Recognizing David Pi?a for his career in Philadelphia's restaurant industry and Philadelphia's Latino Community.

Recognizing David Piña for his career in Philadelphia’s restaurant industry and Philadelphia’s Latino Community. WHEREAS, David Piña is a restauranter based in Philadelphia and a community organizer focused on celebrating culture and heritage in Philadelphia’s Latino Community; and WHEREAS, Piña is a born leader who has taken bold action throughout his life. He moved to Mexico City on his own at age 14 and ran a kitchen at a local restaurant by the time he was 17, catching the attention of other chefs, artists, and celebrities. When he was 19, he immigrated to Philadelphia where he started again from the bottom of the restaurant industry and quickly worked his way up, purchasing a restaurant of his own, Tamalex, in 2011 and expanding to a second location in 2024; and WHEREAS, Piña and his family immigrated from Mexico and celebration is their nature. Back home, his father, Pedro, organized festivities for Carnaval, a celebration of Mexican independence which dates back to 1868 in Puebla, the location of a key battle in Mexico’s quest for independence; and WHEREAS, Piña organizes two annual festivals celebrating Mexican culture and Philadelphia’s Latino community. Since 2007, Piña has hosted the Carnaval de Puebla, a colorful parade of costumed marchers, live music, dancing, and re-creations of the Battle of Puebla. In the fall, he organizes festivities for El Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead in South Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, Piña has not only brought the comm…