New York Amsterdam News Issue March 14-20, 2024

(See

USPS

2340

MORE KIDNAPPINGS OF NIGERIAN CHILDREN, FUELED BY HEFTY

RANSOMS

EDITORIAL

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

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

News Editor – Aaron Foley

Aaron.Foley@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

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 NYAmsterdam News,2340 Frederick Douglass Blvd., New York, NY 10027. Arts & Entertainment Page 17 » Astro Page 20 » Jazz Page 24 » Trends Page 21 Caribbean Update Page 14 Classified Page 32 Editorial/Opinion Pages 12,13 Education Page 28 Go with the Flo .................................................... Page 8 Health Page 16 In the Classroom Page 26 Community Page 9 Religion & Spirituality Page 30 Sports Page 40 Union Matters Page 10 MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS INFORMATION INDEX

(GIN)—Nigeria is weeping again.

Close to 300 schoolchildren in a quiet agrarian village have disappeared in a new round of kidnappings by armed bandits, despite campaign promises by President Bola Tinubu to tighten security and stop such kidnappings.

Nigerian security forces said they’ve been searching forests and setting up roadblocks in an attempt to find the kidnapped children, but combing the woodland expanses could take weeks, observers say.

Another 15 children were taken after the first raid on March 7. These latest kidnappings are considered the largest mass abduction in the state.

Abubakar, 18, a secondary school pupil, was among the children herded into the forest as they were beaten with horsewhips, but he managed to escape. “We trekked for hours in the scorching heat until we were all exhausted,” Abubakar told the AFP news wire. He said the kidnappers separated girls from boys. “There were more girls than boys.”

Lawan Yaro, a villager whose five grandchildren were among those abducted, said his hopes were fading. He said people were used to the region’s insecurity, “but it has never been in this manner. We were crying, looking for help from the government and God, but it is the gunmen that will decide to bring the children back.”

While a few of these incursions into rather remote schools have received worldwide attention, the actual number of abductions, according to the Wisconsin-based Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, is more than 3,500 people just in the last year.

This latest abduction has awakened bitter memories of the kidnapping of 276 girls from the town of Chibok in 2014 that launched a global #BringBackOurGirls social media campaign, bringing attention to the crisis, with the participation of Michelle Obama.

In the book “Bring Back our Girls: The Untold Story of the Global Search for Nigeria’s Missing Schoolgirls,” some 20 of the rescued students have their say in lengthy interviews with foreign journalists based in Africa at the time.

Reporter Joe Parkinson commented: “Sadly, it now seems the country has become trapped in a difficult cycle of kidnappings for ransom that encourages more kidnappings for ransom. It’s now one of the fastest-growing sectors of Nigeria’s economy.”

When the Twitter hashtag “Bring Back Our Girls” caught fire, celebrities, officials, and everyone began asking: “What if they were my daughters? What are the human rights of these girls?” recalled author Drew Hinshaw.

“This was one of the first moments that the power of social media was recognized,” Parkinson said, “and the Bring Back Our Girls campaign spread all over the world.

“Several of the girls took the risk of keeping secret diaries. One of them, Naomi, kept four diaries tied to her, hidden under her clothes, for three years just so she could show them to the world.

“(The kidnapped girls) would also sing and recite Bible verses. At first, they just mouthed the words silently or recited a verse while drinking from a cup with their mouth hidden. One of the girls also saved a Bible and they would pass it around[,] copying passages and verses.

“All were offered scholarships to Nigeria’s American University on their release. Some have done well and one of the girls we interviewed is now an A student. But it is a long mental and interpersonal transition.”

After the girls had spent three years in captivity, a $3 million ransom was paid and 103 girls were able to return to their parents.

U.S. DENIES VISA TO UGANDAN LAWMAKER WHO CALLED FOR CASTRATION OF GAY MEN

Sarah Achieng Opendi (GIN photo)

(GIN)—Ugandan legislator Sarah Achieng Opendi, who called for gay people to be castrated, has been denied a visa to attend a major UN meeting in New York next week.

Opendi, chair of the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association, said she was “shocked” after the U.S. embassy in Kampala rejected her application to travel to the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the UN’s largest annual gathering on gender equality and women’s empowerment that takes place this year from March 11–22.

“Ninety-six percent of MPs voted in favor of the (anti-gay) bill and I am aware of a number of MPs that have gotten visas to the US yet they supported the bill,” Opendi complained.

strictions on hundreds of Ugandan lawmakers and their families over their involvement in the legislation, signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni, which imposes the death penalty or life imprisonment for certain same-sex acts and sentences of up to 20 years for “recruitment, promotion and funding” of same-sex “activities.”

Last year, the U.S. and UK denied visas to the parliamentary speaker, Anita Among. Activists in Uganda have welcomed the actions.

“In the process of discussing the sweeping and repressive anti-gay law, many Ugandan legislators said they don’t care about the concerns of development partners as they do not need to travel to their jurisdictions. It’s the case of the chicken coming home to roost,” said human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo.

“The denial of a visa is a strong statement against those spreading hatred. I hope it sends a firm message that such individuals have no place in civilized societies,” he added.

In a related development, the home of the program officer of Rainbow Sunrise Mapambazuko, an LGBT+ advocacy group in Bukavu, South Kivu, was attacked by a mob in the DRC on March 6.

About 15 people forced their way in, rushing at the officer with punches, kicks, and slaps.

“There is no doubt that the motive was homophobic and not criminal, as nothing was stolen from our colleague’s home,” reported Jérémie Safari, the organization’s executive director. “The assailants cited the activities of Rainbow Sunrise Mapambazuko to explain their actions.”

WORLD’S HIGHEST GOAL SCORER TO JOIN U.S. TEAM THIS FALL

(GIN)—It’s a little known fact: Temwa Chawinga of Malawi, 25, has been declared the world’s highest goal scorer in soccer and the first non-European to achieve this designation, according to the International Federation of Football/Soccer History & Statistics.

Her total of 63 goals in all competitions means she scored more goals in 2023 than any other player, including male players. She’s the third winner of the Federation’s award since it was first initiated for women.

The Kansas City Star was probably the only American newspaper to acknowledge the top scorer who will be signing with the KC Current starting in 2024 through 2025.

“No player—not even Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo—scored more goals in 2023 than Malawi forward Temwa Chawinga,” began the paper’s front page article. “She scored 63 goals in 84 matches. And now she’s coming to Kansas City.”

The students tell of brutal beatings, repeated death threats, near-starvation conditions, and ongoing coercion to convert to Islam and enter into forced marriages with fighters of Boko Haram.

Chawinga hit the back of the net nine times more than Ronaldo of Portugal (54), England’s Harry Kane, or France’s Kylian Mbappé (both 52).

Surprisingly, the Malawian team did not receive any prize money for winning the

See INTERNATIONAL on page 29 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 International News

In December, the U.S. imposed visa re-

(GIN photo)

NY Connects for help with elder care, long term care

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff

New York has a statewide program designed to help residents who need help with long-term care. It’s called NY Connects and various organizations are contracted to work with the city, in each borough, to help New Yorkers of all ages get assistance with long-term care services and supports for family members.

Part of the New York City Department for the Aging, NY Connects is aimed at having community and government agencies work together to provide any social services people need.

In Manhattan, the multi-service community agency Hudson Guild has this task. Hudson Guild is an old-school social service agency, created in the Chelsea neighborhood in the 1890s to help the city’s burgeoning immigrant community who often found themselves living in crowded tenements.

Today, Hudson Guild’s programming continues its focus on adult services, mental health services, early childhood education, youth development, and workforce development for residents located from Chelsea all the way up to 53rd Street. And now, under its partnership with NY Connects, Hudson Guild is also offering assistance to the rest of the borough.

“New York Connects is really a one-stop shop,” said Dr. Nikki Stewart, Hudson Guild’s deputy executive director. “It’s like calling 311 to ask for information, but it’s a more glorified 311. You call 311, you get a number, an address, hours of operation; you call New York Connects and you’re really being connected from point A to point B, with more of a case management, maybe even a life case management, case assistance type of thing.

“For example: someone calls and says, ‘I need help with my mother who’s 90 years old, she needs assistance with Access-ARide. Can you help us?’ It’s more than giving

a number. It’s talking about what that caregiver is doing for their mother, any resources they need other than Access-A-Ride, any resources for the caller themselves. So again, it’s more glorified: connecting that person from A to B.”

Though it’s part of the Department for the Aging, NY Connects services are not only for the city’s elders. Anyone caring for an older relative or for a young or older person who needs care can call to get help with finding services. Family caregivers

and even professionals have called in for help with things like figuring out how to apply for benefits and entitlements; finding housing; accessing nutritious food; or signing up someone who’s isolated for regular home visits.

“We don’t just give a number,” Quanisha Bennett, Hudson Guild’s NY Connects program director said. “We try to make sure that we’ve covered all of the aspects that they’re coming for. We try to connect them to the services that are provided for in their

community. But if we’re unable to provide those services for them, we try to connect them to the community that they are from, because there are hubs throughout the borough. So again, it’s not just answer[ing] the phone call, [and] just kind of giv[ing] a number. We want to make sure that we’re touching all bases.”

Hudson Guild is the Manhattan-based agency for anyone looking for social service assistance: their program can be reached at 212-966 9852. The other social service agencies available for city residents are the Neighborhood SHOPP, which covers The Bronx, which is at 347-862-5200; PSS, which is in Brooklyn, can be reached at 718671-6200; in Queens, the phone number for Selfhelp Community Services, Inc. is 718559-4400; and in Staten Island, there is the Community Agency for Senior Citizens at telephone number 718-489-3954.

At the Hudson Guild, they say they are expecting to receive 5,000 calls from borough residents this year. Their office is already receiving some 400 calls a month. “We are looking for more ways to spread the word so that more people know about NY Connects,” said Jacki Kelly, Hudson Guild’s executive director for development and external relations. “So they know that this is an opportunity that they can access.”

Bennett said the stress of caregiving takes a toll on many New Yorkers. “We have tons of people reaching out for that very reason,” she said. “Because it’s becoming a lot, because it’s feeling like an overload that they’re not able to manage anymore. They’re reaching out and they’re getting connected to the services within their community, to add that extra support. Sometimes people just need to know that there’s things out there, right? And what advocacy looks like for themselves. And to be given the tools so that they can actually take it back and really bring it into their community, into their home, and kind of do it for themselves.”

AM Gibbs, Sen Parker propose $2,600 in reentry cash for formerly incarcerated

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

Getting out of prison can be just as arduous an experience as going in. To help facilitate the process, Senator Kevin Parker and Assemblymember Edward Gibbs have proposed a reentry cash assistance bill that raises the amount of “gate money” people receive from the state upon release.

Gibbs is the first formerly incarcerated person in the New York State legislature and personally understands the monumental challenges facing those reentering society from state prisons. “As soon as you get off the bus you’re broke,” said Gibbs about the bill. “No money in your pocket, identifica-

tion, no job interviews lined up, no apartments. You think about survival first.”

As of now, New York will provide formerly incarcerated people with $40 in cash assistance upon release from prison if they have less than that amount in their account. For comparison, someone released from a state prison in California who served a sentence longer than six months could receive up to $200 upon release.

Criminal justice advocates and those with lived experience have long said that $40 barely covers basic necessities like food, temporary housing costs, transportation, job preparation, or any other unexpected expenses. They’ve also noted that gate money payouts have not kept up with current inflation rates or the skyrocketed cost

of living in the state.

“$40, there isn’t much you could use. I think I got something to eat and carfare to get to the train. I can’t recall being able to buy much more than that after my release,” said Brooklyn native Michael Williams Sr.

Williams was serving a 14-year prison sentence for robbery upstate and was paroled in 2019. He joked that he still owes friends and family who gave him money during that time period and imagines it’s incredibly difficult for people who don’t have the same support system waiting for them. He went on to run his own reentry nonprofit called Create Unlimited Power Purpose (C.U.P.P.) to help others like himself deal with mental health issues. “The first 72 hours [after release]. It’s critical be-

cause anytime you hear a siren you feel like it could possibly be you again going away for a very long time,” said Williams. He thinks any raise in gate money would be welcomed by formerly incarcerated folks.

The bill, S6643A/A9115, would establish a reentry fund with about $2,550 per eligible individual towards their immediate expenses. They will have access to $425 a month for up to six months, which will be adjusted for inflation each year. Gibbs said the amount is intended as a solid cushion for people and not to encourage codependency. It was inspired by similar legislation passed by Assemblymember Tarra Simmons in Washington, the first formerly incarcerated legislator in her state, said Gibbs.

Home care worker Georgia Richardson, right, helps Mildred Lewis off her couch at Lewis’s apartment in Detroit, Wednesday, March 28, 2007. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Biden’s SOTU, cum campaign address!

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

In his third State of the Union address, presented last Thursday evening, President Biden mentioned three former presidents by name: Roosevelt, Lincoln, and Reagan. Another went unnamed as his predecessor 13 times—the 900-pound elephant in the Chamber.

For a little more than an hour, Biden delivered a blistering unsparing attack on his “predecessor,” and at the same time, presented his accomplishments that stood in direct contrast to Trump’s.

Each former president provided Biden a lead into framing incidents connected to his predecessor. Roosevelt’s challenges occurred during World War II with Hitler on the march, i.e., Putin’s invasion of Ukraine; Lincoln had the Civil War, i.e., the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6; and Reagan’s demand that Gorbachev tear down the Berlin Wall, i.e., another reference to Putin and Trump’s statement that he would do whatever he wanted to the NATO nations that refused to pay their debts.

Yes, Biden discussed the State of the Union—the economy, infrastructure, employment, immigration, reproductive rights, etc.— but the domestic issues paled in comparison to the foreign problems, and he gave a considerable amount of his “campaign” speech to Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict, with a promise to build a pier to facilitate the distribution of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

Toward the middle of his address, Biden singled out Latoya Beasley, a Black social worker from Birmingham, Alabama, who “14 months ago tonight...welcomed a baby girl thanks to the miracle of IVF. She scheduled treatments to have a second child, but the Alabama Supreme Court shut down IVF treatments across the state, unleashed by the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

How the city plans on tackling social media as a public health crisis

By TANDY LAU

“She was told her dream would have to wait. What her family has gone through should never have happened. And unless Congress acts, it could happen again. So tonight, let’s stand up for families like hers!”

Biden devoted much more time to voting rights, with an informative dive into history again in Alabama. “A transformational moment in our history happened 59 years ago today in Selma, Alabama,” he said. “Hundreds of foot soldiers for justice marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, named after a Grand Dragon of the KKK, to claim their fundamental right to vote. They were beaten, bloodied, and left for dead.

“Our late friend and former colleague John Lewis was at the march. We miss him. Joining us tonight are other marchers who were there, including Betty May Fikes, known as the ‘Voice of Selma.’”

A daughter of gospel singers and preachers, Fikes sang songs of prayer and protest on Bloody Sunday to help shake the nation’s conscience. Five months later, the Voting Rights Act was signed into law. But 59 years later, forces are taking us back in time.

“Voter suppression,” Biden stated. “Election subversion. Unlimited dark money. Extreme gerrymandering. John Lewis was a great friend to many of us here. But if you truly want to honor him and all the heroes who marched with him, then it’s time for more than just talk. Pass and send me the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act!”

It was the kind of speech many voters have been waiting to hear—for Biden to stress his accomplishments, place his record next to his “predecessor’s, and make it official that the battle for the White House is underway.

If nothing else resounded from his 2024 State of the Union rhetoric, Biden put his foot to the pedal and possibly woke up the flagging attention of his base.

Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

Remember when public health hazards were combatted by not leaving the house? Mayor Eric Adams’s State of City address in January highlighted efforts designating social media harm as an environmental toxin. But how exactly does the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) address the reel world from the real world?

“We have a number of different steps that we are utilizing to tackle social media,” said Deepa Avula, executive deputy commissioner of the Division of Mental Hygiene. “One is really raising awareness for things the city has already done like announcing the action plan. [Like] looking at steps that parents and caregivers can take to educate themselves about the risks of social media for young people [and] putting out resource guides and other materials for parents and educators around recognizing risks and how to help them not just help

monitor kids’ use but also help them navigate… social media and putting in place best practices.

“The other major steps that the city has taken has been the announcement of affirmative litigation against the social media companies to hold them more accountable for some of the harm done to our mental health.”

On Feb. 14, Mayor Adams announced the City and NYC Health + Hospitals filed a lawsuit against Facebook/Meta, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube and TikTok, alleging the five social media giants targeted school-aged children and fueled a youth mental health crisis. The complaint draft accuses the companies of “a strategy of growth-at-all-costs, recklessly ignoring the impact of their platforms on children’s mental and physical health.”

“This lawsuit builds on the important work we’ve done to advance legislation to rein in the most addictive and dangerous features on social media and the legal action we’ve taken to stop them,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James in her

statement. “It is unacceptable that big tech companies can profit off the harm they are doing to young people, and I want to thank Mayor Adams for joining our effort to protect the next generation of New Yorkers.”

Filed in the California Superior Court, the lawsuit also mentions potential impacts on nonwhite youth, pointing to a near 50% higher rate of hopelessness among Black and brown high schoolers compared to white high schoolers.

“One of the things that we want to make sure [of] is, particularly in] Black and brown communities, making sure that parents, caregivers [and] schools have the resources they need to address this issue,” said Avula. “We know that resources are often disparate as well, and so ensuring that people have the proper resources to equip them with guiding kids and looking at some of the factors that are affecting kids.”

She points to the city’s free youthbased mental health program Teen Space and says more than half of

Discussing Black & Jewish bonds with Dr. Clarence B. Jones and Robert Kraft

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

The 92nd Street Young Men’s and Young Women’s Hebrew Association (92NY) hosted a race relations discussion with civil rights leader and speechwriter Dr. Clarence B. Jones, who worked on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and New England Patriots Chairman Robert Kraft in the city last week. They were briefly joined by Mayor Eric Adams.

The pair first joined forces on a 30second anti-hate ad that ran during this year’s Super Bowl LVIII in February. Jones, 93, who chairs the Spill the Honey Foundation, narrates the short. He quickly addresses all forms of hate crimes and encourages bystanders to speak out against injustice. Kraft, 82, who runs the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, paid $7 million for the ad. It was met with mixed reviews given the current geopolitical climate, but Jones and Kraft have since become fast friends.

“I’ve never seen what’s going on in the country in the last few years,” said Kraft. “It started with

Charlottesville and to see in the United States of America men carrying signs, dressed as Nazis, saying Jews and Blacks will not replace us.”

Their discussion last week, moderated by broadcast journalist Gayle King, continued promoting their message of anti-hate. They also spoke about the bond between Black and Jewish communities in their struggle for equality in the U.S.

“Dr. King told me this story,” said

Jones, “He accompanies Rabbi Heschel to the [mountains] and they walk into this backroom with 750 or more

holding arms. Dr. King and Rabbi Heschel walked to the middle of the room, they began to sing in Hebrew ‘We Shall Overcome.’Dr. King and Rabbi Heschel stood there, sobbing. Martin says Clarence, I expect when you hear any of our brothers and sisters yelling antisemitic stuff, you

See

rabbis all dressed in the same regard,

See SOCIAL MEDIA CRISIS on page 25

From left to right: Broadcast journalist Gayle King, speechwriter Dr. Clarence B. Jones, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. (Photo by Ariama C. Long)

National Dance Institute executive director Jermaine Jones comes full circle

Jermaine Jones (Credit: Courtesy of National Dance Institute)

Black

New Yorker

By TANDY LAU

Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

It takes two to tango so naturally Jermaine Jones met his wife while they were both teenagers enrolled at the National Dance Institute (NDI). Along the way, he developed another lifelong love: the program itself.

But his grandparents feared dance was not a financially viable career. So Jones pursued safer avenues, but remained involved with the organization. Decades later, he now serves as NDI’s executive director, appointed almost exactly a year ago.

“I’m one of the more fortunate people to say that I get up every day and look forward to coming into work because I’m passionate about the mission of the National Dance Institute,” he said. “People really think that earning big dollars [and] working for corporate America [means] you’ve made it. But if you don’t have that passion, if you don’t have that connection with your organization’s mission, you’re missing something, right?”

The connection started at age 11 for Jones, around the time he moved in with his grandparents at the Manhattanville Houses. His middle school partnered with NDI and introduced Jones to the program. He could always get his groove on. NDI “came along and made it more of a formal thing.” The experience also linked him with other kids throughout the city, exposing him to numerous cultures and neighborhoods he previously never knew of as a young Harlemite.

For the uninitiated, NDI is a nonprofit that facilitates dance classes in New York City schools for primarily K-5 students. More than 6,500 youngsters are enrolled across the Big Apple today. Kids with two left feet are welcome—there’s no auditioning and the goal is to apply an arts education to develop well-rounded young adults.

Still, some end up as professional dancers.

After Jones aged out of NDI, the program helped him get a scholarship to the Alvin Ailey School, where he studied dance ranging from classical jazz to tap and ballet for two years. But Jones also blossomed in the classroom as a star math student at Bronx Science. Coupled with his grandparents’ beckoning, he sought a career as a certified public accountant (CPA) when college came around.

Still, there was no ceiling above Jones’s dance floor. He did end up in public accounting, yet later found himself climbing the corporate ladder in leadership roles like controller. Those 50 hour work weeks took a toll. He needed more time and space to spend with his family.

Meanwhile, Jones volunteered at NDI. After a decade and a half, he asked to join the program’s advisory board. He soon led the board’s finance committee before becoming NDI’s treasurer.

“Once I became the treasurer, I thought I was at the pinnacle of my relationship with them,” said Jones. But then the executive director a year ago decided to move on to a different organization. “And once again, a board member said, ‘hey you’ve been in corporate America all this time [and] you know NDI in and out. Would you be interested to put your name in the hat for the executive director?’

“And of course I did. From being a young teenager to now, I have nothing but love and passion for the organization.”

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

THE URBAN AGENDA

By David R. Jones, Esq

State Police, National Guard in Subway is Misguided

New Yorkers should rightfully be concerned about recent, isolated acts of violence on the subway system. But we should be equally unnerved by the militarization of the public transit system, a strategy that would have been politically taboo just a few years ago as promoting inequality, insecurity and injustice.

The surge of 750 National Guardsmen and 250 New York State Police sends the wrong message to New Yorkers, and the revival of random bag searches for weapons feels over the top. Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams – who put no time limit on the surge –must be mindful of history: New York City law enforcement crackdowns typically unfairly target Black and Latino/x young men.

We can be fairly sure State Police and National Guard troops won’t be searching brief cases on Wall Street, tourists’ bags near Madison Avenue or backpacks on Staten Island. Besides, bag checks don’t promote a feeling of safety like increased police presence does, which has the added benefit of being less intrusive. Still another problem with bag checks, besides ensuring that they are conducted fairly and without bias, is that they will very likely trigger litigation.

Ultimately, the way out of this mess involves New York City Transit Police finding ways to increase their visibility on the subway platforms and subway cars, but without a mandate for biased enforcement that disproportionately targets low-income neighborhoods for non-violent crimes of poverty. Uniformed officers on patrol breed confidence, especially among second- and third-shift workers who use the system at night. Reviving the bag search policy sounds great, but may not turn the tide as much as antagonize the innocent.

The surge also obscures the fact, rightfully trumpeted by Mayor Adams, that New York is one of the safest big cities in America. Indeed, in a post-pandemic revival, more than 50 million Americans visited the Big Apple last year. Yet another example of facts being overshadowed and perception becoming reality.

In January, NYC Transit saw a 45-percent spike in serious incidents, largely driven by theft. Another major factor in the highestprofile subway crimes is people with mental illness roaming mass transit. How else do we explain the rash of random, unprovoked attacks and shoving incidents? If there is any upside to the surge in law enforcement officers in the subway system, it is the expectation that they will be accompanied by teams of social and mental services personnel. Because the transit system needs the help of mental health professionals as much as it needs State Police and the National Guard.

New York City is not alone in expanding police tactics and powers to halt crime and fare evasion. Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., have all signed off on “hardening” initiatives to stop fare beaters. This represents a stark reversal from 2020, when Blue State progressives fueled a national effort to curb police powers and scale back law enforcement budgets following the murder of George Floyd.

The get-tough-on-crime approach in Democratic strongholds is influenced by the false narrative of Donald Trump and his most fervent supporters that American big cities are a dystopic wasteland. It is part of their years-long strategy to frighten voters into supporting Trump by telling them that terrible things are happening in Democraticled cities.

