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by LISA REISMAN
Director-producer Darrell Bellamy Jr. was in a creative slump but he had already signed up to participate in the New Haven 48 Hour Film Project, an annual summer competition to make a short movie over the course of just two days.
“I had to go for it,” said Bellamy, cocreator of the upcoming thriller “Marblehead,” as well as “Get Yer Mind Right,” a coming-of-age YouTube series.
Several weeks later, he found himself at a raucous 48 Hour Film Project awards ceremony at Armada Brewery buoyed by two award nominations, and waiting to see if he and his team would make it out on top.
In New Haven for its 14th year, as well as in cities around the world, the “48,” as it’s affectionately known, offers filmmakers a simple challenge: To write, cast, direct, shoot, and edit the best four-toseven-minute flick in two days.
The only limitations: the genre, which is assigned, and certain elements a character, a prop, and a line of dialogue that must be incorporated into the film.
Bellamy was all in. Over the course of the last weekend of July, he produced a seven-minute psychological horror flick–“Nightmares Are Dreams Too”–about a man who peddles dreams that turn out to be nightmares.
“No sleep,” he said of the weekend. Once he returned from the Friday night kickoff ceremony with the assigned genre – horror – he convened a Zoom meeting with his team. “We came up with a good idea” he credited team member Marquise Bolton “and then I had my writer, Melo, write up a draft,” he said. The two stayed up all night, doctoring the script and planning locations.
Early Saturday morning, his team met at a house in West Haven, where he shot a series of scenes, before heading to a warehouse. Among the team members was his mother, Adria Bellamy, making her acting debut as a no-nonsense nurse.
“It was fun but it was serious,” Bellamy said at the awards ceremony, which took place at Armada Brewing on River Street in Fair Haven Friday, Aug. 30. “I was getting on my team, no lollygagging, no laughing, we’re getting straight to the point.” The challenge, he said, was getting in the required elements: the prop, an avocado, as well as the character, Jaden Starborne, and the line of dialogue. On the Sunday of the competition, he edited the audio and visual content, adding special effects, titles, and scoring the last song with his own beat. “I was real happy with it,” he said.
Among the 25 short films, “Nightmares” went on to garner two nominations, one for best director, the other an Audience Choice Award. “We’re feeling good,” said “Nightmares” co-director and author of “Marblehead,” D. Jeff Bell, as he entered
Armada Brewery for Awards Night.
There was also the response when the film was screened at New Haven’s Third Annual Black Wall Street a little over a week before the ceremony.
“I was so nervous I was shaking, because you don’t know if they’re gonna like it or not,” Bellamy recalled. “And they loved it. There was a standing ovation. People were telling me, ‘you had me on the edge of my seat the whole time.’”
As it turned out, Bellamy and his team left the late-August ceremony with no awards. Best Film went to the sleek whodunnit, “If You Don’t,” by Barber Favor Productions, earning them a trip to the national Filmapalooza in Seattle in March 2025 and a chance of being shown at the Cannes Film Festival in France.
“I get the frustration,” said Lorna JamesRodriguez, an actor, seasoned filmmaker, and four-time 48-hour participant who took on the 48 Hour Film Project city producer post this May. “My first year in the contest I didn’t realize I didn’t have the ambient sound for a scene until I was editing on Sunday, and I had to go back to the site.”
There’s a reason that the “48” is known as the best film school around, she added. “You learn by making mistakes, and those lessons teach you how to do it better the next time,” she said.
There’s another benefit to the 48-hour exercise, win or lose, according to veteran filmmaker Jay Miles, board chair of East Haven Public Television and a long-time sponsor and supporter of the 48 Film Project.
“When you put a time limit on your creativity, it forces the best stuff to come out,” he said, during an intermission at the awards ceremony.
James-Rodriguez expressed enthusiasm for the future. “There’s a lot of talent in this area and that speaks to the quality of work that was submitted this year,” she said, pledging to offer more workshops on the craft. (She hosted workshops in acting and auditioning, as well as on film scoring and sound, prior to this year’s competition.)
Bellamy sounded a similar refrain. “MJ didn’t win a ring for six or seven years,” he said, referring to basketball superstar Michael Jordan. The project, he said, forced him to break the habit of overthinking every detail. It also helped get him back into the groove.
“Now I have that drive again,” he said, adding that “Marblehead,” the locally produced thriller, should be completed by January. He’s also started a Photo and Film Academy at Playhouse Studios on State Street. “That weekend put me in a zone to create and just being creative, I felt free like I was painting a mural. I was just in a zone.”
“I’ll be back.”
by JABEZ CHOI
Local 217 Sec-Treasurer Josh Stanley: "We couldn't be prouder of each other."
More than 120 Omni hotel workers have put down their picket signs and gone back to work without a new contract, but with a message sent to management that they’re “willing to do whatever it takes to win.”
Those unionized Omni hotel housekeepers, front desk agents, cooks, and other workers all represented by UNITE HERE Local 217 officially ended their strike Sunday evening. They returned to their jobs as of Monday morning at the 155 Temple St. hotel, which is formally called the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale.
“The strike of the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale has been an awesome display of unity and courage,” Local 217 Secretary-Treasurer Josh Stanley is quoted as saying in an email press release. “We will return to work Monday morning and will continue to negotiate with the Omni this week. But although this strike has concluded, our fight continues. Omni workers are ready to do whatever it takes to win, and this remains an active labor dispute.” He added in a follow-up email comment that “the workers had always planned a limited duration strike.”
The strike began early Thursday morning, and came as the union is pushing for a new contract with better pay, healthcare, and pensions. Their last contract expired in late March. The union had not yet reached a contractual agreement with management before the end of the strike.
The strike also comes as UNITE HERE-represented hotel workers across the country in San Diego, Boston, Baltimore, and elsewhere have gone on strike in recent weeks, all under the leadership of New Haven native and UNITE HERE international union President Gwen Mills.
The Temple Street hotel also remained open for business over the course of the four-day labor stoppage; according to UNITE HERE Local 34 spokesperson Ian Dunn, the hotel was able to continue services with the help of temporary workers.
Omni hotel managers declined to comment for this story.
According to bellhop Eugene Scott, Local 217 workers were required by the union to picket for 20 hours in total over the course of the strike. In return, according to Scott, union workers received $400 to make up for their wages lost over the time of the workplace walkout.
Over the course of the strike, the workers were joined on the picket line by Gov. Ned Lamont, U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, and
a host of fellow state and local politicians, including Westville Alder Adam Marchand and Fair Haven Alder Frank Redente, Jr.
“When we saw everyone there, it showed that we were active, that all of us have the same vision,” Omni room cleaner Maria Palma said on Sunday, her words translated from Spanish to English by Local 217 organizer Isadora Milanez.
Omni workers also saw members of the Teamsters Union, the Communications Workers of America Union, American Federation of Teachers, and the AFLCIO show up to the strike.
“I think also they are taking some of that energy back themselves,” Stanley observed, of the various other union groups present at the strike.
Though no specific date to meet with management has been set yet, Stanley hopes for the union to meet with Omni management some time in the upcoming week.
The scene on Sunday was lively before the announcement of the end of the strike.
At around 1 p.m., some 20 workers and union organizers marched back and forth on Temple Street carrying signs reading: “RESPECT OUR WORK” and “ONE JOB SHOULD BEENOUGH.” Striking employees chanted, marched, and beat drums, as passing cars beeped their support for the group.
Leering at the street, a large, inflatable Scabby the rat a historical symbol of labor protesting in New York City stood watch.
“No contracts?” the workers shouted. “No peace!”
“If we don’t get it?” shouted one Local 217 organizer.
“Shut it down!” protesters shouted back.
Jon Agosoto did not know that the Omni Hotel strikes were occurring Sunday afternoon as he walked up Temple Street.
In an interview with the Independent, he noted that he too is a member of an electrical construction workers union, Local 1249. He said that having a union was “convenient,” given that they “fight for you, no matter what.”
“I’m super pro-union,” Agosto said, walking by. “I’m at the point right now where I’m making the most money I’ve ever made, and I’m still struggling,” noting the cost of groceries and rent hikes.
Agosto continued: “It’s crazy.” Then, he looked toward the protesters. Before he left, he said, “They should be doing that.”
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The following citizen contribution was submitted by Josiah Brown, executive director of Connecticut Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). Connecticut CASA “empowers a statewide network of caring, consistent volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates to advance the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect—so every child can find a safe, permanent home to thrive,” according to its mission statement. The first photo shows Josiah Brown, Enna Garcia of 'r Kids Family Center, and Dr. Ijeoma Opara.
On September 12—amid Kinship Care Month & Recovery Month—two New Haven-based nonprofits collaborated to hold a free community screening of the documentary film Silence on the Streets.
The film, by Sharece Sellem-Hannah, grew out of an earlier play that aimed to raise awareness about the opioid epidemic and its effects on Connecticut communities and families.
The nonprofit partners that organized the screening were 'r Kids Family Center, which hosted the event at its expanded new facility at 45 Dixwell Ave., and Connecticut Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), which prepares and supervises volunteer advocates to inform
Yale New Haven Hospital is pleased to offer patients and their families financial counseling regarding their hospital bills or the availability of financial assistance, including free care funds.
By appointment, patients can speak one-on-one with a financial counselor during regular business hours. For your convenience, extended hours are available in-person at Yale New Haven Hospital once a month.
Date: Monday, September 16, 2024
Time: 5 - 7 pm
Location: Children’s Hospital, 1 Park St., 1st Floor, Admitting Parking available (handicapped accessible)
An appointment is necessary. Please call 855-547-4584.
In light of COVID-19, patients may call 855-547-4584 any time during regular weekday hours to speak with a counselor on the phone.
Spanish-speaking counselors available.
decisions about children's best interests.
In addition to reporting regularly to the court, CASA volunteers connect children and families with resources, build relationships through monthly visits, and promote resilience for these young people who have experienced abuse or neglect. (These—reporting, resources, relationships and resilience—are known within the organization as the “Four Rs.”)
Silence on the Streets explores the toll that opioids take not just on the people who use them, but also on families and communities impacted by their presence. A theatermaker and playwright, Sellem-Hannah peels back several layers of trauma to get to the core of the opioid crisis, talking to experts in public health and substance use disorder as well as people affected firsthand by opioid use and overdose.
Guest speaker Dr. Ijeoma Opara spoke after the screening. The founding director of the Substance Abuse and Sexual Health (SASH) Lab at Yale School of Public Health, she was among those interviewed in the film, with others ranging from trauma survivor and consultant Kyisha Velazquez to U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Avery.
As Dr. Opara emphasized, untreated mental health issues contribute significantly to "self-medicating" through ad-
dictive substances. Poverty and racism can be major factors, too, although drug use, intimate partner violence, child abuse and neglect of course occur across all socio-economic and ethno-racial categories. Breaking intergenerational cycles of trauma and abuse, of various kinds, is a collective effort, requiring government and community action. That knowledge is central to the work that both organizations do. Both 'r Kids Family Center and Connecticut CASA attempt—with DCF social workers, attorneys, judges and a range of other professionals—to support family preservation whenever possible. Family visits, at sites such as 'r Kids, and various services aim to help children remain with their parents whenever safely possible, or to be with extended kin and caring non-relative foster parents before family reunification might be advisable. If necessary, transfer of guardianship or adoption may be considered.
Supporting children and their best interests is the priority of organizations such as 'r Kids and Connecticut CASA, which is a growing statewide affiliate of the national CASA movement that strives for every child to have a safe, permanent home with an opportunity to thrive. Read more about that here.
