INNER-CITY NEWS

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - January 01, 2020 - January 07, 2020 INNER-CITY NEWS July 27, 2016 - August 02, 2016

Trump SignsJustice Future Act Help HBCUs, Institutions Financial a to Key Focus atMinority-Serving 2016 NAACP Convention New Haven, Bridgeport

INNER-CITYNEWS

Volume 27 . No. 2366 Volume 21 No. 2194

Inauguration Promises

“DMC”

Malloy Dems: Malloy To To Dems: Low-Frills “Change”

Ignore Ignore“Tough “ToughOn OnCrime” Crime”

Surrounded by his parents, his wife Natalie Elicker, and his daughters, Elicker takes the oath of office administered by U.S. District Court Judge Victor Bolden, a former city corporation counsel.

Urban League Color Struck?

SnowAfrochella in July?

Is The

Rekindles Leaders’ Commitments to Improve Public Schools

African Festival Everyone is Talking About

FOLLOW US ON 1

1

THE INNER-CITY NEWS -

January 01, 2020 - January 07, 2020

36 Youth Portraits Light Up Dixwell

by MAYA MCFADDEN New Haven I ndependent

As darkness fell, three nine-foot tall towers lit up with the faces of 36 young people at the traffic-triangle intersection of Dixwell Avenue and Munson and Orchard Streets.

Nearly 50 people gathered to watch that happen Monday, at the unveiling of the city’s latest “iMatter” installation featuring banners with larger-than-life photos of young people from New Haven.

Previous installations have displayed the portraits on downtown and Dixwell buildings and inside City Hall.

Project Manager Bo Sandine said the point is to channel the city’s hopes and dreams of educated and confident youth.

The towers will be another “unique feature of New Haven,” Mayor Toni Harp said at the unveiling.

Photographer Rob Goldman announced that the next phase for the multimedia project will be to allow the world to listen to interviews with youth.

“Power to the young people,” he said.

Sahara Buonome-Scott, 18, graduated from Wilbur Cross this past year. She looked up at her illuminated picture and called the experience surreal.

In her portrait, Buonome-Scott wears a T-shirt with the face of her older brother, Jericho Scott, who was gunned down in 2015 on Exchange Street.

“I want to bring positivity around his name,” said Buonome-Scott.

Since her brother’s passing, BuonomeScott and her family have become prominent advocates against gun violence.

“It really makes you think about the next generation’s impact,” Buonome-Scott said.

Many of the featured teens and young adults agreed that their participation in the project helped to build their selfconfidence. Nina Silva, co-chair of the Dixwell Community Management Team, said she hopes the display helps to make the struggles of youth more understood and normalized.

The project’s displays “Identified, described, and demystified” youth and their struggles, said Harp.

“This is what inclusion looks like,” said Silva, mother of Isaiah Bussey, 19, who was born with Down syndrome.

“It feels nice. It feels fire,” said Bussey about his second portrait to be displayed in the ongoing project. A banner of Bussey’s portrait is also displayed on the vacant former C-Town Supermarket building.

Once Bussey began participating in the project, Silva said, she saw a huge spark in his confidence. He even started a YouTube channel of his own, where he showcases his talents and everyday life.

Silva was proud that her son was chosen to represent New Haven youth. “It will hopefully create a newfound respect for those with disabilities and discourage

Ganim apologizes to legislator who claimed profiling by police

By Tara O’Neill and Brian Lockhart

MAYA MCFADDEN PHOTO “iMatter” families alongside new nine-foot towers.

Mayor Toni Harp celebrates her last official day in office with the Dixwell community.

Featured youth and their families join the creators for a ribbon cutting.

bullying,” she said.

This phase of the project was funded by The City of New Haven’s Livable City Initiative (LCI). The initial photography and production of 12 banners was funded by the City of New Haven’s Youth Services Department.

“It helps people know that New Haven kids are smart and that New Haven is not all about violence,” said Cortez LeGrant,

15, whose portrait is also featured on the display.

The display features a portrait and personal statement from Syra Barrett, 13.

Barrett chose the statement for her banner — “I am one in eight billion” — to voice that everyone is unique.

“When I look at it,” Barrett said, “I hope that people will see that I matter.”

2

BRIDGEPORT Democratic State Rep. Chris Rosario, a prominent local politician and past head of the legislature’s Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, alleged he was profiled by a city police officer while attending a friend’s funeral Wednesday night.

Rosario was told he was driving a vehicle with a stolen license plate, even though the plate clearly states “Deputy Speaker” — a legislative title — and provides his district number, 128.

“In my heart of hearts I feel 110 percent I got profiled,” Rosario told Hearst Connecticut Media in an interview Thursday.

In a YouTube video released late Thursday afternoon, the mayor apologized to the legislator.

Bridgeport city officials on Thursday said the main officer involved — Robert Franco, who joined the force in April 2017 — appeared to have acted appropriately.

But, they said, Franco and Bridgeport’s emergency dispatch center were provided inaccurate license plate data by another town’s police department.

“It’s unfortunate Rep. Rosario is a victim of a technical error and had to deal with this situation (while) already upset and trying to pay his respects to the loss of a family friend,” said Rowena White, Mayor Joe Ganim’s communications director.

And the mis-categorized plate still did not explain why Franco targeted him in the first place, Rosario said.

“Why was my vehicle considered suspicious?” Rosario, who is considering filing a formal complaint with the police department, said. “It’s a black vehicle with a Hispanic man driving. I don’t fit the profile of a deputy (legislative) speaker?”

In the YouTube video shared by the city, Ganim was joined by Rosario, Police Chief Armando Perez and Capt. Lonnie Blackwell — who oversees the East Side. The four met to discuss what happened and what they felt could have been handled more appropriately by Franco, officials said.

The mayor said in the video that the department would investigate why the officer’s body camera wasn’t initially turned on, the reason for the stop and how the officer conducted himself. Ganim’s said he personally felt the officer’s conduct was “inappropriate.”

Ganim then apologized to Rosario for what happened to him.

Rosario, in the video, thanked the department and the mayor for taking “swift action.” He said he is confident the chief and other officials will ensure it doesn’t happen again.

The city also released body camera footage of the incident.

White, during an interview Thursday morning that included Perez and Scott Appleby, Bridgeport’s head of emergency management, said per police department policy “if a plate looks suspicious for some reason or a vehicle looks suspicious, we’re going to check the plate.”

State Rep. Christopher Rosario speaks during a press conference at the Morton Government Center, in Bridgeport, Conn. Aug. 22, 2019.

In his incident report, Franco indicated that he “conducted an inquiry of the plate of the vehicle in front of me.” Later on in his report, Franco said after the plate came back as stolen, he called out “the suspicious vehicle” as he followed it into a parking lot.

Rosario said he and his wife had just parked his truck in the lot of an East Side funeral home Funeraria Luz de Paz for services for “a good, dear friend,” John Romero, who died last week.

But as the couple were walking toward the funeral home, Rosario said he noticed a police cruiser and an officer Franco told him to “hang tight” because his plates were reported stolen out of Meriden.

Rosario works full time for the Shelton police department and believed the officer had mistakenly looked up the wrong plate.

But he also wondered what sparked Franco’s curiosity.

“I wasn’t speeding. I wasn’t doing anything,” Rosario said. “What possessed you to just randomly check my plates after I was parked inside a parking lot?” He added his truck is properly registered and insured.

Appleby said Franco and the city’s emergency dispatch center looked up the correct plate number “128” and confirmed with Meriden it was listed as stolen from a construction site in that town.

But further research found a mix-up. The stolen vehicle — a Dodge pickup — did not match Rosario’s GMC sport utility vehicle. And, Appleby said Thursday, the stolen plate was mistakenly categorized as an “other” license plate, a category which covers specialized plates like Rosario’s legislative one, when in fact it was a “combination” plate applied to work trucks.

“The whole reason why this got to this point is because of a mistake on the Meriden police,” White added. “It was definitely a human error.”

A spokesman with the Meriden police could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday.

Rosario said he offered Franco multiple pieces of identification to try to quickly clear things up and avoid a scene, including his vehicle registration and driver’s license, his government-issued state identification, his legislative identification, his state rep-

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - January 01, 2020 - January 07, 2020

Inauguration Promises Low-Frills “Change”

by PAUL BASS

New Haven I ndependent

Justin Elicker took the oath of office Wednesday as New Haven’s 51st mayor with an inauguration and with symbolic gestures promising an era of change.

It was left to the event’s participants to fill in the blanks about what “change” will mean.

Over 500 people filled Hillhouse High School’s auditorium for the noon event to watch Elicker, City/Town Clerk Michael Smart, Board of Education President Darnell Goldson and the 30 members of the Board of Alders get sworn in for two-year terms.

Like previous inaugurations, this one was choreographed to represent New Haven’s diversity. African-American and Latina Christian ministers, a rabbi and an imam all offered prayers. Latino third-and-fourth graders from Fair Haven School sang, as did Varick AME Zion’s African-American choir.

From the start, the event also highlighted the theme the 44-year-old Elicker promoted in his mayoral campaign: generational and governmental change. He promised new faces, new approaches to old problems, a new emphasis on tighter controls over spending.

Along those lines, Elicker has scheduled an informal City Hall open house instead of a formal mayoral ball. And he has done away with paying cops to drive around the mayor.

For Wednesday’s inauguration, Elicker chose members of the next generation

— two New Haven Academy students, Natalie Semmel and Sebastian Ward — to serve as the event’s emcees.

Jordan Watson set the mood and made the theme overt by singing Sam Cooke’s 1963 civil rights anthem, “A Change Is Gonna Come” (a highlight of the day).

“Change can be hard,” but it’s necessary, Judge Robin Wilson (at right in photo) said before swearing in the new Board of Alders.

In a speech after his own oath of office, school board prez Goldson (pictured taking the oath from retired state Supreme Court Justice Lubbie Harper) called for a change in how New Haven addresses public education.

From this day on he will not participate in debates over New Haven’s “failure” to balance a school budget, Goldson declared.

“We must transform the debate,” he said. The schools in New Haven suffer from budget underfunding, not a budget deficit, he argued. He cited three school systems regularly cited for “success”— in wealthy Darien, Weston and New Canaan. He argued that those wealthy communities spend more on education than New Haven can because of a state system that punishes cities that have taxexempt property, which in New Haven accounts for 56 percent of all property.

That means more students in each classroom, fewer AP classes, and inferior supplies and teaching tools. Goldson called for pressing the state to fund urban education better.

Elicker delivers inaugural address. Event emcees Natalie Semmel and Sebastian Ward of New Haven Academy and Ward 1 Alder Eli Sabin (between them) look on.

Similarly, he argued, New Haven student’s don’t face an “achievement gap.”

They have an “opportunity gap.”

In his inaugural address, Elicker noted that New Haven has always undergone change in its history. New people always course in and out. It’s up to the city’s people to work together to ensure that change benefits everyone, he said.

“Newcomers have a place” in working toward that change, he said, noting that both he and his mayoral predecessor moved to New Haven after growing up

elsewhere.

Right now New Haven is seeing change in terms of population growth, Elicker said: 3,000 new residents over the past few years; 1,000 new housing units built since 2014, with another 4,000 in the pipeline. “We must lean into this wave and create an environment that encourages growth ... that benefits every single person in this community.”

To that end, he promised to work with others in the city to promote more truly affordable and safe housing, while

holding “bad landlords” accountable; train and direct New Haveners for new medical, bioscience, digital health, tech, advanced manufacturing, and construction jobs; boost early-childhood education along with after-school and summer youth programs; and tackle violent crime along with “dangerous drivers.”

Elicker’s administration announced other initial steps to send a low-frills, closer-to-the-people message.

It invited the public to a “casual attire” open house at City Hall from 2-5 p.m.

Sunday — instead of hosting the customary black-tie mayoral ball. Orchid Cafe and Gateway Community College students will provide refreshments; High School in the Community’s jazz ensemble will supply the tunes.

“I wanted to set the tone by not having some fancy event, but opening City Hall so people can meet each other and feel welcome,” Elicker said Wednesday.

Similarly, he plans to ride his bike to work Thursday for his first day in the office. He said he has decided not to continue having the city pay cops to drive the mayor. Instead, he plans to drive himself or accompany staff members driving to events. He said he plans to use one of the two electric vehicles in the city fleet.

“It’s an unnecessary expense,” he said of having cops drive the mayor. And “it sends the wrong message. It sends the message that I’m special. I don’t need security to go into neighborhoods of New Haven.”

MAYOR HARP, NHFPL BOARD NAME JOHN JESSEN NEXT CITY LIBRARIAN

New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp and members of the Board of Directors of the New Haven Free Public Library (NHFPL) have selected John Jessen, MLS, to lead the city’s library system and operations as the next City Librarian.

