Beacon, July 21 - July 27, 2016 by Design2Pro

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Beacon website: NewYorkBeacon.net

Vol. 23 No. 29

Showing the Way to Truth and Justice

July 21 - July 27, 2016

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MELANIA TRUMP WORDS ON VALUE PLAGIARIZED FROM MICHELLE OBAMA MELANIA GETS HER CUES FROM MICHELLE

Trump campaign that is premised on white resentment and Obama incompetency steals Obama’s works, page 3 We must re-build America: Violence not the answer, pg3

Empire state offers pathway to naturalization

By J. Zamgba Browne Chief Correspondent

Capitol Hill interns show lack of diversity

peaker Paul Ryan posted a selfie on Saturday from the Republican National Convention in Cleveland of himself with a room full of Capitol Hill interns. One problem people are pointing out is the lack of diversity. Of all the people in this room, there appears to be zero if any people of color.

This extreme lack of diversity has been called “tone deaf” in an election year where civil rights is even more of a major issue than usual. Many people commented with sarcasm while calling attention to the serious problem of exclusion our country has had for years.

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The Boston Globe sells its headquarters

oston Globe Media Partners, announced the sale of its headquarters to an undisclosed buyer and at an undisclosed price. The sale fits into a national trend of newspapers liquidating real estate holdings acquired in better times as print revenues decline. The building, situated in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood, has been home to the Globe for more than half a cen-

tury. The Globe moved away from Boston’s urban center in 1958 as it sought to capture suburban readers throughout New England, according to the Boston Globe. The Boston Globe’s new home will be downtown, on the second and third floors of the Exchange Place complex, according to the newspaper. Its headquarters will move from Dorchester to downtown Boston in January, 2017.

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ov. Andrew Cuomo this week launched “NaturalizeNY,” the first public-private partnership of its kind to encourage and assist eligible immigrants in the Empire State with becoming U.S. citizens. The Governor explains that the initiative would provide comprehensive support through the naturalization process – featuring free eligibility screenings application assistance and naturalization exam preparation Also including in the package, according to Gov. Cuomo, is a 2,000 naturalization application fee vouchers for low-income citizenship-eligible immigrants. NaturalizeNY is administered by the Office for New Americans in partnership with the New York Daily News Other partners are the Robin Hood Foundation, New York Community Trust, SUNY Albany, Stanford University, George Mason University and additional not-for-profit organizations throughout the Empire State. “We are a nation of immigrants, and New York believes that diversity is our greatest assets, said Gov. Cuomo. “Amid the fervor of national debate, we are sending a clear message –that we welcome you with open arms to join our community and grow with our economy,” he added.

The goal of the initiative, the Governor continued, is to ensure greater access to the information, tools and resources needed to apply for citizenship which is vital to delivering on this promise, and he is proud to point the way forward in getting it done. State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastic said there are countless hardworking immigrants in New York who dream of becoming American citizens, but for many the process is too costly, and difficult to navigate. “By offering guidance through the naturalization process and covering the nearly $700 application fee for some 2,000 immigrants who earn too much to qualify for a fee waiver,” Speaker Heastic explained. He also said the State will improve outcomes for individuals and expand their oppor-

tunities to make meaningful contributions to the Empire State and the nation. “The Assembly Majority remains a fierce advocate for our immigrant population and has continually pushed for legislation that increases their opportunities, the DREAM Act,” said Heastic. Jim Rich, the Daily News editor-in-chief said, “What the governor’s office is proposing here is fantastic. The Daily News is proud to be a part of this important program.” Rich said that so many hardworking people deserve this opportunity and the Daily News is thrilled to be a part of making it the dream a reality. Applicants whose household income falls between $30,240 and $60,480 are encouraged to apply. Registration opens through Sept. 23.

Job growth plan for Brooklyn’s East New York By J. Zamgba Browne Chief Correspondent

ayor de Blasio this week announced a 20-point job growth plan for Brooklyn’s East New York community. The Industrial Business Zone Plan includes over $16 million in new city investment improvements to create potential to attract 350 new companies. The Mayor said by catalyzing better activation of underutilized properties as well as new construction, the East New York plan could help create up to 2.7 million square feet of new and modernized space over the next decade. De Blasio said he is confident the initiative would provide for as many 250 additional companies and 4,000 new jobs. “For generations, East New York has been a hub for well-paying industrial jobs,” said Mayor de Blasio. “With this plan, and millions of dollars of investment, we are not only preserving these critical jobs –we are helping keep East New York at the forefront of our industrial economy for generations to come,” he added. De Blasio added that al-

though the unemployment rate in Brooklyn has decreased in recent years, East New York still struggles with unemployment rates in the double digits. From the moment he announced his plans to rezone East New York, the Mayor said he made it clear that any affordable housing plan must include a job plan and the jobs plan must start with the East New York Industrial Business Zone. Highlights of the Mayor’s plan include the following: $6 million in improvements to the City-owned East New York Industrial Building to create a modern industrial space for 6 new companies Up to $2.5 million to bring

affordable high =speed broadband access, capacity and reliability for 250 businesses in the area. $8.2 million in infrastructure investment, including new sidewalks and street repaving, new lighting around transit infrastructure and safety improvements to the Sutter Avenue L-train stop. As industrial firms are facing real estate pressures in more expensive industrial markets like Gowanus and Greepoint-Williamburg, Mayor de Blasio said the East New York Business initiative has the potential to provide new homes for companies that might otherwise relocate out of the five boroughs.

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By Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. President, Rainbow PUSH Coalition via George Curry Media

e l a n i a Tr u m p ’s speech to the Republican National Convention on Monday night, about the core values her parents instilled in her and her sister as children were thoughts apparently lifted and practically verbatim from the speech Michelle Obama gave on the first night of the 2008 Democratic National Convention. The plagiarism went unnoticed until the passage about ambition and hard work were noticed by Jarrett Hill, an interior designer and television producer who said it sounded

a “team of writers” used her life’s “inspirations” as source material. Paul Manafort, Trump’s campaign manager said attacks on Trump’s speech are due to Hillary Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee, being “threatened” by Trump. “This is once again an example of when a woman threatens Hillary Clinton, she seeks out to demean her and take her down. It’s not going to work,” he said. The Trump camp is sticking to its only script: deny, blame opponents and the media, and

Donald Trump continues his script: to deny, blame opponents and the media, and refuse to apologi

familiar. He said he was inspired by those words when he heard them from Michelle in 2008. Writing on Twitter, Hill highlighted the close similarity of some of Trump’s language that was used by Obama. But Trump’s team said Mrs Trump used “common words”

refuse to apologize Earlier, Trump’s communications adviser Jason Miller issued a statement saying Anyone who watches the side-byside video knows that Melania Trump and/or her speechwriter(s) lifted a portion of Michelle Obama’s 2008 DNC speech, period.

Nonviolence condemns the sin, but not the sinner. It indicts the injustice by forcing recognition of our shared humanity. It summons the better angels of our character, not the bitter angers of our fears. We must choose reconciliation over retaliation and revenge. This is a teachable moment if we are finally willing to learn that too many guns, too much injustice and growing

how we react to the injustice and the violence. We know that our justice system suffers from massive and systematic racism. It is more dangerous to drive while Black. African Americans are more likely to be stopped, more likely to be searched, more likely to be arrested if stopped, more likely to be charged if arrested, and more likely to be jailed if convicted. The budget of many small towns is based upon the fines, penalties and fees largely paid for by African-American offenders. Police, state’s attorneys and judges tend to have a shared perspective, an organizational kinship. How do we respond? After the shootings of Philando Castile in Minneapolis and Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, La. - as after Ferguson, Mo. and Baltimore and more - nonviolent demonstrations spread across the country. Whites joined with Blacks and Latinos and Asian-Americans to call for an end to the killings, for justice, for the recognition that Black Lives Matter. These are the tactics taught by Jesus, Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, not because they were scared of violence but because they were wise about change.

disparities is a lethal cocktail. It is unfair to associate this terrorist attack with our long struggle for peace and justice for all. This crime has endangered those who would protest nonviolently against injustice. It roused fears and spread hatred. The reactionary will use his crimes to try to discredit the reform movement. Police across the country will be even more on guard. Violence isn’t an answer; it is sabotage. America is scarred by what has become routine violence. There is good news. The murder rate is dropping. The number of police killed in the line of duty is lower in recent years than it was in earlier decades. But according to the tally of the Washington Post,509 people have been shot by police to date in 2016, a pace slightly ahead of last year’s. And gun violence continues to take a grisly toll. The cameras that now are everywhere have begun to expose to America the reality that people of color have known all too well. Now people of good conscience must come together and demand change. This will take multiracial coalitions, electoral mobilization and peaceful protest.

nocent. We need more training, more cameras, more community relations, and new community forms of policing. We need to end the racial disparities in arrests, searches, sentencing and more. But the police will still be in an impossible position unless we get serious about making this one America, in redressing the lack of jobs, the broken schools, the shortage of affordable housing, the lack of health care and drug treatment, the shortage of parks and recreational facilities. That is why we need a White House conference on the two Americas, on racial disparity, poverty and reconstruction. We need a plan for jobs, for rebuilding our impoverished neighborhoods, for replacing guns with books and drugs with hope. Without that, the camera lens will continue to reveal that the horrors and the crimes are continuing, and the spiral of hate and fear deepening. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. is founder and president of the Chicago-based Rainbow PUSH Coalition. You can keep up with his work at www.rainbowpush. org

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Melania Trump words on value plagiarized from Michelle Obama

“It is more dangerous to be Black in America. You’re substantially more likely to be in a situation where police don’t respect you.” The speaker was not Barack Obama; it was former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Even a conservative firebrand such as Gingrich was shaken by videos showing Black men killed by police in Baton Rouge and suburban St. Paul. Then, the lone assassin in Dallas shot and killed five police officers and wounded seven more. Grief, fear and anger spread. The challenge now - for every concerned American - is

But the camera’s eye shows us only a glimpse of the symptoms; it does not reveal the roots of the disease. The camera lens can reveal the police abuse, breaking the curtain of silence. But it does not show the roots of the problem. The reality is that there are still two Americas. We’ve overcome legal racial segregation but we haven’t overcome legal resource segregation in schools, jobs, contracts, investments, access to capital, technology and deal flow. Poor African Americans and Latinos are more likely to be crowded into impoverished neighborhoods, marked by drugs and guns, by violent streets and broken schools, unemployment and crushed hopes. Police are tasked to keep order amid the despair. It is an impossible job. Yes, we need justice when police officers brutalize the in-

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After the horrow, we must build one America

Schumer seeks crackdown on ingredients used in K2, other synthetic drugs

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Bereft: Connor’s mother hugs the lifeless body of her only son

Deadly choice left him brain dead after one hit

he parents of a 19-yearold who died in California after smoking one hit of synthetic marijuana are determined that his death won’t be in vain. Devin and Veronica Eckhardt never imagined they would be watching a helicopter bearing their only son’s heart fly away from the Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. But on Thursday July 17 they honored Connor Eckhardt’s wishes to donate his organs following his death after smoking a synthetic marijuana known as ‘spice’ the previous Saturday. Connor Eckhardt, 19, slipped into a coma after taking one hit of synthetic marijuana He was declared brain-dead in hospital and his vital organs were donated His parents spent four days with him before the organs were removed They are sharing their tragic photographs of Connor’s death to warn others about the dangers of synthetic marijuana The drug is illegal but can be readily obtained over the counter under names like ‘spice’ and ‘K2’ It contains a mixture of herbs which are sprayed with chemicals to produce a marijuana-like high It’s impossible for users