Our needs may change over time but one thing that doesn’t have to change is the comfort of being at home. The Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders, or CHCPE, helps people 65+ get the care they need right at home. Services can include housekeeping, personal care, home-delivered meals, and more.
September 24, 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 became interested in acting.
Her acting career has earned her fame and fortune locally and internationally, rising to become one of the most sought after actresses from South Africa. At 27, she was named in the 2018 Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 List, and one of the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African Magazine. Born on July 8, 1991, at the Midlands Medical Center in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, to a Zulu mother and Xhosa and Sotho father, she never enjoyed the care of her parents who died when she was barely four years old. She was raised by her grandmother, a very strict school principal in school and at home. Her name reflected the multicultural tribes of her parents – Thuso is a Sotho name, Nokwanda is a Zulu name, and Mbedu is Xhosa.
Mbedu went to Pelham Primary School and Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School and graduated from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa in 2013, where she studied Physical Theatre and Performing Arts Management. Earlier in 2012, she took a summer course at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City.
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.’
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.
‘Black Reel Awards’ (Outstanding Actress – TV Movie / Limited Series), the ‘Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards’ (Best Actress in a Limited Series, Anthropology Series or Television Movie), the ‘Gotham Awards’ (Outstanding Performance in New Series), the ‘Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards’ (TV Breakout Star), and the ‘Critics Choice Television Awards’ (Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Movie), all for her role ‘Cora Randall’ in the 2021 TV series ‘The Underground Rail-
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
New Haven, CT, September 16, 2024
– Albertus Magnus College is pleased to announce it has received a generous donation of Apple iPads® to its Nursing Program from Jumo Health, a global medical communications firm, headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut. This contribution aims to support and elevate the educational experience of nursing students at the College, ensuring they have access to essential digital resources as they pursue their degree.
In 2022, Mbedu was nominated for the ‘Independent Spirit Awards (Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series), for her role ‘Cora Randall’ in the 2021 television series ‘The Underground Railroad.’ She won the ‘Critics Choice Television Awards’ for ‘Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Movie’ for her role ‘Cora Randall’ in ‘The Underground Railroad.’
In 2022, she starred in her first film ‘The Woman King’ an epic historical drama about Agosie, where an entire female warrior unit protected the West African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 17 – 19th century. She played ‘Nawi’, a zealous recruit in the military unit.
In 2017, Mbedu was nominated for the ‘DSTV Viewers Choice Awards’ and the ‘International Emmy Awards for the ‘Best Performance by an Actress’ for her role ‘Winnie Bhengu’ in the 2016 -2017 television drama series ‘IS’THUNZI.’
Albertus Magnus College’s Nursing Program, known for its commitment to producing highly skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals, will use the iPads inside and outside the classroom — including in the new stateof-the-art nursing labs — as well as in the library and the Germain Learning Center. These devices will enhance students’ learning opportunities, providing them with tools for accessing medical databases,educational apps, and online research materials that are crucial for their training.
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.’
technological education they need to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving healthcare environment,” said Cynthia Jeffrey, Ed.D., M.S.N., R.N., the College’s Nursing Programs Director. “
Jumo Health’s support underscores the vital role that community partnerships play in advancing education and improving health literacy.”
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.
Jumo Health’s donation reflects its ongoing commitment to improving education through technology, focusing on empowering communities and fostering future generations of healthcare professionals. The company continues to seek ways to contribute positively to the community and promote health literacy on a wider scale, reflecting the core tenets of its business.
“We are incredibly grateful for Jumo Health’s donation. The iPads will significantly enrich our students’ learning experience and provide them with the
In 2021, she was nominated for the ‘Television Critics Association Award’ (Individual Achievement in Drama), the
“…my world was that blur, until Amanda Lane happened in 2016. The role that Amanda Lane gave me was the difference between life and death for me. Receiving that audition brief, I told myself that I would audition like it was my last audition. I gave it the last of everything that I had, that at the time I got the callback, I had nothing left. I secretly made the decision not to do the callback because I had nothing left to give. But fortunately, I received the callback. So I didn’t do the callback because the role was mine. I had given up. I was in a very dark place at the time, and the character, the role, the opportunity, was a much needed light. And I told myself that I will act as if it was the last character that I will play. And through a great script and an amazing director, I earned two International Emmy Awards for that role…”
“Jumo Health is committed to promoting health care in all its forms,” shared Kevin Aniskovich, President and CEO of Jumo Health. “Supporting Albertus Magnus College’s Nursing Program not only underscores our commitment to collaborating with our community institutions, but ensures future health care professionals train on, and become familiar with, the tools they will ultimately use in the field,” concluded Aniskovich.
New Haven, Conn. (Sept. 17, 2024) –The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven has named Dr. Karen DuBoisWalton as the next president and chief executive officer of the region’s community endowment and largest grant maker to local nonprofits. DuBois-Walton, most recently the president Elm City Communities/Housing Authority of New Haven, succeeds Will Ginsberg, who is stepping down after 24 years, on Nov. 2.
“I am thrilled to be taking on this leadership role at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and for the opportunity to work with the team and in this community with so many committed volunteers and donors to build a stronger, more connected and more equitable Greater New Haven Region," DuBoisWalton said. "My vision for the future is one where we work together to create a more equitable and inclusive Greater New Haven — a region where every resident in all 20 towns has the chance to thrive, regardless of their background or zip code. This is the work I have committed to in my personal and professional career and it is what I am most excited to continue at The Foundation. This work requires bold and collaborative solutions and my work is known for that."
Dr. DuBois-Walton brings two decades of leadership experience in government and public sectors. For the past 16 years,
she has been president of Elm City Communities/Housing Authority of the City of New Haven (HANH), which serves more than 6,000 families and 14,000 individuals and includes the Glendower Group, LLC (the development affiliate of HANH) and 360 Management Group, Inc. (the property management affiliate). Leading
the $800 million umbrella organization, she has spearheaded initiatives to address systemic inequities in housing and community development, education and economic access and opportunity
“Karen is an extraordinary leader of high integrity. She has a longstanding commitment to Greater New Haven and pos-
sesses the experience and vision needed for bringing together all stakeholders to create a more equitable and inclusive community.” said The Foundation Board Chair Marcella Nunez-Smith. “As we welcome Karen, we also extend our immense gratitude to Will for his leadership and overseeing the incredible growth of The Foundation during his tenure.”
The search process for a new president and CEO began following Ginsberg’s announcement in the fall of 2023 that he would retire in November 2024. He has served at The Foundation’s helm since 2000.
The Community Foundation Board of Directors chose Dr. DuBois-Walton following a rigorous national search conducted by a committee of current and former board members in partnership with Koya Partners, a search firm that specializes in placing CEOs in mission-driven roles.
“Karen has the unique combination of leadership ability, experience and deep connection to and passion for the Greater New Haven community that put her at the top of a very talented candidate pool,” said Fernando Muñiz, chair of the search committee and vice chair of The Foundation’s Board of Directors. “I thank my fellow committee members for their time, expertise and wisdom in completing this important work and we all look forward to The Foundation’s next chapter with Karen
as our new leader.”
In addition to Muñiz, other search committee members included Nunez-Smith, current Board members Greg Pepe and Valarie Shultz Wilson, and former Board Chair Khalilah Brown-Dean.
“Karen is a great member of our community and a longtime inspirational community leader. She is a perfect fit for The Community Foundation because she knows our community, she understands our community and she loves our community. The Foundation’s Board could not have made a better choice,” said Ginsberg.
Dr. DuBois-Walton holds advanced degrees in clinical psychology and is the immediate past chair of the CT State Board of Education. She previously served as chief of staff and chief administrative officer for Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. in New Haven.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Dr. DuBois-Walton is actively engaged in community building, advocacy and civic leadership. She serves as chair of the Board of the Melville Charitable Trust, overseeing a $130 M asset base and directing program and mission-related investments toward addressing the root causes of the crisis of homelessness. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Yale University, and master’s degree and Ph.D. from Boston University. She resides in New Haven with her family.
by PAUL BASS
U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro brought a progressive star with MAGA cred to town Monday to help craft an election season message about high food prices: Blame corporate price-gougers.
“We’re all appalled at families struggling for basic needs,” with one-seventh of the families in her Greater New Haven Third Congressional District experiencing hunger, DeLauro said at a “listening session” held at Fair Haven’s CitySeed headquarters on James Street about “lowering food costs and consumer protection.”
Accompanying the Congresswoman was Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, the Biden administration’s most visible opponent of corporate mergers who has led the federal government’s antitrust efforts against Big Tech and Big Agriculture. Khan began shaping the nation’s view on the subject with a paper examining Amazon’s predatory pricing practiceswhile attending Yale Law School (Class of 2017).
DeLauro assembled 17 New Haveners who work on food, hunger, and public health around a three-sided rectangular
table to listen and ask questions to Khan, whom she described as “a young, aggressive, dynamic woman willing to take on some of the biggest special interests in this country.” Participants included city and state agency heads as well as representatives of nonprofits ranging from CitySeed to Fair Haven Health.
With the event, DeLauro, who is seeking a 17th two-year term, repeated a tactic used in past campaigns: Gathering constituents whose agencies she has helped fund in office to discuss their concerns at a “roundtable” (or in this case a three-sided rectangular table) at which her own support is acknowledged.
She also on Monday pursued a strategy shared by many of her fellow Democrats across the country in addressing inflation and the economy.
Voters rate Republicans over Democrats on their handling of the economy.
Republicans are running hard on blaming the Biden administration for exacer-
bating inflation through big-ticket public spending bills like the Inflation Reduction Act. Democrats originally planned to emphasize the Biden administration’s record of lowering inflation and avoiding a recession in tough post-pandemic times, while creating jobs. Now they’re diving into people’s concerns about inflation acknowledging the painful rise in real inflation-adjusted terms of staples like food (25 percent) over the past four years and pointing the finger at Big Food for price-gouging as the cause.
Khan dived into that message. She spoke about the consolidation of industries from agriculture to tech. She mentioned her agency’s aggressive enforcement of antitrust to oppose corporate mergers. She said the FTC is scrutinizing the proposed largest-ever grocery merger between the Kroger and Albertsons chains amid fears of resulting store closures and price hikes.
“When companies don’t have to compete, they can get away with higher prices because they know that consumers don’t have any other options,” Khan remarked.
“During the pandemic we saw very
by ALLAN APPEL
“First there was a worm. Then we did a lamb’s heart, and then a cat. I’ll never forget how I found a bird in the cat’s belly.”
“That’s right. We dissected everything.” “And, by the way, I want to tell you I just got my PhD.”
That was the catch-up of great news and affectionate student-teacher memory shared by long-time Lee and Career High School biology, anatomy, and chemistry teacher Shirley Neighbors and her student Arelious Heggie; they hadn’t seen each other in more than 20 years.
Saturday morning on the sunlit porch of Anthony’s Ocean View eatery in Morris Cove, it was one of many similar emotional conversations unfolding as more than 300 people gathered for the Lee-Career Alumni Association’s third Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.
On hand were students, the most venerable now in their 70s, along with teachers, administrators, coaches, and other staff from Lee High School, which stood on the site of today’s Yale School of Nursing in the Hill from 1968 to 1986; and then was supplanted by today’s Career High, into which most of the staff and students moved.
Through a process of public nominations, review by a research committee, and then public voting on a slate of finalists, 15 inductees were celebrated.
Hall of Fame founder Pamela Monk Kelley and 2024 inductee Paul Hollywood Henderson.
