New York Amsterdam News Issue March 6-12, 2025

A LIFE WELL LIVED

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MARCH 17, 1932 – MARCH 1, 2025

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Harlem mourns the great Dr. Hazel N. Dukes

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff

Dr. Hazel Nell Dukes, civil rights activist and president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) New York State Conference, has died at 92. She had reportedly been battling an illness toward the end of her life and died Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025. The announcement was made by Dukes’s son, Ronald.

“It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of my mother, Dr. Hazel Nell Dukes, at 92 years of age,” he said in a statement. “Mom departed this life peacefully on the morning of March 1, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Mom was a committed civil rights leader in New York City and the nation, and worked tirelessly on the frontlines almost to the end. We find comfort in knowing that while she’s no longer with us physically but resting in the bosom of Jesus. Funeral service details will be forthcoming. Kindly keep our family in your prayers.”

Dukes was a dynamic leader and a Harlem legend who worked behind the scenes in

New York and national politics for decades, although she never wanted to run for office.

Born in Montgomery, Ala., in 1932, Dukes was the only child of Edward and Alice Dukes. Her father was a Pullman porter and active in the first all-Black railroad union, organized by civil rights activist A. Philip Randolph, in the deeply segregated South. She and her family lived in the Graetz neighborhood of Montgomery, which would eventually be known as the former home of civil rights icon Rosa Parks.

Her parents’ families were both involved in education. Dukes had thought she’d be a teacher, even enrolling at Alabama State Teachers College in 1949 for a year. Her family ended up moving to New York in 1955 and she attended Nassau Community College on Long Island. While there, she got involved with tenant and community organizing through the Economic Opportunity Commission (EOC) of Nassau County in the town of Roslyn in N. Hempstead.

In the 1960s, Dukes was appointed by former President Lyndon Johnson to his Head Start early childhood education program — one of the oldest and largest pro-

grams of its kind. In 1966, she became the first Black person to hold a position in the Nassau County Attorney’s Office. She eventually received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Adelphi University in New York and completed post-graduate work at Queens College.

Dukes also had a huge impact on Harlem. She was a former chair of Manhattan Community Board 10, deeply involved with the Harlem Arts Alliance, and an active leader in the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce. She was a champion of the arts; supported Black-owned businesses and economic empowerment; and was laser-focused on closing racial disparities in medical care in Black and underserved communities.

Dukes’s accomplishments and awards received over the course of her lifetime are vast, including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, YWCA City of New York John La Farge Memorial Award for Interracial Justice, Guy R. Brewer Humanitarian Award, 2007 “Network Journal” 25 Most Influential Black Women in Business Award, and a Proclamation at the New York City Council’s Third Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. award.

Dr. Hazel N. Dukes (Bill Moore photo)

“...She was a guiding light who inspired the next generation of leaders working towards a fairer future,” said Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn

Dukes received the key to the city from former Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2020, was a Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce 125th Anniversary Gala honoree in 2023, and made history by becoming the first civilian person in the United States to administer the oath of office to a governor — Kathy Hochul, New York State’s first female governor. She was especially proud of that. City and state leaders shared their condolences and memories of Dukes, whom many affectionately referred to in the Black community as “Ma Dukes.”

“It is with profound sadness that I learned of the passing of my dear friend and mentor, Dr. Hazel Dukes. For over 40 years, Ma Dukes has been an unwavering presence in my life — a trusted advisor, a cherished friend, and a guiding light during some of my most challenging times,” said Mayor Eric Adams in a statement.

“I will remember Ma Dukes for her remarkable ability to bring people together. Whether in times of crisis or celebration, she could fill a room with her commanding presence yet make everyone feel heard and valued. Her wisdom, compassion, and straight-talking spirit made her a mother figure not just to me, but to several generations of leaders and community members throughout our city who were her ‘children.’”

In her honor, Adams ordered all flags on all city buildings, as well as stationary flagstaffs throughout the five boroughs, to be lowered to half-staff on Saturday.

See Dr. HAZEL N. DUKES on page 29

Dr. Hazel N. Dukes (Bill Moore photo)

NY Heat Assistance Program experiences brief shutdown, reopens with state intervention

Gov. Hochul reallocates funds to support low-income residents

By JASON GONZALEZ Special to the AmNews

The struggle is all too familiar: human need versus budgetary limitations. The budgetary fight to mitigate heating and cooling issues during peak seasons for low-income individuals in New York City continues.

Can it be solved?

The four-day shutdown of New York State’s Heat and Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) affected low-income households that rely on the federally funded program to cover their energy expenses during the harsh summer months and the frigid winter season. The financial assistance program resumed Jan. 25, 2025, and the deadline to apply is Mar. 17, 2025.

Lonnie Portis, acting director of policy and legislative affairs at WE ACT for Environmental Justice, along with climate justice campaign coordinator Annie Carforo, discussed the challenges encountered by the community at large.

“HEAP funds ran out earlier than usual in January 2025, affecting the distribution of benefits and leaving many low-income residents in jeopardy,” Portis said. “If funds are available, applicants are generally approved if they meet the eligibility criteria. However, not everyone receives the same amount — the benefit varies depending on factors like household size, income, energy costs, and the type of fuel used for heating.”

WE ACT is a not-for-profit organization based in Harlem that is dedicated to addressing environmental justice issues throughout the northern Manhattan community, focusing on urban quality of life issues like climate justice, clean air, access to good jobs, public health, pollution, and sustainable and equitable land use.

Portis emphasized the organization’s advocacy for residents who applied for HEAP and encouraged recipients to stretch the one-time assistance by employing energysaving tactics through the winter months to avoid being in a financial bind come summer.

The HEAP program is made available to all qualified low-income households that meet income and residency requirements. This includes both renters and homeowners. Residents of New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) properties are also eligible, assuming their rent doesn’t include utilities, they meet the income requirements, and they pay for heat directly.

“This year, more people applied for HEAP compared to last year,” Carforo told the Amsterdam News. “As of January 24, 2025, New York (State) had distributed regular HEAP benefits to about 1.5 million households,

which is 52,000 more than at the same time in 2024. This increase in applicants reflects the growing demand for heating assistance, especially as many households struggle with higher energy costs.”

On Jan. 17, state officials notified New York City that HEAP was set to close two months early due to lack of funds. At the time of the temporary shutdown, the state had spent an additional $12 million on the distribution of HEAP funds — just 3% of the $360 million in federal HEAP funds New York had already received. How did such a minor budget shortfall create such a major disruption in the program’s trajectory? Speculation arose that the subsidized program ran out of funding completely.

Carforo explained that climate change is contributing to much hotter summers and much colder winters, which then raises the need for energy. Black, Brown, and low-income environmental justice communities are affected significantly by rising heating and cooling expenses, and increasing energy prices make matters worse.

Darren O’Sullivan, assistant public information officer at the Office of Temporary Assistance and Disability in Albany, provided an official statement regarding the situation: “Following a shortfall in federal funding that resulted in the temporary closure of regular HEAP applications, Governor Hochul stepped in to reallocate $35 million in funds and ensure that regular

HEAP will remain open to continue to provide heat assistance for New Yorkers. The Governor will never stop working to put money back in the pockets of New Yorkers — no matter how cold it gets.”

NYS Gov. Kathy Hochul’s reallocation of $35 million highlighted New York’s commitment to its residents. The state also continues to offer emergency HEAP benefits to eligible New Yorkers separately from regular HEAP recipients. Eligible households that have already received a regular HEAP benefit can also apply for an emergency HEAP benefit if they are in danger of running out of heating fuel or having their utility service shut off.

“(The) Republican trifecta (president, House, and Senate) is blamed for the federal funding cuts impacting HEAP and the approach New York takes in resolving the issue,” Portis said. “This is a critical moment for New York to lead by protecting middleand low-income families from rising energy prices, especially with reduced federal support. New York legislators should champion solutions like the NY HEAT Act, which focuses on clean energy and energy affordability, ensuring that vulnerable communities are not left behind.”

Carforo believes the immediate renewal of the HEAP program is just a Band-aid fix. “... The funding source for this infusion remains unclear, and we know that this is not enough money to address the unmet

funding.

need,” she said. “However, the state indicated this lifeline might be temporary, and future funding for the program is uncertain, especially as it anticipates a ‘more conservative’ approach due to potential federal shortfalls. We are concerned about possible funding cuts, with no clear plan on how to sustain the program long-term.” State officials and advocacy groups like WE ACT remain vigilant in their efforts to secure long-term solutions. The brief shutdown and subsequent reopening of the HEAP program in New York State serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by lowincome residents and the critical need for reliable funding sources.

“In New York City alone, more than 25% of households — 1.8 million residents — are energy-burdened, and of those, more than a million are severely burdened, defined as paying more than 10% of their income to their utility bills,” Carforo said. “When residents are energy-burdened, they are often forced to choose between keeping the lights and heat on and paying for other necessities, such as food and rent. This decision can result in worse health outcomes, housing instability, and increased vulnerability to a variety of chronic conditions, including cardiovascular and pulmonary disease.”

To learn more about applying for HEAP, visit https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/

Peter Ellingwood finishes delivery of heating oil. NY’s HEAP program shut down briefly this year due to lack of

(AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Dorella Walters: Dedicated servant, humanitarian, and advocate for equality

By JASON GONZALEZ Special to the AmNews

Dorella Walters is a distinguished figure in the New York community: She currently serves as chief business development officer at God’s Love We Deliver (GLWD), a nonprofit that provides meals for those who, because of illness, cannot cook meals for themselves.

Every day at 7:30 a.m., Walters commutes from Queens to Manhattan on the E train, driven by both personal and professional commitments. Her professional duties include client outreach and establishing community-based and healthcare partnerships for the agency.

“After completing my education and working in several different roles, I came to realize that my true passion was to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others,” Walters said. “In 1997, when God’s Love We Deliver was focused exclusively on serving individuals with HIV and AIDS, I applied for the position of client services specialist … This marked the beginning of my journey with God’s Love We Deliver. Over time, I was promoted to manager of client services and then director of client services, where I oversaw both the client services and nutrition services departments … In 2024, I was honored to take on the position of chief business development officer.”

GLWD is a nonsectarian organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of individuals with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other serious illnesses by addressing issues related to hunger and malnutrition. The organization prepares and

Financial considerations for multigenerational households

Sponsored content by JPMorgan Chase & Co.

For many Black, Hispanic and Latino families, as well as other cultures, multigenerational living is a cherished aspect of home life. It can also be good for your family’s overall wellbeing.

Research indicates there can be financial benefits to multigenerational living, and when executed intentionally, having multiple family members under the same roof can potentially help improve health outcomes, reduce loneliness for older adults and bolster educational outcomes for children.

While multigenerational living has many positives, it also comes with a unique set of financial matters and planning needs. From saving and budgeting to dividing costs and estate planning, navigating the financial landscape of a multigenerational home calls for foresight and strategy.

Black

New Yorker

delivers nutritious, high-quality meals to those who are unable to provide or prepare meals for themselves due to their medical conditions. GLWD also provides nutrition education and counseling tailored to specific illnesses, which benefits not only their clients but also their families, care providers, and other service organizations.

All GLWD services are free of charge without any consideration of recipients’ income.

Walters is of Cuban descent, was born in the Bronx, and lives in Queens Village. Her educational journey began at Long Island University (Brooklyn Campus), where she completed her undergraduate degree. She furthered her education by earning a master’s in public administration from Baruch College (CUNY).

“My various roles at God’s Love We Deliver have consistently nurtured both my personal and professional growth and our organization’s ability to better support our clients,” Walters said. “Over the years, we’ve introduced innovative approaches to how we serve those in need, enhancing the overall impact of our services. My work has also enabled me to collaborate extensively within the organization and [with] various external partners, such as the Food is Medicine Coalition, where I previously served as a board member. I now proudly co-chair with the Food is Medicine Coalition on their healthcare provider committee.”

At GLWD, Walters plays a critical role in supporting the organization’s mission. GLWD delivers more than 3.6 million nutritious, medically tailored meals to more than 12,600 individuals affected by HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other serious illnesses in New York City

See BNY on page 31

Below are some financial considerations for people living in multigenerational households and those considering moving in with family members.

Helping to build family wealth

In a 2022 study, the Pew Research Center found people in multigenerational households were less likely to live in poverty, and some multigenerational households had more earners than the non-multigenerational households, which can help provide a safety net in case someone loses a job. It can also encourage homeownership -- 14% percent of all home buyers in the study said their purchase was motivated by a desire to accommodate multiple generations in their family.

Having diverse financial needs

Savings and budgeting plans can be more complicated because of the wide range of ages among family members. Seniors might require more for health care and retirement, for example, while children can bring daycare and tuition costs. Be flexible with your planning to accommodate different saving and budgeting needs and set short- and long-term goals for your savings with all generations in mind.

Expenses should be handled with fairness and equity

Multigenerational households have to ensure fairness by dividing costs such as mortgage or rent, utilities, groceries and household expenses based on each member’s financial capacity and usage. A sense of transparency can be maintained among family members by openly discussing financial contributions and expenses.

Find balance between cultural values and financial health

Cultural traditions and familial structures can also play a significant role in money management, and it’s important to consider how multigenerational living can impact family wealth. Cultural heritage can shape financial attitudes and practices within multigenerational households, including saving habits, investment strategies and perceptions of wealth. Understanding how your cultural values connect to your beliefs and practices related to money can be essential for effective financial management within diverse family structures.

Communication is key to managing conflict and disagreement

The more people living in a home, the more likely they’ll face conflicting financial priorities. Navigating disagreements over spending habits and adapting to changing income levels or unexpected expenses are necessary to maintain financial stability in multigenerational households.

Future planning is vital

Estate plans should be tailored to accommodate the financial needs and goals of each generation within the household and strategies should be developed for transferring ownership of businesses or properties to ensure continuity and preserve the family’s legacy. Make sure to compile essential legal documents -- including wills, trusts, powers of attorney and health care directives -- to outline the distribution of assets and clarify end-of-life wishes.

The bottom line

Multigenerational households can foster financial harmony and wellbeing by accounting for their individual financial goals and their shared responsibilities. Family members should be clear about plans, needs and expectations to promote financial stability and satisfaction for all. Communicating about these issues early can help avoid tension later on.

By addressing these considerations holistically and prioritizing open discussion and collaboration, multigenerational households can build a solid financial foundation, helping them achieve prosperity and security for their family members now and in the future.

Read more about financial considerations for multigenerational households here on chase.com/theknow. ¹AARP, “Multigenerational living.” (2024).

² The demographics of multigenerational households.” (March 2022).

J.P.

Dorella Walters (Photo by Lydia Lee)

Solitary confinement ban suspended and under attack due to prison guard strikes

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

A consent award to end the illegal prison guard strike across 38 of the 42 Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) facilities will continue to partially suspend programming mandated by the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act (HALT) law.

“I want to take a moment to address the illegal walkouts that are occurring at prison facilities all across the State of New York,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul on Feb. 25. “Let me be clear: the illegal actions being taken by a number of individuals is putting the entire state at risk. We need them back to work; this must end immediately.”

An agreement was made last week between the state and New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, the union representing the staff which did not participate in the strikes, which are banned for public employees under the Taylor Law. Meanwhile, seven deaths in state prisons reportedly occurred since the protests began on Feb.

17, although any direct correlation is unknown. Hochul brought in the National Guard to cover absent posts.

Some staff returned to work this week following phone and online outreach from the state to the decentralized strikers over the consent award overseen by a third-party mediator, according to DOCCS commissioner Daniel Martuscello III. Strikes ended in six prisons including the maximum security Sing Sing and Green Haven facilities as of March 3.

Earlier this week, Martuscello announced DOCCS began firing corrections officers who did not return to work and terminating their health insurance benefits.

While many key provisions of HALT remain intact and the partial suspension will only last another three months, the law faces resistance as striking guards cite safety concerns. Republican lawmakers in the state have reportedly called for Hochul to outright repeal the legislation, with some corrections officers echoing the sentiments.

Prison rights advocates lambasted the attacks against HALT, particularly as the

See

Mayor Eric Adams celebrates expansion of Fatherhood Initiative

BY RAYMOND FERNÁNDEZ Special to the AmNews

The Children’s Cabinet recently hosted an event at John Jay College that brought hundreds of parents, policymakers, and scholars together to celebrate the mayor’s expansion of the Fatherhood Initiative in New York City.

The primary goal was to discuss the city’s plan to assist fathers for the future. The Children’s Cabinet said the Fatherhood Initiative program is doubling the number of fathers served through the Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD) from 1,500 to 3,000. The initiative is aimed at increasing non-custodial fathers’ involvement in their children’s lives by providing counseling, case management assistance, father-to-father mentoring, employment and education referrals, child support, and child visitation services.

The measure follows Eric Adams’s promise at the fourth State of the City Address, to make New York City “the best place to raise a family.” Adams opened the event early in the morning and was welcomed to the stage by Ana Almanzar, deputy mayor for strategic initiatives, where he shared his experience with the crowd.

The mayor recalled that his father “was in and out of our lives,” explaining how men in his family struggled, generation after generation, to keep up with their father roles. “What I saw my dad do, I saw my grandfather do, and probably his great-grandfather.” Adams described welcoming his son

31

Jordan into the world. “Those beginning years were crucial,” he said. While he is actively present in his son’s life nowadays, balancing fatherhood and work was a challenge: “[Jordan] says, ‘Dad, I understand what you attempted to do; now I understand even more of what you attempted to do,’ but the reality was I was invested in other children and didn’t invest in my child. And it hurts, you know. We must come up with a blueprint of how to balance the two.”

Adams welcomed Richard R. Buery, CEO of Robin Hood, an organization committed to fighting poverty and partnering with New York City’s government to provide better opportunities, serving as “an engine of upward mobility for all.”

Buery said “the leadership of the Adams’s administration” is in the fight to get fathers personally involved in their children’s lives and commended the expansion of the Fatherhood Initiative, “We are here because we share a vision that New York City can be the best city in the world to raise healthy, educated children,” he said.

Buery told AmNews, “Fundamentally, we know that when parents are involved in their children’s lives, children have better outcomes across the board. They are more likely to have positive outcomes like school success and they are less likely to have negative outcomes such as suicide,

See FATHERHOOD on page 31

Correctional officers and their supporters demonstrate in sight of Coxsackie Correctional Facility in the Hudson Valley, on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, in Coxsackie, New York.

(AP Photo/Michael Hill)

Mayor addresses attendees of Fatherhood Initiative event at John Jay College on Friday, Feb. 28. (Raymond Fernandez)

Dunlevy Milbank Community Center unveils new drowning-prevention system

BY RAYMOND FERNÁNDEZ Special to the AmNews

The Dunlevy Milbank Community Center has launched a new drowning-prevention system aimed at protecting its youngest swimmers. The center, in partnership with WAVE, unveiled the new technology to be implemented at their Olympic-sized pool in Harlem on Thursday, Feb. 20.

The system consists of a headband for the swimmers and a wristwatch for the lifeguards. The headband tracks swimmers’ time underwater and the wristwatch vibrates to alert the lifeguards when a swimmer has spent 15 seconds below the surface.

The center reaches communities beyond Harlem, and its partnership with WAVE aims to reduce the number of African American and Hispanic children with little to no swimming abilities. The lessons are free for high schoolers and teenagers. The new technology ensures the swimming classes will be safer for kids, building a competitive generation of Harlem swimmers in New York City.

A study published in 2017 by the USA Swimming Foundation revealed that nearly 64% of African American and 45% of Hispanic children have no or low swimming ability, which increas-

es their drowning risk.

Jordan Lane, a lifeguard who began swimming at the center at age 7, explained how WAVE will improve the services provided by the aquatics team. “After 15 seconds, all lifeguards will get an alert on their wrist watch,” Lane said. “That gives us time to identify who it is, [and] figure out how we are going to get there and what’s the best action plan to save them. After another 15 seconds, if they are still underneath the water, then a WAVE hub makes a really

loud sound that everybody in the building can hear.”

The center has been a crucial part of Harlem’s community and its residents for generations — it opened in 1958. The center provides access to health services, an indoor heated pool, a gymnasium, a soccer field, and support for youth and families.

“I started here when I was 6 years old. I was on a swim team called the Sharks before we became the Sting Rays,” Dexter Tucker, aquatics director, swim coach, and life-

long member of the center, told the AmNews Tucker is passionate about the center’s mission: He believes the lessons go beyond swimming.

“This is a place where we try to get the kids to stay out of the streets. We try to mentor a lot of these kids — we teach them life skills and job training. We also help them become lifeguards. We have a swimming team — that’s how Jordan became [a lifeguard].”

Harlem’s predominantly Black

NYC electeds rally for Haitian Temporary Protected Status

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff

The Trump administration decided to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian community members by August 2025. In response, New York City and State officials joined advocates to demand permanent protections for Haitian nationals.

Haiti has experienced decades of political and environmental turmoil, including a devastating earthquake in 2010, an assassination attempt of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, and severe flooding and landslides in 2023. Armed groups control much of the capital, Port-au-Prince, while humanitarian conditions continue to worsen for locals and youth.

“We will not remain silent while Haitian families in Brooklyn and beyond are threatened. The Trump Administration’s cruel decision to terminate TPS for Haitian nationals ignores Haiti’s dire reality and puts families who have

and Brown population has had access to the Milbank Center for decades. According to the NYU Furman Center, 45.8% of Harlem residents identified as Black in 2022 and 28.2% identified as Hispanic.

Generations of New Yorkers have learned how to swim at the center, including Hailey Perez, a middle schooler who has access to the lessons through her afterschool program. “It is really fun,” she said. “They teach me new things and they are the reason I know how to swim.” Hailey said she “loves” the lessons because she gets to “play with her friends.”

Launching WAVE not only guarantees continued access; it also helps parents feel safer about their kids learning to swim. Fabiola Carrera told the AmNews in Spanish, “The important thing for me is that my kids learn how to swim, learn how to save someone who is drowning. They have been coming since 2018.”

Fabiola, a mother from the Bronx, highlighted the importance of WAVE for the center and her kids’ future. “I always felt my kids were safe here, mostly because of the coaches, but now I feel more reassured, and I know in the future they could get a job as lifeguards,” she said. “I am very happy about that.”

built their lives here in jeopardy,” said Councilmember Farah Louis, who is of Haitian descent. She gathered with other elected officials and advocates at a rally at City Hall on Feb. 27.