Jessen lives in New Haven and is the first person promoted from within the Library staff to its top job since Lindsey Brown in 1929.

The Library Board voted his appointment this month following a national search. Jessen has been Deputy Director of the NHFPL since 2017 and has served as acting director following Martha Brogan’s retirement October 31. His appointment is effective today, December 23, 2019.

“It gives me great pleasure to know NHFPL patrons will be the beneficiaries of continuity in library operations and services – that John Jessen will advance the momentum that has characterized the library system’s administration these past many years,” Mayor Harp said.

“New Haven’s public library system has seamlessly adapted to the technology re-

John Jessen

quired of 21st century libraries and the evolving role they now play in the lives of city residents.”

Jessen came to New Haven in 2003, after more than a decade of professional

work in publishing and bookselling in New York City and elsewhere. He earned a Master in Library Science degree from Southern Connecticut State University in 2008, and began his work with the NHFPL in 2004. Early in his New Haven library career, Jessen organized the Writers Live! Program, an author reading series, and other programming for adults and for children. From 2007 to 2012 he was an outreach specialist for the library, working with a wide range of community partners in the public schools, citywide civic organizations, and neighborhood groups.

Jessen served as the head of the Courtland Seymour Wilson Branch of the public library from 2012 to 2017. As Deputy Director since 2017, his work has included supervision of many library locations and departments and leading special projects, such as the collections for Ives Squared in the main library downtown and preparation for the opening day collections at the new Stetson Library. He has also been responsible for selecting, training, supervising, and evaluating li-

3

brary personnel.

“It’s an incredible honor to be named City Librarian. I wake up every day knowing I have this amazing staff committed to welcoming and assisting the enormously diverse people of New Haven as well as those who visit our city,” Jessen said. “I’m so excited to lead the New Haven Free Public Library as it grows into an even more central hub of culture and community, a place where people naturally gather to be part of something bigger, and where we dissolve the boundaries between and within various institutions and communities.”

“It is important that we have a City Librarian who can lead the organization in a way that will continue to build on a history of accomplishments and dedicated service to our diverse community,” said Shana N. Schneider, president of the Board of Directors of the NHFPL. “We see our designation as an award winner of the 2019 National Medal for Museum and Library Service as a springboard for John and the NHFPL team to keep the Library’s evolution going into this new

decade and beyond.”

Schneider noted that the feedback the Search Committee received from library staff as part of its due diligence was consistently and enthusiastically positive. “The library’s staff members are its greatest asset, and developing and supporting their talent is a key objective for the new city librarian,” she said. “It’s clear they respect him and trust his leadership. Among the comments we heard were, ‘He understands and respects the diversity of New Haven;’ ‘John has been an incredible mentor;’ ‘he understands all the components of this system’ and has ‘an innovative vision for the future of NHFPL and a passion for the job.’”

Jessen earned his bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. As a New Haven resident since 2003, he has been actively involved in the community beyond his professional work in the library, including volunteering with groups such as LEAP and New Haven Reads and service on the board of Common Ground High School.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS -

January 01, 2020 - January 07, 2020

Kim Weston Dances Into 2020 Lucy Gellman, Editor, The Arts Paper

Stand at the threshold of Kim Weston’s studio, and you’ll notice that every square inch of space is occupied. On a large table, squat jars of paint are arranged neatly, a rainbow of color waiting to be unleashed. Printouts and photos surround her desk, a workspace by the window. Large photographs beckon from all walls: long exposures that look as if they are giving off sparks and rolling out bolts of dark satin. Only when one steps closer does that blue come across as the New England sky.

Weston, a photographer who has worked in Erector Square since 2014, is heading into 2020 with new work, new exhibitions, and a new teaching position at the Educational Center for the Arts. In a recent studio visit that spanned personal history to her current work, she spoke about how she’s gotten there and what she wants to do next.

“I’d like to do more for the community here in New Haven,” she said. “This is my home now, and I’m raising my kids here, and there’s not a lot for them to go to.”

Weston was born in Philadelphia, and had a grounding in art from the very beginning. As a young kid, she remembered watching her dad design cakes in the sugared, warm air of a local bakery.

After her parents split, she spent years traveling between New York City and South Carolina, where her grandparents lived with her aunts and uncles. Her family members were sharecroppers, and she spent summers in their tobacco field, removing the secondary stems on the plants in a process known as suckering.

From them, she started learning bits and pieces of a history of erasure. Family members recounted walking away from Native ancestry, “because it was easier to be considered Black.”

Those early years gave way to what she calls her first photographic memories: making mud pies with her aunt beneath the high wood beams of a barn, watching her grandmother move gracefully through the family home, eating ice cream as her payment for suckering at the end of every summer. Even then, she said, she knew she wanted to be an artist.

“It was something that I couldn’t get enough of,” she said. “Very early on, my mother said that she couldn’t keep pieces of paper around me because I would draw on everything. I knew early on that I enjoyed it.”

When Weston was a teenager, her mom enrolled her in the then-nascent Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning not far from

where they were living in Queens. Her first teacher was the portrait photographer Larry Brown, known for his photographs of Black Americans in their homes and neighborhoods. Weston was transfixed from the first moment she saw his work: she had never seen people who looked like her taking photographs of other people who looked like her.

He gave her a Canon AE-1 to try shooting on, “and that was it.” By the time she was 15, she was working in his darkroom, mastering the alchemy of chemical baths, slow exposures, and pages still dripping liquid as they dried.

“There was something very beautiful about watching an image appear before your eyes,” she said. “I guess he felt as if I was a good kid, and I was a good photographer, and he wanted to nourish that. He became a mentor to me.”

Through Brown, Weston’s artistic world cracked open. In her studies at the Center for Arts & Learning, she met and was mentored by the photographer Eugene Adams, then learned from artists-in-residence that included Lorna Simpson, Carrie Mae Weems, Elizabeth Catlett and a young Dawoud Bey. She watched as curators including MacArthur grantee Kellie Jones and Thelma Golden, who is now at the Studio Museum in Harlem, navigated the art world.

Each of them mesmerized her as they gave her one more lens through which to see her own body and her own Blackness.

“That was the most amazing thing,” she said. “All that stuff played a huge role in how I saw my community. It wasn’t all dreary, you know? I grew up during the time of crack, and so that was huge when I was a young person and the people in the community were doing a lot of drugs and the men were going to jail. It was a lot. Seeing all those artists come through … it was like the biggest thing ever.”

In the late 1980s, Weston grew her studies in photography at Cooper Union, focusing on portraits of Black men in her undergraduate work. When she wasn’t in the darkroom, she worked on installations in the school’s gallery and offices, once placing her own selfportrait among those of white men that dominated university buildings. Her background launched her into teaching and commercial photography, where she worked for the music industry and took gigs at the Harlem-based Children’s Art Carnival and Harem School of the Arts.

Then, after a divorce in the late 1990s, she moved to Philadelphia. For the first time in years, Weston put her camera down and started painting. She started to turn out abstract canvases, displaying them at craft fairs around New England.

Kim Weston at City-Wide Open Studios in 2018.

Lucy Gellman File Photo.

She reconnected with one of her sisters, through whom she met her now-wife Laura Fuller-Weston. Together, the two started going to powwows, which Fuller-Weston had grown up attending to celebrate her Seminole heritage.

For Weston, it was a revelation. While the artist is both Black and Mohawk, she had grown up hiding that second identity because she’d watched her family do the same.

“For me, what makes me Native is the ability to share the traditions,” she said.

“Standing up for the people. The same way I stood up for Black men, I want to stand up for Native people.”

Weston started bringing her camera to powwows, taking pictures of both the events themselves and everything that happened behind the scenes. As she shot, she noticed a few of what she now calls “ghostly images”—a fogged or blurring frame, or shape that she didn’t remember seeing—but thought nothing of them. She would develop them, shrug at the film, and file them away in a drawer.

And then seven years ago, her approach was rocked by the spirit world. Weston has sarcoidosis, a disease that works against the body much like lupus does.

After brain surgery in 2012, she stopped breathing in the hospital. She was, she said, medically dead. In the moments before she started breathing again, she said she can remember having visions of people standing around her bed, giving her a choice to stay with her wife or to go with them. She stayed.

“I realized that life was really short, and I wanted more,” she said. She enrolled in graduate coursework at the International Center for Photography-Bard in New York, frustrated when teachers and fellow criticized her photographs. She

4

held a major solo show there in 2014, paying tribute to the extended family that had helped raise her decades before. In it, she chronicled not only her grandmother’s dedication to her family and her home, but also the loss of family land that came at the hands of corporate farming.

Meanwhile, something about her images was still stuck. Her classmates nicknamed her the “National Geographic photographer,” which was meant as a sort of epithet. At powwows, the ghostly images kept showing up, and she kept thinking nothing of them. They were just flukes, she thought.

And then one day she decided to abandon everything she understood and try something new.

She and Fuller-Weston had brought their kids to a powwow, where she was getting ready to photograph. Behind her, a photographer asked if he could use her spot to get the image he wanted.

Weston turned around and studied him: he had the same camera that she did, and was using the same lens too. He would be getting exactly the same shot. She looked around the space, and realized that there were a lot of documentary photographers that would be getting the same shot.

“I thought, what am I doing here?” she recalled. “It inspired me to do something different.”

She started playing with the exposures, getting images that looked like the ghostly ones she had kept at home.

Bursts of color gave way to multiple faces, split and fading in the same arcs of darkness and light. Arms rose in blurs of electric white and yellow. The more she practiced, the more the images “started having more spirit to them.” For the artist, who also dances in powwows, something clicked.

“When I dance, I get to connect with the great spirit in myself, and the community around me,” she said. “I feel the earth on my feet. I hear the drum through my ears. And I feel the people in my body. And so I started shooting in a way that was different.”

Weston started shooting from the ground, channeling as much of the dancer’s spirit as she could read from a crouch or a kneel beside heartbeatlike drums. The images became the backbone of her work today, which has included installations that bridge the her Native and Black, Southern spirit worlds. A few years ago, she started adding blood-red prayer bundles meant to spread a message of tribute and memory.

Each bundle contains a small amount of tobacco, wrapped tightly in red fabric.

In the first few months of next year, she Con’t on page 08

John P. Thomas Publisher / CEO

Babz Rawls Ivy

Editor-in-Chief Liaison, Corporate Affairs Babz@penfieldcomm.com

Advertising/Sales Team Keith Jackson Delores Alleyne John Thomas, III

Editorial Team Staff Writers

Christian Lewis/Current Affairs Anthony Scott/Sports Arlene Davis-Rudd/Politics

Contributing Writers David Asbery Tanisha Asbery Jerry Craft/Cartoons Barbara Fair

Dr. Tamiko Jackson-McArthur Michelle Turner Smita Shrestha William Spivey Kam Williams Rev. Samuel T. Ross-Lee

_______________________

Contributors At-Large

Christine Stuart www.CTNewsJunkie.com Paul Bass New Haven Independent www.newhavenindependent.org

Memberships

National Association of Black Journalist National Newspapers Publishers Association Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce Greater New Haven Business & Professional Association Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc.

The Inner-City Newspaper is published weekly

by Penfield Communications, Inc. from offices located at 50 Fitch Street, 2nd Floor, New Haven, CT 06515. 203-387-0354 phone; 203-3872684 fax. Subscriptions:$260 per year (does not include sales tax for the in State subscriptions). Send name, address, zip code with payment. Postmaster, send address changes to 50 Fitch Street, New Haven, CT 06515. Display ad deadline Friday prior to insertion date at 5:00pm Advertisers are responsible for checking ads for error in publication. Penfield Communications, Inc d.b.a., “The Inner-City Newspaper” , shall not be liable for failure to publish an ad or for typographical errors or errors in publication, except to the extent of the cost of the space in which actual error appeared in the first insertion. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason and to alter advertising copy or graphics deemed unacceptable for publication. The entire contents of The Inner-City Newspaper are copyright 2012, Penfield Communications, Inc. and no portion may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the publisher.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - January 01, 2020 - January 07, 2020

5

THE INNER-CITY NEWS -

January 01, 2020 - January 07, 2020

Blumenthal: “Virus Of Hatred Is Spreading”

by PAUL BASS

New Haven I ndependent

When Richard Blumenthal was growing up, his father used to warn him about anti-Semitic violence.

His father had fled Nazi Germany in 1935 to come to the U.S. at the age of 17.

“My father always said, ‘It can happen here,’” Blumenthal recalled Wednesday.

Now, as one of Connecticut’s U.S. senators, Blumenthal finds himself confronting a surge in anti-Semitic violence.

He has sponsored a bill, called the National Opposition to Hate, Assault, and Threats to Equality (NO HATE) Act, to bolster hate-crimes reporting and joint law enforcement-community responses.

