New York Amsterdam News: Issue # 25 June 23 - 29, 2022

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THE NEW BLACK VIEW

SUMMER SHOTS FIRED

Vol. 113 No. 25 | June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

©2022 The Amsterdam News | $1.00 New York City

‘HE WAS PERFECT,’ SAYS KIN OF SLAIN HARLEM NATIVE DARIUS LEE, SUPER SCHOLAR & RISING COLLEGE BASKETBALL STAR (See story on page 6)

(Bill Moore photo)

AMNEWS ENDORSEMENTS AmNews endorses Jumaane Williams for Governor (See story on page 6)

Rikers Island, push for decarceration and a federal takeover?

Francia Márquez is Colombia’s first Black, female VP (See story on page 2)

(See story on page 3)

Rikers Island (Doug Schneider Photo_iStock)

Francia Marquez (Photo by Darwin Torres)

Fines Nickel and Dime Poor New Yorkers Further into Poverty Urban Agenda by David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society of New York - See page 5

2 • June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Francia Márquez is Colombia’s first Black, female VP USPS 382-600/ISSN#00287121 2340 Frederick Douglass Boulevard New York, New York 10027 (212) 932-7400 FAX (212) 222-3842

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INDEX Arts & Entertainment ���������������� Page 19 » Astro/Numerology ��������������������Page 24 » Food ���������������������������������������������Page -» Jazz ��������������������������������������������Page 22 Caribbean Update ���������������������� Page 14 Career/Business ������������������������ Page 39 Classified �������������������������������������� Page 41 Editorial/Opinion ��������������������Pages 12,13 Education �������������������������������������Page 32 Go with the Flo ����������������������������Page 8 Health �������������������������������������������� Page 16 In the Classroom ����������������������� Page 30 Nightlife ������������������������������������������Page 9 Religion & Spirituality ������������������Page 36 Sports ������������������������������������������� Page 48 Union Matters ������������������������������� Page 10 MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS INFORMATION U.S. Territories & Canada weekly subscriptions: 1 year $49.99 2 Years $79.99 6 months $30.00 Foreign subscriptions: 1 year $59.99 2 Years $89.99 6 Months $40.00

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Special to the AmNews In a truly historic victory, Gustavo Petro and Francia Márquez have won the presidential elections in Colombia. The Petro-Márquez ticket will form Colombia’s first-ever progressive administration when it takes office Aug. 7: they have promised to battle widespread inequality in the country—in particular the nation’s poverty rates which are at 40%—and to push the government to take control of the economy, to protect the rights of women and LGBTQ people, and to fight against climate change.

“This government which will begin on August 7 is a government of life,” Gustavo Petro asserted during his victory speech. “It is a government that wants to establish Colombia as a global power that promotes life. If we want to synthesize in three phrases what the government of life consists of, it is peace and social and environmental justice.”

Traditionally, Colombians have elected right-wing politicians who have aligned their country with the U.S.’s “war on drugs” agenda, which meant U.S. dollars helped fund the Colombian militaries’ fight against left-wing guerrillas.

That agenda tended to impoverish

miles to reach polling sites. “I have to confess that during my political life I have never seen so many people doing these things on their own and using different means of transportation to get to their voting destinations,” commented Rafael Mosquera, a former house of representatives’ candidate from Chocó. “[T]he real heroes…are those travelers who took to the rivers and seas in countless boats congesting those ‘highways’ that are the main means of transportation! “[Y]ou can see the overwhelming joy represented in the multiple caravans that left from Istmina and Quibdò,” Mosquera added: “Today we move from the front lines and from resistance to power!”

In an exclusive interview, Ángela Perlaza Aguiño of the Colombia Renaciente Party told the AmNews that her organization “developed a strategy called YO TE LLEVO A VOTAR (I WILL TAKE YOU TO VOTE) to defeat the abstentionism in our Afro and Indigenous territories. We have activists and leaders who [made sure] that no one was left unable to vote…The strategy was so well

Gustavo Petro and Francia Márquez saluted supporters on election night (Photo by Darwin Torres)

large swaths of the population and quite often led to the endangerment of Black and Indigenous activists who worked to secure their communities in long-neglected areas of the nation.

This year, it was the strong turnout of Black and Indigenous voters in states along Colombia’s Caribbean and Pacific coasts who made the difference in the presidential vote. Afro Colombians are up to 90% of the population along Colombia’s Pacific coast and the Petro-Márquez ticket won states in this area resoundingly: they took Chocó with 83% of the vote, in Nariño they received 82%, Cauca 81% and in Valle del Cauca 65%.

I WILL TAKE YOU TO VOTE Thousands of people traveled from rural areas, on small, packed caravans of boats, on motorbikes, and others walked for

International WORLD HEALTH BODY WANTS NEW NAME FOR ‘MONKEYPOX’ VIRUS, CALLING IT ‘DISCRIMINATORY AND STIGMATIZING’ (GIN)—The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced plans to find a new name for the viral disease informally known as ‘monkeypox’ which, says the world body, is “discriminatory and stigmatizing.”

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in a briefing on the matter, said the virus is no longer behaving as it did in the past and therefore should be renamed. But a public narrative persists in suggesting the current outbreak is linked to Africa, West Africa or Nigeria, noted a group of 29 biologists and other researchers. That builds on an existing stigma, although the virus has been detected without a clear link to Africa.

The majority—84%—of confirmed cases are from the European region, followed by the

received that in the territories, citizens used various means of transportation to mobilize those who needed it, prioritizing the elderly, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. “#YOTELLEVOAVOTAR contributed to the reduction of fraud and to the defeat of vote buying.

It also reminds us that Colombians are known for their SOLIDARITY, today we have won in terms of values, and we know that united we are stronger.”

A very important step forward With Francia Márquez as Colombia’s new vice president, traditionally marginalized voters are expecting to be represented, and they turned out in droves. “We are going to create a Ministry of Equality,” Marquez promised in a Tweet. “I come from a historically neglected people and region.

My goal is to guarantee rights for the excluded and for those in marginalized territories, to guarantee rights to Afro-descendant and indigenous populations.”

During her victory speech on the night the election was won, Márquez thanked Colombia’s voters and, in particular, the women, youth, LGBTQ groups and Black communities for supporting her political trajectory. “To the rural people—to See COLOMBIA on page 31

News

than a dozen infectious disease experts in the U.S. and Europe are soliciting suggestions for a new name using the website virological.org.

“We are removing the distinction between endemic and nonendemic countries, reporting on countries together where possible, to reflect the unified response that is needed,” the WHO said in its outbreak situation update dated June 17 but sent to media on Saturday.

As for what the virus should be called, the scientists suggest starting with hMPXV, to denote the human version of the monkeypox virus. Rather than geographic locations, they say, letters and numbers should be used, based on Americas, Africa, Eastern Medi- lesions in mainstream media in order of discovery. In that system, terranean region and Western Pa- the global north,” the research- the lineage behind the current incific region. ers said. ternational outbreak would be “The most obvious manifestaAhmed Ogwell, deputy director dubbed B.1. tion of this is the use of photos of of the Africa Centers for Disease The Geneva-based U.N. health See INTERNATIONAL on page 31 African patients to depict the pox Control and Prevention, and more Maasai fighting for ancestral lands (GIN)

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Remembering Shantel Davis a decade later

By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member Last Tuesday marks 10 years since Shantel Davis was killed by an NYPD detective in East Flatbush.

A decade later, officer Philip Atkins remains free after shooting the unarmed 23-year-old. So Davis’ sister Natasha Duncan continues to fight under her name.

“I know with Shantel’s case, I’m not going to get justice,” said Duncan. “But it’s soothing for me to keep uplifting her saying her name, meaning people helping other families. I feel like that’s what keeps me sane. I feel like if I stop, I’m like, not gonna be the same. I don’t feel like I’m doing her justice.”

Duncan’s main giveback is an annual basketball tournament called Hoops 4 Justice, which she co-

hosts with the family of Kimani Gray, another young person killed by the NYPD. This year’s event will be on Aug. 6 at Tilden Park in Brooklyn.

Duncan also co-founded the nonprofit Sisters of the Movement and is currently working on starting another community organization for youngsters in her neighborhood.

All in the name of Shantel Davis.

Through such work, Duncan has met numerous families that have also lost loved ones to police violence and they’ve become an incredible support system. “[After the shooting] we have groups that help or news outlets that post your story and all these elected officials around you—and when those cameras go away, [there’s] nobody,” said Duncan. “But with these families, I can call anybody from a number of neighboring cities [and] states to talk about what I’m

going through.”

On June 14, 2012, Davis crashed an allegedly stolen vehicle into a van on the intersection of East 38th Street and Church Avenue after running three red lights, according to police. Atkins and his partner, Daniel Guida approached the car in plainclothes. There was an alleged struggle, and Atkins fired his weapon into Davis’ chest.

Today, Davis would be just 33 years old. According to Duncan, she loved to cook. And was a fantastic aunt who was the first person her nephew reached out to when he got into trouble at school.

But the public rarely saw that side of her after the shooting, as her criminal history and arrest record were frequently brought up by the media, with the New York Post going as far as calling her a “witchy See DAVIS on page 44

Adams addresses the BQE

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member Mayor Eric Adams has decided to nix former Mayor Bill De Blasio’s plans to fix up parts of the aging Brooklyn Queens Expressway (BQE), specifically a 1.5 mile, triple layered section of the highway underneath the iconic promenade located in downtown Brooklyn.

Instead Adams is opting to seek out more long-term solutions and repair the entire corridor.

“Our moment is right now. I will not wait decades and needlessly spend hundreds of millions of additional taxpayer dollars when we can and must start rebuilding this vital transportation artery today,” said Adams in a statement.

The entire six lane highway is approximately 35 miles long, built in 1944 by city planning juggernaut Robert Moses. Moses has become infamous for designing urban highways that catered to the upper, middle class while bifurcating and decimating poorer Black and Brown neighborhoods in the 1940s and ’50s.

His roads were not only racially impactful, they were harmful to the environment as well.

The only reason the triple cantilever section of the BQE, from Sands Street to Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn Heights, was built was because it would run through an affluent neighborhood. The community and electeds fought back. Other low income communities without adequate representation in city government in Red Hook, Williamsburg, and Bush-

wick were not that lucky.

Councilmember Lincoln Restler (D, District 33) currently represents the Brooklyn Heights area where the triple cantilever is located. “I think one piece of highway fits into a broader interstate highway,” said Restler. “The reality here is that the BQE has divided, polluted, and all together ravaged neighborhoods for the better part of 70 years. And there are many communities that have been negatively impacted by the BQE. Each neighborhood should undergo planning and visioning to think through what a future could and should look like.”

Restler said that the city must do better than simply restoring the “Robert Moses-era relic” and innovatively build a sustainable and See ADAMS on page 44

Rikers Island, push for decarceration and a federal takeover?

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member As reports come out on the eighth death of an incarcerated individual while in Department of Correction (DOC) custody, advocates are steadily demanding that the city properly address the “humanitarian crisis” in the jail. Some are for a federal receivership of Rikers Island, while some just want it closed already.

Detainee Albert Drye, 50, died on Tuesday, June 21, reportedly of unknown causes as of this afternoon.

He is the eighth person to die in 2022

from jail or custody.

A seventh person, Anibal Carrasquillo, 40, died on Rikers Island literally a day before on Monday morning. Carrasquillo’s cause of death is being investigated, reported Spectrum News. Last month, Emanuel Sullivan, 20, was found dead in his bed on Rikers Island, making him the sixth person to die this year.

Fourteen people died in DOC custody last year, for a total of 22 deaths in the last two years, said Spectrum News.

Tamara Carter, mother of Brandon Rodriguez who died on Rikers in August 2021, responded to news

of more deaths. “It’s heartbreaking, my family is still grieving but how do we even begin to heal when we are getting retraumatized by it happening again and again,” said Carter in a statement. “To anyone who is paying attention, it’s clear that DOC cannot keep people in their custody safe. So then there should not be anyone in their custody.”

Criminal justice advocate Darren Mack, co-director of Freedom Agenda, said that Rikers should have closed a long time ago because no one is safe there.

See RIKERS on page 43

June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022 • 3

MetroBriefs Metro Briefs OneTen celebrates Juneteenth by expanding online career marketplace OneTen, a coalition including leading executives and companies committed to hiring, promoting and advancing 1 million Black talent without four-year degrees into family-sustaining jobs and careers over 10 years, debuted refinements and an expansion of its online Career Marketplace.

Bringing together the OneTen ecosystem of employers, talent developers, support service providers, and Black talent, the innovative career marketplace matches Black talent without four-year degrees with in-demand skill development opportunities and ultimately jobs that pay family-sustaining wages at America’s most sought-after companies.

The expansion of the Career Marketplace marks the one-year anniversary of the initial launch and represents months of collaboration among the coalition’s more than 70 member companies and network of over 100 talent developers. The enhanced platform enables employer, talent developer, and candidate matching at scale, expands analytics capabilities, and more.

Bronx BP Vaness Gibson hosts cannabis forum Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson was joined this week by Chair of the New York State Office of Cannabis Tremaine Wright and Director of External Affairs Erin Hammond for an open forum for the Bronx community, featuring a panel discussion on the legalization of cannabis and how we can transform this industry to serve as an economic engine for communities that have been historically criminalized and hurt by the war on drugs.

The event was live-streamed by BronxNet and moderated by News 12 Reporter Marisa Marcellino.

The 90-minute panel discussion covering the legalization of cannabis; retail dispensary operations and compliance; social equity and access; and opportunities for funding and business development, will be followed by a question-and-answer session and networking. The forum was an opportunity for the community to ask questions, raise concerns and learn more about the local growth and future development of the cannabis industry.

New report documents abuse of inmates with mental health needs in state prisons The #HALTsolitary Campaign and Mental Health Alternatives to Solitary Confinement coalition released a new report documenting extreme punishment and abuse of people with mental health needs in New York State prisons in what are supposed to be more therapeutic alternatives to solitary confinement.

Among other recommendations, the report recommends the state stop incarcerating people with mental health needs, including by enacting the Treatment Not Jails Act as a first step, and properly implement the recently-enacted HALT Solitary Confinement Law’s requirements of restrictions on the use of disciplinary tickets and use of proven alternatives to solitary.

The reports found that 81.7% of people in the disciplinary Residential Mental Health Treatment Units were Black or Latinx people, compared to only 69.5% in non-disciplinary mental health units, 72.3% in all of DOCCS prisons, and only 37% in the state at large (including outside prison).

Bronx Community College announces new partnership with New York Presbyterian Hospital to increase internships for students Bronx Community College (BCC) announced today that it has partnered with New York Presbyterian Hospital (NYP) to increase the number of internships for students enrolled in the Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program.

MLT graduates work in high-tech clinical laboratories and use analytic instruments to help doctors diagnose, treat and prevent disease.

The laboratory science profession is ranked the 3rd highest healthcare career alongside doctors and nursing ranking 1 & 2.

The number of students in the program is contingent upon having them completing available internships. Understanding the laboratory workforce shortage and to assist in the call to action, NYP agreed to accept BCC MLT students as interns in their clinical labs. There is a tremendous demand for MLTs at this hospital and others.

—Compiled by Cyril Josh Barker

4 • June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Biden, again, promises relief on student-loan debt

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews Once more we have an uptick on the possibility that President Biden is seriously considering studentloan forgiveness. “It’s all on the table right now,” Biden told reporters on Monday while on a stroll in Rehoboth Beach in Delaware.

He seemed to confirm rumors that relief was on the way for those borrowers earning under $150,000 annually, though the $10,000 mentioned as the payment was far below what some of his Democratic colleagues would like to see.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez,

a consistent critic of the planned amount, has said that the Party “can do better” than the proposed amount in debt cancellation. In an Instagram she posted last week she reiterated her concern about the relief, stating that “there are policies where a halfway approach is kind of a waste as it’s not much better than nothing, and resources are better spent elsewhere. We push so that people can actually experience the benefits of a policy.”

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts voiced a similar complaint about the dollar figure and has recently advocated $50,000 in relief. She told the press that

amount “was a number to get the most relief to the people.”

Even more disapproval of the plan, as expected, came from GOP elected officials, who insisted that student-loan relief would hurt taxpayers and the economy.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has fielded questions from Republicans who want to know the details of the relief measure, if and when it was fully developed.

Biden’s recent hint of putting the plan in effect was a followup to an earlier announcement back in April with no date set for the action. Obviously, it’s easier to fall off a bike than to get the relief ball rolling.

Myrie, New York passes John Lewis Voting Rights Act Associated Press story by MAYSOON KHAN Associated Press/Report for America (AP) Governor Kathy Hochul signed The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act into law on Monday, a bill intended to prevent local officials from enacting rules that might suppress people’s voting rights because of their race and championed

by Sen. Zellnor Y. Myrie (DCentral Brooklyn).

“We’re going to change our election laws so we no longer hurt minority communities,” said Hochul at a bill signing ceremony in Brooklyn. “I’m so proud to be here to sign this land-

mark legislation. No state in the nation has stood up with the courage and conviction and the power we have by protecting these important rights.”

Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado said that by amending the voter laws in the state, New York is providing all people, regardless of the color of their skin or where they live, with an equal opportunity to have their voices heard at the polls.

“As a Black man who represented a district in Congress that is nearly 90% white, in one of the most rural parts of the country, and as the first person of color to ever represent upstate New York in Congress, my experi-

ence is proof that voting can bring about change that once might have seemed out of reach,” said Delgado in a statement.

The law was named after Georgian civil rights activist and U.S. Rep John Lewis, who died at 80 years old after losing a battle to stage 4 pancreatic cancer in 2020.

Under the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965, states and counties with a record of suppressing the rights of Black voters once had to seek U.S. Justice Department approval before changing voting rules, wrote the Associated Press.

The court’s ending of that practice, on the grounds See LEWIS on page 38

Mayor Adams’ new plan hints support for Fair Chance for Housing

By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member Last week, Mayor Eric Adams quietly supported stronger anti-discrimination protections when renting from the private market for New Yorkers with criminal records in his new housing agenda.

Burrowed in the 97-page document is a brief excerpt detailing initial plans to address the prison-to-shelter pipeline. It acknowledged frequent reports of housing providers denying applicants due to their criminal records and promised the

mayor’s office would work with city council to create legislation to make it easier for those New Yorkers to find housing from landlords and private renting agencies.

It’s a first for Adams to publicly echo sentiments shared by proponents of the Fair Chance for Housing Act, which was shot down here in New York City before a vote last December.

The bill, Int. 2047, aimed to ban housing providers from obtaining a renter’s arrest record or criminal history if they’re not relevant to protecting victims of domestic violence, sexual offenses or stalking. It was sponsored

by 27 city council members and supported by Adams’ predecessor, Bill de Blasio.

With the 2023 budget passed, advocates believe such protections offer the city a low-cost method of reducing homelessness. “[ We have] members, and know a lot of people who are in shelter[s] and they’ve been found eligible for vouchers or for other support to get housing,” said Alison Wilkey of the Fair Chance for Housing Act Campaign. “But as they go out there and try [to] use the vouchers and find housing that just turned away over See FAIR on page 38

NewJerseyNews Newark’s Washington Park renamed after Harriet Tubman

By CYRIL JOSH BARKER Amsterdam News Staff Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka hosted a ceremony this week to re-name Washington Park as Harriet Tubman Square and announce plans to create the Newark Arts and Education District, at the square, to mark Juneteenth.

The mission of the new district will be to enhance the many downtown arts and educational institutions, galleries, parks, public art, and restaurants that contribute to the city’s cultural legacy and inclusive economic development.

“By enhancing the cultural value of the city’s creative and economic life through collaboration, education, community inclusion, and innovation, residents and local businesses will benefit from a new vision for the area defined by arts, culture, equity, and sustainability; attracting more investment and liveable communities,” Baraka said. “The key is to ensure that the District serves Newark residents first, both as a center of fun and economic opportunity.”

Major institutions in the Arts and Education District currently include the Newark Museum of Art, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark Symphony Hall, Rutgers-Newark, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Prudential Arena, Seton Hall Law School, Newark School of the Arts, and Mulberry Commons, among others.

The district will provide residents and visitors with a central location for cultural programming and arts education, and as well as encourage more collaborations and partnerships in Newark. Residents and local businesses will benefit from district-wide improvements such as rezoning, improved permit processes, and shuttle service to help residents citywide connect with downtown events.

“Today, as Mayor Baraka renames this

park in Harriet Tubman’s honor, we, as New Jerseyans, can feel pride in our state’s role in the Underground Railroad. At the same time, however, we cannot forget that New Jersey was the last of all northern states to abolish slavery,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “There is no doubt that the effects of that evil continue to ripple through our communities today, making our work to expand opportunity in business, education, and homeownership, and to achieve equity in representation, health outcomes, and much more not just important, but our moral imperative.”

As part of the announcement, Baraka officially renamed Washington Park as Harriet Tubman Square. Following calls for racial justice and representation in civic public art in 2020, the city issued a public call for designs for a new monument honoring Harriet Tubman and New Jersey’s role in the Underground Railroad to be the new centerpiece for the re-named square, replacing a statue of Christopher Columbus removed by the city in summer 2020.

The new monument, designed by New Jersey artist and architect Nina Cooke John with support from Newark-based apprentice artist Adebunmi Gbadebo, is proposed to be unveiled in fall 2022 and serve as a community gathering space and a centering point for the new Arts and Education District. The Tubman monument and other improvements to Harriet Tubman Square are currently under review by the New Jersey Historical Preservation Office.

“It was an honor and privilege to stand next to Mayor Baraka on this second Juneteenth to also celebrate the renaming of Washington Park to Harriet Tubman Square,” stated Congressman Donald M. Paye Jr. “Today, we remember that liberty and freedom are the precious birthright of all Americans and must be guarded and preserved for all people.”

Juneteenth march and rally held in Newark demands reparations

By CYRIL JOSH BARKER Amsterdam News Staff The Peoples Organization for Progress (P.O.P.) held a rally last Friday in honor of Juneteenth at the Lincoln Statue to demand reparations and justice.

The march was co-sponsored by the New Jersey Institute For Social Justice, People’s Organization For Progress and 51 other organizations. The demonstration was held to demand reparations for African Americans and demand passage of the reparations task force bill A938/S386 by the New Jersey State Leg-

islature. Demonstors also demanded the passage by Congress of HR 40 and S40 which would establish a federal reparations commission.

Organizers highlighted the need to pass the police review board with subpoena power bill A1515/S2295, same day voter registration bill A1966/ S2295, and investment in youth and closing of youth prisons.

Speakers at the event included activists, elected officials, and representatives from labor, clergy, and the community. Among the speakers were Newark See JERSEY on page 44

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

LaFrae Sci’s vision as Willie Mae Rock Camp’s new director

By ZOE ROSE Special to the AmNews

Willie Mae Rock Camp is a nonprofit organization centered around empowering young girls and gender-expansive youth through the art and creativity of music. Willie Mae Rock Camp is located in Brooklyn, New York, and is named in honor of the blues artist, Willie Mae Thornton. The camp teaches students to understand the teachings of composing music through new advanced technology, all while providing a safe, comfortable environment to let their creativity flow.

New director of the camp LaFrae Sci spoke about the hopes and visions for Willie Mae Rock Camp, and why it’s so essential to advocate for our youth to use music to connect. Encouraging students to be authentic and freely express themselves through music is one of the main goals of this organization.

“What I wanted to do was create a program that would service and give access to Black and Brown youth, girls and gender-expansive youth, through a tech-related curriculum that empowers and gives access to not only information, but also gear, curriculum and mentorship,” said Sci. Sci is an award-winning, multi-instrumentalist, educator, composer and electro acoustic adventurer. She is a musician of over 30 years and has shared her talents with the world by touring in 38 different countries.

Sci is one of the founding teaching members of Willie Mae Rock Camp and has shared the influences it has had on her life. “Willie Mae really shifted my perspective and I really saw how the way we approach young people creates magical miracles and allows students to just thrive,” she said.

