SIGNATURE OPENING CELEBRATION
16th ANNIVERSARY GALA
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2026 :: 6:30 PM
Celebrating Those Who Inspire Generations.
Alice B. Diamond
For more than five decades, Alice B. Diamond has been one of Staten Island’s most influential champions of the arts, culture, historic preservation, and civic life.
A visionary community leader, she helped shape many of the institutions that define the borough today, including serving as matriarch of the Staten Island Advance, being the founder of the Snug Harbor Cultural Center, and acting as the driving force behind the beloved Carousel for All Children in Willowbrook Park – an enduring symbol of inclusion and joy for families of all abilities.
Alice’s extraordinary record of philanthropic service extends across numerous cultural and charitable organizations. She has served on the New York City Advisory Commission of Cultural Affairs, the Historic House Trust of New York City, the Staten Island Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Greenbelt Conservancy, Alice Austen House, the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Staten Island Trustee Council, and the Staten Island Foundation, where she remains a founding board member. Such lifelong dedication has also earned Alice many of Staten Island’s highest honors, including the Staten Island Zoological Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award, New York City’s Mayor’s Award for Arts & Culture, and the 2026 Albert V. Maniscalco Community Service Award.
After devoting decades to quietly strengthening the charitable, cultural and civic institutions of our community, Alice will receive Casa Belvedere’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2026 Casa Dama insignia. Through her generosity, leadership and unwavering belief in Staten Island – the borough she calls home – Alice has helped countless organizations grow, opened doors for others and touched lives in ways that will endure for generations.
Tunnel to Towers Foundation
On September 11, 2001, New York City firefighter and lifelong Staten Island resident Stephen Gerard Siller (1957 – 2001) had just completed his overnight shift and was on his way to spend the day with his brothers when he learned of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Without hesitation, he turned toward Manhattan. When traffic and security closures prevented him from driving through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, Stephen strapped nearly 60 pounds of firefighting gear to his back and ran through the tunnel to reach the Twin Towers, where he gave his life while rescuing others. His extraordinary act of courage has become one of the defining stories of heroism from that tragic day.
Created in his memory by Stephen’s family, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has grown into one of the nation’s most respected organizations supporting fallen and catastrophically injured first responders, military heroes and their families. The Foundation has provided mortgage-free homes to Gold Star families and relatives of fallen first responders, built specially adapted smart homes for injured veterans, worked to combat veteran homelessness, and preserved the memory of September 11 for future generations.
This year, Casa Belvedere will recognize the Tunnel to Towers Foundation with the inaugural Stephen Siller Legacy of Courage & Service Award. Though his life was cut tragically short, his courage continues to inspire millions, reminding us that true leadership is measured not by words, but by selfless action and an unwavering commitment to helping others. His legacy shines as a beacon of hope, sacrifice, and service, illuminating the path for generations to come.
Julius “Jules” Nasso
Julius “Jules” Nasso is an Italian American entrepreneur, film producer, director, and philanthropist whose remarkable career spans more than four decades. Born in Terranova, Calabria, Julius immigrated with his family to Brooklyn at age two.
His journey from Italy to New York reflects the perseverance, creativity, and ambition that has defined generations of Italian Americans.
Julius’s passion for entertainment led him to work as a personal assistant to legendary director Sergio Leone before launching a distinguished career in film and television. He later established a 15-year production partnership with Warner Bros., producing acclaimed action films including Hard to Kill, Marked for Death, Out for Justice, Under Siege, On Deadly Ground, Fire Down Below, and The Patriot. He subsequently founded Manhattan Pictures and Julius R. Nasso Productions, producing films including Narc, Enigma, Prince of Central Park, and One-Eyed King. Since 2006, he has also worked extensively with legendary entertainer and activist Harry Belafonte, producing the award-winning documentary Sing Your Song, which received the 2012 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Documentary and was shortlisted for an Academy Award. In 2018, Julius made his directorial debut with Darc.
Deeply connected to Staten Island’s cultural community, Julius has served as chairman of the Staten Island Film Festival and the Harbor Lights Theater Group. A longtime member of the Directors Guild of America and Producers Guild of America, he is also a respected philanthropist and civic leader. For his decades-long contributions to entrepreneurship, artistic achievement, cultural pride, and community involvement, Julius will receive Casa Belvedere’s Award for Extraordinary Achievement in Film and the Cultural Arts and the 2026 Casa Cavaliere insignia.
Be a part of this special evening!
Can’t join us for the Gala or Festival Weekend?
You can still make a meaningful difference by supporting deserving students through a tax-deductible contribution to the Italian Cultural Foundation Scholars Fund.