Kings County Conservative Party Honors Dominic Carter with American Heritage Award
By Robert Pearl
Veteran journalist, author, political commentator, and 77WABC Radio personality Dominic Carter was honored with the American Heritage Award at the Kings County Conservative Party’s Annual American Heritage Reception on July 23 at the Knights of Baron DeKalb in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. The event celebrated Carter’s more than four decades in broadcast journalism, recognizing his distinguished career as a radio host, television commentator, author, and one of New York’s most respected media voices.
Hosted by Kings County Conservative Party and Chairwoman
Frances Vella Marrone, the reception brought together elected officials, candidates, community leaders, and supporters to recognize Carter’s professional achievements while celebrating the values of perseverance, public service, and the American Dream.
Presenting the award, Vella Marrone praised Carter’s remarkable journey from a difficult childhood in a Bronx housing project to becoming a nationally recognized broadcaster.
“Where you begin in life does not determine where you can go,” she said, describing Carter as someone whose life story reflects the opportunities made possible through determination, personal responsibility, and hard work. She also commended his willingness to openly share his experiences through his journalism and bestselling memoir, “No Momma’s Boy”, inspiring listeners and readers far beyond New York City.
Accepting the honor, Carter explained that he had undergone surgery less than 24 hours earlier but was determined to attend.
“I was not going to miss this event,” he told the audience. “The Conservative Party has saved my life.” Carter reflected on his upbringing in public housing and his political evolution, saying he came to embrace the values of work, family, accountability, and opportunity. “I was a lifelong Democrat… but the Democrat Party left me. I didn’t leave them,” he said, noting he proudly shares those beliefs on the air and during speaking engagements nationwide.
One of the evening’s heartfelt moments came when Carter invited his son, Dominic Jr., and wife, Marilyn, to the stage. Sharing that doctors once believed his son would never graduate from high school because of epilepsy and a learning disability, Carter proudly announced that Dominic Jr. earned two college degrees.
“Never let anybody define who you are,” Carter said, drawing sustained applause.
Vella Marrone thanked supporters and volunteers for strengthening the Kings County Conservative Party and encouraged continued grassroots involvement.
“We’re going to keep fighting and fighting,” she said, urging attendees to remain engaged in preserving liberty and opportunity through civic participation.
Additional remarks were delivered by Conservative Party State Chairman Gerard Kassar, Assembly Minority Leader Edward Ra, Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny, and other elected officials, all of whom praised Carter’s broadcasting career and contributions to journalism. The evening concluded with a standing ovation, featuring book signings, and photographs as guests celebrated Carter’s enduring impact on New York media and public discourse.
Robert Pearl is a Brooklyn-based journalist who writes about New York City media, politics, and culture. He can be emailed at pearlknows@yahoo.com.
nationally syndicated radio show, “FOX Across America,” and his FOX News Channel show, “FOX News Saturday Night.” The theme for this 10th Event & Dinner at Mohegan Pennsylvania on May 5 is “250 Years of American Liberty!” Bold Gold president Vince Benedetto says, “This being our 10th event and coinciding with 
America’s 250th Birthday, we are doing everything bigger this year. In addition to celebrating 250 years of America, we’ll be celebrating 250 years of freedom of speech… and there is no greater daily example of that freedom that radio broadcasters. Radio, especially talk radio, remains America’s modern town hall. Our efforts at this event will help the next generation of radio broadcasters.” The Bold Gold Foundation will also be honoring Northeast Pennsylvania business leader and philanthropist Robert Tamburro with The Atlas Award for Citizenship. Bold gold says the Atlas Award is bestowed on individuals who, through their hard work and bold actions, show what is possible to achieve in a free society, and who exhibit extraordinary dedication to the highest ideals of character, community service, entrepreneurialism, patriotism, leadership, and virtue.
news reports that aired on KYW. Tom Rickert, who serves as assistant brand manager and director of podcasts for KYW Newsradio, says, “There’s no other program that gives students an opportunity to learn from top professionals in news and sports media at one of the best broadcasting facilities in the country. And five decades in, we’re reuniting with parents who graduated from ‘Newstudies’ when they were in high school, who are now watching their teenagers graduate from the same program. We hope to keep investing in the young people of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley for generations to come, and we’re thrilled to be able to work with our partners at the Klein College of Media and Communication [at Temple University] to make this happen.” At Saturday’s graduation, KYW Newsradio awarded the $2,000 Richard Monetti Scholarship to William Bowens of Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School. The yearly scholarship is named for a “Newstudies” graduate killed in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 and honors a student whose work demonstrates overall excellence.