“This isn’t about policy — it’s about cruelty. Stripping their protections would destabilize lives and communities,” continued Louis. “We are here to fight for what is right: ensuring Haitian TPS recipients can continue to live and work with dignity, respect, and security.”

Stateside, President Donald Trump has had nothing but a contentious relationship with much of the larger Haitian immigrant community for years. In 2018, he referred to Haiti and African nations as “shithole” countries, though a small group of “Haitians for Trump” defended his comments at the time. More recently, Trump falsely claimed in 2024’s presidential debate with former Vice President Kamala Harris that Haitians in Ohio were eating dogs and cats.

“We are where most of us thought we would be and tried to warn folks about. I just want to be clear about that. Too often, people tried to pretend like folks were exaggerating,” said Public Advocate Jumaane Williams at the rally. “Right now, what they’re

doing, making people who are here legally, actually in this country under a legal status, now here illegally [is] to expand the people they can deport. This goes with the fact that they’re trying to take away birthright citizenship. Because this was never about ille-

gal immigration. This was never about finding criminals. Ever. It was simply about Black and Brown immigrants.”

Department of Homeland (DHS) Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who was sworn in on Jan. 25, announced an end to Haiti’s TPS designation from Aug. 3 to February 2026. Similarly, she announced the end of TPS for Venezuelans from April 7 to October 2026.

“Haiti is in the grip of a severe humanitarian and human rights crisis. Atrocious massacres of hundreds of innocent civilians are now a regular, frequent occurrence, while food insecurity is rampant. There is blood on the streets in the hands of gangs that effectively control the county while increasingly exploiting more and more children,” said Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Brooklyn’s county party boss who is also of Haitian descent. See

Swimming coach instructs students to adjust WAVE headbands. (Raymond Fernández photo)

Councilmember Farah Louis (at podium) joined advocates and clergy leaders to stand in solidarity with the Haitian community on Thursday, Feb. 27 at City Hall. (Contributed photo from CM Louis’ office)

Divine Nine News

Abyssinian Baptist Church celebrates transformative legacy of HBCUs and Divine Nine organizations

Two-day Black History Month event featured Dr. David A. Thomas, 12th president of Morehouse College

KENDALL

Located in Harlem and long known for faith-based advocacy and an enduring history, the Abyssinian Baptist Church held a two-day event during Black History Month to highlight the transformative legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and the Divine Nine fraternities and sororities.

“For over two centuries, the Abyssinian Baptist Church has advocated for progress, justice, and uplift,” said Rev. Dr. Kevin R. Johnson, senior pastor of the church and an alumnus of Morehouse College.

“The Divine Nine and our nation’s HBCUs have stood in that same spirit, speaking truth to power, proudly uplifting Black communities across the nation, and fostering camaraderie and community for Black and other marginalized people — both in college and in the world. We were especially honored to welcome Dr. David A. Thomas, president of Morehouse College, who reflected on the ways in which HBCUs inspire faith, education, and innovation for future generations.”

Founded in 1808, the Abyssinian Baptist Church is now led by Johnson, 68, who continues a legacy of leadership held by luminaries including the late Rev. Dr. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. and Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III. The celebration served as a unifying tribute to Black history while demonstrating how the pursuit of education and faith remain vital components of Abyssinian’s mission. Abyssinian hosted its HBCU panel discussion, which was sponsored by Faith and Education, Jack & Jill of America, and the United Federation of Teachers, on

Rev. Dr. Kevin R. Johnson, Morehouse College alumnus and senior pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church, presents Morehouse College President Dr. David A. Thomas with framed photo commemorating historic ties between Abyssinian and Morehouse, featuring images of church and Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. with former president Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays. Thomas, who will retire on June 30, 2025, spoke at Abyssinian’s HBCU/Divine Nine worship service, reflecting on how Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) inspire faith, education, and innovation for future generations. (The Abyssinian Baptist Church photos)

Feb. 22. The program aimed to give prospective students, parents, and community members a meaningful understanding of the experiences of -

Johnsie Thomas, front, proudly wears her Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA) jacket and Morehouse Sister T-shirt as she joins large gathering of HBCU alumni and supporters at Abyssinian Baptist Church. Behind her (from left) are Adrienne Thomas representing North Carolina A&T; Dr. Demetria Thomas, also representing AKA; and June Broxton in red. Sponsored by Faith and Education, Jack & Jill of America, and United Federation of Teachers, panel discussion highlighted how Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) continue to shape future generations of leaders.

fered at HBCUs, such as standards of academic excellence, cultural traditions, and lasting bonds that form on HBCU campuses. The next day fea-

To share your Divine Nine News, please contact us at d9@amsterdamnews.com and at amsterdamnews.com/d9news

tured the 3rd Annual HBCU/Divine 9 Emphasis Sunday.

During the service, Johnson, a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., took a roll call of Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities. Every Divine Nine organization was represented in the sanctuary, where many people wore HBCU paraphernalia to show their pride: Morehouse College, Spelman College, Howard University, Hampton University, Delaware State University, Morgan State, and Florida A&M University, to name a few. Alumni, family, and friends came together to underscore their commitment to community service, advocacy, unity, and academic achievement.

Thomas, the 12th president of Morehouse College, addressed worshippers during the Sunday service. He holds a Ph.D. in organizational behavior studies and a master of philosophy in organizational behavior, both from Yale University, and a master of organizational psychology from Columbia University and a bachelor of administrative sciences degree from Yale College. Thomas, an author of several books and periodicals, will retire from Morehouse in June.

“To be in the pulpit at Abyssinian is over the top,” said Thomas. “It is a crowning moment of my presidency at Morehouse College to be here, especially, as Rev. Johnson said, since I am retiring.” After reflecting on the days when he and his wife lived in Harlem, Thomas described the special connection between Abyssinian Baptist Church and Morehouse College before focusing on higher education.

“I would argue that the history of HBCUs and the Black church are inextricably linked,” said Thomas. “You cannot argue the value that Historically Black Colleges and Universities

See DIVINE NINE on page 27

KAYLYN

DINES, MBA

Union Matters

LIUNA Local 79 stages three-hour protest at Empire State Building

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff

Chants, shouts, and a cacophony of horns and whistles greeted New York State Senator Jessica Ramos as she stepped up to a makeshift stage in front of the Empire State Building on Saturday, Mar. 1.

“I want to tell you that I could hear you when I was riding the subway here, coming to see you,” she told the large crowd of Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 79 members assembled along half of Manhattan’s West 34th Street for a rally. “I’m a big believer in laborers and in all workers in need. I’m a big believer in everything you’re doing here.”

Hundreds of LIUNA construction workers and general laborers had come out to rally in front of one of Manhattan’s most iconic buildings. The union workers were positioned in an area adjacent to the street to avoid obstructing passage for pedestrians and tourists visiting the landmark building, but anyone walking along the sidewalk could see the hundreds of union members and their 25 largescale Scabby the Rat inflatables.

The demonstration was organized to call out the buildings’ owners, Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT) because LIUNA is concerned that ESRT has continued to hire construction and demolition firms that fail to pay wages at the standard rates for New York City building laborers and does not provide union health and safety protections for their workers.

The union also has documentation indicating that contractors hired by ESRT have been involved in various allegations of miscon-

ly bids projects to a select group of quality general contractors and allows those contractors to subcontract work as needed.”

The company added that the “Empire State Building Observatory — recently named No. 1 Attraction in the World by Tripadvisor travelers — remains open and is fully operational.”

Local 79’s Adams said union members will continue their protest in front of the Empire State Building until this issue is settled. Members have been protesting in front of the building every day since the beginning of January.

duct, such as worker intimidation, wage disputes, fraudulent safety training certifications, claims of construction kickbacks and bribery, unsafe working conditions, improper disposal of construction debris, and safety violations resulting in worker fatalities.

“We will not stand for worker exploitation, not at the Empire State Building and not at any of [ESRT’s] other portfolio buildings, and we are going to be out here every single day until they hear us loud and proud that New

York City is a union town,” Oona Adams, Local 79’s director of organizing told the AmNews. Talks between Local 79 and ESRT came to a halt a few weeks ago. “Empire State Realty Trust employs a union labor workforce at its buildings, which includes the Empire State Building,” ESRT said in a statement sent to the Amsterdam News. “Local 79’s protest was triggered by a small subcontract from a general contractor who was awarded work in the Empire State Building. ESRT competitive-

“(The) Laborers Union fight(s) for all workers and fight(s) for every construction site to be safe,” Ramos told union members at the rally. “We are a town of protection for our workers, of living wages, of fighting against wage theft, of making sure that every worker returns home safely at the end of the night. Every night!

“We are in front of the Empire State Building — the icon of New York City and New York State. We are the Empire State because of the Empire State Building. It was built by a union and there is no business for a scab to be working on this building.”

Empire State Realty Trust owns the Empire State Building. (Karen Juanita Carrillo photos)

Scabby the Rat — and 24 friends — posted along West 34th Street in support of LIUNA Local 79 members, who rallied in front of Empire State Building.

LIUNA members lined along W 34th street.

Tourist stops to read a LIUNA union flier hanging from Scabby the Rat.

At youth violence prevention forum, Harlem students call for action on gun violence

SHANNON CHAFFERS

Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

The Joseph Gabriel Foundation, in partnership with Democracy Prep Harlem High School, recently hosted a youth violence prevention forum at the Africa Center to raise awareness about the impact of gun violence on young people and bring together a panel of experts to discuss solutions.

Michelle Gabriel, president of the foundation and an English teacher at Democracy Prep, organized the event after hearing concerns from her students about gun violence in their neighborhoods and gang activity around the school.

“They don’t feel safe in their community, they don’t feel safe in their neighborhoods, they don’t feel safe when they travel,” Gabriel said.

“I always have to carry pepper spray, a knife, scissors. I have to bring weapons to protect myself, and that shouldn’t have to happen. I should be able to go outside and feel like I’m safe, I can walk around,” said Rayne Blake, a tenth grade student at Democracy Prep.

After a spike during the height of the pandemic, rates of gun violence have

decreased across the country, including in New York City. But the violence remains concentrated in poor, largely Black and Brown neighborhoods that have faced disinvestment for decades. NYPD data also showed that in 2024, the number of robbery and assault victims under the age of 18 reached the highest totals in five years.

The event began with students from Democracy Prep performing dances, speeches, and poetry, much of which touched on the traumatizing impact of gun violence. Gabriel said she wanted the forum to start by celebrating her students’ artistic work in the context of Black History Month.

“Originally, it was just going to be the [panel]. [But] I was like, how are we just going to show the dark side and not show the Black excellence, and all of the wonderful things that young people are doing,” she explained.

The students then introduced the topics of the subsequent panel, which started with a discussion of youth mental health and its role in fueling violence. Gabby Moran, a mental health counselor and social worker, noted that around 70 percent of youth involved in the juvenile justice system have a diagnosable mental health disorder, and that children growing up in pover-

ty are more than twice as likely to struggle with mental illness.

“If we don’t provide the right supports in schools, neighborhoods, and homes, we deny young people the help they need, and let problems continue,” Moran said.

“By creating proactive mental health programs [and] building supportive environments, we can help change the course of these young peoples’ lives for the better,” she added.

Wayne McKenzie, an Assistant District Attorney at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, spoke about the Office’s efforts to combat gun violence.

“We need to have a focus on the

most serious crimes and the most serious offenders,” he said, detailing the office’s efforts to disrupt gun trafficking. “But there is an equally, or even more important aspect to this work. And that is preventing the gun violence in the first place.”

He highlighted the Office’s summer youth prevention program that has in each of the past four years provided $200,000 in grants to community-based organizations.

Lemuria Alawode-El from the city’s Gun Violence Prevention Task Force spoke about the importance of upstream efforts to prevent gun violence.

“If people live in quality housing, and they feel good about their com-

munity, they act differently when they come outside … If the schools have the resources that they need, then children will be educated and won’t turn to violence as a last resort or as an opportunity,” she explained.

In 2023, the Task Force announced a $485 million plan that, in part, would target investments in six precincts with the highest rates of violence. In one of those precincts, Brownsville, the Task Force coordinated city funding to renovate a park in the Van Dyke public housing development. Because the basketball courts there were run down — Alawode-El said they

See GUN VIOLENCE page 25

Michelle Gabriel (second from left) with her students from Democracy Prep Harlem High School. (Photo by Jordan Mehciz, Second String Entertainment)

Opinion

Como Cuomo?

Yes, Andrew Cuomo is like a bad penny: He keeps on showing up. Despite a mess of baggage that would make a Red Cap shudder, the former governor remains a formidable foe, given his name recognition, a considerable war chest, and an already list of potential endorsements that should make all the other candidates quiver in their boots. And speaking of the candidates vying to run our large and troubled metropolis, the June primary may show how they cancel each other out.

Even so, it could very well boil down to which of the damaged goods is worth another round of trust. Perhaps after the primary, jockeying, and horse-trading, to say nothing of the debates, voters will get better read in the race if they are still undecided. But as we know so well, we can never be certain of the outcome, no matter the stained credibility of the leaders. After all, didn’t we put a convicted felon in the Oval Office?

Marching and smiling: The power and legacy of Hazel Dukes

By BEN JEALOUS

As readers of the Amsterdam News are likely aware, Dr. Hazel N. Dukes died on Saturday.

Dukes served as president of the New York State Conference of the NAACP for nearly 50 years and was a longtime member of the association’s National Board of Directors.

Dukes was a civil rights icon whose wise counsel was sought by presidents, governors, and countless movement and community leaders. She was universally respected. Among those of us who were blessed enough to know her well, she was revered.

While her resumé is incomparable, it could never come close to capturing who she was and why she is such a monumental figure in our country and history. Many tributes have honored Dukes over this past week, telling the story of her life and accomplishments. I am honored to have the opportunity to add my own, because of the immense role and influence she had in my own life.

Many people remember Hazel Dukes from seeing her in the halls of power. I’ll remember her as an organizer’s organizer. I’ll remember her marching. And smiling.

I’ll remember marching with her to Fox headquarters to protest the reprehensible portrayal of President Obama in the New York Post (which has the same owner as Fox) as an outof-control ape that needed to be put down. I’ll remember her marching to the United Nations to protest attacks on voting rights here at home. I’ll remember her marching silently on Father’s Day in New York to call attention to all the young people being killed by the police and the need to end racial profiling. I remember her marching in 2010 to call for the country to unite in the face of efforts to divide it.

faith in me was one of the great honors of my life. When I met her, I was being vetted to become the association’s next president and CEO. She played a critical role in building consensus behind my selection. A life lived as an organizer taught her to judge people quickly and put her faith in you if she saw in you the values she held dear. Her faith in me stemmed in part from her deep faith in the judgment of icons like Julian Bond and Bill Lynch, whom she counted as mentors even though they were younger than her.

civil rights advocates; immigrant rights advocates; and leaders from the LGBTQ+, Jewish, and Muslim communities alike.

Rabbi David Saperstein, the former longtime head of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and U.S. ambassador for religious tolerance, served with Dukes on the NAACP’s National Board of Directors for 27 years. He counts her as one of his mentors and called her “the consummate bridge builder,” saying of his time with her on the NAACP Board,“Throughout

Many people remember Hazel Dukes from seeing her in the halls of power. I’ll remember her as an organizer’s organizer. I’ll remember her marching. And smiling.

She always had the courage to stand up for “the little guy,” even when the wealthy and powerful were aligned against him. She understood that often, the battle for a better life comes down to those whose greatest power is organized people and those whose power comes from money. And she perfected the art of harnessing the power of organized people.

those decades, I marveled at her success, in New York and nationally, in keeping the broad coalition of decency together — with a special appreciation for and commitment to the historic Black-Jewish partnership in the struggle for civil rights and social justice.”

Elinor R. Tatum: Publisher and Editor in Chief

Damaso

Reyes: Executive & Investigative Editor

Cyril

And I’ll remember her smile. The way she smiled at every young person she met. The way she smiled and inquired about the health of every senior citizen who was becoming more frail. The way she smiled at me, providing reassurance and inspiration, when I would stand before the NAACP and give the charge as we fought to preserve civil rights in times that were getting tougher by the year.

Without Hazel Dukes, I never would’ve become the youngest president in the history of the NAACP. Her

She was deeply committed to making a better future for all children, and she fought for a better future for all Black children in New York as if they were her very own.

Hazel Dukes had a preternatural ability to galvanize leaders and mobilize among different communities — and a unique talent for bringing those communities together in common purpose. She was a formidable opponent to those standing in the way of justice. If you were on the side of justice, she was a loyal and reliable friend. She was fiercely committed to lifting up working people, and will be deeply missed among Black religious leaders; union members of all colors;

There is a picture of Dukes I have kept and looked at from time to time — and will surely continue to look at, as I remember Hazel for years to come. It is of her watching me deliver one of my annual speeches as NAACP national president. As I gaze at it now, the look of loving pride on her face makes my heart heavy as a reminder of the bonds of our friendship and our mutual admiration.

The passing of Hazel Dukes is a profound loss for New York, the NAACP, and the country. It is also a profound — and profoundly personal — loss for me. Rest in power, my dear friend, and I will see you on the other side.

Ben Jealous is executive director of the Sierra Club, former national president of the NAACP, and a professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dukes was fierce. She was kind.

Former New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has thrown his hat in mayoral race. (Marc A. Hermann/MTA New York City Transit photo)

RIP, Bama girl

By HERB BOYD

I called her Bama Girl and she called me Bama Boy, and sometimes laughingly Bama Boyd, but the world knew her as Dr. Hazel Dukes, who on March 1 joined that celestial and illustrious band of ancestors. We have already published an obituary on her progressive and productive days among us, and this is but a brief encomium to my Alabama born colleague — she in Montgomery and me in Birmingham. Whenever we happened to meet, and that was on numerous occasions, we would salute each in a brotherly and sisterly way. Sometimes it was nothing more than a wave and a thrown kiss, as it was the last time we saw each other at a blood center, both there for an analysis. When she left, she waved to me, displaying a smile many of you know so well. I was with her at

several national NAACP conventions where she was already recognized as a legend, none more memorable than when she received the Spingarn Medal.

I was not with her when Percy Ellis Sutton recounted a memorable moment he shared with Hazel. Both she and Percy often recounted the circumstances under which they met for the first time in Chicago for the national convention in 1963.

“We were planning a march, but the Rev. J.H. Jackson, who was the president of the National Baptist Convention, didn’t believe in civil rights marches,” Hazel recalled. “He felt that marches were unpatriotic. Later that evening, Percy called a meeting of the New York caucus that was opposed to the NAACP old guard. Being a good Baptist, I raised my hand and I said, ‘Well, he’s a minister …’ and

before I could say another word, Percy said, ‘Very well, young lady, but I want you to take your seat.’ I was stunned.” Later, whenever she thought about the incident, “Percy was absolutely right.”

Hazel’s beginning with one of the Gang of Four, whom she later came to deeply admire and respect, didn’t get off to an auspicious start, but it gradually grew to be a quartet of leadership that welcomed and honored her presence.

I was hoping to see her last year at the Mid-Manhattan branch of the NAACP, accepting Kyndell Reid’s invitation, but Hazel did not attend. In my closing remarks, I told the members, “When you see her, tell her Bama Boy came by.”

Hazel’s renown resounded far and wide, particularly in the precincts of New York. Hers was a spectacular emergence for a woman who came a long way from being a Bama Girl.

Thank you, early morning New Yorkers

CHRISTINA GREER, PH.D.

Last week, I had to take an early train from Penn Station and decided to take the subway to catch my 6:30 a.m. Amtrak train. I initially thought I might be on a relatively sparse subway at such an early hour and would need to keep my head on a swivel. What I remembered the moment I arrived at the subway is that thousands of New Yorkers are up and working every day to keep this city afloat. When I boarded the subway car, it was almost standing room only. There were so many people heading to work in construction boots and hospital scrubs, and loads of folks dressed for a long day ahead. As I stood in the packed subway car, I realized that so many people wake up before the sun to get to their respective jobs and keep this city running and thriving. I think sometimes I take for granted just how much work goes into making New York City the global epicenter and literally the city that never sleeps. So many parts of the city are open 24 hours, from public transport to restaurants to bodegas. All of these institutions ensure that communities can live the lives they need to live. Maybe that is why people spend so much money to live in a place that sometimes feels like a distant planet compared to other cities.

I have fond memories of running for the last train in Boston or catching the late-night bus in London because I missed the last

“tube” train for the evening — but not in New York City. You might wait on the platform for a spell, you may need to be sure the rats don’t come too close, but you will have a subway to get you home late at night. There are just so many people in New York City who work graveyard shift hours so our lives can run seamlessly.

More and more Americans are losing their jobs because of federal government downsizing or businesses eliminating jobs due to lack of revenue coming in because customers have lost jobs … a vicious cycle that persists. The president’s pursuit to give wealthy Americans larger tax cuts is likely to make it harder for many people to stay in the city. It is incumbent on us to look out for our fellow New Yorkers when we can.

We can start by supporting our local businesses. We can support our local restaurants. We can give our seat on the subway to someone who looks “bone tired,” as my grandma used to call it. We can keep our head on a swivel and ask our fellow neighbors what they need in these frightening times.

Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of the books “How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams” and “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream”; and co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.

Hazel Dukes (Elinor Tatum photo)

Caribbean Update

Venezuelan military intimidates U.S. oil assets in Guyana

By BERT WILKINSON Special to the AmNews

Last weekend, an armed Venezuelan military vessel intimidated a flotilla of rigs and service vessels being used by American supermajor ExxonMobil to produce oil offshore Guyana. The crew of the military vessel claimed that the rigs were in waters owned by Venezuela.

For decades, neighboring Venezuela has claimed Guyana’s western Essequibo region and offshore waters as its own but, ironically, the military vessel sailed way past the Essequibo, going hundreds of miles to the southeast near to the Guyana-Suriname border, where most of the 650,000 barrels of oil per day are being produced in the Stabroek Block.

That area is far from the acreage that Venezuela claims, but the crew thought it fit to sail in-between the rigs and floating production and storage vessels (FPSO), questioning the legality of Exxon’s presence in the area, its right to produce oil, and its right to have a production license.

