New York Amsterdam News Issue July 18-24, 2024

BLACK, PROUD, AND LIVING WITH A DISABILITY

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International News

Afro Uruguayans––between ‘camdombe’ and self-recognition

By JESÚS CHUCHO GARCIA

Special to the AmNews

Translated by

KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff

The Oriental Republic of Uruguay is one of the smallest countries in South America. I have been there twice, at the invitation of the civil rights organization Mundo Afro, which is led by Afro Uruguayan leader Romero Rodríguez.

I recently talked about Uruguay with activist Juan Pedro Machado, another Mundo Afro founder. Juan Pedro is practically Afro Brazilian since he was born in the city of Rivera, which is on Uruguay’s northern border, near the Brazilian border.

The Mundo Afro organization, made up of Romero Rodriguez, Beatriz Ramirez, Miguel Pereira, Luisa Casaste, and Juan Pedro Machado, among others, is working to end the social inequalities and systematic racism that exists not only in Uruguay, but in all of Latin America.

AmNews: What is the population of Uruguay and what percentage of its people are Afrodescendants?

Juan Pedro Machado: According to the 2011 National Census of Population and Housing, which is conducted by the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE/National Statistics Institute), the total population of Uruguay is 3,286,000 (a new census with the same characteristics was conducted in 2023, but the data obtained has not yet been published).

AmNews: How was Afro Uruguayan culture created?

JPM: African contributions are the primary sources of Afro Uruguayan culture. Then there are Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Indigenous components.

The African contributions are the result of a fusion of several African ethnic groups from Angola, Congo, Benin (formerly Dahomey), and present-day Mozambique. The most important influence was our creation of different models of organizations. One of the best known was the Salas de Naciones (literally, Nation Halls), a model that brought together people from regions where cultural factors such as languages, religions, and other practices predominated. These were spaces where religious rituals were carried out, needs were addressed, and solutions were sought for members of the Sala; money was collected to resolve issues such as burials, or to support widows, as well as to serve as resources to buy the freedom of Sala members. Political decisions were also made with these funds: There is a broad consensus among historians that the best-known revolt of enslaved Africans, which took place in 1803, was organized and financed by one of these Salas, the Sala of the Congos.

Afro Uruguayan candombe: a heritage of humanity

Juan Pedro is a member of the Barlovento working group led by Professor Sheila Walker, and as our interviewee said, the Kongo culture was dominant in Uruguay’s organizational structures—its Salas. Uruguay’s major cultural expression is called candombe, and in Angola, there is a people called candombe. The candombe originated during the colonial period, strengthened by Salas de Naciones rituals, which took place during religious and social celebrations.

Candombe and other African religions are the principal cultural expressions of Afro Uruguayans.

Candombe can be interpreted as a cultural fusion featuring the percussion of Afro Uruguayan drums and the dance of em-

blematic figures like Mama Vieja, Gramillero, and Escobero, who are viewed as the archetypes of fundamental African cultural values, such as community and the role of older women, the importance of one’s relationship with nature and medicinal plants, and the energy that flows in living spaces. Words from candombe have an important literary place, particularly in poetry, where they have been musicalized and often sung by candombe groups along with added orchestration.

The best-known examples of candombe are the Comparsas de Candombe, which are presented as a street show through long parades with groups of up to 150 members, including Afro Uruguayan drummers, dancers, and archetypal characters who carry flags with representative group colors and banners, to which are added two elements that recall the presence of Muslim cultural influences—a star and a crescent, presented individually and on long poles that allow the public to see them as an important part of the spectacle.

There are usually parades of drum groups, known as Cuerda de Tambores, made up of the three basic candombe drums: the Chico, which marks the rhythm with its high-pitched sound; Piano, which marks the base of the music with its lowpitched sound; and the Repique drum, which marks various sounds and complements the sounds of the other drums.

Parades of comparsas are called “llamadas,” and constitute a spectacle attended by dozens of comparsas. Candombe’s llamadas, comparsas, and drumming have been popularized throughout the country, among all of Uruguay’s ethnic, cultural, and social groups. This popularization has so secularized candombe expressions that some have broken from their

Candombe can be interpreted as a cultural fusion featuring the percussion of Afro Uruguayan drums and the dance of emblematic figures like Mama Vieja, Gramillero, and Escobero. (Juan P Machado photo)

Mundo Afro co-founder Juan Pedro Machado. (Juan P Machado photo)

A sitdown with Assemblymember-elect Jordan Wright

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff

At this year’s June primary Harlem native Jordan J. G. Wright, 29, scored the coveted 70th Assembly seat to replace longtime Assemblymember Inez Dickens. He sat down with Amsterdam News to talk politics, family legacy, expectations for the general election, and his vision for the future.

Wright arrived last Friday afternoon at the crowded and picturesque NBHD Brulee cafe in Harlem, owned by entrepreneur Duane Chan Shue. Despite the oppressive heatwave in the city, he donned a gray suit and tucked into one of the outside tables. His

mood was light and airy, the portrait of a candidate that has temporarily put down the burden of campaigning for office in New York to celebrate his big win.

The race leading up to the primaries was packed with a wide range of candidates. Wright maintained an early lead once the polls closed on June 25, and ultimately gained 48.27% of the vote, according to the Board of Elections (BOE). His opponents finished as follows: Maria Ordoñez, 29.68%; Shana Harmongoff, 16.81%; and Craig Schley, 4.93%.

Besides being one of the youngest candidates in the race, Wright was a standout most notably because he is the son of Manhattan Democratic Party leader and

former Assemblymember Keith Wright, who represented the 70th Assembly District in Harlem from 1992 to 2016. Wright’s grandfather was State Supreme Court Judge Bruce Wright. He was also fresh off running a successful campaign to get Councilmember Yusef Salaam elected and is Salaam’s chief of staff. Wright had come under fire for his family connections and endorsements from the old guard of Harlem. Dickens, former Congressmember Charles Rangel, as well as District Leaders Wilma Brown and William Allen, and of course his father, all endorsed Wright early. That allowed him to be well-funded and highly publi-

See JORDAN WRIGHT on page 36

Assemblymember-elect Jordan Wright celebrates on primary night after polls close on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

Minority-owned developer makes renovations in Harlem through NYCHA PACT program

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff

New York City public housing advocates have feared privatization and pushouts for years, especially when it comes to developers making repairs to apartments through public-private partnerships with the city.

Still, there’s a hope that smaller, minority-owned companies will make the much-needed improvements to New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) infrastructure with respect to its majority Black and Brown residents.

As part of such efforts, NYCHA’s Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT)/Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program chose Dantes Partners, founded by Buwa Binitie, to repair and renovate developments in Harlem, Washington Heights, and Sugar Hill in 2023. Dantes Partners is an affordable housing developer based in Washington, D.C. Their contract included three buildings along Amsterdam Avenue—Audubon Houses, Bethune Gardens, and Marshall Plaza—with nearly 900 families and seniors in 557 units altogether.

Dantes Partners was joined by the minority-owned firm Apex Building Group.

A large portion of the residents who live in these developments only speak Spanish, so Dantes Partners employed a bilingual tenant liaison to help residents with the process of having massive renovations done in their homes.

“I’m a very helpful person. I wanted to help facilitate communication naturally. I’m all about solutions,” said native Harlemite Robert Sosa, 30, about becoming a liaison. He has lived in Audubon

See NYCHA PACT on page 29

Brooklyn pols pitch in on Hurricane Beryl relief efforts

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff

Hurricane Beryl killed dozens when it hit Jamaica, Grenada, St. Vincent, Union Island, the Grenadines, and parts of the U.S. in early July. Brooklyn electeds, many of whom are from the islands or of Caribbean descent, have joined forces to conduct relief drives for those impacted all this month.

Evacuees from Union Island in Grenadines archipelago arrive in Kingstown, St. Vincent, and Grenadines after island is hit by Hurricane Beryl. (AP Photo/ Lucanus Ollivierre)

“The devastation our Caribbean neighbors have faced in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl cannot be overstated,” said U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke. “With so many communities and countless Caribbean peoples reeling in the wake of this historic storm, the United States has a moral responsibility to secure meaningful humanitarian and disaster response aid for the nations severely struggling at this moment.”

Hurricane Beryl was a Category 5 storm at its zenith—the first of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season and one of the earli-

est Category 5 storms on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It traveled more than 6,000 miles for more than

two weeks, racking up a significant death toll (about 33 in all) as of July 11: 6 people died in Venezuela, 1 in Grenada, 2 on Carriacou Island near Grenada, 6 in St.

Vincent and the Grenadines, 4 in Jamaica; and 11 in Texas, 1 in Louisiana, and 2 in Vermont stateside. It also destroyed buildings, downed trees, and left millions of people across the affected islands and parts of the U.S. without power.

“As co-chair of the House Caribbean Caucus and a leader in this space, I will continue to advocate and fight to promptly deliver emergency relief funding where it is most needed,” continued Clarke. “Lives are on the line, and they cannot afford our inaction.”

Senator Kevin Parker; Assemblymembers Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Brian Cunningham, and Monique Chandler-Waterman; and Councilmembers Farah Louis, Mercedes Narcisse, and Rita Joseph initiated the

NYCHA Audubon Houses in Manhattan. (Ariama C. Long photo)

(Bill Moore photo)

Sen. J.D. Vance is Trump’s “clone” and running mate

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

As the Republican National Convention got underway in Milwaukee on Monday, Trump, his right ear bandaged after an attempt on his life in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, announced that his running mate would be Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, who once defined him as “America’s Hitler,” an “idiot” and “reprehensible.” One of the earliest responses to the selection came from President Biden, calling Vance a Trump “clone.” All along, political pundits speculated that Trump’s choice would be based mainly on the candidate’s loyalty to him and his policies, and Vance meets that criteria and some. Vance, 39, began to change his opinions about Trump after he received the endorsement that quickly separated him from his opponents and put him over the threshold to victory in the 2022 Senate race. Suddenly the man who declared he was a never Trumper was on his way to being a forever Trumper, and the only disagreement between them was on the issue of abortion. Whether Vance will bring anything of importance to Trump’s bid for the White House is debatable. Few vice presidential running mates have historically moved the political needle in a presidential race, and in this case, it may have even less impact since they have so much in common. So, who is Vance and how does he stack up against Vice President Kamala Harris who will likely contest him in debates? He first gained public recognition from his bestselling book “Hillbilly Elegy,” which chronicled his coming of age in middle America, mainly in Kentucky where he was raised by his maternal grandparents. His story is an Horatio

See GOVT on page 27

Mike Brown’s mother continues to seek justice for her son

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff

August 9 will mark the 10-year anniversary of the murder of Mike Brown, the 18-yearold who was shot and killed in Ferguson, Missouri by a white police officer. Brown’s death—along with the murders of 17-yearold Trayvon Martin in 2012, 43-year-old Eric Garner in 2014, and 28-year-old Sandra Bland in 2015––famously galvanized the Black Lives Matter Movement. The apparent arbitrary obliteration of Black people’s lives, with no consequences, stirred community anger and required someone to explain why it happened and deliver some form of punishment.

Yet Lezley McSpadden, Mike Brown’s mother, never got any satisfactory explanations about her son’s death. St. Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch failed to get a grand jury to criminally indict Brown’s killer, Ferguson Police Department officer Darren Wilson. After being put on paid leave and never spending one day in jail, Wilson was able to leave the police department and continue on with his life.

Brown’s mother never got a chance to have her day in court, to speak on the record about her son’s killing. That changed her views about the concepts of law and justice.

Senators seek prosecution for Justice Clarence Thomas

By ASHLEIGH FIELDS Special to the AmNews

Last week, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting an investigation into the actions of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY 14) has also weighed in on the issue, recently filing an impeachment article against the justice yesterday.

“The unchecked corruption crisis on the Supreme Court has now spiraled into a constitutional crisis threatening American democracy writ large,” Ocasio-Cortez said in a press release.

Thomas has admittedly accepted gifts ranging from vacations, free private jet travel, and even a home from benefactors that largely went undisclosed until last year.

“The scale of the potential ethics violations by Justice Thomas, and the willful pattern of disregard for ethics laws, exceeds the conduct of other government officials investigated by the Department of Justice for similar violations,” the two lawmakers wrote in their July 3 letter. “The breadth of the omissions uncovered to date, and the serious possibility of additional tax fraud

and false statement violations by Justice Thomas and his associates, warrant the appointment of a special counsel to investigate this misconduct.”

Watchdogs have continued to discover even more luxurious experiences offered to Thomas by Republican donors like billionaire Harlan Crow that total over $4 million.

Leaders are growing frustrated with the inability to hold justices and others, like the former president, accountable for egregious acts.

“The Senate is not a prosecutorial body, and the Supreme Court has no fact-finding function of its own, making the executive role all the more important if there is ever to be any complete determination of the facts,” the memo said.

Thomas, a staunch conservative, is the longest-serving member of the court, believes he is in compliance with the law.

“Early in my tenure at the court, I sought guidance from my colleagues and others in the judiciary, and was advised that this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the court, was not reportable,” Thomas said last year. “I have endeavored to follow that counsel throughout my tenure, and have always sought to comply with the disclosure guidelines.”

Supporters like Crow have called the gifts forms of “hospitality” and also see nothing wrong with the multi-million-dollar ventures. After the formal request from senators for an investigation, it is now up to the Department of Justice to decide if they will pursue further examination of the claims.

See Brown on page 31

Lezley McSpadden, founder of the Michael O.D. Brown We Love Our Sons & Daughters Foundation, poses with Justin Hansford, director of the Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center. (Justin Hansford)

Senator Vance official portrait. (Photo courtesy of the 118th Congress )

Senators request investigation of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas who they believe should face legal consequences for the acceptance of gifts, vacations, and travel from known benefactors (Courtesy Photo/Supreme Court of the United States)

Written: Black fantasy authors

KaJuan Smith and Maurice Myers

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff

KaJuan Smith and Maurice Myers, longtime friends and business partners, are the dynamic duo behind a newly released Black fantasy novel.

The book, entitled “Finders Keepers: The age of Apophis,” was published through the team’s indie entertainment and professional development company, Eyeconic Enterprises. It’s the first of an intended three-part series featuring a pair of brothers based on themselves, their family members, and their experiences growing up as Black men, superimposed onto a mythic and ancient Egyptian backdrop.

“In a nutshell, it is about ascending to be the best version of yourself, and I think everyone can relate to that,” said Smith about the book’s plot.

Smith and Myers both live in New York City, Smith originally from New Castle, Dela., and Myers hailing from the Bronx. In real life, the pair met in college at Lincoln University, an HBCU in Pennsylvania. They both matriculated from there and decided to live together in Delaware, teaching in schools and working on music and entertainment projects. They eventually moved to Atlanta, where they

founded their entertainment company.

Smith is an accomplished DJ with an unparalleled love for music and writing. He is also a sociologist and psychologist. For Myers, who earned a degree in mass communications, specializing in broadcast journalism, “Finders Keepers” is his second book; his first was a book of poetry called “The Experiment.”

“Going through that process with him was the first time that we were able to actualize it for ourselves—[that] we could write novels,” said Myers. “That was something that was on both our bucket lists, even though [neither] of us thought that we could be an author. It started off as a passion project.”

Despite fear of failure and taking different life paths, the pair remained close and determined to see the book come to fruition.

They said the whole work took about eight years to complete. It came to more than 1,000 pages. To get the book released, they had to divide the saga into sections.

They held their most recent book signing for the first edition (124 pages) at the Schomburg Center for Research in Harlem this past Saturday, which was well-attended by family, friends, and supporters. The paperback book is available on their website (www.eyeconicent.com) and on Amazon.

THE URBAN AGENDA

By David R. Jones, Esq

Harlem Activists Aim to Tap The Brakes On Columbia Expansion

Columbia University’s expansion into West Harlem is under fire – and rightfully so –because the ugly side of gentrification has rapidly forced out businesses and low-income people of color in the name of progress. The grassroots protests in Harlem against the “land grab” raise thorny questions about whose interests were really served in the seizure of properties through eminent domain.

The plain fact is that Columbia’s 17-acre expansion has dramatically changed the neighborhood’s demographics and disproportionately inflicted economic hardship on low-income Black and Latinx Harlemites. In return, Columbia has failed to release but a fraction of the $76 million in “community benefits” grants and other inkind assistance brokered by former Mayor Michael Bloomberg to appease protests ahead of construction of the Manhattanville campus.

Columbia has released a statement stating that the Manhattanville project has “benefitted from the strong support” of elected officials and residents. “We are exceedingly proud of the successes of this project to date and grateful for these partnerships,” the statement said, emphasizing employment, affordable housing and economic opportunities.

The demographic changes in West Harlem have been dramatic. Community District 9, which encompasses West Harlem, has lost about 14 percent of its Black population (3,800 residents) and 10 percent of its Latinx population (4,500 residents) between the 2010 and 2020 censuses, according to an analysis by my organization, the Community Service Society of New York. The exodus was followed by an influx of Asian and White residents with incomes above $200,000 moving into the district, the study found. In addition, there was a nearly 6,000-unit decline in rent-controlled apartments in 2022 and high eviction rates in 2017 in the part of Harlem near the campus expansion.

Harlem State Senator Cordell Cleare has proposed legislation that would give the protests teeth. It would immediately halt Columbia’s expansion by repealing its West Harlem development plan, which among other things gave state authorization in 2008 to use eminent domain to acquire and develop “blighted” properties. Senator Cleare has said the repeal would be a formal step toward revoking Columbia’s acquisition of some West Harlem real estate.

I take no joy in asking this question, but ask it we must, because Harlem deserves an answer: Is there proof that one of the nation’s best-known Ivy League college’s motives for expanding its campus was less than pure? Clear-cut evidence of racial animus on the part of Columbia could give legs to the community’s concerns.

According to a Feb. 2024 letter to Columbia University from the NY Interfaith Commission for Housing Equality, the expansion was tainted from the start by discriminatory motives by the school. In 1945, the letter asserts, Murray Butler, former president of Columbia University, publicly warned of the “dangers from the north” and “urged the university to purchase as many East Harlem properties as possible” to block Black and Latinx residents from migrating toward the main Morningside Heights campus.

In 2002, former university President Lee Bollinger called for the campus expansion in his inaugural address, triggering years of aggressive push back in Harlem. Phase 1 of the construction, The Forum, opened in 2018. The next year, the Jerome L. Greene Science Center and the Lenfest Center for the Arts opened, and David Geffen and Henry R. Kravis Halls — now home to the Business School — opened in early 2022. Phase 2 of the expansion, set to open in 2030, would push the campus to 134th Street between Broadway and 12th Avenue. The move into that section of uptown has activists voicing concerns about gentrification befalling Washington Heights.

Senator Cleare’s legislation and the Interfaith Commission’s letter represent an attempt to follow the script created by Black activists in Manhattan Beach, California. Last year, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a landmark law that returned a picturesque stretch of shoreline to the Black family whose property was seized by eminent domain in 1924. That case has sparked a national conversation about reversing discriminatory use of eminent domain powers.

The activists’ strategy – filing lawsuits, providing evidence of past discrimination and pressuring legislatures to take actions that clear the way – has drawn the attention of housing and civil rights advocates. Similar cases are in the early fact-gathering stages in Minneapolis, Cleveland, Seattle and Boston. They are motivated by the condition of Black Americans, who are far less likely than Whites to own land, homes and the generational wealth that goes with them. It’s a situation that has shown little sign of improvement.

Columbia’s West Harlem expansion may be difficult to press to a conclusion like the case in California, where the family was attacked by the Ku Klux Klan and local officials used eminent domain as a last resort to kick them out. However, Columbia’s politically powerful and astute board must understand the reputational risk they face.

Harlem activists must continue to press forward. They have leverage to force change in Columbia’s development plans. The last thing the university wants is its name at the forefront of a new, national racial reckoning about how to correct past real-estate development wrongs.

Local authors Maurice Myers (left) and Kajuan Smith (right) at book signing at Schomburg Center for Research in Harlem on Saturday, July 13, 2024. (Ariama C. Long photos)

Local authors present their book on stage and read excerpts.

Black, proud, and living with a disability in July

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

Disability Pride Month in July now represents self-love and validation for Dustin Jones, but it took discovering his strength through advocacy and witnessing other people with disabilities living “amazing” lives to get there.

Initially, he was unhappy with himself after sustaining injuries 13 years ago. At the time, Jones knew nothing about disability pride and wasn’t connected to the pride community. Meanwhile, environmental racism made navigating a dilapidated Jamaica Avenue difficult in a hospital wheelchair for the Southeast Queens resident. He made complaints, but the conditions persisted.

“I feel like there aren’t enough resources naturally for young Black men to make them feel positive about themselves,” said Jones. “It’s double time when you’re a person who is Black with a disability.”

Ultimately, he reached out to the civil rights group Disabled In Action for assistance. The helping hand they provided soon became open arms and Jones got involved in disability rights.

“I fell in love with it,” he said. Today, Jones is a board member for the Center For Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY) and runs his own organization, United for Equal Access New York, which fights for disability rights on rideshare services.

Then-Mayor Bill de Blasio designated

July as Disability Pride Month back in 2015, which marked the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) passing Congress. About 11% of New York City’s population lives with a disability.

Commissioner Christina Curry of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) cut her teeth in the nonprofit sector through the Harlem Independent Living Center before her appointment. She said accessibility victories during her time uptown were broad victories for the public, even though many are hidden from plain sight throughout 125th Street and neighboring streets, such as ramps used by parents pushing strollers to curb cuts, the sidewalk dips that allow wheels to roll onto a crosswalk.

“If you make it accessible for the community, you make it accessible for all,” said Curry. “The [Accessible Pedestrian Signals are] not just for people with no [or] low vision. Now it’s for others, too—I can cross the street safely if I’m visiting from another country and can’t figure out how Americans are driving…Curb cuts make it accessible for all—if you’re dragging your suitcase with you, trying to find those two or three hotels in Harlem, [it] makes it easier if you can go down the curb cut.”

