Editorial/Opinion ....................Pages 12,13 Education

BTC/BAA fellowships for Black college juniors/seniors and recent grads, apply NOW!

By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews

If you are a college junior/ senior or recent graduate you currently have a chance to apply for the Black Theatre Coalition (BTC)/Broadway Across America (BAA) Fellowships. The fellowship application can be found at www.BroadwayFellows.com and must be in by September 30, 2022 for the spring semester. When we think of fellowships that have to do with the arts we think of acting, producing, directing, but did you know that there is a whole other world that is happening behind the scenes at productions? This is a space that has never been carved out for Blacks. But thanks to this incredible collaboration between BTC and BAA, a space at the table is finally being made. The fellowship is now in its second year. It is so exciting to have fellowships offered to Black students that feature interaction with Black people who are in the behindthe-scenes business of theater right now.

Recently the AmNews spoke with Bree Turner, the program director of the BTC/BAA Fellowship. AmNews: This is the second year of the BTC/BAA Fellowship, where did the idea for this program come from?

BT: The idea for this program was born from a collaboration between the Black Theatre Coalition and the John Gore Organization/Broadway Across America in the wake of the tragic loss of George Floyd. The program’s mission is to address and combat a lack of racial representation on Broadway both on and off the stage. AmNews: What are the roles that the two organizations involved in these fellowships play?

BT: The Black Theatre Coalition (BTC) and Broadway Across America (BAA), with sponsorship from the John Gore Organization (JGO) work in tandem to recruit and mentor the fellows throughout the 14-week program. The fellows are based in Broadway Across America offices around the country and work with both BAA and JGO to learn the ins and outs of commercial theater and presenting. BTC plays an integral role in recruitment for the program, as they help connect their networks to this opportunity and shepherd them through the process. AmNews: It is amazing to think of these fellowships happening in BAA offices in New York City, Baltimore, Boston, Cincinnati, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Louisville, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City and Seattle. How many students that are either college juniors/seniors or recent graduates participate at each location.

BT: We are flexible with the number of fellows in each market and are excited to see the applicants we receive this cycle. We had six fellows last year—three in New York and three in cities around the country—and are hoping to increase that number this year. AmNews: In the 14-week program, spring semester 2023, participants get part-time, paid positions 20hours/week in theater administration to learn how to tour Broadway, what does that involve exactly?

BT: This program operates like an on-the-job/seminar style course. Fellows in each market will spend 20 hours in our local offices where they will learn about topics ranging from ticketing, producing, finance, programming and more. Once a week, all of the fellows will join a Zoom session for a cross-market training where our executives lead a presentation on a specific area of commercial theater. The hope is that the coupling of both group learning and in-person practice will equip these fellows with the tools necessary to build a successful career in the theater business. AmNews: Looking at the makeup of most of the administrative positions in the theater, why is this program so imperative to encourage equity, diversity, access and inclusion in the theater business?

BT: Programs like this are essential if we want to continue to diversify and make space for people of color in the theater industry. I remember, as a Black woman, feeling nervous about whether or not I could be successful here, since I didn’t see many others who looked like me doing theater behind the scenes. My hope is that our program can provide both education and instill a confidence that young, Black people are successful here. AmNews: How important is it in this business to have theater professionals and mentors that are

See SCHOOL on page 31

Union carpenters and contractors bring backpacks and school supplies to students at Back-to-School drives

(Contributed photo)

With the start of a new school year, the New York City & Vicinity District Council of Carpenters participated in community events throughout the city to provide students with school supplies and other resources. They partnered with local elected officials and community organizations on 19 events throughout the City. Union carpenters and contractors want to do their part to give back to children in their community and equip them with the tools needed for success in the classroom. In the Bronx, union carpenters and contractors partnered with State Senator Jamaal Bailey, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Assembly Member Karines Reyes, Assembly Member Kenny Burgos, Assembly Member Nathalia Fernandez, Council Member Kevin Riley, Council Member Eric Dinowitz, and even sponsored the Diamond in the Rough Youth Basketball initiative.

In Queens, they partnered with Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, State Senator Leroy Comrie, Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman, Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson, Assembly Member Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Council Speaker Adrienne Adamas, Council Majority Whip Selvena BrooksPowers, Council Member Francisco Moya, Council Member Nantasha Williams, and Catholic Charities.

They supported Brooklyn communities alongside State Senator Julia Salazar, State Senator Roxanne Persaud, State Senator Zellnor Myrie, Council Member Rita Joseph, and Council Member Althea Stevens.

Stand-out events included Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie’s Back to School fair held at his district office, where union carpenters and contractors worked to provide 150 backpacks and school kits and children received free haircuts, new sneakers, and families received fresh produce donated from INCA Relief NY. Union carpenters and contractors also supported Council Member Moya’s annual back-toschool block party that brought family fun and resources to Queens communities.

