New York Amsterdam News Issue January 23-29, .2025 by AmsterdamNews

CLIMATE FUTURE

KNOWING WHAT NYC NEEDS

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NYPD Commissioner Tisch restricts car chases to serious crimes

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

The NYPD will pump the brakes on pursuing suspects wanted for lesser crimes, announced Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch last Wednesday, Jan. 15. Officers can still start car chases if a felony or violent misdemeanor is involved. But they can no longer rush after a vehicle over traffic violations or nonviolent misdemeanors, including most “fled traffic stops” which accounted for 67% of vehicle pursuits last year.

The policy goes into effect next month.

“The NYPD’s enforcement efforts must never put the public or the police at undue risk, and pursuits for violations and low-level crimes can be both potentially dangerous and unnecessary,” said Tisch in her statement. “The advanced tools of modern-day policing make it possible to apprehend criminals more safely and effectively than ever before, making many pursuits unnecessary. Now, our cops will have clear, unambiguous parameters for when to initiate, continue, and terminate these pursuits.

“This new policy will also expand supervision over such pursuits and require more detailed and timely documentation when these

pursuits occur. These key changes will make both the police and the public safer and further improve the NYPD’s service to the city.”

Roughly a quarter of the NYPD’s 2,278 car chases last year ended in “some combination of a collision, property damage or physical harm.” Last October, cyclist Amanda Servedio died from a collision after a vehicle fleeing police struck her. Her father, Frank Servedio,

welcomed the news of the new policy

“I’m happy with the fact that there’s been conversation –– there was a lot of conversation beforehand, and a lot of advocacy beforehand,” he said over the phone. “There have been other lives lost and other people injured, and that conversation was ongoing even before we got involved. But we [are]

See NYPD CAR CHASES on page 25

NYC immigration fears come to fruition as Trump enters office

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff

After two years of an increase in arrivals of migrants and asylum seekers to New York City, migration funding and policies were already a sore spot between Mayor Eric Adams and City Council. Well before President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, words were said, fears were stoked — and people were right to be worried.

At Trump’s second inaugural address, on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, he announced executive orders to reinstate the Remain in Mexico policy, redeploy the military to the southern border, designate criminal cartels and organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs), and enact the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 — a wartime authority that allows the president to detain or deport the natives and citizens of an enemy nation. He also ordered federal agencies to not provide citizen documents to certain children born in the U.S. to parents who are not themselves citizens or permanent residents, and stripped schools and churches of immigration enforcement protections. Trump has a long history with birtherism, going all the way back to the lies he spread about former President Barack Obama.

Photo of advocates that called for increased funding for immigration services in the city budget on June 1, 2018. (John McCarten photo)

New York City Mayor Eric Adams makes a public safety-related announcement with New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica Tisch. 1 Police Plaza, New York, NY. Monday, January 6, 2024. (Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office)

Trump pardons rioters, Biden grants clemency

Insurrectionists loyal to President Donald Trump confront police as they storm the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. Former President Donald Trump said during a debate with President Joe Biden that the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol involved a “relatively small” group of people who were “in many cases ushered in by the police.” (AP

By ARIAMA C.

One of the first official acts of President Donald Trump’s second term was to pardon nearly 1,500 rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, after Trump lost the 2020 election to former President Joe Biden.

The pardons are a culmination of Trump’s yearslong campaign to rewrite the history of the Jan. 6 insurrection, which left more than 100 police officers injured as the angry mob of mostly white and far-right Republican supporters stormed the Capitol building — some armed with poles, bats, guns, knives, and bear spray — overwhelmed law enforcement, shattered windows, and sent lawmakers and aides running into hiding, reported the Associated Press (AP).

The 2021 attacks on the Capitol resulted in at least five deaths, including law enforcement.

“Donald Trump is ushering in a Golden Age for people that break the law and attempt to overthrow the government,” U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer told the AP. Michael Sozan, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, said that Trump’s pardons for convicted Jan. 6 insurrectionists are an assault on the rule of law and a violation of the will of the American people. He crucified Trump in his statement for prioritizing loyalists over promises to reduce the cost of living and improve law and order.

“Today’s pardons send a deplorable signal that our system condones extreme forms of political violence, often spurred by elect-

ed leaders hellbent on dismantling necessary guardrails,” said Sozan. “It is now vital that Americans across the ideological spectrum join forces to build a stronger democracy that serves the nation’s best interests—where governmental institutions meet people’s needs and where we reject politicians who place their own interests above the interests of the people.”

Former Capitol Officer Harry Dunn and Sergeant Aquilino Gonell, who are with Courage for America, responded with deep disappointment to the announced pardons.

“Today is another dark day in American history and a continuation of the stain that January 6th left on our nation. I am infuriated, but not surprised in the slightest. We can’t pretend to be shocked because Trump has fulfilled his longstanding promise to pardon the criminals he incited to attack me and my fellow officers,” said Dunn in a statement.

“This decision is a betrayal to the officers who were severely injured — and died — as a result of the insurrection. This decision puts Americans at risk as these violent criminals return to their communities. These pardons are a reflection of what abuse of power looks like and what we the people are bound to witness over the next four years. Trump ran for office to avoid accountability for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and provide sanctuary for convicted criminals who were complicit in his efforts. Members of Congress have an obligation to hold him accountable for his extremism, now and in the future, because the future of our democracy depends on it.”

A

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

Meanwhile, in a small bright spot for Black history, Biden pardoned a handful of civil rights leaders and advocates as his last presidential act. Those pardoned included the late Marcus Garvey, who died in 1940 and was convicted of mail fraud in 1923; gun violence prevention advocate Darryl Chambers, who was convicted of a non-violent drug offense; immigration advocate Ravidath “Ravi” Ragbir, who was convicted of a non-violent offense in 2001; former Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates Don Leonard Scott, who was convicted of a non-violent drug offense in 1994 and sentenced to 10 years in prison; and Kemba Smith Pradia, a criminal justice advocate who was previously convicted of a non-violent drug offense in 1994. Biden commuted the sentences of two others who were sentenced in the 1990s and whom he credited with remarkable rehabilitation: Robin Peoples and Michelle West, reported Reuters.

FWD.us Executive Director Zoë Towns commended Biden’s latest pardons and commutations. She said that there was a crack/powder cocaine sentencing disparity that could not be defended on public health or public safety grounds that fueled already stark racial disparities, and many are still incarcerated on sentences that could not be handed down today.

“These final clemency actions will forever define President Biden’s legacy on justice,” said Towns in a statement. “Too often, our criminal justice reforms only apply to the law going forward, leaving behind the very people and injustices that moved us to change.”

For the third time since it was designated a national holiday in 1983, MLK Day and the presidential inauguration arrived simultaneously. It occurred the first time on Bill Clinton’s second inauguration and the second inauguration of Barack Obama. This convergence gave Trump an opportunity to invoke Dr. King, who would have probably gone unmentioned except during Cardinal Dolan’s invocation.

“Today is Martin Luther King Day and his honor, this will be a great honor, but in his honor, we will strive together to make his dream a reality. We will make his dream come true,” Trump promised on Monday from the Capitol Building’s Rotunda, amid a raft of outlandish charges and his announcement that the “Golden Age” has arrived.

Ordinarily, an inauguration address is not a State of the Union speech, but nothing is off limits when Trump takes the mic. He wasn’t out of the first paragraph or two before he began the politicization of his remarks, noting, “Our sovereignty will be reclaimed. Our safety will be restored. The scales of justice will be rebalanced. The vicious, violent, and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department and our government will end. And our top priority will be to create a nation that is proud, prosperous, and free.”

Much of what Trump said was nothing more than overworked rhetoric from his campaigns, especially to “make America great again.” Knowing of his tendency to take advantage of successes not his own, it was good that the ceasefire in Israel and Gaza happened before he was sworn in. “I’m pleased to say that as of yesterday, one day before I assumed office, the hostages in the Middle East are coming back home to their families,” he said.

On the global front, only the

Panama Canal got more than a nod, and China got its only mention as a user of the canal. This gave him an opportunity to chastise the recently deceased Jimmy Carter for his sale of the conduit. There were bemused expressions on the face of several Democrats when Trump said, “The United States will once again consider itself a growing nation, one that increases our wealth, expands our territory, builds our cities, raises our expectations, and carries our flag into new and beautiful horizons. And we will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the stars and stripes on the planet Mars.”

A few people exchanged looks of bafflement when Trump said, “A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and we will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs. President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent.”

Of the religious speakers, none was more ostentatious than Rev. Lorenzo Sewell, pastor of the 180 Church in Detroit, who was largely responsible for delivering the Black vote for Trump in Detroit. He did his best to climb Dr. King’s mountaintop sermon, with his “Let it ring” repetitions.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Trump spoke to his supporters in the Capitol Building’s Emancipation Hall. That was interrupted if you were watching it on CNN, in the same way the MLK celebration from the King Center in Atlanta, aired on Fox 5, ended. At least of the major outlets did deliver a portion of Rev. Dr. William Barber’s speech.

As Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez declared, after stating that she would not attend the inauguration of “a rapist,” Trump’s authoritarian reign is underway.

LONG Amsterdam News Staff

Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

Protestors rally on Inauguration Day, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

The Rundown: Black and Brown City Council seats up for grabs

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff

A slew of city council elections are happening this year. Here’s a list of the candidates facing off with Black incumbents in their respective districts:

District 7- Incumbent Shaun

Abreu,

Edafe

Okporo

Abreu’s district covers the Upper West Side, Morningside Heights, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Sugar Hill, and Washington Heights in Manhattan. Prior to getting elected to office in 2021, he was a tenant rights attorney. He’s been awarded $174,562 in public funds by the New York City Campaign Finance Board (NYCCFB).

“New Yorkers don’t back down from a fight, and neither do I,” said Abreu. “In the last three years, I’ve led on affordable housing and tenant rights, gotten trash bags off our sidewalks, and passed worker protection laws that are a model for the nation. I secured unprecedented levels of funding for parks, fought for our libraries, and expanded access to mental health services. Now, I’m running for reelection to keep up the momentum and create lasting change.”

His reelection platform prioritizes a permanent tax breaks for low- and middle-income homeowners, the Community Land Act, changing the city’s education funding formula, universal afterschool programs, waste management and sanitation, pay and tip transparency for delivery people, expanding access to open streets and public spaces, gun safety, and narcan in daycares to address potential overdose emergencies.

Okporo is Abreu’s main challenger. He’s a passionate advocate for the rights of

LGBTQ+ individuals and refugees. Originally from Nigeria, Okporo has written extensively on both subjects, drawing from his own experiences. His platform includes strengthening tenant protections, holding Columbia University accountable to its community benefits agreement, strengthening the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program, addressing gun violence, fully funding mental health resources, defending immigrant and worker rights, and universal childcare.

“New York must be a city that protects its people, not one that pushes them aside. As an immigrant, an activist, and a community leader, I have fought for policies that uphold dignity, fairness, and opportunity for all,” said Okporo. “Now, I’m ready to take that fight to City Hall. Our campaign is about ensuring middleclass families can afford to stay in their homes, guaranteeing retirees the healthcare they deserve, and making our neighborhoods safer without criminalizing poverty. In the face of fear and division, we will stand united — for an NYC that works for all of us.”

He’s raised $35,861 in private funds and received $117,055 in public funds.

District 28 - Tyrell D. Hankerson, Romeo Hitlall, Latoya LeGrand, Japneet Singh

District 28’s race in Queens is unique because City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is term-limited this year, leaving an opening for her council seat and a new Speaker. Several candidates have tossed their hat in the ring to replace Adams, including her Chief of Staff Tyrell “Ty” Hankerson.

“This district isn’t new to me. It’s my home, and I have lived in every corner of it,” said Hankerson. “I have spent several years working on the issues that matter most to the people of this community, including affordability, public safety, education, quality of life, responsible development, and environmental justice. I seek to unite this community because we are ONE DISTRICT 28, and I will be a Councilmember that serves everyone. Together, we can build real solutions that ensure no one is overlooked and every voice is heard.”

District 35 - Incumbent Crystal Hudson, Hector Robertson, Sharon Wedderburn, Dion M. Ashman

“I am honored to run for reelection to represent the residents of Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Fort Greene, and Clinton Hill in the New York City Council,” said Hudson. “Four years ago, I first ran for the Council to give back to a community that has given so much to me.”

In her time in office, she has passed bills to lay the groundwork for free or low-cost childcare, bolster access to doula and midwife care to address the Black maternal mortality crisis, provide direct cash assistance to our city’s most marginalized residents, and expand NYPD accountability. She’s also helped restore significant funding to beloved institutions like libraries and cultural organizations.

District 27- Incumbent Nantasha Williams, Austin Pieters, Vera V. Daniels

Williams’ district covers Jamaica, South Jamaica, Springfield Gardens, St. Albans, Hollis, Queens Village, Cambria Heights, and Laurelton in Queens. She was first elected in 2021. She’s raised $36,896 in private funds for her reelection campaign, according to the New York City Campaign Finance Board (NYCCFB).

Pieters has raised $26,380 and Daniels has raised $5,257 in private funds.

Hankerson’s platform is focused on addressing issues like affordable housing, ensuring public safety with accountability, improving the quality of education, advancing responsible development, and tackling environmental justice. He is also committed to expanding access to quality healthcare, supporting small businesses, and driving economic development across the district. So far he’s raised $25,141 in private funds and $82,445 in public funds.

Other candidates in the race include Romeo Hitlall, a Community Board 10 member and real estate broker; LaToya LeGrand, a constituent services representative for Assemblymember Vivian Cook; and Japneet Singh, a Sikh social activist that ran for state senate in 2022.

Her reelection platform includes fighting for deeply affordable housing, supporting community-led gun violence interrupters, enacting universal childcare, defending immigrant communities, expanding protections for LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers, and creating an accessible city for older adults. Hudson has raised $69,624 in private funds and $129,694 in public funds.

Robertson, one of her main challengers, ran in the 2021 city council elections in a packed district race and ultimately lost to Hudson. For over 20 years, Robertson has worked as a community organizer with the Washington Avenue Botanic Block Association (WABBA) and the Crown Heights Community Council (CHCC). He is a fierce advocate for older adults and tenants rights, he said. He’s raised $3,975 in private funds.

See COUNCIL SEATS on page 31

Photo of Councilmember Shaun Abreu. (Contributed by his campaign)

Councilmember Nantasha Williams presented a check to ACE. (Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit)

Tyrell “Ty” Hankerson. (Contributed by campaign)

Councilmember Crystal Hudson. (Contributed by her campaign)

How one organizer looks to keep up fight against new administration

By JASON PONTEROTTO Special to the AmNews

Throughout her career as an organizer and movement leader, Nicole Carty has remained committed to the work of racial justice in New York and beyond. As a millennial, she hopes to connect to the previous generation of organizers to help today’s young people make change.

Carty is a co-founder and executive director of Get Free, a campaign created to address past harms of systemic racism, prevent ongoing attacks, and work toward reparations for slavery.

The group, created in 2020, is youth-led and made up of organizers from various backgrounds working to mobilize young people to highlight civic harm and discrimination against Black communities and other such groups across the U.S. These issues include voter suppression and the anti-DEI and affirmative action efforts by Republicans and the Supreme Court. There are chapters in other states.

Some of their successes include being one of the principal campaigns behind pushing Governor Kathy Hochul and the state legislature to enact the New York State Reparations Commission in 2023.

Carty first got involved with movements like Occupy Wall Street and the Movement for Black Lives after graduating from Brown University and moving to New York

Black

New Yorker

in 2011. In New York, she has helped to organize movements, including developing the Crown Heights Tenant Union in 2013, where she lived at the time, helping win the historic citywide rent freeze.

“I expected a lot more barriers,” Carty said about helping to organize the tenant

union. “We probably [had about] 100 people to that meeting, and it made a difference for millions of New Yorkers. Things are really possible in the city.”

Born and raised in Atlanta, Carty comes from a background of civil rights activism. Her grandfather, Adolphus Carty, served as

the minister of St. Paul’s Episcopoal Church in the early ’60s, not far from Ebenezer Baptist Church where Dr. Martin Luther King led his ministry. Both her grandfather and King worked together to lead their ministries during the Civil Rights Movement. A child of the ’90s, Carty said she was always passionate about politics from a young age. “I was really political as a kid,” she said. “I was a staunch Democrat by the time I was 10.” As a teen, she noticed the shift toward “jingoistic nationalism” in the U.S. after 9/11.

While studying sociology at Brown, Carty found the way she was being taught topics was not a true study of policy nor the crux of societal issues — it was more academic and formulaic than the enlivening experience it should have been.

Carty was inspired to join the Occupy Wall Street movement, where she felt she found a community of the only ones talking about issues she was interested in, such as wealth and income inequality. She served as facilitator for the protests.

After studying under the Nashville civil rights leader and professor Rev. James Lawson, Carty began focusing on racial justice work with the Movement for Black Lives (MBL). She served as an advisor for other leaders organizing protests after the police killings of Eric Garner, Jamar Clark, Michael Brown, and George Floyd. In 2017, See BNY on page 29

Nicole Carty, co-founder of Get Free, has been leading movements for racial justice and equity in New York for over a decade. (Nicole Carty)

Planning a bold climate future means knowing what NYC needs

The city’s scientists have spent years taking on some of the city’s biggest climate issues. Here’s some of what they say the city needs to do to adapt.

By HELINA SELEMON Blacklight Science Reporter

The new year has kicked off with weather events that have many on alert across the country: Santa Ana winds reaching 100 miles per hour spread destructive wildfires across Los Angeles; in the same week, cooler winds broke away from the arctic for the second time this winter and dropped temperatures to freezing lows across a large swath of the country.

It’s expected that these extreme events will occur more often and be experienced for a longer span of time, so more cities are working on plans to adapt to survive it.

To do this, New York City relies in part on a volunteer group of local and regional scientists and engineers, who search the risks that New York faces and share guid-

ance that helps city agencies pursue plans to adapt the city for climate change effects.

The NPCC’s goal “is to give us the data we need to solve the problems,” said Paul Lozito, deputy executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ). “What it does for most New Yorkers is it validates the experiences that they’re having, because we do need that sort of quantitative and qualitative data that’s vetted by academics to make good public policy.”

The scientists have produced a report about New York City’s biggest and emerging issues, from flooding and extreme heat to energy needs and equity and justice for vulnerable communities. It covers a lot of ground, but looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, these are a few of their takeaways on the deadliest and costliest issues: heat and flooding.

Events like the extreme heat waves, floods, and storms of years past are proving to be expensive and life-threatening: 24 people have died in the LA fires to date and the damages are projected to be the most costly in U.S. history; the recovery from last year’s Hurricane Helene could cost more than $200 billion; in New York, the heat is killing hundreds in the city every year, and

nearly a million homes in the tri-state are at high risk of flooding.

Understanding flooding and its downstream effects

In New York, it’s not just hurricanes that are a threat, but heavy rainfall, or pluvial flooding, that affect a larger part of the city and has to be considered in citywide strategies to manage stormwater, the scientists found.

“We’d seen that, but not in a really deadly way,” Matte said of rainfall from storms prior to Hurricanes Sandy and Ida. “I think highlighting the threat of pluvial flooding … that’s really important, and clearly was a kind of a blind spot the city had.”

Matte explained that the city was very focused, for regulatory reasons, on reducing what are called combined sewer overflows, when sewage treatment plants or wastewater treatment sites get overwhelmed and untreated sewage goes into surface water. “But the threat to life and limb from pluvial flooding had not gotten the same amount of attention,” he added, “and tragically, it took more than a dozen deaths for that to happen.”

Some recommendations from scientists include developing hazard maps that illustrate the current and future flood concerns New York City faces, and that the city

continue its efforts to create simulations of how coastal, sewer, and groundwater flows. They recommend assessing the compounded flood risks in New York with more of these flood models.

Timon McPhearson, a professor of urban ecology at the New School, said that people must both adapt to living with the water and invest in managing its flow. A combined strategy of controlling water movement and adapting housing and public infrastructure to direct water safely through the city is essential, but will require significant long-term investments, including nature-based solutions like green roofs and rain gardens and creating more water-absorbent surfaces in the concrete jungle to soak up some of the flood water.

“Decreasing vulnerability and risk requires multiple types of solutions to be put into place and to be coordinated,” McPhearson said. “That coordination is a huge challenge, but is absolutely required.”

The report emphasized that the longterm health impacts of flooding, like mold exposure, need to be better understood, McPhearson said. Directly linking specific health impacts to flooding events may mean that agencies must consider these See CLIMATE FUTURE on page 7

Visual notes from NPCC4 All Hands Meeting in June 2021. (Graphic By Johanna Tysk NPCC4: Climate risk and equity — advancing knowledge toward a sustainable future | Introduction. Deborah Balk, Christian Braneon, et al. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.15149, Volume1539, Issue 1. First published: June 25, 2024. September 2024. Pages 3–12.)

Climate future

needs in the services that they provide. Understanding these health implications is crucial, since these health issues fall hardest on low-income, BIPOC, and immigrant communities.

New Yorkers need more protection from extreme heat

When it comes to climate, heat is more deadly than hurricanes, tornados, and flooding combined, the scientists said. To address the impact of heat on residents, the city’s scientists recommended monitoring indoor temperatures, improving warning systems that alert people about how to navigate the heat, and map New York’s hottest, most high-risk areas.

“New Yorkers have to prepare for warmer summers,” said Deborah Balk, NPCC cochair and professor of public affairs at Baruch College.

Heat-related deaths had been decreasing since the 1970s with more widespread access to air-conditioning, but over the last decade or so, the death count has begun rising again, said Tom Matte, a physician, environmental epidemiologist and senior lecturer at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. “I’m disappointed to say that,” he told the AmNews, “despite that progress and despite the fact that for a long time, we have managed to make the case in city plans that there needs to be an increase in subsidies for cooling assistance.”

The subsidies, which help provide eligible low-income households with air conditioners for healthy temperatures haven’t really changed much, Matte said. Unlike with heating bills in the winter, New York has historically hasn’t offered public utility assistance for cooling bills in the summer.

While there’s agreement about the risk and danger of heat, Matte, who used to work for the city’s health department, said that they’ve run into challenges with getting the city to embrace recommending residents get and use air-conditioners.

“We did a lot to try to elevate that issue, and still, when we started work on the [latest NPCC report], there was some pushback,” he said. “The idea is, air conditioning is, in the jargon in the climate world, maladaptive,” because of the impact of air conditioners on warming the air.