We’ve reached the point of embracing troops and State Police in the subways because, in part, of the folly of believing Trump’s narrative as well as the NYPD’s focus on lingering around subway station turnstiles to stop fare evaders. Of course, police maintain that the system’s loss of income is not the only concern. They say there is a strong correlation between fare evasion and disorderly conduct on the platforms and trains, and even dangerous, life-threatening illegal activity.

To combat both problems, last year the agency and approximately 3,500 NYPD officers who oversee the subway launched an all-out war on fair evasion, with New York City spending a record $155 million in overtime pay as part of the crackdown, the Gothamist reported. The crackdown resulted in a roughly 250-percent increase in summonses and 160-percent jump in arrests over the prior year, according to police records.

Yet Black and brown New Yorkers bore the brunt of it, accounting for more than 90 percent of those arrested. As for “major crimes” on the subway, the police reported a mere two percent drop.

Money does matter, though. The MTA’s operating revenue is a fraction of what it was before the pandemic. Fare evasion is the agency’s Enemy No. 1 (disclosure: I’m a member of the MTA board), but the solution cannot be yet another return to racially disproportionate enforcement. A smarter fix is to increase knowledge of and eligibility for the Fair Fares program, which halves the cost of transit for low income New Yorkers.

For the latest law enforcement gambit, however, the price tag – both economic and the impact on New York City’s spirit – is still unknown.

Residents in Black-majority council districts spend 70 more minutes on the bus each week, TransAlt finds

By TANDY LAU

Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

If patience builds virtue, then commuting from non-white council districts makes humanitarians. Transportation Alternatives (TransAlt) recently found those from Black, brown and/or low-income zip codes experience longer bus ride rides on average. It specifically found an extra hour and 10 minutes a week in commuting for residents in Black-majority council districts.

The research found the 10 lowest-income council districts— which boast 34% higher Black populations than the average district—were disparately more bus dependent but received slower service. Commuters from Blackmajority districts spend 70 more minutes each week on the bus compared to those from whitemajority districts.

TransAlt organizer Jada Yeboah says the main disparities are found in their coverage area of the Bronx and Upper Manhattan. Beyond bus speeds, they point to access to stations. And in New York City, longer wait times above ground means exposure

to inclement weather during the hotter summers and colder winters in Black and brown neighborhoods fueled by climate change’s disproportionate impact on race.

“The main thing is that these things are connected,” said Yeboah. “There is a history of racism and institutionalized systemic racism that exacerbates a lot of these issues, and they’re not random.”

Following the findings, TransAlt suggests two ideas to better democratize bus ride times throughout the city. The first involves installing car-free busways for the slowest routes, best seen implemented in Manhattan along 14th Street between 3rd and 9th Avenues between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. The second recommends rolling out a “bus rapid transit” system, which mimics a light rail or streetcar path, but for buses.

“We’ve done it not just in the state or nation, we’ve done it right in the city,” said Yeboah. “We just don’t have many examples of that in Black and brown communities, again, because of the disenfranchisement and disengagement in transit infrastructure.”

After the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) examination of the report, a spokesperson point-

ed to city efforts in progress to address issues highlighted by the findings.

“Outer borough bus riders deserve fast and reliable service—and we are focused [on] expanding dedicated space for buses in these communities specifically,” the DOT spokesperson said. “Our recent bus lane redesigns on University Avenue and Gun Hill Road in the Bronx have been proven to help riders get where they’re going faster while better connecting them to existing subway service and major destinations not reachable by train.”

The City also plans on bus priority improvements this year across the Bronx’s Tremont Avenue. Other busways delivered in Black and brown communities include through Upper Manhattan’s 181st Street and Jamaica and Archer Avenues in Queens.

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

NYC DOT’s 14th Street Transit & Truck Priority lanes went into effect on October 4, 2019, giving priority to M14 buses, paratransit vehicles, and trucks across a large stretch of 14th Street. Since the busway was implemented, travel times have decreased on M14A/D SBS buses. (Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit photo)

Research has found that the 10 lowest-income council districts were disparately more bus dependent but received slower service. (AP Photo/Adam Rountree photo)

New York City, longer wait times above ground means exposure to inclement weather during the hotter summers and colder winters in Black and brown neighborhoods. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer photo)

Hochul’s subway station bag checks raise concerns over public safety plan

By TANDY LAU

Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

Camouflage doesn’t blend in with subway tile so New Yorkers are noticing the National Guard on duty at several “high traffic” transit stops while law enforcement searches bags. No, the city’s rats haven’t declared war—the stationed guardsmen stem from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s subway safety plan, announced last Wednesday, March 6.

“We’ll be having 750 members of the New York National Guard, as well as another 250 personnel from State and MTA police,” said Hochul.“You’ll start seeing them at the tables, making sure that weapons are not being brought in, working in concert with our New York State Police, as well as our NYPD because no one heading to their job or to visit family or to go to a doctor appointment should worry that the person sitting next to them possesses a deadly weapon.

“They shouldn’t worry about whether someone’s going to brandish a knife or gun. That’s what we’re going to do at these checkpoints,” she added.

Subway riders can refuse searches, says Columbia Law professor Jeffrey Fagan. The right is protected constitutionally under the Fourth Amendment.

“You can consent to search, that is up to you as a citizen, but you don’t have to consent and you can say no,” said Fagan. “Now,

the Governor has said that people who refuse to consent to the search will be disallowed from entering the subway. The legality of that is very much in question.

It remains to be seen whether denying subway service to someone exercising the right to refuse a voluntary search is constitutional. There’s also the question of whether individuals with serious mental illness, who are often a target of transit-related public safety initiatives, can voluntarily consent to a bag search.

Malcom X Grassroots Movement organizer Sala Cyril told the AmNews she was “horrified” by Hochul’s announcement. She pointed to the militarization of enforcement, along with plugging and playing outside uniforms with little experience engaging with the city’s Black, brown, and unhoused population as major concerns.

“I can positively say that the Black experience in New York is not made more safe by deeper surveillance and more police and National Guard,” she said in a phone interview. “Even if there was no profiling, even if they treated everyone with respect, even if they gave all of the cultural competence that we don’t think that they will, the level of terror that their presence exudes alone is enough to make people [feel] unsafe, because it changes their own behavior.”

Brooklyn Assemblymember Latrice Walker also expressed concerns in her statement over “flooding the subway system with law enforcement and 750 members of the National Guard” for a “a veiled return to the stop-and-frisk era during which Black and brown people were dis-

proportionately targeted.”

Fagan, whose findings on NYPD stop-andfrisk tactics were central to the 2013 Floyd v. City of New York class action lawsuit, said there’s reason for New Yorkers to be anxious, especially with the influx of external uniformed personnel with limited experience dealing with nonwhite populations and public transit. However, he believes the bag searches intend to deter crime in the station and on the trains more than to actually find weapons. Instead, Fagan sees mental health episodes by Black and brown New Yorkers on the subway as the key concern regarding race and policing, pointing to officers often misconstruing general outbursts by nonwhite individuals as signs of violent behavior.

While the National Guard’s deployment headlined Hochul’s announcement, the subway safety plan also boasted a non-carceral approach with subway safety regarding mental illness.

“We’re expanding the joint MTA and New York City run pilot program…called SCOUT [standing for] Subway Co-Response Outreach Teams,” said Hochul. “These are led by mental health clinicians, but…these teams are also backed up by the police. They have police officers along for backup and they only deal with individuals having the most severe mental health crises, those that our SOS mental health teams cannot safely approach without police support. These are literally the people who could pose danger to themselves or to others, and it is evident.”

Three other points in her safety plan accelerate camera installation on trains; facilitate collaborations between law enforcement, local prosecutors, and transit officials; and introduce a bill banning those convicted of assault against an MTA commuter from using the transit system.

The MTA did not issue a statement, opting to defer to the Governor’s Office and the NYPD for comment. The NYPD pointed towards Chief of Transit Michael Kemper’s interview with Pix11 where he argued subway crime perceptions stem from quality of life concerns like “fare evasion, people smoking, people laying down on the floor, or acting disorderly.” He also mentioned media coverage of high profile incidents as another factor to anxieties despite the city’s general reduction in crime.

John Jay College of Criminal Justice professor Daniel Feldman acknowledged the lower rates of per capita crime in the city compared to the country’s average. The decision to overtly station armed soldiers at major subway stops baffles him.

“My first reaction is why on earth are we feeding this misperception?” said Feldman.

“Even if there were a spate of murders in the subway, millions of people ride the subway everyday that percentage chances are miniscule. I’m not saying we shouldn’t address subway crime, but I wish we would do it in a way that doesn’t perpetrate this misperception that New York is unsafe.”

Go with the Flo

FLO ANTHONY

According to People magazine, Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav gave Billie Eilish a special gift after the songstress picked up her second Academy Award win for Best Original Song for the “Barbie” soundtrack, “What Was I Made For,” at the 2024 Oscars on March 10. Flav presented Eilish with a custom-made Barbie-themed clock necklace at Vanity Fair’s post-Oscar party. The hip hop icon sported a Barbie-themed clock medallion of his own, featuring Flav’s name printed in the Mattel doll’s classic font. During the soiree, at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, Flav met up with Eilish and presented her with a similar necklace with her name on it. Jon Batiste stood next to Flav and Billie as she hollered when Flav held up the necklace…

Kim Kardashian and Odell Beckham Jr. were the only couple that anyone seems to be talking about who attended Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s Gold Oscars after-party on March 10 at the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood. Sources say the reality star and the NFL player were very touchy-feely as they left the Carters’ shindig, which a very scantily clad Rihanna also attended. Kardashian and Beckham Jr. also hit the Vanity Fair party before heading to Sunset Boulevard. Kim wore Balenciaga while Odell sported head-to-toe brown leather…

Honorees Niecy Nash and Tisha Campbell were among the attendees at the Lexus Uptown Honors Hollywood Celebrates Long-Standing Black Cultural Innovators in Film & TV event at the Sunset Room in Hollywood on March 7. Other celebs in the house included Gabrielle Union, Estelle, Malinda Williams, Mona Scott-Young, Essence Atkins, and more…

Entertainment entrepreneur Dave Wooley, producer of the award-winning documentary “Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over,” has been nominated by the NAACP Image Awards for his work on the movie, along with director David Heilbroner, in the category of Outstanding Directing in a Documentary, Television, or Film. The NAACP announced the winner in this category March 13 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. Pacific in a live streaming presentation…

GO WITH THE FLO

Freemasons hold Black Male Leadership Summit

By ARIAMA C. LONG

Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

Prince Hall Freemasonry (Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York) hosted a Black Male Responsibility Summit last month, headed by Senator Kevin Parker and Grand Master Gregory Roberson Smith, Jr., during the 53rd Annual Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Conference in Albany.

“[I] charged all present to look toward solutions and strategies to re-engage our community,” said Smith. He also suggested the future is a shared responsibility among members.

The freemason group prides themselves on being champions of equality, justice, and enlightenment, they said. The 2024 Summit continued their tra-

dition of engaging legislative members on questions about the future of Black male leadership.

Dr. Basil Smikle Jr., distinguished lecturer and director of the Public Policy Program and the Roosevelt House Institute for Public Policy at Hunter College and a former executive director of the New York Democratic Party, facilitated the event. Panelists included Assemblymember Al Taylor, Dr. Maurice O. Franklin, and former City Councilmember Robert Cornegy.

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 taxdeductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/ amnews1.

Senator Kevin Parker (Contributed by Senator Kevin Parker photos)

Assemblymember Al Taylor (left) and former Councilmember Robert Cornegy

Prince Hall Freemasonry members at Black Male Responsibility Summit during the 53rd legislative conference in Albany

The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York’s Black Male Responsibility Summit during the 53rd Annual Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Conference on February 21, 2024

Opening ceremony for Apollo Stages at revitalized Victoria Theater celebrates city’s newest cultural spaces

The Apollo recently celebrated the opening of the Apollo Stages at the Victoria Theater—the first physical expansion in the institution’s 90-year history—with a special ceremony and Apollo sign-lighting featuring Mayor Eric Adams, Empire State Development Commissioner Hope Knight,

Apollo Board Chair Charles Phillips, Apollo Chair Emeritus Richard “Dick” Parsons, Apollo President and CEO Michelle Ebanks, and Artistic Director Kamilah Forbes. The event included performances by four-time Grammy-nominee Stefon Harris, singer Nia Drummond, the marching band Marching

Cobras, and more.

Attendees toured the new space, seeing everything from an updated marquee to behind-the-scenes technical aspects.

More than 100 New Yorkers attended the ceremony, including Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine; Harlem Commu-

nity Development Corporation President Curtis Archer; leaders of cultural institutions from across the city, including the National Black Theatre; Apollo board members, and others.

For more information about the Apollo, visit www.ApolloTheater.org.

Voza Rivers, Michelle Ebanks, Curts Archer, the Hon. Cordell Cleare, and Keith Alexander

Nia Drummond

Richard Parsons

Stefon Harris

Hope Knight (Bill Moore photos)

The front of the Victoria Theater

The Marching Cobras

Union Matters

March 22 will be an historic day of action to end healthcare disparities in New York

GEORGE GRESHAM

Mark your calendar for Friday, March 22. That is the day when thousands of healthcare workers, patient advocates, homecare consumers, and others will join in a series of coordinated actions across the state—in New York City, Buffalo, Hempstead, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers. Manhattan will be host to the largest march for health care in recent memory. Join us at 3 p.m. at Stuyvesant Square Park for this historic day.

Why? Because there is a very real possibility that Governor Kathy Hochul will sign a budget by April 1 that includes disastrous cuts to health care and fails to adequately fund Medicaid, the primary health insurer for more than 7 million low-income New Yorkers.

Four years ago this month, COVID-19 arrived in New York. In the subsequent months and years, more than 80,000 New Yorkers died from the virus, affecting people from all walks of life, but the pandemic did not fall equally on everyone. Blacks and Latinos had death rates twice that of the white population.

This crisis—the greatest public health emergency in 100 years—unmasked the severity of the healthcare disparities plaguing our communities. Have we learned any lessons?

With health care currently on the chopping block in New York State, you would think not. The governor’s proposal, rather than investing resources to reduce health inequities, inexplicably calls for hundreds of millions of cuts to healthcare programs while failing to sufficiently fund Medicaid.

And this comes at a time when the state is sitting on an unprecedented $45 billion in reserves.

Many of these cuts, as of this writing, are still unspecified, but one cut that has already been laid out is especially cruel: reducing wages by $3 an hour for thousands of dedicated homecare workers employed in the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP).

This important program allows people with disabilities who need in-home care to hire caregivers of their own choosing without going through a private company, giving them control over their personal health needs.

New York is already facing a major shortage of homecare workers, and cutting CDPAP wages will not only devas-

tate these workers’ livelihoods, but also make it more difficult for consumers to find in-home care when they need it. Do we really want to force seniors and people with disabilities out of their own homes and into institutionalized settings? That will be the unfortunate outcome if CDPAP cuts aren’t reversed, and why the disability rights community is so outraged by that prospect.

Perhaps the most glaring omission in the governor’s proposed budget is the failure to close the Medicaid funding gap in New York. Here is the problem in a nutshell: If you have private health insurance, your insurance company will compensate your healthcare provider for the full cost of care you received, but if you are on Medicaid, your healthcare provider will only be reimbursed by New York State, on average, for 70% of the cost of your care.

This funding shortfall puts a huge financial burden on healthcare institutions serving low-income communities with high Medicaid enrollments. It results in the inability of hospitals and nursing homes to hire enough staff, provide a broad array of services and specialist care, or even keep their doors open at all.

As a result, we have seen a wave of actual and looming hospital closures, upstate and downstate: Mount Sinai Beth Israel, SUNY Downstate, Eastern Niagara Hospital, and Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, to name a few. Maternity wards have been closing at a rate of two per year statewide, creating more and more maternity care deserts as our state’s infant mortality rate rises.

Medicaid was born out of the Civil Rights Movement, originally signed into law as part of the 1965 Social Security Act. Over the ensuing decades, it has been one of the most successful anti-poverty programs in our nation’s history—but without proper funding in New York, it cannot meet its purpose of reducing healthcare disparities. This is the message that thousands of New Yorkers will be taking to the streets on March 22.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once famously stirred us into action by declaring, “If you can’t fly, run; if you can’t run, walk; if you can’t walk, crawl; but by all means, keep moving.” I’ll be there on my mobility scooter on March 22—rolling along, with many of you, I hope, in pursuit of healthcare justice.

George Gresham is president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest union of healthcare workers in the nation.

Union workers, leaders react to Biden’s State of the Union

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Special to the AmNews

President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol was so rousing that many of his political opponents have dismissed it as a campaign speech.

The president focused on foreign policy, dealt with concerns about migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, and boasted about how his administration has strengthened the economy.

Biden spoke of having created 15 million new jobs in three years, talked of how his administration passed a $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, and noted that they have been able to keep unemployment at a 50-year low.

Danny Davis, who works as a janitor at JFK airport, said he found Biden’s speech both motivating and encouraging. He said he liked the proactive stance Biden has taken toward supporting U.S. workers and helping them get sustainable wages. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has been pushing to increase wages and institute health care for airport janitorial workers, many of whom work for contracted companies whose workers are not unionized and don’t have health insurance, paid leave, or safe working conditions.

“The president’s role is essential; he is the face of America,” said Davis, who has been a member of 32BJ SEIU since 2019. “I would say that his role is critical—if he’s able to work with Congress, of course––to facilitate having wages increase and having people being able to provide for their families.”

During his address, Biden emphasized his alliance with unions––and the fact that he was the first sitting president to visit a picket line when he walked with the United Auto Workers (UAW) this past September as they held targeted strikes against General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford Motor Company.

“The great comeback story is Belvidere,

Illinois, home to an auto plant for nearly 60 years,” Biden said. “Before I came to office, the plant was on its way to shutting down. Thousands of workers feared for their livelihoods. Hope was fading. Then, I was elected to office, and we raised Belvidere repeatedly with auto companies, knowing unions would make all the difference. The UAW worked like hell to keep the plant open and get these jobs back. And together, we succeeded.”

Biden pointed out that United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain was in attendance at the State of the Union alongside Dawn Simms, a third-generation UAW worker who lives in Belvidere. Last year’s UAW strikes kept auto factories from shutting down, and kept Belvidere from “being left behind,” Biden insisted. “And today, Dawn has a good job in her hometown, providing stability for her family, and pride and dignity as well. Showing once again Wall Street didn’t build America. They’re not bad guys––they didn’t build it, though. The middle class built the country, and unions built the middle class.”

“President Biden has walked his talk when it comes to unions…literally,” SEIU Secretary-Treasurer April Verrett told the Amsterdam News. Verrett was also in Washington to attend the State of the Union; she was an invited guest of House Minority Speaker Hakeem Jeffries.

“Biden was the first sitting president to visit a strike line,” said Verrett. “The BidenHarris administration has given Starbucks, care and nursing home workers, plus other industries fighting for unions, a voice at the White House. He has pushed for a transformative federal investment to make care jobs good jobs, but that was blocked by Republicans in Congress. This administration has empowered workers through the National Labor Relations Board and Department of Labor by restoring balance and ensuring that these agencies have more resources to hold employers accountable.”

House Minority Speaker Hakeem Jeffries (left) invited SEIU Secretary-Treasurer April Verrett as his guest during Biden’s State of the Union speech. (SEIU)

Michael J. Garner reflects on first year as leader of city’s diversity in business efforts

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

Just over a year ago, Mayor Eric Adams appointed Michael J. Garner as the city’s inaugural chief business diversity officer.

Garner describes the role as coming up with “creative ways in order to ensure that the city awards contracts in a cost effective manner, but also in an inclusive manner.” In other words, helping the city increase agency spending on certified minority and womenowned business enterprises (M/WBEs).

“We are changing the culture, we changed the mindset,” said Garner. “I was hired, not to adapt to the way that the city does business, but I was hired to change the way that the city does business. And changing it in a way where we’re changing state laws, we’re equipping the agencies with strategies that’s going to allow them to try their M/WBE outcomes.”

Last September, Gov. Kathy Hochul eliminated the state’s yearlong certification backlog for M/WBEs, removing barriers to certifying applicants. She also signed a legislative package strengthening the state’s M/WBE program in October 2022.

Prior to working for the Adams administration, Garner served as the MTA’s chief diversity and inclusion officer. He also boasts experience with NYCHA and the New York City School Construction Authority.

Garner highlighted several initiatives rolled out in his first year. “Compstat” meetings, but for M/WBE procurement instead of policing, are held weekly among agencies. Garner says such discussions have helped lead to $1.1 billion in contracts for M/WBEs for goods and services pertaining to the city’s migrant situation. He adds that, under the direction of Adams, information technology will be used to observe, monitor, and enforce agency payments to M/WBEs.

As Garner leads one of the city’s key diversity programs, such efforts are carefully watched after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down affirmative action last year. He frequently consults with city attorneys to ensure compliance, but says the M/WBE program is legal despite the ruling due to evidence from a previous disparity study.

Still, a “disparity within a disparity” remains for Black-owned businesses, as “non-certified” companies—which are usually owned by white men or corporations— still soak up a majority of contract pot. And within the program, certified white women and Asian men-owned businesses often bring home significantly more money from city contracts than their Black, brown, and Indigenous-owned counterparts.

When asked about Garner’s role and the general city efforts to increase M/WBE pro-

Building a more inclusive economy: Q&A with JPMorgan Chase’s Thelma Ferguson

curement, NAACP New York Chapter president Dr. Hazel Dukes called it “fantastic.”

So what does year two for the chief business diversity officer look like? Garner promises by March 2025, New Yorkers will see “a spike of contract awards” going to M/ WBEs. He says almost all M/WBE-related bills the Adams administration needed were passed. But there’s still work to be done.

“The excitement now is taking the M/ WBE laws and transforming that into M/ WBE programming and having that as a standard,” said Garner. “So now [holding] the agencies accountable in utilizing these new laws and programming and drive equity in communities of color and increase contract awards to our pool of minority and women-owned business enterprises.

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

All communities should have the resources they need to strengthen their economic futures. This Black History Month, JPMorgan Chase is affirming their commitment to breaking down barriers -- including the racial wealth gap -- and promoting opportunity for all.

In recognition of Black History Month, we connected with Thelma Ferguson, Global Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Vice Chair, Commercial Banking at JPMorgan Chase, to get her insights on how she’s celebrating Black History Month, how JPMorgan Chase is advancing equity and inclusion and what she hopes to achieve in the year ahead.

Tell us a little about yourself and your role at JPMorgan Chase?

The majority of my 25-year tenure at JPMorgan Chase has been in Commercial Banking, providing clients with the financial solutions they need to grow their businesses. Yet, no matter what my role was, I have always been focused on driving inclusion and equity.

Today, as the Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, I’m proud to look after our leading strategies to uplift employees, clients and the communities we serve as the bank for all. I also continue to serve as Vice Chair for Commercial Banking, building and managing key client relationships from coast to coast.

What does Black History Month mean to you and how are you celebrating?

Black History Month is an important opportunity to reflect on the achievements and struggles of our Black communities. To me, this means honoring the immense reach, depth and richness of Black communities’ global history, in addition to its connection and intersection with other communities. At JPMorgan Chase, we organize events and activities to honor the designation, highlight Black history and culture, and enable impactful conversations and opportunities to continue our commitment to help create more equitable pathways for all.

How is JPMorgan Chase working to advance a more inclusive economy?

We believe that we are only as strong as the communities we serve and the economies they support. We also understand that our company can play a role in helping communities grow, driving local economies, and helping people build their prosperity.

We’re helping to power economic growth by breaking down barriers and creating opportunities in communities across the globe. We do that through a focus on advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within our own workforce, as well as through business and community investments and policy advocacy.

How has your company’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion strategy evolved over the past couple of years as the spotlight has been put on the country’s lingering racial inequality and social injustice issues?

We’re working to address inequities, including the racial wealth gap, in a meaningful way. Our efforts to support inclusive growth dates back decades. One more recent example is our $30 billion, five-year Racial Equity Commitment (REC) focused on advancing sustainable homeownership, driving small business growth, bolstering financial health and expanding access to banking. Through this commitment, we’re helping to create greater access to affordable home loans, low-cost checking accounts and financial health education workshops in the communities we serve and particularly in historically underserved neighborhoods. Our goal is to help close the racial wealth gap and ensure all members of communities – including our own employees – can access the resources they need to strengthen their economic futures.

How should other companies and individuals be thinking about diversity, equity and inclusion as it relates to the growth of their business?

Inequity stifles economic growth. If you start with that fact, it becomes clear how engaging more communities and helping to create more equitable opportunities is just smart business. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are not buzzwords. Their tenets should be core ingredients in the design and execution of your business strategies and run with the same commitment and rigor as other parts of your business.

