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Drought warning issued for NYC as brush fires rage
By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff
New York City is in the throes of a historic drought, and consequentially, a rash of brush fires in the city’s parks. Mayor Eric Adams has issued a drought warning, an open flame ban in parks, and implored New Yorkers to conserve water.
When a drought is combined with warming temperatures and low precipitation, it can lead to an ecosystem that has decreased snow, less rain, dry soils, and more flammable grasses and trees, said the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS). Forest areas are also more sensitive to lightning and “human-caused sources of ignition” that can result in large wildfires, said the NIDIS.
According to the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), this October was the city’s driest month in recorded history with a high of 200 brush fires. In a two-week period from November 1 to 14, the FDNY responded to 271 brush fires citywide — the highest amount in a two-week period in city history.
The Mayor instituted a grilling ban in all city parks and issued a drought warning while the city remains in drought conditions. Smoking and other sources of open flame are also currently illegal throughout the parks system.
“I issued a drought warning for our city. First drought warning we’ve had in 22 years. Who would have thought we would be praying for rain here in November? But
the reality is that we need rain,” said Adams at his press conference on Nov. 19. “Not only here in the city, but up near our reservoirs. It’s important. We have an eight-inch drop in the amount of rain that we normally have to be at full capacity. So it’s imperative that we take the necessary steps.”
There have been three major brush fires this month that captured headlines: a two-acre and two-alarm brush fire in Prospect Park in Brooklyn, a two-alarm brush fire in Inwood Park in Upper Manhattan, and a five-alarm and 15-acre fire in Harlem River Drive Park. Residents in nearby neighborhoods reported burning smells and smoke miles away.
“The most important thing is that no one
was hurt and that the FDNY was able to respond quick enough to be able to contain it,” said Prospect Park Alliance President and Park Administrator Morgan Monaco.
“It was a scary sight.”
Prospect Park’s archivist indicated there was a rash of fires in the park during a previous drought in the 1980s. The location of the recent fire was a “Forever Wild” area of the park, a designation meaning the space has rare and important native species of plants and animals. It was one of the park’s first forest restoration sites from the early 1990s. Monaco said that the park suffered major damage to its woodland ravine’s climate-adapted plant species, trees, shrubs
See DROUGHT WARNING on page 31
Congestion pricing back from the dead?
By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff
Governor Kathy Hochul revived the congestion pricing plan last week, after effectively killing it earlier this year. Some are thrilled and some aren’t.
Shortly after Hochul’s announcement, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) board voted to approve her updated plan, which initially lowers the toll price to $9 to enter the Manhattan Central Business District (CBD) below 60th Street. It should be in effect starting Jan. 5, 2025.
MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS INFORMATION
The toll would increase steadily over the next six years, landing at $12 in 2028 and as high as $15 by 2031. The changes to the plan are designed to provide $15 billion in funding for capital projects such as signal modernization, accessibility improvement, and expansion of the Second Avenue subway line.
“New York’s public transportation system is the lifeblood of our city, and millions of riders rely on it to fulfill their basic obligations and seek opportunity. Affordability for New Yorkers must guide our decisions and be a priority we all share,” said City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. “As implementation of this revised congestion
plan advances, investments in the immediate and long-term health of our transportation infrastructure are critical to the well-being of our city and its communities. For residents of transit deserts in outer-borough neighborhoods and environmental justice communities, this has historically been lacking, which has disproportionate consequences.” State Senator Cordell Cleare, who supports the conges-
tion pricing plan, said it was the best way to ensure the Second Avenue subway project stays on track. “Decades of future investment from congestion pricing revenue will give us long-awaited transportation alternatives, and upgrades for our community in Harlem, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and robust accessibility for all,” said Cleare in a state-
See CONGESTION PRICING on page 33
Traffic jam in Manhattan. (Fatih Turan photo via Pexels)
Firefighters at the scene of a brushfire in Manhattan. (Ariama C. Long photo)
John Lewis Voting Rights Act under fire in N.Y. state court
By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff
A voting rights law meant to protect minority groups was ruled “unconstitutional” by a state judge last week in Newburgh, N.Y., about 60 miles outside the city.
The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York, aka New York’s Voting Rights Act of 2022 (NYVRA), was sponsored by Senator Zellnor Myrie and signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul two years ago. The law has safeguards for any member of a “protected class to vote” and provides preclearance, or demands preapproval, for certain voting policies.
“When New York enacted the strongest voting rights law in the country, we knew there would be challenges,” said Myrie in a statement. “I disagree with the court’s legal reasoning and expect this decision will be overturned on appeal.”
A group of six Black and Hispanic Newburgh voters filed a lawsuit in March against the town electoral board, one of at least four lawsuits filed under the state’s voting rights act. They claimed that the “at-large elections” process to pick board members in the majority-white town had kept Black and Hispanic residents from electing their candidates of choice, reported the Associated Press (AP). They asked the court to institute a more equitable “by district” voting process.
On Nov. 8, Judge Maria Vazquez-Doles struck down the suit and the NYVRA law as
“based on race and ethnicity” and therefore “unconstitutional,” according to the AP. The U.S. Supreme Court similarly cited the equal protection clause in its ruling last year that struck down affirmative action programs at colleges and universities as unconstitutional.
In Vazquez-Doles’s opinion, she said the wording of the state law didn’t require voters to show evidence of past discrimination and that there weren’t clear guidelines on how much a group’s voting power has to be diluted before its rights are violated, said AP.
Michael Pernick, political participation counsel for the Legal Defense Fund (LDF), said the Newburgh case is an example of precisely why the voting rights act was created in the first place.
“The bill defines protected classes as race, color, and language minority groups. It’s consistent with the federal voting rights act,” said Pernick. “Here’s what’s important: The statute is what is called race-neutral. It doesn’t specifically say Black voters, or Latino voters, or White voters. Any members of a group that’s facing discrimination can use these protections.”
Pernick said point-blank that VazquezDoles’s legal opinion uses the “wrong legal framework” and incorrectly characterizes the state law.
“The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York delivered the most comprehensive set of voter protections of any state in America,” said Assemblywoman Latrice Walker, the
State Assembly sponsor of the bill. “I am confident that the judge’s decision will be overturned on appeal. I believe wholehearted ly that the right to vote is the very cornerstone of our democracy. We must not only exercise that right, but we also must do everything in our power to protect it.”
On Nov. 11, the plaintiffs ap pealed the judge’s decision in sup port of the NYVRA.
“Governor Hochul was proud to sign the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act into law in 2022, strengthening voting rights and cel
How Harlem gym closures influenced Deputy Mayor Parker’s public safety gameplan
By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member
Exactly a month after his announced appointment as deputy mayor of public safety, Chauncey Parker opted to meet the AmNews at his old haunt in One Police Plaza rather than his relatively new digs at City Hall.
Photos hang across the walls of young New Yorkers playing sports stemming from partnerships fostered from his time as the NYPD’s deputy commissioner for collaborative policing. He points to them as examples of his vision for the new job, one he said his four-decade career spanning the city, state and federal level built up to.
“What public safety means to me — the North Star — is to keep people safe with the lightest touch,” said Parker. “If we think of it that way, everybody shares that goal. We may have different perspectives about how to achieve that, but everybody wants to be safe, particularly people who live in communities that really have to worry about safety. How do we do that with the lightest touch? It can’t just be that the answer is a 911 response for everything.
“But what can we do with prevention
strategies, with community partnerships? What can we do to keep people safe in any way that we can possibly imagine? But the North Star is that people have got to be safe.”
Up until his appointment on Oct. 15, Parker served under his predecessor Philip Banks III as assistant deputy mayor of public safety — a role he assumed this past July after leaving the NYPD. He also served as director of criminal justice and commissioner of the New York State Division of Criminal
Justice Services under Gov. George Pataki.
However, Parker said there are limits to enforcement with a “lighter touch.” Also an ex-prosecutor with both the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and Southern District of New York, he maintains a stiffer approach against the city’s worst offenders is necessary, particularly when addressing gun violence.
Parker steps in for Banks, one of the many at Mayor Eric Adams’s “table of success,” to resign following his five-felony indictment
last month. He said there is “no noise” as he and fellow incoming deputy mayors laser in on public service.
“My focus, and everybody’s focus, is to get as much done for the people of New York City as we possibly can get done and the team that’s in place. I’ve never had a better opportunity to actually accomplish that,” said Parker.
So out of all things, why does youth sports inform so much of Parker’s public safety vision given his experience? He lit up when talking about Saturday Night Lights, a free youth drop-in program started by the Manhattan D.A. that he helped expand from a few sites to a citywide initiative.
Parker recounted how the absence of open indoor gyms during the weekend in Harlem coincided with rising youth violence, prompting investment from asset forfeiture money seized by police to go towards reopening the Police Athletic League (PAL) gym on 119th and Manhattan Avenue. The funding also went towards hiring high-level basketball coaches. Today, Saturday Night Lights spans roughly 140 gyms across the city.
“If the goal is to keep people safe with the lightest touch, how smart is that?”
The late Congressmember John Lewis (Official U.S. Congress Photo, contributed by AM Walker’s office)
Photocopy of notice of appeal filed against town of Newburgh, N.Y
Chauncey Parker (right) provides an NYPD briefing in 2023. (Caroline RubinsteinWillis/Mayoral Photography Office)
toxic cabinet
By HERB BOYD
Special to the AmNews
Trump continues the bizarre circumstances and expectations of his presidential campaign and the subsequent election with cabinet nominees that amount to Trump’s chumps. Not one of them seems particularly qualified for their designated positions, but that comes as no surprise to the autocratic promise of his administration.
Yesterday, for example, Linda McMahon, a retired professional wrestling executive, was nominated to lead the Department of Education and television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz has been tapped to serve as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator.
These two selections are in line with his plan to not only overhaul the Department of Education and the nation’s medical centers, but to prepare them for total eradication. Some of his other choices pose similar threats of dismantling or utter elimination. Each day brings another moment of consternation, another element of putting our democracy at greater risk.
Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida has been chosen as the next Secretary of State. The most important item on his agenda is the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, which will bring no relief to the destruction of Gaza.
Pete Hegseth, host of Fox & Friends, has been selected to be the Secretary of Defense. How in the world does a television host be chosen to oversee the Pentagon? This is perhaps perfectly logical
FARE Act will become law and prevent renters from paying ‘forced’ broker fees
By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member
in the Trump world.
Trump’s choice for Attorney General, U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz, is accused of sex trafficking and sexual misconduct and has repeatedly asserted that the Justice Department and the FBI are corrupt. These words align with Trump’s and in more than one way, they are birds of a feather. His boss’s criminal charges are sure to be given close review and put on hold — and even possibly erased.
Robert Kennedy, Jr., who bowed out of the presidential race and threw his allegiance to Trump, is the potential Secretary of Health and Human Services. Trump, upon choosing Kennedy, famous for his anti-vaccine stances, said Kennedy would be given full reign of the department, and as the presumed “czar” would not need Senate approval. This choice contaminates more than our drinking water.
To cite the other nominees would be redundant. Trump has chosen men and women on the same page and who will comply with his every command, and this is predictably the confirmation that they will receive from the Senate.
Leading Democrats and a few Republican stalwarts have voiced their opposition but it’s to be seen how resolute they will be in warding off Trump’s transition to absolute power.
Meanwhile, the international picture becomes more problematic with the hospitalization of Benjamin Netanyahu and President Biden giving Ukraine the right to fire long range missiles into Russia. Dangerous and unprecedented harbingers loom.
Broker fees will soon no longer make New York City renters broke(er), unless they hire the agent themselves. The Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses Act (FARE Act) passed the City Council with a supermajority vote last Wednesday, Nov. 13.
Once rolled out, the legislation will prevent landlords from tacking broker fees onto upfront rental costs by designating the hiring party as the paying party. Renters can still pay for their own broker to aid their apartment hunting, but will no longer foot the bill for agents who conduct showings on behalf of a property owner.
The bill was particularly championed by Brooklyn Councilmember Chi Ossé,
who built a groundswell of public support through traditional rallies and social media engagement on platforms like TikTok.
“The system of forced broker fees is an affront to
all New Yorkers,” Ossé said in a statement. “Today, we end that system. The victims of the old paradigm are too many to count: families unable to have another child, because they cannot afford to move into a larger home; children aging out of their parents homes unable to find a place in their own communities; victims unable to flee
Women’s entrepreneurship day organization celebrates 11th anniversary of empowering women’s economic independence
By LEAH MALLORY Special to the AmNews
The Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization (WEDO) convened at the United Nations Headquarters last week for their annual summit, celebrating the 11th anniversary of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day.
The grassroots movement, officially recognized on November 19, empowers women worldwide through financial independence, enabling them to become leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
“We’ve brought awareness towards that issue, and you see now everyone in the world is speaking about the importance of women,” said WEDO founder and CEO Wendy Diamond. “We have all these different
movements that are happening around the world to increase the visibility of
women in our future, and I think what you’re going to see more
Trump nominee Pete Hegseth speaking with attendees at the 2021 Student Action Summit hosted by Turning Point USA at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. (Gage Skidmore photo via Wikimedia)
Council Member Chi Ossé holds broker fee bill rally (Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit photo)
2024 WEDO Pioneer Award Honorees stand with WEDO CEO Wendy Diamond at WEDO2024 Summit (Photo courtesy of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Facebook page)
Cousins run a spa for kids of all ages
By NIA WATSON
Special to the AmNews
Teychenne (Tey) and Jataon Whitley are cousins, business partners and native New Yorkers who opened Milk and Cookies Kids Spa and Salon in 2015. Just a short walk from Herald Square’s throng of tourists in “I ❤ NY” memorabilia and mere steps from Third Avenue’s boisterous sports bars lies a small breath of fresh air — a safe haven for the city’s tiniest tots nestled between two bustling avenues on East 33rd Street.
The shop is a childhood dream which offers a range of unisex services, from hair styling and cuts, to facials and even pedicures. Children of all ages can experience the spa and salon luxuries that are usually only available to adults. Thanks to its extensive service menu, Milk and Cookies has garnered a lot of love and support from the community. But now, the shop is facing the threat of closing down.
“We are in a really tough spot. Just operating itself in New York City just has become very overwhelming,” she said in a recent interview.
Although Tey and Jataon have a good relationship with their landlord, Tey told the AmNews that pressures of overdue rent, overhead costs, bills and tax liability issues are threatening their shop’s stability.
They have recently set up a GoFundMe page. Their goal is $150,000 — a number that Tey said can help them get back on their feet.
Knowing when to reach out for help, though, was the most difficult step for her to take.
“I probably should have done this seven months ago, when it started to get a bit hectic,” she said. “We were really just trying to pull through on our own and I guess we just dug ourselves deeper and deeper. So now we’re at a point where we’re at risk of closing.”
As Black entrepreneurs, the stakes are even higher. According to NYC Small Business Services, the projected lifetime of the average Black-owned business is less than five years.
Milk and Cookies has almost doubled up on that statistic.
“We worked so hard to get to this place,” said Tey, looking back on the last few years in particular. During the pandemic, they managed to operate on an appointmentonly basis with masks, temperature checks and social distancing protocols.
In 2022, they moved the salon to a larger space downtown from their original location. The new, more spacious store accommodates both birthday parties and regular services at the same time. As operations got more difficult, Tey said that they wanted to give up multiple times, but seeing their effect on the community made it all worth it.
“When customers are so happy and families are so grateful, it keeps us going, you know? The staff comes in and they do their job, they make customers happy and they make them look beautiful, but they don’t know the pressure of entrepreneurship,” she said.
Their love for the community and desire to teach children self care keeps Milk and Cookies alive. The feedback they receive from the kids is the most rewarding thing. Messages of positive reinforcement decorate the walls of the salon and spa. The phrases “Surround yourself with good people… and good cookies” and “You were made to be awesome!” catch the eye.
Together with their staff, Tey and Jataon combine their varied expertise to operate Milk and Cookies. Tey has a background in business and used to run a clothing line for kids, while Jataon has a background in education. They always dreamed of starting a business together, and after Jataon had two kids —- a boy and a gir l—- they came up with a place where any child could get pampered.
“A lot of places exclude boys. It was very important for us to have a unisex spot,” said Tey.
This vision brought Milk and Cookies to where it is today. With high hopes for raising funds, Tey and Jataon have already started planning their anniversary.
“That’s gonna be a big celebration. I want everybody here,” said Tey, before stepping away to compliment a child who had just gotten her hair styled. The child had the largest smile on her face, with her parent watching endearingly.
THE URBAN AGENDA
By David R. Jones, Esq
A New Economic Measure for the Needs of 21st Century America
An undisputable truth about the outcome of the 2024 presidential election is that it underscored the disconnect between the perception of a vibrant economy and the reality on the ground for many voters.
Leading up to the election, all major economic indicators – GDP growth rate, consumer confidence, unemployment, inflation, interest rates, gas and energy prices – suggested the national economy was doing extra-ordinarily well. Yet, the outcome of the election suggested that voters perceived it to be otherwise. Anxious about high costs, Americans prioritized their wallets at the polls. Indeed, many said their financial struggles were not “seen” or had been marginalized.
Clearly, the ways we calculate and talk about the cost of living must better reflect reality.
The shortcomings of current government economic measures to look beyond mere subsistence to identify present-day costs, spending and savings that are essential to people getting ahead economically, has been a long-time concern of anti-poverty advocacy groups like the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA) and my organization, the Community Service Society of New York (CSS).
Earlier this year, CSS and FPWA published a survey that found 65 percent of Americans considered “middle class” were struggling financially. And they don’t expect that to change for the remainder of their lives.
Earlier this year, CSS and FPWA commissioned the Urban Institute to study the true cost of economic security in America. In a report released this week, the nonprofit research group offers a formula for understanding the costs to fully participate in today’s economy, as well as the resources to meet those costs. According to the report, 52 percent of Americans lack the financial resources to meet the “True Cost of Economic Security (TCES)” threshold in today’s society. Only 11 percent of these families are defined as living in poverty, but they strain mightily to afford basic daily necessities, save money and establish future financial security.
Nationally, the Urban Institute study set the median TCES at $139,700 for a family of two children and parents under the age of 65; $88,900 for childless adults under 65; and $105,100 for families with at least one adult age 65 or older.
More than 80 percent of people in single-parent households fall below the TCES threshold to cover their true living expenses, the study found. Meanwhile, half of all families with two children and two adults under age 65 cannot cover their TCES. Their predicament is driven more by deficient economic resources than high consumer prices, the study concluded.
Turning to demographics, the study found 71 percent of Latino families fell below the TCES threshold compared to 42 percent of nonHispanic Whites, 67 percent of Blacks and 46 percent of Asian and Pacific Islanders. According to the study, these racial and ethnic disparities reflect many differences in family size and composition, geographic concentration, and opportunities for education and employment.