While CIDNY executive director Dr. Sharon McLennon-Wier agreed that disability rights serve universal public interest, she also believes race plays a crucial role within advocacy. In quick succession, she listed seven core issues: physical health, mental health, housing, education,

employment, transportation, and voting.

“These are the seven critical areas of life that we all have to deal with,” said McLennon-Wier. “Now, if you are disabled and Black, and also have other [intersections] of gender, sexual orientation, etc., those seven outcomes are going to be a lot less [difficult] for you. There’s been some changes since 1990, but the fact of the matter is that [for] a long time, slavery impacted people of color here in the United States and having a disability on top of that further exacerbates the disparity that you see within those seven outcomes that are life-changing.

“As disability organizations and advocates, we are striving for the greater good of the population. However, we do recognize that there are many, many disparities [in] outcomes and achievement based on race.”

She pointed to employment as a key issue, mentioning a pay gap that she faces as a counseling psychologist compared to white people in her field who live with the same disability. McLennon-Wier also said that her credentials are sometimes challenged due to her identity.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Labor found over a 10% unemployment rate among Black people with disabilities—the highest of any group. Black people with disabilities also register the lowest labor force participation rate, at roughly 32%. The national average for people with disabilities is at around 40%.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done, in the sense of having pay equity for different careers, making sure that those

that are able to work, however much they can work—maybe full-time, maybe parttime—should still work within dignity,” said McLennon-Wier. “They should still get a living wage based on the level of performance, credentials, and experience.”

Curry said an $8.8 million investment last year toward career advancement for people with disabilities is a key solution. The goal is to assist them in living independently and serve as a pathway to reducing historical racial disparities in employment among people with disabilities.

“The initiative that [Mayor Eric Adams] has charged MOPD with [is] working with 2,500 people who self-identify as disabled in connecting them to real jobs [and] real careers,” said Curry. “The reason why we stress ‘real’ is because historically, those who were disabled were shunted off. [A] résumé could say that you should have been working in NASA and now you’re showing up at an agency where they put you in the mailroom.”

While New York City observes its eighth official Disability Pride Month, federal recognition eludes the occasion. In fact, rollout remains a work in progress. California only officially designated July as Disability Pride Month statewide a week ago. The City of Detroit hosted its first official Disability Pride celebration this month. Nationwide, though, Black-led efforts predate any government mandate.

See DISABILITY PRIDE continued on next page

Dr. Sharon McLennon-Wier (center) leads a CIDNY protest at Foley Square. (Photo courtesy of CIDNY)

“Being in America, I personally have experienced racism, especially from my peers during my school years and being disabled on top of it,” said Detroit-based activist Tameka Citchen-Spruce. “My interactions with certain people haven’t always been positive because I have experienced racism and ableism. It makes a weird paradox, dealing with [it]. Based on how people treat me, is it because of race or is [it] because of a disability?”

The National Black Disability Coalition member said she often showcases her advocacy through storytelling as a filmmaker, such as her documentary “My Girl Story,” which examines Black girlhood while living with a disability. She sees such stories as crucial. After all, disability rights often lurk within Black history for prominent figures like Harriet Tubman.

“I urge people to accept themselves, love themselves, to be proud of themselves as disabled people, but then also as Black people, Because wonderful ancestors paved the way for us in Black spaces and [also] disability spaces,” said Citchen-Spruce.

“[Those who] were Black at this table, like Brad Lomax, Johnnie Lacy, and Dennis Billups—these people fought [for] the Rehabilitation Act, which helped push the ADA.”

Back in 1973, the passage of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act provided formative federal disability rights protections, but an incomplete rollout three years later led to a sit-in protest in San Francisco. Figures such as the Black Panther Lomax participated, but such contributions are often

lost to time unless others recount them.

Here in New York City, the Disability Pride Parade originally lined up with Disability Pride Month until the pandemic shutdown. After the COVID-19–related hiatus, the event now returns each October to mark National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Jones lamented the shift, likening the pre-pandemic parade to a family reunion for people with disabilities. A spokesperson from City Hall said the decision occurred due to heat concerns.

While the parade now occurs in the fall, July remains a busy time for disability pride. Events in Central Park and Brooklyn Borough Hall celebrated the occasion last week. As Curry said, Disability Pride Month means an opportunity to engage with the public through events and introducing resources to New Yorkers. But what about on a personal level?

“Just being there as a disabled person with a hearing loss, it’s a great time for me to see people within the deaf community,” Curry said. “Chatting and talking to people that I know from Harlem and Northern Manhattan—it’s just a good time to be out there while I’m sweating heavily.”

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

On the left, Dustin Jones, disability rights advocate. (Photo courtesy of CIDNY)

Go With The Flo

Beyoncé dressed to the nines in an all-white pantsuit and matching cowboy hat when she did a surprise in-store appearance last week at Innersleeve Records in the Hamptons village of Amagansett to promote her “Country Carter” album. The megastar signed copies of the album cover for her elated fans. The visit was part of her Record Store tour. In addition to the Hamptons, Queen Bey will be making stops in Austin, Texas, her hometown of Houston, Texas and Atlanta, Georgia. There was chatter flying around last week that the 32-time Grammy award winner had plans to do a residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas. However, the New York Post reported that the talks fell apart because the venue didn’t want to close for two weeks for Beyoncé to rehearse. Now, tongues are wagging that she is reportedly talking to the MGM Grand to do a residency there of 100 shows over four years........

The fourth annual Kool Kids Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament took place on July 16 at the Cedar Hill Golf & Country Club in Livingston, New Jersey. The Kool Kids Foundation was created by Robert “Kool” Bell, co-founder/ leader of the Grammy winning, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Kool & The Gang, and his late wife, Sakinah Bell. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the foundation’s goal is to support music education in schools and communities across the country. Last year, the Kool Kids Foundation awarded grants to schools and youth marching bands to help further music education. “We are instrumentally influencing children to find their rhythm and melody in music and life so we can all live in harmony,” said Robert Bell....... Philanthropist and author Jean Shafiroff hosted her Annual Bastille Day Luncheon at the elegant Maison Barnes restaurant in New York City. The luncheon was held in honor of the French Heritage Society, a charity on whose board Shafiroff has served since 2012. This year, the luncheon was attended by 56 distinguished guests including three fashion designers of color, B Michael, Frederick Anderson and Ese Azenabor, additional designers Victor de Souza, Nicole Miller and Taiwan Ambassador Malan Breton. A regular on best dressed lists, Shafiroff began the luncheon wearing a dress by Oscar de la Renta, then changed into a flowing pajama pantsuit by Alexander McQueen. Other guests who attended included Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia and NYS Assembly member Rebecca Seawright......... Grammy winner Stephanie Mills has returned to Broadway as Hermes in “Hadestown.” The eight-time Tony Award winning musical, which also stars Phillip Boykin as Hades and Jordan Fisher as Orpheus, continues to be in performances at the Walter Kerr Theatre on W. 48th Street in New York. Celebrating five epic years, “Hadestown” intertwines two mythical tales: young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and Queen Persephone.....

Black New Yorkers trace their roots at Consulate General of Nigeria in New York

Dr. Gina Paige, co-founder of African Ancestry, Inc., is tracing African lineages using DNA to help Black people in the diaspora find their roots. In tracing lineages from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, and the east coast of Africa, Paige recent-

ly came to the Consulate General of Nigeria in New York to share her findings. She was hosted by Ambassador Abubakar Jidda, Cultural Ambassador Joyce Adewumi, and NYC Commissioner of Youth Keith Howard. The event featured opening remarks from William Conley and Tracy Garcia and performances by Life Camp Drummers and the Healing Drum Collective. Paige used her DNA kit to test some of the people who came to the consulate.

ANTHONY

(Bill Moore photos)

A birthday salute and a ‘way’ for David N. Dinkins

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

Last Wednesday (July 10), Councilmember Shaun Abreu and the David Dinkins family invited dignitaries and community leaders to Riverside Church to celebrate what would have been the 97th birthday of the city’s first Black mayor. As the world knows, Dinkins joined the ancestors in 2020 after distinguishing himself in a variety of services to the nation. Those memorable moments were invoked by a coterie of relatives, colleagues, and close associates.

The actual renaming of the street at the intersection of 125th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue to David N. Dinkins Way occurred earlier, but his birthday was another tribute to his historic contributions to the city. One table near the podium, where Robin BellStevens emceed the event, was emblematic of Dinkins’s power and renown: former Rep. Charles Rangel, the Honorable Hazel Dukes, former Governor David Paterson, and Harlem’s political icon Assemblywoman Inez Dickens—were often saluted and given several rounds of applause.

“I thank you so much for allowing me to share my memories of your father with this role in this room of amazing people, of leaders and friends and mentors whose shoulders I stand on,” said Mayor Eric Adams, summarizing what others had said earlier. He recounted how children had told him that Dinkins had allowed them to come inside and experience what it was like to govern the city. “I just love him so much...his picture is on my desk,” Adams concluded.

“My grandad loved the city,” Jamaal Hoggard said of Dinkins. “More importantly, he

loved the people who make the city.”

Attorney General Letitia James, City Council President Adrienne Adams, and Abreu were among the speakers, all of whom extended their gratitude to a man who always hoped he had left nothing in arrears on his departure. Some of his majesty and hallmarks were captured in a proclamation read by Keisha Sutton-James, the granddaughter of Percy E. Sutton, one of the legendary Gang of Four iof Rangel, Basil Paterson, and—of course—Dinkins.

Attorney General Letitia James

Hon. Shaun Abreu

Mayor Eric Adams (Bill Moore photos)

Attendants gathered at Riverside Church to take part in the celebration of Former Mayor David Dinkins's 97th birthday party.

David Dinkins Jr.

Rep. Charles Rangel and NAACP's Hazel Dukes

Union Matters

At Bronx’s Montefiore, doctors want a new contract

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Special to the AmNews

The Bronx’s Montefiore Medical Center was the scene of a rally by its resident physicians on Wednesday, July 10. The center’s doctors, members of the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR/SEIU), say they want a fair contract but have not been able to negotiate one with management.

Residents began negotiating a new contract last August but say their union has not been able to come to an agreement with management.

Twelve hundred of Montefiore’s residents voted to become part of CIR/SEIU in February 2023. They are fighting for cost-of-living raises, housing benefits, adequate staffing, childcare allowances, and the establishment of a patient-care trust fund so that equipment, educational materials, and community health programs for its Bronx-based patients can be financed. For its part, “Montefiore is deeply en-

gaged in our current conversations with the Committee of Interns and Residents and we are committed to creating an agreement that honors the hard work of our house officers in a manner that is sustainable going forward,” the hospital center said in a prepared statement.

But Montefiore appears to be more interested in widening its customer base with potential patients from outside of the Bronx, said Dr. John McCarthy, a Montefiore resident physician in social pediatrics: “I see them on TV. I see them in Hudson Yards. I see their billboards out by a town called Sugarloaf––which is exactly as far away from here as it sounds. And we’re just moving into these wealthier, whiter communities with higher rates of private insurance.

“We see increases in advertising budgets, which [have] quadrupled over the course of like five years. We’ve seen CEO pay go up some 50% and residents didn’t even get a standard raise last year. And throughout all this expansion into wealthier communities,

we have seen the closure and the restriction of care services provided within the Bronx …”

CIR/SEIU say because of understaffing, Montefiore residents are working 80 hours a week and sometimes treating patients in the hallways.

Dr. Clara Bertozzi told the rally: “We deserve financial resources to advance our goals for patient care. And we deserve an administration that will not outright dismiss our proposal for a strong commitment to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion among our trainees and faculty.

…What my colleagues and I know is that our patients feel more empowered and receive better care from providers who they feel represented by and I have colleagues who can speak to their patients in Spanish, and French, and Bengali, and Wolof, and Hindi, and Haitian Creole, and Mandarin, and Arabic. I have colleagues who [were] born at Weiler Hospital, and who grew up right here in the Bronx.”

The hospital center won’t agree to the es-

tablishment of a patient care fund, another point that rankles union members

“I mean, how do you deny a patient care fund to a group of doctors and all they want to do is provide better care for our patients who are marginalized, who are people of color, who are people without insurance, who are people who are underinsured, who are people on Medicaid, people on Medicare, people with zip codes with the worst health statistics in the state,” asked Judy SheridanGonzalez, president of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) which supports the Montefiore residents. “And yet you’re opening up clinics in Hudson Yards where there’s no need for that. You’re opening up other hospitals elsewhere outside of the state, other lucrative practices. But what happens to the patients who are your backbone, the patients who are your community here in the Bronx? Those patients are neglected.”

CIR/SEIU say the doctors’ next bargaining session with Montefiore will take place within two weeks.

CIR/SEIU members at the Earth Church in the East Village. (Brittainy Newman photo)

Extreme heat causes Third Ave Bridge to stay stuck open

By MAL’AKIY 17 ALLAH Special to the AmNews

Monday afternoon’s extreme high temperatures caused the Third Avenue Bridge, which connects Manhattan and the Bronx, to malfunction and stay stuck open for several hours, leaving many motorists stranded for a while and forcing them to take alternative routes.

The mishap began at about 2 p.m. and snarled traffic in the South Bronx for a couple of hours.

The swing drawbridge goes over the Harlem River and provides one-way travel from the Bronx into East Harlem.

It also pivots open and remains parallel to the roadways to allow passage for large marine vessels.

As of Monday afternoon, the metal locking devices had expanded due to the extreme temperatures and wouldn’t line up with the base of the bridge on the land. This caused a malfunction and prevented the bridge from being secured for safe tran-

sit. Traffic had to be rerouted to the nearby Madison Avenue Bridge and the TriBoro Bridge.

“It usually takes me 10 to 15 minutes to make this trip,” said one motorist. “I was stuck in traffic for almost two hours.”

The bridge remained locked in the open position as New York Department of Transportation (DOT) officials sought solutions. Two fire boats from the Marine Unit of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) arrived quickly and sprayed the bridge’s hydraulics system and its connecting portions with water in an attempt to cool the steel structure so the linking parts could contract.

Three and a half hours later, at about 6:30 p.m., the working parts had cooled off enough to link back together in a synchronized manner so the bridge could be reopened safely for vehicular traffic. A DOT spokesperson said the incident is a natural occurrence for movable bridges on hot days due to steel expansion.

Have a healthy and fulfilling sex life. Care is available for people of all gender identities, sexual orientations, and immigration statuses:

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Information and resources

Low to no cost care is available at many facilities, including all City-run sites.

Newly built high rises and 3rd Avenue Bridge over Harlem River in Port Morris, Bronx, New York (Bebo2good1 Creative Commons photo)

The raging uncivil war

Ever since white nationalists took the streets with tiki torches in Charlottesville in 2017 and the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, there have been serious concerns about the possibility of a second civil war in America. As cataclysmic as such a conflict would be, it obscures the extent to which an uncivil war has been tearing the nation apart all along.

By an uncivil war, we mean the widespread disregard that too many Americans have for other citizens, as well as the disrespect, the insults, and the outright hostility that often accompanies the slights and nasty derogatory putdowns.

These are the kinds of behaviors that trigger violent reactions, but we don’t believe any of these conditions are enough to provoke a people to rise up en masse against one another. At least that is our hope.

Some of the issues that sparked the former contest between the Blue and the Gray is missing one pertinent ingredient—slavery. Yes, white supremacy, racism, and oppression remain as constant and debilitating as ever, and the nation is as divided as it was in the 1860s. And, yes, “states rights” continue to nag at our democratic freedoms. But to date, there is no armed and united Confederacy or any of the states threatening to secede.

Thoughts of a second civil war arose again with the recent assassination attempt on Trump and it was interesting to hear the chorus of leaders declaring “This is not who we are, America!” in their attempt to play down the incident. Years ago, the revolutionary Black activist H. Rap Brown summed up the past and current situation

very well, noting that “violence is as American as cherry pie.” Rev. Bernice King echoed this, commenting on “this is not who we are.” “My father was assassinated in this nation, gunned down on a motel balcony in Memphis, where he was engaged as a nonviolent warrior for nondiscriminatory, humane wages. He was killed for working to end racism, poverty, and militarism, which he called the Triple Evils, and which are all still perpetuated both in policy and practice by the United States of America. This is not who we should be. With that honest statement about our culture of violence, political and otherwise, we can rise up to eradicate injustice and violence, and reform our rhetoric.”

Reforming the rhetoric, tamping down the troubling dischords is a meaningful and necessary step toward achieving some of Dr. King’s goals and what Abe Lincoln said years ago: “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on the finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

To honor and uphold these words of wisdom would put an end to an incipient civil war and mollify the extremisms of uncivil behavior.

In last week's paper we ran a logo with Keith Boykin's column "Time for Democrats to Get Off Defense" that incorrectly identified a sponsor for the column, we regret the error.

Empowering NYC parents: Going beyond grades for student success

By NATASHA QUIROGA

New York City’s public schools continue to face big changes and challenges this year, from integrating a large number of new migrant students to dealing with global tensions, with little consensus on solutions. Yet one thing unites us: the importance of ensuring every child can read and do math at grade level. This foundation in learning sets them up for success in high school, college, and their future careers.

Unfortunately, too many New York City parents may be under the mistaken impression that their children are on track academically. According to a poll from the national nonprofit, Learning Heroes, nearly nine in 10 New York City parents believe their child is reading and doing math at or above grade level—yet only half actually are.

This disconnect is in large part due to an overreliance on grades as 80% of parents report their child receives mostly B’s or better. While grades are important, they are one piece of a larger picture. Grades typically reflect more than just skills development and mastery. They also include attendance, participation, and effort. Without a clear and full picture of their progress in math and reading, kids may not get the support they need.

Elinor

R. Tatum: Publisher and Editor in Chief

Damaso Reyes: Executive & Investigative Editor

Kristin Fayne-Mulroy: Managing Editor

Aaron Foley: News Editor

Cyril Josh Barker: Digital Editor

Siobhan "Sam" Bennett:

Chief Revenue Officer and Head of Advertising

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

That’s why InsideSchools has joined Learning Heroes for “Go Beyond Grades,” a campaign to raise awareness about these disparities and empower parents and guardians to take action. With a comprehensive website with free resources, tools, and videos in English and Spanish, we aim to equip families with the information they want and need. Parents don’t have to be math or reading experts to advocate for their children. They can start by asking the teacher about what and how their child is achieving, whether they are on grade level, and ways to support learning at home.

It’s also crucial for parents to understand their child’s reading progress due to changes in read-

ing instruction. As discussed in our spring webinar, Reading Reform in NYC: Teaching Kids, Empowering Parents, Supporting Teachers, all elementary schools are in the process of implementing new evidence-based reading curricula. Effectiveness with a new reading program will vary due to the teacher’s experience and the quality of training they receive. Parents can enroll their kids in free quality summer programs that offer a mix of fun activities and academic instruction or enrichment. Families can search our list of free programs and filter by grade level, subject and address. While some programs may be full, public libraries across the city host a wide range of drop-in activities, from story times and chess, to zine-making and hands-on STEAM projects.

New York City is increasingly promoting math, literacy and life skills where kids are— in parks, on playgrounds, and even in local business. New “Reading Hubs” offer book areas in barbershops and other spots in communities across the city. NYC Parks hosts Kids in Motion on playgrounds, where parks staff lead sports, games, fitness demos, board games, and water games. Informal learning, such as exploring a museum, can also be valuable for a child’s development. Parents can make a list of places to see this summer: American Museum of Natural History in

Manhattan; the Bronx Zoo; Liberty Science Center across the Hudson in New Jersey; the New York Aquarium in Brooklyn’s Coney Island, or the Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens. Find details and free entry days at NYC-ARTS.

There are also resources to encourage learning at home. The InsideSchools Parents’ Guide to Math and Science offers advice on boosting skills for children in kindergarten through 5th grade. Families can play with blocks, puzzles, and board games to improve vocabulary and math skills, introducing words like “between,” “under,” “shorter,” “longer” that help little kids grasp spatial relations and problem-solving. New York City Public Schools provide families with literacy and math activities for all ages on their website. Another Go Beyond Grades partner, Understood, offers parent-friendly tools to support children with learning differences.

It’s important that every NYC parent has a clear understanding of where their child excels and where they need additional support. Let’s come together as a community to tackle something we can all agree on—making sure our kids are learning and on grade level.

Natasha Quiroga is Director of Education Policy and InsideSchools at the New School’s Center for New York City Affairs.

Natasha Quiroga (Photo courtesy of Natasha Quiroga)

Why Trump’s Georgia election interference case should have gotten the Bragg treatment

By ROBERT S. WEINER and OLIVIA ARDITO

Donald Trump’s Georgia election interference case should have gotten the Alvin Bragg treatment. Bragg “ran through the tape”—to use the track meet and road race analogy—and would not be delayed or denied. If Georgia prosecutors acted like Bragg, Trump would have actually sat on trial more than once.

On May 30, 2024, Donald Trump became the first U.S. president to be convicted of a felony. In an unprecedented verdict, he was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up hush-money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. This is the first of four trials for the former president, and the only one not related to his presidential activities. The other three trials involve electoral interference, anti-American resurrection, and careless handling of classified presidential information. These three trials have been indefinitely delayed, meaning that, despite their relation to presidential electoral fairness, they will not affect his campaign.

The great discrepancies in the efficiency of Trump’s cases warrant the question of why N.Y. District Attorney Alvin Bragg was able to bring Trump’s charges to trial and the other attorneys have not. Ultimately, it comes down to Bragg not tolerating Trump’s blatant efforts to push his court appearances until after the fall election. If Georgia courts had the same no-nonsense attitude, Trump would have more felony convictions by now. Here’s why.

To accomplish the goal of ensuring that justice is served before the next presidential election, Trump’s Georgia election interference trial should have been prioritized above his other charges because D.A. Fani Willis has the most damning evidence against him: a recorded phone call of Trump pressuring Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “find” 11,780 votes so he could win the state of Georgia. Willis has a clip of Trump flagrantly asking Raffensperger to falsify the 2020 election.