Willie Mae Rock Camp includes programs that grant students the flexibility to be the creators of their own craft such as the Digital Mentorship, In-School Programs, Summer Camp, and Community Service Workshops/ Partnerships. The programs are entirely 100% tuition-free and continue to expand their presence throughout the world. The organization works with the New York Public library in all five boroughs and is soon to be incorporated in five of the Young Women’s Leadership schools. “My hope is that we can expand our impact,” states Sci. Going into more depth, she explained some of the future visions in store for Willie Mae Rock Camp: “We plan to create content that is available for teachers to use in their classrooms and young people to access on our youth portal, and we plan to expand our

LaFrae Sci (Contributed photo)

June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022 • 5

THE URBAN AGENDA

By David R. Jones Fines Nickel and Dime Poor New Yorkers Further into Poverty

We take for granted that life in New York requires navigating a maze of government fees, fines, tickets and surcharges. They’re the cost of doing business – a hidden tax.

Everyone knows you leave the courthouse with your pockets lighter.

Some of these penalties started out as a deterrent. Most have evolved into an easy way for New York State and New York City to raise revenue. Undoubtedly, the financial burden falls disproportionately on small “mom-and-pop” neighborhood businesses, low-income people, and Black and Latinx youth caught up in the criminal justice system.

For the wealthy, a traffic ticket or a business fine represents an inconvenient credit card swipe, and a story to share over dinner. But for the poor, especially those raising small children or caring for an elderly parent, fines and surcharges can cut into the food budget or, God forbid, result in a missed rent payment.

Black

New Yorker

curriculum and lesson plans for other afterschool programs and teachers in school to use as well.”

Sci also further explains the importance of setting up a safe space for students to be able to be artists. “We don’t tell the kids you’re welcome here; we tell the kids, this is yours,” said Sci. The camp’s creative sound lab is truly a place of inspiration, encouraging experimentalism and the freedom of creativity. Moreover, not only does this program provide students with important skills of music, but it also emphasizes the importance of connectivity and the power of looking within. Sci explains how it’s far beyond just entertainment.

“We are also teaching the important skill of listening, not just listening to the world around them but also using social and emotional approaches for the students to listen to the voice within them and find that voice and express it, and then also realizing that the sound is healing, sound builds community, it’s not just about entertainment.”

Sci hopes to see Willie Mae Rock camp continue to impact the lives of youth in powerful ways, as she continues to educate and create a new awareness and appreciation for music.

LaFrae Sci can be contacted via email at Lafrae@williemaerockcamp.org

No offense seems too small in New York City to be punished with a fine, and the penalty is padded with surcharges. Think of the bloated system like government walking a large dog. At this point, we can’t even see the end of the leash as our friend darts and dashes about, out of control.

Mayor Eric Adams last month made some progress, announcing reforms – which include reducing fines for breaking 49 local regulations and instituting a grace period for 39 of them — that city officials estimate will save 200,000 small businesses $8.9 million a year in penalties. It was the result of Adams directing city departments to reduce fine schedules, and give warnings and grace periods for first-time violations.

Departments that chose not to pursue reform had to explain why.

Also last year, New York State’s Driver’s License Suspension Reform Act went into effect, ending driver’s license suspensions for unpaid traffic tickets. Even better, the law allowed New Yorkers with unpaid traffic tickets to set up payment plans, which removed the threat of a license revocation that could destabilize a household’s finances.

We applaud these reforms and others, like free phone calls from city jails and forgiving $125 million in debt for more than 50,000 City University of New York students. It’s a great start, but there’s more work to do at the city and state level.

Nowhere is the system of fines and surcharges more burdensome, unfair and

in need of reform than in the state criminal courts, where the New York State Bar Association has for years called for reform of mandatory charges imposed without regard to the ability to pay. Currently, courts are prohibited from waiving the fees, which are deposited in the state treasury. The association called the fees a “regressive tax” that “causes long-term harms to indigent defendants.”

Fines on inmates are collected from their commissary accounts at state prisons, which incarcerated persons typically use to pay for phone calls and purchases from the prison store, such as toothpaste or snacks.

Even after release, New Yorkers on parole are charged a $30-per-month supervision fee, as well as additional financial penalties for violations.

According to the Bar Association, a third of all surcharge revenue comes from traffic violations. About 41 percent ($2,167,076) of the annual New York State surcharge revenue came from guilty pleas to violations in criminal court, a total that does not include guilty pleas to traffic infractions.

Approximately 33 percent ($1,728,858) of surcharge revenue came from violations of the Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL), not including DWI violations or additional fines that are imposed on violations of the VTL. Rolling back fees and surcharges is a matter of equity and racial justice. It is well documented that New York City Police enforcement patterns make AfricanAmerican and Latinx men more likely to encounter the criminal justice system – and rack up fines and surcharges in the process.

Look no further than the New York City neighborhoods with the highest poverty rates, where people of color are more than twice as likely to be stopped for turnstile jumping — which carries a $100 fine — as those in the rest of the city.

New York State and New York City have been inspired, in part, by San Francisco, which in 2016 launched the Financial Justice Project, a campaign to lower fees, fines and markups on low-income people of color. For example, Black residents make up less than six percent of San Francisco’s population but comprise 45 percent of people arrested for failure to appear or failure to pay traffic court warrants. The city has so far waived $32 million in criminal justice system debt.

Everyone involved – Mayor Adams, Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York City Council – should order their agencies to go on the hunt for ways to reduce the burden of fees and surcharges on the people who are least able to pay.

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

6 • June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

‘He was perfect,’ says kin of slain Harlem native Darius Lee, super scholar & rising college basketball star

By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member Additional reporting by MAL’AKIY 17 ALLAH Special to the AmNews and

By NAYABA ARINDE Amsterdam News Editor Yet another innocent bystander caught a fatal bullet fired by feuding shooters, aiming recklessly on a warm spring night. And now, New York City mourns the loss of Darius Lee, a son, student and star college basketball player at Houston Baptist University.

The 21-year-old was killed in a Sunday-to-Monday overnight shooting that wounded eight others at a gathering on East 139th Street and 5th Avenue.

As families celebrated the Father’s Day/Juneteenth threeday weekend during a local cookout, the sudden sound of random gun fire erupted in Harlem early into Monday (June 19/20) morning disrupted festivities, causing nine people to be shot, one fatally.

All eight victims, six men and two women—ranging from 21-42 years-old—are expected to survive. But, Darius Lee, 21, was shot in the chest and rushed to the Bronx’s Lincoln Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Four other victims were taken from the scene

by EMS and treated at Harlem Hospital, while four other wounded victims fled the scene and later also checked into Harlem Hospital. Police said the gun violence was sparked at approximately 12:36 a.m., June 20 along the Harlem River Drive footpath, near 139th Street and 5th Avenue. Injuries included those to the torso, back, legs and arms.

Police recovered a pistol at the scene, and said over 150 rounds were fired in what they believe was a battle between “two heavily armed groups” after a dispute sparked the gun feud. They’re still looking at nearby surveillance footage for possible clues.

The shooters had still not been apprehended by press time.

A rising senior, Lee was set to graduate with a bachelor in arts in kinesiology with a specialization in sports management this upcoming December. He

was back in town from Texas for summer break, and spent most of the time at home, according to family. Just days before his death, Lee was at his old team gym at St. Raymond High School for Boys working with current players, said the school’s principal Judith Carew. Many local kids saw Lee as a role model.

“I had a little boy come up to me yesterday and tapped my shoulder, he was standing over the picture [of Darius] we have up in front of the building,” said Taren Weaver, Lee’s mother. “And he pointed to the picture and he was like ‘do you miss him? Because I miss him.’

It broke my heart to hear him say that.”

“The unfortunate mass shooting and homicide of Darius Lee in Harlem this week only elevates the importance of our task force’s convening for which I co-chair with Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright,” said newly appointed gun violence czar A.T. Mitchell.

“We as a city have our work cut out for us this summer. I can only assure you all that we will be doing our very best to reduce the gun-related shooting incidents block by block.

Our plans involve using every New Yorker who is willing to be a human resource.”

“The emboldened individuals responsible for this are exactly who our officers are battling everyday to make our city safer,” stated NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell.

“And while we’re making some headway against violence, we still have a lot of work to do, but we need help along the criminal justice system.”

Last season, Lee led the Houston Baptist Huskies in points, rebounds and assists, while averaging the seventh most steals per game in the entire NCAA. He was the university’s Male Student-Athlete of the Year and second team all-conference. It was his year two with HBU—Lee took the long path to a Division I basketball scholarship, initially plying his craft at SUNY Sullivan in Loch Sheldrake, N.Y. And Weaver went to every one of those games, from community college to playing against No. 5 ranked Texas. But long before he filled into his 6-foot-6-inch

frame, Lee was a chubby kid known as “Juicy” who would give every last cent to anyone who asked.

“My baby was too perfect for the world,” said Weaver.

Well-liked by all, say his family and friends, Lee was largely concerned just with basketball, video games and school.

And he never changed—even as the star basketball player at HBU, Lee never tried to be the big man on campus. He remained close to his childhood friends, and his roommate said he knew how to cook almost anything and had no problem demonstrating by feeding those who were hungry. According to his mother, Lee was introverted but always smiling.

“I would always tease him about school, like ‘you can’t just answer questions with just a one-word answer: to give a full sentence,’ and he always laughed,” said Weaver, laughing herself.“It was so hard for him to do essays because he’s a person of few words. I said you have to do an essay, not a paragraph.”

Lee’s high school basketball coach, Christopher Williams, fondly recalled him as a motivated teen with big ambitions.

“He was just full of energy and life, and positive vibes,” Williams recalled. “He’s someone everybody would root for.

What the hell is going on in Harlem, our city, for a kid to be home from college to be close with his family and friends, this is beyond a tragedy.”

Local leaders are rallying around Lee’s family. Jackie RoweAdams, the founder of Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E. who lost two of her children to gun violence, is providing bereavement counseling for the family and friends.

“The pain [of losing a son] was unbearable,” said RoweAdams. “So I know what it means to this family right now and what they’re going through, and it’s hurting me.”

On Monday evening, Street Corner Resources held a rapid response gathering where the shooting happened to stand against gun violence and pray for Lee, who was deeply rooted in his faith. The nonprofit also created a banner for local youth to write messages to Lee. Before it was fully hung up, every space was filled with well-wishes and condolences.

“Did you see how fast we put that banner up?” said Street Corner Resources founder Iesha Sekou.“Everybody was writing.”

She soon had her program manager order another blank banner.

Sekou, who was coincidentally at the hospital on Monday when many of the victims from the shooting were brought in, says a young man at the gathering tried saving Lee’s life by tying his shirt to the gunshot wound. According to Weaver, her son was still alive when she found him and called for an ambulance. As of Wednesday, the NYPD is still searching for the killer. Witnesses told CBS News they heard “around 40 to 50” shots.

Given the number of victims, the incident is technically considered a “mass shooting.” But unlike Buffalo or Uvalde, the conversation is not about automatic weapons—a firearm was recovered on the scene. Rather, it’s another tragedy stemming from guns on the street here in New York City.

While the South-to-North Iron Pipeline remains in full effect, and ghost guns are being made in un-calculated numbers, Sekou says stricter background checks on purchases from out-of-state gun shows would reduce the number of firearms coming into the city.

And she recommends “no questions asked” buyback programs for parents who catch their children with a weapon but fear getting police involved.

Rowe-Adams argued for stricter measures, including more serious punishments for gun trafficking. For Weaver, she has one simple request: “One of my girlfriends lost her child the same way, a year before one of my cousins lost her’s the same way—these kids did not deserve this, they were good kids,” said Weaver.

“We’ve got to get the guns off the streets…we’ve got to get the guns off the streets.”

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 taxdeductible gift today by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w

AmNews Endorsements Governor The role of governor of the state of New York is not an easy one. The state is diverse in too many ways to count so being everything to everyone is nearly impossible. The last few years have been very hard.

The pandemic brought inexplicable pain and loss to our communities, physical, emotional and financial. Many families were shattered, communities broken, businesses lost and still we are trying to turn a corner and come back from a nightmare that will certainly be the foundation of too many young people’s lives. So now we have a gubernatorial race in the middle of unprecedented gas prices, a move to decarbonize the state, and gun violence so pervasive that days without a mass shooting are rare. So how do we choose?

When it comes down to it, we must consider many things, such as experience, effectiveness, and commitment. And when we say commitment, we don’t mean to the job per say, but the communities that are the most vulnerable, the ones that have been too often left behind, or taken for granted until their vote is needed. We Jumaane Williams for Governor

need a governor that cares about them, us, all the time—election time or not. Whose ear we have and in turn leans on ours.

Kathy Hochul has grown into the position of Governor and has learned a lot in her tenure. We commend her for her growth, and believe that if she had more diverse voices around her in her senior staff that look like the communities that need representation the most, she would better serve all New York.

This void concerns us. We believe that she is trying to do the right thing on many fronts, but we need to see more. On the other hand, Tom Souzzi has moved so far from the ideals that we have known him to uphold to try to placate some voters, we no longer recognize him, and that saddens us. And then we have Jumaane Williams.

From community activist roots he has worked his way through the ranks of elected office and has proven himself time and time again as an exceptional public servant. He walks the walk; he talks the talk. He is exactly who he tells us he is, unabashedly focused on uplifting and strengthening the people See ENDORSEMENTS on page 38

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June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022 • 7

join the strongest for your community. for your family. for you.

$83,000+ base pay, after 5.5 years of service Overtime eligible Great benefits Earn a pension Register from 6/8/22 to 6/28/22 Visit nyc.gov/dsny

8 • June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

Go With The Flo FLO ANTHONY

Sharon D. Clarke was honored at a reception celebrating her 2022 Tony Award nomination at the Redeye Grill in midtown Manhattan.

Sharon was feted by the producers of the upcoming production of Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” in which Clarke will be reprising her role in the classic play, which was presented in the Young Vic in London and received rave reviews and acclaim. She was joined at the party by her costar Wendell Pierce, who gave a touching toast to his leading lady, and Tony Winner Andre’ De Shields who has just joined the “Salesman” cast. Also joining was Director Miranda Cromwell and producer Cindy Tolan along with Broadway luminaries including William Ivey Long, Michael Riedel and Imogen Lloyd Webber. “Death of a Salesman” begins performances on Broadway on Sept. 19 at the Hudson Theater.

Court TV has renewed the original true-crime series “Someone They Knew with Tamron Hall” for a second season and has added it to its primetime schedule on weeknights at 7 p.m.

ET. Hosted by Daytime Emmy Awardwinning TV host, Tamron Hall, “Someone They Knew” stories are told from the points of view of the people impacted by the case, including lawyers, jurors, members of law enforcement, and the victims’

family and friends.

According to multiple reports, Jennifer Hudson’s upcoming daytime talk show on Fox TV has gotten a release date on Sept.

12, the EGOT winner’s 41st birthday.

Hudson tweeted, “I can’t believe I get to say this, but welcome to my show!

Let’s light up daytime, beginning September 12. Wait a minute. That’s my birthday!” Hudson will film her show in the same studio where “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” was taped before airing its finale last month.

Several producers who worked on Ellen’s show are now transferring over to work for Hudson in the same studio.

Grammy Awardwinning music group Maverick City Music and 16-time Grammy winner Kirk Franklin are bringing the injustices around mass incarceration and the voices of 1,300 inmates to center stage with the release of “Kingdom Book One,” available everywhere via TRIBL Records and Fo Yo Soul Entertainment/ RCA Inspiration. The Kingdom Tour continues with stops in Nashville, Los Angeles and more on the horizon. The final four performances on the tour—Kansas City, Cleveland, St. Paul, and Chicago—will be called “Kingdom Nights” and feature Grammy-winning artist Tamela Mann.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS G O W I T H T H

E

F

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Northside Center Gala honors Jacqueline Bradley and Clarence Otis, Richard Sarnoff The 2022 Celebrate Northside! Gala, presented by Northside Center for Child Development, raised over $1.5 million for its mental health and education services for more than 4,000 children citywide. The Gala, which was held on Tuesday, June 7, at The Plaza, honored Jacqueline Bradley and Clarence Otis, as well as Richard Sarnoff.

Northside also presented

the inaugural Susan Patricof Humanitarian Award to Alan Patricof and the Patricof Family. The Gala was emceed by Rosanna Scotto, co-host of “Good Day New York,” and Elvis Duran, host of the Z100 Morning Show.

Kevin Oliver Jr., Jayla Chee, and David Rourke from Jazz at Lincoln Center performed during the cocktail hour, and more than 200 people attended.

(Nayaba Arinde photo)

Ed Lewis and Clarence Otis

The December 12th Movement hosted a grand Juneteenth commemoration in Bedford Stuyvesant on Sunday, June 19th. Directed by Jamison Chandler, the amazing youth Kipp Amp Legacy Jazz Ensemble played wonderful music for an hour in the hot sun.

Speakers like Assemblywoman Stefani Zinerman, Zayid Muhammad, A.T. Mitchell, and Dr. Mary Louise Patterson let it be known that Juneteenth is a time to reflect on big community issues.

Themes addressed topics such as; ‘Reparations now,’ need for equality in health care, gun violence, real solutions for New York’s housing crisis, gaining real political power and supporting Black businesses such as the artistic vendors present like Brenda Bunson Bey and Tribal Truths, and Mimis Kids.

For Father’s Day, New Yorkers pledge against violence

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

interpersonal, intimate partner and institutional violence in both English and Spanish. “[The pledge is] really about a platform for folks to say Brooklyn Borough Hall was from this point forward, I’m home to the 13th annual Fa- gonna do the work, I need to ther’s Day Pledge Against Vio- transform my own behavior— lence this past Thursday, June and also transform my com16. Organized by CONNECT munity looking at violence in executive director Quentin a different way,” said Walcott.

“Q” Walcott, attendees recitThe event featured words ed an 11-point pledge to stop and appearances from

(Nayaba Arinde photo)

local political leaders like city Councilwoman Crystal Hudson, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. Activists, including members of anti-violence organizations like LIFE Camp, Inc., RiseNY and Man Up! also spoke, with members wearing bright orange t-shirts for National Gun Violence Awareness Month. Behind

the speakers stood the pledgers, in unity and solidarity.

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 today by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS O U T & A B

Juneteenth Parade in Harlem Senator Cordell Cleare kicked off the weekend’s festivities with a Saturday morning breakfast and press conference at the Harlem Heritage Tourism & Cultural Center. The breakfast featured business owners, public officials, clergy, members of the press, and other community leaders—all key participants of events that are held during Juneteenth Weekend. Sen-

ator Cleare spoke on the work that has been done in the Black community, and the work that needs to continue. Our community faces many issues that Cleare has worked to address during her first session in Albany. She has passed legislation to address issues facing the community such as maternal health, education, mass incarceration, and consumer safety.

Senator Cleare attending the 29th annual Juneteenth Parade and Street Fair as a Grand Marshal, proud sponsor, and long-time supporter and committee member of this historic celebration in her district (Bill Moore photos)

O

U

June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022 • 9

T

Nightlife

Written by David Goodson

Black Music Month + JUNETEENTH + Robert Randolph equals ‘Black Power’ While I don’t profess to be an expert on other cultures, I’d be willing to wager a bundle that there’s no people that have the bond between their being and their music than Africans throughout the diaspora. As individuals or as a collective music can serve as a muse or an outlet; when we move and/or how we move. Languages, accents, dialects, serve as barriers when we try other means of communication, but when served over instrumentation, spiritually we align. Hard to explain what it is or why it is, but it is!!! Ironical with the month of June, we now have a 30-day time period that centralizes and crystalizes that sentiment in a sense the theory was affirmed by Robert Randolph, one of the most decorated musicians of our generations as Rolling Stone magazine has him listed as one of their “100 All Time Greatest Guitarist.”

The question was framed as such: “Black Music Month + JUNETEENTH + Robert Randolph equals what?”

“Black Power,” was his declarative and succinct response. Perfect answer in light of the surroundings of the conversation as we sat, minutes before the start of the JUNETEENTH UNITYFEST Concert taking place at BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! at the Lena Horne Bandshell at Prospect Park; an event produced by the Robert Randolph Founda-

Robert Randolph

tion. The second annual JUNETEENTH UNITYFEST, a national, multicultural experience, uniting diverse voices and communities in commemoration and celebration of Juneteenth and Black culture was broadcast live around the world and unlike last year featured a LIVE Brooklyn audience for the performances of some of the world’s leading gospel artists, including Tye Tribbett, Deborah Cox, Israel Houghton, Mali Music, “While Juneteenth, the holiday, marks the symbolic end of slavery in America, our goal is for JUNETEENTH UNITYFEST to represent the accomplishments of Black people in the United States,” Randolph adds. “Through this celebration, our mission is for Juneteenth to serve as an occasion to remember the past, acknowledge our progression and take collective action towards creating a ‘more perfect union’ for all Americans.” With this being year two JUNETEENTH UNITYFEST is made possible by phenomenal sponsors and partners, including Heal America, Levitt Foundation, and LiveOne as the official streaming partner.

Branden Polk, director of strategic partnerships of Heal America, a movement to fight racial injustice with love and redemption, chimed in, “Heal America is honored to partner on the second annual JUNETEENTH UNITYFEST with the Robert Randolph Foundation. Last year, we witnessed this festival bring a diverse group of individuals together celebrating Black culture and educating viewers on Black history. Now is the time that we must unite and collectively bridge longstanding racial divides. As a minister and supporter of the Heal America movement, I’m inspired to work toward healing and honor-

Tevin Campbell (David Goodson photos)

ing Juneteenth.”

Unityfest was a vehicle in which music was used as a tool to edutain, another event celebrated the creative expression of the musicians themselves. Don Jackson’s Chicago-based Central City Productions, which is also responsible for the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, among other programs brought forth the Black Music Honors. Said, Tevin Campbell, winner of the R&B Icon award, “I believe that every Black artist should be honored this way because no one else is going to honor us.”

Walter Scott of the LEGEND Award winners, The Whispers, added in the press room, “This might be my favorite award because it has the word BLACK in it. We are proud and unapologetic in our love for those that make and appreciate Black Music.”

Other winners of the night were: Karyn White SOUL Music award Mary Mary––GOSPEL Icon award Keri Hilson––MUSIC and SONGWRITER Icon award Dru Hill––URBAN MUSIC Icon award Jerry Butler––Lifetime Achievement award Over and out. Holla next week, til then, enjoy the nightlife.

10 • June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Union Matters

Hotel Trades Council endorses Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs for re-election Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs (D-East Harlem) has announced a new endorsement from The New York Hotel and Gaming Trades Council AFLCIO. Assemblymember Gibbs is running for re-election in New York’s 68th assembly district, which includes East Harlem, Randall’s Island, and parts of the Upper East Side and Central Harlem. “I am honored to have the support of the Hotel Trades Council in my re-election campaign,” said Gibbs. “Partnering with the HTC to fight for progressive action has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my first year in Albany. I look forward to continuing to work with them to build an even stronger future for their nearly 40,000 members and all working New Yorkers.”

“We are proud to endorse Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs for re-election,” said HTC President Rich Maroko. “Eddie Gibbs

(Photo contributed from Office of Eddie Gibbs)

has been an advocate for working New Yorkers in East Harlem for nearly three decades, and now he’s continuing the fight in Albany. We need his voice in

the Assembly, because we know we can count on him to support New York’s hospitality workers.”

Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs made history in Janu-

Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, NYC Councilmember Julie Menin, and Former Congressman Charles B. Rangel.

Labor unions who have endorsed Gibbs also include: 1199 SEIU, 32BJ SEIU, DC37, New York State AFL-CIO, and New York State Nurses Association, New York City Building Trades Council, New York City District Council of Carpenters, Mason Tenders District Council, New York State Laborers, New York City Central Labor Council, Uniformed Fire Officers Association Local 854, New York State United Teachers, United Federation of Teachers, PSC CUNY, CSEA Local 1000, Public Employees Federation, and CWA Local 1180; and advocacy orgaary as the first formerly incar- nizations including New York cerated person elected to the Immigrant Coalition Action, New York State Legislature. StreetsPAC, One Fair Wage Gibbs has also been endorsed Action, and the 504 Democratby elected officials including: ic Club, among others.

