New York Amsterdam News Issue #1 Jan.5-11, 2023

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The

Harlem held a homegoing for June 20, 2022 shooting victim Darius Lee at Pastor Mike Walrond’s First Corinthian Baptist Church. A state court judge ruled against the historic municipal voting rights law the City Council passed last December. The law was meant to give tax-paying immigrants who aren’t lawful citizens in New York City the right to vote in hyperlocal elections. The Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of the National Action Network, urged President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to arrange for him and a group of faith leaders to meet with jailed WNBA star Brittney Griner in Russia. Clifford L. Alexander Jr., first Black American secretary of the Army, passed at 88. The People’s Organization for Progress organized a 1967 Newark Rebellion Commemoration March

and Rally on the 55th anniversary of the uprising. Al Vann, deemed a political bedrock of Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights, died peacefully on July 14; Vann was 87. Fed up with the impending education budget cuts, two teachers and two parents jointly filed a lawsuit against New York City, the Department of Education and Schools Chancellor David Banks. The group demanded an injunction to halt the $215 million budget cuts to public schools planned for next year. Queens Borough President Richard Donovan honored the 60th anniversary of the 1961 Freedom Riders from Queens, some of whom attended the gathering at Queens Borough Hall. The New Amsterdam Musical Association, the oldest musical organization founded for Black musicians in the United States, celebrated 100

years in its landmark building with a gala held at Harlem School of the Arts. Within one hour of the Major League Baseball Draft held in Los Angeles in conjunction with the All-Star festivities, it became a seminal event for the sport when, with the fifth pick, the Washington Nationals selected Elijah Green of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The 18-year-old outfielder is the son of Eric Green, a former NFL tight end who was the 21st overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1990. Green was the fourth Black player taken among the first five picks, the first time that has ever occurred in the MLB Draft. The Bed-Stuy community was heartbroken after the over120-year-old French gothic revival mansion located at 441 Willoughby Ave. was viciously torn down by developers. Vincent “Vince” Ellerbe,

James Irons and Thomas “Tommy” Malik are to be cleared for the 1995 arson murder of Harry P. Kaufman after Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez moved to vacate the convictions earlier this month. The trio was sentenced to 25 years to life, with Ellerbe paroled in 2020. Irons and Malik were released. More than 800 New York City educators signed a petition calling on Chancellor David Banks to provide an update on the Mosaic curriculum, a universal, culturally relevant curriculum that former Mayor Bill de Blasio pledged to create and spend more than $200 million on in the summer of 2021. John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil, who was much more than a Negro Leagues icon, received his long overdue enshrinement into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Superior athlete and civil rights activist Bill Russell and “Star Trek” legend Nichelle Nichols both passed away. Mayor Eric Adams initiated an effort to get emergency shelter for people seeking asylum, building off a previous cry for federal support to aid a “historical surge” of asylum seekers flocking to New York City from southern borders.

Vice President Kamala Harris, along

with Mayor Eric Adams and other officials, gathered at Bed-Stuy Restoration in Brooklyn to announce the creation of the Economic Opportunity Coalition, a coalition of companies promising to invest billions in small businesses in underserved communities. Mayor Adams declared the outbreak of monkeypox a state of emergency, allowing him to temporarily override

local laws to address the outbreak for at least the next 30 days. In celebration of Black Business Month, and in honor of the 28th anniversary of his flagship Brooklyn store, global fashion designer Moshood once again brought his legendary New Roots to Culture Fashion Showcase to the village of BedfordStuyvesant. Jazzmobile founder Dr. Billy Taylor’s 100th birthday was

celebrated with a special concert at Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem. The style and impact of New York City’s legendary point guards were depicted in the Showtime Sports documentary film “NYC Point Gods.” The New York Amsterdam News announced its three-year, 3 million dollar Beyond the Barrel of the Gun initiative designed to be in-

Negro Leagues icon Buck O’Neil (Credit: Wiki (KC Congdon, Rochchester, N.Y.))

Former Assemblyman and City Council Member Al Vann (Lem Peterkin photo)

New Amsterdam Musical Association celebrates 100th year (Bill Moore photo)

Bed-Stuy community distraught as mansion torn into (Ariama C. Long photo)

Taren Weaver-Smith (holding balloons) the mother of the late Darius Lee, at a memorial basketball game in Harlem (Bill Moore photo)

Global Designer, Moshood (right) fashion show in Bedford-Stuyvesant (Bill Moore Photo) (Bill Moore Photo)

The Knotted Gun sculpture. New York Amsterdam News' Beyond the Barrel of the Gun initiative lanuched (Tim Brakemeier/AP Images)

Metro Briefs “A Preventable Pandemic”: Community mourns gun violence victims in Brooklyn

By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

Just hours before rappers Future and 21 Savage hit the Barclays Center stage last Friday, Dec. 30, the world-famous Brooklyn arena was in a state of grief. Under bright LED signs advertising game packages and pro wrestling shows, a candle-lit vigil paid respects to the 240-plus people killed by city shootings this past year in what Public Advocate Jumaane Williams called a “preventable pandemic” for Black and brown New Yorkers.

The ceremony marked New York City’s first observation of the proposed National Day of Remembrance for GunRelated Homicide Victims, hosted by gun violence czar Andre “A.T.” Mitchell. Speakers included Williams, Mayor Eric Adams, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell.

“As we wind down this year, I am charged with noting the successes of

2022—it is the responsibility of my position to highlight that we have a decrease in shootings and homicides this year over last,” said Sewell. “But that is cold comfort to those of us who have lost your mothers, your fathers, your sisters, your brothers and your friends to gun violence.”

As of Christmas, there are 302 fewer victims of total gun violence this year than in 2021. Shootings are down a total 17% and murders are down by 13.1%. But those are just empty statistics for the families of the reportedly 251 people

See GUN VIOLENCE on page 29

First NYS recreational cannabis dispensary opens

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

The state’s long-awaited first cannabis shop in the legal market opened in the East Village in Manhattan on Thursday, Dec. 29. The location will be run by the Housing Works Cannabis group, which aims to assist justice-involved people.

The 4:20 p.m. opening was massive with a huge line out the door, said CEO of Housing Works Charles King. The store received more than 2,000 reservations from people wanting to shop and had to turn away at least 1,000 potential customers, said King.

New York State Office of Cannabis Management Executive Director Chris Alex-

ander made the first weed purchase at the press conference kick-off. He bought watermelon-flavored gummies and a tin of marijuana flowers. Councilmember Carlina Rivera bought gummies as well shortly afterward.

The Housing Works nonprofit is an organization that has been fighting AIDS and homelessness since 1990. The dispensary money will be funneled back into Housing Works to support these causes, feature and elevate products coming from LGBTQ+ and BIPOC cannabis brands around the state, and help formerly incarcerated individuals criminalized over marijuana. King said the group approached the governor’s office about setting up a cannabis shop three years ago, before the law was passed.

“Our nonprofit’s mission remains as

Holiday season public safety round-up

By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

The lights are coming down and Christmas trees have been put on the curb. With 2022 in the rearview mirror, how did New York City fare on public safety this holiday season?

According to the NYPD, shootings were down this New Years from five to three. In Times Square, the ball drop meant high alert for the city.

NY lawmakers get pay raise, making them nation’s best-paid

Just in time for the new year, New York lawmakers will be the highest-paid state legislators in the nation under a bill signed Saturday. Members of both houses will get a pay raise of $32,000, for a base salary of $142,000, under a bill Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a day before her inauguration Sunday. That’s a 29% raise over their previous salary of $110,000. The new pay raise comes with restrictions, capping outside income at $35,000 in 2025. Pay of more than that from military service, retirement plans or investments will still be allowed.

Police say 22 injured when SUV crashes into NYC restaurant

urgent as ever,” said Sasha Nutgent, store manager for the Housing Works Cannabis Co. in a statement. “We are eager to take the lead as a social equity model for America’s cannabis industry, specifically with our hiring practices and continued support of individuals and communities disproportionately impacted by the unjust War on Drugs.”

The Associated Press reported that Housing Works is the first of 36 licensed dispensaries to start selling legal cannabis in New York state, including eight nonprofits. There are 139 licenses that have not yet been issued by the state and 900 applicants still waiting. The state farmto-store initiative promised dispensaries would be owned by “equity-entrepreneurs

See CANNABIS on page 29

Police say a hit-and-run driver rear-ended a sport utility vehicle and sent it crashing into a New York City restaurant, injuring 22 people. The crash happened around 9 p.m. Monday in upper Manhattan. Police say a white Audi exited a gas station and rearended a Toyota SUV. The SUV mounted the curb and crashed into the front window of the Inwood Bar and Grill. Nineteen people were taken to hospitals; the remaining three declined medical attention. Police say none of the injuries were life-threatening. Police are seeking the driver of the Audi.

NYC machete attack: Man arrested on attempted murder charges

The New York Police Department said a man accused of attacking police with a machete near Times Square on New Year’s Eve, injuring two officers, has been arrested on charges of attempting to murder officers. Nineteen-year-old Trevor Bickford of Wells, Maine, was awaiting arraignment after his arrest Monday. It isn’t immediately clear whether he has a lawyer who can speak to the allegations. A law enforcement official has told the Associated Press that investigators are looking into whether Bickford was inspired by Islamic extremism. The official could not discuss details about the ongoing investigation publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

NY opens its first legal recreational marijuana dispensary

Jan. 1, 2023. (Benny

“[T]he goal of public safety is both seen and intentionally unseen,” said Mayor Eric Adams on Dec. 30. “The NYPD and our other local public safety apparatus— they’re going to have a visible presence, but at the same time, they’re going to be among the crowds so that people don’t know exactly who’s present and who’s See PUBLIC SAFETY on page 29

The first legal dispensary for recreational marijuana in New York is ringing up its first sales, opening up what is expected to be one of the country’s biggest and most lucrative markets for cannabis. The widely anticipated first statesanctioned dispensary is operated in New York City by the nonprofit Housing Works. Its opening is the first of a string of openings expected in the coming months in New York, which legalized recreational use of marijuana in March 2021. The first legal shop will join a market now dominated by dozens of unauthorized shops that have operated in the open for years.

Associated Press

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams (front) asks for a show of hands for those affected by gun violence. (Tandy Lau photo)

New York City Mayor Eric Adams rings in new year in Times Square, Sunday,

Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office)

Biden primed and pumped for ’23

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

If President Biden experienced rough patches with legislation during his first months in office, the road is no smoother as a new Congress is sworn in. Navigating and negotiating a divided Congress is the bane of presidents, particularly after bitterly fought midterm elections. The setbacks were not as bad as expected but, nonetheless, problematic for the Biden administration.

While the Democrats managed to hold onto the Senate, the Republicans won 222 seats in the House, 10 more than the Democrats, giving them control of the chamber.

Many of the narrow votes in

the House will depend on the extent to which Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the new leader of the Democratic Caucus, can keep his colleagues united. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi will probably be a needed asset in this task.

In a rush to beat the deadline of congressional change, Biden quickly signed off on EPA regulations to protect small streams, wetlands and waterways as part of the Clean Water Act before the end of 2022.

All is not well on the other side of the political divide, with the GOP still at odds on who will be the new Speaker. Earlier, in a secret ballot, Rep. Kevin McCarthy of Calif. was given a decisive victory, but he will need 218 votes to become the speaker.

Among the ordeals ahead for the Biden administration and the divided House is the possible GOP investigations, especially the continuing concern about Biden’s son, Hunter, and the family’s business dealings. Will the cry of impeachment once again resonate?

Meanwhile, Biden is in the process of commemorating the hearings about the Jan. 6 event, largely a victory for him and his cohort. The charges against Trump and his role in provoking and stoking the insurrection were clearly the overwhelming results of the months of proceedings.

NewJersey News

Atlantic City betting it can put COVID behind it in 2023

By WAYNE PERRY Associated Press

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP)—How well Atlantic City’s nine casinos do in clawing their way back to where they were when the COVID pandemic hit nearly three years ago will go a long way toward determining what kind of year 2023 will be for the New Jersey resort town.

lion in hotel and casino floor upgrades, and Golden Nugget will embark on a multi-million-dollar renovation of its hotel rooms and infrastructure.

Borgata has also planned yet-to-be announced new investments tied to its upcoming 20th anniversary and Ocean will spend $15 million on renovations to seven more hotel floors, in addition to adding a private helipad.

The complicated cultural competency of ‘lifesaving,’ ‘stigmatizing’ naloxone

By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

Something wasn’t right for Thomas W. Harrell IV on Nov. 12.

“On that night, I was exhausted, so I started to see certain changes in my seizure disorder that wasn’t something that was of the norm,” he recalled. “I wasn’t aware of going into one because I normally have my seizures while I’m asleep. So I’m downstairs, and I’m helping out the family and I’m working with a blender to try and create a drink for my lady. And when I’m in the middle of trying to get it done, they said they heard a pattern

that had changed—I was repeatedly pressing the blender.

“That’s not me, it’s not my normal routine. And I’m fading in and out. I remember her calling me, but I ended up dropping a blender on the floor and they hear glass shattering but they just think that’s a mild act.”

His family noticed it was the blender and sent Harrell upstairs for a break. Sitting down and falling asleep, he had a seizure— he doesn’t remember much else.

EMS workers arrived on the scene.

His partner, Toni Mitchell, said she explained the situation to them, mentioning that Harrell recently took medication to counteract his seizures. The responders told her

they needed to flush any narcotics from his system. Mitchell, who worked as an ER medical assistant, told them he didn’t need naloxone, a medication used to stem opioid overdose, often sold under the brand name Narcan. The EMS workers applied it twice.

“Their whole interaction with me was a bit arrogant,” said Mitchell.

“That’s why they weren’t really listening to me…it’s like they wanted to do what they wanted to do.”

They say the experience was frustrating, stigmatizing and traumatizing, especially for Harrell, a Black New Yorker boasting a straight-edge lifestyle due to an opioid-related family tragedy from

The year ’23 is a prime number, and Biden appears primed to close the divide and prepare for another bid for the Oval Office. See NALOXONE on page 31

New School adjuncts get new contract, but strike took its toll

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff

Part-time faculty at The New School (TNS) and Parsons School of Design have voted in favor of the tentative agreement negotiated between the ACT-UAW Local 7902 bargaining committee and TNS’s administration.

Some 97% of UAW members are in favor of the new contracts’ compensation, healthcare and workplace protection terms. “This new contract increases compensation significant-

ly, protects health care benefits, and provides an administrative services payment that is given in recognition of administrative preparation prior to the beginning of a semester,” TNS boasts in its announcement of the ratified contract. “The contract is backdated from November 14, 2022 and runs through August 31, 2027. Several elements, such as pay raises, would be retroactive to the start of the fall 2022 semester.”

More than 1,300 part-time faculty had staged a walk-out in mid-November when their last contract with TNS expired.

This led to a nearly month-long strike that only ended on Dec. 10––it’s set to go down as the longest adjunct faculty strike in U.S. history. But now that the contract has been ratified, notable lingering tensions remain between union members and TNS administration officials. The end of union negotiations should mean that all parties are able to move forward in working to benefit a business, but the TNS adjunct faculty strike brought some problems to the forefront that may take some time to be dealt with.

It will feature big new projects, including a long-awaited, year-round water park next to the Showboat hotel, and major dining, lodging and entertainment projects at several casinos.

Big questions are also looming over the city that could be answered in the new year, including deciding between dueling proposals for developing the former Bader Field airport property and whether the state legislature will act on a bill that would end smoking in Atlantic City casinos.

“I’m looking forward to the new year; we’re past COVID now,” said Bob McDevitt, president of Local 54 of the Unite Here union, the city’s main casino workers union. “Our industry has survived that, and with that kind of momentum growing, it could be a good year for the residents of the city and for the casinos.”

Resorts casino president Mark Giannantonio said he is “fairly optimistic” about the coming year.

“In 2022, we were buffeted by a difficult economy and very high inflation, and we’re beginning to see that come down,” he said, adding that local initiatives on improving safety and cleanliness are cause for optimism.

“That’s going to add a new level of confidence,” Giannantonio said. “Our customers will see a difference and hopefully that will lead to more visitation.”

Getting back to and exceeding preCOVID levels in their core business— winning money from in-person gamblers—remains the top goal of Atlantic City’s casinos. Through the first 11 months of 2022, the casinos won $2.56 billion from on-premises gamblers, compared with $2.47 billion in the same period of 2019, before the pandemic hit.

To help accomplish that, many casinos will spend heavily on new hotel, dining and entertainment projects in 2023, led by Caesars Entertainment, which is opening new restaurant, hotel room and entertainment projects at its three Atlantic City casinos.

Hard Rock plans to spend $30 million on live entertainment in the new year, Resorts is reinvesting at least $10 mil-

The Showboat Hotel plans to open a $100 million indoor water park by Memorial Day weekend.

Still, there remains cause for concern.

Jane Bokunewicz, director of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute at Stockton University, which studies the Atlantic City casino market, said the industry “could be facing strong headwinds” in early 2023 as a traditionally slow seasonal period meets broader economic concerns. She said it’s also possible the growth rate of internet gambling revenue could slow, and that growth in onpremises gambling revenue could be modest—if it materializes at all.

Mike Sampson, senior vice president of operations at the Hard Rock casino, said he believes “2023 is going to be a challenging year for Atlantic City. In addition to economic uncertainty, the market will have to adjust to increased hotel inventory while visitation and revenue continues to decline at the majority of properties in the city.”

The question of whether smoking will continue to be allowed in the casinos could also be addressed in 2023 and have lasting impact. For more than two years, a group of casino workers has pushed for a law closing the loophole in New Jersey’s indoor clean air law that continues to allow smoking on a portion of the casino floor in Atlantic City.

A bill that would end smoking in the casinos has sat untouched in the state legislature for more than a year.

“We’re suffering; we need help,” said Thomas Truitt, a dealer at the Borgata. “When people are blowing smoke in your face, it’s hard to breathe.”

Giannantonio, who also is president of the Casino Association of New Jersey, said business conditions have to improve before smoking can be ended.

“We have to stabilize the industry,” he said during a recent public forum. “If you eliminate smoking, we are going to have a pretty significant and immediate downturn. There is a time for eliminating smoking—I’m not sure it’s right now.”

State officials also hold the key to another issue: what to do with the former

strumental in raising awareness not just of the root causes of this epidemic but of how gun violence can be reduced in Black and brown communities in New York City and nationwide. The lawyer Francia Márquez Mina took her oath of office “before God, the people of Colombia, and my ancestors” to serve as vice president of Colombia on Aug. 7. New York City kicked off 2022 with a newly elected Black mayor and newly appointed Black police commissioner. Six months later, Black arrest rates skyrocketed. Activists denounced the July 29 FBI raid on the St. Petersburg, Florida and St. Louis offices of the African Peoples’ Socialist Party. Women’s basketball star Brittney Griner was found guilty of drug possession and drug smuggling with criminal intent and sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison. In an as-told-to interview in Vogue Magazine, Serena Williams introspectively revealed she will be retiring from competitive tennis after the U.S. Open. Neurologist Ricardo Cruciani became the 11th person to die inside Rikers this year, found dead at around 6:30 a.m. Mayor Eric Adams signed legislation to protect access to safe and affordable abortions in New York City. The Cannabis Control Board approved 15 Adult-Use Conditional Processor licens-

SEPT 2022 /

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and other southern border officials continued busing migrants—many asylum seekers—to New York City. A former NYPD officer was sentenced to 10 years for participating in the Jan. 6 insurrection. The unionization vote for Staten Island’s Amazon distribution center was upheld federally. Boxer Earnie Shavers, known as one of the hardest hitting heavyweights, died at age 78. And Serena Williams was eliminated in her final U.S. Open by Australian Ajla Tomljanovic. Ten people were fatally stabbed in Canada. The college football playoffs announce they will expand to a 12-team tournament by 2026. Apple revealed—and soon released— the iPhone 14. An NYPD officer was shown on camera hitting a Black teen in Harlem. The West Indian Day Parade and J’Ouvert

es. On Friday, Aug. 12, Brooklyn’s Boys and Girls High School celebrated the life and legacy of former Assemblyman and City Council member, the Hon. Albert Vann. The New York City-based record label Candid Records re-released a number of classic Black albums. Founded in 1960 by Archie Bleyer, Candid was on the cutting edge of releasing jazz and blues music from Charles Mingus, Max Roach, Cecil Taylor, Abbey Lincoln, Lightnin’ Hopkins and more. President Joe Biden announced his long-awaited plan to deliver on a campaign promise to provide $10,000 in student debt cancellation for millions of Americans—and up to $10,000 more for those with the greatest financial need—along with new measures to lower the burden of repayment for their remaining federal student debt. New York City Councilmember Rita Joseph introduced a bill to address the rise of suicide rates among Black girls and boys and other racial ethnic groups, an “alarming” situation that’s persisted for the past two decades nationwide. The traveling exhibit “Black Is Beautiful: The Photography of Kwame Brathwaite,” was on view at the New York Historical Society. “Regeneration: Black Cinema, 1898–1971” showed the pride and grandeur of a glorious, nearforgotten and thriving Black cinema in the early years of American filmmaking.

THE URBAN AGENDA

By David R. Jones, Esq

Law Perpetuates Mass Disenfranchisement of Blacks on Manhattan Juries

The disproportionate representation of white people on Manhattan juries has long been an open secret—one that has contributed to the high rate of black and brown people convicted of crimes, either after trial or, when faced with the prospect of appearing before such a jury and receiving a much longer sentence, a coerced guilty plea.

A state law -- Judiciary Law 510 -determines the qualifications to serve as a juror in New York State. They are simple: be a citizen of the United States and the county in which you will serve; 18 or more years old; and able to understand and communicate in English. Then, finally, have no felony convictions, no matter what they were or how long ago they occurred.

Passed, not coincidentally, in the same era as the Rockefeller Drug Laws, Section 510 bars the same swath of New Yorkers from juries as were devastated for decades by racist enforcement of those laws—Black men—and is part of a decades-long fixation on excluding Black people from full participation in American life. Sadly, the felony exclusion remains on the books, even after the 2009 reforms to the Rockefeller Drug Laws and after the right to vote was restored to people on parole in 2021. And, of course, racially disproportionate law enforcement predates the penal law itself and continues to this day.

That’s why the Community Service Society of New York (CSS) was proud to join a class action lawsuit filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union seeking to strike down the felony jury exclusion. The right to full civic and economic participation for all New Yorkers is a core value for CSS. Over the last decades, our efforts have registered hundreds of thousands of voters in low-income communities, reversed discriminatory voter purges, and helped people with conviction histories get back their rights to vote and serve on a jury.

permanently banning people with felony convictions from full participation in civic life, the felony exclusion creates less diverse juries. Racially diverse juries increase the public’s faith that the legal system results in justice, and, in Manhattan, only a racially diverse jury could truly be a jury of one’s peers. More importantly, they have been shown to more thoroughly examine evidence, more accurately grasp facts, and be less likely to believe that a Black defendant is guilty. In other words, keeping the felony jury exclusion in place will result in more Black people convicted of crimes—people who may have been acquitted by a more diverse jury.

For those who think that people with felony convictions lack the judgment or moral character to serve on a jury, consider who that rule nonetheless allows to serve: people convicted of jury tampering, a misdemeanor; professionals who have had their licenses revoked for misconduct and unethical behavior; even disgraced politicians.