The teenager was devoted to his two sisters, Sabrina (center), 17, and five-year-old Ashnika

to know what chemicals and in what quantities the drug contains. Doctors were unable to detect spice in Connor’s system because there’s no way to trace its ever changing components, but the package of the drug was still in his pocket, and no other drugs were found in his system. Now, the family is sharing photographs of Connor’s life and death, in the hope that their son’s tragic passing will serve as a warning to others about the dangers of synthetic marijuana. They have created a Facebook page as both a memorial to Connor and a warning to others about the perils of synthetic marijuana.

ollowing 130 suspected overdoses on synthetic drugs in New York City this past week, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, announced new legislation that would make nearly two dozen synthetic substances, including dangerous forms of fentanyl, illegal, Schedule I drugs. Schumer said that synthetic drugs—sold under names like “K2” and “spice”—are often made to seem inviting and harmless, however, they are dangerous chemical concoctions that falsely advertise to users, especially young people, sometimes inducing zombie-like symptoms – and worse. “New York’s most recent K2 binge that left our ER’s bulging and streets strewn with stupefied users with zombie-like symptoms are a sign of what’s to come if Congress doesn’t act quickly,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “We need a federal hammer to nail these toxic concoctions of synthetic drugs before things get worse. This federal legislation will ban 22 synthetic drugs, including powerful forms of fentanyl, crippling the unlawful chemists cooking up these drugs and the cartels that push them to our local stores and streets. Banning these drugs quickly will help the feds step up their game of whack-a-mole so that we can help stem the tide of synthetic drug use here in New York City and across the country.” This past week, at least 130 individuals in Brooklyn were hospitalized after overdosing on K2, according to reports. Despite efforts to limit synthetic drugs, synthetic marijuana and other hazardous drug-like products continue to be sold at local bodegas or on the internet. Schumer is urging Congress to pass the “Dangerous Synthetic Drug Control Act of 2016,” saying it will reduce

the availability of the synthetic drugs chemists use to make K2 and other dangerous synthetics. Synthetic drugs are often a toxic combination of chemicals made to mimic 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient of marijuana. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, synthetic drugs can be extremely dangerous and addictive with health effects ranging from fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, seizures, intense hallucinations, psychotic episodes and suicidal thoughts. According to the CDC, chronic uses can lead to psychosis. A new CDC report released on July 15th says that synthetic cannabinoids are two to 100 times more potent that THC, the active ingredient in cannabis. This past week, at least 130 individuals were hospitalized in the pan of just a few days after allegedly overdosing on the synthetic drug, K2. Media reports described the individuals as lethargic, erratic, and taking on a zombie-like state. According to New York City, since 2015, there have been more than 6,000 synthetic

drug-related emergency department visits in the city and two confirmed deaths caused by K2. In fact, the CDC found that, between 2010-2015, the annual percentage of synthetic marijuana cases increased in all four U.S. Census regions and the largest overall increases happened in the Northeast, primarily driven by the increases in New York City. According to a June 2016 statement by the Director of National Drug Control Policy, there has been a 95% increase in phone calls to poison control centers across the United States related to synthetic drugs, with over 8,000 calls in 2015 alone. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, as of June 30th, poison centers nationwide received reports of 1,462 exposures to synthetic cannabinoids this year. S c h u m e r ’s l e g i s l a t i o n , “ D a n g e ro u s S y n thetic Drug Control Act of 2016,” (S.3224) adds 22 synthetic substances to Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. Eleven of these substances are synthetic cannabinoids, Continued on page 8

National Medical Association Statement on Police Use of Force

ilver Spring, MD (July 18, 2016) - The National Medical Association (NMA), representing over 50,000 predominantly African American physicians nationally, are deeply concerned by the recent and past incidents of Police Use of Lethal Force in the execution of their duties. The NMA is cognitive of the tremendous contributions of law enforcement officers in preserving communities at great personal sacrifice as well as exposing themselves on a daily basis to potential danger and life threatening situations. In addition, the NMA decries the violence against police officers and calls for the end of criminal and amoral attacks on police, as exemplified by the recent shooting deaths of Baton Rogue and Dallas law enforcement officers. The NMA calls for measures that will deflect both of these forms of violence and end the cycle of violence between the

police and the communities they are duty-bound to protect and serve. The NMA believes that violence, in particular the use of force by law enforcement, is a public health issue that disparately affects African Americans and communities of color as well as other vulnerable populations such as the homeless, the mentally ill, those who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the poor and teenagers. In 2015 the NMA House of Delegates passed a resolution on Lethal and Sub-Lethal Injury Resulting from Law Enforcement

Altercations. This resolution calls for the uniformity of training of law enforcement as well as the uniformity of tracking and reporting deaths in custody. Over the last two years the public has been made acutely aware of police actions which have resulted in the unjustified killing of innocent unarmed African American men. Though Philando Castile and Alton Sterling are the most recent victims to perish as a result of the actions of police officers, they are unfortunately on a long and growing list of citizens to suffer this fate. The NMA deplores

this unjustified use of excessive and often lethal force. Now the NMA announces the development of the Working Group on Gun Violence and Police Use of Force dedicated to establishing recommendations for comprehensive public health and criminal justice reform. This working group will set a clear violence prevention public health agenda for America while advocating for sensible gun reform. The work product will be geared towards decreasing the morbidity and mortality disparities associated with violence and police use of force within our communities. We, as African American physicians, reject the notion that our communities must be policed in a way that results in increased injury, deaths and incarceration of so many of our patients. It is clear that instances of inappropriate force by police can lead to significant injury. The injuries associated with

police use of force occur during the: Pre-custody period (commission of a crime, during a fight, chase, and apprehension, during a siege or hostage situation, or during restraint or submission) In custody period (soon after being admitted to jail, during interrogation, during incarceration, or legal execution) AND: Post-custody period (revenge by police or rival criminals or after reentry into the community). Injuries sustained by civilians at the hands of law enforcement include gunshot wounds, skull fractures, cervical spine injuries, facial fractures, broken legs, blunt trauma orbital floor fractures, laryngeal cartilage fractures, shoulder dislocations, cuts and bruises, concussions, hemorrhage, choking (positional or due to upper body holds), abdominal trauma, Continued on page 8

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Editorial

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Beacon

Walter Smith: Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Miatta Haj Smith: Co-Publisher & Executive Editor William Egyir: Managing Editor

Why we can’t get along By Lee A. Daniels George Curry Media Columnist

ur nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white-separate and unequal ... The alternative is not blind repression or capitulation to lawlessness. It is the realization of common opportunities for all within a single society.” Those words weren’t written or spoken to describe today’s crisis of race and injustice now being exposed, condemned and lamented in a flood of videos, news articles, opinion columns and polls. They were written a half-century ago for the 1968 Kerner Report, the document of the emergency presidential commission that examined the causes of the Black urban rebellions that convulsed American society just at the moment when the Civil Rights Movement had achieved its great national legislative victories from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s. Of course, the Kerner Report deliberately got the first part of that famous assessment wrong. America was not “moving” toward two societies. It had always been. The so-called “White backlash” that erupted in both the South and the North

in the early 1960s and the Black urban rebellions that came later both illuminated how difficult re-constructing American society as one nation “indivisible” still was. So it remains today when to cite one relevant example - a Black elementary school supervisor named Philando Castile and a Black United States Senator named Tim Scott shared an experience common to vast numbers of Black Americans: being harassed by White police officers for no reason other than the color of their skin. For Philando Castile, a man described by friends and co-workers alike as friendly, compassionate and responsible, that harassment - he had been stopped by Minneapolis-area police 52 times for alleged minor traffic violations in recent years - led to his unjustifiable killing by a police officer. For Senator Scott, Republican of South Carolina, the racial explosions of this month compelled him to deliver last week in the Senate what a Washington Post report described as a “bristling and personal speech” about his numerous negative encounters with White cops, including being repeatedly pulled over for alleged traffic violations. “The vast majority of the

time,” Scott said, “I was pulled over for nothing more than driving a new car in the wrong neighborhood, or some reason just as trivial. Imagine the frustration, the irritation, the sense of a loss of dignity that accompanies each of those stops.” Scott also said the negative encounters included his being stopped and questioned by U.S. Capitol police officers several times as he was entering the Senate office buildings, despite his wearing a pin that identifies him as a member of Congress. “I have,” Scott continued, “felt the anger, the frustration, the sadness and the humiliation that comes with the feeling that you are being targeted for being nothing more than yourself.” The repeated, infuriating, and too often lethal shared experience of these two individuals, who otherwise occupied vastly different stations in American society, with millions of other Black Americans underscores that “being targeted for being nothing more than yourself” remains the central fact of that centuries-old American tradition: the “racial divide.” That’s the foundation of all the polls published in the wake of the police shootings in Baton Rouge, La., where Alton Sterling was shot to death and

in suburban St. Paul, the site of Philando Castile’s killing, and Micah Xavier Johnson’s sniper attack on White Dallas police officers a day later. They’ve confirmed the blunt title of a late-June Pew Research Center survey released before the incidents occurred: “On Views of Race and Inequality, Blacks and Whites are Worlds Apart.” Especially, one might add, on views of police behavior. Why should anyone be surprise - given that we continue to literally see Black and Latino men, women and children beaten and killed by non-Black police officers in questionable circumstances. And to discover how commonplace are the bigoted emails, tweets and text messages some White police officers exchange with one another while on duty. And to read governmental reports documenting that numerous police departments allow officers to behave in virulently racist and even criminal ways toward the

citizens of color they’re supposed to serve. And, finally, to discover that in case after case of these beatings and deaths, holding police accountable for their actions is thwarted by institutional processes that are - to use a currently fashionable word - “rigged” against justice being done. We can and should be inspired by the significant progress Blacks and other previously stigmatized groups have made in claiming the protections of full citizenship. The growth in tolerance among Whites that have helped produce that progress is clearly evident in the Pew report as well. But, its findings, along with those of the latest batch of polls and surveys on race, also underscore the major continuing dynamic of U.S. Black-White relations. That is that Black Americans - and American society at large-are still ensnared in the old dynamic of slow progress shadowed by diminishing but still-fierce resistance. Lee A. Daniels, a former reporter for The Washington Post and the New York Times, is also a former editor of The National Urban League’s The State of Black America. He is a keynote speaker and author whose books include Last Chance: The Political Threat to Black America. He is writing a book on the Obama years and the 2016 election. He can be reached at leedaniel

O’Reilly says MLK would not have supported Black Lives Matter By George E. Curry George Curry Media Columnist

ox News Host Bill O’Reilly escalated his ongoing attack on the Black Lives Matter Movement by asserting without a hint of evidence that if Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were alive, he would not support the group. “With all due respect to President Obama, well-meaning activists do not associate themselves with a group that often commits violent acts, and encourages violence through irresponsible rhetoric. Dr. King would not participate in a Black Lives Matter protest,” he said in a Fox News commentary. First, Black Lives Matter does not, contrary to O’Reilly’s assertion, often commit violent acts or encourage violence through what he characterized as irresponsible rhetoric. He is part of the crowd that thinks the chant of “Black Lives Matter” should be discarded in favor of “All Lives Matters.” Forever trying to bridge

the gap between Blacks and Whites, President Obama explained the nuances associated with the phrase. “I think it’s important for us to also understand that the phrase ‘black lives matter’ simply refers to the notion that there’s a specific vulnerability for African Americans that needs to be addressed,” he told a gathering of enforcement officials, civil rights leaders, elected officials and activists recently in Washington, D.C. “We shouldn’t get too

caught up in this notion that somehow people who are asking for fair treatment are somehow, automatically, anti-police, are trying to only look out for Black lives as opposed to others. I think we have to be careful about playing that game.” It’s a game O’Reilly plays well, which is why he has the gall to claim that Dr. King would not support the Black Lives Matter Movement. Credible civil rights leaders strongly disagree. Bernard LaFayette, Jr., who worked with Dr. King as a field organizer and now chairs the board of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the organization Dr. King co-founded, said: “Dr. King supported the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee [SNCC] so it stands to reason that he would support Black Lives Matter as long as they practice nonviolence.” Rep. John Lewis knows that from first-hand experience. As chairman of the upstart SNCC, he participated in numerous marches with Dr. King, including the 1963 March on

