National Council of Negro Women

NCNW Co-op City Section – This is an early reminder that our next General Membership Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, March 12, at 3 p.m. Members will be receiving an email with our meeting agenda and February’s meeting minutes from President Sheila Richburg. You will also receive the Zoom link for our meeting from Corresponding Secretary Stephanie Brown.

Black History Program – Our 22nd Annual Black History Program, produced by our Youth Committee and co-sponsored by the Riverbay Corporation and Riverbay Fund, last Saturday, February 25, was a resounding success. It was such a pleasure to be able to present our program live, after having to settle for virtual productions for the past two years. As you entered Room 31 of the Bartow Community Center, there were free giveaways of health items such as hand sanitizer, Covid-19 test kits, bottled water, healthy snacks and beautiful artwork and photos of important Black “sheroes” from American history on display.

Marcus Garvey, the Jamaican activist, and then introduced her first-grade student, Jeaneva Martin, who recited a poem about Harriet Tubman.

began with the singing of “Lift Every Voice from Sheps Hetep Ancestral Music group.

Negro Women, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune

The chairperson of our Youth Committee, Akeisha Neely, welcomed the audience and introduced our section president, Sheila Richburg, and the president of the Riverbay Fund, Claudia Sampson, who both extended greetings to all our visitors. She then introduced the moderator for our program, our own member, Honorable Kim Adair Wilson. The participation began with the singing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by the entire audience but led by our chaplain, Rev. Beverly Spruill. This was followed by a Libation with drumming from Sheps Hetep Ancestral Music group. Two of our vice presidents, Nikita Singletary and Lori Melton, talked about two great women in the history of National Council of Negro Women, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and Dr. Dorothy I. Height. Young members carried photos of these “sheroes” around the room for all to see.

The Director of the Marcus Garvey School, Ms. June O’Connor, talked about

Greetings, Building 9 family and friends. We remain thankful, grateful and blessed.

Our next general membership meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 23, at 7 p.m. Our 2023 Women’s History Month social event is scheduled for Saturday, March 25, at 6 p.m.

Our February General Membership meeting was eventful. Our guest speaker was Ms. English, CSO Manager. There was a lively exchange of information. We thank Ms. English for her presentation and helpful responses to our concerns.

Thank you to attendees: Karen Blanchette, Theresa Gorden, Dinora Tirado, Janet Yarrell, Neil Offen, Josiah Matthews, Linda Holley, Barbara Cloud, Robert Rosario, Janet Rosario, and Sharon Moore.

Our 2023 Black History Month event was awesome! Thanks to Linda Holley for suggesting that we to ask our young ones to actively participate in the event this year. Elizabeth Manning was kind enough to Emcee the event. Liz shared her AAPI family heritage with us. She advocated for racial tolerance. Our star performers were Ryan Manning, Cookie Manning, Camryn Ross, Isaiah Coakley and Alex Scotland. Ryan and Cookie took turns quizzing the “old folks” on “Who Am I?” Black History knowledge. Cookie self-choreographed and performed to “Stand Up” from the “Harriet Tubman” movie. Camryn Ross had a prior commitment for the evening. Her presentation was made by Liz Manning. Camryn researched, prepared a report, and created a poster board report on Misty Copeland. Isaiah Coakley provided a personal family history report based on his own recent research. Alex Scotland shared her memories of time spent with her grandmother in Antigua.

Denise Gerrald, recording secretary for our section, presented the history of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and its journal the “Crisis,” followed by information about a living Black activist, Tamika Mallory (co-chair of the Women’s March on Washington) by our 2nd VP, Lisa Wade-Stewart.

An exceptionally fine video, “Black Power,” created by Anthony Mitchell was next on the program.

Isaiah Brown, principal of Capital Prep, presented his student artists who talked about the famous Black people, such as Oprah Winfrey, Josephine Baker and bell hooks who they had captured in their art.

Our member, Camille Worrell, recited Langston Hughes’ “I Too Sing America” as well as her original composition, “The Beauty of Me.”