In a break from outdated economic measures designed to capture only the most acute material deprivation, the report’s new economic measure makes comprehensive estimates of the actual financial resources it takes for households to thrive, not just scrape by paycheck to paycheck. And it can be adjusted for costs and required resources in every region of the country.
Across the nation, the share of families with incomes below their respective TCES thresholds ranged from as low as 46 percent in the Midwest to a high of 57 percent in the West. Notably, Bronx County was among the five counties with the highest fraction of residents struggling to achieve economic security at 78.3 percent.
The TCES threshold considers a wide range of costs, such as housing, food, health care, childcare, transportation, mobile telephone, internet, taxes, loans and debt. It also factors in savings, which few existing cost-of-living or self-sufficiency measures include as an essential expense.
In addition to savings, financial resources in the TCES measurement include a wide range of income, including wages, money from a side hustle, tax credits, public assistance, pensions, alimony and the value of family members helping out with childcare.
The richness of the TCES metric is obvious. Especially when compared with conventional indicators like the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which focuses on a basket of more than 80,000 items, many of which have little to do with the day-to-day household expenses of low- and middle-income families.
The next step is the adoption of the TCES metric as a policy-making tool. To that end, CSS and FPWA will convene a panel next month featuring city officials and local stakeholders discussing ideas on how the new measure can be utilized to address economic realities modern households face.
Here’s the bottom line. We need this new metric because our economic suffering is far from over. While no U.S. President can do much to substantially reduce inflation, there are things a president can do to make inflation much worse. We have no time to waste if we hope to reverse the trend of worsening economic security.
What you should know about COVID-19 for this holiday season
By HELINA SELEMON Blacklight Science Reporter
If you don’t feel up-to-date about what’s going on with COVID-19, you’re probably not alone. COVID-19 has been waning in the public consciousness for some time: Four years in, only 20% of Americans now view the virus as a major threat to public health in the U.S., according to a Pew survey, but COVID-19 is still here. It lingers throughout all seasons of the year and if past years are any indication, cases are likely to go up as people move indoors during cold weather.
“We’re seeing spikes in the summer and winter time,” said Dr. Uche Blackstock, an emergency physician at NYU Langone Health and founder of Advancing Health Equity.
“It’s so important to recognize that COVID19 never goes away …. If you have personal risk for developing severe COVID-19, you’re going to want to get vaccinated before then.”
Some of the COVID-19 cases were in kids who hadn’t received COVID-19 vaccines over the previous year, said Dr. Peter Marks, director of the Center for Biologics and Research at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He encourages getting RSV, flu, and COVID-19 vaccinations, comparing getting vaccines to wearing a seat belt to stay safe in the car and prevent injuries from car accidents. “Why wouldn’t you want to reduce the risk?” he said.
Here’s what experts want you to know to keep the people around you safe.
COVID-19 spread in New York is decreasing … for now?
There is some good news: So far this year, cases of COVID-19 in New York City are going down. Looking at data from between Oct. 27 and Nov. 2, COVID-19 detection from wastewater testing has been trending downward since mid-August to a “minimal” activity level.
Hospitalizations in the city are going down, too, with a weekly average of eight admittances. That said, the Thanksgiving to New Year’s window is when there is likely to be a spike in cases, said Dr. Sean Liu, associate professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
“When people come together for the holidays, that’s really the risk,” he said.
Testing kits: some new, some free
The federal government is once again offering free COVID-19 tests that can be mailed to residences. The New York State Health Department (NYSDOH) encourages New Yorkers to fill out the simple form to get the free test kits in a few days.
“It couldn’t be easier,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald in a statement. “I ordered mine and the entire process took less than 30 seconds to complete. As we head into respiratory illness season, arm yourself with the available tools — vaccines, testing, and treatment.”
It’s important to test before you gather with other people if you’re feeling ill. The FDA recently authorized a first-ever combined COVID-19 and flu test. The combined test is pricier than an at-home COVID-19 test, ranging from $10 to $13 per test. For that reason,
emergency physician Dr. Jeremy Faust has written that this version is best used during flu season: between November and March.
“While COVID-19 clearly has some seasonality to it, unlike flu, it does not vanish in the spring and summer,” said Faust in his newsletter “Inside Medicine.”
Liu added that these combined tests can also help people figure out which virus they have and fast-track their recovery, which is especially important for seniors.
“You should find out what kind of infection you have, because it can change management” of the illness, Liu said. “I think a lot of people don’t appreciate that there is a treatment for flu, and there is a treatment for COVID — there’s Paxlovid — and that stuff really works.”
Updated vaccines now available
It’s important to know that you can get any combination of COVID-19, flu, RSV vaccines in any visit, according to Dr. Peter Marks, director of the Center for Biologics and Research at the FDA. “This is a safe practice.”
COVID-19 is still deadlier than the flu: Last fall-winter season had nearly twice as many hospitalizations for COVID-19 as for influenza. Get the vaccines as early as possible and get them out of the way, “whatever your combination,” advised Synovia Moss from Good Health Wins, a group that supports community-based organizations with providing vaccine education.
“If you’ve recently had COVID … I would wait three or four months before getting the vaccine, because you got boosted when you
had COVID,” said Dr. Kawsar Talaat, an associate professor at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends getting the latest COVID-19 shots every six months, or twice a year, for seniors aged 65 and older and people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
As for access to a shot, Dr. Kayla McFeely, vice president of pharmacy care at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, said that last season, the CDC reported that pharmacies were the most common place people are going to for COVID-19, RSV, and flu.
“Pharmacy access can serve as a safety net for vaccination options,” she said, especially for those who don’t have easy access to get vaccines from a provider.
Those looking for a place near them to get vaccinated in New York City or New York state, it’s still possible to get an updated shot for free, wrote Marisa Donnelly from Your Local Epidemiologist. New York state also has a vaccine program for eligible uninsured adults in the state.
Think about Long COVID
Protecting vulnerable people in your circle, including those with Long COVID, comes with feasible steps, said Liza Fisher, an advocate for Long COVID education and executive member of the Long COVID Alliance. She said this includes masking when you travel to a destination.
“Mask if you’re going to see somebody
Free COVID-19 at-home tests — Americans can order set of four tests per household for free at covidtests.gov. (Helina Selemon photo)
CONGRESSMAN JEFFRIES:
PUT PATIENTS BEFORE PBMS
PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS:
In photos: Street Corner Resources organizes community response to Harlem shooting
By SHANNON CHAFFERS Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member
On November 13, Street Corner Resources, a Harlem-based gun violence prevention organization, organized a community response to a shooting that injured
a 7-year-old girl earlier that week. Two teenagers were charged with attempted murder in connection with the shooting, which occurred outside a Starbucks location on the corner of 145th Street and Bradhurst Avenue. At around 4:30 p.m., staff and youth participants in the organization gathered at
the corner to speak out against the violence, and invited community members to join them. These shooting responses are part of a range of strategies the organization uses to combat the normalization of violence in the community.
“I’m feeling hopeful, because our young people — I think they sincerely made a
commitment to stay away from guns and gangs, and to be an active person in their community,” said Street Corner CEO Iesha Sekou after the event.
Here are some photos from the event. Learn more about Street Corner Resources by reading our profile of the organization from earlier this year.
Josh Marte, violence interrupter at Street Corner Resources, spoke at organization’s community rally in response to shooting earlier that week. (Shannon Chaffers photos)
Multiple community members also spoke out against violence
Violence interrupter Josh Marte opened event and called violence unacceptable
Flier at corner of 145th Street and Bradhurst Avenue invited community members to attend shooting response
Youth participants in Street Corner Resources assembled on corner. Some of their signs read “Stop the violence”; others noted that overall, shootings have decreased in city and state this year
At around 4:20 p.m., staff and youth from Street Corner Resources arrived from their offices down the block in two vans
Divine Nine News
Anewcolumnhighlightingnews,events, initiatives and member profiles from theBlackGreekLetterOrganizations
By KAYLYN KENDALL DINES, MBA Special to the AmNews
The first edition of The New York Amsterdam News was distributed on Dec. 4, 1909 in Harlem. Nearly 115 years later, current writers and editors have remained steadfast in their commitment to giving readers news, events, programs, politics, health and wellness, arts, entertainment, sports and so much more.
Now, one week before Thanksgiving, we recognize nine Black fraternities and sororities whose missions and collective existence are steeped in academic excellence, public service, leadership development, sisterhood, brotherhood, scholarship, and social justice.
We are thrilled to announce a dedicated column that will spotlight the history, accomplishments and members from organizations that are part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. These organizations, informally known as The Divine Nine, will be highlighted.
Introducing Divine Nine News
Here is how you can help us get started. Are you a member of one of the organizations listed below? If so, let us know about upcoming public-facing events and programs. Tell us about the extraordinary accomplishments of members and officers. If your chapter or organization is celebrating a milestone or has an upcoming service-based initiative, let us know what’s going on.
If you are not a member, but you know a member, please help us spread the word. The editorial team at the AmNews want to let readers and social media supporters know about the efforts of these long-standing pillars within our community.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council is comprised of the following nine organizations:
• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
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Union Matters
NLRB bans controversial captive-audience meetings
By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff
Many union leaders and labor activists believe that your boss shouldn’t be able to force you to attend a meeting where they rant against the concept of unions. Some employers don’t believe unions are necessary: Howard Schultz, founder and former CEO of the Starbucks coffee chain, and managers of the supermarket chain Trader Joe’s have each claimed that the benefits their companies give their workers are better than what they could get from any union. Some corporate execs even think of unions as evil, born of anti-capitalist beliefs that refuse to reward merit-based work.
Anti-union bosses in particular have made it their business for decades to speak out against union organizing. For the past 75 years, they were allowed to arrange meet-
ings with their employees so that they could talk about why they feel a labor union is not necessary. Now, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the federal agency that helps employees and employers agree about the best ways of working together, has determined that those kinds of captive-audience meetings are illegal.
The NLRB says that when employees are forced to attend these kinds of meetings with their boss while union election campaigns are going on, they often feel intimidated.
The new NLRB ruling is based on the union organizing that took place at the Amazon JFK8 Fulfillment Center on Staten Island. In 2021, workers there began organizing to create the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), the first labor union ever at Amazon.
In its written decision, the NLRB notes that “employees here were required to attend many captive-audience meetings,
during which [Amazon’s] agents made statements opposing union representation generally and the Union specifically. At one point in the campaign, [Amazon managers] held meetings at its JFK8 facility every 45 minutes from 9 a.m. to p.m. [sic] and 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. 6 days a week. Managers personally notified employees that they were scheduled to attend, escorted them to the meetings, and scanned their ID badges to digitally record attendance.”
The Economic Policy Institute (EPI), a nonprofit, nonpartisan think-tank, found that 89% of employers use captive audience meetings to try to stop the creation of unions among their workers. In fact, employer spending to prevent the formation of unions has reached $400 million a year for anti-union consultants.
When employees do not have a choice and feel obligated to be present at these
captive-audience meetings, it may enhance an employer’s free speech rights, but it inhibits employees “from acting freely in exercising their rights,” the NLRB announced in a press release.
“Ensuring that workers can make a truly free choice about whether they want union representation is one of the fundamental goals of the National Labor Relations Act,” said Chairwoman Lauren McFerran in the Nov. 13 press release. “Captive audience meetings — which give employers nearunfettered freedom to force their message about unionization on workers under threat of discipline or discharge — undermine this important goal. Today’s decision better protects workers’ freedom to make their own choices in exercising their rights under the Act, while ensuring that employers can convey their views about unionization in a noncoercive manner.”
Chris Smalls, then-president of Amazon Labor Union, talks on his phone across street from Amazon distribution center on Staten Island on Oct. 21, 2021. Bid to unionize Amazon workers at distribution center in New York City neared important milestone as organizers prepared to deliver hundreds of signatures to National Labor Relations Board as soon as Monday for authorization to hold vote (AP Photo/Seth Wenig photo)
Jim Walden isn’t a career politician. He’s a former federal prosecutor and lifelong advocate for justice with a record of taking on corruption, protecting communities, and fighting for fair, transparent government. Jim has real solutions to make our city safer, finally solve the housing crisis, and build a sustainable future. He’s ready to bring integrity back to City Hall and put New Yorkers first.
jim4nyc.com
YOU ARE INVITED! Join us to officially kick off Jim’s campaign! Monday, November 25, 2024 9:30 AM Federal Courthouse, 225 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn (in front of the War Memorial)
What was your vote as you headed for the exit?
Many African Americans who voted for Trump claim it had nothing at all to do with race, gender or class. It was all about politics, many of them asserted, adding that Vice President Kamala Harris’s policies did not appeal to them.
Okay, granted you have every right to vote your what you feel, and how your conscience guides, but how in your right mind can you vote for someone who continuously disparaged you because of your ethnicity and whose racist rants are a common part of his rhetoric and harangue? Doesn’t it matter at all what a man thinks about you, no matter what kind of policy he promises? Besides, a close examination of his policies will reveal that the devil is in the details.
We know full well that most voters are unwilling to admit how they voted, and of course they insist that racism and misogyny are not in their vocabulary. And, to be certain, we are reluctant to call an African American person a racist; however, something has to be said for their voting against their selfinterest, similarly for many Hispanic voters. These points can be argued right until the next election, and we have a bet that many of those who plunked down for Trump will have some deep reservations about that decision — in a few shakes. Already Trump is making some firm steps in lining up his ducks, those appointees who will kowtow to his demands, lest they feel the wrath of his autocratic whip. After all is said and done, leaving America is not an option. We have to toughen our resolve and shore up our resistance once again to thwart a dangerous tyrant, one who has promised to use the military to complete the nightmare for the Dreamers.
How many Latinos, now slated for deportation, voted for such an outcome? Perhaps they were beguiled, and hoodwinked by the snake oil salesman. Whatever the reason, as you line up to leave as many of you lined up to enter, the boot to your rear comes from the same man who no longer needs your vote or vital services, and for that we all will suffer.
Why we need a five-state plan for Black political power after Harris’ defeat
By ROGER HOUSE
While most observers of Black politics will focus on the defeat of Vice President Kamala Harris for president of the U.S., we should not neglect a silver lining to be found in the states.
Since the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the Black political arena has been largely restricted to municipal and congressional districts with a sizable Black powerbase. Candidates have encountered a longstanding barrier of race in the quest for state-wide representation. Even with the unexpected dominance of Donald Trump in the presidential race, this election produced an unprecedented number of Black statewide campaigns that were able to break through historic barriers to power.
Since the end of the Obama presidency, a lingering question in Black politics has been what goals its leaders should pursue. Over the next four years, with anxiety high about a second Trump presidency, the answer may be to accrue power in the five southern states with active Black voting communities.
The proposal involves strategic migration to consolidate political, economic, and cultural capital in a Black-led polity in states of promise: Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia. The states, after all, govern the most important aspects of Americans’ everyday life.
First, a shout-out to Maryland, which is arguably the new capital of Black America with the election of Angela Alsobrooks to the Senate. She joins Gov. Wes Moore and Attorney General Anthony Brown in the only state with three major executive branch offices held by representatives of the Black community.
he is the first Black politician to hold that office, and only the second ever elected statewide. His campaign was badly damaged from his insensitive statements about the culture wars and he was defeated by Democrat Josh Stein, who received overwhelming Black support.
While there was good news in other states as well, such as Alabama, where two Black candidates for Congress emerged triumphant, and Washington, where Democrat Nicholas Brown became the state’s first Black attorney general, the prospects for sustainable Black influence are best found in the five states.
There is political, economic, and cultural benefit in a strategy of migration to the five states with preconditions for Black-led political coalitions. They feature organized communities of between 20 to 30%, diverse economies, and nonBlack voters who are open to alliances on certain issues. Targeted migration would help grow the Black powerbase and serve as a springboard for self-governance, cooperative economics, sustainable development, moral uplift, and community esteem.
Elinor R. Tatum: Publisher and Editor in Chief
The “Maryland Model” seeks to network a Black voting bloc among urban, suburban, and rural districts. Its latest achievement is the campaign of Democrat Alsobrooks, the executive of Prince George’s County, who mobilized the state’s 30% Black voting bloc to defeat the popular and well-funded Republican former governor, Larry Hogan. She also built a coalition of supportive voting blocs among suburban white women, organized labor, students, and other interest groups.
Less high-profile, although
just as effective, was the Senate campaign of Lisa Blunt Rochester in Delaware. The four-term member of Congress was able to leverage Delaware’s favorable Black demographic conditions to good results: The small state has a nearly 25% Black population that can provide a reliable powerbase.
The 62-year-old Rochester will become the first Black person to represent Delaware in the Senate. Only three Black women have ever served in the Senate. North Carolina voters were faced with three Black candidates for statewide offices. In a state where Blacks comprise over 20% of the state population, voters rejected two candidates — a Democrat and a Republican — and elected a Democrat to become only the third Black person to serve in high office. Mo Green defeated Republican Michele Morrow for North Carolina superintendent of public instruction. He previously served as deputy superintendent for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, superintendent of the Guilford County Schools, and executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.
Meanwhile, Democrat Jessica Holmes, the incumbent state auditor appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper, was edged out by Republican Dave Boliek. Then there was Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the firebrand GOP candidate for governor. Elected in 2021,
Over the next four years, Black commercial and social media marketing should be used to recruit people interested in building power in the states. What is needed to bolster the existing communities is about 200,000 new registered voters in Maryland; 50,000 in Delaware; and 500,000 each in Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia. Most appropriate are people with cultural capital such as middle-class families, college students, workers with trade skills, moneyed retirees, and managers and professionals who work remotely.
Finally, to avoid weakening the voting power in blue states, the target markets should be in the red states where the Black vote is marginalized by mean racial politicking, like Texas and Florida; diminished economies, like Mississippi and Louisiana; and urban areas with shortages of affordable housing, like New York City and Los Angeles.
Roger House is professor emeritus of American studies at Emerson College and the author of “Blue Smoke: The Recorded Journey of Big Bill Broonzy” and “South End Shout: Boston’s Forgotten Music Scene in the Jazz Age.” His forthcoming book is “Five Hundred Years of Black SelfGovernance: A Call to Conscience.” A version of this commentary
Roger House
Midwives fight for better health outcomes in the Bronx
By MARISA POVERMAN
As a midwife at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, I see firsthand the crisis of care in this country. The U.S. has some of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates amongst its peers, and these numbers are on the rise. Although the rates of maternal death in New York state are lower than the national average, the rate of Black maternal deaths is much higher, at 54.7 deaths per 100,000 live births. Amidst the startling nationwide maternal and infant mortality epidemic, Bronx midwives are on the frontlines, fighting to improve maternal health in their communities.
