New York Amsterdam News Issue # 40 Oct. 6-12 2022

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International News

why we went to see for ourselves as young people of the liberation movement of President Nelson Mandela.

“We are children of a liberation movement,” he added, “that fought for a very long time for South Africa to be where it is. We are not spoonfed for how we are to see the world.

by the global community,” said political analyst Ralph Mathekga. “I don’t know whether this will give them traction in South Africa’s politics.”

Mathekga said he wonders who paid for the trip and whether the decision to go was taken within the ANC and where the decision was taken.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

NC YOUTH LEAGUE DEFENDS SUPPORT FOR REFERENDUM IN OCCUPIED UKRAINE

(GIN)—South Africa’s ANC Youth League is facing sharp criticism for endorsing Russia’s referendums in occupied parts of Ukraine which many countries have dismissed as un acceptable, in violation of the United Nations Charter, and illegal under international law.

The referendums were designed to pave the way for Moscow to annex the territories.

The endorsement came after members of the group accepted invitations from Moscow to act as international observers of the Kremlin-or chestrated votes. The Ukrainian Association of South Africa expressed disappointment in the youth league’s stance while the ANC itself is re maining silent on the issue.

The head of the ANC Youth League’s Sub committee on International Relations, Khule kani Skosana, commended Russian President Vladimir Putin on Twitter.

Skosana posted a clip of his interview with the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

“We stand in solidarity with all the oppressed people of the world,” Skosana said in an interview on Newzroom Afrika. “It’s not just Donbas, we stand with people of Palestine, Western Sahara. We will always stand with those who are oppressed and those who don’t have anyone to defend them.

“The revolution will not be televised, that’s

The Ukraine-Russian conflict affects us directly,” he said, giving for ex ample, “the prices of a lot of things. If we want to have a perspective, we don’t depend on information that has been cooked for us.

“We went as an observer mission…to observe.”

Dzvinka Kachur, president of the Ukrainian Association of South Africa, disputed the ANC argument saying that youth league members were simply being used by Russia to try to le gitimize a process that falls far short of interna tional laws on referendums.

Moscow has since released vote tallies show ing support in all four regions where the referen dums were held for five days beginning Sept. 23.

Kachur dismissed the tallies saying Russia doesn’t control all of these areas.

“Yes, they may be controlling almost completely the territory of one region of Luhansk, but they don’t control Donetsk, they don’t control Zaporizhia and they definitely don’t control Kherson,” she said.

Ukrainians have reported armed soldiers going door-to-door in occupied parts of the country to collect votes for self-styled “referen dums” on joining Russia.

Kachur added that the Ukrainian Association is dis appointed in the ANC government for not reacting to the Youth League’s statements despite claiming that they are neutral in this conflict. The Ukrainian Asso ciation says Skosana’s comments are anything but.

“It is strange that the ANC Youth League could ac tually send observers to Russia on a very controver sial referendum referred to as a sham referendum

Meanwhile, Reuters reports that the United States is preparing a new round of sanctions to punish Russia for any annexation move and a new $1.1 billion arms package for Ukraine that will be announced soon.

GENOCIDE SUSPECT REBUFFS INTERNATIONAL COURT TRYING HATE SPEECH CHARGES

(GIN)—A Rwandan businessman and alleged genocidaire failed to appear in court this week where he is being tried on charges of mastermind ing and financing the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Felicien Kabuga, 87, is accused of aiding and abetting hit squads who slaughtered ethnic Tutsis and with using a radio station known as Radio Television Libre des Mille Collines to incite hatred, according to the charges filed before a U.N. tribunal at The Hague.

Some 800,000 people, mostly of the Tutsi minor ity, were murdered during the genocide of 1994.

At the trial’s opening, the presiding judge said Kabuga had decided not to appear in court or to follow proceedings via video link from his detention center.

Kabuga issued a statement, saying the court had refused to let him choose his own lawyer and he had “no confidence” in his current legal representative.

Lawyers for Kabuga entered a not guilty plea for their client during a first appearance at the tribunal in 2020. They argued he was too frail to stand trial, but judges ruled that the trial should go ahead but with shorter court sessions. Once among Rwanda’s wealthiest and most

Lula presidency promises opportunity for Black population

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO AmNews Staff Reporter

Brazil’s national elections are a major show down—pitting current far-rightwing President Jair Bolsonaro against the leftist, former Presi dent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Lula is expected to re-take the presidency: he was even projected to win the election in the first round this past Oct. 2. A survey conducted by the polling institute Datafolha had him leading Bolsonaro by a margin of 14 points. But in the final tally, Lula won the first election round with 48.4% of all votes cast and did not win the 50% of the vote he was required to have to be declared the outright winner. Bolson aro took 43.2% of the votes, so Lula and Bolsonaro are set to have a runoff election on Oct. 30.

If Lula can regain the presidency of Brazil, it would be a win for the nation’s Black community.

Datafolha determined in a poll they conducted between September 1 and 9, that Lula is the can didate of choice among Afro Brazilians. Brazil’s Blacks had gained so much under Lula and most of those advances were swept away under Bolsonaro.

When Lula, representing the Partido dos Trab alhadores/Workers Party (PT), served as Brazil’s 35th president from 2003 to 2010 he institut ed progressive social programs that benefitted a large swath of the nation’s poor—a large majority of whom are of African and Indigenous descent.

A noted labor leader, Lula passed laws that led to yearly increases in the minimum salary; set aside federal funding for educational scholar ships designated for Afro Brazilian, Indigenous, and poor students; established labor rights for domestic workers; and created income transfer programs and resources for the poor and work ing-class in the North and Northeast regions. Lula

is also noted for promoting the foreign debt for giveness of several African countries, in order to promote South-South cooperation.

Bolsonaro threw all of these policies out, some of the most notable being his sanctioning of the de forestation of the Amazon Rainforest, placing new restrictions on poor people’s access to education, and allowing COVID-19 to run wild in the coun try—with no federal health care policy the pan demic has killed more than 680,000 Brazilians.

Lula and labor groups had been working along side the nation’s Movimento Negro Unificado or Unified Black Movement (MNU) for years to put progressive programs in place. “[M]any MNU activists have shared a history of coopera tion and exchange with the PT from the be ginning,” Emanuelle Oliveira-Monte and Isis

ANC Youth League (GIN photo)

Two daytime Central Harlem shootings on 125th Street in one week leave four injured, including retired NYPD detective

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

A second shooting within one week off of Central Har lem’s “main street” left two people, including a retired NYPD detective, injured this past Tuesday morning. The in cident occured on the north east corner of 125th and Lenox Avenue, and both victims are in stable condition.

“It is heartbreaking to hear about yet another act of sense less violence,” said local coun cilwoman Kristin Richardson Jordan. “We need to invest in anti-poverty initiatives, vi olence prevention, mental health, and education like with our office’s recent summer of hope events. We owe it to those lives lost to prevent future vi olence. On a government level we continue to fail to put the resources in the right places. We have to do more!”

One of the shooting victims was identified as an ex-po

lice detective through a union statement.

“The morning time shoot ing of our retired member on the streets of Harlem is more proof of the continued crime crisis in the city—and yet an other case overworked NYPD detectives will investigate,” said Detectives’ Endowment Association Pres. Paul DiGia como. “On his way to work like hundreds of others in his neighborhood, he’s fortunate to be alive.”

First reported by ABC News, the 60-year-old victim is now working as a consultant to the NYC Administration for Chil dren’s Services. ACS did not confirm his law enforcement past, but said an investiga tive consultant was indeed the victim of a shooting.

“This morning, one of ACS’s dedicated staff members was shot on his way to work,” said Commissioner Jess Dannhaus er. “We thank the first respond ers and hospital staff caring for our colleague. On behalf of all

the staff of ACS—who do vital work for NYC’s children and families—we are wishing him a very speedy recovery.”

At the time of publishing, no arrests were made. On Tuesday night, a heavy NYPD presence patrolled outside the intersec tion of the shooting, with sev eral officers posted outside of large retail chains like Victo ria’s Secret.

But most businesses re mained open. Restaurant Red Rooster, a few storefronts north of the shooting, was serving customers. Staff said the famed eatery is not talk ing to the media for the time being. A block away on 7th Avenue, Eric Presley, owner of Sea to Soul Harlem, says busi ness is significantly slower as of late, although he’s not sure if it’s the shootings, weather, location or another, unknown factor. But he’s overheard fre quent chatter by local custom ers reluctant to dine out due to safety concerns.

Clarke addresses affordable housing crisis in the Black community

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

U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke has spoken on affordable hous ing, homeownership and the effects of the homelessness crisis on the Black and brown community. She introduced the Affordable Housing and Area Median Income Fairness Act to try and address some of these issues.

Homebuyers reportedly fled most northeastern markets during the pandemic in 2022, but Realtor.com reported that there was a small increase in rates of homeownership for people of color, except Hispan ic households. Even so, Black homeowners “still remain the lowest of the groups studied despite significant growth in the last couple of years.”

“As we all know, it’s impossible to ignore the very real and evergrowing housing crisis, which continues to ravage Black and brown communities in partic ular, and devastate American

lives. Cities, once the corner stone of the American dream, are quickly becoming too ex pensive for too many Ameri cans,” said Clarke. She recently spoke on the topic at the 51st Congressional Black Caucus Foundations’ Annual Legisla tive Conference on Friday, Sept. 30 in Washington, D.C. Senior Executive Director Valerie White of LISC NY said that it’s likely that the ‘rebound’ in the housing market postpandemic is not sustainable.

She said there’s plenty of elder ly Black, African, or Caribbean homeowners selling their prop erties and moving down South or to their native island. Her parents, who owned a home in the city, similarly moved to Florida. She’s hopeful that eco nomic and homeowner equity will be pushed in the city to stave off the inevitable gentri fication of neighborhoods.

“The question is if you’re there and you own a home,

Metro Briefs

8th ENY 5K Run/Walk

Saturday, Oct. 8 is the 8th ENY 5K Run/Walk starting and ending in Spring Creek Park at Gateway, across the street from BJs. Registration is $10 and in cludes a t-shirt, bib and a medal for everyone who finishes the race.

Afterwards, Family Day will be held with fitness activities including double dutch, face painting, a game truck and information tables. This year the ASPCA will be doing dog nail trimming. To make an appointment call 718-676-5920.

The event is being organized by East New York Restoration Local De velopment Corporation and sponsored by Fusion East, Con Ed, Hudson Companies, One Brooklyn Health, BMS Family Health & Wellness Centers, BlocPower, Brooklyn Sports Club and MetroPlus.

Endorsed by: We Run Brownsville, Black Men Run, Alwayz Fit4Lyfe, and JASA. For more information call 718-676-5920.

Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Ndaba Mandela, to call for end to violence and crime

On Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, Ndaba Mandela, grandson of international civil rights icon Nelson Mandela, will address hundreds of local high school stu dents in New York City and on Long Island, to call for an end to violence and crime in New York and across the country. Ndaba will be coming to meet students on a historic visit from South Africa to New York City and Long Island.

Ndaba will be discussing peace in New York’s communities, in the wake of high-profile crime and violence, notably the tragic killing of an on-duty FDNY EMT last week. According to the most recent NYPD Citywide crime statistics, total crime in New York has increased over 33% year to-date. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years as a political prisoner in South Africa and was the nation’s first Black head of state—focusing on dismantling the coun try’s shameful legacy of apartheid. Ndaba Mandela lived with his grandfa ther for much of his childhood, learning lessons about peace and justice.

State Sen. Zellnor Myrie to receive award from the Council of State Governments

Brooklyn State Sen. Zellnor Y. Myrie is among just 20 young leaders recog nized by The Council of State Governments for bipartisan state leadership in 2022. The CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award recognizes the outstand ing work of 20 up-and-coming elected and appointed officials from across the country who not only exemplify strong leadership skills but have also demonstrated a true commitment to serving the citizens of their states.

Recipients of the 20 Under 40 Leadership Award are selected from a com petitive pool of applicants from across the country and all three branch es of state government.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this recognition from the Council of State Governments and look forward to meeting other national leaders in this cohort that can help solve our country’s most pressing problems,” said Myrie.

Award recipients will be honored by state government leaders at the 2022 CSG National Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii, in December.

BP Gibson announces relaunch of Domestic Violence Advisory Council

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson joined domestic violence sur vivors, advocates, and community partners to officially announce the start of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the Bronx and to announce the relaunch of the Domestic Violence Advisory Council.

According to the NYPD’s Domestic Violence Report released in 2021, from 2015 to 2020, eight out of the top 15 Community Boards with the highest rates of intimate partner homicides citywide were from the Bronx. Bronx Community Boards 3 and 6 combined caused concern with data showing 17 intimate partner homicides in neighborhoods that include Claremont, Crotona Park, Melrose, Morrisania, Bathgate, and Belmont.

Gibson outlined the goal of the Advisory Council, as well as announced a calendar of domestic violence related events from the borough president’s office for the month of October.

(Pexels/Brandon Nickerson)

New autopsy in the death of Elijah McClain

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

In 2019, when the police con fronted Elijah McClain because he was acting “sketchy,” they had no legal right to place him in a choke hold; now a recent autopsy by fo rensic pathologist Stephen Cina said the injection of ketamine by paramedics was excessive and led to his death. “Simply put, this dosage of ketamine was too much for this individual and it result ed in an overdose, even though his blood ketamine level was con sistent with a ‘therapeutic’ blood concentration,” Cina wrote.

The report was released publicly on Friday and contradicts an ear lier autopsy. Despite the new find ings about the incident, it is still not classified as a homicide or an accident, but “undetermined.”

McClain, a 23-year-old Black man, a massage therapist wear

ing a ski mask and a self-taught violinist, was on his way home in Aurora, Colo., and apparent ly dancing frenetic to the sound of music on his earphones when someone called the police about his gyrations. The officers ar rived after the 911 call, seized him and applied a carotid chokehold, which cut off the flow of blood to his brain.

Damaso Reyes and I first re ported on this story as part of a series we did on “Qualified Im munity,” in 2021. At that time the police report contended that Mc Clain had resisted arrest and one officer claimed he heard another shout “he is going for your gun.” McClain was not responsive when paramedics arrived and inject ed him with 500 mg of ketamine, an allowable sedative in Colora do to calm excited delirium. That dosage, Cina concluded, was too much for McClain who stood

5-foot-7 and weighed 140 pounds.

While being transported to the hospital he suffered cardi ac arrest and was pronounced brain dead three days later on August 30, 2019. An autopsy iden tified McClain’s history of asthma and the carotid hold, neither of which the report said contribut ed to his death, according to the report; it also noted the amount of ketamine in his system was at a “therapeutic level.” The offi cers involved were initially placed on administrative leave but were later reinstated when prosecu tors decided not to file criminal charges, prompting Rep. Leslie Herod, the vice chair of the Colo rado House Judiciary Committee, to launch a campaign that led to the implementation of SB 217.

In September 2021, charges were announced against three Aurora police officers and two

Ketanji Brown Jackson is Supreme Court’s 116th justice

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO AmNews Staff Reporter

Ketanji Brown Jackson took her seat as the 116th justice of the Su preme Court of the United States this past Sept. 30, 2022.

Many are hoping that as the third African American to serve on the court, and the first Black female justice, Brown Jackson will follow in the tradition of SCO TUS’s first African American jus tice, the late Thurgood Marshall.

Marshall, a civil rights activist and lawyer with the National As sociation for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), had argued 32 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, including the

historic 1954 Brown v. Board of Education case. Brown v. Board of Education led the Supreme Court to declare “separate but equal” unconstitutional in public schools across the nation. Presi dent Lyndon B. Johnson nominat ed Marshall to the Supreme Court; he served as a justice from Octo ber 1967 to October 1991. “None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our boot straps,” Marshall is quoted as having stated. “We got here be cause somebody—a parent, a teacher, an Ivy League crony or a few nuns—bent down and helped us pick up our boots.”

So far, Brown Jackson has carved out her own activist judicial path.

Born Sept. 14, 1970, in Washington, D.C. to Johnny and Ellery Brown, her parents wanted to give her a name that honored her African an cestry. Her aunt was serving in the Peace Corps in West Africa and they asked her to compile a list of African names they might use. They chose the name Ketanji Onyika because it means “lovely one.”

Ketanji Onyika worked at Time magazine and served as an intern for the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem before attending Harvard law school where she became an editor on the law review and graduated cum laude in 1996. She clerked for Su preme Court Justice Stephen

What’s on the back of the ballot? NYC Racial Justice Commission’s Jennifer Jones-Austin explains

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

There’s three ballot questions on the back of the ballot for New Yorkers to vote on in the gener al election this Nov. 8. All three center around an in-depth report crafted by the city’s Racial Justice Commission (RJC) to promote racial equity and justice in the city constitution.

RJC Chair Jennifer Jones-Austin, who is also the CEO of anti-pover

ty non-profit FPWA, is doing voter outreach to ensure that people have access to them now since there’s been little to no spotlight on the ballot questions during the primaries this year. “People could have missed that there are racial justice proposals on the ballot and we did not want people to come out to vote and then be discour aged because they didn’t see it,” said Jones-Austin.

She added that the late second primary in August would have also distracted voters from the

ballot questions. But, now the commission and nonprofits are trying to get the word out.

“As an everyday New Yorker who first and foremost grew up in the civil rights council with a father who was a civil rights leader––who taught me from a very early point in my life that racism is not a one-to-one system but is struc turally embedded in systems and government functioning,” said Jones-Austin, “I know firsthand how deeply embedded racism is

NewJersey

AG Platkin forms new division to prevent violence

By CYRIL JOSH BARKER Amsterdam News Staff

New Jersey Attorney Gener al Matthew Platkin announced a new division in his office de signed to prevent future vio lence by better addressing the needs of crime victims and trauma survivors.

Established by a directive from the attorney general, the new Division of Violence Inter vention and Victim Assistance (VIVA) will advance a unified strategy by bringing togeth er victim-related and violence intervention and prevention services currently dispersed throughout the Department of Law and Public Safety. VIVA will also play a lead role with re spect to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, centraliz ing the Department’s support for this population and advanc ing policies on their behalf.

“The creation of VIVA is the culmination of the innova tive work that has made New Jersey a leader in creative methods of combating violent crime and disrupting cycles of violence,” said Platkin. “En suring that we have a system atic, statewide approach for critical victim services is not only the right thing to do for people who have suffered pain and loss, but it is also a proven strategy for making our com munities safer.”

Until now, there was no single office focused on policy, train ing, or coordination and man agement of victims’ services, including victims of domestic and sexual violence (the cur rent office dedicated to victim compensation will become a component of VIVA.) New Jersey has yet to create a ded

icated team of experienced pro fessionals to develop, guide, and expand these programs.

The launch of VIVA builds on steps previously taken by Gov. Phil Murphy, who has priori tized combating sexual violence and providing support for survi vors through, for example, sign ing legislation that expands the rights of sexual assault victims, including a requirement that victims receive a copy of their police report before it is filed with an opportunity to disagree with it, establishing sexual vio lence liaison officers within the New Jersey State Police and local law enforcement agencies, and mandating training every three years for county prosecutors and assistant prosecutors on investi gating and responding to reports of sexual assault.

“I am incredibly proud of the steps that Acting Attorney Gener al Platkin and his office are put ting into action to prevent crime in our state and help those who have been affected by it,” said Murphy. “This new division will address the very serious needs of victims and survivors of violence. Make no mistake, this adminis tration takes violence of any kind very seriously and will continue to do the necessary work to make New Jersey a stronger, fairer and safer state for all.”

The National Institute of Jus tice, an agency within the De partment of Justice, found in a March 2021 report that violent crime victims have been shown to be more likely than others to later engage in violence. Gun vi olence disproportionately im pacts communities of color, with Black children and teens more than 14 times more likely than their white counterparts to die by gun homicide.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka to host ‘Roadmap to Equity’ education conference

By CYRIL JOSH BARKER Amsterdam News Staff

Mayor Ras Baraka and the City of Newark are hosting the 2022 Roadmap to Educational Equity Conference on Friday, Oct. 28,

from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sat urday, Oct. 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the New Jersey In stitute of Technology Campus Center, located at 150 Bleeker St. Educational inequities that

Vinyl & video with Victorious De Costa

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

The world has effectively left behind the more sacred forms of audio, like cassettes, compact discs, and vinyl. But deep on the tail end of Brooklyn, under the bridge, there’s still pockets of unique music heads preserving not only the physical records but the stories of artists long since past. Victorious De Costa, as a record shop owner and filmmaker, is that person.

De Costa chose his current name at 19 years old. “I was at Morehouse [College]. I was all over the place as far as what I wanted to do and had everybody asking me what I wanted to do, what I wanted to be,” said De Costa. “I just wanted to be success ful in whatever it is I wanted to do. I just wanted to be victorious.” He declined to provide his real name for personal reasons.

Born and raised in East Flatbush, Brook lyn, De Costa co-founded the ’70s-themed vinyl boutique, LEGACY, in the neighbor hood Dumbo just last year.

He said he was essentially born into a family of music lovers. “Music was a way for me to express myself and temper my feelings. So a lifelong thing,” said De Costa.

De Costa was making films when he gravitated toward the opportunity to open a record store with his friends and busi

Black New Yorker

ness partners. He said he had an extensive record collection as a former DJ. The record shop functions as a lounge with live per formances and game nights as well as sell

ing music.

De Costa has produced a few feature and short films, a love that he also cultivat ed from childhood. He directed and pro

duced “Digging for Weldon Irvine,” a music documentary that focused on the joint paradigms of artist identity and mental wellness. He made “Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn,” a documentary about a Black teenager from East New York who was murdered in 1989 after being beaten and shot to death by a mob of white teens from Bensonhurst. The film was spotlight ed at the 20th annual Tribeca Film Festival.

