New York Amsterdam News: August 17, 2023

Donald Trump, former US president (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Fani Willis, Fulton County District Attorney (AP Photo/John Bazemore) Tina Turner tribute (Bill Moore photo)

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INDEX

Arts & Entertainment Page 17

» Astro Page 20

» Jazz Page 24

» Theater Page 22

Caribbean Update Page 14

Classified Page 32

Editorial/Opinion Pages 12,13

Education Page 28

Go with the Flo Page 8

Health ...............................................Page 16

In the Classroom Page 26

Nightlife Page 9

Religion & Spirituality Page 30

Sports Page 40

Union Matters Page 10

International News

first major rally in the capital. Over 100 buses were organized to ferry people from different provinces for the occasion.

The Zimbabwe electoral commission approved 11 candidates, sharply down from the 23 who ran in the last election in 2018, possibly because each candidate now has to pay $20,000, up from $1,000.

cy”, a democracy based on citizens, Mr. Chamisa said he wanted to restore it on the basis of modernization and reconciliation.

“We are going to move from being a basket case to the breadbasket we once were,” he promised hundreds of delegates from his “Triple C” Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).

umentary has opened in theaters in New York and around the country. It charts the inspiring activism of Bobi Wine, pop star-turned-politician seeking to end the dictatorship of Pres. Yoweri Museveni in Uganda.

ZIMBABWE VOTERS GO TO THE POLLS AMIDST CRACKDOWN ON THE OPPOSITION

(GIN)—Polls opened in Zimbabwe this week against a backdrop of one of the world’s highest rates of inflation and an intensifying crackdown on the opposition.

Citizens would vote for council members, members of parliament, and a president. If there was no outright winner in the presidential contest, a run-off would be held six weeks later, on October 2.

Questions are already mounting over how free and fair the ballot will be in a country that is trying to rehabilitate its image.

At a recent rally of Mnangagwa supporters, the President warned the crowd that they would be “lost” if they did not re-elect him in this week’s polls.

“No one will stop us from ruling this country,” he said at the party’s

Two men have been at the top of the polls: incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa from the governing Zanu-PF party and opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, from the Citizen’s Coalition for Change (CCC)

In 2018, Mr. Chamisa came second, winning approximately 44% of the vote but a court ruling stripped him of the leadership of the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), depriving him of access to party assets and state funding.

He formed the CCC in 2022 and remains hugely popular in urban areas and is the main face of the opposition.

“We will fight them in the courts, we will fight them at the ballot box and, if necessary, we will fight them in the streets. We won’t give up because we (...) have the support of the people, but above all God is on our side,” said Chamisa, a 45-year-old lawyer and pastor.

Pledging to rebuild the country around what he calls “citizenocra-

The cost-of-living crisis continues to be at the core of voters’ concerns, with the last three years having been some of the worst in a decade. In the 12 months leading up to May this year, prices rose by 86.5%, one of the highest annual inflation rates in the world.

Meanwhile, businesses are struggling to cope with crippling power outages and an unstable local currency, which lost 86% of its value between January and early June.

PRIZE-WINNING DOCUMENTARY SPOTLIGHTS BOBI WINE, ‘THE PEOPLE’S PRESIDENT’

(GIN)—“I’m president already. I’m president of the ghetto!” exults the subject of “Bobi Wine: The People’s President” midway through the documentary. That’s not exactly how it worked out, but directors Christopher Sharp and Moses Bwayo’s account of Wine’s 2021 campaign for president of Uganda suggests that he could have been the top vote-getter.

Now, this new and gripping doc-

Rising from the ghetto slums of Kampala to be one of the country’s most beloved superstars, Wine calls out corruption, and then becomes an Independent Member of Parliament to defend the rights of his people.

Museveni, a military officer and politician, has been Uganda’s president since 1986, changing the constitution to enable him to run for several five-year terms.

“Bobi Wine: The People’s President” premiered to a 10-minute standing ovation at the 2022 Venice Film Festival in September 2022, where it was sold to National Geographic before making its U.S. premiere at the 2022 Telluride Film Festival.

Viewers see Wine and his wife Barbie, who risked their careers, their family, and their lives to challenge Museveni and bring democracy to their country. But the state was determined to silence not only them, but anyone who supports their cause.

An Afro-reggae singer clearly inspired by Bob Marley, Bobi Wine used his music to denounce the Museveni regime and defend the oppressed and the voiceless people of

See INTERNATIONAL on page 29

Afro Ecuadorans facing political violence, drug traffickers

By JESÚS CHUCHO GARCIA Special to the AmNews

Translated by KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff

The July 24th murder of Agustín Itriago, mayor of Manta, Ecuador—the nation’s 4th largest city––and the recent assassinations of Fernando Villavicencio, a candidate for president of Ecuador on Aug. 9th and Pedro Briones, a leader of the Revolución Ciudadana political party on Aug, 14th are evidence of a web of selective assassinations involving criminal gangs and drug traffickers throughout the nation.

After Ecuador’s former President Rafael Correa (2007-2017) left power, the presidents who succeeded him initiated a process of social instability. Lenin Moreno, who governed Ecuador from 2017 to 2021, and the current president, the banker Guillermo Lasso, dismantled all the anti-neoliberal and anti-militarist scaffolding that Correa had established during his mandate.

Correa’s policies had managed to include Afro Ecuadorians in public policies in a South Amer-

ica nation with the fourth largest African presence in Latin America.

Yuliana Ortiz Ruano is an art teacher, writer and poet from the island of Limones, near the famed Afro Ecuadorian city of Esmeralda. She recently spoke of how the situation in Esmeralda was worsening because of the presence of multiple forms of violence in this territory that used to be so harmonious.

There have been murders in the streets, clashes between armed gangs, and even the use of car bombs. The murders of the young mayor of Manta, Villavicencio, and now Briones creates a climate of widespread terror as the nation heads toward elections Sunday, Aug. 20th. Ortiz Ruano expressed that she had become so concerned by public violence that she had moved to the city of Guayaquil, a city that has its own share of violence. In Guayaquil, public security is tenuous; this is a place where “Black lives do not matter,” she concluded.

Former Afro Ecuadorian Assemblymember Jose Pepe Chala points to the May 17 dissolution of the National Assembly by President See AFRO

on page 29

(GIN photo)

Ecuadorian poet and writer Yuliana Ortiz Ruano says public violence has become commonplace (Jesús Chucho García photo)

City retirees win again, Judge permanently bans Medicare changes

By ARIAMA C. LONG

Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

By TANDY LAU

Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

From temporary pause to full stop. New York Supreme Court Judge Lyle Frank officially blocked the city of New York from removing its roughly 250,000 municipal retirees off their current healthcare plan and onto Aetna’s privatized Medicare Advantage, which the Adams administration inked a deal on this past March.

On June 5, Frank temporarily halted the switch. Last Friday on Aug. 11, he explicitly ordered “that the respondents are permanently enjoined from requiring any City retirees, and their dependents from being removed from their current health

insurance plan(s) and from being required to either enroll in an Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan or seek their own health coverage.”

Beth Finkel, state director of AARP New York, said there’s been an overwhelming response and support for city retirees on the ground. “We’re so happy. We’re so excited that they are being taken care of finally,” said Finkel. “The response has been unbelievable. People are so invested in this, literally in their economic future.”

Back in June, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander declined to register the Medicare Advantage contract pending the aforementioned lawsuit. Following Frank’s ruling, he released a statement calling it a “win for the many retirees who fought for the health care that they worked so hard for and were promised.”

“I was and remain seriously concerned about the privatization of Medicare plans,

overbilling by insurance companies, and barriers to care under Medicare Advantage,” added Lander. “It is vital that all seniors—and all New Yorkers—get quality health coverage as a basic human right.”

“At the same time, given the growing costs of health care for both retirees and active employees we cannot ignore that there are real cost questions facing the city when it comes to health care. It is time for all parties to come to the table to identify creative and effective solutions.”

Jake Gardener is a lawyer at Walden Macht & Haran LLP and represents the New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees, one of the main plaintiffs in the ruling. He said that this is a victory for hundreds of thousands of senior citizens and disabled first responders. He explained that this is the third time in the last two years that the group has sued the

See MEDICARE on page 25

City calls on state and feds to help with skyrocketed asylum seeker costs

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

Mayor Eric Adams and the city crunched the numbers on the asylum seeker crisis’s future costs and determined that the city could spend “upwards of $12 billion over three fiscal years” without state and federal government aid.

“Immigration is the New York story. It is the American story. But as I declared nearly a year ago, we are facing an unprecedented state of emergency due to the asylum seeker crisis,” said Adams.

Since last year, nearly 100,000 asylum seekers have arrived in the city, with about 57,000 still here. The city said it has spent $1.45 billion in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 to provide shelter, food, and services for asylum seekers so far.

“Our compassion may be limitless, but our resources are not. This is the budgetary reality we are facing if we don’t get the additional support we need. Without immediate assistance from our state and federal partners, we will continue to see heartbreaking scenes like the one outside The Roosevelt last week,” said Adams.

In addition to more financing, Adams is calling for the federal government to expedite work authorizations for asylum seekers, declare a state of emergency at the southern border, provide reimbursement for costs incurred by the city, and create a nationwide decompression strategy to ensure the flow of asylum seeker arrivals is more fairly distributed.

Other local officials, like Speaker Adrienne Adams, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, joined Mayor

Adams in calling for more support from higher levels of government. The Legal Aid Society and the Coalition for the Homeless also said in a joint statement that they echoed the Mayor’s calls on both Washington and Albany to significantly increase resources to help with the influx of migrants.

“All levels of government must come together to share responsibility for the nation’s response to the dire humanitarian conditions that have led increasing numbers of people to seek asylum here,” said Speaker Adams in a statement. “As this international crisis continues, New York City needs more support from our federal and state governments to provide and set up shelter locations and devote additional funding.”

Speaker Adams added that there is

See ASYLUM on page 25

Food Bank features “Soul Food” at Harlem Week Block Party

By ARIAMA C. LONG

Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

Harlem’s Food Bank for NewYork City’s Community Kitchen and Pantry held its second annual block party and food giveaway in celebration of Harlem Week this past Sunday.

The Food Bank (116th St and Frederick Douglass Boulevard) has been a lifeline for Harlem residents since 1984. A food bank distributes emergency free meals. In the New York City area, there are about 800 food programs across the city that serve 1.8 million New Yorkers facing food insecurity on an annual basis.

It was sunny and hot for the 2023 block party, with music playing to entertain people

as they sought refuge in the shade with weighted-down plates of food. Community members lined up in front of the triple-plated outdoor grill or the fresh produce stand, waiting eagerly for their turn. Kids played with chalk in a sectioned-off activity station.

Chef Sheri Jefferson, a 59-year-old Bronxite, has led the Food Bank’s culinary team for the last seven years. She and her crew were poised over the hot grills for hours, preparing cole slaw and cooking hamburgers, franks, barbequed chicken, and baked beans for anyone who wanted a treat. Jefferson, smiling widely while surrounded by wafts of smoke and soaked in sweat, said that was where she was meant to be.

“I believe [in] everything we do here every day,” said Jefferson. “Food is life.”

She was happy that the vision for the event had come to fruition and was quite ecstatic about this year’s turnout.

“We want people to know that the com-

munity kitchen is here for them and we have services for them,” said Food Bank Director Sultana Ocasio.

Ocasio, who was at the block party with her young daughter, said Food Bank also runs a pantry with free groceries, helps with antihunger solutions and budgeting ideas, prepares hot meals, and assists residents with applying for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at their Harlem site. For the block party, Ocasio estimated that they distributed about 400 meals with the donated produce and food.

“It means for [a family] that they are not alone and uncared for,” said Ocasio. “When you have a food program that is open to the public that is easily accessible, you’re acknowledging the humanity in the next person. You’re human, I’m human. I have to eat, you have to eat.”

The Food Bank has helped the city

See FOOD BANK on page 27

Harlem Meer Yoga/Fitness Classes

Take part in the Harlem Meer Summer Festival’s free weekly workouts led by experienced instructors so that you can stay active and healthy.

Harlem Yoga will lead a Family Yoga Class on Saturday, Aug. 19, at 10 a.m., giving adults and children (toddlers and up) a chance to learn how to do yoga together using games, discussion, music, and more. There will also be a beginner/ open-level Vinyasa Yoga class starting Aug. 19 at 11 a.m. that will give yoga beginners an opportunity to learn fundamental yoga poses and allow seasoned practitioners an opportunity to deepen their practice.

Please bring your own mat or towel. A limited number of mats will be provided while supplies last.

There will also be a seniors-only Silver Sneakers dance class with Go Hard Dance on Aug. 26 at 10 a.m. designed to increase muscle strength, range of movement and improve activities for daily living. A chair is used for seated exercises and standing support.

All classes are free, but registration and the filling out of a fitness waiver are required. Classes take place on the north shore of Manhattan’s Harlem Meer at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center on East 110th Street. For more information, phone 332.240.3256.

National Council of Negro Women “Community Activity & Information Day”

The National Council of Negro Women Inc. – Queens County’s Youth Section is sponsoring a Community Activity & Information Day.

The NCNW Youth Section will be in attendance with information about how to join their unit. Plus, there will be FREE health screenings, raffles & giveaways, back-to-school supplies, face painting, double dutch & games, Zumba, a photo booth, and more. This will be a wonderful fun-filled, and informative family event.

The event takes place on Saturday, Aug. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rush Temple A.M.E. Zion 119-48 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11434.

For more info, contact NCNW Health Committee via email at Health.NCNW. qcs@gmail.com

Back to Beautiful: Guns down, brushes up street festival

Guns down! Brushes up! Get involved with arts and crafts and stand for nonviolence in Harlem. Come take part in the annual Art in the Park Inc. Back to Beautiful Community Block Party to combat gun violence and experience the arts and tons

on page 25

INSPIRATION. IMPACT. LEGACY.

INSPIRATION. IMPACT. LEGACY.

TRUMP GOT RICO’d Trump indicted like a mob leader

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

Former President Donald Trump’s fourth indictment is 98 pages and includes 18 codefendants. And the RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) charge smears Trump as though he was the leader of a gang of criminals.

The new 13 charges were delivered Monday in Georgia by a grand jury that wasted no time voting on the indictment, outlining the efforts Trump and his defendants waged to keep him in power and overturn the victorious election results for President Joe Biden.

As a whole, Trump faces a combined 91 counts across the cases, and there may be more to come. Early on, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis announced the plan to indict Trump, and it arrived with sweeping implications and difficulties for him.

“Every individual charged in the indictment is charged with one count of violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act through participation in a criminal enterprise in Fulton County, Georgia, and elsewhere to accomplish the illegal goal of allowing Donald J. Trump to seize the presidential term of office beginning in

January 2021,” Willis said.

As expected, Trump lashed back at the charges and Willis. “So, the Witch Hunt continues! 19 people [were] Indicted tonight, including the former President of the United States, me, by an out of control and very corrupt District Attorney who campaigned and raised money on, ‘I will get Trump,’” the former president wrote in a post on Truth Social early Tuesday morning. “And what about those Indictment Documents put out today, long before the Grand Jury even voted, and then quickly withdrawn? Sounds Rigged to me! Why didn’t they Indict 2.5 years ago?” he added. “Because they wanted to do it right in the middle of my political campaign. Witch Hunt!”

Among Trump’s co-conspirators named in the indictment is attorney Rudy Giuliani. Upon learning of the charges against him, the former New York City mayor said it was “an affront to American democracy and does permanent, irrevocable harm to our justice system,” on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “It’s just the next chapter in a book of lies with the purpose of framing President Donald Trump and anyone willing to take on the ruling regime.”

One of the key pieces in the charges is the phone call Trump made to Georgia Secre-

Paterson’s Matlock Street renamed as Chairman John Currie Way

tary of State Brad Raffensperger, asking him to find more than 11,000 votes to overturn the results. In the hour-long conversation with a number of people on the line, Trump insisted he had won the election and indirectly blamed Dominion Voting Systems, the company providing the election machines. A transcript of a Trump conversation includes: “No, we do have a way, but I don’t want to get into it because we have, we found a way in other states [unintelligible] excuse me, but we don’t need it because we’re only down 11,000 votes, so we don’t even need it. I personally think they’re corrupt as hell, but we don’t need that because all we have to do Cleta is find 11,000 plus votes. So we don’t need that. I’m not looking to shake up the whole world. We won Georgia easily. We won it by hundreds of thousands of votes. But if you go by basic, simple numbers, we won it easily, easily. So we’re not giving Dominion a pass on the record. I will tell you that. But we just don’t know, we don’t need Dominion because we have so many other votes that we don’t need to prove it any more than we already have.”

And so it goes, until the process, as in the previous indictment by Special Counsel Jack Smith, continues with a surrender, arraignment, and trial.

Black August and the Alabama ruckus

By NAYABA ARINDE Amsterdam News Editor

The socio-political reality check and capflung-in-the-air symbolism are still resonating worldwide, almost two weeks after the assault on the Montgomery, Alabama, riverfront dock by several rowdy white boaters on a Black co-captain of the Harriot Il.

Like a touchstone, what the Black Twitter/ community has affectionately entitled the “Alabama Brawl” has set off a firestorm globally—from Alabama to Abuja, from Brooklyn to Benin. Social commentators from all walks of life have continued to analyze what many see as a turning point in the way one community felt confident in debasing another.

“Alabama [was] united because they just could not watch another racist white mob play hunter games with our lives,” activist Amadi Ajamu told the Amsterdam News. “Some stood by armed with video phones, but the real brothers and sisters stepped up to fight back. They resisted those cowards by any means, and they emboldened even more people. It was a victory for us. They faced their fears and became fearless. Together they won, and we all felt their strength around the country. Black resistance and unity in the streets.”

Reports say that two hours before the brouhaha erupted on the docks, citizens of Montgomery held “a blessing ceremony for the ancestors who were sold into slavery” at that

location, in a city known for its fiercely won civil rights history. The celebration was part of “Black August,” which refers to the 31 days when Black activists rally, re-commit, and reconcile past events of resisting institutionalized oppression; recognize fighters who went against all odds in the pursuit of Black liberation; and aim to redress the historical social, political, cultural, and social imbalance—certainly nationwide, if not globally.

“Black August was founded on the heroic resistance of Black freedom fighters to U.S. oppression,” said Omowale Clay, a member of the December 12th Movement. “These revolutionaries don’t drop from the sky, but have always flowered from the daily collective resistance and consciousness of our people. Black peoples’ collective and militant resistance to a white mob attack on a Black man in Montgomery, Alabama, demonstrates that we will not [lie] down in the face of this rising fascist/racist movement in America to scapegoat Black people for its dying capitalist system.”

A quick perusal of social media, print and radio, and some TV news channels reveals how thorough the response has been to the August 5 event in Black communities nationwide and beyond. Social media platforms on all levels have made the event something of an instant urban legend.

“The response in Alabama was more than a happenstance of Black people fighting back—it was emblematic of the spirit of re-

sistance Black people embody even in the face of the most overt battles with white supremacy,” Keron Alleyne of the community advocacy group Operation Power, and deputy chief of staff for Brooklyn City Councilman Charles Barron, told the Amsterdam News. “Historically, Alabama is synonymous with showdowns for Black people’s resolve—think Selma and Bloody Sunday, think Montgomery’s bus boycott. It’s a part of our ‘code’ and ‘script’ to be united and the avenge-like display on the cellphone footage is the solidarity we have always known.”

With Black empowerment as the focus, the pot has been brought to boil, and the history of Black resistance, and self defense in big arenas and small, is once again in the forefront of discussion and action.

Meanwhile, civil rights attorney Attorney Lee Merritt has taken the case of Reggie Ray, 42, who is accused of using a folding chair in the aptly titled, now-viral Riverfront Brawl.

Ray turned himself in to Montgomery police last Friday, almost a week after the trending melee, and was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct after allegedly using the now-infamous folding chair against the boaters who piled in on Co-Captain Damien Pickett. Ray was released from Montgomery Municipal Jail later that night.

Merritt said in a statement: “Mr. Ray was involuntarily roped into the disorderly conduct initiated by a violent white mob.

On Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, the city of Paterson saw the ceremonial renaming of Matlock Street as “Chairman John Currie Way.” Paterson City Council members had approved the resolution for the street renaming and took part in the ceremony, along with various government officials and Mayor Andre Sayegh.

“I’m sure we all agree that as far as his leadership is concerned, if we were to give him a grade, he’d get an A plus,” Mayor Sayegh told those attending the ceremony. “Why would he get an A plus? Well, he’s a chairman that is results-oriented. And a lot of the results, his record of results, speak for him. He gets an A plus for driving diversity: to make sure that the state, county, and the government reflect the people that it serves.”

“It’s not by might, it’s not by schooling, but it’s about having a heart for service,” Assemblymember Shavonda E. Sumter said, adding to the accolades. She spoke of Currie as an example of a person who came from humble beginnings and was able to achieve so much. “All of those who are touched by John Currie; he tells us all to make sure we take care of people first. It’s not about having a title.

“The other piece that’s important about today is not only is it his birthday, but it’s important for us to recognize our leaders while they’re here, to give them their roses so they can smell them and enjoy them. … As we look at the tenure and the tenor of the country today and what politics is, it’s important that we have a conscience and a moral compass. And John Currie is that moral compass and a Democratic Party that we have to fight for leaders who care about the things that we care about, which are people and taking care of our youth and taking care of our seasoned saints to be sure they have what they need. Today, we are going to unveil this sign, we are going to celebrate, we’re going to sing happy birthday at the brownstone, and we’re going to honor a legend while he is here to enjoy this moment.”

“Chairman John Currie Way” pays tribute to John Currie, who served as chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee (NJDSC) and was Democratic chair of the Passaic County Democratic Organization for 27 years. Currie was the second African American to hold the position of county chair in New Jersey and the first to hold that position in Passaic County.

Secretary of State Way celebrates August as Black Business Month

New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way came out to celebrate August as Black Business Month during an event sponsored by the New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC).

“I am proud to lead a department that supports the economic vitality of our state,” Way said. “I’m grateful for the ways we can work together to ensure Black business owners and entrepreneurs are included in our state’s economic successes. The NJBAC is a valuable resource within my office that can help you navigate the state rules governing your business and provide potential resources, including See NEW JERSEY on page 25

Sean Williams’ Dad Gang is ‘redefining the narrative of Black fatherhood’

By BRIAN DELK Special to the AmNews

The Dad Gang is a global organization founded by Sean Williams, committed to changing negative stereotypes of Black fathers and shaping the Black fathers of tomorrow.

Williams said he began the organization after a white woman at a store in Long Island told him she was glad to see that he “stuck around” while shopping with his daughter.

He said this moment compelled him to show his community and the world what Black fatherhood can and should look like. He created Dad Gang in 2016 initially through an Instagram page that displayed positive and real examples of Black fathers.

As the page’s following grew and he held events like “Dad Walks,” where fathers and children walk through an area to spread positivity and show what Black fatherhood looks like, he learned that his newfound passion reached further than he imagined.

“Initially, my goal was to build a platform that could change the narrative in media.

So it was all about content,” Williams said. “And what then started to happen is I realized the community I was building was not just on social media. (With this understanding), our purpose then developed into being a support system for dads.”

The Dad Walks feature hundreds of fathers who are members of the Dad Gang, and he said they are walking again in Washington, D.C., Aug. 20.

He said his relationship with his father also prompted him to be a reliant and closer father to his children. He explained that his father, a Trinidadian immigrant, worked a great deal and provided for his family, but their relationship was not close.

He saw his first child as an opportunity to be the dad he wanted to have growing up. Williams said his first child, born in 2005, was unplanned, but he ensured he would be an active and reliable father. He said he is delighted with his relationship with his daughter, who is now entering college and growing into adulthood.

He said that after graduating from college, marrying his wife, and having two children, the white woman’s comment on his active parenting was offensive since he had already been a hands-on parent for years. He said that led him to create the organization and added he was accustomed to community building from serving as president of his fraternity.

The Dad Gang’s Dad Walks, Strollin’ with the Homies, stroller giveaways, and roundtable discussions support current and future dads financially and emotionally. After the pandemic, many individuals were unable to work. He said, thankfully, his organization partnered with Walmart to provide families with financial support and shopping sprees for essential

THE URBAN AGENDA

By David R. Jones, Esq

A New Fare Hike Calls for an Improved Fair Fares Program

New York City bus and subway commuters are bracing for the first fare hike since 2015.