Public hospital midwives at Jacobi and North Central Bronx Hospitals are involved in every part of the birthing process, from the first pregnancy visit through the postpartum period. My coworkers and I care for anyone in labor, attend all vaginal births and assist in C-sections. On a typical day at Jacobi Medical Center, I might attend three vaginal births, see half a dozen pregnant people for emergency care in our OB triage unit, and admit a handful of patients to the hospital for labor or because they need inpatient care in their pregnancies. Despite our crucial role and range of responsibilities, we are severely understaffed, overworked, and underpaid, which leads to high turnover and burnout. If we want to address the unacceptable disparities in health outcomes for Black mothers and infants in the Bronx, we need to invest in midwifery care.
Pregnancy is a time when people receive more medical attention than ever before in their life, so we often see pa-
tients who come in with chronic conditions — like asthma, diabetes, and high blood pressure — that have been previously unaddressed. Most of the patients we see are low-income and underinsured. We take care of high acuity patients who need more of our time and, as a public hospital, we do not turn patients away. To keep up with this need, on any given day, we are scheduled at 105-127% of our capacity — though the daily expectation of my role is that I am doing 127% at a minimum. Our schedule doesn’t begin to factor in the language barriers, lack of stable housing, tenuous immigration status, mental health concerns, and chronic conditions that many of our patients experience. All of these issues have been under-addressed during their lives.
I love my role, my patients, and my coworkers. The work is rewarding; every midwife I know appreciates the privilege it is to help people in what is a vulnerable but powerful time in their lives. However, our employer and healthcare system make it impossible to adequately address bigger picture social determinants of health and take advantage of our dedication to the patients we serve. This means we stay late, take work home or can’t fully meet our patients’ needs. Chronic understaffing places an undue burden on midwives to meet the complex needs of as many patients as possible in a short amount of time and there are days that are so busy that I don’t even have time to eat or go to the bathroom. This is without a doubt an unsustainable way to work. This work is rigorous, requires attention to detail and the ability to respond quickly when emergencies arise. But on any given day, my colleagues and
What do we do now?
CHRISTINA GREER, PH.D.
I are left to do the most with the bare minimum, squeezing multiple patients into individual time slots and doing the work of multiple midwives. Many of us also work two or more jobs and watch as coworkers leave more quickly than the positions can be filled. As a group, we are one of the most diverse midwifery groups in the country. More than half of us are bilingual, and while less than 7% of midwives are Black nationally, at Jacobi, 35% of our midwives are Black or Brown. This is intentional, and we believe that the practice should reflect the patients we care for. We are primarily women taking care of women, which makes us doubly undervalued and undercompensated for the level of skill and responsibility we have. We work extraordinarily hard to do the best we can to take care of patients that all too often also bear the brunt of a broken health care system. The most marginalized people in our society deserve so much more.
Valuing and investing in midwifery care is not only good for our patients in the Bronx, but it is also key to addressing the infant and maternal mortality crisis. Recent studies have shown that increasing and integrating midwives into the health care system could avert 41% of maternal deaths, 39% of neonatal deaths, and 26% of stillbirths.
Midwives in the Bronx are asking for the resources and time to keep midwives at the bedside. Addressing these issues will allow us to give the care this community needs and deserves and improve maternal and child health in the Bronx.
Marisa Poverman, MSN, CNM, WHNP-BC, is a midwife at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx.
Since the presidential election has wrapped, so many people are asking me, “What do we do now?” My answer is simple: Rest, recharge, go through the seven stages of grief, and then get back in the fight. America has shown us a side many people knew existed, but the vitriol, hatred of vulnerable populations, gross misreading of the economic dangers ahead, and willingness to support a charlatan-grifter-liarcompromised individual to lead our country has laid bare many Americans’ willingness to surround themselves with incompetence and hatred, all so others are not given a chance.
I know many people are scared about the road ahead, and there are many reasons to have those feelings. However, we must not let the crazy train dictate our lives. It is bad for our physical health, it is detrimental to our mental health, and it feeds the frenzy of following each impulsive desire of people bent on holding us emotionally hostage to their bad behaviors. It is OK to limit your news consumption. It is more than OK to take a break from social media (especially a certain platform owned by a billionaire that is riddled with inaccurate information and propaganda). It is OK to put yourself first and focus on self care, spending time with family and friends, and reshuffling your real priorities.
I keep reminding people that our ancestors survived much worse. I am allowing myself time to grieve for the coun-
try I thought we had progressed into being. The story of America is one of progress and regress. We are in a regression moment, but I know America has the capacity to move forward once again. It may be on the state level; it may even have to begin on the local level.
However, what I do know is true: America will only advance if we take all elections seriously and go to the voting booth thinking about the collective good of our country, not falling trap to the fear-mongering and rhetoric that there are scarce resources being stolen by “undeserving” people. That’s the old okie-doke the Republican party has used for decades to slowly erode civil rights progress and multiracial coalition building. What do we do now? We rest. This election has taken a toll on folks and the road ahead is long. It is OK to rest and figure out how you will be engaged in the years ahead, beyond the ballot box. It is OK to feel sad and angry about where we are as a nation, but with all things, there must be a time limit. I don’t know how long you’ll need, but allow yourself time and then … pick yourself up and get back to working to make this country a better place.
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of the book “How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams” and “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream”; and is co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.
Midwives at the Bronx’s Jacobi Medical Center say it’s past time for a new contract. (NYSNA photo)
Caribbean Update
Guyana is leading oil producer in Caricom
By BERT WILKINSON Special to the AmNews
From a scenario where not a single barrel of oil was produced and exported in previous decades, to coughing up half a billion pumped from the seabed in just five years — this is the story of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) headquarters nation of Guyana, where commercial quantities of oil and gas were discovered offshore back in 2015.
Today, Guyana’s government and industry officials are boasting that the nation of just under 1 million is now easily the largest producer and exporter in the 15-nation bloc, as American supermajor ExxonMobil and partners rush to cash in on the nation’s bounty.
In the past week, Exxon and consortium partners Hess Oil of the U.S. and CNOOC of China announced that they had produced and exported 500 million barrels of sweet, light crude from three oil fields offshore Guyana in just five years since actual production started in December of 2019.
As an indication of how enthralled the consortium is with Guyana and its offshore deposits, the 500 million barrels produced so far have come from three current oil fields in operation, but applications are in for three more with local authorities for development and active operation by 2027. Once approved by regulators, actual daily
production will move from the current average of about 650,000 daily to more than 1.3 million by the end of 2027 from six active fields. This is even as the company has signaled plans to go after a seventh in the coming months.
Compared to neighboring Caribbean states, Trinidad is producing around 50,000 barrels daily; Surina-
me is at 16,000 from a slew of small onshore wells; and Barbados is struggling to remain at under 2,000, also from inland wells. Most of Guyana’s active wells and suspected deposits are located close to the marine border with Suriname which has., in the past three years, discovered large quantities of hydrocarbons as well. Production there is slated for 2028.
The Guyana oil boom has triggered a rush by fellow member nations, especially like Grenada and Jamaica, to also trigger international interest in offshore oil and gas fields. Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell recently announced plans to update the nation of expected exploration activities offshore in the coming weeks, well
The irony of the Tom Horman ‘Deporter-in-Chief’
FELICIA PERSAUD
In a move that seems designed to prove his commitment to hardline immigration policies, Donald Trumpeto has said he will appoint Tom Homan as his “border czar.” Trump appears to have relished the label he once applied to his former presidential rival so much that he’s now made it an official post in his incoming administration. Yet, the irony of the Homan appointment has gone largely unremarked. Homan, after all, received the
highest civil service award from none other than former Democratic President Barack Obama, the nation’s first Black president. In 2016, Obama honored Homan for his efforts in immigration enforcement — efforts that earned Obama the title “Deporter-in-Chief” among immigrant advocates. As head of the deportation branch of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2013, Homan managed a sudden surge of unaccompanied children and families who crossed the southwest border from Central America. By 2015, his division set records for the share of deportees with criminal records, a fact that
served to bolster Obama’s reputation for rigorous immigration enforcement.
Now, Homan is slated to return in 2025, seemingly eager to continue where he left off. In Trump’s first term, Homan drew controversy as acting director of ICE when he declared undocumented immigrants “should be afraid” under the Trump administration. He was one of the principal architects of the “zero tolerance” policy, which led to the notorious separation of thousands of migrant children from their parents — families were split up as adults were prosecuted for illegal entry, with their children sent to shelters for unaccompanied minors, often without
aware that Grenada neighbors oiland-gas–rich Trinidad.
In Jamaica, local fishermen have persistently pointed to large oil seeps to authorities. Initially, these were dismissed as cruise ship waste, but further probes appear to have shown that they might have been from the seabed. The result is a concerted effort by the government to encourage global companies to explore for commercial quantities off the south coast.
Exxon has said it is pleased with its progress in Guyana so far. To prove this, the company has rushed to sell off prime assets around the world to concentrate on Guyana, where production costs per barrel is usually under $40, allowing for a hefty profit margin. It has also invested in a huge office campus east of there where it will bed down to exploit much of the offshore basin.
“Our unrivaled success in developing Guyana’s oil resources at an industry-leading pace, cost, and environmental performance is built on close collaboration with the government of Guyana, as well as our co-venturers, suppliers, and contractors,” said ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge. “We remain committed to Guyana for the long term and look forward to continuing delivering for the country.”
Investment to date by the three companies has reached $55 billion, according to official figures released recently.
appointment
plans for family reunification.
Homan left ICE in 2018 but will return in 2025 with even greater authority.
Homan has said he plans to prioritize criminals and national security threats, but will also target non-criminal migrants with final orders of deportation. To implement this, he would need to undo Biden-era policies directing ICE to focus on serious criminals, national security risks, and recent border crossers, effectively protecting long-term undocumented residents without serious criminal records from deportation.
In addition, Homan has signaled that he intends to revive large-scale workplace immigra-
tion raids, which the Biden administration ended in 2021. “That’s gonna be necessary,” he said on Fox.
For Latinos and other immigrants, who voted for and supported “47” and believe their undocumented families and friends will somehow be exempt from the sweeping deportations of 2025 because they are “good” and not “criminals,” I urge you to get ready for the wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Felicia J. Persaud is the publisher of NewsAmericasNow.com, a daily news outlet focused on positive news about Black immigrant communities from the Caribbean and Latin America.
(Image and data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration; World Bank; Guyana Ministry of Natural Resources)
International News
In Africa, meager expectations and some hopes for second Trump presidency
By CHINEDU ASADU Associated Press
ABUJA, Nigeria — African leaders may have been quick to congratulate Donald Trump on his 2024 election, professing a desire for mutually beneficial partnerships, but there are meager expectations that his presidency will change things for this continent of more than 1.4 billion people.
In the wake of Trump’s win, Kenya’s William Ruto said his country “stands ready” to deepen its ties with Washington. Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu spoke of a second Trump administration ushering in an era of “earnest, beneficial, and reciprocal” cooperation.
Still, observers say African countries — once described by Trump as “shithole countries” — are definitely not going to be high on his to-do list.
Low priority or not even a concern?
U.S. foreign policy has not made Africa a priority for a long while, beyond seeing the continent through the lens of countering rivals such as Russia and China, said Charles Ray, chair of the Foreign Policy Research Institute’s Africa Program. President Joe Biden talked about Africa as a key partner, said Ray, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Zimbabwe between 2009 and 2012, but not much action followed those words.
Africa “will be at the very bottom of (Trump’s) list of priorities” and any U.S. action on the continent would likely be driven by his “transactional, ego-driven leadership style,” Ray added.
Many experts agree, citing Trump’s “America First” strategy.
Murithi Mutiga, program director for Africa at the Crisis Group, said the president-elect is “a committed isolationist and clearly wants to pull back” on various fronts across the world.
Some say there are deals to be made, even in Africa
J. Peter Pham, Trump’s former special envoy to Africa’s Great Lakes and Sahel regions, said the next Trump presidency may look for a “win-win” situation in Africa. That could include a renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which grants eligible African countries duty-free access to U.S. markets, Pham said during a Voice of America broadcast. However, U.S. lawmakers have been asking questions about whether African coun-
abortion, climate extremism and interventions against perceived systematic racism.” The document is said to align closely with Trump’s vision — although he has distanced himself from it.
Kiron Skinner, the head of policy planning at the U.S. State Department during Trump’s first term in office, recommended in the document that in Africa, America should “focus on core security, economic, and human rights” rather than impose “radical abortion and pro-LGBT initiatives.”
New realignments in Africa, turning to Russia and China
In Africa’s volatile Sahel region, soldiers are increasingly booting out elected presidents and riding anti-Western sentiments to sever ties with long-standing allies like the United States and France, while turning to a new friend: Russia. China, which casts infrastructural loans to African countries as mutually beneficial cooperation, rarely interferes in internal politics of the recipients’ countries. Russia, the continent’s biggest arms supplier, is often in bed with Africa’s military juntas.
Both countries, like America, have shown huge interest in Africa’s rich mineral resources. “The problem historically has been that the U.S. and the West viewed Africa as a problem” to be solved, Mutiga said, while China and others “saw it as an opportunity to be grasped.”
Will Trump backpedal on Biden’s pledges?
tries are complying with conditions under the program — or if they are undermining U.S. foreign policy interests and national security, Pham said.
In 2023, U.S. Ambassador Reuben Brigety accused South Africa, one of the biggest beneficiaries of the program, of providing weapons and ammunition to Russia for its war in Ukraine and its professed neutral stance on the war was brought into question.
Basically, you don’t “kick America in the teeth” in ways that raise questions about compliance with such deals, Pham said.
Those that do “will be treated as pariahs,” said Ray.
Africa’s myriad health and other crises, abortion, and LGBTQ+ rights
The top concern is that the next Trump presidency will cut funding. In many parts of Africa, such cuts could be critical for
millions of girls and young women whose reproductive health and choices are heavily supported by U.S.-funded programs.
“The situation is already bad for girls (and) it will turn into a disaster without these services,” said Valentine Damitoni, a mother at 18.
She regularly visits a local clinic in Zimbabwe’s capital of Harare to receive a contraceptive under a U.S.-funded program that allows her to return to school without fears of becoming pregnant again.
Max Primorac, a former acting deputy administrator at the U.S. Agency for International Development — one of Africa’s biggest development aid donors — criticized some of the agency’s programs in Project 2025, a 900-page blueprint proposed by the conservative-leaning Heritage Foundation to reshape the federal government. In particular, Primorac criticized USAID programs that “promote
The Biden administration announced last December that it had invested at least $22 billion in Africa and promised to do more. Trump, during his first term, continuously sought to slash foreign affairs funding, sometimes by as much as 30%.
Analysts are concerned about whether key U.S. projects in health, security, and development would be implemented under Trump — especially at a time of worsening hunger and resurgent threats to democracy in Africa. For many ordinary Africans, Trump is just a distant leader who can’t do much about their everyday problems.
“Trump … is not going to save us from hunger caused by our government,” said Isah Mohammed, a fruit seller in Nigeria’s capital of Abuja.
Associated Press reporters Farai Mutsaka in Harare, Zimbabwe, and Sam Metz in Rabat, Morocco, contributed to this report.
Schoolchildren learn the English and the Chichewa languages during First Lady Melania Trump’s visit to their classrooms Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, at the Chipala Primary School in Lilongwe, Malawi. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)
Arts & Entertainment
Artist, despite barriers: ‘Don’t stop making art’
With the support of Black Public Media, LaJuné McMillian, a creative technologist, is forging ahead
By EDEN HARRIS Special to the AmNews
In the world of art and technology, Black creators have long grappled with systemic disadvantages, encountering underfunding and a lack of visibility in areas dominated by wealth and privilege.
However, creative technologist artists like LaJuné McMillian are proving artists of color can tackle barriers with the support of Black Public Media (BPM), a Harlem-based national arts nonprofit. BPM brought artists like McMillian to Washington, D.C., from Nov. 16–17 to participate in CulturalDC’s annual showcase, “Torrents: New Links to Black Futures.”
For McMillian, the journey of creating tech-driven art has often been isolating, with few opportunities to connect with peers navigating the same challenges.
“There are not many spaces like Black Public Media that help artists, especially artists working in immersive spaces, to not only just create and make work, but also to build community amongst each other,” she said. “I think it’s really important for Black folks to have their own spaces, to convene, to work together, to share information, and to just learn together and grow together.”
McMillian also said navigating scarce funding opportunities and limited access to cutting-edge resources in an art world slow to embrace new forms of storytelling is “hard,” but art leaders have made it easier to have these conversations.
“One thing that I found really beautiful was just the transparency about [the need for money], like through a lot of the different parts of the festival,” McMillian said.
“Lisa [Osborne, BPM’s director of emerging media] was very upfront. She said, ‘Hey, these creatives need funding. These creatives need resources.’ Oftentimes, in spaces like these, those conversations are not as transparent and not as clear.”
According to a report from the New York Times, “American museums are rewriting the history of 20th-century art to include Black artists.” However, despite these efforts, artists in the 21st century continue to confront significant obstacles in launching their careers, according to McMillian. She said her art can sometimes take years to complete because she needs access to specific tools, but that she’s circumventing the obstacles.
“Oftentimes, one institution might have one set of tools and resources, and another institution may have another set of tools and resources,” she said. “It’s finding ways and pathways to bridge these alliances, so
that these projects can actually get made, because it’s been a lot of figuring it out; it’s been very do it yourself — DIY, which is really difficult.”
Osborne sees BPM’s mission as part of a larger effort to address systemic inequities in how resources are distributed in the arts and tech industries.
“For decades, tech training, grants, and other opportunities have been funneled into the hands of a few, essentially imprinting biases that exist in old or traditional media onto new storytelling tools, long
before they gain mass adoption,” Osborne said in a statement.
Osborne also said in her statement that the BPMplus programs seek to combat the widespread tendency toward exclusion in technology, film, arts, and philanthropic, ultimately contributing to a future where all communities are represented.
McMillian’s work “The Portal’s Keeper— Origins,” which was shown in D.C., features digitally rendered avatars created with motion capture and 3D technology, engaging in prayers of healing and grati-
tude. The avatars promote philosophies and prayers that seek to offer aid — “Black children trying to find their way home,” an example of the kind of innovative storytelling that BPM is determined to elevate.
Even in the face of adversity, McMillian, an artist who uses Unreal Engine, a video game tool, for her work, urged artists not to let obstacles deter them.
“Resources and community — it’s always out there, and it’s always going to be; there’s always a way forward, so just hang in there and don’t stop making art,” she said.
Artwork from LaJuné McMillian (Courtesy photos)
10 years after Chibok: Film shows mother’s fight for her son amid stigma
In
the film “Mothers
of Chibok,” a woman’s resilience shines as she battles societal rejection to secure a brighter future for her son, born of captivity.
