THE INNER CITY NEWS

Co-Op Students Ease On Down The Road

Lucy Gellman, Editor, The Arts Paper newhavenarts.org

At first the lyrics were gentle and buttery, so soft they seemed to be flirting with the dark of the auditorium. What would I do if I could suddenly feel? And to know once again that what I feel is real? They swelled, certain as they crested through the room. What would I do if I could reach inside of me/And to know how it feels to say I like what I see? A tin suit and matching tin hat caught in the light. Behind it, a green-clad, glowering Wizard hung on to every word.

So unfolds Cooperative Arts & Humanities High School's performance of The Wiz, running March 12 through 14 at the school's 177 College St. auditorium. Directed by theater teachers Christi Sargent and Valerie Vollono with help from staff in dance, music, theater, and choir, the musical is a dazzling, visually sumptuous, sweet and often magical celebration of Black and queer joy at a time when students may need it most. As it comes to the stage this week, it is also an invitation to find support—however unlikely—in the community one builds around them.

"There's a lot of darkness, a lot of sadness in the world right now," said Sargent, who first directed The Wiz at Co-Op in 2008. "I think laughter is one of the best ways to connect … We've been talking a lot about joy as a tool to dismantle oppression."

It was the right fit for this year, both she and Vollono added: the school's last two musicals, Sister Act and Hairspray, are both fairly gender normative shows. The 2020 production of RENT, which was an early casualty of the Covid-19 pandemic, tested both staff and students emotionally over months of postponements and cancellations. When staff members started thinking of musical contenders for this year, The Wiz felt like a show that could bend gender, celebrate Blackness, and dive deep on exploration and unlikely friendship all in under three hours.

And on the school's stage it does, with a mellifluous core and a twinkle-toed ensemble that never seems to stop moving. Based on L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Wiz tells the story of native Kansan Dorothy (Laila KellyWalker), whose quiet life with her Aunt Em (Samaia Brantley) and sweet terrier Toto (Marangelie Colón) is uprooted when a tornado rips through her town. Dropped into the strange land of Oz, she meets a Scarecrow (a lithe-limbed Dakarai Langley), Tinman (Aaron Steed), Cowardly Lion (Jayla Bosley) and Addaperle (Adrian Solocio, performing in drag), the Good Witch of the North. Ten minutes in, she's begun to make a fantastical pilgrimage back to Kansas via Oz, complete with the sparkling slippers of the Wicked Witch of the East.

Each of these characters are looking for something—a missing heart, brains, the courage to go on—that will make them feel at home in their own bodies. Each wants to see the elusive Wiz (Alijah Steed), who has the power to fulfill wishes. And each doesn’t know what’s in store when he orders them to kill Evillene (Caden Davila-Sanabria), a steampunk, cackling Wicked Witch of the West who enslaves a fleet of flying monkeys and a sweatshop of Ozians named the Winkies. Just imagine the urge to escape from latestage capitalism, except with Pez-colored tones and an earworm of a soundtrack.

It’s fitting at Co-Op, where the student body is as diverse and polyphonic as the city itself. While its template may be Baum's book, The Wiz folds in cultural and historical references to Black America and the African Diaspora, from Evermean's graffiti-drenched walls and sweatshop-like lair to choreographed, musically scored nods to slavery, Jim Crow, and the continued economic disenfranchisement of Black Americans. When the film dropped in 1978, small-town Kansas became Harlem, a tornado transformed into an East Coast blizzard, and a carnivalesque version of New York City stood in for Oz.

At Co-Op, students have made it very much their own, infusing the roles with sweet, sharp, still-evolving, out-of-thebox and often effervescent personalities and an interest in a more compassionate and tolerant world. As she takes the

stage, Kelly-Walker wears a plaid skirt, sparkling Chuck Taylors and a cropped denim vest that reads We Will Not Be Erased, marrying punk with a rallying cry recognizable in both Black and LGBTQ+ spaces. She nails the part, shy and tentative at the beginning of the show with a growing curiosity about the world that fits her real life interests in choir, conducting, and nursing school.

“I really like to interpret the character,” she said at a tech rehearsal Thursday, adding that she’s pulled from iconic past performances of Shanice Williams, Stepha-

who still preaches each Sunday at New Haven's Powerhouse Temple Ministries. No character misses in this show. As the tornado touches down, ensemble members dance themselves into a frenzy as lights twinkle and spin prismatically around them, turning lengths of black fabric into a growing storm. The scene changes, and they become a flock of hungry crows, field of huge, dancing red poppies, and physical, singing yellow brick road. As the moody Gatekeeper to the Emerald City, Max Hoffman wins the audience over with two precise snaps of a rainbow fan and whispered snippet of RuPaul's "Cover Girl" that is Drag Race ready. And by two minutes into the second act, a fearless Davila-Sanabria (atop a rolling cart, à la Anthony Rapp in "La Vie Boheme" but better) has landed somewhere between steampunk and the Joker, stealing the second act.

There's something poetic there. While the film is old enough to belong to past generations, many of the cast and crew members grew up with it, watching it alongside parents, grandparents, and siblings. Now—and in the same month a revival of the musical comes to Broadway with Co-Op grad Avery Wilson—they have the chance to put their own spin on it. At a tech rehearsal Thursday afternoon, Aaron Steed remembered sitting down with his brother when the two were seven or eight, and taking notes on the movie for the first time. Back then, he said, he didn't understand why his mom was so excited for them to see the film. Almost exactly a decade later, he gets it.

"It's so much bigger than what I saw it to be when I was little," he said. "It brings Black joy and it shows us in a different context. It shines so much light on current events too."

nie Mills and Diana Ross. “I’m just so grateful.”

Around her, characters come to life: Langley lands the physical humor of a Scarecrow who is just relearning to walk and can't remember Dorothy's name, the Steed brothers, who are twins and juniors at the school, have built in a number of comedic pauses and sly double takes, Bosley shimmies, hip-checks, and belts her way into bravery, and Alijah Steed strikes a balance between disappointed matriarch (yes, we heard you suck your teeth) and fiery preacher, channeling a grandfather

For instance, he said, he thinks of the song "Slide Some Oil To Me" as an allegory for working together and forming bonds that help friends support each other. When Dorothy spots the Tinman, he's so rusted that he can't move his limbs anymore. Instead of walking by, she listens to his grunting, strained whisper until she's found a can of oil. As she pours it onto him, he stands and begins to dance, gliding across a patch of stage in a pool of bright light. Steed eases into the role, dancing swiftly as his lines spill across the stage.

"This is a dream come true," he said. "I'm really going up in my potential."

That's also true for Bosley, a sophomore in the theater department who described The Wiz as "perfection" that she has loved since childhood. When she saw that the show was coming to Co-Op, she originally hoped to play Dorothy or one of the witches. Then she thought about

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Laila Kelly-Walker as Dorothy, Aaron Steed as the Tinman, Jayla Bosley as the Cowardly Lion and Dakarai Langley as the Scarecrow in Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School's production of The Wiz. Lucy Gellman Photos.

Laila Kelly-Walker as Dorothy.

Laureate Helps Kids Tap Poetic Powers

by MAYA MCFADDEN

Fifth-grader Aly Gaye knew where to start when New Haven’s poet laureate asked him to write verses about himself: My power lies in my brain, in my smarts.

Gaye’s poem was one of the products of a workshop taught Wednesday by New Haven Poet Laureate Sharmont “Influence” Little to fifth and sixth graders at King/Robinson Interdistrict Magnet School. The students joined Little for a lesson in spoken word poetry to branch off their recent unit in poetry in their ELA class.

Little tasked the students with writing a poem about themselves that uses the same starting phrase for each line or to freestyle.

Students protested to Little that they wouldn’t be able to put together such detailed magic on paper like he did while demonstrating spoken word poetry to the class. “You’re great enough to try,” he reminded them.

So they did.

Most students formatted the start of their poems with Little’s suggested phrase “I come from…” though Gaye decided to make his own creative decisions and went a different route with his poem, which he named “My Power”:

My power lies in my athletic ability

My power lies in my strength

My power lies In my self proudness

My power lies in my belief in myself

My power lies in my fiery spirit

My power lies in myself

My power lies in my beautiful Black skin That is where my power lies.

Click here to watch Gaye and his fifth

grade classmates perform their poems.

Other students’ poems highlighted their roots, God’s blessings, their moms’ love, Afghanistan, respecting teachers, and Newhallville.

Gaye, 10, said Wednesday’s poetry workshop by Little was inspiring. “I like making my own freestyle poem because

it feels like you have a lot of power and control,” he said. Gaye added that his poem was inspired by his recent reading of the Autobiography of Malcolm X, which taught him that self-esteem is important.

His advice to others was “for anyone who wants to try poetry to speak your

mind and let your heart lead.”

Little said his goal Wednesday was to help the students improve their public speaking skills and learn that being a poet is a career possibility. “When I was a kid, literature wasn’t a career model, it was just something you had to do,” he recalled.

Here’s Little’s version of Wednesday poetry prompt:

I come from the city of New Haven I come from my mother’s love I come from my grandmother saying ‘boy, you better tell the truth’

I come from rainy nights full of thunder with momma saying ‘boy hush God is calling’

I come from Saturday morning cartoons, Tom and Jerry, ThunderCats, and Voltron I come from Sunday morning church services and Sunday dinners, Ox tails, collard greens, candied yams, and sweet corn bread

I come from ‘you better respect your elders’ ‘no talking back’ ‘you better do your school work while you in that schoolhouse’

I come from ‘you better be good’ I come from ‘you need to be an intellectual that’s the only thing in the world they can’t take from you’

I come from in my neighborhood there’s crime

I come from not being a follower I come from being a leader I come from be positive, being a good person

I come from no matter what they do always remember I come from greatness I come from being great

Sisters’ Journey Celebrates Our March Survivor of the Month Lorretta D. Fuller

I was diagnosed with breast cancer on December 26, 2018.

I felt a mass under my left armpit in early December of that year. It was painful as I moved my arm. My previous mammogram and ultrasound were in September 2018 and showed no signs of any abnormalities.

I already had a scheduled appointment with my gynecologist in December before Christmas. After I told her what I felt, she examined me and told me to immediately go back to where I had my mammogram and ultrasound and not to leave until they saw me. For context, this was the week before Christmas. I assured her I would go as soon as I left her office, and I did! Dr. Russo did another mammogram and ultrasound, and I had several biopsies.

I received “the call” on December 26, 2018. I was at work at the time, and surprisingly, I was very calm. I told my staff and went home and told my aunt. I had Stage 2 breast cancer.

My doctor already had made an appointment for me for the next day. I met

with the medical team to discuss my treatment plan. I had several tests and images done to locate the exact area and size.

I told my doctor I was a little OCD and always liked to be in control, so I took out my calendar to write down what, when, and where. I asked a lot of questions, including when my hair would begin to fall

out, so I could make appointments with my hairdresser and barber.

My treatment consisted of chemotherapy which started in February 2019, surgery, a left mastectomy, and radiation. I waited a few years. and later had reconstruction on the right side to be more balanced. I was 48 years old at the time

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of my diagnosis. I am blessed to see 54 years of life. I’m currently enjoying my sixth year of survivorship.

