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Long Wharf Toasts A Season Of Partnerships

Lucy Gellman, Editor, The Arts Paper newhavenarts.org

Jacob Padrón lifted a glass, beaming as he looked over a crowd at the Ives Main Library. In front of him, a room of theater lovers looked back, two dozen pairs of eyes tracing the curve of his arm, the sparkling cider and water now making the rounds. Together, they toasted a season of new partnerships—on two college campuses, in intimate black box theaters, havens of Black arts and entrepreneurship and with theaters across the country.

It was a peek into Long Wharf Theater's 60th Anniversary Season, which will criss-cross New Haven from downtown to Beaver Hills to the internet and back between October 2024 and May 2025. Two years after announcing its move to itinerancy, the theater is finding its rhythm with several new and existing partnerships, including Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), Collective Consciousness Theatre, the Yale Schwarzman Center, New Haven Pride Center, International Festival of Arts & Ideas, New Haven Free Public Library and the City of New Haven.

"What a moment, right? For any regional theater to reach 60 years!" said Padrón, who has served as the theater's artistic director since 2018. "It's a huge thing, and we really hope that it's gonna be a celebration for our entire city and region." "It's about telling stories and bringing experiences to different parts of our community, and letting the entire city and region be our stage," he added. "We really feel like this encapsulates the ethos or the spirit of what we're trying to do."

That deep dive into storytelling begins October 25, with the return and expansion of the theater's “Artistic Congress” (the first, held remotely, was in the fall of 2020) at the Yale Schwarzman Center in downtown New Haven. Over two days, speakers and attendees will discuss the role of theater as a way to speak truth to power, particularly in a presidential election year. For Padrón, who grew up immersed in El Teatro Campesino in California, it's an ever-present reminder that theater can be a tool for social justice. It will continue in November with the fifth annual Black Trans Women at the Center, a virtual festival and national collaboration featuring new works by and about Black trans women. Padrón praised producer Joey Reyes, who birthed the series in 2020 and has continued to make it a reality in the years since, for their work on and belief in the festival. In its five years, the event has become an act of joy and resistance, lifting up trans theatermakers at a time when their rights and lives are increasingly endangered.

As in years past, Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi will curate the event. Long Wharf will also be working with Edidi, a member of the theater's artistic ensemble, on

her play Shape Shifter. The collaboration culminates with an observance of Trans Day of Remembrance, held each year on November 20. Other performance dates and playwrights are yet to be announced. Meanwhile, stages across the city will come to life with everything from stripped-down musical theater to Boricua superheroes scrambling to save the day. From Nov. 30 to Dec. 15, the theater will present Joe Masteroff, Jerry Bock, and Sheldon Harnick’s 1963 musical She Loves Me, directed by Padrón with new orchestration from Andy Einhorn, at the LAB at ConnCORP.

An adaptation of Miklós László’s Parfumerie, the work blends feuding coworkers, secret love letters, and that which is hidden in plain sight to tell a story of people falling in love and figuring out how to exist with each other. Padrón said he’s been thinking about the musical since 2010, when he was a producer on the show at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

“I remember watching the musical, and thinking, like, I think there’s maybe a different way to tell this story,” Padrón said. “This is actually a story about workingclass people who are trying to make connection and find love.”

That just marks the beginning. In January 2025, the theater returns to the stage with El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom, presented in partnership with the John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts at SCSU. Written by Nuyorican playwright Matt Barbot, the play tells the story of a quiet comic book artist named Alex who moonlights as El Coquí Espectacular, a superhero born in his bright and ink-splotched pages.

Unlike his comic book hero, Alex is actually not very good at superhero-ing. Until, of course, he has to be—because his community’s survival is on the line. While the story is set in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, it will likely resonate in New Haven, home to a sizable Puerto Rican community that has continued to grow. It also marks a full-circle moment: it will be directed by Kinan Valdez, whose father Luis founded El Teatro Campesino and instilled Padrón with an early love for theater. At SCSU, Padrón said he hopes it will feel meaningful with audiences of all ages, including the university’s students. Dr. Dwayne Smith, interim president of SCSU, expressed his excitement for the collaboration in a release sent out earlier this week.

“Southern Connecticut State University is proud to be a long-standing partner of Long Wharf Theatre and we are excited to deepen our partnership during the theatre’s 60th anniversary season,” he said. “Our campus is always seeking opportunities for connection and conversation.

Having Long Wharf Theatre productions on our campus next season will bring this connection, and so much more, directly to our scholars and patrons.”

From May 15 to June 8, the theater will conclude its season downtown with the world premiere of Unbecoming Tragedy: A Ritual Journey Toward Destiny, a oneman show written and performed by New Haven playwright Terrence Riggins. Directed by Cheyenne Barboza and set in Yale’s Off-Broadway Theatre, the work tells Riggins’ life story, from a childhood in California to the stages of New Haven. It is produced in partnership with Collective Consciousness Theatre, which hosted a workshopped version of the show at Bregamos Community Theater (CCT) last fall.

Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, directed by CCT’s Dexter Singleton. Four years later, the pivot to the work of a New Haven playwright feels right on time. As Wednesday's sneak peek drew to a close, Padrón said he is both excited for the season and for Long Wharf's next chapter, which is still very much emerging. When the theater opened with Arthur Miller's The Crucible in 1965, its home was in the unlikeliest of places: a food terminal, where the smell of fish guts and pork sausage was never far from the loading dock and outdoor props storage.

At the time, artistic leadership didn't know how long or if the regional model would last. They were embarking on an experiment—much like the theater is six decades later.

And then people came. And they kept coming. As they did, Long Wharf became a hub for cutting-edge theater, hosting productions that ranged from Fires In The Mirror to a Brecht adaptation titled The Good Person of New Haven. The theater took risks, building ties with playwrights, poets, rafter-raising musical artists and more recently, immigrants and refugees and hundreds of young people.

During Covid-19, it found a way to keep telling stories online and outdoors. When it bid its Sargent Drive space farewell, it did so with Black and Indigenous playwrights and a celebration that honored the physical space, and then found a way to say goodbye as a community.

"We made magic there, yes, because of the space we were in, but the magic really came because of the people," Padrón said. "Because of the relationships that we built. And making world-class theater is about this. It is about the constellation of humans who come together and the relationship building that we create. And that's the thing that's gonna take us into the future."

“It’s surreal,” Riggins said Wednesday night. “I don’t know what to say. It’s just so much. I feel full. I just feel full.”

Jenny Nelson, associate artistic director at CCT, added that she feels deep gratitude: the collaboration between the two theaters has been years in the making. In March 2020, Padrón had just announced a partnership with CCT when Covid-19 hit New Haven, forcing the theater to rethink its season as the world shuttered overnight. At the time, Long Wharf had planned to stage Kristoffer Diaz’ The

Now, he said, the theater has found its footing in itinerancy. This season, Long Wharf brought The Year of Magical Thinking to 20 different locations around the city, including community theater spaces and people’s living rooms. It expanded Black Trans Women at the Center, which has supported 15 trans playwrights since its inception in 2020. It sold out its performances of A View from the Bridge at the Canal Dock Boathouse.

"We are building on our history of innovation, we are building on our legacy, and we hope that this session is a continuation of what we are building together,"

Padrón said.

Remaining performances in the current season include Adil Mansoor's Amm(i) gone at the end of May and a benefit concert for the theater with Darren Criss on May 13. Tickets and more information are available here.

Lucy Gellman Photos

Terrence Riggins and Jenny Nelson.

Artists Join Beinecke Occupation

Lucy Gellman, Editor, The Arts Paper newhavenarts.org

This is a developing story. It was last updated around 8:35 a.m. Monday April 22, after arrests began in Beinecke Plaza.

Janyce Murphy dipped her brush into a cup of black paint, running it slowly across a length of canvas. Around her, the sound of gentle footfalls mixed with a cappella harmonies and half a dozen conversations. Murphy paused for a moment to study her handiwork, brushstrokes filling in the thick curve of an S. End The Siege On Gaza, read the banner as it sprawled out to her left.

Sunday afternoon, Murphy joined two dozen artists in Yale’s Beinecke Plaza, where hundreds of pro-Palestine student activists began to gather last Monday, and camped out from Friday to Sunday night, in an effort to get Yale to divest from weapons manufacturers. Amidst a teach-in and musical performances, people grabbed paintbrushes and started in on several banners, all of them intended for an April 28 rally on the New Haven Green.

The banners will include a list of demands that Yale students, including 12 hunger strikers, presented as the university’s Board of Trustees met this weekend to select a new Yale president. Among them is a demand that Yale divest from weapons manufacturers, to which the Yale Corporation is allegedly tied through its investment in index funds.

The hunger strike ended Sunday night. On Monday, police arrived to clear the encampment around 7 a.m. As of 6:30 a.m., they had begun to arrest students still in the space. As of 8:30 a.m., 49 Yale students had been arrested.

“I think it’s important to show up,” said Allison Hornak who has hosted artmaking nights for Palestine at their Erector Square studio for weeks, and worked with FOAN Arts, CT for Palestine and Occupy Beinecke to move the banner event downtown. “It’s a chance for makers to meet and come together and see where the points of solidarity and coalition building happen..”

The banners join a creative outpouring of work that has already included signs, kites, and at least one puppet, as well as weekly meetups at Erector Square and a Palestine reading group at Possible Futures. Sunday, attendees fanned out across the slate gray plaza, many catching up with each other as they knelt on the cool, hard ground and got to work.

They included artist-activists like Murphy, a lifelong New Havener who was there to add her voice to calls for a ceasefire. Growing up Irish American,

Murphy learned from her mother about the toll of British occupation and colonialism on Ireland’s people, including a seismic loss of life during the Great Hunger of the 1840s and the Troubles in Northern Ireland over a century later.

Generations after her great, great grandparents immigrated, she let that history inform her own understanding of oppression not just in the U.S., but across the globe. She stressed that the story of Gaza doesn’t start or end in October 2023, but is centuries in the making.

“The question of Palestine is a question of humanity,” she said. Across the plaza, an a cappella group appeared, and a sweet harmony floated over the space. “I think all people have the right to liberation and dignity.”

Since October 7, when Hamas’ violent and sudden attacks left 1,200 Israelis dead, over 34,000 Palestenians have been killed. That number includes over 12,000 children, some as young as a few weeks old. Meanwhile, Israeli settler violence has continued to escalate in the West Bank.

It was that same sense of unrest that pulled friends Hallie and Karolina (they asked that only their first names be used) to the plaza, where they worked methodically on a banner that read Jews For A Free Palestine in powder-blue chalk.

Dressed in a thick keffiyeh, sweatshirt and raincoat, Karolina leaned over the word Free, seeming to study it for a moment before she returned to painting.

Since learning about the encampment last week, she has stopped by several times, she said. “I keep telling myself that I’m gonna rest or take some days, but it’s really hard to rest when this is happening,” she said.

A graduate student at Yale, Hallie added that they have been stopping by every day to support the protesters, even if it’s just a brief visit to the plaza (for a week, daily activities have included a teach-in, musical performances, evening prayers and on Saturday, a Havdalah service to close out Shabbat). Sunday, they painted pink triangles beneath the words Free Palestine, in what would become slices of watermelon rendered in acrylic paint. As a young Jewish American, “I feel a sense of obligation to counter the narratives that are weaponizing us as American Jews,” they said. Particularly as they go into Passover, which begins at sundown on Monday night and commemorates the exodus of the Jews from Egypt, the toll of the Israel-Hamas War is weighing heavy on them.

