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International News
Today’s Afro Mexican struggle
By JESÚS CHUCHO GARCIA Special to the AmNews Translated by KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff
The Amsterdam News spoke with Dr. J. Jesús María Serna Moreno, who was born in Atoyac de Álvarez, a city in Mexico’s southwestern state of Guerrero; became an anthropologist; and is a retired researcher at the University of Mexico’s (UNAM) Center for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean (CIALC). Serna is also a member of Afroindoamerica and the Global Anti-Racist Network. Serna was influenced by the anthropologist Gonzalo Aguirre Beltrán—one of the foremost pioneers of Afro Mexican and Indigenous studies—and has contributed throughout his career to Afro Mexican studies in the new global realities of the world. His book, “Afrodescendientes y diversidad étnico-cultural en México y nuestra América (Afrodescendants and Cultural Diversity in Mexico/2015),” is a reference for understanding today’s Afro Mexican struggle.
Asked for an estimate of the current Afro Mexican population, Serna said there are almost 2.4 million Afro Mexicans in total, representing 1.2% of the national population. Most live in Veracruz, Guerrero, and Oaxaca, but they are also found in 23 other states. Their current situation is that “although their existence has been legally recognized in the constitution, they are still suffering from acts of racism and discrimination. They are often forced to sing and prove they know the national anthem because authorities mistake them as foreign migrants. They lack budgetary support from the government. There are no public policies dedicated to them. Many other Mexicans do not even know of their existence.”
Serna said efforts are being made to make sure people know about Afro Mexicans throughout the national terri-
Dr. Serna Moreno’s book about Afro-descendants and cultural diversity in Mexico is reference for understanding today’s Afro Mexican struggle (Serna Moreno photo)
tory; “in particular, the claims of the Blacks of the Costa Chica of Guerrero-Oaxaca, of Veracruz, and of the “Mascogos” who have already been granted, although in a very limited way, legal recognition so that public policies can be created to benefit them. Until now, Afro Mexicans have been ignored by the Mexican government.”
Seminoles or Cimarrons?
According to Serna, the cimarrons, or maroon people, emerged throughout the American continent as millions of Africans struggled against being kidnapped and enslaved in the Americas.
“The so-called Mascogos, a bi-national migrant people,
also known as Black Seminoles, are a mixture of Florida’s Muscogee or Creek Indians and African Maroons who fled from slavery in the United States,” he said. “They were deported in the 19th century to a region that became Texas and then had to flee that area as well. They arrived in Mexico in the 19th century when Benito Juarez was president. They live in a community called El Nacimiento, near Múzquiz, Coahuila, in the north of the Mexican republic.
“The purpose of our research is to study the processes of Africanization of the Indian and Indianization of the African that can be found both in Mexico and in our America, and to look at their relationship to capitalist
domination in regimes of internal colonialism. We want to further our study of the mestizaje that took place during the colonial period in New Spain and, most recently, in the Mexican republic.”
Mestizaje took place not only between Spaniards and Indians, Serna noted: It also included the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc., of the Black Africans who were forcibly brought to work as slaves in the mines, on the sugar cane plantations, in domestic service and in so many other fundamental activities for the development of New Spain’s colonial economy.
“At present, there is irrefutable evidence of the little-known Black history presence in our mestizaje. In some regions, like the Sotavento in Veracruz, the evidence of mestizaje relations between Spaniards and Blacks is very high,” he said.
“‘Indianization of the African and Africanization of the Indian,’ a theoretical proposal of Dr. Luz Maria Martinez Montiel, reveals a historicalcultural phenomenon that she has called ‘Afroindianity.’ Afro-descendants and Indigenous people share spaces in our America and during colonial times, the Indigenous and Africans or Afro-descendants were in the majority, living alongside the Spaniards.
The principal mestizaje in many regions, such as along the coasts of present-day Guerrero and Oaxaca, was between the Afro and Indigenous populations.
Today’s Mexican government needs to approve the secondary laws that will make Afro Mexicans collective subjects of law, which will help with their legal recognition, Serna said.
Organizer Jawanza Williams heads VOCAL-NY’s new national chapter
By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member
The recently launched VOCAL-US promises to build a national movement, and at the forefront is director of organizing Jawanza James Williams, who plans to reignite progressive movements on a federal level.
VOCAL-US stems from VOCAL-NY (formerly the NYC AIDS Housing Network), a local organization contracted by the city as a leading harm reduction and syringe exchange service provider. The nonprofit also runs campaigns led by people directly impacted by related issues to push for progressive legislation throughout the city and state, including the Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act. Over the past few years, VOCAL expanded in two other states, Kentucky and Texas. Now, the work reaches a national level.
Born in Beaumont, Texas, Williams started his advocacy later in life, but the ingredients were always present to question society’s conventions.
“I’m queer. In a more reductive way back then, you would say I was gay—and I had a lot of homophobic experiences throughout my life, like a lot of queer kids do,” Williams said. “That automatically made me a little bit more sensitive. And also being Black [and attending] a predominantly white elementary school up until third grade, so I had sensitivity to a racial difference at a very young age…and then being queer and becoming more clear that I was gay, around middle school—that always primed me to have a suspicion of norms.”
As a result of those experiences, Williams said, “I’ve always been a defender of people that I think are being wronged, no matter who’s doing it—someone I love the most could be treating someone wrong, and I’m going to hold them accountable…I already tried thinking [about] that. I just didn’t know about organizing or social movements.”
Williams got involved in such efforts while attending Schreiner University as an undergrad, where he started a political group on campus and joined a “green” society. Attending law school was his goal back then, but $5,000 in student debt derailed that dream. Williams worked in fast food after graduation to pay off debt. Then a positive HIV diagnosis coincided with a lack of health insurance due to his father’s retirement.
At age 23, Williams needed a break from mounting financial and social concerns. He took a bus to New York City to visit a friend and ended up finding a place to live, but his housing arrangement fell through after he
began receiving health care from the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which requires New York residency. Interrupting HIV treatment can be catastrophic. Unable to return to Texas without risking his health care, Williams lived in a Harlem shelter. The situation opened his eyes to just how many Black and Brown people experienced homelessness and faced voucher discrimination. But while the lightbulb went off in his head, he felt helpless about his rage.
Williams recalls the fateful day when a VOCAL-NY organizer reached out to him at the shelter. He remembers three knocks. She told him the organization fights to “end AIDS, homelessness, incarceration, and the drug war through community organizing.”
It was what he was looking for.
“I signed our clipboard where we collect name, phone number, and address, and they started calling me,” Williams said. “And eventually, I joined the organization.
I attended a membership meeting, and just [saw] so many things that I naturally [came] to realize were presented to me very clearly in this organizing context. And once I got a taste of collective power [through] building love, care, compassion, politics, and political education, I just thrived in it.”
Working on a campaign to expand access to local HIV services sealed the deal as an organizer for Williams. With his lived experience, he became a visible member leader for the movement. They ultimately won that campaign after a few years of advocacy. Overnight, 7,000 people became eligible for life-saving services and housing.
These days, Williams is a regular sight behind the bullhorn at protests. He also tackles the world’s problems in the classroom as a doctoral student studying political science.
While Williams now takes his advocacy on a nationwide tour, his work in New York City comes from a special place. For him, it was as much about paying it back as paying it forward. He pointed to the legions of Black and Brown New Yorkers who extended their helping hands when he moved here.
“I’ve been paying them back ever since, through my work,” he said. “New York took care of me, so I’m trying to take care of New York.”
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.
HBCU presidents offer thanks to President Biden for his impact
By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews
After President Joe Biden announced he was withdrawing from the presidential race, Dr. Tony Allen, president of Delaware State University and chairman of the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Vice Chairwoman Dr. Glenda Glover sent Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris a letter thanking them for all they have done for the nation’s HBCUs.
“What he has done with respect to HBCUs has been monumental in my view,” said Allen. “Through the Board of Advisors on HBCUs he has given us some impetus for bringing recommendations to him that I knew he would be sensitive to and do something about. I thought it was important we simply said thank you both for what he had done already…and what I knew he was thinking about doing moving forward.”
Among the actions Allen and Glover detailed in their letter was the American Rescue Plan, which provided emergency grants for students, campus operations, staffing, and learning during the COVID-19
pandemic; infrastructure loan forgiveness for 45 public and private HBCUs; and expanded research opportunities for HBCUs.
“He set the narrative, which is [that] HBCUs are the best return on investment in higher education, particularly as it related to folks who believe in access to higher education for all,” said Allen, who was a speechwriter for then-Senator Biden in the late 1990s. Biden introduced Allen to the late Delaware civil rights legend Jim Gilliam, who made a huge impact on Allen’s life.
“Only 3% of all four-year institutions in the country are HBCUs, but we are still producing a third of all Black STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) professionals…and about 40% of Black members of Congress. Recognizing that is important,” said Allen.
In 2021, Delaware State University acquired Wesley College, the first time an HBCU acquired another college or university in the U.S. “The idea that we could do more was important,” said Allen. “President Biden knew that HBCUs were doing more with less. The idea that less was no longer acceptable was really important.
The things he talks about with respect to HBCUs—things like making sure more HBCUs become R1 (high level) research institutions.
“Today, there is not one of us that is an R1 institution. The fact that he knows what that will mean…is paramount.” Biden started his first campaign on the grounds of Delaware State in 1971. Preparations are now underway for Harris’ presidential campaign. One could say the roots of that campaign began at Howard University, an HBCU institution, which she attended as an undergraduate.
“It has been a watershed moment for us,” said Allen. The selection of Harris to be Vice President was historic, the first HBCU graduate to hold such an office in U.S. government. Several other HBCU graduates hold significant positions, including Michael S. Regan, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University. A Harris presidency will change the narrative of what’s possible. “To me, it raises expectations in all the right ways,” said Allen. “I’m really excited about what that will portend for my students.”
Dr. Tony Allen, President of Delaware State University (Delaware State University)
Jawanza Williams leads World AIDS Day march in 2022 (Tandy Lau photo)
With Minnesota’s Walz on ticket, Dems must brace for GOP criticism on Floyd
By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews
Another piece of the increasingly puzzling presidential race finally arrived Tuesday with Vice President Kamala Harris’s selection of Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota as her running mate.
“As a governor, a coach, a teacher, and a veteran, he’s delivered for working families like his,” Harris said in a statement announcing the selection. Moreover, she added, “We start out as underdogs, but I believe together, we can win this election.”
For many of the nation’s citizens, particularly Black Americans, Walz came into the news cycle after the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. Walz was criticized and faulted for his slowness in stifling the imminent riots by calling in the National Guard. It was suggested that his delayed response to the turbulence may have stemmed from his sympathies toward the protesters.
How he handled that situation and several other vital issues—the economy, immigration, women’s reproductive rights—are among several things that will arise as he and Harris hit the campaign trail.
Walz, along with Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Mark Kelley of Arizona, was on the shortlist in the veepstakes. He is 60; a veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard; for 12 years, a member of Congress; and governor of Minnesota since 2018. On Tuesday evening in Philadelphia, more will be known about Walz once he’s on the hustings and bombarded by the press with questions.
On several occasions, Walz defended his actions or lack thereof about the turmoil following the Floyd murder, stating that under the “circumstances, I did the best I could.” A report by the Minnesota Senate took him to task, noting that the governor “was not willing to do what was necessary to stop the rioting right away because he was having a philosophical debate about whether the use of force should be used to stop violence.”
To be sure, Trump will cite this incident and Walz’s supposed failure as fodder, which he has done in the past, in his response to Harris’s choice. Walz will certainly counter Trump’s VP JD Vance on women’s reproductive rights, which he has long advocated, should Vance remain as Trump’s running mate, given the rumors that he has vexed
his partner with his comments about women. Many pundits believe that Harris chose Walz to gain additional clout in the rural districts of the state and elsewhere— geographically, Minnesota is close enough to Wisconsin and Michigan to give the Democratic team some cachet in the fight for key battleground states.
It might be too early to gather the general reaction to Walz as the Democratic running mate, but one Black woman in Minnesota has voiced strong support for him.
On the Opinion Page of the Minneapolis Star Tribune a few days ago, Sheletta Brundidge, an awardwinning broadcaster, wrote that “Without a shadow of a doubt or a hint of reservation, I am 100% certain that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is the best option to be her vice president. He knows how to give unwavering support to Black women. He is not just an ally; he is our accomplice. How can I speak with such certainty? Because Walz has shown such support to me.”
She said that Walz quickly came to her aid at the height the COVID19 pandemic after she changed her mind about her anti-vaccine position. “My public reconsideration turned me into a target for anti-vaxxers who planned to protest when I was vaccinated,” she said. “At 11 p.m. on the night before I was scheduled to get the shot, police came to my door, saying they had received ‘credible threats’ against me and my family.
“Walz was in touch, asking what I needed to be safe. He made sure we had extra security and was by my side when the Hy-Vee pharmacist gave me the shot, whispering, ‘You got this.’”
Not only has Walz used his presence to support Black women, Brundidge said—he has also used his pen. “He signed into law the CROWN Act, which bans racial discrimination based on hair texture and styles, and the African American Family Preservation Act, which addresses disparities in the child welfare system and promotes the stability of Black families,” she said. “He signed the bill that established the state’s Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls in response to the Minnesota statistic that Black women are three times more likely to be murdered than white women.”
There are sure to be other opinions, pros and cons as we go forward, but Walz is off to a good start with Brundidge in his corner.
Why Walz as VP nom? Minnesota gov said early on Harris would ‘kick Trump’s ass’
By ASHLEIGH FIELDS Special to the AmNews
Vice President Kamala Harris will break barriers when she enters the United Center as the first woman of color to lead the ticket of a major party as the Democratic nominee during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago later this month. As she works to best position herself for this historic moment, she has chosen a safe, incumbent historylover to be by her side. Tim Walz was the ideal fit.
A former social studies teacher in the Mankato, Minnesota, school district, Walz rose to national prominence in the past two weeks as Harris narrowed down her choices to three representatives. Walz, the 41st governor of Minnesota, could help Harris secure support in one of the most competitive swing states: his own. From 2007 to 2019, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota’s first congressional district, a rural area on the border of Iowa. To date, Walz is the highest-ranking enlisted soldier ever to serve in Congress.
“As Governor, he’s been a strong, principled, and effective leader,” President Joe Biden posted on X on the morning of Aug. 6. “The Harris-Walz ticket will be a powerful voice for working people and America’s great middle class. They will be the strongest defenders of our personal freedoms and our democracy.”
Walz’s term helped rewire state representation for the Democratic party when he defeated Gil Gutknecht, the six-term Republican incumbent. Earning the support of voters far and wide, Walz was reelected five times before moving on to the elected office of governor.
“Right now, Minnesota is showing the country you don’t win elections to bank political capital—you win elections to burn political capital and improve lives,” Walz told supporters in June 2023, six months after being re-elected to the governorship.
His proudest accomplishments while in office include groundwork to get Minnesota to 100% clean electricity by 2040, cutting taxes for the middle class, and expanding paid leave for Minnesota workers.
Former president Barack Obama also offered his approv-
al of Walz in a post on X, stating, “Governor Tim Walz believes that the government works to serve us. Not just some of us, but all of us. That’s what makes him an outstanding governor, and that’s what will make him an even better vice president.”
During the pandemic, Walz’s campaign team was said to secure more than $100 million in loans and grants to help restaurants, cafés, barbershops, and other small businesses weather the pandemic. He is a strong advocate of the Child Tax Credit, which Minnesota leads the nation in implementing.
“Minnesota has the strongest Child Tax Credit in the nation,” Walz posted on X, and that the “credit of $1,244 per child [is] going straight into the budget to help with the basics—like gas, groceries, and child care.”
In their state, nearly 440,000 children benefit from the credit, which Harris has promised to expand nationwide.
Walz is the father of a daughter named Hope, who was conceived after seven years of in-vitro fertilization (IVF), a treatment Republicans have been fighting to ban.
The governor said those leaders are “anti-freedoms” and that he looks forward to improving women’s reproductive rights. Harris has adamantly affirmed this stance in regard to access to quality medical care.
“We care about the people as opposed to the richest billionaires, which is who the former president gave a tax cut to and then created one of the largest deficits our country has ever seen,” Harris told voters at Essence Fest this year. She later hammered down by adding facts about achievements during the Biden administration: “We capped the cost of insulin at $35 a month. We have finally allowed Medicare to negotiate drug prices with the big pharmaceutical companies to bring the costs down…I say look at what we’ve done to know that when you voted in record numbers—people voted in record numbers in 2020—this is what was able to happen. And when everyone votes in those numbers again in 122 days, we can see it through.”
Harris is hopeful her pick of Walz will add to the ticket and bolster confidence in her ability to lead the nation through 2028.
“How often in 100 days do you get to change the trajectory of the world? How often in 100 days do you get to do something that’s going to impact generations to come?” Walz said on a White Dudes for Harris call, making clear his belief in Harris shortly before he became the VP pick. “And how often in the world do you make that bastard wake up afterward and know that a Black woman kicked his ass, sent him on the road?”
Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz at an Aug. 7 campaign event in Eau Claire, Wisc. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP)
How one Harlemite makes real estate dreams a reality
By SHERICA DALEY Special to the AmNews
Rashèedah Brown, affectionately known as “RB, the Realtor,” always tells people that she started her career with just two dollars.
Now a licensed realtor, investor, property manager, and secretary of the executive board of the Harlem Greater Real Estate Board, RB’s journey began from her own experience in becoming a homeowner. “I started as a homebuyer myself, so I am passionate about providing the education and tools to the community,” she says.
RB, a former school teacher with two master’s degrees, turned to real estate in 2003 after reading an article about a teacher who purchased a multifamily property. She bought a two-family home, rented out one unit, and within two years, sold it to buy another property with more units. This initial success lit a fire in RB, prompting her to dive deeper into real estate investing.
Her first attempt was to purchase a multifamily property, but she faced several challeng-
es and setbacks. Undeterred, she looked for opportunities to convert single-family homes into multifamily properties in her desired neighborhood. She eventually bought a single-family home in New York City, learned how to legally convert it into a multifamily property, and became both a homeowner and landlord. This achievement inspired many of her family members and friends to follow suit.
“I remember when I was looking to purchase a property, I didn’t have much support or direction, and I really want to help the experience be different for people who are getting started,” she said. This drive led her to become a licensed real estate salesperson to better support and guide new investors.
RB’s journey in real estate allowed her to create more income from her rentals than she earned from her teaching job. She perfected the craft of managing profitable properties, scaling her portfolio, and leveraging her 9-to-5 job to bankroll her real estate dreams. This success also motivated her to support others
in the community to achieve similar goals.
Despite her love for education and belief that her role in the education field was of great help to the community, RB saw a greater need to empower urban communities to transition from renting to owning, because there was less representation and fewer initiatives to help others in this area. In 2010, she began hosting networking events to bring together professionals from various fields.
“As I got more involved in the real estate sector, I realized that there was close to no opportunity for people of color in the industry,” she said. “I saw the void for people of color to connect in productive, formatted events, so I decided to create that opportunity.”
In 2014, she fully transitioned into a real estate career to reach more people and implement initiatives with positive impact.
Her events, such as the 2023 Potential Homebuyers Lunch and Learn and the 2024 Real Estate Expo at Columbia University, have reached thousands of potential
See HARLEMITE on page 29
RB the Realtor (Contributed photo)
Confined: Mayor Adams fights to keep prisoners in solitary
By TANDY LAU
Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member
Mayor Eric Adams declared an emergency executive order on July 27 to suspend provisions delineated by Local Law 42 of 2024— better known as the city’s new “solitary confinement ban.” He attempted to block the bill’s passing earlier this year, but a city council supermajority overrode the veto.
The law technically went into effect a day after the emergency declaration. The mayor’s order largely suspends its safeguards restricting de-escalation confinement, emergency lock-ins and use of restraints, alleging safety concerns for NYC Department of Correction (DOC) staff and detainees.
To be clear, while the Adams administration did not suspend the
legislation’s official ban on solitary confinement, the mayor maintains the practice was already abolished in 2019. But that only applies to its conventional definition established by the United Nations’ Nelson Mandela Rules entailing the “confinement of prisoners for 22 hours or more a day without meaningful human contact.”