While widespread air-conditioner use raises outdoor temperatures, Matte said that when it comes to saving lives from heat, as well as filtering out air pollutants and irritants that get worse with warmer temperatures, it’s a public health no-brainer.

Speaking from his experience in working for the city’s health department, Matte said that his team’s recommendation then was “to be more direct about telling people they need to get to an air-conditioned place, [to] use their air conditioning if they have it,” he told the Amsterdam News. “We need to do more to provide air conditioning to people who don’t have it.”

Lozito of the Mayor’s Office said New Yorkers who are eligible should seek energy assistance through the city and state via the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP or HEAP). However, the program faces a routine problem: The cooling assistance part of the program runs out of funding within weeks of opening applications.

“We’re vociferous advocates for the HEAP program,” Lozito said. “Every year, we run out of resources by July. With our advocacy this year, there were some additional state resources attributed, but because the issues with heat are compelling, they still ran out of money.”

The state currently allocates 50% of its energy assistance to warming people in the winter, compared to just 4% toward cooling people in the summer. “The need is identified in at least a baseline in July of every preceding year. How much, how many applicants were not served?” Lozito said.

Planning for a fair and just climate future

According to Balk, the NPCC was happy overall with the needs that the report tackled, taking on issues that many agencies have presented. They found more alignment than not with the city about the needs to meet.

“I think that the city’s working on so many fronts, trying to make that a reality — to make smart, informed choices, and NPCC is part of it,” she said.

The reports from the NPCC have built on previous knowledge that ultimately helps create the “climate information of record” for the city. There already are discussions of weaving in issues like climate financing into the next report.

“Each successive iteration of the NPCC report has expanded its scope to include a wider range of issues, such as public health, climate justice, and environmental racism,” said Bill Solecki, a former NPCC co-chair, current NPCC advisor, and professor of earth and environmental sciences at Hunter College.

One of those issues was how to tackle adapting New York equitably.

“We know from the science, and also from

community-based knowledge, that climate impacts don’t affect everyone equally, and that there are certain areas of the city and also certain populations that are more vulnerable than others,” said Sheila Foster, professor of climate at Columbia University and a co-leader of the NPCC’s equity work since 2016.

No two parts of New York City are alike in their needs. Involving the community in climate adaptation is both important and proven successful in giving communities more than one positive change, Foster said.

“We also pointed to examples around the world, [and] around the country, some including here in New York City, of ways in which local governments and cities are working together with the most vulnerable communities to co-produce and co-create the adaptation scenarios and planning that need to be in place that help those communities transition to a more sustainable future,” she said. “Climate change and climate impacts land on an unequal landscape, so you have to take that into account — the different communities, their needs, their impacts, their vulnerability — in planning that.”

There’s a real possibility that climate policy can unintentionally harm communities that are affected by climate change, Foster said. The lens of a justice framework takes into account the intersecting vulnerabilities that people are living with, including housing insecurity, energy insecurity and gentrification. “We cannot do climate planning without that lens,” she said.

Foster said the scientists have recommended that the city quantify these risks as a way to guard against taking actions that inadvertently hurt vulnerable communities.

“Our climate has already changed … we’re no longer in the same kind of conditions and atmosphere that we are used to,” said MOCEJ Executive Director Elijah Hutchinson in October. “It’s hotter and it’s wetter, and with these changes in temperatures, it’s essentially like having an extra month of summer.”

Hutchinson said that by 2027, the city is going to use the data from the NPCC and

“integrate it into all city capital planning and all design projects so that we’re designing for the future with heat and extreme weather on all of our publicly funded infrastructure and large-scale projects.”

Action about the climate requires work across many agencies — the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), Housing and Preservation Development (HPD), and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), just to name a few. Lozito said one of the goals his office plans to pursue in 2025 is to establish a maximum indoor air temperature requirement for new construction.

“That’s our sort of floor mandate that we’re working toward, and that’s informed in part by data that we collected from NPCC that shows that the city is getting hotter,” he said.

The mayor’s office released an environmental justice report in 2024 that Lozito said used findings from the NPCC, and envisioned 2025 as a year to begin planning for carrying out the report’s findings.

Using NPCC data, the New York City Council introduced a bill to require the city to create and update a flood risk map that highlights rainfall risk and impacts of projected sea-level rise.

If 2024 brought about a flurry of reports, legislation, and new data for the city to use, then 2025 brings a year of planning and execution. In some ways, New York is heading in that direction: The state has created an extreme heat action plan, started planting more trees to help cool neighborhoods that were historically excluded from getting trees planted in decades past, and passed a bill to install solar panels on public buildings.

Soon enough, more data to fuel more responses will come, since in November, Mayor Eric Adams announced the next council of scientists. Matte said he’s ready to pass the baton to more scientists who are digging into how New York City needs to adapt and bring New Yorkers’ needs forward.

“We need to lean into making it possible to live in New York with the climate we have,” Matte said. “It’s just like other health and safety issues: The city’s first responsibility is the people that live here and work here and go to school here, to keep them safe, give them opportunity — economic opportunity … I think focusing on that, as the NPCC has done, is really important.”

The work of the city’s scientists lives online at climateassessment.nyc. The next set of volunteer scientists has already been assembled to produce the city’s fifth report, and they’re already looking at finding ways to make the next report more usable by the public.

“One of the things we’ll be taking on NPCC5 is some guidance on how to use this information in a way that can help action, both at local, community-based organizations and for the city and the region,” said McPhearson, who will co-chair the 2025 panel.

Members of this NPCC shared both optimism and concern about where New York goes next as it plans for a future still full of unknowns. Is New York City’s climate vision bold enough for the future? “It’s trying to be,” Foster said.

Estefani Nuñez in front of her Queens home where she experiences flooding from high tides and rainfall. (Damaso Reyes)

Running through history in Harlem for MLK Day

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff

In honor of Martin Luther King Day (MLK), the New York Flyers running club took a historic jog through Harlem. They visited historic sites, statues, churches, monuments, and buildings on the tour.

“These individuals changed the world,” said Bradford Goz, a volunteer with the New York Flyers running club who organized the historic tour honoring those who are memorialized in these places. “Running

provides a unique opportunity to go at an [engaging] pace to experience sites and architecture while covering a large territory.”

The New York Flyers running club was founded in 1989 and is one of the largest clubs in the city. A small group of runners gathered on a frigid Sunday morning, the day before MLK Day, to kick off their 2025 “Harlem Heroines and Heroes Run,” which began near the Frederick Douglass Sculpture and Water Wall by Central Park North.

“I feel like a tourist,” laughed Shevon Mahon, a club member who lives in Brooklyn.

Runners covered about 6 miles, pausing to get background information about each site and learning about the circumstances that led to the development of Harlem as the nation’s “Black Mecca” for several decades. They heard about Black American icons, such as abolitionist Harriet Tubman, real estate mogul Philip A. Payton, baseball player Willie Mays, band leader Cab Calloway, tennis great Althea Gibson, entertainer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, restaurateur Sylvia Woods, civil rights leader Malcolm X, former Congressmember Adam Clayton

Powell Jr., and of course, MLK himself. Even other running clubs in the city are rooted in Black history, said Goz. Ted “the Father of Long Distance Running” Corbitt, a Black runner who made history in the 1952 Olympics, served as founding president of the New York Road Runners Club (NYRR). He also trained at the 369th (Colored) Infantry — the Harlem Hellfighters, the most famous all-Black regiment to fight during World War I, with the French. Under his leadership, the running club opened to all races, genders, and running speeds.

New York Flyers on Heroes and Heroines run on Sunday, Jan. 19.

369th Regiment Armory Obelisk: Honors Harlem Hellfighters, who endured more days in combat than any American unit in World War One while attached to French army.

Mural of jazz legend John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie on West 135th Street.

Monument to Frederick Douglass: Escaped slavery to become leading voice of Abolition Movement.

(Ariama C. Long photos)

Marcus Garvey Park: Among most consequential of Black leaders in American history as founder of Universal Negro Improvement Association.

Regent Movie Theater of 1912, America’s first “movie palace,” now First Corinthian Baptist Church, established in 1964.

Black people are more vulnerable to cybercrimes — what Black cyber experts say about protecting yourself

By LEAH MALLORY Special to the AmNews

Defense is just as important as offense, and when it comes to the digital age, protecting yourself online is a major priority.

The rise of cybercrimes like data breaches, identity theft, and scams is leaving consumers to face the economic fallout. Black and Latino communities specifically are disproportionately affected by cybercrimes, with consumers from those groups being more likely to lose money to digital scams or cyberattacks than white consumers, according to the 2024 Cyber Readiness Report by Consumer Reports, Aspen Digital, and the Global Cyber Alliance.

According to Dr. Fatou Sankare, a Certified Ethical Hacker, professor, and cyber engineer, a common misconception among Black consumers is that they are not valuable targets of cyberscams, leading them to underestimate the risks of cyberthreats and fail to take necessary precautions.

“I think a lot of the time, when you talk to people about cybersecurity and data protection, their initial response would be, ‘I’m not that important. Nobody’s worried about me,’” Sankare said. What some consumers might not realize is that “it’s not necessarily the amount of money in your account; it’s the things they can do with the information that pertains to you [scammers] are not after your money per se, but they’re after what they could do with the information that you have to make more money.”

Drawing on prior research from the Federal Trade Commission, the 2024 Cyber Readiness report noted several possible explanations for this disproportionate impact. For instance, Black and Latino people are less likely to use payment methods that have built-in legal fraud protections; white consumers tend to use those protections more.

Black and Latino communities are also more likely to use cash, cryptocurrency, and money orders to carry out transactions, as well as payment apps like Venmo & CashApp, which have limited fraud safeguards.

“In the Black and Brown communities, we’re not on these programs where we look at our credit all the time, right? We’re not using credit monitoring services, so until we go and try to get a loan for a house or try to get a loan for school, we realize that, hey, there’s actually two of you. Somebody has been using your credit all along,” Sankare said.

The minimal protection makes it much more difficult for Black and Latino consumers to get their money back if they fall prey to fraud or any other digital scheme.

Protection from these potential dangers, Sankare said, begins with education. That’s why she founded Dataction LLC, an organization dedicated to revitalizing technology in redlined communities and empowering members of those communities through cyber education.

She routinely holds sessions and classes to

teach people how to avoid digital scams and other threats. In one of her most recent cohorts, she taught students to create their own phishing links — a common cyberattack used to deceive individuals into sharing sensitive information, often through emails, texts, or phone calls — to demonstrate how easily a hacker could steal information.

“We created a fishing link where we utilized a login from Hulu or Netflix and we sent the phishing link to each other [in the class],” Sankare said. “One person played as the hacker and the other person played as the victim. We had the server running so the class could see when the link was clicked, and you can see the IP address pop up, so that person now has your geolocation.”

In addition to digital scams, Black people are also vulnerable to digital surveillance, which refers to the monitoring or collecting personal information using digital technologies.

While some of these technologies are deployed to circumvent any online or physical danger, they have been used in ways that increase existing inequalities. For example, studies show that facial recognition systems have misidentified Black individuals, raising concerns of bias when it comes to matters such as policing and public safety.

While these risks don’t mean everyone is actively being monitored, they do highlight the importance of understanding these varying digital systems.

CryptoHarlem, described on its website as “a nonprofit Anti-Surveillance, Cybersecurity Education & Advocacy Organization,” also works to protect marginalized communities

from digital harm.

Matt Mitchell, founder of CryptoHarlem, a cyber expert, and self-proclaimed “best hacker in the world,” recommended encrypting data as a defense against any potential surveillance.

“If you don’t use [X] anymore, delete your stuff off of there. You could just make a request or you could use a tool that will help you back up all your DMs and erase it, ” he said.

He also discussed protecting text messages. “Whether you’re only using iMessage or you’re using WhatsApp, having your messages not available to any third party helps avoid that. It mostly has to do with the criminalization of our identities and not making it easier for someone who is either ignorant or has bad intent [to create] a bad day for you.”

Jason Thigpen, a self-employed IT specialist, met Mitchell about 10 years ago, when he first began CryptoHarlem. Thigpen attended several sessions and meetups hosted by the organization, where he said he fell in love with the knowledge they offered.

“They’ve always been very forthcoming with tech resources, whether it’s from a learning perspective or even just protection, privacy, and security, as well as advocacy — helping you learn how people around the world are protecting themselves and how certain government agencies and organizations are infringing on those privacies,” Thigpen said.

If it weren’t for CryptoHarlem, he would not have known or understood the magnitude of digital surveillance. “You don’t find a lot of people who look like us in our communities intentionally sharing that infor-

mation,” he said. “Even though we have more folks of color in security, we still don’t have enough that are loud about the issues that face our communities.”

Mitchell holds a live stream every week to discuss current events and innovations in tech, offering insight through a Black perspective.

Sankare identified three key steps people can take to protect themselves and their data online.

“The first thing is to look yourself up and see what information is out there. Once you figure out the information that’s out there, try to find ways to take it down,” she said. People can either contact a company to remove their information, or they can remove it themselves.

“The second thing is if it is not necessary to share, don’t share it. You wouldn’t walk up to a stranger and tell them where you work, what’s your favorite color, or what’s your pet’s name,” she said. “I think people get a little carried away on social media.”

Her final tip: Question everything.

“Always question information that is being requested from you, whether it’s on an application that you’re filling out and they’re asking a question and you’re just like, ‘What does it have to do with whatever it is I’m signing up for?’ But also just online,” she said. “If you don’t trust it, don’t go for it.”

For more information, visit https://www. cryptoharlem.com/, https://www.mydatacation.com/, or NYPL Tech Connect.

This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship lab, which is made possible with support from Comcast NBCUniversal.

(Pixaby photo)

Union Matters

On LA fire lines, inmates shoulder heavy packs and tackle dangerous work for less than $30 a day

By TAMMY WEBBER and DORANY PINEDA Associated Press

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Sal Almanza has worked 24-hour shifts in grueling terrain, cutting fire lines and hauling away brush trying to keep ahead of fires that have devastated several Los Angeles neighborhoods. But when the fires are finally out, he won’t be going back to his family: He’ll be returning to the prison “fire camp” where he’s serving time for drunken driving that injured someone.

“I wanted to do something positive while I was here,” the 42 year old said. “Something that would contribute back to the community and just help me feel better about my situation and right the wrongs that I did.”

Over 1,100 California inmates have been working around the clock in challenging conditions — including howling winds and toxic smoke — to help Cal Fire battle the Eaton and Palisades fires, the largest and most destructive of about a half-dozen fires that burned in the Los Angeles area in the past two weeks.

They become firefighters for the chance to cut time off their sentences, to get outside the prison walls and for training that might help them land a job once they’re out.

But some say the inmates, many earning less than $30 a day for their efforts, deserve better after risking their lives: to be paid on par with other firefighters.

“We always talk about how it’s an injustice and we’ve never addressed it,” said California Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, who introduced a bill this week that would pay inmates the same as the lowest-paid nonincarcerated firefighter on the frontlines. “I think it’s appropriate for us to have a conversation about what equity looks like even in the midst of a natural disaster.”

Braving powerful winds and debris, crews cut fire lines around homes, cleared vegetation, removed propane tanks and anything else that could fuel the fire. The firefighters described carrying 45 to 65 pounds — or more — of gear while hiking for hours in steep, rugged terrain to cut containment lines to keep flames from spreading.

Almanza, who is serving a four-year sentence at the minimum-security Fenner Canyon Conservation Camp, said the firefighting is physically demanding.

“You’re putting your (bodies) through things that you think they can’t go through and pushing them to the limit,” he said.

At least 27 people have died in infernos that have destroyed more than 12,000 structures and left tens of thousands under evacuation orders. The fires are likely to be

among the most destructive in California history, according to CalFire.

California began training inmates to help fight wildfires during World War II, when many men were deployed overseas.

Today, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the state forestry department and the Los Angeles County fire department operate 35 “fire camps” where inmates can become certified wildland firefighters.

When deployed, those firefighters earn from $5.80 to $10.24 a day, depending on experience, and an extra $1/hour during active wildfires, according to the corrections department. That means the lowest-paid firefighters earn $29.80 per 24-hour shift.

Jeff Macomber, the Corrections secretary, called the inmate firefighters’ work “an essential part” of the effort against the Los Angeles fires.

Corrections officials say the inmates volunteer and are aware of potential dangers.

The department did not answer an Associated Press query about how many have been killed or injured on the job, but Smithsonian Magazine reported in 2022 that at least four inmates had died in the preceding few years — including one struck by a boulder and another in a chainsaw accident.

A 2018 Time investigation found that incarcerated firefighters were over four times more likely than professionals to suffer cuts, bruises or broken bones and over eight times more likely to have complications from inhaling smoke and other particles.

Joseph McKinney, another inmate battling flames in Los Angeles, said it’s a risk he’s willing to take.

“When you realize you’re doing something ... for the greater good, you’re willing to put that sacrifice up,” he said. “And not only that, I have a debt to pay to society and this is how I’m choosing to pay it back.”

Bianca Tylek, executive director of the criminal justice advocacy group, Worth Rises, questions whether incarcerated firefighters’ work is truly voluntary because California requires inmates to work. State voters in November rejected a measure that would have banned forced prison labor.

She says it’s exploitative to offer low-paying firefighting jobs to those desperate to be on the outside and to shave time off their sentences.

But “labor is labor and ... should be compensated,” Tylek said.

Sam Lewis, executive director of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, supports the fire camps but said it’s “sad” that it took “a horri-

ble tragedy” to spark a movement for better pay that has gained support from many residents, including celebrity Kim Kardashian.

“It brings light to the people that are incarcerated and how ... they come to serve the community that they may have harmed,” he said. “But look at how they’ve given back.”

His organization advocated for the development of an advanced training and certification program at the Ventura Training Center, which prepares parolees for firefighting careers. In 2020, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill giving paroled firefighters the chance to expunge their records to make it easier to find jobs.

Bryan said he hopes his bill can be expedited — and perhaps made retroactive — so inmates can be “treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.” He said the money could come from emergency federal funding.

“I think everybody who ... is risking their lives to save others is a hero, and that doesn’t matter whether you’re incarcerated or not,” Bryan said. “If that is who you are, that is your character and that is what you demonstrate in the middle of a crisis ... the state of California owes you a debt of gratitude.”

A California Department of Corrections hand crew works containment lines ahead of the Palisades Fire, Jan. 14, 2025, in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope, File)

Biden pardons thousands

President Biden’s legacy may get a boost, at least from activists and Black Nationalists, with his latest round of pardons and commutations. Among the 2,500 pardons and commuted sentences are such notables as Marcus Garvey, Kemba Smith, and Leonard Peltier. His posthumous pardoning of Garvey sent ripples of joy to Black Americans familiar with the legendary founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) and the Back to Africa movement. He was convicted in 1923 of using the U.S. mail to defraud buyers of his Black Star stock. He was sentenced to seven years in prison but only did two after his sentence was commuted in 1927 by President Calvin Coolidge. Deported from the U.S., he returned to his native Jamaica and vainly sought to revive his organization. In 1940, he was living in London when he died.

Kemba Smith Pradia was a teenager in college when she began dating a man who was selling cocaine to students. Unbeknownst to her, he was a major figure in a crack cocaine ring and forced her to become actively involved in the ring where she subsequently was physically and mentally abused. She was pregnant when she turned herself into the police and charged with conspiracy to crack and cocaine trafficking. She was sentenced to nearly 25 years in prison but served only six years after President Clinton granted her clemency in 2000. For several years, she worked for the ACLU and is the recipient of many awards for her activism on the rights of felons. In 2019, she was appointed to the Vir-

ginia Parole Board.

Native American activist Leonard Peltier’s plight has long been high on the agenda of political activists, particularly those concerned with prison reform and justice. Peltier has been in prison for more than five decades for his conviction in the killing of two FBI agents in 1975 during a shootout in the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Biden commuted his sentence to indefinite house arrest and he slated to be released in February. For many years, Peltier, 80, a prominent figure in the American Indian Movement, has been battling such ailments as diabetes, hypertension, and partial blindness.

Like the others who have been pardoned, received clemency, or been pardoned, Peltier’s commutation does expunge the conviction. Still, it will bring some comfort and relief knowing that Trump cannot revoke the pardons, though he may try.

Elinor R. Tatum: Publisher and Editor in Chief

Editor

CPR can save lives, why not learn it?

By NATALIA CINEAS

If I told you that an easy-tolearn skill could save a life, would you want to know more?

That skill is cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR. About 90% of people who experience a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting do not survive, in part because they have not received immediate CPR from a bystander. The American Heart Association has set a goal of doubling the survival of cardiac arrest by 2030 and wants you to join the Nation of Lifesavers by learning CPR today.

Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death worldwide, and each year, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital setting in the United States. These events happen due to an electrical malfunction in the heart that disrupts blood flow from the heart to the brain, lungs and other organs.

Research shows that Black and Hispanic adults who experience a witnessed cardiac arrest outside the hospital are substantially less likely than their white peers to receive lifesaving care from a bystander.

Black Americans have the highest incidence of cardiac arrest outside of the hospital and are significantly less likely to survive.

Cardiac arrest in Black neighborhoods is associated with alarmingly low treatment and survival rates and recent studies have shown lower rates of both bystander CPR and bystander automated external defibrillator (AED) use in these neighborhoods.

According to the research, CPR intervention was least likely for Black and Hispanic adults in a less personal setting, such as on the street or in a public transportation center. Results improved at home or in public settings where people might know the person, such as the workplace, though such CPR still was more likely for white people in the study.

Cardiac arrest can result in death within minutes. A little less than half of people who experience a cardiac arrest receive CPR from a bystander.

When seconds matter most, CPR can make the difference in whether your friends and

family survive. But not everyone knows how to perform CPR. Find a nearby class to take a course to learn the lifesaving skills of CPR, first aid, and how to use an AED.

Alternatively, individuals, families and friend groups can watch a 90-second Hands-Only CPR instructional video to learn the two steps of Hands-Only CPR: 1) Call 911 if you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse; and 2) Push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of a familiar song that has 100 to 120 beats per minute.

An American Heart Association CPR playlist features numerous songs by Black musicians and performers, including “Please Don’t Stop the Music” by Rihanna, “You Got Me” by The Roots, and “Universal Mind Control” by Common.

Immediate CPR could double or triple a person’s chance of survival. The American Heart Associa-

tion urges everyone to take action in the event of a cardiac arrest by calling 911, delivering high-quality CPR and getting and using an AED as soon as it is available.

For more information, please contact the American Heart Association at 212-878-5900 or visit heart.org/cpr. Together, we can save lives.

