S E P T E M B E R 2
L A B O R D A Y
New Haven kids run FREE in the Kids Fun Run courtesy of Town Fair Tire. USATF 20K National Championship
Post-race party on the Green features live music, great food, East Rock Brewing beer, and the ACES Kids Fun Zone!
By Abiba Biao, The Arts Paper newhavenarts.org
The mural towered over Trumbull Street, tall enough to stop a passerby in their tracks. On the surface, a winding river flowed upstream, leading past the skyline of the Elm City into a purple sky. In the foreground, tree branches stretched their arms forward, proudly sporting cherry blossoms.
A few petals floated down toward the bottom of the canvas, leading viewers towards a pair of cupped hands in the right hand corner. They held a variety of neighborhood treasures the Elm City has to offer.
On a recent Friday evening, over two dozen New Haveners gathered to celebrate “Every Piece is Part of the Whole,” the culmination of the 2024 Summer Apprenticeship Program (SAP) at the Ely Center of Contemporary Art (ECOCA).
The program matches high schooler students with professional artists, with the hope that they can hone their artistic skills and receive close mentorship. This year, summer apprentices worked with New Haven native and Boston-based artist Destiny Palmer, who was herself a summer apprentice at Artspace from 2003 to 2005.
This year’s cohort featured 11 high schoolers from New Haven and several neighboring towns. In addition to working on the collective mural, participants also worked on smaller, individual murals that they painted on lawn signs. The work will remain on view at 51 Trumbull St. through the fall.
The exhibition also served as a tribute to late artist and prominent Westville resident Semi Semi-Dikoko, an avid proponent of SAP while it was run through Artspace New Haven. Before his death in 2022, Semi-Dikoko was the board vice president at Artspace and was involved in other nonprofits such as Friends of Edgewood Park and the Westville Village Renaissance Alliance.
“We are honoring his friendship and his legacy by dedicating this year's program to him,” said ECOCA Board ChairHelen Kauder in a speech to the crowd. That sense of history and legacy permeated the exhibition, from the large group mural to the small lawn signs that still dot the front of the building.
To gather potential mural ideas, Palmer and her assistant, Perla Mabel, took apprentices on several public art fields trips, traveling to see murals created under Colorful Bridgeport and through the 20th-century Work Progress Administration (WPA). New Haven has several of these murals, including Karl Anderson’s 1939 “Pursuit of the Regicides” in the Westville Post Office.
Summer apprentices first drafted their mural concepts through online illustration, as Palmer encouraged each student to think of their own designs for the mural. From there, the students brainstormed
and worked in three different groups and finally converged as a whole, incorporating each SAP student’s idea in triangular segments of the mural.
Each of the students got to customize their segment using acrylic paint. As a result, some of the triangles featured New Haven landmarks and others had abstracted designs.
While Palmer joked that Mother Nature had a vendetta—an especially wet summer did not allow the group to paint outside as much as she had hoped, particularly through the season’s downpours— the crew pushed through, using indoor space provided at NXTHVN at 169 Henry St.
“This mural, like most murals, is outside and so you're just playing around with the elements,”
Palmer said. “If it's raining, you can't paint. If it's too hot, then it's just grueling to paint.”
Gathered on ECOCA’s lawn were students Solace Khuc and Merlin Shallow, both soaking in the novelty of seeing their work on display. Since first meeting at ACES Education Center for the Arts (ECA) Shallow and Khuc have formed a strong friendship and navigated the program together.
Shallow, a newly minted graduate of ECA and Shelton High School, is currently taking a gap year before enrolling at the Rochester Institute of Technology. In the program, they chose to highlight the intersection of food and community, a connection they’ve experienced in their own life and have grown to appreciate.
“I like expressing like or featuring mundane jubilation in my work, and that kind of stuff,” they said, pointing to a sign with
blue and turquoise streaked with yellow, against a background of smiling neighbors and friends.. “Food and friends are really important to me.”
right while working on a personal mural for their senior capstone project. After a “really stressful environment” senior year, the SAP allowed them to get back into the art form under a supportive and nurturing environment.
Standing next to Shallow’s mural was Khuc’s, filled with bright green colors and a blossoming flower with pink petals in the middle. Khuc said that their inspiration was to emphasize community gardening and connection to nature. Khuc, a graduate of Orville H. Platt High School in Meriden, attributed collaboration and sharing ideas with others to helping with the artistry process.
“It really helps to like, talk to other artists because then you just learn from them,” they said. “And it's like more fun that way because then you're not doing all by yourself.”
Cheering in the crowd was Rebecca LeQuire, who came to support her former student, David Coardes.
LeQuire, who met Coardes while teaching at James Hillhouse High School, is now leaving after three years to teach at Achievement First Amistad High School in the fall. Despite her departure from Hillhouse, her love and support for her students remains.
LeQuire gushed about Coardes' ability and remarked on his growth throughout the years, and strong gravitation towards painting.
“He's amazing,” she said. “He's grown so much, but it's all on his dedication … When he holds a paintbrush, he gets all giddy. You put a roller in his hand and he's ready to go.”
Coardes, a rising senior at Hillhouse, has taken up many creative endeavors throughout his high school career, from helping install murals at “The Shack” and at school to painting LeQuire’s front porch. To him, seizing opportunities to make art was and is important
“I used to be into art in middle school, but the curriculum was never really expanded enough for me, so when I got to high school, I expanded that curriculum even more,” he said.
Coardes' individual mural featured a globe alluding to notable New Haven amenities from Frank Pepe's Pizza to the iconic cherry blossoms at Wooster Square Park. Underneath the cherry trees reads text that says “Community = Unity” a sentiment that he said he felt throughout the apprenticeship program.
Attending the exhibition in honor of Semi-Dikoko was his niece, Sarah Ngogni. An artist herself, Ngongi attributed her uncles support to chasing her creative ventures like painting and sowing, which she has been doing for almost a decade.
While they enjoyed the process, Shallow added that it was no easy task. They had to learn how to paint with their left hand after sustaining an overuse injury on their
“He was a huge advocate for art funding throughout the city of New Haven. And so, seeing that, in fact, seeing his legacy live on has truly been rewarding,” she said. “I'm grateful. I'm grateful for it all. It's very emotional.”
Abiba Biao, The Arts Paper newhavenarts.org
As Kelsey P. walked down the runway, an electric buzz filled the air. From where she stood, a cropped black t-shirt with the words “God’s Timing” and a black pleated short skirt seemed alive. She owned the stage: each step she took in her lace up combat ankle high black boots was graceful but assertive. The warm spotlight danced across her gold bracelets and hoop earrings.
You wouldn't be able to tell that she was nervous, a secret she revealed only after taking the runway by storm. A series of thunderous whoops and cheers followed as she made her way offstage, drowning any insecurities she once had.
That infectious energy followed every model last Thursday, at an inaugural “ Worn on Wall Street” fashion show in CITA Park. The event was part of the city's thurd annual Black Wall Street Festival, showcasing Black and brown entrepreneurs and creatives across the Elm City. For the first time this year, the festival stretched across a full week, culminating in a day-long celebration on the New Haven Green,
Each day featured a different cultural event, all leading to the Black Wall Street (BWS) Festival on the Green. City Cultural Affairs Director Adriane Jefferson called these “activation events.”
“We're trying to show that wealth can be created and cultivated amongst us as Black people,” she said.
Thursday's lineup featured 40 models representing six clothing brands, including A Hustler’s Vibe, Alternative Reality, Syd University, Threads by Tea, Duss Wayne, and the Strizz Collection. It was curated by Jayden Pressey, CEO of the Strizz Collection.
Pressey, who goes by the fashion name “Style Strizz,” said that the show was about lowering the barrier to entry for the average person to get into fashion. In addition to running the Strizz Collection, he also serves as a lead stylist for Unsubscribed in Westport.
In addition, he wanted to showcase the number of hyper-local apparel options for consumers in New Haven and beyond.
Strizz, 24, curated Worn on Wall Street in collaboration with District New Haven’s Erika Stine, who helped with event logistics.
“I want them [the audience] to just take away the fact that they don't always have to go to Gucci or Prada or all the bigger brands to find something that's aesthetically pleasing to match what you want to be,” he said. “That there's a Black brand right around the corner from me that offers that same luxury aesthetic.”
Strizz added that another focus of the show was on “giving the models a place to be themselves,” including half of the models who had no prior modeling experience. To him, that mentorship—showing
people the ropes and giving them a chance to break into the creative field—was just as important as the show itself.
As they prepared for the show, designers and entrepreneurs were aflutter with excitement. Rashaan Boyd, owner and designer of A Hustler’s Vibe at 162 Edgewood Ave., said he couldn’t say no to being a part of BWS fashion show. He’s been a vendor at the festival since its inception in 2022. Inclusivity is a huge ethos for the streetwear apparel brand, which carries toddler fits all the way up to plus size sizes.
“The luxury is in the piece that you have,” he said. “ You are the person. You make the piece, the piece doesn't make you. So in a sense, where I can take a $5 piece of fabric and someone might think it was a Louis Vuitton piece.”
Boyd saw this as a moment to showcase his unreleased fall and winter collections, noting that there is a difference between wearing and styling clothes.
“I just want to close out the year strong, make sure that I get the people what they want this coming fall and winter and continue to just bless the streets with luxury street wear,” he said.
Waiting for the show, Brigitte Cogswell passed the time with her best friend, Jessica Kott, and mother, Que Payne. She had come out to support her daughter, Agape Cogswell, who goes by the model name Agape Renee.