The inductees range this year from professional educators like the current Hamden Superintendent of Schools Gary Highsmith (Lee ‘83) to Pulitzer Prize-winning financial writer David Wessel (Lee ’72) to attorney and national legal educator Jeanette Manning (Career ’92) to Geary Claxton (Career ’04), the school’s all-time basketball leader in points, rebounds, and blocked shots.
If you notice something unusual here, it’s that the Lee-Career Hall of Fame is unique in New Haven and likely far beyond, in that it celebrates not only athletics but also humanitarian, lifetime, and professional achievement across the whole spectrum of life, and community service.
And you don’t even have to be an alum to be considered. Faculty and staff are also eligible, such as another of this year’s inductees, long-time educator and current New Haven Board of Education secretary Dr. Edward Joyner. He recalled that his first paid teaching job was elucidating United States history the real history, he pointed out to a reporter, including slavery, the good, bad, and the ugly in the exciting and
heady years of the late 1960s when Lee High first opened its doors. Under the motivational leadership of Lee’s first principal Dr. Robert Schreck, the atmosphere, Joyner recalled, was like a real “E pluribus unum” with a real unum, meaning that all the different ethnic and racial groups, comprising some 1,600 students divided into four “houses,” who flocked to the school also shared in a strong common sense of school and community, where both athletics and academics thrived.
“It was like a renaissance of history teaching,” Joyner recalled, suggesting also that while the “pluribus” is alive and well today in the city schools (and everywhere) there’s a serious deficit of “unum,” the sense of community, caring, and family that was unique to Lee High, he said, especially in its tumultuous first decade.
The Hall of Fame is the brainchild of Dr. Pamela Monk Kelley, who is an alum (Lee ’73), a former teacher at Lee, and still on the faculty of the New Haven Public Schools.
Her memories of Lee are close to storybook: She met her future husband, Larry Kelley, there. They were 14 and 15 years old. He was a basketball star and she became head cheerleader.
She also recalled that the creation of Lee High was, in part, a response to the race riots of the late 1960s and an attempt to create an inner-city school that was also an all-city school, one that was so familial that parents were welcome in the classroom; a place where kids from the whole of the Elm City flocked. And they did.
“You got two educations for the price
of one,” recalled another of the organizers of the event, Stu Katz (Lee ’79), who has had a long career as a TV producer.
“You got the science and the history,” he said, “but you also got exposure to an environment where everyone is not the same. That’s a great benefit of New Haven Public Schools,” he said, and that ability to interact with all kind of people who don’t look like yourself was a huge plus for him in his career, he reported.
Less grand but equally affecting memories also percolated enthusiastically among the attendees.
For example, Jan Wolf Braunstein (Lee ’71) remembered the pleasures of being on the tennis team, playing in the band, being an officer of her junior class.
Peter Evans, a long time boys basketball coach at the schools, recalled the 1976 season when Lee went all the way to the Connecticut state championship and prevailed. And this in the face of two other city perennial basketball powerhouses, Wilbur Cross and James Hillhouse high schools.
How did that happen? a reporter asked. Not to de-emphasize the importance of coaching, but did you have a super star? Student and teacher after 20 years: Shirley Neighbors and Arelious Heggie. It turns out Lee did: Sly Williams (Lee ’76), who went on to spend several seasons with the New York Knicks. Williams was inducted into the LeeCareer Hall of Fame in 2022.
And for more information about both the Hall of Fame, which inducts on a biennial basis, and other activities of the Lee-Career Alumni Association, here’s the site.
by: Carla Morrison, Chit Chat Communications
Christopher "Chris" Bethune, a native son of New Haven, Connecticut, is the face of Tubi’s highly anticipated series “Divided Loyalty”.
Chris is set to star as "Jerome" in the upcoming series "Divided Loyalty," penned and created by Steven Rashan, which will air on Tubi this Fall 2024, preceded with a red carpet series premiere hosted by Mr. Bethune Enterprises, LLC., Saturday, October 5, 2024, 6pm at the Canal Dock Boathouse on the waterfront in New Haven.
The youngest among four siblings, Bethune has always been known for his playful nature and vivid imagination, which is what led to his interest in the arts. Chris' acting career commenced in 2017, with classes at the Actor's Gym under Reno Venturi in Hamden, CT. As he refined his acting skills, Chris secured roles in various projects, including advertisements for Bob's Discount Furniture, Weight Watchers, LL Bean, Shark Ninja, and Helen of
Troy. His talents extended to films and Broadway, featuring in "What Life?" by Timothy Graphenreed alongside Debbie Blackwell-Cook.
A product of the New Haven Public School System, Bethune is an alumni of Hill Regional Career High School and a graduate from Teikyo Post University with a Bachelor of Science degree. As a walk-on, at Post University’s Basketball team, Chris was a part of a team that won a conference championship and that team, including Bethune, will be inducted into the Connecticut Basketball Hall of Fame on October 11, 2024.
Chris obtained his Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work in 2008 and has been working as a Social Worker for over 15 years. In addition to Social Work, Christopher Bethune is a budding entrepreneur with the development of his entertainment production company Mr. Bethune Enterprises, LLC., where he writes, produces, acts and models. Follow @MrBethuneEnterprises .
by LISA REISMAN
One group brought a full-course dinner, complete with a choice of jerk chicken or fried chicken. Another brought a “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” DVD, a movie projector, and popcorn. Then a half-dozen smartly dressed servers showed up. And just like that, with the inaugural “Dinner and a Movie” hosted by Best Video and the Newhallville nonprofit Fresh Starts at Life Haven women’s shelter, a dream, seven years in the making, saw its realization.
Among the servers in the parking lot behind Life Haven, a 40-bed facility in Fair Haven that provides temporary shelter to homeless pregnant women and women with young children, were Marcus Harvin, Babatunde Akinjobi, and Big Don McDaniel.
The three were in the same unit at MacDougall-Walker Prison. In 2017, they started a daily conversation toward implementing a plan to “change the trajectory of not only our lives, but the lives of everyone we come in contact with after this,” said Harvin, a community activist and founder of Fresh Starts.
Julie Smith, the executive director of Hamden’s Best Video, said the idea of pairing a movie with dinner arose in the midst of discussions with Harvin about screening the recently released documentary about his life.
“It’s totally part of our mission, it’s
part of their mission, and we said ‘let’s do this,’” she said, as she and Administrative Director Rai Bruton made their way inside Life Haven’s 1940sera brick structure to bag the popcorn. (Best Video’s popcorn machine was on the fritz.) “We’re here to bring the joy of film to everyone, including folks who are struggling a bit.”
As it happens, Life Haven is among the area shelters and warming centers that Harvin’s Fresh Starts team has been providing thrice-weekly meals since the city closed the brick-andmortar Freshtaurant in February for lack of a food service license. The
meals, numbering approximately 600 a week, come from excess dining hall food from area universities. Volunteers at Pitts Chapel then prepare them for delivery in the basement kitchen.
Life Haven’s Eugenia Coleman, a peer counselor who helps clients search for housing and employment, watched Harvin’s team bring trays of food inside. “I love this idea because a lot of our donors, they come in and they drop the food off and they’re gone,” she said. “These guys, coming in and staying to serve us, that means a lot.”
Con’t on page 10
by THOMAS BREEN
An $18 million infusion to a long-stalled downtown development means that 96 new apartments will finally soon rise at the site of the ex-Harold’s Bridal Shop the latest step in a builder’s journey that began with a love for Louis Kahn’s architecture. That developer is Jay Hakimian, one of four partners in the New York City-based firm The Hakimian Organization.
On Tuesday, Hakimian joined Mayor Justin Elicker, local architect Ken Boroson, Downtown / East Rock Alder Eli Sabin, and a host of others to celebrate the groundbreaking for a new seven-story, 96-unit apartment building at 19 Elm St. That big hole in the ground used to be home to Harold’s Bridal Shop. Hakimian’s company purchased the property and the city-approved site plan for the project from an affiliate of MOD Equities for $1.275 million in August 2022. They then demolished the ex-Harold’s building in January 2023.
On Tuesday, Hakimian said that his company has now secured enough financing to actually begin construction. City land records show that an affiliate company of the Hakimian Organization pulled a $18.63 million construction loan in July from the South Norwalk-based Silver Heights Capital.
Hakimian estimated that the new building will take roughly 18 months to construct. It will contain a mix of one , two , three , and four-bedroom apartments, and will have ground-floor commercial space. The building will also consist entirely of market-rate rentals, as its city approval predates New Haven’s inclusionary zoning (IZ) law, which would otherwise require such a downtown development to set aside 15 percent of apartments at belowmarket rents. Hakimian and his partners declined to say how much these new apartments might cost to rent. “There’s a pretty wide range,” he said.
“Market-rate units are also a very, very important element to making our state more affordable,” Elicker said. There’s a need for 90,000 new places to live across Connecticut, he continued, to address the state’s housing shortage. “The more units that are online, the less pressure on the market. We have a real supply problem right now.”
With such uncertainty in the nation’s housing market right now, in particular in regards to high interest rates, city Economic Development Administrator Mike Piscitelli said, this project demonstrates developers’ “market confidence in our city.”
Piscitelli, Elicker, Boroson, and Sabin all mentioned a host of other housing projects going up around town including 166 new apartments almost open at Chapel and Orange Street, 102 new apartments that recently opened at Orange and Elm Streets, and the new mixed-use development to come at the former Church Street South site across from Union Sta-
tion, which Elicker said could contain upwards of 1,500 to 2,500 new residences. When explaining why his organization is interested in building in New Haven, Hakimian spoke about the city’s market appeal for a housing developer it’s right between two major cities, at the intersection of a number of transportation networks. “There’s a beautiful charm to the city,” he added.
Hakimian first fell in love with city building design in 2010, when working on a thesis about sacred architecture while a student at the New York Institute of Technology.
He was writing about Louis Kahn’s never-built Hurva Synagogue when a professor told him to check out New Haven if he wanted to see in person some of the 20th century architect’s extant masterpieces.
So Hakimian and a friend drove to New Haven for the day to take a look at the Yale Center for British Art on Chapel Street, among other buildings. He was captivated by the design of the building, the interplay of light and shadow. He drove back to New Haven after the semester ended to spend more time with the city’s wealth of modernist architecture.
“There’s an amazing variety of styles in small, concentrated areas,” he said. He also credited contemporary builders in New Haven as generally “having a commitment to quality here.”
Hakimian knew this was a city he wanted to build in, and kept pushing his partners to invest in New Haven culminating with what will now be 96 new apartments on Elm Street.
Life Haven's Yasmine Zayas
Site coordinator Yasmine Zayas had a similar take. “[Our clients] come here, they’re sad, they’re angry, they feel defeated, they don’t want to be homeless, they feel like they’re just a number,” she said. “We try to make it homey, with decorations for holidays and game nights, but this is on a whole different level. This is special.”
To hear Harvin tell it New Reach, Life Haven’s parent organization, prohibited press from the event to preserve the privacy of their clients the affair went off with aplomb.
“You could see these tables full of families when we came over with serving trays and set the dish in front of them, how their posture just straightened up,” said Harvin, who asked his team to dress formally in starched white shirts and bow ties. “It was like you could see the dignity being infused.”
That’s part of Fresh Starts’ mission, he said, “to make people feel like people and not like charity, to make them feel that they’re getting a hand up, not a handout.”
Harvin described “little kids asking for seconds and adults too.” That meant a lot, he said, “because the meals we provide have to be delicious. They have to be what we ourselves eat.”