There’s no universal definition for solitary confinement for the law’s proponents and they say research used for the bill determined even shorter stints in isolation can be severely damaging. And the city continues to separate detainees in cells under other practices that don’t meet the U.N.’s definition of solitary confinement, particularly for safety and disciplinary measures. Local Law 42 doesn’t blanket ban those practices, but restricts their use and requires fur-
ther transparency, red tape, and oversight when employed.
“It’s more than just being in line with the U.N., it’s being in line with the citizens and doing the best for the city,” said solitary confinement survivor and organizer Five Mualimm-ak.
Then there’s the matter of checks and balances. Adams vocally opposed Local Law 42’s passing this past January, but his veto was powerless from the City Council’s 42-9 vote in favor to override it. Council member Carlina Rivera, who cosponsored the bill with Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, called the move a “workaround.”
“By the Mayor declaring a state of emergency simply to issue emergency executive orders that allows this administration to avoid complying with a law the day before it takes effect is such an
unprecedented abuse of mayoral power,” Rivera told the AmNews
HALT Solitary Confinement
co-director Victor Pate said the administration’s approach to legislation like Local Law 42 reflects how the system does not benefit people of color, who are disproportionately detained in city jails.
“There is an inequity in our legal system as to how laws are applied and who they are applicable to, and who it affects the most,” Pate said. “The most adverse recipients of the legal system [are] people of color. That is translated over into the conditions under which people are held, people that haven’t been convicted—pretrial detainees—and their rights are being trampled upon.
“A law is passed and you refuse to follow that law and you’re not being held accountable…and of
course, the majority of people that are affected by that are people of color, across the board, across the criminal legal system.”
The Adams administration argues that Local Law 42 strips the DOC of the ability to separate detainees after “serious acts of violence.” The executive order temporarily weakens four-hour time limits imposed by the legislation for how long someone can be confined during a lock-in or de-escalation.
“Local Law 42 would drastically alter and impact the department’s core strategy for addressing violent misconduct, its restrictive housing program,” City Hall Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg said during a July 30 press conference. “Implementing the law would require changes that conflict with
Anti-solitary confinement advocates outside City Hall Park last year to protest on the birthday of Kalief Browder. (Tandy Lau photo)
Go With The Flo
FLO
ANTHONY
La Toya Jackson is the toast of the Spanish Riviera
On August 1, Peacock hosted a Summer Barbecue at the Universal Studios Backlot in Los Angeles for the return of “Bel-Air” Season 3. Guests were surprised with a showstopping performance from Coco Jones, who sang her new single, “Here We Go,” and then invited Will Smith onstage to sing a duet with her of his classic hit “Summertime” to celebrate the Bel-Air state of mind. “Bel-Air” cast members Jabari Banks, Adrian Holmes and others were also in attendance. Guests were treated to barbecue favorites from Trejos Tacos and Black-owned restaurants, Earle’s on Crenshaw and Eagle Rock BBQ. The new season of “Bel-Air” premieres August 15, only on Peacock, with three episodes airing on the launch date......
Netflix held a New York dinner with Bevy Smith in honor of Lee Daniels’s “The Deliverance” on August 2 at Le Bernardin restaurant. Aside from Daniels, who directed the film, cast members including Mo’Nique, Andra Day, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor were in attendance, along with Sunny Hostin, Tamron Hall, Don Lemon, Kara Young, and Jerrod Carmichael. “The Deliverance,” a supernatural horror thriller, premieres on Netflix August 16.......
Tongues are wagging that La Toya Jackson jetted into Mallorca, Spain recently to attend a special gala, Remus Lifestyle Night, on the Mediterranean island. The exquisite shindig was organized by leading local real estate mogul Marcel Remus. Jackson was photographed walking arm-in-arm with choreographer, model and TV personality Bruce Darnell into the Ritzi Portals restaurant in Palma de Mallorca. The songstress/actress/reality TV star posted a photo on Instagram of herself sitting on a luxurious balcony overlooking the Mediterranean Sea as she poured a flute of champagne with the caption, “Relaxing and enjoying the lovely weather in Majorca.”..... East 125th Street was recently the site of Roz Nixon’s celebration of Grover Washington Jr.’s music by the Tommy Morimoto band featuring Phil Young and Rodney Jones. The golden date was a salute to seniors, sponsored by Visiting Nurse Services (VNS) and was spearheaded by VNS representative Daniel Hope. The spectacular day of fun was presented at the brand new Understand Medicare Now office and was co-hosted by Michael Anthony Walker, UMN founder and CEO, who received a humanitarian award from Senator Cordell Cleare with a special acknowledgement from Nixon presented by Louis Gossett III. This thrilling afternoon also boasted a stunning designed hat show and giveaway from Miss Jessie’s Hair Care Products and was co-hosted by Big Beauty Productions......
The Schomburg celebrates Baldwin’s 100th birthday
The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture celebrated the100th birthday of activist and writer James Baldwin with activities including programs and book giveaways. Joy Biven, center director, was delighted to celebrate Baldwin's legacy and his life works.
Dan Baldwin, Karim Karefa, Hakim Wilson, and Ashley Weir (Bill Moore photos)
Director Joy Bivens
Standing with spirit of James Baldwin on hallowed ground
By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews
The centennial of James Baldwin’s birth— he was born on August 2, 1924, in Harlem— was celebrated around the globe this week, and there are even more plans to extend his legacy for the rest of the year. The Literary Society of Harlem conducted perhaps one of the smallest, although not the least lacking in passion and remembrance, at the artist’s gravesite in Hartsdale, N.Y. Baldwin died at his home in southern France, but his funeral services were held at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
Harlem’s living griot and tireless advocate for the community, Lana Turner, and the society assembled Saturday afternoon to share their memories of Baldwin. Holding hands and encircling the gravesite that Baldwin shares with his mother, Berdis, the 12 women took turns relaying their impressions of the writer and activist. Before presenting her reflections, Turner discussed several earlier activities hosted by the society, including tours of places where Baldwin lived before he left for France in 1948.
“James lived in several Harlem apartments in our community,” Turner began. “He lived with his family at 2171 Fifth Avenue, and most notably along Park Avenue above 126th Street.” The tours included schools Baldwin attended—P.S. 24 (now the Renaissance High School) and the Frederick Douglass Junior High School, where Baldwin was taught by poet Countee Cullen—and the Pentecostal
Church, where Baldwin the boy preacher absorbed the hellfire and brimstone sermons.
At the cemetery, Turner also pointed out where other distinguished African Americans have their final resting places: Paul and Eslanda Robeson; Lawrence Brown, the pianist who often accompanied Robeson; Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee; Malcolm and Betty Shabazz; and jurist William Hastie. “We stand on hallowed ground,” more than one of the spectators said.
Among those assembled was Elaine Gamble, who later expressed her heartfelt feelings about it “as a lovely gathering and discussion.”
Ruth Cunningham used the occasion to share some of her history that Baldwin inspired when she was coming of age on 116th Street. Roberta Todd, one of the longstanding members of the society, offered comments on questions raised about Baldwin’s notion of poverty, its relativity, and how it affected the Harlem community.
There was a chorus of “Amens” from Sullivan Summer, Velma Cobb, Alexa Donaphin, Katrina Huffman, Elizabeth and Sharon Howard, Jacqueline Polite, Lisa Edmiston, Shirley and Tiffany Martinbrough, and several others who couldn’t attend, like Alicia Miller, who thanked Lana for “connecting my soul” to the event.
Thyra Henry, in an email, echoed the salute and praise for Lana Turner, saying, “I wish I could have participated in all of the events, but your reporting made me feel as though I was there.”
‘A Century of Baldwin: The Legacy Lives’ honors author and activist
On Friday, August 2, the family of iconic writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin hosted a special one-night celebration to commemorate his centennial birthday with “A Century of Baldwin: The Legacy Lives!” Held at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, the evening was helmed by bestselling author, motivational speaker, and coach Harriette Cole and featured luminaries of art, literature, and culture, as well as tributes and acknowledgments from the Baldwin family honoring his life and legacy.
Birthday celebration held for Exonerated 5 member Korey Wise
National Action Network (NAN) member Korey Wise, one of five teenagers wrongly convicted in the 1989 Central Park jogger case, was exonerated after 14 years of incarceration. The Rev. Al Sharpton, other NAN members, and friends all gathered to celebrate Wise’s birthday at NAN’s Saturday rally.
(Contributed press release photo)
(Bill Moore photo)
Harlem griot Lana Turner (wearing hat) with members of Literary Society of Harlem (Herb Boyd photo)
Union Matters
MTA career event: bus operators needed
Contributed release
The MTA is looking to hire some 2,000 new bus operators.
Interested applicants should please bring the following documents: Your Social Security card, driver’s license, and proof of commercial driver’s license or permit.
The city agency will be conducting an open house on Saturday, August 17 from 9 a.m. - noon at the Bronx High School of Science, 75 West 205 Street, Bronx, NY 10468.
You must pass a drug screening to be appointed as a bus operator and, if appointed, you will be subject to random drug and alcohol tests for the duration of your employment.
Open house entrance is guaranteed to the first 1,000 attendees. Those who are not processed on the same day will be given a future appointment.
Be advised that the federal DOT drug panel includes marijuana, and you will be tested for marijuana use.
Why regional, national labor leaders are walking with Walz
By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff
Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’s choice of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate is being welcomed by labor unions.
Walz boasts a pro-labor record; in October 2023, he walked the picket line with United Auto Workers at the Stellantis plant in Plymouth, Minnesota. But he also rings bells with union members by advancing legislation that overlaps with their interests, like signing a voting rights bill that allows 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote, automatically registers voters when they interact with state agencies, and restores the right to vote to formerly incarcerated people.
Walz enacted a law in Minnesota that guarantees free school breakfasts and lunches for children, established protections around reproductive rights, banned the use of non-compete provisions in employment contracts, pushed through marijuana legalization, and invested more than $1 billion in state funds into affordable housing.
“Gov.
Walz has given more workers access to paid sick and family leave; he has made major strides in protecting workers’ health and safety on the job; he has improved standards for patients and workers at Minnesota’s nursing homes; he has strengthened union organizing and collective bargaining rights; he has expanded unemployment benefits and taken steps to protect workers from wage theft and other abuses.”
— United Steelworkers International President David McCall
In the week before Harris selected Walz, some 26 Minnesota union leaders wrote a letter to the Harris team, urging them to look at his portfolio and consider him as a potential running mate.
“Walz has been effective because he has been able to cross lines of race and place,” they wrote.
“Born in a small town in rural Nebraska, he won six races for the U.S. House from
2007 to 2019 in a deep red district in southern Minnesota. He has shown he can connect to voters at a county fair about kitchen table economic issues or in the heart of the multiracial Twin Cities. In 2022, he won reelection as governor by nearly 8 percentage
points and helped the Democrat-FarmerLabor Party take the House and Senate. He knows education, agriculture, immigration, the culture of the Midwest and military affairs.”
ABC News reported that “Walz ha[d] signed into law a series of measures viewed as pro-worker. Last year, Minnesota established paid sick and medical leave, banned non-compete agreements and expanded protections for Amazon warehouse workers. In May, Minnesota enacted a measure providing a raise for Uber and Lyft drivers while averting a threat made by those companies to stop doing business in the state.”
The Harris-Walz team
With the Minnesota governor now the official candidate to become the next vice president, the Harris-Walz team is being heralded by national union leaders.
“As governor,” American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) President Lee Saunders said, “he took on billion-dollar corporations to ban private prisons in Minnesota, keeping profit motives out of the justice system while protecting the jobs of AFSCME corrections officers. He went See WALZ on page 31
MTA is hiring 2,000 bus operators Credit MTA Press office (MTA Press Office photo)
Opinion
Belles lettres of James Baldwin
Between the Olympics, where Team USA has a commanding lead in the medal count, and a presidential race that arrived at an arousing pinnacle Tuesday evening in Philadelphia when Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, it’s easy to see how, for Black Americans, the centennial birthdate of James Baldwin would be off the radar. And even without these tumultuous events, there’s a good chance Baldwin would not get the notice he deserves.
Fortunately, particularly here in Harlem where the great writer was born and spent, alternately, the 63 years of his life, celebrations abounded, whether in small gatherings at his burial site in Hartsdale, where he rests in peace with his mother Berdis, or at a Lincoln Center celebration last week. And more is expected from France and Turkey where he often lived and regaled audiences with his presence, and from coast to coast across the U.S., including a huge assembly of scholars and activists at Virginia State University in October.
Baldwin was already an international author and personality in the early 1950s when his novel “Go Tell It On the Mountain” received resounding praise. After his return to the U.S., his renown expanded beyond literary circles when he threw himself wholeheartedly into the Civil Rights Movement, working closely with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Medgar Evers. When asked about his dreams, desires, and how he wanted to be remembered, he always said, “I just want to be a witness and a good writer.” Well, he excelled in both these endeavors, and most rewardingly, he found a way to weave those aspirations into his prose, lectures, debates, and interviews.
Space here doesn’t allow a full and thorough exposition of his contributions to literature and socioeconomic issues; for that, we insist you take a little time and survey his impressive oeuvre. It’s there where even between the lines, you will find the essence of a man who knew how to speak truth to power without losing a word of his profound eloquence.
J.D. Vance’s American Dream doesn’t include us
By AYENDY BONIFACIO
In the Northern Dominican campo where I was born, we call our grandmothers Mama. That’s what I thought about as I watched the senator from Ohio and Republican Vice Presidential candidate, J.D. Vance, say that “Mamaw [is] the name we hillbillies gave to our grandmothers.” I thought about my upbringing. His story resonated with me. As a lifelong Democrat, this surprised me. I, too, was brought up poor in a forgotten part of my country. I made it out, and attended Ohio State University, just a few years after Vance. I married and had a child with a wonderful partner. I moved back to Ohio to be a public university professor and serve my community. And, like Vance, I even wrote a memoir about my life, about all the things that I was, and I did. As I watched Vance on that Milwaukee stage sell to me and to the thousands watching the American Dream, for a moment, I bought it.
I’m not the only Latine immigrant who still believes in the American Dream. The idea that in this country anything is possible; that merit and hard work, not your class, race, or gender, will grant you success, is, to say the least, vital. But here are some reasons why Trump and Vance’s version of the American Dream doesn’t benefit Latinx—especially if you are an immigrant, documented or not.
If the attendees cheerfully holding “Mass Deportations Now” signs didn’t make Trump and Vance’s vision of the American Dream clear enough for you, here are some other reasons.
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Trump’s promise to deport undocumented people is a mainstay of his campaign rallies. In June, he claimed there were “close to 20 million people” who are “gonna have to be gone.” Trump routinely calls undocumented people “criminals, drug dealers, [and] rapists,” a trend that started with his campaign for president in 2015. Trump’s racist words may have effectively stoked fear in the minds of millions of Americans, but they are far from the truth. There are over 10 million undocumented people and 22 million mixed status families in the U.S. These are families with members who are both documented and
undocumented. Undocumented people are farmers, hotel workers, grocers, and valued members of the community. If Trump and Vance had the wherewithal to actually carry out a mass deportation of this scale, our economy would crumble in a matter of weeks.
Then there’s Vance’s stance on education. For me, attending Ohio State for a PhD in English was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I was a recent CUNY grad, unemployed with eviction notices on my front door, in the most expensive city in the world. Acceptance into my program meant that I had security, healthcare,
and a future to pursue my version of the American Dream. Even though the politician J.D. Vance is vastly different from the college-campus J.D. Vance in terms of his basic political and ideological beliefs, as some of his college friends have stated, I believe, like Maya Angelou, that when a person tells you who they are, you believe them. During his first run for office in the 2022 Senate campaign, Vance shifted his stance on higher education. In a 2021 speech at the National Conservatism Conference titled “The Universities
Ayendy Bonifacio (Contributed photo)
10 Big Lies Trump and the Republicans Tell About Kamala Harris
KEITH BOYKIN Word In Black
“Black Vote, Black Power,” a collaboration between Keith Boykin and Word In Black, examines the issues, the candidates, and what’s at stake for Black America in the 2024 presidential election.
Donald Trump just finished speaking to the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), and it went exactly as you might expect—a hot mess. After attacking ABC reporter Rachel Scott as “rude,” Trump threw out a flurry of lies and misinformation about Vice President Kamala Harris.
So, allow me to debunk some of his lies, and a few others, about Kamala Harris.
• She’s not really Black. “I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn Black,” Trump told NABJ, “and now she wants to be known as Black.”
Not true. “I’m Black, and I’m proud of being Black. I was born Black. I will die Black,” Harris told the Breakfast Club in 2019. She didn’t change her identity. Her father was always Jamaican. And she’s always been connected to the Black community, which is why she graduated from Howard University and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
• She’s a failed border czar. “She’s the worst border czar in the history of the world,” Trump told NABJ.
First, she was never a border czar. Her job was to focus on the root causes of immigration. Second, if she was the border czar, she could take credit that border crossings are lower now than they were when Trump left office. Third, if you want a more secure border, then blame Trump, who killed the bipartisan immigration deal because he didn’t want to give President Biden a win before the election. And by the way, whatever happened to Trump’s wall that Mexico was supposed to pay for?
• She’s a “DEI hire.” Trump told NABJ that
Harris “could be” a DEI hire, echoing racist remarks from Tennessee Republican Tim Burchett, who said, “100%, she was a DEI hire.”
DEI hire has become the new GOP slur, replacing “affirmative action candidate,” which replaced the n-word, but they all mean the same thing. Harris has been a district attorney, an attorney general, a United States senator, and a vice president. Trump was a game show host when he ran for president. Yet Republicans don’t question his credentials or those of his running mate, J.D. Vance, a 39-year-old freshman senator who just got to Congress last year.
• She’s not eligible to run. Republicans claim Harris is ineligible to be president because her parents were not born in America.
First of all, she was born in Oakland, California, and the Constitution doesn’t require that your parents be born in the U.S. Second, Trump’s own mother was born in Scotland, but I guess those made-up rules only apply to Black candidates.
• She’s a “San Francisco liberal.” Republicans have released a new ad attacking Kamala Harris as a “San Francisco liberal.”
They’re so stuck in the past that they’re resurrecting an attack line from 1984 when Jeane Kirkpatrick coined the term “San Francisco Democrats” as a not-sosubtle homophobic slur. But that was 40 years ago; it’s time for new material, guys. If Harris was such a San Francisco liberal, why did Donald Trump donate $6,000 to her past campaigns?
• She’s soft on crime.
Republicans claim that Harris is not tough enough on crime, but she’s a prosecutor, and they’re literally supporting a convicted criminal as their presidential nominee. Case closed.
• She’s a cop who locked up thousands of innocent Black men.
Now, come on, folks, she can’t be “too tough on crime” and “too soft on crime” at the same time. But here’s the truth. As a district attorney, Harris implemented a “Back on Track” program to help young, nonviolent offenders with education and job training. When she was attorney general, California became the first statewide law enforcement agency in the country to mandate officers wear body cameras. And she’s a
longtime opponent of the death penalty, even when it wasn’t easy. True, prosecutors make tough decisions that piss people off on both sides, but to caricature her as “too tough” or “too soft” on crime is just too simplistic.
• She slept her way to the top.
Donald Trump was a failed businessman with six bankruptcies, five draft deferments, three baby mamas, and two divorces when he ran for president. And after paying $130,000 in hush money to a porn star and $150,000 to a Playboy Playmate that he slept with while his wife was pregnant, twice-divorced, convicted felon, and adjudicated rapist, Donald Trump is the last person to be talking about anyone’s sexual history.
• She never accomplished anything.
As a prosecutor, Kamala Harris put murderers and abusers behind bars. As attorney general, she went after the big banks and won $20 billion for homeowners. As vice president, she took on the big drug companies to cap the cost of insulin for seniors. And we’ve now seen 15.7 million new jobs and the lowest Black unemployment and poverty rates in history since she took office.
• She can’t win.