“For me it really was about making money, at that point I didn’t know how I was going to make money for the rest of my life,” said De Costa. “It really just became I told certain stories because I felt com pelled.”

He continues to make films that move him. As a mental health advocate and trained hypnotist, he’s directing “Ring the Alarm,” a documentary about the dispari ty in suicide rates among Black and brown children. And is currently honoring his love of baseball and the legendary Jackie Robin son in his latest work.

Ariama C. Long is a Report for Ameri ca corps member and writes about culture and politics in New York City for The Am sterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-de ductible gift of any amount today by visit ing: https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w

Headshot

Victorious

Costa

photo)

Bichotte Hermelyn for the win, despite chaotic committee meeting

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

Brooklyn’s Democratic Party boss and As semblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn was reelected for another term on Monday, the first Black woman to hold that office. Her victory was almost a footnote at the eight hour long committee meeting, where many com plained of the “confusing” elections process “lacking transparency” and being in desper ate need of reform.

“I am honored to be reelected County Chair to continue to strengthen and unite our Party,” said Bichotte Hermelyn, who is eight months pregnant and didn’t attend the meeting in person.

“With gun restrictions, abortion rights, voting rights and more on the table, we will keep the party united to fight issues that will affect the entire future of our borough and nation. We will continue to relentlessly focus on improving and uplifting the lives of all Brooklynites. Nothing will get in the way of our united Brooklyn Democracy,” she continued.

The democratic county committee is com posed of hundreds of people who are reg

istered Democrats in their neighborhoods across the borough. Committee members come from Brooklyn’s 21 Assembly Districts (AD). Each AD is broken down into smaller Election Districts (ED), typically one to three city blocks. These committee members vote for things like the executive members and Party boss, the budget, and judicial candi dates. They can also run for office or nomi nate candidates in a special election.

Every two years, members elect one male and female District Leader (DL) for each AD, and the DLs choose the party boss. The district leaders and chair make up the executive com mittee of the county committee.

This week’s meeting was the second part of an incredibly contentious and fraught meet ing that aimed to vote in new leaders on Sept. 21 in Coney Island. The first committee meeting, according to members, was poorly planned and left members waiting for hours.

At least one reportedly white group started singing ‘We Shall Overcome’ in the audito rium, which a few Black county committee members found disrespectful and insensi tive. Unable to get to voting before the venue closed, the meeting was adjourned until Oct. 3 at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Brooklyn.

“There’s a new generation of people that have emerged from all over Brooklyn to assist in helping make the Democratic Party better. We appreciate all of the people who come on board to work with us,” said Democratic li aison of 57 AD Renee Collymore. “That’s our goal. That people are willing to work with us and not to try and take over us.”

The meeting resumed with similar chaos. More than 400 members in-person in the ho tel’s ballroom were kept waiting while device issues were dealt with, and they often resort ed to calling for motions, mockery, and out bursts in order to be heard. It should be said that other boroughs have notably shorter and more organized county meetings albeit with less people.

Newcomers, even new district leaders, com plained that they weren’t informed or educat ed about the proceedings enough to know what was happening and often looked baffled.

Reynolds “Ray” Pinder, 75, from Assem bly District 60, said this was his second time coming to a committee meeting and he had yet to meet any of the leadership or know what to vote on. Still, he maintained that it was his duty to try and seek change. “In order to change we need the ants to tell the queen

what to do,” he said.

As the night came to a close, Bichotte Hermelyn was reelected over challeng er Assemblymember Maritza Davila in a 23-12 vote. Vice Chair Henry Butler was also reelected.

“She’s the first Black woman [in this office],” said Collymore about Bichotte’s reelection. “We should celebrate. We’re supposed to be here to help, to push her, to make her time in office as valuable and meaningful as possible.”

“It’s not about a us versus them thing, it’s about the agenda. The agenda has to be by the people and whoever is represent ing the people and the agenda is focused on the people, then I’m with them 100%,” said County Committee Member Anthony Beck ford about Bichotte’s reelection.

Ariama C. Long is a Report for Ameri ca corps member and writes about culture and politics in New York City for The Am sterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-de ductible gift of any amount today by visit ing: https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w

Wrongful Conviction Day: 24 hours dedicated to those with a lifetime stolen

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

October 2 is the rightful time to observe Wrongful Conviction Day. In 2013, the In nocence Network—a consortium of 71 pro-bono and investigative service orga nizations—began using the date to raise awareness for those convicted of crimes they did not commit.

Nine years later, there’s still endless work to be done. And here in New York, wrongful convictions rank third nationwide, trailing only behind Texas and Illinois, according to leading grassroots organization Vocal-NY. The group’s Civil Rights Union leader Roger Clark says he was wrongfully convicted for a shooting at age 20 and is still seeking ex oneration years after he was paroled.

“You wonder, ‘well, why am I feeling so de pressed?” he said. “It takes away a piece of humanity, whenever they do something like that, even though most of us remain calm and don’t do [anything] stupid. It really eats at you inside, because the state is supposed to pro tect you or make sure that you are okay and that nobody is abused. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.”

Last month, a report from the University of Michigan Law School’s National Regis try of Exonerations found Black Americans make up over half of those with overturned wrongful convictions nationwide.

“We really talk about the three crimes which had the largest numbers of exoner ations in the registr: murder, drug crimes, and sexual assault, in that order,” said Samuel Gross, one of the report’s authors.

“Drug crimes are the second most common exonerations, but they’re very different from the other two. Murder and rape are [severely] violent crimes and they’re inves tigated by police when a crime is reported.”

But with a few exceptions, drug crimes are never reported. Gross, an emeritus re tired law professor at the University of Michigan, says Black Americans and white Americans buy illicit drugs at nearly iden tical rates. Yet innocent Black people are 19 times as likely as their white counterparts to be convicted of a drug crime.

“The police essentially have to choose where to go to look for drug crimes, how to pursue possible drug crimes, who to inves tigate—and they do that,” said Gross. “The main way they do that is by stopping people and searching. And they do that dispropor tionately with people of color, and especially Black people, and this is not a secret.

“This is what’s known as racial profil ing. One of the effects of that means that they could pursue pretty much anybody they want to for drug crimes, because drug crimes are so prevalent.”

For murder exonerations, the report high lights disparities in misconduct and delays. Official misconduct is more prevalent in homicide cases with Black defendants and Black murder exonerees spending signifi cantly longer in prison than white murder exonerees. Alfonzo Riley was granted clem ency by ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo after serv ing 30 years for a murder where someone else pulled the trigger. Today, he works as a paralegal casehandler for the Legal Aid Soci ety’s Wrongful Conviction Unit, a longstand ing cardholder in the Innocence Network.

“This particular position is probably one of the most meaningful jobs that we can have in the legal shield trying to help free somebody that’s been wrongfully convicted,” said Riley. “It’s become a passion, because of my connec tion and experience with it. And I just want to continue to help others.”

In 2019, he teamed up with attorney Eliz abeth Felber and ex-NYPD detective inves tigator Thomas “TJ” McCall, forming an unlikely trio to fight wrongful convictions under the Legal Aid Society banner.

“Alfonzo, we call him Google, because he’s the font of knowledge—when he was wrong ly locked up, he was a law librarian and he has a great deal of knowledge,” said Felber.

She says Riley is quite the celebrity when they visit prisons. As for McCall, the unit’s “beloved” investigator resigned last month, but still refers to his work in present and future tense.

“One of the quotes that I had [heard] early in my time at Legal Aid [was], ‘I’d rather have 100 guilty men go free than have one in nocent man in jail,’” said McCall. “It really, really stuck with me.”

Through an arraignment case, he recalls realizing how easy it was for someone to be wrongfully convicted. But the unit was there to protect the young man from such a fate. McCall managed to secure surveil lance footage of his client playing football and eating subway sandwiches at the time of a robbery he was charged for.

“I always felt like if we weren’t doing what we were doing…he could very well have been facing state trial [and] at possible jail time if he was found guilty.”

But McCall says there’s so many cases in

New York City and too few people working on them. Felber mentions a backlog of roughly 200 cases for their unit. And not every case can be an overturned conviction—at times, getting clients who maintain their innocence paroled is the closest thing to justice possible. And there are those who seek to clear their name after release like Clark. He says convic tions make it harder to find employment and housing despite state law protections.

As for solutions, Clark mentions bail reform as a game-changer.

“I went to Rikers Island, I couldn’t pay a $10,000 bail,” he said. “After a year of them taking me to court back and forth, to my detriment, I take the plea.”

Clark adds finding witnesses to prove his innocence would have been easier if he wasn’t in jail.

“There’s been so much misinformation on bail reform, it’s sadly predictable,” said Felber. “Many people take guilty pleas because they just want to get out of jail. It happened in cases I had where [clients] had a viable defense or [an] unlawful search and people would just take a plea to get the case over with.

“There is this pesky thing we have called the presumption of innocence, which I think they tend to forget about.”

The Legal Aid Society will be hosting its Wrongful Conviction Day event over Zoom on Oct. 6.

Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member and writes about public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift today by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w

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Go With The Flo

Beyoncé attended the New York City Ballet Fall Fashion Gala at the David H. Koch Theater, where she supported the world premiere of her sister Solange’s original com position “Solange’s Ballet,” reports Bazaar. Beyoncé and her mother Tina Knowles Lawson escort ed Solange to the gala, where she became the second Black woman to ever write a score for the presti gious dance company. Solange re ceived a huge round of applause as she entered the stadium. Phi lanthropist/TV host Jean Shafiroff told Go With The Flo, “Solange was lovely and very kind.” Beyoncé posted on Twitter, “My beloved sister, there are no words to ex press the pride and admiration I have for you. You are a vision ary and one of one. The piece you composed is phenomenal. I love you deep.”

Hot new couple alert! Song stress Dua Lipa and Trevor Noah were spotted on Sept. 28 having dinner together at Miss Lily’s, a Caribbean restaurant in the East Village, reports E! News. Fol lowing their meal, the comedi an, who announced he is leaving “The Daily Show,” and “Sweetie Pie” singer took a stroll through the downtown Manhattan streets; the pair hugged and kissed before going their separate ways. During a taping on Sept. 29, Noah told his audience, “It’s been absolute ly amazing. It’s something that I

never expected. I found myself thinking throughout the time of everything we’ve gone through. The Trump presidency, the pan demic, just the journey, more pan demic and I realize that after the seven years, my time is up.”

PIX11 Award-winning journalist Ayana Harry married Kyle Dudley, head basketball coach and his tory teacher at Salisbury School/ Middlebury College on Sept. 23 in Sag Harbor, New York. The groom is the son of “Tamron Hall Show” producer Adrienne Lopez and at torney Ed Dudley. Celebrity guests at the nuptials included Sunny Hostin from “The View” and “CBS Mornings” co-host Gayle King.

On Oct. 3, on “Sherri,” Daytime Emmy Award-winning talk show host, comedian, actor and bestselling author Sherri Shepherd spoke to the iconic model Tyra Banks. While chatting, the “Danc ing with the Stars” host revealed why she needed a name change once she went from supermod el to actress. Said Tyra, “When I was a model, a new model, I was just Tyra. There was no Banks. And then I got my first acting job on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” And the first couple of episodes when they flashed my name, to say, “Tyra”…something felt weird to me that I was acting and I didn’t have a last name. So, I added my last name back. Also, I was a Cover Girl model...and they used to put Tyra there and I was like I feel I need to be Banks…I did the Cher/ Madonna thing for a second, but maybe I should go back to Tyra.”

NYC hosts 62nd Nigeria Independence Day parade

By NAYABA ARINDE Amsterdam News Editor

Politics, upcoming elections, and issues “back home” are never far from any Nigerian con versation, but on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, cultural pride took cen terstage during the 62nd Nige ria Independence Day parade in New York City.

Commemorating the 62nd year since blatant direct Brit ish rule ‘ended,’ it was co-host ed by the Organization for the Advancement of Nigerians, and emceed as always by the uberenthusiastic Sumonu Bello-Osa gie. The Organization for the Advancement of Nigerians has for over 30 years striven to en hance the image and reality of Nigerians at home and abroad.

With political, religious, eco nomic and activist groups they

have worked with city govern ment, and hundreds of groups and individuals to promote viable international working re lationships.

Mayor Eric Adams came through to pay his respects to the massive event, which had hundreds of people who trav eled from across the Atlantic and the five boroughs, following floats and banners down Second Avenue.

On stage were speakers who acknowledged the day, young dancers, musicians, all manner of entertainers including the in ternationally renowned Goya ‘You Want to BamBam’ Menor and the powerful singer Timi ‘Everything’ Dakalo.

Awards were given to parade organizers while the DJs kept the youth bouncing!

Always pushing to encourage

Nigerian American youth in volvement in the progression of the nation, and building stron ger economic, social and cul tural ties, the parade which first began in 1991 embraces the community across the nation and diaspora.

The Nigeria Independence Day Committee participating member organizations include: the Rev. Famubode, the Associ ation of Nigerian Physicians in America, Organization for the Advancement of Nigeria Inc., Alhaji Ahmed Opetubo, Nigeri an Nurses Association of USA, and Under Da Rock Entertain ment. Attendees included Am bassador Lot Egopija, Florence Egopija, the Rev. Dr. Prince A.Z.K. Adekoya, DaddyRich Iy asere, magazine publisher Tosin Mustapha, Vsme Solomon Ade laja, and Don Cos Canino.

Solange Knowles and Jean Shafiroff (Courtesy photo)

Young musicians inspire the crowd

Nigerian Independence Day attendees enjoy the 62nd annual parade (Bill Moore photos)

International artist Goya Menor and AmNews Editor Nayaba Arinde

African Heritage Month honorees

City Councilwoman Kristin Richard son Jordan presented certificates to Af rican and African American community members in Harlem on African Heritage Month last week at the Association Sene

Nightlife

Written by David Goodson

Introducing BET Hip Hop Awards host Fat Joe

With the NY State of Mind Tour, the nation is being affirmatively remind ed what we in NY have believed since the onset of the genre, that being it ain’t nothing like hip hop music from the birthplace. Co-headliners Nas, the Wu-Tang Clan and Busta Rhymes have taken it upon themselves to assure that anyone who agrees with that premise has a rock-solid argument. For the NY Tristate leg, at The Prudential Center, the venue was almost at capacity before an artist touched the stage and with DJ Scratch at the helm the fever pitch an ticipation remained high. Of course, with the accumulated showmanship and catalogs of each act. It was a safe bet that any funds invested in a ticket were well invested.

While venues won’t allow for their fans to share in the experience, millions got a glimpse of why the Wu aren’t just one of the best groups to ever assemble, but they were also an integral ingredi ent to one of the greatest labels hip hop has seen, as they performed a medley of hits for the celebration of Loud Records at the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards. Loud Records and pioneering founder Steve Rifkind were celebrated in song in addi tion to the Wu, by David Banner featur ing Lil’ Flip, Dead Prez, Fat Joe, Mobb Deep with Lil’ Kim, M.O.P., Remy Ma, and Three 6 Mafia.

In a statement prior to the show’s airing, Steve Rifkind said, “It has been such a rewarding 30 years for Loud alongside my tireless partners Rich Isaacson and Jonathan Rifkind. The impact we’ve been able to make with some of today’s pioneering and trail blazing acts is unmatched. I’m privi leged to be able to work with everyone from Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, Big Pun, Xzibit, and more, to this year’s BET Hip Hop Awards host, my brother, Fat Joe. I’m honored that BET is recogniz ing the impact that Loud has made in revolutionizing the industry and pro pelling the culture.”

“Each year, the BET Hip Hop Awards stage provides one of the largest global platforms to celebrate the undeniable impact of the most influential and rulebreaking genre,” said Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET. “We are excited to celebrate Loud Records for their con tributions to the musical landscape that has brought us iconic artists and unfor gettable songs, uniting multiple gener ations under the sound of hip hop.”

Aside from hosting the festivities, Grammy-nominated recording artist,

actor, entrepreneur, and media per sonality Fat Joe has a huge endeavor coming down the pike, as his memoir, “The Book of Jose” is set to be released this fall. In preparation Joe will return to the Apollo stage to give a behindthe-scenes look at one of the realest storytellers of our time. As an added incentive each ticket includes a copy of the book. The event, entitled Apollo Presents In Conversation: Fat Joe, takes place Nov. 15, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. at the Apollo. Tickets available at the Apollo box office and ticketmaster.com

Looking for something to get into this weekend? Well, the Foxwoods will host the first of what they bill as the Serenade shows featuring R&B icons Ne-Yo and Boyz II Men, and addition al artists including J. Holiday, Dru Hill. Available now until showtime on Oct. 7, ticket buyers can purchase four tickets for the price of three to Serenade fea turing Ne-Yo, Musiq Soulchild, and J. Holiday with the “Me & My Girls Spe cial”—the perfect excuse to leave your man at home and have an unforgetta ble night out with your girl squad. Addi tionally, Foxwoods is offering buyers a 20% discount on tickets when you pur chase tickets for both Serenade shows including Ne-Yo, Musiq Soulchild, and J.Holiday on Oct. 7 AND Boyz II Men, Dru Hill and 112 on Nov. 25. Discount will be added upon payment/checkout.

Over and out. Holla next week. Til then, enjoy the nightlife.

galais Center on 116th Street in Harlem. The awardees included: Imam Konate, Zeina Toure, Yaya Barry, Cheryl Smith, Clark Pena, and Tanesha Grant, among others.

(Bill Moore photos)

Method Man for Wu Tang Clan at NJPAC (David Goodson photo)

Union Matters

Labor of Love: NYAmsterdam News honors

CLUW in 8th Labor Awards Breakfast

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

The most important meal of the day just got more important. Last Thursday, Sept. 29, the New York Amsterdam News celebrat ed the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) during the 2022 8th Labor Awards Breakfast at 1199SEIU headquarters in Midtown Manhattan.

“Sharing this moment with my CLUW sis ters and APWU union makes me even more proud than you can ever imagine,” said hon oree and CLUW Treasurer Judy Beard. “The work of the union—the work that we do for the union—builds communities, strength ens this country and revives the democra cy that we need. That’s the work that we do.”

CLUW is the only national organization for union women, founded in the ’70s during the time of Roe v. Wade. The breakfast was catered by Harlem-based catering compa ny, Spoonbread Inc. Awards were handed out by the Amsterdam News’ very own Elinor Tatum—the paper’s publisher and editor-inchief for those who don’t know.

Another honoree, CLUW Pres. Elise Bryant brought her singing voice to accept her award. But she answered Pete Seeger’s age-old musical question with ease.

“I know which side you’re on, I know ex actly which side you’re on” she said to those in attendance. “You’re on the side of jus tice, you’re on the side of freedom, you’re on the side of women’s rights and equality.”

Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member and writes about public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please con sider making a tax-deductible gift today by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w

(Bill Moore photos)

‘Run, hide, fight’ NYU text alert tells students after shots fired, no injuries reported

By TANDY LAU

Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

Doesn’t take much to instigate a fight in New York City but encouragement from a hallowed academic institution over text is probably a first. Shots were fired late morning this past Tuesday, Oct. 4 in Brook lyn around Bridge Street and Metrotech Center—and nearby NYU’s Downtown Brooklyn campus. Students, and generally anyone on the university’s alert system, re ceived the following message:

“NYU Alert-Report of (Shots Fired) near 2 MetroTech Center, BK. If you are in the area: Run, Hide, or Fight. Others stay away. Help is on the way.”

According to the NYPD, police arrived at the scene after a 911 call reporting the shots. After canvassing the area, they con firmed there were no possible victims present but did find shell casings. No property was reported damaged.

While some students expressed frustra tions on social media over the text’s dramatic use of active shooter language for seemingly victimless gunshots, Apoorv Singh, a Ph.D. student on the NYU Brooklyn campus, says he was desensitized to the alert.

“I've been in New York for one year and I’ve already seen two shootings,” he said. “So it’s pretty normal. I guess the only issue is that I was in the home when I got the text. So I didn’t think much of it except that, ‘Okay, I’m not going to office today.’”

NYU only uses the alert system for major ongoing incidents like fires, severe weath er or active threats according to a school spokesperson. The university says the oftenemployed “Run, Hide, Fight” phrase is advo cated widely by law enforcement agencies like the FBI and generally rolls off the tongue well. The school decided to send the alert after the reported gunshots due to the ini tial, unclear potential of an active shooter.

Back in September 2021, a daytime shooting nearby the same NYU campus, which is home to the Tandon School of Engineering, left a student injured after a stray bullet hit him. While gun violence is slowing down in the colder months, there were also multiple high profile shootings in Harlem and Queens this week. Andre “AT” Mitchell, the city’s gun violence pre vention czar, says there needs to be more collective work and responsibility.

“When we recognize and understand where the real power comes from within our community we will begin to collectively do

our part to reduce senseless gun violence to gether,” he said.

Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member and writes about public safety for

the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please con sider making a tax-deductible gift today by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w

“NYU Alert-Report of (Shots Fired) near 2 MetroTech Center, BK. If you are in the area: Run, Hide, or Fight. Others stay away. Help is on the way.”

NYU Tandon - Church (Ajay Suresh/Flickr photo)

Opinion Bring back old math!

No end zone for Herschel Walker

Last week we severely dismissed Lee Zeldin, the Republican gubernatorial contender. Our focus now is on anoth er Republican, Herschel Walker, who is seeking to unseat Raphael Warnock the senator in Georgia.