By EDEN HARRIS Special to the AmNews
It’s been 10 years since Boko Haram, an Islamic militant group, kidnapped more than 270 Christian schoolgirls from a secondary school in Chibok, Nigeria. Some have been returned, but some mothers of these missing daughters are still searching for justice, healing, and a better future through education for themselves and their kids.
In the new film “Mothers of Chibok,” Maryam Maiyanga, a survivor of the school kidnapping, fights to provide education for her son, who is born from her captivity, and a chance for a better future despite local stigma.
Ali, the son of the Maiyanga family, struggles to receive an education due to the local community rejecting him because of stigma,
among other things. “It bothers me that he is not going to school,” Maiyanga says in the film when asking her family for support, adding, “If he doesn’t go to school at this young age, it will be very challenging for him when he grows older.”
Joel Kachi Benson, filmmaker and director of the film, said when Maiyanga was rescued, “You would expect a lot of support from her community, from her family — she didn’t get that, but in spite of that, she still chose to fight. I think she exemplifies, she illustrates, that courage and strength of motherhood that I felt has been missing in the entire narrative of these women.”
Kachi Benson also said he understands the harm to the community from the Islamic terrorist group, but stigmatizing a child remains inexcusable.
“Boko Haram did a lot of
damage — mental, physical, emotionally — in the community, and so you have a lot of people who would never want to have anything to do with Boko Haram regardless, but that doesn’t justify the actions of these people against an innocent child,” Kachi Benson told the AmNews
Although the local community turned its back on Ali, Maiyanga kept fighting for him to go to school with the goal that he would not follow in his father’s footsteps.
“In conversations with Maryam, for instance, one of the things she said to me was, ‘Look, the reason why I’m fighting for my son to get educated is because I don’t want him to be like his father,’” Kachi Benson said. “The father ended up
as a terrorist — as a tool for Boko Haram because he wasn’t educated.”
Kachi Benson said what makes people like Maiyanga unique is the fact that these women had chosen to educate their daughters, which led to the daughters’ kidnapping. He said he believes one would expect that such consequences would result in their complete withdrawal; however, they have persevered.
The film shows that when Maiyanga attends university, she keeps advocating for her son to receive an education despite what she is up against. According to Kachi Benson, all the women in the film, especially Maiyanga, “keep pushing, they keep educating — and are strong, courageous women who are
not letting go of their dreams and their aspirations.”
The film’s prominent themes are strength, hope, and perseverance, which, Kachi Benson reiterated, “has been missing in the entire narrative of these women …. so I hope that people can see these women through a different lens; not the lens of grief and pain, but as heroines and really strong, courageous women.”
The former Disney+ collaborator for the film “Madu” said he spent significant time with Maiyanga and other families, learning “how much education means to them.”
While the film spotlights Maiyanga’s drive to push for Ali’s education amid stigma and rejection, the overarch-
ing theme is one of heroism. It invites audiences to view the survivors of Chibok, according to the director, through the lens of hope.
In the end, Maiyanga’s advocacy paid off, and she got Ali, who was six years old at the time, enrolled in a boarding school.
“My hope for Ali, now that he’s in school, is to be welleducated and be a successful person in life and help others so that he can also pay forward the opportunities that he’s received,” Maiyanga told the AmNews. “I hope he becomes a doctor in the future so that he can help support the less privileged.”
The film “Mothers of Chibok” made its world premiere on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at Village East by Angelika.
Maryam Maiyanga in Chibok, Nigeria (Motheo Moeng, courtesy photo)
‘Ernest Cole: Lost and Found’ spotlights visionary photographer’s legacy
By MAGRIRA
Special to the AmNews
Oscar-nominated filmmaker
Raoul Peck’s “Ernest Cole: Lost and Found” brings to life the poignant and powerful story of Ernest Cole, one of Africa’s most groundbreaking photographers. With an unflinching lens, Cole captured the devastating realities of apartheid in South Africa, offering the world a raw, human perspective on one of history’s darkest chapters.
Cole, one of the first African freelance photographers in South Africa, fled the country in 1966, carrying his camera into exile in the United States.
There, he chronicled the streets of New York City and the segregated culture of the American South. His work in the U.S. revealed startling parallels between apartheid and segregation, making Cole’s vision as relevant in America as it was in South Africa.
Peck’s documentary blends Cole’s photographs, personal writings, and testimonies from those who knew him, drawing viewers into the life of an artist whose genius was nearly lost to history. Featuring LaKeith Stanfield’s deeply resonant portrayal of Cole’s voice, the film is both a rediscovery of an extraordinary figure and a meditation about exile, resilience, and the enduring fight for justice.
Here is what Raoul Peck said about the work of Ernest Cole
and his new documentary “Ernest Cole: Lost and Found.”
AmNews: What was your first encounter with Ernest Cole’s work?
Raoul Peck (AP): Cole’s photographs had always been part of the visual history of the anti-apartheid struggle, but they weren’t always directly associated with him. For example, the iconic image of the African woman sitting on a bench labeled “Whites Only” was something familiar to many, but not always credited to him. Growing up surrounded by stories of South African liberation movements and exile, his work felt familiar. His U.S. images, particularly those taken in the South, revealed unsettling parallels between apartheid and segregation that resonated deeply.
AmNews: Why was it important for you to make a film about Ernest Cole?
RP : Cole’s story extends beyond photography to themes of resilience, displacement, and the personal toll of exile. His later years, marked by poverty and depression, have often overshadowed his creative brilliance. Too often, the world reduces African artists to their suffering, without respecting their humanity or their artistic legacy. This film was an opportunity to present Cole as a person, artist, and fighter, reclaiming the full scope of his legacy.
AmNews: The rediscovery of Cole’s 60,000 negatives feels like a story in itself. How did you approach that in the film?
RP: The rediscovery of the negatives is extraordinary but also raises questions. These photographs, thought lost forever, were found in a Stockholm bank vault, although how they ended up there remains unclear. The 504 vintage prints Cole created were locked away by Hasselblad for years. Their eventual return to the Cole Family Trust only happened under immense pressure. This part of the story highlights the ongoing challenges African artists face in preserving their legacies.
AmNews: You chose to let Ernest Cole narrate his own story, with LaKeith Stanfield voicing him. Why was that approach so vital?
RP: This film needed to center
Ernest Cole’s perspective, allowing him to narrate his own story. Using talking heads or experts would have distanced the audience from his experiences. LaKeith Stanfield’s performance brought depth and humanity, creating a connection that felt authentic. He didn’t just read the text — he embodied Cole’s voice, allowing the weight of his life to resonate with viewers.
AmNews: The film juxtaposes apartheid-era images with contemporary footage. Why was that important?
RP: History is a continuous thread that connects past and present. Placing Cole’s apartheid-era photographs alongside modern footage shows how the fight for justice remains ongoing. Inequality persists, even in post-apartheid South Africa and in places like the United States.
Cole’s work serves as a reminder that progress is fragile and demands vigilance.
AmNews: Leslie Matlaisane, Cole’s nephew, played a major role in the film. How did you collaborate with him?
RP: Leslie Matlaisane was instrumental in the making of the film, providing access to negatives, contact sheets, and Cole’s personal notebooks. His insights helped piece together Cole’s life and legacy, particularly the unanswered questions about his later years. Leslie’s experience with institutions like Hasselblad underscores the ongoing exploitation of African artists. His contributions made him not just a consultant but an essential character in the story.
AmNews: What do you hope audiences will take away from this film?
RP: The film aims to highlight the power of Ernest Cole’s work as both art and a tool for truthtelling. It challenges viewers to question the systems that erase voices like his and to think critically about the narratives they consume. Beyond that, the film is a call to action to fight for justice and to reclaim the stories of marginalized artists. Cole’s legacy is a testament to the enduring power of resilience and creativity in the face of systemic oppression.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
London is a melting pot of diverse culinary influences, with its restaurant scene offering a vibrant mix of cultures, flavors, and traditions.
Among the city’s standout spots are three Black-owned establishments that not only highlight exceptional talent, but also bring innovative takes on African, Caribbean, and British cuisine. Whether you’re in the mood for intimate dining, Michelinstar experiences, or soulful comfort food, the Watergate, Ikoyi, and Wood & Water each offer something unique and exceptional.
I learned about Sunday roasts while interviewing at a pub in Notting Hill; it’s a tradition that families enjoy on Sunday afternoons where they indulge in all sorts of roasts — chicken, beef, pork, and more, as I can imagine. Though these specific restaurants don’t readily offer such a local tradition (though restaurateur Gordon McGowan’s sister restaurant, Busta Mantis does), I also learned about the nuances of ordering at different restaurants in London compared to New York City, but that’s for another time. Right now, we’re happy to share some of the most beloved Black-owned restaurants making waves in London.
The Watergate: A hidden gem with a big personality (Deptford)
The Watergate stands as a testament to the rising culinary talent of chef Gordon McGowan. Known for
his sister restaurant Busta Mantis, which has gained a reputation for its Jamaican Sunday roasts, McGowan’s new venture promises a different yet equally memorable experience. Stepping into The Watergate feels like entering a cozy, atmospheric haven. With dim lighting and a speakeasystyle vibe, it’s the perfect spot for a romantic date night or a midweek escape. The ambience is relaxed yet sophisticated, with the added bonus of a Thursday deal that has locals flocking to the restaurant: everything on the menu, including food and drinks, is just £7. It’s the kind of place where you feel transported to another world, and with McGowan’s deft culinary touch, the food follows suit. The Watergate includes a variety of small plates that showcase McGowan’s ability to blend Jamaican influences with a more contemporary approach. His dishes are consistently praised for their bold flavors and high-quality ingredients, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking a taste of Caribbeaninspired cooking in South London. If you’ve been to Busta Mantis and loved the Sunday roasts, the Watergate promises the same level of quality but with its own unique twist.
Ikoyi: Michelin-starred excellence with an African twist (West End) For those seeking a more refined culinary experience, Ikoyi in London’s West End has truly earned its place at the forefront of London’s gastronomic scene. Co-founded by friends Iré Hassan-Odukale and Chef Jeremy
Chan, Ikoyi’s modern approach to African cuisine has garnered critical acclaim and a prestigious two Michelin stars. Ikoyi is not just a restaurant; it’s an exploration of African flavors through the lens of British microseasonality. The tasting menu draws on ingredients and spices from West Africa — think Nigerian, Senegalese, and Ghanaian influences — but reimagined with a focus on local produce, sustainably sourced fish, and aged British beef. This melding of cultures and techniques results in dishes that are rich in umami and heat, perfectly balanced to bring out the best in each ingredient. The restaurant’s commitment to creating a unique culinary perspective has earned it a dedicated following. Whether it’s the careful selection of spices or the dedication to seasonality, Ikoyi is a shining example of how bold flavors and refined techniques can come together to create something truly special. It’s a must-visit for anyone interested in the intersection of African heritage and modern fine dining.
Wood & Water: Jamaican soul meets British comfort (Brixton)
In the bustling neighborhood of Brixton, Wood & Water offers a welcoming atmosphere and a menu that celebrates both British and Jamaican cuisine. The brainchild of chef April Jackson — who also brought us the popular Three Little Birds — Wood & Water serves up innovative dishes that put a modern twist on traditional Jamaican favorites. The res -
taurant’s concept revolves around blending “British cuisine with a Jamaican soul,” and this fusion shines through in every dish. Signature offerings include honey-jerk wings, ital stew, and the classic Jamaican breakfast of ackee and saltfish, all served with the kind of warmth and hospitality that feels like being invited into a family home. But it’s not just the food that draws people in — Wood & Water is known for its weekend brunches, where diners can indulge in hearty meals while sipping on unlimited rum punch. The extensive rum collection and creative cocktails also ensure that the drinks are just as exciting as the food. With a laid-back yet trendy vibe, Wood & Water has become a beloved local spot, and it’s easy to see why. Chef April Jackson’s knack for blending Jamaican flavors with British ingredients has earned her a loyal following, making this restaurant one of Brixton’s most exciting food destinations.
From the intimate charm of the Watergate in Deptford, to the Michelinstarred sophistication of Ikoyi in St James’ and the vibrant soul food at Wood & Water in Brixton, these Blackowned London restaurants each bring something special to the city’s dining scene. Whether you’re craving a refined tasting menu, a laid-back dinner with friends, or a fun brunch experience, these eateries prove that London’s Black-owned restaurants are a force to be reckoned with. These chefs are not just shaping the city’s culinary landscape — they’re redefining it.
Black-owned restaurants in London (L-R): Ikoyi; Watergate, Deptford; Wood & Water (Contributed photos)
SZA sizzles; GQ honors Pharrell Williams, The Rock; Craig Melvin replaces Hoda Kotb on “Today”
Tongues are wagging that SZA has a slew of new music coming out. SZA, who is on the cover of British Vogue, told the magazine that she is releasing not just one, but two upcoming projects soon: her long-awaited “SOS” deluxe album and her third studio LP, “Lana.” She also has an upcoming movie called “One of Them Days.” …
Pharrell Williams has been a busy bee these past few days. On Nov. 14, the producer/performer-turned-fashion-icon was honored at the GQ 2024 Men of the Year Party, along with Dwayne Johnson and John Mulaney. The western-themed event was held at the Château Marmont Hotel in Hollywood, Calif. Guests who joined GQ’s global editorial director Will Welch included Katt Williams, Big Sean, Quavo, Offset, John David Washington,
On Nov. 16, Pharrell and Yellow invited guests to “Bright Sparks, a Conversation with Pharrell + Phriends,” in partnership with Louis Vuitton, to journey through “Exchange & Exploration, the Power of Creativity & Community.” The event took place at the Louis Vuitton boutique in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood. Yellow’s Bright Sparks conversation series creates a space for a deeper exploration and exchange of ideas that spark meaningful conversations about critical issues, according to a press release. …
Craig Melvin, who has anchored and coanchored hours on MSNBC and “Today,” is becoming the co-host of the flagship 7–9 a.m. hours of “Today” on NBC, with Savannah Guthrie, replacing Hoda Kotb. Kotb, the veteran television host, announced back in Sep-
SZA (Raph_PH photo/Creative Commons photo)
AmNews FOOD
Talking SCHOP! Ice cream in November
KYSHA HARRIS FOOD EDITOR, @SCHOPNYC
I needed to take a beat last week after the election, as some of us had to, but the world still spins and life goes on. Stay present, acknowledge the feelings, and walk right through them.
And now lessons from a food editor with Kysha Harris…
What do Easter, July 4th, September, Christmas, and all four seasons have in common? Yes, it’s as obvious as you think. All of these occur annually. For publishers and content makers, they are known as evergreen. This means, like the always green tree, these annual moments remain relevant year in and year out to readers. Content publishers pull out these stories seasonally and make them new to create a library of content guaranteed to perform every year. So my Thanksgiving in July? article is playing evergreen “freaky friday” with ice cream in November, thanks to the wizardry of Salt & Straw.
Known for their unique and quirky flavor combinations, like the strawberry honey balsamic with black pepper I tried in Los Angeles, Salt & Straw has released their Thanksgiving Series for the month of November. We are talking all, not just the sweet, of the flavors of a traditional Thanksgiving meal:
• Parker House Rolls with Salted Buttercream — Buttery, toasted rolls topped with flakey sea salt are folded into sweet
• Turkey Stuffing & Cranberry Sauce — ice cream with turkey stuffing made of baked brioche bread pudding, turkey sausage with holiday herbs, laced with brown sugar, cinnamon, and tart cranberry sauce.
• Mom’s Mango Pie — Mango mawa, like dulce de leche, is blended with cream cheese and whipped cream, then combined with sweet curd and salty graham cracker crust.
• NEW Sweet Potato Casserole — vegan, sweet potato coconut-oat milk base with candied pecans, and oatmeal streusel
• NEW Pumpkin Pie Tiramisu — Traditional pie filling, sweetened with maple syrup, and topped with a splash of coffee. Mascarpone coffee sauce, infused with tiramisu cake, is swirled throughout with flecks of chocolate stracciatella.
Here is the best part. I have missed this offering for over a decade but Salt & Straw just opened their first NYC location on the Upper West Side, 360 Amsterdam Avenue at 77th Street. Unlike other shops, you’re highly encouraged to taste all of the things, cosigned by an actual sign that reads “We Highly Recommend Tasting It All” — so shame be damned! In addition, from Nov. 21-24, you can get one FREE pint for each three pints purchased when ordering via local delivery on www.saltandstraw.com.
A fun treat for your Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving alike.
Kysha Harris is a chef, food writer and ditor,
To all my non-cookers, singles, and anti-holiday peoples - I see you! I checked out the Thanksgiving offerings from America’s #1 (and mine) chef-crafted meal delivery service, CookUnity (www. cookunity.com), and they are on point. Like dishes from chefs Larry and Marc
culinary producer, consultant and owner of SCHOP!, a personalized food service in NYC for over 22 years. Follow her on Instagram, @ SCHOPnyc and on Facebook, @SCHOPnyc.
Forgione (Forge, Peasant, One Fifth), their slow roasted turkey with sage gravy had me doing a mouth double take. Savory, moist, well-seasoned goodness. But wait! There’s more from other NYC chefs too! Sign up and get you some! Happy eating and thanks for reading!
Questions, comments, requests, feedback, invitations! Email us at AmNewsFOOD@ SCHOPnyc.com. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @NYAmNewsFOOD.
salted butter ice cream.
THANKSGIVING SHOUT OUT!
Salt & Straw’s new Upper West Side location (Kysha Harris photos) Salt & Straw’s Thanksgiving Series flavors
Frank Ocean to helm new A24 film starring Taylor Russell
By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the AmNews
Frank Ocean, the mysterious, gifted, and boundary-pushing artist known for his introspective music, is set to embark on an exciting new chapter in his creative journey: filmmaking. The Grammy-winning musician, whose albums “Channel Orange” and “Blonde” have earned him a following for their emotional depth and genre-defying sound, is developing a feature film in collaboration with A24, a studio synonymous with innovative and provocative cinema. After years of speculation and whispers in Hollywood circles, it appears this long-anticipated project may finally be coming to fruition.
The latest buzz about Ocean’s film centers on Taylor Russell, one of Hollywood’s rising stars. Her performances have positioned her as a versatile actress capable of bringing depth and authenticity to any character she portrays. With her captivating screen presence and ability to anchor emotionally charged narratives, Russell seems like a perfect fit for a film directed by Ocean, whose work often explores themes of love, identity, and vulnerability.
Ocean’s decision to step behind the camera is not entirely surprising, given his artistic ambition and penchant for experimentation. Over the years, he has cultivated a reputation for creating art that is
deeply personal, vulnerable, and visually striking — qualities that have resonated with audiences in multiple media. With his music, Ocean has consistently blurred the lines between genres, embracing elements of R&B, jazz, electronic, and pop, all while maintaining a distinct voice. His work as a visual artist, including the conceptual “Endless” visual album, has also demonstrated his keen eye for storytelling.
