New York Amsterdam News Issue: June 1-7, 2023

CITY COUNCIL VERSUS MAYOR

ROLLBACKS TO RIGHT-TO-SHELTER, CITYFHEPS

(See story on page 3)

Kalief Browder would have turned 30 this week

(See story on page 6)

NYS 1st Black Chief Judge

Rowan Wilson

(See story on page 4)

DanceAfrica at BAM

(See story on page 9)

The New York City Council holds hearings on asylum-seeking migrants. Speaker Adrienne Adams (left) and Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala (right). (Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit photo)

(Contributed photo)

(Tandy Lau photo)

(Daniel Goodine photo)

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DANGEROUS GROWTH OF VIOLENT GROUPS CONFRONT NEW NIGERIAN PRESIDENT

(GIN) — Bolu Ahmed Tinubu, who eked out a controversial win in Nigeria’s recent elections, now faces what some call a near-insurmountable challenge: to quell the violence gripping the country, wielded by various groups of assorted loyalties.

“The degree of insecurity in Nigeria is unprecedented,” wrote Charles Kwuelum and Iyabo Obasanjo in Foreign Policy magazine. “It’s not just former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria John Campbell…arguing that Nigeria is a failed state. Nigerian public and government officials regularly say as much themselves.”

Tinubu takes over from Muhammadu Buhari, who claims to be leaving the country in a better state than when he took power in 2015.

“Our battle to ensure that all Nigerians live in a safe and secure

environment has achieved considerable results,” the 80-year-old Buhari said in a televised address.

Contrary to Buhari’s remarks, the 71-year-old Tinubu inherits a tide of violence from the northeast to the southeast. “At least sixty-three thousand Nigerians have been killed in various acts of state and nonstate extrajudicial violence, with attacks by Islamist insurgents, assorted armed bandits, and kidnappers claiming the most lives,” wrote Ebenezer Obadare in a recent blogpost. “Numbers aside, a real sense of lawlessness pervades, with a growing recourse to vigilante justice signaling popular frustration at law enforcement and the judicial system.

“The country’s kidnap-for-ransom industry has surged: between January and March this year alone, 1,484 people were abducted. In some cases, security agencies have been accused of

Obadare added that attacks by herdsmen on farming settlements seem to be driven by land degradation or desertification, compounded by intensified drought due to climate change. Herdsmen reportedly killed 2,539 people in as many as 654 attacks. As much as 60 percent of land in Nigeria is under pressure of desertification.

“As soon as he takes office, the new president will face significant security problems,” said Emeka Okoro, security analyst for the analysis group SBM Intelligence. Tinubu will have to tackle three major fronts.

The most urgent priority is central and northwestern Nigeria, said Okoro. In these agricultural and poor regions, fierce competition for land frequently degenerates into deadly clashes between farmers and herders, where the absence of justice and protection from power has contributed to the birth of armed gangs that are responsible for mass killings and kidnapping for ransom.

“The bandits invade a community, kill the inhabitants, and destroy their property, with little or no resistance from the security forces,” charged Muhammadu Sa’ad Abuba-

kar III, sultan of Sokoto, one of the most heavily attacked regions.

According to researcher Idayat Hassan, director of the Center for Democracy and Development, the new administration will have to move away from the “enemy-centric, weapon-centric approach” that prevailed under Buhari, and “adopt a non-military approach.” That would include tackling the underlying problems, such as “unemployment, poverty, the fight against marginalization” and “reform justice.”

Matthew Hassan Kukah, bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of Sokoto, Nigeria, said that “we stare at an imponderable tragedy as the nation unravels from all sides.” Former President Olusegun Obasanjo said, “A situation where you are not safe on the road, you are not safe on the train, you are not safe at the airport, shows a very serious situation.”

Arts & Entertainment Page 17

» Astro Page 15

» Jazz Page 20

Caribbean Update Page 14

Classified Page 32

Editorial/Opinion Pages 12,13

Education Page 28

Go with the Flo Page 8

Health Page 16

In the Classroom Page 26

Nightlife Page 9

Religion & Spirituality Page 30

Sports Page 40 Union Matters Page 10

THE

MURDER OF CHRIS HANI AND A NATION AT BRINK OF WAR

(GIN) — On Easter weekend 1993, Nelson Mandela was engaged in slow-moving power-sharing talks with South Africa’s then-President

Activists want another ‘Decade for People of African Descent’

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff

There’s a growing call to have the United Nations extend its proclaimed “International Decade for People of African Descent.”

The original declaration was announced by the U.N. General Assembly in 2013. It proclaimed the years 2015 through the end of 2024 as a time to promote wider recognition, stronger avenues to justice, and the social and economic development of Black communities in nations throughout the world.

But as the end of that decade approaches with the coming of 2024, many are saying the decade was not enough time to truly examine and promote the concerns of Black communities.

During the May 30 convening of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD) at the United Nations’ New York head-

quarters, activists, civil society personnel, and government representatives called for another decade to examine and delineate the issues faced by Black communities.

“The past decade was marked by the international recognition that people of African descent represent a distinct group whose human rights need to be promoted and protected,” Brazil’s Minister of Racial Equality Anielle Franco said at the forum, but those 10 years were not enough.

Brazil, she noted, under the authoritarian leadership of its former president Jair Bolsonaro, was put through a period of barbaric authoritarianism that dismantled years of progressive achievements attained by Black Brazilians. During the pandemic, social supports were torn away as COVID-19 ripped through Brazil’s Black population and

Brazil’s Minister of Racial Equality Anielle Franco calls on U.N. to renew Decade for People of African Descent (Karen Juanita Carrillo photo)

(GIN photo)

City Council versus mayor Rollbacks to right to shelter, CityFHEPS

By ARIAMA C. LONG

Amsterdam News Staff, Report

for America Corps Member

Tensions between the City Council and Mayor Eric Adams spiked this past week over elements of the asylum seeker crisis, with both sides digging in their heels. Meanwhile, the care for some 70,000 newly arrived migrants hangs in the balance.

According to the latest city stats, single adults and families with children stay in city shelters for over a year on average, while adult families remain for over two years. This has only increased with the number of people seeking asylum coming to the city, leading to the city desperately opening emergency sites as shelters are overrun.

On May 23, Adams filed an application on behalf of the city seeking “modification” and “relief” from the right-toshelter law enacted 44 years ago under the 1984 consent decree in Callahan v. Carey.

In a statement about the application, Adams said they don’t want to end the law. The move was only to “clarify” the law since the city cannot

“provide care for an unlimited number of people and are already overextended.”

“We now have more asylum seekers in our care than New

National Black United Front to hold 44th national convention

The National Black United Front (NBUF) will hold its 44th National Convention at the Healthy Village Learning Institute (1102 Freemont Street, McKeesport, PA 15132; just outside Pittsburgh) from July 7–9.

NBUF Chair Emeritus Rev. Herbert Daughtry of Brooklyn’s House of the Lord Church and founding NBUF Member New York City Councilmember Charles Barron will be among the convention’s featured speakers.

The convention will build on the 44-year NBUF legacy of social justice activism, humanitarian aid/relief, and organizing for self-determination. Weekend topics will include “Models for Black Unity,” “Coalition Building,” “Liberation Politics,” “Youth on Self-Determination,” and “Intergenerational Communications.”

For convention registration, schedule, sponsorship, vending, and more information, visit www.NBUF.net.

NYC Banking Commission to limit deposits at Capital One, KeyBank

Yorkers experiencing homelessness when we came into office. When the original Callahan consent decree came

Police critic PROP’s newest report examines history of NYPD and beyond

By TANDY LAU

Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

The Police Reform Organizing Project (PROP) eschewed its usual role of police watchdog for police bookworm in the ex-mayoral candidate Robert Gangi-led nonprofit’s newest report, “The Notorious and True History of NYC’s Finest.”

“We came up with the idea of researching the history of [the] NYPD and issuing a report that would document in undeniable ways how far back and long-standing these objectionable practices are, as a way of debunking the sanctified pathology that surrounds the NYPD,” said Gangi. “And perhaps contributing to creating a political climate where mainstream politicians are more willing to enact fundamental change.”

Last summer, PROP undertook

such a project. Released in May, the findings delineate the city’s policing history, dating as far back as the Municipal Police of the 1800s and as recently as the current Eric Adams administration. Through 63 pages, all sourced and annotated, the report delves

into how policing came to be in the “Big Apple”

The report heavily highlights the relationship between New York City police and the Black residents they serve, dating back to the 1800s New York Kidnapping Club, a circle of

“fugitive” slave-catchers and pre-NYPD cops who snatched and sold Black New Yorkers into southern bondage. A later excerpt details the Amsterdam News’ reporting on the regular police brutality lawsuits against the NYPD in Harlem during the 1950s.

To highlight the report’s release, PROP hosted a forum in Harlem last month, featuring a trio of prominent local police critics: Prof. Alex Vitale, VOCAL-NY’s Keli Young, and Citizen Action NY’s Stanley Fritz.

The panelists directly addressed and frequently opposed procedural reforms birthed out of highly publicized police brutality cases. Vitale—whose book “The End of Policing” angered Sen. Ted Cruz during Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation—

The NYC Banking Commission’s first-ever public hearing ended with a vote from all three commission members (Comptroller Brad Lander, Mayor Eric Adams, and Finance Commissioner Preston Niblack) that urged NYC to limit its deposits at Capital One and KeyBank.

Both banks refused to submit required plans showing how they would root out discrimination in employment, services, and lending at their branches.

The commission’s vote calls for a freeze on new deposits in Capital One and KeyBank for up to two years. Capital One held $7.2 million in NYC deposits at the end of April in 108 accounts and KeyBank held $10 million in NYC deposits at the end of April in three accounts, Lander’s office said. “Banks seeking to do business with New York City must demonstrate that they will be responsible managers of public funds and responsible actors in our communities,” Lander said. “Unfortunately, despite several opportunities to do so, five banks failed to comply with the New York City Banking Commission’s designation process––leaving us to conclude that they are not taking meaningful actions to combat discrimination in their operations and are not responsible stewards of public dollars.”

Lander also voted against designating three other banks to hold public funds: International Finance Bank, PNC Bank, and Wells Fargo. These banks also failed to demonstrate they were taking action to prevent discrimination in branch openings and closings, lending decisions, hiring, and other operations.

According to Lander’s office, “At the public hearing, the Banking Commission

See COUNCIL on page 25

NYPD vans by Foley Square (Tandy Lau photo)

The New York City Council Holds Hearings on Asylum Seeking Migrants. (Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit)

Dems and GOP scrimmage continues

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

Democrats and Republicans continue to scrimmage in Congress over the debt ceiling as the debate nears the default line. On Tuesday, a solid step occurred when the Rules Committee voted 7 to 6 to pass a procedural hurdle. Now the bill needs a simple majority vote, but that means getting over an impasse established by both parties.

The bill will be delivered on Wednesday to

a full house, where it will be greeted by rejection—the Democrats expressing concerns about food for the elderly and the gas pipeline across Virginia and West Virginia; the Republicans, particularly some 30 of them, opposed because they have lost trust in Rep. Kevin McCarthy, Speaker of the House.

McCarthy conceded that the Republicans had been “outsmarted by the Democrats.”

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia said she was inclined to support the bipartisan proposal, insisting on a com -

mitment from GOP leaders to move several other future proposals, including impeachment of President Biden.

As the evening vote nears, there appear to be 150 votes on both sides of the aisle, which means Biden must get all the Democratic votes to offset the Republican vote. If the bill makes it through the House by some stroke of good luck, the challenge remains in the Senate.

At press time on Wednesday afternoon, the scrimmage continued.

NYS 1st Black Chief Judge Rowan Wilson, affirmative action focus

By ARIAMA C. LONG

Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

This judicial session, New York State Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals Rowan D. Wilson, 62, has put in a lot of work in Albany to get the courts on track after his confirmation hearing in April. Wilson was Gov. Kathy Hochul’s second nominee after the Senate Judiciary Committee spectacularly rejected her first nominee.

Wilson talks with Amsterdam News about his upbringing, what his life’s been like since thrust into the limelight as the state’s first Black chief judge, what he hopes to accomplish, and weighs in on upcoming U.S. Supreme Court cases challenging affirmative action.

Wilson views his job as more of a public policy role that shapes the state’s laws. “What are the ways in which the court system can be improved to better meet the needs of the people who appear in the courts or would like to appear in the courts but can’t or don’t,” said Wilson.

While in Albany, he said that his days are frequently very long, ranging from 7 a.m. to well after midnight. A lot of his time is spent conferring with law clerks, reading, writing and editing. “It’s very different from what a trial judge would have as a day-to-day,” said Wilson about his current workload.

When he’s in New York City, he attends events, networks, and tries to be as accessible as possible without “jeopardizing substantive work.” At home at his residence in Harlem, Wilson prefers to focus on family. His three daughters inspire him to be involved in the community and givebacks.

Wilson is a booknerd at heart, but due to the nature of his work, he doesn’t get to read much for fun. His favorite authors include Toni Morrison, Thomas Hardy, George Elliot, Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens.

This being a historic position, Wilson said he thinks about the impact his nomination has on Black and brown New Yorkers and even other judges all the time. In this last month, he was often approached by court attorneys, lawyers, and law students happy

about his barrier-breaking position. “I realize that this is a great opportunity with historical significance,” said Wilson.

To address the administrative and case backlog that piled up while the chief judgeship was vacant, Wilson said the court office has done a lot of reorganizing in the month. He projects that the cases that were held up should be reargued and handled by this October.

“We’re trying to work with the legislature now to get more family court judges and get more support and resources because there’s a shortage there,” said Wilson.

Wilson is a California native. He was

born in a suburb east of Los Angeles called Pomona. Both of his parents were schoolteachers. Wilson said the smog that hung over the area his family lived in was so bad that often his mother couldn’t speak. Doctors at the time told her it wasn’t a health risk but that they should move to a neighborhood with better air quality. Wilson’s family made the move north to Berkeley, California near San Francisco Bay when he was about seven.

When he was really little, he thought about becoming an architect. “But I found out that I could not draw. Not at all, I mean anything,”

Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Hunterdon County Division of Housing will conduct a lottery for those who want to get on the waiting list for the subsidized Housing Choice Voucher Program.

The federally funded program provides monthly rental subsidies to approximately 482 families, as long as their chosen rental unit meets all federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines.

The division will accept applications for the lottery from June 1–15.

The application will be available online, but you can also call 908-7881336 for assistance with registering.

NJ Black Heritage Trail meetings

The New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) invites residents to share their thoughts about establishing a Black Heritage Trail “to promote awareness and appreciation of Black history, heritage, and culture” that will “highlight Black heritage sites through historical markers and a trail-like path that connects the stories of Black life and resiliency.”

Community members can share their thoughts at upcoming community meetings: in person at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, at the Newark Museum of Art (Newark, NJ), and 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 22, at Thomas Edison State University (Trenton, NJ). A third, virtual meeting will be held at a time and date to be determined.

For more information, contact Noelle Williams, director, African American History Program, at Noelle. Williams@sos.nj.gov.

Newark Juneteenth exhibit chat and walking tour

This June 17, visit “Inspire!” Newark’s Underground Railroad pop-up exhibition, for refreshments and comments by historian and artist Noelle Lorraine Williams from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Then join the walking tour “Whose American Revolution? The Stories of Slavery and Indigenous History in the Monuments of Harriet Tubman Square” from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. for an illuminating talk about the various ways in which the park’s 18th- and 19th-century statues and monuments connect with stories of revolution, slavery, Black liberation, and Indigenous history. Meet at Newark Public Library (5 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07102). Registration required: https://bit.ly/ warregister. For more info, call 973733-7784.

Photo of New York State Chief Judge Rowan Wilson. (Official photo)

Third-generation Harlemite wants to rebuild development’s reputation in Black communities

By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

William Wallace IV is the fourth in his family to take the name and the third to hail from Harlem. He almost inherited his father’s lifelong legal career, too. The son of a judge, Wallace went to law school and initially started as a Brooklyn Supreme Court clerk, but quickly realized the field wasn’t for him.

“It was so depressing,” Wallace told the Amsterdam News. “What I discovered was that everyone that comes before the court is poor, uneducated, and unemployed… so I informed my father that I would probably not follow in his footsteps—the plan was to be a Supreme Court law clerk and go to Legal Aid and [then] become a DA.”

Deviating from the blueprint set for him, he focused on economic development. He saw creating employment opportunities as the solution to keeping the same folks he regularly saw arraigned out of the carceral system. Lucky for Wallace, his career change coincided with the resurgence of downtown Brooklyn spurred by the Brooklyn Commons—then known as the MetroTech Center. He ended up a senior vice president at Forest City Ratner, an investment trust behind the Barclays Center.

which serves as the main vehicle for gentrification. Ultimately, the game plan is to craft a modern day Mitchell-Lama program, aka affordable housing for moderate-tomiddle-income households.

“We have a tendency to be petrified at the sight of the crane,” said Wallace. “But we have to recognize that buildings, like anything else that ages, begin to fall to pieces. You can’t preserve, protect, defend, retain every brick of existing housing, because pretty soon it’s going to be [un]inhabitable. You’ve got to build and if we don’t incentivize middle class construction for affordable and middle class folks, you’re going to end up with just ‘fair market’ developments, which is why you have the fear of gentrification.”

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Today, he serves as the Senior Finance and Acquisitions Officer for real estate developer Continuum Company. His work involves obtaining property for development.

He’s well-aware of the correlation between his line of work and gentrification. But Wallace sees development as the key to rebuilding the same Black middle class it traditionally displaces. Specifically, he identified a void between lower-income NYCHA housing and the rapidly ballooning rental “fair market” now reserved for higher and higher incomes, the of between latter and

Wallace is also a fierce proponent of union labor—and subsequent union wages—which he sees as the second half of the equation of reviving the Black middle class. Earlier this year, he spoke to the Amsterdam News for the multipart labor series, arguing that Black and brown participation in skilled construction trades was key to workforce development.

Ultimately, he said, he enjoys taking his grandkids to Universal Studios and all the other finer things in life. But there’s a bigger purpose.

“I can’t lose sight of the fact that I’m a third-generation Harlemite whose father was baptized by Adam Clayton Powell [and] used to take me to hear Malcolm X on the corner,” said Wallace.

“That’s who I am. That’s in my DNA. I can’t be happy just vanishing to a luxurious suburb in Rockland County. Not me.”

Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member and 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

William Wallace IV (Contributed photo)

Kalief Browder would turn 30 this week

By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

Kalief Browder should have celebrated his 30th birthday this past Thursday, May 25. Instead, he’s forever remembered as the teenage boy held on Rikers Island over a missing backpack.

The Bronx-based Browder was 16 years old when he entered NYC Department of Corrections’ custody; he was detained for three years at the jail complex after maintaining his innocence and refusing a guilty plea. Browder’s family was priced out of posting his initial $3,000 bail. His charges were ultimately dropped. He took his life on June 6, 2015, roughly two years after his release.

A day of action was held on Browder’s birthday outside City Hall in opposition to solitary confinement—over two-thirds of his time on Rikers was spent secluded in a tight room, which decarceration advocates directly attribute to his suicide, along with alleged abuses by guards and other detainees when he wasn’t isolated.

Sweeping reforms were made in Browder’s name ranging from the city’s end of solitary confinement for detained young New Yorkers to then-Pres. Barack Obama’s ban of the practice for federally-imprisoned juveniles.

But attendees don’t want anyone in city jails to go through what Browder did. His brother, Akeem, told the Amsterdam News that such change starts at the ballot box.

“The only thing we can do is continuously remind the government of New York City that we’re not going to forget Kalief,” said Akeem Browder, Kalief's brother. “And if [elected officials] can’t make those changes, we’re going to vote you out. This is an election year. Elected officials that want to keep their jobs need to keep their commitments.”

Attending council members advocated for Intro 549, which bans solitary confinement of any kind in city jails.

“Here in New York state, we don’t have the death penalty,” said Councilmember Tiffany Cabán. “There’s consensus, we decided as a city that [the] death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment. Solitary confinement is a death penalty.”

“Kalief Browder should be here, celebrating with his brother [and] everybody who loved him [for] his 30th birthday,” said Councilmember Crystal Hudson. “New York City talks a good game. But New York City does not walk the walk…we have been fighting for the opportunity to vote on banning solitary confinement.

“Everywhere else that has solitary confinement, we call them out. Americans call other

countries out…for doing the exact same thing we continue to do here.”

Corrections officer unions oppose most restrictions on solitary confinement while NYC Department of Corrections Commissioner Louis Molina reportedly argues the practice is all but officially abolished—he sees restrictive housing, which allows at least seven hours outside a cell, as the alternative. While less restrictive, decarceration advocates see the new approach as solitary confinement rebranded. A corrections employee was reportedly fired last year after Rikers detainee Elijah Muhammad died just days after he was iso-

lated for roughly 30 hours, which is against policy.

Intro 549 received a groundswell of political support last fall during the Rikers death crisis that ultimately led to 19 people dying in or soon after DOC custody in 2022. The bill developed supermajority support to counter any veto by Mayor Eric Adams, who opposes direct solitary confinement but is a proponent of similar practices the bill would ban. But a vote remains in the future over half a year later.