Despite the distance from our pre cincts the race there is very important as it was when Warnock won and gave the Democrats a tie and a virtual hold on the chamber as Vice President Harris had the deciding vote.

Thanks to Walker’s son, we don’t have to expend too much time excoriating him, be cause his son, Christian, has done that for us; and the voters in Georgia, who if they have any reckoning for rectitude and so-called family values, will see his deceptive nature, a stiff-arm and crossover move from the Heisman winner.

It wasn’t that long ago that Christian was praising his father, and nowhere more conse quential than at Mar-a-Lago where he intro duced him and lavished him with accolades. Christian said he only supported his father at the campaign event last year because he was told that his father was going to “get ahead of his past and hold himself accountable.”

“None of that happened,” his son said.

Over the last couple of days, Christian has released three videos against his father. Most damning is his charge that his father has been less than a father thereby rendering him null and void on family values.

Christian admitted that he had been lying about things, even silent on the abortion al legations. “The abortion part drops yes terday, it’s literally his handwriting in the card…I’m done everything has been a lie,” Christian said.

If he can’t get his son in his corner, how does he expect to round up the votes he needs to defeat his opponent?

Faking and shifty moves on the gridiron may earn you honors but they don’t work in the po litical realm, and no matter his credentials, our vote remains with the former preacher from Harlem.

By SAM ADEWUMI

Thoughts and ideas on improving math education in NYC and what parents can do.

The term new math has been common ly used to denote the new ways in which the common core standards have suggest ed to teachers and administrators how math should be taught. New math can be seen by someone looking from the outside as a dark cloak of information unknown to anyone except the teacher, and conceptually too challenging for parents to help teach to their children. New math would seem to erase ev erything that parents know about math and leaves them incapable of being a part of the process of teaching mathematical concepts to their child.

The truth is, there is no such thing as new math just as there is no such thing as old math. The fundamentals of math do not change over time. 2 + 2 = 4 was true in 1865 and its true in 2022. 4 x 2 = 8 was true in times past and will hold true till the end of time. The cloak that some have tried to put over math needs to be removed and thrown away. Math is not a mystery with its secrets known to just to a few, and the ex periences and knowledge of parents and older generations are just as germane and valuable today as they have ever been. Math also allows for a myriad of approaches to a sound and correct answer. Denying stu dents the option of using sound and accu rate practices from earlier generations does a disservice to the concept of mathematical fluency and differentiated learning and needs to discontinued.

I have observed in the years working with students that come to CAS Prep, this exper iment is not working. If anything, students are more disconnected from mathematical fundamentals than ever before. Students seem unaware of fact families and the con nections between numbers. Students have no idea what mathematical operations truly “do.” When should I multiply vs when should I divide? Word problems end up being noth ing more than experiments in guessing.

The following are some of the current practices that I feel are holding our chil dren back. The first is the argument against memorization. The human brain is capable of memorizing millions of bits of informa tion. Think of these bits as math facts. The more math facts a child has memorized, the more time that child has to process ques tions that require utilization of those facts. A high school student trying to factor a qua dratic equation needs to know the factors of a given number. Using an algorithm to figure it out then factoring wastes time and creates more problems than solutions. Memoriza tion is vital and important; it just needs to come with understanding.

important. Flashcards (in actual or digi tal form) are incredibly efficient at build ing basic facts that students should know, as opposed to figuring them out. Multipli cation tables are great, but be creative about how you build and use them. Yes, filling out a 10x10 or 12 x 12 or even 15 x 15 array may not be the exciting thing for a child to do but if you spruce it up some you’ll end up with a 3rd grader that “knows’’ her/his multipli cation tables up to whatever you deem ap propriate. Not only that but you can extend its use so that your student will also be able to list the first 8 multiples of 8 and all the whole number factors of 48 (among other basic facts). Finally, believe in the power of long multiplication and long division and teach it to your child. When he/she is in Al gebra 2 using long division to divide polyno mials or vertical multiplication to multiply a 3-term polynomial by a 5-term polynomial, they will come back and thank you. Scalabil ity and efficiency are just as important as any other mathematical concept.

Elinor R. Tatum:

Siobhan

What has changed over time are the math ematical standards that govern what a stu dent “should” know and be able to do at a certain grade level. What has also changed is how some of these things are being currently taught. With a new set of standards coming in soon (Next Generation), we will see an other shift. The objective behind these new teaching approaches was to increase under standing by mastering mathematical con cepts and applications which in turn would increase fluency amongst students. The ar gument was that the old approaches relied too much on rote mem orization. Apparently, students didn’t truly “un derstand” why 9 x 8 was equal to 72. So instead of “knowing” what 11 x 12 equals, students are ex pected to continuous ly figure it out through a teacher taught algo rithm. Memorization is antiquated and does not lead to conceptual un derstanding is what we are told. Based on what

The second is the argument against mem orization and utilization of the times table. It pains me to see students in 5th grade trying to figure out 9 x 6 using a table instead of “know ing” the answer. Multiplication tables provide students with an understanding of multiples, factors, equivalent fractions, division and so much more. The fact that they are no longer taught is a disservice to our children. We are forcing our children into a world of calculat ing simple facts as opposed to using simple facts to solve complex problems.

The final argument I want to address is against the teaching of vertical multipli cation and long division (as most people/ parents have learned it). While I agree that I have seen many ingenious and approach es to these operations in my time, specifi cally those coming from Eastern cultures, unfortunately, that is not what our students are being taught. In division for example, the thought that guessing ANY number a multiple of times until you finally arrive at a solution may be fine for some early learn ers struggling with the concept, but I’ve en countered many 4th grade students who are ready for long division, right now. Long divi sion amongst other things, teaches estima tion of values, strengthens multiplication skills, and inherently builds an understand ing of what the division operation actually does! Students do not need to have the pro cess parceled out over a 4-year sequence (which using a probability model leads to failure amongst the majority of students).

So, parents, in conclusion, what you know is NOT obsolete. Math facts are crucial and

We are effectively limiting the success ful trajectory of NYC students by the dismal record we have maintained as it regards to math education in NYC. The data as it per tains to state education measures contin uously reflect the fact that most schools in communities of color have failing scores and their students are not performing at grade level. We have internally accepted this fail ure as a matter of fact and thereby limit our children’s access to the most powerful ca reers of tomorrow: technology, engineering, and computer science.

As the new administration, from the chan cellor to the newly superintendents takes over in NYC, we have an opportunity to rework some of our approaches to what and how we are teaching our children. We have done some of this work in ELA, modifying the whole language concept and reinserting phonics and grammar back into the curric ulum. We do not need another 10 years of failure to see that we need to modify math instruction as well. It is also incumbent on parents to reintroduce themselves into that conversation about math and the value of what they know. Your voice matters! New math needs lots of support and it is called old math!!

Sam Adewumi has been a coach, teacher, and educational leader for 20-plus years. His organization, CAS Prep (casprep.org) works with students all over NYC on test prep (SAT, SHSAT, State Assessments) and educational enrichment through an emphasis on teach ing students fundamentals and effective strategies in both ELA and Math. He believes in the ability of our children to soar, given they are provided with the necessary tools, information, and support.

Kristin Fayne-Mulroy:

Nayaba Arinde:

Cyril Josh

Damaso

Why do we accept deception?

Welcome October

CHRISTINA GREER PH.D.

Truth is often difficult to ex press. To tell the truth is to ac knowledge both successes and shortcomings. Tragically, failure has overtaken the truth, compel ling politicians to spread lies and mislead the public in an effort to solidify their positions of power and garner support for their ad ministrations.

Is the incessant onslaught of lies that politicians tell us the result of their dishonesty or of our propen sity to believe them? It seems that both sides are responsible: the general population for their will ingness to tolerate falsehoods if it advances their beliefs and politi cians for their improper exploita tion of the people they serve.

Due to our desire to believe them, lies are effortless to tell. We have grown so used to politi cians lying to us that we consid er it a routine facet of everyday life. When discussing candidates during an election, the issue is often not who lies, but who lies the least.

This dilemma is not exclusive ly the responsibility of one party. This is a problem that affects both the Republican and Democratic parties. Considering the two pre vious presidents, it has become very evident that both Trump and Biden are liars. Each politician has justified their deficiencies in var ious ways that range from halftruths to complete fabrications to blame-shifting. The only objec tive argument in favor of one can didate over another is that one politician lies less than the other, but debating in relative terms ob scures the problem and sustains the cycle of falsehoods that harms our nation as a whole and its most vulnerable communities.

We would never tolerate a friend, family member, or coworker who lied to the level that politicians do, so why do we support strang ers whom we know intend to de ceive us? Why do individuals wear

T-shirts displaying the name of their favorite politician, why do they put bumper stickers with their names on their cars, and why do they disparage, alienate, and abandon strangers, family members, and friends in defense of these liars?

The lies they tell are destructive to us all, especially those who are in dire need of the outcomes of the promises made to them. Minori ties in impoverished areas should be able to rely on the candidates’ promises of a better tomorrow, factory workers should be able to rely on assurances that their jobs will not be outsourced, and young children and their parents should be able to rely on official assur ances that their children will re ceive a quality education.

But let’s be clear: the public is also at fault because the people cannot handle the truth. Fre quently, the truth contradicts their core concepts of right and wrong, as well as their views of re ality and fiction. The truth often compels persons who are already prone to cling to their views to alter their viewpoints. Politicians are aware of this, and they are also aware that it is exceedingly diffi cult to change people’s minds; as a result, lying is no longer danger ous for them; rather, it becomes simple, lucrative, and virtually the only obvious course of action when a politically harmful situa tion emerges.

Consider how far we might go if we were prepared to listen to the truth—if every politician was open and forthright about the status of our nation. Every deficiency that our leaders have would be laid bare for the general population to ana lyze and address together. It would provide us the power to tackle soci ety’s most pressing issues without having to struggle to identify them in the first place. And it would pre vent resources from being direct ed to artificial problems that are

used to conceal the real problems, instead directing those resources towards resolving the actual prob lems we face.

As a result of President Joe Biden’s misrepresentation of the definition of a recession, the public became complacent and demonstrated a lack of urgen cy in resolving a vital crisis that was and is unfolding. When for mer-President Donald Trump lied about the election being stolen from him, he diverted resources that might have been utilized to address urgent problems in order to further his political goals; inno cent civilians were even impris oned and died because of it.

This does not entail that the public should be privy to all gov ernment information since secrets frequently protect the public from mass panic and prevent foreign enemies from utilizing certain in formation against us. However, it is easy to understand how a high degree of honesty in non-nation al-security areas might assist our nation when it comes to matters that our elected representatives can resolve.

If we held our leaders account able for their deceit, we might envision a future with fewer prob lems and greater prosperity. It may be simpler to lie than to accept criticism, and it may be more chal lenging to keep authority while acknowledging one’s flaws. Nev ertheless, politics under our form of government were never intend ed to be about power; the highest levels of government should be occupied by noble men, willing to sacrifice their personal prosperity in pursuit of liberty.

Armstrong Williams (@ARightSide) is manager / sole owner of Howard Stirk Holdings I & II Broadcast Tele vision Stations and the 2016 Multi cultural Media Broadcast Owner of the year. www.armstrongwilliams.co

www.howardstirkholdings.com

October is upon us. Fall is officially here and the crisp in the air reminds us of the seasons changing, winter lurking just in the distance, and before we know it, the close of yet another year. Is it me or does time seem to speed up each year?

October is always such a unique month. The leaves are changing and summer is officially over (for the East Coast folks at least). As kids prepare for Hallow een, some stores are setting up for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. The ar rival of fall always seems so sudden, as if I am still getting sand out of my hair. Regard less, it’s a joy to begin to blast Ella Fitzgerald’s “Autumn in New York” and Nat King Cole’s “Autumn Leaves” to get me prepared for the weeks ahead…before the real cold and snow arrive.

I have also begun to ob serve the dedicated re membrances given to each month. For the month of Oc tober, groups are celebrating: Breast Cancer Awareness, Down Syndrome Aware ness, Dyslexia Awareness, Emotional Wellness, Global Diversity Awareness, LGBT History, Long Term Care Planning, National ADD/ ADHD Awareness, Domes tic Violence Awareness, Tackling Hunger, and World Menopause Month…to name just a few.

There are quite a few cat egories to celebrate in Oc tober. Some of the more obscure and/or fun ac knowledgements in October range from Bat Apprecia tion, National Apple, Na tional Bake and Decorate, National Book, National Dessert, National Fire Pre vention, Go on a Field Trip, Pizza, Pretzel, and Roller

Skating Month.

It is important for us to take time out of our hectic schedules and learn some thing new about a cause or topic we know little about or spend the time learn ing more about an issue near to our hearts. I for one know I need to know more about tools to help main tain emotional wellness as we navigate a never-ending COVID world. I also want to honor my LGBT loved ones and learn more about trail blazing LGBT identifying folks. It is also important I educate myself and others about the risks of breast cancer, especially for Black women, a group dispropor tionately affected and killed by breast cancer.

Of course, I can also use October as an excuse to in dulge in pizza, pretzels, and dessert. I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, but I do love pretzels and pizza! I’m al ready thinking of a field trip I can take this month, maybe to a museum or a play or just play hookie one day and walk around the park. What ever adventure we choose, the month of October is en couraging us to take part in it. I will admit, I think I’ve aged out of roller skating though.

If you’re interested in find ing out more about all of the celebrations in October, go to www.nationaldaycalen dar.com/october-monthlyobservations/

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

Caribbean Update

Bahamas to amend law to cover marital rape

By BERT WILKINSON

Special to the AmNews

Eight weeks ago, a high court judge in The Ba hamas ruled that a hus band can indeed rape or force his wife to have sex with him whether she con sents or not, because local laws do not cover rape in a marriage.

The ruling had triggered widespread consternation in the archipelago off Flor ida, largely because it was perhaps the clearest and most definitive interpre tation of the law pertain ing to rape among married couples.

Stunned into action, the governing Progressive

Labor Party (PLP) said it is now moving to amend the law to cater for such an offense as the time has come—after nearly two decades of trying by pre vious governments—to amend the law with re gards to marital rape.

Attorney General Ryan Pinder says authorities have already done the draft amendments, and are circulating it among civil society and other stakeholders to obtain feedback before lawmak ers debate it by the end of the year. Rights and other non-governmen tal organizations want the bill to be tabled immedi ately, but Pinder says the

cabinet will give the con sultative process a bit more time.

“We want to keep it open and get some feedback. We’ve already received a few comments on the legislation from different parties to tweak it or pro vide certain different lan guage that we are looking at. We don’t want to dis courage anybody from providing the necessary input on such an impor tant issue. So, no decision has been made as a dead line for comment at this time,” he told reporters recently.

In the recent ruling, Justice Denise LewisJohnson allowed an un

named woman to divorce her husband because he often raped her and treat ed her cruelly and indif ferently, especially after imbibing alcohol.

The judge said she was forced by local statutes to follow local laws strictly and none indicates that a man can rape his lawfully wedded wife.

“The court accepts that rape is a most heinous act of cruelty and a malicious violation of a person. However, on a strict read ing of laws of The Baha mas, there is no rape in marriage. Pursuant to section 3 of the sexual of fences act, the law does not allow for one spouse

to rape the other. In this place we interpret exist ing laws and apply them. We cannot and must not succumb to the tempta tion to reform laws,” the judge said.

Now AG Pinder says there will be no dithering as to whether the law will be amended as Bahamians have over time been de bating this issue quite reg ularly and authorities can build on the previous work by past administrations.

Former Prime Minis ter Hubert Ingraham said he was forced to back off from changing the law largely because of resis tance from within his own party, the church and

Five immigration headlines you may have missed

FELICIA PERSAUD

IMMIGRATION KORNER

A lot happens in a week, especially in the news cycle, which was taken over last week by Hurricane Ian. As such, several immigration news stories got ignored or pushed to the back burner. Here are five you should know about:

1: 16 immigrants lost at sea in Florida

While Florida says 46 people are now dead from Hurricane Ian, that tally does not include the 16 mi grants feared dead and lost at sea. A boat carrying 27 Cuban migrants sank off the coast of Florida as Hur ricane Ian slammed into the state on Wednesday, Sept. 28. As of Sept. 30, the U.S. Coast Guard said only two bodies were found and the 16 remain missing or lost. The boat capsized on the 28th but four of the people on board swam to Stock Island, just east of

Key West, the U.S. Border Patrol said. On Thursday, Sept. 29 the Coast Guard said a total of nine people had been safely located and rescued.

2: Refugee admissions target

As U.S. authorities made more than 2 million immi gration arrests along the southern border during the past 11 months, marking the first-time annual en forcement statistics have exceeded that threshold, President Joe Biden on Sept. 28 formally kept the nation’s cap on refugee admissions at 125,000 for the 2023 budget year. This came despite pressure from refugee advocates to raise it even higher to meet the need after falling far short of that target this year.

In August, U.S. Customs and Border Protection de tained 203,598 migrants crossing from Mexico, the latest figures show, put ting authorities on pace to tally more than 2.3 mil lion arrests during the gov ernment’s 2022 fiscal year,

which ended on Sept. 30. The total, which includes some people apprehended more than once, far exceeds last year’s record of more than 1.7 million arrests.

3: AOC rips New York mayor’s tent city plan

New York Congresswom an, Rep. Alexandria Oc asio-Cortez (DN.Y.), has slammed New York Mayor Eric Adams’ plan to set up a migrant tent camp in her district, and claimed there must be a “better solution.”

The progressive con gresswoman, who has been at odds with the more moderate mayor for months, chided him in a brief interview with the Daily News on the steps of City Hall after a press con ference with Adams on a different issue.

“I think we can find a better solution here,” Oca sio-Cortez said when asked about the tent complexes being built in the Bronx’s Orchard Beach parking lot to house more than 1,000 Latino migrants. She also said she is in talks with

other lawmakers to “see if there are additional federal funds” that could help the city house migrants.

Adams’ spokesman Fabien Levy defended the tent plans when asked for a response to Ocasio-Cor tez’s comments.

“No location is perfect, but we are confident in this decision,” he said. “And we are pleased that so many local elected officials rec ognize that we are in an emergency and are willing to work with us towards a successful rollout.”

The Adams administra tion is using the tent camp to ease pressure on the city’s housing system, which has been overwhelmed by an influx of more than 10,000 migrants who have traveled from Mexico to the United States in hopes of asylum.

Advocates for the home less have raised concerns about whether the tents will comply with local housing rights law, which requires the city to provide shelter to anyone who needs it, as well as certain basic ame nities such as lockers, mail

and laundry access.

4: U.S. Cuban Family Re unification Parole program

As U.S. border officials report high numbers of Cuban migrants hoping to enter the country at the U.S.-Mexico border, U.S. Citizenship and Immigra tion Services told VOA that more than 10,000 people are in the pipeline of the Cuban Family Reunifica tion Parole program. New invitations have not been issued since September 2016. While some migrants have the option to be spon sored by family members, others choose often dan gerous paths to reach the United States.

5: Renewing Immigra tion Provisions of the Im migration Act of 1929

Senators Dick Durbin and Alex Padilla have in troduced a new bill entitled the Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigra tion Act of 1929, that would update the existing registry date to enable an estimat ed 8 million immigrants to

prominent citizens.

“I assume that Prime Minister Philip Davis will make a judgment as to whether or not he has the support of his mem bers to pass it. You know, many persons who you see parade around here as an ordinary, decent human being do not believe that marital rape ought to be a criminal offense and, in private, they have their views.”

The couple had married in 2005 and have one child. The petitioner told the court that she has since abandoned the home be cause she was unable to deal with the emotional abuse any longer.

apply for permanent resi dence if they have lived in the U.S. continuously for at least seven years. Appli cants would have to be of good moral character but could apply even if they are unable to. This initia tive could change U.S. im migration law significantly if it ever becomes a reality and is capable of helping millions of immigrants.

It is the first registry change proposed since 1986. In order to be eligible to apply for permanent res idence under the current registry date, you have to show physical presence in the United States for more than 50 years. The new bill that seeks to update the registry criteria is cospon sored by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ben Ray Luján and companion legisla tion was introduced in the House by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren back in July of this year.

The writer is publisher of

Black Immigrant Daily

Grammy winner Coolio passes at 59

His debut album “It Takes a Thief” featured the lead single “Fantastic Voyage,” which peaked at No. 3 on the Bill board Top 100 charts.

During a 1994 Los Ange les Times interview Coolio ex plained, “I wasn’t looking for a career, I was looking for a way to clean up—a way to escape the drug thing. It was going to kill me and I knew I had to stop. In firefighting training was disci pline I needed. We ran every day. I wasn’t drinking or smoking or doing the stuff I usually did.”

By MAL’AKIY 17 ALLAH Special to the AmNews

Renowned West Coast rapper Coolio passed in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Sept. 28. His 1995 track “Gangster’s Par adise” won a Grammy for best rap solo performance in 1996, and eventually was certified triple-platinum by the Record ing Industry Association of America.

“As far as what I know now is that he was at a friend’s house and was in his bath room and had a heart attack,” revealed his manager, Jarez Posey.

Reportedly, medics were called at 4 p.m. local time and found an unconscious Coolio upon arrival. They attempted “re suscitation efforts for approximately 45 minutes,” Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department explained. Coolio “was deter mined dead just before 5 p.m.”

He was born Aug. 1, 1963, in Monessen, Pennsylvania, and named Artis Leon Ivey Jr. His family soon moved to Compton, Calif., the hometown of future hip hop legends Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and MC Ren. While growing up he combated asthma, crime, drug addiction, and gangs; and during his 20s he moved in with his father in San Jose where he fought fires with the California Department of Forestry.