Natalia Cineas, DNP, MSM-N, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, FADLN, serves as Senior Vice President, Chief Nursing Executive, CoChair, Equity and Access Council for NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest municipal public health care system in the nation, serving 1.4 million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations, directing 9,600+ nurses and President of the board of the directors of the New York City American Heart Association.

Damaso Reyes: Executive & Investigative

Kristin Fayne-Mulroy: Managing Editor

Cyril Josh Barker: Digital Editor

Siobhan "Sam" Bennett:

Natalia Cineas

President Joe Biden (U.S. Army photo by: CPL Gabriel J. Bacchus)

The truth will set us free

January 20, 2025. We honored the life and birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and we inaugurated the 47th President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump. An indicted criminal. A liar-in-chief. Is that too blunt?

I once read an article that lying was on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic. Why? In a 1996 study, it was discovered that in their everyday life, people tell one to two lies a day, lies they don’t consider harmful. As people desperate to leave isolation and sheltering sought to re-enter their former lives, researchers noted the rate of lying increased. Questions about symptoms and exposure to someone who has tested positive, when answered dishonestly, could have catastrophic effects. Yet this dishonesty was documented. Robert Feldman, a professor of psychological and brain sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, suggested that the fact that we’d been through a tough period with COVID-19 with no end in sight gave people permission to be less honest.

In a February 16, 2017 article called, “Thou Shalt Not Speak Alternative Facts: Religion and Lying,” Kimberly Winston at Religion News Service wrote about religious leaders and the importance of truth. Speaking about

REV. DR. JACQUI LEWIS

FIERCE LOVE

the damage lying does to the speaker, the victim of the speech and the person who hears it, Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb said, “The potency of such speech is almost mystical because of the potential implications of such speech. If I overhear the president of the United States say a U.S. judge of Mexican ancestry is unfit for the bench and then I say or do something to heed that nativist, anti-Mexican sentiment, it can have life or death implications for myself and others.”

Whether lying about the number of American citizens dead in Puerto Rico after two storms, or about how COVID19 would disappear over the summer or presenting alternative facts about how voting by mail would increase fraud in elections, lying became a national disease with the help of Mr. Trump, infecting politics, social media and the news with too many lies to count. In the context of this moment, catastrophes like the wildfires in California have afforded more opportunities to lie about how budget cuts and a lack of water fueled the fires.

This nation was built on lies about power, manifest destiny, and the superiority of some over others. Yet, as Howard Zinn wrote, “But I suppose the most revolutionary act one can engage in is to tell the truth.” Truth can dismantle the lies at the foundation of our nation and create a new America. Truth can free us and those around us to live without being shackled to the energy lying requires of us — lying, being caught, and making up more lies to cover our tracks.

Mother Teresa wrote, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” Telling the truth creates many ripples that change the world. When I think of the dying, the mourning and grieving and all who need a word of hope to get them through these difficult days, I’m drawn to the truth more than a comforting lie. The truth is death is terribly hard and we are living in times so difficult, they take our breath away. The truth is, fear and doubt are totally understandable responses to times of crises. But for as long as we have truth, it can light our way to freedom.

The truth makes a personal, spiritual, ethical and moral demand upon us. It wants to be said, known and told. It

smarts, it hurts, and it’s inconvenient. But it is essential to our well-being. It cleanses our spiritual pallet and it restores our souls. Truth is a drink of water to a parched traveler. It liberates us from bondage. It builds trust and connections. It is the beginning of authentic living and joy. Truth eludes us at times, but we must pursue it. Truth is a spiritual practice that requires practice. And as Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote, “Above all, don’t lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love.”

As children, we are often taught to keep our mouths closed to avoid conflict or getting in trouble. Well, that doesn’t work! What is unsaid is still there, just hiding in the dark, waiting to pounce. The pressure to keep the peace causes adults to fail at being honest and there is no such thing as a white lie. A lie is a lie. In a meeting with colleagues, if we are dishonest, we are lying. When teaching our children or relating to our family of origin, if we are not honest, we are lying. Our children are observing our relationship to the truth. Alternative facts are not the truth. Though it is risky to be honest, I strongly believe the truth will set us free. We can practice telling the truth as an act of liberation. As June Jordan wrote, “To tell the truth is to become beautiful, to begin to love yourself, value yourself. And that’s political, in its most profound way.”

The truth is our nation is in trouble. The truth is half of us are not sure that is true. The truth is fascism is rising around the globe and the only way to face the difficulty of these days is to be blunt and honest about what is happening. The only things we can change, James Baldwin taught, are the things we face.

Word.

Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis is senior minister and public theologian at Middle Church in New York. Celebrated internationally for her dynamic preaching and commitment to justice, she champions racial equality, economic justice and LGBTQIA+/gender rights. Featured on MSNBC, PBS, NBC, CBS and NPR, she is the author of several books, including “Fierce Love” and the “Just Love Story Bible.” Countless individuals and communities have been inspired by Lewis’s transformative work on her podcast, “Love Period”; in columns and articles; and on stages, in churches, on the street and in digital spaces around the globe.

Still thinking about Altadena

CHRISTINA GREER, PH.D.

A few weeks ago, one of my best friends from college lost his home and everything he owns in the fires that have spread across the many thousands of acres in and around Los Angeles. It breaks my heart whenever I think of him and the families who have lost their loved ones as well as their worldly possessions. Photographs, treasured mementos, heirlooms, favorite items of clothing or jewelry, and just little prized possessions that may not have any insurance value but mean the world to an individual.

I am thinking about climate change and how these types of catastrophic events in nature are sadly becoming more common. When we look at the science of a warming planet, more aggressive winds, droughts, lack of rainfall, and so much more, this is our new reality. I think of the partisan divides and the Republican party choosing to use this tragedy as a time to continue to deny climate science while also railing against so-called DEI hires in various levels of leadership in California.

In addition to helping my dear friend keep putting one foot in front of the other each day, I am also paying attention to the stories coming out of Altadena, with its historically Black community east of downtown Los Angeles and directly north of Pasadena. So many Black families settled in Altadena when racist redlining practices prevented them from purchasing homes in Los Angeles. So many Black families poured decades of love and money into their homes in order to create a community that has now been burned

to the ground.

As Altadena begins to rebuild in the coming months, we must be vigilant and make sure that predatory practices do not befall this historic community. We must make sure Black residents are not pushed out of Altadena as real estate developers eye new land for the taking.

Everything is so fresh and so raw right now. So many of us are trying to wrap our minds around the devastation we are witnessing throughout the area. So many people are without homes, schools, religious institutions, restaurants, and places that make them feel safe, loved, and secure.

It is my true hope that this devastating event brings out the best in humanity. I also hope that the new regime in Washington, D.C. does not play political football with the lives and livelihoods of the people of Los Angeles and the brave first responders (those who are incarcerated and those who are in unions) who have been risking their lives to secure a safer future for their city and towns.

If you would like to donate or learn more about resources in Los Angeles, go to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority at www. lahsa.org/

Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of book “How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams” and “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream” and is co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.

Caribbean Update

Biden pardons Marcus Garvey

By BERT WILKINSON Special to the AmNews

President Joseph Biden pardoned Jamaican and Caribbean Pan Africanist Marcus Mosiah Garvey on Sunday in one of his last acts before he left office and handed over to Donald Trump. The move was hailed in Jamaica as a correction of an injustice in a country still known for its notorious acts of racism and bigotry against people of color.

Credited with influencing a slew of Black resistance leaders who followed after Garvey, including Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., Garvey was convicted under controversial and highly racially charged circumstances in the 1920s in the U.S. for mail fraud, sentenced to five years in prison, and deported back to Jamaica. He died in 1940 in England. His remains were brought back home in 1964 and interred in National Heroes Park. He was also given the island’s highest national award.

Hailing the pardon on Sunday, the main opposition People’s National Party (PNP) said the “exoneration corrects a grave historical miscar-

riage of justice that resulted from an illegal, intelligence-led operation designed to disable the 19th-century Pan Africanist Movement — the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) — that captured the imagination of hundreds of thousands of people of African descent.”

The party said that it was pleased that Biden acknowledged the profound impact that Garvey, a Jamaican national hero, had on shaping the narratives of freedom, equality, and justice in the U.S. and elsewhere. “Garvey’s principles of unity and self-determination served to solidify and embolden the mandate of social justice movements in Africa and its diaspora, and will also encourage a new generation of Pan Africanist advocates to assume a mantle of leadership with a renewed sense of purpose,” according to the party. “The decision is a call to action to African peoples to advance the agenda that Mr. Garvey was promoting over a century ago. It is a vindication of the principles for which Garvey stood.”

Garvey had spent about two years in prison before his sentence

was commuted by then-President Calvin Coolidge.

Activists say the 11th hour pardon of Garvey came as no surprise, given the sustained pressure that some members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and other advocates had placed on successive American presidents, not the least being Biden.

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke of New York was one of those who led the lobbying for a posthumous pardon, perhaps because of her Jamaican roots and the need to correct an historical injustice.

The caucus had written to Biden recently, reminding him of its request and the racial and other circumstances linked to Garvey’s arrest, conviction, and incarceration.

“Exactly 101 years ago, Garvey was convicted of mail fraud in a case that was marred by prosecutorial and governmental misconduct,” the CBC stated. “The evidence paints an abundantly clear narrative that the charges against Mr. Garvey were not only fabricated but also targeted to criminalize, discredit, and silence him as a civil rights leader. In response to this blatant injustice, Pres-

ident Coolidge commuted Garvey’s sentence upon eligibility. Efforts to clear Garvey’s name have persisted for decades.”

Garvey lived in several hemispheric nations, including Costa Rica where, up to recently, a thriving and active branch of the UNIA had been functioning thanks to the descendants of Afro Caribbean males who went there to work on projects decades ago. He had also established a UNIA branch in Harlem as early as 1916, advocating for economic independence for Black people. The PNP party said his contribution was universal.

According to a statement, “Marcus Garvey, a visionary and an extraordinary Pan Africanist, played a pivotal role in advocating for the empowerment and upliftment of African peoples globally. A Jamaican by birth, Garvey’s influence transcended borders, inspiring countless individuals to take pride in their heritage, reclaim their identity, and strive for the liberation of their peoples. His ideas continue to resonate today, calling us to action and urging us to recognize our shared responsibility toward one another. Let us continue to draw inspi-

ration from his life and work, pushing forward with strength and unity as we strive for a brighter, more just future for all. The willingness to right historical wrongs not only restores honor to Marcus Garvey but also paves the way for future dialogues on race, equality, and justice. Let us honor this legacy by working together toward a more equitable and inclusive world.”

Breaking down Trump’s immigration executive actions

On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump wasted no time in advancing his hardline immigration agenda, signing a series of sweeping executive actions aimed at tightening border security. The executive orders, signed late Monday evening after his swearingin ceremony and inaugural celebrations, mark a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy.

Key executive actions

National emergency at the southern border

Trump’s executive order declared a national emergency at the U.S.Mexico border, granting the military expanded powers to complete the border wall and deploy forces to counter what the administration called “invasion” threats such as mass migration, drug trafficking, and

human smuggling. The order also reinstates the controversial “Remain in Mexico” policy and classifies criminal groups, including MS-13 and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, as foreign terrorist organizations.

“America’s sovereignty is under attack,” the executive order said, justifying the emergency declaration by citing threats from cartels, traffickers, and individuals from foreign adversaries.

Ending birthright citizenship

One of the most controversial orders signed by Trump seeks to eliminate birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents, challenging the 14th Amendment. Legal challenges are expected to follow swiftly.

Revoking Biden-era family reunification policies

Trump’s administration has revoked initiatives aimed at reuniting families separated at the southern border under his previous administration’s zero-tolerance policy. The move eliminates the interagency

Suspension of refugee resettlement program

Another executive order halts the U.S. refugee resettlement program for four months, citing national security concerns and a need for enhanced vetting measures.

Ending CBP One mobile app

The administration has also discontinued the CBP One mobile app, which allowed migrants to schedule appointments to enter the U.S. at border ports of entry. Migrants who relied on the app are now left in limbo, having waited months for appointments under the previous administration’s policy.

Enhanced vetting and deportation measures

Under the new directives, the Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with federal agencies, will expand screening efforts for immigrants and ensure swift enforcement of deportation orders. The

executive order also directs the assessment and collection of fines from individuals and organizations found to be facilitating illegal entry.

Reactions and criticism

Immigrant rights advocates and legal experts have strongly criticized the executive actions, arguing they constitute an overreach of presidential authority.

“This is an abuse of emergency powers for the same reason it was before,” said Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Brennan Center’s Liberty and National Security Program.

“Emergency powers are not meant to address long-standing problems that Congress has the power to solve.”

In response to these orders, immigrant advocacy groups have mobilized to provide support and resources to affected communities.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has launched an updated “Know Your Rights – Immigrant Rights” guide, available in multiple languages and customizable by state. The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) has es-

tablished an Immigrant Assistance Line, operating from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering support and downloadable “Know Your Rights” cards.

“Together, we are a lifeline for one another,” said CHIRLA Executive Director Angelica Salas. “In the face of adversity, we draw strength from our unity, our resilience, and our shared commitment to justice. We will work tirelessly to ensure that every immigrant family stays safe, informed, and connected to the resources they need.”

What’s next?

As the new administration pushes forward with its immigration agenda, legal battles are expected to unfold, with opponents preparing to challenge the constitutionality of the new measures. Meanwhile, immigrant communities remain on high alert, bracing for the potential impact on their lives and families.

Felicia J. Persaud is the publisher of NewsAmericasNow.com, a daily news outlet focused on positive news about Black immigrant communities from the Caribbean and Latin America.

task force established by President Joe Biden to address the issue.

Marcus Garvey, “Provisional President of Africa” by Keystone View Company, circa 1920. (Public domain photo)

By EDITH M. LEDERER Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The outgoing U.S. ambassador to the United Nations says she watched America’s leadership diminish in the world during Donald Trump’s first presidency and China fill the vacuum.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield is warning that if it happens again during Trump’s second term, adversaries will move in anew.

In a wide-ranging interview with the Associated Press, ThomasGreenfield said during Joe Biden’s presidency, the United States again engaged with the world, rebuilt alliances, and reestablished America’s leadership.

“That is the gift that we hand over to the next administration,” she said, “and I hope that they will accept that gift in the spirit in which it is being given to them.

Advice to Trump’s choice for UN ambassador

In a brief meeting with Trump’s nominee, Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, Thomas-Greenfield told her “that the U.N. is important, and that it is important that we not cede any space to our adversaries.”

Those rivals “will change the rules of the road,” she warned. “And so, U.S. leadership is extraordinarily important.”

In his first term, Trump called the United Nations “just a club for people to get together, talk, and have a good time.” He suspended funding to its health and family planning agencies and withdrew from its cultural and education organization UNESCO and top human rights body. That’s raised uncertainty about what’s ahead, especially because the United States is the U.N.’s biggest single donor.

Stefanik has called for a “complete reassessment” of U.S. funding for the 193-nation world body, described the U.N. as a “den of antisemitism” and urged a continued halt to support for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA.

Of course, the U.N. isn’t perfect and needs reforms, Thomas-Greenfield said.

But to those who criticize the U.N. as a big bureaucracy where little

International News

Biden’s departing UN envoy says US rivals will fill the vacuum if Trump abandons global leadership

gets done or decisions are ignored, she said she always quotes the late former U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Madeleine Albright, who said “if it didn’t exist, we would invent it.”

Thomas-Greenfield stressed the U.N.’s importance in dealing with major global issues, from war to humanitarian aid, and the need to regulate artificial intelligence.

The U.S. must stay at the table, she said, “so that we can have influence and work with the entire system to ensure that the system delivers to the world.”

The most important table is the horseshoe-shaped one for the 15 members of the U.N. Security Council, the most powerful U.N. body, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security.

Thomas-Greenfield said she gave Stefanik the same advice she got — to meet quickly with all of them — including permanent members Russia and China, rivals with veto power.

“She’s going to be sitting around the table with them on almost a daily basis,” Thomas-Greenfield

said. “So, it’s important to know the individuals you are going to have to engage with, whether they are friends or foes.”

The failure to solve global crises

In her final emotional speech to the Security Council, Thomas-Greenfield focused on Sudan, saying she wished there was closure on one crisis the world faces — ticking off Gaza, Ukraine, Congo, and other hotspots.

She told AP the U.N. and the world “have to be more proactive in our engagement” to try to end these conflicts.

Sudan, where nearly two years of fighting has created famine and the world’s worst displacement crisis, is an example “of where as an international community, we could have done more sooner and ended the suffering sooner.”

Her focus on Africa

Thomas-Greenfield, now 72, started her career as an academic and lived in Liberia, where she first saw U.S. diplomats at work and decided

to join the Foreign Service in 1982.

She spent much of her more than 40-year career in Africa, returning to Liberia as ambassador, and rose to be assistant secretary of state for African affairs from 2013 to 2017, when Trump took office.

Biden brought her out of retirement to become U.N. ambassador and a member of his cabinet.

At the U.N., she said she’s gained a much broader perspective on Africa’s important place in the world and urged recognition of its immense resources — its people.

“Africa is an extraordinarily young continent,” Thomas-Greenfield said. “These young people will be the future of the world.”

Using ‘gumbo diplomacy’

At the U.N., Thomas-Greenfield harkened back to her Louisiana roots, saying she was going to engage in “gumbo diplomacy” by cooking the state’s famous dish — which mixes up lots of different flavors — for fellow diplomats.

Diplomacy is about bringing together people with different ideas,

backgrounds, interests, and guidance “and coming up with a solution that we all can live with,” she said.

“That’s what I think diplomacy is about. That’s what gumbo is about. So gumbo diplomacy has been very successful,” Thomas-Greenfield said, pointing to over 200 U.N. resolutions adopted during her four years as ambassador, 77 of them drafted by the U.S.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said “she has connected with people of all backgrounds and beliefs — using her signature ‘gumbo diplomacy,’ always speaking from the head, but also from the heart.”

Now, Thomas-Greenfield said she plans to spend time with her grandchildren and work with college students to encourage “the next generation of multilateralists who will be filling the halls of the United Nations.”

As a Black woman, she said her advice to young Black men and women is “dream big,” and if things don’t go your way, look for another tack and “open doors that you hadn’t intended to go through.”

U.S. Representative to the U.N. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield toured Israel’s borders with Gaza and Lebanon and was briefed by IDF commanders and U.N. Officials on November 16, 2021. (Photo via U.S. Embassy Jerusalem)

Black Angelenos share memories of homes lost to Los Angeles wildfires

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

Allene Washington prepared to celebrate fifty years in her Altadena home on Feb. 1. While she enjoyed an idyllic childhood growing up in nearby Pasadena, Calif., her hometown was redlined for where Black Angelenos could reside. Washington later moved to Altadena, where the racist practice did not exist and the Black middle-class dream thrived. When she and her husband Leon needed more room, a realtor showed them nearby homes.

“She took us up into the Rubio Highlands — [the] house was for sale — and I fell in love with it immediately,” said the 85-year-old Washington over the phone. “Fortunately, we were able to purchase it. And that’s a two-story house, and I tell you, I was able to run up and down the stairs there. Lately, what I was doing was taking one stair at a time. That’s why we chose the house. It was a quiet neighborhood.”

After purchasing the property in 1975, they called the place

home until it was lost to destructive Los Angeles wildfires earlier this month. An avid cook, Washington recalls hosting family over at the home every opportunity she got. “There was enough room for everybody,” she said. Indeed, the home helped raise four children and provided space for Washington’s five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

“Being a kid and going to her house, she would let me help her cook sometimes…she’d always have these little special aprons for me to wear, and I got to keep them in like, a little drawer,” said Washington’s granddaughter Amber. “Just little things like that are just a part of the fabric of the memory of that house. [She had these] water cups that have been around probably as long as

my dad and his siblings have been around. And everybody still used them all the time.”

Washington learned about the fire in real-time while on the phone with one of her children, who heard a friend’s mother had just evacuated. She saw the orange sky and heard the howling winds. A phone alert for her to evacuate was issued around 15 minutes later. Washing-

Reduce Your Cancer Risk by Eating Healthy

ton packed a few bags and suitcases before leaving. When she got outside, all the power was off and she could only see the embers flying down the hill.

Washington and her husband Leon, who is on dialysis, are now staying with their son Paul. While they can no longer celebrate half a century in their home, they look forward to another landmark next month: their 67th anniversary.

“I have four wonderful children, five grandchildren [and] four greatgrandchildren,” said Washington. “And the thing that was our home was truly a home. It wasn’t just a house. We lost the house, but we still have a home because we have love and faith in God.”

Altadena was also where educator Sherry Joiner met her husband Joe, a medically-discharged army artilleryman who came to California to flee racism in his hometown of Kosciusko, Miss, and move closer to his siblings. They got married and purchased a historical house built in 1922, where they raised three children, a niece, four grandchildren,

The Washington family celebrates at their Altadena family home lost in fire. (Photo courtesy of Amber Washington)

Arts & Entertainment

Camille A. Brown declares ‘I AM’ at the Joyce Theater

By ZITA ALLEN Special to the AmNews

From Feb. 5-9, award-winning choreographer and director Camille A. Brown returns to the Joyce Theater with the New York premiere of her latest work, “I AM,” which has been called an exploration of Black joy that imagines a creative space for cultural liberation and launches queries into the possibilities of imagination that boldly investigate the future.

“I AM,” which is said to blast us into a universe where anything is possible through various African diasporic dance and music genres, was inspired by the drama television series “Lovecraft County” and the rhythms of the movie “Drumline,” and a concept that builds on Brown’s 2017 work “ink.” The evening-long piece features the amazing members of Camille A. Brown & Company propelled by the captivating original and live music of Deah Love Harriott, Juliette Jones, Jaylen Petinaud, and Martine Wade.

Brown has created such memorable works for her company as the critically acclaimed trilogy on race, culture, and identity, “Mr. TOL E. RAncE” (2012), “BLACK GIRL: Linguistic Play” (2015), and “ink” (2017). Also, with her 2022 Broadway directorial debut for the revival of Ntozake Shange’s brilliant “for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf,” Brown became the first Black woman to direct and choreograph a Broadway show since Katherine Dunham in 1955. Since, she has gone on to choreograph Alicia Keys’ “Hell’s Kitchen” and the musical “Gypsy,” adding them to an amazing roster which also includes being the first Black artist at the Metropolitan Opera to direct a mainstage production, co-directing alongside James Robinson on Terence Blanchard’s “Fire Shot Up in My Bones” (2021 and 2024) which she also choreographed. She also choreographed the Met’s recent production of “Porgy & Bess,” and Terence Blanchard’s “Champion,” and much, much more. Not since pioneer choreographer and dancer Katherine Dunham has a Black woman matched such prodigious productivity.