As for “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” Harvin said Best Video projectionist John Arnold transformed Life Haven’s multi-purpose room into “a mini-movie theater,” with a theaterquality projection screen and Harman Kardon speakers.
“Kids were excited, tearing into their popcorn, eyes glued to the screen,” Harvin said. “You forget how the whole movie experience has been lost because movies have become this extreme luxury, in suburbia, and so expensive.”
Greg Altieri, Fresh Starts operations manager and emcee of the event, reported “high spirits all around.” The nonprofit’s aim, he said, “is trying to create ways to deliver services in a way that humanizes, personalizes, and dignifies the experience for recipients of that service, and this got that done.”
Harvin said there are plans for a monthly dinner and a movie at Life Haven and hopes to expand the concept to other shelters, space permitting.
“It was a beautiful thing,” he said. “And it’s just the beginning.”
Exterior of Life Haven women's shelter on Ferry Street.
by THOMAS BREEN
Angel Hubbard bested Miguel Pittman in Monday’s special election for Ward 3 alder but by less than 20 votes, which means city election officials will have to recount the ballots by hand before the results are final.
That election took place Monday at Career High School on Legion Avenue.
The final vote tally was 162 for Hubbard, 146 for Pittman. That includes votes cast in person at Career on Monday, as well as early and absentee ballots cast in advance of Election Day at 200 Orange St. Just after polls closed at 8 p.m., Hubbard, a Ward 3 Democratic Ward Committee co-chair, walked into the high school’s gymnasium surrounded by a dozen supporters, including Mayor Justin Elicker, Fair Haven Alder Jose Crespo, and city Chief of Staff Sean Matteson.
Seconds later, Pittman, who co-runs Sandra’s Next Generation restaurant on Congress Avenue, walked in with a dozen of his supporters, including former mayoral challenger Shafiq Abdussabur.
The polling place’s moderator a nounced that Hubbard won at the machines by a count of 150 to 131.
Democratic Registrar of Voters Shannel Evans called city election moderator Kevin Arnold to get the final tally of absentee and early votes, and then told the candidates that Hubbard had ended up with 162 and Pittman with 146.
Because that margin was less than 20 votes, Evans and Arnold (who spoke via cellphone with the candidates) said, there would be a mandatory “recanvass,” or hand count of ballots, within the next five days.
“I am blessed,” Hubbard said in response to the results pointing in her favor. “I know it’s close. However it turns out, I’m just happy the ward came out.” On the sidewalk outside of Career, Pittman assured his supporters he hadn’t given up on trying to become alder even if he does lose this special election.
“Worst case scenario, it’ll be Round 2 on January 1,” Pittman said, implying that he’ll be running for the Ward 3 alder seat during next year’s election if he doesn’t prevail in the special election recount.
This two-year aldermanic term runs through the end of 2025. The seat has been vacant since former Hill Alder Ron Hurt resigned earlier this summer.
Hurt showed up to Career a few minutes after Pittman’s and Hubbard’s teams had left the polling place. He walked into the gymnasium and stood alongside Hubbard, who sat on the bleachers with a few supporters.
He declined to comment on the outcome of Monday’s election. “Just happy that it’s over,” he said.
An earlier version of this article, capturing the morning of election day, appears below.
Horace Melton had three concerns top of mind when he came out to vote in Monday’s special election for Ward 3 alder.
“The addicts. The crime. The homelessness,” he said.
Whoever’s elected to represent that Hill district on the Board of Alders, he said, needs to find a way to address those matters if they hope to improve quality of life in the neighborhood.
Melton offered those thoughts after making the short trip from his home at the William T. Rowe Apartments on Sylvan Avenue to the polling place at Career High School’s gymnasium on Legion Avenue Monday morning.
As of noon, he was one of 85 Ward 3 voters to cast their ballots Monday in the special election to fill the seat vacated by former Hill Alder Ron Hurt, who resigned this summer.Another nine constituents took advantage of early voting, which ran from Wednesday through Saturday at 200 Orange St.; and still 16 more cast ballots absentee, as of Friday’s latest count. There are a total of 1,592 eligible voters in the district.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Career at 140 Legion Ave. The two Democrats vying for the local legislative post, with a term that runs
through the end of December 2025, are Angel Hubbard, the ward’s Democratic Ward Committee co-chair and a home healthcare provider, and Miguel Pittman, who co-runs Sandra’s Next Generation restaurant on Congress Avenue and is a long-time civically engaged member of the Hill community. Both have actively campaigned for the aldermanic seat traveling the neighborhood with supporters to knock on doors, talk to voters, pitch their visions of the Hill.
True to form, both campaigns set up tents and posted plenty of lawn signs and volunteers outside of Career Monday as the candidates made final pitches to voters. Included among Hubbard’s supporters on scene were Mayor Justin Elicker, city Chief of Staff Sean Matteson, and Fair Haven Alder Jose Crespo; under Pittman’s tent, meanwhile, sat former mayoral challenger Shafiq Abdussabur among a dozen fellow Pittman supporters. (Melton also made clear that he had voted for Pittman, as he made his way back to the William T. Rowe Apartments and stopped to chat with his candidate of choice.)
Pittman told this reporter he showed up to Career at 2:35 a.m. Monday to clean up the space where he ultimately put up a tent and campaign signs. “Our numbers are looking very strong,” he said. He said he and his supporters are making phone calls to constituents, urging them to come out and vote, and even providing rides on his two electric golf carts to and from the polling place.
“The neighborhood needs a change,” Pittman said. He pledged to be present and communicative with residents, not just during elections. “I am the type of person that loves interacting with the residents.”
Hubbard told the Independent she too is feeling confident. “It’s been positive,” she said about Monday so far. Her closing pitch to voters: “Your voice does matter.”
Crespo, meanwhile, described Hubbard as “a woman of integrity,” as a mom of seven kids who has lived in the ward for more than half a decade and knows the Hill’s needs well. She also knows what it’s like to struggle, Crespo said, and would bring valuable lived experience to the role of alder. “I believe you should stand with your team,” he said about backing her, as Hubbard is the Ward 3 Democratic Ward Committee co-chair.
Elicker, meanwhile, said her hyperlocal Democratic Party position is likely not as relevant to voters in Monday’s special election as the fact that Hubbard is “passionate” and “working really hard, knocking on doors.”
by LAURA GLESBY
Townhomes shift into high-rises as the buildings transition from the Hill to Downtown, anchored by a “central green.” In the mix is a coffee kiosk, an outdoor theater, and a pedestrian promenade.
A team of architects and designers sketched out those ideas on Thursday for a future mixed-use, mixed-income development at the vacant site of the former Church Street South housing complex and the current Robert T. Wolfe public housing apartments.
They presented those designs on Thursday evening at El Centro Youth Enrichment Program at 148 Sylvan Ave., to a crowd of over 50 Elm City Communities staffers, city officials, former residents of Church Street South, and current Robert T. Wolfe tenants.
The presentation marked the culmination of a four-day rapid design session, also known as a charrette, led by Torti Gallas + Partners. The designs draw from nearly a year’s worth of community input about what should come next at the expansive, overgrown ex-Church Street South lots right across from Union Station.
Elm City Communities/Housing Authority of New Haven purchased that 8.27-acre property for $21 million last November. The public housing agency and its nonprofit development arm, the Glendower Group, are halfway through a two-year planning process for the project branded as “Union Square.” That planning is fueled by $500,000 from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Choice Neighborhood Implementation grant.
“Community input is at the heart of this planning,” said Elm City Communities Project Manager Haley Vincent. “Now, folks are able to see something” and provide feedback on concrete visuals.
The agency intends to build mostlyaffordable apartments for a range of incomes, as well as commercial space and amenities, on the vacant site where the privately-owned, 300+ unit subsidized housing complex was condemned in 2015 and demolished in 2018. They have not yet committed to a specific number of residences to be built.
Tenants forced out of Church Street South due to the unsafe conditions there will be guaranteed the opportunity to move into the new buildings. So will current tenants of the adjacent Robert T. Wolfe apartments, a public housing building that Elm City Communities also plans to demolish and redevelop.
Designs for the development have been widely anticipated, partly due to the project’s location right across from Union Station another site slated for nearby new housing construction and partly due to the site’s historic nature.
Church Street South was notorious for
moldy, deteriorating conditions that left many residents with chronic health problems, as well as for drugs and violence, which gave the complex its nickname of “the jungle.” At the same time, to generations of New Haveners who lived there, Church Street South evokes memories of hip-hop-powered block parties, competitive double dutch, and matchbox “car” races through popsicle-stick tracks. In the years since state and city agencies shut down the apartments, tenants won an $18.75 million settlement as a private developer’s attempt to rebuild the complex fell through, leaving the fate of the property uncertain.
The team that presented on Thursday included planners and architects from the City of New Haven, Torti Gallas + Partners, BFJ, Ken Boroson, Interface Studios, Urban Strategies, Yale School of Management, and the Yale School of Architecture, alongside community members serving on the steering committee.
The designers envisioned organizing the development around a “central green” an open green space right across from Union Station, signifying the “front door of New Haven,” said Torti Gallas architect Michaela Mahon. The green would be “lined with retail” perhaps including a grocery store, as some neighbors requested.
That green space could host festivals and rallies, Mahon said. “Maybe a coffee kiosk. A playspace for kids.”
The designers envision townhouses and smaller-scale buildings in the southern side of the development, Mahon said, reflecting the houses more commonly seen in the Hill.
To the north of the development, the side closer to downtown, the buildings would transition to taller buildings that fit in with the high rises that mark the city’s center.
The exact height of those buildings and the total number of apartments to rise on the site is still undetermined. Mahon said that Elm City Communities would first begin building the townhouses. Once that phase is completed, the agency will assess the Downtown-facing portion of the project, with “flexibility based on the market to decide how tall those buildings should be.”
The designers also sketched out a pedestrian and bike-friendly promenade along the southernmost side of the development. That street would be lined with townhouses, with balconies and porches. “It will have a neighborhood feel. You can imagine neighbors chatting with each other, watching children,” said Mahon.
The designers envision additional “community-serving space” perhaps an “outdoor theater,” Mahon said.
At that, Robert T. Wolfe resident Robert Mannick raised a skeptical hand.
"Who Are You Doing This For?"
Robert T. Wolfe resident Robert Men-
nick.
“You’re talking about outside theater, downtown coffee that’s not my situation,” Mannick said Thursday night.
“I don’t need to live in a fancy building,” he said. He stressed that the goal should be providing “low-income housing” but the designs presented made it seem to him that “some people will be chased out of there.”
“Who are you doing this for?” he added. “Residents or tourists?”
“We don’t want gentrification,” Mahon assured him. Elm City Communities President Karen DuBois-Walton jumped in.
“We can design things you can afford
manages his building to build a snazzy development with commercial units while also keeping the rents affordable to people like him?
DuBois-Walton pointed out that while Wolfe is a traditional public housing project, the Union Square development would be a mixed-income project funded by a medley of public and private investments. She pointed to Elm City Communities’ track record of using quasi-public funding to build mixed-income housing with deeply affordable units, like at Monterey Place or Mill River Crossing. That funding structure enables more resources for maintenance, she argued.
“The reason we’re not just tearing down and building up public housing the same way we did it before is that we know that didn’t work,” DuBois-Walton said.
After the presentation, a group of architects and city officials approached Mannick to continue discussing his concerns. By the end of the evening, though, Mannick said he still was not convinced that the designs would truly serve low-income tenants.