Soon after the news broke, Coolio’s col league, Ice Cube, tweeted: “This is sad news. I witness firsthand this man’s grind to the top of the industry. Rest In Peace.”

His first single “Whatcha Gonna Do?” was pumped independently in 1987. After per forming extensively with the group WC and the Maad Circle—which included WC, Sir Jinx and DJ Crazy Toones—Coolio signed a solo deal with Tommy Boy Records in 1994. Utilizing the G-funk imagery and sound, along with his distinct voice and sprouting cornrows, captivated audiences.

The lead single to his 1995 album, “Gangster’s Paradise” featured singer L.V. and played off Stevie Wonder’s 1976 “Pas time Paradise”; it spent three weeks atop Billboard’s Hot 100 and was named the chart’s No. 1 song of the year. Coolio used his Grammy speech as a platform for peace: “I’d like to claim this Grammy on behalf of the whole hip hop nation, West Coast, East Coast, and world wide, united we stand, divided we fall.”

He also mentioned the song’s long-range effects: “A lot of people say it saved them from whatever demons they were dealing with, that they listened to the song and it helped them carry on.”

Michelle Pfeiffer, “Dangerous Minds” ac tress, stated on Instagram: “Heartbroken to hear of the passing of the gifted artist @ coolio. A life cut entirely too short,” she at tached a clip from the movie. “I remember him being nothing but gracious.”

Coolio’s other popular tracks include “1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New)” and “C U When U Get There.” The comedy “Clueless” gave Coolio another crossover moment. His song “Rollin’ With My Homies” was on the soundtrack.

He was featured in several reality shows, in cluding “Coolio’s Rules” in 2008. In 2009, the entertainer wrote “Cookin’ with Coolio.”

He had four children with Josefa Salinas, whom he married in 1996 and later divorced.

“I’m sure after I’m long gone from this planet, and from this dimension,” he said, “people will come back and study my body of work.”

Mimi Ivey said she’d abide her husband’s plans. “I’m respecting his wishes. He wanted to be cremated. He did not want a funeral; he did not want a memorial ser vice. He didn’t want any of that.”

In 2022, “Gangster’s Paradise” reached a milestone of 1 billion views on YouTube. “It’s one of those kinds of songs that transcends generations,” he said in an interview short ly before his death. “I didn’t use any trendy words…I think it made it timeless.”

Overall, he has sold more than 17 mil lion records. Coolio was also in a number of television shows and films.

Health

Holiday Party Shots: Vaccinated New Yorkers safe to gather during festive season

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

Say good-bye to Thanksgiving dinners over Zoom. Holiday season family gatherings are finally (rel atively) safe again in the age of COVID—provided everyone gets their shots—says NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Ashwin Vasan.

“If you're vaccinated, and es pecially if you're boosted, and if you’re making use of rapid home tests, then there should be no reason why people can’t gather,” he told the Amsterdam News in a COVID-19 roundtable for Black media. “There should be no reason why people can’t cele brate, there should be no reason why people can’t find communi ty once again during the holidays.

“So it does feel a little more normal, but we also just have more

tools in our toolkit. And also, if you happen to get sick, we have treat ment, right? We have Paxlovid, which will keep you out of the hospital.”

Dr. Nathaniel Hafer, direc tor of operations for the UMass Center for Clinical & Translation al Science, concurs, crediting the aforementioned “toolbox.” Vac cines are now available to young children. Paxlovid, Pfizer’s an tiviral pill, offers an emergency response for infected at-risk indi viduals previously unavailable in past, pandemic holiday seasons. And boosters are readily here.

“I think all that advice was good,” said Hafer. “As long as people are vaccinated and boosted, as long as people don’t go out if they don’t feel well [and] they’re taking a rapid test before getting together— makes sense throughout.”

But vaccines are the key to making such a safe holiday season possible. With kids back in school,

adults back in the office and tem peratures falling, Vasan mentions the return of seasonal viruses.

Around 2,000 New Yorkers die each year from the flu. Most are elderly, have pre-existing conditions and/ or unvaccinated. So Vasan wants folks to get their flu shots. Addi tionally, he highlighted the avail ability of new COVID-19 boosters.

“These are bivalent boosters that cover Omicron variant and all of its sub variants,” said Vasan. “Over time, one of the biggest criticisms of the COVID vaccine has been that ‘I’m boosted or I’m vaccinated, and I still got infected.’ So [it] can’t be working right? Well, we’ve been using the same formulation of the vaccine since December 2020.

“Only now, we updated it to in clude the most transmissible vari ants, that is Omicron and all of the different sub variants like BA.2, BA.4, BA.5 and so forth.”

According to a Department

of Health and Mental Hygiene spokesperson, only 28% of Black New Yorkers are boosted. Hafer says appointments were pain less for him, albeit in Massachu setts—he simply signed up on the CVS website and got his shot over Labor Day weekend.

But the return of safe holiday gatherings and the arrival of new booster shots are overshadowed by even better COVID-19 news.

“We’re at the lowest levels of death we’ve seen at any point in the pandemic, which is a wonder ful thing, even though no death is acceptable,” said Vasan.

Tandy Lau is a Report for Ameri ca corps member and writes about public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift today by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w

Bivalent booster vaccine (Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office photo)

Arts

‘Till’—a vicious murder and the mother who stood up to history

By MARGRIRA

Special to the AmNews

When they murdered Emmett Till he was only 14 years old. The year was 1955 and he was kidnapped in the middle of the night and lynched while visiting his family in Mississippi from Chicago.

Recently, the long-over due federal anti-lynching act now bears his name and his terrible murder has been re-told through films and plays.

The newest re-telling of young Till’s terrible fate is done by Chinonye Chukwu (“Clemency”) and it’s clear that his gruesome murder galvanized the American Civil Rights Movement.

In making “Till,” the di rector stepped into the telling in a bold way with out missing any part of the emotional impact. She didn’t show the young man’s murder on the screen, refusing to drama tize what these white men, Roy Bryant, and John Wil liam Milam, did to Emmett.

She barely pushes into the interaction between the boy and shopkeeper Caro lyn Bryant (Haley Bennett) which gave these white murderers the “fire” that moved them to such a hei

nous act. Instead “Till” fo cuses on Emmett’s mother, Mamie Till-Mobley (Dani elle Deadwyler) and shows the strength and the hero ism that she demonstrat ed during one of the most difficult times in anyone’s life. Not only did Mamie rise to the occasion, she demonstrated the power of a mother’s love—still reaching through time and space—to make sure that no one forgets what hap pened to her son.

Emmett’s journey started innocently with his mother sending her son down south to Mississippi, fully expecting him to return safe and sound two weeks later. Instead, he’s returned in a body bag. No mother should ever be burdened with what she was forced to handle. And to show the world what was done to her innocent child, she ar ranged for Emmett’s hor rifically disfigured body to be photographed, and she

‘Till’ has world premiere at New York Film Fest

The cast and filmmak ers of “Till” celebrated and honored the legacy of Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley at the film’s recent world premiere at the 60th New York Film Fes tival. Danielle Deadwyler, Jalyn Hall, Whoopi Gold berg, Sean Patrick Thomas, John Douglas Thompson,

Jayme Lawson, Tosin Cole, and more graced the red carpet alongside filmmak ers Chinonye Chukwu (di rector/co-writer), Barbara Broccoli (producer), Fred Zollo (producer), Keith Beauchamp (producer/cowriter), and Michael Reilly (producer/co-writer); as well as Deborah Watts

(cousin of Emmett Till and co-founder of the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation), and mothers of the move ment including Leslie Mc spadden-Head (mother of Michael Brown), Marian Tolan (mother of Robbie Tolan), and Ka diatou Diallo (mother of Amadou Diallo).

insisted that he receive a public funeral, where his casket was left open for the world to see. Emmett clear ly became a part of history and his mother took charge of making sure he would not be forgotten.

She traveled to Money, Miss., and testified in the trial against Bryant and Milam, knowing that South ern justice would side with the murderers.

Under cross-exami nation, the devious de

fense lawyers attempted to toss the question, asking whether the corpse was her son, suggesting that the two life insurance policies she had in his name were the incentive to declare him dead. And at each jab, Mamie gathers her strength and stares down the face of hate and racism that was carefully crafted to try to discredit her. There’s no question that the crooked justice system failed her, so Mamie shares the facts with the world.

“Till” is a moving film and you would have to be made of stone not to feel the pain

in this story. Emmett’s grandmother (Whoopi Goldberg) helps her deal with the pain of facing the loss and absorbing the so bering fact that his mur derers thought they were teaching him a “lesson,” but what happened to this young, innocent African American boy isn’t a sin gular case. This type of vi olence is part of injustice so entrenched in America’s bloody, murderous past that the crime predictably went unpunished.

Let “Till” be a reminder of everything wrong with this country—still!

(Courtesy photo)

(L to R) Jalyn Hall as Emmett Till and Danielle Deadwyler as Mamie Till Mobley in “Till”

(L to R) Danielle Deadwyler as Mamie Till Mobley and Whoopi Goldberg as Alma Carthan in “Till,” directed by Chinonye Chukwu, released by Orion Pictures. (All photos by Lynsey Weatherspoon / Orion Pictures © 2022 ORION RELEASING LLC. All Rights Reserved)

Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Virginia Johnson passes baton; Arthur Mitchell’s legacy lives on

By ZITA ALLEN Special to the AmNews

Dance Theatre of Harlem

(DTH) Artistic Director Virginia Johnson has an nounced her retirement from the visionary company, effective at the close of the 2022-23 season on June 30, 2023 ending a four decadelong chapter of dance histo ry. In addition to heading this historic company for the past 12 years at the request of the legendary Arthur Mitchell, who founded and co-direct ed DTH with Karel Shook, Johnson’s storied career also includes 28 years as a com pany member, highlighted by her distinction as a found ing member and critically ac claimed principal dancer.

Succession is fundamen tally important for any arts institution and that is es pecially true for DTH. “The world needs Dance The atre of Harlem,” Johnson says. Personally selected by Mitchell in 2009 as his suc cessor and the company’s secondever artistic director, Johnson faced a monumental task. At the time of her appointment, though the DTH School and En semble were still in operation, the professional company had not performed since its dis bandment for budget ary reasons in 2004.

Johnson says, “When the com pany closed in 2004, it was 46 dancers and two semitrailers full of sprung tour ing floor, scen ery, costumes, etc. We could not be that company in 2012. There was no way to sustain that, so we came back with a much smaller entity.”

During her time as a DTH bal lerina, Johnson, whose many critically acclaimed performanc es included the lead in the iconic “Creole Giselle,” had seen the toll the financial ups and downs had taken on both Mitchell and the dancers so as artistic director, she says, “I was very determined

to not have the organization be in that situation again. I think the important thing for me in those first years was the team of people who were behind the resurgence of DTH working together to figure out what a sustainable institution looked like.” She knew back then that folks were disappointed that it was a scaled down version of its former self, but that was necessary. Now, it’s back and better than ever.

Under John son’s steadfast guidance, DTH has seen its legacy as an inclusive cultural institution reinvigorated, em phasizing the organization’s uni versal message of empowerment through the arts for all. She has also championed the artistic voices of female choreographers—particu larly women of color—during her tenure, as well as leading the art form in diversity efforts through the cocreation of The Equity Proj ect. Also, a sign of confidence in

her leadership is the fact that she has managed to raise significant amounts of funding to bolster the organization.

“To say it is in honor to have played a role in carrying forth the powerful vision laid out by Mr. Mitchell is a profound un derstatement,” John son said. “So much of who I am as an artist, a leader, and a person is intertwined with the his tory and mis sion of this organization. As much as I have nurtured young dancers and educated au diences and commu nities through the rigor and beauty of ballet, I have received back tenfold in experiences I will carry with me forever. Together with a group of passionate and skillful individuals, over the past twelve years, we have achieved the impossible. I am eternally humbled to have led the charge in reestablishing this company’s role as a leader in the world of dance.”

DTH Board Chairman Ack neil Muldrow III sings her praises saying, “Virginia has been abso lutely instrumental in making ar tistic excellence synonymous with the name Dance Theatre of Harlem once again,” and Muld row continues, “Her histo ry with the company as a dancer, combined with her wealth of knowledge of the world of ballet at large, pro vided her the perfect pro portion of ex pertise and insight to lead the organization from an uncertain professional future to restored worldwide acclaim. Along with the rest of the board of directors, staff, and artists, I have no doubt that Robert will continue the masterful trajectory set in motion by Virgin ia more than a decade ago.”

In a carefully orchestrated passing of the baton, as John son assumes the title Artistic Di rector Emerita, Robert Garland, DTH resident choreographer

and school director, will become the new DTH ar tistic director on July 1, 2023 and former DTH Prin cipal Dancer Tai Jimenez becomes his successor as head of the acclaimed DTH school. Jimenez also has a long history as a DTH com pany member for 12 years before moving on to Boston Ballet where she became the first Black ballerina el evated to principal in 2006.

Robert Garland was still pinching himself when the Amsterdam News caught up with him on a hectic school day at DTH after he had corralled a bunch of young sters into the ballet studio.

“It already has been a very rewarding moment for me,” Garland said of what is un doubtedly the high point of a career with the company he joined as a young ballet dancer back in 1984. Look ing back over the years at the mentorship he enjoyed under Mitchell as he was given more and more re sponsibility, Garland says, “This is really a full-circle moment.” Look ing forward, he ticks off a few of the items at the top of his agenda when he assumes the reins. It is a list that he says takes into ac count what Mitchell has long considered DTH’s three-pronged mission. “Mr. Mitchell said there were three prongs to our mission, educational (meaning the DTH school), social mission (the fact we represent something bigger than ourselves), and our commu nity mission. It is a full 360-degree circle of excellence.”

One of the most beautiful things about the changes at DTH is the fact it has been so carefully or chestrated. It has been said that Arthur Mitchell had this amazing talent for looking at people and seeing their strengths, something Johnson, Garland and Jimenez can all attest to. As Virginia John son hands over the reins and the torch is passed, she says looking around her office at DTH head quarters on 152nd Street between Amsterdam and St. Nicholas ave nues in Harlem, ‘There is a sign in my office that says it all. It reads, The Future of Ballet is in Harlem.

really believe that.”

1. (L-R): Derek Williams as Alexandre de la Cour; Hugues Magen as Etienne de Villefo; Theara Ward as Bathilde de la Cour; Virginia Johnson as Giselle Lanaux; and the DTH Company in “Creole Giselle” (Dance Theatre of Harlem Archive)

2. DTH Artistic Director Virginia Johnson (Theik Smith photo)

Choreographer Robert Garland (François Rousseau photo)

Three new books on Black music history, performance

By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the AmNews

Black historical documentation and analysis continue to advance rapidly in the 2020s. The passing of George Floyd sits firmly as a tipping point that ignit ed the mass interest and acquisition of books that disrupt the white-wash ing of American history. The history of Black music in particular has been an area where scholars, historians and veteran musicians are breaking ground in mining, documenting and offering new inclusive forms of analysis from predominantly Black musicologists and historians. Music history through a Black lens is a long underrepresent ed historical perspective; nonetheless, there are three new books that will expand the Black music history canon and offer new historical context and diversity to academic books and sheet music collections.

Music in Black American Life, 16001945 (University of Illinois Press)

“Music in Black American Life” is a collection of articles and analyses that were originally published in the Black Music Research Journal, “Music In American Life” book series and the American Music Journal. The select ed writings were chosen from an array of experts who explored the music of Black Americans during colonial Amer ica throughout the innovations of the

bebop jazz era, gospel and blues. Within those sounds and parameters, the book examines genres and string music that are lesser known to broad au diences. Contributors in clude R. Reid Badger, Rae Linda Brown, Samuel A. Floyd Jr., Sandra Jean Graham, Jeffrey Magee, Robert M. Marovich, Har riet Ottenheimer, Eileen Southern, Katrina Dyonne Thompson, Stephen Wade, and Charles Wolfe.

Music in Black Ameri can Life, 1945-2020 (Uni versity of Illinois Press)

“Music in Black American Life” the second volume continues with its se lections of writings that were original ly published in Black Music Research Journal, American Music and Music in American Life along with the African American Music in Global Perspective. With contributions from mostly Black scholars, this compilation “explores a variety of topics with works that pio neered new methodologies and modes of inquiry for hearing and studying Black music.” Spanning from the World War II jazz era to the emergence of hip hop out of underserved communities in South Bronx, to the impact of “Ham ilton” on American mainstream cul

ture, this book is a well of information and thought-provoking examinations. Contributors include Nelson George, Wayne Everett Goins, Claudrena N. Harold, Eileen M. Hayes, Loren Kajika wa, Robin D. G. Kelley, Tammy L. Kerno dle, Cheryl L. Keyes, Gwendolyn Pough, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Mark Tucker, and Sherrie Tucker.

New Standards: 101 Lead Sheets By Women Composers (Berklee Press)

Editor: Terri Lyne Carrington

Iconic jazz drummer Terri Lyne Car rington, who helms as the founder and artistic director of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, has creat

ed a visionary collection of the sheet music of women jazz composers. Car rington has built a resource and alterna tive to the volumes of male-dominated books of jazz standards, and reimagined what is considered relevant in the jazz music canon. The music in “New Stan dards” spans nearly a century, with Lil Hardin Armstrong’s work from 1922 to songs written in 2021 by recent Institute graduates. The collection also includes compositions from Mary Lou Williams, Alice Coltrane, esperanza spalding, Geri Allen, Maria Schneider, Cecile McLo rin Salvant, Cassandra Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Dorothy Ashby, Nubya Garcia, Nicole Mitchell and many others.

Giveon co-writes, performs ‘Time’ for ‘Amsterdam’ soundtrack

By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the AmNews

The ethereal, soulful singer-songwriter Giveon, who drew positive attention after lending his voice to Drake’s nocturnal hip hop song, “Chicago Freestyle” in 2020, has teamed up with Drake again. This time they collaborat ed as songwriters along with Daniel Pemberton to create a hauntingly beautiful song entitled “Time.” The song is the principal theme of the new film “Amsterdam” star ring Christian Bale, John David Washington with Margot Robbie. The film is a story of three unlikely friends who make a pact to take care of each other through life’s trials and triumphs. When they become suspects of a murder, they must band together to prove their innocence. The star-studded film’s cast is rounded out by Chris Rock, Robert DeNiro, Zoe Saldaña, Rami Malek and more.

Newcomer John David Washington, who gives a stand out performance as one of the film’s lead actors, described his experience working with Bale and Robbie to “The Hol lywood Reporter,” “Their professionalism, their humility and their craving; their hankering for telling the truth and getting to the source of what all the actions are, what mo tivates the actions, as an actor, made it easy to just get in line, blend in and have the chemistry. Our bedrock of hu mility was that foundation, and I think that’s what made it seamless as far as chemistry was concerned.”

Giveon, also a young Black rising star, shares a touch ing, elegant and subtle vocal arrangement that is ac

companied by dreamy classical soundscapes composed with strings, harp, piano, and the light drum rolls of a post-modern drumbeat that gives the song a unique orchestral ballad. The simplistic introspective lyrics are moving and timeless:

“The time we had together A time when all things were better

All of those moments may have gone too soon They meant so much I never knew, For only now can I truly see How much that time with you

That time shaped me.”

AmNews FOOD

Cooler weather means cozy family food

After families across the country began cooking more at home during the pan demic, that trend has continued as loved ones seek comfort in the kitchen in the form of their favorite recipes and time spent together.

In fact, according to the “Hunter Food News Study,” cooking continues to change as more Americans come togeth

er at the dining table with recipe usage up 21% and dinners cooked from scratch up 14%. Around half (54%) of Americans are cooking more than they were before the pandemic, and 35% said they “enjoy cooking now more than ever,” according to Harvard Business Review.

If those closest to you are looking for home-cooked comfort, you can turn

to satisfying family meals like PlantBased Meatloaf Sandwiches or Chick en Souse. These hearty recipes make it easy for loved ones to involve everyone in the cooking process from preparing vegetables and hand-mixing meatloaf to seasoning chicken and simmering ingredients.

With 65% of consumers saying they’re

most likely to purchase a whole week’s worth of groceries when shopping, ac cording to research from Datassen tial, opportunities abound for families to enjoy delicious, comforting dishes together.

Find more family meal inspiration by visiting Aramark’s Feed Your Potential website, fyp365.com.

Plant-Based Meatloaf Sandwiches

Recipe courtesy of Aramark

Servings: 6

Nonstick cooking spray

1½ pounds plant-based ground burger, thawed

1½ cups cooked wild rice, chilled

1 cup diced onion

1 cup diced red bell pepper

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon granulated garlic

1 teaspoon rubbed sage

½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves

½ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon ground white pepper

⅔ cup barbecue sauce bread

vegan cheddar cheese

sauteed onions

Heat

baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.

In bowl, thoroughly mix ground burger, cooked rice, onion, bell pepper, paprika, garlic, sage, thyme, salt and white pepper until well blended with out overmixing. Shape mixture into loaf on baking sheet. Spread barbecue sauce over meatloaf.

Bake 1 hour, or until internal tempera ture reaches 160 F.

Slice meatloaf into six pieces and place each piece on bread. Top each meatloaf slice with vegan cheddar cheese and sauteed onions then close sandwiches with top bread slices. Using panini press, griddle or frying pan, cook sandwiches until golden brown and cheese is melted.

Tip: Pairs well with potato salad.