Democrats have won the popular vote in seven of the last eight presidential elections. They won with Obama, a Black guy with a Muslim name, and Hillary Clinton, a white woman who had been vilified for decades. Unfortunately, the skewed electoral college system gave Republicans the victory in two of those eight contests, but the results still prove that the country is on our side. It just means we have to turn out in record numbers to overcome the electoral college bias.
That’s it for now. Many more lies to debunk in the coming months. But if Trump has something to say about Kamala Harris, as she said in Atlanta this week, say it to her face.
Keith Boykin is a New York Times–bestselling author, TV and film producer, and former CNN political commentator. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School, Keith served in the White House, co-founded the National Black Justice Coalition, co-hosted the BET talk show “My Two Cents,” and taught at the Institute for Research in African-American Studies at Columbia University in New York. He’s a Lambda Literary Awardwinning author and editor of seven books. He lives in Los Angeles.
Welcome August
CHRISTINA GREER, PH.D.
Is it just me, or does summer seem to have flown by and now we are looking at the beginning of a new school year coming just around the bend? I have been on sabbatical for the last academic year and am looking forward to going back to my Fordham campus, even though my respite has been much needed and enjoyed. As August comes to a close, there are still some dwindling summer days left, and I plan to revel in them as best I can. The best part about summer is that it feels like we can take advantage of the long days, great weather, and a city that is moving at a slightly slower pace than normal.
In the remaining weeks of summer, I plan to read a bit more fiction. I recently read “My Sister, the Serial Killer,” a novel by Nigerian writer Oyinkan Braithwaite. I do not like scary books or movies, but this page turner was the perfect blend of mystery and thrill without being scary. It was also well-written; I think it could be of interest to a young adult audience as well. The book was published in 2018 and I am so glad I discovered this author, who has written two books of short stories as well as another novel, “The Driver,” “Treasure,” and “The Baby is Mine,” respectively.
I also plan to take advantage of New York’s beaches. Sadly, I have not been to a New York beach all summer,
which is a real shame on my part. Public transportation can get you to beaches like Riis, Brighton, or Coney Island. There are few things better than packing some sandwiches and snacks on a hot summer day and heading to the beach for a day in the sun. Obviously, due to lifeguard shortages, we must be vigilant when in the water. We must also keep our eyes open for sharks who seem to enjoy New York beaches as well.
As we get ready for the summer to wind down, it is also a time to do something that’s been on your “fun to-do” list. We have so many obligations in our lives, we must make time to see a show, go to a museum, or take a stroll in a park or botanical garden. I like to watch birds in Central or Prospect parks, but there are several parks throughout the city where you can go for a stroll, get fresh air, hug some trees, play a little frisbee or croquet with friends, or just lay down on the grass and relax. Whatever you decide to do, take the time to rest a little before Labor Day and the beginning of a new season. Happy August!
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream”; and co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC and host of The Blackest Questions podcast at TheGrio.
Caribbean Update
Caricom to forcefully speak on reparations during summit
By BERT WILKINSON Special to the AmNews
Perhaps sensing that they are losing a bit of momentum, Caribbean Community leaders have pledged to take on the United Kingdom on reparations for slavery when the 56-nation Commonwealth group meets in Samoa in the Pacific later this year.
When they met in Grenada at the end of last month, regional leaders reviewed progress on the fight to make former European slave-trading nations come to the table and pay reparations for slavery. One key note emerging from their three-day summit was a renewed commitment “to speak forcefully” with the British delegation and others in the grouping of former British colonies. Representing colleagues on the issue in the past week, Trinidad’s Prime Minister Keith Rowley said a decision has been made to up the ante beginning with the summit in October. “When we meet in Samoa, the Caribbean leaders [will] very forcefully speak to the Commonwealth as one voice, and there is one particular country with a new king and a labor government
with an outstanding mandate. We look forward to their reaction in October,” Rowley said, clearly referring to Britain.
In related remarks at a recent slavery emancipation ceremony, Rowley said, “Because I believe that until respect of people becomes acknowledged by those who hold authority, African people will continue to be viewed as second- and third-class, and we will continue to have to fight for freedom and respect.”
The 15-nation bloc has already sent demand letters to countries like France, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Britain suggesting that they prepare to begin formal talks about the issue, because these nations have built their wealth on the backs of free African slave labor in brutal and dehumanizing conditions.
To fight their case, the region has also hired a British law firm that won millions for Kenyan tribes who were mowed down by white racist British soldiers during the colonial era. An early review of evidence has indicated that there is a very strong case to prosecute. Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley is the lead head of govern-
ment on the issue.
Britain has steadfastly refused to engage the region on the issue, saying that other forms of aid it has given the region in recent decades are a form of compensation. During a visit to the Caribbean two years ago, Prince William said that “slavery was abhorrent and should never have happened,” but London has stopped short of issuing an apology. Conversely, both the prime minister of the Netherlands and its king have issued formal apologies in the past two years for the role of the Dutch in slavery. Both have left the door open for formal talks, but nothing has been heard of relating to formal engagements.
The bloc has already sent demand letters to letters to France, the Netherlands, Portugal, the UK, Spain, and others reminding them of their responsibilities to descendants of the slave trade, because many nations have built their riches on the backs of free African labor. Regional officials say that Portugal, France, and Spain, along with Britain, have basically refused to accept any responsibility for their role in slavery, saying it was centuries ago and the
region should basically “get over it,” even as some prominent European families whose wealth came from slavery have offered apologies, plans to pay reparations, and to begin talks with various governments in the past two years.
Last month, the Anglican Church of England apologized for benefiting from slavery and said it is establishing a fund that would be linked to reparation payments.
Officials have said that the Netherlands has been the most progressive so far, indicating that it is interested in formal engagement on the issue. Caricom has also pushed for a summit with former slavetrading nations to get the discussion going at the highest level. No success has been achieved in this area.
Dressed in African attire, Rowley quoted late American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. as saying that the arc to freedom bends toward justice. “We here are gathered on that arc,” Rowley said. “We genuinely believe that it will bend to a point in a day when justice would be recognized by all and it will be handed to those who deserve it.”
Undocumented immigrants pay taxes but get little back
Who said undocumented immigrants only take from the system? Contrary to popular misconceptions, undocumented immigrants contribute significantly to the U.S. economy, paying nearly $100 billion in federal, state, and local taxes in just one year. This finding, from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), a nonprofit, nonpartisan tax policy organization, challenges the narrative that undocumented immigrants are a drain on public resources.
More than a third of these tax dollars go toward payroll taxes that are dedicated to funding programs from which these workers are largely excluded: Despite contributing to Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment insurance, undocumented immigrants cannot access most of these benefits.
According to ITEP, undocumented immigrants paid $96.7 billion in taxes in 2022, with $59.4 billion going to the federal government and $37.3 billion to state and local governments. With an undocumented population of 10.9 mil -
lion people, this tax contribution averages $8,889 per person. This means that for every million undocumented immigrants, public services receive $8.9 billion in additional tax revenue.
In 40 states, undocumented immigrants pay higher state and local tax rates than the top 1% of households. U.S. income tax laws often require undocumented immigrants to pay more than their U.S. citizen counterparts in similar situations.
At the state and local levels, 46% of the taxes paid by undocumented immigrants come from sales and excise taxes on their purchases, amounting to $15.1 billion. Property taxes, paid by both homeowners and renters, account for 31 percent, or $10.4 billion. The remaining 21%, or $7 billion, comes from personal and business income taxes.
Six states each raised more than $1 billion in tax revenue from undocumented immigrants: California ($8.5 billion), Texas ($4.9 billion), New York ($3.1 billion), Florida ($1.8 billion), Illinois ($1.5 billion), and New Jersey ($1.3 billion).
Undocumented immigrants also paid $25.7 billion in Social Security taxes, $6.4 billion in Medicare taxes, and $1.8 billion in unemployment insurance taxes in 2022. However, they are often barred
from receiving meaningful tax credits and may not claim refunds due to a lack of awareness, concerns about their immigration status, or insufficient access to tax preparation assistance.
ITEP argues that granting work authorization to undocumented immigrants would increase their tax contributions significantly. With work authorization, their contributions could rise by $40.2 billion per year, totaling $136.9 billion. Most of this new revenue—$33.1 billion—would benefit the federal government, while $7.1 billion would flow to state and local governments.
“These figures make clear that immigration policy choices have substantial implications for public revenue at all levels of government,” the report’s authors concluded.
Contrast this with the claim made in January 2024 before the Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee by Steven A. Camarota of the Center for Immigration Studies. At a hearing titled “The Impact of Illegal Immigration on Social Services,” Camarota said that “illegal immigrants are a net fiscal drain, meaning they receive more in government services than they pay in taxes.”
While acknowledging that “illegal immigrants actually have high rates of work, and they do pay some taxes, including income and payroll taxes,” Camarota claimed they are a net drain because “they have a low average education level, which results in low average earnings and tax payments.”
Camarota further argued that “a large share qualify for welfare programs, often receiving benefits on behalf of their U.S.born children. Like their less-educated and low-income U.S.-born counterparts, the tax payments of illegal immigrants do not come close to covering the cost they create.”
ITEP’s report clearly disputes Camarota’s assertions. In addition, Pew Center data shows that non-Hispanic white people accounted for 44.6% of adult SNAP recipients and 31.5% of child recipients in 2020, while about 27% of both adult and child recipients were Black. Hispanic people, who can be of any race, accounted for 21.9% of adult recipients and 35.8% of child recipients. Those are the facts!
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.
José Tavarez President,
Health
NYC Neighborhood Health Action Centers support Black maternal health
By HEATHER M. BUTTS, JD, MPH, MA Special to the AmNews
Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancyrelated causes than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Factors that contribute to these deaths include structural racism, chronic diseases, and quality of overall healthcare. Organizations throughout the city used Black Maternal Health Week earlier this year as a way to bring attention to such disparities. The Neighborhood Health Action Center in East Harlem held a series of events to educate the public about this issue.
In an interview with the AmNews at the event, Elizabeth Ramos Cartagena, Prenatal Program coordinator for the Community Healthcare Network, said that “in New York City, we are focusing a lot on maternal health. This event [is specifically focusing] on Black Maternal Health Week because we’re seeing the disparities when it comes to prenatal care and postpartum care for women of color…we’re focussing on prenatal care, resources…like perinatal depression and postpartum care…the benefits of lactation, general postpartum support…[and] identifying preeclampsia. It’s to make sure people are heard and seen, because that’s important.”
According to the Department of Health, the three Action Centers in East Harlem, Tremont, and Brownsville saw more than 137,000 visitors combined between 2016 and 2020.
“In East Harlem, infant mortality—the rate of deaths of children younger than one—is sixfold higher than on the Upper East Side,” former Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner of Health Dr. Mary T. Bassett wrote in an op-ed. “These contrasting odds persist across the lifespan. People in black and brown neighborhoods do not live as long as people in white neighborhoods. The people come and go, but neighborhood risk persists.”
Neighborhood Health Action Centers are unique in their ability to provide resources such as dental care, primary
care, health workshops, classes, and programs in one location. This makes it easier for members of the community to get the coordinated resources they need in one place. According to lead author Rachel Dannefer, MPH, MIA, in a scholarly arti -
cle, “Neighborhood conditions are recognized as a key driver of health disparities in the United States. Racist practices and policies, including redlining and restrictive covenants, have systematically segregated people of color into less desirable neigh -
borhoods, restricted access to public and private investments, and negatively impacted neighborhood characteristics that affect health, including housing quality, availability of social services, and the physical environment…An interplay
of such factors drives poorer health outcomes for residents of color.”
According to Shari S. Logan, assistant press secretary for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, said, “Our Neighborhood Health Action Centers in East Harlem, Brownsville, and Tremont provide an option for New Yorkers to access health care, wellness classes, and social services in one convenient location. These centers are removing barriers to care and making New York City a healthier, more equitable place for all.”
Carrie Sealy, site coordinator for the Harlem Family Wellness Suite, told the AmNews co-location and the variety of services at the Centers are very important. “We have maternal yoga for pregnant moms and new moms, and they stay and do yoga, get prepared for birth or after [giving] birth, and then moms stay after class [and] have the socializing,” she said. “We call it the caregiver hour, where they stay and socialize and talk about things like being a new mom, being a mom of multiples, breastfeeding issues, and loneliness. We have a doula program that comes to do self-care classes with them.”
The centers also aim to provide services for fathers, Sealy said. “We’re trying to have activities for dads. Paternal health is maternal health, maternal health is paternal health…We give resources if they need help with food stamps, housing, insurance.”
The perspective of participant Dekya “D’Royal” Blue emphasizes the importance of the center. “I love this program,” she told the AmNews. “I love this Health Action Center…I’ve been coming here [for almost two years]. I do prenatal yoga, and some other programs that they have as well. I come as often as I can. Carrie [Sealy]...is very helpful, very informative. I appreciate this center a lot. It has a lot of resources. I tell all the ladies, all the new moms that I meet. I love it here. It’s amazing.”
To find your Neighborhood Health Action Center, visit: www. nyc.gov/site/doh/health/neighborhood-health/neighborhoodhealth-action-centers.page or call 311.
(Photo by SHVETS production via pexels.com)
Arts & Entertainment
ABT’s Calvin Royal III spreads his wings with the Joyce’s UNITE! festival
By ZITA ALLEN Special to the AmNews
On Tuesday, August 13 through Sunday, August 18, ballet’s evolution as an inclusive artform will take center stage with Joyce Theatre’s Ballet Festival presents UNITE!, a one-week celebration creatively directed and co-produced by Calvin Royal III., American Ballet Theatre’s (ABT) dynamic African American principal dancer.
In a recent interview with the Amsterdam News, Royal expresses his unbridled enthusiasm for the festival, which brings together a global community of distinguished artists from nine esteemed companies across five continents, spanning four generations, and a beautiful array of ethnicities all to share and celebrate our collective humanity through dance.
“As the Joyce represents ultimate artistry and dance legacy, it is important to me that the festival evenings, taken together, honor the past, reflect the present, and extend to the future of what our art form can be,” said Royal.
UNITE connects the arc of ballet with the best of its present and future artists and master choreographers with works by Sir Kenneth MacMillan, George Balanchine, Angelin Preljocaj, and a selection of contemporary works. Adding to the festival’s allure, Royal debuts a self-choreographed solo alongside creations by fellow dancers of American Ballet Theatre, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Boston Ballet, and more.
Asked how the solo came about, Royal said, “I met with the Joyce’s producer Ross LeClair and programming director Dani Gee over dinner and they extended an invitation to me to direct the Ballet Festival which had been done a number of years prior to the pandemic. They asked me to curate it offering my point of view on ballet—where it is now and where I hope it will go into the future.” Motivated by the artists and musicians who have inspired him throughout his career, Royal chose to highlight the idea of creating and cultivating community. From here, he assembled a repertoire that “essentially spans the arc of ballet and when assembled shows us this bright long line of ballets form the earlier works made by master choreographers, like Balanchine and McMillan, to choreographers who’ve been in the game for decades, like Alonzo King and Christopher Rudd as well as emerging choreographers like an Aleisha Walker, a young African American dancer who belongs to the ABT corps de ballet and who won Young Creation Award for her choreography at the Prix de Lausanne (2023). [There’s also] Adriana Pierce who was a classmate at the Professional and Performing Arts School, joining New
York City ballet before going on to Miami City Ballet eventually expressing her choreographic vision with her company Queer the Ballet, which seeks to bring more representation to queer artists in ballet.” Royal said all in all his goal is to basically “span the arc of ballet to embrace all from the beloved classics and works that have been out there and that people are familiar with, as well as these newer works that extend what ballet is and where these creators want to take it into the future.”
To that end, Royal said, “We have artists from nine esteemed companies across five continents, spanning four generations, a beautiful array of ethnicities and cultural backgrounds and experiences from those just starting their careers to those established in the field for decades, all sharing and celebrating who we are and what we bring to this art form through dance. You know I remember so many conversations
about diversity and its challenges with folks asking, ‘How are we going to do this? How can we ...?’ Well, given this opportunity, I was like, I don’t want to talk about how we’re going to do it, I just want to do it. I just want to show that it’s possible. That’s how you do it, by doing it.”
Royal said the works on the Joyce Theatre Ballet Festival UNITE program embody that mission, beginning with one that is a major career milestone, George Balanchine’s “Apollo,” the oldest Balanchine ballet in New York City Ballet’s repertory. “The role of ‘Apollo’ has always had such a significant meaning to me and my career. It is one of the first male principle roles that I was given at ABT. It showcases a path to emerging and developing into the type of artist I wanted to be and it represents this idea of leadership for me. Throughout the course of the full ballet, Apollo learns so much about the arts from the muses as,
step by step, he rises up and reaches back to pull others up with him. That is sort of like the subtext of the UNITE concert so I made sure to put ‘Apollo’ on the program. I’ll be dancing that with the Boston Ballet’s exquisite principal ballerina Chyrstyn Mariah Fentroy. I’ve watched her career since she was with Arthur Mitchell’s Dance Theatre of Harlem before she went on to Boston in 2017. So we’re performing the ‘Apollo’ pas de deux together.”
Royal will dance a solo that he created to Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” accompanied by his husband, pianist Jacek Mysinski. And his fans will be happy to know that he will also perform the “Romeo & Juliet” Balcony Pas de Deux with ABT Principal ballerina Isabella Boylston. Royal said, “Romeo is one of my all-time favorite roles. I wanted to make sure to include it because it’s a piece that is of course glorious but it’s one in which the choreographer, Kenneth MacMillan, shows his passion for this idea of the human portrayals in his ballets. He never wanted dancers to simply perform for the audience per se but to highlight the human spirit of the characters and through them our collective humanity.” Christopher Rudd’s “Touche,” is also on the program.
“You know it was ABT’s first explicitly gay male pas de deux created for the company and I wanted to make sure that we included that on the program because, again, it is another representation of this universal idea of love and finding that love and acceptance within yourself and also with another person who, in this case happens to be another man.”
“It’s an exciting time” Royal said, noting that the program he’s curated allows him to offer his unique perspective on ballet by assembling art and artists who tell the story of an artform that appears to be on a positive trajectory which after years of clinging to its image as a whites-only artform, seems to be moving in a more inclusive direction.
“Yes, I’m part of ABT and thankfully everything that I do at ABT has been aligned with my values and has been a great gift but to be able to offer my perspective is also exciting. I also have these visions and ideas about where ballet is and where I hope that it will continue to evolve.”
Royal acknowledges that he’s standing on the shoulders of those who went before him, like Janet Collins, Raven Wilkinson, Keith Lee, Desmond Richardson and, of course, Arthur Mitchell. Embodying a can-do attitude, Mitchell said despite the difficulties, ‘I’m going to do it!’ Now, Royal’s path is somewhat smoother and even as he expresses gratitude, he is realizing his dream by opening doors for others with the Joyce Theatre’s Ballet Festival UNITE! program. For more info, visit www.joyce.org.
Dancer Calvin Royal III (Quinn Wharton photo)
Calvin Royal III and Damian Woetzel rehearsing “Apollo” (Erin Baiano photo)
New Black books on gender and spirituality
By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the AmNews
All gender identities, faiths, and human experiences are valid, unique and crucial to understand if we are going to grow and connect as a community. And through the lens of womanhood and manhood, among the various beautiful ways of living and navigating life, two new books have emerged for spiritually minded readers: “Womanish Theology: Discovering God Through the Lens of Black Girlhood” by Khristi Lauren Adams and “The Whole Man: 40 Spiritual Reflections from Black Men on the Head, Heart, Hands, and Soul,” edited by Rasool Berry, Dr. Maliek Blade and Jermone Gay Jr. These books will inspire and connect readers to perspectives and wisdom that will assist in managing the challenges of life.
Womanish Theology: Discovering God Through the Lens of Black Girlhood by Khristi Lauren Adams
“Womanish Theology: Discovering God Through the Lens of Black Girlhood” by Khristi Lauren Adams is an exploration of faith and spirituality through the unique perspective of Black girlhood. Adams draws on her personal experiences growing up as a Black girl, shaped by the teachings of her grandmother, the dynamics of family “play -
ing church,” and the tragic loss of a friend to violence at a young age. These formative experiences serve as a foundation for Adams to delve into theological concepts, inviting readers to see spirituality through a new lens.