But these individuals will likely be weeded out during voir dire. Potential jurors have to fill out questionnaires under penalty of perjury disclosing, among other information, past criminal convictions. Then during voir dire, each side in a case may question potential jurors and, based on those answers—including whether they disclosed a criminal conviction—keep them off of a jury. This individualized analysis— long used in other anti-discrimination laws protecting people with criminal records— can properly determine whether someone’s past felony conviction biases them enough to be unfit to be a juror in a particular case. Voir dire gives the lie to justifying the felony jury exclusion on whatever a past conviction may say about a person’s current ability to be fair and impartial.

returned to Brooklyn for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Kathy Hochul dropped the subway mask mandate. Retired broadcaster Bernard Shaw died at age 82. DOE announced no more snow days thanks to remote learning. And the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene vaccinated local raccoons for rabies. Arsenic was reported to be found in the water supply of NYCHA’s Jacob Riis Houses in East Village before the city revealed faulty results by the contracted lab. Mayor Eric Adams drank from the complex’s tap to prove the water is safe. New York banned concealed carry guns in sensitive zones like Times Square after a recent ruling overturning many state gun control laws. Columbia University

See YEAR IN REVIEW on page 11

Yes, there is one way a person with a felony can regain the right to serve on a jury: get, depending on their number of felony convictions, a certificate of relief from disabilities or a certificate of good conduct. While CSS’s Next Door Project helps people obtain certificates, we only serve a fraction of the eligible people each year, and the process itself involves a detailed application, investigation by a probation or parole officer, and approval by a Criminal Court judge or the division of parole. People who are denied are rarely told why, just to apply again in another year or two. This burdensome process is no cure to the harm caused by the jury exclusion.

And that harm is substantial. Aside from

In addition to the class action, CSS is also supporting pending legislation in Albany that would restore the right of people with felonies to serve on juries. And the defendant in this class action—Judge Milton Tingling, the New York County Clerk and Commissioner of Jurors—has publicly opposed excluding people with felony convictions from juries. But he’s bound to follow the law until it is amended or declared unconstitutional.

Manhattan jury pools are disproportionately white, resulting in a routine deprivation of Black and brown New Yorkers’ constitutional right to be tried by a jury of their peers and receive equal treatment under the law. Whether declared unconstitutional in court or amended by the Legislature, all New Yorkers should support ending the felony jury exclusion.

David R. Jones, Esq., is President and CEO of the Community Service Society of New York (CSS), the leading voice on behalf of low-income New Yorkers for more than 175 years. The views expressed in this column are solely those of the writer. The Urban Agenda is available on CSS’s website: www.cssny.org.

The lawyer Francia Márquez Mina took office Aug. 7, as vice president of Colombia (César Carrión photo)

Candid Records re-released a number of classic Black albums

Kwanzaa Celebration held in Harlem

New York State Senator Cordell Cleare and the Michelle Obama Democratic Club hosted a great Kwanzaa Celebration with the community and elected officals, There were lots of food, games and toys all to celebrate the fourth principle of Kwanzaa: Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics).

Harlem’s Kennedy Center also hosted the Circle of Brothers’ celebration of the fourth principle of Kwanzaa with food and toys. They honored folks with the Akil Rose Community Service Award and presented karate, Tai Chi, praise dance, poetry, Affinity Spoken Word and Kayden Hern Spoken Word. A great time was had by all.

(Bill Moore photos)

Public Hearing

CAPITAL PROJECTS PUBLIC HEARING

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, on behalf of MTA New York City Transit and its subsidiaries; MTA Long Island Rail Road; MTA Metro-North Railroad; MTA Construction and Development; and MTA Bus Company (collectively “MTA”), will hold a public hearing to solicit comments on MTA’s federal grant proposals for Federal Fiscal Year 2023. The hearing will be held in a hybrid format with options to participate in-person, as well as virtually via Zoom’s online platform and conference call feature, with a livestream available on the MTA 2023 Capital Projects hearing website.

The MTA receives federal funds pursuant to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Section 5307, Sections 5309, 5337 and 5339 of Title 49, United States Code, 5300 et seq. (the Code), Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (surface transportation act and other federal appropriations). The Governor of the State of New York, local officials, and publicly owned operators of mass transportation services have designated the MTA to receive such grants.

The requested funds are for categories of capital projects listed below and more fully described in the MTA Program of Projects. MTA’s Program of Projects is available for review at https://new.mta.info/transparency/public-hearings or by calling the number shown below. The MTA solicits and encourages the comments of private transportation providers. Capital improvements under this Program generally take place within the MTA network or on State or city-owned property. Property acquisitions or relocations will be carried out in accordance with the appropriate provisions of law and regulatory requirements. The projects included in this hearing are part of the approved 2015-2019 and 2020-2024 Capital Programs.

The capital projects have been or will be endorsed by the Metropolitan Planning Organizations for the New York metropolitan region and conform with the State Implementation Plan (SIP) as required by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. The projects are not anticipated to have any significant adverse environmental impact. If the FTA prepares a formal environmental impact statement on any of the proposed projects, the MTA will issue a public notice to make the statement available. All legal requirements related to senior citizens and customers/people with disabilities will be met.

It is anticipated that any difference between the projects’ cost and the federal grant amount will be satisfied through funds that are made available by any one or a combination of State, local, affiliated agency (such as MTA Bridges and Tunnels or MTA) sources, credits for non-federal project share generated from toll revenues in accordance with federal statute (23 USC 120 (i)), or sales of property or program income. In Federal Fiscal Year 2022, MTA received $815.1 million of Section 5307 funds, $1.136 billion of Section 5337 State of Good Repair funds, and $26.2 million of Section 5339 of Bus and Bus Facilities funds. Apportionments of Federal Fiscal Year 2023 is not yet available. Federal funds must generally be matched by a local share contribution for capital assistance of 20 percent for most funding categories.

PROJECT CATEGORIES / ESTIMATED FEDERAL REQUEST (Dollars in Millions)

LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD

NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT

Project Categories

$M

Stations $313.84 Track $209.34

Line Structures $55.10 Communications and Signals $78.50 Shops and Yards $53.54 Power $179.90 Miscellaneous $138.00

Total LIRR 1,028.22

METRO-NORTH RAILROAD

Project Categories

$M

Rolling Stock $484.64 Stations $282.93 Track and Structures $325.51 Communication and Signals $315.55 Power $50.05 Shops and Yards $100.00 Miscellaneous $4.00

Total MNR $1,588.47

DATE AND TIME OF THE PUBLIC HEARING

2023 CAPITAL PROJECTS PUBLIC HEARING

Project Categories

$M

$1,000.00 Bus Replacement $857.80 Stations $2,171.00 Line Equipment $90.00 Line Structures $80.00 Signals and Communications $210.00 Power $310.00 Depots $100.00 Staten Island Railway $35.00 Total NYCT $4,853.80

Subway Car

MTA BUS

Project Categories $M Bus Replacement $27.92 Facilities $5.31 Total MTA BUS $33.23

MTA GRAND TOTAL

Tuesday, February 7, 2023 • Hearing begins at 6:00 P.M. • Hybrid Public Hearing will include both in person and virtual platforms.

Public Hearing Format

$7,503.72

This will be a hybrid hearing with in-person participation as well as via Zoom’s online platform and conference call feature, with a livestream available on the MTA 2023 Capital Projects hearing website https://new.mta.info/2023-capital-projects-hearing. Those interested in speaking must pre-register to speak at the public hearing. Each registered speaker will have three (3) minutes to speak.

Registering for the Public Hearing

To register to speak at the hybrid public hearing, please sign up to comment either in-person, online at https://new.mta.info/2023-capital-projects-hearing or call the Public Hearing Hotline at (646) 252-6777. Registration for the public hearing will open on January 3, 2023. All comments will be transcribed and made part of the permanent record of this hearing.

Joining the Public Hearing

If you are registered to speak, you may join the Zoom webinar either online, in-person or by phone following these instructions:

Join Zoom Webinar Online: To access the Zoom webinar online, visit the website: https://new.mta.info/2023-capital-projects-hearing. You can also go to https://mta.zoom.us/j/85391878448

Join by PC/Tablet/Smartphone: Join Link: https://mta.zoom.us/j/85391878448 • Webinar ID: 853 9187 8448

Join Zoom Webinar by Telephone: To access the Zoom webinar by telephone, please call 1-877-853-5247 (toll-free). Then enter Webinar ID: 853 9187 8448, followed by the pound (#) sign.

View Only Online: Members of the public who wish only to view the hearings may access the event live at https://new.mta.info/2023-capital-projects-hearing

To Submit Comments

All written comments must be submitted by 6:00 p.m. on February 7, 2023. Comments received after that date and time will not be considered.

A complete list of projects eligible for funding under this proposal is available onsite and on the MTA Website at https://new.mta.info/2023-capital-projects-hearing or by scanning the QR Code below. Information on public viewing locations and on the projects eligible for funding can be found on the MTA website or by contacting the MTA at the address below. The MTA will also make the final program of projects available on its website https://new.mta.info/transparency/grant-management for Section 5307 funded projects when the FTA awards the Federal Fiscal Year 2023 grants.

Additional Ways to Comment or Request Information

For More Information, to Pre-Register to Speak, or to Submit Comments

Those wishing to be heard at the Public Hearing must register in advance. Email comments will be accepted online on the MTA website https://new.mta.info/2023-capital-projects-hearing or in person at the hearing or by dialing (646) 252-6777. Telephone agents are available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Verbal presentations will be limited to three (3) minutes. You may present verbal testimony or submit written statements in lieu of or to supplement oral testimony concerning the proposed projects. To submit comments, for additional information, or to request copies of the applications and final program of projects to be submitted to the FTA, letters should be addressed to: MTA Capital Program Funding / Grants Management, RE: 2023 Capital Projects Public Hearing, 2 Broadway, B4.01, New York, NY 10004. All letters must be postmarked by February 7, 2023. Comments received after that date will not be considered.

Accessibility and Language Assistance Services

At the public hearing, CART Captioning and American Sign Language services will be available. Members of the public who are deaf or hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or the free 711 relay service, and then request to be connected to the Public Hearing Hotline at (646) 252-6777. Members of the public who are blind or have low vision can request accommodations on or before February 1, 2023, by submitting a request online at https://new.mta.info/2023-capital-projects-hearing or by calling the Public Hearing Hotline at (646) 252-6777.

Members of the public who do not have access to a computer or to the Internet, can dial in to the hearing by calling the Zoom webinar at 1-877-853-5247 (toll-free) then enter Webinar ID: 853 9187 8448, followed by the pound (#) sign. If language assistance or any other accommodations are required, please submit a request at least three business days before the hearing date in one of the following ways: online at https://new.mta.info/2023-capital-projects-hearing or by calling the Public Hearing Hotline at (646) 252-6777, or by sending a letter to: MTA Capital Program Funding / Grants Management, RE: 2023 Capital Projects Public Hearing, 2 Broadway, B4.01, New York, NY 10004.

Go With The Flo

FLO

ANTHONY

Very sadly, 2023 began with the deaths of three members of the entertainment community. Earth, Wind and Fire drummer Fred White passed away on January 1 at 67 years old. His brother and bandmate Verdine White posted the announcement on Instagram, but did not say what the cause of Fred’s death was. We also lost Anita Pointer to cancer on Dec. 31, 2022. She was 74. In a statement, her publicist Roger Neal said the wonderful vocalist was surrounded by family and friends at her Beverly Hills, California, home when she died. Ruth Pointer is now the only surviving member of the Pointer Sisters; both June and Bonnie preceded Anita in death. Also on Jan. 1, former Three 6 Mafia member Lola “Gangsta Boo” Mitchell was found dead in a house in Memphis, Tennessee, at age 43. “The Mitchell family would like to thank everyone for their condolences regarding the untimely death of Lola ‘Gangsta Boo’ Mitchell,” said the rapper’s mother, Veronica Mitchell, and family in a statement issued Jan. 2. “The family is asking for your continued prayers and privacy as we process the loss of our loved one.” ...

Despite having a new baby girl—Love Combs—with Dana Tran in October 2022, Sean “Diddy” Combs was joined by his girlfriend, Yung Miami, as they celebrated New Year’s Day on a yacht in St. Barts, reports the Daily Mail. The couple was joined by friends who reportedly included Fabolous, Meek Mill, French Montana and Lil Baby. Called “Victorious,” the luxurious 278-foot yacht was built by Akyacht in 2021. It can hold up to 24 guests in 12 staterooms, and is up for sale at $116.8 million through Fraser Yachts. …

Actor Wendell Pierce had to break character during the Dec. 27, 2022, performance of the Broadway play “Death of a Salesman” after a woman in the audience became disorderly. One man in the audience, Peter Tu, posted on Twitter, “We hope things go back to normal in 2023. Death Of A Salesman was playing at the Hudson Theatre. On the 27th. it was interrupted by a woman behaving strangely. Actor Wendell Pierce responded very gracefully & the police arrived to deal with it. The show continued.” Pierce portrays Willy Loman in the play by Arthur Miller. …

On Dec. 31, 2022, actor Joseph Sikora, star of the Starz shows “Power,” “Power Book II” and “Ghost Power Book IV: Force,” along with movie producer Noel Ashman, hosted a New Year’s Eve bash at Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club in New York City that doubled as a prerelease celebration for Sikora’s upcoming movie, “Fear.” The soirée featured preview scenes from “Fear” as Sikora led the countdown to 2023 with special guests Jesse Metcalfe, “Chicago PD” star LaRoyce Hawkins and more. Grandmaster Melle Mel also surprised guests by performing “White Lines” and the Sugar Hill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight.” …

Brooklyn Gives Back: books and pajamas donated to children living in shelters

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso partnered with several charities, including the Goodwin Sunshine Foundation and Brooklyn Book Bodega, to donate books and pajamas to hundreds of children living in shelters throughout the borough this holiday season.

“Every child should be able to enjoy the holiday magic of a cozy winter night in Brooklyn,” said Reynoso in a statement.

“While we build the policies that put long-term, dignified housing within reach for all families in Brooklyn, it’s initiatives like this that can provide relief and comfort in the short term. I’m so grateful to the local organizations, family shelters and companies who teamed up to spread the joy of a good book and comfy pajamas to local kids living in shelters, and I wish all of Brooklyn a very happy holiday season,” said Reynoso.

The organizations started handing out their donations on Dec. 17, just before the 2022 holiday season, at a church in Bed-Stuy. Altogether they went to eight family shelters across Brooklyn.

Ora Goodwin, executive director of the Goodwin Sunshine Foundation, is based at a community garden in East New York. She’s been with the community garden for the last 15 years. She said they created the foundation because they didn’t qualify for certain grants. Goodwin’s foundation runs programs and workkshops for the community, holds turkey giveaways at Thanksgiving, and has a regular free farmer’s grocery giveaway.

“Our area has a large amount of children in the foster care system and the shelter system. We want to make sure that if we’re able to get funding, we can help them as far as clothes, food and free programs,” said Goodwin about her district.

Goodwin held the foundation’s giveaway at their community garden at an event that included caroling, performances and arts. She said the foundation was able to serve more than 300 families. In addition to the pajamas and books, Goodwin gave out bags of food, toys and toiletries for children to take home.

“The very first thing you’d hear them say is, ‘Wow, we got pajamas!’ The pajamas that were donated were very warm. I’m happy [about] whoever picked them out,” said Goodwin. “Some got matching family pajamas, so you know they were able to do the Christmas family pictures with their brother or sister or cousin.”

The Brooklyn Book Bodega (BBB), sponsored by Target, provides access to and ownership of books in communities and

helped more than 37,000 families start home libraries in 2022. Cecilia Golombek, program and volunteer coordinator at BBB, said that offering books and pajamas at the same time adds to the comfort of bedtime reading, giving children a chance to connect with their families.

“‘Books and Pajamas’ offers children the opportunity to build their own home library with books that they selected because it was a reflection of themselves or

a window into another experience that interested them,” said Golombek.

Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about politics for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/ amnews1

Receiving organization with books & pjs; BP Antonio Reynoso with Banda Real organization donating toys. (Brooklyn BP office photos)

Black women take center stage at swearing in for Gov. Hochul, AG James

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and State Attorney General Letitia “Tish” James were sworn in on Jan. 1 at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany by Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, President of the NYS Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for a herstoric day.

The ceremony included speakers from different types of religions, musical performances featuring Black musicians and singers, elected officials who gave impassioned speeches, and a stirring poetry recital by 8-year-old Harlem native and Poet Laureate of the Inaugural Ceremonies Kayden Hern.

Dukes, who just celebrated her 90th birthday, started with a “moment of personal privilege” to congratulate all the speakers and electeds in attendance before swearing in Hochul. She jokingly referred to people like James, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and New York City Mayor Eric Adams as “all of my children.”

“To stand to administer the oath, her mother is not here, but she chose me,” said Dukes. “What a great day for a woman who’s [90] years of age, African American, born in Montgomery, Alabama.”

Dukes reportedly used two bibles to conduct the oath-taking, with one belonging to her family and the other borrowed from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library. The library bible belonged to the Roosevelt family and was first published in the 1600s in Dutch.

“As I stand before you, humbled by this honor, I’m ready to take on the fight,” said Hochul.

Hochul officially became the first elected female governor in New York for a full term. She had previously been in office since August 2021 as a replacement for former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who resigned due to sexual harassment allegations. She vowed to fight against hate crimes, gun violence, systemic racism, affordability issues, anti-abortion sentiments and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

James was alongside Hochul taking the oath of office, as well as Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado and DiNapoli.

“The reality is that we all bleed red and we should be united as one,” said James in her acceptance speech.

Former Assemblymember for the 56th Assembly District in Brooklyn Annette M. Robinson physically held the bible of James’s late mother while U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles “Chuck” Schumer read the oath. Member of James’s family were also on the stage. James was first elected to office in 2018, and is the first Black person and woman to hold the position.

“Tish was made for this moment,” said Schumer. “She wasn’t born with a silver spoon in her mouth. As I like to say in Brooklyn, where Tish and I have both been raised, she got here the oldfashioned way: She worked her way up the ladder step by step. She earned it.”

Despite controversy brewing among Senate Democrats over Hochul’s choice of Hector LaSalle for chief judge, Senate Majority Leader Andrea

Stewart-Cousins thanked Hochul for making history and James for being a great ally. She also called DiNapoli a long-time friend and a “steady force for public service” as the state’s second-longest serving comptroller.

“The charge is great for all of us. We couldn’t have a better team,” said Stewart-Cousins on stage as she swore in DiNapoli.

U.S. Rep Ritchie Torres from the Bronx did the swearing in for Delgado.

Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about politics for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1

Nightlife

Thank you, Freddie White and

Earth,

Wind & Fire

It was over 10 years ago already? That was the first and last time I got to cover the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) trade show. One of the draws was the Monster Cable Concert and their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performers, who were also there to promote a venture/product that used their expertise in sound quality regardless of music genre. The product was based on the celebrity-branded headphone craze emerging at that time and who else was more deserving than the band Earth, Wind & Fire? They received in-ear headphones called the Gratitude. I secured my spot ready to get some pictures of what was about to happen on stage and made the mistake of looking to my right. I noticed I was seated next to Denice Williams, and OG Earth, Wind & Fire members Larry Nunn and Maurice White. So, so gangster. Not only did they eventually grace the stage but another legend, Stevie Wonder, came out of the audience to partake in the song “Shining Star.” Memories were sparked as I prep to head out to check out the 2023 CES show and once more the group Earth, Wind & Fire is connected. This time, while still celebrated, they take an L as news hit that Fred E. White passed days before his January 13 birthday. Fred was a key cog in the genre-redefining music machine Earth Wind & Fire as they marched to immortality with classic upon classic albums, from 1975 through the mid ’80s. Think of the songs coming from that run: “That’s the Way of the World,” “Reasons,” “Love’s Holiday,” “Be Ever Wonderful,” “Shining Star,” “Let’s Groove” and—of course—the bar-b-que staple “September.” Fred was born in 1955 in Chicago into a family of musicians, that included his older brothers Maurice and Verdine White. Verdine took to Instagram to share from his heart,

“Our family is saddened today with the loss of an amazing and talented family member,

“Our beloved brother Frederick Eugene ‘Freddie’ White.

“He joins our brothers Maurice, Monte and Ronald in heaven and is now drumming with the angels!

“Child [prodigy], member of the EWF ORIGINAL 9, with gold records at the young age of 16 years old!”

To that point, at 15, Fred met a fellow Chicago wonder, Donny Hathaway, and weeks before graduating high school, was touring the nation with him. A product of the tour was the recording of the album “Donny Hathaway Live,” hailed by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the top 50 live albums ever.

Continuing Verdine’s sentiments, “He was brother number 4 in the family lineup. But more than that at home and beyond he was the wonderful bro that was always entertaining and delightfully mischievous! And we could always count on him to make a seemingly bad situation more lighthearted. He will live in our hearts forever, rest in power beloved Freddie!! Soar high baby bro, we love you to the shining stars and back!”

Preach!!!!

Over and out, all; holla next week, ’til then, enjoy the nightlife.

Written by David Goodson

Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, president of the NYS Conference of the NAACP, swore in Gov. Kathy Hochul (Don Pollard / Office of Governor Kathy Hochul photos)

Attorney General Tish James sworn in by Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer

Union Matters

NYC nurses on the brink of a strike action

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff

The NY State Nurses Association (NYSNA) put city hospitals on notice that they are ready to go on strike beginning January 9 if they cannot negotiate a new contract.

Some 98.8% of the city’s 17,000 nurses voted to authorize a strike as their union contracts came up for expiration on Dec. 31.

NYSNA President Nancy Hagans told the press that persistent staffing issues and low cost-of-living wages had caused union members to push for a strike authorization. “We don’t take striking lightly. Striking is always a last

resort,” she said in a news release. “But we are prepared to strike if our bosses give us no other option.”

The union informed New YorkPresbyterian, Montefiore, Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside and West, Maimonides, BronxCare, Richmond University Medical Center, and Flushing Hospital Medical Center that nurses would soon not be showing up for work. The warnings were meant to help hospital management prepare for the strike and plan how they would care for patients, NYSNA said.

Late on Saturday, Dec. 31, NYSNA reached a tentative agree-

ment with New York-Presbyterian, but even that proposed agreement reportedly includes only a 7 percent wage increase for this year and promises that additional nurses will be hired, if not immediately, over the next few years.

“The NYSNA bargaining committee at New York-Presbyterian will present the agreement to their members with a recommendation they accept the contract,” the union said. “The contract will be settled and ratified only with a majority vote by NYSNA members at the hospital.”

At the seven remaining hospitals, some 12,000 nurses could still strike beginning January 9, al-

though NYSNA says it is still in negotiations with each of them.

One of the main complaints is that too many nurses find themselves working on shifts where they are forced to care for too many patients at once. Nurses are overworked, particularly after having been heralded as brave workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now those same overworked nurses are burnt out and facing a “tripledemic” surge in flu, COVID-19 and RSV cases.

The short-staffing crisis is putting nurses and patients at risk, union members claim. “NYSNA nurses in New York City hospitals have been sounding the alarm

about chronic understaffing for years now,” said Matt Allen, an RN at Mount Sinai. “But at every turn, even after the devastation of COVID-19 shone a light on the problem for all to see, our hospitals have ignored nurses and continued to put profits over patient care. These so-called nonprofit hospitals lavish their executives with seven-figure salaries and bonuses, but they refuse to pay nurses fairly or protect our healthcare benefits. They pay temporary travel nurses 100% more than they pay a staff nurse, in a bottom-line driven attempt to Band-Aid over the problem that will only continue to worsen.”