Willis’s case is strengthened by one of Trump’s charges being a violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO). RICO allows Willis to group all of Trump’s crimes together by saying they help identify a “single corrupt enterprise.” Willis also has eight Republicans who pretended to be state electors on her side under the protection of an immunity deal. Willis carefully crafted a strong case

against the former president.

The Georgia case, like the classified documents and federal election interference cases, has been delayed indefinitely because Trump continues to object to minuscule, irrelevant details to avoid facing consequences for his actions. The actors involved in these three cases indulge in what The Hill describes as Trump’s favorite tactic while in office and on trial: delay, delay, delay.

Trump first claimed that DA Willis’s romantic relationship with a special prosecutor in her office should disqualify her from prosecuting the case. That situation was resolved in Willis’s favor, but the case was delayed for the first time. Later, Trump filed a notice of appeal against this decision.

On June 5, the Georgia Appeals Court continued permitting his insolence and indefinitely halted the trial to review Willis’s legitimacy on the case, yet again despite prior findings and the removal of her partner from the case. Considering how powerful Willis’s case is, it’s no wonder Trump has resorted to such desperate measures. His strategy is not only completely obvious, but incredibly childish and disrespectful to the American justice system.

Bragg stands out from the crowd because he has not tolerated Trump’s immature behavior to avoid justice. When Trump tried to delay his hushmoney trial by giving N.Y. state prosecutors around 140,000 irrelevant documents to review, Bragg called his bluff by saying the documents were a red herring and declaring that “enough is enough. These tactics by the defendant and defense counsel should be stopped.” By putting his foot down, Bragg ensured that Trump actually sat trial in a relatively timely manner.

All relevant parties in his other three cases have neglected to act as boldly as Bragg and continue playing into Trump’s games. This is especially true

for the Georgia case. Because the Georgia court system continues to play into his foolish antics, Trump has thrown a temper tantrum, been rewarded for his bad behavior, and succeeded in his goal of having his criminal trials occur after the 2024 election. If Georgia courts had acted like New York’s and prioritized justice, Trump would have been sitting on trial in Georgia by now and the decision would justly affect his presidential campaign.

A decision in the Georgia election interference case would definitely affect the campaign. Willis is undeniably doing important and fearless work by going after Trump in the first place, especially considering she is a young Black woman; Bragg is already being called a politically biased fameseeker in the Washington Post. However, the Georgia court system should have given Trump the Bragg treatment to ensure the case would occur before November.

If Trump wins the presidency, it is safe to assume that he will block the cases from ever going further, and it would be extremely difficult for judicial systems to proceed with felony charges against an active president. While most legal experts say that the president cannot self-pardon, it is highly probable that he would attempt to use friendly courts and justices to shift the laws in his favor.

With either outcome, justice fails to prevail.

Robert Weiner was a spokesperson in the Clinton and George W. Bush White Houses; communications director of the House Government Operations Committee; and senior aide to Congressmembers John Conyers and Charles Rangel, Reps. Claude Pepper and Ed Koch, Sen. Ted Kennedy, and Drug Czar Barry McCaffrey.

Olivia Ardito is a policy analyst, research coordinator, and op-ed writer working at Robert Weiner Associates News and Solutions for Change.

International Self-Care Day

International Self-Care Day is swiftly approaching. The date of July 24 was chosen as a subtle nod for us to remember to take care of ourselves seven days a week, 24 hours each day.

Self-care is something I have gotten much better at over the years. I am by no means perfect, but I am definitely getting better at taking time out for myself to rest, to read, to relax, and sometimes to just do absolutely nothing.

When I think about self care, I focus on nourishing my mind, body, and spirit. I absolutely love to practice self-care by reading a page-turning novel or rereading an old book that makes me feel good. I also go on long walks in the park to look at birds, hug trees, and get my steps in. Some people like to go for a long run and work up a sweat, or bike for miles on end—that’s not my personal preference, but so many of my friends find true joy in running or biking to observe life passing them by.

As for my spirit, even though I am not consistent with it, meditating each morning or at the close of the day truly centers me. Dedicating time for quiet in our busy lives is a way to remain dedicated to spiritual self-care. Making time for selfcare helps us strengthen our mental health as well. July is also Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. With so many stories of police brutality, micro aggres -

sions, overt racism, and the sharp rightward turn of our national political scene, the stresses of daily life directly affect our mental health. For many, there is a tendency to go through life like an Energizer Bunny. For some, the financial burdens of life can make molehills feel like mountains. The real-world pressures of having enough money contribute to physical health effects as well as mental health effects. It is imperative that we take time, even if only a few minutes each day, to slow down, take stock of priorities, and focus on all of the ways we can strengthen our minds, bodies, and spirits, so we can have the energy to do what we desire in life.

For this International Self-Care Day, there are a myriad of activities for you to take part in. You can spend time in nature, you can treat yourself to a little pampering at a spa, or you can just put your phone down for a few extra minutes and be present in your own life. I know so many of us are tethered to our phones, but we must remember the times when we were productive and happy without being connected to the internet 24 hours each day.

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

CHRISTINA GREER, PH.D.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Caribbean Update

Caribbean nations hike golden passport, citizenship fees

By BERT WILKINSON Special to the AmNews

The European Union (EU), Canada, and the U.S. have been pushing Caribbean governments to improve due diligence systems for foreigners buying into a scheme to obtain passports and local citizenship, worried that too many dubious characters had escaped detection.

The western nations had threatened to take away visa free-entry rights of citizens from Dominica, St. Kitts, Antigua, St. Lucia, and Grenada if the investigatory abilities of their Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) were not stepped up.

Under the CIP scheme, people from around the globe with as little as $100,000 could have applied to obtain a passport from any of the five participating nations and citizenship once they had pumped cash into real estate, education funds, and investment ventures, among other areas. These golden passports allow the newly minted citizens to enter Canada, Europe, and more than 100 countries around the world as local citizens who do not require visas. That is the main fear of EU and Canadian security officials.

In recent months, the EU in particular has increased pressure on the CIP nations in the Eastern Caribbean to increase their base rates to make it more expensive for people from around the world to apply. In most cases, the five leaders of the CIP na-

“These golden passports allow the newly minted citizens to enter Canada, Europe, and more than 100 countries around the world as local citizens who do not require visas.”

tions agreed to do so in the past month and have almost doubled rates for applicants in keeping with EU and Canadian urgings. The regional sub-grouping had turned to the scheme to replace revenues lost from the Caribbean’s largely duty-free single trading market, other bilateral agreements, and the collapse of the banana and sugar exporting markets to Europe in the past two decades. Agents worldwide who procure applicants for CIP nations have al-

ready been informed of the new changes, governments said.

Aligning with other participating nations as of the end of July, the new baseline minimum fee would be doubled to $200,000. For a family of four applying, the minimum investment will be $230,000; for five or more, $245,000. Those who wish to invest in real estate ventures will be required to fork out $325,000, but there has been no increase

in business venture investments—this remains at $1.5 million. Rates are now similar for most of the five nations.

“These changes are meant to align with (EU) demands to raise the minimum investment threshold,” according to the announcement. “The EU has been pressuring Caribbean states to eliminate or alter their citizenship program[s]. The four islands also committed to sharing data between CIPs and enhancing programme transparency. They will share information on applicants with each other by establishing a digital portal with the joint regional communications centre (JRCC) in Barbados.”

Although pressured by the western nations to consider abandoning CIP programs altogether, Caribbean governments are adamant that revenues from the scheme have funded major development projects, including propping up a tenuous pension program in one country, investing nearly $1 million in the Antigua-based LIAT commuter air service, and keeping some economies afloat during the COVID19 pandemic.

Neighboring Dominica used a chunk of its revenue stash to help recover from Hurricane Maria in 2017. Other countries have built sports arenas from such revenues, but concerns remain about the ability of the participating nations to investigate the backgrounds of applicants properly from far-flung places like Russia, Belarus, and China, among others.

The irony of the Trump assassination attempt and the immigration chart

I was attending a gospel concert at a local Florida church on Friday evening, July 12, when I received a breaking news alert from the New York Times that former president and convicted felon Donald Trump had been shot. My immediate prayer was, “Dear Lord, please don’t let it be an immigrant, a person of color, or a Muslim.”

That prayer was answered by Sunday morning, when the FBI announced that the shooter was 20-year-old Butler, PA, native and registered Republican voter Thomas Crooks. But there was more shocking news to come. Never would I have imagined that hours later, an immigration chart would be credited by Donald Trump himself with saving his life. The irony of all ironies.

On Sunday, the New York Times quoted Trump’s former White House doctor, Dr. Ronny Jackson, as saying 45 would have been struck “right in the head” if he hadn’t turned and pointed at an immigration chart. It’s a profound and somewhat bitter irony that a chart filled with misleading and inflammatory information about immigrants inadvertently saved Trump’s life.

Jackson told the New York Times that Trump marveled that the chart saved his life. “‘I was going over that border patrol chart. If I hadn’t pointed at that chart and turned my head to look at it, that bullet would have hit me right in the head,’” Trump reportedly said, according to Jackson in the Times.

The chart, of course, focused on Trump’s favorite topic: how many immigrants are supposedly “invading” America. A photograph of the chart in the New York Times showed the headline “Illegal Immigration Into The US” in bold and black lettering. Below that, in bold and red, read: “Biden World Record Illegal Immigrants.”

Immediately following, also in bold red, was the lie that Trump has repeated endlessly, including at the recent CNN debate: that the immigrants crossing the border are from “prison and mental institutions” and are also “terrorists.”

Trump now claims he turned his head to the right to view the chart that was on screen next to the stage “a quarter of an inch,” and that is what saved his life. Fox News’ Brett Baier said Trump told him in a phone call that he looked at the chart “early” and was then shot in the ear, instead of the head. He added that Trump is “amazed that it happened” and “understands that he’s blessed to be where he is today.”

Perhaps Trump should thank the same “illegal aliens” he has built his entire campaign around, sowing division, hate, violence, lies, and xenophobia, for saving his life. But, of course, he won’t.

This situation should serve as a moment of reflection for Trump and his supporters. It underscores the randomness of life and the unexpected ways in which our actions

and beliefs intersect. For a man who has repeatedly used fearmongering tactics about immigrants to rally his base, this twist of fate might be a humbling reminder of the shared humanity that transcends borders and political divides.

Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that this incident will change Trump’s rhetoric or policies that continue to target and vilify immigrants. Still, for those of us who value truth, compassion, and unity, it’s a poignant example of the unexpected ways in which life’s narratives unfold.

In the end, it’s not the charts or the rhetoric that define us, but our actions and our ability to recognize humanity in everyone, regardless of their immigration status. Here›s hoping for a future where such recognition is the rule, not the exception. But I won’t hold my breath.

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

Black tech professionals on diversity equity and inclusion

By LEAH MALLORY Special to the AmNews

As diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives face continued attacks, it becomes even more important for companies to reaffirm their commitment to DEI practices.

Especially in the tech industry, as technology continues to embed itself into every part of our lives.

“The more I think about it, the more I feel like it’s important for there to be more diversity in tech and particularly in design since, as designers, we’re the ones kind of thinking about what a lot of these interfaces look like,”

said Stephanie Lawrence, a Brooklyn-based product designer.

“The more that tech has a very salient impact on people’s everyday lives, the more important it becomes to make sure that we’re really thinking through all of that with as many perspectives as possible.”

Lawrence works at a data analytics startup and said, in layman’s terms, that her role entails designing tools and experienc-

ty, she noted several challenges navigating the field as a Black professional.

“There are challenges like being heard and having your voice as a Black product designer actually be considered in the same way as your other peers, and that can then make it that much harder to actually do the work of being a designer without having to kind of have that extra

indicates a steady decline in the number of Black product designers from 2010 to 2021, with Black professionals making up only 1.1% of product designers in 2021.

According to research by McKinsey & Company, between 2022 and 2023, Black people accounted for 8% of those employed within the tech industry.

As one of the few Black individuals in

Tai Chi Classes

are dismissed, while ideas from her non-Black peers are received positively.

“That can be demoralizing and that can be particularly hurtful because you kind of know you can do the work, but the people around you might not want to hear it from you.”

Catt Small, a product designer and game developer with over ten years in tech, echoed similar challenges.

She said while people can be very optimistic about technological advancements, they often don’t realize how they can be potentially harmful to certain communities.

“I think because of my role in society and what I’ve seen through things like we could reference the Tuskegee experiment as an example, there are just so many cases where I think people were thinking about it in one way but not another—and it ends up harming folks that are out there. So I try to do what I can to bring that conversation, and I think that it can be challenging because people often want

(Christina Morillo via pexels.com)

NYCHA leaves Section 3 funds on the table

By CLEMSON RICHARDSON Special to the AmNews

It is arguably the most poorly enforced and yet potentially powerful federal statute: a 25-year-old law that taps into billions of already allocated dollars to provide jobs and work skills training to thousands of the nation’s most vulnerable citizens.

Supporters say if used as intended when it was passed, Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 could be a game-changer for low- and very low-income people and neighborhoods around the country. Its use could transform the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), local advocates say, by providing public housing residents with incomes that would not only help the agency reduce its staggering delinquent rent rolls but also give many residents life-changing benefits, such as healthcare and payments into Social Security and retirement accounts.

Section 3’s superpower is that no new money would have to be delegated to the program—some $18 billion in annual federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) contracts fall under its authority nationally, billions of those dollars in New York state and New York City. Those funds are administered in the city by NYCHA, which, as the largest public housing authority in the country, receives by far the lion’s share of federal housing dollars each year.

However, NYCHA is not making sure that contractors honor their Section 3 agreements, which lets money that could change lives and communities go to construction firms and workers who do not live there.

A Section 3 designated percentage of the housing funds sent to the city each year could provide salaries and training not only for thousands of resident workers but also for small and minority- and women-owned businesses working as subcontractors on large NYCHA jobs.

“If you have an eighty-milliondollar project, the Section 3 requirement is going to be a small percentage of that,” said former NYCHA Executive Vice President for Real Estate Takesia Whites, who holds a master’s degree in urban policy analysis from the New School and has worked in city government as a housing planner in former Bronx Borough

President Fernado Ferrer’s office, as well as for the nonprofit New York City Housing Partnership and the Enterprise Foundation.

“But even if you dedicate just five percent of that to Section 3, that’s still millions of dollars to spread around. You give a small contractor $200,000 to paint a building lobby—that is a significant investment in that business, if you can ensure that that local contractor gets the contract.”

Section 3 has broader implications. It could potentially add untold numbers of skilled electricians, plumbers, carpenters, draftsmen, and other trades to a city’s worker ranks—an outcome anyone who has ever needed and been unable to locate such help would appreciate.

By improving job skills among low- and very low-income individuals, Section 3 could reduce public assistance rolls and lift

rules, which NYCHA has let them do in New York City.

For instance, in 2020, the Trump administration changed the mandate so HUD no longer requires that construction companies with Section 3-eligible contracts report the names of Section 3 hires or the jobs performed; only the hours they collectively worked. Supporters say the change allows companies to hire workers who can’t work full-time, such as

Smaller firms looking to subcontract Section 3 work with contractors working on NYCHA jobs say the larger companies often either don’t return their calls or require that a small company hold such costly certifications and insurance upfront that they can’t afford the work.

T: New York City Housing Authority gardens in Brooklyn, New York.(USDA/ Preston Keres photo)

B: West Farms, Bronx. (Tdorante10 photo)

Whites added that “the way to make Section 3 successful is you have to have some sort of mandate in place, because if you don’t make people do it, unfortunately, most people—and I’m not gonna say all, but most—don’t do these things out of the goodness of their hearts. They do it for money.”

Experts say that now is a fiscally opportune time to enforce Section 3 mandates in New York City.

“There’s a lot of money now going into public housing for physical renovation, so there’s an opportunity to use Section 3 in a way that there really wasn’t when there were so many decades of disinvestment” in public housing, said New School University Professor Alex Swartz, who has studied ways NYCHA could improve training and business opportunities for its residents.

communities.

“This is an area of public housing [that] has seen extraordinarily little attention over a very long period of time,” said Swartz. “It’s there, on the books, but I’m not aware that it’s been taken seriously. There may be challenges [in] getting residents, especially those who don’t have a lot of work experience or face issues of discrimination…to get jobs in the building trades. But housing authorities could at least try.”

Like the Civil Rights Act that created it, Section 3 has been under attack almost since it became law. Head-on opposition is hard to document, but politicians have worked surreptitiously to reduce compliance requirements and contractors have skirted hiring

“You have to put in a whole bunch of money upfront before you can even think of getting one of these contracts,” said Shannon Bryant of Brooklyn-based B & S Construction. “And you might not get the work anyway.”

Another Brooklyn minority contractor who asked not to be named said contractors did not return his calls even after he was awarded a Section 3 contract. “I feel like I’m standing in line and when I get to the counter, I still can’t get something to eat,” he said.

That sentiment was reflected at a May 2023 New York City Council hearing about Section 3, where a worker told Councilwoman Alexa Aviles, chair of the council’s Committee on Public Housing, that Section 3 employees are “the last hired and first fired.”

Section 3 has enjoyed some success in other parts of the country, most notably in Chicago, where it has been credited with being the financial root of several successful start-ups and creating jobs in underserved communities. Supporters think it should do the same on every HUD-financed project, but like other groundbreaking legislation of that turbulent era (the Equal Employment Security Act, Voter’s Rights Act, Fair Housing Ac), Section 3 has been under attack since it was enacted.

women with children.

Critics say the change gives contractors more leeway for hazy reporting in showing they met Section 3 mandates and has resulted in fewer hires. They say contractors often skirt Section 3’s intent by relegating many of those lucky enough to find a Section 3 job to low-skill labor like moving traffic cones as construction materials and equipment are delivered to a project and not providing real job training.

“With too many of these contractors, the way the process is set up, they’re not producing skilled craftsmen; they’re producing laborers,” said Shelevya Pearson of Brooklyn-based Better New York Brokers, which connects developers and contractors with subcontracting firms.

It’s an easy target.

As noted in the 2008 study, “The Scope and Potential of Section 3 as Currently Implemented” by Deborah Austin and Michael Gerend for the Journal of Housing and Community Development Law, there is no wording in the statute that allows for punishing contractors who do not follow its mandate or under which workers or companies with a Section 3-related hiring grievance against a contractor can seek redress.

“The statute does not provide a private right for action or remedy, and the regulations offer limited viable enforcement tools,” the study said.

That leaves Section 3 enforcement to NYCHA, with HUD oversight, but despite the staggering See SECTION 3 continued on page 25

median income levels in whole

Arts & Entertainment

Celebrating James Baldwin’s centennial: A literary legacy of courage and insight

By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the AmNews

This year marks what would have been James Baldwin’s 100th birthday, a milestone that resonates deeply in the literary world and beyond. Baldwin, known for his insights into race, identity, and society, continues to captivate readers with his timeless works. To commemorate this occasion, the Duke University Press has curated a collection of articles and books that delve into Baldwin’s life, his writings, and his enduring impact on literature and social discourse.

“Little Man, Little Man: A Story of Childhood” (2018)

This posthumously published work by Baldwin offers a unique glimpse into his early narrative style and themes. Baldwin’s exploration of childhood in Harlem provides a foundational understanding of the social dynamics that influenced his later writing.

“Me and My House: James Baldwin’s Last Decade in France” by Magdalena J. Zaborowska (2018)

Zaborowska’s work illuminates Baldwin’s final years in France, a period marked by introspection and creative output. It captures Baldwin’s international perspective and his evolving views on race and identity.

“James Baldwin’s Turkish Decade: Erotics of Exile” by Magdalena J. Zaborowska (2008)

Delving into Baldwin’s lesser-known Turkish years, this book by Zaborowska ex-

plores how Baldwin’s exile influenced his understanding of identity and sexuality, adding a nuanced layer to his body of work.

“Baldwin’s Sissy Heroics” by Marlon B. Ross (2022) Ross’s chapter in “Sissy Insurgencies” critically examines Baldwin’s portrayal of masculinity and its intersection with race, challenging conventional norms and expanding the discourse about gender and identity.

Beyond Baldwin’s own writings, scholars have studied his impact on literature, politics, and cultural criticism. The Duke University Press has made a range of journal articles available that go into various

aspects of Baldwin’s work.

“James Baldwin and the Power of Black Muslim Language”

Ellen McLarney’s exploration in Social Text sheds light on Baldwin’s engagement with Black Muslim discourse, highlighting his ability to harness language as a tool for empowerment and resistance.

“The Treacherous Body: Isolation, Confession, and Community in James Baldwin”

In American Literature, Peter Kerry Powers examines Baldwin’s portrayal of the body as a site of struggle and resilience, weaving together themes of isolation, confession, and communal identity.

“Toward Global Democracy: James Baldwin and the Stoic Vision of Amor Fati”

Daniel T. O’Hara’s article explores Baldwin’s philosophical underpinnings, particularly his Stoic influences and vision of embracing fate as a pathway to personal and collective liberation.

“James Baldwin and the Anti-Black Force of Law: On Excessive Violence and Exceeding Violence”

Jesse A. Goldberg’s piece in Public Culture critically examines Baldwin’s stance on systemic racism and the legal frameworks that perpetuate violence against Black communities.

In reflecting on Baldwin’s legacy, it becomes clear that his insights into race, identity, and the human condition remain as pertinent today as they were during his lifetime. His exploration of these themes continues to inspire new generations of readers, scholars, and activists to confront injustice and strive for a more just society.

Baldwin’s centennial is not just an opportunity to celebrate his literary achievements, but also a moment to reexamine his impact on our understanding of race, identity, and social justice. Through the curated collection from the Duke University Press, readers can delve deeper into Baldwin’s world, gaining new perspectives and insights that resonate with contemporary challenges and aspirations.

In honoring Baldwin’s 100th birthday, embrace his call for empathy, understanding, and the courage to confront uncomfortable truths—a legacy that continues to illuminate the path toward a more equitable future. Visit www.dukeupress.edu to explore these free resources and join in celebrating the enduring legacy of James Baldwin.