At the heart of Adams’s narrative is the concept of “womanish theology,” a term she coined to reflect the transi -
tion of Black girls into womanhood and their growing engagement with theological questions. “Womanish Theology” is a groundbreaking work that redefines theological inquiry by highlighting the spiritual insights of Black girls. The book is not only a scholarly contribution but also a deeply personal and accessible invitation to all readers to engage with theology in a more inclusive and diverse manner. Adams argues persuasively that theology is enriched when it embraces the perspectives of marginalized communities, particularly Black girls who often find themselves at the intersection of race, gender, and spirituality.
The Whole Man: 40 Spiritual Reflections from Black Men on the Head, Heart, Hands, and Soul, edited by Rasool Berry, Dr. Maliek Blade and Jermone Gay Jr.
“The Whole Man: 40 Spiritual Reflections from Black Men on the Head, Heart, Hands, and Soul” is a compelling
anthology edited by Rasool Berry, Dr. Maliek Blade, and Jermone Gay Jr., offering an exploration of spirituality tailored specifically for Christian Black men. Divided into four thematic sections—head, heart, hands, and soul—the book addresses essential facets of personal and spiritual growth. “The Whole Man” uniquely integrates multimedia resources, including QR codes linking to videos that further illuminate the themes discussed in each devotion. This innovative approach not only enhances understanding but also facilitates meaningful discussions within communities, fostering a deeper engagement with the material. This book offers Christian Black men a roadmap for holistic growth—mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Whether used for personal reflection or group study, this anthology serves as a valuable resource for anyone seeking to enrich their spiritual journey and achieve greater alignment with God’s purpose for their lives.
New Black nonfiction from Malcolm Gladwell and Cheryl D. Holmes-Miller
By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the AmNews
It’s always exciting when prominent Black writers and thinkers share their new works with the world. This fall, in October 2024 to be exact, will bring releases from leading voices Malcolm Gladwell and Cheryl D. Holmes-Miller. “Revenge of the Tipping Point” and “Here: Where the Black Designers Are: A Life in Advocacy” are the culmination of both writers’ experience in social science and design, and can be noted as important later works from the two. Do not hesitate to dive into the maturation (without taking away from the contributions of their earlier books) of Gladwell and Holmes-Miller, and learn about the world via their tireless excavation of culture and architectural design.
“Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering” by Mal -
colm Gladwell
“Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering” marks Malcolm Gladwell’s return with a thought-provoking exploration that reexamines the concepts first introduced in his seminal work “The Tipping Point,” through a contemporary lens.
Gladwell delves into the dynamics of social epidemics and their impact on various facets of society. Drawing on diverse examples, from the peculiar rise of bank robberies in Los Angeles to the unexpected correlations between big cats and clusters of teen suicides, he illuminates how tipping points manifest in today’s interconnected world. By reframing these phenomena, Gladwell challenges readers to reconsider our understanding of social trends, epidemics, and the ways in which we manipulate and engineer these elements for better or for worse. It’s a timely and essential read for anyone interested in understanding how
ideas spread, and how societies evolve in an increasingly interconnected world. “Revenge of the Tipping Point” promises to provoke conversation, inspire innovation, and empower readers to navigate the complexities of social engineering with greater insight and empathy.
“Here: Where the Black Designers Are: A Life in Advocacy” by
Cheryl D. Holmes-Miller
In “Where the Black Designers Are: A Life in Advocacy,” Cheryl D. Holmes-Miller shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked contributions and challeng -
es of Black designers. HolmesMiller, an esteemed figure in design scholarship and activism, meticulously documents her lifelong quest to address a fundamental question: Where are the Black designers? This book is not just a personal memoir but a deeply resonant investigation into the historical marginalization of Black designers. Holmes-Miller traces her own journey from her diverse family background through her education, and intertwines her personal experiences with critical insights into the broader landscape of design history and canon. Crystal Williams’s foreword adds another layer of insight, highlighting the importance of equity and justice in art and education, which resonates deeply with Holmes-Miller’s advocacy. “Where the Black Designers Are” is a landmark contribution that will inspire and inform generations of designers, educators, and anyone passionate about diversity and representation in the arts and beyond.
Bed-Stuy bed & breakfast inn offers luxury and Afrocentric elegance
By LEAH MALLORY Special to the AmNews
Nestled in the historic Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, the Akwaaba Mansion is a bed and breakfast that provides luxury lodging while honoring Afrocentric culture. The 1860s Victorian home stands out as a landmark, offering guests a unique blend of elegance and cultural reverence.
With four uniquely decorated bedrooms, cozy private baths, a glass-enclosed sun porch, and other amenities, the Akwaaba Mansion caters to every visitor’s need.
“You know you’re walking into a mansion,” says Innkeeper and Director of Operations Randy Fraser. “Almost like they’re expecting a grand person—and we are. We’re expecting our guests and we consider them royalty, and treat them as such.
“We hope when they come, they feel luxurious, and [that] it’s okay to spend some time away from home in a beautiful space.”
Laura Pegram, who has been visiting Akwaaba for nearly 25 years, echoed this sentiment.
“When you walk into Akwaaba, you feel spoiled from the second you step through the door,” she said. “You feel as if this is a haven for luxury; your every need is met before you even articulate it. Music greets you the second you walk in. I always think I’m home.
The moment we walk through the door, we feel this peace. If there were stressors that impacted you prior to your arrival, it all falls away.”
Central to the experience at
Akwaaba Mansion is its design, which features Afrocentric artifacts and elements.
“When our guests come, if they happen to be African American, they really can identify cues that reflect who they are, and make them feel seen,” said Monique Greenwood, CEO of the Akwaaba Mansion. “Those could be things like the mud-cloth lamp cover, a throw that has African art in it, or a mix of books we tend to put around. It gives people a sense of this being a place where you’re celebrated and not just tolerated. And for those not of the culture, they see beauty, and that works as well.”
Greenwood said that the name Akwaaba itself—which means “welcome” in Twi, one of four major dialects of the Akan people—holds cultural significance.
“I chose the name because it’s lyrical and has that cultural reference,” she said.
“As soon as I step through the
door, I feel at home and welcomed. It’s almost as if I move into a sanctuary of sorts, where I’m surrounded by objects that help me feel more inspired,” said Pegram.
For Greenwood, Akwaaba represents an escape from life’s stressors, and a place to form connections.
“Once they walk in these doors, they can leave the rest of the world outside,” she said. “It is a serene space, a space that allows you to find yourself again, and there’s so many people who need that.”
With other locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the Black-owned bed and breakfast collection is redefining the perception of luxury with its unique combination of antique Italianate features and African influence, making the experience truly one of a kind.
For more info, visit www.akwaaba.com/akwaaba-mansion.
Akwaaba Mansion in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn (Leah Mallory photo)
(Interior photos courtesy of Akwaaba Mansion)
HOROSCOPES BY KNOWYOURNUMB3RS
By SUPREME GODDESS KYA
Huge compensation and rewards are coming in this week. It’s a week to trim the fat where needed, as family, business, and personal affairs all seem to weigh on you. That’s the universe’s way of giving you what you can carry and handle. Upon carrying out your mission, you will meet the people you need to meet and receive what you need to receive. A relationship, either personal or business, can also form at this time. Stay focused on your passion and follow your dreams. We humans possess all the tools needed to survive; we must journey within for it to be expressed on the outside.
A change is needed within your home, foundation, daily regime, and in how you operate in your affairs this monthly cycle. No more waiting and seeing, as things are up in the air this month. Instead of waiting, be firm and intentional about what you need to do. Respond back to people within two days instead of leaving it and playing a guessing game. Make a phone call, send an email/text, ask them, or meet up with them in person. Do what you have to do to get it done. You have all the details, so make a choice on moving forward with your agenda.
Are you sold on your own words and actions, since you are telling others how and what to do? Are your words matching your actions? This week, an epiphany or feeling of deja vu will suddenly occur. It’s more of a spiritual awakening and a message being conveyed to you or to assist someone along the way. Whatever it is, it feels familiar. Life waits on no one and time keeps ticking. It’s time to step your game up a bit more than usual. Neptune, currently retrograde in Pisces, just turns on the faucet and adds music to dance along.
As August sets in, it’s time to get clear on your intentions and work towards your vision. This work involves effort, time, cutting out distractions, and being steadfast in accomplishing your goals. Write it out, draw it out, stretch it out, research it out, speak it out until the vision is clear. A spiritual awakening occurs when you are mentally, physically, and spiritually ready for the next chapter in your life. Write that book: those songs, create the service or products to be a service to humanity. August is a self-discovery month of diving deep into your soul. Are you ready to invest in areas of your life that need improvement to set you in a new direction?
This week in August, things get a bit tough and funky as you find out the truth about people and other things putting you on notice. With all the information given, you must do your own homework and apply yourself more than usual as if you have no team or support. You are your only support. August is solely about what you can carry on your own using your own brain, ten fingers, and ten toes to put things into motion. You are greatly supported by Uranus in grandma’s old fashioned way. You reap what you sow, and rewards of good deeds/karma will support you. You will find out who is for and against you.
Jupiter is here bringing you abundance for the work and service you do. Get prepared just in case you need to attend a press conference or event, network, travel, write an autobiography, or simply follow your passion. Jupiter is here to assist and folks will hear about what you do through the grapevine. It’s time to rock and roll, Gemini, causing a twin’s effect. Are you seeing twins where you are in your city or country? Raise your vibration to match the energy you want to project and receive back. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find. Apply the necessary footwork. Speak less.
August 4 brought a Leo new moon at 12 degrees, and Mercury’s retrograde in Virgo began on August 5. Now is a great time to expand on your creativity, a new beginning to assert yourself within your endeavors. Set your intentions and watch them grow. Reflecting on what occurred in your life between July 15 and August 5 will give insight into Mercury’s retrograde. “Every week is a new beginning. Take a deep breath and start again. Forget what might have been and look at what can be.” -Anonymous
When you are ready to rewrite or revise the course of your life, you will do it. It’s just as simple as rearranging your room around to change the energy. Imagine the change you want to see yourself making and feel how it affects you. Now that you see it, work towards it and keep the feeling. Every day does not feel the same, so focus on how you want to feel daily. Nurture and nourish yourself and your environment to reflect the change you want to see, and live it. Wise women and men will counsel and support you this week. Hug yourself, as you will find others hugging you.
August is a huge month for you to engage in new adventures and alliances, sit on the board with the members or trustees of an organization or corporation, or form one of your own. In the month of April, you were given an assignment, agenda, offer, or decision to create another project, and this time it’s on a big scale. Ask yourself this month what resources you need to assist you in your business or any future endeavor to level up. What wise sources do you have within your repertoire?
Preparation is key when change knocks on your door. August is a month to ask, to visit with family, to explore the world, to study spirituality, religion, or anything that interests you that will inspire and uplift you. Pay attention to the things you thought you saw as August will give you sight, signs, and messages through all channels of communication; the ones that stick out are the ones to heed. Although folks love to spill the tea, you don’t have to listen. Instead, be brief with folks. Get your point across in 30 seconds or less.
This first week in August, stay committed to your plan as things get tough. People are sharing information with you that you can utilize on your journey. Rely on your gut feeling to guide you as great rewards are soon to follow. Believe in the process this week and have faith. What you think looks and sounds good is not always the right move for you. Get in tune with yourself and areas you can improve on, like your diet, appearance, and skills. Check on your health, exercise, pray, and most importantly have faith, as whatever you are going through shall pass. It’s all part of the process of the purpose of why humans exist on this earth.
August is a memorable month, like having front-row preseason tickets to your favorite game or show, due to the foresight and revelations you’ve been receiving. Sit back and relax, and be yourself and go about your daily affairs. All will surely reveal itself to you. What is meant to be is meant to be. The universe will intervene when needed. A situation in your life will be closing soon or will evolve into something. You already receive hints and clues this week, as you did at the end of May.
This cycle week in August, make plans to attend events where high-level people are attending. Read the biography of someone you are interested in to learn how they reached such a high level in life. Talk to an elder in the neighborhood from whom you can gain wisdom and knowledge to better enhance your life. Be around high-status people who share your interests and see how they operate. Watch how they conduct themselves in public arenas, listen to how they communicate with others, and the language and choice of words used. If you want your life to change, the change starts within you.
Talking SCHOP! It’s been a long time
By KYSHA HARRIS Food Editor, @SCHOPnyc
As I sit here watching the 2024 Paris Olympics, witnessing athletes who have committed years, decades, and their lives to their sport, I realize writing (and food, of course) has been my “sport” for the last 22 years. I haven’t trained the muscle, but the memory is returning. In the process, I am consciously pushing out self-doubt and anxiety while my fingers feel like little tin men from “The Wiz” singing “Slide Some Oil to Me” as I’m hunched over this keyboard. Nevertheless, I persist.
What can I say? It’s been three-plus years since I last wrote on this special food page and in this historic Harlem, New York City, publication. During that time, I realized I am an experiential writer, capturing moments and times in words and stories. And I have had lots of moments to share with you.
As the pandemic did for the rest of the world, it changed my trajectory in myriad ways. I got a full-time job as a food editor (and all that goes with going back into a corporate job), served on a food awards committee representing New York State, took on a major culinary producing job, traveled extensively both domestically and internationally, and still cooked privately for my SCHOP! clients. There were also some major disappointments from which I continue to heal.
In an effort to get myself out of my funk, I began to push beyond maintaining my day-to-day existence to create a new momentum in my life. It began in May, when I posted the following on Instagram: On this day before my birthday I cleaned my stove top…like really cleaned my stove top. It was a stove top caked with grease and cooking debris. It housed a greasy kettle, a cast iron pan I wasn’t using (and couldn’t seem to store?) nesting an uncleaned crank popcornpopper, leaving one burner ex-
posed to use. Just one. Honestly my stove top looked like how I felt inside, the mental state I find myself pulling out of from this past year: caked down in malaise and self doubt,
not working with all my skills and abilities, feeling unable to put things aside that are not serving me, and not being able to clear my mind to see a bigger picture…and my future.
So today I pulled out my rubber gloves, scrubbers, and cleaners, all of my intention and purpose, and meticulously went in until I got to this. It is by no means white glove clean but it has given me the space to walk into my birthday feeling like a new beginning is upon me and I can cook up whatever I am able to imagine…all burners firing. So I am going to make a salad and stare at my clean stove a couple of more times before I go to bed. #IAmHere” My post resonated not only with friends offering words of encouragement; it became a reference for writer-friends to say, “She’s still got it!” It also became my personal cornerstone for purging, cleaning, and organizing my apartment of things I falsely let identify me for the last couple of years, and for trusting my decades of “training” to push forward as I am right now, in this moment.
The AmNews FOOD crew and I are ready again to bring you all the goings on in the food space from Harlem, New York City, the United States, and beyond with recipes, reviews, chefs, cooks, restaurants, makers, producers, and more. Please let us know your finds and what you are interested in reading from us.
With this first piece back in the AmNews fold, I am inverting my normal closing salutation, because my gratitude for you is more important than food.
Thank you for reading and happy eating!
Kysha Harris is a chef, food writer and editor, culinary producer, consultant, and owner of SCHOP!, a personalized food service in NYC for more than 22 years. Follow her on Instagram @SCHOPnyc and on Facebook at /SCHOPnyc.
If you have questions, comments, requests, feedback, or invitations, email us at AmNewsFOOD@SCHOPnyc.com. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @NYAmNewsFOOD,
First day in Dubai at Dubai Marina (Kysha Harris photos)
On the set of “MasterClass” with food historian Michael Twitty
Stovetop still in tip-top shape
BroadwayCon 2024 made hearts soar
BY LINDA ARMSTRONG
Special to the AmNews
If there is one event I look forward to every year, it is BroadwayCon. I truly have theater in my heart—it holds a special place because theater does so much for the soul. It is welcoming to all and it embraces all. That embracing, acceptance, joy, and love is what I felt as I walked through the New York Hilton Midtown during BroadwayCon 2024, which took place July 26–28. BroadwayCon puts theater on a pedestal that it well deserves and allows theater lovers, performers, and the general public to enjoy a fascinating experience. You get exposed to all aspects of theater and can pick up a lot of great advice, because theater professionals hold workshops about everything from choreography to how to get an agent.
BroadwayCon offered a multitude of seminars, panels, and workshops. One panel, “Autism and Broadway: What it means to be a fan while on the spectrum,” addressed the topic of autism and referred to the production “How to Dance In Ohio,” which featured a cast of actors with autism; there were also special stations in the theater for audience members with autism to visit if they needed assistance. Other offerings included workshops on navigating film and tv careers; and on “Business & Marketing Strategy for The Performer.” There was a vast number of workshops to choose from.
There were autographs signing with some of the stars of Broadway, including Afra Hines, Jennifer Geller, Ben Cameron, Desmond Luis Edwards and L Morgan Lee, just to name a few. There were spotlights on “SIX,” and “The Outsiders;” dance classes; and a screening of the upcoming “Bonnie & Clyde: The Musical,” which will star Jeremy Jordan. Of course. there was a phenomenal, eye-popping cos-play
The atmosphere was very lively as people walked around in full cos-play— outfits inspired by musicals like “Phantom of the Opera,” “SIX,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Hadestown,” “The Outsiders,” “Wicked,” “& Juliet,” “Legally Blonde,” and so many more. People were dressed to impress, and that they did.
competition on Sunday and, believe me, people bought the heat, the heart, and their creativity.
As always, I had the pleasure of moderating my own panels at BroadwayCon 2024. On Sunday, I held a panel about “The Wiz,” “The Wiz Revival Eases on Down the Road to Broadway.” I was thrilled to have the four stars of “The Wiz”—Nichelle Lewis (Dorothy), Avery Wilson (Scarecrow), Kyle Ramar Freeman (Lion), and Phillip Johnson Richardson (Tinman)—present as well. During the panel (which was not only well attended, but every person in the audience had seen the show), the actors discussed their journeys with this production, which runs through August 18.
The cast shared their creative process, and the camaraderie they have on- and off-stage. Lewis and Johnson talked about their nervousness in making their stage debuts—performances that earned them Theatre World Awards. The cast also talked about how much they loved the changes with this “Wiz” from the original version— this was now a “Wiz” for a new generation .There was a lot of love and joy in the room.
My other panel was “‘Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton-Patch’ Made History on Broadway!” and featured Tony and Drama Desk Award winner Kara Young; actress Heather Alicia Simms; and Hasna Muhammad, daughter of Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee. This one was especially important to me, because it truly was historic to have this panel on Broadway, 62 years after the original production starring Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee was staged. Hasna discussed why it was important for this to happen.
She talked about how Leslie Odom Jr., who starred as Purlie and produced the show, and Jeffrey Richards, who produced the play, came and asked about mounting it, and how she and siblings Nora and Guy consented. Everyone agreed that it was important to introduce a new generation to the creativity of Ossie Davis. Young and Simms felt honored to take on this production. Everyone was focused on showing a great respect for this timeless work, which is still as relevant today as it was when it was
originally done. They talked about the respectful and powerful way that Davis wrote Black women characters in this play and Muhammad said that was due to the strong Black women her father was raised around and to the influence of her mother, Ruby Dee. It was one of the most touching
panels I have done to date. The audience had a magnificent time.
BroadwayCon Marketplace was truly everything Broadway, from T-shirts, jackets, jewelry, pins, stickers, collectibles, and more. Some of the vendors included Oddment & Tweak with enamel pins and stickers with Harry Potter themes and movie themes. Broadway Up Close had T-shirts,
pins, tote bags, and umbrellas among its items. Applause Shop had Broadway playbills, memorabilia, collectibles, autographs, jackets, and T-shirts. Ripley-Greer Studios had studio space and ran a raffle for studio time, and they also sold T-shirts and other items. Vendors like Jane Elissa Atelier offered handmade jewelry, prints, books, and hats with Broadway themes, along with jackets,
hats, and bags decorated with multimedia collages and paints. “The jacket and the hats tell a story,” Elissa said.
If you are a theater lover, performer, or someone who wants to be in an environment of complete welcome and acceptance, make plans to go to BroadwayCon 2025, produced by Mischief Management, next year. I know I will.