Labor board takes Starbucks to court over alleged violations

By DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business Writer The National Labor Relations Board is asking a federal court to order Starbucks to stop interfering with unionization efforts at its U.S. stores.

It’s the third time the board has filed a case in federal court against Starbucks since December, when a store in Buffalo, New York, became the coffee chain’s first location in decades to unionize. Since then, more than 289 U.S. stores have petitioned the NLRB to hold union elections and at least 151 stores have voted to unionize.

Starbucks opposes the unionization effort, saying its stores function better when it works directly with employees.

The NLRB’s regional director in Buffalo filed the petition Tuesday in U.S. District Court in western New York. It asks the court to order Starbucks to reinstate seven Buffalo employees it says were unlawfully fired for trying to form a union. It also seeks to

force Starbucks to bargain with a repeated anti-union activity. to halt a variety of activities at stores, threatening reprisals for store whose union election was But more broadly, the petition all of its U.S. stores, including employees who support unionallegedly tainted by Starbucks’ asks the court to order Starbucks offering benefits to non-union ization, refusing to bargain with stores that have voted to union(Bill Moore photo) ize, and temporarily or permanently closing stores.

Earlier this month, Starbucks announced plans to permanently close a store in Ithaca, New York, that had voted to unionize. Employees at the store said the company is retaliating for their labor activism. Starbucks, which operates 9,000 U.S. stores, said it opens and closes locations regularly and based its decision on staffing and other problems at the store.

In its petition, the NLRB alleged Starbucks committed numerous violations of U.S. labor law in Buffalo, including surveilling employees about unionization plans by listening in to conversations on their headsets, promising higher pay and better benefits if they didn’t unionize, and interrogating them for wearing union pins.

A message seeking comment was left with Seattle-based Starbucks Corp. Tuesday.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

VOTE IN THE JUNE 28 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR PAID FOR BY SUOZZI FOR NY

June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022 • 11

“Tom Suozzi, who’s challeng ing Ms. Hochul in the Democrati c primary in June, is on fire...

Keep an eye on Mr. Suozzi.”

4/11/22

12 • June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Opinion Afro/Black Latinx people the missing pieces of National Museum of the American Latino

By ROSA CLEMENTE

The Arts and Industries Building, centrally located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., is a contender for the location of the new National Museum of the American Latino.

In December 2020, the United States Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021, which provided half of the funding for the National Museum of the American Latino. The museum is set to become part of the Smithsonian Institution.

A few weeks ago, Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino launched a social media campaign, “Latinos Are the Missing Piece,” to bring attention to the fact that the museum is slated to be built away from the National Mall.

“As the largest ethnic group in the nation with arguably the oldest ties to the founding of this nation, we have a compelling case for moving [the museum] onto the iconic National Mall and joining the many prestigious institutions that welcome the over 30 million tourists and residents each year to present our American story,” the group wrote.

When I saw the campaign, I began to research its origins and came to the conclusion that the real missing pieces are Afro/ Black Latina, Latino, and Latinx people, whose origins, history, and culture are not included.

From its board of 15 to its chairman’s advisory council of 20 and its staff of five and over 100 partners, there is no broad representation of Afro/Black Latino, Latina, and Latinx people. We are not represent-

ed in any significant way.

To add insult to injury, Luis Fortuño, the Wineffective, one-term former governor of Puerto Rico, sits on the chairman’s advisory council. Fortuño is a Republican who wants Puerto Rico to become a state. During his tenure, he cut over 22,000 jobs, ushered in privatization on the island, unemployment rose to 17%, and the U.S. Justice Department accused the Puerto Rico Police Department of corruption, criminal misconduct, and racial profiling of Black Puerto Ricans.

National Museum of the American Latino boasts over 100 partners and not one can be identified as an Afro/Black Latinx organization. The blatant anti-Blackness is outrageous and unacceptable.

Museums are public histo-

ry institutions and are critically important, as they provide a gateway to so many regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, or economic status. Museums allow for public discourse and are designed for remembrance. They are memorials— requiems of history.

According to the Pew Research Center, “about 6 million U.S. adults identify as Afro Latino.” I think the number is higher, but to this day we cannot get an accurate accounting because demographic information rarely gives Latinos the choice to identify as Black people. To many, “Black” means exclusively African American, but we know that there are Black Puerto Ricans, Black Colombians, Africans from the continent, etc., that are racially Black and reside in the United States.

As a historian soon to complete my Ph.D., which focuses on Afro/Black Latinx people born and raised in the United States, I argue that one-fourth of us—at least 15 million— identifies as Black, specifically Afro Latinx. As Afro/Black Latinx folks, we cannot allow ourselves to become tokens.

Rather than addressing the increasing critique and skepticism that the idea of placing the National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall is getting from many Afro/Black individuals, organizations, and activists, museum organizers instead released a picture with Roberto Clemente on it—adding insult to injury—while still being advised, staffed, and having a board of mostly white, nonBlack Latinx people.

See on AFRO/BLACK LATINX on page 34

AMNEWS READERS WRITE

The People’s Plan’s ‘Letter to mayor & speaker on FY23 budget’

Mayor Eric Adams and Council Speaker Adrienne Adams,

There are three main areas of concern. First is the choice to cut hundreds of millions of dollars to school We write to you to express deep con- funding, cuts which are devastating to cerns, anger, and disappointment already struggling communities of stuwith the FY23 budget process. At this dents, parents, and educators in the afmoment that our communities are en- termath of the pandemic. Second is the raged and rightfully frustrated, we call lack of transparency during the profor and expect that this process be more cess itself. And last is the reported recollaborative and just in future years. taliation against council members who voted their conscience against the budget.

We, the undersigned, believe Elinor R. Tatum: Publisher that the school and Editor in Chief funding cuts Member Kristin Fayne-Mulroy: Managing Editor present seriNayaba Arinde: Editor ous risks to stuCyril Josh Barker: Digital Editor dents, teachers, Damaso Reyes: Investigative Editor Alliance for and families, Audited Media Siobhan "Sam" Bennett: and schedulChief Revenue Officer and Head of Advertising ing a vote on the Wilbert A. Tatum (1984-2009): budget before Chairman of the Board, CEO and Publisher Emeritus full information

was available about these cuts was a grave and dangerous error. There was a great deal of misinformation spread by the mayoral administration claiming that “this is not a cut” when in fact many schools are facing severe cuts with only a vague and undefined possibility of “register relief” to ameliorate some of these cuts (which still fail to cover the extent). With funding the largest NYPD budget in history, including hiring hundreds of new school cops, and the reduction in the health and hospitals top line from FY22, these education cuts are even more egregious and threatening to the health and safety of our communities. Schools cannot possibly plan around this level of uncertainty, council members should never have had to vote without understanding the full picture, and we demand that full funding be restored to every school immediately.

We, the undersigned, believe that transparency during the budget process is critical to democracy. New Yorkers de-

serve to know how over $100 billion of their money will be spent far before any “budget deal” is made, and more than a few hours before their elected representatives vote on the budget. Information about the state of negotiations should be regularly communicated to council members and to the general public, not through rumors in the press but through formal briefings. We hope that FY24 negotiations are not conducted under the same veil of secrecy that is not just unethical and immoral, but is tangibly and materially affecting our communities’ rights to resources.

Finally, we, the undersigned, believe that all council members should be free to vote their conscience without fear of retaliation from the speaker or the mayor. This is in keeping with Council Rules 2.55(b) and 6.60(a), among others. Requests from seven council members were left out of the “Speaker’s Initiative to Address Citywide Needs.”

See LETTER TO MAYOR on page 40

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS O P I N I O

June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022 • 13 N

America should worry about lost democracy at home 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

For more than a century, the United States has gradually surrendered its constitutional democracy—which emphasizes the separation of powers and the glorification of liberty—to a monarch-like administration that wields arguably more unchecked authority than the monarch who provoked the American Revolution, King George III. U.S. presidents utilize their power unilaterally by initiating war, detaining individuals indefinitely without trial, making or breaking treaties, legislating through executive orders or rulemakings, surveilling the “not-yet-guilty” citizenry without warrants, operating a secret government, and diverting appropriated funds for purposes not authorized

by Congress.

The apex of presidential power is the unreviewable authority to act as prosecutor, judge, jury and executioner who can strike any target based on secret, unverified speculation that the target is, or will become, an imminent threat to national security. It is unclear how many assassinations may have been justified by this authority, because state secrets shield them.

Leaks to journalists and information from government personnel account for what we do know. Former Attorney General Eric Holder, for example, justified presidential assassination authority in a 2012 speech at Northwestern University by using a flimsy constitutional due process test that was designed to prevent faulty Social Security benefit decisions, not unlawful executions.

Such presidential orders are intended to remain veiled forever, from Congress, the judiciary and the American people. This power flips on its head the Russian proverb made known to Americans by President Ronald Reagan: “Trust, but verify.” The Church Committee—a 1975 Senate committee that investigated alleged abuses of power by intelligence agencies—found CIA involvement in plots to kill Fidel Castro and four other foreign leaders. Though it could not confirm any president sanctioned the plots,

the committee’s findings challenge our faith that assassinations are an isolated occurrence. Since 1981, assassinations are expressly prohibited by Executive Order 12333: “No person employed by or acting on behalf of the United States Government shall engage in, or conspire to engage in, assassination.”

The president may have unilateral authority, but Congress possesses a comparable degree of power— so much so that it has contributed to the demise of democracy in the legislative branch. With the ascent of House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) in 1993, the leadership of Congress has acquired decisive authority. Rank-and-file committee and subcommittee chairmanships act like extras in a Cecile B. deMille film.

The House speaker determines committee membership, committee hearings, floor votes, and legislative details; the majority leader has comparable authority in the Senate. Often, members of Congress get 2,000-page appropriations bills a few days before a floor vote, giving them no time to review them.

As House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (DCalif.) declared about the Affordable Care Act in 2010 (albeit in a speech to the National Association of Counties’ legislative conference, but applicable nonetheless): “We have to pass the bill so you can find out what’s in it.”

In any case, what members of Congress may lack in expertise to get things done, they more than make up for in fundraising prowess, especially their leaders. Congressional leaders often sideline the rank-and-file members, making it difficult for them to develop the professional and political prowess that might make them capable of questioning the leader’s agenda. And so, they remain “babes in the woods” in the executive branch’s eyes.

Consider this astounding congressional abdication: The executive branch spent more than $300 million a day, every day, for 20 years (more than $2 trillion overall) on a war in Afghanistan that resulted in the return of a possibly more reprehensible Taliban. But no congressional oversight hearing challenged the executive branch’s Pollyannaish assumptions about the war. In

the “Afghanistan Papers,” the Washington Post noted that the executive branch knew it was on a treadmill all those years, but it regularly declared progress toward its end goal.

The separation of powers in the Constitution is meant to safeguard the American people against tyranny. The dissolution of this separation, in favor of one branch’s domination, has fueled a multi trillion-dollar government Leviathan, which is making “liberty” the exception and “government coercion” the norm. The purpose of having separation of powers is to prevent autocracy by demanding agreement from contending constituencies before taking action. With all their partisan squabbling, it’s no wonder that Congress’s productivity is down, though bills that do pass are more comprehensive these days. Sometimes deadlock can be circumvented by the executive’s unchallenged authority. It should come as no surprise, then, that in recent years the president, through executive orders and congressionally granted regulatory power, has legislated substantially more than Congress.

In short, the United States can be myopic in its preoccupation with democracy abroad but naive to democracy’s demise at home. In opening the Dec. 10, 2021, Summit for Democracy, President Biden called the protection of democracy “the defining challenge of our time.” But the greatest threat to democracy may not be authoritarian Russia or China but America’s failure to set an example to which the wise and honorable can aspire.

Our leaders should remember the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson in his “Letters and Social Aims”— “Don’t say things. What you are stands over you the while, and thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary”—which are often quoted more simply as: “Your actions speak so loudly I cannot hear what you are saying.”

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

New Yorkers, don’t forget to vote on June 28!

CHRISTINA

GREER PH.D. Yes, it’s election time again. On June 28 New Yorkers need to go to the polls to vote in their primary elections. The important offices of governor, lieutenant governor, state assembly, and judges are races where voters will have the choice to select a candidate who will face their partisan opponent in the fall, Nov. 8 to be exact (so put that general election day on your calendar).

First things first, to find out if you are registered to vote go to www.vote.nyc/ page/am-i-registered to check your registration status.

You can also call 1-866-868-3692 to find out your status.

Reminder, in New York once you are officially registered, you are permanently registered unless: you moved your residence outside the city or county in which you were registered; you are an inactive voter who has not voted in any election (that includes two consecutive Federal Elections and have not confirmed your address during that period); you are convicted of a felony and imprisoned or on parole (however, you can

vote after conviction of a felony if you have received a pardon from the governor or you are on probation); or you are judged mentally incompetent by a court.

If you are confused about your registration status or eligibility, contact the number above so you can be sure to participate in the many elections this year alone. I don’t want to confuse the issue, but New Yorkers will go back to the polls on August 23 for congressional primary elections, but not to worry, I will remind you of that election day closer to the date.

So, for the primary elections this month, election day is Tuesday June 28 and early voting is from June 18-26. If you choose to participate in early voting, please note that your polling station may be different from your normal polling site, so be sure to check possible new locations. To find your polling station and hours of operation go to www.findmypollsite.vote.nyc to assist you.

Another resource I use is www.whosontheballot.org to

help me know who is on my ballot.

You can also find resources on how to register to vote, how to contact the Board of Elections, how to navigate getting an absentee ballot, find accessible polling stations, and check your districts to name just a few resources.

With recent events in New York and around the nation, it is imperative we support candidates doing good work and assist them as they seek to remain in office or aim for a higher office.

There are a few bad apples in the political bunch, but there are definitely some hardworking and faithful public servants on the ballot and it is our collective civic duty to support them and participate in our own democracy. So, make a voting plan since election day is just around the corner.

Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University, the author of “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream,” and the co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.

14 • June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Caribbean Update

Vice News zeroes in on oil-rich Guyana

By BERT WILKINSON Special to the AmNews Allegations of widespread and organized state corruption have always dogged the Indo-dominated People’s Progressive Party (PPP) whenever it is in government in the Caribbean Community headquarter nation of Guyana, but a damning undercover investigation by American media outfit Vice-News appears to have confirmed deeply entrenched fears about this at the highest levels of state.

Aired on Showtime television on Sunday night, the report provided an amazing insight into how prime state lands are awarded and to whom, who gets the big road and other state projects, and how the deals are settled in cash through a once-trusted middleman Chinese national, now a naturalized Guyanese citizen.

Su Zhjirong, a businessman with investments in mining and other areas, does not appear to know that he was being secretly filmed earlier this year so

he lets off on his extremely close relationship with Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo and other top officials boasting that he acts as the middleman or facilitator and Jagdeo enables the success of the operation or investment on his behalf.

extremely close friendship with Su and says that while he does not get directly involved in businesses. “He gets all the support. Su deals with all the agreements. I don’t. The thing is that I am in government, so I assist from the government side,”

Su even took the Vice News undercover team to Jagdeo’s residence where they talked about possible investments.

Since finding among the world’s largest offshore oil and gas deposits back in mid-2015, Guyana has

International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the Guyanese economy will grow by the largest margin globally this year—by at least 50%—thanks to runaway international oil prices and the direct and downstream investments from

“The report provided an amazing insight into how prime state lands are awarded and to whom, who gets the big road and other state projects, and how the deals are settled in cash through a once-trusted middleman.”

He says “he will share some of the money with me. If we are doing business together, my boss is not going to receive money directly. It’s going to be a service processing fee.”

For his part, Jagdeo, a former president for more than a decade, admits his

he said while being filmed.

Until recently, Su had been renting a property from Jagdeo next to his seaside compound and had had unfettered access to Jagdeo. The embattled VP must now vacate the premises and says they are no longer close friends.

been a hotbed for businessmen and women of all stripes, with dozens touching down in the country each day, seeking a piece of the investment pie. Others act as middlemen, government liaison officials and facilitators.

The World Bank and the

the oil sector.

American supermajor ExxonMobil is leading the oil production scenario in Guyana producing more than 300,000 barrels of oil from two massive oilfields northeast of the capital, Georgetown. The country is awash with business op-

portunities, and the estimated 800,000 population in a country the size of Britain or Idaho is growing rapidly with westerners, Cubans, Venezuelans and others. Two more fields are set to come on stream in the next two to three years taking daily production to in excess of 700,000 barrels. Other companies like Repsol of Spain are also conducting exploration drilling near Exxon’s lucrative Stabroek Block and expect runaway success similar to Exxon’s.

As a country, Guyana is slated to make close to $1 billion in direct revenue from oil sales this year, making the country a magnet for all sorts and conditions of ‘investors.’

Even more will flow when the two other fields come on stream and if oil prices remain as high as today, officials say.

The main opposition party Monday expressed alarm at the allegations, calling not only for an independent probe into the broadcast but also for the resignation of Jagdeo, 58.

Impact of immigrant entrepreneurship revealed in National Immigrant Heritage Month FELICIA PERSAUD

IMMIGRATION KORNER As the U.S. marks another National Immigrant Heritage Month, a new report found that almost 44%, or 219 companies, in this year’s Fortune 500 list were founded by immigrants or their children.

In its annual review of the largest and most recognizable American companies, the American Immigration Council released a report that examines the role of immigrant entrepreneurs and their children in America’s economic success story.

The report, “New Amer-

ican Fortune 500 in 2022: The Largest American Companies and Their Immigrant Roots,” draws from Fortune Magazine’s annual ranking of the United States’ 500 largest corporations, ranked by revenue, to analyze the share of companies that were founded by immigrants or the children of immigrants and these firms’ contributions to the U.S. and global economy.

The report also found that of the 219 companies, 102 of those companies were founded by immigrants, and 117 companies were founded by the children of immigrants.

Additionally, Fortune 500 companies founded by im-

migrants or children of immigrants employ more than 14.8 million people worldwide and immigrant-founded Fortune 500 companies drive 68 industry sectors across the American economy. Some 35 U.S. states are headquarters to at least one new American Fortune 500 firm, and seven of those states have at least 10 firms.

Further, the over $7 trillion in revenue generated

by Fortune 500 companies founded by immigrants or children of immigrants is greater than the GDP of every country in the world outside the United States, except China.

“Immigrant entrepreneurs play an indispens-

able role in driving our economy and in creating job growth,” said Andrew Lim, research director at the American Immigration Council. “While immigrants represent only 13.6% of the U.S. population, it’s estimated that a quarter of America’s entrepreneurs are immigrants.

This increased propensity for business creation among immigrants is crucial for the U.S economy, as research shows that nearly all net job growth in the United States is attributed to new firms and startups.”

Lin added: “From household names such as Apple and Costco, as well as newcomers to the Fortune 500

list like Jackson Financial and Caesars Entertainment, more than two out of every five Fortune 500 companies had at least one immigrant or child-of-immigrant founder—a pattern that has remained over the years since our first New American Fortune 500 report in 2011.”

As the anti-immigrant sentiments run rife in the U.S. and more and more immigrants, including those supporting the U.S. economy, are either being kicked out or placed in limbo, it is important to ensure the contributions of immigrants to the United States are not pushed on to the back burner and dismissed

as simply people who come into this country to take away jobs.

This report is a welcome addition to telling that story in National Immigrant Heritage Month.

While the United States has long been the premier destination for this kind of global talent, it has become increasingly clear that we need smarter immigration policies to attract and retain international talent and that means an immigration policy for this century.

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

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022 • 15

HEY NYC! The best TESTS in life are COVID-19

HOME TEST KIT

Pick up a free COVID-19 at-home test from locations all over the city.

NO INSURANCE Call 311 or visit nyc.gov/covidtest to find a location near you.

OR

ID NEEDED

16 • June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Health Factcheck: False: If you’re young you can’t get COVID-19, and if you do get COVID-19 and are young, you’ll be fine.

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

In the early days of the pandemic, the prevailing notion regarding COVID-19 was that it was a disease that only affected older people. The term “Boomer Remover” became prevalent on the internet, referring to COVID-19 as a disease that killed older individuals. According to Johns Hopkins, in a report from 2020, “[a]t the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, reports indicated that the disease was mostly affecting older adults, and that young people were more likely to have milder cases of the disease.” According to Dr. Bronwen Lichtenstein in the article “From ‘Coffin Dodger’ to ‘Boomer Remover’: Outbreaks of Ageism in Three Countries With Divergent Approaches to Coronavirus Control, “[t]erms such as ‘boomer remover,’ ‘boomer doomer,’ ‘YOLO grandparents,’ ‘grey shufflers,’ and ‘moldy oldies’ illustrate the degree to older people were denigrated in COV-

Claim: If you’re young you can’t get COVID-19, and if you do get COVID-19 and are young, you’ll be fine.

Factcheck: False. Young people may not die in the same numbers from COVID-19 as older individuals, but they are still able to get sick and also transmit the disease in a fashion similar to that of older individuals.

19 cases and were seen as more likely to transmit the virus than others. This trend has continued into the fall.” This trend continued into 2021 and 2022.

According to the World Health OrgaA meme describes COVID-19 as the nization “[o]lder people and younger “Boomer remover.” people can be infected by the COVIDID-19-related postings and (occasional- 19 virus. Older people, and people with ly) news sources analyzed for this brief.” pre-existing medical conditions such As 2020 wore on, “According to the as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease U.S. Centers for Disease Control and are more vulnerable to becoming sePrevention (CDC), over the summer, in verely ill with the virus. WHO advises the United States, people under age 30 people of all ages to take steps to proaccounted for more than 20% of COVID- tect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.” Much of the focus in the early days of COVID were on deaths, however as time has gone on another concern for younger people is long hauler COVID and long term outcomes. According to epidemiologist Priya Duggal, “[w]e want to raise attention that it’s more than just death—we have people who have symptoms that linger with them for months on end, which can be just as devastating to families and individuals."

This assessment was shared by medical researcher Alex Welte, PhD. According to Dr. Welte, “Long COVID… [is] not entirely rare.” Welte went on to state that “[diseases] do take their toll… even having a sufficiently mild case [of COVID] doesn’t mean you got off completely lightly and if we are facing a future where people should expect to get COVID twice a year, I think it’s going to exact quite a heavy toll even on the people…this constant infection and reinfection can’t be a good thing.”

Welte noted that “[p]eople of all ages are getting [COVID], it’s there every day,” and with respect to the notion that death is the sole marker by which to measure COVID, Welte stated that “distribution of deaths is a very blunt metric for the impact this [disease] has.”

While COVID-19 continues to evolve, what is clear is that young people are squarely part of this disease process.

This was made clear to lung cancer sur-

vivor Lavern McDonald, who teaches at the Calhoun School in New York City.

She shared a story regarding being in the midst of treatment for lung cancer and the responses of care and understanding she received from her students related to COVID. Ultimately, as to why it’s important for young people to be vigilant during COVID, lung cancer survivor Lavern McDonald said: “We’re still figuring out the transmission and even when you’re super cautious you can still be exposed, so I think it’s important that we’re still thoughtful about what we’re doing.”

According to Welte, “[y]oung people are at…lower risk of death…but as far as we can tell not at all lower risk of infection, and…transmission…so they are as dynamic a part of the infection network and maybe more so than as older people because if you’re 80 years old you probably don’t meet as many people in the average week as a 30 year old. Younger people are very important from the point of view of transmission…There’s still a very significant problem here.”

McDonald added, “You never know who’s immune-compromised around you and so while you yourself might move through COVID easily, somebody else might have comorbidities that really set them up. It’s been a concern of mine which is why I continue to be uber cautious. I don’t want to interrupt my cycle of care. I’m on a rigid 3-week schedule. I don’t want to miss 3 weeks because that could be pivotal in terms of my care. So I don’t want to have COVID and have to miss a test or infusion or something because it's important for me to stay on schedule. So that’s why I’m inspired to remain safe and that’s why I prefer to be around people who continue to be deeply observant…I always say [to my students] we keep each other safe, not systems outside of us. We keep each other safe. If we’re all cautious and thoughtful, more of us will be able to make it through this terrible moment together.”

