New York Amsterdam News Issue May 26, 2-2022 " American Carnage"

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Vol. 113 No. 21 | May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

©2022 The Amsterdam News | $1.00 New York City

US REELS FROM ON-GOING GUN VIOLENCE (See stories on pages 3, 4, 12)

Cutting into Black leadership: Jeffries, Zinerman, Parker on NYS redistricting maps

New maps: Democrats teeter on the edge of disaster (See story on page 6)

Black Press journalist Katherine Massey eulogized (See story on page 4)

(See story on page 4)

Stefani Zinerman (Contributed photo)

Protecting New Yorkers from Medical Debt Urban Agenda by David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society of New York - See page 5

2 • May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022

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INDEX Arts & Entertainment ���������������� Page 17 » Astro/Numerology �������������������Page 20 » Trends ����������������������������������������Page 22 » Jazz ��������������������������������������������Page 23 Caribbean Update ���������������������� Page 16 Career/Business �������������������������Page 32 Classified ������������������������������������� Page 33 Editorial/Opinion ��������������������Pages 12,13 Education ������������������������������������ Page 26 Go with the Flo ����������������������������Page 8 Health �������������������������������������������� Page 14 In the Classroom ������������������������Page 24 Nightlife ������������������������������������������Page 9 Religion & Spirituality ������������������Page 28 Sports ������������������������������������������� Page 39 Union Matters ������������������������������� Page 10 MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS INFORMATION U.S. Territories & Canada weekly subscriptions: 1 year $49.99 2 Years $79.99 6 months $30.00 Foreign subscriptions: 1 year $59.99 2 Years $89.99 6 Months $40.00

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

International AFRICANS FLEEING WAR IN UKRAINE FACE NEW OBSTACLES IN FRANCE (GIN)––European countries have generously offered shelter to some of the 5.5 million people who fled the war in Ukraine launched on Feb. 24 with an unprovoked attack by Russia.

More than 50,000 have been welcomed by France and granted temporary status that enables them to work and receive social and medical assistance.

But the offer excludes hundreds of foreign students, including most Africans, who could lose their university scholarships and possibly their professional careers.

“We thought France would welcome us, but that is not the case,” a Congolese student told the news service France24. “They tell us we don’t have a nationality––that we were in Ukraine only to study and now we have to go home.”

According to the Union des étudiants exiles (Union of Exiled Students) and the France Fraternités Union, there are around 1,000 foreign students who fled Ukraine and are experiencing difficulties staying in France.

“France excluded foreign students from the temporary protection measures by giving them a one-month residence permit instead,” said Pierre Henry, president of the France Fraternités union. The rationale being that “their countries are not at war, so they can go home.”

After arriving in Paris on March 14, Sabar, an Algerian student, endured two days of hardship before finding a hotel that welcomed refugees. “I slept outside near a train station,” he said.

He just wants to continue his studies in France. “I tried to enroll in several universities in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Strasbourg and Bordeaux. But they didn’t reply.”

The plight of the African students prompted a group of university presidents and lecturers to demand that France “continue educating the students that Ukraine chose to welcome.”

“These are French-speaking students,” Pierre Henry, president of the France Fraternités Union was quoted to say. ”Since half of their education is already complete and considering their professional prospects have been totally destroyed by the war, the logical thing would be to allow them to register in France and continue their studies.”

Unequal treatment between Ukrainians and non-European refugees has also been denounced by French NGOs. “It’s important to remem-

African refugees from Ukraine in France (GIN)

ber…that people from many different countries are also here fleeing the most terrible conflicts and the fear of persecution. We should be welcoming all of them,” Care4Calais said in a recent Twitter post.

“It is an absurd situation,” Henry said. “We have chosen the Kafkaesque option rather than offering protection for all.”

SUPERSIZED U.S. CONSULATE IN LAGOS TO RECEIVE HELP FROM NIGERIANLEBANESE BILLIONAIRE (GIN)––While most Americans seem troubled by the rising cost of everything, the American government is on a lavish spending spree in Nigeria.

More than half a billion dollars has been budgeted for a new U.S. consulate general in Eko Atlantic, a spit of land reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos that features high-end residential and commercial properties.

The U.S. already has a consulate office in Lagos, in addition to its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

Mary Beth Leonard, the U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, defended the 10 story construction. The scope of the new consulate campus “honors the vibrant relationship between the United States and Nigeria and communicates the spirit of American democracy, transparency and openness.” The construction project will take approximately five years, with completion expected in 2027.

Supporters of the building claim it will provide an estimated $95 million investment in the Lagos economy and employ approximately 2,500 Nigerians who will learn new technical skills and safety awareness that will boost their capacity in the local labor market.

But disturbing questions are already arising––is the project a blessing for ordinary Nigerians or a boondoggle? Eko Atlantic could adversely affect the coastal environment in Lagos, an area hit hard by a rising sea-level which has regularly

News

washed away thousands of peoples’ homes. Konza City in Kenya made similar promises of 100,000 jobs, but 12 years after the launch, there’s not much more than a building in the midst of a desert. It’s a cautionary tale for how projects can over-promise and fail in Africa.

Further, the project is linked to Gilbert Chagoury, a Nigerian-Lebanese developer and one-time adviser to the late dictator Sani Abacha where he allegedly helped the general loot billions from public coffers. The businessman was found guilty on the charges in a Geneva court and paid $600,000 in fines to the court and refunded $66 million to the Nigerian government.

Stories have already popped up on Frontline, Bloomberg News, the L.A. Times, and Ventures Africa with such headlines as “Mega-Consulate Ties U.S. to Convicted Billionaire in Nigeria” and “Ex-convict building the United States’ largest consulate in Nigeria.”

The tycoon is well-known among people who look into corruption challenges around the world, according to former U.S. State Department expert on Nigeria Matthew T. Page.

“We did not have input into that process, or we would have flagged that,” said Page, the Department’s lead intelligence analyst on Nigeria from 2012 to 2015, referring to the U.S. decision to locate its mega-consulate on Chagoury real estate.

“Either the U.S. government was incompetent and didn’t do due diligence, or did that due diligence, understood who it was dealing with and basically disregarded the obvious concerns,” said Page, now an associate fellow at Chatham House, a London-based international policy institute.

10 AFRICAN LANGUAGES, ’COURIERS FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF KNOWLEDGE,’ TO BE ADDED TO GOOGLE’S TRANSLATE APP (GIN)––While a professor at the University of Nairobi, Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o was the catalyst of the discussion to abolish the English department. He argued that after the end of colonialism, it was imperative that a university in Africa teach African literature, including oral literature, and that such should be done in the richness of African languages.

Today, writing and reading in African languages will be more possible with the addition of 10 languages on the Google Translate App. Translation, understood as the transfer of meaning (of a text) from

one language into another language, is crucial for the transmission of information, knowledge and social innovations.

It is a courier for the transmission of knowledge, a protector of cultural heritage, and essential to the development of a global economy.

Among the new additions are Lingala from Central Africa, Twi from Ghana, Tigrinya from Eritrea, Oromo from Ethiopia, and Krio from Sierra Leone.

Krio, an English-based Creole language, is the first language of about 350,000 people and is used as a lingua franca by over 4 million. It is spoken by 87% of Sierra Leone’s population.

“So for the fact that Krio is now very visible, it means Sierra Leoneans who can read and write and understand Krio will be able to use the Sierra Leone Autography to communicate on the Google Platform,” commented Dr. Abdulai Walon Jalloh, head of the Department for Language Studies at Fourah College, University of Sierra Leone. He was part of a team that worked on Sierra Leonean dialect translations for Google.

“Languages we are told are our identities, they represent who we are, and they are what we’ll call the DNA of every culture. The fact that we are using one of our own languages to engage on Google, it means that our languages are technologically relevant, that our society can transmit our culture, and we can translate our attitude.”

Ngũgĩ, a long-time advocate for the use of local languages, was imprisoned in 1977 for writing a play where local actors performed in Gikuyu.

The simple act of speaking or writing in your mother tongue was a revolutionary gesture.

With 54 countries, Africa has a variety of languages, including some at risk due to the proliferation of other dominant groups and the influence of Western culture.

Some rare African languages are even becoming extinct along with the culture and knowledge they represent.

In the post-colonial era, African people have grown more aware of the value of their linguistic identity. But only a few are considered official at the national level, and languages imported by colonial powers still prevail.

Fortunately, African countries are claiming more of their language inheritance, and are developing language policies aiming at multilingualism to reclaim and preserve rare African languages.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

From Buffalo to the Bronx ‘We need summer of peace, community-driven solutions’

By NAYABA ARINDE Amsterdam News Editor

On Tuesday, May 24th, 2022, Salvador Ramos, 18, shot and killed 19 students and two From Buffalo to Brownsville, teachers in an elementary to Bed-Stuy to Brick City, gun school in Uvalde, Texas. He reshot wounds penetrate flesh and portedly also shot his grandshatter families the same way. mother, and was himself shot New York is still reeling from by police at the school. On May a recent spate of shootings: the 15th, 2022, David Chou was armassacre of 10 people in Buffalo, rested for killing one, and inthe fatal shooting of 11-year old juring 5 at California’s Irvine Kyhara Tay in the Bronx, the gun- Taiwanese Presbyterian church. shot killing of 18-year-old Adri“Next month is Gun Violence ana Graham in Crown Heights, Awareness month; we need to and the Q train killing of subway aggressively address crime that rider Daniel Enriquez. is affecting us all,” said Andre

Thomas Mitchell, founder and CEO of Man Up, Inc., the community advocacy organization founded in 2014 after the shooting death of Daesean Hill, 8, who was killed when two rival groups opened fire and hit the boy as he was going home from school.

“Our neighborhoods have been flooded with weapons, and in the same way we are having a heavy-handed response to the result of that—we want heavy-handed resources.

See SOLUTIONS on page 25

MWBEs meet to discuss inequities in real estate

By STEPHON JOHNSON Amsterdam News Staff Two weeks ago, several dozen minority and women-owned businesses (MWBE) met in Harlem for a summit on how to close the inequity gap in the real estate industry.

Black and Brown economic leaders hoped to come up with the right path down the proverbial yellow brick road but hoped that others would travel with them on the journey. Something that Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) NYC President Denise Scott hopes will come soon.

“Closing the racial wealth gap is an important part of LISC’s mission,” stated Scott. “Real estate ownership and development is frequently the foundation of gen-

erational wealth in this country, yet many Black and Brown individuals have been deprived of the opportunities it offers for far too long. We heard that firsthand today, but we also felt the energy of change in our midst, too.”

The event, hosted by LISC NYC, looked to “put substance behind rhetoric: proposing solutions, public policy: best way to address the issue to help minority developers thrive.

“A full and equitable economic recovery from the pandemic will require that MWBE developers and business owners have a seat at the table and can participate in, benefit from, and support New York’s economy of the future,” stated Andrew Kimball, president & CEO of the New York

City Economic Development Corporation. “Conversations like those held today are critical to sparking progress toward achieving that goal. NYCEDC looks forward to continuing to work with MBE developers to grow MWBE participation in the city’s economic recovery.”

Those in attendance, including those who led the panel discussions, pointed out the maze Black and Black developers and entrepreneurs have to take for the crumbs left at the end of tunnel while the majority run away with the rest. But it wasn’t all doom and gloom.

The group also noted the success of the Affirmation Tower proposal, an MWBE-led project See MWBE on page 30

Chandler-Waterman celebrates 58th Assembly special election win

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member Yet another special election wrapped this Tuesday, May 24, with a new state Assemblymember-elect in the 58th District. The district covers East Flatbush and Canarsie in Brooklyn.

Early voting capped with 285 voters as of the close of polls just before Tuesday. On Election night,​​Democratic nominee and Working Families Party candidate Monique Chandler-Waterman won by about 79% of the votes, according to unofficial election night results posted by the Board of Elections. The seat replaces former Assemblymember Nick Perry, who is now the U.S. am-

bassador to Jamaica.

Chandler-Waterman beat out the independent candidate running on the Education Is Key line, Hercules E. Reid, and Republican, Conservative candidate Monique Allen-Davy.

“I am humbled by the fact that the community has placed its trust in me,” said Chandler-Waterman. “As the new Assembly woman representing the 58th District I pledge to work with the community and do everything in my power to address the needs of our residents. I spent my life in service to this community and I will work even harder to ensure affordable housing, equitable education and health care, and stop the violence plaguing our streets.”

Chandler-Waterman was born and raised in East Flatbush. She was Perry’s special assistant, worked in the City’s Test and Trace Corp, and runs her non profit East Flatbush Village Inc. with her husband. Waterman founded the non profit in 2008 and it has become a major youth and education organization that focuses on combating gun violence in Brooklyn.

Throughout Election Day, electeds such as Perry and residents gathered in East Flatbush to garner attention to the voting polls. “She has given more than herself,” said Perry in a speech about ChandlerWaterman. “She is indeed, I can See SPECIAL ELECTION on page 30

May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022 • 3

MetroBriefs Metro Briefs Gun buyback program nets dozens of weapons A gun buyback program hosted by Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez last weekend netted dozens of weapons. The event was held at Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Police and prosecutors said 69 guns were turned in anonymously on Saturday at the event at a Brooklyn church, no questions asked.

In exchange, people received $200 gift cards—paid for with drug and gambling forfeiture—and iPads donated by the owner of the iconic cheesecake maker Junior’s restaurant. Gonzalez said one of the guns came from a grandmother who took it from her grandson.

This is the second Gun Buyback event this year as the DA’s Office increases its investments in safety initiatives ahead of the summer months. During a January Gun Buyback event hosted by the Brooklyn DA’s Office in Flatbush, about 40 weapons were turned in, including many types of guns that are often used in street crimes.

Fans swamp Brooklyn subway stations for limited edition Biggie MetroCard Fans of late hip hop legend Christopher Wallace a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G./ Biggie Smalls reportedly swamped Brooklyn subway stations on Saturday with long lines in hopes of snagging a limited-edition Biggie MetroCard.

The MTA, in partnership with Rhino Entertainment, loaded four Brooklyn subway station MetroCard vending machines with the limited-edition cards honoring the Bed-Stuy born rapper on what would have been his 50th birthday on Saturday. Only 50,000 cards were available. Several people on social media said they waited in line for hours to buy the card.

The MetroCards feature a portrait of the Notorious B.I.G on the reverse side and were made available for purchase starting 12:01 a.m. on Saturday on a first come, first serve basis. The cards were only available in vending machines in Central Brooklyn at the Lafayette Ave., Clinton-Washington Ave. (C line), Clinton-Washington Ave. (G line) and Atlantic Ave. - Barclays Ctr. subway stations.

No Kid Hungry launches new partnership with SUNY and Hunger Solutions No Kid Hungry New York announced a new partnership with the State University of New York (SUNY) and Hunger Solutions New York to expand resources and outreach to student parents to end hunger across SUNY’s 64 campuses.

No Kid Hungry has funded a $200,000 grant to broaden SUNY’s already significant Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) outreach efforts and, with the help of Hunger Solutions New York, directly connect hundreds of student parents systemwide to federal nutrition programs to help them afford food for their families.

A 2019 survey conducted by SUNY found that 54% of community college students and 40% of students from state-operated campuses indicated that they are unable to eat at times because they do not have enough money for food. Although SUNY campuses offer a wide range of interventions and services, 61% of students from community colleges and 66% of students from state-operated campuses were unaware as to where they can receive assistance on campus.

As part of this grant, SUNY will conduct a new survey during the 2022-2023 academic year to assess the current state of food insecurity and inform any needed policy changes by the end of the year.

Army base renames Robert E. Lee street for Black veteran A street inside New York City’s sole army base now bears the name of a Black Congressional Medal of Honor recipient rather than a Confederate general.

Fort Hamilton changed the road’s name to John Warren Avenue on Friday morning, following a years-old push by local officials to remove Confederate symbols nationwide. The base had previously called the street General Lee Avenue, after Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Lt. John Warren, of Brooklyn, was killed at the age of 22 in 1969 in the Vietnam War when he fell in the direction of a grenade and shielded at least three men from the blast.Warren is buried in Long Island National Cemetery, and his Congressional Medal of Honor was posthumously presented to him in 1970.

—Compiled by Cyril Josh Barker

4 • May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Is Biden playing with fire? NewJerseyNews

BY HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews When asked by a reporter on Monday if he would defend Taiwan if China invaded the island nation, President Biden said, “Yes.” And with that response a rather ordinary five-day tour of Asia was suddenly a talking point for the media, particularly for the right wing outlets.

Biden’s gaffe, as the National Review termed his reply, was nothing more than the administration’s general policy, the president went on to explain to the reporter. “The policy has not changed at all,” he said, addressing whether the U.S. would send troops if such an invasion occurred.

The response came on Biden’s second day of the visit to Japan, and was asked in the backdrop of

the war in Ukraine and the military activity in Southeast Asia, which the president appeared to be far more forceful about America’s protection of Taiwan than Ukraine. “That’s a commitment we made,” he said, elaborating on his answer. China’s invasion of Taiwan, he said, would “just not be appropriate…it would dislocate the entire region and be another action similar to what happened in Ukraine.”

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, said the Taiwan issue was “a purely internal affair for China. On issues touching on China’s core interest of sovereignty and territorial integrity, China has no room for compromise or concession.”

He further stated that China would defend the interests with the force of its 1.4 billion people. “No one should underestimate the firm resolve,

staunch will and strong ability of the Chinese people in defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

A more heated response came from the Chinese State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office which stated that the “U.S. was playing with fire and using the Taiwan card to contain China, and will itself get burned.”

Biden’s comment could not come at a worst time with turmoil brewing inside China’s elite leadership. And it will only exacerbate the differences between the U.S. and China, which is currently sending squadrons of planes into Taiwan’s self-declared Air Defense Zone. “We urge the U.S. to stop saying and doing anything in violation of the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. Joint Communiques,” said Zhu Fenglian, China’s Taiwan Affairs spokesperson.

Black Press journalist Katherine Massey eulogized as ‘Queen Mother’ and ‘Community Mayor’

By STACY M. BROWN NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. helped to eulogize Challenger Community News journalist Katherine Massey in Buffalo on Monday, May 23, telling the gathering at Pilgrim Baptist Church that the 72-year-old fought for freedom, justice, and equality.

Like the Buffalo Criterion, the

Challenger Community News counts among the more than 230 African American newspapers and media companies that comprise the Black Press of America. A trade association, the NNPA represents the Black Press of America.

“I am here to celebrate the life of a freedom fighting sister, a courageous Black woman,” Chavis declared during a fiveminute speech that earned multiple standing ovations from mourners and others, including

Mayor Byron Brown.

“The question now is what are we going to do in our anger, in our pain? We should learn from Katherine Massey…this African queen,” Chavis demanded. “It’s in our tradition that when one is taken from us to pay our respects. But the greatest way we can pay our respects to Katherine Massey is to keep her spirit alive, keep her journalism alive.”

The city’s first African American and longest serving mayor, See MASSEY on page 30

Cutting into Black leadership: Jeffries, Zinerman, Parker on NYS redistricting maps

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member Last week’s newly proposed congressional maps were finally released by Special Master Jonathan Cervas, chosen by Judge Patrick McAllister to redraw the maps created by a vote in the state legislature. Cervas’ maps have succeeded in causing an uproar among Black and Brown elected officials either drawn out of their districts or left wide open to be contested in upcoming elections.

This is the first time Democrats had an opportunity to control the redistricting lines in New York State in several decades, but the Dem-controlled congressional and senate maps were shot down by Republican judges and ruled “unconstitutional,” prompting a ‘special master’ from out of state to create new maps on a rushed deadline.

“This new congressional map is an attempt to violently disrupt the work Democrats have done and continue to do for people of color, poor communities and small businesses in New York City. The redis-

tricting process was a violation of our citizens’ voices, as they were blatantly ignored by the court of appeals, which selected an out-of-town Republican to oversee this process,” said State Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman.

Zinerman said that she worked tirelessly in 2020 to encourage constituents to participate in the Census to ensure that people in her district in the 56th Assembly were counted and adequately represented.

Being counted in the census is important because it helps elected officials apply for state See REDISTRICTING on page 31

Congressman Payne urges the Biden administration to cancel student debt

By CYRIL JOSH BARKER Amsterdam News Staff

Newark Congressman Donald M. Payne Jr. is calling on the Biden administration to cancel student loan debt after news reports surfaced that the president is considering enacting the proposal.

Payne believes that canceling debt would be a historic move to address wealth inequality and reduce barriers to economic mobility, especially for Black and Hispanic borrowers who are often saddled with enormous debt.

“Forgiving student loan debt is the right policy approach to relieve millions of young people from a devastating financial burden that makes it nearly impossible for many of them to buy a home, start a family and advance in their lives and careers,” said Payne. “Studies show that Black and Hispanic college graduates have an average of $25,000 more debt than white borrowers, and Black women have the highest levels of student debt of any group.”

After a meeting with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus last month, reports

indicated that Biden may be more seriously considering a move to cancel student debt, in keeping with his campaign promise to eliminate up to $10,000 for student borrowers. Payne is urging him to follow through on this promise, along with members of many progressive and Democratic organizations in New Jersey.

“The burden of student loan debt presents a huge challenge for young people all across the country,” said Fatima Heyward, president of the New Jersey Young Democrats. “By forgiving student debt, President Biden would be making a life-changing difference for millions of people who have had to make sacrifices in their careers and families due to the crushing burden of the debt that they took on in order to pursue an education.”

Last month, the Department of Education announced steps that will bring borrowers closer to public service loan and incomedriven repayment (IDR) forgiveness by addressing historical failures in the administration of the federal student

loan programs.

Federal Student Aid estimates that these changes will result in immediate debt cancellation for at least 40,000 borrowers under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Several thousand borrowers with older loans will also receive forgiveness through IDR. More than 3.6 million borrowers will also receive at least three years of additional credit toward IDR forgiveness.

“Student loans were never meant to be a life sentence, but it’s certainly felt that way for borrowers locked out of debt relief they’re eligible for,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “Today, the Department of Education will begin to remedy years of administrative failures that effectively denied the promise of loan forgiveness to certain borrowers enrolled in IDR plans. These actions once again demonstrate the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to delivering meaningful debt relief and ensuring federal student loan programs are administered fairly and effectively.”