Chicken Souse

Recipe courtesy of Aramark

Servings: 6

8 ounces boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces

⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper, plus additional, to taste, divided

⅛ teaspoon garlic powder

⅛ teaspoon onion powder

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

¼ cup diced onion

¼ cup diced celery

2 teaspoons minced garlic

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup peeled potatoes, cut into ½-inch pieces

⅔ cup canned diced tomatoes, und rained

¼ cup tomato paste

3 tablespoons cider vinegar

2 tablespoons minced, seeded jalape no pepper

1½ tablespoons lemon juice

1½ teaspoons minced, peeled ginger root

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional, to taste, divided

2 pinches dried thyme leaves

1 small bay leaf

1½ cups thawed mixed vegetables, drained

Season chicken with ⅛ teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Cover and chill 2 hours, or overnight.

In saucepan over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add onion and celery; sauté 2 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds.

Add chicken and sauté until browned.

Stir in broth, potatoes, tomatoes, tomato paste, vinegar, jalapeno pepper, lemon juice, ginger, 1 teaspoon salt, thyme and bay leaf; heat to boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer 1 hour, or until potatoes are tender.

Stir in mixed vegetables and simmer 10 minutes. Remove and discard bay leaf. Season with additional salt and pepper, to taste.

Tips: Serve souse with griddled corn cakes and saltine crackers. Make vege tarian by replacing chicken with canned drained and rinsed black-eyed peas or red or white beans.

Sanaa Lathan beautifully steps into directing role with

‘On the Come Up’

By MARGRIRA Special to the AmNews

During the junket for “On the Come Up,” directed by Sanaa Lathan who made her direc torial debut, I had very little time. Such are the facts about these fancy press opportuni ties. But I’ve been following La than’s career since she stunned us all in the now classic film “Love and Basketball” starring Omar Epps.

Lathan has been sharpening her skills for 26 years in the in dustry and thanks to her family, she was basically born into it, as the daughter of legendary direc tor and producer Stan Lathan. As an actress (and make no mistake, this new director can act) her credits include “Life,” “Brown Sugar,” and “Out of Time” to name a few. On Broad way, she was nominated for a Tony Award (2004) for her por trayal of Beneatha Younger in “A

Raisin in the Sun.” On the televi sion side, she recently received her first Emmy nomination for her guest role on “Succession.”

“On the Come Up,” which de buted at the Toronto Interna tional Film Festival, marks her directorial debut. And not only is she good in front of the camera (she plays the role of a recover ing addict), she’s proven herself to be a very sturdy, gifted film director.

Here’s what producer/ac tress and now, film direc tor Sanaa Lathan had to share about making “On the Come Up” which pre mieres Sept. 23, exclusively on Paramount+.

AmNews: Congrats on the di recting. I loved your film.

Sanaa Lathan: Thank you.

AmNews: I’ve interviewed you in the past. I never knew you

wanted to direct.

SL: I’ve been in the business for 25 years, plus, and have probably been on more [movie] sets than most directors.

AmNews: You just soaked it up.

SL: I was just around it, and it was all I knew. I wanted to do the opposite because it wasn’t cool. Whatever your parents do, you want to do the opposite.

AmNews: “On the Come Up” the film is an adaptation of Angie Thomas’ 2019 young adult novel of the same name. Why did you choose this story?

SL: I fell in love with it after I read it and it felt like the right time.

AmNews: It’s clear that you love what you do.

SL: Thank you. Well, I am a storyteller and I am if I’m play ing a character or directing a movie. This is my life.

AmNews: Your destiny.

‘On the Come Up’ with star Jamila C. Gray

lenging relationship with her re covering addict mother (Sanaa Lathan), and a desire for finan cial stability make achieving her dream—to become a hit, hip-hop artist—a do-or-die endeavor for the up-and-comer.

“On the Come Up” takes the im portant opportunity to analyze the true price that comes with suc cess. And although Gray admits that she doesn’t have much in common with Bri, she does note that there are a few parallels.

fered this: “You have to take time to sit with yourself to understand things. Discover the things that you love and those things that you don’t love. Accepting your self for who you really are. I can’t help thinking about what would it be like if everyone took that time to sit with themselves, would the world be different?”

SL: Yes. I know this for sure.

AmNews: Thank you for making a solid film.

SL: You are welcome.

tension with her mother, a re covering addict. The character is tough and although she’s not ex actly street smart she does have the instincts of a fighter. This char acter has rage, which was a chal lenge for the actress to tap into.

By MARGRIRA

Special to the AmNews

There’s a buzz in the air about the actress Jamila C. Gray who is the lead in “On the Come Up” and it started at the Toronto Film Festival. The film marks Emmynominated actress Sanaa Lathan’s feature directorial debut.

We caught up with Gray, who was making it all look easy, via a Zoom interview. It took me a few seconds to drink in her new look, a departure from her char acter Bri. The actress’s makeup was flawless and her hair—in two,

long ponytails—framed her beau tiful face perfectly.

“I like your hair,” I say with a smile. “I love your hair,” Gray says back.

“On the Come Up” the movie is based on Angie Thomas’ best selling novel of the same name and delves into the world of Bri, a 16-year-old female rapper. The subjects tackled in the film would definitely qualify it as a comingof-age tale but (thankfully) it has a swagger and heart that makes the pulse race. For Bri, trying to balance her father’s legacy on her shoulders, managing a chal

“I know a lot of women in my life who are exactly like Bri. So I had a lot to pull from, as well as there are so many parallels between me and her. She’s moving forward. Bri’s definitely on her come up and I am being on mine. She’s searching for herself. I’m finding myself and that happened in the process of playing her,” she confides.

There are layers to “On the Come Up” no doubt pulled from the gems that are from the novel. But the main theme is the impor tance of staying true to yourself, and Gray believes that this is an important lesson not only for her self and Bri, but for everyone.

“I think it’s very important to stay true to yourself,” she says. When pushed to answer what that could possibly mean, she of

Kudos to Gray anchoring the film as an unknown lead (almost unheard of) but to be directed by Lathan, who has starred in many films including the classic “Love & Basketball” and shows such as “Succession,” was an added bonus. As an actress, Lathan un derstood how to get performanc es from her cast.

“She [Lathan] helped me to stay grounded on set. I was No. 1 on the call sheet and that comes with a certain responsibility. You have to treat everyone with the respect you want as well. You show you. You do the work. She was a great mentor for me.”

In “On the Come Up” the young rapper on the come-up has no choice but to try and balance the weight of her world on her slen der shoulders. Her day-to-day is stressful, trying to deal with racism at school, violence in her neighborhood, and the growing

“That was really tough,” she says. “So for me to understand her rage, I really had to under stand what she had been through. I stepped into research, talking with people who suffered from addiction and watching docu mentaries about women whose parents were addicts.

“To get Bri right, I really had to do my research,” she continues. “I really had to understand what she had gone through.”

The other challenge that Gray had to master was learning how to rap and still be convincing in the rap battle scenes. To help her prepare she worked with rapper Rapsody—who wrote the rhymes that Bri spits—and the hard work paid off.

While the power of the music is an integral part of the movie, for Gray, she hopes that people will feel the message, which is to “remain true to who you are, stand up for what you believe and never let the trappings of fame or even being desperate sway you.”

“On the Come Up” director Sanaa Lathan (Photo by Erika Doss/ Paramount+© 2022 Paramount Players, a Division of Paramount Pictures)

Jamila C. Gray stars in Paramount+’s “On the Come Up” (Photo by Erika Doss/ Paramount+© 2022 Paramount Players, a Division of Paramount Pictures)

Callum Francis reprises role of Lola in

Stage 42 production of ‘Kinky Boots’!

CF: I was doing a job overseas where my person was questioned. I had someone, who was a senior in power in the show I was doing, take me off the show because I wasn’t “manly enough.” I’m quite comfortable in my own skin, but it was quite jarring, so I started to…not believe it, but I started to question certain things. Lola taught me a lot of things about myself I didn’t realize. At that time, when I was going through that, was when I got the call to see if I wanted to do this again and I said actually I do. I think I need to. Maybe that’s why there’s so much joy in her, because it’s a reminder.

AmNews: What is the journey like when you do a character that you know like the back of your hand, but you’re doing it with a different cast?

CF: That’s what’s been so much fun about it, because it’s completely dif ferent. I can’t play the show the same way because I have to do it towards the one who is playing Charlie and they are going to be different. Jerry Mitch ell has a really wonderful way of letting you bring yourself to a role, so all these Charlies are bringing themselves to the same role, but they’re all different people. And, then I get to play around, far too much than I should.

matinee and the audience enjoyed it, but they were very quiet, and it’s so difficult. It’s not that we need the applause to say we did it right, we know we’re doing it right. But it’s the energy that those kinds of things give you to get through to the end.

AmNews: What is the energy that you are working off of when you’re in scenes with the Angels, the other drag queens?

CF: I adore them. Six of them and two swings and they are all wonderful. We had a chat at the very start—I call them my girls— and I said if there’s any issues in the building, if you are not feeling respected or anything like that, my door is always open. That’s how I want it to stay. As Lola I look to interact with them on stage…I want to make sure from the start that we are a team. Before every show I go into the dressing room and I put my hand on each chin, look them in the eyes and I tell them to enjoy the show. Then we go out there onstage and we are the best group of friends. You see them, they work their butts off.

AmNews: Why is it so important that a musical like “Kinky Boots” is being pre sented on the stage right now?

By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews

For African American, British born actor Callum Francis the fifth time is certainly the charm as he reprises his role as Lola in “Kinky Boots” at Stage 42. Francis played the role in the original West End pro duction in London, the Australian tour, the first U.K. tour, on Broadway at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre and now at Stage 42, located at 422 W. 42nd St. and he is FAB ULOUS. “Kinky Boots” is an incredible musical with a stunning book by Harvey Fierstein, mesmerizing music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, and delightful choreog raphy and direction by Jerry Mitchell. In it, Lola, a drag queen, encounters Charlie Price, the owner of a shoe factory with no customers. Charlie is trying to find a new niche market and a new group of cus tomers, and Lola not only inspires him to make boots for drag queens, she designs the boots as well. Francis recently spoke with the AmNews about being Lola. He was candid and honest in this Q&A.

CF: It’s just a joy. We get joy from the audi ence from their feelings and give it back. Jerry [the director] describes it as a tsunami of love because we get as much joy as we can and then we give it back. Especially at the end.

AmNews: You played the role four times before this and now at Stage 42. Have you grown with this character?

CF: Well, it’s interesting because coming back to it, my agent described it as a vic tory lap. I thought I put it to bed when I finished it on Broadway, and then circum stances in my life happened. I learned a lot from doing this role, about myself, and I felt like I needed to remind myself of certain things. When I accepted the role, I thought I was coming back to do the same kind of iteration of Lola that I already did. But the director, Cyndi Harvey, kind of said, “She’s a bit more mature.” Which I could see was the case. The last time I played it was three years ago, so I guess we all mature. So I think she’s a bit different.

AmNews: What was going on in your life that you felt you needed to do it?

AmNews: Lola is a character that has a lot of heart, love, humor. She also faces discrimination from men who don’t understand her. What do you want people to realize about this character?

CF: If you can look past the dress, the wigs and the heels to the person, you’ll realize that you don’t have to be a drag queen or a shoe maker, or whatever you are seeing on the stage, to realize that these people are real humans with real problems and real rela tionship issues with family members. We all grew up as kids and we had arguments in the house. Lola and Charlie want to think that everything is okay and it’s not. And I think that’s what I would have people take…“Kinky Boots” can really change someone’s life, it can open their eyes to something they didn’t pre viously see. It’s a joy to be able to do that. You get that one little brown boy or girl in the audi ence and you can change their lives, because they will see themselves up there. And, it’s a joy and a very wonderful responsibility to have.

AmNews: You bring so much energy as Lola. Where does that come from for every performance?

CF: From the audience. We just did a

CF: The list is kind of endless. “Kinky Boots” finds itself in cities, countries, when it needs it most, because it is pure joy. America needs it. There are certainly things happening in the world that are ludicrous and in “Kinky Boots” you put two different kinds of people together, which is what life is about, and watch how it can work if you open your heart and mind and change it if needed…If we have hundreds of people leaving each night and one person chang ing their mind, that’s a win.

AmNews: What would you say to the young person watching this show who thinks that they too would be comfortable in drag, but don’t know how to communi cate this to their parents and friends?

CF: Bring them to the show. The friends that I had that had that feeling, that con fusion, that need to come out to their fam ilies but didn’t know how to express it, “Kinky Boots” is a great conversation start er. I had so many friends that came out to their family after bringing them to watch the show. If you’re brave enough and strong enough, who says that you’re not allowed to do those things? Who says that you have to do certain things the way society says you have to do them? We only get one life, so why do we question things?

For tickets and for more info, visit

“Kinky Boots” (Matt Murphy photo)

‘The Lion King’ turns 25

By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews

What a blessing on Broadway! Disney’s “The Lion King,” playing at the Minskoff Theatre at 245 W. 45th St., is approaching its 25th anniversary on Nov. 13, 2022. I recently had the pleasure of going to see the show with my daughters—ages 29 and 20, both had seen the musical at the age of 5 and loved it. As I sat with them in the audience and heard Rafiki start the conversation and the call and respons es that followed, I felt chills. Then, the animal puppets, the dancers dressed in costumes of zebras and other wildlife gave me thrills. There is something so beautifully dramatic about that open ing scene in “The Lion King.” Something that says to you, this is going to be an ex perience like no other!

For almost 25 years, audiences have come to see this very spiritual musical with a story that showcases African cul ture, beliefs and language. This musical has some of the most powerful music and lyrics by Elton John, Tim Rice, Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer, along with a stunning book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi. There is also unbelievably poi gnant choreography by Garth Fagan and incredible direction by Julie Taymor, who along with Michael Curry is also the mastermind behind the animal mask and puppet design.

This musical tells the story of Mufasa, the Lion King; his newborn son, Simba, who is to grow up to be king; and Mufa sa’s jealous brother Scar, who is furious

that he is being passed over. “The Lion King” demonstrates how everything in nature is connected and how everyone’s existence is part of the Circle of Life. But it also has a deeper side that shows the love and connection between father and son and mother and son.

There are so many moments in this musical when I found myself with tears in my eyes from the beauty of what was being performed in front of me and the life lessons being taught. “The Lion King” has love, loss, jealousy, joy, anger and re demption. Another excellent reason to see it now is for the original cast mem bers who have returned. L. Steven Taylor, the original Mufasa is doing what he does with such heart and brilliance. Tshidi Manye is Rafiki and she is magnificent in this role. Her emotions, heart and humor come through splendidly.

Of course, one of the most endear ing aspects of “The Lion King” for me these 25 years is that it has always been a major source of employment on Broadway for Black and South Afri can people. That is a distinction which makes it soar to new heights in my eyes. The cast is singing all the songs that we have all come to love. “Circle of Life” will give you head-to-toe chills.

“I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” will put a smile on your face. “They Live in You” will grab your heart and soul. It is such a beautiful moment between father and son. “He Lives In You” is a great number that will stun and inspire.

Sitting there with my daughters, I expe rienced the overwhelming emotions that come with seeing exceptional perform

ers, giving performances with everything that is in them. The cast and the ensem ble are stupendous. Please make plans

to go and see “The Lion King” and know why it has at least 25 more years to go! For more info, visit www.lionking.com

“Circle of Life” from “The Lion King” (Brinkhoff-Mogenburg photo)

JAZZ, RADWAY AT SISTER’S, EAST AXIS REVIEW

resent him, Duke, Randy and all those who contributed so much to this music.” Monk was born on October 10, 1917.

Since arriving on the jazz scene in 1992, the pianist and compos er Cyrus Chestnut has become one of the most influential pia nists of his generation, having re corded over 26 albums as a leader. On these recordings he has been joined by the likes of Buster Wil liams, Al Foster, Christian Mc Bride, Kenny Garrett, and Dezron Douglas. As a sideman he’s been on the first call list for the ladies of jazz like Dee Dee Bridgewa ter, Betty Carter, and Carla Cook. They called for his soft touch and the way he allows space to be an active part of the song.

October 6-9, Cyrus Chest nut will bring his own interpre tive sound of the traditionalists with flair like Art Tatum and Erroll Garner to the stage of Smoke Jazz & Supper Club on Manhattan’s upper westside (2751 Broadway). The pianist and composer will be joined by trumpeter Freddie Hen drix, bassist Gerald Cannon and drummer Willie Jones III. These musicians like him are anoth er generation of fiery musicians still making a name for them selves as they continue to soar to greater heights. Cannon is the elder of the group having worked with Wynton and Branford Mar salis, Carmen Lundy, Abbey Lin coln, Gary Bartz,. Which includes a seven-year stint with Roy Har grove and time with drummer Elvin Jones.

Showtimes vary (three shows on weekends at 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.); visit the website smokejazz.com/calendar or call 212-864-6662.

Sista’s Place, the Brooklyn jazz club where music represents rev olution and revolution represents life’s groove. The music is always blazing, whether summer or winter the soul sounds will keep you warm swinging on the edge of your chair.

On Oct. 8, to celebrate com poser, pianist, genius innovator Thelonious Monk’s birthday, the pianist Sharp Radway will per form in tribute with percussion ist Chief Baba Neil Clarke, bassist Alex Blake, tenor saxophonist Reggie Woods and drummer Ca mille Gaynor Jones music.

“Monk has been a huge influ ence on me as a musician and

composer. He was influenced by Duke Ellington, who influenced my mentor Randy Weston,” said

Radway. “Monk made such a great contribution to the music I am honored to perform this tribute

to him. We must always remem ber, honor and respect him. Every time I sit behind the piano I rep

The quintet will play a host of Monk compositions and maybe a few surprise original composi tions from Radway.

Sistas’ Place is located at 456 Nostrand Ave. at Jefferson in Bed ford-Stuyvesant. Call 718-3981766 for more info. Two shows at 9 & 10:30 p.m., $25 with reservation.

Dizzy’s jazz club is probably the heart of traditional jazz, they very seldom turn off the jazz super highway but most recently they did take one of their rare turns with the one-night-only perfor mance of the avant-garde quartet East Axis led by multi-instrumen talist Scott Robinson, pianist Matthew Shipp, drummer Gerald Cleaver and bassist Kevin Ray.

The room was packed as it is when avant-garde artists take to Dizzy’s stage and why not Dizzy Gillespie for whom the club is named and who loved all kinds of music. He was very upset some years ago when his dates on col lege campuses were canceled because he was told students couldn’t dance to bebop. We know Dizzy would want multiple com binations of music performed at his spot on a regular basis.

Scott Robinson, best known for his work on multiple saxo phones, kept it interesting on alto saxophone, alto clarinet and trumpet for the evening. He has appeared on more than 275 LP and CD releases, includ ing 20 under his leadership; it’s difficult to call him an avantgarde cat since he’s performed with musicians such as Frank Wess, Ron Carter, Joe Lovano, and David Bowie. Shipp noted it was the first time the group played together but plans are in place for more projects and re cordings. Honestly, I attend ed on advice from Shipp, who I met some years ago on the lower eastside’s avant-garde set where his reputation precedes him. He is a piano stylist, who isn’t both ered by categories—as he stated, “Jazz is just music.”

As a unit East Axis played com plicated simple riffs, bridges mel odies rough tones in and out was it out yes was it moving with in tensity and hip tonality and melo dies that took swift dips yes all of that for which they received two standing ovations.

Sharp Radway (Yaw Mfoni photo)

Pianist

CLASSROOM

Rev. Frank Watkins: A courageous, indefatigable civil rights activist

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

When it comes to the Civil Rights Movement courage and commitment have no color, and that’s why we pro file Frank Watkins this week. Let me begin on a personal note. I first met Frank on the airwaves where we were both commentators on the Jeff Santos Show, a radio show now streamed online. During his introductions of Frank, Jeff would often note his long affiliation with the Rev. Jesse Jack son, and then we would take on a number of current and historical topics, and I would often concede the mic to Frank, though he always expressed a sharing approach.

Appearing with him was a learn ing experience because he was such a savvy and insightful activist and scholar in the political realm. He was particularly knowledgeable about the machinations in the electoral pro cess, much of this information gath ered working with Rev. Jackson and in sundry organizations and institutions.

It was from Jeff that I learned that Frank had joined the ances tors on September 16, one day shy of his 80th birthday in Washing ton, D.C. after a lengthy illness. We had not been on the air together but once since the outbreak of the pandemic. According to Rev. Jack son, Frank suffered from a combi nation of COVID and pneumonia that “proved too much.”

Frank, the minister continued, was a “true hero and a true friend…and will be terribly missed.” He was in Jackson’s memory, a fighter against voter suppression and for the equity of Blacks and died “with his boots on.”

In the process of gathering vital sta tistics on Frank, very little about his early years was immediately avail able, but we do know that he was white and a graduate of the Chica go Theological Seminary. He was among the loyal assistants to Jack son organizing many of the corpo rate covenants proposed by Jackson that resulted in procuring jobs for many Black Americans.

manity. He was far more than that. He was the indispensable right hand. A demon researcher and public scholar, he drafted press releases and worked on speeches and reports. He helped organize me—no small task. He was a constant source of ideas and memos on what comes next—how we should organize to best be effective.”

A moving tribute by Kevin A. Gray includes a poignant comment from Frank in which he said, “I didn’t grow up in a political household. My par ents registered and voted for the first time in 1960—because I made them. I strongly recommended that they vote for Kennedy, and I think they did. I couldn’t vote in 1960 because the 26th Amendment lowering the voting age to 18 wasn’t added to the Constitution until 1971.”

