New York Amsterdam News Feb.8-15, 2024

WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

Vol. 115 No. 6 | February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

©2024 The Amsterdam News | $1.00 New York City

SETTING GOALS: BROOKLYN SOCCER PROGRAM HELPS MIGRANT KIDS BE KIDS

(See story on page 6)

Neighborhood Navigators offer outreach services to NYers in need “Rape is Rape” law signed by Gov Hochul (See story on page 4)

(See story on page 15) Migrant children play in A3FC free soccer clinic. (Eric Thompson Photo); NYC skyline. (Pexels/Fernando B M photo)

)

2 • February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

USPS 382-600/ISSN#00287121

International

2340 Frederick Douglass Boulevard New York, New York 10027 (212) 932-7400 / FAX (212) 222-3842

DIRECTORY EDITORIAL Executive & Investigative Editor – Damaso Reyes Damaso.Reyes@AmsterdamNews.com

Managing Editor – Kristin Fayne-Mulroy KFM@AmsterdamNews.com

Digital Editor - Josh Barker Josh.Barker@AmsterdamNews.com

STAFF WRITERS Karen Juanita Carrillo Karen.Carrillo@AmsterdamNews.com

Ariama C. Long Ariama.Long@AmsterdamNews.com

Tandy Lau Tandy.Lau@AmsterdamNews.com

Helina Selemon Helina.Selemon@AmsterdamNews.com DISPLAY & DIGITAL ADVERTISING CONSULTANT

William "Bill" Atkins (212) 932-7429 William.Atkins@AmsterdamNews.com DIGITAL, BRANDED CONTENT & HYBRID ADVERTISING CONSULTANT

Ali Milliner (212) 932-7435 Ali.Milliner@AmsterdamNews.com LEGAL, LLC & CLASSIFED ADVERTISING CONSULTANT

Shaquana Folks (212) 932-7412 Shaquana.Folks@AmsterdamNews.com CIRCULATION / SUBSCRIPTION

Benita Darby (212) 932-7453 Benita.Darby@AmsterdamNews.com The Amsterdam News assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Photographs and manuscripts become the property of The Amsterdam News. Published weekly.

Periodicals Class postage paid at New York, N.Y. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to NY Amsterdam News, 2340 Frederick Douglass Blvd., New York, NY 10027.

INDEX Arts & Entertainment �������������������Page 17 » Astro ��������������������������������������������Page 20 » Jazz ����������������������������������������������Page 24 » Travel ��������������������������������������������Page 21 Caribbean Update �������������������������Page 14 Classified ����������������������������������������Page 33 Editorial/Opinion �����������������������Pages 12,13 Education ����������������������������������������Page 16 Go with the Flo ������������������������������Page 8 Health ����������������������������������������������Page 28 In the Classroom ��������������������������Page 26 Community ��������������������������������������Page 9 Religion & Spirituality ��������������������Page 30 Sports ��������������������������������������������� Page 40 Union Matters ����������������������������������Page 10 MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS INFORMATION U.S. Territories & Canada weekly subscriptions: 1 year $49.99 2 Years $79.99 6 months $30.00

Foreign subscriptions:

1 year $59.99 2 Years $89.99 6 Months $40.00

News

Brazil faces calls for reparations, wrangles with painful legacy of slavery

By ELÉONORE HUGHES Associated Press

In Brazil, more than half of population self-identifies as Black or biracial.

(AP Photo/Andre Penner)

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)—The executive manager for institutional relations at a Brazilian state bank took the microphone before roughly 150 people at a forum about slavery’s legacy in his country, which kidnapped more Africans for forced labor than any other nation.

“Today’s Bank of Brazil asks Black people for forgiveness,” said André Machado to the mostly Black audience at the Portela samba school in Rio de Janeiro.

“Directly or indirectly, all of Brazilian society should apologize to Black people for that sad moment in our history,” he said, reading a statement to audience members who sat watching from plastic chairs, their eyes fixed upon him.

Brazil, where more than half the population self-identifies as Black or biracial, has long resisted reck-

oning with its past. That reluctance has started to loosen.

Public prosecutors have begun probing the Bank of Brazil, Latin America’s second-largest financial institution by assets, with $380 bil-

at the Portela school in the workingclass Madureira neighborhood.

Ghyslaine Almeida e Cunha, a spiritual leader of the Afro-Brazilian religion Umbanda, traveled from the Amazonian city of Belem for what she called “an historic moment.” She welcomed the apology and announcement of measures, although the bank stopped short of pledging compensation.

“I came to say – on Portela’s sacred soil – that, yes, we do want reparations,” said Cunha.

Brazil enslaved more people from Africa than any other country; nearly 5 million kidnapped Africans disembarked in Brazil, more than 12 times the number taken to mainland North America, accordlion, for its historical links to the ing to estimates from the Trans-Atslave trade. Their investigation lantic Slave Trade database. Brazil could yield a recommendation, an was the last country in the Westagreement or filing of legal action, ern Hemisphere to abolish slavand they invited the Bank of Brazil ery, in 1888. to start a dialogue with Black people See REPARATIONS on page 29

Racial violence continues in Brazil

By JESÚS CHUCHO GARCIA Special to the AmNews Translated by KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff Race-based violence that plagued Afro Brazilians under the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro, the ex-military man who led the nation’s Liberal Party (Partido Liberal (PL), continues to this day. It began after the end of the first administration of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his successor Dilma Rousseff, in the first few decades of the 21st century.

Bolsonaro’s 2019–2022 term took place at the height of the COVID19 pandemic. During that time, three deadly weapons were used against Blacks: racial violence, overpowering religious influence, and the promotion of fake medicines to cure COVID, which only increased death and led to massive burials of the country’s poorest of the poor in common graves.

Bolsanaro’s middle name is Messias, which means “messiah.” He was known to try to sway the people who practice African matrix religions such as Candombe, Macumba, and Umbanda, and those who use Indigenous

Woman raises her fist while holding sign with visage of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during Black Women’s March in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

(AP Photo/Bruna Prado)

spiritual practices, by leaning on the impact of his name––Jair Messias Bolsanaro––and the tenets of orthodox Catholicism.

Bolsonaro’s aide. So far, Bolsonaro’s actions have only led to his being officially barred from running for office again until 2030.

Brazilian Ku Klux Klan took over Brasilia After losing the presidential elections in Brazil, Bolsanaro, who was also the captain of the Black Eagles, pushed for seizure of the seat of government in Brasilia on January 8, 2023, attempting to prevent Lula da Silva from assuming the presidency. The groups that generated and carried out his insurrectionist violence that day were white Bolsanaristas, evangelicals, and retired military men.

Democratic governments around the world rejected this attack. The main seats of government, such as the Supreme Court of Justice, Planalto presidential headquarters, and congress, were taken over by thousands of Bolsanaristas, who threw chairs through windows, defecated on floors and tables, defaced priceless artwork, and tried to destroy everything in their path.

Those accused of being the main leaders of this climate of terror were the former Minister of Justice Anderson Torres and Lieutenant Colonel Mauro Cid, who was

Racism and racial extermination continue The nonprofit public safety organization, the Brazilian Public Security Forum (Forun Brasileiro de Segurança Pública), annually tracks the number of people who are killed due to police brutality.

The states of Bahia, the Amazon, and Rio de Janeiro, and those who live in the northeast of Brazil tend to be the most affected––this is where the rates of police brutality are the highest.

Statistically, the majority of those killed in favelas are Black and, sadly, most of them—almost 60% of those killed—are under 13 years of age.

Rio de Janeiro, which has a population that is 54% African descendant, has one of the highest levels of police brutality, according to the Brazilian Public Security Forum. In Bahia, a state with one of the largest Afro Brazilian populations and where Lula’s Workers Party (Partido dos Trabalhadores) has been in power for 16 years, the majority of those killed by the police are Black.

See BRAZIL on page 29

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024 • 3

Reproductive care is healthcare: NYS & NYC put abortion services at the forefront

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member At a time in the country when abortion care is under fire legally, New York City and State leaders are expanding their advocacy for and access to reproductive services.

The U.S. Supreme Court shocked the world in 2022 when it overturned the decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, effectively ending the federal right to legal abortions nationwide. However, at least 12 states had protections in place for abortion care and 10 others have expanded their services.

In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams signed legislation for no-cost medication abortion at sexual health clinics in 2022, and NYC Health + Hospitals (NYCHH), which operates the city’s public hospitals and clinics, launched a telehealth abortion access service called Virtual ExpressCare last year.

The telehealth program allows patients to speak with healthcare professionals (virtually or by phone) for an assessment of their menstrual and health history, receive counseling, access medication abortion kits if eligible, and follow up with a doctor for an ultrasound if necessary. NYCHH Executive Director Erfan Karim said about 1,000 pa-

Abortion rights activists march from Cadman Plaza across the Brooklyn Bridge to Foley Square on May 14, 2022. (Photo by Karla Ann Cote/NurPhoto via AP)

tients have accessed the telehealth program so far, which has mailed out over 250 medication abortion kits (only available in New York) since its launch last October. He estimated that the city handles about 3,000 to 3,500 in-person abortions and consultations a year.

“We always advocate from the state [and] federal level, and others to continue to have programs like ExpressCare that [do] not restrict clinical services, and instead [enhance them] for greater safety of our population,” said Karim at a reproductive health roundtable.

On January 30, Adams along with six other localities from across the country, filed an amicus brief, or petitioned the court, urging the Supreme Court to protect access to mifepristone, defined by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a “drug that blocks a hormone called progesterone that is needed for a pregnancy to continue.”

“We are proud to lead this coalition in taking action in full support of protecting women’s access to medication abortions,” said Adams in a statement. “Not only are the courts denying women the right to control their own

bodies through this lower court ruling, but they are also endangering our public healthcare system by forcing it to divert resources to alternate options and procedures—undoubtedly impacting hospitals’ ability to provide care across the board.”

Mifepristone is usually used in combination with misoprostol to end a pregnancy up to 10 weeks in, and was approved as safe back in September 2000. Restriction to the drug was raised by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA case, and would have an impact on states that continue to provide medication abortions and miscarriage management.

Mifepristone is also the drug currently used in the city’s medication abortions.

“Make no mistake, the goal of that is truly to make abortion inaccessible,” said Dr. Marisa Nadas, an obstetrician/gynecologist (ob/gyn) based in the Bronx and director of Women’s Options in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Jacobi Medical Center. She said that according to the last two decades of data, any risks or complications associated with mifepristone are profoundly low. She applauded the city and state’s legal moves to protect abortion rights.

In December 2023, President Joe Biden See HEALTHCARE on page 27

Behind in the count: Harlem Little League faces steep registration decline

By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member As Harlem Little League celebrates 35 years in the community, volunteer board members say attendance continues to dip after the pandemic. Upward of 900 youngsters were registered at the program’s height. A ballpark number, no pun intended, estimates around just 250 players this upcoming spring.

Several reasons are at play for this decline, including reduction in playable fields, waning interest for the sport among Black youth, and the growth of “travel ball.”

Board secretary Satrina Boyce said the privatization of youth baseball is especially damaging for children who are not born on third base.

“A lot of those rec leagues [where every kid, no matter what talent could play] are getting smaller and smaller because parents…go to the private leagues where they’re paying a lot of money, but we do know that not everybody can afford a traveling baseball team,” said Boyce. “For Harlem Little League, this is something really important and it guides all of our decisions. Our goal is to build big league citizens—notice it doesn’t say ‘the next major league player.’”

Costs range between $100 to $150 to register for spring 2024, and board members maintain no child will be turned away if

their families can’t pay sign up costs.

Sponsorship chair Fred Sims said that comparatively, travel ball costs anywhere between $800 to $2,000. The private leagues also poach top Little League talent and remove them from playing in the community. Sims added that some players split their time between both programs, causing schedule conflicts that have led to game cancellations.

“If you come to a game, you will see parents along the fence watching the kids from the community play,” said Sims. “And the kids [met] each other and the parents knew each other…when their kids were five. Now the kids are graduating, but they’re still friends.

Harlem Little League is part of the tapestry of Harlem. This is hard to think of how people will be getting together otherwise.”

Fewer players also lead to more repetitive matchmaking because teams, while co-ed, are already split up by age.

Board members also suspect gentrification plays a factor, although its direct impact is unknown. Little League is ZIP code-based and reflects neighborhood changes. Citywide, Black families are moving out at an alarming rate with the population declining by 9% over the past two decades, reported the New York Times.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum cofounder Phil Dixon said engaging Black youth in baseball is tougher today due to poor marketing and fierce competition from other sports, like football and basket-

Harlem Little Leaguer watches from the fences. (Satrina Boyce photo)

the caravans [and] don’t actually meet these players,” said Dixon. “And of course, now there’s even [fewer] players to meet.”

Two years ago, the World Series featured no American-born Black players for the first time since 1950, just three years after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. Dixon’s own fandom started by meeting MLB outfielder Reggie Smith in the fifth grade. Half a century later, he now serves as a baseball historian dedicated to preserving Negro League history.

Locally, general disinterest in baseball also means fewer fields in Black neighborhoods, including at Colonel Charles Young Park where Harlem Little League often practices, according to Boyce.

The Harlem Little League was initially started by Dwight and Iris Raiford back in 1989 for their son, who wanted to play baseball for the West Side Little League. In 2002, a tteam that reached the Little League World series.

“It is a labor of love, but it is also changing,” said Sims. “Little League is evolving, the kids are changing and evolving. And we have to be changed with them.”

ball, where Black athletes are more visibly represented.

“Most of the stations that carry baseball are stations that Black people typically don’t even listen to when the baseball season is over, which means that when caravans come through town, a lot of times, they miss

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.

4 • February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

“Citizen Trump”

Women Forward: Mayor Adams on $43M gender equity plan

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

Mayor Eric Adams has long surrounded himself with women “deputies” in his inner circle and administration. Now he’s aiming to cement the city as a national leader on gender equity, including for LGBTQ+ communities, with a $43 million investment in his Women Forward NYC action plan.

The plan seeks to address gender disparities in the city’s workforce, dismantle barriers to health care, reduce gender-based violence, and target housing services for formerly incarcerated women and survivors of domestic violence. The funding comes from a combination of city money, private funding, academic institutions, and federal grants, said the city.

“You can’t do it, you’re not going to deal with the pink elephant in the room that people want to ignore,” said Adams at a press conference. “We have not been a user-friendly city, country, or globe to women. No matter where I go across the globe, I see the same common denominator of treating women as secondclass citizens.”

Adams’s plan is backed by his

Trump and the GOP received two setbacks on Monday. First, a three-judge panel upheld a lower court ruling that Trump is not immune from criminal prosecution in the election interference case. In a 57-page decision, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals wrote, “For the purpose of this criminal case, former President Trump has become citizen Trump, with all of the defenses of any other criminal defendant.”

As “Citizen Trump,” he no longer has the executive immunity available that might have protected him while he was in office.

Two of the judges on the panel—J. Michele Childs and Florence Pan—were appointed by President Biden. Karen LeCraft Henderson, the other judge, was appointed by George H.W. Bush.

There was no immediate response from Trump, but his legal team is certain to appeal the decision and send it to the Supreme Court, thereby joining other decisions about whether Trump should remain on the presidential election ballot in several states.

The other setback for the GOP, which hangs in the balance, is whether House Republicans have enough votes to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The entire process to begin with is rather specious in that it’s mainly to impeach him for carrying out Biden’s immigration policy on the border. In effect, he is accused of a breach of trust and refusing to comply with the law.

Two notable Republicans, Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado and Tom McClintock of California, have said they would oppose the impeachment. If the Democrats appear with full attendance, the GOP members could not afford to lose a single GOP vote. Moreover, no cabinet official has been impeached since 1876, although then, the votes on the articles each fell short of the two-thirds necessary and then Secretary of War William Belknap was acquitted. If the vote goes against the impeachment, it would be a huge embarrassment for Speaker Mike Johnson and stick a pin in his balloon to impeach President Biden.

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

The Women Forward plan aims to build a pipeline toward higher-wage jobs by providing funding to the Girl Scouts of Greater New York Troop 6000, which is made up of young girls in city shelters; providing career opportunity programs for public housing residents to start their own food or childcare business; and expanding mentoring initiatives. It also plans to address inequities in sexual, chronic, and maternal and reproductive health, said the city.

The plan also takes a meaningful look at combating gender-based violence. Homicides Mayor Eric Adams makes a gender-equity related announcement on due to intimate partner violence Thursday, January 25, 2024.

(Violet Mendelsund/Mayoral Photography Office) (IPV) are up, according to recent city reports: IPV homicides infour women and women of color Workforce Maria Torres-Spring- creased by 225% in Brooklyn and deputy mayors. er in a statement added that, 57.1% in the Bronx between 2021 Deputy Mayor for Health and “Women are undoubtedly the and 2022. Black women accountHuman Services Anne Williams- backbone of their households ed for 31.2% of those homicides Isom said she is proud of their and their communities, but too and Hispanic women accountinvestment. “We are also show- many disparities in economic, ed for 27.3%, said the report. ing that New York City stands health, safety, and housing out- In response, the city is investing in initiatives that reduce viwith every woman through life’s comes still exist.” challenges: while in shelter, exThe city and state struggle with olence toward women, LGBTQ+ periencing postpartum depres- a pay equity gap, where women, women, nonbinary New Yorkers, sion, dealing with domestic or especially women of color, are and women of color.

“We cannot meaningfully gender-based violence, or being paid less than their male counformerly incarcerated,” said Wil- terparts.​It is also known that achieve gender equity as long liams-Isom in a statement.

Black women in the city are more as women, transgender, and Deputy Mayor for Housing, likely to die of pregnancy-related gender-expansive New Yorkers See GENDER on page 27 Economic Development, and causes than white women.​

Governor signs ‘Rape is Rape’ law

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill last month that modernizes the state’s outdated definition of rape to include forms of nonconsensual and forced sexual assault.

“It’s about calling out violent and horrific acts for what they are so survivors can reclaim their power and dignity,” said Hochul at a press conference. “It’s about backing them with the full force of our justice system so those who commit rape are charged accordingly.”

The bill, S.3161/A.3340, removes the penetration requirement from rape statutes and also defines rape as vaginal sexual contact, oral sexual contact, and anal sexual contact. It was sponsored by Assemblymember Catalina Cruz and Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal.

The catalyst for the bill was the brutal rape at gunpoint of former NYC elementary school teach-

made it harder to hold rapists accountable for the full scope of sex crimes, but also isolated members of the LGBTQ+ community.

“Rape is rape, plain and simple,” said Hoylman-Sigal. “In New York State, we cannot allow outdated, heteronormative notions of sex to limit our ability to acknowledge that fact and to hold those who commit acts of sexual violence accountable.”

Cuomo’s story inspired former Assemblymember Aravella Simotas to first introduce the Rape is Rape Act in 2012. It passed in the Assembly for 12 years but could not get through the Senate until 2023. Hochul signed the bill into law on January 30, 2024.

“It has been 15 years from the moment I was brutally raped and January 30, 2024, Albany, NY—Governor Hochul signs legislation to the law failed me,” said Cuomo protect survivors, hold perpetrators accountable for rape in a statement. “The definition (Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul) of rape refused to recognize what er Lydia Cuomo by drunk off-du- agree on whether vaginal pene- happened to me as such and alty officer Michael Pena in 2011. tration occurred, which was the lowed my assailant to walk away She was 25 years old at the time. criterion for how the state law with merely a sexual assault conPena was only convicted of lesser recognized rape at the time. The viction during the trial. Over the See RAPE on page 27 charges because a jury couldn’t “antiquated” definition not only

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Grammy-nominated Princeton professor Nathalie Joachim examines Haitian roots in new music

February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024 • 5

My Bklyn. My Care.

Nathalie Joachim (Erin Patrice O'Brien photo)

Black

New Yorker

By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member The title of Nathalie Joachim’s upcoming sophomore album “Ki moun ou ye” asks “Who are you” or “Whose people are you?” in Haitian Creole. These answers remain elusive for the cross-cultural musician, even after a Grammy nomination and tenure track at Princeton, the nation’s top-ranked university.

“It’s a big question to ask yourself, and maybe one that I will always be discovering,” said Joachim. “But I will say that this album did help me recognize that all of the pieces of us— the good, the bad, and the ugly—are pieces that are possible to be contributing to a reimagined sense of [the] present and future for ourselves. It’s worth discovering who you are. It is a worthwhile journey to discover the value of your life for yourself. To define that for yourself is a big part of coming into adulthood.”

Her own journey started in Brooklyn, making music with her grandmother. Joachim quickly developed aptitude for the flute and was fast-tracked in Juilliard’s prep programs by age 10. She soon performed professionally, penciling in a glittering future as a classically trained flutist. But as Joachim progressed, the urge to explore her “creative identity” grew.

Ultimately, life took her in three directions musically. Along with performing and composing, Joachim also teaches composition full-time at Princeton University. She said her careers feed into one another, allowing her to grow in all three fields simultaneously. By 2020, she earned a Grammy nomination for her debut album “Fanm d’Ayiti” in the world music category.

Now Joachim is back with “Ki moun ou ye,” which debuts next Friday, Feb. 16. Her world-

class flute abilities are still present, but they’re joined by some friends, including strings, drums and electronic sounds.

Anchoring the instruments is Joachim’s living singing voice, which she explained belongs only to her, but “contains pieces” of everybody who came before her.

In fact, ancestral connection plays a key role in her musical self-discovery. While crafting the album, Joachim retreated to a remote village in southern Haiti, to the farmhouse that her family has called home through seven generations. The stay helped her interpret her personal Black American experience.

“We are very migratory global people at this point, so almost none of us have roots that go that far back,” said Joachim. “As a Black person, this idea of having a very clear understanding of where my family has been for a very long time is different [from] most Black American experiences.”

The new release also serves as a homecoming to New York City for Joachim, whose tour makes stops at the Schomburg, MoMA, and Carnegie Hall for a pair of performances.

As for what her listeners should expect?

“I hope that it stands as an example of harnessing this notion of reclaiming yourself—for yourself—and I hope that it provides people a lens through which they can maybe discover that for [themselves] on their own,” said Joachim. “But I think more than anything, I hope that it gives them some good music to listen to.”

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.

MORE EXPERTS THAN BROOKLYN HAS BAGEL AND SCHMEAR COMBOS. No two Brooklynites are the same. That’s why Maimonides is made up of 2,000+ care providers and experts in surgery, cardiology, oncology and dozens of other specialties. So no matter what you’re dealing with, we can put together a specialized team to provide the one-of-a-kind care you need.

6 • February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Migrant children run, kick and laugh at free Brooklyn soccer program

Organizer Power Malu (right) hugs a parent. (Eric Thompson photos)

By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member Power Malu was a familiar sight in New York City’s hip hop scene during the 1990s, so he’s no stranger to the question “can I kick it?” Today, he answers that question through a free youth soccer clinic for migrant children hosted by his organization Artists Athletes Activists.

Every other Saturday in East New York, two indoor fields are reserved for two hours for the youngsters to channel their inner Messi. They’re split into two co-ed groups, with ages 4-8 playing on one side and the “big kids” playing on the other. “[It’s] a safe place for them to be themselves, not [to] be judged because they are aware of all the anti-immigrant rhetoric that’s been going around,” said Malu.

“With how they are treated at the shelters in the schools, this is a safe place for them to feel welcome [and] like they belong. [To] do something that they love and they enjoy.

“And [to] just really be free. Be kids.

They’re hugging. They’re playing. They just love it.”

The Lower East Side-based activist, who once made his name appearing in The Roots and De La Soul music videos, began greeting migrants when they still arrived at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Mid-

town Manhattan. His trademark afro is long gone, now replaced with long flowing hair akin to former NFL player Troy Polamalu, whom he loosely styles his name after. But Malu is more offensive tackle than strong safety, known around migrant advocacy circles as a key frontline worker who often operates with minimal funding.

Malu says his friend’s daughter Talya L., a Brooklyn high school soccer player, approached him with an idea for starting the program.

“I worked with Artists Athletes Activists before in a food justice program and one key part of my childhood is soccer and I really love the game,” she said. “So I figured that soccer was a great way to bring something fun to these kids.”

So they started fundraising. On Saturday, they held the program’s fifth winter session. Resources remain limited but the operation is anything but low-budget. The youngsters arrive wearing the same uniforms with the Artists Athletes and Activists Futbol Club (A3FC) logo, and are provided water bottles, balls and turf shoes. They’re greeted by coaches who offer expertise and encouragement.