A spokesperson from the #HALTsolitary campaign believes Intro 549 is still on track.

Akeem Browder says beyond the policy and bureaucracy, the public should consider his brother’s lost potential, stolen from the carceral system.

“I’d like people to think where he would be at this point,” he said. “Maybe he’d be an attorney. Would he be a politician [or] a teacher? He could have been anything, just like everyone else’s kids.”

Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member and 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.

Once charged for killing her alleged abuser, Tracy McCarter finishes ‘bittersweet’ Ivy League degree

By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

Tracy McCarter’s cap and gown are from the Columbia University bookstore, but her most prominent graduation regalia is from Staples. A black banner covered her powder-blue robe saying “Columbia U failed to support this criminalized DV survivor. I graduated anyway!”as she crossed the stage on May 16.

While other students pulled all-nighters and crammed for exams, McCarter balanced her master’s in advanced clinical management and leadership curriculum with facing 25 years to life in prison: She was charged with second-degree murder after the 2020 stabbing death of her estranged husband, James Murray. McCarter maintained selfdefense. The components were there, from Murray’s alleged history of abuse and alcoholism to McCarter’s attempts to revive him.

The high-profile case played a pivotal role in the Manhattan District Attorney election, with DA Alvin Bragg—who tweeted his support for McCarter during his campaign—pressured to follow through and discard the office’s prosecution against her. The charges were dropped at the end of last year, thanks to a platform and subsequent public support from Survived and Punished, an organization that advocates against the

imprisonment of victims defending themselves against their abusers.

Columbia University was McCarter’s second shot at the Ivy Leagues; she was admitted to Yale when she was younger. But McCarter passed due to the pressures of motherhood, opting for a state university offering more scholarships. Ultimately, she landed in New York City on a nursing assignment.

“I always had this kind of in the back of my mind—the dread of not being bold enough to choose to go to the Ivy League,” said McCarter. “My hospital offered a partnership with Columbia University for NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital nurses, where we could get our master’’s degree …at a subsidized rate.

“It was very competitive. I was able to secure a spot, so I was excited to go to Columbia. I remember having a Facebook post about how I was getting my second chance at the Ivy League.”

An ace student, McCarter said she only received under an A for one class in 2019, and that was because of her brother’s death during the semester.

When she was arrested and detained on Rikers for over half a year, McCarter looked forward to rejoining the cohort, but she found out the university had suspended her pending a student conduct hearing after her release. She was strongly warned that contesting the interim measures could affect

the pending case.

Her lawyers advised her against it. She did the hearing anyway, arguing she posed no safety concern to her classmates, given the nature of her case and that her classes were all online due to the pandemic. Columbia conceded and restricted her to virtual classes. Her full suspension was only overturned last December 22, shortly after her charges were dismissed.

Columbia University did not provide a comment. McCarter told the Amsterdam News her family did not attend the ceremony.

“All of our celebrations have been bittersweet for the last three years,” she said. “I just want the next one to just be sweet. I knew I had my Survived and Punished family there with me. Also, I was taking a risk doing my little protest. I didn’t want my family to witness something that might be traumatic to them.

“I couldn’t just celebrate this triumphant moment of me conquering the Ivy League. I don’t even want my family to be there and that’s what this [case] took from me.”

McCarter is the mother of four adult children, including her son Justin, who often served as her liaison to the press and public. A week before the charges against her were dropped, he moved back to Texas, where they lived before New York City.

McCarter is back at her old nursing job, with eyes on a leadership role. Her new

degree is meant to open doors for roles like patient care directors, clinical nurse managers, and hospital administration.

McCarter believes she offers way more than just her Ivy League education to prospective employers. During the pandemic, when she was sidelined by both work and school due to the charges, she was on the ground fighting for healthcare equity. When McCarter was at Rikers, she reportedly taught fellow detainees how to protect themselves from COVID-19. She hopes to revisit such work at a professional level.

“I’ve always been a strong advocate for myself and for others,” said McCarter. “I had four children by the time I was 20 and so many people counted me out. I had to constantly prove myself and show I deserve to be in every room—not only did I deserve to be there; the room would be better for it. I want to do advocacy in healthcare. The pandemic showed something that most of us in healthcare already knew: There are huge disparities—the same systems that cause disparities in education and the workplace everywhere.”

Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member and 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

Advocates rally at City Hall Park for Kalief Browder’s birthday including his brother Akeem (right). (Tandy Lau photo)

Go With The Flo

FLO ANTHONY

Hot New Couple Alert! According to TMZ, Megan Thee Stallion and Inter Milan soccer star Romelu Lukaku were dinner partners at the wedding of Romelu’s teammate, Lautaro Martinez, and model Agustina Gandolfo. Both Meg and Romelu are represented by Jay-Z’s Roc Nation management. This was not the first time the coosome twosome have been seen together. Megan was spotted at his soccer game a few weeks ago. The pair also held hands outside of the ceremony. Romelu reportedly broke up with his longtime girlfriend of five years…

“The Little Mermaid” starring Halle Bailey as the first Black Ariel raked in $117.5 million over Memorial Day weekend. #WinWithBlackWomen and Black women leaders across the country collaborated to launch an inspiring nationwide theater buyout campaign which resulted in more than 100 theater buyouts. Esteemed supporters included renowned filmmakers Gina PrinceBythewood, Felicia Henderson, and Mara Brock Akil. #WinWithBlackWomen is proud to stand behind the transformative narrative of “The Little Mermaid,” says Jotaka Eaddy, the founder of #WinWithBlackWomen…

Blue Engine Records released The Jungle, the fourth symphony by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and Jazz at Lincoln Center Managing and Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis, on all major streaming platforms May 26. Featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) with Wynton Marsalis alongside the internationally recognized Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) conducted by Nicholas Buc, The Jungle was recorded live in Hamer Hall in Melbourne, Australia, in 2019. The symphony will be part of the JLCO with Wynton Marsalis’ repertoire throughout the world-renowned big band’s 2023 European Tour from June 7 to July 9. Says Wynton Marsalis, New York City is the most fluid, pressure-packed, and cosmopolitan metropolis the modern world has ever seen. No wonder, then, that the city inspired the composer’s fourth symphony, The Jungle…

The Harlem Chamber Players and founding executive and artistic director Liz Player will mark their 15th Anniversary and Black Music Month with a musical extravaganza Harlem Songfest II, celebrating Black opera singers and the music of Black composers on Friday, June 9, at 7 p.m. at Columbia University’s Miller Theatre. Multifaceted artist Damien Sneed will serve as music director and conductor for the event, which will also feature arias from the European composers. The special concert will be hosted by WQXR radio personality and Harlem Chamber Players (HCP) Artistic Advisor Terrance McKnight, and presented in association with the Manhattan School of Music…

Brooklyn honors African Liberation Day

By NAYABA ARINDE Amsterdam News Editor

Restoration Plaza in Bedford Stuyvesant was the venue for December 12th Movement’s annual African Liberation Day event on Saturday, May 27th.

Responding to the call that “We must come together on African Liberation Day to ensure that our voices are heard,” community members came from as far as New Jersey, and all over New York City to enjoy the celebration.

MC’ed by Chimhwi Brown, 20, from the December 12th Movement (D12),

he gave an honorable shout-out to his grandmother, the no-holds-barred fiery international activist and D12 chair and cofounder, Viola Plummer, 85. The grassroot movement matriarch once again delivered a powerful determination that Black folk need to pick up the pace of the struggle and fight intensely with reinforced focus and purpose for self-governance.

The event was co-sponsored by Bed Stuy Council Member Chi Ossé. With the theme as “Africa’s War Against Poverty and Underdevelopment,” numerous speakers addressed the local, national,

and international current and historical issue that Africans and descendants are central in the global fight to protect human rights, address climate change, resist war, and design equitable economic trade initiatives. Electeds and activists like Council Member Charles Barron and former Assembly Woman Inez Barron, Assembly Woman Stefani Zinerman, First Secretary for Political Affairs Audrey Gantana-Namases from the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Namibia, D12 international secretariat Attorney Roger Wareham, and Cinque Brath of the Elombe Brath Foundation.

(Jeffrey Afro Antoine photos)

DANCEAFRICA BROOKLYN ACADEMY MUSIC AFRICAN BAZAAR

Memorial Day weekend always brings the phenomenal BAM DanceAfrica, a long weekend of amazing dance, music, and cultural exchange. This year celebrated the 46th DanceAfrica where “the vibrant artistry and revolutionary history of Ghana will

electrify the streets and stages of Brooklyn for the nation’s largest festival dedicated to African diasporic dance and music.”

This energy is matched only by the bazaar outside the venue, with the magnificent array of vendors and people from all over

Malcolm X Day 2023

the African diaspora. Thousands come for the four days of Africa-inspired clothes, jewelry, carvings, paintings, furnishings, music and food. It is a guaranteed meeting spot for longtime and new friends. A wonderful family-friendly annual happening.

By MAL’AKIY 17 ALLAH Special to the AmNews

The 58th annual pilgrimage to Ferncliff Cemetery in honor of Malcolm X occurred last Friday, his 98th bornday anniversary. Although several hundred attended, it wasn’t as densely attended as pre-pandemic era figures. Several other events also took place that day to commemorate his legacy. Supporters came from the tri-state area and beyond.

“We’ve come to pay tribute to Malcolm X. There’s also a stool [set up here] dedicated to [his wife] Sister Betty,” said moderator Prof. James Small, president of Malcolm X’s Organization of Afro-American Unity [OAAU], cosponsors of this event with the Sons of Africa. “There’s a reason we do this every year. This is a memorial for a martyr who gave his life for us. Fifty-eight years ago, we declared this as Malcolm X Day, not the government. We don’t want them to declare nothing. The OAAU and Muslim Mosque declared it 58 years ago, and that’s why we’re here today.”

Several speakers from various communities which influenced Malcolm’s spiritual growth attended, including the U.N.I.A., Nation of Islam, the Yoruba, Akon, and orthodox Islam.

“This one day out of the year, we come to pay respect to the symbol of what all of us should try to be as men and women—a dedicated [person] for the rights of human beings,” Small urged. “Read Malcolm’s works. Study him, even his mistakes, which he did out of sincerely trying to do the right thing.

“All of us wear a piece of Malcolm X; all of us have a thought, idea, concept; that’s African culture. All of us are aspects of the greater thing, so when you pour libations, you’re calling that energy to make itself present.”

A young female pre-teen, then a young male pre-teen, spoke about what Malcolm X means to their generation.

Original OAAU member Sekou Odinga said, “I was inspired by him. I got involved in the struggle because of him, and he continues to inspire me. The best way to honor him is to learn what he was telling us to do, emulate it and carry out his work, and continue to do what he did.”

Queen Mother Dr. Rosalyn Jeffries spoke about how a life of redemption can be a great example for all. “Malcolm X gave us the formula and the way, because he once was a thug and a pimp doing evil things,” she said. “We have the mission to find those types of people and show them the formula.”

Her husband, African warrior scholar Dr. Leonard Jeffries, concluding this portion of the ceremony with accolades for “our Black shining prince who dedicated his life so we could live better futures.”

Upon returning to Harlem, participants joined the December 12th Movement’s 33rd annual “Malcolm X Black Power Shut ’em Down” economic boycott of the businesses along 125th Street from 1–4 p.m. Later that evening, film director Spike Lee was the keynote speaker at the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Center, reflecting on the 30th anniversary of his movie about the human rights activist.

See BAZAAR on page 36

(Daniel Goodine photos)

Matters

What’s in a word?

Gregory Floyd

Across our nation, between Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, which includes Flag Day, Father’s Day, and Juneteenth, there will be countless celebrations where the word “hero” will be applied. The word will be the centerpiece of speeches and the supposed purpose for parades, barbeques, and sales throughout America.

Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “hero” as “a person who has special achievements, abilities, or personal qualities and is regarded as a role model or ideal.” In classic mythology, a hero was someone who is thought to be godlike—a talented warrior—a chieftain with special strength, or an immortal being.

Today, we tend to think of our heroes in a more downto-earth way—still very noble, but a mortal among us who makes a difference in our lives. Everyday heroes: the Little League coach. The neighbor who saved a child in a burning building. Your dad.

Several celebrities have weighed in about being a hero— among them, Whoopie Goldberg, who once asked, “Who amongst us doesn’t want to be a hero?” Mariah Carey suggested, “If you look inside yourself and you believe, you can be your own hero,” while Maya Angelou defined a hero as “any person really intent on making this a better place for all people.” Perhaps it was Arthur Ashe who summed it up best. “True heroism is remarkably sober and very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.”

And a hero doesn’t need a specific classification or category to qualify. In fact, that could actually limit the accomplishments. Morgan Freeman reminds us that “Martin Luther King Jr. was not a Black hero. He is an American hero.”

So, whether it’s the countless men and women who brought dignity and valor to the uniform they wear in defense of our freedom, or the school safety agents who provide free prom gowns, we take special pride in the many Local 237 members who selflessly helped others.

Among them was the late Tuskegee Airman Dabney Montgomery. He was a housing assistant with NYCHA for 14 years who had distinguished himself as an exemplary soldier in World War II, known for his bravery, yet was denied the right to vote when he got home. Although he was among the security detail for Dr. King on the historic march from Selma to Memphis, it took nearly 60 years after World War II ended for him to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Now, the heels of his shoes from that march are on display in the first-of-its-kind National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., and a street sign in Harlem bears his name.

Wow! How many unions can boast of having a Tuskegee Airman among its members?

Clearly, the word hero applies to the highly acclaimed and the virtually unknown. Men and women who rise to the situation, might not get a parade to honor their accomplishments, but who, nonetheless, made a difference.

Gregory Floyd is president of Teamsters Local 237 and vice president at-large on the General Board of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Rideshare workers say don’t tax us twice

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff

Rideshare workers are urging Gov. Kathy Hochul and the MTA to refrain from imposing what they deem as a double tax on them and their jobs.

The Independent Drivers Guild (IDG), which says it represents many of the city’s rideshare drivers (as well as drivers in New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Florida), plans to rally in front of the governor’s offices in Manhattan on Friday, June 2. They plan to deliver a petition that calls on Hochul to recognize that the proposed Central Business District (CBD) Tolling Program would amount to a second tax on for-hire vehicle (FHV) drivers.

“Please exempt rideshare drivers from the new congestion pricing toll,” the IDG petition said. “For-hire vehicle trips were already assigned a congestion tax of $2.75 per trip by the state legislature in the first phase of congestion pricing. Adding an additional congestion tax or toll as high as $23 per trip will cost thousands of low-income, immigrant rideshare drivers their jobs and it will put rideshare costs out of reach for hardworking New Yorkers who depend on Uber, Lyft and for-hire vehicles to get around.”

The CBD Tolling Program is New York’s attempt to institute an urban congestion pricing plan that would lower traffic congestion and improve air quality in Midtown Manhattan, while increasing revenue for the MTA.

Cars that enter or remain in the CBD during peak hours would be electronically tolled—charged via EZPass or have toll bills mailed directly to the home address of the car’s registered owner.

The IDG says this new tax would lead to a decrease of nearly 15,000 FHV driver jobs.

“It’s outrageous and illegal to single out Uber, Lyft, and for-hire vehicle drivers with a second congestion tax. For a for-hire vehicle driver with a typical six days per week schedule, adding this second congestion tax would cost as much as $7,000 per year,” said IDG President Brendan Sexton. “That means the MTA proposes to tax FHV drivers, over 90% of whom are immigrants and people of color, over 15% of their annual take-home pay.

“Why would you double-tax the only

The CBD Tolling Program is New York’s attempt to institute an urban congestion pricing plan that would lower traffic congestion and improve air quality in Midtown Manhattan, while increasing revenue for the MTA.

Cars that enter or remain in the CBD during peak hours would be electronically tolled: They would be charged via E-ZPass or have toll bills mailed directly to the home address of the car’s registered owner. The IDG says this new tax would lead to a decrease of nearly 15,000 FHV driver jobs.

group that has already been paying congestion tax for years, a group that is also protected under federal law as an economic justice population? If they move forward with this double tax, they could end up with years of delays in court.”

The language of the IDG’s letter to Hochul points out that:

“1) The proposed double taxation of FHV rides is unfair.

“2) Singling out this economic justice community for double taxation is illegal and may lead to years of delays in court.

“3) By targeting rideshare drivers, rather than their passengers, the proposals will fail to reduce congestion in the Central Business District, one of the central goals of the policy.”

An analysis of the CBD Tolling Program by the progressive policy advocacy group The Black Institute (TBI) also determined that the plan would “economically demolish an industry that feeds tens of thousands of New Yorkers who are already struggling.”

“The Black Institute (TBI) felt compelled to assess this issue from the lens of people of color,” TBI said in a report published this past January 2023, entitled “Just Call It a Black and Brown Toll: An analysis of the MTA’s proposed congestion pricing plan.”

“While our analysis of the issue pales in length compared to the MTA’s, we have just as much to say about the

issue, the EA [environmental assessment], and the MTA as any other.”

The TBI report said the higher costs of driving into Midtown Manhattan will inevitably lead to greater air pollution in parts of Black- and brown-dominated neighborhoods in the Bronx and Harlem, where commuters will begin driving so they can park their cars before hopping onto public transportation and going into the CBD.

TBI found that the CBD Tolling Program “in its current form is undoubtedly a regressive tax not because of its uniformity, but by the fact that there is practically no easement whatsoever for lower-income people. Unfortunately, in our city, low income and race happen to go hand in hand...New York is one of the most unequal cities on Earth––despite now only making up around 40% of the city’s population across the five boroughs, white residents disproportionately occupy the city’s highest-paying jobs. They also have a median wage that is over 50% greater than the median wage for Black people, and over 60% greater than the median wage for Hispanic people.”

“FHV drivers are upset. How could the MTA and the governor do something so unfair?” said longtime Uber driver and IDG Organizing Director Aziz Bah. “We’re taking to the streets to fight this unfair and illegal double tax!”

President, Teamsters Local 237 and Vice President at-Large on the General Board of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Church associate arrested in death of pastor, councilwoman gunned down outside her New Jersey home

by MARYCLAIR DALE Associated Press

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) — A church associate of a pastor and town councilwoman who was gunned down in her SUV outside her home in February was arrested Tuesday on murder and gun charges, New Jersey prosecutors said.

Rashid Ali Bynum, 28, of Portsmouth, Virginia, was linked to the death of Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour, 30, after investigators traced his travels from his cellphone and vehicle location data on Feb. 1, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said at a news conference.

He also matched the description of the gunman given by neighbors in Sayreville, where Dwumfour had served on the council for about a year.

Tuesday’s announcement came nearly four months after she was found gunned down in her white SUV outside her rented townhome, while her 11-year-old daughter heard the shots from inside. Her death on Feb. 1 sent the community reeling.

Dwumfour was a pastor in a prosperity gospel church, Champions Royal Assembly, that is based in Nigeria, and she got married there in November to a fellow pastor from Abuja. She was also an offi -

cer of a related entity, the Fire Congress Fellowship, that has a branch in Virginia. Bynum was listed in her cellphone contacts under that group’s acronym. Court records and tax filings suggest that church finances in the U.S. were tight. Dwumfour had been named in a series of landlord-tenant disputes in Newark dating from 2017 to 2020 involving the fellowship, which had seen its income drop from about $250,000 in 2017 to just $350 in 2020.

Dwumfour, who grew up in Newark, had lived in Virginia at one point, and family lawyer John Wisniewski said Bynum had lived in Sayreville. But beyond that, he did not know the nature of their relationship and the prosecutor declined to discuss a possible motive.

Sayreville Mayor Victoria Kilpatrick—a political ally who decided not to run for reelection as the slaying went unsolved— took some comfort that the killing did not appear politically motivated, but was

troubled by the apparent link to a church to which Dwumfour was deeply devoted.

“The fact that it was connected to that component of her life is even more saddening to me because you look to God for light and protection. So to know that that was the connection hurts, but at the same time, evil can lurk anywhere,” she said.

Dwumfour’s father and family pastor learned of the arrest just ahead of the news conference and declined to comment afterward. While they welcome the arrest, they have “even more questions today than there were before,” Wisniewski said. Her new husband, Peter Ezechukwu, is no longer in the U.S. “We have an alleged murderer in custody in Virginia, but now they are trying to also understand the relationship, how this person came to target Eunice, what was the rationale,” Wisniewski said.

Bynum was arrested in Chesapeake City, Virginia, without incident, authorities said. It was not immediately clear if he had a lawyer or when he might be extradited to New Jersey.

Dwumfour, a Republican, was elected to her first three-year term in 2021, when she ousted a Democratic incumbent. Colleagues recalled her as a soft-spoken devout Christian who could maintain her composure in contentious situations.

3rd man charged in 2002 shooting death of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay

Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — A third man has been charged in the 2002 shooting death of RunDMC star Jam Master Jay, prosecutors said Tuesday, marking the latest movement in a case that languished for years.

Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York filed a superseding indictment on Tuesday, charging Jay Bryant, 49, in the death of Jason “Jay” Mizell, known professionally as Jam Master Jay. The hip-hop trailblazer was shot in the head in his studio on Oct. 30, 2002.

Two other men—Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr.—had previously been indicted in August 2020 for the death of Jay.