Washington and the Selma to Montgomery, Ala. March that led to the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Lewis has praised the Black Lives Matter Movement and quoted Dr. King, as he did at a recent protest in the Capitol, by saying, « The time is always right to do what is right.» O’Reilly, never a King supporter, opposes many of the things Dr. King fought for during his lifetime, including affirmative action. Nothing in his background qualifies him to be an expert on what Dr. King would say or do if he were still alive. Those who are active in the Civil Rights Movement today have no doubts that Dr. King would be supportive of the young people who make up the core of Black Lives Matter. “Dr. King would enthusiastically embrace the philosophy and activism which inspires Black Lives Matter because every life matters,” said Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League. “The continuing disparities

and unequal treatment most apparent in but not limited to the police/ community relations and the criminal justice system demonstrates that all lives have not mattered equally. “Black Lives Matter sends a powerful wake-up call to our nation in the same way that a young Dr. King activist of the 50s and 60s shook the foundation of the segregated South.” This was not the first time O’Reilly has disparaged Black Lives Matter. On July 8, he told Hilary Shelton, Washington bureau chief of the NAACP: «I think that if you really want, if African Americans really want to bring the country together and have good racial relations, they have to distance themselves from Black Lives Matter.” Instead of doing that, Shelton distanced himself from O’Reilly’s advice. “I believe in my conversations with leaders of Black Lives Matter, and even my participation in a demonstration in which we marched from the Continued on page 8

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International

Germany axe attack: Assault on train in Wuerzburg

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T Visa free access proposed for African Union By J. Zamgba Browne Chief Correspondent

he African Union, Africa’s equivalent of the United Nations is introducing a common passport system that would allow a visa free access to all 54-member states in the Union, superseding existing national documents. The Organization of African Union based in Adis Ababa, Ethiopia, said the plan will ease access restrictions for travel within the continent and sharply reduce the number of people embarking on danger-

ous migration routes. But critics argue that opening borders will help terror groups and organized crime. The electronic passports system will first be issued to African heads of states and officials at the upcoming African Union summit in Rwanda, before being issued to citizens. African Union officials say the move represents a step towards a continental integration and the historic vision of Pan-Africanism espoused by Ghana’s first president Kwame Nkrumah and President Gamel Abdel Nasser of Egypt.

National Medical Association Statement on Police Use of Force From page 4

hemothorax, and pneumothorax . Complications of such injuries include post-traumatic brain swelling, infections following open fractures and lacerations, hydrocephalus due to blood or infection, as well as subdural and epidural hematomas and, in the most severe cases, death. For these reasons a public health approach is critical to addressing the administration of force by police officers within communities subject to disparate practices. When an arrest is indicated, it is imperative that police officers are trained in techniques designed to safely restrain suspects, while protecting themselves from harm, with the goal of safe transport to police headquarters. Understanding the inherent stress involved in performing their duties, it is critical that police officers have an initial mental health assessment and ongoing psychological support services. As a result, we ask for the following: We ask that there be an immediate review and assessment of current state, local, and federal law enforcement hiring practices and their criteria for selection. We ask that there be immediate review and assessment of current state, local, and federal law enforcement training criteria, continuing education, mental health risk assessment, further development of psy-

chological support services, bias mitigation, and conflict resolution protocols. We ask that specific federal appropriations be reinstated to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for basic research into the public health effects of gun violence. We ask that there be mandatory state, local, and federal adherence to H.R. 1447 - Death in Custody Reporting Act of 2013 amended to require the inclusion of independent Medical Examiner reports and the US Standard Death Certificate. We support police officers and law enforcement officials who are working to address these critical issues. We commend them for their daily efforts to protect and serve their community, ensuring the safety of citizens. As physicians, we believe violence is unacceptable under any circumstance. We ask that all demonstrations remain peaceful to protect the health and safety of citizens and law enforcement alike. Founded in 1895, the National Medical Association (NMA) is the nation’s oldest and largest medical association representing the interests of African American physicians and the patients they serve. The NMA advocates for policies that would assure equitable and quality health care for all people. For more information on the NMA visit,www. NMAnet.org

hree people were seriously hurt and one suffered minor injuries in the attack in Wurzburg, police said. Initial reports said up to 20 people had been injured but it was later revealed that at least 14 had been treated for shock. The motive for the attack is not yet clear. Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said the attacker was a 17-year-old Afghan refugee who had been living in the nearby town of Ochsenfurt. He said the teenager appeared to have travelled to Germany as an unaccompanied minor. Mr Herrmann said authorities were looking into reports that the attacker had yelled out “an exclamation”. Some witnesses quoted by German media said they had heard him shout “Allahu akbar” (“God Is Great”) during the attack. The incident happened at about 21:15 (19:15 GMT) on the train which runs between Treuchlingen and Wurzburg. “Shortly after arriving at Wurzburg, a man attacked passengers with an axe and a knife,” a police spokesman said. Police said the attacker had fled the train but

was chased by officers who shot him dead. Although the motive has not been established, the BBC’s Damien McGuinness in Berlin says there is nervousness in Germany about attacks by Islamist extremists following the attacks across the border in France. In May, a man reportedly shouting “Allahu akbar” killed one person and wounded three others in a knife attack at a railway station near the German city of Munich. He was later sent to a psychiatric hospital and authorities said they found no links to Islamic extremism.

Schumer seeks crackdown on ingredients used in K2, other synthetic drugs From page 4 often marketed as K2 or Spice. These substances are usually misleadingly referred to as synthetic marijuana, because they are designed to mimic the effects of THC. However, Schumer said the side effects of these chemicals are far more dangerous. Three of these substances are derivatives of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid estimated to be 100 times more powerful than morphine. Fentanyl and its derivatives have been associated with numerous overdoses in recent years. The DEA has temporarily scheduled

seven of the 22 substances as imminent hazards to the public safety. However, Schumer explained that, further action must be taken to permanently protect the public and that’s why Congress should pass this bill. Schumer has long supported measures to crackdown on synthetic marijuana use across the country. Schumer explained that, between the years 2009 and 2012, synthetic drug abuse was on the rise. In response, Schumer fought hard in Congress to pass the Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 that banned many forms of these chemicals and

enhanced DEA authority to ban new ones that emerge. As part of the legislation, Congress used its legislative authority to place over 20 chemical compounds that had been used in synthetic marijuana and other synthetic drugs into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the classification for the most dangerous drugs. The legislation gave the DEA enhanced authority to temporarily place uncontrolled substances that pose an imminent hazard to public safety, like these synthetic chemicals, into Schedule I of the CSA.

O’Reilly says MLK would not have supported Black Lives Matter From page 6 capitol building here in Washington, D.C., to the front of the White House in a very peaceful demonstration with a number of members of Congress. In much the same way those marched in Dallas, Texas, we saw things very differently. We have to take on those issues in a very significant way,” Shelton said. “Let us not forget two things, Bill. Number one is that those marches were for good reasons. Indeed, if we look at the disparities and the attacks of African-Amer-

icans and the killings of African-Americans by police officers, even unarmed African-Americans, the numbers and the data is important as well... and we look at the data, we see that twice as many African-Americans and unarmed African-Americans are shot by police officers than White Americans in our society. That raises a problem.” And the problem is that Bill O’Reilly and others of his ilk prefer to blame the Black Lives Matter Movement for how they react to police disproportionately killing African Americans rather than police

misconduct that precipitated the marches. George E. Curry is President and CEO of George Curry Media, LLC. He is the former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine and the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA). He is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. Curry can be reached through his Web site, georgecurry.com. You can also follow him at twitter. com/currygeorge, George E. Curry Fan Page on Facebook, and Periscope. See previous columns at http://www.georgecurry.com/columns.

HARLEM WEEK_EXhibit_2016_AM_.qxp_Layout 1 7/15/16 4:04 PM Page 1

9 BEACON, July 14 - July 20, 2016

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R A H

K E E W M E L 16

Advice: Ask Alma By Alma Gill NNPA News Wire Columnist

BEACON,

July 14 - July 20, 2016

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ear Alma, I hate my husband’s be st friend. They are total opposites and I just don’t get it. I understand they grew up together and went to the same high school, but really, it’s time for this relationship to end. My husband graduated and went on to college. His friend didn’t and has been in and out of jail. He does drugs and my husband doesn’t do drugs. This guy is a total loser. As long as I’ve known him, he has been a terrible friend to my husband. For example, we had a dinner party and had invited a few friends and our neighbors. During the dinner, the neighbors were robbed. Although he has never admitted it, I know my husband’s friend did it. He left the party right away, never came back and when our neighbors went home they had been robbed. I’ll give you another one. We were at another mutual friend’s birthday party; everybody was jamming, having a great time. Later on, we found out someone had gone through the ladies purses and stolen the cash. It was him! A family member who doesn’t even know his history saw him upstairs around the coats and bags. Whenever he’s around you better bet something gets stolen. He is awful towards women, he uses them and takes them for everything they have and then breaks up with them. At what point will my husband wake up and let go of this guy? It’s just not funny anymore. We’re almost 30 and it’s time for things to change. We’re about to start a family and I don’t want him around my children. How can I tell my husband he has to pick between me or his friend? I’m at the end. I just can’t take it anymore. Signed, Choose Me or Lose Me Hold on Honey Lamb, you’re about to get your feelings hurt. Your predicament reminds me of the artwork hanging on Chris’ desk. Chris is a guy I work with. His son drew it and it says, “I love mommy & daddy and my buddies!” LOL! Lawd, that cracks me up every time, because even a four-year old recognizes the importance of your buddies. I know, slow your roll, we aren’t talking about a four year old, and I get that. But the loyalty and dedication to your buddy never fades. I’m sure your Boo and his BFF have some stores to tell, some stories to keep, some stories they’ll never forget or repeat. I can’t help but wonder: why are you now ridding him of someone he’s held dear, long before you met him? I think if we check the Handbook of Marriage 101, you can’t regulate a friend-

Alma Gill says that trying to regulate your significant others close friendships can be hazardous.

ship that existed before your marriage. Unless that said friend is an ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend. That’s just like asking him to stop eating PB&J’s because they’re not your favorite. The evidence shows, this is his dude and dudes aren’t easily replaceable. Men aren’t like women, they don’t have multiple, BFF’s designated by rank and associations. Bromances are built and broadened over years. They see each other through up and downs, health issues and handcuffs. Your husband most likely uses this friendship as an anchor, it’s unconditional, a reminder that we all walk by faith. I’m sorry to break the news, but their ride or die Kawasaki doesn’t have a seat for you. And that’s okay. Be wise, Sunshine, and reverse your anger. I know you wanna glass of Novocain to ease the pain every time you see him coming, but you may have to let this one run its course. You said he and your husband are opposites and that may be true. But there’s some common ground, deep down in there somewhere you aren’t recognizing. Don’t offer him an ultimatum, because you know as well as I do, you ain’t leaving. And stop giving your husband’s friend the power to dictate the path of your family. Until you have proof your husband has become someone you don’t recognize, don’t hold him accountable for a crime he hasn’t committed. It’s your responsibility to have faith in your husband. If a situation ever arises, he surely will choose his family, there should be no question about that. Allow your husband to handle is compadre. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is not ponder or obsess over it, and instead, just believe that it will work out for your best. Alma Gill’s newsroom experience spans more than 25 years, including various roles at USA Today, Newsd a y a n d t h e Wa s h i n g t o n Post. Email questions to: alwaysaskalma@gmail.com. Follow her on Facebook at “Ask Alma” and Twitter @ almaaskalma.