Along with fellow U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, and other elected and community leaders, Blumenthal plans to hold a press confer-

ence Thursday at the Greater New Haven Jewish Community Center at 360 Amity Rd. to announce new federal grants available to Connecticut houses of worship for security measures.

Reported anti-Semitic incidents across the country leaped from 942 in 2015 to 1,879 in 2018, according to the AntiDefamation League.

A string of almost-daily violent attacks on Jews coincided with the recently concluded eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, including the stabbing of five Jews participating in a menorah-lighting inside a rabbi’s home in Monsey, N.Y. “When I celebrated the last night of Hanukkah, I put our menorah in the window, [and] my mind went to that family whose shock and horror can only be imagined,” Blumenthal said during a

conversation at Hillhouse High School Wednesday following the inauguration of New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker.

“There’s been a surge in anti-Semitic violence — it’s indisputable — as well as against other religious minorities,” Blumenthal said.

“Racial discrimination is more common than ever …. The virus of hatred is spreading. We need to stop all of it, whoever the target is.”

He called for stepped-up enforcement of hate crimes as well as “unequivocal” communal condemnation of attacks on people based on their race or religion.

“There are not ‘good people on both sides,’” Blumenthal stated, referencing President Donald Trump’s depiction of a white supremacist’s deadly 2017 attack on civil rights protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia. “There is evil.”

Blumenthal with U.S. District Court Judge Victor Bolden before Wednesday’s New Haven mayoral inauguration.

New Mayor Pulls Up To City Hall On 2 Wheels

by ALLAN APPEL & PAUL BASS New Haven I ndependent

After escorting his daughter Molly onto her school bus early Monday morning, Mayor Justin Elicker mounted his GT Avalanche 3.0 — about a hundred years old, he quipped, but full of new replacement parts courtesy of Devils Gear Bike Shop. Then he began his first bicycle commute to his first non-ceremonial day on the job as New Haven’s 51st chief executive.

A neighbor waved to Elicker as he adjusted his helmet.

“It’s a new day,” the neighbor yelled as Elicker headed for City Hall.

Elicker biked down Orange Street from Canner picking up a volunteer entourage of two, old biking friends and Elm City Biking movers and shakers, Augustine Filomena and Rob Rocke (pictured above).

Elicker said that as an environmentalist and a believer in the high seriousness of climate change, he seeks to set an example as a bicycle commuter. He said he hopes as many of his staff as possible will use bikes or their feet or other forms of public transportation to get to work.

Setting a good pace down Orange, the mayor and his small group stayed in the bike lane — well, pretty much of the time. They also obeyed the traffic rules stopping for lights at Edwards and then at Trumbull Without being specific, Elicker said he is exploring ideas accelerating more use of non-vehicular transportation. “I want to encourage incentives,” he said.

The mayor decided not to take the shortcut at Court Street across a pedestrian plaza toward the back of City Hall. Rather he led the group all the way down to

ALLAN APPEL PHOTO

Elicker greets a fellow bike commuter on his first ride in to work.

Acting health director Roslyn Hamilton with Elicker after the meeting.

Chapel where, after waiting for the light, they turned right on Chapel Street for a long block and then north onto Church.

He cruised in for a stop at the bike rack on the south side of City Hall, where he locked up the Avalanche and headed inside.

Filomena and Rocke said that escorting the mayor was planned as a way to honor and celebrate the day.

However, they added, it was “no big deal.”

Why? Since Elicker is a longtime part of the New Haven biking community, his biking to work is really “a continuation.

It would be a big deal if he didn’t ride,” Rocke said.

Elicker was asked if he might start earlier and ride his daughter to school in Fair Haven before heading in to work.

The mayor demurred.

Frankly, he said, “I’m scared of New Haven traffic.”

Then he walked briskly into City Hall for

6

his first full day on the job. Welcome In At 9:45 a.m., after a private confab in the mayor’s office with top coordinators, Elicker convened his first staff meeting with department heads. Twenty-seven aides joined him in the second-floor City Hall public meeting rooms — along with representatives of four news outlets.

Elicker said he invited the press to send a signal that he plans to run a more open government.

(You can watch the meeting in the above video, but you’ll need to turn the volume up high; sorry.)

During the 21-minute meeting, Elicker spoke of keeping the public up to date on city government’s accomplishments, challenges, plans, and day-to-day operations like street sweeping through a weekly email newsletter. “I want people to read these emails. They shouldn’t be propaganda emails.” He encouraged (but didn’t require) department heads to attend an informal public open house at City Hall this Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m., which is taking the place of the traditional black-tie mayoral inaugural ball.

Elicker said he’ll hold a private weekly Monday 9 a.m. meetings with his top coordinators, chief of staff, corporation counsel, and press spokesman to set the week’s agenda, then make those plans public.

His mayoral transition team has completed its report on suggested changes for city government. Elicker said he’ll release the report next week, then ask department heads to analyze the recommendations that affect them with an eye for how to implement the suggestions.

Simultaneously, Elicker noted, he needs to get moving on crafting an agenda for the upcoming three-month state legisla-

tive session and on crafting a budget for the coming fiscal year.

“I need to submit a budget by March first,” he noted. “Which is not a lot of time.”

Any requests for new positions in that budget must come with projections for how new revenue would be created, he said.

At Thursday morning’s session, Elicker announced that he plans to conduct performance reviews for department heads within 90 days, a second round within six months, and a third a year out. He said he aims for “two-way conversation,” including feedback on how “we can support you more.”

In general, Elicker urged the room — which included at least three department heads with “acting” in their titles, meaning they might not still have their jobs after the conclusion of the review process — to speak candidly with him and his top coordinators. “Please do not tell me things that you think I want to hear,” he said. “One person does not have all the ideas.”

“All of you are doing good work,” Elicker said at one point. “I look forward to supporting you.”

Thursday’s session was a one-off: Elicker said he does not plan to continue opening up department head meetings to the public.

Indeed, with the media present, attendees hesitated to raise tough or critical questions that more customarily arise behind closed doors.

City Controller Daryl Jones did point out a missing element of the meeting.

“The schools are not here,” Jones noted, meaning that no attendees came from the Board of Education.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - January 01, 2020 - January 07, 2020

Find this planet’s best shows and movies with your voice.

Give your loved ones the best entertainment experience on earth: the award-winning Xfinity X1. With live TV and the best streaming apps in one place, you can enjoy all your holiday favorites effortlessly.

Plus, search it all with the magic of the X1 Voice Remote. Now that’s simple, easy, awesome.

Go to xfinity.c om, call 1-800-xfinity or visit an Xfinity Store today.

Get started with Internet, TV, Voice for

$79

99

/ month for 2 yrs.

Includes up to 200 Mbps download speed

Easily access Netflix,Prime Video and more on X1

With 2-year agreement.

Equipment, taxes and other charges extra and subj. to change.

See details below.

Offer ends 1/12/20. Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. Limited to the Standard Triple Play for new residential customers. Early termination fee applies. Equipment, taxes and fees, including Broadcast TV Fee (up to $14.95/mo.) and Regional Sports Fee (up to $8.75/mo.) extra, and subject to change during and after agreement term. After term, regular rates apply. Pricing subject to change. Actual speeds vary and not guaranteed. For factors affecting speed visit www.xfinity.com/networkmanagement. All devices must be returned when service ends. © 2020 Comcast. All rights reserved. Subscriptions required to access Netflix and Prime Video. E.T. – The Extra Terrestrial © 2020 Universal City Studios, Inc. All Rights Reserved. NPA229293-0003 NED AA Q4 HOL V6

135836_NPA229293-0003 N ET Holiday_v6_NewHaven_9.25x10.5.indd 1

7

12/5/19 4:55 PM

THE INNER-CITY NEWS -

January 01, 2020 - January 07, 2020

McCaw Projects $22.9M Budget Deficit

by Christine Stuart Ct. News Junkie

HARTFORD, CT – Even after the settlement with Connecticut’s hospitals, Gov. Ned Lamont is predicting the state will end the year with a $22.9 million budget deficit.

“While the projected shortfall represents only about 0.1 percent of the General Fund, agencies are making efforts to curtail hiring and discretionary expenditures, and the governor is prepared to exercise recission authority if necessary to mitigate against ending the year with an operating budget,” Office of Policy and Management Secretary Melissa McCaw wrote in her monthly letter to state Comptroller Kevin Lembo.

Connecticut’s Rainy Day Fund is still on track to end the year with $2.8 billion

CHRISTINE STUART / CTNEWSJUNKIE FILE PHOTO OPM Secretary Melissa McCaw

by the beginning of the next fiscal year, which is 13.9% of the general fund.

Earlier this month, before the details of the hospital agreement were released, Lembo projected that the state would end the year with a $31.6 million deficit.

The projection was higher based on a $24 million shortfall in the fringe benefits account.

“The State Employees’ Health Services account has the largest deficiency, primarily due to fewer than anticipated retirements,” Lembo wrote. “This shortfall is partly offset by a projected surplus in other fringe benefit appropriations, particularly the Alternative Retirement Program (ARP) account. In FY 2019, approximately 1,600 employees transferred out of ARP into the State Employee Retirement System (SERS) as

part of a grievance award. The decreased enrollment in ARP has resulted in lower spending.”

McCaw is also predicting a shortfall in the fringe benefit account, but not as big as the one Lembo is predicting.

McCaw is projecting a net shortfall of $18.9 million, including projected shortfalls of $35 million in the State Employees’ Health Service Cost account to reflect higher than expected claims experience and premium costs, $1.5 million in the Employers’ Social Security Tax account and $1.4 million in the state employees retirement defined contribution match account.

“Partially offsetting these shortfalls are a projected lapse of $2.5 million in the Unemployment Compensation account; Con’t on page 09

Mario Freed, Returns Home A Wilbur Cross junior rang in the new year back home with friends — hours after his release from federal detention in a case that became a cause celebre for his fellow schoolmates and for immigration-rights reformers.

A federal judge Monday granted asylum to the student, 18-year-old Mario Aguilar Castañon.

Monday night, just before 2019 ended and 2020 was rung in, he returned home to his family in New Haven.

He is pictured above with friends from school Monday night as well as with immigrant-rights organizer John Lugo (standing second from right).

Federal Immigraiton and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents had arrested Castañon more than three months ago at the Milford state courthouse where he was answering charges related to a motor vehicle accident, including driving without a license. They brought him to a federal detention facility in Boston pending a decision about whether he should be deported back to Guatemala, which he had fled out of fear of deadly gang violence.

His classmates and teachers rallied for him up in Boston and here in Connecticut, as recently as Monday afternoon.

by PAUL BASS

in Westville, had made the seitan earlier, from scratch: She buys wheat gluten in bulk from Edge of the Woods, then mixes in water along with tamari. “Back home in Israel, we call it kel-bone,” Benton said.

Benton has been eating vegan all her life, since growing up in Dimona, Israel, as part of the African Hebrew Israelite community (which has been eating animalfree for a half century). She remained vegan when she moved to the U.S. She worked post office, cleaning service, and airline gate jobs. Her dream was to start the business.

A stint along with Manning at the culinary training program at ConnCAT taught her knife skills as well as business skills.

Her fiancee put up the money for the truck, and she was in business. So far the Thursday cheesesteak is the top seller. “I first tried it in the vegan diner in New York,” Benton said. She adapted the dish with her homemade seitan recipe, liquid aminos ... .. and a splash of sriracha hot sauce ... ... which Manning applied to the sandwich along with some Tofutti brand Amer-

Connecticut Students for A Dream and others rally for Castañon’s release Monday at City Hall.

Con’t from page 04

Kim Weston

will open shows at the Kehler Liddell Gallery in New Haven and deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Massachusetts among others. In advance of the second project, a group show titled Visionary New England, she is assembling 10,000 prayer bundles to represent 10,000 missing and murdered indigenous women. She said she hopes to do a similar installation for missing and murdered Black women in the coming year.

“No one’s talking about these two different cultures that are having the exact same problem,” she said. “It’s like, there’s all this news, and it’s news about Trump. But there’s no news about these horrific numbers that these women are disappearing in. That’s my goal. That goes back to having some purpose and having some meaning.”

She also wants to go into the next decade as a cheerleader for the community. Echoing arts advocates around the city, she noted the need for a creative hub that is completely open to youth, whether or not they can afford tuition.

“I think New Haven deserves to have a place like that,” she said. “It’s big enough. The demographics here demand it. There’s a huge Hispanic population. There’s a huge Black population.

And the white population here would also benefit from the program if their children all went together. Because when you mix cultures, when you mix experiences, you get educated on something that’s different from you. And everyone wins.”