However, once Guyanese authorities learned of what President Irfan Ali called “an incursion” into Guyana’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), it triggered an alert that resulted in widespread international condemnation of the move and the latest round of escalating tensions between the two neighbors. Venezuela has been claiming the area for decades because it believes that an 1899 boundaries commission had cheated it

out of the mineral- and oil-rich area.

Meanwhile, the U.S. government, aware of the importance of daily oil from Guyana and the presence of American commercial assets offshore, warned Venezuela to be responsible.

“Venezuelan navy vessels threatening ExxonMobil’s FPSO unit is unacceptable and a clear violation of Guyana’s maritime territory,” the U.S. government said in a statement, and “Further provocation will result in consequences for the Maduro regime,” it warned through its Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.

Exxon is part of a consortium with Hess Corp and CNOOC of China, currently operating three oil fields with five more in the development pipeline.

Other statements of condemnation came from the 15-nation Caribbean Community (Caricom), the Commonwealth, the Organization of American States (OAS), and a plethora of organizations and countries that rushed to condemn Venezuela, with most suggesting that it is acting illegally.

Tired of periodic incursions and threats to investors by Venezuela, Guyana took the case to the World Court in the Netherlands in 2018 for a once-and-for-all settlement. Officials linked to the case have said that no ruling is expected before late this year or perhaps in 2026.

Saturday’s incident with the military vessel came two weeks after suspected gangsters shot and injured six Guyanese soldiers from the Venezuelan side of the bordering Cuyuni River, escalating tensions once again be-

Guyanese President Irfaan Ali. (Commons. wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:Irfaan_Ali_in_2020)

tween the two. Venezuelan authorities said they were gangsters acting on their own behalf and not that of the state.

Reacting to the widespread condemnation, Venezuelan Defense Minister and General-in-Chief Vladimir Padrino López said his country was ready to take action to protect its territory. He said Venezuela was being attacked by North American imperialism through forms like Exxon and others.

“Faced with these incessant attacks, the armed institution, faithful to its anti-imperialist nature, prepares itself in perfect popular military-police fusion, to respond to any threat and preserve the territorial integrity and peace of the Republic,” the minister stated. “The FANB (Bolivarian National Armed Forces) rejects the biased and partial positions assumed by some regional organizations, which, far from contributing to the solution of the dispute between Venezuela and Guyana, constitute themselves prophets of disaster by promoting hostility and warlike policies.”

The two countries appeared to come close to war in late 2023, with both massing troops on borders. Caricom leaders, Brazil, and other friendly nations quickly organized an emergency summit between the presidents in St. Vincent, binding them both to do nothing to escalate tensions. Guyana said Venezuela has consistently breached the peace accord signed on the island. Ali said Guyana will stand up to Venezuela.

“This incursion is a matter of grave concern,” said Ali in announcing that the government had already summoned Venezuela’s ambassador to Guyana to accept a protest note, while the embassy in Caracas had been ordered to do likewise. “We will not tolerate threats to territorial integrity. We are closely monitoring all developments. I want to assure people of Guyana that the government is acting with diligence and resolve. We are addressing this situation with the seriousness it requires.”

Elon Musk’s immigration hypocrisy: Profiting from the workers he wants deported

Billionaire immigrant turned Trumpeto’s Musketeer, Elon Musk, has never been shy about making bold political moves. His latest?

A key role in Donald Trump’s administration as basically a chainsaw slasher of social public spending and federal jobs — much like he did at Twitter. Musk, the grandson of a pro-apartheid, antisemitic conspiracy theorist, notably backs Trump’s hardline immigration policies. Yet, a new investigation exposes a glaring hypocrisy: Undocumented immigrants helped build Musk’s empire.

The workers behind the empire

A Bloomberg Businessweek investigation recently spoke with 10 undocumented workers who were employed by outside companies to work on Tesla’s Gigafactory in Austin and

a SpaceX outpost. Their jobs ranged from laying plumbing to pouring concrete and sweeping debris — the labor that helped construct the very facilities where Musk’s companies now operate.

One worker, Cristy, 55, from Honduras, recalled making $16 an hour in 98°F heat and walking up to 30,000 steps a day just to complete her tasks. She even described being discouraged from using water stations to limit bathroom breaks — a stark contrast to Musk’s own rhetoric on worker rights and efficiency.

After enduring unsafe working conditions, Cristy eventually filed complaints with OSHA for retaliation and safety violations. Her story is not unique, but many undocumented workers fear speaking up due to their legal status, despite being essential to massive construction projects like Musk’s.

Musk’s undocumented workforce — then and now

This isn’t a new issue. Undocumented labor has been in Musk’s companies for

years, according to Bloomberg. In 2020, when Musk was still largely apolitical, they were there. In 2023, as he donned a cowboy hat and postured at the U.S.-Mexico border, they were there. And in 2024, as he threw his support behind Trump’s re-election campaign and helped shape immigration policy, they were still there.

Some workers were even present while Musk laid the groundwork for his new Washington, D.C., role — all while Trump promises the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history.

The bigger picture

It’s no secret that undocumented workers are essential to the U.S. construction industry. In 2022, more than 507,700 immigrants worked in construction, accounting for 40% of all workers in the field. Of them, an estimated 295,400 were undocumented — nearly a quarter of all industry employees, according to the American Immigration Council.

Yet, Musk — a South African immigrant himself who came to the U.S. as a student on a

student visa — now has conveniently aligned himself with a political movement that seeks to strip rights from the very people who built his facilities. Musk became a U.S. citizen in 2002, but his growing influence in Washington has even raised questions about his own immigration status and allegiance.

Convenient hypocrisy or inevitable reckoning?

Musk’s alignment with Trump and his anti-immigration rhetoric might make for good headlines, but the reality is far murkier. His success has been built on the backs of the very people his political allies want to deport.

The question remains: Will Musk ever acknowledge this hypocrisy or will he continue to profit from the labor of undocumented workers while helping shape policies that drive them out?

Only time will tell — but for now, the evidence speaks for itself.

Felicia J. Persaud is the publisher of NewsAmericasNow.com, a daily news outlet focused on positive news about Black immigrant communities from the Caribbean and Latin America.

apr 27

Fri, Apr 12 @ 7PM

You know him, you love him — it’s comedian and rising social media star Mojo Brookzz (Wild ’n Out, We Them Ones).  brookzz mojo

george wallace’s

Sun, May 11 @ 3 & 6PM

Celebrate mom — and all the special ladies in your life — with comedy legend George Wallace’s Mother’s Day Celebration. mother’s day celebration

Relive the good old days of Motown with The Temptations and The Four Tops on their 40th Anniversary Tour. the temptations & the four tops

Sat, Apr 19 @ 8PM

alvin ailey american dance theater

Fri, May 9 @ 8PM

Sat, May 10 @ 8PM Sun, May 11 @ 3PM

“Movement that’ll move you” (New York Magazine) is guaranteed for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Mother’s Day weekend engagement at NJPAC.

Sat, May 31 @ 8PM

It’s an all-star 70’s Soul Jam with The Stylistics, The Delfonics, Blue Magic, The Blue Notes and Heatwave 70’s soul jam

master p & the no limit soldiers

Fri, Jun 6 @ 8PM

Join Master P and the No Limit Solders for a ’90s Juneteenth celebration featuring The Lox, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and more.

Arts & Entertainment

Novel details the ‘Midwife of the Harlem Renaissance’

By JULIAN MICHAEL CALDWELL Special to the AmNews

NAACP Image Award-winning author Victoria Christopher Murray recounts the history of the woman who poet Langston Hughes called the “midwife of the Harlem Renaissance” in a new historical fiction novel titled “Harlem Rhapsody,” based on the life of literary editor Jessie Redmon Fauset.

From 1919 to 1926, Fauset was the first and only literary editor of “The Crisis,” the official magazine of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which launched in 1910.

Murray, who has sold millions of copies of historical fiction novels such as “The Personal Librarian” about J. P. Morgan’s personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene, had never heard of Fauset when she first sought to detail a story about a woman from the Harlem Renaissance period that took place roughly a century ago.

“What I say is that Jesse Redmon Fauset found me,” Murray explained in an interview with the Amsterdam News. “I wanted to write about the Harlem Renaissance and she raised her hand and said, ‘I’m here, everybody’s been ignoring me.’ What stood out more to me is that there is a Black woman who started the literary side of the Harlem Renaissance.”

Hughes’s high praise for Fauset was Murray’s introduction to her subject. The author went on to learn about how in Fauset’s post with “The Crisis,” and even her previous position as a teacher at Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C., Fauset published, edited, and mentored the likes of Hughes, Countee Cullen, Jean Toomer, and Nella Larsen before their writing careers took off.

The moment that both solidified the movement that would become known as the Harlem Renaissance and cemented Fauset’s role in it came on March 21, 1924. That night in Harlem, Fauset hosted a launch party for her novel “There Is Confusion,” which is considered the first published novel featuring Black middle-class characters. The event also highlighted many of the authors whom Fauset published

in “The Crisis,” and who would come to be most associated with the Harlem Renaissance, providing them an initial in-person introduction to book publishers in attendance.

Murray recalled learning that during that event, writer Alain Locke, “Opportunity” magazine editor Charles Johnson, and NAACP co-founder W.E.B. Dubois proclaimed that “[t]onight begins the New Negro Movement.” That movement would later be called the Harlem Renaissance.

“After her [Fauset’s] book was published, over 40 other books by Black authors were published in the same vein, and every single one of those books was by an author that she had edited, mentored, nurtured, and published,” Murray said. “Once they saw

affair because I didn’t want to write anything salacious,” Murray said. “I wanted to write about who she was and all of the accomplishments she had, but when I tried to write the book without the affair, there were a lot of plot holes.”

For instance, Murray believes Fauset’s move from Washington, D.C., to Harlem, where DuBois also lived, and her assignment as literary editor of “The Crisis” don’t make sense without factoring in the fondness DuBois developed for Fauset after they met in 1914.

“The Crisis” never had a literary editor before Fauset or after she left in 1926 to teach at DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, N.Y.

Once Fauset joined the magazine, she transformed “The Crisis” from a publication that mostly featured scholarly articles about criminal justice reform, Black history, and social justice, to one that featured poetry, fiction, and creative essays, and provided a launching point for some of the most significant Harlem Renaissance scribes.

wrote a fictional story meant to entertain, dramatizing Fauset’s relationships with people like DuBois and NAACP board member Mary White Ovington.

“Everything is anchored in history, so I know the scene happened, but what I don’t know is what they said, what they wore, what they ate, what they thought, but I can extrapolate all of that from my research,” Murray explained. “People who wouldn’t normally read biographies — when you’re writing historical fiction, they wind up going down their own rabbit hole and doing their own research.”

Beyond providing entertainment, Murray hopes that “Harlem Rhapsody” introduces readers to a woman who, by depicting Black middle-class characters in novels before many book publishers were comfortable with the idea, paved the way for authors like Murray herself.

‘There Is Confusion,’ every publisher now wanted to get their Black author.”

DuBois also played a significant part in Fauset’s life for the well-documented love affair they were rumored to have while DuBois was married. Murray corroborated the rumors with letters from DuBois, and accounts from others who knew both of them.

In “Harlem Rhapsody,” Murray imagines conversations between Fauset and DuBois, and interactions with others around them, such as Fauset’s stepmother, Bella Huff. As one of the most significant open secrets of the community at the time, the alleged decade-long affair had ripple effects felt a century later.

“I thought about writing about this book at first without their

Murray, who has published 30 books to date, spent five weeks out of her three-month research period living in the Harlem neighborhood where Fauset lived, studying every day of that visit at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Since there is no biography of Fauset, Murray relied on century-old articles and letters, and read every issue of “The Crisis” magazine published while Fauset was literary editor. From there, Murray

“This is the first novel where I’ve had a hard time letting go of the person,” Murray said. “This is the book that I was supposed to write. This is the book that my career was built for, because I got to bring [to readers] a woman so pivotal in not only Black history, but my history. She was as important as my ancestors to me because she opened the first door that allowed me to do what I love.”

“Harlem Rhapsody” is available online and in store via retailers such as Barnes & Noble and Walmart.

Victoria Christopher Murray. (Jason Frost photo)

Photog Jamel Shabazz discusses new exhibit at Bronx Documentary Center

By ROBERT GERHARDT Special to the AmNews

Jamel Shabazz can be seen as a quintessential Brooklyn, or rather New York, photographer. Over his 50-year career, his work has spanned street photography, documentary work, and fashion photography. His photo albums, collecting all of his work, are iconic in their own right and they all bear his unmistakable style and eye.

The exhibition “Seconds of My Life: Photographs from 1975–2025,” on view at the Bronx Documentary Center and curated by Michael Kamber and Cynthis Rivera, is a retrospective of Shabazz’s work and highlights his talent for capturing powerful stories of identity, resilience, and community from the streets of New York and beyond.

Born in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn in 1960, Shabazz grew up surrounded with a sense of family in his community, where neighbors looked out for each other and the children all played together. His childhood also gave him his first introduction to art and photography: His father was

a professional photographer, who learned the craft while in the United States Navy in the 1950s.

“Upon getting out of the service, he worked as a freelance photographer, converting our small apartment into a studio with backdrops and professional lights,” Shabazz said via email.

“Family members and neighbors would often come by in their best gear and he would charge a small fee to photograph them. Seeing how my father conducted business inspired me.”

It was his family’s photo albums, though, that hold a special place in both his heart and his mind.

“Family photo albums were meticulously organized and placed on our coffee table. All of the subjects were relatives, and my father took great pride in taking care of them, passionately updating the albums with new images as they were made,” Shabazz recalled. “Many of the photographs, which were a combination of black-and-white and color images, were dated, and went back as early as the 1900s. As a child, I took great delight in looking at those albums and learning more about my history and lineage.”

When he was 15, in junior high

school, Shabazz borrowed his mother’s old Kodak Instamatic camera, which wasn’t being used, and began photographing his friends, who were getting into graffiti at the time. While Shabazz did try his hand at it, there was something about photography that resonated with him more than the graffiti art.

“Perhaps it was the fact that it was already deep in my DNA,” he said. “I started photographing friends and once the roll was finished, I would take it to the local pharmacy, where the roll would be developed. Once I saw the results, I was hooked. This newfound love gave me a sense of purpose, and created a path that allowed me to interact with even more people.”

Seeing the work of photographers Gordon Parks and James Van Der Zee further influenced his own photography. Shabazz was intrigued by how Parks worked on everything from fashion to documentary, to fine art, to portraiture. Seeing Parks’s work helped guide him to becoming a better and more well-rounded photographer.

“What inspired me about the work of Van Der Zee was how he

documented the pride and dignity of the Black community in Harlem during the Harlem Renaissance,” Shabazz added. “Those images served as a counter-narrative for the negative images I was seeing on a regular. One of the things I liked most about Van Der Zee was how he used various props in his photos, and how he posed his subjects, making everyone look regal and dignified. I took note of how he operated and incorporated some of those elements into my creative process.”

Since those early days in his career, now five decades ago, a lot has changed in New York City, some of it good and some of it not, and Shabazz has captured all of it in his work. In his view, however, one period from his long career stands out.

“One of the most impactful times is the era I like to refer to as ‘A Time Before Crack.’ It is within that particular body of work that you see countless photographs of ordinary people smiling and seemingly at peace,” Shabazz said. “It was not that it was a perfect time period, for we surely had problems, but once AIDS, crack epidemics, and war on drugs

made landfall, life as we once knew it was forever changed.”

With such a long career to sum up, selecting photographs for his retrospective was a challenge — the amount of work Shabazz has created over the decades is immense. He wanted the work on view to provoke thought, have backstories, and honor those who had passed away over the years.

“I selected images that were diverse and reflective of various cultures and communities, as all too often, my work is pigeonholed in one area. Themes have always been a part of my creative process, but with the curation of this show, I wanted a nice mix of images representing the different aspects of my style, so in the show, there are images of children, friends, urban fashion, everyday people, and — of course — images from the many decades that I have been shooting.”

Shabazz wanted to give viewers the chance to experience his world and witness some of the observations he has made over time. His hope was that people will see and learn about how photography gave

Continued on next page

“Best Friends,” Brooklyn, 1982. (Jamel Shabazz photos)

“Black in America,” Brooklyn, 2010.

his life meaning and purpose.

In the end, Shabazz returns to the family albums that he grew up looking through. The tradition of making and passing down family photo albums from generation to generation is slowly eroding, he said, and a connection to family, history, and memory are slowly eroding as well.

“In today’s world, we have so many photos on our individual telephones and social media feeds; however, it’s nothing like having an important part of your family history in the form of the

photo album,” he said. “This matter can be bittersweet for those who may not have family, or have conflict within the family, but it is never too late to start developing an album. It is equally important to photograph and interview family members to maintain that history for future generations, and the survival of the family in general.”

Jamel Shabazz’s “Seconds of My Life: Photographs from 1975–2025” will be on view at the Bronx Documentary Center from Feb. 28 through Apr. 20, 2025. More information is at bronxdoc.org.

Untitled, New York City, circa 1997.

“A Great Day in Brooklyn,” 2008.

“A Time of Innocence,” Red Hook, Brooklyn, 1980. (Jamel Shabazz photos)

“Church Ladies,” New York City, 2004.

Alica Keys, New York City, 2018.

Zoe Saldaña, Afro-Latina of Dominican heritage, wins historic Oscar

By MAGRIRA Special to the AmNews

While accepting her first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Emilia Pérez,” an emotional Zoe Saldaña, an Afro-Latina woman of Dominican heritage, took a moment to acknowledge her family, many of whom were in the Dolby Theatre, to share in the historic occasion.

“Mami! Mami!” she called out, her voice filled with emotion. “My mom is here. My whole family is here. I am overwhelmed by this honor. Thank you to the Academy for recognizing the quiet strength and resilience of a woman like Rita. And to my fellow nominees — your love and support have meant everything. The sense of community you’ve given me is a gift, and I promise to pay it forward.”

Saldaña continued, “I am a proud child of immigrant parents — with dreams, dignity, and hardworking hands.”

She also emphasized the importance of winning an Oscar for a role she performed in Spanish. “My grandmother came to this country in 1961,” Saldaña said. “If she were here, she would be so de-

lighted by this.”

With this win, Saldaña becomes the second Afro-Latina to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, following Puerto Rican actress Ariana DeBose, who won in 2022 for “West Side Story.”

Saldaña accepted the award from Da’Vine Joy Randolph, last year’s winner in the same category, who praised her performance, saying, “You took us on a journey — one that made us question the very limits we put on ourselves. And then you showed us exactly how to break them. You are fearless, and it is so inspiring to watch.”

The win adds to Saldaña’s remarkable awards season, which included victories at the Golden Globes, British Academy Film Awards, Critics’ Choice Awards, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards. She emerged as an early frontrunner in the Best Supporting Actress race and was among several first-time nominees, including Monica Barbaro for “A Complete Unknown,” Ariana Grande for “Wicked,” and Isabella Rossellini for “Conclave.” Felicity Jones, nominated for her role in “The Brutalist,” was the only nominee with prior Oscar recognition, having been nominated in 2015.

An emotional Saldaña, in previous acceptance speeches called “Emilia Pérez” a film about identity and love. “I’ve never been questioned about where I come from or judged by how I speak or what my pronouns are. I believe that everybody has the right to be who they are, and ‘Emilia Pérez’ is about truth and love,” she said while accepting Best Supporting Actress at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

“As actors, now more than ever, we must tell stories that are beautiful, thought-provoking, and live within the spectrum of artistic freedom.”

With a career spanning nearly 25 years, Saldaña is known for her roles in major franchises, including playing Uhura in “Star Trek,” Neytiri in “Avatar,” and Gamora in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledged the challenges she has faced throughout her career.

“I think about every time I went after a part and didn’t get it,” she said backstage. “If I don’t act, if I don’t create art, then who am I? It’s not about the win. When you learn to let that go, you realize it’s about the work — day in and day out — the day you do win, you have a deeper appreciation for it because

you’ve valued every experience and every moment that led you here.”

In “Emilia Pérez,” Saldaña plays Rita Castro, a struggling lawyer hired by a Mexican drug lord to facilitate gender-affirming surgery. That drug lord transitions and becomes Emilia Pérez, played by Karla Sofía Gascón, the first openly transgender actor ever nominated for an Oscar.

Saldaña expressed her gratitude for being bilingual and for the opportunity to perform in Spanish. “The fact that I am receiving an award for a role where I got to sing and speak in Spanish — my grandmother, if she were here, she would be so delighted,” she said.

Jacques Audiard’s Spanish-language narco-musical led the night with 13 nominations but faced intense scrutiny. The film generated controversy after resurfaced offensive tweets from Gascón and received backlash for its portrayal of Mexican culture. Members of both the transgender community and Mexican audiences expressed strong emotions regarding the film’s subject matter.

During a backstage Q&A, one reporter challenged Saldaña about the film’s depiction of Mexico.

Q: Hello, Zoe. A lot has been said about this movie — about trans people and empowering women — but less has been said about Mexico, which is at the heart of it. What would you say about that, and also about the topic, which is deeply hurtful for many Mexicans?

A: [Zoe Saldaña] First of all, I’m very, very sorry that you and so many Mexicans felt offended. That was never our intention.

We spoke, and we came from a place of love, and I will stand by that. I don’t share your opinion.

For me, the heart of this movie was not Mexico. We weren’t making a film about a country — we were making a film about four women. These women could have been Russian, Dominican, African American from Detroit, from Israel, from Gaza. They are universal women struggling every day against systemic oppression and trying to find their most authentic voices.

So, I will stand by that. But I’m also always open to sitting down with my Mexican brothers and sisters and having a great conversation about how “Emilia

could have been done better. I welcome it.

Pérez”

Zoe Saldaña attends the Governors Ball following the live ABC Telecast of the 97th Oscars® at Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 2, 2025. (Mark Von Holden / The Academy, Copyright ©A.M.P.A.S. photo)

Zoe Saldaña gets her Oscar® engraved at the Governors Ball following the live ABC Telecast of the 97th Oscars® at Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 2, 2025.

