2022 Contemporary recipient - Alisa DiGiacomo

Alisa is a fifth-generation Italian-American woman. Since 1999 Alisa has been employed by History Colorado, and since May 2018 as Director of Curatorial Services and Senior Curator. Alisa was the founder of the Colorado Italian-American Preservation Association (CIAPA) in 2002. The primary goal of this organization is to develop research archives that document the history, people and traditions of the community. Alisa is the author of Italy in Colorado: Family Histories from Denver and Beyond. The book is currently in its third printing. Additionally, Alisa was the curator of The Italians of Denver exhibit at the Colorado History Museum from April 2007 to July 2008. She has also made a significant impact on our Italian community by writing several books and articles on the history and culture of the community. Alisa provides the monthly features of A Page in Time and Community Story in Andiamo!, Colorado’s Italian-American newspaper.

Other achievements include being the co-founder of the Cabrini Day Holiday Commission from 2018 to the present. Since 2008, Alisa has been processing the CIAPA Research Archive for History Colorado. This will ensure that future generations will be able to access the information at the History Colorado library. People are able to listen to oral histories and view photographs that are part of the archives. She is an active member of numerous Italian organizations and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. She is a frequent lecturer and presenter on Italian culture and history.