Bloodless “Cheesesteak” Served, With Love New Haven I ndependent

It was Thursday, so the orders were coming in for the meatless, dairy-free “Philly Cheesesteak” inside New Haven’s newest — and first vegan — food truck.

The truck, parked at the western edge of the Green on College Street, is called Vegan Ahava — the latter word being Hebrew for “love.”

Customers like downtown lawyer and “pescatarian” Alan Bowie (pictured) have already become regulars.

Israeli native Poreyah Benton opened the business two and a half weeks ago. “I’ve never had anything I didn’t like,” Bowie said as he waited for his cheesesteak, the daily special.

Inside the truck, sous-chef Jalita Manning got started on the order. She spread veganaise on an Amoroso roll ... ... then added pre-sauteed peppers. A mix of peppers, she said, “for the colors.” She slipped in the pre-sauteed seitan (aka wheat meat).

Benton (pictured) who is 27 and lives

ican “cheese” before Benton slipped it in the oven. “It’s all about flavor,” Benton said. “That’s why people come back every Thursday.”

Manning handed the sandwich over to Benton to slip into the oven, from which it emerged moments later, the cheese melted, the order ready for another customer along with fries.

One of the waiting customers was Larry Murphy aka “Chef.” He was one of Benton’s and Manning’s instructors at ConnCAT. He showed up Thursday along with lead ConnCAT chef and culinary instructor Jenna Martin. One ordered the cheesesteak with seitan, the other with portobello mushroom.

The Independent’s Vegan Vittler factchecked the customers’ reactions by consuming a Vegan Ahava Philly cheesesteak, and confirmed that it makes for a hearty, healthful meal indeed.

Vegan Ahava is open on College Street between Elm and Chapel Streets Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday’s

8

PAUL BASS PHOTO

Poreyah Benton at work in the mobile Vegan Ahava kitchen.

special is tacos; Wednesday is Caribbean day, featuring curried chick peas and coconut rice and cauliflower; Thursday features the Philly Cheesesteaks; and Fridays and Saturdays feature soul food specialties including the Jackson Five:

mac and cheese, corn bread, sweet potato pie, broccoli and tofu. The business also takes catering orders. Find out more about the full menu (including desserts) and the business at its Facebook page or email Benton here.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - January 01, 2020 - January 07, 2020 Con’t from page 04

resentative business card and his Shelton police staff member identification.

Meanwhile police backup — two other officers arrived, and some of Romero’s family members came outside as well to see if they could help Rosario “I felt so bad for them,” Rosario said. “We were there in mourning and to support them and instead this happens.”

Rosario claimed Franco failed to turn on his uniform camera to record their exchange technology that the state representative had helped implement in Bridgeport. He said Franco only activated his camera after Rosario questioned him about it The state representative said he also called Perez at that time to apprise him of the situation.

“The chief was very upset,” Rosario said.

In Franco’s incident report, he references talking briefly with the chief. He said the chief told him “he’s good” and to “let him go,” referring to Rosario.

“I explained to Chief Perez that the plate is reported as stolen and my supervisor is on his way,” Franco’s report said. “Chief Perez once again stated ‘let him go.’ I then told Rosario he was free to go.”

Rosario said one of the backup officers seemed more “level-headed” and told Rosario he could go into the funeral and pay his respects and that they would sort the situation out when he returned outside. So, Rosario said, that is what he did, while his wife briefly joined him, then went back into the parking lot to continue dealing with the police.

“I go inside — nobody’s watching the casket. Everybody’s talking to me,” Rosario said.

Perez on Thursday said he had viewed Franco’s uniform camera footage and “the officer was firm, but he was polite, even at the end of the ordeal. He said, ‘I’m sorry.’

“Franco is a good officer,” Perez added.

“There’s no discipline (record) on him. He goes out there, day in and day out, does a great job.”

White shared the body camera footage of the incident to back up claims that the officer responded appropriately, but asked that the video not be disseminated as an attorney had not yet viewed it for public release.

In the footage, Franco can be seen reviewing Rosario’s identification and the vehicle’s registration. Soon after, the legislator hands the officer his phone, which is on speaker with the police chief.

Franco explains the situation to the chief, who tells Franco that the plate is Rosario’s and to “let him go.”

Rosario complained about the incident Wednesday night on social media. Councilwoman Eneida Martinez, typically a vocal supporter of Perez and the police, expressed her outrage on Facebook at how the lawmaker was treated.

“Who the hell does not know that Christopher Rosario is our state rep here in Bridgeport?” Martinez wrote. “How the heck does the Bridgeport Police pull him over and accuse him of driving his vehicle with a stolen plate? How the heck do you not run a legislative plate properly?”

Martinez continued, “It sounds like training needed. If Chris wasn’t in a suit or his wife with him, this probably would of been ugly.”

IRS Reforms Free File Program, Drops Agreement Not to Compete With TurboTax

by Justin Elliott and Paul Kiel, ProPublica

Finding free online tax filing should be easier this year for millions of Americans.

The IRS announced significant changes Monday to its deal with the tax prep software industry. Now companies are barred from hiding their free products from search engines such as Google, and a years-old prohibition on the IRS creating its own online filing system has been scrapped.

The addendum to the deal, known as Free File, comes after ProPublica’s reporting this year on how the industry, led by TurboTax maker Intuit, has long misled taxpayers who are eligible to file for free into paying.

Under the nearly two-decade-old Free File deal, the industry agreed to make free versions of tax filing software available to lower- and middle-income Americans. In exchange, the IRS promised not to compete with the industry by creating its own online filing system. Many developed countries have such systems, allowing most citizens to file their taxes for free. The prohibition on the IRS creating its own system was the focus of years of lobbying by Intuit. The industry has seen such a system as an existential threat. Now, with the changes to the deal, the prohibition has been dropped.

The addendum also expressly bars the companies from “engaging in any practice” that would exclude their Free File offerings “from an organic internet search.” ProPublica reported in April that Intuit and H&R Block had added code to their Free File pages that hid

them from Google and other search engines, diverting many users to the companies’ paid products.

“The improved process will make Free File stronger and give taxpayers another

Con’t from page 08

a $3 million lapse in the Other Post Employment Benefits account; and a $13.5 million lapse in the Higher Education Alternate Retirement Program (ARP), which is attributable to 1,600 employees shifting from ARP to SERS as an outcome of a grievance award, ” McCaw wrote.

The other budgeted deficiencies that are contributing to the budget shortfall include $6.5 million at the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, $1.5 million at the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, $13.8 million in the Department of Social Services Medicaid account, $1.8 million at the Office of Early Childhood, and $11 million at the Department of Correction.

Most of the deficiency at the Department of Correction is related to inmate medical care. Overtime costs for medical staff have continued to increase as the agency tries to find the appropriate staffing levels, according to McCaw. Lembo’s next budget projection will be released on Jan. 2.

9

reason to consider this valuable software option,” IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said in a statement.

The agency hopes the changes will make the free option more accessible for tax-

payers in the 2020 filing season, he said.

Under the new rules, participating companies also have to standardize the naming convention of their Free File version as “IRS Free File program delivered by [product name].” In the past, many tax filers reported being confused by the difference between, for example, TurboTax Free and TurboTax Free File.

In a blog post on the Intuit website, the company said, “Intuit strongly supports these changes to the Free File program and associated Free File offerings because they increase the focus on the taxpayer experience.”

Intuit faces multiple ongoing lawsuits and investigations into whether the company deceived customers. The company has said such accusations are baseless.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS -

January 01, 2020 - January 07, 2020

Trump Signs Future Act to Help HBCUs, Minority-Serving Institutions President’s administration, investment in HBCU programs has significantly increased under Title III of the Higher Education Action of 1965.

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent

One day after the House impeached him, President Donald Trump took decisive action to support and empower Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country.

The President put his signature on the Future Act, legislation that for the time includes HBCUs in the federal 5-year STEM Education Plan and the National Research and Development Budget Priorities.

“When I took office, I promised to fight for HBCUs, and my Administration continues to deliver,” Trump stated.

“A few months ago, funding for HBCUs was in jeopardy. But the White House and Congress came together and reached a historic agreement. For the first time ever, I signed legislation to permanently fund HBCUs and other institutions that primarily serve firstgeneration and minority students. This action guarantees more than $2.5 billion over the next 10 years, including $850 million specifically for HBCUs,” the President stated.

He continued: “Today’s achievement continues my unprecedented commitment to HBCUs. During my first weeks in office, I moved the HBCU initiative, led by Johnathan Holifield, to the White House and worked with Congress to increase funding for HBCUs by more than $100 million. HBCUs have never had better champions in the White House.

“The bill I signed today also reforms the Free Application for Federal Stu-

COMMENTARY:

This includes:

dent Aid, or FAFSA. The Internal Revenue Service will now seamlessly transfer applicants’ records to the Department of Education, so that families can use a simpler, shorter application for financial aid and those with student loans do not have to complete a cumbersome income certification process year after year.

“This is a transformative change that has been talked about in Washington for more than a decade, but everyone always said it could not be done. We got it done.”

HBCUs will now play an essential

part in federal planning to advance bold, transformational leaps in science and technology to ensure America remains the global leader in science and technology for generations to come, White House officials said in a release.

With the bill’s signing, Trump also established the inaugural HBCU Colors Day, which encourages HBCU supporters from across the country to wear HBCU apparel to show their support for HBCU institutions.

The Fostering Undergraduate Talent

by Unlocking Resources for Education – or Future Act – means that, under the

A $35 million increase in the Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program ($279.6 million); A $9 million increase in the Strengthening Historically Black Graduate Institutions ($72.3 million); A $1 million increase in the Strengthening HBCU Masters Programs ($8.6 million); Meaningful increases investments in student support like Pell Grants, Federal Work-Study, and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG); and Increases in Howard University’s annual appropriation by nearly $11 million, bringing its fiscal year 2018 investment level to $232.5 million.

The bill also increased by $30 million in investments in the HBCU Capital Financing Program, helping eight schools experiencing financial difficulty in redesigning and restructuring to better meet student and community needs and fulfill loan obligations.

Trump also has appointed both the Chairman of the President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs and Executive Director of the White House Initiatives on HBCUs. “What we’re talking about is permanent funding for HBCUs, as well as minority-serving institutions, to the tune of $255 million in the annual formula and competitive funding,” said

Ja’Ron Smith, the Deputy Assistant to the President for the White House Office of American Innovation.

“That’s over ten years, so you’re talking about $2.5 billion, and we didn’t just stop there. With the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) simplification that only allows students to answer up to 22 questions on a current basis, we eliminated the burdensome process that will allow lowincome students like myself, who had to navigate a FAFSA form without having parents who ever went to college,” Smith stated.

Smith added that the legislation would help put more students in the pipeline, and more resources into HBCUs and minority-serving institutions.

“It’s going to help them with programming infrastructure and help the students that go to these institutions,” he stated.

The President and his administration are aggressively working on other strategies to assist HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions, Smith stated.

“During our last two presidential board of advisors meetings, the subject came up, and we’re also taking a look at the money that can be leveraged into these institutions as well as community colleges,” Smith said. “I think that we just need to be smarter as a government and harness our institutions. Many of these schools are located in areas where people depend on those institutions to get access to opportunity. Our commitment has always been to figure out a strategy to help these institutions throughout the 21st century.”

The danger of the “ethno-nationalist” state

By Bill Fletcher, Jr., NNPA Newswire Contributor One of the most common features of right-wing populist and fascist movements is the demand for ethnic and/or racial purity. During the course of the 20th century we saw it in its most egregious forms in colonial and white minority regimes in the global South, and in the Nazi-led persecution and, later, Holocaust against the Jews.

Ethnic regimes were largely ignored

in the mainstream media of the global North until the early 1990s, even when troubling events, such as genocide in Burundi, were unfolding. It was only with the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia in the early 1990s and the Rwanda genocide (1994) that it became more than apparent that another wave of ethnic cleansing and ethnonationalist regimes were unfolding.

What are ethno-nationalist regimes?

They are political systems that quite openly privilege the alleged rights of a given ethnic or so-called racial group.

Apartheid South Africa was certainly an example of a long-running such regime. But the Rwanda genocide when right-wing Hutus went to war to openly eliminate Tutsis (and those Hutus who allied with Tutsis) using the pretext of a civil war, was yet another example.

Right-wing populist leaders such as Donald Trump in the USA, Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel and Narenda Modi in India are quintessential examples of leaders who promote ethno-nationalist regimes. Contrary to early 20th century fascists and 19th century “scientific racists,” they do not rely on the rhetoric of racial superiority or inferiority in justifying their politics. Rather they argue either the incompatibility of different racial/ethnic groups and/or that the specific racial/ethnic group which they claim to represent has been, allegedly, aggrieved over the years.

