The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) raised more than $230,000 at its  2026 Awards Gala, an elegant fundraising celebration that honored Portuguese-American State Senator Michael Rodrigues, Brazilian-American Talita Teixeira, and Cape Verdean-American Paulo de Barros on Saturday, April 25, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Cambridge, MA.

The community gathering, attended by over 350 guests, including community and business leaders, elected and public officials, MAPS staff, volunteers, supporters, and friends, was once again sponsored at the highest Diamond level by Dunkin’ franchise owners, the Couto, Cafua, and Serpa Families.

Senator Michael Rodrigues, a proud grandson of Portuguese immigrants, took to the stage to receive the MAPS 2026 Person of the Year Award in recognition of his exemplary political leadership as Chair of the Senate’s powerful  Ways and Means Committee and dedicated service to his constituency, especially the large Portuguese-speaking community of Fall River, New Bedford, and surrounding areas.

As he thanked his wife of 43 years for her “strength and for always standing beside” him, he highlighted the importance of the work of organizations like MAPS.

“I do what I do every day at the State House because I know that behind me, back home, are organizations like MAPS and others that give back,” he mentioned. “When the rubber meets the road, they are there to deliver the support to the most vulnerable in our communities. That’s what keeps us going every day.”

Honored with the MAPS 2026 Fidalgo Community Service Award for her selfless service to the Brazilian community in Massachusetts via her Facebook group “Bazar Boston” – which over 11 years has grown into an important hub for assistance, connection, and other information and resources for over 350,000 members – and the nonprofit organization Bazar Boston Community which she has recently started, community leader Talita Teixeira spoke on how passion for helping others has shaped her life, and on the essential role God plays in her life.

“I am here today because I truly love helping people, and I believe that when we serve others, we are living our true mission,” she said. “I am grateful for everything God has done for me. A special thank you to everyone in my group, Bazar Boston, which is celebrating its 11th anniversary this week. This journey has been built with love, purpose, and service.”

Paulo de Barros, Board President of the Cape Verdean Association of Boston and recipient of the MAPS 2026 Coutinho Outstanding Volunteer Award, was unable to attend the event as his flight back from a service trip to Cabo Verde was cancelled, but was represented by his wife and son, Angelina and Joshua de Barros.

“I thank MAPS very much for honoring him,” mentioned Angelina. “I am very proud of him; he is very dedicated to his community. He is always working for his community.”

MAPS CEO Paulo Pinto, MPA, highlighted his “deepest gratitude” to Gala sponsors, supporters, attendees, and nearly 100 organizations that advertised in the Program Book & Community Directory. He linked MAPS’ 56-year legacy to the symbolism of Portugal’s April 25, 1974, Carnation Revolution – this year’s Gala theme – which ended a lengthy dictatorship and sparked self-determination across Portugal and Portuguese-speaking nations.

“Tonight, as we embrace the red carnation as the theme of our Gala, we honor the legacy of the Carnation Revolution and recognize how deeply it resonates with our mission,” he highlighted. “Every day, we witness our community members embarking on their own journeys of transformation. Like those who came before them, they seek not just survival, but self-determination, the opportunity to shape their own futures, to achieve the American dream of self-sufficiency, homeownership, entrepreneurship, and lasting success for their families and communities. In many ways, their journeys are modern-day revolutions – quiet, determined, and profoundly impactful.”

While it was an evening of joyful celebration, the untimely passing of former MAPS Person of the Year and Lowell philanthropist and business leader Luis Pedroso the previous day brought an emotional Paulo Pinto and many of the guests to tears, as he called for a moment of silence and honored Pedroso’s incredible legacy of generosity and passion for his beloved Portuguese community.

“For decades, Luis shaped the Portuguese American community in Lowell and beyond,” Pinto recalled. “When I met him 30 years ago and explained why MAPS wasn’t in Lowell, he simply said, ‘Tell me what you need.’ That was Luis: generous, decisive, and full of heart. Because of him, MAPS Lowell was born and became a place of hope for thousands of families. He gave endlessly to our programs, our building, and our mission. Even in his final weeks, facing unthinkable news, he was still giving, ensuring he would sponsor this year’s Gala. Luis’ love for his family and community will never fade. His legacy lives on in our work.”

The black-tie optional Gala, hosted by MAPS Board Vice-President Edna Monteiro Leith, Ed,D., and Marcony Almeida Barros, Deputy Chief of Staff for Access and Opportunity for Governor Maura Healey, included a glamorous red-carpet entrance, a lively cocktail reception and online auction, and an emotional musical performance by So Alma.

The musical collective, made up of four outstanding students of the prestigious Berklee College of Music – Portuguese bassist Lara Pereira, American drummer Lee Fish, American pianist Reese Pike, and the exceptional vocalist Sofia Almeida, from Madeira, Portugal – treated the audience to delightful performances of Portuguese, Cape Verdean, and Brazilian classics. The event’s dance-packed after party went until midnight with the talented Cape Verdian-American DJ Nana.

While Dunkin’ Diamond sponsor families Couto, Cafua, and Serpa could not attend the ceremony, guests had the opportunity to hear from Emerald sponsors Mark Chaves, co-founder of the Joe & Dorothy Chaves Foundation; Andrea White, President and CEO of Naveo Credit Union; and Eva Millona, Foundation Fellow at the Eastern Bank Foundation.

The fundraising event was also sponsored at the Emerald level by East Cambridge Savings Bank and Gilda Nogueira Family Fund, and Zorean, Inc. The Gala was supported at the Silver level by J&F Construction and an individual supporter who chose to stay anonymous, and at the Bronze level by Amigos da Terça, Auxzillium IT Services & Solutions, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge Printing Company, Cambridge Savings Bank, Coelho Realty Group, Dona Maria Wines & M.S. Walker, Fish Family Foundation, FLAD – Luso American Development Foundation, Frias Family Foundation, Marjie and Phil Team at Gibson Sotheby’s, Gilead Sciences, Greater Lowell Community Foundation, the campaign of Governor Healty and Lt. Governor Driscoll, and Metalstone Technologies.

The Gala Online auction contributed significantly to the evening’s successful fundraising efforts, thanks to its many exciting items and experiences generously donated by Ana Patuleia Ortins, Boston Legacy FC, Bramerica English School, Cavaleiro’s Steakhouse, COPA Airlines, Fogo de Chão, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Isotec Remodeling, J&H Auto Repair, J&J Restaurant, Lisa & Richard Mandel, Luciano Lima Lima, Lynda Paris, M.S. Walker, Oliveira’s Bar & Grill, Thazar Hair Studio, The Trustees of Reservations, Trem Caipira, Valentina’s Portuguese Market, Vineyard Farm, Viva’s Flower, and Wagner Floral Designs.

To learn more about the MAPS 2026 Awards Gala, view photos of the event, and browse its Program Book & Community Directory, please visit maps-inc.org/gala2026.