The collaboration with A24 seems like a
natural fit. Known for producing films that challenge traditional storytelling conventions, A24 has become a haven for filmmakers with bold, original visions. From “Moonlight” to “Hereditary” to “Lady Bird,” A24’s catalog of genre-defying films has made the studio a touchstone for cinephiles and mainstream audiences alike. Ocean’s willingness to take risks creatively aligns with A24’s ethos, making this partnership one that fans and critics are eager
‘Drag: The Musical’’ is a great time
By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews
“Drag: The Musical” is a great time at the theater — you will have an absolute blast. This fierce production features a stunning book, music and lyrics by Justin Andrew Honard (aka Alaska Thunderf***), Tomas Costanza, and Ashley Gordon. In addition to co-creating it, drag queen Thunderf*** also stars. Men and women in drag, complete with wigs, gowns, rhinestones — oh, my, need I say more? — have a fabulous time on stage, and so does the audience.The energy in the theater was off the charts.
The musical tells the story of two competing drag clubs and the personal battle between the two drag queens running the clubs — Kitty Galloway, played by Thunderf***, and Alexis Gillmore, portrayed by Nick Adams, both fierce in their character portrayals. The musical has great numbers, talented drag performers, and an allaround entertaining company of people. It truly showcases the reason that people perform drag and shows you how everyone’s belief in what they like and what makes them comfortable is worthy of respect. This musical shows drag from the perspective of the performers, highlighting some of the circumstances that may bring them to it and validating their choices.
to see unfold. The studio has a knack for elevating emerging talent and providing established filmmakers with the creative freedom to explore new terrain.
Ocean’s artistic sensibilities, known for their emotional complexity and layered storytelling, make him an ideal match for A24’s roster of visionary directors. As the studio continues to make waves in the industry, this collaboration with Ocean is expected to become a major talking point. Despite the growing excitement about the film, details remain scarce. The plot is being kept under tight wraps, and Ocean has remained largely silent about the specifics of the project. This secrecy only adds to the allure, leaving fans to speculate about what themes and stories Ocean might explore in his feature film debut. Given his history of personal and introspective music, it’s likely that his film will mirror that same focus on intimate, character-driven narratives.
In a world where both music and film are often used as vehicles for self-expression, Ocean’s move into filmmaking signals yet another evolution in his artistic journey. If his past work is any indication, this new film will be a compelling blend of emotional depth, innovation, and thought-provoking storytelling — one that will likely leave audiences questioning, reflecting, and, most importantly, wanting more.
Laughlin as Puss Puss DuBois, and Luxx Noir London as Popcorn, who know how to wear wigs and fantastic costumes, and strut their stuff.
The production has a lot of funny moments, especially every time J. Elaine Marcos takes the stage as Gloria Schmidt/ Rita LaRitz. Eddie Korbich is a riot as Drunk Jerry. Joey McIntyre is marvelous as Tom, Alexis’s brother. Yair Keydar plays 10-year-old Brendan, Tom’s son, and is fabulous! This is a role he alternates with Remi Tuckman.
The production is dynamically directed and choreographed by Spencer Liff, and with an ensemble cast that includes Cameron Mitchell Bell, Nicholas Kraft, Teddy Wilson, Christine Shepard, and Kodiak Thompson. The vivid, in-your-face elements and presentation are the work of a creative team that includes Jason Sherwood, scenic design; Marco Marco, costume design; Adam Honore, lighting design; Drew Levy, sound design; Domino Couture, wig design; Aaron Rhyne, projection design; and Aurora Sexton, makeup design.
This company features Lagoona Bloo as Tuna Turner, Jan Sport as Savannah St. James, Jujubee as the Tigress, Nick
The cast is composed of superb thespians who have a glorious time on stage and were truly appreciated by a packed, cheering audience. The company of drag queens can belt out the tunes with jubilance and power, and they turn things out like nobody’s business.
Check out “Drag: The Musical” — you will be glad you “dragged” yourself and a friend to New World Stages on W. 50th Street. For tickets, visit www.dragthemusical.com.
Frank Ocean (Andras Ladocsi photo via Wikimedia)
Taylor Russell (Public domain photo)
Scene from “Drag: The Musical,” playing at New World Stages, with (l-r) Nick Adams and Alaska Thunderf***. (Matthew Murphy photo)
Roy Haynes, consummate drummer, dies at 99
Roy Haynes, one of the most influential drummers in jazz history, whose career spanned more than eight decades, from his pioneering hypnotic big-band era to bebop style, hard bop, and everything in between, died peacefully in his sleep at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital on November 12. He was 99.
His transition was confirmed by his daughter Leslie Gilmore-Haynes; a cause of death was not given.
Haynes was honored as one of the 2024 inductees into Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Ertegun Hall of Fame. This is one of many awards, some of which include a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jazz Foundation of America in 2019 and from the Recording Academy in 2011; and two Grammys — for the McCoy Tyner album (1988) “Blues for Coltrane” and for the album “Like Minds” (2000), a collaboration with Gary Burton, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, and Dave Holland. In 1995, he was named an NEA Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts and a year later, he was knighted by the French Government with the Chevalier de L’ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
The Roxbury native may hold the reputation as the only jazz musician to appear on the action-adventure video game “Grand Theft Auto IV” (2008), playing himself as the host of a radio station whose motto was “Jazz from a time before it became elevator music.”
His many awards and accolades, as well as his extensive discography, define his depth as one of the most innovative drummers to ever pick up the sticks. After having the pleasure of knowing Haynes for more than 30 years, it is important for me to reflect on my times spent with a friend who happened to be an historical figure in Black American music.
We met in the mid-1980s during a period when a group of my friends (the Pride of New York) were promoting fashion shows and jazz concerts. My responsibility was booking jazz artists, who appeared weekly at the once-famous dance hall the Hotel Diplomat (in Times Square). We booked Haynes and his quartet. While talking after the show, I asked about an interview, and he agreed! Since most of my interviews to that point were mainly R&B artists arranged through record label publicists, I asked for his publicist’s number. He quickly responded that there wasn’t a publicist, but offered his number, which I promptly wrote down.
On the subway ride home, I was overjoyed and anxious, still not believing the number of the great Roy Haynes in my pocket, so I kept checking to make sure it was there. Once home, it was an automat-
ic call to my jazz-crazed buddy to report the news. He couldn’t believe it either and would wait for explicit details.
I couldn’t sleep that night, due to jazz insomnia. Finally, after anxiously pacing through my apartment at 6 a.m. and again at 9 a.m., I picked up the phone (pushbutton) and called at 11 a.m. “Hello, Roy, it’s Ron Scott calling for our interview.” He says, “Hey, Ron Scott, I want you to remember this: Never call a jazz musician before 12 noon. Call me later [click].” I called back around 2 p.m. and he says, “Hey, Ron Scott, what did you learn today?” “Oh, never call a jazz musician before 12 noon,” He laughed. Lesson learned. I have yet to call a musician before 12 noon unless it is by their request.
Haynes was like one of my uncles: hip and quite stylish. Of course, unlike him, they were never acknowledged as one of the bestdressed men in America by Esquire magazine (1960), which reminds me of a situation that could very well have been one of my uncles in another scenario: On an extremely hot summer evening, Haynes was playing at the Blue Note (one of his main performance venues in NYC). My hanging out at the club in shorts with a feeling of hipness was later diminished when the drummer questioned my attire upstairs in his dressing room. Since the room was filled with family and friends, he called me to the side with a big smile and asked where my next destination was — it must be to a beach party, he exclaimed. He
casually explained my inappropriate dress for the club, saying that after all, I represented the music and my publication.
Advice accepted! To this day, I have never worn shorts to a jazz club again. That was Haynes: offering advice in the moment without being derogatory or condescending; just delivering a point in his usual cool demeanor. Haynes recorded an album with Pat Metheny, “Question and Answer” (Geffen, 1990). That title was apropos, considering the way Haynes had a way of answering my question with another question, but his question always held a jewel of wisdom, allowing me to see the answer.
Like his wardrobe and music, the “Royal of Haynes” as Lester Young called him, loved stylish cars; his first automobile was a 1950 convertible Oldsmobile. In Amiri Baraka’s book “Black Music” (Akashi Classics, 1968), he reflected on the drummer picking him up at the subway station in “his long, paleyellow Cadillac that looks as if it has just arrived from the plant.” By the time the 1980s rolled around, as his music and reputation soared, he owned the Canadian-manufactured Bricklin, a two-seat sports car with unique gull-wing doors. On a few occasions, he drove this car to Harlem for the annual Harlem Week Antique Automobile Exhibition, where he had so much fun conversing and having folks take photos with the car. The auto enthusiast also owned a Corvette, a 280SL Mercedes-Benz, and an El Dorado. Such stories could go on for another few days, but this was necessary — I had to come from the heart! Throughout his life, Haynes influenced and mentored generations of like-minded human beings, who were honored to cross his path.
Hey, Haynes, thanks for the time!
In addition to his daughter, Haynes is survived by his sons: Craig, a drummer, and Graham, a cornetist; eight grandchildren, including Marcus Gilmore, also a drummer; and seven great-grandchildren.
Roy Haynes at Radio KJAZ Festival, Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, 1981 (Photo by Brian McMillen/brianmcmillen@hotmal.com/Creative Commons)
From the Jan 22, 1983 edition of the AmNews.
COVID-19
Continued from page 6
who’s traveling — I keep getting sick from people flying in to see me,” she said.
Millions of Americans have experienced Long COVID symptoms brought on during the pandemic — 6.9% of the population, leaving many with an array of chronic symptoms like brain fog and tremors, as well as health conditions that create abnormally rapid heart rate, like POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), and extreme fatigue, like ME-CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis-chronic fatigue syndrome). For Fisher, the advocacy for “long haulers” over the years has helped shine light on all these conditions.
“Finally, there is more awareness,” she said. “There is a collective perspective in unity for most chronic diseases.”
There’s been some movement on the federal level to address Long COVID: Last year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services created an office for Long COVID research. Earlier this year, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that it will spend $515 million over four years on Long COVID research.
“I think that’s a big step in the right direction,” Fisher said.
Ways to lower your risk
One way to lower the health risk of COVID19 is to be aware of your risk. The best way
to find out is to discuss your risk for COVID19 with your doctor. For an idea of your relative risk for a severe case of COVID, consider taking the quiz below.
Scan QR to learn more about your COVID-19 risk with this quiz.
Or visit https://bit.ly/covid2024risk
Talaat suggested wearing a mask when traveling or around large groups, especially if COVID-19 is surging in your area, you’re immunocompromised, or loved ones are immunocompromised.
Reducing the amount of viral spread at an event is easier with an air purifier with a high-quality HEPA filter. A cheaper alternative would be to build your own, called a Corsi-Rosenthal box.
Ultimately, with any respiratory illness this season, Liu said it is key not to hesitate to step away from the festivities when you’re aware that you’re sick.
“It’s OK not to go to the party … don’t be that person,” he said. “If you’re sick, stay home. That’s the most important thing: If you’re sick, stay home.”
CLASSROOM IN THE
William Wheeler, Tuskegee Airman and corporate executive
By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews
In our attempt to maintain a balance of gender and occupation in the profiles, this week — after last week’s article about Lena Derriecott Bell King of Postal Unit 6888 during World War II — we put the spotlight on William Morris Wheeler, a Tuskegee Airman. He came to mind when he was mentioned at the Veterans’ Day celebration at Riverton Square in Harlem.
Much to my surprise, Wheeler was born in Detroit, my hometown, on August 20, 1923. We also both attended Northwestern High School, although years apart. After graduation, he enrolled at Howard University, where he volunteered to become a U.S. Army Air Corps Pilot. He was inducted into the service in March 1943, while still a sophomore in college. He completed basic training at Keesler Field, Miss., and then was transferred to Tuskegee Army Field in Alabama to begin flight training as an Aviation Cadet.
By March 1944, he had earned his fighter pilot wings and was commissioned a second lieutenant. In rapid
succession, he completed training on various planes and maneuvers, although he experienced discrimination during these missions, and as a member of the university football team. Not one to cower under such circumstances, he actively protested these racist methods, even tearing down signs that limited his participation. As a result of several encounters, he was arrested and forced to endure psychological examinations that questioned his sanity.
Later in 1944, Wheeler was assigned to Ramitelli Air Base in Italy as a replacement pilot for the 332nd Fighter Group. He flew several combat missions to various locations in Europe, including Greece, where he flew as an escort to Allied bombers and the strafing of enemy troops. On his last mission, Wheeler suffered from hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and lost consciousness at 36,000 feet over Germany. He miraculously regained consciousness at 8,000 feet and was able to return to the base, avoiding enemy aircraft.
For his courageous combat missions, Wheeler received decorations such as the Air Medal, European/African/Middle East-
ern Theater Campaign Medal, and several others. He was honorably discharged in August 1945 and returned to a segregated society. Like other returning Tuskegee Airmen, Wheeler tried to find employment as a commercial pilot, but was systematically denied and offered menial jobs cleaning planes, which Wheeler and other Airmen rejected.
Wheeler married Minnie Esther Jenkins in November 1945 and shortly thereafter was hired by Data Digests, Inc., a major financial company, as an assistant production manager. His tenure at the company was prosperous and soon he was vice president of production & distribution for all of the company’s publications.
By 1972, he was working at Fairchild Republic, which manufactured the P-47 Thunderbolt plane, which had flown during the war. Three years later, he was offered a position of corporate affirmative action officer, but he declined because the top executives imposed unacceptable racial limitations and pre-conditions on the function of the position.
In 1977, Wheeler was hired by the National Bank of N.A. and its
successor, National Westminster Bank, as vice president/purchasing manager. Later he became vice president/director of purchasing, printing, central supply, & distribution. He officially retired in 2001.
As a Tuskegee Airman, Wheeler was often asked to speak at various functions of churches, corporations, colleges, and other institutions. One of the themes he often used at these events, particularly for students, was “Stay in school if you want to be competitive.” To him, a college degree was a passport to success. He was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Tuskegee University in 2006 and a year later, was among all the original Tuskegee Airmen and Airwomen to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. He received another honorary doctorate in 2009 from Lehman College.
In 2004, Wheeler lost his wife, who died after being struck by a car in Hempstead, N.Y.
Wheeler died on July 19, 2011, and his name echoed with those of his comrades during a celebration at Riverton Residence. Much more can be learned about him and his colleagues at www.TuskegeeAirmen.org.
ACTIVITIES
FIND OUT MORE
The Tuskegee Airmen website is by far the most resourceful source of information about the distinguished pilots.
DISCUSSION
We are curious to know more about Wheeler’s coming of age in Detroit, a subject we may pursue in a different context.
PLACE IN CONTEXT
The highlight of Wheeler’s years occurred during World War II, although he continued to be a man of mark in corporate America for the rest of his life.
THIS WEEK IN BLACK HISTORY
Nov. 18, 1936: Jazz artist Don Cherry was born in Oklahoma City, Okla. He died in 1995.
Nov. 19, 1949: Former football star and TV commentator Ahmad Rashad (Earl Moore) was born in Portland, Ore.
Nov. 20, 1976: Dominique Dawes, Olympic gymnast, was born in Silver Spring, Md.
Tuskegee Airman 2nd Lt. William M. Wheeler salutes members of 106th Rescue Wing during a speech (Official U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Marcus P. Calliste photo)
Dr. Macie P. Smith discusses impact of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia on Black families
By HEATHER M. BUTTS, JD, MPH, MA
Special to the AmNews
Dr. Macie P. Smith, is a licensed Gerontology Social Worker, award-winning Alzheimer’s and dementia educator, and author. She spoke with the Amsterdam News about the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia on Black families. This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.
AmNews: Please tell us about yourself and your work.
Smith: I’ve been a licensed social worker and gerontologist for more than 24 years and I specialize in working with the senior population — those over the age of 65 and their family caregivers whose age is on average around 49 to 50 years of age. I have a private geriatric care management practice where I provide family consultations and caregiver coaching across the country because family members are spread out. The senior may be in South Carolina, but the daughter may be in New York, or the brother
or son may be in Philadelphia. By the power of technology, I’m able to pull all parties together to have a conversation and develop a plan of care for the senior or for the adult who’s living with disability.
AmNews: Could you tell our readers about the specifics of the work you do?
Smith: Specializing in working with those who are living with Alzheimer’s disease is a passion for me because it is the only disease in the top 10 that you cannot treat, that you cannot cure, and that you cannot prevent.
On a personal note, my grandmother developed a progressive type of dementia, which was heartbreaking for me, just like it is for any other family. I was in the industry at that time and I was dumbfounded because I was in the granddaughter role, trying to support my dad, who was her primary caregiver.
My caregiving journey and my care story was that of a distant caregiver. I had to compartmentalize my roles and become my grandma’s and my family’s gerontologist and licensed social worker to help navigate the
long-term care system, which is unnecessarily complicated and convoluted.
Families — I don’t care how educated they are — become very frustrated with not knowing the system and very fearful of the disease process [of] Alzheimer’s or dementia, because what we find out is that what we’ve known about the disease process years ago is not really what it is.
I didn’t want other families of color to go through a constant state of crisis and confusion, so that’s why I wrote two books.
My first book is “A Dementia Caregiver’s Guide to Care Frequently Asked Questions.” I wanted family caregivers to get real-time answers to the most common questions that they face when providing care for someone with dementia — questions that a doctor, a medical practitioner, may not be able to answer because they are under the medical model. We know that because the disease is not curable, the medications that are typically prescribed are to treat the symptoms, but when those
See HEALTH on page 33
Dr. Macie P. Smith
This year’s summit honored several female leaders and innovators for their trailblazing entrepreneurship and efforts to create economic opportunities for women worldwide, including entrepreneurs like Suneera Madhani, CEO of billion-dollar fintech company Worth AI, and Tanis Jorge, co-founder of Trulioo, a global identity verification platform.
Several initiatives were also highlighted, such as the AI Free Education Program that launched on Women’s Entrepreneurship Day. The program aims to empower one million women with AI expertise and teach them how to effectively use AI tools to elevate their businesses.
Another spotlighted program included Defy Ventures, which provides entrepreneurship training to incarcerated individuals. This year, the initiative celebrated an 84% success rate for incarcerated women entrepreneurs, showing its potential to transform lives.
“When women are empowered in business, they have self-confidence, they have dignity, [and] they don’t allow human rights violations,” said Diamond. “When women are empowered in business, companies are more profitable,” she added.