Throughout my journey, I had my family, my faith, and my medical team by my side. My Oncologist was excellent, explaining everything along the way. And I asked a lot of questions.

A special thanks to my Aunt Pearl, who never left my side, accompanying me to all my appointments. She was my shoulder to lean on and my Rock

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Alders Pass Law That Allows CAO To Live Out Of Town

by LAURA GLESBY

A handful of high-up local officials can apply to live outside of New Haven, as long as they can demonstrate a “critical need” or “extraordinary hardship” associated with living within city bounds after serving in their roles for at least a year.

The Board of Alders carved out that avenue for incumbent “coordinators,” who each oversee 8 to 10 city departments, to circumvent the city charter’s residency requirement by passing an ordinance amendment on Monday evening.

The legislation marked a tentative step toward loosening residency mandates for city employees — a goal that Mayor Justin Elicker’s administration has supported as a means of helping the city more easily recruit talented staff, but that failed to gain traction during the alderled 2023 charter revision process.

The city’s coordinators currently include Economic Development Administrator Michael Piscitelli, Community Services Administrator Eliza Halsey, and Chief Administrative Officer Regina Rush-Kittle.

Rush-Kittle is planning to seek out the

exception to live in Rocky Hill, where the rest of her family resides. In a February statement to the Independent, she wrote, “It has been a privilege working for the City of New Haven for the past two years, and I would enjoy continuing to serve in this role. At the same time, my family is based in Rocky Hill and, like other working families, I’d love to be able to do the job I love during the day and then commute home to be with family on the evenings and weekends.”

Four alders — East Rock’s Anna Festa, Fair Haven Heights’ Rosa Ferraro Santana, Beaver Hills’ Tom Ficklin, and West Hills’ Honda Smith — voted against the amendment on Monday.

“I’m torn about this ordinance. It makes sense. It’s clear. But I feel strongly that any leadership positions for this city should reside in this city,” Festa said in public remarks before voting. “We don’t have anyone that is qualified to fill these positions that resides in the City of New Haven?”

In response, Majority Leader and Westville Alder Richard Furlow stressed that the exception would apply only to incumbent coordinators who have already served in the role.

“We also know that sometimes, life happens,” Furlow said. “This ordinance is providing an exception for any coor-

dinator that at some point may run into hardship and can no longer be a resident or an elector of the city.”

Under the new ordinance, a city coordinator who has served in their role for at least one year can submit an application (or have the mayor submit one on their behalf) to the city’s personnel director with a description of a “critical need” or “extraordinary hardship” that requires them to live outside of the city.

The ordinance amendment provides examples of such a need or hardship, including:

• “Economic hardship,” such as whether the coordinator would suffer a financial loss by selling a previously-owned home outside of the city and the “cost of maintaining multiple residences for the purpose of complying” with the residency requirement.

• Whether the coordinator’s household includes school-aged kids.

• Whether a member of the coordinator’s household has to live in a different location.

• “Health-related or medical reasons.”

A majority of the Board of Alders would have to approve of the application. If the exception is approved, the coordinator would still have to live within 50 miles of New Haven and within the state of Connecticut.

“ A short and wondrous play that plumbs the depths of 21st-century terrors, large and small.

THOMAS BREEN PHOTO Ordinance's first beneficiary, CAO Regina Rush-Kittle.

Douglass, Baldwin, Harrington:

The Collections of Walter O. Evans at Beinecke

Library

Exhibition through July 7 – free and open to all

121 Wall St., New Haven, info: beinecke.library.yale.edu

Aspiring Educators Scholarship Supports Students of Color Pursuing Their Teaching Dreams

by Jamil Ragland

HARTFORD, CT – Future teachers of color joined state legislators and education officials to celebrate a scholarship that will help diversify the teacher landscape in the state.

Sen. Doug McCrory, D-Hartford, held a news conference Monday at the Legislative Office Building to discuss the Aspiring Educators Diversity Scholarship Program, which is designed to encourage more people of color to pursue careers in education by providing financial support for their studies.

“This program represents an investment in a future where Connecticut students from all backgrounds can see themselves reflected in their teachers,” McCrory said. “Scholarships like this are a critical step in addressing systemic barriers in education and ensuring that the teaching profession is accessible and appealing to folks from all walks of life.”

The Aspiring Educators Diversity Scholarship is available for diverse students who graduated from a public high school in a priority school district. Students must be enrolled in an approved educator preparation program in Connecticut, and can earn up to $10,000 annually for undergraduate or graduate programs. Students who receive the scholarship commit to working in a Connecticut school district for three years. The deadline for apply for a scholarship this year is March 15th, and students can apply here.

Last year, the state legislature funded the scholarship with $4 million. Money was awarded to 29 students from an applicant pool of over 300. To respond to the

high demand for the program, McCrory said he would like to increase funding to $6 million this session.

Deputy Commissioner of Education Sinthia Sone-Moyano spoke about the impact the scholarship will have not only on future educators, but also on the students they teach.

“The Aspiring Educators Scholarship is a win for the field of education. It addresses the disparities that our students of color often face due to systemic barriers in access to education by increasing the number of our classrooms that are led by teachers of color,” she said.

During the news conference, three recipients of the scholarship spoke to describe how the program helped them to pursue their dreams of being teachers.

“My main reason for becoming a teacher is, as others have said, I haven’t seen a lot of people who look like me in the environment helping students and I think that goes a long way,” said Sherrod Cuttino, a student at Central Connecticut State University. “Even now, being so young, I talk to other students and they say I’m a role model to them. So I can only imagine the effect on a larger scale when I become a teacher.”

CCSU sophomore Nylarmar Samuels hopes to be a high school history teacher. “I want to be a teacher because I want to bring different cultural aspects into the classroom,” Samuels said. “Whether it’s in the curriculum or not, I feel like it’s important for students to learn about the people around them. This scholarship has helped me alot as well. My family doesn’t get alot of financial aid, so I’m really thankful to be receiving it because it helps

my mom out alot.”

Lizmarie Maldonado, a senior at Eastern Connecticut State University, is excited to be a role model for students like her as well. “One of the quotes that I live by is ‘Be the teacher you needed when you were younger.’ Growing up, I didn’t have a lot of support financially, and this scholarship has allowed me to pursue my master’s degree.”

Connecticut requires that certified teachers complete a master’s degree program, as well as testing appropriate to the grade level which they will be teaching. When the costs of tuition and testing are combined, students can find themselves in tens of thousands of dollars of debt before they ever get in front of a classroom and begin earning income.

Additionally, Connecticut has a major shortcoming when it comes to attracting and retaining teachers of color. According to a report by Education Reform Now, 52.5% of students in Connecticut classrooms are children of color, yet only 11.2% of educators are people of color.

“We also have to keep in mind that drawing these wonderful kids into our profession is only step one. We need to figure out how to keep and maintain these people in our workforce,” said Kate Dias, president of the Connecticut Education Association. “Not only is that important in terms of providing these scholarships so that our students are entering their field and getting into the classroom with less debt, but we also have to think about how we’re supporting and maintaining the profession.”

Sen. Doug McCrory, D-Hartford, speaks to reporters about the Aspiring Educators Diversity Scholarship Program on Monday, March 11, 2024, at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. L to R in background: CEA President Kate Dias, Nylamar Samuels, Sherrod Cuttino, and Lizmarie Maldonado. Credit: Jamil Ragland / CTNewsJunkie

From a 4-year-old orphan to an international award-winning actress The inspiring story of Thuso

by Ben Ebuka, Face2FaceAfrica.com

Growing up in the early 1990s, Thuso Mbedu never dreamt of being an entertainment figure. At a very young age, she wanted to be a dermatologist, but after taking a dramatic arts class in the 10th grade, she became interested in acting. Her acting career has earned her fame and fortune locally and internationally, rising to become one of the most sought after actresses from South Africa. At 27, she was named in the 2018 Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 List, and one of the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African Magazine. Born on July 8, 1991, at the Midlands Medical Center in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, to a Zulu mother and Xhosa and Sotho father, she never enjoyed the care of her parents who died when she was barely four years old. She was raised by her grandmother, a very strict school principal in school and at home. Her name reflected the multicultural tribes of her parents – Thuso is a Sotho name, Nokwanda is a Zulu name, and Mbedu is Xhosa.

Mbedu went to Pelham Primary School and Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School and graduated from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa in 2013, where she studied Physical Theatre and Performing Arts Management. Earlier in 2012, she took a summer course at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City.

Career

Her acting career began in 2014 when she played a minor role of ‘Nosisa’ in the popular South African Soap Opera ‘Isibaya’ from Mzansi Magic. In 2015, she played a guest role as ‘Kheti’ in the Second Season of the SABC 2 youth drama series ‘Snake Park.’

Awards’ (Outstanding Actress – TV Movie / Limited Series), the ‘Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards’ (Best Actress in a Limited Series, Anthropology Series or Television Movie), the ‘Gotham Awards’ (Outstanding Performance in New Series), the ‘Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards’ (TV Breakout Star), and the ‘Critics Choice Television Awards’ (Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Movie), all for her role ‘Cora Randall’ in the 2021 TV series ‘The Underground Railroad.’

She won the ‘TV Breakout Star’ award from the Hollywood Critics Association TV and won the ‘Outstanding Performance in New Series’ award from the Gotham Awards.

She got her first starring role in the teen drama television series ‘IS’THUNZI’ from Mzansi Magic where she played ‘Winnie.’ Her international debut was in ‘The Underground Railroad’ an American fantasy historical drama series based on the novel ‘The Underground Railroad’ written by Colson Whitehead.

In 2022, she starred in her first film ‘The Woman King’ an epic historical drama about Agosie, where an entire female warrior unit protected the West African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 17 – 19th century. She played ‘Nawi’, a zealous recruit in the military unit.

In 2017, Mbedu was nominated for the ‘DSTV Viewers Choice Awards’ and the ‘International Emmy Awards for the ‘Best Performance by an Actress’ for her role ‘Winnie Bhengu’ in the 2016 -2017 television drama series ‘IS’THUNZI.’

In 2018, she won the ‘South African Film and Television Awards’ for ‘ Best Actress – TV Drama’ for her role ‘Winnie Bhengu’ in the 2016 -2017 television drama series ‘IS’THUNZI.’ She was also nominated for the ‘International Emmy Awards for ‘Best Performance by an Actress’ for her role ‘Winnie Bhengu’ in the television drama series ‘IS’THUNZI.’

In 2022, Mbedu was nominated for the ‘Independent Spirit Awards (Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series), for her role ‘Cora Randall’ in the 2021 television series ‘The Underground Railroad.’ She won the ‘Critics Choice Television Awards’ for ‘Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Movie’ for her role ‘Cora Randall’ in ‘The Underground Railroad.’

In her keynote speech at TheWrap’s Power Women Summit, Thuso Mbedu tearfully spoke of how she overcame the loss of her dear parents, grandmother, and aunt. But her role in Amanda Lane’s ‘IS’THUNZI’ gradually renewed her hope in life.