He was, however, heartened to learn from one of the architects that his input at a previous planning session directly inspired the team to keep higher-density buildings on the downtown side of the project. “It’s nice to hear that something I did say was inputted into the process.”
The architectural plans, as Project Manager Haley Vincent noted later, are only part of the planning process funded by the HUD grant. Elm City Communities also intends to implement educational and supportive services at Union Square, which the next year of planning will focus on. A resounding message from the community, Vincent said, is that “we need more supportive programs.”
After Thursday’s presentation, as attendees milled about to examine the sketches up close, several former Church Street South tenants marveled at Mannick’s comments, given that they’d had the opposite reaction to the designs. “We want something different!” said Carmen González.
and they can be beautiful,” she said.
Mannick wasn’t convinced. “It’s not like a residence. It’s like a tourist spot,” he said, noting that he wants to live in a residential community, not a bustling retail center.
“What I’m hearing is you don’t see yourself in it yet,” DuBois-Walton said. “We want to make sure you see yourself in it.”
Mannick explained that at Wolfe, where he’s lived for two years, the sole elevator breaks on a regular basis. The building was designed for elderly and disabled tenants, and when the elevator shuts down, many residents are stranded. How is it possible, he asked, for the agency that
González lived in Church Street South for 18 years. She misses the community there, she said. González now lives in the Ninth Square, where she’s generally content, but laments that “I never see my neighbors.”
Yosianis Bernabel, who’s turning 11 next month (and asked not to be photographed), also found herself with no critiques of the designs.
“I liked the houses” on the Hill side of the development, she said. And she said she hopes a Target will move into one of the retail spaces.
Bernabel’s mother, Ana Sanchez, lived in Church Street South as a child; her grandmother, Fior Soto, lived there for 19 years. They all plan to move back, with González, when the new buildings go up.
genuine legitimate sources of supply chain challenges, and prices went up as a result. But as those costs have come down, as those supply chain issues have eased, the prices are so high. There’s a basic question here of what’s really going on.”
Khan credited DeLauro for boosting the FTC’s work by sending extra “millions” as the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee (chairing it when her party held power).
She said the FTC is currently seeking to ban price discrimination by food distributors, which results in rural and independent grocers paying higher wholesale rates; “junk fees” that hide the true cost of goods through vague “transaction,” “service,” and “convenience” charges; and barriers manufacturers create to prevent farmers from fixing products themselves or taking them to local independent repair shops.
For her part, DeLauro said she’s pursuing legislation to combat algorithmbased “targeted pricing” in which companies use personal data to charge vulnerable consumers more money than others. Upping the price for nut-free granola bars for a parent whose kid has a nut allergy, for instance. Or upping the price of a meal based on data about when the take-out purchaser takes their lunch break.
Khan’s antitrust and Big Tech-focused work has found unusual bipartisan support in these gridlocked times: MAGA Republicans like U.S. Sens. Josh Hawley and J.D. Vance have joined progressive Democrats like Sen. Elizabeth Warren in praising Khan’s agenda, reflecting an emerging left-right partial consensus on corporate capitalism and trade. She was the toast of a Federalist Society event.
Still, before the hour-and-a-half event ended, Khan did add some words of defense for the Biden administration’s inflation record, without mentioning him or the party. She noted that overall inflation is under 1 percent so far this year for groceries after rising as high as 13 percent several years ago. Prices on cereal, potatoes, pasta have actually come down a bit, she said.
“Prices are still too high,” she acknowledged. “I know things can feel too slow” as the federal government combats monopoly capitalism, but “for 40 years we were [saying] ‘Monopoly is good. Consolidation is good.’ ” She and likeminded Department of Justice, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Department of Agriculture, and Securities and Exchange Commission appointees have had three years to redirect the ship of state. The unspoken suggestion: It’s now moving in the right direction, and should continue that way.
DeLauro: Families are struggling.
By Christian F. Nunes, MBA, MS, LCSW
Since 1964, the Head Start program has been a lifeline for generations of women and families, providing free, high-quality educational, health, social-emotional, and nutritional services and opening doors to opportunity and economic justice that had long been kept shut. Now, as Head Start approaches its 60th anniversary, it’s a great time to look back on all that the program has achieved — and look forward to what our country could look like if Head Start was strengthened. It’s been said that when it began, Head Start was not simply an “innovation” but also an “invention,” and a radical one at that. President Lyndon Johnson, a former teacher in a one-room schoolhouse, believed strongly that education was the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, and Head Start was one of the earliest elements of the “War on Poverty” launched by his administration. He put the whole engine of government to work on disrupting the cycle of poverty that endured from one generation to the next and advanced a social justice agenda in areas where educational opportunity was denied based on race. Naturally, this intersects with the issue of economic justice for women. As Marian Wright Edelman — the first Black woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar and the founder of the Children’s Defense Fund — described it, “After the Mississippi Summer Project,
the Freedom Summer of 1964, without a doubt, Head Start coming to Mississippi in 1965 was the most important follow-up and aftermath. It led to a bunch of independent people getting jobs outside of the plantation structure, not going through the state structure — where they wouldn’t have gotten jobs anywhere, except as janitors. And creating this Head Start program, those 3,000 people multiplied into many of your hundreds of elected officials today. It was the next phase of trying to build the movement.” The experts, scientists, and officials who crafted Head Start believed that a child who is physically or mentally unwell, or who is hungry, would not be able to learn, and they made health and nutrition integral parts of Head Start. By now, Head Start has served nearly 40 million children (about twice the population of New York), birth to age five, and their families. In 2023, that included more than 833,000 children and pregnant people in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Head Start protects the healthy development of children living in poverty and it frees parents to pursue their education or employment, opening doors to middle-class security. What’s more, Head Start is an essential building block on the path to universal pre-K, with many states integrating Head Start programs into their state pre-K system. But not everyone sees it that way, with some pushing to eliminate Head Start from state and federal budgets. That would slash pre-K, cut the number of available childcare slots, cause childcare costs for families living in poverty to skyrocket, thwart economic growth, and widen income inequality. Roughly 68% of children under age six have all available parents in the workforce, making access to
childcare both a necessity for families and the nation’s economy. It’s been estimated that lack of access to reliable, affordable infant and toddler care costs $122 billion every year due to lost earnings, productivity, and tax revenue.
Childcare is work that supports all other work. Mothers, who do most of the caregiving, too often must choose between staying home reducing their paid work hours to care for their children, or
arranging childcare that can be so expensive that continuing to work may not be worthwhile. The cost of childcare can be a “tax” on wages — for every hour a single mother works, she must pay someone else to take care of her children. Head Start saves women money and connects them to a support network of other parents and service providers to help them rise the economic ladder. At a time when most Americans live in childcare deserts, ar-
eas with an insufficient supply of licensed childcare, women can’t afford to lose the hundreds of thousands of childcare places and the network of services provided by Head Start. This is especially true in rural communities. A 2018 survey of ten states (Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, South Dakota, and Texas) found that Head Start programs provided 22% of the overall childcare supply in rural areas, including more than one-third of the centerbased child care in Georgia counties and more than 40% in frontier counties (those with a population density of fewer than six people per square mile) in Michigan.
The rising cost of childcare takes a painful, daily toll on women’s economic security. The national average price for childcare in 2023 was $11,582. For families at the poverty level, which is the income eligibility threshold for Head Start, that represents 38.6% of their income and is more than five times greater than the threshold the government has said is affordable for families to pay for childcare. Dozens of studies have shown how Head Start children and their families benefit over the long term across health, education, parenting, high school graduation rates, participation in college, employment, and earnings. One study even found positive impacts on the children of Head Start graduates. The numbers are clear, and the facts are plain. Head Start is a great example of a government that works for women and children. It must be protected, strengthened, and expanded.
Christian F. Nunes is the National President of the National Organization for Women
By Regina Carswell Russo | Cincinnati Herald
BT RISE and TColeman Enterprises announce the inaugural full-day F.I.R.E. Conference on Oct. 10, at The Summit Hotel in Madisonville. The F.I.R.E. Conference (Freedom, Intention, Revelation, Evolution) is a first-of-its first-of-its kind gathering of women from diverse backgrounds, ages, and stages of life to spark their passions, ignite their purpose, and fuel their power.
Who better to champion this transformative convening of women than someone who has made it her life’s work to empower individuals to live the life of their dreams? From financial services executive and corporate CEO to founder/CEO of BT RISE, LLC, BT RISE, LLC was founded by Barbara Turner partly to help individuals, particularly women from under-resourced communities — access resources to achieve financial independence.
ter, Life and Empowerment Coach Tiffany Coleman of TColeman Enterprises. TColeman Enterprises helps individuals confidently navigate life’s challenges while tapping into their inner strength with customized solutions.
“The F.I.R.E. Conference is more than an event; it’s a movement to foster a community of empowered women in Cincinnati and beyond. Coproducing this conference with the woman who has modeled this for me all my life is a gift for me and the community. We have so much in-store we had to make it a full day.” said Tiffany Coleman, Founder & CEO of TColeman Enterprises.
opportunities — Shop Local/Support Women: Vendor booths by women-owned business — Keep the Fire Burning: PostConference Reception. The conference features a stacked lineup of local, regional, and national speakers, including: • BT RISE Founder/CEO Barbara Turner
• TColeman Enterprises Founder Tiffany Coleman • Keynote Speaker: Shantell Martin, visual artist, cultural facilitator, teacher, choreographer, songwriter and performer • Keynote Speaker: Kimberla Lawson Roby, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and speaker. For registration or sponsorship opportunities or more information, visit www. thefireconference.com or contact marycarol@btrise.com. There are a limited number of VIP tickets available.
According to Turner, “We offer advocacy, education, and financial empowerment tools through our company to help fulfill that mission.”
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But she knew she needed to have real conversations with women who wanted not only financial freedom and independence but also personal and professional freedom — freedom to create a life on their terms. She knew just who to launch a conference like that with: her daugh-
Two-hundred fifty attendees are expected to include professionals from the corporate and nonprofit sectors, entrepreneurs, stay-at-home and stay-at-work moms, students, and a “who’s who” of community leaders.
**Event Highlights:** — Real Talk Interactive panel discussions from influential business and community leaders — Supported on All Sides: Networking
F.I.R.E. Conference Sponsors: The Christ Hospital Health Network, Cincinnati Business Courier, Constellation Wealth Advisors, Duke Energy, Fifth Third Bank, Hart & Cru, Women Helping Women.
At Yale New Haven Health’s Heart and Vascular Center, we’re delivering pioneering research from Yale School of Medicine to improve people’s lives every single day. Like Dr. Eric Velazquez, who spearheaded clinical research which redefined the international guidelines for treating heart failure. Together, we’re powering breakthroughs with the greatest of care.
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia
The Fearless Fund, a venture capital firm committed to supporting women of color entrepreneurs, has settled a lawsuit brought by the American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER), leading to the permanent closure of its Strivers Grant Contest. Despite the end of the grant, Arian Simone, CEO and Founding Partner of the Fearless Fund, said she remains resolute in her mission to uplift historically underserved communities.
“From the moment the lawsuit was filed, I pledged to stand firm in helping and empowering women of color entrepreneurs in need. I stand by that pledge today, and in fact, my commitment remains stronger than ever,” Simone said. “Our overarching mission remains focused on empowering entrepreneurs who have been historically overlooked in the venture capital marketplace.”