NYSNA members at Montefiore Medical Center show they’re ‘Ready to Strike.’  (NYSNA photo)

Continued from page 5

misleading data to the U.S. News rankings. The MLB acknowledged minor league unionization. And Queen Elizabeth II of England died at age 96.

Shaun Powell—one of 12 Black firefighters killed on duty during 9/11—was immortalized in a Bed-Stuy street naming. “The White Lotus” won five Emmy awards. New York Times union members rejected return-to-office requests. Singer R. Kelly was convicted of child pornography and sex abuse charges.

Broadway’s Cort Theater was renamed after actor James Earl Jones. DOE Chancellor David Banks kicked off the school year at I.S 232 Middle School with famous alum Cardi B. Besides famous rappers, NYPD officers are also found at NYC schools, prompting backlash from advocates who argue the move hurts Black and brown students. And Howard blanked Moorehouse 31-0 at the HBCU NY Football Classic.

Four detainees died in DOC custody in 30 days.

The African American Day Parade returned to Harlem. Thespian Wendell Pierce starred in a Blackled Broadway rendition of Arthur Miller’s classic “Death of a Salesman.” The Las Vegas Aces won the WNBA title. And “Gangsta’s Paradise” rapper Coolio, born Artis Leon Ivey Jr., died at age 59.

Hurricane Fiona hit the Caribbean, leaving much of Puerto Rico without power. Hurricane Ian hit the coast of Florida. A new autopsy report shed further light on the Colorado police killing of Elijah McClain. Saxophonist Pharoah Sanders died at age 81. Black-owned Atlanta eatery Slutty Vegan opened a Brooklyn location. The Amsterdam News hosted the eighth Labor Breakfast Awards, celebrating the Coalition of Labor Union Women. Youngsters in Kenya pursued restitution from the Global North for change. And Ketanji Brown Jackson was the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court, taking her seat to end the month.

Public Hearing

Proposed Changes to Customer Service in Subway Stations, Including Elimination

of Station Booth Service

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (“MTA”) New York City Transit, will hold a public hearing for a change to Customer Booth Service at Stations and coverage during agent meal breaks. Booth service will be replaced with more effective and enhanced customer service outside of the booths.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has reached a landmark agreement with Transit Workers United 100 on the future of the station agent role in the subway system which will enable agents to support customer service needs more effectively in subway stations. In recognition of the changing environment at subway stations, station agents will shift from working within booths to performing customer service functions throughout the station outside of booths, including at turnstiles, fare media vending machines, and on platforms.

The role of the “booth-oriented” station agent dates to the era of tokens, and this change represents a modernization of the role, bringing agents out of booths to better serve the needs of customers in a 21st Century station environment. Rather than sitting in booths and conducting MetroCard transactions, the new station agent role will provide customer support out-of-booth. Station agents would return to the fare array area as necessary to assist customers who are not able to use the turnstiles or the AutoGate.

Each station currently staffed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week will continue to be staffed during those times, except during the station agent’s meal break. Information would be provided in stations about obtaining assistance during the meal break period, such as by using a Help Point intercom. Today when permanently assigned station agents take meal breaks, relief station agents temporarily staff the station booth. This relief coverage will be discontinued under the new customer service model.

In connection with these changes, a public hearing must be held regarding the change to customer booth service and the elimination of relief coverage during meal breaks.

Date, Time and Place of the Hearing Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Hearing begins at 6:00 p.m. — In person registration at the hearing site begins at 5:30 p.m. and closes at 6:30 p.m. Metropolitan Transportation Authority 2 Broadway, 20th Floor – William J. Ronan Board Room New York, NY 10004.

Registration to speak can be made in advance by visiting the website where registration will remain open through the hearing date.

Hearing will be virtual Zoom and livestreamed at https://youtu.be/VskrAU8sc8A. Those who want to participate in the hearing may do so:

By PC/Tablet/Smartphone: The public may join the hearing via Zoom or by calling (877) 853 5247 (Webinar ID: 868 0977 6902 Passcode: 6763366941). A link will also be provided on the MTA website.

By Phone: Dial-in: +1 877 853 5247 (Toll Free) Webinar ID: 868 0977 6902 # then #

For More Information, to Pre-Register to Speak, or to Submit Comments

Those wishing to pre-register to be heard at the Public Hearing must register on the website, verbal comments will be limited to three (3) minutes. You may present verbal testimony or submit written statements in lieu of or to supplement oral testimony concerning the proposed project. Written comments will be accepted online. Comments may also be submitted via postal mail to: MTA Government & Community Relations, Attn: Elimination of Station Booth Service, 2 Broadway, B20.81, New York, NY 10004

All written and online comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. February 1, 2023. Comments received after this date and time will not be considered.

Accessibility and Language Assistance Services

At the hybrid public hearing, CART Captioning and American Sign Language services will be available.

Members of the public who are deaf or hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or the free 711 relay service, and then ask to be connected to the public hearing hotline at (646) 252-6777 to speak with an agent.

Members of the public who are blind or have low vision can submit an accommodation request online at https://new.mta.info/transparency/station-booth-hearing before January 25, 2023 or call the public hearing hotline at 646-252-6777. Representatives are available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Members of the public who do not have access to a computer or who do not have access to the internet may listen to the hearing by calling the 1-877-853 5247 (toll-free) then entering Webinar ID: 868 0977 6902, followed by the pound (#) sign, followed again by the pound (#) sign.

If language assistance or any other accommodation is required, please submit a request at least five business days before the scheduled hearing date in one of the following ways: online, by calling the public hearing hotline at 646-252-6777, or by sending a letter to: MTA Government & Community Relations, Attn: Elimination of Station Booth Service, 2 Broadway, B20.81, New York, NY 10004. For those who make a timely request for language assistance, the MTA will provide interpretation or translation.

Met ropolit an Transpor

tat ion Au t hori ty

West Indian Day Parade (Bill Moore photo)

Mayor Eric Adams at Jacob Riis Houses in Manhattan to confirm water is clear for drinking. Saturday, September 10, 2022 (Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office photo)

What if?

It’s a shame—not the boondoggle that has discombobulated the House GOP, but that a majority vote on the next Speaker of the House isn’t in effect. If it were, then Rep. Hakeem Jeffries would take the gavel. When it comes to American politics, the current House of Representatives' situation is symptomatic of the problem. Nothing is as dismaying as understanding filibusters, gerrymandering, the Electoral College and when a majority vote is not sufficient.

Be that as it may, it was a pleasure to watch the Republicans get jammed, not by the unified Democrats, but the ultra-conservative wing of their own party. On Wednesday, if things go as planned, a fourth ballot vote for the next speaker will occur, but there is little hope that the issue will be settled.

And if Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Calif) manages to work out a deal, the political path ahead will continue to be bogged down with dissension and disagreement among GOP members, particularly when it comes to passing budget and other fiscal matters.

Now it’s reported that Trump who, in part, instigated the flummoxed GOP, has asked them to get behind McCarthy. If such a ploy works, it will only bring additional drama to a circumstance already beset with seemingly irreconcilable differences.

In short, the GOP is stuck in a gunk that, should it continue, would be a bonanza for the Democrats in the 2024 presidential race. Already a harbinger occurred when the GOP failed to get their predicted gains during the midterm elections.

We knew it would be a remarkable turn of events, but what if six disgruntled Republicans cut a deal with the Democrats and gave Jeffries the votes he needs to be the speaker? We know: Dream on!

2022 DEI strives that positively affected Black

By DR. KELLY MITCHELL BROWN, Equity Strategist

The unpaid work of Black women is the foundation of this country’s economic and political structures. Despite the significance of our contributions, our work must be more consistently valued and equitably paid. It is a tradition that we must be intentional about how Black women are honored, celebrated, supported and protected.

During Trevor Noah’s sign-off from “The Daily Show” on December 8, 2022, after a seven-year stint, he gave a special shout-out to Black women, saying that “if you truly want to learn about America, talk to Black women ’cause, unlike everybody else, Black women can’t afford to fxck around and find out.”

He went on to encourage viewers/listeners that if “you truly want to know what to do or how to do it or maybe the best way or the most equitable way, talk (and listen) to Black women.”

What had been lost over the last several years in these viral moments of #ThankBlackWomen and #MeToo is the in-depth analysis and discussion about the inaccurate generalization about Black women’s homogeneity with respect to our needs and experience(s).

Not all Black women have the same reality. In fact, there is significant variation in our experiences based on our choices—rational or circumstantial—regarding the issues that are important to us, to our families and to our community.

However, energizing and motivating Black women to continue to make gains in companies, politics, institutions, communities, etc., is grounded in a common reality that both racial and economic justice are integral priorities for us all.

Black women are capable of leading in all spaces well into the future. Our power is in our unique lived experiences, the diversity of perspectives and our

AMNEWS READERS WRITE

women

tradition of leading successful fights for justice.

It is the challenge of the workplaces, political institutions and communities at large to stop underusing us as leaders. It is our challenge to refrain from growing silent in the face of opposition or becoming complacent because of personal success.

We must continue to speak up about the ways that racism and sexism affect the lives of all working people.

To that end, many organizations, institutions and political spaces have been taking on new projects and conducting experiments for the development of an evidence-based framework to build Black women’s power.

By shaping a racial and economic justice analysis and agenda, organizations have aimed to ensure that Black women are no longer left behind in organizations, our communities or the nation.

Here are some of the major highlights from 2022.

• Ketanji Onyika Brown Jack-

son is a Black woman and American jurist who serves as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Jackson was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Joe Biden on February 25, 2022. She was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 7, 2022, and sworn into office on June 30, 2022.

• Claudine Gay, a Black woman, was elected President of Harvard University, on December 15, 2022, and will take office on July 1, 2023.

Black women were among the most effective, whether they won or lost, in standing up against Trumpism and extremism, and were, more than other candidates, targeted with an onslaught of dark money attacks during the 2022 midterms:

• Summer Lee became the first Black woman elected to Congress from Pennsylvania.

Elected officials should make transparency their new year’s resolution

By PAUL WOLF, ESQ.

In January, many will start the New Year with goals to exercise more, eat better, lose weight, etc. January will also be when newly elected public servants or incumbents starting another term take office across New York State.

Old habits are hard to change

in people and especially hard to change in government. The biggest issue in government today is the lack of trust the public has in their elected leaders. The best way to build trust as an elected official is through transparency. Elected officials should begin 2023 by conducting the public’s business in an open and transparent way. To show their commitment to open government, elected officials serving on a village board, town board, city council or county legislature should introduce and pass a new year’s resolution stating they will:

online, no more than two weeks after a meeting occurs.

Allow members of the public to speak at the beginning of a meeting regarding agenda and non-agenda items, whether attending in person or remotely.

Live-stream their meetings by video and post the video recording online afterward.

Only conduct private executive sessions on rare occasions and in accordance with the New York State Open Meetings Law.

There is no reason to hold private political party caucus meetings at the local level to discuss political or public business. Secret meetings build a lack of trust among the public.

Nayaba Arinde: Editor

Cyril Josh Barker: Digital Editor

Damaso Reyes: Investigative Editor

Siobhan "Sam" Bennett: Chief Revenue Officer and Head of Advertising

Wilbert A. Tatum (1984-2009): Chairman of the Board, CEO and Publisher Emeritus

Post timely notice of all meetings at least one week before all meetings.

Post meeting agendas and all meeting documents online at least 24 hours before a meeting occurs.

Post draft meeting minutes

Just because you can hold an executive session does not mean that you have to. A motion to hold an executive session to discuss litigation, personnel or collective bargaining is not sufficient: The Open Meetings Law requires motions to state more information when holding an executive session.

Agree not to hold private political party caucus meetings.

Post information about the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) in a visible place on your website. Proactively post documents online as much as possible so the public can access information without having to file a FOIL request. Post an easy, fill-in-the-blank form on your website that assists the public in filing a FOIL request by email.

Commit to ensuring that all FOIL requests are acknowledged within five days as required by law and that information is provided to the public promptly.

Paul Wolf, Esq., is president of the New York Coalition for Open Government.

Elinor R. Tatum: Publisher and Editor in Chief

Kristin Fayne-Mulroy: Managing Editor

Enough is Enough: It’s

Time to Take Back Our Streets From Criminals

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the New York Amsterdam News. We continue to publish a variety of viewpoints so that we may know the opinions of others that may differ from our own.

ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS

The streets of America are in chaos. Amidst that chaos, young people are taking advantage of the situation to loot and destroy stores, with no regard for the safety of others. Videos of these ruthless thieves have gone viral, showing them ransacking stores and taking whatever they can get their hands on. The cost of this “smash-and-grab” behavior is staggering, with stores losing billions of dollars. And who ultimately pays the price? The consumers, of course, as the cost is passed on to them. It’s a frightening and dangerous situation that shows no signs of stopping.

As the chaos on the streets continues to escalate, the criminals have become bolder than ever. In broad daylight, they are now stealing with impunity. Recently, a video went viral of a group of young men stealing tens of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from an Apple store on Black Friday. Astonishingly, the patrons and store employees told the thieves to take what they wanted and [were instructed] not to interfere.

This is the state of our society today: We are allowing people to steal without any consequences. What kind of example are we setting for our children? What kind of standards are we saying are acceptable?

If we continue to tolerate petty theft, it will only lead to worse consequences. Some of these young people will escalate to robbing innocent people, breaking into homes and putting all of our lives at risk. We must set examples and impose punishments to show our young people that this kind of behavior is unacceptable. The normalization of theft has the potential to lead to even more dangerous and costly crime, placing a further burden on our

society. We must take action now, before it’s too late.

It is clear that relying solely on law enforcement is not an effective solution to the problem of petty theft and other crimes. We must take steps to create opportunities for young people, so they can lead fulfilling and productive lives. This means investing in education, job training and other programs that can help them develop the skills and values they need to thrive.

It is essential that we as a society focus on instilling the values of hard work, perseverance and discipline in our young men. These values are the building blocks of a successful and harmonious society. Without them, we may see an increase in violence and attacks on innocent, hardworking people. Nobody should have to live in fear for their possessions or their lives because of the actions of individuals who lack respect for the efforts of others. It is crucial that we prioritize teaching these values and creating a society where everyone can live in peace and security.

When it comes to protecting our society and streets from crime, some have suggested redirecting funds from law enforcement to therapists. Don’t get me wrong: Mental health is vital, but it is only a prophylactic. Therapists can’t stop a deranged individual with a gun from committing a violent act, nor can they persuade a thief to abandon their criminal intentions. Force is often necessary to prevent ongoing violent crimes. And while no amount of conversation can replace the impact of force on an ongoing criminal act, investing in mental health services can help prevent crimes from happening in the first place. That’s why we need to em -

power law enforcement to enforce the laws that keep us safe and invest more in mental health services.

Over the past few years, law enforcement has been under attack. As a result, many officers are hesitant to intervene when they see crimes being committed. But what will those who seek to destroy society do when they are victims of crime? When their homes are robbed or their children are in danger, will they still think that it’s okay for criminals to run rampant? I doubt it. And yet, some in our society continue to advocate for policies that will ultimately harm them. When they realize the impact of their actions, I believe they will change their minds. It’s time for us to support law enforcement and put a stop to the destruction of our society.

It’s time for us to take a stand and establish clear standards for behavior in our society. We must prohibit breaking the law, taking what doesn’t belong to us and causing harm to innocent people. These standards are simple and easy for everyone to follow, and they would create a more harmonious society. If we don’t take action to stop criminal behavior, we risk normalizing it and putting our young people on a path towards destruction. Let’s set standards that our forefathers would be proud of and give our young people the opportunity to succeed, rather than lead them down a path of destruction.

Armstrong Williams (@ARightSide) is manager / sole owner of Howard Stirk Holdings I & II Broadcast Television Stations and the 2016 Multicultural Media Broadcast Owner of the year. www.armstrongwilliams.co | www.howardstirkholdings.com

Happy New Year!

CHRISTINA GREER PH.D.

Happy New Year, dear reader. What do you want 2023 to look like for you? I must admit, I always like odd-numbered years— they always seem to be filled with exciting and unpredictable new beginnings. I don’t know why, but this year feels like it will be filled with lots of exciting gems on personal and professional fronts…possibly because my family loves the number 23 and so many people in my family have birthdays that fall on the 23rd of a month.

I, for one, am looking forward to finishing some writing projects that have been on my desk for far too long. I am also looking forward to beginning some new projects that have nothing to do with politics and elections. I am trying to continue to balance my work life with hobbies that interest me.

I love traveling and have a few trips already lined up. I need to make a list of places I would like to visit in 2023— local, national and international. Because as we have all realized lately, time flies. I am excited about visiting a few countries I’ve never been to, but I am also excited to spend a bit more time in Queens and parts of Brooklyn I tend to ignore.

Ever since the start of the pandemic, I have not been reading as much fiction as I’d like. I hope that I spend less time on my phone looking at Twitter and Instagram, and make time for reading fiction (like I did before I bought a smartphone). There are so many great novels and books of poetry sitting on my shelves that I have yet to read. I can’t wait to dedicate more time to discovering new worlds on the page.

Some of you may know

that I am a birder. This past year, I snuck out a few times and went birding at midday and had an incredible time. Birding is so great for my soul. Spending time in nature seeing beautiful little birds surrounding us; listening to their calls; and walking for miles with a dear friend discussing birds, nature, life and more is an amazing way to spend a day. I do hope I make a concerted effort to be in nature more this year.

Lastly, and I say this every year, I want to be better at physical fitness. I’m no longer 22 and able to eat and drink whatever I want. I hope 2023 brings a level of excitement for me and my overall health, whether its exercise, yoga, meditation or walking more.

What are your goals and intentions for 2023? What can you do with family and friends to make your 2023 the best year for you? Whatever it is, make it your best year yet.

Christina Greer, PhD, is an associate professor at Fordham University; the author of Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream; co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC; and host of the Blackest Questions podcast at TheGrio.

New York City kicked off the month with the city’s 62nd Nigeria Independence Day parade. Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte held onto her seat as Brooklyn Democratic Party head via reelection after an eight-hour long meeting that many deemed “confusing.” Playwright Charles Fuller died at the age of 83.

President Joe Biden pardoned all federal offenses for simple marijuana possession. He called for governors to follow suit on the state level. A migrant shelter in Orchard Beach was relocated to Randall’s Island after flooding and community pushback. Councilmember Shahana Hanif questioned why the facility, which was meant to house newly arrived asylum seekers, was built by a contractor that built parts of ex-Pres. Donald Trump’s wall, which was meant to keep out newly arrived asylum seekers. The city of Rochester, N.Y. settled for $12 million with Daniel Prude’s five children over the Chicago man’s 2020 killing by police during a mental health crisis response. And a Harlem shooting on 125th and Lennox left a former NYPD detective hospitalized.

“Till” premiered across the country, directed by Chinonye Chukwu. The film depicts the story of Mamie Till-Mobley, the mother of Emmett Till, after her son was murdered in 1955. Mayor Eric Adams declared a citywide state of emergency due to the influx of migrants and asylum seekers bussed from the southern border by politicians such as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. He also announced rest hubs for food delivery workers, which would be erected from abandoned city spaces like newspaper stands.

Yankees’ outfielder Aaron Judge hit his 62nd home run, breaking Roger Maris’ single-season American League home-run

record. Three people were fatally stabbed in 10 days on public transit. Rapper Kanye West’s Twitter and Instagram pages were locked after anti-Semitic posts. And a pumpkin in Lancaster, N.Y. broke a North American record after weighing in at a whopping 2,554 pounds.

Two people were shot outside of Rep. Lee Zeldin’s home. The incident did not sway the Republican gubernatorial candidate’s “tough on crime” stance. The Supreme Court rejected Dylann Roof’s appeal for the conviction and death penalty for killing nine Black churchgoers in South Carolina. Former New York Liberty forward Tiffany Jackson passed away at age 37 after a long battle with breast cancer. The Statue of Liberty opened up for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Newark Municipal Council voted to invest $2 million towards Black and brown businesses. The Center of Black Literature at Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York celebrated its 20th year. The Mets’ historic season ended with a disappointing postseason elimination to the San Diego Padres during the Wild Card round. Columbus Day Parade drew thousands including Mayor Adams although pressure to absolve the occasion or reappropriate it to Indigenous People’s Day remains. Former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder won by knockout in less than one round at Barclays Center.

No jail time for actor Cuba Gooding Jr., who pled guilty to charges stemming from accusations of inappropriate touching and forcible kissing by women in New York City nightclubs. Jean McGuire, 91, was stabbed in Boston. She is the first Black woman to serve on the city’s school committee and was released from the hospital a week later. Guns remained banned in Times Square despite ongoing litigation to overturn the New York

state law preventing concealed carry from entering key areas through the city. In Thailand, an ex-policeman killed 36 people—many children—in a nursery with a gun and a knife.

Apollo Theater President and CEO Jonelle Procope announced she would be stepping down next summer. Councilmember Charles Barron wrote a scathing letter to Mayor Eric Adams over city plans to build another shelter, arguing the move violated the fair-share act. In Los Angeles, recordings leaked of City Council Members Kevin de León, Nury Martinez and Gil Cedillo making racist comments about colleagues and constituents. Flooding in Nigeria killed 600 people and displaced 1.4 million more. In Raleigh, North Carolina, a teenager killed five people in a mass shooting, including his brother.

Mayor Adams and Gov. Hochul announced police officers on platforms to address increased violent transit crime. Diwali, the Hindu “celebration of lights,” became an official holiday in New York City. In Russia, Brittney Griner was denied her appeal to shorten her nine-month sentence. Building service workers from 32BJ went on strike to protest unfair labor practices at a Manhattan luxury building.

The Yankees were denied the World Series after the Houston Astros swept the “Bronx Bombers” in the American League Series. Bronx-based designer Bob Gumbs died at age 83. Mayor Adams hosted a two-day summit to address the city’s growing public safety concerns. Starbucks workers went on strike at the coffee chain’s NYC roastery. Muhammad Abdul Aziz, 84, and the estate of Khalil Islam received $36 million for the two mens’ wrongful convictions in the murder of Malcolm X. Mayor Adams appointed Laura Kavanaugh as FDNY fire commissioner. She’s the first woman to hold the position. Starr Andrews became

the first Black woman to medal in a Grand Prix figure skating competition. Singer Trey Songz was accused of assaulting a Lower East Side bowling alley employee.

The Rev. Calvin O. Butts III, famed leading pastor of Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church, died at age 73. The death count in NYC Department of Corrections custody rises to 18. Paul Pelosi—husband of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi—was attacked in his San Francisco home by a Canadian far-right extremist. The London Natural History Museum and Cambridge University worked with Zimbabwe on returning skulls of anti-imperialist heroes to the southern African nation. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva—simply known as Lula—became Brazilian president just three years after he was released from prison, defeating right-wing incumbent Jair Bolsonaro. And New Yorkers throughout the city enjoyed a happy Halloween, including Seal’s ex-wife Heidi Klum,

who dressed up as a giant worm.