Nearby, 15-year-old Charlotte Luekens filled in the words End U.S. Financing with thick, black lines of paint that glistened as they dried. At home, she said, her family doesn’t shy away from topics like the constant bombardment of Gaza, or the violence that both Israelis and Palestinians have endured since October 7.

While it’s been hard to take in, it has also felt like a defining moment in her life, she said.

“What’s happening in Gaza is not okay and I don’t want to stand by and watch it happen,” she said.

As #OccupyBeinecke has unfoldead so close to Passover, Jewish voices at Yale and in the city have spoken in both support of and objection to the action. Over the weekend, Rabbi Jason Rubenstein, the Howard M. Holtzmann Jewish Chaplain at Yale, and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven decried the encampment, the latter calling it a “hostile antisemitic environment at Yale University.”

Sunday night, Yale Jews for Ceasefire both acknowledged and pushed back against those statements.

“While we object to and are deeply saddened by the accusation that this protest is anti-Jewish, we also recognize that members of our Jewish community have felt unsafe or uncomfortable because of the demonstrations,” the group wrote in a release Sunday night (read it in full here).

“Part of what collective liberation means to our organization is radical empathy—holding space for those feelings and responding to those who feel that way with compassion.”

Utility Rate Increase Approval By PURA Raises Alarm in State Legislature

by Hudson Kamphausen

The decision by the Public Utility Regulatory Authority to approve rate increases for Eversource and United Illuminating elicited a strong reaction from the state Capitol Friday.

Comments from one of the utility companies further enraged a Democratic senator.

Sen. Norm Needleman, a Democrat from Essex who chairs the Energy and Technology Committee, said in a statement Friday morning that the recent comments by utility providers in the state – in the wake of PURA’s decision to agree to rate increases for payers – shows a lack of commitment to the future of energy in Connecticut.

“If Eversource does not want to make green energy investments in our grid, for which it receives full reimbursement and an additional profit on top of out-of-pocket costs, maybe we should consider a review of their franchise agreement, which allows them to operate as a monopoly with no competition.

The PURA commissioners voted 2-1 –with Chairman Marissa Gillett being the dissenting vote – to agree to proposed rate increases for the state’s utility providers. Those increases will reportedly be an additional $30 on the bills of United Illuminating customers.

Eversource has not indicated how much residential customers’ bills will increase. The rate increases will take effect on July 1, and will be in effect for 10 months.

Gillett issued a written dissent after the

decision, in which she said was disappointed.

“Unfortunately, though, today’s decision by PURA is likely to place further financial strain on those that can least afford it, and it will also hit the pocketbooks of our business community in a particularly challenging way,” her dissent read. Republican legislative leadership said in a statement Thursday that the decision by PURA – and the requests by Eversource – are a reflection of Democrat policies.

They reiterated that the governor should complete his appointments to the PURA board, and that those who join the board should be vetted by the legislature.

“It’s past time for the Democrats and the Governor to get serious about charting a sensible and sustainable path forward on energy issues,” the statement read. “Failure to act will only add to the uncertainty over the cost, scope and timeline of much-needed improvements to our state’s fragile grid and, ultimately, cause more frustration among ratepayers who are fed

up with escalating costs.”

Needleman said that he is baffled by the “apparent change of heart” on the part of his colleagues across the aisle. “It appears Republicans are having buyer’s remorse after having done the right thing by supporting these bills,” his statement continued.

Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton, said in a Facebook post celebrating four new EV charging stations in her town that the process “shines a light on the critical need for enhancing our energy grid infrastructure.

“It’s essential that we invest in reliable and affordable energy solutions to ensure that all residents can benefit from these advancements,” her post read. Eversource has referenced costs like the pass-through entity tax, as well as other policies, in saying it has no choice but to increase rates.

“Continued participation in these programs could place critically needed capital resources at risk and hinder our ability to support electric operations that our customers rely on every day,” Doug Horton, Eversource President of Distribution Rates and Regulatory Requirements said in a statement Friday.

Gillett said that instead of giving time for proper recovery of possible losses, the company made a “thinly veiled threat,” instead of advancing a legal argument.

John Betkoski III, vice chair of the board, and Michael Caron both voted in favor of the request.

A PURA spokesperson said that the organization will review and approve Standard Service Rate adjustments for the second half of 2024 in the coming weeks.

Psilocybin Decriminalization Bill Dies In Transportation Committee After Referral

by Hudson Kamphausen

HARTFORD, CT – A bill that would have decriminalized small amounts of psilocybin – the active substance in hallucinogenic mushrooms – died Thursday in the Transportation Committee.

The legislation, House Bill 5297, was referred to the Transportation Committee from the House after it passed through the Judiciary Committee on a 24-13 vote.

Committee co-chair Rep. Roland Lemar, D-New Haven, said Thursday that the bill is dead, but the concepts in it could be attached to other legislation.

Lemar said that the bill was sent back to the Transportation Committee because of a provision in the bill that said a person could have their driver’s license suspended if they were to be pulled over while under the influence of psilocybin.

The provision requires a 60-day suspension of the driver’s license for anyone under age 21 who is convicted of

possessing small amounts of psilocybin or is under the influence while operating a vehicle.

Lemar said Democrats received word from the Republican caucus that they were planning to “run out the clock” on the bill with amendments and filibustering.

House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, said he wouldn’t want to see the bill go through.

“I hate the bill. I was on that early,” Candelora said, adding that he thinks continually decriminalizing “illicit” drugs is bad for Connecticut.

The current penalty for possessing small amounts of the hallucinogenic mushrooms is $2,000 and up to five years in prison.

The bill would have decriminalized possession of small amounts of psilocybin, reducing the penalty for firsttime offenders to a $150 infraction, with fines for subsequent charges ranging between $200-500.

Rep. Roland Lemar, D-New Haven, discusses a bill during a committee meeting. Credit: Thomas Breen file photo / New Haven Independent

LEAP Students Hit The Road

by MELISSA LIRIANO

This citizen contribution was submitted by LEAP’s Communications Coordinator

Melissa Liriano.

The annual Leadership, Education, and Athletics in Partnership (LEAP) Spring Break College Tour is taking place this week.

LEAP, a New Haven youth development nonprofit organization, took 28 high school students on a college tour in Virginia and Maryland. They visited nine colleges and universities, five of which are historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). These schools include Norfolk State University, Hampton University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, Coppin State University, the University of Richmond, the Maryland Institute of Art, Johns Hopkins University, and Loyola University. The Spring Break College Tour is entirely free for these students, with LEAP covering all costs, including bus transportation to and from each location, hotels, and meals.

After eight long hours on the road, the students finally arrived in Virginia on Sunday, April 14. The first stop of this trip was the Virginia Air and Space Center, where they got the chance to tour the museum and learn about what it’s like to be in space. They also enjoyed going on simulation rides and exploring NASA spaceships. Malikhi Grant, a student in LEAP’s Leaders-in-Training program, says his favorite part of the museum was “getting to look at all the cool spaceships.”

The students began visiting schools on Monday, April 15, the second day of the

tour. Their first stop was Norfolk State University, one of Virginia’s HBCUs. Many students enjoyed touring the school and were impressed that Norfolk State University students receive a free Apple iPad and Apple Pencil for their studies! High school sophomores Da’nasia Johnson and R’Naisa Joines especially loved touring Norfolk State University, stating, “[We] love the sense of the community at this school. Everyone seems so welcoming.” Afterward, students visited Hampton University, where they were guided

by Sydney, a sophomore at Hampton University and a New Haven native! The day ended on a high note at Virginia Beach, where students walked up and down the boardwalk and soaked in the beautiful weather and scenic views.

The longest day of the college tour was Tuesday, April 16, day three. Students visited three schools, two of which were HBCUs. They started the day at Virginia State University, another favorite for LEAP students. Rhieanna Rubertone, a LEAP junior counselor and student at

James Hillhouse High School, was grateful for the opportunity to go on the college tour. She says, “My favorite part about [the tour so far] was when we got to the colleges. Not only because we got to [see what] life [is like] as a college student, but also because it showed [us] how limitless we are and [how] we can always do better.” Rhieanna plans to major in social work because “social work is something that will [always] be needed and a resource I think everyone should take advantage of.” She thanks LEAP for

giving her the opportunity to go on educational trips like the college tour and walking her through the college process. After seeing Virginia State University, students visited Virginia Union University and the University of Richmond, but Virginia State University stole their hearts.

On the fourth day of the college tour, students arrived in Maryland and toured the first school in Baltimore, the Maryland Institute College of Art. Despite the pouring rain, they were excited to tour the school’s city campus and see the artwork the Maryland Institute College of Art students produced. Manayil Yaya, a LEAP junior counselor and student at Hill Regional Career High School, participated in LEAP’s fall college tour last year in October. She was excited to go on LEAP’s spring break college tour because it’s “during spring break, which means no school, and we get to visit so many different colleges and maybe find one that we like. It’s also nice because we are having fun and getting to explore places outside of New Haven.” Manayil plans to enter the medical field. She fell in love with Brown University and Bryant University on the fall college tour, but after visiting schools in Virginia, she wants to apply to Virginia State University, too! She loves that LEAP is helping her and other students “ [learn about] what college life would be like and preparing [them] to be independent college students.”

The students on the LEAP college tour return to New Haven on Friday, April 19. You can stay connected with the tour by following them on Instagram (@LEAPforKids) and Facebook (@LEAPinc)!

Mary J. Blige and A Tribe Called Quest to Be Inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2024

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

Mary J. Blige and A Tribe Called Quest are among the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2024. The Rock Hall has announced one of its most significant inductions yet, with the R&B queen and hiphop legends joining a prestigious roster that includes Kool & The Gang, Cher, Foreigner, Dave Matthews Band, Peter Frampton, and Ozzy Osbourne.

“This diverse group of inductees each broke down musical barriers and influenced countless artists that followed in their footsteps,” John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, said.

Blige, a multi-talented inspiration from the Bronx, New York, has long cemented her place in music history. Many said her journey is a testament to transformation

and empowerment. A global superstar, Blige has eight multi-platinum albums, nine Grammy Awards, two Academy Award nominations, and a SAG nomination to her name.

Blige entered the scene at 18 when she signed with Andre Harrell’s Uptown Records in 1989, and introduced a unique blend of hip-hop, soul, and raw, honest lyrics by drawing inspiration from music legends like Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, and Gladys Knight. Her 1992 debut album, “What’s the 411?”, featuring chart-topping hits like “You Remind Me” and “Real Love,” marked the beginning of her storied career, captivating audiences worldwide.

Meanwhile, A Tribe Called Quest, formed in 1985 in St. Albans, Queens, New York, has been hailed for their revolutionary contributions to hip-hop. Comprising Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Jarobi White, the group

reshaped the genre with their innovative sound and socially conscious lyrics.

