New York Amsterdam News E-Edition Issue # 33 August 18-24, 2022

WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM Vol. 113 No. 33 | August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 ©2022 The Amsterdam News | $1.00 New York City THE NEW BLACK VIEW State Sen. Kevin Parker at his all-white campaign party with supporters and constituents on Sunday, Aug. 14 (Ariama C. Long photo) Rikers Island (Doug Schneider Photo_iStock) (Amanda Ulloa photo) YET ANOTHER DEATH IN NYC CORRECTIONAL FACILITY RAISES MORE QUESTIONS(Seestoryon page 6) Another death at Rikers this year (See story on page 6) Old versus new in August State Senate races (See story on page 3) Eye on the Hurricane: Tropical storms near peak season (See story on page 36) Rikers Island (NDZ_STAR MAX_IPx_AP photo) RIKERS HELLHOLE Help From Congress for Distressed Student Loan Borrowers Urban Agenda by David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society of New York - See page 5

Matanzas is in west-central Cuba, just 60 miles east of Havana. It is a city known for its rich Afro Cuban culture—this is where the danzón, mambo, and rumba were created— and as a city where African-based religions and traditions remain prominent. Today, an estimated 23% of the city’s population is Afro Cuban. Because it houses a port with a deep bay, Matanzas is also where the Cuban nation receives its heavy crude and fuel oil imports. The oil is both received and stored in Matan zas and used to produce electricity throughout the Matanzas-bornisland.Maria Magdale na Campo Pons, a world-renowned artist who serves as professor of fine arts at the U.S.’s Vanderbilt Universi ty, told the AmNews she’s devastated by the fires in her hometown. “Part of my family is still in Matanzas, so I have very strong connections and contacts and communication daily with people there.” Matanzas was Cuba’s center of the COVID-19 pan demic and has since been plagued with a dengue fever epidemic. “So, with this explosion taking place— and there are no medicines in Cuba: there are no antibiotics, there are no painkillers, there are no electrolytes— I needed to send some help.”

Utilizing the Engine for Art, De mocracy and Justice organization she founded, Campo Pons is encouraging the donation of humanitarian sup plies that will be sent directly to people who need them in Matanzas. “It’s not that we’re sending a packet and giving it to the government to then do

Sierra Leone serves as an illustration for the risks faced by African countries also rich in mineral resources.

Last month in Sierra Leone, women street vendors gathered peacefully to protest the soaring cost of living. This week, the number swelled to the hun dreds as many more protestors turned out, clashing with police and demand ing the president’s resignation over the government’s perceived failure to ad dress the rising prices. At least 27 people died in the an ti-government protests, police and other sources were reported to say, sharply raising the death toll from the previous day’s clashes. Protesters demonstrated again on Friday in Freetown, the capital city, but this time were met with police firing live ammunition at the crowds, according to videos shared on social media. The extent of injuries was unknown.

“Therefore, disruption of in ternet access is a violation of the right to freedom of expression and access to information protected by international human rights law and can have a dire impact on the right to freedom of peaceful as sembly.—Michèle Eken, research er at Amnesty International’s West and Central Africa office KENYANS SELECT PRESIDENTIAL WINNER BUT NOT ALL AGREE (GIN)—What began as a quiet voting exercise with a low voter turn out ended with an upset victory for Kenya’s Deputy President William Amolo Ruto, who became the na tion’s fifth president. The race had taken a worrying turn since polls were shut down several times after complaints by supporters of the main candidates.

“Wednesday was the tipping point of something that had been brewing for months,” said Alhaji U. N’jai, a professor of environmental science at the University of Sierra Leone’s Fourah Bay College. “That brought together groups that are completely different, but they were unified by economic difficulties.”

The first rainfall collected in Matan zas, Cuba—after a fire broke out at the supertanker base in the cities’ in dustrial zone and burned for days— was full of black oil. The same severe thunderstorm that had killed three people near the White House in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 4, produced a lightning bolt that struck a fuel storage tank on Friday, Aug. 5 in Matanzas. The fire that re sulted spread and, by Monday, Aug. 8, had consumed four oil tanks and caused huge explosions. Local fire fighters and many young military re cruits were sent to fight the flames; when they were overwhelmed, Mexico and Venezuela sent firefight er

Thick, black smoke hovered for days It’s being called the largest oil fire in Cuba’s history: and with the flames now out, the citizens of Matanzas are having to confront the health con cerns they will face in its aftermath.

RISING PRICES, LOW INCOMES BEDEVIL SIERRA LEONEANS AND THEIR POLITICIANS (GIN)—Americans aren’t alone in turning purple over the skyrocketing costs for housing, food, medical care and fuel for the car.

2 • August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Meanwhile, in a recent interview with the BBC, President Julius Bio blamed outside forces for the unrest. “We have a few Sierra Leoneans who live in the diaspora who have threatened to unleash terror in Sierra Leone,” he said, in an ap parent reference to an anti-gov ernment commentator, Adebayor, living in the Netherlands who had called for protests this week.

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Special to the AmNews

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anborder.Cuba,tariandeeplyalsocalledThreereinforcements.U.S.CongressmembersontheBidenadministrationtosendaidtofightthefire:“WeareconcernedaboutthehumanidisasterunfoldinginMatanzas,lessthan150milesfromourCrisessuchasthisdemandurgentandmeaningfulresponse

from neighboring countries,” said Barbara Lee (D-CA), Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) and James P. McGov ern (D-MA) in an Aug. 10 statement. “We fear that the significant recov ery efforts needed in Matanzas will push an already resource-strapped Cuba closer to the brink. Now is the time to put politics aside and pri oritize humanitarian engagement, environmental protection, and re gional cooperation.”

Sierra Leone is well known for its vast endowment in minerals which include conflict or war diamonds, rutile, bauxite, gold, iron ore, limo nite, platinum, chromite, coltan, tan talite, columbite, and zircon, as well as promising petroleum potential. Yet the West Africa nation, bor dered by Guinea, Liberia, and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean, is one of the world’s poorest countries and has been for over 40 years. Nearly 30% of the population suffers from chronic hunger, according to the World Food Program, and more than half its pop ulation lives below the poverty line.

“The wind blew northwest to May abeque and Havana provinces,” said a local resident (the resident did not want their name used). “The fami lies living on the western side from the catastrophe were all evacuated. People were told they shouldn’t go out unnecessarily and that houses should remain closed permanently.”

Amnesty International weighed in on the reports of more than a hundred people arrested. “The au thorities must ensure that bystand ers and those who were protesting peacefully are not arbitrarily arrest ed simply for having participated in the “Whendemonstrations.policingassemblies, se curity forces have an obligation to minimize harm and injury, pre serve human life and exercise re straint in the use of force. “Amnesty is also concerned that authorities cut off the internet sporadically between Aug. 10 and 11. Access to the internet, social media, instant messaging apps and other digital technologies are im portant tools expanding the abili ty of people to protest both online and offline, enabling people to gain access to information, distribute details about an upcoming protest, organize, and enable virtual en gagement in a wide variety of ways.

On Monday, Kenya’s elections chief declared Deputy President Wil liam Amolo Ruto but, amid chaotic scenes, four other senior election of ficials said the week-long count was too opaque and disowned the result. At last count, Ruto edged out Raila Odinga. The two had been running neck and neck. The announcement was de layed amid scuffles and allega tions of vote-rigging by Odinga’s campaign. By early Saturday af ternoon, Odinga had 52.54% of the vote (2,288,315 votes), com pared with 46.76% (2,036,795 votes) for Ruto in 29.92% of poll ing stations, according to official results released from Nairobi, where the Independent Electoral Crude oil fire in Matanzas, Cuba is an environmental catastrophe

Protestors were heard chanting “Bio must go,” referring to President Julius Maada Bio, who is currently in the United Kingdom on a private visit.

In New York City, $300,000 is being donated to Weill Cornell Medicine to hire a mental health professional for a pediatric practice to implement the Primary Care Behavioral Health Model of integrated care for its high-need patients from across the city. Another $275,000 is being donated to Partnership with Children to launch a workshop to infuse the healing power of the arts, including trauma-informed arts programming, in 11 school-based mental health programs citywide.

State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie continued his annual statewide tour today, joining Assemblymember Phil Steck at Colonie Senior Service Center to announce a $2 million investment that will support the King Thiel II affordable senior hous ingThefacility.$2million investment presented by Heastie and Steck will support infrastruc ture, property site improvements and on-site parking for the new King Thiel II af fordable senior housing facility. The facility’s construction is intended to address limited competition and the large waitlist at King Thiel Senior Center I. The facility will be a three-story building comprised of 125,629 square feet of living space and is scheduled to be completed in 2024. It will offer 99 rental units, housing 162 seniors, and will be more affordable than most competing facilities. by Cyril Josh Barker

See VOTE on page 32 See SENATE on page 32

Old versus new in August State Senate races

In total, UnitedHealthcare is donating $11 million in grants through its Empow ering Health program across 11 states. The grants will assist individuals and families experiencing challenges from food insecurity, social isolation, and behavioral health issues, and support local health promotion and health literacy efforts.

UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) company, is awarding $1 million in Empowering Health grants to six community-based organizations in New York state to expand access to care and address the social determinants of health for uninsured individuals and underserved communities.

The Cannabis Control Board approved 15 Adult-Use Conditional Pro cessorTheselicenses.licensescomprise a key part of the supply chain supporting the opening of New York’s adult-use cannabis market through the Seeding Opportunity Initia tive. Through the Initiative, processors will take adult-use cannabis currently being grown by New York farmers and turn it into consumer cannabis products. These products will then be sold at New York’s first retail dispensaries, through the Seeding Opportunity Initiative’s Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary program.

Coming on the heels of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that effectively overturned Roe v. Wade, these six bills will strengthen abortion protections, make medication abortion free at all New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene clinics, and improve public health education so every New Yorker and person visiting New York City for reproductive health care knows their rights and their options for receiving care.

Cannabis Control Board approves first process to make adult-use cannabis products in NYS

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member There’s less than a week until the August Primary caps on Tues day, Aug. 23, Election Day. Here’s a recap of some of the major State Senate races. “The redrawing of State Senate lines created very different dis tricts with unusually competitive races. Voters should take this op portunity to know who is running to represent them, and where candidates stand on important reform issues,” said Betsy Got baum, executive director of Citi zensTheUnion.political battle between ‘old school incumbents’ and DSA progressives is ongoing. Out of the nine Working Families Party/ DSA Assembly candidates only two won in June’s primary, report ed City & State, indicating a shift. In 2020, all five progressive can didates won their primaries and ousted longtime incumbents. Senate District 21 now covers the Flatbush, East Flatbush, Ditmas Park, Flatlands, Marine Park, and Bergen Beach neighbor hoods due to court-ordered redis trictedIncumbentmaps. Sen. Kevin Parker is plotting another reelection in his almost expansive 20-year career, against new and progres sive blood. Parker is up against Kaegan Mays-Williams and Dem ocratic Socialists of America (DSA) backed David Alexis. Alexis’ platform focuses on housing protections, tenants’ rights, universal health care, and public safety through community investment, said NYC Votes. And like many progressives, he doesn’t believe in taking contributions from real estate or fossil fuel cor porations.Parkersaid he’s long been in volved in passing legislation on climate change, police reform and combating excessive use of force, the affordability gap for his constituents and seniors, lower ing taxes, and anti-domestic vio lence work. He said that these are not DSA or progressive issues. “I’m not going to win or lose my election based on a three-month campaign, I’m going to win or lose based on my record. And the real ity is when you look at things that matter I am not just involved in those issues but I’m the leader of those issues,” said Parker at a cam paign fundraiser. In an inverse situation, com munity activist and Reverend Conrad Tillard is attempting to unseat DSA-progressive Sen. Adams signs legislation guaranteeing access to safe, affordable abortion in NYC Mayor Eric Adams signed legislation to protect access to safe and affordable abor tions in New York City.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 • 3

The application opened on June 28 and will close Aug. 31, 2022. Applications will be reviewed and approved on a rolling basis.

UnitedHealthcare donates $1 million to nonprofits in New York

—Compiled

The passage and signing of the bills underscore the city’s commitment to protect ing the women in New York and outsiders seeking reproductive asylum in the city.

Metro Briefs See SWINDLING on page 27

Get the Vote Out NYC

The upcoming August 23rd pri mary is officially inching closer with early voting underway. New York City, because of a redrawing of voting lines, is slated to elect or reelect U.S. House of Representa tives and state senators next week. Early voting began this Satur day with worries of a low turnout compared to the June primary this year. As of Monday, Aug. 15, there’s a total of 24,291 unofficial early voters, tweeted the Board of Elections (BOE). For the June pri mary this year, there were 86,890 unofficial early voters added in to make a total of 369,138 votes by Election Day on June 28, said BOE. That’s a significant drop from the 1,014,609 total votes in 2021’s June primary.Mostofficials view the low turn out as a symptom of the city and state holding two primaries in ad dition to a general election this year, which is unusual. Every 10 years the voting district maps across a state are redrawn based on census data in a process called redistricting. After months of par tisan and public fighting over the maps, the city is using congressio nal and state senate maps desig nated in the courts by an outside special master this August. The more closely watched races feature U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler, U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, and Suraj Patel in congressional Dis trict 12, and Councilmember Car lina Rivera, Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou, and lawyer Daniel Goldman in the newly formed congressional District 10. There are many more state senate races across the boroughs, such as Gustavo Rivera in District 33 in the Bronx, Andrew Gou nardes in District 26 in Brook lyn, Cordell Cleare in District 30 in Harlem, Elizabeth Crowley in District 59 in Queens, and Jessica

By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member Carlos Moreno put the outlaw in out of law. Earlier this month, the 61-year-old immigration lawyer was sentenced to 1-3 years in state prison for scheming to de fraud and one year (concurrently) for practicing law with a suspend ed license, announced Manhat tan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “These New Yorkers sought legal services from Mr. Moreno in order to apply for permanent residen cy in the place they already call home,” said Bragg. “Instead, he took their fees and placed them in situations that put them at risk of deportation.”Theswindle started before even Moreno’s law license was sus pended in 2017. According to the D.A.’s office, his consultations falsely claimed undocument ed immigrants could apply for “legal” residency after staying in the United States for a decade— a grift aptly coined the “10-Year Green Card Scam.” Instead, he submitted a pair of meritless asylum applications, triggering his clients’ removal proceedings after they were decidedly rejected. Moreno began practicing in 1992 until he was suspended roughly five years ago for “en gaging in conduct immediately threatening the public interest.” Still, he continued to work with an existing client whom he failed to inform of the news. Six months after his suspension, anoth er client hired him, woefully un aware of his suspension. His ex-clients recalled in their statements how Moreno would ghost them or offer them the runaround once he received partial

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

Bar None: Suspended lawyer sentenced for swindling thousands of dollars from immigrants

The conditional processor license was created by legislation signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in February 2022. To qualify, processors must hold a Cannabinoid Hemp Processor license issued by the Office of Cannabis Management and have ap plied for the license prior to Jan. 1, 2022. Adult-Use Conditional Processors must participate in a mentorship program meant to provide pathways to industry and entrepreneurship opportunities for social equity applicants and participate in an environmental sustainability program.

Assembly Speaker Heastie joins Assemblymember Steck on statewide tour to announce $2 million investment in affordable senior housing

Biden signs the Inflation Reduction Act

See MPV on page 36 See CITY COUNCIL on page 27

City Council and LGBTQIA+ Caucus to introduce monkeypox bills

Councilmembers Crystal Hudson, Chi Osse, and the LGBTQIA+ Caucus introduced a package of bills last week to address the monkeypox crisis as well as vaccination equity and public outreach, just as the COVID-19 pandemic recedes.

The Center for Urban Research at The Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY) Redistricting & You: New York City City Council district maps in New York City

City Council Redistricting Commission resumes public hearings

The City Council Redistricting Commission will hold another five hearings in each of the boroughs to get public testimony on these new preliminary maps released in July. The most recent one having kicked off in Astoria, Queens this Tuesday. “I think that with the first round of public hearings, people came in person, virtually, or sub mitted their testimony of over 500 responses. I think that was a good first step,” said Dennis Wal cott, chair of the NYC Council Redistricting Commission. “I think we’ll see even more people at the next round of public

underAccordingDykerthatnityajustmentsaforgoalWalcotthearings.”saidthecommission’sistoreachouttothepublicinputasmuchaspossibleinvarietyofways,andmakingadispartoftheprocess.Thepreliminaryplanincludescontroversial“Asianopportudistrict”inSouthBrooklyncoverspartsofSunsetPark,Heights,andBensonhurst.toracialblocvotingthefederalVotingRights

To help students prepare for the start of the school year, State Sen. Troy Singleton is partner ing with Moguls Barbershop to provide free haircuts at his Annual Back-to-School Haircut Day on Saturday, Sept. 3 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

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

Act, the commission is required to pro tect minority voting power. In the racial bloc voting analysis meet ing last week, an expert hinted that

“This City has had more than two years to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic; to study its missteps and put into place a rapid response plan to handle any future outbreaks of in fectious disease effectively and effi ciently,” said Hudson in a statement.

By CYRIL JOSH BARKER Amsterdam News Staff

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

Murphy signs executive order lifting routine COVID-19 testing requirements for NJ school districts

4 • August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Following recent updates to COVID-19 guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in advance of the up coming school year, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed an ex ecutive order lifting the require ment that school districts, child care settings, and state contrac tors maintain a policy requir ing their unvaccinated workers undergo routine testing. The change will apply to school dis tricts and child care settings immediately, and to state con tractors as of Sept. 1. As of June 17, anyone aged 6 months or older is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. At this time, more than 18.4 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in New Jersey, with more than 1.9 mil lion doses having been admin istered to children under the age of “Today’s18. executive order fol lows guidance from public health officials at the CDC re garding responsible steps states can take as we continue to adjust to the endemic reality of COVID-19,” said Murphy. “With children as young as 6 months old now eligible for vaccines and millions of New Jerseyans vaccinated and boosted, more of our residents are safe from severe illness due to COVID-19.”

With one stroke of his pen, Pres ident Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and that’s sure to bring a round of hallelu jahs from millions of Americans, particularly the elderly reeling from the cost of health care and those dependent on Medicare. It took a year of wrangling with cer tain elected officials, most notably Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, to finally with a few concessions get the bill through Congress and into Biden’s eager“Thishands.isfinally delivering on a prom ise made to the American people de cades ago,” Biden said on Tuesday. Biden has secured the center piece of his agenda and the law is in place now with nearly $370 mil lion to combat climate change and global warming. This will be man aged through tax rebates and credits for renewable energy as well as ener gy-efficient technology, and electrical ly powered cars. Included in the law is punishment for fossil fuel compa nies for their excess usage of methane emissions. Communities vulnerable to climate change will be protected by finding climate resilience and pollu tion monitoring devices and projects. But this law does not come with out some grave concerns about the concessions made to the fossil fuel industry, most egregiously the drilling and pipeline deals that will certainly harm areas throughout the nation, particularly in Alaska and the Gulf Coast. According to several experts, the deal could not have been done without ceding the bulk of the funds to the cor porations.Evenso, the IRA seems to be a good bargain and a benefit for the environment.Asforwhatitwill mean for lowering the cost of prescription drugs, there is no complaint from Americans on Medicare. For the first time in the na tion’s history, the government will ne gotiate rates on the cost of drugs and punish Big Pharma that fail to follow theTherules.law was a sealed deal after it passed the Senate on Sunday, strict ly along party lines as expected, with Vice President Harris casting the de ciding 51-50 vote. It’s not exactly what Biden dreamed of with his Build Back Better plan but, as they say on the block, it beats a naught.

The executive order lifts the testing requirements put into place for school districts, child care settings, and state contrac tors via previous executive order numbers 253, 264, and 271, re spectively. Nothing in today’s order prevents these settings from maintaining a vaccination or testing policy as they see fit goingSchoolsforward.andchild care facilities will still be required to report vac cination and testing data to the Department of Health to allow the state to continue to monitor COVID-19 and make data-driven decisions to keep residents safe. Covered workers in congregate care, health care, and correction al facility settings will still be re quired to be up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, includ ing the first booster dose, as per prior executive orders. Separate from the executive order, the New Jersey state em ployee testing program will also come to an end on Sept. 1. Reports indicate that COVID-19 cases in New Jersey are seeing a steady decline. On Monday, there were 833 confirmed COVID-19 cases statewide and one death.

The haircuts will be provided at Moguls Barbershop, which is located at 1821 Cinnaminson Avenue, Cinnaminson, N.J. The free haircuts are available to children 12 and under who are residents of the 7th Legislative District which include Beverly, Bordentown City, Bordentown Twp, Burlington City, Burling ton Twp, Cinnaminson, Delan co, Delran, Edgewater Park, Fieldsboro, Florence, Moore stown, Mount Laurel, Palmyra, Riverside, Riverton, and Willing boro. Children should present a valid school ID, if available. “Having a fresh haircut is just as important as having new sup plies on the first day of school. Looking good will give kids the confidence they need to start the school year successfully,” said Singleton. “I am thankful to my friends at Moguls Barbershop for theirSingletonpartnership.”hasbeen hosting his annual back-to-school haircut day since 2015. Other commu nity outreach efforts by the sen ator include his Summer Lunch program, monthly “Serve with Senator Singleton” communi ty service projects and donation drives throughout the year.