In 2021, she was nominated for the ‘Television Critics Association Award’ (Individual Achievement in Drama), the

“…my world was that blur, until Amanda Lane happened in 2016. The role that Amanda Lane gave me was the difference between life and death for me. Receiving that audition brief, I told myself that I would audition like it was my last audition. I gave it the last of everything that I had, that at the time I got the callback, I had nothing left. I secretly made the decision not to do the callback because I had nothing left to give. But fortunately, I received the callback. So I didn’t do the callback because the role was mine. I had given up. I was in a very dark place at the time, and the character, the role, the opportunity, was a much needed light. And I told myself that I will act as if it was the last character that I will play. And through a great script and an amazing director, I earned two International Emmy Awards for that role…”

Thuso Mbedu. Photo -IOL ‘Black Reel

LEAP Raises $450k For Underserved Kids

by MELISSA LIRIANO

This Citizen Contribution was submitted by Melissa Liriano, LEAP’s communications coordinator.

Leadership, Education, and Athletics in Partnership, Inc.’s (LEAP) 29th annual LEAP Year was a great success, with new community connections made, fascinating topics discussed, and delicious food enjoyed by all. The fundraiser brought together public officials, business professionals, philanthropic donors, and volunteers to support LEAP’s mission of empowering New Haven’s youth to become leaders in their communities.

This year’s event raised over $450,000 through sponsorships, ticket sales, a biddown auction, and donations. LEAP is an educational non-profit serving children and youth in New Haven since 1992. Their children’s program offers free afterschool and summer programs to kids aged 7 to 12 at seven different school sites in six neighborhoods. LEAP also provides a program for young people aged 13 to 15 called Leaders in Training (LITs). It includes workshops to improve their selfconfidence, financial literacy, and conflict management skills. They also participate in various activities such as swimming, theater, cooking, and dance classes.

LITs aged 14 to 15 have opportunities for paid internships where they can learn from Counselors and Site Coordinators how to teach literacy lessons and be mentors. For those aged 16 to 18, LEAP’s program provides them with the opportunity to become Junior Counselors. They have access to resources to help them prepare for college, including college advising, college tours, and weekly check-in meetings with LEAP staff and leadership. College-aged students serve as Senior Counselors and mentors to youth by leading them through an evidence-based literacy curriculum and guiding them in fun activities related to the books they are reading. Counselors also receive support by participating in professional development and career training workshops.

LEAP provides a platform for many counselors and young people to begin their careers, especially those new to the workforce. Many young LEAPers who started the program as children return to LEAP as counselors to mentor a new generation of children. LEAP is proud to offer these free services to youth and teens thanks to the funds raised at the LEAP Year Event, 100% of which go towards maintaining programming free of charge for the community.

This year, LEAP Year Event saw over 500 attendees from Greater New Haven, New York, and even San Francisco, thanks to three virtual conversations.

The evening began with tours of the Dixwell Community “Q” House followed by a cocktail reception and a welcome from LEAP Board’s Vice Chair, Tai Rich-

ardson, Noble Wealth Advisors of Janney Montgomery Scott’s Vice President, Melanie Kregling, and LEAP Executive Director Henry Fernandez. Guests then heard from Tony Scillia, Regional Managing Partner of Marcum LLP, who received the LEAP Community Service award for the value he provides to the New Haven community.

During the opening reception, attendees heard from Angel Llera, a Junior Counselor who started at LEAP as a LIT when she was just 14 years old. Today, Angel is a high school senior gearing up for college, and she has many options to choose from! She is appreciative of the support she received from her Site Coordinator, Paris Jones, who “helped [her] realize that [she] could reach [her] goals and have bigger dreams.” Angel said, “[Going on the LEAP college tour] opened up my idea of which colleges were possible for me… I worked as a LEAP counselor for many girls and have been their mentor, and it [led] me to want to become a social worker.”

Afterward, guests heard from LEAP Alum Chanel Rice, who was recently promoted to Assistant Principal of Edgewood Magnet School. Chanel reflected on her experience being a LEAP Counselor for the first time and how her Site Coordinator at the time, Tomi Veale (Director of New Haven’s Elderly Services), helped develop her into the person she is today. Chanel said, “LEAP allowed me to grow, starting as a Senior Counselor and elevating [me] to an Assistant Site Coordinator. I am fortunate to have built strong professional relationships and friendships with some of LEAP’s greatest. I am eternally grateful for all LEAP has poured into me, professionally and personally.”

The opening reception showcased pho-

tos from the academic year and summer program, including a camping trip to Putnam Memorial State Park, field trips to places like Sonny’s Place and the Bronx Zoo, and the exciting end-of-component LEAP Expos. LEAP provides a safe and fun environment for children, and its philosophy is based on the values of community, leadership, and mentorship.

LEAP Year Event aims to create a sense

bers of the LEAP community.

After the cocktail reception, guests had the choice of attending one of 17 different dinners on Thursday, Feb. 29, and three dinners on Saturday, Mar. 2, or three conversations on Zoom, where they engaged in conversation with special guests, including Mark Simon of Centerbook Architects, Deputy Director of the Yale Quantum Institute A. Douglas Stone, The New York Times columnist Phillip Galanes, Co-Founder of Galvanize Climate Tom Steyer, and many more. The topics of conversation ranged from healthcare equity to the history of the failed founding of the first HBCU to decentralized banking. Some conversations even featured a private tour of the Yale Art Gallery and musical performances by Monk Family Jazz and STEAM Collective, Inc., The Haven String Quartet, and Andy Rubenoff.

One Zoom conversation was Plumb the Ocean’s Depths with Guest of Honor Paul Sullivan, hosted by Allie Perry and Charles Pillsbury. Sullivan discussed how the ocean shapes our climate, sustains our planet, and safeguards our economies and nations. Alva Greenberg and Roxanne Coady hosted Horacio Marquínez, a filmmaker from Panama, who shared powerful stories of Americans across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guests enjoyed watching a snippet of his documentary, America Unfiltered (2023), and discussed the importance of the arts and education equity.

These conversations held across the New Haven area make LEAP’s work possible. LEAP is gearing up for its spring break college tour, during which high school students will visit colleges in Virginia and Maryland. In addition to the college tour, LEAP is planning hiking and outdoor education trips for its teens to New Hampshire with partner the Appalachian Mountain Club and to Maine with the Ecology School, as well as a college experience at Connecticut College with partner David Dorfman Dance. These same teens will also be trained in teaching phonics and leading engaging activities based on culturally relevant books for their younger mentees in LEAP’s programs. Opportunities like these provide LEAP’s 1,300 young people with the space to explore and learn and are made possible by the community participating in LEAP Year Event.

of community and connection by providing guests with personal and intimate experiences. The dinner-table setting creates a non-intimidating, casual, and warm atmosphere, perfect for those who prefer smaller crowds. With only 12 to 25 guests at each dinner in the hosts’ homes and local restaurants, there is an opportunity to get to know others, whether guests are long-time LEAP supporters or new mem-

Thank you to all who supported LEAP! Your contributions help kids in disinvested areas learn, explore new interests, and make lasting friendships. In particular, LEAP would like to thank their top sponsors: Noble Wealth Advisors of Janney Montgomery Scott, Roger Ibbotson, The George Ellis Co., Roz & Jerry Meyer, Hap & Stacey Perkins with Unicorr Packaging Group, Carol Sirot, and many more! Together, we are moving forward to create a New Haven for our children.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Guests attend the Sing Us a Song, Piano Man dinner singalong with Andy Rubenoff, hosted by Drs. Desir.

Pictured right to left: LEAP Board Member Dr. Cynthia Mann, NewAlliance’s LaKisha Jordan, Yale’s Fallon Thomas, and LEAP Board Member Deborah Stanley-McAulay.

Guests listen to the opening welcome from LEAP Board’s Vice Chair Tai Richardson at the Dixwell Community “Q” House.

Where innovative heart research becomes personalized heart care.

Our Heart and Vascular Center leads the region in advancing cardiovascular care. With the brightest physicians, more than 150 research scientists and over 200 clinical trials, our groundbreaking treatments are improving lives today and ensuring better outcomes tomorrow.

Threads by Tea Launches Sartorial Journey with ETHOS

Mindi Rose, The Arts Paper newhavenarts.org

Tea Montgomery is on a mission. He wants to dress folks in everyday costumes that help them express how they feel and/ or how they want to feel. And he wants to bring people together and honor them, no matter where they are in their journey.

Montgomery laid out the vision for his latest creative project, ETHOS, to a full house of friends, family, and fashionistas at the opening reception at The Third Space in Hamden on Sunday. He said the evening was the first of a series of five events that will include music, video, food, and, of course, fashion, that he will host over the course of the year.

“A new art discipline I’m exploring is curating talent and producing experiences, telling stories through collaborative art,” he said.

Montgomery defines ETHOS as an introspective view into the traits and characteristics that form who we are, how we present to the world and where our power lies; the project is supported by a $20,000 Artist Corps Grant from the Arts Council of Greater New Haven.

Montgomery is scaling up his business, Threads by Tea, with the ETHOS line, which consists of five themes: The Heroes (the villains and anti-villains walking the streets every day), the Jungle (which includes peace and beauty as well as predators and dangers), the Lovers (matching and coordinating sets), Clarity (futuristic, breezy, transparent materials), and Ethos (a culmination of all the collections).

The parts of the collection represent the journey of self discovery and self actualization Montgomery is on and the fashion line and associated events give form to the wisdom he’s accumulated along the way.

“This is me telling my New Haven story,” Montgomery said. “It’s who I am and how I contribute to the world.”

Looking regal and comfortable in a floor-length tunic and loose pants from his ETHOS Clarity line, Montgomery was clearly serious about the work he’s doing, but his sense of humor came through, too, as he explained how a piece from the Superhero line (shown at right in the photo above) has a skirt that can also be worn as a cape.

“Say you’re going to a ball,” he said with a smile. “Then some mayhem happens in the city. You need your cape and there it is.”

As guests considered the ideas, archetypes, and possibilities of the evening, Montgomery said, “Think about yourself. Are you a hero or a villain?”

Guests wearing outfits by Montgomery mingled and talked about why they loved his work. They spoke of his creativity and attention to detail.

Helen Kauder said she became inspired by Montgomery’s ETHOS collection at a

recent Table and Gallery event and asked if he would design an outfit for her using her own fabrics–pieces of silk she’d purchased 40 years ago on a trip to China and Thailand. He had it ready so she could change into it for the opening.

V (Violeta Ware) of Beware Design spoke about how Montgomery described his ETHOS collection.

“That’s why I appreciate Tea,” the designer said, while also wearing a Montgomery creation. “He appreciates art for what it is. Which is everything.”

Montgomery’s family–parents David and Rachelle Edwards, son Haiven, and brother, Davon Edwards (owner of High Caliber Sounds in Hamden)–a close-knit and creative group themselves, chatted with guests.

His mother welcomed people as they entered. She said that since he was young, Montgomery, who is now 37, has always had his own way of thinking and expressing himself.

“He’s a vibe for us, too!” she said, with a smile.

As part of the ETHOS experience, Montgomery invited local businesses to partner with him for the event’s food, drinks, music and decor. So, while guests enjoyed music by DJ Dooley-O and drinks and empanadas prepared by Chef Hazel Lebron of Caribe Soul and her staff, Montgomery’s other collaborators were hard at work below transforming an unfinished basement into a stylish event venue for the intimate ticketed dinner that followed the opening.