Throughout the 1990s, A Tribe Called Quest delivered a series of iconic tracks, including “Can I Kick It,” “Check the Rhime,” and “Scenario,” solidifying their place in music history. Despite facing challenges, including the tragic loss of Phife Dawg in 2016, the group continued to push boundaries, releasing their final album, “We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service,” in 2016. A year later, they received the 2017 Brit Awards for International Group before officially disbanding.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 induction ceremony is scheduled for October 19 at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. Fans can catch the event live on Disney+, with an airing on ABC to follow and availability on Hulu the next day.

LEAP students at Virginia State University.

Band, Peter Frampton, and Ozzy Osbourne.

The new haven independent

Soaps Honor Newhallville At Kids’ Black Wall Street

by LAURA GLESBY

The new haven independent

Bassett Street smells like lemongrass and poppy seeds to 11-year-old Kauren, now that her favorite sweet-citrusy soap is up for sale in honor of the street where she goes to school.

Kauren joined classmates at the Harris & Tucker afterschool program at the Stetson Library at 197 Dixwell Ave. on Wednesday afternoon to sell an array of ten soaps named after Newhallville streets.

She was one of a dozen kids making sales pitches at a buzzing Black Wall Street for Kids event, organized by Harris & Tucker principal Kim Harris.

The soaps are part of a new Street Soap line sold by the Harris & Tucker community and made by the Tierra Soap Co., a local Black-owned soap business known for its natural ingredients, handmade products, sustainable mission, and artistic presentation. Harris is planning to grow some of the ingredients for the soaps, such as jasmine and sage, in the Harris & Tucker garden.

Each soap so far there are 10 in all, though Harris hopes to add more is named after a different street in Newhallville, from Gem Street (a soap made from honey and oats) to Goodrich (which features charcoal).

The goal, Harris said, is partly to teach kids entrepreneurial skills and to instill pride in the neighborhood in which many of them live and go to school.

“We wanted to do something to make our culture pop,” she said.

As they advertised their soaps to prospective buyers, the kids had the chance to talk about their favorite parts of the neighborhood.

“Bassett Street that’s my school, it’s named after my school,” said Kauren, who attends Lincoln Bassett elementary school. Her favorite part of the street, she said, is the playground behind the school. She extracted a Bassett Street soap bar, with a “lemongrass poppy” scent, from one of the bins. The sweet and tart aroma was palpable from three feet away.

“There’s so many soaps to choose from,” said 11-year-old Avery. “They all mean different things.”

Her favorite soap is the Dixwell Avenue “Black Raspberry” soap, she said. The Harris & Tucker kids also sold an array of hand-beaded bracelets, ranging from charm cuffs to stretchy alphabet bands, and homemade decorations in the style of “dream catchers.” These products had been created by the kids themselves and generally ranged from $1 to $5. The funds will go toward field trip and scholarship opportunities, according to Harris.

After an hour and a half of sales, a group of Harris & Tucker kids gathered to tally the money they’d earned as a group. They counted in unison: “77… 78… 79…” and landed at a total of $86. “Eighty-six! I thought we had 67!” one kid exclaimed.

“That’s crazy,” affirmed Avery. “We got $86 today.”

Other kid vendors at the event ranged from budding food entrepreneurs to published authors.

Twelve-year-old Santana Brightly, the founder of San’s Cocoa, ladled homemade vegan hot chocolate into paper cups for $3 to $6 depending on the portion size.

Santana had developed the recipe herself, having experimented with cocoa powder and almond milk in her own kitchen at around 7 or 8 years old.

She first started selling her hot chocolate in her driveway. “I asked the neighborhood to buy some,” she said. Wednesday’s Black Wall Street for Kids marked her third time tabling at an event. She was joined by her 10-year-old sister Neváe.

“I’m not sure of my role yet” in the business, Neváe said hesitantly.

“Assistant manager!” Santana interjected. “No manager!”

One table over, 10-year-old Kaden was selling two original, untitled paintings inspired by everyday sights in the natural world a steal for $6 each.

“When you do art, it’s a relaxing way to get stress out. Any emotions, really,”

Kaden said.

Five-year-old Skye Brown set up a table with her mom, Alexis Brown, and grandmother, Veronica Marion selling copies of a book she and her grandma had produced about her experiences with sickle cell disease.

The book, “S is For Skye, Not Sickle Cell,” explains numerous activities that Skye is capable of doing, sometimes with health-related accommodations, with the help of family photos and Faith Satterfield’s vibrant illustrations.

“S is for Skating!” one page elaborates. “I love to roller skate. I always wear my knee pads and drink plenty of water. If you have sickle cell, you can skate too!”

The book also offers advice on “living well with sickle cell,” including eating “plenty of calcium-rich foods,” finding a “culturally-informed doctor that you trust,” and making sure to “dream the impossible dreams.”

“The doctor’s appointments could be a little overwhelming with all the things she can’t do,” recalled Marion. “We wanted to focus on all the things she can do.”

Finally, a family-run non-profit called Our Kids Swim Too set up a detailed presentation on how Black kids and adults alike are more likely to drown or lack swimming skills than their peers. The non-profit hosts hosts free community swim lessons, first aid classes, and more in conjunction with LEAP swim coaches.

It was founded by Lisa Hardy-Gardner alongside her kids. She said they started the organization after her youngest daughter Patricia nearly drowned in a hotel swimming pool when she was five years old. Her twin older sisters, Jaylin and Mikayla, rescued her and saved her life.

Patricia is now 11, and gave an animated presentation about how she learned how to swim despite her fear through swimming classes at the YMCA and LEAP. “I learned how to swim, jump, and dive,” she said. “It was scary.”

The group’s next event is on June 15 at LEAP’s 31 Jefferson St. headquarters.

Over the course of the afternoon, kids shared an array of advice for other young entrepreneurs.

“I think you should just be yourself, be honest, and make sure you engage with your customers,” said Santana. Don’t just answer questions with “mm-hmms” she advised.

Nine-year-old Memori recommended that other young business people test out their products for functionality.

“When you make a bracelet, you have to make sure it fits your whole wrist,” she said.

Kids calculate their profits.

Five-year-old Tyson with decor he helped make.

Seven-year-old Christopher makes a sales pitch.

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Wanted: 100 More Volunteer Tutors

by MAYA MCFADDEN

A citywide math and literacy tutoring effort has reached 1,700 New Haven elementary school students since launching nearly a year ago and is now on the lookout for 100 more volunteer tutors this summer, on top of the 240 who are currently signed up, to keep the program growing.

Mayor Justin Elicker and representatives from various partnering nonprofit organizations delivered those updates Tuesday afternoon during a press conference at Wexler Grant School at 55 Foote St. The presser offered an update on the New Haven Tutoring Initiative (NHTI), a math- and reading-focused program that provides high-dosage tutoring for 1st through 5th graders.

The effort launched in July 2023 with $3 million in city-allocated federal pandemic relief support, and has since reached 1,700 elementary school students, including 1,300 this school year. The program relies on community volunteers, and currently has 240 such volunteers tutoring for hourlong weekly sessions. Standing underneath a jumbo-sized book and apple, NHTI leaders and participants said on Tuesday that the literacy and math tutoring program comes as a result of New Haven Public Schools’ ongoing challenges with addressing learning loss during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The $3 million pandemic-aid-funded effort is run by United Way, New Haven

Reads, and LEAP.

The Tuesday presser aimed to inspire more volunteers to join in on the work. At the presser, Elicker said New Haven students’ learning loss must be addressed with all hands on deck rather than looking towards just NHPS to carry the weight. Thus the need for the NHTI’s outside-ofclassroom-hours tutoring efforts.

The program’s 6-week pilot last summer served more than 400 students. While NHTI currently has 240 volunteer tutors supporting the work, leaders expect to triple the program’s students this summer, which will require an additional 100 volunteer tutors.

“We need more volunteers,” Elicker said. “As someone that did this myself, it

is not only a gift that you give to the community, but it’s something that is a gift to yourself as well.”

The mayor said that he spent Friday afternoons last summer tutoring a Davis Street School eighth grader named Monair in reading and urged other New Haveners to sign up this year to do the same.

He added in a followup phone interview on Tuesday that city staff have been encouraged to take excused time off to tutor for the NHTI program.

So far, student participation has passed NHTI leaders’ initial goal to have served 1,400 students by this summer.

The initiative has also grown its nonprofit partners from an initial team of eight organizations to, as of Tuesday, 18 operating out of a dozen different tutoring sites across the city.

New Haven Reads Executive Director Kirsten Levinsohn reported on Tuesday that 87 percent of participating students have shown significant improvements in phonemic awareness and word recognition skills, according to an assessment conducted this spring.

New Haven Counts Co-Founder and Executive Director Ronald Coleman shared that 94 percent of participating students that were assessed in the winter and spring have showed growth in their basic math-facts fluency.

“Nothing is more important than bringing a whole city together for our kids,” Levinsohn said.

At the conclusion of Tuesday’s presser New Haven students Justice Pearson, 10, Victoria Manley, 9, and Javian Lopez, 9, told this reporter that they enjoy that their twice-a-week math tutoring in Wexler’s library. They described the tutoring sessions as engaging and as teaching them with the help of fun math games.

Students Track Down Tracks

by MAYA MCFADDE

Tree hollows, a raccoon track, and red-tailed hawk scat were all found by young New Haveners with the help of Ranger Harry as they practiced their tracking skills in Edgewood Park while on spring break.

That was the scene at and around Edgewood Park’s Coogan Pavilion Thursday morning as the Youth and Recreation Department hosted its week-long “vacation camp” for New Haven students looking for a spring break activity.

The Youth and Rec vacation camp ran Monday through Friday this week for students aged 5 – 12.

Around 10 a.m Thursday morning, 18 kids made tracking badges out of string and a laminated info card that they wore around their necks, looking to it to identify different types of mammal and rodent tracks.

Park Rangers Harry Coyle and Leeane

Marvin led the students through activities focused on animal tracks.

For the first activity, students used a blank sheet of paper, ink pads, and resin animal tracks to create stories on paper using replicas of the animals’ tracks.

The replica tracks ranged from an opossum and a fox to a bobcat and a hawk.

“Tracking is very important; it tells a story and tells where something is,” Coyle said.

He told the students that tracks lose their definition over time because the sides collapse. Muddy days like Thursday are good days to track, he added.

Several students crafted stories using the tracks about predators chasing prey.

Throughout the week, students have taken vans to Trowbridge for day-long outdoor activities with the rangers. During downtime, students color and play

board games.

Recreation Supervisor Regina Wicks

said the annual spring break camp has had a deeper focus in recent years on getting students detached from electronic devices, moving outdoors, and meeting other young people.

After familiarizing themselves with animal tracks on paper, the students then headed outside for about ten minutes while the Thursday drizzle halted.

The students walked an Edgewood trail in search of tracks with the rangers. Students guessed that animals like rabbits and squirrels lived in the park tree hollows and that the raccoon was sleeping above their heads, finding its track in the mud near a tall tree.

For the final day of the camp this Friday, the students will have a “Fun Friday” with a pizza party, Uno card tournament, and outdoor activities.

NHTI students Justice Pearson, Victoria Manley, and Javian Lopez.

MAYA MCFADDEN PHOTOS

Students tell Ranger Harry the stories of their tracks.

