New York Amsterdam News Issue November 30, 2023 by AmsterdamNews

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Vol. 114 No. 48 | November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

SECOND CHANCE FOR SURVIVORS LAWSUITS FLOOD IN AHEAD OF DEADLINE (See story on page 6)

Cop out: City projects NYPD force numbers will fall to under 30,000 by FY2025 (See story on page 3)

NY Congress on temporary ceasefire in Gaza; truce holding (See story on page 4)

(Adobe stock/StephGil illustration)

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INDEX Arts & Entertainment ��Page 17 » Astro ��Page 20 » Jazz ��Page 24 » Theater ��Page 21 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 Community ��Page 9 Religion & Spirituality ��Page 30 Sports �� Page 40 Unions Matter ��Page 10 MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS INFORMATION U.S. Territories & Canada weekly subscriptions: 1 year $49.99 2 Years $79.99 6 months $30.00

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International CLIMATE CHANGE IS ‘THE WOLF IN THE HOUSE’, U.S. WEATHER EXPERT WARNS

street and in speeches by politicians running for office. According to scientists, climate Senegalese women demonstrating change is a phenomenon bringing for climate justice (GIN photo) our planet to a “tipping point,” if it hasn’t already crossed it. “The evidence is clear,” declared the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2006. “Global climate change caused by human activities is occurring now. It’s a growing threat to society.” (GIN)—The phrase “climate This week, the 28th annual Conferchange” has slipped quietly but ence of the Parties (COP) to the U.N. firmly into our popular vernacular. Framework Convention on Climate It pops up around the clock, in the Change (UNFCCC), will take place news, in school and in church, on the in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

News

It’s expected to be the largest climate conference yet since the first was held in 1995. Over 70,000 attendees are expected, including government officials, business and financial leaders, youth advocates, delegations from Indigenous communities, lobbyists, and representatives from fossil fuel companies who comprise a growing presence at the meetings. The conference runs from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12. U.S. Climate Envoy John Kerry and China’s Special Representative on Climate Change Xie Zhenhua, representing the world’s two biggest emitters of greenhouse

gasses, will be attending the talks. The Pope, Bill Gates and Ugandan climate justice activist Vanessa Nakate will also be there. In a recent interview with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (ICUN), Nakate underscored how climate change is not just a concern for the future, but is already causing death and destruction in her home country and in communities across Africa. Last week, scholars from climate and health science, as well as policymakers and humanitarian workers met at the American Geophysical See INTERNATIONAL on page 29

Frantz Fanon: The Wretched of the Earth...remain wretched By JESÚS CHUCHO GARCIA Special to the AmNews Translated by KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff December 6 marks the 62nd anniversary of the death of the Afro Martinican leader, Frantz Fanon. Born July 20, 1925, in Fort-de-France, Martinique, he was a pioneer of decolonization, but unfortunately in the present-day, has had his theoretical approach whitewashed by the white left in Latin America and the Caribbean. They have taken away the profound meaning of this doctor, psychiatrist, and diplomat who fought against the Nazis and later contributed to the liberation of Algeria. In 2018, the National African American Reparations Commis-

sion (NAARC) and Dr. Ron Daniels’ Institute of the Black World 21st Century held a meeting in New Orleans that was designed to address the United Nations’ declared International Decade for People of African Descent and the concept of reparations for African enslavement. There, I met with Dr. Mireille Fanon, Frantz Fanon’s daughter who serves as president of the Paris-based Frantz Fanon Foundation. In our dialogue we looked at the importance of her father’s ideas and the continuation of his agenda as set out in his books “Black Skin, White Masks,” “Toward the African Revolution,” and “The Wretched of the Earth.” We then examined the current problems of neo-slavery, the intensification of racism, and the current state of the world’s anti-imperialist struggles.

Poet and activist Yvette Modestin poses in a photo with Jesús Chucho García and Dr. Mireille Fanon (Jesús Chucho García photo)

In his book “Black Skin, White Masks,” Fanon develops the themes of alienation, endoracism (racism by those who suffer discrimination themselves) among African descendants, and the need to fight against colonial and neocolonial submission. He wrote that, “He who is reluctant to recognize me opposes me.

In a savage struggle I am willing to accept convulsions of death, invincible dissolution, but also the possibility of the impossible.” His message remains effective for Afrodescendants who still show a lack of identity and who allow themselves to be the targets of direct racism, endoracism, See FRANTZ FANON on page 29

Afro Puerto Ricans march for Cecilia Orta By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff A contingent of Afro Puerto Rican anti-racist activists showed up on Sunday, Nov. 19 to condemn what they are calling a discriminatory act by the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (MAPR/Puerto Rico Museum of Art). Activists gathered in front of the MAPR building, located in the San Juan neighborhood of Santurce, to picket the museum following its recent controversial removal of a plaque that had designated one of its’ 24 galleries as the Cecilia Orta Allende Workshop Gallery. In May of 2022, MAPR had paid homage to the artist-activist Cecilia Orta Allende when it mounted

a wooden plaque with her name and likeness on it in one of its firstfloor galleries. The gallery was established in honor of Orta Allende, who was known as the “painter of the people.” During her lifetime, her artwork had been exhibited in galleries throughout Puerto Rico and Mexico. But Orta Allende was most heralded for creating what she called her “Art Gallery on Wheels” which transported her love and teaching of art to communities throughout the island––to places she felt had little access to art. The day MAPR established the Orta Allende gallery had been celebrated with great fanfare: there was a speech given by Marta Cecilia, the

artist’s niece, on behalf of her extended family and a talk from Dr. Aixa Merino, one of many Orta Allende biographers who has written about the importance of her legacy. “The space was a gallery/workshop,” explains the artist/curator Edwin Velázquez Collazo. “There was a workshop inside what they call the Center for Educational Innovation. Next to that center, there was the gallery.” The center would go on to be used for various exhibitions: children’s art shows, works from teachers, and from the island’s department of education were all showcased. It was most recently used by Gadiel Rivera Herrera, the first winner of a Center See CECILIA ORTA on page 29

Cecilia Orta (Casa Silvana photos)

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023 • 3

Cop out: City projects NYPD force numbers will fall to under 30,000 officers by FY2025 By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member Police staffing lows are back from the ’90s like baggy jeans and graphic tees. Earlier this month, city officials projected the NYPD force numbers will decline to below 30,000 by the fiscal year of 2025 due to the planned postponement of the next five incoming classes. That would mark the fewest officers since the mid-1990s. The projection stems from budgets across city agencies announced on November 16, which officials attribute to costs incurred from the city’s migrant situation—the estimated price tag currently stands at $12 billion by the fiscal year of 2025. There were 33,822 NYPD officers at the end of last year, according to the department’s census, of which 5,311 identified as Black. The cuts also coincide with increased rates of retiring veteran cops. Patrick Hendry, president of the Police Benevolent Association (PBA), the union representing most NYPD uniformed officers, warned the cuts would undermine public safety gains made in the past few decades.

Mayor Eric Adams delivers remarks at the New York City Police Department (NYPD) Recruit Graduation Ceremony. Madison Square Garden – Hulu Theater, Monday, October 30, 2023. (Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.)

“This is truly a disaster for every New Yorker who cares about safe streets,” he said in an email statement. “Cops are already stretched to our breaking point, and these cuts will return us to staffing levels we haven’t seen since the crime epidemic of the ’80s and ’90s. We cannot go back there. We need every level of government to work together to find a way to support

police officers and protect New York City’s 30 years of public safety progress.” Brooklyn College professor of sociology and author of “The End of Policing” Alex Vitale has suggested that the city should implement civilian alternatives to some police responses to mental health crises, low-level drug enforcement, and routine traffic safety stops—practices he deems as

“ineffective and potentially harmful.” Vitale also contends that there is no clear connection between the number of police and public safety, pointing to the Bloomberg administration years. In 2000, there were 40,435 sworn NYPD officers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. After Mike Bloomberg became mayor in 2002, the numbers steadily declined. By the time he left office at the end of 2013, the department sat at just 34,584 officers, according to the NYPD. All the while, crime numbers waned as well. “One thing to keep in mind is that part of what turns out to really be of concern to a lot of people is not what we would consider serious crime—it’s actually a low-level disorder or so-called quality of life issues,” said Vitale. “What’s happened is that in the absence of appropriate city-delivered or community-delivered services for highneeds populations, people have defaulted to expecting the police to manage things like homelessness, people having a mental health crisis, people with substance use issues, [and] low-level street disputes. “And so they imagine that if we dial back the availability of police to manage these See NYPD on page 25

New hope for Navy Yard Clubhouse By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff Last week news leaked that the recently shuttered Navy Yard Boys & Girls Club could be getting a new lease on life. The real estate company Alloy Development, which bought the property for $15 million, announced that they have formed a partnership with Madison Square Boys & Girls Club to temporarily restore the site’s after-school services. Alloy has donated $2 million for the temporary resumption of clubhouse after-school services for at least the next two years. After those two years, Alloy has plans to construct a new building, which will have a permanent community recreation facility with a still-to-be-determined site operator. “This is definitely great news: Our community needed it,” David “DJ Disciple” Banks, a local parent, told the Amsterdam News. “I’m excited that now kids have a place that they can go to after school.” The Navy Yard Clubhouse location at 240 Nassau Street in Brooklyn is directly across the street from NYCHA’s Farragut Houses. The clubhouse has for decades provided after-school services for kids in the Downtown Brooklyn, Navy Yard, and DUMBO neighborhoods.

Exterior of Navy Yard Clubhouse building (Photo Credit/ Cushman and Wakefield)

Alloy CEO Jared Della Valle said in a press release that his company was acutely aware of the clubhouses’ community importance and has worked closely with Madison Square Boys & Girls Club to get after-school programming restored by early 2024. Della Valle added, “As we work to get Madison operational, we’re also eager to begin a robust community engagement process so we can sit at the table with our neighbors and learn from them about how this site can best serve seniors, children, and other residents for many years. We are eager to begin this work.” When the clubhouse site was originally sold, fears were that the location would be turned into some luxury building and be closed off

to local residents. The Madison Square Boys & Girls Club Foundation had been forced to sell the Navy Yard Clubhouse because it faced hundreds of child sexual abuse lawsuits filed under the New York State Child Victims Act (CVA) against a former Foundation volunteer; claims were that the volunteer abused children beginning in the year 1948 and continued doing so up until 1984. The Foundation filed for Chapter 11 restructuring in June of 2022 to save itself and said it found it could get the most money to pay the claims against them by selling their Navy Yard Clubhouse. Samantha Johnson, a local Farragut Fort Greene Coalition activist, said she’s mostly pleased to hear that clubhouse services will

be temporarily restored. But she found it a little worrying to see that the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club Foundation is currently being brought back on to manage the site. “We, as a coalition, anticipated that this would be the default—so to speak—to have Madison Boys & Girls Club again. But we also do feel that it is a concern because there were no bids giving other nonprofits the opportunity to run this building. We are a bit taken aback because this project has so much more potential and we feel like this is kind of turning to the default, this is bringing back an organization, back into the space where trust has been lost. We as an organization feel very slighted by that and we want to try to express that we, although we understand this is what the community initially asked for, we’re trying to figure out what are the next steps.” Alloy is urging community members who want to talk about the future of 240 Nassau to get in touch with Elizabeth Graham, the firm’s community liaison at egraham@alloyllc.com.

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Biden’s campaign to focus on protecting Obamacare By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews There appears to be a critical mass developing among Democrats and activists for President Biden’s campaign to put Trump’s opposition to the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare at the center of his re-election strategy. This plan, Biden’s team believes, will not only energize his base but put Trump in the crosshairs of an act that is generally popular among voters, and one that Republicans never gained any traction in trying to repeal. Biden and his team, with a gambit to neutralize Trump’s apparent lead in vari-

ous polls, particularly in key battleground states, are clearly putting the emphasis on a positive issue that Trump has openly defied and, if elected, wants to shut down. In a Truth Social post, the former president said that he is “seriously looking for alternatives” to the act. Meanwhile, Biden lashed back at Trump. “My predecessor’s—once again, God love him—called for cuts that could rip away health insurance for tens of millions of Americans. They just don’t give up. But guess what? We won’t let these things happen,” Biden said. Part of this revised campaign by Biden’s team includes airing TV ads on healthcare

in Nevada, one of the important battleground states that could decide the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. Central to this initiative is to call attention to Biden’s improvements to the act, most significantly, the reduction of prescription drugs for the elderly and increased coverage of pre-existing conditions. The campaign will be bolstered, it was announced, by the presence of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper acting as surrogates in the challenge to Trump’s plans. Biden has been ever mindful of how close Trump came to nullifying Obamacare when he was president. “He was

one vote away from getting it done when he was president—and we should take him at his word that he’ll try to do it again,” said Biden-Harris 2024 spokesperson Ammar Moussa. “Donald Trump’s America is one where millions of people lose their health insurance and seniors and families across the country face exorbitant costs just to stay healthy. Those are the stakes next November.” Keeping his campaign geared up is just one of the troubling factors on Biden’s agenda, to say nothing of the Middle East crisis, charges that the economy is plummeting, and even dealing with the complaints that he is “too old.”

NY Congress on temporary ceasefire in Gaza; truce holding By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member The temporary four-day humanitarian ceasefire between Israeli forces and Hamas is holding as of this Tuesday. There were over 80 men, women, children, and foreign nationals released by Hamas as well as 150 prisoners freed by Israel. Many are hoping to make the truce permanent. Locally and abroad, Palestinian and Jewish groups have called for governments to immediately work towards a permanent ceasefire. “We believe the current pause in the fighting is a positive development in that it has brought about the release of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinians held by Israel,” People’s Organization For Progress (POP) Chairman Lawrence Hamm said in a statement. “However, it is not enough.” Rabbi Abby Stein echoed this sentiment. “Watching Israeli and Palestinian families reunite with their loved ones over the past two days has shown us what every human being deserves as a basic human right. The only way we can get there for everyone is a permanent ceasefire,” Stein said in a statement. Protesters are collectively still opposed to Congress providing billions in aid to the Israeli military earlier this month. U.S. Rep Gregory Meeks, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commended the negotiated agreement and subsequent releases as well as the Qatari and Egyptian governments for their partnership in the negotiations. “It is past due and urgently necessary for Congress to pass a bipartisan emergency supplemental with funding for Israel’s defense, humanitarian relief, Ukraine, and Taiwan,” said Meeks. “Neither Israelis fighting to eliminate Hamas, Gazans running out of critical supplies, or Ukrainians preparing for a hard winter can afford to wait.” U.S. Rep Adriano Espaillat said that he is grateful for Biden’s “steadfast leadership” that led to 50 individuals, including four-year-old Abigail Mor Edan, being released. Through these efforts, this humanitarian pause and

Over 1,500 interfaith protesters shut down the Manhattan Bridge for hours on Sunday, November 26. (Contributed by Ken Schles, Reed Dunlea)

extension has allowed much needed relief and critical aid to innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza and permit ongoing negotiations safely. “As we continue to urge for the safe return of the remaining 200 hostages, including several Americans, we must do all that it takes to ensure their safe return and reunification with their families,” said Espaillat. Meanwhile, there’s been a disturbing rise in harassment, assault, and outright violent incidents of islamophobia and anti-semitism across the country and in the city. “Violence and crimes of hate must never be tolerated, and we have witnessed an unprecedented rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia here in the U.S,” said Espaillat. “I was deeply saddened by the senseless targeted attack of three college students of Palestinian descent that occurred over this past weekend, and others who have been violently targeted.” In New York City, 64-year-old Stuart Seldowitz, who was an advisor to former President Barack Obama, was arrested for aggravated harassment and a hate crime of a 24-year-old Muslim street vendor. Seldowitz repeatedly visited the man multiple times at his cart, hurling racial and anti-Islamic remarks. Councilmember Julie Menin, who represents the district where the incident took place, said that there is no place for hate in the community. Her focus has been on educating the district about the steps to reporting a hate crime and collaborating with police. “This is something that we really need to be vigilant about. It’s happening more and more, both islamophobic and antisemitic incidents around the city,” said Menin. “We’ve been obviously in touch with the 19th Precinct when we see these incidents. Report them immediately and make sure that they are being addressed.” 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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November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023 • 5

National Paralegal Center founder Kevin Campfield wants to democratize legal defense By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member Pleasantville wasn’t always pleasant for Kevin Campfield. So he balanced two worlds in his New Jersey hometown growing up: one as a blossoming Catholic school football player and another back in his neighborhood. “It made me insecure returning home that people I grew up with were seeing me in a better position,” said Campfield. “They would say I was better than them. So that conflicted me and that type of dichotomy was what made me gravitate towards the streets, getting involved with different stuff that leads people to become incarcerated.” He ultimately spent 13 years in prison. While incarcerated, Campfield was unsatisfied with his lawyer and began learning the law to better advocate for himself. Those studies laid the groundwork for establishing the National Paralegal Center. When Campfield returned home, he struggled to find employment like many other justice-impacted individuals. His job stocking

CMY

shelves was nothing to live by. And Campfield felt like he could offer more to the world. “I already knew I was going to start a business because I knew being formerly incarcerated was going to have to conflict with me being able to find a job that paid fair wages,” he said. Campfield spent the next three months stocking shelves overnight before he saved up enough for an office space rental and quit. Through the newly established National Paralegal Center, he provides cost-effective legal services for people usually priced out by lawyer fees. “We help people get out of prison, [provide] post-conviction relief, consideration motions…you name it, that’s what we specialize in… advocating for the freedom of people that’s incarcerated at a legal capacity,” said Campfield. He soon caught the eye of Columbia Law School, and ended up certified through their Paralegal Pathways Initiative, which he spoke to the Amsterdam News about earlier this fall. He’s since remained at Columbia University as a student, enrolled in the

Kevin Campfield (Jeremy Lee/Courtesy of Kevin Campfield photo)

Black New Yorker

Justice-in-Education Scholars Program majoring in general studies. Campfield is currently eyeing law school after graduation. For now, he’s got his hands full helping folks around New York and New Jersey, as well as Pennsylvania and Connecticut, through the National Paralegal Center. Now in his fifth year, Campfield says his services contributed to six exonerations. “My goal is to ultimately bring free legal resources to people incarcerated,” he said. “That’s the ultimate goal. I just want to help people incarcerated, I want to help people in the streets gain knowledge and awareness of law and have resources that can be there to help them immediately. “I want to make law accessible to everybody that needs it.” Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member who writes about public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a taxdeductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/ amnews1.

6 • November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023

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Second chance for #MeToo in New York By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member Additional reporting by TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

The Adult Survivors Act (ASA) expired to a crescendo of sexual abuse lawsuits naming prominent officials, public figures, and city agencies in filings at midnight last Friday, Nov. 24. The Thanksgiving Day reckoning served as a last call for survivors of sexual abuse otherwise barred by time limits to come forward and seek civil court recourse. The act was signed by Governor Kathy Hochul and went into effect in May of last year. It created a one-year window for survivors statewide to file claims against their alleged sexual abusers, regardless of statute of limitations, if they were age 18 or older when the incident occurred. It went into effect in November 2022 and, before the deadline, notably led to a judge finding ex-President Donald Trump liable for sexual abuse and awarding the plaintiff, author E. Jean Carroll, $5 million. The ASA law is modeled on the Child Victims Act of 2019 and there have been more than 2,500 filings so far. As the window to file officially closed, more recent filings were made against public figures such as former Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Eric Adams, actor Jamie Foxx, singer Axl Rose, hip hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, and State Senator Kevin Parker. Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, who sponsored the ASA, said in her work with advocates and sexual assault survivors while crafting the legislation, she learned that there are myriad reasons why a victim might wait years to file a report against someone. Some people need legal assistance to gather evidence, some don’t want to relive the experience, and others vacillate over deciding what to do until the last minute, she said. “Trauma takes time,” said Rosenthal. She added that the culture is evolving away from “sweeping things under the rug” and creating more opportunity for survivors to speak out in general against any kind of offender, regardless of social status. The responses to the lawsuit filings have varied greatly. Singer Cassie, full name Casandra Ventura, filed against Combs on November 16, alleging years of beatings and sexual abuse in their previous personal and professional relationship going back to 2007. He settled the suit a day later, reported the Associated Press (AP). An unnamed plaintiff alleged Foxx touched her forcibly and inappropriately in August 2015 at a Manhattan establishment, per the complaint. The filing accuses the actor of leveraging his “position

May 24, 2022 - Albany, NY - Governor Kathy Hochul signs the Adult Survivors Act in the Red Room at the State Capitol. (Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul photo)

as a well-known celebrity [to commit] the heinous acts” of sexual assault and battery. Foxx’s spokesperson denied the allegation to the AP. Last week, a woman accused Parker of assaulting her in her home in 2004 while they were coordinating donations to Haiti during his first term as senator. Parker co-sponsored the Child Victims law and voted to pass the ASA in the Senate in 2021. He told the Amsterdam News that he still believes in the benefits of the ASA for victims of sexual assault, even if this filing has affected him directly, which he never thought would happen. He continues to deny the allegation made against him and said that he plans to “clear his name.” In a three-page filing with the state Supreme Court in Manhattan over Thanksgiving weekend, Adams was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 1993. She is seeking a trial and $5 million in relief. Adams, who is currently at the center of a FBI investigation into his 2021 mayoral campaign funds, categorically denied the allegations or knowing the accuser. He said he still supports the ASA law as well. “I believe in the law. I think it should be used and not abused, and when you look at this specific business against me, I’ll say it over and over again: It’s not who I am,” said Adams at a presser on Tues-

day. “Those of you who have covered me, those of you who know me—I’m a protector. I would not harm someone. I would not do something that is being alleged. That is not who I am.” Lisa Zornberg, the mayor’s chief counsel, added that Adams has not been served with a summons and the city’s law department is at the ready to defend the mayor if or when that happens. The bulk of the lawsuits were made against the city and its agencies, including by detainees alleging sexual abuse by corrections officers, with some cases dating back decades ago. One case filed last week alleged a female detainee was raped and assaulted in her Rikers Island cell by a male corrections officer in 1988. Another lawsuit alleged a male detainee was raped and sexually assaulted by three female corrections officers. “NYC DOC has a zero-tolerance policy toward all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment against any person who works, visits, or is in custody in any of its facilities,” said a Department of Corrections (DOC) spokesperson by email. “The Department responds to, investigates, and supports the prosecution of all sexual misconduct within all facilities operated by the agency and its contractors.” According to a Board of Corrections

report, people in custody filed 25 allegations of sexual misconduct against DOC staff between January and June of this year, a roughly 50% reduction from the previous period. “Under the law, sexual predators who were once shielded from the consequences of their deplorable crimes were finally exposed by the very people they had once preyed upon,” said Rosenthal. “The power of the ASA is that it spared absolutely no one: Whether it was the former President of the United States, a prominent gynecologist, a famous musician, New York State prison guards, one’s relative or soccer coach, people from all walks of life who believed they were above the law were held accountable after years of dodging the halls of justice.” Rosenthal said that she and Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal are discussing ways to extend the ASA lookback period for another year for those who still need time to come forward and file a suit. Ariama C. Long and Tandy Lau are Report for America corps members who write about politics and public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep them 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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November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023 • 7