During a recent interview with the Amsterdam News, Brown spoke specifically about the upcoming performance of “I AM,” whose declarative title evokes the feel of a thoughtful creative manifesto about the power of Black life-worlds and self-representation. It might also be said to share with her other work a unique ability to draw on ancestral and contemporary stories to capture a range of deeply personal experiences that capture universally relevant cultural narratives of African American identity. AmNews: Tell us what “I AM” is about.

CB: This is my fourth evening-length work for my company. For ink (2017), the dancers end jumping in the air. This is to depict flight. Thinking about this new work, I asked the question: “Where do we go from here?” “I AM” is about being in flight and experiencing the journey of the unknown. “How do we

move through space?” “ink” was the celebration of Black culture. This theme continues in “I AM” through the dancers and musicians. We are celebrating who we are, how we move, and the culture. I wanted to lead with joy and show the different manifestations of Black Joy. Some pieces start out with struggle in order to get to the joy. I have done pieces like that myself, but this time, I wanted to start out with joy and take it higher. “I AM” is inspired by an episode of the HBO series, “Lovecraft Country” called “I AM.” The show takes place during segregation, and in this episode, we see a Black woman (Hippolyta) go through the multiverse. As she travels, she begins to get stronger, find her joy, and comes to name herself. I was profoundly moved by the idea of naming yourself — how that looks and how that feels. I also aligned it with my own personal journey as a director, a choreographer and a Black woman

person. I’m thrilled to be able to do what I love doing and I’m really happy that I stuck to it and didn’t allow other people’s opinions to deter me.

Back in 2017, I was teaching in News Orleans for the NOBA Foundation. While I was there, my agent called to give me an update about a choreography position I was up for. When he called, I was between classes so I ran outside to take his call. When he gave me the news that I didn’t get it, I started crying. I was not in the space to teach class, but I gave myself a couple minutes and pulled myself together. After class, the students wanted to take pictures and selfies. I was still down but said, ‘Of course.” I took a pic with one young Black girl who said “Thank you” afterwards. When she was walking away, I saw her stop and look at the picture, and then look at me. She looked at me like I look at my sheroes. I thought to myself, “Camille, you have to pull it together. This young girl has no idea about your rejection, and in her world, YOU ARE.” I couldn’t let her down. I can’t let me down.

in this business. I have to name myself and claim my “I AM.”

AN: Some of your work has a collaborative feel. Would you say that is true of “I AM” as well?

CB: Absolutely. I am in collaboration with the dancers, musicians, and creative team. We are naming ourselves through composition. We are connecting to our ancestry. Hopefully, people see the world we are tapping into.

AN : What do you want the audience to come away feeling about this piece and the statement it makes and how that relates to their lives and also your own life, which has been amazing, by the way?

CB: I’m very clear about where I am and the spaces that I’m holding and yes, there’s pressure. There’s pressure I put on myself, of course. I know that it’s never just about me. Never. I am representing something in these rooms whether it’s as a woman, as a Black woman, as a Black

AN: Speaking of yourself as a representational role model for other young Black and Brown girls, is your community-based program Black Girl Spectrum still going strong? It was such a wonderful way to encourage young girls to be all they could be.

CB: Yes, It’s now under the name Every Body Move. I made a big umbrella because we were growing at such a fast pace. We have Black Girl Spectrum, Black Men Moving, and other programs that serve the community.

I don’t want to speak for people so I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to talk about what I mean to others. I have been told many nice things. My goal is to always “do me” and not be deterred. I want to continue sharing stories through my lens and never let go of my joy. All I can do is create, put it out there, and let people respond. For me, “I AM” is where I am now, in 2025, at 45 years old, and having been in this industry for over 25 years. This is who “I AM,” as a Black woman. This is, FUBU, For us By Us, but it’s also up to the audience to decide what the “I AM” is. Visit www.joyce.org for more info.

Camille A. Brown (Whitney Browne photo)

Grammy winner Julia Bullock at 92NY with Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

By NADINE MATTHEWS Special to the AmNews

On Jan. 23, soprano Julia Bullock will join the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment at the 92NY for a special evening of music. Bullock, who won the 2024 Grammy for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album for “Walking in the Dark,” will perform the greatest hits of the Baroque era — arias by Handel, Purcell, Rameau, and Lully, including the glorious “Let the Bright Seraphim,” along with instrumental masterworks by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, and Pachelbel.

Trained at the Eastman School of Music, Bard College, and Juilliard, Bullock is as technically stellar as she is versatile; no doubt because the inclination to perform appeared as a young child. “It’s hard for me to remember a time when I did not want to perform or express myself with my body in some way. It was just deciding how I wanted to do that,” she said.

Bullock has appeared on the soundtrack of Amazon series “The Underground Railroad” and at the Metropolitan Opera, London Opera House, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and many more venues.

Her appearance on Thursday marks her debut at 92nd Street Y. She will present “ material that’s lived with us for over 300 years,” said the St. Louis, Missouri-born and -raised singer. “Part of it is because they all talk about history, they all talk about the cycle of life in one way or another, and that just continues to resonate with people.”

Bullock, 38, said this program is a chance to reintroduce audiences to talented artists whose work has been overlooked by mainstream classical audiences for too long. “There’s a couple composers I wanted to ensure were on this program who have been dismissed and are now coming kind of back into shared musical consciousness,” she said. “Usually a reason for that dismissal is … I can only really attribute to societal structures and not wanting to promote certain individuals, like women or people of color.”

Bullock was exposed to the arts very early in life. “My mom loved dancing, and I often went with her to her tap classes, so my introduction to music was through movement initially, and then listening to recordings and going to live

concerts with my parents.” Her stepfather played a pivotal role in her musical trajectory; introducing her to Western classical music through audio and video recordings of classical singers such as Regine Crespin, who was a reve-

lation and symbol of a world Bullock did not wish to leave.

“We had these old speakers that were, maybe 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide, and I just used to sit and press my ear against the speakers and just listened over and over

strictly classical one. “It was Audra McDonald singing ‘My Daddy’s Son’ in [“Ragtime”]. It was one of her breakout roles on Broadway ... I think that was the first time that I cried … listening and watching her. Just in the privacy of my own room in high school. I think I cried probably every day,” Bullock recalled.

Now the married mom of a toddler, Bullock isn’t one to rest on her laurels. In addition to numerous guest performances with orchestras around the world and maintaining a thriving solo career, Bullock is often a speaker in panels about equity, inclusion, and restorative justice in the arts and was an American Modern Opera Company (AMOC) founding core member. She serves on the Advisory Board of Turn the Spotlight, a foundation designed to empower women and people of color. She has organized benefit concerts for the Shropshire Music Foundation and International Playground, two nonprofits that serve war-affected children and adolescents through music education and performance programs.

Widely known as an activist as well as an artist, Bullock has used her platform and position to advocate more equity, fairness, and respect for artists. “I think a lot about projects that I’m initiating or the lead on, [asking] what is the culture of that environment? Are we having equitable pay for people? Are artists given the support that they need, whether that’s from musical support, or do … they need intimacy coordinators on a project?”

At the root of some of her activist tendencies are painful personal experiences. “There are certain things that have happened over the course of these 10 or so years that I’ve been working professionally in this field where I felt totally exploited, taken advantage of, and disrespected, in every way imaginable,” she said.

and over again. That was the first major album I fell in love with.”

Bullock had influences among a variety genres, citing Nina Simone, Jimi Hendrix, and Billie Holiday. The first album she recalled moving her to tears was not a

Because Bullock was willing to be a voice, some of those things have shifted. “Those concerns, more often than not, are addressed,” Bullock said. “That is really a heartening thing. There have absolutely been major shifts and protections now put in place to make the working environment one that is not only safe but also really joyful.”

Visit https://www.92ny.org/ event/oae-and-julia-bullock for more information.

Grammy-winning soprano Julia Bullock. (Allison Michael Orenstein photo)

Keke Palmer and SZA serve up the laughs in ‘One of Them Days’

By DWIGHT BROWN NNPA News Wire

They’re girlz in the hood. Two young women trying to make it from “Friday” and “Next Friday” to “Friday After Next.” And as they do, they take viewers on a journey through working class Los Angeles that feels like it was ripped from the past and updated with a modern feminist twist.

The film’s comedy roots are showing, employing an old tradition of two friends trying to get through life in a paycheckto-paycheck part of town, this time in Baldwin Hills. Producer Issa Rae (“Insecure”), screenwriter Syreeta Singleton (“Insecure”) and music video director turned filmmaker Lawrence Lamont don’t venture far off the block in “One of Them Days.” Keep it simple. Give the two lead characters, Dreux (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA), the same kind of bonding experience as the “Friday” franchise’s Craig (Ice Cube) and Smokey (Chris Tucker) or Craig and Day-Day (Mike Epps) — then roll the dice. Dreux and Alyssa are roommates. Similar in some ways, different in others. They’re so close they can finish each other’s sentences and mirror each other’s thoughts. They chat incessantly. Or just roll their eyes, toss their hair in the air and fan their long fingernails like they’re talking in a code language. They chatter continuously about men, love, life, and the bills.

The difference is Dreux, who has a job at a restaurant named Norm’s, wants to become a manager and climb the corporate ladder. She’s the breadwinner. Alyssa is a budding artist/painter with lots of canvasses and no sales (yet). She’s also distracted by her live-in and forevermooching lover Keshawn (Joshua David Neal), her Ray J. Rent is due on their apartment and the irascible landlord Uche (Rizi Timane) ain’t playing. Pay up or get out. Unbeknownst to Dreux, Alyssa has given their rent money to her irresponsible boyfriend — and it’s gone. Crisis!!!! Uche confronts them and his ultimatum is clear: pay him $1,500 by 6 p.m. or their stuff will be put out on the streets. Door locked, end of story.

The “there ain’t nothing going on but the rent” plot device gives the proceedings momen-

tum for 97 minutes, cut by editor Tia Nolan. Even when the pacing goes up and down with its dialogue-clogged scenes, there is a goal, and everyone is onboard. Time ticks away. You can see it intermittently on the screen in big bright orange numbers and letters. A timer notches the countdown. It’s a fun way to end the longer sequences and up the panic factor. Singleton’s specialty is episodic TV. She can write a funny line, like when a bundle of hair blows by on the street and someone yells “tumble weave!” Yet, there’s

a sense, with this segmented narrative rhythm, that what you’re watching feels more like a series of sketches pulled together than a smooth feature comedy film, like “Girls Trip.” Also, the incessant chatting between the two leads seems like strained improv at times and might be better placed on a TV show, where words carry the plotline. Would have been nice if more scenes were purely visual and the script trusted the audience to see the story as well as hear it.

That said, Palmer and SZA rattle off the dialogue like they’ve

lived this story. Alyssa: “We been that girl!!!” Dreux and Alyssa have mad chemistry. They argue, fuss, and fight. Make up and go back to being sister friends all over again. Both lead actors are animated the entire time. Most of their antics are funny. Sometimes it seems like they’re working overtime to save the movie. And they do. They’re the core. Palmer is a known TV/movie entity. She’s overexcited on “Password,” lively on BET’s “Just Keke,” and a scene-stealer in movies like “Nope.” Her Dreux isn’t a new persona, more like an ex-

tension of the one she’s already created. The surprise in the duo is the Grammy-winning SZA. Who knew? Who knew that this neo soul singer had such comedic acting chops? She’s fluid with dialogue, batshit crazy when she needs to be, and boyfriendaddicted in ways that are very funny. Between the two, she’s the one that gives a performance that cries out, “I’m ready to helm a comedy series. Bring it on!” Scenes are peppered with odd characters who add spice. Timane the gruff landlord, Maude Apatow as Bethany, the white neighbor who’s hated then loved, and Katt Williams as Lucky, the vagabond streetwise soothsayer. Keyla Monterroso Mejia (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) plays Kathy, the uppity loan officer who needles the girls unmercifully, with a droll audacity that’s hysterical. In his first feature film, director Lamont guides the madness to its ending. What’s so surprising is that as a former video director (Big Sean, “Single Again”), he doesn’t showcase a unique, flowing style. Aside from a split screen, he doesn’t really tap into his music video skills. When the duo runs down the streets, in heels, that would have been a good time to display some dazzling camerawork (cinematographer Ava Berkofsky). His best comic instincts are presented during a blood bank sequence. When a clumsy phlebotomist (Janelle James, “Abbott Elementary”) has trouble finding veins in Dreux’s arm, it’s the film’s funniest scene, and Lamont pours on the wackiness and physical comedy until you howl. Some viewers may wish he could’ve sustained that level of outlandish humor for the film’s entirety. Production designer Monique Dias, costume designer Kairo Courts, music by Chanda Dancy and musical tastes of music supervisors Sarah Bromberg and Stephanie Diaz-Matos help shape the movie’s setting and soul. This is a modern day take on urban life where the struggle is real. Their attention to detail corroborates that.

There’s enough here to make twentysomethings and the girls’ night-out crowd holler back at the screen in a local cinema. In the future, this raucous, R-rated comedy will become a staple on late-night streaming services and draw a much wider audience.

Keke Palmer and SZA in “One of Them Days.” (Tristar Pictures photos)

Snoop Dogg dines at McDonald’s following Trump Gala; Tyra Banks loses home in LA wildfires; A$AP

Rocky heads to trial

FLO ANTHONY

GO WITH THE FLO

Tyra Banks in an interview for Glamour in 2020 (Image via VOGUE Taiwan / commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tyra_ Banks_Glamour_2020.png)

Snoop Dogg, who has been besieged with criticism for performing at President Donald Trump’s Crypto Ball last weekend, hit up a McDonald’s drive-thru after the Inaugural Gala, reports Page Six of the New York Post. From there, the superstar rapper showed up at Washington D.C. nightclub Heist with an entourage of about 15 friends and family, including his son Cordell Broadus. I guess they didn’t serve any food at the gala or have craft services for the performers..... While doing an interview on an Australian talk show, Tyra Banks surprised viewers on Jan. 20, when the former “Dancing with the Stars” host revealed she and her boyfriend Louis Bélanger-Martin lost one of their residences in the Los Angeles wildfires. The supermodel/businesswoman broke down in tears as she revealed she was in Sydney, Australia, when she learned her house in the Palisades burned to the ground. Banks is currently living in Sydney preparing for the opening of her first icecream store Smize & Dream at Darling Harbour in March...... Jury selection began Jan.

21 in the trial against Harlem-born rapper A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers. Rocky is charged with shooting a gun at his childhood friend and former A$AP crew member A$AP Relli, real name Terell Ephron, in 2021 in Los Angeles, California, allegedly over money. Rocky, who shares two sons with his longtime girlfriend, Rihanna, could get decades in prison if convicted. He pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic weapon. A brand ambassador for Gucci, Rocky also has a leading role in the upcoming Spike Lee movie “High and Low” starring Denzel Washington, ...... We Hear … Grammy-nominated poet, writer, and civil rights activist Kevin Powell hosted the world premiere of his directorial debut, “When We Free the World,” on Jan. 15 at First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem. Produced and written by Evangeline Lawson and Powell through their company Brooklyn Diego, the movie is a documentary featuring 70 male voices across five generations, from teenagers to nonagenarian seniors.......

How BIPOC beauty brands like Fenty Skin are redefining representation

By MAGRIRA Special to Amnews

Power doesn’t just lie in protests or politics; it’s embedded in the everyday decisions we make — especially where we choose to spend our money. For our community, being an informed and intentional buyer is about far more than purchasing a product or service. It’s a powerful vote for representation, equity, and progress. Every dollar spent becomes a declaration of self-worth and community investment. By supporting BIPOC-owned brands, we invest in ourselves, our neighbors, and the future we’re building together. One brand redefining the beauty landscape is Rihanna’s Fenty Skin. With her latest release, the Cherry Dub Pore Purify’r Gel Cleanser, Rihanna continues to lead by example, proving the strength and impact of Black-owned beauty brands.

This gel-to-foam cleanser, designed for oily skin, combines innovation with a nod to Rihanna’s Caribbean roots. Featuring Barbados Cherry — a Vitamin C powerhouse with ten times more potency than an orange — the cleanser promises to clarify, brighten, and refine skin. Rihanna herself champions the product as a must-have for her “oily days.” “It washes away my surface oil and shine but doesn’t leave my skin feeling tight or dull. It actually helps brighten and improves the look of pores too,” she shared.

Cherry Dub’s formula exemplifies thoughtful craftsmanship, blending Barbados Cherry Complex, Niacinamide, and aloe juice to cleanse, soothe, and refine. The cleanser transforms into a light foam with a cherry-inspired scent, leaving skin radiant and prepped for the next step in your skincare routine.

Sustainability is also at the forefront of Fenty Skin’s ethos. The cleanser’s recyclable glass bottle, FSC-certified packaging, and pump made from 50% post-consumer material are just a few ways the brand prioritizes the planet. Available globally at Sephora and Kohl’s starting January 6, 2025, the Cherry Dub Pore Purify’r Gel Cleanser is more than just a skincare product — it’s a testament to the power of representation.

By supporting brands like Fenty

Skin, we amplify the impact of our purchasing power, turning everyday decisions into meaningful contributions to progress. Let your choices reflect your power — one pump at a time.

(Images courtesy of Rihanna’s Fenty Skin)

Nine books for Black students to look out for in 2025

By QUINTESSA WILLIAMS WIB

With the arrival of the new year comes a fresh lineup of soon-to-bepublished books that will inspire and educate Black K-12 students nationwide. These titles offer diverse narratives that celebrate culture, history, and personal growth, empowering students to see themselves reflected and represented in literature.

Here are nine upcoming books for Black students at every K-12 level to look for in 2025:

For Elementary School Students:

“Little Troublemaker Defends Her Name” by Luvvie Ajayi Jones: In this picture book, Little Luvvie embarks on her first day at a new school, confronting challenges and teasing about her unique name. Through her journey, she learns the importance of self-love, confidence, and embracing her individuality. (Release date: May 6, 2025.)

“Imani’s New Dog” by Cicely Lewis: Imani, a vibrant and curious young girl, finds her life transformed when her family adopts a playful puppy.

Through adventures with her new pet, she discovers important lessons about responsibility, teamwork, and compassion. (Release date: January 1, 2025.)

“On Our Way! What a Day!” by JaNay Brown-Wood: This picture book follows a group of children as they embark on a fun-filled day of exploration and adventure, highlighting the joy of discovery and the beauty of the natural world. (Release date: January 7, 2025.)

For Middle School Students:

“Bo and the Talent Show Trouble” by Elliott Smith: Bo is a middle schooler preparing for his school’s talent show, but he soon finds himself facing stage fright, self-doubt, and unexpected mishaps. The story takes readers through his struggles, triumphs, and the support he receives from friends and family. It also explores the journey of finding confidence and embracing challenges. (Release date: January 1, 2025.)

“Letters to Misty: How to Move Through Life with Confidence and Grace” by Misty Copeland: Drawing from personal experiences and let -

ters from fans, Misty Copeland offers guidance on body confidence, balancing commitments, and stepping out of comfort zones. Co-written with children’s author Nikki Shannon Smith, this book, appropriate for ages 8-12, provides insights into overcoming challenges and embracing one’s identity. (Release date: May 6, 2025.)

“Stories of the Spirit of Justice” by Jemar Tisby: This collection presents true, impactful stories of historical figures — from the well-known to the often overlooked — who resisted racism and created a legacy of hope and perseverance. Each short biography is paired with an illustration to inspire young readers to continue working toward justice. (Release date: January 7, 2025.)

For High School Students:

“Soul School” by Amber O’Neal Johnston: This collection chronicles the rich cultural heritage of Black music, from its African roots to its influence on genres like jazz, hiphop, and R&B. The book features historical context, personal insight, and creative prompts, an engaging way

for high schoolers to connect with their cultural heritage while fostering an appreciation for music’s role in shaping identity and history. (Release date: January 28, 2025.)

“Bones at the Crossroads” by LaDarrion Williams: In this sequel to “Blood at the Root,” Malik is now a freshman at a historically Black university for magic students. As he navigates academic and social life, he unearths deeper secrets about his family and the mystical legacy he’s inherited. The novel blends magical fantasy with coming-of-age themes, tackling issues of identity and belonging. (Release date: July 29, 2025.)

“Radiant” by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson: As school begins in 1963, Cooper Dale wrestles with what it means to “shine” for a black girl in a predominantly white community near Pittsburgh. Set against the historical backdrop of the Birmingham church bombing, the Kennedy assassination, and Beatlemania, this book encourages students to pursue their dreams and understand the impact of Black leaders. (Release date: January 7, 2025.)

‘A Strange Celestial Road,’ Sista’s Place

A few decades after the transition of the galactic musician composer, pianist, and inventive big band leader Sun Ra, he remains somewhat of a mysterious cosmic force, a spirit not in the heavens, but traveling through the galaxy of no time or space.

Ahmed Abdullah has written a fascinating autobiography, “A Strange Celestial Road: My Times in the Sun Ra Arkestra” (2023), a comprehensive journey of his life as it intersects with his Sun Ra experiences, and his joys of being

with such an innovator with his human frailties and idiosyncrasies. One in particular: When on the road, Sun Ra inspected each hotel room for vibrations and assigned band members accordingly.

Abdullah is such a descriptive writer; readers hear the group’s six-hour practice sessions at the bandleader’s house in Philadelphia. You are there on his tours around the world. There is no need to pack luggage for your journey from Manhattan’s Bradley’s to Brooklyn’s East to Ronnie Scott’s in London, and as far as Yugoslavia and the motherland of Africa, as you sit within earshot of his many conversations.

“Celestial Road” takes you through the tumultuous 1960s, the defiant revolutionary stance for equality, the Black Power and Black Arts Movements, and when

Pan Africanism invaded jazz. He offers political and social perspectives on life as he answers and questions his own journey that eventually leads to spiritual light. He acknowledges the importance of the downtown Loft Jazz Scene that focused on selfdetermination with instrumental organizations like the Musicians of Brooklyn Initiative (founded by Oliver Lake, Cecil Taylor, and Lester Bowie), the Black Artists Group (BAG), as well as cats on the scene like Arthur Blythe, David Murray, and Muhal Richard Abrams.

