WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM
Vol. 113 No. 5 | February 3, 2022 - February 9, 2022
THE NEW BLACK VIEW
©2022 The Amsterdam News | $1.00 New York City
SUICIDE: COMMUNITY SOS CHESLIE KRYST, FORMER MISS USA, DIES AT 30
INCREASED BLACK SUICIDE SHOCK
The Associated Press
By STEPHON JOHNSON Amsterdam News Staff
(SOLWAZI AFI OLUSOLA PHOTO)
Cheslie Kryst, the 2019 winner of the Miss USA pageant and a correspondent for the entertainment news program “Extra,” has died at age 30. Police said Kryst jumped from a Manhattan apartment building and was pronounced dead at the scene Sunday morning, Jan. 30. Her family confirmed her death in a statement. “In devastation and great sorrow, we share the passing of our beloved Cheslie. Her great light was one that inspired others around the world with her beauty and strength,” her family said. “Cheslie embodied love and served others, whether through her work as an attorney fighting for social justice, as Miss USA and as a host on ‘Extra.’ But most importantly, as a daughter, sister, friend, mentor and colleague— we know her impact will live on,” her family said. Kryst, a former Division I athlete and North Carolina attorney, won the Miss USA pageant in May 2019, and competed in the Miss Universe pageant that year. See CHESLIE on page 6
A couple of suicides by public figures have added to the conversation about young, Black Americans and mental health. In January, actress Regina King’s son, Ian Alexander Jr., died by suicide at the age of 26. Prior to his death he labeled social media as “unhealthy.” And said, “I don’t think Instagram is healthy for me.” This past weekend, Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst, 30, died after jumping from a high-rise apartment complex in New York. On Instagram, the Miss Universe Organization said that Kryst was “one of the brightest, warmest, and most kind people we have ever had the privilege of knowing, and she lit up every room she entered. Our entire community mourns her loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time.” While suicide rates have decreased among Americans overall, Black suicide rates have gone in the opposite direction. According to the Suicide Prevention Resources Center, “At 7.4 per 100,000, the age-adjusted suicide rate for Black See SUICIDE on page 6
Community reacts to Adams’ ‘no more’ gun violence blueprint By ARIAMA C. LONG Report for America Corps Member/ Amsterdam News Staff
continued violent shootings across the city, community leaders are weighing-in on his comprehensive Blueprint to End Gun Violence. Mayor Eric Adams is a former transit Most appreciated the “balanced” cop who essentially ran on a platform of approach to policing and communi‘law and order’ and police reform when ty investment, while others staunchly it came to public safety. In the wake of maintained that some of his policies
are regressive. Firstly, everyone could agree with Adams’ plan that more investment in community-based policing and the Crisis Management System (CMS), as well as resources such as education, mental health treatment and housing, is more essential than ever
in neighborhoods. “We want to work with Mayor Adams to ensure the best outcome for our community in East Harlem and throughout our city, and we are very glad that he has pledged to expand the essential Cure Violence work we all do every
See ADAMS on page 6
Governor’s Budget Includes Funding for Student Debt Consumer Assistance Urban Agenda by David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society of New York - See page 5