During the day, Agape works as a digital media specialist at Cornell Scott Hill Health Center. Through her job, her mom said, she’s been getting out more around the city and finding recreational activities.
“She has been more connected through her job and coming home and telling us about all the things that are happening in the community,” she said.
coat with a white top and short ruffle skirt. Topped with some beaded necklaces, silver cross earrings, and cowboy black boots, she all but demanded a double take from attendees cheering her on.
She didn’t forget the pièce de résistance to complete the outfit: a clear mini swipe bag, first coined by the French brand Coperini.
“You know, it's all about the details,” she said.
Tyson is a rising senior at Southern Connecticut State University studying music.
For her, the BWS Fashion Show and partner events were the “stepping stones” for her blossoming creative career, sharing her modeling and content creation journey on her YouTube channel.
Although Tyson is a Stratford resident, she does much of her modeling and influencing work in New Haven, noting the good scenery.
“I always come to New Haven to find those specific spots, but nobody ever knows that I'm in New Haven, because, you know, you gotta master it a little bit,” she said with a laugh. “Otherwise everyones gonna try to jump on that train, and you gotta keep it simple.”
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“I really do feel that having the opportunity to see the designers will encourage us to kind of stretch out of our comfort zones and to try to support them,” she added. “Especially because I do want to begin to have fashion that speaks for me, that allows a message, right? I want to be purposeful with what I wear, right? I don't just want any designer on me.”
Flicking her lemonade braids to the side, model Ciera Murray strutted down the runway in an oversized Syd University shirt, designed by Sydney Bell. Paired with black shades, beige block heels, and chunky gold hoop earrings, the message was clear: don’t mess with her.
Murray, 24, is an animal technician by day and model by night. She holds a host of creative pursuits, also being a makeup artist, hair stylist, and party promoter and is no stranger to the spotlight, thanks to her dance career as a kid. Her entry into the fashion world was only natural.
“I've always been the type of person who likes to be creative … so when it comes to fashion, you can literally put anything together, and you can make it your own, be your own person, and it’s a way of showing your authenticity,” she said.
After attending BWS Festival last August, Murray said that she was determined to find a way to join in on the festivities this year.
“It's always been a great experience,” she said. “Just because Black Wall Street is made for Black people to connect, all types of people to connect and be able to share their dreams and their aspirations in life with everyone. And that's what I really love about it.”
Minutes later, 20-year-old Imani Tyson wowed the audience as she sported the Strizz Collection’s “God’s Timing” trench
It wasn’t long until Renee took the stage, donning a sleeveless lilac dress designed by Tea Montgomery, owner of Threads by Tea.
By the end of the show, she had not only gained confidence, but made new friends including Kelsey. Both discovered that they are native New Haveners and New Haven Public School graduates: Renee graduated from New Haven Academy in 2014 and Kelsey from the same school just four years later.
As a plus size model, Kelsey said that it can be “disheartening” starting out in the modeling field, but has since learned how to get out of her comfort zone and feel comfortable in her own skin.
Adding to her worries was her one year hiatus from modeling, thinking she didn’t have the chops, but the night proved her wrong and invigorated her passion for modeling. She shouting out Strizz’s inclusivity in his clothing, saying that she personally resonated with his message. For her, God’s timing with her modeling career was now.
“Us coming together is the purpose [of this event], just to share the culture, to share the art, to share it with each other and like admire each other,” she said.
Renee agreed. Just like Kelsey, Renee was also out of the modeling game for a few months and was unsure if she would make the cut after auditions for the casting call, but made it through, and has said that she made memories and connections.
“If you are passionate about it, then pursue it,” she said. “Don't listen to any of the other noise. Take that leap, take that step, and just know that God is going to open the doors and if he shuts the doors, that wasn't the door for you to walk through.”
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By Lucy Gellman
Leilani Bass studied the contours of a pint-sized Puma running shoe, her fingers tracing a blush-colored insole as she lifted it from the shelf. Against powder blue mesh, shiny pink and purple cutouts crisscrossed the shoe, cut with streaks of green and yellow that made the color pop. Lelaini burst into a smile: after a summer of transition and an unexpected move, she knew it would send her into the school year looking fresh.
Saturday morning, six-year-old Leilani was one of over 100 kids—and 75 family units—at Priceless Decisions’ fifth annual back-to-school sneaker event, held at Snipes’ 60 Whalley Ave. storefront in New Haven. Organized by Rosalyn Biggins, who grew up in Newhallville and now lives in Baltimore, the day is designed to help send kids to school in style and alleviate the financial burden of a new school year.
“I just want to help the kids of New Haven,” Biggins said Saturday, as she and fellow Priceless Decisions volunteers buzzed around the store in matching black and white shirts. As a native New Havener and a mom, she knows firsthand how an old, too-tight or threadbare pair of sneakers can lead quickly to bullying. She’s also experienced how quickly the cost of back-toschool shopping can add up.
“Having a new pair of sneakers on the first day” may seem like a small material thing, she added—but it can make the difference between whether or not a student
feels physically and emotionally ready to take on a new school year, and whether or not they get teased by their peers. With the rise of social media, she said, that bullying has only gotten worse: more kids have reported depression and suicidality at younger ages.
So for five years, she’s stepped in to help fill the gap. After putting out a call for
community donations, she raised roughly $10,000 for the event, or $150 for each family that attended. She also pounded the pavement, connecting with summer schools, day camps, barbershops, and salons in New Haven. In total, 600 families applied for 75 slots, she said.
For her, it’s natural, she said: she loves giving back to the city that raised her. She’s
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been excited to watch the event, which started with 25 kids in 2018, blossom into an annual ritual that people look forward to. Saturday, a steady stream of kids entered the store, sometimes jogging over to a bright display of sneakers that lines the back wall. There, all make and manner of shoe peeked out: Nike hi-tops with gold and glitter accents, tiny black and tan
Timberlands, forest green and black New Balances with lace-up and velcro options, kid-sized Croc slip ons patterned with the Puerto Rican flag.
Bouncing between them, Leilani scanned the shelves for bright colors, pointing to a few pink and purple shoes that she liked when she couldn’t reach them herself. A rising first grader at Lincoln Bassett Community School in Newhallville, she’s excited for the new year, she said—especially for new lessons in math. Now, she also has at least one piece of her back-to-school outfit figured out.
Shopping for shoes feels certain in a summer of unexpected transition: a fire destroyed her family’s home earlier this summer, and she’s been living in West Haven for weeks. For a while, she was afraid that the move meant she wouldn’t be able to return to Lincoln Bassett. Her mom, Layza Marrelo, remembered how grateful she felt when she learned that the family had been selected for the sneaker event.
“It makes me feel happy that the community has something like this for the kids,” she said.
Just a few feet away, New Havener Shanata Smith-Harrison echoed that gratitude. Born and raised in Hartford, Smith-Harrison moved to New Haven several years ago, where she is raising her family. As a mom of seven, she knows what it’s like to juggle the costs of school supplies, new clothes, extracurriculars, and specialized care for her kids.
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September 03, 2024
Growing up in the early 1990s, Thuso Mbedu never dreamt of being an entertainment figure. At a very young age, she wanted to be a dermatologist, but after taking a dramatic arts class in the 10th grade, she
Mbedu went to Pelham Primary School and Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School and graduated from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa in 2013, where she studied Physical Theatre and Performing Arts Management. Earlier in 2012, she took a summer course at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City. Career
by Jamil Ragland
State officials announced new funding for businesses affected by the devastating flash-flooding that hit southwestern Connecticut last weekend, as they pledged to continue working to secure long-term federal funding to support the towns in the region as they rebuild from what has been described as a “thousand-year storm.”
Her acting career began in 2014 when she played a minor role of ‘Nosisa’ in the popular South African Soap Opera ‘Isibaya’ from Mzansi Magic. In 2015, she played a guest role as ‘Kheti’ in the Second Season of the SABC 2 youth drama series ‘Snake Park.’
‘Black Reel Awards’ (Outstanding Actress
wood Critics Association TV Awards’ (Best Actress in a Limited Series, Anthropology Series or Television Movie), the ‘Gotham Awards’ (Outstanding Performance in New Series), the ‘Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards’ (TV Breakout Star), and the ‘Critics Choice Television Awards’ (Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Movie), all for her role ‘Cora Randall’ in the 2021 TV series ‘The Underground Railroad.’
thing. And then err on the side of generosity. And that’s what we’re trying to do.” Local business owners expressed the need for assistance from the state as they begin the process of rebuilding their lives.
She won the ‘TV Breakout Star’ award from the Hollywood Critics Association TV and won the ‘Outstanding Performance in New Series’ award from the Gotham Awards.
“Today we are announcing a $5 million grant program, which will provide up to $25,000 per affected business,” said Daniel O’Keefe, commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development, during a news conference held in Seymour, one of the towns hardest hit by last week’s flooding. “This is intended to be stop-gap funding, so we wanted to come in very quickly and provide that funding while we continue to pursue and await federal funds. Businesses can apply for everything from cleanup to their lost inventory, to their lost revenue.
She got her first starring role in the teen drama television series ‘IS’THUNZI’ from Mzansi Magic where she played ‘Winnie.’ Her international debut was in ‘The Underground Railroad’ an American fantasy historical drama series based on the novel ‘The Underground Railroad’ written by Colson Whitehead.
In 2022, she starred in her first film ‘The Woman King’ an epic historical drama about Agosie, where an entire female warrior unit protected the West African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 17 – 19th century. She played ‘Nawi’, a zealous recruit in the military unit.