An email seeking comment was sent to Bryant’s attorney. Bryant, from Queens, was al -

ready in custody on unrelated federal drug charges.

At the time the other two men were indicted, authorities said Jay’s death involved a drug deal gone bad. In a letter filed with the court on Tuesday, prosecutors said Bryant and the two other men entered the building that evening, and then fled after the shooting. They said Bryant was seen going into the building and his DNA was recovered at the scene.

Jay was in Run-DMC with Joseph “Run” Simmons and Darryl “DMC” McDaniel in the early 1980s. The group helped bring hip-hop music into the mainstream. Run DMC’s hits include “King of Rock,” “It’s Tricky,” and a remake of Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.”

Jay’s death lingered as a cold case for years, with witnesses reluctant to speak up despite reward money being offered.

Eunice Dwumfour (Sayreville Borough Council photo)

Jam Master Jay (AP Photo)

Default or not default, that is the question

It’s hard enough for most Americans to itemize and figure out their weekly budgets, let alone the complexities of the national debt and the impending default, but it is still important to understand this issue.

An apparent agreement has been reached—we are told—between President Biden and House Speaker McCarthy, and now it’s a matter of getting members of Congress to go along with it.

One of the complaints we’ve heard from senators and representatives, on both sides of the aisle, is the issue of cuts and reductions: The Dems are concerned about how the poor, working class, and marginalized communities will be affected if the measure is passed.

Echoing this reaction is Sharon Parrott, president of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, who said in a recent statement that while the agreement on the debt ceiling is an improvement over the House bill, a number of troubling elements remain, including the risk of losing food assistance for very low-income older adults.

“The agreement puts hundreds of thousands of older adults aged 50–54 at risk of losing food assistance, including a large number of women,” she said. “Doubling down on the existing,

failed SNAP work-reporting requirement for adults aged 18-49 without children, this provision ignores the strong evidence that it takes food assistance away from large numbers of people without increasing employment or earnings.”

Such a possible outcome doesn’t seem to trouble the majority of GOP members of Congress, who are determined to hold the economy hostage to achieve their ends.

Last week, several senators began circulating a letter urging Biden to invoke the 14th Amendment, which, for many Americans bereft of history and civic lessons, was a baffling strategy.

Simply put, the 14th Amendment states in part that the validity of the public debt “shall not be questioned,” a provision that goes back to the end of the Civil War, when the nation was in economic and political tatters. Thus far, the White House is not very excited about this tactic, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned that it could lead to a constitutional crisis.

Let us hope that all these concerns and possibilities are academic and the nation can avoid a default, which would be unprecedented. Let us also hope that any cuts do not severely affect our imperiled citizenry—a wish that we all should have in our hearts and minds.

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and Editor in Chief

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Damaso Reyes: Investigative Editor

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Chief Revenue Officer and Head of

Wilbert A. Tatum (1984-2009):

Eric Adams should turn his attention to his base: Black New Yorkers

By ROGER HOUSE

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has taken heat recently from some progressive Democrats for his dissembling reaction to the killing of Jordan Neely, a homeless man, on a subway car, and for his handling of other issues involving race, opportunity, and public safety in the city.

I believe Adams has the potential to achieve good things if he can bring an agenda to the forefront that serves the core interests of his Black constituents; if he cannot, then I suspect that the current downward spiral of his political fortunes will crash with a thud.

Here are a few ideas for how Mayor Adams can get his seemingly endangered first term back on track—and perhaps improve his chance for re-election.

First, Adams should tap into the spirit of the Black American experience for moral guidance in making policy decisions—a return to the theme of spiritual renewal that he touted after the 2021 election and his trip to Ghana.

Adams should convene the city’s political leaders to discuss and coordinate an agenda for the Black community. The community is blessed with a high level of talented politicians—foremost, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D), New York Attorney General Letitia James, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, city public advocate Jumaane Williams, and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, among others.

Despite holding office, the Black political class lacks a common agenda to advance the needs of their constituency, as many are being squeezed out of the city. New York’s non-Hispanic Black population has declined by more than 125,000, or about 9%, since 2000, according to Gothamist.

Adams is in the key spot to bring people together to focus on solutions. Yet, he often seems to respond to the needs of other interest groups more readily than to his base of supporters. For example, affordable housing is a central concern for his supporters. Yet Adams has been working to accommodate the competing demand for housing from the

unprecedented surge of migrants.

It is an unsolvable problem with few good options, although Adams has supported affordable housing projects like Willets Point in Queens and proposals for other neighborhoods. Still, there are just too many people competing for too few housing units—and the wave of immigrants only exacerbates the crisis.

Adams should organize Black Democratic leaders to say the sanctuary city mandate is unworkable for an influx of global economic migrants. They should voice support for Adams’s legal push to curb the city’s right-to-shelter law that is exhausting billions of taxpayer dollars.

If need be, the city should bus migrants back to border states, sanction employers who hire them over New York job-seekers, and continue pressing the Biden administration to deal with immigration issues at the federal level.

Second, Adams holds one of the country’s biggest megaphones, but has used it to engage in scare tactics over street crime, even as rates

Governor Ron DeSantis announced his presidential bid on Twitter. Were you impressed?

By JAMES B. EWERS JR., ED.D.

Everyone is looking for the next big thing. Some would say we are trying to outdo each other. In some respects, we probably are.

Using the media these days has created this competitive spirit, no matter your field or profession.

There are no limits or boundaries to what people might do or say.

Politicians have become media masters. They are astute at creating their own narratives, regardless of the questions they may be asked.

The latest candidate to announce that he wants to be our president is Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida. He had an announcement that caused a bit of a stir. This is my opinion.

He made his announcement on Twitter. The build-up and anticipation made for great headlines since he has been a candidate-in-waiting for several months.

Last Wednesday, he made the much-ballyhooed proclamation, although Twitter had some technical difficulties, so the full impact was not felt. His temporary fame turned into temporary shame.

proceedings.

While I am sure there was a bit of dismay, he would never admit it. Would you?

Has Ron DeSantis joined forces with Twitter CEO Elon Musk? If so, that partnership didn’t get off to a great start.

The governor said in his uneven remarks that “American decline is not inevitable, it is choice. And we should choose a new direction, a path that will lead to American revitalization.”

Many Americans, regardless of politics, see the troubles DeSantis is having in his home state of Florida.

and going forward. However, they have stopped because of DeSantis putting up legislative roadblocks along the way.

My advice to DeSantis, now a presidential candidate, is that Mickey Mouse isn’t just any mouse, and he is going to lose that battle. The state benefits greatly from having Disney World there.

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The presidential election will be held next year and many of the candidates have already announced their intentions. We know who they are.

Democrats and his fellow Republicans gave him a less than glowing report about what they saw. I suspect DeSantis himself was less than thrilled about the

For example, the Disney company has been in a squabble with him for some months now and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. Disney had some expansion plans in the works

The NAACP has issued a travel advisory for Florida. In essence, traveling there as African Americans is dangerous because the state doesn’t consider our contributions and history as important.

NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said, “Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, the state of Florida has See DeSANTIS on page 29

See BLACK NEW YORKERS on page 29

Remembering the legendary C. Boyden Gray

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

ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS

I lost a dear mentor and unconditionally loyal friend on Sunday, May 21, when C. Boyden Gray departed to become a bright ornament in the heavens—and the United States lost a national treasure more valuable than Fort Knox.

I dined regularly with Boyden for more than two decades. He poured forth with wisdom, erudition, encouragement, and guidance like the Nile overflowing its banks. To the extent I have succeeded, I followed Boyden’s instruction. He was that unerring.

Boyden was a humble man, but he had little to be humble about. He was in the top tier of the nation’s premier lawyers. He served as counsel to Vice President George H.W. Bush for eight years, followed by four years as White House counsel to President H.W. Bush. In other words, Boyden sat at the center of power in the White House for 12 successive years, a record destined to live longer than Barry Bond’s 762 career home runs.

June is Pride Month

With the brilliance of Toscanini conducting an orchestra, Boyden navigated the 1991 Civil Rights Act through the extremes of Sylla and Charybdis, landing at an Aristotelian mean.

He was the quiet force that navigated and pushed through Senator Mitchell McConnell’s conservative justices on the Supreme Court—Boyden convinced President George Herbert Walker Bush in June 1991 to nominate Circuit Judge Clarence Thomas to the high court.

He served as ambassador to the European Union under President George W. Bush, and special envoy to Europe for Eurasian Energy.

Boyden was the very definition of a polymath, bettering the instruction of his father Gordon Gray, national security advisor to President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

No one surpassed Boyden in assailing the economic albatross created by the omnipresent administrative state via open-ended congressio -

nal delegations of legislative authority to unaccountable bureaucrats eager to create regulatory moats for their expected future employers—the revolving door taken to a new level. Boyden’s persistence in challenging the constitutionality of the sprawling administrative state is perched to be vindicated by the United States Supreme Court after more than 80 years of tippytoeing around the matter. It is unfortunate that Boyden will not be around to run victory laps.

The profusion of superlatives that describe Boyden shroud his greatest trait, which should transform him from a hero to a legend: heartfelt decency and concern for everyone he encountered or befriended.

Martin Luther King dreamed “that one day, my four little children will live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

C. Boyden Gray labored every day toward that glorious end. I was a prime beneficiary.

Welcome to the month of June, when we celebrate our LGBTQ brothers and sisters. There are so many ways we can show our support to LGBTQ members of our various communities at this time. This Pride Month, I am going to show my support for the LGBTQ community by learning more about (and donating to) the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), a civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+, and same-gender loving (LGBTQ+/SGL) people, including people living with HIV/AIDS.

I first learned about the organization from their trailblazing executive director, Dr. David Johns. Hearing him on a panel, you could feel the ancestors talking through him as he spoke about justice, equality, institutional structures, and our obligation to do the work. His famous refrain—“Teach the babies!”—serves as a reminder not only to amass knowledge about the problem and work toward longstanding and concrete solutions, but then pass that knowledge on to others, especially young people. I could only imagine James Baldwin and Bayard Rustin looking down and smiling at the work being done by Dr. Johns, his staff, and the group of allies he has assembled.

THE PANDEMIC HAS SHOWN THAT SUPPORTERS LIKE YOU UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL NEWS AS A SOURCE OF RELIABLE INFORMATION.

YOUR DONATION TO THE BLACKLIGHT INVESTIGATIVE UNIT, VIA THE LOCAL MEDIA FOUNDATION, WILL DIRECTLY SUPPORT THIS JOURNALISM.

If you visit the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) website at www.nbjc.org, you can find information about myriad issues. Their 2023 Federal Policy agenda addresses awareness, access, and accountability. The site also provides their voter hub, resources to contact your elected officials about the Equality Act, and information about the work being done on Capitol Hill. The NBJC also provides a host of resources and toolkits that address everything from HIV to COVID, youth sui -

cide prevention, and gender justice, to name only a few.

We have read the news and we know LGBTQ people are under attack. The dangers that Black trans women face and the subsequent deaths across the country are alarming and criminal. The growing number of laws in states that limit access to services for LGBTQ Americans represent a concerted and coordinated effort to strip LGBTQ individuals of their rights and freedoms, and as Black people, we know that discrimination and bigotry are never reserved for just one group—if they come for one, they will soon come for all. It is imperative that we stand shoulder to shoulder with LGBTQ groups at this time who are doing the work and on the front lines, working to change policy, hearts, and minds.

If you’d like to know more about the NBJC, I strongly encourage you to see the work they are doing. And as always, those of you who read this column know I believe in political tithing. We must financially support organizations doing the work to make our society and our country a better and safer place for us. Find out more at www.nbjc.org.

Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream”; and co-host of the podcast FAQNYC and host of The Blackest Questions podcast at TheGrio.

CHRISTINA GREER PH.D.

Caribbean Update Dutch king to say sorry for slavery

BY BERT WILKINSON Special

to the AmNews

Last December, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte formally apologized for the genocidal role his nation played in the brutal trans-Atlantic slave trade, saying that the first major act of Dutch remorse was designed to lay the groundwork for future engagements with today’s reparations movement.

“The Dutch state bears responsibility for the immense suffering of those who were enslaved, and their descendants,” he had said in a December 19, 2022, speech at the national archives. “Today, on behalf of the Dutch government, I apologize for the past actions of the Dutch state.” The Dutch had “enabled, encouraged and profited from slavery,” he said to a mix of global admiration and condemnation for being too late and offering too little in terms of monetary compensation.

As the Caribbean Reparations Commission and regional governments prepare for future engagements with the Hague, Dutch media are reporting this week that Dutch King Willem-Alexander will give a speech in the Netherlands on July 1 to mark 250 years since slavery was formally abolished by the Netherlands in the Caribbean Community nation of Suriname

and its string of still-colonized nations in the Caribbean. These include St. Maarten, Curacao, Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius.

The Netherland Times said the king will double down on Rutte’s initial apology back in December that was decently received by Caribbean governments and the reparations commission. Preparations are underway. Since last year, the king’s office had been giving signals that he had wanted to make a separate apology from the executive. Confirmation of the plans are to be announced shortly, reports have said.

Several diasporic Dutch and Surinamese groups had moved to the courts to force Rutte to apologize on July 1 instead of late December, saying that former date holds no historic significance compared to July when slavery was initially abolished, although it took a further 10 years for formal-

ities to be implemented ending the horror.

“Apologies must take place on 1 July so that we can work toward it. It is not clear at the moment that we know exactly what the apologies are for,” attorney Joancy Breeveld had told journalists last year. “We feel called to stand up for our descendants.”

As the region awaits the king’s apology, research and other work are continuing on the case the region is building up, either as the basis of an international court case to win reparations or to engage European heads of governments on the issue. Governments have already hired an English law firm that had won millions for Kenyan tribesmen who were mass-murdered by British soldiers in the colonial era, to review their case and prepare to fight for the region. Demand letters have also been sent to France, England, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and

other nations that had participated in the slave trade. Authorities have said that regional requests for a formal summit on the issue have been met with largely negative reactions, especially from the French, Portuguese, and, to a lesser extent, British.

But the fight to push for monetary and other forms of compensation have received a boost in recent months, with several Dutch cities and institutions, including commercial banks, apologizing for their role during the colonial era. Several British families with links to the trade have also joined the movement and have signaled they are prepared to make some form of payments to the movement.

For its part, the regional reparations commission said in reaction to Rutte, “The Dutch state was Europe’s pioneer of the global slavery enterprise. For most of the 17th century, it monopolized the transatlantic slave trade and provided the finance and technology that enabled the English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese to establish their own slave-based empires. As a result, Amsterdam became the financial center of Europe and the leading supplier globally of capital for colonization. The prime minister also did not bring to the table those who are the survivors of the crimes. The victim communities in the Caribbean and African are not stakeholders to this statement.”

Florida’s copycat Arizona immigration law may send it broke

FELICIA PERSAUD IMMIGRATION KORNER

With the stroke of his pen, Florida’s power-drunk governor, Twitter Disaster, and Presidential wannabe Ron Death Santis signed a measure into law on May 10 that is comparable to Arizona’s SB 1070 of 2010.

For those who need a little reminder, Arizona’s SB 1070, or the “Show Me Your Papers” law, signed into law in April 2010, was the broadest and strictest anti-illegal immigration law in the United States when passed. The law required that state law enforcement officers attempt to determine an individual’s immigration status during a “lawful stop, detention, or arrest” when there is reasonable suspicion that the individual is an “illegal immigrant.” It also imposed penalties on those sheltering, hiring, and transporting unregistered migrants.

That law, according to the Center for American Progress, cost Arizona’s tourism and convention industry at least $45 million in just the first several months after enactment from canceled hotel and lodging revenue to the state. The accompanying loss in direct spending by convention visitors who no longer came to the state brought the loss up to $141 million. The ripple effect included 2,761 lost jobs, $86.5 million in lost earnings, $253 million in lost economic output, and $9.4 million in lost tax revenues to the state.

Florida’s copycat version, SB 1718, will become law this July 1. It will make any Floridian “who knowingly and willfully transports an undocumented individual into the state” a human smuggler. That comes with serious criminal penalties, including allowing for prosecution under the Florida Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO), Act.

In addition, the law now pro -

hibits local governments in the state from issuing identification cards (IDs) to undocumented immigrants and invalidates driver’s licenses issued to those without legal status who have moved to Florida from other states. Death Santis and crew also will require hospitals to collect and submit a patient’s immigration data and require private employers with 25 or more employees to use the E-Verify system to verify a new employee’s employment eligibility to work legally.

The economic toll of this law is likely to be felt as early as this summer, while the state’s suddenly “anti-woke” power-drunk governor flies around the U.S., jockeying to be noticed, and Floridians statewide bear the brunt of this transgression.

Dozens of clips of empty fields, abandoned construction sites, and scores of truck drivers calling for boycotts of the state have already racked up hundreds of thousands of views on TikTok and

Twitter over the last month.

Both the Latino advocacy group the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the NAACP Board of Directors have issued formal travel advisories for the state of Florida.

“Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by, African Americans and other communities of color,” the NAACP said.

Domingo Garcia, president of LULAC, said, “As a result of this, for only the second time in LULAC history, we’re issuing a travel advisory for anybody traveling to Florida.”

Latin American truck drivers are threatening to stop delivering to and in Florida, and business owners, especially in the construction and agriculture sectors, say both sectors will be hurt because many immigrant work-

ers are already leaving or declining to show up to work.

Add to that, a movement for an immigrant labor strike is gaining traction for immigrants to shut down on June 1.

That will definitely shatter Death Santis’s April boast of a 2.6 percent unemployment rate, 200,000 new business formations, 336,200 private sector jobs added, and 37.9 million total tourists for the first quarter of 2023.

In the same way as many companies and tour operators responded to the Arizona madness, Florida must be boycotted as a place to hold events, travel, or do business to save all Floridians from the Shakespearean fool with dark dreams of becoming “King.” His so-called “anti-woke” battle is certain to make Florida broke.

“As the region awaits the king’s apology, research and other work are continuing on the case the region is building up, either as the basis of an international court case to win reparations or to engage European heads of governments on the issue.”

HOROSCOPES

BY

KNOWYOURNUMB3RS

By SUPREME GODDESS KYA

June 1, 2023—June 7, 2023

Rebirth of A New Nation: The strawberry full moon will be in scholarly Sagittarius on June 3 at 1:03 am EST. Sagittarius loves to expand beyond the conformity of life and be different and also let go of nonsense. Be brave enough to flex on your skills; you will see an act of kindness out of love. On a business and personal level, be open to receiving what the universe has in store. Jupiter, Mercury, Uranus, and the north node in Taurus is a transit of redefining your skills, refreshing your personal appearances—just as nature changes with the seasons, so do we in many ways, based on our longitude and latitude. Do your best every day to improve yourself and utilize faith with a splash of imagination for the fun of it, like a big kid at heart. “Those who seek a better life must first become a better person.”—Jim

Rohn

June is the month to ask, and you shall receive. Begin to develop a new habit, consisting of the things you imagine having, to bring forth reality and resources. Demand and write it down with belief in your heart with much feeling and joy attached to the things you envision. Faith and imagination go a long way. Do read, write, visit, as if you already possess it within your space or realm of life. Work on your self-growth; when you do, your environment grows and expands with you. June 5th until 4 am June 7th it’s all in the attitude, tone, and belief so keep it simple not complex.

What does it all come to at the end of the day, week, month, even by the hour, minute, second, etc.? Without a plan to build on, it’s all talk with no progress. What details were given to you in the last week of May was for your benefit to inner-stand something you may have missed. Moving forward, what dreams do you have or what projects need to be completed? Get it done during the month of June. It’s about time to make room for the new arrivals. June 7th until 6 am on June 9 mentally, physically, emotionally exercise it out and rest when needed.

Partnerships are brewing in your arena with the people you are in position with to build the foundation of your empire. You know when it’s time to take things on a higher note or do something differently to get the results you imagine. Magically, something will click within, and you will know what you have to do to raise your standard. Location can be a factor in this case, along with contract and semi-legal involvement. June 1st until 1am on June 3rd, the divine puts certain things in our dreams or thought patterns to aid and assist on the journey. It’s up to you to follow through.

June is going to take you by surprise if the last week of May wasn’t clear enough for you. You will catch the drift again this time in a different, odd, and unusual way. Swift action is being taken so do ask what, when, why, where, and who, due to the circumstances approaching you. It’s more about standing your ground without feeling anyone is against you. You are always welcome to walk through any door and start anew. What commitment are you willing to invest in to change a situation? June 3rd until 3 am June 5th, it’s start with you first.

No need to rush even when others are rushing you. Something is lagging in the background, slowly catching up to you to bring forth the news or for you to see something. Only your eyes will catch it due to the fact that it’s meant for you and not others to see. June is all about the new direction you set along with new seeds planted in the ground. What do you do now, that later in the year more avenues will open in December? Keep the faith and progress forward. June 5th until 4 am June 7th, once you continually act on your plans, the universe will assist to make ways for you.

June is a wish fulfillment month along with a few oops, bumps, bruises, scratches, etc. from being a bit clumsy. There are many things you want to accomplish and each one needs your undivided attention. It’s best to pace yourself, no need to go on a sprint. Focus on the new foundation you begin building the last week of March. Review any notes, plans, or anything that occurs leading up to clues for now. If you are looking for resources, check within your community resources center for a bit of guidance or ask someone you know. From June 7th until 6 am on June 9 most of the time it is the inside that influences the outside and our emotions that pull on our behaviors.