We experience real music without categories from a musician’s perspective, sharing creative improvisation, straight-ahead and beyond. When gigs were slow, the trumpeter drove a cab, placing readers in the back seat and

feeling life’s bumpy New York City potholes while stopping at every red light. We read his innermost thoughts, from problems with his ladies, both white and Black, to earning a living as a musician, and his children and family.

“A Strange Celestial Road” is an encyclopedic memoir, covering the life of Sun Ra that influenced the Harlem-born musician and generations of artists across a multi-faceted spectrum.

Abdullah began writing this gem with the assistance of Nuyorican poet Louis Reyes Rivera. Posters and photographs from Adger Cowans and Marilyn Nance grace the pages, as well as sprinkles of Sun Ra witticisms.

Detroit native Alex Harding, known for a blazing baritone saxophone, hits Sista’s Place (456 Nostrand Avenue, Bed-Stuy) with his

Quartet on Jan. 25 for two shows at 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Harding, when not leading his own fiery band, is busy playing as a first-call musician. His 2019 recording “Dark Blue” is a duo, with Harding also playing bass clarinet in dialogue with Romanian pianist Lucian Ban. It’s just the two of them for 11 burning tracks.

In New York, Harding had an opportunity to extend his music perspective by playing with a variety of musicians, including a stint with the genius baritone man Hamiet Bluiett’s baritone sax group, Mingus Big Band, and Sun Ra Arkestra. An October 1997 JazzTimes review of Bluiett’s band said Harding “attacked the music with steamroller momentum and uncommon ferocity.” For reservations, call 718-3981766.

Ahmed Abdullah at Pioneer Works, 2023. (Ellen Qbertplaya photo)

‘We quit America’: a conversation with a couple that left the U.S.

By DAMASO REYES Executive & Investigative Editor

We recently published an excerpt from the book “We Quit America: Our Exit From a Country Designed to Kill Black People,” written by Yanique Redwood and Ronnie Galvin. As the U.S. prepares itself for a second Trump administration, folks are getting their passports ready and thinking about heading for the exits. This conversation has been edited for clarity and length.

AmNews: When did this idea of leaving the U.S. start, and what was the impetus for you as a couple?

Ronnie: So for me, it started with reading a book by Randall Robinson called “Quitting America.” And in his book he basically says that after all that he and Black folks have done to try to invite, encourage America to be who America professes herself to be, he reached the conclusion that America will never do right by black people.

What Yanique and I say is we are discovering and holding on to the idea that America is irredeemable. And so that book for us, really helped us realize that “Oh, wait a minute, you can actually quit America.” So that’s what sparked our energy and imagination.

Yanique: I think it was around 2014 because we had just taken the kids to Jamaica for the first time. And Ronnie was the one who was saying at the time that this is something we could do. And I was initially quite resistant, because all I kept thinking about was my work. I have work to do at the time.

AmNews: A lot of folks that you talk to, and a lot of folks who come to your book talks have a hard time imagining uprooting their lives, right? How did you make the shift? Was it a moment? Was it a series of moments? Can you walk us through a little bit of what your personal journey was in making that decision?

Yanique: I say in the book that it was a series of moments. Like, over my life, learning, as an immigrant to the United States, from Jamaica, that the United States hates Black people. Like just learning that my blackness was not a positive thing. The moment that it changed for me from resistance to acceptance was the day after we landed in Jamaica during the [COVID-19] pandemic. We had already gotten a house in Jamaica as a plan for retirement, so that felt fine to me. I thought “when I’m done working, we can make this kind of move.”

The house was empty. So let’s go down to Jamaica. Let’s ride out this pandemic. We thought we would be there for maybe three months. The next morning. I woke up and I said to Ronnie, “I can’t believe I’ve been saying no for so long to this possibility.”

And for me, that is the moment I quit. It was the day after we landed. It took a little longer for Ronnie, but for me, that was the moment.

AmNews: What crystallized for you that morning in July of 2020, that led you to say, “Oh no, no, I totally we should be doing this?”

Yanique: It’s hard to explain, because it’s more energetic. It’s like I felt different when I woke up and I just, I remember hearing birds in a way that I don’t remember hearing that much in the states.

“So we always say we quit America, we do not quit Black people. That’s right, we do not quit Black people in the U.S. We do not quit Black people in other places around the world.”

-Yanique Redwood

There was this real presence of nature, and I just felt like a different person. I don’t know, it’s hard to explain, and it feels energetic, it feels spiritual. I could go into my yard and pick something off a tree and eat it. That was another moment. It was “this is a very different way to live.” And those were some of the moments that crystallized for me, that I needed to be off of U.S. soil.

Ronnie: We tell our audiences [to] think about it as a messy, complex divorce. And so early on, I was in the process of decoupling, moving from the intellectual part to the practical part. And that’s where I was struggling. When we decided to leave we were at the

AmNews: It’s been about four years since you left. Looking back at the last four years, do you feel like you made the right choice? Do you feel happier?

Yanique: 100% I have no regrets. Yeah, we will not be going back to living in America. Ronnie: Yeah, I have no regrets. I am grateful to the ancestors who we continue to learn from. Our ancestors have a history of doing that great migration, all the people that left the United States to go to Europe and all over the world. So no, I feel like we are a part of a movement of not just our ancestors, but current day folks who have — sadly, like my heart is really broken over this — come to the conclusion that America will never do right by Black people. America continues to be unrelenting in its attack and ingenious in the ways that it continues to attack and undermine Black life. Those things are baked into the very structure of the social contracts, politics, hierarchies, and ethos of the country. It represents who it was founded by, who it was created to privilege, and who it was designed to extract from and destroy. And so we are grateful that we were able to get out consciously and geographically and going forward. Our hope is that we can continue to build community with folks inside the United States, Black folks across the diaspora, because we think we’re in a time where we gotta accelerate the effort to build pathways and infrastructure so that more people can quit consciously, and then, if they so choose, quit and leave the country.

Yanique: We’ve had folks stand up in book talks and say that we are being selfish for leaving them, for leaving folks behind. We said, “Yes, this was an act of self preservation.”

So we always say we quit America, we do not quit Black people. That’s right, we do not quit Black people in the U.S. We do not quit Black people in other places around the world. We think that all of us, in the Caribbean and other places in the diaspora, we can all work together from wherever we are.

height of our earning power as a couple. We got all the numbers in the book. And some folks are astounded at the numbers. But we made a decision to decenter work, which meant decenter income, and our income has dropped precipitously. That’s the word that we use, like by factors of magnitude. But what has happened is our kind of economic footprint also is smaller. And in the American context, it’s like, “No, no, you gotta make more money and you gotta spend more money.” But what we’re finding, and we interview 20 people from around the world who also are in various places of quitting, is that people are living much smaller, simpler lives that are much more fulfilling than when they were in the United States.

Ronnie: We want Black people to know that we love you and we are doing what our ancestors did before us. We’re making a way out of no way, and more than anything, when the American tyrannical empirical system tries to present to us that there are no other options or choices, we want our people to be deeply suspicious of that and to push beyond that.

And to know that there’s always more than what America is presenting at any particular moment, and that in this moment where the whole country is in an uproar for all kinds of reasons related to the election and who got elected, that this is a time for Black people in particular to not turn away from each other, because we’re being pitted against each other right now.

This is a time for us to turn to each other, and that our reality is not confined to the borders of the United States. Our reality is global, and so our hope is that with our book, our story, and the stories of others around the world, that we can present those choices and options to more people, Black people, who we love.

Breaking Ground receives $500k Wells Fargo grant to establish affordable housing units in East Harlem

By LEAH MALLORY Special to the AmNews

Breaking Ground, a nonprofit that tackles housing insecurity in NYC, received a $500,0000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation to support the development of new affordable housing units in East Harlem.

The 1760 Third Ave. Project will be composed of 435 units for both formerly unhoused individuals and low-income households.

“There isn’t a lot of permanent supportive housing for formerly [unhoused] individuals and for low-income working individuals on the Upper East Side and East Harlem,” said Brenda Rosen, President and CEO of Breaking Ground.

“And so, given that, we are always looking for large-scale projects because we’re really comfortable with them. That’s what we do.”

Rosen explained that 261 units in the building will be supportive units for individuals who’ve been chronically unhoused, and 173 are “affordable” units for low-income individuals and families at or below 60% of the area’s median income.

The 19-story building will include amenities such as a multi-purpose room, a gym, and a computer lab. Supportive housing residents will specifically have access to on-site social services such as case managers, medical care, and employee assistance. They’ll also be entering furnished apartments.

The structure was previously used as a dormitory by Hunter College and Baruch College , before becoming a shelter for migrants. In June 2024, Breaking Ground officially acquired the building, enabling them to transform the property into transitional and permanent housing, according to Rosen.

a neighborhood] that needed this type of housing,” said Rosen.

“Because this came to us as an underutilized building that we could repurpose for supportive housing, and it could offer well over 400 units of housing, and it was in a location that is close to public transportation, which all of our tenants need …we knew that this was an opportunity to bring stable long term housing [to

For supportive housing, individuals are selected through the city’s Coordinated Assessment and Placement System, which prioritizes the most vulnerable New Yorkers. Families seeking to enter the affordable units will be selected through the city’s Housing Connect lottery system.

Krissy Moore, Senior Vice President of Community Relations at Wells Fargo for the Northeast Region, said its mission is to support the community through organizations like Breaking Ground.

“Everyone deserves access to a quality, affordable place to call home,” said Moore. “We’re committed to putting people in communities first, and we make sure that we’re aligned to organizations that are doing that type of work.”

Most financing for the project came through a $128 million mortgage from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), with additional funding from the New York Acquisition Fund and the NYS Homeless Housing and Assistance Corporation, but donations from companies like Wells Fargo have helped to

cover the costs of other necessities.

“Those are the funds that we can use to close a capital gap as well as fund some things such as furniture for the supportive housing units,” said Rosen.

While grateful for Wells Fargo’s contribution, she emphasized that housing projects like these must stay on the city’s radar so that Breaking Ground can keep doing this work. “We have to advocate with the city and the state to ensure that this remains a priority for them.”

Construction is expected to begin next month with an anticipated completion timeline of one to two years.

1. Rendering of the 1760 Third Avenue exterior.

2. Unit floor plan render for 1760 Third Avenue housing units

3. Interior design rendering of the elevator bay for 1760 Third Avenue.

4. Unit rendering. (Images courtesy Dattner Architects for Breaking Ground)

NYPD car chases

Continued from page 2

certainly encouraged by having so many people now continuing to talk and continuing to work hard to try to make the streets safer, and we will continue to do so…people are finally starting to take it to heart, and maybe real changes are going to take place that are going to make it a lot safer for all New Yorkers.”

He says his daughter, an avid cyclist, would be pleased to learn about the new street

Immigration fears

Continued from page 2

Adams was present at Trump’s inauguration and hasn’t spoken out about any of his executive orders that could target immigrant New Yorkers. He even went so far as to do an interview with Tucker Carlson, a farright analyst, in what many are interpreting as another desperate attempt to secure a pardon from Trump.

The city’s Black, Brown, and Asian immigrant groups have been furiously organizing on the ground while elected officials were trying to cement legal protections for immigrant New Yorkers.

On January 16, ahead of Trump’s second inaugural address, Councilmember Alexa Avilés hosted a rally and a council hearing of the Committee on Immigration. A massive showing of advocates and immigration organizations were in attendance, like the NYC Council Progressive Caucus, NYC Council LGBTQIA+ Caucus, Make the Road NY, New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), African Communities Together, Immigrant Defense Project, The Bronx Defenders, New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), Black Alliance for Just Immigration, Mixteca, Asian American Federation, Mekong NYC, Coalition for the Homeless, Workers Justice Project, Literary Assistance Center, Human Services Council, STOP (Surveillance Technology Oversight Proj-

LA fires

Continued from page 16

and anyone in need of a helping hand.

Joiner, who moved to California in her childhood and only provided a sly smile when asked about her age, went on to work at the local John Muir High School in Pasadena where she was fondly known as “mom” and “Mrs. J.” She still works for the Pasadena Unified School District today at the district office.

Shortly before Joiner’s husband Joe passed away in 2023, he spent his final moments at home in hospice care. When Joiner lost her home to the fire, she also lost his army heirlooms and pictures, along with her own prized possessions and her daughters’ cherished prom dresses.

“I’m muddling through it,” said Joiner over

safety reforms. Servedio’s family remains involved in her memory, particularly in the 114th precinct where the crash occurred.

Alexa Sledge, a spokesperson for nonprofit Transit Alternatives, called the policy a “huge victory.”

“Nothing that’s killing us is keeping us safe,” said Sledge. “For example, in the case of Amanda Servedio, she was biking home from a bike ride with her friends and the police chase was happening because of a suspected burglary. Amanda had nothing to do with [the] suspected burglary. That’s usually not a life-or-death situation, but

ect), New York Doctors Coalition, La Colmena, Chinese Planning Council, Street Vendor Project at the Urban Justice Center, We Are Afghans, and Families for Freedom. Collectively, they feared a mass deportation agenda of about three million people in the city and fruitlessly called on Adams to uphold the city’s existing sanctuary laws.

“NYC has always been an immigrant city — we benefit greatly from the economic and cultural contributions of our diverse and vibrant communities—and yet, our Mayor is not willing to uphold our longstanding protections for those New Yorkers,” said Avilés. “Let’s be clear: any threat to our immigrant population of three million New Yorkers is a threat to every workingclass person in NYC, as mass deportations threaten our economy, tax revenue, and local businesses.”

“This anti-immigrant rhetoric spewed by Mayor Adams, these tired, archaic, and cruel criminalization tropes, is not about making anybody safer. They are about making him more powerful. He wants to sacrifice us — Black and Brown New Yorkers — so he can cop a plea with Trump,” said Abraham Paulos, deputy director for Black Alliance for Just Immigration. “But we are not lambs for the slaughter. He wants to systematically dismantle the very protections that New Yorkers fought for and that afford all immigrant communities real safety. We demand that this City Council continue to defend New Yorkers

Zoom. “It’s here, it happened. We’re dealing with it day by day.”

Following the fire, she learned the house was underinsured. To make matters worse, they already received a text message offering to purchase the land.

“It puts on your mind that a lot of people, especially the elderly people, will be thoroughly impacted by this,” said Joiner’s daughter Erika. “Do they have the wherewithal –– the mental health and physical health ––to stand strong for three years and fight off the vultures? Altadena was the place where my parents met, [fell] in love and raised us all.

“It’s really concerning to hear what people are estimating that will happen in terms of not being able to come back in and removing the history and the culture from Altadena. And just the Black [history there], it’s very rooted.”

The community remains tight-knit follow-

somebody was killed because of it.

“And that’s just the exact kind of situation they want to avoid at all costs. Absolutely no one should be dying because they are leaving their home to travel somewhere, or leaving somewhere to travel to their home, and they’re killed just for doing that.”

The new policy also delineates plans to allow for discretion during chases when driving through residential communities and driving through a school or playground along with enlisting supervisors to monitor pursuit speeds. Additionally, officers can end a car chase if they have safety concerns

from the police-to-deportation pipeline that targets Black immigrant communities with a relentless, devastating force.”

“Attempting to reinterpret the 14th Amendment’s clear guarantee of Birthright Citizenship is unconstitutional and would harm — not help — immigrants fully contributing to this country,” said FWD.us

President Todd Schulte.

Trump’s executive orders have kicked off a slew of lawsuits.

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that she and a coalition of 18 states are challenging Trump’s orders to end birthright citizenship as a violation of the constitution. They filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The states also requested a preliminary injunction filed with the court to prevent the order from going through.

“This fundamental right to birthright citizenship, rooted in the 14th Amendment and born from the ashes of slavery, is a cornerstone of our nation’s commitment to justice. Our constitution is not open to reinterpretation by executive order or presidential decree,” said James in a statement.

Separately, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Hampshire, ACLU of Maine, ACLU of Massachusetts, Asian Law Caucus, State Democracy Defenders Fund, and Legal Defense Fund (LDF) on behalf of organizations like the New Hampshire Indonesian Community Support, League of United Latin American

ing the fires. Joiner characterized Altadena as “a Christian-based, church-type town” where people are coming together more than ever. Many of her colleagues were born and raised in the area, with some alumni of the high school she worked at. As Joiner returns to work, she knows many of the students will be directly impacted.

“Because of the air quality and kids with asthma, there’s quite a few things that have to be taken into consideration,” she said. “[And] just where the kids are going to be living.”

While images of Altadena now largely show burned-out buildings and charred brush, the Joiners remember the area’s lush vegetation and stunning mountain view. The “unincorporated area” once served as farmland and many chickens and horses still call the place home. But the manicured touch and large homes are also a legacy of Black home and business ownership.

without worrying about recourse.

NYPD Chief of Department John Chell, who once championed more vehicle pursuits, touted the new policy as a balanced approach for chasing after suspects “when appropriate” and dialing things back when the risks “outweigh the benefits.”

Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member who 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.

Citizens (LULAC), and Make the Road New York, also filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on the basis that his executive order flouts Constitution and the Supreme Court precedent.

“Denying citizenship to U.S.-born children is not only unconstitutional — it’s also a reckless and ruthless repudiation of American values. Birthright citizenship is part of what makes the United States the strong and dynamic nation that it is,” said Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the ACLU. “This order seeks to repeat one of the gravest errors in American history, by creating a permanent subclass of people born in the U.S. who are denied full rights as Americans. We will not let this attack on newborns and future generations of Americans go unchallenged.”

Karla McKanders, director of LDF’s Thurgood Marshall Institute, added that: “From the 1790 Naturalization Act to the infamous Dred Scott decision, U.S. citizenship has long been shaped to uphold racial hierarchy. By sidestepping the constitutional amendment process, this executive order attempts to unilaterally rewrite the 14th Amendment — an essential Reconstruction-era measure that granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S., including formerly enslaved people. This action seeks to resurrect a racialized notion of who is American in opposition to LDF’s commitment working towards a multi-racial democracy.”

“[In] Altadena and Pasadena, everything is also very historical,” said Joiner. “Even the trees.”

GoFundMe for the Washingtons: https:// www.gofundme.com/f/rm653s-grandparents-home-lost-to-fire

GoFundMe for the Joiners: https://www. gofundme.com/f/restore-the-joiner-familys-cherished-home

GoFundMe list for Black Angelenos impacted by the wildfires: https://docs.google. com/spreadsheets/d/1pK5omSsD4KGh jEHCVgcVw-rd4FZP9haoijEx1mSAm5c/ htmlview?usp=sharing

CLASSROOM IN THE

Abigail McGrath, an experimental theater founder and Andy Warhol ‘Superstar’

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

Some years ago I profiled the poet Helene Johnson for this column. Her remarkable career as a noted Harlem Renaissance writer surfaced again a few days ago with the death of Abigail McGrath, founder of Off Center Theater. In her obituary in the New York Times, this paragraph leapt out to me: “Abigail Calachaly Hubbell was born on Sept. 18, 1940, in Manhattan, the only child of Helen Johnson Hubbell, a Boston-born Harlem Renaissance poet who wrote under the name Helene Johnson, and William Warner Hubbell III, a stevedore who later worked as a subway conductor. Abigail’s unusual middle name was the name of her mother’s imaginary childhood friend.” She was 84 and died of liver cancer. Any ambiguity about Johnson’s first name was cleared up here with the clarification that Helene was her pen name. Abigail was the couple’s only child and according to one bi-

ography, they divorced shortly after Abigail’s birth. It is not clear who raised her but she grew up in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood and attended the Little Red School House in the West Village. After absorbing the progressive curriculum there she enrolled at Washington Irving High School. When she said it was fun “growing up with a poet,” could this have been with Johnson?

Abigail studied theater at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY and while there she met and fell in love with Leonard Rosen, a fellow student. They were married just long enough to have a son before divorcing, all before she graduated. With her son in tow, she departed for Paris where she worked as a mannequin, or as a non-dancing showgirl at the Folies Bergère. Upon her return to New York, she worked at a variety of jobs, most rewardingly as a copywriter with an advertising company, while understudying with an improv group. She modeled, checked coats at the Village Vanguard, and manned the door at Max’s Kansas City.

It was during a phase as parttime actress that her friend Susan Hoffman (Viva), a member of Andy Warhol’s entourage, asked her to find an unusual tub for a film he was working on. After she found a see-through tub, she and Viva were asked to tuck themselves in it. This occasion was part of Viva’s way of entertaining her guests. By agreeing to pose for the stunt, Abigail was not only the sole African American among Warhol’s crew, but she was also one of the few who actually got paid — $100 a week in 1967. While working with Warhol did not launch her film career, it did put her in contact with Anthony McGrath, later her husband who helped her found the Off Center Theater, then located on W. 66th Street. They produced experimental works, social and political satire, Shakespeare plays, and free theater for children. Utilizing a truck, they presented productions in parks, schools, and on the streets. In their version of “Cinderella,” F. Murray Abraham portrayed the

ACTIVITIES

FIND OUT MORE

The NYT obituary provides considerable info and this can be supplemented in other theater publications.

DISCUSSION

More about her early years coming of age in Brooklyn and whether it was with her mother would add to her background.

PLACE IN CONTEXT

Abigail came of age after the Great Depression but was raised by women of the Harlem Renaissance.

prince to Abigail’s role as Cinderella, and their interpretation of “Little Red Riding Hood” ended happily with the wolf becoming a vegetarian. Other notables who got their start at the theater are actor-comedian John Leguizamo, who joined the company when was a teenager.Jake Gyllenhaal starred in a production of “Little Shop of Horrors,” and Raul Esparza starred in “The Cradle Will Rock.”

Though the theater was often praised for its hilarious productions and versatile performers, it could barely pay the bills. A union dispute made things even more precarious, so much so that they had to resort to baking and selling bread and other delectables in the theater district. It was not until 2016 that they finally married. In 2001, Abigail opened Renaissance House, an artist residency, in a family home on Martha’s Vineyard. It was named in honor of her mother and her cousin, the author Dorothy West. The couple continued to perform in other venues until her husband’s death in 2018.

THIS WEEK IN BLACK HISTORY

Jan. 20, 1895: Conductor Eva Jessye was born in Coffeyville, KS. She died in 1992.

Jan. 21, 1965: Hip-Hop icon Jason William Mizell (Jam Master Jay) was born in Brooklyn, NY. He was killed in 2002.

Jan. 22, 1931: Legendary soul singer Sam Cooke was born in Chicago. He was killed in 1964.