Starting on August 20, subway and bus fares will increase from $2.75 to $2.90. The impact of this fare increase will be felt hardest by the city’s low-income residents, who are caught between the rock of increasing unaffordability and the hard place of worsening employment prospects, while struggling since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic with the rising cost of living and a housing affordability crisis that threatens the city’s equitable and inclusive economic recovery.

A fare increase was inevitable. As a member of the MTA Board, I voted in favor of raising bus and subway fares. It was not an easy vote. But farebox revenue is an important part of maintaining our mass transit system, which is the economic lifeblood of our city and the region. Fares will also rise on MetroNorth, the Long Island Railroad, express bus service and on the tolls at MTA bridges and tunnels.

There are ways, however, to mitigate the impact of the fare hike on our most vulnerable residents.

from our research that Queens residents were the least aware of the program with only a quarter of the eligible population reporting that they had applied or were already enrolled in the program. Brooklyn had the highest share (39 percent) of eligible respondents either already enrolled or in the process of enrolling.

If we want to see more people take advantage of this program, then we must conduct more aggressive targeted outreach and education, especially in neighborhoods with high need, to increase awareness and streamline the administrative processes involved in obtaining and renewing a Fair Fares card.

familial items.

The Dad Gang then began its nonprofit “Random Acts of Dadness” to solidify its support system with dads alongside Dad Gang. He said these organizations helped him author his first two children’s books, Girl Dad and Boy Dad, to honor his kids.

His future plans include working on publishing more books for dads and children and developing a podcast that will provide listeners with personal accounts of fatherhood for toddler dads to dads with adult children. He hopes these stories will shed light on how fathers feel and make people better dads.

“Our goal is to bring The Dad Gang to every major city, spreading the word and showing proof that Black fathers are, in fact, very present and active in our children’s lives. We aim to set the new standard of what Black fatherhood looks like worldwide. Only then can we change the narrative and normalize the strong presence of Black dads in today’s society,” the Dad Gang website reads.

Unknown to many of the city’s low-income residents is a program called Fair Fares that could effectively nullify the looming fare increase and significantly offset transportation hardship for many mass transit users. The city should do more to ensure that eligible New Yorkers know about the Fair Fares program and consider providing further relief to more low-income New Yorkers who are currently ineligible by increasing the program’s income cutoff from 100 percent to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

The Fair Fares program was established in 2018 by Mayor de Blasio and New York City Council to provide half-priced MetroCards for New Yorkers living at or below the poverty line. The program is a critical lifeline to education, employment, medical care and other basic necessities for low-income New Yorkers. But an estimated 652,000 eligible New Yorkers remained unenrolled because of lack of outreach and enrollment barriers.

According to findings from our latest Unheard Third survey, roughly half of the eligible respondents said they had not applied to the Fair Fares transit discount program with 14 percent reporting that they did not know how to apply. We also know

An overhaul of the City’s outreach and enrollment efforts for Fair Fares should be coupled with an expansion of the program. Mayor Adams and the City Council, under the leadership of Speaker Adams, made the smart decision to include an additional $20 million for the program in the FY24 Adopted City Budget. But the real potential and transformational power of the program will only be unlocked if those with incomes under 200 percent of the FPL – a large swath of whom are working class New Yorkers who rely on the transit system to get to work, school, medical appointments, etc. –can access the benefits of the program.

The current funding for Fair Fares should not be an impediment for the city to experiment with opening up the program to more low-income residents. Although the $95 million allocated for the program in FY24 is not enough to enroll every eligible New Yorker under 200 percent of the FPL, the current or even a slightly higher takeup rate should allow the city to expand the program to more New Yorkers who fall under this income threshold, with the option to cap enrollment if funding is exhausted or increase it through a budget modification. Also, it should not be overlooked that such an expansion would also provide a steady stream of revenue for the MTA, making it a win-win situation.

There’s no question that the fare increase will be a burden for our lowest-income residents. These New Yorkers are already struggling with the high cost of living brought on by inflation and the housing affordability crisis. But there is an opportunity for the city to provide some relief by unleashing the full potential of Fair Fares as the poverty reduction tool that it was intended to be.

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

Sean Williams with his son (Courtesy of Sean Williams)

Black New Yorker

Correcting corrections: Federal judge plans to hear out Rikers receivership arguments

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

Rikers Island is legally-mandated to close by 2027. But before then, receivership—which temporarily wrests control over the embattled jail from the city—is now on the table as federal judge Laura Taylor Swain opened the door to arguments for the move this past Thursday, Aug. 10.

Before the key hearing, decarceration advocates marched from City Hall to Foley Square, outside from where the proceedings were held. Councilmember Lincoln Restler called Rikers Island a “stain” on the city and said Mayor Eric Adams no longer has the ability to run the jail complex.

“As the conditions at Rikers continue to worsen, it’s clear that the federal government must step in and take control of this humanitarian crisis,” Restler said. “We need to swiftly close Rikers Island, but in the interim, a federal receiver can cut through intractable issues and start addressing this disaster.”

“I was incarcerated at Rikers, and I have been exposed to the violence and mistreatment found there,” added Henry Robinson, Katal Center leader. “Absolutely no one deserves to go there. The horrors that you see within the walls of Rikers are unimaginable.”

While the measure is frequently dubbed as “federal receivership,” the feds would play more quarterback than actual receiver by appointing a third party to run the

jails rather than operating them. Authority would be returned to the city and Department of Corrections (DOC) once pertinent issues are resolved under the receiver.

Potential receivership over Rikers stems from the ongoing Nunez litigation, which Swain presides over. The case was filed almost exactly 12 years ago and led to legal mandates reforming New York City jails from use of force practices and other root causes harming detainees back in 2015. The federal authorities—specifically the court—hold power to ensure these issues are rectified, including installing a receiver. So if it finds the city can’t implement the sweeping changes, then someone else can try to.

Past measures include appointing monitor Steve J. Martin—a similarly independent, federally-appointed entity—to report on jail conditions. Momentum for a receiver picked up after Damian Williams—the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York—announced his support for one last month. The federal prosecutor argued that not enough progress was demonstrated with such reforms.

Keli Young, VOCAL-NY Civil Rights campaign coordinator, remains a cautious proponent of receivership and says improvement is dependent on who is appointed.

“There are just so many unknowns,” she said. “It is so important that whoev-

er comes in comes in and is working in tandem with the folks who are trying to hold the city in compliance with a law that requires that Rikers be closed by 2027. And so we get a receiver who isn’t committed to that. Then that just harms the work that we’re doing.”

Earlier this year, doubt was sowed towards meeting the four-year deadline as a contract to build one of the boroughbased jails replacing Rikers ran through 2029. But a receiver could provide relief for those currently in custody.

At Thursday’s rally, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams argued that any poten-

tial receiver should take direct input from community voices with lived experience. He also lambasted recent comments commending alleged improvements to Rikers conditions by “Common Sense Caucus” city council members.

“If you deal with people who believe Rikers Island is a great environment, particularly if it’s filled with Black and brown bodies who are awaiting trial, you will understand why we are still here fighting to shut Rikers down and now pushing for receivership,” said Williams. “This is the mentality that people have, particularly when it comes to Black and brown bodies. Rikers Island, to them, is a great environment. That’s absurd.

“What I want the administration to do is stop viewing this as an attack. What I want you to do is view this as a way out, to make everything better.” A spokesperson for Councilmember Robert Holden—who commended Rikers’ atmosphere following the visit—said the comments stem specifically from recreational activities like ping-pong tables at the renovated Robert N. Davoren Complex jail. Holden himself responded to Williams’ comments over email.

“While there’s still work to do, anyone with no political agenda who visits Rikers Island can see a marked difference since

Ernie Paniccioli: Visually preserving hip-hop

By MAL’AKIY 17 ALLAH

Special to the AmNews

As hip-hop culture was bubbling underground in the streets of New York City during the late 1970s, one young man saw the value of visually documenting the fledgling movement. Brother Ernie Paniccioli has been an integral aspect of the Bronx-bred culture’s growth by photographing it from the street perspective before and after it went mainstream.

“I saw young brothers and sisters who had no formal training yet had so much talent, creativity and originality, and I fell in love with it,” recalled the Bed-Stuy native about flicking up graffiti pieces in his ’hood during the culture’s formative years. “Through them I met the rappers, DJs, and b-boys.”

Around this same time he was capturing the local club scene, frequenting spots like The Roxy and Disco Fever, where he got acquainted with hip-hoppers like “Crazy Legs and Rock Steady Crew, Grandmaster Melle Mel, Scorpio, Grandmaster Flash,

Cold Crush Brothers.“ These legendary artists were some of the first he documented. As the Universal Zulu Nations Supreme Minister of Culture, he also covered their events.

“Hip-hop is a tool for upliftment and education and not just people getting paid,” he notes before describing how as Word Up! magazine’s chief photographer for over 25 years, he built many relationships.

“It was an exchange between me and the artists. I would take their picture and put it in a magazine and they would get more famous, and in turn they would give me more access,” he explains. “Jay Z, KRS, Chuck D, they always gave me access to their shows and to themselves.”

He mentioned Dougie Fresh, Salt-N-Pepa, X Clan, Queen Latifah, Rakim, Ralph McDaniels, Method Man, Common, Immortal Technique, and Mos Def, as some of his favorites.

Ernie has several books which exclusively feature his photos, including “Who Shot Ya?” and “Hip-Hop At The End Of The World”. He also considers some of his

other works, including “freedom books for the serious hip-hop heads”, which can be found on Lulu.com.

“You have to understand the concept of hip-hop and the black mirror. If we are weak, hip-hop is gonna be weak. A lot of self-hating forms of music have evolved because it’s a reflection of life. The deeper you get—if you’re a person of knowledge,

someone who understands the power of language, economics, the concept of unity—then the music will reflect that.”

Adding, “I’m doing what I have to do as a man on this planet at this time for the benefit of my people. That’s why I have the reputation I have. I can walk in any community in the world and be respected. Unlike those with nice clean studios and management, I’m out there in the streets, the subway,” he explains. “Joe Conzo, Jamel Shabazz, we are from the streets. If you’re from the jungle, you’re comfortable in the jungle. We can do that pretty studio stuff, but that is boring and runs against our natural rhythm. It’s essential you have real people with their cameras who love doing this.”

He concludes, “I’m gonna continue doing what I’ve been doing on a broader scale. It was my duty to get the images, and that’s what I did. If by sharing information I uplifted hip-hop, then that’s an honor. I’m grateful and that means I respected the creator by being a poor righteous teacher.”

Ernie Paniccioli (Robert Adam Mayer photo)

See RIKERS on page 31

(From left to right) BABA Inc.’s Nova Felder, Henry Robinson, CIDNY’s Mbacke Thiam, Ricky Forde and Sister Shirley march from City Hall to Foley Square demanding receivership and closure of Rikers Island. (Tandy Lau photo)

Go With The Flo

The 50th anniversary of hip hop was celebrated in grand style with events going on all over New York City, where Kool DJ Herc started everything in the Bronx. On August 9, Run-DMC’s Daryl McDaniels and DJ Scratch attended an event at a pop-up hosted by Adidas Originals and RunDMC. Then, native New Yorkers Ja Rule, Ashanti, and Jadakiss climbed to the top of the Empire State Building for a lighting ceremony in honor of hip hop’s golden anniversary hosted by Universal Music Group this past Thursday. On August 11, Fat Joe, Remy Ma and Busta Rhymes held a concert in Central Park on “Good Morning America” and later that night, participated in an allstar Hip Hop 50th live concert at Yankee Stadium which featured Run-DMC, Nas, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Lil Kim, Ice Cube and DJ Kool Herc, the man who gave birth to hip hop.......

Calling it the Legends Tour, Chris Tucker is getting back on the road for the first time since 2011, reports The Jasmine Brand. The 30-date tour kicks off on September 8 in Charleston, South Carolina, and will head to cities like Memphis, Oakland, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Baltimore, Houston, New York, and Chicago before ending in Detroit in January 2024. “I started my career doing standup in comedy clubs, and it is stand-up comedy that prepared me for all my movie roles. I’m looking forward to getting back to my roots. I love performing live; there’s nothing like the energy of a live crowd and making people laugh. I’m excited to be back out on tour,” Chris said. Now if we can just get him to make a new movie!......

Tony Award-winning actress and songstress

Melba Moore recently revealed on Facebook that comedian Katt Williams sponsored the star she received on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 10. A source told Go With The Flo that Williams, who hosted the ceremony, paid $50,000 for the cost of the star, ceremony, and post-reception. “D-Nice also made a contribution. They are big fans of Melba’s,” the source said. Celebrities who made the trip out to Los Angeles’ Hollywood and Vine also included Freda Payne, Me’lisa Morgan, Luenell, Deon Cole, Tisha Campbell, Melba’s publicist Angelo Ellerbee and her management team of her daughter, Charli Huggins and Ron Richardson. Moore’s next honor will be a street renaming for her at William and Mercer Streets in Newark, New Jersey, on September 8........

NBCU’s new performance-based reality music series, “Chasing the Dream,” has added another iconic name to its growing list of celebrity mentors. The series, created by Queens native Monica Halley, has announced the addition of MC Lyte. The legendary raptress/DJ/actress/entrepreneur will mentor one lucky young participant on the show, which is scheduled to launch on NBC LX Home and stream on Peacock and other streaming platforms. MC Lyte will have an opportunity to review videos submitted by participants and will choose one lucky individual to mentor and prepare for their first live stage performance......

New York Amsterdam News first to print the term ‘Hip Hop’

By MAL’AKIY 17 ALLAH Special to the AmNews

With all the attention focused on the alleged 50th anniversary of hip hop culture, recognition must be given to the media outlets that have promoted it since its infancy. A recent interview with the co-curator of The Universal Hip Hop Museum, Prime Minister Pete Nice, revealed that the very first time the term “Hip Hop” ever appeared in any publication was right here within the prestigious pages of The New York Amsterdam News.

“A lot of people don’t realize that the term ’hip hop’ did not show up as early as 1973. Actually, there’s a flyer from 1979 from Brooklyn which first put ’hip hop’’ on a flyer, on printed matter,” he explained. “But, in journalism and periodicals, Paradise (Gray, UHHM chief curator) and I tracked down an item from the Amsterdam News in December 1979. Alton B Chase, a Bronx politician, threw an MC contest which The

“Just Imagine”

Furious Five attended.”

The author, Colis Davis, did not realize they were making history at the time by having their ears to the streets, but the AmNews has a long history of trendsetting and covering new ground regarding Black culture.

“A news article ran the first week of January 1980, and the writer referenced ’hip hop, the world of hip hop, hip hoppers,’ several times in that article. So we looked at that as the first time in journalism that hip hop as a term was memorialized.”

He goes on to mention a couple of other articles which previously were believed of as breaking the ice in 1981. This “was not correct,” he explained. “We found this one. Peace to the AmNews. There’s a lot of buried gems and hidden hip hop history within the AmNews, and it’s a great resource for hip hop researchers and archivists.”

Watch the interview: https://youtube.com/watch?v=nh9eUsa5604&fea ture=share9

Remarks on the NAACP National Convention Freedom Fund Dinner

By DR. MARCELLA MAXWELL Special to the AmNews

We often recite, “vision, vision, vision,” yet its actual manifestation rarely occurs to meet the test of one who thinks about, or plans the future with imagination, foresight, discernment, and wisdom. Joel E. Spingarn (1875-1939) was exemplary of a true visionary when as chair of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 1914 he envisioned the creation of an award to be given to a living African American who had distinguished him or herself in the pursuit of equal rights the preceding year or years.

Just imagine friends, how his creative insight, that gift of understanding to enhance the reputation of a fledgling organization continues to resonate and impact our legacy 109 years later. So, in effect, the NAACP is only 12 years older than I am and I am truly blessed to be a model of the organization’s social and political impact on the world.

When I think about the Spingarn Medal, and the countless number of Black Americans who have been honored each year by the organization, each of them personifies the award’s mission and mandate; they served in excellence, passion, and purpose all of which was endemic to their spirit to dare to make a difference.

Just imagine, how these awardees— many of them trailblazers, innovators, community leaders—were determined to maximize their potential. They set out to lift as they climbed, paving a way for those nameless members they never knew. They sought to raise the bar of hope, promise, and possibility, and thus we are proud and pleased to honor:

• Those who often had little but

did much.

• Those who made it against all odds.

• Those who struggled and in many cases made the ultimate sacrifice.

• Those who prayed and cried.

• Those who may have been bent but remained unbroken.

These dutiful, undaunted freedom fighters moved their “now” to their “next.” They, as we have come to know, either found a way or made a way, and in many instances “out of no way.”

Our cadre of Spingarn Medalists is working to find solutions to a myriad of issues on the “reality of life” agenda. To this end, they are working tirelessly to empower and improve the communities where they live, work, and play. In short, the awardees of this esteemed medal are role models and remarkable individuals who have taken the road less traveled, making that pathway easier for others to conquer; they have been a conscientious core, committed to the mission that is always time to do the right thing. Like our precious anthem, we often sing, they have come “over a way that with tears has been watered...treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered.” Yes, they have gone that extra mile, inexhaustibly expending the last ounce of devotion, with no quit in their push for success.

This is a prelude to this year’s honoree, a mother, an exemplary leader, a colleague, a sister and soror, an authentic friend, and above all a community organizer and civil rights activist: Dr. Hazel Nell Dukes! As others have noted on this occasion, Hazel is a tremendous woman of strength and courage, a transformative servant, leader, and advocate. She is a member of the NAACP National Board of Directors, President of the NAACP New York State Con-

ference, and President and CEO of Hazel Dukes & Associates.

Like many, I am awestruck by her indomitable spirit, though she is reluctant to talk about it. Rather than talk about her attributes, she prefers to demonstrate them. When we talk about the metrics of high achievers—dedication, strength, determination, courage, having “starch in your spine” to stand up and be unshakably steadfast—Hazel embodies these qualities and considerably more. She is now enshrined with such Black women as: Mary Talbert (1922), the first African American woman honoree; the incomparable Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune (1935); Vocalist Marian Anderson (1939); Mrs. Daisy Bates and Little Rock Nine (1958); trailblazing soprano Leontyne Price (1965); the rebellious Rosa Parks (1979); singer and screen immortal Lena Horne (1985); politician extraordinaire Barbara Jordan (1992); visionary leader Dorothy Irene Height (1993); poet and author Maya Angelou (1994); civil rights icon Myrlie Evers Williams (1998); actress and entrepreneur Oprah Winfrey (2000); judge and judicial stalwart Constance Baker Motley (2003); actress nonpareil Ruby Dee (2009); versatile Hollywood star Cicely Tyson (2010); civil rights legend Frankie Muse Freeman (2011); opera singer Jessye Norman (2013); and dancer, choreographer Misty Copeland (2021).

To make this evening even more unforgettable, I recall the words of Amanda Gorman, the youth poet laureate and author of “The Hill We Climb”: “There is always light if we dare to see it. There is always light if we are brave enough to be it.” Just imagine, just imagine, just imagine, and you will see how and why Hazel is the light that illuminates our way out of darkness and into gloriously bright tomorrows.

AmNews Hip Hop clipping

Nightlife

Written by David Goodson

Caribbean Music Awards in the County of Kings at Kings Theatre

The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce presented Harlem Week Senior’s Day at the Adam Clayton Powell Building this past week. Dr. Malcolm Punter of HCCI spoke to seniors on the issues of af -

INSPIRATION. IMPACT. LEGACY. INSPIRATION. IMPACT. LEGACY.

Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce hosts Harlem Week Senior’s Day

fordable housing, saving on prescription drugs, and more. NYS Sen. Cordell Cleare, Assemblymembers Al Taylor and Inez Dickens spoke on the services they provide.

Afro Cuban dancers and drummers light up Harlem Week Jazzmobile Summerfest

As Harlem Week continues, Afro Cuban dancers and drummers performed wonderfully at their Jazzmobile Summerfest at Marcus

Park.

Following a festive, productive week, attention can be turned to the musical cousin of hip hop — music from the islands. A few days prior to the annual West Indian Day Parade, an unforgettable night celebrating Caribbean music’s rich history spanning many generations will emanate from Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre on August 31 at 8 pm EST.

Caribbean music has had a profound impact on the global music scene, influencing and inspiring countless artists across genres. From Reggae’s laid-back grooves to Soca’s infectious rhythms and Dancehall’s high-energy beats to Calypso’s storytelling melodies, the Caribbean has given birth to a rich tapestry of musical styles that have captivated audiences worldwide. Now, it’s the perfect time to honor and celebrate these immense contributions.

The Caribbean Music Awards is not just an awards ceremony; it’s a night for the entire Caribbean music and entertainment community to come together in a dazzling display of talent, creativity, and cultural richness. It is a time to recognize the artists, producers, and industry professionals who have significantly shaped and propelled the Caribbean music landscape to international acclaim. But the excitement doesn’t stop there, the Caribbean Music Awards has partnered with the global powerhouse YouTube to bring this extraordinary event to audiences worldwide. Through a live stream on YouTube, music enthusiasts from every corner of the globe will have the opportunity to join the festivities, immerse themselves in the energy of the Caribbean, and witness the magic unfold in real time. It’s a chance for fans, both near and far, to be part of a historical moment in music. With an electrifying lineup of performances, presenters, and nominees, this extraordinary event will be a breathtaking celebration of Caribbean music and entertainment. With his unrivaled charisma and infectious energy, Grammy Award-winning artist Wyclef Jean will take center stage as the dynamic host for this historic occasion.

Along with a full range of thrilling performances, the night of celebration for Caribbean Music will see overall appearances from Spice, Baby Cham, Toni-Ann Singh, and electrifying performances from Alison Hinds, Jada Kingdom, Dexta Daps, Kranium, Lila Ike, Nailah Blackman, Ding Dong, Rupree and more. Reggae legend Beres Hammond will also be honored with an ‘Elite Icon Award.’ The esteemed award will commemorate Hammond for his contributions to elevating and enriching the face of Reggae music for several decades. Trinidadian singer, record producer, and songwriter Machel Montano is set to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for his dazzling contributions as a leader of the sound and style of Soca music to the global music scene.

Leading the inaugural set of nominations in twenty-six categories across various genres, including Reggae, Dancehall, Soca, Kompa, and Zouk is Kes, with five nominations. The Trinidadian soca group’s nominations include ‘Best Soca Artist of the Year,’ ‘Performer of the Year,’ ‘Collaboration of the Year,’ ‘Video of the Year,’ and ‘Artist of the Decade.’ Masicka, Ding Dong, Machel Montano, and Shenseea tie for the second-highest number of nominations with four nominations as Spice, Skeng, Dexta Daps, DJ Cheem, Kabaka Pyramid, Protoje, Nailah Blackman, & Dexta Daps earn the third-highest number of nominations with three nominations.

Before the final sentence, condolences to the family of Melvin Barcliff, also known as Magoo of the Timbaland and Magoo fame.

Over and out. Holla next week. Until then, enjoy the nightlife!

Garvey

A.Philip Randolph Senior Center (Bill Moore photo)

Cuban Dancers & Drummers (Bill Moore photo)

Why are actors making movies during the strike? What to know about SAG-AFTRA’s ‘interim agreements’

By LINDSEY BAHR and ANDREW DALTON AP Entertainment Writers

The actors’ and writers’ strikes have resulted in most Hollywood film and television productions being shut down, from the “Gladiator” sequel to the live-action “Lilo & Stitch.” But some independent films and television productions are still filming after reaching agreements with the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists that will allow them to continue with union actors amid the strike.

It’s a move that the union leadership says is an essential negotiating tactic, but that’s also proved divisive and confusing to many sweating it out on the picket lines while movie stars like Anne Hathaway and Matthew McConaughey continue to work.

Here’s what to know about the “interim agreements” that are keeping some Hollywood productions filming.

WHAT FALLS UNDER THE INTERIM AGREEMENTS?

Actors are striking against studios and streaming services that bargain as the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The group’s ranks include the major film studios (Disney, Paramount, Sony, Universal and Warner Bros.), television networks (ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC) and streaming services like Netflix, Apple

TV+ and Amazon.

There are numerous independent production companies that aren’t affiliated with the AMPTP, and they are allowed to film with SAG-AFTRA actors during the strike. They must agree to terms that the union last proposed during negotiations, which include a new minimum wage rate that’s 11% higher than before, guarantees about revenue sharing and artificial intelligence protections.

Those terms were rejected by the studios and streaming services, but SAG-AFTRA realized that some independent producers and smaller film studios (like Neon and A24) were willing to agree to the terms if it meant they could keep filming.