Sounds that Carry, and a musical Bronx tale

By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the AmNews

Araceli Poma is a music teacher graced with the unique calling of teaching Latin youth composition via the six-week pilot program Sounds that Carry. “It has been a unique experience to witness the process of evolution and be part of it at the same time,” Poma said of the program.

Even in the postmodern era of access, technology, education and seemingly sincere olive branches regarding diversity and inclusivity, music composition remains a form of study that is quietly, yet strongly limited to white male American and European musicians. Classical music and jazz have been especially rigid in broadening its reach to diverse youth composers.

Casita Maria, a legacy Latin community arts and culture center in the Bronx, did the important work of opening those doors wide enough to invite youth of color in via the empathetic, trauma-informed music program, Sound that Carry.

“I think it helped that we didn’t pretend that everything was rosy,” said Poma’s coteacher, Liz Hogg. Her statement refers to a prompt offered to the mostly second-generation Latin youth asked to create a piece of music that reflected the sounds of their neighborhood. Growing up in the centuries-old urban depths of the Bronx, the most prominent sounds were sirens and ambulances and it is not unheard of for a composer to reflect the urban and industrial audial clanking or metal being molded to man’s design and image.

In 1913, futurist composer, Luigi Russolo wrote the widely read manifesto, “The Art of Noises” which understood how vital capturing the sounds of the industrial revolution was for the modernization and the current mode of nature; Vivaldi wrote “The Four Seasons” in 1723, denoting the beauty of the morphing of each meteorological season and pre-dating the use of metal in construction. Russolo wrote “Awakening of a City” in 1914, revealing the audial reality of the world in which many knew: living through industrial expansion,and the sensory effects it has on understanding of music and art.

So, the youth at Casita Maria and Sounds that Carry weren’t outside of a musical legacy when creating their first compositions.

“The point of this pilot program was to change up the way we think about writing a piece of music,” said Hogg. “The most important step in the beginning is cultivating a love for music, and [making] them feel that they can do this, and if you immediately start to give them rules in the beginning, that won’t happen,” she continued.

Sounds that Carry is a music education consulting organization, founded and structured by Renate Rohlfing, associate professor at Berklee School of Music, and Olivia Cosio, a composer and educator. “[Olivia] and I began talking about how we

could create curriculum and opportunities for people to create music, and for them to express themselves as creative beings because music is a birthright,” said Rohlfing.

In attempting to understand the experience of the students and the creative environment of Sounds that Carry, Araceli wrote via email, “Throughout the program, I witnessed how the classroom transformed into a dynamic space where creativity flourished, cultural barriers were broken down, and connections were forged through the universal language of music,” she shared as one of the instructors guiding the students the entire duration of the program.

“The energy shifted from a timid and cautious curiosity to enthusiastic collaboration as the new musicians embraced their individuality and celebrated the shared experience of making music together.”

The dismantling of racially limiting composition programs where women and composers of color are discouraged from pursuing composition careers within their collegiate experiences is important.

“There’s an idea that theory and analysis are the be all and end all of being a composer. One, that’s a very Western view. What some consider very strong feminine qualities, which men can have, like intuition, [are] very downplayed in Western composition. The analytical and theoretical aspects and making [music] into mathematical models and being action-oriented [in that way] is seen as more of a [masculine] way of making music,” said composer Amirtha

Jazz composer Steph Richards also spoke of the difficulty of fitting into white maledominated music spaces, which truly denotes why Casa Maria and Sounds that Carry’s work is so important to the growth and inclusivity of creative youth culture: “[There] was a moment for me when I was trying to figure out how I was going to fit into that sort of puzzle because my piece didn’t fit the same way. My edges are just different. I wondered how I was going to try to deal with [being different] and still be true to myself. I just accepted that I’m not like [everyone], and that’s okay.”

Regarding the support the students, the founders, and instructors received from Casita Maria, the organization’s artistic director, Gail Heidel, focuses on legacy, cultural support, and consistency in order to create a safe established space for education to flourish, “Casita Maria responded to a need 90 years ago that became a permanent part of the social fabric of America, an ‘underclass’ of Spanish-speaking migrants and immigrants who remain at the bottom of most socio-economic indicators. Though Latinos are the largest minority in the United States, they remain largely underrepresented in business, government, politics, arts, education, etc.”

While Gail and Casita Maria maintained the mission of upholding quality education for the Bronx’s Latin community, the Sounds that Carry instructors became

quite aware of learning disorders, and nurturing neurodivergent youth. “[One of our students] was on the spectrum, and we let him work alone and he did amazingly! I think he had one of the best compositions: lots of beats lined up one after the other… ”remembered Hogg.

It certainly takes a village. In speaking to CM’s senior professionals, to Sounds that Carry co-founders, and the instructors working in the classroom with every child, it is safe and positive to assert that this womanled musical arts educational structure, from executive to grassroots, has created a space for students to thrive. Their final concert, filled with family, staff and proud community members, highlighted their unique pieces, many composed with fluid rhythmic form, not traditionally syncopated like Latin-pop or hip hop, but truly the youth’s singular creations. It was a testament to the positive outcomes of encouraging freeform composition, as theory can be taught any time.

As the music world continues to modernize, and now globalize, the work of preparing diverse American youth to stand out on the musical world stage by being authentically themselves as musicians, artists, thinkers and composers is being done by culturally based arts community centers like Casita Maria. It is also the openminded musical basis upon which Sounds that Carry was founded. Both organizations should continue to move forward in their work, as the world will not slow down for our youth, marginalized or otherwise.

Kidambi for Jazz Right Now’s column, Feminist Jazz Review.

At the Chamber Music America’s pilot teaching artist program at Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education in the Bronx, students worked with two teaching artists, Renate Rohlfing and Olivia Cosio (trained by Sounds that Carry), and developed their own compositions as the culmination of a six-week chamber music curriculum developed by Sounds that Carry. (Sofia Negron Photography)

Cameroonian actress Chantal Nchako talks

‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ and luxury shoe line

By MAGIRA Special to the AmNews

Let’s be honest: African women hit differently. There’s an entrepreneurial spirit that seems to run through their very DNA. Cameroonian actress Chantal Nchako is a prime example. She’s best known for her breakout leading role in the SXSW Grand Jury Prize-winning short film “Beast,” which also won her Best Actress at the Queen Palm International Film Festival. She caught the eye of Hollywood and has appeared in the new series “Diarra From Detroit” (BET+) and will next be seen in the Netflix film “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” (on July 3).

Stepping into excellence from an early age, Nchako attended USC on a full scholarship and after graduation, was selected to receive the Ava Greenwald Memorial Scholarship for outstanding MFA Actor at USC.

As the first USC MFA student to be accepted into the Williamstown Theatre Festival’s Professional Training Program, where she played the lead role of Ella in Sam Shepard’s “Curse of a Starving Class.” Her other credits include “Madam Secretary” and major roles in films such as “Distant Tales” and “Our Deadly Vows,” both of which are currently streaming on Amazon Prime.

Now to her second stream of income. Nchako is the founder and designer of Choobiz (www.choobizllc.com), a luxury, handcrafted vegan and cruelty-free shoe line made in Italy. Fluent in English, French, and Italian, Nchako is living her best life by spending time between Italy and the U.S.; she is a resident faculty member at the Silva Arte e Danza, a musical theater academy in Siracusa, Italy.

In her free time, she enjoys skiing, equestrian sports, writing, traveling, and being a cat mom to Lucky, her feline companion.

Here is what Chantal Nchako, actress and shoe designer, had to say about working and living in America.

New York Amsterdam News : It’s often said that growing up in an African home (in the U.S.) is very different from growing up in an African American home. Do you agree or disagree? If so, why?

CHANTAL NCHAKO: I’m neutral on this question. My family represents a true mix of cultures, with roots from various places. We’re like a mini-United Nations when we gather. One notable difference I’ve noticed is that African children tend to stay home well after the age of 18, due to ample familial support, fostering a sense of protection and love.

AMN : I love that answer. Question: What does it mean to be Cameroonian?

CN: Being Cameroonian means having a culture and heritage for support. Unlike

the individualistic American culture, Cameroonian culture is collective, emphasizing community support and love in times of need. In America, high wealth and social status are prized, while in Cameroon, family and community hold the utmost importance, promoting harmony and unity. Italy also prioritizes collective values within its culture.

AMN : Let’s step into the phonetic spelling of your name.

CN: Chantal is pronounced Shaun-TAL. My last name, Nchako, is pronounced Ng-chako.

AMN : Let’s talk a little bit about “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” (Netflix on July 3). Is it a big role? Can you describe your character?

CN: My role in “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” will be my breakout moment. I’ve played dramatic roles, but everyone says I have a knack for comedy. Being part of this iconic franchise, alongside an actor I’ve long admired, is thrilling. My character, a parking enforcement officer, shares a scene with Eddie Murphy’s character, Axel Foley, showcasing my comedic talent. It’s a significant opportunity for me!

AMN : I love it! Let’s talk about diversification. You are also the founder and designer of Choobiz…How did that start, and where is it going?

CN: I launched my shoe line during the pandemic, and it’s thriving. With two styles currently available, I envision expanding the collection over time. Choobiz is an exclusive brand, and I intend to maintain that exclusivity.

EXPLORE THE LINEUP

Chantal Nchako (Contributed press photo)

HOROSCOPES BY KNOWYOURNUMB3RS

By SUPREME GODDESS KYA

What are your dreams and aspirations you have a passion for? Opportunities and any help you need are at your fingertips when you seek, ask, and make the phone call to receive the resources. Follow up on the plans you make as things are moving at a slower pace. Deep within there is something calling out for you to make a decision that will change the course of your direction, be it professional, or personal; changes are more pronounced this week. Stay optimistic!

Moving in a new direction assists mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually, planting the new seed that will reap in due time. The start of something new expands what you already know into a higher project, class, course, product, or service. Accepting change improves your reputation, immediate environment, and network, and assists with adaptability and flexibility within your daily schedule.

Get a tight firm grip on the things you value as some things are ending in your life for the new beginning and the new agenda being ushered in. Silently operate on your agenda, either with your team or solo. The universe allows humanity to get comfortable in a situation to have an experience; then, once you’ve learned, you get uncomfortable in order to learn another lesson, assignment, or mission. What is your main goal? Neptune retrograde in Pisces will give you hints and clues that were missed before Neptune stations direct then fully enters Aries on March 30, 2025.

It’s a year of family obligations, engagement, enrolling in courses and classes to enhance your knowledge, creating an exercise regime, and attending to prior and past financial affairs. There is a strong sense of doing things by the spirit this week that will guide you on your journey, revealing things to you in the darndest way. This year it’s time to upgrade and be accountable for your actions, as the north node in Aries is ushering in a new direction in handling your affairs. July reveals the details that have been brewing since March.

Words can change a person’s mind by being affirmed and by the tone of the vibrations attached when you speak. It is the thought in the mind, and then the words that carry the action to manifest whatever reality you have a passion for. This week is filled with a spiritual quest manifesting in the physical realm. July is a month to improve within your development, either spiritually or physically. Changes in your daily operations are shifting, because the nature of the process that was initially a seed many moons ago is now expanding and bearing fruit into a new direction.

When something is new, be willing to learn it inside and out before taking it to the streets. July requires you to practice, plug in the details, and fill in the missing puzzle pieces to see the picture. Now, either build the foundation or expand the foundations of the seeds you planted a month ago, with the idea in mind you envisioned two months ago. The universe creates detours in our lives to see things on a higher level and to experience a different point of view and learn a new direction for more insight to gain more knowledge for the assignment ahead.

There’s a unique feeling, a sense of being in the right place at the right time in all aspects of your life thanks to the Uranus and Mars conjunction and the conversation taking place as they meet, to bring a surprise, opportunities, and sudden releases of insights and internal transformations expressing externally. This cycle week, the universe brought Big Mama and the ancient gods, warriors, and guards out with her for you to feel her presence in an old-fashioned way, positioning her to take stock of the changes on a global scale impacting social economic systems. Think of the 12 systems that operate your body, 12 zodiac signs, 12 grade levels of school, 12 hours on the clock for a.m. and p.m., 12 disciples (all male names), etc. A new system of agendas is taking place (a preview was in February) and in this coming November. “Know thyself.”

2024 is a toss-up year to get grounded within your affairs, learn from your elders, and balance areas in your life like the checks and balance scale. Scale back on things that you are not using and trim the fat in your finances. Although this week is a financial gain from prior long-term investments, ensure you invest in something that is short-term but yields high earnings. Relatives, siblings, and children asking to borrow, spare, or lend are within your weekly forecast. Make the necessary adjustments to change areas within your life by baby steps until you can hit the ground running.

Revelations might detour you off the rails. The most important lesson, assignment, details, or whatever you call it will have a profound impact in your life this weekly cycle. Keep note of the vision, and of off-the-wall conversations, experiences, and sudden encounters leading up to a destination or evidence of something. Work in silence and keep your plans to yourself, and spirit will reveal to you what, who, where, why, when, and more.

There is something knocking at your door, alarming you and sending you signals. How many warnings do you need before the manifestation takes place or things get serious and out of control? Take what you know how to do to create a new version as a service, product, or something you can utilize to position you to the next level. By the end of the month, a sudden date with destiny will come about, or an aha moment that feels like a déjà vu. Create the story you want to create, leading my example.

The south node is in Libra at 10 degrees, ushering in a new agenda and sharing a part of your past or present life based on the position of the south node in Libra in your natal chart. There is a message that needs to be conveyed from the spirit realm or higher source. Speak the words, spread the message, and apply the footwork as messages come with some form of action. July is just a taste of what you can receive when you put in the work, cut off the distractions, and make changes in your life that will benefit you in the long haul. Traveling, speaking, recording, doing voice overs, and filming along with signing contracts are part of your weekly forecast.

Family, finance, responsibility, professional, and personal life all demand your time. You have been putting in the work applying the sweat, skin, long hours, time, effort, and energy in the game. Rest assured there is a reward coming soon for your due diligence, so hang in there. July is a monthly season for a separation, divorce, marriage, proposal, death, and rebirth of new life to head in a new direction. Ask the creator to assist, show, and guide you on the chosen path. Be dedicated to listening and follow your gut instructions. There is always a duality, an opposition that must be joined together like an axle for things to work.

Finalize your agenda as the new foundation has been built. No need to say more, as things are coming to a head-on collision without damages. It’s just the effects, details, and sounds of everything, like walking away from a car accident with no damage to the body. Have you ever felt you’ve been somewhere before, done this before as if you are in a time loop and you must accomplish a task before moving to the next level that feels like a never-ending story, like the matrix? To come out of it is to not give energy to it and allow yourself to just be. What makes things real is humanity’s participation in society.

Jazzmobile’s free summer concerts open at Grant’s Tomb

The Summerfest Jazzmobile free concert series opened the 2024 season with Jimmy Heath’s Big Band, lead by Antonio Hart, at General Grant National Memorial, as an audience of young and old music fans danced along. Concerts are every Wednesday at 7 p.m.; visit Jazzmobile.org for the full schedule.

Will Calhoun’s Mali Project was triumphant

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

A forecasted severe storm never arrived at Marcus Garvey Park on a recent weekend, but a musical blast occurred on the Richard Rodgers Stage, ignited by saxophonist Christopher McBride and his ensemble and intensified later by percussionist/ethnomusicologist Will Calhoun and his Mali Project.

It would be a gross understatement to say the 4th Annual Juneteenth Black Music and Dance Festival, sponsored by the National Jazz Museum in Harlem (NJMH) was a success: It was a musical storm—a torrent of triumphant notes that swept across the park, and a welcomed relief, despite the sweltering heat, from Mother Nature’s anticipated deluge.

Two-time Grammy winner Calhoun, perhaps best known for his long and fruitful affiliation with Living Colour, featured Malian master musician Cheick-Tidiane Seck on keyboards, who gave the project an additional measure of authenticity. Calhoun practically conceded the concert to Seck,

after noting how influential Seck has been to his understanding of the folk music of Mali.

Seck, whose reputation as a composer, arranger, and perform-

er with such notables as Fela Kuti and Youssou N’Dour is globally recognized, placed the moment in an African American context with an opening number dedicat-

ed to the late Hank Jones, the pianist with whom he worked.

The intro was melodically delivered by Seck, accompanied by Madou Diabate on the kora, which was rhythmically amplified by Calhoun, guitarist David Gilmore, and bassist Matt Garrison, whose proficiency is as profound and creative as his father’s. The interplay between them was reminiscent of their days in Wayne Shorter’s band.

Seck laid out layers of inventive sonics—a veritable sheet of sound and texture. Randy Weston was another associate whom Seck summoned from the ancestors and here, the pulse of the music was imbued with jazz and West African elements. Calhoun’s study and background of a variety of African motifs are usually intimated in all of his playing, which often mixes with a bit of bop, rock, and—of course—lavish dollops of funk, as it did on his solo.

On occasion, Seck embellished his keyboard runs with a voice akin to N’Dour’s but with less keening and more Kuti. That vocalization merged delightfully, giving each member of the band a platform

to explore the rich harmonic nuances, never more explosive than Boubacar Diabate’s swift hands on the djembe and conga drums. When Antoine Roney switched from tenor to soprano saxophone, he provided a haunting lyricism that, with Seck’s ululations, once again aroused images of a pristine Africa. His attack on the horn was very much like McBride’s earlier performances.

Grace notes and a calming mood prevailed when Calhoun finally had his ambient instrument ready to go, and it resonated across the stage, where Seck knew intuitively how to wrap expressive chords and arpeggios to the vibrations.

All in all, the concert was a powerful amalgamation of beat and motion, inspiring a gaggle of dancers to twist and shout in front of the ensemble. Senator Cordell Cleare, having sat in the blistering sun all afternoon, was invited to the stage and put the whole affair in historical and artistic context with her comment that “jazz was America’s unique art form.” Tracy Hyten-Suffern, NJMH executive director, echoed that perspective.

Will Calhoun (Herb Boyd photo)

Dancers enjoying the music (Bill Moore photos)

Antonio Hart

Jimmy Heath Big Band

Harlem Stage introduces new artistic director and CEO Dr. Indira Etwaroo

By LEAH MALLORY Special to the AmNews

The wait is over! Dr. Indira Etwaroo is the new artistic director and CEO of the arts and social justice organization Harlem Stage, inheriting the mantle from longtime leader Patricia Cruz.

At its 40th anniversary gala last month, the performing arts center revealed Etwaroo as Cruz’s successor, marking a pivotal moment in their five-year strategic plan for elevating the organization.

“It feels like the privilege of a lifetime to be able to join this collective of changemakers,” says Etwaroo.

Etwaroo was discovered through a referral early in the search process, according to Courtney Lee Mitchell, president of the Harlem Stage Board of Directors. She said Etwaroo’s artistic and administrative background, which includes inaugural director of the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple in California and executive artistic director of the Billie Holiday Theater in Brooklyn, qualified her for the role.

“She is an artist; she has that as a background, so she understands what being an artist of color is,” said Mitchell. “We think that Indira’s background—coming from a small organization [and] working with a large organization—is just great. She’s just a great person to take us to the next level.”

Etwaroo said her immediate goal is to learn and adjust to the culture of the organization and to connect with the community. For the long term, she plans to secure consistent funding.

“This is an organization that has been creating rigorous, authentic, world-class art for 40 years, and they’ve been on the front lines of social justice long before it

was in vogue, so it’s an organization that deserves extraordinary resources. I’ll be really focused on figuring out ways that I can increase investments on behalf of this incredible organization.”

Etwaroo’s leadership approach is marked by three pillars: democracy, technology, and equity.

She said all three intersect to improve civilization and enable the organization to serve the community better.

“Technology: pushing and progressing a civilization forward; democracy: the fundamental will of the people; and equity: ensuring that all people have the right to flourish and all communities have the right to flourish,” she said. “All of those things often historically have been deconstructed and talked about in a silo, [but] I think they’re best served when they’re holistically considered as intersections.”

For Etwaroo, carrying forward the legacy of social justice is critical.

“It’s really about just figuring out ways to double down on that and stay true to that,” she said.

Both Etwaroo and Courtney said that taking Harlem Stage to the next level means raising its profile beyond Harlem, beyond New York City, and even beyond the country by emphasizing its role as a haven for artists of color to express their voices and provoke change.

“I would also love to see Harlem Stage [get] this incredible work that is happening here at 150 Convent Ave. at the Gatehouse shared out across the world,” said Etwaroo. “Whether that’s online, more so, or we’re bringing artists to spaces across the world, our North Star is going to continue to be that ‘Harlem is our home, but the world is our stage.’”

Dr. Indira Etwaroo (left) and Patricia Cruz (right) at Harlem Stage 40th anniversary gala on June 3 at City Winery, where Harlem Stage revealed Etwaroo as its new artistic director and CEO (Marc Millman photo)

Visually impaired dancer Kayla Hamilton establishes new cultural organization

By CHARMAINE PATRICIA WARREN Special to the AmNews

The dance performance maker, dancer, educator, and consultant Kayla Hamilton can’t seem to stop doing good for the community; she is getting recognition for her work on and off the stage. The Texasborn, Bronx-based Hamilton holds many accolades: a 2023-2025 Jerome Hill Artist Fellow, a 2023-2024 Pina Bausch Foundation Fellow, a 2024 NEFA National Dance Project Production Grant recipient, a 20232024 Bronx Cultural Visions Fund recipient, and a 2024 BAM Resident Artist. Her dancing has been described as “an undercurrent of freedom that is palpable and intoxicating.” And now, Hamilton announced the establishment of Circle O, a new cultural organization created by and for Black disabled and other multiply marginalized creatives. Circle O is based in the Bronx and centers access as creative innovation, from process to outcome, operating in three different wings: performance, education, and consultation.

Hamilton responded to some questions about Circle O exclusively for AmNews AmNews: What drew you to forming Circle O?

Hamilton: Circle O is really about putting a container or umbrella around the things I’ve already been doing (performing, educating, consulting); now I can put them into one container and all these things can speak to and be with each other. It’s about having a holistic space to be working towards a dance world where Black disabled and other multiply marginalized creatives are central, and everybody is worthy of care.