NJ launches investigation of social media platforms Discord and Twitch in wake of Buffalo shooting

By CYRIL JOSH BARKER Amsterdam News Staff Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced that New Jersey has launched an investigation of social media platforms Discord and Twitch in the wake of the deadly mass shooting in Buffalo.

The investigation seeks to determine if the platforms are violating state consumer protection laws by failing to moderate harmful content and enforce policies prohibiting violent extremism and hateful conduct.

The suspect in the May 14 attack reportedly used the social media platforms to plan and publicize the mass shooting, which authorities are calling a racial-

ly motivated hate crime. The investigation will examine if lax content moderation and policy enforcement on the part of Discord and Twitch allow the platforms to serve as hubs for extremist and violent networking and community building, and as entry points for children to come into contact with extremist ideologies.

“These social media platforms have enormous reach, especially with young people, and have shown themselves to be staging grounds for hateful and extremist content that may radicalize children and others,” said Platkin. “New Jersey has a substantial interest in investigating how these companies moderate and prohibit content that

may harm consumers.”

The 18-year-old defendant in the attack, who is white, reportedly live-streamed the fatal shooting of 10 people at a supermarket in a predominantly Black neighborhood on Twitch, a streaming service popular with gamers.

Prior to the attack, he reportedly detailed his shooting plan on Discord, an online messaging platform where users may create invite-only chat groups.

The investigation is also centering on the platforms’ content moderation practices and enforcement against individuals who violate them. The investigation also focuses on how those moderation policies are applied to minors and children under 13 who use the sites.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Holistic eating with Chef Isra Gordon

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

Chef Isra Gordon (Contributed photo)

Chef Isra Gordon, 59, is a certified holistic and metabolic health coach, international chef, food consultant, and instructor. She runs the recently launched Mint Porch Cafe, her latest shop that focuses on healthy eating, located at the newly opened Flatbush Central Caribbean Market in Brooklyn.

“I’ve always cared about health and wellness as a young child. At one point I thought I was going into the medical field, but when I reviewed some things about it, I thought I was called more to what was in nature,” said Gordon.

Gordon is originally from the fertile, lush island of Grenada. She migrated to the states when she was 17 years old, she said. Her father gave her her first book on juicing and she would experiment as a kid. With her father’s encouragement, she fostered an interest in cooking.

After studying culinar y arts and nutrition, Gordon formed a holistic food philosophy combined with an entrepreneurial spirit. She goes so far as to coach people on their family situations and environments in connection to their food intake.

“I ask people to pay attention to all areas of their lives,” said Gordon, “their bodies, their minds, their spirit.”

She ran her first shop, Delicious Endings, for about four years out of the first rendition of the Flatbush Caton Market, she said. She volunteered to be the market’s resident teahouse and buffet, but hadn’t set out to open up a small storefront at all. “I just felt like ever y step of the way was a calling for me. It was a part of my journey and I had to be in that space,” said Gordon.

“Healthy eating is not for ever ybody,” said Gordon, “but people have to make choices.”

She sells custom teas, vegan options, sweets, desserts, and organic

May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022 • 5

THE URBAN AGENDA

By David R. Jones

Protecting New Yorkers from Medical Debt The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare racial inequities in New York’s health care system and exposed the deadly consequences when so many New Yorkers go without health coverage, and hundreds of thousands more are left vulnerable with inadequate coverage. As a result, the finances of millions of New Yorkers are at risk.

New York’s hospitals – the state has more than 200 -- are nonprofit organizations and designated as charities under the tax code.

Unlike the patients they serve, these hospitals pay no income or property taxes. Notably, these same hospitals also receive billions of dollars in financial support through the state’s Indigent Care Pool (ICP) and Medicaid programs.

The ICP program is specifically designed to support them in providing financial assistance to patients and to offset the costs associated with providing uncompensated care. Even so, state law permits these charities to hound their patients into debt through aggressive collection actions, lawsuits, liens and wage garnishments. Not all hospitals utilize these aggressive measures, but a significant minority due, inflicting financial pain upon thousands of patients a year.

Simultaneously, medical costs continue to strangle New Yorkers. Patients face hidden hospital fees and are unable to find out how to apply for hospital financial aid.

Healthcare Affordability Disproportionately Affects People of Color

Black

New Yorker

ingredients in her meals. Her bestsellers so far are the apple vegan cake, banana sugar-free cake, and curr y cashews. Her end-goal is to open an adjoining spa with her teahouse and healthy food items to really round out her venture into health and wellness in the community.

“If one really has a passion and desire, they’d persevere, despite what they’re facing. This is what I’ve been doing over the years. I want to see this happen, so I have a strong desire and I keep pushing,” said Gordon about her plans for the future.

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/fcszwj8wW

Tens of thousands of New Yorkers struggle with medical debt, thousands more are sued every year, and many more are harassed by collection agents.

Unsurprisingly, healthcare affordability disproportionately affects people of color: 3.8 percent of White New Yorkers are uninsured compared to 5.6 percent of Black people and 10.1 percent of Latinos. Outside of New York City, in cities with large Black populations such as Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse and Westchester, communities of color are up to four times more likely to suffer from medical debt than their white counterparts.

liens on patients’ primary residences and garnishing wages due to money judgments arising from debt collection actions by hospitals or health care professionals. The other bill, S.2521C/A3470C, bans hospital facility fees—a secret fee that’s akin to a hotel “resort charge” when you go to a doctor that’s affiliated with a hospital—for all preventative care. It also requires medical providers to notify patients in advance if they will be charged one.

If Governor Hochul signs the bills into law— and we hope she will—it would be a major victory for patients who deserve protection against the most predatory medical debt collection practices that contribute to housing insecurity and jeopardize their physical and fiscal health.

But the fight is not over. A third #EndMedicalDebt bill, S.7625/A.8441, would establish a single uniform financial assistance application for all hospitals to make it easier for patients to find and apply for assistance, kind of like the common application students use to apply for college.

A recent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) report found that 20 percent of Americans have medical debt, underscoring the financial burdens for patients beyond the costs associated with receiving medical care.

It said that medical debt collections and credit reporting practices cause significant harm to patients, especially for Blacks and Latinos, lowincome families, younger adults of all races and ethnicities, veterans and older adults.

The CFPB report further stated that many families are “coerced into paying invalid, unsubstantiated and inaccurate medical bills” by threat of reporting those medical accounts to the credit reporting bureaus. A New York poll issued in March validated this point, with 20 percent of respondents saying they paid a bill they did not think they owed for fear of being placed in collections or being sued.

After a two-year #EndMedicalDebt campaign to raise public awareness about medical debt driven by predatory collection practices by some healthcare facilities and providers, state lawmakers have passed legislation protecting New Yorkers from these practices.

Now that state lawmakers have passed legislation that would put an end to harmful liens and wage garnishments by hospitals in medical debt collection actions, as well as provide patients with relief from hidden facility fees, we need them to take similar action to make it easier and more transparent for patients to apply for hospital financial assistance. As they say: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

This month, state lawmakers passed two bills that were part of the #EndMedicalDebt campaign led by the Community Service Society, and supported by a coalition of nonprofits and consumer advocacy groups, including AARP, Citizen Action of NY, Consumer Reports, the Hispanic Federation, NYPIRG, Make the Road NY and the Long Island Progressive Coalition. S.6522A/A7363A prohibits nonprofit hospitals from imposing

Protecting New Yorkers from hospital policies and practices that contribute to patient medical debt is critical to safeguarding the finances of millions of New Yorkers.

We applaud state lawmakers for sending a message to New Yorkers that they can safely seek health care without being threatened with the most extreme medical debt collection practices. All we need now is Governor Hochul’s signature on these bills.

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.

6 • May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

New maps: Democrats teeter on the edge of disaster

By STEPHON JOHNSON Amsterdam News Staff

The fallout from the newly drawn district maps continues as Democrats scramble to get their affairs in order should the worst happen.

But that doesn’t mean they’ve stopped fighting the good fight.

Last week, the AmNews reported that Special Master and Carnegie Mellon University Fellow Jonathan Cervas redrew Congressional districts in a way that could help the GOP take over the House in Washington.

Cervas, who was appointed by the New York State Supreme Court after it rejected the Democrats’ proposal for a district that heavily favored the party, redrew districts to make it even with close to 777,000 people per congressional seat (as mandated by law). However, this map splits 15 counties in the state as opposed to the 34 splits proposed in the Democrats’ map.

Last month, the New York Court of Appeals ruled the map unconstitutional.

The newly drawn version of the map makes 15 Dem-leaning districts and three GOP-leaning districts more competitive. The Democrats

are this close to losing their grip on the House of Representatives.

The map also cuts Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood in half. It leaves current Black Congressmembers Hakeem Jeffries and Yvette Clarke in the same district.

Clarke believes that this new redistricting map spells tragedy for the Black vote in national politics.

“The State of New York has been clear about its mission to keep communities of interest together through the redistricting process and the newly proposed map disregards that objective entirely,” Clarke stated. “Article III, section 5 of the constitution of the State of New York clearly states that ‘districts shall not be drawn to have the purpose of, nor shall they result in, the denial or abridgement of racial or language minority voting rights’ and that ‘maintenance of cores of existing districts…including communities of interest’ must be considered.”

When the AmNews contacted Rep. Jeffries’ people, we didn’t get an answer, but were directed to a statement he made last week about the matter in which he said, “The draft map released by a judicial overseer in Steuben County and unelected, out-of-town spe-

2022

NY PRIMARIES

cial master, both of whom happen to be white men, is part of a vicious national pattern targeting districts represented by members of the Congressional Black Caucus…

“This draft map dilutes the Black population in the 8th and 9th congressional districts in a manner wildly inconsistent with the constitutional mandate that communities of color should be put into position to elect the candidate of their choice,” continued Jeffries. “The Court, shockingly, uses a sledgehammer to break into pieces the majority Black and historic neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant, once represented by the legendary Shirley Chisholm.”

Manhattan Democratic Leader Keith Wright didn’t mince words when he spoke with the AmNews.

“It’s horrible,” said Wright. “Two major voices representing urban communities, especially the Black Agenda, fighting against each other or fighting for the same territory. It’s horrible. It’s not good for the community, representatives. It’s not good for the nation.

“When you get a special magistrate or special master, drawing these lines, they don’t care,” Wright continued. “They don’t understand

the negative effects that they have with their pen and pencil. And somebody from upstate New York doesn’t know anything, nor do they care, you know? They’re being very political about what we do. And when they do, it has a devastating effect on the voting rights of certain communities, especially the Black community.”

But they’re not the only duo of Democrats who are potential victims of the newly drawn maps. Congressmembers Carolyn Maloney and Jerry Nadler would be battling for the new version of the 12th congressional district seat.

To add to the “signal vs. the noise” state of the Democratic Party, former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that he’s running for New York’s 10th congressional seat in Brooklyn (and parts of lower Manhattan; neighborhoods that, like the rest of the city, had residents that were tired of him.)

Around this time last year, according to a poll conducted by Spectrum News NY1/Ipsos, de Blasio’s approval rating was 37 %.

It’s only been six months since he left an administration that was riddled with controversy.

Why is he doing this now?

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“Each candidate running for office is a very personal decision,” Wright said. “You know what I mean? I mean, you have to get putting yourself up to massive, massive public scrutiny. And you have to come to terms with that.”

The former mayor has been involved in numerous campaign donation scandals (through the nonprofit Campaign for One New York), including a possible campaign violation through a nonprofit in 2013 (which led to the indictments of two people), as de Blasio underwent a three-year investigation by the Joint Commission of Public Ethics (JCOPE) to determine if donations made to Campaign for One New York were illegal gifts to the mayor. This led to a $40,000 settlement between James Capalino (a de Blasio ally) and JCOPE. He admitted no wrongdoing.

When you go to de Blasio’s campaign page and click on the Menu section, it heads straight to his “donation” page.

Throughout all of the noise, one thing is clear: the map leaves 15 Dem-leaning districts and three GOP-leaning districts. The Democrats are this close to losing their grip on the House of Representatives.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022 • 7

New York

STOP THE BIG PHARMA SCAM. LOWER Rx PRICES. New Yorkers are struggling to afford the prescription medications they need. But brand name drug companies continue to pay off generic drug manufacturers to delay bringing lower cost medications to market. These shady pay-for-delay deals protect drug company profits but hurt New Yorkers. And they cost U.S. consumers billions of dollars annually.

Lawmakers must put a stop to these deals and make prescription drugs more affordable. Call 844-489-1335 and urge your state assembly member to pass bill A.7245 and ban drug companies’ pay-for-delay deals in New York. facebook.com/AARPNY | @AARPNY | aarp.org/NY

Paid for by AARP

8 • May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS G O W I T H T H

E

F

L O

Go With The Flo Brooklyn celebrates the Notorious B.I.G

FLO

Biggie Smalls’ 50th birthday

(Nayaba Arinde photos)

ANTHONY Bounce said farewell to the best drama series on television, “Saints & Sinners” on Sunday, May 22. Seasons one through five are available at www.BrownSugar.com. The mega-hit original series is the most-watched show in Bounce history and has been a breakthrough success, attracting a huge and loyal fanbase and taking them on a rollercoaster ride every season. “Saints & Sinners” is set against the backdrop of a large southern church and centered around the pursuit of power, intertwined with greed, deception, corruption, compromising sexual affairs, and murder. Vanessa Bell Calloway and Clifton Powell lead the series. I sure will miss spending Sunday nights with them.

Usher made a surprise visit to a volunteer training workshop hosted by Usher’s New Look (UNL), the youth development foundation he launched 23 years ago to provide access, training, mentorship, and support of Black youth, at Centennial Academy in midtown Atlanta on May 10. Training took place over a four-day period. Usher engaged with the teaching and support staff and stopped by each of the Powered by Service classrooms to give students a brief overview of the UNL history and why he started the nonprofit. Powered by Service is part of UNL’s comprehensive program of training, mentorship and access to resources for underserved youth across the country. Since its founding in 1999, Usher’s New Look has helped transform the lives of 50,000 young people.

On May 17, HBO Max and The Root (of G/O Media) held an advanced screening event at Syndicated Bar Theater Kitchen in Brooklyn, to celebrate the upcoming premiere of the second season of the HBO Original series, “PAUSE with Sam Jay.” Emmy-nominated comedian and writer Sam Jay joined a room filled with notable guests, media and influencers to view the first episode of the new season, followed by a discussion moderated

by Vanessa De Luca, editor-in-chief of The Root. Created by Sam Jay and Prentice Penny, “PAUSE with Sam Jay” offers a new take on the late-night talk show format.

Lil’ Kim was reportedly among the stars at the Empire State Building lighting ceremony to honor the 50th birthday of the late Notorious B.I.G. whose real name was Christopher Wallace. The event was presented in partnership with Bad Boy/Atlantic/Rhino Records and the Christopher Wallace Estate on May 20. Biggie’s mom, Voletta Wallace and Lil’ Kim looked fabulous. The Brooklyn raptress was dressed in Versace and carried a Hermes Birkin purse. Biggie’s children C.J. and T’Yanna Wallace were also in attendance.

By NOSAYABA ODESANYA Special to the AmNews Fellow Brooklynites watched as people filled the streets and lined up at four Bed Stuy/Clinton Hill subway stations on Saturday, May 21, to celebrate Chistopher Wallace a.k.a The Notorious B.I.G, Biggie Smalls’ birthday. The world-famous late artist would have turned 50 years young, had he not been shot and killed in a drive-by in March 1997 in Los Angeles. Any day of the week when the sun is out, cars can be heard bumping any Biggie track. But, on Saturday, fans came out to wish him happy birthday. A stage was built close to his old apartment on St. James’ Place, which was renamed Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace Way in June 2019.

There, in his honor, the community, Elements of Style NYC, Eliot Salome-Diaz, The Dondi

White Foundation, and Michelle R. White hosted a block party to celebrate the late rapper’s achievements.

The event inspired the community through the use of hip hop culture and the art of creation. The celebration also highlighted the importance of the need for the ceasing of gun violence, and how as a community we should come together to stop senseless killings.

The celebration began at 1 p.m.; at around 7 p.m. police tried to open the street and close down the event on St. James Place Christopher ‘Notorious B.I.G.’ Wallace Way between Fulton Street and Gates Avenue.

They had to fight against the tide. Hundreds of people came out to the block party where music was played, laughter was shared, friendships were formed, and art was created.

Earlier that morning, just

before 6 a.m., a block over, lines were formed at the Clinton and Washington subway station.

Some people on social media said the MTA was exploiting Biggie, others said they were paying tribute with their Biggie Smalls limited edition metrocards, made in partnership with Rhino Entertainment. People waited for up to 3 hours or more in the four subway stations to buy the metro card with Biggie Smalls’ likeness on one side of the card. Some people avoided the long lines by getting their cards when sales began at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, at any one of the four Central Brooklyn subway stations at Lafayette Avenue, Clinton-Washington Avenue (C line), Clinton-Washington Ave. (G line), and the Barclays Center on Atlantic Avenue.

There was only one machine working at many of the stops, and some people bought multi-

ple cards for gifts or re-sale, making each purchase as long as 20 minutes a-piece in some cases.

It was a very Brooklyn tribute, showing that his people in his neighborhood have never forgotten their beloved Bed Stuy icon, because he never forgot them.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS O U T & A B

A Soulful Heart hold inaugural concert and awards at Town Hall

O

U

T

May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022 • 9

Warrior poet, Audre Lorde, gets her ‘Way’

(Bill Moore photos)

(L to R) Prof. Anthony Brown, Prof. Jacqueline Nassy Brown, Dr. Jennifer Raab, Councilman Keith Powers, Cheryl Wills (Photos by Herb Boyd)

George Floyd’s brother, Terrence Floyd (2nd from left), and uncle, Selwyn Jones (speaking), set the tone for the evening at A Soulful Heart memorializing George Floyd Jr. Appearing with them are Floyd family members and relatives of other police violence victims, including Carla McKinnie, cousin of George Floyd Jr.; Dee Crane, mother of Tavis Crane; Yolanda McNair, mother of Adaisha Miller; Joie Jones; and Cassandra Green, aunt of Jamal Sutherland.

Honorees Elinor Tatum and Irene Gandy

Performance by Melba Moore

Rome Neal presented award by fellow Honoree Elinor Tatum

Students from the Repertory Company High School for Theatre Arts

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews It’s a good bet that Audre Lorde, as a student and teacher at Hunter College, stood for a moment at the intersection of 68th Street and Lexington. Today if she dallied for a moment there on the northwest corner and looked up she would see emblazoned on the street sign—Audre Lorde Way. Now, some 30 years after her death, an honor is bestowed on a woman who proclaimed and was described as “Black, lesbian, mother, and warrior poet.”

During the afternoon ceremony on Tuesday, May 10, inside the lobby of the college, President Jennifer Raab captured the essence of the school’s alumni, noting that her “brave avowals of independence and resistance continue to resonate with a new generation of students and readers.” And several students read sections of Lorde’s poem “There Is No Hierarchy of Oppression,” giving a youthful balance to the coterie of older participants, including NYC Councilman Keith Powers, himself a graduate of the school.

“I am very proud to have sponsored the co-naming of East 68th Street as Audre Lorde Way,” he said. In his estimation Lorde was “a trailblazing artist, activist, and feminist” and deserved recognition in the community where she studied, taught and built her legacy. That legacy was further burnished by words from NY1 anchor, reporter and author Cheryl Wills, who served as moderator, and such luminaries as author Jacqueline Woodson, whose publication of her 37th book coincided with the event; Blanche Wiesen Cooke and Clare Coss, who delivered greetings from the Lorde family; and Jacqueline Nassy Brown, who read from Lorde’s poem “Coal.”

She explained her long association with the poem and was once asked by Lorde to read it before an audience, with its closing stanza that read: “Love

is a word another kind of open—As a diamond comes into a knot of flame/I am black because I come from the earth’s inside/Take my word for jewel in your open light.”

The poem, like the diamond, refracts a number of bright and dazzling possibilities, much like the corpus of writings Lorde completed and can be found in such publications as “Sister Outsider,” “Zami: A New Spelling of My Name,” ”A Burst of Light,” and the “Cancer Journals.”

A glimpse of her impressive resume is highlighted by her attendance to Hunter High School (1951); Hunter College (1959); Thomas Hunter Distinguished Professor (1991-1992); Professor of English, Hunter College (1992-1996); New York State Poet Laureate (1991-1992); and American Book Award in 1989.

One of Lorde’s most riveting essays is included in her compendium, and it’s a reflection that endeared her with the revolutionary internationalists with her powerful indictment of South Africa’s Apartheid regime. “For no matter how liberal a commitment to human rights is mouthed in international circles by the U.S. government, we know it will not move beyond its investments in South Africa unless we make it unprofitable to invest there. For its economic divestment, not moral sanction, that South Africa fears most. No one will free us but ourselves, here nor there.

So our survivors are not separate, even though the terms under which we struggle differ. African Americans are bound to the struggle in South Africa by politics as well as by blood. As Malcolm X observed more than 20 years ago, a militant, free Africa is a necessity to the dignity of African American identity.”

This warrior poet, as several speakers noted, was not afraid to speak truth to power, and it is her enduring magnetism that continues to bring friends, scholars, and community activists such as Dr. Anthony Brown, Dr. Vanessa Valdes, Keisha Sutton-James, and Kathleen Warnock back in the streets again.

10 • May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Union Matters Protect New York’s Warehouse Workers Now! to take bathStuart Appelbaum room breaks.

While Amazon President, Retail, Wholesale is the highand Department Store Union, est-profile ofTwitter: @sappelbaum. www.rwdsu.org fender, workers throughout the Warehouse workers are the industry suffer from higherbackbone of the modern e- than-average injury rates, commerce economy, yet reg- and many of the same danulations protecting workers gerous policies and lack of and communities affected by protection. this new industry have lagged far behind its rapid growth.