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022 • 17

PARK 79 Landmark Senior Living

117 W 79th Street | NY 10024

A transformation worthy of headlines, Park 79 will soon feature new affordable studio apartments for seniors.

Park 79 has been reimagined as a place for our senior community to call home. Live in the heart of the Upper West Side, where you are steps away from Riverside and Central Park, museums, and the best neighborhood amenities.

• • • • •

Brand New Studio Apartments Community & Meeting Rooms Landscaped Garden Services by Project FIND Fully Affordable

APPLY TODAY

Accepting lottery applications June 3 – August 5, 2022 Park79Apts.com | 212.491.4700 | Park79Apts@Fairstead.com How Do You Apply?

Affordable Housing for Rent

PARK 79 — 53 NEWLY CONSTRUCTED UNITS AT 117 W 79TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10024 UPPER WEST SIDE

Amenities: Shared laundry room, High-end kitchen appliances, High-end countertops and finishes, Energy-efficient appliances, Hardwood floors, Common area Wifi High-speed internet, Online options for leasing, paying rent, and making maintenance requests, Community center, Community events and classes, Jogging/walking/bike path or access to one nearby, Security cameras, Security guard, On-site resident manager, Green space Intercommunication device, Elevator, Accessible entrance Transit: 1, 2, C, and B Trains, M11, M7, M79-SBS Buses No fee to apply • No broker’s fee • Smoke-free building • More information: www.park79apts.com This building is being constructed through the Senior Affordable Rental Apartments (SARA) Program and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LITHC) Program of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).

Who Should Apply?

Individuals or households that have at least one household member who is 62 years of age or older and who meet the income and household size requirements listed below. Eligible tenants will pay 30% of their income and applicants will need to qualify for section 8. Qualified applicants will be required to meet additional selection criteria. Applicants who live in New York City receive a general preference for apartments.

A percentage of units is set aside for: • Mobility–disabled applicants (5%) • Vision/Hearing–disabled applicants (2%)

Apply online or through mail. To apply online, please go to https://housingconnect.nyc.gov/PublicWeb/. To request an application by mail, send a self-addressed envelope to: Fairstead Management c/o: Park 79, 560 Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10037. Only send one application per development. Do not submit duplicate applications. Do not apply online and also send in a paper application. Applicants who submit more than one application may be disqualified.

When is the Deadline?

Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than [August 5, 2022]. Late applications will not be considered.

What Happens After You Submit an Application?

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

Español

Presente una solicitud en línea en https://housingconnect.nyc.gov/PublicWeb/. Para recibir una traducción de español de este anuncio y la solicitud impresa, envíe un sobre con la dirección a: Fairstead Management c/o: Park 79, 560 Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10037. En el reverso del sobre, escriba en inglés la palabra “SPANISH.” Las solicitudes se deben enviar en línea o con sello postal antes de [5 de Agosto de 2022].

简体中文

访问https://housingconnect.nyc.gov/PublicWeb/ 在线申请。如要获取本广告及书面申请表的简体中文版，请将您的回 邮信封寄送至：Fairstead Management c/o: Park 79, 560 Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10037. 信封背面请用英语注 明“CHINESE”。必须在以下日期之前在线提交申请或邮寄书面申请 [2022 年 8 月 5 日].

Русский

Чтобы подать заявление через интернет, зайдите на сайт: https://housingconnect.nyc.gov/PublicWeb/. Для получения данного объявления и заявления на русском языке отправьте конверт с обратным адресом по адресу Fairstead Management c/o: Park 79, 560 Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10037. На задней стороне конверта напишите слово “RUSSIAN” на английском языке. Заявки должны быть поданы онлайн или отправлены по почте (согласно дате на почтовом штемпеле) не позднее [5 август 2022].

한국어

https://housingconnect.nyc.gov/PublicWeb/ 에서 온라인으로 신청하십시오. 이 광고문과 신청서에 대한 한국어 번역본을 받아보시려면 반송용 봉투를 : Fairstead Management c/o: Park 79, 560 Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10037. 으로 보내주십시오. 봉투 뒷면에 “KOREAN” 이라고 영어로 적어주십시오. [2022 년 8 월 5]일까지 온라인 신청서를 제출하거나 소인이 찍힌 신청서를 보내야 합니다.

Kreyòl Ayisyien

Aplike sou entènèt sou sitwèb https://housingconnect.nyc.gov/PublicWeb/. Pou resevwa yon tradiksyon anons sa a nan lang Kreyòl Ayisyen ak aplikasyon an sou papye, voye anvlòp ki gen adrès pou retounen li nan: Fairstead Management c/o: Park 79, 560 Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10037. Nan dèyè anvlòp la, ekri mo “HATIAN CREOLE” an Anglè. Ou dwe remèt aplikasyon yo sou entènèt oswa ou dwe tenbre yo anvan dat [out 5, 2022].

‫ﺔﯾﺑرﻌﻟا‬

‫ ﻲﻧورﺗﻛﻟﻹا ﻊﻗوﻣﻟا ﻰﻠﻋ تﻧرﺗﻧﻹا ﻖﯾرط نﻋ بﻠطﺑ مدﻘﺗ‬https://housingconnect.nyc.gov/PublicWeb/. ‫ﺔﻐﻠﻟﺎﺑ ﺔﻣﺟرﺗ ﻰﻠﻋ لوﺻﺣﻠﻟ‬ ‫ﻲﻗروﻟا بﻠطﻟا جذوﻣﻧﻟو نﻼﻋﻹا اذﮭﻟ ﺔﯾﺑرﻌﻟا‬، ‫ﻰﻟإ كﻧاوﻧﻋو كﻣﺳا لﻣﺣﯾ فورظﻣ لﺳرأ‬: Fairstead Management c/o: Park 79, 560 Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10037. ‫فورظﻣﻠﻟ ﺔﯾﻔﻠﺧﻟا ﺔﮭﺟﻟا ﻰﻠﻋ‬، ‫ﺔﻐﻠﻟﺎﺑ بﺗﻛا‬. [5 ‫ سطﺳﻏأ‬، 2022] ‫جذﺎﻣﻧ لﺎﺳرإ بﺟﯾ‬ ‫لﺑﻗ دﯾرﺑﻟا مﺗﺧﺑ ﺎﮭﻣﺗﺧ وأ تﻧرﺗﻧﻹا ﻖﯾرط نﻋ تﺎﺑﻠطﻟا‬.

Polskie

Aby złożyć wniosek online, przejdź na stronę nyc.gov/housingconnect. Aby uzyskać polskie tłumaczenie tego powiadomienia oraz wniosek w wersji wydrukowanej, wyślij kopertę z własnym adresem: Fairstead Management c/o: Park 79, 560 Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10037. Wpisz słowo „POLISH” w j. angielskim na odwrocie koperty.

Wnioski muszą posiadać stempel pocztowy lub zostać przesłane online nie późni 5 ] sierpień 2022].

Français

Pour déposer votre demande en ligne, rendez-vous sur le site nyc.gov/housingconnect. Pour recevoir une traduction en français de cet avis ainsi qu’un dossier de demande papier, envoyez une enveloppe libellée à votre nom et votre adresse à l’adresse suivante: Fairstead Management c/o: Park 79, 560 Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10037.

Inscrivez le mot « FRENCH » au dos de l’enveloppe. Les demandes doivent être envoyées par la poste ou soumises en ligne au plus tard le [5 Août 2022], le cachet de la poste faisant foi.

বা​াংলা

অনলাইনন আনেদন করনে, অন গ ু র ্ হ কনর nyc.gov/housingconnect এ যান। এই বেজ্ঞ বির বা​াংলা অন ো ু দ এেং আনেদনটি ছাপাননাভানে পপনে এই টিকানায় একটি স্ব-সম্ব াধিত খাম পািান: Fairstead Management c/o: Park 79, 560 Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10037. । খানের বপছনন “BENGALI” শব্দ টি ইংনরজিনে বলখ ন ু । অ্য াধিম্ে শনগ ধ ু ল অ্ব শযই [জ ল ু াই আগস্ট 5, 2022] এর েনযে প াস্ট মােক করনে হনে বা অ্ন লাইম্ন জমা ধিম্ত হম্ব।

‫ودرا‬

‫ﮯﯿﻟ ﮯﮐ ﮯﻧﺮﮐ لﻮﺻﻮﻣ ﺖﺳاﻮﺧرد هﺪﺷ ﭧﻧﺮﭘ روا ہﻤﺟﺮﺗ ﮟﯿﻣ نﺎﺑز ودرا ﺎﮐ ﺲﭨﻮﻧ سا ۔ﮟﯿﺋﺎﺟ ﺮﭘ‬، ‫ﺎﮐ ﮯﺘﭘ ﯽﺗاذ ﮯﻨﭘا‬ https://housingconnect.nyc.gov/PublicWeb/. ‫ﮯﯿﻟ ﮯﮐ ﮯﻧﺮﮐ ﯽﺋﻼﭘا ﻦﺋﻻ نآ‬، ‫“ ﻆﻔﻟ ﺮﭘ ﺖﺸﭘ ﯽﮐ ﮯﻓﺎﻔﻟ ۔ﮟﯿﺠﯿﮭﺑ ﺮ مﺮﮐ ِهاﺮﺑ‬URDU” ‫ﮟﯿﻣ یﺰﯾﺮﮕﻧا‬: Fairstead Management c/o: Park 79, 560 Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10037. ‫ہﻓﺎﻔﻟ ﮏﯾا ﻞﻣﺎﺣ‬: ‫۔ﮟﯾﺮﮐ ﺮﯾﺮﺤﺗ‬ ‫[ ﺎﯾ ﺎﻧﻮﮨ هدﺮﮐ کرﺎﻣ ﭧﺳﻮﭘ ﮯﯿﻟ ﮯﮐ ںﻮﺘﺳاﻮﺧرد‬5 ‫تﺳﮔا‬، 2022] ‫۔ﮯﮨ مزﻻ ﺎﻧﺎﺟ ﺎﯾاﺮﮐ ہﻧ ﻊﻤﺟ ﻦﺋﻻ نآ ﮯﺳ ﺮﯿﺧﺎﺗ هدﺎﯾز ﮯﺳ‬

AVAILABLE UNITS & INCOME REQUIREMENTS Unit Size

Studio

Unit Size

Studio

40% AREA MEDIAN INCOME (AMI) UNITS

50% AREA MEDIAN INCOME (AMI) UNITS

Monthly Rent1

Units Available

30% of adjusted income; applicants must qualify for Section 8

4

Monthly Rent1

Units Available

30% of adjusted income; applicants must qualify for Section 8

49

Household Size2 »

»

Annual Household Income3 Minimum - Maximum4

1 person

$0 - $33,440

2 people

$0 - $38,200

Household Size2

Annual Household Income3 Minimum - Maximum4

1 person

$0 - $41,800

2 people

$0 - $47,750

Rent includes all utilities.

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

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

4 Asset limits apply.

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Mayor Eric Adams • HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr.

18 • June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

NYC voters need to know in June as primaries loom

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

The June 28th primaries, the first of two this year, are rapidly approaching. It is important that voters check their registration, check which elected officials are on the ballot in the area since they’ve likely changed due to new districts, and double check where their early voting and primary polling places are.

In this primary election, a process called redistricting has shifted the voting lines for neighborhoods this year, meaning it’s possible the candidates in your State Assembly district have changed. Even though the redistricting maps have been in litigation in New York State’s highest courts for months, an appellate judge recently ruled that the June primaries will continue as scheduled with Democratic-controlled maps, said the Brooklyn Paper.

The maps will still have to be redrawn by 2024 though in the same process that was highly criticized by elected officials and local groups alike for not including Black, Brown, and Asian community input from New York City.

This primary will determine Republican and Democratic candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, and State Assembly.

Other local races on the ballot will include Civil Court in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and

(Photo by Amanda Ulloa)

Queens; Surrogate’s Court in Manhattan, and State Committee and District Leaders.

Check to see if you’re registered to vote before you get to the polls with nycvotersearch.com/. Knowing whether you’re registered or not helps expedite the voting process so you’re not standing on the sidelines, waiting to register. It’s an easy lookup that only requires your name, borough, zip code, and birthdate. From there, all your active voter information, district information, and a link to your early voting polling

The City of New York offers no-cost services to help you start or grow your business.

Call 888-SBS-4NYC or visit nyc.gov/business.

NYC MEANS BUSINESS

site should be available.

Early voting is open to all registered voters until June 26. This is a great option to vote and avoid the crowds on Election Day. June 28 is Election Day, in which polls are open from 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. Find your poll site and a sample ballot at findmypollsite. vote.nyc/ by entering your address.

If you are interested in mailing your ballot, that is still a possibility. The deadline to ask for an absentee ballot in-person is Monday, June 27. Go to the website nycabsentee.com/ to submit the request. The last day to have your absentee ballot request postmarked is on Election Day, and the Board of Elections must receive that ballot in the mail by Tuesday, July 5 for it to count.

Now the state laws for absentee bal(Photo by Ariama C. Long)

lots have recently changed. Voters can’t choose to cast a ballot on a voting machine if they have requested to vote by absentee. They can fill out an affidavit, which will be kept separate until the election wraps and it is verified a person hasn’t voted twice.

At the start of June, the Senate Democratic Majority pushed for the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York which was passed this week to protect voters’ rights and increase language accessibility.

By 2025, NYC Votes hopes to have language support at the polls for Chinese, Bengali, Hindi, Korean, Punjabi, Arabic, French, Creole, Italian, Polish, Russian, Urdu, and Yiddish speakers.

“While states across the country have worked overtime to restrict voting rights, the New York VRA will strengthen protections for all voters, especially those who have historically been disenfranchised,” said Sen. Zellnor Myrie, who sponsored the bill and chairs the Senate Elections Committee, in a statement.

For general information on registration, candidates, and voting deadlines go to www.nycvotes.org/. Go to nycvotes.org/ to find out more info on the candidates or search by your address who is in your specific district.

Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about culture and politics in New York City 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://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022 • 19

Arts & Entertainment

Pg. 24

Music pg 20 | Film/TV pg 20, 21 | Jazz pg 22 | Theater pg 25

Your Stars

Saul Williams, Anisia Uzeyman talk Afrofuturist film ‘Neptune Frost’ “Neptune Frost” (Chris Schwagga photo)

By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the AmNews

Saul Williams and Anisia Uzeyman have been on a lengthy and fascinating journey in creating their afrofuturist film, “Neptune Frost.” The couple double as producers, with Williams as a writer and Uzeyman as the director of photography. “Neptune Frost” appeared into the Black artistic ethosphere as an album in 2016 and will emerge as a graphic novel which will follow the current successful theatrical releases of the powerful and enigmatic film about a digital, otherworldly being named Neptune Frost.

Frost goes on her own journey and blurs the lines between gender, humanity, computer science and self healing. Williams and Uzeyman spoke to the AmNews about the film.

“Neptune Frost” can be seen at Magic Johnson AMC in Harlem on June 24.

AmNews: It’s Pride Month, so let’s talk a little bit about the Transition: of symbiotic; of rhetoric; of whatever gender, however style (analytical or political) and literal growth and change from a male being into a female digital force of nature.

Saul Williams: You’re saying it all! Preach. From its inception, “Neptune Frost” was always a story of this intersex, y’know, character. And the Transformation that occurs in the film was something that we conceived of from the very beginning.

We’ve always seen it as a means of discussing this sort of fluidity that is related to the lines between culture, gender, language, technology, history—all of these things. And of course, there’s a certain fluidity in the film overall. But the fluidity of the character Neptune is sort of, y’know, the way in which we thought that we could bring this fairytale to life and talk about this binary coding, which, of course, takes place in the virtual realm but also has its place in

the way that forces have imposed themselves on how we ingest society, how we ingest community.

And so we think of the rigidity of that [imposing] and its relationship to colonialism, to griot forces. And understanding, essentially, that fluidity is something that’s always been a part of our culture from before they arrived—and that the rigidity came with the times.

I think the role of artists is finding creative ways to shift the discussion—to be a part of the discussion, and to uplift the discussion. The fluidity that we express in the film is something as artists we have clearly, and always, identified with.

play [BAMF Café, formerly situated in the Station North neighborhood in Baltimore]. That album didn’t come out ‘til 2016.

And then to the stage play, to producers. And from there we had a producer who said, “I would love to invest in this, but I really think it sits still.” And so, the idea is slowly transformed and we accepted that as a reality and realized that if it were a film then we could be onlocation. Then we could introduce new actors and new voices.

Personally, I have no personal relationship to Rwanda or Maundy without Anisia. So the whole impetus of this story came from Anisia and [sic] I meeting, and having a blossoming of discussions: connecting points in AmNews: Anisa, tell me about our histories, in our lives, our stoyour origins in this project. ries. And then trying to find a way to work together, from that desire Anisia Uzeyman: I would say connected to what we were obit originated in our Hub, y’know? serving in the real world.

The project where Saul was doing “MartyrLoserKing,” I was there AmNews: So it’s 2022—it’s been too. I was around; we were ex- almost a decade. In relation to all changing ideas and exploring how the work you do, tell me how did our common stories are different, it feel for you, existentially and and seeing how to seem powerless emotionally, to get through these and also complimentary, and how [past] eight years of finally getting we separate the experience. to this point, which is not the end, Everything: history; gender; pol- but to this pinnacle for sure. itics. And I think the film really came about because we’re looking Williams: Well, the one thing for a project where we could work that I learned throughout this together and express all those process—and from the very beideas and connections. ginning—was that it was going So I would say it came organical- to involve a great deal of pacing. ly. The gestation of it is really what I was very clear on the fact after happened between us and the dis- spending 20 years on the road, cussions that we had. And then we touring and what have you, I was went on to start writing the musi- growing less interested in that, cal [stage] play… and I had some, if you will, childhood dreams that I wanted to AmNews: Is that why the album manifest, now or never. For me [“MartyrLoserKing”] is embed- that dream was writing a musical, ded within the film, because it was which is something I wanted to supposed to be a musical [from] do since I was a teenager, maybe the beginning? even before I was a teen.

Williams: It was always a musical; nothing has changed. When we met we had the idea of exactly what we did. The only difference was it was going to be on stage.

[In] 2014 Anisia and I did a residency at BAMF to write the stage

AmNews: Are you exhausted, were you impatient? You’re talking about pacing; that embeds a body of patience. How did you psychologically and emotionally get yourself through eight years?

Because that’s still a long time.

Williams: Well, think about it.

Normally, if you’re talking about any other musical, you’re going to have one person writing the music; you’re going to have another person writing the script. So I was clear on the fact, from the beginning, that I was taking on more than normally what one person usually does. And the same was true for Anisia as a director of photography, and a director. And producing (we’re both the lead producers) and so much more because we’re the fundraisers for this project.

The process of finding the sounds; the process of finding the words, the lyrics; the process of finding the characters, the voices—who’s singing? The process of collaborating…The graphic novel, for example, has had two illustrators. [With] the first illustrator, over the course of two years, I had six drawings. For me, over the course of those two years, I wrote two albums and a book of poetry. We had to—I had to—adjust and acknowledge, OK, we’re not working at the same pace. I have to find someone that works at a better pace. If I was still working with that illustrator I have no idea when this thing would be completed. Whereas right now,

yes, we still beat the graphic novel, but I know that, like, 300, 400 drawings have already been done.

For me, I was thinking of this like George Lucas—we’ve created a universe. It’s been all about worldbuilding. The time that it takes to build it is really nothing compared to how long it may last in the hearts and minds and the imaginations of those who experience it now.

And so it was worth all the time: it was worth all of the books that we read, all of the tutorials that Anisia put herself through [on YouTube].

[Laughter]; worth all of the discussions; worth all of the films, all of the traveling. All of this stuff—it’s like building a pyramid.

When “Martyr…” came out I knew, without telling the public, that I was basically releasing the demos, or reference tracks, that I would be sharing with the cast.

That they would then be singing in their own voices and in their own language. But I needed something to live off of and to get me through that time period. So releasing albums and touring off of them was part of the process. www.saulwilliams.com www.instagram.com/saulwilliams www.twitter.com/SaulWilliams

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Orchestra of St. Luke’s premieres Julius Eastman’s ‘Femenine’ for Pride Month

By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the AmNews It has been announced that the interestingly extensive music series “Sounds & Stories” from New York’s St. Luke’s Orchesta, hosted by David Hyde Pierce, will be premiering the incredible work of the Black queer composer Julius Eastman on June 28.

Eastman’s 1974 piece, “Femenine” will be presented June 28 to commemorate Pride Month and the 53rd anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which was an uprising that took place in New York City for the protection and rights of the LGTBQ community in New York City. Eastman was known as a powerful genius of minimal compositional music and sound. He died in 1990.

OSL’s press release reads, “A self-

ing in a dress and taking a creative approach to pronouns back in the 1970s, he was, ‘long before words like genderqueer and nonbinary entered common usage, … modeling his own kind of gender fluidity’ (NPR). Such courageous nonconformity exacerbated the prejudice he encountered, and the frustrations and downward spiral that ensued.

Composer Julius Eastman “Eastman died young (Ron Hammond/New Amsterdam Records) and in complete obscuridescribed ‘gay guerrilla’ who strove ty after battling addiction, homelessto be ‘Black to the fullest, a musician ness and AIDS. Many of his scores had to the fullest, [and] a homosexual been impounded during an eviction, to the fullest,’ when it came to sex- and many more have since been lost. uality and gender, Eastman was far Only in recent years, with help from ahead of his time. Already perform- the friends and colleagues who sur-

vived him, has the painstaking work of rediscovering and reconstructing his catalogue begun.”

Eastman also became a cornerstone of the very rare widely known composers within the high art and sound art music community all over the world. His style was poignant, quiet, yet beautifully overpowering and this artist has certainly earned the stature and honor of being played to listeners in 2022.

Vogue writes about Eastman, “As the renaissance of Eastman scholarship grows year after year, the overdue celebration confirms not only the value of his contributions as a queer, Black composer, but the power of the music itself to redress decades of public disregard with the sounds of sheer joy, anger, and sensuality.”

OSL will perform the arrangement

of “Femenine” by Christopher McIntyre, who has “played a signal role in the much-heralded recent rediscovery … of works by Julius Eastman” (New Yorker).

The piece is scored with violin, viola, bass, percussion, piano, synthesizer, alto saxophone and bassoon; this will feature McIntyre himself on synthesizer alongside the superlative musicians of St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble, OSL’s artistic core.

As a special gift to the online community to celebrate this year’s Pride Month and Pride Day, their account of the work will stream at OSLmusic.org, free of charge, from OSL’s DiMenna Center for Classical Music, New York’s leading venue for streaming digital performance space.

For more information visit: www. oslmusic.org/

Tribeca Film Fest 2022: It’s a wrap!

By MARGRIRA Special to the AmNews I’m sad to report that the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival (in my humble opinion) didn’t live up to my expectations and I hope that it’s a direct result of the impact of COVID-19 because that opens up hope for 2023.

That being said, the gems stood out in a sea of mediocrity and there was a handful of interesting films in the documentary section including Jennifer Lopez’s “Halftime” which opened the festival (currently streaming on Netflix), and the doc short “Nicholas Brothers: Stormy Weather” and the very fine “A Story of Bones.”

“A Story of Bones” explores the life of Annina Van Neel, the chief environmental officer for Saint Helena, and the troubled £285m ($360m) airport project. When she learns of the island’s most terrible atrocity—an unmarked mass burial ground of an estimated 9,000 formerly enslaved Africans in Rupert’s Valley—it opens the floodgates of research.

The reality of this disturbing find is essentially one of the most significant traces of the trans-Atlantic slave trade still on earth. The sad truth of this find is the haunting fact there are more (unknown) injustices. Now Annina fights

“A Story of Bones” (Courtesy photo)

alongside renowned African American preservationist Peggy King Jorde and a group of disenfranchised islanders—many of them descendants of the formerly enslaved—for the proper memorialisation of these forgotten victims.

The resistance they face exposes disturbing truths about the U.K.’s colonial past and present.