Two hours of field time flies by. The older kids play more intently, with organized games and designed drills. The younger kids seem more excited and race up and down

the field. Between kicking the ball with their impossibly tiny feet, they find time to wrestle each other to the ground and totter off the field to check in with their parents, who watch from the sidelines. Neither group Migrant children play in A3FC free soccer clinic. is keen on keeping score, yet grants engaged as they navigate the city’s every moment seems to count.

After the soccer clinic wraps up, the kids housing system and the country’s immiare treated to food before they are lined up gration system.

“When you organize each other and actufor picture day. Photographer Eric Thompson snapped portraits of the youngsters to ally step up together, we’re able to do a lot immortalize their wide smiles—many with more good work as one,” he said. “[The Artgaps recently occupied by baby teeth—into ists Athletes Activists] model of give what you can or help how you can is really inspirsports trading cards.

The soccer clinic seems to be an escape ing to see take action.”

Tayla L. hopes that others can follow for Malu himself, who expressed frustration with the city’s 60 day shelter limits and chip in their own talents towards for migrant families. After buses were re- making New York City a more welcoming stricted in New York City, he now meets place for migrants.

“T​​he way I found to help is through sports new arrivals at Penn Station after they first land in New Jersey. He tenses up but there are so many things can being that when he talks about prepaid cards for other people to be doing to help,” she said. migrants which restrict what goods they Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps can buy. But Malu relaxes when a young boy approaches him for the world’s member who writes about public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to smallest fist bump.

Murad Awawdeh, New York Immigra- match our RFA grant helps keep him writing tion Coalition executive director, com- stories like this one; please consider making mended the efforts and underscored the a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by importance of keeping the youngest mi- visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1.

THE NEW YORKS:9.25" AMSTERDAM NEWS

What does it take to have a care team who sees you, not just your cancer?

When Theresa was being treated for breast cancer at MSK, her care team made both her recovery and her comfort top priorities.

“Everyone was so kind. From the administrative staff to the nurses, they were always doing little things to show they cared.”

Go to MSK.org/BreastCancerCare or call 888-655-3820 to reach a cancer expert today.

Theresa L. Treated for breast cancer ©2024 Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. All rights reserved.

Where you’re treated first matters.

February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024 • 7

8 • February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024

Go With The Flo FLO

ANTHONY Actress/Designer Karina Tatarski is debuting her new fashion line, CARYNY, with special guest model, former Miss America Suzette Charles at Unieke Mode NYFW/The Show, 208 W. 13th Street, Saturday, Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. An elegant line of evening gowns, CARYNY reaches back over 100 years in fashion by using woven fabric from around the globe……

According to multiple reports, “Creed III” star Jonathan Majors’s sentencing following his conviction almost two months ago for misdemeanor assault and harassment of his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari has been delayed after the defense filed a last minute motion. Judge Michael Gaffney pushed the sentencing to April 8 after the defense filed the motion to dismiss the guilty verdict. In other news about Majors’s career, Deadline reports that Corey Hawkins, most recently seen in “The Color Purple,” is taking over Majors’s lead role as Charles Blakey in the upcoming film “The Man in My Basement.”.......

Killer Mike won three Grammy Awards on Feb. 4, but the following morning the rapper told the Atlanta JournalConstitution his biggest moment happened when he received the call that his son, who had been waiting to get a kidney for two and a half years, was on his way to the hospital at that moment to go into surgery and receive a kidney. Although Killer Mike was arrested at the Crypto. com Arena in Los Angeles during the Grammys telecast, the emcee refused to discuss the incident while talking to radio host Big Tigger, and would only say, “Ain’t nothing had happened, man. But we winners, that’s it.” However, the LAPD public information office issued a statement on the arrest, writing, “On Sunday, Feb. 4 just after 4 p.m., a male adult was detained and handcuffed for a physical altercation that occurred at the 700 block of Chick Hearn Court. The suspect was placed under arrest and was transported to LAPD Central Division”......

Tongues are wagging that Lori Harvey was spotted at the Marc Jacobs fashion show on Feb. 2 at the Park Avenue Armory on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

The model will make her rookie debut in this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue in bathing suits that she designed herself. Harvey told SI Swim that this is a “dream come true,” and how exciting it is not only to be in the magazine, but to be wearing the swimsuit brand she launched with Revolve. Lori was photographed in Cancun by Yu Tsai. In addition to her own brand, she modeled swimwear by GCDS and Dolce & Gabbana....

G

O

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS W I T H T H E F L O

Bronx BP Gibson hosts Fire Safety Training Workshops

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson is determined not to let the recent wave of tragic fires in the Bronx resemble the deliberate “burning” of Black and Latino neighborhoods in the borough that was characteristic of the 1970s.

Her office has launched a series of public fire safety workshops to educate seniors, families, and public housing residents throughout the month. The events are supported by the Fire Department of New York (FDNY).

“We are grateful to the FDNY and our community partners for joining us this winter here at the Bronx Zoo for the relaunch of our Fire Safety Education Workshop series,” said Gibson. “In the Bronx, we have seen more than our fair share of fires that have led to families being displaced and communities forever changed. We are working strategically to get this potentially life-saving information out to those who need it the most and equip our residents with the tools to keep themselves and their families safe.”

This January, Gibson hosted a wreathlaying ceremony while flags outside Bronx Borough Hall were flown at halfstaff to commemorate the lives of 17 victims lost during the deadly fire at Twin Parks North West two years ago. That fire was caused by a malfunctioning space heater combined with the building’s faulty self-closing doors. The victims died from smoke inhalation in what has been called “New York City’s deadliest (fire) in over 30 years.”

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson joins Dr. Anderson Torres, president and CEO of Regional Aid for Interim Needs (R.A.I.N.), and FDNY to host Fire Safety Training workshop at R.A.I.N. Parkchester Older Adults Center on Thursday, Jan. 25.

(Contributed by BP Gibson’s office photos)

fires in buildings in 2023 that left three residents dead and several people hospitalized last month.

On Thursday, Jan. 25, Gibson held the first fire safety workshop at Regional Aid for Interim Needs (R.A.I.N.) Parkchester Older Adults Center (1380 Metropolitan Avenue). Gibson joined 60 seniors who attended the workshop, run by Dr. Anderson Torres, president and CEO of R.A.I.N., along with the FDNY. The workshop demonstrated fire prevention tips and how to properly use a fire extinguisher. The FDNY also stressed the importance of having smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms installed that work and an escape plan in case of an emergency to a fire escape window, or at least a stairway with a clear and unobstructed path. Residents could also obtain fire and carbonmonoxide alarms installed by the FDNY for free.

Other safety tips mentioned include knowing if you live in a fireproof building, remembering to place space heaters at least three feet away from anything that burns, and making sure not to leave candles burning.

The FDNY advised that seniors in particular not smoke in bed or while lying down, use an oven to heat an apartment, use water to put out a kitchFast-forward to last year’s deadly fire en fire, wear loose-fitting clothing while involving the explosion of an e-bike lith- cooking, or use heating equipment with ium ion battery at NYCHA’s Bronx River damaged cords.

Houses. One man was killed immediateThe next workshop was held at the ly, six others were injured, and another Bronx Zoo’s Schiff Family Hall. Attendees person later died at the hospital. E-bike received free tickets to the Bronx Zoo and batteries are now the leading cause of admission to one free exhibit. fires in the city, according to Laura Kava“We were honored at the Bronx Zoo to nagh, FDNY Commissioner. serve as a gathering place for Bronx famiThere also was a series of apartment lies by hosting a fire safety event with Bronx

Borough President Vanessa Gibson and the FDNY,” said John Calvelli, executive vice president of public affairs of the Wildlife Conservation Society in a statement. “Fires have a long history of devastation in the Bronx and it is more important than ever that residents are informed with the knowledge and resources to protect themselves, their families, and their homes.”

Close to 50 participants, including children, gathered in the Schiff Family Great Hall for the workshop, which addressed how to escape house fires, the importance of using a strip cord, how to receive free fire and carbon monoxide alarms installed by the American Red Cross, and other fire preventive information.

Fire Safety Education Workshops will be held this month at: February 9, 2024 CB 7, Tracy Towers 40 West Mosholu Parkway South Bronx, NY 10468 February 15, 2024 P.S. 51 Bronx STEM & Arts Academy 695 E. 182nd Street Bronx, NY 10457 February 24, 2024 1471–73 Watson Avenue Resident Council, Inc. 1471 Watson Avenue Bronx, NY 10472 February 26, 2024 CB 12, Public Safety Committee 4101 White Plains Road Bronx, NY 10466 Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member who writes about politics for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS O U T & A B O U T

February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024 • 9

Brooklyn Robotics League holds championship tournament The Brooklyn Public Library’s Robotics League held its annual championship matches this past Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Central Library.

Sixteen teams of kids aged between

nine and 17 competed in the tournament, which tested their abilities to design, code, and program robots using the LEGO Spike Prime set while exploring STEM concepts.

(Brooklyn Public Library photos)

10 • February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Unions Matter Former NYP Allen Hospital midwife speaks

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff The story of the termination of seven midwives (six midwives and one nurse practitioner) at Northern Manhattan’s New York-Presbyterian (NYP) Allen Hospital is still puzzling for the workers it will soon be impacting.

Just this past November, the midwives said they were in a meeting with Dr. Cassandra Simmons, NYP Allen’s interim chief of service. Dr. Simmons reportedly told the group about hospital plans to expand its midwife services in the obstetrics and gynecology department; Simmons had said that there were even plans to hire more midwives.

The hospital initiated its midwifery services in 1965 but for the past several years, its national and state-licensed certified nurse midwives were primarily doing triage of patients, postpartum care, and occasional vaginal deliveries.

“Our primary roles have been triage and postpartum,” said an NYP Allen midwife who spoke anonymously with the AmNews.

Dr. Simmons had told the midwives there were plans to give them more labor management and delivery responsibilities. “So, we responded that that sounded exciting; we were happy about the prospect,” the midwife recalled. “And then, two or three weeks following that meeting, we each received an email that our service was being closed, as of February 1.”

On December 4, 2023, NYP Allen sent out letters to its midwife services staff. The subject headline for the letter was “Allen Midwifery – Program Elimination,” and continued with, “This letter is to inform you that the Hospital will be eliminating your position, as a Nurse Midwife, at the Allen Hospital. This elimination is scheduled to become effective on or around February 1, 2024.

“Should you choose to remain at NYP, we will work with you to secure another position at the Hospital. A meeting will be set up with you and your representatives to discuss these changes and potential impact to you. We will contact you shortly with those details.”

Terminations, but no explanations The midwife eliminations were later re-

what had just happened. Then New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) union reps came across a new job posting from Columbia: they were searching for midwives.

The job description was the same as the one that had been discussed at last November’s meeting. It looked as if Columbia was reconstructing the midwifery services program that had been planned but was being shut down at NYP Allen. The job posting described any new hires as doing “work under the supervision of the attending physicians to provide full-scope management of care to low-risk obstetric patients.”

NYSNA represents nurses but not midwives at NYP Columbia. And, so far, there

have been no discussions between Columbia and NYSNA. None of NYP Allen’s midwives have applied for the Columbia job. “The majority of us are either close to retirement, within a few years of retirement, or within a few years of being vested in the pension. So, just from a practical matter, to leave NYP at this point would be a major financial loss for us and our families,” the anonymous midwife said. “For the others of us for whom that was less of a concern, we have felt just that the process was undertaken in such bad faith and to go and work under these circumstances when we feel, you know, deceived and undermined and lied to … it just felt impossible to take this job that they’re building.

“They had a midwifery service, they’ve dissolved it, and they’re building a new midwifery service from scratch without the input of the midwives who have given, in many cases, the majority of their career [to the hospital] it’s just... it’s so disrespectful...

“I think the confusing thing is, you know, we are there three days a week, we’re there 40 hours a week, and nobody speaks to us about any of this. Our direct manager hasn’t informed us what’s going on. ... The nurses don’t know what’s going on. The doctors don’t seem to know what’s going on. So, it is certainly possible that they will build a midwife service, but, typically, these things take time. Typically, to hire a bunch of new midwives–– all new––to an institution, all at once, is very unusual. It usually builds slowly…if they had kept on the seven of us and then hired a few more and everyone would have been integrated and oriented properly to the service, that would have been a recipe for a great midwifery service. I’ve never really heard of a midwifery service just being created from scratch by doctors before from an institution that’s typically been pretty hostile to midwifery.

“So, I do hope for the community that they continue to have access to midwifery care, but … it’s just such an unusual way to go about it that I’m just concerned about how it’s going to function.”

There is currently a Change.org petition calling for the reinstatement of all NYP Allen midwives.

jobs offer opportunities for high school graduates to apply, if they have relevant experience.

Interviews will be offered for candidates who apply in advance. Bring a printout of your résumé and a government ID, such as a driver’s license, to enter.

If you are not able to make it to the open

house in person, you can apply for the positions at the website (https://new.mta.info/ article/nyct-subways-open-house-february-9-2024).

The MTA is North America’s largest transportation network.

For more information, visit careers.mta.org.

“They had a midwifery service, they’ve dissolved it, and they’re building a new midwifery service from scratch without the input of the midwives who have given, in many cases, the majority of their career [to the hospital] it’s just... it’s so disrespectful…”

— Former NYP Allen midwife scheduled and are now set to take place on March 3, 2024.

Since that staff termination letter was sent, the midwives said they have had many meetings with management but no one from New York Presbyterian or its affiliate, Columbia University, has explained why the hospital’s midwife program is being eliminated. “Nobody ever mentioned that care, proper care, was not being provided.

Nobody mentioned that we, as the particular midwives…had any issues. None of us had any meetings about [our] performance.

They just... there’s been no explanation.”

With no feedback from management, the midwives said they were confused about

NYCT Subways is hiring The New York City Transit (NYCT) Subways will hold a jobs open house on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, at P.S. 248 (2125 W. 13th Street, Brooklyn), from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

NYCT Subways is looking to hire computer associates and specialists, telecommunications associates and specialists, transit

management analysts, staff analysts, and civil engineers.

The open house is for anyone interested in working at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), specifically on the New York City Transit Subways team. Other than the engineering and transit management roles, the

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024 • 11

Affordable Housing for Rent

SENDERO VERDE PHASE II 276 NEWLY CONSTRUCTED UNITS AT 50 EAST 112TH STREET, EAST HARLEM, MANHATTAN

Amenities: Outdoor terrace, fitness center, community room, computer room, Free secure in-unit access to broadband internet for all households, bicycle storage, package lockers, on-site laundry room* (*additional fees apply).

Transit: 2, 3, 4, 6 Trains, M1/M2/M3/M4/M101/M102/M103 Buses No fee to apply • No broker’s fee • Smoke-free building • More information: https://senderoverdenyc.com/ This building is being constructed through the Mixed & Match program of the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) Program of HPD. Who Should Apply?

Individuals or households who meet the income and household size requirements listed in the table below may apply. Qualified applicants will be required to meet additional selection criteria.

Applicants who live in New York City receive a general preference for apartments.

• •

A percentage of units is set aside for: o Mobility–disabled applicants (5%) o Vision/Hearing–disabled applicants (2%) Preference for a percentage of units goes to: o Residents of Manhattan CB 11 (50%) o Municipal employees (5%)

AVAILABLE UNITS AND INCOME REQUIREMENTS

2 bedroom

3 bedroom

$498

$632

$748

$856

Monthly Rent1

Studio

1 bedroom

2 bedroom

3 bedroom

60% AREA MEDIAN INCOME (AMI) UNITS

Unit Size

$1,134

$1,426

$1,702

$1,957

8

16

8

3

Household Size2

→

→

→

→

Units Available 24

35

8

2

→

→

→

Monthly Rent1

Minimum – Maximum4

1 person

$ 19,646 - $ 29,670

2 people

$ 19,646 - $ 33,900

1 person

$ 24,583 - $ 29,670

2 people

$ 24,583 - $ 33,900

3 people

$ 24,583 - $ 38,130

2 people

$ 29,418 - $ 33,900

3 people

$ 29,418 - $ 38,130

4 people

$ 29,418 - $ 42,360

5 people

$ 29,418 - $ 45,750

3 people

$ 34,012 - $ 38,130

4 people

$ 34,012 - $ 42,360

5 people

$ 34,012 - $ 45,750

6 people 7 people Household Size2

→

Annual Household Income3

$922

50% AREA MEDIAN INCOME (AMI) UNITS

1 bedroom

30% AREA MEDIAN INCOME (AMI) UNITS

Studio

Units Available

Units Available 13

Household Size2

→

Annual Household Income3 Minimum – Maximum4

1 person

$ 34,183 - $ 49,450

2 people

$ 34,183 - $ 56,500

1 person

$ 42,720 - $ 49,450

2 people

$ 42,720 - $ 56,500

3 people

$ 42,720 - $ 63,550

2 people

$ 51,223 - $ 56,500

3 people

$ 51,223 - $ 63,550

4 people

$ 51,223 - $ 70,600

5 people

$ 51,223 - $ 76,250

3 people

$ 59,178 - $ 63,550

4 people

$ 59,178 - $ 70,600

5 people

$ 59,178 - $ 76,250

$ 34,012 - $ 49,140

6 people

$ 59,178 - $ 81,900

$ 34,012 - $ 52,530

7 people

$1,161

$1,384

$1,590

Annual Household Income3

Monthly Rent1

Minimum – Maximum4

22

12

4

→

→

→

Units Available

Household Size2

$ 59,178 - $ 87,550 Annual Household Income3 Minimum – Maximum4

1 person

$ 41,452 - $ 59,340

2 people

$ 41,452 - $ 67,800

1 person

$ 51,806 - $ 59,340

2 people

$ 51,806 - $ 67,800

3 people

$ 51,806 - $ 76,260

2 people

$ 62,126 - $ 67,800

3 people

$ 62,126 - $ 76,260

4 people

$ 62,126 - $ 84,720

5 people

$ 62,126 - $ 91,500

3 people

$ 71,760 - $ 76,260

4 people

$ 71,760 - $ 84,720

5 people

$ 71,760 - $ 91,500

6 people

$ 71,760 - $ 98,280

6 people $ 113,315 - $ 180,180

7 people

$ 71,760 - $ 105,060

7 people $ 113,315 - $ 192,610

110% AREA MEDIAN INCOME (AMI) UNITS

Monthly Rent1

Unit Size

$1,834

$2,300

$2,750

30

58

25

→

→

→

1 person

$ 65,452 - $ 108,790

2 people

$ 65,452 - $ 124,330

1 person

$ 81,772- $ 108,790

2 people

$ 81,772- $ 124,330

3 people

$ 81,772- $ 139,810

2 people

$ 98,058 - $ 124,330

3 people

$ 98,058 - $ 139,810

4 people

$ 98,058 - $ 155,320

5 people

$ 98,058 - $ 167,750

3 people $ 113,315 - $ 139,810 4 people $ 113,315 - $ 155,320 $3,169

8

→

5 people $ 113,315 - $ 167,750

1

Rent includes secure in-unit access to broadband internet Tenant is responsible for electricity, including cooking range (excluding AC).

Household size includes everyone who will live with you, including parents and children. Subject to occupancy criteria.

3 Household earnings includes salary, hourly wages, tips, Social Security, child support, and other income. Income guidelines subject to change.

4 Minimum income listed may not apply to applicants with Section 8 or other qualifying rental subsidies. Asset limits also apply.

2

How Do You Apply?

Apply online or through mail. To apply online, please go to https://housingconnect.nyc.gov/PublicWeb/. To request an application by mail, send a self-addressed envelope to: Sendero Verde Phase II / Murray Hill PO BOX 2051 New York, NY 10016. Only send one application per development. Do not submit duplicate applications. Do not apply online and also send in a paper application. Applicants who submit more than one application may be disqualified.

When is the Deadline?

Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than 2/9/2024. Late applications will not be considered.

What Happens After You Submit an Application?

After the deadline, applications are selected for review through a lottery process. If yours is selected and you appear to qualify, you will be invited to an appointment of eligibility to continue the process of determining your eligibility. Appointments are usually scheduled from 2 to 10 months after the application deadline. You will be asked to bring documents that verify your household size, identity of members of your household, and your household income.

Español

Presente una solicitud en línea en nyc.gov/housingconnect. Para recibir una traducción de español de este anuncio y la solicitud impresa, envíe un sobre con la dirección a: Sendero Verde Phase II / Murray Hill PO BOX 2051 New York, NY 10016. En el reverso del sobre, escriba en inglés la palabra “SPANISH.” Las solicitudes se deben enviar en línea o con sello postal antes de 2/9/2024.

简体中文

访问 nyc.gov/housingconnect 在线申请。如要获取本广告及书面申请表的简体中文版，请将您的回邮信封寄送至：Sendero Verde Phase II / Murray Hill PO BOX 2051 New York, NY 10016. 信封背面请用英语注明“CHINESE”。必须在以下日期之前在线提交申请或邮寄书面申请 2/9/2024.

Русский

Чтобы подать заявление через интернет, зайдите на сайт: nyc.gov/housingconnect. Для получения данного объявления и заявления на русском языке отправьте конверт с обратным адресом по адресу Sendero Verde Phase II / Murray Hill PO BOX 2051 New York, NY 10016. На задней стороне конверта напишите слово “RUSSIAN” на английском языке. Заявки должны быть поданы онлайн или отправлены по почте (согласно дате на почтовом штемпеле) не позднее 2/9/2024.

한국어

nyc.gov/housingconnect 에서 온라인으로 신청하십시오. 이 광고문과 신청서에 대한 한국어 번역본을 받아보시려면 반송용 봉투를 Sendero Verde Phase II / 으로 보내주십시오. 봉투 뒷면에 “KOREAN” 이라고 영어로 적어주십시오. Murray Hill PO BOX 2051 New York, NY 10016 온라인 신청서를 제출하거나 소인이 찍힌 신청서를 보내야 합니다 2/9/2024.

Kreyòl Ayisyien

Aplike sou entènèt sou sitwèb nyc.gov/housingconnect. Pou resevwa yon tradiksyon anons sa a nan lang Kreyòl Ayisyen ak aplikasyon an sou papye, voye anvlòp ki gen adrès pou retounen li nan: Sendero Verde Phase II / Murray Hill PO BOX 2051 New York, NY 10016. Nan dèyè anvlòp la, ekri mo “HATIAN CREOLE” an Anglè. Ou dwe remèt aplikasyon yo sou entènèt oswa ou dwe tenbre yo anvan dat 2/9/2024.

‫العربية‬

‫ تقدم بطلب عن طريق اإلنترنت على الموقع اإللكتروني‬nyc.gov/housingconnect. ‫ أرسل مظروف يحمل اسمك‬،‫للحصول على ترجمة باللغة العربية لهذا اإلعالن ولنموذج الطلب الورقي‬ 25‫وعنوانك إلى‬: Sendero Verde Phase II / Murray Hill PO BOX 2051 New York, NY 10016. ‫ اكتب باللغة اإلنجليزية كلمة‬،‫" على الجهة الخلفية للمظروف‬ARABIC". ‫ يجب إرسال نماذج الطلبات عن طريق اإلنترنت أو ختمها بختم البريد قبل‬2024/9/2 ،‫فبراير‬

Governor Kathy Hochul • Mayor Eric Adams • HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrion Jr. • HDC President Eric Enderlin

12 • February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Opinion The Black Eagle soared on the airwaves

EDITORIAL

Black media, progressive Black media, took another blow recently with the death of Joe “The Black Eagle” Madison. Joe’s conviction and commitment to the struggle for total liberation and the end of apartheid America was as resonant and consistent as his powerful voice.

Whether behind the mic, which was an extension of the ramparts where he planted his feet and voiced his advocacy for the oppressed and marginalized, or in the boardrooms, Joe never wavered in speaking truth to power.

He was only 24 and fresh from the corridors of Washington University in St. Louis when he arrived in Detroit and immediately found his niche with the growing activist community, mainly as the branch leader of the NAACP. Without missing a beat he was soon on the air at WXYZ-AM refining the apprenticeship that began in college when he wasn’t a fearless running back on the gridiron or active in several campus groups.

From the halls of Wayne State University to the frontline of marches and demonstrations at the various auto plants, to the pulpits of numerous churches where his smooth articulation convinced many to join him in the fight against racism and discrimination.

But Detroit was just the seedbed of his broadcast and leadership career, and both expanded with considerable speech and effectiveness once he had a platform at SiriusXM and renamed himself “The Black Eagle.”

The nation’s capital put him closer to the world of politicians, all of whom took notice of the issues he discussed, the notables he interviewed, and the growing constituency that rallied to his persuasion. After marching at the Sudanese Embassy or demanding reparations, Joe could present the complexities of these issues to his listeners, always with a well-researched understanding and a unique way of explaining them.