Gray added that Frank “graduat ed from O’Fallon Technical High School in 1961 as a star athlete. His ambition was to be a profession al baseball player. The Philadelphia Phillies even offered him a scholar ship. But then Anderson University informed him that retired Los An geles Dodgers star pitcher Carl Ers kine had been named baseball coach there, so he changed his mind.”

Frank for two decades, and his pas sion and commitment to equal access for voting rights never eased.”

Senator Jacqueline Collins (D16th) is another who remembers Frank’s unstinting service. “Frank was a brilliant political strategist and courageous social justice war rior,” she began. “It was an honor to work with him as he humbly sought to serve humanity. May he rest in peace and power.”

to both Rev. Jackson and Bishop Tavis Grant, national executive di rector, Frank “was always engag ing and a wealth of information.

He could write a book faster than we could blink our eyes,” she said.

“We were always in awe of him be cause of the plethora of history and statistics he was able to rattle off at any given time or place on any given subject. We all sought to emulate his memory and grasp of politics, reli gion, and history. I saw ‘Uncle Frank’ in action, and he had a game.”

Frank, in the estimation of Rev. Cameron Barnes, national field di rector for the Rainbow PUSH Co alition, “was the walking political encyclopedia. He was more than a staffer of Rainbow PUSH. He was the backbone of it. He had every state drawn up, from population break down to the results of its last elec tion, and everything in between. From his home, he knew the polit ical state of any American territory. He was, and to me still is, the pinna cle of political expertise.”

ACTIVITIES

FIND OUT MORE

So much more about Rev. Watkins can be found at Rainbow PUSH Coali tion files where he worked and organized for years.

DISCUSSION

Wish I could have found more about his personal life, wife, family, et al. But it’s good to know of his commitment to Rev. Jack son and the movement.

PLACE IN CONTEXT

The best context for Rev. Watkins is the Civil Rights era where even as he often worked behind the scenes, he was an es sential cog in the wheel for justice.

Hu

“Frank was indefatigable, filled with ideas and energy and willing to work,” Jackson said in his published account of his comrade. “A skilled college ath lete, he was immediately invited to join our ‘Grapefruit League,’ a regu lar pickup basketball game that we played weekly to blow off steam. By 1975, he became the spokesperson and communications director for PUSH—People

Betty Magness, Illinois political di rector for the Rainbow PUSH Coali tion, called Frank “a political guru,” and said that her memories of him go back to when they taught politi cal education classes. “Frank taught Research I & II and I taught Com munications,” she said. “Alice Tregay and Leon Davis were the leaders. A great number of graduates went on to be elected officials.”

Frank is remembered by Shelly Davis, national political director for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition as “a part of the quilt that is now the Rain bow PUSH Coalition. I have known

Rev. Jackson picks up Frank’s jour ney in 1984 when he was a critical part of his presidential run. He said that Frank was a veritable polymath, working tirelessly as “part secretary, part strategist, part speechwriter, part researcher. He understood how vital the campaign was in register ing new voters—Blacks, the young, the poor. In the 1988 campaign, his role expanded as did the campaign. Then he helped conceptualize the creation of Rainbow PUSH and the effort to build a new progressive poli tics that would make America better. Along the way, Frank somehow found the time to help write and edit sev eral books. He helped edit ‘Straight from the Heart’ a 1987 collection of my speeches, articles, and columns that he had often worked on in early drafts. After the 1988 campaign, he combined with Frank Clemente to edit ‘Keep Hope Alive: Jesse Jack son’s 1988 Presidential Campaign’ which brought together the mes sage, the agenda, and the strategy of what was an historic campaign.”

In 2002, Frank moved to the na tion’s capital where he became the communications director and press secretary to Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and later joined him to author “A More Perfect Union: Advancing New American Rights.”

To Alanna Ford, executive assistant

These impressions were shared by the Rev. Paul Jakes, pastor of the New Tabernacle of Faith Baptist Church, who in his opinion was a “voice crying out for justice in this nation. “Brother Frank Watkins was also a faithful min ister of the gospel, fulfilling Dr. King’s dream that whites and Blacks can work together, march together and stand up for justice together. Broth er Frank didn’t have to work with Rev. Jackson, but he did. He could have easily blended into white society and been comfortable. Rather, Frank Wat kins had the character and the will to let his light shine. He was a true voice in the wilderness for justice.”

Gray wrote that Frank, “growing up in St Louis, Frank did not come from a family of radicals. His passion for jus tice, his deep sense of faith, his expe rience with the Civil Rights Movement brought him to the indispensable roles he played. In the beginning, his parents had doubts about his course. Over time, however, Frank convinced them—as he did so many—about the justice of his cause and the impor tance of his commitment.”And before his death, Gray added, “Frank set up a fund to bolster a public education and lobby campaign to expand voter rights and push for a constitutional amend ment guaranteeing the right to vote, issues on which he had been working tirelessly. Those wishing to advance these goals may send a donation to: The Trust of Frank E. Watkins, P.O. Box 70925, Washington, D.C. 20024.”

THIS WEEK IN BLACK HISTORY

Oct. 2, 1800: Nat Turner, who led a historic slave revolt, was born in South ampton County, Va. He was hanged in 1831.

Oct. 2, 1935: Robert Henry Lawrence, the first African American astro naut, was born in Chica go. He was killed during a launch in1967.

Oct. 2, 1937: Noted at torney Johnnie Cochran was born in Shreveport, La. He died in 2005.

Rev. Frank Watkins (l) with the Rev. Jesse Jackson (Courtesy of Rainbow PUSH Coalition)

Shootings

Another business owner, who wished to be unnamed, said

crime is up around the area over the past two years, al though mostly with shoplifting. Last Tuesday, Sept. 27, anoth er shooting on 125th Street be tween 6th and 7th avenues left

Affordability Crisis

how do you maintain or transfer the home to someone that looks like that neighborhood. Some thing we’re seeing less of in recent years,” said White.

Clarke said that across the coun try, and in Brooklyn, soaring rent prices and the severe lack of af fordable housing units continue to displace low-income commu nities, making basic housing needs unattainable for those who need it most.

The serious rise in rents has led to the deterioration of “affordabil ity” in the northeast in the past 12 months. For example, the median asking rent in 50 of the largest cities decreased to $1,771. Mean while, the median rent for onebedroom apartments in the New York, Newark, Jersey City, and Pennsylvania areas is $2,498 while

the median asking rent of two-bed rooms is $3,107 monthly, said Real tor.com’s August Rental report.

The Affordable Housing and Area Median Income (AMI) Fairness Act examines the AMI statistic set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and is used as the basis for income caps and rent pricing associated with affordable housing. The bill asks to reevalu ate AMI and create recommenda tions for reforming or eliminating the use of AMI altogether.

“In cities like New York, the AMI is inflated,” said Clarke. “Units designated as affordable, may not be feasible to most renters of the community. More than one-third of families in East New York earn less than 30% of the AMI, making it even more challenging to access affordable housing.”

another two New Yorkers in jured, including a street vendor who was inadvertently hit, re ported CBS2’s Dave Carlin. The incident occured in broad day light only steps away from both

Clarke said that affordable hous ing units are extremely challeng ing to come by. Units that come up on the market often go to those who can present landlords with the best-looking application rather than to families who des perately need housing the most, she said.

The homeownership problem, coupled with the rise in rents, the difficulty in finding and quali fying for the affordable housing lottery, and the current migrant housing crisis overburdening the city’s shelter system, has led to a powder keg situation for the Black and brown community.

“As it relates to homelessness, that goes back to the housing in security issue. You’re housed and then all it takes is one crisis and then you’re not able to stay in housing. The pandemic contrib uted to that. There’s also individ uals with mental health and other health issues that compound ed their being unhoused,” said

the state office building and the Apollo Theater.

Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member and writes about public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your do

White. “And of course, the system is being swept with refugees that are being picked up regularly.”

White said another big part of the housing crisis is the erec tion of smaller luxury apartment buildings with amenities being easier to put up than ‘affordable housing.’ She said at any point for builders they need the rents to pay back loans in real estate, which is less favorable with non-competi tive market units.

“It’s very expensive to build af fordable housing. It is complex and takes a number of investors and staff to put together. I think that’s an issue from a policy stand point in the city but also nation ally,” said White. “Those who are in the business of building are not getting their capital. If they don’t have equity they’re not going to build it.”

A Citizens Budget Commission report on the city’s land use deci sion-making process also point ed out that the land use process

nation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing sto ries like this one; please consid er making a tax-deductible gift today by visiting: https://tinyurl. com/fcszwj8w

itself is lengthy, costly, and often a “contentious” and political system that hampers affordability and job growth. The report added that housing production has categori cally failed to keep up with popu lation growth in the city.

White said there needs to be some housing development as well as equitable opportunities for Black and brown people to be in these homes and apartments. She said there needs to be more feder al access to capital, fair appraisals for Black and brown homeown ers, and more enforcement in fair housing laws.

Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about culture and politics in New York City for The Amsterdam News.

Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing sto ries like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting: https:// tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w

Education

Lessons learnt from ‘Till,’ a crowd favorite at the New York Film Festival

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

Endowed with unflagging deter mination, filmmaker Keith Beau champ willed “Till” to the screen. Knowing his sense of sharing and self-effacing, he will reject being sin gled out for the success of the film, which had its premiere last week end at the Alice Tully Hall as part of the New York Film Festival. But ever since he produced and directed the documentary “The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till” in 2005, the result of ten years of dedication and research, a feature film on the life of the brutally lynched Till has been his dream. That dream is now man ifest, deftly directed by Chinonye Chukwu, who along with Beau champ and Michael Reilly, wrote the script. Whoopi Goldberg and the late Simeon Wright, Till’s cousin, are among the producers.

The screenplay is thoughtfully rendered and a special resonance arrives as soon as Mamie Till Mobley (Danielle Deadwyler) and Emmett (Jalyn Hall) come into focus, and it’s a poignant moment of reflection and history as they ride in a car sing ing along with a version of “Sincere ly.” When they both in unison sing the line “you know how I love you” the intimacy of the mother-son con nection is firmly established and from here the story moves ineluc tably toward a tragedy that most in formed Americans know.

Beauchamp’s documentary is the best guide on this tragic journey,

but since the incident occurred in August 1955 it has been recounted numerous times in books, newspa pers, and even in song, recalling Bob Dylan’s lament. Rosa Parks said she was thinking about Emmett when she made her bold move in Mont gomery. But now the film is here and it’s a powerful depiction, replete with integrity and Chukwu’s intui tive sense of Mamie’s pain and loss.

For those who don’t know the story, Emmett was a 14-year-old boy from Chicago who was sent south to visit with his relatives in Money, Missis sippi. And the film artfully channels the mood and tone of the era; the vistas are sharply delineated.

Hall captures Emmett’s swagger, his Chicago hipness right up to the moment he enters the Bryant’s store and encounters Carolyn Bryant.

A portion of the meeting is fore shadowed when a photo of a white woman is revealed in his wallet. He will flash this to Mrs. Bryant and conduct a dialogue that ultimate ly evolves into the wolf whistle that for years was questioned—did he or didn’t he whistle? Simeon Wright an swered that question conclusively in his book, noting that Emmett in fact did whistle at her and this signaled the beginning of the end.

When the contretemps between them reached her husband and his half-brother, Emmett was doomed, and one early morning shortly thereafter they arrived, abducted him with help of a Black man, and a nod from Carolyn in the truck as sured them that he was the “boy

from Chicago.”

Among the unknown things about the Till tragedy is the personal life of Mamie. This is done in sharp relief as other members of her family such as her mother portrayed by Gold berg, her father by the veteran actor Frankie Faison, are included in the drama. There is even cameo appear ances of the legendary civil rights activists Medgar Evers (Tosin Cole) and T.R.M Howard (Roger Guen veur Smith). A commanding perfor mance is delivered by John Douglass Thompson as Moses Wright, Em mett’s great-uncle. Some of the grisly details are skipped, though we do hear Emmett being tortured but viewers are spared of seeing his body being salvaged from the Talla hatchie River, a huge gin fan around his neck.

Knowledgeable viewers were con cerned about how Emmett’s horri bly disfigured face would look, after Mamie insisted that she “wanted the world to see what they had done to her son.” It was Em mett’s battered and butchered face that Beau champ saw as a teenager that set in motion his endless pur suit. Rather than hitting viewers with a full fron tal exposure, the way Beauchamp and millions of others saw in the newspa

pers, the camera eased around the corpse, slowly showing other body parts before presenting the brutal ized face. Even so, this image was tamped down because the real deal was much worse.

The trial of the accused was the next dramatic sequence and this too was told with care and sensitiv ity. With Beauchamp aboard there was no need to worry about accu racy; as Goldberg told the audience at the end of the film when she and Deadwyler and Chukwu discussed the film with the Festival executive director Eugene Hernandez, how crucial Beauchamp “was in making all of this possible.”

Deadwyler’s soliloquy after testi fying at the trial and her comments at various events sponsored by the NAACP should place her in strong contention for cinematic awards. She is a consummate actress and Mamie’s humanity was in good

hands, despite the overwhelming burden of sorrow and disgust. There are two disappointments that cannot be rectified—that Simeon and Mamie are not here to witness this film, to see how mar velous the story was handled. At the screening, it was good to see Kadiatou Diallo, the mother of Amadou Diallo, who was killed by the police in 1999. She was also at a graveside ceremony for Till in 2015. To be sure, this film struck at the heart of her emotional center, as it is certain to do for many mothers who have tragically lost a child, es pecially by racists who later con fessed that they did it. This was a note at the end of the film along with the message that Mamie had died in 2003. “Till” taken together with Beauchamp’s documentary and you have a graphic tableau of American hatred, the ongoing cur rent of systemic racism.

International

influential people, Kabuga managed to escape for 23 years, living under everchanging false names, switching countries and homes in Africa and Europe until he was finally arrested two years ago in a sub urban apartment not far from Paris.

As the murderous campaign got underway, the radio station spurred on its listeners across the central African country. It broadcast in formation about where citizens should set up roadblocks and where to search for “enemies,” according to the indictment of Kabuga at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

The charges against him include paying for training and distributing machetes and other weapons to the militia groups that drove much of the slaughter.

The trial with its focus on the consequences of hate speech could bring a larger than usual audience as the issue has assumed greater rel evance in numerous countries that have lim

Brazil Elections

Continued from page 2

Costa McElroy wrote in an article for the jour nal Afro-Hispanic Review. “In November 1978, during a MNU National Assembly in Salvador, activists presented a manifesto declaring No vember 20th ‘Black Awareness Day’ (O Dia Nacional da Con sciência Negra).

One of Lula’s very first measures in January 2003, on his 10th day as president, was to approve a new law establishing that date as an ‘observed national holiday,’ on which workers may be given the day off. Novem ber 20th has para mount importance for Afro Brazilians since it marks the death of Zumbi— a seventh-century Black hero, leader of the famous Quilombo of Palmares, the largest maroon society in Brazil. Zumbi led the last major war of resistance against the Portuguese colonizers. The men tioned law (number 10.639) also mandated all public and private schools to include in their curricula the history of Africa and its people, as well as the history of Africans in Brazil.”

In 2018, Lula was imprisoned after having been accused of participating in money laun dering by the rightwing led Operation Car Wash task force. Brazil’s Supreme Court later determined that Lula’s imprisonment was part of a scheme to keep his Worker’s Party from winning the 2018 national elections: he was released on Nov. 8, 2019, after serving 580 days in prison. The Car Wash taskforce was

ited free speech in a turn to the political right.

“This is also a rare case of a powerful eco nomic actor, a rich businessman, being held accountable for the crimes they enabled,” said Stephen Rapp, a former chief of pros ecutions at the Rwanda tribunal, which is holding the trial in The Hague.

In an earlier trial, judges had convicted two executives of the radio station and a newspaper owner for incitement to geno cide and issued long sentences for spur ring on the killing of 1994.

“The power of the media to create and de stroy human values comes with great respon sibility,” said the summary of the judgment issued in 2003. “Those who control the media are accountable for its consequences.”

The son of farmers, Kabuga started out ped dling used clothes and cigarettes in his village in northern Rwanda. Gradually buying land and starting a tea plantation, he amassed a great fortune and influence in politics.

But Kabuga now argues that his wealth is gone, having been seized by the courts and frozen in Belgium and France. Suits have

officially disbanded on Feb. 1, 2021.

So, a victory for Lula on Oct. 30 is ex pected to again push the agenda of Brazil’s Black movement.

Rio de Janeiro-based lawyer Humberto Adami, who is the former president of the Na tional Truth Commission on Black Slavery/ Comissão da Verdade da Escravidão Negra, told the AmNews that many in the Black movement want reparations for slavery on the agenda for any new government. “This is very heavy. It’s not an agenda that a lot of people are going to get elected with––this is an agenda that causes a lot of controversy within Brazil,” he said.

Adami, who was a candidate for Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies, says “I just got a report here today that so many Black candi dates were elected in right-wing parties. I was also very interest ed in the discussion about the electoral fund. It is a fund that, in Brazil, mandates that the parties distribute funds among their can didates obligatorily. There are many com plaints that many parties didn’t welcome women completely. And you see many can didates who self-declared as Black and brown fraudulently, right? They are not Black and brown, even though they may feel that way––with that sense of belonging, they may say it’s ‘my father, my grandmother, my great-great-grandmother.’ But they are not the people that the affirmative action public policies envisioned helping, the people that are visibly Black and brown people.”

If Lula retakes the presidency in Brazil, the

been filed by Kabuga’s 13 children demand ing that the tribunal unfreeze most accounts because the assets belong to the bank.

The tribunal has been faulted by Human Rights Watch and other groups who say that it failed in its mandate to also prosecute the excesses of the Rwandan Patriotic Front whose members committed large-scale re venge killings during and after the genocide. At least 30,000 people, and perhaps as many as 50,000, were reportedly killed as a result.

In a separate development, Zimbabwe an novelist, playwright, and filmmaker Tsitsi Dangarembga has been found guilty by a court for inciting violence by staging a peaceful protest calling for political reform.

Dangarembga and co-accused Julie Barnes were convicted of participating in a public gathering with intent to incite public violence at Harare magistrates court on Thursday. The pair were also each fined 70,000 Zimbabwe dollars (£200). While the prize-winning author received a six-month suspended sentence, she maintained that her case proved that the space for freedom of expression is shrinking

Black movement wants to cofront racism in the nation by taking on the problems the ma jority Black community suffers from. As Black Coalition for Rights leaders have said, writes Maria Abramo Caldeira Brant of the non-prof it Peregum Black Reference Institute in a recent essay: “it is not an agenda for Brazil’s Blacks, but an agenda of the Black movement for ev eryone. In addition to giving priority to policies

WEST

and is being criminalized in Zimbabwe.

Dangarembga was arrested in July 2020 for holding a placard that read: “We want better. Reform our institutions” during a peaceful protest. Human rights organiza tions including Amnesty International and the writers’ association PEN International had called for the charges to be dropped.

PEN swiftly condemned the conviction on Thursday and called on the Zimbabwe authorities “to uphold their human rights obligations and desist from persecuting dis senting voices.” The magistrate, Barbara Mateko, said the state had proved beyond doubt that the two had staged a demonstra tion with the intent to incite violence.

Prize-winning Dangarembga protested against the court’s decision and said she will appeal to the high court. Dangarembga is a novelist, playwright, and filmmaker. Her debut novel, “Nervous Conditions,” was the first to be published in English by a Black woman from Zimbabwe. It was named by the BBC in 2018 as one of the top 100 books that have shaped the world. She has won other literary honors.

to combat racism and historical reparation, the movement has proposals and a history of struggle in all sectors of state activity. Because the Black population has been the most affect ed by the situation of obscene inequality in our country––in health, education, public security and even in our regressive tax regime––guaran teeing the rights of this group means affecting the rights of the population as a whole.

STRYCKER’S BAY APARTMENTS, INC.

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Apartment Sizes Purchase Price Min-Max** Income Limits Min-Max* 125% AMI Monthly Maintenance Min-Max**

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One Bedroom $24,438.40 - $26,459.67 $21,059.60 - $150,125.00 $526.49 - $870.56

Two Bedroom $35,804.47 - $36,282.84 $37,823.80 - $180,125.00 $758.10 - $1,099.07

Three Bedroom $40,987.92 - $44,394.52 $30,324.00 - $206,875.00 $1,288.57-$1,437.80

Four Bedroom $52,067.66 $58,276.00 - $220,125.00 $1,456.90 - $1,565.93

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OCCUPANCY STANDARDS: STUDIO: One or two persons. ONE (1) BEDROOM APARTMENTS: One to three persons shall occupy a one-bedroom apartment. TWO (2) BEDROOM: No fewer than three persons, a brother and a sister who are both adults, or a parent or guardian with at least one child. THREE (3) BEDROOM: No fewer than five (5) persons, (B) parent(s) or guardian(s) with two children of the opposite sex, (C) a household of three adults with one child where at least one adult is the parent or guardian of such child, or (D) a household of one parent or guardian and his or her three children shall occupy a three-bedroom apartment. FOUR (4) BEDROOM: No fewer than (6) persons.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: (FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ANY OF THE FOLLOWING WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION)

• Strycker's Bay is a 100% smoke-free development. Smoking is prohibited everywhere, including in individual apartments and common areas.

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they have

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can only be on one waiting list at a development. If applicants have the right family composition, they can apply to more than one lottery. However, if they are selected for more than one lottery, they will have to choose which waiting list they prefer.

•

applicant whose name is selected in a lottery cannot be included in the family composition of any other applicant who is selected in the same lottery for that particular housing company development. Failure to comply will result in the disqualification of both applicants.