The festival ended with Josh Alexander’s doc “Loudmouth” which follows the winding road that is Al Sharpton’s life story as an iconic activist and spiritual leader. Scenes with Andrew Cuomo and other influential figures highlight what makes Sharpton so special as a storyteller and agitator. After the premiere screening, there was a conversation with the Rev. Al Sharpton, Spike Lee, and John Legend which Cori Murray moderated.

What impressed me was In-

Director Spike Lee with the Rev. Al Sharpton at the “Loudmouth” premiere (Courtesy photo)

of the U.S. announcing their withdrawal leaving all foreign personnel and many Afghans trying to flee the country before the full takeover of the Taliban. Sadly, it’s inspired by true events.

There is something unique about Tara Motamedi’s work that I can’t put my finger on but I believe she’s going to rise above the competition as her career grows.

Motamedi is a first-generation American raised in a liberal Kurdish/Azeri household and speaks three languages. She earned a BA in Film Production and an MFA in Screenwriting from Brooks Institute. Her feature screenplay “Under an Olive Tree” influenced by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, was honored by the WGA’s Inclusion and Equity department in 2018 and became a semi-finalist at the Academy Nicholl Fellowship in 2019.

Here are the Audience Award Winners for Tribeca Festival 2022, presented by OKX. These films were decided by the audiences voting for their picks online and in person, including three categories—Best Documentary Feature, Best Narrative Feature, and Best Online Premiere.

deed’s Rising Voices and their partnership with Lena Waithe and Hillman Grad Productions where they created a program that was specifically designed to cover, invest in, and share stories created by BIPOC filmmakers. In their second year, they are able to share that over 1,000 jobs have been created through the program since its inception.

The 2022 Rising Voices presented 10 short films chosen amongst thousands of entries, but the ones that caught my eye were Cara Lawson’s “Crooked Trees Gon Give Me Wings,” Shanrica Evan’s “Amina” and Justin Floyd’s “Malleable.”

But the one that shook me to the core was Tara Motamedi’s “Before Audience Award - Narrative Dawn, Kabul Time” which tosses “Our Father, the Devil” directed us into Afghanistan after the wake by Ellie Foumbi

Marie Cissé’s (Babetida Sadjo) troubled past comes calling with the arrival of Father Patrick (Souléymane Sy Savané), an African priest whom she recognizes from a terrifying episode in her homeland.

Audience Award - Documentary “The Cave of Adullam” directed

by Laura Checkoway A heartwarming look at Detroit martial arts teacher Jason Wilson, who mentors young AfricanAmerican boys, giving them the rare and invaluable experience of being seen and cared for as the vulnerable beings they are.

Second Place: “Lift” directed by David Peterson. A look at New York Theatre Ballet’s Project LIFT which offers scholarships to homeless, home insecure, and atrisk children, exposing them to the beauty and discipline of ballet, often for the first time while helping them develop the talent they never knew they had.

Audience Award - Online “Cherry” directed by Sophia Galibert. A story about a driftless and uncommitted 25-year-old in Los Angeles who discovers she has only 24 hours to make one of the most consequential decisions of her life, what to do about an unplanned pregnancy.

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June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022 • 21 I

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‘The Black Phone’—Ethan Hawke’s step into madness

By MARGRIRA Special to the AmNews Actor Ethan Hawke has finally stepped into his first role as an evil character. It’s taken 30 odd years to get to that darkest of places and in “The Black Phone” he plays a serial killer that’s memorable, and his mask is disturbing and curious.

His character is referred to as the Grabber, who kidnaps teenage boys and then does unspeakable things to them. Cruising around in a black, ’70s van with the word Abracadabra written on the side of it. Abracadabra is an Aramaic phrase ‘avra kehdabra,’ meaning “I will create as I speak” and when he jumps out of the vehicle to snatch his victims off the street, he wears a magician’s hat or carries black balloons.

Inside his home, we understand the full horror attached to the grand mask, which has removable sections appearing to be chiseled in stone. The mask seems to have moods, sometimes offering a leering smile, other times a frown, and sometimes he chooses to wear only the lower half of it.

The movie is set in 1978, in North Denver where we meet Finney (Mason Thames), the cute

13-year-old hero who loves playing with his Little League team.

Finney and his spunky little sister, Gwen (Madeleine McGraw), discuss who’s the most popular on the television series “Happy Days” all in all, sharing with us their innocent life inside a safe community.

But in reality, there have been five teenagers, all boys, yanked off the streets by the Grabber. We realize soon that Finney’s days are numbered and soon he’s thrown into the Grabber’s dungeon which is a concrete, soundproof bunker which only has a dirty mattress.

His only vista is of the corroded walls that are marked with rusty, horizontal cracks that remind the viewer of wounds.

The meat of the film is about Finney’s attempt to escape. He develops a kind of relationship with the Grabber who gives him food and hints at the terrible things to come.

Meanwhile, Gwen has a dream that gives important details about the killer, highlighting the fact that he keeps his black balloons inside his van. Directed by Scott Derrickson (“Doctor Strange”) he pushes into the adapted short story (written by Joe Hill) to give the audience a serial-killer flick that almost feels like a comic-book

world but with some supernatural touches which drive the story.

In “The Black Phone,” the Grabber isn’t atypical of what we expect from evil characters. That being said, Hawke works with what he has used that creepy mask to his advantage.

In the bunker, there is an old, black rotary telephone that hangs on the wall. Despite being told that the phone doesn’t work, Finney hears it ringing, and each time he answers it, the voice on the other end is…no spoiler alerts but it’s an interesting twist.

Finney picks up quickly, gathering clues about the Grabber, building his case and finding the weak points of the bunker’s infrastructure. Suddenly, this kid realizes that he can and should fight back.

“The Black Phone” is a horror ride, suspenseful and just creepy enough to hold your attention.

“The Black Phone” is in theaters on June 24, 2022.

“The Black Phone” (Universal Pictures)

‘First Kill’—African American monster hunters, now on Netflix

By MARGRIRA Special to the AmNews

“First Kill” (Brian Douglas photo)

In the new series “First Kill” a generation of African American monster killers do their thing— hunt down and kill monsters.

Based on the short story by V. E. Schwab (who also wrote the first episode and produces the series) it’s super fun to watch folks of color beating up vampires, ghouls, and werewolves. But like all good dramas, there is an obstacle and for this one, it’s love.

Our young vampire hunter Calliope (Imani Lewis) falls in love with a young vampire, Juliette (Sarah Catherine Hook) and naturally this young love is caught between their family duties and their growing feelings.

Currently streaming, there are eight episodes following the drama of Juliette and Calliope (aka “Cal”) who struggle with balancing their duties which include the prickly world of high school.

Juliette’s parents Sebastian (Will Swenson) and Margot (Elizabeth parents Talia (Aubin Wise) and One set is blood-drinking vamMitchell, somehow), and Cal’s Jack (Jason R. Moore) are at odds. pires and the other side is dedicat-

ed to killing them and their kind but hilariously, as parents, they re-

inforce that the two girls can not be together.

I don’t think this series set itself up for “serious writing” which (in my opinion) would weigh down the quick fun of the absurd situation. But what I will highlight is that the series doesn’t convince me that there is a real romance. I don’t feel or see the chemistry and that’s just an issue of casting. Everyone is good. That’s not what I am griping about. I’m suggesting that there’s no chemistry, and since the meat of the series is about keeping these two star-crossed lovers apart, something is missing.

But, the series is fun because watching our people destroy evil monsters has another layer of satisfaction that does not need more explanation. The folks that know, know.

Sure “First Kill” is packed to the brim with clichés but that’s what makes it fun. Don’t take it seriously; lean into the images of Blackhued skin being the victor, the heroes, the monster slayers, and have fun!

“First Kill” is now streaming on Netflix.

22 • June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022 A

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TAMM E. HUNT, NAMA GALA, CRAIG HARRIS, BLUE NOTE

The vocalist Tamm E. Hunt, whose reputation was in full gear during the days when St. Nick’s Pub was the hottest little Harlem jazz spot in all of New City, will perform at Cecil’s Steak House (210 West 118th Street) on June 24, at 7 p.m.

Hunt’s repertoire will take you high on uptempo jazz standards and smooth ballads will touch your soul. Since relocating from her long-time residence in Harlem, she doesn’t get back to the city often so this will be a wonderful homecoming for her many fans. She will also introduce some new material she’s been working on. Visit the website: thececilharlem.com We pay tribute to the New Amsterdam Music Association (NAMA), located at 107 West 130th St., as we celebrate June as Black Music Appreciation Month. The organization was chartered in 1905; musicians from the circus, vaudeville, minstrel and tent shows found their way to this new outlet which served as the Negro musicians union, orchestrated by musician, composer, bandleader, arranger and as a lieutenant led the 369th Infantry Regiment (the Harlem Hellfighters) during WWI. The brownstone purchased on June 26, 1922, served as a union hall, where musicians could often find gigs and big tours. The upstairs floors served as boarding rooms for out of town musicians. Musicians such as Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Waller and other noted musicians often stayed there, as well as practiced. The downstairs dining room and kitchen often was the site of big dinner dances and fundraisers.

On June 25 NAMA will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a special gala at Harlem School of the Arts The Herb Alpert Center (645 St. Nicholas Ave.), 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

The funds raised will be used to help restore the building to its original state, where practice rooms or boarding rooms and major events can once again take place.

Over the last 100 years the building has been in need of repairs although today the members of the organization under its president Imani C. Scott continue to present weekly jam sessions and other special events.

“It is very important that those of us of serious Black consciousness and awareness support our institutions in our communities and the world that keep the various and beautiful aspects of our culture alive,” stated Lamon Fenner, board member and producer of Lamon's Jazz Break at Eight, WHCR, Sunday evenings.

The only other original Negro union still in existence and operating is the Mutual Musicians Foundation which was originally Local 627 founded in 1917, in Kansas City. The organization like NAMA

Charles Lloyd at Copenhagen Jazz Festival in 2018 (Hreinn Gudlaugsson (https:// commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Charles-lloyd_DSC02206_(cropped).jpg), https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)

continues its original jam sessions where Charlie Parker kept the house ablaze.

For tickets ($100 and $50 for members) to the NAMA gala visit their website at namaharlem.org or call 212-281-1350.

The 21st annual River to River Festival will feature Craig Harris: “BREATHE,” on June 25 at 4 p.m. (enter from River Terrace near Chambers Street). This is one of the largest FREE festivals in New York City (Rockefeller Park, Battery Park City).

“BREATHE,” the concept of trombonist, composer Harris, makes a sonic statement in response to the long-term ongoing tothe-minute injustices upon Black people in America. It is offered to support the community in staying resilient and persistent in fighting for justice. The large ensemble conducted by Harris consists of 14 brass musicians and six percussionists.

Harris comes from a tradition of using art as a cultural facilitator to help promote social change. Since the fatal shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, followed by the killing of Eric Garner in New York, he has been paying attention to the concept of breathing, which took on new meaning in the context of both COVID-19’s disproportionate effect on the Black community and the murder of George Floyd in police custody which was seen around the world. All of these injustices represent “BREATHE.”

Charles Lloyd in Melbourne, Australia, May 30, 2014 (Dorothy Darr photo - (https:// commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_ Lloyd_in_Melbourne_2014.jpg), „Charles Lloyd in Melbourne 2014“, https://creativecommons. org/licenses/by-sa/1.0/legalcode)

This year’s Blue Note Jazz Festival features a host of varied configurations that are never heard of in the jazz community. One such concert presented the rapper and producer Rakim with guest saxophonist and composer Ravi Coltrane at Manhat-

tan’s Sony Hall. Before Rakim came along most rappers were basically improvising with rhyming phrases. Rakim wrote more intricate lyrics with clever metaphors. He is credited with being the inventor of the flow.

The Hall was sold out standing room only or dancing room only, the choice was yours to make. It was a rappers’ delight crowd, very dark room, Technician the DJ playing very loud. Didn’t see anyone from the jazz community, although the saxophonist Kenny Garrett, who had just completed his stint as part of the festival, was sitting down front taking it all in. The young composer and violinist Majid Khaliq was hanging with me. He was thrilled—Rakim, he says, was one of his favorite rappers. He grew up with hip hop and was totally in although he plays a multitude of jazz with his own unique mix of classical and hip hop.

The show started 30-40 minutes late but the audience didn’t seem to mind as they were being entertained by Technician the DJ playing Rahim’s old-school hits. Once he hit the stage it was on. He treated his many fans and introduced me to some of his hits from his days as the duo Eric B. & Rakim rhymes like “I Ain’t No Joke,” “Paid in Full,” and “Guess Who’s Back.” Now, with the audience totally in the groove, Rahim introduced “jazz great Ravi Coltrane.” The two kicked “Don’t Sweat the Technician,” one of Rakim’s hits. He gave Coltrane a long solo and his soprano saxophone was on high blast, he was in another stratosphere. Rahim took him out of the jazz zone and they were kicking. Rakim went into another zone, the rap cat was in a jazz zone.

“Dam Ravi got me scattin’, I may have to go back in the studio with him and get down on some real sh….,” said Rakim. “This is hip hop meets jazz. It all starts with a bassline.”

On June 21-26 the Blue Note Jazz Festival will present the unique trio of NEA Jazz Masters bassist Dave Holland and pianist Kenny Barron featuring drummer Jonathan Blake. Jazz. With this trio the skies are open to infinity. With Holland, an alumnus of the Miles Davis and renowned leader, along with Barron, one of the most influential pianists in jazz and Blake, who can play anything with anybody. The trio will perform two shows each night at the Blue Note Jazz club (131 West 3rd Street). On June 22 catch Big Bad VooDoo Daddy (their repertoire revitalizing swing music) at Sony Hall, one show at 8 p.m.

On June 23 Sony Hall presents Cuban singer and songwriter Isaac Delgado with his new project Con Tumbao featuring pianist Oscar Henandez, bassist and vocalist Alain Perez, congas and percussionist Pedrito Martinez, trombonist Conrad Herwig and more. This is a Latino Salsa, Cuban rhythms jazz, heavy percussion big brass sound be ready to move.

New York stand and shout—the NEA Jazz Master, composer, innovator saxophonist Charles Lloyd graces the Sony Hall stage on June 26. His interpretation of jazz is illusively private but addictive. One show only at 7:30 p.m. Visit the website bluenotejazzfestival.com

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June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022 • 23

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HOROSCOPES BY KNOWYOURNUMB3RS

By GODDESS KYA June 23, 2022 — June 29, 2022 Rebirth of a New Nation: Nothing works unless you give it the energy to work. Making the connection, be it by conversation, networking, singing, dancing, writing, coloring, exercising, or meditating, all works when

you do. Your body is the medium between the spiritual and physical realms aligning together. When one area is out of focus or function within your body, the others follow suit to rebuild or possibly destroy, depending upon the vibration or frequency you give it, and the food you’ve allowed yourself to consume. Instantaneous changes are occurring by the hour, minute, seconds, days, weeks, months, and years. This is a rebirthing of the soul to carry out a mission from your written DNA instructions. “I got, I got, I got, I got Loyalty got Royalty inside my DNA, got war and peace inside my DNA, I got power, poison, pain, and joy inside my DNA, I got Vinateria hustle though, ambition, and flow inside my DNA.”––Kendrick Lamar

Another day, another assignment to complete the work. A reshuffling This week, follow up on clues, hunches, and the information that’s in the departments of love, romance, finances, careers, inheritance, being broadcast at eye level. Swift changes may be occurring within the blink of an eye. Think about investing in your dreams and gather Capricorn and hidden things come to light. The power of practice, about putCancer ting your foot down and rolling up your sleeves to complete the tasks all the resources needed to start your journey. Some form of recogDec 22 June 22 Jan 21 July 23 at hand is essential. This week may find unique and mysterious events nition, rewards, travel, publishing, or maybe signing up for a memoccurring. June 23-24, there’s no need to ask questions. You’ll receive bership is in the forecast. Avoid anyone being confrontational and the message and lesson at the same time. encourage others along the way. June 28-29, it appears new beginnings are ahead.

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This week is different from the last one. Now that you see what Grand opportunities are coming your way, as well as doing you can do, it’s time to maximize your results. A curveball is coming things on a grand scale. Leo, you like to think big, go hard all your way, so be prepared to hit the ball out of the park. Any awkthe way while winning and keep a positive yet a humble attitude.

Aquarius wardness that comes your way is the information you need to know Leo You’ve worked hard and diligently this month so stay on task as Jan 22 July 24 to free yourself from your old ways. It’s time to move forward, or you the pressure was applied. You manage to pass with flying colors Feb 19 Aug 23 will find yourself on the same merry-go-round due to the fact you and garner an award for staying the course. You gain more when haven’t learned your lesson. From June 25- 27 the question becomes, what are you you apply yourself and allow your creativity to guide you. Take the choosing to attract in your life? lead working as a team leader who empowers and uplifts others. On June 30 it’s all about you and seeing the God in you.

You’re likely to attract exactly what you ask for by the power of your emotions this week. You’re the creator and director of your soul creatMentally, you’re a quick wit on your feet. You know how to solve ing your own lane. In this cycle, you’re in the driver’s seat and can make problems and handle stressful situations accordingly. In this cycle, Pisces anything you wish to happen become a reality in your life. You got a round table discussions, conversations, and family gatherings are Feb 20 Mar 20 Virgo chance to take the lead. You can show them rather than tell them. Be being highlighted. You’ll hear people with similar stories flowing Aug 24 impactful with your words and actions, as friends and colleagues, and in the ethers this week, and until the end of the month. Something Sept 23 assisting others in the community is in your weekly forecast. June 28-29, make deciunique is occurring within the stars and within humanity. Listen sions that are only in your best interest. more than you speak. Your questions will be answered. June 23-25 the awkwardness for you is actually a confirmation.

What may seem to be a contradiction is information coming to you at a fast pace, and it’s up to you to speak your truth or relate You may be put to a test of which way to turn. Think in terms a message.

Don’t second guess which only leads you too couldn’t, of the Jack-in-the-Box. Before it reaches the top and finds its way Aries wouldn’t, or shouldn’t situations. Be true to yourself at any given out, it experiences all four concerns. The same four concerns Mar 21 Apr 21 Libra moment. It’s time for a change that only you can feel, sense, or taste. that have gotten you where you need to be, yet a lesson to finalSept 24 So mentally and spiritually, get yourself ready and prepared to act. ly go your own way. What good is it when you follow someone Oct 23 Change starts within you. Once you realize it, your circumstances and environelse’s rules and wait for orders to be given to you and schedules ment need to change. June 30 is the beginning to make the kind of decisions to to follow? Follow your own rules and laws. June 25- 27, new terms better yourself. Give up your old ways, now. and conditions come with upgrades.

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Your approach is everything this week, especially the way you forDramatic, drastic, and quick decisions are likely to be on the menu mulate your words. Your words can inspire, stimulate, and influence this week. It’s about an ending, and or beginning, of something new to sharpen the minds, and touch the hearts of many people who show on the horizon. You’re ready to take a leap of faith to pursue a goal or Scorpio up to listen. You have that spark within you as some may feel electrodream. Having a heart-to-heart conversation can help relieve some Apr 22 Oct 24 May 21 magnetic vibes emanating from you. A simple touch or hug can heal, tension you have from past experiences. Take time out for a full body Nov 22 soothe, relax, and comfort someone. This week your supernatural massage. Your will, passions, and beliefs are heightened. Give it your powers are shifting gears sending out signals as they reconstruct themselves into exbest shot and see what outcome you’re likely to receive. The beneistence. June 23-24, an unanticipated phenomenon may occur, it’s nothing that will fit of one-on-one talk is that you and your soul are having a conversation to make a alarm you. Be thankful for the experience. move or solve an issue at hand. During June 28-29, allow nothing to stop you.

 Taurus

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You are built with everything you need to create your own life and Plan time for family, romance, vacation, and work, and squeeze in destiny. This month’s experiences have been your teacher, with hidden time for self-care. You have credence in your ability to perform any lessons in disguise to see how good you want it. Positive thinking attask at hand this week. You know how to make a phone call to get the Gemini tracts positive solutions and results.

When the tough get going, it can job done. Adjust your speech to your environment and you speak May 22 Sagitarius get tougher before the edges smooth out to have smooth corners. The other languages if necessary. You understand what it means to be diJune 21 Nov 23 Dec 21 process shapes you to see the beauty in the art of the work you do. No verse and well seasoned within your affairs. Investing in your spirneed to complain. It doesn’t resolve anything. June 25-27, the final product is ready, itual wealth is beneficial to your body, mind, and soul. On June 30, and decisions are being made to prepare you for the next phase of the process. financial and spiritual rewards are delivered to your mailbox.

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

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June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022 • 25

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‘A Strange Loop,’ Rashad, Frost, & Kalukango shine at the Tony Awards!

(Linda Armstrong photos)

Myles Frost won the Tony for best lead actor in a musical for his role as Michael Jackson in “MJ.”

By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews Blacks came away seen at the 75th annual Tony Awards. While there were only five winners, the wins were huge. “A Strange Loop” won for best musical and best book of a musical! This meant that Michael R. Jackson came to the stage twice and he was glorious! His musical “A Strange Loop” is about a fat, gay Black man, writing a musical about a fat, gay Black man. The musical looks at the struggles and insecurities Jackson experienced growing up as, guess what—a fat, gay Black man. It has humor, wonderful songs and incredible singing.

This is a musical with a great deal of heart.

An elated Jackson reflecting on his jour-

Michael R. Jackson is all smiles as “A Strange Loop” wins best musical and he won the Tony for best book of a musical.

ney shared, “I started this musical when I was 23 years old, I’m 41 now, I’m as old as hell. I wrote it at a time I didn’t know what I was going to do with my life. I didn’t know how I was going to move forward. I felt unseen, unheard, misunderstood and I just wanted to bring a little bit of a life raft for myself to just get through the day.” In the media room Jackson was asked about the musical’s impact on members of the LGBTQ community, as this musical makes sure that he as a gay, Black man is seen and also appeared to have that effect on members of the LGBTQ community, as they felt seen and recognized. Regarding how much his work means to others Jackson said, “It means a lot because when I started writing this piece I was writing it for ‘myself,’ at a

time when I thought no one was listening to me or could see me. I continued to work on it for almost a 20-year period and got a group of collaborators of other people who also felt that way and then took that story to the stage and shared with audiences who also felt that way, this goes to the power of art and theater to bring people together and let everybody sort of in the secret that we’re not alone and there’s more that unites us than divides us.”

A theatrical treasure who walks in elegance and grace, Phylicia Rashad won the Tony Award for best performance by an actress in a featured role in a play, for Dominique Morisseau’s “Skeleton Crew” produced by Manhattan Theatre Club.

Rashad in her acceptance speech said,

“You don’t come to this place alone. It’s the work of many people. Dominique Morisseau thank you for writing a play that only you could do and Ruben Santiago-Hudson for presenting with a work that was challenging. Thank you for casting the play and giving me wonderful actors. And thank you to the wonderful people who came to see it. It’s wonderful to be a part of this community with its fullness and to feel its love.”

Talking later about acting, Rashad shared, “Acting is a very compassionate art. Acting is understanding.” She embodied Faye with such compassion. “Dominique Morisseau poured her love into this play, for the people that make things. Everything you see, you use and touch is the fruit of somebody’s labor. You don’t pick up a fork and

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Phylicia Rashad won her Tony for best featured actress in a play for “Skeleton Crew.”

realize someone made that, we don’t think about those people. Faye’s life was not easy, but this woman was intelligent, her choice of words leads you to know that and her heart was big and she was tough because life had taught her that she had to be tough.

She was equally as gentle as she was tough.

She was a complete human being. Every single night there would be something new about her. What I have learned about this craft is that I must continue to learn and grow,” Rashad shared.

Myles Frost made history at the 75th annual Tony Awards on Sunday at the age of 22; he became the youngest person to receive the Tony Award for best performance by an actor in a leading role in a musical in the history of the Tonys! Anyone who has

experienced Frost in “MJ” as Michael Jackson knows that he completely embodies the character and channels the creative spirit and energy of the late King of Pop. Frost delivers the character with love, respect and precision, in addition to the signature dance moves. A tearful Frost said, “I’m so honored and so blessed and so grateful…

Mom I love you so, so much, without you there would be no me. You have taught me and shown me what a strong Black woman is…Dad, I love you…” In the media room he said, “I think Michael has been one of the pioneers of Black music culture. He inspired me and he inspires others, it’s something I see in the audience every night.”