Asked about his moniker, The Black Eagle, he not only put it in historical context, recounting the African American pioneering pilot of the 1920s who soared intrepidly around the globe and over New York but the need for the marginalized to fly beyond the poverty, and daily inequities, to empower themselves and like the eagle, not be bound by the limitations imposed by the oppressors.

Even when he was diagnosed with cancer, it was just another fight to be won, and right to his final breath of air on the air, he was still the soaring unwavering Black Eagle. He will be missed.

Elinor R. Tatum: Publisher Member

Alliance for Audited Media

and Editor in Chief

Damaso Reyes: Executive & Investigative Editor Kristin Fayne-Mulroy: Managing Editor Cyril Josh Barker: Digital Editor Siobhan "Sam" Bennett: Chief Revenue Officer and Head of Advertising

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

City’s new solitary confinement law will make us safer

By MAYA B.

in solitary than for people in the general prison population between 2015 “I’ve been alive for almost 40 years and 2019. In addition, out of 200,000 and those four weeks in the hole were people who were released from prison, the worst of my life,” my uncle once those who spent any time in isolation said. Those words ring in my ears when were 78% more likely to die from suiI picture solitary confinement. He has cide within their first year out of prison one word to describe solitary: torture. than incarcerated individuals who did Not being able to speak to anyone not spend any spent time in solitary. else. Only being able to do two things: push-ups and reading the Bible. It is painful to hear someone you love talk about something so terrible.

Last week, the City Council overrode the mayor’s veto of a bill to ban solitary confinement. The new law imposes a four-hour limit on isolating inmates who pose an immediate risk of violence to themselves or others in “deescalation” units. Individuals who are involved in violent incidents can be placed in longer-term restrictive housing, but would have to be allowed out of their cells for 14 hours every day and provided with the same programming available to other inmates.

The city’s current rules about solitary confinement put inmates in a restrictive housing area where individuals are locked in their cells for up to 23 hours a day as punishment for violent offenses, although jail officials claim they are offered seven hours out of their cells.

Opponents of the law argue that isolating incarcerated individuals is a critical tool that is used to protect the rest of the incarcerated population and the officers working in the prisons. Mayor Adams argued that “instead of promoting a humane environment within our jails, the Council’s bill would foster an environment of fear and instability,” and “would make it harder to protect people in custody, and the predominantly Black and brown workers charged with their safety, from violent individuals.”

However, studies show that not only does solitary confinement fail to decrease instances of violence, it actually increases them, as well as self-harm.

Additional research suggests that the More than 150 years social deprivation faced by people who of research on solitary have been in solitary confinement can confinement show that “fundamentally alter the structure of the practice can lead the human brain in permanent ways.” to serious and longMy uncle recalled that by week three, lasting psychological he could sense his mindset changing. damage and is espe- He remembered a friend who spent cially harmful to indi- three years of a five-year sentence in viduals with preexisting isolation and who he “is not a regumental health issues. lar person anymore.” Since returnIn New York State, the ing from prison, his friend has been rate of suicide was five unable to hold down a job for longer times higher for people than six months and is unable to pay

attention to details. My uncle is quick to point out that he sees some benefit to punishment in the form of taking away commissary or other similar measures, but not solitary confinement. In his words, “how is someone expected to have a conversation with a boss or coworker when they’ve spent years on end by themselves?”

“More than 150 years of research on solitary confinement show that the practice can lead to serious and long-lasting psychological damage and is especially harmful to individuals with preexisting mental health issues. In New York State, the rate of suicide was five times higher for people in solitary than for people in the general prison population between 2015 and 2019.”

Safety for my family and yours— and for all of us—requires us to listen to the research and to formerly incarcerated people who have personally experienced solitary confinement.

Now, we just need the federal government to follow suit and pass the End Solitary Confinement Act, which is cosponsored by Harlem’s own Rep. Adriano Espaillat.

Maya B. is a high school senior and was previously and former intern at the Amsterdam News.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS O P I N I O N

February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024 • 13

The complex dynamics of America’s Middle East engagement

Combatting disinformation and misinformation

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

ARMSTRONG

WILLIAMS

In the shadowed corners of the Middle East, where ancient trade routes twist like serpents through the desert, lies an obscure outpost in Jordan called Tower 22 ( T-22). This newly discovered outpost and the name, now a glaring testament to the convoluted and often opaque nature of modern warfare and foreign policy, became known to most Americans in the first press releases.

The retreat of U.S. forces from Al Qaim and the tiny outpost that preceded Tower 22 in 2004 marked the beginning of a tumultuous period, a prelude to the rise of Al Qaeda and ISIS. Today, the vastly expanded base, reportedly home to 900 Americans and visible on Google Earth, stands not as a symbol of strength, but as a poignant reminder of the vulnerabilities and contradictions inherent in America’s military engagements in the shadows and mirrors of the Middle East and Arabia at large.

The attack on T-22, a costly reminder of the perils of such exposed positions, raises fundamental questions about the transparency of U.S. military operations. The Pentagon’s penchant for secrecy, ostensibly to protect national security, has ironically left the American public in the dark, while those with malevolent intent seem to be steps ahead, armed

with meticulously assembled “target packages” about “secret” facilities throughout the region.

The root of this strategic quagmire lies in the shifting sands of international politics and economics.

The U.S. government’s policy, which currently appears to lack direction, is being exploited by opportunistic global players like Iran, China, and Russia. Iran, in particular, has emerged flush with cash, a consequence of the U.S.’s own faltering steps—from the Obama administration to Trump’s tenure—which inadvertently bolstered Iran’s economic resilience.

Sanctions, once the sharp sword of U.S. foreign policy, have been blunted. The reliance on the U.S. dollar as the primary currency in Global trade has been eroded by alternative systems like BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), which challenge the dollar’s supremacy.

Moreover, Iran’s deep roots in ancient trade networks and its adept use of traditional barter systems and underground financial networks like Hawala and Seraj, further dilute the effectiveness of traditional economic sanctions.

As the toll of the attack in Jordan climbs, questions arise about the impact of U.S. financial policies on Iran’s military capabilities. The strate-

gic landscape is reminiscent of a George Carlin skit, tragically comical in its absurdity, where the U.S., in its bid to exert economic pressure, ends up undermining its own currency and, inadvertently, empowering its adversaries.

Meanwhile, the situation in Iraq is evolving toward “Lebanization,” of the entire nation, with Iran extending its influence through wellequipped militias and Iraq itself negotiating the departure of American troops, including from the Kurdish regions.

This development, tied to a one-year ticking clock on the withdrawal decision that aligns with the U.S. presidential inauguration in January 2025, suggests that a crucial strategic decision will fall either at the twilight of a presidency or the dawn of a new administration—a timing as precarious as it is significant.

In this complex geopolitical chess game, where ancient trade routes intersect with modern warfare and economic strategies, the U.S. finds itself at a crossroads. Its technological prowess, once a formidable advantage, now seems less decisive against the backdrop of age-old barter systems and hidden financial networks. As the U.S. grapples with these challenges, the future of its engagement in the Middle East, and the

safety of its personnel stationed there hangs in a delicate balance, a narrative woven with threads of irony, tragedy, and the enduring complexities of global power dynamics.

The unfolding scenario of T-22 base in Jordan is more than a tactical blunder; it reflects a broader strategic myopia. It raises critical questions about the efficacy of U.S. foreign policy and military strategy in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

The ancient wisdom of the Middle East, where history is written in the sands and whispered in the winds, stands in stark contrast to the technological might and economic power of the West.

Yet, in this age-old battleground of empires, it’s the unseen currents of culture, tradition, and covert finance that often dictate the outcomes of conflicts.

The U.S., in its pursuit of global dominance, must adapt to these realities or risk being outmaneuvered in a game where the rules are as fluid as the shifting sands of the desert.

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

CHRISTINA

GREER, PH.D. As we gear up for the 2024 presidential elections, lots of information will be thrown at voters from various news outlets and on social media. There have already been several stories about Black men and their support for the Democratic party, questions surrounding President Biden’s record, and far too many celebrities waxing poetic about policy issues they know very little about. As misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda spread quickly throughout communities, it is important we stay vigilant in seeking out news stories that have merit and are based in facts, as opposed to parroted propaganda used to suppress Black electoral participation.

I recently spoke to Esosa Osa, founder and CEO of Onyx Impact, an organization created to better serve and empower Black communities by fighting the harmful information ecosystems targeting them. Osa has years of experience in electoral politics and has made it her mission to educate voters about ways to identify falsehoods as we prepare for the upcoming election.

When I asked Osa what can be done to ensure Black voters have the most succinct and factual information possible, she explained three key elements we should all be aware of this election season.

The first element involves the Black media.

She said the threat of disinformation targeting Black communities continues to grow. We must arm trusted Black media outlets with the resources to reach larger audiences and be trusted fact-checkers. Outlets like the Amsterdam News have provided an invaluable resource to Black communities for decades

and we must continue to support the institutions most concerned with educating their readers.

The second element involves fact-checking. Osa reminded me to implore voters to check the source of the information they are reading (or sharing) to make sure it is reputable. She said the easiest way to prevent spreading false facts is to try to share information from reputable sources and trusted messengers.

Lastly, be cognizant of whether or not your post will spread fear and/or division.

Like all good gossip or an intriguing story, the more times you hear something, the more likely you’ll believe that it’s true. Osa said, as a reminder, that voters that repeating or amplifying false narratives creates an environment of distrust and fear.

Quickly spreading false information can unnecessarily divide the Black community.

And just like a wildfire, disinformation of any kind tends to spread far and wide.

As New Yorkers, we will go to the polls in 2024 for the presidency, 2025 for municipal elections, and 2026 for statewide elections and Congressional races. Our duty to participate in making our democracy robust is essential and we must do our part to educate ourselves with complete and factual information. Sinister forces are afoot and as with most things, education is our key to progress.

Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream”; co-host of the podcast FAQNYC and host of The Blackest Questions podcast at TheGrio; and a 2023–24 Moynihan Public Scholars Fellow at CCNY.

14 • February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Caribbean Update

St. Kitts joins other bloc nations in going after former slave-owning families

BY BERT WILKINSON Special to the AmNews Just like Barbados, Grenada, and Guyana have done in recent months, authorities in the eastern Caribbean nation of St. Kitts say they are preparing to directly engage a British family that owned enslaved Africans in the federation with Nevis to pay reparations for their role in the slave trade.

The National Reparations Commission in St. Kitts has pointed fingers at British brewing company Greene King, and there are plans to begin formal negotiations with the company, which says it is the United Kingdom’s leading pub retailer and brewer with more than 1,600 pubs, restaurants, and hotels across England, Wales, and Scotland.

But it had roots in St. Kitts, so the local committee says the time has come to directly engage the company about its role during the slave trading era, because it is a direct beneficiary of slavery and was compensated by British authorities for losing its “property” when slavery was abolished in the early 1800s.

The company recently apologized for the role of its predecessor owners during slavery and promised compensation, although no figure nor details of the plan have been released.

In making its move, St. Kitts joins fellow

eastern Caribbean countries Grenada and Barbados, as well as Guyana, in moving to specifically engage major British players who profited from slavery—and now have enormous business enterprises—to bring them to the negotiating table.

The British Telegraph recently ran a detailed piece about the move by St. Kitts authorities, tracing the role and history of Greene King from its origins in 1823 through “very profitable” sugar plantations.

Benjamin Greene, the original owner/ founder, enjoyed the profits, later transferring ownership to his children, who grew the company to what it is today.

Carla Astaphan, who chairs the Kittian reparations body, said in a recent essay that Greene was a big supporter of slavery because it brought him so much riches. “He moved to London in 1837 amid controversy over abolition of enslaved Africans. He was an avid supporter of chattel slavery and was against its abolition,” said Astaphan.

“When Britain’s parliament passed the act to abolish chattel slavery in August 1833 to be effected August 1, 1834, Benjamin Greene would be awarded payment for six enslaved persons on the island of Montserrat. On St Kitts, there were two estates. The compensation was paid for 156 enslaved Africans on Phillips Estate and 69 on [the] Con

Phipps Estate in St. Thomas Parish.

Annual revenues for the Greene King company is reported to be around Sterling 2 billion.”

The latest move by St. Kitts represents a change in tactics by the 15-nation Caribbean Community (Caricom) bloc of nations.

They are now pivoting to directly engage families while governments focus more on pushing European governments into formally commencing discussions about slavery. The Dutch have already formally apologized and have said they are ready to talk, while fierce resistance has come from France and Portugal.

Grenada has already engaged the Trevelyan family in the UK, and Guyana is in talks with the Gladstone family of England and Scotland. The Gladstones apologized in Guyana last year and have said they are ready to discuss compensation in various forms.

Barbados, on the other hand, says they are receiving fierce negative feedback from the Drax family, represented by current Conservative lawmaker Richard Drax.

Drax has held private talks with Prime Minister Mia Mottley, but has publicly taken the stance that today’s generation should not be blamed for the sins of his ancestors.

Governments have already said they would take the issue to court if talks and other options fail. In fact, they have already

retained a British firm that won compensation for Kenyan tribespeople slaughtered

by British soldiers during the colonial era.

The St. Kitts committee, meanwhile, said CEO of Greene King Assad Malic had mailed them to indicate that the company is reacting to today’s changed world by supporting diversity and contributing to ethnic causes.

The communication said, “In 1836, Benjamin Greene passed the control of the Brewery in Bury St. Edmunds to another of his sons, Edward, who was not involved in plantations at St. Kitts. While the company still bears the name Greene King, none of the descendants are now involved in the management of the company. The actions of Benjamin Greene are part of our company’s history that we cannot change, but we have been focused on what we can do in the present and the future by making substantial financial investments to support race diversity in our business and we aspire to be an inclusive employer and a truly anti-racist organization.”

The response was, “This is not satisfactory. The St. Kitts Nevis National Reparations Committee is of the view that Greene King is not absolved from reparatory justice to St Kitts and Nevis and Montserrat.

We have responded to the company and outlined our position; we will continue to press the case.”

Despite backlog, USCIS wants immigrants to shell out more in fees FELICIA PERSAUD

IMMIGRATION KORNER The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) remains extremely backlogged in processing petitions, but that is not stopping it from moving to have migrants shell out more in fees.

USCIS relies primarily on immigration fees collected from applicants and petitioners for immigration and naturalization benefits to fund its operations. These fees cover the costs associated with processing immigration benefit requests, including those provided without charge to refugees, asylum seekers, and certain other applicants or petitioners. According to its own estimates, if the agency continues to operate at current fee levels, it will face an annual revenue deficit averaging $1.8 billion.

To address its funding crisis, USCIS introduced a final rule in August 2020, proposing an average fee increase of 20 percent.

Although the rule was set to take effect in October 2020, it encountered significant opposition and legal challenges, ultimately leading to a preliminary injunction in federal court. Consequently, USCIS has not implemented the fees outlined in the 2020 fee rule.

Now it is on the verge of implementing substantial increases in immigration fees, pending White House review of the agency’s final proposed fee schedule. USCIS plans to release the final rule in April, after a comprehensive assessment of nearly 8,000 comments submitted in response to its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published in January 2023.

These fee adjustments represent the first update to the USCIS fee structure since 2016 and are aimed at ensuring the financial stability of the agency.

The new fee schedule In the 2023 fee rule, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sought to replace the 2020 fee rule entirely, introducing a new fee schedule that represents an overall weighted average increase of 40%.

The agency justifies these fee hikes by as-

serting that they will enable it to fully cover its operational costs and enhance services. Nevertheless, many of the proposed fee increases are substantial, with some reaching staggering levels, as illustrated in this table.

I-129 for L-1 Intra-company Transferee Current Fee: $460, Proposed Fee: $1,385, Percent Increase: 201% I-129 for O-1 Extraordinary Ability Current Fee: $460, Proposed Fee: $1,055, Percent Increase: 129% I-485 Adjustment of Status Current Fee: $1,225, Proposed Fee: $2,820, Percent Increase: 130% H-1B Registration Current Fee: $10, Proposed Fee: $205, Percent Increase: 2,050%.

Other immigration applications are also set to increase in price: The fiancé visa petition will increase by 35%, from $535 to $720; the petition for a relative will increase by 53% from $535 to $820; and the removal of conditions application will increase by 76%, from $680 to $1,195.

In addition, fees for accompanying children will no longer be reduced, and their

costs will mirror adult applications. For an immigrant family of four, the costs to bring a spouse and two children to the United States could exceed $10,000 under this new fee proposal.

The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) concluded its review of the USCIS Final Fee Rule on January 19, 2024. This final rule was submitted to OIRA on January 8, 2024. Considering that it has been eight years since the last fee adjustment, the administration may expedite the finalization of this rule. The White House review constitutes the last regulatory step necessary for the agency to formalize and publish its new fee schedule.

Meanwhile, it’s important for employers to be aware that USCIS will raise its Premium Processing fee starting on February 26, as mandated by the USCIS Stabilization Act. This increase is separate from the comprehensive fee adjustments mentioned in this article.

Felicia J. Persaud is the publisher of NewsAmericasNow.com, a daily news outlet focusing on Black immigrant issues.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024 • 15

Neighborhood Navigators offer outreach services to NYers in need

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

health issues who need help,” said Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg by email. “Neighborhood Navigators will be out in our communities building trusting relationOutreach workers tasked with building ships with those spending significant time personal relationships with unhoused New on the street ,with the aim of connecting Yorkers took their first steps last Thursday, them to longer-term services and resources.

Feb. 1. The program, Neighborhood Navi“This investment is just one part of the gators, stems from a $6 million investment continuum of care we are developing to from the Manhattan District Attorney’s ensure lasting public safety and get ManOffice to behavioral health service provid- hattanites the help they need and deserve.” er the Bridge.

New York County’s chief prosecutor re“A Neighborhood cently penned an Navigator is specifiop-ed about the Nav“We’re looking for them cally someone [who] igators, pointing to to help them navigate, or will be out in the coman ongoing mental munity, providing health crisis on Rikers connect them to services. support and services Island and calling Instead of just providing to those that are unthe Manhattan crimhoused (or) have a inal courts “a reposprospective clients with a substance use disorfor individuals paper, [Navigators] will help itory der or mental health who have real needs.” [disorder],” said proWhile a district attorthem navigate the system, gram director Rocio moving against [address] stigmas that may ney Santos. “We’re lookcriminalization seems ing to hire and have paradoxical, Bragg bebe associated with their people [who] are emlieves Neighborhood condition, and help them pathetic, but also Navigators are “a serthose with lived or vice New York desperreintegrate into society.” shared experience ately needs.” [who] are able to ensure and provide supThe program arrives over a year after the port for those individuals. city directed first responders to enforce “We’re looking for them to help them nav- Kendra’s Law, which greenlighted involigate, or connect them to services. Instead untary removals of unhoused New Yorkers of just providing prospective clients with a suspected of experiencing a mental health paper, [Navigators] will help them navigate crisis. Last year, Human Rights Watch the system, [address] stigmas that may be told the AmNews that consent was key to associated with their condition, and help “rights-respecting” care. them reintegrate into society.”

Santos believes focusing on unhoused They currently service four Manhattan individuals’ well-being rather than priorneighborhoods: Chinatown/Lower East itizing getting them off the street is also a Side, Hell’s Kitchen, Washington Heights, more effective long-term solution. “They and Central/East Harlem, scouring the will be more than likely and willing to subway and homeless encampments to cooperate because they are feeling as if offer hygiene kits and mental health ser- their autonomy and their life belongs to vices to unhoused New Yorkers. Results are them and not fixating on what we think far too soon to determine, as the program is is going to work for them,” she said. “A lot expected to span for more than three years, of individuals [who] are unhoused have but Santos says they have already devel- been there for many years, and bringing oped four prospective clients as of Monday, them into an apartment might not be the including one in Harlem. solution. We have to work through what Several positions remain open despite they want [and] give them back that opthe program’s rollout, including a senior portunity to feel as if they are controlling Navigator role in the Harlem service area their lives. between 124th–126th Streets and Lenox/ “We’ve encountered individuals during Lexington Avenues. Applicants are primar- our canvassing and during our planning ily scouted based on their lived experience phase, [who] have been unhoused for and empathy, and are screened through 20–30 years and are not interested in findphone and group interviews. Hard qualifi- ing a home and/or supportive housing, but cations are low, with just a high school di- are willing to talk to us.” ploma requirement.

Thursday marks the first of two Navigator Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps programs bankrolled by the Manhattan D.A., member who writes about public safety for with another $3 million awarded to re-entry the Amsterdam News. Your donation to service provider Fortune Society to mobilize match our RFA grant helps keep him writing similar outreach in the criminal courts. stories like this one; please consider making “There are far too many unhoused indi- a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by viduals struggling with significant mental visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1.

FLORENT Affordable Rental Opportunity in Garden City Southern Land Company (Owner), in cooperation with the Village of Garden City (the “Village”), presents an affordable rental opportunity in the Village of Garden City known as “FLORENT.” Florent is a new beautifully designed rental complex located at 555 Stewart Avenue in Garden City containing 150 one, two and three-bedroom apartment homes, 15 of which will be made available to households with incomes at or below 80%, 50% and 30% of the area median income as determined by HUD. Please see Income Chart below.

Lottery Intake Forms will only be accepted by the Long Island Housing Partnership, Inc. (LIHP) beginning 9:00 am May 1, 2024 and ending 5:00 pm on May 30, 2024.

Lottery Intake Forms will be available, beginning May 1, 2024 through LIHP’s website at https://www.lihp.org/rentals.html. Lottery Intake Forms will only be completed and submitted online at www.lihp.org/rentals.html.

A lottery will be held to determine the order in which applicants will be reviewed for eligibility. Submission of the Lottery Intake Form for does not guarantee a unit. Applicants must meet Owner’s tenant screening requirements and income requirements must be complied with. Please consult the Program Guidelines for detailed information available at www.lihp.org/rentals.html.

Income Limits: Household Size

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

80% AMI

$86,200

$98,500

$110,800

$123,100

$132,950

$142,800

$152,650

$162,500

50% AMI

$53,900

$61,600

$69,300

$76,950

$83,150

$89,300

$95,450

$101,600

30% AMI

$32,350

$36,950

$41,550

$46,150

$49,850

53,550

$57,250

$60,950

Unit Type

Units Available

AMI

*Rent

1 bedroom

2

1 @ 30% AMI 1 @50% AMI

$688 $1,304

2 bedroom

12

4 @ 30% AMI 4 @ 50% AMI 4 @ 80% AMI

$866 $1,636 $2,790

3 bedroom

1

1 @ 80% AMI

$3,226

*Includes a utility allowance

All Fair Housing laws will be followed. If assistance, including language assistance, is needed or if you have questions, please contact LIHP at 631-435-4710 or email at info@lihp.org.

16 • February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Education Educator highlights Caribbean contributions to the Harlem Renaissance Marcus Mosiah Garvey

Arturo Alfonso Schomburg

Hubert Henry Harrison

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff Hubert Henry Harrison, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Arturo Alfonso Schomburg. These are all names linked to Harlem, New York. But these are also names connected to the U.S. Virgin Islands, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.

The political and philosophical activism that each of these men embodied in the early-20th century started in their countries of origin and helped form their political outlook.

“They kind of get absorbed into this almost generic Blackness, which becomes a U.S. Blackness, but the important thing is to push back and really insist on the specificity,” noted Dr. Tami Navarro, chair of Drew University’s Africana Studies. “Often, these figures just become read as African American, which is wrong and really does a disservice to the ways that they [thought] and the complexity of their identity.”

Blacks from the Caribbean were pivotal in creating the new Black consciousness that emerged during the Harlem Renaissance. It’s a subject Navarro said she teaches her students about in her course, “Harlem, Anthropology, and the African Diaspora.”

Today, Harrison is well-remembered in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Although he left his native island as a teenager when it was still a Dutch colony (then known as the

Danish West Indies), Harrison kept abreast of issues at home. The United States purchased the island in March 1917, and Harrison organized the International Colored Unity League (ICUL) in 1924 so Black people on the island would have an outside organization they could turn to for support.

The ICUL was one of many groups Harrison created to support Black people. He founded the New Negro newspaper in 1919, whose name literally echoed the bold stance of the Harlem Renaissance and signaled that it was a place for a new kind of Black pride.

Harrison was also the founder and first president of the Liberty League, a pro-Black group that fought against segregation and believed in armed self-defense.

Navarro said Harrison had an “understanding of the relationship of the Black experience in a kind of European space.”