Ronneshia Smith, of Phoenix Interior Decor said Montgomery invited her to do the decor for the event. She took inspiration from Montgomery’s fabrics, especially the clarity line, she said.

“Drapes on the ceiling. Flower tablescapes. I was going for elegant but eccentric,” Smith said.

Sydney Williams, who has owned The Third Space with husband Mike Brown since July, helped decorate. She is a multidisciplined creative and maker from New Haven. She’s also an Artist Corps grant recipient in Montgomery’s cohort.

Chef Steve Roberts of Nappé Roots served a thoughtful tasting menu. As each course was served, he explained to guests how they corresponded with Montgomery’s collections, like a spicy papaya salad to represent the Jungle and a savory duck cassoulet for The Lovers.

The mixologist for the evening was Lebron. Like Roberts, she concocted five cocktails to match Montgomery’s themes. Those drinks, mixed with the set list DJ Loren Jefferson chose, had people singing and dancing in their seats, and sometimes out of them, between courses.

“He’s going to be a legend,” said DJ Dooley-O. “He’s on a legend ladder right now.”

Designer Tea Montgomery is joined by his family, from left to right: his father David Edwards, his brother Devon Edwards, Montgomery, his mother Rachelle Edwards, and his son Haiven. Montgomery launched a new project called ETHOS at The Third Space. Mindi Rose Englart photos.

Helen Kauder and V (Violeta Ware) wearing designs by Montgomery.

ESUMS Students Go Live

by LISA REISMAN

“Quiet on the set, please,” said high school junior Isaiah Correia to six of his classmates. “And … action.”

The scene was the cafeteria at Engineering and Science University Magnet School. The six students, seated on talkshow couches, were about to launch another episode of “Young Minds,” a podcast focused on social issues that impact high school students. The topic of the day: bullying.

The podcast is part of the inaugural Emerge and Expand, a course designed to afford students the ability to create compelling and engaging digital media content and immerse them in the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. The brainchild of ESUMS teachers Mylles Grant and Caysi Morgan, it has won an endorsement from David Noble, who leads the University of Connecticut’s Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

“We created this curriculum to pass on our skills and experiences and help our students capitalize on the digital age

we’re living in,” said Morgan, the founder and CEO of Royal Roots Solutions, a trucking and logistics company; Grant is creator of the clothing brand UNMTCHD and Vybbes, and owner of newly opened The District, a fashion accessories store

in Hamden.

The discussion this past Thursday shifted from bullying in general to cyberbullying and whether it’s more harmful than traditional bullying.

“I would say yes, because I posted

a photo on my [Instagram] story, and a few hours later I got a whole bunch of messages making fun of my ponytail,” one student said, against a backdrop of color-drenched panels picturing, among others, Kehinde Wiley, Michael Jackson,

and Miles Davis in celebration of Black History Month. “When you get comments on how you look, that can affect your mood for the whole day.”

“I get that,” said another. “Plus nowadays so many people are on their phones all the time, so they’re there for everybody to see. I feel like cyberbullying’s actually worse, because it still can reach you when you’re home or anywhere.”

“I think they’re both bad,” said a third. “But, yeah, when you’re being bullied at school, you can just ask to switch to another class or maybe another school, but on your phone, when people say just ignore them, just block them, they can just create another account.”

“Let’s stop there,” Morgan said, the bell sounding as an aroma of grilled cheese wafted through the cafeteria. “That was really good, how you were all building off each other, not arguing with each other, and that kept the flow going.”

“We have a philosophy where anybody in high school can learn skills like content creation, digital storytelling, and video

Continue on page 15

Caysi Morgan and Isaiah Correia direct Young Minds podcast with ESUMS students Jaedyn, Mekhi, Mason, Kimora, Mily, and Kory.

The new haven independent

Cigars, Cupcakes & Lemonade: Black Entrepreneurship On Display

by LISA REISMAN

Quick: Name the New Haven location where a platinum-selling Grammynominated hip hop superstar and coffee entrepreneur joined an award-winning cupcake maker, an up-and-coming cigar collective, and a community-minded lemonade company.

That was Dwight Street’s Cambria Hotel last week, where area entrepreneurs showcased their wares before 100 people in a coffee-tasting event featuring Kiss Cafe and sponsored by Gorilla Lemonade in celebration of Black History Month.

Displaying her peach cobbler, red velvet cupcakes, and slices of Bundt cake was the cupcake maker Tisha Hudson, owner of Stratford ’s Edible Couture, formerly on New Haven’s Court Street. Growing up in Bridgeport, she honed her baking chops from her grandmother. She never stopped baking, even while working for The Pension Service, a retirement plan consultancy, and raising six kids.

In 2011, she issued a Facebook post to come get her cupcakes. When demand dwarfed supply, she left her job and bought a food truck. A brick-and-mortar store followed, as did an appearance on the “Today Show.”

“It’s about having a dream, and pursu-

ing it, and not being afraid to take risks,” she said as Lil’ Kim’s “Crush on You” pulsed through the expansive mellow-lit space. “And hard work. That’s key.”

Across the lobby were Ian Mann and Lawrence Richards of Broadleaf Collective, a mobile concierge and curating service for cigars that they started in August 2020.

“Cigar are celebratory, they’re relaxing, but they’re also really complex,” Mann said. “There are different flavors, notes, aromas, and cigars smoke differently, so there are so many things you can get out of it.”

For Mann, whose ultimate plan is to open a Black-owned cigar lounge in New Haven, “being an entrepreneur is one of the only ways to get financial freedom, and that’s really just the freedom to do what you want. It’s a lot of work, so sometimes you don’t feel free, but it’s worth it.”

Then there was Kiss Cafe, one of a handful of Black-owned coffee brands in the country.

“Three generations of Black men, that’s what sets us apart,” Bob Phillips told emcee Frank Brady during a panel discussion. Phillips represents the oldest of the generations, which include his

Questions about your bill?

Yale New Haven Hospital is pleased to offer patients and their families financial counseling regarding their hospital bills or the availability of financial assistance, including free care funds.

By appointment, patients can speak one-on-one with a financial counselor during regular business hours. For your convenience, extended hours are available in-person at Yale New Haven Hospital once a month.

Date: Monday, March 18, 2024

Time: 5 - 7 pm

Location: Children’s Hospital, 1 Park St., 1st Floor, Admitting

Parking available (handicapped accessible)

An appointment is necessary. Please call 855-547-4584.

In light of COVID-19, patients may call 855-547-4584 any time during regular weekday hours to speak with a counselor on the phone.

Spanish-speaking counselors available.

son, the hip-hop artist Jadakiss, and his grandson Jaewon. “It’s about legacy.”

Phillips, who’s been in the coffee industry for four decades, said he decided to partner with Gorilla Lemonade to cross-promote their brands after meeting founders Kristen Threatt and Brian Burkett-Thompson through mutual friend Norman Forrester, a financier and chairman of the New Haven Parking Authority. “We spent almost an hour on the phone and I could hear the drive and determination they have in building their company and including the youth in this community on their journey,” he said. “These are two young men who are setting the standard.”

With Kiss Cafe’s Liza Goncalves holding up her phone, Jadakiss, a megastar with over a billion streams on Spotify and 3.5 million Instagram followers, made his appearance via Facetime. The crowd drew close.

“Any advice for anyone thinking about creating their own path?” Brady asked him.

“Just block out the background noise and do it,” he said in his trademark gravelly voice. The crowd whooped.

LISA REISMAN PHOTO Hip-hop superstar Jadakiss joins the party.

Broadleaf Collective's Lawrence Richards and Ian Mann.

The new haven independent

Ease On Down The Road

how much her mom and sister loved the Cowardly Lion, and auditioned for the role. After an ensemble part last spring in Hairspray, she said she's excited to be front and center.

"I feel like, very honored to be here," she said as she put the final touches on a shiny orange suit and matching hat that would glimmer beneath the stage’s hot lights. "The musical and rehearsal has been my favorite part of school ... this is really something that I love. I like sharing my interests and my art with everyone."

In the rehearsal process, students have also built a tight-knit family that lasts well after the curtain has closed. They don't just ease on down the road, many said in interviews before rehearsal: they seem to float, holding each other up as they make their journey into the unknown. At some point, they realize that they’ve got each other. Really, that's all they needed in the first place.

"It's about home," Alijah Steed said during a five-minute intermission. "Everyone can get home. Everyone has a place where they're supposed to be, and where they're meant to be."

"This is a show that brings everyone together," added Kelly-Walker, standing nearby before she took her place backstage for act two. "I think it helps me collaborate more with others."

At Thursday's rehearsal, that family bloomed across the auditorium, actors running through the space while teachers gave a five-minute countdown and added last minute touches to costumes, hair and makeup. As choir teacher Harriett Alfred guided students through warmups—Sing a little - sing a little - la la la—Vollono and Sargent took the stage, beaming alongside tech theater teacher Janie Alexander. Sargent stepped forward, outlining a full tech rehearsal that needed to be over by dinnertime.

"What we do today needs to be repeated tomorrow and the next day," she said, weaving quickly through the intricacies of tech week. Around her, students had fallen to a hush, all ears. She took a final deep breath in. "Most important, we need to see you having so much fun from the stage—"

"Joy! Energy!" Vollono exclaimed, finishing the sentence. "That's what this show is all about."

A few giggles drifted up from the stage, and then students fell into silence as the lights went down. An enchanted world of painted cardboard and crepe sat just behind the curtain. In the wings, ensemble members took their places in long skirts meant to billow out like a windy tornado. Kelly-Walker and Brantley found their places at the sides of the auditorium. It was time to make magic.

The Wiz runs at Co-Op March 12 through 14. Tickets and more information are available here.

New Haven Public Schools Early Childhood Programs

Programs for 3 and 4 Year Olds in New Haven

NEW HAVEN

Free 6-hour early childhood programs for low-income New Haven families in the following New Haven Public Schools:

• Benjamin Jepson Multi-Age School

• Dr. Mayo Early Childhood School (Immediate Openings)

• Fair Haven School

• John Martinez Sea & Sky STEM School

• Lincoln-Bassett School

•

• Truman School (Immediate Openings)

Additional community locations also participate in the program.

Contact:

Head Start Registration Office

Tel. 475-220-1464

HeadStartNewHaven.com

475-220-1464

NEW HAVEN

Sliding scale, fee-based 6-hour early childhood programs for New Haven families in the following New Haven Public Schools:

• Augusta Lewis Troup School

• Columbus Family Academy

• East Rock Community School

• Hill Central School

• Nathan Hale School

• Additional community locations also participate in the program.

• Free 4-hour programs available at East Rock Community and Nathan Hale Schools.