Monkeypox (MPV) is usually a rare virus, part of the Orthopoxvirus family, that’s had a recent resurgence globally. It’s characterized by nonfatal flu-like symptoms with swell ing of the lymph nodes and bumpy rashes on the face and body. It first popped up in New York City back in May this year, according to the city. By June 23, the available vaccination appointments for the impacted LG BTQIA+ community were booked. Into July, supply was dwindling and the city’s online booking system was struggling to keep up with the high demand for vaccines. On July 13, Mayor Eric Adams had to declare a monkeypox epidemic in the city. As of last week there’s 2,000 known cases of monkeypox in the city. “When faced with the recent surge of the monkeypox virus, the Depart ment of Health and Mental Hygiene [DOHMH] has dragged its feet de spite early warnings from health ex perts and advocates, proving entirely unprepared to safeguard the health and wellbeing of all New Yorkers,” continued Hudson. Hudson said the bills introduced by the LGBTQIA+ Caucus will ensure DOHMH better delivers care and can more effectively curb the spread of MPV and any future outbreaks of in fectious diseases. The bills will require the health department to implement an education and outreach cam paign about the outbreak, ensure that communities most at risk of contracting the virus have sufficient access to vaccines, and create a per manent vaccine portal that allows New Yorkers to schedule vaccination appointments for infectious diseases

By CYRIL JOSH BARKER Amsterdam News Staff

NewJersey News

State Sen. Singleton hosting backto-school haircut event

BlackNewYorker

By David R. Jones

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

For 55 years, the Harlem Commonwealth Council (HCC) has helped educate and empower businesses in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx. Suzanne Hurley is HCC’s vice president & senior director of program management. She has been with the nonprofit for the last seven years and has also had a lifetime of experience uplifting youth, educa tion and the community in New York City. She currently leads HCC’s education and mentoring programs serv ing youth and adults. “Watching the students learn to advocate for them selves and then go to col lege is always the best part,” saidHurley,Hurley.58, immigrat ed from Trinidad to Brook lyn with her family when she was young. She lived on Bergen Street and was in spired by her mother’s com munity work to get more involved, she said. Her mother founded the now landmarked Bergen Street Community Garden. “In the [1970s] there were poor houses across the street from us and people started using the lot to throw garbage. My mom had us clean the lot and plant a garden,” said Hurley. “That garden still exists today. It’s grandfathered. It cannot be used for develop ment, only a garden.”

Just ask Lisa Cepeda, 59, of Brooklyn who first met with an EDCAP counselor in January 2020. At the time, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation employee was financially burdened by an old, defaulted Perkins loan that eventually led to the seizure of her tax refunds for many years.

Once the family start ed planning programs for the garden, Hurley said she caught the community ser vice bug early. Hurley had a previous career in private equity, before committing to edu cation and community ser vice full time. She began about 20 years ago orga nizing for CUNY and then made the move to HCC. HCC was established under the 1964 Landmark Eco nomic Opportunity Act and has deep ties to the Harlem community being located right on West 125th Street. Its founding members are Arthur Hill, Preston Wilcox, Isaiah E. Robinson, Jr., Leo Rolle, Marshall England, Ken Marshall and Roy Innis. HCC runs several com munity programs focused on youth and business de velopment. Arches helps “justice involved youth,” or adolescents who may have had run-ins with the law. HCC’s Arches provides mentorships and sup port, including a GED pro gram, so that kids don’t go back into the system, she said. HCC participates in the city’s Summer Rising program, after school programs during the reg ular school year, and runs STEM at 3 p.m. to teach young children important math and science and tech skills. The nonprofit also doles out microloans to local businesses and facili tates business owners skills training classes. “We are definitely grow ing,” said Hurley. “The ser vices that we provide, even though it’s under the radar and quiet, is really part of the work.”

Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about culture and politics in New York City for The Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-de ductible gift of any amount today by visiting: nyurl.com/fcszwj8whttps://ti Help From Congress for Distressed Student Loan Borrowers

Before the pause on federal student loan payments expires at the end of this month, President Biden is expected to announce that he will use his executive authority to unilaterally cancel some amount of existing student loan debt, per borrower.

EDCAP tracked down the defaulted loan and negotiated a resolution that ended Ms. Cepeda’s tax refund intercepts. EDCAP’s assistance in this case was critical because of the complexities of the outstanding judgement and the number of parties involved in figuring out a solution.

THE URBAN AGENDA

EDCAP is currently helping Ms. Cepeda get on track for H.R.8643PSLF.would allocate $80 million in grant funding to states to pass down to communitybased organizations and other direct service providers who engage with borrowers directly. With more than 45 million Americans owing $1.7 trillion in student debt, it makes economic sense to fund programs that can help borrowers reduce or eliminate their debt, and put themselves on a path to financial health. Even our bitterly divided Congress should be able to agree on that.

Harlem Council’sCommonwealthVPSuzanneHurley

In the meantime, the growing student loan debt crisis imperils the financial security of millions of households, not only in New York but across the nation. Every 28 seconds a student loan debt borrower goes into default. Studies show that student loan debt has a disparate impact on low-income borrowers of color, particularly Black and Latina/x women. Findings from a new Community Service Society (CSS) report, “Mitigating the Growing Impact of Student Loan Debt,” bear this out. The report, based on our annual Unheard Third survey, found that 43 percent of Black women and 38 percent of Latina/x women have outstanding student loan debt compared to just 27 percent of White women. Overall, women owe two-thirds of all student loan debt. However, Black women repay their student loans at a slower rate compared to their peers and are more likely to struggle with meeting essential expenses because of this debt. Default rates are also higher among Black and brown borrowers

H.R.8643 The Student Loan Literary Act of 2022, is modeled after a program funded by New York State Lawmakers – the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP). Since its launch in 2019, EDCAP has saved consumers in New York millions by helping borrowers apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), get out of default, avoid wage garnishments and social security offsets, resolve disputes with loan servicers, access cancellation and relief programs, and much more. [Full disclosure: EDCAP is administered by CSS]. This year, EDCAP received $3 million in funding from Governor Hochul to expand services statewide. Having robust consumer assistance programs like EDCAP is and will continue to be vital. Whether President Biden decides to cancel $10,000 or $50,000 in student loan debt, there will be an increased need for consumer assistance programs to help borrowers navigate the complex student loan system and make informed decisions about the best way to address their debt. To illustrate this, consider the borrower with multiple loans and different interest rates and who may be close to qualifying for other forgiveness or discharge benefits. If she owes more than $50,000, she will need help to ensure that the $50,000 is applied in the most beneficial way, and advice on developing a plan to tackle her remaining debt.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 • 5

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. The views expressed in this column are solely those of the writer. The Urban Agenda is available on CSS’s website: www.cssny.org.

Of course, student debt cancellation in any form would not help the next cohort of student loan borrowers. Absent massive reforms to our higher education financing system and the reining in of skyrocketing costs associated with obtaining a post-secondary education, each new year will bring another cohort of borrowers. And each successive cohort will have to cope with the same predatory practices inherent in our loan servicer sector and highly complex student loan repayment system that has contributed to today’s $1.7 trillion student debt crisis. But help for borrowers struggling with student loans may be on the way. Legislation introduced this month by Representative Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-08) and Representative Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05) would establish federal funding for nonprofit consumer assistance programs to assist borrowers in effectively managing their student debt and navigating an extraordinarily complex system to make sure they’re in the right repayment plans and are taking advantage of all options available to them, including loan forgiveness and discharge.

Headshot of HCC VP Suzanne Hurley (Contributed photo)

Proponents of student debt cancellation have urged the President to cancel all federal student loan debt, something he has signaled he would not do. Even so, there’s a case to be made for a broad-based approach to student debt cancellation as a way of providing economic relief to Americans who are financially burdened by crushing student loan debt at a time of growing inflation fears and tight household budgets. We will soon find out if the political will exists to act on student debt cancellation.

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 writ ing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift today by visit ing: https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w

Another death at Rikers this year

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

City Council Member Tiffany Cabán, one of the jail’s most prominent critics, offered a scathing response to the news of Cru ciani’s“Rikersdeath.Island is a hellhole,” said Cabán in an email. “I know. Not only have I repre sented hundreds upon hundreds of clients caged there, I represent it in the City Coun cil. Neither incarcerated New Yorkers nor the jail’s staff are safe…we need a total re versal of our policy on the island: ban soli tary confinement, decarcerate, shutter and demolish the jail, and invest in the health and stability of the communities to which our incarcerated neighbors return.”

victims were his patients at Beth Israel Medical Center—six women with com plex pain diseases whose suf fering the ex-Drexel University department chair leveraged for sexual acts. He forcibly kissed and groped them, prosecutors say. According to the Manhat tan District Attorney’s office, he hooked the survivors on opioids, prescribing them dangerously high doses of pain medication in exchange for sex. And left them with ad dictions, trauma and botched treatment to their existing, severe conditions. Cruciani faced up to life in prison. But he wasn’t sen tenced to death.

6 • August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Numbers up in July’s NYPD citywide crime statistics

By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member The dog days of summer are truly in July. The NYPD recently released citywide crime statistics for last month and they’re up almost entirely across the board com pared to July 2021. Headlining the report is a 34.3% increase in murders. Robberies and grand larceny saw even bigger jumps. In fact, only rape was down out of the seven major-index crime categories. And only by 7%, a flimsy margin given the historically severe under reporting of sexual assaults.

“We know that any crime increase in our city is wholly unacceptable,” said Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell. “Every one who lives, works, and visits here de serves to be safe, and the members of the NYPD will tolerate nothing less—but we cannot do it alone.” Gun violence remains an issue, with 21 more shootings this July compared to last. But even with crime spiking in July, the number of murders and shootings de creased this year. According to CompStat, both dipped from 2021 by roughly 10%. As for historical context, there were 527,257 major crimes reported in New York City back in 1990, including 2,262 murders. Over halfway through 2022, the NYPD re ports 74,539 major crimes reported as of Aug. 8, with 261 murders tallied. Also higher this July are hate crimes, which saw a general 50% increase, with in cidents based on anti-Semitism and sexual orientation leading the way and both roughly doubling from last year. But Auda cia Ray, director of Community Organizing and Public Advocacy at New York City An ti-Violence Project (AVP), says the numbers don’t paint the full picture.

The 68-year-old was held at the jail’s Eric M. Taylor Center and convicted in July.

However, she is noticing an uptick in violence direct ed at LGBTQ+ New Yorkers this summer, most notably at Drag Queen Story Hour events held across the city’s public libraries, schools and bookstores. The attacks were a first for most, and many ran their programs from an upwards of five to six years. 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 writ ing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift today by visit ing: https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w

While Cruciani is officially the 11th death at Rikers in 2022, 28-year-old Antonio Bradley committed suicide in jail but brief ly survived and received a compassion ate release before dying three days later on June 18. So the city doesn’t include him in tallies. With or without the technicali ty, Cruciani is the only non-Black, brown or multiracial person to die in Rikers this year. And he’s also the only person to die in Rikers this year actually convicted of the crime he or she was held for, says VOCALNY Civil Rights Union leader Eileen Maher. “Everyone’s equal,” said Maher. “And they deserve to not be treated like that. They de serve to have their safety, which includes their medical health and mental health.”

“I am deeply saddened to learn of Mr. Cruciani’s pass ing,” said Department of Cor rections Commissioner Louis Molina in a statement. “We will conduct a preliminary in ternal review to determine the circumstances surround ing his death. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his lovedCruciani’sones.”

Police vehicles in Harlem (Tandy Lau photo) Sign for the Q100 bus to Rikers Island (Tandy Lau photo)

Neurologist Ricardo Cruciani was to be sentenced this Sept. 14 for rape, sexual as sault and abuse. Instead, he is now the 11th person to die inside Rikers this year, found dead this past Tuesday at around 6:30 a.m.

“The numbers that AVP gathers are typically higher than what the NYPD is seeing, because people call us to get support,” she said. “If you fund preven tion and reporting, you get more reporting—which may or may not track with an increase in violence.”

“These constant cases of people who may have ‘mattered’ in the eyes of the media represent thousands of people who aren’t seen everyday,” said Five Mualimm-Ak, ex ecutive director of Incarceration Nation Network. “[These] conditions that they see [are] just one example—this is what a normal poor New Yorker, who ends up in Rikers, [lives] the life of. “I think ‘found dead’ is a hell of a state ment when you’re in jail. Like how did they find you? You’re supposed to be accounted for, cared for.” The Corrections Officers’ Benevolent As sociation (COBA), the union representing Rikers’ officers, blamed management. “Typically, when an inmate enters our custody for the first time facing a seri ous high profile crime, they are put under suicide watch, which requires an addi tional officer to supervise that inmate,” said COBA President Benny Bosco in a statement. “The fact that this inmate wasn’t put under suicide watch raises serious questions.”

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 • 7

The Southampton African American Museum (SAAM) held its second annual fun draiser hosted by Jean and Martin Shafiroff, Aisha Chris tian and Michael Steifman at Blu Mar restaurant in South ampton, New York. The re ception was a celebration of the museum’s second year in its historic landmarked building in Southampton, and continued efforts to sup port the Founder’s Campaign. Those attending included Brenda Simmons, the hosts, NY Assemblywoman Rebec ca Seawright, Judith KasenWindsor, Zach Erdem and more. Silent auction items included merchandise from Leila Pinto Fine Art, Jenni fer Miller Jewelry, Jet Blue, Hidden Gems and others. It was the party of the summer as Roz Live/Keep ing Artists on Stage celebrated the music of Grover Washing ton Jr. featuring Patience Hig gins on Aug. 11 at Row House in Harlem. Guests included “What’s Happening” star Hay wood Nelson, socialite/style diva Connie Drayton Kenne dy, who was celebrating her birthday, former WBLS radio personality Debi Jackson, singer Priceless, who portrays Gladys (in the new “Gladys Knight Show”) and brand marketing specialist L. Mari lyn Crawford.

FLO ANTHONY Roz Nixon, Haywood Nelson, Connie Drayton Kennedy, Priceless (Photo by Deez Filmz Photography)

According to multiple re ports, Denzel Washington hit Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Aug. 13 for the grand opening of the August Wilson House, which was the childhood home of the renowned multiaward winning playwright for the first 12 years of his life. Washington co-chaired the event with Constan za Romero Wilson, August’s widow and collaborator. Said Denzel, who helped lead the fundraising campaign to re store the house, “I want to thank the community. Be cause he’s yours, you’re his, and you just shared him with the rest of us. I personally thank you for that.” The twotime Academy Award winner portrayed Troy Maxson in the Broadway version of Wil son’s “Fences,” which opened in 2010, then directed and starred in the play’s cinematic adaptation, which was filmed in Pittsburgh. Washington also produced Wilson’s movie “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” Charlie Wilson’s “No Stop pin’ Us,” featuring Babyface, Johnny Gill, and K-Ci Hailey is No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart, making Wilson Billboard’s Top Adult Male R&B Artist with the most No. 1’s ever on the chart. “No Stoppin’ Us” addi tionally makes history as Bill board’s first song ever with four credited artists to reach No. 1 on the chart. This ac complishment also gives K-Ci Hailey his first No. 1 song as a solo artist. All four artists are managed under P. Music Group which is promoting the record, which was re leased via the Paradise im print, giving the label its first No. 1 song and P Music Group its eighth No. 1.

Go With The Flo

On Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, Brook lyn’s Boys and Girls High School celebrated the life and legacy of the Honorable Albert Vann. Former Assemblyman and City Council member Vann, “a po litical bedrock of Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights,” died peacefully on July 14, 2022. The wonderful Brooklyn-nota bles-packed event was hosted by At torney General Letitia James. With typical Brooklyn flair and energy, she kept the full program flowing. Speakers included: the Rev. Her bert Daughtry; Vann family mem bers including children such as daughter Binta Vann, grands Najah and Naim Vann; Dr. Esmeralda Sim mons; the Hon. Annette Robinson; Dr. Adelaide Sandford by video; Debra Fraser-Howze; Marilyn Reid; Councilwoman Stefani Zinerman; City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams; Mayor Eric Adams; and NYS Speaker Carl Heastie. Condolences came from Presi dents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, read by AG James. Also sending best wishes were Nandi Mande la, grand-daughter of Nelson; and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former deputy president of South Africa. The next day on Saturday, Aug. 13, the Vann family and AG James hosted a community block party at Restora tion Plaza with music, food, dancing, and powerful remembrances.

Al and Mildred Vann's grandchildren (Bill Moore photos)

8 • August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS GO WITH THE FLO Albert Vann life celebration at Boys & Girls High School

Debra MildredFraser-HowzeVann(C)with family members

The National Action Network celebrated the Rev. Jesse Jack son on Saturday, Aug. 13. As he addressed the enthusiastic crowd at the Rev. Al Sharpton’s Harlem NAN headquarters, they cheered the world-fa mous activist.

Suddenly we look up and the great white way had the look of a dalmatian. There were actual ly a few joints on Broadway that had our palates at the forefront, making the idea of spending our time and hard-earned dollars in the theater a viable if not prima ry option for entertainment. Un fortunately, the pandemic altered those plans and brought every thing to a grinding halt. Good news is we presently find our selves in the midst of recovery but there were a few major works that suffered collateral damage, however. A few stores, however, refused that fate and reconfig ured their program. It starts with a limited engagement running for only two weeks from Aug. 18Aug. 28 for Dominion Entertain ment Group as they will present the Atlanta premiere of Doug las Lyons’ Broadway hit comedy “Chicken & Biscuits.” Directed by the award-winning Tom Jones, it feature a cast of Tonia Jackson, Naomi Lavette, Tequila Whitfield, and Enoch King. As a 30-year veteran, Robert John Connor, founder, CEO & artistic di rector of Dominion Entertainment Group has worn many hats in his career. Bringing this production to the city of Atlanta adds to his per sonal and professional goals. “Sev eral years ago, I realized that my legacy is building bridges. I have had such a charmed life creat ing, teaching, and working with so many talented and now successful artists. I hope to be known as the man who helped someone realize their potential and their dreams. One of my former students, Devere Rogers, starred in the Broadway production and he called me to tell me he had booked it. When he told me the title, I thought, ‘What the hell…“Chicken & Biscuits”!’ We both laughed and I told him I would be there to see him make his Broadway debut. After seeing the show, I knew this would be a great show for the Atlanta market as it was clever, funny, and familiar.” He continued, “I immediately reached out to the writer, Douglas Lyons, and said this show needs to be in the ATL! We figured it out and I am very excited that my company, Dominion Entertain ment, can bring another quality production to our area. Though we are a small production com pany we have really grown to be known for bringing quality shows to this area and we work really hard to do so.” For the consumer in the Atlanta area Conner assures that they will leave abundant ly entertained. “The title speaks to so much more than what one would assume. Theatrical nour ishment. A good meal! No pun in tended. We all deserve to escape and live vicariously through other characters and their stories.” Just as important, patronage impacts the big picture, “Take inventory on what you throw your money at. Take our children to plays, operas, and museums. Connect the bridge between our culture and community,” he concludes. Playwright of the show Doug las Lyons gives additional depth to the point by adding, “‘Chicken & Biscuits’ was written to bring more Black audiences inside the theater. Theaters have to pro gram shows that reflect various cultures. ‘Chicken & Biscuits’ is getting nine regional produc tions in the next year and six al ready have Black directors. The work demands the creatives. It’s a ripple effect. That’s how we change the system.” As a per former, Lyons has appeared in two giant productions in “Beau tiful: The Carole King Musical” and “The Book of Mormon” and he cut his teeth as a writer with credits including “Fraggle Rock” on Apple TV+, “Polkadots” at At lantic Theater Company’s Atlan tic for Kids Off-Broadway, and “Beau” at Adirondack Theatre Festival. With “Chicken & Bis cuits” he announced his arrival as a talent with mainstay poten tial. To that Lyons says, “I feel blessed to see my legacy unfold ing. I want to be known as a play wright & composer who wrote for Black women, Queer folks, and children. Celebrating the beauty of each with joy and triumph.” To the city of Atlanta, Lyons gives a brief synopsis of what will tran spire on the stage and off, respec tively. “Chicken & Biscuits is a rarity in the American theater be cause it’s a universal comedy that centers a Black family. Historical ly, Black playwrights have not typ ically been given space to be silly in our work. There’s been a tint of pain or oppression attached to our narrative. This play ain’t that. It doesn’t take itself too serious ly and it will remind everyone in the audience of someone in their family—regardless of their back ground.” Continually, with using food as a thread, he states, “The play is named to not only honor the delicious recipes passed down through the Black family lineage but to also celebrate the tradi tions and conversations that sur round the meal. The Black kitchen is far more than another room in the house. It’s where laughter, fel lowship, culture, and sometimes dramaWhencollide.”asked in two words what the audience leaves with, he offers: healing and com munity. “Healing because I’ve gotten messages from people who saw the play multiple times on Broadway stating that it gave them hope for their own fam ilies; community because re gardless to how audiences enter the theater, they all leave as one congregation who sat through a sermon together. It’s live. It’s human. It gives you goose bumps as you experience it. You’re sharing each moment with 1,000 other heartbeats. The world needs theater to remind us of ourselves.” If you’re in the ATL, “Chick en and Biscuits” has a home at the Southwest Arts Center with the following scheduled perfor mancesThurs.,dates:Aug.18 @ 8 p.m. Fri., Aug. 19 @ 8 p.m. Sat., Aug. 20 @ 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sun., Aug. 21 @ 3 p.m. Wed., Aug. 24 @ 12 p.m. Thurs., Aug. 25 @ 8 p.m. Fri., Aug. 26 @ 8 p.m. Sat., Aug. 27 @ 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sun., Aug. 28 @ 3 p.m. Ticket prices: $45, $50. Avail able at: tilsatl.comwww.chickenandbiscuitOverandout.Hollanextweek,then,enjoythenightlife.

Written by David Goodson

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 • 9

Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks at NAN

Nightlife

OUT ABOUT LET’S LAUGH OVER SOME CHICKEN & BISCUITS

Rev. Jackson greets Gwen Carr, mother of police-murdered Eric Garner (Bill Moore photos)

&

The two most recent deaths were first reported by the USA Today Network.

OSHA investigates deaths of Amazon workers in New Jersey

tors are looking into the death of an Amazon worker and an injury that potentially led to the death of another employee, adding to a probe already underway following a third fatality during the company's annual Prime Day shopping event in mid-July. All three Amazon workers died within the past month and were employed at company facilities in New Jersey. The new Occupational Health and Safety Administration investi gations are putting fresh scrutiny on Amazon’s injury rates and work place-safety procedures, which have long been criticized by labor and safety advocates as inadequate. Department of Labor spokesper son Denisha Braxton confirmed Thursday that the most-recent fatality took place Aug. 4 at an Amazon facility in Monroe Town ship, about 20 miles (35 kilome ters) northeast of Trenton. The second probe is looking into a July 24 accident at an Amazon facili ty in Robbinsville. The worker in volved in that accident died three days later, according to Braxton.

“Our investigations are ongoing and we’re cooperating with OSHA, which is conducting its own reviews of the events, as it often does in these situations,” Stephenson said. Last month, OSHA launched an other investigation into a worker fatality at an Amazon warehouse in the New Jersey town of Carter et during the company’s Prime Day shopping event, which turned out to be the biggest in the company’s history. Federal officials haven’t re leased additional details about the death, but news reports have iden tified the worker as 42-year-old Rafael Reynaldo Mota Frias. A spokesperson for Amazon said the company’s internal investiga tion into the Carteret death shows it “was not a work-related incident, and instead was related to a per sonal medical condition.”