June is a slow-moving month with much information coming in deliberately slowly. This is a romance, finance, going back to school, rearranging your home, changing your appearance, or thinking about relocation are some themes for this month. Thoughts of changing your dietary habits for the betterment of your health are always beneficial. On a spiritual level, what is your soul communicating to you for a change, or showing you a be more in tune with yourself? June 1st until 1am on June 3rd, oftentimes the things we need, we already possess inside or have the tools—we just need to relearn the foundation.

June is a month to be prompt due to the swift changes in progress not waiting for you to arrive. Instead, be there or miss out on what the divine has in place for you. If you missed it this time, another time is on the way. June brings short distance travels, quick decision making, family gathering, running errands, professional opportunities, and a reminder to check your voicemail and also send off the mail. By the end of June, a great break is coming for relaxation, then back to business. June 3rd until 3 am June 5th, whatever is constantly on your mind that you been wanting to do—whatever it is, make it happen.

The alpha and omega kind of week where you can sense the changes occurring within occurring on a universal level. Not everyone is affected due to the fact that everyone’s body reacts to nature differently. Keep note of the information folks are bringing to your attention. Nothing happens by accident, it’s all in its proper order. Oftentimes, folks receive a warning before the scene takes place. What scenes are nudging at you and what messages are being conveyed to you on the physical plane or spiritual level? From June 5th until 4 am on June 7th , what we seek we find on a daily basis; the universe sends people, nature, etc. to get humanity in alignment or put on notice.

At times things said or done to you do not need a rebuttal. First, examine yourself, as it’s a reflection of what you put out into the universe. Don’t sound the alarm so fast. Folks who want to be in confrontation mode will either make you or break you. That all depends on the level of your vibrational frequency, be it at its lowest or highest point. Burn off that energy towards your projects or handle your business for the purpose of a successful outcome. You’re in the limelight.

Much is given when you apply yourself, even when results are not showing up yet; in due time, magically, what you put in is what springs out. Continue to lay the foundation. Remember you are building and sometimes all the tools and resources are forthcoming as you get further in the process. It’s not a time to go back to doing what you did in the past. Visiting the past is great to remind yourself of where it started and now where you are headed. June 1st until 1am on June 3rd, when you look in the mirror who is looking back at you? Yes, say it: I LOVE MYSELF.

The start of June is more mentally and spiritually ready to equip you with putting the hidden in your faces within messages, conversation, and images. Take a good look at the water. Does the water have a smell? Can you see your reflection? If so, why do you think we can see ourselves through water? Drink plenty of water and this time, check in with yourself to see how you feel after drinking water. This week and the second week of June have more clues in stores for you to digest. June 3rd until 3 am June 5th, stay the course on your mission with the seeds you planted in mind to get to A to B then to C. Everything is in position and so are you.

Vinateria

Health

Factcheck—False: COVID lockdowns were not effective

By JILLIAN FRECHETTE

On March 15, 2020, days after the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), states across the U.S. and countries across the world began issuing some form of lockdown or stay-at-home orders. These orders differed in severity across the U.S. and the world, from general suggestions to avoid crowded public places to mandates that fined individuals for being out of their homes without a valid reason. In New York, as well as many other states, lockdowns mainly sought to keep people at home by closing schools and “non-essential” businesses such as restaurants, bars, and clubs to the public.

These lockdowns were promoted as both a way to “stop (or slow) the spread” of infection within the community and “flatten the curve” by reducing and delaying the number of new cases to ease the burden faced by hospitals and medical professionals. However, these measures were not met without controversy and many have questioned their effectiveness.

From an epidemiologic perspective, lockdowns aim to reduce the basic reproductive number R0. R0 is a mathematical measure of a disease’s contagiousness, calculated by multiplying the probability of transmission per contact, the number of people in contact with an infected person, and how long a person stays infectious. If R0 is less than 1, each infection causes less than one new infection, meaning that the spread of disease is slowed and, eventually, stops. Lockdowns were intended to decrease the contact rate by reducing the number of people with whom a potentially infected person came in contact. Were lockdowns the right choice to reduce that number? Dr. Ronald Bayer, a public health ethics expert at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health (full disclosure, Bayer is a former professor of this reporter), told the AmNews in an interview, “As far as the lockdowns are concerned I think they were done…when that seemed, given the evidence available, the most reasonable thing to do.”

Public health historian Dr. David Rosner, also at Columbia, agreed that there was a reason for these orders, but highlighted the disparities lockdowns produced: “There was obviously a rationale for it. It did probably help stop disease, but the burden of that kind of social stigma of having to be protected from the very people you depended upon [essential workers] was manifest in the ways we organized our services…We called them

essential workers and yet there was a certain level of distrust in depending upon them.”

Some critics of lockdown measures claim that they did not work to reduce the spread or flatten the curve. Sweden, a country that did not institute lockdowns in the same way as other countries, is often used to illustrate this perspective. However, Sweden did implement similar measures and, as a whole, people were willing to voluntarily stay at home without government orders. Even so, the country faced higher mortality rates than neighboring Norway, which had instituted a lockdown.

Some countries avoided lockdowns in favor of early and robust mitigation efforts, but the lack of a unified public response in the U.S. may have necessitated them.

In addition to claims that lockdowns were ineffective, additional critiques come in two main forms: health-based and economics-based. In terms of health, the claim is that lockdowns only worsened existing health conditions because people were isolated and had reduced access to medical care. Economic concerns have focused primarily on the U.S.’s gross domestic product (GDP), but also the overall economic impact on non-essential businesses that were forced to close. Neither of these claims is without merit: Certain health conditions, particularly mental problems, were exacerbated as people were isolated from friends, family, and communities.

There were economic effects, particularly on GDP and unemployment. Some of the economic impact was partly mitigated by efforts like stimulus checks, unemploy-

ment insurance relief, eviction moratoriums, and student loan forbearance, which Bayer deemed as necessary.

“It was inconvenient for many, many people,” Bayer said. “Many people suffered financially because of it, and in the world of public health ethics, there is a language that talks about reciprocity. If you impose limits on someone in the name of public health, you —that is, the state—have an obligation to compensate them in some way; to guarantee that they have access to food, that they don’t get evicted because they can’t pay their rent.”

Ultimately, it can be difficult to thread the needle between economic and health interests.

Did lockdowns work? In short, yes. The same study that found impacts on GDP and unemployment also found that lockdowns reduced infections by 56%, and, if no states had implemented lockdowns, it is estimated that there would have been five times the number of cases between the beginning of the pandemic and April 30, 2020.

A cross-country analysis similarly found that countries that implemented lockdowns fared better in reducing new cases. In the U.S., states that responded to early initial crises with lockdowns tended to have lower death rates by July compared to states that remained open; a Politico analysis had similar results.

Other studies have confirmed that lockdowns reduced R0 and worked, but may have had diminishing effects over time, potentially as a result of “lockdown fatigue.” In other words, as time passed and fewer people complied with lockdowns, the benefits in preventing disease spread were reduced.

Finally, returning to the question of economic versus health impacts, a cost-benefit analysis found that the number of deaths prevented by lockdowns was greater than the number of deaths potentially occurring as a result of economic consequences.

However, while lockdowns may have been the right choice at the time with the information that was available, they were not without consequences. The longer answer is that COVID lockdowns worked from the perspective of preventing infection, but also incurred certain consequences that should not be overlooked.

Bayer emphasized that some countries, specifically China, may have gone too far, but added, “I don’t think that characterizes anything that has gone on in the States, or in Great Britain, in terms of protecting the public [and] closing those venues where the disease can spread.”

Rosner said he could not think of a time that, on a large scale, lockdowns completely stopped a worldwide epidemic: “Disease has a sneaky way of getting around border controls” and re-emphasizing the social consequences of lockdowns, particularly on those deemed essential workers: “Only when we are forced to recognize them because of an unusual circumstance do we acknowledge their worthiness.”

In the case of COVID, the economic costs of lockdowns did affect younger and economically disadvantaged people disproportionately.

However, even with these caveats, it has to be noted that if lockdowns had not occurred, more people probably would have fallen ill and potentially died, which, in addition to being a tragedy on a human level, would also have had its own economic effects.

Additional social and economic support from the government would have relieved some of the pressure felt from lockdown. Similarly, the mental health impact of COVID is not solely a result of lockdowninduced isolation, but also anxiety about the pandemic itself and experiences of collective grief due to the enormous loss experienced by everyone.

Bayer explained that the ethical decision has to weigh what happened with what would have happened if lockdowns had not occurred. In his view, it would have been worse not to act: “We know that the epidemic had disproportionate impacts on the suffering of Black people. It is obvious and it should never, ever be denied or ignored. But the question is, and now what? And I think it would have been a lot worse to not do the things necessary to control the spread of disease and to have more Black people die.”

Jillian Frechette is a master’s in public health candidate at Columbia University.

Visitors to the Department of Labor in Manhattan were turned away at the door by personnel due to closures over coronavirus concerns in March of 2020. Governments ordered millions of workers, students and shoppers to stay home as a precaution against spreading COVID-19. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

We Love Music by DocTC5

Rap: Its antecedents and descendants

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

Doo-wop, bebop, and hip-hop have more than an alliterative sound commonality: Each is an indigenous music with roots and extensions inseparably connected to the African American blues continuum. While each possesses unique and distinct standalone elements, they all evolved from an expressive center, a fulcrum where innovation, improvisation, and spontaneity thrive. Parsing bebop and hip-hop essentially means examining how jazz and rap blend, something that Guru and Donald Byrd merged in 1993 with “Jazzmatazz,” a pioneering, genrebending album.

Even before Guru advanced his creativity, intimations of jazz and the spoken word were evident in scatting or vocalese, most notably in the recordings of Eddie Jefferson; King Pleasure; Babs Gonzales; and Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross.

Scatting came into existence almost accidentally, when Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong was forced to utter some nonsense words, a kind of onomatopoeia sounds that approximated the actual words after his songsheet fell from the stand, and singer Ella Fitzgerald perfected this invention. As for vocalese, Jefferson penned the lyrics to James Moody’s solo on “I’m in the Mood for Love,” but Pleasure made it famous.

Here is the first stanza which was requisite for anyone claiming to be a jazz aficionado:

“There I go, there I go/There I go/Pretty baby, you are the soul who snaps my control

Such a funny thing but every time you’re near me, I never can behave

You give me a smile and then I’m wrapped up in your magic/

There’s music all around me, crazy music

Music that keeps calling me so very close to you

Turns me your slave…”

To some extent, the commentaries the Ink Spots and the Mills Brothers interpolated into their performances and recordings are part of this evolutionary trend. In the ’60s and ’70s, the Last Poets and Gil Scott-Heron took the concept to another plateau, fusing the music with didactic political messages.

In the late ’80s, when Gang Starr sampled Dizzy Gillespie’s famous song “A Night In Tunisia,” a harbinger of something new was on the horizon. The rapper followed up this pathbreaking hit with his debut LP, “No More Nice Guy,” and “Jazz Thing,” which, as part of the soundtrack of “Mo Better Blues,” gave the fusion of jazz and rap a popular

and commercial buzz.

The vernacular blend was given additional clout with Eric B & Rakim’s “Don’t Sweat the Technique,” where an acoustic bass embellishes the rap.

Here is a taste of Eric B & Rakim’s “Paid in Full,” from 1987:

“It’s been a long time, I shouldn’t have left you Without a strong rhyme to step to Think of how many weak shows you slept through Time’s up, I’m sorry I kept you...

Even if it’s jazz or the quiet storm

I hook a beat up, convert it into hip-hop form

Write a rhyme in graffiti in every show you see me in

Deep concentration ’cause I’m no comedian....”

It was almost inevitable that rap would fit comfortably in the militant rhetoric of Black power activists, a development that author Marcus Reeves fully explored in his book “Somebody Scream! Rap Music’s Rise to Prominence in the Aftershock of Black Power” (2008). Reeves posits that rap music and Black Power were linked for many years. He explains how his thesis evolved, taking its genesis from the creations of Rakim, Public Enemy, Tupac Shakur, and DMX, and tucking it neatly into an understanding he gathered from the late Amiri Baraka and his book Blues People. “Each phase of the Negro’s music [is] issued directly from the dictates of his social and psychological environment,” Baraka wrote.

In effect, a crucial entanglement of sociocultural factors is at play with each new iteration of Black music, and it’s still quite fascinating to experience the recent developments and techno commands in the airwaves, concerts, and body movements. At the end of his book, Reeves is not sure where rap or hip-hop or its various offshoots will go: “Whether it lives or gradually fades from the larger commercial space remains to be seen, but rap has most definitely established itself as one of the most important art forms leading to the twenty-first century, anchoring itself as the heartbeat of an American story that continues to turbulently keep on...to the break of dawn.”

And as Guru rapped, “Peace to the pioneers, but I gotta try and clear my throat, check out what I wrote, you can’t tap into this unless you know the roots…”

Jazz and hip-hop: A longtime collaboration

By DAVE GOODSON

Special to the AmNews

That beautiful, eclectic mosaic of races, creeds, and colors, getting down just for the funk of it, as prophesied by visionary George Clinton, was first manifested and crystallized in the most unusual of places: the crates of hiphop DJs. Nothing was spared in that endless search to find the most obscure pieces to help differentiate the various platter-spinners while keeping the party people movin’ and intrigued. Heads would scour any and all places within their vicinity where vinyl was available, hoping to strike gold. Often, the first places to search were the collections of our family. In my personal search, I’d always notice one theme: A few pieces had an extra layer of plastic to preserve the prosperity of the album cover. As for the actual records, they were handled gingerly around the edges with both hands, making sure not to get fingerprints on the plate.

They were also played when the company was around—not the regular folks, the ones who dressed like they were headed to some-

place fancy after. The ones you pulled out the good silverware and dishes from the china closet for because that night, the chicken legs would be eaten with a fork. The ones when proper English was the order of the night. This music in the atmosphere meant you had to level up all around.

That was the power wielded by jazz music. I was left hoping that the music that I was growing up with would buck the odds and grow to have that kind of respect.

It looks like that fateful day has arrived. Upon recognition of the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop Culture, some of the music spawned from the movement is almost on par artistically with jazz and fiscally, it’s comfortably distanced itself. This comes in a major part by the embracing of the collaboration of the be-bop/jazz community that preceded us. It was a marriage that was bound to happen as we realized the style of music was all that separated our eras.

Poverty, persecution, and pain were still pillars of both cultures, despite the artistic strides. Hell, the Strange Fruit that hung from trees in Goddamn Mississippi in the 1930s still hover

over kids coming home from a local store in Florida or riding the F Train in New York. OGs Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones reached out and both cultures shared Grammy Awards.

Skeptics emerged from both sides, saying those successes were experimental and even forced. To their chagrin, newer torch-bearers of jazz emerged, and they have been heavily influenced by what hip-hop does. Now, when projects like Buckshot LeFonque, Jazzmatazz, RH Factor, or August Greene emerge, the music is organic.

Chris Rob, friend of the Nightlife column, recording artist, producer, and music director, grew up creatively planted in both genres and noted, “I think that hip-hop producers and jazz musicians are similar in that the primary goal is to make something tangible for the streets...nothing pop, nothing watered down, but rather a raw sound that is soul-satisfying— an authentic sound that resonates cool and provokes reflection.”

When asked for a prime example of what that sounds like, he offered, “One of my favorite hip-hop samples is ‘93 til Infinity,’ which samples Billy Cobham’s ‘Heather.’ The chord progression is so haunting, and instantly signifies depth from beat one. The sample, combined with the boom-bap drums provided by producer A-Plus (a sample of Larry Graham’s ‘The Jam’ drum solo), created one of the most hypnotic hip-hop classics of all time. It sets the tone of instant cool, smoked- out, backpack vibes that bookmark one of the most creative peaks in Black music. “ Copy. I have a few to add to that. Tune in next week to see if you agree.

The AmNews' review of of Guru’s groundbreaking album “Jazzmatazz Volume 1 (An Experimental Fusion of Hip-Hop and Jazz)”

From the March 2, 1991 issue of the AmNews

(Image by Jorge Jimenez from Pixabay)

Books for future hip-hop heads

“She Raised Her Voice! 50 Black Women Who Sang Their Way Into Music History,” the upcoming “A Child’s Introduction to Hip-Hop: The Beats, Rhymes, and Roots of a Musical Revolution” (both by AmNews contributor Jordannah Elizabeth); and “A Child’s Introduction to Jazz: The Musicians, Culture, and Roots of the World’s Coolest Music” by Jabari Asim, are all great books to give young folks a solid grounding in hiphop history and its relation to other genres. For more info, visit www.hachettebookgroup.com.

Keith Jarrett

Keith Jarrett spent part of his early career playing fusion. He played electric organ and electric piano on several Miles Davis albums from the fusion era. He quickly returned to the acoustic piano and went on to greater fame. Jarrett left the Davis band in 1971. In 1973 he performed a series of recitals showcasing his brilliant talent for improvisation. An album recorded at a 1975 performance, The Köln Concert is considered a masterpiece. It’s also one of the best-selling solo piano albums of all time. Although he continued to present solo concerts throughout his career, he didn’t always play alone. He also led successful quartets in Europe and the United States.

The Godfather of Rap

Because he often recited highly musical rhymes, Gil Scott-Heron has been called the godfather of rap.” A poet and musician like no other, he felt a much closer connection to jazz. Born in Chicago and raised in Tennessee and New York, he published his first novel when he was 19. His second came a year later. In 1970 he turned to music, singing, and chanting his lyrics to the accompaniment of percussion. On later albums, he worked with jazz musicians such as bassist Ron Carter and Brian Jackson, a flautist and keyboardist. Few artists have combined jazz rhythms and lyrics calling for change as skillfully as Scott-Heron. His best work includes The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” Lady Day and John Coltrane,” and Johannesburg.”

Excerpts

M-Base

The Toshiko Akiyoshi–Lew Tabackin Big Band

During a time when most jazz musicians were trying to save money by working in small groups, Toshiko Akiyoshi and Lew Tabackin did just the opposite. In 1973, the married couple formed a sixteenpiece ensemble. They were based in Los Angeles for the first nine years of the band’s existence. Then they moved to New York and changed the group’s name to The Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra featuring Lew Tabackin They continued to perform and tour until 2003. They recorded twenty-three albums and received multiple Grammy nominations. Throughout that

“A Child’s

A way of thinking about creating music, M-Base was introduced in the late 1980s by alto saxophonist Steve Coleman and several other artists. In 1991, they released their first album, Anatomy of a Groove Some members involved in M-Base have also had noteworthy solo careers. They include Cassandra Wilson (vocals), Greg Osby (saxophone), Geri Allen (piano), and Robin Eubanks (trombone).

A Tribe Called Quest

The rappers Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Jarobi White, and DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad were the members of the Tribe, among the mostacclaimed hip-hop groups ever. In 1991 they released their second album, The Low End Theory offering new connections between rap and jazz. The songs include many passages from bebop and fusion. Art Blakey, Weather Report, and Eric Dolphy are among the artists sampled. In another unusual move, the group hired hard bop legend Ron Carter to come into the studio and record the bass line for one single, Verses from the Abstract.”

The Low End Theory sold more than one million copies and is included on many lists of the best rap albums of all time.

Don Byron

As a boy in the Bronx, Don Byron took up the clarinet in hopes that it would help with his asthma. Since the 1990s, he has been regarded as one of the best at his instrument. In 1992 he recorded his first album, Tuskegee Experiments. His other albums have revisited Motown classics, the compositions of gospel greats Thomas Dorsey and Rosetta Tharpe, and klezmer, a European folk music rooted in Jewish tradition. Songs to listen to: Tuskegee Strutter’s Ball,” Didn’t It Rain”

to

time, Akiyoshi, a pianist, arranged all the music and composed nearly all the songs.

Tabackin played tenor saxophone and flute.

Born in the Manchurian region of China in 1929, Akiyoshi returned with her family to occupied Japan after World War II. In 1952, she was discovered by the great pianist Oscar Peterson, who helped her get a recording contract. She came to the U.S. to study at the Berklee School of Music, where she was the first Japanese student to enroll. Songs to listen to: Strive for Jive,” Harvest Shuffle”

A Tribe Called Quest

Joshua Redman

After graduating from Harvard University in 1991, Joshua Redman made plans for law school. Plans changed when he won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, and chose a career in music instead. The son of respected saxophonist Dewey Redman, Joshua has become a bestselling composer and bandleader. Raised in

Berkeley, California, he took up the tenor saxophone at age 10. He played in school bands through high school and college. His first album, Joshua Redman, was released in 1993. He has since recorded more than a dozen albums. Along the way, he has performed with Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, Roy Hargrove, and many others.

female rapper who was a role model for Black girls who wanted to be seen as individuals and recognized for their intelligence. Born Dana Owens, the young girl knew by age eight that she was meant to have a name that represented who she was inside. Dana searched through a book of Arabic names and landed on Latifah, which means “very kind.” Years later her chosen name would go down in history, highlighting her hard work as a rapper, singer, and actress who gave women a voice in hip-hop culture.