Contact : School Readiness

Registration Office

Tel. : 475-220-1482

400

NOW! How to Apply

The

English:

https://registration.powerschool.com/family/gosnap.aspx? action=24982&culture=en

Spanish:

https://registration.powerschool.com/family/gosnap.aspx? action=24982&culture=es

What you will submit with your Application

1) Proof of Age Child’s Birth Certificate OR Legal Custody/Guardianship Papers

2) Proof of Address

Current utility bill (Gas, Electric, Phone, Cable) in your name

3) Proof of Income

• 2 months of Current & Consecutive pay stubs OR W-2 or 1040 Tax Return

• Budget Statement from the CT Department of Social Services or Social Security Office or Child Enforcement Bureau

• Notarized Statement indicating Parent is unemployed

• Additional forms may be requested

4)Proof of a Physical (within one year-to-date)

• CT Department of Education Early Childhood Health Assessment Record

• Anemia and lead level test results

• TB assessment

• Immunizations records

• Seasonal flu vaccination

• Health insurance card

5)Proof of a Dental Exam (within 6-months-to-date)

Dental Exam record

OP-ED: A Silent Killer No More

By Hamil R. Harris, NNPA Contributing Writer

Political provocateurs are determined to stir up controversy over Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s failure to tell President Biden about his treatment for prostate cancer. Yet, his desire to keep the matter private—and out of the public eye—is in line with what many men, particularly men of color, have done for decades. The reticence to share details of a medical condition is understandable, but prostate cancer is a silent killer in the Black community and the time has come to give it a voice.

In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose son Dexter recently passed from prostate cancer, I ask: How long? How long will Men of color suffer in silence and die alone? How long will too many brothers hide their plight?

When he finally commented publicly about his condition, Austin offered regrets about keeping silent and then made an important pledge. He said that by not ini-

tially disclosing his diagnosis, he “missed an opportunity to send a message on an important public health issue,” while noting the prevalence of prostate cancer, particularly among Black men. Encouraging all men to get screened, Austin promised,

“You can count on me to set a better example on this issue today and for the rest of my life.”

Any cancer diagnosis is a private matter. But men like Dexter King and Austin can help so many others who are prone

to prostate cancer. Keeping the surgery and treatment a secret would only have continued to add to the stigma surrounding prostate cancer. That would have been a disservice to the thousands of men of color diagnosed annually.

Indeed, data from Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City shows that more than 13 percent of African American men between the ages 45 and 79 will develop prostate cancer in their lifetimes. And Black men have a 70 percent higher rate of developing prostate cancer than White men. The American Cancer Society also shockingly predicts that Black men are more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than their White counterparts.

These figures are appalling when considering that prostate cancer is one of the most treatable forms of the disease with the five-year survival rate for men diagnosed with it being greater than 99 percent if the cancer is detected during the early stage. While there are numerous reasons for

why this disparity between Black and white men exists – decades of structural racism, environmental issues, certain comorbidities, different molecular pathways in the body of Black men – a great deal of the reason comes down to the fact that Black men are disproportionately not being screened for prostate cancer as early or as regularly as White men.

A recent study published in JAMA Oncology by a team at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center found that Black men get fewer PSA (prostate specific antigen) screenings; they are more likely to be diagnosed with later stage cancer; they are less likely to have health insurance; and they have less access to high-quality care and other disparities that can be linked to a lower overall socioeconomic status.

Given his platform as Secretary of Defense, I am happy that Austin recognized his duty to be open and honest about his battle with this disease. And in doing so, he now joins groups and individuals who

2024 Independent Spirit Awards: A Triumph of Diversity and Talent

By Magrira | New York Amsterdam News

The 2024 Independent Spirit Awards, produced by Film Independent, continues to be a shining example of diversity and inclusion across a challenging landscape.

The annual awards show—which took place beachside in Santa Monica, Calif., and was live-streamed on both IMDB’s YouTube and Film Independent’s YouTube channel—was hosted by former

”Saturday Night Live” star Aidy Bryant. One of the key reasons we cover this event, to be frank, is the respectful treatment our outlet receives, starting with the public relations team at Ginsberg/ Libby who set the tone. Even after attending the event over the years, the enduring sense of “I belong here” remains unchanged. This reaffirms our commitment to supporting such an intelligent and effective organization.

The competition at the awards ceremony was competitive with “Past

Lives,” “May December,” and “American Fiction” battling it out with five nominations each—along with notable actors Greta Lee, Natalie Portman, Charles Melton, and Sterling K. Brown, who starred in the respective films.

Lily Gladstone also joined the festivities as honorary chair for this year’s awards. Distributor A24 scooped up three wins: “Past Lives” for Best Feature and Best Director, and “Showing Up” for the Altman Award. Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios/Amazon Freevee won

three awards: “American Fiction” for Best Screenplay and Best Lead Performance, and “Jury Duty” for Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series. Focus Features won four awards: “The Holdovers” for Best Supporting Performance, Best Breakthrough Performance and Best Cinematographer, and “A Thousand and One” for Best First Feature. Netflix won three awards: “Beef” for Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series and Best New Scripted Series, and “May December” for Best First Screenplay.

Connecticut Prepares For Early Voting Debut in Presidential Preference Primary

by Christine Stuart

Connecticut voters are about to experience a historic shift in election administration as early voting makes its debut for the Presidential Preference Primary. This measure allows voters to cast their ballots in-person ahead of the primary day, providing greater flexibility and accessibility in the electoral process.

Traditionally, the Presidential Preference Primary takes place on a designated Tuesday, which this year falls on April 2. However, eligible voters now have the opportunity to participate in early voting at specific locations in their towns. The early voting period will span four days, March 26, 27, 28, and 30, with voting hours set from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The implementation of early voting

marks a significant milestone in Connecticut’s elections landscape.

Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas praised the collaborative efforts of local officials, including Registrars of Voters and Town Clerks, who prepared their towns for the new voting method.

“I want to commend our Registrars of Voters and Town Clerks who have been working diligently and quickly with limited resources to implement this new style of voting,” Thomas said.

Early voting is open to registered voters affiliated with either the Democratic or Republican parties, the only two parties with candidates on the primary ballot. Unaffiliated voters also have the opportunity to participate by enrolling in either party. However, those already affiliated with a party, such as Democrats or Re-

publicans, are unable to switch parties for this primary, as the deadline for such changes was earlier this year on January 2.

Voters can verify their registration status and party affiliation through the MyVote.ct.gov website.

Connecticut’s adoption of early voting represents a significant departure from its previous electoral practices. Until now, the state was among the minority of states nationwide that did not offer early voting. However, following the passage of a constitutional amendment with bipartisan support in the 2022 election and subsequent legislative action, early voting became a reality with the signing of Public Act 23-5 by Gov. Ned Lamont.

and audio production that can make them as marketable as anybody,” Grant said later, amid the wealth of digital cameras, computers, and lighting equipment in the technology classroom. “Our plan is to get this program into every New Haven public school.”

Last month, Morgan and Grant met UConn’s Noble when he was visiting ESUMS. “He read through our curriculum and our syllabus and he said this is exactly the kind of creatorship trajectory he wants to see Connecticut high schools grow into,” Grant said. “And then he asked our students what entrepreneurship meant to them.”

Among those that answered was sophomore Jaedyn Moore. “I told him it means being able to sustain yourself doing what you love, and without having someone looming over you,” Moore said. “And he said how he wanted to help pave the road for us to become entrepreneurs.”

Overall, Moore said, “I’m naturally shy, but I feel like just from doing the program, the podcast, my voice has grown a lot. I’m able to hold a conversation with someone, instead of ‘oh oh you like French fries,’ talking about real stuff.”

“That’s what’s up,” Morgan said.

Continue from page 14

Students Go Live Killer No More

are already working on spreading awareness for prostate screenings who can act as guideposts.

For example, Mount Sinai Medical Center recently unveiled the Robert F. Smith Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening Unit, which will visit New York City neighborhoods where men could be at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer. The mobile home sized bus is named after the African American philanthropist and venture capitalist who donated almost $4 million to launch the program. Smith, who has led many philanthropic endeavors aimed at supporting the African-American community, obviously realizes that it takes a preemptive approach to combat the scourge of prostate cancer by going directly into the communities most affected by the disease. In announcing the prostate screening initiative, Smith tied it to larger inequities in our society that leave African Americans behind. “It’s unconscionable that in our great country and at this moment of technological breakthrough, Black Americans are still subject to staggeringly worse health outcomes,” he said. “We can fix this.”

Thankfully there are individuals like Smith and now Austin to use their platforms to spread awareness for this deadly – yet very treatable – form of cancer and ensure that more people don’t die needlessly.

Hamil R. Harris is an award-winning journalist and contributing writer for the NNPA

Escuelas Publicas de New Haven

Programas para la Infancia Temprana

Programas GRATUITOS y de escala móvil de 6 horas para la primera infancia para familias de bajos ingresos de New Haven

de NEW HAVEN

Programas para la infancia temprana GRATUITOS de 6 horas para familias de bajos ingresos de New Haven en las siguientes escuelas públicas de New Haven:

• Benjamin Jepson Multi-Age School

• Dr. Mayo Early Childhood School- (Immediate Openings)

• Fair Haven School

• John Martinez Sea & Sky STEM School

• Lincoln-Bassett Community School

• Truman School (Immediate Openings)

• Lugares comunitarios adicionales también participan en el programa.

Tel. 475-220-1464

• Contacto: Head Start Registracion

SCHOOL READINESS

de NEW HAVEN

Programas de educación temprana de 6 horas con tarifa variable y de escala móvil para familias de New Haven en las siguientes escuelas públicas de New Haven:

• Augusta Lewis Troup School

• Columbus Family Academy

• East Rock Community School

• Hill Central School

• Nathan Hale School

• Lugares comunitarios adicionales también participan en el programa.

Programas gratuitos de 4 horas disponibles en las escuelas East Rock Community y Nathan Hale.

Contacto: School Readiness Office 475-220-1482

Oficina de registro de primera infancia

Se encuentra en: Celentano Observatory

400 Canner Street New Haven, CT 06511 para el registro en persona

¡Aceptamos solicitudes!

Como aplicar

La oficina de Primera Infancia ahora está aceptando aplicaciones electronicamente.

Se alienta a los pandres de ninos de 3 y 4 años a presentar su solicitud en linea.4

Spanish:

https://registration.powerschool.com/family/gosnap.aspx? action=24982&culture=es

English:

https://registration.powerschool.com/family/gosnap.aspx? action=24982&culture=en

Que incluir en su inscripcion

1) Demostración de edad

Certificado de nacimiento del niño/a O Documentos legales de custodia / tutela

2) Demostración de dirección

Factura de servicio actual (gas, electricidad, teléfono) a su nombre

Formulario de declaración jurada de residencia

3) Demostración de ingresos

• 2 meses de talones de pago actuales y consecutivos O W-2 o Devolución de impuestos 1040

• Declaración de presupuesto del Departamento de Servicios Sociales de CT,

o de la Oficina del Seguro Social, o de la Oficina de Cumplimiento de Menores (Child Enforcement Bureau)

• Declaración ante notario indicando que el padre o la madre es desempleado/a

4) Físico (dentro del último año)

• Registro de evaluación de la salud del Departamento CT de educación de primera infancia

• Resultados de exámenes de anemia y plomo

• Evaluación TB

• Registros de inmunizaciones Vacunación de la gripe de estación

• Tarjeta de seguro de salud

5) Examen dental

• Registro de examen dental (dentro de los últimos 6 meses)

A Matter of Love & Death: Black Women & Dating Violence

by Nicole Brown, BlackDoctor.org

In 2021, 23-year-old Lauren SmithFields died in her Connecticut apartment in December after a date with a man she had met on Bumble. More than a month later, the police opened a criminal investigation. After one confusing story after another, what happened that night, as well as her cause of death is still unclear. The mother of Lauren Smith-Fields recently announced that she is suing the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut, alleging her daughter was denied a detailed investigation. As if being a Black woman isn’t already a difficult feat, new research shows that Black women, like Smith-Fields, are under attack – especially if she is in or seeking a relationship.