Abigail McGrath (Photo courtesy Ralph Stewart, Martha’s Vineyard Times)

Toñita’s Caribbean Social Club: ‘It is a privilege to help’

By RAYMOND FERNÁNDEZ Special to the AmNews

Even in January, the warmth of the Caribbean steams off 244 Grand St. in Williamsburg. Inside, the colors are as vibrant as Puerto Rico itself, and the music as inviting as Toñita’s smile as she greets each one of her visitors at the Caribbean Social Club. An array of Puerto Rican flags, accomplishments, fan-made art, baseball teams, and family portraits adorn the walls as an archive of Puerto Rican resilience from beginning to end.

Maria Antonia Cay, also known as Toñita, was born in Puerto Rico in May of 1940. She came to New York when she was 15, and her first job was at a skirt factory. Last June, she celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Social Club’s opening.

Toñita owns the building that houses the club and has lived there for 60 years. The Club was a members-only space for a local baseball team when it was first conceived in 1974.

Toñita explained she decided to open it to the public, “The moment the team had to leave the league because the park permits became too expensive, parking permits, the bats, the baseballs… There were no funds to continue, so we stayed as a Social Club.”

The edifice remains a constant in the fastgrowing and gentrifying neighborhood decades after that. Ms. Cay said in Spanish, “Not much has changed in Williamsburg, they took out the factories and put in buildings.” But reiterated that for her building, “NO SE VENDE,” asserting her building was not up for sale.

Toñita is known to many high-profile celebrities such as Maluma, Madonna, and Bad Bunny, as well as politicians like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY) and Rep. Nydia Velasques (NY). They have all attended the Social Club, which Toñita describes as “very emotional moments for her, and those who have been around her.” However, Toñita’s testament is better represented by her long-time regulars.

“I come here by myself, everyone knows me… and Toñita is spectacular.” Said Norys, who has frequented Toñita’s for the last 30 years. Octavio Moran, 79, has been with Toñita since the beginning. He attends the bar every Thursday to Sunday. “Toñita helps, makes food, people drink and eat here, they buy three-dollar beers.”

Bad Bunny’s new album, “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” dropped on Jan. 5, and claimed Billboard’s No. 1 in its first week of being released. The artist’s sixth studio album is an ode to Puerto Rico, a protest against colonialism, and a cry to preserve culture on the island and beyond. Much like Toñita has been doing for the past 50 years in Williamsburg: fostering community, throwing block parties, and owning real estate in a rapidly changing part of the city as a Brown woman. The song “NUEVAYoL,” explicitly references partying at Toñita’s House in New York City. Since then, the album has drawn large crowds to music streaming platforms and Toñita’s Social Club’s doors,in spite of New York’s frigid weather.

See TOÑITA’S SOCIAL CLUB on page 33

Maria Antonia Cay (84), affectionately known as Toñita. (Raymond Fernández photos)

Norys has been a regular for more than 30 years. She “feels at home” at the Social Club. Dominoes match at the Social Club.

Women from Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Honduras, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela pose for a picture at Toñita’s on Sunday night, Jan. 19.

Octavio Morán (79) holds his “Toñita’s 50 años” hat commemorating Toñita’s fiftieth opening anniversary.

Health

Manhattan Borough Historian Dr. Robert Snyder on the COVID-19 pandemic

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

Dr. Robert Snyder is the Manhattan Borough Historian and Professor Emeritus of American Studies and Journalism at Rutgers. He spoke with the Amsterdam News about his upcoming book, the role of a borough historian, and the COVID-19 pandemic. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

AmNews: What are your duties as Manhattan borough historian?

One of my duties is to create an archive for the City of New York that had been established long before I arrived on the scene. Another [is] to advocate for historic preservation that’s already being done by lots of preservationists in New York City. Third, which I thought I could do best of all, is educate people about history. I try to do that in a variety of ways. I try to help scholars who are researching the history of New York City about the city in a way that is more accessible to general readers.

I try to help journalists who are covering the city develop a richer understanding of history behind the headlines that they see today. I try to promote good books that are being written about the history of New York City. I do interviews for the New Books Network and the Gotham Center for New York City History with authors of books on New York and Manhattan in particular, and I do lectures for different organizations and local libraries.

One of the things that impressed me most about New York’s response to the pandemic was how people in the professional world that I’m in, which is mostly historians, documentarians, archivists, folklorists, [was] how much they grasp that this was really big. The pandemic was going to be huge and it would be important for New York City and we’d want to understand it in the future. They really went to work and collected everything from oral history interviews, photographs of works of art, and archived them in all sorts of ways so that future generations could understand and interpret [them].

We were baffled that the 1918 flu epidemic had hit New York City and nobody remembered it. I didn’t learn about it until I interviewed my grandmother. When I was in college in the 1970s, I was interviewing her about her life in New York City and she just said it in passing. I was just astonished to learn about the 1918 flu and nobody had talked about it. It was as if it had never hap-

pened. It occurred in the middle of World War I and there were tons of World War I memorials all over the place but you have to look hard to figure out that there was a flu epidemic in 1918. I resolved that I would do what I could to make sure that what happened during the COVID pandemic in New York City was not forgotten.

AmNews: You have a new book coming out called “When the City Stopped” which tells the story of COVID-19 through the words of regular New Yorkers. Tell us about it. A lot of the people interviewed in the book are first responders and medical professionals who worked during the pandemic, talking about their experience. What I discovered editing the interviews is that

as difficult as the spring of 2020 was, that was where people were finding ways to be brave, where they were summoning sources of solidarity that they weren’t fully aware of beforehand. Where they were learning to reinvent their jobs to be more effective health care providers. We can learn a lot from that, I think. We can find inspiration in the solidarity of medical professionals and first responders and just ordinary folks who suddenly found their jobs as supermarket cashiers, as food delivery workers [dangerous]. . . facing death so the rest of us could go on with semi-normal lives.

AmNews: What are some of the takeaways for you in writing the book? One of the takeaways is that I knew that

New York City had gotten more and more unequal. In 2019 I published a book about immigration in New York City and that was one of the big themes of economic inequality, the way that affects the lives of immigrants and migrants, but to me the pandemic in the uneven distribution of deaths, just showed how unequal the city has become.

Another takeaway is to recognize that each New Yorker’s health and safety is bound up with the health and safety of every other New Yorker. [During] the pandemic, we all faced a common threat and we must come to recognize that protecting ourselves also involves protecting others. You know we have to become our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.

(GeneralPunger photo via Wikimedia)

Education

Eric Adams funds Summer Rising, but not $112 million for 3-K in preliminary budget

By MICHAEL ELSEN-ROONEY

Chalkbeat New York

Last year, New York City officials ponied up hundreds of millions in city dollars to preserve education programs supported by billions in expiring federal COVID-19 relief aid.

But in many cases, city officials committed to only a year of funding — leaving the programs’ fates up in the air once again during this year’s budget cycle.

Last Thursday, Jan. 16, Mayor Eric Adams gave his first indication of which of those programs he has prioritized keeping next year and which will be subject to budget negotiations with the City Council in the coming months.

In the preliminary budget he introduced Thursday, Adams preserved several bigticket items, including $100 million in Education Department funding for Summer Rising, a free recreational and academic program that started during the pandemic and has attracted huge demand in recent years, though it has struggled with attendance.

Adams also pledged to continue Learning To Work, a $31 million initiative that funds counselors, social workers, and internship opportunities for students at risk of dropping out of high school.

But he did not renew funding for other major initiatives, including $112 million for 3-K, the city’s free preschool program for 3-year-olds. The preliminary budget also didn’t extend $55 million to ensure preschoolers with disabilities are able to find spots in specialized programs and $25 million to pay for extended-day preschool seats.

“While we are pleased to see Mayor Adams extend funding for summer programming and Learning to Work for next year, we are concerned that there is still a slew of important education programs at risk of being rolled back or eliminated as soon as July,” wrote the Coalition for Equitable Education Funding, a group of more than 120 youth-focused organizations, in a response to the preliminary budget.

The city’s 3-K program has turned into a political football under the Adams administration. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio expanded the program significantly using one-time federal aid, and Adams has repeatedly sought to scale it back, citing unfilled seats in some parts of the city and a need to better match seats to demand.

But supporters of 3-K, including parent and child care advocacy groups and many members of the City Council, have contended that the city needs better outreach and enrollment practices to ensure seats are filled. In many parts of the city, moreover, there are more applicants than open seats.

As part of last year’s final budget deal, the city allocated $5 million to improve outreach and get more families to sign up for prekindergarten and 3-K. That money was also not restored in Adams’ preliminary budget. Enrollment in 3-K was around 41,300 students as of earlier this school year, up about 2,000 students from last year, according to preliminary Education Department data.

In addition to the preschool funding, a number of other education initiatives that the city funded last year were not included in the preliminary budget.

Those include $41 million for arts education, $14 million for community schools, which work with communitybased organizations to bring additional services into schools, $12 million for re -

storative justice, an approach to student discipline that seeks to avoid punishments like suspensions, and $10 million for teacher recruitment.

The Education Department has said it will need to hire thousands of additional educators to comply with the state’s class size law — a large challenge.

City officials have previously pointed out that they were able to preserve more of the programs funded by expired federal COVID-19 aid than other districts, despite significant challenges keeping those initiatives going when more than $7 billion in stimulus education money, spanning several years, dried up.

“We inherited an administration where we had real fiscal cliffs from COVID…so many of our youth programs,” Adams said during a Thursday press conference. He credited a conservative budgeting approach and cuts in previous years with enabling the city to restore some of those programs.

Adams’ preliminary budget also includes more than $200 million for this current fiscal year, which ends this

summer, to maintain the city’s efforts to staff a school nurse in every school building. Funding for school nurses also expanded dramatically during the pandemic, thanks to federal aid. There are some new education initiatives in the preliminary budget, too, including more money for Pathways, the Education Department’s initiative to expand career-focused education. The budget commits $15 million to help students develop “academic, work, and independent living skills,” and $4 million to expand financial education — efforts Adams previewed in his State of the City address last week . Overall, the preliminary budget is more than $114 billion, and it doesn’t include the kinds of cuts Adams has proposed in previous years — a financial situation he attributed to lower-than-expected spending on migrants and improved revenue projections.

Adams will negotiate with the City Council in the coming months before the city reaches a final budget agreement by the end of June.

Mayor Eric Adams returns to Bayside High School in Queens to call for continued Mayoral control of New York City’s public schools on Tuesday, March 8, 2022. (Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)

Council seats

District 41 - Incumbent Darlene Mealy, Jamell Henderson, Dominique K. Alexandre, Dante Arnwine, Bianca Cunningham, Lawman Lynch, Jammel A Thompson

Mealy’s district covers BedfordStuyvesant, Crown Heights, Flatbush, Ocean Hill, Brownsville, and East Flatbush in Brooklyn. She was first elected to represent District 41 from 2006 to 2017. In 2021, she won again, reclaiming her old city council seat. So far she’s raised $11,500 in private funds for yet another reelection campaign. Many of her challengers are passionate advocates albeit not well funded. Henderson is the NYC Regional Board Chair at Citizen Action and currently a doctoral candidate. He proudly hails from the Kingsborough Houses in Brooklyn. “I am pursuing this office to be the next Councilmember of the 41st district of Brooklyn because over 140,000 registered voters in this beautiful district are awaiting that authentic leader who will see ALL neighborhoods in the district and deliver through FUNDING, POLICIES, AND RESOURCES,” said Henderson in a statement.

Cunningham was raised by a tight knit family that has deep roots in Harlem. She has worked as a union and community organizer building coalitions around issues such as worker safety, increasing wages and flexibility for workers, securing equity and resources for public school students, and public safety.

“I am seeking to represent the 41st district and have a proven record of having political courage to stand with the many to fight for a New York that is clean, safe, and affordable for all,” said Cunningham. “A New York that prioritizes the dignity of our retirees, essential workers, and public

servants. I pledge to fight corruption and special interests conspiring to diminish the great promise of this city and our democracy.”

Lawman’s motto in this race is to keep Public Safety, Education, Optimization, Public Health, Love, and Entrepreneurship (P.E.O.P.L.E.) at the center. He’s raised $7,346 in private contributions so far. “Our campaign champions social justice through bold action and collaborative leadership to uplift District 41 – Brooklyn,” said Lawman.

A native Brooklynite, Thompson is a dedicated public servant and community leader. He plans to put people and families first and prioritize participatory budgeting. He also wants to address senior citizens’ concerns about food insecurity and rent, enhance constituent services, and improve quality of life issues.

Arnwine is the district manager for Community Board 9 in Brooklyn. His platform addresses matters of equity and equality for families of color, such as affordable housing, food insecurity and food deserts, health education, the maternal mortality crisis that many Black women are facing, and the range of health disparities Black men are dealing with. He’s raised $10,519 in private funds. “A new vision is coming to Council District 41. A vision based on presence, communication, and strategy,” said Arnwine. “It would be the greatest honor to represent you in the New York City Council as your next Council Member.”

Willabus, one of her challengers, also ran in 2021 against Narcisse and ultimately lost. Her current platform is centered around the needs of her constituents. She also wants to focus on public safety, highquality education, healthcare, veteran support, climate education and sustainability, and supporting small businesses. She’s raised $19,611 in private funds and $50,928 in public funds.

“If your goal is to achieve success, be prepared for disappointments, rejections, and ridicule because your enemy understands how powerful you are, already,” said Willabus.

District 49 - Incumbent Kamillah M. Hanks, Abou S. Diakhate, Sarah Blas, Jozette Carter-Williams

rations of the community he has called home for over two decades. He plans to support the 30,000 Degrees Initiative, which aims to graduate more students to higher education; advocate for immigrants through his own experiences; fight hunger, homelessness, and the opioid crisis; and develop a clean, vibrant, and fully accessible shoreline that benefits every Staten Islander. He’s raised $7,840 in private contributions.

“Our community deserves leadership that listens, understands, and takes action,” Diakhate said. “I am running to ensure Staten Islanders have the tools and resources to thrive — affordable housing, equitable healthcare, reliable transportation, waterfront development, and quality education. I will fight tirelessly to deliver these for every resident of the North Shore.”

Blas, one of Hank’s other challengers, is a native New Yorker, a small business owner, and a lifelong advocate for working families as a mother of six. She said she has a passion for creating real solutions from over two decades of championing education reform, housing reform, workforce development, and more on SI. She is running for city council to give a voice to people who feel left behind. She’s raised $6,867 in private contributions.

“I believe that the political is profoundly personal. The highs and lows of accessing the city’s resources for myself and my six children is what drives my commitment to the families of the North Shore,” said Blas. “I believe leadership is about service, and I have spent years advocating for real change and delivering solutions for our community. I will bring every ounce of my expertise and lived experience to City Hall.”

District 46 - Incumbent Mercedes Narcisse, Dimple Willabus, Kenny Altidor Narcisse’s district covers Bergen Beach, Canarsie, Flatlands, Georgetown, Gerritsen Beach, Marine Park, Mill Basin, and Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn. Prior to being elected in 2021, she worked as a registered nurse and was a small business owner. She’s raised $93,624 in private contributions.

Hanks’s district covers St. George-New Brighton, Tompkinsville-Stapleton-Clifton-Fox Hills, Rosebank-Shore AcresPark Hill, West New Brighton-Silver Lake-Grymes Hill, Westerleigh-Castleton Corners, Port Richmond, Mariner’s Harbor-Arlington-Graniteville, Snug Harbor, Todt Hill-Emerson Hill-Manor Heights, and Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island (SI). Hank follows in the footsteps of former Councilmember Debi Rose, the first Black person elected to higher office on SI. Hanks continues to be the only Black councilmember on SI. Hanks was the founder and president of the Historic Tappen Park Community Partnership and served on the city’s Panel for Education Policy (PEP) prior to getting elected in 2021. She’s raised $77,440 in private funds.

Originally from Senegal, Diakhate said he has a deep passion and unwavering commitment to SI’s North Shore as a former Deputy Chief of the HIV/AIDS Unit at the United Nations, a college professor, experienced public servant, and dedicated local activist. His campaign is driven by the needs and aspi -

Carter-Williams, who is a Brooklyn native with Puerto Rican roots, is passionate about addressing crime on SI and revitalizing the local economy.

“Every vacant storefront represents a missed opportunity for jobs and growth,” said Carter-Willaims. “We must prioritize filling these spaces by implementing policies that foster job creation, attract small businesses to the district, and improve transportation access to support these enterprises. Revitalizing our local economy starts with empowering businesses and creating employment opportunities for residents.”

In terms of public safety, she called for an increased police presence and equitable funding for precincts, community policing, improved surveillance systems, enhanced security infrastructure, and better street lighting. She is also committed to bolstering education through smaller class sizes, reintroducing home economics in high schools, increasing after school options, providing adequate funding for special needs programs, and expanding STEM programs. She’s raised $7,465 in private contributions so far.

Councilmember Darlene Mealy cut the ribbon on the improved Mt. Ararat Senior Center. (John McCarten/NYC Council Media Unit)

Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse held a press conference for more victim compensation laws. (William Alatriste/NYC Council Media Unit)

Councilmember Kamillah Hanks (left) at a School Supply Giveaway and Basketball Clinic. (Gerardo Romo/NYC Council Media Unit)

Religion & Spirituality

MLK’s ‘beloved community’ has inspired social justice work for decades −

JASON OLIVER EVANS University of Virginia (THE CONVERSATION)

Since 1983, when President Ronald Reagan signed Martin Luther King Jr. Day into law, many Americans have observed the federal holiday to commemorate the life and legacy of the civil rights leader, Baptist minister, and theologian.

MLK Day volunteers typically perform community service that continues King’s fight to end racial discrimination and economic injustice — to build the “beloved community,” as he often said.

King does not fully explain the phrase’s meaning in his published writings, speeches, and sermons. Scholars Rufus Burrow Jr. and Lewis V. Baldwin, however, argue that the beloved community is King’s principal ethical goal, guiding the struggle against what he called the “three evils of American society”: racism, economic exploitation, and militarism.

As a Baptist minister and theologian myself, I believe it is important to understand the origins of the concept of the beloved community, how King understood it, and how he worked to make it a reality.

Older origins

Although King popularized the beloved community, the phrase has roots in the thought of 19th century American religious philosopher Josiah Royce.

In 1913, toward the end of his long career, Royce published “The Problem of Christianity.” The book compiles lectures on the Christian religion, including the idea of the church and its mission, and coined the term beloved community. Based on his readings of the bibli-

cal gospels, as well as the writings of the apostle Paul, Royce argued that the beloved community was one where individuals are transformed by God’s love.

In turn, members express that love as loyalty toward each other — for example, the devoted love a member of the church would have toward the church as a whole.

While Royce often identified the beloved community with the church, he extends the concept beyond the walls of Christianity. In any type of community, Royce argued, from clans to nations, there are individuals who express love and devotion not only to their own community, but who foster a sense of the community that includes all humankind.

According to Royce, the ideal or beloved community is a “universal community” — one to which all human beings belong or will eventually belong at the end of time.

‘Beloved’ diversity

Twentieth-century pastor, philosopher, mystic, theologian, and civil rights leader Howard Thurman retrieved Royce’s idea of the beloved community and applied it to his life and work, most notably in his 1971 book “The Search for Common Ground.”

Thurman first used the term in an unpublished and undated article: “Desegregation, Integration, and the Beloved Community.” Here, he argued that the beloved community cannot be achieved by sheer will or commanded by force. Rather, it begins with transformation in each person’s “human spirit.” The seeds of the beloved community extend outward into society as each person assumes the responsibility of bringing it to pass.

Thurman envisioned the beloved community as one that exemplifies harmony — harmony enriched by members’ diversity. It is a community wherein people from all racial, national, religious, and ethnic backgrounds are respected, and where their human dignity is affirmed. Thurman was convinced that beloved community was achievable because of the dedication he saw from activists during the struggle for racial integration.

what did he mean?

of All Peoples, an interracial and interfaith community in San Francisco, which he co-pastored from 1943 to 1953.

Thurman’s writings and activism deeply influenced King. Burrow argued that it is not entirely clear when and where King first learned the concept of beloved community. Yet King emphasized its importance in much of his writing and political action.

Love and action

During his lifetime, Thurman sought to build this beloved community through his activism for racial justice. For example, he co-founded the Church for the Fellowship

In simplest terms, King defined the beloved community as a community transformed by love. Like Royce, he drew his understanding of love from the Bible’s New Testament. In the original Greek, the Gospels use the word “agape,” which suggests God’s self-giving, unconditional love for humanity — and, by extension, human beings’ self-giving, unconditional love for each other.

According to Baldwin, however, King’s understanding of the beloved community is better understood against the backdrop of the Black church tradition. Raised in the Ebenezer Baptist Church of Atlanta, King learned lessons on the meaning of love from his parents, Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. — Ebenezer’s pastor, who was also a leader in the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People — and Alberta Christine Williams King. One of the distinctions in King’s thought is that he believed the beloved community could be achieved through nonviolent direct action, such as sit-ins, marches, and boycotts. In part, he was inspired by Thurman, who had embraced the nonviolence at the heart of Mahatma Gandhi’s resistance against the British in India. For King, nonviolence was the only viable means for achieving the United States of Amer-

ica’s redemption from the sin of racial segregation and white supremacy.

For King, therefore, the beloved community was not merely a utopian vision of the future. He envisioned it as an obtainable ethical goal that all human beings must work collectively toward achieving.

“Only a refusal to hate or kill can put an end to the chain of violence in the world and lead us toward a community where men can live together without fear,” King wrote in 1966. “Our goal is to create a beloved community and this will require a qualitative change in our souls as well as a quantitative change in our lives.”

Searching for the beloved community today

King’s idea of the beloved community has not only influenced people affiliated with the Christian tradition, but also people from other faiths and those who don’t practice any faith.

For instance, scholars Elizabeth A. Johnson, bell hooks, and Joy James have reflected upon the meaning of the beloved community amid ongoing challenges such as global climate change, sexism, racism, and other forms of structural violence.

People around the world continue to draw insight and inspiration from King’s thought, especially from his insistence that love is “the most durable power” to change the world for the better. Questions remain about whether his beloved community can be realized, or how. But I believe it is important to understand King’s ethical concept and its continuing influence on movements that seek an end to injustice.

The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. The Conversation is wholly responsible for the content.

Martin Luther King, Jr. (New York World-Telegram and the Sun staff photographer Walter Albertin via wikimedia)

age, national origin, and sexual identity. The Social Club is a window into Latin America and a mirror of New York’s rich diversity.

