Juan LaPerla

Juan LaPerla (born May 2 1967 in Livingston, New Jersey) is the founder and father of the House Of LaPerla NYC as well as an American businessman. Juan has substantial influence over the underground ballroom culture as the creator and innovative force behind Walk For Me Wednesdays Online ( [http://www.walk4mewednesdays.com] ).

Family

His father, Jean was a diamond cutter who later purchased several race horses and established a horse racing stable. He was a prominent businessman in his time. Jean married the daughter of another prosperous businessman. He had several children, of whom Juan was the oldest boy.

Awards

He was awarded the Julio DeBurgoes Award in 2003. He has been awarded the Ballroom Pioneer Award in 2005. Hailed as the Liberty Award Recipient Father of the Year 2006. He recently was awarded the Marcel Christian Award in 2007.

Achievements

As viewed on the MSNBC documentary "Born In The Wrong Body", Juan is hailed as having an undying love and passion for his "children". His "children" include invidiauls who are usually outcast by their own biological family. He creates an environment conducive to the wellbeing of the individual so they can learn and grow.