We hear you. And we’re here to help. All through 2023, we listened — to our clients, teammates and the many communities we serve. And truly hearing what they would like the power to do helped us strengthen our partnerships — and welcome new ones along the way. From couples just starting out to entrepreneurs looking to launch a business, together we accomplished a lot. We can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store. José Tavarez President, Bank of America New York City

Learn more at bankofamerica.com/metroNYC

What would you like the power to do?®

8 • November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023

Go With The Flo FLO

ANTHONY In the wake of three lawsuits alleging sexual assault, Sean “Diddy” Combs has temporarily stepped down as the chairman of Revolt, the cable network he co-founded in 2013. Variety confirmed the decision with Puffy’s representatives. “Sean Combs has stepped down from his position as chairman of Revolt. While Mr. Combs has previously had no operational or day-to-day role in the business, this decision helps to ensure that Revolt remains steadfastly focused on our mission to create meaningful content for the culture and amplify the voices of all Black people throughout this country and the African diaspora,” said a statement posted on Revolt’s Instagram page....... Singer and actress Ellia English’s recurring role as Auntie Rae on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” is back for Season 12, premiering in February 2024 on Home Box Office (HBO). Starring Larry David as an over-the-top version of himself, the iconic Emmy and Golden Globe-winning comedy series “Curb Your Enthusiasm” offers a tongue-in-cheek depiction of the writer/producer/comedian’s fictionalized life. English’s role as Auntie Rae started in 2007 as a member of the “Black” family, a family of hurricane evacuees who take refuge in Larry’s house upon his wife Cheryl’s invitation to adopt a family. Other members of the Black family are Leon (J.B. Smoove), Loretta (Vivica A. Fox), and her children Daryl (Nick Nervies) and Keysha (Carla Jeffery). Curb is unscripted, with the actors given just outlines for the plots and improvising the dialogue. English can also be seen as Aunt Helen on reruns of “The Jamie Foxx Show”...... “Black Woman Magic,” the latest single from southern soul icon Bigg Robb’s newest album “Vintage” is a love letter to Black women for their strength, beauty, resilience, and nurturing. While social media debates about whether The Cheesecake Factory is the right place for a date, Bigg Robb’s single talks about relationships where Black men and women mutually care for and support each other. Says Bigg Robb, “Our Black women have consistently endured and ensured that her man, children, and extended family feel loved and appreciated. I wrote “Black Woman Magic” and directed its video to celebrate the Black love that exists between Black men and women in our culture in hopes that our mothers, sisters, and daughters feel more appreciated! It’s not about where he takes you and how much he spends on a date, but how we care and look out for and treat each other.” “Loki” and “Creed:3” star Jonathan Majors went on trial November 29 in New York City on charges he harassed and assaulted his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari, reported ABC7. The actor is facing misdemeanor charges of assault and harassment and could spend up to a year in jail if convicted. The Marvel star has denied the assault and says Jabbari was the aggressor during their altercation in the back of a taxi this past March over a text message he reportedly received from another woman. Majors is currently dating actress Meagan Good......

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS W I T H T H E F L O

Rev. Al Sharpton, Singer Al B. Sure! demand organ transplant equity for Black and brown communities By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member Changes to Medicare coverage this year have led to sizable cutbacks for transplant patients, especially in impacted Black and brown communities. Rev. Al Sharpton, founder of National Action Network (NAN), and singer Al B. Sure! are building a coalition to oppose the cuts. According to the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), there are over 100,000 people on the national transplant waiting list. The organ shortage disproportionately affects Black and Latino Americans. Though shared ethnicity isn’t a requirement for an organ match, said the HRSA, a “more diverse donor registry gives ethnic minorities on the transplant waiting list a better chance to find a good donor match.” For the last six years, blood tests that detected organ rejection were covered under Medicare and preferable to a surgical biopsy because they are noninvasive, can be done from home, and are less time-consuming. This March, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced they’d cut back on coverage of the tests, even though the policy states that tests can be routinely performed. Now Sure! and Sharpton have established the Health Equity in Transplantation Coalition (HETC). Together they want to reverse the Medicare restrictions placed on patient blood tests that detect early signs of organ rejection. “Black, Hispanic, Latino and underserved communities were given a lifeline with these non-invasive tests,” said Sharpton in a statement. “That was taken away in March 2023, when a private company decided Medicare would no longer cover this life-saving measure for transplant recipients, who overwhelmingly come from these communities. It’s time we reverse this decision and allow transplant recipients to have access to more and better tools— not less.” Sure! has become a major healthcare advocate since his recovery from a lifesaving liver transplant procedure last year. After two months in a coma, Sure! explained in an emotional open letter that his medical emergency had “been a complete life-changing experience.” “All mind-boggling at the least. It just doesn’t jell,” he wrote. “I am now the proud owner of a chevron-shaped scar where the doctor entered my chest and abdominal cavity to repair my broken

Albert Joseph Brown III, professionally known as Al B. Sure! (Photo contributed)

parts. That’s the best description I can give without going into the unsavory, morbid-sounding details. [From] being heavily sedated, asleep, and in a coma during a portion of my hospitalization, to learning that the amazing medical staff were fully prepared to send me to hospice due to the severity of my condition was unbelievable. Doctors said it just didn’t look as if I’d make it through with everything going on simultaneously. My brother DJ Eddie F, my primary physician Dr. K, Civil Rights icon Rev. Al Sharpton, and Rachel Noerdlinger were firm advocates.” He had multiple surgeries to repair a hematoma/hernia and dealt with an organ transplant, fungal pneumonia, sepsis, infected lymph nodes, a tracheostomy, placed on a ventilator for 38 days, and had over 50 blood transfusions. He said he came out of the experience with an unwavering faith in God. He wants to use his “new lease on life” to be an ambassador for the transplant community and continue fighting for equity. “These blood tests are especially important to transplant patients in the Black, Hispanic, Latino, and underserved transplant communities,” said Sure! in a statement. “It makes no

sense to take away Medicare coverage for these underserved transplant recipients who can take these blood tests at home. Rather than tying Medicare to an invasive biopsy that might require expensive travel, time off work for their patient and caregiver, and surgery in a hospital.” Other transplant patients and medical organizations, like the American Society for Transplant Surgeons, the American Society of Transplantation, the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, the American Association of Kidney Patients, and the 13-member organizations of the Honor the Gift coalition agree that the blood tests should be covered. From December 4-6, hundreds of transplant recipients will convene in Washington, D.C. to put more pressure on congressional leaders to reverse the Medicare cutbacks. 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.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS O U T & A B O U T

November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023 • 9

Black entrepreneurs get help from Harlem Business Alliance By SHERICA DALEY Special to the AmNews “The most important thing about business is promotion,” said Valerie Samuel, business specialist and loan officer for the Harlem Business Alliance (HBA), just one of the major points she made at a recent monthly “Guide to Business Hustling Workshop” the HBA holds at its Small Business Support Center (Malcolm X Boulevard and West 125th Street). The free workshops, held twice a month, assist Black businesses in the community and promote entrepreneurship. The workshops help the HBA reach a broad range of audiences and better serve the community. The HBA, a nonprofit organization established in 1980, offers other events focusing on topics such as financial literacy, general legal advice, business development, and marketing on social media. The HBA is not just a place of business support, but a place for creative services for beginning business owners to build their pre-ventures. Services include a content studio for podcasts and photo shoots; private conference rooms; and basic copy, fax, and scan services. A recent creative workshop was filled with female business owners in Harlem aiming to gain insights and 1:1 support for building their business ventures. The workshop detailed digital marketing and promotional strategies. “I want to learn how to build my business on my social media,” said Natasha Burrell of Hula Hoop Fit 366. Her business

is centered on transforming the classic hula hoop into a fun fitness program that can be done at home. “I incorporate fitness videos on my Instagram, but I want to get more professional in promoting my product.” This is when Samuel brought on the lean business model canvas, a start-up plan that can help businesses like Hula Hoop Fit 366 create a professional business plan to grow their companies and gain investors. During the workshop, Samuel also mentioned the business planning app Centro, which takes a fun, creative approach to writing a business plan. “This app is a useful tool in writing a business in today’s digital market,” said Samuel. “This [workshop] is something that can help with growing my business,” Yvonne Jewnell of Harlem Fashion Week told the AmNews. Jewnell came to the workshop to learn about the services of the HBA and how to use the creative workspace as she prepared for Harlem Fashion Week. Besides social media marketing, the workshop also covered the financial services the organization can provide. “That’s something I like to learn,” said Lashon Ruth Kempson of Harlem Quality Tees, an independent Tshirt printing company in Harlem. “Supplies for a business are expensive, down to the cost of T-shirts,” said Kempson. Samuel introduced the service of CDFI microloans, community-based loans with the mission of promoting economic development in urban areas. “We hope to have applications for our microloan fund open back up in late 2024,” said Abby Clarence, the HBA’s direc-

Guide to Business Hustling Workshop at Harlem Business Alliance Support Center, November 9, 2023

Lashon Ruth Kempson, of Harlem Quality Tees, in creative space podcast available to rent from Harlem Business Alliance (Sherica Daley photos)

tor of operations. “We often partner with organizations in Harlem and throughout NYC to ensure participants get classes from experts in their fields.” The HBA has a partnership with Verizon for its Small Business Digital Ready Grant that has opened a new round of grant funding of $10,000 to give small businesses the tools to thrive in today’s digital economy. The grant application includes completion of the two of 40 available online courses. The deadline for the grant is December 20, 2023. More details can be found at the Verizon Grant Information Page. “I want to use these resources to build my blog,” said Duicemaria Caedazo, a blogger and freelance journalist who was looking for ways to fund her business idea. “I came

in today just to find a way to get started.” The workshop ended with a tour of the bright-colored creative space that showcases merchandise for Black-owned businesses in Harlem. According to Ayesha Delk, program assistant with HBA, “The main goal [is that] the workshop participants should leave with actionable takeaways, new connections, and invaluable information that help them start, scale, and sustain their businesses.” The HBA will continue holding these workshops until the end of the year, on November 30, December 14, and December 28. A, all from 10 a.m.–12 noon. To register for these workshops, go to Eventbrite or call the Harlem Business Alliance at 212-665-7010.

Natasha Burrell of Hula Hoop Fit 366 demonstrating her water-weight hula hoop during workshop

10 • November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Unions Matter Biden’s plan would raise salaries for Head Start teachers but could leave fewer spots for kids

Toddler teacher Janice Bradley blows bubbles with toddler group at Life Learning Center–Head Start in Cincinnati, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 (AP Photos/Carolyn Kaster photos)

By AMANDA SEITZ Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — A new plan from the Biden administration could significantly increase salaries for thousands of low-paid early childhood teachers caring for the country’s poorest children, but might force some centers to reduce their enrollment. The Health and Human Services (HHS) agency’s proposed federal rule would require Head Start programs, which are struggling

with staffing shortages nationwide, to raise teachers’ salaries to put them on par with local public school teachers and beef up benefits. The requirement could raise wages by as much as $10,000 for Head Start teachers over the next seven years, the agency estimates. “Early educators make poverty wages in many places,” said Anna Markowitz, a University of California Los Angeles professor who has studied Head Start turnover and wages. “There are real consequences to these low wages…it’s

unfortunate we had to wait for the turnover to become a major crisis.” Head Start teachers, many of whom are required to have a bachelor’s degree, make about $39,000 a year on average—far less than educators with similar credentials. Head Start teacher turnover has doubled over the last decade, with the federal government estimating that one out of every five Head Start teachers left their classroom last year. That’s created problems for the country’s youngest learners: Wait-

lists are ballooning and classrooms are closing. As many as 275,000 infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are on waitlists nationwide, according to the National Head Start Association. The federally funded program is designed to give free education and care to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in locally run classrooms in public schools, community centers, and private daycares or preschools. Taxpayers spend about $12 billion for Head Start to serve roughly 1 million children.

The number of kids in classrooms could shrink, though, if teacher salaries are raised and Congress doesn’t grant more money for the program. Biden asked Congress for an additional $1 billion for Head Start this year. “As a result of these necessary reforms, one potential impact could be a reduction in Head Start slots in some programs in order to ensure the quality of services delivered,” the rule says. See HEAD START on page 31

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023 • 11

Harlem Hospital succeeds in Job Fair 2023: Healthcare edition By: SHERICA DALEY Special to the AmNews Entering Harlem Hospital Center Mural Pavilion, ambitious job seekers were warmly welcomed to a Harlem Hospital and Discover Diversity Project Job Fair. This was not your traditional recruiting event that only offered resume drop-offs with recruiters, but meet-and-greet panel discussions with healthcare professionals, resume and career workshop information, and continuing education opportunities, plus fun giveaways. “This is the first of its kind,” explained Darryl Roberts, principal of the Discover Diversity Project. “This job fair creates a pipeline for talent in the Harlem community to not only Harlem Hospital, but other public and private hospitals.” The job fair welcomes in-person one-on-one access with various recruiters with the city’s major hospitals. Torrence Traynham, co-principal of Discover Diversity, opened the panel discussions by pointing out, “This is the first job fair to have three panel discussions, 10 employers, and 200 candidates and 300 job opportunities all in one place.” “We’re hiring for everything,” said Jennifer Michel, director of recruitment and employment at Harlem Hospital. “We’re looking for all positions, clinical and administrative. We’re looking for not only nursing, but positions in pharmacy, social work, and clerical. I am reviewing resumes and looking at experience, education, and credentials and fitting them in the right opportunities." Besides meeting recruiters, there were three informative sessions, and panel discussions with healthcare professionals offering Q&A on job advice and what is next for healthcare post-COVID-19. The panel discussions were moderated by Shana Harmongoff, Harlem-born New York State District 30 official. The panel discussions connected job seekers to many healthcare professionals on what advice they can provide on successfully landing a job, and what obstacles they overcome to get to where they are today. “Don’t be afraid of failure,” said Terrell Holloway, MD, psychiatry resident physician at Yale New Haven and Mount Sinai Hospital School of Medicine, “Some advice I would give to job seekers: it starts with the basics. If it is your resume, work on that. If it is your attire, work on that. If it is your LinkedIn, work on that. You have to work on you.” Improving yourself to becoming a stronger job candidate in a job search was an important goal, and the job fair offered access to many career and resume services. Recruiters were providing feedback to job seekers, who needed improvement on their resumes before being submitted for job vacancies. “We’re not only recruiting for jobs,

but assisting in resume and career services to help job seekers,” explained Donna Culhane, talent acquisition director at Northwell Health. “Northwell is New York State’s largest private healthcare provider. Besides hiring for all our locations, we offer job seekers many ways to improve themselves,” Culhane said. “Make sure to keep the resume tight!” declared Joan Culpepper-Morgan, MD, chief of gastroenterology at Harlem Hospital. She discussed this during the panels in her advice for job seekers that “Resumes should be on point––especially with spell check.” The Northwell Harlem @ Work Resume Writing and Career Coaching Workshops, available in English and Spanish, are free workshops that assist in improving chances of success with job opportunities with Northwell Health from food services to nursing. The workshops will be held at the Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church at 140-6 West 137th Street on December 2, 5th and 7th, 2023. Registration can be done in advance at 212-234-5700. “Gaining credentials and training are beneficial, especially [when we] hire for nurses,” explained Mercedes Bass, associate director of nursing at Harlem Hospital. “Harlem Hospital offers the best training in nursing, especially for new graduates looking to gain experience,” she said. “There is job training in many areas: psychiatry, outpatient, and surgical. Surgery requires two years of experience, which can be gained here in the hospital.” Some job seekers were looking for reinvention and new direction in their careers. This was illustrated by Shantay Carter, a registered nurse with Summit Health, during one of the discussion panels. “After 21 years of nursing, COVID-19 made me open my eyes to make myself more marketable,” explains Carter. Being more marketable can help job seekers be hired on-the-spot, especially with Queens Hospital in Jamaica, Queens. This was another city hospital looking for top talent for nursing supervisory positions in maternity, and pre-op departments. “We wanted to reach out to the other communities,” explained Prachi Parmar, senior acquisition specialist [non-clinical] in the Human Resources Department at Queens Hospital. “We want to reach out to different people about the openings with Queens, and other future events for the rest of the year. We also want to explain the benefits like loan forgiveness, college tuition, and professional development opportunities, on-site stimulation training, and fellowship training programs. For further information on job opportunities, benefits, and future hiring events with Queens, email Human Resources at QHCEmployment@nychhc.org with the sub-

Session C panel participants (from left to right) Elombe Brathwaite, Dr. Joan CulpepperMorgan, MD, chief of gastroenterology Harlem Hospital, Brenia De La Cruz, former chair with NYC Health and Hospital, and moderator NYS Government Official Shana Harmongoff. (Sherica Daley photos)

Free Giveaways were gifted to job seekers as they navigated through the job fair November 21, 2023

ject line: Queens Event 2023. Besides clinical positions, there is a need for liaison support in emergency rooms to provide community-based services for food insecurity, housing issues, legal needs, or transportation. “We are in great need in the emergency and psychiatric emergency department with our ACT (Assertive Community Team) Team,” said Jason Yarbrough, director of recruitment of Metropolitan Human Resources Administration. “I came to the job fair today and saw some strong candidates and will be reaching out.” stated Yarbrough. The hiring event was successful in building a bridge for job seekers, recruiters, and healthcare professionals. Harlem native Brenia De La Cruz, former chair of

the Employee Engagement Committee at Community Care with NYC Health and Hospital, discussed her unique journey in the healthcare field. “I originally started at Lehman College intending to be a nurse, but after going through the sciences, I decided to look into Health Services Administration,” said De La Cruz who graduated from Lehman with her BS in Health Care Administration in 2012, then her MS in 2020, during the COVID19 pandemic. She explained her unique career path in a pandemic, “There is opportunity in chaos,” De La Cruz said. She closed the last panel discussion with insightful advice for job seekers in their search of the next major job opportunity: “careers are not a straight line.”

12 • November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Opinion Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative

How to be a smart Black consumer during the holidays By CHRIS LEE

EDITORIAL

It is certainly good news that the Biden re-election campaign will begin challenging Trump by focusing on his foibles, especially when it comes to healthcare. The plan is to use Trump’s promise to repeal Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as a way to shore up Biden’s campaign and to accentuate a positive that will detract from all the negative polls showing the president is trailing Trump in key battleground states. This strategy, Biden’s campaign team said, will be bolstered by such surrogates as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina, and we commend these additions. But we need to see more surrogates on the team, most importantly governors and elected officials from those key states that could decide the outcome of the presidential election in 2024. And the union movement, which has shown some vital improvements of late, can put its shoulder to the wheel of this new impetus, to say nothing of the DNC, which, for the most part, has been missing in action. Yes, recent polls have not been favorable for Biden and there are growing concerns about the state of the economy, so the strategy now by his campaign to put the emphasis on several of Biden’s positive accomplishments is certainly something we wholeheartedly applaud. Now let’s hope this plan gains traction among more Democrats and a few independents, as well as those still undecided about Trump and his madcap plans.

Member

Alliance for Audited Media

The holiday season is here. It’s time for gifts, holiday meals and celebrations, parties, and community. The holidays are a great time to celebrate and give thanks for all we have. In this fun and joyous time of the year we want to look at a part of the economy that affects us all: Black consumer spending during the holidays. Black people in the U.S. are richer and have more spending power than ever before. With this spending comes power––real economic power. We have a responsibility to use it wisely. Blacks have enormous spending power. In 2019, the University of Georgia’s Selig Center for Economic Growth estimated total Black buying power in 2024 at $1.8 trillion or about 9% of all buying power in the United States ($20 trillion). Recent surveys, such as the Survey of Consumer Finances, found that African American wealth has jumped 60% to $45,000 in 2022, thanks to real estate ownership and business ownership. Black businesses are growing in every sector. If you cannot find a Black business that sells what you want, you are not looking hard enough. In 2021, there were 161,000 Black businesses with sales revenue of $183 billion. Black businesses employed 161,000 people and paid $53 billion in payroll wages.