Excerpts from “She Raised Her Voice! 50 Black Women Who Sang Their Way Into Music History,” illustrated by Briana Dengoue

HIP-HOP

The first two words of the lyrics of the Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” are “hip-hop”! The

In 1988, Queen Latifah became a beatboxer (someone who makes hip-hop beats with their mouth) for a group called Ladies Fresh in New York City, and she recorded her first song, “Princess of the Posse,” to highlight her rap skills. People connected with her early

GRANDMASTER flASH & THe fURIOUs fIVE SYLVIA ROBINSON MADE hip-hop a household name but members of the hip-hop community who came before the Sugarhill Gang didn’t take her hit record seriously. Sylvia didn’t give up. She looked for more artists in rap. In 1982 she scored another hit with Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five’s powerful and visionary rap song

Excerpts from “A Child’s Introduction to Hip Hop,” illustrated by Markia Jenai

make appearances. This is an example of the connection of white rock artists and Black hip-hop culture leaders, creating a “rap rock” tradition that would live on into the next century.

NEw SCHOOl HIp-HOp

H ip-hop and rap kept growing in 1983 and 1984. Hollywood began to tell the stories of hip-hop in South Bronx, rappers were selling millions of albums, and hip-hop fashion and language were spreading all over the world. Some people were writing stories saying that hip-hop was a “fad,” or a short-lived cultural phenomenon, that would disappear as fast as it had arrived. Little did they know that in 1983, a new era of hip-hop was getting started and would push hiphop into its rightful place in popular mainstream music and culture. This new sound and style of hip-hop was called “new school” hip-hop. While old school hip-hop was made up of sounds that borrowed from the funk and disco music

The Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra featuring Lew Tabackin

from

Introduction

Jazz,” illustrated by Jerrard K. Polk

Composer and bassist Bill Lee dies at 94

Spelman College, and they were married in 1954. As a bassist in his early 20s, he was inspired by Charlie Parker. He performed with small jazz groups in Atlanta and Chicago before moving to Brooklyn, NY, in 1959, with his bride.

Bill Lee, a jazz bassist and composer whose versatility found him in demand among a varied spectrum of music icons and genres, from Duke Ellington to Odetta, Harry Belafonte, and—of course—those memorable film scores for his son Spike Lee, died on May 24 at his home in Brooklyn. He was 94.

Spike Lee confirmed his father’s death via Instagram, sharing a series of blackand-white portraits taken by younger brother David Charles Lee.

“My father, Bill Lee, played bass on Bob Dylan’s classic song ‘It’s All Over Now, ‘Baby Blue,’ on his album ‘Bringing It All Home.’ This morning, May 24th, my father made his transition. Today is also the birthdate of Bob Dylan,” Spike Lee wrote in a tribute on Instagram.

During Lee’s six-decade career, his unique versatility as a bassist earned him a reputation as being one of the few jazz musicians to have extensively recorded with folk music icons Peter, Paul, and Mary; Woody Guthrie; Cat Stevens; Simon and Garfunkel; Tom Paxton; and Ian & Sylvia, as well as with bluesman John Lee Hooker and on Aretha Franklin’s Columbia Records album debut “Aretha” (1960). He recorded more than 250 albums, from jazz to pop and folk. Lee seemed to unconsciously gravitate toward folk music—his experience of Black life in the South was embedded in his musical compositions, which accounts for his folk operas being so successful at Town Hall, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, and the Newport Jazz Festival.

Lee was most renowned for composing those outstanding scores for his son’s early films, including “She’s Gotta Have It” (1986), “School Daze” (1988), “Do The Right Thing” (1989), and “Mo’ Better Blues” (1990). Terence Blanchard took over the scoring role starting with “Jungle Fever,” although Lee did compose two of the film’s songs.

Lee had small parts in all but “Do the Right Thing.” He first composed the score for his son’s short film, “Joe’s Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads,” that Spike submitted as his master’s degree thesis at the NYU film school. In 1983, it became the first student film to be showcased at Lincoln Center’s New Directors/New Films Festival.

“What an honor it was to have Bill Lee as a friend and mentor, being a lead vocalist in his band, producing and celebrating a couple of his birthday concerts, and collaborating with him as the composer of the soundtrack for my one-man play by Laurence Holder, ‘MONK,’” said jazz producer and director Rome Neal.

Lee found a blissful independence with

Strata-East Records, owned by trumpeter Charles Tolliver and pianist Stanley Cowell. There, he recorded three critically acclaimed albums, including “The Descendants of Mike and Phoebe: A Spirit Speaks,” which was a collaboration with his two sisters, Consuela Lee Moorehead, a jazz pianist and music instructor at Hampton University in Virginia, and A. Grace Lee Mims, a librarian with outstanding soprano talents. “The Brass Company: Colors” and the third album, self-titled, consisted of an ensemble that he founded and directed: the New York Bass Violin Choir, a collaboration of seven basses.

Tolliver said that recording was one of the label’s most impressive projects. “I remember vividly, the performance that Bill (presented) at Central Park—he called it ‘A Giant Trio.’ It featured Bill’s seven basses, a piano choir of seven pianos with Stanley Cowell, and Max Roach and his Um Boom

drum ensemble,” recalled Tolliver. “Man, what an incredible performance. My only regret is we didn’t record it. Bill was the personification of the Black musicians’ experience after Reconstruction. He composed the way he lived.”

William James Edwards Lee III was born in Snow Hill, Alabama, on July 23, 1928, the son of Alberta Grace (Edwards), a concert pianist and teacher, and Arnold Wadsworth Lee, a cornet player and band director at Florida A&M University. In addition to his sisters Consuela and Grace, he had four other siblings: Clifton, Arnold Jr., Leonard, and Clarence.

At an early age, Lee studied drums, flute, and piano. In 1951, he graduated from Morehouse College (following in his footsteps, Spike Lee became the family’s third-generation Morehouse grad) in Atlanta, Georgia. His college sweetheart, Jacqueline Sheldon, attended the neighboring

With her, he had five children; film director Spike Lee, Christopher (who died in 2014), still photographer David Lee, actress Joie Lee, and filmmaker Cinqué Lee. Their maternal grandfather, William J. Edwards, was a graduate of Booker T. Washington’s Tuskegee Institute. His experience at the institute inspired him to continue the legacy of Booker T. Washington by starting an arts school in Snow Hill in 1893 for Black students pursuing academic subjects and vocational training. By 1918, the Snow Hill Normal and Industrial Institute had multiple buildings with more than 300 students. Although Edwards died a few years later, the institute endured until its closing in 1973.

In the 1970s, when the electric bass became prominent among jazz groups as jazz-fusion became the new sound, Lee, an acoustic bass purist, refused to follow suit and lost work as a result. “Some things you just can’t live with,” he told the Boston Globe in 1992. “Just thinking about doing it, my gut reaction hit me so hard in the stomach. I knew I could never live with myself.”

“Everything I know about jazz I got from my father,” the filmmaker told the New York Times in 1990. “I saw his integrity—how he was not going to play just any kind of music, no matter how much money he could make.”

Over the years, Lee became a noted firstcall musician and bandleader in the West Village and Harlem. This writer met Bill Lee during one of his performances at the Lenox Lounge. He had a cast of young guns playing with him: his son, alto saxophonist Arnold Lee (from his second wife, Susan Kaplan); trumpeter Theo Croker; and drummer Kassa Overall—all were attending the Oberlin Conservatory at that time.

“Bill Lee is one of the great American composers of our time,” said Croker. “His harmonic beauty was unique and his choice of melody always struck a chord inside of the listener. He was a masterful orchestrator of imagery.”

Lee’s love for music was not confined to performing and composing—he also taught African American music history at Long Island University. His dedication to nurturing young talent as an educator and musician has influenced generations of students.

Despite his significant contributions to the music world, Lee often said his most outstanding achievement was his family.

In addition to Susan Kaplan and Spike Lee, the elder Lee is survived by sons David and Cinqué, daughter Joie Lee, and Arnold Lee, his son with his second wife; a brother, A. Clifton Lee; and two grandchildren.

Christopher Lee died in 2014, and first wife Jacquelyn Lee died in 1977.

Jazz bassist and composer Bill Lee (© Chester Higgins. All Rights Reserved)

A Z Z

C L U B S

HARLEM

Bill’s Place

148 W. 133rd Street (Open Friday–Saturday) 212-281-0777

billsplaceharlem.com

Jazz clubs are secular houses of worship, where audiences gather to witness musicians openly exhibit their emotions, skill, and life experiences. The clubs have their own ambience, dancing in musicians’ unblemished truth. The music swings, it jumps, it might hit you in the gut, but damn—what a hip happening. Call it what you want, good engaging music, all enthralling!

Although Bill’s Place opened in 2006, the brownstone stands in memorial salute to “Swing Street,” that 1920s strip between Lenox and Seventh Avenues where speakeasies in basement joints lined both sides of the street. The joints where Billie Holiday sang her young heart out, Willie “the Lion” Smith performed as house pianist, and Duke Ellington could often be seen just hanging. You are welcome to bring your own brown bag…BYOBB.

Further downtown, Max Gordon opened the Village Vanguard in 1935, where he presented folk music and those beat poetry cats. As time drifted into 1957, it became a jazz house that has since journeyed into a 21st-century jazz mecca. —

Ron Scott

Smoke Jazz & Supper club 2751 Broadway 212-864-6662

Smokejazz.com

Room 623 Harlem’s Speakeasy Jazz Club 271 W. 119th Street (Open Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays) 212-589-8979 room623.com

The Shrine 2271 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. (World music, jazz) 212-690-7807 shrinenyc.com

New Amsterdam Musical Association 107 W. 130th Street (Live jazz and open mic, jam on Monday nights)

212-281-1350

namaharlem.wixsite.com

American Legion Post 398 248 W. 132nd Street (Live jazz on Sundays) 212-283-9701

Legion.org

Marjorie Eliot Parlor

Entertainment Jazz (Open on Sundays) 555 Edgecombe Ave. 212-781-6595

Harlemonestop.com

Silvana Bistro 300 W. 116th Street (Live jazz and world music) (Downstairs)

646-692-4935

Silvana-nyc.com

The Porch 750A St. Nicholas Avenue 646-895-9004

theporchnyc.com

MANHATTAN

Dizzy’s Jazz Club 33 W. 60th Street 212-258-9595

2023Jazz.org

Jazz at Lincoln Center Broadway at 60th Street 212-258-9800 Jazz.org

Django Jazz Club & Restaurant 2 Avenue of the Americas 212-519-6649 Thedjangonyc.com

Birdland Jazz Club 310 W. 44th Street 212-581-3080 Birdlandjazz.com

Blue Note Jazz Club 131 W. 3rd Street 212-475-8592

Bluenotejazz.com

The Jazz Gallery 1160 Broadway 5th floor/entrance on 27th Street info@jazzgallery.org

Zinc Bar 82 West 3rd Street 212-477-9462

info@zincjazz.com

The Stone 55 W. 13rd Street (near 6th Avenue) (Avant garde jazz (Music Wednesday–Saturday) 917-474-0018

thestonenyc.com

Village Vanguard 178 7th Avenue South 212-255-4037

villagevanguard.com

Mezzrow Jazz Club 163 W.10th Street 646-476-4346

Smallslive.org

Small’s Jazz Club 183 W. 10th Street 646-476-4346

Smallslive.com

Nublu 151 Avenue C (between 9th and 10th Streets) East Village 646-546-5206 Nublu.net

Arthur’s Tavern 57 Grove Street 212-414-4314

Arthurstavern.nyc

BROOKLYN Sista’s Place 456 Nostrand Avenue 718-398-1766 Sistasplace.org

Orinthology Jazz Club 6 Suydam Street 917-231-4766

Orinthologyjazzclub.com

Bar LunAtico 486 Halsey Street Bed-Stuy 718-513-0339

Barlunatico.com

Bar Bayeaux 1066 Nostrand Ave 347-533-7845

Barbayeaux.com

Barbes 376 9th Street Park Slope 347-422-0248

Barbesbrooklyn.com

The BrownstoneJazz 107 Macon Street 917-704-9237 (Open Friday–Sunday) brownstonejazz.business.site

Wilson Live 637 Wilson Avenue wilsonlivebk.com

(Adobe Stock illustration)

Classical Conversations, Part 1

By ALICIA HALL MORAN Special to the AmNews

I was onstage with pianist Aaron Diehl, his trio, and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra when the New York Amsterdam News reached out and asked me to pen a piece celebrating classical music for June’s special Black Music Month issue. We were rehearsing the vocal solo in Mary Lou Williams’s “Zodiac Suite” and I could not turn down an opportunity to highlight the music Williams herself had worked so hard to wrangle. Classical music offered her an expanded palette with which to create!

A Harlem resident like me, Williams’s famous performances at Café Society and Minton’s Playhouse and the salon she hosted in her apartment on Hamilton Terrace motivated and inspired the likes of Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk. She invited the world in and made it all her stage. In her honor, I celebrate Black Music Month with you as I explore Black music that embraces the notion of this classical palette.

I spoke with composer George Lewis, artistic director of the International Contemporary Ensemble, professor of American music and chair in composition at Columbia University, and co-editor of the upcoming “Composing While Black.”

“Classical music today is undergoing a stylistic explosion in which nobody really knows where the music is going…but you don’t have to check your culture at the door when you enter the classical realm.”

Lewis, also a sage historian, pioneered the real-time improvisation of computer programs with humans, engaging the past and tempting the future. Lewis’s classic composition “North Star Boogaloo” placed a live “classical” percussionist into pre-recorded samples of basketball legends “rapping” and poetry read by Quincy Troupe, in his take on hip-hop.

As composer Tania León has said, “Who gets to be on the stage?” is part of the story of Black classical music. Lewis and musicians like Olly Wilson who created electronically expanded the mediums through which an invitation could be extended.

“It’s time to celebrate the Black classical composer as part of Black music,” Lewis said, especially those “living and breathing: Nkeiru Okoye, Carlos Simon, Tania León, Marcos Balter, Trevor Weston, Alvin Singleton, Jeffrey Mumford, T. J. Anderson, Allison Loggins-Hull, Anthony Davis, Jonathan Bailey Holland, Andile Khumalo, Renée Baker, Anthony R. Green, Camae Ayewa, Shelley Washington, Kennedy Dixon, Yaz Lancaster, Leila Adu-Gilmore, Brittany J. Green, Alyssa Regent, Nyokabi Kariuki, Daijana Wallace, Nathalie Joachim, Corie Rose Soumah, Darian

Donovan Thomas, Njuabulo Phungula, Tyondai Braxton, Elliott Reed, Mikhail Johnson, and many others, blazing new and influential trails.”

I asked Tania León about this moment. She is a composer, conductor, professor emeritus of Brooklyn College, Pulitzer Prize winner; an advisor to arts organizations; and the founder of Composers Now, a nonprofit uplifting “creatives making an impact in all styles of music right now.”

She won a Kennedy Center Honor last year and honorary doctorates from Brooklyn College, New Jersey City Uni -

versity, and Columbia University, as well as NYU’s Dorothy Height Award this year.

“There is a piece in my catalog from the 1980s that is now a classic. That piece is now a grandmother. But this act of discovery? This story is an act of repetition: who gets the stage.”

Going back in the archives—hers are now housed at Columbia University— is to observe a natural history of classical music in New York City. Flashback to the 1970s and a young hip trio of composers—Tania León, Julius Eastman, and Talib Hakim—are staging classical music concerts with the Brooklyn Philharmonic in hospitals, public parks, and church -

es. Guest stars include seminal artists and torchbearers such as Eubie Blake, Tito Puente, and Betty Carter, and the group is pivotal in launching the U.S. careers of Chinese composers like Bright Sheng and Tan Dun.

It’s bittersweet to contemplate the recent renaissance of the late Eastman, the avant-garde composer, pianist, vocalist and performer, when “in 1977, he was just walking the streets of New York,” León said. In a process of making without fear, experimental music does often become, over time, the next classical expression. Perhaps for this reason, visionaries flock to León’s inexhaustive talents. Extraordinary collaborations— with the choreographers Arthur Mitchell and Geoffrey Holder, writers Rita Dove and Wole Soyinka, the composers she’s mentored over a lifetime as an educator, and—of course—institutions including Los Angeles Philharmonic and the New York Philharmonic, and hundreds of others.

“What is the difference between the waltz and the mambo?” she asks, and means it. “These kinds of demarcations are being challenged, erased. These are just dances; these represent the different cultures of the world.”

She told NPR in 2022, “If you are compelled [to compose], it’s because you feel that you have something to say in the world of sound. When you study the early works of any composer, there are traces that grow into the later composition — you find the seeds there. So if you as a student want to get into this…pay attention to what you’re doing from the very beginning.”

The sumptuous, rhythmic compositions that emanate from her nimble pencil (she writes by hand) graft color and culture into virtuosic musical lines, but every player has to bring their own humanity to the table.

Alison Buchanan’s voice towered inside my television and caught me off guard.

I thought my Netflix had skipped to PBS as “Dido’s Lament” by 17th-century’s Purcell poured forth, but it was the international soprano and artistic director of UK’s Pegasus Opera singing to Queen Charlotte in “Bridgerton.”

Buchanan’s scene in the Shonda Rhimes series, was filmed at London’s historic Hackney Empire theater in a neighborhood with a large Black population and the programming—including this filming—reflects that.

“Classical music is the pathway to my soul,” said Buchanan, who now mentors young Black singers and provides opportunities through her opera company. “I grew up inside that West Indian [context of] ‘children should be seen and not

Soprano Alison Buchanan, artistic director of UK-based Pegasus Opera Company, appearing in Netflix’s “Queen Charlotte” (Photo courtesy of Pegasus Opera Company)

Continued from page 22

Harlem Chamber Players bring works by Black composers to Harlem Songfest II

heard.’ When I was at school, I never felt I had a voice, but when I started to sing, I suddenly felt able to express what I could not verbalize” in speaking.

And I can relate. After spending my early childhood years in New York City, we moved to quiet Connecticut when I was ready for grade school, and birds and locusts were the loudest players. I was constantly urged not to be so loud. Summer stock theater and chorus became my acoustic safe zone.When I went to college in Harlem, I began a slow process of unlocking my natural, fuller voice, which led me down pathways I still travel. The opening of Voice creates its own sonic boom.

We discussed the impact of Buchanan’s televised, regal poise, “a noble posture, we call it,” she said. Shoulders alive, ribcage gently lifted, eyes lit from within, cheekbones radiating, breastbone proud.

“I enjoy the feeling within me, the way the high voice vibrates inside when it’s balanced and open.”

Singing asks us to be the bell of our own horn, the body of our own cello. We know the stereotype: “Opera singer shatters glass with astronomically high note!” The laser power of a vibrating headvoice is necessary to the image of the Black singer as a trumpet for freedom. Think Marian Anderson on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, in concert with the United States of America. Think Mahalia Jackson live at the Newport Jazz Festival, singing the songs of former slaves to Duke Ellington’s horns. Think voices facing into the headwinds. Next week: Part 2.

Alicia Hall Moran is a Harlem resident, classical mezzo soprano, and conceptual vocal artist, and former AmNews classical music columnist for “Suite Sounds.”

*Dedicated in loving memory of Raul Abdul.

By NADINE MATTHEWS Special to the AmNews

On June 9, the Harlem Chamber Players (HCP) will celebrate both their 15th anniversary and Black Music Month with a concert, Harlem Songfest II, at Miller Theatre at Columbia University.

In a recent interview with the Amsterdam News, HCP founder Liz Player said that in addition to music by traditional European composers, HCP, which consists of a diverse group of musicians, will play music by Black composers. “We’ll be performing the ‘Overture to Tremonisha’ by Scott Joplin. We’ve got ‘He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands’ by Margaret Bond, who was friends with Langston Hughes. We’ll have ‘There is a Balm in Gilead’ from ‘Spiritual Sketches’ by Damien Sneed, Dorothy Rudd Moore’s ‘4th of July’ aria from her opera about Frederick Douglass, and the aria from Mary Watkins’s opera ‘Emmett Till.’” HCP will also perform Harlem Renaissance composer Harry Lawrence Freeman’s aria “The Voodoo Queen.”

Freeman “is known as the first African-American composer to write an opera that was successfully produced,” Player said. “He wrote over 20 operas, but not much is known about him. It would be great if an opera company would go through the archives and look at some of this other music and discover what he really is

about, because I would love to know more.”

Although the number of musicians who play at any HCP event varies, this concert boasts a 60-piece orchestra. Conducting will be Damian Sneed. Sopranos Janinah Burnett and Jasmine Muhammad and baritone Kenneth Overton—all currently on the roster of the Metropolitan Opera—and tenor Martin Bakari and mezzo-soprano Lucia Bradford will make appearances.

The Monmouth, NJ-born, Harlem-based Player describes herself as an “army brat” who lived in Japan and Korea as a child. She fell in love with the clarinet as a child and knew she wanted to be a musician, but her parents resisted her pursuing that as a career. “I actually quit the clarinet for a while and studied computer science,” she recalled. “I was a program analyst for eight years before I quit and went back for a second bachelor’s degree at Queens College for music because I missed it so much.”