Willie Gary named one of nation’s top lawyers

tuart, FL – Trial attorney and philanthropist Willie Gary has been named one of the most powerful and successful attorneys in the world by moneyinc.com. Gary credits his HBCU alma mater, Shaw University, for his legal accomplishments and for being recognized by moneyinc.com as one of the top lawyers in the world. Gary is listed as the number seven lawyer in the nation from a list of 20 esteemed colleagues. Gary was selected based on his unparalleled accomplishments as a litigator, including an unprecedented $23.6 billion verdict on behalf of his clients -- the largest wrongful death verdict in history, and his unwavering commitment to community service, education and humanitarian efforts. “It is indeed an honor to be recognized with this exceptional group of attorneys, who have so admirably balanced the role of serving as a voice for the voiceless and fighting for the rights of the least of these through various philanthropic and humanitarian efforts,” commented Gary. Attorney Willie E. Gary is no stranger to seeking justice. Gary is known for taking on some of the nation’s most powerful corporate giants. In 2014, a jury awarded Gary an unprecedented $23.6 billion verdict against RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company. In 1995, a jury awarded Gary a record-breaking, half-billion dollars against one of the world’s largest funeral chains, The Loewen Group. In addition, Gary is noted for winning a $240 million jury verdict in

Orange County against the Walt Disney Corporation for his clients who alleged that Disney stole their idea for a sports theme park. In 2001, a jury awarded Gary a $139.6 million verdict for the Maris Distributing Company against Anheuser Busch. Known for his philanthropic endeavors, Willie Gary and his wife, Gloria Gary, founded The Gary Foundation, which provides college scholarships to at-risk students who wish to attend college. The Gary’s have pledged millions of dollars to help Historically Black Colleges and Universities – including $10 million to their alma mater Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. For a list of other nominees visit www.moneyinc.com.

THE ADAMS REPORT©

Pack and Go

’ll say it one more time, summer is here . . . Yippee! That means that it is time to take a much needed break before summer ends and the end of the rest of the year begins. Whether you decide to get away for a weekend, a week or three months; unless you plan to stay home you can look forward to packing a suitcase with everything you will need to be reasonable comfortable and fashionable while on holiday. Did you say that you seem to take everything but the kitchen sink? That won’t work in these days of airport security measures and check in procedures. As a seasoned traveler, I take great pride in—never checking luggage and always traveling with one carry on and a small tote, regardless of the length of my stay. Ask my former colleagues at Essence! Whenever we traveled for sales meetings or on business in general . . . everyone else would arrive at the airport laden down with more luggage and stuff then was really needed! While they spent a lot of time standing in line to check bags, I went straight to the gate, had coffee and read the morning paper! After arrival I went straight to the car and checked into the hotel . . . my colleagues were still waiting in baggage claim. Packing light just makes sense. Most people make the mistake of trying to take too much. Whether you are traveling

on business or vacation . . . chances are that you will never see those people again; so why worry about having a completely different outfit for each day? Get creative by expanding your traveling wardrobe’s accessories instead of taking your entire closet. But why take it from me? Here are a few packing tips from Samsonite™ that you might want to keep in mind while packing for your holiday: • Know the airline’s carry on limits to be sure that your bag will fit overhead. Nothing is worse than being forced to check your carry on because it exceeds allowable dimensions. • Be sure to check the weather conditions and pack accordingly. • Buy clothing in fabrics like knits and jerseys that don’t wrinkle easily to avoid having to iron or dry clean while traveling. If you must, check to see if the hotel offers laundry services. • Plan your clothing needs for each day and coordinate outfits around a central color scheme; mix and match for maximum versatility . . . plan on layering to provide extra warmth if necessary. • Eliminate packing unnecessary items like bulky robes and toiletries that are provided by the hotel. • Buy travel size plastic containers/bottles to fill with any liquid toiletries that you absolutely must have and fill less than full . . . the contents might expand en-route. Place bottles in a zip locked freezer bag to protect your clothing. • Utilize every inch of space. Pack your underwear, socks and accessories inside your shoes; this will also help shoes keep their shape. • S tore essential items in a

removable laundry bag, toiletry kit and shoe bag for an even more organized suitcase. Leave non-essentials at home. I have another rule that I adhere to: Whatever doesn’t fit in the bag . . . stays behind. So far, I have not ever regretted leaving anything, in fact; traveling light gives me more time to enjoy my trip. When the excursion comes to an end, unpacking is a breeze! Pack and go . . . it’s easy. Think about it. See you next week. Visit my website, TheAdamsReport.com and checkout my online radio show, Talk! with Audrey for a series of interviews that will inform, motivate and inspire you. ONLINE FEATURES: This week on TALK! with AUDREY: Are you traveling this summer? According to the second annual Allianz Travel Insurance Sharing Economy Index, more than double the amount of Americans plan to use sharing economy services for their travel plans this summer compared to 2015 due to an increase in familiarity and trust, National Travel Expert and Best-Selling Author Mark Murphy joins me with the latest summer travel trends and some special tips to ensure your vacation is relaxing and enjoyable. Audrey Adams is the host of TALK! with AUDREY a weekly, radio and television show about issues that empower women, featuring entertaining, inspiring and interviews with experts and authors from the health, fitness, financial, and travel industries. TALK! with AUDREY provides insightful, intelligent, information to encourage viewers to improve the quality of their life and pay it forward. THE ADAMS REPORT©

Celebrity Journalist and author Florence Anthony pens ‘Deadly’ sequel

ack in 2000, celebrity journalist Florence Anthony (“Flo”) made her debut as an author penning Keeping Secrets Telling Lies (published by Brown Books out of Dallas) -- a sexy murder mystery set in Black Hollywood involving sports stars, billionaires and Hollywood starlets – and for the first time introducing readers to the book’s main characters Valerie Rollins and Rome Nyland. The book received favorable reviews and modest success which eventually spawned Deadly Stuff Players (published by Strebor/Atria/SimonandSchuster). Fast forward to 2016 and the long-awaited sequel One Last Deadly Play (published by Wahida Clark Presents) that picks up where

Author Flo Anthony

Angeles, Rolondo shoots his way out of an L.A. courtroom and flees to New York City where Valerie is helping her fiancé, Black dot com billionaire Victor Dumas and his son, Vance, a jockey, put together an all Black Polo Club that will compete this summer in the Hamptons Polo Classic. Once Val and crew land in the Big Apple, they find out their Los Angeles home has been invaded, members of their staff have been killed and Rome’s fiancée Turquoise Hobson is missing. Vance’s wife, Kentucky Derby winning jockey Violet McClean has left him, and secretly joined forces against the Dumas family with Rolondo and Victor’s worst enemy, his half--brother Sincere, to kidnap her and Vance’s daughter for billions in ransom and eventually kill Victor and Valerie.

is receiving favorable reviews. “‘In One Last Deadly Play’ Anthony perfectly captures the scene from New York to Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Miami, as Valerie and Rome come up against murder, kidnapping plots and enough family intrigue to make the Lyons from ‘Empire’ seem more like pussy cats than kings of the jungle!,” exclaimed Billy Heller, The New York Post. This book is available for download with iBooks on your Mac or iOS device, and Flo Anthony at Essence with iTunes on your computer. Books can be read with iBooks Festival (Photo by on your Mac or iOS device. AJB)

The dastardly trio is also after a trunk filled with gold, silver and bills hidden in an underground safe in a secret room beneath the Holy Tabernacle of Mary Magdalene Church in Sag Harbor, the Hamptons’ historically Black neighborhood. The church was once the last stop on the Underground Railroad. Follow this eclectic cast of characters along with supermodels, socialites, a treacherous minister, the Bugatti Blades and an Olympic Figure Skater as they navigate through the streets of New York City and the glittering Hamptons, all the while making new love connections as well as renewing past ones, dodging bullets and death, but most importantly, Valerie and Rome are once again trying to keep the bad guys from making One Last Deadly Play. Already the book

Mega-bestselling author Zane is back with ‘Vengeance’

Vengeance Book Cover

ew York Times bestselling author Zane returns to the world of her hugely popular novels Addicted and Nervous with Vengeance (Atria Books Hardcover, 288 pages; ISBN: 9781501108044; May 24, 2016; $25.00), a dark and exhilarating follow-up featuring a beautiful but emotionally damaged pop star desperate and determined to enact revenge on those who have caused her to hide behind her fame and to avenge a cruel event from her past. “I am simply going

to say that this book is about tolerance of other people and their lifestyles. It is not only about learning to forgive others but about self-forgiveness. It is about realizing that everything truly does happen for a reason and that sometimes things fall apart so even better things can come together,” explains Zane about her current erotic thriller, which is set in the same world of Addicted and Nervous. Decades after fleeing from Atlanta after an unspeakable trauma, Caprice Tatum returns to her roots -only this time she’s Wicket, the international pop sensation who has become a living embodiment of fame and fortune. The mega-selling author explores Caprice’s anger in Vengeance. As the story goes, everyone knows that Wicket is the stage name of Ladonna Sterling, adopted daughter of billionaire Richard Sterling. But thanks to facial reconstruction to conceal a childhood knife scar inflicted by her mentally ill mother, no one recognizes Ladonna as Caprice Tatum, the victim of a vicious gang rape in her senior year of high school in Atlanta. Now, twenty-five years later, she is determined to pay back the perpetrators – and her former best friends who allowed the

Author Zane

rape to happen. As the story goes, it’s 2012, and Wicket’s video for “The Other Side of the Pillow” has 900 million You Tube views – more than double the views for Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” Wicket is filthy rich, almost 40, and hasn’t been back to Atlanta since she fled following the rape. But the emotional scars still persist: she is unable to allow men to touch her in a sexual manner, and suffers from a form of rage known as Intermittent Explosive Disorder. Unable to let go of the past, she has moved back to Atlanta, purchased the most expensive

mansion she can find, and is carefully plotting vengeance on Bianca, Cherie, Herman and Michael for their part in that horrific attack she endured at the age of 15 at Powers High School. Her plan: to get revenge before her fortieth birthday. “If money truly bought happiness, I should have been the happiest sister on the planet, but I was depressed, pissed, and ready to seek the vengeance that I had gone there to get.” With money not an object, Wicket/Caprice is able to infiltrate Atlanta’s upper crust society to get closer to her old “friends,” who no longer recognize her. But the deeper she worms her way into Atlanta’s most elite circles, the more Caprice unravels, putting herself and the few people she trusts at risk, including Jonovan, her childhood crush who compassion and allure is almost too hot to handle. While she may have refashioned herself onstage as the perfect diva, selling out concerts and topping the charts, offstage she’s haunted by her past and incapable of the kind of intimacy that could free her heart and mind. She can only see one way forward: revenge against the people who were responsible for what happened

About Flo Anthony A veteran celebrity journalist, Flo Anthony currently hosts a daily nationally syndicated radio show “Gossip On The Go With Flo,” syndicated by Superadio. In addition, she is the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Blacknoir.nyc, and a contributor to The New York Daily News’ Confidential column. Additionally, Flo writes a weekly syndicated column “Go With The Flo” which appears in several publications including the New York Amsterdam News and Philadelphia Sunday Sun. Flo has been seen over the years on countless television shows and networks including Geraldo, Entertainment Tonight, The Insider, TV One’s Life After, MSNBC, Fox News Channel, CNN, HLN and E! Entertainment TV. to her when she was a teenager. When her father suggests she see therapist Dr. Marcella Spencer, Caprice reluctantly does so, finally sharing the stories of her past in the hope of picking up her pieces and find an inner strength. But can Caprice truly overcome her past – a legacy of pain and suffering? Can Dr. Spencer’s advice keep her from acting on her rage? Or will her thirst for revenge drag her even further into darkness?