Born in Puerto Rico, Schomburg left the island in 1891. He stayed in touch with the growing independence movement on the island from New York and was a co-founder of Las Dos Antillas (The Two Islands), a group that promoted political independence for both Puerto Rico and Cuba. In

New York, Navarro said, Schomburg was “important in the Harlem Renaissance in documenting the Black experience across space both within the U.S. and outside.”

When Garvey traveled to the U.S. in 1916, he was already the established founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). Once he set up a New York branch of the UNIA, Garvey was challenged by other Black and white leaders, and was regularly called out as a foreigner—a Jamaican—by those who wanted to see his movement fail.

Navarro said Garvey had a complicated route after an initial “emergence as…a Jamaican political leader and how that kind of transforms and he gets absorbed––and, I argue, kind of misread––as an African American figure, although he’s ultimately deported back to Jamaica.”

These three major activists were Caribbean-born and helped create the Harlem Renaissance––that famed period in the 1920s and 1930s when Blacks in Harlem carved out a new, vibrant, and independent view of Black life.

The students in Navarro’s class tend to know the names of these pivotal Caribbeanborn activists, but they don’t always know their backstories. One of the reasons is that

Tami Navarro, Ph.D., Drew University chair of Africana Studies (Drew University photo)

this part of Black history continues to be misread as solely African American.

“I think that their misreading as African American is a production of the moment in which they come to the United States,” explained Navarro. “They’re coming right in this moment of the Harlem Renaissance. African Americans are largely just coming out of this Great Migration northward: out of sharecropping in the American South. These folks I’m talking about are not. They’re coming from all different corners of the world, [including] from the Caribbean. The kind of violence and virulence of racism that [had] a person, just because of their black skin, lynched…I think the kind of physical danger of that moment meant that the complexity of their identity was erased.”

When all Black bodies were equally detested, figuring out who was from which county, state, island, or nation really didn’t matter. All Black bodies were identified as one.

Now, there’s more space for those distinctions, Navarro said. “I think that…now–– because of the way racism has definitely not gone away but evolved in this country––...there’s more space for nuance. So, when I think about Harlem now, when I think about New York now, I think there’s a lot more space for nuance and complexity.

There’s a deeper embrace and willingness to think through people’s Caribbean identity alongside their diaspora Black identity…I do think it’s different now because I think it’s a different space that we’re occupying now than [where] we were in 1920.”

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Arts & Entertainment

February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024 • 17

Film pg 18 | Books pg 19 | Travel pg 21 | Jazz pg 24

Pg. 20 Your Stars

Hinton Battle, three-time Tony Award winner, passes at 67

From the March 27, 1976 issue of the AmNews

By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews

sical.” He co-founded the Hinton in the chorus, Stu Gilliam, who was say his legacy is his dancing. He was Battle Dance Academy with Yoshi- cast as the Scarecrow, took off a per- like a magician on stage. It was magic moto Kogyo in 2017. Returning to a formance. 20th Century Fox produc- how he jumped, kicked and turned.

On Tuesday, January 30, actor familiar story, he starred in the 2006 ing the show came and saw Hinton To see this Black man with this abilHinton Battle—three-time Tony film “Dreamgirls,” and was also seen in the role. They fell in love with him ity. He had a featured role, I was in Award winner for marvelous pro- on popular television series as a guest and they offered him the job per- the ensemble. Sometimes dancers ductions including “Sophisticated in “Touched By An Angel,” “Buffy the manently. He was the Scarecrow we are looked on as extras, when you’re Ladies,” “The Tap Dance Kid,” and Vampire Slayer,” and “Smash.” were all looking for. Hinton became with other dancers you talk, live, and “Miss Saigon”—joined the ancesBattle was born on November 29, a star when he opened on Broadway breathe dance. Hinton demonstrattors after a long illness. He was 67 1956 in Neubrucke, West Germany, in ‘The Wiz.’ Then he went on to win ed that he was much more than just years old. the son of an army officer and home- three Tonys. ‘The Wiz’ went on to win a dancer. Anybody who saw him on Battle was a singer, dancer, cho- maker. He was raised in Washington, seven Tony Awards…he was a bril- stage was impressed. Everything he reographer, producer and director. D.C. and New York City and adored liant Broadway star, who went from did, his energy, when he sang, everyReproduced permission of the copyright owner.

Further reproductionthing prohibited without permission.

Most people will recall him starring movie musicals. This love led to playThewith Wiz success to win three Tonys was big and he was so comfortReproduced with permission of the copyright owner.

Further reproduction prohibited without permission. as the Scarecrow in the original 1975 ing the role of Scarecrow at the tender for three different shows.” able on stage. It gave me confidence, production of “The Wiz” on Broad- age of 15 and succeeding in shining a Considering what Battle em- it was effortless and it was cool, But it way. Battle also had the beloved light on his talent and potential. bodied, Faison shared, “When you was just what he did.”

Broadway productions of “DreamGeorge Faison, dancer, choreogra- think about the rigor that it takes Ken Hanson, stage manager for girls” to his credit. He delighted au- pher and founder of the Faison Fire- to become a performing artist and “Sophisticated Ladies” on Broadway, diences with his performances in house Theater in Harlem, fondly when you think of the level of ex- recalled, “I knew Hinton for years, I “Fosse’s Dancin’” ; “Chicago” as Billy recalled meeting Hinton and his cellence that it takes to be a Broad- met him when he was Scarecrow in Flynn; and “Ragtime.” A gifted dancer, sister on the streets of Manhattan. way performer, and when you look ‘The Wiz.’ When we started ‘SophistiBattle, who studied at the Jones-Hay- “I gave him that first job in ‘The Wiz’ at the achievements that a little boy cated Ladies’ I had already seen him wood School and enjoyed a schol- when he was 15. He was here on a from Washington, D.C. comes and in Bob Fosse’s ‘Dancin’ on Broadarship to the School of American scholarship to the School of Amer- achieves, that’s when you see how way the year before. He was a fun Ballet studying under the direction of ican Ballet. I saw him on West 86th God has blessed him with this in- person. His legacy, he was so powchoreographer George Balanchine, Street and he was just so striking. I credible talent to be an example for erful on stage, he was really a triple went on the distinguish himself as a had an apartment on 85th Street. It the ages, and he attained the highest threat. His dancing was his strongest choreographer, creating ballets for was a Black Broadway community. I mark in musical theater!” asset, but he could also sing and act.

Baltimore School of the Arts, Wash- stopped him and started talking with Dancer/singer/actor Adrian Bailey He had a big thick body, he was dark ington Reflections Dance Company, him and his sister Lettie. I found out added, “I knew of him because of skinned and chocolate and all those Jones-Haywood Dance School, and they were dancers from Washington ‘The Wiz,’ then I worked with him in had meaning. When I watched him Philadanco.

D.C. and they had gone to the Hay- a workshop for ‘On Toby Time’ and perform, I felt very proud. His dance An enormous talent, Battle cho- wood School, as I had. At that time, he was just an amazing dancer. In technique was superior. Bob Fosse reographed the 65th and 66th Acad- I was just forming my dance com- 1980, we did ‘Sophisticated Ladies.’ wouldn’t have cast him as a lead emy Awards, OutKast musical film pany, the George Faison Univer- To watch him jump, he had every- dancer if he wasn’t that good. He had “Idlewild,” “Bolden,” and “Child Star: sal Dance Experience. It was 1972. thing: turnout, flexibility, nice feet, a solo called procession which was The Shirley Temple Story.” He direct- He was exquisite. You could tell he he could kick up to his face and it powerful and electric.” ed and choreographed off-Broad- had the markings of a real thorough- looked effortless, and he was breathJackie Jeffries, president of AUDELway productions of “Respect,” “The bred. He danced with me and then I taking. Considering his legacy, he’s CO, a long-time fan, shared, “I just Marvelous Wonderettes,” “Evil Dead got ‘The Wiz’ in 1974, [so] I cast him done everything, directed, acted, loved him! I thought he was one of the Musical” and “Sistas: The Mu- in that show. He didn’t really belong danced, but being a dancer I have to the most magnificent dancers I had

Hinton Battle arriving at The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater opening gala at City Center in New York City on December 3, 2003. (Henry McGee/MediaPunch /IPX photo)

ever seen. He had that laughter, that smile, when he was dancing. Whatever he was doing I was there. He was just so brilliant. He had such a beautiful spirit. My favorite thing was seeing him in different places.

I was enamored with him.” Considering his legacy she said, “it was to bring healing and laughter—he was a phenomenal expression of love through dance. When you saw him on the stage your heart would leap.

He had an electrifying spirit! Wherever he was on the stage that’s where your eyes went because he was just spectacular. He always had some kind of magnificent solo. I would deem him as one of my favorite dancers! He will truly be missed! He had that IT factor!”

On a personal note, I had the pleasure of interviewing Battle in his brownstone many years ago and he was charming and gracious and so humble about his accomplishments. He had such a welcoming demeanor and I sat in awe of his talent and humility. That is an interview I will now cherish.

18 • February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024 A

R T S

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS & E N T E R T A I N

M

E

N

T

‘Daughters’ wins 2024 Sundance Film Fest Audience Award, Festival Favorite Award

By DWIGHT BROWN NNPA News Wire

When you start with a humanizing premise, there’s nowhere to go but up.

Documentaries that present solutions, not just observations, should be lauded and rewarded.

That’s why praise has been bestowed on this heartwarming film and its mission to reunite daughters and their incarcerated dads.

Bring a tissue when you see it.

Maybe a whole box.

“My dad can’t come to the father/daughter dance because he’s in jail,” said one disappointed young girl at the Girls for Change Leadership Academy in Virginia.

But she had a suggestion: “What if we had the dance in the jail?” And so it began. A sheriff was asked to let a daughter/dad dance take place at his prison. He approved, it happened, and that event in 2013 blossomed into the “Date with Dad” prison rehabilitation program.

First-time doc director Angela Patton, CEO of Girls for Change, teamed with video music director Natalie Rae (Leon Bridges: Bad Bad News) to document the journey of four young girls looking forward to attending a prom at a Washington, D.C., prison. Aubrey, Santana, Raziah, and Ja’Ana are anxious as they prepare for the event. Their dads, Keith, Mark, Alonzo, and Frank, are twice as nervous.

The men attend educational and consciousness-raising therapy sessions for 10 weeks to prepare for the big reunion. They confess their apprehensions, hopes, and ambitions as they study fatherhood and look back on their own lives. One laments that he isn’t present in his tween daughter’s life. As a 16-year-old, he’d impregnated her 14-year-old mother whose own dad was not around. He thinks if her father had been home, policing her potential boyfriends, they might not have become teen parents. The dangers that lurk when fathers are absent are real to him.

Another wishes he could witness his daughter’s growth: “Everything I wanted to do, she’s doing. Everything I wanted to be, she is.”

Another confesses that he doesn’t know how to dance.

The girls express anger, fear,

Scenes from “Daughters” (Photo courtesy of Sundance Film Festival)

envy, and sadness as they yearn for their dads’ presence. Despair pushes one youngster into wanting to jump off a roof. The parents and children all need understanding, forgiveness, and healing. Fortunately, they have a guardian angel: an auntie. The shamanlike Angela Patton encourages the children, counsels the weary mothers, and assures the men that they’re needed: “Our daddies are our mirrors that we reflect back on when we decide about what type of man we deserve.”

Cinematographer Michael “Cambio” Fernandez’s camerawork puts you in the center of the men’s discussion groups, on the collect calls from prison, and in homes where kids reveal their deepest secrets. A group shot of the fathers in orange jumpsuits is sobering. A group shot of them in suits and ties, like they’re at an HBCU fraternity reunion, is humanizing. You’re watching their rehabilitation in real time.

These precious moments are effectively assembled and clipped together by the filmmakers and editor Troy Josiah Lewis. Their only questionable creative decision is not cutting more of the post-event footage.

During sensitive moments, sweet cello music (composer Kelsey Lu)

plays. During reflective scenes, songs like “Happen,” by British singer/songwriter Sampha, fill the air with their deeply felt lyrics. In a haunting tenor voice, he croons: “You’re too scared to show me love. ’Cause you’re too fresh with the scars … I can’t let this happen again. I found my love and I don’t wanna lose it again.”

Audiences will love all the girls, especially the extremely bright

Aubrey, who was around 5 years old during the filming. All the dads become leading men in their own movies and their metamorphoses are on view. That big day, when the daughters and fathers meet, hug, dance, and exchange feelings is when viewers who’d previously dabbed their eyes with a few tissues will grab a bunch.

“Daughters” puts a face on

those affected by incarceration— children, parents, and families all trying to find their way back to the center of life; people learning lessons and gaining wisdom. When one father says, “The streets don’t love us. Our kids love us,” you know that they’re all headed in the right direction.

For more information about the Sundance Film Festival, visit https://festival.sundance.org.

A

R T S

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS & E N T E R T A I N

M

E

N

T

February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024 • 19

New children’s books feature biographies of Morrison and Baldwin

By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the AmNews

“Beloved,” and her final essay collection, “The Source of Self-Regard: Selected Essays, HarperCollins has pubSpeeches, and Meditations.” lished two new children’s picAuthor of several acclaimed ture book biographies about children’s books, Michelle Meadows pens James Baldthe knowledgeable and brilliant Black writers James win’s harrowing story in “JimBaldwin (in celebration of his my’s Rhythm & Blues: The 100th birthday) and editor Extraordinary Life of James and Nobel Prize-winning Baldwin.” WIth illustrations author Toni Morrison, who

by Jamiel Law, this vibrant died in 2019. picture book chronicles the It goes without saying that remarkable life of the Harlem the legacies of this pair of Black native who was an openly gay thinker, novelist, essayliterary icons are rightfully preserved, and passed down to our ist, and under-recognized as a philosopher. young generation through the Baldwin burst into the litpages of these new illustrated erary world with his debut books. Our history is meant to essay collection, “The Fire thrive well into the unforeseen Next Time,” in 1963 and future, and the contributions of never looked back as he lived these two writers are particularly invaluable, if not priceless. boldly and challenged the The award-winning chilracist status quo with fierce dren’s book author Carole intelligence, vivid emotionBoston Weatherford takes on al declarations of resistance, the task of telling an icon’s truth lished illustrations by the young story by highlighting the author’s Parents and children alike will and often deep loneliness and and story in “A Crown of Stories: artist, Khalif Thompson. It is writ- brilliance in her early youth as the benefit from immersing them- sorrow.

It is an incredible time in history the Life and Language of Beloved ten with clarity, empathy, and only Black student, as well as the selves in Morrison’s rise to beWriter Toni Morrison,” with its care. only child who was literate, in her coming an international treasure to document such profound Black Weatherford begins Morrison’s first-grade class. pages showcasing the debut pubas the author of “The Bluest Eye,” authors.

New books about racial justice

By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the AmNews

The cycle of racial injustice will become a relic of a dystopian past one day—with grace, courage, and effective social justice reform, including prison abolition, reproductive support for Black mothers, upgrading our communities and schools, and refining education in a manner that uplifts and empowers Black children to excel.

That day is not today, and there is much work to be done.

The new nonfiction title, The Race Track: How the Myth of Equal Opportunity Defeats Racial Justice by Kimberlé Crenshaw, Luke Charles Harris, and George Lipsitz, makes it clear in no uncertain terms that we are not existing in a post-racial America, denoting the very present societal fractures that

remain in the roads our ancestors paved.

We Refuse to Be Silent: Women’s Voices on Justice for Black Men, edited by Angela P. Dodson, is a powerful collection of writing by prominent Black women writers expressing their understanding and solidarity with the survival and resilience of Black men.

More than 30 contributors include Ida B. Wells’s great-granddaughter, Michelle Duster; Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson; and former executive editor of Essence magazine Audrey Edwards and more.

Until we are free, the conversations and work must continue without ceasing.

These books are stepping stones to a better world for our future lineage.

20 • February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024 A

R T S

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS & E N T E R T A I N

M

E

N

T

HOROSCOPES BY KNOWYOURNUMB3RS

By SUPREME GODDESS KYA WWW.KYAFRENCH.COM | CONSULTATIONS 866-331-5088

Rebirth of A New Nation: Everyone is talking and soon some will have their eyes peeled to the “Super-Bowl” game and some eyes will be glued to the computer to do their work etc. Distractions are at their highest, and will continue to grow when folks entertain the subject of matter. What is your main subject of matter during this new moon in eye-opener Aquarius on February 9 at 20 degrees? 20 degrees can be up in the air and a trigger point emotionally, yet also very diplomatic, sensitive, creative, peaceful, and can involve partnerships/friendships, gain, and inner standing. Focus on what brings you peace.

Short and long-distance travel is in place, as are short and long conversations. Keep things brief. “Peace is not the highest goal in life. It is the most fundamental requirement.” Sadhguru

The wait-and-see game this week is about patience and what you do in

You have a lot to say about a particular something, just back it up when asked or called upon. It’s a cycle where folks hear about you, have seen you somewhere, and want to network with you; it seems Dec 22 June 22 weekly cycle, so be tuned into things like listening to water and long warm like you are the talk of the town. Appreciate folks who want to work Jan 21 July 23 baths, and visits near a body of water. It could involve anyone born under the with you, and be of help when you can. From February 10th around sun sign of Cancer, Pisces, Scorpio, and/or born on the 2nd, 7th, 11th, 16th, 8:42 a.m. until February 12th around 8 a.m., your words can get you 20th, 25th, & 29th of any month. From February 14th around 10:22 a.m. until February 16th into and out of things this cycle week, so take it easy with your choice of words. around 2 p.m., listen to the information given and pay attention to the details of the con- Every action has a reaction even when you speak it. Brush up on your work, and give tent from one who is advising you. An end of something for a new beginning is forthcoming. yourself a makeover, upgrade, or pep talk to motivate yourself.

 preparation to evolve yourself. Liberate yourself from anything and anyone Capricorn to rescue your own peace of mind. The element water is important during this

 Cancer

It’s a primetime cycle week for major changes to your lifestyle, family, and This could be a wild goose chase week; gather the details before business matters, like reinventing yourself in a brand-new light, rearranging you go here and there. The tools and resources you need are on the the home, or even a change within your profession be it elevating or downway. There is a grace period before it gets to you, as there are cerAquarius sizing the level of the work you do manually. From February 8th around 8:59 Leo tain scenes, events, and meetings that need to take place before arJan 22 July 24 a.m. until February 10th around 8 a.m., it’s an epiphany cycle to write down riving to you. From February 12 around 8:26 a.m. until February 14 Feb 19 Aug 23 those revelations, as some may inspire you to follow a new path or add new around 9:39 a.m., keep doing your part of organizing, planning, and concepts to your projects. Say less and allow the spirit source to align you with the people, preparing for whatever the cause may be. Moments of “what was that,” “why did places, resources, and tools you need to assist you on your path. this happen that way,” “who is she/he,” and “when did this take place” may catch you off guard. Remember, the preparation was to prepare you not to be blindsided.

Balance and boundaries build foundations to keep you afloat, grounded, and present in your daily affairs. Saturn and Neptune are in Pisces to assist According to Napoleon Hill, “Whatever the mind can conceive, and beyou in getting those last-minute details filled in to move forward in life. The lieve, the mind can achieve.” That brain of yours keeps going like a 20-pack Pisces sun will soon add flavor to highlight certain areas of your life for advanceof Energizer batteries. Are you able to keep up with yourself? Home, work, Feb 20 Virgo ment. From February 10th around 8:42 a.m. until February 12th around 8 family, business, friends, clients, they all need you right now. Do you have Mar 20 Aug 24 a.m., continue to get yourself together as you push through and know help is an appointment schedule book? Are you on schedule? From February 14th Sept 23 on the way when you apply the footwork for your progress. Patience is your strongest asset around 10:22 a.m. until February 16th around 2 p.m., old and new investlike the spade suit in the game of spades. ments and obligations are paying out, and folks you haven’t heard from in a while are showing up. Freshen up your appearance as you begin a new voyage. A star is reborn.

Something new is swiftly kicking in within the blink of an eye. Long overdue information is coming from the grapevine, be it in person, from social Watch and learn as you learn from those who specialize in their field aspects, friends, associates, and/or family. Your financial world is receiving of study. Observation is really the second-best teacher when you just Aries an upgrade which requires paying bills and high-ticket items. All that is fine listen, watch, learn, take notes, and then do the homework assignMar 21 Libra and dandy. Can you keep it up long term when it gets costly, and do you have ment. Comparing your notes from what you learned and what you Apr 21 Sept 24 Oct 23 anything of substance to stand on? From February 12 around 8:26 a.m. until know is similar to the opposition of the zodiac signs; that leads to conFebruary 14 around 9:39 a.m., you can be a showboat, but be a showboat in elevating your necting and balancing the energy on both ends. Knowing your boundmindset and the company you keep in your environment. Make the investment to spiritual- aries on both sides. From February 8th around 8:59 a.m. until February 10th around 8 ly tune into yourself. Ask for it, speak it into existence, write it out, then, command it, what- a.m., what you need to know will reveal itself. No need for your thinking cap. ever it is you need.

What you do in the social aspects has people buzzing. This week Long-distance travel, meetings, and potent conversations with certain has a special message and guidance attached to you; in your travels people, passing down wisdom from their experiences and teaching taught or daily commute, you may receive the message or even see it. Some Scorpio by others, are indicated. You are in a learning curve phase right now that folks say seeing is believing and believing is seeing, yet your eyes witOct 24 Taurus brings on revelations and a-ha moments.

With this knowledge, you can see ness it and now you are sharing what you saw with some folks. From Nov 22 Apr 22 hidden messages, signs, and symbols. From February 14th around 10:22 February 10th around 8:42 a.m. until February 12th around 8 a.m., May 21 a.m. until February 16th around 2 p.m., this cycle week, information is this is a cycle week where people will see you in the public eye, so dress to impress coming to you like a revolving door. It’s a time for self-discovery to seek out your great- and give folks something to talk about or stare at. Smile and know your plan/agenda est attributes as your superpower. Look and stand in the mirror for about 2-3 minutes to is working out accordingly. take notes of what you notice.

Some folks are at a loss for words, yet you have a mouth full of deThe sizzling topics for the week are work, home, money, personal relationtailed information that blows folks’ minds. If information is essenships, and what’s for dinner. Know your limit, and don’t compromise after tial and common sense is common, why are so many folks unaware?

Sagitarius This is where the fundamentals of reading comprehension, including you agree to something. Jupiter is currently finishing its duty with Taurus and Nov 23 Gemini making a bee-line right to you by May 25, 2024. Get all your ducks in a row as Dec 21 writing, speaking, and talking about certain topics, need to be cirMay 22 everyone with you is flying and swimming to land or shore. From February culated to raise folks’ consciousness. From February 12 around 8:26 June 21 8th around 8:59 a.m. until February 10th around 8 a.m., invest in what your a.m. until February 14 around 9:39 a.m., finances are looking bright with a touch of heart and mind guide you to do. Choose wisely in relationships; it’s not all about looks and elbow grease applied. What investments are you making to further your growth or what a person can offer you. Values, morals, wisdom, and experiences are a necessity. development of a project?





















THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024 • 21

Travel

Come to Turks and Caicos for the sun, beach, and people The front Desk and Concierge team at Seven Stars Resort and Spa (Photos courtesy of Seven Stars Resort & Spa)

By TRACY E. HOPKINS Special to the AmNews “The sun looks good on you,” a Facebook friend commented under a glowing photo of me taken at Grace Bay Beach in the Turks and Caicos.

It’s not surprising that the beautiful backdrop of white sand and turquoise-blue waters was a highlight of my post-holiday season Caribbean getaway.

This was my second trip to Providenciales, the most developed and populated island in the Turks and Caicos, a group of islands south of the Bahamas. From interactions with some of the friendly staff members at the upscale Seven Stars Resort & Spa, where I stayed for three nights, I got a better sense of the people and the culture. That was an unexpected highlight.

First I met Jessica, a petite and perky young woman who escorted my husband and me to our sun-filled junior suite. Her dream is to live in New York City and pursue writing. The next morning, at breakfast, I met Chana, a hostess with a twinkle in her eye and a flower in her hair. And James, a young man with a confident smile and hip hop aspirations helped me find my poolside cabana. “I’m not gonna lie. I have a voice,” he said.

History and culture attractions The first enslaved Africans were

brought to Turks and Caicos by British Bermudians to work in the salt ponds. The second influx of enslaved Africans came when Loyalists fled the United States after the American Revolutionary War against British rule and set up plantations in the Turks and Caicos.