The new haven independent

The new haven independent

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, April 15, 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.

The New Haven Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (NHE3) is a business-support network partnering with entrepreneurial support organizations (ESOs) to build an inclusive and equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem for historically marginalized entrepreneurs in Greater New Haven.

With a focus on funding BIPOC-and Woman-owned businesses, NHE3 intentionally provides grants to help small businesses thrive.

Grant round dates:

2nd round opens on Dec 1st and closes on Jan 31st (review and awards: end of February)

3rd round opens on Mar 1st and closes April 30th (review and awards: end of May)

4th round opens on June 1st and closes July 31st (review and awards: end of August)

Students, Paras Press For Budget Boost

by LAURA GLESBY

To 69-year-old Linda Randi, who’s worked as a paraeducator in New Haven Public Schools for 38 years, more funding for the Board of Education would mean “I wouldn’t have to work a second job.”

Specifically, she said, she’d no longer have to work a nightly six-hour shift waiting tables on top of her full-time classroom hours.

Randi joined a group of fellow paraprofessionals, teachers, and students Thursday night at the final public hearing for the city’s Fiscal Year 2024 – 25 (FY 25) budget to call on alders to allot more city funds toward the school system.

In the budget that Mayor Justin Elicker submitted to alders for review, the mayor proposed increasing the city’s general fund contribution to the school by $5 million (to a total of approximately $208 million). This contribution makes up about 60 percent of the current school budget.

That proposed allocation falls $12 million short of what Schools Superintendent Madeline Negrón had asked the city to fund, in what New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) leaders have described as a “keep the lights on” request. A stream of school community members

testified before the Board of Alders Finance Committee on Thursday evening on the second floor of City Hall to call for the city to meet this additional $12 million ask.

Randi focused her public testimony on one way that an extra $12 million could be spent: a higher salary for herself and her paraprofessional co-workers.

Randi said she earns $27,165 “and eighty one cents” for every ten-month school year as a paraprofessional at Nathan Hale School, where she supports kindergarten students and their teachers. She and her colleagues have been working without a contract since their previous contract expired in June 2023 as negotiations continue.

She arrived with fellow paraeducator Diane Guz, who said she earns about $24,000 annually as a special ed assistant at Celentano.

Guz has worked in the district for 23 years. At 63, she said, “I have no savings. I have no retirement funds.”

“Paras need to have a living wage,” she implored alders.

Thailynn Morehead, a high school senior at Engineering and Science University Magnet School who lives in Newhallville, said that some of that additional

$12 million could be spent on “clean bathrooms, with soap, tissues, and working toilets.”

The girls bathrooms at her school, she described, are usually fairly functional, except they often lack soap and paper towels.

The boys bathrooms are in worse condition. “Five bathrooms are closed,” she said, leaving only one boys bathroom by the first-floor gym for the entire sixth through twelfth grade school.

She came to the alders’ meeting her very first one to testify as a representative of an inter-school advocacy group called the Student Defense Collective. Bathrooms are “a basic necessity,” she said. Having $12 million fewer dollars than what the superintendent had originally requested “would do no justice for our school.”

Testifier after testifier shared other dreams for what a better-funded school system could look like speaking of more school librarians, better ventilation systems, sustainability-focused staff, safe and clean sports fields, and higher teacher-student ratios. Click here to watch a video recording of Thursday’s full

nance Committee meeting.

Gardeners Grow The Peace In West River

by ALLAN APPEL

City peace commissioners and a crew of freshmen from Albertus Magnus College ventured out to a green patch off of Ella T. Grasso Boulevard with rakes, gloves, bags, and high hopes for adding a little color and joy to the world.

They braved a rainy Thursday morning to tend to the West River Peace Garden. Established back in 1988 by the City of New Haven Peace Commission and West River residents’ groups, the garden sits on the acre or so of grass fronting the boulevard at Legion Avenue. The greenspace includes a ginkgo tree descended from one of the saplings to survive the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945.

More than three decades after its founding, the garden in effect will become the future spacious front yard of the Curtis Cofield II Estates, the 56-unit low-income townhouse-style campus facing the boulevard and rapidly rising between Legion Avenue and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.

On Thursday, the gardeners were on hand to clean out the beds around the winterberry, coreopsis, and butterfly milkweed, and pop into the newly mulched soil some colorful spring harbingers like morning glories and pansies.

“It’s a marvelous coalescence,” said Paul Bloom, a member of the commission, “that the same [West River] community that came together then” to help create the commission and then to qualify

New Haven as an official United Nations Peace Messenger City in 1993 “is also connected” with the new housing development.

“They were concerned about gun vio-

lence,” Bloom traveled back in time as he showed this reporter the ginkgo, “and the founders of the peace commission were engaging with the UN initiative to promote a city-wide culture of peace in New

Haven, that is, designating it a Peace Messenger City.”

Many of those same neighbors, Bloom added, are part of the West River Self Help Investment Plan (WRSHIP), which is a partner with the New York-based NHP Foundation in the development of the 4.3 acre, $20 million Curtis Cofield Estates project.

Bloom, who is an architect, is leading plans, via the commission’s Peace Garden Advisory Committee, for reconfiguration of the peace garden and park. They include creating pathways from the ginkgo to the central planted area, along with benches and other gathering areas to be used for contemplative moments or just as a park area for the future families to enjoy.

Millie Grenough, another of the commission organizers of the clean-up, and Bloom both spoke about some grander features of the planning for the garden upgrades. They include a more formal entryway to the garden, what Bloom (he’s also the leader of the New Haven Zen Center) described as a Buddhist “gateless gate” two verticals and a horizontal to usher people in to the garden.

If city parks’ or other funds can be ac-

Continue 0n page 15

Fi-

LAURA GLESBY PHOTO High school senior Thailynn Morehead, right, called for the budget to fund functional school bathrooms.

ALLAN APPEL PHOTO

Daniel Wood, Jeremy Tremblay, Stephany Miller, Paul Bloom, Aaron Goode, and Millie Grenough on Thursday.

The new haven independent

The new haven independent

U.S. Coast Guard Promotes First Black Female Admiral

Merchant said she initially joined the Coast Guard with the intention of financing her medical school education.

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

U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Zeita Merchant has made history as the first Black female admiral in the service’s 233-year history. Admiral Merchant, previously the commander of Sector New York, will now lead the Coast Guard Personnel Service Center in Washington, D.C., where she will oversee recruitment and scholarships.

Merchant said she initially joined the Coast Guard with the intention of financing her medical school education. “I always had this passion for service, but I never thought it would be in the form of military service. I really feel like this is God’s plan and not my plan,” she told the Clarion Ledger newspaper in Jackson, Mississippi.

Officials said the promotion highlights the Coast Guard’s ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion. Historian William H. Thiesen notes that African Americans have played a pivotal role in the Coast Guard’s history since its inception in 1790. “From the earliest days of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service, Black sailors served alongside their white counterparts, with many making significant contributions during conflicts such as the Quasi-War with France and the War of 1812,” Thiesen wrote in a column for the Coast Guard’s newsletter.

He wrote that the Coast Guard’s rich and illustrious history of African American service is filled with bravery and accomplishment milestones. From Aaron Carter, the first African American to die in combat defending the Cape Florida Lighthouse in 1836, to “Hell Roaring” Mike Healy, the first African American commissioned officer and ship’s captain, Black Coast Guard members have consistently broken barriers and paved

the way for future generations.

During World War II, the Coast Guard led the federal government’s first official experiments in desegregation, commissioning its first African American officers and assigning Black officers and enlisted men to the USS Sea Cloud. By the war’s end, 5,000 Black members had served in the Coast Guard, with one in every five reaching petty officer or warrant officer levels.

In the following decades, African Americans continued to achieve notable milestones within the service. Thiesen asserted that Lovine Freamon and Bobby Wilks became the first Black graduates from Officer Candidate School in 1954 and 1956. Merle Smith, the first African American graduate of the Coast Guard Academy in 1966, later received the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Vietnam.

Modern times have seen African Americans reach even greater heights within the Coast Guard. Vince Patton became the first Black Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard in 1998, followed by Erroll Brown, the first Black flag officer, in 2002. Jeanine McIntosh earned her wings as the first African American female aviator in 2005, and in 2009, Felicia Thomas became the first Black female to command a cutter. Merchant’s distinguished career features

key roles such as Special Assistant to the 27th and 28th Vice Commandants of the Coast Guard, Congressional Fellow for the Committees on Oversight and Reform and Transportation and Infrastructure, and Executive Strategic Planner for the Coast Guard Flag and Senior Executive Service Corps.

Her educational background is equally impressive, holding a Doctor of Business Administration and a Master of Quality Systems Management from the National Graduate School at New England Institute of Business. She also earned a Master of Public Administration from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Tougaloo College.

Additionally, Merchant completed the Executive Education Leadership in Homeland Security program at Harvard Kennedy School of Government and was a Seminar XXI National Security and Foreign Affairs Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

When a reporter asked what she would tell her teenage self, Merchant replied, “We get in our own way because we think we don’t deserve the best based on where we’re from. “I would tell my younger self that you got to get out of your head, get out of your own way and the world is truly yours to conquer.”

Op-Ed: Why MAGA Policies Are Detrimental to Black Communities

Ron Reynolds, Texas State Representative

As a representative deeply invested in the well-being of my constituents, I feel compelled to shed light on the harmful impact of the MAGA agenda. While its proponents claim to champion America’s greatness, the reality is far from uplifting, especially for Black Americans.

Let’s be clear: Make America Great Again (MAGA) is not a call for progress; it’s a thinly veiled attempt to turn back the clock on the hard-fought gains of marginalized communities, including Black Americans. From voting rights to healthcare to economic opportunity, the policies espoused under the guise of MAGA pose a direct threat to the advancements we’ve made in the pursuit of equality and justice.

Take voting rights, for example. MAGA proponents peddle baseless claims of widespread voter fraud to justify voter suppression tactics that disproportionately target Black voters. The purpose of restrictive voter ID laws, purging voter rolls, and limiting early voting hours is

to silence marginalized communities and maintain the status quo of power and privilege.

Healthcare is another area where the MAGA agenda falls short for Black Americans. The relentless attacks on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) threaten to strip millions of Americans, particularly those in underserved communities, of access to affordable healthcare. For Black Americans who already face disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, the repeal of the ACA would be nothing short of disastrous.

And let’s not forget about economic opportunity. While MAGA proponents tout a booming economy, the reality is that Black Americans continue to face disproportionately high rates of unemployment, poverty, and wage stagnation. The tax cuts and deregulation championed by the MAGA agenda only exacerbate these disparities, further widening the gap between the haves and the have-nots.

The most insidious message of MAGA is the underlying idea that America was somehow greater in the past—a past marred by slavery, white supremacy, seg-

regation, and systemic racism. For Black Americans, the nostalgia of MAGA is not just misguided; it’s deeply offensive. It ignores the struggles and sacrifices of generations past who fought tirelessly for civil rights and equality.

As a nation, we cannot afford to romanticize an era of oppression and inequality. We must instead confront the injustices of the past and work towards a future where every American, regardless of race or background, can thrive. That means rejecting the divisive rhetoric of MAGA and embracing policies that promote justice, equality, and inclusion for all.