The situation in India at this very moment is illustrating the evolving and serious dangers of ethno-nationalist regimes. The political forces around Modi and his political party—the BJP—have been promoting anti-Mus-

10

lim rhetoric and practices for years.

Their objective is nothing short of eliminating the secular basis of India and replacing it with a Hindu ethnonationalist state. The recent legislation advanced by Modi and passed in Parliament that offers citizenship to refugees from neighboring countries UNLESS they happen to be Muslim demonstrates the depths of depravity of such regimes. It is, therefore, not surprising that India is exploding.

Netanyahu is a close cousin—politically speaking—of Modi’s. He and his party—the Likud—have always aimed to eliminate the Palestinian presence from not only the occupied Palestinian territories, but from Israel itself. But it is not only the Palestinians that Netanyahu, et.al. wish to eliminate. The language of the regime when it comes to

other alleged outsiders is particularly provocative and echoes that of Hindu fascists in India in describing undocumented immigrants, in the case of Israel, as “infiltrators.”

Right-wing populism and ethno-nationalism have become major parts of the global political landscape. It is not only the appearance of Donald Trump; nor is it just Britain’s Boris Johnson. It has emerged, like chicken pox, in numerous places. And, if one is not careful, it can emerge even within the ranks of the oppressed when, in desperation, we sometimes seek to distinguish ourselves from some “Other.”

Bill Fletcher, Jr. is the executive editor of globalafricanworker.com and the former president of TransAfrica Forum.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - January 01, 2020 - January 07, 2020

BRIDGEPORT PUBLIC FORUM

AN OPEN, HONEST DISCUSSION ABOUT RACIAL PROFILING IN YOUR COMMUNITY WHEN:

Thursday, January 9th 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: Margaret Morton Government Center 999 Broad Street Bridgeport, CT 06604

The Connecticut Racial Profiling Prohibition Project is working to improve the relationship between the public and police. But we need your help.

Join the conversation!

www.ctrp3.org

Saturday, February 15th Tickets on sale Friday at 10:00am only at

TICKETMASTER.COM | MOHEGANSUN.COM 11

THE INNER-CITY NEWS -

January 01, 2020 - January 07, 2020

Separate, Unequal, and Dismal: Urban League Rekindles Leaders’ Commitments to Improve Public Schools

By Jozef Syndicate, The Drum Newspaper

The Urban League of Louisiana released an equity report examining the quality of Baton Rouge public schools and identifying gaps in outcomes, access, and excellence.

Calling the findings “dismal” and “concerning,” several education stakeholders were present at the McKinley Alumni Center for a press conference and panel discussion to present data from the Advancing Educational Equity for Public Schools in Baton Rouge report.

The findings are not new neither are the gaps. However, organizers said the report analyzes the data in a way that would rekindle conversations and actions around creating equity for students attending public schools within Baton Rouge.

“This report is a great rallying call for us.

It’s important that we continue as an education community to come together and have honest conversations and dialogue,” said Dana Peterson, deputy superintendent of external affairs for the Recovery School District.

The report documents inequalities and an academic “opportunity gap” for historically disadvantaged students in the areas of student outcomes, school climate, school access, teacher quality, and discipline. It found great disparities in performance on

state assessments by race and ethnicity.

Also, less than 50% of Hispanic students earn any form of diploma or credential while 36.7% of white students earned a diploma with an Advanced credential, compared to 6.1% for Black students. (These findings were compiled from publicly available information at www.LouisianaBelieves.com) According to Adam Smith, East Baton Rouge Schools’ associate superintendent of schools, the district has made “significant gains.” These gains include a 5% increase in student performance and an increase in the number of Black students taking Advanced Placement tests.

The report did not identify institutional or systemic barriers that have kept these results pervasive in the city and throughout Louisiana. However, the Louisiana Budget Project released a report in May identifying the impact of “highly segregated” schools.

“Louisiana and local school districts are putting themselves at a disadvantage by failing to properly address segregation in public schools,” wrote LBP. Like LBP, the Urban League found that public schools with a majority white student population have much higher teacher retention rates, higher percentages of certified teachers, and are far more likely to be rated “A” or “B” than schools with high minority populations. Data shows that in

Baton Rouge, more than half (52%) of Black students enrolled in public schools attend “D” or “F” rated schools.

“We will also be the first to admit that we are not where we want to be, but we are committed to the ongoing communication and collaboration with key partners that will be essential in moving our schools forward,” Smith said.

“The inequities that economically disadvantaged students and students of color are facing is concerning but we now have

This Man From Alabama is in Prison For Life For Stealing $9 in 1982 BlackNews.com Escambia County, AL — Willie Simmons, a 62-year old Black man from Alabama, has been behind bars for the last 38 years for stealing $9. He was convicted of 1st-degree robbery and was sentenced to life without parole in 1982 due to Alabama’s Habitual Offender law. He already had 3 prior convictions.

Beth Shelburne, a reporter from WBRC, shared Simmons’ ordeals in a thread on Twitter after having a conversation with him.

Shelburne said Simmons, an Army veteran who became addicted to drugs while assigned overseas, was 25-years old when the state “said he should die in prison.” Since 2005, he hasn’t had a visitor after his sister passed away.

Now at the age of 62, he has been incarcerated in Holman Correctional Facility in Escambia County, Alabama which is considered one of the “most violent prisons in the country.” Despite that, he is studying for his GED, trying to “stay away from the wild

bunch.”

Simmons is not denying the crime he committed that landed him in prison for life. He admitted he was “high on drugs” when he wrestled a man to the ground and stole his wallet that contained $9, as he said he was “trying to get a quick fix.”

Simmons recalled his trial which lasted about 25 minutes. He said his

appointed attorney didn’t call on any witness and the prosecutors didn’t offer a plea deal although his prior offenses were non-violent. “They kept saying we’ll do our best to keep you off the streets for good,” he said.

Over the years, he has filed for several appeals even without an attorney and those were all denied. He said, “In a place like this, it can feel like you’re standing all alone. I ain’t got nobody on the outside to call and talk to. Sometimes I feel like I’m lost in outer space.”

Lawmakers in 2014 have since removed the last avenue of appeal for those serving life without parole under the habitual offender law like Simmons. However, Simmons is hoping his cruel sentence could be reconsidered. “Yes, I’ve been hoping and praying on it,” he said. “I ain’t giving up.”

Moreover, Simmons still dreams someday he will be free and live a normal life. “My hope is to get out of here, settle down with a woman and do God’s will,” he said. “I’d like to tell people about how bad drugs are.”

12

information analyzed in a way that allows us to begin addressing it,” said Judy Reese Morse, president and CEO of the Urban League of Louisiana. She encouraged Baton Rouge leaders to “use the findings to work toward building an education system that serves all students equitably.”

In a school district that is under a federal desegregation order, commitment and action towards academic equity are critical, especially as Baton Rouge faces more segregation. This report comes a week after secessionists voted to incorporate the city of St. George in an effort motivated mainly by the desire to form a separate, majority white school district.

“Louisiana and local school districts are putting themselves at a disadvantage by failing to properly address segregation in public schools,” wrote LBP. “It is time we have a genuine discussion about what it takes to ensure every child has access to quality education.”

Education reform leader Lisa Delpit, Ph.D., said inequality has also been the result of unequal funding, the lack of Black teachers, and ever-changing national policies that benefit white students and affluent students while harming others. As part of a panel that followed the news conference, Delpit challenged leaders to look closely at the findings at what has worked for Black students and replicate it.

“We must create new school models, programs, and an environment to foster innovation. I’m proud to know that we have plans in place to address these issues,” said Peterson.

These plans include having parents, educators, and school administrators assist in establishing strategies and solutions to ensure equality, said Dana Henry, vice president of education and youth development at the Urban League of Louisiana.

Although the report did not offer specific strategies or solutions, panelists did.

Delpit admonished the community at large to get involved. “Pay attention to education policies. Stand strong about redistributing funding…and those of us who can, need to support (the schools) as often as we can.”

Baton Rouge councilman LaMont Cole said panelists and organizations involved in the process—Urban League, EBR Schools, Baton Rouge Area Chamber, and New Schools—should pick a school and “get to work” giving it everything it need to be sustained.

Excellence is never an accident,” he said.

“We have to choose excellence and be intentional.”

Cole, who has been a principal at several schools in the city, said equality is when administrators and teachers have what they need to reach individual students where they are, give the students exactly what they need to succeed, and then, sustain it. “Choose excellence and make it happen,” he repeated.

Chris Meyer, CEO, New Schools for Baton Rouge agreed. “We should expand schools that are working and intervene in schools that need it.”

“We must be strategically intentional. We must be deliberate in the breaking down of silos. As the city of Baton Rouge becomes more intentionally grounded in educational equity, we will reach our goals and will tear down silos while helping the students of Baton Rouge excel,” said Pamela Ravare-Jones, Ph.D., chief administrative officer who spoke on behalf of EBR Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome.

Urban League of Louisiana officials said the organization will host followup community meetings. “This report is just a road map and we’re going to build from here,” Henry said. “We are not going anywhere; we’re going to be here.”

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - January 01, 2020 - January 07, 2020

Denzel Washington at 65: The One Decision That Changed His Life

by Carter Higgins, BDO Special Contributor

If you were to ask a random person what their favorite Denzel Washington film was, many will be quick to spew out a list of Hollywood’s biggest films.

Anything from Glory, to Mo’ Better Blues or even Training Day , Equalizer and Fences, it’s always a list of some of the best films . Whatever the choice is, it’s easy to see that Denzel has made it to Hollywood’s elite. But how he made it there is a series of calculated moves and decisions that helped shape his life.

Washington was born in Mount Vernon, New York. His father, Denzel Hayes Washington, Sr., was an ordained Pentecostal minister, and also worked for the Water Department and at a local department store. His mother, Lennis “Lynne” (née Lowe), was a beauty parlor owner and operator born in Georgia and partly raised in Harlem.

Washington attended PenningtonGrimes Elementary School in Mount Vernon until 1968. When he was 14, his parents broke up, and his mother sent him to a private preparatory school, Oak-

land Military Academy in New Windsor, New York. It was that change in his surrounds that opened up his eyes and mind that there could be more for his life.

“That decision changed my life,” Washington later said, “because I wouldn’t have survived in the direction I was going. The guys I was hanging out with at the time, my running buddies, have now done maybe 40 years combined in the penitentiary. They were nice guys, but the streets got them.”

Washington is a devout Christian and has considered becoming a preacher. He stated in 1999, “A part of me still says, ‘Maybe, Denzel, you’re supposed to preach. Maybe you’re still compromising.’ I’ve had an opportunity to play great men and, through their words, to preach. I take what talent I’ve been given seriously, and I want to use it for good.”

In an interview with Bishop T.D. Jakes on his daytime talk show, Washington explained why, at this point in his career, he’s focusing on serving others.

“I’m in the service business now, I’m fine. I’ve done well,” Washington said on the “TD Jakes Show.” “I don’t need any watches and all of that. So I’m here

ton underwent 2 weeks of detox after a month of excessive alcohol consumption while aboard a yacht with his wife.

TMZ first mentioned the story saying, “Washington recently left an Orange County residence where he was staying for more than 2 weeks to detox after a wild, alcohol-fueled, gluttonous monthlong vacation.”

WRONG. Dead wrong.

to serve God, here to serve my family.”

Although he doesn’t read much, he studies the Bible daily and says he goes over Psalm 56: “Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; the fighting daily oppresseth me.”

Back in 2012, rumors surfaced alleging that Oscar winner Denzel Washing-

Those who know Washington is that he had long given up binge drinking and partying. In a statement that dates back to the late 80’s, Denzel said, “I made a commitment to completely cut out drinking and anything that might hamper me from getting my mind and body together,” he said at the time. “And the floodgates of goodness have opened upon me — spiritually and financially.”

Washington’s publicist spoke out to Entertainment Tonight disputing the recent reports.

“He does this health cleanse every time he’s about to go back to work and start his conditioning and nutritional program. Always cleans up after the family

vacation in prep for work. Nothing new.”

In fact, many celebrities do various kinds of detox diets to prepare for a role.

Some of them include: Organ detoxes, which focus on cleansing and building different organs.

You might also do a detox to focus on removing accumulations of heavy metals from your system.

Other detox types include those that work to eliminate specific organisms from your body, such as candida and parasites.

You may also want to detox by eliminating a specific substance that is troublesome, such as sugar, milk, or wheat.

Finally, there are detox diets that focus on flushing fat from the body.

Each detox type has its own specific purpose and benefits, but all benefit the body by eliminating toxins and helping your body to create new, healthier tissue.

Denzel will be promoting The Equalizer on a worldwide tour. In this film, Denzel plays the role of Robert McCall, a former black ops commando who faked own his death to live a quiet Boston life.