Black women are four times more

likely to be murdered by their lover than white women, according to a Bureau of Justice Statistics report. More research by the Violence Policy Center found similar unfortunate statistics – Black women were murdered at more than twice the rate of white women.

Fifty-seven percent of those killings were done by, again, their partners. “African Americans are disproportionately low income, and statistically, folks who live in low-income environments show higher rates for domestic violence,” expert Oliver Williams, codirector of the Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community, told The Trace.

Many instances of murder by domestic partners begin with abusive or violent relationships. It’s important to recognize the signs of abuse and make a plan to

escape safely before the relationship claims another life.

Here are some things to look for to recognize abuse in your relationship:

Blaming others

Your significant other takes his anger out on you – but instead of blaming himself for his rage, he blames others. If he refuses to take responsibility for his actions, it’s likely that he’s not going to change for the better anytime soon.

Minimizes abuse

Your significant other hits you but denies how badly they hurt you every time. It’s never a big deal, or it’s just a little scratch. This is another sign that they’re not going to stop hurting you anytime

soon.

Wants sympathy

Your significant other needs people on his side, rooting for him to change, so you feel guilty for thinking about leaving him. This is abuse. As long as your significant other can keep you, your children, and your family believing in the relationship, despite the violence, he knows that he doesn’t have to change.

If you’re experiencing any of these signs of domestic abuse, talk to a relative or close friend about what’s going on in your home, and don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Assistance is available via the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.

Meet NASCAR’s Youngest Black Driver, He’s Currently an HBCU Student

By BlackNews.com

Meet Rajah Caruth, the youngest of the only four African American drivers in NASCAR. At just 21 years old, he is balancing his professional racing career while also enrolled at Winston-Salem State University, an HBCU in North Carolina.

In 2014, Caruth’s NASCAR journey began when he attended his first race, a dream he had ever since he watched the Pixar movie Cars at the age of 4, he told Blavity.

Determined to switch from spectator to professional driver, Rajah honed his skills using racing simulators, getting over obstacles like his age, location, and lack of connections in the racing world. He juggled between his high school studies,

a summer job, and competing in eSport racing.

However, Rajah’s shift from virtual racing to the real track wasn’t seamless, with a few stalls in his first time driving a manual car. It even took him nearly a year to overcome the challenges, but he sees his background in sim racing as a superpower that sets him apart.

Rajah breakthrough came when he caught the attention of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Development program through the eNASCAR Ignite Series.

In 2019, he made his real-world racing debut at the Bojangles’ Southern Shootout race, finishing his rookie year with two Top 10 placements.

Fast forward to 2023, and he achieved significant milestones, finishing 16th in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

and making history as one of the first Black drivers for Hendrick Motorsports. The Wendell Scott Foundation sponsored his 2023 season, marking another milestone for the young driver.

Moreover, Rajah is currently enrolled at Winston-Salem State University, majoring in Motorsport Management. He believes that learning the business side of racing is essential for his future beyond driving. He aims to give back to the sport and leave a positive impact, representing diversity within NASCAR.

“I want to be the best racer that I can be but also pay my dues and leave the sport better than it was when I first arrived on the scene, for those who do and don’t look like me alike,” Caruth said. Be sure to follow him on Instagram @ RajahCaruth_

Actress Nicole Ari Parker Set to Empower Black Girls During Summer Program at Princeton University

By BlackNews.com

Celebrating 14 years of nurturing young Black minds, the At The Well Summer Leadership Academy at Princeton University will convene again in July 2024. Black excellence and effective leadership are essential tools for gaining success during times of uncertainty. Jacqueline Glass, CEO of At The Well Conferences, Inc. (ATW), and Executive Director April Burch Sookra are molding the masterminds of tomorrow by bringing back their revered 2-week academy to the campus of Princeton Theological Seminary (PTS). Celebrating their black history, PTS installed Dr. Jonathon Walton as its first African American president of the seminary.

Now, students from across the country will have the opportunity to apply for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. At the Well Young Women’s Leadership Academy takes place July 16 to July 29, 2024, at Erdman Center, Princeton Theological Seminary. The application deadline is March 31, 2024. The first three days of the program will be virtual, with the on-campus experience beginning July 20. Minority girls in their sophomore and junior years in high school are given the on-campus college life experience in an Ivy League setting by living in dormitories and attending classes with a core curriculum specifically created to encourage an increase in Black female corporate leaders. During the 2-week program, students

attend leadership workshops and learn critical thinking skills and college essay writing.

This year, the program’s brand ambassadors are Brandi Harvey, who will set the tone for the program, and Nicole Ari Parker, who will serve as the closing speaker. Nicole will spend two days with the scholars and discuss life choices and college selections.

ATW partners with many celebrities, high-profile figures, educators, and activists who share life challenges and personal testimonies. This year features speakers from medicine, legal, and financial occupations. Past speakers have included scholar Julianne Malveaux, 2016 Democratic National Convention Chief Leah Daughtry, physician Mi-

chele Reed, and plus-size supermodel Liris Crosse.

Workshop facilitators focus on honing skills to create well-rounded experiences. Financial guru and The Real daytime talk show’s Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche, Lisa Ascolese, founder of A-to-Z and featured inventor on QVC and HSN, and young, rising actress Eden Duncan Smith are past participants. Topics range from financial literacy to obtaining a healthy body image, creating entrepreneurship, encouraging health and wellness, and building selfesteem.

For more information about At the Well Young Women’s Leadership Academy, visit the official website at AtTheWellConferences.org

Nonprofits Welcome Fed

$ For Supportive Housing

by THOMAS BREEN

Twenty-six Greater New Haveners at risk of sleeping on the street will have a new permanent “supportive” place to stay — thanks to part of a recent federal funding award targeted to combat homelessness.

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro celebrated that flow of federal cash during a Monday morning press conference held at New Reach’s headquarters at 269 Peck St.

The reason for the presser was the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) announcement in late January of its annual Continuum of Care Program awards, which subsidize rental assistance and supportive housing and other housing-first interventions to keep people from becoming homeless.

DeLauro, the ranking Democratic member of the House Appropriations Committee, welcomed that infusion of government money alongside Mayor Justin Elicker and local and state homelessness services nonprofit leaders like Kellyann Day of New Reach, Jim Pettinelli of Liberty Services, Tim Maguire of Youth Continuum, Sarah Fox of Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, and Jennifer Heath of United Way of Greater New Haven.

. This Continuum of Care funding is “the beating heart of the federal government’s” homelessness prevention and intervention efforts, DeLauro said. She credited New Haven’s various homelessness services nonprofits for working collaboratively rather than competitively, and she described government funding to stop homelessness as some of the most important work that the federal government can do.

Fox said that there are currently 5,000 homeless people across Connecticut, including 256 people outside and unsheltered in New Haven.

Day, whose Fair Haven-based nonprofit provides affordable and supportive housing for roughly 130 people across the state, said that this latest FY23 HUD award will allow New Reach to provide permanent supportive housing for 26 additional people in the Greater New Haven area.

“Supportive housing” refers to subsidized rent and the provision of “in-home supportive services” for people with a need for a “higher level of care,” Day said. Such services can include everything from getting driven to doctor’s appointments and the grocery store to help searching for a job or mental health and addiction treatment. “It’s very people-centered,” Day centered, and varies depending on the needs of the individual.

Gain hands-on work experience

Take community college classes

Participate in clubs and sports

Get involved with community projects

Develop friendships and connections

Receive nutritious meals and basic medical care

NOTICE

RFP NO. P24002

VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Please register here to obtain Bid Package: https://ha.internationaleprocurement. com/requests.html?company_id=49968

Housing

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.

Envelope Must be Marked: RFP No. P24002, Fee Accountant

Attn: Lisa Gilchrist, Purchasing Agent

SUBMITTAL DEADLINE

April 2nd, 2024 at 10:30am (EST)

CONTACT PERSON FOR IFB DOCUMENT:

NOW ACCEPTING PRE-APPLICATIONS

TREFOIL COURT Apartments, Fairfield, CT

Preliminary Applications will be accepted beginning on 02/16/2024 AND ENDS with a postmark date of 03/15/2024. Pre-Applications received after the end date as postmarked will be automatically rejected. Pre-Applications are to be mailed only to Owner’s offices located at 15 Pine Tree Lane, Fairfield CT 06825.

Owner: Trefoil, LLC

Funded by:

Connecticut State Department of Economic and Community Development, and U. S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development through its Section 8 housing program

NOW ACCEPTING PRE-APPLICATIONS

GREENFIELD COMMONS, 580 Villa Avenue Fairfield, CT

NOTICIA

Lisa Gilchrist – Purchasing Agent Telephone: 203-744-2500 x1421

E-Mail: lgilchrist@hacdct.org

VALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES

[Minority- and/or women-owned businesses are encouraged to respond]

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

The State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management is recruiting for a Finance Director (OPM Assistant Division Director) in the Office of Finance.

Further information regarding the duties, eligibility requirements and application instructions are available at: https://www.jobapscloud.com/ CT/sup/bulpreview.asp?b=&R1= 240125&R2=0104MP&R3=001

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Applicants will need to meet the income requirements based on family size for 50% of Area Median Income, or less. Eligible applicant households must have a head, co-head, or spouse age 62 or older, or a disability determination from the Social Security Admin. to qualify. Preliminary Applications will be received during the period noted above and placement on the wait list will be made through the random selection method, once the period has ended. The maximum number of pre-applications to be placed on the wait list is one hundred (100). Pre-applications will not be accepted by hand-delivery, facsimile, email or any other electronic transmission.

Income Limits: One Person - $41,000 Two Persons $47,000

Pre-Applications will be provided to any & all interested persons. Individuals or families may pick up a hard copy of the pre-application at the Owner’s offices located at 15 Pine Tree Lane, Fairfield, CT or online at https://www.fairfieldhc.org. You may request a preapplication be mailed to you by contacting us at 203-366-6578.

For Additional Information Contact Carol Martin: Phone: (203)366-6578

TRS/TDD: (800) 842-9710

Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

Old Saybrook, CT (4 Buildings, 17 Units)

Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project

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

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

IFB DOCUMENT:

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, Seymour, CT 06483 for Concrete Sidewalk Repairs and Replacement at the Smithfield Gardens Assisted Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour.

Lisa Gilchrist – Purchasing Agent

Telephone: 203-744-2500 x1421

E-Mail: lgilchrist@hacdct.org

[Minority- and/or women-owned businesses are encouraged to respond]

A pre-bid conference will be held at the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

Listing: Technician Pre-Apprentice

visit www.nbhact.org

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

Petroleum Company has an opening for a HVAC/Oil/Heating Technician PreApprentice. Send resume to: HR Manager, P. O. Box 388, Guilford, CT 06437 or email HRDept@eastriverenergy.com

**An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans**

The Housing Authority reserves the 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

NOTICE

Town of Greenwich, Connecticut Firefighter

VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

VALENTINA

MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES

Do You Want A Job That Makes A Difference? Become a Town of Greenwich Firefighter.