For more history, in Provo, visit Cheshire Hall Plantation, a ruined, late-1700s cotton plantation ($15, cash only), and the Turks & Caicos National Museum at The Village at Grace Bay ($5, open Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.) to tour a recreation of a typical 1800s Caicos dwelling.

Get a taste of local flavor at the weekly Island Fish Fry at Stubbs Diamond Plaza, steps from Grace Bay Beach. Hosted by the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board, the popular Thursday evening event features live music and restaurant and souvenir vendors. The night culminates with Junkanoo, a traditional procession of masqueraders in costume dancing to drums, cowbells, and other native instruments.

Peruse the colorful strip of shops near the beach, including Mama’s Gift Shop, for island keepsakes.

And pick up a duty-free bottle of Bambarra rum, the first rum to be blended and bottled in the Turks and Caicos, named after African settlers who were shipwrecked on the Spanish slave ship “Trouvadore” in 1841.

Aerial view of Seven Stars Resort & Spa

Sample more local grub at the casual food truck eatery Crackpot Kitchen, known for crack conch and signature cocktails. For exotic seafood dishes served in a tropical garden setting, head to Coyaba Restaurant.

Where to stay Respite and relaxation are at the top of the itinerary at Seven Stars Resort & Spa (https://www. sevenstarsgracebay.com/), an expansive oceanfront resort with 167 spacious suites accented with island-inspired décor. From junior to three-bedroom suites, each room has a terrace, kitchenette or full kitchen, and marble bathroom with a soaking tub.

Perks include L’Occitaine toiletries and housekeeping’s attention to detail, like leaving cleaning cloths for eyewear and reusable ties for phone chargers.

The resort’s delectable dining options are plentiful, including a daily complimentary breakfast buffet at Seven Restaurant, surf and turf options at the beachfront the Deck, and farm-to-table fare at the trendy, open-air the Farm (there’s even a mini Moet & Chandon vending machine).

The Farm is a creative collaboration between the resort’s awardwinning executive chef Edwin R. Gallardo and celebrity chef Amanda Freitag. The inventive, vegetableforward brunch and dinner menus

Seven Stars beach at sunrise

use herbs, leafy greens, and micro-greens hand-cultivated in the onsite hydroponic container farm and rooftop garden.

For a night to remember, splurge and savor a gourmet, six-course food and wine pairing at the Tasting Room at Seven Restaurant.

During your stay, take a dip in your choice of two heated saltwater pools (there’s also a kids’ pool), and enjoy complimentary activities like non-motorized water sports, bikes on loan, pickleball courts, and daily morning yoga classes. Other fitness classes are available for an additional fee, like Yin yoga, a slow-paced and restor-

ative style that includes specific passive poses that are held for an extended time.

At the resort’s spa, soothe your muscles and your mind with a hot stone massage and mini facial.

Ask for Yna, a thoughtful and skilled esthetician from the Philippines, who has worked at the resort for 20 years.

Currently, there’s a winter savings promotion for 15 percent off all rooms through mid-April 2024.

And if you can stand the heat, in August, rates start at $600 per night for a junior suite—ideal for a solo retreat, honeymoon, babymoon, or girlfriend getaway.

22 • February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024

A

R T S

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS & E N T E R T A I N

M

E

N

T

‘Freedom’s Stand’ pays homage to vintage Black voices, perspectives Faheem Majeed (Corey Dewald photo)

By BRENIKA BANKS Special to the AmNews A trip down memory lane presenting archives from Black-owned and abolitionist newspapers has become an exhibition at the High Line. Observers at High Line Park can walk by and read the headline “Negro Should Be Proud of His Race,” from The Bystander. Newspapers like this one, published in the 1800s, provided Black Americans a distinct voice and perspective in the media.

Faheem Majeed, artist, professor, and curator from Chicago, debuted

“Freedom’s Stand” at High Line Art in September 2022. This 15-foottall, repurposed wood piece resembles a vast newsstand, providing onlookers with an opportunity to learn about the importance of vintage Black voices in the U.S. This artistic work has gone over so well that its original one-year stay at High Line Art was extended.

The name “Freedom’s Stand” pays homage to Freedom’s Journal, founded on March 16, 1827, in Manhattan. This became the first Black-owned and -operated paper, according to pbs.org. Freedom’s Journal served as counter-racist commentary to that in the mainstream press, regional, national, and international.

“We worked with about 177 actual images of newspapers, but the archive is much broader,” said Majeed. “We” includes his assis-

A“Freedom’s Stand” showing Buffalo, L.A. Watts Times and other papers as a park visitor observes. (Brenika Banks photos)

tant researcher and former student Shola Jimoh. The stand features different Black-owned printed issues every month. The rotation of publications includes the Tulsa Star, Colored American Magazine, and Black Panther Intercommunal News Service.

“All those newspapers had different agendas and different sources of revenues,” said the artist. This creative, oversized Black-owned newsstand personifies the efforts African Americans made in carving out spaces for their news when white Americans rarely viewed them as humans.

The U.S.’s past is a reminder not to take literacy for granted. “There’s a way in which these newspapers are avenues to express and perform literacy that highlights the ways it was systematically denied from Black Americans,”

said Jimoh. From Naperville, Illinois, with Nigerian roots, Jimoh, along with her former professor Majeed, has a better understanding of how newspapers work. This understanding provided African descendants with the tools needed to not only create and report on their own news, but to create publications showcasing their voices.

Most publications from the 1800s marginalized and encouraged the enslavement of Africans and African Americans. News from anti-racist point of views is as essential now as it was then. “There’s a difference in news about Black people, and then a Black perspective, when you own your voice,” said Majeed. He said systematic racism has affected Black people having their voice and image. Freedom’s Journal and similar publica-

tions were all about Black voice, according to Majeed, not Black “news.” “Many of them were articles and essays,” said Majeed.

“They were from a Black lens [and] being able to control that.”

Majeed strongly believes cultivating the Black outlook was integral to African descendants gaining freedom in the U.S., although many obstacles are still present. For example, Jimoh mentioned Malcolm X’s quote: “The white man will try to satisfy us with symbolic victories rather than economic equity and real justice.”

She brought this up while encouraging African descendants to think about Black History Month’s intended origins. “My role in contributing to this work was understanding the possibilities that Black media has, both historically

See ‘FREEDOM’S STAND’ continued on next page

A “Freedom’s Stand” displaying Tribune newspaper with million-dollar real estate in background.

R T S

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS & E N T E R T A I N

Inland Valley News front-page picture from Black History Month 2022. (Brenika Banks photos)

M

E

N

T

February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024 • 23

Continued from previous page

and contemporarily, and thinking through the lapses that I felt today and how those amended in particularly consequential ways with projects such as this one,” said Jimoh.

Majeed is familiar with public exhibitions such as this one, but this is his largest. While observing who looked at the images, he noticed a diversity of people. He said Black people didn’t always stop, suggesting maybe they weren’t used to being included, especially in that space. “We’re on the High Line, there are all these skyscrapers, million-dollar, billion-dollar real estate,” said Majeed. “And here’s this little shaft, standing up against all of it. It’s such a powerful thing because it does contrast the space.”

Although February is Black History Month, individuals like Majeed are always tuned in because “Black History is important all the time.” He described going through nearly 200 years of history to decide on the final 177 items as “overwhelming.”

“Seeing how similar the con-

versations were, how repetitive the conversations were…[seeing] how far we’ve come and how far we haven’t was mind-blowing.” He described Jimoh's assistance as essential and reliable. “As a researcher, she’s just been amazing to work and collaborate with.”

High Line Park requested that the artwork stay because of the incredible feedback. “It’s amazing seeing the diversity of people [viewing it],” said Majeed. “It’s very humbling… even though it’s been up for a while, the same responses when people come across it.”

He applauded High Line Art for 100% supporting freedom of speech, allowing his creativity without any pushback. “Much of my work—you can do a deep dive, or you can just appreciate it in that moment. I think it’s okay for both of those things to happen.”

According to the National Newspaper Publishers Association, there are currently more than 200 African American-owned community newspapers the U.S. Majeed is working on a Chicago version of his “Freedom’s Stand.”

For more info, visit https://www. faheemmajeed.com/.

The Black Panther Intercommunal News Service front page picture from March 1973 featuring Angela Davis as the cover story.

“Freedom’s Stand” capturing Spellman Spotlight, The Black Panther Intercommunal News Service, and other abolitionist newspapers at High Line Art.

24 • February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024

A

R T S

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS & E N T E R T A I N

M

E

N

T

Hunter College, Dizzy’s, Famu Adderley Brothers RONALD E. SCOTT

Portrait of Billie Holiday and Mister in Downbeat, New York, N.Y., ca. Feb. 1947

J A ZZ N OT E S Even words like icon, legend, or most influential jazz singer in history don’t come close to acknowledging the vocal supremacy of Billie Holiday. Her voice was so fluid, listeners never knew whether to cry or rejoice, shout or dance.

She, unlike any other singer jazz or otherwise, exhibited her heart and emotions in her vocal delivery. Even on tongue-in-cheek tunes like “Comes Love,” one will still clutch their heart as if to hide it from a bewildered lover on a dark night. Even her name Billie Holiday causes folks to stop and pay attention: Billie Holiday, what about her, what about Lady Day? More than a century since her birth, America remains in a frenzy over Billie Holiday—and their love, compassion and curiosity grows like a tree’s branches reaching to the sky.

On February 8, The Billie Holiday Symposium at Roosevelt House, Hunter College will celebrate the artistic magic of Billie Holiday and the publication of “Bitter Crop: The Heartache and Triumph of Billie Holiday’s Last Year” by Paul Alexander, Hunter College professor of English and symposium director (11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.).

Among those featured in this all-day event will be Pulitzer Prize-winning critic and author Margo Jefferson; singer-songwriter Mala Waldron, Billie Holiday’s goddaughter; Lorraine Feather, also a goddaughter of Billie Holiday’s and a three-time Grammy-nominated lyricist and singer; jazz writer and multiGrammy Award winner Dan Morgenstern; Broadway star Maya Days; and economist Michael Meeropol, and adopted son of Abel Meeropol, the composer of “Strange Fruit.”

Conceived, produced, and moderated by Alexander, the symposium will consider the legacy of Holiday through the lenses of her personal life, her music, and her most hauntingly powerful song, “Strange Fruit.”.

The program concludes (6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.) with an evening performance of some of Holiday’s songs by those mentioned along with singer-songwriter Madeleine Peyroux and Yolande Bavan, famously known from her time with the improvisational vocal trio Lambert, Hendricks & Bavan. (she replaced the original member of the group Annie Ross).

For more information and tickets visit the website at billieholidaysymposium @ Hunter College (cuny.edu). Roosevelt House is located at 47-49 East 65th Street. The live symposium will also be livestreamed.

(Public domain / William P. Gottlieb, creator QS:P170,Q622278 / The Library of Congress photo)

release, “Exploration on Hymns” to Dizzy’s jazz club (60th Street and Broadway). Some of his ensemble will include; trumpeter Billy Buss, organist Johnny Mercer, Cuban pianist Axel Tosca Laugart, bassist Matt Dwonszyk, and drummer Harvel Nakundi. This band is a moving compass exploring the intersections of tradition and innovation.

For tickets visit the website jazz.org. Two shows at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

There is something about adding strings to an ensemble that adds a vibrant lushness and an alluring sound that just draws listeners in like a warm embracing hug. Just listen to “Charlie Parker with Strings” or “Julian Cannonball Adderley and Strings,” and those great enticing rhythms.

On February 16-18, at Dizzy’s jazz club, jazz enthusiasts will have an opportunity to see the “Jeremy Pelt with Strings: The Art of Intimacy.” Lyrical trumpeter and composer Pelt is known for delivering beautiful, lush The Harlem-born alto saxophonist ballads and inventive compositions. His adGodwin Louis has cultivated his musical dition of strings will be a welcome addition palette into a huge blend of ingredients that to his repertoire. The all-star rhythm secincludes jazz, gospel, classical global sounds tion will include; pianist Victor Gould, bassand Afro Caribbean. Some might just call it ist Buster Williams, and drummer Billy Hart. a good music blend.

With strings by violinists Molly Fletcher and On February 9, Godwin brings an ensem- Tiffany Weiss, viola Nicole Neely, and on ble of expressive artists to celebrate his new cello Reenat Pinchas.

For reservations visit the website jazz.org.

chicken sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes on white bread with mayo. It was a rhythm from all that practicing and marching on a dusty band field in Tallahassee, Florida under the directorship of Dr. Foster.

For all we know Nat’s “Work Song” could have very well been an ode to those long hot practice sessions. After all, the FAMU Marching 100 wasn’t recognized as “the best band in the land” for nothing—no that title came without hard work, but it was good, joyous work.

Yes, the brothers Adderley were members of the fabulous Marching 100.

On April 18 in Tallahassee, Florida, the Florida A&M University board of trustees, students, faculty, community and jazz enthusiasts will gather for a renaming ceremony of the Julian “Cannonball” and Nat Adderley Music Institute in honor of their two alumni musical icons.

President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., said the Dec. 7 decision marked the first time FAMU has named an academic program for specific individuals. “It’s significant that it’s the first. It probably won’t be the last,” Robinson said. “We set a high bar by naming it after the Adderleys. They have been so impactful in music not just here, but wherever they have gone around the world.”

Renaming the Institute for Research in Music and Entertainment Industry Studies in honor of the Adderley’s came at the persistent urging of director Darryl Tookes, a singer, songwriter, and producer. “Though many of us understood the legacy of the Adderley brothers, and their connection to FAMU, I felt a sense of obligation as someone who is perhaps the only person uniquely positioned and ordained if you will—and so this became my ministry to get this done. My mission was to get this accomplished here, for the Adderley brothers, the Adderley family, for FAMU, for the city of Tallahassee, the state of Florida, for musicians everywhere, and maybe more importantly, for God,” said Tookes, director Julian “Cannonball” and Nat Adderley Music Institute. “Nat’s daughter Allison said it best, I’m over the moon about this.”

The Adderley brothers moved to Tallahassee in the 1940s when their parents took jobs at the university. The Adderley brothers attended FAMU’s high school before entering the university, where Cannonball studied band education, and Nat, sociology, with a minor in music. The Adderley brothers were members of the Marching “100” Band. Cannonball graduated from FAMU in 1948 and Nat graduated in 1951. And yes, I am a proud graduate of FAMU GO RATTLERS, Do or Die! I will be there with first hand reporting.

This week’s album selection is; The Cannonball Adderley Quintet “Country Preacher: Live at Operation Breadbasket” (Capitol, 1970).

“No matter how dreary or difficult times may be, it’s rough and tough but you have to Walk Tall. We got the call from our country preacher Rev. Jesse Jackson,” Cannonball.

Name that musician in two notes: Stop right there it’s Cannonball Adderley! Didn’t matter if he was playing 74 miles away (with his brother Nat on cornet, they were the real dynamic duo) on any of the many albums they recorded together. Cannonball could always be recognized whether on some sublime songs with vocal stylist Nancy Wilson or the seven albums he recorded with Miles Davis that included “Kind of Blue,” which many acknowledged critics consider the greatest jazz album ever recorded, and one of the best albums of all time. On that recording he played with fellow saxophonist John Coltrane.

Trumpeter and composer Charles Tolliver said that Nat is one of the greatest jazz cornet players to ever pick up the instrument. Aside from Nat’s many years of playing/recording with his brother, as a leader he recorded a string of albums with his jazz standard “Work Song” (lyrics by Oscar Brown, Jr.). As a sideman, he added his signature sound to Philly Joe Jones, Oliver Nelson, J.J. Johnson, King Curtis and Jimmy Heath.

Cannonball and his brother Nat understood jazz form, but their soul jazz came the heart, like the natural-born blues and they Recommended book “The Ways of White played it together. It was the soul sound of Folks,” Langston Hughes (Alfred A. Knopf, jazz, that Tallahassee Ma Mary’s soul fried 1934). This book is mandatory!

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024 • 25

Feds Bust 70 NYCHA supers on bribery charges tied to no-bid contracts flagged by THE CITY

By GREG B. SMITH THE CITY Note: This story was originally published

by THE CITY. Sign up to get the latest New York City news each morning.

Law enforcement authorities launched a massive takedown Tuesday of New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) corruption, busting 70 current and former mid-level bureaucrats they allege pocketed $2 million in bribes to award $13 million in small no-bid “micro contracts” that dodge competitive bidding requirements aimed at squelching such corruption.

The corrupt micro-contract workaround, which prosecutors said dates back to 2013 and involved work at nearly 100 developments citywide, is a scheme that’s been hiding in plain sight for years.

A 2019 investigation by THE CITY revealed that NYCHA superintendents across the city had awarded some $250 million in micro contracts to a small number of vendors. This occurred despite repeated behindthe-scenes warnings by the city Department of Investigation (DOI) that this pattern of no-bid awards in amounts just below the trigger for competitive bidding indicated potential “corruption hazards.”

Shortly after THE CITY published the article, Lynne Patton, then-regional administrator for the New York-New Jersey bureau of the U.S. Housing and Urban Department (HUD), predicted “fraud charges are forthcoming!”

Worse, the residents have nothing to show for it & still suffer. The monitor has already found THOUSANDS of examples of no-bid abuse & more. Make no mistake, fraud charges are forthcoming either via the SDNY criminal division or HUD’s Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act. Game over! https://t.co/85Fq4gTGpk — Archive: Lynne Patton (HUD) (@LynnePattonHUD) October 7, 2019 On Tuesday, Patton’s hunch finally came true as Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams announced the unsealing of 476 pages of criminal complaints outlining a pattern that repeated itself due to the power that superintendents and assistant superintendents had to hand out small contracts in the push to address a daunting backlog of apartment repairs.

As long as they kept the awards below certain levels ($5,000 was the trigger for many years, upped to $10,000 in 2019), NYCHA bureaucrats could pick whichever contractor they wanted without soliciting multiple bids.

They wound up doing that with a select few vendors, paying out what amounted to millions of dollars in contracts for everything from plumbing to carpentry to painting.

In exchange, the favored vendors were immediately suspended, and kicked back a percentage of the awards, NYCHA began scrambling Tuesday usually in increments of $500 to $1,000, to replace them with other workers. prosecutors say.

The pervasiveness of the problem The potential for this specific type of was evident on a map prosecutors corruption at NYCHA was well known. presented, depicting every NYCHA U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-The Bronx), building where this scam took place— former chair of the City Council’s public nearly 100 of NYCHA’s 320 develophousing committee, had called out the ments, housing 200,000 residents. vulnerability of no-bid contracts after The investigation rested in part on THE CITY’s 2019 investigation. the cooperation of contractors who “Back in 2019, I was the first electwere hired to address a wide variety ed official to sound the alarm about of repair requests NYCHA has been NYCHA’s lack of oversight over microstruggling to address for years. The Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams announces contracts and small contracts. The high bribery charges against 70 current and former NYCHA premise behind offering superintenrisk of corruption was glaringly obvi- superintendents, February 6, 2024 (Ben Fractenberg/ dents the no-bid option was to skip ous five years ago,” Torres said. “I am THE CITY photo) the slower procurement process repleased to see [the U.S. Attorney] prosequired of bigger contracts and get the cuting those who accepted bribes in exchange “We were trying to send a message with a work done faster. for steering micro-contracts and small con- 70-person takedown—a message that can’t be One of the new cases appears to have grown tracts to preferred vendors.” missed by anyone out there who thinks that out of the 2022 cases filed against two NYCHA Bart Schwartz, the federal monitor oversee- this behavior is acceptable or will be tolerat- superintendents for taking bribes. A co-coning NYCHA, also tagged these no-bid con- ed,” Williams said. “Right here, right now, they spirator listed in one complaint fits the detracts as a problem in late 2019, citing an should know that it won’t be.” scription of Leroy Gibbs, who pleaded guilty example of his field investigators learning of The high-profile rollout involved 700 law to taking $2,000 in bribes to award a contracwork billed by a contractor who had received enforcement personnel from multiple agen- tor $9,950 in micro-contracts at Douglass multiple no-bid contracts and performed cies, including the Department of Home- Houses in Manhattan when he was a superwork of poor quality that had to be redone by land Security, U.S. Marshals, and New York intendent there.

NYCHA workers.

Police Department (NYPD), with arrests The indictment alleges that after his plea, At Tuesday’s press conference, DOI Com- taking place in four states. All those busted missioner Jocelyn Strauber also pointed out who are currently on NYCHA’s payroll See NYCHA on page 31 that in 2021, an undercover DOI probe resulted in nine contractors being prosecuted by the Brooklyn district attorney for allegedly bribing NYCHA superintendents to win hundreds of the smaller contracts. All nine pleaded guilty.

In November 2022, two NYCHA superintendents pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges TH in a micro-contract case brought by Williams.

Strauber noted that after the 2021 case, DOI made five specific recommendations to FRI, FEB 23 | 8PM NYCHA to tighten controls over the awarding of micro-contracts. NYCHA rejected four of the five, including a suggestion that they remove front-line superintendents from awarding small contracts and turn the job over to the central procurement office.

On Tuesday, the DOI made that same recGERALD CLAYTON KENDRICK ommendation, again along with 13 others, all SCOTT of which NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt said the authority will begin implementing immediately.

MATT “Our hope, as the U.S. Attorney said, is that BREWER JOEL [this move] will put a stop to this,” Strauber ROSS IMMANUEL WILKINS said. “NYCHA has committed to implementing the reforms we’ve recommended and we’re optimistic that they will do so.”

BLUE NOTE RECORDS 85

ANNIVERSARY CELEBR ATION

This incredible evening of jazz features the music of iconic Blue Note Records

Historic bust The sweeping charges unveiled Tuesday— described by HUD’s Office of Inspector General as the largest number of federal bribery charges filed on a single day in the U.S. Justice Department’s history—mark a major turnaround from the small-bore, one-off cases brought previously to end a scheme that was well known to investigators for years.

artists such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, and Thelonious Monk, along with songs from Blue Note’s current roster. Not to be missed!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Matt Brewer © Katz | Gerald Clayton © Ogata | Kendrick Scott © Justin Bettman | Immanuel Wilkins © Rog Walker

SYMPHONYSPACE.ORG | 95TH & BROADWAY | 212.864.5400

26 • February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

IN

THE

CLASSROOM

Jesse Ernest Wilkins, Jr.—a Black scientist at the Manhattan Project ACTIVITIES

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

J. Ernest Wilkins

We have been told that Jesse Ernest Wilkins, Jr. pops up in two scenes in the film “Oppenheimer” (portrayed

by Ronald Auguste), and we will take their word for it, since the eyes here are not as fast as they used to be.

Even though he’s only fleetingly there, he certainly was one of several African American scientists involved in the making of the atomic bomb. This was just one of several notable achievements by Wilkins— at the age of 13, he was the youngest student at the University of Chicago and upon graduation, he was hailed in the national media as “the Negro genius.”

Wilkins was born on November 27, 1923, in Chicago. He was the first of three children of J. Ernest and Lucille (Robinson) Wilkins, both alumni of the University of Chicago.

Along with his academic accomplishments, Wilkins was a baseball player and a champion at table tennis.

When not smashing pingpong balls, he completed his degree in mathematics, earning his Ph.D. at 19 in 1942. He was well into his study of nuclear physics when he began teaching at the Tuskegee Institute, but by 1944, he was back at the University of Chicago, serving as an associate mathematical physicist and then in the Metallurgical Laboratory as part of the Manhattan Project.

It was under the tutelage of Arthur Holly Compton and Enrico Fermi that he began researching fissionable nuclear materials, but he was not informed of the group’s ultimate goal until after the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. During this period, Wilkins was the co-discoverer or discoverer of several phenomena in physics. With Eugene

Wigner, he co-developed the Wigner-Wilkins technique of estimating the distribution of neutron energies in nuclear reactors, essentially finding the basis of how nuclear reactors are designed.

His scientific involvement was quite complex and widespread.

By 1974, he was president of the American Nuclear Society. He was the author of numerous scientif-

ic papers and played a critical role in recruiting minority students into science, often relating to them the challenges he faced as a Black man in a racist society.

So Wilkins could secure one position after being denied, a white colleague wrote a letter on his behalf, extolling his skills and scientific capabilities. As Edward Teller wrote in the letter, “He is a colored man

and since Wigner’s group is moving to ‘x’ it is not possible for him to continue work with the group. I think that it might be a good idea to secure his service for our work.” Thus his inclusion in the Manhattan Project.

In the late 1950s and early ’60s, Wilkins returned to the classroom as a student to complete degree work in mechanical engineering from New York University. His sole purpose was to obtain knowledge that would improve communication between mathematicians and nuclear engineers. This armed him with five science degrees.

