21 May, 2026
SANTO DOMINGO, D.R. – In an atmosphere of solemnity and intimacy, the international organization Global Alivio™ honored the memory and legacy of the legendary Caribbean artist Fritz Sterlin Odine, better known as Félix Cumbé, distinguishing him posthumously with the title of “Ambassador of Melody”.
The event was held at the InterContinental Real hotel, Piantini sector of the National District, Santo Domingo. During the event, “the trajectory of a man who, through his music, became a cultural bridge in Latin America and the Caribbean region” was celebrated, said Ulrick Gaillard, Founder and President of the institution.
The tribute was led by Mr. Gaillard together with other top executives of the organization: Nexcy de León, president of the board of directors; Togarma Rodríguez, vice president; and Virtudes Berroa, executive vice president. They presented the recognition to the artist’s widow, Fanny Carolina Adames, and his daughter, Katty Sterlin Adames, who currently leads the orchestra inherited from her father. The event was also attended by Diomelo Martínez, official representative of the famous Dominican maestro Fernando Villalona, who attended in support of the tribute.
“His life and work represent the essence of cultural fraternity and the power of art to transcend borders. Born in Haiti, Félix moved at an early age to the Dominican Republic, where he built an extraordinary career of more than 40 years, masterfully transitioning from Dominican merengue and bachata to Haitian kompa, breaking barriers and boundaries to capture the hearts of millions of people,” Gaillard added.
For her part, Nexcy de León cited Cumbé’s value as a “cultural icon” and recalled that he was widely considered “the most beloved Haitian in the Dominican Republic,” a nation that officially granted him nationality in 2021.
Félix Cumbé was a musical pioneer who rose to fame in the ’80s with the Aníbal Bravo orchestra, composing and performing hits such as “El Gatico.” His voice and lyrics were immortalized in iconic collaborations of Dominican culture, such as “Déjame volver” and the classic track “Félix Cumbé,” recorded alongside Fernando Villalona.
Global Alivio executives emphasized that Cumbé was selected for this special distinction precisely because of the unique duality of his artistic impact. The institution highlighted that his legacy seamlessly combined a popular festive energy—which united people on the dance floor—with an unyielding socially conscious stance. By balancing enduring party anthems with profound societal commentary, Cumbé demonstrated that he was not merely singing songs to entertain but was intentionally leveraging his immense talent and platform to address pressing human problems, structural challenges, and the vulnerabilities of communities.
They specifically pointed to “El inmigrante,” a poignant chronicle addressing the human dignity, resilience, and lived experiences of diaspora communities—aligning directly with the principles of UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10: Reduced Inequalities. They also highlighted “La niña violada,” an advocacy piece denouncing abuse and promoting the defense of vulnerable youth and women, mirroring the core targets of SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Furthermore, they noted his unique ability to bridge generations, pointing to his recent viral resonance on platforms like TikTok, where his song “Fui Fuá” achieved overwhelming popularity across Latin America.
In addition to the commemorative plaque, the artist’s widow received the official “Gender Equality” pin from Global Alivio, as a symbol of the values of equity and fraternity that the performer genuinely promoted. This recognition is part of the organization’s commitment to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting how art and culture act as fundamental engines for social development and regional peace—core human rights pillars that Global Alivio has actively championed on the ground for nearly three decades through its humanitarian interventions.
“Félix Cumbé was not only a master of rhythm; he was an architect of harmony. His life epitomizes the values of resilience and brotherhood that we promote in the region,” concluded Gaillard.
About Global Alivio
Global Alivio is the new operating brand of the Batey Relief Alliance, Inc. ® (BRA)—a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded in the United States in 1997. Its institutional mission is to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development and self-sufficiency in vulnerable communities.
Although the organization adopted the name Global Relief in 2026 to reflect its global scale, BRA remains the lead organization. It retains intact its legal structure, governance and strategic alliances with local governments and important entities such as Procter & Gamble, the Clinton Global Initiative and the United Nations through its special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). In almost three decades of uninterrupted work, it has impacted more than 4.5 million people in the region through comprehensive health, drinking water, nutrition and empowerment programs.
This legacy includes milestones such as the installation in 2006 of the first modern comprehensive health complex in a Dominican batey, the creation of an agricultural cooperative to provide micro-loans and training to more than 9,000 farmers and women dedicated to agriculture, the distribution of more than 2,600 metric tons of nutritious food, the delivery of more than 437 million liters of drinking water, and the publication of a landmark study in 2021 on menstrual health inequity, which has served as the basis for important legislative proposals in the country.
Under its new Global Alivio identity, the organization continues to expand its proven model globally to ensure that populations have the tools they need to thrive independently.
