More than 30 journalists, guests and the Foundation’s leadership enjoyed a cocktail reception prior to the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” taping in the Green Room during the Frank J. Guarini/NIAF Media Forum in Los Angeles, Calif.

Under the Hollywood sign and in the shadows of Madame Toussaud’s Wax Museum, the Kodak and Mann’s Chinese Theatres, Bill Cipolla, entertainment producer of Good Day LA/Fox 11, and Dennis McCarthy, award-winning columnist at the Los Angeles Daily News, served as co-chairs. This year marked the Foundation’s 9th annual gathering of Southern California media of Italian ancestry on February 23, 2010.

Entrance to “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” along Hollywood Boulevard in CaliforniaAt the forum, NIAF Vice President for the Far West Region Jeff Capaccio spoke about the accomplishments of modern-day Italians and Italian Americans and stressed the importance of recognizing and fighting ethnic stereotypes prevalent in today’s media.

NIAF Area Coordinators Marcella Leonetti-Tyler, Douglas DeLuca and Maria Mancini welcomedspecial guests including Italy’s Consul General in Los Angeles Nicola Faganello, the Foundation’s past president Joseph R. Cerrell and one of NIAF’s first area scholarship recipients Patti Beemer. Everyone toasted comedian Jimmy Kimmel who hosted the evening with Italian wines and hors d’oeuvres.

Nicola Faganello, Italy’s consul general in Los Angeles, Marcella Leonetti-Tyler, NIAF area coordinator and Jeff Capaccio, Esq. NIAF vice president in the far west regionJournalist from past networking forums and new media representatives from the Los Angeles Business Journal, Fox Sports Radio, LA TV Networks, La Repubblica, Il Sole 24 Ore, L’Italo Americano and RAI- TV shared ideas and exchanged business cards.

NIAF media forums give professionals in the communications field an opportunity to foster working relationships with colleagues and learn about the Foundation’s exciting youth initiatives. Through these events, NIAF cultivates an excellent rapport with members of the media, promotes Italian Americans, and examines the important issues facing the Italian-American community today. Similar events are planned in other major cities throughout the U.S.