Zoe Saldaña’s Oscar® plaque at the Governors Ball following the live ABC Telecast of the 97th Oscars® at Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 2, 2025. (Adam Rose / The Academy, Copyright ©A.M.P.A.S. photos)

Paul Tazewell becomes first African American man to win Best Costume Design Oscar with ‘Wicked’

By MAGRIRA Special to the AmNews

History was made at the 97th Annual Academy Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and broadcast live on NBC, which recognized some theatrical favorites at the March 2 ceremony.

Tony winner Paul Tazewell (“Hamilton”) took home the coveted gold statue for Best Costume Design for his work on “Wicked.”

The Oscar win is Tazewell’s first and follows earlier victories at the British Academy Film Awards, Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, American Cinematheque’s Tribute to the Crafts, Black Reel Awards, and Costume Designers Guild Awards for his work on the screen adaptation of the 2003 Broadway musical.

Tonight’s win makes Tazewell the first African American man to win in this category in Oscars history. Other nominees in the category included “A Complete Unknown,” “Conclave,” “Gladiator II,” and “Nosferatu.”

In a heartfelt acceptance speech, Tazewell addressed the world:

“This is absolutely astounding. Thank you, Academy, for this very significant honor,” said Tazewell, who wore a black Dolce & Gabbana suit with a long-sleeved silk shirt. “I’m the first African American man to receive the costume design award for my work on ‘Wicked.’ I’m so proud of this.”

He added: “If I have to say the words ‘sumptuous fabrics’ one more time in an interview, I am going to defy gravity off the side of this stage. Paul, how very dare you for being such a one-of-akind talent. I love you so much.”

Tazewell also gave a sweet shoutout to the “Wicked” cast, including his “Ozian muses,” Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

“I love you so much,” he said. “To all the other cast members, thank you for trusting me with bringing your characters to life.”

The Ohio-born costumer follows in the historic footsteps of designer Ruth E. Carter, who became the first African American designer to win an Oscar for costume design in 2019 for her work on “Black Panther.”

Fresh off his Oscar-winning achievement for Best Costume Design in “Wicked,” Tazewell took a moment backstage to reflect on

fine, and the world is going to be wonderful.

Q: Paul, over here! Congratulations! I told you on the red carpet that you were going to win. You explained a little about the magic behind “Wicked.” How did you create that magic?

A: With the help of many truly amazing and talented costume artisans, assistants, and crew. There’s no way I could have done it alone. My greatest joy is collaborating with other very talented artists. I deeply respect their artistry, and I share this award with them because their contributions are invaluable.

Q: Hello, Paul. Congratulations! I’m wearing green for “Wicked” today. What resonated with you when you finally saw the completed film on the big screen?

A: I knew it was going to be spectacular, but I was absolutely blown away. Because we were working on two films at the same time, it wasn’t until I saw a nearly complete cut that I truly experienced the full journey we had created for audiences. That moment reminded me why I do costume design and why I am a costume designer.

[Moderator]: Final question will be virtual. Paul, please look into the camera.

Q: Congratulations once again! Who are the women that inspired you throughout your career as a designer?

this historic milestone. As the first African American man to win in this category, his victory marks a significant moment in Academy Awards history. With over 35 years of experience designing for Broadway and film, Tazewell shared his thoughts on the significance of the win, the journey that led him here, and the creative process behind bringing “Wicked” to life on the big screen. This is an edited Q&A with Oscar winner Paul Tazewell from his conversation inside the winner’s room.

Q: Hi, Paul. First of all, in your acceptance speech, you mentioned that you are the first African American man to receive this Oscar for Costume Design. Congratulations. What does this mean to you? Talk about the significance of this moment and for those who will follow in your footsteps now that you’ve opened this door.

A: This is the pinnacle of my career. I’ve been designing costumes for over 35 years — much of it on Broadway and now in film. The whole way through, there

was never an African American male designer that I could look up to, someone I could follow as inspiration. To realize that I am that person now — it feels like a “Wizard of Oz” moment. It’s like coming home to the realization that the inspiration has always been inside me. That is truly remarkable.

Q: Paul, congratulations on the win! Looking back [on] this historic achievement, what would you say to your younger self?

A: Hold on tight. It will all be

A: Oh my gosh, so many. Irene Sharaff, who designed the original “West Side Story.” Ann Lowe, an African American fashion designer who created Jacqueline Kennedy’s wedding dress. Iris van Herpen, who continues to be a huge inspiration. Ann Roth, Theoni Aldredge, Willa Kim … and of course, Ruth E. Carter, who has paved the way for designers of color.

[Moderator]: Thank you very much. Congratulations!

This story has been edited for length and clarity.

A team of transcribers creates acceptance speech transcripts for the 97th Academy Awards in real time with minimal editing for the benefit of the press on the night. They may contain omissions and errors, especially in the spelling of names. Clips of winner acceptance speeches may be found on oscar.com.

Paul Tazewell backstage with the Oscar® for Costume Design and Bowen Yang during the live ABC Telecast of the 97th Oscars® at Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025. (Robert Gladden / The Academy, Copyright ©A.M.P.A.S. photo)

Paul Tazewell attends the Governors Ball following the live ABC telecast of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 2, 2025. (Oscar Aguila / The Academy, Copyright ©A.M.P.A.S. photo)

Paul Tazewell poses backstage with the Oscar® for Costume Design during the live ABC Telecast of the 97th Oscars® at Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025. (Al Seib / The Academy, Copyright ©A.M.P.A.S. photo)

Book Review: ‘The Stained Glass Window’ by David Levering Lewis

By MICHAEL HENRY ADAMS Special to the AmNews

“The ink of the scholar is more holy than the blood of the martyr.” — the Prophet Muhammad. Muhammad decried ignorance as “humanity's greatest poverty,” stressing how irrespective of circumstance, knowledge brings us “into the highest rank of human accomplishment.”

Like many, it was David Levering Lewis’ marvelous tale of the advent of the world’s Black cultural capital in 1981, “When Harlem was in Vogue,” that first brought him to my attention. In terms of my discovery of the extent of an aesthetic contribution Black people had made to our country, it changed my life. Now, just in time for America’s resurgent racism, to confront and refute lies posited as “freedom of speech,” comes “The Stained Glass Window.” It is the newest of Lewis’s 11 books, and counting. This is a crowning flourish to the scholar’s illustrious career.

Enrolling in Fisk University at 15 years old, to become in time an NYU Professor emeritus, he was the first biographer of Martin Luther King, Jr. Lewis, for his two-volume life of W.E.B. Du Bois, became the first and second Black recipient of a Pulitzer Prize for Biography. Awarded an early MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship, in 2009 President Obama bestowed on him the National Humanities Medal. Some might mock and scorn diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as “reverse racism,” favoring race over qualifications, or sexuality and disability over talent and character. But like so many African American athletes, artists, and professionals with meritorious distinction beyond question, Lewis’ record shows otherwise.

One could hardly maintain that Lewis’s praise and prizes have been unwarranted. Moreover, “The Stained Glass Window” encapsulates America’s original sin of slaughter and enslavement, in all its perversity and contradictions, and in its redemptive majesty, too.

The duality of this careful narrative of Lewis’s life and ancestry is not unlike George Herbert’s paradoxical poem “Easter Wings”: Let me combine, And feel thy victorie: For, if I imp my wing on thine, Affliction shall advance the

flight in me.

In the parlance of poet Caroline Randall Williams, Lewis has the same “rape colored skin” of his kinsman Walter White, whose fair complexion, light hair, and blue eyes made him especially useful investigating lynchings and other outrages during a decades-long tenure leading the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. As a blessing and a curse, white-adjacent proximity, eliciting opportunity as well as disdain, is a leitmotif of “The Stained Glass Window.”

And from the very start of relating his family history, Lewis makes its significance, and his purpose, clear. Recapping an unexpected unpleasant encounter with an Uber driver, he underlines how casual, enduring, and pervasive white supremacy is. His hapless driver suggested that having descended from unskilled Poles, exploited and oppressed late-nineteenth century immigrants, “that must, absolve him?” “Surely,” he reasoned, there was no possibility of his having either enjoyed white privilege or engendered “discrimination against Black people?”

Moreover, he enumerated his “hardworking grandfather’s successful tannery,” his father’s unionized labor, and a property portfolio obtained because of “good credit and the GI Bill.” In less time than it took to travel the length of a block, beyond Black indolence or apathy, he swept aside any cause of inequality and disparate outcomes. For the white driver, the contrast of people of color who have made it, people like Lewis or Mellon Foundation director, Elizabeth Alexander, are only the exception that proves the rule of “trifling Ni**ers” demanding a government handout and unwilling to work as diligently as whites, a libel widely accepted as gospel. Neither organized labor membership and education slots denied to Black people, nor Elon Musk’s emerald mine or even Donald Trump’s $500,000,000 inheritance are deemed advantageous shortcuts to the finish line in a race that’s rigged. No, only the absence of motivation and a willingness to try harder, account for a 100-1 wealth gap encumbering the descendants of kidnapped Africans, enslaved to work, to build the wealth of a nation, for free, so that whites

fully portray what might be said to represent the evolution of an intermediate, all-American race, one with African, European, and Native ancestors. If Du Bois wrote compellingly of a requisite “double consciousness,” these works document a caste apart, reliant for survival and preeminence, on both academic excellence and, at least, a triple consciousness.

Exemplifying a meritocracy of erudition, they strove as much to help uplift the Black masses, as to defy and confound their other relations, those who were white. More than anything, starting with DEI, Lewis’s book is a call for reparation and recompense. He makes his case by noting, “American slavery functioned as a vast concentration camp from which flowed the enormous wealth that made … a national success story … inconceivable without the enforced indispensability of four million Black lives that mattered.”

This argument concerns our past. As taking to the streets becomes a new imperative, speaking of today, he says, “if ever an era belonged to a single people, the racial, abortion, gender, immigration, gay, and disabled rights won in the sixties and seventies were … Black people's gifts to the nation.”

didn’t have to.

Either listening to or observing David Lewis, it’s curious. How, before beginning this book, could he have been uncertain, as to his mother’s stories about their white ancestry, or of his family including prominent Confederates?

Lewis’ command of classical English is as deliberative, precise, and punctilious as William F. Buckley’s or James Baldwin’s.

If African Americans bear a rainbow of tints and shades, between Black and white, his color is near the spectrum’s start.

“Non-nation people, contrasted with the ebony darkness of West Africans, are a living, long-lasting testament, an indictment, that loudly says ‘Black history is American history!’”

All too familiar with how this

came to be, Thomas Jefferson’s solution to race relations was rooted in an understanding of race as rabid and ill-conceived as Adolf Hitler's. For both, the only way to deny or defame difference, was to overlook commonality. Ignoring contradictory evidence offered by Benjamin Banneker and others, for Jefferson, the only satisfactory answer was eliminating blackness. Ignoring science and history, he came up with an algebraic equation, with a schedule of selective breeding, whereby all America could be “bleached clean.”

“Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored,” “The Other Madisons,” and particularly Margo Jefferson’s “Negroland,” are among a host of memoirs presaging “The Stained Glass Window.” They art-

Even so, yet another great American deception for people of color…[was that] after the ideology and economics of Reaganism nullified what survived of Great Society progressivism … dominated by wealth outrageously maldistributed, health care and education unaffordable, paying jobs a memory, and middle-class impoverishment in a Great Recession … the electorate wagered … it could ignore race by affirming its nonimportance and thereby reinvigorate the vaunted exceptionalist narrative.”

Ever more information to examine made researching “The Stained Glass Window” a fraught business at times. To elude making his story theirs, some of Lewis' long-lost cousins sought to ignore and obscure their connection. Fortunately, his genealogist was expert about such subterfuge. Thanks to “The Stained Glass Window,” like it or not, today, it’s that much more difficult to ignore America’s “transracial” truths.

On March 13 at 7 p.m., Lewis will be discussing his new memoir with renowned historian Annette Gordon-Reed at 92NY in Manhattan. For more info and for tickets, visit 92ny.org.

March 2025 Dance Calendar

CHARMAINE PATRICIA WARREN

Special to the AmNews

Highlighted in this month’s very full dance calendar is the world premiere of Makini’s (jumatatu m. poe)

TERRESTRIAL: The Sprout. Makini is a New York Live Arts (NYLA) Live Feed creative residency and commissioning program participant. The program will present Makini’s first performance of the collaborative series of works from March 13-15 at NYLA. Conceived by Makini with co-direction by Anderson Feliciano and Nefertiti Charlene Altán, the multidisciplinary project “ … weaves together performance, choreography, speculative futurist thought, and equity-based models of cooperation to re-calibrate social, cultural, and physical existence.” Germaine Ingram will dance this first performance, a solo titled The Sprout, which “wonders about the legacy of a single human lifetime as it relates to the broader expanse of a planet’s geological history. It wanders through the terrain of identity amidst the impossibility of individuation,” according to the release. Other collaborators are Melanie George, Angel Edwards, Germaine Ingram, Ishmael Houston-Jones, Lou Pires, Majesty Royale-Jackson, Marco Farroni, Saúl Ulerio and Sweet Corey-Bey. Audiences join the performer on stage, occasionally invited to move within and through the space. For more information visit newyorklivearts.org.

STILL RUNNING:

Feb. 25-March 9: Led by Buenos Aires’ tango dancers Germán Cornejo and Gisela Galeassi, the Joyce will present Tango After Dark, which “...fuses the rich traditions of tango with a contemporary flair,” by creator and choreographer Cornejo. For more information, visit www.joyce.org.

ALSO THIS MONTH:

March 3-9: The 92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Center season continues with Harkness Dance Center — Celebrating 90 Years, performances and more throughout the Harkness Dance Center, as well as the New York Public Library. Featured events are: Art Bath x 92NY in shared experiences with Xin Ying and Katherine Crockett, John Manzari & Dancers, Joey Arias, Flower Shark, Christopher Williams, plus film footage, live DJ sets,

and more (March 6-7); DEL Movement Sentence Choir, Baye & Asa and DEL Facilitator Randi Sloan, plus Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, A Dance, PHILADANCO! (March 8) and Graham, Limón, Ailey: Tracing Three Generations of Titans of Dance at 92NY at New York Public Library (March 10). For more information, visit www.92ny.org. March 8 and 15: The performance series at CARVALHO PARK returns with a newly commissioned work by New York City Ballet principal Taylor Stanley, soloist Alec Knight, and UK-based sculptor and installation artist Nicola Turner. Stanley and Knight will engage with Turner’s site-responsive installation, “Fabric of Undoing,” for a new work titled “Ephemeral solace (in passing).” For more information visit www.carvalhopark.com.

March 6-8: At Trisk, Kashia Kancey will present the Closties Variety Hour, a show that surrounds themes of reminiscence, mystery, and surreality. For more information visit www.triskelionarts.org.

March 6-8: Kayla Farrish’ “Put Away the Fire, Dear,” a dance-theater work that “...unravels American cinema, following six marginalized characters who defy their inherited roles and reimagine their own narratives as the piece unfolds,” notes the release, comes to the Chelsea Factory. For more information visit www.chelseafactory.org.

March 6-9: For over 20 years, the Flamenco Festival has brought flamenco dancers and musicians from Spain City Center. This year’s festival features Alfonso Losa & Pa-

Angie Stone dies … Cynthia Erivo heads to Raising Cane’s after the Oscars … Beyoncé and Jay-Z host star-studded after-Oscars soirée

FLO ANTHONY

tricia Guerrero, Compañía Manuel Liñán, and Compañía Eva Yerbabuena. For more information visit www.nycitycenter.org.

March 13-15: Raja Feather Kelly and TF3T return to The Invisible Dog with Bunny Bunny, one of the last live performances as the venue closes. Written, directed, and choreographed by Kelly, Bunny Bunny “is an ensemble Devised dancedtheatre production and installation exploring desire and surveillance … a fictional story based on the reallife events of six bunny rabbits who are stuck in a house,” according to the release. For more information visit www.theinvisibledog.org.

March 13-15: Donna Uchizono performed her first choreographic works as part of Danspace Project’s Access program in 1988. For this season’s 50th anniversary celebration of Danspace Project, Uchizono is reimagining State of Heads (1999) for a new generation of dancers. Also on the program are three dance Dedications, “redefining audience engagement to one of audience-shared authorship,” notes the release. For more information visit danspaceproject.org.

March 14-15: At Trisk, Miz Jade curates “Synthesis,” a “theatrical variety show presenting nightlife performers in the queer community and celebrating an array of disciplines and identities,” notes the release. For more information visit www.triskelionarts.org.

March 21-22: Dormeshia returns to the 92nd Street Y with “Ladies in the Shoe” showcasing guest female

Multi-award-winning songstress-songwriter Angie Stone has died at the age of 63. The legendary singer died on the morning of March 1 in a fatal car accident. She and members of her band were heading back to Atlanta from a gig the night before in Mobile, Ala., when an 18-wheeler truck struck Stone’s Sprinter, causing it to flip over three times. She was declared deceased at the scene of the accident. Said her children, Diamond Stone and Michael Archer, “Never in a million years would we ever expect to get this horrible news. Our mother is and will always be our everything. We are still trying to process and are completely heartbroken.” Stone is survived by her two children, her grandchildren, other family members, and adoring fans across the globe …

With all the gourmet food being served at the after-parties around Los Angeles on Mar. 2, Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo, who is only an Oscar away from becoming an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) Award winner, stopped by Raising Cane’s in Los Angeles to fuel up for the starstudded after-soirées with some of her favorite foods after singing her heart out at the ceremony.

tap dancers and ambassadors of this art form. For more information visit www.92ny.org.

March 21-22: At Lincoln Center’s Alice Tulley Hall, comes the New York premiere of Carnival of the Animals, a reimagining of Camille Saint- Saëns’ classic work conceived by Marc Bamuthi Joseph, choreographed and directed by Francesca Harper, and performed by Wendy Whelan, and in response to the events of Jan. 6, 2021, “navigates the reality of today’s political complexities through music, poetry, and dance,” according to the release. For more information visit www.lincolncenter.org.

March 26-April 6: Ailey II returns

She was still wearing her evening gown from the awards show. The “Wicked” star is being praised for her wardrobe during the entire awards season. Fashion critics say she won for Best Dressed … Although Beyoncé and Jay-Z did not attend the actual Oscars ceremony, music and Hollywood joined together for the power couple’s annual Oscars after-party, at the Château Marmont Hotel in Hollywood on Mar. 2. Guests included Beyoncé’s mom, the forever fashionable Tina KnowlesLawson; Timotheé Chalamet and his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner; Keke Palmer, Taraji P. Henson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Danielle Brooks, Tracee Ellis Ross, and more … Media mogul Angelo Ellerbee, author of the Amazon Books bestseller “Before I Let You Go,” will be touring Atlanta, Ga., from Apr. 29 to May 1. The Atlanta schedule for Ellerbee, a longtime public relations veteran, representing legends such as Dionne Warwick and Kool & the Gang’s Robert “Kool” Bell, will include radio/TV/press interviews with local and national media. He will also attend book signings with Atlanta retailers and give lectures at a college/university in the Peachtree City …

to the Ailey Citigroup Theater for its annual New York season. Led by Artistic Director Francesca Harper, slated for their two-program season titled “Echoes” is Harpers’ Luminous, Houston Thomas’ Down the Rabbit Hole, plus Alvin Ailey’s Streams, and for the “New Vintage” program Jamison’s Divining (excerpt), Ailey Highlights, Thomas’ Down the Rabbit Hole, and Baye & Asa’s John 4:20. For more information visit ailey.org.

March 27-29: The U.S. premiere of Cycles, from the U.K. dance company Boy Blue’s comes to the Lincoln Center, bringing their exploration of hip-hop dance in all its forms. For more information visit www.lincolncenter.org.

Germaine Ingram (Angel Edwards photos)

Roberta Flack, distinctive and subtle singer, dies at 88

Roberta Flack, who inspired generations of singers with her subtle folk/jazz/blues storytelling that captured romance along with the emotional breadth of a conflicted society, died on Feb. 24 at her Upper West Side apartment, where she had lived for 40 years. She was 88.

“She died at home surrounded by her family,” publicist Elaine Schock said in a statement. The cause was cardiac arrest. Flack announced in 2022 that she had ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and could no longer sing.

Flack received a lifetime achievement award from the Jazz Foundation of America in 2018 and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award two years later. Early on, she had won four consecutive Grammy Awards — Record of the Year for “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” (1972), Best Vocal Performance by a Duo for “Where Is the Love” with Donny Hathaway (1973), and both Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance Female for “Killing Me Softly with His Song” (1974).

Flack’s vocals were an addictive pleasure that engaged all listeners. She had a stylistic range that soared with spiritual conviction, taking your breath away with her every note. One could say she invoked folk music. but her perfect enunciation, timbre, and subtleties captured the ancestral spirits of storytelling — the oral griot. She sang with an emotional passion that turned songs into vivid vignettes, pulling listeners in as active participants feeling her words, whirling in the lyrical reality, a ring-shot experience that converged in your soul while plucking your heartstrings. As a singer and pianist, Flack traveled the path of Carmen McRae, Nina Simone, and Aretha Franklin. They were all lyrical storytellers. Simone, like Flack, was a staunch supporter of racial equality, recording songs such as “Mississippi Goddam,” “Four Women,” and “Why? The King of Love is Dead.” Flack expressed her commitment to Black solidarity with such infectious subtleties as “Tryin’ Times” (First Take, 1969) and “Business Goes on as Usual” (Chapter 2, 1970), which was a significant AntiVietnam War anthem.

Flack’s most heartfelt but defiant

song was “The Impossible Dream” (Chapter 2) — you can fly in her high notes and feel the heat of her explosive lyrics. It is a song for now “To dream the impossible dream/ To run where the brave dare not go/ To try when your arms are too weary to reach the unreachable star/ This is my quest, to follow that star no matter how hopeless, no matter how far/ And the world will be better for this/ One man scorned and covered with scars still strong with his last ounce of courage.”