Purlie Victorious panel at BroadwayCon 2024 (l-r) Linda Armstrong, Kara Young, Heather Alicia Simms and Hasna Muhammad (Jasmime Armstrong photos)
The Wiz panel at BroadwayCon 2024 (l-r) Avery Wilson, Nichelle Lewis, Linda Armstrong, Kyle Ramar Freeman and Phillip Johnson Richardson
BroadwayCon 2024 Cos-player Zack Aaronson and his dog, Scuttle About Broadway
Jane Ellisa booth in the Marketplace at BroadwayCon 2024
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Harlem Week, Latin Jazz, Jazzmobile, St. Nick’s Jam, Valley Jazz
In the summer of 1974, Harlem Week was birthed as Harlem Day, a one-time only, one-day only event as an effort to create a positive force to unify the greater Harlem community residents; businesses; and religious, educational, arts, and cultural institutions from the severe economic and social doldrums plaguing New York City.
That positive force continues as Harlem Week, now celebrated for over a month, celebrates its 50th anniversary with a host of conferences, sporting and cultural events, and festivities, offering multiple positive benefits for Harlem and the city at large.
The festivities of Harlem Week 50 continue through August 18. Upcoming highlights include: August 10, Harlem 5K Run & Walk and Children’s Run, 8–11 a.m.; A Great Day in Harlem, noon–7 p.m. at Grant’s Tomb (122nd Street and Riverside Drive); August 12, Youth Conference and Hackathon, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; August 14, NYC Jobs and Career Day at CCNY (160 Convent Avenue); August 17, NYC Children’s Festival, noon–5 p.m. at Howard Bennett Playground (135th Street between Lenox and 5th Avenues); Summer in the City (on 135th Street), featuring vocalist Eric Bent; and the Alex Trebek Children’s Spelling Bee, 2–4 p.m. at the Schomburg Center.
Harlem Week concludes with its big finale on August 18, Harlem Day, 1–7 p.m., with live performances by keyboardist and composer Nat Adderley Jr., Full Force, and A$AP FERG (more guests TBA); the NYC Children’s Festival 2; and NYC Health Fair, noon–5 p.m.
For a complete schedule of all events, visit harlemweek.org.
Marcus Garvey Park (124th Street and 5th Avenue) goes Latin with NY State Senator Cordell Cleare’s 2nd Annual Afro-Latino Jazz Festival on August 9, 3 p.m.–7 p.m. Headliners will include trumpeter Steven Oquendo, who puts his spin on salsa and mambo classics in the Afro-Latin tradition, and performances by the Son Del Monte Band.
For more information, call 212-222-7315 or email agray@nysenate.gov.
One of the summer’s most anticipated joys is the annual Great Jazz on the Great Hill, in partnership with the Jazzmobile and Central Park Conservancy (106th Street and Central Park West), on August 10 this year from 4–7 p.m.
The radiant cast of musicians who continue to impress audiences while rising to their zenith will be Lezlie Harrison, who
brings a vibrant color to the Great American Songbook, and pianist Matthew Whitaker, who has been amazing Harlem audiences since his adolescent years—as a young man, he continues his musical journey not to be categorized, effortlessly crossing genres without thought. The audience may hear tunes from his new fourth album, “On the Shoulders: An Organ Tribute,” an homage to some of his heroes on the instrument. The roster will be rounded out with another brilliant young pianist—Christian Sands (and his quartet), a protégé of Dr. Billy Taylor, and the everexploring pianist Orrin Evans and Captain Black Big Band.
Memories and sounds of smoky, fiery nights at the storied St. Nick’s Pub will return on August 12 as Berta Indeed
presents “A St. Nick’s Jam Session Live in Harlem” at Marcus Garvey Park, 2 p.m.–6 p.m. The core group will feature Patience Higgins & the Sugar Hill Quartet (pianist Marcus Persiani, drummer David Gibson, and bassist Donald Nicks). The rest of the lineup is too astronomical to list, but if you had the pleasure of attending any of those blistering nights, you will recall saxophonists David Lee Jones, Bill Saxton, and Ray Blue; legendary percussionist Leopoldo Fleming, who played with Nina Simone for many years; drummer Craig Haynes, and trumpeter James Zollar. Add to that roster a string of vocalists from TC III, Barbara Jean English, Lady Catrese, Sista Zock, Annette St. John, and Antoinette Montague.
For more information, call 646-705-2932.
For salsa fans, August 14 at Grant’s Tomb (122nd Street and Riverside Drive) is the place for you, as Jazzmobile presents timbale player and long-time salsa contributor Willie Villegas and the Joe Cuba Sextet. Villegas was a former member of the late Cuba, a salsa pioneer, who rendered such hits as “Never Go Back to Georgia,” and the ballad “To Be With You.” Cuba was an architect of the Latin Boogaloo movement. It happens at 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
On August 16, Jazzmobile at Marcus Garvey Park (124th Street and 5th Avenue) will celebrate innovator and activist Max Roach’s Centennial, focusing on one of the drummer’s groundbreaking configurations: the 1970 all-percussive M’Boom. It will be reimagined as “Max Roach’s Centennial Concert M’Boom with Horns.”
The revered artists making up M’Boom will be surviving original members of M’Boom multi-instrumentalist music voyager Warren Smith and percussionist Bobby Sanabria. The reimagined M’Boom will also feature vibraphonists/percussionists Jay Hoggard, Bryan Carroll, Reggie Nicholson, and Lyndon Achee. The lively Horn Section, an addition to M’Boom’s creative combustion, will highlight the inventiveness of trumpeter Jimmy Owens, alto saxophonist Patience Higgins, tenor sax and vocalist Camille Thurman, and trombonist Craig Harris, with Donald Nicks on bass.
This reimagination of M’Boom with Horns is reflective of Roach’s Double Quartet with the Uptown Strings, but here, we have jazz horns. The opening act for this hip, auspicious occasion will be the Kojo Melche Roney Experience. Roney, who was a child prodigy, is now a young force to be reckoned with. He, too, was inspired by Roach’s genius and remains a student through his musical legacy.
Jazz in the Valley just seems to keep soaring to greater heights. This year, on August 18, the Poughkeepsie-based festival at Waryas Park will present an outstanding array of musicians, including harpist Brandee Younger’s trio; poet, activist, and early author of the Black Arts Movement Nikki Giovanni; song stylist Nnenna Freelon; and tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson, who is moving the tradition forward in the soul steps of his predecessors Lou Donaldson and Stanley Turrentine. Jackson may offer a tune or two from his 2022 album “The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni” (Solid Jackson). Also to be there will be Mitch Frohman & the Bronx Horns and the underrated genius and keeper of bebop, alto saxophonist Charles McPherson, whose reputation references a long stint with piano legend Barry Harris and even longer with the prolific composer and bassist Charles Mingus.
Music begins at 12 noon. For more information and tickets, visit jazzinthevalley.org.
Nikki Giovanni (Contributed press photo)
CLASSROOM IN THE
Gloria Foster, a classically trained actress of stage and film
By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews
This week, we recall Gloria Foster’s sterling performances in films, particularly in the miniseries “The Atlanta Child Murders,” which is reminiscent of James Baldwin’s book “The Evidence of Things Not Seen,” as the world celebrates the centennial of his birth on August 2, 1924. Baldwin died in 1987 at 63.
In the miniseries about the Atlanta tragedy, Foster’s role was the mother of Yusef Bell, but she is perhaps best remembered for her powerful performance in Martin Duberman’s play “In White America,” in which he noted how she embodied her role: “... at the end of the scene each night, tears were streaming down her face, her body was trembling, but her dignity was intact.” He said she “had to be covered with blankets to calm her shaking.”
Foster was born on November 15, 1933, in Chicago. She was a young child when her maternal grandparents began caring for her. We have little information about her early years or who her parents were.
Her desire to perform emerged by the time she was a student at the University of Illinois—she participated in plays, but acting was not her major or focus at this time. Later, though, when her godmother introduced her to the Goodman Theater, she immediately decided that the stage was a place she wanted to be. She was among the few African Americans at the theater, seriously committed to acting, and “learning professional acting skills in the Court Theater at the University of Chicago,” she said. Bella Itkin was one of her most influential instructors and cast her in many classical roles.
In 1963, Foster began her journey on Broadway. Her first role was as Ruth in Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun.” Her first professional role was “In White America,” in which she portrayed one of the teenagers attempting to integrate Central High School in Little Rock. Her performance earned her an Off-Broadway (Obie) Theater Award. Soon, she was in demand and even had some parts designed for her. Her work with Joseph Papp earned her even wider recognition. Memorable among several productions was her feature role in Nto-
zake Shange’s adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s “Mother Courage.”
Her performances in such classics as Shakespeare’s “Coriolanus” and Chekov’s “The Cherry Orchard” sharpened Foster’s theatrical skills and her artistic determination. During an interview, she said, “Young people today, I think, are thinking in terms of stepping stones…I don’t know that I ever thought that way. It sounds ridiculous, but I was always thinking in terms of a more difficult role.”
Moving from the stage to the screen was no difficulty for Foster, and it was similarly easy to make the transition to television. In “The
Cool World” (1964), directed by Shirley Clarke and shot on location in Harlem and dramatized the story of street gangs, she played the role of the mother of one of the gang members. This was her debut in a full-length feature film. It was during this production that Foster met her future husband, Clarence Williams III, and they would star together in several films and television, most notably in “I Spy” and episodes of “Law & Order.” Most of her fans will recall her role with Williams in “Nothing But a Man,” starring Ivan Dixon and Abbey Lincoln—film critic Donald Bogle said both Lincoln and Foster
were striking and remarkable—and in the television drama “The Mod Squad.” Her role as Satima Tate in a “Law & Order” episode was based on Betty Shabazz, Malcolm’s widow. Three years later, in 1995, she was back on stage with Mary Alice in “Having Our Say,” about the Delany sisters, for which she received rave reviews. Then it was back on the screen as the Oracle in “The Matrix.”
Foster was in the process of making a sequel to “The Matrix” when she succumbed to diabetes on September 29, 2001, at the age of 67. She is buried in the Cypress Cemetery in Brooklyn.
ACTIVITIES
FIND OUT MORE
Scattered throughout Donald Bogle’s “Blacks in American Films and Television” (1988) are snippets of information about Foster.
DISCUSSION
One is instantly struck by Foster’s effortless transition from stage to screen to television, and how instrumental her classical training was in that process.
PLACE IN CONTEXT
Foster arrived as a performer at the precipice of change in films and television that provided more opportunities for Black actors.
THIS WEEK IN BLACK HISTORY
August 6, 1950: Actor Dorian Harewood was born in Dayton, Ohio.
August 7, 1904: Ralph Bunche, the first Black American winner of the Nobel Prize, was born in Detroit. He died in 1971.
August 9, 1936: Track immortal Jesse Owens wins four Olympic Gold medals in Berlin.
Will New York City renters get the right to be cool?
By Willy Blackmore Word in Black
A new bill would require landlords to provide air conditioning in most buildings.
Nearly every New Yorker has air conditioning — or at least that’s what the big-picture data tells us. Of the 8.3 million people who live in New York City, 91% have access to A/C. Yet at least 350 people die from heat-related illnesses in the city every year. Black New Yorkers are more likely to die from heat stress, with death rates two times higher than White New Yorkers, according to NYC.gov, the city’s information website.
Lincoln Restler, a Brooklyn lawmaker, aims to curb that problem with new legislation that would require landlords to provide air conditioning, similar to a 106-year-old law forcing them to provide heat during the wintertime.
“When we looked at the data of who is dying from heat-related illnesses, the single biggest risk factor was not having air conditioning in their homes,” said Restler, whose district includes parts of central and northern Brooklyn on the New York City Council. And in poorer parts of the city that are predominantly Black and brown — including the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, which Restler represents — it’s much more likely that people do not have air conditioning.
“When you look at lower-income communities, particularly lower-income Black communities, a quarter of households lack air conditioning,” Restler said, “That’s why, disproportionately, the people who die of heatrelated illnesses are low-income African Americans.”
Real-estate organizations gave the bill and unsurprisingly chilly response. Jay Martin, who heads a landlord group called Community Housing Improvement Program, told the New York Times the proposal would put an unbearable burden on property owners who are already financially stressed.
“Financial penalties are already exacerbating a high-operating-cost environment we have in New York,” he said.
But there’s long-standing precedent for making New York landlords responsible for providing a safe and comfortable environment during dangerous weather.
The city’s Heat Code became law back in 1918, setting a minimum threshold of 68 degrees for all centrally heated buildings between the beginning of October and the end of May. While the minimum temperature has changed at times over more than a century, it’s a mainstay of being a renter in the city: heat and hot water are provided at the landlord’s expense, with very few exceptions.
Restler wants teeth behind his proposed A/C requirement, just like there is for the heating rule, and the bill includes a maximum $1,250-per-day fee for noncompliance.
“We have an incredibly effective enforcement system in New York City that conducts thousands of inspections annually for heatrelated issues,” Restler said. “Almost all New
Boxes of air conditioner outside P.C. Richard store, New York. (File photo/AP)
Yorkers have access to heat in the winter to stay safe—similarly we need to ask landlords to step up and keep New Yorkers safe in the summer.”
The primary difference between the right to heat and a potential right to cool, however, is fuel.
Many apartment buildings in New York get heat through boilers, which mostly run on fuel oil, while others some buildings provide steam heat with radiators. But a growing number of remodeled or newly-constructed apartments use heat pumps — stand-alone units which provide cool air in the summer and warm air in wintertime.
Both air-conditioning window units and heat pumps run on electricity instead of oil or steam.
Therefore, if a landlord installs a heat pump, or if they have a tenant who uses an A/C window unit, the landlord would be obliged to pay an electric bill for the heat and cooling — separate from what tenants pay for their own electricity use.
There are various assistance programs that can help low-income New Yorkers pay the $200 or more that a new window-unit air conditioner costs from the store. People who meet certain income requirements can apply for a subsidy or receive a unit free of charge. Various community and mutual-aid organizations connect people with free A/C units, too.
But those piecemeal options still can’t meet the increasingly urgent need to cool stifling apartments in the summer to keep people safe. This summer in particular has been brutally hot, with three record-setting separate heat waves already occurring.
Restler said that it will be necessary to have subsidies to cover those costs for the low-income New Yorkers who need air conditioning the most, there’s precedent there too.
“We looked back at the summer of 2020, when policy makers and society at large wanted people to stay safe in their homes during the height of covid,” Restler said. “Subsidies were made available to low-income individuals to run their A/Cs more liberally.”
Around $75 million of those subsidies were priced through Consolidated Edison, the local electric utility. A similar amount, negotiated by the state government, which regulates utilities, will be needed to make an A/C requirement work for all New Yorkers.
“The changes that we’ve all experienced in the intensity of heat waves during our lifetimes is dramatic,” Restler said. “We now need new policy frameworks and new solutions to keep people safe in extreme heat.”
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.
Education Back-to-school giveaways are opportunities to support the community
By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff
For parents, the month of August is usually focused on thinking of September. It’s when their children will be returning to school and will need notebooks, pencils, backpacks, and other school supplies to start off the academic year—and it’s also a time retail store owners love, since the back-to-school shopping season is a windfall for businesses.
A NerdWallet survey determined that families could spend as much as $541 on children’s school supplies, while the National Retail Federation found that “Families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $874.68 on clothing, shoes, school supplies[,] and electronics. This is approximately $15 less than last year’s record of $890.07 but is the secondhighest amount in the survey’s history.”
That kind of outlay, particularly for families with several children, adds up quickly. While many families use the summer season to take advantage of holiday sales for purchasing school supplies at a discount, many more people tend to wait and do their school shopping just before classes begin.
Waiting to purchase school needs can take a toll on your budget. That’s one reason it has become a long-standing tradition for parents of both K–12 and college students to attend local backto-school giveaways. And community organizations are responding. Some upcoming giveaways in the local area include:
The Grayson Street Christian Assembly will hold its Annual Back to School Supply Giveaway & Community Health & Wellness Fair on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 188-04 Nashville Blvd. in Springfield Gardens, Queens.
The Pentecostal Church of God’s 3rd Annual Back to School Giveaway takes place on August 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2310 Cortelyou Road in Brooklyn. Paterson, N.J.’s Unity Missionary Church will have an event on Saturday, Aug. 24, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at 98 Putnam Street.
There will be an Explore Schools “Back to School Bash and Giveaway” on Saturday, Aug. 24 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Brooklyn’s Atlantic Terminal Plaza.
The CHAMP Back to School Basketball Clinic will take place at Rev. T. Wen -
dell Foster Park, 1055 Jerome Ave. in the Bronx, on August 31 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. (email Champbecomeachamp@ gmail.com for more information).
The New York Hall of Science will sponsor a Back-to-School event specifically for high school students on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 47-01 111th Street in Queens.
In Newark, N.J., the New Afrikan Black Panther Party (NABPP) will hold its fifth annual Hasan Shakur Unity in the community BBQ/school giveaway on August 31 at South 13th Street and 18th Avenue.
“The Hasan Shakur Unity in the community BBQ [and] school giveaway program is a part of our Serve the People program,” said Zulu Sharod, chair of the NABPP. “It’s an example of leveraging what little resources we have, to empower the people around us [by] giving away book bags, and I think we’re going to have something like 350 free haircuts for young people––knowing that haircuts are expensive now in our community…”
The NABPP event is named to honor Hasan Shakur, a former Panther organizer who was put to death by the state of Texas on August 31, 2006. Shakur was incarcerated after being raised in a dysfunctional family. In prison, he changed his life, becoming a prolific writer and radio personality. The annual school giveaway program honoring Shakur is part of the United Panther Movement’s “Feed the People” program. It follows the philosophy of serving the community before people find themselves in desperate need. The back-to-school giveaway is meant to provide children with good clothes, bookbags, and pencils before they realize they need these items.
“We’re going to have music by Mike D, a cat that gave time in prison, came home, and pursued his dream of being a spoken-word artist,” Sharod said. “We’re going to have T-shirts and other paraphernalia out there that we’re going to give away. We’re going to have games for kids to partake in in terms of understanding the value of their self-worth and not attaching that to a pair of jeans or a car or a job, for that matter.”
The event emphasizes the philosophy that “Your value is something that your community instills, which is love, care, concern, and having an undying commitment to wanting to help somebody,” Sharod said.
Zulu Sharod, chair of New Afrikan Black Panther Party, poses with Newark residents attending a giveaway event (NABPP photos)
Harlemite
Continued from page 5
homebuyers and future investors. “I like to think that it is a resource for people of color in real estate and the entrepreneur community to come together to build success as a collective,” she said.
In 2021, RB joined the Greater Harlem Real Estate Board (GHREB) and was ap -
Housing Law
standard sound correctional practices and would therefore be dangerous.”
Additionally, the administration also reiterates the law would prevent DOC from handcuffing detainees during transport between the jails and courts. The bill’s sponsors dispute the claim, pointing to the actual law’s language allowing restraints under “individual determination” if “necessary to prevent an imminent risk of selfinjury or injury to other persons.”
“The [Adams] administration has repeatedly asserted that Local Law 42 entirely prohibits restraining incarcerated individuals,” Rivera said. “It does not.”
Local Law 42 only explicitly mentions restraints during transport in the matter of detainees under 22 and specifically allows
pointed secretary of its executive board. “They were impressed by how I organized massive events and managed them effectively, alongside my real estate business and portfolio,” RB said. “When I joined, I realized there were many amazing people of color in the industry performing at high levels, and most people wouldn’t know that.”
In May 2024, RB was honored in the Contemporary Giant category at the 500 Men
it as an exception, as long as they aren’t secured to an “immovable object,” according to a spokesperson for Rivera.
And the administration continues pointing to compliance with the Nunez monitor, a court-appointed watchdog tasked with ensuring reforms mandated by a class-action lawsuit over jail conditions get properly implemented. The monitor previously posed concerns about staff and detainee safety under Local Law 42. Back in January, Public Advocate Williams dismissed the Adams administration’s use of compliance to Nunez for opposing Local Law 42 as bad faith.