Where do Black people spend their money? Blacks spend less than whites, overall, because Black income and wealth are lower. But there are other factors as well. Blacks have less access to credit. A second problem is desertification or lack of retail shopping opportunities. Finally, consumer discrimination is still real. About 80% of Black spending is survival (economists call it “non-discretionary”) spending, including rent, food, transportation to and from work, and healthcare expenses. If you don’t pay these bills, something bad is going to happen. The other 20% is discretionary. And the competition for that last 20% is Elinor R. Tatum: Publisher fierce. Apple spends and Editor in Chief an estimated $3 bilKristin Fayne-Mulroy: Managing Editor lion on marketing and Cyril Josh Barker: Digital Editor advertising. Damaso Reyes: Investigative Editor The top Black Siobhan "Sam" Bennett: spending categories Chief Revenue Officer and Head of Advertising are electronics, hairWilbert A. Tatum (1984-2009): care, skincare, clothChairman of the Board, CEO and Publisher Emeritus ing and apparel, beauty and makeup,

and fragrance and candles. If you are thinking of buying a gift in one of these categories, then consider a Black business. There is relentless advertising for Black consumer dollars. Note No. 1: The focus on Black consumption of luxury goods is racist jealousy. People have no idea how hard someone worked or what they went through to buy that pocketbook. Black people buy far less luxury goods than whites, so the real message is “you don’t deserve it.” Note No. 2: We don’t feel powerful. There has been a huge discussion for many years among veterans of the Civil Rights Movement and Black politicians about Black spending power. Why doesn’t all this money translate into economic and political power? Why hasn’t Black wealth and income translated into more stability, better living conditions, and greater happiness for Black Americans? It’s true that buying stuff can bring status, and it can also make you feel good. Thanks to endorphins in the human brain, if someone says, “I love your bag, where did you get it?” you are on cloud nine for days. The bad news is that the status effects of purchases last only three to six months. And it wears off. Your friends get used to the bag, jersey, or the new car. The status “feeling” is addictive. You want that feeling again, so you run to the store. Humans are both cooperative and competitive, but companies advertise to our competitive, selfish nature because it generates higher profits. Holiday spending is big. Nearly 30% of all spending occurs during the holiday period. Some 130 million people were expected to shop on Black Friday. 80% of consumers will spend the same amount of money or more this season. The National Retail Federation (NRF) estimates total holiday spending at $960 billion, up 3% from last year. NRF also estimates consumers will spend about $875 on core holiday items. The international accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) estimates consumers will spend an average of $1,530 over the holidays including about $786 for gifts, $510 for travel, and $234 for entertainment. According to PwC, female shoppers are more price-conscious than male consumers. After price, they prioritize free returns, convenience, and speed. Forbes reports the top spending categories are food and festive meals (51%), gifts (47%), alcohol and beverages (41%), travel (29%), and Entertainment (17%). 85% of Americans buy gifts for their friends and families. Gift cards are the most popular present to receive. 65% of Americans shop online for holiday purchases. Online shopping increased about

8% this year. 20% of consumers are expected to use “Buy-Now Pay-Later” services to pay for holiday spending. Commonsense Rules for Black Holiday Spending Rule No. 1: Plan ahead, budget ahead. Use cash or a debit card rather than a credit card. Avoid gift cards with fees. Spending less money on gifts does not make them less meaningful. Take advantage of computer-assisted shopping technology. Search for a product before buying. Compare prices and features side by side, ask AI for gift recommendations Rule No. 2: Try Black businesses first. We are asking everyone to spend $25 this holiday season with a Black business. Use an online Black business directory. The amount you spend is not as important as the actual process of finding a Black business and a Black retail product. Consider Black business gift certificates. Rule No. 3: Don’t shop where you can’t work. Avoid businesses that do not employ Black people like retail establishments, convenience stores, restaurants and franchises. If no one Black works there then you probably should not be shopping there. And don’t fall for condescending and demeaning sales tactics like,” If you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it.” Answer: “Look <insert put down here>, I work hard for my money, but clearly you don’t.” Rule No. 4: Order online. You know someone Black is working in the warehouse and delivering the product. Make use of free returns. Most of us like the in-person shopping experience: the crowds, the “buzz,” and the surprise of finding something new. But that does not mean, you actually have to buy it in the store. Rule No. 5: Avoid anti-Black businesses. Chick-fil-A has few Black managers and even fewer Black franchise owners. Tesla has multiple discrimination and anti-labor lawsuits. Many tech companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft have few Black employees (less than 3%) in jobs that are outside of retail. Wells Fargo “steered” qualified Black applicants to sub-prime mortgages. The list of consumer discrimination is long. Meanwhile, some brands like Proctor and Gamble are known for diverse workforces. So are UPS and the postal service. Rule No. 6: Consider experiences rather than things. Concerts, events, dinners, boat cruises, hikes, ice skating, quilting, music lessons, sports, dance lessons, and hobby kits are all great gifts. Many community colleges and vocational schools offer classes in carpentry, electrical wiring, and home repair. See BLACK CONSUMER on page 29

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS O P I N I O N

The moral compass of leadership: a call for unity and healing

November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023 • 13

End-of-year giving

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

House Speaker Mike Johnson is a man of unwavering faith, who unapologetically stands as a testament to the values on which our nation was founded. In a time when political division seems to be at its peak, it is essential to recognize the role that morality and faith play in shaping the United States. As we move further away from our moral roots, we risk becoming more divided and weakened as a nation. It is worth remembering that our founding fathers, such as George Washington, and even military leaders like General George S. Patton, turned to prayer and moral guidance when faced with monumental decisions. The Constitutional Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia is a poignant example of the significance of faith and morality in our nation’s history. Delegates from different states with varying interests gathered to draft the United States Constitution. At the beginning of their deliberations, they knelt and prayed together. This act of seeking divine guidance before shaping the legislative foundation of our nation is a testament to the moral underpinning of our government. Washington, often hailed as the father of our nation, was a devout Christian who frequently sought God’s blessings and understanding before battles. In moments of quiet reflection, he would dismount from his horse and pray, understanding the gravity of the decisions he was about to make. His faith was a driving force behind his leadership, and it provided him with the strength and conviction necessary to lead a budding nation through the tumultuous times of the American Revolution.

Another prominent figure in American history, Patton, also recognized the power of faith in leadership. He openly prayed for divine guidance and favorable weather during the Battle of the Bulge, one of the most pivotal battles of World War II. The following morning, miraculously, the sun emerged, and the American forces overcame their adversaries. Patton’s faith, like Washington’s, was not a mere formality but a source of strength and determination in the face of great challenges. The lessons drawn from these historical accounts are clear: Faith and moral grounding can have a profound impact on the direction of a nation. If our current Congress members were to embrace these values, they could contribute significantly to the healing and unity of our nation. However, it is essential to recognize that faith should not be exclusive to any particular religion, because our nation celebrates religious diversity and freedom. What is crucial is that our leaders find a moral compass that guides them toward decisions that promote the greater good of the American people. The political climate in our nation has become increasingly polarized, with partisan divisions often taking precedence over constructive dialogue and compromise. It is as though the spirit of unity that the Founding Fathers embodied at the Constitutional Convention has been lost. The consequences of this division are severe, and they extend far beyond domestic issues. In a world that is growing more interconnected by the day, America’s standing on the global stage is at risk. If our congressional members would begin to listen to one another, prioritizing

compromise and cooperation over rigid partisanship, our nation could indeed begin to heal. The American people deserve leaders who will rise above their differences and work together for the greater good. It is only through such collective effort that we can address the numerous challenges we face, from healthcare and education to the economy and national security. If, on the contrary, our political leaders continue down the path of polarization and gridlock, we face a bleak future. The world is changing rapidly, and America cannot afford to remain stagnant. Other nations are actively vying for positions of leadership and influence, and they are not constrained by the same divisions that paralyze our political system. The repercussions of this inaction could be dire. Take the devaluation of the U.S. dollar, which is a genuine concern. The dollar’s strength is not only a reflection of our economic stability but also of our political and moral strength as a nation. When our leaders are divided and unable to find common ground, it sends a signal to the world that our nation is faltering. This can lead to a loss of faith in our currency, which can cause economic instability. In this age of globalization and interconnected economies, the value of the U.S. dollar has a significant impact on our nation’s prosperity. If our political leaders do not heed the call for unity and healing, it is entirely possible that our currency will continue to lose value, and our economic stability will be further jeopardized. The United States has always been a beacon of hope and freedom, a nation that stands as a symbol of democracy and unity. It is crucial that we do not lose sight of the values that have made our country great. The moral compass that guided our

founders, as well as leaders like Washington and Patton, should serve as a reminder of the importance of faith and morality in leadership. In conclusion, House Speaker Mike Johnson’s unapologetic commitment to his faith is a powerful reminder of the values that underpin our nation. The lessons of history teach us that faith and morality have played a crucial role in shaping the course of our nation. As we navigate the challenges of today’ divisive political landscape, it is imperative that our congressmen rediscover the importance of listening to one another, following their moral compass, and working together for the greater good. Failure to do so not only threatens to further divide our nation, but also puts America’s standing in the world at risk. The devaluation of the U.S. dollar is a real concern, and it is closely tied to the perception of our political and moral strength. Our currency’s value is not just an economic indicator but a reflection of the integrity and unity of our nation. In these turbulent times, we must remember Patton’s words: “Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way.” Our leaders have a choice to make. They can lead us toward unity and healing, they can follow the path of partisanship, or they can step aside for leaders who will prioritize the greater good. The future of our nation and the well-being of its people hang in the balance. It’s time for our leaders to rediscover their moral compass and work together to make America stronger and more united than ever. Armstrong Williams (@ ARight-Side) is manager / sole owner of Howard Stirk Holdings I & II Broadcast Television Stations and the 2016 Multicultural Media Broadcast Owner of the year. www.armstrongwilliams.co | www.howardstirkholdings.com

CHRISTINA

GREER, PH.D. As the year comes to a close, lots of organizations are looking for endof-year generosity. Many of us are preparing for the holidays and might be a bit stretched about spending money on gifts and travel and funds. However, it is important for us to put a little something aside for organizations that need end-of-year donations so they can head into the new year and continue doing great work in serving others and providing various services for different communities. I recently discovered the Octavia Project and have added them to my end-ofyear giving. The Octavia Project is a small nonprofit making a large impact on the lives of girls in New York City. The organization is inspired by Octavia E. Butler, who broke barriers in writing and science fiction. Through her prolific writing, Butler explored alternate futures while maintaining a steadfast commitment to social justice. The Octavia Project provides free summer programs that bring together young women and trans and nonbinary youth to build new worlds. They believe that “Their ideas and imaginations are vital to a more just and equitable future and provide them with the support and tools to build their dreams. Through our curriculum, young folks explore how the world around them is created by a series of choices that can be remade or replaced.” The Octavia Project runs two free summer programs: the Summer Institute for ages 14–18 and the Summer Camp for ages 10–13. The robust curriculum uses speculative fiction and interdisciplinary workshops to spark in-

terest in and break down bias toward STEM subjects like science and tech; coding interactive games; worldbuilding with architects; and mapping new cities with urban planners. There is such a need for more organizations doing the work of expanding the minds of young people in fun and engaging ways, and doing so by providing a free camp for a diverse set of families. As an educator, I believe in the mission of the Octavia Project because it helps build necessary skills like critical thinking, digital media literacy, and creative problem-solving while assisting participants in gaining confidence in their voice and vision. For over a decade, the Octavia Project has helped teens have a summer where they feel empowered to lead and effect change in their schools, communities, and cities. To learn more about the Octavia Project, whether to donate or enroll your teen, go to www.octaviaproject.org. As organizations begin to close their books for the fiscal year, let’s assist smaller organizations making substantive impacts in our communities by helping to educate and inspire a new generation of young people. What organization will you donate to and how will you continue to make an impact in your community? Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream”; co-host of the podcast FAQNYC and host of The Blackest Questions podcast at TheGrio; and a 2023–2024 Moynihan Public Scholars Fellow at CCNY.

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Caribbean Update

Opposition to controversial EU agreement waning; nations signing up BY BERT WILKINSON Special to the AmNews A week ago, a number of Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries had vowed not to sign onto a trade and aid agreement between Europe and its former colonies in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific (ACP), alleging that some of the agreement’s clauses had hidden requirements to force them to recognize same-sex marriages and legalize related LGBTQ issues. The regional Catholic Church was among the most strident of institutions that came out against the agreement, charging that some of its human rights recognition clauses had created a pathway for the region to amend laws to bring them in line with recognition in the west for gay rights issues. Jamaica, Trinidad, Grenada, and a slew of others had either refused to sign the agreement at last week’s formal cere-

mony in the Pacific nation of Samoa or delayed doing so until they had completed further consultations with opposing civil society groups that had been railing against the agreement. In recent days, however, St. Vincent, Grenada, St. Kitts, and Barbados have all signed on, with Grenada being the standout for quickly reversing itself by signing just hours after Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell had promised that the eastern Caribbean nation, which the U.S. had invaded back in 1983, would not be part of an agreement with morality issues that run contrary to local laws and values. “We have to be careful that we do not blur the line between private morality and law, and I certainly think from our perspective, the morality of other countries is not something that should be imposed on the morality of countries, nor, in my view, it should be tied to aid,” Mitchell had said publicly. “If you attempt to impose what I would call morality issues into them, then I think cer-

tainly from our perspective, it is not likely that this government would simply sign because we need to get some grant funding or aid funding.” Hours after such a statement, Grenada signed the Samoa Agreement through Ambassador Raphael Joseph, a week after more than 100 nations had done so in Samoa, prompting the main opposition New National Party (NNP) to criticize the government for its about-face without official explanation. The deal replaces the Cotonu Agreement (Benin) signed back in 2020 and will run for 20 years. Countries have a six-month window to sign on. Even as the Catholic and Jamaican civil society organizations urge governments to hold their hand, Vincentian Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said he is not worried about references in Article 9 of the document that speak to the fundamental rights for all “without discrimination based on any ground including sex,

ethnic or social origin, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, disability, age, or other status.” He said that while this “may present room for matters relating to LGBTQ rights to be inserted, I suspect that formulation of ‘other status’ [means] they may wish to bring in the issue of sexual orientation, but it isn’t said here. This paragraph…doesn’t mention sexual orientation. They may think that [is] what’s included, but it is not there because there would have been objections to putting it explicitly and they will try to push their values, which are not ours.” He argued that laws can only be changed by parliament, so there should be no fear that gay rights matters can be imposed on St. Vincent. Of the 14 nations eligible to sign the agreement, Trinidad and Jamaica remain the most strident in opposition to some clauses as authorities promise to step up civil society consultation before a decision is made.

Xenophobia is growing globally FELICIA PERSAUD

IMMIGRATION KORNER On Saturday night, Nov. 25, three Palestinian immigrants—Hisham Awartani, a student at Brown University; Tahseen Ahmed, Trinity College; and Kinnan Abdalhamid, Haverford College—were shot by a white man with a handgun in Burlington, Vermont, as they were heading to dinner. Two of the victims were wearing keffiyehs, a traditional headdress worn by people from Palestine, and they were speaking in Arabic, according to the Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee. The man, according to police, didn’t say a word before he fired at least four times at the immigrants, two of whom are U.S. citizens and one a legal resident. Two were in stable condition on Sunday night and the third was critical after suffering much more serious injuries. The shooting comes as the U.S. deals with a surge in Islamophobic and antisemitic incidents, including violent assaults and online harassment, since the Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7. That war has

also led to the murder of a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy who authorities allege was stabbed 26 times by his landlord in response to escalating right-wing rhetoric about the Israel-Hamas war. While the war has triggered hate on U.S. soil, the xenophobia against immigrants continues to grow globally. In Dublin, Ireland, last Friday night, racist extremists fought street battles with police in an anti-immigrant riot triggered by the stabbing of three young children and an adult female caregiver outside the children’s school in the heart of the city. Irish police are questioning an Algerian man, believed to be “a naturalized Irish citizen, who has lived here for 20 years,” in the attack. There have been ongoing protests across Ireland against asylum centers amid a housing crisis—many hotels and guest houses have been converted to asylum accommodation, leading to protests by people in towns being affected by lower tourist income. The irony is that Caio Benicio, an immigrant from Brazil, helped to disarm the suspect. But this was ignored by rioters who saw only “invasion” by foreigners. Rising migration across Europe is fueling support for far-right and anti-immigration

parties, much like here in the U.S. Nationalist parties that champion a harder line against immigration are surging in polls and have entered governments in countries from Italy to Finland. In the Netherlands, the recent electoral win by Geert Wilders, the Dutch far-right leader who has championed draconian policies against immigration and Islam, reflected how intractable the issue of migration remains in Europe, including France and Australia. In the UK, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has vowed to “clamp down” on immigration in the face of growing Tory anger, as official figures showed net migration is running at a record high: Annual net migration to the United Kingdom hit a record of 745,000 last year and has been at elevated levels since. These xenophobic policies are not just in western nations. The Pakistani government has cracked down on undocumented migrants and began mass deportations to Afghanistan. Anti-immigrant sentiments are also on the rise in Cyprus, Turkey, and Tunisia. Back here in the U.S., most of the candidates in this year’s 2024 Republican race for the presidential nomination mirror hardline immigration policies set by the front-

runner, former President Donald Trumpeto. This includes support for building a wall along the Southern U.S.-Mexico border and ending birthright citizenship for American-born children of undocumented immigrants—a protection that is enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This is happening as protests continue in many cities across the U.S. and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection sees an increase in encounters with migrants at the southern U.S. border, from nearly 2.4 million encounters in fiscal year 2022 to 2.5 million in fiscal year 2023. Neo-Nazis recently openly protested against immigrants in the shelter system in Marlborough, Massachusetts, and proposals to empower state law enforcement to deport asylum seekers for illegal entry and increase mandatory minimum sentences for human smuggling are now being considered in Texas. All of this points to a rise in hate globally, the U.N. said just last month, and with it, xenophobia as climate change forces immigrants out of their countries to seek economic opportunities elsewhere. The writer is publisher of NewsAmericasNow.com, the Black Immigrant Daily News.

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November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023 • 15

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Health Factcheck: False: People who get the COVID vaccine will never get long COVID By HEATHER M. BUTTS, JD, MPH, MA Special to the AmNews Lindsay McAlpine, MD, director of the Yale NeuroCOVID Clinic said in an interview with AmNews that “long COVID is not one thing. Everybody’s case of long COVID is slightly different, and so everybody’s treatment is going to be tailored to their symptoms and the organ system that is involved. So are they having GI symptoms, are they having palpitations, cardiac symptoms, breathing issues, lung symptoms, headaches, [or] neurologic symptoms. It’s really right now a tailored approach.” The importance of continuing to be vigilant with respect to COVID remains clear. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, while a new COVID vaccine arrived this fall, it was accompanied by a great deal of vaccine fatigue on the part of the general population. However, according to the AAMC, that same population “remains vulnerable to new variants that are taking hold.” While the number of people dying from COVID who are unvaccinated is not as high as in 2021, increased protection from hospitalization and death after getting vaccinated and boosted remain. Regarding the myth that those that get the COVID vaccine can never get long COVID, McAlpine said that “[we] have plenty of patients in our study who had three vaccines and they still developed long COVID. . . .Vaccination, it’s wonderful and it reduces your risk of being hospitalized with COVID, reduces your risk of long COVID, but it doesn't prevent . . .[the] chance of Long COVID. So it’s a wonderful tool, and I think everybody should get vaccinated, but still [it] doesn’t guarantee no long COVID.” The American Medical Association describes long COVID in the following way: “Most people recover from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, within a couple of weeks, but others may experience new or lingering symptoms, even after recuperating from COVID-19. Although there is no universal clinical case definition for these lingering symptoms, the CDC labels long COVID, also known as post-COVID conditions, as a wide range of new, returning or ongoing health problems people can experience four or more weeks after first being infected with SARS-CoV-2.” Dr. Lisa Sanders, medical director of Yale’s Long Covid Multidisciplinary Care Center, speaks about reducing the chances of long COVID. “You know there are two things that reduce your chance of getting long COVID

Claim: People who get the COVID vaccine will never get long COVID. Factcheck: False. While there is research that shows that the COVID vaccine can reduce both COVID symptoms and the possibility of getting long COVID, getting the COVID vaccine does not eliminate the possibility of contracting long COVID.

A health worker administers a dose of COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination clinic in Reading, Pa. While those who are vaccinated can get long COVID, vaccination can reduce the possibility along with protecting against other bad outcomes. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

and one is definitely getting vaccinated. It’s been shown in studies that it . . . reduces the likelihood that you will get long COVID. It’s not 100% effective. The other thing that’s been shown to be protective is taking Paxlovid when you have COVID and that reduces your chance of getting long COVID.” As Sanders told AmNews, while these interventions may reduce the chances of long COVID, they do not eliminate them. Facing growing evidence of the perils of long COVID, on April 5, 2022, President Biden issued the Presidential Memorandum and Fact Sheet on long COVID and conditions that accompany long COVID. Out of this work, the Long COVID Coordination Council was launched, which put out The Services and Supports for longer-term Impacts of

COVID-19 and The National Research Action Plan reports, and ultimately the Office of Long COVID Research and Practice. One of the important priorities of this office is to “disseminate up-to-date information about long COVID and associated conditions to educate the public.” Earlier this year, the federal government announced a group of long COVID trials to look at much of the long COVID work the AmNews has reported on previously and in this story. “Clinical trials to test effective treatments and interventions are a core component of the whole-of-government response to long COVID,” said Admiral Rachel L. Levine, M.D., assistant secretary for Health, Department of Health and Human Services, in a National Institute of Health announcement around the

long COVID clinical trials focus. “Coupled with adequate supports and services, access to clinical care and up-to-date information on what we know about long COVID, we can work toward relief for individuals and families impacted most.” If you are recovering from #COVID19 or experiencing #longCOVID, you can call 212COVID19 to receive specialty care, or visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/services/ covid-19 to learn more about NYC’s COVID19 Centers of Excellence. For additional resources about COVID-19, visit www1.nyc. gov/site/coronavirus/index.page. COVID-19 testing, masks, and vaccination resources can also be accessed on the AmNews COVID19 page: www.amsterdamnews.com/covid.