One jaunty, bluesy, humorous track, “Reverend Lee,” illustrates Flack’s skill as a storyteller similar to Oscar Brown, Jr. She was so creatively adept that even songs she covered became her own. She managed to reconstruct the well-travelled Beatles song “Let It Be Me” into a memorable Flack special. Some years later, when she recorded her 15th studio album, “Let It Be Roberta” (subtitled “Roberta Flack Sings the Beatles” Sony Music 2012), she introduced a jazzy coat of inventive contemporary rhythms and blues that gave it a definitive Flack glow. (She lived next door to John Lennon and Yoko Ono in Manhattan’s Dakota Apartments.) Flack effortlessly corralled blues, jazz, and folk into her own blended genre, which made her one of America’s most influential singers. Her music of the 1970s has maintained an inspirational relevance in

today’s world. Her classical training gave her the ability to accompany herself on the piano in any style.

Donny Hathaway, Flack’s friend from Howard University, became her regular collaborator. As a duet, they scored two Grammys and recorded two albums until Hathaway’s death in 1979. Their 1972 release “Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway” (Atlantic Records) featured 10 tracks that included “You’ve Got A Friend,” a big hit; the sensuous, romantic ballad “Be Real Black for Me,” which was deep in soul; and the gospel hymn “Come Ye Disconsolate,” straight from the front pew of any Baptist Church. After Hathaway’s death, she released “Roberta Flack Featuring Donny Hathaway.” One major hit from the LP was “Back Together Again” written by Reggie Lucas and James Mtume (Atlantic Records, 1980).

“We were deeply connected creatively,” Flack told “Vibe” in 2022, on the 50th anniversary of the million-selling “Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway” album. “He could play anything, sing anything. Our musical synergy was unlike (anything) I’d had before or since.”

Roberta Cleopatra Flack was born on Feb. 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, N.C., the second-oldest of five siblings. The family moved to Richmond, Va, and then to Arlington. Her father, Laron Flack, was a drafts-

tion for her. Company executive Joel Dorn was so impressed that he signed her immediately.

Flack’s debut album, “First Take,” a blend of gospel, blues, and jazz, came out in 1969. One track was a love song by the English folk artist Ewan MacColl: “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” written in 1957 for his future wife, singer Peggy Seeger. Flack not only knew of the ballad, but had used it in her music classes during her years as an educator. Her Atlantic recordings began generating sales after actor/director Clint Eastwood used “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” for the soundtrack of his directorial debut, “Play Misty for Me.” Atlantic rushreleased the song as a single and it became the biggest hit of 1972.

Flack mentored and performed duets with Peabo Bryson — “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” (1983) and Maxi Priest — “Set the Night to Music.” She was instrumental in the solo career of Luther Vandross, who was one of her background singers. She recorded the soundtrack to the 1981 Richard Pryor film “Bustin’ Loose.”

man in the Veterans Administration; her mother, Irene (Council) Flack, was a cook at a high school who also taught music and played the organ at Arlington’s A.M.E. Zion Church. “I grew up playing piano for the choir: Handel, Bach, Verdi, Mozart, and all those great, wonderful, intricately written Negro spirituals,” Flack recalled in an interview with the “Chicago Tribune” in 1991.

Her classical piano skills earned her a full music scholarship to Howard University in Washington, D.C., where, at 15, she became one of the youngest students to ever enroll there and graduate while still a teenager. After graduating from Howard, she taught music in D.C.-area junior high schools for several years in her 20s while performing after hours in local clubs. She sometimes backed other singers, but her own shows at Washington’s Mr. Henry’s attracted a huge cult following. The composer Burt Bacharach, who was behind many of Dionne Warwick’s early ’60s hits, penned Flack’s 1982 hit “Making Love” (the title track of the 1982 film of the same name).

When pianist and vocalist Les McCann heard her in 1968 at a nearby club, he was amazed. He later wrote in the liner notes to her debut album, “I laughed, cried and screamed for more.” McCann arranged an Atlantic Records audi-

During a tour of South Africa in 1999, Flack performed “Killing Me Softly” for President Nelson Mandela at his home in Johannesburg. Through her interest in the arts, she funded and helped launch the Roberta Flack School of Music at the Hyde Leadership Charter School in the Bronx, from 2006 to 2011.

In the mid-’90s, Flack received new attention after the Fugees (Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill, and Pras Michel) recorded a Grammy-winning cover of “Killing Me Softly,” which she eventually performed on stage with the hip-hop group.

“I love that connection to other artists because we understand music, we live music, it’s our language,” Flack told songwriteruniverse.com in 2020. “Through music, we understand what we are thinking and feeling. No matter what challenge life presents, I am at home with my piano, on a stage, with my band, in the studio, listening to music. I can find my way when I hear music.”

Flack has no immediate survivors. A seven-year marriage to the bassist Steve Novosel (which violated the law in Virginia, where interracial marriage was still illegal when she married him, who is white) ended in divorce.

A celebration of Flack’s life will be held on Monday, Mar. 10, at 4 p.m. at Abyssinian Baptist Church (132 West 138th Street). The public is welcome to attend.

Dr. Eric Griggs on Long COVID and staying healthy

By HEATHER M. BUTTS, JD, MPH, MA Special to the AmNews

As we continue navigating COVID-19, many individuals are grappling with the longterm effects of the illness and how to protect themselves and their communities. Dr. Eric Griggs, a New Orleansbased public health advocate and trusted voice in health education, community medicine physician, and the immediate past president of 100 Black Men of America Health & Wellness, spoke with the Amsterdam News for a Q&A about the status of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Griggs has a focus on finding positive, effective ways to discuss long-term effects of COVID and why precautionary measures like vaccinations are still essential in the fight against it. Known for his motto “Get checked. Get fit. Get moving,” he has been at the forefront of health education throughout the pandemic. He emphasized that while immediate recovery from COVID-19 is important, the long-term consequences are still a reality for many. This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

AmNews: Could you talk about the work you do regarding COVID and health

Gun violence

Continued from page 11

hadn’t been renovated in over 25 years — the Van Dyke residents were traveling to another public housing development to play basketball. Community members said that was resulting in a number of shootings at the development.

“As a result [of the renovation], we stopped seeing shots fired in that area where young people were traveling to go play basketball,” Alawode-El said.

Norman Scott, a youth advocate who was a member of the hip-hop and breaking group Rock Steady Crew, criticized the role of

communication?

Dr. Eric Griggs: During the COVID pandemic, we worked with the Department of Health and Human Service on all levels. Once COVID hit, we hit the streets and we did everything we could. We started a podcast called NoiseFilter. We’ve done 13 Animations, [some of which] address Long COVID. It was no more evident than during the pandemic that we were also at a crisis in health communication. At the end of the day, all the science is great, but if you can’t communicate it to people, then you’re in trouble.

AmNews: Could you tell our readers more about NoiseFilter and the work you’ve done in educating the public?

Griggs: [At the beginning of] COVID, we were trying to warn people about what was coming … this illness is not quite flu-like. NoiseFilter was a daily podcast. It started off for healthcare workers, but the kids really loved it, so we made kid versions.

How do you respectfully educate a populace of educated people? I work with a group called STEM Nola, started by Dr. Calvin Mackie. Over the course of the pandemic, we had weekly episodes online. There was an episode about healthy lungs

and unhealthy lungs.

I had a student-run community center. We worked directly with city governments to get people vaccinated. If you want to change a household, change the kids. All the dynamics change. Kids are the future and they change the world.

AmNews: One of the myths that comes up often is that only individuals with underlying health issues get Long COVID. Could you speak to this?

Griggs: Sometimes people think one virus is another. The difference between COVID and other viruses is that COVID, although it has a respiratory portal of entry, affects all of your cardiovascular system. [I’ve seen] the difference between the chest cavity of someone with COVID and without.

Whether you have a pre-existing condition or not, COVID [can get] in, and whether or not you have major symptoms, COVID [can cause] damage to your blood vessels. As a consequence of that damage, your blood vessels have to go everywhere to supply the cells with blood. The damage causes inflammation and the inflammation has to be repaired.

Imagine a high school where you have the junior varsity and the varsity football team let loose with no super-

going to see more violence in the streets, because they are not being fed nutritiously.”

vision in the buffet-style cafeteria of a school. They would eat the food until someone got in there to restore order, and the school has to continue operating. The walls would have to be patched and repaired, someone would have to cook the food and help the students. and things would begin to function, but it would take awhile to get that cafeteria back to the order it was in before.

It’s the same thing with Long COVID, depending on your underlying condition. We want to protect those [people] specifically — we want people to get vaccinated. We’re doing that locally with 100 Black Men of Greater New Orleans — we want everyone to get vaccinated for RSV, COVID, and the flu.

AmNews: Is there anything else you want to tell readers about COVID, Long COVID, and where we are heading? Griggs: We’re working with the 100 Black Men of America, our local chapter here in

New Orleans, and through with the Department of Health and Human Services about reducing the risk. We want people, particularly those who are vulnerable, to get vaccinated. Again, COVID is still dangerous. The

damage that can be done to your body can be catastrophic if you’re not careful, so we want people to get vaccinated. Don’t forget to wash your hands, if you’re sick, stay home. Let’s just stay wary [and] get vaccinated.

drill music in fueling social media feuds that can also lead to actual violence.

“Our kids are actually celebrating the death of each other in media outlets, and we’re allowing that to happen,” he said.

Tarsha Gibbons, founder of Gibbons Family Fitness, emphasized the role of diet in youth behavior and the importance of healthy eating.

“Whether we realize it or not, a lot of times [kids] are angry or they’re frustrated because they are devoid of nutrients,” she said. “So you’re going to see more violence in the schools, you’re

Gabriel said she hopes people left the event with a key takeaway: to include young people in discussions of gun violence and other issues that impact their lives.

“I want to dispel the stereotype that Black and Brown kids are not interested in real issues that matter,” she said.

“Young people care.”

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

in which the wages are earned.

Peter Romero

De Zilva working behind the scenes.

(Photo courtesy of Scrappack Productions)

Dr. William S. Scarborough, classical scholar extraordinaire CLASSROOM IN THE

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

Reading “The Stained Glass Window” by Dr. David Levering Lewis (see Michael Henry Adams’ insightful review in our pages), I came across the name of William Sanders Scarborough. Unless you attended Wilberforce or Oberlin College or devoted hours of study to classical literature and history, he is a lesser-known scholar. Born in Macon, Ga. on Feb. 16, 1852, to a free father and enslaved mother, the law at that time prescribed him to follow his mother’s condition and he remained in Georgia to be with his mother. The law also prohibited him from learning to read and write, but he secretly acquired these skills with such proficiency that by the time he was ten he had many of the elements necessary to advance to higher learning.

At the end of the Civil War, he completed studies at Lewis High School in Macon before attending Atlanta University and two years at the abolitionist Oberlin College where he earned his undergraduate degree in 1875. He was hired by Wilberforce to head the school’s classical department. Not long after he married a white missionary, Cordelia Bierce. His reputation as a teacher won him a large academic following and this was soon increased with the publication of his books, “First Lessons in Greek” with an Appendix in 1881 and subsequently “Questions on Latin Grammar,” both of which secured his status as the first African American classical scholar.

The same year he began teaching at his high school, arsonists burned it down, a fire that so-called firemen allowed to continue. This was a terrible example of the racism that Scarborough received through his life, no matter his academic or scholarly status. In 1909, after becoming the president of Wilberforce, he was denied entry to an American Philological Association meeting in Baltimore. The association got caught between a rock and a hard place after the hotel refused to serve dinner if he was present, and if the association dared to cancel the conference, it faced a possible breach of contract litigation. His paper, slated for the conference, was read by a white member.

In 1892, he delivered a lecture on Plato at the University of Virginia in a room festooned with images of Jefferson Davis and other Confederate leaders. The only Blacks allowed in the room to hear the lecture were those working as servants. Teaching and writing consumed most of his waking hours, but he did find time to attend the London Session of the second Pan-African Congress in 1921. During the same year of the Congress, Scarborough was appointed to a position in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a position he would hold until his death.

Scarborough remained active in academic circles, becoming the third African American to join the American Philological Association

and the first of his race to become a member of the Modern Language Association. Later the MLA named a book prize in his honor. Scarborough was also a member of the American Spelling Reform Association, a mason of the I.O., as well as working man in his church, where he addressed large crowds of onlookers. He was also a member in good-standing at several notable organizations and associations. In 1882, he received an LL.D from Liberia College. In many respects, his ideas coincided with those of W.E.B Du Bois, and it earned him rounds of criticism from supporters of Booker T. Washington who took exception to their leader’s concepts about ed-

ACTIVITIES

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Lewis’ book offers some informative insights on the great thinker, and there are few books about classical literature that do not include him.

DISCUSSION

His thinking about African American erudition compares favorably with Du Bois, and certainly more can be said about his antagonism with Booker T. Washington’s proponents.

PLACE IN CONTEXT

Scarborough stands as a beacon, pointing the way to the work of Dr. John Henrik Clarke, Dr. Yosef Ben-Jochannan, Drusilla Dunjee Houston and other 20th century pacesetters.

THIS WEEK IN BLACK HISTORY

ucation and pursuing academic fields. From a profile on him in a book devoted to African American firsts, an article he wrote is cited where he vents his frustration: “We have too many dudes whose ideas do not rise above the possession of a new suit, a cane, a silk hat, patent leather shoes, a cigarette and a good time.”

By 1920, he resigned from teaching and entered the political arena, encouraging African Americans to join the Republican party. Two years after retiring, Scarborough died on September 9, 1926 in his home in Ohio. He was not only a forerunner in the classical realm, he was a model of advanced thinking among Black intellectuals.

March 4, 1944: Singer and songwriter, Bobby Womack, was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He died in 2014.

March 6, 1857: The Supreme Court ruled that Black men born in America were not citizens in the infamous Dred Scott decision.

March 7, 1964: Comedian and actress Wanda Sykes was born in Portsmouth, Va.

(The Afro-American Press image via Wikimedia)

from page 8

Hermelyn said that the sudden decision to rescind TPS would result in the deportation of over 500,000 Haitian asylum seekers currently looking for legal sanctuary in the U.S. For context, New York State has the third-highest population of Haitians in the country. There’s an estimated 196,698 Haitian residents statewide, about 32,700 of which are not U.S. citizens, according to the 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year estimates.

“TPS is granted to U.S. immigrants who can’t return to their countries because of violence, natural disasters, or political up-

Divine Nine

Continued from page 9

have created in this nation. Without them and the Black church, there would be no Black middle class. Eighty percent of Black veterinarians — thank you, Tuskegee — come from HBCUs; 50% of Black doctors and lawyers have HBCU backgrounds; 24% of all bachelor degrees in STEM are held by HBCU graduates.”

Thomas added that Morehouse “just did a study that showed there are only 4,800 Black men in top-tier liberal arts undergraduate programs in the country today, and 2,500 of them are (enrolled) at Morehouse College. We are educating over 80% of the Black men who will earn degrees at top-tier schools, and

heaval — all of which Haiti suffers from,” said Hermelyn. “Let’s be crystal clear: TPS does not provide a path to citizenship — and rescinding it for countries in need is a cruel, racially motivated decision that violates countless human rights statutes.”

“These are our neighbors, coworkers, and friends,” said Flatbush Development Corporation Executive Director Robin Redmond. “DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said the TPS system has been ‘exploited and abused for years.’ Well, this decision will throw our families back into a country where they will be exploited and abused for years. This is not the American way.”

Shortly after the TPS terminations, upstate’s Congressmember Laura Gillen in-

those top-tier schools are direct feeders to top-tier job opportunities [and] graduate schools, and that will determine who will be in leadership roles in our society. I am sure that there’s a similar story for places like Howard and North Carolina A&T.”

In his closing remarks, Thomas said, “I often get asked how is it that HBCU graduates go into (jobs at) predominantly white organizations and do so well — they outperform even those who go to historically white institutions (for college). It’s because being in that environment, where every month is Black History Month, where you are surrounded by the diversity of Black people, builds a depth of confidence and a sense of who you are that will not be shaken by the stones and arrows that the world will throw at you.”

troduced H.R. 1689, a bipartisan bill to extend TPS protections for 18 months past the new end date. Gillen is leading the bill alongside Republican Congressmember Mike Lawler and Haiti Caucus Co-Chair Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. She added that there are about 26,000 Haitian residents in Nassau County.

“The Administration’s abrupt, unfounded decision to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians will have a devastating impact on Long Island. Nearly half a million law-abiding Haitian TPS holders who followed the rules, passed thorough vetting and background checks, and lawfully came to the United States after facing extreme danger in Haiti could be impacted by this decision,” said Gillen. “TPS holders

work, pay household income and property taxes, and contribute to our economy… That means our neighbors, who have been protected under our laws, are now having the rug pulled out from under them and face being sent back to certain, life-threatening danger.”

In addition to a move on the legislative front, a group of immigrant organizations have banned together to sue the Trump administration over the TPS order, saying that it is “unlawful” under the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts by Haitian Americans United Inc., the Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts, UndocuBlack Network Inc., and four individual TPS recipients.

Leroy Barr, secretary of United Federation of Teachers and Howard University alumnus, moderates HBCU panel discussion at Abyssinian Baptist Church. A member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Barr highlighted value of (HBCUs) in shaping next generation of leaders. (The Abyssinian Baptist Church photos)

Four young attendees listen attentively during HBCU panel discussion hosted by Abyssinian Baptist Church. The event, sponsored by Faith and Education, Jack & Jill of America, and United Federation of Teachers, highlighted transformative legacy and academic excellence of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for prospective students and the community.

Health

Heart disease: A silent killer in New York City’s Black community

Voices and stories of resilience and advocacy

By JASON GONZALEZ Special to the AmNews

Heart disease is a silent epidemic that is having a disproportionate impact on the Black community in New York City’s neighborhoods. The mortality rate from heart disease, a significant cause of death in the country, is far greater among African Americans than among white people. By exploring the viewpoints of medical professionals and those directly affected by the illness, this narrative highlights the significance of self-care, awareness, and systemic reform.

Understanding and preventing heart disease has been Dr. Rachel-Maria Brown Talaska’s focus as a cardiologist and clinical associate professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Langone Health. The discrepancy in heart disease rates among Black people is a complex problem, according to her.

“Typical risk factors for heart disease are diabetes; high blood pressure; high cholesterol; smoking; sedentary lifestyle/little or no exercise; poor diet high in saturated fats, sugar, and salt; and obesity. Chronic stress is also a contributor,” she said. “Genetic predisposition/family history of cardiovascular disease is a non-modifiable component of your risk profile. However, the key takeaway is that 80% of cardiovascular diseases are preventable with education and lifestyle modification.”

Brown Talaska emphasized the importance of regular check-ups and early detection. “Typical primary prevention screening labs should include fasting cholesterol profile, hemoglobin A1c, thyroid function panel, and blood pressure screening,” she said. “Based on your personal and/or family history, your healthcare provider may advise additional lab work and imaging, such as an echocardiogram/heart ultrasound.”

A son’s heartbreaking loss, a survivor’s tale

Gabriel Yomi Dabiri, 47, knows the devastating consequences of heart disease all too well. He is an attorney and managing partner at the Polsinelli law firm in New York City. He is of Nigerian descent and volunteers with the American Heart Association. Residing in Westchester County, Yomi Dabiri lost his mother to a heart attack in 2012. She had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition that went undiagnosed until it was too late.

To head off a similar fate, “I was getting educated on my health situation and the lifestyle risks that can increase your risk,” Yomi

Dabiri said. “I do have an annual physical every year. I do have an echocardiogram done with my physical every year … just to keep a close eye on it, and I generally live a healthy lifestyle. I tend to eat pretty clean. I go to the gym six days a week.”

Jazmin George, a 28-year-old Black woman from the Bronx, is a living testament to the importance of early intervention and resilience. At just 18, George suffered a heart attack in her dorm room a week before finals, on her mother’s birthday. Her biological father had died from a heart attack in his early 30s, making her condition even more poignant.

“I was quite athletic at that age and had danced for about a decade before I quit and transitioned to yoga and kickboxing throughout high school,” George recalled.

“I also was an avid gym-goer throughout high school, so to experience a heart attack after being in the best shape of my life at the time was shocking.”

Since her heart attack, George has been an advocate for heart health, sharing her story to inspire others to prioritize their well-being.

“My roommate Jin saved my life,” she said. “Without her, I doubt I’d be here to answer these questions. I pay it forward in validating others’ medical concerns, just as Jin did for me. I urge people to take care of themselves first … Black people deal with the daily stresses of life like everyone else and then have to navigate a society that rejects our existence but loves our labor. Black people face an endless battle in this country to be seen as human. This fight has existed since the inception of this country, and its impact is compounded in the sense

that all of this trauma passes on from one generation to the next in our epigenetics, only for us to experience even more trauma in our own lived experiences. Managing stress is easier said than done when people have to constantly fight for their survival and push even harder to thrive.”

A nurse’s journey

Nicole Winn, a 53-year-old registered nurse from Englewood, NJ., has had a difficult health journey. What started as a routine pap smear examination ultimately altered her life. Between 1996 and 2024, Winn underwent four extensive heart surgeries to repair an ascending aortic aneurysm and a left coronary button aneurysm, and replace or install a mechanical aortic valve, a pulmonic valve, a pulmonary artery conduit, an ascending aorta and arch, a pulmonary artery conduit, a pulmonary arterioplasty, and a dual-chamber pacemaker.

“An aneurysm is essentially like an outpouching or a balloon effect of that (particular) artery,” Winn said. “It’s capable of rupturing at any time, and I am pretty sure most people are familiar with John Ritter from ‘Three’s Company’ — that’s what happened to him. These aneurysms are dangerous because they’re often not detected and can rupture … I was born with congenital heart disease.”

After undergoing more than 23 hours of total surgery time and amassing more than $2.1 million in medical bills, Winn believes her health challenges helped find her calling.

“I live life out loud. I live in a moment. I don’t let many things stress me out. Why? Look what I’ve been through,” she said. “I’ve always been a critical care nurse. I love

saving lives. I love making a difference in patients. Being a survivor helps what I do every day — to make people smile and feel good and not feel like they’re the only ones. We have a hard time embracing our new normal life with diseases and illnesses.”

Moving forward

The stories of Brown Talaska, Yomi Dabiri, George, and Winn highlight the urgent need to tackle heart disease in New York City’s Black community. Raising awareness, improving healthcare access, and promoting self-care can help reduce disparities and save lives.

“The Black American community is at higher risk for heart disease and stroke disease compared with other ethnic groups,” Brown Talaska said. “This is, in large part, due to the high prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity in Black Americans.”