Joaquina Kalukango so deservedly won the Tony for best performance by an ac-

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Joaquina Kalukango won her Tony for best lead actress in a musical for “Paradise Square.”

tress in a leading role in a musical for her performance as Nelly in “Paradise Square.”

The recognition couldn’t have been more appropriate! Kalukango is absolutely stunning, poignant and dazzling in her delivery as Nelly, a Black woman in an interracial marriage who owns a bar called Paradise Square. The musical tells a historic story about a community that once existed in lower Manhattan in which Irish immigrants and freed Blacks loved and married. A very emotional Kalukango said, “My name Joaquina means ‘established by God,’ so I have to give thanks to God who has kept me through this crazy journey.” She thanked her family, her teachers in high school, her producers, her company and all of the nameless ancestors who have suffered.

“This show gives power to them. I honor them,” she shared. In the media room Kalukango was still emotional as she shared that she feels overwhelmed and completely grateful. There is so much love from our community and the people who come to see the show. We love sharing with the audiences.” To muster and bring the energy for every performance, she admits, “it’s been a challenge, because with this show you can’t not bring your all. You have to, to honor the people of the Five Points community. There are so many incredible shows on Broadway, please find the ones that get you excited and go out and support them!”

I’m so thrilled that Broadway is back and the excitement and joy of the Tony Awards demonstrated that beautifully!

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Broadway celebrates long-awaited reunion on the Red Carpet (Photos by Linda Armstrong)

Actress Tamara Tunie came to show her support

By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews After two years of not being able to be together due to COVID, the 75th annual Tony Awards Red Carpet felt like coming home! It was ablaze with excitement and the joy of communion. It was a wonderful opportunity to speak with people from the nominated shows and other celebrities who just came for the fact that we finally could. They came to support their fellow artists and feel proud for the many Black shows that were nominated in multiple categories. “A Strange Loop” had received 11 nominations; “MJ”—10; “Paradise Square”—10; “for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf”—7; “Clyde’s”—5, “Trouble in Mind”—4, “Skeleton Crew”—3; and “Lackawanna Blues”—1. This was an evening on Sunday, June 12 at Radio City Music Hall that had spirits high and thoughts positive. It was an honor to know also that this Broadway season saw plays by first time Black playwrights including Douglas Lyons with “Chicken & Biscuits,” Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu with “Pass Over,” and Keenan Scott III

Masi Asare and Nathan Tysen, lyricist for “Paradise Square”

with “Thoughts of a Colored Man.” It is amazing to realize that Lynn Nottage had not only written “Clyde’s,” but also did the book for “MJ,” and off-Broadway at Lincoln Center, she created a libretto for her play, now turned opera “Intimate Apparel.” Yes, there was a great deal for Blacks to be proud of this year, no matter how the Tonys turned out.

Actress Tamara Tunie was on the Red Carpet and shared her joy about all the Black shows that have come out this season. “I think it’s wonderful and it’s something that we have been working for, and it’s satisfying to see so many plays from people of color and so many Black artists being recognized, being celebrated, having their stories told. All the nominations are the cherry on top.”

Another person on the Red Carpet was Roshunda Jones-Koumba, recipient of the Excellence in Theatre Education Award, she is the theater director at G.W. Carver Magnet High School in Houston, Texas. She has held this position for 18 years. “I have a passion for education and molding our youth, that’s my calling.” Talking about the purpose of theater she said, “It helps to develop a

well-rounded person, it teaches you empathy, teaching you self-confidence and self-esteem levels just raise when you’re taking theater. It is a collaborative art and you’re working together, and that teamwork teaches you that solid foundation.”

From the 10-times nominated “Paradise Square,” lyricists and nominees Masi Asare and Nathan Tysen said, “We’re an original musical and we try to make it as interesting as possible.” Talking about the message of this historically based musical looking at an area in New York where Irish immigrants and freed Blacks lived and thrived, Asare said, “It’s incredibly important, the fact that this community existed and we lost it, we could look back and think what can we do as a society to recapture it. It’s a story that a lot of people don’t know about. It can be inspiring for us now to think— me as an individual when I come to see the show—what are the choices I could make in my own time. Immigrants of many different backgrounds across the city can relate to it,” Asare said.

Antwayn Hopper, who plays Thought 6 in “A Strange Loop,” was dressed as Prince

Charming and he was magnificent! Talking about “A Strange Loop” and why a musical about a fat, queer Black man is important to see on the Broadway stage, Hopper remarked, “I think people will see us in a different stereotype and take on our community differently, in terms of thoughts centered around this community. You will also perhaps look inward and say, have you contributed to this narrative? And, if you have, are you going to turn it around and if you haven’t, are you going to help your friend turn it around.

Each one, teach one. We’re sending a message, it’s okay to be gay and Black, you’re a human just like everyone else is.” With this musical being on Broadway, Hopper does hope that there will be room for more musicals about the struggles of queer Black men on Broadway, but he also added, “I hope that’s not just our narrative, the struggle, I hope we have celebrations, I don’t want us to always have to do Black trauma.”

Emilio Sosa, nominated for best costume design for “Trouble in Mind” the Alice Childress play, discussing the costumes, credited Charles Randolph Wright the director: “He really set the bar high

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Masi Asare and Nathan Tysen, lyricist for “Paradise Square”

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Antwayn Hopper dazzled on the Red Carpet with his Prince outfit; he plays Thought 6 in “A Strange Loop”

Manhattan Theatre Club, executive producers Lynne Meadows and Barry Grove walked the Red Carpet—they produced three plays this season.

Broadway director Kenny Leon was thrilled to be on the Red Carpet

for us in all the departments.

It took him 15 years to get it to Broadway and the weight of it and the reference he had for this work means so much.”

Lynne Meadows and Barry Grove, executive producers at Manhattan Theatre Club, were proud of the three plays they gave to the theater season, as they should be—“Lackawanna

Emilio Sosa, nominated for Costume Design for “Trouble in Mind”

Blues,” “Skeleton Crew,” and “How I Learned To Drive.”

Meadows explained, “Every play that we did this year dealt with overcoming adversity. With how I learned to drive, she learned to drive. With ‘Skeleton Crew’ we watched a community of people pull together and support each other during difficult times, and of course Ruben

Santiago-Hudson’s tribute to Nanny, the mother whose own life was a story in heroism and Ruben’s own life was also one of heroism. Overcoming obstacles, overcoming odds. We’re very proud of the work this season because so many great artists contributed. Dominique Morisseau is a great playwright and she had never been on our

Broadway director Kenny Leon was thrilled to be on the Red Carpet

stage. Paula Vogel, a great American artist.”

Broadway director, Kenny Leon, talking about the Black shows on Broadway, all the nominations and the climate on Broadway for Blacks said, “I just think that we have to keep doing the work. Our people have always been doing the work, we can’t slow down. I want to

honor those seven writers that did those plays at the beginning of the season. Those seven writers that said it’s okay to step out, to come back to the theater.

I thought that we did beautifully, we just got to stay on it because people forget quick. We have to just keep on it, keep on the industry, keep on ourselves and keep uplifting each other.”

30 • June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

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Henry Hugh Proctor, the church was his calling, self-determination his mission

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews Not until the discovery of pianist/composer Helen Hagan was I aware of Henry Hugh Proctor, who was so instrumental in Hagan’s sojourn and performance in France during World War 1.

Proctor was born on Dec. 8, 1868, near Fayetteville, Tenn. His parents were former slaves—Richard and Hannah (Murray) Proctor. His early education was sporadic since he had to help his family on their farm. As a teenager he began digging ditches, a labor that would allow him the wherewithal to pay his tuition at Fisk University, from which he graduated in 1891. Prior to his enrollment at Fisk, he taught at Pea Ridge and later in Fayetteville. Three years later he received his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Yale University and was ordained into the Congressional ministry. And in this same year he married Adeline L. Davis, a student he had met at Fisk.

In 1903, he joined George Washington Henderson, then president of Straight University, a Black college in New Orleans, and together they founded the National Convention of Congregational Workers among Colored People.

Proctor became the group’s first president. A year later, Clark University awarded him a Doctor of Divinity degree. When the race riot of 1906 convulsed Atlanta, Proctor, along with a white attorney, Charles T. Hopkins, helped to quell the ongoing tensions with the formation of the Interracial Committee of Atlanta.

His church was also indispensable during the riot as it provided a sanctuary and aid, and these amenities would continue beyond the tumult. Soon, the church was not only a place for religious services, but it housed a library, a kindergarten, an

Henry Hugh Proctor

employment bureau, a gymnasium, a music room and a parlor.

It was a multidimensional facility with a popular kitchen and pantry for those needing daily nourishment. And it promoted a number of outreach programs in housing and public assistance.

All of the church services were an extension of Proctor’s passion for self-determination, self-sufficiency, and self-development. To this end, he founded the Atlanta Colored Music Festival Associations, sponsoring concerts that were opened to Blacks and whites, that was in keeping with interest of mutual cooperation among the races and community harmony. In fact, this festival continues today and is part of the Atlanta Music Festival.

Proctor’s prowess and organizational skills gained national attention, and when World War I erupted, he was summoned to provide services for the Black American troops then deployed to battlefields in Europe, most

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extensively in France. It was in this capacity that he arranged entertainment and musical recitals for the Black soldiers that often featured Helen Hagan. Upon his return from overseas he was called to take charge of Nazarene Congregational Church in Brooklyn, and he would remain at this post for the rest of his life.

He summarized his life and dedication to the church in his autobiography “Between Black and White,” stating, “I saw this building rise from the foundation to capstone, and much of my life is built into its very walls.” Toward the end of the book of short sketches, he recounted a moment when he was about to take the position in Brooklyn.

“When I was about to leave the South, my people came to me an d said, ‘Are you deserting us?’ My reply was, ‘No, never.’ Unless I had felt that I could have done more for my people in the North than in the South I

should never have left the South.

New York is the United States in miniature. It is the center of the commercial, political, educational, social and religious life of the nation. New York is the place to center any movement that affects the nation and the world. Just now there is underway in the metropolis a new organization known as ‘The National Conference on the Christian Way of Life,’ which proposes to restate the Christian conception in its application to the social problems of the day.”

In the book’s final sketch, Proctor reiterated his hope in racial equality, noting that the sporadic attempts at race harmony would soon materialize more readily and “The South will become the garden pot of the nation and the paradise…that required no prophet to stand on her hills and see the coming kingdom of interracial cooperation. The hills once red with blood of strife will glow with new light. Once the South takes up the example of the North, this section will rid itself of the curse of the Klan spirit, and we shall present to the world an example for the solutions of its greatest problem, the question of color. Threefourths of mankind are colored, and there can be no world peace until this question is settled in the only way, that of the Golden Rule of Christ. Thus I see the rainbow of hope like a silken scarf spanning the shoulder of the dying storm of racial hate, blending into one every color under the sun, one race, the human, one language, the English; one religion, the Christian.”

Proctor was around long enough to assist in the application of these principles before his death in 1933 from blood poisoning. He was survived by his widow and five of their six children. He is buried in Atlanta.

ACTIVITIES FIND OUT MORE Proctor’s autobiography is a reliable source of his early years, educational development, and Christian outlook.

DISCUSSION In our feature on Helen Hagan there was an indication of much more information about his tour in Europe.

PLACE IN CONTEXT Born as the Reconstruction was taking shape, he lived to believe his Christian ministry would reach its pinnacle of success in the nation.

THIS WEEK IN BLACK HISTORY June 21, 1859: The esteemed painter Henry O. Tanner was born in Pittsburgh. He died in France in 1937.

June 22, 1943: Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois became the first Black member of National Institute Letters.

June 23, 1997: Dr. Betty Shabazz died from burn wounds.

She was 63.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Colombia International Continued from page 2

Continued from page 2

my people, the Afro-descendant, Raizal, and Palenquero community. Brothers and sisters, we have taken a very important step forward. After 214 years, we have achieved a government of the people, a people’s government, a government of…those with calloused hands,” she said. “A government of the common people. A government of the nobodies of Colombia. We are ready, brothers and sisters, to reconcile this nation.

“We are pushing for peace in a determined way, without fear, with love and joy.

Let us push for dignity. Let us push for social justice.

Let us women eradicate patriarchy in our country. Let’s push for the rights of the diverse LGBTQ+ community.

“Let’s push for the rights of our Mother Earth, of our larger home. Let’s take care of our larger home and take care of biodiversity. Let’s work together to eradicate structural racism.”

agency is due to hold an emergency meeting on June 23 to determine whether to classify the global monkeypox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern—the highest alarm the U.N. agency can sound.

It has been reported in 39 countries so far in 2022, and most of them are having their first-ever cases of the disease, according to the WHO. Worldwide, it says, there are around 3,100 confirmed or suspected cases, including 72 deaths.

The normal initial symptoms include a high fever, swollen lymph nodes and a blistery chickenpoxlike rash.

Between Jan. 1 and June 15, 2,103 confirmed cases, a probable case and one death have been reported to the WHO in 42 countries, it said.

the Serengeti National Park that would be run by the royal family of the United Arab Emirates.

Dozens of protestors have been injured, dozens of arrests have taken place, and a police officer has been killed amidst the forcible eviction efforts by security forces, according to the Oakland Institute, a leading policy think tank based in Oakland, California.

Cordoning off the area for a game reserve could displace up to 70,000 Indigenous Maasai, the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights warned in a press release following the clash.

Government officials claim the Maasai homeland is overpopulated with humans and livestock, creating stress on the wildlife that serves as a tourism magnet. In 2019, before the COVID-19 panGOV’T PLANS TO REPLACE MAASAI demic, tourism was the country’s PEOPLE’S ANCESTRAL LANDS FOR GAME largest source of foreign exchange, PARK MEETS OPPOSITION the second-largest contributor to (GIN)—Indigenous Maasai the gross domestic product and a people of Tanzania are fight- major source of jobs, according to ing a government plan to con- the World Bank. vert ancestral lands into a luxury Speaking to the Voice of Amerigame park at the eastern edge of ca’s Swahili Service, Chief govern-

June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022 • 31 ment spokesman Gerson Msigwa defended the government’s actions as protecting the environment. “I want to make it clear that one of our responsibilities is to conserve the environment,” Msigwa said.

“And it’s not only being done in the world-famous Ngorongoro Conservation Area but all over the country, to show people where to stop in their human activities and where it’s designated for wild animals.

“The area under contention is very important to the nation. It’s a water catchment area. As a country, we must protect [the] interests of the nation.”

More than a quarter-century ago, hunting blocks had been allocated to some Arab potentates who had apparently secured the right to hunt and indiscriminately kill animals that were supposed to be protected.

Last week, a violent clash broke out after government surveyors and security forces began to demarcate 1,500 square kilometers of land for the park—an area which encompasses migratory routes for wildebeest, zebra and other wildlife.

Rights experts were “deeply alarmed” by the reported use of live ammunition and have “grave concerns about continuous encroach-

ment on traditional Maasai lands and housing, accompanied by a lack of transparency in, and consultation with the Maasai Indigenous Peoples, during decision making and planning.”

Anuradha Mittal, director of the Oakland Institute, condemned the government for using violence to displace the Maasai, grab their land and hand it over to the UAE royal family for their hunting pleasures.

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has condemned the violence and urged the government to halt the eviction.

The U.N.’s Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues called on Tanzania to comply with the provisions in the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and ensure the right of the Maasai to participate in decision-making.

Onesmo Olengurumwa, head of the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition, said, “The government made an error in the beginning. It should have reached an agreement with locals and in writing that ‘we carry out demarcation, but we are not taking your land, only setting boundaries.’

If that had happened, the community would not have worried and demonstrated.”

Choose NYC Public Schools The foundation to grow, the support to thrive in every neighborhood schools.nyc.gov/NewStudents |

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Education NYC celebrates DREAMers, 10th anniversary of DACA program

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

New York City is quite literally a city built by immigrants, and proudly so as it celebrated the 10th anniversary of former President Barack Obama’s historic Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Mayor Eric Adams and Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Manuel Castro held a meeting at City Hall with a group of ‘DREAMers’ or DACA recipients. Adams said that clearly New York City will continue to support DREAMers and their families, regardless of their immigration status. He called on President Joe Biden to finally pass the American Dream and Promise Act, which would create a pathway to citizenship for DREAMers.

“I’m proud to be the first DREAMer-appointed commissioner for the City of New York and to continue fighting for my community,” said Castro.

In March 2020, there were an estimated 643,560 active DACA recipients in the country, according to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) numbers. There are over 150,000 DREAMers living and working in New York City currently, said Adams. “These young people contribute to our society, day after day, and many times take on the jobs others are unwilling to tackle,” said Adams.

DACA was created back in 2012, “in light of congressional inaction” as a temporary solution to allow hundreds of thousands

education, said the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA).

U.S. Rep Adriano Espaillat (D-Harlem) said, in a separate conference, that DACA has been transformative to the lives of young immigrants, but “the program falls short of a pathway to citizenship” and “is by no means a substitute for fixing our broken immigration system.”

Former Pres. Donald Trump had threatened to end the program on Sept. 5, 2017 in his crusade to toughen immigration laws. This decision eventually reached the Supreme Court.

Ending DACA was overturned during the onslaught of the pandemic in June of 2020 as a violation of federal law, said MOIA. Yaritza Mendez is co-director of organizing at Make the Road New York, the largest progressive grassroots immigrant-led organization in New York State with more than 25,000 members. “A decade ago, we won DACA through the fierce and relentless organizing by undocumented youth who bravely put their bodies on the line. As we remember this historic day, it also marks a decade of inaction by Congress to deliver on their promises of permanent protecMake the Road New York member Johana tions for our communities,” said Mendez in Larios is in the courts as a DACA firsta statement. time applicant. Pictured here with her two kids. (Contributed photo from Make In a separate case in a Texas federal court The Road New York) also challenging DACA, the program was ruled “unlawful” in July 2021. Under this of young, undocumented immigrants to court’s ruling immigration services can no remain in the U.S. with protection from longer process or grant first-time applideportation, access to work permits, health cations for DACA recipients, but renewals insurance, free photo identification, and and advance parole options are open.

Make the Road New York member Johana Larios is in the courts as a DACA first-time applicant whose case has stalled since the ruling last year. Her case is the Batalla Vidal v. Wolf lawsuit.

“For the past four years, I have been denied the opportunity to apply for DACA. I have been living in limbo, waiting for court decision after court decision with enormous uncertainty, fearing that I could be separated from my children,” said Larios.

“We cannot continue to live with this instability.”

Larios called for Biden and Congress to deliver on their promises and pass pathway to citizenship. “We cannot wait any longer,” said Larios.

“Today, DACA continues to be under attack, with 80,000 new DACA applications currently stalled, leaving thousands who have not been able to have their applications processed in limbo,” said Mendez. “In less than a month, the case will be back in court and heard in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.”

There’s still time for the current DACA ruling to be changed by a higher court or appealed by Biden, said MOIA. Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about culture and politics in New York City 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://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w

Eagle Academy Foundation welcomes Donald Ruff as new president/CEO

By ZOË ROSE Special to the AmNews The Eagle Academy Foundation is a nonprofit organization that aims to empower young Black and Brown men while improving students’ educational career paths and future. The foundation has six collegepreparatory schools located throughout the five boroughs of New York City and Newark, N.J. Donald Ruff was recently welcomed as the foundation’s new president and CEO and shares his goals and visions for the future. Ruff has been with the Eagle Academy for 16 years, where he began as the founding director of college counseling and strategic partnerships. His dedication to education has led him to many of his accomplishments within the field, for there is no doubt that he is the perfect contender for his newly appointed position.

Ruff explains how the fuel that pushes him to do the work he does today is rooted in how

he grew up. After being exposed to a private school setting and seeing how that differed from his previous public school setting, it ultimately opened his eyes to the inequalities of education. “I saw early in my life that there were some inequalities when it came to education—as a matter of fact I didn’t even know I was considered poor or low income until I went to private school,” stated Ruff. He then went on to explain that “success shouldn’t be a lottery” when expressing how everyone should be offered equal opportunities of education regardless of wealth.

The Eagle Academy works to advocate for Black and Brown youth in both school settings and beyond the classroom. Ruff explains, “It’s not just about graduating our guys, it’s about who they become in the world, and so much of that has really shaped our expanded vision at the academy.” The Eagle Academy prides itself on setting young men up for success, and also teaching them what to do with that success. Ruff explains how fi-

nancial literacy and workforce readiness are essential tools the Eagle Academy pushes for, in order to ensure these young men are economically empowered even post-grad.

“Financial literacy is something that is sorely missing in so many low-income communities and we want to be able to empower our young men in that fashion and create that ecosystem for them to be successful,” says Ruff.

The Eagle Academy has effectively highlighted the graduation and post-graduation rates and used that to centralize their curriculum to best benefit students’ future success.​​Ruff explains how these real-life scenarios will provide them with the tools to succeed. By not only teaching students fundamental skills but also preparing them to implement that in the workforce, “We want students to be able to graduate with an employable skillset and understanding how money works.”

Ruff’s hope now that he is president and CEO

of the Eagle Academy is to create an ecosystem where Black and Brown boys can be successful not just within the network of the Academy, but throughout the city and the world.

“My greatest dream is to be able to coalition build and bring these entities together and create that environment where Black and Brown boys and men can be successful in life.”

Donald Ruff (Contributed photo)

5

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June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022 • 33

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34 • June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

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Afro/Black Latinx Continued from page 12

As an organizer and activist, I rarely engage with people that have already chosen to erase me, my daughter, my people.

I believe our power comes when we start our own institutions, create interventions, and uplift even more Afro/ Black Latinx young folks that seek to disrupt the normalized notions of what a Latina, Latino, or Latinx person looks like in this country. We must also support institutions like the Caribbean Cultural Center/African Diaspora Institute in New York City and the Creative Justice Initiative* founded by Dr. Marta Moreno Vega. I also encourage folks to check out the Museum J.E.D.I.( Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) podcast created by Omar Eaton-Martinez, which hosts discussions on the intersections of museums and social justice.

Afro/Black Latinx people are here. We are growing in number. We exist. We can write our own narratives, and we

will not be erased.

This opinion piece was originally published online by Latino Rebels on June 1, 2022.

Editor’s Note: On Thursday, June 2, the Smithsonian reached out to Latino Rebels to note that “the Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino is not affiliated with the Smithsonian or the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino.” It also asked us to provide a link to the official museum website.

Rosa Clemente is a Ph.D. candidate at UMass-Amherst and a leading scholar and activist in Afro/Black Latinx identity, culture, and politics. She is an organizer and independent journalist and was an associate producer on the two-time Oscar-winning movie, “Judas and the Black Messiah.” Twitter: @rosaclemente *Disclosure: I am a board member of the Creative Justice Initiative.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

¬22 in 2022 We’ve increased our U.S. minimum hourly wage to ¬22 on the way to ¬25 by 2025.

Since 2017, Bank of America has raised the minimum rate of pay for all U.S. employees by more than 46%, bringing it to an annual rate of more than $45,000 for full-time employees. It’s part of our commitment to being a great place to work and one way we help employees build a career with us. We’re also encouraging job growth and providing economic security for thousands of individuals who are supporting fellow teammates, our clients and the local communities where we live and work.

Offering competitive pay and benefits to support our employees and their families is critical to attracting and retaining the best talent. We’ll keep leading the way and doing more.

When you have a strong team, you want to take care of them the best way you can. Raising the minimum rate of pay is just one way for us to show that we care and value everyone’s commitment.