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Arts & Entertainment Dance pg 17 | Art pg 19 | Theater 21 | Jazz pg 24

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre (AAADT) kicks off its five-week New York City Center engagement this holiday season with a program that will razzle-dazzle audiences with a series of exciting premieres and thrilling new productions from now through December 31. The passionate performances and technical brilliance of the Ailey dancers make this season, and indeed every Ailey season, a gift that keeps on giving. The holiday season program features premiers of several exciting works by talented choreographers that are neatly wrapped presents for the soul. Among them is one by former Ailey dancer Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish, whose dreamlike duet, “Me, Myself, and You,” is a sensuous swirl of movement that seduces the eye and captures the heart as it conjures memories of love and passion for a woman caught in the classic should-I-stay-or-should-I-go dilemma. Amy Hall Garner’s “Century” is a deeply personal piece inspired by her grandfather and set to the soulful sounds of Ray Charles, Count Basie, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and more. Alonzo King’s “Following the Subtle Current Upstream” also shares the City Center stage as the Ailey dancers throw themselves into an audacious, non-stop package of abstract movement steeped in meaning that mirrors life’s boisterous waves. Adding to the repertory mix that makes this season special are Hans van Manen’s dynamic “Solo”; Ailey dancer Jamar Roberts’ “Ode,” with its meditation on the beauty and fragility of life in a time of growing gun violence, set to Don Pullen’s “(Sweet) Malcolm (Part 1 Memories and Gunshots)”; and the new production of Ronald K. Brown’s “Dancing Spirit,” which pays tribute to Ailey Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison’s elegance, dignity, and generosity. Capping it all off is Ailey & Jazz, which features live music performances with jazz rising stars on December 15, 16, and 17, as well as performances that soothe the soul and lift the spirit: Ailey’s masterpiece “Revelations,” with live music on December 1–3. One of the outstanding features of this season is the tribute being paid to Jamison, who has been the embodiment of the acclaimed Ailey Spirit throughout a decades-long career, first as a critically acclaimed soloist and then as choreographer for both the AAADT and, briefly her own company, before Ailey asked her to suc-

Members of the company in Alvin Ailey’s “For Bird - With Love” (Dario Calmese photo)

ceed him as artistic director, and now, artistic director emerita. In a 1972 Dance magazine article, Ailey expressed his love for Jamison, calling her “an extraordinarily gifted dancer...with marvelous taste.” Critics shared the fascination, describing her as “not only the most celebrated interpreter of Ailey’s work” but also “an artist of great magnetism and honesty, who can illuminate any dance she performs.” This season, the company honors Jamison with a stirring performance these details shared by Ms. Jamison,” Khalia of “Cry” the virtuoso work Ailey created about said. “The dancer, the movement and the Jamison to pay tribute to “Black women everymusic become one.” where, especially our mothers.” Jamison’s Masazumi Chaya, whose career with tour de force performance, a portrait of Ailey began in the early 1970s and dignity, defiance, and triumphant perspans decades as first dancer, rehearsseverance, will be recalled this season by al director, and associate artistic didancer Khalia Campbell, who performs rector, recalled his favorite Jamison “Cry” as part of a tribute to Jamison. performances of the Ailey solo Describing the experience of “Cry.” Chaya praised Jamison’s being in the studio as Jamison musicality, sharing stories that shared thoughts about the reflect a moving generosiAiley work, Campbell said, ty when she occasionally of“It was like we were being fered a note or two that he coached by Ailey himself.” said enhanced his own dyJamison, she said, emnamic attack of movement phasized the storytelling and its embodiment of the aspect of the dance while music. “She’s so musical,” Judith Jamison stressing the need to focus Chaya said. (Andrew Eccles photo) AAADT’s Solomon Dumas, Khalia Campbell, and Samantha Figgins in Alvin Ailey’s “Revelations” (Paul Kolnik photo)

on where the movement comes from while communicating its meaning. Movements are not mere exercises but expressions of emotions, she said. Arms don’t just reach, they reach for something. “There’s a different feel and a different appearance when you pay attention to

Pg. 20 Your Stars

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre kicks off five-week season By ZITA ALLEN Special to the AmNews

November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023 • 17

Meanwhile, Jamison has turned her attention to the upcoming tribute being paid to her and some of the other pioneering women of the Ailey family. There is the inimitable Carmen de Lavallade, whose artistic life has been intertwined with Ailey’s since the two high school

classmates were part of the Lester Horton Dance Theater in the 1950s. There is Sylvia Waters, founding artistic director of the Ailey II company, and the late Denise Jefferson, a pedagogical pioneer who made the Ailey school an internationally renowned training ground for future dancers, as well as a place where everyday folks can experience the joy of movement. In terms of the tribute of her own artistry and the tribute she’ll receive this season, Jamison said that reaching a certain milestone in numbers is “about how you’re feeling about yourself in your body...What really makes me feel happy about where I am now is knowing that everything that I participated in has been passed along and I can just sit in the audience, and know that everything is in good hands,” she said. “That’s why I’ve been working so hard: to make sure that everything is sustained. What brings me joy is knowing that Robert Battle, Matthew Rushing, Clifton Daniels, Ronnie Favors, and others capture Alvin’s intention and are carrying that incredible light of his from one generation to another. That is what it’s all about. We understood Alvin’s importance and the legacy of the fact that this African American man made this extraordinary accomplishment. “When you continue somebody’s legacy— the legacy of a real genius—and you see that it continues, you automatically feel all that love. Basically, this—the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre—is a family that maintains a connection and an understanding that Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is in flight and it’s ever upward.” If you don’t believe that there is something phenomenal about this company, founded in 1958, recognized by a U.S. Congressional resolution as a vital American “Cultural Ambassador to the World,” whose artists have performed for an estimated 25 million people in 71 countries on six continents, and celebrating the human spirit through the African American cultural experience and American modern dance tradition, see for yourself. For more info, visit www.alvinailey.org.

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‘Ladies First’ boldly blends crafty mixed media at Industry City gallery By BRENIKA BANKS Special to the AmNews Women having space to design freely and be their authentic selves is the force behind “Ladies First,” where craftsmanship blends well with mixed media in a new art exhibit capturing artists in three dimensions. The group art activation made its debut on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at the Tanya Weddemire Gallery in Industry City, Brooklyn. This city within a city is a hub for NYC creatives and entrepreneurs. “Ladies First” showcases the works of six multidisciplinary women artists from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities, whose works include ceramics, mixed media collages, mixed media on panel, sculptures, and paintings on canvas. It is the gallery’s first time featuring ceramics and sculptures. The title, “Ladies First,” was adopted in admiration for Queen Latifah and Monie Love’s song of the same title. The featured artists are Anne Bascove, Michela Roman, Katie Kuzin, Tania Whalen, Danielle Scott; and Candice Tavares; the latter two are Black artists. “I wanted them to feel surprised and to know that their work was being taken care of,” said gallery owner Weddemire, who is Black. She was delighted to receive love from family and friends of the artists. “What was most impressive was the amazing people that were in the room; it was one of our best opening nights here in Industry City thus far.” Whalen, originally from London, is inspired by working on her fine arts degree. Now residing in Brooklyn, she crafts vessels and vases in her studio, which is in Industry City. “I make vessels and vases like sculptural shapes,” said Whalen. She said working with Weddemire was an excellent experience—“I love Tanya”—even though the opening’s preparations were “nerve-racking.” “When the evening came, it was really great,” she said. Whalen applauded Weddemire for her choices of mixed art and mixed people. “I really love the show,” she said. “I thought it was brilliant.” She complimented Weddemire’s energy and praised her approach to the exhibition. Weddemire said she had a new respect for sculptures and ceramic works because of the use of hands

Gallery owner Tanya Weddemire with Tania Whalen’s sculptures (next to her) and Candice Tavares’s wood portraits (behind her) (Brenika Banks photos)

Anne Bascove’s Manhattan Bridge and Verrazano-Narrows Bridge collages

opening

Candice Tavares’ wood portraits, “Hoops, 2023” and “You’re Perfect, 2023”

Front window at Tanya Weddemire Gallery in Industry City, Brooklyn Ladies Art Show

Sculptures by Tania Whalen at “Ladies First” exhibit in Tanya Weddemire Gallery

and craftsmanship. night, Tavares’s Weddemire expiece “Hoops, pressed her joy at 2023,” which how well the exhonors a Black hibit’s debut went. woman with “It was amazing braided hair, was to see all the artsold. She uses difists’ looks on their ferent types of tofaces when they nality of wood to walked into the demonstrate texroom [gallery] and tures, reflection, saw their work and emotions. being displayed,” Making birch, Tania Whalen making vessels she said. cedar, and black and vase-like sculptural Tavares’s curiand white wood shapes in her studio osity led her into look like braids experimenting with wood cut- was her way of celebrating Black ting. “I saw what it looks like to women’s hair naturally, especially have a Black woman’s figure cut in a society that polices Black wominto wood and was like, ‘Oh, this is en’s hair. it!,’” she said. The self-taught wood According to The CROWN Act’s artist and digital illustrator prefers 2023 research studies (https://www. staining her wood instead of paint- thecrownact.com/research-studing it. With her favorite showpiece, ies), Black women are 54 percent “Let Me Speak,” she intentional- more likely than Hispanic or white ly stained the wood with different women to feel they must straightcolors to represent women of dif- en their hair for a job interview ferent complexions and ethnicities. to be successful. The report also

Works by Danielle Scott

showed that Black women’s hair is 2.5 times more likely to be perceived as unprofessional than white women’s hair. Tavares said Black women shouldn’t abide by the pressure to straighten hair or use extensions for validation. “We failed each other if that’s the philosophy,” she said. Tavares considers NYC America’s art capital and the place for serious artists. “For me to be able, at this point, to have my art on a gallery wall in New York[…]that’s owned by Black women, felt really, really good.” She anticipates seeing her art grow, eventually being displayed in more galleries, museums, and peo-

Candice Tavares’s wood portraits, “Better, 2022” and “Let Me Speak”

ple’s homes. “I would love for really beautiful images of Black beauty to be shown in the same spaces that Euro-centric beauty standards are celebrated,” she said. For more information, visit www. tanyaweddemiregallery.org.

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November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023 • 19

City Lore exhibition showcases work of foremost Black doll and puppet makers By NADINE MATTHEWS Special to the AmNews For a long time, Black dolls were often used by a white supremacist society to reinforce negative stereotypes about Black people, so artists who create Black dolls have a significance that surpasses mere craft. Running through March 3, 2024, at City Lore, the exhibition “The Calling: The Transformative Power of African-American Doll and Puppet Making” takes a distinctly diasporic approach, the exhibition brings together the work of 26 folkloric artists. According to the exhibition’s lead consultant and editor Phyllis May-Machunda, in the accompanying exhibition book, “This exhibition frames a story of women and men from across the African diaspora who have extended the skills of sewing and other aesthetic craft traditions to create a continuum of handmade dolls and puppets ranging from toys and objects supporting children’s play and community education, to fine art for display and sale.” Most of the artists knew each other for many years, calling themselves “A community of doll makers,” which made it easier to assemble them for the exhibition. The Amsterdam News spoke about the exhibition with Camila Bryce-Laporte, exhibition curator and doll maker, and folklorist; Laura Gadson, visual artist, quilter, doll artist, and gallery owner, and Naomi Sturm-Wijesinghe, City Lore Creative Traditions Program director. Bryce-Laporte worked on children, cultural, and educational programming for the Children’s Television Network and CBS Cable, and as a folklorist at the Smithsonian Institution and the Library of Congress. Gadson, with fellow exhibitor Shimoda Donna Emmanuel, also runs the organization Harlem Aesthetic, which hosts boutique salons several times a year showcasing the work of Black artists and artisans. The doll and puppet makers were interviewed, said Sturm-Wijesinghe, “to understand what calls them to do this work. As with any folk art, it’s not necessarily something you go to school to learn.” Said Bryce-Laporte, “These artists could be doing any art, generally speaking, but there’s something about doing this type of figurative art, where you have to start thinking about your history, and your culture.” The exhibition is organized in several distinct sections: Pre-Slave Trade Africa, The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, Slavery through Reconstruction, The Great Migration, The Civil Rights Movement, and The Post-Civil Rights Movement. Taking into account the migration of Caribbeans and Africans to America, those cultural influences are readily seen in many of the creations in “The Calling.”

Gadson cautioned the public not to consider quilt-making an art form of the past. “A lot of people forget that there are certain arts that always have a resurgence. Quilts had a resurgence in 1976. They also had it in the ’90s and it follows till today, so there are a lot of modern quiltmakers.” Gadson believes that the long history of inaccurate physical representation of Black features also calls to many artists who are Black doll makers. “For a long time, things didn’t come in our color, right? That urged us to do more things in our craft that reflect us.” With creations made from about every kind of material imaginable, much of the work in “The Calling” speaks to historic, social, political, and quotidian aspects of Black life. In defiance of revised history and stereotypes, they insist on Black humanity. One of the things that becomes apparent in viewing “The Calling: The Transformative Power of African American Doll and Puppet Making” is that long before “be the change you want to see” became a popular call to action, Black doll makers used their talents to do just that. For more info, visit https://citylore.org/ about-the-gallery/current-exhibition/.

Doll representation of historical figure Susan July (John Woo photo)

The exhibition provides a feeling of intimate connection with the artists. This is intentional. Said Sturm-Wijesinghe, “The artists wanted to do an exhibit where they had a chance to tell the personal stories of the doll makers and also the narrative of AfricanAmerican history. They also really tried to take elements of the home, bringing images of people’s homes and workspaces a little bit into the exhibit.” One of the dolls, created by Bryce-Laporte, represents Susan July, who “was (a) Black Seminole who fought in the Seminole Wars alongside her husband John Horse.” Part Black, part Spanish, and part Seminole, Horse was a famed warrior, diplomat, and tactician. Bryce-Laporte makes a point of amplifying images of Black and Indigenous women in her work. “Black women not only ran their household(s), but other people’s households, and they were critical to the development of this country. Black and Indigenous women shaped not only this country, but this hemisphere. Also, many Africans carry Indigenous genes. The other thing is, as much as we have been persecuted, they have been persecuted. What happened to them was genocide. I want to give them as much of a platform as possible,” she said. The tradition of Black quilt-makers and quilt-making itself, which has an approach and medium similar to that of doll-making, is included in the show. Among these is one of Gadson’s creations, depicting a choir of Black women in kente regalia. Gadson said she doesn’t consider herself a doll-maker, but someone who primarily does “domestic needle art and fine art. I also work with stained glass and beading.” She was specifically asked to contribute quilts for “The Calling.”

Quilt by Laura Gadson (Camila Bryce-Laporte photo)

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C o n c e r t

DECEMBER 20–23 Relive the excitement of Black Panther as the film plays on a towering screen while the New York Philharmonic performs its Oscar®-winning score.

TICKETS FROM $45! Wu Tsai Theater, David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center

NYPHIL.ORG/BLACKPANTHER 212.875.5656

Programs are made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Conductors, programs, pricing, and sale dates are correct at the date of printing and are subject to change. All concerts take place in the Wu Tsai Theater, David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center. © 2023 New York Philharmonic. All rights reserved. Photo by Chris Lee.

20 • November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023 A

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HOROSCOPES BY KNOWYOURNUMB3RS

By SUPREME GODDESS KYA WWW.KYAFRENCH.COM | CONSULTATIONS 866-331-5088 NOVEMBER 30, 2023—DECEMBER 6, 2023

Rebirth of A New Nation: Neptune in Pisces stationed direct at 24 degrees on December 6, 2023 forms a summer/fall season retrograde. The slow effect of Neptune retrograde will play out during the tail end of fall going into winter of 2023 and spring 2024 with a twist just before summer begins. Take note of what occurred during those seasons to progress forward in your due diligence. Express gratitude to yourself and no matter what your current condition is, you can always change to make it better. Do your best each day and keep a tab on your progress. “Change and growth take place when a person has risked himself and dares to become involved with experimenting with his own life” Herbert Otto Gille.

December is the last month of the year to get things in order that you set

Be jolly, graceful, and full of faith with confidence within yourself. Leave the stroke of your ego out of your daily routine. December is a month to get to know yourself in areas you may lack and do well in to perform better in your Dec 22 June 22 ing to your yearly journey. A cycle of ending, completion, learning from your daily aspects. A cycle week to make a name for yourself as if you are tradeJan 21 July 23 experiences, and acknowledging your potential to perform to soar higher. marking your company name. The point is, the more you work on yourself, From December 3 around 10:50 p.m. until December 6 around 11:00 a.m., let go to grow and focus on your gifts you possess inside. From November 30 in the midst of what feels like a collapse of the old way, allow the things, habits, people, around 1:54 a.m. until December 4 around 11 a.m., the more genuine you are, the more things places to shed away so you can rebirth yourself like a trailblazer. come naturally rather than wanting to fit into society or being a show off.

 out to accomplish in the beginning this year. Review your goals and check Capricorn off the ones you completed. Include the detours that brought more mean-

 Cancer

Work through what you have to get through as if you are blindfolded. December is a month that feels like you are waiting in suspense until things Feel what needs to be done and utilize your brain power to guide you line up. Take it easy as the story is playing out so follow the clues, listen carefully, keep your eyes peeled and ears open. The information you need will Leo Aquarius to the next step. The process is new and will not come with a step-byJuly 24 step manual. You must create the script yourself. Record every step of the be revealed around the last week of December. From December 1 around Jan 22 Aug 23 Feb 19 way so you can retrace your steps. In the darkest hour, the last hour to get 11 a.m. until December 3 around 10 p.m., right now, your participation is rethings complete, the information that you seek will come to you naturalquired. Wise women and men will either give you advice or some construcly. In the days leading up to December 6, remain focused on the task at hand as there is tive criticism. Information is exchanged when you are in alignment with the frequency and a message being conveyed. vibration to receive.

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A week of change as things are moving and spinning faster like a spinExperience is the process that gives you strength, wisdom, and invaluable ning top out of control. Neptune is preparing to station direct on Deceminformation to deal with the world outside. You can call it the remedy. It’s like ber 6, 2023 to hit you with a waterfall effect that will feel like an avalanche attending an enrichment program inside to apply to self and then teaching Virgo Feb 20 Aug 24 to wake you up. What did you begin from June 30 until December 6 will people the formula that has worked for you. December ushers in a change Sept 23 Mar 20 give you insight of what is forthcoming. From November 30 around 1:54 in your appearance be it hairstyle, wardrobe, a transformation in the home a.m. until December 4 around 11 a.m., mentally get yourself together and or a relocation, or a change in your relationship status be it business or perbalance your emotions to know when to respond and sit back. sonal. From December 3 around 10:50 p.m. until December 6 around 11:00 a.m., boundaries and patience are key. You set the tone from the moment you awake.

 Pisces

December set the tone for a new direction in your life. This requires you to be fully committed, obedient, and disciplined to all obligations to find balance to make things work. Do not allow anyone to influence or alter your deAries cisions. Your contributions have to come from your will power within to set Mar 21 Apr 21 the record straight. Ask around for the help you need and also call on your spirit team to assist you in times of need. From December 1 around 11 a.m. until December 3 around 10 p.m., get out of your own way and open your heart.

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Libra, the south node is in your sign for 18 months that began on July 17, 2023 and will end January 29, 2025. That’s a good timeframe to be engaged as being the creator of your reality and a change within your identity and Libra also your social relationships or partnerships. December is a time to discovSept 24 Oct 23 er yourself, expand your perspective, and research a field of study of your choice. In the days leading up to December 6, trim the fat within your expenses, clear out your space and prepare for new versions emerging within you.

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When you receive one of those aha moments, it’s a form of awareness be it business or personal. The fact is you have been put on notice. The elders The song “I’m coming out” by Diana Ross is the theme for you for Decemhad a saying that goes “work in silence.” You do not have to disclose every ber. It’s all about the new you, doing things differently and entering different Taurus detail, only the facts that folks need to know on a need-to-know basis. markets. Things are popping up here and there and you’re also connecting Apr 22 Scorpio May 21 Keep it simple. Just sit back as the movie plays out to give you the 411. with folks here and there. Put yourself first to gain the resources needed and Oct 24 Nov 22 Most times, the way of receiving messages is in the simple form by meetchoose wisely as you make new friendships. Opportunities come when you ing someone, hearing a song, seeing a note or a sign, sensing a certain smell, or just one change your vibration to attract your preferences whether in business or persimple word. From December 3 around 10:50 p.m. until December 6 around 11:00 a.m., sonal affairs. From November 30 around 1:54 a.m. until December 4 around 11 a.m., be origdon’t get distracted, stay on course. inal rather than compromising to other people’s standards.

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December is a month to pace yourself and do things in moderation. What Happy Solar return around the Earth, Sag! You have your work cut out in Decommitment are you ready to follow through to see results? Get organized, cember. A time to build on your foundation that started in February. Apply all focus on what takes priority and don’t stretch yourself too thin. Sometimes Gemini Sagitarius the resources, tools, information, and everything will flow to you. Establish a going incognito for a brief moment to get yourself together until you are routine or formula to follow through to get things done. Things will ease up in May 22 Nov 23 June 21 Dec 21 ready to come out of the shadow is good for your mental faculty. When you the last week of December, yet you must apply for the footwork to receive the do so, you get more done with a sense of clarity as you are preparing to pobenefits. Ask questions for the answers you seek. From December 1 around 11 sition yourself in a positive direction. In the days leading up to December 6, do what means a.m. until December 3 around 10 p.m., join a group, gym or participate in some type of inforthe most to you that makes you happy and smile inside. mation to keep updated on certain topics. Do your own research to gain clarity.

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November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023 • 21

Black excellence beautifully spotlighted at 51st annual AUDELCOs

Eric Berryman is all smiles after receiving an award for Featured Actor in a Play.

Woodie King Jr.

Ty Jones and Ted Lange (Linda Armstrong photos)

Terria Joseph received a Pioneer Award at the 51st Annual AUDELCO Awards.