“The administration, which routinely undermines and ignores the federal monitor, cannot credibly use the monitor’s condemnation of its long-standing failures and deceptions around running Rikers Island in order to condemn an effort to actually fix it,” Williams said in his Jan. 16
DENTAL Insurance
organization’s 7th Annual Ladies Brunch Power Broker’s Edition. Her next event, the Real Estate and Entrepreneur Networking event on July 18, 2024, at Pando 39, featured speakers like Dr. Natasha Williams and Shamonda Graham. This event aimed to provide resources and networking opportunities for all attendees.
RB emphasized the power of collaboration, which has helped her scale her real estate portfolio. “There is power in col -
statement. “It is not our job to create laws that conform to failing systems. It is our job to create laws to change them, and if you want something different to happen, you have to do something different.”
The emergency order follows the recent death of Charizma Jones, who DOC staff allegedly claimed could not leave her Rikers Island jail cell for safety reasons when health workers repeatedly attempted to take her vitals due to a serious health condition sustained just weeks after she was placed on “RED ID” status for “an alleged assault on staff.” She was later taken to a hospital and died at age 23. An investigation is ongoing.
Local Law 42 now mandates “visual and aural observation” for those held in deescalation confinement and requires referring any health concerns to medical professionals. The law notably received support from healthcare union 1199SEIU.
laboration, so I have specialized in collaborating with amazing organizations and elected officials to create positive impact and empower social mobility,” she explained. “These events help promote homeownership and entrepreneurship within our communities, providing opportunities for all who attend.”
For more information about RB’s events and programming, visit RBtheRealtor.com.
Its interim political director Helen Schaub called solitary “a discredited and cruel practice” and said it was wrong to suspend Local Law 42.
DOC spokesperson Annais Morales said the department is “working to determine the safest and most efficient way to deter violent acts” in city jails and adds that current Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie agrees with abolishing the “inhumane” practice of conventional solitary confinement. The department also echoed that conventional solitary confinement practices in city jails ended in 2019.
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.
Surviving Rwanda: God, remembrance, and reconciliation on the genocide’s 30th anniversary
By MARÍA TERESA HERNÁNDEZ Associated Press
Pascal Kanyemera has no doubts: Back in 1994, when he survived the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, God had his back. Thirty years after Hutu extremists slaughtered close to 800,000 Tutsi in massacres that lasted more than 100 days, survivors still face a long healing process. For many of them, though, faith has been key. Feeling accompanied and believing that God had other plans for them has helped bring back peace into their lives and provided strength to keep remembrance alive.
Thirty years ago, while he was hiding from the machetes that killed his father, two of his brothers and an estimated 800,000 other people during the genocide against Rwanda’s Tutsi minority, Pascal Kanyemera made a deal with God.
“Please, if I survive one more week, I will give you 100 Rwandan francs.”
God listened, so the 15-yearold prayed again. Then again. And again, until the killings stopped in July 1994.
“By the end of the genocide, I owed God 400 Rwandan francs,” said Kanyemera, now 45, from his home in Ottawa, the capital of Canada. “That shows you how I always put my life and my survival in his hands.”
His grandmother, uncles, and cousins were also among the thousands of Tutsi killed by extremist Hutus in massacres.
The genocide was ignited on April 6, 1994, when a plane carrying President Juvénal Habyarimana, a member of the Hutu majority, was shot down as it prepared to land in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali. The Tutsi were blamed for downing the plane and killing the president. Enraged, gangs of Hutu extremists, backed by the army and police, began killing Tutsi.
Kanyemera was hiding at a local school when his family was slaughtered on April 9. He learned about their deaths by late May when he reunited with his mother and sisters at a refugee camp that was controlled by the French.
Other Tutsi witnessed the killings firsthand and barely survived to tell the tale.
In her book “Chosen to Die: Destined to Live,” Frida Umuhoza
recounts how her mother was beheaded before her eyes. She gazed at her grandfather begging his assassins—Bible in hand—to let her family pray together one last time. She shuddered when the Hutu extremists coaxed her into choosing the weapon she would be killed with.
“Please, don’t kill me with anything else,” said Umuhoza, who was terrified of machetes and opted for a club.
Soon after, the 14-year-old felt a smack in the back of her head and all went dark. When she woke up, her heels were sliced open and her body covered in dirt inside the ditch where her relatives lay dead. She remained numb for hours, until one of her Hutu neighbors took pity on her and dug her out to a life of sorrow, orphanhood, and anger.
“Sometimes, when people hear about what happened to us, they don’t believe it,” Kanyemera said. “Some men killed their
where he was, French troops took over, so he survived.
As painful as it is, many survivors remain committed to remembrance. They visit schools to share their stories with younger generations. They write books. They speak to journalists, willing to reopen their wounds year after year, hoping that no genocide is ever committed again.
“Someone said that whoever forgets the past is condemned to relive it,” said Tarcisse Ruhamyandekwe, who lost a brother, uncles, and aunts in 1994. “Our people, our families, were killed in unusual circumstances, so it is a way of giving them back the dignity they did not have.”
During the genocide, Hutu extremists engaged in extreme brutality. Killings were often preceded by beatings, torture, and mutilation. Militias sang “Kill them all!” before reaching the homes of the families they would exterminate. An estimated 100,000 to 250,000 women were brutally raped, many of whom later needed reconstructive surgery or HIV/AIDS treatment.
“Rwanda was full of bodies,” said Ruhamyandekwe, who also lives in Ottawa. “Imagine you go back as a survivor and in your house you only find the bodies of your brothers and sisters.”
His father was not a victim of the Hutu, but when he died later in the 1990s—probably of a heart attack—Ruhamyandekwe was unable to bury him. “Taking that risk, going back to Rwanda, was probably going to get me killed,” he said.
He has no pictures or material possessions from his life in Rwanda, but his memories of the country of a thousand hills remain intact.
A few years ago, he took his children there.
Nothing is left of the house where his parents—both teachers—raised him comfortably and lovingly, except for marks in the ground. And there, with his hands moving through the air, he “drew” his childhood home for his kids.
“I showed them where my room was. My brother’s, my sister’s,” Ruhamyandekwe said. “I told them: ‘That’s the house where I grew up, but everything was destroyed.’”
Sharing his feelings has not been easy. Rwandans, he said, are not open with emotion, even within their own families. Crying or confiding in someone is discouraged from an early age. For him, though, writing has been like therapy. And there has been his faith.
kids, their own kids. Out of hate.” Healing, he said, is a long process. But many survivors hold on to faith to bring back peace into their lives.
Umuhoza details in her book how becoming a Christian allowed her to forgive. Another survivor, Immaculée Ilibagiza, has written about hiding for 91 days in the tiny bathroom of a pastor’s house. Now a U.S.-based author, motivational speaker, and devout Catholic, Ilibagiza often recounts how reciting the rosary drew out the pain and rage inside her.
Kanyemera—the current president of the Humura Association, which supports genocide survivors—has always attributed his survival to God.
Hutu militias patrolled the school where he was hiding, looking for the Tutsi who lived in the surrounding area, but he was never caught. And though the Hutu planned to kill the surviving Tutsi in the refugee camp
He, like Kanyemera, moved far from Rwanda to be safe. His first stop was Congo, where his parents sent him in 1985, fearing that the violence against Tutsi would escalate.
Survivors like them have emphasized that the genocide arose from longstanding Hutu-Tutsi animosity.
“I remember that, when I was 7 or 8, I used to see my dad taken by the military to jail,” Ruhamyandekwe said. “I remember thinking he was lucky because he came back. Other people did not; they were killed in jail.”
Discrimination, he said, was inflicted on the Tutsi from a very young age. Schools required teachers to keep a detailed registration of students. It was common for them to enter the classrooms and say: “All the Tutsi, stand up.”
“We carried our IDs to show our race and we could not escape,” Ruhamyandekwe said. “That’s why during the genocide it was very simple to ask: ‘Where is your ID?’ And get the Tutsi killed.”
“In my book I write about what I call ‘God’s invisible hand,’” Ruhamyandekwe said. “Some people say it’s luck, but I say it was God guiding me through all the stuff I went through.”
By writing, he has not only expressed himself, but tried to spread awareness about his people’s history.
“We cannot forget our loved ones,” Ruhamyandekwe said. “If reconciliation has to happen, as it is happening, we have to remember that and teach what happened to the next generation.
“Someone said that there’s something stronger than death: It’s the presence of the dead in the memory of the living.”
This story has been corrected to fix Kanyemera’s age and to show that French troops took over a refugee camp when he was already there.
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Tarcisse Ruhamyandekwe stands for a portrait at his home in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (AP Photo/Justin Tang)
on to pass legislation guaranteeing free breakfast and lunch for young students statewide, giving AFSCME school employees the tools they need to keep kids energized and ready to learn. Walz did all this for Minnesota’s communities while getting state workers a historic contract with across-the-board raises.”
United Steelworkers International President David McCall stated, “Gov. Walz has given more workers access to paid sick and family leave; he has made major strides in protecting workers’ health and safety on the job; he has improved standards for patients and workers at Minnesota’s nursing homes; he has strengthened union organizing and collective bargaining rights; he has expanded unemployment benefits and taken steps to protect workers from wage theft and other abuses.”
McCall continued: “In addition, Gov. Walz understands the importance of mining and manufacturing to the economy of Minnesota and to the future of this country,
and he will never stop fighting for workers across all industries.”
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler deemed Walz a “principled fighter and labor champion” and American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten called Walz “a proud educator who drew on his experience in the classroom to show Minnesotans what a pro-education, pro-labor administration can look like. He is from a small town, served in the military, and has consistently given back to his community. He believes the essence of America is to be kind to your neighbor and to help those around you thrive. And he is a former AFT member.
“Gov. Walz expanded collective bargaining rights, fought wage theft, enacted paid family and medical leave, and took on mandatory captive audience meetings. And he unreservedly supports a woman’s right to make her own reproductive health decisions. The Harris-Walz team will build on the Biden administration’s legacy as the most labor-friendly administration in history and will continue to grow our economy from the bottom up and the middle out.”
Monsignor Mullaney Apartments
Sister Lucian Senior Apartments
4301 8th Ave, Brooklyn,
According to Service Employees International Union (SEIU) International President April Verrett, “Governor Walz has been a steadfast partner to Minnesota’s working families.” She added that he’s also “walked a day in the shoes of home care workers and made record investments in public education, including unemployment benefits for bus drivers, food service workers, paraeducators, and others who do essential work supporting students. He paved the way for record contracts between his administration and health care workers, raising wages to as much as $22.50 an hour. Governor Walz has championed guaranteed family and medical leave for workers and middle-class tax breaks for Minnesotans. He supported janitors and nursing home workers when they were on strike in March, and we were proud to see him join UAW workers on the picket line during last year’s strikes.
“In contrast to the Trump-Vance ticket, who continue to spew hate and try to divide us, Governor Walz has actually championed not-yetunion workers, racial and immigrant justice and climate action.”
NY 11232
415 Bleecker St, Brooklyn, NY 11237
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.
Vance
Continued from page 12
are the Enemy,” he stated that universities are committed to “deceit and lies” rather than the truth. It’s hard for me to believe that the university is the enemy when it has given me so much. But it is even harder to believe these words coming from Vance’s mouth, a person who benefited immensely from an undergraduate and graduate education. But it’s not just the anti-immigration policies and attacks on education—it’s also how Vance and Trump speak about Latine people. Vance and Trump’s rhetoric is inflammatory and discriminatory. Their comments about Mexican immigrants bringing crime and drugs into the U.S. are racist. Vance has endorsed these comments. I hate to say that their rhetoric is simply offensive. The word offensive is flat and without meaning, especially for those who’ve never been offended.
Trump and Vance’s anti-immigration and strong border rhetoric targets the Latine community. It makes us feel lesser-than, disenfranchised, and like second-
class citizens in our homes.
The Latine vote has never been stronger, and yet we are only mentioned in conversations about immigration, illegality, and mass deportation.
The Latine population is growing and is expected to comprise 14.7% of all eligible voters in November. Among them, young Hispanic voters make up approximately 31% of the eligible group. This means a great deal come this November. I still believe in the American Dream. I want to believe in it for my daughter, for my nieces and nephew. But this dream is not the same for everyone. Trump and Vance’s version of the American Dream doesn’t make respectable space for Latines. I think many Latine people feel the same way I do and will vote for whomever can deliver a version of the American Dream that includes us.
Ayendy Bonifacio (he/him/his) is an assistant professor of U.S. Ethnic Literary Studies at the University of Toledo. He writes and teaches about American literature and culture, Latinx studies, and print culture from the nineteenthcentury to the present.
Beginning July 29, 2024 our 150-unit building at 415 Bleecker Street 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:
Qualifications and eligibility for the affordable apartments, which include units for the mobility impaired, will be based on Section 8 guidelines. Interested persons may obtain an application:
Interested persons may obtain an application:
Send a written application request to:
BY MAIL
POP Management – Msgr Mullaney
POP Management – Sister Lucian Apartments
191 Joralemon St 8th Floor, Brooklyn NY, 11201
191 Joralemon St 8 th Floor, Brooklyn NY, 11201
*Written application requests must be received by 8/9/2024
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 8/13/2024. If you have a disability and need assistance with the application process or any other type of reasonable accommodation, please contact Yhasara Humphrey (718) 722-6081.
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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 Wednesday, August 14, 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 Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at 7:30 am. The meeting will be held at 245 West 129th St., NY, NY.
LEGAL NOTICES
Notice of Qualification of CASCADE GROWTH LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/05/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 06/07/24. Princ. office of LLC: 330 Third Ave., Apt. 21E, NY, NY 10010. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. DE addr. of LLC: 1209 Orange St., Wilmington, DE 19801. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., #4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Independent financial sponsor.
Notice of Qualification of LS RETAIL, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/02/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Georgia (GA) on 07/22/09. Princ. office of LLC and GA addr. of LLC: 11175 Cicero Dr., Ste. 650, Alpharetta, GA 30022. 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 State, 214 State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
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.
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.
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.
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.
LONG ISLAND FOREIGN AUTO SALES, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/16/24. 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, 645 11th Avenue, New York, NY 10019. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
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 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.
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.
NYC FOREIGN AUTO SALES, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/16/24. 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, 645 11th Avenue, New York, NY 10019. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
ANA SOLUTIONS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/05/24. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 203 East 72nd St, New York, NY 10021. Purpose: Any lawful act.
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.
HEYDAYDREAMS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 6/21/24. 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: 242 W. 104th St. Suite 3ER, New York, NY 10025. Purpose: Any lawful act.
FreshCleanNYC LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/04/2024. 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: 20 Pine Street Unit #1004, New York, NY 10005. Purpose: Any lawful act.
2MFINITY LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/20/2024. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 86-42 131st St, Richmond Hill, NY 11418. Purpose: Any lawful act.
Notice of Qualification of GREYSTONE MONTICELLO FUNDING SH-74 LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/23/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 07/17/24. Princ. office of LLC: 600 Third Ave., 21st Fl., NY, NY 10016. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Engaging in and exercising all powers permitted to a limited liability company formed under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.
Notice of formation of NYCR Sub-CDE 24, LLC Articles of Organization filed with the SSNY on July 9, 2024. N.Y. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served. The SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to NYCR Sub-CDE 24, LLC, 99 Hudson Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10013. Purpose: Any lawful act.
Notice of formation of NYCR Sub-CDE 26, LLC Articles of Organization filed with the SSNY on July 9, 2024. N.Y. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served. The SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to NYCR Sub-CDE 26, LLC, 99 Hudson Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10013. Purpose: Any lawful act.
Notice of formation of NYCR Sub-CDE 27, LLC Articles of Organization filed with the SSNY on July 9, 2024. N.Y. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served. The SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to NYCR Sub-CDE 27, LLC, 99 Hudson Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10013. Purpose: Any lawful act.
Notice of formation of NYCR Sub-CDE 28, LLC Articles of Organization filed with the SSNY on July 9, 2024. N.Y. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served. The SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to NYCR Sub-CDE 28, LLC, 99 Hudson Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10013. Purpose: Any lawful act.
Notice of formation of NYCR Sub-CDE 29, LLC Articles of Organization filed with the SSNY on July 9, 2024. N.Y. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served. The SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to NYCR Sub-CDE 29, LLC, 99 Hudson Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10013. Purpose: Any lawful act.
Notice of Qualification of GRAMERCY E 22ND OWNER LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/02/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 06/17/24. 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, Div. of Corps. - John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of formation of NYCR Sub-CDE 30, LLC Articles of Organization filed with the SSNY on July 9, 2024. N.Y. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served. The SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to NYCR Sub-CDE 30, LLC, 99 Hudson Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10013. Purpose: Any lawful act.
H' CHILDREN GROUP FAMILY DAYCARE, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/17/2024. Office location: BRONX County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 3205 GRAND CONCOURSE APT 2B, BRONX, NY 10468 Purpose: Any lawful act.
Dog Person Coffee LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/07/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC.: 7014 13TH AVENUE SUITE 202, BROOKLYN NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful act.
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.
Notice of Formation of OMNI NOSTRAND PARTNERS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/02/24. 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 122072543. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of Qualification of JFH BRAND HOLDINGS LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/15/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 01/19/24. Princ. office of LLC: 350 Fifth Ave., 6th Fl., NY, NY 10118. 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, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of formation of NYCR Sub-CDE 25, LLC Articles of Organization filed with the SSNY on July 9, 2024. N.Y. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served. The SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to NYCR Sub-CDE 25, LLC, 99 Hudson Street, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10013. Purpose: Any lawful act.
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK. 57TH ST. VACATION OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., BY AND THROUGH ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Plaintiff -againstZEFERINO T. TRINIDAD AS FIRST SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE OF THE TRINIDAD FAMILY TRUST DATED MARCH 21, 1998, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated on February 21, 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 September 11, 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, being an undivided ownership interest as tenant-in-common with other owners in the Timeshare Unit in the building located at 102 West 57th Street, New York, NY. Together with an appurtenant undivided .019728% common interest percentage. This a foreclosure on ownership interest in a timeshare unit, a studio penthouse on a floating use basis every year, in accordance with and subject to declarations. Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions dated October 10, 2008 and October 31, 2008 as CFRN # 2008000426142 as recorded in the Office of the City Register, County, City and State of New York. The Timeshare Unit is also designated as Block 1009 and Lot 37. Said premises known as 102 WEST 57TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10019
Approximate amount of lien $17,485.64 plus interest & costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 850147/2023. ALLISON FURMAN, ESQ., Referee DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590 DLG# 39106
Notice of Qualification of INVESTCORP US PRIVATE CREDIT FEEDER, LP Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/13/24. Office location: NY County. LP formed in Delaware (DE) on 06/08/22. Princ. office of LP: 280 Park Ave., 39th Fl., NY, NY 10017. NYS fictitious name: INVESTCORP US PRIVATE CREDIT FEEDER, L.P. Duration of LP is Perpetual. SSNY designated as agent of LP upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. Name and addr. of each general partner are available from SSNY. DE addr. of LP: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of LP filed with DE Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
JENPONYC LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/20/2024. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 1460 BROADWAY, 11F, C/O ANNE CHANG, New York, NY 10036. Purpose: Any lawful act.
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NEW YORK COUNTY. U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF WELLS FARGO COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES, INC., MULTIFAMILY MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES, 2020-SB80, Pltf. vs. 372 WEST 127 TH OWNER, LLC, et al, Defts. Index #850013/2023. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered January 16, 2024, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on August 28, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. prem. k/a 372 West 127 th Street, New York, NY 10027 a/k/a Block 1953, Lot 59. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,487,171.64 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. PAUL SKLAR, Referee. BALLARD SPAHR LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 1675 Broadway, 19 th Floor, New York, NY 10019. #101359
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK.
HILTON RESORTS CORPORATION, Plaintiff -against- UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF RECA DANIELLE BARWIN, if living and if they be dead, etc..., et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated November 28, 2023 and entered on March 26, 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 28, 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, being an undivided ownership interest as tenantin-common with other owners in the Timeshare Unit in the building located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY; known as The NYH Condominium. Together with an appurtenant undivided 0.8100% common interest percentage. This a foreclosure on ownership interest in a timeshare unit, a studio penthouse on a floating use basis every year, in accordance with and subject to declarations. Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions dated October 27, 2003 and November 3, 2003 as CFRN # 2003000442513 as recorded in the Office of the City Register, County, City and State of New York. The Timeshare Unit is also designated as Block 1006 and Lot 1305.
