Dance to Unite to Honor Mark Ricca and NY Brooklyn Nets Player

Dance to Unite announced today it will be honoring Mark Ricca, President and CEO of the First American International Bank and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, basketball player for the NY Brooklyn Nets, at its annual fundraiser benefit whose 2017 theme will be "Get Moving" on May 16th at the Manny Cantor Center, 197 East Broadway, NYC. The event will also feature Daniil Simkin, Principal Dancer with the American Ballet Theatre and Ashley Rich, Dancer, Choreographer and Finalist on "So You Think You Can Dance."

The event begins at 6:30 and proceeds, which last year totaled over $100,000 and featured the iconic Debbie Harry, will benefit Dance to Unite's free multicultural dance programming in NYC communities. Dance to Unite, founded by Galit Adani in 2009, provides free dance classes to NYC public school children in Manhattan's Lower East Side, Chinatown, Chelsea, East Harlem neighborhoods, as well as in Brooklyn and the Bronx to further its mission of unity and peace through the celebration of diversity.

"The evening is a celebration of Dance to Unite's significant impact on the various communities and children we serve. We are proud to partner with prominent leaders such as Mark Ricca, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Daniil Simkin and Ashley Rich to celebrate the rich diversity of our city as represented by our Dance to Unite students," said Galit Adani, Executive Director of Dance to Unite.

Mark Ricca said, "I am deeply grateful for receiving this honor, especially with the realization that no one can do it alone. I have learned that the greatest speed and depth of achievement occurs when the team is comprised of a diverse group of individuals. Dance to Unite is incredibly successful in teaching our young people to celebrate and embrace cultural diversity. Thank you to Galit Adani for her vision and tireless leadership and to Dance to Unite for truly helping change people's lives."

"I am humbled to be recognized by Dance to Unite alongside a group of inspiring members of the local community," Hollis-Jefferson said. "I'm passionate about Dance to Unite's mission of unity and peace through the celebration of diversity, and I'm excited to enjoy a great evening honoring such a worthy cause."

"Get Moving" is headed by the Dance to Unite Board, Host Committee and volunteer teachers and will gather business leaders, philanthropists and the artistic community for an unforgettable evening of performances, music and mingling to celebrate dance and diversity in New York City.

To purchase tickets, a table, a journal advertisement or for more information, contact info@dancetounite.org or go to http://www.dancetounite.org/events/

About the Honorees

Mark A. Ricca, Esq., President and Chief Executive Officer First American International Bank has the honor of working with a fantastic team at First American International Bank, dedicated to high ethics and friendship, while helping people and businesses prosper and plan for their future. The Bank's principal focus is in New York City's beautiful and vibrant Chinese American communities.

Mark has over 35 years of expertise in business, finance and law, and extensive knowledge of community banking. Prior to joining First American International Bank, Mark held various positions with Carver Federal Savings Bank, which culminated in his role as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer. Mark also worked with New York Community Bank where he served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer, and CFS Bank, where he served as Chief Residential Lending Officer, among other positions.

Mark graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BA in Economics, and has a Juris Doctorate, cum laude from St. John's University School of Law, and a LL.M. from New York University School of Law. Mark is active in the community and is a Board member of the Chinatown YMCA and a member of the Chinatown Rotary Club. Mark is passionate about helping enhance the lives of everyone he touches.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson recently completed his second season with the NY Brooklyn Nets. He has appeared in 107 games in two seasons with the Nets, recording averages of 7.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals in 22.2 minutes per game. In the 2016-17 season, Hollis-Jefferson put together a strong campaign that saw him appear in 78 games and register averages of 8.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 steals in 22.6 minutes per game while claiming the team's starting power forward position midway through the season.

Hollis-Jefferson has also been one of the Nets' most active players in the community, enthusiastically participating in initiatives focused on health and wellness, education and community-building. Among the various events he's been involved in, Hollis-Jefferson has spoken to local students about the importance of Black History Month, participated in basketball and NBA FIT clinics, volunteered at the Nets' 'Dads Take Your Child to School' day and hosted a spelling bee through his own foundation.

A native of Chester, Pa., Hollis-Jefferson was selected with the 23rd pick in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers and was traded to Brooklyn on draft night. Prior to joining the Nets, Hollis-Jefferson spent two years at the University of Arizona, helping the Wildcats reach consecutive NCAA Tournament Elite Eights. During his collegiate career, Hollis-Jefferson earned All-Pac 12 First Team and All-Pac 12 Defensive Team honors as a sophomore and All-Pac 12 Freshman Team honors in his debut season. Hollis-Jefferson was also a highly-decorated high school player in his time at Chester High School, becoming the first player to ever be named Delaware County Player of the Year for multiple seasons.

About Dance to Unite

Dance to Unite, Inc. is a non-profit organization which uses dance as a vehicle to teach and celebrate cultural diversity. Dance to Unite partners with after school programs to offer free weekly dance classes with an educational component that celebrates cultural diversity. The classes are complemented periodically with special guest artists who conduct workshops to promote unity and peace. Each Dance to Unite class culminates with an end of the year performance. To date, Dance to Unite has served over 1000 students throughout the five boroughs.

For more information, visit http://www.dancetounite.org/