What are your goals for this year and what are you looking forward to in 2024?

This year, my goals include deepening our culture of inclusion for our 300,000 employees, across all backgrounds and geographies and perspectives. I’m also focused on further embedding inclusive practices and solutions within JPMorgan Chase to inform our business, gain efficiencies and deepen impact. I am optimistic about the road ahead and continued progress in helping to lift all.

Thelma Ferguson

Michael J. Garner (Photo courtesy of the Mayor’s Office)

Take your anger to the voting booth

Among the salient points of President Biden’s State of the Union address last week, was his recognition of Bettie Mae Fikes, known as the “Voice of Selma,” and the late John Lewis, both stalwarts on “Bloody Sunday” 59 years ago.

Citing these remarkable civil rights activists was a pretext to affirm his support for voting rights as well as remind Americans of the various ways to suppress voting rights. “Unlimited dark money,” he said. “Gerrymandering. John Lewis was a friend to many of us here. But if you truly want to honor him and all the heroes who marched with him, then it’s time for more than just talk. Pass and send me the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act!”

If it is necessary today to summon events of the past, then it’s because so much of the past is still with us. The attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 took us regrettably back to the terrible Civil War days and we are constantly reminded of the significance of the 14th Amendment with Trump’s relentless claim of a victory four years ago.

Biden’s passionate call for the passing of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act conforms with recent commentary from the Southern Poverty Law Center.

They, too, are aware of the evisceration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and what’s needed to remedy the setback. “Much like the Civil Rights Movement in 1965, we must create a groundswell of support that’s rooted in the South but spreads nationwide. We must demand change from lawmakers in Washington and hold them accountable with our vote. We must speak to family and friends, so they vote in support of our shared values. And we must vote in November despite hurdles to the ballot box,” the SPLC statement declared.

In short, some of the tactics in the past were effective in bringing about change and it’s never too late to put them to use again.

Just the other day we were informed that one of the lower courts is prepared to strike down an important procedure that guarantees our franchise. Our charge to you is to stay informed, be ready to march and otherwise protest, and take your anger and disgust to the ballot box.

70 years after Brown v. Board, Black girls are still fighting for access to an equal education

By DR. SYDNEY MCKINNEY

The images and stories are indelible. Ruby Bridges walking out of school surrounded by U.S. Marshalls. The Little Rock Nine high school students entering school escorted by the U.S. Army and the Arkansas National Guard. I picture my mother, who, at 17 years old, was bused to a high school in a white neighborhood 45 minutes away, only to be confronted by people rioting in front of the school and officers with German shepherds stationed inside the school.

The civil rights era brought us countless examples of young Black girls trying to get access to—and often risking their safety for—an equal education.

In the wake of the Civil Rights Movement, the integration of schools was heralded as a triumph for equality. However, in the 70 years since Brown v. Board of Education, a landmark decision advancing education justice in the U.S., it has become painfully clear that the promise of desegregation and racial equality has not been fully realized. Instead, our U.S. education system continues to perpetuate inequalities, particularly for Black girls.

While overt discrimination may no longer be sanctioned, the insidious biases that once fueled segregation have merely morphed into subtler, yet still harmful, forms of injustice that are enmeshed in school policy and the everyday practices of educators.

ysis of data from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights shows that, although Black girls made up just 15% of female students in the 2017–18 school year, they accounted for 47% of girls receiving corporal punishment, 45% of girls receiving out-of-school suspensions, 36% of girls experiencing schoolrelated arrests, and 33% of girls referred to law enforcement. Black girls were overrepresented in all discipline sanctions, a trend that dates back to at least 2011, according to our analysis, when the Office for Civil Rights first required consistent reporting of school discipline data by race and ethnicity.

The consequences of this punitive approach are devastating. Punitive discipline practices are associated with poor student achievement and a failure to complete school. Relying on disciplinary sanctions instead of restorative and empowering responses to Black girls’ behaviors in schools erodes their trust in educators and shatters their belief in the liberating and transformative power of education.

ates disparities that have deep roots in our nation’s history of racial injustice.

As we reflect on the legacy of the civil rights era and the hard-fought battles for equality, we must reckon with the fact that systemic inequalities remain. Black girls bear the brunt of discriminatory practices in schools, which deny them the opportunity to thrive. It is incumbent upon us to heed their voices, amplify their stories, and take action to dismantle the beliefs and practices that lead to the criminalization of Black girls.

To do this, we must confront the root causes of racial disparities in school discipline and work toward a new vision for our education system: a system that affirms Black girls’ identities, fosters a sense of belonging, and ensures they have every opportunity to live out their dreams. This means moving away from punitive measures that perpetuate cycles of exclusion and lead to criminalization and instead, implementing practices and policies that prioritize healing, support, and empowerment.

Elinor

Aaron Foley:

Wilbert

Indeed, despite some progress, a harsh reality remains: Black girls still do not have equal access to education. Every day, Black girls are pushed out of school because they are stereotyped and perceived to be disobedient, disrespectful, unruly, or a threat to the safety of the school community. As a result, Black girls across the country are disproportionately punished in schools compared to their white counterparts, facing consequences that not only hinder their educational opportunities but also push them toward inextricable entanglement with the criminal legal system. The numbers paint a stark picture: The National Black Women’s Justice Institute’s recent anal-

The effects of the punishment that Black girls are subjected to in school do not end at school gates: Students who are disconnected from school are at increased risk for depression, poor mental health outcomes, substance misuse, and contact with police and the juvenile and criminal legal systems. When Black girls are disproportionately punished and pushed out of school, it means that Black girls are also disproportionately affected by these school-to-confinement pathways.

Why are Black girls singled out for punishment in the first place? The answer lies in the intersecting dynamics of race and gender that shape our society. Black girls are often subjected to harmful stereotypes and prejudices that paint them as inherently unruly or aggressive. Studies have also shown that Black girls are perceived as older and less innocent than their white counterparts of the same age, leading to harsher treatment and punitive responses to their behavior.

This pernicious phenomenon, referred to as adultification, exacerbates the plight of Black girls in schools. Teachers expect Black girls to “know better,” yet offer other students grace and compassion consistent with their developmental stage in life.

This pattern of policing Black girls’ behavior undermines the educational prospects of Black girls and perpetu-

We must foster a more inclusive and empathetic school environment to create a supportive atmosphere where Black girls feel valued and empowered, and can thrive. This means we must invest in more and better mental health resources in schools that are accessible, trauma-informed, culturally affirming, and gender-sensitive.

Finally, we must address the systemic inequities that underlie the school-to-prison pipeline, including the overreliance on law enforcement in educational settings. The presence of police in schools is associated with higher numbers of suspensions, transfers, expulsions, and referrals to law enforcement—all of which Black girls experience at disproportionate rates— and lower rates of graduation and college enrollment.

Ultimately, the fight for educational justice demands our collective commitment and action. Only by working together to create a more equitable and supportive education system can we ensure that Black girls—and every child—have the opportunity to thrive, both inside and outside the classroom.

Dr. Sydney McKinney is executive director of the National Black Women’s Justice Institute, a research and policy nonprofit organization that focuses on supporting and elevating innovative, community-led solutions to address the criminalization of Black women and girls.

Weaving good news into the fabric of society

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

When you turn on the news or take a ride in your car and listen to the radio, do you ever pause to think, ‘Where’s all of the good news?’

It seems nearly impossible today to find any good stories that lift the spirit, remind you there is still good in humanity, and that the human condition isn’t uniquely bad. If an alien ever visited our world and only watched the news or listened to the radio station, it would think we’re an inherently bad species that is quickly headed towards our own destruction and demise.

Everything in contemporary society is about soundbites. When you log onto social media, whoever posts the most salacious remarks typically gets the most likes and reposts. Social media company algorithms promote toxicity and we further it by engaging with it. When you watch your favorite cable news programs, they’re often devoid of depth and nuance, opting instead for soundbites and yelling matches from com -

mentators from different sides. Seldom do we see programs or the guests they bring on debate issues in a rational and objective manner because it doesn’t feed the social media clicks when they post their appearances online. In essence, our nation and in many respects, our world, is terribly broken—but it’s not irremediable, at least not yet.

With these realities in mind, it becomes important and in fact, vital, to find things that uplift the human spirit. Good news stories serve as a reminder of the potential for goodness and greatness—that little spark of light in the dark forests that reminds us that daylight will eventually come. The human capacity for compassion, innovation, and collective action towards the common good is still there if we just look hard enough.

The importance of finding and sharing good news stories goes beyond mere escapism or naiveté about the world’s challenges; we all know what

exists. However, it is a reminder that despite the bad there are people all over the world, our country and even in our individual communities who have dedicated themselves to doing the right thing. These stories offer a counterbalance to the prevailing narratives of conflict, despair, and cynicism, reminding us of the potential for a just and harmonious society. The good in the world serves as inspiration and action to do the right thing. I’ve met countless people who have told me that they saw, read or heard of a good deed and how it motivated them or their entire communities to engage in acts of kindness, innovation, and solidarity. These acts instill a sense of belonging, national responsibility and cohesion among disparate people in a nation. This is valuable for the individual and those who are being helped by these good deeds.

In a world increasingly fragmented by ideological divides and existential threats, the intentional search for and dissemi -

What does mentorship mean to you?

nation of good news stories is a radical act of resistance. It is a reaffirmation of our shared humanity and our collective capacity for moral and civic excellence. By feeding our thymotic hunger for recognition in positive and constructive ways, we lay the groundwork for a more empathetic, cohesive, and just society.

In our relentless pursuit of the truth, let us not overlook the power of good news to inspire, unite, and elevate. In honoring our desire for recognition, esteem, and belonging through stories that highlight the best of human nature, we not only enrich our individual lives but also contribute to the realization of Plato’s vision for a harmonious and just society.

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.howardstirkhold ings.com

I have been thinking a lot about mentorship as of late. My college mentor Dr. James Glaser is leaving my alma mater, Tufts University in Medford, MA, to become provost of Santa Clara University, an institution across the country in California. He was such a strong presence in my intellectual journey in political science and my college experience more broadly. I cannot imagine where I would be professionally without his sage wisdom over the past almost thirty years. The importance of a good mentor cannot be understated. They provide guidance and advice, but more importantly, they serve as guideposts as you figure things out for yourself.

I can’t believe my first political science course was in the fall of 1996 when I knew almost nothing about the discipline and had very little idea of what I wanted to do with my life after college. I had a terrible registration number and by the time I was called to select classes, the only slots open were a few 8 a.m. English classes and an Introduction to American Politics course.

Little did I know that politics course would spark an interest, which would morph into a passion, which would in turn become a career path I am very proud of and still excited about. I have dedicated my professional life to figuring out how Black people understand and negotiate American politics.

What I learned in my years of studying politics and writing about race and public opinion is that as I try to ascertain just

where Black people fit in this country, if at all, I can ask questions about who I am, where I fit into this larger narrative, and what my duty is to tell accurate stories of the political process. I learned so much of how to approach politics from my mentor, who I now begrudgingly call Jim. Our countless conversations over the years have helped me sharpen my analyses of American politics more broadly, but also my approach to the diversity and complexity that exist within the Black political sphere.

I have also learned that a mentor does not always have to look like you, have your exact background, or have your same vantage point in life. As we seek out mentors in our professional lives, we may not always have the luxury of finding someone who matches us demographically. However, what is important is to find a mentor who believes in you, sees potential in you that you may not even see in yourself, and is willing to give you time and space to question, stumble, and figure things out, and can provide both a helping hand or a push on your back when needed. Thank you, Jim for being that mentor. Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream”; and co-host of the podcast FAQNYC and host of The Blackest Questions podcast at TheGrio. She is a 2023-24 Moynihan Public Scholars Fellow at CCNY.

CHRISTINA GREER, PH.D.

Caribbean Update

Caricom nations waiting to help Haiti but no consensus

BY BERT WILKINSON, Special to the AmNews

A number of Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries are ready with troops, police, and other resources to help fellow regional trade bloc nation Haiti as heavily armed gangs overrun the country, forcing western and other countries to evacuate non-essential staff while leaders push local stakeholders to form a consensus unity government to fill the governance vacancy and improve a rapidly deteriorating situation.

The Bahamas, Jamaica, Belize, Barbados, and several others have said they are waiting for a date when a United Nations-approved multinational peacekeeping force is ready to head to Haiti to deploy their own boots on the ground as the security and humanitarian situation spirals out of control.

Over the weekend, leaders announced plans for an emergency summit in Jamaica on Monday of this week to make a final push to form a transitional government that would govern a country whose electoral cycle has expired, rendering nearly all

elected officials as illegally in place.

Leaders from Guyana, the Bahamas, Grenada, St. Vincent, Dominica, Barbados, and Grenada have confirmed they will attend the mini summit, as well as U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and representatives from France, Canada, Brazil, and the UN among others.

It is unclear whether embattled Prime Minister Ariel Henry will attend, but leaders did say in a weekend statement that he has been a key player in negotiations to form an interim government that would work to stabilize the country and organize fresh elections by the end of August of next year.

Blinken’s office said in a release that he will be in Jamaica to work with the region on a “proposal developed in partnership with Caricom and Haitian stakeholders to expedite a political transition in Haiti through the creation of a broad-based, independent presidential college, as well as the deployment of a multinational security support mission to address the ongoing security crisis.”

While they said in the release that they

were encouraged by the progress of talks in recent days, “the stakeholders are not yet where they need to be. We are acutely aware of the urgent need for consensus to be reached. We have impressed on the respective parties that time is not on their side in agreeing to the way forward. From our reports, the situation on the ground remains dire and is of serious concern to us.”

All this means that not every opposition party or civil society group has agreed as yet to the terms of a consensus government—many are demanding the immediate resignation of Henry as a precondition for moving forward.

Henry was appointed PM after hired mercenaries assassinated President Jovenel Moise in July 2021, plunging the country into chaos. He is stuck in temporary exile in Puerto Rico as of last week; he was attempting to return home from trips to regional bloc headquarters, Guyana, and Kenya, where he had gone to organize the multinational force. The gangs have locked off the main airport and have threatened to kill him if he returns. He has so far refused to step down despite regional and interna-

tional pressure.

On Monday, the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, declared Henry persona non grata for now, saying he is the type of security threat that should not be allowed to set foot on DR soil.

Various leaders and others associated with efforts to form an interim government have insisted that the main stumbling block is that many groups do not want Henry to be a part of any government. That government would be the one to appoint a president and PM, and it will certainly not be Henry.

Caricom has made no secret that it is panicking over the deteriorating security situation: “We have impressed on the respective parties that time is not on their side in agreeing to the way forward. From our reports, the situation on the ground remains dire and is of serious concern to us. We would like the Haitian people to know that we will continue to work with them and on their behalf until there is a satisfactory resolution that brings stability and relief to them.”

Who is the man Joe Biden referred to as ‘illegal’ in his SOTU?

FELICIA PERSAUD

IMMIGRATION KORNER

Like many immigrants and activists, I was stunned on Thursday night, March 7, to hear the term “an illegal” coming out of the mouth of President Joe Biden in his State of the Union address.

Heckled by Republican Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to say the name of Laken Riley, who was allegedly murdered by a Venezuelan immigrant last month in Georgia, Biden picked up a button with Riley’s name on it that lawmakers had been given and made reference to her, although he misstated her first name.

“Lincoln Riley [sic],” he said. “An innocent young woman who was killed by an illegal, that’s right.”

For a second, I thought my ears were deceiving me, but then came the tweets. “Let me be clear: No human being is illegal,” said Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“As a proud immigrant, I’m extremely disappointed to hear President Biden use the word ‘illegal,’” Rep. Chuy Garcia, D-Ill., added.

The use of the term by Biden came even though his own Department of Homeland Security had told staff back in 2021 to stop using terms like “illegal alien.” The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will also often refer to those “unlawfully present” in the country.

After being slammed about it, Biden told Jonathan Capehart in an interview that he regretted using the word.

“I shouldn›t have used ‘illegal.’ It’s undocumented,” he stated.

But what caused him to go to that term in the first place? Was it to appease Taylor Greene and the right-wing loonies? Or was it the horror of the crime? Let’s revisit what exactly occurred weeks ago in Georgia that has Taylor Greene and the right-wingers so wound up again.

Here are the facts.

1: The “illegal” is actually Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan immigrant, who is accused of killing Laken Riley, a 22-year-old white nursing student. Ac-

cused but not convicted!

2: Campus police found Riley dead in a wooded area behind a lake near the University of Georgia’s intramural fields on February 22. She had apparently been out for a run and was then reported missing by a friend.

3: On February 23, Ibarra was arrested in the killing and charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, obstructing an emergency call, and concealing the death of another. He and his brothers—Diego, 29, and Argenis, 24—were arrested that day during the search for Riley’s killer, with Diego initially stopped due to his resemblance to the suspect.

4: According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Ibarra and his wife entered the United States “illegally” near El Paso, Texas, in September 2022. After being arrested and released, his wife told the New York Post they were put on a bus and sent to New York.

At that time, immigration attorney Pamela Peynado said Venezuelans had special protective status in the U.S. under temporary

protected status (TPS), approved by both the Trump and Biden administrations. But U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said Ibarra was first arrested in September 2022 “after unlawfully entering the United States near El Paso, Texas.” He is being held at the Athens-Clarke County Jail and has chosen not to seek bond. His brothers are not suspected of involvement in Riley’s murder.

5: Jose’s brothers have now been arrested for entering the U.S. illegally. Diego had allegedly been employed by the University of Georgia food services, according to court documents, which may explain why Jose was near the university.

Jose has become the red meat the right needs to trump up its base and push their false narrative that immigrants are “dangerous criminals” who have been let into the country to “poison the blood” and “kill” real Americans, aka white Americans. Screw “innocent until proven guilty.” Once you are “an illegal,” it is simply “guilty” by default.

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

Goldman Sachs/NYC offer funds for Minority Business developers

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff

New York City is making another move to tackle the affordable housing crisis, this time by partnering with the financial services firm Goldman Sachs.

In a newly announced public/ private partnership, the city and Goldman Sachs say they will be offering a new $50 million line of credit to Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) developers.

With the creation of the New York City Minority Business Enterprise Guaranty Facility, some 10 different MBE developers will have access to as much as $500 million in private construction lending.

The MBE Guaranty Facility is designed for minority developers who see opportunities to refurbish a building or develop a vacant lot yet find themselves having to reach out to various funding sources and pay countless fees just to put a new construction project in play, said Asahi Pompey, Goldman Sachs’ global head of corporate engagement and president of the Goldman Sachs Foundation.

“In order to be a developer they have to show a certain amount of

capital,” Pompey explained in an interview with the AmNews. “Money––that whole quandary of ‘you have to have money to make money’ or the capital to be able to fund these projects––minority developers are locked out of these development opportunities because they don’t have the capital, the liquidity, [or] the carry guarantees generally required by lenders to be able to build much-needed affordable housing units. A number of minority developers have broken through by partnering with larger firms, mostly majority firms, to build those developments. But what that also means is that they’re getting a smaller share of the profit on those developments because they’re having to partner with larger firms.”

Goldman Sachs, a global investment firm, will play a crucial role in the city’s new MBE Guaranty Facility. Over the next 10 years the company has committed to put $10 billion in direct investments and $100 million in philanthropic capital into its One Million Black Women initiative, which is designed to have the company work with Black-women-led organizations in efforts to address the nation’s racial wealth gap.

Goldman Sachs’ outlay for the MBE Guaranty Facility will help certified MBE developers secure up to $50 million in construction financing, allowing them to get to work without the need for outside loans. “The MBE Guaranty Facility includes a $25 million commitment from the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) on behalf of the city,” the press release for the program notes, “and a $25 million commitment from Goldman Sachs Asset Management over a five-year period, with the Community Preservation Corporation (CPC) serving as the facility manager. The $50 million is expected to leverage as much as $500 million in investment in affordable housing.”

“Here’s the way I think this is progress,” Pompey said about the new MBE loan program. “It does a number of things: one is [that] a minority developer tends to be a bit of an anomaly––less than 1% of developers are people of color and so the few that exist in the marketplace have really had serious barriers to entry. What this allows is more entrance and it allows the ones that have broken through to be able to build more development; it takes these minority business developers from being an anomaly to being

Reduce Your Cancer Risk by Eating Healthy

Learn to make healthy, low-cost meals through our free online cooking series led by Karla Giboyeaux, a registered dietitian at the MSK Ralph Lauren Center in Harlem.

For Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (March), learn how to make a red meat-free version

a proof point and eventually a standard bearer so that this model can then be replicated to allow more minority developers to be able to be in this marketplace and be able to build more affordable housing.

“I think that’s the reason this really matters from a progress perspective.”

The MBE Guaranty Facility will be managed by the Community Preservation Corporation (CPC) which will start accepting program applications before the end of the month. For more information, email mbeguaranty@ hpd.nyc.gov.

Asahi Pompey, Goldman Sachs’ global head of corporate engagement, speaks during the announcement of the New York City Minority Business Enterprise Guaranty Facility. (Goldman Sachs photo)

Health

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health

introduces 3D mammogram technology to enhance breast cancer detection

Dr. Purnima Popli, medical director, NYC Health + Hospitals/ Gotham Health, Cumberland/ Brooklyn 2. (Gotham Health Public Affairs photo)

By LEAH MALLORY Special to AmNews

Black women are more likely to get screened for breast cancer at places with fewer resources and without proper accreditation. They also frequently experience longer waiting periods between mammograms and additional check-ups. In response, NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health has unveiled a state-ofthe-art 3D mammogram machine to revolutionize breast cancer detection at Gotham Health, Cumberland in Brooklyn.

The development contributes to the mission of NYC Health + Hospital in providing cutting-edge care to underserved communities in New York. The municipal health agency is the largest in the nation, serving more than a million New Yorkers.

“We do serve an underserved patient population, and we do

have a big proportion of our population as Black women, so this really assists with detecting disease in them,” said Gotham Health, Cumberland Medical Director Dr. Purnima Popli.

The new technology offers a three-dimensional view of the breast, providing physicians with a detailed image that makes identifying abnormalities or small lesions easier. This is especially beneficial for women with denser breasts, said Popli.

“Black women tend to have higher (density) breast tissue than white women, so this technology is particularly helpful in this patient population,” she said.

Popli said the mammogram machine can detect cancers early, increasing the likelihood of successful treatment.

“Breast cancer is one of the cancers that is treatable early on. It goes into remission if

caught early,” she said. “The problem with what we see right now is when patients don’t get screened, they get diagnosed much later, which really affects the chances of survival.”

While breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in U.S. women overall, it is the primary cause of cancer death in Black and Hispanic women. Black women experience a 4% lower incidence rate of breast cancer compared to white women, yet face a significantly higher breast cancer death rate, reaching 40%. They also possess the lowest five-year relative breast cancer survival rate among all other racial/ethnic groups for every stage of diagnosis, according to the American Cancer Society.

To combat these disparities, Popli said Gotham Health, Cumberland, where many Black female patients are served, has adopted

an inclusive approach. “Our principle is that health care is a necessity. There should be no disparities in health care. It is something that should be easily (accessible) to everyone,” she said.

Popli added that Gotham Health, Cumberland also tries to address patient concerns in a single visit. “We try to do everything that we can possibly get done during their one visit here, including trying to get their screening mammogram the same day (as another appointment),” she said. “We do have walk-in availability that patients can use. Once they see their primary care provider, they can just go to our radiology department and get that test done.”

To schedule an appointment with Gotham Health, Cumberland, call 1-844-692-4692 or go to https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/services/breasthealth/.

FDA’s plan to ban hair relaxer chemical called too little, too late

Kayleigh Butler, a hair stylist, at her studio in Atlanta, says, “Relaxers have taken an extreme decline...as we became more knowledgeable about the effects of the relaxer on your hair and what it can do to your hair.” She remembers getting relaxers when she was 5 years old.

By RONNIE COHEN KFF Health News

In April, a dozen years after a federal agency classified formaldehyde as a human carcinogen, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is tentatively scheduled to unveil a proposal to consider banning the chemical in hair-straightening products.

The move comes at a time of rising alarm among researchers over the health effects of hair straighteners, products widely used by and heavily marketed to Black women. But advocates and scientists say the proposed regulation would do far too little, in addition to being far too late.

“The fact that formaldehyde is still allowed in hair care products is mind-blowing to me,” said Linda Birnbaum, a former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program. “I don’t know what we’re waiting for.”

Asked why it’s taking so long to get the issue on the FDA’s agenda, Namandjé Bumpus, the regulato-

ry agency’s chief scientist, told KFF Health News, “I think primarily the science has progressed. Also, the agency is always balancing multiple priorities. It is a priority for us now.”