Salary

Pre-employment drug testing. AA/EOE. For Details go to  www.bloomfieldct.org

Human Resources Assistant

The Town of Wallingford is seeking a highly motivated individual to perform a variety of confidential human resources support activities. Requires a H.S. diploma or equivalent and 3 years’ responsible office experience that includes performing human resources work. $24.82 to $29.72 hourly plus an excellent fringe benefits package. Applications may be downloaded from the Department of Human Resources Web Page and can be faxed or mailed to the Department of Human Resources, Town of Wallingford, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492, or emailed to: wlfdhr@wallingfordct.gov by the closing date of March 6, 2024. Phone: (203) 294-2080; Fax: (203) 294-2084. EOE

The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol

Invitation for Bids (IFB)

Relocation and Moving Services at Cambridge Park

The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol (BHA) is seeking proposals from professional and qualified firms interested in providing Relocation and Moving Services for the residents at Cambridge Park Development located on Davis Drive, Bristol, CT. Proposals are due by 2:00 PM on Apr. 3, 2024

Scope and proposal requirements will be available starting Mar. 13, 2024. A copy of the IFB documents can be obtained by contacting Luis Velazquez, Director of Capital Funds, at 860-585-2028 or lvelazquez@bristolhousing.org. Interested parties are invited to a prebid conference at 18 Davis Drive, Bristol, CT on Mar 20, 2024, at 11:00 AM.

The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. SBE, MBE, W/DBE, and Section 3 businesses are encouraged to respond.

Candidates must fulfill several basic requirements including:

°Be legally authorized to work in the United States

°Be at least 18 years of age

°Possess a High School Diploma or State Approved G.E.D.

Current Salary: $62,189-$85,980 Annually, plus benefits To view detailed information and apply online visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/greenwichct

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 NEW HAVEN

MONROE HOUSING AUTHORITY/FAIRWAY ACRES IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR ELDERLY HOUSING!

242-258 Fairmont Ave

2BR Townhouse, 1.5 BA, 3BR, 1 level , 1BA

All new apartments, new appliances, new carpet, close to I-91 & I-95 highways, near bus stop & shopping center Pet under 40lb allowed. Interested parties contact Maria @ 860-985-8258

*Application Deadline: 5/20/2024 4:00 p.m.

The Town of Greenwich is dedicated to Diversity & Equal Opportunity Employment

Atlas Residential & Commercial Services LLC

Access Control Gate Technician: Full time Monday thru Friday

Training & relocation is available for the right candidate. Must have mechanical ability, knowledge of power tools along with electrical knowledge. Access control experience, overhead door experience and welding a plus. OSHA 10 training required. Job requires lifting up to 100 lbs. and working in some adverse weather conditions when needed. Must be able to obtain a medical card and have a valid CT driver’s license. Must be able to pass a physical and drug test. All necessary equipment is provided. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, 401k match, Life Insurance and vacation. Send resume to gforshee@atlasoutdoor.com We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

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, Seymour, CT 06483 for Concrete Sidewalk Repairs and Replacement at the Smithfield Gardens Assisted Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour.

A pre-bid conference will be held at the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

Old Saybrook, CT (4 Buildings, 17 Units)

Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project

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.

APPLICATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM FEBRUARY 1st, 2024 – MAY 1st, 2024. APPLICATIONS RECEIVED OR POSTMARKED AFTER MAY 1st, 2024, WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Eligible applicants must be 62+ OR 18+ if disabled. Rent calculation is based on 30% of your income. Tenants cannot pay lower than the base rent: $420/efficiency, $430/one -bedroom and ADA. Applications can be picked up at the office Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9-2 pm at: 358 Wheeler Road, Monroe, CT 06468, or by email at: housing@monroect.gov. Those that need assistance with obtaining the application and/or applying can call 203-261-7685. Assistance in another language will be made available to those that need it. Eligible applications will be chosen by lottery system and subject to background checking. The Monroe Housing Authority does not determine eligibility based on age, ancestry, color, sex, race, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, lawful source of income, familial status, learning disability, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.

Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016

Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016

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

Invitation for Bids

Moving Services for Elm City Communities/Housing Authority

Fax

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

The South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG) is seeking to fill the Transportation Planner position. Visit www.scrcog.org for the full position description, qualifications, and application requirements. Applications are to be submitted by noon on Monday February 5, 2023 or until the position is filled. Questions may be emailed to jobs@scrcog.org. SCRCOG is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to reduce the scope of the project to reflect available funding, and to waive any

The Housing Authority of the City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City Communities is currently seeking Bids for Moving Services. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on

Monday, March 18, 2024, at 3:00PM.

Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming, Inc seeks:

NOTICE

Construction Equipment Mechanic preferably experienced in Reclaiming and Road Milling Equipment. We offer factory training on equipment we operate. Location: Bloomfield CT We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits

Construction

VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Contact: Tom Dunay

Phone: 860- 243-2300

Email: tom.dunay@garrityasphalt.com

Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer

Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming, Inc seeks:

Reclaimer Operators and Milling Operators with current licensing and clean driving record, be willing to travel throughout the Northeast & NY. We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits

Seeking to employ experienced individuals in the labor, foreman, operator and teamster trades for a heavy outside work statewide. Reliable personal transportation and a valid drivers license required. To apply please call (860) 6211720 or send resume to: Personnel Department, P.O. Box 368, Cheshire, CT06410.

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.

Contact: Rick Tousignant Phone: 860- 243-2300

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V Drug Free Workforce

PVC FENCE PRODUCTION

Preliminary Applications will be accepted beginning on 02/16/2024 AND ENDS with a postmark date of 03/15/2024. Pre-Applications received after the end date as postmarked will be automatically rejected. Pre-Applications are to be mailed only to Owner’s offices located at 15 Pine Tree Lane, Fairfield CT 06825.

Owner: Greenfield Commons, Inc

Funded by:

NOW ACCEPTING PRE-APPLICATIONS

U. S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development through its Section 202 housing program

GREENFIELD COMMONS, 580 Villa Avenue Fairfield, CT

NOTICIA

Email: rick.tousignant@garrityasphalt.com

Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer

VALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES

Union Company seeks:

Tractor Trailer Driver for Heavy & Highway Construction Equipment. Must have a CDL License, clean driving record, capable of operating heavy equipment; be willing to travel throughout the Northeast & NY. We offer excellent hourly rate & excellent benefits

Contact Dana at 860-243-2300

Email: dana.briere@garrityasphalt.com

Large CT Fence Company looking for an individual for our PVC Fence Production Shop. Experience preferred but will train the right person. Must be familiar with carpentry hand & power tools and be able to read a CAD drawing and tape measure. Use of CNC Router machine a plus but not required, will train the right person. This is an in-shop production position. Duties include building fence panels, posts, gates and more. Must have a valid CT driver’s license & be able to obtain a Drivers Medical Card. Must be able to pass a physical and drug test. Please email resume to pboucher@atlasoutdoor.com.

AA/EOE-MF

Applicants will need to meet the income requirements based on family size for 50% of Area Median Income, or less. Eligible applicant households must have a head, co-head, or spouse age 62 or older. Preliminary Applications will be received during the period noted above and placement on the wait list will be made through the random selection method, once the period has ended. The maximum number of pre-applications to be placed on the wait list is fifty (50). Pre-applications will not be accepted by hand-delivery, facsimile, email or any other electronic transmission.

Income Limits: One Person - $41,100 Two Persons $47,000

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

Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply

Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer

Full Time Administrative assistant position for a steel & misc metals fabrication shop who will oversee the daily operations of clerical duties such as answering phones, accounts payable purchase orders/invoicing and certified payroll. Email resumes to jillherbert@gwfabrication.com

LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT

CT.

Pre-Applications will be provided to any & all interested persons. Individuals or families may pick up a hard copy of the pre-application at the Owner’s offices located at 15 Pine Tree Lane, Fairfield, CT or online at https://www.fairfieldhc.org. You may request a preapplication be mailed to you by contacting us at 203-366-6578.

For Additional Information Contact Carol Martin: Phone: (203)366-6578

TRS/TDD: (800) 842-9710

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

242-258 Fairmont Ave

2BR Townhouse, 1.5 BA, 3BR, 1 level , 1BA

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

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

Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

The Milford Redevelopment & Housing Partnership (MRHP) is seeking sealed bids for the following Bathroom Renovations at Alan Jepson Manor in Milford CT. Sealed bids will be received until April 11, 2024 at 2:00 pm at the Milford Redevelopment & Housing Partnership offices located at 75 DeMaio Drive, Milford, CT 06460. All bids will be opened and read aloud. A pre-bid walk thru will be held on March 25, 2024 at 2:00 pm at 156-176 Harrison Avenue, Milford, CT, Alan Jepson Manor – Community Room. Contract documents including plans & specifications can be viewed on-line and purchased from Digiprint’s website beginning on March 18, 2024. Visit www.digiprintplanroom.com. 5% Bid Security (Over $25K ONLY) and 100% Performance/Payment Bonds (Over $100K ONLY) are required. Bidders will note requirements of minimum wage rates, nondiscrimination/equal opportunity rules (Executive Order 11246) and related provisions in the General Conditions. No bid shall be withdrawn for sixty (60) days. Complete bidding requirements are noted in the Contract Documents. This project is federally assisted. Therefore, bidders must comply with the following requirements: Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968; Equal Opportunity provisions of Executive Order 11246; Non-Discrimination provision of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Labor Standards provisions of the Davis-Bacon Act and related acts and Contract Work Hours Standards Act; prevailing wage determinations as issued by the United States Department of Labor; and all applicable provisions under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. MRHP is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and Housing Provider. Any individual with a disability who needs special assistance to participate should contact Cheryl Giers at cgiers@mrhp. org at least five (5) days before the bid opening.

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

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, Seymour, CT 06483 for Concrete Sidewalk Repairs and Replacement at the Smithfield Gardens Assisted Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour.

Anthony J. Vasiliou, Executive Director

Milford Redevelopment & Housing Partnership

A pre-bid conference will be held at the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

75 DeMaio Drive Milford, CT 06460 203-877-3223

Lane, Fairfield CT

Old Saybrook, CT (4 Buildings, 17 Units)

Preliminary Applications will be accepted beginning on 02/16/2024 AND ENDS with a postmark date of 03/15/2024. Pre-Applications received after the end date as postmarked will be automatically rejected. Pre-Applications are to be mailed only to Owner’s offices located at 15 Pine Tree Lane, Fairfield, CT 06825.

Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project

Owner: Pine Tree Housing Limited Partnership

Managing Agent: Millennium Real Estate Services, LLC

GREENFIELD

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.

Applicants will need to meet the income requirements based on family size for 80% of Area Median Income, or less. Preliminary Applications will be received during the period noted above and placement on the wait list will be made through the random selection method, once the period has ended. The maximum number of pre-applications to be placed on the wait list is one hundred (100). Pre-Applications will not be accepted by hand-delivery, facsimile, email or any other electronic transmission.

Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016

Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016

Four Person family 80% AMI Max Income Limit $93,900/year: 2 Bedroom unit Maximum current rent- $1,180/month

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

Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com

Pre-Applications will be provided to any & all interested persons. Individuals or families may pick up a hard copy of the pre-application at the Owner’s offices located at 15 Pine Tree Lane, Fairfield, CT or online at https://www.fairfieldhc.org. You may request a preapplication be mailed to you by contacting us at 203-366-6578.

HCC encourages the participation of all Veteran, S/W/MBE & Section 3 Certified Businesses Haynes Construction Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour, CT 06483 AA/EEO EMPLOYER

For Additional Information Contact Carol Martin: Phone: (203)366-6578

TRS/TDD: (800) 842-9710

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

The Housing Authority reserves the 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

National Urban League Unveils 2024 State of Black America Report: A Deep Dive into Complex Realities and Persistent Disparities

By Stacy M. Brown

The National Urban League has unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 State of Black America Report, a comprehensive benchmark and thought leadership document offering profound insights into racial equality in the United States.

Established in 1976 under the visionary leadership of the late Mr. Vernon E. Jordan Jr., the organization’s fifth president, the report remains a cornerstone for understanding the multifaceted challenges faced by Black Americans across crucial domains such as economics, employment, education, health, housing, criminal justice, and civic participation.

This year’s edition continues the tradition of featuring insightful commentary from influential figures in various sectors, providing a comprehensive view of the complexities of the current landscape. Economic empowerment is central to the National Urban League’s mission, and the Equality Index is a powerful tool to measure progress for Black Americans relative to whites.

Attributing the mission’s core to economic empowerment, National Urban League President Marc Morial emphasized the nuanced progress revealed by the Equality Index. “Civic engagement and health show improvement among African Americans; however, significant work remains in the areas of economics and social justice,” Morial stated.

The Equality Index visually represents how Black Americans fare in economic status, health, education, social justice, and civic engagement compared to their white counterparts, utilizing whites as the benchmark due to historical advantages. The 2024 Equality Index for Black America stands at 75.7%, indicating that despite notable strides, African Americans still miss approximately 24% of the pie that symbolizes full equality.

Breaking down the Equality Index, categories include economics, health, education, social justice, and civic engagement. Each category is carefully weighted based

on its significance, and nationally representative statistics are employed to calculate sub-indices that capture the relative well-being of African Americans compared to whites. “Civic engagement and health are areas in which African Americans are doing much better,” Morial noted.

“However, economics and social justice still need plenty of work.”

The report delves into the persistent racial income gap, which has remained virtually unchanged for over two decades. Black Americans earn, on average, 64% of the income of their white counterparts.

“The Civil Rights Act of ‘64, the Voting

Rights Act of ‘65, and the Great Society programs in the middle 1960s probably cut the American poverty rate in half in 15 years,” Morial remarked.

Civic participation among Black Americans presents a mixed picture, with increased voter registration (69% in 2020) but a decline in actual voter turnout (42.3% in 2022). Assessing President Joe Biden’s performance, the report acknowledges achievements such as a record-low Black unemployment rate and efforts to expand healthcare access and affordable housing for Black Americans. However, it points to political opposition hindering the

enactment of key policies, including voting rights and policing reform.

We are in a world of deep attack by an ideological extreme that wants to erase so much of the civil-rights movement,” said Maya Wiley, President of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and co-author of the study. Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights in the Justice Department, assured, “We’ve been working across the country to reach underserved communities so that we understand the problems that communities face.”

Despite those challenges, the National Urban League said it remains steadfast in its commitment to closing the racial gap. Morial urged accelerated action, emphasizing unrestricted voting access, economic reforms to address poverty and wealth disparities, and crucial support for children, such as the expired child tax credit that significantly reduced child poverty rates.

He asserted that the 2024 State of Black America Report serves as a comprehensive call to action, urging the nation to confront systemic challenges hindering Black Americans’ journey toward genuine equality.

“What’s dramatic is that the Civil Rights Act of ‘64, the Voting Rights Act of ‘65, the Great Society programs in the middle 1960s, probably cut the American poverty rate in half in a 15-year period,” Morial said. “So can we? Yes, there are ways.”

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To learn more, please visit us at hopkins.edu.

Established in 1976 under the visionary leadership of the late Mr. Vernon E. Jordan Jr., the organization’s fifth president, the report remains a cornerstone for understanding the multifaceted challenges faced by Black Americans across crucial domains such as economics, employment, education, health, housing, criminal justice, and civic participation.

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge Announces Retirement

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent@StacyBrownMedia

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia Fudge, a former Congressional Black Caucus Chair and a staunch advocate for the Black Press of America, has announced that she’s stepping down from her role in the BidenHarris administration.

The 71-year-old Fudge disclosed that her last day in office would be March 22. After decades of public service, she’ll return to her home state of Ohio.

“It’s time to go home,” she told USA TODAY. “I do believe strongly that I have done just about everything I could do at HUD for this administration as we go into this crazy, silly season of an election.”

Fudge, the second Black woman to lead HUD, has been a key figure in steering the agency through housing crises triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also pushed for the federal government to include the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), on behalf of the Black Press of America, in its advertising spend.

“The NNPA salutes and forthrightly ac-

knowledges the leadership, service, and commitment of the Honorable Marcia L. Fudge as the accomplished Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD),” NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.

“The Black Press of America expresses our gratitude to Secretary Fudge in particular for helping tens of thousands of underserved Americans to increase their opportunities to become homeowners.”

Fudge’s departure comes amid the intensifying campaign season, with President Joe Biden facing off against the twiceimpeached and four-times indicted Republican former President Donald Trump.

“It is not a red or blue issue,” Fudge declared. Everybody knows that it is an issue, so it’s not one-sided. It’s an American issue.”

Despite her efforts to enhance HUD’s role in supporting families with housing needs, addressing homelessness, and fostering economic development, Fudge expressed concerns about inadequate funding. She highlighted the need for more than $70 billion to address the demand for affordable housing and repair aging public housing developments.

President Biden echoed Fudge’s call for

bipartisan attention to affordable housing in a statement: “A fair housing market and access to quality and affordable housing are critical to the fulfillment of the American dream, and no one understands that better than Secretary Marcia L. Fudge,” Biden said.

Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)

Chair Steven Horsford (D-Nevada) and other Caucus members praised Fudge’s leadership and decades of service.

“Since her confirmation in March of 2021, Secretary Fudge has worked tirelessly to provide access to safe and affordable housing to millions of American families, with a particular focus on racial equity and addressing the gap in Black homeownership,” the CBC’s statement read. “Under her leadership, the agency has supported nearly a quarter of a million Black people in purchasing a home and has taken significant steps to root out racial bias in the home appraisal process. She leaves her mark on the agency as a passionate leader, the first African American woman to lead the department in decades, and only the second in our nation’s history.”

Biden praised Fudge’s leadership, her dedication to rebuilding HUD, and her

expanding efforts to build generational wealth through homeownership. He expressed gratitude for her contributions and wished her well in her next chapter as she transitions from public service to private life.

“Under Marcia’s transformational leadership, we have worked hard to lower housing costs and increase supply,” Biden asserted. “We’ve proposed the largest investment in affordable housing in U.S. history. We’ve taken steps to aggressively combat racial discrimination in housing by ensuring home appraisals are more fair and by strengthening programs to redress the negative impacts of redlining. Thanks to Secretary Fudge, we’ve helped firsttime homebuyers, and we are working to cut the cost of renting. And there are more housing units under construction right now than at any time in the last 50 years.”

For her part, Fudge said she’s simply done with politics. “Don’t look for me to ever be on another ballot or another appointee or anything like that,” she insisted. “I really do look forward to being a private citizen.”

National Urban League Unveils 2024 State of Black America Report: A Deep Dive into Complex Realities and Persistent Disparities

By Stacy M. Brown

The National Urban League has unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 State of Black America Report, a comprehensive benchmark and thought leadership document offering profound insights into racial equality in the United States.

Established in 1976 under the visionary leadership of the late Mr. Vernon E. Jordan Jr., the organization’s fifth president, the report remains a cornerstone for understanding the multifaceted challenges faced by Black Americans across crucial domains such as economics, employment, education, health, housing, criminal justice, and civic participation.

This year’s edition continues the tradition of featuring insightful commentary from influential figures in various sectors, providing a comprehensive view of the complexities of the current landscape. Economic empowerment is central to the National Urban League’s mission, and the Equality Index is a powerful tool to measure progress for Black Americans relative to whites.

Attributing the mission’s core to economic empowerment, National Urban League President Marc Morial emphasized the nuanced progress revealed by the Equality Index. “Civic engagement and health show improvement among African Americans; however, significant work remains in the areas of economics and social justice,” Morial stated.

The Equality Index visually represents how Black Americans fare in economic status, health, education, social justice,

and civic engagement compared to their white counterparts, utilizing whites as the benchmark due to historical advantages. The 2024 Equality Index for Black America stands at 75.7%, indicating that despite notable strides, African Americans still miss approximately 24% of the pie that symbolizes full equality.

Breaking down the Equality Index, categories include economics, health, education, social justice, and civic engagement. Each category is carefully weighted based on its significance, and nationally repre-

sentative statistics are employed to calculate sub-indices that capture the relative well-being of African Americans compared to whites. “Civic engagement and health are areas in which African Americans are doing much better,” Morial noted. “However, economics and social justice still need plenty of work.”

The report delves into the persistent racial income gap, which has remained virtually unchanged for over two decades. Black Americans earn, on average, 64% of the income of their white counterparts.

“The Civil Rights Act of ‘64, the Voting Rights Act of ‘65, and the Great Society programs in the middle 1960s probably cut the American poverty rate in half in 15 years,” Morial remarked. Civic participation among Black Americans presents a mixed picture, with increased voter registration (69% in 2020) but a decline in actual voter turnout (42.3% in 2022). Assessing President Joe Biden’s performance, the report acknowledges achievements such as a record-low Black unemployment rate and efforts to

expand healthcare access and affordable housing for Black Americans. However, it points to political opposition hindering the enactment of key policies, including voting rights and policing reform.

“We are in a world of deep attack by an ideological extreme that wants to erase so much of the civil-rights movement,” said Maya Wiley, President of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and co-author of the study. Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights in the Justice Department, assured, “We’ve been working across the country to reach underserved communities so that we understand the problems that communities face.”

Despite those challenges, the National Urban League said it remains steadfast in its commitment to closing the racial gap. Morial urged accelerated action, emphasizing unrestricted voting access, economic reforms to address poverty and wealth disparities, and crucial support for children, such as the expired child tax credit that significantly reduced child poverty rates.

He asserted that the 2024 State of Black America Report serves as a comprehensive call to action, urging the nation to confront systemic challenges hindering Black Americans’ journey toward genuine equality.

“What’s dramatic is that the Civil Rights Act of ‘64, the Voting Rights Act of ‘65, the Great Society programs in the middle 1960s, probably cut the American poverty rate in half in a 15-year period,” Morial said. “So, can we? Yes, there are ways.”

Official portrait of Marcia Fudge, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Photo: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)

The National Urban League said it remains steadfast in its commitment to closing the racial gap. (Photo: U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Urban League Marc H. Morial participate in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at the United States Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. (USDA photo by Tom Witham)