The 2024 Wells Fargo Impact of WomenOwned Business report shows the growth of women-owned businesses from 2019 to
2023. Over 14 million U.S. businesses are women-owned, representing 39.1% of U.S. enterprises. Not only that, women-owned businesses generate $2.7 billion in revenue and provide more than 12 million jobs. The impact of women’s entrepreneurship on the economy is undeniable, yet disparities prevail. While women-owned businesses account for less than 40% of U.S. enterprises, as mentioned, men-owned businesses account for 54% of all enterprises, revealing a staggering gender gap in business ownership. According to the report, if women-owned businesses generated the same average revenue as menowned businesses, they could contribute an additional $7.9 trillion to the economy. When considering race, the disparities deepen: 2.1 million of the 14 million women-owned businesses are Black women-owned, making up 14% of all womenowned businesses. If Black women-owned businesses achieved the average revenue of white women, they would generate an additional $361.2 billion. If they earned the same average revenue as men, they would bring a whopping $1.5 trillion to the economy.
“Bringing more access to capital for women entrepreneurs, as well the digital tools and the education, is very key,” Diamond said about ending these disparities. Programs like the AI Free Education Program and Defy Ventures are ways WEDO is combating these inequalities in business entrepreneurship.
“With programs like these,” Diamond said in a press release for the summit, “We’re equipping women to break barriers and build legacies that impact generations to come.”
Looking towards the future, Diamond encouraged everyone to join their next campaign, #ChooseWOMEN, inviting people to support and buy from women-owned businesses.
Need help with healthcare?
Wendy Diamond, CEO & Founder of WEDO at #WEDO2024 Summit (Photo courtesy of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Facebook page)
Education
Trump’s coming for our schools; educators are ready to fight
By AZIAH SIID Word in Black
In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election, many educators are among those worried about the future of the Black children they teach and protect, and many educators who supported Vice President Kamala Harris have decided to take her concession speech message — “Sometimes the fight takes awhile” — very seriously.
“We need an uprising,” Zinn Education Project organizer Jesse Hagopian told Word In Black. “We need a mass multiracial uprising to challenge those in power. Nobody’s coming to save us.”
Frederick Ingram, secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers, has spent his career fighting the good fight for equitable education, fair treatment of teachers, and essential funding. He knows the work to stand up to policies that will hurt children is just beginning.
“I’m certainly disappointed in the outcome,” Ingram said. “We have to accept the results of what’s going on, and Vice President Kamala Harris reminded us that we have to continue to fight.”
Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association (NEA), doubled down on the fact that teacher’s unions like the NEA, as well as families and elected officials, need to show up for kids “now more than ever.”
“Our students deserve safe and welcoming public schools,” Pringle said in a statement.
“Tomorrow, they will need us to stop his attempts to defund our schools, pass vouchers, ban books, and separate children from their parents.”
Will Trump close the DOE?
Donald Trump has repeatedly said he plans to shutter the Department of Education (DOE) and dismantling it is central to Project 2025, the 900-page blueprint for a second Trump presidency. His proposals can inflict plenty of other damage on schools and students, too. Shifts to larger class sizes due to budget cuts and bans against teaching accurate U.S. history could be on deck.
“We should be nervous about the way that — speaking from a Black person’s perspective — curriculum has rarely, if ever, actually been culturally responsive toward us,” said Jose Vilson, director of the national education nonprofit EduColor.
The continued erasure of the separation of church and state in schools and limiting the rights of LGBTQ+ students are also possibilities under Trump’s administration.
Of course, many critics of public education say it has failed one too many students and needs to be dismantled. Conservative poli-
ticians and policymakers are likely to continue promoting controversial school choice options as the solution to boosting student achievement. But nearly 50 million children, from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade, are enrolled in public schools, so school choice simply isn’t the universal solution its supporters make it out to be.
“From a shared convenience, there’s no system that’s going to be able to hold our children and educate them for six to eight hours a day while we’re trying to work,” Hagopian said.
Personal and professional worries
Some educators don’t think Trump has the power to demolish the DOE or Office for Civil Rights (OCR)without massive pushback from communities and organizations, but Vilson said the DOE would become easier to obliterate once targets like the OCR are weakened and no longer an ally for those filing complaints for disability, race-based issues, gender issues, and more.
Vilson also shared his personal disappointment in the amount of Trump support from the Latino community despite Trump’s racist and stereotype-laden comments about their homelands, families, and more.
“I’m disappointed in Latino men, but I think that needs more breakdown,” Vilson said. “Those of us who aspire toward Blackness definitely voted for Harris, whereas those who aspire white … well, you already know.”
Hagopian, a veteran Seattle Public Schools high school teacher and co-editor of the
books “Teaching for Black Lives” and “Black Lives Matter at School,” worries both professionally and as the father of a son who attends public schools.
“It’s scary to have somebody who has embraced fascist ideology be elected president,” Hapogian said. “Putting my 11-year-old son to bed last night was really hard because he was worried about what a Trump victory will mean for him, for our family, for his friends — his very multiracial group of friends.”
Organize like you’re taking down Jim Crow
Hagopian said that regardless of what the rich and powerful have planned, building community and continuing to protect one another is necessary if the Black community wants to safeguard Black children and their schools.
“Four students who went into a drugstore and sat down at the lunch counter broke the segregation law and refused to move — that sparked a struggle throughout the South,” Hagopian said. “You see an injustice, you name it, and then you act against it. You can change the world, and I think that building community is the most important thing right now — getting together with people who want to resist Trump’s overt fascism, his overt racism, transphobia, xenophobia, misogyny.”
Vilson said the best way to move forward is to continue rallying people behind the cause by ensuring they understand the importance of pushing back against right-wing ideologies in schools. Folks, he said, need to
be ready to protect students’ lives by paying attention to what happens where decisions are made: local school site meetings and school board meetings.
“I’m going to try to continue to help organize students across this country to build the same kind of youth uprising that brought down Jim Crow,” Vilson said. “We’re going to be getting teachers and mentors together across the country to bring youth and educators together to strategize about how we build that uprising.”
Larger entities like the AFT have long fought attacks on public education, with its 1.8 million members rallying for equitable school funding, safe school facilities, higher teacher pay, and adequate school staffing.
“We’ve been fighting a blueprint for Project 2025 in Florida for a couple of years now,” Ingram said. “They’re trying to do an all-out assault on public education, defund our public schools, ban books, close libraries, make it difficult for teachers to teach honest and true history.” Concerns include oversized classrooms and “an inundation of testing about your program that seeks to take students out of the public sector into private schools, parochial schools, and charter schools.”
He said the courage of district-level leaders, state superintendents of education, and state governments to push back against policies that will destroy public schools is crucial. “We’re going to have to fight back if they are not good for kids, if they’re not good for teaching and the teaching profession,” Ingram said.
(Oladimeji Ajegbile photo via Pexels)
Drought warning
and herbaceous ground cover. The mission now is to restore and replant this section of the park, she said, which will likely take years.
“Everyone has been really concerned. We’re Brooklyn’s backyard, right. When we have a tragic incident like this happen, it’s a moment for people to come together,” said Monaco.
Monaco said that parkgoers had been taking advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and grilling in the park, but were very quick to adhere to the Mayor’s ban and help the park recover. The burned section of the park is still under an active FDNY investigation, and they have not officially determined a cause for the brush fire, she said.
Additionally, the FDNY created its first ever Brush Fire Task Force, a special unit of fire marshals, fire inspectors, and tactical drones, to help respond to and investigate the fires. The task force is charged with pre-fire operations to better learn about “fire behavior,” fighting ongoing brush fires, and post-fire operations using drones and ground inspections. The plan is to coordinate with regional fire departments, law enforcement, New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM), the New York City Parks and Recreation Department (Parks and Rec), and environmental agencies to find wildfire experts and increase efficiency.
“By creating this task force, we are taking real action to prevent brush fires from occurring, putting protocols in place to keep our members safe while they are in the field, and working to identify the causes of these fires after they happen to keep New Yorkers safe in the future,” said FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker. “I also want to urge New Yorkers to follow our important safety tips and help us reduce the chances of a brush fire occurring.”
The City’s Chief Climate Officer and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala, as well as others, attributed this fall’s historic drought and unseasonably warm temperatures to the increased risks of climate change.
“I really do think that this is a direct implication of climate change,” said Monaco. “Last year we had a major rain event which completely flooded the park and did damage and now we have this really difficult dry spell. Over two months without [significant] rainfall. I think these extreme weather patterns and their connection to climate change just [shows] how important it is for the work that we do, and nationally to protect parks, because our natural areas are an important intervention in mitigating the impacts of climate change.”
Valentina Rojas, WeACT for Environmental Justice’s environmental health manager, emphasized the detrimental effects increased brush fires have on air quality and health in historically-Black and Brown communities. Harlem, Washington Heights, and the South Bronx especially are overburdened with traffic and air pollution and respiratory conditions, said Rojas.
“We consistently see things like higher levels of pm2.5, carbon monoxide, black carbon, nitrogen dioxide, and methane,” said Rojas. “We see all of these in the data all the time…so when there’s natural or emergency situations, we want to highlight how it’s disparately impacting communities based on the things we know about structural and environmental racism.”
Patrick Robbins is a coordinator for New York Energy Democracy Alliance and a co-chair of the Public Power New York coalition — a big proponent of the New York State Build Public Renewables Act from last year. He said that bolstering the state’s renewable energy sources would ultimately help mitigate the effects of climate
change and calm the unstable weather conditions that the city is experiencing. However, he’s unsure there will be much local or national progress under incoming President-elect Donald Trump, who is a known climate change denier.
“I hate to be doom and gloom but I’m really worried about what another Trump administration is going to mean for our climate and for our climate goals,” said Robbins. “We can expect an attempt to stop new development of renewables in its tracks.”
Here are the city’s tips to help prevent fires amidst dry conditions:
• Don’t set off fireworks.
• Avoid outdoor burning, including campfires, bonfires, and any other open flames. Grilling has been banned in the city during the drought.
• Take extra safety precautions when welding, particularly when near dry grass or leaves.
• No smoking on construction sites.
• If you smoke outdoors, always dispose of your cigarette butts and matches properly.
• Tapping streetlights for electricity (for things like holiday decorations) remains illegal, as it poses a large fire risk.
• Fallen and bundled leaves can be a fire accelerant, New Yorkers should continue to set out yard waste on their recycling day for pickup and call 311 to have clogged catch basins cleared.
• Remove litter and any excessive brush or leaves from sidewalks.
Here are tips to help conserve water:
• Report open fire hydrants and street leaks to 311.
• Don’t flush the toilet unnecessarily.
• Take shorter showers. When taking a bath, fill the tub only halfway.
• Don’t run the water while shaving, washing hands, or brushing teeth. Turn off the water while washing dishes.
• Fix leaks in faucets or piping.
• Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when full. Use short cycles if available.
• Install water-saving fixtures, including low-flow toilets and showerheads, as well as faucet aerators.
• Sweep driveways and sidewalks clean rather than washing them down with a hose.
To stay up-to-date about fire emergencies throughout the city sign up for Notify NYC. For more information visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC or call 311.
New Yorkers sensitive to changes in air quality should check AirNow’s website for information on city air quality. For water conservation tips, visit DEP’s Water Savings Tips website.
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT – COUNTY OF NEW YORK, Index #153737/2022, THE BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE 491-497 GREENWICH STREET CONDOMINIUM, suing on behalf of the unit owners, Plaintiff, -against- GABRIEL INCHAUSPE et al., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgement of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered in the New York County Clerk’s Office on August 6, 2024, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Supreme Court, located at 60 Centre Street, New York, New York 10007 on December 4, 2024, at 2:15pm, the premises known as 491-497 Greenwich Street, Unit 2C, New York, New York 10013, and described as follows: ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being designated on the tax maps of the City of New York, County of New York as Block 594, Lot 1206.
The approximate amount of the Judgement is $143,867.06, plus continuing future charges, interest, costs, disbursements, expenses, and legal fees.
The premises will be sold subject to the provisions of the aforesaid Judgement of Foreclosure and Sale.
The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the New York County Covid-19 Protocols located on the Office of Court Administration (OCA) website and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices if such rules are in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale.
Index #153737/2022
Colbert Law LLC
Sabbir Ahmed, Esq., Of Counsel
Attorney for Plaintiff
28 Liberty St., 6th Fl.
New York, NY 10005
646-880-3000
Elaine Shay, Esq., Referee
Active brushfire scene at Harlem River Drive Park in Manhattan on Nov. 19. (Ariama C. Long photo)
Photo of burned area in Prospect Park after brush fire on Nov. 9 was put out. (Photo contributed by Prospect Park Alliance)
Religion & Spirituality
Sunday always comes: Pastors search for post-election sermons
By REV. DOROTHY S. BOULWARE Word in Black
Most pastors agree that certain funerals can test them most in preaching. It isn’t easy to provide a message of comfort, wisdom, and hope when the deceased is a child, a victim of police brutality, a domestic-violence murder victim, or a young person in so much pain they took their own lives.
But what does one say after a devastating presidential election?
For months, Black America had cautiously hoped that Vice President Kamala Harris would make history as the first Black person and first woman president of this country. Former President Donald Trump and his supporters destroyed that hope, leaving many in the community in mourning, perhaps wondering why God allowed it to happen.
“We are holding weighty matters today,” Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Belin, president/publisher of the AMEC Publishing House, said as he convened a gathering of AME bishops and clergy to consider which anecdotes, parables, or scripture to deliver from the pulpit this Sunday.
“Each of us brings our own emotions, and concerns,” he said. “I invite you to center and take a deep breath. Hold it for just a moment and let it go.”
Each of the speakers revealed
the angst they’d endured overnight as reality set in and the victory was handed to Trump. Many of the themes on which they landed involved Biblical themes
of faith in times of uncertainty and anxiety.
Bishop Francine Brookins, presiding prelate of the 5th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC), said parishioners are facing multiple anxieties: “Young people receiving threatening texts. Seniors fearing loss of Social Security. People who voted for Donald Trump, [and] people who will be most heavily victimized by those choices.”
Yet the church was made for this particular season, she said, referenced Jesus’s proclamation in Luke 4, where he listed the people and the conditions for which he’d been called and anointed. It’s “the real Jesus” she will preach about this Sunday, “not the one they’ve chosen to elect.”
Brookins suggested that pastors first take careful account of the people to whom they’ll be preaching — their immediate and local context. It’s also worth
“The title of choice would be, ‘All for Barabbas, Stand up and Holler,’” he said. “With multiple chances given to change their minds, they stuck with Barabbas.”
Bishop Silvester Beaman, president of the A.M.E. Council of Bishops and presiding prelate of the 12th Episcopal District, focused on the topic of “The Other Side of Jericho,” embracing the tradition of answering children’s questions about the faith.
“Every time we show up in the sanctuary, it is a time of remembering, a time to reflect on who God is and how God has been in our lives,” he said. “Even when we see through the glass dimly, because we can’t fully comprehend what God is doing presently, it’s the time to remember what God has already done.”
Retired Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, president of the National Council of Churches, said it’s jarring to see the majority celebrate a moment when so many feel despair. But the journey, she said, “is not defined by a single moment or a single outcome.”
She said she’s drawn to Jeremiah 29:3-12, where people reckon with a future they had not anticipated.
remembering that courts provided protection during the Civil Rights Movement, blocked rightwing attempts to ban abortion in every state, and halted the immediate deportation of undocumented immigrants.
“It’s important to be consciously aware that our neighbors have chosen a convicted rapist to lead this country — a known thief, liar, and murderer, considering the millions who died during COVID,” she said. “As we preach the real gospel, the reaction of the darkness to the light is to always hurl it off of a mountain. We have to stand together and make sure no one is able to throw one of us off a mountain.”
Retired Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson Jr. noted that an election surfaced in Luke 23:13–19, when the people chose Barabbas when given the option of freeing Jesus instead. That lesson could be the foundation of an effective message to congregants.
“They hadn’t expected to be in exile for an extended time, but Jeremiah doesn’t end in despair, but with a future and a hope,” McKenzie said. “Hope is our faithful anchor. A future filled with possibilities. Though the Israelites endured … they were ensured their activity would not conclude God’s plan for them.”
She encouraged radical acceptance of present realities.
“Acknowledge, ‘I am afraid. I’m not sure,’” McKenzie said. “Acknowledge anger, but sin not. God is saying this is not the time to slink quietly into the night. God says you need to be active in your faith and active in life. God says ‘I want you to build. I want you to settle down. I want you to eat what you produce.’”
She went on to say: “Seek the peace of the place where you live. Pray for your country. This is not a moment. It’s a season. I will preach [that] God still has a plan for you, not to harm, but [for you] to prosper and give you a future and a hope.”
(cottonbro studio photo via Pexels)
Congestion Pricing
Continued from page 2
ment. “It can also help the city fulfill environmental requirements, including modernizing the subway system and improving overall air quality. We welcome seeing a real plan to achieve these community initiatives. They represent long overdue requests from my constituents.” Danny Pearlstein, policy and communications director of the Rider’s Alliance, said their group had filed a lawsuit to push Hochul to restart congestion pricing. They maintained that the governor had overstepped
Public safety
said Parker. “And how obvious is that: give young people a place to go on Saturday night that’s safe, fun and productive, and make these relationships with coaches. Police officers are [also] there to engage with the young people, but it’s all about creating opportunities. And that’s a crimefighting strategy.”
Nicole Cruz, senior director of citywide teen programs for the YMCA of Greater New York, said Saturday Night Lights programming is crucial for public safety given the uptick of violent incidents local youth face both as potential victims and perpetrators.
“Those young people that were looking for coaches [and] looking for spaces to go potentially weren’t finding spaces
her bounds in the lawsuit and had no right to pause the program indefinitely. Pearlstein said the lawsuit is still technically ongoing. “We’ve seen a lot of false starts and false promises. We want a guarantee to know for certain that the governor is doing everything in her power right now to make sure the system turns on January 5,” he said. Despite approval, the new congestion pricing plan has huge opposition. For one, President-elect Donald Trump called the plan a “regressive tax” and vowed to kill it when he is sworn into office.
Other entities, such as the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), still
to go because they simply weren’t available to them,” said Cruz. “That could potentially be impacting the community on where those young people could be going, what they could be doing. Our goal is to ensure that our doors are open so that they don’t engage in those high levels of violence.”
PAL executive director Carlos Velazquez recalled Parker championing the program for years now. He said the new deputy mayor’s approach has always been characterized by partnership and community.
“He uses every single resource he has and every connection he has within different city agencies, but most importantly, within the communities of New York City to bring people together,” said Velazquez. “It sends a message to all of us who’ve been doing this work for so long that partnerships are key, and col -
have ongoing lawsuits against congestion pricing.