Hamilton: I was fortunate enough to receive financial support and that support gave me the means and the audacity to dream larger and to dream outside of myself. I think it’s important that we name that: what resources can do for dreams.

AmNews: How did you land on these “Circle O Wings”: Performance, education and consultation?

Hamilton: These are the things I had already been doing for a certain amount of time and so these wings made sense. Sometimes we look at one thing [one methodology, or way of thinking] to be the answer, but there’s a collection of things that can come together to make it feel more complete or whole. Rather than tackling an idea or a challenge from only one direction, sometimes you need more. All facets of the work are creative endeavors, not just perfor-

Kayla Hamilton, a darkskinned Black woman and Nicole McClam, a darkskinned Black woman, are on stage. Nicole is slightly diagonally behind Kayla. She is wearing dark red mid-length shorts & a pink tank top. She is observing Kayla dancing.

Kayla is facing front and has her knees bent as her arms are energetically swung behind her. Kayla is wearing beige pants with a white sleeveless blouse.

making. The teaching, for example, is also performance, is also creative, is also choreography.

AmNews: Does anything about this ambitious project scare you?

Hamilton: Of course. But the things that I’m afraid of are not me, the ideas I’m afraid of are not mine. For example, I’m clear that Circle O is about movement making and collectivizing, rather than it being only about me—but hopefully other people won’t get it twisted or misunderstand. It’s not about me, it’s about what we’re doing together. I know mess-ups will happen. I’m learning, I’m learning a lot, all the way around; what’s scary is that I must be in a practice of reminding myself of my own humanity while I’m also making space for other people’s humanity. To give myself what I’m trying to give others. So, it’s not fear, rather it’s awareness, or maybe it’s just

reality. So, scare…no. I think I would call it more like: you dreamed up a thing, you named the thing, you made the thing, and now it’s time to do the thing. It’s about the doing. The reality of here it is, it’s go time.

AmNews: What are you most looking forward to in realizing with Circle O?

Hamilton: I’m most looking forward to being with other people and collaborating with people, meeting new people, connecting people.

The dance community has also come together to support Hamilton’s initiative. She has been presented and supported by BAAD! Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance; Dance/NYC; Danspace Project; Gibney Dance; Jacob’s Pillow; New York Live Arts; NYC Department of Education; Performance Space New York; River to River Festival; The Shed; UCLA Disability Studies Inclusion Labs; and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Hamilton will offer the world premiere of “How to Bend Down/How to Pick it Up” (HTBD/HTPU) at The Shed, August 15-17. HTBD/HTPU is an immersive, community specific, multidisciplinary dance performance exploring lineages of Black disabled imagination and alternative world building. The work utilizes an elaborate multimedia design, multiple audio descriptions, ASL, a multi vantage-point performance space, and a performance structure that can reconfigure every night based on the performers’ changing needs. To find out more about Hamilton, the performance at The Shed, visit https://www.theshed.org/ program/402-open-call-kayla-hamilton And to find out more about Circle O visit https://www.circleo.org/

‘Patriots’ brutally depicted the rise of a madman

By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews

If you are into political plays or have any interest in finding out how a power-hungry, murdering, dictator is created, then I hope you had the chance to see “Patriots” which played at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on W. 47th Street. This gripping play laid out how the horrible Vladimir Putin came into power in Russia. It let the audience see that he was in a lowly political office as a deputy mayor of St. Petersburg, but when he caught the attention of Boris Berezovsky, Putin got a taste of power he should never have had. This drama had enthralling, devastating writing by Peter Morgan and captivating direction by Rupert Goold.

Every scene held your attention as you watched the Russian power structure collapse and the country fall into the hands of a narcissistic, murderous, tyrant, and witnessed all the dirty dealings, poisoning and vicious murders that occurred just for the sake of keeping Putin in power. If you didn’t know that politics can be a very dirty game, where human life is worthless given the right scenarios, then you will know it after experiencing “Patriots.”

This cast kept the audience on the edge of their seats. They were captivating to watch. Michael Stuhlbarg was stunning as Boris Berezovsky, an obnoxious, ruthless character that found out one should be careful of what one wishes for. Will Keen was brutally chilling in his role as Vladmir Putin. At times he came across as having no humani-

ty at all; his cruelty was palpable. Other featured members of the 18-member cast who delivered fantastic performances and assisted in the incredible story flow included Luke Thallon as Roman Abramovich, Stella Baker as Marina Litvinenko, Ronald Guttman as Professor Perelman and Alex Hurt as Alexander Litvinenko.

The technical aspects of this production also lend themselves to the gripping presentation of this play and include set design by Miriam Buether, co-costume design by Deborah Andrews and Buether, lighting design by Jack Knowles, sound design and music by Adam Cork and video design by Ash J. Woodward.

“Patriots” is a political story that truly shone a light on the cruelty of a ruthless dictator.

AmNews: Why now?

mance

(Scott Shaw photo)

A scene from “Patriots” (l-r) Will Keen and Luke Thallon. (Matthew Murphy photo)

Dizzy’s, Village Vanguard, Fay Victor

The fluent bebop master, alto saxophonist and composer Charles McPherson whose live performances should be mandatory for any real jazz enthusiast will celebrate his 85th birthday at Dizzy’s Club (60th Street and Broadway) on July 18-21 with shows each night.

For six decades, McPherson has effortlessly emerged his keen bebop fire into ever-expanding boundless explorations from standards to ballads and up-tempo tunes. The inventive improvisationalist will be joined by his longtime intuitive music makers: trumpeter Terell Stafford, pianist Jeb Patton, bassist David Wong, and drummer Billy Drummond.

McPherson will share original gems that paved his celebrated music calling and selections from his recent live release “Reverence” (Smoke Sessions Records 2024). The album pays tribute to the bebop piano minister Barry Harris, who was his mentor. Only the last track, “Ode to Barry,” actually gives a nod to his mentor with three originals and bluesy renditions of the standards “Come Rain or Shine” and “Old Folks.” “I owe a lot to him,” said McPherson. “He always told me that there was more to this music than just playing the horn. You actually have to know how to think to be able to do this well.” The iconic pianist appeared on McPherson’s debut album “Bebop Revisited!” (Prestige 1965). The saxophonist toured and recorded (four albums) with Harris intermittently from 1961-1980. Born July 24, 1939, McPherson began studying with Harris at age 15. Some of his peers, who were also part of that group he practiced and performed with, included Louis Hayes and future Motown legends and members of the Motown house rhythm section, bassist James Jamerson and drummer Richard “Pistol” Allen. After relocating to New York from Detroit in 1959, McPherson began an extensive 12-year association with Charles Mingus, one of the most prolific composers after Duke Ellington. During his tenure with Mingus, the saxophonist appeared on two dozen of his albums that included the critically acclaimed “Pithecanthropus Erectus” (America, 1971), “Let My Children Hear Music” (Columbia, 1972), and “Shoes of the Fisherman’s Wife” (Columbia, 1988).

In 2020, McPherson released “Jazz Dance Suites” on his independent label Chazz Mack Music. It was a culmination of five years of commissioned work with the San Diego Ballet, recorded with his current working band and guests.

Look forward to enjoying rich tones, lyrical swing and McPherson’s deep feel for yesterday’s bebop that he transcribes into the 21st century.

For reservations visit the website jazz.org.

Drummer Marcus Gilmore follows Duke Ellington’s prescription of playing good music. Of course, the elements for his musical excursion are blended in traditional jazz elements, avant garde movements, African rhythms, and those wide-ranging sounds and experiences of growing up in New York.

On July 23-28 Marcus Gilmore will bring his blend of global and New York City excursions to the historic Village Vanguard (178 7th Avenue South). He will be joined by his working Quintet: saxophonist/EWI Morgan Guerin, pianist David Virelles, and bassists Rashaan Carter and Burniss Travis (two shows each night). Gilmore’s Quintet is creatively resourceful and audiences can expect an exciting exploration of percussion and all that comes with it.

Gilmore has played and recorded with an assorted list of musicians including Chick Corea,Vijay Iyer, Jill Scott, Black Thought, Thundercat, Brad Mehldau, Cassandra Wilson, Ravi Coltrane, Savion Glover, Bilal, The Cadillacs, Norah Jones, and Nicholas Payton. This short list demonstrates Gilmore is a first call collaborator when he’s not busy leading his own band.

I recall when Gilmore was only 16 years

old at the time and had to get permission from his mom and his counselor at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts to go on tour with the great Clark Terry. Gilmore’s fascination with drums probably was a result of watching his grandfather, the legendary Roy Haynes, practice and maybe he got hold of those drumsticks and liked it. Although, I’m sure it was Roy’s roaring rhythmic sound that enticed him. For times and tickets, villagevanguard.com.

There are vocalists and then there is Fay Victor, a vibrant singer who brings improvisation and exploration to her every song. On July 24 for a one-night stand only, she brings her voicings of multi-genres to Dizzy’s Club (60th Street and Broadway) two shows at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

The vocalist, composer and lyricist will present “Life is Funny That Way,” an April release that pays imaginative homage to pianist and composer, Herbie Nichols, who missed critical acknowledgement during his lifetime but left behind a grand music legacy. Her project “seeks to combine improvisation inside and outside of the compositions, playing up the pure joy inherent in Nichols’ music.” Her energizing ensemble will include alto and baritone saxophonist Michael Attias, pianist Anthony Coleman, bassist Ratzo Harris, drummer Tom Rainey, and Victor’s vocals, arrangements and lyrics.

The Brooklyn native coined the term “freesong” to describe her vocal approach, a canvas of boastful sounds illuminating blues, classical music, and combustive avant garde scat flurries into one riveting repertoire. Victor has toured the globe enthralling audiences from the Netherlands, Sweden, Spain and Germany with a threemonth stay in Japan collaborating with pianist Bertha Hope.

Her unique brand of jazz has enabled her to work with such inventive artists as Wadada Leo Smith, Nicole Mitchell, William Parker, Darius Jones and Tyshawn Sorey.

Victor has a considerable reputation on the Lower East Side with the avant garde heads, who will surely follow their star uptown to experience her unique interpretation of music by the often-shadowed Herbie Nichols.

This is the singer’s third appearance at Dizzy’s and her first as a leader. “One of my dreams for this project was to have Herbie Nichols’ music resurrected in a different way with my added lyrics to his compositions,” stated Victor during a phone interview. “Hopefully, the recording and this performance will expand to a new audience and new musicians might want to play his music.”

Victor celebrates her birthday on July 26, another Leo. Two shows at 7pm and 9pm. For reservations visit jazz.org.

Fay Victor (Deneka Penison photo)

Hurricane Beryl

Continued from page 3

Support Every Life Beyond Yours (SELBY, Inc.) Hurricane Beryl Relief Drive. The relief efforts are geared toward getting supplies for Union Island, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines, West Indies, Carriacou, Bequia, Grenada, Petite Martinique’s, and Jamaica.

“The aftermath of Hurricane Beryl is utterly devastating and damaging across the Caribbean—literally destroying every building on some islands in St. Vincent and the Grenadines—and my constituents and too many New Yorkers are feeling the effects here, in the home to the largest Caribbean community in the United States,” said Bichotte Hermelyn in a statement. “However, our community has always been focused on unity and being good neighbors. We’ve seen an overwhelming response for our SELBY, Inc. Hurricane Relief Drive to provide urgently needed items to victims. I thank every donor from the bottom of my heart as I join our community [in] praying for a swift recovery, and urge Brooklynites to continue donating at drop-off sites across the borough.”

Bichotte Hermelyn thanked Mayor Eric Adams, the Consulate Generals and Officials of Caribbean Islands, and Governor Kathy Hochul for secur -

Section 3

Continued from page 16

amounts of money involved, that is not happening, leaving Section 3’s potential unrealized.

How great is that potential?

In their 2008 paper, Gerend and Austin cited 16 HUD funding streams applicable to Section 3 mandates, including the Public Housing Operating Fund, Public Housing Capital Fund, Native American Housing Block Grant, and Housing Trust Fund.

That year, these funding streams totaled $21.6 billion.

Calculating at 22.5% (the median between Section 3’s 15 and 30 benchmark percentages) of that money being spent on hires, Gerend and Austin estimated that more than 112,000 new jobs could have been created if Section 3 mandates were “well implemented and enforced.”

HUD’s 2023 budget was $71.9 billion. The agency proposed a $177 billion 2024 budget, including $100 million earmarked for creating more affordable housing, the construction of which would presumably fall under Section 3 mandates. NYCHA proposed a $106 billion 2023 budget but expects to finish the year in a deficit because of falling rent receipts.

Yet, at the May 2023 City Council

ing more funding for faster transport of donated items to those affected.

“We have received donations in my district office, including water, canned foods, pillows, sleeping blankets, diapers, wipes, and formula,” said Louis. “However, we still need more essential medicine, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, toiletries, and hygiene kits [because] the countries’ infrastructure has been decimated and will require a long road to recovery.

“It is imperative that our community leaders, such as myself, continue to call for aid to these countries, as many of our constituents and families here in New York City are desperately trying to support their loved ones back in their home countries and it is our duty to support our neighbors in this time of need.”

Donations are being collected through July 31. For more information, email selbyvillas@gmail.com or call 917-773-8252.

Needed items:

Water, first aid supplies, cots and sleeping bags, pillows and sleeping blankets, non-perishables and canned foods, flashlights, batteries, soap powder, diapers, wipes and baby formula, tarpaulins and tents, toiletries, and hygiene kits.

hearing, NYCHA officials said contractors reported fewer than 3,000 Section 3 hires by the agency last year.

NYCHA officials at the hearing said one and a half agency employees were tasked with monitoring 800 contracts involving Section 3 hires.

Which is Section 3’s dubious distinction: Even with a dizzying amount of money available and construction abounding in public housing projects across the five boroughs as the city implements the Obama-era Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program and court-ordered lead abatement mandates, contractors who do not want to anger union labor they depend on to work on these profitable projects avoid Section 3 hires and minority- and women-led business enterprises that are interested in a piece of that money.

And nobody is making them do otherwise.

“In regard to Section 3, it is astonishing how they have gotten away with this massive disinvestment of billions of dollars over the last ten years,” said Manuel Martinez, president of the South Jamaica Houses Tenant Association, who also sits on a NYCHA committee examining how Section 3 is used. “We’re not significantly impacting the population that can be affected by Section 3.

“Section 3 could be to New York City what Ford was to Detroit.”

Items may be dropped off at:

Downstate Medical Center 450 Clarkson Avenue

Monday–Friday Open 24 hours a day

God’s Battalion of Prayer 780 Schenectady Avenue

Monday–Friday 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Christ Ambassador Ministries

5007 Beverly Road

Monday–Friday 5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.

Brooklyn Community Board 17 4112 Farragut Road

Monday–Friday 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Council District Office 45 1434 Flatbush Avenue

Monday–Friday 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

CLASSROOM IN THE

Will Marion Cook, violinist, composer, and doyen of musical theater

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

William Mercer Cook was born on January 27, 1869, in Washington, D.C., and became better known as Will Marion Cook, an eminent composer, violinist, and choral director. His father, John Hartwell Cook, was in the first class of the Howard University School of Law in 1871 and later became one of the first African American attorneys to practice in the nation’s capital.

From 1867 to 1872, John served as the chief clerk of the Freedmen’s Bureau. He was professor and dean of the Howard University Law School from 1876 to 1878. A year later, he died of tuberculosis, leaving his wife, Isabel, to maintain the family, eventually sending all three of her children away to live with other families.

After a violent altercation with a teacher who strapped him, 10-year-old Cook was sent to live with his maternal grandparents in Chattanooga, Tennessee, both of whom were formerly enslaved. It was during this period of his life that he first heard the folk music, what he called the “real Negro melodies,” that would inform his future endeavors. He stayed only a year in the region before returning to his mother, who was convinced that the South was not the place to be at that time.

Back with his mother, Cook began a serious study of music. Like his father, he enrolled at Oberlin College and at 14 he was among the youngest students at the conservatory. A veritable prodigy on the violin, he entered the tutelage of Frederick G. Doolittle, along with lessons from Fenelon Rice, L. Celestia Wattles, and Calvin B. Cady. Ever the adventurous musician, Cook envisioned studying abroad and numerous benefit recitals provided the funds he needed to travel. There was also a considerable amount of money

donated by admiring sponsors of the talented youth, including support from Frederick Douglass. He arrived at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik in 1887 for two years, studying and working with the violinist Heinrich Jacobson, who was chairman of the orchestral instruments department. Jacobson was a star student of the esteemed Joseph Joachim, who was considered the greatest violinist of the age.

There is no definitive information about how long Cook’s tenure was under the guidance of Jacobson. Whatever the length of study, Cook profited, and in 1894 and 1895, he studied with the renowned Czech composer Antonin Dvorak, then living in the U.S. There was also a valuable stint with John White at the National Conservatory of Music. He made his professional debut in 1889 in his hometown.

No matter how gifted he was, Cook was a Black man, and ultimately his career was limited in the classical realm. But he prospered in musical theater both as a composer, conductor, and arranger. In 1890, he became director of a chamber orchestra that toured the East Coast. Among his many duties and successes was his development of scenes for the opera version of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” prepared for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, though the performance was ultimately canceled. Five years later, Cook had much greater luck with a production of “Clorindy: The Origin of the Cakewalk,” a one-act musical created with the poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, the first of its kind at a Broadway venue. He would achieve even better notice, and glowing reviews, with his 1903 musical, “In Dahomey.” By this time he was married to the young singer, Abbie Mitchell. They had two children, one of them was Will Mercer Cook, the noted scholar and history teacher at Howard University and later U.S. Ambassador to Niger.

Cook gained his widest recognition as the composer and musical director for the George Walker and Bert Williams Company. He continued to compose and his musical genius was evident on “In Dahomey,” featuring his partners Walker and Williams. It was a monumental full-length musical and by 1904 toured England and later parts of the U.S. His reputation touched and influenced several luminaries, including jazz musicians Sidney Bechet, Duke Ellington, and Eubie Blake. His house on Striver’s Row in Harlem is a National Historic Landmark. In 1944, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was admitted to the hospital and died 29 days later on July 19, 1944. He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

ACTIVITIES

FIND OUT MORE

See James Weldon Johnson’s “Black Manhattan” and almost any book on the history of Black Theater.

DISCUSSION

Something more needs to be said about his marriage to a 14-year-old Abbie.

PLACE IN CONTEXT

Born just after the end of the Civil War, he died as World War II raged.

THIS WEEK IN BLACK HISTORY

July 14, 1934: Famed golfer, Lee Elder, was born in Dallas, Texas. He died in 2021.

Alger tale of overcoming poverty in backwater Appalachia, getting a college degree from Ohio State University before earning a law degree from Yale University.

Here is a sample from the book: “In our race-conscious society, our vocabulary often extends no further than the color of someone’s skin—’black people,’ ‘Asians,’ ‘white privilege.’ Sometimes these broad categories are useful, but to understand my story, you have to delve into the details. I may be white, but I do not identify with the WASPs of the Northeast. Instead, I identify with the millions of working-class white Americans of Scots-Irish descent who have no college degree. To these folks, poverty is the family tradition—their ancestors were day laborers in the Southern slave economy, sharecroppers after that, coal miners after that, and machinists and millworkers during more recent times. Americans call them hillbillies, rednecks, or white trash. I call them neighbors, friends, and family.”

His elegy was soon made into a film that had mixed reviews and like his book, race is only mentioned in context with Barack Obama about whom he writes “overcame adversity in his own right—adversity familiar to many many of us—but that was long before any of us knew him.”

It was not an easy ascendance up the economic scale for Vance; there were family difficulties, most distressingly his mother’s drug addiction. When he enrolled at Ohio State, he was older than most freshmen, but his four years in the Marines gave him an experiential edge. “I was an anomaly,” he wrote. Later at Yale, he would meet his wife, Usha, who was raised by Indian immigrants in the suburbs of San Diego, and “was like my Yale spirit guide.” He confessed that her presence made him feel at home. She is a Yale graduate and a lawyer.

There is still so much to be learned about Vance and how he will blend with Trump’s dictatorial outlook, one that demands fealty, which shouldn’t be a problem for a dyed-in-the-wool acolyte like Vance. But in this volatile, topsy-turvy political terrain, who knows. He could end up like Pence.

ternships, and scholarships.”

Continued from page 15

Bronx born and raised, Small showed interest in coding and programming from a young age, eventually attending college for graphic design and later transitioning into web design as a career.

Along the way, she’s created games, given speeches, mentored aspiring tech professionals, and even launched her own annual event—Games Devs of Color Expo for gamers of color.

“The event specifically aims to be a platform that really amplifies the work that’s already happening.” she said. “When we were going to games events, we weren’t seeing ourselves reflected in the work that was being highlighted and funded. We knew that those folks were already there, so it wasn’t that we needed to help them get into the industry per se; it was really that we needed to actually make sure that other people could see them.”

The expo is one way Small advocates for diversity in the tech industry, but there is still more work to be done.

Karen Perham-Lippman, a DEI practitioner of almost 15 years, said that substantial change will require collective effort and a systems approach. She used the education system as an example of how companies can systematically address the underrepresentation of Black employees in the tech sector.

“You have to tackle issues along that whole talent pipeline journey,” she said. “It could be early education and outreach [along] with educational institutions at the college level. Partnering with historically Black colleges and universities [and] funding STEM education programs, in -

She said the lack of sustainable investment is the reason why some DEI programs fail.

“That initiative, which at one point seemed really exciting and people were very engaged and involved, diminishes because there aren’t other strategies put in place to embed it in the organization across all levels.”

Small emphasized that fostering a truly inclusive company culture requires conscious effort and willingness to accept occasional failure.

“It’s going to be an experiment, and you’re gonna have to be a little bit uncomfortable, which I know a lot of people may not want to be, but if you do want to ultimately create a company that benefits all of its people then you do need to actually invest energy into building some kind of a culture,” she said.