“Union carpenters believe in setting strong foundations––both in New York City’s infrastructures and in our communities,” stated Executive Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Geiger. “Building a better future for our city starts with supporting youth and their education. I’m so proud of our partnership with union contractors and the countless elected officials who dedicated their time to uplifting our neighbors during back-to-school season.”

“Giving back to our community members in need is vital in order to uplift our entire city,” stated Assembly Member Carl Heastie. “I’m so thankful for the union carpenters and contractors for their efforts to support youth throughout the city, especially in the Bronx. I look forward to continuing to partner with them in the future.”

“It is critical that we provide children with the resources to be successful in the classroom. Having the proper supplies can make all the difference in a student’s education,” stated State Senator Jamaal Bailey. “Let’s continue to make education a priority and ensure that all students are prepared to prosper. I appreciate all of the work that union carpenters and contractors put into these events throughout the city.”

“Uplifting Queens residents is always my top priority, so I’m thankful to union carpenters and contractors for lending a helping hand during back-to-school

and Trainmen (BLET) and SMART Transportation Division, who represent 125,000 active and retired rail employees, issued a joint statement declaring, “We listened when our members told us that a final agreement would require improvements to their quality of life as well as economic gains. As a result, this agreement includes agreement provisions that will create voluntary assigned days off for members working in thru freight service, and all members will receive one additional paid day off. Most importantly, for the first time ever, the agreement provides our members with the ability to take time away from work to attend to routine and preventive medical care, as well as exemptions from attendance policies for hospitalizations and surgical procedures.”

Both unions stated, “This contract will not become final until our members have an opportunity to review its terms and approve it through a ratification vote.”

Health

Continued from page 16

said when asked about why there is such a large gap of breast cancer awareness among Black women.

In a Susan G. Komen report published last year, “Closing the Breast Cancer Gap: A Roadmap to Save the Lives of Black Women in America,” the nationwide breast cancer awareness organization studied 10 cities with the highest reported disparities for Black women when it comes to breast cancer. The cities were Dallas, Memphis, Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis,

Tidewater, Va., Houston, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Los Angeles.

The report found that Black women experience higher rates of death from breast cancer because of a myriad of factors, including “barriers to early diagnosis, the aggressive nature of certain breast cancers that are more prevalent in Black women, and systemic racism, discrimination and a lack of quality care.”

Black women who often spoke up for themselves within the healthcare setting were ignored or met with disapproval, which often led to delays in treatment and deepening mistrust, said the report.

Natasha Mmeje, director of community education and outreach at Susan G. Komen, said that there’s a huge disparity in death rates in women of color and that Black women tend to be diagnosed with later stage breast cancer as well. Breast cancers, such as Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and inflammatory breast cancer, are considered highly aggressive because they grow and spread quickly. TNBC is commonly found in Black women younger than 40 or ones that have the BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations in their genes. This type of breast cancer also unfortunately has fewer treatments available than other types.

“It’s a perfect storm of issues that have been brewing for a long time in our country, and they expand across health care and generally our society at large,” said Mmeje. “Really what we know is that Black women are dying more than white women because all of our systems have failed them and continue to fail them at every point in their breast cancer journeys.”

Mmeje posited that one explanation for such high death rates among Black women could be the lack of early access to mammograms, since most doctors recommend screenings at 40 and not at younger ages where Black women are being affected.

The Komen report concluded that other root causes for the disparities may be a lack of knowledge and study of genetic testing in the Black community, inequitable research on Black women in clinical trials, a high percentage of medically underserved communities, and the social and economic gap. Historically, said the study, Black people do not volunteer for genetic testing and studies, and Black women are less likely to go to the doctor or take prescribed medications.

Dr. Vivian Bea is the section chief of breast surgical oncology at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital and an assistant professor of surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine. In a short blog, she suggested that knowing your risk as well as family history, getting screened early and bringing a friend for support if you can, and administering self breast exams are good methods to lowering the chances of breast cancer. She emphasized that women should not let fear stop them.

Esther Lelievre is a founder at Cultivated Community Foundation Powered By AYR Wellness and a cancer survivor. She was one of the cannabis wellness vendors at the mammogram bus event. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer at 19 as a freshman in college. Even though most of her cervix had been removed she still managed to get pregnant and have a son at 20. Lelievre is a huge advocate for cannabis usage among cancer patients and is excited to see the growth of the industry in New York City.

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

(Ariama C. Long photos)

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF HILL-BURTON

UNCOMPENSATED SERVICES

The START Treatment and Recovery Centers – clinic located at 1149 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11206 will provide Hill-Burton uncompensated (free) services to all eligible persons who are unable to pay and who request those services from October 1, 2023 through June 30, 2023. All services of the clinic will be available as uncompensated services. Eligibility for uncompensated services is available to persons whose family income is less than double the current poverty income guidelines (Category B) established by the Department of Health and Human Services. This notice is published in accordance with 42CFR 124 504 Notice of Availability of Uncompensated Services. We invite interested parties to comment on the allocation plan and contact the clinic at 718-574-1801.