Addressing the warehouse When New York’s warehouse industry injury epidemic and distribution center workThe WWPA, modeled ers leave for work every day, after similar legislation they face a job that sees them signed into law in Califorthree times more likely than nia last year and targeting the average private indus- large facilities and employtry worker to suffer an injury ers, would create important or illness. That’s why New guardrails to protect wareYork needs to pass the Ware- house industry workers house Worker Protection Act from the brutal line speeds (WWPA – A10020/S8922), and quotas that are drivwhich helps protect work- ing injuries and sickness ers from inhumane quotas at at New York’s warehouses. companies such as Amazon. These inhumane and abusive quotas, and the fear of A dangerous job being disciplined for not New York’s warehouse in- making them (even though dustry has alarmingly high workers aren’t told and don’t injury rates, and nowhere know exactly what they are), is this more apparent than pressures workers into dewhen reviewing the data at nying their basic needs and Amazon, which has opened over-exerting themselves to over 70 new facilities in the point of injury or illness.

New York State since 2018.

The WWPA creates transAmazon workers are injured parency for the often arat a rate of six per 100, which bitrary and ever-changing is five times the average in quotas that many workNew York. While all ware- ers at large warehouses are house work is dangerous, subjected to. The law would Amazon warehouse work- inform workers on what ers are 54% more likely than their quotas are, and preothers in the industry to get vent workers from being sick or hurt on the job. disciplined if they fail to Research shows that many meet these quota requireof these injuries and illness- ments because they need to es are preventable and are exercise basic human rights the result of management such as going to the bathphilosophies at these facil- room when they need to. ities that prioritize speed New York’s warehouse over workers’ safety. Unsafe workers are getting injured work speeds, unreason- because there is no reason able work quotas, danger- for unscrupulous employous work, and insufficient ers to respect their basic hubreaks all contribute to the manity. The WWPA would skyrocketing rate of inju- change that, and these workries in the industry. Amazon ers deserve passage of this workers have told RWDSU important legislation that representatives that their forces large employers like productivity is monitored so Amazon to reform the way it closely that they are afraid treats employees.

Report: Amazon worker injury rates jump 64% in NY warehouses vs. 20% nationally

By STEPHON JOHNSON Amsterdam News Staff A new report confirms the Empire State and the retail empire’s tumultuous relationship.

Last week, New Yorker for a Fair Economy released a report detailing an increase in injuries on the job in 2021 as the company established more warehouses in the state.

Data analyzed in the report “Warehousing Pain: Amazon Worker Injury Rate Skyrockets with Company’s Rapid Expansion in New York State,” which was obtained from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), showed a 64% rise in injuries in New York’s Amazon warehouse locations compared to 20% nationally.

“Injuries at Amazon facilities in New York are off the charts by all measures and should ring alarm bells,” stated Irene Tung, author of the report and senior researcher and policy analyst at the National Employment Law Project (NELP). “These injuries are completely preventable and the jump in injury rates between 2020 and 2021 makes crystal clear what is wrong at Amazon.

In 2020, workers experienced some relief when Amazon slowed down the pace of work and suspended parts of its intensive electronic monitoring and disciplinary system in response to the pandemic. But as soon as Amazon reinstated those practices, worker injuries skyrocketed.”

The report states that 89% of injuries reported were serious enough that workers couldn’t continue to do their job and either switched gigs or had to take time off. In 2021, Amazon’s total injury rate was one for every 11 fulltime workers.

“This data emphasizes that the legislature needs to treat the Warehouse Worker Protection Act with serious urgency,” stated New York State Senate Labor Chair, Jessica Ramos. “As if the numbers presented by NELP are not serious enough, it’s extremely sobering knowing that only 29 of the 50 warehouses operating in New York State in 2021 actually reported their injuries to OSHA. This indicates that the spike is potentially much more serious than what is even accounted for here.”

The report also revealed that the“serious injury” rate at Amazon facilities is 40% higher than at non-Amazon warehouses and wish fulfillment centers across the country. According to the report, the rate of serious injury for New York Amazon warehouse and logistics workers is 18% higher than Amazon’s national average.

This comes off of the retail giant reinstituting disciplinary, electronic monitoring, and quote policies several months into the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Amazon warehouses had 40% more injuries than other warehouses in New York,” stated Thomas Gesualdi, president of Teamsters Joint Council 16. “Teamster members have spent decades fighting for strong safety standards in this industry, but Amazon’s growth is again putting workers in danger. We need the Warehouse Worker Protection Act to set a safety baseline for all warehouse companies.

Long term, the solution is union rights and collective bargaining for all warehouse workers so they have a voice on the job and protect themselves.”

The Warehouse Worker Protection Act would force companies like Amazon to limit the amount of hours their warehouse/wish fulfillment

Amazon worker injury rates increased by 64% in New York.

Nationally? 20%. (Lawrence Glass via iStock)

center employees can work daily and weekly. Last week labor unions and workers stood outside of the JFK2 Amazon Fulfillment Center calling Amazon to do right by its employers.

Recently, Amazon’s JFK8 fulfillment center on Staten Island voted in favor to form a union. They were sparked by allegedly subpar working conditions as well. Earlier, an Amazon spokesperson stated, “Our employees have always had the choice of whether or not to join a union, and they overwhelmingly chose not to join the RWDSU earlier this year. It’s disappointing that the NLRB has now decided that those votes shouldn’t count. As a company, we don’t think unions are the best answer for our employees.”

New York State Sen. Cordell Cleare said now is the time for Amazon to clean things up.

“I am a proud and vocal Co-Sponsor of S.8922, the Warehouse Worker Protection Act because I believe that our jobs and professions should be both a means and an end to human dignity, safety, security and the ability to grow and thrive in life,” stated Cleare.

“Modern day sweatshops, in the guise of warehouses of horrors, must have no place in New York. I sincerely hope we pass this bill as soon as possible!

Chipotle workers to managers: Abide by the HERO Act now!

By STEPHON JOHNSON Amsterdam News Staff Chipotle workers are asking their employer to practice what the law preaches.

This week, workers at four locations delivered petitions to their managers to form Workplace Safety Committees as they, according to 32BJ SEIU, continue to deal with less-than-stellar work conditions.

The four Chipotle stores in question are located at 501 7th Ave., 620 9th Ave., 906 3rd Ave. and 150 E. 52nd St. “It’s past time that Chipotle understands the full cost of their shocking

disregard for the health and safety of workers in New York,” stated 32BJ President Kyle Bragg. “It is a lesson 32BJ and our members are Chipotle workers demand safe work conditions. Their happy to provide. requests are buoyed by the state’s HERO Act of 2021.

Already, we have (Photo courtesy of BalkansCat via iStock) reminded this fast food giant it cannot ignore hard-won Passed in 2021, the NYS Health and protections like the NY HERO Act. Essential Rights Act (or NY HERO ACT) But we won’t stop our fight until this is a mandate for the private sector to global corporation shows the New provide “extensive” new health and Yorkers who keep Chipotle running safety conditions in response to the See HERO ACT on page 27 the respect they deserve.”

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022 • 11

‘‘

Fentanyl is not only in opioids, it’s in cocaine and pills too.

ALTHEA, Bronx

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Fentanyl is a powerful opioid that can be found in heroin, cocaine, crack, methamphetamine, ketamine, and pressed pills.

Fentanyl increases the risk of overdose especially among people who do not regularly use opioids.

LET’S PREVENT OVERDOSE. KEEP YOURSELF AND YOUR COMMUNITY SAFE. TO FIND SUPPORT, INCLUDING NALOXONE OR TREATMENT, CALL 1-888-NYC-WELL OR TEXT “WELL” TO 65173.

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12 • May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Opinion Georgia on our minds EDITORIAL

“Oh, oh Georgia Georgia No peace, no peace I find,” Is one stanza from this old chestnut, and it resonates with startling clarity today in this southern state where so much is at stake for the Democratic Party there and elsewhere.

The GOP is pulling out all stops to intercept and reverse the setbacks that proved so decisive in the election returns in 2020.

Ever since losing Con-

gress, the Republican Party has been moving relentlessly across the nation with voter suppression tactics, be it gerrymandering or imposing new restrictions on absentee voting.

Last week in Georgia, Republicans signed into law a nearly 100-page voting law that will severely limit access for voters in areas where Democrats are in power.

It even becomes a crime, a misdemeanor, to offer food or water to voters waiting in the long lines.

Other steps taken to

make it difficult for voters is less time to request absentee ballots; new ID requirements for absentee ballots; and it is illegal for election officials to mail out absentee ballot applications to all voters.

The list of new restrictions go on for pages, including measures to curtail voter fraud, which is practically nonexistent but a reason for many of the changes.

These newly imposed rules and regulations in Georgia are just a sample of the GOP aim to flip the script they encountered in

the last election, and the only defense is a well-informed electorate to counter the moves.

There is a bit of good news from the peach state; Trump’s choice for governor may not defeat Brian Kemp, and that will be yet another test of the former president’s influence on a number of primaries.

Yes, Georgia is on our minds and it’s more than a sweet song that resonates but the very status of the political arc as we move toward the crucial midterm elections, and we need to find more than peace!

The marketing and branding of the educational leader blame or reasons, but I wish, DR. CLARENCE as leaders, we WILLIAMS JR. would acknowledge it.

I was watching a press Not only do we deny it conference after an NBA we celebrate failure. playoff game. The losing When I was studying coach approached the to become an adminismicrophone. As he started trator, the message was, talking about what went stay off social media. This wrong, he began to cry. He was legal advice. This discussed what he could has changed over the last have done better and decade. Now the oppowhat happens moving site is true. You must be forward. In fact, when I on social media if you are look back on most coach- an educational leader. es’ concession speech- This is where education es, they speak about their meets the Kardashians. failure and give no excus- It’s all about branding and es. This is something that marketing. If you look on is lacking in educational your favorite social media leadership. Our education platform, you will see edsystem is a failing system ucational leaders (of all and the reasons are many. levels) being acknowlI do not wish to talk about edged generically for

Elinor R. Tatum: Publisher Member

Alliance for Audited Media

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

great leadership, or an acknowledgement. You will see self-praise under the guise of humility. This is what you will read: “So honored to be acknowledged by (fill in the blank).” We celebrate our leadership status while students are failing. There are many corporations and organizations willing to give awards and honors for the leader of the week, month, year, or century–– to either promote their brand or fundraise. There was a time when the work was its own reward, success was quantifiable and measurable. Now we celebrate getting the job, having the job but not doing the job. These social media resumes are part of a career ladder that steps over children for personal gain. Now of course this is not true of all educational leaders. I know some who pour their heart and soul into their school and district community. These are

also the ones that don’t post every time they received a compliment or a citation.

To be fair, it is not all the fault of leadership. Educational leadership is a challenging job. It’s not as respected as it should be.

It’s a difficult environment to survive in and politics play a significant role in the selection, retention, and removal of leaders.

Our society rewards social branding and influencers, and some leaders and administrators feel they must market themselves to survive. The problem is there is no clear criteria or pedigree for educational leadership. To teach you need to have the license and the content. For administrators you need the license (and in some schools not even that), but what is the content to be a leader? Usually, it’s who you know or how well you’re liked. Therefore, there is this need to sell yourself, to promote your brand. This is not about children. And let’s be clear educational leadership did not create the problems we are currentSee MARKETING on page 29

Racism rears its ugly head in the Buffalo shootings

By JAMES B. EWERS JR., Ed.D. Racism is a longstanding social illness in the United States of America. Seemingly, there is no cure for it.

It has been with us for as long as I can remember. The result of it has created heartache and heartbreak.

Lives have been lost and it has left the stain of disgrace on this country. Accomplishments, it could be argued, are sometimes overshadowed by our blatant disregard for some members of our beloved community.

I know for sure that racism will be around for as long as I live. It has been a part of my life experiences.

Unfortunately, and I say this with no pride, I have witnessed racism up close and personal.

I have been around long enough to watch the many levels of racism that exist in this country.

For example, we have had educational racism. Segregated schools were the norm until the Brown v. the Board of Education of Topeka case ended it.

Did that stop us from getting an education? The answer is a resounding no!

Black colleges, now called Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), were founded in order that higher education was afforded to African Americans.

At this moment, HBCUs are the hottest and most talked about educational venue in the land.

Everybody wants to attend an HBCU. I am a graduate of an HBCU (Johnson C. Smith University) and I know the power and influence they have.

The right to vote has always been problematic for African Americans. It is a fundamental right for all Americans according to the Founding Fathers.

The problem is that the ‘current fathers’ don’t see it that way. Will that stop us?

The answer is another resounding no! African Americans are now voting in record numbers and that trend will continue.

There are states in this union that are creating trumped-up rules to keep us from exercising our privilege at the polls.

Now, some in this country have taken racism below ground zero. There are people in our states who hate Black people and want to kill us.

That is a powerful statement, yet it is factual and true.

Interestingly, there are citizens who believe the opposite.

I suspect their experiences are different and they live in an almost contactless America.

If you are one of those people, pay close attention now.

Racial tragedy struck Buffalo, New York on May 14.

Hate came up from the ground and reared its inhumane and immoral head.

Ten Black people were murdered by a white man who hated Black people.

It’s that simple and that sad.

Payton S. Gendron, 18 years old, was the shooter. He also injured three people as well during this shooting spree.

The victims were assaulted at a Tops Friendly Markets store and the victims ranged in ages from 20-86.

This crime of hate is unthinkable and was done with malicious intent.

The killer was not a Buffalo resident. He drove approximately 200 miles from Conklin, N.Y. to commit this heinous crime.

Gendron had already scouted out the place for his crime. He knew that many African Americans shopped at that location.

That is sick beyond words.

According to reports, Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said, “We found some things that show he was here in early March, and then again, we know he was here on Friday, basically doing reconnaissance on the area.” He added, “He was in the store both on Friday and Saturday.”

These statements were made by him to CNN’s Erin Burnett.

Payton S. Gendron surrendered to police after this lifealtering atrocity.

America, where are we headed? Only time will tell.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS O P I N I O

May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022 • 13 N

One of the largest cryptocurrencies is dead. Where do we go from here?

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

Plants, plants, plants CHRISTINA

GREER PH.D.

ARMSTRONG

WILLIAMS

A catastrophic cryptocurrency crash, one that many considered to be the largest in history, occurred after the fall of $UST, and an algorithmic stablecoin that was designed to keep a value of $1 fell to approximately $0.10. The value of its sister currency plummeted from approximately $90 to $0.002. This collapse simultaneously sent the prices of virtually every major cryptocurrency, and the digital assets that hold value in those major cryptocurrencies, such as certain nonfungible tokens, tumbling.

To understand why this occurred, we must first examine the ecosystem of cryptocurrencies from a macro perspective. Stablecoins are digital currencies that retain the value of a certain asset, typically fiat money—government-issued currency. As the United States dollar is the reserve currency for a significant number of countries, United States dollar stablecoins are often used by cryptocurrency investors to park funds in a non-volatile digital asset that can be quickly changed to a more volatile asset, such as Ether, among others. Accordingly, a person who earned $100,000 from a cryptocurrency transaction—or some other amount—might convert that cryptocurrency into a stablecoin pegged to the United States dollar as he waits for another investment opportunity.

The method by which stablecoins maintain their value is often relatively straightforward. The central authority that produces the stable coin will maintain capital reserves that enable the price of the stablecoin to equal one U.S. dollar, as well as additional funds in case the price falls below $1.00. So, if there are 100,000 stablecoins, there should theoretically be $100,000 in reserves. In actuality, the vast majority of stablecoins are valued slightly less than $1, albeit often within a thousandth of a penny.

$UST, the token that catastrophically failed, operated differently.

It was intended to solve the problem of having a centralized authority inside a decentralized ecosystem, i.e., if the centralized authority collapsed, so would the decentralized money, thus undermining the objective of investing in a decentralized asset. In the same spirit, there is a lack of capital reserve transparency, which is important for cryptocurrency. Thus, $UST algorithmically tied its price to the U.S. dollar by using a mechanism that incentivized arbitrage and the issuance and destruction of tokens.

By doing so, there was both transparency and decentralization; any transaction that influenced the price was accessible to any individual, and no centralized authority could go bankrupt, mismanage their funds, or harm investors.

However, there was a significant problem with this, one which had been anticipated for some time.

One of the major conspiracies that has received the most attention for causing the crash is that a cryptocurrency wallet sold $350 million worth of $UST, causing panic that would have prompted the Luna Foundation Guard—the organization that holds Bitcoin reserves that it uses to support the price of $UST in the event of a crash—to expend $3 billion worth of Bitcoin in an attempt to save the stablecoin. This did occur, and if it were true that the attacker predicted this, as the conspiracy suggests, they would have earned a profit of almost $800 million from their short position on Bitcoin, as $3 billion worth of Bitcoin was sold at once, causing the price to crash.

As we can see, this is how the intricate network of cryptocurrencies is interconnected. Since Bitcoin is the most popular and trustworthy cryptocurrency, a drop in its price often leads to

a crash in the prices of all other cryptocurrencies. In fact, the majority of prominent cryptocurrencies have a price correlation with Bitcoin of at least 90%. In other words, if Bitcoin collapses, most major cryptocurrencies collapse as well.

The collapse of $UST took out the life savings of many who had placed the majority of their wealth in this dependable currency. This is a tragic lesson in ineffective investment management; never place all of your eggs in a single basket.

In sum, digital assets worth $42 billion were virtually wiped away.

The remaining mystery is who did it? And how will they be held accountable? The United States government, as well as governments throughout the globe, have been far too hands-off when it comes to regulating digital assets such as $UST. They have permitted an apocalypse to unfold, which has resulted in the destruction of numerous lives and the portfolios of countless investors. There have been trillions of dollars invested in cryptocurrencies, but nobody seems willing to say “enough is enough” and create the necessary regulations to ensure adequate innovation in the digital asset space and sufficient checks, balances, and accountability for those who create and invest in digital assets.

A rescue plan must be implemented to repay people who lost fortunes in the collapse of the $UST. Many proposals have been made, and it seems there is hope for people who have lost so much. Yet, the question remains: where do we go from here?

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

I don’t know about you, but this time of year I am always exhausted. It is the end of my academic year, and my body feels like it has held on for me to cross the finish line and close out the semester. As tired as I am at the end of May, I am also filled with a sense of renewal. As I see the flowers begin to bloom and leaves appear on the trees, I am reminded of the beautiful cycle of life, of beginnings and endings, life and death, and the emergence from darkness into days filled with light.

In many ways my thoughts about our democracy feel like the changing of the seasons, filled with dark days that never last forever, but exist, nonetheless. Right now, it feels like we are in a political winter with our rights and civil liberties entering a fallow and desolate time. That indeed may be true as Republican legislators attempt to roll back a woman’s right to choose, aid to young children and mothers, environmental protections, and so much more. However, I must remind myself that American democracy has always ebbed and flowed, experienced progress and regress, and blossomed, died, and was born anew several times already.

I find myself looking to my plants to help me process this cycle of growth, death, and blossoming. I don’t have a green thumb like my mother (yet), but as I try to keep my plants alive, I am reminded of the importance of remembering how we are all interconnected as human beings, how we are connected to the earth and

the living plant matter that surrounds us, and the simple joys around us on a daily basis.

I recently started reading “Lessons from Plants”

by Dr. Beronda L. Montgomery (Harvard University Press, 2021). This book explores “how we might improve human society by better appreciating not just what plants give us but also how they achieve their own purposes.” This book has changed my life for the better in a time when we need to be reminded of how we are interconnected and serve a higher purpose than ourselves, how we must continue to work together to survive, and the necessity for transformation in order to not just survive but thrive.

I have written about the transformative power of nature in the past, but “Lessons from Plants” articulates this theory in an accessible way that invites the reader in to learn more and do more. It is nature that continues to sooth and save me from the dark days we have recently experienced in Buffalo and beyond.

So, what are you doing in this moment to stay grounded and remember that the ebbs and flows of this country and this life are part of a cycle in which we are intricately connected? Whatever it is, let nature be your guide.

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

14 • May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Health City launches new mental health treatment pilot ‘CONNECT’ The Health Department and the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health recently announced the launch of an innovative model of mental health treatment called Continuous Engagement between Community and Clinic Treatment, or CONNECT. This new model looks to bridge gaps in the mental healthcare system, move beyond the traditional clinic role, center collaboration with communities, and be responsive to the root causes of mental health challenges.

“New Yorkers struggling with their mental health deserve compassion and support, which is exactly what CONNECT provides,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “The city is constantly innovating to provide the best possible care for New Yorkers who need it the most and CONNECT will center communities in care and bridge gaps, making sure that more New Yorkers will get the help that they need and don't fall between the cracks of the system.”

“Mental health is deeply intertwined with social needs like housing instability, and food and income insecurity—which demands a whole-person approach to support people experiencing mental illness.

In addition to access to high-quality, culturally competent community mental health care and support, we must address the social and economic drivers that worsen mental health. CONNECT lowers barriers to care, meets people where they are, and supports their social and behavioral health needs in lock-step by connecting people to care and supports that reflect them as a person, not just a patient,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “The Health Department is committed to compassionate and dignified care and support for people experiencing mental illness, and to promoting health equity through everything we do to improve mental health and wellbeing.”

“It can be difficult for someone to address their mental health needs if they are worrying about how they will eat that day, or where they will sleep that night,” said Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner of Mental Hygiene Dr. Michael McRae. “CON-

NECT aims to be responsive to individual and community-level needs, beyond what we may traditionally think of as mental health care.”

“As we move towards recovery, bringing mental health care to every New Yorker has never been more urgent,” said Tina Chiu and Jason Hansman, co-acting directors of the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health. “Individuals experience mental health challenges wherever they are, including non-clinical settings. The CONNECT model will allow people who struggle with serious mental illness to receive treatment and support in the communities they know and trust. Building on other innovative programs such as Intensive Mobile Treatment (IMT) teams, CONNECT will also bridge an important gap in care by offering a step-down from mobile and intensive treatment services to community-centered services.”

Nine clinic sites in high-need areas throughout The Bronx, Manhattan, and Brooklyn have been identified for this pilot and are currently accepting referrals.

Once at full scale, CONNECT will serve up to 900 new clients, and will broaden the spectrum of services for everyone who receives mental health services at the clinics.

CONNECT works to directly address health inequities within communities, responding to social factors that can negatively impact mental health, such as involvement with the justice system or housing insecurity. For example, based on community needs, some clinics may have a legal clinic available a couple of times a week, while others might establish connections with existing community-based services such as legal advocacy, housing assistance, employment service providers or food pantries.