October 3: Mayor Adams makes a subway safety-related announcement with New York Governor Kathy Hochul (Diane Bondareff/Mayoral Photo Office)

Nigeria parade co-organizers at the Nigerian Consulate (Bill Moore photo)

Movie still “Till” Pictures (Photo by Lynsey Weatherspoon / Orion Pictures © 2022 ORION RELEASING LLC. All Rights Reserved) Mayor Eric Adams attends Robinhood/Harlem DREAM’s Trick-or-Treat Street Party (Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office)

Continued from page 11

Rev. Calvin O. Butts III (Bill Moore photo)

"Till" premiere (Courtesy photo)

Continued from page 14

The 11th month of the year started tragically with the shooting death of rap group Migos member Takeoff in Houston. He was 28. Kenyans Evans Chebet and Sharon Lokedi finished first in the New York City Marathon men’s and women’s races respectively, beating out celebrity participants such as actor Ashton Kutcher and ex-Giants running back Tiki Barber. Pay transparency law went into effect, mandating that prospective employers list salary ranges for job openings. And Candy Crush brightened the New York City night sky with a drone light show to celebrate the smartphone game’s 10-year anniversary.

Kyrie Irving fouled out with Nike, as the sportswear giant dropped the Nets’ star guard (and his next signature shoe) over tweeting anti-Semitic films. He was also suspended for at least five games and mandated to apologize. Lena Horne was the first Black woman with a Broadway Theater honored after her. The former Brooks Atkinson Theater was now named after the Grammy-winning entertainer, who famously marched on Washington during the Civil Rights Movement. Reel Sisters of The Diaspora Film Festival celebrated 25 years of movie magic. Black Solidarity Day was observed throughout the Tri-State area.

Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul defeated Rep. Lee Zeldin in the New York gubernatorial election, although by much narrower margins than initially expected. She was the first woman elected as the state’s governor. Also staying in office were State Attorney General Letitia James and Sen. Chuck Schumer. In Georgia, incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp defeated Stacey Abrams in a 2018 rematch, while Sen. Raphael Warnock and Heisman Trophy-winning running back Hershel Walker went into a run-off for a pivotal senate seat. Wes Moore was elected as Maryland’s first Black governor. Democrats

ultimately held the Senate while the Republicans flipped the House.

A viral video of white University of Kentucky student Sophia Rosing racially abusing Black student workers led to her permanent ban from the school’s campus. More than 8,000 suspected cholera cases were found in Haiti. Brittney Griner was transferred to a Russian penal colony known for harsh conditions. The Netherlands apologized to Suriname for Dutch participation in the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The New York Jets topped off a surprising start with an upset over Super Bowl favorites Buffalo Bills.

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” shattered multiple American and Canadian box office records as the second installment of the superhero film treads new ground following the 2020 death of lead actor Chadwick Boseman. The recently opened migrant “tent” housing facility on Randall’s Island was unceremoniously closed. Residents were transferred to fully indoor hotel shelters. And Elon Musk took over Twitter. The social media site saw a huge uptick in racial slurs as the Tesla CEO promised more “free speech.”

Veterans Day Parade returned to New York City. The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree arrived at “30 Rock.” Tourists rejoiced. Marijuana dispensary licenses went up in smoke in parts of New York as a judge halted distribution in Brooklyn. Virginia McLaurin—known for dancing with then-President Barack Obama during a Black History Month White House visit—died at presumed age 113, although the sharecrop-

per’s daughter could never track down her birth certificate as was common for those born under Jim Crow Laws.

“The Lion King” turned 25 on Broadway. It’s the circle of life, after all. In Alabama, HBCU volleyball players from Talladega College withdrew from a conference tournament after racist harassment. Actress Lena Waithe was announced as the 2023 American Black Film Fest ambassador. Gov. Hochul declared a state of emergency after severe snow and cold in Upstate New York. Workers from 100 nationwide Starbucks locations went on strike as unionizing efforts at the world’s biggest coffee chain continue. The city workforce saw the greatest decline since the Great Depression.

Student loan debt relief was once again paused thanks to federal judges. Political prisoner Mutulu Shakur—stepfather of 2Pac—was granted his compassionate release as the New Afrikan leader continues to battle with cancer. Kyrie Irving rejoined the Nets after suspension. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries made a bid to replace Nancy Pelosi and become first Black House party leader. The state rolled out the first 36 recreational marijuana dispensary licenses. And Nas released his 16th studio album, “King’s Disease III.” Harlem fired up holiday lights on 125th Street. Cecilia “Cissy” Suyat Marshall— widow of former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall—died at age 94. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso jump-started a Black and brown maternal health campaign. Exonerated Five member Yusef Salaam joined the already crowded field of State Assembly Members Inez Dickens and Al Taylor for incumbent Kristin Richardson Jordan’s Harlem District 9 City Council Seat. 188 misdemeanor convictions tied to eight discredited NYPD officers were vacated by Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg. The Buffalo mass shooter

who targeted Black shoppers pleaded guilty for supermarket massacre. Singer-actress Irene Cara died at age 63.

And New Yorkers celebrated Thanksgiving as the Macy’s Parade ran for the 96th time. During the holiday, Mayor Adams visited a mother detained at Rikers. NYPD officers saved a straphanger from the subway tracks seconds before an incoming train arrived.

Brooklyn was in the House as Rep. Hakeem Jeffries was elected by colleagues to replace Nancy Pelosi and lead the party in Congress. The United States Justice Department intervened in Jackson, Miss. as the Black-majority city continues to face a water crisis. A Bronx mother was charged with killing her two children. Grad student workers went on strike locally at the New School, as well as in California, over low wages. An old photo resurfaced of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones protesting integrated schools.

Mayor Adams directed police and medical workers to commit mentally-ill New Yorkers who cannot care for themselves, even if they refuse and are not an immediate threat to others. He also traveled to Greece for an anti-Semitism summit.

“Walker, Texas Ranger” actor Clarence Gilyard Jr. died at age 66. Unlikely hero Mike White stepped in for struggling starting quarterback Zach Wilson to lead Jets to victory over the Chicago Bears. And a new Alzheimer’s drug showed promising results but with side effects.

Evans Chebet of Kenya, competing in the NYC Marathon for the first time, finished atop the winner’s podium on Sunday with a time of 2:08:41 (Bill Moore photo)

Benedict College Band plays in Harlem and represented the HBCUs in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (Bill Moore photo)

November 19, 2022 - Buffalo, NY - Buffalo and Western New York dig out from heavy lake effect snow (Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)

Housing facilities for asylum seekers on Randall's Island on Tuesday, October 18, 2022. (Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2022 MARVEL)

Governor Kathy Hochul wins reelection (Ariama C. Long photo)

Singer-actor Irene Cara dies at 63

Sen. Raphael Warnock (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Caribbean Update

Gang violence, weapons smuggling plague some Caricom nations

BY BERT WILKINSON Special to AmNews

As regional governments refocus after extended December and New Year’s holiday weekends, authorities in several nations say they will redouble efforts to tackle serious crimes at home, gangland violence, in particular in the coming weeks. The island recorded more than 1,483 murders last year, a 1.2 percent increase over 2021.

Jamaica, Trinidad, the Bahamas and Barbados have all seen mostly exponential spikes in the number of murders in the past year.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said he is so frustrated by the situation that he hopped on a plane early last month, met with U.S. security officials and handed them a list of 30 U.S.-based Jamaicans who he says are the foreignbased intellectual authorities of serious crimes on the island. He wants the U.S. to

authorities to take action against those on the list because local police think they have much to do with the smuggling of high-powered arms to the island for gangs across the country.

“This is the start of a process of getting a more intense cooperation in treating with the foreign actors in our local crime — those dons, those who have migrated overseas — that in this [holiday] season, they will be sending the bag of rice and all the other goodies in the barrel, but secreted in that bag of rice, wrapped up in that blanket, will be a gun or ammunition or parts thereof,” he told journalists.

Gangland violence has affected commercial and other activities in several parishes across the country, forcing the administration to impose limited states of emergency to combat gangland violence, murders and other serious crimes.

Holness says he hopes the

two sides can step up extradition of criminals wanted in respective jurisdictions by using existing bilateral agreements as crime spirals out of control.

The other major Caricom member nation of major crime concern has to do with the twin-island federation of Trinidad and Tobago.

Outgoing ceremonial President Paula Mae Weekes said in a holiday message that people in Trinidad in particular might have well become tone-deaf and indifferent to the number of senseless murders occurring daily.

“My overarching wish for the nation is for grace and peace,” said Weekes. “I

fear that we have become a “savage people” Lines drawn between ethnicities, political affiliations, the haves and have-nots, worker and employer, citizens and migrants have solidified into intolerance, impatience, unkindness, vitriol and, in many cases, downright nastiness.”

The nation recorded a staggering 601 murders last year compared to 448 in 2021. The previous highest number of killings was tallied at 550 in 2008.

Gangland and organized crime, including the smuggling of high-powered weapons into the country mostly from Florida, has remained a major political bugbear for successive

governments and is a major campaign issue electorally.

Prime Minister Keith Rowley said a more structured approach will be made to tackle this scourge this year, but it will need help from the public.

“Recognize crime as a public emergency in which every citizen has a part to play. If you see something harmful or threatening, say something. We have established safe channels where your information can assist. Hold up your patriotic and ethical duty to play an active role in society, by showing your participation and advancement for the common good of Trinidad and Tobago,” Rowley said in a holiday message.

Other normally crime-quiet countries struggling with gun violence and murders in the past year include the Bahamas, Barbados, St. Vincent and neighbor St. Lucia.

The Bahamas closed 2022 with nearly 130 murders, compared with a previous highest of 73 in 20, while Barbados jotted down 40 murders, the highest since 2019. St. Lucia fared even worse with 72, just two fewer than the previous year. For Prime Minister Phillip Davis in the Bahamas, the situation is unacceptable.

“We are all concerned about the murder rate, and the level of homicide in our country is unacceptable,” Davis said. “We are putting in place initiatives to curb it and hopefully those initiatives will be bearing fruit in short order. We have a disruptive plan, which I can’t go into any details of. We have a saturation patrol plan. We have a violent breakers plan, and we intend to engage ...”

Republicans turn their focus to the border

to turn away “certain migrants” to achieve “operational control” at the U.S. border.

Republicans took over control of the 118th U.S. Congress on Jan. 3, but days before, they were already announcing a new act that will focus on the issue they love: the border between the U.S. and Mexixo.

Steve Scalise (R-La.), the incoming House majority leader, announced on Dec. 30 that the Border Safety and Security Act will be brought up in the first two weeks of 2023.

The Act, according to Scalise, would allow the Homeland Security secretary

Scalise did not lay out any qualifiers, but if his past diatribe on immigration is any indication, expect this 118th Republican-controlled Congress to be largely antiimmigrant and anti-immigration.

In April 2022, Scalise emphasized that unless the Biden administration reverses its pro-amnesty policies, “illegal immigrants, drug cartels and human traffickers will continue to take advantage of the United States’ open border.”

That means it is fair to assume the plan will largely

be to “seal our borders as a matter of national security,” as he has said since 2008.

This is also the same lawmaker who showed up at a press conference in April 2021 with a milk carton with Vice President Kamala Harris’s face on it and declared her “missing” at the border.

Scalise also took issue with the Biden administration offering COVID-19 vaccines to everyone, including the undocumented, and cosponsored the Birthright Citizenship Act to redefine “birthright citizenship” to exclude the children of undocumented immigrants, whom he referred to as “anchor babies.”

He also voted to ban

DREAMers from military service and just last year, urged his fellow Republicans to vote against the Dream Act, which would have protected young immigrants from deportation. Scalise also insists that “amnesty is not an option” but is for a merit-based immigration system.

While the bill, if passed in the House, may be dead on arrival in the Senate, Americans will be in for a lame duck Congress in 2023, where nothing gets done and the back and forth gets worse.

The fact is that the majority of Americans agree the issue at the southern border, which has led to bussing migrants across the

country into major cities that are now unable to keep up, is untenable.

Arrest and deportation data from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), support how insane this situation is. During fiscal year 2022, between Oct. 2021 and Sept. 30, 2022, ICE deportation agents carried out 142,750 immigration arrests, an increase of 93 percent compared to the previous fiscal year.

We cannot keep this up.

Scalise and his Republican bands of border lockers need to proffer logical solutions to solve the problem, not simply offer up bills based on drumming up hysteria.

It is time to pass common

sense immigration reform. The American people need reform that enhances security at the border and ports of entry; a pathway forward for people who were here in an undocumented capacity and have been here for years; an update on the asylum laws that allows application for asylum at a U.S. consulate in a country overseas; and a focus on an immigration program to address the labor shortages in the country. That’s what is needed in 2023. Will Scalise and GOP Band step up to the plate or drop it as usual?

The writer is publisher of NewsAmericasNow. com – The Black Immigrant Daily News.

IMMIGRATION KORNER

“Gangland violence has affected commercial and other activities in several parishes across the country, forcing the administration to impose limited states of emergency to combat gangland violence, murders and other serious crimes.”

Best Black Books of 2022 Part Two

By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the AmNews

The connotation of “newness” denotes that something else must be considered “old.” New cannot exist without old, but the beauty of the mind and the blessing of the individual mindset or outlook brings about a certain freedom to define modes of duality into something completely different — a third path. In compiling this list of the Best Black Books of 2022, I do not desire for these pieces of literature to be considered old or something of the past. I hope they will be marked as books to consider, read and re-read well into the future. Many readers ingest the same books several times throughout their lifetimes, learning something new with each revisit, deepening their understanding into each passage.

Just because 2023 has manifested, it does not mean we should forget all that we have gleaned from 2022, a year that brought an array of Black writers and books to the fore of Western and global consciousness. This is part two of Best Black Books of 2022, which will differ slightly from part one in that excerpts of my coverage of these books in Amsterdam News throughout the year will appear in the highlights of each book.

Black Country Music: Listening for Revolutions | Francesca Royster (University of Texas Press)

English professor and scholar Francesca Royster’s book Black Country Music follows the author on an observational and historical journey through the racially divisive undertones of American country music. “I felt like there was a lot of distraction or discomfort, talking to other Black people about country music. I really wanted to pursue that, understand it and also think about it in terms of my own experience being in Nashville. That set me on the course, researching, interviewing friends, getting a sense of different everyday people sharing the same mixture of interest but also [the] discomfort [of] talking about

it. I thought, there’s a story here,” Royster told the Amsterdam News earlier this year. This book is just as personal as it is a well of knowledge regarding the history of the Black country tradition and the artists who contribute to it, past and presence.

Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, the Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm | Dan Charnas (Swift Press)

Earlier this year, we noted three hip hop nonfiction books that emerged in 2022. One of the selections was one of the most acclaimed books of the year: Dilla Time. “Award-winning journalist and hip hop music business expert, Dan Charnas teaches a course at New York University entitled ‘Topics In Recorded Music: J-Dilla, a definitive look at the life and music of the late Detroit born hip hop production genius, J Dilla.’ Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, the Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm journeys from Dilla’s childhood

to his untimely death of a rare blood disease. He is known to be one of the most revered hip hop producers of all time, unequivocally defining the sound of the hip hop soul area in the 1990s and 2000s,” said the Amsterdam News in August 2022.

Black Disability Politics | Sami Schalk (Duke University Press)

Black Disability Politics is a profound exploration and documentation of a cultural topic that has gone overlooked throughout the entire history of the Black American experience. This examination of the process of freedom fighting for rights, validation and voices advocating for disabled Black citizens is an important history to share with the world. Sami Schalk, an associate professor of Gender & Women’s Studies at the University of Wisconsin, writes about the history of Black disability politics, giving a deeply important view of the fight for the rights of disabled Black people in America since the 1970s.

The Black Girlhood Studies Collection | Aria S. Halliday, Editor, & Various Contributors (Canadian Scholars’ Press)

The Black Girlhood Studies Collection author, assistant professor of Gender and Women’s Studies Aria S.“Halliday does an amazing job of creating a thoughtful and well-researched literary environment that considers Black girls in a world that ignores the deep crevices of their lives and perspectives,” said the Amsterdam News in August 2022. Black girlhood is another disparaged, underresearched and underserved population of the world, and Halliday acknowledges this sector of marginalized people residing in the United States, Canada, the African diaspora and the Caribbean. The Black Girlhood Studies Collection is a vital volume of thoughtful intellectual insights ranging from “self-care and fan activism to political role models and new media, this interdisciplinary collection engages with Black feminist and womanist theory, hip-hop pedagogy, resistance theory, and ethnography,” wrote the book’s publisher.

Ain’t But a Few of Us: Black Music Writers Tell Their Story | Willard Jenkins, Editor, & Various Contributors (Duke University Press)

Within the span of the nearly a century of the Black music genre, which has also been understood and revered as a Black spiritual, improvisational practice, there have been a disturbingly minimal number of Black jazz writers, broadcasters, journalists and critics. This reality — the overwhelming majority of white writers and editors who specialize in covering jazz — was initially ad-

dressed with vigor by writer and thinker LeRoy/Leroi Jones, later known as Amiri Baraka, followed by writings about this issue over the next 60 years. Nonetheless, in 2022, a modern, fresh collection of interviews entitled Ain’t But a Few of Us gives voice to Black jazz writers from the 1940s to today in a triumphantly panoramic view of the visceral experience of Black jazz journalists and those who choose to cover the music successfully, by being published widely and regularly throughout their careers.

Signs & Skymates: The Ultimate Guide to Astrological Compatibility (Running Press)

Black mysticism and astrology has existed under the radar of modern popular culture since the New Age era arose in America in the 1960s, gaining popularity in white mainstream culture in the 1970s and ’80s. This, in turn, caused Black practitioners to live and work quietly, finding it tough to attain diverse clients in need of healing and guidance outside of their community or local region. 2022 brought the publication of the definitive book, Signs & Skymates. “West African astrologer Dossé-Via Trenou has created a definitive guide for astrological compatibility. Signs & Skymates will enlighten readers about their relationships with family, friends and selves through Via Trenou’s comprehensive style that uses ‘whole-chart houses’ to find compatibility between people’s astrology charts.Compatibility is found when two people’s birth charts are compared and even overlaid upon one another to find the commonalities, synchronicities, differences and clashes between two people who are in a relationship.” The book encourages “readers to expand their ideas about each sign — including the ones in their own chart.”

“Whether you are very experienced in astrology or just learning, this book will assist you in discovering the nature of your interpersonal connections,” said the Amsterdam News in September 2022.

Best Black Books of 2022 Part Two.jpg

“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” gets pain, music pitch-perfect

By MARGRIRA Special to AmNews

It seems like yesterday that the news hit the world that Whitney Houston had crossed over, because her music is still very much alive.

The world of pop-music biopics usually focuses on artists who have been dead and gone for a long time, long enough for them to step into the mystical, legendary sector. That’s not the case with the tragic life and death of “the” Whitney Houston.

Under director Kasi Lemmons, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” steps into the rise of Houston with British actress Naomi Ackie in the starring role. Houston’s first album was released in 1985 and her rise to stardom was fast because of her extraordinary voice and the media’s hunger to chronicle her every step.

Ackie hits the nail on the head like a medieval villain. Meaning, she nailed it, channeling the inner wow that made Houston a legend. The audience understands that the actress is lip-syncing, but she brings the diva back to life through all of her songs and her movements with precision.

Lemmons brings her best to the screenplay, written by Anthony McCarten (“Bohemian Rhapsody”). This story paints Houston’s rise and failure with a genuine touch, starting from her gospel church roots and following how her drug addiction started — casual use with her brothers in their middle-class community of East Orange, N.J. The love affair with Robyn Crawford (Nafessa Williams), a relationship that Houston started to hide once she became a bona fide star, is also explored in a sincere and matter-offact manner.

Then there are the songs — and the correct decision by director Lemmons to use her real voice throughout the movie, which transforms a basic rise and fall story into something of a triumph.

Along with music legend Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci), the Arista mogul with the Midas touch, we are front and center at Sweetwater’s, a New York nightclub where he first heard her voice when her controlling mother, Cissy Houston (Tamara Tunie), was the headlin-

er. When the young singer devours the song “The Greatest Love of All,” it will give you chills. Two weeks later, the young singer is wowing the world on “The Merv Griffin Show,” opening the gate to videos and concert appearances. In the now-classic song “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” her gospel sound smashed against the unbridled joy of pop music and helped shape Houston into one of the greatest female popular singers in the world, stepping into orbit with Aretha Franklin.

Everyone knows that the music industry is brutal. There’s a long, long line of discarded musicians who have been chewed up and spit out. Houston, despite her brilliance, is one such victim. She was tossed into the music industry by her greedy father-manager and forced to hide her loving relationship with Crawford. In that

era, being a lesbian or bi-sexual was considered a career killer, so she tosses Crawford out like trash and starts sleeping with men, but she keeps Crawford in her business life as her creative director — a recipe for disaster.

Houston tells anyone who would listen that she wants a husband, but one must ask, with distance giving a better perspective, was Crawford the love of her life? The homophobic world could have crushed Houston, who repressed herself and the traumas that came to devour her later. Then there’s the loss of an audience segment who accuses her of not “being Black enough” when the real Whitney knows exactly who she is. The images of her on the video, oh, so bright and flirtatious, make her feel deeply alienated.

What’s interesting in this film is

how Houston carefully chooses from the songs that Davis presents to her. It was clear that her musical taste was broad, with songs that reflected her inner core. It’s hard to believe in 2023 that this brilliant songstress was ever booed, but it happened in 1988 at the Soul Train Music Awards. The film makes the point that it’s no coincidence that that’s the night she meets Bobby Brown (Ashton Sanders), who quickly hitches his wagon to her rising star.

Houston and Brown have a fatal attraction and she gives him her power in exchange for street credibility, or so she imagined. It’s painful to watch a woman sliding down into addiction. Her lack of self-esteem makes her feel comfortable with Bobby and she wants a home so badly that she ignores his party animal ways. He’s utterly untrustworthy, like her own father,

who treats her like an ATM. This woman gets stripped and ripped off, causing her more stress.

“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” is open about Houston’s cocaine addiction and as we watch her being pulled in all directions we feel front and center to the chaos. To Lemmons’s credit, her direction has the necessary intimacy needed to tell the story of a brilliant artist being dismantled. The ending of the film is a stroke of genius, leaving us with the music that made Whitney Houston the legend that she is.

“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” directed by Kasi Lemmons. Screenplay by Anthony McCarten. Starring Naomi Ackie, Stanley Tucci, Nafessa Williams, Tamara Tunie, Clarke Peters, Ashton Sanders and Bria Danielle Singleton.

“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” is now playing.

Naomi Ackie in Tristar Pictures’ “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” (Emily Aragones / © 2021 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved)

Dance Calendar January 2023

By Charmaine Patricia Warren Special to AmNews

Bring in the new year with festivals at NYLA (Live Artery), the Guggenheim (Works & Process), the LGBT Community Center (Out-FRONT! Fest.), BAAD (Bronx Artists Now: Showcase & Conversation!) and the Joyce Theater (American Dance Platform).

From Jan. 10–16, Live Artery will present a mix of performances and excerpt showings in the studios with Bill T. Jones/ the Arnie Zane Company, Joanna Kotze, Shamel Pitts I TRIBE, Faye Driscoll, MX Oops, Lacina Coulibaly, jumatatu m. poe, Vanessa Anspaugh, Holland Andrews, Kyle Marshall Choreography, Pearlyn Lii and Netta Yerushalmy. For more information, visit https://newyorklivearts.org/programs/live-artery/.