On August 2, 2023, AAER filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the legality of the Strivers Grant Contest, which only supported Black women entrepreneurs. AAER argued that the program violated a federal law ensuring all Americans the right to make and enforce contracts without regard to race. In June 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit ruled that the contest likely breached this
statute, prompting Fearless to make the difficult decision to close it permanently. While the Fearless Fund may no longer offer this specific grant, their broader mission continues. Simone’s efforts have garnered the support of civil rights leaders like Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN), who praised her resilience and the fund’s commitment to equity in entrepreneurship.
“Arian Simone stood steadfast in her commitment to supporting those most often overlooked in our economy,” Sharpton said. “The attacks on Arian and the Fearless Fund speak to historic efforts to cut the opportunity ladder out from under us. Her resilience is a testament to her dedication, and we owe her a debt of gratitude for her leadership.”
Sharpton also noted that the lawsuit was part of a broader effort by right-wing legal activists to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. He linked the case to the Supreme Court’s recent decision to strike down affirmative action, arguing that the attack on the Fearless Fund reflected a growing hostility toward programs designed to address historic inequalities.
“Let’s not forget that the same right-wing legal activists who brought this case were the ones who pushed the Supreme Court to gut affirmative action,” Sharpton said. “Diversity, equity, and inclusion became
a lightning rod for the radical right, with ‘DEI’ becoming a dog whistle to punch down on already underserved communities.”
Despite the legal setback, the Fearless Fund and its sister organization, the Fearless Foundation, remain committed to their core mission. The foundation,
a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, provides capital, mentorship, and education to women of color entrepreneurs, who they describe as “the unrecognized economic powerhouses of our world.”
Edward Blum, president of AAER, said his organization had encouraged the Fearless Fund to broaden its grant program to
include women of all racial backgrounds, but the Fund chose to end the contest instead. Blum argued that race-exclusive programs are not only divisive but also illegal under federal civil rights laws.
“Race-exclusive programs like the one the Fearless Fund promoted are divisive and illegal,” Blum said. “Opening grant programs to all applicants, regardless of their race, is enshrined in our nation’s civil rights laws and supported by significant majorities of all Americans.”
Although the Strivers Grant Contest will not return, the broader debate over DEI initiatives in business and other sectors continues to intensify. Sharpton emphasized that while the lawsuit’s immediate threat has subsided, the fight to defend DEI programs is far from over.
“With the dismissal of this case, the immediate threat to DEI, workplace diversity, and free speech has been subdued for now,” Sharpton said. “But the fight to defend and promote workplace diversity will continue in boardrooms, state legislatures, universities, the White House, and beyond. We will not allow the radical right to dismantle the progress we’ve made.”
For Simone, the closure of the contest is not the end, but a moment to reaffirm her commitment to empowering women of color. “The Fearless Fund and Fearless Foundation will continue to be a vital resource to ensure everyone has a fair shot at the American Dream,” she said.
BlackHealthMatters.com
For those aged 50 and above, keeping your mind sharp is not just about memory. Overall well-being and quality of life are key factors of wellness and brain health. Brain health encompasses a wide range of factors, from cognitive function to emotional balance. It is a crucial part of maintaining independence and enjoying the golden years.
By focusing on six key areas, there are practical steps you can take to enhance brain health and improve mental wellbeing.
These pillars are essential for anyone looking to sustain and boost their brain health as they age. This article will explore each of the six pillars, providing valuable insights, actionable tips, and resources. Whether you’re already incorporating some of these strategies into your daily routine or looking for new ways to support your brain health, this guide will empower you to be intentional about “staying sharp” and supporting your brain health.
Maintaining an active social life is something that can seem more difficult as we age. Engaging in social activities and maintaining social connections can boost
your brain health. Making new friends and connections is great, but nurturing those relationships that already exist is beneficial and can help you maintain your social life. Engaging with friends and family not only brings joy and companionship but also helps stimulate the brain and promote brain health. Click here to learn more about how you can make and keep new friends and ease loneliness.
This pillar involves feeding your curiosity, learning new things and exposing yourself to new situations. You can prac-
tice engaging your brain by keeping your mind active through various activities such as puzzles, learning new skills, reading, or playing musical instruments. Brain stimulation is an important component of brain health. Click here to learn more about action steps you can take to support brain health.
Stress is an inevitable part of life, but how we manage it can make a significant difference in our brain health. Chronic stress can affect memory, brain function, and overall well-being. Learning
and adapting effective stress management techniques such as decompression, meditation and movement is essential for maintaining brain health. Not only do these techniques promote brain health, but they also relieve tension, boost mood, and increase energy. Click here to learn more about how you can benefit from basic meditation, being present, and pursuing happiness.
Ongoing exercise is beneficial for physical health. It is also a key pillar for brain health. Engaging in exercises, whether it’s walking, yoga, swimming, or strength training, can significantly boost mental clarity and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. The Global Council on Brain Health recommends the following 150 minutes of weekly, moderate-intensity aerobic activity and two or more days a week of moderate-intensity, muscle-strengthening activities. Click here to learn more about activities such as cycling, yoga, and even walking can improve brain health.
Restorative sleep is essential for maintaining our physical and mental well-being and a crucial component of brain health. A good night’s sleep allows the brain to repair and rejuvenate. You can work towards achieving restorative sleep by practicing
sleep hygiene. Ways to do this include establishing a sleep routine, avoiding naps during the day, avoiding use of electronics right before bed, and creating a quiet and comfortable environment for sleep. Click here to learn more about restorative sleep, including why you shouldn’t sleep with your smartphone.
The foods we eat play a critical role in maintaining brain health, and a balanced diet can support brain function. There is no magic diet for your brain, but there are foods that can both help and hurt. Click here to learn more about the connection between nutrition and brain health, including food choices that support brain health, benefits of vitamin D, and recipe recommendations.
Ready to kick start your journey towards improved brain health? Click here to access your FREE cognitive assessment to see how you’re performing and learn more about how you can stay sharp. Music has a positive impact on the health of our brains. Explore how music can promote your brain health. Click here to learn more.
– – –References •Brain Health Resource Center
September is not just “back-to-school” month; it’s National Sickle Cell Awareness Month—a month selected to call attention to a life-long illness affecting around 100,000 Americans, the majority of whom are African American or Hispanic.
Sickle cell disease is accompanied by severe pain attacks and poor oxygen delivery throughout the body that can cause critical damage to organs. Currently, the only cure is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation—a costly procedure in which stem cells are taken from the bone marrow or blood of a healthy donor, and then injected into the recipient to generate red blood cells that do not sickle as do the cells in those with sickle cell disease— the characteristic that gives the disease its name. Unfortunately, many people with sickle cell disease in the United States don’t have a relative who is a full genetic match and able to be a donor.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, a leader of federally funded research efforts on sickle cell disease, is actively exploring several safe and effective treatment options, and leading several initiatives designed to find a widely available cure for sickle cell disease. The institute supports many research efforts that yield new therapies, optimize current
treatments, enhance pain management and improve bone marrow transplant procedures to increase the body’s acceptance of donor stem cells.
One promising strategy that is being studied in a clinical trial—a study that
tests how well a new medical approach works in people—is half-match bone marrow transplants. Bone marrow transplants can eliminate sickle cell disease, ridding them of painful and debilitating symptoms, and the need for a lifetime of
pain medications and blood transfusions. This half-match approach could make bone marrow transplants accessible to more people living with sickle cell disease.
The NHLBI also completed the Transcranial Doppler with Transfusions Changing to Hydroxyurea trial. Based on earlier research that was funded by NHLBI, regular blood transfusions have become the standard of care for reducing the risk of stroke in children with sickle cell disease. The TWiTCH study found that daily treatment with hydroxyurea— an oral medicine to help reduce or prevent several complications of sickle cell disease—is as effective as blood transfusions at reducing blood flow velocities in the brain, a key risk factor for stroke. NHLBI is committed to additional studies that can prevent strokes and other sickle cell-related complications. Another area of promise for sickle cell disease treatment is gene editing, which involves changing the DNA. An NHLBI research group recently showed that correcting the sickle mutation in hematopoietic stem cells from patients with sickle cell disease, and then transplanting them in mice, resulted in enough normal hemoglobin to have a potential benefit. Another recent study in a patient showed that replacing the sickle mutation by gene insertion (gene therapy) resulted
in complete clinical remission of sickle cell disease. However, longer follow-up in more patients is required to confirm the long-term safety and effectiveness of gene therapy for sickle cell disease.
NHLBI is also conducting early research using small molecule drugs. In one recent NHLBI-funded study, researchers found a small molecule that binds to hemoglobin and increases its ability to bind to oxygen; this could reduce sickling of red blood cells. Since small molecules can be easily administered, the hope is that this approach could become a costeffective, widely available treatment for sickle cell disease both in developed and developing countries.
Over the next decade, NHLBI is committed to conducting and funding innovative research on sickle cell disease. Sickle cell patients who participate in research studies are critical partners in discovering potential therapies and new approaches that improve our understanding of sickle cell disease. Although new preventive and treatment strategies might take years to develop, patients should take heart that today there are effective treatments that can help reduce symptoms and prolong life.
To find out more about how you or a loved one can participate in a clinical trial, go to clinicaltrials.gov and search sickle cell disease.
by Kweku Sampson, Face2FaceAfrica.com
The history behind jumping the broom. [Photo credit: hiholden.com]
“Jumping the broom” is far more than an American romantic comedy-drama film; it is a wedding tradition imbued with deep cultural significance, particularly within African American and Afro-Caribbean communities.
This symbolic act, often integrated into contemporary wedding ceremonies, signifies a couple’s transition into a new life and the beginning of their shared journey. The Tradition
In a wedding ceremony, “jumping the broom” usually occurs after the vows and rings have been exchanged. A decorative broom, embellished with ribbons, flowers, and other adornments, is placed on the ground. The couple then jumps over the broom together, symbolizing their leap into a new chapter of life. This moment is often accompanied by cheers, applause, and encouragement from family and friends, enhancing the celebratory atmosphere.
While a broom is an ordinary household object, in this context, it acquires special
meaning. It represents the act of sweeping away past difficulties and signifies a commitment to building a new home and future together. The jump embodies the couple’s readiness to face future challenges united in love and partnership.
The origins of “jumping the broom” are multifaceted. While the precise beginnings of the tradition are debated, it is widely believed to have roots in African culture. Some West African communities incorporated brooms into rituals for cleansing spaces or warding off evil spirits. This symbolic use of the broom likely influenced the tradition as it evolved.
During the era of slavery in the United States, African Americans, denied the legal right to marry, developed their own customs to signify their unions. “Jumping the broom” emerged as a meaningful way for enslaved couples to publicly affirm their commitment to each other in the absence of formal legal recognition. This practice became a symbol of defiance and resilience, representing a strong affirmation of love and dedication despite the oppressive circumstances they faced.
Interestingly, there is evidence suggesting that “jumping the broom” may also
have connections to certain European customs. Among Romani and Celtic communities, jumping over a broom sometimes symbolized entering a new household or signified a non-church union. However, in the context of African American history, the practice took on a distinct and powerful meaning, becoming an enduring symbol of strength and cultural identity.
“Jumping the broom” carries profound symbolism that resonates deeply with many African American couples today. It serves as a connection to the past, honoring the resilience and strength of ancestors who endured significant hardships. For many, including this tradition in their wedding ceremony is a way to celebrate and acknowledge their heritage, linking their union to a broader narrative of African American history.
The act of jumping over the broom also serves as a metaphor for overcoming obstacles. Just as the broom clears away dust and debris, the couple symbolically sweeps away any negative energy or challenges that might hinder their relationship. The jump represents a leap of faith, a commitment to face life’s uncertainties together with love and determination.