So, to my fellow Black Americans, I urge you to see through the empty promises of MAGA and recognize it for what it truly is: a dangerous regression that threatens to undo the progress we’ve made. Let’s unite in opposition to hate, white supremacy, and division and strive toward a future where all citizens can experience the full potential of America.

Twitter: @ronereynolds #BlackPressUSA @NNPA_BlackPress

PHOTO: Ron Reynolds, Texas State Representative

These twin sisters just bought Woodland Plantation, where America’s largest slave revolt began in 1811

By Dollita Okine, Face2FaceAfrica.com

Growing up in Wallace, Louisiana, Jocyntia “Jo” Banner and her sister Joyceia “Joy” Banner first heard of the enslaved people’s uprising in 1811 from their grandmother. Today, the sisters have endeavored to obtain the property where the largest slave rebellion in American history began.

Their grandmother recounted the tale of how people who revolted and battled for their independence had their heads severed and staked along the Mississippi River. Her tale was a recall of the 1811 uprising that started at the Woodland Plantation in LaPlace, Louisiana, where Charles Deslondes and roughly 25 other enslaved people attacked Manuel Andry and his son, leading to the boy’s death. The rebels grew to almost 500 members when more slaves from neighboring plantations joined them as they marched toward New Orleans. Nevertheless, the soldiers halted them, seized them, and some of them were tried and executed.

Jo Banner told The Grio that she saw the uprising participants as freedom fighters

who “were trying to save their lives and the lives of their family.”

She revealed that the sisters had spoken with Woodland Plantation’s owner, Timothy Sheehan, about the value of conserving Black history in the River Parishes a few years prior. Sheehan then got in touch with them in 2023, informing them that he intended to put the property up for sale and asking if they would be interested in buying it.

Through The Descendants Project, a nonprofit organization they created to “preserve and protect the health, land, and lives of the Black descendant community located in Louisiana’s River Parishes,” the Banners paid $750,000 for the property in January.

The purchase includes four acres and the main building, which is 4,000 square feet, according to documents in the St. John the Baptist Parish Clerk of Court Office.

Jo Banner declared that she and her sister intend to run Woodland Plantation in a way that honors the legacy of the enslaved descendant community there, providing genealogy resources to community members who might be interested in learning more about their ancestry and a

forum for discussions about environmental injustice.

“Knowing that home’s history and everything that happened, that our names are going to be put in the paperwork of this home, that you’re going to see it going all the way from the 1700s and white ownership and all of a sudden that they got more melanin on that title history, we’re already seeing how impactful that is for us to be in this space just as Black women. We’re going to provide access to the history in a way that Black people can feel welcome in the space,” Jo remarked.

In an ongoing battle, their non-profit organization has been fighting to prevent grain elevator exporter Greenfield Louisiana LLC from constructing a plant in the Louisiana River Parishes region, which is already overrun with chemical and oil companies.

As part of their persistent effort to prevent Greenfield Louisiana from building, the Banner sisters have reportedly filed multiple lawsuits over the past three years, according to the Guardian. As a result, the corporation has been under intense public attention.

The cost of being a woman: A $1.6 trillion yearly wage gap

By Bria Overs Word In Black

On this year’s Equal Pay Day, observed March 12, there was little to celebrate. Although women now earn more than ever have, the gender wage gap persists. And they’re feeling the pain in this current economy and political climate.

In 2023, women earned, on average, 21.8 percent less than men, according to the Economic Policy Institute. While that’s better than 2022, where women made 22.9 percent less, it’s not necessarily because jobs are starting to pay better — and higher education and selfadvocacy only improved wages so much. The EPI found that the pay improvement is likely because men’s wages have stagnated.

Research from the National Partnership for Women and Families found that women lose $1.6 trillion yearly because of the wage gap. “That’s a lot of money that we want in the pockets of women and their families,” Jocelyn Frye, president of the organization, says.

For Black, Latina, and Indigenous women, the wage gap problem is compounded by racial and gender discrimination, along with occupational segregation. These factors not only contribute to pay disparity with White men, but also Asian women and White women. Because of the type of jobs these women work, many of which are hourly positions with little to no options for retirement savings, health insurance and other benefits, this pay dis-

crepancy adds to the racial wealth gap for each racial and ethnic group.

Frye adds that Black and Latina mothers, in particular, are more often the primary or sole breadwinners of their families, making them the “key to economic stability for their families.”

“When you ensure that they can participate in the economy equally, then they will do better, and their families will do better,” she says. “We know that centering women of color and the economic narrative is really critical to the economic growth of our families and our nation.”

The wage gap and reproductive justice

When women enter motherhood, they are hit with the “motherhood penalty” — a unique phenomenon where women see a decline in their earnings that can last the rest of their working years.

But beyond that, since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, several states have made women’s reproductive health a legislative target. So far, 14 states have banned abortions, while 11 states have gestational limits between six and 22 weeks, according to KFF.

“Many of the attacks we see, we believe, have multiple effects as we’ve seen across the board,” Frye says. “It’s not just about abortion, it’s access to IVF, access to OBGYN care writ large, it’s maternal health.

All of those things affect the economic stability of families.”

Businesses could help solve the gap

Both Frye and the Economic Policy Institute believe federal and state policymakers should do more to close the pay

gap. In 2017, the Trump administration suspended an Obama-era wage gap initiative that required companies with 100 or more employees to confidentially report to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) what they pay employees, categorized by job type, sex, race and ethnicity.

The Salary Transparency Act and Pay Equity for All Act were introduced in Congress in March 2023, but there has been no movement in the year since. States like California, Maryland and New York have passed laws requiring salary ranges on job postings.

However state efforts only partially solve the pay gap issue because women could easily fall on the lower end of the salary range. Besides, some employers still ask for previous pay history, making it more challenging for women to negotiate pay that reflects their worth.

While the nation waits for legislation, business owners can help with this issue by examining and addressing how they pay women in their workplaces.

“We really have to rely on employers to do their own due diligence and to include race and gender into the analysis they do because many will say they are looking at their gender pay gap, but then won’t look deeper,” Frye says. They should “look at how they’re enforcing and ensuring they’re looking at their workforce on a regular basis to minimize inequality.”

This article was originally published by Word In Black.

Today, the sisters have endeavored to obtain the Woodland Plantation. Photo Credit: The Descendants Project

Despite some progress on the gender wage gap, women still make less than men, with women of color suffering the most. Photo:Nappy.co/WOCInTech

City Plan Greenlights Red-Light Cameras

by THOMAS BREEN

Behavior change for drivers, not pocket change for city coffers, drove a proposal to install red-light and speed cameras toward another recommended approval. That approval came Wednesday night when the City Plan Commission voted unanimously to support an Elicker administration effort to put up “automated traffic enforcement safety devices” translation, red-light and speed cameras in 19 different spots across New Haven.

The positive vote took place a day after the Board of Alders Legislation and Public Safety committees also endorsed the traffic camera proposal, and roughly a month after top city officials first introduced the new-state-law-enabled local effort. The proposal now heads to the full Board of Alders for further review and a potential final vote.

During Wednesday night’s online meeting, city transit director Sandeep Aysola repeatedly framed the traffic camera plan as trying to change the way that drivers in New Haven act. Namely, to discourage them from speeding in school zones and cruising through red lights.

It would do so by having cameras record an image of the license plate of the offending vehicle, and then, after review of that footage by a city-contracted vendor and by a city transit employee, have a ticket worth $50 to $75 sent to the vehicle’s owner.

“This is not about revenue,” Aysola stressed. “This is hoping for behavior change.”

Wait a minute, urged Commission Chair Leslie Radcliffe. “I’m just having difficulty wrapping my mind around the fair-

ness of” having an automated ticket and fine being sent to a car’s owner, as opposed to the driver who ran the red light. “How does that translate into safety?” she asked, if it’s the owner and not the driver being punished? Perhaps the behavior change the city is seeking is to discourage car owners from lending their vehicles out to people whose reckless driving incurs fines for the owners?

Aysola said that there is indeed “some accountability from the owner’s perspective, making sure vehicles are used responsibly.”

He also said that the enabling state legislation for this traffic safety camera program requires that these cameras document a vehicle’s license plate, and not the driver. “There are some states that take a picture of the driver,” identify the driver “through different avenues,” and then send the citation to the driver. “There are some privacy-related issues” when trying to track a driver, he said, and so, for Connecticut’s relevant legislation, taking pictures of people driving is not allowed,

but taking pictures of the offending vehicle is.

What happens if somebody doesn’t pay the $50 fine? asked Commissioner Carl Goldfield. Would the fine double? Are there any consequences to not paying?

Under the relevant state statute, Aysola replied, there cannot be “any escalation of fees.” Unlike with a parking ticket, “these [fines] are not going to double or triple” if left unpaid.

However, “you can still do a civil judgment,” he said. That is: the city can “go through the code and a judicial marshal can go out and issue a civil judgment” worth the total fine plus related costs and fees.

“We’re talking about changed behavior,” Goldfield said towards the end of the discussion on Wednesday. “From what I’ve heard about this ordinance, I’m not going to change my behavior.” That behavior, he said, is: “When I’m at a red light, and it changes and I get the green, I never go through the intersection until I make certain that everyone has stopped.

“I’ve seen too many people stomp on that gas and go through red lights,” he said. “I don’t want to be t-boned.”

He described the traffic camera plan as a “step in the right direction. But I wish we had stronger penalties and possibilities of enforcement.”

Radcliffe offered a different behaviorchange data point before she and her fellow commissioners voted in support of recommending that the Board of Alders approve the camera plan.

She said the only time she’s ever run a red light was once in New Jersey. In a part of the state with red-light cameras up. “They took my picture, sent me a letter. I’ve never run a red light again. Not in New Jersey,” she said. And not in New Haven either.

In 2022, she starred in her first film ‘The military unit.

er Women Summit, Thuso Mbedu tearfully

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

da 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 tion. 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 ing 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…”

Spelman College first HBCU to launch cosmetic science program

By Ariyana Griffin Courtesy of the AFRO

In response to that disparity, the college has announced that they will be expanding their STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) program to offer cosmetic chemistry as a concentration for chemistry majors and a minor for others. This program marks the first time cosmetic chemistry has been offered on an HBCU campus.

“I am excited that we now offer a course of study that connects students’ Spelman experience to the beauty and personal care industry. The new major concentration and minor will ensure our students’ competitiveness for advanced study and careers in the field,” said Dr. Leyte Winfield, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and division chair for natural sciences and mathematics, in a statement.

“I am equally excited that this endeavor positions us to offer a culturally relevant perspective that is needed in the conversation on black hair and skin care and the development of cosmetics.” Spelman College has found a way to bridge the gap between the growing beauty industry and the creators of the products. According to the institution, research shows that Black women spent more than $7.4 billion on cosmetics and personal care products in 2022. However,

Black beauty brands comprise a mere 2.5 percent of the market.

The curriculum, highly unique to Spelman College, was developed with an eye toward promoting careers in the beauty industry while advancing the technical knowledge that students may need to enter the field. A main goal is to also allow students to have a well-rounded perspective when it comes to developing cosmetic formulas.