Healthcare professionals, advocates, survivors, and families all play crucial roles in emphasizing heart health and addressing disparities.

“New York State is ranked 22nd in the nation for cardiovascular disease-related deaths, according to the NYS DOH,” Brown Talaska said. “The highest rates of heart disease in NYC correlate with areas with high poverty indices. This trend can be seen across the five boroughs. However, the borough with the highest prevalence of high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and stroke is the Bronx.”

Call 311 or visit the NYC’s Department of Health’s website to learn more about how to keep your heart healthy: https://www.nyc. gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/heartdisease.page.

Jazmin George Nicole Winn

Gabriel Yomi Dabiri

Dr. Hazel N. Dukes

“I’m saddened to hear of the passing of my true friend, sister, and friend for more than 40 years, Hazel Dukes. She was a force of nature for justice and an activist of the highest order. She made a difference, and we will forever be indebted to her,” said Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of the National Action Network (NAN). “I spoke to her by phone just two days ago. We will never have another Hazel Dukes, but I am grateful that we had this one.”

Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who heads the Brooklyn County Dems party, said she knew “Mama Dukes” as a fellow sorority sister of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a mentor.

“... She was a guiding light who inspired the next generation of leaders working towards a fairer future,” said Hermelyn. “Dr. Dukes was a forefront of the Civil Rights Movement; serving for decades as a champion for justice, and a fierce advocate for civil rights. Her powerful voice for change will live on. May she rest in peace.”

“Dr. Hazel Dukes was an icon to so many New Yorkers. Head of the NAACP New York State Conference, she fought so hard for civil rights and the causes she believed in. I’m praying for Hazel, her family, and everyone who knew and loved her,” said U.S. Senator Charles “Chuck” Schumer.

“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the loss of civil rights legend Hazel Dukes,” said Congressmember Gregory W. Meeks. “She was a towering figure in the fight for justice and equality; most importantly, a mentor and dear friend to me.

During her life, Hazel stood courageously in the face of adversity, challenging discrimination with unwavering resolve. Her legacy of bravery, compassion, and commitment to a more equal world will never be forgotten. As we reflect on her advocacy, we are

reminded that the work she started is not finished and continues to inspire us to push forward in her honor. My deepest condolences go out to her family, friends, and everyone touched by her remarkable life and contributions. May God bless her soul.”

(Center) Dr. Hazel N. Dukes (Bill Moore photo)

Education

Kids’ disability rights cases stalled as Trump overhauls Education Department

By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH, COLLIN BINKLEY, and ANNIE MA Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — It was obvious to Christine Smith Olsey that her son was not doing well at school, despite educators telling her to leave it to the experts. The second-grade student stumbled over words, and other kids teased him so much he started to call himself “an idiot.”

Although her son had been receiving speech and occupational therapy, Smith Olsey said his Denver charter school resisted her requests for additional academic support., so she filed a complaint with the state and then, in September 2024, the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights.

In January 2025, her son’s case came to a halt — illustrating the human side of current efforts to change the department.

“I have to postpone meetings with you to discuss the case,” a department mediator wrote to Smith Olsey on Jan. 23, three days after President Donald Trump’s inauguration. “I am sorry for the inconvenience. I will be in touch as I am able.”

As Trump began to reshape the Education Department, investigations and mediations in disability rights issues came to a standstill.

Standing up for children with disabilities has been a primary role of the department’s civil rights office, which enforces protections guaranteed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Historically, most complaints to the department have involved disability discrimination — parents saying their disabled child is not receiving accommodations needed to learn, which schools must provide under federal law.

It’s not unusual for new presidential administrations to freeze cases while they adjust priorities, but exceptions typically are made for urgent situations, such as a child’s immediate learning situation. The freeze on pending cases and Trump’s calls to dismantle the department altogether left many parents worrying about the federal government’s commitment to disabled students’ rights.

In the first weeks of the Trump administration, the Education Department has launched investigations of complaints involving antisemitism and transgender athletes allowed to compete in women’s sports, delivering on Trump’s vow to use federal funding as leverage to assail perceived “wokeness” in schools.

It’s worrisome the administration has said so little about responding to complaints from families of students with disabilities, said Catherine Lhamon, who led the Office for Civil Rights under former presidents Joe

Biden and Barack Obama.

“If it is not aggressively engaged in protecting those rights, the office is not doing its job,” Lhamon said in an interview.

An Education Department spokesperson said the Office for Civil Rights ended the pause on its review of disability complaints Thursday, after the Associated Press asked for comment about the findings of reporting for this story. The Trump administration lifted its pause on disability cases sooner than the Biden administration did in its first months in office, spokesperson Julie Hartman said.

Progress stalled for families relying on federal intervention

The freeze had upended progress for families like Smith Olsey’s, whose children’s special education services may hinge on the outcomes of the department’s dispute resolution process.

“It’s a scary time right now to be a parent of special needs kiddos,” Smith Olsey said.

Her son has been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, dyslexia, and dyscalculia (a learning disorder caused by differences in parts of the brain involved with numbers and calculations). Since preschool, he has had an Individualized education Program (IEP) for a developmental delay.

This month, the school agreed her son needs extra academic help, but she is seeking compensatory services to make up for

time he went without adequate support. She also is seeking reimbursement for money she spent out of pocket on therapy, tutoring, and testing.

When families believe their child is not receiving adequate services for their disability, filing a complaint with the Education Department is one way of prompting districts to provide additional help. Parents may also file a complaint with state agencies or pursue litigation.

Education Department serves as referee of

disability rights cases

Between 2021 and 2024, the department’s Office for Civil Rights received 27,620 complaints related to disability rights. The office is required to process all complaints it fields, but politics can play a role in setting priorities and choosing which cases to pursue.

Typically, more than half of the complaints to the department have involved disability discrimination, but last year, accusations of sex discrimination surged to account for a majority of them, according to an annual report: Disability discrimination accounted for 37%, while discrimination over race or national origin accounted for 19%.

In recent years, the office has seen a significant decline in its staffing, even as the number of cases it must look into has increased.

Parents and advocates say they are concerned about the future of the department’s

oversight role as Trump and his nominee for education secretary, Linda McMahon, outline a vision for a dramatically reduced footprint for the agency. At McMahon’s confirmation hearing, Democrats pressed her about whether she would support the department’s enforcement role in disability rights. She suggested the Department of Health and Human Services could take over that work.

“There is a reason the Department of Education exists, and it is because educating kids with disabilities can be really hard,” Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., said during the hearing. “It takes national commitment to get it done.”

Freeze leaves families feeling outraged and adrift

In the fall, DarNisha Hardaway was relieved when an Education Department mediator found that her son’s school needed to reevaluate him and provide tutoring. She had filed a complaint with the department after a series of suspensions that she said stemmed from her son being overwhelmed and not getting enough academic help. The 12-year-old has an intellectual disability, autism, and epilepsy.

The Education Department, Hardaway said, “made the school system do what they’re supposed to do.”

She was told to contact the Office for Civil Rights if the school district broke the mediation agreement again. This month, after her son had an outburst in class, his suburban Detroit school told her he would have to learn online for the rest of the year — a ruling Hardaway saw as a violation of his disability accommodations. On Tuesday, an Office for Civil Rights representative told her they could not respond with any substantive information.

Every day she waits, and her son supposedly learns in front of a computer, but “he can’t learn online, and DarNisha is not a teacher,” said Marcie Lipsitt, who is working with the family. “The OCR is just closed for business, and I’m outraged.”

Complaints about racial discrimination in schools are also pending.

Tylisa Guyton of Taylor, Mich., filed a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights on Jan. 20 over her 16-year-old son’s repeated suspensions from a suburban Detroit school district, alleging a white administrator has been targeting him and a group of other Black children.

The teen has been out of school since Dec. 4 with the latest suspension, and she has heard nothing about when he might be allowed to return or be placed in an alternative school. Since missing so much school, she doubts he will be able to graduate on time.

“I just feel lost,” she said.

DarNisha Hardaway poses with her son Joseph, 12, at home in Detroit, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

and its surrounding counties. Under her leadership, the organization has seen significant growth, particularly in securing and maintaining healthcare contracts with managed care organizations such as hospitals

Solitary

strikes coincide with the recent, fatal beating of Robert Brooks at Marcy Correctional facility. Six staff members have been charged with murder over the death, which was caught on body-worn cameras.

“If you talk about people [who are] not safe, what about the incarcerated people?”

said #HALTsolitary Campaign co-founder Victor Pate. “They’re not safe under the care of the New York State Department of Corrections.”

Fatherhood

homelessness, or criminal involvement.”

Buery reiterated the importance of assisting fathers with prior involvement in the criminal justice system.“Fathers are

and other community-based agencies.

“I have always understood the vital role our services play in supporting this community,” Walters said. “This perspective led me toward broader advocacy efforts, motivating me to join the HIV planning council, where I had the honor of serving as community co-chair four separate times throughout my career at God’s Love We Deliver.”

The HALT law, which advocates like Pate championed, largely aligns with basic international human rights. The United Nation’s Nelson Mandela Rules stipulates solitary confinement (defined as 22 hours or more a day alone in a cell) should be only used in emergencies. Prolonged solitary confinement, which exceeds 15 consecutive days, is considered torture and should not be used in any circumstance.

The HALT law, passed in 2021, bans segregated confinement (which the legislation defines as more than 17 hours alone in a cell) from exceeding 15 consecutive days and limits use exceeding three consecutive days.

essential,” he said “The challenge too often is that as policymakers, we create rules and policies that stand in the way of parents trying to be there for their kids.”

Jesus Lopez, an alum of the Fatherhood Initiative, told the AmNews about finding community in the program. “I believe that the Fatherhood Initiative has helped

Walters’s tenure at GLWD has given her unique insight into the clients and communities they serve. Her leadership has fostered considerable growth within the organization, ensuring that GLWD’s mission to improve health and well-being by alleviating hunger continues to thrive.

“Although God’s Love We Deliver is a nonsectarian organization, our mission is

“It’s really important that the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision actually implement HALT fully,” said Jessica Sandoval, national director of the Unlock the Box campaign. “And essentially what that would mean is that New York would be aligned with the Mandela Rules, which is no more prolonged solitary confinement beyond 15 days. But it also gets people outside of their cell for much longer periods of time.

“It provides congregate programming, and it also bans certain populations from ever being in solitary, like the mentally ill, pregnant people, children [and] LGBTQ individuals.”

me give back to other fathers,” he said. He received assistance when he needed it the most: “I was mandated by the court when I went for visitation to my daughter.” He discussed growing up in the system from the age of 7 and how he refused to let his daughter go through the same experience. “I didn’t want that generational

compelling to individuals of all faiths, as it is grounded in the universal principle of serving others,” Walters said. “This shared commitment to service is what has inspired many of us to work with and support the organization. It’s all about the mission. The mission is impactful, and in its pursuit, it embodies the essence of what could be considered God’s work.”

Along with suspending the HALT law, the consent award also included more overtime pay and no discipline for striking staff who returned by March 1. The protests cost the state roughly $25 million and would cost an estimated $106 million a month if they continue.

Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member who writes about public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1.

curse to be brought on her.” Lopez is now seeking full custody of his 8-year-old daughter. “I already had a dream and aspiration to be a full-time dad, to get full custody of my daughter.” He attributes his success to the Fatherhood Initiative. “There is a whole bunch of support behind her.”

Religion & Spirituality

Psychiatrist Dr. Alvin F. Poussaint, dead at 90

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

Dr. Alvin F. Poussaint, a psychiatrist who was a consultant to “The Bill Cosby Show,” died on Feb. 24, at his home in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. He was 90.

Poussaint was born on May 15, 1934, in East Harlem to immigrants from Haiti. He and his seven siblings were raised in a Catholic household by their parents, Christopher and Harriet Poussaint. When he was 9, Poussaint was stricken with rheumatic fever and acquired a voracious reading habit while hospitalized that continued into his adult years.

The reading habit fortified Poussaint at Stuyvesant High School, where his interest in science was enhanced. It was during these years that he experienced racist insults and the loss of his mother.

After graduation from high school, Poussaint attended Columbia University, where the racism was unabated. He earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmacology before enrolling in medical school at Cornell University, where he was the sole African American in his entering class.

Poussaint’s many encounters with racism were instrumental to his focus on mental health. He was soon chief resident at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute. At the end of this short stint, in 1965, Poussaint began his contact with the Civil Rights Movement as the southern field director of the Medical Committee for Human Rights in Jackson, Mississippi. This began a closer inspection of the relationship between mental health and racism, although his belief in the fight against segregation remained more important than his research activity.

After two years in the south, Poussaint departed for the Tufts University medical program, where he became the faculty director of psychiatry. The medical school at Harvard University was his next, and perhaps most rewarding, stay. By 1969, he was associate dean of student affairs. In this capacity, he helped more than a dozen students succeed at the school. His ongoing connection with the Civil Rights Movement continued through his association with the Rev. Jesse Jackson — he co-chaired Jackson’s presidential campaign.

Poussaint married his first wife, Ann Ashmore, in 1973. They had one son

and the marriage ended in 1988.

The wide promotion of Poussaint’s expertise in psychiatry and African American mental health was a conduit for being called to oversee television scripts, none more eventful than his affiliation with Bill Cosby and “A Different World.” His responsibility was to ensure safeguards against harmful stereotypes and other demeaning, negative characterizations. His success as a media consultant spread from one industry to another, even requests from agencies in the federal government. He was also hired as executive producer of the children’s show “Willoughby’s Wonders,” ultimately helping the show win a New England Emmy Award in 1997. None of this interfered in his work and research at Harvard.

A more consequential success was his marriage to Tina Young, with whom he had a daughter.

Poussaint received numerous awards and wrote countless articles and several books, including “Why Blacks Kill Blacks” (1972), with an introduction by Jackson. He offered a number of suppositions: “We could say that because we are powerless we are more competitive and jealous of each other’s success, that’s why we fight each other. We could say that poverty and slums provide a fertile soil for the growth of the less desirable elements in human nature, and that’s why we rob each other. We could speak of a white-controlled law and judiciary which discriminate against [B]lacks and encourage [B]lack criminality, and argue that those are the reasons we kill each other. All of these indictments, to some degree, would be correct,” he wrote.

He also raised the question of where to go from here: “Do we wait until the sick racist whites are cured before we begin to positively mobilize ourselves and stop certain behavior? Will we say that we cannot get rid of our selfdestructive drives until our ‘parents’ change? Do we sit around and blame them while we continue to live passively in the decadence which they have created in our community — in our minds?” he asked.

In a later essay, Poussaint posited that self-hatred or blind rage that “gives [the] perpetrator of the violent attacks a sense of legitimacy and justification” is a cause. In effect, he seemed to infer, there’s no short answer to a very complicated situation, even for a trained and brilliant psychiatrist.

This Lent: Love is calling us home

REV. DR. JACQUI LEWIS FIERCE LOVE

Beloved, in our Christian faith communities, we are in the season of Lent, a time of reflection and connecting to God, who is the Source and ground of our being.

But Lent is also a reckoning. A time to tell the truth about the world as it is — and about the world we are called to build. It’s a season where we turn toward justice, toward love, and toward the liberation that Jesus preached his whole life. For some of us, Lent is about fasting, about giving something up, but not for the sake of suffering — no. We fast from the lies that keep us bound to stories that no longer work. We lay down despair and pick up hope. We reject apathy and choose resistance.

And you know what I’m fasting from? Some false notion that we can’t have joy even as we struggle. I’m claiming joy! In the face of all that tries to steal our breath, I am going to breathe, eat, and live joy. Because joy is resistance. Joy is fuel for the fight.

The world is on fire, y’all, and some of it is caused by folks who claim to be Christian. That saddens me and angers me. Christian nationalism is raging, trans kids are under attack, the rights we fought for — bodily autonomy, voting rights, the very freedom to exist — are being stripped away by politicians who claim to follow Jesus. Our Lenten faith demands we love the stranger and care for those who the world despises. This faith does not share the values of empire. This faith rejects tyranny and oppression. This faith is a fire shut up in our bones, calling us to act, to build, to love fiercely.

Our Lenten faith calls us home to our best selves. My church — Middle Church — is literally on a journey back home. We will worship in our own sacred space at 50 E 7th Street for the first time since the December 2020 fire destroyed our sanctuary. We’re going home to love. Home to joy. Home to gather in a community that refuses to give hatred the last word. Home where we will grieve, rage, dance, and strategize together. Home, where we will find joy in the fight, and make space for each other in our physical and digital spaces.

Come walk this Lenten journey with us. You are welcome to join my community for special programming below.

Love is calling us home.

With fierce, unshakable love, Jacqui

“Wisdom for the Wilderness: A Forty-Day Spiritual Journey”

Lent isn’t just about giving something up — it’s about picking up what sustains us. This year, we invite you to pick up a practice with us.

Middle folks have put together a 40-day devotional, Wisdom for the Wilderness, and we’ll be reading and reflecting together on Circle.

Because we know the wilderness isn’t just a place we wander through — it’s a place that forms us.

What are we learning from this wilderness?

What do we yearn for in a home?

How do we care for home?

Join us. Get a free copy of this booklet at the Middle Church website. Let’s get ready for new life.

Art & Film: Women in Film

Our people have always told the truth through art. Through music, through film, through stories that refuse to be silenced. This Lent, as we commemorate Women’s History Month, we gather to watch, to listen, to learn.

“Keepers of the Flame”

March 16, 4:30 p.m. at Judson Memorial Church

A film by Shari Carpenter, this short is an exploration of civil rights leaders whose names history tried to erase — but whose impact cannot be denied. A screening and discussion with the film’s directors and producers, because the movement didn’t end. It’s still burning.

“Mississippi Turning”

March 23, 4:30 p.m. at Judson Memorial Church.

This short is about the activism of Genesis Be. It follows her deep dive into the fight for racial justice in Mississippi, challenging the legacy of white supremacy and illuminating the courage of those working for change. Featuring a conversation with Aunjanue Ellis, Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, and Irshad Manji.

Justice & Organizing: Love is Resistance

We don’t just pray about justice — we build it. Justice is our worship.

Fierce Urgency of Now Learning Cohort First Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m.

A national gathering of clergy, activists, and thought leaders who refuse to sit on the sidelines. Middle leaders are running this, bringing in folks who are doing the work — preparing for the Fierce Urgency of Now Conference (Oct. 31–Nov. 2). A space for those ready to dream and strategize beyond empire. Folks can join through May 15.

Integrating Into a Burning House: Conversations for Survival

March 18, 7:00 p.m.

Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis and Rev. Natalie Renee Perkins in a noholds-barred conversation about what happens when you integrate into a system built to burn you. How do we resist, survive, and build something better?

Children, Youth & Families: Joy as Resistance

Our kids deserve joy. Our kids deserve space to be free, to laugh, to play, to know that they are deeply loved, just as they are.

Middle Church Trampoline Takeover

Because sometimes joy looks like jumping as high as you can and laughing until you can’t breathe. Join us at UrbanAir Trampoline Park in Brooklyn. We’re bringing our kids, our youth, our whole selves. Because resurrection begins in moments like these.

The wilderness will not undo us. It will teach us and make us strong. We will not let empire have the last word. This Lent, we journey home — through fire, through grief, through hope. We journey home to love.

Come with us.

Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis is senior minister and public theologian at Middle Church in New York. Celebrated internationally for her dynamic preaching and commitment to justice, she champions racial equality, economic justice and LGBTQIA+/gender rights. Featured on MSNBC, PBS, NBC, CBS and NPR, she is the author of several books, including “Fierce Love” and the “Just Love Story Bible.” Countless individuals and communities have been inspired by Lewis’ transformative work on her podcast, “Love Period”; in columns and articles; and on stages, in churches, on the street and in digital spaces around the globe.

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SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK.

BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE 130 WEST 30TH STREET CONDOMINIUM, SUING ON BEHALF OF THE UNIT OWNERS, Plaintiff -against- DAVID M. SIMON a/k/a DAVID SIMON; LISA D. GOODMAN a/k/a LISA GOODMAN, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated December 3, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 116 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on April 9, 2025 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan and County of New York, City and State of New York, known as Residential Unit No. 16A in the building known as 130 West 30th Street Condominium located at 130 West 30th Street together with an undivided 2.241% interest in the Common Elements. Block: 805 Lot: 1043

Said premises known 130 West 30th Street, Unit 16A, New York, NY 10001.

situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan and County of New York, City and State of New York, known as Storage Unit No. 11 in the building known as 130 West 30th Street Condominium located at 130 West 30th Street together with an undivided 0.079% interest in the common elements. Block: 805 Lot: 1060

Said premises known as 130 WEST 30TH STREET, STORAGE UNIT NO. 11, NEW YORK, NY 10001

Approximate amount of lien $113,708.03 plus interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.

Index Number 850614/2023.

ROBERTA E. ASHKIN, ESQ., Referee

Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 444 Madison Ave., 6th Floor, New York, NY 10022 {* AMSTERDAM*}

ANNUAL PLOT OWNERS MEETING -FDMP, INC. The Board of Directors of FDMP has scheduled the Annual Plot Owners Meeting, March 22, 2025. In-Person at the Staten Island Museum, 1000 Richmond Terrace Bldg A, 2pm-4pm. Go to Frederick-douglassmemorialpark.org to register.

Notice of Formation of NomadE28 LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/30/25. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 1040 First Ave., Ste. 343, NY, NY 10022. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Pierre Martin at the princ. office of the LLC. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. RADOSLAV KANSKY and LUCIA KANSKA, Defts. - Index # 850590/2023. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated January 9, 2025, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 0.0135990382819495% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as Phase 1 HNY CLUB SUITES located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY. Approximate amount of judgment is $25,295.86 plus costs and interest as of September 1, 2024. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Clark Whitsett, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. PATRICK TURNER and SANDRA TURNER, Defts. - Index # 850263/2024. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated January 9, 2025, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 0.00986400000% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as 57TH STREET VACATION SUITES located at 102 West 57th Street, New York, NY. Approximate amount of judgment is $49,937.09 plus costs and interest as of August 27, 2024. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Clark Whitsett, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

This is to announce that the next meeting of the Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy II Charter School Board of Trustees will occur in person on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 4:30 PM. The meeting will be held at 245 West 129th St., NY, NY.