Said premises known as 1335 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, UNIT HU4, NEW YORK, NY
10019
Approximate amount of lien $45,365.82 plus interest & costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.
Index Number 850059/2022.
GEORGIA PAPAZIS, ESQ., Referee
DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP
PLLC
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff
242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590
DLG# 38752
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT. NEW YORK COUNTY. U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF WELLS FARGO COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES, INC., MULTIFAMILY MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2020-SB80, Pltf. vs. 300 WEST 114 TH OWNER, LLC, et al, Defts. Index #850012/2023. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered January 17, 2024, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on August 28, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. prem. k/a Parcel I, 2107 Frederick Douglass Boulevard, a/k/a 2107 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10026 a/k/a Block 1847, Lot 59; Parcel II, 2109 Frederick Douglass Boulevard, a/k/a 300 West 114 th Street, New York, NY 10026 a/k/a Block 1847, Lot 60. Approximate amount of judgment is $4,102,281.91 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
GEORGIA PAPAZIS, Referee. BALLARD SPAHR LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 1675 Broadway, 19 th Floor, New York, NY 10019. #101360
Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company. Name: FATHI ELGADDARI, DMD, PLLC. Articles of Organization filing date with the Secretary of State (SSNY) was 06/21/2024. Office location: NEW YORK County. SSNY has been designated as the agent of PLLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to 35 EAST 85 STREET, 1N, NY, 10028, USA. The purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
INDEX NO. 850116/2020 COUNTY OF NEW YORK
DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR INDYMAC INDX MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2006-AR39, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2006-AR39
Plaintiff, vs.
DOUGLAS DAVIS, if living, and if she/he be dead, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR INDENTURE TRUSTEE TO CITIBANK, N.A., AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE OF SACO I TRUST 2006-12, MORTGAGE-BACKED NOTES, SERIES 2006-12; NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; NEW YORK CITY PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU ; NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT ADJUDICATION BUREAU,
"JOHN DOE #1" through "JOHN DOE #12," the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint,
Plaintiff designates NEW YORK as the place of trial situs of the real property
SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS
Mortgaged Premises: 259W 131ST STREET , NEW YORK, NY 10027
District: , Section: , Block:1937, Lot: 8
Defendants.
To the above named Defendants
YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff ’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service. Your failure to appear or to answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you.
NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT
THE OBJECT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $1,430,000.00 and interest, recorded on September 01, 2006 , in Instrument Number 2006000497991 , of the Public Records of NEW YORK County, New York. , covering premises known as 259W 131ST STREET , NEW YORK, NY 10027.
The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.
NEW YORK County is designated as the place of trial because the real property affected by this action is located in said county.
NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING
YOUR HOME
If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.
Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property.
Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action.
YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.
SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. UKOHA OLUGU IGWE and GOSPEL OLUGU IGWE, if living, and if they be dead, any and all persons unknown to Plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, 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 # 850036/2018. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated June 26, 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, August 29, 2024, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 16,000/28,402,100 tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as HNY CLUB SUITES located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY. Approximate amount of judgment is $91,615.59 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. Roberta Ashkin, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK.
HNY CLUB SUITES OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC., BY AND THROUGH ITS BOARD OF MANAGERS, Plaintiff -againstDAVID SCHILLER AS EXECUTORS OF THE ESTATE OF MARVIN SCHILLER, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Amended Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion dated on February 22, 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 September 11, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. premises being an undivided ownership interest as tenant-in-common with other owners in the Timeshare Unit in the building located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY; known as The NYH Condominium. Together with an appurtenant undivided 0.0381% in common interest percentage. This a foreclosure on ownership interest in a timeshare unit, a studio penthouse on a floating use basis every year, in accordance with and subject to declarations. Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions dated October 27, 2003 and November 3, 2003 as CFRN # 2003000442513 as recorded in the Office of the City Register, County, City and State of New York. The Timeshare Unit is also designated as Block 1006 and Lot 1302.
Said premises known as 1335 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, NEW YORK, NY 10019
Approximate amount of lien $28,189.58 plus interest & costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.
Index Number 850199/2022.
DORON LEIBY, ESQ., Referee
DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP
PLLC
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff
242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590
DLG# 35579
THE NEW YORK INJURY LAW
FIRM PLLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/23/24. Office: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of the PLLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the PLLC, 48 Wall Street, Suite 1100, New York, NY 10005.
Purpose: For the practice of the profession of Law.
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK INDEX NO. 850248/2022 COUNTY OF NEW YORK
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO WACHOVIA BANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE, FOR J.P. MORGAN MORTGAGE TRUST 2005-A1,
Plaintiff, vs.
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK. HNY CLUB SUITES OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC., BY AND THROUGH ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Plaintiff -againstOBJECT N. LLC, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated March 1, 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 September 11, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. premises being an undivided ownership interest as tenant-in-common with other owners in the Timeshare Unit in the building located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY; known as The NYH Condominium. Together with an appurtenant undivided 0.0381% in common interest percentage. This a foreclosure on ownership interest in a timeshare unit, a studio penthouse on a floating use basis every year, in accordance with and subject to declarations. Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions dated October 27, 2003 and November 3, 2003 as CFRN # 2003000442512 as recorded in the Office of the City Register, County, City and State of New York. The Timeshare Unit is also designated as Block 1006 and Lot 1302. Said premises known as 1335 AVENUE OF AMERICAS, NEW YORK, NY 10019
Approximate amount of lien $23,248.49 plus interest & costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.
Index Number 850186/2023. SOFIA BALILE, ESQ., Referee DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590 DLG# 39358
Notice of Formation of SUBIN, LLP Cert. of Reg. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/10/24. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLP: 515 Madison Ave., #8076, NY, NY 10022. SSNY designated as agent of LLP upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLP at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Law.
FRANK STEO, if living, and if she/he be dead, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE HAMPTON HOUSE CONDOMINIUM, if living, and if she/he be dead, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; JPMORGAN CHASE BANK; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE-DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY; 115 ESSEX STREET LLC; NEW YORK CITY PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU; NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT ADJUDICATION BUREAU; CASPER R. CALLENTRUST, if living, and if she/he be dead, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; "JOHN DOE" (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #1; "JOHN DOE" (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #2, "JOHN DOE #3" through "JOHN DOE #12," the last ten names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Defendants.
Plaintiff designates NEW YORK as the place of trial situs of the real property
SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS
Mortgaged Premises:
404 EAST 79TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10021
Block: 1473, Lot: 1188
To the above named Defendants
YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff ’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service. Your failure to appear or to answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you.
NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT
THE OBJECT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $532,000.00 and interest, recorded on February 03, 2004 , in CRFN 2004000065608, of the Public Records of NEW YORK County, New York. , covering premises known as 404 EAST 79TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10021.
The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. NEW YORK County is designated as the place of trial because the real property affected by this action is located in said county. NOTICE
YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME
If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property.
Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.
Dated: July 12 th , 2024
&
Attorney for Plaintiff Matthew Rothstein, Esq. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310 Westbury, NY 11590
External Affairs LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/05/2024. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 329 East 6th St, New York, NY 10003. Purpose: Any lawful act.
Administrative Coordinator. NYC. Coordinate & direct office administrative procedures for restaurant firm with three locations: maintain business correspondence & schedule meetings; improve internal management systems; oversee inventory; custom database design; budget; training program to coordinate new staff. Req’d: Associate degree (any subject) or 2 yrs’ experience job duties; knowledge of customer & personal services including customer needs assessment, quality standards for services & customer satisfaction evaluation, production methods, coordination of people and resources. M-F, 9-5. Salary: $41,891.00 per year. Send resume to Job #3, Shiawase Factory Ltd., 326 E. 6th Street, New York, NY 10003.
To display your Legal, llc, and classifieds ads contact: Shaquana Folks 212-932-7412 shaquana.folks@amsterdamnews.com
ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE
PARTNERS, PLLC
What the national nursing shortage means for Black patients
By JENNIFER PORTER GORE Word in Black
The number of skilled nurses leaving the profession each year has been called a national healthcare crisis, but the exodus will have a disproportionate impact on Black communities.
Burned out after the COVID-19 pandemic and frustrated with systemic problems in healthcare, nurses in the U.S. are leaving the medical profession in droves, a quiet exodus that some are calling a national crisis.
But — as usual — a crisis in America is a catastrophe for Black America. Experts say the situation will exacerbate the lack of access to care for communities of color, increase the time it will take to get routine as well as urgent or specialized medical attention and further widen the health gap between Black and white patients.
The situation is considered so dire that the White House last August announced it had earmarked some $100 million through the Department of Health and Human Services to quickly grow the nation’s corps of nurses. At the same time, colleges, universities and teaching hospitals that specialize in nurse training are offering accelerated programs to get caregivers on the job as soon as possible.
“Nurses are an essential part of our nation’s health care system,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement rolling out the Grow the Nursing Workforce grant program. “Now more than ever, we need to double down on our investments in nurses who care for communities across the country.”Deborah Trautman, president and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, said that generating “strong interest in nursing careers, and training new nurses” are top priorities for stakeholders like her organization.
“Maintaining a healthy supply of practiceready nurses is critical to ensuring access to essential patient care services and protecting the nation’s health,” she said in April.
Experts say the overall nurse shortage stems from a combination of factors — chiefly, the COVID-19 pandemic, which called on nurses to work long hours in a highly-charged, uncertain environment. But others point to more mundane, longterm issues frustrating the workforce: poor working conditions, relatively low pay, high caseloads and lack of support from hospital management.
For Black nurses, the issues also include racial bias on the job. Black Nurses are almost twice as likely to report racism on the job — bigotry, slurs, a patient’s refusal of treatment — than white nurses.
Why Black nurses matter
According to data from the US Chamber of Commerce, there are only nine registered nurses on average for every 1,000 people, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. And only 6.7% of registered nurses are Black,
even though Black people make up around 13% of the U.S. population.
Black nurses matter because multiple studies confirm Black patients are more likely to seek out care, follow instructions and have better overall health outcomes if their caregiver looks like them.
Research shows that patients who are of the same race as their healthcare provider have better outcomes. These improvements range from significant declines in Black infant mortality and an approximately 19% drop in mortality rates for Black men.
Black patients and patients of color also were more likely to get preventative care when their clinician shares their racial background. And 83% of Black mental health providers believe racial concordance is important to patient outcomes, according to the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities.
But nurses are heading for the exits in droves.
A 2022 national workforce survey of almost 335 000 registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and licensed vocational nurses found that more than 25% of them were planning to leave the profession by 2027, through retirements as well as resignations, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that between 2022 and 2032 the country will see 193,100 openings for registered nurses each year. But the actual workforce, according to the BLS, will likely increase by 177,400 each year.
However, there was one bright spot amid all the data: Historically Black Colleges and Universities are overperforming when it comes to nursing education. Only 2% of all colleges and universities are HBCUs but as
of 2017 they had graduated almost 7% of nursing-school graduates.
And a wealth of research shows the presence of Black nurses helps decrease health disparities. When patients and clinicians
share the same racial or ethnic background Black infant mortality declines significantly and for Black men mortality can drop by as much as 19%.
Black patients are also more likely to pursue preventative care when their healthcare provider is Black. And a whopping 83% of Black mental health providers say this racial concordance is important to care outcomes.
Legacy of discrimination
Yet, more than 40% of nurses said they experienced racism or discrimination while in nursing school, with nearly 80% of nurses calling for more diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training in nursing education, according to a 2023 Robert Wood Johnson survey and interviews of nearly 1,000 nurses.
A combined 44% of respondents reported that racism or discrimination was part of their nursing school’s culture to some extent.
There’s evidence that the profession is trying to address racism within its ranks.
“If we are to truly provide just and equitable care to our patients, we as nurses must hold ourselves accountable for our own behavior and work to change the systems that perpetuate racism and other forms of discrimination, said Beth Toner, RH, the foundation’s director of program communications.
Get on board.
LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP) — the manager of LaGuardia Airport’s new awardwinning Terminal B — is launching a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Elevator, Escalator and Moving Walkway Maintenance Services.
LGP issued this RFQ to identify proponents qualified to provide elevator, escalator and moving walkway maintenance services at LaGuardia Airport, Terminal B. Qualified proponents will be invited to participate in a subsequent RFP, planned for issuance later in 2024.
LGP is seeking an experienced, established provider who can provide best-in-class service while providing best value to LGP, its partners, and stakeholders.
Qualified companies are invited to review and respond to the RFQ found on our website: laguardiab.com/getonboard (AP photo)
The Biles effect: A new narrative on mental health in sports
By ANISSA DURHAM Word in Black
Simone Biles came back with a vengeance.
The 27-year-old has officially become the most decorated U.S. gymnast in world championships history after earning three gold medals and one silver at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. But her incredible return to the sport is not just about her physical prowess. Biles’ comeback puts the resilience of Black athletes in overcoming significant mental health challenges back in the spotlight.
Biles is commonly called the GOAT because she is the greatest of all time. But the toll it takes to perform at an Olympic level is heavy and can quickly become dangerous. The question then becomes: would she still be the GOAT if she hadn’t prioritized her mental health? With the alarming rates of anxiety, depression, suicide, and opioid overdoses rising in the Black community, the need to prioritize mental health is even more pressing.
In the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games, which was held in summer 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Biles made headlines after withdrawing from the competition for a mental block, commonly called the twisties. Immediately after her Tokyo withdrawal, a firestorm of social media comments called her a quitter, lazy, and claimed she abandoned her team. Despite immense pressure to compete, Biles prioritized her mental health and safety. The struggles she faced are detailed in the new Netflix docuseries, “Simone Biles Rising.” In the four-part series, which aired its first two episodes in July, Biles says she struggled with the twisties for years after her 2020 withdrawal. And she revealed how she dug deeper into the root of her mental health block.
Kensa Gunter, a clinical and sport psychologist in Atlanta, says watching Biles set that boundary in 2021 was an example of the athlete saying yes to herself. Gunter recognizes that many people struggle with setting boundaries, in part, because most people don’t want to say no or disappoint others.
But she wants people to remember the importance of putting yourself first. In this case, Biles spent the last few years focused on her mental health to prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Without that time off, it’s uncertain if Biles would have been able to recover and return to the sport she loves.
Getting mental health help “didn’t stop (Biles) from continuing her journey to cement her greatness, but that was a necessary part of her journey,” Gunter says. “Seeing and hearing athletes talk about their mental health … helps to demystify this notion that excellence doesn’t include managing adversity or challenges.”
During the years Biles spent working on her mental health, she also confronted the
it up, and do it,” Humphrey says.
But at what cost?
“Being a Black man, Black woman, going through life is so triggering,” she says. “When you get to a point of elevating and success … it’s very easy to fall into these oppressive systems and all the things that keep us on this treadmill of productivity. As Black people, that’s how we were introduced to this landscape of American society. If we continue to fold into that, we’re almost the oppressors to ourselves.”
In a white supremacist society, it’s easy to feel like there are so many things that put Black people at a disadvantage. In a system that wasn’t designed for Black Americans, Humphrey says it’s easy to fall into the trap of overworking yourself to the point where it becomes harmful to your mental health.
To see women like Biles, Richardson, and Osaka at the highest level of athletic success, go against the grain and say no is something that “is super affirming” for Humphrey. Existing in spaces where she has been the only Black woman, she reveres Biles and other Black athletes who are being authentically themselves despite the pressure to perform.
sexual abuse she experienced from Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymastics team doctor. Nasser sexually abused hundreds of gymnasts, including Biles, and was sentenced in 2018 to 40 to 175 years in prison for seven counts of sexual abuse.
Dozens of women, alongside Biles, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2021, a month after the Tokyo Olympics took place. It’s clear Biles had a lot on her mind. “I didn’t get the proper care before, because I just thought I was OK,” she said in the Netflix doc. She admits her mind and body were the first to catch up with her.
Not only was she reeling from the abuse she suffered from Nassar, the pandemic was still raging in 2021. The Tokyo games required strict COVID-19 measures and were held with no in-person audience. “I was immediately just thinking about the social isolation, the lack of emotional and social support,” Dr. Onnie Willis Rogers, professor of psychology and NCAA gymnastics champion said in the Netflix series.
In a series of surveys conducted by the Pew Research Center, 58% of young adults between the ages of 18 to 29 and 42% of Black women reported high levels of psychological distress between March 2020 to September 2022.
Seeing Biles come back not only was a validation and vindication for the athlete, to Gunter it was also a statement of the human spirit. And for so many other Black women, who are expected to uphold the strong Black woman stereotype, what Biles and other elite athletes have done is shift that narrative.
And Biles isn’t alone in speaking up.
Sha’Carri Richardson, a U.S. track and field athlete, was stripped of her qualifying Olympic team spot for the Tokyo games after testing positive for THC. Richardson was candid about her mental health struggles and coping skills following the death of her biological mother. And Naomi Osaka, a tennis star, withdrew from the French Open also after revealing her struggles with depression and anxiety.
“What I really think they did was force us to see their humanity, and not reduce them simply to an extraordinary performance,” Gunter says. “They are people first, people who are managing life, mental health … and they are working to be excellent at their craft.”
Three Black woman athletes Biles, Osaka, and Richardson, who are nothing less than great — all came toe-to-toe with their mental health in 2021. And for other Black athletes, seeing their comeback has been even more extraordinary.
Nicole Humphrey, 35, is the founder of Black Girls Shred, an organization she started to increase safety practices and develop safe spaces for Black and Brown youth skaters in Chicago. As a basketball and track and field athlete throughout high school and college, she says watching Biles take a step back was a defiant — and brave — move.
The Strong Black Woman stereotype is systemically endorsed as Black women who can overcome all obstacles, remain strong through any trial, and sacrifice themselves for others. The trope played out in its expectation of Biles to never quit, or immediately return to the center stage. “You’re supposed to just put your head down, suck
“These are different representations of Black women that are killing it, crushing it, and this through line of being human, young, and having fun, and being committed to their practice. Personally, for me, everything I’ve experienced in the last two years has been proof and a push to not give up,” Humphrey says.
She’s not alone in that sentiment.
Pro skater Christiana Smith, 27, is the founder of A Positive Seed, an organization focused on including more girls in skateboarding and mental health awareness. The Detroit athlete says she got into the sport when she was 11 and was oftentimes the only girl in those spaces. Smith describes the experience as isolating.
“I dealt with depression. It can be hard when you’re in a mental health episode to enjoy doing things you love,” Smith says. “I remember the baby steps I took to overcome a mental health battle … I think being active helped me a lot, even just to step on my skateboard.”
As a Black woman, she says without prioritizing your mental health, everything else will falter. At the end of the day, “we’re all just human,” Smith says, and not getting proper mental health care can negatively affect Black women and girls.
“We owe it to ourselves and to our ancestors to not suffer and be very intentional about the ways we care for ourselves,” Humphreys says.
Despite the “demons” Biles faced, she’s won two gold medals so far in this “redemption tour” in Paris. She now has 11 Olympic and 30 world medals.
“It’s an incredible testament to who (athletes) are as people. It’s truly a profound statement about their humanity.” Gunter says. “It’s everything.”
Simone Biles, of the United States, competes during the women's artistic gymnastics individual balance beam finals at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr photo)
The Yankees flip the script with critical trade acquisitions
By RUDY ROBINSON Special to the AmNews
There were legitimate concerns from New York Yankees diehards after their team dropped 13 of 19 games from July 2 to July 26, faltering heading into the Major League Baseball All-Star break and then to begin their post-break schedule. But since then, they flipped the script, winning eight of their previous nine games prior to hosting the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday in the Bronx to begin a three-game series. At 67-46 the Yankees were in a virtual tie with the 67-46 Baltimore Orioles for first place in the American League East.
The Yankees’ acquisition of infielder/outfielder Jazz Chisholm from the Florida Marlins on July 27 has energized the team. They surrendered three minor league prospects to obtain him. It’s not a coincidence the Yankees have been trending upward since landing the 26-year-old native of Nassau, Bahamas, who moved to Wichita, Kansas when he was 12.