Amazon Fulfillment Center (Photo courtesy of jetcityimage via iStock)

Trader Joe’s Wine Shop email to store employees—its “Crew Members”—arrived at 12 in the morning, on the day the store was set to close.

10 • August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

One Trader Joe’s employee claims Crew Members were on the verge of asking for a vote to unionize. But since the store had already become less profitable since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and was having to regulate the sale of its alcohol because it was in a building owned by New York University (which has underage col lege students they didn’t want frequenting the wine store), the TJ’s employee claims management jumped at the opportuni ty to quickly close the store and move its wine operations to another space. “They claimed it was because the wine store has been losing money since the pandemic started,” another Trader Joe’s employee told the AmNews. “Either way, it’s an example of the com pany not even considering the employees in their decisions because they were not warned until 12:01 midnight.”

By HALELUYA HADERO AP Business Writer Federal work-safety investiga

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Special to the AmNews Trader Joe’s only wine store in New York City closed abruptly on Thursday, Aug. 11. After having been open at 138 East 14th St. in Union Square for 15 years, manag ers at Trader Joe’s Wine Shop, store #541, sent out an email to store employees— its “Crew Members”—to say that the space they had been operating in was too small, and that management had de cided to “optimize the potential of our one and only license to sell wine in the state of New York” by moving the wine shop to another location. Management promises that employees will be paid their regular salaries through Aug. 28, based on the days they were scheduled to work: “During this time, we will be working with the Mates, Merchant, and the Crew, and will talk individual ly with each of you about the opportuni ty to transfer to another Trader Joe’s store in New York City,” management’s email stated. “We will be getting in touch with each of you soon, but if you have ques tions, please feel free to contact [us].”

OSHA officials declined to provide additional information about any of the deaths, citing the open investiga tions. The agency has up to six month to complete each probe. Sam Stephenson, a spokesper son for Seattle-based Amazon, said in a statement the company was “deeply saddened by the passing of our colleagues and offer our condo lences to their family and friends.”

Union Matters Trader Joe’s does away with Two Buck Chuck

The midnight emailing of manage ment’s announcement that the store was closing took both patrons and em ployees by surprise: some employees had not checked their email before showing up for work the next day and only found out about the situation when they arrived to start their shift.

Questions are still swirling about whether the wine shop’s closing was in response to any unionization attempts among employees.

“OSHA is currently investigating the incident, and, based upon the evidence currently available to us, we fully expect that it will reach the same conclusion,” the spokesperson said. News of the deaths comes amid broader scrutiny into the compa ny’s operations. In late July, OSHA of ficials inspected Amazon facilities in New York, Illinois and Florida after re ceiving referrals alleging health and safety violations from the U.S. Attor ney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. The civil division of the U.S. attorney’s office is also inves tigating safety hazards at Amazon warehouses and “fraudulent con duct designed to hide injuries from OSHA and others,” according to a spokesperson for the office.

In a statement, Robbinsville Police Chief Michael Polaski said police responded to the ware house, called PNE5, on July 24 after receiving a report that a worker fell from a three-foot (onemeter) ladder and struck his head. Polaski said the worker was con scious and alert when police arrived. But police were told CPR was con ducted on the person by other work ers prior to their arrival, he said. The person was transported to a hospital and OSHA was notified of the inci dent on the same day, he added. Police in Monroe Township didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment on the incident there.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 • 11

Mayor Adams is so angry, he issued Gov. Abbott a threat. He has threatened to bus New Yorkers to Texas with the purpose of interfering with the Texas gubernatorial elec tions. According to Mayor Adams’ threat, he will bus these New Yorkers to Texas for the sole purpose of campaigning (knocking on doors) on behalf of Gov. Abbott’s opponent, Beto O’Rourke. This action is mean-spirited, purposeful, and intended to disrupt the Texan elections by outsiders. Gov. Abbott responded, “Bring it on, Make My Day.”

Instead, Adams launches threats at another state, and its governor. It makes one wonder where the mayor’s priorities are. So, what’s eating Mayor Eric Adams?

Rev. Ruben Diaz is a former NYC Councilman.

I am Rev. Ruben Diaz and this is“What You Should Know.”

By REV. RUBEN DIAZ

AuditedMemberMedia Opinion See VOTING on page 27

12 • August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

By ALLYSHA BRYANT

I can only imagine that Mayor Adams, like President Joe Biden, fails to see that Gov. Abbott and the people of Texas are our fellow Americans. They fail to see that the problems at our country’s border, which has enabled human traffick ing, sex trafficking, the sexual abuse of women and children, drug trafficking and overall chaos in our country, is not a Republican or Democratic issue. Securing America and its people requires bipartisan leadership with both Republi cans, Democrats, Independents, and Conservatives work ing together to keep us, we the people, SAFE! That would be a photo op that our dear Mayor Adams, could be proud of.

“You can’t always get what you want…But if you try sometime you’ll find, you get what you need,” are words from a Rolling Stones song that might be appropriate for President Biden since he signed into law the IRA (Inflation Reduction Act). He certainly didn’t get all he wanted but he got some of things Americans desperately need, and should shout a col lective appreciation for. No act of this size and con sequence—bringing down the cost of prescription drugs, seriously combating climate change, and punish ing fossil fuel companies for their methane excesses—can come without some conces sions, some give and take. It’s unfortunate that Biden didn’t achieve the nuts and bolts of his Build Back Better, but sub stantial gains were made after an interminably long and ex hausting fight with the GOP— and a couple of Dems—to get this monumental act into law. Sure, the working people in this country could have used a bit more heft to their incomes, particularly given the escalating cost of living, but Biden can take a victory lap across the sands of Kiawah Island in South Caroli na, where First Lady Jill Biden is recovering from COVID-19. It’s a fresh opportunity for them to take a break, get re juvenated, and get ready for a full throttle run into the up coming primaries. Biden has a number of things he can crow about, from the increase in the number of jobs to bolstering the semiconductor bill, and the DNC should aid and abet such a Nope—notcampaign.theJordan Peele movie—you can’t always get what you want but Biden has delivered one of the most con sequential pieces of law since the Affordable Care Act and pretty much put a garland around his legacy. Elinor R. Tatum: Publisher and Editor in Chief 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 Alliance for

EDITORIAL

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: What’s eating Mayor Eric Adams

The countdown is on, as we wind down to the Primary Elec tion in NYC––to be held on Aug. 23––with early voting taking place from Aug. 13 through Aug. 21. Individuals across the city will be heading to the polls in their re spective communities to vote for their U.S. House of Representa tives and state senators. But for homeless individuals, exercising their right to vote isn’t as simple as heading down to the polls and casting a ballot. The state requires that individ uals register to vote in the district where they have invested inter est such as property rights, an es tablished residence, where they work, or attend school. This poses a problem for homeless individu als who may have been displaced from their communities. As a result, many homeless individu als may opt out of voting because they don’t think they meet the re quirements. The problem with this is that in a city like New York where one in every 106 individu als are homeless, a disproportion ate number of our population goes underrepresented.Individualscan have a pro found effect on the community in which they live by actively partic ipating in government. Constitu ents can influence policies that determine minimum wage, work conditions, and social services programs. They can also voice their opinions on budgetary de cisions that provide additional resources to education, housing, and social services. As of late, voting has been cate gorized as a healthy habit, creating a reciprocal relationship between overall health and civic activities.

The reason for this is that individ uals who vote often report feeling a greater sense of agency—that is, not feeling victimized by their cir cumstances. Individuals who vote can develop stronger connections to their communities which can combat social isolation, thus cre ating a better quality of life. For homeless individuals, con necting with neighbors, talking to elected officials, and engaging civ ically, can make them more visible and less stigmatized. “There are so many people who are homeless and when you speak to them, you don’t know,” says a community member from Flatbush, Brooklyn. “Connecting with the individual puts their humanness front and center, you no longer see some one who is homeless.”

Civic engagement enables us to unite for a common goal which en courages trust, empathy, human connection, and a foundation for problem solving within communi ties. These “protective factors” also pose as a buffer against the stress of homelessness; it builds resil

My dear reader please know that Gov. Abbott invited our mayor to visit the Texan border to assess and see for himself the immensity of the problem firsthand. I imagine that Gov. Abbott extended this invitation hoping that both he and Mayor Adams would work collaboratively to pressure the Biden administration for help and bring about workable so lutions to deal with this grave problem. But instead, Mayor Adams has pushed back with insults, mockery, and threats.

Eric Adams’ response to Gov. Abbott’s invitation is unfortunate, and very disappointing. Adams’ re sponse to Gov. Abbott is that he has no need to go to the border for a “photo op.” Yet he didn’t mind photo ops at celebrity events and when getting pedicures.

The question we as New Yorkers must ask is, what is eating Eric Adams? Why is he so upset with the gover nor of Texas, instead of being angry at Joe Biden and the Biden administration? Afterall it was the Biden adminis tration that has created the chaos at the border. We must remind the mayor that it was Joe Biden who, during the presidential campaign, extended an open in vitation saying all who wanted to come to America will be welcomed. Biden made and kept his promise when he flung open our borders and when he immediately stopped building border safeguards. Recently Biden suspended President Trump’s “Stay In Mexico Policy” which is geared to keep immigrants in Mexico until they have been pro cessed for asylum. This will now increase illegal crossings. So why is Mayor Adams directing his ire at Gov. Abbott? Mayor Adams must also be reminded that the Biden administration has been flying and bussing migrants into Westchester County, New York, way before Gov. Abbott began bussing them into NYC. Mayor Adams’ and the Democrats’ silence on that has been deafening. You should also know that Gov. Abbott had reached out to the Biden administration numer ous times during these past two years request ing help to deal with the increase of migrants. His requests have fallen on deaf ears. He requested that President Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris visit the border to see for themselves the chaos and the enormity of the problem and huge numbers of migrants arriving daily. But the gov ernor and the state of Texas have been ignored. Gov. Abbott has depleted his state’s resources, manpower, and has had to deal with the rise in crime while dealing with the thousands of illegal migrants. As a result, Gov. Abbott has been left with no other recourse than to bus these migrants to “Sanctuary Cities” run by Democrats. The Democrats created “Sanctu ary Cities” for this very purpose. “Sanctuary Cities” now have the obligation to provide illegal migrants with the “sanctuary” they were promised. So, what’s eating Mayor Eric Adams?

You should know that Mayor Eric Adams has been very upset lately with the governor of Texas, Greg Abbott. Gov. Abbott continues to bus illegal immigrants to New York City, and this is making Mayor Adams quite un comfortable, and he does not like it one bit.

Voting: Health, the homeless and community

Biden’s IRA boosts legacy

ohMonkeypox,my

ARMSTRONGWILLIAMS

tions with Taiwan were severed in 1979, and the United States ac quiesced in the expul sion of Taiwan from the United Nations Securi ty and General Assem bly in 1971. Moreover, for more than 40 years since the termination of the Treaty, neither the president nor Congress has ever championed itsChinarebirth.is not an ex istential threat to the United States, with or without Taiwan. Its military strengths are anemic compared to America’s multi-trilliondollar military-industri al security state. Their aircraft carriers are emblematic com pared to the United States, which has 11 in active service. China has 2 inferior carriers to the American variety. China has not triumphed in international warfare for more than a century. It was smartly defeated in its border war with Vietnam in 1979. The United States has en circled China with the Quad: Japan, Australia, India, and The United States. That de facto al liance against China would be the equiva lent of a Chinese alli ance against the United States featuring Mexico, Canada, and Cuba. The latter would assuredly provoke a sequel to the Cuban Missile tionalJoebravadoHouseNotwithstandingCrisis.thespeaker’sjuvenileandPresidentBiden’sunconstitupronouncements that he would defend Taiwan against Chinese aggression, the United States will balk and betray the Taiwanese. Again, the light of expe rience is evident. In 1956, the United States fomented a Hun garian rebellion against the Soviet Union. When Soviet forces invaded, the United States stood idly by like a spectator. The price Hungarians paid for our reckless en couragement was 2,500 dead and 20,000 wound ed. The United States, under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a mil itary hero, would not risk war with the Soviet Union to deliver Hun gary from its Commu nistAfteryolk.the first Per sian Gulf War, Presi dent George H.W. Bush exhorted Marsh Arabs to revolt against Iraqi President Saddam Hus sein. They did and were slaughtered and pau perized. Some 30,00060,000 died, and their lands were decimat ed. The United States did nothing to interfere with the Iraqi dictator’s massacre.Furthermore, con trary to President Biden and Speaker Pelosi, sec tion 3 (c) of the Taiwan Relations Act entrusts Congress with the re sponsibility of decid ing whether the United States should go to war to defend Taiwan from a Chinese attack. There is zero probability that Congress will declare war on Taiwan. It has shied from declaring war for more than 80 years since Pearl Harbor. It re fused to entertain Pres ident Barack Obama’s plea for a declaration of war against Syria to retaliate for President Bashar Assad’s suspect ed illegal use of chemi cal weapons to suppress a domestic insurrection.

I honestly don’t know what to think of monkeypox. I am still trying to wrap my head around COVID and the fact that so many people are still catching this mysterious virus. Even though COVID is not as deadly as it was just two years ago, I am still concerned about the longterm effects it will have on not just our bodies but our entire communities and healthcare systems in years to come. I sometimes feel like I am one of the few people who still believes in wear ing a mask and washing my hands like the old March 2020 days. As we begin to learn more about monkey pox, and more cities, in cluding New York, declare monkeypox a state of emer gency, I think it is important we take this seriously, so we do not lose time getting a grasp of this new virus. Here’s what we do know so far. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) suggests we continue to wash our hands often with soap and water (not just the rinse under the splash of water) or use an al cohol-based hand sanitizer. They also suggest you speak to a healthcare provider about your risk of contract ing monkeypox and the vac cines that may be available toWeyou.do know that current ly monkeypox is most prev alent in certain populations in certain states. The CDC website has a wealth of in formation where you can find information about monkeypox as well maps of outbreak sites and vaccina tion information at www. cdc.gov.TheCDC also suggests we limit skin-to-skin contact with people who look like they have a rash, which may or may not be monkeypox. They also suggest refraining from touching someone’s rash, kissing or cuddling or sharing utensils and cups with someone who may haveUntilmonkeypox.weknow more, we must be vigilant. If you be lieve you have contracted monkeypox, they suggest you call your provider to find out the appropriate next steps. If you feel you may be at high risk for contracting monkeypox, you may want to call your provider or the board of health to see if you are eligible for the vaccine. You can reach the New York City Health Department at www1.nyc.gov.Wemustremember that staying healthy is not just for our own personal health, it’s for the greater commu nity as well. We must think of COVID and monkeypox and all of the other mysteri ous viruses as public health concerns. We are a part of a larger collective and must think of others as we also think of ourselves. We do not know who among us may be immunocompro mised or have other preex istingUntilconditions.then,wash your hands, wear a mask, and do not be afraid to ask ques tions. The Center for Dis ease Control and Prevention has resources for those around the country. Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Ford ham University, the author of “Black Ethnics: Race, Im migration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream,” and the co-host of the pod cast FAQ-NYC.

Speaker House Speaker Nancy Pelosi strutted and clucked during her trip to Taiwan, insinuating the United States would come to their (Taiwan’s) rescue if China attacked, which would be a stu pendous, irresponsible blunder. Moreover, it gratuitously compound ed the risk of a cata strophic United States war with China. Alterna tively, the House speak er’s triumphal words might provoke a Chi nese attack on Taiwan from which the United States has to avoid the risk of nuclear extinc tion, leaving Taiwan in thePelosi’slurch. “in-your-face” visit to Taiwan was rem iniscent of Secretary of State Hillary 1980,TreatywhybyTaiwantynothebeaninterestUnitedDoctrinecenturies-oldrespondingsphereandinandtoneeredaMuammarwildernessrenouncedturnedagainstconquistador-likeClinton’swarLibyain2011thatanationthathadWMDintoaanditsleaderGaddafiintocorpse.Clintonengiaso-called“pivotAsia”toencircleChinaassertdominationtheSouthChinaSeaChina’straditionalofinfluencecortothetwo-MonroethatassertsaStatessphereofovertheCaribandSouthAmerica.ContrarytoPelosi,UnitedStateshasnationalsecuriinterestindefendingfromanattackChina.Indeed,thatistheTaiwanDefensewasrevokedindiplomaticrela

GREERCHRISTINAPH.D.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not rep resent 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.

warerweightsbothnomicproventionofens.ratherpansionColderninasandnyagainsting.wouldcupationcountry.tocisiveininistan,Sovietvictory.onstyHowever,quererlegislation.BidenthernesemilitarilyStatespolicyislationnonealbraggadociohigh-octavefromsevermembersofCongress,hassponsoredlegmakingittheoftheUnitedtodefendTaiwanfromChiaggression.NeihasPresidentrequestedsuchItisdubiouswhethChinacouldconTaiwanonitsown.superioriinnumbersorweapdoesnotguaranteeThinkoftheUnioninAfghantheUnitedStatesVietnam,andRussiaUkraine.WhatisdeisawillingnessfightanddieforyourFinally,aChineseocofTaiwanbeself-defeatLocaluprisingsChinesetyranwouldbechroniccostlytosuppress,withtheSovietUnionCentralandEastEuropeduringtheWar.TerritorialexoftenweakensthanstrengthRussia’sannexationCrimeaandoccupaofChechnyahavestupendousecoalbatrosses,andhaveprovenfeathinRussia’sagainstUkraine.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 • 13 OPINION

Pelosi Taiwan/China miscalculation

Despite the

Armstrong Williams (@ARightSide) is man ager / sole owner of Howard Stirk Holdings I & II Broadcast Television Stations and the 2016 Multicultural Media Broadcast Owner of the year. ardstirkholdings.comwilliams.cowww.armstrong|www.how

14 • August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

United Nations confronts U.S. on discriminatory immigration policies

Dutch team in Suriname on fact-finding trip about slavery

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

tion that disproportionately impact migrants of African de scent due to the anti-Black racism and implicit bias of local law enforcement, ICE, and CBP. The CERD committee eval uated the U.S. government’s compliance with its obligation to adopt measures to eliminate racial discrimination under in ternational human rights law. “We are pleased with the CERD interventions on vari ous systemic patterns of dis crimination and erasure of people of Indigenous and African descent. Too often, their realities, particularly those of Black migrants, are either overlooked or nonex istent,” said Guerline Jozef, co-founder and executive di rector of the Haitian Bridge Alliance. “We are looking forward to the Committee’s conclusions and will contin ue to advocate and hold the United States accountable to their international and do mestic obligations.”

Caribbean Update

The VVD is not represented in the Historiansdelegation.have noted that the Dutch were among the cruelest of slave masters during that era and must be pushed into paying repa rations like their European neighbors.

CERD is an international human rights treaty that pro hibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, descent, or national or ethnic origin. The United States signed the In ternational Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (“ICERD” or “Convention”) in 1966. The United States final ly ratified the Convention in 1994 and first reported on its progress in implementing the Convention to the Commit tee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (“CERD” or “Committee”) in 2000. The gov ernment submitted its latest report to the United Nations in June 2021 after the Trump ad ministration failed to file any reports and violated the United States’ obligations to comply with the treaty. On Aug. 11 and Aug. 12, CERD members, referencing a well-documented history of suffering and human rights abuses at the U.S.-Mexico border and in immigration de tention centers throughout the country, asked the U.S. delega tion about concrete measures taken to guarantee free and ef fective access to asylum. The CERD Committee also questioned U.S. efforts to eliminate racially biased de tention practices and laws that particularly harm Black immigrants when compared to other racial groups, keep ing them detained for longer periods of time and subject ing them to harsher treatment in immigration detention, in cluding the highest rates of solitary confinement and other forms of torture. U.N. representatives also raised questions regarding ex cessive use of force by Cus toms and Border Patrol (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) against Haitian and Cameroonian migrants and the racially in equitable application of Title 42 pactsbonds,andissuesU.S.federalpolicingstateprogram,astatingianwithoutgrantstemicanwhenexemptions—particularlycomparedwithUkraininationals.TheyaskedaboutthesystargetingofBlackimmiforcollectiveexpulsionsaccesstohumanitarprotection,andthedevimpactofthe287(g)whichreliesonracistandlocalcriminallegaltoimposetheharshestimmigrationpenalties.CERDmembersaskedthedelegationtoaddresstheofracialprofiling,highinconsistentimmigrationandthecollateralimofracializedcriminaliza

“On the one hand, in the delegation you have mem bers of the Christian Demo cratic Appeal (CDA) and the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), who have difficulty offering apolo gies and are not at all oriented towards repairs or restora tion. And on the other side SP (Socialist Party), Green Left, D66, Denk and Party of Labor. And they are in prin ciple in favor of recognizing the slavery past and offering apologies. They have not yet commented on recovery,” he told the leading De Ware Tijd newspaper. “These apologies must be offered here in Suri name and by the highest au thority: the king or the prime minister of the Netherlands.”

“The CERD review demand ed real accountability from the U.S. for these and other abuses against Black immigrants. And it made clear that racial dis crimination in our immigra tion system is a systemic issue that requires a systemic over haul,” said Anthony Enriquez, vice president of U.S. Advocacy and Litigation at Robert F. Ken nedy Human Rights. “It is well documented that 76% of Black migrants are de ported on criminal grounds compared to 45% of the immi grant population overall,” said Nana Gyamfi, executive direc tor of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration. “If you are from the Caribbean, it goes up to an average of 83%. The U.S. con tinues to implement and pro mote enforcement priorities and relationships with local law enforcement agencies that openly flaunt its obligations under the CERD convention.” The U.S. ambassador to the Human Rights Council and head of the delegation, Michèle Taylor, acknowledged that the U.S. needed to do better on eliminating racial discrimina tion, and was “deeply com mitted” to using all levers at its disposal to do so. The U.S. State Department’s Special Representative for Racial Equity and Justice and delegation co-leader, Desirée Cormier Smith, said that the country shared the Commit tee’s vision for sustained efforts to eliminate racial discrimina tion. She also expressed sad ness that ethnic and racial minority groups still needed to fight for the freedoms enjoyed by the white population. On Aug. 30, 2022, the Com mittee will examine the com bined periodic reports by the United States on compliance with the Convention. This report supplements the sub mission of the government with additional information in key areas and offers recom mendations that will, if adopt ed, enhance the government’s ability to comply with ICERD.