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia
The Biden-Harris administration’s mission to strengthen educational equity and economic opportunity was on full display again as the White House announced an additional $1.3 billion in federal investments for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The new funding brings the administration’s total investment in HBCUs to an unprecedented $17 billion since Fiscal Year 2021, setting a new record and further displaying the administration’s commitment to institutions that have long served as beacons of opportunity and excellence for Black Americans.
Though representing only 3% of all U.S. colleges and universities, HBCUs play a crucial role in fostering economic mobility. According to White House officials, HBCUs enroll twice as many Pell Grant-eligible low—and middle-income students as non-HBCU institutions, producing a significant percentage of Black professionals in critical fields—40% of engineers, 50% of teachers, 70% of doctors and dentists, and 80% of judges. Officials touted Vice President Kamala Harris, an alumna of Howard University, as an example of these institutions’ profound impact on shaping national leadership.
A White House fact sheet highlighted how HBCUs are not just educational powerhouses but also drivers of economic growth. Research by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) shows that HBCUs
help more than five times as many students move from the bottom 40% to the top 60% of U.S. households compared to Ivy League and other elite non-HBCU institutions. Further, a report from the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) links HBCU enrollment with higher graduation rates and increased household incomes, affirming their role in advancing social and economic equity.
Economically, according to the UNCF, HBCUs contribute $16.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy, generate over
136,000 jobs, and produce $146 billion in lifetime earnings for their graduates. The administration’s investments aim to amplify this impact, particularly by enhancing HBCUs’ research and development (R&D) capacities in STEM fields.
The new $1.3 billion investment includes $188 million in competitive grants for R&D capacity building and $1.1 billion in funding to support students directly through need-based grants and programs like Pell Grants. According to the fact sheet, this action builds on a series of ini-
tiatives launched to expand HBCUs’ influence and capabilities, including:
Innovation in Defense: The Department of Defense created the first-ever HBCUled University Affiliated Research Center (UARC). Howard University, leading a $90 million program over five years, focuses on advancing autonomous technologies for Air Force missions.
Bridging the Digital Divide: The Department of Commerce’s ConnectingMinority-Communities program funds 43 HBCUs to secure high-speed internet,
equipment, and IT personnel, directly addressing the digital divide.
Leading in Clean Energy: The Department of Energy’s $7.75 million HBCU Clean Energy Education Prize is designed to enhance STEM education and inspire future leaders in clean energy fields. Diversity in Agriculture: The Department of Agriculture’s $262.5 million investment supports 33 projects to train over 20,000 future food and agricultural leaders, emphasizing diversity in the agricultural sector.
Officials said that the unprecedented support for HBCUs reflects the administration’s broader agenda to promote educational excellence and equity. Reestablishing the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through HBCUs further signifies this commitment, they said. Further, according to the fact sheet, the administration’s diversity is a testament to this focus, with many HBCU graduates, including Harris, holding key roles.
The new funding coincides with Forbes magazine’s recent ranking of HBCUs. Forbes named Howard University the number one HBCU. It was ranked 273rd among the top 500 colleges and universities, ahead of Spelman, Morehouse, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), North Carolina A&T, and Hampton University. The rankings showcase HBCUs’ ability to produce high-earning, influential graduates from diverse economic backgrounds, often with lower student debt.
The Town of Wallingford Water Division is seeking qualified applicants to perform a variety of tasks in the operation, maintenance, repair and construction of the Town’s potable water transmission and distribution system. Applicants should possess a H.S, trade school, or H.S. equivalency diploma. 1-year experience in a water utility, plumbing, or in the construction field is preferred. Must possess and maintain a valid State of Connecticut driver’s license. Wage rate: $23.71 to $28.73 hourly, plus an excellent fringe benefits package that includes pension plan, paid sick and vacation time, medical insurance, life insurance, and 13 paid holidays. To apply online by the closing date of October 1, 2024, please visit: www.wallingfordct.gov/government/departments/human-resources/. Applications are also available at the Department of Human Resources located in Room #301 of the Town Hall, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. Phone: (203) 2942080; Fax: (203) 294-2084. EOE
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.
Invitation for Bids
Robert T Wolfe- Elevator Modernization
The Glendower Group, Inc. is currently seeking bids for Robert T Wolfe- Elevator Modernization. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from Glendower’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on
Monday, September 9, 2024, at 3:00PM.
Housing Authority City of New Haven d/b/a Elm City Communities is currently seeking proposals for qualified firm to perform a GAP Analysis for system conversion. A complete copy of the requirement may be obtained from ECC’s Vendor Collaboration Portal https://newhavenhousing.cobblestonesystems.com/gateway beginning on
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
Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 3:00PM.
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company (WT), the construction manager, is currently accepting bids for ConnCAT Place on Dixwell – Phase 1A for the following bid packages: 04A – Masonry, 05B – Misc. Metals, 06A – Millwork, 07A – Roofing, 07B – Exterior Façade, 08A – Storefront, 08B – Doors, Frames, Hardware, 08C – Operable Partitions, Coiling Door, 09A – Carpentry, 09B – Flooring, 09C – Tile, 09D – Painting, 09E – Acoustical Ceilings, 10A – Bathroom Partitions, Accessories, 10B – Signage, 11A – Kitchen Equipment, 12A – Window Treatments, 21A – Fire Suppression, 22A – Plumbing, 23A – Mechanical, HVAC, TAB, Controls, 26A – Electrical, Fire Alarm, Security, 27A – Communications, AV, 32A – Landscaping, 32B – Site Improvements for the new ~70,000 SF two-story ConnCAT headquarters which will contain teaching spaces, kitchen, offices, and daycare/early childhood facility. Interested firms may obtain a bid package and instructions to bid by emailing 020822@whiting-turner.com.
242-258 Fairmont Ave
2BR Townhouse, 1.5 BA, 3BR, 1 level , 1BA
All new apartments, new appliances, new carpet, close to I-91 & I-95 highways, near bus stop & shopping center
Pet under 40lb allowed. Interested parties contact Maria @ 860-985-8258
The State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management is recruiting for a Budget Analyst Trainee (Leadership Associate (Confidential))
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.
cleaning.
Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice
State law requires a minimum of twenty-five (25%) percent of the state-funded portion of the contract for award to subcontractors holding current certification from the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (“DAS”) under the provisions of CONN. GEN. STAT. § 4a-60g. (25% of the work with DAS certified Small and Minority owned businesses and 25% of that work with DAS certified Minority, Women and/or Disabled owned businesses.) The contractor must demonstrate good faith effort to meet the 25% set-aside goals.
Old Saybrook, CT (4 Buildings, 17 Units) Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project
If you have not already received an ITB from Haynes and would like to: please email Taylor your business info, she will add you to Procore and send the ITB with access to the project documents. Email Questions & Bids to: Taylor Els tels@haynesct.com 203-888-8139
Prevailing Wage | Tax-Exempt | CHRO and City of New Haven Subcontracting Requirements will apply | Section 3 HUD
CT. Unified Deacon’s Association is pleased to offer a Deacon’s Certificate Program. This is a 10 month program designed to assist in the intellectual formation of Candidates in response to the Church’s Ministry needs. The cost is $125. Classes start Saturday, August 20, 2016 1:303:30 Contact: Chairman, Deacon Joe J. Davis, M.S., B.S. (203) 996-4517 Host,General Bishop Elijah Davis, D.D. Pastor ofPitts Chapel U.F.W.B. Church 64 Brewster St. New Haven, CT
Bids wills be accepted at The Lab at ConnCORP located at 496 Newhall Street, Hamden, CT 06517, no later than 10AM on 10/11/24. This contract is subject to state set-aside and contract compliance requirements. WT and the Owner reserve the right to amend this invitation to bid, reject bids, waive minor irregularities in the bid, and award the contract to the proposer that is deemed to be the best interest of the Owner, ConnCORP. WT is an EEO/AA; Disadvantaged, Small, Minority and Women Business Enterprises are encouraged to bid.
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.
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 Construction Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour, CT 06483 AA/EEO EMPLOYER
Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016
Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016
Project documents available via ftp link below: http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage
Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com
A pre-bid conference will be held at the Housing Authority Office 28 Smith Street Seymour, CT at 10:00 am, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.
Bidding documents are available from the Seymour Housing Authority Office, 28 Smith Street, Seymour, CT 06483 (203) 888-4579.
The South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG) seeks the services of one or more consultants for transportation planning studies during the 2025 Fiscal Year (July 1, 2024- June 30, 2025). Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms are strongly encouraged to respond as prime contractors or to play a significant role within a consultant team. Responses are due by October 25, 2024 (12 noon local time). The full RFQ document can be viewed at the Council’s website: www. scrcog.org or can be made available upon request. Contact James Rode at (203) 466-8623 with any questions.
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
The Town of Wallingford, CT is offering an excellent career opportunity for a strong leader to supervise and manage the substation electrical operations and maintenance department of the Town’s Electric Division. Applicants should possess 5 years of progressively responsible supervisory or management experience in substation operations, plus a bachelor's degree in engineering, or an equivalent combination of education and qualifying experience substituting on a year-for-year basis. Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain ESOP-100 Switching and Tagging qualifications within six months. Must possess and maintain a valid State of Connecticut Driver’s License. Annual Salary: $116,798 to $145,998, plus on-call pay when assigned. The Town offers an excellent fringe benefits package that includes pension plan, paid sick and vacation time, medical insurance, life insurance, 13 paid holidays, and deferred compensation plan. To apply online by the closing date of October 17, 2024, please visit: www.wallingfordct.gov/government/departments/ human-resources/. Applications are also available at the Department of Human Resources located in Room #301 of the Town Hall, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. Phone: (203) 294-2080; Fax: (203) 294-2084. EOE
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
-
$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
Email: rick.tousignant@garrityasphalt.com
Women & Minority Applicants are encouraged to apply
Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer
VALENTINA MACRI VIVIENDAS DE ALQUILER PRE-SOLICITUDES
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
Please send resume to attielordan@gmail.com PJF Construction Corporation AA/EOE
The Housing Authority of the City of Danbury (HACD) is seeking sealed bids for the following Project: State Moderate Rental Apartments -Electrical Panel and Service Replacement. Bid Opening date is October 16, 2024 at 11:00 am at the Housing Authority of the City of Danbury, 2 Mill Ridge Road, Danbury, CT 06811. All bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. A pre-bid walk through will be held on October 2, 2024 at 10:00 am at 17-19 Mill Ridge Road, Danbury, CT. Contract documents including plans & specifications can be viewed on-line and purchased from Contract documents including plans & specifications can be viewed online and purchased from the DigiPrint’s website. Visit https://www.digiprintplanroom.com/jobs/public and select Danbury State Moderate Rental Apartments -Electrical Panel and Service Replacement beginning on September 16 , 2024. A 5% Bid Security and 100% Performance/Payment Bonds are required. Bidders will note requirements of minimum wage rates, nondiscrimination/equal opportunity rules (Executive Order 11246) and related provisions in the General Conditions. No bid shall be withdrawn for ninety (90) 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 Department of Labor; and all applicable provisions under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. HACD is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Section 3 businesses are encouraged to participate.
Devin Marra, Acting Executive Director
Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice
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.