Unique to this model, each clinic will have a full-time community liaison on that staff that will establish an ongoing relationship between the clinic and its community and identify behavioral health priorities and solutions. Examples of these solutions can include provid-

ing walk-in services throughout the day, facilitating referrals and access for justice-involved people, and immediate admission to the clinic for people stepping down from more intensive treatment services.

CONNECT clinics will provide virtual services as well as on-site and off-site services. Based on community feedback and assessment of needs, CONNECT programs may also offer individual and group interventions at nontraditional settings, such as soup kitchens.

Peers will participate in the program providing engagement and navigation through health, mental health, and social services for people, on and off site. Providing this level of support helps aid and promote continuity of services, preventing people from falling through the cracks while referred between systems.

“Henry Street Settlement, a long-time mental health care provider on the Lower East Side, is seeing firsthand the mental health crisis on the Lower East Side and throughout the city,” said David Garza, president and CEO of Henry Street Settlement. “The psychological toll of the pandemic on mental health—from isolation and grief to job loss to disruptions in care—has been dramatic for many, but particularly for lower-income New Yorkers who lack access to services and for those with serious mental illness, legal involvement and needing crisis services.

The promise of CONNECT to meet people where they are—on the street, in their homes, in our offices or elsewhere—and connect them to a wide range of supports gives us tremendous opportunities to reach Lower East Side residents who are in great need of mental health care. We’re pleased to be one of New York City’s CONNECT providers.”

“We are thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking initiative which will help us deliver much-needed care to the communities we serve.

Health care is a human right, and that includes comprehensive, culturally-competent mental health care,” said Elika Nerette, director of Community-Based Behavioral Health Services, Housing Works.

Mount Sinai addresses COVIDrelated decline in mammogram screenings Prolonged delays in breast cancer screening related to the COVID-19 pandemic have led to delayed diagnosis, poor health outcomes, and an increase in disparities. To address this, Mount Sinai Health System has launched “Mammogram May” to empower women to take charge of their breast health by scheduling an annual mammogram.

The goals of the campaign are to raise awareness of the importance of mammography in early breast cancer detection and treatment, and to address a decline in breast screenings worsened by the pandemic. Mount Sinai, one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, kicked off the campaign with the help of iHeartRadio DJ Shelli Sonstein on Sunday, May 22.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women, and one in eight are expected to develop the disease at some point in their lives. Regular mammograms are vital to the early detection of breast cancer, especially when there are no physical symptoms. Data published last year in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute indicate an increase in mammogram bookings since a near-complete halt in March 2020 but it is unclear whether the rates have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, bookings among Asian and Hispanic women remain low.

“Our goal is to save lives, and this campaign will provide important messages and reminders to women: don’t put your health on hold, and take charge of your breast health,” said Elisa R. Port, MD, chief of breast surgery and director of the Dubin Breast Center at The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai. “We know early detection is a powerful tool to prevent advanced disease and death, and we hope all women and those who love them will be empowered to put their health first. Mammogram May is the start of a year-long effort to change behaviors and increase awareness. Every month after May leading up to Breast Cancer Awareness Month [in Octo-

ber], we will share health tips and reminders to schedule your mammograms. We hope other organizations will join us in this effort.”

The Dubin Breast Center offers integrated, compassionate care for every phase of breast health, from prevention and diagnostics to surgery and post-treatment support. Using advanced diagnostic technology such as 3D mammography, a low-dose digital approach, Mount Sinai radiologists are able to achieve better imaging and thus detection of breast cancer than using traditional mammography. Mount Sinai radiologists also use additional diagnostic technologies such as breast magnetic resonance imaging and image-guided biopsies, when needed, for successful detection. Therapeutic approaches are customized for each patient based on the specific characteristics of the cancer, risk factors, and personal preferences.

Mount Sinai is also addressing mammogram awareness and access to screening through the Mount Sinai Mammo Van, a mobile mammography program that is bringing 3D mammography to women ages 40 to 75 in all five New York City boroughs each month. The unit’s next stop is at a Harlem health fair at 2239 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. on Tuesday, May 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To learn about screening events in your community, visit https:// www.mountsinai.org/care/radiology/services/mobile-mammography/screening-events.

The Dubin Breast Center will host its annual Fact vs. Fiction Luncheon and Symposium at The Harmonie Club, 4 East 60th Street, on Wednesday, June 1, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. The event will be moderated by Dr. Port and will bring together thought leaders and experts in women’s health from across the Mount Sinai Health System.

For more information,email FvsF@eventassociatesinc.com.

For more information or to schedule your annual mammogram call 212-241-8333 or visit www.mountsinai.org/mammogrammay. Follow on social and use the hashtag #MammogramMay.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Eyewear company pays homage to the African, Caribbean, and Latin diaspora

By STEPHON JOHNSON Amsterdam News Staff Nancy Harris and Tracy Green are here to help you see…and look good in the process.

The co-founders of an African American owned eyewear company, Vontelle, LLC, want to address the lack of available options for eyeglass frames for anyone who isn’t white.

These two Black women have entered the luxury eyewear space. Why? A necessity that the major companies miss through their assumption of universality of all people in shapes and in size.

That includes the shape of the face.

“This whole thing started because we lost our glasses within months of each other,” said Green. “And I said to Nancy, I’m just taking glasses that look the same and they hurt. And you know, glasses are not made for us, right? They’re not made by African Americans and Hispanics. But we realized once we got into the market, and we’re going into our third year down, two years online.

“In our third year with the concept, [we realized] that it’s not just for African Americans and Hispanics,” Green said. “We have Japanese, we have Indians, we have anyone who has different proportions of their face, right? Some people have rounder faces, larger, those [with] smaller bridges. All glasses don’t fit everyone so you’re having a hard time finding glasses that fit.”

Some of those designs you can find on their website, vontelle.com.

Their eyewear attracted some well-known entities when they partnered with ViacomCBS to design Nickelodeon-themed eyewear.

“When I initially applied [for the initiative], we were in need of fund-

ing for our Nickelodeon children’s line,” explained Harris. “We received a licensing agreement in June of 2021, which is fabulous, so that that licensing deal allows us to start a children’s line. And with that children’s line, we realized that ‘okay, this is great, and they’re giving us this wonderful opportunity, but we need funding to make sure that we can pull it off.

Harris saw the grant application for the Famous Amos Ingredients for Success Entrepreneurs Initiative and virtually waved Green over. “I saw the thing as a grant and I saw the qualifications, and we fit the bill 100%,” said Harris. “I had a very strong feeling that we would be finalists, and when we actually were, I called Tracy up. I call her for every little success that we get.

It doesn’t matter what it is.

And I said we’re finalists, but the thing is Tracy and I have been prepared for this moment in time. And Tracy used to be a grant writer. She was a former CFO of a hospital system.

So she taught me how to handle and manage these grants because she was doing a lot of grant applications and she had some burnout.”

Their talents didn’t just extend to their ability to obtain grants.

“So we were lucky enough to be in the right rooms,” said Green.

“I’ll say this: COVID has caused havoc, but it’s also created virtual meetings and virtual meetings mean people are inviting you to everything and Nancy was very adamant to come and introduce ourselves to people everywhere we went. We’re new. We are a new eyewear brand. We’re doing this, we’re doing that and we tried to introduce ourselves, and we were in the right rooms at the right time.

“And we actually met

our mentor in that room at that meeting,” continued Green. “At a virtual meeting, we met Nickelodeon, Viacom, CBS group and they loved our glasses. They loved the fact that we have patterns and designs.”

One of those designs includes a kente cloth pattern on a frame.

“They thought that we were funky and that we can do children’s glasses.”

Eyewear has become just as much of a fashion statement as shirts, pants, sneakers, and suits.

The design of a frame can determine the perception from the outside. The design you wear can be an expression of your personality. Green and Harris understand this.

A spokesperson for Famous Amos said it always is, and will continue to be, a champion of Black entrepreneurship.

“We established the Famous Amos Ingredients for Success Entrepreneurs Initiative to support Black businesses and to honor the legacy of the brand’s founder, Mr. Wally Amos,” said Rachna Patel, senior director of marketing for Famous Amos. “In addition to the grants Famous Amos awards, we feel it is equally important to offer resources such as mentorship, coaching, and networking, which are provided by our community partner, the National Black Chamber of Commerce.”

What happened with Vontelle, LLC can happen to other Black businesses, too.

The second application cycle for the Famous Amos Ingredients for Success Entrepreneurs Initiative starts on May 19 and ends on June 26 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Eligible businesses must be Blackowned and in operation for five years or less.

You can apply at famousamosingredientsforsuccess.info.

May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022 • 15

IT’S ALMOST COOKOUT SEASON.

ARE YOU READY?

New Testament Temple 3350-56 Seymour Ave., Bronx, NY 10469 Abyssinian Baptist Church 132 W 138th St., New York, NY 10030 First Central Baptist Church 117 Wright St., Staten Island, NY 10304 Union Grove Baptist Church 1488 Hoe Ave., Bronx, NY 10460 God's Battalion of Prayer 661 Linden Blvd., Brooklyn, NY 11203 Mount Pisgah Baptist Church 760 DeKalb Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11207

Bronx Christian Fellowship Baptist Church 1015 Gunhill Rd., Bronx, NY 10469 St. Paul Community Baptist Church 859 Hendrix St., Brooklyn, NY 11207 Cornerstone Baptist Church 574 Madison St., Brooklyn, NY 11221 Christ Fellowship Baptist Church 5 Sumpter St., Brooklyn, NY 11233 Visit ChooseHealthyLife.org to find a vaccine site near you.

16 • May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Caribbean Update

Desperate Caricom vows to grow more food, import less

By BERT WILKINSON Special to the AmNews

have the largest land areas with extremely small populations relative to land Not for the first time in areas, and are therefore recent years have Caribbe- the focus of the grow more an Community leaders ex- food campaign. pressed horror at the $5 billion annual tab the region spends on imported food, but for most of them the bill is so bizarre they have vowed to put the ‘knife’ on it going forward.

The pledge to grow more food in the 15-nation bloc, buy more from each other, cut out unhealthy imports, and improve air and sea transportation as well as reduce trade barriers, came at the end of a week-long special agricultural summit held in bloc headquarters at Guyana in the past week.

Seven leaders and many “We have been talking country delegation heads and talking, but the opporattended the summit, which tunities simply have not had also included field visits been there,” said Barbadian and an exposition show- Prime Minister Mia Mottley. casing products, success- “I think that the urgency of ful experiments with crops, what we have been facing and other developments in with inflation, particularly the sector. as it relates to food, means Guyana, neighboring Su- that everybody knows that riname, Belize, and Jamai- we got to get on board, and ca to a lesser extent are the get this right. We hope that regional agricultural pow- the next heads of governerhouses, as these four ment meeting [in July] we

can go and sit down without all of the fanfares, without all of the frills, and just attack the top barriers and present a clear framework to take the top 10 items that

from the U.S. and Europe.

The Bahamas, for example, even buys cucumbers from Florida. It produces less than 1% of its food needs, said Deputy Prime Minister

tropical varieties to determine suitability. Agricultural Minister Zulfi Mustapha says he believes that wheat can be grown in the higher regions in the southwest

“The ambitious plan is to encourage both the state and private sectors to establish mega farms in the larger member nations and produce crops which can be grown in the region rather than import them from the U.S. and Europe.” we want to be able to have total capacity to produce without importing, and we are hoping to do that in terms of industrial policy too,” Mottley said.

The ambitious plan is to encourage both the state and private sectors to establish mega farms in the larger member nations and produce crops which can be grown in the region rather than import them

Isaac Cooper.

Stung by global price increases for flour and related products, Guyana for example, recently announced a collaboration with Mexico to test the possibility of growing wheat in the yearround steamy hot tropical weather as a means to significantly reduce its import bill and dependence on global availability.

Experts are looking at 15

near Brazil because, for long periods in the day, “The place is still foggy and cold so that is an area we have to look at.”

The regional aim is to cut the bill by 25% by 2025, the leaders say.

Meanwhile, Guyana and Trinidad are mulling the establishment of a cargopassenger ferry which will serve to boost food exports and production as poor

transportation facilities have been cited as a major impediment to intraregional trade.

Additionally, Guyana and Barbados are planning to establish a food terminal, most likely in Barbados, that would make it easier to manage exports and production.

“We got to perfect the logistics, and we believe that the investment in the Guyana/Barbados food terminal will be critical.

We have the plans and the numbers we are working on,” Mottley said.

In the summit’s communique, the leaders noted “with great concern that Caricom states continue to be deeply impacted by a dramatic increase in the cost of food, exposing still further the region’s food insecurity due to its vulnerability to external influences and the impact of climate change.

The group recognized that states have the capacity to attain a high level of food security for the community as a whole provided that urgent action is taken to effectively implement necessary actions.”

Immigrants are creating, not taking away jobs FELICIA PERSAUD

IMMIGRATION KORNER Immigrants are not taking away jobs from Americans but creating their own firms and jobs and expanding labor supply.

That’s according to a new study co-authored by a MIT economist, titled “Immigration and Entrepreneurship in the United States.”

The paper appears in the spring issue of American Economic Review: Insights and is written by Pierre Azoulay, an economist at the MIT Sloan School of Manage-

ment as well as Benjamin Jones, the Gordon and Llura Gund professor of entrepreneurship and a professor of strategy at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management; J. Daniel Kim PhD ’20, an assistant professor of management at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School; and Javier Miranda, a principal economist at the U.S. Census Bureau.

It found that immigrants are 80% more likely to start a business than people born in the U.S. The new research found that per capita, foreign-born residents started more businesses of all sizes. The

study’s results are in keeping with findings in previous research.

“Immigrants, relative to natives and relative to their share of the population, found more firms of every size,” says Azoulay.

Taking firm creation into account, the results indicate that immigration to the U.S. is associated with a net gain in job availability, contrary to the common perception that immigrants fill jobs that U.S.-born workers would otherwise have.

The authors examined three types of data sources using U.S. Census Bureau data and tax records for all new firms founded in the

U.S. from 2005 through 2010, a total of 1.02 million businesses. This allowed them to study firm creation and job growth in those companies over a five-year period.

The research team examined the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Business Owners from 2012, a periodic survey with data covering 200,000 businesses and including data about the owners. This allowed the scholars to expand the study’s time period and include many larger firms.

However, many of the largest companies in the U.S. do not respond to the Survey of Business Owners. For this reason,

the research team also analyzed the 2017 Fortune 500, identifying the citizenship and immigration status of founders of 449 of those companies.

Ultimately, the study showed that 0.83% of immigrants to the U.S. founded a firm from 2005 to 2010, while 0.46% of native-born U.S. citizens founded a firm in that time. That disparity—the 80% higher rate of firm founding—also held up among firms founded before 2005.

“Immigrants found more firms in every bucket,” Azoulay says. “They create more firms, they create more small firms, they

create more medium-size firms, they create more large firms.” He adds: “It’s not the case that [immigrants] only create growth-oriented startups.

It’s not the case they just create subsistence businesses. They create all kinds of businesses, and they create a lot of them.”

Azoulay emphasizes that the study, focused on the empirical facts about business creation and does not explain why immigrants tend to found firms more often.

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

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Arts & Entertainment Dance pg 17 | Film/TV pg 18 | Travel pg 19 | Jazz pg 23

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DanceAfrica 2022 : Homegrown and live

By ZITA ALLEN Special to the AmNews DanceAfrica, the nation’s largest annual celebration of African Diasporic dance, music and culture, returns LIVE to the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Howard Gilman Opera House after having been moved online for the last couple of years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And, while the celebration’s continued online presence enjoyed a massive international viewership, Artistic Director Abdel R. Salaam says there is nothing like the thrill of seeing this celebration in-person as he announced upcoming performances at BAM on Friday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 28 at 2 p.m. & 7 p.m.; Sunday, May 29 at 3 p.m.; Monday, May 30 at 3 p.m..

This year, Salaam says, under the banner DanceAfrica 2022: HOMEGROWN, dancers, drummers, and musicians from five “homegrown companies take the stage with programs featuring their vision of traditional African dances and music forms of Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, and the Caribbean, supported by Arkestra Africa.”

The impressive line-up includes the Brooklyn-based Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater, which last brought its explosive African dance and drum performances to DanceAfrica in 2017, the Bronx-based Bambara Drum and Dance Ensemble bringing its highoctane performance to the festival for the sixth time, along with Washington, D.C.’s critically acclaimed percussion orchestra and dance ensemble Farafina Kan, which shares the history and spirit of traditional West African drumming and dancing, blended with contemporary music. Rounding out this impressive

Dancers and musicians of Harambee Dance Company from the Bronx (© 2013 Jack Vartoogian/FrontRowPhotos. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

roster are two other New York City-based companies, Harambe Dance Company, whose movement, modern dance forms, and live percussion reflect the majesty of the African diaspora, and the LaRocque Bey School of Dance, the oldest African dance school in the U.S., which will showcase its dynamic fusion of dance forms. Of course, there will also be performances by DanceAfrica’s Spirit Walkers and the BAM RestorationArt Dance Youth Ensemble, celebrating their 25th anniversary as an integral component of the Festival.

Baba Abdel Salaam’s history with this BAM-hosted, enduring traditional, cultural celebration dates back to Day One in 1977 when Baba Chuck Davis conceived of this iconic celebration of the culture of the African diaspora. Describing the time when DanceAfrica was launched, Salaam recalls a period of tremendous energy and sense of empowerment. In 1977, artists, activists and intellectuals from all over the U.S. and, indeed, the world, descended on the African continent to attend the International Festival of Black and African Arts in Lagos, Nigeria called FESTAC dedicated to honoring their “roots” and repairing the damage done by the trans-

BAM Restoration Dance Youth Ensemble (© Richard Termine photo)

DanceAfrica Spirit Walkers (Tony Turner photo)

Abdel R. Salaam during DanceAfrica 2019 (Julieta Cervantes photo)

atlantic slave trade. “That year,” Salaam says, “the Chuck Davis Dance Company was among those artists who came together to celebrate the gifts of dance, music, theater, poetry, and more our people have given to the world. It was a time of self-empowerment and a moment of exaltation.”

It was also an effort to unify African people along the diaspora in a way that had not been done before and in that spirit, when the Chuck Davis company returned, Davis and his then-manager the late Bess Pruitt approached BAM Director Harvey Lichtenstein with a suggestion. BAM had successfully presented the Chuck Davis Dance Company, now Davis suggested BAM present a group of his “brother and sister companies that do the same thing we do but do it in a different way” under an umbrella to

be called DanceAfrica. Lichtenstein agreed and, Salaam says, in 1978 you have the first time that BAM worked with Davis to lift up the spirit of the African Americans’ celebration of African dance, music and rhythm.

Clearly it was an idea whose time had come as 1977 was also the year that the blockbuster TV series “Roots,” highlighting African American writer Alex Haley’s iconic journey in search of his own African heritage, struck a chord with millions. Salaam says, “So, you’ve got FESTAC, you’ve got “Roots” and also, that same year the Chuck Davis Dance Company appeared on a Richard Pryor NBC-TV special making it the first presentation of an African dance company on a major television network.” It was a perfect era in which to launch DanceAfrica’s first

program featuring five African dance companies—the Charles Moore company, Arthur Hall from Philadelphia, Nana Dinizulu African Dancers and Drummers, the International AfrikanAmerican Dance Company, along with Davis’ own.

Needless to say DanceAfrica was a tremendous success then and continues to be so 45 years later. While those initial years featured homegrown African dance companies, it wasn’t long before the roster included dynamic presentations by companies from the entire diaspora.

“Now,” Salaam says, “45 years later the DanceAfrica Festival’s appeal has become an exalted presentation of companies from around the world. More than 90 dance troupes from more than 15 nations have participated in this annual

showcase, including companies from Ivory Coast, Congo, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zaire, Benin, Uganda, Ghana, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Peru, Zambia, Madagascar, Senegal, and the U.S. This year, after talking with many in our community, we decided it was time to take us back to the roots of DanceAfrica and the realization that we were a people united via a vast African diaspora and this is how African Americans celebrate and honor that, which is why we’re calling this year’s Festival, DanceAfrica 2022: HOMEGROWN.” Of course, as many Festival devotees know, in addition to the thrilling performances, DanceAfrica includes a popular outdoor Bazaar with over 150 vendors offering crafts, food, and fashion, a film series at BAM Rose Cinemas, dance classes and panel discussions, including a Choreographer’s Conversation, and a dance party with live music, at BAMcafe. Salaam says that while the pandemic changed the nature of the Festival for a minute as it pivoted in 2020 to its first online DanceAfrica celebration attracting a record-breaking audience from some 23 countries, it’s good to be back live and in-person.

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‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’—a place for happy endings!

By MARGRIRA Special to the AmNews There is something oddly soothing about dropping into Julian Fellowes’ period world of Downton Abbey, and in their new adventure the modern world arrives and there’s nothing they can do to stop it.

“Downton Abbey: A New Era” is the second film version of the popular series.

The new era is circa 1930s England, and everyone at Downton seems happy.

We attend the wedding of once-chauffeur, widowed Tom Branson (Allen Leech) and Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton) which makes you smile.

In the first film after the royal visit, all of the storylines were neatly wrapped up, so the move to take the characters and story to the South of France was inspired. And what would make them journey to the South of France? An unexpected inheritance given to Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham (Dame Maggie Smith).

And in England, Hollywood comes to Downton with the arrival of the British Lion studio, director Jack Barber (Hugh Dancy), and movie star Myrna Dalgleish (Laura Haddock). Most of the families are excited by the concept of having a movie filmed in their homes and receiving the money, and it’s a big step but they are determined to enter the 1930s with their heads held high.

It’s interesting to see the history of films being played out in this film, examining the awkwardness of movies moving from silent films to talkies, and the discussion of whose face can sell movie tickets but whose vocal talents might not. Myrna Dalgleish is the actress in question and when she enters a room, she brings the muchneeded laughter. And it’s fun watching how talkies were made using real-time foley and voice-over work performed live.

Naturally, moving for-

“Downton Abbey: A New Era” (Courtesy photos)

ward in time has never been something the Dowager Countess (Dame Maggie Smith) has embraced, and having the future in her space drives her to distraction.

In “Downton Abbey: A New Era” we see the rise of Lady Mary Talbot (Michelle Dockery) who will be running Downton. The feud between her and her sister Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) seems to have stopped, and Mary’s husband is absent (again) but motherhood seems to agree with her.