By 1970, he was a distinguished professor of applied mathematical physics at Howard University, where he helped found the school’s Ph.D. program.

A sabbatical from the school allowed him to participate as a visiting scientist at the Argonne National Laboratory from 1976 to 1977. During the same period, he was the second African American elected to the National Academy of Engineering.

In 1990, Wilkins lived in Atlanta, where he was a distinguished professor of applied mathematics and mathematical physics at Clark-Atlanta University, from which he retired again for the last time, in 2003.

Optics, gamma radiation, differential geometry, and integrals were just a sample of the more than 100 scientific papers in his résumé.

He had two children by his first wife, Gloria Louise Steward, who died in 1980. Maxine Malone and Vera Wood Anderson were his other marriages. J. Earnest III was his son from his first marriage.

Wilkins died on May 1, 2011, in Fountain Hills, Arizona. He was buried at the National Memorial Cemetery, Cave Creek, Arizona, on May 5.

FIND OUT MORE

The Nuclear News newsletter has a lengthy profile of Wilkins covering almost his entire life.

DISCUSSION We would love any feedback on the role of African American scientists in the Manhattan Project, as well as a more definitive account of Wilkins’s role there.

PLACE IN CONTEXT The apex of Wilkins’s life occurred during the World War II era, and he was principally involved.

THIS WEEK IN BLACK HISTORY February 6, 1898: Poet Melvin B. Tolson was born in Moberly, Missouri. He died in 1966.

February 6, 1945: Reggae immortal Bob Marley was born in Jamaica. He died in 1981.

February 6, 1950: Vocalist Natalie Cole was born in Los Angeles. She died in 2015.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Healthcare Continued from page 3

wanted the Supreme Court to review the opinion in the FDA case against mifepristone. New York State Attorney General Letitia “Tish” James has led a multi-state coalition of 24 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in support of the FDA. They argued that the restrictions on the drug were “medically unnecessary” and could have consequences for low-income and underserved communities.

“Every American deserves access to safe and thoroughly tested medication abortion options,” said James. “The Fifth Circuit’s decision to reinstate unwarranted restrictions on the drug mifepristone was misguided and cannot be allowed to stand. Millions of Americans, especially those in underserved, rural, and low-

income communities, rely on access to medication abortion, and they are counting on the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the lower court decision.”

The Supreme Court is likely to hear arguments this year and then reach a decision about mifepristone by June, said James’s office.

Virtual ExpressCare is available 7 days a week, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Patients can access telehealth abortion care online or by calling 718-360-8981. Patients can also receive referrals by calling 877-NYC-AHUB (877-692-2482).

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

Gender

ministration as we expand ENDGBV’s work to support survivors.”

Continued from page 4 New York City Commission on Gender Equity (CGE) Commissioner Taina Bien-Aicontinue to experience disproportion- mé echoed that the Women Forward plan ate rates of violence in and outside of the is a critical first step to dealing with issues home,” said Mayor’s Office to End Domes- like sex trafficking, gender-based violence, tic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) and discrimination for all women and girls Commissioner Cecile Noel in a statement. in the city.

“Recognizing this fact, the Women Forward NYC agenda deepens the city’s investment Ariama C. Long is a Report for Ameriin responses that meet the complex needs ca corps member and writes about politics of survivors of domestic and gender-based for the Amsterdam News. Your donation violence, enhancing both interpersonal to match our RFA grant helps keep her and public safety. We would like to thank writing stories like this one; please conall of our city agency collaborators for de- sider making a tax-deductible gift of any veloping this initiative and we are grateful amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/ for the ongoing support of the Adams ad- amnews1.

Rape Continued from page 4

years as I saw the passing of the Rape is Rape Act 11 times in the Assembly but fail to become law, I felt hopeless.”

Cruz has shared her personal story as a survivor of sexual assault in the past. She worked in the last three years with Cuomo and survivor support organizations to get the bill passed after Simotas left the Assembly in 2020. She said she’s also been involved with the Child Survivors Act and the Adult Survivors Act. “The next step is just getting the word out and making sure that district attorneys’ offices are applying [the law] the way that they need to,” said Cruz.

The governor’s office promised to provide funding to district attorneys throughout the state to focus on domestic violence offenders, expand the Supervision Against Violent Engagement (SAVE) program, and build up data collection and informationsharing with regard to domestic violence reports for police Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said in

a statement, “DCJS is proud of our work to help ensure that law enforcement officers throughout New York are trained and informed on how to respond to rape victims and survivors of sexual assault with sensitivity, professionalism, and respect.

We thank Governor Hochul for her unwavering leadership on public safety and for signing this legislation into law, which will allow victims’ and survivors’ voices to be heard and perpetrators to be held accountable.”

Individuals may visit ovs.ny.gov/connect to find programs for victims and survivors of sexual assault. New York State’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline also is available for confidential support and advocacy 24/7 at 800-942-6906 (voice), 844997-2121 (text), and opdv.ny.gov (chat).

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233.

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

February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024 • 27

28 • February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Health FACTCHECK: COVID-19 vaccination does not cause miscarriage in pregnant people

Factcheck:

Numerous studies have concluded that COVID-19 vaccines do not cause miscarriages, but contracting COVID-19 while pregnant can have serious health implications. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

False—COVID-19 vaccination causes miscarriage in pregnant people

By LANA SHANAB, SARA GUNDRU, and TASYA DITA Special to the AmNews As the initial frenzy about the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, fears still persist among pregnant people regarding the vaccination and its subsequent booster. Many took to social media to express their concerns or even dissuade others from receiving the vaccine. One myth that has been circulating is that the vaccine increases the risk of miscarriage. According to experts, this is not true.

In response to the question of whether COVID-19 vaccination increases the risk of miscarriage among pregnant individuals, Dr. Meera Garcia, a board-certified OB/GYN and chair of obstetrics and gynecology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, clarified that this myth is not accurate. According to Garcia, “That is

not true. It [vaccination] does not increase the risk of miscarriage [for] pregnant people. Whether you receive the vaccine before you get pregnant or you receive the vaccination during pregnancy, there is no increase [in the risk of miscarriage].”

Dr. Garcia also acknowledged some concerns regarding vaccination side effects during pregnancy, including “high fevers, the body aches, [or] just feeling reall y run down for a while.” However, these symptoms are non-threatening toward pregnancy and can be managed safely. Garcia further noted that there is no substantial impact in either a positive or negative direction regarding miscarriage risk related to COVID-19 vaccination. However, it is crucial to highlight that contracting COVID-19 during early pregnancy appears to be associated with more complications compared to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

With mounting evidence about the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant people, the AmNews also talked with Elyse Kharbanda, M.D., M.P.H, executive director of research at the HealthPartners Institute, about her publication, “COVID-19 Booster Vaccination in Early Pregnancy and Surveillance for Spontaneous Abortion.”

She and colleagues investigated whether the COVID-19 booster vaccination in early pregnancy was associated with an increase in spontaneous abortion.

In the study, researchers found no association between the risk of miscarriage and the COVID19 booster vaccination. They analyzed more than 100,000 unique pregnancies at six to 19 weeks’ gestational age over an eight-month period, and found no increased odds of experiencing miscarriage 28 days post-vaccination in women who received the COVID-

19 booster vaccination compared with ongoing pregnancies. The researchers also carried out a second analysis of the data and found no increased odds of experiencing natural miscarriage 42 days post-vaccination in women who received COVID-19 boosters compared to those who did not.

“We [want to] continue for people to receive the same messages about vaccine safety and sort of have trust in the data that we’re presenting,” Kharbanda said.

“But this is something we see, and not just with COVID-19 vaccines, but also flu vaccine and pregnan-

cy—that there [are] differences in who’s accepting of these vaccines.

Then you worry about…worsening health disparities if you know populations that are avoiding vaccines. Then again, they and their infants are also more predisposed to these infections.”

Garcia stressed that it is vital to obtain accurate information about the COVID-19 vaccine: “You can trust sources like the CDC, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, PubMed, and the World Health Organization for scientifically sound information. It’s best to avoid blogs, Reddit,

See FACTCHECK continued on next page

Cancer rates are highest for Black Americans

By LEAH MALLORY Special to the AmNews Black Americans have the highest cancer mortality rates of any other racial or ethnic group in the United States, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health.

Research shows that Black men are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer compared to non-white Hispanics and possess lower five-year survival rates for a majority of cancers.

Death rates for cervical cancer are higher for Black women, compared to non-white Hispanic women. Black American women are also 2.3 times more likely to die from stom-

ach cancer than non-white Hispanics, while Black men are 2.5 times more likely to die from stomach cancer.

These alarming rates are puzzling for medical experts like Dr. Tesia McKenzie, a breast surgical oncologist at Hackensack Meridian Health’s Bayshore Medical Center. According to the American Cancer Society, the average risk of an American woman developing breast cancer is one in eight throughout her lifetime. Though Black women are less likely than white women to be diagnosed with breast cancer, they are more likely to die from it.

Dr. McKenzie said that a potential contributing factor to these rates is the lack of aware-

ness about screening. These tests detect cancers in the body before symptoms arise, and cancer treatments work best when the disease is found early.

“Some women in the African American community aren’t going for their annual mammograms or breast cancer screening, and so they’re being diagnosed at later stages because they didn’t know they needed to be screened,” said Dr. McKenzie. “And if you’re diagnosed at a later stage, then that increases your risk for dying from breast cancer.”

There are several barriers, in addition to limited awareness, that prevent Black women from accessing timely and appropriate care.

This includes low socio-economic status, lack of available resources,

and even distrust, she explained.

“There is a lot of distrust in the African American community when it comes to healthcare,” she said. “It may not be that women just don’t want to go for screening; they might be just scared too, and they might just need a little bit of extra time to discuss the importance of it.”

For Dr. McKenzie, understanding the historical tension between the Black community and the healthcare system is one way healthcare providers can better serve Black patients. She also notes the importance of providing individualized care and recommendations to patients.

With mortality rates for all major causes of death elevated for Black Americans, the most

critical step Black individuals can do for their health is to take control when they can.

“What we can control is, when we can go into the doctors making sure we’re getting our screenings, making sure that we’re asking questions and are aware of our medical history, our family history,” said Dr. McKenzie. “We’ve overcome so much, and we’re still here, and even though we can’t control everything, we can try and do something to take control of our health. We really should do that.”

For more information about cancer treatment and prevention, visit https://www.cancer.org/ cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types.html

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Reparations

February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024 • 29

Irapuã Santana, the lawyer who filed the suit. The organization, which fights for better access to education for Black and biracial Brazilians, is demanding an apology and a fund to combat racism, among other measures.

Brazil long projected itself as an inclusive democracy that had left racism behind.

Only in recent decades has there been a concerted effort to publicly debunk that claim as a myth. The country has so far mostly dealt with slavery’s legacy through affirmative action, particularly its 2012 law, which obliged public universities to reserve a certain number of spaces for Black people.

But many on the right argue the past is irrelevant, and deny that any compensation is due. They are likely to fight any widespread push for reparations.

“What debt? I have never enslaved anyone in my life,” former President Jair Bolsonaro said in a TV interview in 2018, months before he won the presidency. The former leader and current standard-bearer for the right has questioned the basis for quotas, saying Black and white people should be treated equally. In October 2023, his son proposed ending race-based quotas, and almost one-third of senators supported the measure.

Advocates for further atonement disagree.

“Faced with the horror of 350 years of slavery, quotas are insufficient. We need to expand the discussion on reparations,” said lawyer Humberto Adami, president of the Racial Equality Commission of the Brazilian Lawyers Institute.

That demands for reparations are being heard in prominent public places for the first time is partly a reflection of the political climate ushered in by leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who took

office in January 2023. Last year, prosecutors started investigating the Bank of Brazil, which is cooperating.

The bank’s largest shareholder, at one point in the past, was José Bernardino de Sá, a slave trader responsible for transporting around 19,000 Africans to Brazil, according to historical research that sparked prosecutors’ investigation. João Henrique Ulrich, who was caught running a slave barracks in Angola’s capital in 1842, was a bank director for almost a decade.

Beyond individual ties, the institution allowed clients to declare enslaved Black people as financial assets to guarantee loans that built the economy—one example of how “slavery is central to Brazil’s formation,” said Thiago Campos Pessoa, one of the historians.

In addition to apologizing, the Bank of Brazil announced measures to facilitate jobs for Black people and said it “works intensely to confront structural racism.”

The Bank of Brazil declined a request for an interview, instead referring AP to its November 18, 2023, statement read at Portela and its recent initiative to finance projects benefiting Black women.

Lula appointed Tarciana Medeiros to lead the bank—its first-ever Black president. He has pledged to further racial equality, and created the country’s first ministry dedicated to the issue.

The family of João Cândido, who served in the navy two decades after Brazil abolished slavery, hope a more receptive executive branch will finally hear their pleas.

After witnessing a sailor’s flogging, Cândido led a revolt against regular whipping by officers in 1910. He and fellow mutineers were tortured, and only two survived, including Cândido. Kicked out of the navy, he

and his family missed out on pension benefits and promotions; then he fell into poverty, according to prosecutor Julio Araujo, who also leads the Bank of Brazil probe.

Cândido’s family is demanding compensation from the federal government. They also want him inducted into the nation’s official pantheon of heroes, said Adalberto Cândido, 85, the sailor’s only living son, in an interview in Sao Joao de Meriti, on Rio’s outskirts.

Reparations “would make a difference because we are a modest family. We’ve always earned the minimum wage, which in this country is a joke,” said Cândido, who started working at 14. He spoke in front of Cândido’s last home, where a colorful mural depicts his story.

That story will take center stage in one of the top Carnival parades. In the warehouse where samba school Paraiso do Tuiuti is constructing its giant floats and fashioning gold-sequined sailor costumes, references to slavery abound, such as a print of French painter Jean-Baptiste Debret’s depiction of a slave being whipped.

Jack Vasconcelos, who created the school’s parade theme, said he decided to honor Cândido because violence reminiscent of slavery continues to occur. He cited a Black delivery man’s whipping with a dog leash by a white woman in Rio last year.

That delivery man will perform as Cândido during the parade, which aims to help society remember slavery—one form of reparation, Vasconcelos said.

“But we also need to fight for tangible reparations, not just contributing to memory,” Vasconcelos added. ___ AP writer Terry Tang contributed to this story from Phoenix.

The U.S. State Department said, pointing to the Brazilian Public Security Forum’s Continued from page 2 report, “that 84% of the persons killed by police in 2021 were Black, compared with Bahia is where 19th-century forensic the 56% of the country’s population that doctor and psychiatrist Raimundo Nina is Black.” The State Department also cited Rodrigues argued in his 1894 book “Human an infamous case of police abuse: “Video Races and Criminal Accountability” (“As posted on social media showed police in raças humanas e a responsabilidade penal Sergipe State forcing a Black man, Genivalno Brasil”) that Blacks were inherently do de Jesus Santos, into the trunk of a police criminal. Rodrigues’s theories influenced vehicle on May 25. According to a medical the criminal anthropology taught in the report, de Jesus died soon after of asphyxpolice forces not only in Brazil but through- iation. De Jesus’s nephew, who witnessed out the continent. the incident, said his uncle suffered from

mental illness. The Federal Highway Police stated the victim resisted arrest. On October 10, the state public prosecutor’s office filed a complaint against the three highway police officers involved in the case. Federal Police agents previously indicted the officers for qualified homicide and abuse of authority.”

Lula’s current administration needs to escalate its reorganization of the police forces left by Bolsonaro, implement and widen efforts to dismantle structural racism within its police forces, democratize Brazil’s universities, and reinforce respect for those who practice African matrix religions.

Factcheck

Continued from page 2

Valongo Wharf in Rio, which UNESCO calls “the most important physical trace of the arrival of African slaves on the American continent,” was only excavated in 2011.

Discrimination remains, and Black and biracial Brazilians are more likely to be poor, imprisoned, or die violently. Fewer than a third of managerial positions are held by those groups, and they comprise one-quarter of representatives in Brazil’s Lower House of Congress.

On December 7, 2023, a Senate committee heard experts arguing that Brazil needs to prioritize compensation. When Carnival kicks off next week, a samba school parading before tens of thousands of spectators and millions more TV viewers will present the story of a Black man whose family is seeking reparations.

Brazil’s nascent clamor for reparations joins existing movements abroad. In the U.S., New York, California, and Illinois have established task forces on the issue. In November, the African Union partnered with Caribbean countries to form a “united front” to persuade European nations to pay for “historical mass crimes.” Institutions such as Harvard University and the Bank of England have been confronting their historical ties to the slave trade, although neither has endorsed direct financial reparations.

In 2021, President Joe Biden expressed support for a federal commission to study a national plan for reparations for Black Americans, but he has not supported any of the efforts at the state level.

Such discussions in the U.S. inspired Brazilian nonprofit Educafro to sue the federal government in May 2022, according to

Brazil

STAY UPDATED WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY VISIT WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

Continued from page 28

TikTok, and social media, where unverified information can circulate freely. While information from friends and family is valuable, always verify it. Remember, anecdotes do not constitute data. Rely on the extensive body of literature available through trusted outlets for informed decisions.”

Currently, the CDC and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend that pregnant people be vaccinated, including with the latest COVID-19 vaccination from fall 2023. Vaccination can be conducted at any point in pregnancy with any type of vaccine available, and can be combined with other vaccinations.

To find vaccine availability near you, visit https://vaccinefinder.nyc.gov and www. vaccines.gov/.

For additional resources about COVID19, go to www.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-vaccines.page or call 311.

COVID-19 testing, masks, and vaccination resources can also be found on the AmNews COVID-19 page: www.amsterdamnews.com/covid/.

30 • February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Religion & Spirituality Joe “The Black Eagle” Madison, a clarion voice for justice, dead at 74

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews Those fortunate to join Joe “The Black Eagle” Madison on the airwaves were taken to the zenith of conversation and commentary. Few radio hosts were as informed and versatile as Joe; he was always well prepared on a topic, so listeners heard in-depth exchanges with his guests. The Black Eagle is now an ancestor, resting with other iconic broadcasters. He died in December at his home in Washington. He was 74.

Most people who knew Joe have a Joe Madison story. Mine began in Detroit when he was at the helm of the NAACP branch and active in the Civil Rights Movement.

Later, during a conversation, we talked about the original Black Eagle, Hubert Julian, who flew in the 1920s. Like other facets of Black history and culture, Joe had chapter and verse on the intrepid pilot.

Long before his melodious voice zoomed into our ears, he was born Joseph Edward Madison on June 16, 1949, in Dayton, Ohio, to Felix Madison, a press operator, and Nancy

Broadcaster and activist Joe Madison challenged America to live up to its promise (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP photo)

(Stone) Madison. In 1971, he earned a B.A. in sociology from Washington University in St. Louis—the first in his family to achieve this distinction. On campus, Joe starred on the football team, sang in the choir, and gave the world the first iteration of his broadcast career as a DJ for the college radio station.

Joe was just 24 years old when he arrived in Detroit, then amid political turbulence,

and quickly took his place among community activists as director of the NAACP’s chapter. This leadership role also gave him a platform to start a radio show on WXYZ-AM, and there was no looking back from there.

After moving to the nation’s capital, his voice soon radiated across the country with a nationally syndicated show on SiriusXM, where the Black Eagle’s influence flourished and attracted a coterie of notable political and cultural dignitaries. No issue was off limits, and he challenged his guests with probing questions, pushing them to delve even deeper into their convictions. Whether behind the microphone or in the streets behind a megaphone, Joe was a relentless advocate of social justice, marching in several rallies and demonstrations.

Most memorable was his hunger strike, urging Congress to strengthen voting rights and handcuffing himself to the Sudanese Embassy in 2001 in protest against Khartoum’s war with southern Sudan. Images of his activism gave his shows additional power and cachet.

“Joe Madison was the voice of a gener-

ation,” President Biden said in a post on social media. “Whether it was a hunger strike for voting rights or his advocacy for anti-lynching legislation that I was proud to sign in 2022, Joe [Madison] fought hard against injustice.”

NY Sen. Chuck Schumer was equally convinced of Joe’s unwavering stand on critical issues, noting in a statement that “nobody fought harder for his beliefs and his community than Joe Madison.”

Despite being first diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009, Joe continued to deliver his commentaries and made it to several important conferences and seminars. One of my last moments with him was two years ago, when we made back-to-back appearances on Dr. Ron Daniels’s radio show on WBAI-FM, and Joe reminded me of our days on the frontline of struggle in Detroit.

What he exemplified there never receded but only intensified and spread as he grew in stature and admiration. None of his activities were missed by his family, including his wife, Sharon, and their four children, Shawna, Jason, Monesha, and Michelle.

How to deal with same-sex unions? It’s a question fracturing major Christian denominations

By DAVID CRARY AP National Writer Catholics around the world are sharply divided by the Vatican’s recent declaration giving priests more leeway to bless same-sex couples. Supporters of LGBTQ inclusion welcome the move; some conservative bishops have assailed the new policy as a betrayal of the church’s condemnation of sexual relations between gay or lesbian partners.

The flare-up of debate in Catholic ranks coincides with developments in two other international Christian denominations— the global Anglican Communion and the United Methodist Church—that are fracturing over differences in LGBTQ-related policies.

Taken together, it’s a dramatic illustration of how, in a religion that stresses God’s love for humanity, divisions over marriage, sexuality, and inclusion of gays and lesbians are proving insurmountable for the foreseeable future in many sectors of Christianity.

Ryan Burge, a political science professor at Eastern Illinois University and pastor of an American Baptist church, says it’s become increasingly difficult for Christian denominations to fully accommodate clergy and congregations with opposing views on same-sex relationships, particularly as such marriages have become legal in much of Europe and the Western Hemisphere.

“A lot of denominations are in the position where you have to make a decision — you can’t be wishy-washy anymore,”said Burge, a specialist in religious demographics. “That’s the tension they’re facing: how to keep older conservatives in the fold while attracting younger people.”

For global denominations, notably Catholics, Anglicans, and United Methodists, Burge sees another source of tension: Some of their biggest growth in recent decades has been in socially conservative African countries where same-sex relationships are taboo.

“African bishops have this ammunition,” Burge said. “They say to the West, ‘We’re the ones growing. You have the money, we have

HAVE YOUR LOVED ONES MEMORIALIZED IN THE AMSTERDAM NEWS’ OBITUARY SECTION. FOR MORE INFO EMAIL: William.Atkins@amsterdamNews.com

the numbers.’”

According to Kim Haines-Eitzen, a professor of religious studies at Cornell University, Christianity has been divided over differing theological views, such as whether women could be ordained as clergy, throughout its history, .

“Christianity is incredibly diverse—globally, theologically, linguistically, culturally,” she said. “There are bound to be these incredibly divisive issues, especially when bound up in scriptural interpretation.

That’s what keeps world religions alive— that kind of push and pull.”

The Church of England’s ban on church weddings for gay couples remains, but the decision to allow blessings has infuriated several conservative Anglican bishops from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific.

Caught in the middle is the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby—the top bishop of the Church of England and ceremonial leader of the Anglican Communion.

Welby says he won’t personally bless same-sex couples because it’s his job to unify the world’s 85 million Anglicans.

That hasn’t appeased some conservative bishops, who say they no longer recognize Welby as their leader.

Angst among Anglicans The decision to allow blessings of sameAmong Christian denominations, the sex couples followed five years of discusAnglican Communion is second only to sions about church positions on sexuality. the Catholic Church in geographic spread. Church leaders apologized for a failure to Divisions over marriage, sexuality, and welcome LGBTQ people, but also affirmed LGBTQ inclusion have roiled the commu- the doctrine that marriage is the union of nion for many years, and widened on De- one man and one woman. cember 17, when Church of England priests “What we have proposed as a way forward offered officially sanctioned blessings of same-sex partnerships for the first time.

See SAME-SEX UNIONS continued on next page

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

NYCHA

Continued from page 25

investigators discovered text discussions the individual, identified as CC1, had that he’d tried to delete in which he discussed bribes with Angela Williams, a manager at the Farragut Houses in downtown Brooklyn.

The complaint states that CC1 had pleaded guilty on October 7, 2022, to committing bribery while he was a superintendent at Douglass Houses. That’s the date Gibbs pleaded guilty to those charges as superintendent at Douglass.

In February 2020, CC1 pressured contractors to pay Williams up to $5,000 for work at Farragut. This pattern continued into February 2022, when CC1 texted Williams asking her to approve no-bid contracts for favored vendors because he had been transferred to another NYCHA job where he

Same-Sex Unions

no longer had that ability.

