Nearly 600 people joined with Community Living Mississauga as it honoured Grace and Lenny Lombardi, two champions of multiculturalism and diversity, at its 2024 Tribute Dinner on Thursday, March 21st at the Mississauga Convention Centre.
“It was our distinct pleasure to honour Grace and Lenny Lombardi. Over the years, we have honoured some truly special people that have made a difference in our communities and this year is no exception,” said Jack A. Prazeres, Chair of the 2024 Tribute Dinner Planning Committee. “These two amazing people have long been champions of multiculturalism and diversity. They are committed to amplifying the voices of people of many national, racial and religious origins through their work at CHIN Radio/TV and in their philanthropic endeavours.”
Grace and Leonard (Lenny) Lombardi are a powerhouse couple that are committed to multiculturalism and diversity through their work at CHIN Radio/TV, one of the largest multicultural broadcasters in Canada, and in their philanthropic endeavours.
The evening also included a performance by Italian singing sensation Dia, as well as stories from some of the Lombardi’s friends and family.
Grace Fusillo-Lombardi graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University with a BA, and BAA in Media Arts. In 2000, she began Fuel Productions Inc., a planning promotion and production company. She is a writer, producer, and director on several award-winning documentaries including “The Great Communicator”. She has also developed branding and marketing campaigns targeting the multicultural and immigrant experience in Canada.
She is the Director of Communications for CHIN Radio and played a significant role in the successful expansion of its broadcast operations in Ottawa, the nation’s capital. She continues to act in this role throughout several of CHIN Radio’s new business development activities.
Grace has sat on several boards including The Williams Syndrome Network, COSTI Immigrant Services, and presently sits on the UHN Foundation Board.
Lenny Lombardi is President and CEO of CHIN Radio/TV International, one of the largest multicultural broadcasters in Canada, which broadcasts in over 50 languages to over 100 ethno-cultural communities on four frequencies in Toronto and FM 97.9 in Ottawa.
He is also the Executive Producer of 12.5 hours of the multicultural television programming block broadcast weekly throughout Southern Ontario on CITY TV, and Executive Producer of Italian language news programming “Ora Qui” on Rogers OMNI 1 and ‘Festival Italiano di Johnny Lombardi’.
In addition, Lenny is also the Executive Producer of the CHIN International Picnic, producer/co-founder of “The Taste of Little Italy Festival” on College Street; Impresario: producing multiple cultural concerts throughout Southern Ontario: and is the exclusive booking agent for Italian artists for Casino Rama.
Now in its 37th year, the annual Tribute Dinner raises much needed funds to provide opportunities for children and teens who have an intellectual disability to attend summer camp programs.