According to O’Keefe, applications for the program will go live Sept. 3. The state’s goal is to begin getting money out into the community on a rolling basis as early as one week from application day. Anyone with questions or feedback is asked to reach out to decdctrecovery@ct.gov.
Gov. Ned Lamont described the disaster that befell Seymour and other towns in the area.
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
“Right here, over here at the family diner. You know, been here since 2014. This is a family place. It says where customers become family. You see an enormous hole in the wall,” Lamont saide. “That’s where the water rushing by and took out the wall. Same thing happened down at the nail spot. Same thing happened in Woodland Wines where the water was right up to the roof. And this all happened in an hour and a half. As sudden as that can be. And I’m usually, you know, a bit of a skin flint is my reputation. But sometimes you see the scope of the tragedy. You know, it’s really important for all of us to step up and do the right
In 2022, Mbedu was nominated for the ‘Independent Spirit Awards (Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series), for her role ‘Cora Randall’ in the 2021 television series ‘The Underground Railroad.’ She won the ‘Critics Choice Television Awards’ for ‘Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Movie’ for her role ‘Cora Randall’ in ‘The Underground Railroad.’
“As all of you know, we came Monday morning and it was a disaster for all of us,” said Mike Abe, owner of 67 Diner located in the Klarides Village Plaza in Seymour. “I lost 67 Family Diner. I lost from forks and spoons to walk-in coolers. I lost everything. And on behalf of all, I’m asking, please, please, please, help us as soon as possible. Everybody knows 67 Family Diner. And we need to come back stronger and better. And my family, my wife, and I will do the best that we can. But we still need a little help. So please, governor, we ask you to do your best as soon as possible to get this plaza running as soon as possible.”
In her keynote speech at TheWrap’s Power Women Summit, Thuso Mbedu tearfully spoke of how she overcame the loss of her dear parents, grandmother, and aunt. But her role in Amanda Lane’s ‘IS’THUNZI’ gradually renewed her hope in life.
Themis Klarides, co-owner of the Klarides Village Plaza and former House minority leader, thanked the governor for his swift action to support the victims of the storm and the community for coming together in a time of need.
“Our grandfather started this and our father and our uncle built it. And we are a family business, but they [their plaza tenants] are our family,” she said. “And we have done everything and will continue to do everything we can to help them build back better and stronger. But we need help. And we need it yesterday. You know, as somebody who was in politics, I understand how difficult these things are. But I also understand this is a one-in-a-thousandyear storm and nobody was expected – and you couldn’t prepare for it. So it’s not as if these people didn’t prepare properly.”
Her sister, current state Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, R-Seymour, recognized all the people who volunteered their help so far during the cleanup.
“And we want to say thank you to the community,” Klarides-Ditria said. “We always say we’re a small community, but we’re mighty. We had people from all over the state come and help our business own-
“…my world was that blur, until Amanda Lane happened in 2016. The role that Amanda Lane gave me was the difference between life and death for me. Receiving that audition brief, I told myself that I would audition like it was my last audition. I gave it the last of everything that I had, that at the time I got the callback, I had nothing left. I secretly made the decision not to do the callback because I had nothing left to give. But fortunately, I received the callback. So I didn’t do the callback because the role was mine. I had given up. I was in a very dark place at the time, and the character, the role, the opportunity, was a much needed light. And I told myself that I will act as if it was the last character that I will play. And through a great script and an amazing director, I earned two International Emmy Awards for that role…”
Lucy
Gellman,
Editor, The Arts Paper newhavenarts.org
Twelve-year-old Alayna Rivera clasped copies of Bing, Bop, Bam: Time To Jam! and Jada Jones: Rock Star to her chest, ready to squeeze in some end-ofsummer reading before the beginning of a new school year. Inside the books, whole universes waited for her, from Jada’s buzzing student council to a block party bumpin with banjo, bass and djembe.
Before she turned to leave, she spotted author Valerie Bolling just a few feet away, and stopped to meet a real-life celebrity.
Saturday afternoon, Rivera's enthusiasm—and an infectious, light-up-thesidewalk smile—captured the spirit of the now-annual Edgewood Youth Day Block Party, held on Edgewood Avenue between Winthrop and Sherman Avenues. A beloved neighborhood tradition that was revived last year after a pandemic hiatus, the party brought out healing drummers, hula hoopers, Double Dutch champions, bookspace angels, and hundreds of neighbors to celebrate the end of summer.
It also marked the second annual Maternal Health Hub, a collaboration with Golden Radiance Village that included resources for birthing people, partners and babies, from doula speed dating to information on where to find Black birth workers. Other partners included the New Haven Coalition for Active Transportation (NCAT), Sisters of Hagar , Greater New Haven NAACP and the city’s Youth and Recreation Department among others.
“For me it’s a blessing to be able to give back to the community in a small way,” said Edgewood Alder Evette Hamilton, who helped organize the party with Dwight Alder Frank Douglass and Board of Alders’ President Tyisha Walker-Myers. “We consider everybody.”
Up and down the block, the neighborhood came to life with bursts of joyful noise, applause and laughter weaving in and out of conversations, pumping music and the steady, rhythmic tap of jump rope on pavement.
At one end of the street, Michael York and his three-year-old son, Jay, crouched down beside Sugar, the gentle bookspace dog who has become a fixture at Possible Futures over the past two years. On the other side of the wall, a doula speed dating event began inside the bookspace. Golden Radiance Village’s Brittany Needham (Doula Britt) sat back on a sofa, and prepared to listen to her fellow birth workers. York, who recently moved to New Haven from Atlanta to pursue a doctorate at Yale, noted how much the bookspace feels like an anchor in the community: it was one of the things that stood out to him as a relative newcomer to the city. Like many in the neighborhood, the family had stumbled upon the block party after time at the playground nearby.
“It’s great!” he said as Jay petted Sugar. A thick crochet Palestinian flag dangled from her collar, swinging just slightly as she rose from the ground and studied her newest
tiny fan.
Nearby, Hotchkiss Street neighbor Merle Williams—or as she is known and loved on the block, simply Ms. Merle—picked up back-to-school supplies and middle grade fiction for a friend’s grandson who lives in the neighborhood, but couldn’t make it Saturday.
As a sort of Hotchkiss Street godmother, she said she was on a mission to collect resources for her downstairs neighbors, who hail from Afghanistan. As she chatted, two middle grade fiction books peeked out from where they rested snugly in her bag.
“I just love it,” she said of the block party. A transplant from Falmouth, Jamaica, Williams relocated to New Haven several decades ago, and has lived in the same Hotchkiss Street apartment for the past 20 years. During that time, she said, she’s been a teacher’s aid, cook, beautician and seamstress—and seen the neighborhood change as kids grow up and new ones move in.
She was especially excited to be out and about on Saturday after a serious battle with RSV landed her in the hospital earlier this year. For months, she was unable to walk the block or visit her bookspace family at Possible Futures.
As hula hoopers filled the street with bubbly, cacophonous laughter, she savored the sun, taking time to reconnect with neighbors who she hadn’t seen in months.
Every few moments, it seemed, another person would stop to say hello and give her a quick squeeze. The love flowed freely past the curb and down the sidewalk, some neighbors catching up for the first time in months as others reconnected after just hours or days away from each other.
As Williams reconnected with her neighbors, author Valerie Bolling took a rare quiet moment to sit, signing a bright stack of her books before they flew into neighbors’ hands from a table that Possible Futures and the CT Association of School Librarians had set up nearby.
On the cover of Bing, Bop, Bam, a drummer looked out onto a bright city street, and for a moment it seemed that he could have been on Edgewood, where drummers Michael Mills and Brian Jawara Gray had opened the afternoon.
“I don’t write for me,” she mused as she opened a copy of Together We Swim, published almost exactly a year ago to the date. The book, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita, tells the story of a young Black boy learning to swim with the gentle and trusting guidance of his mother. Her latest title, I
See Color: An Affirmation and Celebration of Our Diverse World, peeked out from a table nearby.
For Bolling, who taught English in the Greenwich public schools for 30 years before writing children’s books, the work of being an author is about representation— both for young readers who look like her characters, and those who don’t. Inspired by her nieces, Zorah and Anyah, she began telling stories for kids eight years ago (at the time, the two were two and four; they are now 10 and 12).
“I just thought, ‘What would it be like to
write for kids?’” she recalled as her nieces picked up striped hula hoops and began to sway-hoop to Kes’ “Hello.” Five books and a Scholastic early readers’ series later, she’s still deeply dedicated to the work. Her character Zoya, who appears in the Scholastic books with her puppy Coco, is an homage to the young family members who inspired her to start writing almost a decade ago.
Part of that, she added, is showing up at events like the block party and Dixwell Neighborhood Festival, where she read earlier this summer. She had high praise for Possible Futures’ owner Lauren Anderson, who has turned 318 Edgewood Ave. into not just a bookspace, but a kind of de facto community center, summer hangout spot and safe haven for neighborhood kids.
“I love connecting with young readers and their families,” she said. “Kids need to see themselves in books.”
Minutes earlier, those words had felt alive as Rivera approached, beaming as she handed Bolling her book. A rising eighth grader at Barnard Environmental Science & Technology School, Rivera said she loves books for their ability to transport her to different towns, cities and universes without ever leaving New Haven. In a world that sometimes feels crazy, she added, reading calms her.
“You get to experience authors’ lives through their books,” she said. So when she had the chance to meet Bolling, she was thrilled. For her, authors are akin to superheroes, with a magic power to world-build one sentence at a time. “It was exciting!”