In recent years, Caribbe an Community governments have made what critics call lukewarm attempts to pres sure western nations that had participated in the geno cidal Transatlantic Slave Trade to begin formal discus sions about reparations with Europe. Nations are yet to agree to a summit to discuss theThisissue.week, however, a mul tiparty parliamentary delega tion from The Netherlands is in the former Dutch colony of Suriname on a fact-find ing mission that delegates say is aimed at getting a real fix on the effects of slavery on today’s generations, and to determine what actions the Dutch government should take to deal with this horrible aspect of its colonial past. At the center of the issue, local media reported Monday, is whether a formal apology should be made by governments in The Neth erlands and what form rep arations should take when discussions reach that stage. The lawmakers will also visit current Dutch colonies of Curaçao, tiny Bonaire, and St. Maarten among others on a similar mandate, and are slated to hand in their reports and observations to the cabi net for scrutiny. “We now have to look ahead. We have to see what is needed now for Surina me and the inhabitants,” said leader Kiki Hagen. It is important what is going on about the slavery past [sic] inTheSuriname.”visitcomes ahead of plans to observe the 150th anniversary year of the abo lition of slavery in Dutch col onies in the Americas. Hagen and others say research mate rial gathered during this trip will be handed to the cabinet to decide on whether a formal apology should be made for the horrors of the slave trade and what will flow after. The local and the umbrel la Caribbean Reparations Commission (CRC) have long demanded that nations such as England, France, Spain, the Dutch, Portugal and others be made to pay billions in compensation to the region for slavery given the fact that the English, for example, had had the politi cal gall to compensate slave owners for the loss of their human property. The CRC also argues that many western institutions including well-funded com mercial banks like Barclays and universities including those in America, built their wealth on the backs of free labor of African slaves and should be made to pay in theJohanbillions.Roozer, chair of the National Committee for the Remembrance of Slav ery, says the visit is timely. “It is a very serious matter for the future generations, for the descendants of the enslaved. We must translate that into actions to sustain ably promote well-being and prosperity among the de scendants of the enslaved. It is important to us that if the Netherlands opts for reparations, we would opt for research and sustain able projects to strengthen the future generation. How much depends on the extent to which the Netherlands recognizes that the slavery past has an impact on today’s society. We can state that very concretely and we will do so,” he told reporters. Apart from holding talks with the Surinamese govern ment and other lawmakers, delegation members have al ready visited several sites linked to the former slave trade including sites where the en slaved were beaten, behead ed and suffered other forms of genocidal punishment.

The United Nations Com mittee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) last week put the U.S. gov ernment in the hot seat as it asked poignant questions about the country’s racially discriminatory immigration practices, particularly those impacting non-citizens of Af rican descent—mainly people from Africa and the Caribbean.

By BERT WILKINSON Special to the AmNews

IMMIGRATIONPERSAUDFELICIAKORNER

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is scheduled to visit the Caribbean Commu nity nation of about 500,000 people in September, re turning a state visit by Pres ident Chan Santokhi earlier this year. The issue is on the agenda for discussion, offi cialsButsay.even as pro reparations groups say they are encour aged by the visit and these initial baby steps to deal with atonement, local author and academic Armand Zunder says that there is still fierce opposition to reparations and apologies in The Netherlands.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 • 15

Upon further testing, “Tissue and blood biopsy confirmed within the month that I was in fact having an ex pression of an EGFR Exon 19 C- Helix Deletion.” According to the American Lung Association, “EGFR” or epider mal growth factor receptor “is a protein on cells that helps them grow. A muta tion in the gene for EGFR can make it grow too much, which can cause cancer. ” The particular testing that McDonald received is called biomarker testing. If doctors know exactly what causes the tumor to grow, a patient may be able to go on a ‘targeted’ therapy that can slow tumor growth or shrink the tumor. While this approach has become more common, disparities in biomarker testing rates have been documented in several studies, with particular focus on disparities for Black Americans.

McDonald’s parting advice? “I would suggest that [people] really continue to advocate for themselves, pay atten tion to your body, your body is quite smart, it tells you.”

Biomarker testing for lung cancer: A survivor’s story

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

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer in the United States making up 25% of all cancer deaths.

16 • August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

As to how McDonald is doing today, she described that, while she has had progression of her disease since 2021, she has been on a new “course of treat ment” with “wonderful results.”

While disparities in treatment, espe cially among Black and brown commu nities persist, advances in lung cancer treatments, and knowledge of those ad vances, especially for those in under served communities, can lead to better outcomes and prognosis. In New York, the survival rate has increased over the past five years, from 14.1% to 28.1%.

In a statement provided to the AmNews, Dr. Jorge Gomez, medical di rector of the solid tumor oncology inpa tient unit at Mount Sinai Hospital, said, “It is critical for doctors to perform biomarker testing before making any treatment plan—particularly for Black Americans as recent studies show they do not receive biomarker testing at the same rate as white Americans resulting in worse lung cancer outcomes.”

To learn more about lung cancer, please visit: cancer/nyc-lung-cancer-acancer.pagegov/site/doh/health/https://www1.nyc.health-topics/lung-andtofindlungcancerscreeningsitecall311orvisitwww1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/screening-sites.pdf

Lavern McDonald is an educator who has worked at The Calhoun School in New York City for over 20 years. [Full disclosure, Blacklight Editor Damaso Reyes is a Calhoun alumni but gradu ated before McDonald joined the fac ulty.] In 2018, at 52 years old, she was diagnosed with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). McDonald told the AmNews that she was “going along [living] my merry life as a New Yorker… in January/February of 2018, I started experiencing shortness of breath.” Her primary care physician (“PCP”) directed her to Mount Sinai Hospital and she saw a pulmonologist who or dered a CT scan. “I go back the follow ing week and my whole chest lights up like a holiday tree on the CT scan and so typically when you have healthy lungs they show up on scans and things like that as black images because they’re full of air…In my case, they [were] fully white because cancer [was] everywhere throughout my lungs. I [was] direct ed to a satellite office for a PET scan. I [was] immediately scheduled for [a] tissueAccordingbiopsy.”to McDonald, her doctors at Mount Sinai told her, “‘You’re healthy in other ways, we suspect it’s a particu lar kind of expression of lung cancer,’ and they said, ‘well if in fact we can confirm this through tissue and…blood biopsies… there are all sorts of treatment agents available to you including one that had only been approved that April of 2018.’”

Health

Fortunately for McDonald, she did receive biomarker testing which led to specialized treatment for her cancer. “[This] set me up for a particular treat ment agent which I started [in] Sep tember [2018] and by January [2019], in four months, that treatment agent had cleared all of my expressions includ ing all my lung expressions of cancer, including metastatic action includ ing my brain including in my bones I had the metastatic action had spread to my spine and my femur all over my body…within four months. In fact my response was so rapid that within two weeks…we took a scan and…all of my tumors and lesions and so on had been halved…and within four months every thing had cleared.”

New York educator Lavern McDonald received specialized testing which allowed doctors to personalize her cancer treatment (Photo courtesy of Lavern McDonald)

By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the AmNews

Solange Knowles (Tore Sætre (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/

Candid Records reissues classic 1961 albums

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 • 17

File:Solange_(220707).jpg), https://creativecommons.org/licenses/bysa/4.0/legalcode)

Arts & Entertainment Music pg 17 | Books pg 18 | Food pg 22 | Jazz pg 24 Pg. 20 Your Stars

Solange Knowles commissioned to compose for New York City Ballet

Abbey Lincoln - 1961Abbey Lincoln’s distinctive vocal style, thought-provoking writing, and spirited personality has secured her a place among the jazz greats. Though she made her first recording for Riv erside, and later in life for Verve, it was with the young and audacious Candid Records that she made her biggest musical statement, 1961’s “Straight“Lightnin’Ahead.”—CandidinNewYork,” Lightnin’ HopkinsRecorded1961November 15, 1960 at the Nola Penthouse Sound Studios in New York, “Lightnin’ In New York” captures the legendary bluesman in classic form, including some rare solos on the piano.—Candid “Otis Spann Is the Blues,” Otis SpannPerhaps1961best known for his long association with the legendary Muddy Waters, Otis Spann is large ly recognized as one of the greatest blues pianists of all time.—Candid The evolution of contempo rary jazz and blues has been sup ported by the foundational music that, many times, has become lost in history. Candid’s decision to re lease groundbreaking music from the 1960s shows a revelatory grace and effort to share the music of the past with a new generation of listen ers. The music of these artists should never be taken for granted but re vered as historical gems where pres ervation becomes the main goal. The reissue of these albums will also inspire listeners to dig into the vast catalogs of these incredible artists. Candid has given jazz and blues lovers a gift that will in turn be passed down to the Black youth of America.

The combo here, referred to by Mingus as The Jazz Workshop, had been in residence at the Showplace on W. 4th St. in Greenwich Village for nearly a year when they entered the studio to record what became the album “Charels Mingus Pres ents Charles Mingus” in October of 1961.—Candid“StraightAhead,”

The New York City-based record label Candid Records has re-re leased a number of classic Black albums. Founded in 1960 by Archie Bleyer, Candid was on the cutting edge of releasing jazz and blues music from Charles Mingus, Max Roach, Cecil Taylor, Abbey Lincoln, Lightnin’ Hopkins and more. The label’s catalog is extensive and, due to the resurgence of vinyl and in terest in jazz, Candid has chosen to re-issue albums from their golden era which took place primarily in 1961 and 1962. Max Roach’s “We Insist!,” Max Roach - 1961 An avant-garde masterpiece, a vocal-instrumental suite, a work of collective improvisation, direct ly addressing the racial and politi cal issues of its day, “We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite” is one of the most important artistic state ments of the Civil Rights Movement and one of the most groundbreak ing jazz albums of all time.—Candid “Charles Mingus Presents Charles Mingus,” Charles Mingus - 1961

By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the AmNews

It has been reported that Sol ange Knowles has been commis sioned to compose a score for the New York City Ballet. It was an nounced on Aug. 15 that the tal ented songwriter who previously created works for the Guggen heim will create original music in collaboration with choreographer Gianna Reisen. Reisen became the youngest choreographer to work with NYCB in 2017. The music will be composed for a chamber ensemble.Theballet piece, which is cur rently untitled, will premiere at Lincoln Center on Sept. 28 for the NYCB’s Fashion Gala. “Her music for Reisen will be her debut in ballet, which was formative for her as a child in Houston. She saw Lauren An derson, a pioneering Black prin cipal dancer at Houston Ballet,” writes The New York Times. Knowles, the sister of Beyoncé, has been celebrated for taking a different route than her me ga-pop star sibling. She is a true artisan who has worked in musi cal installations in the art world. Her gift and visionary approach to sound and music has created buzz around the world, attaining acknowledgment as an interesting creator in her own right. This new work follows her 2019 work “Bridge-s,” which was performed at Los Ange les’ Getty Center along with her 2019 album “When I Get Home” which was accompanied by a triumphant film. New York City is proud to sup port and celebrate the unique gifts of Solange who in no un certain terms has given the high art world offerings that are un deniably unique, powerful and will stand the test of time. So lange, 36, has years of creative innovation ahead of her. Her current explorations are just the beginning of a long career and are foundational to the for ward-movement of the Black Art Movement.

There is nothing more impor tant in the Black community than self-education. More than ever before, Black voices are being am plified and published to examine and explore topics of Black life, history and culture in a manner that is thorough, thought-provok ing and empowering. Duke University Press is a leading academic publisher that has been pushing the envelope in Black nonfiction for the past decade. Their catalog becomes more robust each year by choosing Black thinkers who are ahead of the curve and ex perts in their fields. Here are five upcoming books from Duke’s 2022 catalog that will inspire readers to expand their understanding of the Black ex perience and engage with writ ers who embody the vision and talent to guide the current gener ation into a paradigm of informa tion and Black pride. “or, on being the other woman” by Simone PublishingWhitedate: August 2022 Literary critic and poet, Simone White offers a literary piece that combines poetry, personal narra tive and essay to express her expe rience of the complexities of Black feminist life. White’s acute ability to weave vivid and creative prose and poetry as a form of commu nication and self-aware expres sion makes “or, on being the other woman” exciting and unique.

“Throughout this book-length poem, White writes through a hybrid of poetry, essay, person al narrative, and critical theory, attesting to the narrative com plexities of writing and living as a Black woman and artist. She con siders Black social life—from art and motherhood to trap music and love—as unspeakably trou bling and reflects on the degree to which it strands and punishes black women.”—Duke Universi ty“King’sPress Vibrato: Modernism, Blackness, and the Sonic Life of Martin Luther King Jr.” Publishing date: September 2022Associate Professor of English at Rutgers University-New Bruns wick, Maurice O. Wallace writes an interesting narrative on the power of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s voice, “Providingliterally.acultural histo ry and critical theory of the Black modernist soundscapes that helped inform King’s vocal timbre, Wallace shows how the qualities of King’s voice depend ed on a mix of ecclesial archi tecture and acoustics, musical instrumentation and sound tech nology, audience and song. He examines the acoustical archi tectures of the African American churches where King spoke and the centrality of the pipe organ in these churches, offers a Black feminist critique of the influence of gospel on King, and outlines how variations in natural envi ronments and sound amplifica tions made each of King’s three deliveries of the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech unique.”—Duke Universi ty“BlackPress Disability Politics” by SamiPublishingSchalk date: October 2022 Sami Schalk, an associate pro fessor of Gender & Women’s Stud ies at the University of Wisconsin, writes about the history of Black disability politics, giving a deeply important view on the fight for the rights of disabled Black people in America since the 1970s. “She points out that this work has not been recognized as part of the legacy of disability justice and liberation because Black disabili ty politics differ in language and approach from the mainstream white-dominant disability rights movement. Drawing on the ar chives of the Black Panther Party and the National Black Women’s Health Project alongside inter views with contemporary Black disabled cultural workers, Schalk identifies common qualities of Black disability politics, including the need to ground public health initiatives in the experience and expertise of marginalized disabled people so that they can work in antiracist, feminist, and anti-able ist ways.”—Duke University Press “Ain’t But a Few of Us: Black Music Writers Tell Their Story” Publishing date: December 2022 Jazz aficionado Willard Jenkins compiles a collection of writing by Black jazz critics in “Ain’t But a Few of Us.” The book gives voice and recognition to contemporary and historical Black jazz jour nalists and critics who traverse through the white male dominat ed field of jazz criticism. “No major mainstream jazz publication has ever had a Black editor or publisher. ‘Ain’t But a Few of Us’ presents over two dozen candid dialogues with Black jazz critics and journalists ranging from Greg Tate, Farah Jasmine Griffin, and Robin D. G. Kelly to Tammy Kernodle, Ron Welburn, and John Murph. They discuss the obstacles to access for Black jazz journalists, outline how they con tend with the world of jazz writ ing dominated by white men, and point out that these racial dispar ities are not confined to jazz and hamper their efforts at writing about other music genres as well. ‘Ain’t But a Few of Us’ also includes an anthology section, which re prints classic essays and articles from Black writers and musicians like LeRoi Jones, Archie Shepp, A.B. Spellman, Herbie Nichols, Greg Tate, and others.”—Duke University Press “New Growth: The Art and Tex ture of Black Hair”

Publishing date: December 2022 Jasmine Nichole Cobb, a profes sor of African and African Ameri can Studies, Art History and Visual Studies at Duke University, writes a historical examination of the maintenance, style and beauty of Black hair. “In ‘New Growth’ Jasmine Nich ole Cobb traces the history of Af ro-textured coiffure, exploring it as a visual material through which to reimagine the sensual experi ence of Blackness. Through close readings of slave narratives, scrap books, travel illustration, docu mentary film and photography, as well as collage, craft, and sculp ture, from the nineteenth century to the present, Cobb shows how the racial distinctions ascribed to people of African descent become simultaneously visible and tac tile.”—Duke University Press

18 • August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Five Black non-fiction books to look out for

By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the AmNews

The revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods” at the St. James Theatre is just what Broadway needed! This delightful musical with music and lyrics by the late, great Sondheim and a book by James Lapine, choreogra phy by Lorin Latarro, music direction by Rob Berman and direction by Lear DeBessonet, takes many of the children’s stories we knew, but takes them to a different level. You see characters like Cinderella, her evil Stepmother and two Wicked Stepsisters, the Baker and his Wife who desperate ly want to have a child, the Witch who has cursed them, and Jack and his mother who are poor and have to sell the family cow Milky White for money. You have two Princ es, one from the Ball that Cin derella attends and the other taken with the beauty of Ra punzel, a fair maiden with long hair in a high tower. This revival is phenome nal! Every song is a showstop per, and the cast has some of the most radiant, beautiful ly toned and tremendous ly captivating voices you will hear in a Broadway theater. Everyone brings their A game and what’s also great about it, is they all seem to be having a great time on the stage. I know everyone in the audience was having a blast! “Into the Woods” is hilarious as well, especially songs and interac tions between the two princ es referred to as Cinderella’s Prince and Rapunzel’s Prince and of course the Wolf, played by the same actor as Cinderel la’s Prince, is both funny and delightful.Speaking of fairytales, this is a dream of a cast! Patina Miller plays the Witch and Patina is PERFECT. She has a stunningly beautiful voice. Miller is mesmerizing as she weaves her way through the numerous emotions that the Witch feels. When she sings “Stay With Me” you are actu ally moved to tears. Sara Ba reilles is completely sublime as the Baker’s Wife. She has a lovely voice and some great comedic timing. Brian D’Arcy James is brilliant as the Baker. He is one musical theater actor who always comes to the party fully ready, willing and able to make his role memo rable. I love any time he is cast in a musical. He’s marvelous! Gavin Creel plays Cinderella’s Prince and the Wolf and he is beyond amazing! Scenes be tween him and Joshua Henry, who plays Rapunzel’s Prince, are absolutely hilarious! They are over-dramatic to the point of hilarity. Every time they came on stage, they had the crowd going wild. Their ges tures, facial expressions, and everything about their per formances screamed “funny and ridiculous.” “Agony” was over-the-top hilarious! Musi cal comedy doesn’t get better than that delightful song. One of the exciting aspects of going to see a revival is when you see fresh, new talent get their chance to shine and that is exactly what is happening here, as two young actors are making very splendid Broad way debuts: Julia Lester is hilarious and adorable as Little Red Ridinghood and Cole Thompson is absolute ly charming, sweet and funny as Jack. These two young people are definitely going places and where they go, I definitely want to be! Phillipa Soo is marvelous as Cinderel la; Alysia Velez is maddening ly beautiful and sympathetic as Rapunzel; David Patrick Kelly plays two roles with such distinction and flair as story Narrator and Myste rious Man; Aymee Garcia is great as Jack’s Mother—she is funny and sympathetic as she tries to teach her slow-mind ed son about life. Nancy Opel is wonderful as Cinderella’s Stepmother. Ta’nika Gibson and Brooke Ishibashi are amusing as Cinderella’s Step sisters—Lucinda and Florin da, David Turner was funny as the Steward, and Albert Guerzon was fine as Cinder ella’s Father. Milky White the cow is a puppet and Cameron Johnson brought her to life at the performance I attended, a role that normally belongs to Kennedy Kanagawa. The role of Milky White was absolute ly adorable as the cow cried, mooed, and ran a gamut of emotions.Thismusical is Sondheim’s work at its BEST! And it’s great for the entire family! Make plans to go and be swept away to “Into the Woods,” playing at the St. James Theatre on W. 44th Street. For more info, www.intothewoodsbway.com.visit

Joshua Henry and Gavin Creel as the Princes in “Into the Woods” Patina Miller as the Witch in “Into the Woods” (Photos by Matt Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade)

By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 • 19 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

‘Into the Woods’—This Sondheim revival is sensational!

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

You no longer need the training wheels or driving lessons as you are flying off this cycle. You have all the experiences to just be and operate effortlessly. A great month to start a new proj ect with the tools and resources you have in place. It’s time for people and your immediate community to see you in a dif ferent light. You have the divine source among you to deliver messages to the people. August 18th, incorporate the building blocks into your plans and build with no excuses.

Rebirth of a New Nation: Your ancestors are putting out a call with an assignment for those who are ready for the mission. You can feel it within the muscles and structure of your bones. An additional assignment is presented to you to grab the opportunity as it’s up for the taking to quickly claim it. Applied pressure is feeling intense this week as you push the envelope and receive a push forward as other weeks will follow suit. Organizing, decluttering, preparing paperwork, redrafting, rearranging, business meetings, board meetings round-table discussions: stay in preparation. Listen to the messages coming through while mentally going with what feeds you and keeps you thriving. Two days prior and after the 18th the pace is picking up. “Our history begins, we are born. We represent the hereditary influences of our race, and our ancestors virtually live in us.” James Naismith

2022 — August

 Capricorn Dec 22 Jan 21  Cancer June 22 July 23  Aquarius Jan 22 Feb 19  Leo July 24 Aug 23  Pisces Feb 20 Mar 20  Virgo Aug 24 Sept 23  Aries Mar 21 Apr 21  Libra Sept 24 Oct 23  Taurus Apr 22 May 21  Scorpio Oct 24 Nov 22  Gemini May 22 June 21  Sagittarius Nov 23 Dec 21

It’s time for you to swing as high as you can go. Information has one heck of a speeding ticket on it, and you are not slowing down or wasting any time. This is not “hide and seek,” rather it’s “I see you” and “remember how people made you feel.” A woman of interest is in question be it a mother, aunt, wife, sister, coach, colleague also one that plays a significant role in your life. August 19th- 20th, always remember the building blocks and you’re why of a new journey.

gives you the feeling of water and air brushing against one another. Redirect your steps and follow up on your intuition as the messages reveal something you need to know. It’s the smallest details and information that holds the most weight, value, and wisdom. Take notes like you are in a class room. Schedule a 15-minute timeout and a 2-day retreat for rejuvenation and clarity. The oddest energy is presently making you uncom fortable so that you change your style a bit or your patterns. August 17th18th, throw a monkey wrench in your agenda and you will find out what you need to know.