About the Author Z a n e i s t h e N e w Yo r k Ti m e s b e s t s e l l i n g a u t h o r of Afterburn, The Heat Seekers, Dear G-Spot, Gettin’ Buck Wild, The Hot Box, Total Eclipse of the Heart, Nervous, Skyscraper, Love is Never Painless, Shame on It All, and The Sisters of APF; the ebook short stories “I’ll be Home for Christmas” and “Everything Fades Away”; and editor for the Flava anthology series, including Z-Rated and Busy Bodies. Her TV series, Zane’s Sex Chronicles, and The Jump Off are featured on Cinemax, and her bestselling novel Addicted is a major motion picture with Lionsgate Films. She is the publisher of Strebor Books, an imprint of Atria Books/Simon & Schuster. Visit her online at EroticaNoir.com.

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One Last Deadly Play Book Cover

Deadly Stuff Players left off! In the book, the lead character Valerie is the most popular Black gossip columnist in the United States; and when asked if the tomb was autobiographical, Flo laughs, “She’s my alter-ego!” One Last Deadly Play, which was released digitally on Tuesday, June 7, 2016, made its debut at the 22nd Essence Festival in New Orleans, June 30-July 3, 2016, where Flo personally autographed hundreds of copies of the new novel and posed with fans. As the story goes, almost two years ago, along with law enforcement officers, the nation’s most popular Black Gossip Columnist, Valerie Rollins and her crime solving partner, Rome Nyland, a NFL Hall of Famer turned Private Investigator, discovered that retired Los Angeles Wildcats baseball player Royale Jones’ real identity is Rolondo Jemison, his look-a-like cousin. A career criminal, Rolondo, had been presumed dead. The question was, “What happened to the real Royale?” whom Valerie never revealed to anyone that she had an intimate past with. On this particular Tuesday morning, a mysterious man who has been living on a deserted island in the Bahamas with amnesia for the past five years suddenly gets his memory back when he sees a photo of Rolondo in a newspaper article that also mentions Valerie’s name. At the same time in Los

BEACON, July 14 - July 20, 2016

Wednesday’s Woman

Compiled by Audrey J. Bernard Woman's Editor

#HotOffThePress

BEACON,

July 14 - July 20, 2016

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Mayor and 1st Lady host Harlem Chamber first annual Harlem/Havana celebration

Dedra N. Tate

By Dedra N. Tate Special Assignment

he Honorable Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray opened up the grounds of their Gracie Mansion (GM) home to announce and celebrate the First Annual Harlem/Havana Music and Cultural Festival (HHMCF) and the 120th anniversary of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce (GHCC). Close to 1,000 fashionably dressed guests made their way through check-in and security to enter the tented GM great lawn, overlooking the East River. Waiters served passed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails as the evening’s program began. NY1 senior anchor, Cheryl Wills, was first to grace the podium as she introduced a performance by “The Color Purple” The Musical’s Angela Birchett. Up next was Mayor De Blasio, who welcomed guests and paid tribute to GHCC, which currently has over 2,000 members, associates and partners including small businesses, professional service promoters, educational, health, civic, cultural, religious institutions and Fortune 200 companies. GHCC president, Lloyd Williams, delivered an overview of the HHMCF initiatives which will take place from August 15– August 21 as part of the month long Harlem Week celebrations this summer. The festivities will feature internationally renowned fashion designers, fine artists, chefs, dancers and musicians including Cesar Lopez & Habana Ensemble, Jorge Luis Pacheco Y Su Grupo and the JJ Folkloric Dance Company. The festival will also feature the “Art & Fashion Project, Arte Y Moda” with Chef Raul Colon. Special presentations were made to Charles Flateman, senior vice president, The Shubert Organization and GHCC

Ray Hodge, Patricia Rickette, Lloyd Williams, Valerie Williams

Winston Majette, Paola Ruiz, Demetrius Thornton, Robert A. Tate, Jr.

Khalid Baylor, Regina Wilson, Franklin Richardson

120th Anniversary Awards were presented to Patricia Ricketts, GHCC vice president of programs and Louis Katsos, president Jekmar Associates and GHCC executive board member. Following remarks by the Honorable Jorge Gonzalez, first secretary of the Cuban Mission, Giselle Cortez, director of Blue Cities for jetBlue Airlines and Kelly Curtin, executive vice president of NYC & Company, GHCC recipients of The Mayor’s 2016 Hospitality NYC Youth Workforce were acknowledged. With all housekeeping now in order, it was time to jam and there

Wilma Jordan, Guest, Yvonne DuBose, Lucia Kaiser, Ruth Clark, Gil McGriff

Maria G. Cavenaghi, Debbie Miller, Linda Reynolds, Myrna Long, Sandy Tate, Jean Wells, Ambassador Suzan Johnson-Cook

Raymond P. Lewis, Miriam Rodriguez, Viviana Rodriguez

Irene Gandy, MBP Gale Brewer

Geoffrey Eaton, Virginia Johnson, Tania Leon, Abaynesh Asrat Anthony Watson, Curtis L. Archer

was no better group to set the tone than Afro-Cuban band Jaambo. VIP’s, tastemakers and Harlem business owners seen enjoying the Cuban experience were the Honorable David N. Dinkins, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright, Charles B. Rangel’s deputy chief of staff Geoffrey Eaton, newly elected congressman Adriano Espaillat, public relations guru Irene Gandy, former NBA baller Fred Brown, Sr., Harlem Community Development Corporation president Curtis L. Archer, SUNY Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center Executive

Jaambo members Ronnie Roc, Babadon Eaton Babatutunde, Richie Robles, Mac Gollehon, Emmitt Causey

Director Anthony Watson, actor Daniel Beaty, R&B songstress Renee Neufville (formerly of Zhane), WBLS Operations Manager/Program Director Skip Dillard, New York Fire Department/Vulcan Society President Regina Wilson, The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc. Manager Community Outreach Ade Williams, Innovative Property Management & Development, Inc. President Miriam Rodriguez, Dance Theater of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson, Harlem Haberdashery Owner Sharene Wood and Suzan Johnson-Cook, presidential advisor/

Renee Neufville, Darryl T. Downing, Chanel Washington, Shontay Rose

pastor/ambassador. Amongst the hardworking GHCC staff was Voza Rivers, Winston Majette, Marko Nobles, Emmett Causey, Julie Henry, Jasmin Heatley, Michele Scott, Jason Auguste, Charles Powell and Bob Tate who worked closely with Jose Velazquez and Mkada Beach from the Mayor’s Office of Special Projects and Community Events and the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit commissioner Marco A. Carrion, assistant commissioner Ricky M. DaCosta and Manhattan borough director, Paola Ruiz. (Photos by Dedra N. Tate)

Ade Wiilliams, Valerie Williams

JALC ‘Swing! A Summer Cocktail Party’ celebrates young supporters & rising stars By Audrey J. Bernard Society Editor

newyorkbeacon.net

azz at Lincoln Center’s (JALC) Swing! A Summer Cocktail Party has become a spectacular summer soiree celebrating the arts and culture world’s young and diverse social set that support JALC’s education and advocacy initiatives. This year’s event took place on Monday, June 27, 2016 in The Appel Room at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Broadway at 60th Street, New York City, featuring top shelf libations, delicious hors d’oeuvres and stunning panoramic views of Central Park. Swinging jazz numbers were performed throughout the high-spirited evening by JALC’s house band Mathis Picard Band hosted by DeMarco Morgan, CBS News correspondent, who cheerfully welcomed JALC’s board of directors, Swing! committee chairs and members, honorees and guests. “Frederick P. Rose Hall has become a destination for all things jazz. It is an honor for me to be in a place where so many jazz legends and greats perform,” stated Morgan. “Jazz has a unique ability to speak to everyone and bring people together. It is a universal language that crosses generations -- from jazz luminaries to rising stars like the individuals we are honoring tonight.” From the stage Morgan introduced Swing! Chair Dorria Ball who thanked committee members and guests for supporting the Swing! initiative and its mission to engage a young and diverse audience for jazz. “Now in its third year, this exciting initiative is doing exactly what was intended,” she said. “The program is building a diverse community of advocates for JALC and for preserving the legacy of this quintessentially American art form for future generations.” During the award program, JALC board member Mark Patterson presented the inaugural Clifford Brown Award to Greg Ammon, entrepreneur and JALC supporter. This award recognizes an individual’s exceptional support of JALC and jazz advocacy. “In 2012, Greg Ammon gifted the organization with $1 million from The Ammon Foundation to name our archives and performance music library after R. Theodore “Ted” Ammon, Greg’s father and former chairman of our board,” said Patterson. “Greg has continued his father’s legacy of supporting Jazz at Lincoln Center, while forging his own legacy of advocacy for our mission. Swing! Committee Vice Chair Jenna Bond presented the Swing! award to pianist Aaron Diehl. “Aaron is one of the most sought after jazz virtuosos and composers in music today,” stated Bond. “Words such as ‘timeless quality’ and ‘hearkening back to Duke Ellington’ and

BEACON, July 14 - July 20, 2016

BEACON ON THE SCENE

Honorees Etienne Charles, Aaron Diehl and Charenee Wade perform with Mathis Picard Band

DeMarco Morgan, Mark Patterson

Dorria Ball, Dwayne Ashley

Solonje Burnett-Loucas, Jenna Bond

Jeanne Parnell, Lorenzo Greenwich

Stephen C. Byrd

‘echoes of the swing era’ are frequently used to describe the substance of Aaron’s musicianship.” Ian Carleton Schaefer, founding co-chair of JALC’s young members club, Rhythm Club, presented the Swing! award to trumpeter Etienne Charles. “Jazz virtuoso Marcus Roberts who serves as a mentor to our second honoree describes Etienne as an artist that broadens our scope of understanding through the collaborative sound of American jazz,” remarked Schaefer. Following his acceptance speech, Charles thrilled guests with a performance of “More” with fellow honoree Diehl. Racquel Oden, managing director at Merrill Lynch, presented the Swing! award to vocalist Charenee Wade. “Charenee has received numerous accolades for her exceptional accomplishments as a singer, composer, arranger and passionate educator of future musicians,” expressed Oden. “Wade is an innovative voice in jazz and modern urban music, and a highly versatile singer with a dynamic range.” After delivering her acceptance speech, Wade performed a soulful “Day

Ebony JoAnn

Greg Ammon, Ian Carleton Schaefer

Sharon Lopez

by Day” with Diehl on piano. As a grand finale, guests were treated to a jam session featuring jazz’s most notable rising stars on worldwide stages -- honorees Etienne Charles, Aaron Diehl and Charenee Wade -- backed by the Mathis Picard Band. Swing! host committee chairman was Dorria Ball and honorary chairs were actor Anika Noni Rose, “Late Show with Stephen Colbert” band leader Jon Batiste, and Stephen C. Byrd, producer of the Tony-nominated play “Eclipsed” now in its third year. JALC Chairman of the Board Bob Appel and his wife Helen were joined by an im-

Robert J. Appel

Roberta Tabb, Bernard Williams Jr.