But what makes “Downton Abbey: A New Era” interesting (and enjoyable) is how it paints pure fantasy. There is very little passion in this film. It’s frustrating how we don’t get to see the gay butler Thomas Barrow (Robert James-Collier) and film star Guy Dexter (Dominic West) move into something more interesting. But if you are a fan of the series then this film “Downton Abbey: A New Era” is a strong closing of the chapter of these beloved characters.

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9-year-old Austin Elle Fisher shines in Broadway’s ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ Austin Elle Fisher, Titus Landegger, Analise Scarpaci, Jenn Gambatese and Rob McClure in “Mrs. Doubtfire” (Joan Marcus photo)

By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews It is always amazing to me to see non-traditional casting alive and well on Broadway, and that is what is happening currently in the Broadway musical “Mrs. Doubtfire,” playing at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre at 124 W. 43rd Street, only through May 29. Yes, 9-year-old, New Jersey native actress Austin Elle Fisher plays little Natalie Hillard in the musical comedy. Although the rest of the marvelous cast of family members—Rob McClure (Daniel Hillard), Jenn Gambatese (Miranda Hillard), Analise Scar-

paci (Lydia Hillard) and Titus Landegger (Christopher Hillard)—are white, Fisher completely just fits in. When she is on the stage you don’t see color, you just see the energy, spirit and charm of a delightful, engaging young actress.

Fisher recently sat down to speak with the AmNews about what it’s like to be in “Mrs. Doubtfire.”

“It’s honestly really fun because everyone can connect. It feels like we are a real family,” Fisher exclaimed.

Explaining how she got considered for the role and what followed, this engaging child said, “When I got the audition, I got it because

the original cast Natalie and Christopher had gotten too old to do the show. For the first two days of rehearsal, I could not make it, I was in Long Island filming something else. I made it Wednesday, so I had a private session and went over things.

Then the other kids came in and we did it all together, we learned staging and how to say things, the secret is just practice, practice, practice.”

Watching Fisher on stage, she looks like she is having so much fun. And while she admits that that is what is happening, she shared, “But it can be intense, because you have to do things at certain

times. It is scripted and you have to do things certain ways and at times, but you can still say it in a different way with a different emotion.”

Talking about her training to get to where she is at her young age, Fisher said, “Training—I started at the Prep in New Jersey last year. I take acting and vocal lessons. I want to be an actress, because I like the way that even though it’s scripted, you can feel different emotions and express yourself in different ways. When I was 4 or 5 I was acting, but I didn’t get anything super big. I was doing background work. I didn’t have an agent. My mom asked

me if I wanted to do this.

I said yes and I got a manager and an agent. This made me so, this is what I like to do and I’m going to keep doing it for a while.”

Kristi Fisher, Austin’s mother, was also on hand and spoke of what she saw in her child. “She started dancing at the age of 2 and was competing at age 3 and I could see a joy even at that young age. She was just up there shining and enjoying it. We talked about it and I wanted to make sure it was something she really wanted to do. I’m checking all the time to ask if she wants to do it. I want her to love it and she does. I can see the pure joy on her face in

‘Mrs. Doubtfire.’ I love it.

I tell her it’s a Black joy.”

Looking at Fisher’s plans after this production, her mother shared, “She’s working on a small part in a series for a major screening service. The show is closing abruptly, so she gets a break. Then we’ll see. I try to find a balance between her performing life and still her being a regular 9-year-old kid.”

Before the show closes on May 29, Fisher hopes people come out: “It’s really funny. If you see it and you’re feeling sad it will always be that type of show that can cheer you up,” Fisher proclaimed.

For more info, visit www. mrsdoubtfirebroadway.com

20 • May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022

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HOROSCOPES BY KNOWYOURNUMB3RS

By GODDESS KYA

May 26, 2022 — June 1, 2022 Rebirth of a New Nation: Hypothetically, if the divine Creator judged your home from the inside, its cleanliness, and how well it is maintained, what kind of grade, on a scale of 1 to 10 will the Divine Creator rate you? More importantly, how do you rate yourself right now? Take a moment and look around your home. Do you approve of your circumstances, and can you improve the way you operate? Knock off the dust, mop the floors, clean the walls, organize your cabinets and bookshelves, and thoroughly clean so the Divine Creator can have a seat on your couch or a meal at your dinner table. What’s the aroma in your home? Is it pleasant and inviting, or does itVinateria run your company away? What’s the report on the maintenance of your health? When was your last check-up, or follow-up with your physician? Check in on family, friends, neighbors, etc. “It’s not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” Charles Darwin

Kick off this week with the expectation of phenomenal changes within your craft, especially since the sun is beaming twice the information as proof of its imminence. Relax, as the movie is playing out as Capricorn it is written in the stars, as above is occurring below. A spiritual meetDec 22 ing of conversations and memories is playing out in your mind, recallJan 21 ing those childhood memories as a tool to steer you on your journey.

The lesson learned this week is fortunate and with precise timing. On the 27th through the 28th listen very closely.

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Cancer June 22 July 23

This month puts you to work as faking it is not going to pull you through.

Your commitment, strength, determination, and ability to see it through are what help you overcome any adversities standing in your way. Find a way to address it and uplift you in your endeavors. The path to where you’re going only gets easier as you become less resistant to what you need to let go of. You can expect a positive and fruitful turnout this week.

June 1st-2nd suggest pulling your own weight and paying your own way.

Loving yourself makes all the difference in the world. When you love yourYour character this week determines your work and how you present self, the love from within reflects on the outside. Your light shines brighter, yourself to bring people and resources to you. Integrity is key. When you attracting like-minded souls and individuals to you. Semi-legal matters, conLeo say you’ll do something, and don’t follow through as an exchange, the unitracts, paperwork, and meeting up with people forms a new agenda. ChangJuly 24 Aquarius verse steps in to play its role. Watch how you treat others, as things may Aug 23 ing one word in a conversation, or even a letter, makes a difference. Our word Jan 22 Feb 19 show up later unexpectedly. There’s no need to ask why. You already know is our bond. It’s bonded to our actions. The 25th-26th you’ll see the value in the answers. Balance your work and be sure you’re doing it for yourself this your daily affairs and partnerships, especially the one with yourself. week. Around the 29th-31st, expect to hold yourself accountable due to that fact that it’s a productive cycle to implement new concepts and strategies to your work ethics.

Hard-knock lessons and life’s experiences are what make you more grateful for the journey, particularly in a special way. The storm, hurricane, blizzard, volcanic erupYou feel the change to release, let go and let it flow. Don’t fight it, intion, wildfire, the sun shining, and rain are all part of the life process.We as humans see Virgo stead deep down is a burning desire within steering you in a new direcit playing out in many different forms.When you cry or are on fire with a new concept, Aug 24 tion. Don’t allow being overly comfortable to hold you back and keep or on a roll, you’re hot.When someone transitions, we grieve which is releasing tears, Sept 23 Pisces you stagnated. Just as people accept Christ in their life, what are you acand memories of a life lived, and so on.The purpose of life is for living, and the details, Feb 20 cepting in your life that will exonerate you and propel you to push for- experiences, signs, imaging, and dreams will show you the way. The 27th-28th allow what’s inside to be Mar 20 ward to the next mission? June 1st-2nd be guided by the winds to direct released to make it a project or teachable moment to pass down to the next generations. and order your next steps freely with ease.

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This cycle month and week the tradition of history has a purpose, with a When you love what you do your passions will expedite and promote commitment for a reason to catch errors, mistakes, or unnecessary circumyou in ways traveling like a globetrotter. Your profession is in demand stances that you don’t have to engage in. It’s a bond or link to your wealth due Libra as well as family obligations. Be sure to balance your schedule with folto any turbulence or turmoil to reach the triumphant side of your mission. It Sept 24 Aries Oct 23 low-ups, and only commit to what you’re going to do. This month was serves as a form of protection that keeps the bloodlines strong and active, leadMar 21 slow, yet this week is the time to reap the rewards as a preview of what’s ing to a destination of passing down seeds of life for the growth and developApr 21 to come. The 25th-26th close your eyes and listen with your heart where ment of human evolution. Learn to be the self-master of your craft, which is the assignment to it’s guiding and showing you. pass on to generations after you. Teach all you can and know while experiencing the experiences of living in the physical body on earth. The 29th-31st, watch and learn.

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The theme, “go hard or go home” is the term for you this cycle week.

Your work-life picks up rapidly and so do your finances accordingly.

Duty to the home and family obligations, with work on demand or taking Where your focus goes, so does energy, bringing in more resources and a pause, are the cycles that need to be addressed. The matriarch of the family Taurus people who need your services. It’s a magical week as you take the lead steps in to aid in family responsibilities. This week it’s vital you pay close atApr 22 Scorpio as a speaker, teacher, mentor, spiritual guru, freedom rider, etc., is all in tention as the divine Creator is making its move. Matters of the heart and May 21 Oct 24 Nov 22 the making. Also, landing big clients. You’re in the spotlight. The 27thhome are heard, and the members of the council step in to assist with the 28th, you can expect some form of achievement, rewards, gifts, or recognition adorder of the process to fulfill its duty. This is a great week to showcase your dressed to you as a way of thanking you. work or outreach within your communities by roundtables, phone calls, door to door, in an old-school fashion. June 1st-2nd there’s no rhyme nor reason in the universe.

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Partnerships are a three-way street. You look left, right, then straight ahead before proceeding. It’s the relationships and experiences that each member You are a scholar for a reason according to your zodiac sign. You’re in tune on board brings to the table. A one-on-one partnership with the spiritual with the climate of change and evolution taking place globally. Getting it Gemini and physical realm teaches you. The internal self within satisfies what you May 22 Sagitarius done with no excuses is the theme. You feel the change is already existing, do in the external world. You can tell by what’s showing up on the outside and the steps needed to ride the wave of the tides. There’s no running when June 21 Nov 23 Dec 21 from what you put in your body, mind, and soul. This same thing occurs in the universe steps in and does its job. A decision has to be made to advance a union or partnerships with others. What results are you looking for? May 29th-31st pay you to the next level. You can choose comfortability or change the dynamics close attention to your surroundings and essential details. of your circumstances. The 25th-26th, the messages are clearer without a question.

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

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May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022 • 21

Travel & Resort 5 Black culture festivals to visit this summer

Philly’s Odunde Festival (A. Ricketts / EDITORIAL USE APPROVED; ©VISIT PHILADELPHIA®)

By TRACY E. HOPKINS Special to the AmNews

years, ABFF is still the place to see and be seen if you enjoy exclusive movie and TV screenings, cocktail-flowing receptions, Are you looking for some hot fun in the networking with film industry folks, and summertime in cities that are a quick flight, if like Rae, you like rooting for everybody train ride, or drive from New York City? Well, Black. While in town, visit the historic pack your bags and bring your good vibes Overton neighborhood where celebrionly for getaways to Philadelphia, Miami, Bal- ty chef Marcus Samuelsson opened his timore, and Toronto, where you’ll find plenty newest Red Rooster restaurant. of Black cultural attractions and outdoor activities. Keeping COVID-19 updates in mind, Schomburg Center Literary Festival in here are five festival highlights to put on your Harlem; June 18 calendar, including one close to home. https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2022/06/18/schomburg-center-literaryODUNDE Festival in Philadelphia; June festival-2022 5-12 You don’t have to leave Harlem to find a https://www.odundefestival.org/ lit literary event. Now in its fourth year, the Philly knows how to show up and show out. Schomburg festival is free and open to the Now in its 45th year, each June thousands of public, and features readings, panel disfolks flock to this week-long event in South cussions, and workshops with Black female Philadelphia, which is hailed as one of the scribes Roxane Gay, Jacqueline Woodson, largest African American street festivals in the Linda Villarosa and Mahoghany L. Browne. country. Enjoy music, food, dance and cul- The festival takes place in the Schomburg’s tural programming, and shop for authentic main building, as well as outdoors on 135th jewelry and crafts from vendors from Africa, Street between Malcolm X and Adam ClayBrazil and the Caribbean. While in town, visit ton Powell Jr. Boulevards, on stages named Mother Bethel A.M.E. the founding church of after Adam Clayton Powell and Zora Neale the African Methodist Episcopal denomina- Hurston. While in town, brunch at BLVD tion.

Bistro.

American Black Film Festival in Miami; June 15-19 (and virtually June 20-30) https://www.abff.com/miami/ Issa Rae is this year’s ABFF ambassador and will screen her highly anticipated HBO Max series “RAP SH!T” as part of the festival’s Saturday night lineup. After 26

AFRAM in Baltimore; June 18-19 https://aframbaltimore.com/ This Juneteenth and Father’s Day weekend, AFRAM is back and doing it big in Druid Hill Park (yes, the 90s R&B group Dru Hill took their name from this Baltimore City landmark). So grab your crew and come

Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Destination Toronto photo)

out to this long-standing, family-friendly event, where you can eat and shop til you drop, and sing along with soul-stirring hits by headliners Ne-Yo, El DeBarge, Le’Andria Johnson and The O’Jays. While in town, visit the “Men of Change: Power. Triumph.

Truth.” featuring Kendrick Lamar, James Baldwin, Muhammad Ali and Baltimore native Ta-Nehisi Coates at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum through Aug. 14.

Affectionately called Caribana, this massive Caribbean carnival that celebrates West Indian and Black Canadian traditions is one of the largest cultural festivals in North America. Annually the festivities attract over a million visitors, and this year marks the 55th anniversary of the Grande Parade. But whether you dutty whine in the parade or you dance in the streets as a spectator, this colorful display of elaborate costumes, music and culture is always a good Toronto Caribbean Carnival in Toronto; time. While in town, grab a plate of escovitch July 28-31 fish, jerk wings and other tasty tings at The https://www.torontocarnival.ca Real Jerk (two locations).

AFRAM festival in Baltimore (Photo courtesy of the Baltimore City Department of Recreation & Parks)

22 • May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Trends

Macy’s presents FIT’s Future of Fashion show

By RENEE MINUS WHITE Fashion & Beauty Editor

Designs by FIT 2022 Graduate Students for Future of Fashion Presentation (Photos by Bennett Raglin, Getty for FIT FoF)

10 start-up business tips

By RENEE MINUS WHITE Fashion & Beauty Editor

For the first time since COVID, the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) hosted its end-of-year runway Fashion of Future (FoF) this month, outside on the school’s grounds. Presented by Macy’s, the fantastic show was live, in-person, and professionally produced.

The evening’s weather was lovely.

Featuring nearly 100 looks, it was a wonderful and new experience to watch the show outside the FIT buildings. Some students gazed out of the classroom windows, while others crowded the sidewalk at the bottom of W. 27th Street, near 8th Avenue in NYC. Students were in awe, snapping photos and cheering as models came down the runway.

Talk about futuristic fashions, the mixture of fabrics, colors and styles were incredible and original. The children’s collection stole the show!

The sensational looks were created by a select, extremely talented group of 2022 graduates of FIT’s Fashion Design BFA program. The clothes spanned five concentrations: knitwear, sportswear, inti-

well attended and free to the public. whereas many shops cannot provide that Harlem’s panel discussion was very infor- service. Looking back, there has been a lot mative. What’s the fashion business like today? of waste. The fashion industry has changed.

From May 10 to 20, 2022, The United Way of Sustainable fashions are news! The time for Consumers have prompted the change.

NYC’s Together We Thrive Network hosted its 10th annual NYCxDesign Festival in Harlem.

The three-day event featured 40 Black fashion designers. The well-attended United Way’s Harlem event, held at NYS Office Building’s Gallery on W. 125th St., consisted of a fashion show and panel discussion. The distinguished panel included Princess Jenkins, owner of Brownstone, Kells Barnett of Harlem Haberdashery, and Yvonne Jewnell, Harlem Fashion Week.

Brandez Wineglass was the panel’s moderator.

In February 2021, UWNYC launched Together We Thrive. It’s a broad coalition of government, nonprofit and corporate partners that supports Black-owned business in New York City. UWNYC is a response to the dispropor(L-R) Panel moderator Brandez Wineglass, with panelists Princess Jenkins, Kells tionate impact of COVID-19 on Black businessBarnett, and Yvonne Jewnell es and helps ethnic business owners build their financial health, align, activate and increase the fast fashions is in the past. People want to Clothes must be well-made, economical capacity of existing systems that meet the save the environment, recycle, and utilize and sustainable. If you come into Harlem needs of Black entrepreneurs in New York what they have. “Fashion is an expression Haberdashery and don’t see what you want, City. The NYCxDesign Festival was also cele- of how you feel today,” said Barnett. “Ev- Barnett will refer you to a Black-owned shop brated in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn and eryone deserves to look fly.” Haberdashery that does. “We need more Black retailers in Jamaica, Queens. The event ran from May features clothes for men and women, hats Harlem,” he suggested.

10-20, 2022. It highlighted Black designers, and accessories. They work on custom de“At the Brownstone, we dress women in makers and manufacturers. All events were signs and can make you an outfit in a day, their lives,” commented Princess Jenkins.

mate apparel, special occasion, and children’s wear. The designs were inspired by personal stories, while addressing wide-ranging themes such as heritage appreciation, sustainability, gender neutrality, accessibility, and mental health awareness.

Macy’s supported the Future of Fashion both by presenting the show and through two exciting new programs. It’s all part of Macy’s enterprise-wide social purpose and brand platform: Mission Every One, which aims to create a brighter future with bold representation for all and to inspire customers to express their unique personal styles.

“Our students spend their time here refining and developing their individual design talents and sensibilities under the guidance of FIT’s dedicated faculty. Tonight, they demonstrate all they have learned,” said Dr. Joyce Brown, president of FIT. The industry mentors who work alongside students in their final semester of study give the Future of Fashion Critic Awards each year.

Each critic is a leader in one of See FASHION on page 29

They dress women in clothes that build them up. During COVID-19, many women gained weight. “The Brownstone offers a fashion-forward selection of designs for the fuller figure,” remarked Jenkins. People don’t realize the number of Black-owned businesses in Harlem. The panel also talked about popular hair salons, restaurants, law offices, accountants, real estate storefronts, doctor’s offices and many businesses now in Harlem.

Harlem Panelist offered the following tips for start-up business owners: A) Start with a good business plan and adequate financials/funding.

B) Go to work with expectancy. Be open to new ideas.

C) Doing business is about integrity.

D) Know your worth! Get paid up front for services.

E) The internet brings the world closer.

Be consistent with social media.

F) Keep young people on your team.

G) Embrace diversity. Seek help.

H) Surround yourself with like-minded people that work with you.

I) Network. Build your brand, reputation.

Own your business name.

J) You can’t be hungry or sleepy on the job.

Consider what it takes, hard work and education needed to run your business. And do it!

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May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022 • 23

THURMAN AT APPEL, KROON, HEATH STREET, CALLIOPE The tenor saxophonist, composer, arranger and vocalist Camille Thurman has become a regular performer (as a leader and contributor) at Dizzy’s Club and can often be seen hitting those swinging notes with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. On June 3-4, Thurman and the Darrell Green Quartet will make their Appel Room (60th Street at Broadway) debut for two-shows each night at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

As a tenor saxophonist and vocalist, Thurman is always looking to explore different aspects of the music. Thurman has performed the songs of Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald which is no easy task particularly if spiked with some bebop scating which Thurman does so well. For this outing she will present Burt Bacharach Reimagined, infusing her style of jazz into some of Bacharach’s most famous songs including “The Look of Love,” “Going Out of My Head,” and “(They Long to Be) Close to You.” Bacharach, one of the most important songwriters of the 20th century, also crossed genres. As a teenager he was influenced by the styles of Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie. Bacharach’s unusual chord progressions, influenced by jazz harmony, are a flawless match for the jazz saxophonist. With Reimagined, Thurman gets the opportunity to examine his pop songs as well as some tunes that became R&B hits such as “Make It Easy on Yourself” (Jerry Butler) and his 20-year collaboration with singer Dionne Warwick, with 38 singles making the charts and 22 in the Top 40.

Look for Thurman’s Reimagined to be a striking perspective taking in all the elements of jazz and her early romance with R&B and Bacharach’s pop hits with assistance from her long-time intuitive Darrell Green Quartet.

For tickets visit the website jazz.org.

On June 3, the Steven Kroon Latin Jazz Sextet will bring hot, spicy salsa rhythms and melodic sounds of the Black diaspora to Dizzy’s for one night only. The New York, Harlem-born native’s established ensemble will include pianist/keyboards Igor Atalita, vibraphonist James Shipp, bassist

Heath, the saxophonist, composer, author and Grammy nominee who was on the scene during the bebop era and influenced by Charlie Parker, was an advisory board member of the Louis Armstrong House Museum. He taught at Jazzmobile and was among the founders of the Queens College Jazz Program, where he taught for more than two decades.

There is one instrument, the calliope, that was making heads turn in Washington, D.C. at the Sculpture Garden on the National Mall.

The calliope is a keyboard musical instrument resembling an organ and consisting of a series of whistles sounded by steam or compressed air. It was once a regular sight at carnivals and on riverboats years ago. But this calliope, a temporary installation that closed on May 19, entitled “The KatastCamille Thurman (AlexWright (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Headshot_of_Camille_Thurman.jpg), https:// wóf Karavan” and which looks creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode) like a circus wagon, was designed Ruben Rodriguez, saxophonist/ the website jazz.org.

Bell-Stevens, director & execu- in 2018 by artist Kara Walker, and flute Craig Rivers and drummer tive producer Jazzmobile; Frank plays music composed by the riskDiego Lopez with special guest The native Philadelphian NEA H. Wu, Queens College presi- taking pianist, composer Jason saxophonist/flautist Ron Blake.