“This expansion of our curriculum speaks to Spelman’s innovation and commitment to giving voice that empowers Black women,” said Spelman Provost Dr. Pamela Scott-Johnson. “The program will be far-reaching and will support our students and faculty in making a difference in a field that caters to Black women as consumers, fueled by the scientific expertise in this area. We are thrilled to continue this evolution of creating new academic offerings that address industry demands.”

The program, available to students this fall, will focus on the molecular sciences needed for product formulation and development while providing a strong fundamental understanding of the origin, structure and function of ingredients used in the cosmetics industry.

Originally, the cosmetic science curriculum was launched in January 2023 as a certificate program for students enrolled

in Spelman’s online program, eSpelman. Since, the program has grown exponentially from 150 to 750 applications as it comes up on its fourth term. That demonstrated interest in and need for the subject led to the expansion of the program for undergraduate students.

“We believe this exciting new venture will lead to many new research opportunities and collaborations with leaders in the beauty care field,” said Dr. Michelle Gaines, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Spelman. “My research is rooted in studying the surface chemical properties of curly hair. There are many students who are very interested in working on this project with me, and I’m looking forward to growing this research within the new program.”

To go alongside the program, the college will host a one-week Cosmetic Science Summer Lab Intensive that will focus on and highlight fundamental cosmetic formulations from June 2-8. The event will bring together Black women product developers, formulators and researchers to provide participants with informative seminars and panels. The lab will be available to eSpelman learners, Spelman students, and participants from other HBCUs based on availability. More information will be forthcoming in upcoming weeks regarding the summer program.

In West River

Yale Institute of Sacred Music Presents cessed, a more formal, defined entryway could be achieved, and a grander one. They had in mind a kind of bridge (similar to the one connecting Barnard Environment School across the boulevard) enabling people to cross over the always busy boulevard directly from West River Park.

However, for student volunteers like Albertus freshman Jeremy Tremblay, the perspective was less long, historical, or architectural, and more of the present moment. A native of Montreal, he has a car at school enabling him to drive around New Haven and he has noticed a lot, he reported, including a lot of trash.

“With all the struggles going on in New Haven today,” he said as he raked and bagged a long winter’s worth of brown, wet leaves, “you see so much trash and there’s so much potential, it’s good to pick up.”

A long-time member of the commission, Aaron Goode, said that the peace garden sits technically not on official New Haven city park property, but a kind of orphaned or “unassigned” parcel.

Translation: Members of the Peace Commission and other volunteers they are able to corral have over the years carried the responsibility of maintaining the peace garden, the ginkgo, and its explanatory slab. They also care for the surrounding acres of grass and other plantings.

“It’s a huge challenge making this park accessible,” he added. At the center of that challenge is the highly trafficked location cheek by jowl with one of the fastest, most accident-prone stretches of roadway in the city. “But it’s also an opportunity” with the new housing development and its families now entering the picture in the coming year.

As the vehicles rolled by, he added, “You can’t have a contemplative moment here, if you can’t enter except by driving a truck over a curb. Maybe the [more tended, visible] expression of peace in the garden will remind people to slow down.”

That may come to pass especially next year when families move in, but the experience of being in the garden and cleaning up, with the backhoes churning and the new housing rising behind him, had already worked a little magic for Jeremy Tremblay.

In the culminating activity of the clean-up, Grenough gathered all the participants in a circle near the ginkgo tree, and solicited their main take-away from the morning’s work. “It’s the joy that it brought me,” said Tremblay. “Today I am grateful.”

For those interested in the work of the commission and advancing plans for the peace garden, the site is PeaceCommission.net and members meet by Zoom on the third Thursday of each month between 7:30 and 9:00 p.m.

J.S.

Photo of Bach statue and St. Thomas Church, Leipzig courtesy of Jeff Hazewinkel. Photo of David Hill courtesy of Harold Shapiro.

Howard University collaborates with Spotify to create “1619: The College Edition” podcast

By Ariyana Griffin Special to the AFRO

Howard University partnered with Spotify to host a listening session April 16 on the Washington, D.C. campus to highlight the launch of “1619: The College Edition” podcast, in which students unpack what they have gleaned from their study of “The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story,” under the direction of its author, Pulitzer Prize winner, Emmy winner and investigative reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones.

Kristen Jarrett, Spotify’s lead on its equity, diversity and impact team and its NextGen program, explained that the collaboration between Spotify and Hannah-Jones flourished from an unsolicited email.

“Believe it or not, it was a bit of a cold email to Professor Hannah-Jones to see if she was interested in collaborating, and she said yes. From there it was listening to her and what she was interested in doing with her students,” said Jarrett. “We allowed her to guide us in terms of what she wanted to do, and then it was working with her students, delivering equipment and providing guidance. From there we were able to co-create this beautiful piece of content. I say co-create very loosely; her students really created this podcast and we were just happy to be a part of supporting the process.”

Spotify’s program NextGen provides students with the resources and support they need to activate and grow podcast culture on campuses. In the past, the program has been on Spelman College’s campus as well as other universities such as New York University, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Southern California. NextGen is supported by their Creator Equity Fund, which seeks to “uplift creators who have historically been underrepresented in the audio industry.” At the April 16 event, Spotify also presented a $10,000 scholarship to sophomore journalism major Karys Hylton, one of the students who participated in the course and in the development of the podcast.

The course that Hannah-Jones teaches at Howard University, where she is the Knight Chair in Race and Journalism, is titled after her award-winning book, “The 1619 Project.” Students who take the course and study the material are required to write an essay taking a deep dive into history on a topic they pitch and get approved.

Those essays then were developed into the student-led podcast. Three episodes were produced by students working in groups under the topics, “Principles of Drip,” “Color Theory” and “Queer Seminar.” The series allowed Howard students to “apply their own unique lens to what they learned from studying the 1619 Project and make surprising, compelling and critical connections to the ways that slavery still impacts their lives and ours,” according to a description of the podcast.

society in all of the ways that we don’t think about,” said Hannah-Jones. “I hope it leads us to ask more questions, to think deeper about the way we treat Black people, the way that we think Black Americans are, and that we have a better understanding of ourselves, and that people who aren’t Black have a better understanding of us.”

She explained that most of the students had no previous script writing experience, but they all were dedicated to producing something the world could learn something from.

“When they came into the podcasting course, most had never written a podcast script, had never done podcast production, had never actually done the type of reporting that I required,” said HannahJones. “I made them interview scholars, I made them find archival clips. They had to produce ambient sound. There were elements that each podcast had to incorporate.”

She said she believes each student walked away with new reporting skills and an ear for audio narrative.

Zoe Cummings, a sophomore honors journalism major and Spanish minor, said

when she saw the “1619” course offering, she didn’t know what it was but she knew that she would learn and grow under Hannah- Jones. And, she took away an important lesson..

“I realized for the first time that I was learning how to be American,” she said. “I was learning how to hold my Blackness in one hand and my Americanness in another and understand that the two things aren’t that different. And professor Jones gave me that.”

Cummings, who produced the “Principles of Drip” episode, shared that the episode was important because she originally wrote the essay it was curated from. “Drip,” in urban vernacular, refers to something or someone that is “cool,” is stylish or has a high element of “swag.” It is a quality she strongly associates with her D.C.-based campus and HBCU students in general, she said.

“When it was time to create this into a podcast we had to bring it to the yard; we had to bring it to Howard Homecoming; we had to bring it to y’all,” said Cummings. “I don’t know about y’all, but I have never seen anyone more ‘drippy’

Continue 0n page 21

Fisk University’s Morgan Price becomes 1st HBCU gymnast to win national title

Morgan Price’s name is now etched into the history books. The Fisk University gymnast on April 12 won the all-around title at the 2024 USAG Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Nationals held in West Chester, Pennsylvania, making her the first gymnast from a historically Black college or university to claim the championship.

By Courtesy of the AFRO Staff

“It feels good because of the hard work that has been put in,” said Price in a statement. “Honestly, I didn’t know where I would place but it was a pleasant surprise. I have heard from a lot of people so far. I am still trying to take all this in.”

The athlete garnered scores of 9.850 on the floor exercise, 9.850 on the vault, 9.8 on the bars and 9.750 on the balance beam, giving her an overall score of 39.225 to clinch the victory. She will compete for individual titles in the bars, vault and floor exercise events on April 14.

Price had a rich source of inspiration in her head coach, Corrine Tarver. In 1989, the 56-year-old became the first African American woman to win the All-Around Gymnastics Championship while representing the University of Georgia. Now, she can add coaching a history-making champion to her accolades.

“This moment is all about Morgan,” said Tarver when she was asked about her title.

“I am extremely proud of the dedication she has to her craft. I am anticipating her doing well in the individuals.”

Hannah-Jones shared that she was excited for the opportunity to partner with Spotify and give her students the opportunity to dig deeper into history and share what

they’ve learned.

b“The podcast is based on the basic formula of the ‘1619 Project,’ which is that slavery in its legacy is shaping our

Morgan Price on April 12 became the first HBCU gymnast to win the USAG Women’s Collegiate All-Around National Championship. The Fisk University student secured the title with an overall score of 39.225. (Photo courtesy Instagram/usagym)

Nikole Hannah-Jones arrives at the premiere of "The 1619 Project" on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Professor Nikole Hannah-Jones (upper left corner) poses with students involved in producing “1619: The College Edition” podcast on Spotify. (Image courtesy Instagtram/ nikolehannahjones)

After a single phone call, Mellody Hobson is co-CEO of 1st Black-owned mutual fund company with $14.9B in assets

by Abu Mubarik, Face2FaceAfrica.com

Mellody Hobson is the co-CEO of the first Black-owned mutual fund company in the U.S., Ariel Investments. The company was started by John W. Rogers Jr. in 1983 when he was just 24 years old. Headquartered in Chicago, with offices in New York, San Francisco, and Sydney, Hobson joined the company right after graduating college in 1991. However, her journey with the company started when she interned there alongside T. Rowe Price while in college, according to Fortune.

In her final year, she started preparing to go on interviews for analyst positions at firms in New York City. One day, while sitting in the basement of the then Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton writing her thesis and preparing for one of her interviews, she decided to go directly to Rogers who could teach her a thing or two in the corporate world.

“ And I thought, ‘What am I doing?’” Hobson recalled to Fortune. “I can go and work directly with John Rogers, and

I could sit at the feet of someone who’s so well respected, and he can teach me. I called John from a payphone, and I think I called collect.”

“I said, ‘I’m going to come to Ariel,’ and then I called and canceled my other interviews,” she said. “And all of my friends thought that I was nuts because Ariel was tiny. And they said to me, ‘Why wouldn’t you go to a big Wall Street firm?’ But to me, I thought I could learn from him.”

She got mentored by Hobson after joining Ariel and after spending nearly 20 years in the company, she was named co-CEO in 2019. This was made known in a 25-minute documentary about Ariel, which was produced by McGuire, an award-winning filmmaker and producer, and a New York Times bestselling author.

He touted Ariel’s journey as an “American success story.” “I don’t come from the world of finance, but from a filmmaking perspective, it was just such an incredible story of perseverance, excellence, and trailblazing,” McGuire said.