The FDA’s glacial response to concerns about formaldehyde and other hazardous chemicals in hair straighteners partly reflects the agency’s limited powers when it comes to cosmetics and personal-care products, according to Lynn Goldman, a former assistant administrator for toxic substances at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Under the law, she said, the FDA must consider all chemical ingredients “innocent until proven guilty.”

Critics say it also points to broader problems. “It’s a clear example of failure in public health protection,” said David Andrews, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, which first petitioned the agency to ban formaldehyde in hair straighteners in 2011 and sued over the issue in 2016. “The public is still waiting for this response.”

Last year, mounting evidence

linking hair straighteners to hormone-driven cancers prompted Reps. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and Shontel Brown (D-Ohio) to urge the regulatory agency to investigate straighteners and relaxers.

The FDA responded by proposing to do what many scientists say the agency should have done years ago: initiate a plan to eventually outlaw chemical straighteners that contain or emit formaldehyde.

Such a ban would be a crucial public health step, but doesn’t go nearly far enough, scientists who study the issue said. The elevated risk of breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers that epidemiological studies have recently associated with hair straighteners is probably due to ingredients other than formaldehyde, they said.

Formaldehyde has been linked to an increased risk of upper respiratory tract cancer and myeloid leukemia, Bumpus said in a video announcement of the proposed ban on X, formerly known as Twitter. But Kimberly Bertrand, an associate professor at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian

School of Medicine, and other scientists said they were unaware of any studies linking formaldehyde to the hormone-driven, or reproductive, cancers that prompted recent calls for the FDA to act.

“It’s hard for me to imagine that removing formaldehyde will have an impact on the incidence of these reproductive cancers,” said Bertrand, an epidemiologist and lead author of a study published in December, the second linking hair relaxers to an increased risk of uterine cancer.

Hair products targeted to African Americans contain a host of hazardous chemicals, said Tamarra James-Todd, an associate professor of epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who has studied the issue for 20 years.

Studies have shown that straightener ingredients include phthalates, parabens, and other endocrine-disrupting compounds that mimic the body’s hormones and have been linked to cancers, as well as early puberty, fibroids, See HAIR RELAXER on page 29

(AP Photo/Kenya Hunter)

Arts & Entertainment

Dance pg 17 | Film/TV pg 18 | Trends pg 21 | Jazz pg 24

March 2024 Dance Calendar

By CHARMAINE PATRICIA WARREN

Special to the AmNews

Enjoy this full calendar of dance to welcome the spring. Topping the list is Burkinabe choreographer and performer, Lacina Coulibaly in “Until The Lion Tells the Story,” March 28-30 at New York Live Arts. For Coulibaly, “Until The Lion Tells the Story” is an invitation to embrace the wisdom and knowledge of Africa as an essential part of being in the world, and a reminder that the journey toward renaissance and transformation begins with building one’s inner pyramid. Inspired by Egyptian use of the golden ratio in ancient pyramid construction, Coulibaly engages the similar Fibonacci sequence in which each number in a particular order is equal to the sum of two numbers before it. He uses a bottle of water to construct his own golden ratio rectangle, symbolizing another early practice of water drop-

lets as a form of measurement. The solo performance applies the ideas and writings of Guadeloupean writer, Egyptologist, and classical African mathematics specialist Omotunde Kalala and Senegalese historian, anthropologist, physicist, and politician Cheikh Anta Diop to underscore Coulibaly’s belief that “forgetting or ignoring any aspect of our history leads to a loss of ourselves.” For more information visit https:// newyorklivearts.org/event/untilthe-lion-tells-the-story/

Mar. 8-17: New York City Center and Flamenco Festival and will happen throughout New York City for a total of 22 performances in 13 venues and includes more than 100 of Spain’s flamenco dancers and musicians, including the National Ballet of Spain and Olga Pericet to name just a few. For more information, visit https:// www.nycitycenter.org/pdps/20232024/flamenco-festival/

Mar. 12-24: Hubbard Street Dance Chicago returns to The Joyce with works by Darrell Grand

Moultrie, Thang Dao, Rennie Harris, Lar Lubovitch, Rena Butler, and Aszure Barton. For more information, visit https://www.joyce. org/performances/64//hubbardstreet-dance-chicago

Mar. 14-15: For Split Bill #42 at The TRISK, Kashia Kancey & Rebecca Margolick share the evening with solos: “I Believed It Too” from Kancey and “Reservoir” from Margolick. For more information, visit https://www.triskelionarts.org/ spring-2024/splitbill42

Mar. 14 – Mar. 30: Experience the annual BAAD! Ass Women Festival at BAAD! For more information, visit https://www.tix.com/ ticket-sales/guggenheim/3515/ event/1356475

Mar. 18: Join Kwikstep and Rokafella’s Behind the Groove, a party celebrating all things dance at the Guggenheim Rotunda and the Works & Process series. For more information, visit https:// www.tix.com/ticket-sales/guggenheim/3515/event/1356475

Mar. 21-23: Stacey Spence will

Your Stars

present a new dance in triptych form, “I am, here” (a solo), “Here with us” (a duet), and “Where we find ourselves” (a quartet). For more information, visit https:// danspaceproject.org/calendar/ ws2024-spence/

Mar. 21-25: The writer, dancer, and experimental filmmaker, Harmony Holiday brings “BLACK BACKSTAGE” which builds upon the artist’s latest book MAAFA, a work that deals with the archetypes and sounds that form in and of the ruins after genocide and displacement, to The Kitchen at Westbeth. For more information visit https://thekitchendev.netlify.app/ on-view/BLACK-BACKSTAGE/

Mar. 28-30: The duo, Baye & Asa will present and perform their newest work, “4 | 2 | 3,” which focuses on the generational impacts of climate change using the “Riddle of the Sphinx” as an allegorical structure, at Baryshnikov Arts. For more information, visit https://baryshnikovarts.org/performance/baye-asa/

Remembering Andrew Hill, a moment in amber

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

Rather than an invasive dissection of the recent two-day celebration of the music of Andrew Hill at the Harlem Stage on the campus of the City College of New York, it was far easier just to accept and enjoy it as an extended melange of luscious melodies.

Under the rubric of “Eternal Spirit: Vijay Iyer & Friends Celebrate the Music of Andrew Hill,” day two’s performance was sold out, though the inclement weather may have explained some empty seats. When a barcode, which continues to be the least expensive way of providing program notes, indicated that the music would be drawn from Hill’s corpus of creations, only the most informed Hill aficionado could have deciphered “Black Fire” from “Dusk,” and from the dozen or so others songs being performed.

No matter which of the players was partnered, right from the start

the ensemble presented a full orchestral sound, as Iyer and flutist Nicole Mitchell blended harmoniously. After this intro, her furious solo took flight as she set the stage for the evening and the successive duets to follow. Her highest notes often morphed right

into the sound of Yuhan Su’s vibraphone. Su is as rewarding to watch as she is to hear, her four mallets juggling notes as though they were six without missing a beat or nuance.

Drummer Nasheet Waits delivered similar moments of dexterity

and rhythmic intensity, particularly during his duo cameo with Iyer, and the pianist was never more percussive and inventive. Waits, as he did at the centennial celebration of Max Roach at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center weeks ago, moved with speed and precision from drum to drum, with Roach-like resonance.

Among the most powerful occasions were the solos by tenor saxophonist Mark Shim. Those in the audience old enough or on top of Hill’s music probably recall Joe Henderson’s urgency on “Black Fire,” and relished Shim’s facility at giving those memories a compelling reprise. And when he joined trumpeter/flugelhornist Milena Casado with Mitchell on alto flute, it was a frontline of remarkable tonality that took on an even brighter brilliance from the ballast supplied by bassists Reggie Workman and Devon Gates; her bass at times was walking and his talking. When he wasn’t keeping a song’s meter intact, Workman found those per-

fect breaks to tinker a bell and shake some beads to accentuate a musical phrase.

Iyer and crew did a marvelous job capturing the full majesty of Hill’s music, which in Iyer’s words was “laced with mystery” and at times “sprawling, mesmerizing improvisations, exuberant and insurgent.” Some of this exploded from his piano, particularly when it was just him and the rhythm section featured. At the close of the concert, each player had a chance to offer a personal coda to the memory of Hill (19312007), and there were intimations of his “Siete Ocho” and “Refuse,” or so it seemed.

Pat Cruz, the Artistic Director & CEO of the Harlem Stage put the evening in amber with one of her reflections. “I first presented Andrew in the early 90s at the Studio Museum in Harlem in the Artist’s Voice series that I created,” she said. For a few of us old timers it was as unforgettable as this evening with Iyer and his cohort.

Lacina Coulibaly (Lance Reha photo)

Celebration of the music of Andrew Hill at the Harlem Stage on the campus of the City College. (Herb Boyd photo)

Da’Vine Joy Randolph shines bright: Triumph at the 96th Academy Awards

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

By MAGRIRA

Special to the AmNews

When Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s name was called as the winner for Best Supporting Actress for the film “The Holdovers,” the press room erupted into enthusiastic applause and a few “you go, gurl!” calls of deep appreciation.

It had been a very long run for the now Oscar winner and she never missed an opportunity to express her gratitude for the love and support from the audience and her peers.

Here’s what Da’Vine Joy Randolph had to share to AmNews about being in a very tough industry and keeping your mental health intact.

On what it does to her mental health

I think you’d be selling yourself short if you make it about the awards. It’s too hard of a career. The beautiful thing and the hard thing about being an actor is that it requires you to have resilience and self-confidence and belief in yourself when no one else does when you are constantly getting ‘nos’ and you’re saying, “Nope, I’m going to keep going.” So, actually, in many ways, while it can challenge your mental health, it also can strengthen it because you have to fortify yourself in a way that some people never ever have to do. So, for that, I’m grateful.

I would say also, you know, you just keep yourself grounded, surrounded by people who care and love you, and stay close to what’s real. And, again, I’m just very adamant that it would not be on your heart if you weren’t meant to do it. And I know it can be challenging to wait that wait, but when it happens, it’s a full circle moment, and you know it was worth it.

On being different

I knew I was always different. And so, therefore, I thought maybe I needed to

conform to something else because when I looked at the shows for many years as I was growing up, I didn’t necessarily see myself there; yet, that was the model of success. So I was on this journey of trying to figure out how I could mold myself to that because I thought that’s what success would mean. And what I have begun to find in my journey is that in being myself and doing the work and staying focused and driven and clear, I could do exactly the same thing whilst being myself.

On winning awards so far—the moments that have stood out

I think the biggest thing is the camaraderie. I didn’t know what to expect. You know, I didn’t know if it was going to be a dog-eatdog thing, if it would be, like, you know, really aggressive. And what’s been so beautiful is having this relationship with people that are going through the same thing with you, a support system that you can rely on and the friends that I’ve made because of it.

On paying it forward

It’s imperative because the people who’ve done it before me allowed me to be in this position now. And so the type of work I do, my strive for authenticity, for quality allows there to be a new standard set where we can tell universal stories in Black and brown bodies, and it can be accepted and enjoyed amongst the masses. It’s not just Black TV or Black movies or Black people, but instead a universal performance that can be enjoyed by all.

How to encourage creatives from underserved communities

Due to being underserved and underserved communities, the beautiful thing that erupts is your imagination and your creativity because you don’t have much. And so you have this innate ability to create. That’s a gift, and that’s something that will serve you that when you do have the resources it’s easy. Something I think we as Black people are very good at is making a lot out of very little, and I think that’s a superpower and something that we should applaud ourselves for and uplift ourselves so there’s nothing that’s never too little. It’s always just enough.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph embraces Lupita Nyong’o after accepting the Oscar® for Actress in a Supporting Role during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

Oscar® winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph attends the Governors Ball following the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

(Mark Von Holden / ©A.M.P.A.S. photo)

Da’Vine Joy Randolph poses backstage with the Oscar® for Actress in a Supporting Role during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph accepts the Oscar® for Actress in a Supporting Role during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. (Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S. photo)

Cord Jefferson clinches coveted Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for ”American Fiction”

By MAGRIRA

Special To The AmNews

Cord Jefferson clinched the coveted Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay with his compelling work, “American Fiction,” adapted from Percival Everett’s novel, “Erasure.” Seamlessly blending drama with biting satire, the screenplay boldly confronts the microaggressions and stereotypes entrenched within the African American creative sphere in publishing and film. Jefferson’s narrative leaps off the page, offering a poignant reflection of societal complexities.

“American Fiction” delves into the world of Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (played by Jeffrey Wright), an erudite yet disillusioned author grappling with the commodification of African American culture in mainstream media. To challenge prevailing narratives and societal norms, Ellison adopts an alias and pens a captivating but stereotypical novel, inadvertently thrusting himself into the limelight.

As a first-time director and now an Academy Award recipient, Jefferson underscored the significance of his win, emphasizing the film’s poignant critique of narrow portrayals of African Ameri -

can life. His achievement serves as a testament to the power of storytelling in dismantling stereotypes and fostering inclusivity in cinema.

ON THE CONTRADICTION

CORD JEFFERSON:

Hopefully, the lesson here is there is an audience for things that are different. There is an appetite for things that are different and a story with African American characters that’s going to appeal to a lot of people. [African American films don’t] need to take place on a plantation, they don’t need to take place in the projects. It doesn’t need to have drug dealers in it and doesn’t need to have gang members in it. There’s an audience and market for depictions of African American life that are as broad and as deep as any other depictions of people’s lives.

ON BEING RECOGNIZED

CJ: There’s a Victor Hugo quote that says, “Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” And so, you know, I was very passionate about this film. Everybody who worked on this film is very passionate about it. Nobody was there for the money because we didn’t have any money. So people were there because they believed in it. And so, to be here now and to receive this … feels incredibly surreal.

ON THE POWER OF POSITIVE WORD OF MOUTH

CJ: We didn’t have a huge marketing budget, so we relied on word of mouth a lot and people who liked the film telling other people they liked the film. What I tried to convey in my speech is that there’s an audience for things that are different. There is—there is an appetite for things that are different. And, you know, a story with Black characters that’s going to appeal to a lot of people

doesn’t need to take place on a plantation, doesn’t need to take place in the projects, doesn’t need to have drug dealers in it, doesn’t need to have gang members in it. But there’s an audience for different depictions of people’s lives, and that it…there is a market for depictions of Black life that are as broad and as deep as any other depictions of people’s lives. Does that make sense? This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

‘The Last Repair Shop’: Oscar-winning short celebrates unsung heroes

By MAGRIRA Special to the AmNews

The Oscar-winning short film, “The Last Repair Shop,” exemplifies how something seemingly small can have a profound impact, akin to the ripple caused by a stone skipping across a pond.

Directed by Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers and co-distributed by L.A. Times Studios and Searchlight, the charming film clinched the prize in the documentary short category at the Oscars on Sunday. It highlights the unsung heroes in our schools, often overlooked and underappreciated, yet instrumental in shaping young lives. Anyone who has ever played an instrument knows the life-changing power of music.

In an intimate exploration, “The Last Repair Shop” invites viewers into a seemingly unassuming workshop, where miracles unfold as skilled technicians revive broken instruments, serving thousands of students in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Notably, this school system stands out as one of the nation’s few to provide musical equipment to students free of charge, emphasizing the transformative influence of music education on young minds.

Proudfoot previously won an Oscar for the short film “The Queen of Basketball,” while he and Bowers were nominated in the same category for co-directing “A Concerto Is a Conversation.” On the Oscar stage, Bowers emphasized that music education isn’t just about creating incredible musicians but also about nurturing incredible human beings.

Here is what Oscar winners Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers had to share on winning the Oscar for “The Last Repair Shop,” co-distributed by L.A. Times Studios and Searchlight, currently available for streaming on Netflix.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

KRIS BOWERS: I attended Juilliard, and my roommate shared a poignant story with me. He grew up on the South Side of Chicago, and his mom couldn’t afford therapy, so she bought him a $99 guitar. That guitar became his therapy throughout much of his childhood. Many of the kids in our

films share similar experiences. They talk about how their instruments help them with depression, anxiety, and self-confidence. We truly believe that these instruments can have a profound impact on children, especially those in underserved communities. Ensuring they have access to music can potentially change their lives, and that’s incredibly important.

ON THE POSITIVE IMPACT THE SHORT FILM HAS MADE

BEN PROUDFOOT AND KRIS BOWERS:

We are delighted to announce a $15 million capital campaign aimed at supporting the repair shop. You can visit thelastrepairshop. com today. Every contribution, whether it›s $5, $10, or any amount, makes a difference. This underscores the power of the short documentary. We produced this film independently over the course of four years. Witnessing its impact on students’ lives is truly remarkable. We hope that this film leaves a lasting impression, both in Los Angeles and beyond.

ON REALIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SHORT DOC

KB: And so, for me, the moment that Ben [Proudfoot] told me about it was the moment that I felt like this was a story that needed to be told. I grew up in LA. And for me, the music rooms in my schools meant so much to me. I never thought about how [the instruments] were being repaired.

ON EVERYONE HAVING A STORY

KB: The question centered on the significance of each individual’s story and its worthiness to be shared. Our approach to discovering these narratives exemplifies this belief. When Ben initially proposed the idea of creating this

film and approached the repair shop, there was some hesitancy due to past negative experiences with the media. However, Ben delivered a compelling speech, reminiscent of a ‘Jerry Maguire’ moment, rallying support. Four individuals from the repair shop volunteered to participate, and their stories became the heart of the film. Importantly, we didn’t know their stories until they sat in front of the camera.

This underscores the notion that within every individual lies a compelling and impactful story waiting to be uncovered.

ON LOOKING AT THE NEXT GENERATION

BP: Another dimension of this film addresses the multitude of programs, foundations, and individuals dedicated to discovering the next musical prodigy. They strive to nurture talent and guide individuals towards becoming exceptional musicians. However, beyond seeking professional musicians, there exists an invaluable social benefit to music education for everyone. Personally, I experienced the transformative power of learning to play the piano. It taught me discipline, harmony, listening skills, collaboration, and more. This film emphasizes the importance of providing access to music education for all, regardless of background or circumstance. It underscores the idea that music is accessible to everyone, regardless of their story or origins.

“The Last Repair Shop” is now available to watch on Disney+ and Hulu as well as on the Los Angeles Times’ YouTube channel and latimes.com, as part of the L.A. Times

Short Docs series.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Cord Jefferson poses backstage with the Oscar for Adapted Screenplay during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. (Al Seib/©A.M.P.A.S.)

Academy Governor Ava DuVernay and Oscar nominee Cord Jefferson at the 96th Oscars at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. (Dana Pleasant ©A.M.P.A.S. photo)

Oscar winners Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers attend the Governors Ball following the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 10, 2024. (David Crane / ©A.M.P.A.S. photo)

HOROSCOPES BY KNOWYOURNUMB3RS

By SUPREME GODDESS KYA

WWW.KYAFRENCH.COM | CONSULTATIONS 866-331-5088

Believe the words you utter, feel the vibrations when you write—this transmits to your brain, sending signals to register a command and populate different avenues of options. Once you get into a rhythm, build a foundation to carry you through the days, weeks, months, and years. That’s the magic ingredient to your recipe, so make it part of your daily regimen. In the days leading up to March 22, continue to put in work to see results. This cycle week has an awkward twist; just remember where you are heading and ignore the temptation and distractions that come your way. Focus on the needs and best interests of self.

The foundation has been established. The initiation has begun, and the next phase is filling in the blanks before your masterpiece of completion. There’s both a fast and a slow pace occurring in what you are doing, which will blend well; similarly to how there’s often a slow beat in a fast song. From March 14 around 11:16 p.m. until March 17 around 5:25 a.m., expand your mind to create different subjects to discuss, write, and include in a routine, because this is where the rubber meets the road to improve your performance or sharpen your talents, skills, expertise, and gifts.

It’s mastermind week to formulate and elaborate on the previous blueprint to draw out something you didn’t see that can be used as a collaboration or composite of all your work. Go within and find that childlike place to express yourself and bring it to the forefront, adding it to what you do for work or creatively. Neptune is on the verge of leaving your sign, and the more it rocks back and forth into retrograde in the last stages of your sign, the more it provides you with the main ingredients to make things stick. From March 17 around 5:40 a.m. until March 19 around 3:18 p.m., when the retrograde phase comes, be ready to see through the illusion of things and remove the distractions. Be like Neo in “The Matrix” in the spoon scene to realize the truth: that there is no spoon, it’s only yourself and the perception of the spoon. Question: Is the spoon bending?

Do you believe in the things you do, speak, and live out in your daily aspects? You are in control of your life, just like grabbing the remote control and turning on the TV to your desired channel. You are in the midst of change whether you like it or not, so change exists when you are ready to upgrade. Sometimes the downgrade begins first before the upgrade. From March 19 around 3:33 p.m. until March 22 3:27 a.m., what’s the fight in you as the battle is within? Roll up your sleeves and get to it. Have faith in yourself and wake up every single day with gratitude.

“I can do” is the right attitude to go get your blessing by performing your daily task at hand. Have you ever looked at the analog clock and noticed how it has three hands? Each hand has a duty or mission to perform in a certain amount of time before the next hour, minute, and second. What is it that you need to be doing or working on to align with the hands on the clock at a specific time of the day? In the days leading up to March 22, the clock is ticking, time is moving, daylight is longer now, and you are in position to do whatever it is you need to do. Remember, luxury is all around you, your body is luxurious. Make the command, put your request in like you do with a DJ to play a song.

It’s all in the mind like the melody in the songs or the stars in the sky. The things you see are already there, it’s just a matter of time before you become more aware of your surroundings and acquire wisdom. Acknowledge what you see, hear, and feel, and the circumstances playing out in your environment. Are the things playing out in your environment real? If so, what makes them real? From March 14 around 11:16 p.m. until March 17 around 5:25 a.m., believing is something that gives you an illusion, like Neptune, or you can be the most powerful creator of your world. Remember you have a choice that leads you in different directions and encounters in your life. When you are ready, say the magic words like Dorothy in the “Wizard of Oz.”

Rebirth of A New Nation: When you are serious about something, you do what it takes to get there. Make it happen; no time for games, humanity has been there and done that. What is your game plan? Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. “Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it”—W.H. Murray

Traveling far and short distances for a rapid get-away trip is indicated. There is also a message being conveyed to you during your travels. When folks decide to go on vacation, travel, or a break, it is for a cause. This time, it’s the universe sending you to certain places: whether you travel on foot, by car, air, train, within your mind, or via inner-city pathways, you will receive the message. From March 17 around 5:40 a.m. until March 19 around 3:18 p.m., what are some things you wish you had the pleasure to have in your life? Just imagine it every day and watch what comes to you. It may start out with leads, breadcrumbs, hints, or clues until the main picture unfolds. You are magic; you need to relearn linguistics as it is already a part of you.

Can you say YES, as things are working out in their own magical ways? As things are progressing, look at the details playing out. When I say details it’s not just the paperwork, it’s the folks, signs, animals, songs, billboard messages, the words being spoken, the color you choose to wear, and much more. Every day you have an agenda and the changes that occur are for your progress. From March 19 around 3:33 p.m. until March 22 3:27 a.m., this cycle week, change is elevating to a higher ground and so are your plans. What keeps you elevating and floating as you network and connect, bridging the gap with other like-minded individuals? Collaborate more on what it is you truly want to do in life and push that agenda.

How uncomfortable do you want to become, as life in general is rawer and more revealing daily? Take time in nature or be in the state of mind that brings you peace for the answers you seek. What do you want to know? There’s an inner change of enchantment occurring within your thought process, displaying as you think of it. In the days leading up March 22, take yourself on a mind trip in solitude and write what comes to you afterwards throughout your days. What seems mysterious is what it is, yet look deeper into the meaning to find more connection. There is always a reason why we investigate the things we are drawn to, whether it is a word, a topic, a person, or a thing. It has value in it. Once you find it, you will know the meaning,

Libra, libation, vibration is what comes to me as I write. Drink plenty of water and fluids this cycle week. There is a lot of 411 on the way to you that needs space in your mind to break it down once the messages are delivered. You have a great, sound plan in mind for how to distribute whatever it is you do. Make it happen this month. The inventory, folks, pictures, and finances, will come to you just in time or on God’s time. From March 14 around 11:16 p.m. until March 17 around 5:25 a.m., you are never without the things you need; as long as you are breathing and living, you got it. Bring your master plan to the forefront as it is now time for you to deliver on your word by applying the footwork and any other work that comes with the plan. Results will show up at the end of the month. Stay focused on being disciplined in your due diligence.