José Tavarez President, Bank of America New York City

What would you like the power to do?® Learn more at bankofamerica.com/metroNY

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender © 2022 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022 • 35

36 • June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

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Religion & Spirituality Author George Lamming, a paragon of anti-colonialism, dies at 94

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews It was a festive occasion at City College on Nov. 20, 1998 when the great writer George Lamming was saluted with the Langston Hughes Medallion, a tribute to his remarkable literary career. Only a few of the younger students in attendance were fully aware of this éminence grise whose wide-ranging speech centered on the history of anti-colonialism, but they were riveted by his lyrical voice that retained a certain West Indian twang.

That melodious voice was silenced on June 4, but his words are forever with us, most rewardingly in his novel, “In the Castle of My Skin,” published in 1953. He was 94.

According to another famed scribe, C.L.R. James, a close friend and associate of Lamming, his colleague’s “novels are permeated by the sense of the role of different classes in West Indian society. His work is an expression of Barbados,” James cited in “Spheres of Existence.” And that was perfectly logical because Lamming was born on the island

nation in 1927 and never lost a probing and enlightened intimacy with it, despite spending part of his early manhood in England.

His first novel was imbued with a broad mix of genres—it was part roman à clef, an extended epigraph, an amalgam of experiences that taken together captured the essence of a people determined to obtain their liberation from oppression. Again, James summarized a portion of Lamming’s style, intensity, and his singular quality by quoting the author himself. “Free is how you is from the start, an’ when it look different you got to move, an’ when you movin’ say that it is a natural freedom that makes you move.”

Lamming indeed moved with a natural unbridled freedom and it resonated from each of his books, particularly, “The Emigrants” which followed on the heels of his first novel; “Of Age and Innocence” (1958); “Season of Adventure” (1960); “The Pleasures of Exile” (1960); “Water with Berries” (1971); and “Natives of my Person” (1972).

These books were interspersed with nu-

merous essays and lectures, many of which engrossed students at Duke, Brown, Cornell, and other prominent academies. In one interview he stated that “I became a West Indian in England,” and some of that coldness, both from people and the weather, flows without apology from “The Emigrants” and “Season of Adventure.”

When the news of Lamming’s passing reached the students and faculty at the University of the West Indies, said Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, the university’s vice chancellor, “It punctured the peace of mind of the academic community…where he was professor in residence at the Cave Hill Campus. It was there in his office at the George Lamming Pedagogical Centre, that we last met and occupied ourselves for a few hours with one of Miles Davis’ last statements: that time is never enough to exhaust the ever giving, producing, creative imagination of the dedicated intellect.

“George was a phenomenal philosopher,” Beckles continued, “who erupted in the literary world early in life with the pub-

lication in 1953 of a classic novel of anti-colonial consciousness—“In the Castle of my Skin”—written during his 23rd year of life.

From his Bridgetown Village, he traversed the intellectual universe and provided it with pedagogy of liberation that underpinned Pan-Africanism, socialism, and a 20th century humanism that included feminism, dialectical materialism, and the Caribbean Cultural Revolution. His embrace of Cuban socialism became a template for his support of Maurice Bishop and Walter Rodney in their quests to detach the neocolonial region from the scaffold of rejected imperialism.”

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley echoed Sir Beckles’ sentiments, noting, “Wherever George Lamming went, he epitomized that voice and spirit that screamed Barbados and the Caribbean.”

And that scream, that undeniable rebel yell that characterized his activism will be unceasing so long as his books are read, his poems recited, his lectures quoted and passed on to future generations.

Black Rob’s Harlem street sign is like Woah!

By MAL’AKIY 17 ALLAH Special to the AmNews On his 54th physicalday anniversary, June 8, Harlem hip hop legend Black Rob was honored with a street sign in his old East Harlem stomping grounds. The northwest corner of 115th Street and First Avenue now bears the co-naming “Robert ‘Black Rob’ Ross Way.” After enduring some severe health issues for many months, he transitioned on April 17, 2021.

Several hundred attended the street sign unveiling ceremony as some of his classic tracks blared out a speaker. Many childhood friends from the Thomas Jefferson and Robert Wagner Housing Projects reflected on the native East Harlemite who was initially known as “Robi O,” and “Bacardi Rob” while being featured on many underground mixtapes prior to signing to Puffy Combs’ Bad Boy Records in 1995.

“I remembered seeing Bacardi Rob back then wearing a Bad Boy jacket while he was in Jefferson,” recalled neighborhood associate, Big In. “He used to tell us stories about being in the studio and smokin’ blunts with Biggie Smalls, and it was great to see someone from our ‘hood get on.”

After Biggie Smalls’ March 9, 1997, murder in Los Angeles, Black Rob was one of the primary artists who carried Bad Boy’s success.

Memorable feature appearances on label mates’ Ma$e (“24 Hours To Live”), Faith Evans (“Never Knew Love Like Thisremix”), 112 (“Come See Me-remix”), and Total (“What About Us-remix) recordings during the late-1990s introduced him to an audience for his 2000 debut album “Life Story,” which was RIAA-certified platinum. It featured his smash hit single “Woah!” produced by D.I.T.C.’s Buckwild which reached No. 43 on Billboard’s

Top 100 in 2000, while becoming a hip hop anthem during the early 2000s. He’d continue releasing new music throughout the years, including albums “The Black Rob Report” (2005), “Game Tested, Street Approved” (2011), and “Genuine Article” (2015).

At the unveiling ceremony, DJ Chill Will played some of his classic tracks including his duet with Biggie Smalls “Jeans & Sneakers”; his singles “I Dare You,” “You Don’t Know Me,” “Ready,” “Can I Live,” and of course his classic hit “Woah!”

A few of his relatives were also present, including his mother, sister and children; as well as some local aspiring artists. Prior to the ceremony those in attendance sang “Happy Birthday” Stevie Wonder-style, and chanted “Black Rob,” “B.R.,” in call and response. As the street sign was unveiled, some in the crowd began chanting “It’s like Woah!” amongst the cheering

(Photo by Mal'akiy 17 Allah)

and clapping.

Black Rob’s children posed for flicks with replica signs afterwards.

Then on the evening of Saturday, June 18, a dual tribute was conducted at Thomas Jefferson Park (112th St. and 1st Ave.) for Black Rob and fellow East Harlem-native DJ Kay Slay who passed exactly one year later, April 17, 2022.

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June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022 • 37

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38 • June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

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Lewis

AmNews Endorsements

Continued from page 4

Continued from page 6

that federal oversight was no longer needed, helped clear the way for multiple states to enact new rules around voting in recent years. Now, local governments or school districts with a record of discrimination in New York must gain approval from state officials in order to pass certain voting policies, said the AP. The law includes protections against voter dilution, voter suppression, voter intimidation or obstruction through deception. It also expands language assistance programs for non-native English speakers and preclearance, which requires any changes to important election-related policies be reviewed before they’re implemented in historically disenfranchised areas.

An effort in the U.S. Congress to revive parts of the Voting Rights Act failed to make it through the Senate, said the AP. “Throughout our history American heroes like John R. Lewis put their lives on the line to secure and defend our rights—not just their own, but yours and mine as well,” said Myrie in a statement. “They didn’t do this because our country was perfect, but because it was imperfect. They saw a future where all voters and all voices count. That torch

has now been passed to us, and this is why I’m so proud to have sponsored the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York.”

Myrie said he was grateful to Hochul for signing this legislation and standing strong for voting rights. He thanked his co-sponsor, Assemblymemer and Election Law Chair Latrice Walker, for also leading the fight with him.

“Just last week, several important races around the country were won by people who deny the validity of elections and who will work to reduce access for voters,” continued Myrie. “It does not have to be this way for any American. By enacting the strongest voter protections of any state in the nation, New York is leading the way to a more secure democracy that defends our rights and respects the dignity of everyone.”

Additional reporting from Ariama C. Long, a Report for America corps member and writes about culture and politics in New York City for The Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep then writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w

Fair

Continued from page 4

and over again, because they have a conviction record.”

According to Wilkey, there are roughly 750,000 New Yorkers with convictions. And 80% of them are Black or Brown.

So while it’s illegal for property owners to deny housing based on race at a local, state and federal level, criminal history serves as a heavily racialized barrier for renters.

But it’s not just those with criminal histories finding it hard to rent in New York City.

With “COVID-deal” leases expiring and rents rising, income discrimination in general becomes an issue. Last Tuesday, Adams held a press conference for his new housing agenda.

The mayor did not mention the aforementioned protections for those with criminal histories,

instead focusing on a simple message: house as many people as possible.

“If you say [I house] 30,000 [people] and you have 50,000 that are homeless, then what success is that—I got 20,000 people that are not [housed],” said Adams. “So I’m not at this magic number. I’m going to get as many people, in my four years, to get into housing as possible.”

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 today by visiting: https://tinyurl. com/fcszwj8w

and communities that need him most. He is not afraid to take on anyone, at any time, anywhere. At this point in time our state needs a leader like Jumaane Williams; one who will stand not only with us, but by us, and for us. And that is why we endorse Jumaane Williams for Governor of the state of New York.

signed into law. The American Rescue fund was his formula.

He sees the role of Lt. Governor as a gateway into that space that can help people see what the future can hold. Empowering Black and Brown communities.

Elevating the level of intentionality of how money is being spent and helping tailor the utilization of those funds. He knows that neLt. Governor glecting our communities gives rise to crime. While Antonio Delgado in congress he held 67 town halls.

Raised in the Black Baptist church, he understands the power of overcoming and carrying on our legacy. For this reason and many more we endorse Antonio Delgado for Lt. Governor.

Footnote: We were very impressed with Ana Maria Archila, both her cleareyed vision for New Yorkers throughout the state and her willingness to be a voice independent of the governor when required.

Her time as a comAntonio Delgado didn’t expect munity organizer and nonprofto be Lt. Governor, he was busy in it leader at both Make the Road Washington, D.C delivering for his and the Center for Popular Deupstate district when he was ap- mocracy have prepared her well pointed by Governor Hochul after for elective office. We hope to see she ascended to her role. Repre- her again soon as a candidate on senting parts of Ulster, Delaware, the ballot in New York.

Greene and some other counties he had won his congressional seat Assembly 43rd–Brian Cunin an area that Trump won by over ningham seven points. But he did not just After winning the 43rd in a jump into politics, he took a more special election in March, Brian indirect path, one that took him Cunningham is working hard to through academia, music, law, en- keep his seat. Born in Flatbush trepreneurship and struggle. and raised by a single mother, Prior to holding his congres- he knows what the communisional seat, this Rhodes schol- ty needs firsthand. He went to ar and Harvard law school NYC public schools and his ungraduate moved to the West der-resourced community lanCoast to become a hip hop artist guished in times of prosperity for and tried to use hip hop to effect other communities. That is why change with his label Static Enter- he went into the field of economtainment. To pay his bills he had ics and social justice, fighting for odd end jobs. He learned what it the community and people that is like to be hungry. It wasn’t until nurtured him. He has worked in several years later that he came the non-profit sector, the public back East, got a job as a lawyer sector. He knows the ins and outs and then dipped his toe into pol- of Albany and has made his mark itics running for a congressional in the short time he has already seat firmly held by republicans. been there. This is just the beginAs a congressman he got 18 bills ning for this young man. And that

is why we endorse him as Assemblyman in the 43rd and expect great things from him.

Assembly 55th–Latrice Walker Latrice Walker was originally elected in 2014. She has proven herself as a legislator. She has stood up for her community when it counted and has been a leader in the assembly. During the most recent budget battle Walker went on a hunger strike for over two weeks over rollbacks that were proposed. She won some of those fights and vows to keep fighting. Born and raised in public housing, she went to NYC public schools. She has never forgotten her roots and uses her experiences to guide her in her actions everyday. She makes the assembly better by her presence and her leadership and we endorse her for another term.

Assembly 60th–Keron Alleyne You can find him in the garden growing veggies for the community. You can see him working alongside his neighbors in East New York, fighting for affordable housing. He went to Boys and Girls High school where he grew up under the watchful eye of Stanley Kinard who was one of his mentors. He worked in the offices of Charles Barron, another one of his mentors, where he learned the ins and outs of Albany. He currently holds the role of deputy district manager of Community Board 5 in Brooklyn. Alleyne is the future of the New York State Assembly and we endorse him.

Assembly 70th–Inez Dickens Public service is in Inez E. Dickens’ blood. She has served her community tirelessly for years.

In her time in Albany she has served her constituents well. She has fought for affordable housing and secured funding for small businesses. She has fought for equal rights and equal justice for all. Dickens is a tireless leader and once again we endorse her as she runs for re-election in the 70th Assembly district.

District leaders in the 60th– Charles Barron, Inez Barron We endorse Charles Barron and Inez Barron; both are true champions of their community and will continue to fight for the needs of their constituents day in and day out.

32 • May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022 • 39

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THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Letter to Mayor Continued from page 12

Six of those members voted their conscience against the FY23 budget: CM Alexa Avilés, CM Charles Barron, CM Chi Ossé, CM Kristin Richardson Jordan, CM Sandy Nurse, and CM Tiffany Cabán. As our communities deal with multiple simultaneous crises, it is critical that council members be able to vote with their values and their community’s best interests at heart, and that council funds always be distributed in an equitable and just manner. We hope that the speaker will state publicly that these reported exclusions were either made in error or incorrectly reported, and fully support the ability of members to vote their conscience without fear of retaliation including discretionary budget cuts, future committee assignments, or opportunities to serve on the Budget Negotiating Team.

We appreciate your time and consideration, and look forward to working with you and your offices on behalf of working families across our great city.

Signed, Senator Jabari Brisport Senator Julia Salazar Senator Robert Jackson

Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani Alliance for Quality Education BNS/BCS Parent Action Committee CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) Churches United for Fair Housing Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF) Community Voices Heard D15 Parents for Middle School Equity Dignity in Schools Campaign NY District 28 Action for Equity DRUM - Desis Rising Up & Moving Education Council Consortium Girls for Gender Equity Housing Justice for All Housing Works ICE PAC (Parent Action/Educational Advocacy Committee @ Institute for Collaborative Education) Jews for Racial and Economic Jus-

tice ( JFREJ) Justice Committee Mekong NYC Met Council on Housing MinKwon Center for Community Action Moms United for Black Lives NYC Movement of Rank and File Educators (MORE) Mural Justice Project New York City Support Group for Families with Disabilities New York Communities for Change New York Working Families Party New Yorkers for Racially Just Public Schools Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition NYC Coalition for Educational Justice NYC Democratic Socialists of America (NYC-DSA) NYC Opt Out Parents Supporting Parents NY Parents to Improve School Transportation (PIST ) Policing and Social Justice Project Restorative Justice Initiative S.T.O.P. - The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project The Anti-Racist Coalition at John Jay Campus (ARC-JJC) Theatre of the Oppressed NYC The People’s Plan Urban Youth Collaborative

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THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022 • 41

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101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK BOARD OF MANAGERS OF CENTRAL PARK PLACE CONDOMINIUM, Plaintiff -againstCHINESE AMERICAN TRADING COMPANY, INC., Defendant. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein on March 1, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse located on the portico at 60 Centre Street, New York on July 6, 2022 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, the Condominium Unit known as Unit No. 52B in the Building known as Central Park Place Condominium, 301 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019. Together with an undivided .3006% interest in the common elements.

All bidders must wear a face mask/shield at all times and social distancing must be observed by all bidders at all times. Bidders who do not comply with the face mask and/or the social distancing mandate will be removed from the auction.

Said premises known as 301 WEST 57TH STREET, UNIT 52B, NEW YORK, NY Approximate amount of lien $207,442.94 plus interest, accrued common charges/ assessments, attorneys fees, and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision and Order on Motion and Terms of Sale.

Index Number 157857/2020.

ROBERTA ASHKIN, ESQ., Referee SMITH, BUSS & JACOBS, LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 733 Yonkers Avenue, Suite 200, Yonkers, NY 10704 SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK NYCTL 2019-A TRUST AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND CUSTODIAN, Plaintiffs -against- SICHAO ZHU, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Amended Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein on March 16, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse located on the portico at 60 Centre Street, New York on July 20th, 2022 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York, known and designated as Block 928 and Lot 1505 on the New York County Tax Assessment Map, and being further known on a such tax rolls as 300 East 23rd Street, Unit 3C, New York, NY 10001.

All bidders must wear a face mask/shield at all times and social distancing must be observed by all bidders at all times. Bidders who do not comply with the face mask and/or the social distancing mandate will be removed from the auction.

Said premises known as 300 EAST 23RD STREET, UNIT 3C, NEW YORK, NY Approximate amount of lien $38,913.90 plus interest & costs.

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

Index Number 158239/2020.

ELAINE SHAY, ESQ., Referee Phillips Lytle LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiffs 28 East Main Street, Suite 1400, Rochester, NY 14614 SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK BOARD OF MANAGERS OF CENTRAL PARK PLACE CONDOMINIUM, Plaintiff -againstCHINESE AMERICAN TRADING COMPANY, INC., Defendant. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated March 1, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse located on the portico at 60 Centre Street, New York on July 6, 2022 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, the Condominium Unit known as Unit No. 50A in the Building known as Central Park Place Condominium, 301 West 57th Street. Together with an undivided .7032% interest in the common elements.

All bidders must wear a face mask/shield at all times and social distancing must be observed by all bidders at all times. Bidders who do not comply with the face mask and/or the social distancing mandate will be removed from the auction.

Said premises known as 301 WEST 57TH STREET, UNIT 50A, NEW YORK, NY Approximate amount of lien $179,792.02 plus interest, accrued common charges/assessments, attorneys fees, and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision and Order on Motion and Terms of Sale.

Index Number 157856/2020.

ROBERTA ASHKIN, ESQ., Referee SMITH, BUSS & JACOBS, LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 733 Yonkers Avenue, Suite 200, Yonkers, NY 10704 Notice of Formation of STONOVER MEDIA, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/26/22. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Anthony Bonsignore, 200 Park Ave. S, Fl. 8, NY, NY 10003. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of Big Rosie BK LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 9/16/20. Office location: New York county.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to c/o PO Box 20169, New York, NY 10001. Purpose: Architecture services.

Notice of Formation of ASBURY DEVELOPER, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/04/22. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK, WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF MFRA TRUST 2016-1, Plaintiff, vs. JOHN FARACCO, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on February 22, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the portico of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on July 20, 2022 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 411 E. 53rd Street, Apt. 6G, New York, NY 10022. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough, County, City and State of New York, Block 1365 and Lot 1060 together with an undivided 0.4011 percent interest in the Common Elements. Approximate amount of judgment is $512,695.95 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #110188/2009. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale.

Mark McKew, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 1817121

Notice of Qualification of ALPHAMETIC FUND 2022 GP LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/09/22. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 06/08/22.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 379 W. Broadway, NY, NY 10012. DE addr. of LLC: Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, DE Div. of Corps., John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of ACI VI CLARKSON LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/07/22.

Office location: NY County.

LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 01/11/22. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808.

Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

TITAN MOMENTUM LLC Filed with SSNY on: 05/02/2022 Location: New York County SSNY designated as agent for service of process & shall mail to: TITAN MOMENTUM LLC, 167 Madison Avenue Ste 205 #160, New York, NY 10016 Purpose: Any Lawful.

Notice of Qualification of COLD START STUDIO LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/08/22. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 12/08/20.

Princ. office of LLC: 2875 NE 191st St., Ste. 500, Office 504, Aventura, FL 33180.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, Div. of Corps., John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St. - Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901.

Purpose: Venture capital.

Notice of Formation of ASBURY PRESERVATION CLASS B, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/04/22. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Formation of 11 EAST 29TH STREET APT 32C, LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 4/28/2022. Office loc.: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

The address SSNY shall mail process to Jane Liu, 101 Tournament Dr., Monroe Twp., NJ 08831.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Fax#: THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

42 • June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

Notice of Qualification of DW MARCY, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/17/22. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 03/04/19. 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, Div. of Corps., John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 3, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of SWEET PLANTASY LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 5/09/2022. Office location: New York county. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o United States Corporation Agents, Inc. 7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of NU WORK LLC Art. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 10/06/21. Office Location: Bronx County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: 1522 E. 172nd Street, Ste 2F, Bronx, NY 10472. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of 688 BRONX COMMISSARY, LLC Art. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 9/30/2020. Office: NY 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, CT Corporation System, 111 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10011. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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Notice of Formation of SUZANNE BINGHAM DENNEY LLC Art. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 4/19/22.

Office Location: NY County.

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

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of WYANDOT SQUARE PRESERVATION CLASS B, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/04/22. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

.

N

NOTICE OF FORMATION of FSRNY 22-22, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 10/28/2021.

Office location: New York County. Secretary of State is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SOS shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her to: CSC; 80 State Street Albany, NY 12207-2543. Purpose of LLC: For any lawful activity.

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Notice of Formation of WSW PRESERVATION CLASS B, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/09/22. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of STR8LINE INSURANCE ENTERPRISES, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/27/22.

Office location: NY County.

LLC formed in Idaho (ID) on 04/22/16. Princ. office of LLC: 2005 Vista Pkwy., Ste. 200, W. Palm Beach, FL 33411.

NYS fictitious name: STR8LINE INSURANCE AGENCY LLC. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Cert. of Form. filed with ID Secy. of State, 700 W. Jefferson St., Rm. E205, Boise, ID 83702.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF QUALIFICATION of Unconventional Minds LLC. Authority filed with NY Secy. of State (SSNY) on 2/23/22. Office location: New York County.

LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 1/6/20. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: InCorp Services, Inc., One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Ave., Ste. 805-A, Albany, NY 122102822. Cert. of Formation filed with DE Secy of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of FIVE IRON GOLF CLEVELAND LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State NY (SSNY) on 05/10/2022. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to c/o 883 Avenue of the Americas, Fl 3, New York, NY 10001. Purpose: any lawful act.

2

Notice of Qualification of MOTIF ADVISORS LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/11/22.

Office location: NY County.

LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 05/04/22. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808.

Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State of the State of DE, Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., #4, Dover, DE 19901.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of WSW PRESERVATION GP, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/09/22. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

D

Notice of Formation of JJR Property Management, LLC Art. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 10/04/21. Office Location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: 1395 South Platte River Drive, Denver, CO 80323. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice is hereby given that license number, pending, for beer and wine has been applied for by Chase Sinzer (Sabo LLC) to sell beer and wine at a retail in a restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 90 E. 10th Street New York, NY for on premises consumption.

Chase Sinzer d/b/a Claud's.

of process to the LLC, Corpo-

ration Service Company, 80 PWRcell, Generac’s fully-integrated Under agreement rates are subject to change State St., this New York, NY solar + battery storage system, stores .

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Package. your favorite DIRECTV Watch for $79.99/mo for FOR RENT live support of the mayor,” said said that advo12 sports, monthsnews with& entertainCHOICE Contact: Ad Descrpt:McKesson ARCHITECT. NYC ment anywhere.

First 3 Package. Watch your favorite Mack. “Without that, they are cates, including the Legal Aid months of news HBO & Max, Cinelive sports, entertainE.Flatbush beautifully refurb Phone: (212)581−8877 Given by: * max, Showtime, choosing to let people die.”

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AUTHORIZATION plauded the city council for Assemblymember Eddie Are you looking for a job with fitness and fun? Come Join NYC Parks and be a part of exciting adventures and fun-filled fitthe cuts though, as a way of Gibbs (D-East Harlem), the ness in Recreation Centers and outdoors throughout the 5 boroughs! Develop, coordinate and facilitate programbeating back to the DOC’s “cor- state’s first 30 formerly incarcerUnder thisdeliver, agreement rates are subject change with days not ming to engage all New Yorkers in sports, fitness and outdoor ruption and completion, mismanage- ated person elected to office, event a cancellation schedule I understand adventures. of To review these listings and to apply,before visit our website: www.nyc.gov/parks and go to Job Opportunities. instead opting to said that he toured the jail rate will based upon ment” the and rate for the number of insert NYC Parkscharged offers an excellent benefits be package including peninvest in underlying drivers about a month ago. He said it sion, health, dental and vision coverage and vacation/sick days. of crime and violence. is unfortunate that there are The mayor’s Rikers Action issues with understaffing and The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity em_____________________________________ __________________________ ployer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workPlan was also finally en- low morale on the correctionforce and providing a work environment that is free from disName orbased type) Name dorsed by the federal(signature) U.S. al side and that many incarcrimination(print and harassment upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to District Court Judge Laura cerated people are dying from an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, Swain of the Southern Dis- sickness or suicide. Gibbs religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy. trict of New York. Swain had said that a federal receiver. ordered the city to revise the ship means greater resources plan from its original pre- to deal with the generational, Architect. NYC. Design & document sustainable mixed-use sentation in May. systemic problems at Rikers. building projects & RFPs including financial feasibility analysis; Build & manage multiple BIM models; sketches, render“There are no quick or He would like to see a collabings, & presentation drawings. Req'd: BA Arch.; Knowledge of easy solutions to reform- oration between the two entiwood & steel design; sustainability; architectural freehand rendering; community-focused building projects; architectural ing Rikers, but in just a few ties, city and state, rather than computing; BIM & project delivery; business mgmt. M-F, 9-5. short months, we have seen a complete takeover.