“The interim agreement provides empirical proof that the terms that we have put on the table with the AMPTP are not only realistic but are actually desirable and usable by producers in this industry,” SAG-AFTRA executive director and chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said.

WHAT ABOUT THE WRITERS?

The Writers’ Guild of America has opted not to grant similar agreements in their own strike. In an attempt to show solidarity and sync strategy, SAG-AFTRA changed course Monday and said interim agreements would not be granted to productions that were covered by the WGA contract. WGA films and shows include about 15 to 20% of the productions granted the agreements before the switch, and those

will not be revoked, but no new ones will be granted.

“We have been advised by the WGA that this modification will assist them in executing their strike strategy, and we believe it does not undermine the utility and effectiveness of ours,” Crabtree-Ireland said. “It is a win-win change.”

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE PRODUCTIONS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE?

More than 200 productions have been approved so far, including a Rebel Wilson comedy “Bride Hard,” an untitled Guy Ritchie project, a film with Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd called “Death of a Unicorn,” the Matthew McConaughey thriller “The Rivals of the Amziah King” and David Lowery’s pop star movie “Mother Mary,” starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel.

The list is being constantly updated on SAG-AFTRA’s website, but even some productions that have been granted exceptions are still pausing for optics and solidarity. Viola Davis decided to step away from her film “G20,” in which she plays the U.S. president at a G20 Summit overtaken by terrorists, despite it being granted a waiver.

“I love this movie but I do not feel that it would be appropriate for this production to move forward during the strike,” Davis said in a statement. “G20,” though independently financed, was set to be distributed by Amazon Studios, which is an AMPTP member.

WHAT IS SAG-AFTRA’S STRATEGY?

Crabtree-Ireland said there are several benefits of the interim agreement to SAGAFTRA members.

“It provides absolute empirical proof that the terms that we are seeking in the negotiation are reasonable,” he told The Associated Press in an interview. “We have hundreds of independent producers who say we’ll be happy to produce under those terms.”

It also provides opportunities for crews and actors to work, relieving some of the financial pressures of the strike. And, he added, it might be getting the attention of studios.

Emmy-winning “Abbott Elementary” actor Sheryl Lee Ralph agrees with the strategy.

“I have to honestly say interim agreements are smart agreements. What that does is keep little conversations going with producers who are not the big major producers,” she told the AP. “So now the big folks can look and say, ‘Well, wait a minute, if they can do it, why aren’t we doing it.’”

WHY IS IT CONTROVERSIAL?

To some members sweating it out on the picket lines and pinching pennies, it doesn’t feel like a united work stoppage when major celebrities like Hathaway

UAW to vote on strike authorization next week as president says talks with Detroit 3 moving slowly

By TOM KRISHER

AP Auto Writer

DETROIT (AP) — About 146,000 members of the United Auto Workers union will vote next week on whether to authorize their leaders to call strikes against the Detroit automakers.

Union President Shawn Fain told members in a Facebook Live appearance Tuesday that the talks, which started in mid-July, are moving slowly and have yet to get to wages and other economic issues.

The union’s contracts with General Motors, Ford and Stellantis expire in about a month, at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 14.

“If we want to make progress at the bargaining table, we need to show the companies that it’s not just talk,” Fain said of the strike vote.

He told local offices to report the results of their votes to the union headquarters by

Aug. 24.

Strike authorization votes are a routine part of contract talks and are often overwhelmingly approved, but Fain said the vote is a sign of the union’s strength.

Fain has set high expectations for the contract talks and says the union will seek more than 40% general pay raises over four years, restoration of pensions for newer hires, cost-of-living increases, an end to wage tiers, and other benefits. He has said workers can make big gains but must be ready to strike to get them.

The union also wants guarantees that it will represent workers at 10 U.S. electric vehicle battery plants proposed by the companies. Most are joint ventures with Korean battery companies.

Much of Fain’s rhetoric has been focused on Stellantis, the most profitable of the three companies with the highest profit margins. Fain has complained that Stellan-

tis is seeking concessions in the contract when the union wants gains. But a union spokesman said singling out Stellantis doesn’t mean the UAW has picked a company as a strike target, and it could choose all three.

He said the union plans to extend the contracts up to Sept. 14.

Automakers say they are facing billions of dollars in development costs as the industry shifts from combustion engines to electric vehicles.

In a letter to employees last week, Stellantis Chief Operating Officer Mark Stewart accused Fain of “theatrics and personal insults” that Stewart said would not help to reach a deal. He wrote that the company is committed to an agreement based on “economic realism” that supports the viability of Stellantis’ operations while rewarding workers.

The company, he wrote, wants to find so-

lutions to protect Stellantis from nonunion companies with lower costs and additional costs from moving to electric vehicles. “Mr. Fain’s demands could endanger our ability to make decisions in the future that provide job security for our employees,” the letter said.

Fain called Stewart’s letter patronizing and said the company is making billions in profits and spends millions on executive salaries “while the rest of us live paycheck to paycheck.” Labor costs, he said, are only 5% to 10% of a vehicle’s cost.

GM said Tuesday it’s been working hard with the union every day to get the right agreement for its stakeholders.

“We continue to bargain in good faith each day to support our team members, our customers, the community and the business,” a company statement said.

Messages seeking comment were left with Ford and Stellantis.

See SAG-AFTRA on page 31

Who is Fani?

Now that Trump has been indicted, folks are wondering who Fani Willis is, the Fulton County District Attorney. First of all, her name must be pronounced properly: It’s Fahnee, not Fannie. She was born in Inglewood, California, in 1971 and raised by her father, a former Black Panther, who later became a prominent lawyer.

On several occasions, she has explained the Swahili origins of her name: Fani means “prosperous” and Taifa, her middle name, means “people.”

Fani attended Howard University, where she studied political science, graduating cum laude in 1993. Later, she moved to Atlanta and attended the Emory University School of Law, receiving her juris doctorate in 1996. She was a prosecutor in the Fulton County District Attorney’s office for 16 years. One of her most celebrated cases was her prosecution of the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal.

In 2018, Fani began public law practice. That same year, she was unsuccessful in a bid for a seat on the Fulton County Superior Court. A year later, she became chief municipal judge for South Fulton, Georgia. She was elected district attorney of Fulton County in 2020, defeating her former boss, Paul Howard, a six-term incumbent.

Almost immediately, Fani launched a criminal investigation into Trump’s attempt to subvert the presidential election by influencing Georgia election officials. In 2022, she requested a special grand jury to consider charges that Trump interfered in the election and by April 2023, she officially charged Trump under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, as she had done with Young Thug, the rapper.

Coincidentally, Atlanta’s expert on RICO is John Floyd, and Fani’s father’s name is John Clifford Floyd.

Fani married Fred Willis in 1996 and they have two daughters together. They divorced in 2005.

The rest, as is often said, is history, and her story will become increasingly dramatic and headline news whenever the trial takes place. By then, Trump may already have been convicted on charges stemming from the third indictment and trial.

Stay tuned, as we know you will.

Elinor R. Tatum: Publisher and Editor in Chief

Stop-and-Frisk 10 years later: How many more stops?

By VINCENT WARREN AND LOYDA COLÓN

Ten years ago [last week], a federal judge rejected the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York City Police Department, finding that it had engaged in racial profiling and repeated unconstitutional stops. This was a rare instance of accountability for the NYPD and a landmark victory for the hundreds of thousands of primarily Black and Latinx New Yorkers who had been stopped by the police without cause.

One of us is the Black executive director of the organization that filed the class action lawsuit that led to the ruling, Floyd v. City of New York. The other is a long-time Nuyorican organizer and the Executive Director of the Justice Committee, a grassroots organization that works with survivors of police violence and families who have lost loved ones to the NYPD. A decade later, while we commemorate this legal and organizing breakthrough, we’re also taking stock of its impact, and the stark truth is stops are actually on the rise again.

In fact, the NYPD’s use of racial profiling has continued and may have worsened. In issuing the 2013 ruling, the judge in the case designated a federal monitor to oversee reforms, including the public release of information about stops made by the NYPD. The latest monitor’s report, released in June, found that nearly all— 97% —of those stopped by the NYPD’s Neighborhood Safety Teams (Mayor Adams’s version of the notorious plainclothes anti-crime units) were Black or Latinx. At the time of the 2013 ruling, which deemed the police’s racial profiling unconstitutional, about 85% were of Black or Latinx New Yorkers.

We always knew this would be a long struggle, but true transparency about how the NYPD is operating in our communities is a common denominator that we can all agree is foundational in cultivating real public safety and not something we can wait on any longer.

Ten years ago, we united to end stop and frisk—now advocates are uniting behind the How Many Stops Act (HMSA), which consists of two measures designed to in-

crease transparency into the NYPD’s most common interactions with New Yorkers.

At present, the NYPD is required to release data on only “reasonable suspicion” stops. The public has no official data on “lower level” stops: when the police ask people for basic information or when they ask people more accusatory questions based on a “found suspicion.” Yet abuse is no less likely during these kinds of encounters and may be more likely, given that the NYPD is permitted to keep them secret. Indeed, lower-level stops have led to police killings of Black and Latinx New Yorkers like Antonio Williams. Intro. 586, sponsored by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Councilmember Alexa Aviles, would require the NYPD to provide data on all stops.

Councilmember Crystal Hudson is sponsoring a second measure, Intro. 538, which would build on the 2017 Right to Know Act. A provision of that law requires police, absent other legal justification, to ask for people’s consent to a search, and to let them know that See STOP AND FRISK on page 29

The comeback of Kamala Harris - The thrill is gone?

By ROGER HOUSE

In recent weeks, Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged from obscurity to attempt a political comeback. Facing low poll numbers, she has barnstormed political events around the country to carry the message of the Democratic Party—and to try to recapture the luster that made her a historic candidate in 2020.

Notably, she has visited Black events to tout the Biden administration and condemn Republican efforts to suppress voting rights. It’s fair to say that Harris has used the gatherings to stir up anxiety instead of using the time to promote ideas for the internal development of the Black community.

On July 29, at the 114th annual NAACP convention in Boston, Harris highlighted aspects of the Biden agenda—such as maternal mortality and prescription medications for seniors—before calling on attendees to mobilize voter turnout.

Methodist Episcopal Church in Orlando, Harris spoke out against Florida’s controversial standards for teaching Black history in public schools.

She used the occasion to stir voter anxiety, saying, “In states across our nation, extremists attack the freedom to vote. They pass laws to ban drop boxes, to limit early voting, to make it illegal to offer food and water to people who are standing in line for hours to simply cast their ballot.”

However, she was silent on her role in the failed effort to protect voting rights.

In 2022, President Joe Biden turned to her to troubleshoot Congress for passage of the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, which extended protections of the 1965 Civil Rights Act undercut by the U.S. Supreme Court. Harris could not persuade two colleagues in the Democratic-controlled Senate, West Virginia’s Joe Manchin and Arizona’s Krysten Sinema (now an independent), or to win over any Republican moderates.

the Democratic agenda?

As such, the larger question is whether Harris is the best person to rally the Black community for the challenges ahead.

Fostering Black Political Unity

Harris’s campaign for renewed political relevance admits to a disconnect between core voting blocs in the Black community and Democratic Party. Most distressing, she has missed opportunities to call for a much-needed Black political unity summit.

The community desperately needs to craft an agenda for survival in the 21st century. It requires respected leaders willing to devise a constructive—and relatively independent—policy agenda before the 2024 election. People must move on from the old symbolic “March on Washington” rituals orchestrated by the Rev. Al Sharpton and others to mobilize voters.

Member

Kristin Fayne-Mulroy: Managing Editor

Nayaba Arinde: Editor

Cyril Josh Barker: Digital Editor

Damaso

Reyes: Investigative Editor

Siobhan "Sam" Bennett: Chief Revenue Officer and Head of Advertising

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

“Because of what you did in 2020, Joe Biden got elected president of the United States and I got elected the first Black woman to be vice president of the United States,” she noted. (She avoided mention of her South Asian upbringing.)

On Aug. 1, in a speech to a women’s convention of the African

Whether Harris could have done more is open to debate. Even now, as she urges the need for protecting voting rights, she offers no practical ideas for expanding political clout under the current climate. Should people consider thoughtful strategies for encouraging migration to build voting power in certain states? Are there any ideas other than simply voting for

Instead, we must encourage political and organizational leaders to explore new ideas of development. What are the benefits of encouraging migration that builds political influence in targeted states? What are practical ways to make gains in the labor market, self-employment, small businesses, and community cooperatives?

Unfortunately, what Harris offers are the targeted talking points of the

Biden’s misguided priorities

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

ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS

Hawaii, once a symbol of nature’s grace, now lies devastated, a chilling semblance of a war zone. Nearly 100 lives have been lost to the flames of a devastating wildfire, with hundreds of homes obliterated and families shattered. But in the face of this profound tragedy, America’s President Joe Biden has responded with a suggestion that borders on the absurd. If you thought his disregard for the American people had reached its lowest point, think again. While the embers of destruction still glow in Hawaii, President Biden has made a jarring proposal to Congress: provide an additional 24 billion dollars in aid to Ukraine.

Underneath America’s leadership, a perpetually angry and misguided segment of left-winged Americans has eroded our nation’s priorities. They argue that America should always be second to the needs of others. But this is not the America that the majority yearn for; it’s the America that those who resent our nation’s principles desire.

Our nation stands at a crossroads, grappling with a complex web of challenges that stretch far beyond typical crime and poverty. Among these challenges are the haunting problems of human trafficking and the trafficking of drugs and firearms. Yet, the threats we face are not limited to these insidious enterprises. Thousands of Americans fall victim to petty criminals every year through crimes such as carjackings and robberies.

When will the American people receive the attention and care that Ukraine gets? When will the homeless veterans–who once fought bravely for their nation only to be left in the cold–the needy families struggling to make ends meet, single mothers laboring to provide for their children, and the helpless poor families waiting for a

Moving through grief

CHRISTINA GREER, PH.D.

glimmer of hope, receive the same level of commitment and assistance that Biden offers to a foreign nation?

The concern doesn’t end at Ukraine. We can cast our eyes to our own cities, like New York City, now facing a migrant crisis unparalleled in its history. It’s reminiscent of the European migration crisis of 2015 when open borders led to over 1 million migrants entering the EU. New York’s far-left city council and state politicians are now grappling with the aftermath of such policies. Tens of thousands of migrants are now dispersed across New York City, burdening communities large and small with both actual and unrealized fears.

Will those who feign righteousness, those who boldly fly the Ukrainian flag outside their homes, who offer to take migrants into their homes, who march in protests in support of Ukraine, and who decry the right for simply asking that we take care of our own first also fly the flag of Hawaii?

Of course they won’t, and we all know why. It’s because there’s a prevailing, yet misguided, doctrine that America is so powerful and mighty that when its own people are harmed, we can conveniently ignore them, treating them as though they are privileged and unworthy of attention. Pay no mind to the stark contrast between images of overindulgence and peaceful streets in many Ukrainian cities under threat of conflict and the devastation on the ground in Hawaii.

This selective empathy is obvious. It’s hypocrisy at its finest, and it clearly shows that those who stand for righteousness falter when their own countrymen are in need.

While my heart aches for the Ukrainians affected by this war, and I vehemently believe in halting Putin’s aggression, America

cannot turn a blind eye to its internal struggles. America’s families are faced with choosing which meals to skip, struggling to pay rent, or managing unexpected expenses. I ask you, Joe Biden, when will these families receive the same assistance you provide to everyone else?

So, what shall we do for the displaced people from Hawaii? Will we abandon them? No. We must treat them better than we treat everyone else, for any expense spared is a blot on our national honor. I urge our government to welcome displaced Hawaiians with more than just open arms. They deserve five-star hotel accommodations, luxurious meals, free healthcare, and childcare. Why? Because that’s how we should treat Americans. And yet, it’s how we’re currently treating the migrants.

“America First” has been wrongly maligned due to the left’s deliberate misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the principle. It’s about preserving a nation’s dignity, offering help, and utilizing resources wisely, without exhausting them. The American people’s welfare must not be sacrificed for Ukraine or the migrants crossing our borders. Perhaps a time will come when we will be able to provide them with assistance. But, until that day comes, America must first care for its own.

Ukraine -> $115 billion NYC Migrants -> $12 billion U.S. citizens killed in wildfires -> $700 per family

Who do you think our president cares more for?

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

Earlier this summer, I lost a dear friend, Ibrahim AbdulMatin, whom I met during my college days. It was my first friendship loss. I have been to funerals as an adult when I lost my grandparents and aunts and uncles, but I had never been to a funeral for a friend and a peer. I am still moving through grief and I realize that healing from loss is a lifelong process. I feel like a novice in the grief journey. I was shielded from much of grief because I did not lose anyone close to me during COVID. I know some people who lost family members, dear friends, coworkers, and community members. I heard stories of people going to Zoom funerals almost weekly. There was so much loss swirling around it that almost seemed surreal because it never touched me directly. I had empathy and sympathy, but I did not fully comprehend what loss does to one’s heartstrings.

Experiencing a loss makes you feel like the universe is jolting you in several ways. On the one hand, it makes you feel like you have to grow up quickly. Life gets real…really fast. On the other hand, it makes you feel like you should savor mere seconds since nothing is promised, not even tomorrow. There are just so many things we take for granted, as though they are guaranteed.

I do subscribe to the notion that we must move through the five stages of grief to process what has happened better and what is still happening. The five stages of grief are: denial,

anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. However, there is no linear timeline in grief. You may linger at a particular stage or even double back once you’ve “completed” a stage. I have to remind myself that everyone experiences and moves through grief in their own way and in their own time. It is a unique experience. Some people prefer to be surrounded by others and laugh and leave the house, while others may prefer to be in quiet reflection by themselves. We cannot judge how people process loss and we cannot make people speed up or slow down how they process this new chapter in their lives.

I know that some days are easier than others. I miss my friend dearly, but I am so blessed the universe allowed us to cross paths out of all of the billions of people in this world. I have found that spending time with friends I love dearly has helped me begin the healing process. However you process grief and loss, extend yourself patience and grace. In doing so, you will be better equipped to extend kindness, patience, and grace to others. May we continue to reflect on the blessing of friendship along this journey.

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

Caribbean Update

Caricom scrubs special, informal leaders retreat

BY BERT WILKINSON Special

to AmNews

Saying there isn’t enough time between last month’s special summit in Trinidad to meet again so soon, Caribbean community leaders have called off a planned informal summit this weekend to iron out a series of issues, including preparation for the annual global climate change summit in the United Arab Emirates from the end of November to mid-December, officials said this week.

Current bloc Chairman and Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit had floated the idea of an informal session in Dominica, but the Guyana-based community secretariat announced the cancellation Monday, saying there are too many competing interests for the summit to take place.

The bloc of 15- nations, from Guyana and Suriname in coastal South America to Belize in Central America and Haiti in the center, wants to properly prepare for this year’s COP 28 climate summit as the region continues to express disappointment with Western and other polluting nations. The region is demanding that they fork out billions to help the Caribbean and other nations, feeling the growing negative effects of a changing climate, adapt to the changes and mitigate the effects.

The region has had an impressive showing at the last two summits, with Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley functioning as the de facto spokesperson for the region, but most governments say they are disap-

pointed with unfulfilled promises by polluting nations to provide climate financing for developing nations, many of them the victims of changing weather patterns including stronger and more deadly hurricanes.

Skerrit said recently that the leaders needed to meet without the fanfare of a formal summit to iron out some key issues, including the free movement of people in the bloc, the worsening crime situation in the region, barriers to effective trade, and changing trends in the geopolitical arena.

“COP 28 is coming. We need to have a clearly defined and cohesive position going into COP 28, where every one of us will speak from the same hymn sheet. There is also the need for climate financing, the

need for the reform and transformation of the international finance system and architecture so that we can have a better deal for ourselves in the Caribbean,” said Skerrit.

Caricom and other Third World nations have been pressing the developed world to fulfill promises to set aside $100 billion to help the worst affected countries, but the Belize-based Caribbean Community Climate Change Center says the West is shifting the proverbial goalpost.

“The US’s $100 billion by 2020, when it was agreed, was seen as the floor. It is now seen as the ceiling. Even the most creative of accounting has shown that they have not achieved that. The last that we saw from the climate policy institute is them coming in

at US$83.3 billion, and this includes everything under the sun. So even with that, you find that they are US$17 billion short. They still have some way to go,” said the center. “The world does have that amount of money. We need only look at the Ukraine War. We see what happened under COVID19 and what they were able to do. It is not a lack of money. It is a lack of desire.”

Other key issues for the now abandoned summit had included an extensive discussion on countries allowing any Caricom national to freely travel within the region without restrictions by next March, as this is seen as a key component to free trade. No new date has been fixed for the informal summit, the secretariat said.

Sorry Mayor Adams, but the current immigration plan is unsustainable

FELICIA PERSAUD IMMIGRATION KORNER

Last week, New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated that the Big Apple has already spent over 3 billion to provide shelter, food, medical care, and social services for some 100,000 immigrant asylum-seekers who have so far arrived in the city from the U.S.’ southern border.

He further explained that for each family seeking asylum, the city spends an average of $383 per night. With more than 57,300 individuals currently in the care of NYC to date, that total is now $9.8 million a day, almost $300 million a month, and nearly $3.6 billion a year.

Adams has said that if the number rises to 100,000 asylum-seekers by the

end of June 2025, the cost will skyrocket to $6.1 billion in taxpayer dollars. That means over the course of three fiscal years, the city could spend more than $12 billion.

The other nightmarish reality is that if the federal government does not keep pitching in, New Yorkers could be left with a $12 billion bill.

Yet the mayor remains adamant that “New York City will not abandon our brothers and sisters seeking the American dream.” His comments come even as many migrants were recently forced to sleep on the streets outside the Roosevelt Hotel because the city’s shelter system was full to capacity.

As an immigrant and one who was previously undocumented, I admire the mayor’s commitment to helping brothers and sisters seek a better life in America.

But I am also very aware of the years

that could go by waiting for a work permit and green card because of processing times and backlogs. According to Title 8 of the United States Code, which governs immigration law, asylum seekers may receive authorization to work as soon as 180 days after filing an asylum application.

However, the asylum system is currently heavily backlogged, and it can take an average of four years for a case to be adjudicated. During this time, asylum seekers are protected from deportation but otherwise lack status or access to most federal benefits. This will leave many migrants with no means to support themselves and largely fully dependent on the city.

The question that Mayor Adams, Gov. Kathy Hochul, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and members

of the New York City Congressional Delegation, as well as advocates, need to answer is: “Are they willing to support these immigrants for as long as it takes to get working papers—even if it means years from now?”

That is the harsh reality these asylum seekers face based on U.S. immigration law and, worst yet, in a backlogged system. Sorry, Mr. Mayor, but the current immigration plan is completely unsustainable, especially as taxpaying New Yorkers themselves battle inflation and rising rents. It is time to face reality and paraphrase Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas by saying to the buses, the city is closed. Redirect to the White House!

The writer is publisher of NewsAmericasNow.com – The Black Immigrant Daily News. She can be reached at felicia@caribpr.com.

“COP 28 is coming. We need to have a clearly defined and cohesive position going into COP 28, where every one of us will speak from the same hymn sheet. There is also the need for climate financing, the need for the reform and transformation of the international finance system and architecture so that we can have a better deal for ourselves in the Caribbean,” said Prime Minister of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FILING BY ANBARIC

DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS LLC

PURSUANT TO ARTICLE VII OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE LAW

On or about August 18, 2023, Anbaric Development Partners LLC (Anbaric) will file an application with the New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need pursuant to Article VII of the New York Public Service Law (Application), for the construction, ownership, operation and maintenance of a new major electric transmission facility, known as the Hera Power Link.

Hera Power Link is the New York State portion of a proposed transmission system connecting one or more offshore wind (OSW) generators located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of New York and New Jersey to the transmission system of The Consolidated Edison Company of New York (Con Edison) in Brooklyn, New York. Hera Power Link will consist of: (1) a 345 kV underground/ submarine cable system buried in the seabed under New York waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the New York Harbor and in public streets in the New York City Boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn; and (2) a converter station to convert the electricity from Direct Current (DC) to Alternating Current (AC), to be located on Edgewater Street in Staten Island. From Staten Island, the submarine cable system will cross the New York Harbor and connect to the Con Edison system at either its proposed Clean Energy Hub or its existing Gowanus Substation in Brooklyn.