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that a license, number # NA-0240-25105388 for Beer & Wine has been applied for by the undersigned to sell Beer & Wine at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 1663 1st Ave, NY 10028, NY County for on premises consumption. Pavin 86 LLC, Pavin 86 LLC

Supreme Court-New York County – Hilton Resorts Corp., Pltf. V. MAREYUKI YAHATA and YUMIKA YAHATA, Defts. – Index # 850261/2024. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Honorable FRANCIS A. KAHN, III, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, dated the 25th day of February 2025 and duly entered the 26th day of February 2025 in the office of the Clerk of the County of New York, State of New York. TO THE ABOVENAMED DEFENDANTS:

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s attorney, within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State) In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is for the foreclosure of a fractional interest of 0.00493200000% in the premises at Block 1009, Tax Lot 37 located at 102 West 57th Street NY, NY. Mortgage bearing the date of February 18, 2022, executed by Mareyuki Yahata and Yumika Yahata to Hilton Resorts Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, to secure the sum of $19,305.00, and interest and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of New York County on April 14, 2022, in CRFN 2022000157866. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the Mortgaged Premises as described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

Notice of Qualification of 2 MAIN STREET, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/04/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 03/29/21. NYS fictitious name: 2 MAIN STREET, LLC (NY). SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State of DE, John G. Townsend Bldg., Federal & Duke of York Sts., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. YUKO MATSUDA, Deft. - Index # 850291/2024. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated January 24, 2025, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the NY County Courthouse located 60 Centre Street, NY, NY on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 16,000/28,402,100 tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as Phase I of HNY CLUB SUITES located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York. Approximate amount of judgment is $59,778.54 plus costs and interest as of November 6, 2024. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Referee will not accept cash as any portion of the deposit or purchase price. Bruce Lederman, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. CHARLES KC HUMPHREY, RITA SUSAN HUMPHREY and NYC ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD, Defts. - Index # 850324/2024. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated February 3, 2025, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 0.0424631946437561% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as 48TH STREET VACATION SUITES located at 12 East 48th Street, New York, NY. Approximate amount of judgment is $162,319.45 plus costs and interest as of November 1, 2024. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Jeffrey R. Miller, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

NOTICE OF QUALIFICA- TION of Oui Do Good LLC. App for authority filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 1/28/2025. Office location: NY County, LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 8/9/2018. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 45 W 90th St.. Apt 2B. New York, NY 10024. LLC address in DE: 160 Greentree Dr. Ste 101. Dover, DE 19904. Cert. of Formation filed with DE Secy of State, 401 Federal St. Ste 4, Dover, DE 19901. Pur- pose: any lawful activity. 5090 Wo

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. WILLIAM J.P. LANGAN and NYC ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD, Defts. - Index # 850325/2024. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated February 3, 2025, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 0.034346960764478% and an interest of an undivided 0.0343469607644787% tenants in common interests in the timeshare known as 48TH STREET VACATION SUITES located at 12 East 48th Street, New York, NY. Approximate amount of judgment is $47,953.62 plus costs and interest as of November 5, 2024. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Jeffrey R. Miller, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. EDUARDO MARTINEZ CASTELLANOS and KILDA SORAYA BORRELL SANCHEZ, Defts. - Index # 850141/2024. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated January 24, 2025, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided .009864% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as 57TH STREET VACATION SUITES located at 102 West 57th Street, New York, NY. Approximate amount of judgment is $59,778.54 plus costs and interest as of December 4, 2024. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Matthew D. Hunter III, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

Notice of Formation of CYRIL COURT IL PRESERVATION, L.P. Cert. of LP filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/10/25. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LP: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. Latest date on which the LP may dissolve is 12/31/2124. SSNY designated as agent of LP upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Name and addr. of each general partner are available from SSNY. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Supreme Court-New York County – Hilton Resorts Corp., Pltf. V. IBRAHIM ALEMU, Deft. – Index # 850368/2024. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Honorable FRANCIS A. KAHN, III, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, dated the 25th day of February 2025 and duly entered the 26th day of February 2025 in the office of the Clerk of the County of New York, State of New York. TO THE ABOVENAMED DEFENDANTS:

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s attorney, within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State) In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT

THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is for the foreclosure of a fractional interest of 0.006173181814852670% in the premises at Block 1010, Tax Lot 1905 located at 101 West 57th Street NY, NY. Mortgage bearing the date of April 20, 2023, executed by Ibrahim Alemu to Hilton Resorts Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, to secure the sum of $24,742.50, and interest and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of New York County on August 23, 2022, in CRFN 2023000213873. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the Mortgaged Premises as described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

Notice of Formation of 109

DUCK POND LANE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/04/25. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Arthur S. Penn, 980 5th Ave., Apt. 21B, NY, NY 10075. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of 505 WEST 168TH REALTY, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/26/17. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Fischer Porter & Thomas, P.C., Attn: Arthur "Scott" L. Porter Jr., Esq., 560 Sylvan Ave., Ste. 3061, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

KSX Consulting LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on Feb 3, 2025. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 312 11th Ave #19D, New York, NY 10001. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Supreme Court-New York County – Hilton Resorts Corp., Pltf. V. MICHELE C. ALANIS, Deft. – Index # 850006/2024. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Honorable FRANCIS A. KAHN, III, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, dated the 25th day of February 2025 and duly entered the 26th day of February 2025 in the office of the Clerk of the County of New York, State of New York. TO THE ABOVENAMED DEFENDANTS:

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s attorney, within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State) In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is for the foreclosure of a fractional interest of 5,000/28,402,100 in the premises at Block 1006, Tax Lot 1302 located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas NY, NY. Mortgage bearing the date of August 18, 2017, executed by Michele C. Alanis to Hilton Resorts Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, to secure the sum of $30,200.00, and interest and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of New York County on November 13, 2017, in CRFN 2017000416025. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the Mortgaged Premises as described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK.

ONESTONE LENDING LLC, Plaintiff -against- ALTA OPERATIONS, LLC, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated November 17, 2023 and entered on November 27, 2023 , I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on April 2, 2025 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County and State of New York, known as The Tower Unit 10A in the building known as "One Riverside Park Condominium" together with an undivided 0.3653% interest in the common elements. Block: 1171 Lot: 2508. Said premises known as 50 RIVERSIDE BOULEVARD, UNIT 10A, NEW YORK, NY 10069. Approximate amount of lien $1,027,596.74 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 850198/2020. JERRY MEROLA, ESQ., Referee. The Camporeale Law Group PLLC, Attorney(s) for Plaintiff, 585 Stewart Avenue, 770, Garden City, NY 11530

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK HSBC Bank USA, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST Pedro D. A. Alvarez Arenas, if living and if dead, the prospective heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignors, lienors, creditors and successors in interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said defendant who may be deceased, purchase, inheritance lien, or otherwise or any right, title or interest in and to the premises described in the complaint herein, and every person not specifically named who may be entitled to claim to have any right, title or interest in the property described in the verified complaint, all of whome and whose names and places of residence unknown, and cannot after diligent inquiry be ascertained by the Plaintiff; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 28, 2022, and Amended November 25, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse in Room 130, located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on April 2, 2025 at 2:15PM, premises known as 15 William Street, New York, NY 10005. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of NY, Block: 25 Lot: 1503. Approximate amount of judgment $792,245.73 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 810049/2012. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the 1st Judicial District. Mark McKew, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792 Dated: December 10, 2024 83664

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK.

NYCTL 2021- A TRUST, AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND CUSTODIAN FOR THE NYCTL 2021- A TRUST, Plaintiff -against- WA IDF LLC, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated October 16, 2024 and entered on October 17, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on March 19, 2025 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, known and designated as Block 1949 Lot 48.

Said premises known as 541 MANHATTAN AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10027

Approximate amount of lien $47,429.63 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 157666/2022.

TOM KLEINBERGER, ESQ., Referee Bronster, LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 156 West 56th Street, Suite 703, New York, NY 10019

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR BNC MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2006-2, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-2, Plaintiff AGAINST REGINALD BORGELLA, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered June 8, 2017, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse in Room 130, located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on April 9, 2025 at 2:15PM, premises known as 140 7th Avenue Unit 7R, New York, NY 10011. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, County of New York, State of New York, Block 768, Lot 1203. Approximate amount of judgment $1,043,907.05 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850069/2014. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NEW YORK County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 00299477 83949

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. ALBERT R. GALANTE and SHERRI S. GALANTE, Individually and as Trustees of the Galante Living Trust, dated December 7, 2005, Defts. - Index # 850277/2024. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated January 9, 2025, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 0.007716477268565840% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as CENTRAL PARK VACATIONS SUITES located at 101 West 57th Street, New York, NY. Approximate amount of judgment is $34,607.97 plus costs and interest as of October 9, 2024. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Georgia Papazis, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

174 PARK OPS LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/09/24. Office: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 250 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

New York's Finest Logistics LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/17/2025. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 7014 13TH Ave Suite 202, Brooklyn NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful act.

NOTICE OF SALE

Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, Index No. 850180/2022

Six Gramercy LLC, Plaintiff, v. Westside Units Kips Bay, LLC et. al., Defendants.

TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to the Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered November 1, 2024, the undersigned referee will sell at public auction on March 26, 2025 at 2:15pm in Room 130 at the Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, NY, NY, the property located at 330 East 33rd Street, Unit 12F, New York, NY 10016 (Block 936, Lot 4160). The approximate amount of Plaintiff’s lien is $391,830.98 plus interest and costs. The premises will be sold in one parcel and subject to provisions of the judgment and terms of sale.

Elaine Shay, Esq.

Law Offices of Tae H. Whang, LLC, Attorneys for Plaintiff, 185 Bridge Plaza North, Suite 201, Fort Lee, NJ 07024, Tel. (201) 461-0300

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York , Metropolitan Life Insurance Company , Plaintiff, vs . David M. Simon a/k/a David Simon , ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on December 4, 2024 , I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on April 2, 2025 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 130 West 30th Street a/k/a 128-134 West 30 th Street, Unit No. 16A & Storage Unit 11, New York, NY 10001 . All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York, Block 805 and Lots 1043 & 1060 together with an undivided 2.241% and 0.079% interests respectively in the Common Elements (as such term is defined in the Declaration). Approximate amount of judgment is $943,764.76 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850382/2023.

Tom Kleinberger, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 232572-1

Laura Shepard LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/24/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 250 W 22nd St, New York, NY 10011. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of JOBIM ENTERPRISES LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/14/25. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 157 W. 106th St., #5D, NY, NY 10025. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Altman Greenfield & Selvaggi, 200 Park Ave. South, 8th Fl., NY, NY 10003. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York, CITIMORTGAGE, INC., Plaintiff, vs. BERNADETTE LUMAS CODRINGTON, ET AL., Defendant (s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on October 1, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on March 19, 2025, at 2:15 PM, premises known as 39 ADRIAN AVENUE, BRONX A/K/A NEW YORK, NY 10463. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the City, County and State of New York, Section: 8, Block: 2215, Lot: 290. Approximate amount of judgment is $626,594.45 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 850569/2023. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee's attorney, or the Referee. For Sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832.

CHRISTY DEMELFI, Esq., Referee

Roach & Lin, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. DANIEL SHIH and BARBIE SHIH, Defts. - Index # 850269/2024. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated January 9, 2025, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 0.1505136467542480 tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as HNY CLUB SUITES Phase II located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY. Approximate amount of judgment is $146,962.86 plus costs and interest as of October 9, 2024. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Georgia Papazis, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

First Add Water LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 2/1/25. Office

.

REFEREE'S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS SUCCESSOR TO LASALLE BANK, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR THE STRUCTURED ASSET INVESTMENT LOAN TRUST, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2003BC8, Plaintiff - against - WILLIAM F. BRADY A/K/A WILLIAM BRADY, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on September 25, 2024. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, New York 10007 on the 19th day of March, 2025 at 2:15 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York.

Premises known as 235 East 40 Street a/k/a 230/240 East 41 Street Apt/Unit 41H, New York, (City of New York) NY 10016. (Block: 1314, Lot: 1366)

Approximate amount of lien $641,482.96 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.

Index No. 850171/2019. Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee.

Davidson Fink LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff

400 Meridian Centre Blvd, Ste 200 Rochester, NY 14618

Tel. 585/760-8218

For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction. com or call (800) 280-2832

Dated: November 1, 2024

During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale

Notice of Qualification of TABERNACLE & TOAST LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/20/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 08/28/23. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Tiffany Siegel, 89 Monitor St., Apt. 619, Jersey City, NJ 07304. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, Div. of Corps., John G. Townsend Bldg. - 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK PNC Bank, National Association, Plaintiff AGAINST Paul H. Pincus; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 23, 2024 I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at room 130 at the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on March 26, 2025 at 2:15PM, premises known as 407 East 12th Street Unit 1FNE, New York, NY 10009. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of NY, Block 440 Lot 1101. Approximate amount of judgment $1,142,850.32 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 850413/2023. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the 1st Judicial District. Elaine Shay, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard, Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792 Dated: November 6, 2024 83349

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that a license, number NA-0340-25104671 for Beer, Wine & Liquor has been applied for by the undersigned to sell Beer, Wine & Liquor at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 39 Christopher St., New York, NY 10014, NY County for on premises consumption. Binx 39, Christopher St LLC

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK, NYCTL 19982 TRUST AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND CUSTODIAN, Plaintiff, vs. HARLEM INVESTORS LLC, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion dated June 27, 2024 and entered on November 29, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse, Room 116, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on April 9, 2025 at 2:15 p.m., all that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York, Block 1937 and Lot 48.

Said premises may also be known as 240 West 132 Street, New York, NY.

Approximate amount of judgment is $46,263.01 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.

Index #151257/2020.

Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee

The Law Office of Thomas P. Malone, PLLC, 60 East 42nd Street, Suite 553, New York, New York 10165, Attorneys for Plaintiff

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Plaintiff v.

HAN H. CHEN AKA HAN CHEN, DAN XU, BOARD OF MANAGERS OF CARNEGIE PARK CONDOMINIUM, CITY OF NEW YORK TRANSIT ADJUDICATION BUREAU, CITY OF NEW YORK PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU, CITY OF NEW YORK ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD, JOHN DOE, JANE DOE, JOHN DOE, Defendant Index No.: 850353/2024

Property Address:

200 E 94th St, # 811 aka 200 E 94th St Apt 811 aka 200 E 94th St New York, NY 10128 Block: 1539 Lot: 1429

TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS:

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the Plaintiff's attorneys within thirty days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service, and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME

If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered, and you can lose your home.

Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property.

Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

This is an attempt to collect a debt, and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an ORDER FOR ALTERNATE SERVICE BY PUBLICATION, APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN AD LITEM, by Honorable Francis A. Kahn, III, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, signed on the 24th day of January 2025, at New York, New York. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage on the following property:

Tax I.D. No. Block: 1539 Lot: 1429

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, COUNTY OF NEW YORK, CITY AND STATE OF NEW YORK, BOUNDED AND DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT THE CORNER FORMED BY THE INTERSECTION OF THE EASTERLY SIDE OF THIRD AVENUE WITH THE NORTHERLY SIDE OF EAST 93RD STREET; RUNNING THENCE NORTHERLY ALONG SAID EASTERLY SIDE OF THIRD AVENUE A DISTANCE OF 201 FEET 5 INCHES TO THE CORNER FORMED BY THE INTERSECTION OF THE EASTERLY SIDE OF THIRD AVENUE WITH THE SOUTHERLY OF EAST 94TH STREET; THENCE EASTERLY ALONG THE SOUTHERLY SIDE OF EAST 94TH STREET A DISTANCE OF 215 FEET TO A POINT; THENCE SOUTHERLY AND PARALLEL WITH THE EASTERLY SIDE OF THIRD AVENUE A DISTANCE OF 100 FEET TO A POINT; THENCE EASTERLY AND PARALLEL WITH THE NORTHERLY SIDE OF EAST 93RD STREET A DISTANCE OF 24 FEET TO A POINT; THENCE SOUTHERLY AND PARALLEL WITH THE EASTERLY SIDE OF THIRD AVENUE A DISTANCE OF 101 FEET 5 INCHES TO A POINT ON THE NORTHERLY SIDE OF EAST 93RD STREET; THENCE WESTERLY ALONG THE NORTHERLY SIDE OF EAST 93RD STREET A DISTANCE OF 239 FEET TO THE CORNER FORMED BY THE INTERSECTION OF THE EASTERLY SIDE OF THIRD AVENUE WITH THE NORTHERLY SIDE OF EAST 93 RD STREET, THE POINT OR PLACE OF BEGINNING. SAID PREMISES ARE KNOWN AS 200 EAST 94TH STREET, UNIT 811, NEW YORK, NY AND DESIGNATED AS SECTION 5 BLOCK 1539 LOT 1429 AS SHOWN ON THE TAX MAP OF THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, COUNTY OF NEW YORK, CITY OF NEW YORK.

These premises are also known as 200 E 94th St, # 811 aka 200 E 94th St Apt 811 aka 200 E 94th St, New York, NY 10128. Woods Oviatt Gilman, LLP 500 Bausch & Lomb Place, Rochester, NY 14604

NYC M&S TRANSIT LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/08/2024. Office location: NEW YORK County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 2133 MADISON AVENUE APT 3C, NEW YORK. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Quintessence Commerce LLC LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/14/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 100 Riverside Blvd Apt 11P, New York, NY10069. Purpose: Any lawful act.

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT – NEW YORK COUNTY – NEW YORK

COMMUNITY BANK, Plaintiff v. 176 W. 86 ST. CORP., et al., Defendants. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision and Order on Motion entered on December 12, 2024 (the “Judgment”), I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder in Room 130 of the New York County Supreme Court, 60 Centre Street, New York, New York, on April 9, 2025 at 2:15 p.m., the premises known as 176 West 86th Street, Commercial Units A & B, New York, New York. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in New York County and State of New York: Block 1216, Lots 1001 and 1002, as more particularly described in the Judgment. Approximate amount of Judgment is $2,374,356.14, plus additional interest and fees. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index #850025/2023. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 1st Judicial District's Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. Clark A. Whitsett, Esq., Esq., Referee. Andriola Law, PLLC, 1385 Broadway, 22 nd Floor, New York, NY 10018, Attorneys for Plaintiff

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York, CITIMORTGAGE, INC., Plaintiff, vs. CARMEL REAL ESTATE LLC, ET AL., Defendant (s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on December 4, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on March 26, 2025 at 2:15 PM, premises known as 140 EAST 63RD ST, UNIT 6C, A/K/A 140 E 63RD ST, 6C, NEW YORK, NY 10065. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York, Section: 5, Block: 1397, Lot: 1524. Together with an undivided 1.56077 percent interest in the common elements. Approximate amount of judgment is $3,383,960.05 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 850222/2023.

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK, FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION, Plaintiff, vs. FARHAD M. BOUKANI, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on December 19, 2022 and a Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on July 29, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse, Room 130, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on April 9, 2025 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 467 Central Park West, Unit No. 1-D, New York, NY 10025. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York, Block 1842 and Lot 1003 together with an undivided 0.4972 percent interest in the Common Elements. Approximate amount of judgment is $332,718.76 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850053/2019.

Roberta Ashkin, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 244201-1

F AND C1 LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 1/3/2025. Office location: NEW YORK County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 23 LARRABEE AVE, OYSTER BAY, NY 11771. Purpose: Any lawful act.

GLOBALLYCLEAN LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/16/24. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 1159 Second Avenue #202, New York, New York 10065. Purpose: Any lawful act.

MOTION MADE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 2/8/2025. Office location: NEW YORK County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 262 Elizabeth St, Apt 3, New York, NY 10012. Purpose: Any lawful act.

All In For Theatre LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on January 7, 2025. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 62 Saint Felix Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217. Purpose: Any lawful act.

SALON DE LILY LLC LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/14/2025. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 29W 36th St, STE 5U, New York, NY, 10018. Purpose: Any lawful act.

of Org.

If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee's attorney, or the Referee.

SOFIA BALILE, Esq., Referee

Roach & Lin, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff

Argentinos en NY LLC. Filed with SSNY on 01/25/25. Office: Manhattan County. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail copy to: 339 West 48 St #1C, NY. NY 10036. Purpose: Any lawful.

White Tiger 2024 LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/01/2024. Office location: Bronx County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 3857 White Plains Rd, Bronx, NY 10467. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of GALLERY FOLLY, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/14/25. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Lowenstein Sandler LLP, 1251 Ave. of the Americas, 17th Fl., NY, NY 10020. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

on 08/10/2018. Office location: Albany County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 230 Central Park West Apt 9J, New York, NY 10024. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Michelle Becker Rubino Interiors LLC Arts.

filed with the SSNY

Bar Reuven LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/2/2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 525 E 14th St, New York, NY 10009 Purpose: Any lawful act.

ReZolve Skincare LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 1/1/2025. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 533 E83rd St, Apt 3A, New York, NY 10028. Purpose: Any lawful act.

PHR NPL Fund IV, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 7/18/2024. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: P.O. Box 230653, New York, NY 10023 Purpose: Any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of KATLIN MONTALI CONSULTING LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/13/25. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of RMG PRODUCTIONS, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/15/2025. Office located in NEW YORK. SSNY is designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served against the LLC to 10 TIMES SQUARE 3RD FLOOR, SUITE 3101, NEW YORK, NY, 10018, USA Purpose: any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of RJMD HOLDINGS III LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/30/25. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 201 W. 79th St., NY, NY 10024. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of CPG DOBBS MANAGER LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/07/25. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 116 E. 27th St., 11th Fl., NY, NY 10016. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. Purpose: Real Estate Investment & Development.

Notice of Formation of SIKLAE HOSPITALITY LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/30/25. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 40 East End Ave., Unit 14B, NY, NY 10028. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Duane Morris LLP, Alejandra Vargas, Esq., 230 Park Ave., Ste. 1130, NY, NY 10169-0079. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of RESERVE MANAGEMENT LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/25/25. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: c/o Certes Partners, 1359 Broadway, Ste. 800, NY, NY 10018. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of WILLETTS-NYC, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/06/25. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, c/o Michael DeRose, 272 Water St., Ste. #2F2R, NY, NY 10038. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company. Model City Home Renovation, LLC. Arts. of Org. filing date with Secy. of State NY. was January 8, 2025. Office location: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 55 W. 116 ST Suite 129, New York, NY 10026. Purpose any lawful act.