Racquel Oden

Gordon J. Davis

JALC guest, Steve Manning, JALC guest, Eric Smallwood

pressive committee and guests comprising a hip, culturally diverse young professionals and intimate group, which included descendents of the legendary jazz drummer Max Roach, and JALC’s VP of Development Dwayne Ashley. Swing! host committee included Jane Aiello, George Alexander, Fabrice Armand, Jenna Bond, Solonje Burnett-Loucas, Valentino Carlotti, Grace Chan, Andrew Dawes, Beth Douglas, Loren Douglass, Marvena Edmond, Dionyse Fitzwilliam, Valerie Grant, Dahsonn Graves, Latoya Henry, Courtney Lee-Mitchell, Eunice Liriano, Raisa Lopez

Rhoden, Spencer Means, Chris Montgomery, Adam Moore, Carl Nelson, Rachel Nicks, Roy Paul, Randy Klein, Bruce Reynolds, Carolyn Pride, Ayo Roach, Chadwick Roberson, Lucian Rothstein, Trevor Scot land, Javier Seymore, Clinton Townsend, Madison Utendahl, Nicole Valentine, Eric Woods. Swing! A Summer Cocktail Party was sponsored by Sirius XM, Merrill Lynch, BNY Mellon, Bloomberg and Ted Baker. Christmas came early to guests who were gifted with a one-year JALC membership! (Photos by Frank Stewart and Lawrence Sumulong)

14 3rd Season

Harlem Shakespeare Festival on West 125 Edited By Don Thomas

BEACON,

July 14 - July 20, 2016

newyorkbeacon.net

roducer Voza Rivers/ New Heritage Theatre Group, and Take Wing and Soar productions, under the leadership of Debra Ann Byrd, presented the final presentation of their Harlem Shakespeare Festival’s third season at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building on West 125th Street, June 30, a contemporary concert version of “Much Ado About Nothing,” complete with music and dance. The new abridged 90 minute staged reading presentation was set in Post-Civil War Louisiana around the period of what was called “The In-Gathering” when freed slaves went searching for their family members sold in slavery. It is a time when men coming home from battle were something to celebrate. The production featured period music and dance. The script was abridged and directed by Dathan B. Williams, artistic associate director of Take Wing and Soar.

Producer Voza Rivers

The multi-ethnic, multi-racial cast included Alexa Ciera Adderley, Cameron Bartell, David L. Carson, John HeathClark, Ann Flanigan, James Foster Jr., Warren Jackson, Tauriq Jenkins, Tom Martin, Adaku Opki, Kamela Payne, Damion Rochester, Claire Simba, Parker Scott, Norman Anthony Small, Kaili Y. Turner, Renauld White, Natasha Yannacañedo

Producer Debra Ann Byrd

and Paul Binotto as the Sexton and the Musician. The audience was seated in a circular setting as the cast moved freely around the intimate performance space at times speaking directly to the audience. A talk-back/response was held by director Dathan B. Williams. With the plays of William Shakespeare as its foundation,

the Harlem Shakespeare Festival specializes in giving center stage opportunities to classically trained actors of color. This program is supported in part by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito, New York City Council Member Inez E. Dickens, The New York City Council Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries

and International Intergroup Relations, Jimmy Van Bramer, Chair, New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, Community Board 10 Arts and Culture Committee, Community Works New York City, the Arlen Charitable Trust, Con Edison, Office of General Services, Emmanuel Baptist Church, and the Ford Foundation.

Actors Warren Jackson (Benedick) and Ann Flanigan (Beatrice)

Actors Cameron Bartell (Claudio), Alexa Ciera Adderley (Hero), David L. Carson (Don Pedro)

Cheyenne Wright recently graduated from Flushing High School, Queens New York and will be attending John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan. Ms. Wright is the daughter of Ronnie “Photographer to the Stars” Wright and his lovely wife Valerie, who are extremely proud of their multiple talented composer/singer daughter, who also won the Apollo Theater’s Amateur Night singing competition 3 times , with her standing ovation live performance of Grammy Award-winner Adele’s, “Rolling In The Deep.”

By Audrey J. Bernard, Society Editor

My Black is Beautiful marks 10-year anniversary at 2016 ESSENCE Festival

MBIB Ambiance: giveaway samples

MBIB Ambassador LeToya Luckett

By Audrey J. Bernard Society Editor

Additional celebratory moments in the booth included visits from social influencers, trendsetters and celebrity fans of MBIB including: Sheryl Lee Ralph, Keke Wyatt, Kenny Lattimore, Jordin Sparks,

About My Black is Beautiful

My Black is Beautiful is a community-building program consisting of more than 2.5 million members, created to help positively change the conversation around Black beauty by addressing the societal and cultural stigmas associated with self-image. Formed at P&G in 2006 by a group of visionary women, MBIB was designed to spark a broader dialogue about Black beauty. Their mission was to encourage Black women everywhere to act as catalysts in their communities to redefine beauty standards. Visit MBIB.com to learn more.

Sheryl Lee Ralph

most action-packed areas on the convention floor as witnessed by the long lines of women waiting for their 15 minutes of famous beauty tips; and to get a glimpse of starry social influencers and celebrities. The #BeautyEmpowered experience at the MBIB booth included hair styling and consultations with products from brand partners Pantene, Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences and Aussie, and skin consultations with products courtesy of brand partner Olay. Festival attendees

EW ORLEANS, LA – There were copious celebrations at the 21st ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans, LA but it was hard to top the celebratory spirit surrounding the supreme beauty purveyor My Black is Beautiful (MBIB) booth where staff and festival attendees celebrated MBIB’s 10-year anniversary at the ESSENCE Festival where for a decade they have been spreading joyous beauty news and providing guests with beauty tips including tools and education to encourage women to be #BeautyEmpowered. Festival attendees who stopped by to join the #BeautyEmpowered festivities in the well-appointed Ernest N. Morial Convention Center were also treated to generous MBIB swag bags. MBIB, an African-American community-building platform created by Procter & Gamble (P&G), kicked off the program’s 10-year anniversary celebration by engagingly educating Black women on the best ways to care for their unique skin and hair through educational pampering sessions. The MBIB was one of the busiest beauty/lifestyles booths and Amber Riley, Jordin Sparks

Avid MBIB customers who did not attend ESSENCE Festival still got to see the hot happenings as MBIB shared the “best of” moments from its booth with the online community of 2.5 million members

Tanya Wright

statements like this. To make Amber Riley, Tanya Wright, all week long on its Facebook a bold statement and remind The Glam Twinz, and many page, Instagram, and Twitter. (Photos courtesy MBIB) yourself that you are enough, more. that your Black is beautiful […] My Black is confident, it’s About Procter & Gamble bold, it’s fearless, and it is… enough,” Luckett enthused! P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the Surrounded by abundantly strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, beautiful women of color, including Always, Ambi Pur, Ariel, Bounty, Charmin, Crest, Luckett talked about details Dawn, Downy, Fairy, Febreze, Gain, Gillette, Head & Shoulregarding some of her upcom- ders, Lenor, Olay, Oral-B, Pampers, Pantene, SK-II, Tide, ing projects, and also shared Vicks, and Whisper. The P&G community includes operations her healthy hair and beauty in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit http:// routines with products from www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G Pantene and Olay to the delight and its brands. of onlookers.

Keke Wyatt

Glam Twinz

LeToya Luckett touches up her hair with Pantene

newyorkbeacon.net

who stopped by the booth were treated to a live, in-booth DJ experience by DJ Brittany Sky and DJ D-Nice; they also received MBIB T-shirts, and P&G beauty products enhanced to bring out the best in skin and hair. Singer and actress, LeToya Luckett, was a Brand Ambassador at the MBIB booth and engaged with the media for interviews and pictures. As a quintessential attendee at the booth for years, Luckett expressed her humble feelings about now being called on to be an ambassador to celebrate Black beauty and 10 years of the MBIB program. “I think it’s necessary to have bold

BEACON, July 14 - July 20, 2016

AUDREY'S SOCIETY WHIRL

T:7.875”

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July 14 - July 20, 2016

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You don’t see bullying like this every day. Your kids do. Teach your kids how to

be more than a bystander. Learn how at

StopBullying.gov

T:10.5”

Everybody hates you.

WHAT’S GOING ON THE WEEK IN REVIEW

MEDIA MATTERS

HIGHER ED 2016 HOLD THE DATE: The United Negro College Fund “A MIND IS….Hamptons Summer Benefit will be held on August 6, from 69 pm, in East Hampton, NY. Benefit gala honorees include filmmaker Reginald Hudlin, Hudlin Entertainment; Cathy Hughes, Radio One, Inc. Founder/ Chairperson; and Derek Jones, Managing Director, GCM Grosvenor Private Markets. For more info, visit uncf.org/ny-hamptons. Founded in 1944, the United Negro College Fund, UNCF, is the nation’s largest

Cathy Hughes

private scholarship provider to minority group members.

Edward Lewis

in-the-day picture gallery, the nonfiction work, is a page-turning breezy read akin to the book, “The Billion Dollar BET: The Inside Story Of Black Entertainment Television.”

Each year it awards more than $100 million in scholarships to more than 10,000 students at more than 1100 schools across the nation, including its constellation of 37 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, HBCUs. The UNCF also manages a number of scholarship programs, including 1) Gates Millennium Scholars Program 2) UNCF K-12 Education Walton Fellowship and 3) UNCF/ Koch Scholars Program. To date, the UNCF has raised more than $4.5 billion and helped more than 430,000 students.

NEWSMAKERS On July 12, 2016, Ashley and Corrine Smith announced the birth of their second child, Jodey Alexander Smith, who is the grandson of NY Beacon publishers, Walter and Miatta Smith. Walter has identified his grandson’s career path. Jodey becomes NY Beacon publisher in 2038. He will be elected to Congress by 2041 and elected NYS

Governor by 2050. In 2056, Jodey will be elected US President! ! RIP: New Yorker Eugene “Gene” Giscombe, 76, died. A real estate

Eugene “Gene” Giscombe

Jodey Alexander Smith

investor and broker, Gene, was nicknamed “Mayor of 125 Street,” who was far and away the leader of Harlem commercial real estate. In 2007, he brokered the biggest deal in Harlem history with the $50 million

sale of 16 commercial real estate properties on 125 Street at Frederick Douglass Boulevard. Grandson of Jamaica-born grandfather, Lawrence Giscombe, himself a Harlem real estate developer/owner in the 30s and 40, Gene would cut his teeth in real estate sales at the Black-owned real estate firm of Webb and Booker in 1972, before setting up his own shop, Giscombe Realty Group, which was an omnibus real estate operation, a decade later. He bought the 12- story Lee Building, which borders the NE corner of Park Avenue at 125 Street, in 1979, for $40,000; and he sold it in 2015, for $48 million. Giscombe was active in the Harlem business community he chaired the 125 Street Business Improvement District, served on the Board of the City National Bank, a Black owned commercial bank on 125 Street and on the YMCA Board

Last week’s WGO allowed that it was the darkest, ugliest one of 2016. However, it was just a prelude to the violence and terrorism, which has visited France, Turkey and the USA with tsunami intensity during the week beginning July 11. On July 14, Bastille Day, a truck plowed into a crowd killed 84 and injuring scores of others, in Nice, France. A failed coup d’etat against the democratically-elected Turkish government, claimed more than 300 lives. In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, another American sniper killed 3 policemen, an act of revenge. The nation is once again in mourning. The week beginning July 18 got off to an ominous start with the opening of the GOP Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. The opening night speeches were uninspiring and malevolent, typified by the likes Rudy Guiliani who talked about Donald Trump’s version of a new America which sounded like a dystopian state for people of color. I watched Rudy in disbelief as he was firing up the Republican conservative base, with disinformation and racist code words. A Trump advisor, he would be rewarded with a job like AG or Homeland Security head, under a Trump Presidency. Melania Trump’s speech is dominating media stories for its plagiaristic character. She borrowed extensively from Michelle Obama’s 2008 Convention speech. CD 13: Keith Wright’s loss to Dominican Republic born