A time for publishing, traveling, teaching, and applying for a scholarship, grants, and memberships; also, a mentor enters your life either spiritual or physical. Develop new concepts within your projects and social appearance within the community by providing your service, products, and lecturing. An easygoing week where the universe has your back when you apply the foot work. Take caution this week and move a bit slowly and ignore anyone who wants to be confrontational. August 19th-20th, a patience advisory is in effect. An ambitious kind of week of being grounded and practical to set your agenda into place while you get in position. It’s time for take-off especially this month towards the 27th of the month. Paying attention to the details as being detailed in coordina tion with the way you dress. Fashion is life to you; it tells a story similar to fine wine. August 21st-23rd, walk with ease and slow the pace down as you walk. A high-yielding kind of week that has you traveling here and there. Running errands and attending to business and family affairs are highlighted. Keep the conversation brief as you keep your focus on the main subject, no side talk. Review any impor tant documents and terms and conditions before deciding and signing your signature. August 24th evaluate all the details and put the puzzle Thistogether.week

Set aside solitude and privacy in your world and deep dive into the depths of your soul. There is a message for you when you listen closely. A weekly cycle to investigate, research, become a specialist in your craft, and polish up any projects. Focus on things you enjoy that bring happiness to you. Address any semilegal matters and that one-on-one heart-to-heart conversation at this time. Nature, water, fresh fruits, vegetables, meditation, and listen ing to frequencies that soothe your spirit. August 17th-18th, unanticipated events and surprises present themselves in a minor way.

Vinateria

Don’t shoot the messenger, they are doing their job and you continue to do yours. You have a bright future ahead of you as you lay the foundation for your establishment. Changes within your circumstance in the home have you running errands here and there and also calling folks. Set time to be reclusive, as messages and directions on how to navigate this cycle are up coming. Only in silence will you receive more details. August 19th-20th, fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle by observation. Try something new, unique, and different in your business, personal, and family obligations. It’s time to deliver and bring information to the people or be a help in some way. A bit of pressure is applied to develop your product or service in a dif ferent way. A change within your profession, be it a raise, a new direction, or promotion as a soul mission calling is taking place. The caterpillar metamorphosis transformation. August 21st-23rd, organization, planning, and making boss moves with higher-ups. This cycle can be like a drill sergeant, captain, and lieuten ant giving you orders. Perform in a way that makes you happy and the assignment will come organically to you. A conversa tion with the authority or they are seeking your services for an investigation or research. Listen carefully to the details and assignment which is part of your inheritance. What you do this week will shed light on part of your journey. August 24th, people are given certain assignments to bring out your potential. 18, 24, 2022 By GODDESS KYA

20 • August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENTARTS ENTERTAINMENT

Remain calm as information is flowing through your ears. A week to check your spending habits and get clear about your investments and partnerships. Spiritual pursuit is upon you this cycle, also flashbacks as when you were a child regarding your beliefs. Siblings, neighbors, uncles, and aunts will call upon you for help or a favor. Any outreach within your local communities will have a great outcome, even an offer of some sort August 21st -23rd. This is an energetic fulfilling obligation and commitment month to accomplish any task or begin a new blueprint of your next creation. Balancing your emotions and boundar ies is vital to weed out distractions. Tuning in with your heart and closing the books on things, people, and habits that no longer serve a purpose or feed your soul for transformation. TV, radio, news, or some form of public service is in your fore cast. August 24th, apply the necessary footwork and line of communication to get results.

HOROSCOPES BY KNOWYOURNUMB3RS August

While everyone looks forward to summer road trips, travel can come with unexpected safety emergencies.DavidNance, founder of SABRE Personal Safety Academy and CEO of SABRE, the No. 1 per sonal safety brand of consumers and law enforcement worldwide, provides travel protection tips for different scenarios.

(Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay) (Image by Biljana Jovanovic from Pixabay)

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 • 21

At the same time, you can also use tech to your advantage to store emergency contacts and access safety apps. Using geotracking technology through the free SABRE Personal Safety App, SABRE’s SMART Pepper Spray connects with a smart phone and sends help alerts to assigned emergency contacts. They’ll be immediately notified of your location if the SMART Pepper Spray is deployed or the in-app alert button is pressed. It can also alert first responders with a subscription. For a smaller pepper spray option that is about the size of a lipstick and can be easily car ried for on-the-go safety, try Mighty Discreet. Its twist top prevents accidental discharge and the snap clip provides im mediate accessibility.

Summer travel safety tips

Going out for the night? Keep an eye on your beverage and don’t accept drinks from strang ers. Be sure to watch out for your travel companions too. If they’ve had more than their limit, don’t let them leave alone or with strangers. At the hotel Don’t take chances. Lock the doors at your hotel and secure important belongings in the safe. For extra protection, you can take home security on the road with the SABRE Door Stop Alarm, a portable, wire less alarm that doesn’t require installation and can be heard up to 1,000 feet away, alerting neighbors and helping fright en intruders. Its wedge shape blocks inward opening doors. “Having personal safety prod ucts is part of the equation. Knowing how to use them safely is just as important,” says Nance. “You’ll want to create a clear safety plan. If you’ll be carrying pepper spray, consider practic ing first. Practice water canisters are available and a good idea for first-timeProductsusers.”from SABRE are available nationwide at Walmart, Target, Amazon, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Lowe’s, Menards, Academy, and Bass Pro Shops, among other na tional retailers. While it’s legal to carry these safety products in all 50 states, check local laws where you’ll be traveling. For more information and safety tips, visit www.sabrered.com. With smart safety strate gies and tools, you can make summer travel just what it should be—a time to explore, relax and have fun.

Driving The National Safety Council says traffic death rates are three times greater at night. “If you can’t avoid night driv ing, have at least one passenger stay awake to talk to the driver,” saysYouNance.canalso make car travel safer with the SABRE Safe Escape 3-In-1 Pepper Gel With Seat Belt Cutter and Window Breaker with Snap Clip. The built-in belt cutter helps free yourself in an emergency, while the steel window breaker could come in handy if vehicle doors are jammed or electric win dows fail to operate. Another good choice for driving is the 2-in-1 Flashlight With Pepper Spray, SABRE PepperLight. Ideal for helping navigate auto issues such as changing a tire at night, its ultra-bright flash light shines up to 540 feet, and its strobe flashlight setting can ward off and disorient poten tial threats. It also contains 25 bursts of pepper spray for protection against multiple threats. Around town “Looking at your smartphone can distract you from noticing potential threats,” says Nance. “Stay engaged while exploring a new destination.”

Travel & Resort

22 • August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

AmNews Food Corn fritters: Summer served on a plate

Instructions for corn fritters: In a large bowl, combine the veg etable ingredients for the corn frit ters. Add the gluten free flour and the egg and thoroughly mix. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil. Scoop out ¼ cup of the corn fritter mix and drop into the hot oil, lightly pressing it flat. Repeat with the remainder of the mix, making sure the fritters are spread apart in the skillet. Delicately fry the corn fritters for 45 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Transfer the golden corn frit ters onto a paper towel-lined plate. Season with salt to taste. Instructions for lemony basil yogurt: Combine all ingredients into a mixing bowl. Stir vigorously. Assembly: Onto a serving plate, stack and fan the warm corn fritters diagonally. Top the fritters with generous dollops of the lemony basil yogurt. Garnish with micro-greens (optional). Enjoy!

By KELLY TORRES Special to the AmNews Delicious homemade food always starts with quality ingredients. One is assured that as long as the sum of the parts make sense, it will not only be edible, but also incredible. The farm ers market is a great place to source in gredients for the week ahead. One can easily create homemade weekly din ners with their farmers market haul by mixing and matching a variety of pro duce, and saving any leftovers to brown bag for work the next day. I find that it makes my daily meals more interest ing. For this week, corn is stretched to create a variety of meals. When you’ve had enough of enjoying corn on the cob straight off the grill with a little butter and salt, try something differ ent. Like corn fritters. I love to save the cobs in a freezersafe zip top bag so that I can use it in the wintertime to fortify soups with some earthy corn flavor. Simply drop corn cobs into a hot pot of soup as it’s cooking, then remove and discard the cobs just before serving. Parme san rinds work quite well in this same manner, too. As a matter of fact, I like to keep any ends and pieces of my produce so that I can create a deli cious stock for soups or stews for the coming months. Even in the summer, I am thinking ahead to fall and winter. If I am chopping an onion, I will keep the moist ends while tossing any papery bits in the trash. If I am chop ping a carrot or celery, usually those ends will be saved as well. These little odd ends add up when stored in a ziptop bag in your freezer, generating a great mirepoix for future wintry stocks andReiningbroths.it back to the present, this corn fritter is an excellent snack to eat on its own with a lemony basil yogurt. Anaheim pepper, red bell pepper, and red onion are diced small, then tossed into a bowl with kernels of corn fresh ly cut off the cob. Summer squash gets grated and fresh dill gets rough ly chopped, then added into the bowl with gluten free flour and an egg to help bind the fritter. This mixture is then scooped out, one quarter of a cup at a time, and dropped into a few table spoons of hot oil and delicately fried until golden brown on both sides. Dol lops of lemony basil yogurt are draped across the corn fritters and, just like that, a farmer’s market summer is served onto a plate.

Corn Fritters Recipe By KELLY TORRES Special to the AmNews Yields Ingredients4 for the corn fritters: 4-6 tbsps extra virgin olive oil 4 ears of corn, husks and silks removed ½ Anaheim pepper, small dice ½ red bell pepper, small dice ¼ red onion, small dice 1 yellow summer squash, grated 1 tbsp fresh dill, rough chop ½ cup gluten free flour 1 Saltegg& pepper, to taste Ingredients for the lemony basil yogurt: 1 cup greek yogurt Zest of 1 lemon 1-2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 tbsp fresh basil, chiffonade Salt & pepper to taste (Kelly Torres photos)

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 • 23

The Alvin Ailey Ameri can Dance Theater held a free summer dance celebration at Bryant Park, the heart of New York City. The new Artistic Direc tor Francesca Harper welcomed Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine to the performance. The event marked Ailey’s first time performing in Bryant Park.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Ailey, in the heart of the city

Black VegFest: Spread Love I

The Black VegFest, the “unapologetical ly Black Vegan Festi val,” took place Aug. 13 in Brooklyn’s Com modore Barry Park. The event featured vendors, free give aways, panels, and workshops. This year’s 2022 tions.fifthmarked“SpreadVegFest—subtitledBlackLoveI”—theevent’syearofoperaFormoreinfo: www.blackvegfest.org Pictured: The Black VegFest Animal Libera tion panelists includ ed: Eloisa Trinidad, Erin Wing, and Naijha Wright-Brown. (Bill Moore photos) Black VegFest Animal Liberation Panel (Karen Juanita Carrillo photo)

ALLAN HARRIS

To attend, give a donation, or for further information, go to: lor.com/events/obf2022/664117https://www.tickettai or contact Yvette Berry, publicist, at yberry567@gmail. com or call 718.991.7564.

“This is our first year of starting a threeyear residency at the Bronx Brewery which I am very proud and excited about,” said OBF festival founder Iymaani Abdul Hamid. “This year we are introducing a few new mu sicians to the line-up like Natie, a violinist from Reunion Island (east of the island of Madagascar) and cellist Zachary Brown.”

Mingus was one of the most important musicians in 20th-century American music as a virtuoso bass player, pianist, bandleader and prolific composer. This centennial will be a great showcase for the bassist whose works have not been recorded as often as other jazz composers. Mingus was in the forefront of the avant-garde movement while maintaining a deep love affair with classical music, playing the cello throughout his life. If not for the racist social structure he most likely would have become a classical musician. His music was often performed by ballet companies and Alvin Ailey cho reographed “The Mingus Dances” during a 1972 collaboration with the Robert Jof frey Ballet Company. He recorded over 100 albums and wrote over 300 compositions. His wife Sue Mingus founded three working repertory bands called the Mingus Dynasty, Mingus Orchestra and the Mingus Big Band, which continue to perform his music. For tickets visit the website jazzintheval ley.org, for more information regarding the festival visit info@transartin.org or call 845384-6350. Allan Harris’ honey toned timbre will grasp the attention of all attending Jazzmo bile’s Summerfest on Aug. 24, at Grant’s Tomb (122nd Street and Riverside Drive), 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. The native born Harlemite has become an international entertainer with fans from here to Italy, Germany, China, Japan and France. Well, one thing for sure we don’t have to worry about him return ing since he lives here and his aunt Kate owned Kate’s SoulFood that was right down the block. He named his last album after her and that great food spot. It was one of the best vocal CDs of 2020. He has his own style, a voice that encompass es those feelings that bring up memories long gone, something hip and sweet from yesterday or that person last night. The top and bottom of shout out blues, and soul jazzy rhythms. He has a touch of Arthur Prysock happening up in that timbre. The Allan Harris Quartet will include pianist Arcoiris Sandoval, bassist Marty Kenny, guitarist Alicyn Yaffee, saxophonist Irwin Hall and drummer Norman Edwards.

This year’s festival is a return to live audi ences after a virtual presentation of the festi val during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We pick up where we left off last year, when we pre sented a triumphant homecoming back to the Valley,” said Greer Smith, festival found er, producer and recipient of the Jazz Jour nalist Association’s 2021 Jazz Heroes Award. Harris, the festival’s guest curator, comes from generations of musicians influenced by Mingus, and like Mingus he continues to be a force in the spectrum of avant-garde and straight-ahead jazz. The trombonist is a cre ative source who follows his own path, never missing an opportunity to introduce new musical concepts to the forefront whether it’s new melodic concepts or his incredible chord changes. The recipient of the 2022 Jazz Jour nalist Association’s Jazz Heroes Award, Harris has nine recordings as a leader; his latest CD is “Managing the Mask.” As a Harlem com munity activist, he curates a weekly jazz series as a collaborator and co-founder of Harlem Jazz Boxx. He composed and per formed the score for the Oscar-nominated film “Judas and the Black Messiah.” “Mingus has always inspired me as a musi cian-composer; the sacred space he creates where improvisation and composition inter sect is a major influence on my own work,” Harris says. “Mingus also brings the balance of content and concept, which is conscious ness. Using music to promote social justice is ingrained in every breath I take, so the triple C factor—Content, Concept and Con sciousness—will be highly celebrated in our centennial salute of Charles Mingus. Joining me in this celebration are people who bring these same elements, Content, Concept and Consciousness, to their work.”

On Aug. 20, the 6th annual Ode to the Black Fiddler String Music Festival returns to the Bronx Brewery (841 E. 135th St., out door courtyard, 1pm-9pm) for an all-day event featuring the artistry and versatility of young, professional string musicians of color. This unique festival does not discriminate against genres but offers many of these clas sically trained string musicians an opportu nity to embrace their creativity by expressing their feelings and experiences through what ever music they feel: jazz, hip hop, soul, Latin, and alternative perspectives.

The day-long festival led by guest curator trombonist and composer Craig Harris will celebrate the legacy, history and the future of jazz and the centennial of bassist/com poser/bandleader Charles Mingus (19221979) with Harris, NEA Jazz Master bassist Buster Williams (who continues to set the standard for generations to come), violin ist and composer Regina Carter, jazz vocal ist and intense tenor saxophonist Camille Thurman, plus vocalist Carla Cook, Chica go pianist Michael King and conga player Joaquin Pozo. These are musicians who don’t just swing but are inventing new me lodic concepts, in the tradition of Mingus.

Buster Williams (Courtesy photo)

24 • August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BLACK FIDDLER FEST, JAZZ IN THE VALLEY,

In addition, the event showcases DJ sets, local vendors and interactive stations for chil dren and adults. There will also be an experi mental musical collaboration with Classique (self-taught violinist, singer/songwriter and 3X winner “Showtime at the Apollo”) and DJ Showoff (Brooklyn-born, music producer). History tells us violins and banjos were played by Blacks dating back to slav ery but it still remains somewhat of a secret; when one scans today’s classi cal music scene and ventures into the philharmonic symphony orchestra con certs throughout the U.S., black faces are rarely seen performing onstage.

The concept of OBF was born out of a history of unrecognized Black string mu sicians or “fiddlers” during U.S. slavery—a history not known to most. Festival found er Abdul Hamid, a native of the Bronx, pro fessional violist and music instructor says, “My idea was driven by the current need for diversity and exposure of today’s top string musicians of color to local commu nities, and to empower the next generation of music makers.”

One of New York’s most popular summer jazz festivals “Jazz in the Valley,” isn’t in the hustle bustle siren scream ing taxi honking Big Apple, no it takes place in the quiet city of Poughkeepsie, in Waryas Park, a serene river view to keep you mellow as the music seeps into your sound buds, on Aug. 21, 12 noon to 6 p.m.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 • 25

CLASSROOMTHEIN

26 • August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

ACTIVITIES FIND OUT MORE Kuwana Haulsey’s “Angel in Harlem” can be complemented by an actual interview with Dr. Chinn at audio/454935096.lib.harvard.edu/sds/https://mps.

Several years ago when we first launched this column, Dr. May E. Chinn was one of the first entries. Recent discussion around her im portance, particularly in Harlem, prompts us to return to this lumi nary and renew what should never be a forgotten personality. Chinn was born in 1896, the same year of the infamous Plessy v. Ferguson decision, in Great Barrington, Mas sachusetts, the birthplace of Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois. Her father was born into slavery in Virginia but he es caped when he was 11. Her mother was a Native American from the Chickahominy reservation near Norfolk,Chinn’sVa.mother was a hardwork ing housekeeper for the famed Tif fany family, and this afforded her the opportunity to be exposed to an elite cultural background. In 1917, after only a rudimentary early ed ucation, she was accepted into Co lumbia University Teachers College. At first her major was music, but this plan changed after she wrote a paper on hygiene and her pro fessor encouraged her to use her gifts in medicine. By 1921 she was a student at the Bellevue Hospital and encountered both racial and female discrimination, but she per sisted. Later, she was successful in obtaining an internship at Harlem Hospital and supplemented her training and income through pri vate practice with a sanatorium on Edgecombe Avenue for non-white patients.Shewas among a few doctors in terested in early cancer diagnosis and subsequently studied cyto logical methods with Dr. George Papanicolaou, and this led to her becoming instrumental in develop ing the PAP smear test. In 1954, she became a member of the New York Academy of Science, and Columbia University awarded her an honor ary doctorate in 1957 for her con tributions to science. Marginalized patients, particularly in Harlem, were beneficiaries of her medical skills and compassion, which she dispensed for more than 50 years. Chinn’s pioneering career brought in its wake such distinc tions as being the first Black woman to graduate from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, and the first Afri can American to hold an internship at Harlem Hospital. She was also an accomplished pianist and her early years often accompanied Paul Robeson. A wonderful moment when she first met the great singer, actor, activist is novelized in “Angel of Harlem” by Kuwana Haulsey. There is no way that she could have known factually much of what she has written, but the people she mentions, many of the incidents and historical citations are true. But here’s her take on Chinn’s first encounter with Robeson. “Pardon me Miss Chinn. I’m afraid my ac companist hasn’t arrived yet. And I understand that you are a mar velous accompanist. Would you do me the honor of accompanying me this afternoon? That voice,” Haulsey wrote, imagining Chinn’s response to Robeson’s request. “I turned around and found myself at eye level with a golden Phi Beta Kappa key and an All-Ameri can football emblem,” the imag ined Chinn related. “The pendants dangled from a watch chain across the barrel chest of a young man in a dark blue three-piece suit. We’d never met before, but like everyone else, I knew exactly who he was. “Of course, Paul,” I said, “I’d love to. “I looked right up into his face and thought, He must be the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. Seal brown skin. Wide nose. Hefty, cush ioned lips. The gums like black berries. He had the softest eyes in the world. The young man beamed at me, a broad full-rich smile that seemed to take in everything in the room, including my heart. Paul Robeson.“Hehanded me his sheet music, then held his giant arm out for me to grab. ‘Shall we get started then? You know, I really appreciate this, May. I can call you May, can’t I? I’ve heard so much about you around town. It’s good to finally meet you in“Myperson.’mouth fell open,” the novel continued. “Imagine, Paul Robeson telling me that he was glad we final ly met! Incredible.” And Haulsey’s novel goes on in such an incredible but believable way that you are never quite sure about the difference between the real and the imagined. In her book’s closing epitaph, Haulsey wrote, “The doctor lived qui etly and alone, in the projects along LaSalle Avenue for all the later years of her life. Surrounded by her moth er’s antique furniture and her mem ories, Dr. May settled into retirement in the late 1970s. Her eyes had begun to fail, and the city had changed. Better to leave the job to young people who’d come behind her.” Before her death in 1980, Chinn pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and the NY Metro Council provides a scholarship to a medical student in her name each year.

Aug. 14, 1968: Actress Halle Berry was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Aug. 15, 1938: Rep. Maxine Waters was born in St. Louis, Mo. Aug. 15, 1927: Renowned pianist Oscar Peterson was born in Montreal, Ontario, Canada. He died in 2007.

THIS WEEK INHISTORYBLACK

DISCUSSION It might have been in formative to provide some of the meeting between the two from Robeson’s perspective, assuming there is some. PLACE IN CONTEXT As you can see Chinn was born near the end of the 19th century and lived almost to the end of the last century. Dr. May E. Chinn, a trailblazing compassionate doctor

Dr. May E. Chinn, a trailblazing compassionate doctor

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

• Incorporating voter registra tion questions in intake forms

• Assisting individuals in obtain ing the appropriate identification documents to bring to the poll site

• Supporting the individual in transferring poll sites to a more convenient location to ensure ac cessibility•Obtaining an absentee ballot (if•applicable)Ensuringthat voter registra tion materials are available onsite throughout the year to ensure en gagement during election periods

Community-based organiza tions can provide voting support to individuals experiencing home lessness in the following ways:

the commission may be required to draw one or two wholly Asian Amer ican“Basicallydistricts. to acknowledge the changes in population in the last 10 years and the increase in Asian pop ulations versus the parallel rapid re duction in the white population,” said Citizens Union’s Ben Weinberg.

Swindling Continued from page 3 City Council Continued from page 4

• Organizing poll walk parties to encourage voters to travel to the polls

Currentlytogetherqualifications to vote by absentee ballot in New York allows individuals to request an absentee ballot if an individu al is absent from their county or the five boroughs on election day. However, this excludes homeless individuals who may be residing in their county of origin on Elec tion Day but may be unable to travel to the poll site due to bar riers such as transportation or fi nances. While voters who are sure they are registered but are turned away at the polls can obtain an affidavit ballot, this information is not widely publicized. Arming ourselves with infor mation can poise individuals to actively participate in our coun try’s democracy and ensure that our government reflects the needs of those it serves.