“Babe could you put a company through for someone? All you would need to do is sign the documents as approved and get anyone to sign as the requestor. Then send it in. You will receive 5 per.”

He added, “This has been my side hustle… lol 1K per,” referencing his habit of demanding $1,000 per micro-contract awarded.

Gibbs was arrested soon after, retired from NYCHA, and then pleaded guilty in October 2022. Shortly before Gibbs was to be sentenced in January 2023, investigators noted multiple calls between Williams and CC1 on the same day.

Not long after those calls, Williams’s personal cellphone underwent a “factory reset,” wiping out most of the data and text messages from before that date. Confronted by prosecutors, Williams claimed she went to a Manhattan store for the reset, but the GPS data in her phone put the location

February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024 • 31

of the reset in Brooklyn. Williams resigned from NYCHA in February 2023.

Many of the cases were made with the help of contractors, who appear to have learned from each other by word of mouth that bribes were required to obtain work from NYCHA. The indictments describe multiple vendors who admitted to paying bribes for the no-bid work and testified to the grand jury in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Three vendors told investigators about paying off one superintendent at three Brooklyn developments: Taylor Wythe and Independence Towers in South Williamsburg, and Cypress Hills in Ocean Hill.

One contractor told investigators that the superintendent at those complexes, Tara Lucas, said he needed to “take care of” her, so he paid her $1,500 cash for contracts worth $5,000 and $3,000 for contracts worth $10,000—all under the cut-off that would have required competitive bidding.

In a statement issued shortly after the takedown was announced on Tuesday, Bova-Hiatt promised sweeping changes in how the authority handles smaller contracts for faster repair work.

“NYCHA has zero tolerance for wrongful and illegal activity,” she said. “The individuals allegedly involved in these acts put their greed first and violated the trust of our residents, their fellow NYCHA colleagues, and all New Yorkers. These actions are counter to everything we stand for as public servants and will not be tolerated in any form.”

Prosecutor Williams also made clear that the investigation of contract corruption at NYCHA remained active, and encouraged vendors who encountered shakedowns by authority employees to come forward.

“Contractors who paid NYCHA employees should not be afraid to speak out,” Williams said. “The culture of corruption needs to end today.”

ern Baptists remain anchored in this truth.”

but relatively little high-profile rancor.

Orthodox Judaism disapproves of samesex marriage and sexual relations, while they’re widely accepted in the Reform and Conservative branches.

In Hinduism and Buddhism, there is no universal, official position on same-sex marriage. Many practitioners of the two faiths disapprove of such unions; some communities are more accepting. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from the Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Continued from previous page

does not go nearly far enough for many, but too far for others,” said Sarah Mullally, bishop of London.

United Methodist separation A slow-motion breakup is underway in the United Methodist Church (UMC). A few years ago, it was the third-largest denomination in the United States, but a quarter of U.S. congregations have recently received permission to leave over disputes involving LGBTQ-related policies.

Of the more than 7,650 departing churches, most are conservative-leaning congregations responding to what they see as a failure to enforce bans on same-sex marriage and the ordaining of openly LGBTQ people.

There’s no firm estimate of how many members are leaving, because some who belong to departing congregations are joining other UMC churches. But UMC officials are preparing to cut denominational agencies’ budgets in anticipation of lower revenues from church offerings.

United Methodist rules forbid same-sex marriage rites and the ordination of “selfavowed practicing homosexuals,” but progressive Methodist churches in the U.S. have increasingly defied these rules.

Conservatives have mobilized like-minded congregations to exit; many are joining the new Global Methodist Church, which intends to enforce such rules.

More than half of United Methodist members are overseas, many in conservative African churches. When UMC delegates meet this spring, they’re expected to debate proposals to liberalize ordination and marriage policies, and make it easier for overseas churches to leave.

Splits in other Protestant denominations Presaging the UMC schism, several other mainline Protestant denominations endured splits over the past two decades result-

Orthodox Church disapproval The world’s secondlargest Christian communion, after the Catholic Church, is the Eastern Orthodox Church, with an estimated 220 million members, concentrated mostly in Eastern Europe and Western Asia. To a Pope Francis arrives to celebrate mass at John Garang large extent, Orthodox Mausoleum in Juba, South Sudan. Catholics around the world Christians disapprove of are sharply divided by Francis’s December 2023 declaration same-sex giving priests more leeway to bless same-sex couples (AP marriage Photo/Gregorio Borgia photo) and relationships. ing from irreconcilable differences between In Greece, where the govsupporters and opponents of LGBTQ inclu- ernment is pledging to lesion. For example, after the Episcopal Church galize same-sex marriage, ordained an openly gay bishop in 2003, some the Orthodox Church has exdioceses and conservatives formed the Angli- pressed strong opposition. can Church in North America.

Russia’s Orthodox Church Similar liberal/conservative differenc- has supported tough anties prompted hundreds of congregations LGBTQ legislation, enacted to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church with the support of President in America and the Presbyterian Church Vladimir Putin.

(U.S.A.) after they embraced LGBTQinclusive policies.

Non-Christian faiths Some conservative denominations, such Debate over LGBTQ incluas the Southern Baptist Convention and the sion hasn’t been as divisive Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the world’s other major have adhered firmly to policies that reject religions as in Christianity. recognition of same-sex relationships and In the Muslim world, ordination of openly LGBTQ people. These there’s widespread disappolicies have prompted departures, but no proval of same-sex relamajor schism. tionships and same-sex Brent Leatherwood, president of the South- marriage; many Muslim naern Baptists’ public policy commission, re- tions criminalize homoiterated the SBC’s position in a statement sexuality. However, some asserting that the Vatican, under Pope Fran- LGBTQ-inclusive mosques cis, “has been on a trajectory that seems des- have surfaced in North tined for the allowance of same-sex marriage.” America and other places.

“The reality is marriage has been defined by Among Jews around the God...It is a union between one man and one world, there are varying apwoman for life,” Leatherwood said. “South- proaches to LGBTQ issues,

32 • February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Mending ‘crowns’: How a Dallas hair stylist is fostering hope for Black women with alopecia

By MERDIE NZANGA Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Reporting Fellow, The 19th This story was originally published by The 19th Bridget Alem, a hair stylist in Dallas, is creating a safe space for Black women who experience hair loss to feel beautiful again.

Alem’s shop, Lady B Salon, specializes in alopecia—the medical condition that causes hair loss — and most of her clients are Black women who struggle with losing what they consider their “crowns.”

“Hair is our creativity,” said Dr. Hope Mitchell, a Black dermatologist in Toledo, Ohio, who has treated people with alopecia. “It makes me feel powerful, it makes me feel special and important. And when we don’t have it or when it’s falling out in front of our eyes, it’s very painful.”

There are more than 10 types of alopecia, and Black women are more prone to have at least two of them: traction alopecia and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA).

About 15% of Black women experience CCCA, according to a JAMA Dermatology report, and half of Black women experience some type of hair loss, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Dermatologists say seeking help early is key.

“The earlier that we have these patients in our office, the more successful we’re going to be in terms of reversing the hair loss condition,’’ Mitchell said.

For many, however, the first stop before a doctor’s office is a shop like Alem’s.

Alem begins each client’s journey with a consultation in a private room away from the openness of a traditional salon, where she makes them comfortable, even those who “don’t want to remove their wigs, or their hat, or their scarves,” she said.

“I tell them no matter what condition your hair is in, I’m a hairstylist. I will take care of you,” Alem said.

Women also tell her that they

(Pexels / Godisable Jacob photo)

have been rejected at other hair salons by stylists who mistakenly believed hair loss was contagious.

They also tell stories of being made fun of because of their hair condition. Some share that they do not feel beautiful.

“We do everything to make sure they feel loved, because most of the time they don’t feel loved, they don’t think they’re beautiful,” Alem said.

Alem explains the possibilities of how she can style their hair, including custom wigs or pixie cuts, she said. Alem empathizes with her clients, and makes it personal.

“I tell them I take you like my own sister, my own mom or my own friend. What if this happened to my own mother or child? It’s a way to make them

feel comfortable,” she said.

Alem also refers clients to good dermatologists who can diagnose their condition, saying, “I’m not a doctor.”

For Mitchell, the initial consultation is about diagnosis and developing a treatment plan, the goal of which is to prevent the progression of the condition and grow new hairs to improve density. She understands that culturally, hair is very important for Black women.

Dr. Edidiong Kaminska, a Black dermatologist based in Chicago, agrees.

“Hair is our crown, it’s the way we present ourselves to the world, it’s the way we think of ourselves when we look at ourselves in the mirror,” Kaminska

said. “When you can’t wear your hair the way you want to, for any patient, anybody, it can make you feel devastated.”

That stigma can prevent Black women from seeking professional help. Some mistakenly believe that cutting off all of their hair will help it grow back, which doesn’t address the underlying issue, Kaminska said.

Still others turn to unproven products they can buy online or in stores. Both dermatologists suggest that if people are experiencing hair loss, they should see a certified dermatologist.

“Finding someone that focuses on hair loss that has a good track record of dealing with patients with hair loss would be preferable,” Kaminska said.

The dermatologists caution against trusting TV advertisements for hair loss treatments that are not based in science.

False advertisements “prey on our emotional sensitivity,” Mitchell said, promising that they will help grow hair back, giving often not just Black women but anyone experiencing hair loss false hope.

Real hope can be found in their offices and in places like Lady B Salon, where Alem said that the most exciting part about her job is boosting her clients’ self-confidence and making them feel loved.

“Once their hair is done, it boosts their self esteem,” she said. “They appreciate my professionalism and confidentiality, and they feel beautiful.”

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024 • 33

CLASSIFIED ADS 100 PUBLIC NOTICES RULES AND REGULATIONS CANCELLATIONS must be made in writing by 12 Noon Monday.

100 PUBLIC NOTICES This is to announce that the next meeting of the Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy I Charter School Board of Trustees will occur in person on Tuesday, February 13th, 2024 at 7:30am. The meeting will be held at 245 West 129th St, NY, NY.

The forwarding of an order is construed as an acceptance of all advertising rules and conditions under which advertising space is sold by the NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS. Publication is made and charged according to the terms of this card.

This is to announce that the next meeting of the Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy II Charter School Board of Trustees will occur in person on Tuesday, February 13th, 2024 at 7:30am. The meeting will be held at 245 West 129th St, NY, NY.

Rates and regulations subject to change without notice. No agreements as to position or regulations, other than those printed on this.

101 LEGAL NOTICES

Til forbid orders charged for rate earned. Increases or decreases in space take the rate of a new advertisement.

The New York AMSTERDAM NEWS reserves the right to censor, reject, alter or revise all advertisements in accordance with its rules governing the acceptance of advertising and accepts no liability for its failure to insert an advertisement for any cause. Credit for errors in advertisements allowed only for first insertion.

CLASSIFIED • Classified advertisements take the regular earned rate of their classification. Four line minimum on all ads except spirituals and horoscopes (14 lines).

CLASSIFIED DISPLAY • Classified Display (boarder or picture) advertisements take the regular earned rate of their classification. Display (boarder or picture) advertisements one column wide must be 14 lines deep; two columns, 28 lines deep; 3 columns, 56 lines deep. Classified Display (boarder or picture) placed as close to classifications as rules and makeup permit.

CLASSIFICATIONS All advertisement accepted for publication is classified according to the standard classifications.

Misclassification is not permitted.

BASIS OF CHARGE Charges are based on point size and characters per line.

Upon reaching 15 lines the rate converts to column inch. Any deviation from solid composition such as indentation, use of white space, bold type, etc., will incur a premium.

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

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT: NEW YORK COUNTY. NYCTL 19982 TRUST AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND CUSTODIAN, Pltf. vs. SONIGIO LLC, BOARD OF MANAGERS OF 310 WEST 52ND STREET CONDOMINIUM, Defts. Index #158610/2022. Pursuant to for judgment of foreclosure and sale entered October 6, 2023, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on March 6, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. prem. k/a 310 West 52nd Street, Storage Unit 155, New York, NY 10019 a/k/a Block 1042 Lot 1470.

Judgments amount: $2,827.20 and $2,494.69. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale.

JEFFREY R. MILLER, Referee. THE DELLO-IACONO LAW GROUP, P.C., Attys. For Pltf., 312 Larkfield Road, Lower Level, East Northport, NY. File No. 22-000139 - #101036 BARBO 906, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/05/23.

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, 165 West 73rd Street, New York, NY 10023. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

BARBO 908, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/05/23.

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, 165 West 73rd Street, New York, NY 10023. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

HELL'S KITCHEN PICKLE BALL LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/04/23.

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 Robert Iacono, 660 12th Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10019. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK HILTON RESORTS CORPORATION, Plaintiff -against- FRANCILLIA BEVANS, ANNETTE M. BEVANS, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated September 25, 2023 and entered on September 27, 2023, 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 28, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. premises being an undivided ownership interest as tenant-incommon with other owners in the Timeshare Unit in the building located at 102 West 57th Street, New York, NY. Together with an undivided 0.00493200000% interest in the common elements.

This a foreclosure on ownership interest in a timeshare unit, a studio penthouse on a floating use basis every year, in accordance with and subject to declarations. Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions dated October 10, 2008 and October 31, 2008 as CFRN # 2008000426142 as recorded in the Office of the City Register, County, City and State of New York. The Timeshare Unit is also designated as Block 1009 and Lot 37. Said premises known as 102 WEST 57TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY. Approximate amount of lien $19,844.42 plus interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.

Index Number 850063/2022.

GEORGIA PAPAZIS, ESQ., Referee DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590 Notice is hereby given that license serial number NA-034024-102272 for a On-Premises Restaurant liquor license has been applied for by the undersigned to permit the sale of beer, wine and liquor at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at the to be named restaurant located at 85 Flatbush Avenue Extension in Kings County for on-premises consumption. Hersha Hospitality Management L.P., 85 Flatbush Avenue Extension, Brooklyn, NY 11201.

RPM & COMPANY, LLC filed with the SSNY on 01/18/24 under the fictitious name of RPMUMBY LLC. Originally filed with the Secretary of State of Louisiana on 05/21/2012. 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, 41 5th Avenue, #4F, New York, NY 10003. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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

INDEX NO. 850495/2023

FAREVERSE LLC I/L/T/N FINANCE OF AMERICA REVERSE LLC Plaintiff designates NEW YORK as the place of trial situs of the real property SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Mortgaged Premises: 519 WEST 135TH STREET, UNIT 1ACA, NEW YORK, NY 10031 District: , Section: 7, Block: 1988, Lot: 1001 Plaintiff, vs.

GUZEL GONTCHAROVA, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JUNE M. HESS; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF JUNE M. HESS, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general 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 wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, 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 wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE MANHATTAN HILL CONDOMINIUM; MANHATTAN HILL CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT ADJUDICATION BUREAU; NEW YORK CITY PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU; NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; "JOHN DOE" (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #1, "JOHN DOE #2" through "JOHN DOE #12," the last eleven names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint,

Defendants.

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 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) in the event the United States of America is made a party defendant, the time to answer for the said United States of America shall not expire until (60) days after service of the Summons; 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.

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 the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Please take further notice that any right you may have pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to dispute the validity or amount of the debt does not change the time within which you must answer this summons and complaint. You must follow the instructions contained in the summons even if you dispute the validity or amount of the debt.

Dated: January 9th, 2024 ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Attorney for Plaintiff Matthew Rothstein, Esq. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310 Westbury, NY 11590 516-280-7675

34 • February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024

101 LEGAL NOTICES A Manhattan nonprofit in New York is accepting bids for security services. We are looking for experienced security guards to monitor events, oversee attendee access, and protect the event space. Criteria include understanding our organization's intricacies, knowledge of security, adherence to schedule, experience, references, and cost.

Armed security personnel are needed for events 3-4 times a week, including weekends, from 6 pm to 10:30-11 pm. Responsibilities include crowd control, addressing suspicious individuals, and discreetly managing those not aligned with our demographic or objectives.

We welcome bids on both an hourly basis and a per-job basis, generally lasting around four hours.

Specifications and bid requirements can be obtained by contacting us at Bidinquiries2024@ gmail.com All interested firms will be required to sign for the proposal documents and provide a primary contact, telephone, and email address.

Bids will be accepted until 6PM on February 29. Bids will not be accepted after the bid deadline.

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK. BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE 610 PARK AVENUE CONDOMINIUM, Plaintiff -against- 16EF APARTMENT, LLC and MARA ENTERPRISES, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated September 29, 2023, 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 March 6, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, known as Unit No. PH16E in the building designated as 610 Park Avenue Condominium. Together with an undivided 4.0581% interest in the common elements.

Block: 1379 Lot: 1189 Said premises known as 610 PARK AVENUE, PH16E, NEW YORK, NY Approximate amount of lien $171,820.02 plus interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.

Index Number 151261/2023.

CHRISTY M. DEMELFI, ESQ., Referee Belkin Burden Goldman, LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff Notice of Qualification of 2 CROSBY OWNER LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/29/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 08/28/23. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. DE addr. of LLC: CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19801. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

101 LEGAL NOTICES

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK Freedom Mortgage Corporation, Plaintiff, -againstRegina Kiperman, as Administrator of the Estate of Melanie Silvera a/k/a Melanie Grace Silvera, Jefferson Malcom Silvera, as Heir to the Estate of Melanie Silvera a/k/a Melanie Grace Silvera if living and if any be dead, any and all persons who are spouses, widows, grantees, mortgagees, lienor, heirs, devisees, distributees, or successors in interest of such of the above as may be dead, and their spouses, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residences are unknown to Plaintiff , Ann Silvera, as Heir to the Estate of Melanie Silvera a/k/a Melanie Grace Silvera if living and if any be dead, any and all persons who are spouses, widows, grantees, mortgagees, lienor, heirs, devisees, distributees, or successors in interest of such of the above as may be dead, and their spouses, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residences are unknown to Plaintiff , Board of Managers for the Regatta Condominium Association, New York City Environmental Control Board, New York City Parking Violations Bureau, New York City Transit Adjudication Bureau, United States of America-Internal Revenue Service, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Defendants.

Index No. 850553/2023 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Plaintiff designates New York County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the Mortgage premises is situated.

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT(S): 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 attorneys for the plaintiff within twenty (20) days after service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure $535,713.00 and interest, recorded in the Office of the Clerk of the County of NEW YORK on July 15, 2022, in Book CRFN 2022000282777, Page , covering premises known as 21 South End Avenue, Unit# 435, New York, NY 10280.

The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.

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 (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: Bay Shore, New York December 14, 2023 By: Robert Tremaroli, Esq. Frenkel, Lambert, Weiss, Weisman & Gordon, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, New York 11706 (631) 969-3100 Our File No.:01-098657-F00

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK

NOTICE OF FORMATION of NYCNCC SUB-CDE 22, LLC (the “LLC”) filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (“SSNY”) on 11/16/2023.

Office location: New York County. The principal business address of the LLC is: One Liberty Plaza, New York, New York 10006. SSNY has been designated as the agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail service of process to c/o New York City Economic Development Corporation, One Liberty Plaza, New York, New York 10006, Attention: General Counsel. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of GATES MILLS VILLA DEVELOPER, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/19/23. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of ECLAIR PARTNERS (GP) I, L.L.C. Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/15/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 12/01/23. Princ. office of LLC: 353 W. End Ave., Apt. 1, NY, NY 10024. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secy. of State - State of DE, Div. of Corps. - John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901.

Purpose: Investment management.

LITTMAN PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES, PLLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/18/2023. Office: NY County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: 368 Briarcliffe Road, Teaneck, NJ 07666. Purpose: Practice of psychology.

NYCTL 2021-A TRUST, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND CUSTODIAN FOR THE NYCTL 2021-A TRUST, Plaintiff -against200 EAST 61ST STREET, LLC, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated May 19, 2023, 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 March 6, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, known as Unit No. 32-E in the premises known as "Savoy Condominium" together with an undivided .3517809% percent interest in the common elements.

Said premises known as 200 EAST 61ST STREET, UNIT 32E, NEW YORK, NY Approximate amount of lien $109,853.89 plus interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.

Index Number 159350/2022.

CHRISTY M. DEMELFI, ESQ., Referee Bronster, LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff Notice of Qualification of BSP SUMMER GP L.L.C. Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/06/23.

Office location: NY County.

LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 07/25/23. Princ. office of LLC: 345 Park Ave., NY, NY 10154. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. DE addr. of LLC: CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, Div. of Corps., John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St. - Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of SIG RCRS C MF 2023 VENTURE LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/22/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 12/04/23. Princ. office of LLC: 220 E. 42nd St., 16 Fl., NY, NY 10017. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of GTK CREATIVE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/23/24. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Tarter Krinsky & Drogin LLP, Attn: Gina Piazza, Esq., 1350 Broadway, 11th Fl., NY, NY 10018. Purpose: Any lawful activity

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. KAREN D. JOHNSON, Trustee of THE KAREN D. JOHNSON REVOCABLE TRUST, dated July 2, 2009, and KAREN D. JOHNSON, Defts. - Index # 850167/2020. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated May 11, 2023, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 7,000/28,402,100 tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as HNY CLUB SUITES located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY. Approximate amount of judgment is $42,460.12 plus costs and interest as of June 21, 2021. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Jerry Merola, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY. Notice of Formation of GATES MILLS VILLA PRESERVATION, L.P. Cert. of LP filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/19/23. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LP: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. Latest date on which the LP may dissolve is 12/31/2122.

SSNY designated as agent of LP upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Name and addr. of each general partner are available from SSNY. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of BOSTON CHILDREN'S HEALTH NATIONAL, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/21/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Massachusetts (MA) on 08/09/23. Princ. office of LLC and MA addr.: 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115. 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. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of the Commonwealth of MA, One Ashburton Place, Rm. 1717, Boston, MA 02115. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of CityCom Health, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/04/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/20/23.

Princ. office of LLC: 520 Broad St., Newark, NJ 07102. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: To sell ACA approved health plans.

AOIFE REDDAN PHOTOGRAPHY LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/04/24. 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, 200 North End Avenue, Apartment 9A, New York, NY 10282. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of GATES MILLS VILLA PRESERVATION GP, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/19/23. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of CROW HOLDINGS RENEWABLES GP, L.L.C. Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/18/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 02/07/23. Princ. office of LLC: 3819 Maple Ave., Dallas, TX 75219. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wimington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, Div. of Corps., PO Box 898, Dover, DE 19901.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of 40 MADISON HOLDINGS, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/20/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/23/23. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 140 E. 45th St., 43rd Fl., NY, NY 10017. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 820 N. French St., 10th Fl., Wilmington, DE 19801. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of MONACO RE LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/03/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 11/30/23.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Ilyse Dolgenas, Esq., Withers Bergman LLP, 430 Park Ave., 10th Fl., NY, NY 10022. DE addr. of LLC: c/o Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of the State, Div. of Corps., John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St. - Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of CVE US NY WELLSVILLE 362 LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/30/24. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 109 W. 27th St., 8th Fl., NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Lou & Rose LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/29/23.

Office location: NY County. The SSNY is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail copy to: 332 E 18th St, #24, NY, NY 10003. Purpose: any lawful act.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

Notice of Qualification of SIG RCRS D MF 2023 VENTURE LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/22/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 12/04/23. Princ. office of LLC: 220 E. 42nd St., 16 Fl., NY, NY 10017. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of ESRT 1400 TOWNHALL TRS, L.L.C. Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/30/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 01/25/24. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808.

Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 3, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of 105 CGD LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/26/24. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 111 E. 88th St., Apt. 4A, NY, NY 10128. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to c/o Nicholas W. Burke at the princ. office of the LLC. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of GOLD TOP MANAGEMENT, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/01/24. Office location: NY County. 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. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Alan's Blow Clear LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/14/23. Office: Albany County.

Registered Agent Inc. designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to United States Corporation Agents, Inc 7014 13th Ave Suite 202 Brooklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

STATE OF NEW MEXICO COUNTY OF D-101CV-2023-02136 AUDRA ARMIJO AND CARLOS VALLES, SR. INDIVIDUALLY AND CARLOS VALLES, SR., AS THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE WRONGFUL DEATH ESTATE OF ALVARO VALLES, DECEASED, Plaintiffs, vs. BRIAN V. CASHIN, MD, TAJDHARY TIWARI, MD and DEMING HOSPITAL CORPORATION D/B/A MIMBRES MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, Defendants. NOTICE OF SUIT TO: Defendant Tajdhary Tiwari, MD, You are hereby notified that the abovenamed Plaintiffs have filed a civil action against you in the above-entitled Court and cause, the general object thereof being to bring about a medical malpractice and wrongful death suit. That unless you respond to the Complaint for Medical Malpractice and Wrongful Death within 30 days of completion of publication of this Notice, judgment by default will be entered against you. Name, address, and phone number of Plaintiffs’ attorney: Poulos & Coates, LLP 1802 Avenida de Mesilla, Las Cruces, NM 88005 575-5234444. BY ORDER OF The Honorable Bryan Biedsheid, District Judge of the First Judicial District Court of the State of New Mexico and the Seal of the District Court of Santa Fes County, entered on December 27, 2023.