The Application provides extensive information about the project, the proposed route and location, the nature of potential impacts stemming from its construction and operation, design features and construction practices that will avoid or minimize any impacts and alternative routes evaluated by Anbaric.

Anbaric’s website www.anbaric.com provides more information about the proposed Hera Power Link, including the Application and a detailed map of the proposed route. The Application will also be available at the Department of Public Service Document Matter Management System (DMM) system at www.dps.ny.gov. To access documents, go to “Search” on the top of the webpage and search using the Case Number 22-T-0547, or use the direct link: https://documents.dps.ny.gov/public/MatterManagement/ CaseMaster.aspx?MatterSeq=69099&MNO=22-T-0547. Information about the Article VII review process can be found on the DPS website at: https://dps.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/11/article-vii-guide-web-11-17-final.pdf.

Paper copies of the Application will be delivered to the following locations for public review:

• Sunset Public Library, 4201 Fourth Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11232

• Bay Ridge Library, 7223 Ridge Boulevard at 73rd St. Brooklyn, NY 11209

• Park Slope Library, 431 6th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11215

• Fort Hamilton Library, 9424 Fourth Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11209

Public comments on the proposed Hera Power Link Facility can be filed by mail, email, or online on the DMM system by using the Web link above and then clicking the “Post Comments” button. Comments by mail and email should be sent to Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary to the Commission at the mailing or email address below.

Contact the NYS Public Service Commission:

Hon. Michelle L. Phillips

Secretary to the Commission

New York State Public Service Commission

Empire State Plaza, Agency Building 3

Albany, NY 12223-1350

Phone: (518) 474-6530

Fax: (518) 474-9842

Email: secretary@dps.ny.gov

• Red Hook Public Library, 7 Wolcott Street Brooklyn, NY 11231

• Carroll Gardens Library, 396 Clinton Street Brooklyn, NY 11231

• South Beach Library, 21-25 Robin Road Staten Island, NY 10305

• Stapleton Library, 132 Canal Street Staten Island, NY 10304

The Applicant can be contacted at the mailing or email address below.

Contact information for Anbaric Development

Partners LLC:

Janice Fuller, President Mid-Atlantic

Howard Kosel, Partner & Project Manager

Anbaric Development Partners LLC

401 Edgewater Pl, #680

Wakefield, MA 01880 (781) 683-0711

herapowerlink@anbaric.com

Health

“Choose Healthy Life,” is the best choice!

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

From the moment a bagpipe brigade led the procession into the service of Renewal & Healing at Union Baptist Church in Harlem on Saturday during a Harlem Week celebration, it signaled a special occasion. Clergy leader Rev. Jacques A. DeGraff made it clear in his opening remarks, telling the congregation that they were about to witness “powerful preaching and soul-stirring gospel,” and the words were hardly out of his mouth when the Coaxner Ensemble lived up to that promise.

They delivered a rousing chorus to the event’s theme, Choose Healthy Life (CHL), setting a musical interlude for a message from Grace C. Bonilla, president and CEO of United Way of New York City. She began by stating how proud she was of the accomplishments made by her organization and the “unique partnership of United Way in addressing the New York City health disparities,” saying they’ve reached over

50,000 New Yorkers.

Underscoring the theme of healing, the Rev. Dr. Demetrius S. Carolina of the First Central Baptist Church of Staten Island chose as his text Jesus’s healing of a blind man at Bethsaida. He recited some passages from Mark noting how Jesus spat upon the blind

man’s eyes twice and, on the second time, asked him, “What do you see?”

“I see everything,” the man said. “Today, we need more healing than ever,” Carolina said. He was perhaps referring to Jesus’s method when he said, “There is a process by which you can be healed.”

Jesus not only made the blind man see, but he also calmed the storm, said Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, the executive director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. “Jesus, wake up. We are perishing,” Sullivan repeated in a call and response with the audience. What Jesus had miraculously done in the past was needed now, the prelate begged in the wake of COVID-19. “Our children need a parachute,” he said. His plea was given additional ballast when the ensemble sang “Mary Don’t You Weep,” and it also served as a spirited segue to Debra Fraser-Howze’s scripture from Mark, where Jesus frees a girl from a demon. Frazer-Howze, the founder and president of Choose Healthy Life, gave Jesus’s miracle an updated version in her own way of bringing calm to a person in need.

She stated that Jesus knew his purposes, and Fraser-Howze knows hers, especially in her capacity at the helm of CHL, as she noted in the program handout with heartfelt praise for the late Rev. Calvin Butts III: “He moved mountains with a single touch and the community is safer because he lived,” she wrote. “While his presence and leadership are sorely missed...his service continues to be an inspiration for all of us.”

See HEALTHY LIFE on page 31

The Next COVID-19 Wave May Be Starting Now

that the other metric that we continue to look at is hospital admissions and those also recently began ticking upwards for the first time in quite a while.”

sources including where to get free masks and at home tests.

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

For the fourth summer in a row cases of COVID-19 are on the rise. According to the CDC, there was a 12.5% increase in COVID related hospitalizations in the United States between July 31, 2023 and August 7, 2023. Part of the rise may be due to the EG.5 variant circulating in the United States and China. In a recent YouTube video published this month, the American Medical Association’s Vice President of Science, Medicine and Public Health, Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, spoke about the 2023 COVID cases increase.

She said that “the amount of coronavirus being detected in wastewater, the percentage of people testing positive for the virus, and the number of people who are seeking care for COVID in emergency departments, have all started increasing since early July. So these could definitely be indicators of a late summer wave. I think I would add to

Garcia’s comments regarding coronavirus wastewater levels are supported by data from the New York State Wastewater Surveillance Network, which also shows increases in coronavirus levels over the past few weeks, with some areas experiencing as much as a 68% increase in levels as of August 3, 2023.

According to the authors of a recent article in the journal Nature, “[b]ecause SARSCoV-2 appears to be more transmissible than influenza and other seasonal respiratory viruses, it seems likely that yearround SARS-CoV-2 activity will remain elevated compared to other pathogens. COVID-19 continues to cause substantial morbidity and mortality throughout the year, including outside of the traditional viral respiratory season.”

Each year we have seen an uptick in COVID cases starting in the late summer and peaking during winter so now is a great time to get fully vaccinated and boosted if you are not already and to begin testing before and after large gatherings. You can schedule a free PCR test in New York City by calling 212-COVID-19. Visit amsterdamnews.com/covid for more re-

The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene released a statement earlier this month regarding the increase in COVID cases, saying “there is currently a slight increase in COVID-19 transmission in New York City. Both cases and hospitalizations started picking up in mid-July, but overall remain low. Right now, there is nothing to suggest that COVID-19 is more transmissible or more lethal, but of course, as we’ve learned over the last three years, things can change with this virus, and we are constantly monitoring the situation.”

According to the DOHMH statement, “the good news is that we have the tools to keep New Yorkers safe. If you or anyone you know has symptoms that could be a sign of COVID-19 or if you or someone you know were recently exposed, get tested right away. And if you test positive, make sure to get treatment by calling your provider or 212-COVID-19. If you are an older New Yorker or immunocompromised, or live with someone who is, wearing a mask in crowded indoor settings can prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

In an interview with AmNews, when asked about where we are with respect to COVID, Lisa

See COVID-19 WAVE on page 29

Pastor Debra Fraser Howze with First Responders (Bill Moore photo)

The Apollo Theater was closed due to the coronavirus pandemic but carried the message “Be Well,” in April lof 2020, in Harlem. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

INSPIRATION. IMPACT. LEGACY. INSPIRATION. IMPACT. LEGACY.

Hip Hop books of the 2010s to revisit

By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the Amnews

Time flies, but books are forever. There are a number of books that were published before the 2020s that offer just as much powerful imagery and storytelling as the books of today. They have the ability to take you on a nostalgic journey through the most influential artists and moments of that era. Step back in time and experience the magic that made the 2010s a fruitful and significant period in hip hop history. Whether you’re a die-hard hip hop enthusiast or simply looking to explore a new genre, our collection offers something for everyone. The photography collection, “Hip hop at the End of the World” and the hip hop feminist theory book “Hip hop’s Li’l Sistas Speak” are just as relevant as they were when they were published. Getting lost in the present and future without being mindful of sources of knowledge of the recent past create stagnance within our personal and educational pursuits. Looking back just a few years has its gifts as readers will have a well-rounded understanding of history devoid of large gaps. These books will help to keep you informed

and will revive your sense of wonder for literature published in the 2010s.

Hip hop at the End of the World: The Photography of Brother Ernie by Ernest Paniccioli - 2018

Hip hop is not just a sound. It’s an everevolving aesthetic. “Hip hop at the End of the World: The Photography of Brother Ernie” is ‘filled with more than 250 images of artists,

including Ice Cube, The Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, Naughty by Nature, Public Enemy, 50 Cent, N.W.A, Snoop Dogg, Lil’ Kim, Flavor Flav, Lauren Hill, Queen Latifah, TLC, many that have never before been published, this book is set to become the new hip hop photography bible,” writes the book’s publisher. If you are an avid collector and archivist, this book will pique your interest, as well as anyone who loves visual art just as much as music.

Hip hop’s Li’l Sistas Speak: Negotiating Hip hop Identities and Politics in the New South by Bettina L. Love - 2012

Winner of the 2013 American Educational Studies Association) Critics Choice Award, this powerful feminist theory of hip hop books will bring inspiration and knowledge to readers who seek to know more about women’s experiences in hip hop culture. “Through ethnographically informed interviews and observations conducted with six Black middle and high school girls, Hip hop’s Li’l Sistas Speak explores how young women navigate the space of hip hop music and culture to form ideas concerning race, body, class, inequality, and privilege. The thriving atmosphere of Atlanta, Georgia, serves as the background against which these youth consume hip hop, and the book examines how the city’s socially conservative politics, urban gentrification, race relations, Southern-flavored hip hop music and culture, and booming adult entertainment industry rest in their periphery,” writes the book publishers. This eye-opening book is a must-have for your hip hop library.

Hip hop at 50: Hip hop kids books for the family to enjoy

By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the Amnews

Hip hop Books for Kids that Celebrate 50 Years of revolutionary educational and historical information blends the power of hip hop culture with the joy of reading to inspire and educate young minds. This collection of books brings to life the vibrant world of hip hop, delivering engaging stories and captivating illustrations that resonate with children ages 3-12. Through these carefully crafted narratives, children will not only embark on exciting adventures but also explore important themes such as diversity, self-expression, and resilience. Each book is thoughtfully designed to entertain, educate, and empower young readers, ensuring that they develop a lifelong love for learning. We have meticulously curated a library of books that celebrate the rich history and cultural impact of hip hop. From iconic pioneers to contemporary superstars, our stories showcase the diverse voices within the genre and highlight its positive influence on society.

It is vital the world shares empowering the next generation and together, let’s foster a love for reading while celebrating the transformative power of hip hop culture.

Ode to Hip hop: 50 Albums that Define 50 years of Trailblazing Music by Kiana Fitzgerald, illustrated by Russell Abrahams (Running Press/Hachette Book Group)

This colorful nod to the anniversary of the most important genre in contemporary music is an entrancing and educational book for adults and kids! Author Kiana Fitzgerald offers every morsel of contemplative information you need from some of the most iconic albums of the era. From albums by Grandmaster Flash to Biggie Smalls, you’ll be able to create a definitive playlist to listen to from this book’s invaluable suggestions.

The Roots of Rap: 16 Bars on the 4 Pillars of Hip hop by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison (little bee book/Simon & Schuster)

The Roots of Rap by Carole Boston Weatherford is a children’s picture book that takes you back before the times of hip hop’s global heights to bring awareness of the pioneers that made the music what it is today. From James Brown to Queen Latifah, the book focuses on the early adopters as well as the well-known artists who created sounds that have never been heard.

History Comics: Hip Hop The Beat of America by Jarrett Williams (History Books/Macmillan)

The historical comic book “History Comics: Hip hop: the Beat of America” by Jarrett Williams creates an alternative way for more visually oriented learners to engage with the history of hip hop music. This kidfriendly, innovative way to embed historical facts into the minds of adults and kids alike, Beat of America will bring fun, enjoyment, and creativity to any home library. Making it a serious goal to educate our children about the background and backstory of the music they listen to on the daily will bring Black enlightenment and excellence into the minds of our new generation. If we as a Black culture do not know where we come from, it will be all the more difficult for our children to know where they are going. These books will allow young readers to tap into music they would have never known existed without these important pieces of literature. They are great tools, as well as wonderful sources of entertainment. Don’t miss out on the happiness and self-determination these books can inspire in up-and-coming musicians of the new generation.

‘Last Voyage of the Demeter’—a horror journey that misses the mark

By MAGRIRA Special to the AmNews

Universal Pictures, the distributor for “The Last Voyage of the Demeter,” appears to have missed a significant marketing opportunity that, in this reviewer›s opinion, could have capitalized on the Halloween season. At the time of writing, this horror film was struggling at the box office.

In terms of the story, the creative team diverged from the well-trodden path of Bram Stoker›s Dracula adaptations and navigated this narrative into uncharted territory. Taking inspiration from a chapter in the Captain’s log, the tale unfolds as the merchant ship Demeter sets sail on a perilous journey from Romania to England. However, as night envelops the ship, safety yields to a reign of terror, thrusting the crew into torment at the hands of an unwelcome and bloodthirsty passenger— a vampire stowaway.

As the film unravels, it becomes evident that while the premise holds promise, the execution leaves much to be desired. Logical questions arise: With a group of ablebodied individuals on board, why doesn›t the crew seize the opportunity to eliminate the vampire while he slumbers in his coffin? Even the presence of the erudite British doctor, Clemens (Corey Hawkins), fails to galvanize the crew into action against the malevolent antagonist. While

interactions between characters, including the stern first mate Wojchek (David Dastmalchian) and the captain›s inexperienced grandson Toby (Woody Norman), present intriguing dynamics, they fail to reach their full potential.

Amidst the chilling atmosphere, mysterious cargo boxes hint at the horrors ahead. Yet, director André Øvredal strug-

gles to sustain a consistent sense of suspense. Instead of building tension, the film leans heavily on gore and violence, sacrificing the opportunity for genuine intrigue in favor of shock value.

A notable facet of the film is the inclusion of a strong, warrior-like woman among the crew. While her presence adds a layer of complexity, the impending doom that

hovers over the crew remains inescapable. The portrayal of Dracula, resembling a monstrous, winged bat, underscores his terrifying nature. However, the opportunity to delve into a more multifaceted characterization of the vampire is regrettably overlooked.

As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that the crew unwittingly serves as Dracula›s perpetual buffet—breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night snack. This notion, while morbidly fascinating, ultimately underscores the inescapable fate that awaits them.

In its entirety, “The Last Voyage of the Demeter” falls short of delivering the spinechilling horror it aspires to achieve. Despite its promising premise, the film struggles to maintain suspense and character depth, preventing it from realizing its full potential. Though moments of enjoyment can be found, the overall experience leaves much to be desired.

“The Last Voyage of the Demeter” is currently showing in theaters, with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. Directed by André Øvredal and penned by Bragi F. Schut, Zak Olkewicz, and inspired by Bram Stoker›s work, the film boasts a cast including Corey Hawkins, Aisling Franciosi, Liam Cunningham, David Dastmalchian, and Chris Walley.

Rated R for its intense fighting and biting scenes.

Liam Cunningham and Corey Hawkins in “The Last Voyage of the Demeter” (Images courtesy of Universal)

Corey Hawkins and Aisling Franciosi in “The Last Voyage of the Demeter”

‘Talk to Me’ could be another ‘Scream’ in the making

By DWIGHT BROWN NNPA News Wire

Every time they hold the hand and say “Talk to me,” something wicked their way comes. So, you’d think they’d stop. Right? No!

Hell hath no fury like teenagers left alone in a room with time on their hands. They’ll find trouble where there is none. That’s the premise of this mostly engrossing horror film. Writers Danny Philippou and Bill Hinzman know how to create compelling characters, seed their backgrounds, add distinguishing characteristics and propel them into situations that go beyond the human realm. As first-time directors, twin brothers Danny and co-director Michael Philippou guide a cast of young actors, who have a very natural presence, as they encounter something evil in suburban Adelaide, Australia. Game on.

A hand balanced on a severed forearm sits on a table. Word is, if you grasp it, a spirit will possess you and take you to another place. Some have tried it and bragged about the experience. Mia (Sophie Wilde) steps up in a room full of tweens and teens to try her luck. It’s her destiny. Her mom committed suicide and she’s become a surrogate sister to her best friend Jade (Alexandra Jensen), Jade’s very young brother Riley (Joe Bird) and a second daughter to Jade’s mom Sue (Miranda Otto). Mia seeks answers from the great beyond through the supernatural. The crowd encourages her: “Do it! Do it! Do it!”

Weird things happen after Mia holds the hand. She goes into a hallucinating trance. One by one other kids try it. They’re egged on by two older adolescents, Joss (Chris Alosio) and Hayley (Zoe Terakes), who act like older kids buying beers for younger ones just to watch them throw up. The incorrigibles start the proceedings with a chant: “Light a candle to open the door. Blow it out to close it.” The deeper Mia and the others go into the hand’s daze, the crazier the real world gets. Things go wrong when little Riley experiments—the power of the hand is unleashed.

Mia, haunted by her mom’s death, needs answers and that’s her impetus for experimenting with the five-finger demon. That yearning explains her torment and bad decisions. Her best friend is also dating her ex (Otis Dhanji), which adds tension. The passionate protagonist and curious plotline are just enough to pull audiences through to the end. Scare tactics and macabre images will keep viewers on edge; plus, Mia’s crossed signals with her adopted family add sorrow and mixed emotions to the table.

The movie starts with a bang, and teen genre fans looking for disturbing horror films will get just enough of what they want. What’s on view is never plausible but usually engaging, sometimes scary, and sometimes weird and creepy. That’s because the Philippou brothers have a good sense of

when to end a scene, when to frighten, and how to get emotionally strong performances from a very young cast.

The ensemble never steps out of character, no matter how improbable the situation. While Wilde and Otto are the standouts, best supporting actor must go to the embalmed hand. Obviously, this budget-challenged thriller was not made for a fortune, so kudos to its casting directors (Nikki Barrett, Kelly Graham), production designer (Bethany Ryan), costume designer (Anna Cahill), composer (Cornel Wilczek) and cinematographer (Aaron McLisky) for giving the film a feel that seems genuine in a genre where that isn’t even a requirement.

“Talk to Me” joins a swarm of other little horror films trying to bust out and make the big bucks the tiny indie “The Blair Witch Project” did years ago making $248M worldwide. That kind of success may or may not be in the cards, but a smart American producer would buy the rights to this project, cast up-and-coming young actors, and start a franchise that could become another “Scream” locomotive.

Adolescents will relate to these kids. Genre fans may like to see a cursed hand drive Australians crazy. Stranger things have happened. Wicked is as wicked does.

To watch the trailer, visit https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=aLAKJu9aJys

Sophie Wilde in “Talk to Me” (Matt Thorne photos)

HOROSCOPES BY KNOWYOURNUMB3RS

By

SUPREME

GODDESS KYA

August 17, 2023—August 23, 2023

Rebirth of A New Nation: The build-up to the upcoming themes playing out in slow motion during the planetary retrograde with all types of twist, turns, curves, loops, high and low speed traveling up the mountain like a merry-go-round, then halting. Wait—there has been a quiet storm brewing up for some time, mixed with water, lava, fire, dust, wind, and the unseen of miracles occurring within you and around you in your environment. The great-, great-, great-, great-, great-Mother/Father of time are walking beside humanity, so listen and when you are called or pulled to go or do something, make it happen without putting up a fight. It’s time to just do it, not complain and do it later. We are all spiritual beings and when you are in tune from within, you can do. The new moon in Leo at 23 degrees is a new beginning with determination to make a change in your life while shining your light. “The architecture of self-regulation is attunement” —Mona

Preparation, concentration, planning, fulfilling obligations are your strategies for August. Without a system in place, the operations, the structure of your personal business lifestyle, falls faster than its start. Balance is required to continue to climb the mountain. Cappy this week is a test of your commitment and how passionate you are about achieving what the mind has conceived to birth a new beginning in your life. From August 16t around 10:22 p.m. until 8:00 a.m. on August 19, surrender yourself to pouring into you and your plans. Watch your seeds grow when you position yourself accordingly.

New developments are on the rise for a new chapter in your life. A foundation is needed to have a place to stand on plus support your claim. You can be blinded or fooled by all the lights, cameras, and actions with people’s ulterior motives, including your own. Adjust your temperature a bit for a smoother ride. Be aware of your surroundings in the groups you are associated with. In the meantime, do what makes you feel great. From August 19 around 8:06 am until August 21 around 8 p.m., stay in your lane and use your blinker when you need to change lanes. No need to cause commotion.

This weekly cycle life is an open and closed door with emphasis on your character. Don’t embarrass yourself by thinking you are badass or the one who knows it all. Sit back and enjoy the ride because you are not in control. It’s better to gather your facts, figures, and make the necessary adjustments as you get ready to showcase or advertise your services and products. From August 21 around 8 p.m. until August 24 around 9 a.m., this is not the time for a spoiler alert, so apply the footwork to see results after Neptune retrogrades in Pisces station direct.

What a bountiful August this week to watch how the stories begin to add up. There is a lesson to learn about both the inner and outer influences plus responsibility—you need to hold yourself accountable for your actions. No need to put up a fight. Instead, clearing the air is a better approach. A metamorphosis revival is taking place with a splash date with destiny. In days leading up to August 24, the movie “Sister Act II” says it best: “If you wanna be somebody, if you wanna go somewhere, you better wake up and pay attention.”

Watching the sunrise and sunset is just as good as eating the fresh juicy fruits off the trees for providing nutrients to the body. This week, your senses, feelings, slight touches, and tugging on your ear—may I add, the goosebumps—when something resonates or scares the mess out of you are all signs of something. Acknowledge what you feel, make your own discernment, and continue your program. Remain calm to keep your energy afloat. The things we fear are something to overcome. Life is an experience with lessons, homework assignments from teachers or sensei, and sometimes you are the teacher/educator. From August 16 around 10:22 p.m. until 8:00 a.m. on August 19, a week of self-mastery is developing within you that you can feel. You are changing and know you will be tested before advancing to the next level.

Whether you swing low or high, there is a matter of the heart that needs to be addressed. Before you address the issue, reflect on the part you play and if the issue is something you failed to meet. Balance is needed during the conversation for mutual agreement to occur. Be mindful of your tone and the words used. No one is perfect, yet humanity can make progress to better ourselves in our environment and the people in our lives. From August 19 around 8:06 a.m. until August 21 around 8 p.m., listen more than you speak and what you seek will reveal itself.

Delahooke

What must be done from here on out is the cleansing of the spirit for the soul version of you to step forward. Relinquish, release what holds you back from progressing to new grounds. This week, a bit of turmoil is present to get you in alignment with a new adventure in your life. Just know you are gifted and guided when you allow yourself to be free. Address any prior obligations that show or pop up unannounced. From August 21 around 8 p.m. until August 24 around 9 a.m., trim any unnecessary fat in finances, personal, or business ventures and keep it that way until you are ready for something new.

Not everyone is honest and among those who say they are your friends, only you know who your true friends are. The universe has its ways of showing us clues, events, themes, places, and the timing of when things play out to announce its presence. Cross the bridge this week—there is more on the other side and the waters beneath the bridge and sightseeing mountains on the way. What you seek is within you. In days leading up to August 24, when you are ready for this new beginning, just know not everyone can go with you. This is a time of rebirth and elevations.

This week is a bit of a roller-coaster ride with high and low slides in between. The speed starts off slow and then elevates to 60 mph and back to 10 mph. The ride is just the beginning for getting your body, mind, spirit, soul into action and alignment for a new quest ahead. One thing that has to occur is looking into the mirror. What you see in the reflection can tell you the difference between three years ago and now. From August 16 around 10:22 p.m. until 8:00 a.m. on August 19, what are the messages, signs, symbols, sequences, and patterns that are speaking to you?