Jazz Master Jimmy Heath (who dent; and Heath’s widow Mona Moran. The pianist saw composing Over the years Kroon has made died in January 2020) was recent- Brown Heath and family mem- music for the calliope as a unique a name for himself playing with ly honored with the unveiling bers. The Louis Armstrong Ele- opportunity to bring a totally new Ron Carter, Diana Krall, Rober- of a street with his name, James mentary School (P.S.143Q) Glee instrument into the jazz forum. ta Flack and Luther Vandross. He Edward Heath Way, at 114th Street Club and Band performed in With the artist’s signature black has recorded his last six albums and 34th Avenue, in Corona, New Heath’s honor. Heath’s fellow mu- and white silhouettes made from under his own label Kroonatune York, where he and his family lived sicians who came to play included cut steel and set in a parade Records. Kroon’s hot-tempered for many years. trumpeter Jimmy Owens, saxo- wagon, the 32-note steam-whiscongas and multitude of percusCity Council Member Francisco phonist Patience Higgins, and his tle organ was programmed with sive sounds will have you moving Moya hosted the event, with the former student saxophonist Anto- a new automated playlist of songs on the edge of your seat. participation of leaders of local nio Hart, director of the music de- of jazz, gospel and songs that in For tickets and reservations visit cultural organizations: Robin partment at Queens College.

Walker’s words, represent both “Black protest and celebration” for its Washington, D.C. debut. Moran played the custom fabricated instrument (live during the exhibition) to demonstrate “music as bearer of our emotional history,” as Walker describes.

For the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Lecture Series, Moran and Walker discussed the significance of activating this monument together on the National Mall.

Walker made this sculpture for the Prospect.4 Triennial in New Orleans to create a temporary memorial at Algiers Point, a site in the city along the Mississippi River which once served as a holding area for enslaved Africans.

“How that event translates into wanting to build a calliope is kind of anyone’s guess. But it meant I went into an internet rabbit hole of steam enthusiasts,” Walker told an audience at the National Gallery of Art, City Councilman Francisco Moya with Mona Heath (widow), daughter Rosyln Heath-Cammorto, and family members where the piece is part of an exhiat the James Edward Heath Way street naming (Hubert Williams photo) bition called Afro-Atlantic Histories.

24 • May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

IN

THE

CLASSROOM

The indomitable Mothers of the Scottsboro Boys ACTIVITIES

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews Heyward Patterson was one of the ten people killed in the Buffalo massacre last week. His name reminded me of Haywood Patterson, one of the nine young Black men falsely accused, arrested, and sentenced to prison in the 1930s. In the accompanying photo to this column Janie Patterson, Haywood’s mother, is second from the right, holding her purse and wearing a white hat. She and Ada Wright, the mother of Andy and Roy Wright, would be relentless in the campaign to free their sons in this defining incident on race in America.

On March 25, 1931, in Paint Rock, Alabama, the nine Black youths were arrested on a freight train after a fight among Blacks and white men was reported to local authorities. According to several accounts of the encounter, the Black youths got the best of the whites and threw them off the train, and they took their complaint to the local sheriff who telegraphed the information ahead to the next station where the youths were arrested. At the time of the arrests two white women were also taken into custody from the train, both dressed like men and accused the Blacks of raping them.

Thus began one of the celebrated cases in American jurisprudence with a number of political groups rushing to defend the accused, including the NAACP, the Communist Party of America, and the International Labor Defense (ILD). It was often these groups that staged the defense ral-

From left to right: Ruby Bates (accuser who recanted), Mamie Williams Wilcox, Viola Montgomery, Julia West Hamilton (president of Phyllis Wheatley YWCA), Janie Patterson and Ida Norris (Courtesy of Flickr)

lies giving the Scottsboro Boys, as they came to be known, national and international exposure far beyond the little towns from which they sprung. They, like the others on

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the train, were riding the rails in search of employment during this era of the Great Depression.

The mothers of the boys were often at the rallies and lent their voices to the cry for justice and freedom for their incarcerated sons.

We have posted one of the many pieces of literature distributed by the ILD, whose national secretary was William Patterson, and of no akin to the accused. Those notices often depicted the nine youths, and on this one Janie Patterson, Haywood’s mother is featured. This was usual practice by the ILD and its aim to height-

en and dramatize the case. As the ILD stated, “The ILD published stationery with counterpoised pictures of all nine Scottsboro Boys with an incarcerated Haywood Patterson and his mother, Janie Patterson. In one piece of literature from 1933, the letter called for a meeting the day after a march on Washington, D.C., led by the ILD with Ruby Bates and Janie Patterson in the vanguard of dignitaries. The protesters received a rebuff from President Roosevelt, who failed to meet with them or acknowledge their cause. The stationery carried the title Scottsboro New Trial Emergency Fund, a campaign necessitated by the April 9th conviction of Haywood Patterson a second time at the trial in which Ruby Bates recanted her earlier testimony. Thus, the images of Haywood and Mrs. Patterson reminded those receiving this letter what was at the heart of the protest––the life of Patterson and the other Scottsboro Boys and the Scottsboro Mothers’ sad, but steadfast, presence in the protest movement.”

The Daily Worker, a publication of the Communist Party, placed the arrival of Mrs. Patterson on the front page of the April 11, 1933, edition of the paper, noting that she would be speaking that evening at Union Square. What the mothers did for their sons, the Scottsboro Boys, would be replicated again and again, from Mamie Mobley, the mother of Emmett Till, down to Gwen Garner, the mother of Eric Garner. From a life of ordinariness, they were suddenly catapulted into the public spotlight, and like Mrs. Wright and Mrs. Patterson, the mothers quickly adjusted to the new life as they struggled to save many others.

In a second installment we will continue this important story about racial justice in America.

FIND OUT MORE A serious perusal of the Daily Worker, many of which are online, is a good place to start your comprehension of the American drama.

DISCUSSION Perhaps in the second installment of this story, I can gather more personal info on the mothers and quotes from them.

PLACE IN CONTEXT The Scottsboro Boys incident and case unfolded just as the Great Depression was reaching its apex, and while they would ultimately be exonerated, too many of their youthful days went by as they languished in jails and prisons.

THIS WEEK IN BLACK HISTORY May 22, 1863: With Union forces under siege, the War Department established the Bureau of Colored Troops, and they turned the tide.

May 22, 1959: Following in his father’s footsteps, Benjamin O. Davis Jr. is promoted and becomes the first African American general in the U.S. Air Force.

May 23, 1921: The musical comedy “Shuffle Along” by Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle, opened and is the first of Black productions on Broadway.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Solutions Continued from page 3

We want to be balanced,” said Mitchell. The leader in the city’s Crisis Management System stated, “We have a peace plan. We need to engage the young people who are involved in the lifestyle to be instead preoccupied with employment and skill-building.

“Let’s rescue as many as we can. We want this to be a summer of peace.

I’m optimistic. We want to turn them away from the decision to commit crimes by giving them the option of job training and job placement, and looking for alternatives to occupy their time. We are going after and targeting those communities and populations seen most likely to commit crimes.”

Five months into Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, the self-titled ‘Get Stuff Done’ city leader and Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell have held almost weekly press conferences addressing the deadly rising crime rate.

Adams had made his retirement as police captain after 22 years with the NYPD a cornerstone of his campaign when he was running for mayor. Fighting crime was going to be one of his main focuses.

His superpower if you will.

“We are failing to have an intervention and a prevention plan for public safety, and what that looks like for me is intervention is right now,” Adams told the Amsterdam News then.

“We have to go after gang violence. We have to look at our communications that I share with the president, about having a trilevel implementation of a plan—on the federal level, state level, city level— with information sharing.

Having the ATF provide us with the information we need to go after those illegal gun dealers that are really having guns coming to the northern state. And then we must also have an intervention plan of dealing with the violence with precision policing and tar-

geting those dangerous gangs, getting them out of gangs, but also going after those who refuse to get out of gangs and are wreaking havoc and violence in our city.”

With police and community relations traditionally being testy in the Black community, Mitchell stated this week, “Mayor Eric Adams has introduced precision policing with his teams going out into high crime areas.

We need to stop the violence of course. But, we want precision resources.

I believe in a comprehensive holistic approach. It should not be one versus the other in addressing gun violence. Our community is hurting. We have to stop the bloodshed.”

The same trauma visited upstate New York this month.

On Saturday, May 14, 2022, 18-year-old selfproclaimed white supremacist Payton Gendron drove over three hours from Conklin, New York, to commit mass murder at Tops Friendly supermarket in Buffalo, New York.

The funerals for the victims began last week and are scheduled to continue for the next few days.

“My heart goes out to family, the Black community of Buffalo.This is nothing more than a reminder of the country we are in. It is not surprising,” said Mitchell. “We knew that white supremacy existed a long time before this white boy murdered those 10 people in Buffalo. We do this whole shocked and surprised, and grief-stricken emotion. But it is nothing new to me. This is the nation we are in.” Mitchell refuses to buy into the notion that Gendron was an innocent youth radicalized by falling into an internet rabbit hole.

“Some people think he got these ideas from the internet. They want us to believe that he wasn’t fed these beliefs by his parents. I disagree. Racism is a learned behavior.

Children are taught to be racist. He was carrying out

the drivel he was taught.

Yes, maybe he saw some things on social media, but I think it was already in his blood. He did what he was taught to do. That behavior rose in his head and led to the unfortunate side effects that the Black community is now going through again.

“The Black family continue to be victims of gunfire.”

As for the young men hugging up the corner in the inner city this is yet another teachable moment, said Mitchell, a father of six, and well known and respected in the East New York community, and citywide. “This is a good opportunity to talk to them about racism in this country, and violence in this state, and how it affects what goes on in our community, and how it can attract those who are not educated into a negative lifestyle.”

Mitchell spoke to the paper as he made his way to Chicago, where Operation Ceasefire and Violence Interrupters have worked overtime to try and curb the public health crisis which has been the shooting epidemic over the years.

“Violence is a disease,” said Mitchell. “Neither guns nor bullets discriminate. When you let a gun off in our neighborhood or in Buffalo—there is the same effect. It is gun violence.

“It was a mass shooting and it was a massacre. The same in our streets. It is a massacre. Perhaps not identical because the perpetrator is white and not our demographic. But, the weaponry produces the same effect. The families are in the same pain. The community experiences the same trauma. The details may be different, but the act still is the same.”

The community is still talking about the white supremacist live-streaming the murder of 10 Black people; some feel that police did not approach him like an armed-anddangerous murderer. Even some of the youth who are

May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022 • 25

the target of police suspicion in the high crime areas voiced rage.

The corner boys have a right to be upset, but Mitchell determined, “I would ask Rey Rey what is the difference? How do we resolve that paradigm or that narrative? How do we end the cycle of violence with these white boys? I would ask them how do they feel when a baby is shot and killed? Or 8-yearold Daesean Hill, whose gang crossfire shooting death in 2014 inspired the creation of our community organization? Or how do they feel about the murder of 11-year-old Kyhara Tay, whose shooting was by a 15- and 18-year-old who were aiming at a 13-yearold? It was a cold-blooded killing.”

With a fatal shooting on the Q train this weekend, and several more Buffalo mass shooting death funerals this week there’s going to be more slowsinging, flower-bringing and vigils. There are those talking about the ease with

which Gendron rolled up into the predominantly Black neighborhood and casually murdered 10 Black people, injuring three more.

“Retaliation still does not resolve the issue, all that is doing is making things worse,” said Mitchell. “What we have to do from Buffalo to Brownsville to the Bronx is we look at the blueprint. It has been the same. Let’s keep it a buck. Buffalo is a rundown city. There are the same conditions in places like Brownsville and the Bronx. There is so much poverty in the city. There is not the unity and strength of a tightlyknitted community that would deter a white boy from traveling as much as 200 miles to wreak that kind of havoc. It is because we didn’t have our stuff together. If we put our neighbors back in our hoods to create NEIGHBORHOODS again— where men are looking out for women and children, very few can come

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through and think about doing what Gendron did with ease. We need to get our heads together to make sure that we come together and protect our community.”

Mitchell brought up the tragic story of Prince Joshua Avitto, the 6-year-old boy who was stabbed 11 times in a public housing elevator by a homeless man.

“We got caught offguard. That baby was lost to us because the community got caught slipping.

We have to take some responsibility. If you go to Howard Beach, or Chinatown, or Little Italy, or Williamsburg and you thinking you’re going out to commit any type of crime they would say, ‘Have you lost your mind?’

Or, ‘Are you lost and do you need directions?’

“Those communities are that much on guard. We need to have that type of understanding. We need to have a rebirth of community-driven solutions.

I always say that the community is the answer.”

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26 • May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Education What’s going on with Black high school graduation rates

Districts relaxed requirements at the start of the pandemic, but experts say the effects of COVID-19 disruption are showing up in students' lives internet access with siblings or not having access altogether, it was harder for Black students to join classes virtually.

“Particularly high school students usually take the brunt of taking care of their siblings. So they backed out and decided that I will perhaps do this later on, but right now, my focus is on younger siblings, my family,” says Dr. Lynn Jennings, senior director of national and state partBy MAYA POTTIGER nerships at The Education Trust.

Word In Black And now it’s high school graduation season.

Across the country, millions of high school The pandemic has been tough on every- seniors are signing yearbooks, preparing body, but particularly so on Black students. their caps and gowns, and getting ready to They’ve seen their parents, grandparents, embark on the next chapter of their lives— and other caregivers disproportionately die unless they’re one of these Black teenagfrom COVID-19, and they’ve witnessed the ers whose education got disrupted. It’s no stress of family members—nurses, Amazon wonder experts are worried that high school warehouse workers, restaurant staff—work- graduation rates for Black youths might drop. ing frontline jobs that can’t be done remotely.

This put the onus on Black youths to do Graduation rates were down in 2021 after more around the house, whether it was a bump in 2020 caring for younger siblings, taking on doThe class of 2022 was in its sophomore mestic responsibilities, or even getting jobs year when COVID-19 sent students home to of their own. Plus, on top of having to share attend school through virtual classrooms. In

many ways, this cohort will be able to provide better indications of what learning impacts the pandemic had on students.

During the 2021/2022 school year, students were back to largely attending classes in-person, and prior academic requirements that had been relaxed were returning to pre-pandemic standards.

“This is a year we should pay a lot of attention to the high school graduation rates,” says Dr. Jennings. “These aren’t the students who were necessarily in the thick of it, in terms of school closures and the disruption.”

Contrary to what might be the expected response to the start of a pandemic, national graduate rates were up in spring 2020 compared to 2019.

(Graphs Courtesy of Word in Black)

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A Brookings study, which analyzed 57% of the nation’s school population, found that graduation rates increased in 2020 before returning to pre-pandemic levels in 2021.

The uptick in 2020 might have been caused by states waiving or loosening graduation requirements, according to a Chalkbeat report, which saw graduation rates dip in at least 20 states in 2021.

Though the rates are changing by three percentage points at most—which might seem small—Dr. Diarese George, the founder and executive director of the Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance, says we need to remember a single percentage point change can equate to thousands of students who didn’t earn their high school diploma.

“It’s a big deal,” George says. Though he’s seeing enrollment numbers constantly going up in Tennessee, “that dip of 1,000 students is still significant.”

“Primary research is showing that definitely, during that time—when we were in the thick of the pandemic—the graduation requirements were relaxed,” Jennings says. States reduced their standards, relaxing credit requirements, graduation exam requirements, and even attendance. “We can expect, as you’re going through it, that teachers were probably a little bit more relaxed in terms of

their expectations of high school students during that time, and particularly graduates, given what they were going through.”

Following the start of citywide stay-athome orders and remote learning in March 2020, districts almost uniformly waived graduation requirements and told students that if they were on track to graduate in March, were passing their classes, and had enough credits, they were able to graduate.

“That benefited a few students in a positive way,” says Dr. Robert Balfanz, director of the Everyone Graduates Center at the Johns Hopkins University School of Education.

“Unfortunately, in 2021, when we now had the full year of the pandemic, plus the first part of that year before, it was a different situation.”

Graduation rates are lower among Black students Going back to 2007, there was a rapid and then steady growth of graduation rates across the country through 2019, Balfanz says. The jump was from around 73% up to 86%, and it was largely driven by Black, Latino, and low-income students.

For example, if we look at the nine states (California, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Texas, and Washington) and the District of Columbia that are home to Word In Black publishers, Black and Hispanic students consistently saw lower graduation rates than their white and Asian peers in 2021.

A Word In Black analysis found the average graduation rate for Black students in these states was 77.5% and 78.5% for Hispanic students, compared to 89.2% for white students and a 93.6% graduation rate for Asian students.

But, among the subgroups it studied, the Brookings report saw graduation rates increase among Black students.

There was a nearly 2% increase in the rate of Black graduates from 2019 to 2020, followed by a 2.5% fall in 2021.

This group of students faced the highest levels of virtual schooling, and they were more likely to take on responsibilities of supSee EDUCATION on page 27

Education Continued from page 26

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS they may have experienced year after year, that probably played a role in folks’ inability or their willingness to even want to come to school.”

porting their families or helping younger sibExperts predict lower graduation rates lings with school. in June “The concern there is we know that this is Unfortunately, predictions are that gradubasically the impact of the pandemic,” Balfanz ation rates will still be down this year. says, “and we know the pandemic hit low-in“I think it’s probably going to still be in that come and minority communities the most.”

1-3 point range, but bigger in some districts than others, and more for low-income and minority students because they bore the brunt of the pandemic,” Balfanz says.

But he’s hopeful the rebound is coming.

“Folks are resilient. Schools are resilient.

I’m hopeful that it’s a blip and not a longlasting trend.”

Jennings says she expects rates to remain mostly steady, except for a potential decline for Black students.

“This will be able to tell us a better sense of the impact that the pandemic has had because now we’re moving to the point of how do you recover from this?” Jennings says. “There’s always a way to look at what (Graphs Courtesy of Word in Black) worked because you see some bright spots.”

What happens to students who don’t graduate?

So what can we do?

Many students who don’t graduate in four A key focus for educators is bringing back years do try again for one more year, Balfanz students who were lost during the shuffle says. But, as with many things, the pandemic of the pandemic. There needs to be “onshifted priorities for many people. ramps” for them to feel welcomed back For some, getting a job to help support their into schooling. Certain states have made families gave them a sense of agency—and it “real efforts” to find those students and was something they could balance with virtual bring them back to school, Jennings says. classes. And for others, especially following the But there need to be creative ways of getcountry’s focus on race in the summer of 2020, ting education back into their lives, like they were able to escape an environment that virtual schooling, night classes, or other had never been welcoming or supportive. flexibility in schedules.

The way the education system is set up is not In Tennessee, it’s a conversation George is always reflective or supportive of Black stu- having with state partners. They’re looking for dents, George says. ways to find students who weren’t accounted “Folks who are already on this pathway where for during graduation and getting them back the system was not taking care of them with on track through adult learning or pathways the due diligence that they needed to—and, in to pick up where they left off. many regards, may have already been failing “Once you leave the K-12 system and you them—was exacerbated. And I think that plays don’t enter higher ed, you’re sort of on your a huge role,” George says. “The interruption in own,” Balfanz says. “We need to give them learning, compounded with the trauma that ways to move forward even though they

HERO Act

Continued from page 10

COVID-19 pandemic. The State Department of Health and the Department of Labor collaborated to come up with several plans that companies can use to deal with airborne infections.

In accordance with the HERO Act, any private employer with at least 10 employees needs to allow their employees the chance to form a labor-management task force that would address work conditions.

Chipotle worker Alyssa Roman, who works at the 620 9th Ave. location, wants her employer to act quickly and abide by the law.

“Management is not protecting us, so we’re taking our health and safety into our own hands using the HERO Act. My health and safety as a pregnant mother doesn’t seem to be a priority. They don’t seem to care when I get sick. We demand

that Chipotle honor the HERO Act and respect our rights.”

Earlier this spring, 32BJ SEIU filed a HERO Act complaint on Roman and her other coworkers’ behalf after Chipotle management allegedly ignored their petition to form a Workplace Safety Committee at a Manhattan Chipotle store at 269 Amsterdam Ave. John Larkin, who works at the 501 7th Ave. location, said if Chipotle higher-ups cared about its workers, they would make sure they worked under the best conditions.

“The conditions at Chipotle are unacceptable,” Larkin said. “I got burned because they won’t fix the broken tools in the kitchen. My efforts to improve the workplace health and safety for myself and co-workers are not being taken seriously. We deliver this petition to form an employee-employer workplace safety committee, which Chipotle has an obligation to honor. We demand respect and safety and dignity on the job.”

May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022 • 27

28 • May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Religion & Spirituality Malcolm X Day in Harlem (Nayaba Arinde photo)

(Bill Moore photo)

By NOSAYABA ODESANYA Special to the AmNews

(Bill Moore photo)

(Bill Moore photo)

(Bill Moore photo)

People came from all over the nation on Thursday, May 19, 2022 to celebrate what would have been the 97th birthday of Malcolm X, a.k.a. El Hajj Malik El Shabazz. As is traditional, there was the annual pilgrimage to the gravesite in Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, which Malcolm X shares with his wife’s, Dr. Betty Shabazz. COVID-era protocol meant that the event was toned down with no school buses, as Malcolm X’s Organization of Afro-American Unity [OAAU] and the Sons Of Africa, hosted their 57th annual pilgrimage. Then just after 12 p.m., the December 12th Movement rallied the people at Harlem’s 125th St. and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. to hold the 33rd shutdown of all the stores from 1-4 p.m., in honor of Harlem’s ‘Shining Black Prince.’ Only a couple of stores resisted the effort like Planet Fitness and Party City (which eventually closed after persuasion from marchers). Later that evening Ilyasah Shabazz hosted an evening at her parents’ Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Center. There was libation, song and guests such as Maimouna Youssef a.k.a. Mumu Fresh, Claudia Hayden, Najha Zigbi-Johnson, and original OAU member A. Peter Bailey.

(Bill Moore photo)

(Bill Moore photo)

(Bill Moore photo)

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

FIT show

Continued from page 22

(Photo by Bennett Raglin, Getty for FIT FoF)

FIT’s five areas of specialization, and many are alumni of FIT’s Fashion Design program. The 2022 Critic Award Winners are sportswear designers Karisma Hisahkawa, Jiawen, Marie Louise Kurrer, Yuna Seki, Monica Palucci and Xiaokelati/Shahira Shokrat. Guziyn Yan & Tiffany Yan won for their amazing children’s wear.

Devin Olquin received honors for intimate apparel. Amy Eisenstein and Claire Greidanus took the awards for knitwear. Yawen Chen received the Special Occasion Award.

For the Macy’s capsule collection, the company’s in-house design team selected one student’s sportswear look by Francesca Boornancin. The design choice was based on design quality, commercial appeal, and originality. It will be sold at Macy’s Herald Square in New York in the fall. The hangtag will feature the winning student’s name, photo, and biography.