At 58 hours, Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya breaks the longest chess marathon

by Stephen Nartay, Face2FaceAfrica.com

Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya has set a new record for the longest chess marathon, playing continuously for 58 hours under the bright lights of New York’s Times Square.

Despite the grueling hours, Onakoya remained dedicated to the board. He aims to raise $1 million for charity to benefit chess education for children worldwide. His efforts drew support from hundreds, including Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Davido, who cheered him up during the marathon, according to the BBC. As the chess master pushed through his marathon chess session in Times Square, supporters energized him with classic Nigerian dishes, including jollof rice, and music.

Back in Nigeria, fans rallied behind him on Twitch, a video streaming service, to cheer him on as he conquered the record. Others left messages of admiration and support during the stream, commending Onakoya as a source of inspiration for many.

“Thank you for daring to dream and showing us the levels to which we can all take our brain power to! Well done Tunde! I’m going to pick up my chess board back haha,” one commenter wrote. “Mr Onakoya is a symbol of excellence and resilience that distinguish Nigerians both at home and abroad… Go, make history, and inscribe our name in gold,” Nigeria’s Vice-President Kashim Shettima posted on X.

“Lagos is rooting for you,” Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu told Onakoya, adding that his attempt was “a powerful testament to how greatness can

emerge from anywhere”. Onakoya, aged 29, surpassed the previous Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, which stood at 56 hours, nine minutes, and 37 seconds, set by a Norwegian duo in 2018.

Raised in poverty in Lagos’s floating slums, the chess doyen found solace and opportunity in chess, leading him to es-

tablish Chess in Slums Africa, a nonprofit that teaches the game to underprivileged children while supporting their education. He serves on the board of The Gift of Chess, a U.S. nonprofit dedicated to distributing one million chess sets to underserved communities by 2030, aiming to transform lives through the game.

Speaking on the challenges the company went through during the global financial crisis, Hobson referred to that period as “the worst time in my career; it was a crisis of confidence.”

She recalled traveling with Rodgers when a client canceled a billion-dollar contract it had with Ariel.

“They said they were terminating, and it was a billion dollars,” Hobson recalled. “John and I both went into survival mode, and told them, ‘You should wait. This is the worst moment in the market. You don’t sell now. This is the worst thing you could possibly do.’”

She continued, “I remember, I burst into tears. John didn’t cry, but I was crying. And he said, ‘This is all my fault—I picked the stocks.’ And I said, ‘No, it’s all my fault. I didn’t do a good job of explaining how we invest.’”

Today, Ariel holds $14.9 billion in assets. In addition to her work at Ariel, Hobson, the youngest of six children raised by a single mom, also serves as board chair of Starbucks and a director at JPMorgan Chase.

Eight years after being declared winner of 2014 Boston Marathon, Buzunesh Deba is yet to receive $100,000 prize

by Stephen Nartay, Face2FaceAfrica.com

The 2014 Boston Marathon’s true winner, Buzunesh Deba, has yet to receive her $100,000 prize. Deba, who initially placed second, was later declared the winner after Rita Jeptoo was disqualified for doping.

Despite being informed of her victory eight years ago, Deba is still awaiting the full payment, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Deba received $25,000 for placing second, a fraction of the winner’s prize. The remaining $75,000 owed to her by the Boston Athletic Association has yet to be paid. The non-payment is allegedly due to Jeptoo’s refusal to return her winnings. In an official statement, the association explained that “the matter is still ongoing.” Deba however emphasized that it’s the BAA’s responsibility to fulfill her rightful winnings, regardless of Jeptoo’s actions. The Ethiopian elite runner has taken a break from her athletic career to focus on starting a family.

She recalled observing Jeptoo’s seemingly unaffected post-marathon condition, only to discover months later that Jeptoo tested positive for EPO, a banned substance. Subsequent investigations by the International Court of Arbitration in Sport revealed evidence of doping in Jeptoo’s pre-2014 marathon samples.

Jeptoo, a Kenyan native, faced a fouryear sanction. Despite this, her victories in 2006 and 2013 remain uncontested. Jeptoo claimed $150,000 for her 2014 victory and an extra $25,000 for setting a course record, awards legally belonging to Deba. The Ethiopian runner’s time of

2 hours, 19 minutes, 59 seconds remains the fastest in Boston Marathon history. The BAA’s delay in paying Deba aligns with World Athletics’ guidelines, which mandate repayment of forfeited prize money by ineligible athletes before new payments are made. However, the BAA could choose to voluntarily compensate Deba. The association holds assets of approximately $30 million, as per The Wall Street Journal.

Jeptoo joined Rosie Ruiz, who infamously cut the course in 1980, as one of the few individuals disqualified from the Boston Marathon after crossing the finish line on Boylston Street.

“She took my chance,” Deba said in 2017 after returning to Boston, where she has also finished third and seventh. “I lost so many things.”

Mellody Hobson in her early days at the Ariel Investments as discussed in a new documentary. COURTESY OF ARIEL INVESTMENTS. Photo credit: Fortune

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR BID HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF DANBURY

NOTICE

Chimney Cleaning and Repair Services

IFB No. B24004

VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Galasso Materials is seeking a Financial Manager/Office Manager to replace a retiring team member. The candidate needs leadership skills & experience in accounting & tax compliance. CPA, manufacturing and/or construction experience preferred.

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

PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL RETURN:

Housing Authority of the City of Danbury, 2 Mill Ridge Rd, Danbury, CT 06811 Envelope Must be Marked: IFB No. B24004, Chimney Cleaning and Repair Services

Attn: Lisa Gilchrist, Purchasing Agent

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.

SUBMITTAL DEADLINE

May 13th, 2024 at 10:30am (EST)

NOTICIA

CONTACT PERSON FOR IFB DOCUMENT:

Lisa Gilchrist – Purchasing Agent

VALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES

Telephone: 203-744-2500 x1421

E-Mail: lgilchrist@hacdct.org

[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

Listing: Retail Representative

Petroleum Company has an immediate part time opening. Excellent customer service skills a must. Requirements include: assist in answering service questions, scheduling service calls as well as assisting in collections and account set ups. Applicant to also perform administrative/clerical tasks as assigned. Please send resume to: H.R. Manager, Confidential, P O Box 388, Guilford CT 06437. or HRDept@eastriverenergy.com

NEW HAVEN

The State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management is recruiting for an Information Technology Manager (IT Manager 1) 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= 240402&R2=1561MP&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.

Galasso Materials is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

The Town of Wallingford, CT is accepting applications for the following positions:

Attendant I (Trainee). This is a trainee position leading to a career in performing skilled work in the operation and maintenance of the Town’s wastewater treatment facility. The position requires a H.S., trade school, vocational school, or H.S. equivalency diploma. Must possess a valid Connecticut Driver's License. Hourly rate: $22.97 to $25.22. The closing date for applications is the date the 50th applilcation or resume is received or April 30, 2024, whichever occurs first.

Electrical Technician. Performs skilled work in the repair, maintenance and calibration of all electrical and electronic equipment pertaining to the wastewater treatment plant in the Town of Wallingford. Applicants should possess a H.S. or trade school diploma and 2 years of related college education or specialized maintenance training and 4 years of experience in the repair and maintenance of electrical and electronic equipment; or a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field plus 1 year of experience. Must possess a valid Connecticut Driver's License. Hourly rate: $32.24 to $36.79. The closing date for applications is the date the 50th applilcation or resume is received or May 7, 2024, whichever occurs first.

The Town offers an excellent fringe benefits package that includes pension plan, paid sick and vacation time, medical insurance, life insurance, 13 paid holidays, and deferred compensation plan. 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 dates specified above. Phone: (203) 294-2080; Fax: (203) 294-2084. EOE

242-258 Fairmont Ave

***An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Disabled & Veterans***

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

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

Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice

SAYEBROOKE

Financial Manager/Office Manager

Galasso Materials is seeking a Financial Manager/Office Manager to replace a retiring team member. The candidate needs leadership skills & experience in accounting & tax compliance. CPA, manufacturing and/or construction experience preferred. NO PHONE CALLS. Please email resume and cover letter to “Hiring Manager”, Galasso Materials LLC, PO Box 1776, East Granby CT 06026.

Galasso Materials is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Listing: Outside Sales & Estimator Position

HVAC department has an immediate opening. Responsible for all aspects of HVAC estimation which includes system design, sheet metal, piping, and organizing vendor information. This candidate must be well organized, hands-on, self-motivated, dependable and work independently. Minimum of 5 years of sales/estimating experience. Must have the ability to read and comprehend blueprints. Must have knowledge of HVAC systems. Must have Microsoft Office knowledge.

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 & Veterans**

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

REQUEST FOR BIDS

Sale of Surplus Rolling Stock

New Haven, Connecticut

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

New Haven Parking Authority Project #24-024

Bids due April 15, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. EDT.

Bid Documents will be available beginning April 1, 2024 at no cost by downloading from the New Haven Parking Authority/Park New Haven website at https://parknewhaven.com/request-for-bids/ or visit the Temple Street Garage Office at One Temple Street, New Haven, CT to obtain a copy.

New Haven Parking Authority is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

NOTICIA

Email: rick.tousignant@garrityasphalt.com

Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply

VALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES

Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer

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

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES

Invitation for Bids On-Call Electrical Services

Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply

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

Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer

Full time experienced welder for Structural/Miscellaneous metals- email resume tojillherbert@gwfabrication.com

TOWN OF EAST HAVEN PURCHASING AGENT

NEW HAVEN

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

The Town of East Haven seeks a qualified candidate to serve in the position of Purchasing Agent. This is a highly responsible position involving purchasing and directing the purchasing functions of the municipality. Qualified candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field preferably including or supplemented with special course work in purchasing/municipal bid processes and materials management plus five (5) years’ of progressively responsible purchasing work or an equivalent combination of education and qualifying experience. Must have valid class 3 Connecticut Driver’s License. The salary for this position is $62,841/year, 35 hours per week and the Town offers an excellent benefit package. Please send cover letter and resume with references to: Town of East Haven, Ed Sabatino, Assistant Director of Administration and Management, 250 Main Street, East Haven, CT 06512 or jobs@easthaven-ct.gov. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled. The Town of East Haven is committed to building a work force of diverse individuals. Minorities, females, handicapped and veterans are encouraged to apply. The Town of East Haven is an equal opportunity employer.

Andrea M. Liquori / Chief Examiner

Civil Service Commission 250 Main Street East Haven  CT 06512 (203)468-3375

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

The Housing Authority of the City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City Communities is currently seeking bids from qualified firms for On-Call Electrical 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, April 8, 2024, at 3:00 PM.

Water quality inspector

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.

Senior Sales Representative

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.

Performs responsible specialized work in protecting the quality of the water supply and distribution system for the Town of Wallingford, CT. Applicants should possess an Associate's degree in an environmental science or sanitary engineering plus 3 years of progressively responsible experience in a water utility, or an equivalent combination of education and qualifying experience. Must possess a valid Connecticut Driver's License. Must have, or be able to obtain within the probationary period a State of Connecticut Department of Public Health Class I Water Treatment Plant or Distribution System Operator Certification, including Certification as a General Backflow Preventer Tester and Cross-Connection Survey Inspector. Hourly rate: $28.33 to $34.42. The Town offers an excellent fringe benefits package that includes pension plan, paid sick and vacation time, medical insurance, life insurance, 13 paid holidays, and deferred compensation plan. 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 date the 50th application or resume is received or the closing date of April 30, 2024, whichever occurs first. Phone: (203) 294-2080; Fax: (203) 294-2084. EOE

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

News is a weekly print publication with a readership spanning across Greater New Haven. From Hamden, New Haven, West Haven, Stratford, Milford, Bridgeport. This free weekly print publication is committed to sharing news and information important to the Black community.