Additional Information: A $75.00 non-refundable application fee will be required at the completion of the lottery. Waiting list will be established by a limited lottery. There will be a limit of 500 applicants drawn from the Studio Lottery. There will be a limit of 300 applicants drawn from the One Bedroom Lottery. There will be a limit of 200 applicants drawn from the Two Bedroom Lottery. There will be a limit of 100 applicants drawn from the Three Bedroom Lottery and a limit of 50 applicants drawn from the Four Bedroom Lottery.

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BY MAIL Mail Post Card or Envelope by regular mail. Registered and

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Humberto Adami was a candidate for Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies (Courtesy photo)

Religion & Spirituality

Imam Umar Abdul-Jalil transitions

By MAL’AKIY 17 ALLAH Special to the AmNews

The local cultural and Islamic communities paid their respects to a prominent Harlem figure on August 20 during the janaazah for Imam Umar Abdul-Jalil, at the Is lamic Center on 96th Street and 3rd Avenue in upper Manhattan. He had transitioned onto the ancestral realm three days earlier at his Bronx home. Mayor Eric Adams came and paid his respects.

He was born on July 31, 1949, in South Carolina and his family soon migrated to Harlem. As a teen, he was positively influenced by the prominent Islamic presence in Harlem during the 1960s by Mal colm X and the Nation of Islam, whose Temple No. 7 stood nearby on the southwest corner of 116th St. and Lenox Ave. During the late 1960s he resided at 21 West 112th St. in Central Harlem’s Steven Foster Houses prior to them being renamed the Martin Luther King Jr. Towers in late 1968, and in fact was the one who discovered Allah,

The Father (Clarence 13X’s) bul let-riddled body in the elevator in the lobby of his building during the early morning of June 13, 1969.

He was known as “Boscoe” in the streets of Harlem prior to join ing Temple No. 7 under the leader ship of Minister Louis Farrakhan, and by the mid-’70s his spiritual journey led him to embrace Al-Is lam, whereupon he took his shaha dah in the mid-1970s. He was taken off the streets during the mid-’80s and incarcerated for several years in upstate New York where he also aligned with Imam Rasul Rafiq and continued to grow spiritually, as well as teach other young men who were embracing Islam.

“His legacy is about the oneness of God and servicing our communi ty and doing good deeds,” reflected his associate, Imam Alprentice Tali budeen Mecutehan.

Upon being released from prison during the early 1990s, he served as Imam on Riker’s Island, as well as other local correction al facilities. He also attended the Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood

(130 West 113th St.), and by 1999 he opened Masjidus Sabur at 119th Street, between 1st and 2nd Avenues, then moved on to Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. and 132nd Street, before founding up in the Bronx on 2975 Bainbridge Ave.

He was known as a studious scholar who always kept an open mind, provided summer camps for local youths, and had a thriv ing entrepreneurial spirit with a clothing company in the 1990s and realty in later years.

“He was living the mantra of wanting for your brother, sister, and neighbor what you want for yourself. He had alliances with muslims from the Nation of Islam, Five Percenters, Moors, Zulus,” stated Ima Talibudeen. “He was a follower of the prophet Muham mad [PBUH], he made himself available to the community by knowing who the community was, and that’s part of his legacy. He’d be able to have conversations with people and enjoy their humanity.”

He was known for his voracious thirst for Islamic history and stud

ied various aspects from his vast library during his spiritual jour ney. Another memorial for him and his late wife, Halima, is sched

uled for November 5 at the Bronx’s Eastwood Manor. He is survived by his current wife, children and family members.

Sista’s Place hosts a community salute to Pharoah Sanders

By ROGER WAREHAM

Pharoah Sanders, one of our greatest musicians, passed on September 24. On October 1, Sistas’ Place, Brooklyn’s landmark jazz institution, held a salute, “The Creator Has a Master Plan – A Community Remembrance of Pharoah Sanders.”

Words alone cannot capture the energy of Saturday night’s gather ing. Sistas’ Place’s musical direc tor Ahmed Abdullah and WBGO’s DJ Rob Crocker hosted an audi ence of Black folks, young, old and in between, who literally stood up and applauded after viewing video performances of “The Cre ator Has a Master Plan,” “After

the Morning,” and “You’ve Got to Have Freedom.”

Between videos Ahmed riffed

about his experience with Phar oah and the Sun Ra Arkestra and read from a piece he had writ

ten on Pharoah’s contribution to the development of what he has come to call “Jazz—a music of the Spirit.” Rob regaled the crowd with stories about “Little Rock,” as his close friends called him, and conveyed a message from the great alto player Gary Bartz. City Councilman Charles Barron said, “I entered the Black Panther Party when I was a teenager. Phar oah was my favorite musician, even more than Stevie Wonder. I still have all of his albums.” WBAI’s Basir Mchawi, (an origi nal member of The East, where Pharoah regularly played), spoke about Pharoah’s relationship in ternationally to Africa and nation ally to local institutions like The

East. The renowned bassist Stan ley Banks was amazed that from watching the videos that eve ning, he had observed something new about Pharoah’s brilliance. Sistas’ Place founder and driving force, Viola Plummer summed up, “Pharoah embodied the symbiot ic relationship between the PanAfrican liberation struggle which demanded the music and the music which inspired the strug gle. The music saved our lives.”

From indelible memories they collectively painted a portrait of Pharoah as an artist of the people, whose music ranged from melod ic to free. On Saturday night, in the People’s Republic of Brooklyn, Pharoah Sanders lived.

Executive

Executive Exotic

CLASSIFIED ADS

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK

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HILTON RESORTS CORPORATION, Plaintiff -againstCHARLES LEO FONAROW, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated April 5, 2022 and entered on April 19, 2022, I, the unde rsigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse lo cate d on the por tico at 60 Centre Street, New York on November 9th, 2022 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, ly ing and being in the Borough of Manhattan, Coun ty of New York, City and State of Ne w York, being an undivid ed ownership interest as tenant-incommon with other owners in the Timeshare Unit in the build ing located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY; known as The NYH Condominium. Together with an appur tenant undivided 3.1810% common in terest percentage. This a fore closure on ownership in terest in a timeshare unit, a studio penthouse on a floating use basis every year, in accordance with and subject to declarations Declaratio n of Co venants, Condition s and Restrictions dated October 27, 2003 and November 3, 2003 as CFRN # 2003000442513 as recorded in the Office of the City Register, County, City and State of New York The Time share Unit is also designated as Block 1006 and Lot 1302

The Foreclosure Sale will be conducted in accordance with 1st Judicial Districts COVID-19 Policie s and Foreclosure Auction Ru les.

All bidders must wear a face mask/shield at all times and so cial distancing must be observed by all bidders at all times. Bidders who do not comply with the face mask and/or th e so cial distancing mandat e will be removed from the auction.

Said pr emises known as 1335 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, NEW YORK, NY

Approximate amount of lien $38,120.82 plus interest & costs. Premises will be so ld subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale Index Number 850106/2020

HAYLEY GREENBERG, ESQ., Referee DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 1159 0

No tice of Qualification of MONDAY MORNING MANAGEMENT, LLC Appl for Auth filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/31/22. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 04/13/22. Princ. office of LLC: 41 Madison Ave., 40th Fl., NY, NY 10010. SSNY de signated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Ce rt of Form filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Do ver, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity

Articles of Organization (DOM-PROF.LLC). Jennifer Toh, MD, PL LC filed with the Secy of State of NY (SSNY) 9/8/2022. Office loc.: NY Co un ty SSNY is designated as agent of DOM-PROF LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The addr ess SSNY shall mail copy of pr ocess to 105 W. 86th St., #501, New York, NY 10024

Purpose: The practice of Medicine.

MCMLXXXVIII LLC. Arts of Org. filed with SSNY on 09/6/2022. Office Location: NY County. SSNY designat ed as agent upon whom process may be served against LLC to: 200 E. 36 th Street, 4A, NY, NY 10016. Purpose: an y lawful act.

No tice of Qualification of SU PER NICE GUYS, LLC Appl for Auth filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/21/22. Office lo cation: NY Co un ty LLC formed in De laware (DE) on 04/28/22.

Princ. office of LLC: 335 W. 38th St., Apt. 5, NY, NY 10018. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail pr ocess to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Al bany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Ce rt of Form filed with Secy. of State, PO Box 898, Dover, DE 19903. Purpose: Any lawful activity

COVID CO2 Tracker, LLC

Arts of Org. file d with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 6/6/2022. Office lo cation: NY Co un ty SSNY designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: 315 E 69th St., Apt. 9JK, NY, NY 10021.

Purpose: any lawful activity

RitzyDitz LLC Arts of Org. filed with SSNY on 06/2/2022. Office Location: 1216 Bdwy, Fl 2, PMB 1031, NY, NY 10001. SSNY desig nated as agent upon wh om process may be served against LLC to: US Corp Agents Inc., 7014 13th Ave., Ste. 202, Bklyn, NY 11228 Purpose: any lawful act.

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK

HILTON RESORTS CORPORATION, Plaintiff -againstMICHAEL C. ROGERS, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated April 5, 2022 and entered on April 19, 2022, I, the unde rsigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse lo cate d on the po rtico at 60 Centre Street, New York on November 2nd, 2022 at 2:15 p.m. an undivided ownership interest as tenant in-common with other owners in the Timeshare Unit in the bu ilding loca ted at 102 West 57th Stre et, New Yo rk, NY To gether with an undivided 009864% interest in the common el ements. This a fo reclosure on ownership in terest in a time share unit, a studio penthouse on a floating use ba sis every year, in accor dance with and su bject to declaration s. Declaration of Covenants, Condition s and Restrictions dated October 10, 20 08 and Octo ber 31, 2008 as CFRN # 2008000426142 as recorded in the Office of the City Register, County, City and State of New York The Time share Unit is also designated as Block 1009 and Lots 37 and 39.

REFEREE WILL NOT ACCEPT CASH AS A DEPOSIT OR PAYMENT, ONLY BANK OR CERTIFIED FUNDS WILL BE AC CEPTED

The Foreclosure Sale will be conducted in accordance with 1st Judicial Districts COVID-19 Policie s and Foreclosure Auction Ru les.

All bidders must wear a face mask/shield at all times and so cial distancing must be observed by all bidders at all times. Bidders who do not comply with the face mask and/or th e so cial distancing mandat e will be removed from the auction. Said premises known as undivided ownersh ip interest as tenant-in-common with other owners in the Timeshare Un it at 102 WEST 57TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY

Approximate amount of lien $29,976.06 plus interest & costs. Premises will be so ld subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale Index Number 850105/2020

BRUCE N. LEDERMAN, ESQ., Refere e DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 1159 0

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST SERIES 2016 -CTT, Plaintiff, vs JAMES S. COHEN A/K/A JAMES STERLING COHEN AS CO-EXECUTOR OF THE ES TATE OF CYNTHIA PRICE COHEN A/K/A CYNTHIA P. CO HEN A/K/A CYNTHIA COHEN, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosur e and Sale and Decision and Order on Motion duly entered on May 11, 2022, I, the under signed Referee will sell at public auction at the portico of the New York County Co urthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on November 2, 2022 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 35 West 83rd Street, New York, NY 100 24 All that certain plot, piece or parce l of land, with the build ings and improvements th ereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Boro ugh of Manha ttan, County, City and State of New York, Block 1 197 and Lot 18. Approximate amount of judgment is $2,460,113.41 plus intere st and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 850141/2015. Cash will not be acce pted. COVID-19 sa fety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale

Paul R. Sklar, Esq., Refe ree

Knuckles, Komo sinski & Manfro, LLP, 565 Taxter Road, Suite 590, Elmsford, NY 1 0523, Attorneys for Plaintiff

DC TERRA VILLAGE LLC

Arts of Or g. filed with SSNY on 05/27/2022 Office Location: NY County. SSNY des ignat ed as agent up on wh om process may be served against LLC to: 91 Leonard St., 6G, NY, NY 10013. Reg. Agent: US Corp. Agents Inc., 7014 13th Ave., Ste. 202, Bklyn, NY 11 228. Pur pose: an y lawful act.

No tice of Formation of JOSHUA PERLMAN & AS SOCIATES LLP Art. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 4/12/22.

Office Location: NY County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LL C upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: 20 W 64th Street, Apt 12N, New York, New York, 10023. Purpo se: Any lawful purpose.

Prevail The Label LLC Arts of Org. filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 6/15/2022. Office loca tion: NY County. SSNY designat ed as an agent u pon wh om process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: 40 Wall St., Ste. #2859 Ne w York, NY 10005. Purp ose: providing professional consulting services to clients.

No tice of fo rmation of FIVE IRON GOLF INDIANAPOLIS LLC Arts of Org filed with Secy of State NY ( SSNY) on 06/15/2022. Office loca tion: NY County. SSNY designat ed as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to c/o 883 Aven ue of the Amer icas, Floor 3, New York, NY 10001. Purpose: any la wful act.

No tice of Formation of SUANNE MANAGING LLC

Arts of Org. file d with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/15/22. Office lo cation: NY Co un ty Prin c. office of LLC: 680 Fifth Ave., 23rd Fl., NY, NY 10019. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon wh om process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail pr ocess to Winter Management Co rp., Attn: Benjamin J. Winter at the princ. office of the LLC Pu rpose: Any lawful ac tivity

CARALEX PROPERTIES

LLC filed Arts of Org. with the Se ct'y of State of NY (SSNY) on 8/10/2022. Office: Ne w York County. SSNY has been designated as agen t of the LL C upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: The LLC, 440 E. 57th St., #4A, Ne w York, NY, 100 22 Purpo se: any lawful act.

NY CITY PSYCHOTHERAPY

LCSW PLLC, a Prof LLC Arts of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/29/20 22 Office loc: NY County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served SSNY shall mail pr ocess to: The PLLC, 82 Nassau St., #60683, NY, NY 10038. Purpose: To Prac tice The Profession Of Li censed Clinical Social Work

DAVIDSON CAPITAL LLC

Arts of Or g. filed with SSNY on 05/27/2022 Office Location: NY County. SSNY des ignat ed as agent up on wh om process may be served against LLC to: 91 Leonard St., 6G, New York, NY 11228. Re g. Agent: US Corp Ag ents Inc., 7 014 13th Ave., Ste. 202, Bklyn, NY 11228. Purpo se: any lawful act.

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK

BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE 200 CHAMBERS STREET CONDOMINIUM, Plaintiff -against- ERIC R. BRAVERMAN, DARYA BRAVERMAN, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sa le dated Febr uary 24, 2022 and entered on March 21, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse located on th e portico at 60 Centre Street, New York on Octo ber 26, 2022 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, Co unty and State of New York, Unit being designated and described as Unit No 26C in the condomin ium known as "The 200 Chamber s Street Condominium" toge ther with an undivided 0.8256% interest in the common elements. Block: 14 2 Lot: 11 83

ALSO, Unit be ing designated and descr ib ed as Unit No. ST14 in the condominium known as "The 200 Ch ambers Street Condominium" toge ther with an undivided 0.0103% interest in the common elements.

Block: 142 Lot: 1375

All bidders must wear a face mask/shield at all times and so cial distancing must be observed by all bidders at all times. Bidders who do not comply with the face mask and/or th e so cial distancing mandat e will be removed from the auction.

Said premises known as 200 CHAMBERS STREET, UNIT 26C, NEW YORK, NY and UNIT ST14

(a storage un it), 200 CHAMBERS STREET, NEW YORK NY

Approximate amount of lien $702,840 07 plus interest & costs. Premises will be so ld subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale Index Number 162556/2015

MARK MCKEW, ESQ., Referee

Armstrong Teasdale LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff

7 Times Squar e, 44th Floor, New York, NY 10036

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK - COUN TY OF NEW YORK

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR OPTION ONE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2007-5, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-5, V.

DONNA FERRATO, ET AL

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Fore closure dated May 10, 2022, and entered in the Office of the Cler k of the County of New York, wherein WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR OPTION ONE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2007-5, ASSETBACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-5 is the Plaintiff and DONNA FERRATO, ET AL are the Defendant(s). I, the under signed Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE, at the PORTICO OF THE CIVIL SUPREME COURTHOUSE, LOCATED AT 60 CENTRE STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10007, on November 2, 2022 at 2:15PM, premises known as 25 LEONARD ST APT 3, NEW YORK, NY 10013 : Block 179, Lot 1003:

THE CONDOMINIUM UNIT (H EREINAFTERE REFERRED TO AS THE UNIT) KNOWN AS RESIDENTIAL UNIT NO. 3 IN THE BUILDING (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE BU ILDING) KNOWN AS THE SIMON & MILLS BUILDINGS CONDOMINIUM AND THE STREET NUMBER 25 LEONARD STREET, BOROUGH OF MANH ATTA N, CITY, COUNTY AN D STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 850294/2017. Ronald Ze zima, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Su ite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, At torneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. LOCATION OF SALE SUBJ ECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDA NCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES

PATTY O'BRIEN LLC Arts of Org. filed with SSNY on 5/2/2022. Office location : NY Co un ty SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 13 Longworth Ct., West Brook, NJ 08092. Purpose: Any lawful act.

RMR Solutions Arts of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 8/3/2022. Office location: NY County. SSNY de signated as an agent upon wh om process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: 496 W 133 rd St, Apt. 2E, Ne w York, NY 10027. Purpo se: any lawful activity

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TO: THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT(S)

YOU ARE HEREBY SU MMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with th is summons, to serve a no tice of appearance, on the Plaintiffs' attorney within twenty (20) days af ter the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service (o r with in thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this summons is not pe rsonally de livered to you within the State of New Yo rk); and in ca se of your failure to ap pear or an swer, judgment will be ta ken a gainst you by default for the relief de manded herein.

Da ted: May 23, 2022 New Rochelle, NY

etc. Todd Rothenberg, Esq.

rney for Plaintiff

North Avenue, Suite 115 New Rochelle, N.Y. 10801 (914) 235-7234

No tice of Qualification of STABILIS JV LENDING LLC

Appl for Auth filed with Se cy of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/14/22. Office lo cation: NY Co un ty LLC formed in De laware (DE) on 02/22/22.

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90 Prince Street, Apt. 8-S a/k/a 8 B-S New York, NY 10012

Claude Lo uzon

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Claude Lo uzon

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Princ. office of LLC: 140 E. 45th St., Ste. 22-C, NY, NY 10017. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail pr ocess to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Al bany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Ce rt 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

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Elijah

Continued

paramedics. The defendants are expected to enter pleas in November.

Ketanji

Continued

Breyer prior to being named his SCOTUS replacement by Biden on Feb. 25, 2022.

“I’m so honored to have so many people who have encouraged me, who have sup ported me and who view this as a really im portant step for our country and for our society,” Brown Jackson told the Washing ton Post following her confirmation hear ings. “It’s not about me personally, in a sense. I’m embodying this progress that many people feel we’re making by having me appointed to this seat. And so it’s pretty

Ballot

Continued

as a tool in our government.”

In March 2021, former Mayor Bill de Blasio greenlit the formation of the RJC and appointed 11 commissioners, includ ing Jones Austin. The commission’s main job has been to study and identify areas of structural racism in the city’s charter. After seven months of intense research, public forums, and over 3,000 interviews and ac counts, the RJC published a report about the barriers Black and brown New York ers face. They then put together the three ballot proposals aimed at removing those barriers. The Amsterdam News reached out to Mayor Eric Adams’ office about his sup port for the racial commission, its findings, and the ballot questions. Adams’ office did not respond by post time.

Jones Austin said that people mainly spoke about inequity when it comes to hiring and promotion in city jobs, especial ly among Black women who according to the city council’s recent pay equity report are among the lowest paid among city em ployees. Other complaints included lack of

Evidence that emerged during the grand jury proceedings prompted the coroner to alter the original autopsy report, but the changes remained secret for more than a year.

The amended version released Friday was

daunting in a lot of ways.

“It means you feel the weight of wanting to succeed, not just for you in your own in dependent status, but because so many people are watching and view this as a door opening for others. I know in the past I’ve felt, ‘Gosh, I’ve really got to do well here so that other people will have this opportuni ty down the line.’ That I might be the first, but I don’t want to be the last, and it’s on my shoulders to make sure that I leave a good impression so that others can follow.”

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris both attended the inviteonly Sept. 30th SCOTUS investiture cere mony. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), House Speaker

capital for businesses, police brutality, dis crimination in schools, and equity laws not being enforced.

On the ballot they are Yes or No questions:

Ballot Question #1: This proposal would add a preamble to the city charter stating that it would strive for “a just and equita ble city for all” New Yorkers among other things.

Ballot Question #2: This proposal would create a permanent Office of Racial Equity and appoint a chief equity officer.

Ballot Question #3: This proposal would create a “true cost of living” measure to track the actual cost in New York City of meeting essential needs, including hous ing, food, childcare, transportation, and other necessary costs, and without con sidering public, private, or informal assis tance, in order to inform programmatic and policy decisions.

Ariama C. Long is a Report for Ameri ca corps member and writes about culture and politics in New York City for The Am sterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-de ductible gift of any amount today by visit ing: https://tinyurl.com/fcszwj8w

made public under a court order after Colo rado Public Radio and several other media outlets sued to get access to it.

It was not until the murder of George Floyd in May 2020 that McClain’s tragedy gained attention and aroused hundreds of

Nancy Pelosi, District of Columbia Dele gate Eleanor Holmes Norton and members of Brown Jackson’s family, her husband Pat rick, two daughters, Leila and Talia, and parents Johnny and Ellery Brown, were among those in attendance.