By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews

impressive bodies of work throughout the decades. Each of these honorees is worth your time to look up—there is so much in their backgrounds, there would not be room for it in this article. You might be surprised at their amazing accomplishments and how immensely diverse their talents are. The AUDELCO Awards shine a light on Black excellence in theater and that is exactly what came during the evening. Leading the way with five AUDELCO wins was the musical “Mama, I Want to Sing!,” presented by Mama! Foundation for the Arts. It won for best revival of a musical; director of a musical, Ahmaya Knoelle; outstanding musical director, Kevin McKoy; lead actress in a musical, Asa Sulton; and lead actor in a musical, Bishop Richard Hartley. Bringing home four AUDELCO Awards was “Black Odyssey,” presented by Classic Stage Company. It won for best play; playwright, Marcus Gardley; director of a play, Stevie Walker-Webb; and featured actress in a play, Harriett D. Foy. This was a production that touched the heart and rocked the spirit. “A Raisin In The Sun,” presented by The Public Theater, won three AUDELCOs for best revival of a play; lead actress in a play, Tonya Pinkins, who tied in this category; and lead actor in a play, Francois Battiste. This production was absolutely a stunning experience. Five productions received two awards: “FLEX,” presented by the Lincoln Center Theater, tied for outstanding ensemble performance—Brittany Bellizeare, Christina Clark, Eboni Edwards, Renita Lewis, Erica Matthews, Ciara Monique, and Tamera Tomakili—and for set design, Matt Saunders. This was a production that moved one to tears and also showed that Black women can definitely play basketball. It was a production that allowed each ensemble member to shine brightly

The place to be on Monday, Nov. 20, was the Alhambra Ballroom (Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and 126th Street), where a Black theater family reunion was happening: the 51st “VIV”—Annual Vivian Robinson AUDELCO Awards, which recognize Black theater excellence. The evening was hosted by Tobias Truvillion and Aixa Kendrick. Attendees enjoyed a sumptuous meal before the awards presentations, and there was a fantastic energy in the Step and Repeat area, where honorees and nominees came together to get their photos taken. When the presentations started, the room was filled to capacity with productions casts and producers sitting together, excited about the nominations they were being considered for. There is such a delight in being acknowledged for your work by your own people. Between receiving their awards, the honorees were presented with their kudos. This year’s honorees were a who’s who of the theater. Legacy Awards deservedly were bestowed on Allie Wood Jr. and Sonia Sanchez. Lifetime achievement awards went to Ted Lange, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Petronia Paley, and Roscoe Orman. Pioneer awards went to Dr. Aduke Aremu, Elain Graham, and Terria Joseph. Outstanding achievement awards were presented to Yolanda Brooks and John Ruiz Miranda, John Douglas Thompson, and Karen Thorton. Board of director awards were given to Senator Cordell Cleare, Brian A. Moreland, and Johnnie Mae. Special achievement awards were presented to Roslyn Ruff, Javon Johnson, Dietrice A. Bolden, and Luther D. Isler. All of the honorees were present and overjoyed to receive their acknowledgments for

Roscoe Orman received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 51st Annual AUDELCO Awards

Stephen McKinley Henderson, recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award

and leave an unforgettable memory in the minds of the audience. “The Half-God of Rainfall,” presented by the New York Theatre Workshop, won for sound design, Mikaal Sulaiman, and lighting design, Stacey Derosier. This was a truly spiritual production to experience. “Primary Trust,” presented by the Roundabout Theatre Company, received awards for lead actor in a play, William Jackson Harper, and featured actor in a play, Eric Berryman. This play was an enthralling dive into loneliness and mental illness and these actors were truly extraordinary. “The 84th Annual Star-Burst Cotillion,” presented by New Georges and the Movement Theatre Company, garnered awards for choreographer, nicHi Douglas, and costume design, Mika Eubanks. “Rock & Roll Man,” presented by Caiola Productions, won best musical and featured actor in a musical, Rodrick Covington. It told a story that needed to be shared and was quite enjoyable to experience. Tied for lead actress in a play was Stephanie Berry for “The Bandaged Place,” presented by the Roundabout Theatre Company. Another production that enjoyed a tie win was “Picking Up the Pieces,” presented by the Black Spectrum Theatre. It came away with the VIV for outstanding ensemble performance— Ria Alexander, Mel’Lahnee Blackwell, Colby

Christina, Jade Mason, Gil Tucker, Douglas Wade, Aaron Watkins, and Kenya Wilson. The VIV for solo performance went to James T. Lane for his one-man show “Triple Threat,” presented by T32 Theatrical, which he also wrote. Tarra Conner Jones received the featured actress in a musical VIV for her work in “White Girl in Danger,” presented by Vineyard Theatre/ Second Stage Theatre. The awards ceremony included performances by Tarra Conner Jones, Dietrice Bolden and the IMPACT Repertory Youth Company, Luther Isler, and the Bomb Shelter. The awards ceremony was followed by another meal and celebration that lasted well into the night. So many theater companies represented that you just felt the richness of talent, joy, and pride that comes with being in a room with our people and celebrating our accomplishments. You should definitely make plans to join AUDELCO if you are not already a member, or visit the website and see how you can get involved with the organization. We need to keep Black theater alive and to continue to support Black excellence. Kudos to AUDELCO President Jackie Jeffries, who worked throughout the year to make the VIV awards happen, and a thank you to the board of directors and the nominating committee members, who happily go out to see our shows and assure that Blacks are recognized. For more information, visit www.audelco.org.

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‘Monty Python’s Spamalot’ delivers biggest and best laughs on B’way

By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews “Monty Python’s Spamalot” has achieved the Holy Grail of Broadway theater by delivering the biggest, longest, and best laughs you will ever experience in a Broadway house. It is accomplishing its purpose in life with every performance. The St. James Theatre (W. 44th Street) must be your family’s destination for the best, funniest musical theater experience you could ever imagine. Anyone who is familiar with the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” knows that they are in for a tremendous treat since this musical is based on that film. The comedy is continuous and the showstopper numbers are unbelievable. It is hilariously enhanced by the book and lyrics of Eric Idle and the music of John Du Prez and Idle. The character who starts us on our journey is the Historian, amusingly played by Ethan Slater, who, like many of the other actors, plays multiple roles. There are French guards, minstrels, and a cast of ensemble members who all contribute to the laugh-out-loud experience you are about to have. The journey begins with King Arthur trying to recruit knights for the roundtable. Where it goes from there is a journey well worth taking and one you will thoroughly enjoy. You won’t stop laughing from beginning to end. This storyline has so many marvelous surprises. It’s a spoof on Broadway musicals, so it’s quite a bold undertaking. It also features a remarkable cast and some

Scenes from “Monty Python’s Spamalot” (Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman photos)

of the best comedic timing you will have the pleasure of witnessing. This musical comedy has it all: the Lady of the Lake, a flying cow, and sound effects for galloping horses that will have you smiling from ear to ear. This cast is delightfully led by James Monroe Iglehart, who plays King Arthur of England superbly. He delivers a standing ovation-worthy performance. Iglehart has such a remarkably charming, amusing presence on stage. He is accompanied by Patsy, his servant, marvelously played by Christopher Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald is absolutely brilliant in the role and he’s extremely funny. He also plays

other roles in this farcical production. Of course, Arthur starts to meet and take on his knights for the roundtable, and each one is marvelous. Sir Dennis Galahad is memorably played by Nik Walker, who also plays numerous roles throughout the production. Walker has a fascinating stage presence that draws you in and keeps you captive. As Galahad, he has a song with the Lady of the Lake, flawlessly and stunningly played by Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer. The song they perform, which is without a doubt one of my favorites, is called “The Song That Goes Like This.” Kritzer is a force to be reckoned with as the

Lady of the Lake. Her comedic timing, her radiant voice, and her gorgeous appearance will have anyone ready to take a swim. Did anyone say “cross-dresser”? Well, Jimmy Smagula is totally hilarious as Dennis’s mother and also plays other characters. Sir Robin and a few other characters are fantastically embodied by Michael Urie. I always loved him on “Ugly Betty,” but he is even funnier in a live production. His character of Sir Robin is incredible. He brings a natural grace and lighthearted approach to his role and the audience has as much fun watching as he seems to be having performing. Sir Lancelot is portrayed phenomenally by Taran Killam, who also has a few other roles. Killam kills it, if you don’t mind my saying so. He is absolutely funny and a joy to watch as he shows a side to Sir Lancelot that definitely surprised me. Every element of this musical comedy is done to perfection, including the direction and choreography by Josh Rhodes. This is a production you will tell your friends and family about because you’ll want to share the unbridled joy and laughter. Every technical element comes together to contribute to the delight of this piece. You will never laugh this hard. Scenic and projection design is by Paul Tate De Poo III, costume design by Jen Caprio, lighting design by Cory Pattak, sound design by Kai Harada and Haley Parcher, and hair and wig design by Tom Watson. “Spamalot” you’ll want to see a lot, so start booking tickets today.

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November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023 • 23

Cultivating a plant-based diet and lifestyle By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the AmNews

for kids along the way, “Living Wild” is packed with interior design and styling ideas that blur the boundary beside inside and out. The book includes information about unique homes that have been plant-styled by Hilton and takes a detailed look at his top 10 designer plants, along with care and info tips.

Living more consciously regarding our relationships with health, healing, and nature is a wonderful avenue to take when considering the longevity of Black culture. Educating ourselves about plant-based living, whether through a culinary pursuit or bringing more plants into our homes, is advantageous in exploring life through the world around us and what we choose to put in our bodies. “Living Wild: How to Plant Style Your Home and Cultivate Happiness” by Hilton Carter and “Veg-Table: Recipes, Techniques, and Plant Science for Big-Flavored, Vegetable-Focused Meals” by Nik Sharma are not just books; they are pathways to a world where greenery meets creativity, transforming our homes into lush sanctuaries and our dining tables into culinary adventures. Living Wild: How to Plant Style Your Home and Cultivate Happiness by Hilton Carter (Cico) The therapeutic benefits of living with and tending plants are well known— they offer a connection to the natural world that nurtures our mental and physical health. In “Living Wild,” Hilton Carter shows how to create a lush, stylish

space with flourishing plants that bring life to your home and happiness to your life. He discusses interior design choices—choosing the right color scheme, textures, and materials to showcase gor-

Veg-Table: Recipes, Techniques, and Plant Science for Big-Flavored, Vegetable-Focused Meals by Nik Sharma (Chronicle Books) Nik Sharma’s technique-focused approach is easy to follow for cooks at all skill levels and provides a comprehensive repertoire for those looking to embrace the flavors and benefits of a plant-based diet. What sets this cookbook apart are its scientific underpinnings—it delves into the origins, biology, and unique characteristics of more than 50 vegetables. It’s not just a cookbook; it’s a journey through the fascinating world of plant science. Organizing the “Veg-Table” recipes by plant family is a brilliant touch, making it easy to explore various vegetables, their geous greenery—and then takes a deep storage, and the best cooking methods dive into styling. From picking the per- for each recipe. Sharma’s rigorous testfect planter to statement plants, center- ing and scientific lens make sure that pieces, living art, and hanging planters, these recipes are not just flavorful but as well as outdoors spaces and plants also tried, true, and delicious.

Books focus on love, emotional healing By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the AmNews In our communities of pride, grace, and generational healing, the power of love and ancestral relationships is key to moving forward and gaining the strength to love ourselves and one another. “Remember Love: Words for Tender Times” by Cleo Wade and “Ancestors Said: 365 Introspections for Emotional Healing” by Ehime Ora complement each other beautifully, offering insights into the human experience, the power of self-love, and the significance of ancestral connections. They are powerful contributions to our journeys toward inner peace and emotional healing. Whether you seek solace in the present or a deeper connection with the past, these books are sure to be your trusted companions on your path to personal growth and deep selfdiscovery. We must not forget the contents of our hearts just as we should not forget the sacrifices, knowledge, and wisdom of the Black elders who came before us. These books are a loving reminder to connect with who we are and who we will become. must undertake for ourselves, emphasizing that it’s not a means to evade the difRemember Love: Words for Tender ficult aspects of life, such as periods of Times a book by Cleo Wade (Harmony) confusion, self-doubt, depression, grief, Cleo Wade delves into the heart work we heartbreak, and anxiety. Instead, she in-

cess. The language of “Remember Love” is both poetic and relatable, helping readers connect with the author’s words on a deeply personal level. Wade’s writing is both a soothing balm and a source of inspiration, offering a sense of reassurance in times of turmoil. Ancestors Said: 365 Introspections for Emotional Healing a book by Ehime Ora (Hay House) “Ancestors Said” conveys a profound message: Our ancestors are not mere memories of the past; they live through us. “Ancestors said they experience life through your eyes. Living your life as full as you can nourishes them. You being alive is enough for them.” These words set the tone for an extraordinary voyage of introspection and healing, where readers are encouraged to embrace life to its fullest, knowing that their existence is a gift from those who came before. Ehime Ora’s writing exudes a sense of spirituality and a deep connection with the past, making the book a spiritual guidebook for readers seeking solace and healvites readers to embrace the idea that to ing. The daily affirmations, prayers, and live is to get lost, and it’s our responsibili- reflections are carefully curated to address ty and privilege to learn to love ourselves a range of emotional needs and encourage so we can navigate these challenging pe- self-reflection, growth, and connection riods without hindering our healing pro- with one’s lineage.

24 • November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023

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Sista’s Place, Smoke, Room 623 Marcus Goldhaber and Adriane Ferguson (Photo courtesy of room 623)

Sista’s Place in the heart of Brooklyn (456 Nostrand Avenue, Frederick Douglass Square, formerly Nostrand and Jefferson Avenues), the spiritual agitators of this soul cleansing music known as jazz continues its 29th year of tradition with T.K. Blue & The Tide of Love Quartet on December 2. Two shows only at 8pm and 9:30pm. The saxophonist, flautist, kalimba player, and composer Blue will be joined by pianist Alva Nelson, bassist Paul Beaudry and drummer Orion Turre. Being mentored by iconic jazz griot Randy Weston, Blue is committed to infusing his American jazz experiences with music of the Black diaspora from Africa to Brazil. His flute whispers the blues and his saxophone has a hard-driving lyrical style, exemplifying the connected melodies of Pan Africanism. On November 30, Blue will appear at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem as a part of their ongoing series “Music and The Brain” from 7pm-8pm, He will perform in a duo configuration with his longtime friend and bandmate pianist and composer Sharp Radway. On December 1, Blue performs in Ramsey, New Jersey at Brother’s Smokehouse BBQ & Soul Restaurant (owned by Randy Weston’s grandsons Jamie Gavin and Chris Farella). The brothers are serious in the kitchen, just saying. For Sista’s Place reservations please call 718-398-1766. The Billy Hart Quartet will make its debut four-day engagement at Smoke Jazz & Supper Club (2751 Broadway) on December 7-10. It’s somewhat difficult to believe drummer, composer and educator Billy Hart and his capable quartet are just making it to the noted uptown jazz venue. But their musicianship has kept them in the jazz forefront calling for performances on the international jazz tour scene throughout the year. Hart’s long standing quartet which he formed in 2003 includes tenor saxophonist Mark Turner, pianist Ethan Iverson, and bassist Ben Street. Over the years the quartet have become more of a collaborative, a sharing source of infinite ideas. They are an intuitive force consistently advancing the music and their concepts.

In 2022, Hart became a National Endowment for the Arts NEA Jazz Master. He is currently a member of the Cookers, a collective that began in 2001. He has appeared on over 600 album recordings and worked with such stars as Dick Griffin, Shirley Horn, Hamiet Bluiett, Herbie Hancock, and Miles Davis (“On the Corner” and “Big Fun,” Columbia Records). For Smoke reservations visit the website smokejazz.com. Even if one has explicit directions, it is still very feasible to miss the little jazz club, Room 623-Harlem’s Speakeasy (271 W. 119th Street, Frederick Douglass Blvd. & St. Nicholas Avenue). Unlike any jazz club in New York City, Room 623 is a non-conformist structure meaning it’s not in line with the rest of the buildings

on the block. It is actually behind the restaurant Brunch Harlem (although the two are connected, from the street it looks like two separate structures). So, if one walks past the restaurant, bam you missed it. To get to the club, walk down the stairs just past the restaurant, follow the path to the back and pssst knock on the door. The host and founder Marcus Goldhaber more than likely will open the door, and like many jazz cats, he sports a hat (for recognition). Small, quaint and cozy describes Room 623, a large living room with comfortable couches, coffee tables, chairs, and a petite art deco bar. With a capacity of around 40, the audience and musicians in such close proximity share an up-close intimate connection that can’t be matched in other jazz clubs. “This is a healing place where people

On this debut CD he gets the opportunity to show off his composing and arranging abilities. Also on December 1 “The Late Set” with special guest saxophonist Kevin Oliver from 10 p.m.-1 a.m.; On Sundays The Lab Session: Jam & Jazz Party with the visionary bassist Mimi Jones & Friends (8 p.m. and 10 p.m.), December 3. Also on December 3, the host and emcee Goldhaber morphs into his jazz vocalist persona from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. The singer/songwriter Goldhaber has been a Harlem resident for over 20 years. He was a regular at the high intensity St. Nick’s Pub, Lenox Lounge and the Zinc Bar in Lower Manhattan. It was socializing at these jazz haunts that motivated him to someday find a special place with those same spirited vibes that illuminated the Pub and Lenox Lounge. Some years later, Goldhaber happened to meet Adriane Ferguson, the owner of Brunch Harlem, and a conversation ensued. She showed him her backroom space and BAM ZAM, in 2019 Room 623 became the new club on the block—a comfortable Harlem jazz refuge where musicians from around the world or around the corner come to share their music visions. Prior to opening Goldhaber joined with his friend at Big Apple Jazz Tours and former owner of EZ’s Woodshed Gordon Polatnick to produce a test run evening that proved they were in the right jazz lane. What also sealed Ferguson and Goldhaber’s deal was the musical history of Brunch Harlem. Years prior, it was Billie’s Black, a small active restaurant known for its weekly live jazz and jam sessions, where established and aspiring musicians gathered to network and perfect their craft. Today the jazz tradition continues at Room 623-Harlem’s Speakeasy. The only other jazz speakeasy in Harlem is Bill’s Place, the original venue where Billie Holiday often performed. Room 623 has a unique location and maybe a secret knock just for kicks. Brunch Harlem, like Room 623, boasts a cozy ambience plus drink menu and good seafood. Cuisine and great jazz are in perfect connection. For more information and calendar visit the website room623.com or call 212-589-8979

share the love, and always feel better after enjoying the power of jazz,” said Goldhaber. Room 623 is open three nights per week; Wednesdays, The Harlem Jazz Session hosted by Peter Brainin & Friends 8 p.m.11p.m. (concert and jam session); Late Night Fridays special guests: December 1 trumpeter Freddie Hendrix performs two sets at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Hendrix is one of my favorite musicians, whose performance follows the tradition of Lee Morgan and Freddie Hubbard. His deep lyrical rhythms and punching riffs immediately catch listeners attention. His recent CD “Jersey Cat” is representative of his talent to turn any tune into a memorable moment from traveled standards like “You Don’t In the 11/16/23 issue Ahuma Know What Love Is,” to Freddie Hubbard’s up tempo “Hubtones.” Bosco Ocansey was misspelled.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023 • 25

Three students shot in Vermont. Their families thought the U.S. would be safer By LISA RATHKE and HOLLY RAMER Associated Press BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP)—Far away from the war in Gaza, three Palestinian college students were enjoying their Thanksgiving break in Vermont, celebrating not just the holiday but a pair of family birthdays, when they were attacked by a gunman. “If you’re in college, who wants to go to an 8-year-old’s birthday party? But these three guys did,” said Rich Price, who hosted his nephew and two friends for the long weekend. Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Tahseen Ali Ahmad, all aged 20, were out for a walk Saturday after the party for Price’s twin sons when a man approached them. Without saying a word, he shot them, left them seriously injured, and shattered their families’ sense that they would be safer in the U.S. than in the war-torn region where they grew up. Price, Awartani’s uncle, said people often ask him if he’s worried about his sister and her family in the occupied West Bank. “The reality is, as difficult as their life is, they are surrounded by an incredible sense of community,” Price said. “‘Tragic irony’ is not even the right phrase, but to have them come stay with me for Thanksgiving and have something like this happen speaks to the level of civic vitriol, speaks to the level of hatred, that exists in some corners of this country. It speaks to a sickness of gun violence that exists in this country.” Elizabeth Price, Awartani’s mother, said she and her husband decided after the Israel-Hamas war began in October that their son should stay in the U.S. rather than return home for the holidays. Now her son is unlikely to ever walk again, she said. “My husband is so bitter,” Elizabeth Price told NPR on Monday. “He thought my son would be safe in Burlington.” One of the students has been released from the hospital, according to media reports, while one faces a long recovery because of a spinal injury.

summer from Syracuse, New York, and legally purchased the gun used in the shooting, Murad told reporters. According to a police affidavit, federal agents found the gun in Eaton’s apartment on Sunday. The U.S. Department of Justice and Vermont authorities are still investigating whether the shooting on a residential street close to the University of Vermont would be considered a hate crime. The victims were speaking in a mix of English and Arabic, and two of them were wearing the black-and-white Palestinian keffiyeh scarves when they were shot, said Police Chief Jon Murad. Threats against Jewish, People gather in Pliny Park in Brattleboro, Vt., for a vigil on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, for the three PalestinianMuslim, and Arab comAmerican students who were shot while walking near the University of Vermont campus in Burlington, Vt. The munities have increased three students were being treated at the University of Vermont Medical Center, and one faces a long recovery across the U.S. since the because of a spinal injury, a family member said (Kristopher Radder/The Brattleboro Reformer via AP) Israel-Hamas war began. Keeping her son safe as a Palestinian them “remarkable, distinguished students.” At a vigil Monday night at Brown UniAmerican is something Price has grap“They are all just very, very close friends,” versity, a professor read a statement from pled with since Awartani was born in San said Abdalhamid’s uncle, Radi Tamimi, at Awartani in which he expressed appreciaFrancisco in 2003. In an audio essay re- a news conference Monday in Burlington. tion for the community’s love and support corded for PRX that year, she described His nephew grew up in the West Bank and but said, “I am but one casualty in a much a trip to the occupied West Bank with “we always thought that that could be more wider conflict.” 6-week-old Hisham, who was not allowed of a risk in terms of his safety and sending “Had I been shot in the West Bank, where to return home without permission from him here would be [the] right decision. We I grew up, the medical services which saved the Israeli army. feel somehow betrayed in that decision my life here would have likely been with“My son’s dual nationality will be a primer here and we’re just trying to come to terms held by the Israeli army. The soldier who in freedom and its loss,” she wrote. “Al- with everything.” would have shot me would go home and though I may not be able to protect my son The suspected gunman, Jason J. Eaton, never be convicted,” he said, according to from the worst of the world, at least I know 48, was arrested Sunday at his apartment, NBC News. that it will be through his suffering as a Pal- where he answered the door with his hands estinian that he will understand the true raised and told federal agents he had been Associated Press writers Kathy Mcvalue of his freedom as an American.” waiting for them. Not-guilty pleas were en- Cormack in Concord, New Hampshire; The other shooting victims had been tered on his behalf on Monday and he was David Sharp in Portland, Maine; and Mifriends since first grade at Ramallah Friends held without bail on three counts of at- chael Casey in Boston contributed to this School, a private school in the West Bank. tempted murder. report. Ramer reported from Concord, New Rania Ma’ayeh, who leads the school, called Eaton moved to Burlington over the Hampshire.