Player eventually found herself playing for the NY Housing Orchestra, which was pivotal in the history of the HCP. “I founded [the HCP] in 2008 with the late violist Charles Dalton. We met during a benefit gala concert at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall for the New York City Housing Symphony Orchestra,” Player recalled of the orchestra founded by Janet Wolfe, a longtime patron of classical musicians of color.

Although she is driven by the idea of creating opportunities for Black and brown classical musicians, Player said the process of founding and running HCP has been just as rewarding in another way. “I discovered just how much Black composers have contributed to what we call classical music or European derived classical music,” she said.

She gives much of the credit for this to WQXR radio personality, Terrance McKnight, HCP artistic advisor and host of the upcoming concert. “He really educated me a lot on this. Even growing up studying classical music before college, I knew nothing about Black composers of classical music. I thought this was a European art form. I love those giants in the European classical music world, but it’s just been wonderful discovering all these Black composers and women composers, and other composers of color.”

Two of Player’s favorite clarinetists are Sidney Bechet and Harold Wright.

Even with much of the work toward creating a more equitable playing field for Black classical musicians that organizations like HCP, the Sphinx Organization, and others have done, the turning point was the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, Player said. “Suddenly the classical music world opened its eyes to the horrors of anti-Black racism. Then major symphony orchestras were rushing to do works by com-

posers of color.”

From Player’s standpoint, the yawning wealth gap between Blacks and whites is a major structural deterrent to a Black and brown presence in classical music. Black and Brown people make up only 4% of musicians in major symphony orchestras, she said. “Instrumental musicstudying classical music is very expensive. It’s expensive to go take lessons, to go to auditions.” She said the practice of tenure in orchestras is also a deterrent. “People tend to stay in a symphony orchestra until basically they die or are close to death, so it’s even harder for anyone to get in.”

Player said that as in most areas, nepotism plays a major role in classical music. “A lot of it has to do with who you know. You need to know what schools have the best teachers, you need a mentor—someone who is in the classical music world who can show you the ropes.” Black and brown aspiring musicians, because of structural racism, often do not have this kind of access.

Finally, Player emphasized the importance of supporting groups like HCP. “We’re Blackled, and trying to create an orchestra that represents our city and our country right now. Our orchestra is Black, white, Asian, Latinx. We’re all coming together to create music, which is what draws us together, brings us together, heals and transforms us.”

For more info, visit www. harlemchamberplayers.org.

(Contributed photo) Harlem Chamber Players (Photo courtesy of Harlem Chamber Players)

How hip-hop became a global phenomenon

By MAL’AKIY 17 ALLAH Special to the AmNews

With hip-hop’s 50th anniversary soon approaching, we’re delving into some history since its West Bronx inception in 1973. It eventually morphed to become a global phenomenon, affecting various aspects of society culturally, economically, educationally, politically, socially, and theologically. Kool DJ Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, and Grandmaster Flash, known as “The HipHop Trinity,” are recognized as its founders.

Beginning as a way for local African Americans and Caribbean Americans to express themselves artistically, hip-hop incorporated DJ-in’, MC-in’, B-Boyin’/BGirlin’ (break dancin’), graffiti, and the “knowledge, wisdom, and overstanding”’ as “Hip-Hop’s 5 Elements.” Area youths were urged to invest time in developing their talents and using them to unite and better their communities, rather than combating each other in the streets.

“Hip-hop is Afro-indigenous culture, which has existed since the beginning of time,” contended Paradise Gray, chief curator of the Universal Hip-Hop Museum. “The oratory history of rappin’ goes through the deep cultural knowledge that we’ve had.”

He also mentioned several preceding influences, such as the Black Spades and other street organizations, the Black Power and Civil Rights Movements, and the Last

Poets and Watts Prophets.

By the end of the 1970s, the culture became known as “hip-hop,” a name credited to MCs Lovebug Starski and Keef Cowboy from Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five.

“I picked up the mic and just started saying ‘a hip-hop, hip hop, de hibbyhibbyhibbyhibby hop.’ The people couldn’t believe it, but it stuck,” Starski explained during a 1986 interview with The Observer.

In 1979, the Sugar Hill Gang released their single “Rapper’s Delight,” recognized as the first rap record, which opens: “I said-a hip, hop, the hippie, the hippie, to the hip hip hop-a ya do’’t stop the rock it to the bangbang boogie, say up jump the boogie to the rhythm of the boogie, the beat.”

Also that year, the “World Famous Supreme Team Show”’ began broadcasting over Newark’s WHBI 105.9FM’s airwaves. This was the first radio program anywhere featuring an exclusive hip-hop playlist, and they broke many new rap recordings on-air. Mr. Magic and DJ Marley Marl were featured on their show, and later hosted “Mr. Magic’s Rap Attack”’ on WBLS 107.5FM, starting in the summer of 1982.

DJ Chick Chillout and Kool DJ Red Alert started their mix-shows on WKRS 98.7FM shortly thereafter.

While on the air, they used street slang from their ’hoods, which was swiftly changing the lexicon in the metropolitan area and

beyond. “Hoods” were renamed as “Money Makin’ Manhattan; the boogie-down Bronx; Do or Die Bed-Stuy; and Never ran, never will, Brownsville,” for example.

“Brothers and sisters in the military, or who went away to school, took those cassettes with them around the world,”

Paradise said.

Harlem’s Kurtis Blow was the first hiphop artist to sign a major record contract, releasing his self-titled album on Mercury Records in autumn 1980. Throughout the rest of the decade, many local artists signed record deals and began touring cross-country, as well as overseas, selling millions of records. Due to the prominence of on-air music video programs, many people outside New York got a glimpse of inner-city life and began to imitate their fashions and vernacular, and the theology of the Nation of Islam, Five Percenters, and Zulu Nation became more widespread.

During his May 16 1983 performance at “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever,” popstar Michael Jackson introduced multimillions of viewers to the moonwalk.

These events helped popularize hip-hop to a broader audience.

“Hip-hop is a cultural depository of a unified people whose origins are Afro-indigenous,” Paradise said. “It’s what the Creator gave us to bring the whole human family back together.”

By the mid-1990s, many cities nationwide had exclusive hip-hop programs on their airwaves.

Several local events are scheduled for this August 11 in commemoration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, including a grand one at its birthplace, 1520 Sedgewick Ave.

Next week, Part 2.

Kool DJ Herc to be inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

By MAL’AKIY 17 ALLAH

Special to the AmNews

Hip-hop music’s founding father, Kool DJ Herc, will be among the luminaries to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF) at the end of this year, and will also be honored with the Musical Influence Award. The timing is most appropriate, being in sync with hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, which will be commemorated this August 11. Brooklyn’s Barclay Center will host the induction ceremony on Friday, November 3, during Hip-Hop History Month.

“Everything we now recognize as the massive cultural force of hip-hop began 50 years ago in the Bronx with the turntables of DJ Kool Herc,” the RRHOF explained in their statement. “Herc was a founding father of hip-hop music.”

What began as a back-to-school event hosted by Herc’s sister, Cindy Campbell, at the rec room of their building at 1520 Sedgewick Avenue on August 11, 1973, eventually came to be recognized as when hip-hop was birthed. On this day, he planted a seed in the West Bronx that has since sprouted worldwide.

“This was in the Bronx in the ’70s. I moved to the States with my mother and I started to have jams in an old building,” the Jamaican-

native Herc recently told the media. “It got very popular and then the American kids got hold of the toasting—that’s the element that they took from us.”

He used his Jamaican roots and culture-in-

fluenced sound system set-up while spinning hard funk and soul records. His “merry-goround” style of using two turntables to spin records, and a mixer to extend the music without interruptions, had seldom been seen in the

U.S., and became the building blocks for hiphop music. He and his master of ceremonies, Coke La Rock formed the Herculoids, hip-hop’s first music group.

Since then, hip-hop has become a global phenomenon, influencing many aspects of everyday life around the planet and merging many cultures, ethnicities, and languages. Its commercialization reaped billions of dollars for corporate America.

This year’s RRHOF inductees are quite diverse.

“We’re very happy with this year’s class,” said RRHOF CEO and President Joel Peresman to the media. “People always try to pigeonhole what rock and roll is, but our story has always been that it’s a wide tent. It includes all different kinds of genres.

“We think this class really shows the breadth of rock and roll. When you have Missy Elliott, Sheryl Crow, and the Spinners, along with Rage Against the Machine and Willie Nelson, you’re covering a lot of things.”

However, some say that the Bronx-bred culture doesn’t need awards from outside entities to be validated.

“Who should feel more honored, the RRHOF or Herc?” Paradise “The Architect” Gray, the chief curator of the upcoming Universal HipHop Museum, asked rhetorically. “We don’t need them to sanction who our pioneers are. We should be doing that ourselves.”

Paradise Gray, chief curator of the Universal Hip-Hop Museum (Contributed photo)

Metro Briefs

Continued from page 3

heard testimony from Muslim New Yorkers who have experienced discrimination in the process of opening or closing accounts. Tenants expressed concerns about predatory lending practices by banks that jeopardize their rights and safe living conditions. Climate advocates condemned banks that have continued to lend billions of dollars for fossil-fuel

Council

down almost 40 years ago, no one could have contemplated, foresaw, or even remotely imagined a mass influx of individuals entering our system,” said Adams. The Legal Aid Society and Coalition for the Homeless were upset about Adams’ request to suspend the city’s long-established status as a sanctuary for unhoused.

In a joint statement, Speaker Adrienne Adams and Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala called the application to modify the right to shelter law “beyond disturbing.” They advocated for long term housing solutions and moving people out of shelters through the city’s housing voucher program (CityFHEPS).

“Instead of solely focusing efforts on emergency shelter space and taking away essential safety protections,” they said, “this Administration should pursue readily available solutions that can reduce homelessness, including adequate investments in eviction prevention, housing vouchers, agency staffing, and affordable housing development that are currently missing from its proposed budget.”

In seeming defiance the next day, Ayala and Councilmembers Pierina Sanchez and Tiffany Caban held a conference on a package of legislation to remove barriers to CityFHEPS. The package of bills includes expanding CityFHEPS eligibility, changing the qualifying federal poverty level, and removing work and source of income requirements. By May 25, the city council passed the bills.

“We are at a critical juncture in our city’s housing and homelessness crisis, with record levels of individuals and families affected,” said Sanchez, a bill sponsor. “In my district, we know the heartbreaking consequences firsthand. One in ten households of Bronx community district 5 faced eviction last year. This means children are forced to commute over 90 minutes from shelters in Queens to the Bronx, severing vital social bonds and support networks that are crucial for their development. The resulting stress at the household and community level permeates our community, manifesting as food insecurity, poor health outcomes, and even violence.”

Comptroller Brad Lander also backed the plan to move homeless individuals

expansion, despite having made net-zero commitments. Members of the public also spoke in favor of creating a public bank that could provide banking services for City deposits and deploy that capital to better serve New York communities.”

––Compiled by Karen Juanita Carrillo

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and asylum seekers into long-term housing and get work authorization for these new residents.

“Rather than seeking to circumvent the state constitutional requirement to provide safe and dignified shelter, the Mayor should have gone to court to clarify that it applies to all municipalities in New York State,” said Lander.

The city and news outlets argued that the CityFHEPS bills would have unintended consequences that would hurt people already in shelters. New York City Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Park said the city council is “well intentioned” but undermining “a system designed to direct resources to those with the greatest need.” Park said the bills would ultimately cost the city $17 billion over the next five years.

Fabien Levy, Adams’ press secretary, said, “Since day one of this administration, we have worked to shelter New Yorkers experiencing homelessness and connect our city’s residents with more permanent housing. That’s why earlier this year, we proposed to the City Council that we work together to remove the 90-day rule for families experiencing homelessness to connect them with housing vouchers faster. They rejected that proposal, and today passed a package of bills that will make it harder for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness to exit shelter to permanent housing.”

Meanwhile, a hoard of council members also took to Albany to demand more state and federal support for thousands of asylum seekers arriving in the city daily.

“As we champion in addressing the urgency of this national humanitarian emergency, our state and federal leaders must set the foundation that conduces comprehensive solutions—investments with necessary funding for shelter and healthcare, as well as developments for workforce infrastructure,” said Councilmember Kevin C. Riley. “We urge our colleagues in all levels of government to rightfully do their part in this action.”

Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about politics for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1.

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Dr. James de Jongh, actor, playwright, and academic

By HERB BOYD

Special to the AmNews

Whenever Professor James de Jongh summoned me to his office, it usually meant he just wanted to be in touch. No reprimand, and nothing more than a chat from the director of our Black Studies Program at the City College of New York. A few minutes would pass before he would break out of his reflective, thoughtful mode and begin discussing the nature of his request.

This was a common demeanor of de Jongh, and other students and colleagues shared a similar opinion about him. As one of them said, “He seemed to be mulling over the disposition of one of the characters in his play.” Some of these moments returned to me upon learning of his passing on May 5, 2023, in the Bronx. He was 80.

Several years have gone by since I last saw him. I had the impression that he had just quietly taken his leave of the university, devoting the remaining days of his life to creative endeavors, perhaps now with time to finish a number of literary projects and complete another play.

One obituary mentioned his bestknown play, “Do Lord Remember Me” (1978). This came as a surprise since I had no idea he was a playwright. Many of our few moments together were given to faculty matters and course material in the syllabus. He rarely offered anything personal, keeping rigidly to the purpose of the meeting.

I sought and found a version of the play, and found that the program at the beginning explains the play: “The memories of ex-slaves recorded in interviews in the 1930s constitute the raw material of this theater piece. The lines and dialogue of this play are the words of Black men and women in their 80s and 90s as they recall their experience of the ‘peculiar institution’ [as it affected them] nearly a lifetime ago. The author

has taken these verbatim texts and structured them. Some characters have merged for stage economy, but their words and their meanings have not been altered. This play is a projection into the past through the medium of the words of these ex-slaves, now dead for more than a generation. It is an exploration of collective memory because some things should never be forgotten.”

Whether in his plays or lectures, De Jongh was dedicated to making sure his students and audiences understood his mission, preventing the erasure of the past no matter how bitter and painful.

De Jongh was born on September 23, 1942, in Charlotte Amalie on the island of St. Thomas, in the Virgin Islands. Percy, his father, was the commissioner of finance for the government of the Virgin Islands, and his mother, Mavis E. (Bentiage), was an assistant director for the U.S. Customs Service and owned a poultry farm and plant store.

He attended Saints Peter & Paul Catholic School in St. Thomas and then Williams College (William-

stown, Mass.), where he appeared in theatrical productions and earned a B.A. in 1964. Three years later, he received a master’s degree from Yale and later a Ph.D. from New York University in 1983. His teaching career began at Williams and continued at Rutgers University. In 1970, he joined the faculty at CUNY. By 1990, he had added the Graduate Center to his résumé. He reached emeritus status in 2011.

Along with his teaching and plays, de Jongh wrote numerous academic articles about Black theater, the arts in Harlem, and related subjects. In 1990, he published Vicious Modernism: Black Harlem and the Literary Imagination. This excerpt summarizes his perspective on some of the issues at the advent of the Harlem Renaissance:

“The presence of this vanguard in Harlem, and its spectacular debut before the arbiters of American culture at a pair of superbly stage-managed dinners, were in large part the successful outcome of a deliberate policy pursued by a handful of Harlem’s cultural ‘midwives.’ Langston

Hughes cites three. Jessie Fauset, as literary editor of The Crisis, discovered and first published several of the major voices of the Renaissance, including Langston Hughes himself. Charles Johnson kept dossiers on talented young African-Americans, tempted them to come to Harlem, and manipulated their career moves thereafter from behind the scenes.

Alain Locke, the first black Rhodes scholar, acted as ‘chamberlain’ in the Park Avenue court of Charlotte Osgood Mason, the fabled ‘godmother’ and patron to young Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and others. To these, David Levering Lewis adds three others. Walter White, the first black novelist since Paul Laurence Dunbar, exploited his celebrity to make his apartment at 90 Edgecombe Avenue ‘a stock exchange for cultural commodities.’ Caspar Holstein, the numbers banker, financed many of the awards and prizes. James Weldon Johnson, executive secretary of the NAACP, endorsed and supported Fauset and White’s cultural program, sometimes over the objections of Du Bois.”

A 1982 production of “Do Lord Remember Me” was presented to inmates at Rikers Island—according to news accounts, the first complete professional production staged at the prison. De Jongh attended and found the inmates more boisterous than traditional theatergoers. “There was an element of risk in the entire situation,” he told the New York Times that year. “The audience reacted with anger as well as humor. It was not just a play about remembering—their own freedom was circumscribed.”

When asked about his plays and creative process, he told an interviewer from the Manhattan Neighborhood Network that the plays were a particular calling: “Somehow, I felt I had a task, and the task had found me.” And what a finding.

ACTIVITIES

FIND OUT MORE

In his plays and essays, as well as in the files at City College and the Graduate Center, there are files of information about his life and teaching career.

DISCUSSION

More about his early years would be rewarding, especially his literary development.

PLACE IN CONTEXT

Born in the Virgin Islands and living most of 80 years in the U.S. provided de Jongh with an abundance of material for his plays and articles.

CLASSROOM IN THE THIS WEEK IN BLACK HISTORY

May 28, 1940: Dr. Betty Shabazz was born in Detroit. She died in 1997.

May 30, 1903: Countee Cullen was born on this date, but the place is highly disputed. He died in 1946.

May 31, 1964: Rapper Darryl Mc Daniels —DMC — was born in Harlem.

Dr. James de Jongh (twitter.com)

Wilson

Continued from page 4

said Wilson. “I can’t even write in script.” Later on as a pre-teen, he saw himself becoming a doctor but during a visit to a medical school he fell ill after watching medical students cutting open human cadavers.

Berkeley was a community where everyone was interested in politics, government, social issues, and free speech, said Wilson. In 1968, Wilson remembers the school district “desegregating” the schools in Berkeley, which had large Black, Latino, Asian, and white populations. That was partly the inspiration behind his foray into law. The other was due to a ninth grade English teacher. Wilson didn’t want to give an oral report in front of the class. His teacher offered to excuse him under the condition that he’d return after the summer to say why he didn’t want to do it.

“I took the deal and I went back to see him before the start of my tenth grade,” said Wilson, “and said that ‘I thought about it and I was afraid that people would think what I was saying was stupid or they would make fun of me.’ I realized that was not rational but it was what I was feeling and what I decided to do was join the speech and debate team in high school.”

From there, Wilson participated in extemporaneous speaking, model U.N., model Congress, and other civic engagement projects. Many of the topics were law-related, but funnily enough, Wilson didn’t want to be a practicing lawyer. He didn’t imagine himself going away to Harvard for college either.

“My mom wanted me to go away for college,” said Wilson. “She wanted me to go there and said it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity even though I didn’t want to go.”

His mother was diagnosed with breast cancer while he was in high school. By the time he got to college, he said, he was unhappy and depressed. She died around his sophomore year at Harvard Law School. He graduated in 1984, aiming to be a law professor.

Worried about paying off school loans, Wilson headed to New York for private practice at the Cravath, Swaine & Moore law firm. By 1992, as an interesting foreshadowing to his current role, Wilson became the firm’s first “partner of color of any kind.”

“It was reputed to be the very hardest place to become a partner at,” said Wilon. “For me, I was kind of minding my own business, doing my work and still sort of thinking I wanted to be a law professor some day.”

A vacancy for associate judge opened up on the Court of Appeals under former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2012. Wilson said a friend goaded him into applying. He ended up applying six times for six different vacancies over the next five years. To this day, he said he has no idea why he made the list or why he was finally chosen. As for Hochul’s nomination, Wilson said he was “surprised” that he and his colleagues weren’t

on the first shortlist because they were already sitting judges by then. After the rejection of Judge Hector D. LaSalle, Wilson said that he didn’t exactly think he was the favorite to be nominated.

“I had a blast at the confirmation hearing, what could be better than having people question you about work you’ve done and things you’ve written,” said Wilson, clearly not unnerved by the media attention.

Wilson faced his fair share of criticism for some of his opinions during the hearing. In 2009, he wrote a majority opinion for People v. Regan, an alleged rape case that was reversed because the due process clause was violated. In 2018, he wrote a dissenting opinion for People v. Tiger, a wrongful conviction case where the defendant had already pled guilty to assault and endangering a child when it was later discovered she was innocent.

Currently, the U.S. Supreme Court is going to rule on cases this June challenging the use of affirmative action and “race-conscious admissions” at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina in cases brought on by Students for Fair Admissions Inc. According to Temple University, there have been at least five Supreme Court cases against affirmative action since 1978.

Given its conservative streak and majority, it’s widely believed that the Supreme Court will vote down affirmative action laws in colleges––and eventually the workplace.

“If you start in the 1970s and moved up until today, it’s sort of tightened and tightened the circumstances under which it’s permissible to take race or ethnici ty or other classifications into account in making various types of decisions,” said Wilson, “whether it’s education or employment or so on. I think even with the substantial tightening they’ve done over the years, they’ve never said ‘you absolutely cannot do this.’”

Prop

Continued from page 3

was particularly scathing toward bandaid policies like sensitivity training and recruitment drives in Black and brown communities. Instead, he argued that real action came from sustained efforts by the public to hold police accountable.