It all boils down to handling your business with honesty and your true intentions. When you seek answers, ask the right questions. This is a week to be noticed and take notice that your actions and the information given are accurate or speak from experience. Do what works for you. This is a week to address or attend to family matters. Spiritual messages surround you, so take heed of the information because there is a slow, heavy lesson upon you to learn and gain insight. From August 19 around 8:06 a.m. until August 21, the Bible states in Luke 6:31 and Matthew 7:12, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

This week may feel like you are twirling, swirling, spiraling, twisting all over the place to get you in alignment with what you need to do. Traveling is indicated for a reunion, course, mystery, or divine lesson of some type. There will be a meeting with the elders. Resources needed will present themselves unexpectedly in the nick of time. Listen closely and know what you feel is right. You will meet, learn, and be inspired from the wise women/men along the way. Hidden gems present themselves to collect while we are traveling. From August 21 around 8 p.m. until August 24, abundance is all around you.

There is a saying and a song that goes “He’s got the whole world in his hands.” You have hands, feet, legs, mouth, heart, eyes, arms, back, a mind, etc. that keep your engine revving and sparking your plugs to stay in motion. This week, travel to short- and far-distance to meet up with the wise owl of people, along with foreigners. Everything is working out, no plan is needed—just a phone call, conversation, and you showing up—the rest will follow. In days leading up to August 24, when you believe there is nothing else to do, the divine will lead the way.

Vinateria

Getting to the Gut of It: Dietitian-approved tips for overall wellness

Social media frequently touts weight loss trends and solutions. However, there’s another aspect to healthy eating that’s underappreciated but critical for overall wellness—gut health.

The body contains approximately 40 trillion bacteria, most of which are found in your gut, according to “Molecular Science.” The right balance of these bacteria is the key to good gut health.

Keeping your digestive system on track is important in your overall well-being, including immune and mental health, according to “Clinical Practice.” When there is a gut bacteria imbalance, many people experience discomfort or digestive issues.

To help improve and maintain gut health—and your overall wellness—consider these tips from Mia Syn, M.S., RDN, and Chobani:

1. Get a dose of probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed. They aid digestion and help maintain a healthy balance between good and bad bacteria.

2. Focus on fiber. Fiber helps keep digestion running smoothly. One type of fiber, prebiotics, may be especially beneficial because they help nourish and support the growth of good gut bacteria to create a balanced and healthy microbiome.

3. Power up with protein. While protein is not directly involved in nourishing gut bacteria, it provides essential amino acids and other nutrients that contribute to a healthy gut and overall digestive function. Protein is essential for the repair and maintenance of the gut lining, digestive enzyme production, efficient gut motility, and more.

Options like Chobani Zero Sugar Drinks (not a low-calorie food) provide 10 grams of protein per 7-ounce serving, plus billions of probiotics. Available in four flavors—Mixed Berry, Peaches & Cream, Strawberry Cheesecake and Milk & Cookies—the drinks are perfect while on the go or can be used as an ingredient in recipes like this Protein-Powered Chia Pudding 4 Ways. Sweetened with only natural sugar alternatives, free of lactose and preservatives, these drinks contain 0 grams of total sugar, are 50 calories, and are made using only natural, non-GMO ingredients.

Find more recipes and solutions to support gut health at chobani.com.

Protein-Powered Chia Pudding 4 Ways

Prep time: 15 minutes

Servings: 1 per flavor

Mixed Berry Blast:

1 Chobani Zero Sugar Mixed Berry Drink

3 tablespoons chia seeds

2 teaspoons pure maple syrup

1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries or chopped strawberries)

Peaches and Cream Dream:

1 Chobani Zero Sugar Peaches & Cream

Drink

3 tablespoons chia seeds

2 teaspoons manuka honey

1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 peach, chopped

1 tablespoon sliced almonds

Strawberry Cheesecake Delight:

1 Chobani Zero Sugar Strawberry Cheesecake Drink

3 tablespoons chia seeds

2 teaspoons pure maple syrup

1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup chopped strawberries

2 tablespoons low-sugar granola

Milk and Cookies Madness:

1Chobani Zero Sugar Milk & Cookies

Drink

3 tablespoons chia seeds

2 teaspoons pure maple syrup

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 teaspoons cacao nibs

2 teaspoons chopped hazelnuts

To make Mixed Berry Blast: In a small bowl, use a fork to whisk the mixed berry drink, chia seeds, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to thicken, then stir to distribute seeds. Stir in 1/2 cup berries and transfer to serving glass. Top with remaining berries.

To make Peaches and Cream Dream: In a small bowl, use a fork to whisk peaches and cream drink, chia seeds, honey, and

vanilla extract. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to thicken, then stir to distribute seeds. Stir in half the peaches and transfer to a serving glass. Top with remaining peaches and sliced almonds.

To make Strawberry Cheesecake Delight: In a small bowl, use a fork to whisk strawberry cheesecake drink, chia seeds, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Let mixture sit for 10 minutes to thicken, then stir to distribute seeds. Stir in 1/2 cup strawberries and transfer to a serving glass. Top with remaining strawberries and granola.

To make Milk and Cookies Madness: In a small bowl, use a fork to whisk milk and cookies drink, chia seeds, maple syrup, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. Let tehe mixture sit for 10 minutes to thicken, then stir to distribute seeds. Transfer to serving glass and top with cacao nibs and chopped hazelnuts.

(Family Features)

The BX welcomes Kingston Fashions for men Trends

By RENEE MINUS WHITE Fashion & Beauty Editor

At Kingston Fashions, located at 3984 White Plains Road in the Bronx, their recent opening day celebration was a fabulous splash of hip-hop and Caribbean music, Harley Davidson motorcycles, and high-fashioned menswear. Once inside the welldesigned shop, which offers two floors of menswear and a small baby line, you can feel the elegance while browsing through the latest styles from top designer fashion brands. Nice to find top quality, fashionable menswear uptown! Stop in and experience friendly, personable professionals who will help you find your best styles for every occasion.

The owners, Mr. & Mrs. Blakk Hyenaz, recently purchased the

store—originally established in 1978—while keeping the store’s original name. “My mom used to bring me to this Kingston Fashions store for shoes when I was a boy,” recalled Blakk. “It was always my dream to own and operate a store on White Plains Road of my own.” So when the former owner was ready to retire and sell, he was eager to step up and take over the space. “It was a dream come true,” he said. Blakk Hyenaz has also introduced its own brand, PB3, which includes some infant wear and sportswear in black and white on the second floor of the shop. There’s also a Harley Davidson motorcycle in the center of the shop; riding this motorcycle was another one of Blaykk’s dreams.

With COVID now relatively manageable and the vast change

in the neighborhood, bringing new buildings, more businesses and a younger generation, Kingston Fashion can live on and serve the community, as well as folks from all over the world. Shoppers will recognize the brands of top designer names like Yves St. Laurent, Clark, Ferragano, Dolce Gabanna, and Clarks, just to name a few. The collection includes luxurious dinner jackets, suits, ties, jewelry, footwear, shirts, T-shirts, hats, belts, and pants. Available in all sizes, these clothes are all impeccably tailored in the finest fabrics, and you’ll find colors, as well as unusual prints.

Store hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Stop in, and tell them you read about Kingston Fashions in the New York Amsterdam News! Follow on IG at @blakk.hyenaz.

Store interior at Kingston Fashions (Renee Minus White/A Time To Style photos)

Mr. and Mrs. Blakk Hyenaz, owners of Kingston Fashions with models

‘The Cottage’ is charming comedic fare

By LINDA ARMSTRONG

Special to the AmNews

When you walk into the Hayes Theater on W 44th Street, and you look at the artwork depicting a lovely country cottage on the stage, you suddenly realize that there is a lot more going on in this painting than one would expect. To some, the artwork might be considered almost shocking, and people in the audience found themselves standing up and truly taking a good long look at the painting and finding a lot of the actions depicted to be quite unexpected. This hinted that we were possibly about to see a play that was going to have a lot of zaniness and believe me, it lived up to the hype! “The Cottage” by Sandy Rustin, will have you stunned and laughing.

Multiple romantic relationships with people other than one’s spouse abound. I don’t want to be specific because part of the joy, humor, and delight in this play is witnessing the relationship with wideopen eyes. Let’s just say infidelity, indiscretion, non-commitment, and whipping one’s partner into shape are wildly amusing elements of this work.

The cast is absolutely intoxicating to watch.

Laura Bell Bundy is hilarious as Sylvia. Eric McCormack is truly a player as Beau. Alex Moffat is marvelous and adorable as Clarke. Dana Steingold is funny and naïve as Dierdre. Nehal Joshi is unpredictable and misjudged as Richard. Lilli Cooper has incredible comedic timing as Marjorie. Her character is very logical, but also very controlling in an abusive yet funny way. Tony Roach serves his seductive purpose as Oscar.

Now, if you are going to have a comedic play on Broadway, what better person to direct it than Jason Alexander? There is a level of humor that captures the attention and maintains it throughout the entire play, and while the humor is not side-splitting, but it’s definitely entertaining.The set by Paul Tate dePoo III is exquisitely detailed and gives the production a rich, privileged feel. For more info, visit www.thecottageonbroadway.com/

“The Half-God of Rainfall” is a tremendous experience at NYTW!

By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews

Exceptional theater enriches the spirit and the mind and that is what is being offered at the New York Theatre Workshop at 79 E 4th Street with the creative, captivating production of “The HalfGod of Rainfall” by Nigerian poet and playwright Inau Ellams. The production is co-produced with American Repertory Theatre. Sitting in the audience you realize that you are witnessing a masterclass in storytelling, as each of the seven-member cast introduces themselves and lets you know the characters they will portray. They let you know this is a poem and introduce the book and act for each section.

This production has to do with mythology—powerful gods like Zeus, Hera, Shango, Osun, Elegba, a mortal but highly favored female named Modupe, and her half-god son Demi—and the game of basketball. The stage design connected you to nature, as it was covered with dirt and the actors were barefoot. You got the sense from the beginning that this production was going to be somewhat of a spiritual, healing journey—and it truly is.

Every one of the seven actors delivered thunderbolts of mesmerizing performances. They told the story with their words, their bodies, and their hearts. I love how the actors stated the name of the character they were playing, the scene that was about to happen, and then proceeded to act the “heck” out of that moment! There was movement, humor, female violation, female degradation, but also female triumph. Now, if you want to know anything more about this production you have to go see it. I know that this is not how I usually write my reviews, but this is a production I want you to experience moment

by moment for yourselves. You can definitely put your trust in the seven cast members. Patrice Johnson Chevannes is strong, forceful, and protective as the Goddess Osun. Jason Bowen is stunning as the God Sango! Jennifer Mogbook delivers an intensely felt, chillingly moving performance as Modupe. Her pain, her suffering, will grip you to your very core! Lizan Mitchell is a veteran actress who completely absorbs her characters and proclaims their words through a powerfully projected vocal instrument. Watching her perform is a gift that stays with you! She deliv-

ers Elegba with strength, humor, and charm. Mister Fitzgerald is brilliant as Demi, the Half-God of Rainfall, son of Zeus and a phenomenal basketball player. He is a young man on a mission to right the wrong done to his mother and bring down Olympus. Michael Laurence is riveting to watch as Zeus. He brings out the character’s full disregard and resentment for humankind. He demonstrates an unbridled cruelty with no remorse in sight. Kelley Curran is delightful as Hera. She shows the different levels of this character with charm and grace. Movement plays a huge part in

this production, skillfully orchestrated by movement director Orlando Pabotoy. This magnificent, inspiring, and phenomenal work is directed by Taibi Magar. Every element of this production works to help the audience glean the most pleasure and lessons from it. It features costume design by Linda Cho, lighting design by Stacey Derosier, incredible sound design by Mikaal Sulaiman, and projection design by Tal Yarden, along with Orisha Movement Consulting/Choreography by Beatrice Capote. There is even a voice and dialect director—DawnElin Fraser. This production will run through August 20 only!

Jason Bowen, Patrice Johnson Chevannes and Jennifer Mogbook in “The Half-God of Rainfall” at NYTW. (Joan Marcus photos)

Mister Fitzgerald and Lizan Mitchell in “The HalfGod of Rainfall” at NYTW.

A scene from “The Cottage” at the Hayes Theater: (l-r) Eric McCormack, Laura Bell Bundy, Alex Moffat, Lilli Cooper and Dana Steingold (Joan Marcus photos).

Lilli Cooper in a scene from “The Cottage.”

Harlem Week, Poughkeepsie Jazz, Doug Carn

softly the swishing of their wings as they el egantly descend on the river bank. The sail boats are so inviting that it seems as though you can almost leap aboard for a quick sail and return before the next band completes its setup.

HARLEM WEEK runs from now until August 20. The local family event that began in 1974 has since become an international affair. Its roster of live music ventures far beyond jazz but remains in the element of Black music. When the one-day event, now a fun-filled month, first began its journey, hip hop music was also in its infancy. Now, as HARLEM WEEK celebrates its 49th anniversary, hip hop is celebrating its 50th. And this year’s HW theme is apropos for both celebrations, ”Be the Change. Hope. Joy. Love.”

The last few days will continue with a combustion of activity on August 19. Its Summer in the City event takes place on this day from noon until 9 p.m., with three stages of live entertainment featuring performances from Harlem born hip hop rapper, producer and director Cam’Ron, the adult urban fashion show, Broadway Plays and more at the St Nicholas Avenue Main Stage, on 135th Street St. Nicholas Avenue - 5th Avenue. R&B singer and two-time Grammy winner Stephanie Mills, R&B singer Bobby Valentino (known as Bobby V), and Hi-Five, the R&B group known for its #1 hit “I Like the Way (The Kissing Game),” will appear on the Rise Up NYC Concert Stage.

Hip hop pioneer DMC of RUN-DMC will host the Alex Trebek Harlem Children’s Spelling Bee in from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Just as the summer wind must bow to autumn leaves, this historical HARLEM WEEK comes to its finale on August 20, HARLEM DAY (1 p.m. - 8 p.m.). The day will include four stages of live entertainment featuring performances from the Broadway plays MJ, The Wiz, and Moulin Rouge; celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of hip hop courtesy of the Hip Hop Hall of Fame with a performance from Rob Base, known for the hip hop anthem “It Takes Two;” an Apollo Hour with special guest rapper Fabolous, a salute to the late Heavy D with performances from Jeff Redd & Horace Brown; Mary J. Blige presents a performance from WanMor (sons of Wanya Morris, member of the international group Boyz II Men), and an international tribute to the late Harry Belafonte. All of the action will take place on 135th Street from St. Nicholas Ave to 5th Ave.

For a complete schedule of all activities, visit the website harlemweek.com.

Since its fledgling times, Jazz in the Valley has offered an unforgettable ambiance, giving fans the opportunity to enjoy jazz while sitting on the banks of the Hudson River, observing birds flying high, as you hear ever so

Silent serenity is the magical backdrop for the live performances taking place at Jazz in the Valley on August 20 at Waryas Park, Poughkeepsie, New York from noon to 6 p.m.. The cast of musicians curated by the festi val’s artistic director, saxophonist and com poser Javon Jackson will include; NEA Jazz Master and renowned drummer Louis Hayes and his Quintet playing originals and tunes from his latest album release Exactly Right Also, the Javon Jackson Band will play, featur ing Aimee Allen, a daring singer/songwriter who is never afraid to follow her imagina tive flow. Jackson has common-geared his own tenor sax voice while coming out of the Cannonball Adderley, Lou Donaldson, Stan ley Turrentine school of blues, soul and any thing that swings. But having been a member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, a bootcamp band of jazz, we wouldn’t expect any less from the tenor. His 2022 album release, The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni (Solid Jackson), is a joyful emotional journey that takes you directly to the soul of life. This album, with Giovanni’s words, elevates it into the same sphere as Coltrane’s Love Supreme, Alice Col trane’s Huntington Ashram Monastery, and Pharoah Sander’s Karma. Hopefully, his rep ertoire will include a few soul-moving tunes from the Gospel…

Sonido Solar concludes the main lineup with an Afro-Cuban tribute to salsa and Latin jazz composer, bandleader, and pianist Eddie Palmieri. Also performing is the rising ensemble Scatter the Atoms That Remain, which features tenor saxophonist Emilio Modeste, bandleader/pi anist Davis Whitfield, bassist Otto Gardner and drummer Franklin Kiermyer. With such a group name, expect nothing ordinary; they will be playing tunes from their latest album Emancipation Suite.

For information and tickets, visit the website jazzinthevalleyny.org or call 845-9432900.

Upon learning the incomparable pianist/ organist, composer and lyricist Doug Carn would be performing at Dizzy’s jazz club, I made it a point to be there. Carn is an unsung musician who, with all his outstanding talent, remains under the radar, at least in the States. He says over the years and now, he performs in Paris, Germany and other parts of Europe. He’s also played at the Monterey Jazz Festival in California. His most recent album was in 2020 with the eclectic record label Jazz Is Dead, with producer musicians Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad. His music landmark swings back to the late 1960s when he was earning a fierce reputation as an organist/pianist forging his own path; he was an innovator from the beginning, as demon-

interpretation of Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme took on another turn with the vocals of Farmer. The songstress handled a most difficult arrangement to play, much less sing, but she handled it with the grace and style of a jet pilot in the midst of death-defying maneuvers. She and the band handled the vocals and instrumentals the same on the song “Revelation,” it was a stirring spiritual movement that inspired a standing ovation. Yes, Doug Carn is still at the top with his harmonic phrases, cascading chords giving to pulsating moments.

During our phone interview, Carne shared how in his earlier days, he wasn’t aware of John Coltrane until a friend turned him on. “I listened to his albums all night and the next morning, I had been converted into a Coltranite,” said Carn. “The next day, I told a friend about my Coltrane discovery, and he promptly noted, ‘well, you should listen to Wayne Shorter.’

And I did, man I love Wayne and Coltrane to this very day.”

Carn loved Shorter’s music so much that he wrote lyrics to his instrumental compositions such as “Infant Eyes” and “Sanctuary.” He says, “Wayne liked the way I wrote and harmonized.” Carne noted,

“Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter and Stanley Turrentine can’t be duplicated they are playing more than just scales; they bring in varied tonalities. He feels meeting Farmer was luck and coincidence. “She posted two of my songs on MySpace and I found out that she knew all my songs,” says Carn. “I didn’t have to teach her anything, she had it down. So, I use her as much as I can; she’s exceptional.” Listen for the name Doug Carn; if he’s performing, be there. Carn is a true unrelenting contributor to this style of music.

IMPACT. LEGACY.

Javon

Jackson(JonathanChimenphotos)

Medicare

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city over Medicare plans. They also previously filed to stop the city from charging seniors copays.

“The Mayor and the unions stand to gain hundreds of millions of dollars by forcing retirees into a federally funded Medicare Advantage plan,” said Gardener. “They want to basically save money on the backs of elderly and disabled retirees.”

Gardener said that the Medicare changes posed by the city pit retirees against active union members, like the Municipal Labor Committee (MLC). The MLC publicly supported and helped craft the city’s Medicare Advantage plan.

The Mayor’s office is reportedly “extremely disappointed” with the judge’s ruling and intends to appeal. The office maintained that the Medicare Advantage plan would improve retirees’ current plans and save $600 million annually. “This decision only creates confu-

Asylum

Continued from page 3

a serious need to address the long-term drivers of the housing crisis and record homelessness impacting the city as well.

“Today, our call to action is loud and clear: the Federal and State administrations and private sector must aid New York City in addressing the migrant crisis – the well-being of our city demands it,” said Reynoso in a statement. “As Borough President, I am ready to do my part in welcoming our new neighbors – earlier this summer, I offered to the Adams Administration that Borough Hall could be used as a shelter for migrants, a promise that I stand ready to fulfill. The City of New York is stepping up to provide for our new neighbors, but we cannot do it alone, and many of the partners that we need have been absent for far too long. I implore President Biden, Governor Hochul, and the private sector to step up.”

Meanwhile, in a joint City Council

New Jersey

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financial support, to succeed in whatever your industry may be.”

NJBAC Executive Director Melanie Willoughby also spoke about the center’s mission, saying, “The NJ Business Action Center exists to help New Jersey businesses navigate state government. We are dedicated to providing a wide range of services, including assistance with state tax certification, guidance to help businesses qualify for government contracts, and

sion and uncertainty among our retirees.”

Gardener said that when the city and Mayor appeal, there’s a possibility that the appellate court could disagree with Frank’s ruling. There is also a slim but rare chance that the case could make it all the way to the New York State Court of Appeals, he said.

Like Lander, Councilmember Charles Barron — who introduced a bill allowing municipal retirees to keep their existing plans in late June — felt vindicated by Frank’s ruling. He told the AmNews that it was a major victory against privatization and for Black workers.

“It means that [Black city employees] have to be respected and protected, and that the city has to honor their commitment that they made to them when they were making these meager wages and settling for them because they promised them when they retire, they would have adequate health care,” said Barron. “This means the city has to honor that. And that means a whole lot for Black workers who struggled all their life. They didn’t make much as it was when they retired. These are not

hearing on immigration and general welfare held on Aug 10, council members grilled city commissioners about Adams’s new 60-day shelter stay limit for asylum-seeking adult single men.

Many fear the rule will lead to more migrants resorting to street homelessness. City leadership testifying in the hearing did not say they have a satisfactory backup plan should that happen.

New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) Executive Director Murad Awawdeh harshly reprimanded Adams’s immigration policies.

“Mayor Eric Adams must stop doubling and tripling down on bad strategies and policies that don’t work and never did. His administration has remained in an emergency crisis posture since the first buses arrived instead of developing a long-term strategy on how to house and integrate new arrivals,” said Awawdeh.

Awawdeh said that advocates have repeatedly demanded that Adams stop building new relief and respite centers and focus on moving people from shelters into permanent housing. “Yet, the

support in getting certified as a minority-owned business. By obtaining these designations, businesses can access various state programs and resources, opening doors to contract set-asides, supplier diversity programs, and opportunities in specialized programs such as the New Jersey Cannabis Training Academy, an initiative aimed at guiding social equity, legacy, Impact Zone license applicants through the legal cannabis marketplace.”

For more information on the NJBAC, visit https://nj.gov/state/bac/ or call 1-800JERSEY-7.

––Compiled by Karen Juanita Carrillo

people who retired with some big-time pension and big-time healthcare. These are low-wage workers.

“And now it says to the — this judge and my legislation — that you must honor them and you must protect them and keep up to your commitment to their healthcare. And nothing is more important than healthcare. Healthcare is a human right. And not for corporations to maximize profit over people and their healthcare.”

Despite Frank’s ruling, Barron maintains the importance of passing his bill, which he says will codify this ban. He says 17 of his city council colleagues have so far signed on but says a supermajority is crucial to prevent a potential mayoral veto.

Lander later told the AmNews that he also saw the ruling as a victory for the Black municipal workforce.

“This ruling is a win for the many Black city retirees who fought for the healthcare that they worked so hard for and were promised,” said Lander. “It is vital that all Black seniors — and New Yorkers — get quality health coverage as a basic human

Adams administration is stubbornly sticking to a plan that is costly and clearly isn’t working,” said Awawdeh. “Threatening further austerity measures as a necessary evil is simply disingenuous.”

Ariama C. Long is a Report for America

Continued from page 3

of resources.

The event takes place Saturday, Aug. 26, from 12 noon to 6 p.m. at Alice Kornegay Triangle, E. 128th St. in Harlem. For more information, contact Art in the Park via email info@artinthepark128. org or phone 470-593-9887.

right. New York’s Black public sector retirees have contributed so much to this city, and I am deeply grateful for their service.”

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

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

––Compiled by Karen Juanita Carrillo

CLASSROOM IN THE

Attorney Frankie Muse Freeman, NAACP legend and civil rights advocate

ACTIVITIES

FIND OUT MORE

In 2006, Frankie was interviewed by HistoryMakers which supplied most of the information about her here.

DISCUSSION

In the attempt to gain more information on her intellectuality, we sought in vain her Spingarn Medal speech.

PLACE IN CONTEXT

Frankie lived more than a century, practically the full expanse of the twentieth century where her presence was significant.

By HERB BOYD

Special to the AmNews

Frankie Muse Freeman came to me during a conversation with Dr. Marcella Maxwell. She shared with me her remarks about her good friend Dr. Hazel Nell Dukes and other recipients of the Spingarn Medal, including Ms. Freeman. All of the women she cited were familiar names, but Freeman’s was new to me and thus began my pursuit.

Her birth name was Marie Frankie Muse, and she was born on November 24, 1916, in Danville, Virginia. Her parents, Maude Beatrice Smith Muse and William Brown Muse, came from college-educated families. Among her relatives were Charles Sumner Muse, Edward Muse, and Clarence Muse, the acclaimed writer and actor. As a child, she attended Westmoreland School, where she studied music, especially the piano.