At the Guggenheim from Jan. 12–7, Works & Process will present “Underground Uptown Dance Festival,” offering styles that include Afrobeat, Ballroom, Breaking, Flexn, Hip-Hop, House, Krump, Vogue and Waacking, from artists Music From The Sole, Ephrat Asherie Dance, Ladies of Hip Hop and more. For more information, visit https://newyorklivearts.org/programs/ live-artery/.

Curated by Pioneers Go East Collective and presented in partnership with the LGBT Community Center, the OutFRONT! Fest runs from Jan. 12–19 and will center on the voices of LGBTQ and feminist artists. Featured will be Jasmine Hearn, Alexa Græ, Symara Johnson, Anabella Lenzu, the Pioneers Go East Collective and Arien Wilkerson/Tnmot Aztro. All festival events are free (donations accepted). Reservations are required at http://pioneersgoeast.eventbrite.com.

On Jan. 13, Pepatián’s annual showcase Bronx Artists Now: Showcase & Conversation! returns to the BAAD for the 13th year with dance artists Babacar Top, Janice Tomlinson, Dare Ayorinde, Rebecca Gual, Alexander Diaz, Beverly Lopez, Milteri Tucker Concepcion, Joan Bradford, X, theater/ spoken word artist Caridad De La Luz, and co-curators Kayla Hamilton and Bobby Sanabria. RSVP: pepatian@gmail.com.

Finally, the Joyce Theater’s seventh annual American Dance Platform, curated by choreographer Ronald K. Brown, returns with works by Les Ballet Afrik, B. Moore Dance and waheedworks from Jan. 10–15. For more information, visit https:// www.joyce.org/performances/americandance-platform.

Also this month

Jan. 5–28: Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca, with artistic director and choreographer Martín Santangelo, will present “Searching for Goya” and other works at the Center at West Park. For more information, visit https://ci.ovationtix.com/114/ production/1145125.

Jan. 10–14: Bill T. Jones/the Arnie Zane Company will be in their home theater, NYLA, with the NYC premiere of “Curriculum II,” which explores the historical and persistent connection between race and technology and the pursuit of what is human. For more information, visit https://newyorklivearts.org/event/curriculum-ii-2/.

Jan. 13–14: The Hong Kong Ballet presents the U.S. premiere of “Romeo + Juliet” at New York City Center. For more information, visit https://www.nycitycenter. org/pdps/2022-2023/hong-kong-balletromeo-juliet/.

Jan. 14 (Virtual): The first Dancing While Black fellowship cohort of 2014 — Rashida Bumbray and Ebony Noelle Golden — and founder Paloma McGregor join moderator Aimee Meredith Cox to discuss how their collectivizing has continued over the past decade. Register at https://fareharbor.

com/baadbronx/items/424635/.

Jan. 17–22: Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE returns to the Joyce with the New York premiere of “The Equality of Night and Day,” featuring a score by Jason Moran and dialogue by Angela Davis; the company premiere of “Brown’s Open Door,” with live accompaniment by the Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble; plus repertory works. For more information, visit https://www.joyce.org/ performances/ronald-k-brown-evidence.

Jan. 21–22: The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company returns to NJPAC for their annual celebration of the Luna New Year with “Year of the Black Water Rabbit.” This year’s celebration will also present the New Jersey premiere of “Dragon Cypher” by Chen, Rokafella and Kwikstep, integrating Chinese, contemporary and Hip-Hop dance to celebrate the 50th anniversary. For more information, visit https://www.njpac.org/

event/nai-ni-chen-year-of-the-black-water-rabbit/.

Jan. 25: At the Chelsea Factory, Ping Chong and Company will share the bill as part of the “All Islands Connect Underwater” series in “All Islands Connect Underwater: a Celebration of Ping Chong.” Founder and artistic director Chong will be celebrated alongside Bruce Allardice, his longtime professional partner and executive director. Both retired from their leadership roles with the company at the end of 2022. For more information, visit https://www.chelseafactory.org/ping-chong.

Jan. 23–24: At BAC, Israel Galván brings his “SOLO,” offering the physical language of flamenco recodified, using modes of expression genealogically related to performative aspects of other rituals. For more information, visit https://bacnyc.org/performances/performance/israel-galvan.

Alexa Grae (Courtesy photo)

Arien Wilkerson (Joe Condre photo)

Jasmine Hearn (Tony Turner photo courtesy of HperForm Fest)

HOROSCOPES BY KNOWYOURNUMB3RS

By SUPREME GODDESS KYA

January 5, 2023—January 11, 2023

Rebirth of a New Nation: Step into your craft mastery in 2023 to make your dream a reality, as everything around you and used started in someone’s mind. It’s the same thing for you. Not everyone wants to be an entrepreneur, builder, creator, innovator, yet love is a bigger part of the collective energy to shape the universe at our command in togetherness, living in peace. January is a kickass month loaded with the full power of the full moon in Cancer at 16 degrees, diving deep into the meaning of life, plus Jupiter transits in Aries this year. The Jupiter in Aries sneak peak was May 10–Oct. 28, 2022, to identify what occurred for you during that time. Aries is the first zodiac sign and the initiator to spring into action. Your identity, your rights, place of origin—Chiron in Aries is here to assist with healing deep wounds and the reawakening of self to remember your quest on this earth. Trust the process. “Life is a journey, and if you fall in love with the journey, you will be in love forever.” —Peter Hagerty

Enjoy life in 2023 to the fullest. Take trips, travel, invest in your health, schedule spa days as romance; love, a proposal, a marriage and your finances usher fortune for you. A time to relocate and make home improvements, and career opportunities open new doors to higher levels. Focus on the dream and your goals this year to see results. Build on your investments, share your work, have compassion as your senses are off the charts, so keep your distance and protect your privacy. There are signs, messages; symbols all around you sending you signals. January 11, stay focused on the commitment all year round and know your limits and boundaries.

It’s time to patent your work as you continue to build a solid foundation. Nothing works until you do and apply the footwork back by action. A year to be selective with what you eat because some days, months or weeks, your digestive system will not agree. Work seems like a slow process as some projects take less time. Remember to take your time and do it right. Do not be in a rush to get it done then later notice the errors. January 5, listen carefully to the voice within to guide you when seeking answers when you don’t know.

2023 live life on your terms and conditions to create a new path. You are being introduced into a new crowd of networks making new alliances. As you enter this new realm of life don’t be fooled by all the amenities provided to keep you hooked. Stay focused on your agenda and read the paperwork and seek guidance when you don’t understand. Protect your health and mental peace to remain balanced. January 6–7, cherish the moment for what it is not what you want it to be. It’s deeper than that.

What’s it going to be this year? You have the great beneficent Jupiter attracting luck and good fortune traveling beside you in 2023. Your network and profession will flourish like hair that doesn’t stop growing. Take the lead and be the pioneer boss you are to rise above and do your thang this year. Jupiter in Aries draws influential people that can enhance your business or profession. You had an appetizer of Jupiter in Aries from May 10-October 28, 2022. Now it’s time for adventure with the full entrée of Jupiter in Aries, as Jupiter always leaves you with a gift before transiting into the next sign. January 8–10, you feel that energy; it’s beyond deep and unmeasurable to be the inspiration to others to follow your dreams. Smile.

Get ready to get in the fight like Muhammad Ali, except you do not have to fight physically one on one—it’s mentally this year. Know your worth and don’t back down, crack, shake or squander; you stand proudly and push weight with a smile. In 2023, build the foundation of the house, checking all corners, frameworks, pipework, licensing, permits to build the next level. This is a knee-jerk reaction kind of year, so keep it plain and simple because some folks will want to box you in. January 11, be the light that always shines through any adversity.

In 2023, make a name for yourself, don’t stunt your growth and be open to develop yourself more. Admit your flaws and make progress for the betterment of self. Sometimes being vulnerable is about letting the past go rather than letting it stick and live rent-free like a freeloader. It’s time to nip things in the bud and go for what you know. A busy-bee year to be on your feet, promoting, advertising, creating, etc. Be sure you break, relax, unwind before going all in like gangbusters. January 5, build from the ground up; it’s an exciting journey to learn the ropes of life.

In 2023, it’s time to close the books on a few things, cancel your subscription and follow the beat of your drums. By the end of May, you will notice a few changes that’re constantly on your mind to make a decision. Right now, you are in the midst of an epic year of what’s to come. Pay attention to the hints, clues, signs, conversations and your inner guidance. January 6–7 is a full moon as things manifest out of the seeds you planted.

Take the lead like the lion in the jungle: It doesn’t back down even when it’s outnumbered. Your radiant presence is enough to make someone fall back. In 2023, be selfish, travel to places you have never been and this time, feel the energy as you are in the moment. Allow it to give you more insight as you look upon the wonderful scenery. Self-development is at its finest to enhance your growth and the ability you possess to help yourself and others on the journey.

Do your thing in 2023 as you lead by example, making self-improvements in areas that need an update. You will receive a lot of assistance form your peers, colleagues, siblings, friends, etc., as you build your foundation to another plateau. Your finances and reputation will flourish. Relationships are flirty, picky, not serious until one captures your heart. Concentrate on your agenda with all details and paperwork reviewed and signed before submitting. January 11, sketch and plan it out to see the blueprint.

As you build your foundation in 2023, the universe finds ways to ensure that you want what you ask for. The universe will test you, throw curveballs, send people to coerce you and irritate you, and your job is to remain calm, to stand your ground. Your dream world is also more heightened. Your solitude is your peace of mind for quietness and time to research plus rejuvenate. January 5, decide on opportunities that align with your agenda. This is a spiritual awakening where a certain conversation is playing out like a recorder.

It’s time to take flight, boss, as some form or separation is needed to begin a new chapter of your life. Life is full of books and stories. What’s in your journey where, one day, someone will read your story that will inspire, encourage, spark something in them to become their higher version of self? The lesson you learn in January is only part of the assignment to arrive at your destination. January 6–7, what is it that you truly long to accomplish in life? Do it.

You are on the frontline, so everyone can hear and see you from all angles like a movie playing in the theater. 2023 sets the tone for the next nine years to journey. You have a long flight to catch, traveling here, there, building a nation or network of different communities coming together. While you are in the development mode, take note of the unsaid that you see as a sign from the divine source. Its meaningfulness is only for your eyes to see. January 8–10, this is the internal work that will reflect the outside of your progress.

Vinateria

The Year In Review In Black Theater, Part 1

By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews

2022 was one of the most magnificent years when it comes to the creativity and spotlighting of Black theatrical brilliance on and off Broadway. It was a year that saw two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage have three stupendous productions. This lady proves that you can do it all! Nottage started the year with “Intimate Apparel” and “Clyde’s” in January and followed up with “MJ: The Musical” in February. All three were firsts in a way. “Intimate Apparel” was her first time creating a libretto and she did it based on her play by the same name. “Clyde’s” was her new play, showing the unfair treatment given to ex-cons when they come out of prison. It was the first time she dealt with this subject. Of course, “MJ: The Musical” was her first venture into writing a musical and she did it about Michael Jackson to let audiences know about his life, his struggles, his genius — it is filled with more than 25 of his biggest hits.

This was a year when Phylicia Rashad came back to Broadway and you had the likes of phenomenal Broadway directors Kenny Leon and Ruben Santiago-Hudson doing masterclasses in their craft with productions like “Topdog/Underdog” and “Skeleton Crew.”

In January 2022, “Intimate Apparel” played at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center on W. 65th Street. Lynn Nottage’s first time creating a libretto was done with superb grace. This opera was a close and personal look at Esther, a Black woman in the 1900s who lived in a house with other single Black women, worked by sewing sexy corsets for other women, but always wanted to find a husband, to be touched and loved. The stage full of some of the most beautiful Black and white operatic voices you would ever hear was magnificent. The story was touching and performed by a gifted cast with ease. The memorable cast included Kearstin Piper Brown, Justin Austin, Naomi Louisa O’Connell, Arnold Livingston, Adrienne Danrich, Krysty Swann and Errin Duane Brooks, along with a wonderful ensemble.

“Clyde’s” played at the Helen Hayes Theatre on W. 44th Street. This delicious comedy/drama continued into the 2022 season. The play had a delectable small ensemble of actors who did a sumptuous job of bringing Nottage’s play to life. It told the story of four ex-cons trying to come back into society by working at a truck-stop sandwich shop owned by an ex-con named Clyde. The cast was delightful as they kept the heat, spice and sauciness coming. Cast members included Uzo Aduba as Clyde, Kara Young as

work (NAN). Written by and featuring Arnold Pinnix, it was presented by NAN Arts and Culture Committee chairperson Pinnix and the NAN Performing Activists in association with NAN Youth Huddle. The play focused on King reflecting on his life; his relationships with his father, wife Coretta and colleague Ralph Abernathy; and his struggles and dreams. Other featured cast members included Dominique Sharpton, Ashley Sharpton, Lorenzo Von, Cindy Philemon, Dr. Alvin Ponder and Shaneeka Powers.

February 2022 had quite a lot going on. Audiences were blessed with a New York City Center Encores! presentation of the beloved musical, “The Tap Dance Kid.” Lydia R. Diamond did the concert adaptation of the book by Charles Blackwell. It had phenomenal new, dazzling tap moves by choreographer Jared Grimes and was directed by one of the most talented and versatile directors in the theater today: Kenny Leon. The revival also had music by Henry Krieger, lyrics by Robert Lorick and guest musical direction by Joseph Joubert. It is the story of a 10-year-old Black boy who wants to be a tap dancer against his father’s wishes. It starred Alexander Bello (who had just been on Broadway in “Caroline, or Change”) as Willie, the tap dance kid, and he was amazing. The rest of the cast was also a dream come true and included Joshua Henry, Adrienne Walker, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Dewitt Fleming Jr., Trevor Jackson, Tracee Beazer and Chance Smith.

Black female playwright Dominique Morisseau had “Skeleton Crew” on Broadway in a riveting production that played at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on W. 47th Street. This play was a powerhouse that brought Phylicia Rashad back to Broadway in a role so uncharacteristic of her, but one she mastered. It had poignant direction by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. The play shared the plight of working men and women at an automotive plant in Detroit, Michigan. We witnessed their struggles and fears. The playwright showed how these workers were treated like machines. Rashad was joined on stage by a cast that beautifully delivered the playwright’s message with heart and humanity. The very capable cast also included Brandon J. Dirden, Joshua Boone and Chante Adams, along with dancer Adesola Osakalumi.

“Black No More,” a mind-blowing musical, was a stunningly creative theatrical piece that played at the Pershing Square Signature Center on W. 42nd St. It posed the question of Black people who are willing to sell out and want to

Letitia, Reza Salazar as Rafael, Edmund Donovan as Jason and Ron Cephas Jones as Montellous. There was also fantastic direction by Kate Whoriskey.

January also saw a moving staged reading of “The Peacemaker” that honored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It occurred via Zoom at the National Action Net -

Uzo Aduba and Ron Cephas Jones in “Clyde’s” (Joan Marcus photo)

Joshua Boone as Dez and Phylicia Rashad as Faye in “Skeleton Crew” (Matthew Murphy photo)

Ephraim Sykes and Ensemble in “Black No More” (Monique Carboni photo)

Black theater review part 1

be white: How far would you go? Would you allow science to give you a white mindset to the point that you would be against Black people? While the musical was funny, it was also scary, because it shouted for our community to wake up. The musical was presented by the New Group. It had a book by John Ridley; raps and song lyrics by Tariq Trotter; music by Trotter, Anthony Tidd, James Poyser and Daryl Waters; choreography by Bill T. Jones; and direction by Scott Ellis. This musical featured Trotter and a cast that had sensational, powerhouse voices: Lillias White, Brandon Victor Dixon, Tamika Lawrence, Ephraim Sykes and Jennifer Damiano.

Nottage was definitely on a roll in 2022, when her third production came alive. She wrote the book for “MJ: The Musical,” playing at the Neil Simon Theatre on W. 52nd Street. The musical is about the life, music and creative genius of Michael Jackson. The musical features more than 25 Jackson songs, from his beginnings with the Jackson 5 to his solo career. The superb cast included Myles Frost in the lead role. This exceptional cast also included Christian Wilson and Walter Russell III as Young Michael; Ayana George as Katherine Jackson; Quentin Earl Darrington as Joseph Jack -

son; and a phenomenal ensemble cast. The musical has outstanding choreography and direction by Christopher Wheeldon. While some cast members may have changed roles, they are still in the show and it is still going strong in 2023.

February also saw “Wicked” make history by casting the first Black Glinda — Brittney Johnson — and she was absolutely delightful. The audiences “couldn’t be happier.”

March 2022 saw Elizabeth Van Dyke, new producing artistic director of Woodie King Jr.’s New Federal Theatre, talking about directing the company’s upcoming work at the end of March: “Gong Lum’s Legacy,” written by Charles Wright. It looked at the case of Lum vs. Rice, where an Asian man wanted his daughter to go to an all-white school in Mississippi in 1925 and was told no. The play also showed the racism between Asian business owners and freed Blacks. The production was presented at the Theatre at St. Clements on W. 46th Street. The cast did a stunning job and included Alinca Hamilton, Anthony Goss, Eric Yang, Henry Yuk and DeShawn White.

April 2022 saw what Broadway’s best musicals are made of with “Paradise Square,” which played at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on W. 47th Street. The musical told the true story of the Draft Riots of 1863 in the Five Points area in lower Manhattan, when Irish immigrants and freed Blacks lived together, loved each other and had a special bond — that is, until Irish immigrants were drafted to fight in the war against slavery. The musical featured a detailed book by Christine Anderson, Craig Lucas and Larry Kirwan. Nathan Tysen and Masi Asare created the lyrics. Jason Howland created the music and did music supervision, music direction and orchestration. The musical had explosive, fantastic choreography by Gelan Lambert and Chloe Davis. Garrett Coleman and Jason Oremus created the Irish and Hammerstep choreography. Costumes were by Toni-Leslie James and direction by Moises Kaufman. The phenomenal production was full of back-toback showstoppers and had a splendid mixed race cast, including Joaquina Kalukango, Chilina Kennedy, Nathaniel Stampley, Sidney DuPont, A. J. Shively, Kevin Dennis, Matt Bogart, John Dossett, Jacob Fishel and Gabrielle McClinton.

April saw another tremendous drama from Dominique Morisseau unfold at the Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at the Pershing Square Signature Center on W. 42nd Street, when her play “Confederates” put a focus on institutional

racism. Morisseau, a Residency 5 Playwright at Signature Theatre, presented two women oddly connected: Sandra, a political science professor at an Ivy League school and Sara, a Black slave on a plantation. The playwright showed the racism both faced. The cast was amazing and included Michelle Wilson, Kristolyn Lloyd, Elijah Jones, Andrea Patterson and Kenzie Ross. The play was directed by Stori Ayers.

One of my favorite and most timeless productions — Ntozake Shange’s “for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf” — had a glorious rebirth and served as a cathartic experience for Black women at the Booth Theatre on W. 45th Street. It presented the attributes of Black women: their love, their sacrifice, their devotion, their support of family and each other, but also their feeling of being marginalized and abused. It spoke of Black women not being able to hear their voices, but in doing so, allowed you very poignantly to hear those voices. Black women got to be seen at all the points of their existence. You got to experience their childhood innocence and then the cruelty that the world holds for them. This cast of ladies was absolutely unforgettable. Kenita R. Miller was astounding as the Lady in Red, Okwui

Brittney Johnson as Glinda in “Wicked” (Joan Marcus photo)

Kevin Dennis (center, with cap), Matt Bogart, Joaquina Kalukango, Chilina Kennedy, Nathaniel Stampley and ensemble in “Paradise Square” (Kevin Berne photo)

Okpokwasili was moving as the Lady in Green, Stacey Sargeant was sizzling as the Lady in Blue, D. Woods was dynamite as the Lady in Yellow, Tendayi Kuumba was daunting as the Lady in Brown, Amara Granderson was tremendous as the Lady in Orange and Alexandria Wailes was remarkable as the Lady in Purple — signing her feelings while other women spoke the words. This was a production by a Black woman, performed by women and choreographed and directed by a Black woman, Camille E. Brown. It had my 19-year-old daughter and me in tears. I cried later when I heard of the early closing of this production due to low ticket sales. It’s so important that we support our people when they are telling our stories on Broadway.

History was made when Emilie Kouatchou became the first Black Christine in “Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway. For months, she was only performing the role three times a week, but then received word that she would play it as the principal. She does a splendid job.She is still doing the role and the musical has now been extended to April 2023.

April also saw the emergence of a bold, new musical, the likes of which had never been seen on Broadway before, as “A Strange Loop” took to the stage of the Lyceum Theatre on W. 45th Street. The audience was stunned by this unique work with a book, music and lyrics by Michael R. Jackson sharing a personal story with the audience through the lead character of Usher. Jackson was telling the traumas he suffered growing up as a Black, overweight, gay man who was looking for love, acceptance and understanding, but instead found rejection, condemnation and criticism from his mother, father and brother. No one was on his side. No one spoke up on his behalf. Jackson lets the audience experience his Thoughts — his fears, doubts, worries, frustration and insecurities — through Usher and the performances of six incredible actors who play Thoughts 1 through 6 and also switch off on in playing his mother and father. The actors also play his brother and friends. Usher is a theater usher and has aspirations of writing a musical about a Black, fat gay man, writing a musical about a Black, fat gay man. This musical, thank God, is still playing today, but will close on January 15, 2023. The cast of this musical has talent that is sublime. Jaquel Spivey, who plays Usher and is making his Broadway debut, brings both compassion and empathy to the role. He also has a wonderful singing voice. The other six actors give some of the most powerful, hilarious and memorable performances you will experience and include

One of the fantastic aspects of this musical is the non-traditional casting and how actors switch in the same role. Usher’s mother is played with a great deal of humor and heart by both Jackson and Morrison. Usher’s father is terrifically portrayed by Hopper and Veasey. This musical has delightful choreography by Raja Feather Kelly, and marvelous direction by Stephen Brackett.

May 2022 gave us well-deserved spotlights on Black female playwrights like Nottage, Morisseau, Shange and the incredible, late Alice Childress, as her treasure “Wedding Band” was performed at the Polonsky Shakespeare Center in Brooklyn on Ashland Place. It was presented and produced by Theatre for a New Audience as part of its residency of CLASSIX. The play focused on a forbidden love between a Black woman and a white man in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1918. The company of actors was exceptional and included Brittany Bradford, Thomas Sadoski, Rebecca Haden, Veanne Cox, Rosalyn Coleman, Rendrick Palmer, Elizabeth Van Dyke, Phoenix Noelle, Sofie Nesanelis and Max Woertendyke. The play’s direction was perfectly executed by Awoye Timpo.