He will come out of retirement to rescue a young girl and face Russian gangsters.

JAN. 11

Password Reset Kiosk

SATURDAY

9 AM - 2 PM

WALK-IN REGISTRATION Admissions, advising, registration, financial aid and more!

Winter 2019 Session Begins December 30

Spring 2019 classes start January 22 GATEWAYCT.EDU/APPLYNOW 20 Church Street, New Haven, CT 13

THE INNER-CITY NEWS -

January 01, 2020 - January 07, 2020

5 Things You Need To Leave In 2019

So, in 2020, let’s silence the inner critic and be kinder to ourselves.

by Dr. Kelly Wood, BlackDoctor.org

Depending on the year you had in 2019, you might be relieved it’s almost over. This year had its ups and downs and you may have learned some difficult lessons but pat yourself on the back for surviving it all.

The start of a New Year brings hope, a sense of a new beginning, and a fresh start.

Maybe you made resolutions of how you’ll change your life and achieve your dreams in the coming year, however, if you make the same choices and continue unhealthy, self-sabotaging habits, chances are nothing will change.

What do you need to leave behind so you are truly ready and capable of living your best life in 2020? The list could be endless but let’s discuss 5 things that many of us need to ditch and not take into the New Year.

1. Toxic Relationships If you have relationships that drain all your energy and leave you feeling worse about yourself, you might need to let them go. You deserve friends who support you and have your back.

We sometimes find ourselves in one-sided relationships where we’re the only ones putting in consistent effort. If you’re the

COMMENTARY:

one who’s always calling and arranging the dates or begging the other person to take more interest in you or your life, you should re-evaluate your relationship. It’s important in the new year to find relationships that bring out the best in you.

2. Ignoring Your Gut Our instincts are a gift to us. If used properly they could help us make better choices for our lives. Choices which are consistent with our values and are in our best interests.

Your inner voice will tell you when someone’s motives aren’t genuine. They will tell

you when you need to rethink a decision you’ve made. Your intuition will not lead you in the wrong direction.

3. Being Paralyzed By Fear The purpose of fear is to motivate us into action such as avoiding danger or being more prepared and focused on a task. Fear is emotional energy that can be used to propel us, but for some, fear can lead to paralysis. Fear of the future, fear of rejection, and even fear of failure can prevent us from taking risks and trying new things.

Let’s face it, we all deal with fear on some

level and will never totally get rid of it, but we don’t have to. Successful people are those who act and go after their dreams despite being afraid. So, can you.

4. Negative Self-Talk Sometimes our biggest critics are our own selves. We’re all too familiar with that inner voice which tells us we’re not good enough or that we don’t have what it takes to succeed.

However, what we say to ourselves is very important. It can determine if we achieve the goals we’ve set or if we remain stuck.

5. Living In The Past We rob ourselves of enjoying the present moment or having a better future when we fixate on situations that have already happened. We can’t go back in time and change what occurred, we can only move forward.

Being consumed with thoughts of who hurt you or what went wrong and rehearsing your pain will only prevent you from moving on. Leave the past in the past, your future can be better if you give it a chance.

Make this coming year your best one yet by letting go of the negative behaviors and people who held you back in 2019. No need to wait, you can start now!

Physician, Health and Wellness expert, Coach, Author and Speaker! Dr. Kelly Wood, MD is board certified in Internal Medicine as well as Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. Beyond the stethoscope, Dr. Kelly is recognized as “The Bounce Back Coach,” helping high-performing women to bounce back from failed relationships, rebuild their self-esteem, and reclaim their identity. Follow me on social media @drkellywoodmd or connect with me at drkelly@drkellywood.com

Looking to 2020 — Put Your Vote to WORK!

By Ray Curry, Secretary-Treasurer, UAW

If you work for a living but are somewhat up in the air about who to vote for in 2020 or for that matter, if you should even bother getting to that crowded polling place, I’d like to ask that you indulge me for a minute.

Because I’ve got a story to tell you that might help with your decision. A story of working people and politicians who are working against all of us — everyday.

I’d like to go back to 1980, the year that Ronald Reagan was campaigning to the 40th president of the United States. Much of his rhetoric was designed to appeal to labor and the working men and women of this country, promising to protect jobs, to support policies that would create more jobs and put unemployed Americans back to work.

Promises betrayed The reality of his presidency and his policies came down somewhat differently.

In fact, President Reagan’s eight years in office were devastating for labor and the middle class. He was a champion of deregulation, which systematically weakened workplace safety standards and recordkeeping. He specifically went after labor by appointing three management-friendly National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) members, causing the NLRB to depart from its legal obligation to actively promote collective bargaining — the constitutional right and underlying principle for the ex-

istence of unions. During his presidency, NLRB caseloads were drastically cut and the cases that did go forward went from the recent 33 percent finding in favor of employers to 75 percent favoring employers.

His economic policies shifted the tax burden away from the wealthy and onto the back of middle-class Americans.

So, why am I bringing up this sad history here in the last days of 2019?

Because Ronald Reagan, who turned his back on organized labor and started America’s middle-class into a tailspin from which it has never recovered, has recently been voted by this administration’s handpicked NLRB into the Labor Hall of Fame.

I think that speaks volumes. Clearly, they have taken a page from the Old Gipper’s playbook. And clearly, it should serve as a dire warning of what is to come should we continue with the status quo.

Stacked against us Today, an NLRB even more conservative than President Reagan’s has moved as fast as it could to make it more difficult for unions to organize.

In December of 2017, the board overturned a rule that had made it easier to organize smaller units of workers in big factories and stores.

Another decision made it tougher for workers at fast-food restaurants and other franchised operations to unionize. What’s more, this board is further encroaching on labor by looking to slow unionization elec-

tions, a move that, as we all know too well, would give corporations more time to pressure workers to vote NO. Here at the UAW, we saw those stalling hijinks in action in Chattanooga this summer with the effort to organize Volkswagen and give its workers a real say in their work lives.

This administration hasn’t stopped at turning the NLRB into the Chamber of Commerce. Let’s look at the Supreme Court.

Justice Neil Gorsuch was confirmed in the first few months of this administration and he delivered the conservative anti-labor edge to the Janus case almost as soon as he was installed. Gorsuch, who had close ties with groups that bankrolled Janus, cast the deciding vote in a decision that prohibited public sector unions from collecting fees from non-members.

This devastating decision reversed 41 years of precedent and overturned laws in the 22 states that have not adopted “Rightto-Work” policies. And all signs indicate that, when he is not drinking beer, the administration’s second appointee, Justice Bret Kavanaugh will be just as awful.

The Huffington Post in sizing him up as anti-labor, recounted the time when a New York manufacturer created a new spinoff company to avoid bargaining with unionized workers. Federal regulators and a panel of appellate judges said the manufacturer broke the law and violated its employees’ rights.

There was, however, one judge who dissented in the appeals decision and sided

14

with the employer: Brett Kavanaugh.

Say no more.

Supremely anti-labor A Legal Aid lawyer put it this way, “Along with [Justice Neil] Gorsuch, [Brett Kavanaugh] is the ideal of a Koch brothers judge.

He’ll be anti-labor and anti-worker.”

Of course, just as disturbing when it comes to the courts is this fact: While the Supreme Court gets the attention, it’s the lower courts that decide the bulk of the cases. In lockstep with the anti-worker overhaul of our courts, more pro-management judges have been appointed to the federal appeals courts than at any other time in our

recent history, and one out of every four circuit court judges have been installed by the current administration.

And the latest anti-labor move? The nomination and seating of Eugene Scalia as Secretary of Labor, a position that historically enforces workers’ rights and U.S. labor laws. This includes laws meant to protect workers from unsafe workplaces, overtime violations, and employee misclassification.

I quite honestly cannot think of anyone less likely to safeguard these protections.

Here is a highlight reel: Con’t on page 15

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - January 01, 2020 - January 07, 2020 Con’t from page 14

Put Your Vote to WORK!

NEW HAVEN’S GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY RADIO STATION!

Back in 2006, he helped Walmart and other corporations win a lawsuit against the state of Maryland, stopping large companies from having to contribute to their employees’ health care plans or Medicaid.

In 2011, he got behind Boeing’s threats to move jobs to a “Right-to-Work” state during union contract negotiations. Additionally, he defended casino boss Steve Wynn in his efforts to force casino card dealers to split their tips with pit bosses.

And here’s one for you: Scalia argued that SeaWorld had no responsibility for the violent death of one of its Orca trainers and instead blamed the victim!

www.newhavenindependent.org

JOE UGLY IN THE MORNING Weekdays 6-9 a.m.

Unsafe at work And finally, we must consider the current disregard for worker safety. In 2017, 5,197 workers went to work and never returned home to their families. That is an average of 99 workers a week losing their lives while making the rich, richer. And this number can be added to the 2.8 million on the job non-fatal injuries and illnesses reported, with nearly 900,000 of them resulting in lost workdays. Current administration memorandums and executive orders have frozen new regulatory protections since the 2016 election.

Rules requiring employers to keep accurate injury and illness records and to disclose safety, health, and labor violations to qualify for federal contracts have been repealed.

Consider this: There are about 2,100 inspectors to inspect more than 8 million workplaces around the nation. That is roughly one inspector for every 59,000 workers or enough inspectors to inspect workplaces once every 150 years or so.

I ask you, what do we do with this? Is it expecting too much to go to work in the morning and come home safe to your loved ones at the end of the day?

I’ll tell you what we do. WE VOTE! And we vote for candidates that support the millions of working men and women in this country. Vote to keep our jobs, to keep workers safe, to protect the right to organize and to have a voice in the workplace.

Take this voting season as an opportunity to tell your own story. The story of millions of hard-working Americans that our country so desperately needs to hear.

A story of how we rose up in the face of increasing wage inequality, lack of healthcare, job security and threats to a meaningful retirement; rampant corporate greed and a shrinking middle class.

Labor also faces challenges at the ballot box despite rallying their membership base.

Look no further than the Presidential election of 2000 with hanging chads, deleted registered voter rolls in the 2018 Georgia Governor’s race, and the 2018 Florida Governor’s race won by a 50% to 49% margin after a recount. All three races lost by the final vote count and all three were labor endorsed candidates.

Mondays 10 a.m.

MAYOR MONDAY!

MERCY QUAYE

Mondays 11 a.m.

Mondays 1 p.m.

“THE SHOW”

“DJ REL”

MICHELLE TURNER Tuesdays 9 a.m.

“WERK IT OUT”

ELVERT EDEN Tuesdays at 2 p.m.

MORNINGS WITH MUBARAKAH

“JAZZ HAVEN”

Wednesdays 9 a.m.

Wednesdays 2 p.m.

STANLEY WELCH

“TALK-SIP”

LOVEBABZ LOVETALK

Thursdays 1 p.m.

Mondays-Fridays 9 a.m.

ALISA BOWENSMERCADO

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE. ON YOUR TIME. IT’S WHAT WE DO.

THE TOM FICKLIN SHOW

FRIDAY PUNDITS Fridays 11 a.m.

Make an appointment online.

Call us. Walk-in. Visit us on the weekends. We’re open when others aren’t.

At Saint Aedan Pre School

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY. PPSNE.ORG • 1 (800) 230-PLAN

We believe in supporting and valuing all families.

We believe that a parent is the child’s first and best teacher.

We are committed to providing a high-quality experience that enhances the overall development of the child and supports the family unit. We incorporate play in our detailed experience plans that are in line with the CT ELDS and CT DOTS.

** Our Program is Full Day / Full Year /Open from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm ** NAEYC Accredited ** Care4Kids accepted ** State mandated sliding scale fee based on income and family size ** Onsite Social Worker and Educational Consultant

https://catholicacademynh.org/pre-school/pre-school-overview Dr. James F. Acabbo, Director St. Aedan Pre School 203-387-0041

Think your vote doesn’t count? Please think again.

15

THE INNER-CITY NEWS -

January 01, 2020 - January 07, 2020

INNER-CITY NEWS July 27, 2016 - August 02, 2016

NOTICE VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE HOME INC, on behalf of Columbus House and the New Haven Housing Authority, is accepting pre-applications for studio and one-bedroom apartments at this development located at 108 Frank Street, New Haven. Maximum income limitations apply. Pre-applications will be available from 9AM TO 5PM beginning Monday Ju;y 25, 2016 and ending when sufficient pre-applications (approximately 100) have been received at the offices of HOME INC. Applications will be mailied upon request by calling HOME INC at 203-562-4663 during those hours. Completed preapplications must be returned to HOME INC’s offices at 171 Orange Street, Third Floor, New Haven, CT 06510.