Listen to the air as it has a message for you, drink the water as it brings you a feeling, and get grounded to be grounded within your affairs. No need to rock the boat, instead just sit in the boat and discover what you feel. Touch the boat. Close your eyes and see where it takes you. If you look at how the boat is shaped and designed, you can see the resemblance in your feet when you study the diagram deeper. When you take a deeper look, what’s the thought that comes to mind and, most importantly, what does it tell you about yourself? From March 17 around 5:40 a.m. until March 19 around 3:18 p.m., remember: Humanity started from a tiny organism that developed into a full body.

What are you waiting on? Follow up on the followup by call, email, letter, voicemail, etc. to get your point across. No need to drag things out when you can handle it sooner than later. There are four seasons that indicate the condition of the weather of change. Your four seasons are coming on a weekly basis to prepare you for the end of the month to decide. From March 19 around 3:33 p.m. until March 22 3:27 a.m., the weather is unpredictable in your forecast which will clear up soon; until then, follow your itinerary or plan.

‘Dean Collection Giants’ now on view at Brooklyn Museum Trends

By RENEE MINUS WHITE Fashion & Beauty Editor

The Brooklyn Museum’s newest exhibit, “The Dean Collection Giants,” is absolutely exquisite and filled with the most talented, and often unsung, artists of our time. Drawing an international audience, it’s a family affair that’s created with the first exhibition of the private holdings of the musical and cultural icons Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Dean) and his wife Alicia Keys. Both born and raised in New York, the collectors have amassed this expansive art collection. “We wanted to shed light on Black art and the artists,” remarked the couple, who champion the philosophy of artists supporting artists.

On the first floor of the Brooklyn Museum to the left, “Giants” opens with a people-featured wall hanging that stands out behind children’s toys on the floor. To the left, there are photographs of women in afros taken by Kwame Brathwaite during the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, depicting the “Black is Beautiful” era. Gazing at the photos, there was a young couple discussing whether or not they could wear their hair in the afro styles shown. Back then, we never thought

twice about it. Folks who were protesting about freedom, power, and rights wore their hair natural. It was all so beautiful.

You will recognize the names and works of Gordon Parks, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Lorna Simpson, Kehinde Wiley, and Nina Chanel Abney. These names loom large in the past and present of art, as do many others. The Brooklyn Museum’s presentation also spotlights works by Black diaspora artists as part of their ongoing efforts to expand the art-historical narrative.

However, “Giants” refers to several aspects of the Dean Collection: the renown of legendary artists, the impact of canon-expanding contemporary artists, and the monumental works by such creators as Derrick Adams, Arthur Jafa, and Meleko Mokgosi. Immense pieces—including the largest ever by Mokgosi—are paired with standouts such as Parks’s seminal photographs, Wiley’s revolutionary portraits, and Esther Mahlangu’s globe-bridging canvases.

Enjoy vivid, truthful photographs, along with wondrous watercolor and oil paintings, sculptures, fashions and photos of Black heroes like Mohammed Ali and Jackie Robinson. There were several photos depicting activities that still happen today such as kids playing in the streets and cooling off under the sprinkles from the fire hydrants on a hot summer day.

Wall texts included quotations such as: “We need to be our most giant selves: to think our most giant thoughts, express ourselves in the biggest way possible; and give ourselves permission to be giants.”

The exhibition will encourage “giant conversations” inspired by the works on view— critiquing society and celebrating Blackness. It’s worth the trip for the entire family.

Visit www.Brooklynmuseum.org for hours and more information.

Art from The Dean Collection Giants, now at the Brooklyn Museum. (Renee Minus White/A Time To Style photos)

Ruth P. Watson talks historical fiction and “A Right Worthy Woman”

By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH

Special to the AmNews

The gifted historical novelist Ruth P. Watson has graced the world with her most recent work, “A Right Worthy Woman.” The book is inspired by the life of Maggie Lena Walker, the first Black woman to serve as president of a bank in the early 1900s, a powerful and respected maven of Black Wall Street.

Ruth was kind enough to speak with us about “A Right Worthy Woman” and her career and process.

AmNews: Let’s start from the beginning. What sparked your interest Black history, and what inspired you to express this interest in historical fiction?

Ruth Watson: My history is the derivative of my future. And my interest started as a child. My curious mind wanted to know about my heritage and I asked questions about my family’s beginnings. My uncle was always researching our family tree, however, there was so much no one wanted to speak about. One of my grandmothers said they were never enslaved, and the other one shook her head and said things were hard as a child. I knew our history was important, and I’ve always wanted to understand the journey of my forefathers and how they lived, sometimes even shedding tears when I heard of the journey of our history makers. Understanding history is the prerequisite to our current lifestyle and successes.

Unfortunately, some of the history is gloomy, yet the joys and struggles are the reason I exist. Tuning into history as far back as the beginning of existence is something to relish. Knowing my family came over from Africa as enslaved people and survived the pathway to America is something to ponder. When I ruminate about Vice President Kamala Harris and even Harriett Tubman, we’ve triumphed through unchartered territory and survived. I’m enamored by it all. Historical Fiction allows one to tell the story from a creative perspective, hopefully compelling readers to understand why they exist and how we can change the future by knowing from whence we came.

AmNews: How did you learn about Black Wall Street, and how deeply did you have to delve to find the story of Maggie Lena Walker?

Watson: Mrs. Maggie Lena Walker was featured on the cover of Forbes magazine in 1927. She was a renegade in a time when it was unspeakable for women to take on a leadership role in anything. She established a bank in 1903 and was the first female of any color to run a bank. She was economically sound as a little girl. She believed in supernatural power and forged her ideas, and African Americans had a bank to deposit their money into and it never failed, even during the Great Depression. She deserves to be recognized in America and across the globe.Wall Street has never seen someone with her determination, especially during the Jim Crow era.

AmNews: Black women in finance is a rare fictional story to tell, even if it’s based on true

events. How did you craft your approach to the story in a way that you knew a major publisher and a wide demographic of readers would want to read?

Watson: I had to pray hard about it and allow the creative juices to assist me in telling a story full of facts and fiction that would not be boring and unfulfilling to the reader. I entwined real life character plots in with the facts, adding a little spice for entertainment.

AmNews: Did you have to wait for the publishing industry to catch up, or have your previous books work as positive stepping stones to explore the tragedy of Black Wall Street?

Watson: Mrs. Maggie has found her way in all of my historical fiction novels. Her spirit was lurking around, waiting for me to release her to the world. Black Wall Street was going through tumultuous times across the country and it was time for Mrs Maggie Lena Walker’s story to be heard. She managed to save Jackson Ward and continue to build with her tenacious and spiritual determination. Defeat was not an option.

AmNews: What do you hope this story will accomplish regarding the erasure of this historical massacre?

Watson: This was written in contrast to what was happening all around Richmond, Virginia. Striving Black communities were tumbling

down by the spirit of jealousy and entitlement. This story shines a light on faith, survival, strategy, planning, and sheer determination, since the Saint Luke Penny Bank and the businesses in Jackson Ward remained sustainable.

AmNews: What advice would you offer to young Black authors about choosing Black historical narratives, events, and subjects to create fresh historical fiction?

Watson: I would tell stories of triumph. It will inspire young people with dreams they

might feel are unattainable.

AmNews: What is the best part about your job, and what is the ultimate gift of having “A Right Worthy Woman” published?

Watson: We had our own shero in 1903 who overcame the norms and created a culture of success and respect. Mrs. Maggie Lena Walker is not just Black history — more so, she is American history. She was the first female banker and she was someone to reckon with. And she did it intentionally with class.

New Black thrillers: Two riveting novels by Wanda M. Morris & K’wan

By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the Amnews

Two tales steeped in mystery, conspiracy, and urban grit, “What You Leave Behind” by Wanda M. Morris and “Passion for the Heist” by K’wan, lead readers on enthralling journeys. The pages of these new Black thrillers, although distinct in their narratives and lens, share a common thread of suspense, passion, and the relentless pursuit of truth.

“What You Leave Behind” by Wanda M. Morris

Award-winning author Wanda M. Morris returns with a haunting novel that submerges readers into the depths of a conspiracy dating back to Reconstruction, echoing its sinister effects in contemporary America. The story revolves around Deena, a lawyer grappling with personal tragedies, who inadvertently stumbles on a tangled web of mystery and corruption in her hometown of Brunswick, Georgia.

Deena’s quest for solace in her childhood home takes an unexpected turn as she becomes entangled in the disappearance of a loner widower fighting to preserve his family’s land.

As she digs deeper into this dark occurrence and navigates a treacherous path

to unveil the truth and thwart the sinister forces at play, Deena finds herself facing a formidable adversary. “What You Leave Behind” is a chilling exploration of deception, resilience, and the fight for justice, leaving readers on the edge of their seats until the final revelation.

“Passion for the Heist” by K’wan

K’wan, a talented national bestselling author, writes a gritty and unforgettable journey through the streets of New York in “Passion for the Heist.” The novel introduces Parish “Pain” Wells, a man re-entering society after completing a bid in prison who is desperate to provide for his ailing mother.

A fateful crime sets Pain on a collision course with Passion Adams, a woman haunted by grief who numbs her pain with drugs and self-destructive behavior. The unexpected, yet irresistible magnetism between Pain and Passion is so strong that it seems to transcend their troubled pasts when they’re together.

“Passion for the Heist” unfolds as a tale of two souls building each other up just as intensely as they tear each other down, while they burrow through the depths of wild heists and looming dangers. K’wan weaves a scintillating story that draws readers in, refusing give way until the book’s conclusion.

Ruth P. Watson

‘The Notebook’ is a musical love story for the ages

By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews

“The Notebook” is one of the most epic, romantic, touching musicals ever to grace a Broadway stage! It is a musical love story for the ages. The non-traditional casting is done at an astronomical level and works beautifully. The production vividly demonstrates that love is universal and a person’s race or ethnic background does not matter, as the two lead characters at different stages of their lives are performed by a racially diverse cast. I have never been so moved by a musical. During the first act the tears were flowing throughout the audience; and during the second act I was among those moved to tears from the sheer beauty, love, devotion and tenderness of this love story between Allie and Noah.

This musical looks at the love of a couple who were destined to be together, and at what can happen with old age and dementia. The audience experiences the sense of loss and frustration that a person with dementia experiences, as well as its impact on the loved ones around them. This gorgeous musical has stunning music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson, a captivating book by Bekah Brunstet-

ter and is based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, which, of course, inspired the movie with the same name.

This glorious musical is filled with so many tender moments and takes such a moving look at love and what happens when a couple has been together for decades and then faces losing each other, not to death, but to dementia. How hard would you fight to keep the woman that you love? What would you do to gently bring her back to recognizing you and the life that you have had together?

The Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre at 236 W 45th Street was packed with people of all ages and ethnic back-

grounds coming together to experience this phenomenal musical. This cast is beyond phenomenal. Dorian Harewood as Older Noah grabs your heart and takes you on this journey that is as beautiful as it is painful. John Cardoza is absolutely breathtaking as Young Noah and Ryan Vasquez is stunning as Middle Noah. MaryAnn Plunkett is riveting as Older Allie. Her performance is heart wrenching at times. Jordan Tyson is completely stirring and delightful as Young Allie. Joy Woods is tremendous in the role of Middle Allie. She definitely makes her mark in one of the show-stopping numbers in the

musical. Supporting cast members were extraordinary and played multiple roles. Andrea Burns was versatile and remarkable in the roles of Mother/Nurse Lori. Charles E. Wallace gives a strong and touching performance in his roles as Father/Son/ others. Carson Stewart was a needed comic relief and moving in his roles as Johnny/Fin/others. Dorcas Leung was delightful as Georgie/others. Other members of this stunning cast include Yassmin Alers; Chase Del Rey, and Hillary Fisher.

“The Notebook” speaks to the heart and soul! It features lovely orchestrations by John Clancy and

‘Aristocrats’ was enthralling theater

By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews

Irish Repertory Theatre recently presented “Aristocrats,” a very powerful production where the audience got to meet the O’Donnell family living in County Donegal in Ireland. The family has gathered at the decaying estate for the wedding of their youngest daughter Claire. This is a clan that has come from generations of money, but this wealth has dried up. The father is old, very ill, angry and verbally abusive to his four children—Judith, Alice, Claire and Casimir—who all bear the emotional scars of being raised in a very emotionally cold environment. Their mother is always depressed and everyone in this family has mental health issues. Judith takes care of their father and the family’s financial affairs and youngest Claire has low self-esteem and is about to enter into a marriage with an elderly widower with four children.

Alice, an alcoholic, comes with her husband Eamon; theirs is also an abusive marriage. Casimir is a young man who never stops talking, but is only capable of telling

fantasy stories as reality.

The family’s history is being documented by a Black writer, Tom Huffnung, who is doing research on aristocratic families and how they affected the political, social and economic lives of the people they ruled over. We get to know the family’s sad tale through their conversations with Tom and each other. This play let the audience see that having money definitely does not translate to happiness. In fact, in this family’s case, growing up as aristocrats was nothing less than horrible. This play truly let the audience know that there is a great deal of dysfunction in these wealthy settings. Not one member of this family is left whole or lives a “normal” life.

Irish playwright Brian Friel delivered a poignant play that leaves you thinking about what is really happening behind the scenes of wealth and power. “Aristocrats” was enthralling theater.

There were so many layers in this play and the audience was constantly captivated as the characters revealed unrequited love and jealousy that existed for years. The cast was

absolutely astonishing. Roger Dominic Casey was quite engaging as Tom, a Black man trying to research the aristocracy, but who finds himself feeling the hostility of those he’s trying to question; he also has to deal with the fact that in trying to gather historic facts about this family, he is being told pure lies. He witnesses how dysfunctional this family truly is. Casey performed the role to perfection! Meg Hennessy was a vulnerable, delicate, confused, damaged and desperate person as Claire. You could feel all the emotional highs and lows her character experienced. Tom Holcomb was absolutely captivating as Casimir. His nervous energy and ability to just jump into fantasy stories of his family’s famous acquaintances had everyone riveted. Holcomb definitely played this character in an on-the-edge way that made you realize his sadness, vulnerability and trauma. Danielle Ryan gave a powerful performance as Judith, the daughter that was saddled with the responsibilities of taking care of an ailing, mean, dying father and all the bills. Sarah Street was fascinating as Alice and played the character with such grit and rawness you could see

Carmel Dean, music supervision and arrangements by Dean, choreography by Katie Spelman, set design by David Zinn and Brett J. Banakis, costume design by Paloma Young, lighting design by Ben Stanton, sound design by Nevin Steinberg and hair and wig design by Mia Neal. The direction is the result of a beautiful collaboration between Michael Greif and Schele Williams. You must make plans to go see “The Notebook.” You have never experienced any romantic musical like this before!

For more info visit www.Notebookmusical.com.

why she drank so much and stayed in an abusive marriage.

Tim Ruddy was phenomenal as Eamon. His character was the commoner that married into an aristocratic family and he poignantly lets the audience know that this was anything but a fairytale. Shane McNaughton was wonderful as Willie Diver, the driver and Judith’s emotional support. Colin Lane gave quite a riveting performance as both Uncle George/Father. When he came on

stage, though he barely spoke, he grabbed everyone’s attention.

This incredible production had stunning direction by Charlotte Moore. On the technical side everything flowed beautifully with scenic design by Charlie Corcoran, costume design by David Toser, lighting design by Michael Gottlieb and sound design and original music by Ryan Rumery and M. Florian Staab. Irish Repertory Theatre is located at 132 W 22nd Street.

Scene from “Aristocrats” (l-r) Sarah Street, Roger Dominic Casey, and Tom Holcomb. (Jeremy Daniel photo)

(L-R) Maryann Plunkett, Joy Woods and Jordan Tyson, in a scene from “The Notebook”. (Julieta Cervantes photos)

(L-R): John Cardoza, Dorian Harewood, and Ryan Vasquez.

Renowned jazz radio personality Rob Crocker dies at 78

Rob Crocker, whose smooth, distinctive voice was a mainstay for more than five decades on a variety of radio stations, both in New York City and abroad, died on March 7 at his apartment in Manhattan. He was 78.

Crocker’s transition was confirmed by his brother Steve Crocker. No cause of death was given.

The jazz radio host, programmer, and producer’s broadcasting career stretched across three continents (Japan, Europe and United States). He is best known for his last three decades as the hip on-air host of Newark’s 24-hour jazz radio station WBGO-FM. He inspired his listening audience with great music while sharing his extensive knowledge of the genre, peppered with humor and tidbits until his untimely death.

Crocker has the singular distinction of being the longest-running jazz disc jockey in the history of New York City radio. In 2020, the midManhattan branch of the NAACP presented its Roy Wilkins Award to him, citing this singular distinction.

“Rob Crocker was a WBGO employee from the very early days. He was an asset because he was already a familiar voice on radio, having worked at several stations before; especially WRVR. I have many fond memories of him,” said Dorthaan Kirk, NEA Jazz Master.

Crocker’s transition brings in a new era for WBGO; he was the last of the senior air personalities since the recent passing of Michael Bourne and Bob Porter. Grammy Award-winning bassist Ron Carter praised both Crocker’s mood-inducing announcer’s voice and what he did with it. “He brings in the listener in a way that makes it seem you’re right there with him.”

Aside from his radio responsibilities, Crocker established himself as a record producer, having produced CDs such as “Alto Memories,” which featured Gary Bartz, Sonny Fortune, Kenny Barron, and Jack DeJohnette; “UK Underground” from Japanese alto saxophonist Malta; two CDs from Japan’s premier jazz vocalist and trumpeter Toku (whom Crocker discovered in Tokyo); “Philly Sounds” (with Randy Brecker, Jay Hoggard, Joe Ford, Uri Caine, Buster Williams, Nabaté Isles, and Grady Tate) and “Dread Rooster,” Babi

Rob Crocker (Photo courtesy of WBGO)

Floyd’s reggae CD featuring Keith Richards on guitar.

As a New York City-based jazz programmer, Crocker designed musical concepts for cultural organizations: the Burgess Collection of Fine Art, National Museum of Sports, Brooklyn Museum, and “Roy DeCarava: Light Break” exhibition at the David Zwirner gallery in 2009. He also penned lyrics for many CDs by Brazilian artist Tania Maria.

Robert Crocker was born on November 1, 1945, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Estelle and Philip Crocker. It seems Crocker was slated for a career in jazz dating back to elementary school. “My uncle George ‘Buster’ Taylor gave me my first jazz LP, “Sonny Rollins Plus 4” and my uncle Jack Hickman introduced me and my cousin Jerry to Max Roach,” he said. “Max lived around the corner from us in BedStuy and [when I was} a newspaper boy, Freddie Hubbard was on my newspaper route.”

By the time Crocker entered junior high school and started in the band with music instructor Mr. Yearwood, he was already listening to Thelonious Monk and the Modern Jazz Quartet. While attending Boys High School in Brooklyn (known as the High), Crocker played clarinet, flute, and oboe under the direction of music instructor Bernie Fishenfeld, who taught jazz and classical music.

“I loved the sound of the oboe and flute,” said Crocker. He became proficient enough to join a Latin Jazz Band and an Afro-Cuban Jazz Band.

“The first time I went to see Rahsaan Roland Kirk play flute, I refused to play my flute for a week,” Crocker said during an interview with this

writer and publication in 2022.

After graduating from Boys High, Crocker joined a list of alumni that includes Brooklyn native greats Randy Weston, Max Roach, Cecil Payne, Dewey Redman, and radio personality Vaughn Harper.

After graduation, Crocker served two tours in Vietnam (in the central highlands, with both the 25th Infantry Division and the 155th Assault Helicopter Company). He was also a musician whose career took a turn toward broadcasting when injuries sustained in the Vietnam War cut short his future as a performer. He started his broadcasting career as a programmer in Europe; he cohosted the Holland-based show “Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands” by Radio Free America.

After returning to New York, while driving a NYC taxi at night and hanging out at Slug’s Jazz Club in the East Village and the Village Vanguard, Crocker met Bobby Hutchinson, Clifford Jordan, Joe Chambers, and Cedar Walton. “I usually drove many of the guys home after the gig,” he said during a 2010 interview with the AmNews. He bonded with jazz radio DJ and writer Ed Williams, who (along with pianist Dr. Billy Taylor, the first Black on-air radio personality at WNEW), encouraged him to consider a career in radio.

Poet Julius Lester was instrumental in getting Crocker a position at WBAI-FM as a reporter. “It was music programmer Bob Fass who influenced me to leave news and move to music,” said Crocker during an AmNews interview in 2022. He then began swinging with the jazz DJs (Les Davis and Felipe Luciano) at NYC’s premiere jazz station, WRVR-FM,

As a radio personality, Crocker was often out and about at jazz clubs. He selflessly gave his name and time to hosting fundraisers and major jazz events in Harlem, Brooklyn, and throughout the city. After Japan’s disastrous tsunami, he didn’t hesitate to host vocalist Okaru Lovelace’s fundraiser for her native homeland. He was often the in-house emcee for musicians’ memorials at St. Peter’s Church.

before its demise to country music.

“I learned so much about programming and presentation while working with Hank Spann, Gary Byrd, and Jeff Troy at WWRL-AM.”

He later joined General Manager Barry Mayo at KISS-FM. Crocker introduced the pop audience to jazz in the late 1980s. He was instrumental in bringing back the captivating beat of Brazilian music to New York during the ’70s.

Crocker worked at the smooth jazz station CD101 before extending his radio experience to the Far East by working at INTER-FM, the first English-speaking radio station in Tokyo. He also worked radio in Yokohama. He lived in Japan for eight years before returning to NYC in 2000.

In 2002, Crocker was asked to sit in for Kenny Washington at WBGO-FM. It wasn’t long before he was offered a regular spot on the jazz station.

“‘Radio’ Rob Crocker has left an indelible mark in the world of radio,” noted Sheila Anderson, WBGO on-air person. “Not only was Rob a colleague, he was also a generous and giving friend who had a great sense of humor and kept us in stitches.”

During my interview with Crocker, he said with a smile, “I’m one of the few guys from Brooklyn who can’t dance.” Maybe he couldn’t dance, but every weekend (Saturday Evening Jazz from 6–9 p.m. and Afternoon Jazz on Sundays from 2–6 p.m.).

Today, radio is a hardcore business and the freedom that radio personalities had back in the day is long gone. As Crocker pointed out, “If the human element is missing, then I’m not interested.”

Among the many jazz clubs in New York City, Crocker had two main hangouts. He could be found at Smoke Jazz & Supper Club on Manhattan’s upper westside. “The sound of Rob’s voice was the sound of jazz in many ways. But he also had an unmatched passion for and knowledge about the music, and he was generous with both. He was always at Smoke and was one of our most important supporters and advisors,” said Paul Stache and Molly Sparrow Johnson of Smoke Jazz Club NY.

Sista’s Place in Brooklyn was also his home. “Rob Crocker was family at Sista’s Place. Just a few Sundays ago, he was running back and forth at the music tribute to Sista’s Place founder Viola Plummer, keeping the show lively,” said Colette Pean of Sista’s Place. “Rob was the voice you waited to hear on the radio; he was the glue hosting tributes to Pharoah Sanders and Jim Harrison and many other programs at Sista’s Place. We have lost a brother. And we will celebrate him soon.”

He was our hip orator, a wordsmith of improvisation whose words fit the music he played and matched any musician he referenced like a swinging Count Basie tune. You could always hear his voice on the radio or wherever this great man of the airways was needed.

Crocker was loved in and out of the jazz community. He was a jazz instigator, a cool gentleman with a joke to share or some little-known gem about a jazz musician. When Crocker called me on the phone, his greeting was “What’s happening, poppa?” and he closed with “Talk to you later, poppa.” Rob Crocker, later “poppa,” we are going to miss you much!

Crocker is survived by his father Philip Crocker and siblings Kenny Crocker, NYC; Larry Crocker, NYC; Steve Crocker, Alabama; Scott Crocker, Maryland; Donna Crocker, NYC; and Sharon Crocker-Riddick, NYC, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

As of March 10, funeral arrangements are still being arranged by the family.

Reentry cash

Continued from page 3

“If you were just sent home in khakis and tans, people would know you just came home. If you don’t have anything to change into for a couple of days, it makes it even more [obvious] that you stand out like a sore thumb,” said Lukee Forbes, about spending gate money on clothes.

Forbes, who was locked up as a juvenile and faced the death of both his parents by the time he was released, is excited about the reentry fund. Though he thinks the proposed “stipend” is not really enough with the cost of living, it could still be “life changing” for formerly incarcerated people. When he got out, he couldn’t use any of his prison work experience on his resume without some sort of discrimination and ended up founding We Are Revolutionary.