May 2022 also featured a delightful collaboration between the Public Theatre and the National Black Theatre. I think the Bard would have been thrilled to see his classic play “Hamlet” given a colorful twist by James IJames with his 2022 Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Fat Ham” at the Public Theater. This magnificently creative play gave “Hamlet” a spin that included an all-Black family, the murder of the cruel patriarch Papp, his broth -

er Uncle Rev facilitating it and marrying his widow Tedra, and the ghost of the Papp bidding his gay Black son Juicy to avenge his death as Juicy prepared the backyard for the wedding reception. This stunning production showed the gem that emerged when the Public Theater and the National Black Theatre co-produced a work. It was remarkably directed by Public Theater associate artistic director/resident dDirector Saheem Ali. “Fat Ham” was a tasty tale that had your palate for Shakespeare satisfied, your funnybone tickled, your shock enticed and your mind swirling with delectable delight. My daughter Jasmine and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Marcel Spears as Juicy was absolutely brilliant. He made that character shine brightly and beautifully represented the Black gay community and the struggles and degradation they can go through from their own family members. Juicy was also well-versed in Shakespeare and did him proud. Nikki Crawford as his sexy, supportive mother Tedra was superb in the role of this bumping and grinding temptress. Her character was very funny and over the top, as were all the characters in this play. Billy Eugene Jones proved to be doubly evil and delightful as he portrayed both Rev and Papp. Chris Herbie Holland as Tio, the porn-watching, drug-taking, video game-playing cousin and confidante was absolutely hilarious. Adrianna Mitchell was a breath of fresh air as Opal, a lesbian who was made to wear dress -

es by her mother, Rabby. Rabby was an overbearing woman who didn’t want to recognize the truth about her daughter or her son Larry. She was marvelously played by Benja Kay Thomas. Calvin Leon Smith was stunning in his delivery of Larry. Seven was definitely a lucky number for “Fat Ham” because this cast of seven bought the laughter, joy, crazy and frequent breaking of the fourth wall, all of which completely engaged the audience and made you want more. And great news: It’s coming to Broadway in 2023!

June 2022 saw a dynamic revival of David Mamet’s “American Buffalo” at the Circle in the Square Theatre on W. 50th Street. The play starred the vibrant, veteran actor Laurence Fishburne in the role of Donny. Fishburne’s performance, along with those of his two co-stars Darren Criss and Sam Rockwell, grabbed the audience’s attention. These three men portray criminals and make you consider what you would do for that big score as you question if there is loyalty among thieves. Neil Pepe brought these marvelous actors together for this play with very raw language that was spoken at rapid speeds. It demanded your attention and it got it.

June 2022 also saw Blacks recognized at the Tony Awards as “A Strange Loop” came away with five Tony Awards, including best musical and best book of a musical for “MJ: The Musical.” Phylicia Rashad won the Tony for best performance by an actress in a featured role for her role in “Skeleton Crew.” Myles Frost won the Tony for best performance by an actor in a leading role in a musical for his portrayal of Michael Jackson in “MJ: The Musical” and Joaquina Kalukango won for best performance by an actress in a leading role in a musical for “Paradise Square.”

Antwayn Hopper, James Jackson Jr., L Morgan Lee, John-Michael Lyons, JohnAndrew Morrison and Jason Veasey.

Emilie Kouatchou as Christine in a scene from “Phantom of the Opera” (Matthew Murphy photos)

Ntozake Shange’s

colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf” (Marc J. Franklin photo)

JANUARY EQUALS WINTER JAZZFEST

11th Avenue); and pianist/electronics Jason Linder presenting Break.Fast.Club at Nublu.

The tenor saxophonist and composer Dexter Gordon, in his debonaire manner, once said, “Jazz made New York a swinging affair.” Today, Gordon’s words have blossomed into the New York Winter JazzFest, to be held this year from January 12–18 with performances at more than 14 venues from Harlem to the West Village and Brooklyn. The event has only extended the jazz vernacular and its love for Gotham.

The string of seven-day performances features the family jazz genres of straight-ahead with ingredients of classical, soul, far-ofout and in avant garde with such performers as trumpeter Adam O’Farrill, Black Lives-From Generation to Generation, saxophonist Caroline Davis, the drummer Gengis Don & The Empire (blending Brooklyn hip hop and jazz with no apologies), bassist and innovator Jamaaladeen Tacuma’s Jet Set, flutist and vocalist Nathalie Joachim, pianist Marta Sanchez Quintet, and drummer Kassa; among many others.

The two-day Marathons in Manhattan and Brooklyn are a continuum of enthralling nonstop music from 6 p.m.–3 a.m. Be careful — it can be quite intoxicating and the effects can linger for days. On January 13, some of Manhattan’s performers will include bassist Endea Owens & The Cookout, pianist Orrin Evans Trio (both at Zinc Bar in West Village); award-winning musicians saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins and vibraphonist Joel Ross’s Parables at LPR at 9:30 p.m. (158 Bleecker Street); Isaiah Collier’s burning saxophonist at Nublu (lower Eastside12:45 a.m.); guitarist Mary Halvorson and pianist Sylvie Courvoisier joining forces as the Halvorson/Courvoisier Duo “Searching for the Disappeared Hour” at the Jazz Gallery (1158 Broadway); and pianist Craig Taborn (at 11 p.m.); Hera, featuring the dynamic all-star female cast of Chelsea Baratz, Anne Drummond, Alexis Lombre, Endea Owens, Shirazette Tinnin and Andromeda (9:45 p.m.); Harlem’s own saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin at (11 p.m.), both at City Winery (25

The Brooklyn Marathon on January 14th will include the evening at Brooklyn Bowl (61 Wythe Avenue) presenting “Future x Sounds salutes Revive Music” with Igmar Thomas and the Revive Big Band, featuring Louis Cato, DJ/rapper Pete Rock & the Soul Brothers; bassist, poet, composer William Parker Piano Trio at Loove Labs (61 Wythe Avenue); harpist Brandee Younger; and Sun Ra Orkestra at the Opera House (288 Berry Street); and Cuban pianist/composer Dayramir Gonzalez at National Sawdust (80 N. 6th Street).

The Winter Fest kicks off on January 12th, at City Winery, with a Pre-Show Conversation with drummer, composer, educator and activist Terri Lyne Carrington. The show, curated by Carrington, is an assemblage of multiple ensembles and bandleaders celebrating the recent publication of New Standards, a songbook featuring lead sheets by 101 women composers. The first of its kind publication will feature the works of Alice Coltrane, Geri Allen, Anat Cohen, Maria Schneider, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Mimi Jones, Nubya Garcia and Nicole Mitchell, as well as emerging artists from the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice.

A partial list of performers for the evening includes Linda May Han Oh, Kris Davis, Mary Halvorson, Helen Sung, Michele Rosewoman, Rahsaan Carter, Tia Fuller, Caroline Davis, Julius Rodriguez and Next Jazz Legacy artists — a new national apprenticeship program for women and non-binary improvisers in jazz, aimed at creating a more inclusive jazz future. This performance celebrates a monumental first year of the program and features all seven inaugural awardees.

On January 15, the Fest swings to Harlem at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem (58 West 129th Street) with two panel discussions: “State of Jazz Radio in the Digital World” and “Ain’t But A Few of Us” with Willard Jenkins. The latter title is from his recently published book Ain’t But A Few of Us: Black Music Writers Tell Their Story”(Duke University Press, 2022). Jenkins presents more than two dozen candid dia-

logues with Black jazz critics and journalists, from Greg Tate, Farah Jasmine Griffin and Robin D. G. Kelly to Tammy Kernodle, Ron Welburn and John Murph to Herb Boyd and Ron Scott.

“The goal has been to include Black writers from several different perspectives and stations in the media pursuit,” Jenkins explains in his introduction. “This book represents a variety of viewpoints and vantage points, but inevitably the dialogue leads back to considerations of that specious, manmade construct known as race.”

The discussion will begin at 1 p.m., with writers on the panel to be announced. Visit the museum website jmih.org to RSVP; the event is free.

Later on January 15, travel down to the Lower Eastside to Nublu (151 Avenue C) for “Flock Up and Fly,” a night honoring trumpeter Jaimie Branch and featuring Jeff Parker, Chad Taylor and Fay Victor, among others. Branch, who died far too soon at age 39 in 2022, was a captivating musician whose music was soaring to greater heights. Her debut album Fly

or Die was chosen as one of NPR Music’s Top 50 Albums of 2017.

On January 16, catch “Verve at Winter JazzFest” with vocalist Samara Joy, harpist Brandee Younger and pianist Julius Rodriguez — a generation of rising stars continuing to take us on thrilling journeys (LPR, 158 Bleecker Street).

The Fest bids farewell on January 18 with Katalyst, Antonio Sanchez & Thana Alexa, Stuart Bogie, and guests TBA.

For a full schedule, visit the website winterjazzfest.com It’s a new year, the best is yet to happen!

Terri Lyne Carrington (Sonicportraits at English Wikipedia

CLASSROOM IN THE

Alonzo Herndon, one of the first Black millionaires

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

We’ve devoted a considerable amount of time and space to the Niagara Movement over the last several weeks, including two women who played pivotal roles in an organization that paved the way to the NAACP. These recent profiles featured many of the founding members—W.E.B. Du Bois, Lafayette Hershaw and Clement Morgan— and we conclude with a few words about Alonzo Franklin Herndon, a man born into slavery who became among the first Black millionaires.

Herndon was born on June 26, 1856, in Walton County, Georgia, and the son of Sophenie, an enslaved woman, and presumably his white father wealthy slaveholder, Frank Herndon. He was among the 25 people enslaved by Herndon who never acknowledged paternity to him. He was 7 when his family was emancipated in 1865. At a very early age, he began working as a common laborer and peddler to help support his destitute family.

The family survived as sharecroppers on plantations in Social Circle, Georgia, about 40 miles east of Atlanta. In 1878, according to the Herndon Foundation, Herndon left Social Circle on foot, armed with $11 in savings and about a year of schooling. “He stopped initially in the community of Senoia (located in present-day Coweta County), where he worked as a farmhand and began learning the barbering trade. After a few months Herndon migrated to Jonesboro in Clayton County. He opened his first barbershop in Jonesboro, where he spent the next five years developing a thriving business and reputation as a barber before moving on to Atlanta. Arriving in early 1883, Mr. Herndon secured employment as a barber in a shop on Marietta Street owned by William Dougherty Hutchins, an African-American. After six months Herndon purchased half interest in the shop, entering into a partnership with one of the few free blacks operating barbering establishments since before the Civil War.”

Ever enterprising, Herndon ex-

panded his business exponentially and by 1904, he owned three shops in Atlanta. One of them, on Peachtree Street, was luxuriously appointed with crystal chandeliers and gold fixtures, and earned a reputation as the largest and best barbershop in the region. As the Atlanta Journal noted, Herndon and his staff were “known from Richmond all the way to Mobile as the best barbers in the South.” Of course, his shops adhered unwaveringly to the racial customs of the day, serving an exclusive white clientele of the city’s prominent civic leaders.

Herndon personally attended to the most prestigious members and thereby earned their acquaintance and good will.

The Foundation observed that “[h]is success in barbering was spectacular, and as his earnings grew, he invested in real estate in Atlanta and in Florida. Eventually he acquired more than 100 houses,

a large block of commercial property on Auburn Avenue, and a large estate in Tavares, Florida.”

In 1893, Herndon married Adrienne Elizabeth McNeil, a professor at Atlanta University, from whom he acquired the refinement consistent with his wealth. They had one son, Norris, named after Herndon’s brother. In 1905, just about the time he began his association with the Niagara Movement, Herndon began investing in the insurance business, purchasing a failing mutual aid association that he later incorporated as the Atlanta Mutual Insurance Association. By 1922, with him at the helm, the company had grown rapidly, and was one of the few such Black-owned companies in the nation.

Not only was he successful in keeping his own company afloat, Herndon rescued others, often reinsuring policyholders and merging a faltering business into his company.

After his wife died in 1910, Herndon married Jessie Gillespie of Chicago. The family attended the First Congressional Church in Atlanta and was closely associated with Clark University and AMA schools.

Herndon died in 1927, at 69. His son took over his businesses and expanded them into a veritable empire. According to the Foundation, “At his death in 1927, his real estate was assessed at nearly $325,000.”

The Herndon legacy is quite extensive in Georgia, particularly in Atlanta ,where his home was designated as a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 2000. A large, impressive mansion, it was built in 1910 and is at 587 University Place NW in the Vine City neighborhood. There was once a housing project named in his honor, but it was demolished. Herndon Stadium, however, at Morris Brown College remains and was the venue for field hockey during the 1996 Summer Olympics.

ACTIVITIES

FIND OUT MORE

The Herndon Foundation is a fount of accurate information about the man and his formidable legacy.

DISCUSSION

We wonder to what extent his wealth was instrumental in the brief tenure of the Niagara Movement.

PLACE IN CONTEXT

It is extremely rare to have a man born in slavery rise to become a millionaire, and that was one of Herndon’s extraordinary attributes.

THIS WEEK IN BLACK HISTORY

Jan. 2, 1893: Filmmaker Oscar Micheaux was born in Metropolis, Ill. He died in 1951 at 58.

Jan. 2, 1977: Pianist and composer Erroll Garner died on this day. He was born in Pittsburgh on June 15, 1921.

Jan. 3, 1621: William Tucker becomes the first documented Black child born in America.

Alonzo Herndon (Courtesy of the Herndon Foundation)

Factcheck: Is it dangerous to get the flu vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination at the same time?

By HEATHER M. BUTTS, JD, MPH, MA Special to the AmNews

A new term has been added to people’s vocabulary for 2022: tripledemic. As previously reported by the Amsterdam News, three dangerous viruses are now affecting people in the United States simultaneously: RSV, the seasonal flu, and COVID-19, creating a tripledemic of sickness nationwide. With so many viruses circulating, is it safe to get multiple vaccines at the same time? According to the experts, the answer is yes.

According to Michelle Morse, MD, MPH, chief medical officer and deputy commissioner of the Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness in the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in an interview with the AmNews, not only is it advisable to get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines together, but it is recommended.

“It is safe to get the shots together. We are encouraging people to do it in fact and again it helps to save you a little time,” said Morse.

Cameron Webb, MD, JD, a senior policy advisor for COVID-19 Equity on the White House COVID-19 Response Team, spoke with the AmNews about the impacts of such diseases, stating that “at the end of the day, nobody wants to miss a couple days of work or have their kids home from school for a couple of days because of infection, be it COVID, flu, RSV — whatever it may be, you want to stay healthy.”

One way to stay healthy is by getting vaccinated. While scientists are still working on an RSV vaccine, with an approved vaccine possibly available as early as next year, the seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines are currently widely available. The question then becomes where to get these vaccines together.

To answer this question, it is important to understand the term “coadministration.” According to the CDC in the arti-

cle “Getting a Flu Vaccine and a COVID-19 Vaccine at the Same Time,” “Coadministration of vaccines refers to giving or getting more than one vaccine during a visit. This is common clinical practice. While there are some exceptions, many vaccines can be given at the same visit.”

The CDC goes on to state that “[g]iving more than one vaccine at a visit, also called ‘coadministration,’ is common medical practice and is recommended. The idea is to get people up to date on all the vaccines they are due for at one visit. This can ensure that people get all of their vaccines, in case they are not

able to return for additional vaccinations at a later time.”

At the height of the COVID19 pandemic, there were several studies regarding coadministration of the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine. A CDC study published in 2022 demonstrated that some individuals who got the flu and COVID-19 booster shot together had reactions such as headaches and fatigue, but these resolved swiftly and study findings were consistent with previous studies that, according to the CDC, “did not find any safety concerns with giving both vaccines at the same time.”

According to the STAT News ar-

ticle “Got questions about the timing of flu and Covid vaccines?

Here’s what experts say,” there can be a reason not to get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines together, but it’s very specific: if the person getting vaccinated has a history of reactions to immunizations such as headaches, joint pain, chills or other more serious reactions. In that case, that individual would be advised to speak with their medical professional about how and when to get the vaccines.

For the vast majority of people, though, according to Morse, “it is a hundred percent safe to get them at the same time.

Your pharmacist or your phy-

sician's office is definitely able to administer them at the same time. As a reminder, the bivalent COVID shot is for ages five and up and the flu shot is strongly recommended as well for that same group so we hope that people will get them together. The best message I can give is that it is safe to get them at the same time.”

For additional resources about COVID-19, visit www1.nyc.gov/ site/coronavirus/index.page or call 311.COVID-19.

Testing and vaccination resources can also be accessed on the AmNews COVID-19 page: www.amsterdamnews.com/covid/

Claim: It is dangerous to get the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time.

Factcheck: False. COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death in 2021. While some symptoms overlap between the flu and COVID, they are very different diseases. Continued vigilance is necessary in the fight against COVID-19.

Dr. Lilian Abbo (center) receives a flu vaccine from Nicholas Torres (left) and a Pfizer COVID-19 booster shot from Douglas Houghton (right) at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is safe to get your COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine at the same time (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

New School

The strike action may have begun with little animosity, but as it dragged on, union members say they noticed that emails and videos sent out by the administration appeared to solely blame them for it continuing. Students and their families were nervous about grading for the semester, whether the strike could affect students who had taken out loans to pay for their education, and the ability of international students to maintain their visa eligibility to remain in the U.S. while studying.

Some students’ parents initiated a lawsuit against TNS and said they wanted to see a tuition refund. Parents claimed that online services and classes during the pandemic had not been of the same quality, yet there was no reduction in tuition fees. This strike was yet another blow to the quality of education students could receive. “The school is blaming the union, the union is blaming the school. We don’t care who is at fault,” Bev Dantz, the mother of a Parsons School of Design student, was quoted as saying. “This strike needs to end immediately. It is hurting the very kids who have already endured chaos and disruption in their learning for the past two years.

“The teaching is first-rate, but the administration has been questionable since the beginning, and this strike is uncovering huge cracks in the foundation.”

But negotiations, which had been going on for five months before the strike, had practically halted. Even with a mediator brought on to help, an agreement seemed far off. At one point in early December, TNS began looking into hiring strikebreakers who could at least help students finish off the fall semester.

“There was a lot of tension,” said one TNS adjunct faculty member who did not want to be identified. “I don’t think there was a lot of animosity coming from the part-time faculty in terms of finger-pointing at the administration. I think the frustration was that there was no need for this strike to happen in the first place…The union stated––and we all believed––that the reason why the school was stalling is that they wanted to break the union.”

One of the main sticking points was healthcare. Some 87% of TNS’s faculty are adjuncts. These workers bring experience and expertise to their teaching, and because their average age is in the mid40s to early 50s, they also bring healthcare concerns. TNS had wanted to make cutbacks to its healthcare expenditures, but the union refused to budge on that issue.

TNS adjunct lecturer Dianca Potts, who is also a member of the UAW bargaining committee, said there is a degree of disappointment among TNS workers in the wake of the strike. “We are still moving through a lot of the missteps that other [TNS] administrators in power made––

former presidents, former provosts,” she told the AmNews . “Now we have Dwight McBride as our president: I think that some of what he’s trying to do is trying to speak to some of those spots of lack of stability in the financial future for the school. But at the same time, I find it deeply frustrating that on one hand, he is like a premiere James Baldwin scholar, he’s very well-versed in his field—I’ve used his essays on Baldwin in my classes. And it was just super-exciting to kind of see a queer Black man in leadership at The New School. And yet he’s also a union-buster and that’s something that’s on the record, preceding his joining The New School community: He is someone who doesn’t believe that unions have a place in academia.”

The grumbling from the end of the TNS adjunct faculty strike is expected to carry on into the spring 23 semester, the anonymous union member added: “The balance of power has shifted. And this is, of course, this is what unions do, right? They shift the balance of power. But if I could just say something about unions. Unions are the engine of capitalism and if you pay your employees a good decent salary and you support them with healthcare and other benefits, then they will produce for you. But we have this sort of feudal mentality that’s been operating for about 30 to 40 years now, that only the people at the top should have all of the wheat in the castle and we just have to live on scraps. And that is just shifting now.”

Fare Enforcement Agent Open Competitive Exam Filing – Exam Number 3608

Filing open through January 15, 2023

Visit: new.mta.info/careers/exam-schedule

Fare Enforcement Agents conduct fare enforcement, issue summonses to fare evaders, exercise resilience and de-escalation techniques with agitated customers who may have violated fare policy; coordinate fare enforcement activities with personnel from other MTA NYC Transit departments and the NYC Police Department; testify at hearings and in court regarding the details of summonses issued; and more.

Read the Notice of Examination to determine the Education and Experience requirements to qualify for the exam filing, and all requirements to be appointed.

NYC Transit associates are provided competitive compensation and a robust benefit package which includes:

• Pension Plans • Medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage

• Paid vacation, holidays and leave programs • New York’s 529 College Saving Plan

• Flexible spending accounts • Tuition Reimbursement • NYC Transit Pass

• Inhouse Training and Development programs • Municipal Credit Union

Current minimum annual salary for Fare Enforcement Agent is $52,289; increases to $80,442 in the sixth year of service.

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities. The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences and abilities, including military service members, to apply.

Education State of education in NYC as 2023 begins

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

Last year was a fraught time for education and the city’s schools, especially due to an early budgeting battle between the City Council and Mayor Eric Adams. Here’s a recap of the problems that remain as 2023 begins.

“The state of New York City public schools in our opinion is at a precipice,” said Natasha Capers, parent organizer and coordinator for the Coalition for Educational Justice. “We are at a real clear choice point of will we do what is right by public school students and invest in them, and their education, their mental health and their future, or will we abandon them completely.”

Adams and the City Council agreed to an adopted budget early. It received almost immediate backlash over cuts to schools.

The $215 million slash to school budgets was based on expected enrollment drops last fall and the failed Fair Student Funding (FSF) initiative.

By June, the City Council, chaired by Councilmember Gale Brewer and Councilmember Rita Joseph, convened a joint hearing while parents, teachers and advocates rallied for the mayor to restore the cuts made to schools’ budget. A few went on to file a joint lawsuit against the city to get a temporary restraining order that prohibits cuts to the budget. Eventually, the lawsuit was overturned.

At the time of the legal back and forth, the city had no way of accounting for the impending asylum-seeker crisis that lasted for several months and introduced thousands of migrant children into the school system, straining financial and educational resources. “We need strong parent engagement,” said Capers about

helping migrant families deal with the city’s public schools. “We need folks on the ground who speak the families’ languages, who understand the system and can help them navigate at every point.”

Capers said she hoped that the 2023 budgeting season would see more investment in schools and no “deep cuts.”

In addition, the City Council said school bus delays are “worse than they have been in five years” and that there are “millions of dollars in delayed payments to early childhood education providers.”

An analysis of September and October 2022 by the council conducted found 22,347 bus delays that lasted an average of 40 minutes. Special education students, who rely on transportation even more than others, had a higher average delay of 45 minutes compared to general education students. In a joint hearing about education and transportation in

November, the council examined school bus delays, safety issues on bus rides, increased transportation needs for students with special needs and in temporary housing, staffing gaps, and poor communication with schools and caregivers.

“Special education students—we have to do right by them. We have to do better. We have to invest in them, making sure they have their services, smaller class sizes and qualified teachers,” said Capers.

The City Council received complaints about unreliable payments to early childhood education providers. The Department of Education (DOE) agreed to resolve the issue and support those programs.

The council also passed a legislative package for more affordable child care services, which usually double for many Black and brown families as early childhood education facilities for their children.

On a lighter note, the city in-

vested in Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) programs and secured more slots for youth workers; called for more support for English Language Learners (ELLs); and launched CUNY Reconnect, a pathway for returning adult students.

Elected officials voted to extend mayoral control over the school system for another two years, much to the dismay of advocates.

Governor Kathy Hochul and state officials have promised to fully fund efforts to reevaluate the FSF formula, which determines how school districts receive money from the state.

Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about politics for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https:// bit.ly/amnews1

Councilmember Joseph and colleagues hold education press conference and rally at City Hall Hold Education Press Conference and Rally at City Hall. (Gerardo Romo/NYC Council Media Unit photo)

remembered. During the vigil, their names were read, with some killed as recently as Dec. 28, and Mitchell recalling he had to reprint programs to update the ever-growing list of victims.

Adams did not mince words for outside critics. “When you hear all these folks—with all this noise—living in safe communities where [there’s] no crime trying to tell us how to protect our community, you need to tell them ‘shut up,’” he said.

“My guess is the media may focus on the mayor telling everybody ‘shut up,’ but I also want them to focus on the parts where you saw everyone aligned around what to do about gun violence,” said Williams. “You have the mayor,

you have the public advocate, the police commissioner, the deputy mayor, you have A.T. Mitchell, you have all of the community here, aligned [in] screaming that people are dying.

“They’re dying by a preventable pandemic. And we are saying if these were anything but Black and brown bodies, this would have ended a long, long time ago.”

Unfortunately, there are no vaccines for this pandemic. And even Adams, wearing an NYPD hat, said policing would not resolve the city’s gun violence issue. Instead, the “Cure Violence” model was highlighted as a potential solution. The prevention-based approach employs community outreach and “credible messengers” to de-escalate conflicts and offer at-risk youth alternativeto-crime opportunities in neighborhoods hardest hit by gun violence.

There are 15 Cure Violence programs cur-

our state right here in New York City is more than just a promising step for this budding industry—it represents a new chapter for those most harmed by the failed policies of the past,” said Mayor Eric Adams.

rently in New York City, with six in Brooklyn. One is Man Up! Inc., which was founded by Mitchell in 2005 and helped East New York go an entire calendar year, 2012–’13, without a shooting. In June, Mitchell was named Adams’s gun violence czar.

In 2017, the Queensbridge Houses in Queens, the country’s largest public housing complex, similarly went 365 days without a shooting thanks to 696, a Cure Violence program led by K. Bain, a long-term ally of Williams.

The initial model was founded in Chicago, but is now a nationwide movement.

“What’s happening right now in other cities across America, there have been similar programs just like this,” said Mitchell. “In cities like Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore… they’re having a similar National Day of Remembrance program for their victims of ho-

Since the state legalized recreational marijuana use in March 2021, an illegal “gray market” of cannabis products has cropped up in shops in the city.

micides. There are so many other cities that are celebrating this national day as we speak. And I want to make sure that they know that New York City is appreciative of them being involved in this work with us and for us.”

Over the summer, Mitchell told the Amsterdam News that harm reduction was a key strategy for gun violence interrupters to successfully curb shootings. While stabbings are one of the fastest-growing public safety concerns around town, they are also a sign that firearms are getting taken off the streets. The goal is to reduce disputes from guns down to knives—then down to fists—and ultimately down to words.

Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member and writes about public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deduct-

with a prior cannabis-related criminal offense who also have a background [in] owning and operating a small business” and employ hemp farmers to grow the cannabis. However, so far, justice-involved people have been held up by the state not responding to location requests for brick-and- mortar dispensaries.

“The opening of the first legal dispensary in

Public safety

Continued from page 3

here. We want you to be safe this time of the year during the celebration, bringing in 2023. Want you to enjoy yourselves.

“And then go on our website—get the items that will slow up your screening into the safety area. There’s certain items you cannot bring into the safety zone; the safety area that we have. Become knowledgeable of it beforehand so you can come in without a problem.”

Notably, one of those items was concealedcarry firearms, which New York State fought tooth-and-nail in court to keep from “sensitive zones” like Times Square this year. Despite the city’s efforts to secure the worldfamous commercial intersection, three NYPD officers were slashed by a machetelike blade at an entrance checkpoint. The attacker was shot in the shoulder and brought in alive, and is charged with two counts of attempted assault and attempted murder of a police officer, according to the NYPD.

Between Christmas and New Year’s, index crime was down by 6.2% compared to last year. Precincts in Manhattan North and Brooklyn South saw even larger dips, along with a strong reduction in shootings. But violence still left a tragic mark, including a 17-year-old Brooklyn teen fatally shot on Dec. 30.

After New Year’s, several high-profile public safety cases moved forward, including Sunset Park subway shooter Frank James pleading guilty to terrorism and gun charges on Jan.

Adams said the legal cannabis market can aid in economic recovery, create new jobs, build wealth in historically underserved communities, and increase state and local tax revenue.

Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin Kim said the cannabis industry has the potential to support up to 24,000 new jobs and generate over $1.3 billion in annual sales.

3. The 61-year-old set off smoke bombs on a crowded train before opening fire last April, injuring 10 people. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the attack had been coordinated since 2017.

On the same day, Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg announced that 16-year-old Saniyah Lawrence’s alleged killer and boyfriend Zyaire Crumbley, 18, was indicted for her murder. She was fatally stabbed in Central Harlem on Dec. 11.

Beyond violence, New York City—like much of the East Coast—saw dangerously chilly weather thanks to Winter Storm Elliott in late December. On Dec. 22, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a state of emergency for all of New York due to the winter storm. Reportedly more than 30 people in Western New York died from weather conditions. In South Queens, flooding left neighborhoods underwater and out of power in freezing temperatures, forcing New Yorkers to spend Christmas weekend evacuating by wading through floodwaters.

Adams received criticism for taking a trip to the Virgin Islands during the cold streak. He later explained that he left town to reflect on the loss of his late mother.

Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member and writes about public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https:// bit.ly/amnews1.

“We have opposed criminalization related to drugs pretty much across the board, whether it’s cannabis or any other drug,” said King. “I certainly don’t want to see unlicensed sellers criminalized or incarcerated for doing that, but I strongly support enforcement that includes collection of unlicensed products and fines.”

King said state lab testing concluded that many gray market cannabis products are adul-

terated with things like pesticides and there are not enough age restrictions in unlicensed shops. He said the only gripe he has about the cannabis industry launch at the moment is the higher sales taxes and federal income taxes.

Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about politics for the Amsterdam News.Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/ amnews1.

Governor

And finally, December! To kick off the holiday season and close the year, the city searched for a “rat czar” to address the exigent critter problem. A national rail strike was, well, struck down by Pres. Joe Biden and Congress. The starting salary is sixfigures and offers government benefits. Research showed New York City, unsurprisingly, is the most expensive city in the United States. “Ain’t No More” debuted on Broadway, depicting modern Black life under the brightest of lights.

“Prime Time” moved to Mountain Standard Time as Deion Sanders left HBCU Jackson State to coach for FBS college football program Colorado University. Fellow gridiron legend Hershel Walker lost in his Georgia Senate run-off election to incumbent Rev. Raphael Warnock. More women sued Bill Cosby for sexual assault. Fifth Avenue went car-free in preparation for holiday season Sundays.

Brittney Griner finally came home after the Russians agreed to release the WNBA star in exchange for infamous arms dealer Viktor Bout. Bribery and fraud charges were dropped against ex-Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin. A lawsuit filed against the United States Department of Veteran Affairs alleged discrimination against Black armed forces members for decades. And the American Museum of Natural History announced the appointment of first Black President Sean Decatur. Donald Trump got into the NFT market. The Trump Organization was found guilty of tax fraud. Union members from the New

York Times went on strike. A Red Hook fire burned down an NYPD evidence compound and injured eight. Ronnie Turner— the youngest son of Tina Turner—died at age 62. Mayor Adams was fined, then absolved, of a $300 fine for rat infestation. Appeals court allowed New York to continue banning concealed carry guns from sensitive locations like Times Square. And “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” remained on top of the box office five weeks after its premiere. Kanye West’s Twitter account was suspended for inciting violence, said Elon Musk.

Sheena Wright was poised to become the city’s first Black first deputy mayor once the year ends. Sprinter Vince Matthews was welcomed back to the Olympics half a century after he was banned for protesting racial injustice during the playing of the “Star-Spangled Banner” at the Munich Games. USC quarterback Caleb Williams won the Heisman Trophy, just a season after transferring from the University of Oklahoma.

Beloved dancer Stephen “tWitch” Boss— known for DJing “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”—died at age 40 from apparent suicide. The Octavia Butler novel “Kindred” was adapted on-screen for Hulu. A Biggie Smalls statue was erected in DUMBO. Charles and Inez Barron broke ground for a 100% affordable housing project. Fair Chance for Housing—which would ban landlords from checking criminal records—got a City Council hearing. The Rev. Al Sharpton called for a unity summit. Teenager Saniyah Lawrence was fatally stabbed by boyfriend in Harlem.

An NYCHA audit found gaps in repairs and maintenance, security, sanitation and sustainability. The December 12th Movement celebrated 35 years. The NYPD ended prolonged stops to check for warrants. Harvard appointed the first Black university president in Claudine Gay. Atatiana Jefferson’s killer, a former Texas police officer, was convicted of manslaughter. The state banned pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits. Attorney General Letitia James was sued after a top advisor in the Office resigned due to sexual misconduct allegations. NFL legend Franco Harris died at age 72.

The Exonerated Five were honored in Central Park with a gate nearby where the then-youngsters were falsely accused of (and subsequently convicted for) raping a white jogger. A Saginaw, Mich. man admitted to hate crimes against Black Lives Matter activists. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the White House to meet with American leaders including President Joe Biden. The International African American Museum in Charleston, S.C. delayed its opening. Rapper Common debuted on Broadway in the play “Between Riverside and Crazy.” Mutulu Shakur came home. And the Jewish community began celebrating Hanukkah.

Argentina defeated France to win the World Cup. Uber drivers held a 24-hour strike in New York City. Presidential candidate and Communist Party of the United States of America leader Charlene Mitchell—who championed the re-

lease of Angela Davis—died at age 92. AirBnB banned “slave cabin” rentals. Migrants bused from the southern borders resurged after a federal judge struck down attempts to restrict arrivals from Venezuela. One bus drops off migrants to Vice President Kamala Harris’ Washington, D.C. residence in freezing temperatures. Canadian singer Tory Lanez was found guilty in the 2020 shooting of rapper Megan Thee Stallion. He will face 22 years in prison and potential deportation.

Republican House-elect George Santos— who will represent New York’s 3rd congressional district—was outed for lying on his resume. Some fabrications include his Jewish ancestry claims, his NYU degree and his work experience in the financial world. Back to the truth, Santa Claus was not slowed by a massive Christmas weekend storm enveloping much of the eastern U.S., says a North American Aerospace Defense Command official. Mayor Adams’ whereabouts were questioned as he makes himself scarce during winter emergencies.

Two New Yorkers were fatally slashed— including a pediatrician who was found dead in Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park— days apart in seemingly random acts of violence by the same suspect. Deaths rose in Western New York due to harsh cold weather conditions. New York state nurses, including those working for Mount Sinai and NewYork-Presbyterian,

voted to strike as their union contract expires in the new year. And Kwanzaa began and will run until the end of the month—and year.

Raymond Santana, Yusef Salam, Kevin Richardson, Keight Wright and State Sen. Cordell Cleare at The Gate of the Exonerated (Bill Moore photos)

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree stands lit during the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony (Diane Bondareff/AP Images for Tishman Speyer)

Barrons break ground on latest 100% affordable housing project—Alafia Village (Omowale Clay photos)

President Joe Biden greets Cherelle Griner following the release of Brittney Griner, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, in the Oval Office (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz) (Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office)

his childhood. But medical professionals say the EMS workers’ administration of Narcan is routine, harmless and potentially life-saving— the medication is safe, even if opioids are not present according to the NYC Department of Mental Health and Hygiene. A leading substance use expert from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Health—who wished not to be named due to professional reasons—told the Amsterdam News that medical workers are trained to be safe rather than sorry when it comes to naloxone.

“It is embedded in the potential stigma and discrimination, so it’s a thorny situation, a complicated situation,” she said. “But if they administer Narcan, it wouldn’t cause harm, even if [the patient] didn’t have opioids in their system. It [could] save their life.”

She adds the due diligence is important in the event opioids are accidentally ingested or if medication or other narcotics are laced with them. Naloxone only works on opioids like heroin, fentanyl and prescription painkillers.

According to the NYC Department of Mental Health and Hygiene, some signs of opioid overdose include unresponsiveness, unconsciousness. and slow or stopped breathing. But these are also symptoms for other conditions, including Harrell’s seizures.

Dr. Edwin Chapman, a Howard Universityeducated physician and leading expert on the opioid epidemic, argues that a more conservative administration of naloxone for Black patients can cause even more harm.

“The timeframe is so short, EMS workers [have] to pretty much throw the kitchen sink at the patient so you don’t miss something inadvertently,” he said. “This whole circumstance could actually work counter to the Afri-

can American culture if we are undiagnosed or under-suspected of overdosing [and] we’re not given Narcan when we could have.”

He’s seen the benefits of naloxone firsthand. According to the Washington Post, Chapman treated 275 opioid users a month in the majority Black neighborhood of Ward 6 in the D.C. area during the height of the pandemic. This year, he recalls reviving a trio of patients with Narcan.

“It was very difficult to resuscitate those patients, because all three of them had overdosed on fentanyl,” said Chapman. “It took six doses of Narcan to resuscitate those patients. And those patients looked like they were dead; we could virtually get no pulse. They stopped breathing. But because they were in the waiting room and we were able to get Narcan to them right away, it saved their lives. And they’re all alive today.”

Chapman later concluded, after consulting with multiple other experts—including a Howard University clinical pharmacist, an opioid treatment program medical director and an emergency room physician—that a unanimous, collective opinion is that “treatment with Narcan should never be withheld and is even appropriate when there is little or no corroborating history of opioid use.”

In 2015, the de Blasio administration made naloxone available at participating pharmacies without a prescription. Last year, the City Council passed legislation to provide Narcan supplies at nightlife establishments, as well as employee training for the medication.

For Harrrell, the frustration stems from the dismissiveness, especially given Mitchell’s longtime understanding of his seizures.

“You’re sending somebody who’s saying, ‘Well, it looks like he’s on some kind of narcotic, so we know how to handle this better than you,’” he said. “You have someone who’s clearly standing there telling you he doesn’t [use] and has never touched any kind of narcotic. So why

would you say that he looks like [he did]? You’re basically putting him in a stereotype or in a category just because you feel this is the best location this person fits.”

Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member and writes about public safety for the Amsterdam News.Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories

New Jersey News

Bader Field airport property, which has sat vacant since its 2006 closure and is the subject of two competing proposals.

Two Philadelphia developers want to build a $3 billion housing, office and retail project on the site, which is one of the largest tracts of buildable land near the ocean on the

U.S. East Coast.

But the proposal by Tower Investments and Post Brothers faces competition from a previously announced, auto-centric project endorsed by Atlantic City’s mayor, who was about to ink a deal with developer DEEM Enterprises before the state intervened last week and asked for a delay.

The state has the final say on what, if anything, will be built on the site, which used to house an air facility that was the first in the world to be called an “airport.”

Princeton University plans Toni Morrison tribute in 2023

The Associated Press

PRINCETON, N.J. (AP)—A monthslong Toni Morrison tribute at Princeton University, where the Nobel laureate taught for 17 years, will range from music created and performed by Grammy-winning vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant to a spring lecture series and three-day symposium featuring author Edwidge Danticat, among others.

The tribute will center on “Toni Morrison: Sites of Memory,” an exhibition drawn from her archives that will explore her creative process through manuscripts, correspondence between her and other Black women, photographs, maps she drew while working on her acclaimed novel Beloved, rare drafts of her novel Song of Solomon,

and various unfinished projects. The exhibit runs at the Princeton University Library from Feb. 22 to June 4.

“In imagining this initiative, from exhibition to symposium to partner projects, I wanted to show the importance of the archive to understanding Morrison’s work and practice.” said curator Autumn Womack, assistant professor of English and African American Studies at Princeton, in a statement released Wednesday. “But I also wanted to show how this archive in particular is a site that opens up new lines of inquiry and inspires new kinds of collaboration.”

Morrison, who died in 2019 at age 88, was also known for such novels as Sula, The Bluest Eye and Jazz. She won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1993.

like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1.

Mose Edward Wilson

A devout Christian, beloved family matriarch, Harlem community activist and 70+ years resident, African American historian, artist, herbalist, Salem Baptist Church member, SEIU Local 32B-32J member, and an active participant at the Jackie Robinson Senior Center passed away at the age of 96 on Sunday, December 18th (2022) at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center in Rockville, Maryland.

A Celebration of Life tribute is being planned in the Spring (2023) in New York City (Harlem). Her remains will be interred thereafter in Washington, North Carolina near the little town of Bethel (NC) where she was born December 25, 1925 – Christmas Day.

She is survived by her three daughters Ardella Wilson (Bronx, NY), Jean Wilson Bennett Moore (Gregory T. Moore) (Upper Marlboro, MD), Ruby Wilson (Clinton, NC); four grandchildren, Ashley Wilson (Washington, NC), Whitney Wilson (Goldsboro, NC), Talibah Aquil (Harrisonburg, VA), Janel Wilson (Clinton, MD); and 12 great-grandchildren.

Point of Contact: Jean Moore, jbmoore0303@gmail.com

Narcan nasal spray. (PA Gov. Tom Wolf’s Office.)

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U.S. Bank NA, successor trustee to Bank of America, NA, successor in in terest to LaSalle Bank NA, as trustee, on behalf of the holders of WaMu Mortgage Pa ss-Through Certificates, Series 2005-AR17, Plaintiff

AGAINST

Sonia Leventha l a/k/a Sonia M. Leventha l; et al., Defendan t(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered July 14, 2022 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public au ction at the Portico of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Ce ntre St, New Yo rk, NY 10007 on January 25, 2023 at 2:15PM, premises known as 123 East 91st Street, New York, NY 10128. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the bu ildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Bo rough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York, Block 1520 Lot 10. Approximate amoun t of judgment $4,042,489.81 plus interest and costs. Premises will be so ld subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 850235/2018. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVI D-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the First Judicial District

Ro be rta Ashkin, Esq., Re feree

LOGS Leg al Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro , DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Ro chester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Da ted: July 28, 202 2

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT: NEW YORK COUNTY. W. FINANCIAL REIT, LTD., Pltf. vs 150-152 EAST 79 LLC, et al, De fts Index #850128 /2021. Pursuant to ju dgment of foreclosure and sale entered August 10, 2022, I will se ll at public auction on the portico of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, Ne w York, NY on February 1, 2023 at 2:15 p.m. premises k/a (i) Block 14 13 , Lot 152; (ii) Block 1413, Lot 52; (iii) Block 1413, Lot 51; (iv) Block 1413; Lot 154; (v) Block 1413, Lot 53. Approximate amount of judgment is $6 1,313,32 0.78 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale HALEY GREENBERG, Referee. JASPAN SCHLESINGER LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 300 Garden City Plaza, Garden City, NY 1153 0. # 99922

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK, 73 SERVICING LLC, Plaintiff, vs AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR PSYCHICAL RESEARCH, INC., ET AL., Defe ndant(s)

Pursuant to an Order Appointing Referee to Conduct Sale and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly en tered on June 24, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public au ction in the portico of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on February 1, 2023 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 5 West 73rd Stre et, New York, NY 1002 3. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land , with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Boro ugh of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York, Block 11 26 and Lot 127. Approximate amount of judgment is $18,865 ,223.63 plus interest and costs. Premises will be so ld subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850 211/2020. COVID-19 safety protocols will be fo llowed at the foreclosure sale

Thomas Kleinberger, Esq., Referee

Glenn Rodney, PC, 368 Birch Road, Wallkill, Ne w York 12589, Attorneys for Plaintiff

No tice of Formation of 212 E 47TH 8A AF LLC Arts of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/29/22. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 420 E. 23rd St., NY, NY 10010. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon wh om process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Asaf Frig at the princ. office of the LLC Purpo se: Real estate holding.

No tice of Formation of 421 EAST 91ST STREET, LL C Arts of Org. file d with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/06/22. Office lo cation: NY Co un ty SSNY de signated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Eli Z abar, 403 E. 91st St., NY, NY 10128. Purpose: Any lawful activity

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK, US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR FIDELITY GUARANTY LIFE MORTGAGE TRUST 2018-1, Plaintiff, vs 286 WADSWORTH LLC, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on June 24, 202 2, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the portico of the New York County Co urthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on January 18, 2023 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 286 Wa dsworth Avenue, New York, NY 10040. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of New York, County of New York, City and State of Ne w York, Block 2170 and Lo t 22. Approximate amount of judgment is $963,443.54 plus intere st and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850005 /2021. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale

Matthew D. Hunter III, Esq., Re feree

Greenspo on Marder, 590 Madison Avenue, Suite 1800, New York, NY 1002 2, Attorneys for Plaintiff

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf v. DOMINIQUE JEFFERY and ALICIA RAMANATH, Deft - In dex #850058/2020. Pu rsuant to Judgment of Fore closure and Sa le dated July 21, 202 1, I will sell at public au ction Outside the Portico of the NY County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, NY, NY on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at 2:15 pm, an undivided .0 04 932% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as 57th Street Vacation Suites located at 102 West 57th Str eet, in the County of NY, State of NY Approximate amount of judgment is $19 ,699.68 plus co sts and interest as of March 27, 2020. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale wh ich include s annual maintenance fees and charges Mark McKew, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 34 1 Conklin Street, Farmingd ale, NY

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf v. MICHELLE AMANO and RICHARD AMANO, Deft - Index #85 0044/2019. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated August 13 , 2020, I will sell at public au ction Outside the Portico of the NY County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, NY, NY on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at 2:15 pm, an undivided 0.019728% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as 57th Street Vacation Suites located at 102 West 57th Str eet, in the County of NY, State of NY Ap proximate amount of judgment is $74 ,275.26 plus costs and in terest as of January 23, 2020. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale wh ich include s annual maintenance fees and charges Mark McKew, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingd ale, NY

No tice of Qualification of DERBY COPELAND FUND II, LLC Appl for Auth file d with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/29/22. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/24/22. Prin c. office of LLC: 41 Madison Ave., 40th Fl., NY, NY 10010. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon wh om process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Ce rt of Form filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Do ver, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity

No tice of Qualification of DERBY COPELAND MANAGEMENT GROUP, LLC Appl for Auth. filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/29/22. Office lo cation: NY Co un ty LLC formed in De laware (DE) on 03/25/22. Princ. office of LLC: 41 Madison Ave., 40th Fl., NY, NY 10010. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Ce rt of Form filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Do ver, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity

BROTHERLY LIQUIDATION LLC Art of Org. filed with th e SSNY on 10/10/2022. Office: Ne w York County. SSNY de signated as a gent of th e LLC upo n whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, LEGALCORP SOLUTIONS, 1060 Broadway, Suite 100, ALBANY, NY 12204. Purp ose: Any lawful purpose.

Amont Partners LLC filed w/ SSNY 11/8/22. Off. in NY Co SSNY desig as agt of LLC wh om process may be served & sh all mail process to Zhaoyu Li, 1740 Broadwa y, 15th Fl, NY, NY 10019. Any lawful purpose.

No tice of Formation of 426432 EAST 91ST STREET, LLC Arts of Org. filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/06/22. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon wh om process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Eli Zabar, 403 E. 91 st St., NY, NY 10128. Purpo se: Any lawful activity

No tice of Formation of 429433 EAST 91ST STREET, LLC Arts of Org. filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/06/22. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon wh om process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Eli Zabar, 403 E. 91 st St., NY, NY 10128. Purpo se: Any lawful activity

LAURA PURDY, M.D., PLLC, a Prof LLC Arts of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/01/2022. Office loca tion: Ne w York County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served SSNY shall mail process to: The PLLC, 1806 Williamson Court, Ste 135, Brentwood, TN 37027.