A fast learner, she was 16 when she

enrolled in Hampton Institute, her mother’s alma mater, between 1933 and 1936. At some point, she visited New York, where she met and married Shelby T. Freeman. In 1944, she was admitted to Howard University Law School, where William H. Hastie and Spottswood Robinson were two of her teachers. She was an outstanding student, graduating second in her class in 1947.

Two years later, she opened her law office in the Jefferson Bank Building and immediately began her long participation in the Civil Rights Movement. In the NAACP’s Brewton v. the Board of Education of St. Louis in 1949, Freeman, Sidney Redmond, Robert Witherspoon, and Henry Espy were the attorneys who argued that case to victory. In 1954, the same year of Brown v. the Board of Education, she was the lead attorney for the landmark NAACP case, Davis et al v. the St. Louis Housing Authority, ending racial discrimination in housing.

Freeman became the first associate general counsel for the St. Louis Housing Authority and Land Clearance Authority. Her ascendance continued in 1958 when she became a charter member of the Missouri advisory committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Eventually, she provided NAACP counsel to CORE activists demonstrating against hiring discrimination policies at Jefferson Bank.

President Lyndon Johnson recognized her considerable skills and talent and, in 1964, appointed her as the first female member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, a post in which she served for 16 years. Later, during the Carter administration, she served as Inspector General for the Community Services Administration. She was also a municipal court judge in the 1970s. A tireless advocate, Freeman helped form a bipartisan Citizens Commission on Civil Rights to monitor the federal government’s

enforcement of laws barring discrimination in 1982. Freeman was a practicing attorney for more than 50 years.

She sat on many boards, including the Trustees of Howard University, the National Council on Aging, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, the United Way of Greater St. Louis, the Metropolitan Zoological Park, the St. Louis Center for International Relations, and the Museum District. She was also a national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Along with the Spingarn Medal, she received honorary doctorates from Hampton University, Washington University in St. Louis, and Howard University. She was inducted into the National Bar Association’s Hall of Fame in 1990 while she was still practicing law.

In 2003, she published her memoir, A Song of Faith and Hope. There is a statue of her in downtown St. Louis. She died in 2018 at 101 years old.

THIS WEEK IN BLACK HISTORY

Aug. 13, 1881: The first nursing school for African Americans opened at Spelman College in Atlanta.

Aug. 13, 1948: Opera singer Kathleen Battle was born in Portsmouth, Ohio.

Aug. 14, 1968: Oscarwinning actress Halle Berry was born in Cleveland, Ohio.

Mississippi Gov. Paul Johnson, right, reads a statement before the U. S. Commission on Civil Rights which opened a public hearing in Jackson, February 16, 1965. Listening from left are John A. Hannah, Commission Chairman; and Commission members Mrs. Frankie Muse Freeman and Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh. Next to Johnson is an unidentified commission assistant. (AP Photo)

Food bank

Continued from page 3

weather numerous crises, said Ocasio. During the COVID pandemic, there was an allotment increase for SNAP benefits nationwide to address the sharp rise in food insecurity. For almost three years since then, families of all class backgrounds came to rely on benefits or supplemental groceries from food pantries to get by. The allotment ended in March 2023, decreasing as food prices inflated.

Alabama

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Mr. Ray will continue to participate with the ongoing investigation concerning the same and is committed to being forthcoming about his limited role in the brawl.”

Before Ray was arrested, four of the whites involved in what some are openly calling “a hate crime” and “gang assault” eventually turned themselves in after the loud outcry. The four, out of the crowd of whites involved in the assault, are charged with only one count of misdemeanor third-degree assault so far. They are Mary Todd, 21; Allen Todd, 23; Zachery Shipman, 25; and Richard Roberts, 48.

In a statement, the city said police are conducting a “frame-by-frame analysis of the videos of the brawls and extensive interviews with witnesses and the victim [co-captain Damien Pickett].”

However, members of the Black community from all walks of life are so united by the blatant, unprovoked nature of yet another assault on a Black man by seemingly entitled rowdy whites, in a city known for its fight for racial and social justice, have donated $270,000 as of press time to Ray’s legal defense fund through a GoFundMe page.

A cursory glance at social media reveals the level of support for Ray, Pickett, and Aaren Rudolph, 16, who jumped off the boat and swam to defend his co-worker. Aaren Rudolph lost his shoe as he swam to the dock, and the community sent him so much money, he wrote a post giving thanks, but saying he now had enough money.

According to Picket; Jim Kittrell, co-captain of the Harriott II; and dozens of witnesses, the trouble began when the boat owners refused several requests, even by the PA system, for 45 minutes, to move their pontoon from the designated spot where the city-owned Harriot II Riverboat always docks. When Pickett attempted to untie the out-of-place boat, as is apparently customary in such circumstances, a group of white males approached him and attacked him. When Pickett looked toward the Harriott II and threw his cap in the air, it was taken as a signal by Black observers that a situation was about to begin. And it did.

With Pickett surrounded and on the ground, Black folk, including Rudolph, came from every direction. In self-defense and participation, Ray picked up the folding chair. The melee took on a life of its own, and 1,000 memes and social

Ocasio said the end of the allotment affected a lot of residents and the emergency food network as a whole.

“Folks [who] had those benefits, they were dropped, so we immediately saw our numbers spike,” said Ocasio. The numbers are not like the height of COVID, but the Food Bank is still seeing a need for its services, she said.

Ocasio said in disadvantaged communities and even in objectively “wealthy” neighborhoods in the city, there are residents who live in pockets that lack access to food, especially with the onslaught of the

media comments were instantly born. The spirit of a rebirthed community undivided and calls for renewed allegiance and unity have also spread nationwide.

Kittrell said that it was not a “Black and white thing.” He told WACV radio station, “This was our crew upset about these idiots.” Kittrell said he knew the troublesome boaters from their actions last year, including stealing a golf cart intended to be used to transport the elderly and people with mobility issues off and on the boat.

Speaking with Alabama’s 93.1 radio station, Kittrell said, “This is the same group that comes every year. They’re from Selma. And we’ve had trouble with them in the past, but just jokey things.”

As 200 passengers waited to disembark, he said that when some of the crew members saw Pickett being assaulted, they “felt they had to retaliate, which was unfortunate.”

With its connection to the trauma of anti-Black violence and hundreds of cases of injustice, including police misconduct, flooding news outlets and social media newsfeeds, the August 5 incident has proven to be something of a rallying cry nation-, if not world-, wide.

Amsterdam News columnist Dave Goodson said, “Fight or flight? Eye for an eye or turn the other cheek? Ultimately for us, it’s been MORTALITY vs. MORALITY. Our natural instinct to survive at all cost has a built-in delay, fueled by years of what could happen if we were to think of resistance, let alone retaliation, but also a degree of mercy never extended to us. Being outnumbered didn’t help much, either. Those factors tally to a result that reads ‘the moral ground you stand on could be used to bury you.’

“An August day in Alabama was a dose of what ‘Damn that, I’ve had enough,’ mixed with some ‘This is not what you want’ looks like. The pride lies in the fact that the objective was clear. Let’s see how they operate when the field is level and the pressure is on. Team Us vs. Team Y’all, and we got all our sisters, so Karens can get it, too. No damage was done to a symbol of their tormentors, but rather the tormentors (and instigators) themselves.”

Montgomery Police Department’s Major Saba Coleman said that there would be no hate crime charges after they talked to the FBI.

“All these individuals having smartphones and cameras have democratized media and information,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson. “In the past, it was a very narrow scope on what news was being reported and from what perspectives.” That meant,

migrant crisis that began last year. According to recent city numbers, there are more than 57,000 asylum seekers in the city, in addition to the homeless population, who need shelter, food, and services currently.

The Food Bank is already a crisis management agency when it comes to food, so it was able to adapt to support food programs that saw more migrants, said Ocasio.

“I know that we have seen migrants come to the community kitchen, and there were times in the winter when [although] we don’t typically take donations of clothing, some Venezuelan mi -

he added, it “opened up an opportunity for America as a whole to understand the impact of racism, the impact of violence, and the opportunity to create a narrative that’s more consistent with keeping African Americans and other communities safe.”

With folk last week referencing the George Floyd police murder in Minneapolis, the George Zimmerman murder of Trayvon Martin in Florida, and the kidnapping and murder of Emmett Till in Mississippi, the Black community was ready for an actual show of Black unity in the face of racist violence. Reports state that Bloods and Crips showed up together in a sign of unity directly affected by the events in Alabama.

“It is interesting that this complete defense of Black people happened in Black August,” said Barron. “One of the most powerful takeaways is seeing the young man who swam to save his brother. This is a new day in seeing how we defend each other. You see neighbors suddenly introducing themselves. You see gang members joining bandanas, understanding that there is strength in unity. Those boaters may have been inspired by Trump’s visit that week, but those Black people showed them that there will be consequences and repercussions if you attack us. You will get what your hands call for. That response came from the depth of their souls. It shows that you don’t have to be politically astute, but know that fundamentally in our spirit that we are not going to stand for some out-of-control, outof-their-minds violent white people if they try to put their hands on us.”

The significance of Black August

“Black August holds major significance,” Youth Minister Divine Allah, a recent Trenton City Council candidate Black Panther, told the Amsterdam News. “It is the month of Marcus Garvey’s 17th August birthday; Huey P. Newton [was] assassinated [on] 22nd August; Fred Hampton’s birthday [is] 30th August; and Nat Turner’s rebellion took place in August. This is the month when we acknowledge these significant dates. For those critiques on the outside of grassroots organizing and what we call ‘the Movement,’ they should heed what a lot of grandmothers told us: ‘If you have nothing positive to say, then say nothing.’ Remember it is the sacrifice of a few that has allowed for the freedoms of the many to be even able to criticize the work being done on their behalf.

“We don’t need them to apologize for our revolutionary stance, and it is those same

grants had come in literally in flip-flops and T-shirts. They were unprepared for the weather and it was very frigid,” said Ocasio. “Luckily, we had some new coats from a partner…realizing that it was a crisis situation.”

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

people, national leadership included, who often benefit the most.”

While aware of the feel-good-factor energy that is flowing through the community since the Alabama incident, Allah said, “Social media revolutionaries are not activists. They have not connected the dots, nor have they done the work to create a full, fundamental understanding. Holding a couple of food drives, talking to some homeless people, doesn’t make you an activist or an organizer as you try [to] present a comfortable position within this system that we are trying to expose and dismantle.”

“The Alabama instant community response resonates globally because racism still exists,” said

Caleef El Bey Cousar, former chairman of the Brooklyn Chapter of the New York State Black Panther Party under Minister Khalid Abdul Muhammad. “Racism 2023 is a quiet energy. This is why people are reacting the way they are. You don’t often see that instant response of such magnitude. Five white people may have been arrested, but what about the others? The Black guys skipping toward the boat, [the] chair, the swimming…it’s all urban legend now!

“I honestly feel that although it has taken off in a global manner, it has been downplayed by the mainstream. That’s why we’ve got to keep reposting it, and keep the flame burning, because it allows those who remember not to forget; and for those who don’t know, they will learn that Black [people] have and still will instinctively heed a call to defend and fight in the presence of this deep-rooted, continuously inflicted racism that we bear witness to every day with their micro and macro aggressions.”

A decades-long activist and Gold Keyholder with Sonny Abubadika Carson’s Committee to Honor Black Heroes, Cousar added, “Black August is a month to recognize all Black ancestor-inspired commitments to continue the same aggressive, and [the] righteous fight for our natural-born rights.”

The celebration of Black August in Harlem continues this week, with the United Negro Improvement Association’s 62nd Marcus Garvey Day at 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 17, at Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park (5th Avenue and 124th Street).

In addition, as part of Harlem Week, the Black Panther Commemoration Committee has scheduled the “Black Panther Way” street co-naming ceremony for Sunday, Aug. 20, at 1 p.m., at W. 122nd Street and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. For more information, send email to Panthershepcat@aol.com.

Two Black children’s books for kids with big dreams

By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the Amnews

Our next generation is the most important facet of the Black community. Adulthood is a vital and crucial part of life as we are the purveyors of culture, education, media, and technological intelligence and are paving the way for a more inclusive, intelligent, and conscious future. Our youth will come into this world with more privilege. This is without a doubt thanks to our ancestors and thoughtful Black parents. But the next generation will always need guidance, grace, and leadership in order to continue the forward motion of our Black American, Afro-Latin and diasporic collective. This week, we feature two Black children’s books that will nurture curious and courageous children with big dreams.

“A Place of Our Own” written by Joshunda Sanders and illustrated by Charly Palmer, and “Rooting For Plants: The Unstoppable Charles S. Parker, Black Botanist and Collector” written by Janice N. Harrington and illustrated by Theodore Taylor III are pieces of literature that highlight the greatness and resilience of Black excellence.

A Place of Our Own by Joshunda Sanders, Illustrated by Charly Palmer (Six Foot Press)

Ages: 4-7

A follow up to young Ava Murry’s adventures in “I Can Write the World,” Ava, an eight-year-old journalist, finds fault in the overheated asphalt of her overheated neighborhood in New York City. Ava’s mother informs her that the city will be constructing a new park, and the young brave girl makes it a point to request a comfortable environment for her friends to play. She makes her plea even more compelling by working hard to write a story on the conditions of her city and the local children’s needs for cooling grass and shade from tall leafy trees. This book is a wonderful addition to children’s libraries for kids who are curious, outspoken, unafraid of adults, and self-aware of their needs and empathetic to the needs of those around

them. World-renowned visual artist Charly Palmer offers vibrant and lush illustrations to Ava’s incredible story.

Rooting for Plants: The Unstoppable Charles S. Parker, Black Botanist and Collector by Janice N. Harrington, Illustrated by Theodore Taylor III (Calkins Creek / Boyds Mills Press) Ages: 7-12

Many people may not know about the unsung work of botanist Charles S. Parker. This charming and educational book tells of the life and adventures of a man who loved plants since he was a boy. When he grew up, he fought in World War I and endured discrimination and racism. But it wasn’t the prejudice that alarmed him as much as the destruction the war caused to the ecological environment. This gave Parker the bravery to follow

his dreams and become an important figure in the science and environmental community to create a healthier world for all. If you are looking to inspire your

children, young family members, or the kids of your closest friends, “Rooting for Plants” is a great way to introduce them to different career paths. It’s also

an important avenue for introducing young Black children to the sciences.

Exposing young Black children to many different career paths is important work for our communities to take an active role in. Encouraging kids to find their personal likes and preferences regarding their passions, interests, and career pursuits will make all the difference when they enter the competitive education and university landscape as well as the job market. Being mindful to bring more inclusivity in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) as well as journalism, creative writing, technical writing, and advertising will offer them opportunities that were previously unavailable to them simply due to lack of awareness that these jobs and careers exist.

Exposing young Black children to many different career paths is important work for our communities to take an active role in.

Stop and Frisk

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they have the right to refuse. Intro. 538 would allow residents to see if the NYPD is abiding by the Right to Know Act and provide a fuller picture of its use of consent searches.

These bills encompass basic transparency measures that are both simple and doable. In fact, Judge Ariel Belen, the facilitator for the

Kamala Harris

remedies process, wrote in his final report that this kind of reporting creates virtually no additional burden on officers. In the age of smartphones, reports like these could be accomplished in a matter of seconds. This common sense, good government legislation is supported by a majority of the city council and is a natural and simple next step to a safer New York. The Speaker and the City Council must pass this critical leg-

nificant but ultimately low-investment criminal justice reform.

islation and Mayor Adams must sign it into law without delay. New Yorkers need the HMSA as we continue to transform our city into a city that is safe, dignified, and equitable for all of us.

Vincent Warren (he/him) is the executive director of the Center for Constitutional Rights, which brought the case on behalf of New Yorkers who had been unconstitu-

tionally stopped and frisked by the NYPD.

Loyda Colón (they/them) is the executive director of the Justice Committee, a grassroots organization that spearheaded Daniels v. City of New York – the class action stopand-frisk lawsuit that preceded Floyd – with the Center for Constitutional Rights, and was part of the advisory committee for the Floyd Joint Remedies Process.

Democratic Party. After speaking about voting rights at predominantly Black events, for instance, she shifted to touting investments in broadband expansion when addressing predominantly white audiences in Wisconsin a few days later. Then she highlighted policies on gun violence prevention to a largely Black audience in Chicago the next day.

The policies she marketed to Black audiences seemed designed to benefit the party without committing significant resources to development—and especially that of young men. For years now, the party has distanced itself from the economic and cultural investments Stacy Abrams once called the “Black Men’s Agenda.” Instead, it has offered the drumbeat of sig-

As such, the symbolic value of Harris in Black political history may be reaching an endpoint. Looking ahead, Democratic leaders— and the national Black political class—may want to begin the process of considering replacements for Biden’s second term. A new vice president—and the selection process—could inject excitement into a team that has gone stale.

The Democratic Bench of Veep Alternatives

So, who would be the potential alternative candidates on the Democratic bench? Here are five party stalwarts with institutional or political backgrounds to serve as a stabilizing vice-presidential presence.

Michelle Obama: As the only Black American first lady, Michelle Obama fostered one of the most welcoming and inclusive White

House cultures in history. She initiated the “Let’s Move” program to combat childhood obesity, “Joining Forces” to rally support for military families, and “Reach Higher,” an initiative to encourage young people to pursue vocational and college education.

Keisha Lance Bottoms: Keisha Lance Bottoms worked in the three branches of Atlanta government, including as a prosecutor, judge, city councilmember and mayor. As the city’s 60th mayor, between 2018 and 2022, she worked to make Atlanta a more affordable, resilient and equitable city. Her political organization helped to make Georgia a critical swing state in the deep South. In 2022, Biden appointed her as his senior adviser to the Office of Public Engagement and later to the President’s Export Council, which advises on international trade matters.

Gretchen Whitmer: Michigan Gov.

Gretchen Whitmer would bring the experience of a former state legislator and executive of a Midwest swing state. She would appeal to moderate suburban women voters valuable to the party. She has strong support within the state’s Black community. And her selection would elevate the role of Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, a Detroit native and rising star in state politics. He would become the first Black governor of a Midwest state, with time to prepare to run for a full term.

Deval Patrick: Patrick went from the South Side of Chicago to becoming a graduate of Harvard College and Law School. He was an attorney with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and then Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights in the Clinton administration. Patrick also oversaw the Department of Justice investigation of Black church burnings. From 2006-2015, he was governor of Massachusetts,

the state’s first Black executive. Patrick expanded access to health insurance, improved public schools and infrastructure, and launched biotech and clean energy initiatives.

No doubt, Democratic Party leaders will think of other viable candidates to be vice president or will make a compelling case for retaining Harris. What is critical for the party is that discussions occur before Biden enters the primary elections next year. What is vital for the Black community is crafting a forward-looking agenda of development in a political unity summit.

Roger House is an associate professor of American Studies at Emerson College and the author of “Blue Smoke: The Recorded Journey of Big Bill Broonzy” and “South End Shout: Boston’s Forgotten Music Scene in the Jazz Age.” A version of this commentary appeared in The Messenger.

Continued from page 2

Uganda. In this fight, Wine must also take on the country’s police and military who used violence and torture in an attempt to intimidate and silence him and his supporters.

Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known by his stage name Bobi Wine, is the current leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and the People Power Movement.

Born in Mpigi District in Uganda on Feb. 12, 1982, he grew up in the Kamwokya slums in the northeast part of Kampala. His mother was a

nurse and his father was a veterinarian and farmer.

On the campaign trail, he took on the fight for hospital sanitization, malaria prevention, refugee rights and children’s education. His songs are a peaceful protest and a mix between education and entertainment, focusing on Uganda’s underprivileged and low-income earners and calling upon young people to join politics and change their country’s destiny.

Last December, the U.S. govern-

Afro Ecuadorans

Continued from page 2

Continued from page 12 Lasso, via the constitutional instrument known as “Muerte Cruzada” (Cross Death), which allowed him to free himself from impeachment proceedings for his crimes against public administration.

Governmental management has been absent in Ecuador for a little more than six years, during which insecurity and general instability worsened, massive crimes took place in prisons, and murders in the streets, in the style of sicariato (hired assassinations), became routine.

ment invited Museveni to the U.S.Africa Leaders Summit, a move harshly criticized by Senator Robert Menendez, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (D-New Jersey). He asked Biden to isolate Museveni from the summit, saying his “disregard of basic democratic and human rights norms is inconsistent with U.S. values and foreign policy goals.”

Despite Museveni’s “troubling track record,” he noted, Uganda “remains one of the top recipients of U.S. foreign aid and security assistance.”

Bobi Wine is married to Barbara Itungo Kyagulanyi, known as Barbie, with whom he has four children.

Following the terrifying Aug. 9 assassinations of Villavicencio after a campaign rally in Quito and now Briones in the San Mateo parish in Esmeraldas, President Lasso issued a decree declaring a two-month state of emergency. Yet the National Electoral Commission says elections are still scheduled to take place Aug. 20, 2023.

Voting is mandatory in Ecuador. Citizens who fail to vote are fined up to $9,000. The August 20 elections are a vote for members of the National Assembly and the first round of the presidential election. If a presidential run-off is required, it will take place Oct. 15.

He continues to lead the NUP, the largest political opposition party in Uganda and has become the main opposition leader to President Museveni’s rule.

Christopher Sharp, a Ugandaborn Brit, and Moses Bwayo (a Ugandan who shot much of the footage) mostly take a cinéma vérité approach. They got extraordinary access to Wine and his family, following them for five years. In their statement, the directors say they expected to find “human failings” in Wine and Barbie, but never did.

The film is showing at the Angelika in New York and in Washington, DC through August 26.

COVID-19 wave

Continued from page 16

Sanders, MD, FACP, Medical Director of Yale’s Long COVID Multidisciplinary Care Center said “It’s still a pandemic…lots of people die every year. More people die of COVID than the flu. It is still with us. It’s still there.”

Indeed COVID has disproportionately impacted communities of color, killing more than 20,000 Black New York city residents since 2020. If we are to live with COVID then we must continue to respect this dangerous affliction by taking care to protect ourselves and the most vulnerable among us.

For additional resources about COVID-19, visit www1.nyc.gov/site/ coronavirus/index.page or call 311. COVID-19 testing, masks, and vaccination resources can also be accessed on the AmNews’ COVID-19 page: www. amsterdamnews.com/covid/. For COVID-19 Express site: nyc.gov/covidexpress. At-home rapid test kits available for pickup: nyc.gov/covidtest.

Religion & Spirituality

Honorable Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver laid to rest

HAVE YOUR LOVED ONES MEMORIALIZED IN THE AMSTERDAM NEWS’ OBITUARY SECTION.

(Rich Hundley III / Governor’s office photos)

Jim McGreevey, former New Jersey governor

Rev. Al Sharpton

Rikers

Continued from page 6

this administration took charge,” he said. “Shutting it and moving it to the boroughs isn’t the real fix. When you hear the folks who are all gung-ho about closing Rikers, with quasi-religious fervor, you realize it’s not just about the place or the system: They want a society with zero accountability. Now that’s absurd.”

Six of seven people who died in or immediately after DOC custody this year were held on Rikers Island. At least two deaths went initially underreported due to a new department policy curbing proactive press notifications. Advocates tally 26 city jail deaths since the Adams administration took office.

To be clear, the NYC Comptroller’s Office dashboard on DOC custody data points to marked reductions in uniformed absenteeism, slashings and stabbings, and length of stay compared to last year. But Comptroller Brad Lander told the AmNews earlier this summer that the department’s lack of transparency on the death count—which his office initially deemed “unknown” and now marks with an asterisk—detracts from any reported gains. He currently supports receivership.

“After a year of closely watching the numbers, this much is clear: Without significant changes to management, the dysfunction

Healthy Life

Continued from page 16

The Rev. Lawrence Aker III of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Brooklyn rocked the joint, much in the manner of the Hip Hop referenced, saluting their 50th anniversary. His text was taken from Mark and his account of Jesus walking on water. He, like the previous ministers—and those who followed him—connected the past with the present conditions plaguing Black America, particularly, as he observed, “in our battle against racism.”

His energetic sermon was matched by Rev. Dr. Travis Boyd of Canaan Baptist Church and often brought members of the audience to their feet with resounding applause. He is a pastor who knows how to take the passage from Mark and make it tangible for us today, citing Jesus’ healing of the paralyzed. “Justice is not served,” he said, alluding to the uprising on Jan. 6. And he concluded his stirring address by declaring, “The God I serve makes a way out of no way!”