“Our lawsuit against congestion pricing continues,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew in a statement. “Today’s announcement changes nothing — pollution and traffic congestion will be worse in the poor, working- and middle-class neighborhoods of the city, and these same families are still being asked to shoulder the cost. No one disputes that New York needs to invest in public transit, but doing it on the backs of the working people of New York City is wrong, and tone deaf.” Driving commuters in outer boroughs like Staten Island and Queens, as well as Long
laboration is what’s going to move this city forward. And through these partnerships, and through these collaborations, is how we’re going to get out of some of the issues that our young people are facing every single day.”
While Parker’s responsibilities go beyond courts and cops now, he sees partnerships and community engagement as just as relevant with other agencies under his ward like the FDNY and New York City Emergency Management. His appointment coincides with the recent brush fires across the city. Parker said while he hopes for rain soon during the ongoing drought, he believes there are steps independent of Mother Nature.
medications are no longer effective, then there’s care. I teach family members how to provide optimal compassionate care for those living with dementia.
My second book, “A Dementia Caregiver Call to Action,” provides an action plan for families who don’t have time to read a 200page book because they’re providing care for their loved one. I wanted the book to be a quick but effective read that they can fold up and take to the doctor’s office to have a meaningful conversation about a [doable] outcome for their loved one.
Although age is the number-one risk factor to developing a progressive type of dementia it is not the only factor. We know that lifestyle is more of a contributing factor than, say, genetics — what you choose to eat, how you choose to live, how you choose to learn, and when you choose to learn, reducing your risk for chronic illnesses and comorbid illnesses such as high blood pressure and diabetes … When you manage those areas and reduce your risk there, you reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia.
AmNews: Is there anything else you’d like to tell our readers about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and what to do if they suspect a loved one is suffering from one of these diseases?
Smith: I will say to those who are over the age of 65 that Medicare does pay for a cognitive assessment, along with their physical exam, so don’t be afraid to take the cognitive test. It will not hurt, so include that as a part of your routine medical care. I also want to encourage family caregivers to create an electronic health record for their loved one at the doctor’s office. Along with their loved one, they can have access to the person’s medical records and actually see what’s going on — sometimes [a person with symptoms] doesn’t want their adult children to go to the doctor with them or their siblings. [If you have access to those records], you have a direct line to the doctor to have communications about the concerns you’re having, just in case [your loved one doesn’t] tell their doctor. That way, you can develop [a plan] with the doctor, who will be your person’s partner and develop a team of care to be able to provide comprehensive care for the person’s overall well-being.
Island, New Jersey, and surrounding counties, are also against the toll plan resurrection.
State Senator Monica R. Martinez said the congestion plan was an “illconceived” “money grab at the expense of middle- and lower-income commuters.” She has vowed to block the pricing plan. “The arguments against congestion pricing remain as valid as ever,” said Martinez. “The economic challenges that led to its delay in June persist today. Nothing has improved for suburban residents — this is simply a reversal made without consideration for the livelihoods of New Yorkers outside Manhattan.”
“A big part of it is to make sure that we’re all, as they say, good neighbors,” said Parker. “And being a good neighbor would be very careful about[not having] a barbecue in a park where we’re in the midst of a drought. Don’t smoke in a park. [It’s] not a law enforcement response to it. It’s really a good neighbor’s response to it, as we have to look after each other.”
Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member who writes about public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/ amnews1
Monsignor Mullaney Apartments
St. Paul the Apostle Senior Apartments
4301 8th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232
55-06 99th St, Flushing, NY 11368
Beginning January 27, 2024 our 15-unit building 4301 8th Ave in Brooklyn will be re-opening the waitlist for to the elderly (head of household or spouse is 62 or older) or those with a mobility impairment or developmental disabilities. Income restrictions apply and are based on Section 8 guidelines.
Beginning November 18, 2024, our 83-unit residence located at 55-06 99th Street in Corona will accept applications for its waiting list. This opportunity is available for elderly individuals, heads of household, or spouses aged 62 and older.
Eligibility and qualifications for the affordable housing units will adhere to Section 8 regulations.
Qualifications and eligibility for the affordable apartments, which include units for the mobility impaired, will be based on Section 8 guidelines. Interested persons may obtain an application:
Interested persons may obtain an application:
Interested persons may obtain an application:
BY MAIL
POP Management – Msgr Mullaney
ONLINE
POP Management – St. Paul the Apostle Senior Apartments 191 Joralemon St 8th Floor, Brooklyn NY, 11201
*Written application requests must be received by 12/2/2024
https://www.ccbq.org/service/ senior-housing info.popm@ccbq.org OR
https://www.ccbq.org/service/ senior-housing Or by emailing info.popm@ccbq.org
Completed applications must be sent by regular mail to the PO Box listed on the application and be postmarked by 2/13/2024.
Completed applications must be sent by regular mail to the PO Box listed on the application and be postmarked by 12/5/2024. If you have a disability and need assistance with the application process or any other type of reasonable accommodation, please contact Yhasara Humphrey at (718) 722-6081.
If you have a disability and need assistance with the application process or any other type of reasonable accommodation, please contact Sheena Williams at (718) 722-6155.
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NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK HSBC Bank USA, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST Arnold Quismorio Bengco a/k/a Arnold Bengco if living and if he be dead, any and all persons who are spouses, widows, grantees, mortgagees, lienor, heirs, devisees, distributees, or successors in interest of such of the above as may be dead, and their spouses, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residences are unknown to Plaintiff, Rachelle Bengco if living and if she be dead, any and all persons who are spouses, widows, grantees, mortgagees, lienor, heirs, devisees, distributees, or successors in interest of such of the above as may be dead, and their spouses, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residences are unknown to Plaintiff, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered July 29, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse in Room 130, located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on December 18, 2024 at 2:15PM, premises known as 322 West 57th Street, Unit 41K1, New York, NY 10019. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York, Block: 1047, Lot: 2394. Approximate amount of judgment $1,056,344.82 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850260/2019. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NEW YORK County COVID-19 Protocols located on the Office of Court Administration (OCA) website (https://ww2.nycourts. gov/Admin/oca.shtml) and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Doron Leiby, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-092596-F00 82018
Notice of Formation of CARBONDALE MILL STREET PRESERVATION DEVELOPER, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/21/24. 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 122072543. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
NOTICE OF SALE
Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, Index No. 850088/2022
Six Gramercy LLC, Plaintiff, v. Westside Units 17 th Street LLC, et. al., Defendants.
TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to the Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered August 2, 2024, the undersigned referee will sell at public auction on December 11, 2024 at 2:15pm in Room 130 at the Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, NY, NY, the property located at 7 East 17 th Street, Unit 7S, New York, NY 10003 (Block 846, Lot 1312).
The approximate amount of Plaintiff’s lien is $1,519,549.37 plus interest and costs. The premises will be sold in one parcel and subject to provisions of the judgment and terms of sale.
Allison Furman, Esq., Referee
Law Offices of Tae H. Whang, LLC, Attorneys for Plaintiff, 185 Bridge Plaza North, Suite 201, Fort Lee, NJ 07024, Tel. (201) 461-0300, 415 White Oak Road, Palisades, NY 10964 (By Appointment Only).
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York, Titan Capital ID, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. Bowery Shed LLC, ET AL., Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on February 5, 2024 and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on July 12, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on December 18, 2024 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 354 Bowery, Unit 4, New York, NY 10012. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York, Block 531 and Lot 1204 together with an undivided 16.0 percent interest in the Common Elements. Approximate amount of judgment is $890,834.00 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850172/2022. Georgia Papazis, Esq., Referee Vallely Law PLLC, 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 165, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff
Secondz Avenue LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/18/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 228 Park Ave S #126365, New York, NY 10003. Purpose: Any lawful act.
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York , WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VERUS SECURITIZATION TRUST 2021-5, Plaintiff, vs. LUGUANG YANG, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS TRUSTEE OF LUGANG YANG REVOCABLE TRUST, ET AL., Defendant (s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on July 10, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on December 11, 2024, at 2:15 PM, premises known as 32 E 76TH STREET APT 804, NEW YORK, NY 10021. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the City of New York, County of New York and State of New York, Block: 1390, Lot: 1022. Together with an undivided 1.811(%) percent interest in the common elements. Approximate amount of judgment is $755,328.44 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 850673/2023.
If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee's attorney, or the Referee.
ALLISON FURMAN, Esq., Referee
Roach & Lin, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR BEAR STEARNS ASSET BACKED SECURITIES TRUST 2004-AC3 ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-AC3, Plaintiff AGAINST MARC BERNSTEIN, DONNA BERNSTEIN, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 5, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse in Room 130, located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on December 18, 2024 at 2:15PM, premises known as 330 East 33rd Street, Unit 4M, New York, NY 10016. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York, BLOCK 936, LOT 4054. Approximate amount of judgment $1,325,461.27 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850325/2013. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NEW YORK County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. Mark McKew, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 00296966 82196
VRH 430 E 13 LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 3/14/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: C/O Parag Sawhney, 41 Madision Ave, New York, NY 10010. Purpose: Any lawful act.
REFEREE'S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE
SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK
STORMFIELD CAPITAL FUNDING I, LLC, Plaintiff - againstJRT340ASSOCIATES, LLC, et al Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on August 4, 2022. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, New York 10007 on the 11th day of December, 2024 at 2:15 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York. Premises known as 340 West 86th Street, Unit 5A, New York, NY 10024. (Block: 1247, Lot: 1022)
Notice of Formation of CARBONDALE MILL STREET PRESERVATION GP, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/21/24. 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 12207-2543. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
JUDY TING MANDEL LCSW, PLLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 8/23/24. Office location: NEW YORK County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 201 WEST 17TH STREET, 9C, NEW YORK, NY 10011. Purpose: Any lawful act.
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT: NEW YORK COUNTY. NYCTL 2021A TRUST AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND CUSTODIAN, Pltf. vs., JILA SOROUDI, Defts. Index #157345/2022. Pursuant to for judgment of foreclosure and sale entered May 8, 2024 and order extending time to sell entered July 12, 2024, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on December 4, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. prem. k/a 150 West 51 st Street, Unit 15-5, New York, NY 10019 a/k/a Block 01003 Lot 1240. Judgments amount $52,273.92 Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. DORON LEIBY, Referee. THE DELLO-IACONO LAW GROUP, P.C., Attys. For Pltf., 312 Larkfield Road, Lower Level, East Northport, NY. File No. 22-000027 - #101659
Approximate amount of lien $1,548,403.75 plus interest and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
Index No. 850223/2019. Clark A. Whitsett, Esq., Referee. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff
420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840
New York, NY 10170
Tel. 347/286-7409
Dated: July 15, 2024
During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale
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SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK Index No. 42842024 COUNTY OF BRONX
Tameka Fulton Plaintiff, against Chodhry M Aslam Defendant. Summons filed on: Plaintiff designates Bronx County as the place for trial.The basis of venue is:Plaintiff's residence.SUMMONS WITH NOTICE Plaintiff resides at:2822 Olinville Ave Bronx, NY 10467 ACTION FOR A DIVORCE
To the above named Defendant: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to serve a notice of appearance on the Plaintiff within twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); and in case of your failure to appear, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the notice set forth below.The nature of this action is to dissolve the marriage between the parties, on the grounds: Irretrievable Breakdown in Relationship for at Least Six Months DRL § 170(7)The relief sought is judgment of absolute divorce in favor of the Plaintiff dissolving the marriage between the parties in this action.I am not requesting any ancillary relief.AND any other relief the court deems fit and proper.
Mason Victor LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/03/24. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 228 Park Ave S #108704, New York, N.Y. 10003. Purpose: Any lawful act.
Formation of DOUBLE LOBSTER LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/25/2024. 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 Max Lifflander, 1700 Park Ave., Apt. 1011, Weehawken, NJ 07086. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
DNA WATCHES NYC LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/12/2024. Office location: NEW YORK County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 15 W 47TH ST STE 900, NEW YORK, NY 10036. Purpose: Any lawful act.
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT. NEW YORK COUNTY. EVAN GLOBAL CORP., Pltf. vs. MAHMOUD
THIAM AND FATIM SOW THIAM, Deft. Index #161203/2018. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered July 30, 2024, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on December 11, 2025 at 2:15 p.m. prem. k/a 170 East End Avenue, Unit 2C, New York, NY 10128 a/k/a Block 1584, Lot 1014. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,827,849.62 plus cost and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. CLARK WHITSETT, Referee. BALLARD SPAHR LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 1675 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10019. #101766
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK
U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR GS MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES TRUST 2018-RPL1, Plaintiff, Against ERAN ELYOF, ET AL.,
Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 07/26/2024, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, in Room 130 at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on 12/18/2024 at 2:15PM, premises known as 330 East 109th Street, New York, NY 10029, And Described As Follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in theThe Unit Known As Unit No. 5A (Hereinafter Called "The Unit") In The Building Known As By The Street Number 330 East 109 Street, In The Borough Of Manhattan, County Of New York, City And State Of New York.
Block 1680 Lot 1115
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $582,151.89 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 850167/2022
Allison M. Furman, Esq., Referee.
SHELDON MAY & ASSOCIATES Attorneys at Law, 255 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Dated: 8/6/24 File Number: 38262 SH
Notice of Formation of 56 WILLOUGHBY LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/02/23. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: United American Land LLC, 73 Spring St., 6th Fl., NY, NY 10012. 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. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of Qualification of LAZARD FO WIND LP Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/03/24. Office location: NY County. LP formed in Delaware (DE) on 09/23/24. Princ. office of LP: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, NY, NY 10112. NYS fictitious name: LAZARD FO WIND L.P. Duration of LP is Perpetual. SSNY designated as agent of LP upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. Name and addr. of each general partner are available from SSNY. DE addr. of LP: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of LP filed with Jeffrey W. Bullock, DE Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Samantha Lassoff Coaching & Consulting LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/07/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 228 Park Ave S PMB 985264, New York, NY 10003. Purpose: Any lawful act.
Bedrock DigitalOps LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/28/2024. Office location: NEW YORK County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 7014 13TH AVENUE SUITE 202, BROOKLYN NY 11228 Purpose: Any lawful act.
The Marketing Closet LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/16/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 7014 13th Ave Ste 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful act.
Cartiga LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/05/2024 Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 42 South Broadway, Floor 12, STE 12300, New York, NY 10004. Purpose: Any lawful act.
Notice of Formation of DD LENDER 88 STREET LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/16/24. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 201 W. 79th St., NY, NY 10024. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the princ. office of the LLC. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Meteor Property Management LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/4/24. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 200 E 94th St Apt 2217, NY, NY 10128. Purpose: Any lawful act.
Notice of Formation of FLUENT MEDIA, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/03/24. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Ronald Kreidman, Esq., 94 Southfield Ave., Unit 1604, Stamford, CT 06902. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of Qualification of 28TH STREET RETAIL LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/02/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/01/24. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State of DE, John G. Townsend Bldg., Federal and Duke of York St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
PF741 WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/23/2024. Office loc: Bronx County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 5535 Netherland Ave, Apt 1E, Bronx, NY 10471. Reg Agent: Paul Freyer, 5535 Netherland Ave, Apt 1E, Bronx, NY 10471. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
Notice of Qualification of LAZARD FO WIND GP LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/03/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 09/20/24. Princ. office of LLC: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, NY, NY 10112. 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 Jeffrey W. Bullock, DE Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that a license, number NA-0340-24142387 for Wine, Beer, Cider And Liquor has been applied for by the undersigned to sell Wine, Beer, Cider And Liquor at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 101-21 Metropolitan Ave, Forest Hills, NY 11375, Queens County for on premises consumption. Pio Pio Metro Inc., Pio Pio
Mental Millennials LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/27/2024. Office location: Bronx County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 4178 Grace Ave, Bronx, NY, 10466 Purpose: Any lawful act.
Simpler Engineering LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 9/09/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 377 Route 35 South, Mantoloking, NJ 08738. Purpose: Any lawful act.
The Human Resource Consortium LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 8/26/24. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: J.W. McCrory, 1900 SE 15th St, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33316. Purpose: Any lawful act.
Notice of Qualification of YAMO PHARMACEUTICALS LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/29/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 12/01/15. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK INDEX # 152510/24
SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS AND AMENDED NOTICE
Plaintiffs designate New York County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the liened premises is situated. Tax Lien Foreclosure of: 655 West 187th Street, New York, NY 10033, (Block: 02170, Lot: 0027) NYCTL 2021-A TRUST and The Bank of New York Mellon as Collateral Agent and Custodian, Plaintiffs, against Warren Demurjian as Executor and Residuary Beneficiary of the Estate of Malcolm Demurjian; Linda C. Cherken a/k/a Linda C. Graham; Harry S. Cherken, Jr.; Michael Demurjian, Individually and as Executor of the Estate of Joan Demurjian; Richard Demurjian, if the aforesaid individual defendants are living, and if any or all of said individual defendants be dead, their heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, committees, devisees, legatees, and the assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest of them, and generally all persons having or claiming under, by, through, or against the said defendants named as a class, of any right, title, or interest in or lien upon the premises described in the verified complaint herein; David Demurjian; United States of America (Southern District); New York State Department of Taxation and Finance; and "JOHN DOE #1" through "JOHN DOE #100", inclusive the last 100 names being fictitious and unknown to the Plaintiffs, it being intended to designate fee owners, tenants or occupants of the liened premises and/or persons or parties, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the liened premises described in the complaint, if the aforesaid individual defendants are living, and if any or all of said individual defendants be dead, their heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, committees, devisees, legatees, and the assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest of them, and generally all persons having or claiming under, by, through, or against the said defendants named as a class, of any right, title, or interest in or lien upon the premises described in the complaint herein, Defendants.
TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the attorney for the Plaintiffs within twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where is made in any other manner than personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint.
NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT. THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose on a Tax Lien pursuant to a Certificate recorded in the Office of the Register of the City of New York on March 4, 2022, in CRFN: 2022000097156, covering premises known as 655 West 187th Street, New York, NY 10033 (Block: 02170, Lot: 0027). The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the tax lien described above.