“The reality is that this work is happening all across the country,” said Vitale. “People are organizing, minds are being changed, and you can just see it in the discourse.”

While the speakers floated abolitionist perspectives, Gangi is quick to distinguish himself from such movements. He instead believes in severely downsizing the NYPD, reducing both police funding and its role in maintaining public safety.

Typically, PROP is found in courtrooms, monitoring arraignments for a better understanding of who goes through the city’s incarceration system. From late April through early to midMay, the watchdogs found that more than 90% of cases they observed in Manhattan and the Bronx were against New Yorkers of color.

Like the report and Vitale’s organizing, Gangi sees every step at PROP, which he founded in 2011, as an opportunity to win more hearts and minds. That includes his mayoral run against in-

cumbent Bill de Blasio in 2017 for the Democratic party nomination. Gangi said his candidacy, although probably dead on arrival, was an opportunity to shine light on “broken windows policing” and NYPD racial bias under the then-current administration. Getting into the debates allowed him to voice such concerns. The only problem?

“I found out you had to raise $175,000 to qualify for the debates,” said Gangi. “If you didn’t reach that amount, you’re not going to be in [any] debates. I’m glad I ran for mayor. At the same time, it ended in frustration, not because I lost, but because I didn’t get a chance to play the public education [role] that I had hoped for.”

The main purpose of writing the report, Gangi said, “is how do we as advocates and organizers effectively educate the public about the abusive practices of NYPD to such an extent that the public would support and make sure politicians will be willing to enact fundamental changes that are needed to change [and] end those practices?”

Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member and 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.

INVITATION TO PREQUALIFY AND TO BID

Invitation to Prequalify and to Bid

Rehabilitation and Flood Mitigation of the New York Aquarium, Brooklyn, NY: Turner Construction Company, an EEO Employer, is currently soliciting bids for the Rehabilitation and Flood Mitigation of the New York Aquarium from subcontractors and vendors for the following bid packages: BP #041B - Plumbing

Wilson thinks that even at its most conservative the Supreme Court has seen how “appropriate and useful” diversity is.

Rehabilitation and Flood Mitigation of the New York Aquarium, Brooklyn, NY : Turner Construction Company, an EEO Employer, is currently soliciting bids for the Rehabilitation and Flood Mitigation of the New York Aquarium from subcontractors and vendors for the following bid packages:

Only bids responsive to the entire scope of work will be considered and, to be successful, bidders must be prequalified by Turner. Certified M/WBE and Small Business (13 CFR part 121) companies are encouraged to submit.

BP #041B - Plumbing

In 2002 for the Grutter v. Bollinger case, Wilson wrote an amicus brief for the American Bar Association (ABA) in defense of the University of Michigan School of Law’s program using race as a factor in the admission of students. He said his own views aligned pretty well with the ABA.

Wilson, like many others, can’t definitively say that affirmative action has played a role in his career, partnerships, clerkships, and nominations. When it came to Hochul’s choice, she at least appeared very intentional about choosing a Black or brown judge to fill the vacancy for chief judge.

Only bids responsive to the entire scope of work will be cons idered and, to be successful, bidders must be prequalified by Turner. Certified M/WBE and Small Business (13 CFR part 121) companies are encouraged to submit.

In order to receive the bid packages, potential bidders either (1) must initiate the prequalification process by submitting a Subcontractor/Vendor Prequalification Statement to Turner, or (2) must be prequalified based on a prior submission to Turner. (Note: Prior prequalification submissions that remain current will be considered as previously submitted or may be updated at this time.) All bidders must be prequalified by the bid deadline: July 6th, 2023 and initial submission of a prequalification statement not later than July 6th, 2023 is strongly encouraged. All bidders must have an acceptable EMR, and will be subject to government regulations such as 44 CFR and Federal Executive Order 11246. Successful bidders will be required to use LCP Tracker compliance verification software. Note that while this is a New York City prevailing wage project, union affiliation is not required for BP #041B A Webcast about the above Bid Package/s will be held on June 8th, 2023. Attendance is optional for all; the Webcast is designed to assist potential M/WBE subcontractors/vendors.

“I don’t know, it might’ve,” said Wilson. “I have guesses about some of that.”

Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about politics for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1.

In order to receive the bid packages, potential bidders either (1) must initiate the prequalification process by submitting a Subcontractor/Vendor Prequalification Statement to Turner, or (2) must be prequalified based on a prior submission to Turner. (Note: Prior prequalification submissions that remain current will be considered as previously submitted or may be updated at this time. ) All bidders must be prequalified by the bid deadline: July 6th, 2023 and initial submission of a prequalification statement not later than July 6th, 2023 is strongly encouraged. All bidders must have an acceptable EMR, and will be subject to government regulations such as 44 CFR and Federal Executive Order 11246. Successful bidders will be required to use LCP Tracker compliance verification software. Note that while this is a New York City prevailing wage project, union affiliation is not required for BP #041B

Link: Please join this meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_

NTVjNmZlMTctODdjNy00YWRmLWJmMmYtZjI4NzNjMzcwNWVi%40thread.v2/0?context= %7b%22Tid%22%3a%2220e27700-b670-4553-a27c-d8e2583b3289%22%2c%22Oid%2 2%3a%22732a90ce-24b7-42eb-bf78-d638e2a629ac%22%7d

To obtain further information about contracting opportunities and/or the prequalification package and bid solicitation package/s, please contact Lyndsey Spangel, lspangel@tcco. com 646-842-1659.

The date for the virtual public opening at the Turner Construction Company office located at 66 Hudson Yards, New York, New York, is July 7th, 2023 10 AM

Link: Please join this opening meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_

NThmN2MzNDctNGEzNC00MTA5LWE2NjYtZTI0ZWVjZGVmM2Nj%40thread.v2/0?context =%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2220e27700-b670-4553-a27c-d8e2583b3289%22%2c%22Oid% 22%3a%22732a90ce-24b7-42eb-bf78-d638e2a629ac%22%7d

June 8th, 2023. Attendance is optional for all;

Performers needed for Brownsville Community Culinary Center July fundraiser

The Brownsville Community Culinary Center (69 Belmont Avenue) is looking for some talent for an upcoming fundraiser in July. Anyone interested in being part of this fundraiser is asked to contact Daniel

Goodine as soon as possible. They are looking for a total of five groups or entertainers to perform at the planned event. If interested, contact Goodine at Dgoodine4@aol. com or call 646-918-0390.

(Daniel Goodine photos)

African descent

Continued from page 2

placed even more burdens on the nation’s Black women.

Franco said her delegation and Brazil’s current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, are calling on the U.N. General Assembly to reintroduce another decade for people of African descent. “This time let’s focus on the themes of memory, reparations, and justice,” she urged, “so that concrete and imminent actions are developed for the around 200 million people who selfidentify as Afro descendants who live in the Americas and also for many millions more who live in other parts of the world.”

A renewed decade must have a detailed plan of action designed to bring life-changing results for Black communities, according to Egypt’s Ambassador Mona Omar. Before launching any second declaration for people of African descent, Omar suggested developing clear goals with timebound plans. “And these plans should be reviewed and implemented, or we would be just wasting our time and energy,” she said. “Ten years have passed since the launch of the first declaration. What has been implemented should not have taken a decade. Therefore, in the future we should move seriously and more effectively.”

Ben Mansour of the Norwegian Centre Against Racism (NCAR) told the forum

Black New Yorkers

Continued from page 12

of some crimes have fallen. His solutions tend to rely on the policing method that civil rights organizations claim racially profile Black men. Working with other Black leaders, he should come up with practical ideas that address both public safety and the complex issues of mental illness, race, and poverty.

Third, Adams and other Black leaders should make the occupational mobility of the Black working class a priority campaign. The community suffers high rates of adult unemployment even as the city recovers from the pandemic. The rate of Black unemployment is more than 12%, for instance, compared to 1.3% for whites.

The Biden administration has touted programs to train the working class for well-paying technical jobs like X-ray technicians, dental hygienists, heating and refrigeration technicians, and aircraft mechanics, among other fields. Adams should get in the forefront of this initiative.

Under President Biden’s $1.2 trillion infrastructure law, New York City stands to invest tens of billions in public transit, highways and bridges, and airports, among other projects. Each one will require newly trained workers for a construction industry that historically excluded skilled Black laborers and contractors.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statis-

that his organization has been in talks with other European anti-racism organizations about proposing a renewal of the decade. He said NCAR’s petition for a new decade states that “as the program activities have generally [not]––or not at all––been implemented by state parties or regional actors as the yearly reports show and the decade has only been adopted by a mere handful of state parties, we petition that the United Nations General Assembly renew the mandate for an International Decade of People of African descent from 2025 until 2034.”

Renewing the decade would be another opportunity to confront the past and current effects of racism on the lives of Black people.

“Change has been slow in coming,” said Nerys Dockery, the representative from St. Kitts and Nevis, in her statement at the Forum. “But change will come: St. Kitts and Nevis stands solidly behind the CARICOM’s 10-point plan that demands that the descendants of…those perpetrators who benefited from slavery and the diabolical trans-Atlantic trade in Africans must return to the scene of the crime, for there is a case to be answered. It also demands that the humanity of the persons of African descent who continue to experience the deleterious effect of that sordid system must also be acknowledged and affirmed: first by way of an apology and then through the implementation of a radical social, political, health, education, and economic justice program.”

tics, Black Americans comprise 5% of the industry workforce, compared to their 14% of the population; about 61% of the workforce is white and 30% Hispanic. The issue is even more grave in New York City, where many contractors favor hiring migrants.

Adams should steer young men toward promising small-business opportunities under his direct control: the street-vending trade, for example. In July 2022, the city began issuing thousands of pushcart permits under a law that the City Council seemingly designed to favor the immigrant population. City street vendors are believed to generate more than $78.5 million in legal income.

Finally, during the summer months, Adams has the opportunity to promote support systems for young men. Growing up without a father, he can be a credible spokesman for the value of programs such as 500 Men of Brooklyn, of which he was a member. His attention may even serve as a catalyst to a national program of youth recovery and street crime pre-emption.

As mayor, Eric Adams has the platform to bring the city’s unprecedented number of Black elected officials together on a constructive agenda for their base. The question is, does he have the political will?

Roger House is associate professor of American studies at Emerson College and the author of “Blue Smoke: The Recorded Journey of Big Bill Broonzy” and the forthcoming “South End Shout: Boston’s Forgotten Music Scene in the Jazz Age.” This article is reprinted from the Messenger.

DeSantis

Continued from page 12

become hostile to Black Americans and in direct conflict with democratic ideals that our union was founded upon. We’re not backing down and we encourage our allies to join us in the battle for the soul of our nation.”

DeSantis wants to dismantle multicultural programs in colleges and universities. He wants to take books out of libraries having anything to do with the history of Black people and slavery in this country. Teachers, students, librarians, and citizens are protesting these educational assaults on our heritage. It is my thinking that these protests will not stop.

His decisions will hurt Florida’s efforts to attract new businesses and tourists to the Sunshine State.

Ron DeSantis is trying to get America’s house in order when his own house called Florida is in disarray. The governor has some problems that are not easily fixable.

Former president Donald Trump is watching all of this unfold. He still has a double-digit lead in the polls and appears to be the clear frontrunner for the GOP.

With his presidential announcement drawing mixed reviews and his problems in Florida, DeSantis is facing an uphill climb. He is starting at the bottom.

Beginning on June 1, 2023, applications will be available for the waiting list for

COUNCIL TOWERS HDFC Senior Housing

at 777 Co-op City Boulevard, Bronx, New York

to households headed by persons 62 years of age and over (including units that are handicap accessible). Qualifications will be based on Section 8 Federal guidelines.

Applications may be requested by mail from: Council Towers I Senior Housing c/o Met Council 77 Water Street, 26th Floor New York, NY 10005

OR by telephone: (212) 453-9537 (please speak clearly) OR by sending an email to ct1inquiry@metcouncil.org with your name and mailing address

Completed applications must be returned by REGULAR MAIL ONLY to Council Towers I HDFC c/o Management Office 777 Co-op City Boulevard Bronx, NY 10475. One household member must be at least 62 years of age to qualify. Applicants who submit more than one application will be assigned a higher log number (least chance of obtaining an apartment).

Keep pets and people together in your community.

Be a helper

Religion & Spirituality

Harlem says goodbye and thank you to Bill Perkins

After a Community Prayer Vigil was held earlier in the week at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Building on 125th Street, on Thursday May 25th, a service was held for the recently deceased City Councilman, State Senator, and Harlem advocate Bill Perkins.

The wake and funeral services for the late Harlem politician took place at Rev. Michael Walrond’s First Corinthian Baptist Church.

Attendees included his family and friends, political representatives, colleagues and associates including: his wife Pamela Green Perkins, former Rep. Charles Rangel, Assemblywoman Inez Dickens, Mayor Eric Adams, State Senator Cordell Cleare, and members of the Exonerated Five: Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, Kory Wise, and Yusef Salaam.

Perkins, a colon cancer survivor and noted marathon runner, died at his Harlem home on May 16. He served in the City Council representing Harlem’s 9th District from 1998 to 2005 and again from 2017 to 2021. He represented the 30th District in Harlem in the State Senate from 2007 to 2017.

Perkins was interred at Fair Lawn Memorial Cemetery in New Jersey.

Spike Lee’s father, jazz bassist Bill Lee, transitions at 94

By MAL’AKIY 17 ALLAH Special to the AmNews

Legendary filmmaker Spike Lee revealed the heartbreaking news via Instagram that his father, renowned jazz composer Bill Lee, has joined the ancestors at his Brooklyn home on Wednesday, May 24. No cause was released.

The elder Lee was a popular jazz bassist since the early 1960s who played with Duke Ellington, Aretha Franklin, and Harry Belafonte. He later composed the score for many of his son’s movies including “She’s Gotta Have It” (1986), “School Daze” (1988), “Do The Right Thing” (1989), “Mo’ Better Blues” (1990), and “Jungle Fever” (1991).

William James Edwards Lee III was born in Snow Hill, Ala., on July 23, 1928. He grew

up in a musical family. His father, Arnold Lee, was a cornet player and band director at Florida A&M University, while his mother, Alberta Grace (Edwards) Lee, was a classical concert pianist. His siblings Clifton, Arnold Jr., Leonard, Clarence, Consuela, and Grace also played musical instruments.

“My learning in music started with my mother and father,” he said in a 2012 interview with jazz bassist Jonah Jonathan.

Saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker served as a major inspiration. While enrolled at Atlanta’s Morehouse College, Lee began playing bass. He also took up music at nearby Spelman College, learning drums, piano and flute early on. His children followed his musical patterns: Son David played piano, daughter Joy practiced bass, son Cinqué

played drums, son Chris took up trumpet, and Spike played cello.

After graduating from Morehouse in 1951 and a brief stop at Chicago’s South Side, he settled in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, in 1959.

“New York is the epitome of jazz to me,” Lee said. “All the great musicians come here.”

He recorded on the independent StrataEast Records and established the New York Bass Violin Choir, as a “narrative folk, jazz opera” sound that featured pieces like “One Mile East,” “The Depot.” and “Baby Sweets.”

Lee provided his bass to the recordings of artists such as Simon and Garfunkel, Odetta, Woody Guthrie, Cat Stevens, Gordon Lightfoot, and John Lee Hooker, as well as Peter, Paul, and Mary. He’s on Bob Dylan’s “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue,” Lightfoot’s “Oh, Linda,” and also played on Aretha Franklin’s

1960 debut album “Aretha.”

He went on to be featured on more than 250 record albums.

Bill appeared in most of Spike’s films.

“Everything I know about jazz, I got from my father,” Spike said in an interview. “I saw his integrity, how he was not going to play just any kind of music, no matter how much money he could make.”

Bill had five children with his first wife, Jacquelyn (Shelton), who was an art teacher: Shelton (Spike), Christopher (died 2013), David, Joie, and Cinqué. After her 1976 passing, he married Susan Kaplan, and they had a son, Arnold.

Along with Kaplan and Spike, Bill is also survived by sons David, Cinqué, and Arnold; Joie; a brother, A. Clifton Lee; and two grandchildren.

See HARLEM continued on next page

Hazel Dukes (Bill Moore photos)

Pamela Green Perkins

Hon. Keith Wright, Wilma Brown and William Allen

OPEN INTERVIEWS

William Perkins (Bill Moore photos)

UFT's Michael Mulgrew

State Assembly Cordell Cleare

Korey Wise, Exonerated Five member

Hon. Bill Perkins honored by the community.

This is to announce that the next open meeting of the Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy II Charter School Board of Trustees will occur on Tuesday, June 6th, 2023, at 7:30 am. The meeting will be held at 70 East 112th St, NY, NY.

LEGAL NOTICE

KRISTIN RENEE LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State (SSNY) on 12/28/2022.

Office Location: NEW YORK

County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, 228 PARK AVE S #624872, NEW YORK, NY, 10003, USA. R/A: UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC. 7014 13TH AVENUE, SUITE 202, BROOKLYN, NY 11228, USA. Purpose: Any lawful act.

NOTICE OF FORMATION of Presser Compliance LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 1/24/2023. SSNY designated as agent for service of process on LLC. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: Steven Michael Presser, 140 Wadsworth Ave, Apt. 43, New York, NY, 10033. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of RECHARGE CAPITAL ADVISORS, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/24/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 12/22/22. Princ. office of LLC: 10 E. 53rd St., Ste. 140, NY, NY 10022. 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 DE Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., #4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of RECHARGE CAPITAL ADVISORS, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/24/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 12/22/22. 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 DE Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., #4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of NIMos, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/12/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 04/20/21. Princ. office of LLC: One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111. 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, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: US-based limited liability company offering a variety of integrated tools.

NOTICE OF FORMATION of Cauthorn & Shapiro LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 2/11/2023. Office: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 301 W 57th st Apt 21B, New York, NY 10019. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Royale Administrative Touch LLC Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 01/19/23. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 12117 194th Street, Springfield Gardens, NY 11413. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

T&S COLLECTIVE LIVING LLC Art of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/07/2023. Office: NEW YORK County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC. SHANNON CHANG 404 E 66TH STREET, 4N, NEW YORK, NY, 10065.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

WEARBARE L.L.C. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/17/2023. Office: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: 2816 SCHLEY AVENUE, APT 4D, BRONX, NY, 10465. Purpose: Any lawful act.

RIVERSIDE PAINTERS LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/14/2023. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: P.O. BOX 230474, NY, NY, 10023.

Purpose: Painting of interiors and any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Qualification of MONASHEE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC. Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/01/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 09/19/11. Princ. office of LLC: 520 Madison Ave., 19th Fl., NY, NY 10022. 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: The Corporation Trust Co., Corp. Trust Center, 1209 Orange St., Wilmington, DE 19801. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, Div. of Corps., John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St. - Ste.4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of MILLEL LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/02/23. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

LUDAS REALTY LLC Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 03/21/23. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail process to: 228 Park Ave S #676342, NY, NY 10003. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF FORMATION of SKYROCKET SYSTEMS

GROUP LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 4/2/23. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to 228 PARK AVE S, #805685, NY, NY 10003. R/A: US Corp Agents, Inc. 7014 13th Ave, #202, BK, NY 11228. Purpose: any lawful act.

FUTURA EGG DONATION, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/03/23. Office: New York County. The Secretary of State is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 177 West Putnam Avenue, Suite 101, Greenwich, CT 06831. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

4929NY LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/15/23. Office: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, c/o Young Ok Park, 100 Old Palisade Road, Fort Lee, NJ 07024. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

The Cleanest Crew LLC filed Arts. of Org. with the SSNY on 2/07/2023. Office Loc.: NY County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 65 East 112th Street, Apt 14K, NY, NY, 10029. Purpose: any lawful activity.

VASILIKI LIV RE LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/05/2023. Office location: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: 50 West Street, No. 27B, New York, NY, 10006. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of JMBS23 LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/01/23. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 520 Madison Ave., Ste. 3501, 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., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543, regd. agent upon whom and at which process may be served. Purpose: Real estate investment.

ALPHA PRISTINE CLEANERS

LLC Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 03/23/23. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail process to: United States Corporation Agents Inc., 7014 13th Ave., Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY, 11228. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Vette GPS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 01/21/23. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail process to: 20 River Road, Apt 22H, NY, NY 10044. Purpose: Human Resources Consulting or any lawful activity.

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Administrative Opening

Monticello Central School

Assistant Elementary Principal

The successful candidate should possess:

Knowledge of research-based instructional programs & practices; exp. w/ teacher supervision & evaluation; a record of successfully improving learning experiences and enhancing school to home communication; and can provide a supportive environment with knowledge of social-emotional competencies, restorative practices, and promote a culturally responsive educational climate.

Salary Range: $95,000 to $105,000

NYS SDA/SDL/SBL Certification Required plus 3 yrs. exp as a classroom teacher preferred.

Please apply online by June 15th at https://monticelloschools.tedk12.com/hire or OLAS EOE

Administrative Opening

Monticello Central

School

Assistant Secondary Principal

The successful candidate should possess:

Knowledge of research-based instructional programs & practices; exp. w/ teacher supervision & evaluation; a record of successfully improving learning experiences and enhancing school to home communication; and can provide a supportive environment with knowledge of social-emotional competencies, restorative practices, and promote a culturally responsive educational climate.