Macy’s Bold Representation Awards were handed to three students, recognized by Suzanne Anderson, vice president, Design Apparel at Macy’s, and Michelle Wang, vice president, Retail Diversity Strategy at Macy’s. These awards are an extension of Macy’s enterprise-wide social action purpose platform, Mission Every One. The program’s goal is to create a brighter future with bold representation. Sportswear designer Sandra Zapata won for Best Use of Sustainable Materials. The Most Commercial Look award went to Renee Clifford. Karen Qu, another sportswear designer, received the Most Inclusive/Gender Neutral Design award.

MARKETING Continued from page 12

ly facing, however by doing everything short of a reality show, it’s not part of the solution either. We must remember, social media giveth and taketh away. Just as we advertise ourselves, we also say things or express points of view that can cause damage to that same brand that we’re trying to promote.

Martin Luther King Jr. did not have social media, however, he had more media exposure than most of us will ever have. Here are some of his quotes: •“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character––that is the goal of true education.”

• “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

• “A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.”

These quotes represent stewardship and service. He could have said: “So hon-

May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022 • 29 ored to be acknowledged by the SCLC” or so honored to have a successful Montgomery Bus Boycott. I am sure he was, but the focus was on the work and not self-promotion. He will be remembered for his work, not how well he promoted himself.

Education is a work in progress. The problem is, when is the progress part coming?

It’s easy to say things like “moving in the right direction” “working towards our goals” or “making strides”–– that leader will be replaced with the next one who will also be moving, working, and making. It’s an endless cycle of moving towards progress without any goal of completion or, at the very least, sustainability.

I have sat in on meetings where most of the agenda is based on discussing departmental successes. Why are we afraid to say in a meeting, or a social media post, we must do better, or what we’re doing is not working.

We are afraid to admit failure because it will hurt our brand and possibly employ-

ARE YOU COVERING

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ment. If my favorite sports team completed a losing season, I don’t think they would go in the locker room and pop champagne. They would spend the off-season making moves to get better, but they wouldn’t post on social media how great they are. If leaders cannot turn the cell phone from themselves for a selfie and take a picture of what’s happening in the classroom, then your next principal or superintendent may be on a reality show and their new title will be influencer instead of leader.

Dr. Clarence Williams Jr. is a retired assistant superintendent in the New York City public school system. He holds a doctorate in educational leadership, a master’s in education administration, and a master’s in multicultural education. Williams Jr. has a K-12 license in special education and educational leadership, has worked as an educator and leader in the public school system for over 30 years, and is an assistant professor.

30 • May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022

MWBE Continued from page 3

that Architectural Digest called one of the most exciting real estate projects in the five boroughs, and hoped that others could learn through their journey. They want those in attendance to learn how to navigate the process and possibly close the inequity gap in real estate.

With panelists, such as Cheryl McKissack Daniel, the president and CEO of McKissack & McKissack (the oldest MWBE professional design and construction firm in the country); Exact Capital Managing Partner Craig Livingston who helped lead the Affirmation

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS Tower project; and Beatrice Sibblies, managing partner and founder of Harlem-based BOS Development, a real estate development and brokerage firm, if one were to learn the ins and outs of the current real estate industry, these are the people who would know.

“There are far too few MBE-led development projects in New York City.

We’re looking to change that,” stated Livingston.

“Diverse real estate development firms play a critical role in growing communities, creating equity, and facilitating meaningful economic opportunities for Black and Brown owned companies across the five boroughs. Encouraging

Special elections

and supporting developers of color will pave the way for a future where those firms that have been systematically excluded can now make their mark on the industry.”

Robin Zeigler, founder and CEO of MURAL Real Estate Partners, LLC, stated the same.

“Representation of minorities, specifically Black leaders, has severely lacked in the real estate and development industry,” said Zeigler. “Thanks to organizations like LISC NYC and their commitment to ensuring more opportunities for MBE developers, it is a strong step in the right direction towards inclusivity.”

out the night in celebration at Tropical Breeze BallContinued from page 3 room, located at 1367 Utica Avenue. Her endorsers insay it from any mountain- talk to anybody and con- cluded Councilmember top, and I can say it in as vince you because I have Mercedes Narcisse, Counloud a voice as I can shout, deeds that she has done to cilmember Darlene Mealy, and I can write it, and I can show that she is deserving.” U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke, Sen. write it. I can print it. I can She and supporters closed Roxanne Persaud, Brooklyn

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Massey Continued from page 4

Brown called Massey a strong and proud Black woman.

“She was proficient in her history, proficient in her culture, and a lover of all people,” Brown declared. “She was a constant presence in our community. A warm and welcoming spirit who had a beautiful and brilliant smile that could light up the atmosphere, cut through every conflict, and warm your heart.”

Brown said Massey attended every event meant to uplift and improve the city and its neighborhoods.

“She was called a Queen Mother of Cherry Street, but more than that, she was like a governor. She was the Queen Mother of this community,” Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

Chandler-Waterman’s campaign manager said the new assemblymember is already making the trip to Albany this Wednesday morning.

The State Assembly pri-

Brown remarked.

“Katherine Massey was a leader who led with warmth and intelligence and the power of her pen,” he stated.

Massey counted among the 10 African Americans killed on May 14, when self-proclaimed white supremacist Payton Gendron donned body armor, entered the Tops Supermarket with an assault rifle, and opened fire.

Three others were injured in the terror attack.

Authorities are holding Gendron without bail, and the 18-year-old faces 10 counts of murder and several other charges.

According to an online obituary, Massey was the daughter of Robert and Kate Massey.

She leaves behind a sister, Barbara Mapps, and brother, Warren Massey.

“A friend of mine, James Baldwin, used to tell me, ‘Ben, the pen is mightier than the sword,’” Chavis asserted.

“Who is going to pick up Katherine Massey’s sword? Who is going to write the truth?

We’ve come through a lot as a people. Not only does Buffalo need a healing, but America needs a healing.”

Pilgrim Baptist Church Pastor Frank Bostic joined Chavis and Brown and each pledged to discuss the future of Buffalo at a private meeting.

“On behalf of Kat Massey, and all those precious lives we lost in this hateful attack, we will build better,” Brown asserted. “We will build stronger, and we will show the world that there is no place for evil like this. There is no place for hate like this. We owe it to the life and legacy of Kat Massey.”

maries held on June 28 is another election cycle that will determine if ChandlerWaterman stays in office.

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

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Redistricting Continued from page 4

budget funding and obtain more resources for things like healthcare facilities, schools and public safety programs.

“Last year, I convened the Bed Stuy/Crown Heights Committee for Fair Redistricting to ensure that our district lines represented the will of the people. The committee successfully produced two maps meant to unify Bed Stuy and Crown Heights,” said Zinerman. “Unfortunately, those maps were not adopted by LATFOR and now the special master has split our 56th district in half between Representatives Hakeem S. Jeffries and Yvette D. Clarke, which pulls them away from their known constituency.”

- The predominantly Black Assembly District 83 in the tBronx also got split into -three different congressioenal districts.

- Zinerman, like U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, called out -the redistricting process for lacking in investment in New

York City, ignoring chances for public input, and systematically disenfranchising Black and Latinx voters.

In earlier statements, Jeffries pointed out that the map “diluted” the Black population in the 8th and 9th congressional districts, breaking into pieces the majority Black and historic neighborhood of Bedford Stuyvesant. BedStuy was once represented by activist Shirley Chisholm, who was elected when the district was created in 1968 after the Voting Rights Act of 1965, said Jeffries. It also “degrades the Black vote” in the 5th, 16th, 17th congressional districts and reduces the mostly Hispanic voting population in the 7th and 15th congressional districts.

Jeffries’ congressional district in the 8th had cut into neighboring U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke’s district in the 9th while Bed-Stuy and Prospect Heights were eliminated, said the Brooklyn Paper.

After the 2020 election, New York State had seven Black congressmembers.

“Right-wing activists, such as the Republican expert who

clearly influenced the Court in this matter, have been trying to undue this incredible accomplishment of Black representation ever since,” said Jeffries in a statement.

Jeffries added that the “most Jewish district in the country” had been “unnecessarily and gratuitously obliterated” by separating the Upper West Side and Borough Park in the 10th congressional district under longtime incumbent ​​U.S. Rep. Jerrold Lewis Nadler.

“The Court of Appeals recklessly ripped away the redistricting process from the elected representatives of New York State and set in motion a flawed process predetermined to benefit a Republican Party that embraces violent insurrectionists and refuses to denounce white supremacist replacement theory,” said Jeffries. “The fix was in from the beginning.”

State Sen. Kevin Parker said that it definitely seemed to be an “attack on Black electoral participation and representation.”

Parker has been in office for the past 19 years in Brook-

lyn and has already experienced a round of census and redistricting in 2000. He said for years, with the way districts were configured, Democrats were representing more people than Republicans in the city but Republicans were maintaining power in Black and Latino areas by “splitting that vote up” so that it becomes less of a concentration in one district.

Since this is the second redistricting he’s been through while in office, Parker said he understands the process.

Parker’s seat essentially covered central Brooklyn in the 21st senate district, in a particular redistricting configuration, for the last nine years.

Originally his district went into Borough Park, a concentrated ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, Canarsie, Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, and Kensington for 10 years prior.

“I got elected under the same conditions in 2002 as now. There was a census in 2000, redistricting in 2001,” said Parker. “When they redistricted, the state senate went from 61 to 62 mem-

May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022 • 31 bers and my district was a new district. They happened to build a district right where I lived.”

He said though it was a bit of a “culture shock” representing an Orthodox Jewish community, he made lifelong friends like State Sen. Simcha Felder. Felder started out in politics as Parker’s liaison with the Jewish community. During redistricting, said Parker, Republicans redrew the voting lines basically for Felder to win in Borough Park, which naturally led Democrats to challenge the maps. There were no significant changes then compared to now, said Parker.

Parker said that the ‘special master’ also did a number on the senate lines this time around.

“My district went from being cut east to west, in a way that I thought was very compact, that included Park Slope, bits of Sunset Park and Windsor Terrace,” said Parker about the current redistricting changes. “Took me totally out of those communities and cut me south into Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, and

Bath Beach. Areas that were previously represented by Senator Roxanne Persuad.”

Parker currently has two challengers petitioning to get on the ballot against him, one who was running in an adjacent race against Felder before she was redistricted into his and a Democratic socialist.

“I’m not nervous,” said Parker about his bid for reelection in the August primaries. “This is the people’s seat.

If the people want me to come back, then I’d like to come back and continue the work that I’ve started. If they don’t want me to come back, then I’ll move on, do some other things, and serve my community in a different way.”

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

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NOTICE OF FRANCHISE AND CONCESSION REVIEW COMMITTEE PUBLIC HEARING ON AGENCY ANNUAL CONCESSION PLANS

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The New York AMSTERDAM NEWS reserves the right to censor, reject, alter or revise all advertisements in accordance with its rules governing the acceptance of advertising and accepts no liability for its failure to insert an advertisement for any cause. Credit for errors in advertisements allowed only for first insertion.

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Notice of a Franchise and Concession Review Committee (FCRC) Public Hearing on Agency Annual Concession Plans for Fiscal Year 2023 pursuant to Section 1-10 of the Concession Rules of the City of New York (Concession Rules), to be held remotely on Monday, June 6, 2022, commencing at 2:30 P.M., via Microsoft Teams dial in.

At this hearing, the FCRC will further solicit comments about the provisions of the Concession Rules from the vendor commu nity, civic groups and the public at large. The FCRC shall consider the issues raised at the Public Hearing in accordance with the procedures set forth in the New York City Charter under the City Administrative Procedure Act. The following agencies submitted an Annual Concession Plan for Fiscal Year 2023: the Department of Parks and Recreation; the Department of Citywide Administration Services; the Department of Environmental Protection; the Department of Correc tions; the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; the Department of Transportation; the New York City Fire Department; the Department of Housing Preservation and Development; the NYC & Company on behalf of the Department of Small Busi ness Services; the New York City Economic Development Corporation on behalf of the Department of Small Business Ser vices; the New York City Administration for Childrens Services; the New York City Department of Records and Information Services and the New York City Police Department.

The portfolio of Agency Annual Concession Plans covers significant and non-significant concessions expiring, continuing and anticipated for solicitation or initiation in Fiscal Year 2023.

Furthermore, the portfolio covers, inter alia: · Department of Parks and Recreation: mobile food units, food service facilities, golf courses, driving ranges, marinas, tennis professionals, athletic facilities, Christmas trees, parking lots, markets, fairs, restaurants, concerts, newsstands, stables, gas stations, amusement venues, ice skating rinks, carousels, ferry services, bike rentals, sailboat rentals, souvenirs and gifts, beach equipment, and event programming. · Department of Citywide Administrative Services: maritime/non-maritime occupancy permits, merchandise and marketing, vending machines and restaurants. · Department of Environmental Protection: gas purification. · Department of Corrections: commissary services and vending machines. · Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: drug discount card program. · Department of Transportation: vending machines, pedestrian plazas, food courts, café, markets. · New York City Fire Department: fire museum. · Department of Housing Preservation and Development: café. · NYC & Company on behalf of the Department of Small Business Services: marketing, advertising, intellectual property and trademark merchandising. · New York City Economic Development Corporation on behalf of the Department of Small Business Service: events/installa tions, parking lots, maritime and non-maritime occupancy permits. · New York City Administration for Childrens Services: vending machines. · New York City Department of Records and Information Services: licensing representation. · New York City Police Department: vending machines and cafeteria.

The public may participate in the public hearing by calling the dial-in number below.

Dial-in #: +1-646-893-7101 Access Code: 307 259 070; Press # on further prompts Written testimony may be submitted in advance of the hearing electronically to fcrc@mocs.nyc.gov. All written testimony must be received by June 3rd, 2022.

In addition, the public may also testify during the hearing by calling the dial-in number.

Interested parties may obtain a copy of the Agency Annual Concession Plans by contacting Gregg Alleyne via email at fcrc@mocs.nyc.gov. Upon request, a PDF version of the Agency Annual Concession Plans is available free of cost.

A transcript of the hearing will be posted https://www1.nyc.gov/site/mocs/reporting/agendas.page

on

the

FCRC

website

101 LEGAL NOTICES

at

For further information on accessibility or to make a request for accommodations, such as sign language interpretation ser vices, please contact the Mayors Office of Contract Services (MOCS) via e-mail at DisabilityAffairs@mocs.nyc.gov or via phone at (646) 872- 0231. Any person requiring reasonable accommodation for the public hearing should contact MOCS at least five (5) business days in advance of the hearing to ensure availability.

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101 LEGAL NOTICES

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Notice of Formation of DEVONSHIRE HOUSE 2022 LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/21/22. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co, 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of ASBURY PRESERVATION CLASS B, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/04/22. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of ASBURY DEVELOPER, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/04/22. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

101 LEGAL NOTICES File No. 2019-1502\C

SURROGATES COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY CITATION THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK By the Grace of God Free and Independent TO the heirs at law, next of kin and distributees of Calvin Ramsey, a/k/a Calvin E. Ramsey, deceased, if living, and if any of them be dead to the heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, legatees, executors, administrators, assignees and successors in interest whose names are unknown and cannot be ascertained after due diligence; A petition having been filed by Kimberly Phillips who is domiciled at 211 Porterfield Place, Freeport, New York 11520, YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogates Court, New York County, at 31 Chambers Street, New York, New York on June 10, 2022, at 10:00 o'clock in the forenoon on that day, why a decree should not be made in the estate of Calvin Ramsey, a/k/a Calvin E. Ramsey, lately domiciled at 40 West 135th Street, Apt. 1IE, New York, New York 10037, granting Letters of Administration d.b.n. upon the estate of the decedent to Kimberly Phillips or to such other person as may be entitled thereto, and determining the status of Ivane Phillips, Pierre Lovelace, Jerome (Jerry) Tibbs, Toyer Beavers, Ivan Phillips and Kimberly Phillips as nieces and nephews of the decedent.

Dated, Attested and Sealed

April 26

HON. RITA MELLA Surrogate

/2022 Diana Sanabria Chief Clerk Daniel G. Fish Print Name of Attorney (212) 448-1100 Telephone Number dfish@mclaughlinstern.com Address email

McLaughlin & Stem. LLP Firm 260 Madison Avenue. New York. New York 10016

[NOTE: This citation is served upon you as required by law.

You are not required to appear. If you fail to appear it will be assumed you do not object to the relief requested. You have a right to have an attorney appear for you.]

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. LUCKIE PROPERTIES, LLC., A Florida Limited Liability Company, Deft.- Index #850107/2021.

Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated February 28, 2022, I will sell at public auction Outside the Portico of the NY County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, NY, NY on Wed., June 22, 2022, at 2:15 pm, an undivided 0.0519144314871446% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as Phase 1 of HC Suites located at 1335 Avenues of the Americas, in the County of NY, State of NY. Approximate amount of judgment is $70,678.13 plus costs and interest as of October 21, 2021. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Georgia Papazis, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY. Notice of Formation of Big Rosie BK LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 9/16/20. Office location: New York county.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to c/o PO Box 20169, New York, NY 10001. Purpose: Architecture services.

Formation of 57 READE STREET APT 9E, LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/30/2022. Office loc.: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

The address SSNY shall mail process to Jane Liu, 101 Tournament Dr., Monroe Twp., NJ 08831.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

34 • May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022

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ADMINISTRATION CITATION File No. 2019-4219 SURROGATES COURT - NEW YORK COUNTY SUPPLEMENTAL CITATION THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, By the Grace of God Free and Independent, TO: The heirs at law, next of kin and distributees of decedent, Lillian Hester Brown, deceased, if living, and if any of them be dead, to their heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, legatees, executors, administrators, assignees and successors in interest whose names are unknown and cannot be ascertained after due diligence, The Public Administrator of New York County, The Attorney General of the State of New York; A petition having been duly filed by ONE 100 STREET CORPORATION, who is domiciled at 148-45 Hillside Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11435, YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogates Court, New York County, at 31 Chambers Street, New York, on June 21, 2021 at 10:00 oclock in the forenoon of that day, why a decree should not be made in the estate of LILLIAN HESTER BROWN, a/k/a Hester Lillian Brown, lately domiciled at 240 W 132nd Street, New York, in the County of New York, New York, granting Limited Letters of Administration upon the estate of LILLIAN HESTER BROWN, a/k/a Hester Lillian Brown, the decedent, to ONE 100 STREET CORPORATION, for the purposes of prosecuting and performing such actions necessary to confirm and uphold the petitioners title in and to the real property known as and by Block 1937, Lot 48 on the tax map for New York County, City and State of New York, and by the street number 240 W 132nd Street, New York, AND FURTHER, that a kinship hearing be held by the Court to determine the existence, and rights, of any unknown distributees of the decedent.

Dated, Attested and Sealed, HON. RITA MELLA, Surrogate May 16, 2022 Diana Sanabria, Chief Clerk (Seal) Name of Attorney for Petitioner: James P Demetriou Tel. No.: 516-5704900 / 407-377-7730 Address of Attorney: 3208 E Colonial Dr, #284, Orlando, FL 32803 New York Address: 200 Old Country Road, Suite 190, Mineola, NY 11501 Note: This citation is served upon you as required by law. You are not required to appear. If you fail to appear it will be assumed you do not object to the relief requested. You have a right to have an attorney-at-law appear for you.

Notice of Qualification of 175 PALMETTO LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/14/22.

Office location: NY County.

LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 04/11/22. Princ. office of LLC: c/o Two Sigma Real Estate, 100 Ave. of the Americas, 16th Fl., NY, NY 10013.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. DE addr. of LLC: Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., #4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Real estate.

Notice of Qualification of 58 PALMETTO LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/14/22.

Office location: NY County.

LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 04/11/22. Princ. office of LLC: c/o Two Sigma Real Estate, 100 Ave. of the Americas, 16th Fl., NY, NY 10013.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. DE addr. of LLC: Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., #4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Real estate.

Notice of Qualification of 540 DRIGGS LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/14/22. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 04/11/22. Princ. office of LLC: c/o Two Sigma Real Estate, 100 Ave. of the Americas, 16th Fl., NY, NY 10013.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. DE addr. of LLC: Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., #4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Real estate.