Send resume to Job#3, Brandon Haw Architecture LLP, 630 Flushing Ave., Mailbox 61, Ste. 310, Brooklyn, NY 11206 reductions in slashings and “I certainly would like to stabbings, reductions in see the feds come in and use of force and assaults on help the mayor and comstaff, increased searches for missioner at some time, but weapons and contraband, I think the mayor and comand fewer officers out on missioner they’re capasick leave. It is a good start, ble of turning Rikers Island but we must go much fur- around,” said Gibbs. ther,” said Adams in an earlier statement about the plan.

Ariama C. Long is a Report The concerning deaths at for America corps member and Rikers Island continue to writes about culture and polraise alarms in the mean- itics in New York City for The time and some think federal Amsterdam News. Your donareceivership, which is when tion to match our RFA grant the federal government helps keep her writing stories TO DISPLAY YOUR takes over running an insti- like this one; please consider tution, is the answer. making a tax-deductible gift of CLASSIFIEDS ADS CONTACT “The Department of Cor- any amount today by visiting: ALI MILINER rection couldn’t fulfill its most https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w plete Never Care Pay Home For Warranty Covered COVERS ALL MAJOR SYSHome Repairs Again! ComTEMS Care ANDHome APPLIANCES. plete Warranty 30 DAY RISK FREE. $200.00 COVERS ALL MAJOR SYSOFF FREEAPPLIANCES. Months! 866TEMS+ 2AND 440-6501 30 DAY RISK FREE. $200.00 OFF + 2 FREE Months! 866440-6501

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44 • June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Davis

Adams

Continued from page 3

Continued from page 3

woman,” citing an attempted murder charge she was facing.

“It is really hurtful to have to grieve, but then defend her name,” said Duncan.

She says if her sister did something wrong, it should be handled through the criminal justice system, not through the shooting of an unarmed woman. And especially not by a cop like Atkins, who had a reputation in Flatbush for excessive force and was named in multiple federal lawsuits. At the end of the day, Duncan hates how her sister was presented as some sort of mastermind criminal.

“When I say her name, I just want to remember that she was a young woman trying to make it in the world,” said Duncan.

environmentally friendly highway. He added that the “degree of urgency” in Brooklyn Heights is a little more pressing, however, because the cantilever is literally “crumbling before our eyes.”

Restler said he is laser-focused on making sure that the mayor and city DOT prioritize the community’s safety with urgent repairs.

The triple cantilever hasn’t had major repairs from the state Department of Transportation (DOT) since its construction, and the city’s DOT figures said that trucks may need to be banned by 2026 based on the deterioration rate if something isn’t done. In 2021, de Blasio put out a plan to preserve the triple cantilever section for another two decades. The plan included doing small repairs and maintenance, stopping water infiltration to slow down corrosion, and shifting the lanes from three to Tandy Lau is a Report for Amer- two to cut down on traffic. ica corps member and writes about public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep Continued from page 4 him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax- Mayor Ras J. Baraka; Ryan P. Haydeductible gift today by visiting: good, president & CEO, New Jersey Institute For Social Justice; and Lawhttps://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w

Jersey

“Our bold, corridor-wide approach will more quickly deliver the safe, modern, resilient structure we need, while confronting the racism built into our infrastructure by reconnecting communities divided by this highway,” continued Adams. “We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to access the federal funding necessary to reimagine and rebuild the BQE that a post-pandemic economy and city demand, and we are seizing it.”

The Regional Plan Association (RPA) organization first recommended the construction of the BQE in the 1920s and ’30s. Nowadays they’ve switched gears as an advocacy group for reducing car dependency. RPA also made some of the major recommendations in the ‘Reimagining the BQE’ report that were adopted into de Blasio’s rehab plans for the triple cantilever.

RPA Executive Vice President Kate Slevin said that there are compelling reasons to address the whole highway instead of one section. She advocated that congestion pricing, approved

by former Gov. Cuomo and the state, should be designed to reduce traffic on the BQE. “A percentage of the cars and trucks using that portion of the BQE are actually diverging past the tolled Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to avoid the toll,” said Slevin. “Once you put congestion pricing in place there will be less traffic on the BQE and that, along with other reduction strategies, should be pretty doable to not have a big impact on traffic.”

Slevin said that there are plenty of alternatives to permanently solve the issue with the BQE cantilever. Some people have proposed putting the highway in a tunnel with a park on top or decking it over with land over the highway to make more parks and walkways, said Slevin.

The more extreme solutions would be to remove the highway altogether, like upstate in Rochester, where the Inner Loop East Transformation Project converted a major highway into a boulevard with sidewalks and bicycle lanes. Or, in Seattle, Washington,

where the Alaskan Way Viaduct was buried underground to open up waterfront space for parks and housing, said the RPA. Ultimately, said Slevin, it’s up to state funding and approval as to what happens to the BQE since it’s technically a state road. She said with public outreach, environmental impact studies, lining up federal funding, and then actual construction, “At the end of the day you need both the mayor and the governor to endorse the plan.”

Considering Adams announced this week that he would be endorsing Gov. Kathy Hochul for reelection, further collaboration on BQE plans shouldn’t be too hard in the coming years.

rence Hamm, P.O.P. chairman.

Some of the organizational cosponsors included New Jersey Institute For Social Justice, People’s Organization For Progress, Salvation and Social Justice, New Jersey Black Issues Convention, The Inclusion

Project-Rutgers University Newark, Black Lives Matter – Paterson, Newark Communities for Accountable Policing, NAACP NJ State Conference, Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey, New Jersey Policy Perspective, ACLU of New Jersey, NAACP

Newark, Fair Share Housing Center, United Black Agenda, City of Newark, New Jersey Working Families, Rutgers University Newark, Garden State Bar Association, and Our Revolution – New Jersey, NJ Citizen Action, and Urban League of Essex County.

Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about culture and politics in New York City 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:// tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w

Speeding ruins lives. Slow down.

Building a Safer City

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS S P O R T S

June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022 • 45

Kyrie Irving-Rod Strickland League starts its 25th year

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

Bronx-born Rod Strickland, one of the greatest point guards in the history of NYC basketball, joined young ballers for the start of the 25th year of the league bearing his name (Photo Credit: Bill Moore)

This past weekend at St. Mary’s Park, located at 148th Street and St. Ann’s Avenue in the Bronx, the Kyrie Irving-Rod Strickland Summer Basketball League began its 25th season.

Conceptualized by LaMarre Dyson, who has run the league since its initial inception as the Rod Strickland-Steve Burrt (former Iona College basketball icon) Basketball League, the tournament has been a fixture of New York City youth basketball attracting participants from throughout the Tri-state area. The games are played Saturdays and Sundays beginning at 9 a.m., featuring the Itty-Biddy, Super Biddy, Biddy and Midget divisions.

“We’ve tried to stay consistent in what we do, in what works for us,” said Dyson late last week ahead of the weekend’s tip-off.

“Teams and programs know what to expect with us.” The

league had a forced hiatus in 2020 due to COVID-19 but returned last summer to a refurbished playground featuring new fiberglass backboards courtesy of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation.

Brooklyn Nets All-Star Kyrie Irving was not at the league opening on Saturday but his godfather, Bronx native Rod Strickland, a former NBA standout and one of the greatest point guards New York City has ever produced, was on hand to interact with the young hoopers. Drafted in the first round by the Knicks in 1988, Strickland is currently the program director for NBA G League’s Team Ignite.

Dyson is the founder of Young Athletes Inc., a Bronx-based nonprofit organization operated out of I.S. 584 dedicated to serving disadvantaged youth. YAI offers school year, Saturday and summer programs. The school year classes include digital photography, journalism, magazine publishing, robotics, chess and art.

Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program celebrates 50 years

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

Participants have a 95% high and changing lives,” Adams said.

The evening’s honorees were school graduation rate and more “Using tennis as that vehicle that Jeanine D. Liburd, recipient of the than 80% attend college. “For develops their life skills and carries Harlem Hero Award; Tony SignoTwo Harlem residents and 50 years we’ve been saving lives them to success.” re, recipient of the Robert Holtennis enthusiasts, Claude Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program executive director Katrina Adams (r) with honorees Tony Cargill and Bill Brown, startSignore, Jeanine D. Liburd and Monica Seles (Photo credit: Fred/Susan Mullane) ed the Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program (HJTEP) in 1972. On June 13, HJTEP celebrated 50 years with its first in-person gala since 2019.

Going without this annual fundraiser had been hard for the organization that helps and inspires youngsters through tennis and education.

HJTEP brings tennis to youth ages six to 18 from high-risk, low-income neighborhoods and offers opportunities for self-development.

“To be able to see a lot of our board members, our donors and our grantors all together in one room really celebrating the development of champions and tennis, education and wellness in Harlem Junior Tennis is really exciting,” said executive director Katrina Adams. “Two years without having our gala, we had to be creative. We had to make some hard decisions, but through persistence and being resilient we were able to survive and thrive.”

land Jr. Award; and tennis legend Monica Seles, who received the Shining Star Award.

“I’ve been around for 48 of the 50 years,” said James R. Kelly III, board chairman for the past 20 years. Over the past two years, Kelly has done his utmost to “keep people energized…and staying close to the kids because the educational component to our program is very important.”

Kelly wore a seersucker suit in memory of the late Mayor David Dinkins, a tennis lover and supporter of HJTEP. Dinkins was also on Seles’ mind.

She said she used to call him “Coach.” “Mayor Dinkins was a big supporter of [HJTEP] and I wish he was here this evening,” said Seles. “He loved, obviously, tennis. He loved to play it, and he also loved kids, he loved to give back and he was just a great supporter.

“Tennis can be a big part of your life and can give you a lot of stepping stones and tools to navigate through life,” she added. “In tennis, you learn so much about yourself. You learn so many life skills. For so many kids…having this organization stand behind them is a really big support system.”

46 • June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS S P O R T S

The Knicks face a consequential summer beginning with the NBA Draft

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

Arizona’s 6-foot-7 wing Bennedict Mathurin and Wisconsin’s 6-foot-5 shooting guard Johnny Davis are two of the top prospects entering tonight’s NBA Draft at the Barclays Center (Photo Credit: Johnny Davis, Wikipedia, Alexander Jonesi; Bennedict Mathurin, Wikipedia, MGoBlog)

Liberty guard Didi Richards returned to the lineup on Sunday to face the Seattle Storm after missing 12 straight games with a hamstring injury

The Knicks’ primary decision makers and fans must assume an unemotional and pragmatic view when assessing the team’s current roster as the 2022 NBA Draft will take place tonight at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Personal and visceral attachments have to be disregarded when doing what’s in the best interest of constructing a sustainable winner. Team president Leon Rose and the Knicks front office have an onerous challenge of acquiring the requisite pieces to elevate the franchise to championship contending status.

The Knicks currently do not have one perennial All-Star or player that can dramatically alter their trajectory in an upward direction. The odds of such a player being available with the No. 11 pick the Knicks hold as of the writing of this ar-

ticle are moderate. But if they stay at No. 11 the Knicks may beat the odds and land a player who could become a Reggie Miller (1987) or Klay Thompson (2011). If not a caliber player of the aforementioned two, then perhaps a Domantas Sabonis (2016) or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2018), a pair of excellent young ballers.

Some of the Knicks’ potential choices who may still be available when it’s their turn to select are 6-foot-7 Arizona wing Bennedict Mathurin, 6-foot-5 Wisconsin shooting guard Johnny Davis, 6-foot-7 Baylor 3 and D prospect Jeremy Sochan, and 6-foot-8 G-League combo guard standout Dyson Daniels.

The Knicks, who finished 37-45, 11th overall in the East this past season, are replete with utilitarian veterans and growing secondary players that could be consistently productive in defined roles on a squad anchored by two core difference

making talents. Their two best players, Julius Randle and R.J. Barrett, haven’t proved to be in the latter category.

Randle regressed last season after having a career-best 20202021 campaign, being named All NBA Second Team. While Barrett, who turned 22 on June 14, has shown improvement over his three seasons in the NBA, he has not distinguished himself as a budding star.

A comparison of the Knicks roster to other building teams in the Eastern Conference, notably the Cleveland Cavaliers (Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen), Atlanta Hawks (Trae Young, John Collins and De’Andre Hunter) and Charlotte Hornets (LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges), reveals there is a conclusive gap as the other three possess franchise cornerstones.

Now the Knicks must be creative and maybe lucky to secure some of their own.

After a long losing streak, the Liberty steady their season

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor It’s still a long way to go in the WNBA season, but the Liberty have come through a potentially disastrous stretch to stay within reach of the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference. Assessing their playoff chances is premature. The Liberty still has 19 regular season games remaining, 11 of them on the road, after facing the Connecticut Sun last night (Wednesday) at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. They will be away from home again tomorrow night for a matchup with the Atlanta Dream.

The Liberty were four games under .500 at 6-10 and fifth in the six-team East before playing the Sun, who were first in the conference at 12-5. The Liberty are also looking up at the Dream, who were 8-8 after ending a fourgame losing streak on Tuesday by defeating the Dallas Wings

in Atlanta 80-75. The Liberty had a longer string of consecutive losses, dropping seven in a row from May 11 to May 29 after defeating the Sun 81-79 in the season opener.

They were a reeling 1-7, battling injuries and uncertainty under veteran head coach Sandy Brondello, who is in her first year guiding the Liberty. Brondello was formerly the head coach of the Phoenix Mercury from 20142021, leading them to the 2014 WNBA title and two Finals appearances, as well as head coach of the San Antonio Silver Stars in 2010.

So Brondello’s experience on the bench was key to the Liberty persevering through their early struggles.

They were 5-3 in their previous eight games going into Connecticut. They also welcomed back guard Didi Richards, who played her first game on Sunday since May 13 after sitting out over a month with a hamstring injury. She logged 13 minutes off the bench in only her second game this season

in the Liberty’s 81-72 loss to the Seattle Storm at the Barclays Center.

The game marked native New Yorker Sue Bird’s last regular season WNBA game in her home area.

Last week the 41-year-old Syosset (Long Island) native, who played her high school ball at Christ the King in Queens and collegiately at UConn, announced she would be retiring at the conclusion of this season. Bird scored 11 points and had four assists for the Storm.

The 5-foot-9 point guard has authored one of the most accomplished careers in the history of basketball, including winning four WNBA championships, two NCAA championships and five Olympic gold medals. Her individual accolades are stunning.

Bird is a 12-time WNBA All-Star, five-time All-WNBA First Team selection, the WNBA all-time assists leader and the 2002 AP College Player of the Year.

After tomorrow, the Liberty will be off until next Thursday when they host the Dream in Brooklyn.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS S P O R T S

June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022 • 47

Coquese Washington takes the helm of Rutgers women’s basketball (L-R) Rutgers University president Jonathan Hollway; Coquese Washington’s son, Quenton; Coquese Washington; her daughter, Rhaiyna; her husband, Raynell Brown; and Rutgers director of athletics Pat Hobbs (Photos credit: Dustin Satloff/Rutgers Athletics)

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews When legendary coach C. Vivian Stringer announced her retirement after a 50-year coaching career, Rutgers University undertook a national search to find her successor. Three weeks later, Coquese Washington was announced as the new head coach of Scarlet Knights women’s basketball, just the third full-time head coach in the program’s history.

“I’m excited about the challenge

and looking forward to it,” said Washington. “I can’t speak enough about what an honor it is to follow in the footsteps of Coach Stringer and Coach [Theresa] Grentz (Stringer’s predecessor) and what they’ve accomplished and built over the years. I’m the lucky one who gets to be next.

“I can’t believe how blessed and fortunate I am to have this opportunity to walk in here with all of this history, all of the accomplishments,” she added. “It’s a wonderful guide for me in terms of how to

establish a level of excellence that this community is used to for the past 40-plus years.”

As a pro, Washington played two seasons with the New York Liberty and won a WNBA title with the Houston Comets. She began her coaching career in 1999 at her alma mater, Notre Dame, serving as assistant coach and then associate head coach.

From 2007 to 2019, she was head coach at Penn State. The past two years, Washington returned to the Notre Dame coaching staff.

Coquese Washington and men’s basketball coach Steve Pikiell

When Stringer became a head coach, there were not many Black female head coaches in Division I and she has spoken of how lonely she felt. Washington is part of the Women of Color Coaching Network, where members connect and help each other through some of the struggles that are unique to them.

After college and before she entered the WNBA, Washington attended law school at Notre Dame, so she understands guiding her players to see wide horizons. In

addition to being highly competitive on the basketball court, she wants the players to take advantage of the whole university so they don’t simply earn a degree but become highly educated.

“One of the things that we’ll do here at Rutgers is make sure that they understand how many resources there are available and to get outside of the athletic silo and make yourself a part of the Rutgers University community, not just the Rutgers athletic community or the women’s basketball community,”

New policies are being established for transgender athletes

By VINCENT DAVIS Special to the AmNews In what should be an issue of common sense, the determination on transgender athletes competing against men or women has become controversial and divisive.

The International Swimming Federation (FINA) has voted to enact a policy that would restrict transgender women from competing in the top women’s meets; it took effect this past Monday. FINA is looking to establish an “open” group at the elite events for transgender swimmers to compete.

The new policy states that, “Male-to-female transgender athletes will only be eligible to compete in the women’s categories in FINA competitions if they transition before the age of 12 or before they reach stage two on the puberty Tanner Scale.”

The Tanner Scale, developed

by British pediatrician James Tanner in 1969, is a scale of physical development in children, adolescents and adults. It defines physical measurements of development based on their external primary and secondary sex characteristics, such as the size of the breasts, genitals, testicular volume, and development of pubic hair.

The Tanner Scale, also known as the Tanner Stages or the Sexual Maturity Rating (SMR), was a two-decade-long study following the physical changes in girls undergoing puberty.

“This is not saying that people are encouraged to transition by the age of 12. It’s what the scientists are saying, that if you transition after the start of puberty, you have an advantage, which is unfair,” said James Pearce, spokesperson for FINA president Husain Al-Musallam, to the Associated Press.

“They’re not saying everyone should transition by age 11, that’s ridiculous,” Pearce continued.

“You can’t transition by that age in most countries, and hopefully you wouldn’t be encouraged to. Basically, what they’re saying is that it is not feasible for people who have transitioned to compete without having an advantage.”

This past March, Lia Thomas, a transgender woman and swimmer for the University of Pennsylvania, won the 500-yard freestyle event in the NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships, becoming the first openly transgender woman to win a NCAA Division I swimming title.

Elected officials across the country have weighed in on the issue of transgender athletes through legislation. Twelve states, excluding West Virgina, where legislation was blocked, have transgender sports bans.

In March, University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas became the first openly transgender woman to win a NCAA Division I swimming title (Photo credit: pennathletics.com)

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

June 23, 2022 - June 29, 2022 • 48

Sports The tragic loss of Darius Lee is a clarion call for activism

AM NEWS 04/07/22

AM NEWS 01234 AM NEWS AM NE 06/02/22 04/07/22 06/02/ 0 7 0 7 74470 22784 74470 22784 Harlem native Darius Lee, a scholar athlete attending Houston Baptist University, was killed in his native Harlem early Monday morning in a mass shooting (Photo credit: hbuhuskies.com)

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

01154

shooting in the United States this year. Nine “When I got to the hospital,” Byers recalled, people were shot, eight wounded and one “some of his friends were there with their dead, Lee, a star scholar athlete at Hous- shirts drenched in blood from having Darius Say the name Darius Lee. Remember the ton Baptist University who was home for the in their arms. It was sad. This shouldn’t have name Darius Lee. Let the name Darius Lee summer and on track to be awarded a bache- happened to Darius. We lost a special kid.”

AMlor’s NEWS AM NEWS 01164 ring on every corner, in every school, in every degree in December.

AM NEWS barbershop and beauty salon, in every church The New York Police Department had not They don’t want to see us unite 04/14/22 06/09/22 04/14/22 0 a motive for the shooting 7 in New York City. His name is a clarion call for publicly released All they want us to do is keep on fuss74470 22784 activism and drastic reduction of gun violence as of the writing of this story, but as virtually ing and fighting by any reasonable means necessary. always in these incidents the streets are talkThey don’t want to see us live together This is not a time for partisan politics, ing. The cause of the carnage is allegedly the All they want us to do is keep on killing battles between those who advocate for all too common beef between rival gangs. one another progressive bail reform and defunding of Among those emotionally crushed by Lee’s police departments, and on the other side loss is Roosevelt Byers, the head basketball The lyrics sung by Bob Marley on the track factions that campaign for more aggressive coach for the Eagle Academy for Young Men in “Top Rankin’” from the 1979 album AM NEWS AM“SurvivNEWS 01174 policing and harsher penalties for crimes. the Bronx and former coach at St. Raymond’s al” AM ringNEWS profoundly. The “they” to whom the 04/21/22 It is time for the disparate forces to be galhigh school, from where Lee graduated. great singer, humanitarian and06/16/22 philospher 04/21/22 0 7 22784 vanized in the name of Darius Lee and the “When my wife 74470 woke me up and said refers are ambiguous, but today can be inmultitude of other precious casualties.

Darius was shot,” Byers shared with me terpreted as the elements that continue to Lee, a beloved son, brother, friend to on Tuesday, “my mind did not instantly foster death, destruction and the genocide many, exemplary scholar-athlete and shin- make a connection to Darius Lee because I of Black people in communities across the ing light of Harlem, was tragically shot and couldn’t fathom it being him. I know people paradoxically named United States. killed shortly after midnight on Sunday at say about kids ‘he was a great kid,’ but in The list is long.

139th Street and Fifth Avenue, in his native Darius’ case it was the perfect description.

Callous and insidiously ambitious polHarlem. He was pronounced dead at Lin“He was the type of young man every AM NEWS AMsensible NEWS 01184iticians who refuse to support coln Hospital in the Bronx. parent would want their son to be. I mean, gunAMlegislation.

Financial institutions NEWS 04/28/22 06/23/22 The 21-year-old Lee was not the intendan amazing kid. allow credit card purchases of weap04/28/22 0 Darius was with 7me in that 74470at 22784 ed target. He was another innocent victim my basketball program (Dunlevy) Mil- ons and tactical gear amounting to tens of infuriating gun violence that took place at bank since he was nine. I brought him to of thousands of dollars. Merchants of an outdoor social gathering. The 277th mass St. Raymond’s. This really hurts. death that traffic in the transport of il-

legal handguns and assault weapons which flood urban areas. Gang members who are depraved purveyors of disorder and bloodshed, leading to the perpetual slaughter of Black people.

01244for DisAccording to the U.S. Centers AM NE ease Control and Prevention in a report 06/09/ 0 7 published last 22784 month, in 2020, Black 74470 people were four times more likely to be killed by a gun than the overall population, and 12 times more likely than a white person.

The overall firearm homicide rate measured per 100,000 people, increased from 4.6 in 2019 to 6.1 in 2020. However, 01254 among Black people, the rate was 26.6, a AM NE 39.5% increase. For whites it was 2.206/16/ per 0 7 100,000. 74470 Blacks 22784 composed a staggering 62% of the 19,350 homicides by gun.

Darius Lee’s legacy must be a dramatic reawakening in our communities.

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74470 22784

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AM NE 06/23/