Tandy Lau is a Report for Ameri ca corps member and writes about public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift today by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w

He also recommends putting more stock in the bad news—lawyers who offer doubts or low confidence in immigration cases are likely more honest given they’re going against the financial incentives. Those finding themselves in simi lar shoes as Moreno’s victims can call D.A. Bragg’s Immigrant Affairs Unit hotline at 212-335-3600. Non-Eng lish speaking services are available.

Ariama C. Long is a Report for Amer ica corps member and writes about culture and politics in New York City for The Amsterdam News. Your do nation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deduct ible gift of any amount today by visit ing: https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w

Voting Continued from page 12

The commission has been crit icized for having a “lack of trans parency” in its decision making processes, said Weinberg. He said that the presentation on racial bloc voting was a “positive step” but it didn’t include reasons behind why they have formed the preliminary map as it is. “If they’re deciding everything behind the scenes and only show up to the public meeting to say ‘yes I agree’ then it’s not a very public process. The whole point of a public meeting under the open meetings law is to show the public how deci sions are made,” said Weinberg. In Tuesday’s hearing, Dan Kamin sky, a policy manager at Citizens Union, testified that the commission should explain the reasoning behind line drawing decisions, most nota bly the proposed plan to keep three whole city council districts on Staten Island. In order to satisfactorily keep all three districts on the island and not split between other boroughs, the commission used up most of the “le gally allowed population deviation.” Kaminsky said that the organiza tion was equally concerned about “recent reports about possible back room deals between appointing au thorities, and their influence over mapping decisions.” At the very least, the commission has decided to hold a public hear ing in Harlem after multiple sourc es campaigned for a meeting to be closer to impacted communities. The next hearings will be Thurs day, Aug. 18 at Staten Island Bor ough Hall; Sunday, Aug. 21 at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn; and Monday, Aug. 22 at the Schom burg Center in Harlem. Testimony may also be provided via Zoom during the public hearings or by email at districting.nyc.gov.publictestimony@re

Allysha Bryant is pursuing a dual degree, Master of Arts in social work and doctorate in social wel fare at Yeshiva University’s Wurz weiler School of Social Work. She is currently interning with the Na tional Association of Social Work ers, New York State Chapter. payments. Some saw their applica tions delayed. Others are in limbo. All seemed to be hit hard economi cally. Brooklyn-based immigration lawyer Brian Figeroux advises those with similar cases to seek a second opinion.“Getmore than one consultation,” he said. “Get two or three consulta tions, compare what the attorneys say—[just] because an attorney tells you that you can succeed [doesn’t] means that you could succeed.”

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 • 27THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 • 27 ience and supports better overall outcomes.Whilethere have been efforts to support homeless individuals in exercising their right to vote, not enough research has been conduct ed to date to determine their efficacy.

• Registering individuals on-site (if•possible)Contacting the Board of Elec tions to obtain registration and poll site information

28 • August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

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

The coalition is a group of ad vocates, doctors, and lawyers who first came together in the 1980s. They pushed for Local Law 1 of 2004, a bill that was sponsored by then Councilmember Bill Per kins as the Lead Poisoning Pre vention Law. It was supposed to reduce sources of childhood lead poisoning from lead-based paint, lead dust, tainted drinking water, and piping by 2010. That didn’t quite happen. The DOHMH report said that 2,603 children under 6 years old had a blood lead level of 5 mcg/ dL or greater in 2020. This rep resents a 15% decline from 2019 when there were 3,050 children with the same blood lead levels. There’s been a significant de crease in city cases since 2005, a 93% decline since Local Law 1 of 2004 was officially implemented, said the report. The report noted that the COVID-19 crisis also led to “a drop in blood lead testing among children.” The coalition is now focused on closing the current loopholes in the law and ending lead poi soning once and for all. Especial ly since childhood lead poisoning disproportionately impacts chil dren of color in “high poverty” neighborhoods.In2020,65%of children under 6 were from high-poverty neighbor hoods and 78% were identified as Asian, Black and Latino children, said the DOHMH report. WE ACT for Environmental’s Di rector of Policy Sonal Jessel said that the co alition’s agenda is calling for a set of bills and funding that address es childhood lead poison ing, a multi agency task force to oversee the issue, tight er enforcement on landlord in spections, and for the city to identify and replace lead pipe lines un derneath the ground.“The thing about child hood lead poi soning is that it’s 100% pre ventable and it just shouldn’t exist any more,” said Jessel. “Hon estly it’s em NewespeciallybarrassingYork City being such a wealthy, the oretically pro gressive, very public health forward city. To have a huge lead crisis is just unacceptable and there’s no excuse for it.”

Meeting

End lead campaign rally last week in front of City Hall (Contributed from Councilmember Gale Brewer’s office) PREP NEW YORK SCHOOL MEETING OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES NOTICE Dated: Monday, August 14th 2022

Education Why isn’t NYC lead free yet?

DEMOCRACY

The New York City Coalition to End Lead Poisoning (NYCCELP) gathered at City Hall last Thursday to demand that officials eliminate lead sources in the city and state that often impact low-income Black, brown, and Asian children. Lead exposure in childhood can lead to serious, long-term learn ing difficulties and behavior al problems, said a Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) lead report. Young chil dren are especially at risk because they put things in their mouths, potentially exposing them to lead in dust and paint.

PUBLIC

Meetinghttps://democracyprep.zoom.us/j/6878464443ID:87212048191,Password:746010

DOHMH is pro posing that the health code be updated. They suggested the mandatory threshold be reduced from 5 mcg/dL to 3.5 mcg/dL for childhood blood lead level re porting and investigation. The DOHMH’s public hearing will be held on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022. Mayor Eric Adams’ office did not respond to requests for comment. Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about culture and poli tics in New York City for The Am sterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-de ductible gift of any amount today by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/ fcszwj8w

Pursuant to Section 104 Public Notice of the Open Meetings Law, and pursuant to Executive Order 202.1, this notice is to inform the public that the board of trustees of Democracy Prep New York School will hold a remote meeting by teleconference on: August 25th, 2022 at 8:00 am., local time, + 1 646 558 8656, LINK:

Jessel said just painting over lead paint is not nearly enough to cut down exposure. The city needs to hold small homeowners and land lords accountable and replace the contaminated piping that affects the city’s drinking water, she said.

Jessel said that Brooklyn, Wash ington Heights, and pockets of the city have alarmingly high levels of leadCouncilmemberspresent. Gale Brewer, Lincoln Restler, and others gath ered with We Act and the coalition to call attention to the overlooked issue of lead poisoning. Brewer penned a letter on Aug. 9 to DOHMH, Housing Preser vation and Development, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Buildings about the city’s youth still being exposed to lead. “I’m pretty shocked because there are many horrors in our city; lead’s one of the worst because it is often permanently damag ing. It’s really bad that we haven’t knocked it out completely as an issue,” said Brewer. Brewer said that the issue is that it’s a multi agency issue that re quires a multi agency response. “The agencies are not sharing data,” said Brewer. “They’re not all coordinating. They’re not being hit over the head to get them coor dinated on this topic.” The U.S. Environmental Pro tection Agency (EPA) said they are working to address lead on a national level and in New York City in response to the Amster dam News’ inquiry. The EPA said they work with the U.S. Depart ment of Housing and Urban De velopment and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help address the issue. Under the recently signed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the EPA said they are working to reduce lead exposure and to address lead in water. The law also invests in re placing lead piping nationwide. “Despite all the progress we have made in reducing lead in our environment over the last 40 years, too many people in this country still face significant health risks from lead exposure, especially children who are the most vulnerable among us,” said theTheEPA.EPA’s regional office in New York has had for more than a decade a partnership with the NYC DOHMH and other local health departments in New Jersey, said the EPA. They receive and respond to tip and complaint referrals based on construction, elevated blood lead levels, or unsafe conditions. They assisted in legal matters against contrac tors and construction companies in a 2020 and 2022 lawsuit that determined the respective de fendants had violated lead paint laws, said Meanwhile,EPA.

Responding to a catastrophe “The truth is that everyone is very calm,” notes Amor Díaz-Campos. “There is a lot of anger about the young firemen who died, there is a petition to end compulsory military service in Cuba. Sending those inexperienced young people to face an unprecedent ed catastrophe in this country is con sidered as the only big mistake made by the authorities in the face of this di saster,” she said. At last count, 2 people died in the supertanker fire, 132 were injured and 19 were hospitalized. Díaz-Campos said that city resi dents, like most Cubans, are accus tomed to preparing for emergency situations and, though medical sup plies are not available, most people are finding ways to deal with the situ ation. “We raised money to buy med ical supplies in Miami and send them to Matanzas for the injured,” she ex plained. “Unfortunately, we have a critical situation with dengue here, and the hospitals were not prepared for another unexpected crisis like this fire. They are short of bandages and medicines. What could be purchased will arrive in the next 48 hours.”

Another Matanzas resident com mented: “We heard about acid rains in particular for those living in the exposed area near the black smoke. People [were told they] should avoid it and [avoid] the consumption of water. Families must boil the water. Masks were mandatory but people in the city didn’t take it seriously. That’s my per sonal perception of danger from the only time I went to the downtown.”

for all of us,”

pollingThereandcirculatedsupporterssumablyceivedAustraliaseasalreadyitself,votersmationthepressedmonitoringporters.directlymediacaliticianswinners.themiticiansbuzzedocratictheirbutmust“Unsuccessfulsaid.candidatesnotbetreatedaslosers,asKenyanswhohavedonepartinexpandingthedemspace.”Still,socialmediaplatformswithfalseclaimsofpollosingtheirseatsonlyforlatertobeannouncedasInfluentialbloggersandpolinKenyahelppolitipartiesbypassmainstreamchannelsandconnectwithpotentialsupElectionobserversandgroupshaveexconcernatthescaleoffalseandmisleadinginforbeingspread.OneattemptatmisleadingappearedonelectiondaysuggestingthatvoteshadbeentalliedinanoverpollingstationinSydney,andthatOdingahadrethemostvotes.Variationsofthismessage,predesignedtoenergizetogetoutandvote,onWhatsApp,TwitterFacebook.However,itwasallmadeup.werenoKenyandiasporastationsinAustralia.International Continued from page 2

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 • 29 Visit our new store. Join our plan. 2104 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. (125th street) Or call 855.809.4073. HARLEMFORINSURANCEHEALTH HARLEMBY Over 34,000 providers, 40 hospitals and 110 urgent care centers Unlimited $0, 24/7 telehealth right from home MKT 22.050 MetroPlus Health Plan, Inc.

“If aggrieved, receive the disap pointment or lack of victory with grace…pursue redress through the judicial process. There are no losers in this process, a success ful democratic process is a win he whatever they want with it, no, no, no, no. We are doing this people-to-peo ple, hand-to-hand to the person who needs it,” Campo Pons assured: “We are taking the donations and we will have a tally of the donations and we are not going against the embargo; we are not going behind the door, we are just doing our work: art as a healing art. It is for me a moral, ethical call. I consider myself as an artist and as a curandera, a healer. My grandmother was a healer, and I am here in the time that is given to me to do good to anyone anyplace anytime when I can.”

The two men—who represent the two biggest political dynas ties in Kenya—were fierce rivals in the 2017 election, but made up the following year at a highly publicized event dubbed The Handshake.Throughout the voting, there was a sense of anxiety in the coun try as disputed elections in the past have led to violence or the whole process being canceled. With the dark shadow of the American voting experience in mind, several prominent lead ers and organizations were call ing for patience and urging Kenyans to maintain peace.

Commission (IEBC) was col lecting, counting and verifying results. Ruto won with a slim victory of 50.5%.

Maria Magdalena Campo Pons is hoping that donations brought to res idents through her EADJ will remind Matanzas residents that others want the best for them. “The artists there— which is my community—have been sharing with me and they said the population, nobody is complaining, but people are incredibly sad,” Campo Pons revealed. “They’re trying to, you know, come together and try to find a way to respond to this catastrophe.”

Matanzas Continued from page 2

Catholic Archbishop Anthony Muheria has said whoever will be declared a winner should “accept victory with respect and humility.”

The oil tanker fire spread smoke over residents’ homes in Matanzas. (Photo by Ernesto Millán)

Matanzas donations can be sent to Anaïs (Nisi) Daly, EADJ’s program manager, at 1204 25th Ave. South, Suite 240, Nashville, TN 37240. Mone tary donations can be sent to Daly at cashapp $NisiDaly, Venmo @AnaisDaly or on PayPal at anais.j.daly@ gmail.com.

“R.I.H.P. Dad!!” Lamont Dozier Jr. wrote on Facebook. The post accompanied a photo of his famous father. While teaming with Hol land-Dozier-Holland, Dozier helped write some of the most memorable tunes for groups such as Martha and the Van dellas, the Four Tops, and the Isley Brothers. and “You Keep Me Hanging On,” by the Supremes. taught me a lot about music is gone. The great Lamont Dozier,” music producer Brandon Wil liams wrote on Twitter. Hall of Fame in 1988, Dozier and his songwriting team also crafted such mega-hits as “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “Stop! In The Name of Love,” and “How Sweet It Is To In 1990, the trio earned induction Lamont Dozier Jr. (left) and Lamont Dozier (Photo Courtesy of NNPA)

Leon Eastmond Jr., presi dent of EASCO Boiler Corpo ration, passed at the age of 95 on August 9, 2022. Arling ton Leon Eastmond was affec tionately known as “Leon.” Mr. Eastmond Jr. was an entre preneur and philanthropist, president of a multi-million dollar manufacturing compa ny, the EASCO Boiler Corpora tion. He was born on October 11, 1926. His service was held at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem.

Religion & Spirituality

16 • August 11, 2022 - August 17, 2022 THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Abyssinian holds viewing service for Arlington Leon Eastmond Jr.

By STACY M. BROWN NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent among the iconic songwriting trio of Holland-Dozier-Holland, has died at the age of 81. death on social media.

Religion

& Spirituality

See DR. JAMES TURNER on page 31 (Bill Moore photos)

Motown songwriting legend Lamont Dozier dies at 81

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

Dr. James Turner, a founder of Africana Studies and an esteemed scholar

A torrent of compassionate en comiums for Dr. James Turner showered the African American academic community when the word spread that he was an ances tor. Even more occurred last Sat urday, Aug. 13, at Bangs Funeral Home in Ithaca, where Dr. Turner resided with his family. It was in this community at Cornell Uni versity that he cultivated and ex panded his immense knowledge of Africana Studies, sharing it with students, colleagues, and a grow ing coterie of aspiring scholars. He died on Aug. 6 and was 82. When Dr. Turner arrived at Cor nell in 1969, Black Studies was just emerging from its official chrysa lis, but under his guidance—and recasting it as Africana Studies— the program quickly became a sig nificant flagship. He was able to nurture such a process because he paid close attention to his men tors, including the wisdom of Mal colm X. “He was a master teacher,” Dr. Turner said of the great think er. “You couldn’t listen to him and not come away with something. It was more than charisma; it was the way he was able to use the language of our people and make [them] understand.” This was just one facet of Mal colm’s teaching that Dr. Turner delivered in the classrooms, at conferences and symposiums, both at home and abroad. The les sons he imparted were always de livered in a slow, well thought-out manner, taking care to make sure his students, his audiences knew exactly where he was coming from. And where he was coming from was a place in Harlem where not only Malcolm’s learned voice resonated , but where he had heard W.E.B. Du Bois, Dr. John Henrik Clarke, and countless others on the streets of Harlem. Dr. Turner was born Jan. 31, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York, but was raised in public housing on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. His father was a laborer. James grew up with the expectation that he would work in the garment trade and industry. That occupation may have been the incentive to attend the High School of Fashion Industries, from which he gradu ated in 1957, and for subsequently being employed at Ripley’s Cloth ingFourStore.years later, after a brief stint in the field of social work at Columbia University in their Mo bilization for Youth program, he coded data on the activities of youth gangs in the city. But he fi nally acceded to a higher call ing and he and his wife, Janice, moved to Michigan where he earned a bachelor’s degree from

30 • August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

A nonprofit organization in New York City, located on the Upper West Side is seeking sealed bids for the sale and installation of security related enhance ments. The project includes installation of Closed-Circuit Television equipment and card readers. The selection criteria will be based on your company’s knowl edge of surveillance and security, adherence to projected work schedule, prior experience, references, and cost. Specifications and bid requirements can be obtained by contacting us at up M/WBEgrades2022@gmail.comownersandoperators

are specifically invited to apply. All interested firms will be required to sign for the proposal documents and provide a primary contact, telephone, and email address. Bids will be accepted until 12 noon on Friday, September 30, 2022 and work is to commence by November 30, 2022 and be completed by November 30, 2023.

Dr. Anthony Browne, Dr. James Turner, the Rev. Cemson Brown, and Herb Boyd at Hunter College in a tribute to Dr. John Henrik Clarke in 2007

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 • 31

The New York Amsterdam News is partnering with WNYC Public Radio to amplify the voices of residents in communities throughout the New York metropolitan area. Tell us what’s on your mind ahead of the mid-term elections in the form of a 400-to-700-word first-person essay. Selected essays will be published in The New York Amsterdam News.

• Are you concerned about the future of abortion rights?

• Are you concerned about the rising cost of living?

• Is crime a top concern?

Central Michigan University. Then in rapid succession came a master’s degree in Afri can Studies from Northwestern Universi ty, a certificate in African Studies from the school’s African Studies Center, and a Ph.D. from Union Institute & University. As a graduate student at Northwestern University, he, like many highly informed students and activists in the late ’60s, was soon as much involved in the classroom as he was on the frontline protesting so cietal and academic inequities. In 1968, he led more than 100 students in a twoday sit-in demanding the university end its discrimination and improve conditions on campus. Out of this tumult came the creation of the school’s African American Studies Department. With the momentum of Black Stud ies spreading across the country, James became a prominent speaker. After he de livered a profoundly moving speech at Howard University, the Cornell University administration in 1969 invited Dr. Turner to join the faculty where he became the founding director of the Africana Stud ies and Research Center. His appointment was the result of direct action by Black stu dents who demanded that the universi ty support the inclusion of Black Studies under Dr. Turner’s directorship. During his tenure, he created a space for the kind of intellectual discourse and “specialization of expertise” that students and young profes sionals had been waiting for. His work fo cused on designing curriculum; individual and group study opportunities; policy de velopment; and recruiting and mentoring cadres of committed faculty who under stood the critical importance of authentic ity and truth in the continued development of scholarly work on Black life throughout the African Diaspora. The Center became a hub of education and intellectual pro ductivity where generations of scholars and practitioners interacted and thrived.

AS YOU PREPARE TO HEAD TO THE POLLS FOR THE MID-TERM ELECTIONS, WHAT ISSUE(S) MATTER MOST TO YOU? FOR EXAMPLE:

Dr. James Turner Continued from page 30

• Is climate change top of mind?

• Does the impact of COVID-19 remain a concern?

Please submit essays no later than Friday, August 26, 2022 to damaso.reyes@amsterdamnews.com

WNYC’s Community Partnerships & Training Editor George Bodarky may also work with you to create an audio version of your essay to air on WNYC Public Radio and appear on Gothamist.com

Dr. Turner treasured the relationships he nurtured with students, their families, col leagues, communities, and organizations. He was particularly thrilled to meet gen erations of students from the same family in some of his classes. This was a new ven ture for him and the school, and he let it be known upon acceptance to take the po sition that it would be one of “the most far-reaching, imaginative and creative pro grams in the country.” Embodied in this promise was one of the mottos he had ad opted from Du Bois, and one that would inform his educational vision for the next generation or two, that “Our objective is to examine the record, clarify, and verify, the complexity and richness of the history and culture of African peoples.” And this he accomplished without reser vation or concession, even after the school on April 1, 1970, just seven months after its inception, was destroyed in a suspected arson attack, David Nutt wrote in the Cor nell Chronicle. Despite the challenges and turmoil, Dr. Turner was unwavering in his commitment, particularly to his students.

• Are you concerned about prescription drug costs?

“Brother James Turner,” said John Higgin son, “was a soldier in our army of libera tion. He knew when to stand up and when toInlisten.”the words of Dr. Anthony Browne, chair of the Department of Africana, Puerto Rican and Latino Studies at Hunter Col lege, a close associate, “Dr. Turner’s life was spent in the service to people of African de scent around the globe. He was a visionary institution builder who coined the term Africana Studies to reflect the discipline’s Pan-Africanist commitment.”

Dr. Turner in Lynette Chappell-Williams’ estimation was “always a gentle giant and true renaissance man…and a catalyst for change at Cornell, and in my role of ad vancing diversity, was a true inspiration for continuing the difficult work.”

Some of those burdens will be shouldered by his immediate family who survive him, including his wife, Janice, and his three chil dren, Hassan, Sekai, and Tshaka. A memori al service will be announced at a later date.

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Jabari Brisport in Senate District 25 in Brooklyn. Tillard has even scored the endorsement of Mayor Eric Adams and the historic Vanguard Indepen dent Democratic Association (VIDA), the oldest Black political club in Brooklyn. Brisport’s other challenger is Democrat Renee Holmes.