1945, Harlem’s congressional seat was always manned by an African American, first by Reverend Adam Clayton Powell, who willy-nilly represented all of Black America. Attorney Charles Rangel, another man of the Black people succeeded

newyorkbeacon.net

police murders of Black men like Trayvon Martin, Freddy Gray, and Michael Brown to the Black snipers’ murder of policemen in Dallas last week and Baton Rouge, Louisiana on July 17. JuneAfrique is the foremost site of journalism about African politics, economics, sports, culture and society. Visit Juneafricque.com The book, “The Man From Essence: Creating A Magazine For Black Women,” by Edward Lewis with Audrey Edwards, is available in paperback. Authored by Lewis, Essence publisher and co-founder, the book is equal parts Lewis memoir and Essence profile, which are basically indistinguishable. A 311- page repository of colorful facts and revelations coupled with a back-

Brooklyn-based print and television journalist Fikisha Cumbo is the Pure Jazz Magazine editor, who succeeds its founder/editor JoAnn Cheatham, who died early this year. Her first issue is available. Visit PUREJAZZMAGAZINE. COM. Dr. Mellissa Harris Perry joins the BET Network as a special correspondent. Her inaugural assignment is political analysis and commentary of the GOP and Democratic Conventions this month. Black Lives Matter has gone international. The latest issue of Juene Afrique, which mean Young Africa, includes extensive coverage of the events which gave birth to the BLACK LIVES MATTERS movement, from the

Adam Clayton Powell

Powell in 1970. Both men were elevated to Committee chairmen and wielded enormous power, which benefitted their district. Adam was the Education and Labor Committee Chairman. Charlie was Ways and Means Chairman. They initiated legislation and delivered to their predominantly Black constituents. That Black power comes to an end next January, after 71 years. Will the presumptive Harlem Congressman Espaillat attend to his African American flock as its numbers diminishes to 22% of his district. What will the new Black Harlem political power configuration look like? There is a Black councilperson, NY Assemblyman and Senator. What will be their interface with Espaillat? With Keith Wright soon to be out of the Assemblyman picture, he can no longer be the Manhattan County Democratic leader. Will Wright run for the NYC Council, as a recent NY Post item suggested? Councilwoman Inez Dickens will run for Wright’s Assembly seat. Bill Perkins is the Senator. If you are interested in Black Harlem politics, you must read the Errol Louis 7/17 NY Daily News oped, .”Harlem’s HalKeith Wright lowed Ground: Remembering Adriano Espaillat for the 13th When Uptown Manhattan Was Congressional district seat the Center of Black Cultural brings an end to the era of Black and Political Life In America.” Harlem’s power politics. Since No More!!

BLACK ENTERPRISE There is a new kid on the block, thanks to Bob Johnson, BET founder and one man conglomerate. Last week, Johnson’s RLJ Companies and Roth Capital Partners announced the launch of RLJ Capital Markets, “a full service investment bank

and broker-dealer providing institutional and corporate clients with capital market solutions which enhance their ability to raise equity and debt capital, invest in their businesses and pursue growth opportunities.” Visit rljcapitalmarkets.com

SUMMER PLEASURES The Newport Jazz Festival will be held July 29-31. Norah Jones, Chick Corea Trilogy with Christian McBide, Monty Alexander’s Harlem-Kingston Express, Kamasi Washington, the Heath Brothers, Etienne Charles, Yosvany Terry Quintet, Etienne Charles

A Harlem-based writer, Victoria Horsford can be contacted at victoria.horsford@gmail.com

BEACON, July 14 - July 20, 2016

By Victoria Horsford

and Creole Soul, and Angelique Kidjo are some of the uber musicians scheduled to perform. Visit Newport Jazz Festival 2016/ NY Restaurant Week begins July 25 and runs through August 19. Lunch is $29 and Dinner is $42. Visit nycgo. com/restaurant week.

Entertainment

By Don Thomas

Disc-Chat

BEACON,

July 14 - July 20, 2016

newyorkbeacon.net

Master P pens single about Police Brutality “In light of all the recent tragedies in the world Producer Percy “Master P” Miller has penned a tribute song titled, “You Need Me And I Need You (feat. Cymphonique).” The song has a timeless message reminding us all to spread love. “I am saddened and disappointed about what is happening in America. I am not saying all cops are all bad, but those that commit crimes should be tried as criminals just like everyone else. For those cops that are doing great jobs in the community, they should be honored. No more paid vacations for killing people in cold blood. Waking up and seeing Alton Sterling murdered for selling CD’s in Baton Rouge, (which is my own backyard), is heartbreaking, this could have been me. Then the next day I see another African American man getting gunned down on Facebook, next to his girlfriend. On top of the five policemen is murdered in Dallas. This is unacceptable. The only way that we’re going to be able to fight this is with love. 1st John 4:21 says that anyone that loves God must love his people. I know it is tough for us right now but we can get through this. This is not a Black or white issue, this is a human issue. We got our hands up, don’t shoot. We all we got. Together we can save the next generation.” Master P

“You Need Me And I Need You” song lyrics Intro: Remember all the sisters and brothers that got shot by the cops We got our hands in the air and we still get popped, Now I ain’t saying all cops is bad. How many we got to lose before they take away a badge. How many of us gotta march man before this end. Why they going on vacation and they put us in the pen. Is it because of our skin tone, what happened to freedom of speech. They lock us up in the

Producer Percy “Master P” Miller

chains and gun us down in the streets. Verse 1: Dear brothers or should I say soldiers of all colors. Where we went wrong I wrote this love song for ya. Let me begin to tell ya, how I love ya. And if your heart is anything like mine, soldier I’d die for ya. You never met me but you felt my presence. Your father, your son, your brother, that’s my essence. I’m only human so I stress like you and I’m just like you and someday I gotta leave this flesh like you. We’re all a part of a plan that we

would never truly understand. And convictions seeking confessions, we’re confused by the devil’s hand. Ain’t none of us was born killers and thieves but it’s the evil we instill in the seeds. My soldiers as ironic as it seems Woadie don’t nothing truly exist but your dreams Woadie. And sometimes I find myself worshipping in the moment. And when you catch me off track just put me back on it, with your love. Chorus: All our people we lost out here, (Lord tell us where do we go from here). Got our

hands up but still in fear. All the bad times we’ve been through, (Lord tell us where do we go from here). Flashing lights please don’t shoot. You need me and I need you, (Lord tell us where do we go from here). We’re all human nobody’s perfect. Change your ways while you got time, (Lord tell us where do we go from here). Verse 2: Lord tell us, did Martin Luther King man die for nothing, in Baton Rouge Alton Sterling man die for nothing, Philando Castile it looked Real ‘til I seen on

(L-R) Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, Mike Brown and Eric Gardner

Facebook man how he got killed. Eric Gardner told the cops Man I can’t breathe, Trayvon and Mike Brown died right up in the streets. Sandra Bland Man never had a chance, hung her in the cell like the Klu Klux Klan. These man-made laws man supposed to be protecting the people. The bad cops out here committing the ultimate evil. And it’s a shame how they screw us. Man we’re all human but you see how they do us. They say slavery don’t exist man say we all free. Law say we got rights why we can’t walk the streets. You say we all evil so we protest for love and peace. And get scared see tattoos, dreads and gold teeth. Chorus: All our people we lost out here, (Lord tell us where do we go from here). Got our hands up but still in fear, All the bad times We’ve been through, (Lord tell us where do we go from here). Flashing lights please don’t shoot, You need me and I need You, (Lord tell us where do we go from here). We’re all human Nobody’s perfect. Change your ways while you got time, (Lord tell us where do we go from here). Outro: We pray for the families that lost their loved ones in this injustice. We pray for the police that lost their lives in these senseless killings. We fight ignorance with love and I’m not pointing the finger at nobody because this is a human problem we’re facing right now. I’m just saying if a police commit a crime he should be treated like a criminal just like everybody else. We just want justice. No more paid vacations. POP pullover protocol. I mean we all hurtin’ Blacks, Whites, Asians, Latinos. We all we got. We just want peace. When you know better, you do better. None of us perfect. 1st John 4:21 Anyone that love God must love his people. We got our hands up, don’t shoot. We all we got.

att Damon attended the premiere of Universal Pictures’ Jason Bourne at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on July 18, 2016 in Las Vegas. The 45-year-old star looked dapper in a black suit with a white button up shirt. Accompanied by his stunning wife Luciana Barroso,

Jason Bourne Theatrical Poster

Matt Damon

Alicia Vikander

Ato Essandoh

Luciana Barroso, Matt Damon

Damon was also joined b y t h e f i l m ’s d i re c t o r / producer Paul Greengrass and other stars from the movie including To m m y L e e J o n e s a n d Alicia Vikander. The action/thriller is scheduled to be released nationwide on Friday, July 29, 2016. (Photos courtesy Getty Images for Universal Pictures)

Joanna Greengrass, Paul Greengrass

Tommy Lee Jones

Julia Stiles

Matt Goss

UNIVERSAL PICTURES PRESENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH PERFECT WORLD PICTURES A KENNEDY/MARSHALL PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH CAPTIVATE ENTERTAINMENT/PEARL STREET A PAUL GREENGRASS FILM

MATT DAMON “JASON BOURNE” TOMMY LEE JONES ALICIA VIKANDER VINCENT CASSEL JULIA STILES RIZ AHMED MUSIC EXECUTIVE BY JOHN POWELL DAVID BUCKLEY PRODUCERS HENRY MORRISON CHRISTOPHER ROUSE JENNIFER TODD DOUG LIMAN PRODUCED BY FRANK MARSHALL JEFFREY M. WEINER BEN SMITH MATT DAMON PAUL GREENGRASS GREGORY GOODMAN BASED ON CHARACTERS WRITTEN DIRECTED CREATED BY ROBERT LUDLUM BY PAUL GREENGRASS & CHRISTOPHER ROUSE BY PAUL GREENGRASS A UNIVERSAL PICTURE SOUNDTRACK ON BACK LOT MUSIC

Jimmy Buffett

Dawn Laurel-Jones, Tommy Lee Jones

STARTS FRIDAY, JULY 29

Marie Osmond

CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES

newyorkbeacon.net

Dapper Matt Damon attends Las Vegas ‘Jason Bourne’ premiere

BEACON, July 14 - July 20, 2016

AUDREY'S REEL WHIRL

with Film Reviewer Audrey J. Bernard

Interview

BEACON,

July 14 - July 20, 2016

newyorkbeacon.net

Who You Gonna Call? Leslie and Kate! C

By Kam Williams Senior Movie Critic

omedienne Leslie Jones was hired as a writer by Saturday Night Live in 2014 and quickly gained popularity after a memorable on-air appearance during the show’s “Weekend Update” segment. So, she was subsequently officially invited to join SNL’s ensemble cast during the show’s 40th season. Earlier this year, Leslie shared the stage with Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock and Whoopi Goldberg in an epic Academy Awards sketch in a montage re-imagining some classic, Oscar-winning films with Black actors. Her movie credits include “Top Five,” “Trainwreck,” and the upcoming “Masterminds,” co-starring Kate McKinnon and Kristen Wiig. Currently, Leslie can be seen on TV in an Allstate Insurance commercial that’s in heavy rotation. Kate McKinnon is also an SNL cast member and has been nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards for her work on the show. Since coming aboard in April 2012, she has entertained viewers with her impersonations of Hillary Clinton, Justin Bieber and Ellen DeGeneres. Kate was recently seen in “Sisters” opposite Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, and as the voices of (Wife Fish) in “Finding Dory” and (Stella) in “The Angry Birds Movie.” In December, she’ll co-star opposite Jason Bateman and Jennifer Aniston in “Office Christmas Party.” Kam Williams: Hi Leslie, hi Kate. Thanks for the interview. Kate McKinnon: [Shouts] Kam! how are you? Leslie Jones: Hey, Kam. KW: I’m doing great, and I absolutely loved this film. KM: Oh, thank you, Kam. LJ: Thanks. KW: I liked how the movie paid homage to the original and brought back a lot of its cast members while breaking new ground in its own hilarious fashion. KM: I think that’s what we were trying to do. We’re both huge fans of the original, but it was just too good to just leave it buried, so [director] Paul Feig wanted to put a fresh take on it, and I think we managed to achieve that. KW: You certainly did. I love Paul’s work. In fact, his movie “Bridesmaids,” was my pick as the #1 film of