Salary Range: $95,000 to $105,000

NYS SDA/SDL/SBL Certification Required plus 3 yrs. exp. as a classroom teacher preferred.

Please apply online by June 15th at https://monticelloschools.tedk12.com/hire or OLAS EOE

Administrative Opening

Monticello

Central School

High School Principal

The Monticello CSD is seeking forward thinking and dynamic School Building Principal who can lead MCSD’s highly engaged faculty, staff, parents, students, and community. The successful candidate will have a vision of educational excellence, be highly motivated, and demonstrates an ability to impact student learning.

Starting Salary: $150,000

NYS SDA/SAS/SBL Certification Required plus 2 yrs. of previous administrative leadership and 3 yrs. exp as a classroom teacher preferred.

Please apply online by June 15th at https://monticelloschools.tedk12.com/hire or OLAS EOE 113456

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Bazaar

Continued from page 9

International

Continued from page 2

ing talks with South Africa’s then-President F.W. de Klerk when a white supremacist shot Mandela’s heir-apparent, Chris Hani, in the hope of igniting an all-out civil war.

The story of nine tumultuous days, as the assassination of Mandela’s protégé threatened to derail South Africa’s democratic transition and plunge the nation into civil war, is told in riveting detail in a new book by South African newspaper columnist and political commentator Justice Malala.

In “The Plot to Save South Africa,” Malala reveals rarely seen sides of both Mandela and de Klerk, the fascinating behind-thescenes debates in each of their parties over whether to pursue peace or war, and the two leaders’ increasingly desperate attempts to restrain their supporters despite mounting popular frustrations.

Malala was a 22-year-old intern at South Africa’s largest newspaper on the day Hani was killed. With his bosses all away for the Easter holiday, he was the one who rushed to the crime scene.

In “The Plot to Save South Africa,” Malala combines original reporting with key figures

on all sides of the conflict, archival research, and his own memories into a thrilling, definitive story timed to the 30th anniversary of the assassination. He provides insight into all aspects of the conflict and discusses the effort of leadership that was needed to avert a crisis that could have developed into a full-scale war.

Here is some of an interview between Malala and editor Yinka Adegoke, who asked, “Why was it important to write a book about the week of Chris Hani’s death now?”

Malala: “Mandela had been out after 27 years’ imprisonment for three years and the democracy talks were proceeding slowly. Four thousand people were dying every year due to political violence. In that week, Mandela and others had to show extraordinary leadership to frustrate the right wing’s attempts to spark a race war while calming down Black citizens angered by Hani’s murder.”

Adegoke: “You seem to suggest this is the week when Nelson Mandela really became South Africa’s president—is that fair?”

Malala : “The triumph of democracy over apartheid in South Africa was never guaranteed. There was huge resistance, even by 1993, to the establishment of a truly non-racial democracy. In the week

I chronicle, what became clear was that without Mandela’s leadership and a Black government’s ascendancy South Africa would implode.

“De Klerk’s attempts to establish some kind of veto power over a new government crumbled. Mandela wrung out an election date and a transition agreement from him. White minority rule died that week. Mandela and the people won.”

Adegoke: “Is the tension between South Africa’s ‘born frees’ and those who were already of age under apartheid understandable or justifiable?”

Malala: “It is understandable, but most of the criticism of Mandela and the democracy negotiators is unjustified. Youth unemployment in South Africa is at abominable levels and it is the most unequal country in the world, according to the World Bank. South Africa’s leaders after 2009 have failed young people spectacularly.”

Toluse Olorunnipa, co-author of “His Name Is George Floyd,” writes of Malala’s book: “Fast-paced, gripping, and expertly crafted, this book reads like a political thriller. A brilliant, moving, and extraordinary account of nine days that shaped

a country and a continent, with the entire world looking on.”

Malala is also the author of “We Have Now Begun Our Descent: How to Stop South Africa Losing its Way” and former publisher of The Sowetan and Sunday World.

New look Liberty gaining momentum

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

Expectations were high for the New York Liberty, one of the most talked-about teams heading into the 2023 WNBA season. When the team lost its preseason games and season opener, people were a little concerned. Then Breanna Stewart turned in a franchise record offensive effort in a win over the Indiana Fever, and the season began in earnest.

Last Saturday, the Liberty returned to home court at Barclays Center and defeated its longtime nemesis, the Connecticut Sun, 81–65. Three Liberty players—Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Courtney Vandersloot—scored in double figures. Last year’s top draft pick, Nyara Sabally, scored her first WNBA baskets in her regular season debut, contributing six points and three rebounds. It was the team’s second annual AAPI Heritage Month game.

Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said the team was sleeping in the first half, but got “a little bit more aggressive” in the second half. “That’s just a mindset,” said Brondello. “The beauty of a veteran team, experienced team: We can make adjustments and they can do what we’re telling them to do. And we had way better execution.”

Brondello also noted that Kayla Thornton, a forward who joined the Liberty this season after six seasons with the Dallas Wings, played a big role in the win. Thornton had seven rebounds, two assists, and six points in 26½ minutes of play. “I spoke to her in the tunnel on the way back to the locker room and said how important she is to our success,” said Brondello. “She may not take one shot, but she’s still going to be so important because of what she brings.”

The Liberty is currently on the road. The team takes on Vandersloot’s former team, the Chicago Sky, tomorrow, and again on Sunday at Barclays.

The excitement around the WNBA this season has been palpable. Opening weekend had some impressive numbers, including the most viewed opening weekend on WNBA social media and a 24% attendance increase over last year. The opening night game, the Phoenix Mercury versus the Los Angeles Sparks, was the most viewed regular season game on cable in 24 years.

PlayStation and the WNBA have announced a multi-year partnership to make PlayStation® the official console and marketing partner of the league. The goal is to elevate women’s sports globally.

Aaron Judge’s power fuels Yankees’ surge

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

The Yankees played the third game of a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners on the road last night in trying to complete a sweep. They were also looking to extend their overall winning streak to five games and had been on the plus side with eight of their previous 12.

The Yankees began the day at 34–23, in third place in the American League East, five games behind division-leading Tampa Bay Rays at 39–18, and trailing the second-place Baltimore Orioles (35–20) by two. Manager Aaron Boone’s offense had produced 10 runs in their games before last night, defeating the San Diego Padres

on Sunday 10–7, and the Mariners 10–4 on Monday and by 10–2 Tuesday.

“It’s no small feat to throw up 10 more runs against that quality of a pitching staff,” said Boone. “Credit to these guys. They’re focused, they’re working. They’re communicating well and they’re convicted in their plans right now. It’s showing itself.”

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who plays infield and outfield but started Tuesday in left field, had four hits and four RBIs in five atbats, and Nestor Cortes earned his fifth win (5–2, 5.16 ERA) in 11 starts. But even with Kiner-Falefa’s superlative performance, it was reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge who garnered much of the attention by hitting his 18th home run of this

season after hitting two on Monday to open the Yankees six-game West Coast trip.

The Yanks will start a threegame weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers tomorrow and return to the Bronx to host the Chicago White Sox Tuesday–Thursday.

The Mets conclude a threegame series at home at Citi Field against the Philadelphia Phillies this afternoon and begin a threegame set versus the Toronto Blue Jays in Queens tomorrow.

The Mets were 28–27 and tied for second place in the NL East with the Miami Marlins before playing the Phillies last night.

The Atlanta Braves led the division with a mark of 32–23 and will host the Mets next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Nyara Sabally scored her first WNBA baskets in the victory over Connecticut (Brandon Todd/New York Liberty photo)

Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge was second in Major League Baseball with 18 home runs when Yankees played Seattle Mariners on the road last night (Wednesday) (MLB.com photo)

Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program celebrates another successful year

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

Marking year 51 for the Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program (HJTEP), former board chair James R. Kelly III, wearing a seersucker suit in memory of the late Mayor David Dinkins, delighted the audience at last week’s gala with a donation of $51,000. The mood was festive and the energy high—there was even a mini tennis court in the ballroom—as attendees cel-

ebrated the program that combines tennis with educational and wellness programming for boys and girls ages 6–18.

“I like the community. I like that coaches care about your progress and that everyone has each other’s backs when you’re playing,” said senior Mia Edwards, who has been with HJTEP since middle school.

“I enjoy the different personalities at the program. It makes the practices fun. And different play styles. I like how some-

times we can come together as a group and be friends. A lot of us are really close,” said Kayon Johns, a senior who has been with NJTEP for six years. He will attend SUNY Buffalo, where he plans to double major in financial analytics and law, and hopes to also play competitive tennis.

All of this year’s 11 seniors are bound for college. Most hope to play tennis, if not at the varsity level, at least as a club sport.

Watching such a successful group of graduates fueled HJTEP

executive director Katrina Adams’s positive energy. She liked showcasing their on-court abilities for everyone to see. “For our donors to see our kids out here on the mini court having fun shows they are adaptable to any environment,” Adams said. “To have 11 graduating seniors is phenomenal. It’s a blessing and what the program is all about.”

Among the honorees was former professional tennis player turned coach and commentator Rennae Stubbs. She

called the evening fantastic and was thrilled to be a part of it.

“The bottom line is we’re giving back to the community of Harlem, especially to the young kids,” Stubbs said. “The educational part of it is super-important. Also, I was a kid once and it was important for me to have a community. I had great coaches. I had the opportunity these kids get as well, which is so important for the young kids to have a future. The community of sports is invaluable for kids.”

OTAs for the Jets and Giants are a step towards the Super Bowl

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

For the NFL’s 32 teams, the spring and summer brings the hope of ample improvement and Super Bowl aspirations.

The Philadelphia Eagles finished the 202122 regular season 9–8 and a unimposing wildcard team. A little over a year later they ended the 2022-23 regular season campaign with the league’s best record at 14–3 and had a gut-wrenching and thrilling 38–35 loss to the Kansas Chiefs this past February in Super Bowl LVII (57).

The Jets and Giants have plausible visions of playing in Super LVIII next February 11 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. It’s nine months away but training camp begins in just eight weeks with the organized team activities, or OTAs, already in session. The Jets, who were 7–10 last season, last in the AFC East, made the most widely covered and analyzed move this off-season, executing a trade with the Green Bay Packers in April for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP.

Rodgers, who turns 40 on December 2, has the Jets fan base believing the franchise can make it to and win its first Super Bowl since 1969. Being an integral presence and voice at OTAs is a key to building the foundation.

“With a new offense, being my first year here, I really wanted to be around for at least some of the beginning things to just let [my teammates] know how I like to do things,” said Rodgers on May 23 from the Jets OTAs at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, New Jersey. “Like I said, some of the code words, some of the little adjustments, some of the ways I see the game––sparking that conversation.”

Last season, the Giants were a postseason participant for the first time since 2016, going 9–7–1, third in the NFC East and defeating the Minnesota Vikings 31–24 in their wildcard game match up before losing 38–7 to the Eagles in the divisional round. In March, they signed quarterback Daniel Jones to a four-year, $160-million contract coming off of the best season of his four-year career.

Jones was drafted by the Giants in the first round, sixth overall, in 2019. Under firstyear head coach Brian Dabol, Jones passed for 3,205 yards, completing 67.2 percent of his attempts, the highest of his career, and ran for a career best 708. Most importantly he had a career low five interceptions and just two fumbles lost after being plagued by turnovers the previous three seasons.

With the Giants trading with the Las Vegas Raiders for 2020 Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller, Jones was provided a much needed weapon for the passing game. The duo have been mutually impressed at OTAs.

“Darren’s been great,” Jones said last week via the Giants website. “I think as soon as you walk on the field, you can see he’s a big guy. He can run. He can run every route. Catches the ball really well, great body control. He’s been really fun to work with.”

Waller noted that he and Jones are already establishing chemistry. “Arm talent, intelligence, funny guy,” said Waller. “He’s got a lot of personality that you really get to see once you get to know him some more. It’s been fun,

man.”

Aaron Rodgers, pictured with the Green Bay Packers last season, is now commanding the Jets’ offense (Wikipedia, All-Pro Reels photo)

This year’s graduating HJTEP seniors (Lois Elfman photos)

(l-r) Former HJTEP board chairman James R. Kelly III, executive director Katrina Adams, the evening’s emcee Maurice DuBois and honoree Rennae Stubbs

NYC hoops legend God Shammgod and his son star in basketball-themed ad campaign

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

NYC basketball legend God Shammgod and his son, God Shammgod Jr., are featured in a campaign powered by Advil titled “The Show Must Go On,” which spotlights their tight bond, love of basketball, focus on coaching, and even the aches and pains that come with the sport. Just as point guard Shammgod taught his son the game, he now teaches it to NBA players in his role as a player development coach with the Dallas Mavericks.

Shammgod became a father at a young age, so his son got to experience his father’s college and pro careers. “If you look at old pictures of me, when I’m getting awards, he was in one arm and maybe the MVP trophy was in the other arm,” Shammgod said.

Shammgod Jr. grew up loving basketball and playing on the same NYC courts as his father.

He often slept in his uniform because he wanted to hit the court at first light. After playing college hoops, he became a coach and is currently an assistant coach

with the Delaware Blue Coats, a G League team affiliated with the Philadelphia 76ers.

“My dad never put pressure on me to be him,” said Shammgod

Jr. “He allowed me to find what I loved about the sport.”

During college breaks, Shammgod Jr., who also played point guard, would see his father train-

ing different players. “Watching him do that showed me you can love basketball in a different way; you don’t have to just play,” he said. “When I got back to school, I started working out these young kids…I’d go to their games and see how happy it made them to do a move I taught them. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to coach.”

Shammgod’s role with the Mavericks has him on the practice court with young players. Both he and Shammgod Jr. said there are sore muscles after working out their players and they appreciate Advil and an ice bath.

Perhaps someday they will be on the same coaching staff. “This is a wonderful opportunity for me because I’ve never done something of this magnitude with my son,” said Shammgod. “Advil gave us an opportunity to show our connection to the world.”

“This shows young people from where we’re from that… you can leave a legacy,” said Shammgod Jr.

Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez to battle June 10 at MSG

By DERREL JOHNSON

Special to the AmNews

Combat sports return to New York City when Josh Taylor (19–0, 13 KOs) defends his WBO and Ring Magazine titles against former lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez (18–1, 13 KOs) Saturday, June 10 at Madison Square Garden’s Theater.

The Brooklyn native Lopez is 7–1 inside Madison Square Garden, suffering his only defeat to George Kambosos Jr. in November 2021, relinquishing his unified titles. Taylor returns to the ring for the first time since February 2022.

“This is a super fight on both sides of the pond, the junior welterweight king in Josh Taylor stepping up against the young, dynamic Teofimo Lopez,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, the fight’s promoter. “I cannot wait for these two supreme talents to step into the Madison Square Garden ring. It’s going to be a special night.”

Puerto Rican rising star and junior middleweight Xander Zayas (15–0, 10 KOs) will challenge Ronald Cruz (18–2–1, 12 KOs) in the co-main event. Look for domination out of Zayas, one of the brightest stars at Top Rank.

Two weeks later at the Garden, Edgar Berlanga (20–0 16 KOs), formerly of Top Rank and now with Matchroom, will face Irishman Jason Quigley (20–2 14 KOs). Berlanga is 4–0 at the Garden.

“I’m excited to be back in my hometown and to perform at the mecca of boxing once again,” said the Brooklyn native. “I want this night to be historic for my fans and for all the people of Puerto Rico and to witness greatness. I feel like I’m reborn again in the sport, signing with Matchroom and getting back to where it all started with my old coach Marc Farrait. I promise it’ll be something big on June 24.”

Berlanga struggled in his last fight, leading to Top Rank not re-signing him. He hopes to put on a big performance under a new promoter.

In the co-main, Reshat Mati (13–0 7 KOs) will face his toughest opponent to date when he steps in the ring against Adam Kownacki (20–3 15 KOs).

At last, undefeated, unified welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr. and undefeated WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford both posted to social media that they have agreed to a battle on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Unified welterweight champion Errol Spence, pictured left taking on Yordenis Ugas in April of 2022, and WBO welterweight champion Terrance Crawford, have agreed to a highly anticipated fight July 29 in Las Vegas (Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME photo)

God Shammgod in the “NYC Point Gods” documentary (Chad Gittens/SHOWTIME photo)

Sports

Jokic and the Nuggets seek their first NBA title facing the Heat

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

Nikola Jokic was masterful in the Western Conference Finals. The Denver Nuggets center posted averages of 29.9 points, 13.3 rebounds and 10.3 assists in a 4–0 sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers in their best-of-seven series. Now the two-time NBA regular season MVP (2021, 2022) is four wins away from earning his first league championship as well as the first for the franchise.

His quest begins tonight when the Nuggets host the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat in Game 1 of the National Basketball Association Finals. The Heat arrived there by defeating the Boston Celtics 4–3, ending the series with a 103–84 road victory on Sunday night. The Heat took the first three games before the Celtics stormed back to even the series and attempted to become the only team in NBA history to win a best-ofseven series after being down 0–3.

Jokic and the Nuggets were the No. 1 seed in the West entering the playoffs and knocked off the No. 8 seed Minnesota Tim-

berwolves 4–1 in the opening round and dismissed the No. 4 seed Phoenix Suns 4–2 in the conference semifinals before sweeping the Lakers. The Heat, only the second No. 8 seed to make it to the NBA championship, 24 years after the New York Knicks became the first in 1999, are giant killers. They eliminated the No. 1 seed Milwaukee Bucks––who had the league’s best regular season record at 58–24––in five games to start their postseason run. The Heat then sent the No. 5 seed New York Knicks packing 4–2 prior to their compelling series against the No. 2 seed Celtics. But Jokic, nicknamed Joker, and the Nuggets are looking to put an end to the Heat’s unforeseen playoff success.

The team’s share similar traits. Both have superstars in Jokic and the Heat’s stellar small forward Jimmy Butler and complimentary stars. In torching the Lakers, Denver guard Jamal Murray became the first player in NBA history to average at least 30 points per game (he averaged 32.5) on 50 percent shooting from the field, 40 percent on 3–point attempts and 90 percent from the foul line. Murray’s unmatched split was 52.7/40.5/95.

While the Heat’s Bam Adebayo was inconsistent against the Celtics, the 25–year-old forward/center is a two-time AllStar and four-time All-Defensive selection. The Nuggets and Heat have also heavily relied on their role players who have emerged as invaluable this postseason. Denver head coach Mike Malone and Miami’s Eric Spolestra, who currently is arguably the best in his profession and one of the most accomplished NBA head coaches ever, have shaped cohesive, symbiotic rosters.

“If you’re going to win at a high level, you can’t have distractions,” said Malone via the Associated Press ahead of the Finals. “You have to have guys that get along— on the court, off the court—and come together and share in a common goal.”

The prediction here is the Nuggets will achieve their goal with a 4-2 series win.

Two-time NBA regular season MVP

Nikola Jokic will try to lead the Denver Nuggets to the franchise’s first-ever title when they open the Finals at home tonight against the Miami Heat (Bill Moore photo)

Can the Heat end their unlikely run taking down the Nuggets?

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler will have to be exceptional for the Heat to defeat the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals (Bill Moore photo)

By ANTONIO CALDERON JR. Special to the AmNew

After taking a commanding lead against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, on Monday night, the Miami Heat faced being the first NBA team in history to lose a best-of-seven series after leading 3–0. They avoided infamy with a tenacious performance in the elimination game on the road in Boston, defeating the Celtics 104–83 and now are in Denver to open the Finals versus the Western Conference champion Nuggets beginning tonight.

Following a dominant showing in the Western Conference playoffs, including their 4–0 sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers in the conference championships led by series MVP Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets head into the Finals as the favorites.

It is the franchise’s first ever appearance in the Finals.

The Nuggets hold home court advantage over the Heat after ending the regular season 53–39, the best record in the West and the third overall in the league behind the Milwaukee Bucks (58–24) and the Celtics (57–25). Jokic, a two-time league MVP (2021, 2022), who finished second in the voting this season to Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, and Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, have been the best tandem in the game during this postseason. The 7-foot Jokic averaged a dominant triple-double versus the Lakers scoring 29.9 points with 13.3 rebounds and 10.3 assists.

The 6–4 Murray averaged 32.5 points per game against the Lakers and became the first player in NBA history to to average at least 30 points per game on shooting splits of at least 50 percent from the field, 40 percent on 3-point attempts and 90 percent from the foul line. The Heat, which had a regular season record of 44–38, is only the second 8th seed— the New York Knicks in 1999 were the first—to reach the Finals.

They are led by forward Jimmy Butler, a five-time All-NBA selection, and forward/center Bam Adebayo, a two-time NBA All-Star and four-time All-NBA Defensive Team honoree. Miami has also been defined by its group of undrafted role players, notably small forward Caleb Martin, shooting guard/small forward Max Strus and point guard Gabe Vincent. They have been critical to the Heat’s success.

The Nuggets’ have also received strong contributions from players other than Jokic and Murray, including forwards Micheal Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon, and guards Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown. While the Heat will play with the intensity and heart that drove them to the Finals, the pick is the Nuggets in five.