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www.amazon.com/author/reginaj Senate Continued from page 3

Scarcella-Spanton in District 23 in Staten Island. “It’s been busy,” said Cleare about campaigning this season for reelection, “a lot of organiz ing, making sure you have ev erything in place and that people know that there’s even an election happening. I think I’ve worked pretty hard to get the vote out and I hope that it happens. No one can predict these things.” As early voting winds down, it’s important to note that the dead line to return absentee ballots is Aug. 23 on Election Day. Due to a recent change in the law, New York State voters can’t cast a ballot on a voting machine if they have already requested an absentee ballot, said the BOE. If a voter still shows up in person to vote they will have to use an affidavit. If the voter’s absentee ballot isn’t received, the affidavit ballot will be counted. Early Voting ends Sunday, Aug. 21. Election Day is Tues day, Aug. 23. Check registration, get info about candidates, or find your polling site at: www. nycvotes.org/ Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about culture and poli tics in New York City for The Am sterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a taxdeductible gift of any amount today by visiting: https://tinyurl. com/fcszwj8w

“The vision and legacy of the Hon orable Al Vann have been central to my advocacy and ministry in the dis trict, and VIDA’s endorsement and continued support are critical as I seek to bring the change the district so desperately needs,” said Tillard at a community celebration honoring the late Councilmember Al Vann, VIDA’s founder.Meanwhile, longtime Senator Robert Jackson is running for re election to represent the 31st Senate District. Jackson was most recently endorsed by Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer. “Robert Jackson is a fearless cham pion to knock down barriers and promote fairness and equality,” said Ferrer in a statement. “The Bronx is lucky to have him as State Sena tor. He understands personally the power of education, jobs and oppor tunity and has fought to give.” In Senate District 30 in Harlem, Sen. Cordell Cleare is running for re election after winning a special elec tion months ago to replace former Sen. Brian Benjamin, who is still em broiled in a campaign fraud investi gation. Cleare said she’s campaigning hard to make sure people in her dis trict are aware of the unusual August primary. Cleare was already a fixture in the community, having worked for years with then-Sen. Bill Perkins as his chief of staff. “[Cleare] demonstrates a very good grasp of the job. She has a very deep understanding of the issues facing her constituency,” said Ben Weinberg of Citizens Union. Her opponent is community orga nizer Shana Harmongoff.

page

Vote Continued from 3

32 • August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Other fairly competitive races in clude Senate District 33 in the Bronx where incumbent Sen. Gus tavo Rivera is running for reelection, Senate District 59 in Queens where former Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley is running, and in Senate District 26 in Brooklyn where Sen. Andrew Gounardes is running to hold onto his seat.

32 • May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022 THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS CLASSIFIEDBusiness Directory Mercedes Benz Sprinter Limousine Funerals, Wedding, Tours, Casinos Special Events & www.executivesecurityprotection.com212.531.3792Occassions Are you raising a troubled teen? Know someone who is? Get: Teen Preganancy & Teen Drug Abuse Its’s a 60 minute DVD full of sound insight. To order send $29.95 plus $3.50 shipping and handling to: A. Nat Curtis P.O. Box 306, New York, NY 10026-0306 paypal: axnatxx@gmail.com (Delivery in 3 weeks) Author Deborah Battle's Children“ForandtheYoungatHeart” Available at: BarnesAmazon,andNoble,andGooglePlay Announcing An AmericanAfricanPhilosophyofMedicinebyFrederickNewsome,MD,MSc An examination of race, medical knowledge and history based on the author’s life as a physician in West Africa and Harlem, New York. Available at Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and Dorrance Publishing Company “A www.fbiwarontupac.com-Prof.presentation!”masterlyAhatiN.N.Toure AVAILABLE EVERYWHEREBOOKSTORESAT Dawnmcdermott32218@yahoo.com(904)442-3810 PARTYMUZIC.COM WE’VE GOT WHAT YOU NEED FROM ALL MUSIC TO VINTAGE CLOTHING, AROMATHERAPY & MORE. WE SELL 80 MINUTE CONTINUOUS-PLAY PARTY MUSIC. (ALL GENRES) STOP BY THE SHOP, OR VISIT US ONLINE WE ARE NOT JUST A RECORD STORE, WE ARE YOUR MUZIC BOUTIQUE STOP IN AND ASK FOR TYRONE 438 MARCUS GARVEY BLVD BROOKLYN, NY 11213 (646) WWW.PARTYMUZIC.COM406.9102 especiallyservinghelpingawareness,Spreadingandothersinneedhasbeenmypersonalmission,whenitconcernsour children. My books will focus on social issues facing children. Available amazonbooks.comatSHARONDASH TO DISPLAY YOUR BUSINESS INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT ADVERTISING SALES CONSULTANT William J. Atkins WILLIAM.ATKINS@AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM P: 212-932-7429 F: 212-932-7497 Executive Exotic Limo CustomFleet: Mercedes Benz Sprinter Cadillac Escalade ESV Mercedes Benz S550 Funerals,

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• Classified Display (boarder or picture) advertisements take the regular earned rate of their classifi cation. Display (boarder or picture) advertisements one column wide must be 14 lines deep; two columns, 28 lines deep; 3 columns, 56 lines deep. Classified Display (boarder or picture) placed as close to classifi cations as rules and makeup permit.

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK, NYCTL 201 8A TRUST, THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON AS COLLATERAL AGENT CUSTODIAN FOR THE NYCTL 2018-A TRUST, Plaintiff, vs WINNIE YEE, ET AL., Defen dant(s). Pursuant to a Judg ment of Foreclosure and Sa le dated on January 5, 20 22 and du ly entered on January 10, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the on the portico of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on September 7, 2022 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 630 1st Avenue, Unit 6A, New York, NY All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and im provements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York, Block 968 and Lot 1036. Approximate amount of judgment is $40,865.59 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 152994/2019. COVI D-19 safe ty protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale Robe rta Ashkin, Esq., Referee Bronster, LLP, 156 West 56th Street, Suite 902, New York, New York 1001 9, Attorneys for Plaintiff SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS AND NOTICE Index No. 850241/20 19 Date Filed: 5/5/2022 JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association,Plaintiff, -againstWinston Dzose a/k/a Winston K. Dzose, if he be living or dead, his spouse, heirs, de visees, distribu tees and succes sors in interest, all of whom and hose names and places of residence are unknown to Plaintiff; The Board of Managers of Hamilton Heights Condominium Homeowners Associatio n; Citizens Bank, N.A.; City of New York Environmental Control Board; City of New York Parking Violations Bureau; City of New York Transit Adjudication Bureau, State of New York, and JOHN DOE, said name being fictitious , it being the inte ntion of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants of premises being foreclosed herein, and any parties, corporations or entities, if an y, having or claiming an in terest or lien upon the mortgage d premises, Defendants.

In Case of error, notify the Amster dam News 212-932-7440 100

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THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage and to secure $222,000.00 and interest, recorded in the New York County Office of the City Register on November 12, 2008 in CRFN 2008000437802 covering premises known as 443 West 151st Street Unit 5A, New York, NY 100 31 a/k/a Block 2066, Lo t 1016. The relief sought in the with in action is a final judgment direct ing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. Plaintiff designates New York County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is situated. YONOTICEUARE DANGER OF LOSNG 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 FILNG 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 TIE 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 AN SWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE DaCOURTted:March 17, 2022 Frank M. Cassara, Esq. Senior Associate Attorney LOGS LEGAL GROUP LL P F/K/A SHAPIRO, DICARO & BARAK, LLC Attorneys for Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (585) 247-9000 Fax: (585 ) 247-7380 Our File No 19-084158 #99685 Notice is he reby give n that a license, nu mber 1348465 for beer, liquor and/or wine at re tail in a restaurant und er the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 683 Ninth Avenue New York City, NY County for on premise consumption. Two Guys & Tom Inc. DBA Bodega HK NYC SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK NYCTL 1998-2 TRUST AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND CUSTODIAN, Plaintiffs -against- HJ OWNERS, LLC, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein on March 21, 2022, I, the unde rsigned Refe ree will se ll at public auction at the New York County Courthouse located on the portico at 60 Centre Street, New York on September 7, 2022 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and be ing in the Borough of Manhattan, City and Coun ty of New York, State of New York, and de signated as Block 0723 Lot 1064 on the New York County Tax Assessment Map and being further known on such tax roles as 263 9th Avenue, Stor age Unit 14, New York, NY 10004 All bidders must wear a face mask/shield at all times and so cial distancing must be observed by all bidders at all times. Bidders who do not comply with the face mask and/or th e so cial distancing mandat e will be removed from the auction. Said premises kn own as 263 9TH AVENUE, STORAGE UNIT 14, NEW YORK, NY Approximate amount of lien $4,411.66 plus interest & costs. Premises will be so ld subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale Index Number 158905/2020 GEORGIA PAPAZIS, ESQ., Referee Phillips Lytle LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiffs 28 East Main Street, Suite 1400, Rochester, NY 14614 Lo veU4FreeMediaNYC, LLC Arts of Org. file d with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 5/19/2022. Office loca tion: NY County. SSNY designat ed as an agent u pon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: 2937 8th Ave., Apt. 20K, NY, NY 10039. Purpose: any la wful activity Notice of Qualification of EVERGREEN RESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT, LLC Appl for Auth filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/21/22. Office lo cation: NY Coun ty LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/11/21. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upo n whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corp oration Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543 DE ad dr of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert of Form filed with Jeffrey W. Bullock, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity Notice of Formation of SE LUXE LLC Arts of Org. filed with the Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 4/18 /22. Office lo cation: NY County. SSNY de signated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: 315 E. 5th St., #3B, New York, NY 10003.

CANCELLATIONS must be made in writing by 12 Noon Monday.

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Purpose: any lawful act. NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK HSBC Bank USA, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST Pedro D. A. Alvarez Arenas, if living and if dead, the re spective heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, executors administrators, truste es, devisees, legat ee s, assignors, lienors, creditors and succes sors in interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said de fendant who may be de ceased, purchase, inheritance lien, or otherwise or an y right, title or interest in and to the premises; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure an d Sale duly dated March 15, 2022 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Portico of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre St, New Yo rk, NY 10007 on September 14, 2022 at 2:15PM, premises known as 15 William Street, New York, NY 1000 5. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situ ate, lying an d being in the Borough of Manha ttan, Coun ty, City and State of New York, Block: 25 Lot: 1503. Approximate amount of judgment $79 2,245.73 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Inde x# 810049/2012. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVI D-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the First Judicial District Ma rk McKew, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Roch ester, New York 14624 (877) 4 30-4792 Dated: April 22, 2022 71800

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PROPERTY ADDRESS: 443 West 151st Street Unit 5A, New York, NY 1003 1 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the comp la int in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or a notice of appearan ce on the attorneys for the Plaintiff within thirty (30) da ys after the service of this summons, exclusive of th e day of service. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may appear with in 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 de manded in the complaint. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upo n you by publication pursuant to an Order of th e Hon. Francis A. Ka hn III, a Justice of the Supreme Court, New York County, entered May 4, 2022 and Order entered August 4, 2022 and filed with the co mplaint and other papers in the New York County Clerks Office NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT

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THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 • 33 CLASSIFIED ADS

PROPERTY ADDRESS: 151 East 20th Street, Unit 4C, New York, NY 10003

34 • August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS 101 LEGAL NOTICES 101 LEGAL NOTICES 101 LEGAL NOTICES 101 LEGAL 10NOTICES 1 LEGAL 10NOTICES 1 LEGAL NOTICES SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK INDEX # 103164/200 8 FILED 6/10/2022 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Mortgage d Premises: 158 West 130th Street, New York, NY 10027. Tax Map ID: 1914-55. U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSO CIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF BANC OF AMERICA FUNDING CORPORATION, MORT GAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-6, Plaintiff, GREGORY STEPHENSON AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF DEBORAH A. STEPHENSON, VINCENT STEPHENSON AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF DEBORAH A. STEPHENSON; DWIGHT STEPHENSON, IN DIVIDUALLY AND AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF DEBORAH A. STEPHENSON "JOHN DOE" AND "JANE DOE" 1 THROUGH 50, INTENDING TO BE THE UNKNOWN HEIRS, DISTRIBUTEES, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, TRUSTEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, AND ASSIGNEES OF THE ESTATE OF DEBORAH A. STEPHENSON, WHO WAS BORN IN 1964 AND DIED ON MARCH 25, 2011, A RESI DENT OF NEW YORK COUNTY, WHOSE LAST KNOWN AD DRESS WAS 605 WEST 147 STREET NY, NY 10031, THEIR SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST IF ANY OF THE AFORESAID DEFENDANTS BE DECEASED, THEIR RESPECTIVE HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF THE AFORESAID CLASSES OF PERSON, IF THEY OR ANY OF THEM BE DEAD, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE HUS BANDS, WIVES OR WIDOWS, IF ANY, ALL OF WHOM AND WHOSE NAMES AND PLACES ARE UNKNOWN TO THE MoPLAINTIFFrtgageElectronic Registration Systems, Inc, Greenpo int Mortgage Funding , Inc, NYC Parking Violations Bureau, AMERICAN EXPRESS CENTURION BANK, NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD, NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA O/B/O INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, Defendants. To the above-named defendants: ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the Plaintiff's atto rney within twenty (20) days a fter the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thir ty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery with in the State. The United States of America, if designated as a Defend ant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service he reof. Jn case of yo ur failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief de manded in the Compla int. NEW YORK County is designated as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the location of the premised encumbered by the mortgage to be foreclosed herein. NOTICE: YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respon d to this summons and compla int by serving a copy of the an swer on the attorney for the mo rtgage company who filed th is fo reclosure proceeding against you and filing th e an swer with the court, a de fault judgment may be entered and you can lose home.. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case Is pending for further information on how to an swer the summons and protect your property Sending a pa ymen t to your mortgage company will not stop th is 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 YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE AN SWER WITH THE COURT. McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, LLC, Attorneys for Plaintiff, 145 Huguenot Street, Suite 210, New Rochelle, NY 10 801. 914-636-8900. 91 4-636-8901 facsimile HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE New York State requires that we se nd you th is notice about the foreclosure process. Please read it care fully SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT. You are in danger of losing your home. If you fail to respond to the Summons and Complaint in this foreclosure action, you may lose your home. Please read the Summons and Complaint care fully You should immediately contact an attorney or your loca l legal aid office to obtain advice on how to protect yourse lf SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE The State encourages you to become in formed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seek ing assistance from an attorney or lega l aid office, there are go vernment age ncies, an d non-profit organizations that you may contact for info rmation about possible options , including trying to work with yo ur lender du ring this process. To loca te an entity near you, you may ca ll the toll-free help line main tained by New Yo rk State Department of Financial Services at 1-877-BANK-NYS (1-877-226-5697) or visit the Departments website at WWW.BANKING.STATE.NY.US. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME AT THIS TIME You have the right to stay in your home during the foreclosure process. You are not required to le ave your home unless and until your property is sold at auction pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale . Regardless of whether you choo se to remain in your home, YOU ARE RE QUIRED TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PROPERTY and pay your taxe s in accord ance with state and local law. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Be carefu l of peop le who approach you with offers to save your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowners distress You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pa y them a fee or sign over your de ed. State law requires any one offering su ch services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised File#services19-30069 7

YOUNOTICEARE 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 FILLING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT, A DEFAULT JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AND YOU CAN LOSE YOUR SPEAKHOME.TOAN ATTORNEY OR GO TO THE COURT WHERE YOUR CASE IS PENDING FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON HOW TO ANSWER THE SUMMONS AND PROTECT YOUR SENDINGPROPERTY.APAYMENT 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

Dated:COURT.October 4, 2021 Frank M. Cassara, Esq. Senior Associate Attorney LOGS LEGAL GROUP LLP F/K/A SHAPIRO, DICARO & BARAK, LLC Attorneys for Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (585) 247-9000 Fax: (585) 247-7380 Our File No 14-031865 #99690

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 a notice of appearance on the attorneys for the Plaintiff within thirty (30) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service. 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.

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

NOTICE OF FORMATION of NYCNCC SUB-CDE 16, LLC (the “LLC”) filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (“SSNY”) on 05/16/2022. Office loca tion: New York County. The princi pa l business address of the LLC is: One Liberty Plaza, New York, New York 100 06 SSNY has be en designated as the agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail service of process to c/o New York City Economic Development Corporation, One Liberty Plaza, New York, New York 10006, Attention: Gener al Counsel Purpose: any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of BLOCKSURGE LAB LLC. Arts of Org. filed with the Se cy of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/5/22. Office location: NY Coun ty SSNY ha s been des ignat ed as an agent upon whom process against it may be served. The address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her is: Song Law Firm, LLC., 400 Kelby St., Suite 1900, Fort Lee, NJ 07024. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act or activity within the purposes for which limited liability companies may be organized pur suant to Limited Liabi lity Company Law provided that the limited liability company is not formed to engage in any act or activity requiring the consent or approval of any state official, department, board, agen cy, or other bo dy without such consent or ap proval first be ing obtained.

Notice of formation of EN GAGE CONSULTING SERVICES LLC. Arts of Org. filed with the Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/14 /22. Office lo cation: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served The address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process a gainst the LLC served upon him/her is: Chialing Yang, 243 W. 21st St., Apt 4D, New York, NY 10011. Purpose: to engage in an y lawful act or activity with in the purposes for which limited liability companies may be organized pursuant to Limited Liability Company Law provided that the limited liability comp any is not formed to eng ag e in any act or activity requiring th e consent or approval of any state official, department, board, agency, or other body without such consent or approval first be ing obtained.

Notice of Formation of GOLD SKY STRATEGIES LLC Arts of Org. filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/09/22. Office lo cation: NY Coun ty Prin c. office of LLC: 355 S. End Ave., Apt. 28L, NY, NY 10280. SSNY desig nated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Al bany, NY 12207-2543. Purpo se: Marketing services Notice of Formation of JAGUAR HOLDINGS 2 LLC Arts of Org. file d with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/23/21. Office lo cation: NY Coun ty SSNY de signated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 347 5th Ave., Ste. 30 0, NY, NY 10016. Purpose: Any lawful Noactivitytice of Formation of JAGUAR HOLDINGS 3 LLC Arts of Org. file d with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/23/21. Office lo cation: NY Coun ty SSNY de signated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 347 5th Ave., Ste. 30 0, NY, NY 10016. Purpose: Any lawful activity Notice of Formation of JMB JUSTCOME SUIT LLC Arts of Org. filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/05/22. Office lo cation: NY Coun ty Prin c. office of LLC: c/o United American Land, LLC, 73 Spring St., 6th Fl., NY, NY 10012. SSNY desig nated 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 Purpo se: Any lawful activity NOTICE is hereby given that a license, serial number 1345184 , for an on-premise beer, liquor an d/or wine will be ap plied for by the under signed to sell beer, liquor and/or wine at retail in a Restaurant under the Alco ho lic Beverage Control Law at Sucker Punch Sports Club LLC d/b/a Su cker Punch Sports Bar, 344 Third Ave; New York, NY 10010 for onpremise consumption. Notice of Formation of EXCEED TALENT CAPITAL LLC Arts of Org. filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/13/22. Office location: NY County. SSNY designat ed as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Al bany, NY 12207-2543. Purpo se: Any lawful activity USMILE SL CONSULTING LLC Art of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/25/2022. Office: New York County. SSNY de signated as agent of th e LLC upo n whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, LEGALCORP SOLUTIONS 1060 Broadway Suite 100 AL BANY, NY 12204 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure $40,700.00 and interest, recorded in the New York County office of the City Register on May 3, 1989, at Reel 1569 of Mortgages, page 205 covering premises known as 151 East 20th Street, Unit 4C, New York, NY 10003 a/k/a Block 876, Lot 1118. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RE SORTS CORP., Pltf v. SIDDIQ MAHMOOD MALIK, Deft.- In de x #8 50290/2017. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated March 11, 2022, I will sell at public au ction Outside the Portico of the NY County Courth ouse, 60 Centre Street, NY, NY on Wed., September 7, 2022, at 2:15 pm, a 6,000/16,783,800 tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as Phase 1 of HNY CLUB SUITES loca ted at 1335 Av enue of the Americas, in the Coun ty of NY, State of NY Ap proximate amount of judgment is $32 ,841.45 plus costs and interest as of April 30, 2018. Sold subject to terms and condi tions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which include s an nual maintenance fees and ch arges Mark McKew, Esq., Referee Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Stree t, Farmingdale, NY

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Francis Kahn, III, a Justice of the Supreme Court, New York County entered August 2, 2022 and filed with the complaint and other papers in the New York County Clerks Office.NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT

Acct #: 173 SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS AND NOTICE Index No. 850168/2020 Date Filed: 8/9/2022 KeyBank, NA, s/b/m Goldome, Plaintiff, -againstKings County Public Administrator, as the Limited Administrator of the Estate of Mary Searcy a/k/a Mary L. Sear cy a/k/a Mary Rittenhouse a/k/a Mary S. Rittenhouse; Dolores Thompson; Albert Thompson; Vivian Davis; Tommie Benn; Marquita Benn, Charles Benn, if he be living or dead, his spouse, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to Plaintiff; Jermaine Benn; Micaela Benn; Tion Benn, if be he living or dead, his spouse, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to plaintiff; Mark bolden, if he be living or dead, his spouse, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to Plaintiff; Nachon Shebaniah Benn; Ltan Hale, Mildred Benn; Roslyn McCain; Leah D. Hudnall; Truenetta Jackson; Gwendolyn Daughtery a/k/a Gwendolyn Daugherty, if she be living or dead, her spouse, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to Plaintiff; Johnny Benn; Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company; The Board of Manager of the Gramercy Park Condominium Homeowners Association; State of New York; City of New York Environmental Control Board; City of New York Parking Violations Bureau; City of New York Transit Adjudication Bureau, and JOHN DOE, said name being fictitious, it being the intention of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants of premises being foreclosed herein, and any parties, corporations or entities, if any, having or claiming an interest or lien upon the mortgaged premises, Defendants.

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THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 • 35 110 SERVICES 110 SERVICES 110 SERVICES 110 SERVICES 101 LEGAL NOTICES 101 LEGAL NOTICES

Notice of Formation of JAGUAR HOLDINGS 1 LLC Arts of Org. file d with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/23/21. Office lo cation: NY Coun ty SSNY de signated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 347 5th Ave., Ste. 30 0, NY, NY 10016. Purpose: Any lawful activity 7a 7-707IncludFree Voice Promo Expires 1/21/23. 1-866595-6967

Notice of formation of 130 WEST 131st STREET., LLC. Arts of Org. filed with the Sec'y of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/26/2022. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been de signated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail a copy to: 130 W. 131st St., Ste. 1, NY, NY 10027. Purpo se: To engage in any la wful act or activity FrenchCocco LLC Arts of Org. filed with Sec'y of State (SSNY) on 06/21/22. Office: New York County. SSNY de signated as agent of LLC for process & shall mail copy to: 35 W 90th St, 5K, NY, NY 10024. Purpose: Any lawful Notice of Formation of GCK ART LLC Arts of Org. filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/13/22. Office location: NY County SSNY de signated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Al bany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity

NOTICE OF FORMATION of NYCNCC SUB-CDE 17, LLC (the “LLC”) filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (“SSNY”) on 05/16/2022. Office loca tion: New York County. The princi pa l business address of the LLC is: One Liberty Plaza, New York, New York 100 06 SSNY has be en designated as the agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail service of process to c/o New York City Economic Development Corporation, One Liberty Plaza, New York, New York 10006, Attention: Gener al Counsel Purpose: any lawful purpose.