“When people leave prison in New York, all too often they do not have safe and

stable housing. They do not have jobs. They may have work to do in repairing relationships with loved ones. They may be facing physical and mental health challenges, without clear connections to care,” said Ronald Day, the senior vice president of The Fortune Society’s David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy. “Even those people who are fortunate to come home to family, who have housing, are burdened with the stigma of a conviction and will face barriers to successful reentry as a result.”

Day added that prison wages, about 10 to 65 cents an hour, are so meager as to be nearly inconsequential in terms of financial support. Katie Schaffer, director of advocacy and organizing at the Center for Community Alternatives, also pointed out that the Citizens’ Inquiry on Parole and Criminal Justice found that the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) did “next to nothing” to help people avoid post-incarceration poverty, and that the same $40 given to them 50

Discussing bonds

Continued from page 4

tell them that story.”

Both agreed that there’s a sense of loss among younger generations of Blacks and Jewish populations about shared history and solidarity during the Civil Rights Movement. They said they plan to launch an anti-hate social media campaign targeting young people.

“We have to do something with young people,” said Kraft. “We need messaging that can resonate with them because unfortunately they’re getting so much of their information from TikTok and so much of that is just not accurate information.”

Adams recently declared social media’s grip on the youth a public health crisis, demanding that platforms do better when it comes to its undue influence on the youth, that diversity in communities be celebrated, and that leadership regain

years ago was “inadequate.” Schaffer made it clear that she thinks that $40 was not enough then and it is not enough now.

The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), the largest reentry organization in the country and a founding member of the Coalition for Reentry Cash, lauded Gibbs and Parker for introducing the bill. They believe the fund will help recipients cover essential needs as well as reduce the chances of recidivism.

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

Social media

Continued from page 4

participants hail from Black or brown communities. The lawsuit filing also claims Black and brown youth are online more frequently than white youth.

Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, two of the five platforms named as defendants, responded to the Adams administration lawsuit over email.

“We want teens to have safe, age-appropriate experiences online, and we have over 30 tools and features to support them and their parents,” said a Meta spokesperson. “We’ve spent a decade working on these issues and hiring people who have dedicated their careers to keeping young people safe and supported online.”

Snapchat responded to the lawsuit by distinguishing the platform from the typical like/comment model employed by social media companies. The app allows users to send photos privately that disappear after they are opened.

ly to a camera—rather than a feed of content that encourages passive scrolling—and has no traditional public likes or comments,” said a Snap Inc. spokesperson. “While we will always have more work to do, we feel good about the role Snapchat plays in helping close friends feel connected, happy and prepared as they face the many challenges of adolescence.”

And Google, which owns YouTube, pushed back against the city’s lawsuit.

“Providing young people with a safer, healthier experience online has always been core to our work. In collaboration with youth, mental health and parenting experts, we’ve built services and policies to give young people ageappropriate experiences, and parents robust controls,” said Google spokesperson José Castañeda. “The allegations in this complaint are simply not true.”

TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, did not respond to requests for comment by press time.

control of higher educational institutions and begin encouraging civil discourse.

“It is unbelievable how social media has hijacked the narrative and normalized hatred, antisemitism, islamophobia. The algorithms that are used to bring our children to dark places is what we need to really fight against, and that’s what you’re seeing here,” said Adams. “We cannot take for granted what we’re seeing carried out on a global stage, and how we’re seeing it proliferated. We’ve normalized hate.”

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

“Snapchat was intentionally designed to be different from traditional social media, with a focus on helping Snapchatters communicate with their close friends. Snapchat opens direct-

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.

RBGNYC1 Tours and Travels Back To The Roots of Africa

Photo of roll of American dollars tightened with rubber band. (Photo by Karolina Grabowska via Pexels)

From left to right: NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Broadcast journalist Gayle King, speechwriter Dr. Clarence B. Jones, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. (Photo by Ariama C. Long)

Elizabeth Ross Haynes, an unsung sociologist and advocate for women’s rights

By HERB BOYD

Special to the AmNews

In Davida Siwisa James’s new book “Hamilton Heights and Sugar Hill,” she takes a deep and impressive dive into two important and historic communities in Harlem.

Illuminating her engaging prose is a veritable gallery of photos, none more interesting than one of Elizabeth Ross Haynes. The life and legacy of Mrs. Haynes fits quite nicely into the often unheralded that are the focus of this column.

Haynes was born on July 13, 1883, or 1878, or 1879, (according to several accounts) in Mount Willing, Alabama, a small crossroads community in Lowndes County. Her parents were formerly enslaved but were industrious and frugal enough to save money to purchase land and begin a plantation. A good portion of their savings was set aside to pay for their daughter to attend State Normal School in Montgomery, where she was valedictorian at her graduation.

In 1903, about the same time that W.E.B. Du Bois published his landmark book “The Souls of Black Folk,” she graduated from Fisk University where she met her future husband, George Edmund Haynes, the legendary sociologist and progenitor of the National Urban League. Both were active in campus affairs, she as the editor of the Fisk Herald. Her career in the improvement of women’s education began with her position as a special worker with the Young Women’s Christian Association. On behalf of young women striving for educational opportunities, Haynes traveled across the country lecturing and advising them on how to pursue higher goals.

A crucial year in her life occurred in 1908 when she moved to New York City, as Francille Rusan Wilson mentioned in her introduction to Haynes’s book, “Unsung Heroes.”

Haynes joined the National Board of YWCA as their organizer of student chapters at Negro colleges.

“This began a quarter century of involvement with the YWCA and other interracial organizations and governmental agencies with programs designed to assist Black women workers,” Wilson wrote. “At the

time of her appointment, Elizabeth Ross was among a handful of Black women who were college-educated, social service administrators or social workers. As National Student Secretary for Colored Women, Ross set up about thirty-eight new student branches at southern colleges, dramatically increasing the number of accredited black student YWCAs to over fifty. She also tried to assist Black women who had begun their independent organizations in their efforts to become formally affiliated with the National Board.”

Haynes took a militant stance advocated by the Black women at the National Association of Black Women to pressure white women on the YWCA board into establishing more urban branches for Black women. This was the beginning of Ross Haynes’s skillful mediation. During one of her reports to the national board of YWCA in 1909, she wrote, “To get a fair and true idea of the girls themselves, the ones in whom we are most deeply interested, it is very necessary to see them in and through their conditions and surroundings to know

ACTIVITIES

what they think and what they do.”

In 1910, when the YWCA sent her to the biennial meeting of the National Association of Colored Women in Louisville, Kentucky to explain YWCA policies and to win greater support from Black women, Haynes encountered suspicion and criticism, Wilson noted. “Despite Ross’s presentation, the NACW passed a declaration of non-support of the National Board of the YWCA’s racial policies.”

Haynes’s master’s thesis “Two Million Negro Women at Work” was praised for decades as the “most comprehensive study of Black women in the United States,” according to James.

James’s book also recounts the Haynes couple’s marriage and the purchase of their home in Sugar Hill. They were an incomparable couple both playing pivotal roles in the welfare and progress of Black Americans. Haynes’s study and analysis of the lack of training for Black women and being forced to take jobs at lower wages was useful for her husband’s monumental work and research at the National Urban League.

Haynes’s final book “Unsung Heroes; The Black Boy of Atlanta,” in 1952, mainly chronicled the life of Richard Robert Wright, Sr. a former slave who became a college president and bank president. In Wilson’s words, the book was a fitting last work of a woman whose own life had been dedicated to the principles she celebrated in Major Wright’s: hard work, race pride, and economic self-help. “While there is ample evidence of her working and public life, surprisingly little is known about Haynes’s personal life. Very few letters to or from Elizabeth Ross Haynes have survived. Glimpses of her sunny yet strong personality and its effect on others may be found in collections of the papers of her husband, George Edmund Haynes, at Fisk and Yale Universities. Her children’s books remain of interest to the historian of juvenile fiction because they offer resilient Black heroes and heroines for Black children, and for their ability to represent a vivid, if not always factual portrait of an African-American child.”

She died in New York City on October 26, 1953.

FIND OUT MORE

Wilson’s introduction and subsequent comments are among the best sources for her life.

DISCUSSION

As Wilson points out, there is not much about Ross’s early years, except for her excellent scholarship.

PLACE IN CONTEXT

Haynes was an extraordinarily busy and productive activist from the 1920s to the 1950s, including authoring articles and two well-received books.

THIS WEEK IN BLACK HISTORY

March 11, 1959: “A Raisin in the Sun,” opens on Broadway, a first for a Black woman playwright.

March 12, 1955: Jazz great Charlie “Yardbird” Parker dies in New York City. He was 34.

March 13, 2004: WTA tennis star, Coco Gauff, was born in Delray Beach, Fla.

Elizabeth Ross Haynes (Public Domain Image)

Bag checks

Continued from page 7

Gov. Hochul referred to several high profile incidents of recent subway violence in her announcement, including the Brooklyn slashing of MTA conductor Alton Scott. Last month, a subway shooting in the Bronx killed one person and injured five others.

But Fagan pointed out that such incidents rarely occur in the major transportation hubs where searches are conducted.

“These incidents are really random,” he said. “They don’t follow a predictable pattern…so essentially subway crime is a bit like a needle in a haystack and even having a thousand police officers there to try and be present when an incident happens is asking an awful lot of an algorithm to allocate officers to particular situations or places.”

Beyond the high profile incidents, those quality of life concerns described by Kemper are not necessarily within the wheelhouse of the National Guard, a state-based military reserve force. And the

NYPD boasts in-house measures to address the few subway attacks needing a militarized response, like the 2022 mass shooting on a subway going through Brooklyn’s Sunset Park that injured 29 people.

Feldman, a former Brooklyn Assemblymember, said politicians frequently respond to perception, especially for governors and mayors who are more vulnerable at the polls than state lawmakers.

“Ordinary rational human beings think reality drives perception,” said Feldman. “In politics, so often perception drives reality. Politicians who feel themselves to be vulnerable—and as a group, politicians tend to be very paranoid so they think they’re vulnerable even when they’re not— will respond to perception. People think there’s a big crime wave so we better do something to show that we’re tough on crime.

“In a sense, I can understand why they respond to perception this way. Unfortunately, that

doesn’t make [for] optimal government, but the characteristics that make you a good candidate are dramatically different from those that make you a good public servant.”

While Hochul won the 2022 gubernatorial election, her Republican opponent Lee Zeldin overperformed while running on a tough-on-crime platform.

So what are other solutions?

“Things like affordable housing, and just the overall mental health care are parts of a safety plan for a city that considers more things than just to criminalize ‘who was doing what,’” said Cyril.”We know that the safest places are the resourced places.”

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

congratulates its “10 Media Companies to Watch” fellow honorees.

America’s most influential of the oldest continuously published Black newspapers, serving the nation’s largest Black and brown community with award winning journalism.

Education

Head Start preschools aim to fight poverty, but their teachers struggle to make ends meet

By MORIAH BALINGIT AP Education Writer

WASHINGTON (AP)—In some ways, Doris Milton is a Head Start success story. She was a student in one of Chicago’s inaugural Head Start classes, when the antipoverty program, which aimed to help children succeed by providing them a first-rate preschool education, was in its infancy.

Milton loved her teacher so much that she decided to follow in her footsteps. She now works as a Head Start teacher in Chicago. After four decades on the job, Milton, 63, earns $22.18 an hour. Her pay puts her above the poverty line, but she is far from financially secure. She needs a dental procedure she cannot afford, and she is paying down $65,000 of student loan debt from National Louis University, where she came within two classes of getting her bachelor’s degree. She dropped out in 2019 when she fell ill.

“I’m trying to meet their needs when nobody’s meeting mine,” Milton said of teaching preschoolers.

Head Start teachers—70% of whom have bachelor’s degrees—earn $39,000 a year on average, far less than public school teachers with similar credentials. President Joe Biden wants to raise their pay, but Congress has no plans to expand the Head Start budget.

Many have left the job—about one in five teachers turned over in 2022—for higher-paying positions at restaurants or in retail. But if Head Start centers are required to raise teacher pay without additional money, operators say they would have to cut how many kids they serve.

The Biden administration says the program is already turning kids away because so many teachers have left, and not enough workers are lining up to take their places. Officials say it does not make sense for an anti-poverty program, where people of color make up 60% of the workforce, to underpay its employees.

“We have some teachers who are making poverty wages themselves, which undermines the original intent of the program,” said Katie Hamm, a deputy assistant secretary in the Office of Early Childhood Development.

Head Start, created as part of President Lyndon Johnson’s “war on poverty,” serves some of the neediest children, including those who are homeless, in foster care, or from households falling below the federal poverty line. With childcare prices exceeding college tuition in many states, Head Start is the only option within financial reach for many families.

The Department of Health and Human Services, which administers the program, estimates a pay hike would not have a huge effect on the number of children served because so many programs already struggle to staff their classrooms. Altogether, Head Start programs receive enough funding to cover the costs of 755,000 slots, but many programs can’t fully enroll because they don’t have enough teachers. That’s why the department estimates only about 650,000 of those slots are getting filled.

The proposed change would force Head Start programs to downsize permanently because they would not be able to afford as many teachers.

That worries Head Start leaders, even though many of them back raising pay for their employees, said Tommy Sheridan, deputy director for the National Head

Start Association. The association asked the Biden administration to allow some programs to opt out of the requirements.

“We love this idea, but it’s going to cost money,” Sheridan said. “And we don’t see Congress appropriating that money overnight.”

While a massive cash infusion does not appear forthcoming, other solutions have been proposed.

On Monday, the Biden administration published a letter urging school districts to direct more of the federal money they receive toward early learning, including Head Start.

On Thursday, U.S. Reps. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) and Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.) filed a bill that would allow Head Start to hire community college students who are working toward their associate degrees in child development.

The stakes are perhaps highest for rural Head Starts. A program outside of Anchorage, Alaska, is closing one of its five sites while struggling with a shortage of workers. Program director Mark Lackey said the heart-wrenching decision allowed him to raise pay for the remaining workers in hopes of reducing staff turnover.

“It hurts, and we don’t want to do it, but at the same time, it feels like it’s kind of necessary,” Lackey said.

Overall, his program has cut nearly 100 slots because of a staffing shortage, and the population he serves is high-need: About half the children are homeless or in foster care. The Biden proposal could force the program to contract further.

Amy Esser, executive director of Mercer County Head Start in rural western Ohio, said it’s been difficult to attract candidates to fill a vacant teaching position because of the low pay. Starting pay at Celina City Schools is at least $5,000 more than at Head Start, and the jobs require the same credentials.

But she warned that hiking teacher pay could have disastrous consequences for her program, and for the broader community, which has few childcare options for low-income households. “We would be cut to extinction, leaving children and families with little to no opportunity for a safe, nurturing environment to achieve school readiness,” Esser wrote in a letter to the Biden administration.

Arlisa Gilmore, a longtime Head Start teacher in Tulsa, Oklahoma, said if it were up to her, she would not sacrifice any slots to raise teacher pay. She makes $25 an hour and acknowledges that she’s lucky: She collects rental income from a home she owns and shares expenses with her husband. The children in her classroom are not so fortunate.

“I don’t think they should cut classrooms,” Gilmore said. “We have a huge community of children that are in poverty in my facility.”

Milton, the Chicago teacher, wonders why there has to be such a difficult trade-off at all.

“Why can’t it be, ‘Let’s help both’? Why do we [have] to pick and choose?” she said. “Do we not deserve that? Don’t the kids deserve that?”

The Associated Press’s education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Doris Milton, 63, followed in her teacher’s footsteps as a Head Start teacher in Chicago, but after more than four decades on the job, earns $22 an hour. It’s a wage that puts her above the federal poverty line, but she is far from financially secure. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

International

Continued from page 2

tournament, with the organizers admitting that “it is a global reality that women’s football does not command the same commercial funding as the men’s game.

“While COSAFA (the Council of Southern Africa Football/Soccer Associations) is working extremely hard to change this in our region, we are not there yet. These costs remain the same as for our men’s events, but with lower revenue for our women’s tournament. There is simply no space in our budget framework for prize money.”

Chawinga has earned the Golden Boot as top scorer in a single World Cup game with nine goals, and the Golden Ball as best player at a particular World Cup tourna-

Hair Relaxer

Continued from page 16

diabetes, and gestational high blood pressure, which is a key contributor to Black women’s outsize risk of maternal mortality, James-Todd said.

“We have to do a better job regulating ingredients that people are exposed to, particularly some of our most vulnerable in this country,” she said. “I mean, children are being exposed to these.”

The first study linking hair relaxers to uterine cancer, published in 2022, found that frequent use of chemical straighteners more than doubled a woman’s risk. It followed studies showing women who frequently used hair relaxers doubled their ovarian cancer risk and had a 31% higher risk of breast cancer.

Bumpus praised the studies as “scientifically sound” and said she would leave questions about whether straightener ingredients besides formaldehyde might be contributing to an elevated risk of hormone-driven cancers up to epidemiologists and others.

She could not offer a timeline for a formaldehyde ban, except to say the agency was scheduled to initiate proceedings in April. The schedule could change, she said, and she did not know how long the process of finalizing a rule would take.

Brazilian Blowouts and similar hairsmoothing treatments sometimes use formaldehyde as a glue to hold hair straight for months. Stylists usually seal the product into the hair with a flat iron. Heat converts liquid formaldehyde into a gas that creates fumes that can sicken salon workers and patrons.

In addition to cosmetics, formaldehyde is found in embalming fluid, medicines, fabric softeners, dishwashing liquid, paints, plywood, and particleboard. It irritates the throat, nose, eyes, and skin.

If there are opponents to a ban on formaldehyde in hair straighteners, they have not raised their voices. Even the Personal Care Products Council, which repre -

ment. For this, she received just over $1,000. KC Current coach Vlatko Andonovski said he’s excited about Chawinga’s arrival here. “She is a dynamic player who has shown she can find the goal at every stop along her path,” Andonovski said. “She will be fun to watch.”

Previously, Chawinga played for Kvarnsveden in Sweden, where she registered 55 goals in 57 games from 2017–19. She then followed her sister, Tabitha Chawinga, to China to play for Wuhan Jianghan in 2020.

Tabitha Chawinga recently transferred to Paris Saint Germain in France, where she became the first Malawian to score in the Women’s Champions League.

Chawinga, born on September 20, 1998, in the Rumphi district, Northern Region, Malawi, is the youngest of five children. She is a Tumbuka by tribe and her name Temwa means “Love” in the Tumbuka language.

sents hair straightener manufacturers, supports a formaldehyde ban, spokesperson Stefanie Harrington said in an email. More than 10 years ago, she noted, a panel of industry-paid experts deemed hair products with formaldehyde unsafe when heated.

California and Maryland will ban formaldehyde from all personal-care products starting next year, and manufacturers already have curtailed their use of formaldehyde in hair care products. Reports to the California Department of Public Health’s Safe Cosmetics Program show a 10-fold drop in products containing formaldehyde from 2009 to 2022.

John Bailey, a former director of the FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors, said the federal agency often waits for the industry to voluntarily remove hazardous ingredients.

Cheryl Morrow co-founded The Relaxer Advocates late last year to lobby on behalf of California Curl, a business she inherited from her father, a barber who started the company, and other Black hair care companies and salons. “Ban it,” she said of formaldehyde, “but please don’t mix it up culturally with what Black people are doing.”

She insisted the relaxers African Americans use contain no formaldehyde or other carcinogens and are safe. However, a 2018 study found that hair products used primarily by Black women and children contained a host of hazardous ingredients. Investigators tested 18 products, from hot-oil treatments to anti-frizz polishes, conditioners, and relaxers. In each of the products, they found at least four and as many as 30 endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

Racist beauty standards have long compelled girls and women to straighten their hair. Between 84% and 95% of Black women in the U.S. have reported using relaxers, studies show. Black women’s often frequent and lifelong application of chemical relaxers to their hair and scalp might explain why hormone-related cancers kill more Black women than white women per capita, Bertrand and

“My younger sister and I have played professionally together in Sweden and China,” she told a Kansas City reporter. “It was not easy to get to where we are and we must thank God. But of course, we also work hard ourselves…I must also say (that) it is not only about us, it is about the whole team. We are just two members of the squad. But I hope what we have achieved does give motivation to the other players and shows them what is possible.”

Chawinga follows defender Naomi Girma, the daughter of Ethiopian immigrants, who was nominated to be the 2023 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year.

Other African women soccer players who have moved to the U.S. in the just-ended transfer window are Zambia’s Rachel Kundananji and reigning African women’s player of the year Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria.

other epidemiologists say. Relaxers can be so habit-forming that users call them “creamy crack.”

As a public health educator, Astrid Williams, director of programs and initiatives at the California Black Health Network, has known the health risks associated with hair relaxers for years. Nonetheless, she used them from age 13 until two years ago, when she was 45.

“I felt I had to show up in a certain way,” she said.

A formaldehyde ban won’t make creamy crack safe, she said. “It’s not even a Band-

aid. The solution is to address all chemicals that pose risk.”

This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

Temwa Chawinga (GIN photo)

Religion & Spirituality

No twerking. No drinking. No smoking. But it’s still a party at this Christian nightclub

By LUIS ANDRES HENAO and JESSIE WARDARSKI Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The young crowd at a Nashville nightclub was ready to dance under the strobe lights to a throbbing mix of hip-hop, rap and Latin beats. But first they gathered to pray and praise God.

The rules were announced on the dance floor by a mic-carrying emcee to more than 200 clubgoers blanketed by thick smoke machine fog: “Rule No. 1: No twerking. Second rule: No drinking. And a third rule: No smoking.” The last unspoken rule seemed obvious by then: No secular music—the playlist would be all Christian.

Welcome to The Cove.

The pop-up, 18-and-up Christian nightclub was launched last year by seven Black Christian men in their 20s—among them an Ivy League-educated financial analyst, musicians and social media experts—who sought to build a thriving community and a welcoming space for young Christians outside houses of worship. The launch comes at a post-pandemic time of dwindling church attendance, especially among Black Protestants that surveys say is unmatched by any other major religious group.

“We ourselves experienced a pain point of not being able to find community outside of our church, not knowing what to do to have fun without feeling bad for doing stuff that’s conflicting to our values,” said Eric Diggs, The Cove’s 24-year-old CEO.

“There wasn’t a space to cultivate that. So, we created it ourselves out of that pain point—the loneliness, the anxiety, depression, COVID, and the long quarantine.

Proving that christians can be cool— not corny

Before their first monthly party in November, they set an ambitious goal: get 1,000 followers on social media. “We ended up getting more than 10,000 followers before our first event, which was insane,” said Diggs’s brother, Jordan, 22, who manages the club’s social media presence.

“Christians get a rep for being corny. And we want to show that Christians can be normal, can be cool. And they can have fun.”

A second equally popular event was

timed to ring in the New Year. A third was held in February.

For weeks, on its Instagram account— under hashtags like #jesuschrist #nightclubs—club organizers asked people to be ready to dance the worship night away and look their best: “When you pull up, we expect to see you in your Holiest Drip.”

At the mid-February event, many in the racially and ethnically diverse crowd wore a rainbow of vivid colors—fluorescent turquoise, electric orange, neon pink—in their Nike, Adidas and New Balance sneakers. Or hoodies with images of Jesus and varsity jackets with Scripture from the Bible.

“What surprised me the most is the diversity, honestly,” said Aaron Dews, one of the club founders. “With us being seven Black guys, just seeing the expansion of the type of people that we can bring in, and the uni-

fication around one idea has been incredibly encouraging.”

Food trucks in the parking lot awaited hungry clubbers. Inside, Benji Shuler sold vintage clothes with religious messages that hung from racks. A white T-shirt with the iconic Pepsi logo read: “Jesus: The Choice of a New Generation,” echoing the soda company’s tagline from decades ago.

In lieu of alcohol, vendors sold sports drinks, bottled water and soda. Organizers cheerfully set up early. They hung Christmasstyle lights from ceilings, sang a cappella and rehearsed their best choreographed moves.

Club becomes a destination for christians near and far

Before he impressed everyone with his dance moves, Garrett Bland, 20, listened on his phone to “Deliver Me,” by gospel

singer Donald Lawrence. “It’s about letting the Lord into your life,” he said, wearing a gold medallion around his neck inscribed with the Lord’s Prayer and a beige hoodie that read: “God first.”

He admired what The Cove’s founders are trying to do, saying, “they want to create a space for believers who want to come to the faith and have fun.”