The court’s new term began on Monday,

Jersey

Continued from page 4

exist in New Jersey will be highlighted at the two-day conference, with an emphasis on Newark. Stakeholders will get to share lived experiences of inequities, identi fy priorities and develop recommenda tions. Concurrently, they will participate in a series of seminars, panel discussions, workshops, and keynote addresses of fering data, strategies, and best practic es. After the two-day conference, a host/ planning committee will summarize data and solutions to produce policies and action agendas.

“Schools are a microcosm of broader so cietal issues. We have to remove these so

protesting activists.

Last year, Aurora agreed to pay $15 mil lion to settle a lawsuit by McClain’s family. The city also banned the chokehold used in his arrest and is considering a ban on ket amine.

Oct. 3 with oral argument sessions that are open to the public (masking for oral ar guments is optional), and audio of court sessions that will be streamed on the homepage of the Court’s website at https:// www.supremecourt.gov/.

cietal barriers that impede our students’ learning, and holistically change the system to enable them to achieve person al success,” Baraka said. “This conference is about getting all our stakeholders to gether and collectively finding solutions. We will turn discussion into urgency and urgency into action.”

The conference is geared toward edu cators, administrators, non-profit staff, government officials, students, parents, businesses, philanthropists, charitable organizations, unions, police agencies, and community members from across Newark and throughout New Jersey committed to education at all levels, from kindergarten, elementary schools, high schools, and on through to college. Go to newarknj.gov/mayorsevent for more information.

HENRY PHIPPS PLAZA EAST

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Mets and Yankees enter the postseason on contrasting paths

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

Aaron Judge finally has the American League and New York Yankees single season home run record to himself. On Tuesday night, in the penultimate game of the regular season, Judge smashed his 62nd home run, breaking the previous record of 61 held by Yankees legend Roger Maris set in 1961. Maris had passed the iconic Yankee Babe Ruth’s 60 home runs hit in 1927.

Judge went deep to left field in the top of the first inning off of Texas Rangers starter Jesus Tinoco at Globe Life Field in Arlington. Fol lowing the historic moment, Judge said to MLB.com he has at last joined a group of revered Yankees.

“It’s an incredible honor to get a chance to be associated with one of the Yankee greats, one of the base ball greats,” Judge shared. ”To be enshrined with them forever, words can’t describe it. That’s one thing that’s so special about the Yankee organization, all the guys that came before us and paved the way, played the game the right way.”

The last part of Judge’s com

ments may not have been a con scious reference to Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, the only MLB players who have more homers than Judge in a single season, but it did express the sen timents of many baseball purists. McGwire has admitted to using performance enhancing substanc es that were on baseball’s banned list of drugs and there has been compelling evidence suggesting Bonds and Sosa also used steroids.

Now it’s on to the postseason for the Yankees, who were 99-62 before their final regular season game last night and are hunting their first World Series title since 2009. They will have a first round bye after winning the American League East and will open their playoff schedule next Tuesday at Yankee Stadium in the American League Division Series facing the winner of the Cleveland Guard ians-Tampa Bay Rays series.

Having five days rest is a huge benefit for the Yankees, who gain much needed rest and recovery and can set up their pitching rota tion led by No. 1 and No. 2 starters Gerrit Cole and Nestor Cortes Jr.

The Mets could have been in a

similar situation but now are on a playoff path that distinct ly contrasts the Yankees. They held a one-game lead over the Atlanta Braves entering the three-game series with their longtime National League East nemesis on the road last weekend and were unceremo niously swept, falling behind the Braves two games exiting Atlanta. The Braves contin ued to handle their business, clinching the division for the fifth straight season with a 2-1 win over the Miami Marlins in Florida on Tuesday night.

Going into their regu lar season ending games yesterday, the Braves were 101-60 and the Mets 100-61. Now the Mets have the ardu ous task of defeating the for midable San Diego Padres in the opening three-game series that will be played at Citi Field tomorrow begin ning tomorrow. If they do, then waiting is the Los An geles Dodgers, who before completing their schedule last night had 110 wins, the most in baseball this season.

U.S. reigns supreme at FIBA World Cup

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

It was a different cast of charac ters but the same sweet result. At the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup, which concluded last Saturday, the U.S. women’s team secured its fourth consecutive World Cup title, defeating China 83–61. The victo ry makes the U.S. an automatic qualifier to the 2024 Olympics. A’ja Wilson was named MVP. Addition ally, she and Breanna Stewart were named to the 2022 Women’s World Cup All-Star Five.

“We came here on a mission,” said Wilson while sipping cham pagne and looking both exhilarated and exhausted following the gold medal game. “I wasn’t even here the whole time, but I’m glad that I was here [Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum came to Austra lia after the Las Vegas Aces became WNBA Champions]. We played pretty good. Getting used to Cheryl

[Reeve’s] system was big for us, and I think we handled it well.”

This was Reeve’s first big test as head coach of the Senior National Team. “I thought we were just really determined, particularly defensive ly,” said Reeve. “We had some really great moments, and obviously A’ja Wilson was spectacular.”

This was a young U.S. team, and Reeve noted that some opponents probably thought a team without five-time Olympic gold medalists Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi would be vulnerable. “What we showed is that our league, the WNBA and pro fessional basketball players in the United States are really good and the depth of talent that we have was on display,” said Reeve. “What I’m most pleased with is the trust and buy-in. … I wanted to make sure we enjoyed this journey.”

This marks the first time that two active New York Liberty players were on an Olympic or World Cup roster, giving Sabrina Ionescu and

Betnijah Laney their first taste of gold with the Senior Nation al Team. The Liberty also had international representation at this World Cup. Han Xu was a member of China’s silver medal team and was named to the All-Star Five. Rebecca Allen and Sami Whitcomb were part of the Australian team that won bronze with Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello at the helm. The bronze medal game in cluded a spectacular come back/farewell performance by three-time WNBA MVP Lauren Jackson, who scored 30 points.

Coverage cannot end with out mentioning someone who was missing from the U.S. team, Brittney Griner, who re mains detained in Russia. In honor of Griner, no member of the U.S. team wore number 15, which is her number.

Another MVP for A’ja Wilson (USA Basketball photo) Jewell Loyd cemented her place on the National Team (WNBA photo)

The Mets’ Edwin Diaz has been arguably the best closer in Major League Baseball this season, compiling 32 saves and 118 strikeouts in 62 innings pitched going into last night’s final regular season game against the Washington Nationals (Wikipedia photo)

The Knicks open preseason with Brunson now the orchestrator

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

Preseason is what it is. Prepa ration for the start of the regular season, a period for players whose minutes will be minimal during the regular season to get precious playing time, and those coming off injuries to readapt. To read too deeply into individual or collective preseason performances may raise unattainable expectations or un derestimate a team’s and/or play er’s capabilities.

The Knicks’ preseason opener on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden saw guard Derrick Rose appear in his first NBA game since last December. On his 34th birth day, Rose returned to the court after missing 26 games, including the final 56 of the 2021-22 season due to ankle issues. He underwent sur gical procedures in December and February to address the injuries.

Fourth-year guard RJ Barrett, who signed a four-year, $120 mil lion extension in late August after

being persistently referenced in trade rumors regarding the Knicks potentially obtaining Donovan Mitchell, began his quest to level up and become an All-Star caliber player by leading the Knicks with 21 points.

There are strongly divided public views by media and fans debating on talk shows and social media on wheth er the 22-year-old, No. 3 overall pick by the Knicks in the 2019 draft will become one of the NBA’s better wing performers in the class of Jayson Tatum, Khris Mid dleton and Jimmy Butler, or ultimately max out as a solid, reliable contributor.

Followers of the Knicks also had their first look at 24-year-old Isaiah Hartens tein, who they signed as a free agent in July. The 7-0, 250 pound center has the athleticism and skill set that can add versatility to the Knicks’ front court ro tation, including the ability to shoot ef fectively from the perimeter and make rim runs for easy transition baskets.

Last season Hartenstein, who was born in Eugene, Oregon but moved to Germany in 2008 where his father was playing profes sional basketball, averaged 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 blocks in 68

games with the Los Angeles Clippers. Yet more than anyone else, Jalen Brunson was the player most fans were eager to see.

He was the Knicks’ most prominent ad dition of the summer, signing a four-year, $104 million contract at the start of the free-agency cycle in July. The 26-year-old point guard had a stellar playoff run with the Dallas Mavericks last season and fills a critical void for the Knicks, who have unsuccessfully up to now tried to ac quire a long-term productive hand at po sition for the past two decades.

In 20 minutes on Tuesday Brunson posted a stat line of 16 points on 7-9 shoot ing and 5 assists. “I think Jalen can pro vide whatever you need,” said Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau. “So if you need him to do more scoring, he can do that. If you need more playmaking, he can do that. If you need him to create pace and create movement, he can do that.

“If you need a big three, a big shot, he can do that. But I love the way he can control and manage the game. And to me, that’s the number one function of a point guard.”

The Knicks will host the Indiana Pacers at the Garden in their second preseason game tomorrow night.

The past is the past as the Nets prepare for a new season

Three-time NBA All-Star Ben Simmons, pictured last season, made his Brooklyn Nets debut Monday night at the Barclays Center as his team faced the Philadelphia 76ers in a preseason game (Bill Moore photo)

By VINCENT DAVIS Special to the AmNews

It’s only preseason. Four games that will be erased in the win-loss column when the regular season begins in less than two weeks. But for the Brooklyn Nets, every game has significant meaning.

Monday night’s preseason opener against the Philadelphia 76ers at home at Barclays Center featured a lineup of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons, and Steve Nash as the head coach. A few months ago this was an unlikely scenar io. Durant made a request of team owner Joe Tsai early this summer that he either fire Nash and general manager Sean Marks or trade him. When Tsai said he was not going to get rid of Nash and Marks, Durant, maybe the best player in the world, demanded to be traded.

Irving’s attempt at getting a longterm deal from the Nets fell short and there was a possibility he would be traded. Irving ultimately accept ed the $36.5 million one-year player option for this season remaining on his original Nets deal signed in 2019.

Simmons, traded to the Nets from the Philadelphia 76ers last February for James Harden, hadn’t played in a mean ingful NBA game since June of 2021 when the 76ers were upset in the playoffs by the Atlanta Hawks and Simmons became the scapegoat for his team’s disappointing finish to the season.

Now, with all of the major parts back, it may not look like it at any time during the Nets’ second preseason game tonight versus the Miami Heat in Brooklyn, but it was a tu multuous 2021-22 season for the Nets that carried over deep into this summer.

“We’re fine,” said Nash regarding his re lationship with Durant after the Nets’ first official practice of the season last week. “We’re good. Ever since we talked, it’s been like nothing’s changed.”

Nash, entering in his third season as the Nets’ head coach, added they resolved the problems that could have broken up the team. “Families have issues. We had a moment and it’s behind us. That’s what happens.”

The Nets have had issues since last season, which led to Harden asking to be traded. They ended it with a 44-38 record, the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference and getting swept by the Boston Celtics 4-0 in the first round of the playoffs. Now they are moving forward with a clean slate.

“You don’t start the year thinking you’re going to go through the same amount of adversity as we have the last two years,” said Nash.

“Ben’s been doing really well. He’s put in the time this summer, and he’s continually getting better every week, so it looks to me like he’s pretty close to the player we envisioned and he’s going to make a big impact for us.”

Against Philadelphia on Monday night, Simmons, a 6-11 point-forward, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft, took the court after being sidelined for the entire 2021-2022 season due to a back injury and mental health concerns. He had 6 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds playing multiple positions in 19 minutes of play.

The 26-year-old, three-time NBA AllStar was born and raised in Australia but has New York hoops roots as his father, Dave Simmons, is from the Bronx and played professionally in Australia. The younger Simmons described his longawaited Nets debut as “amazing.”

Simmons accepts that he will need some time before he’s 100%, but right now getting reacclimated is the priority.

“I’m grateful just to be able to step on an NBA floor again,” Simmons expressed after the Nets’ 127-108 loss to the 76ers. “I had a lot of fun out there.”

RJ Barrett and the Knicks had a strong preseason opener, defeating the Detroit Pistons 117-98 at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday (Bill Moore photo)

Seton Hall volleyball thriving under Shannon Thompson

Laila Wallace (Seton Hall Athletics photos)

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

Seven weeks into volleyball season and Seton Hall University is doing well. The Pi rates are 12-4 overall and 3-1 in Big East Conference play. There are several new players on the roster and a new head coach, Shannon Thompson. She said the intense competition in the Big East coupled with Seton Hall’s high academic standards in trigued her to take on the challenge of building the program.

“We’re here for volleyball, but at the end of the day, we’re here to make them better people in all aspects of their lives,” said Thompson. “I really appreciate a school that has that same philosophy.”

Thompson recruited several of the new players on the roster, and right from starting the job last spring, she showed the team’s returning players that she cared about their overall success. “I’m really big on feedback,” she said. “I think they appreciate that.”

Last weekend, after the team’s loss to Georgetown, Thompson met with the team captains to see what more the coaching staff could do for them. The next day, Seton Hall prevailed over Villanova. On Monday, outside hitter Jenna Walsh was named Big

East Women’s Volleyball Offensive Player

of the Week, the first Pirate to receive this honor since 2016.

“We talk about having fun, which I know is so cliché, but we talk about enjoying it,” Thompson said of the team’s success. “That’s a main aspect of practices and games. We have a job to do, but at the same regard if we take it so seriously and we’re miserable, we’re not going to play well. Some of our losses this year, we were so se rious and tense, that’s probably the reason we didn’t play well. The girls hon estly enjoy being around each other. That plays a role in why we do so well.”

Two players to look out for are junior out side hitter Perri Lucas and junior middle block er Laila Wallace. “We worked a lot on Perri being a little bit more di

Perri Lucas

verse in the way she hits and how she hits. She’s really developed and is hitting so well right now. She’s a very consistent player for us and one that leads by example,” said Thompson. “Laila has done a very consis tent job. She is someone that can get points when we need it, and find ways to score. She has an energy about her.”

The Pirates are at home this weekend, taking on DePaul on Friday night and Marquette on Saturday afternoon.

Former competitive skater finds inspiration in NYC communities

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

Whenever the weather is nice in Brook lyn, Kristine Musademba is in a good mood. The waning days of summer saw her happy in the city she has called home since attending Columbia University, from which she graduated in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. Before enrolling at Columbia, Musademba was familiar with New York from competing at the Middle At lantic Figure Skating Championships held at SkyRink at Chelsea Piers.

“In my neighborhood I feel a wonderful sense of community,” Musademba said. She moved to Fort Greene in 2020 and enjoys the parks, communities and places she’s gotten to connect with and explore. Musademba, who grew up in Mary land, began skating at a young age along side her best friend and started competing in the sport at age eight. She competed at the juvenile, intermediate, novice, junior and senior levels at U.S. Figure Skating Championships, winning the Intermediate Ladies title in 2005. She represented Team USA at several international competitions, including the Grand Prix and Junior Grand Prix, winning Junior Grand Prix events in Lake Placid, Spain and France.

“The performance aspect of skating was really thrilling to me,” Musademba said.

“You train for hours upon hours and then have two and a half minutes [short pro gram] or four minutes [free skate] to show everything you’ve got. Facing that chal lenge and overcoming fear and doubt, get ting into my body and letting myself arrive at the level of performance I desired…was a beautiful experience to me.

“As I got older and progressed, compet ing started to become more meaningful in the sense that I saw it as this opportunity to con nect deeply with the audience,” she added.

“Showing them my pas sion through artistry and emotion on the ice.”

A decade removed from her competitive days, Musademba is re connecting in a men toring role through the Figure Skating Diversity and Inclusion Alliance.

The discipline of skat ing has served her well in life. Having moved through a career in the consulting, finance and banking industries, Musademba is now a senior associate on the

clean energy transactions team at a missiondriven non-profit investment fund. “I’m so excited about the ways a mission and work like that support the efforts our global com munity needs to make to ensure a more sus tainable and equitable world,” she said.

Musademba still enjoys skating three or four times each winter and especially likes the rink in Prospect Park. “I can still do my

double jumps!” she said.

She is also an avid abstract painter under the pen name srnityart, creating paint and collage works on canvas and has shown her work in Brooklyn. “The theme of my work is about celebrating individu ality, peace, serenity, expression and love,” Musademba said. “Art is another creative outlet for me, another form of expression.”

Kristine Musademba shows off her artwork, some of which is skating inspired (Briene Lermitte photo)

Kristine Musademba

Sports

Zach is back and leads the Jets to a comeback win

By VINCENT DAVIS Special to the AmNews

Zach Wilson, the man the Jets hope will grow into their franchise quarterback and help shape them into a Super Bowl con tender, was back under center on Sunday for the first time this season. He gave the Jets cause for celebration.

Wilson made his first start of the season after a knee injury in August in the first quar ter of the Jets’ first preseason game resulted in him having a bone bruise and menis cus tear in his right knee that required sur gery. The second-year QB, who had a rough rookie season last year, was sidelined for the Jets’ first three regular season games. So how he would perform in his return was some thing Jets fans were highly anticipating.

The 23-year-old Wilson leading a late game-winning drive has given the fan base hope he just might have the goods to be a top quarterback. One moment isn’t enough, but it helped the Jets earn a big 24-20 comeback road win over the Pittsburgh Steelers to reach 2-2. Last

season, the Jets started 1-3 and didn’t win their first Game unil Week 4.

The Jets took a 10-6 lead at half time versus the Steelers, who dropped to 1-3, but fell behind 20-10 by the fourth quarter. Wilson took charge and marched the Jets 81 yards for a touch down to wide receiver Corey Davis with 7:31 remaining then another for 65 yards with :16 left as rookie running back Breece Hall fought his way into the end-zone for a 2-yard touchdown.

It was the second time this season the Jets won a game after trailing late. The defeated the Cleveland Browns 31-30 in Week 2 with quarterback Joe Flacco taking them downfield for a 15-yard touch down pass to rookie wide receiver Garrett Wilson with only 22 seconds on the clock.

“All the ups and downs of trying to over come adversity, it was just such a good win,” said Wilson, who completed 18 of his 36 passes for 252 yards with one touchdown. Wilson also caught a touch down pass on a trick play in the second quarter. He handed off the ball to receiv

er Braxton Berrios who threw a short pass back to Wilson in the end zone.

“I think there was so much growth those last two min utes as an offense, executing a drive as clean as it was and punching it in. It was just awe some,” Wilson noted.

“Zach doesn’t flinch,” said Jets head coach Robert Saleh. “I’m sure there were a couple of plays he wishes he had back. But he got us out of a lot of bad situations with his mobility. I thought he played a pretty good game his first game back.”

The Jets will host the 3-1 Miami Dolphins this Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Their AFC East rival will be with out starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered a concussion against the Cin cinnati Bengals last Thurs day in a 27-15 loss.

As Barkley shines, the Giants prepare for the Packers in London

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

The Giants traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to the United Kingdom to play the Green Bay Packers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this Sunday. Kickoff will be at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. The Giants are in a position that has been unfamil iar to the franchise in recent years. They are 3-1 for the first time since 2011 after defeating the 2-2 Chicago Bears 20-12 at MetLife Stadium last Sunday.

By and large the Giants haven’t been aes thetically appealing, but they have shown in this early part of the 17-game NFL season they understand what it takes to grind out wins. And they have running back Saquon Barkley, who provides them the wow factor and spectacular plays lacking at the other offensive skill positions. It’s still a moder ate sample size, but Barkley has flashed as the best ball carrier in the league and has regained much of the explosiveness he displayed in 2018 when he amassed 1,307 yards on the ground and was the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. After being sidelined with a torn ACL for

14 games in 2020 and missing four games last season due to an ankle injury, Bark ley has 463 yards heading into the match up with the 2-2 Packers, which tops the league. With starting quarterback Daniel Jones’ left ankle injured versus the Bears after being sacked in the third quarter and his backup Tyrod Taylor taking a hard hit on a run midway through the fourth quar ter, Barkley was tasked with shouldering the offensive load.

Taylor was done for the day and was placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Jones was forced to leave the game tempo rarily and when he returned lined up as a receiver; his sole purpose at that point was to communicate the plays in the huddle. Barkley compensated for the Giants’ quar terback limitations and finished the game with 146 yards on 31 carries.

“When I saw Tyrod go down, I kind of real ized I’m up next,” said Barkley. “I’m the quar terback. First of all, you have to give credit to DJ coming back in the game. I can’t curse, he’s a tough you know what. Nothing but re spect for him to go in and continue to fight through that for his team just shows you the type of person and type of player he is.

“I think I just tried my best to read it,” Barkley detailed. “It’s really not that hard, I guess, but I think I made the right reads on them. But we were able to keep the ball moving, get down field, get some points and the defense did a great job for us.”

“Those were plays we had in the game plan,” said head coach Brian Daboll. “I just thought those were the right thing to use at that particular time based on where Daniel was, limping around a little bit. And Barkley’s been ball han dling since training camp, not for this necessarily…just because it’s part of our package that we have.”

As of mid-week, Jones’ availability for Sunday’s game was uncertain and the Giants may start Davis Webb, who has been on their practice squad.

The Giants’ Saquon Barkley, who leads the NFL in rushing yards, ran for 146 on 31 carries on Sunday in a 20-12 win over the Chicago Bears (Bill Moore photo)

Jets’ quarterback Zach Wilson played his first game of the season on Sunday and helped lead his team to a 24-20 road win over the Pittsburgh Steelers (Bill Moore photo)