Eye on the By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member When it rains, it pours— at least during Atlantic hur ricane season. Although the tropical storm period began in June, the peak starts in mid-Au gust according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad ministration. Last fall, Hurricane Ida killed 13 New Yorkers and cost the city billions in damages. So how can folks in the “Big Apple” avoid repeat tragedies?

Jeff Schlegelmilch, director of Columbia University Climate School’s National Center for Di saster Preparedness says plan ning is a binary process. “The good news is it really comes down to…you’re either gonna have to stay in one place for a while—because you can’t get out, it gets flooded, maybe transportation’s down—or you’re gonna have to leave right away, because conditions are dangerous, and you don’t have a lot of time and you just have to get what you Schlegelmilchneed.” says these preparations are un fortunately the new norm. Hurricane Ida broke record rainfall numbers and was the Big Apple’s first official National Weather Service flash-flood emergency. Prof. Suzana Camargo, who also works at Columbia University’s Climate School with a focus on climate and ocean physics, says climate change spells higher risks of flooding even if hurricanes maintain the same intensity from decades past. “When you have storm surge, it’s going to flood more areas because one of the best projections of cli mate change is that you’re going to have sea level rise,” said Camargo. “Think about [a] hurricane happening today. And how that can happen 100 years [ago]. The same hurricane in theory would have been the same storm surge, but you don’t, because in 100 years, the sea level is [now] higher.”

Hurricane: Tropical storms near peak season

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Storm surges occur when bodies of water are pushed inland—most notably when Hurricane Sandy topped the Manhattan sea wall back in 2012. And even the tallest barriers can’t block direct, torrential rains from storms like Ida. Still, Schlegelmilch is confident New Yorkers will adapt. “Just like we have to think about our utilities, and what we need to know [in] the household, we have to think of emergency prepared ness,” he said. “We don’t have to build bunkers, become preppers. And you can, if that’s how you want to spend your hard-earned money.”

MPV Continued from page 4 STAYING SAFE FROM tipsforofAccordingFROMSTAYINGHURRICANESSAFEHURRICANESNYCEMERGENCYMANAGEMENT’SLOCALPLANSTOGOBAGTEAMWORK!toJeffSchlegelmilch,DirectorColumbiaUniversity’sNationalCenterDisasterPreparedness,herearesomeonstayingsafefromhurricanes:NYCEmergencymanagementrecommendsreadyinga“gobag”forevacuations.Bottledwater,nonperishablefood,toiletries,firstaidkits,portablephonechargersandcashareallstapleitems.Butremembertokeepcopiesofimportantdocumentsonhandinawaterproofcontainer,alongwithcontactinformationforthehouseholdandemergencycontacts.Teamwork!“Alotofresearch[shows]thatit'sevenmoreimportantthanwhat'sinyourkit,iswho,neighborshelpingneighborsandgoingtodifferentgroupswithinthecommunity.”Gettoknowthefolksaroundyouandcheckinifpossibleduringastorm.LookatNYCEmergencyManagement’slocalplansforestablishingandpre-identifyingsheltersbeforehurricanes.https://maps.nyc.gov/hurricane/

Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member and writes about public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift today by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w including MPV and COVID-19, said Hudson. At the moment the monkeypox vaccine is available for at-risk populations, which means over 18 years old; gay, bisexual, trans gender, gender non-conforming, or gender non-binary; and having had multiple or anonymous sex partners in the last 14 days. LGBTQIA+ Caucus Co-Chair Tiffany Cabán said she was very proud to introduce this pack age of bills. “After nearly three years of a global pandemic, it is unconscionable for our public institutions to fail so badly at swiftly vaccinat ing the highest-risk cohort. The ‘wait-and-see’ approach that officeholders have chosen has already lasted too long,” said Cabán. Cabán said that “affluent white neighbors” should not be the only New Yorkers with access to“Thevaccines.spread of this contagious virus is ex tremely worrisome and deserves urgent at tention. As vaccines continue to arrive, it is imperative that the city equitably distribute re sources so all New Yorkers who are eligible have access to the vaccine,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams in a statement. Adams and Councilmember Lynn Schulman also spoke, in a joint statement, about the con cerning detection of polio in the city. “As we continue to grapple with COVID-19 and monkeypox, we now face another public health risk, but the defense is simple and proven. It is imperative that all New Yorkers make sure they have received their full polio vaccination, which is standard for children and nearly 100% effective. There are clear disparities in the vacci nation rate across our city, where some neigh borhoods have less coverage and more risk. The City and all officials need to ensure we address these gaps so New Yorkers are protected from this virus,” said Adams and Schulman. Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about culture and politics in New York City for The Amsterdam News.Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consid er making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w

With Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor taking reps with the first team offense, safety Xavier McKinney (pictured) has been calling plays for the defense (Bill Moore photo)

SPORTS Jets second year quarterback Zach Wilson underwent knee surgery on Tuesday (Bill Moore photo)

Zach

Giants prepare for Game 2 with Taylor taking first team reps

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor After sustaining a torn me niscus and bone bruise in his right knee last Friday versus the Eagles in Philadelphia, Jets quarterback Zach Wilson un derwent surgery on Tuesday in Los Angeles and is expected to be sidelined up to four weeks, perhaps longer. The game, a 24-21 Jets win, was the first this preseason for both teams. Veteran Joe Flacco, at 37 years old, is on track to start the reg ular season in place of Wilson on Sept. 11 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey against the Bal timore Ravens. He helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII in 2013, nearly a full decade ago. Flacco was the game’s MVP. This is his second different time being on the Jets roster. He signed a one-deal with them in May of 2020. Moved on to the Eagles in March of 2021, but was traded back to the Jets in Octo ber of last year. But the Jets’ fortunes or mis fortunes rest heavily on the arm, legs and brain of the 23-year-old Wilson. His injury is another setback for a team that was 4-13 last season. The job security of Jets general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh is inextri cably tied to his performance. It’s how the National Football League is modeled. A GM falls in love with a col lege QB and drafts him with a first round pick, often in the top 3. The young man is showered with superlatives by the head coach. He is designated the franchise savior or centerpiece of Super Bowl aspirations. Then the story is written. In most cases, the wouldbe star quarterback either be comes a Patrick Mahomes or Daniel Jones. An inevitable Hall of Famer or a player trying to hold onto his job. Wilson is nei ther yet. He is a second-year QB who only has 13 regular season NFL starts on his resume. Hardly enough to make a definitive as sessment of his capabilities to be the Jets’ long-term answer at theStill,position.hehas not inspired con fidence in many of the team’s justifiably cynical fans that his career path will come close to that of Aaron Rodgers. Coming out of BYU into the 2021 NFL Draft, many talent evalua tors compared Wilson to the four-time league MVP. The Jets clearly viewed Wilson at the very least as a Pro Bowl caliber QB, evidenced by them using a valuable No. 2 overall pick to select him. As a rookie he looked alarm ingly overwhelmed. He operat ed skittishly in the pocket and struggled reading defenses. The off-platform throws and cannon arm that wowed scouts while he was at BYU were rarely dis played. When they were, the ball often wound up in the hands of opposing defenders. Wilson had only nine touchdowns and 11 in terceptions, and a terrible quar terback rating (QBR) of 28.2. All of those negatives can be reversed and Wilson can still become a quarterback that will elevate the Jets first into a play off contender and then a Super Bowl challenger. But in the league’s pressurized culture, his opportunities won’t be limitless.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 • 37

The Giants play their second of three scheduled preseason games this Sunday when they will host the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals at MetLife Stadium at 7 p.m. There was instant reaction and spec ulation when Giants head Brian Daboll acknowledged that quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who is second on the Giants’ depth chart behind incumbent starter Daniel Jones, possibly would get reps with the first team offense in practice this week. “Yeah, as we get going here in terms of the preseason games, we’ll talk about whatever we think is best,” said Daboll on Tuesday via the Giants website. “But I have full confidence in [quarterback] Daniel [Jones] and full confidence in Tyrod and what his role is. Each day, we sit there and we evaluate the guys. But will he get a few reps here or there? He might.”

The first-year head coach was asked if Taylor playing with the starters is an indica tion of Jones’ tenuous status, given the team did not offer the 25-year-old QB a long-term deal and did not not exercise the fifth-year option of his “Absolutelycontract.not,”responded Daboll. “No. I learned from a pretty good coach a while ago, usually he doesn’t tell those guys when he throws them in because that’s what the backup’s role is. “You have to go in on a split second. You prepare like you’re a starter. But on the fourth play of a game, something happens, you’re in, you got to be ready to go. So, I don’t neces sarily think we’ll tell those guys when that will happen.” Taylor led the Giants with 129 pass ing yards and one touchdown in their 23-21 preseason opening win on the road over the New England Patriots last Thursday. The Giants signed the 33-year-old Taylor in March and he has shown the capability to command their offense. He has played for six NFL teams in his career after being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round from Virginia Tech in 2011. He has 63 career starts, including starting all six games he played in last season for the Houston Texans. So Taylor is familiar with being a first string QB. The defense, under new coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale, may have a new signal caller as well. Third-year safety Xavier Mckinney has been call ing plays in practice, and could retain that role during the regular season. It is rare for a safety to be the primary defensive player caller, but when Martindale ran the Ravens’ defense, he assigned the responsibility to two-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler Eric Weddle. Mckinney has experi ence calling plays in col lege playing under current Alabama head coach Nick Saban, widely considered one of the best defensive coaches in football history.

Wilson and the Jets experience another setback

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

38 • August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

The third game took place last night (Wednesday) with Max Scherzer on the mound for the Mets and Jacob deGrom set to pitch in tonight’s series finale. The Mets went into yesterday’s matchup 75-30, the second best record in Major League Base ball behind the 80-35 Los Angeles Dodgers. However, they were being hounded by the Braves, who were on an eight-game winning streak and at 72-46 trailed the Mets by only 3.5 games. Mets starter Tijuan Walker, who is 10-3 this season with a 3.36 ERA, was forced to exit Tues day’s game after pitching two innings and allowing just one hit because of back tightness. “I tried to bend over. When I tried to come back up, it just locked up on me,” Walker said. “I’ve never had anything like this before. The training staff is not too con cerned about it. So I’ll get an MRI tomor row and kind of see how I feel.” Conversely, Braves starter Charlie Morton was dominant, throwing 6 2/3 innings, striking out 12, walking one batter and giving up a stingy three hits. In Monday’s beatdown, the Braves jumped on Mets starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco for three runs in the first two innings—Carrasco had to endure a 55 minute rain delay in the second—and piled on the Mets’ relievers, particularly Adonis Medina, cracking him for five runs in 1.1 innings. Carrasco (13-5, 3.92 ERA) left the game at the end of the second inning with an oblique strain and is projected to be out 3-4 weeks. The Mets will face the Philadelphia Phillies for four games on the road to morrow through Sunday, including a doubleheader on Saturday, then meet the Yankees for two games in the Bronx next Monday and Tuesday.

Outfielder Aaron Hicks is the most obvious example of the Yankees’ recent issues. He has had a nightmare season and heard the frustration of the home crowd on Monday, going 0-for-3. Hicks was batting just .218 in 308 at-bats in 102 games. His run production was poor as the 32-year-old center fielder had only six home runs and 32 RBIs. “I’m out there trying to com pete and help this team win,” said Hicks. “Obviously, it’s not nice to hear boos but when you’re having the season the way that I am, that’s kind of the way it goes. Especially around here. They want results.” Despite their struggles, the Yankees were still far ahead of their competition in the AL East division. They were 10 games over the Rays and To ronto Blue Jays, who were tied for second at 61-53 when Tues day’s schedule began. The Yanks host the Toron to Blue Jays tonight (Thursday) through Sunday, then close out a nine-game home stand with two games versus the Mets at Citi Field next Monday and Tuesday.

Yanks still searching for

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

Mets starter Carlos Carrasco, who is 13-5 with a 3.92 ERA, is expected to be out 3-4 weeks recovering from an oblique strain suffered on Monday in his team’s 13-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves (MLB.com photo)

answers to reverse their slide

Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks symbolizes the team’s struggles, as he was batting just .218 with six home runs after Tuesday’s 0-3 showing in a 4-0 loss versus the Tampa Bay Rays (MLB.com photo)

It’s been a rough period for the Yankees since the AllStar break, a team that was the best in Major League Baseball the first half of this season. They were 64-28 going into the break on July 17 but a month later had won just eight games out of 24 and were 72-44 going into Tuesday night’s match up with the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. The finale of the three-game series was Wednesday night. The Yankees were show ing signs of decline before the All-Star break, dropping five of their last eight. After a five-game losing streak from Aug. 2 through Aug. 9 and three consecutive losses last week, two to the Seattle Mari ners on the road and one to the Red Sox in Boston, they faced the Rays on Tuesday looking to avoid another stretch of three straightFollowingdefeats.a4-0 loss to the Rays on Monday after being shut out 3-0 by the Red Sox on Sunday, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said his team has to turn it around. “Right now we gotta do better and it’s hard right now,” Boone said. “It’s hard and we gotta find a way. We gotta keep digging ourselves out of this.”

The Mets knocking off the Atlanta Braves four out of five games at Citi Field in a series that took place from Aug. 4 through Aug. 7 seems so long ago, in no small measure resulting from the Braves outscoring the Mets 18-1 in Games 1 and 2 of the team’s four game series in Atlan ta this week that began on Monday. The Braves pounded the Mets 13-1 in the series opener and shut them out 5-0 on Tuesday. “You’re going to have series that don’t go your way,” Braves manager Brian Snit ker said pragmatically after Tuesday’s vic tory regarding being handled by the Mets in Queens. “There’s nothing you can do about it. Just fight through it.”

SPORTS By VINCENT DAVIS Special to the AmNews

The Mets fight to hold off the Braves in the NL East

Throughout her years of playing soccer, A’Liah Moore often found herself either the only African American player on a team or one of very few. Thanks to becoming more vocal on issues of race and racism, thanks to her participation in the NAACP, she now sees herself as someone who can address issues of diversity, equity and in clusion (DEI). Heading into her final season as a forward at Monmouth Uni versity in New Jersey, Moore feels com fortable speaking with her teammates on how current events impact her.

Graduate student A’Liah Moore heads into her final collegiate season (Monmouth Athletics photo)

to make an impact

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews Back in a USA uniform for the first time since starting college, Long Islander Celeste Taylor is in Santo Domingo, Dominican Re public with Team USA playing in the FIBA 3x3 U23 Nations League. This is Taylor’s fourth time play ing on a USA Basketball team, having previously earned three goldTaylor,medals.21,who starts her senior year at Duke University upon her return, has always thrived on the intensity and competitiveness of international play, and hopes to bring back new skills. It’s anoth er opportunity to compete with and against some great play ers. While she’s played some 3x3 in practice, this is Taylor’s first time playing it competitively. It is quick and the coach is not on the court with the players. “It is a lot faster and you have to shift gears quicker,” said Taylor. “It’s been really fun competing and learning new things. … You definitely have to understand the game a lot more for 3-on-3 be cause you have no coach and you have to learn to adjust to certain things on your own together as a team. … It’s a lot of reading and reacting and being able to com municate with your teammates.” After two years at University of Texas, which included a trip to the 2021 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight, Taylor made the decision to transfer to Duke, which has proven a good fit for her. She said when she gets an invitation to try out to compete for her country, she cannot turn it down. “Any chance that I get to rep resent the USA for basketball is definitely cool and a very great experience,” Taylor said. “I enjoy it, so I keep on coming back. I go out there and do my best and play my game. … I am who I am, being that motor, being the go-to option, if need be, being the de fensive stopper. Whatever it is that they need, I’m here to do.”

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 • 39 Monmouth soccer standout A’Liah Moore strives

Moore, 22, is currently a graduate stu dent pursuing her master’s degree in communications and interactive digi tal media. Her career goal is to work in DEI. This summer, she did an intern ship at Monmouth Medical Center, which taught her some tools on how to bring people together from different cultures and backgrounds.

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

Taylor heads into her senior year with an eye on the future. She’s grateful for the experience she’ll gain playing international ly. Her long-term goal is to play in the WNBA, but she’s open to using the fifth collegiate year available if she desires. “I’m going to see how this year plays out,” said Taylor. “If it takes another year for me to prepare myself and put myself in the best position, then that’s what I’m going to do.”

“Having a perspective and understand ing of each other and having empathy for people who don’t necessarily look like you,” said Moore. “I found something that I’m very passionate about. It started with com munications, taking public speaking classes and with my video editing production, the internship included my talents and abilities, helping out with their hospital videos and putting it on their social media platforms.”

Monmouth women’s soccer opens its season on Friday against Lehigh. There is a new head coach, and Moore is looking for ward to working with the new leadership. “Soccer challenges you mental ly, physically, emotionally, and I love a challenge,” she said. “During the tough times, it’s going to make you stronger and better. … I’m excited to make my last mark here at Monmouth.”

Celeste Taylor aims for her fourth gold medal with USA Basketball SPORTS

Celeste Taylor is taking on a new challenge with 3x3 (USA Basketball photo)

Growing up, Moore had to adapt to being a distinct minority on her soccer teams. She was uncomfortable in some situations—even encountering aggres sive behaviors. Not wanting others to have similar negative experiences, Moore desires to be part of the solu tion, which includes speaking up. “My teammates have no idea what’s going on [with me] internally and men tally,” said Moore, who after the death of George Floyd asked to discuss with teammates what she and one other African American player were feel ing. “Sharing our hardship and why this matters and how this affects us. What was so amazing was our team mates were willing to listen. They gave us a voice. They also got to share how they felt. It brought our team togeth er. That’s what’s going to make a dif ference in this world is people having those uncomfortable conversations.”

The Rucker Pro League, as well as Rucker Park, grew and first gained national and then international recognition in the 1960s when world class players began to frequent the courts that became sacred basketball grounds. “Willis Reed, Bill Bradley, Cazzie Rus sell, Fred Crawford, Howie Komives and Nate Bowman played there,” said Bob McCullough, the Rucker Pro League commissioner, the president of Each One Teach One and himself a Rucker and Harlem icon. A New York City basketball historian, Mc Cullough dropped names like he dropped points. “Wilt Chamberlain brought Archie Clark up here to play. Happy Hairston too,” he recalled. McCullough spoke of more all-time greats, including Nate “Tiny” Ar chibald, Hawkins, Lenny Wilkins, Dave Joe “The stroyer” Pee Wee

By VINCENT DAVIS Special to the AmNews

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews It came down to the final game of the regular season, but the New York Liberty pulled out the win with a tense 87–83 vic tory over the Atlanta Dream on Sunday. The victory earned the Liberty a return trip to the WNBA playoffs. Forward Nata sha Howard and guard Marine Johannes both had 18 points. Center Stefanie Dolson con tributed 15 points. Much to the relief of coach Sandy Bron dello, all players on the roster were healthy and available to play.“We talk about our culture and we want to be a united team; it’s a sisterhood and being gritty,” said Brondello. “You can’t win [alone]. Someone can have a tough game for us. That’s why you have a bench. I thought our bench was fantastic. It really started with Marine.”

Kirkland. He would have continued, but he was interrupted as another topic came up. Al though nothing else needed to be said. The greats’ legacy speaks loud and long. Rucker Pro Legends Hall of Fame inducts new class 07/07/22AMNEWS 0 74470 22784 7 01284 AMNEWS07/07/22 07/14/22AMNEWS 0 74470 22784 7 01294 AMNEWS07/14/22 07/21/22AMNEWS 0 74470 22784 7 01304 AMNEWS07/21/22 07/28/22AMNEWS 0 74470 22784 7 01314 AMNEWS07/28/22 AMNEWS AMNEWS08/04/22 08/11/22AMNEWS 0 74470 22784 7 AMNEWS08/11/22 08/18/22AMNEWS 0 74470 22784 7 01344 AMNEWS08/18/22

After the game Brondello gave props to the Dream and its coach Tanisha Wright, a former Liberty player. More than half the head coaches heading into the playoffs, including Brondello, are former WNBA players. Brondello noted that the Liberty is a team with considerable depth, but in juries hampered the full impact this season. Having forward Betnijah Laney back in action has been valuable. She noted all the players did their job as presented.“Everyone goes into a season trying to make the playoffs,” said Brondello. “I would have liked to just have had a healthy team to see where we could have finished with a healthy Betnijah Laney. That’s a big difference. You take a really good player out of any team and obviously their record is going to be a little less than what you would expect. “I think we found a way and we grew as a team both on and off the court,” she added. “They understand how to play with each other a bit better. We want sustainable success. This gives us confi dence as we move forward. It’s the start of a journey and hopefully it will be a longThisone.”year the WNBA returns to a more conventional playoff format with all eight teams participating from the first round. The Liberty takes on the de fending WNBA Champion Chicago Sky. Game one was played last night in Chi cago and game two is on Saturday. The top seed in the playoffs is the Las Vegas Aces. The other teams heading into the postseason are the Connecticut Sun, Se attle Storm, Washington Mystics, Dallas Wings and Phoenix Mercury.

The Rucker Pro Legends Hall of Fame honored another outstanding class of in ductees on Aug. 6, its 55th, in two catego ries, at the Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem. This year’s inductees as Contributors were Holcombe Rucker, John “Snook ie” Walker, Cecil K. Watkins, Lloyd Wil liams, John “Butch” Purcell and Henry “Hank” Carter. In the Player category, Nancy Lieber man, Carl Green, Calvin “Cal” Ramsey, Floyd Lane, Tony Jackson, John “Junior” Martin, Walter Szczerbiak and Frank “Shake and Bake” Streety were inducted.

The resilient Liberty are headed to the WNBA playoffs

Natasha Howard has been a consistent force for the New York Liberty (Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Rucker Pro Legends Hall of Fame inducted its 55th class Aug. 6 at the Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem (Bill Moore photos)

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THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS August 18, 2022 - August 24, 2022 • 40 Sports

Cowens, Charlie Scott,