For up-and-coming Black product designers, game developers, and other aspiring tech professionals, Small advised being open to new experiences, while Lawrence talked about the importance of remembering your north star.

“Really think about what kind of career you want in tech and think about what you want to carve out and why, and really keep that top of mind as you go through and plan out the steps for your career. Be very intentional. Think about the stuff that you want to take, think about the places you want to work at, think about the people that you want to know and really plan it out properly,” Lawrence said.

It takes a village: Brooklyn high school and NYC nonprofits team up to enroll older immigrants

By MICHAEL ELSEN-ROONEY Chalkbeat New York

This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters.

The prospect of enrolling at a New York City school had begun to seem like a dim possibility for Amadou Sara Barry, an 18-year-old who arrived from Guinea five months ago.

Barry came to the U.S. alone in February, determined to attend school to learn English and take the first step toward his dream of becoming an actor, he told Chalkbeat through an interpreter speaking Pulaar, an indigenous language of Guinea. But he had hit a wall: Some schools told him he was too old, and others told him to come back in the fall, he said.

Under state law, students like Barry are allowed to attend public school through age 21. Yet he wasn’t alone in his struggles. Few older immigrant students like Barry know where to begin the enrollment process. Those who do manage to make their way to schools or enrollment centers often wind up with referrals to schools that are ill-equipped to serve them or have no more room, advocates said. Others are directed to classes outside of traditional high schools that prepare students to take the General Educational Development (GED) test, a high school equivalency exam. In response, some groups are trying to ensure these students aren’t ignored or shunted away from what they want.

That’s how Barry’s situation changed on a recent Friday afternoon, as he and a group of seven other Guinean immigrant students sat around a conference table at Brooklyn Frontiers High School while Principal Alona Cohen explained the registration process.

Of these eight Guinean immigrants, ages 18–20, only one had managed to secure a spot in a school previously, said Maricruz Badia, a program coordinator with the nonprofit InsideSchools who accompanied the students on the visit.

The Brooklyn Frontiers trip was part of a growing grassroots effort led by organizations like InsideSchools as well as Afrikana, a Harlem nonprofit that supports African migrants, to improve the enrollment process for older immigrant youth and ensure they find appropriate school placements.

“There [is] this large community of unaccompanied older youth who…should be in schools but are having a very hard time finding schools,” said Badia, who is lead-

ing a new initiative to support these young people.

The push relies in large part on schools like Brooklyn Frontiers, a small transfer school with about 110 students that specializes in supporting older students.

Brooklyn Frontiers had not historically served many newly arrived immigrants, but Cohen was eager to enroll more and had recently hired a new English as a Second Language teacher.

“There was a population shift in terms of the need;it was just as simple as that,” she said of the school’s adjustments to serve more new English learners.

The effort comes as a historic influx of migrant students into New York City enters its third year. So far, an estimated 40,000 immigrant students living in city homeless shelters have enrolled in school. Yet they often struggle to sign up even though there are plenty of open seats citywide.

Badia, a former Bronx middle school counselor who came to InsideSchools last year, was horrified to witness how difficult the basic task of enrolling in school proved for many older West African youth, in particular.

During one visit to an enrollment center in the Bronx, only students who brought transcripts from their home countries— documents that can be difficult to access for students who left in a hurry—were able

to get school referrals, said Badia. Anyone 18 and older was referred to the Education Department’s GED programs for 17–21 year-olds, she said.

An Education Department spokesperson said counselors at enrollment centers help older immigrant students choose between traditional high schools, transfer schools, international schools, and high school equivalency programs. The city expanded its GED classes and launched a new program called Young Adult Bridge that offers weeknight English classes to students ages 18–20 in response to surging demand, the spokesperson added.

“Our administration deeply believes that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, no matter where they came from,” said Education Department spokesperson Nicole Brownstein.

But Badia said the way the system is currently operating, “it’s going to spit these young people right back out.” That frustration is what prompted her to try a new approach: building relationships directly with school leaders like Cohen. That way, Badia can bypass enrollment centers, and she knows she’s connecting kids to schools that have the willingness to serve them.

She was excited when an old friend who teaches at Brooklyn Frontiers mentioned that the school was hoping to enroll more English learners.

For Cohen, the budding collaboration with InsideSchools—an organization known for its school reviews—is a promising way to direct more older newcomers toward her school.

“They understand our capacity, what we specialize in, what we’re maybe not as strong in,” Cohen said.

For those eight students, the visit was a chance to get their questions answered and connect with other Guinean immigrants who had been in their shoes months earlier. As they munched on pizza, the students asked Cohen, with the help of a Pulaar interpreter, where to send school records from Guinea, when to report for summer school, and how to access their free MetroCards.

Barry, the 18-year-old aspiring actor, was cautiously optimistic. He said he could see himself eventually making friends at Brooklyn Frontiers, but is still worried about getting to summer school in Manhattan. Mostly, though, he was excited to finally have something to do during the day.

By the end of the two-hour visit, all eight students were enrolled.

Older immigrants struggle to find seats in NYC schools

The challenges for older immigrant students trying to enroll in school are See EDUCATIONon page 35

NYC schools are pushing to enroll more older immigrants. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Afro Uruguayans

Continued from page 2

religious origins and led some people to deny the foundational links with African spirituality and ancestry. This could be one of the reasons for the slow but permanent process of members of Afrodescendant families distancing themselves from the ritual practices of candombe.

AmNews: What is the geographical distribution of Afro Uruguay?

JPM: The geographical distribution of Africans and their descendants also influenced certain characteristics: In the south, Afro Uruguayan culture has urban and seaport origins; in the north, the culture is tied to cattle ranching and the existence of huge slopes in the border zone with Brazil––there, the cultural expressions have a lot to do with traditions related to those developed by the Afrodescendants of Brazil.

These cultures incorporated elements of the hegemonic cultures to build; among others, new organizational forms, such as clubs, or cultural associations…candombe, the most popularized expression of Afrodescendant artistic culture, has its origins in these Salas.

The fight for Afro Uruguayan recognition

We began doing advocacy work for the Afro Uruguayan community with state and international organizations in the 1990s. This was before the Third World

NYCHA PACT

Continued from page 3

Houses for over 25 years.

It was usual for him to translate for residents already frustrated with a leaky sink or a similar issue, keeping in mind the technicalities of a language barrier, said Sosa. He’s gotten opportunities to connect with his neighbors and build trust with them throughout this process.

“It’s a lot to handle. They’re depending on me,” said Sosa. “That’s really the only thing: making sure I keep my word. It’s not about me; it’s about the whole picture. I make sure I push, push, push what I have to push to make sure that their concerns are met.”

The project put more than $166 million into building restoration, heat and hot water, elevators, apartment renovations, safety enhancements, increased lighting, improved security, energy-efficient windows, new trash compactors, and landscaping.

Corey Powell, chief operating officer for Dantes Partners, began his career as a young Black architect before making the shift to equitable real estate development at Dantes. “The work we do: hyper-meaningful—providing housing for families, individuals, seniors; and just to hear some of the stories and communicate directly with res-

Conference against Racism and Discrimination, held in South Africa in 2001. From this period, we can highlight some referential instances.

In Montevideo, the political and economic capital of Uruguay, the Unidad Temática Afro (UTA/ Afro Thematic Unit) was created in agreement with the municipal government, a racial equity mechanism aimed at promoting municipal policies for the development of the Afrodescendant peoples and communities.

UTA discussed with the INE the inclusion of ethnic and racial variables in the national census, so there would be concrete data to facilitate the promotion of policies that affect the Afro population; the National Household Survey, a permanent statistical monitoring system carried out by the INE, included the question on ethnic relationships, providing the nation’s first official statistical data in modern times on the Afro and Indigenous communities.

A National Seminar on Racism and Development Program for Afrodescendant communities was also held. This event had a very important impact on Uruguayan society because it brought to public attention the existence and practice of racism in the country, as well as the socioeconomic situation of Afrodescendant people and communities.

One of the most impactful aspects was the participation of various social groups who had to state their position on the issues analyzed. This generated great visibility and awareness of the racial situation in society, which facilitated the negotiations with the federal government.

idents or hear from our property management staff,” said Powell.

In 2020, NYCHA issued a proposal request specifically for small developers, he said. Dantes was selected, opened a satellite office in New York, and hired local staff to start working on rehabbing developments by 2023. It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though, since real-estate is a predominantly white-led space.

“So far, from our experience in New York City with NYCHA, I feel there’s a level of parity there,” said Powell about what it’s like to be part of a minority-owned development company. “It’s not always the same. Sometimes it’s direct, sometimes it’s indirect—being questioned four times in different ways because someone may question our expertise.”

Despite those challenges, the company has remained committed to the vision of improving affordable housing for Black and Brown residents in the city.

“It’s frustrating,” said Powell. “They threw an awful lot at us, but the company is at a cycle where we can push back now. We’ve been able to achieve everything and grow while getting those questions, so now, when those things come up, we can shut them down more easily.”

They aim to complete all renovations by 2025, he said

How to take action and help protect older adults from scams

Sponsored content by JPMorgan Chase

Anyone can be a victim of scams. They happen when scammers go after individuals of all ages, using tactics like phone calls, emails and messages to reel in unsuspecting victims to get to their money and personal information.

Older adults are often key targets and it is important to stay alert to common scams and financial abuse signs that can help protect older loved ones from becoming a victim.

Know the signs of a scam

Scammers have grown very convincing. They often can impersonate companies or organizations and make you believe the urgency or need behind their attempts. If you encounter the following signs, you’re likely dealing with a scammer.

1) Urgent demands to take action, send money and personal information requests. An imposter may demand quick action, claim that you will lose money, and push for access to your personal account information, passwords or confirmation codes. Remember: neither banks nor the government will threaten you or demand money to protect your accounts. If you receive a call from your bank that you are unsure about, hang up and call the number on the back of your credit or debit card.

2) New relationships that take an interest in their money. Financial abuse often happens from persons known to the victim, like a caretaker or a new acquaintance. Be wary of any new friends approaching you with investment “opportunities” or who take an interest in your financial information.

3) Unexpected contact from “loved ones.” Scammers can use artificial intelligence (AI) to replicate familiar voices, posing as friends or family. They’ll call you on the phone sounding like a loved one in danger and demanding that you send money. Hang up and contact your loved one directly to confirm it’s really them.

4) Unusual financial activity. Scammers could be accessing your account if you see withdrawals or changes to your accounts, such as new authorized users or missed bill payments. Also, be sure to keep your checkbook safe and keep an eye on check activity. Automate all the payments you can and discuss who are trusted contacts to

support money decisions if you ever need help.

5) Changes in ownership and responsibility. If you notice changes to wills, power of attorneys or any other financial plans, it could be a sign of financial abuse.

Take action to avoid scams

You and your loved ones don’t have to be victims. These steps can help reduce the chance of falling for a scam:

• Ignore and block calls and messages from numbers you don’t recognize and don’t trust caller ID alone. When in doubt, hang up and contact the company, bank or loved one directly to ask if there is a problem.

• Throw away unsolicited mail and be careful with suspicious emails or messages on social media. Don’t answer questions about personal finances.

• Keep your personal information, account details and passwords safe so you don’t give scammers access to your money and identity.

• Be cautious when using checks. Digital payment methods or your bank’s online bill payment feature can help you get money to your intended recipient while eliminating paper checks that can be stolen and altered.

• Enable online alerts to be aware of large purchases. You can act quickly if you see fraudulent charges.

• Shred bank statements, receipts, unused checks and credit cards before throwing them away.

If you’re an older adult, have conversations with trusted family members about how they can support your money needs as you age, which can help protect you from being exposed to fraud and financial exploitation. For those with older loved ones, start the conversation now and use digital tools to help alert you to possible scams. Remember that financial scams can happen to anyone. If you feel you’ve been scammed, contact your bank to verify recent transactions to ensure there is no unusual activity on your account. Don’t feel embarrassed if you become a victim, share your experience with friends and family and ask for help.

You can learn more about ways to detect financial abuse and to protect loved ones at chase.com/financialabuse.

For informational/educational purposes only: Views and strategies described may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/recommendation for any individual. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries do not warrant its completeness or accuracy.

Religion & Spirituality

Adeline Dolly Christian, a civil leader with flair and financial savvy, has passed

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

A sample of Adeline Dolly Christian’s eventful life is captured by Sadie Feddoes in her column in the Amsterdam News in May 1962. Christian, president of the New York Urban League, was the hostess of the annual Frederick Douglass Awards Dinner. In many respects, she was as much a luminary as the coterie assembled that evening, including a special citation to George Steinbrenner. This was just one of many illustrious moments in her remarkable life and service, which ended on July 8, 2024.

Born Adeline Viola Lewis on April 8, 1929 in Newark, New Jersey, she was still very young when the family moved to the Bronx, New York. That was the beginning of her stays in the various boroughs, then to Pennsylvania and eventually to Maryland. Those movements

would typify her association with several organizations and institutions, including the Coalition of 100 Black Women, National Urban Affairs Council, and New York City Commission on Human Rights, through which she served under two mayors.

But her most memorable achievements may have come during her tenure at the Urban League that began in 1971 when she was elected to the board of directors. Six years later, she was elected chair of the League and later the president. For several years, she was the director of civic affairs at the Sperry & Hutchinson Company, ideally positioned to facilitate the largess of funds to the agency. Many New Yorkers recall her presence at the annual Grambling-Morgan Football Classic at Yankee Stadium, managing

the proceeds from the game to be distributed to compensate the contenders, and ensuring college scholarships were delivered to two students in each borough.

It was often said that she got her nickname from her resemblance to a doll, according to several community notables, to say nothing of her glamorous style that could have been influenced by the lyrics of “Hello, Dolly!” She heard the name so often that she soon legally adopted it. “Dolly was a great friend of my husband (Jan Van Meter), and I became friends with her after his passing. We had lots of fun talking by phone. She was great to speak with, funny, intelligent, and caring about things that matter. My husband adored her, and I did too, “ said friend Elena Sansalone.

An obituary posted by the Adeline Dolly Christian Memorial Fund noted that those who knew recognized “her strong personality, which was definitely not for the meek, but it is adored by many and will be remembered lovingly.”

She was predeceased by her husband, Al Christian, and several siblings. Left to cherish her memory are a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great nieces and nephews, and other family members, as well as many good friends and neighbors. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ChildFirst Services, Inc. to support Dolly Christian House, a residential program for foster youth in Pennsylvania that was named in her honor 20 years ago. Donation link: https://www.childfirstservices.org/donations/

More than 1,300 people die during hajj, many after walking in scorching heat

By SAMY MAGDY Associated Press

CAIRO (AP)—More than 1,300 people died during this year’s hajj— pilgrimage—in Saudi Arabia as the faithful faced extreme high temperatures at Islamic holy sites in the desert kingdom, Saudi authorities announced Sunday.

Saudi Health Minister Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel said 83% of the 1,301 fatalities were unauthorized pilgrims who walked long distances in soaring temperatures to perform the hajj rituals in and around the holy city of Mecca.

Speaking with the state-owned Al Ekhbariya TV, the minister said 95 pilgrims were being treated in hospitals, some of whom were airlifted for treatment in the capital, Riyadh. He said the identification process was delayed because many of the dead pilgrims had no identification documents.

He said the dead were buried in Mecca, without giving a breakdown of numbers.

The fatalities included more than 660 Egyptians. All but 31 of them were unauthorized pilgrims, according to two officials in Cairo. Egypt has revoked the licenses of 16 travel agencies that helped unauthorized pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia, authorities said.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were

heat, the newspaper said.

The fatalities also included 165 pilgrims from Indonesia; 98 from India; and dozens more from Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, and Malaysia, according to an Associated Press tally. Two U.S. citizens were also reported dead.

The AP could not independently confirm the causes of death, but some countries, such as Jordan and Tunisia, blamed the heat. AP journalists saw pilgrims fainting from the heat, especially on the second and third days of the hajj, including while trying to perform the symbolic stoning of the devil. Some vomited and collapsed.

During this year’s hajj period, daily high temperatures ranged between 46 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit) and 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit) in Mecca and sacred sites in and around the city, according to the Saudi National Center for Meteorology.

The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and one of the world’s largest religious gatherings. More than 1.83 million Muslims performed the hajj in 2024, including more than 1.6 million from 22 countries and around 222,000 Saudi citizens and residents, according to the Saudi hajj authorities.

not authorized to brief journalists, said most of the dead were reported at the Emergency Complex in Mecca’s Al-Muaisem neighborhood.

Egypt sent more than 50,000 authorized pilgrims to Saudi Arabia this year. Saudi authorities cracked down on unauthorized pilgrims, expelling tens of thousands of people, but many, mostly Egyptians, managed to reach holy sites in and around Mecca, some on foot. Unlike authorized pilgrims, they had no hotels to return to to escape the scorching heat.

In a statement on Saturday, Egypt’ government said the 16 travel agencies failed to provide adequate servic-

es for pilgrims. It said these agencies illegally facilitated the travel of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia using visas that don’t allow holders to travel to Mecca. The government also said officials from the companies have been referred to the public prosecutor for investigation.

According to the state-owned AlAhram daily, some travel agencies and hajj trip operators sold Saudi tourist visas to Egyptian hajj hopefuls, violating Saudi regulations, which require exclusive visas for pilgrims. Those agencies left pilgrims in limbo in Mecca and the holy sites with nowhere to escape the extreme

Historically, deaths are not uncommon at the hajj, which has seen more than 2 million people travel to Saudi Arabia at times for a five-day pilgrimage. History has also seen deadly stampedes and epidemics during the pilgrimage. This year’s tally was unusually high, suggesting exceptional circumstances.

In 2015, a stampede in Mina killed more than 2,400 pilgrims—the deadliest incident ever to strike the pilgrimage, according to an AP count.

Saudi Arabia has never acknowledged the full toll of the stampede.

A separate crane collapse at Mecca’s Grand Mosque earlier the same year killed 111.

The second-deadliest incident at the hajj was a 1990 stampede that killed 1,426 people.

Saudi Arabia has spent billions of dollars on crowd control and safety measures for those attending the annual five-day pilgrimage, but the sheer number of participants makes it difficult to ensure their safety.

Climate change could make the risk even greater. A 2019 study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that even if the world succeeds in mitigating the worst effects of climate change, the hajj would be held in temperatures exceeding an “extreme danger threshold” from 2047 to 2052, and from 2079 to 2086.

Islam follows a lunar calendar, so the hajj occurs 11 days earlier each year. By 2029, the Hajj will occur in April. For several years after that, it will fall in the winter, when temperatures are milder.

Adeline Dolly Christian Photo (photo courtesy of the family)

Muslim pilgrims use umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun as they arrive to cast stones at pillars in symbolic stoning of the devil—last rite of annual hajj—in Mina, Saudi Arabia. More than 1,000 people died during this year’s hajj as faithful faced extreme high temperatures at Islamic holy sites in the desert kingdom (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

On July 10, McSpadden had the opportunity to talk with international lawyers about the killing of her son by taking part in a virtual hearing conducted by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), the legal arm of the Organization of American States. The IACHR promotes adherence to human rights in the Americas, and the Mike Brown case is the first U.S. police violence case it has ever heard. The petition to hear the case was filed in 2015 by members of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization and Howard University’s Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center. The process took so long that the case is only just now being heard by the commission.

“We want the case to be reopened, revisited—we want to bring charges against Darren Wilson,” Justin Hansford, the Thurgood Marshall Center’s executive director told the Amsterdam News. “He’s still walking around free, just like George Zimmerman. One thing that a lot of people don’t think about is, when we saw Derek Chauvin [the former Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer who murdered George Floyd] put in jail, that was really an exception.”

Hansford has been working with McSpadden on getting justice for her son since he was killed. He is a board member of McSpadden’s nonprofit, Michael O.D. Brown We Love Our Sons & Daughters Foundation, and guided McSpadden’s testimony before the IACHR’s legal experts. After waiting for St. Louis County to charge Wilson, McSpadden said she was both surprised and frustrated when the prosecutor, McCulloch, declared there was “no probable cause” to indict Officer Wilson. Her son had been unarmed. How could Wilson get away with firing 12 shots, six of which hit Brown, someone who had no weapon and who had reportedly put his hands up in submission? The state had accepted Wilson’s claim that he shot what he’d called the “demon,” “Hulk Hogan”-sized Brown in self-defense. Missouri failed to press charges, but it was even worse when the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed their own case report in 2015. Initially, McSpadden was given a contact at the DOJ and was encouraged to speak with her. They wound up spending a lot of time together, talking for at least two months about her son and what he had been like as a child and

as a brother to his siblings. Then, the DOJ contact called one day and let McSpadden know that they planned to examine Mike’s juvenile record. “I told her, ‘Well Michael doesn’t have a juvenile record,’ and she insisted that well we’re going to look so if there’s something there, you should tell me now. I had no idea what she was talking about,” McSpadden told the IACHR commission.

Two weeks later, her family was given an appointment with the DOJ to hear their conclusions about the case. “When we arrived, they had us wait for an hour and 45 minutes in the lobby and when we went up it was less than five minutes of their time that was taken to let us know that they were not moving forward with charges or a prosecution. I became a little upset because we had waited over 100 days to hear their announcement and then you had us waiting in the lobby for an hour and 45 minutes?

“I wanted her to give me some more details,” McSpadden said, “She had a large stack of papers in front of her: I wanted her to go through some of those papers and explain to me how they came to this conclusion. She would not do that and in return she said to me that she felt threatened by me and my tone and this let me know that this narrative that had been building about my son was now a part of her biased conclusion. The narrative was to make Mike look like the aggressor and now it was to make Mike’s mother look like the aggressor and never once did I threaten her or get loud with her or get close to her.”

Six IACHR commissioners––judges from six different countries––had the opportunity to question McSpadden and representatives of the United States about the case. The IAHCR’s findings and recommendations to the United States government regarding the Mike Brown case will not technically be binding on the U.S. or McSpadden, but it will be emblematic. A ruling in favor of Mike Brown’s family would give credibility to McSpadden and her efforts to get justice for her son.

