, his parents boarded a ship bound for America. Shortly after their arrival, they moved to Detroit.
In 1971, he landed his first job at Tringali Bakery. Soon after, he went to work for relatives at ABZ Construction, Angelo Grillo, where he began to develop a work ethic and learned valuable skills.
In 1974 he met the love of his life, Anna Marie. Her father helped him secure a job at General Motors, where he worked for 30 years until retirement in 2004. During those years, he raised two wonderful children — a daughter Rosanna, son in law Giovanni and a son Salvatore and daughter in law Pina — and was later blessed with seven beautiful grandchildren (Carlo, Marina, Giovanni, Gianni, Lorenzo, Francesca, and Antonio).
His Sicilian heritage has always been at the heart of who he is. In 1985, alongside dear friends, he joined the Mazara del Vallo Club. In 1995, he was elected President of the Mazara Club.
In 2002, the late Anthony Sanfemio approached him with an opportunity that would shape the next chapter of his life: to join the Italian American Cultural Society (IACS). In 2015, he was elected President of the IACS. “As president, my mission has been to inspire our community, especially the younger generations to take pride in who we are and to carry forward the values, traditions, and culture that define us as Italian Americans,” he says. “I am truly honored to be nominated as the Man of the Year for the 2025 Columbus Day Celebration.”
Allegra Baistrocchi – Columbus Day Woman of the Year
Allegra Baistrocchi, an Italian serving in America, is the Consul of Italy in Detroit. Born in Rome in 1980, she earned a degree in Political Science at the University “LUISS” Guido Carli and subsequently a Master degree in International Relations at the “Società Italiana per l’Organizzazione Internazionale.”
Prior to following in the footsteps of her family at the service of the Country, she gained invaluable professional experience in the private sector for 10 years, then entered the Diplomatic Corps following the selection process.
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation she was assigned to the Directorate General for Cooperation and Development as Vice Chief of Staff of the Director General and, upon returning from a brief assignment at the Embassy of Italy in London, she was tapped to oversee Italian cooperation projects in Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, South America and Europe.
From 2017 to 2021 she was Deputy Head of mission at the Italian Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka and the Maldives Islands.
As of Sept.1, 2021 she took up her duties as Consul of Italy in Detroit, with jurisdiction over the States of Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee.
Since her arrival in Detroit, Consul Baistrocchi has been indefatigable in her quest to bring all aspects of Italian culture and business to Detroit and, likewise, bring Detroit to Italy. She requested to be assigned to Detroit because she recognized that Detroit was a vibrant city in the midst of revival.
Consul Baistrocchi launched LoveITDetroit in 2022, in collaboration with the Dante Alighieri Society of Michigan, to mark the anniversary of BelT, a global campaign celebrating all things “Made in Italy,” and in conjunction with Detroit Month of Design. In addition to a display of Italian art, design and manufacturing, LoveITDetroit launched the world’s first metaverse art show to be hosted by a government entity. A huge undertaking, the installation was open daily Sept. 1-30 in Detroit, free and open to the public, featuring objects from Italian companies. One of the evening events included a visit by the Italian singing group II Volo, who stopped by after their performance at the Fox Theatre. Consul Baistrocchi was presented with the Spirit of Detroit Award for this initiative.
In 2023, LoveITDetroit’s theme was sustainability. One of the highlights was the Italian American Future Leaders Conference. The goal of the IAFL is to empower a new generation of Italian American leaders who are inspired by their heritage and equipped to shape its future.
In 2024, LoveITDetroit took on a different form, with various activities taking place instead of the 30-day display. On Sept.12, the newly restored statue of Dante Alighieri was unveiled on Belle Isle. On Sept. 19, a mural was unveiled at Eastern Market depicting the collaboration and long-standing friendship between Italy and the U.S. Commissioned by Consul Baistrocchi, the mural was created by Italian artist Nico Bruchi and Detroit muralist Hubert Massey. The two artists will collaborate on a wall in Tuscany this spring. This was the second mural that the Consulate created in Eastern Market. The first one was by Ortica Noodles depicting Samantha Cristoforetti, the first European (Italian of course) astronaut to command the international space station.
In November, the Consul kicked off the Italian Roots-Radici Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Design. To celebrate Settimana della Cucina ltaliana nel Mondo,Consul Baistrocchi and her staff helped prepare and serve a meal at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.
Also, 2025 has seen no shortage of activities. Italian architect and artist Paolo Nicolai was in Detroit to celebrate Italian Design Day 2025, with events at the Center for Creative Studies and the Anton Art Center. Italian Heritage Night at Little Caesar’s Arena was held to celebrate International Day of Sport, which followed a series of games between various teams made up of local Italians. The publication of II Detroiter was introduced by publisher Davide Ippolito. It is a magazine for Italian-speaking people. A special screening of the movie Cabrini took place in Cleveland and Ann Arbor with the presence of the actress Cirstiana deii’Anna who played the title role.
Consul Baistrocchi has held numerous events in Detroit and the surrounding areas, as well as in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and other states under the jurisdiction of the Consulate of Italy in Detroit.
She is happily married and the mother of three children.
Antonio D’Agostini – Humanitarian of the Year
Antonio D’Agostini was born on Oct. 11, 1944 in Italy. His family migrated to the U.S. via Canada in 1947. His drive and work ethics came from the love and support of his parents Luigi and Onoria D’Agostini.
At just 18 years old, Antonio was drafted into the U.S. Army. It was during this time that he embraced his duty to serve his country. He completed two years of service, including a year in the Vietnam War—a pivotal experience that sparked his lifelong passion for helping others.
His service did not end there. Returning home, he joined his father Luigi and his brothers in building the family business, L. D’Agostini & Sons. Through hard work, integrity, and perseverance, he helped carry forward a tradition that strengthened not only his family but also the community they served.
Alongside his beloved wife Jennie, Antonio raised four children, instilling in them the same values of dedication, compassion, and resilience that have guided his own life.
In more recent years, he has combined his passion for cars and his commitment to giving back by founding the annual charity event, Concours D’Agostini.
With the support of his family and friends, he has raised funds and awareness for numerous organizations, including the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154, Capuchin Soup Kitchen, F.A.I.R., Forgotten Harvest, Friends of Foster Kids, and many others. His dedication to service continues to shine through in everything he does.