Down the street, friends Katherine Viera and Kerry Ward waited in line for kids’ face painting with Viera’s six-year-old son, Kaleb. As Kaleb watched a spiderweb bloom across a fellow child’s face, Viera took in the street’s vibrancy, from a cupcake decorating station to tables where kids could make their own slime.
“I love to see the community coming out,” Viera said. As a lifelong New Havener and a parent, it also makes her proud of her city, in which she’s now raising the next generation of Elm City residents.
“I love this!” added Ward, whose sons Jonas and Tristan run the College Bound BIPOC Students Alliance (CBBSA). For her, she said, it was a chance to see and connect with people she hadn’t seen in months, sometimes more. “It’s so nice to see everyone come full-circle.”
“Always A Beautiful Day”
As it unfolded across Edgewood Avenue and down Hotchkiss Street, the party also marked a vibrant second birthday celebration for Possible Futures, the community bookspace that opened at 318 Edgewood Ave. two years ago this month (a second celebration will take place on August 30, in honor of what would be Fred Hampton’s 76th birthday).
In that time, it has become a space not just for literature and dialogue—although it has offered both in spades—but for communal gathering and cultural collaboration that reaches far beyond its walls. In addition
Con’t on page 09
by THOMAS BREEN
Step by step on Grand Avenue Friday morning, Shaylah McQueen-Lee walked towards her near future as a K-2 teacher at Benjamin Jepson School marking her return to the New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) district after graduating from Hillhouse more than a decade ago as both valedictorian and a teen mom.
McQueen-Lee was one of roughly three dozen incoming NHPS educators to go on a two-hour walking tour of Fair Haven Friday as part of a district effort to introduce public school teachers to the city’s neighborhoods.
The Fair Haven tour was led by David Weinreb, a Fair Haven resident,
former Fair Haven School teacher, and current Elm City Montessori magnet resource teacher.
The tour made stops at a mini-park at Exchange and Haven Streets, at Fair Haven Community Health Care’s (growing) headquarters near Grand and James, at Fair Haven Library, and outside Fair Haven School and Junta for Progressive Action, among other stops all with the goal of “asset mapping” the community, as Weinreb put it. That is, to show incoming teachers the wealth of community resources that already exist across New Haven that they and their students and families can benefit from, both inside and outside the classroom.
Similar new-teacher tours took place Fri-
day in Newhallville, as led by Kim Harris, and in the Hill, as led by Danny Diaz.
McQueen-Lee diligently scribbled notes in a pocket-sized notebook at each stop. Though some of the resources and restaurants and parks and other Fair Haven amenities she learned about on Friday were new to her, the neighborhood, and the school district she’s about to start working for, are familiar.
Born and raised in New Haven, McQueen-Lee said she spent five years living on Fillmore Street in Fair Haven.
She’s also a NHPS grad, former Wexler Grant volunteer, and Hillhouse High School valedictorian for the Class of 2012. She was also a teen mom while in high school, and won a Gates Millennium
Scholarship to attend college and live in a dorm set aside for single moms and their kids.
McQueen-Lee said she’s subbed in NHPS in the past. Her most recent fulltime job was as a recreational therapist at a nursing home in Chester. Starting next week, with the school year that starts Aug. 29, she’ll be a K-2 and special education teacher at Benjamin Jepson School.
“Elementary has always been my preference,” she said, in terms of the grade level she’s most wanted to teach since deciding to pursue a career as an educator. She smiled and lifted her arms, talking about how she’s always bouncing off the walls with energy and will need to direct that enthusiasm in her classroom
towards helping her kids calm down and learn.
Her big takeaway from Friday’s Fair Haven walking tour: “Just the pride” that so many Fair Haveners have in their neighborhood, which is teeming with shops, social services, and cultural diversity. She currently lives in Hamden, but is looking to move back to her home city. And what is she hoping to bring with her from her experience as a valedictorian and teen mom during her own time as a student at NHPS?
“Just to never give up on kids,” she said.
to weekly events like author talks, comedy shows, and a knitting circle, it has become a safe haven for discourse, education and advocacy, including a weekly Palestine study group that helped bring poet Mosab Abu Toha to New Haven earlier this summer.
In the past two years, it has lifted up nearly a dozen “everyday angels” in the community, welcomed a new mural to the neighborhood, hosted dozens of poets and writers, and most recently installed the first five of ten little free libraries at locations across the city, from the New Haven Pride Center to an Ivy Street porch to the LaundroMax on Whalley Avenue.
It has also become a second home to many neighbors, including and especially young people in the neighborhood (in this way, it has continued its former use as a branch of the New Haven Free Public Library). On any given day, it’s not uncommon to see three or four generations of readers walk or toddle through the door, ready to explore new titles or on the hunt for Sugar.
There’s a kids corner set up with crayons and pint-sized tables among the snugly packed, bright and multilingual bookshelves. An early note from a tiny patron, now not so tiny, hangs framed on the wall. Even on Saturday, the Maternal Health Hub bloomed inside, literally preparing to midwife the next generation of bibliophiles and freedom fighters into New Haven.
Wearing a set of paper wings adorned with book covers, bookspace founder Lauren Anderson danced at the corner of Edgewood and Hotchkiss, checking in on the community partners who lined the street from end to end. She buzzed between people, watching as a table stacked high with books emptied out, and neighbors carried stories home with them.
“It’s always a beautiful day,” said Anderson, who attended the block party as an Edgewood neighbor before the pandemic. “It’s an opportunity to celebrate another milestone.”
For 10-year-old Anyla Whyte, a “junior staff” member at Possible Futures and selfdescribed bookspace VIP, it’s more than that. As a lifelong bibliophile who used to live down the street, Anyla started coming to the bookspace when it first opened two years ago. At first, she came sporadically, then every Sunday with her sister. But something in the bookspace called to her, and “I kept coming and coming,” she said. Now, she’s there almost every day, including during a recent storytime at the Ivy Street library.
Saturday, she showed off a newly autographed copy of Winsome Bingham’s The Walk, which tells the story of civic responsibility and voting rights through a young girl’s walk to the polls with her grandmother. Saturday, she had been excited to attend Bingham’s storytime on the sun-soaked pavement.
“It’s like my job to be there,” she said. “It means a lot to me.”
by MAYA MCFADDEN
Cellphones should be kept out of the hands of elementary and middle school students, and their use should be restricted but not outright banned for high schoolers.
The state Board of Education handed down those recommendations Wednesday as they voted to encourage, but not require, public schools across Connecticut to limit students’ use of “personal technology” during the school day in a bid to cut down on distractions in the classroom.
The state board unanimously approved that position statement and policy guidance Wednesday during its latest meeting, which was held in-person at the Wethersfield Historical Society and online via YouTube. The proposal was recommended by state Department of Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker.
It was heartily endorsed by Gov. Ned Lamont in a follow-up email press release, which also quoted Russell-Tucker as saying, “By removing the distraction caused by smartphone use during the school day and fostering a healthy balance with the positive use of technology, we create schools and classrooms that maximize peer-to-peer and studentto-educator interaction, develop social skills in interpersonal communication, and positively impact academic growth and success, all while supporting student mental health.”
Wednesday’s state school board vote does not impose any kind of cellphoneban mandate on local districts like New Haven Public Schools (NHPS). Instead, it lays out how the state thinks local districts should pull back on cellphone use in schools and then leaves it to them to craft and enforce their own policies.
The vote comes as NHPS has already begun rolling out cellphone-restricting Yondr pouches at several middle schools across the district, with Barnard having piloted the devices last year and three more middle schools set to try them out this year. It also comes as municipalities and states across the country are wrestling with how best to limit cellphone use by students during the school day, given how phones and social media eat into instructional time, cut down on in-person interactions, and sap student attention. Some states, like Indiana and Florida, have banned cellphone use in the classroom entirely.
During Wednesday’s meeting, the state Board of Education discussed the policy guidance, and heard responses from members who spoke up as parents, students, and educators.
The policy guidance seeks to limit cellphone use in schools in order to “safeguard the learning environment and provide a springboard for student academic success and overall well-being.”
The recommendations vary for elementary, middle, and high school grades “based on developmental readiness and maturity”:
• At the elementary level, the policy guidance recommends removing cellphones from classrooms entirely in order to “to maximize academic, social, and emotional development. Elementary school students’ school day environments and experiences and classroom activities should create spaces that encourage personal interaction among peers.”
• At the middle school level, the policy guidance also recommends removing cellphones from classrooms. “Developmentally, this age group is particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of excessive personal technology use and has a difficult time controlling their impulses. Concurrently, middle school students experience increased autonomy and independence during the school day, which can lead to increased opportunity for cell phone misuse.”
• And at the high school level, the document recommends a cellphone policy that
is “restrictive; however, as appropriate, high school students may be developmentally ready to take more ownership of controlling excessive use and understanding responsibilities regarding technology use to better prepare them for life after high school.”
Division Director of School Health, Nutrition, and Family Services John Frassinelli told the state Board of Education Wednesday that a recent study of 3,500 students showed that 97 percent of students reported using cellphones during the school day for a median time of 43 minutes.
He noted that district policies should consider alternative reasons for phone use, like glucose monitoring for students with diabetes. Those local policies, he said, should also encourage students to develop their impulse control, should call on families not to contact students during day the day, should find a way to incorporate “phone breaks” during the school day, and should discourage personal devices from being used in the classroom for education reasons, as not every stu-
on “digital citizenship.”