Wearing a blue hoodie embroidered in white with “young sons of God,” Eric Diggs asked organizers and volunteers to join him in prayer. “Dear God, thank you for this night,” he said. “Amen!” the group said in unison, huddled like a basketball team before a game. They yelled: “The Cove!” Nia Gant, 18, attended the club for the first time. She moved from Grand Rapids,

See NIGHTCLUB continued on next page

Jade Russell of Louisville, Ky., dances at The Cove, a pop-up, 18-and-up Christian nightclub in Nashville, Tenn. The Cove was started last year by seven Black Christian men in their 20s who sought to build a thriving community and a welcoming space for young adults outside houses of worship. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski photo)

Nightclub

Continued from page 30

Michigan, four months ago and said she had been praying to make like-minded friends. “I think joy and religion can go together,” said Gant, who wore nose piercings, Air Jordans and ripped jeans. “God,” she said, “is joy.”

Soon after, a line of people who had bought tickets in advance snaked outside to enter the nightclub. At the door, security officers in bulletproof vests frisked clubgoers. Inside, they chatted, laughed and greeted each other with high fives.

Word quickly spread around that a couple had traveled 9,000-plus miles from their home in Brisbane, Australia, to the Christian club in the Tennessee capital known as Music City. It was true: Haynza Posala, 23, and his wife, Kim Posala, 24, heard about The Cove through a faith-and-culture podcast co-hosted by Darin Starks, one of the club’s founders.

“We thought, this is cool—it’s God glorifying,” Haynza Posala said.

“It’s surreal,” said Kim Posala, looking around as people in trucker hats, berets and baseball caps streamed into the club and were handed bracelets of different colors. “It’s community and that’s what church is about.”

Mic in hand, Carlton Batts Jr., a musician who is one of the founders and who was the designated DJ and emcee, asked people on the dance floor questions, dividing them into

groups: “If you like [or] prefer listening to music, come over here,” he said pointing to one side. “If you prefer podcasts, over here.”

“In church people can be really cliquey,” Batts said. “So here, we give them prompts, so when we start the DJ set people are really comfortable dancing.”

The crowd went wild when the DJ played “Alacazam,” by rapper Caleb Gordon, who has grown popular for his faith-inspired songs, especially Christian hip-hop. They gasped and cheered when 21-year-old Dillan Runions, a former competition dancer, per-

formed a backflip on the dance floor.

Dance party blends into an emotional worship service

Eventually, it turned into a revival of sorts: Some wept or knelt with eyes shut in prayer. Whispering, someone in a small group asked God “to keep away negative suicidal thoughts.”

Many belted out a gospel song that everyone seemed to know by heart: “A God like you” by choir director, rapper and songwriter Kirk Franklin.

The feedback has been mostly positive. Club founders have also faced criticism on TikTok from some who say that dancing and worship don’t go together—or even see it as a sin. Jordan Diggs said he embraces the attention, good or bad — “just the words Christian and nightclub is going to start a lot of conversation.”

Other generations are noticing. At some point, Shem Rivera, 26, a worship leader and a founder walked up to 18-year-old Noah Moon on the dance floor, and asked him how he had heard about The Cove.

“My mom told me about it—she sent me a video on Instagram,” said Moon, who had just moved from Kansas to Nashville the day before. “That’s fire!” Rivera responded smiling.

At the end, they all silently prayed. “It sounds oxymoronic—a Christian dance club,” said Nicholas Oldham, who manages the club’s business. He was initially skeptical and even wondered if it was sacrilegious.

“Fun is the lure; it’s bait,” he said, adding that what happens on the dance floor is so much more than that.

“What it says for old fogies like me, is that the young are hungry for the word of God,” said Oldham, who is in his 40s. “The church isn’t the building, and these young people are catching up to that.”

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Monsignor Mullaney Apartments

Mary Star of the Sea Senior Apartments

4301 8th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232

41 First Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11231

Beginning January 27, 2024 our 15-unit building 4301 8th Ave in Brooklyn will be re-opening the waitlist for to the elderly (head of household or spouse is 62 or older) or those with a mobility impairment or developmental disabilities. Income restrictions apply and are based on Section 8 guidelines.

Beginning on March 6, 2024 our 100-unit building at 41 First Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11231 will be re-opening its waiting list to the elderly or head of household or spouse is 62 or older or those with a mobility impairment.

Qualifications and eligibility for the affordable apartments, which include units for the mobility impaired, will be based on Section 8 guidelines.

Qualifications and eligibility for the affordable apartments, which include units for the mobility impaired, will be based on Section 8 guidelines. Interested persons may obtain an application:

Interested persons may obtain an application:

Interested persons may obtain an application:

BY MAIL

ONLINE

POP Management – Msgr. Mullaney

POP Management – Mary Star of the Sea

191 Joralemon St 8th Floor, Brooklyn NY, 11201

191 Joralemon St 8th Floor, Brooklyn NY, 11201

OR

https://www.ccbq.org/service/ senior-housing

*Written application requests must be received by 3/15/24

*Writtenapplicationrequestsmustbe receivedby2/7/24

https://www.ccbq.org/service/ senior-housing info.popm@ccbq.org

Or by emailing info.popm@ccbq.org

Completed applications must be sent by regular mail to the PO Box listed on the application and be postmarked by 2/13/2024.

Completed applications must be sent by regular mail to the Post Office Box listed on the application. Applications must be postmarked by 3/20/2024. If you have a disability and need assistance with the application process or any other type of reasonable accommodation, please contact Yhasara Humphrey (718) 722-6081.

If you have a disability and need assistance with the application process or any other type of reasonable accommodation, please contact Sheena Williams at (718) 722-6155.

Young clubbers sit together at The Cove, an alcohol free, 18-and-up, pop-up Christian nightclub, on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski photo)

100

Classi-

CLASSIFICATIONS

All advertisement accepted for publication is classified according

BASIS

Charges

In

100

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 Wednesday, March 20th, 2024 at 7:30am. The meeting will be held at 245 West 129th ST, NY, NY.

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 Wednesday, March 20th, 2024 at 7:30am. The meeting will be held at 245 West 129th ST, NY, NY.

216 EAST 47TH STREET,

LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/05/24. 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, 312 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Falafel & Crepe LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 9/8/2023. Office: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: 265 West 114th St., Ste. 521, NY, NY 10026. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Winthrop Consulting LLC, filed with SSNY on 3/6/2024. Office: NY County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: Kathleen Adams 34 West 139th St., #2P, NY, NY 10037. Purpose: any lawful act.

RICHARD SALTOUN LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/19/23. 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, 19 E. 66th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10065. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Supreme Court-New York County - Hilton Resorts Corp., Pltf. v. UKOHA OLUGU IGWE AND GOSPEL OLUGU IGWE, if living, and if they be dead, any and all persons unknown to Plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the 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, et al., Deft. - Index # 850036/2018. The foregoing supplemental summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Honorable FRANCIS KAHN, III, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, dated the 2nd day of February 2024 and duly entered the 6th day of February 2024 in the office of the Clerk of the County of New York, State of New York. TO THE ABOVE- NAMED DEFENDANTS:

158 West 130th Street, New York, NY 10027 Tax Map ID: 1914-55 U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF BANC OF AMERICA FUNDING CORPORATION, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-6, Plaintiff, GREGORY STEPHENSON AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF DEBORAH A. STEPHENSON; VINCENT STEPHENSON AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF DEBORAH A. STEPHENSON; DWIGHT STEPHENSON, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF DEBORAH A. STEPHENSON, if living, and if dead, the respective heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignors, lienors, creditors and successors in interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said defendant who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise of any right, title or interest in and to the premises described in the complaint herein, and their respective husbands, wives or widow, if any, and each and every person not specifically named who may be entitled to or claim to have any right, title or interest in the property described in the verified complaint; all of whom and whose names and places of residence unknown, and cannot after diligent inquiry be ascertained by the Plaintiff; "JOHN DOE" AND "JANE DOE" 1 THROUGH 50, INTENDING TO BE THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, DISTRIBUTEES, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, TRUSTEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, AND ASSIGNEES OF THE ESTATE OF DEBORAH A. STEPHENSON, WHO WAS BORN IN 1964 AND DIED ON MARCH 25, 2011, A RESIDENT OF NEW YORK COUNTY, WHOSE LAST KNOWN ADDRESS WAS 605 WEST 147 STREET NY, NY 10031, THEIR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST IF ANY OF THE AFORESAID DEFENDANTS BE DECEASED, THEIR RESPECTIVE HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF THE AFORESAID CLASSES OF PERSON, IF THEY OR ANY OF THEM BE DEAD, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE HUSBANDS, WIVES OR WIDOWS, IF ANY, ALL OF WHOM AND WHOSE NAMES AND PLACES ARE UNKNOWN TO THE PLAINTIFF; MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC; GREENPOINT MORTGAGE FUNDING, INC; NYC PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU; AMERICAN EXPRESS CENTURION BANK; NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA O/B/O INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, Defendants. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the Plaintiff's attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a Defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. Jn case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. NEW YORK County is designated as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the location of the premised encumbered by the mortgage to be foreclosed herein. 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 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. This action was commenced to foreclose a mortgage against property located at 158 W 130th St., New York, NY 10027. McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, LLC, Attorneys for Plaintiff, 1 Huntington Quadrangle Suite 4N25 Melville, NY 11747. (631) 812-4084. (855) 845-2584 facsimile. File# 19-300697 HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE. NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE SEND YOU THIS NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME. PLEASE READ THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT CAREFULLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE The State encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid office, there are government agencies and non- profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Department of Financial Services at 1-800-342-3736 or visit the Department`s website at www.dfs.ny.gov RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME AT THIS TIME. You have the right to stay in your home during the foreclosure process. You are not required to leave your home unless and until your property is sold at auction pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale. Regardless of whether you choose to remain in your home, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PROPERTY and pay property taxes in accordance with state and local law. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Be careful of people who approach you with offers to "save" your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner`s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services. § 1303 NOTICE

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 twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State) 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 for the foreclosure of a fractional interest of 16,000/28,402,100 in the premises at Block 1006, Tax Lot 1302 located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas NY, NY. Mortgage bearing the date of July 31, 2015, executed by Ukoha Olugu Igwe and Gospel Olugu Igwe to Hilton Resorts Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, to secure the sum of $96,150.00, and interest and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of New York County on January 5, 2016, in CRFN 2016000002039. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the Mortgaged Premises as described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

Supreme Court-New York County Hilton Resorts Corp., Pltf. v. IKENNA ODIKE AND OMOMENE ODIKE, if living, and if they be dead, any and all persons unknown to Plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the 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, et al., Deft. - Index # 850300/2017. The foregoing supplemental summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Honorable FRANCIS KAHN, III, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, dated the 5th day of February 2024 and duly entered the 28th day of February 2024 in the office of the Clerk of the County of New York, State of New York. 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 twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State) 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 for the foreclosure of a fractional interest of 5,000/28,402,100 in the premises at Block 1006, Tax Lot 1302 located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas NY, NY. Mortgage bearing the date of December 24, 2015, executed by Ikenna Odike and Omomene Odike to Hilton Resorts Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, to secure the sum of $33,750.00, and interest and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of New York County on May 19, 2016, in CRFN 2016000171807. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the Mortgaged Premises as described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

NEW YORK - INDEX

NO.:850222/2023 SUMMONS.

Plaintiff designates NEW YORK COUNTY as the place of trial based upon the location of the premises herein described having tax map Block 1397, Lot 1524, NEW YORK, NY, County of NEW YORK – CITIMORTGAGE, INC., PLAINTIFF, -against- CARMEL REAL ESTATE LLC, BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE BARBIZON/63 CONDOMINIUM, “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last twelve 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. 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); 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 against you 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: Syosset, New York, February 28, 2024. Roach & Lin, P.C., attorney for Plaintiff, 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, NY 11791. Tel: 516-938-3100. To the above-named defendants: The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Francis A. Kahn III, a Justice of the Supreme Court, State of New York, dated February 14, 2024 and filed with the NEW YORK County Clerk together with the supporting papers thereon. This is an action to foreclose a mortgage held by Plaintiff on the premises known as Block 1397, Lot 1524, NEW YORK, NY, County of NEW YORK as described in the complaint on file and commonly known as 140 EAST 63RD ST, UNIT 6C, A/K/A 140 E 63RD ST 6C, NEW YORK, NY. 79893

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.

Supreme Court-New York County - Hilton Resorts Corp., Pltf. v. Any unknown heirs to the Estate of ALAN S. RAFTERMAN, next of kin, devisees, legatees, distributees, grantees, assignees, creditors, lienors, trustees, executors, administrators or successors in interest, as well as the respective heirs at law, next of kin, devisees, legatees, distributees, grantees, assignees, lienors, trustees, executors, administrators or successors in interest of the aforesaid classes of persons, if they or any of them be dead, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to the plaintiff, et al., Deft. - Index # 850207/2019. The foregoing supplemental summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Honorable FRANCIS KAHN, III, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, dated the 13th day of February 2024 and duly entered the 15th day of February 2024 in the office of the Clerk of the County of New York, State of New York. 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 twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State) 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 for the foreclosure of a fractional interest of 0.00986400000% in the premises at Block 1009, Tax Lot 37 located at 102 West 57th Street NY, NY. Mortgage bearing the date of August 6, 2015, executed by Alan S. Rafterman to Hilton Resorts Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, to secure the sum of $40,920.23, and interest and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of New York County on January 4, 2016, in CRFN 2016000000603. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the Mortgaged Premises as described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME

COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK US Bank National Association as Trustee for CMSI REMIC Series 2008-02 - Remic Pass-Through Certificates Series 2008-02, Plaintiff AGAINST Paul Mihalitsianos a/k/a Paul Peter Mihalitsianos, Corrinne Borges a/k/a Corrine Borges, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered August 28, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse in Room 130, located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on March 27, 2024 at 2:15PM, premises known as 309 East 105th Street, Unit 1N, New York, NY 10029. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the City, County and State of New York, BLOCK: 1677, LOT: 1102. Approximate amount of judgment $823,969.95 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850147/2019. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NEW YORK County COVID-19 Protocols located on the Office of Court Administration (OCA) website (https://ww2.nycourts. gov/Admin/oca.shtml) and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. Thomas R. Kleinberger, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-087595-F00 78581

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.

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK, 75 STREET SERVICING LLC, Plaintiff, vs. CLST ENTERPRISES LLC, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on December 8, 2022 and a Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on December 7, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse, Room 130, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on April 10, 2024 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 19 East 75th Street, New York, NY 10021. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York, Block 1390 and Lot 14. Approximate amount of judgment is $7,346,196.91 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850001/2021. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale.

Jeffrey R. Miller, Esq., Referee

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUN-

TY OF New York , U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST, Plaintiff, vs . Avi Sivan , Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Amended Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on January 5, 2024 , 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 April 3, 2024 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 635 West 42nd Street, Unit 45H, New York, NY 10036. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York, Block 1090 and Lot 1337 together with an undivided 0.17879 percent interest in the Common Elements. Approximate amount of judgment is $734,925.62 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850226/2019. Cash will not be accepted. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale.

Georgia Papazis, Esq., Referee Knuckles, Komosinski & Manfro, LLP, 565 Taxter Road, Suite 590, Elmsford, NY 10523, Attorneys for Plaintiff

Notice of Qualification of SPECIAL PRODUCTION AGENCY LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/07/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 05/19/21. Princ. office of LLC: 545 W. 25th St., 11th 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. (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 Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF SALE - SUPREME COURT – NEW YORK COUNTY – AC

31, LLC, Plaintiff against Melissa Fawer, Mark Fawer, et. al., Defendant(s) – Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion dated December 5, 2023, and entered in the New York County Clerk’s Office on January 11, 2024, 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 April 3, 2024, at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 52 East End Avenue, Units 12A, 12C, 14B & 14C, New York, NY 10028. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, Block 1578 Lot 1023, Lot 1025, Lot 1026 and Lot 1027. Approximate amount of judgment $4,091,749.40, plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850250/2017 and Terms of Sale. The auction will be conducted pursuant to Supreme Court, New York County Auction Park Rules for Outdoor Auctions. Craig J. Albert, Esq., Referee Dated: February 9, 2024

Harris Beach PLLC

Kevin Tompsett, Esq.

Attorneys for Plaintiff 99 Garnsey Road Pittsford, NY 14534

234 West 123rd Street Apts, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/25/2015. Office: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: 234 W. 123rd St., Apt. G., NY, NY 10027. Purpose: Any lawful act.

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

Notice is hereby given that a license, number NA-037024-107279, for beer, wine and liquor has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer, wine and liquor at retail in a theatre under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 1564 Broadway, New York, NY 10036 for on-premises consumption. Broadway Palace Theatre Company & Sandbar Concession, Inc.

Notice of Qualification of FORTHILL MOXY HOLDER, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/16/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 02/15/24. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secy. of State, 820 N. French St., 10th Fl., Wilmington, DE 19801. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of GREYSTONE MONTICELLO FUNDING SH-69-A LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/01/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 01/04/24. Princ. office of LLC: 600 Third Ave., 21st Fl., NY, NY 10016. 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 DE Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Engaging in and exercising all powers permitted to a limited liability company formed under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.

Corrente Medical Care PLLC filed Arts. of Org. with the Sect'y of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/5/2024. Office: New York County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: c/o The DeIorio Law Group PLLC, 800 Westchester Ave, Ste S-608, Rye Brook, NY 10573. Purpose: Medicine.

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

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 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.

TESLA SKY LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/29/2023. Office: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: 28 LIBERTY ST, NEW YORK, NY 10005. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of MIDTOWN ESTATES PRESERVATION GP, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/05/24. 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.

Annah Mayer Fine Jewelry LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 1/2/2024. Office: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: 108 Leonard Street, #7F, NY, NY 10013. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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.

Application for Authority of PRIVATE LENDER PARTNERS LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) 2/12/2024. Formed in FL 1/29/2024. Office loc.: NY County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The principal business loc. and address SSNY shall mail copy of process is Sergey Smirnov, 17475 Collins Ave., Unit 603, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160. Arts. of Organization filed with the Secy. of State, Div. of Corporations, 2415 N. Monroe St., Ste. 810, Tallahassee, FL 32303. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Step Change Coaching LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/04/24 Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 8 Spruce St, NY, NY 10038. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Mobile Medicine, PLLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 2/16/2023. Office: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 228 Park Ave S, Ste 20769, NY, NY, 10003. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of MIDTOWN ESTATES DEVELOP-

ER, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/05/24. Office location: NY

County. Princ. office of LLC: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of PC NYC PROPERTY 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.

ABOTOS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/12/2024.

Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: ROCKET CORPORATE SERVICES INC., 2804 Gateway Oaks Dr. #100, Sacramento, CA, 95833. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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 NATASA KENNEDY CONSULTING LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/12/24. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to 228 Park Ave S. #178498, NY, NY 10003. R/A: US Corp Agents Inc. 7014 13th Ave, #202, BK, NY 11228. Purpose: any lawful act.

Notice of Qualification of GREYSTONE MONTICELLO

FUNDING SH-73 LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/15/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 02/13/24. Princ. office of LLC: 600 Third Ave., 21st Fl., NY, NY 10016. 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 DE Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Engaging in and exercising all powers permitted to a limited liability company formed under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.

Mama Naya LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 1/29/2024. Office loc.: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 182 Bennett Ave., #1H, NY, NY 10040. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Notice of Qualification of STRETCHD WORLDWIDE, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/07/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 01/17/24. Princ. office of LLC: 12636 High Bluff Dr., Ste. 200, San Diego, CA 92130. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o C T Corporation System, 28 Liberty St., NY, NY 10005. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CT Corporation System, 1209 Orange St., Wilmington, DE 19801. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., #4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Stretching services.

Notice of Formation of BENNY BRONCO LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/15/24. 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.

BERTRIS ENTERPRISES, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/08/24. 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, 299 Broadway, Suite 1405, New York, NY 10007. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF QUALIFICATION OF Nation Land Company, LLC Application for Authority filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/23/2024.

Office location: NEW YORK County. LLC formed in Ohio on 10/31/2001. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. The Post Office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her is: 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. The principal business address of the LLC is 4300 Sterilite St. S.E., Massillon, Ohio 44646. Certificate of LLC filed with Secretary of State of Ohio located at: 180 S. Civic Center Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43215. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Qualification of RGNNEW YORK C, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/16/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 02/16/24. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of FSFHP OWNER LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/04/24. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 116 E. 27th St., 11th Fl., NY, NY 10016. 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: Products and services real estate development.

Green Ductors LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/26/2023. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 57 West 57th St, NY, NY, 10019. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Evey Gallery New York LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/01/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 240 S County Rd, Palm Beach, FL, 33480. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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.

Notice of Qualification of HYDROGEN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/16/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 04/11/22. Princ. office of LLC: 205 Detroit St., Ste. 200, Denver, CO 80206. 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 122072543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808-1674. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of 22 MONTAIGNE ENTERTAINMENT LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/26/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 02/20/24. Princ. office of LLC: 19 E. 57th St., NY, NY 10022. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Entertainment production.

Secret Society Dance Company LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/04/2024. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 1-05 Astoria Blvd 1D, Astoria, NY, 11102. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Alana Kaminetsky Psychological Services PLLC Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 2/8/24. Office: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: 2248 Bdwy, #1104, NY, NY 10024. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Notice of Qualification of 30 HY WM UNIT DEVELOPER

LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/01/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 02/29/24. 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 c/o 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 of DE, Corp. Div., John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of 515 W18 1804 LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/01/24. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 515 W. 18th St., #1804, NY, NY 10011. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: To purchase, own and sell real estate in New York.

Notice is hereby given that a license, serial #NA-0240-24107733 for beer & wine has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer & wine at retail in a restaurant under the ABC Law at 1750 2nd Ave., New York, NY 10128 for on-premises consumption; Charoensuk Corp.

ANASTASIA DOES ASTROLO-

GY LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 3/10/24. Office: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 276 W 71st St, 7, NY, NY 10023. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Lg Rm 4 Rent. Shr kitchen & bath w 1 person. Quiet private home. 1 blk from Highland Park. Call 347526-2495

How Black women coined the ‘say her name’ rallying cry before Biden’s State of the Union address

By GRAHAM LEE BREWER Associated Press

Marjorie Taylor Greene wore a T-shirt to Thursday night’s State of the Union address that carried a seemingly simple message: Say Her Name.

The hard-line Republican congresswoman from Georgia, who was decked out in a red MAGA hat and other regalia, borrowed the phrase from Black racial justice activists who have been calling attention to the extrajudicial deaths of Black women at the hands of police and vigilantes.

However, Greene used the rallying cry to successfully goad President Joe Biden into saying the name Laken Riley, a nursing student from Georgia whose death is now at the center of U.S. immigration debate. An immigrant from Venezuela, who entered the U.S. illegally, has been arrested in Riley’s case and charged with murder.

Riley’s name is a rallying cry for Republicans criticizing the president’s handling of the record surge of immigrants entering the country through the U.S-Mexico border.

The origins of the “Say Her Name” rallying cry date back well before Greene donned the T-shirt.

Who first coined the phrase “Say Her Name” in protest?

The phrase was popularized by civil rights activist, law professor and executive director of the African American Policy Forum Kimberlé Crenshaw in 2015, following the death of Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old Black woman, who was found dead in a Texas jail cell a few days after she was arrested during a traffic stop. Her family questioned the circumstances of her death and the validity of the traffic stop, and settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the police department the following year.

Black women are statistically more likely than other women to witness and experience police violence, including death, which is also linked to heightened psychological stress and several related negative health outcomes.

“Everywhere, we see the appropriation of progressive and inclusionary concepts in an effort to devalue, distort and suppress the movements they have been created to advance,” Crenshaw said in a statement to the Associated Press. “When most people only hear about these ideas from those that seek to repurpose and debase them, then our ability to speak truth to power is further restricted.”

Greene’s appropriation of the phrase “undermines civil rights movements and pushes our democracy closer to the edge,” Crenshaw wrote in her statement. “The misuse of these con -

cepts by others who seek to silence us must be resisted if we are to remain steadfast in our advocacy for a fully inclusive and shared future.”

Tamika Mallory, a racial justice advocate and author, said Laken Riley deserves justice, but in this case she doesn’t think that conservatives are being genuine when they use #SayHerName. “If they were, they wouldn’t be using language that they claim not to favor,” she said. “They demonize our language, they demonize our organizing style, but they co-opt the language whenever they feel it is a political tool.”

Who are the other Black women

included in “Say Her Name?”

Crenshaw and others began using the phrase to draw attention to cases in which Black women are subject to police brutality. In 2020, the hashtag #SayHerName helped put more public scrutiny on the shooting death of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman in Louisville, Ky., who was shot and killed in her home during a botched police raid.