NOTICIA VALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES HOME INC, en nombre de la Columbus House y de la New Haven Housing Authority, está aceptando pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio en este desarrollo ubicado en la calle 109 Frank Street, New Haven. Se aplican limitaciones de ingresos máximos. Las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martes 25 julio, 2016 hasta cuando se han recibido suficientes pre-solicitudes (aproximadamente 100) en las oficinas de HOME INC. Las pre-solicitudes serán enviadas por correo a petición llamando a HOME INC al 203-562-4663 durante esas horas.Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510 .

HELP WANTED: Large CT guardrail company

looking for Laborer/Driver with valid CT CDL Class A license and able to get a medical card. Must be able to pass a drug test and physical. Compensation based on experience. Email resume to dmastracchio@atlasoutdoor.com AA/EOE M-F

Equipment Operator Help Wanted: Immediate opening for Equipment Operator for Heavy and Highway Construction.

10 hour OSHA certificate required. CDL license a plus but not required.

Please call PJF Construction Corp.@ 860-888-9998. We are an equal opportunity employer M/F.

Laborer Help Wanted: Immediate opening for Construction Laborer for Heavy and Highway Construction.

10 hour OSHA certificate required.

Please call PJF Construction Corp. @ 860-888-9998. We are an equal opportunity employer M/F.

CDL Driver

Civil Engineer

Diversified Technology Consultants (DTC) is a multi-disciple engineering and environmental consulting firm. DTC is a leader in servicing governmental clients for four decades. DTC prides itself as having worked on a wide variety of project types. From schools and senior centers to town halls and universities, our diverse portfolio provides extensive experience to our communities.

As DTC enters its forth decade, we are seeking an energetic, organized and proactive professional in our Civil Engineering Department. The successful candidate(s) will work closely with our technical staff in support of DTC’s strategic goals and objectives.

This is an entry level position located in our Hamden, Connecticut office.

Responsibilities:

• Assist in the preparation of plans, specifications, supporting documents, and permit applications for private and municipal projects.

• Assist in preparation of calculations such as storm drainage, water supply & wastewater collection, cost estimates, and earthwork quantities.

• Perform design and drafting using AutoCAD Civil 3D. MicroStation experience is beneficial but not required.

Qualifications:

• Graduate from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering.

• Engineer in training certificate preferred.

For Further information or to apply send resumes to ellen.nelson@teamdtc.com DTC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

DTC is a Drug Free Work Place.

Individuals with Disabilities, Minorities and Protected Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Public Notice

Help Wanted: Immediate opening for CDL Driver for Heavy and Highway Construction.

10 hour OSHA certificate and clean CDL license required.

NEW HAVEN

Please call PJF Construction Corp. @ 860-888-9998. We are an equal opportunity employer M/F.

242-258 Fairmont Ave 2BR Townhouse, 1.5 BA, 3BR, 1 level , 1BA

Project Manager/Project Supervisor

All new apartments, new appliances, new carpet, close to I-91 & I-95 highways, near bus stop & shopping center

HELP WANTED

Pet under 40lb allowed. Interested parties contact Maria @ 860-985-8258

City of Bridgeport / Various Departments CT. Unified Deacon’s Association is pleased to offer a Deacon’s

Certificate Program.

ThisSpecialist is a 10 month program to assist in the intellectual formation of Candidates Airport Certifi cation (starting atdesigned $42,913.00): Public Facilities; Airport Division. in response to the Church’s Ministry needs. The cost is $125. Classes start Saturday, August 20, 2016 1:30-

3:30 Contact: Chairman, Deacon Joe J. Davis,Labor M.S., B.S. Benefi ts Manager (starting at $90,549.00): Relations; Benefits Administration Division.

(203) 996-4517 Host, General Bishop Elijah Davis, D.D. Pastor of Pitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church 64 Brewster

St. NewPolicy Haven,Analyst: CT Budget Office of Policy and Management.

Civil Engineer I (starting at $75,021.00): Public Facilities; Engineering Division.

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

Director of Public Facilities (starting at $131,706)

Information Services Technology Staff: Various positions will be posted.

Sealed bids are invited by the Housing Authority of the Town of Seymour until 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at its office at 28 Smith Street, Public LibraryCT Staff: Library & Librarian(s), positions to be posted.

Seymour, 06483 forAssistant(s) Concrete Sidewalkvarious Repairs and Replacement at the Smithfield Gardens Assisted Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour.

School Crossing Guard ($11.00 - $12.64 per hour): Police Department.

OPM Policy Analyst: Office of Policy and Management.

Tax Assessor (starting at $116,680.00): Finance Department, provisional position, available for A pre-bid conference will be held at the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith applicants immediately.

Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

For more information, visit our website at: https://www.bridgeportct.gov/citycareers

Bidding documents are available from the Seymour Housing Authority Of-

The City Bridgeport providesSeymour, equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for emfice, 28of Smith Street, CT 06483 (203) 888-4579. ployment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type specific to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any

other protected by federal, state the or local laws.

Thecharacteristic Housing Authority reserves right to accept or reject any or all bids, to

reduce the scope of the project to reflect available funding, and to waive any informalities in the bidding, if such actions are in the best interest of the Housing Authority.

Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

Help Wanted: Immediate opening for a Project Manager/ProjOld Saybrook, CT ect Supervisor for Heavy and Highway Construction. Previous (4 Buildings, 17 Units) experience on CTDOT projects required.

The Manchester Housing Authority will open the 0/1-bedroom waiting list for the Federal Low Income Public Housing (LIPH) program for elderly or disabled applicants on 8:00 AM January 6, 2020. Applications are available in the office and on the MHA website at http://manchesterha.org and may be returned to 24 Bluefield Drive Manchester, CT 06040 in person or by mail. .

The Manchester Housing Authority does not discriminate based upon race, color, disability, familial status, sex or national origin

Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project

Please call PJF Construction Corp. @ 860-888-9998.

We are an equal opportunity employer M/F

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES

New Construction, Wood Framed, Housing, Selective Demolition, Site-work, Castin-place Concrete, Asphalt Shingles, Vinyl Siding, Invitation for Bids Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Appliances, ResidentialMcConaughy Casework, Terrace Sanitary and Storm Sewer Improvements Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection.

The Housing Authority of the City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements.

Communities is currently seeking Bids for McConaughy Terrace

Town of Bloomfield

Part Time Library Assistant I

Sanitary and Storm Sewer Improvements. A complete copy of the

Pre-Employment drug testing required. EOE/AA

Branford Housing Authority, Parkside Village II

Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016 requirement may be obtained from Elm City’s Vendor Collaboration $25.41 hourly Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016 beginning on Monday, January 6, 2020 at 3:00PM. For more details on how to apply visit Project documents available via ftp link below: www.bloomfieldct.org http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage

Accepting Applications for Efficiency Apartments Only Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com Elderly 62+/Disabled 18+ Community HCC encourages the participation of all Veteran, S/W/MBE & Section 3 Certified Businesses

QSR Haynes STEEL CORPORATION Parkside Village II/no Utilities Starting at $592 a month, Construction Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour, CT 06483

APPLY NOW!

AA/EEO EMPLOYER

Steel Fabricators, Erectors & Welders Top pay for top performers.

Health Benefits, 401K, Vacation Pay. Email Resume: Rose@qsrsteel.com Hartford, CT

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

16

Max. Income Limit: 1 person $52,850, Contact: Merit Properties, Inc., 1224 Mill St., Bldg. A #102, East Berlin CT 06023, e-mail: info@merit-properties.net, 860-828-0531 ext.204

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - January 01, 2020 - January 07, 2020 INNER-CITY NEWS July 27, 2016 - August 02, 2016

Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming, Inc seeks:

NOTICE

DELIVERY PERSON

Construction Equipment Mechanic preferably experienced in Reclaiming and Road Milling Equipment. We offer factory training on equipment we operate. Location: Bloomfield CT VALENTINA MACRIhourly RENTAL PREAPPLICATIONS AVAILABLE We offer excellent rateHOUSING & excellent benefi ts Contact: Tom Dunay Phone: 860- 243-2300 HOME INC, on behalf of Columbus House and the New Haven Housing Authority, Email: Tom.dunay@garrityasphalt.com isWomen accepting pre-applications for studio and one-bedroom & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply apartments at this development located at 108 Frank Street, New Haven.

Maximum income limitations apAffirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer ply. Pre-applications will be available from 9AM TO 5PM beginning Monday Ju;y 25, 2016 and ending when sufficient pre-applications (approximately 100) have been received at the offices of HOME INC. Applications will be mailied upon reGarrity Asphalt Incduring seeks: quest by calling HOME Reclaiming, INC at 203-562-4663 those hours. Completed preapplications must be returned to HOME INC’s offices at 171 Orange Street, Third Reclaimer Operators and Milling Operators with current Floor, New Haven, CT 06510. licensing and clean driving record, be willing to travel throughout the Northeast & NY. We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits Contact: Rick Tousignant Phone: 860- 243-2300 Email: MACRI rick.tousignant@garrityasphalt.com VALENTINA VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply AffiINC, rmative Action/ Opportunity HOME en nombre deEqual la Columbus House yEmployer de la New Haven Housing Authority, está aceptando pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio en este desarrollo ubicado en la calle 109 Frank Street, New Haven. Se aplican limitaciones de ingresos máximos. Las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martes 25 julio, 2016 hasta cuando se han recibido suficientes pre-solicitudes (aproximadamente 100) en las oficinas HOME Las&pre-solicitudes serán enviadas por correo a petición Tractor Trailer de Driver forINC. Heavy Highway Construction llamando a HOME INC ala 203-562-4663 durante horas.Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse Equipment.

Must have CDL License, cleanesas driving record, a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 OrangebeStreet, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510 . capable of operating heavy equipment; willing to travel throughout the Northeast & NY. We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits Contact Dana at 860-243-2300.

1907 Hartford Turnpike Email: dana.briere@garrityasphalt.com North Haven, CT 06473 Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer

NEEDED

Part Time Delivery Needed

One/Two Day a Week,

NOTICIA

Coventry Housing Authority is accepting applications for its Section 8 Elderly/Disabled housing. Annual income limit is $21,200 (one person) & $24,200 (two people), Also accepting applications for its State Elderly/ Disabled housing. Annual income limit is $52,850 (one person) & $60,400 (two people). Interested parties may pick up an application at the Coventry Housing Authority, 1630 Main St., Coventry, CT, or have one mailed. Completed applications must be postmarked or hand delivered no later than January 31, 2020. For more information call 860-742-5518.

Must Have your Own Vehicle

If Interested call

(203) 435 -1387

Union Company seeks:

NEW HAVEN POLICE NOW HIRING

KMK Insulation Inc.

NEW HAVEN

Mechanical Insulator position.

Invitation to Bid: Apply online at Policeapp.com

Insulation company offering good pay 2nd Notice and benefits. Please mail resume to Or Visit our Social Media Pages 2BR Townhouse, 1.5valid BA,CT3BR, 1 level , 1BA looking for Laborer/Driver with CDL Class SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE above address.

A license and able to get medical card.

Must close be to I-91 & I-95 All new apartments, newa appliances, new carpet, For More Information

Fairmontcompany Ave HELP WANTED: 242-258 Large CT guardrail

Old Saybrook, CT

able to pass a drug test and MAIL ONLY highways, nearphysical. bus stop & Compensashopping center (4 Buildings, 17 Units) tion based on experience.

Email resume to dmasNew Haven Police Department Recruitment Team This company is an Affirmative Action/ Pet under 40lb allowed. Interested parties contact Maria @ 860-985-8258 Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project tracchio@atlasoutdoor.com AA/EOE M-F Equal Opportunity Employer.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CT. Unified Deacon’s Association is pleased to offer a Deacon’s Certificate Program. This is a 10 month program designed to assist in the intellectual formation of Candidates in response to the Church’s Ministry needs. The cost is $125. Classes start Saturday, August 20, 2016 1:303:30 Contact: Chairman, Deacon Joe J. Davis, M.S., B.S. (203) 996-4517 Host, General Bishop Elijah Davis, D.D. Pastor of Pitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church 64 Brewster

The Connecticut State Treasurer hereby gives notice of his intent to submit draft revisions to the Investment Policy Statement of the State of Connecticut Retirement Plans and Trust Funds. These draft revisions will be presented to the State’s Investment AdviSealed bids are invited by the Housing Authority of the Town of Seymour sory Council at a public meeting on January 15, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at its office at 28 Smith Street, at 165 Capital Ave, 2nd floor, Hartford, Connecticut. The draft reSeymour, CT 06483 for Concrete Sidewalk Repairs and Replacement at the visions to the Investment Statement are available for public Smithfield Gardens AssistedPolicy Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour. review at the Office of the State Treasurer, during normal business hours, or on the Treasurer’s website: A pre-bid conference will be held at the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith St. New Haven, CT

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

https://portal.ct.gov/OTT/Pension-Funds/Investment-Policy/

Bidding documentsInvestment-Policy-Statement are available from the Seymour Housing Authority Office, 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 (203) 888-4579.