Record continued that as a high school teacher of physics in Bridgeport, she at times incorporates phones in her instructional lessons for students to record and analyze videos of labs. “I appreciate the flexibility that’s here in this policy guidance, not only for grade level but understanding that here are actually legitimate educational purposes for which educators use a phone all the time with our students.”
She concluded that in her experience, not only do parents want access to their students through phones, but the reverse is also true. She said students with chronic mental health illnesses like high anxiety may occasionally take a bathroom break with their phones to text with their parent to calm down when their anxiety flares, before returning to the class to resume with school.
Fellow state school board member and current high school student at Amity Regional High School Sophia Messina said she agrees with the recommendations for completely removing cellphones at the elementary and middle school levels during the school day. She said high school policies, meanwhile, should focus on restricting phone use during instruction time because “it can really enhance the experience and the discussions in class.”
dent has a phone.
Asked for a comment on Wednesday’s vote and new statewide guidance, NHPS spokesperson Justin Harmon told the Independent, “New Haven supports the goal of creating cellphone-free spaces for students, particularly in middle school and high school. We look forward to reading the guidance from CSDE [Connecticut State Department of Education].”
Say that one more time? I wasn't paying attention, too busy on my phone
Board member Kristen Record, a teacher in Bridgeport, praised the recommendation for not being a mandate. “This needs to be a months-long dialogue in districts with everyone, including students,” to reach and implement appropriate local policies, she said.
When asked if funding will be available to support district policies, Frassinelli said the CSDE plans to look into federal resources to fund ideas for districts to purchase school-based digital devices, phone-free storage pouches, and training
Outside of class time, she said, phones should be accessible in between classes, lunch, and study hall. “There’s a lot of things that go on during the day for high schoolers,” she said, and taking phones away for the whole day is “unreasonable” because high schoolers often have jobs and other after-school responsibilities. She also said students’ responsibilities can change unexpectedly with parents texting to cancel after-school plans to drive a sibling home or an employer can reach out about last minute work schedule changes.
“It is very hard to plan those things without any access to cellphones and having to do so would only increase the stress and anxiety for both parents and students,” she said.
She concluded that the suggestion to have students use landline phones in the school is not enough because “private communication between parents and students is essential.”
Board member and parent Seth Zimmerman of New Haven said he believes there will be strong support among parents for strengthened cellphone policies. “I, certainly, as a parent, would strongly support it,” he said.
He called for more data on phone usage and its impacts in school to be presented to families and students as the state Board of Education and local school districts gather information, draft and implement policies, and then track how effective those policies are.
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by STAFF
New Haven’s International Festival of Arts & Ideas announced in a Monday press release that Shelley Quiala will step down as executive director to take on the role of senior strategist for the arts organization.
Quiala’s transition is effective Oct. 1. Board Chair Reverend Kevin G. Ewing will replace Quiala and serve as interim director until a permanent replacement is found.
Quiala has served as executive director since 2020 and successfully guided the festival’s return to in-person programming, seeing audiences grow back steadily since the pandemic shutdown. She “significantly expanded its online presence, and increased annual revenue by 50 percent,” according to Monday’s press release.
Under Quiala’s leadership, renowned artists like “Amy Tan, Wynton Marsalis, Angélique Kidjo, and Jon Secada” were brought to New Haven, and this past
June’s Samara Joy concert set an all-time sales record for festival programming.
“Leading the International Festival of Arts & Ideas has been a true privilege,” Quiala is quoted as stating in Monday’s press release. “As I turn my focus toward
my family in Minneapolis, I will be stepping down as executive director. While this decision comes with mixed emotions, I am thrilled to continue contributing in a new strategic way. I look forward to maintaining our strong ties with festival-
goers, donors, and sponsors and returning often as we prepare for the festival’s exciting 30th anniversary.”
Ewing — known by many in New Haven as “Rev Kev” — has served on the Arts & Ideas board for 16 years. He holds an M.Div. in Religion and Ethics from Yale Divinity School and has worked with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. Ewing “most recently served as the Interim Senior Minister at United Church on the Green in New Haven and Associate Minister of Amistad United Church of Christ in Hartford.”
He founded Baobab Tree Studios, Inc., — a recording and video-editing space — and is a 2018 recipient of an Arts Award from the New Haven Arts Council.
“We thank Shelley for her outstanding dedication,” said Ewing. “Her leadership has left an indelible mark on the festival and the communities we serve.”
Quiala will continue to work closely with the festival to kick off its 30th anniversary year and ensure a smooth transition of power.
by LISA REISMAN
Soon after she moved into a rental in Fair Haven in the winter of 2022, Stella Damoah realized the heat didn’t work and the landlord couldn’t, or wouldn’t, fix it. She looked around for another place and found studio apartments starting at $1,800 and one-bedrooms for well beyond that. So she opted for space heaters, adding about $600 to her expenses.
“That was when I made up my mind to look for a place to own,” said Damoah in a recent Zoom interview.
Following an almost two-year odyssey, Damoah, an accountant who came to Connecticut from her native Ghana in 2005 to pursue a master’s degree at the University of New Haven, will close on a home in Naugatuck next month.
That’s thanks to a program for first-time homebuyers offered by the New Haven HomeOwnership Center at Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven, as well as a $100,000 grant from the M&T Charitable Foundation announced in April.
The program, called “HomeOwnership Matters,” provides $10,000 interest-free forgivable loans to low- and moderateincome urban homebuyers across New Haven County. To qualify for the loans, which can go toward down payments and closing costs, applicants must commit to being an owner occupant for five years, and participate in an education and counseling process.
“These classes are really a demystification of the process, so we have the key role players, the lender, the home inspector, the
attorney, and the insurance agent, talking about what they do,” said Bridgette Russell, managing director of the Homeownership Center, which administers the program. The goal, she said, “is to make sure that, as first-time homebuyers, we give them the guidance they need.”
Even with that guidance, Damoah discovered that buying a house is not for the faint of heart.
“Twice I was out-bidden,” she said.
“With one house I was the first one to look and the first one to offer yet they told me
that someone made a better offer with better conditions, and that meant cash.” Each time she went back to the apartment with the non-working heater.
When, finally, an offer went through, she learned the program had run out of funds. That was when the New Haven HomeOwnership Center, including Russell, sprang into action.
“We went to the M&T Charitable Foundation and asked for additional funding to replenish the program, and they really stepped to the plate,” she said.
Saturday, she was hard at work helping her 4-year-old daughter, McKenzie, and 7-year-old twins, Leo and Leon, find the perfect shoes for their return to school next week. Leo, who is a student at East Rock Magnet School, said he likes learning, and was ready to get back in the classroom. “This is a really good event,” she said. “It helps with the cost—it’s one less thing that we have to worry about.”
Halfway across the store, volunteer Penelope “Ms. Penny” Suggs paused by a rack of t-shirts for a moment, fielding questions from parents and kids as they fanned out across the store. As Biggins’ aunt, she comes to the event as a volunteer every year. She said it makes her proud to watch her niece give back to her community in such an intentional way.
“I love to see the smiles on kids’ faces when they get new sneakers,” she said as brothers Kamari and Jacari Reid started a game of hide and seek amidst the racks of shoes and apparel nearby. “To go to school and feel comfortable is really a blessing.” Minutes later, she was directing friends Yumer Yilmaz and Harmony Bedell to a long table of adult shoes near the front of the store. Both rising sophomores at Cooperative Arts & Humanities High School, the two spoke to how much the event has helped them on the cusp of a new school year—and how mean other students can sometimes be.
“What you wear doesn’t define you,” Bedell said.
“Yeah, nobody should be discriminated against based on what they’re wearing,” Yilmaz said.
As they chatted, fellow Co-Op student Kiara “Keke” Douglas joined the conversation. As Biggins’ niece, she’s been part of the sneaker event “since day one,” she said. She’s been proud to see it grow.
“Sometimes at school, people will be like, ‘Look how she’s dressed, she looks like she got her clothes at WalMart,’” Douglas said. As a student, she knows that a new outfit or piece of clothing—however surface-level it may seem—can give a kid the boost of confidence that they may need. “Seeing my aunt give back to the community and being so young, it really shaped me,” she said. “On social media, you see all the bad stuff. Seeing kids’ faces light up here—it’s the best.”
The $100,000 grant, which was announced in April, is part of the second round of funding through the Foundation’s Amplify Fund, according to a release from M&T Bank. The Foundation awards nearly $40 million in grants per year to thousands of nonprofit organizations focused on improving the quality of life in the areas the bank serves.
To hear Russell tell it, the recent infusion of funds was a crucial development.
Con’t from page 18
That was true for 14-year-old Jahniyah Clark, a rising freshman at Achievement First Amistad High School. An aspiring track star with a love of science and history, she said she is excited—and a little nervous—to start high school next week. Now, she’ll be doing it on the right foot. Or rather, the right feet. In her hands, she held out a box of New Balance sneakers like an offering, giving a sneak peek of their green-and-lilac accented sole when asked.
“I feel like meeting new people is kind of my thing,” she said. “I’m really grateful that they did this.”
by ABIBA BIAO
Whether she was out in the city or inside her house, you couldn’t catch Evelyn Massey’s late great-grandmother Virgina Adams without a black dress.
“She just loved black dresses with everything,” Massey told a group of Yale freshmen visiting her downtown vintage clothing shop as part of a crash course in understanding what makes one local small business tick. “She would have on a sharp looking dress, some would have ribbons, some would have rhinestones, some would have pearls.”
Growing up alongside the influence of Adams, her grandmother Mallie, and aunt Patrica Adams, Massey said her interest in vintage fashion grew and led to the birth of Noir Vintage & Co last summer, as well as a special fondness for black clothes and accessories.