Notice of Qualification of DW MARCY, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/17/22. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 03/04/19. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, Div. of Corps., John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 3, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of WSW PRESERVATION CLASS B, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/09/22. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of WSW PRESERVATION GP, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/09/22. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

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101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

Supplemental Summons and Notice of Object of Action Supreme Court Of The State Of New York County Of New York Action to Foreclose a Mortgage Index #: 850196/2019 Wilmington Trust, National Association, As Successor Trustee To Citibank, N.A., As Trustee For Bear Stearns ALT-A Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-5 Plaintiff, vs Gregg L. Singer, Eleanor B. Singer Intervives Revocable Trust Agreement Dated 2/26/91 Eleanor B. Singer TTEE, Chesterfield 19, L.L.C., People Of The State Of New York, Board Of Managers Of The Chesterfield Condominium, New York City Environmental Control Board, New York State Department Of Taxation And Finance John Doe (Those unknown tenants, occupants, persons or corporations or their heirs, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, assignees, creditors or successors claiming an interest in the mortgaged premises.) Defendant(s). Mortgaged Premises: 180/186 West 80 Street, Apt/Unit 4j New York, NY 10024 AKA 409/417 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024 To the Above named Defendant: You are hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Supplemental Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Supplemental Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Supplemental Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of New York. The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. TO Eleanor B. Singer Intervives Revocable Trust Agreement dated 2/26/91 Eleanor B. Singer TTEE, Defendant In this Action. The foregoing Supplemental Summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an order of HON. Francis A Kahn of the Supreme Court Of The State Of New York, dated the Twenty-Eighth day of April, 2022 and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Clerk of the County of New York, in the City of New York. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage upon the premises described below, dated March 24, 2006, executed by Gregg L. Singer to secure the sum of $200,000.00. The Mortgage was recorded at CRFN 2006000451392 in the City Register of the City of New York, New York County on August 10, 2006. The consolidated mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed March 24, 2006 and recorded on August 10, 2006, in the City Register of the City of New York, New York County at CRFN 2006000451394. Plaintiff is also holder of a mortgage dated March 24, 2006 executed by Gregg L. Singer to secure the sum of $235,000.00 and recorded at CRFN 2006000451395 in the City Register of the City of New York, New York County on August 10, 2006. Said mortgage was consolidated with the mortgage referred to at CRFN: 2006000451392 by a Consolidation, Extension and Modification Agreement executed by Gregg L. Singer dated March 24, 2006 and recorded August 10, 2006 at CRFN 2006000451396 in the City Register of the City of New York, New York County to form a single lien in the amount of $435,000.00. The consolidated mortgage was subsequently assigned to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for America's Wholesale Lender by an assignment executed on July 19, 2019 and sent for recording in the City Register of the City of New York, New York County The consolidated mortgage was subsequently assigned to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for Countrywide Bank, N.A. by an assignment executed on July 19, 2019 and sent for recording in the City Register of the City of New York, New York County The consolidated mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed June 5, 2012 and recorded on June 21, 2012, in the City Register of the City of New York, New York County at CRFN 2012000245247. The mortgage was subsequently modified on May 27, 2014. The consolidated mortgage was subsequently assigned to WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO CITIBANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR BEAR STEARNS ALT-A TRUST, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-5 by an assignment executed on July 19, 2019 and sent for recording in the City Register of the City of New York, New York County; The property in question is described as follows: 180/186 WEST 80 STREET, APT/UNIT 4J, NEW YORK, NY 10024 AKA 409/417 AMSTERDAM AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10024 NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. DATED: May 3, 2022 Gross Polowy, LLC Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s) 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221 The law firm of Gross Polowy, LLC and the attorneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose. 71989 Notice of Qualification of EP UCB LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/15/22. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 01/21/22. Princ. office of LLC: 450 W. 33rd St., NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of the State, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of Mala Project Management LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the Secy. of NY (SSNY) on 02/11/22 NY office location NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC is C/O the LLC: 122 1st Ave, New York, NY 10009. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of EP UPRIGHT CITIZENS BRIGADE, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/18/22.

Office location: NY County.

LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 03/30/22. Princ. office of LLC: 450 W. 33rd St., NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of the State, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of Selvi LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 3/25/22. Office location: NY County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 250 W 89th St, Apt 3H, New York, NY 10024.

Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Qualification of MOTIF ADVISORS LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/11/22.

Office location: NY County.

LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 05/04/22. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808.

Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State of the State of DE, Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., #4, Dover, DE 19901.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of WYANDOT SQUARE PRESERVATION CLASS B, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/04/22. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

101 LEGAL NOTICES MUSIC ART PUPPET SOUND, LLC filed Arts. Of Org. with the Secty of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/30/2018.

Office: NY County. SSNY has been designated as agents of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: The LLC, 71 Sullivan Street, Apt 3-D, New York, NY 10012.

Purpose: any lawful act.

NOTICE OF QUALIFICATION of Unconventional Minds LLC. Authority filed with NY Secy. of State (SSNY) on 2/23/22. Office location: New York County.

LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 1/6/20. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: InCorp Services, Inc., One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Ave., Ste. 805-A, Albany, NY 122102822. Cert. of Formation filed with DE Secy of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of Mala Project Greenpoint LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the Secy. of NY (SSNY) on 03/03/22 NY SERVICES office110 location NY County.

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36 • May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022 Sprinter Leah Anderson dashes to the tape and the NCAA Regionals (Photo credit: St. John’s Athletics)

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS S P O R T S

Five St. John’s athletes head to the NCAA Regional Championships

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews This weekend sprinter Leah Anderson will look to extend her time as a member of the St. John’s University track and field team. It has been a remarkable five years. Anderson is intent on it concluding with a trip to Eugene, Oregon, for the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships. First, she must outrun the competition at the NCAA Regional Championships in Bloomington, Indiana.

“Overall, it’s been a great experience coaching Leah,” said St. John’s director of track and field Aliann Pompey. “By her sophomore year she was more fearless. She took some chances and they paid off.

It just went from there.

She pretty quickly became a leader on the team. She started off shy, but she says what needs to be said. She’s one of those people who leads by example.

“We leaned on her quite a

bit as one of the captains to get the right message across and I think she did an excellent job,” she added.

At the Big East Outdoor Championships, Anderson was named the Big East Most Outstanding Track Performer and the meet’s high-point performer. She also set a new Big East record in the 400.

Joining Anderson in Bloomington are freshman sprinter Tatyana McKenzie, senior sprinter Skyy Diop and two other runners from the 4x400 relay, Mandana Vouillemin and Brooklyn Chestnut.

Pompey said Anderson propelled the momentum that led to this kind of success. “[The Big East] was everything you want to happen at a championship meet,” said Pompey. “Everybody committed to our purpose over the weekend, and it worked out great. … People see we can do this out of New York, and each year it’s gotten better.”

Pompey had to push McKenzie, who is normally a 400-

meter runner, to run the 100. “She’s a crucial piece on our 4x400 and this year our 4x100. We knew Skyy and Leah would do well in the 400, and we didn’t want to leave the 100 wide open.

We put Tatyana in there and she ended up winning,” said Pompey, adding that McKenzie is gritty and gutsy.

Graduation was last weekend and after the NCAA Championships St. John’s will bid goodbye to Diop and Anderson. Diop will return to Canada and try to make the Canadian national team and run at the World Championships this summer. Anderson plans to continue her track career.

The victorious St. John’s 4x100 relay squad (Photo credit: St. John’s Athletics)

Howard softball’s historic season ends at NCAA Regionals

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

“When I took this job, it was an going to be a MEAC Champion- a coach that these people believed eight win team whose biggest goal ship team in a few years, know- in my dream, committed to it and was to make it to the conference ing how small we had to start. To followed it.”

In only the second time in pro- tournament,” said Tyson, who is in watch this insane dream all come This was a tough season persongram history—the first being her fourth year at Howard. “It took to realize, that these seniors…now ally for Tyson, a single mom whose 2007—Howard University women’s a little bit of insanity to say this is get to celebrate. I’m so grateful as daughter’s father passed away. She softball won the Mid-Eastern AthHoward won its first MEAC softball title since 2007 (Credit: MEAC Media Relations) letic Conference (MEAC) Softball Championship. With that came the MEAC’s automatic bid to the 2022 NCAA Softball Tournament.

“This is the most depth we’ve had since I have been here,” said head coach Tori Tyson. “What’s really cool is everyone accepted their role and really tried to thrive in it and genuinely chose each other every day, even when it hurt. That’s what good teams do.”

At the start of the year, Tyson challenged her players to celebrate regardless of their roles. Watching them storm the field after the MEAC win gave her great satisfaction. She knew each teammate committed to the team as a whole and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Over the course of the season, each player had a time to shine.

looked to her players to lift her up in a tough time, and they came through for her. Howard’s women’s basketball coach, Ty Grace, also stepped up, taking Skylar, eight, who loves basketball, to the MEAC Basketball Tournament, which Howard won. Tyson has pictures of Skylar with those players.

“I try to be the best mom I can be and be the best coach,” said Tyson. “Every year presents a new challenge in balancing those roles. I try to be the best version of myself for every team. You have to stay true to yourself.”

Howard’s journey came to an end at the NCAA Regional Round in Tallahassee, Florida, last weekend. The Bison lost its opener to No. 2 Florida State 8–0. A loss at the NCAA Tournament doesn’t mean automatic elimination. Unfortunately, a 6–3 loss to Mississippi State on day two closed the door on this season, but the sense of purpose and hunger for victory continues.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS S P O R T S

May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022 • 37

The new WNBA season is generating excitement

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

- Only three weeks in, and already the A 2022 WNBA season is generating plenty s of buzz. First-year head coach Becky p Hammon has the Las Vegas Aces playl ing well and sitting atop the WNBA rankings. Several other former players are now coaching, including Tanisha Wright, e in her first year as head coach of the Ats lanta Dream.

One of Wright’s former teammates, Bronx native Kia Vaughn, is making her presence known on the Dream roster.

Wright and Vaughn never played together in the WNBA but were teammates and housemates overseas in Israel. “I feel like I’ve played with her my entire career because I’ve known Tanisha my entire career,” said Vaughn. “I’m not surprised that she’s a great coach.”

Now in her 14th season as a professional basketball player, Vaughn said all is going well in Atlanta. “I think I’m the most adaptable player there is,” she said.

“It’s pretty easy to adapt here. Obviously, the city is beautiful. Lots of places to go foodwise. What’s on the court, that is great—love the coaches, the GM and the owners. The players are incredible so far.

It’s early, but you can feel that.”

After some disappointing seasons, the Dream is rebuilding and looking to win. Vaughn said all the players are buying in, respecting each other and allowing everyone to be themselves. While there may be some inevitable frustrations as the season goes on, those can easily be resolved when people share the same goal.

Vaughn did not go overseas this past off-season, allowing herself rest and enjoying time with her husband of two years. She admitted that it still took some adjustment. Each day, she had to think of how to spend it.

The Dream has been recognized for player activism. Vaughn said things have been relatively quiet at the start of the season, but she anticipates action moving forward. “We’re worried about BG right now,” said Vaughn, referring to Brittney Griner, her teammate for two seasons on the Phoenix Mercury, who is currently detained in Russia. “All we can do is pray. We have to allow God to see her through this.”

Vaughn, an alumna of Rutgers, also acknowledged C. Vivian Stringer’s recent retirement. “She put so much in over

Tracy McGrady’s Ones Basketball League comes to Brooklyn

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Tracy McGrady was one of the most gifted offensive talents in the history of basketball. The two-time NBA scoring champion (2003 and 2004) has now provided a platform for some of the best non-NBA players to display their one-on-one skills for the opportunity to earn $250,000.

McGrady’s Ones Basketball League (OBL) is an invite only, seven city round robin knockout tournament showcasing 32 ballers at each stop until a winner, who will be dubbed “The Ruler of the Court” emerges out of the finals in Los Angeles at a yet to be determined date.

The OBL makes its New York debut this weekend at Major R. Owens Community Center located at 1561 Bedford Avenue hosted by New Heights Youth Incorporated, a non-profit sports based youth development and educational organization. Games will begin Saturday at 11 a.m. and Sunday at 12 p.m.

The tournament had its first regional round in Houston the weekend of April 30 and thus far has staged its competition in Atlanta and Chicago. After New York, the OBL will move on to the Washington D.C. metro area ( June 4-5), the California Bay Area ( June 11-12) and concludes in Los Angeles. The winner of each region recieves $10,000 and the top three finishers in each region advance to the final round.

Contestants must be 18 and older who are currently not under an NBA contract and have not been on an active NBA roster for more than 164 games. Participants were selected through open-sourced video submissions and recommendations from basketball insiders. While this season will only include men, future OBL seasons will comprise both men and women.

Bronx native Kia Vaughn is based in Atlanta this WNBA season (Credit: WNBA)

these 50 years,” she said. “She left a foot- tant to women’s basketball.”

The New York Liberty is currently on print that’s bigger than life in women’s basketball. …. What she brought to this a three-game road trip. The team regame lives on forever. She’s that impor- turns to Barclays Center on June 1.

NBA Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady will be in Brooklyn this weekend as his Ones Basketball League makes its New York City debut (Photo credit: Ones Basketball League)

38 • May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS S P O R T S

An injured rotation doesn’t slow down the Mets

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

Mets starter Max Scherzer was placed on the injured list retroactive to May 19 due to an oblique injury (Photo credit: Wikipedia 5203391830)

The Mets had another opportunity against the San Francisco Giants yesterday on the road to become the first National League team to reach 30 wins this season, reflecting their robust beginning to the long 162-game campaign in spite of a rash of injuries hampering the starting rotation. The Yankees became the first club in Major League Baseball with 30 victories (30-13) after defeating the Baltimore Orioles 7-6 in the Bronx on Tuesday night.

The Mets, 29-15 before yesterday’s game, have been resilient in staying at the top of the NL. Two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob de Grom hasn’t pitched since last July and his return from right shoulder inflammation is uncertain.

Three-time Cy Young honoree Max Scher-

zer, whom the Mets signed to a freeagent deal last December, was placed on the injured list retroactive to May 19 resulting from an injured oblique and could be out until mid-July.

The 37-year-old Scherzer is 5-1 with eight starts and had been the veteran anchor of the Mets rotation in de Grom’s absence. Tylor Megill also had been solid in seven starts, going 4-2 in 34.2 innings pitched before being placed on the 15-day IL retroactive to May 12 suffering from right biceps tendinitis.

The Mets’ hitting, which has been inconsistent but often timely, pounded the Giants for 25 combined runs Monday and Tuesday in Games 1 and 2 of a three-game series in San Francisco. Yet they came away with a split, taking the first 13-3 and losing a slugfest the following night 13-12. Mets first baseman Pete Alonso launched three home runs and

drove in eight RBI, and the team had 18 hits in total in the series opener on manager Buck Showalter’s 66th birthday.

Giants outfielder Joc Pederson improbably matched Alonso’s numbers on Tuesday, blasting three homers and producing eight RBI to carry his team to a 13-12 win. Still, it took San Francisco shortstop Brandon Crawford’s gamewinning single off Mets closer Edwin Diaz in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Giants a dramatic victory after the Mets rallied for seven runs in the top of the eighth inning to take an 11-8 lead.

Shortstop Francisco Lindor had a home run and six runs batted in for the Mets, who will play their next six games at home at Citi Field. They begin a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies tomorrow and will host the Washington Nationals for three games Monday through Wednesday.

The first place stumble but don’t fall in the standings (L) Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson and (R) Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson were at the center of a confrontation at Yankee Stadium on Saturday (Photo Credit: MLB)

By VINCENT DAVIS Special to the AmNews Despite losing three games in a row for the first time this season heading into Tuesday’s game at home against the Baltimore Orioles, the

Yankees still had the best record in Major League Baseball at 29-13, tied with the Mets for the most overall wins.

They were swept by the Chicago White Sox at home on Sunday, dropping the

opener 3-1 and shutout 5-0 in the second game. Yankees manager Aaron Boone had a simple explanation. "They out pitched us today. They were able to hold us down."

The Orioles kept them down a little longer, defeating the

Yankees 6-4 on Monday in the first of three night games in the Bronx. "Yesterday, a tough doubleheader against a good team, and we couldn't pull anything out there," said Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge.

"Tonight, we got the offense going early, and we're playing against an Orioles team that scrapped out some runs, got some big time hits with guys on base."

It's also the Orioles team that the Yankees beat three out of four games last week in Baltimore. The two teams have already faced each other 13 times this season. The weekend series with the White Sox concluded in controversy with racial overtones when Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson, who is white, addressed White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson, who is Black, as Jackie. Anderson took offense to Donaldson greeting him as Jackie in the first inning and then later in the ballgame.

Donaldson claimed it was an inside joke between the two stemming from an August 2019 Sports Illustrated feature story on Anderson in which he referred to himself as a modern day Jackie Robinson, the pioneering Hall of Famer who broke MLB’s color barrier in 1947.

“I kind of feel like today’s

Jackie Robinson,” Anderson is quoted in the story. “That’s huge to say. But it’s cool, man, because he changed the game, and I feel like I’m getting to a point to where I need to change the game.”

The benches cleared in the bottom of the fifth inning when Donaldson stepped up to home plate for his third atbat. He and White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal exchanged words and the players had to be separated.

“I thought that was a joke between Anderson and I, because we’ve talked about it before,” Donaldson said, noting that Anderson’s view regarding the supposed friendly banter may have changed. “As I said, let me mention again, he’s called himself Jackie Robinson."

Anderson had a different take.

“He just made a disrespectful comment, you know, basically was trying to call me Jackie Robinson, like, ‘What’s up, Jackie?’ I don’t play like that, I don’t really play at all.” Donaldson was suspended for one game by MLB for the incident.

The Yankees begin a fourgame series tonight versus the Tampa Bay Rays on the road and will be back home to host the Los Angeles Angeles next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022 • 39

Sports The Mavs stave off elimination, but for how long?

By VINCENT DAVIS Special to the AmNews T h e G o l d e n S t a t e Wa r r i o r s left their broom at the team h o t e l o n Tu e s d a y n i g h t b e cause there was no sweeping the Dallas Mavericks.

Down 3-0 and facing el im in a t i o n i n G a m e 4 o f t h e We s t ern Conference Finals, the M a v e r i c k s h e l d o f f t h e Wa r riors at home 119-109 to stay alive and extend the best-ofseven series to Game 5 ton i g h t i n S a n F r a n c i s c o.

Dallas took an early lead and were up 28-24 at the end o f t h e f i r s t q u a r t e r. T h e y stretched it out to 62-47 at t h e h a l f . L e d by L u k a D o n c i c , who it was announced this week was selected All-NBA F i r s t Te a m , D a l l a s d o m i n a t e d

the third quarter and were up t o s t a r t t h e f o u r t h . T h e Wa r riors made a furious run and cut their deficit to only eight points, 110-102 with 3:23 remaining on a three-pointer b y Wa r r i o r s r o o k i e J o n a t h a n Ku m i n g a , b u t t h e M a v e r i c k s kept enough separation to avoid getting swept.

“It was almost like an ego w i n ,” s a i d t h e Wa r r i o r s’ S t e p h e n C u r r y, w h o s c o r e d a t e a m - h i g h 2 0 p o i n t s . “ Yo u come out and really have nothing to lose. So that conf i d e n c e s t a r t e d e a r l y, a n d w e r e a l l y d i d n’t d o n o t h i n g t o s l ow i t d ow n .”

D o n c i c d i d n’t s h o o t w e l l , o n l y g o i n g 3 8 % ov e r a l l a n d just 27% on threes (3-11), but still posted a triple double with 30 points, 14 rebounds

and nine assists. Mavericks for ward Dor ian FinneySmith added 23 and former Knick guard Reggie Bullock contributed 18, making 6-13 three-pointers.

“Ever ybody in that locker room felt like we had more b a s k e t b a l l t o p l a y,” s a i d Finney-Smith. “ We just w a n t e d t o g e t t h e w i n .”

B e f o r e t h e g a m e , Wa r r i o r s h e a d c o a c h S t e v e K e r r, whose father was assassinated in Lebanon in 1984 while ser ving as the presid e n t o f A m e r i c a n Un i v e r s i t y in Beirut, gave an emotional plea for lawmakers to pass stricter gun laws after a s c h o o l s h o o t i n g o n Tu e s day left 19 students and two teachers dead at an element a r y s c h o o l i n U v a l d e , Te x a s .

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic scored 30 points, had 14 rebounds and nine assists to lead his team to a 119-109 win over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night (Bill Moore Photo)

The Heat and Celtics engage in a battle of attrition in the East Finals

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor The Eastern Conference Finals has those who long for the days of physical, 1980s no-layups-allowed NBA basketball in a state of euphoria. The Miami Heat and Boston Celtics are engaged in a best-of-seven tug of war that has come down to a survival of the fittest contest. They played Game 5 last night in Miami tied at 2-2. No team has been able to establish a clear advantage although the eye-test reveals the Celtics have a clear margin in collective talent, notably offensively.

The Heat was committed to playing more intensely and urgently in Game 3 in Boston after getting blown out at home 127-102 last Thursday

in Game 2. The result was a 109-103 road win.

“In the previous game, as everybody noticed, they beat us like we stole something,” said Heat center Bam Adebayo following a 31-point, 10-rebound effort in Game 3.

“That should wake everybody up. Getting beat at home like that, that says it all.”

The Heat’s cogency didn’t carry over to Game 4. The Celtics opened a 26-4 lead in the first quarter and won going away 102-82. Adebayo epitomized the Heat’s offensive inconsistency, attempting just five shots and scoring an inconsequential nine points in the loss.

“Just got to muster that same energy when we came off a win as well as a loss,” maintained the Celtics’ first-

year head coach Ime Udoka.

“This is a three-game series now. Can’t always just flip the mindset when we come off a loss and get a little desperate.”

Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, who scored a quiet 10 points shooting 3-14 in Game 3, imposed his will in Game 4, dropping 31 on a highly efficient 8-16 from the field and 14-16 from the foul line.

Arguably the most substantial factor that will decide the series outcome is injuries to both teams.

Celtics center Al Horford missed Game 1—a Heat victory—in the NBA’s COVID health and safety protocols.

Guard Marcus Smart missed Game 1 (foot) and Game 4 (ankle). And center Robert Williams III was side-

lined for Game 4 with left knee soreness.

For the Heat, guard Tyler Herro didn’t suit up for Game 4 due to a groin injury. Forward Jimmy Butler was out for the entire second half of Game 3 with right knee swelling while guard Kyle Lowry has been slowed by a strained left hamstring and didn’t play in Games 1 and 2.

Additionally, guard P.J. Tucker has been bothered by left knee irritation and guard Max Strus is fending off a hamstring strain.

“It’s a part of playoffs. You learn to adapt,” said Adebayo after Game 4. “Guys being out You’ve just got to find a way to win.”

Game 6 will be in Boston on Friday and Game 7 Sunday night in Miami if necessary.

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart is one of several players that have missed games due to injury in the Eastern Conference Finals which matches the Celtics against the Miami Heat (Bill Moore photo)

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

May 26, 2022 - June 1, 2022 • 40

Our Hearts Are With Buffalo AM NEWS 04/07/22

The Word In Black publishers extend our heartfelt condolences to the residents of the City of Buffalo during this challenging time. We are deeply concerned and troubled by the wanton killing of 10 innocent people by an alleged lone gunman intent on ending Black lives. We are also incredibly saddened over the loss of Katherine Eleanor Massey, a freelance journalist for two Black-owned newspapers — The Buffalo Challenger and The Buffalo Criterion — who was among the victims killed at the Tops Friendly Market on May 14, 2022.

Since 1827, the Black Press has documented the trials and triumphs of Black Americans. It is discouraging to have to cover the racist and hate-filled atrocities leveled against Black Americans, from slavery to the destruction of Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to the

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AM NEWS We exist to provide a voice for the victims and to underscore the 04/14/22 resilience of the survivors who, through faith, refuse to 0give74470 up or 22784

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We remain steadfast to our mission and promise to Black people to confront inequities, elevate solutions, and amplify the Black experience by reporting, collecting, and sharing AM NEWSstories about real people in communities across our country.

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