John Jay College of Criminal Justice adjunct professor Keith Taylor said the delayed class elevates an existing crisis to a catasContinued from page 3 trophe, with the NYPD already struggling to replace outgoing cops. The ex-NYPD ofquality-of-life issues, that we’ll have chaos ficer said that while the department can in the streets.” stem gradual force number declines with Both Black and white unformed force burgeoning technological innovation and numbers declined since the Bloomberg ad- reconfiguration of units, there are bigger ministration while the NYPD census tallied challenges to handling such an abrupt rea marked increase in the number of officers duction. Ultimately, he contended, crime identifying as Hispanic and Asian. numbers will reflect the decrease of cops

NYPD

in a negative fashion. “The last time we had a loss of officers of this significance was in the 1970s, during the city’s fiscal crisis, and the consequence of that—regarding lawlessness, crime, the abandonment of the city by businesses and individuals—took many years to recover from,” said Taylor. “It’s really a major threat to New York City’s way of life. “For the department itself, it also means that officers will not have as much career flexibility, they won’t be able to get promot-

ed as much, and so everything will slow down: Transfers will slow down [and cops will leave] for better opportunities, better pay, or [because of] frustration with the job.” Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member who writes about public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1.

26 • November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

THE

CLASSROOM

Julia Amanda Perry, gifted pianist, vocalist and conductor By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews Eleven years before jazz great Donald Byrd studied with the renowned teacher Nadia Boulanger in Paris, her student was Julia Amanda Perry in 1952. While Byrd, who died in 2013, was an established icon, Perry was a relatively obscure but no less gifted musician. Born March 25, 1924, in Lexington, Kentucky, she was a child when her family moved to Akron, Ohio. There she began her musical journey before attending the Westminster Choir College from 1943 to 1948. Her concentration was in piano, voice, and composition. After receiving her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music, she continued her graduate studies at Berkshire Music Center in Tanglewood, where she studied under Luigi Dallapiccola. Later she studied at the Juilliard School of Music, and shortly thereafter was the recipient of her first Guggenheim Fellowship. In 1952, she began studying under Nadia Boulanger and was subsequently awarded the Boulanger Grand Prix for her Viola Sonata. This was followed by her second Guggenheim Fellowship, which she used to return to Italy and resume her studies with Dallapiccola. Through the mid-1950s, she studied conducting at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena, and in 1957 was sponsored by the U.S. Information Service to conduct a series of concerts in Europe. On her return to the U.S., Perry began teaching in Florida at the Tallahassee Agricultural and Mechanical College in 1967 and was also a visiting artist at Atlanta College. Central to many of her early compositions was the influence of the African American musical heritage, with a special focus on voice. Indicative of this are her compositions “Free at Last” and “I’m a Poor Li’l Orphan,” both published in 1951. “Song of Our Savior,” composed for the Hampton Institute Choir, was typical of her delve into Black spiritual music, though in this instance a Dorian mode and a hummed ostinato with call and response were pervasive. Always an experimenter, she soon branched out to include elements of dissonance in her compositions, most notably “Stabat Mater” (1951) and for solo contralto and string

ACTIVITIES

Julia A. Perry (Photo courtesy of National Arts Centre of Canada)

FIND OUT MORE A good place to start is at the National Arts Centre in Canada and then online to several sites with extensive discussions of her compositions. DISCUSSION Not much was available online about her early years but a deeper dive into the files at various Akron institutions and newspapers could be rewarding. PLACE IN CONTEXT She did not live a very long life but it was one that covered a sizable portion of the 20th century.

THIS WEEK IN BLACK HISTORY orchestra. While the dissonance was a dominant concept, the composition retained tonal aspects. Her interests at that time included modern techniques, such as quartal harmony—using chords in fourths, rather than thirds and fifths. The song was recorded on CRI by the Japan Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra and conducted by William Strickland. A prolific composer, her “Requiem for Orchestra” or “Homage to Vivaldi” is considered among her most enduring creations. Her compositions varied in size, sometimes from small chamber ensembles to

violin concertos and symphonic operas. Perry’s “The Symplegades,” based on the Salem witchcraft panic, is a three-act opera. She worked on this composition for more than a decade; it remained unfinished until her death on April 24, 1979. She was 55. There were other completed pieces, including an operatic ballet with her own libretto, and based on Oscar Wilde’s fable, “The Selfish Giant.” A few years before her death she composed “Quinary Quixotic” Songs for bass-baritone and “Bicentennial Reflections” for tenor solo. Her compositions were mainly

conceived for vocal arrangements, though her repertoire featured a number of instrumental songs. By the time she suffered a stroke in 1971, she had written twelve symphonies. Unfortunately, much of her work was not recorded but her short piece for orchestra was recorded by the New York Philharmonic in Lincoln Center in 1965 and can be heard online with Joseph Young conducting in 2022 at Bard College’s Fisher Center. There are lovely passages in this nearly ten-minute composition, featuring flutes, oboes, and clarinets.

Nov. 28, 1929: Berry Gordy, the Motown mogul, was born in Detroit. Nov. 29, 1964: Actor Don Cheadle was born in Kansas City, Mo. Nov. 30, 1924: Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm was born in Brooklyn, NY. She died in 2005.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023 • 27

Gray-Krehbiel holds open night for ‘Barkley L. Hendricks at the Frick’ Celebrate the must-see fall exhibition “Barkley L. Hendricks: Portraits at the Frick” with a free evening at the Frick Madison on Friday, Dec. 8, from 5 to 9 p.m. Enjoy after-hours access to the show along with all the galleries and the Frick Art Reference Library’s reading room, as well as sketching, themed talks, live music, and complimentary refreshments from the SisterYard. Admission is free, but capacity is limited. Reserve free timed tickets online to guarantee admission. Walk-ins are welcome, but entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis. For those who can’t attend the opening event, the “Barkley L. Hendricks: Portraits at the Frick” exhibition remains on view through January 7, 2024. https://www.frick.org/programs/open_nights

THE BLACKLIGHT IS THE FIRST INVESTIGATIVE UNIT AT A LEGACY BLACK OWNED NEWSPAPER. WE ARE SHINING A LIGHT WHERE OTHER NEWS ORGANIZATIONS DON’T WANT TO LOOK AND WE NEED YOUR HELP TO KEEP OUR JOURNALISTS WORKING. FROM THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 AND GUN VIOLENCE IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES TO CLIMATE CHANGE, WE ARE WORKING HARD TO SERVE YOU! PLEASE MAKE A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TODAY. SCAN the QR Code to donate. OR TEXT “BLACKLIGHT” to (202) 858-1233 amsterdamnews.com/blacklight-donate/

The Local Media Foundation/New York Amsterdam News Blacklight Project will shine a light on the problems plaguing our communities and highlight solutions. Donations to the Local Media Foundation for this project are taxdeductible to the extent of the law. No goods or services are provided in exchange for contributions. Please consult a tax advisor for details. The program is administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36-4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with the Local Media Association. Cover of catalog for “Barkley L. Hendricks: Portraits at the Frick”

28 • November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Education For the love of the game: GoLeft Sports held free high school girls basketball tournament By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member The unmistakable sound of basketballs dribbling and sneakers squeaking echoed throughout the fairly empty gym at Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball High School in the Bronx. The frigid air of the early morning did not deter the look of determination the players had as they warmed up and ran through practice drills before the tournament began. Over Thanksgiving weekend, GoLeft Sports LLC put on a free high school student basketball tournament for Black and brown girls in the Bronx and Harlem. The program accepts girls from all different schools with varying levels of athleticism who are passionate about the sport. The company was founded by Bronx native Nate Perry, 48, who has played basketball since he was 11 years old and went semipro. He has a son and daughter that enjoy the sport. He began coaching about three years ago and noticed that there were little resources available for young female players. He paid for the tournament and things like gym space, a DJ and announcer, referees, uniforms, prizes, and insurance fees on his own dime without sponsors, he said. “I kind of noticed that there were a lot of programs for boys and really nothing for girls. So I made GoLeft Sports and created a middle school girls team,” said Perry. Plenty of women’s health organizations are wholeheartedly behind the idea of promoting female empowerment through play and sports participation for all ages but especially for youth. The Women’s Sports Foundation, founded by the inimitable tennis player Billie Jean King in 1974, fully supports the federal law that mandates equal participation opportunities for male and female students in secondary and post secondary education. The foundation’s research found that sports participation has several benefits for girls and women: health and wellness through exercise, higher confidence and body positivity, a

Founder of Go Left Sports LLC Nate Perry. (Ariama C. Long photos)

Coach Jeremy Logan (far right) and Coach Isiah Williams (left) spoke to the players during the tournament on Saturday, November 25 at the Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball High School in the Bronx.

greater sense of sportsmanship and teamwork, and absorbing goal-setting skills that are helpful in workplace environments. “A lot of programs want phenoms so they can compete at high levels, so if you’re not a phenom where do you go?” Perry asked. “Any girl that wants to play with us we don’t turn them away. We offer development and coaching and we don’t cut any players.”

The energy was infectious as the girls played and laughed with one another around the court the closer it got to starting time. Family members, cheerleaders, onlookers, media, and volunteers from the boys basketball team filed into the folding chairs set up along the courtside. Things kicked off with the freshmen girls playing a visiting girls team from Mount Carlisle. The girls at

Player made a jump shot during the game.

GoLeft changed into their blue and white uniforms with short inspirational slogans on the back of their jerseys. It was their first game, said Coach Jeremy Logan, so he expected there to be some missteps. He finds coaching girls basketball more gratifying because they truly adopt the skills and technique necessary to excel at the game rather

than rely on pure athleticism to showboat. GoLeft has coaches that also work at Earl Monroe High, a charter school that built its curriculum around basketball, education, advocacy, and anti-violence. Coaches Isiah Williams and Naomi Smith and cheerleading coach Genesia Shannon, as well as the cheer See GOLEFT on page 31

November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023 • 29

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS the wolf is in the house and the consequences are hitting us,” said Dr. Continued from page 2 Rick Spinrad of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdminisUnion’s headquarters in Washington tration (NOAA). D.C. for the Chapman Conference on Illness stemming from a warmClimate and Health for Africa. More ing climate is a “low-hanging fruit” than 120 participants from 24 coun- in early-warning systems, added Dr. tries attended the meeting, with pre- Wassila Thiaw, a meteorologist at sentations ranging from the effects of NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. extreme heat on maternal health to “It’s about temperature, humidithe climate drivers of malaria. ty and how they affect health, and we “When it comes to climate change can predict that,” he said. “And we can

International

Frantz Fanon

provide the forecasts to governments and make them accessible to people.” Prof. Kristie Ebi from the University of Washington started off the third day of the conference with a presentation on heatwaves and early action plans. She recalled the 2021 “heat dome” event, when temperatures reached scorching levels that resulted in some 800 excess deaths. It was later termed a 1-in-10,000 year event. “These people died because of climate change,” Ebi said. “Every heat-

related death is preventable.” John Nairn, an extreme heat expert, also weighed in. “These are not your normal weather systems of the past. You have to do climate repair to change it,” he said. Meanwhile, in the last two months, heavy rainfall brought extensive flooding in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya, following the most prolonged drought on record. Days after the floodwaters swallowed her home in eastern Kenya,

and structural racism as it exists in capitalist and progressive countries. “It is shameful,” said Dr. Fanon, “what is happening in Libya where there is slavery and inhuman mistreatment of the neo-slaves, after NATO destroyed one of the most stable countries in the world, under the leadership of Muammar al-Qaddafi. And the treatment that African migrants are suffering in Europe is unacceptable to human reason, particularly after more than a million Africans

participated in the Europe-centered first and thirst crossing the Sahara trying to reach Mosecond world wars.” rocco and trying to travel on from there to Spain. Many more have died crossing PanaThe Wretched of the Earth today ma’s Darien Gap. The wretched of the earth are still “wretchBlack African migrants and asylum seekers ed,” evidenced by the millions of elders, are often victims of human trafficking, forced women, and children who are killed by the prostitution, and rape as they travel migrant constant bombardment of Israel against the routes toward Europe. They have faced dePalestinian people. The wretched of the earth grading treatment in North Africa and within are the hundreds of thousands of Black Afri- countries of the European Union once they can refugees and migrants who try to reach arrive within those borders. They have been Europe and die in their attempt to reach Ita- herded like cattle and given little food or water ly’s island of Lampedusa, while others die of in Tunisia. 23 were killed in the north African

Cecilia Orta

Afro Puerto Rican activists rallied on Sunday, Nov. 19 to condemn what they are calling a discriminatory act by the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (Casa Silvana photo)

for Educational Innovation artistic residency sponsored by the Darryl Chappell Foundation. “There was no problem with that, I was even in the gallery for that because I was an invited juror,” says Velázquez. But by late August, visitors to MAPR noticed that someone had taken down the wooden plaque which featured Orta Allende’s name and likeness. Velázquez, who is also the founder and director of the Casa Silvana art gallery—a space which promotes Afro Puerto Rican and Afro Latino art––and a member of the International Association of Art Critics (AICA) said he tried to go to MAPR to see if this was true: “I went to the museum to investigate what was happening, but the museum made it a little bit impossible for me to enter that day. I don’t know why this was, because I had always entered the museum. As a member of AICA, I have my press pass and we have access to the whole museum for free. But they kept me for about 20, 30 minutes before I could enter. It was strange.” After security finally allowed him to enter, Velázquez said he saw that the rumors were true: “When I finally arrived at the space, it was true that they had put another name on the gallery. I investigated the

name of that person, I photographed the plaque, I photographed the room where Cecilia’s plaque was removed, so that I could have proof and be able to write what I was going to write and then I began to investigate.” Velázquez has spoken out to the community and press about the removal of the plaque. MAPR’s executive director, María Cristina Gaztambide, claims that the Cecilia Orta Allende plaque has not been eliminated, just moved to another location. Because the museum expects to have funding for the workshop center in support of Afro Latino artists, the Orta Allende plaque was placed inside the Center for Educational Innovation. “What we wanted to do was guarantee the permanence of this space,” Gaztambide told Prim-

era Hora newspaper. “If we had kept the name Cecilia Orta, there was a possibility that she would leave us at some point.” Anti-racist activists are not buying Gaztambide’s assertion, they contend that there had been pressure to remove Orta Allende’s name since the day the plaque was initially mounted. A former museum staffer said that after the first artist’s residency was completed, there was pressure to remove the plaque from the gallery. Now the Cecilia Orta Allende Gallery features the name of Valeria Antonia Carrión Benítez, the only daughter of museum donors Gloria Benítez and José Carrion III (a former president of the island’s Fiscal Oversight Board). The November 19 picketing in front of MAPR was to show that the ad-hoc Afro

Our gift ideas Black business gift certificates, one hour of cell phone support (great for older people), cookbooks, 5 lb hand weights, an old school hip hop logo t-shirt or hoodie, a sports jersey, a free credit report (Credit Karma and others). Other ideas: games, “a hobby” (google “find a hobby”), a scrapbook with old photos, family history research, and the old standby—a plant. Also, a corkscrew, a visit with relatives, and a meal are good too.

The best gifts for someone interested in personal finance? Their own credit report, an application for a low fee, low-interest credit card, or a personal finance course. There are also online personal finance courses (for example “Earn You Leisure” and “The Broke Black Girl” offer courses). We are not asking you to change your spending, just consider a Black business. There are hundreds of Black business directories at your fingertips, so you can no longer

Continued from page 2

Black consumer Continued from page 12

Rule No. 7: Look for quality products. Quality products are cheaper in the long run. We just bought our fourth coffee maker in ten years. I drove over to Walmart and spent another $40. Four times $40 is 160 bucks. If I had just bought the more expensive model, I might have saved money. Same for shoes and coats.

Fatuma Hassan Gumo waded through thigh-deep murky water to collect her only remaining possessions—floating utensils. The fruit vendor was forced to flee at night from her submerged home to the nearest dry land with her family of 12, including seven children. Gumo and her family are among the thousands of people left homeless and destitute by torrential rains that have lashed much of Kenya, killing more than 70 people.

city of Melilla on June 24, 2022, when they tried to climb a border fence and were beaten by Moroccan authorities. El Salvador is now charging anyone traveling with a passport from any African country through the Central American nation a $1,000 tax. Italy has passed laws that say migrants can be detained for up to 18 months, and England is trying to find a way to forcibly return African asylum seekers from the United Kingdom to Rwanda—even if it’s not their country of origin. Fanon’s theories about the wretched of the earth remain valid today. Puerto Rican Movement wants accountability for the plaque’s removal. Velázquez marched outside the museum along with Gloriann Sacha Antonetty-Lebrón, founder and editor of the magazine Revista étnica; María Reinat Pumarejo, co-founder of the anti-racist Colectivo Ilé organization; María Luisa Cortijo of Colectivo El Ancón de Loíza; and other prominent Afro Puerto Ricans. The demonstrators were met with three patrols of police, 10 of them on motorcycles. But the anti-riot police show of force did not dissuade the protestors. “The museum is claiming that her name is now on a space within the center. But it’s only going to be in a corner within the Center for Educational Innovation,” said Velázquez. “That is not the same because that is a way of making her invisible; Cecilia Orta is going to be inside of a space that already has a name. It’s not like before, when there was a gallery called Cecilia Orta that had its own space, that did its own activities. “This is a museum in the area of Santurce, the only town founded by Blacks in Puerto Rico. It later became a neighborhood, a part of San Juan, but it was the only town founded by Blacks in Puerto Rico. To have MAPR commit this act of not being able to recognize a Black artist in Santurce and acknowledge her relationship with the community is discriminatory.” claim you cannot find a Black business. There is no longer any excuse not to spend money with a Black business in 2023. Black people in the U.S. are doing well, not great, financially. We are asking Black consumers to use some of that spending power wisely and support Black businesses. Happy Holidays. Chris Lee writes at BlackEconBiz.com, a website about Black Economics and Black Economic success and happiness.

30 • November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Religion & Spirituality

In Benin, Voodoo’s birthplace, believers bemoan steady shrinkage of forests they revere as sacred By SAM MEDNICK Associated Press PORTO-NOVO, Benin (AP)—For many people in Benin, the forests empowered them before they were born, or in the first months of their lives. Barren women performed Voodoo rituals by sacred trees to get pregnant. Parents brought their newborns seeking to ward off evil spirits. Some entered at a crossroads as adults, asking for guidance. In the cradle of Voodoo, the forests were places of hope. Yet as the woodlands shrank, due to economic development and other factors, it has dealt a blow to communities struggling to protect the spirits believed to live within them. In many cases, according to believers, the spirits fought back. When residents in the village of Houeyogbe agreed to let the government destroy much of its forest to build roads and install electricity, locals say the spirits unleashed a plague, with inexplicable deaths and mounting illnesses. In Ouidah, Benin’s epicenter of Voodoo, a gas station that replaced the Aveleketezou forest years ago has not turned a profit, residents say. Station employees said that when they filled cars with gas, it turned to water. Benin is home to thousands of sacred forests, which believers say are vital to a religion rooted in nature. They see the forests as homes for spirits, which priests pray to and seek guidance from. But for decades, the West African nation’s forests have been threatened, initially by antiVoodoo attacks and then by the expansion of farming and urbanization. Between 2005 and 2015, the total area of Benin’s forests decreased more than 20%, with the rate of deforestation continuing at more than 2% a year, according to the World Bank. As the government grapples with preserving the forests while developing the country, Voodoo worshippers worry the loss of its spaces could have profound effects. Not only is it an environmental concern, but believers say it threatens the social fabric of Benin’s 13 million people—approximately 11% of whom practice Voodoo. “When (the government) brought roads

Dada Daagbo Hounon Hounan II, Supreme Spiritual Voodoo Chief, at his palace in Ouidah, Benin. As government grapples with preserving forests while developing country, Voodoo worshippers worry loss of its spaces could have far-reaching effects. “The sacred forest is a vital area. ...It’s an area that enables the reception of positive energies and positive vibrations to direct and rule the world” (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

to our region and we had to stop everything in the sacred forest, people started getting sick and having all kinds of problems,” said Benoit Sonou, a Voodoo priest who witnessed the destruction of his community’s forest as a young man. Some 50 years later, he sat on the gravel road where the forest once stood, beside the two remaining trees the community salvaged. The trees have been cordoned off behind a concrete wall in hopes they won’ be touched. One of the world’s oldest religions, Voodoo originated in the kingdom of Dahomey—present-day Benin—and is rooted in animism: the belief that all things, from rocks and trees to animals and places, have a spirit. Today, millions of people practice it, turning to Voodoo priests to perform rituals to ward off evil spirits, overcome illness, and achieve professional and personal success. While nearly half of the country’s population are Christians, Voodoo is embedded in most people’s lives. Gatherings don’t begin without dropping water on the ground, a ritual that pays respect to ancestors. Initiation into Voodoo takes many years. With

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few exceptions, only those initiated are allowed to enter the sacred forests. Many of the parks ban women, due to beliefs they’ll go mad if they enter. The men must enter naked. In the West, Voodoo is sometimes regarded as evil, or conflated with witchcraft. In Benin, Voodoo priests say the religion is grounded in positivity, based on tolerance and acceptance, and abides by a strict set of rules. Carefully guarded stories about which spirits inhabit which forests have been passed down through generations. Believers say the spirits usually live in Baobab or Iroko trees, considered the most sacred. These areas are where priests perform the rituals, such as drinking blessed water or gin, eating cola nuts, or sitting in a sacred spot, such as inside a tree. “The sacred forest is a vital area,” said Dada Daagbo Hounon Hounan II, Supreme Spiritual Voodoo Chief. “It’s an area that enables the reception of positive energies and positive vibrations to direct and rule the world.” Only certain priests can communicate with the spirits, doing so through chants, prayers, or making noise like ringing a bell. Losing these forests eliminates places for experimentation and innovation, he said. “When we lose spaces demarcated for spiritual practices, these are spaces where people come together and try to understand how they’re going to respond to new challenges and new difficulties.” Standing in front of a sacred tree, priest Gilbert Kakpo said women with childbirth troubles go there for help.