She told this story to that group of Yale freshmen last Saturday at her storefront on 111 Court St. The students were a part of the FOCUS on New Haven, an orientation program aimed at directing first-year students around New Haven attractions and businesses, FOCUS leader Arielle Alouidor said. The program is organized by Dwight Hall at Yale Center for Public Service and Social Justice.
Lined up along Massey’s store’s brick walls are black and white photos, some of Massey’s family members and others depicting old movies and bygone eras. With “noir” being the French word for black,
the name “Noir Vintage” is a subtle homage to her great-grandmother’s love for black dresses and her grandmother’s and her aunt’s love for vintage fashion. It also alludes to Massey’s own love for everything black, from black apparel to black and white films.
Massey said that support from the Yale community has been a huge help for Noir
Vintage over the course of its first year of being open for business. She said she’s been able to meet people from all over the country and world who come to New Haven to attend college.
This marks Massey’s second year participating as a stop on the FOCUS program. After participating in FOCUS last year, Massey knew that she wanted to host
more students a second time around.
It was through last year’s FOCUS visit that she met Johan Zongo and Katelyn Wang, who are now Yale sophomores.
Zongo painted a mural in Massey’s shop inspired by Harlem Renaissance performances, while Katie painted the skylight, following Massey’s instructions of “psychedelics” and a “1960s” theme.
The result? Colorful walls filled with vibrant hues of orange, yellow, red, and, of course, black.
Being a creative her entire life, Massey said the hardest part of entrepreneurship was learning the logistics and effectively delegating tasks, an obstacle she spoke candidly about with the students.
“It’s been very challenging for a year trying to run the business, but it’s so freeing,” she said. “I love what I do. When you’re passionate, [when] you love what you do, it’s not that bad.”
The expansion and growth of Noir Vintage hasn’t gone unnoticed, with Alouidor, a senior humanities major, remarking on the changes throughout the tour.
“We stopped at Noir Vintage just last year, and that was one of the parts of the program that students have absolutely adored, so we definitely wanted to, if we had the opportunity, to come in and let everyone have a look around it,” she said.
FOCUS leader Christina Norberg, a junior cognitive science major at Yale, also described having a great experience in the FOCUS program as a freshman. She decided that she wanted to give that experi-
ence to others and is now in her second year as a FOCUS leader.
“I’m from Florida and so coming up north and coming to New Haven, I didn’t really know anything about the area,” Norberg said, “and I felt like FOCUS was a really good orienting to what New Haven is like…It’s often described that FOCUS is the first course you take at Yale, and I really like that you’re able to teach the incoming first years about the histories [of New Haven] and about everything.”
As they walked to the back of the store, the students were transported in time from the 1920s to the 1990s and 2000s, at least in terms of the design and vintage clothing on display.
Throughout the tour, Yale first-year Abyssinia “Aby” Haile, 18, stopped to flip through the apparel and offerings that caught her eye. A prospective major in global affairs, Haile said that she wanted to get more into thrifting and appreciated the FOCUS program for introducing her to thrifting locations.
“I think a big aspect that I really like about FOCUS is that it touches upon the impact that Yale has on the gentrification of New Haven,” she said. “Once you move out of the Yale bubble, as they’ve been teaching us, I feel like it’s really important just to be able to see different parts of New Haven, and that knowing that New Haven is not just Yale, but it’s made up of so many different kinds of people and communities.”
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Educators with credentials produce better outcomes for children, according to the many studies that Usma cites. And she provides recommendations that can help lower the roadblocks early childhood teachers face to earning credentials.
The Council for Professional Recognition, the nonprofit organization that supports early childhood education professionals and administers the Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential, is proud to highlight new insights. Usma Mohamed, the Council’s vice president of brand experience and marketing, recently gave these educators a chance to share their views in her doctoral dissertation: Uncertified Early Childhood Education (ECE) Teacher Perceptions of ECE Certifications: A Qualitative Narrative Inquiry Study. Usma’s study makes a strong contribution as our country continues to face a shortage of qualified early childhood teachers. And it’s an issue that has a major impact on children, as Usma points out. Teachers with specialized ECE training are better equipped to help children learn at the most formative stage in life, and the learning scaffolding these teachers provide makes a long-term impact.
But it’s another story in low-income communities like the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, where Usma conducted her research in the field. The region has lower-quality early learning programs than wealthier parts of the state. And it isn’t unique. Texas has met only four out of ten quality benchmarks for early childhood education, as defined by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER). And the shortfall is especially acute when it comes to assistant teachers. In Texas, as in other states, the qualifications for assistant
teachers do not meet NIEER recommended criteria like holding a Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™ or similar certification.
The lack of qualified assistant educators or teachers is a cause for concern, as Usma points out, since assistant teachers play a vital role in early learning settings, often sharing classroom responsibilities with lead teachers. Unqualified assistant teachers are especially common in areas, like
the Lower Rio Grande Valley, which have large minority populations, high poverty rates, and lower per-capita incomes. Areas like the Lower Rio Grande Valley also have lower-quality early learning programs than wealthier parts of the state, and that’s a roadblock as the region strives to improve early learning programs, prepare children for success, and ultimately cut poverty levels down. Granted, the region is expanding access to early learning programs, but
it struggles to raise their quality due to the shortage of certified teachers. Usma explored the reasons for this roadblock through in-depth interviews with seven uncertified teachers at a preschool in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. They conveyed their thoughts by sharing their lived experiences to uncover insights to support the following questions: What perceptions do uncertified ECE teachers have toward certification training? What are uncertified
teachers’ perceptions regarding the degree to which ECE certification would or would not add to their knowledge and skills? And how do uncertified teachers perceive their current ability to teach children effectively?
The stories that teachers shared revealed both personal and professional factors that deterred the teachers from pursuing credentials such as the CDA. The roadblocks to certification, as Usma learned, include time constraints, the perceived difficulty of certification, lack of awareness of credentials, and such high confidence in their teaching skills that teachers didn’t feel they needed training. In addition, strong support from colleagues and the importance of their family duties made teachers question the merits of pursuing ECE credentials. Yet they did not question the value of their profession. The stories they shared revealed the passion, pride, and sense of commitment they brought to serving young children well. Some teachers even acknowledged that earning an ECE credential or certification would assist them in their work. And it is important for education leaders to also acknowledge the factors that can prevent many early childhood teachers from pursuing this goal. Understanding the context of their daily life and perceptions of specialized training is crucial for boosting the number of credentialed early childhood teachers. And it’s especially urgent for underserved communities both in Texas and beyond.
Con’t on page 18
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia
In a visit to PBS-TV’s The Chavis Chronicles in Washington, D.C., Gloria James and family members of NBA superstar LeBron James highlighted the extraordinary impact of the LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF) and its ongoing mission to uplift and empower communities. The foundation’s efforts, which began in Akron, Ohio, where LeBron was raised, have become a national model for athletes, entertainers, and politicians alike.
Gloria, LeBron’s mother, expressed immense pride in her son’s accomplishments both on and off the court. “I’m very honored to be LeBron’s mother. He has done so much for our community and for people across the world. He’s so unselfish,” Gloria said, emphasizing that LeBron’s greatness extends beyond his athletic achievements. “He’s not only the GOAT on the court, but off the court. He’s a humanitarian, a great father and husband, and a great advocate for his community, people of color, and the underdog.”
The LJFF, through its flagship I PROMISE program, serves over 1,400 students in the Akron area, offering comprehensive support that extends far beyond academics. The foundation’s work, as Gloria described, is about more than just raising graduation rates; it’s about redefining the concepts of family and community.
“What we learned was that you can’t just help one person in the family and expect it to be of great significance,” Gloria explained. “Even when it comes to housing or food, we address those issues as well. We know that a lot of our families can’t provide meals for themselves for a full family throughout the entire month, so we have pantries.”
The holistic approach to community support has become the cornerstone of the LJFF’s mission. “Unfortunately, some kids don’t have that in their lives,” Gloria noted, referring to the love, compassion, and support she said true family offers. “They deserve that, and that way it’ll also help them as they grow into adulthood. Family, we take that very seriously.”
Curtis James, LeBron’s uncle and an assistant at the foundation, echoed Gloria’s sentiments, highlighting the foundation’s recent projects, including a documentary. “We just launched a documentary, and my job is to inspire people through my podcast. We want people to do the right thing. It’s not just through our music. Family keeps me in the community, and Akron will always
need inspiration, so I try to be a model for people to do better and be better,” Curtis shared.
The LJFF’s influence has extended to the University of Akron, where the LeBron James Family Foundation School of Education operates with selective admission criteria to nurture future educators who will continue the foundation’s legacy of community upliftment.
“What I’ve learned through our foundation is that helping your community is probably one of the most important jobs you can have,” said Gloria James, who works as a third-grade teacher’s adie at the I PROMISE school. “Especially if you’re on a platform that allows you to help, not just talk about it, but be about it. Put your money up. Our city has been so responsive positively that it makes us want to do even more.”
The family’s commitment to Akron and its residents is unwavering. As Gloria noted, they are not just making a difference but setting a precedent for others to follow. “We also have blueprints for other athletes, actors, mayors of other cities, and we’re willing to share the blueprint so others in other cities can build up their communities. We’ve been able to change lives.”
Reflecting on LeBron’s journey to superstardom, Gloria expressed pride not just in his athletic success, but in his dedication to his community. “I’ve always been very proud of him,” she asserted. “He’s such a giving and caring and compassionate person. What’s most important to LeBron is the work that he does off the court. That’s the changes that he makes in the lives of the people in our community.”