As the program drew to a close, President Sheila Richburg reminded us of the importance of vaccinations in the Black community that is being emphasized by GHWINs, (Good Health Wins).

We were pleased that Assemblyman Benedetto and Councilman Riley enjoyed our program as well.

––Joyce Howard

Building 9 Association

Clearly, our roots reach far and wide, yet, we are one family tree. They were all too wonderful. We thank them all. Our other presenters were Robert and Janice Rosario. Refreshments were served. Robert shared his Puerto-Rican Taino heritage. Janice spoke about our responsibility to take care of the earth and one another. She shared her t-shirt motto, “Be kind. Be human. Be humankind.” It was a wonderful evening. I thank all who attended: Linda Holley, Barbara Cloud, Rosemary Bailey, Shirley McCann, Evelyn Mavins, Janet Yarrell, Robert Rosario, Janice Rosario, David,

Liz, Malia, Ryan and Cookie Manning, Alex Scotland, and Isaiah Coakley.

It is time for our Annual Building 9 Association Membership Drive. Calling all volunteers. We cannot do the business of the Building 9 Association without you. There will be a volunteer meeting soon. Please continue to support our building association in word and in deed.

“Black History is American history. American history is Black History.”

––Linda Collins

NAACP

Mission Statement: Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons. Known as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), it profoundly affected the struggle for civil rights and the course of 20th Century American History.

Each One, Reach One Founder’s Day Membership Drive

114 Years of Dedication Resilience Impact

Thank you to all of those who have already reached one. We are calling on every NAACP member to recruit at least one new member to join the Association. We recognize that the important work we do every day to fulfill our mission would not be possible without a network of dedicated local activists and community leaders, who want to see Black America thrive just as much as we do. Each NAACP has a duty to reach within our communities. We ask you to ask one person to join the NAACP to help us do the work.

Save The Date: The Honorable Hazel N. Dukes, President of the NAACP New York State Conference, cordially invites you to attend a ceremonial street renaming, celebrating the accomplishments and birthday of President Dukes on Saturday, March 18.After three decades of integrating this community, the town of North Hempstead officials will be recognizing her advocacy in Nassau County by a street renaming at Edwards Street, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577.

Get Your Kids Involved – NAACP Youth, Education and Economic Development Committee presents workshops on Civil Rights, mentoring, community service and financial literacy. Save the date, Saturday, March 23, at 3:00 p.m. at Einstein Community Center, Room 36. To register, contact: naacpcoopbb@ yahoo.com, or call 718-320-3210.

The Co-op City Branch was established in July 1973. In recognition, we have a 50th Anniversary Commemorative Pin. Purchase yours now for $20 each. To order, send payment to the address or pick up at office on Monday, March 6, and 13 from 11:00 a.m.-12 p.m.

Scholarships: NY Urban League’s Whitney M. Young Jr. Scholarship 2023 application deadline is Saturday, March 11. One-time scholarships range from $1500–$10,000 are awarded to college-bound students starting in Fall 2023. Questions can be emailed to the Scholarship Committee at collegeready@nyul.org

The Mall at Bay Plaza welcomes 2023 Bronx Entrepreneurship Scholarship Foundation Scholarship (awarded on an annual basis, $3,000 not to exceed $12,000 over four consecutive years. The application submission date is April 1. Send applications to Apply@BronxESFC.com

Follow us on Facebook: Co-op City NAACP. Become a member gift a membership or upgrade your membership: adult: $30, youth: $10, or Silver Life: $750. make check/money order payable to: NAACP Co-op City #2210 and mail to: N.A.A.C.P. Co-op City Einstein Station, P.O. Box 75-3111, Bronx, N.Y. 10475.

––Brenda Brown

Building 6 Association

Riverbay has painted our lobby, our back door going out and two convector covers. Trying to make our building look good and enjoyable to live in. Getting our Association Room clean and floors looking good with the help of our Maintenance workers.

We have an outstanding Maintenance Supervisor, Brandon, who works hard to keep our building looking good. We have hardworking Maintenance worker, Rodney, making our lobby looking good and always there to help when needed in the building. Maintenance worker Johnathon working on the high side of the building is working hard and doing a great job too.