When asked what it is like being at Toñita’s Social Club, Cyntthia Ortiz, a first-time visitor from Puerto Rico said, “We came to visit, and we feel as if we were in Puerto Rico, right now, right here.” Another family originally from the island expressed their first impressions of the bar: “It pretty much looks like the bars from Puerto Rico. We are talking: San Juan, Rio Piedras, San Dulce.”

Undoubtedly, at Toñita’s, Puerto Rican heritage is celebrated and preserved. Even for those who are not Puerto Rican, the bar is an oasis that shelters Latinos and their idiosyncrasy. Toñita’s crowd is incredibly multicultural and showcases a safe space regardless of

Andreina, a 27-year-old Venezuelan immigrant who lives in New York, visited the bar for the first time after “a good friend recommended it.” Her girlfriend, Tatiana, 28, of Puerto Rican descent walked, danced, and played joyfully at the bar wearing her ‘I (heart) My Hot Venezuelan Girlfriend’ shirt. Tatianna added, “We were very out and openly affectionate and felt nothing but welcome, which I know is always a risk for folks like us but the people and the atmosphere were so great.”

The jukebox allows the customers to play their own music — from reggaeton to salsa, and merengue to dembow interchangeably.

Dominoes matches, pool, dancing, and Toñita’s homemade arroz con habichuelas are all

part of the ambiance at New York’s last remaining Puerto Rican Social Club.

Toñita’s has been a thriving hotspot of Latinx culture in New York City for decades.

Toñita’s presence and iconic status in Williamsburg prove the vitality of protecting spaces where Brown folks feel safe, create community, and cherish their culture. She stated, “You are born with it” when discussing kindness as the driving force behind the Social Club she has run for 50 years. Gladly, for Toñita, “It is a privilege to help people.”

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BASIS OF CHARGE

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In Case of error, notify the Amsterdam News 212-932-7440

Notice of Qualification of AP CREDIT SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS (AIV) II, L.P. Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/08/25. Office location: NY County. LP formed in Delaware (DE) on 12/26/24. Princ. office of LP: Attn: General Counsel, 9 W. 57th St., 43rd Fl., NY, NY 10019. Duration of LP is Perpetual. SSNY designated as agent of LP upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the Partnership at the princ. office of the LP. Name and addr. of each general partner are available from SSNY. DE addr. of LP: c/o Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of LP filed with The Secy. of State of the State of DE, Dept. of State, Div. of Corps., John Townsend Bldg., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of AP CREDIT SOLUTIONS FUND II AIV (DC), LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/08/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 12/26/24. Princ. office of LLC: Attn: General Counsel, 9 W. 57th St., 43rd Fl., NY, NY 10019. 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. DE addr. of LLC: c/o Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with The Secy. of State of the State of DE, Dept. of State, Div. of Corps., John Townsend Bldg., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of Concentric Chemists LLC. Filed with SSNY on 1/29/24. Office: New York Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 52 Morton St, 1, NY, NY 10014. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 37 GROUP LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 11/15/2024. Office located in NEW YORK. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to: 11 W 36TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10018, USA. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of MOLLY LIPPERT LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/18/2024. Office Location: NEW YORK County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served against LLC to: THE LLC 1435 YORK AVE APT 7E, NEW YORK, NY, 10075, USA. Reg. Ag.: UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC. 7014 13TH AVENUE SUITE 202, BROOKLYN, NY, 11228, USA. Purpose: any lawful act

Notice of Filing of Application for Authority of Foreign LLC. South Dayton GLS-NY Solar LLC (LLC) filed App. Of Auth. With Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/12/2024. Jurisdiction of Organization: Vermont. Date of Organization: 5/2/2024. Office location: New York County. Principal business location: c/o CT Corporation, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005 . SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process may be served and SSNY shall mail process to c/o CT Corporation, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005. Address of office required to be maintained in the jurisdiction of formation is 121 South Pinnacle Ridge Road, Waterbury, VT 05676. The name and address of the authorized official in its jurisdiction of organization where a copy of its articles or organization is filed is: c/o Secretary of the State, 128 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05633. Purpose: any business permitted under law.

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK, FLUSHING BANK, Plaintiff, vs. CABRERA REALTY CORP., ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on September 23, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse, room 116, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on February 26, 2025 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 2184 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10032. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York, Block 2125 and Lot 47. Approximate amount of judgment is $944,009.39 together with interest at the note rate from May 22, 2024 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850134/2019.

Matthew D. Hunter, III Esq., Referee

Lynch & Associates, 464 New York Avenue, Suite 200, Huntington, New York 11743, Attorneys for Plaintiff

Notice of Qualification of VANTAGE EQUITY PARTNERS

LLC. Authority filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 12/10/24. Office location: New York County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 1/5/24. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 1907 Back St, Sullivans Isl., SC 29483. DE address of LLC: 1209 Orange St, Wilmington, DE 19801. Cert. of Formation filed with DE Secy of State, 401 Federal St, Ste 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of MACONDO 520 FIFTH, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/24/24. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 200 S. Biscayne Blvd., Ste. 1860, Miami, FL 33131. 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.

NOTICE OF SALE

Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, Index No. 850623/2023

Newtek Small Business Finance, LLC, Plaintiff, v. DBMS Consulting, Inc., et. al., Defendants.

TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to the Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated August 27, 2024, the undersigned referee will sell at public auction on January 29, 2025 at 2:15pm in Room 130 at 60 Centre Street, NY, NY, the property located at 164 West 83 rd Street, Units CF1 and CF2, New York, NY 10024 (Block 1213, Lots 1303 and 1304).

The approximate amount of Plaintiff’s lien is $2,015,909 plus interest and costs. The premises will be sold in two parcels and subject to provisions of the judgment and terms of sale.

Matthew Hunter, Esq., Referee

Law Offices of Tae H. Whang, LLC, Attorneys for Plaintiff, 185 Bridge Plaza North, Suite 201, Fort Lee, NJ 07024, Tel. (201) 461-0300.

KEN & RITA REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/10/24. Office: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, c/o Rita Warner, 15 West 81st Street, New York, NY 10024. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

OGT CHELSEA LLC filed Arts. of Org. with the Sect'y of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/27/2024. Office: New York County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: c/o David Dobesh, 36 Fairview Ave, Madison, NJ 07940. Purpose: any lawful act.

Notice is hereby given that a license, serial #NA-0240-24146654 for beer, wine has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer & wine at retail in a restaurant under the ABC Law at 110 St. Marks Pl., New York, NY 10009 for on-premises consumption; Disfruting Two LLC

Notice is hereby given that a license, serial #NA-0340-24121228 for beer & wine has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer & wine at retail in a restaurant under the ABC Law at 592 3 rd Ave., NYC 10016 for on-premises consumption; Piselli Inc.

Notice of Formation of Motivate Through Play OT PLLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/26/2024. Office Location: New York County. SSNY designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail process to: 767 Broadway #1451, New York, NY 10003. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

ROLLO DAIRY BAR LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/06/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 190 E 7th St Apt 113, NY, NY 10009. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Sensible Pet Care Services LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/18/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 105 West 125th St Front 1 #1225, New York Purpose: Any lawful act.

Julie Christie LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/20/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 29 Cooper Street Apt 3D, New York NY 10034. Purpose: Any lawful act.

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK: COUNTY OF NEW YORK. JYBGAD L.P. Pltf v. WEST 26 TH STREET REALTY LLC, et al., Defts. Index No. 850024/2023 pursuant to the Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated August 13, 2024 and entered on August 15, 2024, I will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse, at the Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, New York, room 130 on February 5, 2025 at 2:15 p.m., prem. k/a 35 West 26 th Street, New York, New York (Block 828, Lot 13). Approx. amt of judgment is $ 8,934,402.69, plus costs, attorneys’ fees and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Clark Whitsett, Esq., Referee. Jacobowitz Newman Tversky LLP, Attys. for Plaintiff, 377 Pearsall Ave., Ste C, Cedarhurst, NY.

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK

DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR HARBORVIEW MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2007-2, Plaintiff, Against HARVEY LEVINE, CAROLE LEVINE, ET AL Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 09/13/2024, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, in Room 130 at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on 2/26/2025 at 2:15PM, premises known as 455 Central Park West, Unit 17B, New York, New York 10025, And Described As Follows:

ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Condominium Unit (Hereinafter Referred To As The "Unit") Known As Unit No. 17B In The Premises Known As 455 Central Park West Condominium, And By The Street Number 455 Central Park West, Borough Of Manhattan, County City And State Of New York. TOGERTHER with an undivided 0.625% percent interest in the Common Elements. Block 01841 Lot 1276

The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $3,088,341.91 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 850318/2014

Roberta Ellen Ashkin, Esq., Referee.

MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573

Dated: 1/6/2025 File Number: 17-301350 CA

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT: NEW YORK COUNTY. BMARK 2018-B1 BLEECKER STREET, LLC, Pltf. vs. 156 BLEECKER OWNER LLC, et al, Defts. Index #850257/2021. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale dated Aug. 27, 2024, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on February 5, 2025 at 2:15 p.m. premises k/a 156-160 Bleecker Street, Unit 1, New York, NY a/k/a Section 2, Block 525, Lot 1001. The Commercial Condominium Unit (the “Unit”) in the building known as the Atrium Condominium (the “Condominium”) and located and known by street number 156160 Bleecker Street, New York, New York, designated and described in the Declaration (hereinafter called the “Declaration”) made by 160 Bleecker Street Owners, Inc. under the Condominium Act of the State of New York (Article 9-B of the Real Property Law of the State of New York) (the “New York Condominium Act”), dated 3-14-84, and recorded 4-1484 in the Office of the Register, the City of New York, County of New York in Reel 784, Page 730 establishing a plan for condominium ownership of said Building and the lands upon which the same is erected (hereinafter sometimes collectively called the “Property”), and also designated as Tax Lot 1001 on the Floor Plans of the Building certified by Charles Lobell, R.A., on 3-14-84 filed with said Declaration in the Office of the City Register for New York County as Map No. 4239. Together with an undivided 15.57% interest in the Common Elements of the property as described in said Declaration, recorded in Reel 784, Page 730. Approximate amount of judgment is $41,863,779.16 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale.

THOMAS R. KLEINBERGER, Referee. BALLARD SPAHR LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 1675 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10019. #101933

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR SEQUOIA MORTGAGE TRUST 2020-MC1, Plaintiff, -against- KATHERINE G. VOSTERS; BOARD OF MANAGERS OF 444 EAST 57TH STREETCONDOMINIUM; any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of defendant, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff and JOHN DOE AND JANE DOE #1 through #7, the last seven (7) names being fictitious and unknown to the Plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or parties, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the mortgaged premises described in the complaint, Defendants. INDEX # 850092/2024 Original filed with Clerk March 25, 2024. Plaintiff Designates New York County as the Place of Trial. The Basis of Venue is that the subject action is situated New York County. Premises: 444 E 57th St 4A New York, NY 10022. TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s Attorney(s) within 20 days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); the United States of America may appear or answer within 60 day of service hereof; and in case of your failure to appear or answer judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. The supplemental summons and amended complaint are being filed pursuant to Court order dated November 19, 2024. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this Summons and Complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR SEQUOIA MORTGAGE TRUST 2020-MC1 AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: November 22, 2024 Uniondale, New York, Respectfully submitted, Pincus Law Group, PLLC. By: Margaret Burke Tarab, Esq., Attorneys for Plaintiff, 425 RXR Plaza Uniondale, NY 11556, 516-699-8902

Savoir-Faire Projects LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/26/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 166 East 61st Street,10F, New York, NY 10065. Purpose: Any lawful act.

PEPPAS AND PARTNERS, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/29/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 90 Morton Street, Apt. D5, New York, NY, 10014. Purpose: Any lawful act.

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT, NEW YORK COUNTY,

DCR MORTGAGE 10 SUB 2, LLC, Plaintiff, against

179 LUDLOW OWNERS LLC, SHARON SUTTON, et al., Defendants.

Pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated July 9, 2024, and entered on July 12, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee appointed in said Judgment, will sell at public auction at the New York County Supreme Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, Room 130, New York, New York, on January 29, 2025, at 2:15p.m., the premises known as and located at 179 Ludlow Street, Unit C, New York, New York 10002. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements situated, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan and County of New York, State of New York, Block 0412, Lot 1101. Premises will be sold subject to the terms of the filed Judgment, Index No. 850662/2023, and the Terms of Sale, all of which are available from Plaintiff’s counsel upon request.

The approximate amount of the Judgment is $2,310,814.68 plus interest and costs, as provided in the Judgment. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale.

Ronald Zezima, Esq., Referee.

Rosenberg & Estis, P.C.

Attorneys for Plaintiff 733 Third Avenue, 15th Floor New York, NY 10017 (212) 867-6000

Attention: Richard Y. Im, Esq.

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT – NEW YORK COUNTY

BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE 610 PARK AVENUE CONDOMINIUM, Plaintiff -against16EF APARTMENT, LLC and MARA ENTERPRISES, et al Defendant(s). INDEX NO. 151261/2023

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR OPTION ONE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2007-5, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-5, -against-

DONNA FERRATO, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of New York on May 26, 2022, wherein WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR OPTION ONE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2007-5, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-5 is the Plaintiff and DONNA FERRATO, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the NEW YORK COUNTY CIVIL SUPREME COURTHOUSE, ROOM 130, 60 CENTRE STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10007, on February 19, 2025 at 2:15PM, premises known as 25 LEONARD ST, APT 3, NEW YORK, NY 10013; and the following tax map identification: 179-1003.

THE CONDOMINIUM UNIT (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE “UNIT”) KNOWN AS RESIDENTIAL UNIT NO. 3 IN THE BUILDING (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE “BUILDING”) KNOWN AS THE SIMON & MILLS BUILDINGS CO DOMINIUM AND THE STREET NUMBER 25 LEONARD STREET, BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, CITY, COUNTY AND STATE OF NEW YORK, TOGETHER WITH AN UNDIVIDED 13.50% INTEREST IN THE COMMON ELEMENTS

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 850294/2017. Ronald Zezima, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC BID Hunter Roberts Construction Group (HRCG) will be accepting Competitive Sealed Bids on behalf of The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) as part of the public procurement for Construction Services of East 34th Street NYC Ferry Transit Resilience Project (Contract No. 104540001), located at E. 34th Street in Manhattan, NY 10016. Scope of Work entails marine pile driving, extension of steel anchor piles & other misc. metal tasks.

Bidders are hereby notified that this subcontract is subject to Local Law 1, Disadvantage Business Enterprises (DBE) Requirements, Prevailing Wage Rates, and apprenticeship program requirements.

To access the solicitation, visit the HRCG’s Building Connected Portal at https://tinyurl.com/ 34thFerryResilience Responses to the RFP are to be electronically submitted via Building Connected no later than Monday, February 10, 2025, by 4:00 PM. Anticipated award date is March 2025. Anticipated construction start date is September 2025. Please note that late bids will not be accepted if submitted after the due date. Project Contact: Jessica Levyns - jlevyns@hrcg.com

NOTICE OF SALE

Emma Havighorst LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 1/12/2025. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 264 Lexington Ave Apt 3B, New York, NY 10016. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Capture Create LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 31/10/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 1595 Lexington Avenue, #5C, New York, NY, 10029. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered herein and dated September 29, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at a public auction located in Room 116 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, New York on January 29, 2025 at 2:15 p.m. E.T., premises situate, all that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, Block: 1379, Lot: 1189. Said premises known as 610 Park Avenue, PH16E, New York, New York 10065. The approximate amount of the judgment is $171,820.02 plus post-judgment interest & costs. The premises will be sold subject to provisions of the filed Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion and Sale and Terms of Sale.

CHRISTY M. DEMELFI, ESQ., Referee

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, LLP

Attn: Benjamin O. Gilbert bogilbert@sheppardmullin.com

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff

30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112 (212) 896-0682

LaTeca Hub LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/3/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 408 E 73 Street, Apt 3B, New York, NY 10021. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Microassets LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/21/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 422 ST Nicholas Ave 4S, New York, NY, 10027 . Purpose: Any lawful act.

NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court, State of New York, New York County. PV EAST 106TH STREET LLC, Plaintiff, v. 308310 REALTY, LLC, et al., Defendants.

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered in the New York County Clerk’s Office on September 4, 2024 (the “Judgment”), under New York County Index No. 850087/2023, Roberta Ashkin, Esq., Referee, will sell at public auction in Room 116 of the New York County Supreme Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, New York, on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 2:15 p.m., the premises known as 308-310 East 106th Street, New York, New York 10029. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York, Block 1677, Lots 45-46 (the “Property”). Approximate amount due per Judgment is $9,136,090.11, plus interest and costs. The Property will be sold subject to provisions of the Judgment and the Terms of Sale.

Roberta Ashkin, Esq., Referee. Farrell Fritz, P.C., 400 RXR Plaza, Uniondale, New York 11556, attorneys for Plaintiff.

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK, 2 Cap Investments, LLC , Plaintiff, vs. Frog Investments, LLC, ET AL ., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on August 9, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on January 29, 2025 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 321 West 110th Street, No. 7A a/k/a 321 Cathedral Parkway, Unit No. 7A, New York, NY 10026. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York, Block 1423 and Lot 1846. Approximate amount of judgment is $2,931,375.00 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale Index #850074/2022.

Allison M. Furman, Esq., Referee

Underweiser & Underweiser LLP, One Barker Avenue, Second Floor, White Plains, New York 10601, Attorneys for Plaintiff.

Dream Spirits LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/7/24 Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 74 W 47th St #400, NY, NY 10036. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Homebody Enterprises LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/30/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 230 E 30th St, NY, NY 10016 Purpose: Any lawful act.

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK, MCLP ASSET COMPANY, INC., Plaintiff, vs. VANESSA D FIGEUROA A/K/A VANESSA DULALIA FIGEUROA, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on August 27, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse, room 116, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on February 19, 2025 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 76 Madison Avenue, Unit #7A, New York, NY 10016. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York, Block 857 and Lot 1118 together with an undivided 3.41 percent interest in the Common Elements. Approximate amount of judgment is $2,094,393.23 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850247/2023. Cash will not be accepted.

Allison Furman, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff

Notice of Qualification of NONIGHTER LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/24/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 08/21/24. 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 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK, HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR WELLS FARGO ASSET SECURITIES CORPORATION, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES

2006-7, Plaintiff, vs. AYSE SULAN KOLATAN, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure duly entered on August 7, 2024 and the Decision + Order duly entered on December 9, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on February 19, 2025 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 50 Pine Street, Unit 2, New York, NY 10005. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York, Block 41 and Lot 1004 together with an undivided 7.16 percent interest in the Common Elements. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,338,016.35 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850179/2022. Cash will not be accepted.

Christy M. Demelfi, Esq., Referee

Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK: COUNTY OF QUEENS. THE JY 4 L.P., Pltf v. 78-19 JAMAICA AVENUE LLC , et al., Defts. Index No. 711940/2016 . pursuant to the Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated December 12, 2024 and entered on December 18, 2024 , I will sell at public auction public auction at the Queens County Courthouse, 88-11 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica, New York, Courtroom 25, on February 14, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., prem. k/a 78-19 Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven, NY 11421 (Block 8842, Lot 147). Approx. amt of judgment is $ 853,984.28 together with interest, plus costs, attorneys’ fees and interest, less any payments received. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment , Queens County Foreclosure Auction Rules and terms of sale , Martha Taylor, Esq ., Referee. Jacobowitz Newman Tversky LLP, Attys. for Plaintiff, 377 Pearsall Ave., Ste C, Cedarhurst, NY.

The Welliverse LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/29/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 280 Park Avenue South, 9H, NY, NY 10010. Purpose: Any lawful act.

BilinguaLit Compass L.L.C. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/12/2024. Office location: Bronx County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 2234 Wilson Avenue, Bronx, New York 10469. Purpose: Any lawful act.

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK.

NYCTL 2021-A TRUST AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND CUSTODIAN,

Plaintiffs -against- D.K.S. LTD, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein on July 16, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on February 5, 2025 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York, known and designated as Block 1262 Lot 603 on the New York County Tax Assessment.

Said premises known as 62 WEST 47TH STREET #602, NEW YORK, NY 10036

Approximate amount of lien $291,253.74 plus interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 158753/2022.

CLARK WHITSETT, ESQ., Referee

Phillips Lytle LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiffs 28 East Main Street, Suite 1400, Rochester, NY 14614

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK: COUNTY OF NEW YORK. JYBGAD L.P. Pltf v. WEST 26 TH STREET REALTY LLC, et al., Defts. Index No. 850024/2023 pursuant to the Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated August 13, 2024 and entered on August 15, 2024, I will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse, at the Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, New York, room 130 on February 5, 2025 at 2:15 p.m., prem. k/a 33 West 26 th Street, New York, New York (Block 828, Lot 14). Approx. amt of judgment is $ 8,934,402.69, plus costs, attorneys’ fees and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Clark Whitsett, Esq., Referee. Jacobowitz Newman Tversky LLP, Attys. for Plaintiff, 377 Pearsall Ave., Ste C, Cedarhurst, NY.

NOTICE OF FORMATION of limited liability company (LLC). Name: JUSTIN STONE INVESTORS LLC f/k/a JONATHAN STONE INVESTORS LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/20/2024. Office location: New York Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and address SSNY shall mail a copy of process is 435 East 65th Street, #12C, New York, NY 10065. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

Notice is hereby given that Application ID Number NA-024025-100347 for a On-Premises Restaurant license has been applied for by the undersigned to permit the sale of beer and wine at retail in a restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at Chuck E. Cheese’s located at 139 Flatbush Avenue, Floor 3 in Kings County for on-premises consumption. CEC Entertainment LLC, 139 Flatbush Avenue, Floor 3, Brooklyn, NY 11217.

Notice of Qualification of MAGOON, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/08/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Colorado (CO) on 07/14/22. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to New York Department of State, Division of Corporations, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12231. CO addr. of LLC: 50 S Steele St., Ste 420, Denver, CO 80209. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State of CO, 1700 Broadway, Suite 550, Denver, CO 80290. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

New York Liberty’s community connection continues to grow

By LOIS ELFMAN

Special to the AmNews

The WNBA Champion New York Liberty’s third annual “Season of Giving” community outreach was so abundant that it lasted until the middle of January. Started in 2022, the initiative was developed to ensure that the Liberty continues to connect with community partners and corporate sponsors during the off-season.

“The holiday season is also a time where many members of our community need additional support,” said Allie Moogan, the Liberty’s social responsibility manager. “It is important that the Liberty has this authentic connection with the community, especially during the offseason, to showcase our ongoing commitment to New Yorkers.”