Gloria also shared her emotions during one of LeBron’s most iconic moments—carrying the Olympic flag. “Every time LeBron exceeds expectations, which is often, I feel he’s given more than he’s received. But seeing him carrying the Olympic flag made me feel even more special; that was almost surreal,” she noted. “Think back years ago when Blacks and people of color had such a hard time being chosen for something so honorable, so to see that made it even more special.
To see them with medals around their necks, it just confirms that he’s done all the right things and he’s deserving.”
The excitement continues for the James family, as LeBron’s son, Bronny, is expected to join him on the Los Angeles Lakers for the upcoming season. “That will be very special. I know LeBron is extremely excited about
That will be a challenge for educators and for those who support them. Still, the effort is worthwhile. Educators with credentials produce better outcomes for children, according to the many studies that Usma cites. And she provides recommendations that can help lower the roadblocks early childhood teachers face to earning credentials. For example, states and localities can build a more qualified workforce by using block grants and funding to help educators earn an ECE certification or credential. Center directors can urge teachers to make credentials a priority and show them how it would enhance their teaching skills. Accreditation organizations can provide detailed rationales for the importance of teacher certification. Credentialing organizations can tailor their outreach to highlight specific benefits for centers, teachers, and students.
Future studies should explore incentives for uncertified teachers to pursue certification nationwide. These efforts should take account of teachers’ real-life challenges and stories, like the ones that Usma heard. Her insights contribute to an understanding of why more teachers don’t earn credentials, ways to help them succeed in doing so, and why it matters so much. Granted, early childhood teachers contend with other commitments and face constraints on their time. But Usma urges policymakers and education leaders to find ways to help more teachers earn credentials for the sake of those they serve. Qualified early childhood teachers, as she points out, have the skills to help young children someday tell success stories of their own.
playing with his son,” Gloria said, beaming with pride at the prospect of the father-son duo making history together on the court.
Sean Jones, a Cleveland native, and Curtis’s music partner accompanied the family to D.C. and reflected on his journey. “When I released my first record, I was called the LeBron James of rap, but who would ever have thought I’d be sitting here today with LeBron’s mother, Gloria, and Curtis,” he remarked, acknowledging the deep connections that the James family has fostered within their community.
Despite the success, Gloria said the family maintains a close circle. “We’ve been really blessed,” Gloria said. “Our family has been respectful. No one has really felt like they want a place in the center circle that we have, so things have worked out really well.”
In reflecting on the foundation’s broad impact, Gloria James summed up their mission with heartfelt pride: “What’s most important to LeBron is the work that he does off the court. That’s the changes that he makes in the lives of the people in our community. Coming from this same community at a time when we also needed this same help—he’s only done what he promised to do.”
from page 13
“So many factors, like limited inventory, higher interest rates, higher prices, real estate taxes, insurance, are making it harder and harder for first-time homebuyers to have the funds that are necessary for downpayment and closing costs,” she said.
“M&T committed for two years to the ‘Homeownership Matters’ program, and we need other lenders to do that as well,” she said, explaining that programs can be combined with other employer- and city-assisted initiatives. “With them, we can keep the fund going to benefit future homeowners like Stella,” she said. For anyone struggling to take the first steps toward buying a home, Damoah has a message.
“I know there are people out there, working hard to have their own home and not have to rent,” she said. “Those are people that just can’t save enough to get to where they want to be, and I want to let them know that this is out there for them.”
“Bridgette and everyone at the Homeownership Center helped me find a way, and I want to pay that forward.”
Invitation for Bids Pest Control Services for Low Income- Agency Wide
The Housing Authority of the City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City Communities is currently seeking bids from qualified Contractors. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing. cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on
Wednesday August 21, 2024, at 3:00 PM.
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.
The Housing Authority of City of New Haven b/b/a Elm City Communities is currently seeking bids for Pest Control Services for Low Income Public Housing- Agency Wide. A complete copy of the requirements may be obtained from Elm City Communities Vendor Collaboration portal https:// newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on Monday, August 5, 2024, at 3:00PM.
The State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management is recruiting for a Budget Analyst Trainee (Leadership Associate (Confidential))
360 Management Group, Co. is currently seeking bids for Snow Removal Services. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from 360 Management Group’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on
Monday, August 26, 2024, at 3:00PM.
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
242-258 Fairmont Ave 2BR Townhouse, 1.5 BA, 3BR, 1 level , 1BA
The Housing Authority of the City of Bristol (BHA) is seeking a qualified firm to serve as a Construction Manager at Risk (CMR) for its proposed rehabilitation of Cambridge Park. The relationship will initially be for an advisor that may lead to an at-risk relationship.
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 CT. Unified Deacon’s Association is pleased to offer a Deacon’s
A pre-bid walk through will be held on Aug. 7, 2024, at 10:00 AM (EDT) at 164 Jerome Ave., Bristol, CT. Proposal date and time is Thurs., Aug. 22, 2024, at 2:00 PM (EDT) at BHA’s Central Office, 164 Jerome Ave., Bristol, CT 06010. All proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud. No electronic bids will be accepted. A full copy of the Request for Proposal and access to drawings are available by contacting Luis Velazquez, Director of Capital Funds electronically at lvelazquez@ bristolhousing.org.
Further information regarding the duties, eligibility requirements and application instructions are available at: https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/ sup/bulpreview.asp?b=&R1= 240726&R2=5989VR&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.
Scattered Site: Garden, Martin & Nelson Streets Hartford, CT 9 RES. BLDGS + 1 CB,
Project Documents include but not limited to: Sitework, landscaping, asphalt paving, repair and sealing, selective site demolition, fencing, concrete, masonry, misc metals, rough carpentry, finish carpentry, roofing, doors, frames and hardware labor and material, gypsum board, flooring, painting, manufactured casework, window blinds, fire suppression, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, windows, residential equipment / appliances, sanitary facilities and final cleaning. Bid
Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice
If you have not already received a bid from us and would like to bid, please email Taylor your business & contact information, she will add you to Procore and send you the ITB. Email Questions & Bids to: Taylor Els tels@haynesct.com
Old Saybrook, CT (4 Buildings, 17 Units)
This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements.
Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project
State law requires a minimum of (25%) percent of the state-funded portion of the contract for award to subcontractors holding current certification from the CT Dept of Admin Services (“DAS”)
under the provisions of CONN. GEN. STAT. § 4a-60g. (25% of the work with DAS certified Small & Minority owned businesses and 25% of that work with DAS certified Minority, Women and/or Disabled owned businesses.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
HCC encourages the participation of all Veteran, S/W/MBE & Section 3 Certified Businesses Haynes
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
Bidding documents are available from the Seymour Housing Authority Office, 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 (203) 888-4579.
Fence Installers: Large CT Fence & Guardrail Contractor is looking for Fence Installation helpers. Must have at least 2 years of experience installing chain link, wood, PVC and ornamental iron fencing. Work available 10-12 months per year. All necessary equipment provided. Medical, holiday, 401K, vacation & other benefits included. Must be able to pass required physical and drug test. An OSHA 10 Certification is
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
Housing Authority City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City Communities is currently seeking proposals for Yardi Conversion Project Manager/ Implementation Consultant. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from ECC’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway
beginning on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 3:00PM.
Garrity Asphalt Reclaiming, Inc seeks:
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
Salary Range -
$101,455 to $156,599 (expected starting pay maximum is mid-range)
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
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
Fully Benefited – 35 hours weekly Pre-employment drug testing. For more details, visit our website –www.bloomfieldct.org
Roma Construction, Inc. has openings for Laborers, CDL Drivers with Class A & B Licenses and Operators. We are an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity
Email: rick.tousignant@garrityasphalt.com
Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply
Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer
Go to www.portlandct.org for details
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
HOME INC, en nombre de la Columbus House y de la New Haven Housing Authority, está aceptando pre-solicitudes para estudios y apartamentos de un dormitorio en este desarrollo ubicado en la calle 109 Frank Street, New Haven. Se aplican limitaciones de ingresos máximos. Las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles 09 a.m.-5 p.m. comenzando Martes 25 julio, 2016 hasta cuando se han recibido suficientes pre-solicitudes (aproximadamente 100) en las oficinas de HOME INC. Las pre-solicitudes serán enviadas por correo a petición llamando a HOME INC al 203-562-4663 durante esas horas.Pre-solicitudes deberán remitirse a las oficinas de HOME INC en 171 Orange Street, tercer piso, New Haven , CT 06510
Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply
Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer
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) 621-1720 or send resume to: Personnel Department, P.O. Box 368, Cheshire, CT06410.
242-258 Fairmont Ave
2BR Townhouse, 1.5 BA, 3BR, 1 level , 1BA
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V Drug Free Workforce
All new apartments, new appliances, new carpet, close to I-91 & I-95 highways, near bus stop & shopping center
Pet under 40lb allowed. Interested parties contact Maria @ 860-985-8258
Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice
Please send resume to attielordan@gmail.com PJF Construction Corporation AA/EOE
Old Saybrook, CT (4 Buildings, 17 Units)
Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project
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.
Work closely with the Publisher and editor to create a successful sales strategy. Must be a self-starter and highly motivated.
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.
effective ways to
and
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
and learns about
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.
Works well independently and has advanced time management and organization skills. Potential to manage sales representatives and has good leadership skills. Builds relationships with customers and coworkers and has strong interpersonal skills. An associate or bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or a related major is a plus but not required. At least [number] years of sales representative experience is preferred. Interested candidates should apply to John Thomas, JThomas@penfieldcomm.com
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
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
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.