Talawah Fitness LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/3/2023. Office: Kings County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: 1781 E. 16th St., Apt D2, Bklyn, NY 11229. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Soft Lighting LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/16/2023. Office: NY County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: 110 West 90th St, Apt 3B, New York, NY 10024.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF FORMATION of NYCNCC SUB-CDE 21, LLC(the “LLC”) filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (“SSNY”) on 11/16/2023. Office location: New York County. The principal business address of the LLC is: One Liberty Plaza, New York, New York 10006. SSNY has been designated as the agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail service of process to c/o New York City Economic Development Corporation, One Liberty Plaza, New York, New York 10006, Attention: General Counsel. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

Joshua Engle MD PLLC dba ExciteMD Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/31/2023.

Office: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: 501 5th Ave, Ste 1203, NY, NY, 10017. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Notice is hereby given that a license, serial #1361897 for beer & wine has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer & wine at retail in a restaurant under the ABC Law at 489 Columbus Ave., New York, NY 10024 for on-premises consumption; Sajni N Sons Corp.

Notice of Formation of Law Office of Brett J. Nomberg, PLLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/31/2023. Office Location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served against PLLC to: 600 Third Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of SHELBY MULLER LCSW PLLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/31/24. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of PLLC: 401 E. 80th St., Apt. 17K, NY, NY 10075. SSNY designated as agent of PLLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the PLLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Licensed clinical social work.

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. AMADEO F. URBANO JR. and CORAZON D. URBANO, Defts. Index # 850055/2023. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated October 3, 2023, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 0.0271980765638990% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as HNY CLUB SUITES located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY. Approximate amount of judgment is $45,563.22 plus costs and interest as of July 21, 2023. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Clark Whitsett, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY. SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. MARIJEAN P. JERRELL and NEWTON A. PERRIN, Defts. - Index # 850072/2023. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated October 3, 2023, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 14,000/28,402,100 tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as HNY CLUB SUITES located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY. Approximate amount of judgment is $66,372.66 plus costs and interest as of July 21, 2023. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Clark Whitsett, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY. Notice of Qualification of SOLTEC SOLAR CONSTRUCTION, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/26/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 11/29/23.

Princ. office of LLC: 6100 Waterford District Dr., Ste. 3700, Miami, FL 33126. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543, regd. agent upon whom and at which process may be served. DE addr. of LLC: CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 3, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York, Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB not in its Individual Capacity, but Solely as Trustee for Residential Mortgage Aggregation Trust, Plaintiff, vs. GK Venture Partners LLC, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on August 4, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse, Room 130, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on March 6, 2024 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 200 West 139th Street, New York, NY 10030 a/k/a 2378 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, New York, NY 10030. 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 2024 and Lot 36. Approximate amount of judgment is $3,836,408.98 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850128/2022. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale.

Christy Demelfi, Esq., Referee Polsinelli PC, Amy E. Hatch, Esq., 600 Third Avenue, 42nd Floor, New York, New York 10016, Attorneys for Plaintiff

February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024 • 35

William Farrington Photography LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/16/2023. Office: Kings County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 160 Parkside Ave #6A, Bklyn, NY 11226. Purpose: Any lawful act.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLANNER. FHI Studio is actively seeking an innovative and self-motivated full-time Community Engagement Planner to join our team. As a community engagement planner, you are vital to advancing plans that are developed through strong engagement and support from residents, stakeholders, and visitors.

Strong candidates have strong organizational and planning skills and have experience in community development and planning. Candidates must have experience working in GIS or community-based mapping tools and be proficient with MS Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva and Google Analytics. Minimum Degree: Bachelors Degree in urban planning, urban design, communications, marketing, or related field. Salary ranges from $62,400 to $72,800 yearly, commensurate with level of experience. Please apply and submit your cover letter and resume at https://fhistudio. isolvedhire.com/jobs/.

FHI Studio is an EEO/AA/VEV/Disabled employer.

Large kitchenette w. refrig.

Good heat & hot water. Nr all transp. Job refs checked.

Also, small rooms avail. 118 W. 121st St. Call 917.583.4968 or 917.500.8373

Administrative Specialist.

Hauppauge. Set up & oversee administrative policies for import company; organize client communications; manage records & database; prepare & analyze administrative reports. Req’d: Associates degree any field or two yrs’ experience job duties; knowledge of records & database management; customer & personal service including needs assessment, quality standards for services & evaluation of customer satisfaction; resource allocation. M-F, 9-5. Salary: $71,635.00/yr.

Send resume to Job#3, Home Bay Trading, 55A Kennedy Dr., Hauppauge, NY 11788.

272HELP BROOKLYN 195 WANTED UNFURN ROOMS

Unfurn./Furn. Rms share kit/ bath. Canarsie, Crown Hts. and E. Flatbush locations. $800-$1,000 Broker. Call Realtor 917.541.6394

349 195 APARTMENTS HELP WANTED FOR RENT Georgetown, 4 Bdrm duplex (inquire for price info). E. Flatbush, 3 Bdrms, 1 1/2 bath (inquire for price info). Ocean Hill, 2 Bdrms, $2,400/m. E. Flatbush, 1 Bdrm. Call Realtor 917.541.6394

To display your Legal, LLC, and classifieds ads contact: Shaquana Folks

212-932-7412 shaquana.folks @amsterdamnews.com Or you can schedule your own Legal and LLC advertising with us online by scanning the QR Code

WANT NEWS DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX?

SIGN UP FOR OUR E-NEWSLETTER

EDITORIALLY BLACK SIGN UP FOR FREE

36 • February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Y F I L S P ’ T M N A E V E R U O Y T C A IMP R E G LAR

A H C REA NCE IE D U A

ALL FOR

FREE

COMMUNITY CALENDAR powered by

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS S P O R T S

February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024 • 37

Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic brought more than hoops to Newark (R) Hampton University guard Tristan Maxwell.

By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews This past Saturday, the third annual Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic was held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey featuring HBCU men’s basketball programs Hampton University, Howard University, Grambling State University, and Jackson State University.

Before tip-off to start the day’s games, the North Carolina A&T Choir performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and the national anthem.

In the opener, Grambling defeated JSU 7062. Grambling was led by Tra’Michael Moton’s 19 points. In the battle of the HUs, Hampton rallied from a 12-point deficit to defeat

Grambling State University dance team. (Jamir Dickens, Fence Boy Media photos)

Howard in a nailbiter 63-61. Hampton’s Jerry Deng finished with 21 points.

“To say it’s an honor is an understatement,” said Howard’s junior guard and Brentwood, Long Island native Bryce Harris about the experience of taking part in the Legacy Classic.

“Being at an HBCU, you don’t get to play on a stage like this a lot of times. Not only that, but to see the stands filled up and see the turnout and the support, not only Grambling, Jackson State, Howard, and Hampton, but I’m talking about there are people in attendance from all other HBCUs. I saw Tuskegee here. I saw North Carolina A&T in the building. It is great because it shows togetherness. That type of support you can't really describe in words.”

The Legacy Classic was created by actor/

The Bison try to force their way back into the MEAC race

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

Last season, the Howard University Bison men’s basketball program reached their first NCAA Tournament since 1992, 31 years, by defeating Norfolk State 65-64 in a stirring Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament championship game. The Bison were subsequently designated as the No. 16 seed in the West Region and lost their opening round matchup to No. 1 seed Kansas 96-68.

Despite their early exit from March Madness, it was still a successful season for the HBCU. They were 22-13 overall and 11-3 in MEAC play, winning both the regular season and conference championship. Unfortunately for the Bison, the upward trajectory they experienced stalled this season. They came into Newark, New Jersey this past weekend just 9-14 and 3-3 in the MEAC to face fellow HBCU Hampton University,

a former member of the MEAC which left the conference in 2017 to join the Big South Conference beginning in the 2018 season.

Facing the Pirates at the Prudential Center in the third annual Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic, which also featured Grambling State University defeating Jackson State University 70-62, the Bison fell 63-61 to Hampton, which left New Jersey 5-18 and 0-10 in the Big South.

Sophomore forward Dom Campbell had 18 points and 10 rebounds for Howard and junior guard Bryce Harris from Brentwood, Long Island had a strong 16point, 14-rebound performance.

Head coach Kenny Blakeney, who’s been leading the Bison since 2019, guided his squad to a 75-71 bounce back road victory against Delaware State on Monday. They will go into this Saturday’s home game versus North Carolina Central. The Eagles 13-9 Eagles are atop the MEAC at 5-2.

director/ entrepreneur Michael B. Jordan, in partnership with William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, and Horizon Sports & Experiences.

Aired nationally on TNT, the showcase of HBCU culture included a welcome party hosted by Jordan and actor and television personality Terrence J, a kickoff concert featuring singer and songwriter Keri Hilson, a sports and entertainment summit, a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) college fair, and Boardroom x Legacy Classic Brunch with Kevin Durant’s media company Boardroom, which aims to connect 25 HBCU alumni with 25 senior executives across sports and entertainment.

Sports media personality Taylor Rooks moderated a conversation with former

WNBA player and Atlanta Dream owner Renee Montgomery, Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington, CEO and founder of Bob Technologies Anthony Buchanan, and Invesco Head of Investment Due Diligence Donna Wilson. The panel shared insight and lessons on their respective industries.

The Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic donated $250,000 to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). Five local Newark high schools were awarded $10,000 scholarships to attend HBCUs in honor of their leadership activities and abilities by the TMCF. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was joined by Jordan and 29 TMCF Yard Ambassadors representing numerous HBCU institutions to present the awards to the students during the doubleheader.

Howard Bison guard Bryce Harris eyes a Hampton Pirate defender in his team’s 63-61 loss on Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark in the Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic (Jamir Dickens, Fence Boy Media photo)

38 • February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS S P O R T S

The 49ers face a daunting task in trying to dethrone Mahomes and the Chiefs

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes departs the Kansas City Chiefs team jet as they arrived in Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII (58) against the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday.

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor Patrick Mahomes may not be the greatest quarterback of all time yet, but he is trending in that direction. It is a subjective measure, with most astute followers of the National Football League placing Tom Brady, who played in 10 Super Bowls, nine with the New England Patriots and his last with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leading them to a 31-9 victory over Mahomes’s Kansas City Chiefs three years ago, as the GOAT. Brady was 7-3 in the NFL’s preeminent game. At 28 years old, Mahomes will take the field at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas this Sunday (6:30 p.m.) in Super Bowl LVIII (58) for his fourth appearance. He is 2-1 and the Chiefs are the defending champions, having defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in a gripping match up last February.

On Monday, Mahomes said the separation between him and Brady, who retired after last season, is sizable. “I’m not even close to halfway. I’ve got to do what I can

to beat a great 49ers team and get my third (ring). Ask me that question in 15 years.

Seven (Super Bowl wins) seems like a long ways away still.”

This year’s game is a rematch of Super Bowl LIV (54), in which Mahomes and the Chiefs beat the 49ers 31-20 for his first. Mahomes’s counterpart is 24-year-old Brock Purdy, who was the last pick in the 2022 draft, No. 262 overall, out of Iowa State. But he defied long odds and emerged as San Francisco’s starting quarterback a season ago and today hopes to join Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Steve Young as Super Bowl-winning 49ers QBs. “He was Mr. Irrelevant (a moniker ascribed to the last pick in the draft) and he’s done a great job,” said Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. “I remember talking to his coach at Iowa State, and he said (Purdy) changed that program around, and he’s doing the same here (with the 49ers). He’s doing a phenomenal job.”

The challenge for Purdy and the NFC’s No. 1 seed 49ers (14-5), who are talentloaded with seven All-Pros and nine players

selected to the 2024 Pro Bowl, is daunting.

Although the 49ers are 1.5 point favorites following their 34-31 victory over the Detroit Lions in the NFC championship game, the AFC champion Chiefs are arguably the better and more equipped team, factoring in intangibles such as collective Super Bowl experience and having the best player in the world in Mahomes as

the game’s sole force multiplier.

The Chiefs reached this stage by defeating the Miami Dolphins 26-7 in their wild card match up, then winning consecutive games on the road, taking down the AFC’s No. 2 seed Buffalo Bills in the divisional round, followed by a victory over the No. 1 seed Baltimore Ravens 17-10.

The pick here is 24-20 Chiefs.

Liberty players contend for spots on U.S. Olympic roster Diana Taurasi (l) and Breanna Stewart are currently in Belgium with USA Basketball.

(USA Basketball photo)

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

this year’s 5x5 roster, also participated.

While Teresa Weatherspoon, Rebecca Lobo, and Venus Lacey were OlymSome of the best women’s basketball pic gold medalists when they joined the players in the world came to Brooklyn last New York Liberty, it was not until Tina week for a USA Basketball Women’s Na- Charles in 2016 that a player on the curtional Team minicamp. Among the par- rent roster played in the Olympic Games. ticipants were five-time Olympic gold Next summer, there could be three, bemedalist Diana Taurasi and reigning Olym- cause Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, pic champions Ariel Atkins, Napheesa Col- and Betnijah Laney played with the U.S. lier, Chelsea Gray, Brittney Griner, Jewell National Team at the 2022 World Cup and Loyd, and A’ja Wilson. Members from the all participated in the training camp. gold medal-winning 2021 Olympic 3x3 Jennifer Rizzotti, USA Basketball Women’s team—Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, and All- National Team committee chair, said the isha Gray—who are all hoping for spots on pool from which the Olympic team will be

Betnijah Laney is vying for first Olympic berth. (Brandon Todd/New York Liberty photo)

selected extends beyond the 18 players who came to Brooklyn. “It’s still very open,” said Rizzotti. “It’s an honor and a curse that we have so many good players. As a coach, I’m happy, and as a member committee chair, I know it’s going to be a really hard decision.

That’s why these camps are important.”

Twelve players, Ionescu and Stewart among them, will compete at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Antwerp, Belgium, which begins today. The U.S. has already qualified for the Olympic Games in Paris thanks to winning the 2022 World Cup. The U.S. women’s team will go for an eighth consecutive gold medal and 10th overall.

There will be another training camp April 4–7 in Cleveland to coincide with the Division I Women’s Final Four. The 5x5 and 3x3 Olympic teams will be named in the late spring.

“We know we have to prepare for a lot of different styles, a lot of different sizes and versatility that we’re going to be facing,” said Rizzotti. “We want to give [head coach] Cheryl [Reeve] the best chance for her to have a roster full of players that she can mix and match, and know every game that she can go in feeling very confident that she can match our opponent. More importantly, she’s going to make it really hard for people to match up with us.”

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS S P O R T S

February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024 • 39

St. John’s sprinter Brooklyn Chestnut aspires for senior year success

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews Senior sprinter Brooklyn Chestnut completed all her courses for graduation at the end of the fall semester, but she’s enjoying taking electives this term so she can finish her collegiate track career at St. John’s University with a flourish and graduate with her friends this spring.

So far, the indoor season has been a little challenging, but she’s trying to appreciate the journey.

After three years of hard work and living through the strict confines placed on student-athletes during the pandemic, she hoped this year would be smooth. “When it came to starting my sophomore and junior seasons, it seemed like everything came very easy,” Chestnut said. “But now I’m starting to push my own boundaries, so that’s a little more challenging going into this season.”

One of Chestnut’s big hopes for the St. John’s track and field team is to win the Big East outdoor title. Personally, Chestnut wants to win the 60-meter race

St. John’s sprinter Brooklyn Chestnut. (St. John’s Athletics photo)

that of spectator. She’s stoked to watch the pros compete, like high jumper Vashti Cunningham and 60-meter competitors Dina Asher-Smith, Julien Alfred, and English Gardner.

“I’m excited about the energy, the angst of seeing everybody preparing,” Chestnut said. “It’s such a nice scene for everybody to be excited about people running.”

A biology major, Chestnut said it has been challenging, but having other science majors on the track and field team as well as other student-athletes has made it easier. “Part of it is the community,” she said. “Having other athletes that are bio majors, we can help each other, study together and take classes together.”

Chestnut is relishing the Red Storm team spirit across all sports after the quiet and lack of crowds during the pandemic. She enjoys young athletes at the Big East indoor champi- of that,” she said. and then head to The Armory for approaching her at meets to onships. Achieving her goals will This coming weekend, St. Millrose Games on Sunday. ask about the path to college. take training, strength and the John’s will compete at the David With Millrose not having a “It’s been monumental and so right mindset. “It would be so Hemery Valentine Invitational in 4x200 relay, Chestnut thinks her warming to experience,” she special to me to finally get on top Boston on Friday and Saturday role at Millrose will mostly be said. “It’s been super fun.”

Hostos women’s hoops aim for another national championship

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews Most of the members of the women’s basketball team at Hostos Community College in the Bronx, part of City University of New York, are new this year, but that doesn’t mean they’re freshmen. Talented ballers from around the city gravitate to the school in the hopes of catching the attention of four-year institutions.

“We’re still coming together,” said Caimans head coach Dwight Shaw. “It’s been a short but long, weird season. We were excited to start the season, but as the season began, we had cancellations and postponements.

That kind of halted us momentum-wise.”

The results don’t show any lack of momentum. In the team’s first 20 games, Hostos went 17–3 and were undefeated in CUNY AC play. They’re heading into the CUNY AC Tournament, which begins on Tuesday, poised to succeed, having already defeated their closest rival, Kingsbor-

Demaris Andrews (l) and Ifeoma Ezike of Hostos women’s basketball. (Photo Courtesy of Hostos Community College)

ough Community College, in a close game last week.

“I’ve created a positive culture and environment, and I think the kids are receptive to that…We play at a high level and

travel, which lets them see [new] places,” said Shaw, who also has a full-time job as a coach and physical education and health teacher at Nazareth Regional High School in Brooklyn. At

in the spring and summertime,” said Shaw of what keeps his coaching skills sharp. “I have a daughter [who’s] a ninth-grader, so she keeps me up to date and on my toes. I love sports. Sports can help kids get through school.

I try to merge the two and help them thrive and achieve something they didn’t believe would be possible.”

Now in his fourth season as head coach of the Caimans, Shaw is aiming to bring the team back to full glory and add another championship banner to the gymnasium. The Hostos women’s basketball previously won NJCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championships in 2018 and ’19. In addition to helping the players transfer their work ethic on the court to their classes, the team does a lot of bonding exercises.

“I give them books to read to 37, he’s relatively close in age open their minds, and we have to the Hostos student-athletes, a lot of team discussions,” said and that creates a willingness in Shaw, whose goal is to become players to listen to his coaching an NCAA Division I coach. “The and advice. players all have the potential to “I’m always active; I coach AAU go to the next level.”

40 • February 8, 2024 - February 14, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Sports Knicks’ resolve keeps them near top of the East

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor During the course of the long 82game NBA regular season, which spans from fall to spring, every team will face injuries and resulting lineup alterations that will greatly determine their final place in the standings.

The Knicks are going through such a stage right now. Unavailability of key players compelled their head coach, Tom Thibodeau, to condense his rotation to just eight bodies on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden as the players who were able to take the floor ground out a 125113 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Knicks are 16-3 since January 1 heading into tonight’s game at MSG versus Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and the Dallas Mavericks.

Their only losses were at Dallas (128-124) on January 11, versus the Orlando Magic (98-94) on January 15, and against the Los Angeles

Lakers (113-105) at the Garden last Saturday, the latter ending a ninegame winning streak.

The Knicks will tip off against the Mavericks with a record of 33-18, 19-6 at home, and 14-12 on the road.

They are tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

The last week has revealed the Knicks’ quality depth, preparedness, and readiness. With Mitchell Robinson out since December having undergone surgery on his left ankle, Julius Randle sidelined after suffering a dislocated right shoulder in a 125-109 win at MSG over the Miami Heat on January 27, OG Anunoby missing the last five games with right elbow inflammation, and Quentin Grimes sitting his third straight game on Tuesday due to a right knee sprain, the remaining collective has held down the fort.

Adding to the list of ailing is point guard Jalen Brunson, who twisted his

right ankle with 5:13 remaining in the win over the Grizzlies. He exited to the locker room and did not return.

At the time, Brunson had 27 points and eight assists in 31 minutes. His backcourt partner Donte DiVincenzo took on the role of closer, scoring eight of the Knicks’ final 10 points and finishing with a game-high 32.

Center Isaiah Hartenstein, who has been invaluable to the Knicks in the absence of Robinson, posted 17 points and eight rebounds.

Forward Precious Achiuwa, a key mainstay of the lineup since coming to the Knicks with Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors in the December 30 trade, contributed 17 points and five rebounds.

Josh Hart’s effective presence continued as he scored 10 points and snagged 10 boards.

Memphis came into the game leading the NBA with 282 games lost due to injury and fell behind 26 before slicing the Knicks lead to 113-109 with 2 minutes remaining.

Last week, Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson was named to his first NBA All Star Game. (Bill Moore photo)

“In this league, no lead is safe.

I don’t know how many times throughout the season so far you see 20-point lead, 25-point lead just go and flip the other way,” said DiVincenzo. “Everybody in this league wants to play and you know when your name is called, you go out there

and you do your job.”

The Knicks will play the Indiana Pacers at the Garden on Saturday and then will be on the road to take on the Houston Rockets on Monday, Orlando Magic on Wednesday, and Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 22 after the All Star break.

The Nets try to capitalize on their current home stretch

By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews1 Beginning on January 23, with a 108-103 loss in a matchup against the New York Knicks, through next Tuesday, the Nets are in a stretch of playing 10 out of 11 games at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

After a 136-120 loss to Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns last Wednesday, Brooklyn dominated the Philadelphia 76ers who were without reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid (knee surgery), on the road last Saturday.

On Tuesday, former Net and eight-time NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving, who played in 143 games in three-plus seasons with the franchise between 2019 and 2023, made his return to Barclays for the first time since being traded to the Dallas Mavericks last February. He was booed early and often by many in the crowd but it didn’t deter him as Irving scored a game-high 36 points, including back-to-back three-pointers with under four and a half minutes to

“If I didn’t get injured versus the Bucks (during the 2022 playoffs), do I still ask for a trade?”

Irving responded to a hypothetical question about his AMtenure News with Brooklyn. “If (Kevin Durant’s) foot 01/18/24 wasn’t on the three-point line, are we talking about a different legacy here? If James (Harden) doesn’t ask for a trade? All of the would of, could of, should of.”

Brooklyn entered AM the game News light on healthy bodies, as Cam John01/25/24 son, Dorian Finney-Smith, Lonnie Walker IV, and Day’Ron Sharpe were all out.

Mikal Bridges led the team with 28 points, while Cam Thomas AM Newseight added 16 and a career-high assists.

02/01/24 Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn nine assists. The Nets loss put them was satisfied with his at 20-30, No. 11 in the Eastern Con- team’s effort, if not the ference heading into tonight’s outcome, as they were match up with the Cleveland Cav- playing on the second AM News aliers at the Barclays. night of a back-to-back, “It felt like I was home tonight,” having lost to the Golden 02/08/24 Irving said after the game while State Warriors 109-98 on sharing that he had several friends Monday. He conceded and family members in the stands. that it is difficult to slow

Center Nic Claxton and the Nets fell to Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks 119-107 at the Barclays Center on Tuesday. (Bill Moore photo)

play that essentially ended a potential Nets comeback and lifted the Mavericks to a 119-107.

Luka Doncic, who was voted as a 2024 All-Star starter and will make his fifth appearance in the All-Star game held in Indianapolis on February 18, finished with an impressive 35 points, 18 rebounds, and

down Dallas trying to defend both Doncic and Irving “It’s tough,” Vaughn said. “(Irving) has the extreme ability to shot-make versus anyone and I thought he had some timely buckets for that group.”

Three-time NBA All-Star Ben Simmons, who returned last week after missing nearly three months with a back impingement, has averaged 6.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 7.7 assists in three games. Playing under a minutes restriction, Simmons logged 20 versus the Mavericks, posting nine points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

After the Cavaliers, the Nets will face the San Antonio Spurs at home this Saturday and the Boston Celtics next Tuesday.

01034

01044 01054 01064