For additional information, The Housing the right Offi to accept reject any or all bids, to pleaseAuthority contact reserves the Treasurer’s ce at or 860-702-3000. reduce the scope of the project to reflect available funding, and to waive any informalities in the bidding, if such actions are in the best interest of the Housing Authority.

Nhpdrecruitment

NHPDrecruitment

New Construction, Wood Framed, Housing, Selective Demolition, Site-work, Castin-place Concrete, Asphalt Shingles, Vinyl Siding, Flooring, Painting, Division 10 Specialties, Appliances, Residential Casework, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection.

This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements.

CONSTRUCTION HELP WANTED Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016

LaRosa Building Group looking Anticipated Start: is August 15, 2016 for people interested in construction for a project in New Haven.

Project documents available via ftp link below: http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage

New Haven and Section 3 residents are encouraged to apply.

Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com For& Section applications: HCC encourages the participation of all Veteran, S/W/MBE 3 Certified Businesses Haynes Construction Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour, CT 06483 Visit the job site at 300 Wilmot Rd, New AA/EEO EMPLOYER

Haven CT., or join us on Thursday, November 14th, at 6:00 PM

or

Email: HR@larosabg.com

An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer 17

THE INNER-CITY NEWS -

January 01, 2020 - January 07, 2020

Afrochella Is The African Festival Everyone is Talking About

by Jasmine Turner

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ve already heard about the festival in Accra, Ghana that black celebrities attend, flooding our timelines with exciting pictures and videos. If you’re not going this year, prepare yourself for a serious case of FOMO as everybody and their mama will be there.

My friends in Los Angeles, Baltimore, and London are all planning to attend Afrochella’s 3rd activation. I, too, was prepared to take my first step on the motherland this year. Unfortunately, those plans changed and I was concerned my “cool” card would be revoked. Luckily, I was able to book an interview with Abdul Abdullah, the brainchild behind Afrochella and learn all about how this event came about.

Get the deets on our interview and learn what to expect if you’re planning on attending here!

BDO: What was the inspiration behind creating an event like Afrochella?

Abdul Abdullah (AA): It was around the time a lot of people were finding their roots in African culture, whether that was through the food or the clothes.

So as a kid that grew up in both Ghana and the US, I felt like it was an opportunity to teach as well as an opportunity to highlight some of the talent that exists on the continent.

Ghanaians from all over the world return every December to enjoy, see family, and celebrate life. However, I just didn’t feel like there was an event to highlight all of the amazing things going on by those on the continent and from the continent. There was an opportunity for us to create that. So, we did.

BDO: This is your 3rd year hosting Afrochella. I imagine this is going to be your biggest year as I have friends from all over the country excited and preparing to visit Accra. What is it about this year that has black Americans so excited?

AA: There has been so much misinformation in the media here in Ameri-

ca about what Africa is and how we live. Last year, we were able to dispel those myths in just a few days because so many black Hollywood and black American influencers were in Ghana enjoying themselves.

People abroad were able to see what is possible in Africa and I think that was a key difference-maker. Prior to last

year, there were already a lot of people coming. Last year was different because there were so many celebs all over your timeline and they were peaceful. I think people felt that. At a time where things are hypersensitive here in America, it just felt good to be able to be around other black people and enjoy yourself.

BDO: Ghana has crowned 2019 as The Year of Return as it has been 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived in Jamestown. What does that mean for Afrochella? Are you guys connected in any way?

AA: We’re very integrated with The Year of Return. We’ve worked with The Administrator of Tourism and are one of the premier events for The Year of Return. We’ve been working very extensively ensuring people come back. Prior to the Year of Return and even prior to Afrochella we were bringing people back to the continent.

BDO: How did you and your partners come together to create this event?

AA: I was born in the US. My dad shipped us to Ghana (laughing). He wanted us to feel the vibrations of the country. He wanted us to see how he grew up and make sure we had the African influence in our character and the way we carried ourselves. At the time, we couldn’t appreciate it. We just wanted to be in America, but we stayed there for 7 years.

That’s actually how I met one of my partners. We went to school together in Ghana. My other partner is Ghanian as well. We both are from The Bronx. I told him my idea and he was 100% down.

He suggested we go ahead and put the deposit down. In April 2017, we did just that and have been planning ever since.

BDO: Did you guys think it was going to be this big? Did you imagine all of

these celebrities?

AA: No, I can’t say that I did. We believed in what we were doing and we knew there was a need for a space to celebrate Ghana and the creatives from the continent in its authenticity. We wanted to do something where there was no favoritism and we could celebrate unbiased art. We knew people would buy into that idea and it would catch on eventually. We never imagined it would be as big as it is now.

BDO: A lot of black Americans who’ve never traveled to Africa will be traveling to Accra this year. What should they expect?

AA: They should have a mindset of patience. There will be so many people there, so patience is necessary. You should expect to see some of the things you never imagined to exist in Africa existing in Africa. One of the experiences I’ve noticed from friends visiting Ghana for the first time was them being in awe of seeing so many people that look like them. They didn’t feel like they have to code-switch. They didn’t feel like they were threatened by anything. They felt really good in their own skin because everyone looked like them.

They will experience a robust country with hardworking and hustling people.

They will see a lot of people on the streets selling their products early in the morning at the crack of dawn. Ghanaians are very hard-working people.

We’re very welcoming people. We’re very friendly people.

Jasmine Turner is a black love advocate, professional matchmaker, and founder of Black Match Made, a nationwide matchmaking service. She’s a mix of southern charm and Chicago grit.

Find her @jasloveslove

Medical Students Viral Photo On Slave Plantation: “We Are Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams”

By Derek Lane, BlackDoctor.org As a medical student, getting your white coat is a pretty big deal. But now, a group of Black medical students have taken it further by showcasing their achievement was brought about by our ancestors.

Now that photo has gone viral.

Altogether, there were 16 members of Tulane University’s Student National Medical Association (SNMA) who made a 50-mile trek from New Orleans to a plantation to make the now-viral image possible. As of Thursday, a single tweet of the photo had been liked more than 75,000 times and retweeted more than 17,000 times.

The students planned the photo to inspire other young black people to honor where they come from.

Slave quarters like the Whitney Planta-

tion once was a symbol of struggle, strife and death. But now, because of ancestors looked forward to where they could be, Sydney Labat and others are now standing tall as a symbol of life and success.

“We are truly our ancestors’ wildest dreams. As physicians in training, we stood on the steps of what was once slave quarters for our ancestors. This was such a powerful experience, and it honestly brought me to tears. For Black people [pursuing] a career in medicine, keep going. For our entire community, keep striving. Resilience is in our DNA,” Sydney Labat, a med student at the Tennessee University, wrote in a caption on Instagram over the weekend.

Labat and 14 of her classmates planned a trip to Wallace to take a series of photos at the plantation last week.“Seeing that many black students in training in

one photo was striking. In a place that was dedicated to our ancestors and their struggles,” Labat, 24, said. “We knew this photo was going to make people stop … and really think. I can say for myself, I definitely got emotional throughout this experience.”

Russell Ledet, a second-year medical student who helped plan the photo, first visited the site with his daughter during the summer, he said. “I came back and talked about it with Sydney and the classmates. I said, ‘We should… … go in all black and our white coats.’

Everybody was on board,” Ledet said.

Ladet told People Magazine that his daughters comments from the plantation visit is what really sparked the idea. She saw the breath and depth of our rich history and said something profound.

“My 8-year-old daughter was like, ‘Dad,

18

it means a lot to be a black doctor in America. If you think about where we started… we made it pretty far,’” he explains. “I was like ‘You’re right, I think more of us should see this.’”

Now, the world is seeing it.

Thank you Ladet. We stand on the shoulders of many who came before us. Continue to build further, higher and longer.

THE INNER-CITY NEWS - January 01, 2020 - January 07, 2020

The African American Adoption Crisis: Our Kids are Hurting

by Derrick Lane, BlackDoctor.org

According to The Adoption Institute, researchers from the University of Vermont (UVM) discovered that although many white adoptive parents were open to adopting children of other races, they did not want to adopt African-American children.

With more than 100,000 students waiting to be adopted in the U.S., why are Black kids the least desirable? And why do parents go overseas to adopt?

The United States leads the world in international adoptions. The National Center for Adoption reports that Americans completed 6,441 intercountry adoptions in 2014. (This is way down, though, from the peak of 22,000 international adoptions in 2004.)

Meanwhile, there are about 108,000 children available for adoption in the U.S. as of July 2015, according to the National Council of Adoption. AfricanAmerican children are overrepresented — they make up about 24 percent of the children waiting for adoption. (The African-American population in the U.S. is 13 percent).

Researchers at UVM interviewed 41 parents from the northeastern U.S. (all were white except one Asian) who had adopted 52 kids. Thirty-three of the children adopted came from other countries, mostly China, Korea and Guatemala.

The researchers shared their findings in a report titled, “We Didn’t Even Think About Adopting Domestically: The Role of Race and Other Factors in Shaping Parents’ Decisions to Adopt Abroad.”

The main reasons the subjects chose to adopt kids from overseas were: – Fear of birth parents changing their mind and wanting their child back – Concern about open adoptions where birth parents maintain some contact with their child – An assumption that adoptive children in the U.S. have more health issues due to alcohol or drug abuse by their mothers Here’s where it gets really interesting.

While many of the parents surveyed said they were open to adopting children of any race — and even actively sought nonwhite children overseas — several said no when it came to black American children. In fact, 18 of the parents explicitly said they wouldn’t adopt a

black child. African-American children, in particular, were seen as “too different” physically and culturally.

“It was weird that we were fine with Asian. We were fine with South American. And we weren’t with African American… Maybe I wasn’t exposed or I just thought it would be too different.”

— Jenny, study participant who adopted from Guatemala Just two of the adopted children in the study group were African-American.

The other four black children adopted came from other countries: Haiti, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Nikki Khanna is a sociology professor who led the study. She notes via email that U.S. adoptions from Africa have more than tripled between 2003 and 2010. But she says it’s not clear why the parents she interviewed found African children more adoptable than black American kids. “For these parents, it is possible that they perceive AfricanAmerican culture as more ambiguous and less defined than that of Tanzanian or Congolese culture, for example, and hence more accessible to them. More re-

search, however, is needed.” And then, there’s the race issue. Khanna says many parents cited long-standing, contentious race relations between blacks and whites as a deterrent to adopting African-American kids. “They were hesitant to enter into a situation in which they themselves had to take up and address this history

with their own African-American children. Perhaps some parents feel that if they adopt from Africa that they or their African children are somehow exempt from this history. I would argue, however, that that view is ill-conceived and highly problematic.”

FREE PHONES

When you switch 2 lines. Plus sales tax and activation fee. ID validation required.

Switcher Instant Rebate: For a limited time at participating Metro® by T-Mobile stores, purchase a Samsung Galaxy A20 or LG Stylo 5 phone and port-in an existing eligible wireless number to that phone and receive an instant $239.99 rebate off full retail price with validation of name, address, and date of birth provided through independent database and presentation of matching identification. Limit four (4) Switcher Plus Instant rebates and four (4) total combined Switcher Plus, Switcher, New Line, and Upgrade Instant Rebates per account/household.

Excludes phone numbers currently on T-Mobile or active on Metro in past 90 days. Provided in form of credit against regular purchase price at time of sale and has no cash value. See store associate for complete details. Sales tax not included and is collected in accordance with state and local laws. Certain restrictions apply. Offer available while supplies last. No rain checks. General: $15 activation fee per line. Not all phones or features available on all service plans. Coverage and services not available everywhere. Rates, services, coverage, and features subject to change. Phone selection and availability may vary. Screen images simulated and subject to change. Metro features and services for personal use only. See store or metrobyt-mobile.com for details, coverage map, restrictions and Terms and Conditions of Service (including arbitration provision). Metro and other words, slogans, designs and devices are registered or unregistered trademarks of T-Mobile USA, Inc. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks, service marks, and other intellectual property are the properties of their respective owners.

Copyright ©2019 T-Mobile USA, Inc.

19

THE INNER-CITY NEWS -

January 01, 2020 - January 07, 2020

Health insurance plans that are just right for your right now.

Whether you’re the first generation or the third, we connect you to quality health insurance plans that help you protect your health — and your finances. Find the plan that fits your needs at AccessHealthCT.com.

Access Health CT Extends Enrollment

Deadline To Jan. 15

Financial help is still available.

Open Enrollment ends December 15.

36965_CORE_Inner City 925x105_English.indd 1

20

10/18/19 4:46 PM