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 ATTORNEYS FOR THE PLAINTIFFS 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 WILL NOT STOP THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEYS FOR THE PLAINTIFFS AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT
To the above named defendants: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Hon. Francis A. Kahn III, J.S.C. of the State of New York, and filed along with the supporting papers in the Office of the Clerk of the County of New York on 11/1/2024. This is an action to foreclose on a Tax Lien. ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of the New York, County of New York, City and State of New York, Block 02170 and Lot 0027, said premises known as 655 West 187th Street, New York, NY 10033. THE DELLO-IACONO LAW GROUP, P.C., Attorney for Plaintiffs, 312 Larkfield Road, Lower Level, East Northport, NY 11731, 631-8613001. Our File # 22-000044
Notice of Qualification of SoHo Retail Portfolio 415 West Broadway LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/03/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 09/26/24. Princ. office of LLC: 233 S. Wacker Dr., Ste. 4700, Chicago, IL 60606. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. 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. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of Qualification of SoHo Retail Portfolio 72-76 Greene Street LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/03/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 09/26/24. Princ. office of LLC: 233 S. Wacker Dr., Ste. 4700, Chicago, IL 60606. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. 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. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of Qualification of DIFFERENTIAL VENTURES FUND III GP LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/11/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/04/24. Princ. office of LLC: 350 Park Ave., Fl. 27, NY, NY 10022. 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 122072543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., #4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Tom Pina Edit LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on September 22, 2024. Office location: Dutchess County. SSNY
Notice is hereby given that a license, serial #NA-0340-24142356 for beer, wine & liquor has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer, wine & liquor at retail in a restaurant under the ABC Law at 2100 Frederick Douglas Blvd., New York, NY 10026 for on-premises consumption; Allende Hospitality Group LLC
Notice of Qualification of VELAN HORIZON GP LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/29/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/21/24. Princ. office of LLC: 100 North Main St., Ste. 301, Alpharetta, GA 30009. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 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, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
NOTICE
Notice is hereby given that a license, number Pending for Beer, Cider And Wine has been applied for by the undersigned to sell Beer, Cider And Wine at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 62 Greenwich Avenue , New York, 10011, New York County for on premises consumption. DeMolinari , St. George
Notice of Qualification of FEP BEVERAGE LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/15/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/14/24. Princ. office of LLC: 1330 6th Ave., Ste. 3600C, NY, NY 10019. 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 State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Manhattan University to host the HBCU Harlem Renaissance Classic
By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor
There are numerous Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU) alumni and youth who will become future alums residing in the New York tri-state area. This Saturday, they will have the opportunity to enjoy the enthralling culture of the collective institutions that will permeate the campus of Manhattan University as the 4th Annual Harlem Renaissance Classic, featuring the men’s basketball teams from Division II Clark Atlanta University and Lincoln University, will be held at Draddy Gymnasium in the Riverdale section of the Bronx.
First off, Clark Atlanta University will face Philadelphia’s Holy Family University at 1:00 p.m. and then Lincoln University, situated in Lower Oxford Township, Pennsylvania, will take on Molloy University of Rockville Centre (Long Island), NY at 3:00 p.m. Both Holy Family and Molloy are members of the Northeastern DII Colleges and Universities. The Draddy Gymnasium doors will open at 12:00 p.m.
While the games are the centerpiece of the day’s event, there will be a wide array of educational, health, musical and social activities in conjunction with Manhattan University’s Black Student
Union, including college recruitment, discussions on scholarship opportunities, tutoring, Divine Nine Greek organizations, interactive games, mental health counseling, as well as cheerleaders and bands.
The non-profit organization Bridging Structural Holes, Inc, which founded, organizes and manages the Harlem Renaissance Classic, is continuing to employ the yearly event as a vessel to forward its stated vision to “shrink the racial divide and create a platform that promotes new levels of inclusion, diversity, equity and acceptance in spaces previously unattainable for marginalized, underserved groups.”
Morgan Crawford helps women build their moxie on basketball court
By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews
“Basketball has been a constant in my life — a space where I’ve grown, learned, and found community,” said Morgan Crawford, who founded the Moxie League in 2022 with the vision of creating a space where women and girls could not only have a quality place to compete in basketball but also connect, grow, and be inspired. Last month, Crawford was honored as part of the ninth class of Toyota Everyday Heroes at the espnW: Women + Sports Summit in Ojai, Calif., where honorees received $15,000 grants. The Toyota Everyday Heroes program recognizes individuals who are making a difference in their local communities for women and girls through sports. This year’s other honorees were Tam and Brett Donelson, co-founders of the Cycle Effect, which empowers young women through mountain biking.
“The Everyday Hero recognition … is a reminder that you don’t need to be on the big stage or in the spotlight to make a difference,” said Crawford. “Sometimes, the most powerful work is happening quietly in local gyms, in the community, in the lives of young women learning to believe in themselves, and in women who pour their passion and life lessons
back into the younger generation.”
Based in Mobile, Ala., the Moxie League is dedicated to fostering confidence, leadership, and teamwork by combining athletic competition and one-onone mentoring. It is a supportive space where essential life skills are developed. From its inception, Crawford envisioned the Moxie League as a place where women and girls can learn and embody the true values of teamwork.
“At its core, basketball teaches us that we’re stronger together, that supporting one another and working toward shared goals creates a power synergy,” said Crawford. “In the Moxie League, we emphasize trust, mentorship, communication, and accountability, which are essential not just on the court but in every area of life. I want our athletes to carry these lessons with them beyond the game — to understand that success often comes from collaboration, resilience, and a strong network. These things are critical in their careers and personal lives.” Crawford thinks the current growth in women’s sports is amazing. The increased visibility, investment, and support are exciting for both those who are living it today and future generations. “For our Moxie League participants, this growth is a powerful source of motivation,” she said.
Senior guard Bakir Cleveland from Newark, New Jersey will lead the Lincoln Panthers into this Saturday’s Harlem Renaissance Classic at Manhattan University to face Molloy University. (Lincoln University Athletics/lulions.com)
Members of 2024 Toyota Everyday Heroes (l–r) Julie Foudy, Morgan Crawford, Tam and Brett Donelson, and Alise Willoughby. (Saatchi EMPROS photo)
The end of Daniel Jones and Joe Douglas signal uncertainty for the Giants and Jets
By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor
The Giants benched quarterback Daniel Jones and the Jets terminated general manager Joe Douglas all within a 24-hour period this week. Both actions illuminate the ongoing instability of the two franchises that have combined for two playoff appearances, both by the Giants (2016 and 2022), in the last 13 seasons — 14 when the regular season ends in January.
The Giants are 2-8 and the Jets 3-8. Jones and Douglas are deserving casualties but not the essence of their teams’ failures. The Giants and Jets were in states of losing before either arrived in New York. The 27-yearold Jones was drafted by the Giants with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft as the heir apparent to two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Eli Manning. Douglas was signed to a six-year contract in 2019 with the charge to build them into a Super Bowl contender. Instead, the Jets are 30-64 since beginning that mission.
The finger pointing that regularly surrounds the Giants and Jets
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (right), sharing a brief exchange with Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young after their game in Munich, Germany on November 10, has seen his time as the team’s starter come to an end.
(AP Photo/Lennart Preiss)
should be firmly directed at the respective organization’s owners — the Giants co-owner John Mara and Jets CEO Robert “Woody” Johnson. They have the final say on coaching and key personnel decisions, many of which have been disastrous. The Giants signing Jones to a four-year, $160 million contract extension prior to the 2023 season has proven to be ill-fated and the Jets’ empowering quarterback Aaron Rodgers
to dictate coaching hires such as demoted former offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was manifestly imprudent.
Now Mara and Johnson are experiencing the severe fallout of their errors. Jones has been replaced by backup Tommy DeVito not so much for his substandard performance but due to an injury clause in his contract. If Jones were to sustain an injury and couldn’t pass
Clash Pro League, streaming online, showcases top global streetballers
By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews
Competitive basketball is being played in Harlem and airing on the Clash TV app every Sunday as the the Clash Pro League (CPL), featuring top streetballers from not just the New York City area but nationally and internationally, is gaining a large following. CPL was created by Chris “Gotti” Lorenzo, co-founder of live streaming platform Clash TV. Gotti gained fame as a hitmaking music producer for artists Ja Rule and Jennifer Lopez, and collaborating on projects with some of the industry’s most influential figures, such as Jay-Z and Kanye West.
Games can be viewed in person at the Police Athletic League (PAL) Harlem Center (441 Manhattan Avenue), on
clsh.tv, or on YouTube, where they are live-streamed. Rosters, league standings, statistics, and upcoming matchups can all be found on clsh.tv.
Gotti, a passionate lifelong fan of streetball, is pleased with the early results of the CPL.
“The first half of the CPL season has been everything I expected and more,” Lorenzo said of the first four weeks of the league’s inaugural season. “The games have all been exceptional. The coaches and the players have all been so good on every level. With the trade deadline approaching, more players are joining teams that were previously playing overseas, which only elevates the league to a higher level. With that said, all I can think about is an incredible playoffs and championship with these amazing players, coaches and teams.”
The City Slammers remain undefeated at 4-0, while the Concrete Ballers and Blacktop Beasts are looking for their first win of the season in the eight-team league.
New York City basketball fans might recognize Antoine Mason, son of the late former New York Knicks star Anthony Mason. The younger Mason plays for the Hollywood Hoopers and is the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 21.8 points per game.
“Just growing up, watching the Knicks games and then traveling and seeing the rest of (my father’s) career — he’s the reason why I play,” Mason said. “He has inspired me so much since birth. We both are dogs, physical; we accept any challenge and we like to get after it on defense. You hit us, you’re going to get hurt. I get a lot from (my dad).”
“So, we’re making a quarterback switch here from Daniel and we’re going to go with Tommy,” Giants head coach Brian Daboll informed the media on Monday. “I spoke with all the quarterbacks this morning before our morning meeting and let them know the direction that we’re going. Those are never easy conversations.”
Jones and his representatives had to be unambiguously aware that the move was coming. As for Douglas, on Tuesday, Johnson released an obligatory statement regarding Douglas’s firing.
a physical next March, he would be guaranteed $23 million next season. The Giants will either trade or cut Jones in the off-season so didn’t want to take the risk of him being prohibitively injured over the final seven games.
Ironically, his last game as a Giant wasn’t even in this country. Jones and the Giants took a 20-17 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers in Munich, Germany on November 10.
“Today, I informed Joe Douglas he will no longer serve as the general manager of the New York Jets. I want to thank Joe for his commitment to the Jets over the last six years and wish him and his family the best moving forward.”
The Giants have not won the Super Bowl or been there since 2012. The Jets only appearance and win was in 1969. As the Giants prepare to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday at MetLife Stadium and the Jets are on their bye-week, they remain trapped in a continuous loop of losing seasons.
(Derrel Johnson photo)
Elladj Baldé, voice for figure skaters of color, expands
the sport’s audience
By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews
Throughout his competitive figure skating career, Canadian skater Elladj Baldé was known for his style, presentation, and passion for the sport. Despite giving riveting performances, he often felt stifled by the constraints of competitive skating. In the 2021 documentary film “Open Ice: Visionaries,” he spoke about having to change aspects of himself to please judges and officials.
“For the longest time, I sacrificed my own relationship with myself to fit into that mold that the skating world told me I needed to be in to be successful,” said Baldé. “I would still try to do it in my own unique way, still try to stay true to myself, but I was often giving up parts of myself … I was so driven by this idea to be
the best, and to be the best, I had to conform.”
Since retiring from competitive skating in 2018, Baldé has unleashed his true self. He has become an internet sensation, creating viral videos that combine outdoor locations with innovative, street-style performances on frozen lakes and outdoor rinks. These videos have earned him more than 2.5 million followers in various social media platforms.
“I love performing, I love skating, I love sharing my art and who I am on the ice,” Baldé said. “I wanted to use self-expression as a way of living life.”
His videos have led to collaborations with companies such as Canada Goose, Lululemon, and Ray-Ban. “I get to be creative and I get to work with my wife, Michelle Dawley, who’s a dancer/choreographer and directs my videos,” said Baldé. “We go up to the moun-
tains, create, and shoot. It’s so fulfilling.”
Figure skating is not a diverse sport, and Black skaters are few. Baldé’s mother is from Russia and his father from Guinea. He was born in Moscow and the family immigrated to Canada when he was 2 years old. In 2020, Baldé created the Figure Skating Diversity and Inclusion Alliance, giving skaters of color a platform to speak their truth and find community.
“The lack of representation — I didn’t realize how much it affected me until we started to have conversations after the murder of George Floyd; when, within the skating community, between us — Black skaters, we started to talk about our experiences,” said Baldé. “We formed this alliance to hold these national sporting organizations accountable for creating genuine change.”
Today, he has the Skate Global Foundation, which he runs with Dawley. It is built on three major pillars: equity, diversity and inclusion; mental health; and climate change. It works to foster conversations and create positive change. Its first project involved working with a construction company to upgrade an outdoor rink in an underserved community.
“To create more representation and more acceptance in the sport, we have to address lack of access,” Baldé said. “Accessibility is so important, especially at the grassroots. This is a huge step to introducing the sport to kids … to be able to just show up at an outdoor rink and try skating. We also donated about 50 pairs of skates for kids and people in the community, so people could try it without having to spend anything.”
After fundraising, the current project for the foundation is a grant program for skaters from Canada. Starting in 2025, the main initiative will be to try to alleviate some of the financial burdens that skaters of color experience in the sport.
“We want to support skaters [who] are already skating, who show potential to be the representation for the next generation of skaters of color,” said Baldé.
Baldé and Dawley have also formed The Art of Performance, a training camp focused on achieving results through uniqueness and artistry. While elements of technique are certainly presented at the camp, the focus is well-rounded.
“In the 1990s and early 2000s … when you looked at figure skaters, everybody had a different style, a different way of doing things,” said Baldé. “Nowadays, I feel we’ve lost that touch with self-expression. We need to plant that seed at a very young age that developing yourself as an artist has a lot of benefits. It’s not only for yourself as a human, but on a competitive stage as well. It allows you to separate yourself from the field. It allows you to find more fulfillment in your competitive journey.”
The camp also introduces mental health and sports psychology as campers develop a sense of confidence and self-esteem. Skaters who have had success in the sport are among the faculty. The first camp was presented in 2019, but the pandemic temporarily halted presenting more. One finally took place in the summer of 2024 in Calgary, and another is planned for 2025, also in Calgary. It is open to skaters from all over the world. Some scholarships are available.
“You can stay true to who you are and you can be celebrated for it,” said Baldé, who will finish 2024 by performing for audiences with the “Stars on Ice Holiday Tour.”
(Paul Zizka photo)
Figure skater Elladj Baldé is creating unique content and growing a more diverse following for figure skating. (Michelle Dawley photo)
Sports
Knicks’ long road trip will be a test of depth and resolve
By JAIME C. HARRIS
AmNews Sports Editor
The 82-game NBA regular season is a long grind with peaks and valleys. The Knicks’ path, like every team with realistic championship aspirations, will be marked by obstacles and adversity.
They began an early season test last night (Wednesday), beginning a five-game road trip by facing the Phoenix Suns. Four of the games will be out west. After the Suns, the Knicks will meet the Utah Jazz on Saturday, the Denver Nuggets on Monday, the Dallas Mavericks next Wednesday, and the Charlotte Hornets the day after the Thanksgiving holiday before returning to Madison Square Garden to host the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, Dec. 1.
The Knicks went into their game last night with a record of 8-6 and winners of four of their previous five games, including three
straight home wins. They defeated the Brooklyn Nets last Friday (124122) and Sunday (114-104) and demolished the Washington Wizards on Monday by 134-106. The Knicks’ starting five of guards Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, forwards OG Aunuoby and Mikal Bridges, and center Karl-Anthony Towns are arguably as formidable as any quintet in the league.
But they also have a high usage rate and are tasked by head coach Tom Thibodeau with mitigating a bench that had the league’s lowest scoring per game output prior to playing the Suns. The Knicks’ reserves were averaging just 20.4 points, last among all 30 teams. A lot of it is a consequence of injuries. Center Mitchell Robinson has been out all season after undergoing surgery on his left ankle in May. Forward Precious Achiuwa has yet to make his regular season debut after straining his left ham-
been
string on Oct. 18 in a preseason matchup versus the Wizards. And guard Miles “Deuce” McBride was sidelined for all three of the Knicks’
games against the Nets and Wizards due to an illness. The Knicks are hopeful Achiuwa’s return is close and he is with the team on
Despite under-.500 record, Nets are showing encouraging signs
By DERREL JOHNSON
Special to the AmNews
For the Brooklyn Nets, the 2024–2025 season is admittedly about rebuilding, which includes four first-round picks in next year’s draft, while developing talent and leaders with a core composed of many young players. As a result, the team has played more than respectable basketball, competitively challenging some of the league’s best teams.
While their 5-9 record going into Tuesday night’s game at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn versus the Charlotte Hornets didn’t reflect the results of a playoff contender, fans and followers of the team have been impressed by the Nets’ hard playing style and growth under first-year head coach Jordi Fernandez.
Before Tuesday’s game, only one of the Nets’ nine losses (two of which were in overtime) — last week’s 139-114 loss to the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics at home — was by more than 16 points. Six of the team’s nine losses were by 10 or fewer points.
While that is a small sample size, Fernandez has motivated his team to play with intensity for the remaining games. They showed their resolve in back-to-back games against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden this past Friday and Sunday. After guard Cam Thomas torched the New York Knicks for 43 points on
Friday — a record for a Nets player at the arena, although the effort came in a 124-122 loss — it was another signal to the league they are not an easy opponent.
“They kept blitzing Cam Thomas. I thought he did a good job of getting rid of the ball and then we found good shots,” Fernandez said. “We just were not
able to get stops. Basically, that was the main reason, because if you get a few stops, then we can start running, and … that is how you make runs.
“I think that was the big difference maker right there. We could not defend enough in this
their current road trip.
Conversely, veteran guard Cameron Payne has provided the Knicks with an infusion of scoring, playing both backcourt positions. The first-year Knick, who was with the Philadelphia 76ers last season, was averaging 12 points in his previous four games, including posting 17 against the Wizards, before going up against the Suns, a franchise he played for from 2019 to 2023.
“Again, another spark plug,” said Thibodeau referring to 6-foot-3-inch tall, 30-year-old Payne following Monday’s blowout victory. “I like the energy he brings off the bench. The pace of the game, you know, obviously he picks up [defensively] and we’re still trying to find a rhythm with [the second unit]. But he likes to play fast and that energy is invaluable and that [he] can play, you know, handling the ball, [he] can play off the ball as well.”
game to get the win. We kept fighting … until the end and that is what we want to do with no excuses, supporting each other moving forward.”
The Nets’ lack of size is evident and problematic. Center Nic Claxton, who missed his fifth game on Tuesday, is sidelined by a lower back strain and received an epidural injection last week. Reserve center Day’Ron Sharpe has not played this season due to a strained left hamstring.
The Nets embark on a fourgame road trip starting tomorrow in Philadelphia against the 76ers, then head out west on Sunday to meet up with the Sacramento Kings, before going against the Golden State Warriors on Monday and ending the stretch on Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns.
First-year Knick Cameron Payne has
a key member of the team’s backcourt rotation this season. (Bill Moore photo)
Nets forward Cam Thomas rises up for jumper versus the Boston Celtics last week at Barclays Center as home fans express their support for the team. (Jamir Dickens/Fence Boy Media photos)
