Religion & Spirituality

Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E. hosts anti-violence forum

By AUTODIDACT 17 Special to the AmNews

On Sept. 25, Saturday afternoon Harlem Mothers S.AV.E. (Stop Another Violent End) hosted its 6th annual anti-violence forum in front of their office at 306 W.128th St. Sept. 25 was designated “National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims,” by the U.S. Congress in 2007. This event was primarily meant to publicly denounce violence against women, and raise awareness about it, being that it occurred just three doors away from where 31-year-old pregnant mother Shanice Young was brutally murdered two weeks earlier, allegedly by her ex-boyfriend.

Dozens of associates, friends and relatives of victims advocating against domestic violence attended the outdoor event, many displaying photos of loved ones who were casualties. Several activists, city officials and law-enforcement agents also participated.

“Today’s a day that we’re gonna let our loved ones know that they’re not forgotten,” Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E. co-founder Jackie Rowe-Adams opened with. She also mentioned several other similar organizations which were present.

Harlem Mother’s S.A.V.E.’s chairperson, Rev. Ronald Sullivan, said, “This organization was born out of pain, but it’s here to provide opportunities and a lot of healing. We want to move from pain, to healing.”

NYPD’s 32nd precinct Chief Rodney Harrison offered condolences to Shanice’s father, Thurman Young, who was present, before saying: “No one should have to bury their child.”

Representatives from Harlem’s Boyer Lodge No. 1 made a financial donation, prior to Mrs. Rowe-Adams acknowledging that “If anyone can help us keep illegal guns out of our children’s hands, the lodge can do it.”

Rev. Sullivan then noted: “One of the true epidemics in our community is the abuse of our women.”

Then W.A.R.M. (We All Really Matter) founder, Stephanie McGraw spoke: “We have to denounce this type of violence. We are survivors of domestic violence, so we have a unique approach to it. We have to talk about it. There’s a lot of work to do.”

She noted that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and acknowledged their 12th annual event taken place in Harlem Oct. 9th at Bradhurst & 153-155th Sts, and another one in East Harlem Oct. 23rd.

“I am a survivor of domestic violence, and if you do not get out now, it’s gonna come back,” she recalled once advising a client. “Don’t let her end be your end, cuz it could’ve been me. That woman, we took her to the shelter. Use your life as a lesson to help someone else.”

Vanessa Jones, ambassador from Astoria, Queens, said, “We make sure to take care of the misunderstandings and miscommunication between the police and the communities we serve.”

Several parents of murdered victims read off approximately 300 names, including those of their own children. Some were victims of domestic violence, police terrorism or street violence.

That following Sunday morning, the 21st annual Gladys Ricart & Victims of Domestic Violence Memorial Walk/Brides’ March left from the Holyrood Episcopal Church, 715 W.179th St., into the Bronx, then concluded at 106th St. and Lexington Ave. in East Harlem.

On Oct. 2, a ‘Unity in the Community’ walk from Washington Heights into Harlem occurred.

For more information call 212234-0112, https://harlemmotherssave.org/

W.A.R.M raised awareness of Domestic Violence Month with a block party for women, children, and the community. Stephanie McGraw, founder of W.A.R.M, community group sponsor, held the event at 155th & Bradhurst Ave Harlem. There was music, video games, dance, and food for all.

(Bill Moore photo)

Alexander Lewis Jones passes

Alexander Lewis Jones, affectionately known to family and friends as “Alex,” “DA” and “Al,” was born on January 4, 1983. October 7, 2021 he was involved in a single car crash on the FDR drive. He was 38 years old.

Alexander graduated from Rice High School. He attended several colleges including Howard University. He was never short on words and showed no hesitation in sharing his opinion, as he considered himself a subject matter expert on many things.

To know Alexander was to love him. He was quite sensitive, even from a very young age. He loved to travel. Alex had a love affair with NIKE. When being interviewed by a writer from “Highsnobiety,” a fashion magazine in which he was featured, the writer said: “It seems only fitting that all morning, we heard friends and passersby referring to Alexander as the ‘Flyest USPS Man in New York.’ Fashion has always been a big part of Alexander’s life, he recalls. Growing up in Harlem, he learned about the legendary creatives from Harlem who inspired a lot of what we see in modern music, art, and fashion. In that regard, Alexander says, he feels proud to represent Harlem as a fashion figure and hopes to bring some attention back to the creative community that is still thriving there today.”

The writer asked, “What originally drew you into fashion?” Alex replied, “I remember looking at old photo albums a few years back. At that point I understood that my parents always made sure that I was dapper. So, respectfully, fashion has always been a big part of who I am.”

Alexander was the proud father of Gabriella Jones, whom he deeply loved and cherished. Being in the middle of family and friends was always something he enjoyed.

Alexander leaves behind his daughter, loving parents Billy E. Jones and Lewis E. Duckett; birth mother: Robin Wheeler Harvey and many other family and friends.