NOTICE

OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK, PS FUNDING, INC., Plaintiff, vs. 236 WEST E&P LLC, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on November 28, 2023 and a Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on November 6, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse, room 130, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on April 2, 2025 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 235 West 136th Street, New York, NY 10030. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York, Block 1942 and Lot 116. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,849,325.16 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850143/2021.

Georgia Papazis, Esq., Referee Chartwell Law, One Battery Park Plaza, Suite 710, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff

Notice of Qualification of VETRICS GROUP LLC

Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/06/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Virginia (VA) on 04/19/21. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. VA addr. of LLC: 100 Shockoe Slip, 2nd Fl., Richmond, VA 23219. Cert. of Form. filed with Clerk of the Commission, 1300 E. Main St., 1st Fl., Richmond, VA 23219. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of RKF RETAIL HOLDINGS LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/13/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 08/15/05. Princ. office of LLC: 125 Park Ave., NY, NY 10017. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Wilmington, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of GRITZY, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/28/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 01/22/25. Princ. office of LLC: 11 Park Pl., 3rd Fl., NY, NY 10007. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543, regd. agent upon whom and at which process may be served. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of hLevel, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/25/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/29/24. Princ. office of LLC: 2248 Broadway, #1954, NY, NY 10024. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., #4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Management.

THE DONTZIN LAW FIRM LLP

Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on December 19, 2024. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 31 East 62nd Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10065. Purpose: Any lawful act. Name changed to DONTZIN KOLBE & FLEISSIG LLP on January 7, 2025

Notice is hereby given that a license, serial #NA-0340-25104117 for beer, wine & liquor has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer, wine & liquor at retail in a restaurant under the ABC Law at 1 Wall Street Ct., New York, NY 10005 for on-premises consumption; Continental Sports Lounge Inc.

COLON & PARTNERS PLLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/04/2025. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 250 Park Ave 7th Fl, New York, NY. 10177. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Jocelynn Cheng Acupuncture PLLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 1/24/2025. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 26 E 93rd St, Apt 7AB, New York, NY 10128. Purpose: Any lawful act.

This is to announce that the next meeting of the Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy I Charter School Board of Trustees will occur in person on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 4:30 PM. The meeting will be held at 245 West 129th St., NY, NY.

Notice of Qualification of CARLTON HILL GROUP LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/03/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 01/22/25. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 1460 Broadway, NY, NY 10036. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Michelle Becker Rubino Interiors LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/10/2018 Office location: Albany County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 230 Central Park West Apt 9J , New York, NY 10024 Purpose: Any lawful act.

195 HELP WANTED

195 HELP WANTED

Ventrop Engineering Consulting Group is looking for a Senior Mechanical Engineer with strong project management skills in design and construction of HVAC systems; can draft and supervise field engineering reports implementation; proficient in energy analysis; LEED AP Certified; experienced with High-Rise Residential Condos, Hotels, Retail Chains, Museums and Institutions and Health Care Facilities; new and retrofit projects; Proficient in AutoCAD R-14, Autodesk Building systems, Ansys v.10, Pro/Engineer, MatLab, MathCAD, Elite Software Cooling and Heating load, Mech-Q, Trane Trace700, cooling and heating la, Carrier HAP 4.9/5.1, HVAC Solutions, Autodesk Revit; Masters Degree; 1015 years experience. Email resumes to Recruiting.ventrop@gmail.com.

After a deflating majority draw, what’s next for lightweight champ Gervonta Davis?

By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews

WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis’ status as arguably one of the best pound-forpound fighters in the world is now in question.

Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs), retained his title after a gripping 114-114, 114-114, 115-113 majority draw against WBA Super Featherweight champion Lamont Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs) Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Compubox stats show Roach was the more aggressive fighter, throwing 400 punches to 279 for Davis, but Davis was far more accurate, landing 103 punches (37%) to Roach’s 112 ( 28%.).

Although one of the three judges believed Davis did enough to win, two did not, leading to the majority draw. Round 9 was the difference, as it was when a bizarre and defining moment of the fight occurred. During the round, after taking several stinging blows from the 29-year-old Roach, a native of Washington, D.C., Davis suddenly and momentarily dropped to one knee.

By the letter of the rule, it should have been called a knockdown by referee Steve Mills, resulting in a 10-8 round for Roach instead of 10-9, which would have given him a one-point edge on the two even scorecards.

“I just got my hair done two days ago, and she put grease in my (hair) So, the grease, when you sweat, it was coming into my face,” Davis explained as the reason he dipped to the canvas.

The 30-year-old Baltimore native also complained about the lack of ring card girls, claiming he did not know what round the fight was in.

“If he takes a knee and the ref starts counting,

it should be a knockdown,” said Roach. “If it’s a knockdown, I win the fight.”

The New York State Athletic Commission, in a statement to ESPN, said a technical issue

prevented it from reviewing video of the controversial incident “within the allotted time for review” to make a correction.

It is just the latest in a long history of Davis not taking his professional boxing career as seriously as he should.

Before his fight against Francisco Fonseca nearly eight years ago, which was the co-main event to Floyd Mayweather versus Conor McGregor — the second-highest-grossing fight card — Davis missed the grand arrivals during fight week, something he repeated during last year’s clash against Frank Martin as the headliner of the fight card. Davis also did not make weight against Fonseca. He has also experienced legal issues, including being incarcerated for 44 days in 2023 after violating terms of house arrest, and was sentenced to three years probation in May 2023.

Davis is a highly talented boxer with unprecedented punching power for his height (5-5 1/2) and weight (135 pounds). Now, after recently discussing the possibility of retiring, Davis, nicknamed “Tank,” needs to decide if he is willing to put the work into his career inside and outside of the ring to remain not only an undefeated champion but one of the biggest names in the sport.

Though he hinted that another fight would take place before a rematch with Roach, Davis needs an immediate rematch and a dominant victory over Roach to remain perhaps the most popular American boxer in the world.

Elizabeth Williams readies for the WNBA after a solid Athletes Unlimited season

By LOIS ELFMAN

Special to the AmNews

With a sixth-place overall finish and being named to the All-Defensive Team for Athletes Unlimited (AU), Elizabeth Williams has demonstrated that she’s back in playing shape after suffering a knee injury during the 2024 WNBA season. She expects to return to the Chicago Sky.

“I really wanted to stay stateside this off-season, especially coming off an injury. I thought it was important to have easy access to physical therapists and be able to call the Chicago staff and also my PTs (physical therapists) from Washington, D.C., where I did all my rehab,” said Williams, who has played overseas consistently since joining the WNBA in 2015. “I also knew this is a very competitive league,” she said. “A lot of the players that came into the league this year are pros with a lot of experience. I had pretty high expectations.”

The fourth AU season wrapped up on Sunday with forward Maddy Siegrist crowned the 2025 AU Pro Basketball Champion. The four-week season took place in Nashville, and it was announced that the professional league will return to Music City again next year. AU has a unique format where players receive individual points for various aspects of

their games. Odyssey Sims placed second, Crystal Bradford third and Maya Caldwell fourth. Teams change each week.

“It’s been pretty cool with the concept of the captains and having the facilitators who coach as much or as little as you want,” said Williams. “I was a captain in the scrimmage week. It was a balance of talking to my facilitator about what I wanted practice to look like, and then she would lay out a plan. Ultimately, we kind of tag-teamed.”

Williams noted that the AU format pushed players to be versatile and open minded. She enjoyed connecting with a broad range of players, some of whom are aspiring to make a WNBA roster and others to return to the league.

Ten years after graduating from Duke University and being a first-round pick in the WNBA Draft, Williams is somewhat surprised that she’s still playing. She’s balanced playing with being strongly social justice activism and recently finished a master’s degree in global health, as well. “I found a lot of value in basketball and in passions off the court,” said Williams. “I’ve grown in a lot of ways in finding my voice — advocating, being a good teammate, competing and winning.

I don’t know if I could have ever predicted that my career would look like this, but I’m definitely not mad at it.”

Lamont Roach (right) lands a left hand to the face of Gervonta Davis in their WBA lightweight championship bout at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Saturday night. (Esther Lin & Ryan Hafey Premier Boxing Champions photo)

Elizabeth Williams was named to the Athletes Unlimited All-Defensive team (Jade Hewitt/ Athletes Unlimited photo)

The miracle of St. John’s continues as men’s hoops moves up to No. 6

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sport Editor

Call it what you will. A miracle. The process. The remarkable ability of Rick Pitino to build college basketball programs. Each would be an apt characterization of St. John’s and their men’s basketball team. After essentially being a middling and idling operation for the better part of the two decades, failing to make it past the second round of the NCAA tournament since 1999 in only five appearances, the Red Storm have become a tsunami this season. They are 26-4 and play their final regular season game Saturday against Marquette on the road, assured their first bid to the field of 68 since 2019. How they achieved the dramatic turnaround is only part of a story that still has many more scenes to be written. Consider their current status as a screenplay draft and far from the finished movie. The No. 6-ranked men’s team in Division I and the Big East Conference’s regular season champion has been a vessel that has transported enthusiasm of New York City sports fans from their Jamaica, Queens, campus across the five boroughs. In only the second season of the Pitino era, the Red Storm are once again packing Madison Square Garden, reminiscent of the early to mid 1980s. While this iteration of players, with the exception of Brooklyn native Kadary Richmond, are not homegrown ballers as were St. John’s

holds up the Big East Conference regular season championship trophy as

icons Chris Mullin, Walter Berry, Mark Jackson, Kevin Williams, Mike Moses, and others that grew up on the blacktops of the city, they have endeared themselves to followers and supporters of the team just the same. Now some of the names are RJ Luis Jr. from Miami, Florida; Zuby Ejiofor from Garland, Texas; Simeon Wilcher from Plainfield, New Jersey; and Deivon Smith from Decatur, Georgia.

Although the Red Storm’s head coach, Rick Pitino, doesn’t have deep roots planted at the university as did the great Lou Carnesecca — a St. John’s grad who was on the bench first as an assistant (1958-65) and then two separate stints as the head coach (1965-70, 1973-72) — the New York City-born and Bayville, Long Island-raised University of Massachusetts alumnus carries the spirit of Little Louie, who passed away at the age of 99 last November.

After defeating Seton Hall 71-61 at the Garden on Saturday to clinch the program’s first Big East regular season title since the 1985 Carnesecca-led squad, the 72-year-old Pitino, a 2013 inductee, paid tribute to his fellow (1992) Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame member.

“Lou means a lot to a lot of people,” he said. “I coached against him. He was the gentleman of gentlemen, a fierce competitor, [and a] great basketball coach, so, we’re real proud of the fact that in the year that he passed, because he led a great life, we can honor him with this championship.”

Hostos earns a return trip to the NJCAA Women’s Basketball Championship

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

Never underestimate a group of young women who believe in themselves and their abilities. After winning the CUNY Community College Basketball Championship, Hostos Community College women’s basketball defeated Monroe University-Bronx 64–60 last Saturday in the NJCAA Region XV Tournament. That win sends the 26-1 Caimans to the NJCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championship that takes place in Rochester, Minnesota, next week. Hostos won the national title in 2018 and 2019 and this team is hungry to match that success. “Monroe played a well structured game and they came at us hard in the beginning,” said shooting guard Shelby McGill. “The whole game was a tough battle because we knew what we were up against and they knew what they were up against, but we had a bigger heart. We were under a lot of pressure, but we knew that we were going to pull through in the end.” McGill said their heart comes from believing in and trusting each other. “We don’t fold under pressure,” she said. “We stay composed and that’s what helped us pull through.”

Small forward Daja White led the offense in the win over Monroe with 20 points, six rebounds, and six steals. “This win means a lot; it meant more because before the game Coach [Dwight] Shaw expressed to us that he never won the regionals, so I wanted us to be the first to get him there. It was a lot of emotion throughout the game but I’m really happy to pull it off,” said White.

All the players are competitive and also appreciate the camaraderie of the team. That team aspect carries into power forward Jozai Vazquez’s career plans and her hopes to join the New York City Fire Department. Vazquez’s path to this moment has had its challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic derailed her first attempt at college basketball. Now 24, being with Hostos on a winning team gives her immense pride.

“We work together; we communicate with each other and grow a bond,” said Vazquez, who played her high school basketball at Murry Bergtraum. “Basketball is only going to make fire fighting easier for me. I’m coachable, teachable, I listen and I’m most definitely up for new things. I’m going to finish school first and then hopefully get the call.” When they get to Minnesota the goal is clear. “We’re looking to take it all,” said McGill.

St. John’s forward Zuby Ejiofor

he celebrates with his teammates and head coach Rick Pitino (white suit) last Saturday at Madison Square Garden. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Sophomore post player Jozai Vasquez is a key member of Hostos’ 26-1 squad. (Photos courtesy of Hostos Community College)

Sophomore forward Daja White scored 20 points in the win over Monroe that clinched the team’s postseason bid.

Brooklyn College women’s basketball dynasty earns CUNY championship five-peat

By LOIS ELFMAN

Special to the AmNews

It was a tight, intense and physical game as third-seeded Brooklyn College defeated topseeded Hunter College 59–54 to win the Bulldogs’ fifth consecutive City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNY AC) title and a return trip to the Division III NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. They did it on their opponent’s home turf, the Hunter Sportsplex. Former Bulldogs head coach Alex Lang, now associate director of athletics, enjoyed the action with his sons from the bleachers,

but was still fully invested in the outcome.

“Obviously, I take a lot of pride in watching them,” Lang said.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better effort,” said Brooklyn head coach Megan Campbell.

“We had a lot of setbacks this season due to injury, but we showed up when it really mattered … Alex really helped establish an amazing program. It’s something I was a part of (as an assistant coach). Taking over as the head coach was a lot of pressure, but I’m just glad I’m making everybody proud.”

MVP Dior Dorsey contributed 15 points, eight rebounds and four steals. Her mother

was in the stands cheering throughout the game. That support is a great motivator. What sustained her momentum throughout the close game was the confidence she had in her team.

“I know my strongest suit is my defensive ability, so if I see a ball on the floor, I’m diving on it,” said Dorsey, a junior guard. “We faced a lot of adversity earlier in the season, but I never had a doubt in my mind. With my team behind me, we can do anything … Even when I feel like I don’t have enough to give, I see everybody else working and it makes me want to keep giving.”

This championship game was deeply emotional for Brooklyn’s starting point guard, graduate student Alina Estrella, who has already begun her career as a social studies teacher at her alma mater, James Madison High School. This win meant her competitive basketball playing days aren’t over yet.

“When I was on the line for the National Anthem, I just kept thinking about my whole basketball career; I’ve been playing since I was in second grade,” said Estrella. “I knew I was going to bring my team to the championship and I know all my teammates thought that too.”

Sports and society intersect in Black women’s history-making achievements

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

When Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts stepped onto the field for Super Bowl LVII (57) on February 12, 2023, he became part of women’s history, specifically Black women’s history, as the first Super Bowl player to be represented by a Black woman. But his agent, Nicole Lynn, had already been a trailblazer.

The president of football operations at Klutch Sports Group who holds a law degree from the University of Oklahoma and is member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, in 2019, Lynn became the first Black woman to represent a top-three NFL Draft pick when the Jets selected Quinnen Williams at No. 3.

The 36-year-old former Wall Street financial analyst and intern for the National Football League Players Association, is a thread in the lineage of Ursula Burns, the first Black woman to serve as CEO of Fortune 500 company, leading Xerox from 2009-16; Dr. Dorothy Lavinia Brown, the recognized as the first Black female surgeon in the United States; and Dr. Mae Jemison, an astronaut who is first Black woman to travel into space.

With Women’s History Month 2025 in its first week, Black women are perpetual history makers in a white patriarchal society, defy-

ing odds and dismantling structural norms in industries that have portrayed them as physically and intellectually inferior, lacking the fundamental and requisite necessities to scale to the the peak of their chosen professions.

In a story by Paris Beach published last month on rollingout.com, Lynn spoke about the male-dominated sports agency business.

“When I walked into this industry, I was navigating a male-dominated space that really didn’t want women,” she said. “I had to constantly prove that I belonged in the room. There are times when you feel like you don’t belong, like you need to shrink yourself.

“But I’ve learned that the only way to truly claim your space is to be intentional about making your voice heard. I make sure that I have a vote, that my presence is felt.”

That is the journey of many Black women. But their indomitable will always ends up superseding doubt and barriers. The words of Althea Gibson — the first African American to win a tennis Grand Slam title with her 1956 victory at the French Open — spoken decades ago, remain resonant.

“The loser is always a part of the problem. The winner is always a part of the answer. The loser always has an excuse. The winner always has a program. The loser says it may be possible, but it’s difficult. The winner says it may be difficult, but it’s possible.”

Nicole Lynn, the agent for Philadelphia Eagle quarterback Jalen Hurts (left), is the first Black woman to represent a Super Bowl player as the president of football operations for Klutch Sports Group. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke photo)

The Brooklyn College Bulldogs celebrate their fifth consecutive CUNY AC title. (Lois Elfman photo)

Sports

The Knicks look to chart a positive course for a five-game trip out West

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau wore a look of weariness as he sat at the podium in the press room at Madison Square Garden late Tuesday night.

Minutes prior to his arrival, Thibodeau’s team had just faded in the final 6:30 of the fourth quarter to lose to the Golden State Warriors 114-102. Down only 94-93 near the midpoint of the period, they were outscored 12-0 by the time the huge scoreboard hovering over the court read 2:39 to fall behind by 105-93. Ultimately, the Knicks’ chances to leave the building with a win were scuttled by a roughly four minute offensive drought.

The defeat was a contrast to the 40-21 Knicks’ two prior games, which were hard-earned, uplifting road wins — first over the Memphis Grizzlies last Friday (114-113) followed by a 116-112 overtime victory against the Miami Heat on Sunday. With his team starting a

five-game, seven-day road trip tonight, beginning with the Los Angeles Lakers, Thibodeau refrained from looking too far ahead; the mental preparation for the next game would come later as his thoughts were solely on what went wrong in succumbing to the Warriors, powered by guard Stephen Curry’s team-high 28 points.

“Yeah, to start, we were low energy coming out to start the 3rd quarter, so they made up that ground real fast,” he said, referencing the Knicks’ 55-47 halftime lead, which increased to 12 points before the Warriors went up 64-62 in less than five minutes.

“Then we fought back and went back and forth and then, a couple of mental errors and left wide-open three-point shooters against a team that’s good. You just can’t do that, particularly when you’re shorthanded, you know, we can’t throw possessions away.”

The Knicks played without AllStar center Karl-Anthony Towns, who missed the game due to per-

sonal reasons. His absence was particularly felt late. With the Warriors defense blitzing point guard Jalen Brunson, who ended the evening with 25 points, forcing the ball out of his hands, forward OG Anunoby, the Knicks’ leading scorer on the night with 29, was the only other player generating offense.

Now the charge for the Knicks is to chart a positive course out west and maintain their third-place standing in the Eastern Conference. They were 4 1/2 games ahead of the No. 4 seed Milwaukee Bucks when the NBA schedule began last night with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics holding the top two spots, respectively.

Knicks guard Deuce McBride offered the prescriptions for success over the next week.

“Just to really be banded together a lot more,” he said on Tuesday. “I feel like we’ve been a great road team all year… just our preparations coming into a game knowing our opponent better than they know themselves. So, I feel like for us we just have to

Knicks forwards Mikal Bridges (left) and Precious Achiuwa try to slow down Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night in a 114102 New York loss. (Jamir Dickens/Fence Boy Media photo)

stick together and stay focused.”

The Knicks will face the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, the Sacramento Kings on Monday, the Portland Trailblazers next Wednesday, and conclude the stretch with a rematch against the Warriors on March 15.

Nets’ lineup remains fluid as they try to stay in the play-in race

By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews

The Nets’ outlook to make the NBA’s play-in tournament becomes less favorable with each loss. Before hosting the Golden State Warriors at the Barclays Center tonight, they went into their road game versus the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday 21-39, the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference and 2 1/2 games behind the Chicago Bulls, which were 24-37.

Brooklyn has been spiraling, losing four straight and five of their last six games prior to facing the Spurs. Injuries and trades have been a major factor to the Nets not winning more games this season. The return of guard Cam Thomas may help reverse that trend with only 21 games remaining on their regular season schedule.

Thomas, just 23 and arguably the team’s best scorer, is a restricted free agent at the end of the season. Brooklyn took a risk by not

locking up Thomas last season, as he was their leading scorer at 22.5 points, playing in 66 of the 82 regular-season games. The risk was

warranted, as his inability to stay healthy has decreased his value, and he will end this season playing less than half of the team’s

games. He had logged only 20 going into San Antonio.

Thomas returned against the Portland Trailblazers last Friday having been out since Jan. 2 — 57 days in total due to a strained hamstring. It was only his second game of the calendar year, as he scored 16 points in a 121-102 loss at home.

Before the injury, Thomas, drafted by the team in the first round (27th overall) in 2021 out of LSU, topped the Nets at 24.5 points per game.

“Decent first game back, obviously missed some shots that I normally make when I’m in rhythm and playing, but it’s just the nature of being off for a while and coming back and playing your first game, so the shots I’m not really worried about, that’s going to come,” Thomas said after the game versus Portland.

Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez said Thomas is a work in progress.

“He got up 17 shots in

21 minutes, so he got open, that’s what he does,” said Fernandez. “He still needs to keep playing to get his conditioning and get more minutes.”

At this point, Thomas will not play back-to-back games. In his absence, players such as 6-5 guard Keon Johnson, who is only 22, has been afforded extensive floor time. Johnson had played in 58 games heading into San Antonio with 37 starts and was averaging 10 points and 3.6 rebounds in 23.8 minutes.

Following the Warriors, the Nets will play the Hornets in Charlotte on Saturday, meet the Los Angeles Lakers at the Barclays Center on Monday, then play the Cavaliers in Cleveland next Tuesday.

Nets guard Keon Johnson has taken advantage of the playing time given to him by the team’s head coach Jordi Fernandez. (Bill Moore photo)