The campaign was founded to break the silence around Black women, girls, and femmes whose lives have been taken by police, Crenshaw said.

“The list of women killed in fatal

encounters with law enforcement and whose families continue to demand justice is long. Tanisha Anderson, Michelle Shirley, Sandra Bland, Miriam Carey, Michelle Cusseaux, Shelly Frey, Breonna Taylor, Korryn Gaines, Kayla Moore, Atatiana Jefferson, and India Kager are just some of the many names we uplift—women whose stories have too often otherwise gone untold. We must call out and resist this attempt to commandeer this campaign to serve an extremist right-wing agenda.”

Graham Lee Brewer is an Oklahoma City-based member of AP’s Race and Ethnicity team.

The phrase was popularized by civil rights activist, law professor and executive director of the African American Policy Forum Kimberlé Crenshaw in 2015, following the death of Sandra Bland. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

South Carolina’s push to be next-to-last state with hate crimes law stalls again

By JEFFREY COLLINS Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Supporters who want to make South Carolina the next-tolast U.S. state to pass a hate crimes law increasing penalties for some crimes fueled by race, gender or sexual orientation are running out of time to get what could be a decisive vote in the state Senate.

They brought survivors of a racist massacre that killed nine Black worshipers in a Charleston church in 2015 to speak to senators. They have had more than 100 businesses tell lawmakers that South Carolina needs to demonstrate hate will not be tolerated. They have tried any legislative maneuvers they can to get the bill up for debate.

But the hate crimes bill that passed the House 84-31 in March of last year has sat on the Senate’s calendar for nearly a year. If it isn’t approved by early May, it will die—just like a similar bill that made it that far in 2021 before the Senate did nothing with it.

When asked Wednesday about the chance for a vote, Republican Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey simply said, “don’t hold your breath.”

Thirty of South Carolina’s 46 senators are Republicans and enough of them back the bill that supporters think it can succeed if brought to a vote. But a few conservative Republicans—the numbers

fluctuate—keep blocking debate.

“It seems like if you want to get rid of it, the most efficient and fair way to get rid of it is to have a vote,” said Sen. Margie Bright Matthews, a Democrat from Walterboro who took her seat after the death of state Sen. Clementa Pinckney, the pastor killed in that 2015 racist massacre at Mother Emanuel AME church.

The opponents of the bill don’t say much about the measure. They have said that many crimes are caused by hatred, and that it is dangerous to try to divine someone’s thoughts.

They also are worried a hate crimes law could be used to go after a preacher who vociferously spoke out against gay marriage or LBTBQ issues, although supporters of the bill on the Senate calendar limited additional penalties to violent attacks after agreeing to remove vandalism from the proposal.

But most of the time, they just let the bill sit quietly.

South Carolina and Wyoming are the only states that don’t allow for enhanced penalties if a crime was motivated by hate. A federal hate crimes law in 2009 was used to send the Emanuel church shooter to death row. And last week it was used to convict a man of killing a Black transgender woman after their secret sexual relationship was exposed. That was the nation’s first federal trial over a hate crime based on gender identity.

But there are limits on how many hate crimes federal prosecutors can take up. The FBI said 70 crimes based on bias were committed in South Carolina in 2022, most of them because of race.

Last year, supporters tried to sway opponents by getting two of the three survivors of the Charleston church massacre to testify before a subcommittee.

Polly Sheppard briefly recounted how every one of the Black worshipers was shot multiple times by a white gunman. Then he told her he was only leaving her alive so she could tell people he killed them because he hated the color of their skin.

“If we had a better law, it wouldn’t allow these people to do the things they do,” Sheppard said.

Back in 2021, they had more than 100 business leaders from some of the state’s largest employers like Walmart, IBM, UPS, Duke Energy and pharmaceutical maker Nephron sign a letter asking for the hate crimes law and talking to reporters. A similar lobbying push hasn’t happened this General Assembly session.

Some local communities are taking action themselves. At least a half-dozen cities including the state’s largest of Charleston, Columbia and Greenville— have passed their own hate crimes laws. They have been spurred in part by heavily reported incidents across the state where flyers expressing hatred for Jewish people have been placed in driveways.

Black neighbors’ home. The FBI is investigating.

The South Carolina Senate Judiciary Committee last week passed its own hate crimes bill similar to the House’s version already on the Senate calendar with one difference: The newer bill says nothing in it can be construed as violating freedom of speech.

When the hate crimes bill occasionally comes up in the Senate, it is only tangential. Last week, Matthews and fellow Democratic Sen. Mike Fanning talked about it during debate on a bill permanently limiting the number of flounder that can be caught in state waters.

Matthews contested the bill just like conservative Republicans contested the hate crimes proposal. It was in a part of the Senate’s 34-page calendar where bills likely need a special action to be considered.

“This is the closest we’ve been to getting to debate that hate crime bill in years. But instead, we are going to debate flounder and going home,” Fanning said.

“I guess it is important to take fish out of people’s mouths,” said Matthews, who opposes keeping the limits in place because she has poor people in her district who fish to feed their families. “It’s important to keep them from catching 10 fish.”

Conway City Council is considering a hate crimes law after authorities said a white South Carolina couple set a cross on fire in their yard last month facing toward their

South Carolina Sen. Margie Bright Matthews, D-Walterboro, talks to a fellow senator in Columbia, South Carolina. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)

Saquon Barkley is shown the money by the Eagles and departs the Giants

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

Show me the money!

That is the common refrain in sports freeagency, made famous by Rod Tidwell, a fictional character played by Cuba Gooding Jr. in the 1996 movie “Jerry Maguire.” Tidwell was a veteran NFL wide receiver seeking a lucrative contract. So was Saquon Barkley from the Giants last summer. But they relented and instead placed the franchise tag on the Bronx-born running back before both sides agreed on a one-year deal for $12 million.

The Giants wanted to sign Barkley to another contract this off-season but weren’t willing to meet the 27-year-old’s asking price. However, their NFC East division rival Philadelphia Eagles saw Barkley’s value to them as much higher. And on Monday, Barkley and the Eagles both said yes to bring the Penn State product back to Pennsylvania on a three-year, $37.75 million contract that could be worth up to $46.75 million. What’s certain is Barkley will be guaranteed $26 million at signing. His $15.833 million maximum average-peryear salary is the second highest for a running back in NFL history.

With so many needs at other positions, the Giants paying Barkley that much money or close to what the Eagles were willing to sign him for didn’t align with their

long- or short-term plans. Conversely, the Eagles, which lost 38-35 to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl 13 months ago but were trounced by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 32-9 in their wildcard round game

this past January, envision Barkley as a key component to raising them back to the top of the conference.

Barkley played six seasons for the Giants and was historically great in his rookie

season, setting multiple NFL and franchise records. When healthy, he is still one of the most dynamic runners and pass catchers out of the backfield. But numerous injuries have hampered the 6’0”, 230 pound nephew of former super middleweight and light heavyweight champion Iran Barkley. Last season Barkley played in 14 of 17 games, rushing for 962 yards on 247 carries and snagging 41 receptions for 280 yards.

But Barkley’s numbers undoubtedly would have been better if he was not the Giants’ lone All-Pro caliber offensive weapon. Barkley was the focal point of opposing defenses as the Giants’ quarterback situation was unstable because of injuries to starter Daniel Jones and primary backup Tyrod Taylor. Most detrimental, they fielded one of the worst offensive lines in football and also lacked a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver.

The Eagle offense is the antithesis of the Giants as they have multiple All-Pros and Pro-Bowl players including quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver AJ Brown.

Taylor signed a two-year deal with the Jets to become Aaron Rodgers’ backup while the Giants bolstered their pass rush by trading a 2024 second round pick (No. 39) and a 2025 fifth round pick to the Carolina Panthers for 25-year-old defensive end Brian Burns, a two-time Pro Bowl selection. The Giants and Burns completed a five-year, $150 million contract with $87.5 guaranteed as a condition of the trade.

Bronx native Mia Castillo of Baruch leads Division III in scoring

By LOIS ELFMAN

Special to the AmNews

While the season of Baruch College women’s basketball came to a close following a loss in the second round of the ECAC Division III Championship, junior guard Mia Castillo can still expect more accolades. With an average of 27.4 points per game, the CUNYAC Player of the Year sits atop NCAA Division III women’s basketball as the nation’s leading scorer as well as leading in steals.

“I think we had an amazing season,” said Castillo, who was also named to the CUNYAC Women’s Basketball First Team All-Stars. “I was really proud of the way we improved defensively and the chemistry on the team. … We got to find our groove and work well together. We were happy to get a bid in the ECAC. Just to say we got to play some basketball in March was fun. We played really hard.”

When it comes to being a great scorer, Castillo said she credits her success to head women’s basketball coach Michael Kotrozos. She started the season kind of rough, but putting in time in the gym and being intentional about training made a huge difference. Learning how to read the defender has been crucial in her offensive prowess.

“I never considered myself a shooter prior to college,” said Castillo, who switched from point guard in high school to shooting guard. “I really enjoyed passing and getting assists. Unlocking that level of scoring is cool. … I feel blessed.”

Born and raised in the Bronx, Castillo moved upstate as a teenager. When it came time to choose a college, she knew she wanted to play basketball, achieve academically, study business and move back to New York City. Baruch proved a great fit.

Originally studying finance, she switched to accounting and is vice president of the Baruch chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). This summer she will intern at Grant Thornton LLP in the audit division. Her goal is to become a CPA.

“I take a lot of pride in being active outside of basketball,” Castillo said. “The stars aligned. I continue to play the sport that I love. Above all is academics.”

Castillo looks forward to transferring skills developed through basketball—work ethic, tenacity, resilience, leadership and teamwork—into her career. “There are teams in everything you do,” she said. “I’m passionate about the work I’m doing. I’m passionate about basketball and the work we’re doing with NABA. Diversity, equity and inclusion are values really important to me.”

Saquon Barkley has said goodbye to Giants fans and is no longer a member of the team after the running back agreed to a $37.75 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

(L) Mia Castillo, the CUNYAC Player of the Year, leads DIII women’s basketball in scoring with an average of 27.4 points per game. (Baruch Athletics photo)

Knicks begin a four-game road trip in tight East playoff race

Knicks forward OG Anunoby returned to the lineup Tuesday from elbow surgery while guard Josh Hart continued his strong season with 20 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists in a

OG Anunoby

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

The Knicks are out West for four games beginning tonight against the Portland Trailblazers as the Big East Tournament takes place at Madison Square Garden. They will also play the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, the Golden State War-

riors on Monday and conclude the eight-day stretch facing the Denver Nuggets next Thursday. It is why Tuesday night’s 106-79 win over the Philadelphia 76ers was critically important in the Eastern Conference battle for playoff seedings.

The Knicks are 38-27 and before last night’s NBA schedule opened were the No. 4 seed in the confer-

ence, just one game ahead of the No. 5 seed Orlando Magic (37-28), 1 1/2 games above the No. 6 seed Indiana Pacers (37-29), two games in front of the No. 7 seed 76ers (36-29) and led the No. 8 seed Miami Heat (3529) by only 2 1/2 in the fluid jostling for postseason positioning. The return of forward OG Anunoby on Tuesday is vital to head coach Tom Thibodeau’s ailing rotation going forward. Anunoby had been unavailable for the Knicks’ previous 18 games after injuring his right elbow on January 27 and consequently undergoing surgery. Forward Julius Randle and center Mitch Robinson are still out with the possibility of returning later this month. Randle has been in street clothes since dislocating his right shoulder on January 27 and Robinson last played on December 8. He is working his way back from left ankle surgery.

Anunoby had an immediate effect on the Knicks productivity on both ends of the court. His harassing on-ball defense and patrolling of the passing lanes disrupted the 76ers offense, and was the catalyst for New York’s 26-14 lead to end the

first quarter. Anunoby also posted 14 points on 6-11 shooting. But forward Josh Hart’s night exceeded every Knicks performance. He had a remarkable 20 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists, continuing what has been a strong season for the 29-year-old Villanova alum. The Knicks had a complete turnaround from Sunday at the Garden when they scored the lowest point total in the league this season in losing to the 76ers 79-73.

“OG gave us a great lift, first time back after a layoff,” said Thibodeau. “The energy, and the effort plays, the movement, the shooting added a lot to the team.

I thought Josh Hart was incredible. His defense, his rebounding, his scoring, his playmaking, everything. Just all-around play.”

After Sunday’s defeat, Hart said the Knicks refocused on what they do best in controlling the game from the outset.

“I think we played to our strengths. Think we played faster, took care of the ball, and rebounded the ball. We cut, we moved, we got good shots. I think that’s just the biggest difference.”

The Nets’ Play-In Tournament window has a narrow opening

By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews

The Brooklyn Nets were in Orlando last night (Wednesday) to challenge the Magic and looking to close the gap on the 3 1/2 game deficit they were in for the 10th and last Eastern Conference NBA Play-In Tournament spot. The Nets were 26-39 at tip-off, 4-5 under interim head coach Kevin Ollie, and the No. 11 seed chasing the No. 10 seed Atlanta Hawks.

The Hawks were 29-35 when they began a five-game, nine-day western conference road trip last night in Portland versus the Trailblazers. The Nets’ window to catch the Hawks and the No. 9 seed Chicago Bulls, which were 31-34 prior to playing the Indiana Pacers last night, is narrowing with only 16 games remaining.

Inconsistency has plagued the Nets for most of the season, and surfaced when they dropped consecutive road games to the lowly Detroit Pistons (118-112) last Thursday and Charlotte Hornets

(110-99) on Saturday. The Pistons (11-53) were tied with the Washington Wizards on Tuesday for the worst record in the league and the 16-49 Hornets had the fourth worst.

Guard Cam Thomas, who returned to action on Saturday after missing six games with a right ankle/midfoot sprain, led the team with 29 points on Sunday in a 120-101 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers to avoid a three-game losing streak.

“I think our guys are resilient,” Ollie said after practice Tuesday. “They’ll bounce back. They did bounce back, but now we have to be more consistent with our effort and that can’t be wavering from game to game. I’m not talking about wins and losses, I’m talking about the process of it, and I thought our process was right, even in Cleveland when they made some shots, our rotations were right.

“We didn’t hang our heads,” he added, “when they did make shots. And that’s what I want them to do is fall in love with the process of getting better each and every day. Not

worrying about a playoff spot or nothing like that. We’re worrying about getting better every day, and I thought they did that in Cleveland.”

Brooklyn finishes a five-game road trip on Saturday against the Indiana Pacers and Sunday will meet 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year favorite Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in Austin, Texas, but the game is not officially listed as a Nets home game. They return to the Barclays Center on Tuesday to host the New Orleans Pelicans.

On March 7, the Nets announced that Ben Simmons is out for the remainder of the season. In a statement released by the organization, they informed that the 6-10 forward will be sidelined as “he consults with specialists and explores treatment options for the nerve impingement in his lower back. Simmons, along with his representatives and Nets medical personnel, are currently in discussions with numerous experts to determine the course of action that will provide him with the best opportunity for long-term sustainable health.”

The Nets and forward Mikal Bridges faced the Orlando Magic on the road last night 3 1/2 games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the final Play-In Tournament spot. (Bill Moore photo)

106-79 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. (Bill Moore photos)

Josh Hart

Woman power surges at 5th Annual Sports Power Brunch

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

For the fifth year, before the teams hit the field at the Super Bowl, the impact of women in sports was celebrated at the Sports Power Brunch: Celebrating the Most Powerful Women in Sports. Attendees, panelists, guests, corporate sponsors and honorees gathered at the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas to discuss pressing issues and acknowledge those women who have shattered the glass ceiling.

The Sports Power Brunch is the creation of veteran sports publicist LaTonya Story. In 2019, the Super Bowl was in her home city of Atlanta. “I wanted to do an event that honored women who I admired, like Amy Trask, Lisa Salters, Melanie Few, Natara Holloway, and Charece Williams Gee,” said Story. “I was fortunate enough to have those women accept the invitation and attend.”

Hosted by journalist and sports broadcaster Taylor Rooks, the 2024 honorees were Nikki Fargas (Impact Award), president of the Las Vegas Aces; Nicole Lynn (Dealmaker Award), agent and president of football, KLUTCH Sports Group; Sandra Douglass Morgan (Leadership Award), president of the Las Vegas Raiders; and Stacey Allaster (Trailblazer Award), chief executive of professional tennis, USTA. That first event was at an Atlanta restau-

rant. Each year, it is held in the Super Bowl host city. Its growth leaves Story deeply appreciative. In addition to the brunch and awards presentation, there are panel discussions on pressing issues.

“There are so many amazing women who work behind the scenes in sports; even on the biggest stage like the NFL there are women in senior leadership roles—on the brand side, on the league side and on the

team side,” said Story. “We don’t limit it to football. We’re able to celebrate all of the powerful women in sports.”

Visibility leads to more opportunities for women. Having this platform in conjunction with one of the biggest events in sports, the Super Bowl, allows remarkable women to shine and empowers young women to see what’s possible. One of this year’s panels featured

women in sports law. The other panel was women at the intersection of sports and tech. “There are many different ways to make an impact,” said Story, who directs partial proceeds of the event to the Sterling Legacy Fund, established in memory of her son who passed away from cancer. “Being able to not only highlight the women that we honor, but also reflected in the panelists.”

Ronica Jeffrey returns to the ring with Team Combat League

By LOIS ELFMAN

Special to the AmNews

On March 28, Ronica Jeffrey, former IWBF World Super Featherweight champion, will make her debut with the NYC Attitudes of Team Combat League (TCL). The Brooklyn native is making her return to the competitive ring after five years. Despite not having bouts, Jeffrey has not been away from boxing.

“I’m also a personal trainer at a boxing gym, so I’m always boxing,” said Jeffrey, who works at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn. “I have a trainer myself and he has amateur fighters, so he’s always asking, ‘Can you work with my girl?’ Even though my last professional fight was in 2019, I’m always in the ring.”

TCL teams include male and female boxers. Each match consists of 18 threeminute rounds, with each round scored individually with additional points added for knockouts and knockdowns.

Jeffrey said a number of actors train at Gleason’s Gym. In season’s past, the “Real Housewives of New York City” television show featured cast members working out at a boxing gym, and Jeffrey let it be known she is available to

film if asked. “Bring them my way; I will get them together real quick,” she said. Her own entry into boxing came in her early 20s when she wanted to change her body.

Growing up in a West Indian family—Grenada and Trinidad—she fully enjoyed traditional food. “The plate is very full,” she recalled. “I wanted to feel better in my body—how I wore my clothes and how I felt about myself. Also, it was a way for me to challenge myself.”

As part of her weight loss journey, a friend brought her to a boxing gym, where she felt happy finding a means of protecting herself. She fell in love with the technical nature of boxing and acquiring new skills was exciting. As she improved, her trainer suggested she try fighting competitively, and Jeffrey figured why not. It went well, and she’s ready to give it another go with TCL.

“Once again, it’s the challenge of something different and actually being a part of something new that has to do with boxing,” Jeffrey, 41, said. “It makes me feel like my very first time when I wanted to challenge myself and see what I’m capable of. That brings a sense of empowerment. It’s something I can share with other women and give to other women who would look up to me. We all need to test ourselves.”

Team Combat League boxer Ronica Jeffrey. (Photo courtesy of Team Combat League)

Sports Power Brunch founder LaTonya Story (c) with honorees Nicole Lynn, Nikki Fargas, Sandra Douglass Morgan and Stacey Allaster. (Ricardo Aguilera/The BIG Agency and B. Terrell photo)

Surging St. John’s hopes to play deep into Big East Tournament Sports

By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews

To the winner goes the spoils, and in the case of the men’s Big East Basketball Tournament that began last night at Madison Square Garden, that means an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament field of 68.

For the St. John’s Red Storm, a win over the Seton Hall Pirates in their quarterfinal matchup today at 2:30 p.m. is likely to solidify an at-large spot for them in the NCAA Tournament. The Red Storm are the No. 5 seed and the Pirates, 20-11 overall and 13-7 in the Big East, are No. 4. St. John’s is 19-12, including an 11-9 record in conference play. They have won five in a row heading into today’s game.

St. John’s last appeared in the NCAA Tournament five years ago, losing to Arizona State.

St. John’s was dominated by the

Pirates the first time they met this season, on January 16, when they trailed by 14 at the half and went on to lose 80-65.

The Red Storm’s February 18 loss to Seton Hall at the UBS Arena was a turning point in their season.

After the 68-62 defeat, in which St. John’s blew a 19-point lead, their head coach, Rick Pitino, harshly criticized his team’s lack of athleticism, defense, and effort. They haven’t lost since then.

The Red Storm are likely to face the defending NCAA Tournament champions, the Connecticut Huskies, tomorrow if they defeat the Pirates today. UConn will take on the winner of yesterday’s pairing of No. 8 seed Butler versus No. 9 seed Xavier today at 12 p.m.

If the Red Storm make it to the field of 68, the season would be viewed as successful in Pitino’s first year of leading the program. A possible exclusion from the

NCAA Tournament would be considered a disappointment after the Red Storm’s 12-4 start. Another sign of progress and a positive outlook for next season would be sophomore guard RJ Luis returning for his junior season.

The rapidly improving Luis was a major part of Saturday’s 86-78 Senior Day win over the Georgetown Hoyas, scoring 16 points off the bench, while senior Daniss Jenkins led the team with 23. “(RJ Luis is) a great defensive player,” Pitino said. “He saved us on the offensive glass, saved us with scoring, and saved us with great defense on (Jayden) Epps, so [I’m] real proud of him. He’s got unlimited potential in almost every phase of the game.

“He’s a terrific young man and I’m very excited about the way he played tonight defensively because he’s so [strong]. He’s actually a very cerebral basketball player.”

Pitino also expressed his en-

thusiasm about looking ahead to the Big East tournament and the prospect of making the NCAA Tournament.

“I love the East Tournament,” Pitino said. “My players are get-

Upsets already mark the start NCAA March Madness

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

The Wagner College Seahawks men’s basketball team embodies the spirit of the NCAA’s March Madness. With a roster depleted by injuries, the Seahawks, led by head coach Donald Copeland, upset favorite Merrimack by 54-47 on Tuesday night to win the Northeast Conference Tournament and earn an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament field of 68.

Playing on the road in Lawler Arena in North Andover, Massachusetts, the No. 1 seeded Warriors home court, Wagner— located on Staten Island—the NEC’s No. 6 seed, showed unwavering resolve and perseverance that has defined their season.

Using a shortened rotation of seven players by necessity, 6-5 junior guard Tahron Allen, a transfer from Monmouth College and former standout for Brooklyn Collegiate High School, scored a game best 22 points and added seven rebounds to help lift the Seahawks (16-15) to their first NCAA Tourna-

ment appearance since 2003 and second in the program’s history. Melvin Council, a 6-4 junior guard from Rochester, NY, an All-NEC First Team selection this season, provided 12 impactful points for Wagner, which stifling defense held Merrimack (21-12) to just 17-57 (29.8%) from the field. Junior guard Devon Savage had 16 points for the Warriors.

The 40-year-old Copeland, a Jersey City native who played under legendary Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame coach Bobby Hurley Sr. at St. Anthony’s High School before a notable college career as a point guard for Seton Hall from 2002-2006, took over as Wagner’s head coach in 2022 and went 15-13 last season.

“Let me say this, let me tell you guys this,” Copeland said to his team in the locker room after the victory, “I didn’t need to win this game or do what we just did to be proud of you guys. I want you to understand that. I didn’t need the results of this right now.”

ting ready to find out how great a tournament it is. We realize that we have a chance to go to the NCAA (tournament.). That’s why these guys came here, so we are getting better and better.”

In the Colonial Athletic Association finals, the 20-15, No. 7 seed Stony Brook Seawolves (Long Island) fell 82-79 to the No. 1 seed Charleston Cougars on Tuesday night. The No. 5 seed St. John’s Red Storm will face the No. 4 seed Seton Hall Pirates today at 2:30 p.m. Eastern at Madison Square Garden in a Big East Tournament quarterfinals matchup.

In the Atlantic 10 Tournament being held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the No. 12 seed Fordham Rams (13-19) faced the No. 5 seed Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (19-12) yesterday afternoon in a second round game after overcoming a 13-point deficit to down the No. 13 seed Davidson Wildcats 71-63 on Tuesday.

St. John’s guard RJ Luis looks to help his team top Seton Hall in their Big East quarterfinals match up today at Madison Square Garden at 5 p.m.  (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Wagner College guard Tahron Allen (No. 10) and the Seahawks celebrates upsetting the Merrimack Warriors by 54-47 on Tuesday night to win the Northeast Conference Tournament. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)