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831 THIRD LLC Arts of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/02/02. Office: Ne w York Co un ty SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY sha ll ma il copy of process to the LLC, c/o Larstrand Corporation, ATTN: Lega l Department, 500 Park Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10022. Purp ose: Any lawful purpose.

CORDETT CREATIONS

LLC Arts of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/12/22 . Office location: NY County. SSNY de signated as agent upon wh om process against LLC & shall mail a copy to: P.O. Box 2891, New York, NY 10163 Purpose: Any lawful activity

No tice of formation of Bayview Ca pital Solution s, LLC Arts of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/13/2022. Office: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail copy to: Thomson Ollunga LLP, 41 Madison Ave., 31st Fl., NY, NY 10010. Purpose: Merchant cash advances.

No tice of Formation of HAYE WIRING & HOME SPECIALTY, LLC Arts of Org. file d with the SSNY on 10/18/22. Office location: NY County. SSNY has be en designated as agent upon whom process against LLC & sh all mail a copy to: 539 East 95th Street, Brooklyn, NY 1 1212. Purpo se: Any lawful activity

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Plugout, LLC filed w/ SSNY 11/12/03. Off. in NY Co SSNY desig as agt of LLC wh om process may be served & sh all mail process to c/o John Aksoy, 506 La Guardia Pl, Ste. 4, NY, NY 10012. Any lawful purpose.

WEB3 MEDIA PARTNERS

LLC Arts of Org. filed with SSNY on 2/11/2022. Office Lo cation: NY County. SSNY de signated as agent upon wh om process may be served against it & shall mail a copy to: 1755 Bdwy Front 3, #1005 , NY, NY 10019. Purpo se: Any lawful activity

WEB3 SOCIAL GROUP LLC

Arts of Org. filed with SSNY on 2/2/2022. Office Location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served against it & shall mail a copy to: 1755 Bdwy Front 3, #1006, NY, NY 10019. Purpose: Any lawful activity

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No tice of Formation of ANN+ Sofia Beauty Artists LLC Arts of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/25/18. Office location: NY County. SSNY de signated as agent upon wh om process against LLC & shall mail a copy to : 315 5th Avenue, #1004, New York, NY 10016. Purpose: Any lawful act or activity

Notice of Formation of ARMORY PLAZA HOUSING CLASS B, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/23/22. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of 282 WEST 11TH STREET LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/21/22. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 207 W. 110th St., Apt. 4, NY, NY 10026. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the princ. office of the LLC. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

AJL Construction and Management LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/17/2022. Office Location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served against it & shall mail a copy to: 40 Monroe Street, Apt FF6, New York, NY 10002. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of LEGGETT AVENUE PROPERTY LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/21/22. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/11/22. NYS fictitious name: 1175 LEGGETT AVENUE PROPERTY LLC. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, Div. of Corps., 401 Federal St. - Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

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• Emilia Sykes is the third Black woman to represent Ohio’s House delegation.

Sykes’s win in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District now means that three Black women will be serving in the state’s U.S. House delegation (along with U.S. Reps. Joyce Beatty and Shontel Brown).

• Andrea Campbell was elected as the state of Massachusetts’ first Black female attorney general and the first Black woman ever elected to statewide office.

• California’s Malia Cohen was elected as the new state’s controller, a position that oversees the world’s fourth-largest economy.

A number of Black female members of Congress were elected for another two years—something that should not be overlooked this election cycle. Black women were pivotal and remain pivotal as leaders who are affecting the balance of power between Republicans and Democrats:

▪ Ayanna Pressley in Massachusetts

▪ Lisa Blunt Rochester in Delaware

▪ Jahana Hayes in Connecticut

▪ Lauren Underwood in Illinois

While Val Demings, Cheri Beasleys and Stacey Abrams lost their races, it would be a mistake for anyone of any party to write off these powerful Black women. They

have a tremendous amount of support, and they’ve done it by actually meeting people in the streets, meeting them where they are, understanding their problems and bringing solutions.

Continued investment, partnerships and grants to support Black women and girls and Black women-led organizations were seen from:

° Goldman Sachs

° Black Girls Freedom Fund

° Black Girl Ventures

When we fight to raise the economic conditions and strengthen the workplace protections afforded to Black women, we improve outcomes for Black families, Black communities and everyone else, too. As a result, we improve our chances of having fully realized the American dream. If Black women don’t get justice, then it will remain elusive for all.

Dr. Kerry Mitchell Brown is an Equity Strategist and scholar-practitioner who holds a PhD in Organizations and Management, an MBA, and a BSBA in Finance, and is a Gestalt OSD Certified Practitioner.

For more than 20 years, Brown has facilitated discussions and group learning in progressive, social justice, nonprofit, higher education and Fortune 100 organizations about sensitive topics, such as the intersections of race/racism, gender/sexism and privilege/class, as well as politics, democracy and other social justice issues.

Sports and the human spirit intersect through Damar Hamlin

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

The human spirit is a powerful unseen force. Sports is a tangible and visceral entity that elicits the best and worst of American culture. The two intersected this week through a young man named Damar Hamlin.

On Monday night, every major political and social news story in this country was superseded and preempted by Hamlin, a 24-year-old safety for the Buffalo Bills, suffering cardiac arrest on the playing field late in the first quarter of a pivotal AFC matchup versus the Cincinnati Bengals.

The outcome of a game between two Super Bowl contenders that could have decided which of them, along with the Kansas City Chiefs, earns home field advantage in the conference in the playoffs became insignificant as medical personnel urgently performed CPR on Hamlin, whose heart stopped after he collided with Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, fell to the turf, stood up and then collapsed onto the field.

Higgins’s helmet made contact with Hamlin’s chest, causing what several cardiologists who subsequently provided medical opinions said was likely commotio cordis, a malfunction of the heart caused by direct blunt force. After being tended to for 16 minutes after the incident, Hamlin was transported by an ambulance that had been driven onto the field to the University of Cincinnati Hospital. Hamlin’s mother, Nina Hamlin, was at the game and accompanied him in the ambulance. Once at the hospital, he had to be resuscitated for a second time. He was still being treated at UC Hospital as of yesterday.

Hamlin, a native of Mckees Rocks, Pennsylvania (part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area), played college football at the University of Pittsburgh and was a sixth-round draft pick by the Bills in 2021.

“Damar remains in the ICU in critical condition with signs of improvement noted yesterday and overnight,” the Bills tweeted. “He is expected to remain under intensive care as his health care team continues to monitor and

treat him.”

Hamlin’s tragic incident has gripped much of the nation. Millions of dollars have been donated to his Chasing M’s Foundation since Monday evening. He could be anyone’s son, brother or teammate. Football is an American obsession. It is a collision sport with inherent physical dangers, but it is by far the most popular sport in this country, with the NFL No. 1 and college football a close No. 2.

Conversations in this country and beyond are contentious and divisive regarding the merits and import of a sport that can be brutal. CTE, paralysis and—yes— now cardiac arrest are part of the football lexicon. Perhaps no one can make a better argument pro or con than Hamlin. It is to be hoped that he will have the chance to do so one day.

Andrews focuses on consistency ahead of U.S. Championships

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

It was an outstanding fall season for figure skater Starr Andrews, who not only won her first Grand Prix medal (at Skate Canada), but also made history as the first U.S. Black skater to medal at a Grand Prix competition. That accomplishment earned her an invitation to appear on “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” where she taught Hudson how to do a figure skater’s curtsey.

“She’s so sweet and kind,” said Andrews of Hudson. “I was so excited to go on that show because I’ve been a fan of hers for so long. To see her in person was surreal. The whole experience was so cool.”

The U.S. Figure Skating Championships take place later this month in San Jose, California, and she is happy not to have to travel far from her home in Los Angeles. For the first time in several years, Andrews, 21, will not be the lone Black skater at Nationals; three other Black skaters are scheduled to compete.

“I’m really excited,” said Andrews. “It’s going to be really nice to see another skater of color out there. I’m so

glad they get to skate at Nationals because it’s such an amazing experience. I wish everyone could experience skating in an arena like that.”

This will be Andrews’s sixth time competing in the senior ladies event. Her best placements were sixth in 2018 and 2020. With none of the three women who represented the U.S. at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games competing (two have retired), she has a strong chance of earning a spot on the podium.

“Every year leading up to Nationals, I train so hard and put in so much work,” Andrews said. “For me, my mindset has changed this year, but I feel like my body is so used to the feeling of competing that it’s going to be like every other competition. I’m trying not to put too much pressure on myself because if I do what I trained for, it will be no problem for me to put out really good programs.

“My mindset over the last year has definitely gotten a lot stronger. I do still feel like a kid when I’m on the ice and practicing because for me, it’s still fun. But I think my maturity level and how to handle situations has definitely changed.”

Starr Andrews won her first Grand Prix medal at Skate Canada (Robin Ritoss photo)

Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on the field during a game versus the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday (BuffaloBills.com photo)

Nets enter the new year still on a roll

By VINCENT DAVIS Special to the AmNews

The Brooklyn Nets were in Chicago last night (Wednesday, Jan. 4) to face the Bulls, looking to extend their winning streak to 13 games—the longest so far in the NBA this season. They had won 16 of their last 17 games going into their match-up with Chicago and had not experienced a defeat since losing to the Boston Celtics (103–92) on December 4, more than one full month ago.

The Nets were 25–12 before playing the Bulls and had the secondbest record in the Eastern Conference and second-best overall in the league. Only the Celtics, who were 26–11 going into their road game on Tuesday night versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, had a better record.

The Nets came into the new year by blowing out the San Antonio Spurs on Monday at the Barclay Center by 139–103. Before meeting the Bulls, the Nets had an average margin of victory of 12.3 points over their 12 straight wins.

“I don’t think we really pay attention too much to the streak,” said Kyrie Irving after leading Brooklyn with 27 points

versus the Spurs. “We just really want to play well for one another.”

Kevin Durant added 25 points and 11 assists; TJ Warren hit for 18 off the bench; and Seth Curry, inserted into the starting lineup after coming off of the bench since returning from injuries, added 16 points efficiently in 22 minutes.

“This was a real team effort tonight,” said Curry. Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn noted his team has taken the same mental approach to every as they pile up victories.

“We show up and we play, and whoever is gonna play, we hoop out,” he explained. Before playing the Bulls, the

Nets were 23–7 under Vaughn since he took over for former head coach Steve Nash, who was let go in November. After the Bulls, the Nets remain on the road to take on the New Orleans Pelicans tomorrow and Miami Heat on Sunday and return to Brooklyn next Thursday to host the Celtics.

Randle’s resurgence keeps Knicks in thick of the East

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

Knicks forward Julius Randle didn’t win the NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month award for December. That honor went to Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid. But for the Knicks, Randle was invaluable.

He had perhaps the best month of his progressively improved nine-year career in averaging 28.3 points on 47.8% shooting and 11.4 rebounds, logging 37.1 minutes over 15 games. The Knicks went 9–6 and played the final three games of 2022, going 1–2, without point guard Jalen Brunson and forward RJ Barrett, their secondand third-leading scorers. Barrett was in for only 2 minutes versus the Dallas Mavericks on December 27 before suffering a lacerated finger on his right hand.

The 28-year-Randle began the new year with what has become routine, posting 28 points, 16 rebounds and six assists in a 102–83 drubbing of the Phoenix Suns at Madison Square Garden on Monday. Heading into the Knicks game versus the San Antonio Spurs

last night (Wednesday, Jan. 4) at MSG, Randle was averaging 24.2 points and 9.9 rebounds, both team highs, and was well on his way to a second All-Star Game selection, his first coming two seasons ago.

He has been central to the Knicks staying near or above .500—they were 20–18 before hosting the Spurs—and staying in playoff and Play-In Tournament position as they approach the midpoint of their regular season schedule.

Randle’s relationship with Knicks fans has been uneven. They have at times showered him with adulation and conversely called for the Knicks’ front office to trade him. He came to New York as a free agent in the summer of 2019 as a Plan B for then-Knicks president Steve Mills after the franchise whiffed on luring Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to the Garden. Both signed with the Nets.

The team went 21–45 in his first season as a Knick under turmoil as Mills and owner James Dolan canned former head coach David Fizdale in December of 2019 after a 4–18 start. Fizdale was replaced by assistant Mike Miller. Mills was terminated before the NBA trade deadline two months later and Leon Rose was subsequently hired as the new Knicks president.

Randle reflected the organization’s instability with inconsistent play despite good numbers on paper. Trying to take on the role of a franchise player, Randle

labored, putting up 19.5 points and 9.7 rebounds, but unable to elevate the Knicks in the standings. In 2020–’21, current head coach Tom Thibodeau’s first season with the Knicks, Randle flourished, making his first All-Star Game appearance, registering 24 points and 10 rebounds, and driving the team to a 41–31 record and No. 4 seed in the East before they were disappointingly eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Atlanta Hawks.

Last season, the Knicks had a precipitous decline, ending it 37–45, and Randle’s frustrations were overt. In a game in January in which the Knicks overcame a 25-point deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics 108-105, he gave the Garden crowd, which had been booing the team before the comeback, a thumbs down gesture. He later explained it meant “shut the f--k up!”

After the fans showered Randle with chants of “M-V-P” during the game against the Suns on Monday, he said, “It’s good to be on the good side of the Garden.” In reference to the incident last January, Randle jokingly had a case of selective amnesia.

“I don’t even remember that, that happend? Stop bringing up old sh*t.”

The Knicks will be in Toronto tomorrow to take on the Raptors, back home Monday to play the Milwaukee Bucks and at the Garden again on Wednesday to meet the Indiana Pacers.

Knicks forward Julius Randle had arguably the best month of his career this past December, averaging 28.3 points and 11.4 rebounds in 15 games (Bill Moore photo)

Nets guard Kyrie Irving continues his strong play while Seth Curry starts to find his form after battling injuries as team has risen to No. 2 seed in Eastern Conference (Bill Moore photos)

L: Kyrie Irving

L: Seth Curry

St. John’s leads ascension of local D I women’s hoops

By LOIS ELFMAN

Special to the AmNews

It has been an intense and interesting start to the Division I women’s basketball season for teams in New York and New Jersey. With the pandemic abating, studentathletes are thriving on the roar of the crowd and hoping it continues. Some teams are sustaining their momentum from 2021–22, while others are getting their groove back after some frustrating seasons. Here is a look at how some of the top teams in the area are doing as conference season goes full throttle (Columbia University is covered separately).

ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY

After two very disappointing seasons, St. John’s has reached new heights during non-conference play, which has only continued in Big East action. The Red Storm achieved a program landmark with an undefeated streak to start the season. As the calendar closed on 2022, St. John’s was 13–0 overall and 4–0 in Big East play. Redshirt senior guards Jayla Everett and Kadaja Bailey are leading the offense.

FORDHAM UNIVERSITY

Under a new head coach, Fordham has kept on winning, amassing an 8–5 record in non-

conference play. New Year’s Day brought the start of Atlantic 10 action and a win. Graduate student guard Asiah Dingle is averaging 19.1 points per game.

NJIT

Teetering on a winning percentage, NJIT is at 7–7 overall and 2–0 in America East Conference play.

SETON HALL UNIVERSITY

After starting the season with three wins, Seton Hall hit a rough spot with three losses, but responded by going on a sevengame winning streak. Senior guard Lauren Park-Lane has garnered Big East honors, including Player of the Week. Two other players are also consistently scoring significant points. Graduate student forward/center Sidney Cooks is contributing 15.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Senior guard Sha’Lynn Hagans is giving an average 10.2 points per game. The Pirates opened Big East play 4–1 with their only loss being to Connecticut.

IONA UNIVERSITY

Iona’s transition from a college to a university seems to have inspired the Gaels, with the team enjoying its best start in several seasons: 7–5 overall and 2–1 in MAAC action as of Jan. 1.

Columbia women open conference action with wins

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

On Dec. 28, Columbia University women’s basketball polished off a historic non-conference season with an 81–59 win over Ohio. The final score does not give the full perspective on a tough, hard-fought game. Columbia led early, but Ohio came back again and again, even closing the gap to one possession.

In the end, the Columbia Lions wore down the Ohio Bobcats, decisively outscoring them in the fourth quarter to secure the victory and the team’s best non-conference finish in program history.

“I thought it was sloppy; it looked like we just were on Christmas break, but I was proud of them for how they ended the game,” said Columbia head coach Megan Griffith. It was Columbia’s return to action after a 15-day break for finals and the

holidays. “Second half, we much more stuck to our game plan.”

All the players got minutes and performed well. The top three scorers were starters Abbey Hsu, Kaitlyn Davis and Hannah Pratt, but reserves Perri Page, Paige Lauder and Carly Rivera also contributed to the win.

“We’ve got to play people for them to feel confident,” said Griffith. “Coming out of the break, you want to make sure you go to your bench and that they feel confident. For us, it was really important to make sure we mix it up a little bit more and go deeper, especially going into conference.”

After the Ohio win, sophomore guard Kitty Henderson spoke about the team coming together to secure the win. “The first half, we got the rust out, and the second—especially in the fourth quarter—we came back together and we played our basketball,

especially on defense, and I think that was really good to see,” said Henderson. “Coach G got on us and we all, I think, woke up a little bit and also came together.

“We weren’t really talking that much in the first half. In the

second half, we really picked up our talk and we were working as a unit rather than individuals, which definitely helped us on defense—and on offense, we were just having fun, and that really showed.”

Columbia opened Ivy League conference play on Saturday with a 97–53 win over Yale. Five Columbia players scored in double figures. Conference action continues on Friday when Columbia takes on Princeton.

Guard Kadaja Bailey has been a prolific scorer for St. John’s (St. John’s Athletics photo) Graduate student post player Sidney Cooks is giving Seton Hall outstanding play (Seton Hall Athletics photo)

There has been a lot to celebrate about Columbia’s play (Columbia University Athletics/Brian Foley photo)

Sports

Long playoff drought finally ends for the persistent Giants

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

The Giants’ rebuilding process is far from complete—they need more sturdy foundational pieces to fortify the unfinished structure—yet the blueprint created by first-year general manager Joe Schoen and rookie head coach Brian Daboll is being successfully executed early in their tenures.

They have transformed a team that had a combined record of 22–59 over the past five seasons and failed to win more than six games in any of them into a playoff squad. With an uplifting 38–10 waxing of the dreadful 4-11-1 Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, the 9-6-1 Giants clinched their first postseason spot since 2016. It was fitting they did it at home in front of their fervent fan base that had been starving for a return to the playoffs for half a decade.

Quarterback Daniel Jones, whose fifth-year contract option the Giants declined to pick up on entering this season, further made his

case for a long-term deal with another strong showing, accounting for four touchdowns. Jones passed for 177 yards and two touchdowns, and led the Giants with 91 yards rushing and another two TDs.

Daboll, who at this time last year was the offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, framed the win as a major step in the ultimate goal of leading the team to its first Super Bowl victory since 2011.

“You work hard in this business to try to give yourself a chance to play extra innings or more games. So, we have done that,” he said following the win over the Colts.

“We put ourselves in a position to compete in more than just one other game. So, excitement, sure. Definitely… But I think you just got to stick with the process that got you here. Got to get ready to play another game. You know, the playoffs are a different breed. They're one and done. But we still got one more game before we get to those.”

The Giants, who are third place in the NFC East behind the 13-3 Philadelphia Eagles and 12-4 Dallas Cowboys, will play the Eagles on

the road this Sunday (4:25 p.m.) in the regular season finale. The Eagles, who have lost their last two games with quarterback Jalen Hurts sidelined while recovering from a sprained shoulder, are looking to lock up postseason home field advantage in the NFC with a win. Hurts, who has had an MVP caliber season, will likely be back for this crucial matchup.

The Giants go into their Week 18 game the No. 6 seed in the NFC with their playoff opponent yet to be determined. Who it is isn’t as important as the realization they will just be there, still playing two weeks into January, an uncommon occurrence for a franchise that has missed the playoffs nine out of the previous 10 seasons.

“I mean no one, let's be honest, no one besides the men and women in that facility gave us a chance to accomplish this and we just stuck to the script, kept believing in each other and gave ourselves the opportunity and we did it,” said running back Saquon Barkely, who also is in line for a new deal from the franchise as he heads for free-agency.

After playing just 15 of a possible 33 games over the past two seasons, including only two in 2020, and rushing for a combined 624 yards in the two campaigns, Barkely has had a rebirth this season. He was selected to the Pro Bowl and is fourth in the NFL in rushing with 1,312 yards.

The Bronx native amplified the ethos of the players and coaching staff of remaining level-headed

and focusing on what’s immediately in front of them.

“…We've still got next week to get ready for and you want to make it to the playoffs, but it's not like when you're making the playoffs it's not like you've won the Super Bowl,” Barkley said. “You give yourself a chance to compete for a Super Bowl, so it's just another step ahead and we've just got to keep working.”

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

Jets head coach Robert Saleh has taken this year’s team as far as the quarterback play and circumstances have allowed.

He’s made some questionable decisions, including ones concerning time management, but has proven to have the necessities and potential to someday be a Super Bowl-winning head coach. Maybe it will be with the Jets— but not until they resolve the most pressing issue facing the franchise: The Jets must fix Zach Wilson if he is indeed pliable and develop him into a capable quarterback and

leader, or cut ties with him as soon as possible and acquire an effective signal caller who can galvanize the team.

The Jets have been eliminated from postseason contention. They are 7–9 and in last place in the AFC East going into this Sunday’s final regular season game versus the Miami Dolphins on the road. After a promising 6–3 start, they have lost six of their last seven games, including five straight. The franchise has not made the playoffs since 2010, the longest existing postseason absence in the NFL. This year, it’s because Wilson did not make any positive strides from a difficult rookie campaign last season. In fact, those who strongly argue he disturbingly regressed have a compelling claim.

The 23-year-old No. 2 out of BYU was the overall pick from the 2021

draft and was rightly benched twice this season, first after throwing for just 77 yards in a 10–3 loss to the New England Patriots on the road on November 20, then again three days before Christmas at home in the Jets’ 19–3 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars where he passed for only 92.

Wilson’s poor play and lack of accountability led Saleh to turn to 27-year-old backup Mike White, who has done an admirable job through tumultuous times, including returning this past Sunday in a 23--6 road loss to the Seattle Seahawks after missing the previous two games due to fractured ribs. White’s replacement in those two games?

Wilson!

Juxtapose the two. White, out of Western Kentucky, is in his third

NFL season after being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round in 2018, and has fought just to establish himself a reliable backup in the league. Some football scouts and draft analyst gushed over what they asserted was his Aaron Rodgers-like ability coming out of college. Thus far, his game has looked nothing like the four-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl XLV (2011) champion.

The Jets have a foundation of talent to be a serious contender, except at QB. This off-season, that problem must be addressed.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh has had to navigate the stagnation of quarterback Zach Wilson as the team heads into its final game of this season versus the Miami Dolphins on the road (Bill Moore photo)

Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins celebrates after scoring on 6-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Daniel Jones in second quarter of team’s 38–10 playoff-clinching win over Indianapolis Colts on Sunday (Giants.com photo)