Performs skilled work in the repair, maintenance and calibration of all electrical and electronic equipment pertaining to the wastewater treatment plant in the Town of Wallingford. Applicants should possess a H.S. or trade school diploma and 2 years of related college education or specialized maintenance training and 4 years of experience in the repair and maintenance of electrical and electronic equipment; or a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field plus 1 year of experience. Must possess a valid Connecticut Driver's License. Hourly rate: $32.24 to $36.79. The Town offers an excellent fringe benefits package that includes pension plan, paid sick and vacation time, medical insurance, life insurance, 13 paid holidays, and deferred compensation plan. To apply online by the closing date of October 1, 2024, please visit: www.wallingfordct. gov/government/departments/human-resources/. Applications are also available at the Department of Human Resources located in Room #301 of the Town Hall, 45 South Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492. Phone: (203) 294-2080; Fax: (203) 294-2084. EOE
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.
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.
Potential local
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.
Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016
Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016
Project documents available via ftp link below: http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage
Fax or Email Questions & Bids to: Dawn Lang @ 203-881-8372 dawnlang@haynesconstruction.com HCC encourages the participation of all Veteran, S/W/MBE & Section 3 Certified Businesses Haynes Construction Company, 32 Progress Ave, Seymour, CT 06483 AA/EEO EMPLOYER
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
The Town of East Haven is currently accepting applications to participate in the examination for the position of Secretary II, Grade Level 10-$24.29/hour, 37.5 hours per week, 12-month position. Qualified candidates must possess a High School Diploma or equivalent and a minimum of 2 years secretarial experience. Candidates must have experience with Google Suites, Microsoft Word and Excel. Prior experience in a school system or related work with children preferred. The application is available online at https://www.townofeasthavenct. org/civil-service-commission/pages/job-notices-and-tests or from the Civil Service Office, 250 Main Street, East Haven and must be returned by October 11, 2024. The Town of East Haven is committed to building a workforce of diverse individuals. Minorities, Females, Handicapped and Veterans are encouraged to apply.
Andrea M. Liquori
Chief Examiner
Civil Service Commission
250 Main Street
East Haven CT 06512
(203)468-3375
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
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.
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
Town of Bloomfield
Salary Range: $87,727 to $136,071 Deputy Finance Director/Controller
Pre-employment drug testing. AA/EOE. For Details go to www.bloomfieldct.org
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. Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity
applications are currently being accepted for the waiting list at Spencer Village I & II located at 151 Spencer Street in Manchester, CT.
Applications will be available beginning September 16, 2024 through September 30, 2024.
Eligibility for Admission: An applicant’s gross family income must be used to determine eligibility for admission. Per CGS Statute 8-115a, the admission limits for Spencer Village I & II shall be at or below 30% and not the exceed 50% of the AMI adjusted for family size. Only “elderly persons” are eligible. An “elderly person” means a person who is sixty-two years of age or older, or a person who has been certified by the Social Security Board as being totally disabled. [CGS sec. 8-113a]
Rent Determination: Residents must pay the greater amount of either the base rent or a percentage of their adjusted gross income. Current base rent is $500.00.
All persons interested in Spencer Village I and II may request an application either in person (or through a designated individual or agency) at the local site office located at 151 Spencer Street in Manchester, CT during posted office hours.
Applications can also be requested via email at compliance@demarcomc.com or by calling 860-951-3045
Applications can also be requested utilizing the AT&T relay service by dialing 711 Applications will be accepted by mail or in person at the:
Spencer Village I & II 151 Spencer Street Manchester, CT 06040
EFAX # 860-760-6221
Invitation to Bid: 2nd Notice
Applications received before September 16th or after September 30th will not be accepted. Applicants are selected from the wait list in the order in which they were placed on the waiting list in order of random lottery Equal Housing Opportunities
SAYEBROOKE VILLAGE
Old Saybrook, CT (4 Buildings, 17 Units) Tax Exempt & Not Prevailing Wage Rate Project
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.
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.
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.
Bid Extended, Due Date: August 5, 2016
Anticipated Start: August 15, 2016
Project documents available via ftp link below: http://ftp.cbtghosting.com/loginok.html?username=sayebrookevillage Fax or
By BlackNews.com
Black writers, authors, and bloggers who support peace and nonviolence are being invited to post a blog to the Blogging Carnival for Nonviolence 2024. The blog post can be a book excerpt, a written blog, an audio blog, a vlog, a poem, or any other form but it must reflect the author’s direct personal experience, or witnessing, of empathy, nonviolence, or connection.
Bloggers are invited to blog about something they have read about, heard about, witnessed, or experienced, and HOW IT AFFECTED THEM.
Anytime someone practices peace and nonviolence for their own personal development, their family, or their community, they are always contributing to the energy of world peace.
With the escalation of violence all over the U.S., in African countries, and in many different countries all over the world., there has never been a greater need for nonviolence and peace.
2023 marked the 10th anniversary of the annual Blogging Carnival for Nonviolence, hosted by Zhana, author of Affirmations for Parents and Success Strategies for Black People. For more information and to submit a blog post, please get in
contact via the Facebook page. Guidelines, as well as blogs from previous years, are available on the following link: https://blognonviolence.weebly.com/ about.html
The Blogging Carnival for Nonviolence
is part of the annual Month of Nonviolence held by Black Women for Positive Change. During the Month of Nonviolence, events are held across the United States and in London, UK.
The Blogging Carnival for Nonviolence
and the Month of Nonviolence are open to everyone, regardless of racial or cultural background, religious or spiritual practice or affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, age, or any other difference.
London-based Zhana is passionate about
Nonviolent Communication (NVC), which is based on empathy and connection. NVC can transform relationships and has been used effectively in situations of extreme violence.
The purpose of The Blogging Carnival for Nonviolence is to explore and share practical methods of bringing about nonviolence and peace, including Nonviolent Communication (NVC). The world is very dangerous and violent, but everyone can make a difference.
NVC is changing lives all over the world, and is a method that all can learn and practice. Even young children can use NVC.
Zhana will also be holding an Interfaith Forum on Nonviolence during October 2024.
All authors and bloggers on the subjects of empathy, nonviolence and/or peace are invited to submit blog posts. Blogs will be accepted until September 22, 2024. Any blogger needing an extension should contact via the Facebook page.
Each blog submission should reflect the blogger’s direct personal experience and/ or witnessing of empathy, nonviolence and/or peace – either giving, providing, or receiving any of these and HOW THIS AFFECTED THEM.
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire @StacyBrownMedia
A new report from the Pew Research Center, as part of the Pew-Knight Initiative, has revealed how Americans perceive and consume local crime news, highlighting significant racial, ethnic, and political disparities. Based on a survey of 5,146 U.S. adults conducted in January and funded jointly by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the study is the third in a series examining how Americans engage with local news.
One of the report’s key findings is that more Americans get news and information about local crime than any other local topic except the weather. The study found that 71% of U.S. adults often or sometimes receive news about local crime from friends, family, and neighbors, while a nearly identical share (70%) gets this news from local news outlets. This widespread consumption of crime news underscores its importance in the daily lives of Americans, shaping their perceptions of safety and community well-being.
However, the study also reveals that Americans still have not found a single go-to source for crime information. While 26% of U.S. adults first turn to local news outlets, others rely heavily on social media, search engines, or personal networks for updates on crime. These diverse sources influence how crime news is perceived, with notable differences based on where people get information. For example, those who consume crime news from
social media or locally focused apps like Next-door and Ring are more likely to believe these sources exaggerate crime levels in their communities. In contrast, those who rely on official sources, such as local law enforcement or politicians, think these sources underplay the amount of crime.
The report also highlights that Black Americans are particularly likely to perceive local crime news as biased, especially in terms of racial and ethnic fairness. This perception aligns with previous Pew Research findings that have shown Black Americans to be more attuned to racial bias in both policing and news coverage.
Black Americans are also more engaged with local crime news, with 45% reporting that they often get news about local crime—a higher rate than that of Hispanic, white, or Asian Americans. Additionally, nearly half of Black respondents (48%) reported seeing news about violent crime at least weekly, which is significantly higher than other racial and ethnic groups. Researchers said the consumption of local crime news also is closely linked to concerns about personal safety. The study found that Americans who regularly consume local crime news are more likely to express concern about crime affecting
them or their families. Among frequent crime news consumers, 65% report at least some concern, including 33% who are extremely or very concerned. This heightened concern is particularly evident among Black Americans, who are more likely to view crime as a pressing issue for the president and Congress to address.
Despite the strong interest in crime-related news, many Americans need help accessing high-quality information. While 85% of respondents expressed interest in understanding what local officials are doing to address crime, only 22% said it is easy to obtain this information. This disconnects between public interest and information availability highlights a significant challenge in local news consumption.
The report also delves into the emotional impact of local crime news, noting that frequent consumers of such news are more likely to feel concerned, angry, or afraid about what is happening in their communities. However, these emotions only sometimes translate into community action. Only 52% of respondents said they feel motivated to change things in their community after consuming crime news, and just 48% feel confident that things will improve.
Political affiliation also plays a significant role in shaping how Americans perceive and react to crime news. Republicans are more likely than Democrats to view violent crime as an important national issue, though both groups consume local crime news at similar rates. Interestingly, while both parties rely on many of the same news sources, Democrats are more likely
to believe that crime news exaggerates the problem and is biased against certain racial or ethnic groups. Moreover, older Americans, particularly those over 65, are more likely to consume local crime news and perceive the information as accurate than younger adults.
The report also addresses the gap between public perception and actual crime statistics. Despite FBI data showing that property crimes are more common than violent crimes, the public perceives these two types of crime as occurring at similar rates. This discrepancy between perception and reality is particularly pronounced among those who frequently consume crime news, possibly contributing to heightened concerns about personal safety.
Trust in crime news remains relatively high, particularly when the information comes from local law enforcement or news outlets. About 79% of respondents who get their news from local news outlets and 77% from local law enforcement consider the information at least somewhat accurate. However, only a quarter believe that any source provides very accurate information.
“Like we find with several local news topics, relatively few Americans are highly satisfied with the local crime news they get,” researchers concluded. “Among those who get local crime news, one-third say they are extremely or very satisfied with the quality of this news. About half (48%) say they are somewhat satisfied, and 18% say they are not too or not at all satisfied.”
Dear Friend,
At the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Connecticut (SCDAA,CT), we embrace prevention strategies to enhance the quality of life and well-being of the communities in CT impacted by Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Sickle Cell Trait (SCT).
We’re looking for partners & participants like you; individuals who want to support the underserved communities of color and who desire to reshape the social, economic and academic landscape of those who are most vulnerable—our SCD youth.
See the list on the right for various ways you can support our event.
Sincerely,
James Rawlings
SCDAA,CT | Michelle’s House
Call: 203-859-5355
Email: info.scdaasc@gmail.com
Web: michellesHouseCT.org
Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, CT
Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024
https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/NewHaven/scdaascrunwalk
College Woods East Rock Park 41 Cold Spring St., New Haven, CT 06511
(Arrival: 7:30am. Start: 9:00am)
1 Mile Walk, James Barber 5K Run or Bike with Friends. Entry fee:
• Children under 12 yrs = Free (registration required)
• 13-18 youth = $12
• 19 & up = $25
T-shirt & race bib included Register: https://runsignup.com/ Race/CT/NewHaven/scdaascrunwalk
Create your own fundraising webpage that will enable you to collect donations for SCDAA,CT on a secure website.
Create a fundraising TEAM webpage where you are the captain and you invite others to fund raise with you!
To get started, visit: https:// runsignup.com/Race/Donate/64149/ BecomeFundraiser
We’re expecting a huge turn-out and we need your help with everything from set-up, to registration, to hospitality.
Call: 203-859-5355
Website: Visit MichellesHouseCT.org and click ‘Volunteer’ located on the menu bar.