While other nations tend to at least formally follow the IAHCR’s decisions, the U.S. has traditionally not taken direction from international bodies like the IAHCR or the United Nations. Thurgood Marshall Center’s Hansford said he did see the attendance of Kristen Clarke, the DOJ’s assistant attorney general for civil rights, in the virtual meeting as a positive sign. “I think she sees all of the limitations and, you know, we’re still talking about what the Department of Justice might do because Biden’s White House has said that it wants to be re-

sponsive to trying to work to accomplish police reform. The George Floyd Justice and Policing Act did not pass, but the Biden White House implemented some sort of executive action, which they talked about in the hearing, along with other things that they were doing about police brutality.

“But we’re calling for them to reopen the Mike Brown case. We call for that to happen both from the Department of Justice and from Missouri. It’s a murder case; there’s no statute of limitations on it. We could have a special prosecutor appointed, for both the federal case and the state case. And Mike Brown’s mother is really passionate about mental health, especially for families that have been impacted by police violence because she’s seen the way that this has affected her family and herself. She has talked about how she would like to see the creation of a Mike Brown fund, which would allow for victims to get resources for their own recovery, similar to how we have victims’ compensation funds but, you know,

those are actually designed to bar anyone who has been injured by a police officer––that only applies when you’re injured by another citizen. We’re trying to find a way to make that one of the remedies and the framework we used was reparations because we know that just arresting and even convicting Darren Wilson won’t really be full justice. We also asked for an apology and for a change in policing regulations. These are all the different things that we put into our brief as possible ways that we could get some justice in this case.”

Plans for the commemoration of the August 9 killing of Mike Brown include a street naming for him in downtown St. Louis, and the possible acquisition of a building that will serve as a community center/museum: a place to memorialize the activist movement that came out of Ferguson following his killing. The new site will also give young people a space where they can learn and engage in community activities.

St. Brendan Senior Apartments

Monsignor Mullaney Apartments

4301 8th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232

1215 Avenue O, Brooklyn, NY 11230

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

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

Beginning July 15, 2024 our 120-unit building at 1215 Ave O in Brooklyn will be re-opening its waiting list to the elderly or head of household or spouse is 62 or older or those with a mobility impairment. Qualifications and eligibility for the affordable apartments, which include units for the mobility impaired, will be based on Section 8 guidelines. Interested persons may obtain an application by writing to:

Interested persons may obtain an application:

Send a written application request to:

BY MAIL

POP Management – Msgr Mullaney

POP Management – St. Brendan

191 Joralemon St 8th Floor, Brooklyn NY, 11201

191 Joralemon St 8th Floor, Brooklyn NY, 11201

*Written application requests must be received by 7/22/24

*Writtenapplicationrequestsmustbe receivedby2/7/24

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

www.ccbq.org/service/senior-housing Or by emailing info.popm@ccbq.org

Completed applications must be sent by regular mail to the PO Box listed on the application and be postmarked by 2/13/2024. If you have a disability and need assistance with the application process or any other type of reasonable accommodation, please contact Sheena Williams at (718) 722-6155.

Completed applications must be sent by regular mail to the PO Box listed on the application and be postmarked by 7/29/2024. If you have a disability and need assistance with the application process or any other type of reasonable accommodation, please contact Yhasara Humphrey at 718-722-6081.

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This is to announce that the next meeting of the Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy I Charter School Board of Trustees will occur in person on Monday, July 22, 2024 at 7:30 am. The meeting will be held at 245 West 129th St., NY, NY.

This is to announce that the next meeting of the Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy II Charter School Board of Trustees will occur in person on Monday, July 22, 2024 at 7:30 am. The meeting will be held at 245 West 129th St., NY, NY.

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT, NEW YORK COUNTY, ROYS REALTY GROUP LLC, Plaintiff, against EIGHTH AVENUE 154 LLC, et al., Defendants.

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK.

CIPRIANI CLUB RESIDENCES AT 55 WALL CONDOMINIUM, BY ITS BOARD OF MANAGERS, Plaintiff -against- SOLU PROPERTIES LLC, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated February 29, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on August 7, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, known as "The 55 Wall Condominium" designated and described as Unit 622. Together with an undivided 0.4804% percent interest in the common elements. Block: 27 Lot: 1033 Said premises known as 55 WALL STREET, UNIT 622, NEW YORK, NY

Approximate amount of lien $45,598.51 plus interest & costs.

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

Index Number 154426/2023. ELAINE SHAY, ESQ., Referee Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 444 Madison Ave., 6th Floor, New York, NY 10022

Velvet Riot Creative LLC Auth. filed w/ SSNY 5/20/24. Off. in NY Co. Cert. of Form filed w/ SSDE 4/4/24. Process served to SSNY - desig. as agt. of LLC & mailed to the LLC, 2912 Hostetler St, Raleigh, NC 27609. Add. maint’d. in DE: 3500 S Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901. Name & add. of auth. officer in DE where Cert. of Form filed: SSDE Div. of Corp, 401 Federal St, Ste. 4, DE 19901. Any lawful purpose.

One Golden Eagle LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/23/2024. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: U.S. Corp. Agents, Inc., 7014 13th Ave., Ste. 202, Bklyn, NY, 11228. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated January 18, 2024, and entered on February 23, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee appointed in said Judgment, will sell at public auction at the New York County Supreme Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, Room 130, New York, New York, on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at 2:15 p.m., all that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements situated, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan and County of New York, State of New York, Block 767, Lot 74. Said premises known as 154 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10001. Premises will be sold subject to the terms of the filed Judgment, Index No. 850022/2022, and the Terms of Sale, all of which are available from Plaintiff’s counsel upon request.

The approximate amount of the Judgment is $8,462,096.48 plus interest and costs, as provided in the Judgment.

The foreclosure sale will be conducted in compliance with the First Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies concerning public auctions of foreclosed properties and the New York County Foreclosure Auction Rules which can be found on the Court’s website.

Clark Whitsett, Esq., Referee.

Rosenberg & Estis, P.C.

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

Attention: Richard Y. Im, Esq.

Notice of Formation of LP PRESERVATION HTC LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/23/24. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 116 E. 27th St., 11th Fl., NY, NY 10016. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. Purpose: Real estate.

FEATHERS MANAGEMENT, LLC, filed App. for Auth. with the SSNY on 1/25/2024. Office: New York County. LLC formed in DE on 6/10/2021. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served and shall mail process to: c/o Blair Feldman, 30 W 57th St, NY, NY 10019. Address required to be maintained in DE: 1105 N Market St. Ste 801, Wilmington, DE 19801. Cert of Formation filed with DE Sect’y of State, 401 Federal St #4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any lawful act.

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. NAYDA FIGUEROA AND CARISSA R. VILLANUEVA, if living, and if they be dead, any and all persons unknown to Plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirsat-law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs-at-law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to Plaintiff, Defts. - Index # 850135/2020. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated May 10, 2024, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 0.00986400000% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as 57TH STREET VACATION SUITES located at 102 West 57th Street, New York, NY. Approximate amount of judgment is $42,303.39 plus costs and interest as of February 9, 2024. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Matthew D. Hunter III, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. HASMAIK ESTEVEZ IT SERVICES, LLC and HASMAIK ESTEVEZ, Defts. - Index # 850115/2022. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated May 15, 2023, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 0.00493200000% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as 57TH STREET VACATION SUITES located at 102 West 57th Street, New York, NY. Approximate amount of judgment is $25,164.06 plus costs and interest as of January 4, 2023. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. ELIZABETH BARON and BRUCE R. BARON, Defts. Index # 850531/2023. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated May 30, 2024, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 0.00493200000% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as 57TH STREET VACATION SUITES located at 102 West 57th Street, New York, NY. Approximate amount of judgment is $20,123.92 plus costs and interest as of February 27, 2024. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

CORE SETON AVENUE PROPERTIES, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/12/24. Office: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 3184 Westchester Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of BMH Penn, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/16/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Pennsylvania (PA) on 06/21/18. Princ. office of LLC: Three Logan Sq., 1717 Arch Street, Ste. 5100, Philadelphia, PA 19103. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of the Commonwealth of PA, 302 N. Office Bldg., 401 North St., Harrisburg, PA 17120. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York , HMC Assets, LLC Solely in its Capacity as Separate Trustee of Cam XI Trust , Plaintiff, vs . Leo Tsimmer a/k/a Leo E. Tsimmer , ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on April 8 , 2024 , I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on August 7, 2024 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 200 East 58th Street, Unit 16F, 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 of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York, Block 1331 and Lot 1083 together with an undivided 0.68227 percent interest in the Common Elements. Approximate amount of judgment is $645,401.04 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850209/2020. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale.

Paul R. Sklar, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 150137-5

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE AUCTION SALE

Notice of Formation of 251 WEST 91ST STREET 4A LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/23/24. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of FORTHILL WALKER HOLDER, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/20/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 05/16/24. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 802 N. French St., 10th Fl., Wilmington, DE 19801. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Pursuant to a judgment dated January 24, 2023, the property located at and commonly known as 768 5th Avenue, Unit 1126, New York, NY 10019 (Block 01274, Lot 1304) (the “Property”) currently held by Kondo Enterprises, Inc., and the rights together with the Property and related collateral described in the judgment and the mortgage being foreclosed thereby, will be sold to the highest qualified bidder at a public auction to be held at 2:15 PM, EST, on August 7, 2024 in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY.

The Property will be sold subject to the terms of the above-referenced judgment (New York County Supreme Court, Index No. 850050/2022), in addition to the terms of sale, by Jerry Merola, Esq., the Referee. The approximate amount of the sums due pursuant to the judgment, as of September 22, 2022, excluding costs and expenses of the sale, reimbursable costs and expenses incurred by plaintiffs in the foreclosure action, additional accrued interest, and protective advances made to preserve the Property through the date of sale, is $411,359.28. For all questions and inquiries, contact James N. Faller, Esq., james. faller@reedsmith.com , +1 (212) 521-5400, Reed Smith, LLP, attorney(s) for Plaintiff, 599 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022.

SUPREME COURT, COUNTY OF NEW YORK, BOARD OF MANAGERS OF TOWERS ON THE PARK CONDOMINIUM, Plaintiff against CLAUDETH R ADAMS, ALLEN HEZEKIAH, and SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered February 26, 2024. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the front steps of the Supreme Court, County of New York, 60 Centre Street, Room 130, New York, New York on the 31st day of July, 2024 at 2:15 p.m.; premises described as follows: All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being partially in the Incorporated County of New York, State of New York. Said premises known as 300 Cathedral Parkway, Unit 11K, New York, New York (Block: 1845, Lot: 1110). Approximate amount of lien $136,333.24 and such additional common charges and assessments and late fees, legal fees as may accrue up to the date of sale or so much of it as the purchase money of the mortgaged premises will pay of the same not previously included in the computation and upon presentation of proofs of same to Referee, together with interest thereon pursuant to the common charge lien. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale and any amount owed on underlying mortgage. Index No. 157781/2020, Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee. Ian J. Brandt, Esq, Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 605 Third Avenue, 34th Floor, New York, New York 10158 (646) 428-3291

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY

OF New York , U.S. Bank National Association as Legal Title Trustee for Truman 2016 SC6 Title Trust, Plaintiff, vs . Moshe RahImi , ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on February 15, 2024 , I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on July 31, 2024 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 635 West 42nd Street a/k/a 627-635 West 42nd Street, Unit 15J, New York, NY 10036. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York, Block 1090 and Lot 1351 together with an undivided 0.12612 percent interest in the Common Elements. Approximate amount of judgment is $570,028.95 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850111/2020. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale.

Paul R. Sklar, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. File Firm No.: 201235-1

Notice of Qualification of 980 MADISON AVENUE HOLDINGS LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/30/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 06/14/07. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., #4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of AlleyCorp Exavir 2022, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/23/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 02/07/22. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 220 5th Ave., 17th Fl., NY, NY 10001. DE addr. of LLC: Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of HAUTE HOME LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/29/24. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 17 E. 84th St., Apt. 9A, NY, NY 10028. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Sandi Harris Pleeter at the princ. office of the LLC. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Crowned Marketing Solutions LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 6/6/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 88 Greenwich St #809, New York, NY 10006. Purpose: Any lawful act.

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK.

NYCTL 2021-A TRUST AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND CUSTODIAN FOR THE NYCTL 2021-A TRUST, Plaintiffs -against- KAYLAND REALTY LTD., et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein on March 15, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on August 14, 2024 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 1372 and Lot 53 on the New York County Tax Assessment Map. Said premises known as 5 RIVERVIEW TERRACE, NEW YORK, NY 10022

Approximate amount of lien $27,224.10 plus interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 160409/2022.

RONALD ZEZIMA, ESQ., Referee Phillips Lytle LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiffs 28 East Main Street, Suite 1400, Rochester, NY 14614

Breakfast Bar Books LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 5/31/2024. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: Cohen Schneider Law, P.C., 275 Madison Ave., Suite 1905, New York, NY 10016. Purpose: Any lawful act.

DK LEGAL LLP. Notice of Registration filed with the SSNY on 06/13/24. Office: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLP upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLP, 502 Park Avenue, 9D, New York, NY 10022, which is also the location of the partnership. Purpose: For the practice of the profession of Law.

Notice of Formation of H 18 & 8TH, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/18/24. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 115 W. 30th St., Ste. 1107, NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP, 605 Third Ave., 15th Fl., NY, NY 10158. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

RIVIERA DEL CORALLO LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/12/24. Office: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 1-50 50th Avenue, Apartment 2508, Long Island City, NY 11101. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

ALL ANGLES PRODUCTIONS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/03/2024. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 40 Bruckner Blvd, Apt 1213, New York, NY 10454. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

100 BARCLAY 16M LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/05/24. Office: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 100 Barclay Street, 16M, New York, NY 10007. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Mega Mode LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/19/2024. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 207 W 110th St, Unit 16, New York, NY 10026. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Notice of Qualification of 170 EAST 83RD STREET OWNER

LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/24/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 05/07/24. Princ. office of LLC: 7 Penn Plaza, Ste. 600, NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543, regd. agent upon whom and at which process may be served. DE addr. of LLC: CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808-1674. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of ATLAS VI DEKALB LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/10/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 05/17/24. Princ. office of LLC: 40 W. 57th St., 29th Fl., NY, NY 10019. 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. 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.

LEGAL NOTICE

Formation of THE CLAYTON FARM LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 6/26/2024. 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 300 W. 53rd St., Apt. #5B, New York, NY 10019. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

IQEQ Law, PLLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 5/06/2019. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: 237 36th St., Brooklyn NY 11232. Purpose: Any lawful act, including laws of business practices.

Rebel Soul Music Fair LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/23/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 228 Park Ave S PMB 304952, New York, NY 100031502. Purpose: Any lawful act.

KingCo Ventures LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/27/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 7014 13th Ave, Ste 202, Brooklyn, NY, 11228. Purpose: Any lawful act.

NOTICE OF FORMATION of NYC Catalyst Fund, LLC (the “LLC”) filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (“SSNY”) on 05/20/2024. Office location: New York County. The principal business address of the LLC is: One Liberty Plaza, New York, New York 10006. SSNY has been designated as the agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail service of process to c/o New York City Economic Development Corporation, One Liberty Plaza, New York, New York 10006, Attention: General Counsel. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of ALM FIRST EXECUTIVE BENEFITS

LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/10/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Texas (TX) on 11/14/23. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the TX addr. of LLC: 3800 Maple Ave., Ste. 600, Dallas, TX 75219. Cert. of Form. filed with Jane Nelson, Secy. of State, 1100 Congress Capitol Bldg., Rm. 1E 8, Austin, TX 78701. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

STARLIGHT EVENTS GROUP LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/24/2024. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 7014 13th Ave Ste 210, Bklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

LEGAL NOTICE

Formation of ARCHIE STUDIOS LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 6/26/2024. 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 300 W. 53rd St., Apt. #5B, New York, NY 10019. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of 107 PARRISH POND LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/18/24. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Angel Charlie & Co LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/17/2024. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 11 Broadway, Suite 615, New York, NY 10004. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of BE CLEVER LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/21/24. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 1180 Sixth Ave., 8th Fl., NY, NY 10036. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

GEBAYA LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/04/2024. Office location: NEW YORK County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 420 EAST 111TH STREET, P.O. BOX 689, NEW YORK, NY 10029. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Notice of Qualification of LAFAYETTE AND PATTERSON LENDER LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/25/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 03/01/22. Princ. office of LLC: 520 Madison Ave., NY, NY 10022. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543, regd. agent upon whom and at which process may be served. DE addr. of LLC: 1209 Orange St., Wilmington, DE 19801. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, Div. of Corps., John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Real estate investments.

Notice of Qualification of FlexLegal Services, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/28/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 06/17/24. Princ. office of LLC: 600 Madison Ave., 8th, NY, NY 10022. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of 471 WASHINGTON STREET LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/12/24. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Brian Richard Lenker, Esq., Brach Eichler L.L.C., 101 Eisenhower Pkwy., Roseland, NJ 07068. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

pervasive and long-standing.

A recent investigation by the publication The 74 uncovered hundreds of schools across the country unwilling to enroll a fictional 19-year-old Venezuelan immigrant— even in states that allow students to remain in school through age 21.

New York City’s school system—the largest in the country—is better equipped than many to support older newcomer students. The city hosts a network of international schools specifically designed to enroll high schoolers learning English. After years of pressure from advocates, the Education Department also committed $6 million in 2022 to expand support for English language learners at transfer schools.

Even with those advantages, though, the school system has struggled to keep pace with the influx of new arrivals, advocates said.

The problem is especially acute for older West African youth, many of whom are in the country alone, face pressure to earn money right away to repay smugglers, and are less likely than Spanish speakers to find adults in the school system who share their background or speak their language, said Adama Bah, founder and executive directorof Afrikana.

“If InsideSchools is not there, or I’m not there, there’s no success rate in getting people enrolled,” Bah said.

Many of the schools best equipped to work with older newcomers are full, said Badia. GED programs can be good options for students who need to work long hours right away, Bah said, but those classes can also fill up. Many students also crave the social and extracurricular benefits of high school and want to earn a diploma, she added. For other students without access to advocates like Bah or Badia, it’s difficult to even know where to start.

Boubacar Diollo, 19, and Mamadou Balde, 18, are friends from Guinea who fled the country without their families and reunited in New York City last fall. They didn’t get any help with enrolling in school from the Brooklyn shelter where they were staying, the teens recently told Chalkbeat through an interpreter.

Five months after arriving in the U.S., the boys hopped on the subway to Manhattan and began walking the streets looking for a school. They walked into a school whose name they don’t remember and were told it didn’t have room, but were handed a list of other schools to try.

One of the names on the list was Brooklyn Frontiers.

A school prepares to enroll more immigrant students

Until recently, the trickle of older immigrant students to Brooklyn Frontiers appeared to have been largely random. It began with one student showing up at the school earlier this year and asking to register. When staffers asked how he’d found it,

he told them, “It looked like a school, so I walked in,’” Cohen recalled.

Then, a friend of Cohen’s who’s also a principal and lives near a shelter where some Guinean youth were staying struck up a conversation in French with teens looking for a school. The friend recommended Brooklyn Frontiers.

In February, Cohen managed to hire a second English as a Second Language teacher, Cole Moran, allowing her to enroll more newcomers.

Word began to spread. Soon, the population of English learners at Brooklyn Frontiers had grown to nearly 30, including the eight new signups from InsideSchools—roughly a quarter of the school’s population.

Moran said his new students have made remarkable progress in just a few months. He attributes that in part to classes where students have different home languages, which forces them to communicate with each other in English.

Badia agreed, adding, “If you have a diverse community, they’re going to develop their language skills.”

Administrators are trying to equip the entire staff with techniques to support newcomers, including contracting with international schools to offer professional development.

Staffers also learned quickly that their newcomer students have very different needs outside of school than their U.S.born classmates.

While the school has traditionally invest-

ed lots of effort into building relationships with parents and families to improve attendance, many of the newcomers came to the country without their families, but are attending school “very regularly,” Cohen said.

For the older newcomers, the school has focused more on locating students when they’re forced to switch shelters, and even providing home-cooked breakfasts and toiletries.

The idea is to think about the needs of a person who’s living away from home and is unable to earn an income, said Amanda Blair, a director at Good Shepherd Services, a nonprofit that works with Brooklyn Frontiers to offer students additional support.

The rewards of enrolling the newcomers have been immense, staffers said.

“This is a new level and layer that I didn’t realize that I needed at this point in my career,” said Blair, who said she tries to treat the newcomers the way she’d want her own child treated if they were alone in a foreign country. “It’s like, wow, these young people are going to be able to learn. Some of them will get their diploma, some won’t, but I know they will be better for being in this environment.”

Interviews with Pulaar speakers were conducted with translation help from Amadou Bah, a volunteer interpreter for InsideSchools.

Michael Elsen-Rooney is a reporter for Chalkbeat New York, covering NYC public schools. Contact Michael at melsen-rooney@ chalkbeat.org.

Jordan Wright

cized in comparison to other more grassroots candidates.

“I got elected because the people of Harlem wanted to elect me. I got elected because 48% of the electorate said, ‘Hey I’m voting for Jordan Wright,’” he said, when asked if he thought it was family legacy or merit that had gotten him this far. “And I think that comes at the virtue of the support that I received. I think that comes from my work on the councilmember’s campaign and in the councilmember’s office. And I think that the voter’s voice is the voter’s voice and that’s never going to change,” he said.

Wright has undoubtedly grown up with famed Black and Brown political figures in Harlem and benefitted from the sheer privilege of having those people in his life. He has fond memories, deep ties to the community, and a plethora of stories to tell.

“My father was being honored by the Harlem Junior Tennis program growing up. He was getting an award like a lifetime achievement award of some kind and he couldn’t accept it because he was in Albany doing the budget,” said Wright, recalling an encounter he had with late Mayor David Dinkins as a teenager. Wright’s father asked Dinkins if he could accept the award for him and bring his

son on stage. Dinkins agreed, and at the last minute shoved him into the limelight by himself instead.

