The second annual New York Proud Campaign is a public art project presented in partnership with the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) celebrating the vibrant and diverse stories of immigrants across New York City.  

This year the campaign brings to life the personal journeys of a new set of immigrant New Yorkers through a striking photo series of 15 portraits, now displayed in subway stations, bus stops, and public art exhibits across New York City through the fall months. The exhibits, created in partnership with Photoville, feature these portraits in high-visibility public spaces across all five boroughs.

New York Proud is currently on view in Flatiron South Plaza (Aug. 26 – Oct. 1, 2025), and will be on show in public exhibitions across the five boroughs: Queens location TBD, The Plaza at 300 Ashland (Oct. 2 – Nov. 6, 2025), Van Cortlandt Park Track (Oct. 16 – Nov. 17) and The St. George Ferry Terminal in Staten Island. These larger-than-life installations will allow the public to take a deeper look into the lives of the featured individuals.

Featured campaign participants include a doorman, a deliverista, doctors, a mechanic, a theater director, small business owners, chefs, a nonprofit director and more.

Presented in partnership with Photoville, New York Proud was developed collaboratively by the New York Immigration Coalition, F.Y. Eye, The Opportunity Agenda. The initiative features work from documentary photographer Oscar B. Castillo.

This initiative reaffirms the indispensable role of immigrants in shaping New York City’s identity through a living and growing collection of portraits and stories. It serves as a reminder that immigrants are not only integral to our past but essential to our future, driving innovation, creativity, and progress in every corner of our city. By centering these narratives, New Yorkers are encouraged to reflect and recognize the essential contributions of immigrants, ensuring our city remains a beacon of pride and progress.

To learn more about campaign participants and how to view the pop-up exhibitions, visit www.immigrantsareny.org.

Center image courtesy of NYIC

“The New York Proud campaign is more than just a celebration of immigrants—it’s a reminder of what makes New York, New York,” said Murad Awawdeh, President & CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition. “Our city is a global beacon of hope, a booming metropolis built by and powered by immigrants. For centuries, immigrants have played an indispensable role in driving innovation, creativity, and progress in our communities. We are proud to stand with our neighbors to amplify their stories and reset the conversation on immigration in New York City.”

“This second series looks to keep building on the importance of better knowing our communities and our city. This project is a celebration of the mosaic of cultures, colors, talents, origins, and the myriad of stories that compose New York,” said photographer Oscar B. Castillo. “Through the faces of the migrant people that inhabit this city and proudly make it the most vibrant and diverse place in the world, I would like to share stories of hard work and dedication for personal and collective improvement, growth, and success. In the middle of these certainly troubled times, this project aims to be a call for more understanding and inclusion, and to value the humble but important contribution that millions of people give at all levels to the daily life of this unique place. This 2025 NY Proud campaign represents the commitment to the construction of bridges and understanding.” 

“Media, art, and advertising help tell the stories that shape how we see the world,” said Christina Daigneault, Executive Director of F.Y. Eye, a nonprofit social impact media organization. “The ‘New York Proud’ campaign uses these tools to celebrate the richness of immigrant experiences in New York City. By transforming public spaces into storytelling platforms, we aim to deepen understanding and build a more inclusive and compassionate city.”