Season of Giving encompasses the Liberty’s social responsibility pillars: BEUP (basketball, embracing young women, championing unity, and promoting Pride). The team and 16 corporate partners provided gifts, services, and experiences to community organizations in the five boroughs.

“Our BEUP pillars are at the core of the community work we do,” said Moogan. “Basketball, embracing women and girls, championing unity, and promoting Pride are all inherent to the New York Liberty’s identity. It is important for us to ensure that we continue to build upon these core pillars in collaboration with both our community and corporate partners.”

There was a free basketball clinic for more than 300 kids in lower

Manhattan. The young hoopsters received tote bags, T-shirts, Wise chip bags, and Shake Shack vouchers. At another basketball event, Liberty staff visited the Pride Basketball League New York City’s Women’s+ league and distributed assorted cosmetics. Ticketmaster hosted 20 people from the Brave House in a luxury suite at the Barclays Center for a Nets game.

Liberty center Nyara Sabally spent an evening at the Bowery Mission’s

emergency shelter in Tribeca. She also attended the basketball clinic and visited pediatric patients at the Hospital for Special Surgery. The Liberty has a long-time association with the Ali Forney Center, the nation’s largest provider of shelter and wraparound services for homeless LGBTQ+ youth, and Liberty staff assembled holiday gift bags with useful gifts.

“Our social responsibility team connects with local organizations to identify the various needs of

their communities first-hand,” said Johnna Hayward, senior director of partnership marketing and strategy. “Next, our partnership marketing team connects specific team sponsors that have expressed shared values or areas of focus. Once connected through the Season of Giving program, collaborating with our corporate sponsors provides access to resources that increase the breadth of our impact throughout New York City’s five boroughs.”

Top-ranked UCLA dominates in inaugural Coretta Scott King Classic

By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews

”The woman power of this nation can be the power which makes us whole and heals the rotten community.”— Coretta Scott King.

This past Monday, on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the inaugural Coretta Scott King Classic women’s basketball doubleheader took place at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Thousands braved the cold and snow-covered pavement to see four top-25 teams, including three of the top eight, battle on the court on a day that honored a man known for his fight for civil and human rights, and in an event named to honor the legacy of Mrs. King and celebrate female empowerment in sports.

Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee at the age of 39. Coretta Scott King died on January 30, 2006 in the rehabilitation center at Oasis Hospital in Mexico where she was undergoing holistic treatment for a stroke and ovarian cancer.

In the opener, 6’ 7” junior center Lauren Betts flirted with a triple-double as she dominated on both ends of the floor, scoring 24

points, blocking a school-record nine shots, and pulling down nine rebounds as the No. 1-ranked UCLA Bruins remained undefeated, taking down the gritty unranked Baylor Bears 72-57. The Bruins led the Bears 17-2 in the first quarter, but Baylor climbed back to cut the lead to five twice but didn’t get closer.

Junior Gabriela Jaquez, the younger sister of Miami Heat guard and former UCLA standout Jaime Jaquez Jr., notched a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Junior guard Darianna LittlepageBuggs grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds and scored eight points for Baylor, while senior guard Yaya Felder from Hartford, CT, scored a team-high 10 points off the bench. In the second game, the No. 7 Texas Longhorns handily defeated the No. 8 Maryland Terrapins team 89-5l. Maryland lost junior guard and third-leading scorer Bri McDaniel for the season last week to an ACL injury. The Terps also were without senior guard Shyanne Sellers, the team’s secondleading scorer, for the second half as she sustained a knee injury just before halftime. The Longhorn defense held the Terrapins to 12

points in the first quarter, taking a commanding 28-12 lead, and limited Maryland to six points in the second quarter to take a 48-18 lead after 20 minutes of play.

Sophomore forward Madison Booker led the Longhorns with 28 points on an efficient 13-19 from the field, while senior forward Taylor Jones scored 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Junior guard Kaylene Smikle, hailing from Bay Shore, New York, was the only Maryland player in double figures, as she scored 15 points.

But the inaugural Coretta Scott King Classic was about much more than basketball. It may have best been expressed by Texas Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer, who talked about the bravery of both Rev. Dr. King and Coretta Scott King.

“I try to impart on these kids all the time about what makes a great leader and it’s somebody that’s a servant leader that is always thinking about something, someone else other than themself,” he said.

“This event is named after his wife, so I want y’all to think for a minute. We all know the bravery that he went through and the things that he had to deal with as he did what he did, but think about his wife. This event

Think about her bravery. Think about her toughness.”

was named after Coretta, and think about her bravery every day, knowing that when he walked out the door, knowing what he was trying

to get done in the world at a time when the world was fighting it.

UCLA, the No. 1 women’s college basketball team in the country, led by center Lauren Betts, defeated Baylor 72-57 in the opening round of the inaugural Coretta Scott King Classic. (Derrel Johnson photo)

Nyara Sabally with local youth at New York Liberty basketball clinic.

New York Liberty center Nyara Sabally with Hospital for Special Surgery personnel. (Brandon Todd/New York Liberty photos)

The Knicks can become more sturdy in the standings on current home stretch

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

Two solid wins for the Knicks to begin the week could be a prelude to a potentially favorable five-game home stand, all versus Western Conference playoff contenders, that begins Saturday hosting the Sacramento Kings. They will then face the Memphis Grizzlies next Monday, Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Lakers Saturday and conclude with the Houston Rockets on Monday, Feb. 3.

The Knicks go into the 10-day stretch with momentum having defeated the Atlanta Hawks 119110 at Madison Square Garden on the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Day, then held off a reeling Nets squad 99-95 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Tuesday. It was the Knicks’ ninth-straight win against Brooklyn and they remained undefeated this season (8-0) when holding opponents to under 100 points.

At 14-8, the Knicks have the ninth best home record in the NBA this season and are 29-16 overall. Mon-

day’s home win over the Hawks was one of the Knicks’ most impressive, beating an athletic Hawks squad that has taken down the Cleveland Cavaliers twice, the team that had the league’s best at 36-6 going into their game versus the Houston Rockets last night. The Hawks also knocked off the Knicks at the Garden 108-100 in their previous matchup. So Monday was a get back game of sorts for the Knicks.

“This is a team win,” said Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns. “It is a great win. That is a team we have struggled with this year, and we had to find a way to win as a team today and we did it and I am very proud of us.”

Towns maintained that the game was decided on the Knicks’ defensive end of the court. “Just bringing that defensive intensity we brought today. Our offense has been really good all year so just finding that consistency on the defensive end that will take us to another level.”

Indeed the Knicks’ were eighth in the league in scoring at 116.6 points per game at the start of last night’s

NBA matchups and were eighth in opponents’ points allowed at 110.7. Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau noted the performance of forward Mikal Bridges, who scored 26 points but also was part of the collective shadowing of the Hawks’ lethal scoring point guard Trae Young, who in recent years has been a nemesis of the Knicks and public enemy No. 1 to the franchise’s fanbase, as he has relished silencing and trolling the Garden crowd with clutch performances. Young scored 27 hard-earned points on just 8-22 shooting, albeit going 6-12 from beyond the arc. “He’s such a tough cover,” Thibodeau said of Young. “There’s a million pick and rolls you have to defend, and sometimes you can defend them really well and [Young] can still make them. I thought he [Bridges] was really disciplined and you have to be that. He kept going, so I think that that’s important. And [Bridges] getting some easy baskets for us. I thought he ran the floor well. He had a good post position, got some easy scores.”

With the NBA trade deadline looming, the Nets explore more moves

By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews

With the February 6 NBA trade deadline two weeks away, the Brooklyn Nets are one of the most intriguing of the league’s 30 teams as they have attractive players that playoff contenders may be seeking.

The Nets already traded point guard Dennis Schröder to the Golden State Warriors, primarily for draft capital, and forward Dorian Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton to the Los Angeles Lakers for guard D’Angelo Russell to add to their hefty stock of draft picks.

At the top of the list of Brooklyn’s assets is small forward Cam Johnson, who is statistically having the best season of his career. Johnson, who will turn 29 in March, was averaging career-highs of 19.5 points

per game while shooting 50% from the field when the Nets played the Phoenix Suns at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn last night. He is in the second year of a four-year, $90 million contract, which is reasonable and tradable, and a bargain given Johnson’s productivity.

Ben Simmons, a three-time NBA All-Star, is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Unfortunately, his lack of availability due primarily to due to recurring back problems has lowered his value on the court but expiring contracts are coveted by teams looking to clear cap space, so the 28-year old Simmons is a chip the Nets may move as they continue to position themselves for the future in the midst of a long-term rebuild. Simmons has only played in 30 of the team’s first 44 games, which is twice the amount he played last season.

Guard Cam Thomas, still the best

scorer on the team, averaging 24.7, could be a significant addition to a team looking for scoring off the bench. Like Simmons, the 23-yearold Thomas has had injury issues, as he has played in only 19 of the Nets 44 games as of last night and is sidelined with a left hamstring strain he suffered on January 2.

The Nets tipped off against the Suns losers of nine of their previous 10 games, including the team’s ninth-straight loss to the Knicks on Tuesday at the Barclays, a 99-95 defeat. Brooklyn last defeated the Knicks on January 28, 2023.

They will host the Miami Heat on Saturday, when they will retire the jersey of hall of famer Vince Carter, who played nearly five of his 22 years in the NBA with the Nets. Brooklyn ends their four-game home stand on Monday versus the Sacramento Kings and face the Hornets in Charlotte on Wednesday.

Continued from page 40

it only made sense,” he said. “The other choice was to do it at work, and I would’ve done it at work because it’s my great-grandma’s es-

tablishment, but I chose to do it here because I just felt more people would be able to come out to it.”

Gordon’s high school peers cheered as he walked to the stage and spoke to them before receiving a citation.

“Whereas Khalil Gordon, a

16-year-old boxing phenom and national champion from Harlem, New York, balances his job school training to become a symbol of perseverance and hope for his community. And whereas such service, which is truly the lifeblood of the commu-

nity and the state so often goes unrecognized and unrewarded now, therefore it be resolved that as a duly elected member of the State Assembly of New York, I recognize that in Khalil Gordon, we have an outstanding citizen, one who is worthy of the esteem

of both the community and the great state of New York,” said Jordan J.G. Wright, a newly elected New York State Assemblyman for the 70th District.

The loud applause of his peers symbolized the pride they have in the success of one of their own.

Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns and guard Deuce McBride try to bottle up Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels in the Knicks’ 119-110 win at Madison Square Garden on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. (AP Photo/ Heather Khalifa)

Nets guard D’Angelo Russell is back with the team for a second stint after he was traded by the Los Angeles Lakers to Brooklyn on December 29 for former Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Khalil Gordon

Senior guard Mia Castillo becomes Baruch College’s all-time leading scorer

By LOIS ELFMAN

Special to the AmNews

As she experiences her final CUNY AC basketball season, Baruch College senior guard Mia Castillo has broken records and set a standard for Bearcats basketball unlikely to be challenged any time soon. She not only surpassed the 2,000-point mark, but also firmly established herself as Baruch’s all-time leading scorer — female or male — with 2,077 points, set last Friday in an 85-56 win over Medgar Evers College.

“I find myself kind of gazing out in practice sometimes, just soaking every moment in with my team,” said Castillo, an accounting major and vice president of the Baruch chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). “We all share the same goals: a CUNY championship. That’s one thing that I personally haven’t had the chance to accomplish — my team as well, so it’s on all of our minds right now.”

Originally from the Bronx, Castillo’s family moved upstate when she

Baruch Bearcats celebrate Mia Castillo setting new scoring record.

(Mike Buri Zaruma photos)

was a teenager. Coming from an entrepreneurial family, she knew she wanted to study business. As she was deciding where to go to college, Baruch suddenly appeared on her radar when head women’s basketball coach Michael Kotrozos reached out to her. During a visit to the college, she realized how much she wanted to return to NYC.

“I feel so blessed to have the academic resources that I’ve had; I’ve had such amazing professors,” said Castillo. She also appreciates the adjunct faculty who work

in their fields and doesn’t mind taking those courses on Saturdays, although she has taken an exam immediately after a game.

Last summer, Castillo did an internship in the audit division of Grant Thornton LLP. Her goal is to become a CPA. Her sports experience is definitely an asset.

“Everything is teams. We work in teams on various projects, and I have a specialty in that — Knowing how to communicate with people,” said Castillo, who has been a captain on the Baruch team since her

sophomore year. “It was easy to translate a lot of skills I’ve learned on the court to the office.”

For the second year, Castillo is leading NCAA Division III women’s basketball in scoring. In all scenarios, she understands that while she may have outstanding individual skills, success is all about the team. “Your network is your power,” she said.

Not focusing on the point count, Castillo is set on team success.

Baruch takes on Lehman College in CUNY AC action on Friday.

NCAA adds women’s wrestling as a championship sport

By LOIS ELFMAN

Special to the AmNews

On Monday, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced it has officially added women’s wrestling as its 91st championship sport. The sport advances from the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program to intercollegiate competition, leading to a national championship.

The decision applies to Divisions I, II, and III.

“This is not only a game-changer for so many women [who] are on club wrestling teams at NCAA institutions, but also for the more than 65,000 girls competing in high school and so many more at the youth level, who aspire to be NCAA wrestlers,” said Brendan Buckley, executive director of Beat the Streets, a nonprofit organization that works to develop the full human and athletic potential of New York City urban youth through wrestling, shared his enthusiasm. “This decision provides them with more pathways to pursue their dreams.”

Some colleges and universities currently have women’s wrestling as a club sport and others, such as Sacred Heart University in Con-

necticut and Grand Valley State University in Michigan, already compete on the intercollegiate level albeit without a championship to conclude their season — until now.

Adding a path to a national championship enhances the studentathlete experience.

The first national championships will be in 2026. Nationally ranked in Division II, junior Katie Lange of Grand Valley said she feels inspired

by the thought of competing for the NCAA title.

“Having to grow up in the sport not being something that was really recognized, even at the high school level — to see women finally get the recognition they deserve for being in such a tough sport, it’s a big deal,” said Lange, 21, who comes from a wrestling family and started the sport at age 4. “I’m super-thrilled that I’ll have the op-

portunity to wrestle for an NCAA championship. Overall, women deserve the recognition.”

Lange and her teammates currently compete as an officially recognized intercollegiate sport. She can understand how eager women wrestlers currently competing as a club sport are to make the transition.

“There is so much support that comes with it being an intercolle-

giate sport,” said Lange, who previously competed two years at the Division III level and won a National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championship (a separate organization). “I have more than just my wrestling coaches — I have lift coaches. I have access to physical therapists. Being an intercollegiate sport says something about the women in the sport and it being a serious thing.”

Baruch senior guard Mia Castillo set school’s all-time scoring record.

Sacred Heart senior wrestler Temi Sanusi. (Greg Vasil photos)

Sacred Heart wrestlers, such as senior Jacklyn Smith, have been able to participate in intercollegiate wrestling competition.

Sports

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Trump, and the connecting throughline of sports

By JAIME C. HARRIS

AmNews Sports Editor

This past Monday was the annual national celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Coincidentally, it was also the inauguration of Donald J. Trump as the 47th president of the United States of America.

But it is a misnomer to characterize this country as united. In the 248 years since its founding on July 4, 1776, the now 50-state collective, which began with the 13 original colonies, has always been divided and morally compromised, anguished by its original sins of enslaving Africans and tormenting the indigenous people who inhabited the land.

Sports is a throughline that has connected Dr. King and Mr. Trump. Both have leveraged their visceral and tangible capacity to influence the masses. Dr. King for the greater good of racial and social equality, and Trump for personal economic gain and sustaining racial and cultural fissures.

Trump, the former owner of the defunct New Jersey Generals football team, has long been a prominent figure in the sports world. He has shrewdly attached himself to powerful billionaire owners of sports franchises who are among his largest financial donors, as well as praised athletes who share his MAGA ideology. In an exercise of polariza-

tion, Trump has strategically attacked many athletes, such as former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick for their championing of racial and social justice.

Before Kaepernick, LeBron James, numerous WNBA players, and a plethora of others who have been at the forefront of today’s battle for racial and social justice, many athletes actively engaged in the Civil Rights Movement led by Dr. King during its height in the 1960s, including basketball great and intellectual Bill Russell, and Jackie Robinson, a pioneer who broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947, becoming its first Black player.

Dr. King and Robinson developed a close relationship. Robinson stood just feet away from Dr. King when he delivered the seminal “I Have a Dream” speech at the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963. Dr. King described Robinson as “... a pilgrim that walked

in the lonesome byways toward the high road of Freedom. He was a sit-inner before sit-ins, a freedom rider before freedom rides.”

In turn, speaking at the Southern Christian Leadership Council during its annual Free-

dom Dinner in Birmingham, Alabama in September 1962, Robinson effusively encapsulated his perspective of Dr. King.

“People used to tell me a lot of things about Dr. King, that he was trying to take over the world, that he was making money on the civil rights issues,” Robinson elucidated. “I didn’t believe them, of course. I knew this was a dedicated man and that he has made tremendous personal financial sacrifices in the cause.”

In what at the time seemed to be an incongruous union, Dr. King and Cassius Clay, who changed his name to Muhammad Ali on March 6, 1964, forged a bond as their objective to liberate Black people from the bondage of Jim Crow and oppression, and foster fundamental global humanity. It was symbiotic. A well-documented example is their clarion opposition to the war in Vietnam.

Dr. King’s and Ali’s association, evidenced by phone conversations that were covertly recorded by the FBI, was intentionally kept from public consumption by them to shield Dr. King from the virulent criticism he would have undoubtedly been subjected to for interacting with a man who was falsely portrayed as espousing violence and hatred of white people.

Dr. King’s dream has yet to be realized. But sports is a vessel by which it still palpably lives.

Rising teenage boxer Khalil Gordon honored by his Harlem high school

By DERREL JOHNSON

Special to the AmNews

Democracy Prep Charter High School

junior Kahlil Gordon was recognized last Friday in Harlem at a town hall in the school’s auditorium for winning an October 2024 national boxing championship in California at 176 lbs. His victory garnered the 16 year old an invite to the Silver Gloves National Championship later this month in Independence, Missouri.

Gordon, who works part time at his deceased great-grandmother’s famous Harlem soul food eatery, Sylvia’s Restaurant, was joined by his father, Richard Gordon, his mother, Shantsia Johnson, and other family members. He shared with the AmNews how he began boxing as a pre-teen.

“Actually, my father (encouraged me to start boxing) because I was in the house just gaining weight, getting fat, wasn’t really doing nothing,” he said. “So he put me in boxing to start moving around and to learn some self-defense, and it ended up being that I was just better than what people expected me to be.”

Gordon began boxing at 12 and lists current and former boxing legends Floyd Mayweather, Gervonta Davis, Terence Crawford, Muhammad Ali, and Mike Tyson as his favorites. Gordon began to realize he possessed substantial talent at age 14 or 15. He spars at El Maestro Boxing Gym on Freeman Street at 1300 Southern Blvd in the Bronx and is trained by Jose Davila. Gordon, who was born in Boynton Beach, Florida, and moved to Harlem at age three, shared that he has a passion for fashion and could someday be a fashion designer. He said having the ceremony held at his high school was special and he was happy to share the moment with his community.

“I’m with these people every single day, so

See KHALIL GORDON on page 38

Martin Luther King Jr. and Muhammad Ali speak with reporters on March 29, 1967. (AP photo)

Khalil Gordon with his mother, Shantasia Johnson (to his immediate left), father Richard Gordon, and family members Malaika Woods (left) and Vonei Woods. (Bill Moore photo)

New York Amsterdam News Issue January 23-29, .2025

CLIMATE FUTURE

KNOWING WHAT NYC NEEDS

DIRECTORY

NYPD Commissioner Tisch restricts car chases to serious crimes

NYC immigration fears come to fruition as Trump enters office

Trump pardons rioters, Biden grants clemency

A

The Rundown: Black and Brown City Council seats up for grabs

District 7- Incumbent Shaun

Edafe

How one organizer looks to keep up fight against new administration

Black

New Yorker

Planning a bold climate future means knowing what NYC needs

Climate future

Running through history in Harlem for MLK Day

Black people are more vulnerable to cybercrimes — what Black cyber experts say about protecting yourself

Union Matters

On LA fire lines, inmates shoulder heavy packs and tackle dangerous work for less than $30 a day

Biden pardons thousands

CPR can save lives, why not learn it?

The truth will set us free

REV. DR. JACQUI LEWIS

FIERCE LOVE

Still thinking about Altadena

CHRISTINA GREER, PH.D.

Caribbean Update

Biden pardons Marcus Garvey

Breaking down Trump’s immigration executive actions

Ending birthright citizenship

Ending CBP One mobile app

International News

Biden’s departing UN envoy says US rivals will fill the vacuum if Trump abandons global leadership

Using ‘gumbo diplomacy’

Black Angelenos share memories of homes lost to Los Angeles wildfires

Reduce Your Cancer Risk by Eating Healthy

Arts & Entertainment

Camille A. Brown declares ‘I AM’ at the Joyce Theater

Grammy winner Julia Bullock at 92NY with Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Keke Palmer and SZA serve up the laughs in ‘One of Them Days’

Snoop Dogg dines at McDonald’s following Trump Gala; Tyra Banks loses home in LA wildfires; A$AP

Rocky heads to trial

FLO ANTHONY

GO WITH THE FLO

How BIPOC beauty brands like Fenty Skin are redefining representation

Nine books for Black students to look out for in 2025

‘A Strange Celestial Road,’ Sista’s Place

‘We quit America’: a conversation with a couple that left the U.S.

Breaking Ground receives $500k Wells Fargo grant to establish affordable housing units in East Harlem

NYPD car chases

Immigration fears

LA fires

CLASSROOM IN THE

Abigail McGrath, an experimental theater founder and Andy Warhol ‘Superstar’

ACTIVITIES

FIND OUT MORE

PLACE IN CONTEXT

THIS WEEK IN BLACK HISTORY

Toñita’s Caribbean Social Club: ‘It is a privilege to help’

Health

Manhattan Borough Historian Dr. Robert Snyder on the COVID-19 pandemic

Education

Eric Adams funds Summer Rising, but not $112 million for 3-K in preliminary budget

Council seats

Religion & Spirituality

MLK’s ‘beloved community’ has inspired social justice work for decades −

Older origins

Love and action

CLASSIFIED ADS

LEGAL NOTICES

RULES AND REGULATIONS

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CLASSIFIED DISPLAY

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

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New York Liberty’s community connection continues to grow