“I go to help the mayor. He looks at me, shakes my hand and says, ‘go get him tiger’ and sends me up by myself,” said Wright. “That was my first real like public speaking engagement.”

DENTAL Insurance

He’s consistently expressed that his path to political office is driven by his own passion to serve the Harlem he loves and has grown up with. He has a strong community backing in the polls to support it, turning in a record number of designating petitions on the very first day of filing. Family legacy or not, he admitted he does get nervous about the job ahead of him. He’s hopeful about making his own connections in Albany, tapping into his existing resources, and coordinating with Salaam and other Harlem electeds to prioritize community needs.

But first, he’s focused on campaigning into the November election and maintaining his day job as Salaam’s chief of staff. “I’m still doing work with the community. I’m still in the neighborhood,” said Wright. “Why would I leave Harlem? I’m here.”

During his campaign, Wright’s platform included housing, workforce development, education, mental health, and LGBTQ issues. And, as an environmental advocate, he said on the campaign trail that he would support the New York HEAT Act. He is committed to making cooling stations accessible within walking distance of highly vulnerable areas in the district, making buildings green-energy efficient, and wants to plant more trees.

In speaking with future constituents, Wright said that many people talk about pushing for environmental justice in Harlem and for congestion pricing as of late. Though it’s not all politics, all the time. Wright said he enjoys playing and watching basketball, and is a Jets and Yankees fan—even though his father is a big Mets fan. He likes to read biographies and enjoys the occasional video game in his downtime. “I haven’t been running as much as I’d like to, you know, having run for office,” he joked, sipping iced coffee from the cafe.

In order to stay grounded in his high stress line of work, Wright credits his mother, Susan, with teaching him how to meditate, pray, and generally enjoy the quiet. His family are longtime members of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church on West 134th Street.

“My dad was obviously in government. My mother was not,” said Wright. “So I learned a lot from my mother about how to just chill out, unplugging, detaching and doing what’s best for you at certain times.”

“I think that the environment is something that I grew up worrying about my entire life. I grew up watching ‘An Inconvenient Truth.’ I grew up with Superstorm Sandy,” said Wright. “Not only what it did to my community but also to the city where people [live and] unfortunately their lives were lost. Those storms will become normal if we don’t really [tamp] down on the environmental issues that we have in the community today. And I think that I look forward to being a great voice for the environment.”

This year meanwhile, the state general election coincides with the presidential election on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. The matchup between incumbent President Joe Biden and ex-President Donald Trump has been an increasingly fraught and even violent affair. Dems have outright called for Biden to drop out of the race while an alleged registered Republican recently shot at Trump during one of his rallies.

Wright, along with a contingent of Black voters and political clubs in the city, said they’re sticking with Biden as the candidate to win despite his wavering public support. They’ll be heading to the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago in August.

Juan Soto and Pete Alonso approach free agency on different paths

By RUDY ROBINSON

Special to the AmNews

New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto and Mets first baseman Pete Alonso will be free agents at the end of this Major League Baseball season. There will be a chance for them to get their Lotto payday. Whether or not they re-sign with their current respective teams is a discussion among fans and media that has been constant and will persist until the trade deadline on July 30. It’s a huge gamble for the Yankees and Mets considering how much money both players likely will be seeking. Soto will be seeking a roughly $600 million deal and Alonso in the neighborhood of $300 million. Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and Mets owner Steve Cohen are rightly being cautious given the economics of the sport, most critically the luxury tax implications and the ramifications of investing hundreds of millions of dollars in a long-term commitment. But is it worth the risk of losing either player?

The differences in Soto’s and Alonso’s profile dictate the disparity in their leverage and value. Soto is one of the best allaround hitters in the game and is only 25 years old. Alonso is 29 and while a top power hitter in the sport, has a lower career walk rate, batting average, and WAR (wins above replacement) than Soto. On Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game, Soto had a tworun double in the bottom of the 3rd. Alonso was 0-1 in his only plate appearance.

Yankees right fielder Juan Soto and Mets first baseman Pete Alonso are headed to free agency at the conclusion of this year’s Major League Baseball season. (Wikipedia photos)

Soto has been a key contributor in his first season with the Yankees after coming to them last December in a trade with the San Diego Padres. The Yankees are 58-40 and only one game behind the 50-38 Baltimore Orioles for first place in the American League (AL) East. Batting second directly in front of Aaron Judge, who is slotted in the No. 3 spot in the Yankees lineup, Soto has consistently provided a presence either moving runners or driving in runs. His .295 batting average (14th in the league), 75 runs scored (2nd), 23 home runs (6th) and 66 runs batted in (8th) have him in the AL MVP conversation with Judge.

Soto’s willingness to take pitches, leading MLB with 79 walks, has allowed Judge to be more aggressive at the plate. Soto’s impact on Judge’s production this year, first in baseball in home runs and RBI with 34 and 85 respectively, and second in walks at 72, cannot be overvalued. However, the Yankees have held fast to their policy of letting player contracts expire and taking their chances on re-signing them in free agency. The $31 million Soto is making this season is a bargain.

Alonso is a different space than Soto. He has been with the Mets his entire career. Alonso has the fourth most home runs of

all-time in Mets history (211) and is currently fifth in the league with 19. The 2019 Rookie of the Year, he has consistently provided power for a Mets lineup with few other home run threats. He has shown the ability to hit with little protection from the hitters behind.

In the four hole behind No. 3 hitter J.D. Martinez, Alonso has prevented opposing teams from pitching around Martinez, who is having a solid season with 10 homers and 38 RBI in 66 games for the 49-46 Mets, which sits in the third wildcard position as their post All-Star break schedule resumes tomorrow versus the Marlins in Miami to begin a four-game series.

In October, Alonso hired Scott Boras, one of the most powerful agents in sports, to represent him. Boras is also Soto’s agent. He has historically squeezed teams for top dollars for his clients. Cohen is the wealthiest owner in baseball with a reported net worth of some $20 billion. Alonso’s salary over the last three years has been $7.4 million, $14.5 million, and $20.5 million—not chump change. By hiring Boras, Alonso expects to greatly surpass those numbers as a free agent.

Common traits Soto and Alonso share that shouldn’t be minimized are that they are selfless teammates, great clubhouse presences, and natural team leaders. There are many examples in sports in which athletes are overpaid. In the cases of Soto and Alonso, they probably will be worth whatever the cost is to secure their services.

By MLBbro.com staff

Special to the AmNews

Twenty-two years after his Hall of Fame induction, the Wizard is still creating magic in Cooperstown.

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Education Ambassador Ozzie Smith will host Turn Two with Ozzie Smith on Friday, July 19, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Cooperstown’s Doubleday Field. Ozzie will welcome fellow Hall of Famers Jim Kaat, Fred McGriff, and Scott Rolen as his guests during a fun-filled morning that will give fans a unique chance to experience on-field moments and stories with Hall of Famers.

Turn Two is a museum fundraiser that supports the Hall of Fame’s educational mission and internship scholarships. Participants will receive on-field, round-robin interaction with the Hall of Famers, along with special mementos to commemorate their experience.

The event will begin with an exclusive morning reception in the Hall of Fame Plaque Gallery with Ozzie and his Hall of Fame friends. Following the light breakfast in the iconic Plaque Gallery, Turn Two participants will receive a commemorative

MLB Hall of Famers Ozzie Smith (left) and Fred McGriff will be in Cooperstown, New York, this weekend with other baseball legends to share stories of the history of the game. (MLBbro.com photo)

gift to be autographed by all Hall of Famers present before heading to historic Doubleday Field.

There, participants will receive nonstop interaction, featuring stories and instruction—along with photos—from some of the greatest players the game has known.

Turn Two supports the Hall of Fame’s educational mission and the Ozzie Smith Diversity Scholarships for the museum’s Frank and Peggy Steele Internship Program for Youth Leadership Development. Since 2002,

the program has raised more than $200,000 for the museum’s initiatives.

Smith, known through his 19-year career as The Wizard of Oz, won a record 13 Gold Glove Awards at shortstop and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2002.

Kaat, inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022, was a three-time All-Star and 16-time Gold Glove Award winner who won 283 games over 25 years in the big leagues.

McGriff, a Class of 2023 inductee, was a five-time All-Star who amassed 10 30-

homer seasons. The cleanup hitter on the 1995 World Series champions the Atlanta Braves, McGriff finished in the top 10 of his league’s Most Valuable Player Award voting in six straight seasons between 1989 and 1994.

Rolen, elected to the Hall of Fame in 2023, won eight Gold Glove Awards at third base and was named to seven All-Star Games. The unanimous selection as the 1997 National League Rookie of the Year, Rolen helped lead the Cardinals to their 2006 World Series title.

Turn Two is part of the July 19-22 Hall of Fame Weekend activities that will be highlighted by the July 21 induction ceremony, where Adrian Beltré, Todd Helton, Jim Leyland, and Joe Mauer will be inducted as the class of 2024.

A limited number of spaces for Turn Two remain, and a reservation is required. Event pricing is $1,000 per person. Reserve spots now by calling 607-547-0385. For more information on membership, please visit baseballhall.org/join.

The Museum maintains the following Hall of Fame Weekend hours: Friday, July 19: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, July 20: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, July 21: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Monday, July 22: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. As always, Hall of Fame Members receive free admission.

New York City FC makes a major donation to York College for health and wellness

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

On Tuesday, York College interim president Claudia Schrader, New York City Councilman Francisco Moya, New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, representatives of the New York City Football Club (NYCFC), other local elected officials and York College personnel, collaboratively announced a $7.5 million donation by the Major League Soccer organization to the City University of New York institution located in the Jamaica section of the borough of Queens.

The largest philanthropic gift provided to York since its founding in 1966 will be used to aid in the growth of the college’s programs and services for students, faculty, and staff around health and wellness, specifically investment towards renovations to the fitness center, a student health, wellness and resource hub, program funds for health and professional programs, and athletics transportation.

The 20th expansion team of the MLS, New York City FC was founded in 2013 and played its inaugural match in the league in 2015. Co-owned by City Football Group and Yankee Global Enterprises, the latter the owner of the New York Yankees, NYCFC

has held its home matches at Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, and Red Bull Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. It also has plans to open a soccer specific home stadium in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, near Citi Field in 2027.

“New York City FC is a proven leader, both on and off the field, and their support underscores the importance of strengthening the academic programs and services we offer at York College,” said President Schrader.

“We are excited and grateful for this gift, not only to York, but to the southeast Queens community. It will give us an opportunity to accelerate the mission of this 58-year institution into the next generation.”

New York City FC Vice Chair Marty Edelman emphasized the significance of York College to the wider educational framework of the five boroughs and the soccer franchise’s monetary contribution.

“York College has been an important member of the Queens and larger New York City community since its founding nearly 60 years ago. Today’s gift will help bring more high-quality education to its students, whether they’re from Queens or from around the world,” said Edelman.

“When our students have the tools and

support they need, their possibilities are limitless,” said Speaker Adams. “An investment in our scholars is an investment in our city’s future…”

NYC Council Member Francisco Moya has been prominent in helping to build the relationship between NYCFC and York.

“I have worked hand in hand with New York City FC to bring essential resourc-

es to Queens, and today is a demonstration that when you find the right partners, good things happen,” he said.

“I commend NYCFC for their investments in Queens and look forward to continuing our partnership as we eagerly await the opening of its new, all-electric stadium at Willets Point,” added Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.

The Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation provides summer instruction in Harlem

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

Last month, six athletes from the Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation (WHGF) in Harlem competed in the USA Gymnastics Championships in Minneapolis, Minnesota, including 18-year-old BJ Mensah, the son of the foundation’s founder and CEO Wendy

Hilliard. Mensah earned a spot on the senior national tumbling team as well as a No. 4 ranking among the eight members on the men’s senior national squad.

Seventeen-year-old ZaQuae Carter of the WHGF, an alternate on the 2023 World Championships Team, captured a gold medal in the 17-and-up Double Mini in the USA Gymnastics Championships. Mean-

while, WHGF’s Phoenix Britt, 17, earned a silver medal in the women’s open double mini trampoline competition. The Stony Point, New York, native will begin her freshman year at Arizona State University this fall as a member of the school’s stunt team.

Future champions are now gaining hands-on instruction at the WHGF annual summer camp in Harlem at the HCZ Armory, located at 40 West 143rd Street. The camp began on July 8 and runs through August 2, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for boys and girls ages 7 to 17. Students will train in various disciplines, and experience cultural trips and other activities in line with the foundation’s mission of empowering the lives of young people from underserved communities by improving physical and emotional health through the sport of gymnastics.

“Whether athletes and their families decide to take our single-, two-, three-, or four-week options for summer camp, it is sure to be a positive and beneficial experience,” said Hilliard.

For more information, visit the following website: https://wendyhilliard.org/whatwe-do/summer-camp/. You can also email: jocelyn@wendyhilliardfoundation.org or call 212-316-0315.

York College interim President Claudia Schrader (far left), NYC Council Member Francisco Moya, NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and NYCFC Chief Operating Officer Jennifer O’Sullivan hold ceremonial check donated from NYCFC to York College. (York College photo)

The Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation is holding its annual summer camp in Harlem. (Wendy Hilliard Foundation photos)

Georgia Oboh aims to establish herself on the LPGA tour

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

After winning The John Shippen Women’s Invitational at the Blythefield Country Club in Michigan, professional golfer Georgia Oboh, 23, earned two LPGA starts. In the Dow Championship, she paired with fellow Shippen competitor Lakareber Abe to place eighth.

“It was great to showcase our skills and show why we belong on that big stage,” said Oboh. “Hopefully, we’ll both be out on the LPGA tour again.”

The John Shippen Women’s Invitational is a series of competitions created to provide opportunities for prominent Black golfers. Oboh has played in Shippen events since 2022. She described it as a chance to test her golf game on LPGA host venues as well as be surrounded by likeminded young women.

Oboh, who is of Nigerian heritage, was born and raised in England. She discovered her destiny as a child while spectating at the British Open. “Lorena Ochoa was the world number one, and she was playing, I think, the 17th hole, and I was by the tee box watching her and her group, and she spotted me out of the crowd and threw me a golf ball from her bag,” Oboh recalled. “That’s when I kind of became determined that I was going to be in the same position she was in and be number one.”

When the weather is agreeable, Oboh, who turned professional in 2018, trains at a golf club close to home. This past winter, she stayed in England, building up her strength and conditioning. Most years, she travels to South Africa or Spain for training during the off-season. She has played tournaments around the world and said her golf career is “a very interesting journey.”

Georgia Oboh displays the winner’s trophy after capturing the John Shippen Women’s Invitational golf tournament.

Oboh described her family as sports loving with her grandparents being very active tennis players in Nigeria. When they found tennis a bit too strenuous, her grandmother decided to try golf. During a visit to England to see Oboh’s family, her grandmother expressed a desire to play a round. In time, both of Oboh’s parents took up the sport and became club champi -

ons. They introduced her to the sport because they wanted something that would challenge her. This week, she’s back in the U.S. trying to qualify for the Dana Open. Next week, she will try to qualify for the Canadian Women’s Open. Then, the Portland Classic. After that, she will either return to England or stay in the U.S. and participate in LPGA qualifying school.

Jaron Ennis TKO’s David Avanesyan to defend IBF welterweight title

By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews

Jaron Ennis made a second successful defense of his IBF welterweight title with a fifth-round technical knockout win over David Avanesyan (30-5-1 18 KOs) on Saturday evening in front of a crowd of 14,119 at Wells Fargo Center in his hometown of Philadelphia.

“It was a good performance, a good comeback fight. I ain’t fight in a year so it felt good to be back in the ring,” said Ennis, who remained undefeated at 32-0 with 28 KOs. “Felt good to be home. The crowd was loving it. I’m glad to be back.”

Prior to dismissing Avanesyan, his previous bout was a 10th round knockout against Roiman Villa July 8, 2023.

“It was dope,” Ennis said of the crowd. “It was a great experience walking out in front of my friends, family and supporters at this big arena. You know it was a blessing. I was taking it all in.”

The 27-year-old former national Golden Glove gold medal winner in the light welterweight division felt a little ring rust early.

“I seen everything he was doing, my time being a little off,” Ennis said. “Like I

said, I ain’t think my time was going to be off, but it was.”

Ennis

wants to challenge Terence Crawford, the holder of WBA and WBO

welterweight belts. Crawford is widely considered the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world. But it is likely Ennis will try to unify the welterweight titles.

Crawford will take on WBA junior middleweight champion Israil Madrimov on August 3 at the BMO Arena in Los Angeles. The 36-year-old Crawford is seeking to become an undisputed champion in an unprecedented third division in the four-belt era.

Also on that card, WBA 140-pound champion Isaac Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) will make his first world title defense against Jose Valenzuela (13-2, 9 KOs) and former unified heavyweight world champion Andy Ruiz Jr. (35-2, 22 KOs), returning from an almost two-year layoff, will fight Jarrell Miller (26-1-1, 22 KOs).

Claressa Shields, the most accomplished female boxer in history, will again dare to be great by moving up to heavyweight to battle Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse for the WBC heavyweight title. Shields and Crawford are the only two fighters to be undisputed in two divisions in the four-belt era.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has ordered a mandatory title defense of lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) against William Zepeda (31-0, 27 KOs). “Very much looking forward to this great match,” Sulaiman tweeted.

ideally

IBF welterweight champion Jaron Ennis defeated David Avanesyan on Saturday in Philadelphia by fifth round TKO to retain his title. (Melina Pizano/Matchroom photo)

Golfer Georgia Oboh watches the flight of the ball as she pursues more starts on the LPGA tour.

(The John Shippen Women’s Invitational photos)

Sports

The Liberty begin the long WNBA break with the best record in the league

By JAIME C. HARRIS

AmNews Sports Editor

The Liberty put a capstone on their last game before the WNBA’s month-long hiatus for the Summer Olympics in Paris and Saturday’s All-Star Game with a 82-74 win over the Connecticut Sun at the Barclays Center on Tuesday night.

Team USA’s opening game versus Japan is on July 29. The Liberty’s Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu are part of a squad that’s pursuing the United States’ eighth straight gold medal and its 10th in the last 11th Olympics dating back to 1984.

But first Ionescu helped the Liberty cement the best record in the league prior to the resumption of their schedule on August 15. They are 21-4 and 2.5 games ahead of the 18-6 Sun. Four of the past six teams with the league’s best record at the All-Star Break went on to win the WNBA championship that season.

With reigning WNBA MVP, forward Breanna Stewart, sitting out her second straight

game with a minor hamstring issue and starting guard Betnijah Laney-Hamilton undergoing surgery on her right knee on Tuesday and expected to be out four to six weeks, point guard Sabrina Ionescu continued to make her case as an MVP candidate, scoring a game-high 30 points on a seasonhigh tying six three-pointers, pulling down six rebounds and handing out five assists.

The 2021 WNBA MVP, Liberty forward Jonquel Jones, added eight points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block for head coach Sandy Brondello’s crew that is off to their best start in franchise history.

Ionescu continues to impress her teammates, coaches, as well as the opposition with her all-around performances that have elevated the Liberty to the top of the standings.

“She’s always been a really good player, but she’s gotten better. She’s a different player this year,” Sun head coach Stephanie White said.

“Number one, she’s in fantastic shape. She can play a lot of minutes. She plays

at a high, high pace and speed. Her change of speed is as good as anybody in the game—not just in our league, in the game. Her ability to use screens at the

right angles to put you under duress, her release is so quick, and she’s become a better finisher going to the rim. You can tell that she’s put in the work.”

Riverside Hawks travel teams are thriving on the summer circuit

By LOIS ELFMAN

Special to the AmNews

Summer is a time when the teams of the Riverside Hawks get to strut their stuff. The 63-year old program based at Riverside Church works with approximately 350 students per year, ages five to 18, and girls have equal footing as boys. Teams are on the road showing their teamwork and hardwood skills at tournaments around the country.

“We try and ensure that the girls and the boys get the same opportunities,” said Michael Toro, girls’ program director. “We’re playing big events, summer classics. July 19 to the 22nd, we’ll be in Atlantic City playing in the Hoop Group championship session.”

Last month, the Riverside Hawks appointed a new executive director, Aswan Morris, who is a motivational speaker with extensive hoops experience. “I love being able to combine the sports world of basketball and leadership,” said Morris, a graduate of Canarsie High School who played Division II in college. “That’s been a desire of mine for the last 20 years. Because I grew up in New York City playing basketball, I’m very familiar with the legacy of the Hawks.”

Morris said he and Toro appreciate the coaching staff, which already includes some college coaches. “There are some women who have played high level basketball,” said Morris.

“I want to make sure we have quality minds around the program. We want to make sure we resource them well. Coaches create culture.”

The Hawks also offer participants academic support to make sure they’re ready for college opportunities. The program recently suffered a loss with the passing of Dr. Emily Anderson, chair of the education and scholarship committee. Morris has received numerous emails and letters sharing wonderful stories about her. “I plan to continue to gather that information,” he said. “I’m not going to try to replace her; we’re going to ride the coattails of it and stand on the

shoulders of some of the things she built.”

One of the players on Toro’s 17 and under team has verbally committed to a Division I program. Another player has multiple DI offers and others have received considerable interest from college programs.

This fall, Morris hopes some prominent names will pay the Hawks a visit, including ESPN analyst Monica McNutt, to share details about her career and transition from an outstanding Division I player to a broadcaster. “Outside of the 94 feet, how can we expose our girls to that level of quality professionals?” asked Morris.

Riverside program director and coach Michael Toro enjoys a moment with his players.

The girls of the Riverside Hawks basketball program. (Riverside Hawks photos)

New York Liberty forward Nyara Sabally provided the team 13 productive minutes off of the bench on Saturday in a 81-67 victory over the Chicago Sky as star forward Breanna Stewart sat out due to a hamstring issue.

(Brandon Todd/New York Liberty photo)