“Our divinity is the protector of women,” he said. “If you’re a woman who’s had miscarriages or has given birth to stillborn children and you come here for rituals, you’ll never endure those hardships again...I can’t count the number of people who have been healed or treated here.” It’s hard to quantify how much sacred space has been lost in Benin, and to pinpoint the root cause. Locals and officials look to the early 1970s. At the time, the government cracked down on Voodoo believers, arresting and lynching people and chopping down trees deemed sacred. Decades later, new administrations made amends with the Voodoo community, but by then, development had surged. Between 2001 and 2012 approximately 45% of Benin’s sacred forests had disappeared or were diminished, according to the Circle for Safeguarding of Natural Resources. The aid group tries to preserve sacred forests by working with communities to demarcate boundaries, raise awareness about cutting trees, and teach people how to benefit financially by harvesting honey or snail-farming. Others blame the government’s development push. Earlier this year, in the village of Ouanho, residents said the government destroyed part of the forest without notice to construct roads. Now the spirits, which need protection, are too exposed by the fading forests, residents say. The government is doing what it can to protect the spaces, but can’t always ask for permission to build, one official said. “The state is doing its best not to construct where there are sacred forests. We often ignore the sacred forests because we don’t want them to prevent us from developing the country,” said Florent Couao-Zotti, the technical adviser for the Ministry of Culture. The government has banned cutting down trees without state approval and, since 2016, has invested some $3 billion into the culture and tourism sectors, which will indirectly help the forests, he said. As Benin’s population grows at nearly 3% a year, communities are trying to reconcile how to develop their land while preserving the forests. “It’s very hard to see how we can cope with development while maintaining our cultural heritage,” said Andre Todonou, a youth leader in Houeyogbe, where the forest was reduced to a handful of trees. Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

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Head Start Continued from page 10

In Cincinnati, Head Start should be able to help nearly 2,000 students, but right now, just over 1,500 kids are in classrooms because of staffing shortages, said Renee Daniel, vice president for early childhood education at the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency. Daniel was “jumping up and down” when she read the administration’s proposal to raise wages

and add heartier benefits for Head Start staff. Without additional federal money, though, she would have to permanently cut as many as 800 seats to pay for those increases. “Right now, we’re suffering, and we’re not serving the children anyway, because we don’t have the staff,” Daniel said. Daniel said in recent years, teachers have left to work in the healthcare sector or at Amazon. Daniel recently raised teacher salaries to start at $21 an hour, but to match local public school teacher salaries, pay would have to be

Children work on puzzle during preschool class at Life Learning Center–Head Start in Cincinnati, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023

about $33 per hour. The rule also suggests adding retirement benefits to teacher compensation, a new perk she’d have to offer. “How am I going to create parity with that, if I don’t get any new money?” she asked. Daniel said she plans to weigh in on the proposed rule, with the federal government accepting comments on the plan until January 19, 2024. HHS is counting on Congress to provide additional money for Head Start, which is why it’s giving programs until 2031 to fully up their salaries to match local teacher pay. The administration also believes the program can “maintain its current capacity” with the wage increases, said Katie Hamm, deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Early Childhood Development, by email. “The proposed changes are necessary to stabilize the Head Start program, which is facing a severe workforce shortage because staff can earn higher wages from other employers,” Hamm said. Plans to sharply increase teacher pay are already in the works for Head Start teachers in Los Angeles, said Michael Olenick, president and CEO of the Child Care Resource Center. The program should be able

November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023 • 31

Children work on tablets during preschool class at Life Learning Center– Head Start in Cincinnati, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023

to put 3,000 kids in classrooms, but is only serving 2,500 because of staffing shortages. Olenick anticipates raising teacher, assistant, and aide salaries soon to be more competitive with public school districts and fast food restaurants, which are now required to pay a $20 minimum hourly wage in California. “We have to get there next year,” he said. “This proposal would codify what we were anticipating we were going to have to do.” If Head Start programs nationwide

raise their wages, their jobs could become desirable in communities where daycare workers and early childhood educators are meagerly paid, said Markowitz. The average median wage for childcare workers sat at $13.71 per hour in May 2022, falling behind average pay for retail or food and beverage workers. “It’s definitely going to have impacts throughout the sector,” Markowitz said. “Ideally, it’s going to be part of a broader sea change, where child care educators are compensated at a fair level.”

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Continued from page 28

team, were all in attendance. “I feel like my team could have played a little better, more teamwork but we did good overall,” said sophomore player Janie Ramirez after the game. She said she was pretty nervous throughout the game and missed several shots. She definitely wanted to persevere and got into the game after a while. The older girls played the next few games with just as much fast paced vigor as any league team, complete with injuries, last second plays, arguments with the refs, and coaches on the sidelines losing their minds as they tossed a clipboard or two or three. The small wins were monumental. The losses were brutal but inconsequential at the end of the day. Most of the players said they were just excited to play and have fun in a safe environment. “It’s about hard work. This helps learn to be tough and have fun,” said exceptionally skilled Nyla BlakeSoeden, an 11th grader who plays varsity basketball for The Dalton School in Manhattan. Coach and filmmaker Noel Calloway was there with the Lady Prestige team from Harlem.

Coach Jeremy Logan and players in a huddle during a timeout. (Ariama C. Long photo)

His daughter, Kellen, plays on his team. She said that basketball is about having fun and is a nice way to connect with teammates before the season starts. “The idea is to get as many kids to stay active and stay busy

and not be in certain situations they are forced to be in when they don’t have anything to do is my goal,” said visiting coach Kareem Phillip-Davis about public safety. His nonprofit, Ballin Bronx Blazers, focuses on

girls and boys basketball, and since he has 25 years experience as a chef, he also teaches culinary skills to youth. 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.

32 • November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023

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101 LEGAL NOTICES

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK - COUNTY OF NEW YORK HILTON RESORTS CORPORATION, Plaintiff, -against- ANDREW OVIKUROM ORU, if living, and if he be dead, any and all persons unknown to Plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs-at-law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs-at-law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to Plaintiff, Defendants. INDEX NO.: 850030/2020 FILED: OCTOBER 25, 2023 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the Plaintiff's attorney within 20 days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service or within 30 days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant an Order of the Hon. Francis A. Kahn III, a Justice of the Supreme Court, of New York County, dated October 23, 2023 and entered October 23, 2023 NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT: THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Timeshare Mortgage in the amount of $109,286.23, recorded in New York County Clerk's Office on October 3, 2011 in CRFN: 2011000349327 of Mortgages covering the (1) .009864% undivided tenant in common interest of the Timeshare Unit, (2) .009864% undivided tenant in common interest of the Timeshare Unit, and (3) .009864% undivided tenant in common interest of the Timeshare Unit which all comprise a portion of the premises known as 102 WEST 57th STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019-3302. The relief sought in the within action is a final Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale directing the sale of the (1) .009864% undivided tenant in common interest of the Timeshare Unit, (2) .009864% undivided tenant in common interest of the Timeshare Unit, and (3) .009864% undivided tenant in common interest of the Timeshare Unit which comprises a portion of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage. New York County is designated as the place of trial on the basis of the fact that the real property affected by this action is located wholly within said County. Dated: February 1, 2023, Westbury, New York. Maria Sideris, Esq., DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC, Attorneys for Plaintiff, 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, New York 11590, (516) 876-0800. WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

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101 LEGAL NOTICES

Supreme Court – New York County – Hilton Resorts Corp., Pltf. v. CHRISTOBELLE KEELSON-ANFU, if living, and if they be dead, any and all persons unknown to Plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs-at-law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs-at-law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to Plaintiff, et al., Deft. – Index # 850135/2018. The foregoing supplemental summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Honorable FRANCIS KAHN, III, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, dated the 5th day of October 2023 and duly entered the 10th day of October 2023 in the office of the Clerk of the County of New York, State of New York. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY, 5165868513. TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s attorney, within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State) In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is for the foreclosure of: An undivided 5,000/28,402,100 tenants in common interest in Phase 1 of HNY Club Suites located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas NY, NY. Section: 4 Block: 1006 Lot: 1302. Mortgage bearing the date of April 11, 2014, executed by Christobelle Keelson-Anfu to Hilton Resorts Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, to secure the sum of $30,000.00, and interest and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of New York County on August 14, 2014, in CRFN 2014000271732. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the Mortgaged Premises as described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK HNY CLUB SUITES OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC., BY AND THROUGH ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Plaintiff -against- JJL CAPITAL CORP., et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated July 18, 2023 and entered on July 20, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on December 20, 2023 at 2:15 p.m. premises being an undivided ownership interest as tenant-in-common with other owners in the Timeshare Unit in the building located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY; known as The NYH Condominium. Together with an undivided 3.1810% in common interest percentage. This a foreclosure on ownership interest in a timeshare unit, a studio penthouse on a floating use basis every year, in accordance with and subject to declarations. Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions dated October 27, 2003 and November 3, 2003 as CFRN # 2003000442512 as recorded in the Office of the City Register, County, City and State of New York. The Timeshare Unit is also designated as Block 1006 and Lot 1302. Said premises known as 1335 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, NEW YORK, NY. Approximate amount of lien $21,722.48 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 850089/2018. SCOTT SILLER, ESQ., Referee, DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC, Attorney(s) for Plaintiff, 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590 NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK 57TH ST. VACATION OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., BY AND THROUGH ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Plaintiff -against- JEFFREY A. HILLS, PATRICIA E. HILLS, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated March 7, 2023 and entered on April 10, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on January 3, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York, being an undivided ownership interest as tenant-in-common with other owners in the Timeshare Unit in the building located at 102 West 57th Street, New York, NY. Together with an appurtenant undivided .015838% common interest percentage. This a foreclosure on ownership interest in a timeshare unit, a studio penthouse on a floating use basis every year, in accordance with and subject to declarations. Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions dated October 10, 2008 and October 31, 2008 as CFRN # 2008000426142 as recorded in the Office of the City Register, County, City and State of New York. The Timeshare Unit is also designated as Block 1009 and Lot 37. Said premises known as 102 WEST 57TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY. Approximate amount of lien $17,683.86 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 850073/2020. DORON LEIBY, ESQ., Referee DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590

Notice is hereby given that license serial number NA-034323-145414 for a On-Premises Hotel liquor license has been applied for by the undersigned to permit the sale of beer, wine and liquor at retail in a Hotel under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at the Renaissance New York Times Square located at 2 Times Square, New York in New York Country for on-premises consumption. TSQ Hotel Owner LLC and Merritt Hospitality LLC, 2 Times Square, New York, NY 10036. SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK THE BOARD OF MANAGERS OF 435 EAST 117TH STREET CONDOMINIUM, Plaintiff -against- CHRISTINE HEALEY, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated June 29, 2023 and entered on July 3, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on December 13, 2023 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, State and County of New York, known and designated as Section 6 Block 1711 and Lot 1203. Said premises known as 435 EAST 117TH STREET, UNIT NO. 3, NEW YORK, NY. Approximate amount of lien $57,680.99 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 152950/2022. GEORGIA PAPAZIS, ESQ., Referee Mitofsky Shapiro Neville & Hazen, LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 152 MADISON AVENUE, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10016

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101 LEGAL NOTICES

Supreme Court – New York County – Hilton Resorts Corp., Pltf. v. NAYDA FIGUEROA AND CARISSA R. VILLANUEVA, if living, and if they be dead, any and all persons unknown to Plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs-at-law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs-at-law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to Plaintiff, et al., Deft. – Index # 850135/2020. The foregoing supplemental summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Honorable FRANCIS KAHN, III, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, dated the 5th day of October 2023 and duly entered the 10th day of October 2023 in the office of the Clerk of the County of New York, State of New York. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY, 5165868513. TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s attorney, within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State) In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is for the foreclosure of 0.00986400000% undivided tenants in common interest in 57th Street Vacation Suites located at 102 West 57th Street NY, NY. Block: 1009 Lot: 37. Mortgage bearing the date of December 31, 2016, executed by Nayda Figueroa and Carissa R. Villanueva to Hilton Resorts Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, to secure the sum of $26,373.60, and interest and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of New York County on March 8, 2017, in CRFN 2017000092280. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the Mortgaged Premises as described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

Supreme Court – New York County – Hilton Resorts Corp., Pltf. v. ISKANDAR RIZAL AND ISKANDAR FAREED, if living, and if they be dead, any and all persons unknown to Plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs-at-law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs-at-law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to Plaintiff, et al., Deft. – Index # 850171/2018. The foregoing supplemental summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Honorable FRANCIS KAHN, III, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, dated the 5th day of October 2023 and duly entered the 10th day of October 2023 in the office of the Clerk of the County of New York, State of New York. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY, 5165868513. TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s attorney, within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State) In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is for the foreclosure of: An undivided 7,000/28,402,100 tenants in common interest in Phase 1 of HNY Club Suites located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas NY, NY. Section: 4 Block: 1006 Lot: 1302. Mortgage bearing the date of January 15, 2015, executed by Iskandar Rizal and Iskandar Fareed to Hilton Resorts Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, to secure the sum of $43,353.00, and interest and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of New York County on June 1, 2015, in CRFN 2015000182108. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the Mortgaged Premises as described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

NOTICE OF SALE In pursuance and by virtue of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly granted and entered on or about July 26, 2023, in an action pending before the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, entitled SND Management v. 321 East 84th Street Owners, Inc., et al., bearing Index No. 850152/2017, by The Honorable Francis A. Kahn, III, IAS Part 32, I, the Referee, duly appointed in the action for such purpose, will expose for sale and sell at public auction to the highest bidder on December 6, 2023, at 2:15 p.m., in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, at 60 Centre Stret, New York, New York 10007, the mortgaged premises designated as Block 1547, Lot 11, in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, State of New York and known as 321 East 84th Street, New York, New York. The approximate amount of the judgment is $4,996,965.97 plus interest and other charges, and the property is being sold subject to the terms and conditions stated in the judgment, any prior encumbrances and the terms of sale which shall be available at the time of sale. The sale is subject to the New York County Auction Part Rules.

Supreme Court – New York County – Hilton Resorts Corp., Pltf. v. YAKUBU O. AFOLABI, if living, and if they be dead, any and all persons unknown to Plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs-at-law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs-at-law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to Plaintiff, et al., Deft. – Index # 850172/2017. The foregoing supplemental summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Honorable FRANCIS KAHN, III, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, dated the 5th day of October 2023 and duly entered the 10th day of October 2023 in the office of the Clerk of the County of New York, State of New York. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY, 5165868513. TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s attorney, within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State) In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is for the foreclosure of: An undivided 5,000/16,783,800 tenants in common interest in Phase 2 of HNY Club Suites located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas NY, NY. Section: 4 Block: 1006 Lot: 1302. Mortgage bearing the date of February 23, 2015, executed by Yakubu O. Afolabi to Hilton Resorts Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, to secure the sum of $31,875.00, and interest and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of New York County on May 29, 2015, in CRFN 2015000181419. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the Mortgaged Premises as described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

Dated: November 6, 2023 New York, New York Thomas P. Kleinberger, Esq. Referee 411 5th Avenue New York, New York 10016 David P. Stich, Esq. Attorney for Plaintiff 521 Fifth Avenue, 17th Floor New York, New York 10175 (646) 554-4421 NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK HILTON RESORTS CORPORATION, Plaintiff -against- ADEWALE GEORGE, ENATA GEORGE, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated May 25, 2023 and entered June 1, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on January 4, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. premises being an undivided ownership interest as tenant-in-common with other owners in the Timeshare Unit in the building located at 102 West 57th Street, New York, NY. Together with an undivided 0.00986400000% interest in the common elements. This a foreclosure on ownership interest in a timeshare unit, a studio penthouse on a floating use basis every year, in accordance with and subject to declarations. Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions dated October 10, 2008 and October 31, 2008 as CFRN # 2008000426142 as recorded in the Office of the City Register, County, City and State of New York. The Timeshare Unit is also designated as Block 1009 and Lot 37. Said premises known as 102 WEST 57TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY. Approximate amount of lien $38,780.17 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 850060/2022. PAUL R. SKLAR, ESQ., Referee, DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC, Attorney(s) for Plaintiff, 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590

November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023 • 33

101 LEGAL NOTICES

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF KINGS SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Index No: 510883/2023 Plaintiff Designates Kings County as the Place of Trial The Basis of Venue is the Location of the Plaintiff place of Business and the Premises. Premises: 1143 Saint Johns Place, Brooklyn, New York 11213 Block:1251, Lot: 50 Saint Johns Organization LLC. Plaintiff, -against- Unknown Heirs of Vilna Smart, a/k/a Vilna E. St. Louis et al, and “John Doe”, “Jane Doe”, distributes, executors, administrators, trustees, committees, devisees, legatees, and the assignees of said Defendants or any one, being unknown to Plaintiff, it is being intended to designate persons or parties having or claiming an interest in or a lien upon the premises, if the aforesaid individual/s defendant/s are living, and if any or all of said individual defendants be dead, their heirs at law, next of kin, distributes, executors, administrators, trustees, committees, devisees, legatees, and the assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest of them, fee owners, tenants or occupants of the premises and/or persons or parties having or claiming an interest in or a lien upon the premises, Defendants, TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, (or within thirty 30 days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. Dated:04/04/2023 Manhasset, New York 11/06/2023 By Leslie S. Nizin, Esq., Attorney for Plaintiff, 55 Fair- way Drive, Manhasset, N.Y. 11030, 718-263-2411 To: Unknown Heirs of Vilna Smart, a/k/a Vilna E. St. Louis et al. NOTICE: THE NATURE OF THIS ACTION AND THE RELIEF SOUGHT. THE OBJECT OF THE ABOVE CAPTIONED ACTION IS TO SEEK A DECLARATORY JUDGMENT ESTABLISHING THAT THE PLAINTIFF HAS A 100 PERCENT INTEREST IN FEE SIMPLE FOR REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1143 Saint Johns Place, Brooklyn NEW YORK, 11213, BLOCK1251, LOT 50. NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NEW YORK THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, F/K/A THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS TRUSTEE FOR REGISTERED HOLDERS OF CWABS, INC., ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-6, Plaintiff, v. ALLAN A. JOHNSON, ET AL. Defendants. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of New York County on May 3, 2023, I, Scott H. Siller, Esq. the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on December 20, 2023 at the New York County Courthouse, Room 130, at 60 Centre Street, County of New York, State of New York, at 2:15 PM the premises described as follows: Frederick Douglass Boulevard, Apt/Unit 5F a/k/a: 300 West 140 Street a/k/a: 301 West 139 Street a/k/a New York, NY 10030 Block 2042 Lot 1123 ALL THAT CERTAIN plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York. The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 850102/2019 in the amount of 584,567.02 plus interest and costs. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the Court System's COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 Tel.: 855-227-5072 101862-2 Notice of Qualification of FOCUSED RESEARCH ORGANIZATION FOR IMMUNOLOGY, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/31/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 05/05/23. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of RGNMCA ITHACA I, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/01/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/27/23. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporataion Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

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34 • November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023

101 LEGAL NOTICES

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

101 LEGAL NOTICES

110 SERVICES

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK 57TH ST. VACATION OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., BY AND THROUGH ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Plaintiff -against- ANYA SARA HORWITZ A/K/A ANYA SARA HORWITZ LYONS AS CO-EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF CRYSTAL M. HORWITZ, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated August 22, 2023 and entered on August 30, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on January 3, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York, being an undivided ownership interest as tenant-in-common with other owners in the Timeshare Unit in the building located at 102 West 57th Street, New York, NY. Together with an appurtenant undivided .009864% common interest percentage. This a foreclosure on ownership interest in a timeshare unit, a studio penthouse on a floating use basis every year, in accordance with and subject to declarations. Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions dated October 10, 2008 and October 31, 2008 as CFRN # 2008000426142 as recorded in the Office of the City Register, County, City and State of New York. The Timeshare Unit is also designated as Block 1009 and Lot 37. Said premises known as 102 WEST 57TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY. Approximate amount of lien $16,794.56 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 850072/2020. GEORGIA PAPAZIS, ESQ., Referee DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590

Notice of Formation of COMMONWEALTH PIER F&B LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/05/23. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 853 Broadway, 17th Fl., NY, NY 10003. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Union Square Hospitality Group at the princ. office of the LLC. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of RGNMCA BOWMANSVILLE I, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/26/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/25/23. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

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NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK HILTON RESORTS CORPORATION, Plaintiff -against- GEORGE FUBARA TOLOFARI, WOBIA ALEXANNEDRA TOLOFARI, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated June 6, 2023 and entered on June 7, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on January 3, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. premises being an undivided ownership interest as tenant-in-common with other owners in the Timeshare Unit in the building located at 102 West 57th Street, New York, NY. Together with an undivided .009864% interest in the common elements. This a foreclosure on ownership interest in a timeshare unit, a studio penthouse on a floating use basis every year, in accordance with and subject to declarations. Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions dated October 10, 2008 and October 31, 2008 as CFRN # 2008000426142 as recorded in the Office of the City Register, County, City and State of New York. The Timeshare Unit is also designated as Block 1009 and Lot 37. Said premises known as 102 WEST 57TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY. Approximate amount of lien $45,569.06 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 850097/2022. CHRISTY M. DEMELFI, ESQ., Referee DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590 Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company (“LLC”). Name: Albany State Street GP LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York (“SSNY”) on October 17, 2023. N.Y. office location: New York County. The SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to Albany State Street GP LLC, c/o CSC, 80 State Street, Albany, New York 12207-2543. Purpose/character of LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity. NOTICE OF FORMATION of limited liability company (LLC). Name: MEKBROS, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/19/2023. Office location: New York Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and address SSNY shall mail a copy of process is 39 W. 14th Street, New York, NY 10011. Purpose: any lawful purpose. Notice of Formation of QBV CAPITAL LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 9/21/23. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated an agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to: 1 Union Square, South 210, New York City, NY 10003. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Notice of Qualification of PALACE CAPITAL LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/10/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/05/23. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Tarter Krinsky & Drogin LLP, Attn: Gina Piazza, Esq., 1350 Broadway, 11th Fl., NY, NY 10018. DE addr. of LLC: c/o Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. 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 BRODSKY FLATIRON LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/11/23. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: The Brodsky Organization, Attn: J. Dean Amro, 400 W. 59th St., NY, NY 10019. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Any lawful activity. WORKSHOP DIGITAL LLC. Arts of Org filed SSNY 10/13/23, NY Co. SSNY desig. agent for process & shall mail to: US Corp Agents, Inc., 7014 13th Ave, #202, BK, NY 11228. Purpose: General.