When Rev. Brian D. Scott, the pastor of Union Baptist, made his Altar Call, nearly everyone in the church assembled, and he continued in words that he had possibly heard from the choir’s version of “I’m Willing to Wait.” Among those gathered at the altar were a number of police officers, members of the Fire Department, and a host of first responders. The relative calm that had settled in the church was aroused when Elder Michael Adolphus of

on Rikers Island will persist,” said Lander in his statement. “The city has proven unable and unwilling to overhaul its jail operations on its own. That’s why I support the appointment of a federal receiver, who would have the authority to implement reforms to jail operations, improve accountability and conditions in our jails, and get us back on the path to closing Rikers.”

After Thursday’s hearing, DOC Commissioner Louis Molina remained optimistic about his department’s chances of avoiding receivership, also mentioning the aforementioned improvements and calling it “his life’s work.”

“I think we have done significant work over the last 19 months,” said Molina. “And I think when you compare our work over the last 19 months, there has been an impact. And I think if you historically look at receiverships of the past, there has not been one receiver appointed to any large jail or prison system that has had that much progress as we have had over the 19 months. I am still very committed to this work, as is the mayor, who has given us tremendous support to see this through.”

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

Amen Ministries, Inc. was at the podium, though it was hardly a place where he was anchored during his exhortation. His leading piece of scripture came from Luke, where Jesus heals ten lepers. We can’t be sure what remedy Jesus used to heal them, but Rev. Adolphus insisted that we “deal with the source of the sickness rather than the symptoms,” and there was an inference that this process was applicable to all our illnesses, be they biological or social.

The church, which I had not attended since my former student, the Rev. Ollie Wells, presided, was lifted by Rev. Adolphus and soared even higher when a vocalist from the choir presented a sustained version of “Never Grow Old,” and there was little left to do after this but take a deep breath and here the benediction from Rev. DeGraff. He ended the event or service in the same insightful way he began, once again offering a salutation to Fraser-Howze and her unwavering dedication to CHL, saying, “We cannot return to yesterday’s ‘normal,’ we died in ‘normal.’ We see and are working towards the bright sunshine of a new day of wellness and equality in the land.”

SAG-AFTRA

Continued from page 10

and McConaughey still get to make movies.

Comedian Sarah Silverman was one who was especially irked about the loophole and posted her thoughts in an Instagram video. After meeting with SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher and Crabtree-Ireland, she walked back her outrage and said both sides better understood the waivers could be a positive and a negative.

“I do understand that some members feel like it creates a confusing message or that it makes it not as clear of a line,” CrabtreeIreland conceded. But he added that “we’re all very clear on the fact that AMPTP companies are the companies we’re on strike against.”

WHAT HAPPENS IF AN AMPTP COMPANY BUYS THE FILM FOR DISTRIBUTION?

Some of the productions from smaller studios, like A24 and Neon, have their own distribution arms that can get films out into the world. But others don’t. They often sell to AMPTP companies who ultimately put them into theaters or on their streaming services. “G20” is a prime example of this, having already had a deal in place with Amazon to distribute.

Crabtree-Ireland said it’s “a concern” but also a “reality we accept as a possibility” that one of these independent films will sell to, say, Netflix. He sees a possible upside if this hap-

pens though, as the interim agreement includes a streaming revenue share proposal. And he said that any company that acquires an interim-agreement film at the upcoming slate of fall festivals like Venice, Telluride, and Toronto — key places where an AMPTP studio might acquire such a project — will have to pay performers the residuals the contract requires.

WHAT ABOUT ACTORS PROMOTING COMPLETED PROJECTS?

SAG-AFTRA is reviewing applications that would allow talent to promote independent films at the fall festivals, which are going forward with many high-profile world premieres regardless of actor availability.

Luc Besson’s “DogMan,” debuting at Venice, was recently granted an interim agreement allowing its stars, like Caleb Landry Jones, to help promote the film through red carpet appearances and interviews. Other independent films headed to Venice include Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla,” with Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi; Michael Mann’s “Ferrari,” with Adam Driver and Penelope Cruz; Ava DuVernay’s “Origin”; Michel Franco’s “Memory,” with Jessica Chastain and Richard Linklater’s “Hit Man,” with Glen Powell, all of which could theoretically be granted the special status.

Leslie Ambriz contributed from Los Angeles.

Rev Jacques DeGraff and Rev Johnny Ray Youngblood (Bill Moore photo)

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

INDEX NO: 850257/2022

D/O/F: 12/02/2022 & 01/18/2023

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

Premises Address: 61 West 126th Street, New York, NY 10027

Plaintiff designates New York County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the property is situated.

USALLIANCE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION BY MERGER WITH NEW YORK METRO FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, Plaintiff, -against-

Unknown heirs at law of JAMES MCCASKILL a/k/a JAMES MC CASKILL, his next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors, and successors in interest, and generally all persons having or claiming, under, by or through said defendant who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, any right title or interest in and to the premises described in the complaint herein, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to the plaintiff and cannot after diligent inquiry be ascertained; KAMILAH MCCASKILL AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE FOR THE ESTATE OF JAMES MCCASKILL A/K/A JAMES MC CASKILL; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; EDNA MCCASKILL AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE FOR THE ESTATE OF JAMES MCCASKILL A/K/A JAMES MC CASKILL; EDNA MCCASKILL AS NATURAL GUARDIAN OF JAMES MCCASKILL AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE FOR THE ESTATE OF JAMES MCCASKILL A/K/A JAMES MC CASKILL;

“JOHN DOES” and “JANE DOES”, said names being fictitious, parties intended being possible tenants or occupants of premises, and corporations, other entities or persons who claim, or may claim, a lien against the premises, Defendant(s).

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS:

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your Answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance on the Plaintiff’s Attorneys within twenty (20) days after service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, where service is made by delivery upon you personally within the State, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner, and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint.

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Francis A. Kahn, III, a Justice of the Supreme Court, New York County, entered July 20, 2023 and filed with the complaint and other papers in the New York County Clerk’s Office.

THE OBJECT OF THE ACTION is to foreclose a mortgage recorded in the New York County Clerk’s Office on Jan. 20, 2006 in CRFN: 2006000037104, covering premises k/a 61 West 126th Street, New York, NY 10027 a/k/a Block 1724, Lot 11.

NOTICE

YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME

If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property.

Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action.

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

The following notice is intended only for the defendants who are owners of the premises sought to be foreclosed or who are liable upon the debt for which the mortgage stands as security.

YOU ARE HEREBY PUT ON NOTICE THAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

PLEASE BE AWARE:

TO THE DEFENDANTS, except The Estate of James McCaskill a/k/a James MC Caskill: The Plaintiff makes no personal claim against you in this action.

TO THE DEFENDANTS: The Estate of James McCaskill a/k/a James MC Caskill: If you have obtained an order of discharge from the Bankruptcy court, which includes this debt, and you have not reaffirmed your liability for this debt, this law firm is not alleging that you have any personal liability for this debt and does not seek a money judgment against you. Even if a discharge has been obtained, this lawsuit to foreclose the mortgage will continue and we will seek a judgment authorizing the sale of the mortgaged premises.

Dated: Sandy J. Stolar,

Esq.

Margolin, Weinreb & Nierer, LLP

Attorneys for Plaintiff 165 Eileen Way, Suite 101 Syosset, New York 11791

516-921-3838

#100634

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

INDEX # 158597/22

YORK

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS AND AMENDED NOTICE

Plaintiffs designate New York County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the liened premises is situated. Tax Lien Foreclosure of: 310 West 52nd Street, SU 104, New York, NY 10019 (Block: 01042, Lot: 1419).

NYCTL 1998-2 TRUST and The Bank of New York Mellon as Collateral Agent and Custodian, Plaintiffs, against Wen Deng, if the aforesaid individual defendants are living, and if any or all of said individual defendants be dead, their heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, committees, devisees, legatees, and the assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest of them, and generally all persons having or claiming under, by, through, or against the said defendants named as a class, of any right, title, or interest in or lien upon the premises described in the verified complaint herein; Lu Tang, if the aforesaid individual defendants are living, and if any or all of said individual defendants be dead, their heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, committees, devisees, legatees, and the assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest of them, and generally all persons having or claiming under, by, through, or against the said defendants named as a class, of any right, title, or interest in or lien upon the premises described in the verified complaint herein; Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc.; CitiMortgage, Inc.; The Board of Managers of 310 W. 52nd St. Condominium; Forte Express Plumbing & Heating Inc.; CCG Construction LLC; DNJ Industries Inc.; New York State Department of Taxation and Finance; United States of America; and "JOHN DOE #1" through "JOHN DOE #100", inclusive the last 100 names being fictitious and unknown to the Plaintiffs, it being intended to designate fee owners, tenants or occupants of the liened premises and/or persons or parties, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the liened premises described in the complaint, if the aforesaid individual defendants are living, and if any or all of said individual defendants be dead, their heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, committees, devisees, legatees, and the assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest of them, and generally all persons having or claiming under, by, through, or against the said defendants named as a class, of any right, title, or interest in or lien upon the premises described in the complaint herein. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the attorney for the Plaintiffs within twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where is made in any other manner than personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint.

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT. THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose on a Tax Lien pursuant to: (1) a Tax Lien pursuant to a Certificate recorded in the Office of the Register of the City of New York on August 23, 2018 in CRFN: 2018000284174; and (2) a Tax Lien pursuant to a Certificate recorded in the Office of the Register of the City of New York on March 4, 2022, in CRFN: 2022000097158, both liens covering premises known as 310 West 52nd Street, SU 104, New York, NY 10019 (Block: 01042, Lot: 1419). The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the tax lien described above. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEYS FOR THE PLAINTIFFS 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 WILL NOT STOP THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEYS FOR THE PLAINTIFFS AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT To the above named defendants: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Hon. Francis A. Kahn III, J.S.C. of the State of New York, and filed along with the supporting papers in the Office of the Clerk of the County of New York on 7/20/2023. This is an action to foreclose on a Tax Lien. ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of the New York, County of New York, City and State of New York, Block 01042 and Lot 1419, said premises known as 310 West 52nd Street, SU 104, New York, NY 10019. THE DELLO-IACONO LAW GROUP, P.C., Attorney for Plaintiffs, 312 Larkfield Road, Lower Level, East Northport, NY 11731, 631-861-3001. Our File # 20-000140

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK

HNY CLUB SUITES OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC., BY AND THROUGH ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Plaintiff -against- ELAINE BAIRD, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated February 21, 2023 and entered on February 23, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse located on the portico at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on September 13th, 2023 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. The Foreclosure Sale will be conducted in accordance with 1st Judicial District’s COVID-19 Policies and Foreclosure Auction Rules. All bidders must wear a face mask/shield at all times and social distancing must be observed by all bidders at all times. Bidders who do not comply with the face mask and/or the social distancing mandate will be removed from the auction. Said premises known as 1335 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, NEW YORK. Approximate amount of lien $19,657.96 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.

Index Number 850240/2018.

THOMAS KLEINBERGER, ESQ., Referee

DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff

242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK

CITIMORTGAGE, INC., Plaintiff -against- TREVOR C. MORAN, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated April 22, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse located on the portico at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on September 13th, 2023 at 2:15 p.m. The Unit known as Residential Unit No. 10A in the building known as The Heritage at Trump Place, 240 Riverside Boulevard, in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, Together with an undivided 0.7911% interest in the common elements. Block: 1171 Tax Lot: 2111. All bidders must wear a face mask/shield at all times and social distancing must be observed by all bidders at all times. Bidders who do not comply with the face mask and/or the social distancing mandate will be removed from the auction. Said premises known as 240 RIVERSIDE BOULEVARD, UNIT 10A, NEW YORK, NY. Approximate amount of lien $5,673,292.89 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney.

Index Number 850110/2019.

THOMAS KLEINBERGER, ESQ., Referee

David A. Gallo & Associates LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff

47 Hillside Avenue, 2nd Floor, Manhasset, NY 11030

File# 5025.1930

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. TAX REVOLUTION INSTITUTE, INC., Deft. - Index #850169/2023. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated July 20, 2023, I will sell at public auction Outside on the Portico, NY County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, NY, NY on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at 2:15 pm, an undivided 0.00986400000% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as 57th STREET VACATION SUITES located at 102 West 57th Street, in the County of NY, State of NY. Approximate amount of judgment is $73,772.32 plus costs and interest as of January 4, 2023. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell & Novitz, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK

USC 171 BOWERY LLC, Plaintiff -against- 171 BOWERY PROPERTY OWNER LLC, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Consent Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated March 21, 2023 and entered on March 28, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse located on the portico at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on September 13, 2023 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the easterly side of Bowery, distant 20 feet 1 inch southerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the southerly side of Delancy Street with the easterly side of the Bowery, which said point is opposite the center of a party wall, standing party on the premises herein described and the premises adjoining on the north; being a plot 127 feet 1 1/2 inches by 20 feet 6 inches by 125 feet 10 1/2 inches by 20 feet 6 inches. Block: 424 Lot: 11. All bidders must wear a face mask/shield at all times and social distancing must be observed by all bidders at all times. Bidders who do not comply with the face mask and/or the social distancing mandate will be removed from the auction. Said premises known as 171 BOWERY, NEW YORK, NY. Approximate amount of lien $9,602,236.05 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.

Index Number 850125/2022.

CLARK WHITSETT, ESQ., Referee

KRISS & FEUERSTEIN LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff

360 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1200, New York, NY 10017

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. ARIEL AQUINO DUYONGCO and MEGAN DUYONGCO, Defts. - Index # 850229/2019. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated August 10, 2021, I will sell at public auction Outside the Portico of the NY County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, NY, NY on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 14,000/16,783,800 tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as Phase 2 HNY CLUB SUITES located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York. Approximate amount of judgment is $92,553.37 plus costs and interest as of December 2, 2019. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Clark Whitsett, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. VINCENT J. TRIMARCO, JR., Defts. - Index # 850017/2021. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated August 10, 2021, I will sell at public auction Outside the Portico of the NY County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, NY, NY on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 0.0450946335738578% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as Phase 1 HNY CLUB SUITES located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York. Approximate amount of judgment is $54,964.87 plus costs and interest as of April 19, 2021. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Clark Whitsett, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT- COUNTY OF NEW YORK

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR GSAMP TRUST

2005-AHL2, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES

2005-AHL2, Plaintiff, AGAINST NILLIE JACOB, et al. Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on May 4, 2022.

I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre St, New York, NY 10007 on September 6, 2023 at 2:15 PM premises known as 203 West 81st Street 4E, New York, NY 10024.

Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for the First Judicial District, New York County, and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing.

All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County, and State of New York. Block 1229 and Lot 1039.

Approximate amount of judgment $1,401,190.22 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #850133/2016.

Mark McKew, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLP - Attorneys for Plaintiff - 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. GLORIA JEAN WILLIAMS, Deft. - Index # 850233/2021. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated July 20, 2023, I will sell at public auction Outside the Portico of the NY County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, NY, NY on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at 2:15 pm, two 0.00986400000% undivided tenants in common interests in the timeshare known as 57TH STREET VACATION SUITES located at 102 West 57th Street, New York, New York. Approximate amount of judgment is $110,050.45 plus costs and interest as of May 5, 2023. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Clark Whitsett, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. VERNDELL H. GILDHOUSE and NIHAT A. SURGUT, Deft. - Index #850093/2021. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated March 22, 2022, I will sell at public auction Outside on the Portico, NY County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, NY, NY on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at 2:15 pm, an undivided 0.0519144314871446% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as HNY CLUB SUITES –PHASE I located at 1335 Avenue of Americas, in the County of NY, State of NY. Approximate amount of judgment is $120,199.18 plus costs and interest as of October 21, 2021. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Paul Sklar, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell & Novitz, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

NORTH 43rd, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/04/01. Latest date to dissolve: 12/31/2099. 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, 147 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice is hereby given that license number 1352042 for liquor has been applied for by the undersigned to permit the sale of beer, wine and liquor at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at Moody Tongue located 150 W. 10th Street in New York County for on-premises consumption. MT 181 Waverly LLC, 150 W. 10th St, New York, NY 10014.

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK

LOANCORE CAPITAL CREDIT REIT LLC, Plaintiff -against- 111 E. 59TH STREET JV SUB LLC, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated March 31, 2023, as amended on July 31, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse located on the portico at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on September 20, 2023 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the northerly side of East 59th Street, distant 105 feet easterly from the corner formed by the intersection of the northerly side of East 59th Street with the easterly side of Park Avenue; RUNNING THENCE northerly and parallel with the easterly side of Park Avenue a distance of 100 feet 5 inches to a point on the center line of the block between East 59th Street and East 60th Street; THENCE westerly along the center line of the block between East 59th Street and East 60th Street a distance of 5 feet to a point; THENCE northerly and parallel with the easterly side of Park Avenue a distance of 100 feet 5 inches to a point on the southerly side of East 60th Street; THENCE easterly along the southerly side of East 60th Street a distance of 60 feet to a point; THENCE southerly and parallel with the easterly side of Park Avenue a distance of 100 feet 5 inches to a point on the center line of the block between East 59th Street and East 60th Street; THENCE southerly and parallel with the easterly side of Park Avenue a distance of 100 feet 5 inches to a point on the northerly side of East 59th Street; THENCE westerly along the northerly side of East 59th Street a distance of 60 feet to the point or place of BEGINNING. All bidders must wear a face mask/shield at all times and social distancing must be observed by all bidders at all times. Bidders who do not comply with the face mask and/or the social distancing mandate will be removed from the auction. Said premises known as 111 E. 59TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY. Approximate amount of lien $256,425,133.24 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.

Index Number 850195/2022.

HAYLEY GREENBERG, ESQ., Referee

Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 250 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019

Supreme Court – New York County – Hilton Resorts Corp., Pltf. v. Any unknown heirs to the Estate of JAMES A. SCOTT, next of kin, devisees, legatees, distributees, grantees, assignees, creditors, lienors, trustees, executors, administrators or successors in interest, as well as the respective heirs at law, next of kin, devisees, legatees, distributees, grantees, assignees, lienors, trustees, executors, administrators or successors in interest of the aforesaid classes of persons, if they or any of them be dead, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to the plaintiff, et al., Deft. – Index # 850073/23. The foregoing supplemental summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Honorable FRANCIS KAHN, III, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, dated the 19th day of July 2023 and duly entered the 24th day of July 2023 in the office of the Clerk of the County of New York, State of New York. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY, 5165868513.

TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS:

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s attorney, within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State) In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT

THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is for the foreclosure of: An undivided 6,000/16,783,800 tenants in common interest in Phase 2 of HNY Club Suites located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas NY, NY. Section: 4 Block: 1006 Lot: 1303. Mortgage bearing the date of March 6, 2015, executed by James A. Scott to Hilton Resorts Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, to secure the sum of $37,161.60, and interest and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of New York County on December 4, 2015 in CRFN 2015000430738. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the Mortgaged Premises as described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.

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

Notice of Formation of 302 BEACH 149TH STREET LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/21/23. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 22 W. 66th St., Apt. #13, NY, NY 10023. 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.

Broadway & 166th, L.L.C. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/08/00. 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, 3956 Broadway, New York, NY 10032. Registered agent address c/o Herbert Wetanson, c/o The BBQ Restaurant, 27 W. 72nd Steet, New York, NY 10023. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of HUDSON YARDS 5701 LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/10/2023. Office located in NEW YORK. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC 5 Half Moon Isle, Jersey City, NJ 07305. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

Coeus Digital Media LLC. Filed 12/22/22. Office: NY Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: C/O Firstbase Agent LLC, 447 Broadway 2nd Fl #187, New York, NY 10013. Purpose: General.

Notice of Qualification of TUNGSTEN HEALTH HOLDINGS, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/19/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 04/25/23. 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., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

L.A. Opulence LLC Arts. of Org. filed 10/20/20. Office: NY County. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: 1074 East 73rd Street, Apt. 1, Bklyn, NY 11234. Purpose: General.

Notice of Qualification of 109Co MGMT, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/24/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 07/21/23.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 79 Laight St., Apt. 2F, NY, NY 10013. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, Div. of Corps., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of GREYSTONE SSG 2 LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/28/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 06/01/21. Princ. office of LLC: 152 W. 57th St., 60th 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 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Application of Authority of Limited Liability Company Feenix Payment Systems, LLC (“LLC”) LLC

Application for Authority filed with the Secretary of State of New York (“SSNY”) on June 8, 2023. N.Y. Office location: 1201 Broadway, Ste. 701, New York, NY 10001 (New York County). SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served. The Post Office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against LLC served upon it is c/o the LLC: Feenix Payment Systems, LLC 1201 Broadway, Ste. 701, New York, NY 10001. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of KEPPEL US MANAGEMENT LLC

Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/11/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/27/22. 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: 850 New Burton Rd., Ste. 201, Dover, DE 19904. Cert. of Form. filed with Jeffrey W. Bullock, 401 Federal St., Ste. 3, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of 625 MADISON REO JV SUB 1 LLC

Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/21/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 07/13/23. Princ. office of LLC: One Vanderbilt Ave., 28th Fl., NY, NY 10017. 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: Real estate.

Skin Therapy By Susan LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/17/2023. Office: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 1123 Bdwy, Ste 712, NY, NY, 10010. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of Lobo Creations LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 5/20/23. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been desig. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail copy to: 165 West 91st Street, #11A, NY, NY, 10024. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

199 Bowery 10C LLC Arts of Org filed with the SSNY on 7/27/2023. Office: Albany County. NW Registered Agent LLC designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to NW Registered Agent LLC, 90 State St.,Ste 700, Off 40, Albany NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of

READE STREET, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/04/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Maryland (MD) on 07/12/23. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 7501 Wisconsin Ave., Ste. 1000W, Bethesda, MD 20814. Cert. of Form. filed with Michael L. Higgins, Jr., Director, Dept. of Assessments and Taxation, 301 W. Preston St., Rm. 801, Baltimore, MD 21201. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of RGNMCA AMHERST II, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/03/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 07/28/23. 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: Operate an executive suite business center.

Notice of Formation of MGHE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/23/23. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 65 E. 55th St., 31st Fl., 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.

Purpose: Hospitality.

23RD & 8TH, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/17/01. Latest date to dissolve: 12/31/2099. 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, 261 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF CLOUD POWERED SOLUTIONS LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/29/2023. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. The Post Office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her is: UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC. 7014 13TH AVENUE, SUITE 202 BROOKLYN, NY, 11228. The principal business address of the LLC is 228 Park Ave S #322277, New York, NY 10003. Dissolution date: Perpetual. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Bomber Jacket Productions LLC filed with the SSNY on 7/05/2023. Office Location: NY County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: 119 Waverly Place, Apt 1, New York, NY, 10011. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Bomber Jacket Productions LLC is an independently run film/television and media company, with particular focus on documentary and nonfiction projects.

ADAE HOLDINGS LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/07/23. Office: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 121 West 17th Street, 2B, New York, NY 10001. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of EDIFICE PARTNERS LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/28/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 06/20/23. Princ. office of LLC: 1 Rockefeller Plaza, 11th Fl., NY, NY 10020. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the princ. office of the LLC. DE addr. of LLC: Corporation Service Co., 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: Management of real estate.

THE CLARK STANDARD LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/18/2023. Office loc: Bronx County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 1988 Newbold Ave, Apt 2B, Bronx, NY 10472. Reg Agent: Nelson M Clark Jr, 1988 Newbold Ave, Apt 2B, Bronx, NY 10472. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice of Qualification of GREYSTONE SSG 3 LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/28/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 09/17/21. Princ. office of LLC: 152 W. 57th St., 60th 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 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of GREYSTONE SSG 1 LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/27/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 11/13/17. Princ. office of LLC: 152 W. 57th St., 60th 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 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of 625 MADISON REO JV SUB 2 LLC

Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/21/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 07/13/23. Princ. office of LLC: One Vanderbilt Ave., 28th Fl., NY, NY 10017. 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: Real estate.

PUBLICATION ANNOUNCEMENT

NOTICE of FORMATION of a DOMESTIC LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP

Name of LLP: ZAHN LAW

GROUP LLP. Date of filing of Notice of Registration with the NY Dept of State: 11/20/2019. Office of the LLP: NY County. The NY Secretary of State has been designated as the agent upon whom process may be served. NYSS may mail a copy of any process to the LLP at: 757 Third Ave., 20th Floor, New York, NY 10017. Purpose of LLP: Any lawful purpose. The LLP will have a perpetual existence.