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

Advertising and the cultivation of existing and new advertising clients is key to the growth and continued success of The Inner-City News. The paper is delivered weekly to businesses, schools, shopping outlets and wherever newspapers can be found. This is a remote sales position.

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.

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 in the best interest of the

Galasso Materials LLC, a quarry and paving contractor, has positions open for the upcoming construction season. We are seeking candidates for a variety of positions, including: Scalehouse Dispatcher/ Equipment Operators and Laborers. NO PHONE CALLS. Please email resume and cover letter to “Hiring Manager”, Galasso Materials LLC, PO Box 1776, East Granby CT 06026.

Galasso Materials is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

NOTICE

VALENTINA MACRI RENTAL HOUSING PRE- APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

In accordance with the provisions of Title 23, Section 135 of the United States Code; as amended by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA); the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has prepared a draft Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).

The draft STIP compiles all highway and public transit projects that CTDOT intends to pursue over the next four years, utilizing Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding. STIP documents can be found on the CTDOT website, at CTDOT Headquarters, and at all Councils of Government offices. It is suggested to schedule an appointment at these locations. To make an appointment at CTDOT, please call (860) 594-2040.

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.

CTDOT is conducting two hybrid public informational meetings regarding the draft STIP on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at CTDOT Headquarters, 2800 Berlin Turnpike in Newington. Both meetings will also be held on Zoom; registration is required. To register, please visit https://portal.ct.gov/DOT/ PP_Bureau/ConnDOT-Plans/State-Transportation-Improvement-Program

NOTICIA

VALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES DISPONIBLES

CTDOT staff will be available 30 minutes prior to each meeting to informally discuss the draft STIP with members of the public.

Language assistance and/or ADA accommodations are provided at no cost to the public, and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance. Persons needing language assistance or ADA accommodations may request assistance by contacting CTDOT’s Language Assistance Line at (860) 594-2109, at least five (5) business days prior to the meeting. Persons with a hearing and/or speech disability may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) and instruct the operator to contact (860) 594-2243.

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

Parking is available in the rear of the building. The meeting facility is ADA accessible, and persons with disabilities can access the building from the main entrance of the building.

The draft STIP will be available for review for a 30-day public comment period from May 1-31, 2024. Comments from the public must be received on or before May 31, 2024. Comments should be emailed to DOT.STIPComments@ct.gov, or mailed to Maribeth Wojenski, Bureau of Policy and Planning, Connecticut Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 317546, Newington, Connecticut 06131-7546.

NEW HAVEN

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

Fully

The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol Request for Proposal (RFP)

Interior Renovations at Union Street

The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol (BHA) is seeking sealed bids from qualified contractors for the following: Interior Renovations at Union Street located in Bristol, CT. Bid opening date is Tues., May 2, 2024, at 2:00 PM (EDT) at BHA’s Central Office, 164 Jerome Ave., Bristol, CT 06010. All bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. No electronic bids will be accepted.

A pre-bid walk through will be held on Apr. 18, 2024, at 2:00 PM at 75 Union St., Bristol, CT. Attendance is strongly recommended for all interested parties. Contract documents including plans & specifications can be viewed online and purchased from Advanced Reprographics website www.advancedplanroom.com or by calling 860-410-1020.

A 5% Bid Security and 100% Performance/Payment Bonds 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.

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.

Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice

SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE

APPLY NOW!

Old Saybrook, CT (4 Buildings, 17 Units)

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

ELM CITY COMMUNITIES Request for Proposals

Independent Audit and Tax Services

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

SEYMOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY

Monday, April 1, 2024, at 3:00PM.

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.

Listing: Mechanic

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.

Immediate opening for a part time mechanic; maintenance to be done on commercial diesel trucks and trailers. Send resume to: HR Manager, P. O. Box 388, Guilford, CT 06437 or emailhrdept@eastriverenergy.com

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

***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

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.

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

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

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

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Howard University

than a Howard University student.”

Jacob Smith, a junior television and film major with a minor in theatre arts stage management, worked on “Color Theory” as an editor. The episode takes a look at colorism in the Black community and its roots.

“What we really wanted to do was dive into the innate biases that even probably some at this school had, and talk about how those biases and those beliefs, this ideology comes from an institution of White supremacy and slavery all throughout,” said Smith.

“Queer Seminar,” produced by Trinity Webster-Bass, a junior honors podcast journalism major and Afro-American studies minor, is a combination of two essays: one based on discrimination against queer individuals and how it dates back to slavery; and the other on the origins of ballroom culture. The podcast highlights O’Shea Sibley, a 28-year-old queer man who was murdered after performing “voguing” – a highly stylized dance which grew out of the 1960s Harlem ballroom scene, in which dancers mimic fashion models’ poses – at a Brooklyn gas station. The students were able to interview and feature one of his best friends, who was there that tragic night. Through the trauma that lies within the community, the podcast and students also wanted to highlight its beauty.

“We wanted to show all the creativity, all the love, all the passion that exists within the Black queer community,” said Webster-Bass.

Hannah-Jones expressed that she was so excited to be able to provide resources like this to her students.

“This is why I came to a place like Howard to be able to work with students and help them get these types of resources,” she said.

“The NextGen partnership with Spotify is so important because we know that HBCUs have no lack of talent, no lack of ambition, no lack of brilliance. These students are some of the hardest working students in America,” added HannahJones. “What they often lack is resources. They’re often overlooked. They don’t often have this—the type of connections to corporations. They don’t have the type of dollars to be able to, for instance, create a podcasting lab on campus or to have access to those types of courses.”

The event allowed the audience to hear some clips from the episodes as well as hear from the students and their creative process. Spotify gifted everyone who attended bluetooth mics to help support those who are interested or want to get into audio or content creation.

Spotify NextGen is looking forward to continuing the expansion of the program across more HBCU campuses in the future. Listeners can find the podcast on Spotify by creating a free account and searching for “1619: The College Edition.”

A celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Yale Institute of Sacred Music

“All Creation Sings” Hymn Festival

Sunday, May 5 • 4 pm

Woolsey Hall, 500 College Street, New Haven

Free and open to the public. Livestream.

Yale Camerata and community choir

Dr. Felicia Barber, conductor

The Rev. Dr. Barbara Brown Taylor and the Rev. Dr. James Forbes, special guest preachers

Dr. Nathaniel Gumbs and Dr. Bruce Neswick, Newberry Organ

Dr. John Paul McGee, keyboards

Additional accompaniment with brass, percussion, guitars, and a gospel ensemble

Barbara Brown Taylor Felicia Barber Nathaniel Gumbs John Paul McGee Bruce Neswick James Forbes

Photo on left courtesy of Michael Held

How Are We Doing Toward That Goal?

Editor’s note: The following is the second in a series of columns devoted to early childhood education and its role, value and importance to young children, families and all communities.

W. Steven Barnett, Ph.D.,

senior codirector, and founder, National Institute for

Early Education Research

Despite strides in preschool enrollment across the country, access to quality early education remains inequitable and heavily skewed by geography, according to our new National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) analysis. State-by-state disparities in preschool access, quality, and funding are widening each year as some states take leaps forward while others still do not have a program. How each state chooses to move forward—and whether the federal government helps—will determine how much real progress is made in helping America’s three- and four-year-olds access quality preschool.

NIEER just released its 2023 State of Preschool Yearbook, which annually tracks state-funded preschool enrollment, funding, and quality across states. This year’s report shows that during the 2022-2023 school year states enrolled over 1.63 million children in preschool, marking a 7% surge compared to the preceding year. Preschool enrollment reached 35% of four-year-olds and 7% of three-yearolds, with state expenditures reaching $11.73 billion, an 11% increase from 2021-2022 when adjusted for inflation.

Despite progress, most states still need to catch up to their pre-pandemic level of preschool enrollment. We believe the research is crystal clear that children who attend high-quality preschools are better prepared when they enter kindergarten, laying a foundation for later success. However, programs must be high quality to deliver those results, and in 2024, states are more uneven than ever in their preschool funding and quality standards. Every family should have the opportunity to enroll their three- and fouryear-olds in a quality pre-k program, no matter where they live or their economic situation. We encourage state and federal leaders to help families gain access to high-quality, full day, adequately funded early learning opportunities that will help children develop and parents earn a living. Our new report finds that state-funded preschool programs have bounced back unevenly from the COVID-19 Pandemic. A record number of 16 states

plus the District of Columbia are now committed to universal preschool, yet most of those states are far from reaching that goal. A key question for the future is whether states will increase investments enough to keep promises regarding program expansion and quality, including adequate pay for the workforce.

Across states, spending ranges from more than $16,000 per child to barely $2,000 per child. Only five states met all ten research-based minimum quality benchmarks recommended by NIEER (Alabama, Hawaii, Michigan, Mississippi, and Rhode Island). More than twice as many children attend preschool programs meeting fewer than half of NIEER’s quality standards benchmarks than programs meeting nine or 10. Legislators in several states are currently considering pre-k funding increases for the next

fiscal year, including major proposals in Massachusetts and Michigan and a New Hampshire bill that would create a state-funded preschool program in that state.

Last month, Georgia state lawmakers approved a nearly $100 million package to make critical quality improvements while expanding the state’s lottery-funded pre-k program, including salary parity for pre-k lead and assistant teachers with K-12; capping class size at 20 children; and increasing classroom start-up grants. Our new report calls on the federal government to offer states financial incentives to support high-quality preschool education. Over the last 21 years, NIEER’s State of Preschool publications have found that red and blue states alike are increasingly prioritizing preschool yet struggling to pay for it. Given the long-term return on investment

of quality preschool, helping states pay for quality preschool expansion should be an area of bipartisan consensus in Congress.

NIEER estimates an additional $30 billion could allow states to provide a quality full school-day preschool program to all four-year-olds. If the federal government increased support for preschool education to the states by just $1.5 billion per year over the next ten years, the federal government would cover half that cost in 10 years.

“With the pandemic in the rearview, it’s time for state and federal leaders to choose whether and how they are going to support high-quality preschool,” said Allison Friedman-Krauss, Ph.D., the report’s lead author. “Will this be the turning point needed for the country to make real progress towards high-quality universal preschool? Will programs serve both three- and four-

year-olds? Will investments be enough to ensure that programs are effective? Will states support an equitable mixed-delivery model for preschool incorporating both existing childcare programs and public schools? How will states recruit, support, and retain preschool teachers? These decisions will impact millions of children for years to come.”

W. Steven Barnett, Ph.D., is the senior co-director and founder of the National Institute for Early Education Research (www.nieer.org). His work primarily focuses on public policies regarding early childhood education, childcare, and child development. Barnett earned his Ph.D. in economics at the University of Michigan and has authored or co-authored more than 300 publications.