In a 14-4 road win over the Philadelphia Phillies on July 29, Chisholm hit two home runs and played third base for the first time in his career. This came one day after playing center field at Fenway Park in the Yankees’ 8-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox.
His versatility is what the Yankees were hoping for in completing the trade, believing Chisholm can bring needed athleticism both offensively and defensively to the team. As of Tuesday, the Yankees were 29th out of 30 teams in stolen bases per game at 0.42. However, Chisholm’s impact on the team’s future success will be determined by how he is utilized.
If employed as a disruptive base runner, he will greatly improve the Yankees as a unit that can manufacture runs on the base paths and not just rely on power. Chisholm’s 24 steals placed him tied for 11th in MLB before the series opener against the Angels. Yankees manager Aaron Boone putting shortstop Anthony Volpe (20 steals as of Tuesday) in front of Juan Soto and Aaron Judge proved successful until Volpe started to slump and was replaced as the leadoff hitter.
Batting leadoff, Chisholm’s experience and ability to steal bases would likely have pitchers throwing more fastballs to the Yankee sluggers who have been pitched around a lot this year. Judge was intentionally walked by the Toronto Blue Jays three times on Sunday in a 4-3 win. The last time a Yankees batter was intentionally walked three times in a game was Bernie Williams in September 1999. Judge went into Tues-
In addition to Chisholm, the Yankees added relievers Mark Leiter Jr. and Enyel De Los Santos from the Chicago Cubs and
made will be determined. Short-term, they have already been beneficial.
Boxer Terence Crawford becomes a four-division champion
By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews
On Saturday night at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, Terence Crawford, a native of Omaha, Neb., added to his résumé by defeating Israil Madrimov of Uzbekistan by a 12-round unanimous decision, 115-113, 116-112, and 115-113, to secure the WBA junior middleweight championship and claim the vacant WBO interim light middleweight championship in his first fight in the 154-pound division.
In doing so, Crawford became a four-division champion, having held belts at 135, 140, 147, and now 154. He is the only man to be an undisputed champion in two divisions in the four-belt era. Claressa Shields, the current WBF and WBC female heavyweight champion, is the only other boxer to have achieved that distinction.
“He wasn’t throwing wild shots like I was wanting him to do,” said the 36-year-old Crawford of his opponent (41-0, 31 KOs). “I figured it out from the get-go, but I was being patient. I didn’t wanna rush in with anything; that’s how I got caught a couple of times—trying to eat too soon.”
Crawford, who had stopped 11 consecutive opponents dating back to July 2016 until Madrimov took him the distance, was \ complimentary of his opponent, who suffered the first loss of his career.
“Israil was a tough competitor,” Crawford
said. “I knew he was going to be tough, I knew all about him when I went to Uzbekistan. He’s really strong, he’s durable, he took a lot of good shots. He got me to round 12. He had fast feet, good rhythm upstairs, and he was strong. And he was waiting to counter me, just like I was trying to counter him.”
Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KOs) thought he did enough to secure the victory.
“I fought the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, and I believe that I did enough because I was the champion,” said
Madrimov. “I was defending the belt and I was controlling the rhythm. and I felt very comfortable inside of the ring.”
Madrimov admitted to being cautious against a dangerous fighter.
“I was holding myself back a lot, too, so in the rematch, I can make a lot more. I already know what to do and can push harder,” he said.
Do not expect a rematch unless there was a unreported rematch clause, since Crawford, who turns 37 next month, wants to unify a third division before he retires.
When asked about a potential fight against Canelo Alvarez after his victory, Crawford said, “If the money’s right, we got a fight, but at the same time, he’s got a fight that he’s focused on. I’m going to relax, enjoy this win.”
Crawford’s fight against Madrimov may be an indication he should stay away from Canelo, especially at 168 pounds. He may be too small.
Canelo was in New York City on Monday for the first stop in a two-city press tour to promote his September 14 fight against Edgar Berlanga. Simply put, this is not a good fight. Canelo seems to have given up on competitive fights in 2024—his May fight against Jaime Munguía was not challenging for him and he overpowered his opponent in winning 115-113, 117-110, and 116-111.
Canelo has not knocked out an opponent since November 2021. With 65 fights under his belt, including two wars against Gennady Golovkin, he is not the same fighter anymore. Based on his opponent choices, he appears to know it.
Also on Saturday, Jose Valenzuela (14-2, 9 KOs) won the WBA super lightweight championship when he defeated fellow Mexican Isaac Cruz (26-3-1, 18 KOs). Martin Bakole (21-1, 16 KOs) handed Jared Anderson (17-1, 12 KOs) the first loss when he dropped Anderson three times for a fifthround knockout.
day leading MLB with 41 homers. He and Soto were tied at the top of MLB with 94 walks.
San Diego Padres respectively to strengthen their bullpen. Nearly two more months of regular season baseball is ahead so the long-term impact of the moves the Yankees
Jazz Chisholm (left) has given the Yankees much needed versatility since being acquired in a trade with the Florida Marlins on July 27 (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Terence Crawford won a unanimous decision over Israil Madrimov on Saturday in Los Angeles to claim WBA junior middleweight title (Melina Pizano/Matchroom)
The USA women’s Olympic basketball team continues its remarkable legacy
By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews
When Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young scored a team-high 19 points on Sunday to lead the USA women’s Olympic basketball squad to a 87-68 win over Germany, it marked the 58th consecutive victory for a program that has been peerless for the past 28 years. Team USA’s last loss in the Olympics going into yesterday’s quarterfinals match up versus Nigeria was in 1992. They faced Nigeria seeking to continue their quest for an eighth straight gold medal and 10th since the inception of women’s Olympic basketball in 1976.
At press time Team USA had a commanding lead over Nigeria in the third quarter.
Nigeria also achieved a historical milestone, becoming the first African national team, men or women, to earn a spot in the Olympic basketball quarterfinals. Australia, one of the USA’s longtime chief rivals coached by New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello, also advanced to the quarterfinals.
Fairleigh Dickinson University women’s head basketball coach Stephanie Gaitley said the depth of talent on the U.S. women’s team is daunting for any opponent.
“Between A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart in size, and obviously Alyssa Thomas is an incredible passer, if they get the three-point game going along with the inside game, I think they’re untouchable,” she said.
Before taking on Nigeria, the U.S. had not shot well from behind the three-point line but still dominated their opponents, open-
ing pool play with a 102-76 win over Japan, then defeating Belgium 87-74 ahead of dismissing Germany 87-68. Aces center A’ja Wilson, the 2020 and 2022 WNBA MVP, and Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, the reigning WNBA MVP, have been the driving forces behind Team USA. Wilson notched 24 points and 13 rebounds versus Japan, while Stewart added 22 and 8. The duo combined for 49 points and 21 rebounds against Belgium, with Wilson posting 26 and 13.
As the 5x5 basketball tournament still has the semifinals and finals to play, the 3x3 competition wrapped up on Monday with the U.S. team earning the bronze medal. After losing their first three games, the team of Rhyne Howard, Dearica Hamby, Cierra Burdick, and Hailey Van Lith powered their way to the semifinals, where they lost to Spain. They fought their way onto the medal podium with a win over Canada.
Gaitley describes 3x3 as a great way to look at the game. “I actually really like it because it forces you to work on a lot of things in the halfcourt game,” she said. Gaitley sometimes has her players play 3x3 in practices. “Cameron Brink (named to the team but suffered a torn ACL) getting hurt obviously set them back. They had to get used to a new lineup and that probably took them a little bit of time, but they found themselves at the right time.”
Jets and Giants close in on preseason openers
By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor
For NFL veterans who have been through numerous training camps, running drills, fine-tuning skills, and building team chemistry in the sweltering dog days of summer can be monotonous and mentally draining. For rookies, many trying to make the 53-man roster, training camp offers an opportunity to learn what is required to be a successful professional. Constant preparation, discipline, and being detailed and persistently punctual are just some of the qualities that are instilled in first-year players.
Yet they, like their more experienced teammates, look forward to getting to the preseason opener. While many established players often sit out much of the preseason, it still provides a measure of where teams are and their chances to make the playoffs and—even more aspirationally—be a Super Bowl contender.
The Giants are first up for the New Yorkarea football teams, because they host the Detroit Lions tonight at 7:00 p.m. at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets will be at MetLife at noon Saturday to face the Washington Commanders.
The Giants and Lions held joint practices on Monday and Tuesday, and scuffles broke out between opposing players
on both days. On Monday, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones was the iinstigator, shoving Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill.
On Tuesday, rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, the Giants’ top pick in April’s NFL draft, selected No. 6 overall, exchanged blows with Lions safety Kerby Joseph.
“Oh, Lord. Daniel got jiggy with it,” joked defensive lineman Brian Burns, a two-time Pro Bowler whom the Giants acquired in a trade with the Carolina Panthers in March. They subsequently signed him to a fiveyear, $141 million deal with $87 million guaranteed.
“I’m going to need him to back up,” Burns said of Jones, who missed the 11 games last season due to injuries, the final eight because of a torn ACL in his right knee. “But Daniel, he’s a competitor, man. He’s a fighter, so I don’t expect anything less from him. But I don’t need him in that. I don’t need him to get hit. Keep him healthy.”
Jones said he was dutifully supporting his teammate, offensive lineman Greg Van Roten, whom McNeill had shoved to the turf.
“A situation happens like that, you try to stand up for your guys,” said Jones. “I thought it was good competitive practice all day today, and we made some plays and did some good things.”
While the Giants, under head coach Brian Daboll, are hoping to be a team that can go deep into the season with the playoffs still
dangling in front of them, the Jets are fully expecting to be in the mix for a run at the Super Bowl.
They begin joint practices today with the Commanders and will get an up-close look at the No. 2 pick in April’s draft—quarter-
back Jayden Daniels, the 2023
Trophy winner from Arizona
to whom Washington is giving the keys to drive the franchise.
“It’s going to be fun,” said Jets head coach Robert Saleh.
Heisman
State
Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young, pictured facing Nigeria in an Olympic qualifying game in February, met up with Nigeria again yesterday in Paris in Team USA’s Olympic quarterfinals matchup. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)
Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (center) is working to create chemistry with starting quarterback Daniel Jones (No. 9) and backup QB Tommy DeVito at team’s training camp (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Women's foil historic gold widens spotlight on under-covered Olympic sports
By LOIS ELFMAN
Special to the AmNews
With their victory over Italy in the team foil competition, fencers Lee Kiefer, Lauren Scruggs, Jackie Dubrovich, and Maia Weintraub made history as the first-ever U.S. team to earn the Olympic gold medal in fencing. The victory solidifies Kiefer’s status as one of the all-time greats of American fencing and brings Scruggs, a Queens native, to the forefront of the sport.
“Obviously, I started the day really wanting a medal, but you never really think it will happen,” said Scruggs. “It’s crazy to go through that whole process, being in front of a crazy crowd, getting that last winning touch—it was just surreal…It’s unbelievable to make history.”
The individual medals for Kiefer and Scruggs, and the team gold medal increased the attention paid to the sport of fencing. By capturing two individual golds in Paris along with a team gold, Kiefer became the first American fencer to win three Olympic gold medals. Scruggs is the first Black American woman to win an individual medal in Olympic fencing— she took silver, facing her teammate Kiefer in the foil finals.
Multiple sports that do not usually receive much press coverage have been in the spot-
light at the Paris Olympics. The U.S. women’s Rugby Sevens team won a bronze, their firstever Olympic medal. After the team’s victory against Australia, trailblazing businesswoman Michele Kang made a $4 million commitment to the Rugby Sevens team as it looks to grow the sport and provide improved resources to players and coaches.
“They were able to essentially find their identity, and that’s been a process over the last three years, since the last Olympics, which is a huge component to maturing,” said Phaidra Knight, a member of the Rugby World Hall of Fame and a commentator for NBC’s Olympic rugby coverage. “The other piece that was substantially important was that they were able to design a playing philosophy. That was this streetball philosophy…What this means for the future is great things. I think 2028 will be a remarkable Olympics for the U.S. women’s Sevens team.”
During this time, when women’s sports truly matter, the Rugby Sevens team, which had the only female head coach—Emilie Bydwell, played on the shoulders of those who came before them. Knight, a past president of the Women’s Sports Foundation, said female athletes have been resilient and determined despite limited resources, as evidenced by the equal participation number at these Olympics.
“For decades, there’s been this talk about America being the sleeping giant of rugby,” said Knight. “Lo and behold, it is the women’s Sevens program that has awakened this giant.”
York College unveils new $8.1 million track facility in Queens
By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews
Last Thursday, York College, part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, unveiled its new $8.1 million track and field facility in Jamaica, Queens. Located at 160th Street between Liberty Avenue and Tuskegee Airmen Way, the facility is an NCAA-standard 400-meter track and soccer field, and includes an infield designed for long jumping, pole vaulting, shot putting, the discus, javelin, and hammer throwing.
“[This is] the first and only National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA-level facility in Southeast Queens,” said Claudia Schrader, York interim president. “This has been a three-president relay project.” The endeavor took approximately 17 years to complete, starting under former President Marcia Keizs and continued under the leadership of President Berenecea Johnson Eanes, who in January assumed the position of president of Cal State Los Angeles, the school’s first ever woman president.
“For more than a decade, the facility was padlocked because inferior construction led to massive sinkholes leaving students with no place to train,” Schrader said to those assembled to take part in the ceremony to formally present the facility. Among the dignitaries in attendance were Donovan Richards, Queens Borough president, and Adrienne Adams, Speaker of the New York City Council, who represents District 28, home to York College.
“Your commitment has been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition,” she said.
“Stars like Dalilah Muhammad out of Rochdale Village started right here in Southeast Queens and went on to win medals and to break world records,” Adams said, referencing the two-time Olympic gold medal winner in 400-meter hurdles (2016 Rio Olympics) and the 4x400 meter relay (2020 Tokyo Olympics).
“Just (last) week we saw 21-year-old Lauren Scruggs from Ozone Park earn a silver medal in fencing, becoming the first Black woman athlete to accomplish this feat for Team USA,” said Adams. “This is homegrown talent. Future star athletes will get their start on this very track and field and they too will emerge on the world stage proudly representing us in Queens.”
There will be further additions to the field.
“By 2025 we are going to have a scoreboard and other things here,” CUNY Executive Vice Chancellor and COO Hector Batista said.
The York student athletes also voiced their appreciation for a venue that will enhance their experiences.
“I don’t know where to start. All the emotions York has made me feel are unexplainable,” said Emelin Cajamarca, a member of York’s soccer team and a rising senior majoring in social work. “We didn’t have a certain place to practice and would practice on grass, which is good but now with this unbelievable field we have a great place to call home.”
U.S. women’s foil team members (from left): Jackie Dubrovich, Maia Weintraub, Lauren Scruggs, and Lee Kiefer celebrate on the medal stand. (#BizziTeam/USA Fencing)
The United States women’s rugby team won its first-ever Olympic medal, earning a bronze by defeating Australia 14-12. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
Dignitaries gathered last week for the unveiling of York College’s new $8.1 million multipurpose track and field facility that will also serve as a soccer field. (Courtesy of York College)
Sports
Simone Biles and USA Gymnastics are on top of the world
By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews
The day after the Olympic women’s allaround was decided, Simone Biles posted a video on social media in which she indicated people had asked her what she would do if she didn’t win. Then, showing her gold medal, she said we’ll never know. As the Olympic Games move toward their conclusion, Biles’ supremacy has been decisively established. She didn’t need to wear her GOAT necklace to prove it, although she clearly enjoyed flashing it to the naysayers.
“Simone is truly an inspiration to every single gymnast in the world,” said Kady BillsMcCoy, a member of the gymnastics team at Long Island University. “Other gymnasts will always be pushing to be as good as she is.”
Biles leaves Paris with three gold medals and one silver, a sense of satisfaction, and the gratitude of a nation who cheered her every flip, spin, and breathtaking maneuver. Along the way, she led the U.S. women’s gymnastics team to gold. Then, she reclaimed the all-around title she first won at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, followed by a gold medal in the vault, and silver on
and uneven bars. Jade Carey won a bronze medal in the vault, and Jordan Chiles won bronze on floor.
“Having an experienced team was really a strength for the Americans,” said BillsMcCoy, who is excited that three of the U.S. women have also competed in collegiate gymnastics. “Four of the girls were already experienced Olympians…and knew what the nerves and things would be like. They knew how to hit their routines, and that was really beneficial.” The only firsttime Olympian was 16-year-old New Jersey native Hezly Rivera, who will likely be the experienced elder in four years. “It was also a strength to have a younger girl on the team because she brought some lightheartedness,” said Bills-McCoy. It wasn’t only about the Americans. AfroBrazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade left Paris with four medals. She led her team to its first-ever bronze medal and defeated Biles on floor exercise.
“There’s not a limit to who can be on the podium or who can be in the sport,” said Bills-McCoy. “It was amazing getting to see nations make some history and get a taste of what it’s like to be the best.”
The New York City basketball community mourns the passing of Floyd Layne
By JAIME C. HARRIS
AmNews Sports Editor
Floyd Layne, who passed away on July 29 at the age of 95, was seemingly ubiquitous on the New York City basketball landscape. Whether it was a summer league tournament in Harlem, an event to honor basketball legends in the Bronx, or a visit to Madison Square Garden to catch a Knicks game, you might encounter Layne.
His name is immortalized in New York hoops history, having been a key player on the 1950 City College of New York (CCNY) Beavers team, the only squad in history to win both the NCAA and NIT championships in the same season. It will never be done again as the nation’s best teams no longer play in the NIT, now viewed as a lower-tier postseason tournament.
CCNY, a team wholly composed of Jewish and African American players, knocked off Ohio State, North Carolina State, and finally Bradley in their NCAA run. In the NIT, they took out San Francisco, Kentucky, Duquesne, and, lastly, Bradley. Appropriately, both championships were won at the old Madison Square Garden on 8th Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets. Layne and his teammates, men such as Dewitt Clinton High School’s Ed Warner, the
NIT MVP, and Taft High School’s Irwin Dambrot, the NCAA MVP, were princes of the city, having birthed pride and glory for CCNY, at that time an ethnic and cultural melting pot of students from poor and working class families.
Until…
For a far too long period of his life, when the 6-foot-two-inch, Brooklyn-born Layne was still in his formative years, he was infamous for being part of a gambling scandal that rocked the nation. The lionized CCNY team dramatically became pariahs when in 1951 seven
players were implicated for taking bribes to fix games.
Thirty-two players from seven colleges admitted to accepting bribes between 1947 and 1950 to manipulate the outcomes of 86 games, including the CCNY’s Warner, Dambrot, and Layne. They were subsequently banned for life from playing in the NBA.
Instead of possibly wearing the uniforms of the NBA’s Knicks, Syracuse Nationals, or Baltimore Bullets, Layne was a standout for teams such as the Scranton Miners of the American
Basketball League and the Hazleton Hawks of the Eastern Professional Basketball League. But he wasn’t defined by the pitfalls. Instead, Layne’s triumphant portrayal is as a beacon of the expansive New York basketball and education circles. Layne earned a masters degree in education and became a public school teacher. He was a mentor to and model for countless youth. The always engaging sage came full circle to coach the CCNY men’s basketball team from 1974 to 1988. He was also the head coach at Prospect Heights High School in Brooklyn in the 1990s and the head coach of the women’s team at the Fashion Institute of Technology from 2002 to 2004.
He was inducted into the NYC Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003, co-founded by his good friend Howie Evans, this writer’s uncle, mentor and the AmNews sports editor emeritus. Layne’s story is one of redemption, honor, and empathy.
May he rest in power!
Jaime.harris@amsterdamnews.com
floor exercise. Let’s not forget the rest of the amazing women’s team: Suni Lee, the
all-around gold medalist from the Tokyo 2021 Games, took bronze in the all-around
USA gymnast Simone Biles (left) and Jordan
Floyd Layne (far right), with Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame members Nate Archibald and Earl Monroe at the Patterson Houses in the Bronx in 2021. (Bill Moore photo)