Many people are complaining about all the holes and missing paint in the hallways near the apartments from workers putting in the new cable wire. They told me once the whole building has been rewired, they will fix all the holes and paint too. There have been a lot of complains about people still not cleaning up after their dogs in the building.

We will be talking about building dues that go for holiday decorations for the building, and other needs for the building and food and refreshment for building meetings. You must pay your building dues to be able to run for any of the board positions of the building association

We need people to volunteer to help out in the building this year for holiday collections and other stuff needed in the building. Wishing everyone a safe and healthy 2023.

I would like to thank Assemblyman Michael Benedetto and his assistant, Tremaine O’Garro, for inviting me and my Building 6 cooperators to his Black History Month event on Feb. 23 in the Dreiser Community Center. The food was great and the event was very enjoyable.

––Jeffrey Schwartz

Building 21 Association

Celebrate Women’s History Month

“Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” –Ruth Bader Ginsberg Greetings, 21er’s!

The next 21 Association Meeting will be held via Zoom at 7 p.m. on March 23. Join in by going to: 21AssociationWatchParty, on your mobile/cellular phone or your computer or laptop.

Floor Captains on each floor in every building – A Necessity

“Every Floor” of every building should have assigned Floor Captains.

If you have not volunteered for your own floor, its time.

All we ask of anyone kind enough to be a Floor Captain is as follows:

1. Contact Numbers (For Your Floor Only)

• List all emergency contact numbers and distribute to each neighbor

2. Co-op City Times

• Place them at each apartment door (Delivered on Saturdays)

3. Elevator Notices

• Read them and talk to your neighbors about them

4. Promote

• Meetings, clubs and gatherings

5. Encourage

• Your neighbors to:

VOTE – VOTE – VOTE! in the Riverbay Election

• Make Calls To The Riverbay Offices Security 718-671-3050

CSO Offices 718-320-3300

6. That’s all we ask! That’s it!

If you have questions regarding the 21 Association, you have three ways of gaining information. Email: 21association@gmail.com. Call: 347-504-1821. Attend the monthly general meetings via Zoom video conference, fourth Thursday of every month. Everyone from all buildings plan to come and join us at Building 21. Bring a friend. “Each one of us, multiplied by all of us, equals “A Force For Good…”

—Michelle Marbury

Celebrate Women’s History Month

“Don’t follow the path, go where there is no path and begin the trail. When you start a new trail equipped with courage strength and conviction, the only thing that can stop you, is you.”

—Ruby Bridges

Paying Tribute to Lucille Bridges

A true mother of the movement; Lucille Bridges was the mother of civil rights activist Ruby Bridges, the 6-year-old little girl who walked gracefully past crowds screaming racist slurs as she became the first Black student at an all-white New Orleans elementary school.

Miss Lucille (pictured right) left us on November 10, 2020. In her Instagram account on that day, Ruby Bridges said, “Today our country lost a hero. Brave, progressive, a champion for change. She helped alter the course of so many lives by setting me out on my path as a six-year-old little girl. Our nation lost a Mother of the Civil Rights Movement today. And I lost my mom. I love you and am grateful for you. May you Rest in Peace.” bravery of Miss Lucille; her husband, Abon Bridges, and their daughter, Ruby, is memorialized in Norman Rockwell’s famous painting, “The Problem We All Live With” (on wall in front of Ms. Bridges and President Obama) depicts young Ruby in her pretty white dress carrying her notebooks surrounded by white U.S. Marshals.) Ruby Bridges credits her parents (pictured right) as the forces behind her history-making achievement. (excerpts from the Associated Press)

We wish to thank 12-year-old, Saadiah Rabiyyah Marbury for suggesting the subject matter for this week’s article and tribute.

Join the African-American Association of Co-op City

Remember: Membership is only $15.00/year for a single membership and only $25.00/year for your household. Email: aaaccpower@gmail.com or call 929-4303255 The African American Association of Co-op City, P.O. Box 702, Co-op City Station, Bronx, NY 10475.