Notice of Qualification of SCOPUS GROUP, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/26/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 07/17/23. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF FORMATION of FASHION BY SABINE LLC, Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 06/12/2023. Office location: New York County. Principal office of LLC: 548 West 28th Street, Suite 645, New York, New York 10001. The New York Secretary of State is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail process to Fashion

By Sabine LLC c/o Pashman Stein Walder Hayden, PC, 21 Main Street Ste. 200, Hackensack, NJ 07601. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of PROMETEON TYRE GROUP COMMERCIAL SOLUTIONS

LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/29/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 03/22/16. Princ. office of LLC: 100 Pirelli Dr., Rome, GA 30161. 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, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of 625 MADISON REO JV LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/21/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 07/13/23. Princ. office of LLC: One Vanderbilt Ave., 28th Fl., NY, NY 10017. 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: Real estate.

Notice of Application of Authority of Limited Liability Company FVP Servicing, LLC (“LLC”). LLC Application for Authority filed with the Secretary of State of New York (“SSNY”) on June 8, 2023. N.Y. Office location: 1201 Broadway, Ste. 701, New York, NY 10001 (New York County). SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served. The Post Office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against LLC served upon it is c/o the LLC: FVP Servicing, LLC 1201 Broadway, Ste. 701 New York, NY 10001. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF CINEMAINTENANT LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 20 March 2023. Office location: NEW YORK County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. The Post Office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the served upon him/her is: 1850 Amsterdam Avenue New York NY 10031. The principal business address of the LLC is 1850 Amsterdam Avenue New York NY 10031. Dissolution date: perpetual. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Formation of BAUDELAIRE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/21/23. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 445 Park Ave., Ste. 1401, NY, NY 10012. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of BRODAR LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/27/23. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 13-14 W. 54th St., 1st Fl., NY, NY 10019. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of YES WE DID! LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 02/01/2023. Office location: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to YES WE DID! LLC, 130 Jane Street, Suite 5J, New York, NY, 10014. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Notice is hereby given that a license, serial #1367873 for beer, wine & liquor has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer, wine & liquor at retail in a restaurant under the ABC Law at 5 E. 17th St., NYC 10003 for on-premises consumption; Kinnaree Hospitality Group Inc.

ARWA PROPERTIES GROUP NY LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/21/2023. 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 237 Eldridge St., Apt 2, NY, NY 10002. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice is hereby given that a license, serial #1368431 for beer, wine & liquor has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer, wine & liquor at retail in a restaurant under the ABC Law at 158 9th Ave., NYC 10011 for on-premises consumption; Mongkol 88 LLC

Notice is hereby given that a license, serial #1368379 for beer & wine has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer & wine at retail in an event space under the ABC Law at 171 Canal St-3rd Fl., NYC 10013 for on-premises consumption; Italia Like Locals Inc.

Open Concept NYC LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/23/2023. Office: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to 408 E. 83rd St., 5A, NY, NY, 10028. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

SVG Plan Trucking LLC. Arts. of Org. filed on 03/23/2023. Office: NY County. SSNY desig. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to 228 Park Ave S #536671, NY, NY 10003. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

FOSTER AGENCY SERVICES LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/19/2023. Office: NY County. SSNY desig. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to 228 Park Ave S #675149, NY, NY 10003. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Holistic Flavors LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/29/2022. Office Location: NY County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: 150 W. 140th St., #2E, NY, NY 10030. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Lounge Kat Studios LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/09/2023. Office: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: Lounge Kat Studios LLC, 1412 Broadway, 21st Fl., Ste. 21V, NY, NY 10018. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Galeriana LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/14/2023. 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 Galeriana LLC C/O Victor Tafur, P.O. Box 1642, New York NY 10163. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Goat Getters Entertainment LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 7/11/2023. Office location: NY County. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: 228 Park Ave S #573402, New York, NY 10003. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of Travel Dad, LLC filed with SSNY on 4/30/23. Office: New York County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 87 Barrow St., Apt 4F, New York, NY 10014. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

LMF Consulting Group LLC filed with the SSNY on 3/27/2023. Office loc.: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail process to: 201 East 69th St., Apt. 12B, NY, NY 10021. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of GERHARD PRODUCTIONS LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/03/23. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 207 W. 25th St. - 6th Fl., NY, NY 10001. 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.

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Human Creative Services LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/27/2023. Office: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to 251 West 117th St, Apt 6I, NY, NY 10163. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

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St. John’s volleyball poised for impactful season

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

St. John’s University volleyball is headed on a road trip tomorrow for a preseason exhibition against Penn State. Head coach Joanne Persico is excited to see how her players stack up against one of the top programs in the country. Penn State has a considerable height advantage, so the Red Storm has to excel at defending.

“Training has been going excellently,” said Persico, now in her 30th year with the Red Storm and the all-time winningest coach at St. John’s, surpassing one of her mentors, Lou Carnesecca. “The girls have been super-fit and super-focused, and they’re super-coachable. That’s a good recipe for improvement and winning. We really play the games to win. We are trying hard to be ready to win and at least to be the best that we can be as a team, as individuals and as representatives of our university. I’m really looking forward to last year’s freshmen, who got a lot of experience, to now take more ownership of the team as sophomores.”

Those players are Erin Jones, Ludovica Zola, Madga Stambrowska, and Lucrezia Lodi. Last year’s team made it to the Big East playoffs, losing an overtime game to the University of Connecticut.

“The Big East is very competitive, so I’m really looking forward to improving on where we finished last year—competing for a championship in the Big East—and again teaching these young ladies and guiding them to be all they can be on the court, in the classroom, and in the community,” said Persico. Last year’s team earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award.

The team and coaching staff are working on all the skills, strength, and fitness, as well as team chemistry. Two players from whom Persico expects big things are junior libero/defensive specialist Bree Martin and junior middle blocker Ariana Robinson.

“Bree Martin has been fantastic; she’s our starting libero,” said Persico. “She put a lot of commitment into getting physically ready for this demanding schedule. She’s one of our captains. Ariana Robinson came in as a little undersized middle, but very athletic, very fast. She’s very energet-

Goalkeeper Morgan Gopaul brings her skills to LIU soccer

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

The fall semester may still be almost three weeks away at Long Island University (LIU), but fall sports are already in action. Today is the first match of the season for women’s soccer, which kicks off play by taking on Saint Peter’s. It will be the first game for sophomore goalkeeper Morgan Gopaul, who spent her freshman year at Hofstra, but made the switch in the hopes of earning a starting position.

Gopaul was born in New Jersey, and grew up in Irvine, California. Soccer was always a passion in her family and they inspired her love for the sport from a young age. She joined her first organized team at age 3. Gopaul earned numerous accolades while in high school, and looked for a return to her roots for college.

“Having a strong soccer team on the east coast was very exciting and it enticed me and led me here,” said Gopaul. The soccer program is based at LIU Post on Long Island. She left Hofstra because there was an upperclassman goalkeeper who decided to take the fifth year allotted due to the pandemic. “By going to LIU, I would have a chance of start -

ing. I do love Long Island and I wanted to stay due to it being close to the city, and that would be good for internships.”

She was also impressed by LIU soccer coach Lucy Gillett’s background as a goalkeeper who has played professionally. Gopaul hopes under Gillett’s guidance

she can advance to the next level. Gopaul’s father’s family is from Trinidad, West Indies, and her grandfather played for and coached the men’s national soccer team. Gopaul hopes to continue family tradition and play for Trinidad.

A data analytics major, Gopaul

said she loves numbers and is an analytical person. “I want to get into trading and the stock market,” she said. “I’ve been working on that for the last couple of years. I would love to continue to do that outside of my soccer. I feel I can balance that while doing soccer, which is good.”

As the start of the season approached, Gopaul looked forward to seeing the LIU team come together. “If we communicate well, we’ll be able to win together,” she said. “I’m looking forward to seeing us push ourselves and each other to become our best selves.”

ic and vocal on the court.”

St. John’s volleyball opens its season at the Florida Gulf Coast Invitational next

week, and then travels to the University of New Mexico Invitational. The first home match is Sept. 8 versus Siena.

Libero/Defensive Specialist Bree Martin (St. John’s Athletics photos)

Middle blocker Ariana Robinson

Morgan Gopaul is excited for her first season at LIU (LIU Athletics photo)

Dusty Baker keeps rolling along with managerial master class

By DAVID GRUBB, MLBbro Special to the AmNews

The biggest change for the Houston Astros has been the return of their offense.

Since the All-Star break, Houston has been sending balls into orbit with regularity and sending runners around the basepaths. They lead the AL in runs and RBI, are second in home runs and walks, and rank third in batting average and OPS.

Guiding the team through all of this has been Dusty Baker.

On May 1st, the Houston Astros were just 16–13, with the sixth-best record in the American League. One month later, the Astros were ten games above .500 but had fallen further behind the Texas Rangers in the American League West standings, trailing by 2.5 games.

June was brutal, as Houston suffered four-game and fivegame losing skids, but they closed that month by winning four of their last five.

Houston Astros 5th In Standings On July 1

The defending American League champs were still sitting fifth in the standings on July 1st. The World Series letdown talk was rampant.

However, since then, the Astros are 23–12. Over their last 20 games before Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Angels, Houston had been tied with the Baltimore Orioles for the best record in the AL with 13 wins during that stretch.

And yet, there are consistent calls and even petitions to have Baker fired. Those who want to see Dusty go can point to the team’s lackluster records in close games and overall losing record against winning teams.

Houston’s pitching staff has been mediocre at best, carried by the offense.

Baker Has Achieved Unprecedented Success Since Joining Astros

Still, since Baker took over as manager prior to the start of the 2020 season, the Astros have been

to the American League Championship Series three times, advanced to the World Series twice, and won it all last year.

They’ve experienced only two months with a losing record under Baker and have won almost 61 percent of their regular season games in August, September, and October since the start of the 2021 season.

In the postseason, the Astros are 28–14 with Baker in the dugout, posting an impressive .667 winning percentage. Both marks outpace his overall regular season (.591) standards and surpass his overall postseason percentage as well (.526).

Let’s not forget how Dusty single-handedly navigated the Astros through the aftereffects of the “cheating scandal” under former manager AJ Hinch. Dusty’s presence at the helm softened the venom from opposing fans and media because of the respect and reverence he’s acquired since he was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 26th round of the 1967 MLB Draft.

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker was 7th on the all-time MLB managerial wins list with 2,161 when his team faced the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night (MLBbro.com photo)

Dusty Baker Has Houston Sitting Pretty

A baseball season is a marathon. It is a battle of endurance. As the cliche says, “You want to be playing your best baseball at the end of the year.”

Looking at the American League landscape, Houston is where it wants to be. The schedule down the stretch isn’t easy, but the Astros only face four teams with winning

Black Players Are Impacting MLB Playoff Races

BY DANTE MILES, MLBbro Special to the AmNews

As baseball fans gear up for the home stretch, there are several division races that are starting to take shape.

You have teams like Atlanta and Los Angeles in the National League who have bashed their way to large division leads. Meanwhile, no other division leader has built a lead larger than five games.

With so many close races potentially coming down to the wire, there will be plenty of opportunities for MLBbros on every division-leading roster to have an impact on October. Up first, the American League.

Baltimore Orioles

Typically, when we mention MLBbros and a battle for the AL East crown, we are talking about the Yankees. This season there’s a new bunch looking to claim the pennant, as Cedric Mullins and the Baltimore Orioles continue to hold firm atop the division. Mullins has provided more pop for an impressive Orioles lineup, slugging .609 with two homers and six RBI over his last seven games.

Minnesota Twins

Over the past week Twins slugger Byron Buxton has looked like the All-Star Twins fans have grown to love.

Buxton had a recent slash of .375/.444/.833 over his last seven with nine

hits in 24 ABs including two homers, six RBI and six runs scored.

Once the Cleveland Guardians decided not to be buyers at the deadline, this division was pretty much gift wrapped for Minnesota. Now they just have to see it through.

Texas Rangers

After being scoffed at for spending big on their middle infield, Marcus Semien and the Rangers get the last laugh as they head into one last Texas showdown with Dusty Baker’s Houston Astros.

Semien’s production has been a key component to victory all season for Texas, and

he has consistently delivered. Over his last 30 games, Semien is slashing .307/.398/.544 with seven homers, 16 RBI, 17 walks and 26 runs. Dusty’s boys won’t be going anywhere, so Marcus will need to continue this pace if they want to hold on to that division.

National League:

Atlanta Braves

MLBBro.com has been all over Mike Harris since he made his debut last season, and this year has been more of the same.

Michael has been spectacular for the Braves and has re-established himself as an

records away from Minute Maid Park the rest of the way. Perhaps the Astros haven’t reached their peak this season. But based on Baker’s record, any panic at this stage is unwarranted. The Houston Astros are expected to be in the mix for another world championship come late October. But win or lose, Baker’s legacy is cemented

elite left-handed hitter since a slow start. Harris has been so good that the Braves have moved him back up to No. 2 in the batting order to begin a three-game series with the New York Yankees at Truist.

Milwaukee Brewers

Despite the hot start for Chicago Cubs injured hurler Marcus Stroman and the talented bunch of youngsters over in Cincinnati putting up numbers, Devin Williams and the Milwaukee Brewers once again find themselves poised to take the NL Central. Devin has continued to dominate, posting a 3–1 record with a 0.00 ERA, nine saves and 27 strikeouts over his last 14 innings pitched. His changeup is arguably the most devastating off-speed weapon in the game, so Brewers batters will need to do everything in their power to get the ball in his hands with a lead.

Los Angeles Dodgers

If not for his own teammate Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts would be getting the full Hollywood push for Most Valuable Player.

Not only has Mookie taken on the added responsibility of playing the infield when needed, Betts is putting up one of his best offensive seasons ever.

Mookie was hitting .287 with 31 homers, 80 RBI and an OPS+ of 156 when the Dodgers hosted the Brewers on Tuesday night, as they have overtaken the young Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West.

(David Grubb photo)

Joshua wins by stunning knockout, Canelo and Charlo face off in New York

By DERREL JOHNSON

Special to the AmNews

Anthony Joshua is trying to make the climb back to the heavyweight mountaintop.

The former two-time unified heavyweight world champion (26–3, 23 KOs) landed a powerful right hand that sent opponent Robert Helenius down, and referee Victor Loughlin quickly stopped the fight Saturday at the O2 Arena in London.

It is the second brutal knockout Helenius (32–5, 21 KOs) has suffered in the past 10 months. He was floored even more viciously by former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder last October. A Joshua vs. Wilder fight finally seems destined, and is rumored to be in the works for early next year.

In an action-packed Saturday fight day, Emanuel Navarrete (38–1, 31 KOs) retained his WBO junior lightweight world title with a unanimous victory (116–112, 118–110, and 119–109) over fellow Mexican pugilist Oscar Valdez (31–2, 23 KOs) in Glendale, Arizona.

On yet another boxing card, Emmanuel Rodriguez became a twotime IBF bantamweight champion on Saturday evening with a unanimous victory over Melvin Lopez at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland. Rodriguez (22–2, 13

KOs) dominated the fight, dropping Lopez (29–2, 19 KOs) three times in the final round to earn 120–105 on each scorecard.

Undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez and undisputed junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo stared each other down for the first time on Tuesday at the Palladium in Times Square in Midtown Manhat-

tan on the first leg of a two-city press conference tour before their upcoming clash on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, to be aired on Showtime PPV. Many think Canelo is not the same dominant fighter he was in rising to become an all-time great (sentiments shared by this writer), in large part because of punishment suffered in his loss to Dmitry

Bivol and his first two battles with Gennady Golovkin. In addressing that speculation, Canelo said, “It’s good that people are saying I’ve lost a step. It’s fine. I know why I didn’t look as good in my last two fights. I know why and I’m different now. I’m preparing now for a different type of fighter.”

Charlo discussed not only why he took the fight, but what will

motivate him to defeat the Mexican legend. “I just want to quiet my haters and doubters, and turn non-believers into believers,” he asserted. “I’ve watched a lot of great people in the sport of boxing and now I think this is the best moment for me to leave my mark. With two great fighters in there, you get nothing but fireworks. When this fight presented itself, it was a no-brainer to make this happen.”

Charlo certainly would quiet his haters if he jumps two divisions, adds up to 14 pounds, and defeats Canelo.

Aljamain Sterling, who defeated Henry Cejudo to retain his UFC bantamweight title at UFC 288 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, will return to the Octagon to defend his title against Sean O’Malley at UFC 292 on Saturday at the TD Garden in Boston. The prelims will air on ESPN+ and ESPN, while the main card will air on ESPN+ PPV.

Finally, the PFL Playoffs will take place at the Theater at Madison Square Garden on Friday, Aug. 18, when the men’s heavyweights and women’s featherweights will battle, and Wednesday, Aug. 23, when the lightweights and welterweights will compete. PFL will air on ESPN and ESPN+.

Gardiner Foundation to hold its 18th Annual Basketball Classic

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

This weekend, the Gardiner Foundation will hold its 18th Annual Gardiner Memorial Basketball Classic at St. James Park, located at West 192nd Street and Jerome Avenue in the Bronx.

Over the past three decades, the tournament has grown into one of the most well-attended and impactful events on the New York City summer basketball landscape because of its social-emotional and educational objectives for youth. School supplies, bookbags, five college scholarships, the raffling of iPads, and the offering of free food will accentuate the two-day gathering. The basketball games will begin at noon Saturday and Sunday.

The Classic is founded and operated by Dexter Gardiner, who showcased his skills at SUNY-Canton and was a fixture in the 1980s and 90s at tournaments, such as the Entertainers Basketball Classic at Rucker Park

The Gardiner Foundation will hold its 18th Annual Gardiner Memorial Basketball Classic at St. James Park in the Bronx this weekend (Gardiner Foundation photo)

and the Gun Hill Tournament in the Northeast Bronx, earning a reputation as a prolific backcourt scorer.

Similarly, a noted player, his twin brother Derrick was tragically killed in a horrific car accident in July of 2006 on the Bronx River Parkway. The crash claimed the lives of six members of the Gardiner family. Dexter, of Jamaican heritage, was subsequently compelled

by his Christian faith to commit to a life of service, establishing the Gardiner Foundation as an attestive part of his legacy.

“Uplifting others and creating pathways and opportunities for the youth is deep in my spirit,” Gardiner said to this writer early this month. “When I see some of the kids who came through our foundation and witnessing the success

they are having now as good students, having strong family values, and making a positive difference in their communities, it reinforces our mission.”

Based in the Northeast section of the Bronx, the foundation aids underprivileged families, providing them with food and monetary assistance, grants college scholarships to high school stu-

dents, sponsors turkey giveaways during Thanksgiving, and organizes children’s toy drives during the Christmas holiday, among other initiatives.

With roots in the island of Jamaica, Dexter operates the foundation out of its base in the North Bronx, where he was raised and honed his hoop skills, leading him to SUNY-Canton. In the mid-80s, Dexter became the nation’s leading junior college in the school’s division. The symmetry of his eternal bond with Derrick is accentuated by the latter also leading the country in scoring for one season while attending Bronx Community College.

Dexter has used basketball as a vehicle to mentor numerous young men and women, teaching them the game but, more importantly, life skills. His efforts have helped spur a cadre of college players and high academic achievers who have leveraged athletic and academic scholarships into college degrees and successful careers in various fields.

Undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Álvarez and undisputed junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo face off in Times Square on Tuesday before their September 30 bout in Las Vegas (Amanda Westcott/Showtime Boxing photo)

The Jets add Dalvin Cook while the Giants shape their offensive line

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

The long speculation ended on Monday when Dalvin Cook became a New York Jet.

For weeks, the four-time ProBowl running back seemingly had focused his options on the Jets and his hometown Miami Dolphins after spending his six-year NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings. The Jets reaffirmed their commitment to making a Super Bowl run this season by signing Cook to a oneyear deal worth up to $8.6 million

He now allows Breece Hall, who was arguably the leading candidate for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award last season before tearing his ACL and meniscus in his left knee on October 23 in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos, to gradually build his strength and endurance.

Ultimately, Hall’s teammate, Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson, was named Rookie of the Year.

The combination of the 28-yearold Cook and Hall could eventu-

ally emerge as the best backfield tandem in the league. Hall, drafted 36th overall by the Jets out of Iowa State in 2022, returned to practice on Tuesday after being activated from the physically unable to perform list (PUP). He was well on his way to exceeding 1,000 yards rushing a season ago before his injury. The Omaha, Nebraska native had 463 in seven games.

Cook ran for 1,173 yards last season and had 39 catches for 295 yards receiving. The last time the Jets had a 1,000-yard rusher was Chris Ivory (1,070) in 2015.

The Giants backfield will also be led by Saquon Barkley, like Cook, one of the elite performers at his position in football. But both the Jets and Giants are still endeavoring to shore up their respective offensive lines, critical to the success of both teams.

Giants rookie John Michael Schmitz had a promising showing versus the Detroit Lions last Friday in his team’s 21– 16 preseason opening road loss. A second-round pick (No. 57) from the University of Min-

nesota, Schmitz is expected to help stabilize an evolving front that is led by left tackle Andrew Thomas, the fourth overall pick by the Giants in 2020. Thomas was named SecondTeam All-Pro after a stellar 2022 campaign. He was rewarded with a five-year, $117 million deal in July.

The Giants hope right tackle Evan Neal has a comparable trajectory. The Alabama product, drafted No. 7 last season, possesses the necessities to be an elite tackle but struggled as a rookie. He was diagnosed with a concussion sustained at a Giants practice on August 4 and re-

mained in concussion protocol at the start of this week’s practices. The Giants host the Carolina Panthers tomorrow at MetLife Stadium in the second of their three scheduled preseason games. The Jets will be at MetLife on Saturday to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The formidable Liberty defeat the Aces in WNBA Commissioner’s Cup

New York Liberty forward

Jonquel Jones is averaging 12 points and 8.4 rebounds for the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup champions.

(Brandon Todd/ New York Liberty photo)

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

Over the past week, the New York Liberty has won three games, clinched a spot in the WNBA playoffs with a month still remaining in regular season play, and set several franchise landmarks. This includes a stunning 82–63 win over the Las Vegas Aces in the Commissioner’s Cup, showing that a longelusive WNBA Championship may actually come to fruition.

While the in-season Commissioner’s Cup tournament games are not included in the standings, it was a significant event for the players, with notably each of the Liberty earning a $30,000 winners share.

“Things have been coming better and better for us after the All-Star [break],” said Sandy Brondello, now in her second season as the Liberty’s head coach. “We knew we were going to be a good team. We knew it would take some time to get the chemistry together.”

In defeating the Indiana Fever 100–89 this past Sunday, the Liberty established a new franchise record with its 24th win of the season. The victory also marked the Liberty’s fifth 100-point game and set a franchise record road winning streak of seven consecutive games.

“I was getting some good looks, they were switching a lot, just continuing to read what the defense gave me, and that just kind of continued throughout,” said Breanna Stewart, who is making a strong case for MVP with her third 40-point performance in the win over the Fever. “I’m really happy with how we all played in general.”

Jonquel Jones described Stewart as a leader on the team.

“We look to her to talk to us and share her insights. … You see where we started as a team and the way the season has been going for us. She’s never wavered in what she’s brought to this team and her professionalism and her belief in what we’ve brought together. Definitely our MVP, and hopefully at the end of the season, we can be where we need to be because I think she definitely deserves it,” said Jones.

As stellar as Stewart’s play has been, the

Liberty’s success has been a collective effort. Jones had a double-double — 15 points and 12 rebounds— against the Fever. Sabrina Ionescu continues to put on an offensive show, and Betnijah Laney has also been outstanding. Stefanie Dolson has returned from injury and put up 7 points versus Indiana.

“We’re playing at the right pace, and we understand where we all need to be and how the other team is obviously defending us,” said Brondello. “[Low turnovers] means we’re playing really selfless and finding the best shots possible and we’re making them.”

The Liberty are on the road this week and next week, facing the Phoenix Mercury tomorrow, the Connecticut Sun next Thursday, and the Minnesota Lynx on August 26. They return to the Barclays Center for a rematch with the Aces on August 28.

(L)The Giants Saquon Barkley, Daniel Jones and Brian Daboll engage in the training camp grind while the Jets signed former (R) Minnesota Vikings four-time Pro-Bowl running back Dalvin Cook. (L:Giants.com photo, R: Wikipedia, All-Pro Reels/CreativeCommons.org photo)