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
Immediate opening for a Class A full time driver for petroleum/asphalt/ like products deliveries for nights and weekends. Previous experience required. Send resume to: HR Manager, P. O. Box 388, Guilford, CT 06437 or email: hrdept@eastriverenergy.com
Salary Range:
$87,727 to $136,071 Deputy Finance Director/Controller Pre-employment drug testing. AA/EOE. For Details go to www.bloomfieldct.org
Steel Fabricators, Erectors & Welders Top pay for top performers. Health Benefits, 401K, Vacation Pay.
The Housing Authority of the City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City Communities is currently seeking bids from qualified hotels. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Elm City’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on
Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 3:00 PM.
Please register here to obtain Bid Package: https://ha.internationaleprocurement.com/requests.html?company_id=49968
Authority of the City of Danbury, 2 Mill Ridge Rd, Danbury, CT 06811 Envelope Must be Marked: IFB No. B24007, Chimney Cleaning and Repair Services Attn: Lisa Gilchrist, Purchasing Agent
***An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Disabled & Veterans***
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
CT. Unified Deacon’s
Program. This is a 10 month program
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) 621-1720 or send resume to: Personnel Department, P.O. Box 368, Cheshire, CT06410.
Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice
Affirmative Action/Equal
CONTACT PERSON FOR IFB DOCUMENT: Lisa Gilchrist – Purchasing Agent Telephone: 203-744-2500 x1421 E-Mail: lgilchrist@hacdct.org
Old Saybrook, CT (4 Buildings, 17 Units) Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project
[Minority- and/or women-owned businesses are encouraged to respond]
a Deacon’s
to assist in the intellectual formation of Candidates in response to the Church’s Ministry needs. The cost is $125. Classes start Saturday, August 20, 2016 1:303:30 Contact: Chairman, Deacon Joe J. Davis, M.S., B.S. (203) 996-4517 Host,General Bishop Elijah Davis, D.D. Pastor ofPitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church 64 Brewster St.
Sealed bids are invited by the Housing Authority of the Town of Seymour until 3:00 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at its office at 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 for Concrete Sidewalk Repairs and Replacement at the Smithfield Gardens Assisted Living Facility, 26 Smith Street Seymour.
A pre-bid conference will be held at the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.
The Milford Redevelopment & Housing Partnership (MRHP) is seeking sealed bids for the project entitled Foran Towers – Kitchen Renovations. Bid Opening date is September 19, 2024 at 2:00 pm at the Milford Redevelopment & Housing Partnership, 75 Demaio Drive, Milford, CT 06460. All bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. A pre-bid walk thru will be held on September 3, 2024 at 2:00 pm at 264 High Street, Milford CT. Contract documents including plans & specifications can be viewed online and purchased from DigiPrint’s website. Visit www.digiprintct.com and select KITCHEN RENOVATIONS at FORAN TOWERS for the MILFORD REDEVELOPMENT & HOUSING PARTNERSHIP, beginning on August 26, 2024. 5% Bid Security (Over $25K ONLY) and 100% Performance/Payment Bonds (Over $100K ONLY) are required. Bidders will note requirements of minimum wage rates, nondiscrimination/equal opportunity rules (Executive Order 11246) and related provisions in the General Conditions. No bid shall be withdrawn for sixty (60) days. Complete bidding requirements are noted in the Contract Documents. This project is federally assisted. Therefore, bidders must comply with the following requirements: Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968; Equal Opportunity provisions of Executive Order 11246; Non-Discrimination provision of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Labor Standards provisions of the Davis-Bacon Act and related acts and Contract Work Hours Standards Act; prevailing wage determinations as issued by the United States Department of Labor; and all applicable provisions under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.
MRHP is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Anthony J. Vasiliou, Executive Director
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
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
ing proposals for IT Consulting Services. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from ECC’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on Monday, July 15, 2024, at 3:00PM.
Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia
Dr. Tshaka Cunningham, a pioneering molecular biologist, has made an extraordinary journey from the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, D.C. to the cutting edge of precision medicine and genomics. Returning to his roots for an interview on the PBS show “The Chavis Chronicles,” Cunningham shared insights into his career, the importance of diversity in science, and his commitment to advancing genomics for the betterment of all communities.
Raised in D.C.’s historic Shaw area, Dr. Cunningham’s early exposure to science came from a deeply personal source—his grandmother, a cancer researcher who played a pivotal role in sparking his lifelong passion for molecular biology. “I was exposed to science at an early age from my grandmother, a cancer researcher,” Cunningham said before his 30-minute discussion with National Newspaper Publishers Association President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., the host of the Chavis Chronicles. “She sparked in me that intellectual curiosity of what caused a cancer cell to be a cancer cell. It’s fascinating to me.”
This fascination led Cunningham to pursue a career in molecular biology, a field that explores the fundamental building blocks of life. “The reason I became a molecular biologist is because the sum total of the organism that we are is a collection of molecules that know how to beautifully orchestrate the symphony that is life,” he explains. A
relentless curiosity and a desire to comprehend life at its most fundamental level led him from Princeton University, where he received his bachelor’s degree, to Rockefeller University for his PhD, and postdoctoral training at the Pasteur Institute in Paris and the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda.
But Cunningham’s journey was not just about academic achievements; it was also about overcoming the social challenges of being a “cool nerd” in a community where academic excellence wasn’t always celebrated. “I liked playing sports and chasing girls,” Cunningham admits with a smile. “But I remember growing up here in D.C., it wasn’t cool to be smart back in the day, so I used to have to lie about my grades. But we have to make it cool to be a nerd and get good grades.”
Significant contributions to science and society have been a hallmark of his career. At the Department of Veterans Affairs, Cunningham played a critical role in overseeing national research programs in aging and neurodegenerative diseases. He also spearheaded initiatives to ensure minority veterans were wellrepresented in the VA’s Million Veteran Program, emphasizing the importance of diversity in genomic research.
Motivated by a commitment to making precision medicine more inclusive, Cunningham co-founded the FaithBased Genetic Research Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving lives through genomics. His belief in the potential of science to benefit all communities is unwavering. “More of our people should be involved in science,” he says. “It takes a level of cu-
riosity, tenacity, and resourcefulness to be a scientist. They call it research for a reason because you have to search and research and constantly fail in the lab. Our people are good at being resourceful and tenacious, and that’s what it takes to be scientists.”
As the co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Polaris Genomics and TruGenomix Health Inc., Cunningham is at the forefront of using genomics to tackle some of the most pressing health challenges, including PTSD. He emphasizes the importance of understanding diseases at the molecular level to develop effective treatments. “Some cancers we are getting there, and some we can cure,” Cunningham notes. “In the next 20–25 years, that percentage will go up. Prevention helps us cure, but we have to understand at the molecular level what causes the disease, and that’s what people like me do; molecular biologists and researchers continue to do.”
His peers said Cunningham’s journey from Shaw to shaping the future of genomics is a testament to the power of curiosity, determination, and the pursuit of knowledge. His work is not just about advancing science; it’s about breaking down barriers and ensuring that genomics benefits are accessible to all communities.
“Not only as it pertains to communities of color but all humanity; these myths and stereotypes that are out here are from white supremacists, and they are not based on truth and facts,” Chavis stated. “Science is based on truth and facts. If our nation was better informed, we would not be so divisive.”
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia
CHICAGO
— At the Democratic National Convention, a cadre of leading Democratic women took the stage, unleashing a barrage of critiques against Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, framed by the Republicans’ notorious record on women’s issues. The stark differences in vision and values of the twice-impeached and 34-times convicted former president, his vice presidential nominee, and Vice President Kamala Harris and her surrogates were on full display in Chicago.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton opened with a searing take on Trump’s legal woes. “Donald Trump fell asleep at his own trial,” Clinton recounted to an amused crowd. “When he woke up, he’d made his own kind of history — the first person to run for president with 34 felony convictions.” The statement sparked a wave of laughter and wild applause, leading to
chants of “Lock him up!” echoing the irony of Trump’s previous attacks on her.
“We have him on the run now,” Clinton declared. “But no matter what the polls say, we can’t give up.”
Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas highlighted the divergent paths of Harris and Trump. “One candidate worked at McDonald’s while she was in college at an HBCU. The other was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and helped his daddy in the family business: Housing discrimination,” Crockett said, sparking boisterous applause from the audience. She continued, “She became a career prosecutor, while he became a career criminal, with 34 felonies, two impeachments, and one porn star to prove it.” Reflecting on her early days in Congress, Crockett shared a personal testimony about Harris’ influence. “When I first got to Congress, I wasn’t sure I made the right decision,” she admitted. “That chaos caucus couldn’t elect a speaker, and the Oversight
Committee was unhinged.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York also critically panned Trump’s priorities. “We know Trump would sell this country for a dollar if it meant lining his own pockets and greasing palms of his Wall Street friends,” Ocasio-Cortez asserted. Her speech vividly championed Harris as a beacon for working Americans. “To love this country is to fight for its people — all people, working people, everyday Americans like bartenders and factory workers and fast-food cashiers who punch a clock and are on their feet all day in some of the toughest jobs out there.”
Ocasio-Cortez then stirred the thousands of delegates with a forward-looking promise: “America, when we knock on our neighbor’s door, organize our communities, and elect Kamala Harris to the presidency on November 5, we will send a loud message that the people of this nation will not go back. We choose a new path and open the door to a new day: one that is for the people and by the people.”
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