Notice of formation of Currant Productions LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 10/27/2023. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. The Post Office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon them is 135 W 52nd St, Apt 31B, New York, NY 10019. The principal business address of the LLC is 135 W 52nd St, Apt 31B, New York, NY 10019. Dissolution date: Perpetual. Purpose: Any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Qualification of THE HEAVY JAMZ LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/23/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 07/05/23. Princ. office of LLC: 111 E. 10th St., #8, NY, NY 10003. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secy. of State DE, 401 Federal St., #4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF M. Perotti LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/08/2023. Office location: NEW YORK County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. The Post Office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon her is: United States Corporation Agents, 7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202, Brooklyn NY 11228. The principal business address of the LLC is 320 W 38th Street, New York, NY 10018.

Notice of Formation of WILLETS TRIANGLE HOUSING LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/09/23. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qual. of MOSTLY TRUE FILMS LLC Auth. filed with SSNY on 09/21/2023. Office location: New York. LLC formed in TX on 06/08/2022. SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to: 66 Leonard Street, New York, NY 10013. Arts. of Org. filed with TX SOS. P.O. Box 13697, Austin, TX 78711-3697. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of JDW SOCIAL, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/11/23. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: John David West, 536 W. 47th St., Apt. PHE, NY, NY 10036. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of WEST 48 MASTER TENANT LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/10/23. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 7 Penn Plaza, Ste. 600, NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Jeffrey Levine at the princ. office of the LLC. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of TrayScapes LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/25/23. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Kent Beatty & Gordon, LLP, 11 Times Sq., 10th Fl., NY, NY 10036. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Stop, Drop & Scroll LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/04/2023. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 228 Park Ave. #619229, NY, NY, 10003. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. MHO - My Humble Opinion LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/02/2023. Office: NEW YORK County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 200 E 62ND ST APT 16B, NEW YORK, NY 10065. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Crowdwork Hack LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/18/2023. Office: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 685 Post Rd, Darien, CT 06820. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. GCW & Associates LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/29/2022. Office: NEW YORK County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to United States Corporation Agents, Inc., 7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023 • 37

North Carolina Central falls to Richmond in FCS playoffs By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor The North Carolina Central University Eagles put themselves in a favorable position in the opening 30 minutes of their match-up this past Saturday with the Richmond Spiders at E. Claiborne Robins Stadium in Richmond, Virginia, to move onward to the second round of the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs. An 18-yard touchdown run by quarterback Davius Richard at 6:47 of the second quarter put the Eagles ahead 20–7. It was the QB’s second rushing TD of the afternoon, following a one-yard plunge at 4:44 of the first quarter as NCCU tied Richmond at 7–7. In between his rushing scores, the 6–3 senior from Belle Glade, Florida, connected with wide receiver Devin Smith for a 91-yard touchdown and the Eagles held a 20–14 halftime lead. However, NCCU produced only one more TD, on a two-yard run by Richard, with 9:54 remaining in the fourth quarter, and was outscored 35–7 in the second half to fall to Richmond 49–27. The Spiders now travel to the capital of New York state to play the No. 5 seed Albany Great Danes this Saturday at noon at Casey Stadium.

North Carolina Central wide receiver Devin Smith streaks downfield in Eagles 49-27 loss to Richmond Spiders this past Saturday in opening round of NCAA Division I FCS playoffs. (Kevin Dorsey/nccueaglepride. com photo)

NCCU concluded their season by winning the HBCU national championship with a thrilling 41–34 overtime victory over Jackson State in the Cricket Celebration Bowl in Atlanta. This year, it is Howard that will represent the MEAC on December 16 in the Cricket Celebration Bowl (ABC, 12 p.m.), which pairs the MEAC champion with the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) champion. The Florida A&M Rattlers (10–1, 8–0 in the SWAC) are the heavy home favorites to defeat the Prairie View A&M Panthers (7–4, 6–2) this Saturday at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida (4 p.m.). The Rattlers took down the Panthers at Bragg Memorial 45–7 on October 28 when they totaled 453 yards of offense and limited the Panthers to 220. The Grambling State University Tigers have parted ways with their head coach, Hue Jackson, after two seasons. Jackson, a veteran NFL head coach who led the Oakland Raiders (2011) and Cleveland Browns (20162018), was 5–6 at Grambling this The Great Danes (9–3) and Spi- season, but did not meet head- ference (MEAC) contests, but a season (4–4 in the SWAC) and ders (9–3) finished in a three-way to-head. 50–20 road loss to Howard Univer- 8–14 in total, including a 27–22 tie with Villanova at 7–1 in ColoNCCU ended their 2023 cam- sity on November 11 gave Howard nationally televised loss this nial Athletic Association Confer- paign finishing 9–3 overall and the tie-breaker because the Bison past Saturday to Southern in the ence games during the regular 4–1 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Con- (6–5) were also 4–1. One year ago, 50th annual Bayou Classic.

Alabama State hoops alum Nia Symone steps into commentary role By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews Earlier this month, streaming digital platform HBCU GO, the leading media provider for HBCU sports, announced the 2023-24 basketball schedule of televised games. A total of 19 basketball matchups, including both men’s and women’s games, will be featured. Among the commentators is Nia Symone, who played Division I hoops at Alabama State University, the HBCU where she earned a degree in broadcast journalism. “It’s an honor to be on a platform that is really amplifying HBCU sports and HBCU culture,” said Symone, who kicks off basketball season this Saturday at Clark Atlanta versus Spring Hill. She will serve as the color commentator for the women’s game and sideline re-

porter for the men’s game. Symone also has other projects. She is a content creator for Nike and hosted Nike’s first-ever digital show, “Come Thru.” She is also the CEO and founder of Purpose To Be Heard, an athlete-led storytelling platform that examines experiences in sports and making the transition to life after athletic competition. There is also her non-profit, Athletes with a Purpose Foundation. “I was playing basketball nonstop from the age of four years old up until I was 22,” said Symone. “That is the same story for a lot of athletes. … Purpose to Be Heard is an authentic storytelling platform where we not only focus on your Tamika Catchings or Candace Parkers, but it’s for all athletes, whether you played on the D I, D II, D III or NAIA levels. It is a resource that my younger

self needed so badly. We’re hearing the stories of all athletes, the highs and lows.” Growing up in Atlanta, Symone’s early exposure to bigtime sports came as a ballgirl for the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream when she was in high school. During pregame shootaround, she was able to interact with and rebound for the players. One day, she saw LaChina Robinson in the broadcast booth, which sparked in Symone the interest in broadcasting. “LaChina took me under her wing,” said Symone. “She let me shadow her and Bob Radford for a game or two and be in the mix of what she was doing. From there on, I knew I wanted to study communications when I got to college and I wanted to be a commentator. Here we are today, and I’m exactly what I wanted.”

Former Alabama State basketball player Nia Symone is forging a career in broadcasting (Photo courtesy of Nia Symone)

38 • November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS S P O R T S

The Jets and Giants earnestly look ahead to next season Giants quarterback Daniel Jones underwent surgery last week to repair a torn ACL in his right knee (Giants.com photo)

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor Last week, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones underwent surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee that was torn on November 5 in a 30–6 Week 9 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The 26-year-old, fifth-year signal caller Jones played in just six games this season, as he missed three consecutive games due to a neck injury prior to returning to face the Raiders. The Giants were 2–7 after being defeated by Las Vegas, so Jones was not a force multiplier moving his team upwards in the standings, in which they are currently 4–8 and tied for last place in the NFC East with the Washington Commanders riding a two-game winning streak. Jones wasn’t central to the Giants’ myriad on-field issues, but continues to be a polarizing figure since being drafted by the franchise with the No. 6 overall pick in 2019. After signing a four-year extension worth up to $160 million in March, he was solidified as the team’s unquestioned starter, at least in the short term.

The contract is structured with outs after this season and next season, allowing the Giants latitude to move on from Jones without a massive financial casualty to the salary cap. They could draft his successor with what will be a high pick in April’s draft. Ironically they currently sit at No. 6 in the 2024 draft with five games remaining heading into this Monday’s (8:15 p.m.) match up with the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium. While the situation is fluid, Giants second-year general manager Joe Schoen said the team is committed to Jones as the starter next season. “The expectation is that when Daniel is healthy, he will be our starting quarterback,” Schoen said to reporters on Monday. ”You all saw [him] last season. The guy won 10 games, he won a road playoff game for the Giants. You guys saw the preseason,” he added. “I just think we got punched in the nose early on, we dug ourselves a hole and we weren’t able to get out of it. I still believe in Daniel.” In the absence of Jones and second string quarterback Tyrod

Taylor, who is out with a rib injury, New Jersey native and rookie third string quarterback Tommy DeVito turned a boyhood dream into reality when he led the Giants to a 10–7 win against the New England Patriots in his first home start, going 17–25 for 191 yards and no interceptions. The Jets, who are coming off of a 34–13 thrashing by the Miami Dolphins at home last Friday to drop to 4–7 as they prepare to host the 5–6 Atlanta Falcons at MetLife this Sunday (1 p.m.), also have been without their season-opening starting QB since Aaron Rodgers tore his left Achilles tendon on September 11 four plays into Week 1. Like his counterpart Schoen, Jets general manager Joe Douglas is already calculating and considering possible scenarios and moves as resets for next season. Rodgers will be back. But he will be a 40-year-old (he turns 40 on Saturday) QB trying to play at a high level on a repaired Achilles. For both the Jets and Giants, plenty of uncertainties remain heading into the offseason.

Women’s basketball is finding its place in pop culture Lisa Leslie (l) with talk show host and comedian Leslie Jones

Sydney Colson and comedian Desus Nice (Matt Wilson/Comedy Central’s The Daily Show photo)

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

she and friend Theresa Plaisance have created an unscripted comedy series, “The Syd + TP Show.” “The logline is two WNBA benchwarmers who try to become the face of the league even though nobody asked them to,” said Colson. Hall of Famer Leslie’s appearance was quite the lovefest as that week’s host, Leslie Jones, played college basketball and at one time considered playing professionally overseas. Jones was wearing a pair of bedazzled Lisa Leslie Dunk Lows, a shoe created by Nike to mark the 20th anniversary of Leslie’s first WNBA dunk last year. Even though they agreed that Leslie was the su-

In a matter of less than three weeks, two female basketball players made appearances on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show.” One is a legend of the game, Lisa Leslie, and the other a lesser known bench player, albeit one who has won back-toback WNBA Championships with the Las Vegas Aces, Sydney Colson. Colson was the first to appear, being interviewed by the show’s guest host, Desus Nice. This one caught my attention because Nice made some not-so-positive jokes

about the WNBA on his Showtime series “Desus & Mero.” When he spoke about attending the WNBA Finals game of the New York Liberty versus the Aces, I felt a distinct shift. It’s no longer cool to make women’s basketball the butt of a joke. Rather, we can focus on funny but respectful things, like trash talking. “Y’all are killing it,” said Nice. Colson spoke about seeing WNBA players in TV commercials. “Especially as a young Black player, to see women that look like me doing it and killing it, it was like I just have to keep working,” she said. Since sponsors aren’t casting Colson yet,

perior player, she gave Jones props for being a legit baller in her day. “We didn’t get as much spotlight as the young women get now…but having that opportunity and that platform to be a role model for the next generation, that’s all I kept thinking about,” said Leslie, who made a point that she is still available for endorsement deals. She also spoke about financial literacy and money management for student-athletes now earning NIL (name, image and likeness) money. Leslie and Jones shared a laugh and a little trash talk about the WNBA doubters, which shows that a new era has arrived.

November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023 • 39

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS S P O R T S

David Benavídez stops Demetrius Andrade after six rounds By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews David Benavídez retained his interim WBC super middleweight championship on Saturday night in Las Vegas by making quick work of former two-division champion Demetrius Andrade with a stoppage after the sixth round. Benavídez (28–0, 24 KOs) dropped Andrade (32–1, 19 KOs) late in the fourth round and continued to pressure his opponent until the fight was stopped by Andrade’s corner after the sixth round. “I just told Mike Tyson that I love him and thank you so much for the motivation he’s given me,” Benavídez said of the legendary Brooklyn-born boxer, who is credited with giving him the nickname “Mexican Monster.” “It’s not every day a boxing legend like Mike Tyson gives people nicknames, so I just want to live up to my name.” Benavídez also addressed his detractors. “Everybody says I’m not this, I’m not that; I’m flat-footed, I have no defense,” he said. “This guy (Andrade) probably applied one of

(L) David Benavídez lands blow to face of (R) Demetrius Andrade on his way to a sixth round win in their super middleweight bout in Las Vegas on Saturday. (Amanda Wescott/ Showtime photo)

the best defenses. He’s really good offensively. He could barely even hit me, so I think that says a lot on its own. I just have to keep beating who they put in front of me. I’m the best. I’m going to be the best. I’m going to be a legend by the time I’m done, so whoever you keep putting in front of me, I’ll keep knocking them down.”

What’s next for the interim WBC super middleweight champion? He called out the undisputed super middleweight champion and boxing icon Canelo Alvarez. “Let’s give the people what they want to see: They want to see Benavídez versus Canelo,” he said. “I just reminded everyone who the real champion at 168

ship against previously undisputed lightweight champion (and current unified lightweight champion) Devin Haney, who will dare to be great by moving from 135 lbs to 140 lbs for the fight. “I believe I have the power to take anyone out,” said Prograis (29–1, 24 KOs). “I don’t want to say too much, but I think he’s going to be surprised at my skill. I’ve been working my ass off. I’ve been in LA, training and sparring, and in Texas doing the same s*** for a long time. It’s not going to be no ‘skill versus power’—it’s going to be ‘skill versus skill’ and then I still have power, too.” “This is a huge fight for boxing and it’s a big opportunity for me because I have always dreamed of becoming a two-weight diis. Who wants to see me versus vision world champion,” said Canelo? I'm going to be super Haney (30–0, 15 KOs.) “I’m middleweight champion of the happy that I can hold onto my world, three-time world champi- titles, but also happy that I can on. Now, just give me the fight that challenge Regis, who is the best we all want to see. Who wants to at 140, but I will show that I’m on a different level and that I am see Benavídez versus Canelo?” In other boxing news, Regis the best. I’m excited for it, and Prograis will defend his WBC I think the fight is going to (be) junior welterweight champion- fireworks. I’m far above him.”

Digerness and Sadusky head into the U.S. Championships aiming to impress By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews U.S. Figure Skating has announced the entrants for the 2024 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, which will take place in Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 22–28. Among the qualifiers is the pair team of Nica Digerness and Mark Sadusky, who earned their spot at the U.S. Pairs Final. “I feel on top of the world,” said Sadusky. “After having a short program that wasn’t so clean…we were both a little shell shocked and there were a lot of nerves. It was very exciting to go out there for our long program and feel ‘let’s just go after it.’” Digerness, 23, and Sadusky, 25, placed third in the free skate and fifth overall. Last year, they missed the Pairs Final due to injury and received a bye to the 2023 U.S. Championships, where they finished eighth. After that, Sadusky increased his off-ice workouts and improved his nutrition. “What we really focused on this year was polishing our skating, taking our time in between movements and finding the connection with each other,” Sadusky said. “We’re excited that we’re finding our groove.” Both said it was exciting to compete at the Pairs Final and understand what they need to focus on in training. “I feel like we’re more enmeshed as a team and we’re more togeth-

Nica Digerness and Mark Sadusky are all smiles after qualifying for Nationals.

Nica Digerness and Mark Sadusky with their coaches (Photos courtesy of Digerness and Sadusky)

er,” said Digerness.“I’m focusing on improving. We will definitely train hard, commit to everything and have a good attitude.” The U.S. can enter three pair teams in the 2024 World Figure Skating Championships in March. The top U.S. team, two-time World medalists Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier, are not competing this year, so earning a spot on Team USA is anyone’s game. There has not been a Black male pairs skater representing the U.S. at Worlds since Aaron Parchem in 2006 and no one

internationally since Robin Szolkowy of Germany in 2014. “Our goal heading into the U.S. Championships is to really establish ourselves and show that we’ve improved,” said Sadusky. “It would mean the world to me to bring representation. Skating is still not diverse enough still. I love what Diversify Ice is doing, but I’m 25 and there are only five of us at Nationals. For me, it’s not enough. I want to be able to bring more diversity to the rink.”

40 • November 30, 2023 - December 6, 2023

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Sports The Knicks force their way into the in-season quarterfinals By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor If nothing else, during Tom Thibodeau’s four seasons as the Knicks’ head coach, the various iterations of his teams, while at stages structurally flawed, have been collectively as mentally and physically tough as any in basketball. It has been their superpower and has shown itself again in the early part of this season. While the offense has evolved, the Knicks’ sturdy defense under Thibodeau has been a constant. It has been anchored by center Mitchell Robinson, who has been one of the best defenders at any position in the league over the first five weeks. Robinson also tops in offensive rebounds at nearly six per game. “His [Robinson’s] effort plays are special; it inspires the team. He’s not going to have a 40-point night but some of the plays he makes are just incredible, they’re great effort plays,” said Thibodeau. “Oftentimes there’s two, three, four efforts on the play and he’s got bodies all over him, people are clamping him, holding him, he’s still getting to the ball...His pick and roll de-

AM News

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fense is terrific, rim protection terrific. All the intangibles he brings to the team. I say this all the time, I know his teammates have great appreciation for what he does. Coaches and the whole organization sometimes don’t realize the impact that he has.” Moreover, the Knicks’ roster is replete with players who operate with intensity and force on both ends of the floor, which on most nights is unmatched by the opposition. The Knicks led the league in opponents’ points per game at 105.1 when the NBA slate of games tipped off last night. A 115–91 victory over the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, fueled by Julius Randle’s monster 25-point, 20-rebound performance, earned the 10–7 Knicks a wildcard entry into the NBA In-Season Tournament. They will face the Milwaukee Bucks on the road next Tuesday in the quarterfinals. The winner will move on to the semifinals in Las Vegas on December 7. Before playing the Bucks, the Knicks will have regularly scheduled games versus the Detroit Pistons tonight at the Garden and the Toronto Raptors tomorrow on the road.

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The tournament has neKnicks head coach Tom Thibodeau and center Mitchell cessitated changes to the Robinson, who is leading the NBA in offensive rebounds at league’s schedule, which nearly six per game, have been at the crux of the team’s will have the Knicks play- physical play (Bill Moore photo) ing the Bucks five times this season. A motivating factor for players to win the inaugural tournament is money. Each player on the eventual Mitchell Robinson winner will receive a half a million dollars. “Yeah, money is important and $500,000 is a Tom Thibodeau lot. I don't care what anybody says.” Randle candidly admitted. “For the guys that aren’t making as much, it’s a big deal. We definitely want to win it for them. They put a lot into this.”

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Nets take first three games on current homestand By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews

AM News

Bridges matched his “When we talk about defense, he can switch career high by scoring one through five, get out, guard space, obvi45 points in a 147–145 ously— we know who he is as a rim protector, AM News overtime road loss to rebounder. He can do basically all pieces of the Atlanta Hawks last the game besides shoot. And as a center, you 11/09/23 don’t really necessarily need that.” week. Claxton, whose numbers are at 12.3 points After the win on Saturday, which ended a and 8.3 rebounds per game, had four blocks three-game Brooklyn Tuesday and three in back-to-back contests losing streak, Dinwid- last weekend. Claxton said his defensive apdie, who is averaging AM Newsproach hasn’t changed from last season. “No, it’s just what I do,” he maintained. “If 14.1 points and 6.3 asit’s a one through five, if we (are) in drop (desists, discussed building 11/23/23 momentum on the five- fense), I just find a way to protect the rim. That’s something I've had a knack for since game homestand. “The psychology I’ve been playing basketball.” Brooklyn did not make it out of the group of a group is, and the confidence of a group, stage of the NBA In-Season Tournament and Newswill host the Charlotte Hornets tonight and is probably theAM biggest key to any team, right? the Orlando Magic on Saturday, then face the 11/23/23 You got to believe and Atlanta Hawks on the road next Wednesday. have a certain level of will to be successful in this league,” said Dinwiddie. He spoke about the impact of AM starting News center Nic Claxton in getting the team back on track after three consecutive losses. “He’s 11/30/23 not the best shooter in the world, but other than that, I mean, there’s nothing on offense that he really can't do,” Dinwiddie said.

Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn has heavily relied on contributions of Lonnie Walker IV off the bench as team navigates injuries (Bill AM Moore photos) News

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Despite dealing with injuries to starting shooting guard Cam Thomas and starting 06/08/23 08/24/23 point-forward Ben Simmons, the Brooklyn Nets have won the first three games of their Lonnie Walker IV current five-game homestand and are once again over .500 with a record of 9–8 after Tuesday night’s 115–103 win over the Toronto AM News Raptors at AM News the Barclays Center. Thomas, 06/15/23 the Nets’ leading 08/31/23 scorer at 26.9 points per game, has not played since November Jacque Vaughn 8 and missed his ninth straight game on Tuesday with a sprained left ankle. Simmons, who was off to a AM News AM News solid beginning to this season, posting 10. 8 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 6.5 points, has been 06/22/23 09/07/23 sidelined with a pinched nerve in his lower back for the Nets’ last 10 games. In their absences, teammates such as Spencer Diniwiddie and Lonnie Walker IV have taken on bigger roles. Dinwiddie, who has against Toronto, the 6'4'' guard is averaging assumed point best in the NBA AM guard Newsresponsibilities under 15.7 points per game, fourth AM News head coach Jacque Vaughn, approached a for a reserve. triple-double against the Raptors, scoring Over the weekend, the Nets defeated the 06/29/23 09/14/23 23 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, dishing out Miami Heat 112–97 on Saturday night, led eight assists while also tallying four steals. by forward Mikal Bridges with 24 points, Although Walker shot just 2–6 for 7 points and the Chicago Bulls on Sunday 118–109.

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