Leslie Jones

Kate McKinnon

the year on my Top 100 List for 2011, a rarity for a comedy. And this film ranks right up there with “Bridesmaids.” KM: Wow! Thank you. That means a lot, because “Bridesmaids” is one of my all-time favorites. I think that Paul started something of a mini-revolution when he made that film. And this movie is a continuation of that. KW: Leslie, I love your Allstate Insurance commercial. Want my number? LJ: No! [Laughs heartily]. KW: What’s it like to be in good hands? KM: It’s a little scary, man. KW: Kate, I like your MasterCard “Less Typing, More Dancing” commercial, too. May I dip you? KM: Well, I’ve been dipped so many times that I have vertigo from all the dipping. KW: In September, we’re going to see both of you in the movie “Masterminds.” How did you enjoy making that film? KM: That was a while ago but, man, did we have fun. LJ: Ooh! Nashville was great! KM: Leslie and I went out and ate our weight in chocolates one night. LJ: There was also a place there that had great shrimp and grits. Oh, it was so good! KM: And Jared Hess, the director, we love. He’s such a funny guy. LJ: Yeah, Jared’s funny, and he’s so nice, too. KW: Back to “Ghostbusters.”

What was the most challenging part of shooting this film? KM: Was it the stunts? LJ: Yeah, I would say all the physical stuff. That was challenging, because I think Paul forgot we were comediennes. KM: No, he remembered. He just forgot to tell us about the stunts. [Both laugh]. KW: Kate, what is your favorite impersonation to do? KM: Hmm... Well... It’s really tough to say. Probably Justin Bieber just because of the dancing. KW: How was it different for the two of you to be making a movie together as opposed to doing Saturday Night Live? KM: What was it like? Well, thank God for Leslie, since we knew each other really well. Being in a movie this big was sort of a new experience for both of us. We would turn to each other frequently and go, “Where are we? What’s happening? Are we messing this up? We must be messing this up?” LJ: Yeah. KM: She really helped me through the whole experience because it’s daunting to walk onto a set with Kristen [Wiig] and Melissa [McCarthy] who are two of my favorite comediennes of all time, even though there also two of the nicest people in the world. KW: Leslie, what did you channel in order to come up with your character, (Patty)? LJ: It wasn’t hard. Paul kind of based a lot of her on my realness and how I like to keep it real. But I enjoyed the historian part of her personality, too, because I got to show another side of myself. KM: You are a historian in real life. Leslie taught me more about the history of rap than I ever could have imagined. “Straight Outta Compton” came out while we were filming, and you taught me every single thing about the history of rap. LJ: Oh, my God! That was such a fun night! We shoved a bottle into the... [Clams up] We probably shouldn’t talk about that part. [Both LOL] KM: Anyway, you gave me lectures about rap all summer. I took notes on the stuff you taught me. KW: One thing I really liked about “Ghostbusters” was how each of the four leads was able to showcase her own distinct brand of humor. I thought that was fabulous. KM: Thank you. I think Paul really wanted to have no overlap. And I don’t think there was any overlap. This was

“Ghostbusters” cast (L-R) Leslie Jones, Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon

four different kinds of gals and he just let us do our thing. And we got along really well and it was so much fun. KW: And what did you channel to come up with your character, Holtzmann? KM: Oh, honey, that’s just me. I didn’t have to do a lot of work there. I really like science. I try to have a joyful attitude. And often I say weird stuff without meaning to. KW: What is your favorite dish to cook? LJ: Ooh, good question! I cook a mean pork chop. Fried pork chops. KM: I like to throw a paella party. It’s a full event with paella, salad, appetizers and stuff. It’s a full event. KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see? KM: That’s an interesting question. I would hope that I see what I look like, but I’m not sure. [Chuckles]. LJ: I see a crazy person, literally! [LOL] Someone who’s insane in the membrane. [Laughs some more]. KM: That’s what I see for myself, too, which is why we’re such good buds, right? LJ: Exactly! because we respect the craziness. KW: What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done? LJ: Oh, homey! KM: She can’t say that for the papers, honey. LJ: That’s not for publication, baby. KW: Is there any question no one ever asks that you wish someone would? LJ: Yeah, no one ever asks me what role do I really want to play. KW: Okay, what would be your dream role? LJ: I want to do a biography of Pearl Bailey. I think she’s awesome. KM: Kate, is there any question no one ever asks that you wish someone would? LJ: No, they’ve run the gamut with me. KW: The Viola Davis question: What’s the biggest difference between who you are at home as opposed to the person we see on the red carpet? KM: I’m a big introvert, I’m very quiet, and I like to sit in silence at home with my cat, Nino, who is my whole world, or most of it. So, that’s different. I don’t know whether you get that or not. KM: It’s a total surprise, but I can believe it. interesting. LJ: I am clean when you see me on the red carpet. I’ve washed myself and put on makeup and combed my hair. [Giggles]. KW: The Anthony Mackie question: Is there anything that you promised yourself you’d do if you became famous, that you still haven’t done yet? LJ: Ooh, that’s another good question. KM: There are a lot of places in the world I’d like to visit, like Laos, but I don’t know whether I’ll ever make it there. I’d love to go to Laos and Kazakhstan and some other places I wouldn’t feel comfortable traveling to alone. But I haven’t found anyone to go with me yet. Maybe soon. LJ: I’ve always wanted to go somewhere exotic by yacht, but I’ve never done that yet. Sorry. KW: Finally, what’s in your wallet? KM: Oh dear, several credit cards, my SAG-AFTRA card, and all of my health insurance cards. You have to bring your health insurance cards with you wherever you go in case of an emergency. What else? Hmm... I never keep cash. LJ: I just keep my lawyer’s business card, because I’m going to need him. [Laughs]. KW: Thanks again for the time, Leslie and Kate. Best of luck with “Ghostbusters,” and I hope to talk to you both again for the premiere of “Masterminds.” LJ: Thanks, Kam. KM: Have a good day.

with First Night Reviewer Audrey J. Bernard

Cirque du Soleil – PARAMOUR – deeds defies the imagination!

Jean-Francois Bouchard, Shana Carroll, Philippe Decoufle

Fletcher Blair Sanchez, Sam Softich, Lee Brearley, Matthieu Sennacherib, Jeremias Faganel

Cirque du Soleil Paramour up on Lyric Theatre Marquee

irque du Soleil – PARAMOUR -- the organization’s first musical created specifically for Broadway – opened at Broadway’s Lyric Theatre (213 West 42nd Street, NYC) on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 to a star-studded audience followed by a splashy afterparty. Everything about his production is supersized including the Playbill which is the size of a notebook! The international cast and creative team are from 13 different countries (Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Belarus, Canada, China, Cuba, France, Poland, Russia, Sweden, United Kingdom, and United States) spanning five continents and this spectacular presentation, which has dazzled audiences around the globe, is now bringing its magic to Broadway featuring spine-tingling acts that soar way above the audience’s heads and thoughts! PARAMOUR is a landmark production for Cirque du Soleil, blending the best of Broadway with Cirque du Soleil’s signature style, to provide a new experience for both traditional Broadway musical theatre goers and Cirque du Soleil’s fans. It’s a love story told with live musicians featuring awesome aerial and acrobatic feats unlike you’ve ever seen before! They truly defy the imagination! PARAMOUR spins the thrilling tale of a beautiful young actress forced to choose between love and art in the glamorous world of Golden Age Hollywood. Featuring eye-popping acrobatics and sumptuous music and dance, the production is a groundbreaking new event that will transport you to a sublime world of emotion and awe as it walks the exhilarating tightrope of the heart. The exhilarating production stars Jeremy Kushnier as A.J., the director; Ruby Lewis as Indigo, the starlet; and Ryan Vona as Joey, the composer. The cast includes a company of 38 Broadway actors, dancers, and renowned aerialists, acrobats, and circus arts performers covering the disciplines of aerial strap artists, Chinese pole, con-

Ryan Vona, Ruby Lewis, Jeremy Kushnier

Justin Prescott

tortion, juggling, Russian beam, teeterboard, tumbling, trampoline, trapeze, and many others. The cast includes Jeremy Kushnier, Ruby Lewis, Ryan Vona, Bret Shuford, Sarah Meahl, Kat Cunning, Tom Ammirati, Andrew Atherton, Kevin Atherton, Chelsey Arce, Lee Brearley, Yanelis Brooks, Samuel William Charlton, Martin Charrat, Nate Cooper, Myriam Deraiche, Kyle Driggs, Jeremias Faganel, Amber Brooke Fulljames, Steven Trumon Gray, Tomasz Jadach, Rafal Kaszubowski, Justin Keats, Reed Kelly, Denis Kibenko, Joe McAdam, Raven McRae, Amber J. Merrick, Sheridan Mouawad, Amber Pickens, Justin Prescott, Fletcher Blair Sanchez, Matthieu Sennacherib, Blakely Slaybaugh, Sam Softich, Amiel Soicher, Amber van Wijk, Bruce Weber, Tomasz Wilkosz, Zhengqi Xia (Da Qi). Under the artistic guidance of Jean-François Bouchard (creative guide and creative director), PARAMOUR is directed by French stage director and choreographer Philippe Decouflé.

Chelsey Arce

Amber J. Merrick

Yanelis Brooks

Bruce Weber

Kat Cunning

Sarah Meahl

Andrew Atherton, Kevin Atherton

Along with Decouflé, the creative team includes West Hyler (associate creative director and scene director),Shana Carroll (associate creative director and acrobatic designer & choreographer), Pascale Henrot (associate creative director), Bob & Bill (composers), Andreas Carlsson (lyricist and co-composer), Jean Rabasse (set designer), Philippe Guillotel (costume designer), Daphné Mauger (choreographer), Patrice Besombes (lighting designer), Olivier Simola & Christophe Waks-

Raven McRae

Amber van Wijk, Kyle Driggs

mann (projection designers), John Shivers (sound designer), Boris Verkhovsky (acrobatic performance designer), Pierre Masse (rigging and acrobatic equipment designer), Nathalie Gagné (makeup designer), Anne-Séguin Poirier (props designer), Josh Marquette (hair design), Cirque du Soleil (casting - Montreal), Telsey + Co (casting - New York), Seth Stachowski (music director and band leader) and Jayna Neagle (executive producer). Boneau/ Bryan-Brown is the general

press representative. From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque du Soleil is now a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,300 performing artists from close to 50 different countries. Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 160 million spectators in 400 cities in sixty countries on six continents. (Photos by Walter McBride)

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Opening Night Curtain: Ryan Vona, Ruby Lewis, Jeremy Kushnier & Cast

BEACON, July 14 - July 20, 2016

THEATER TALK

22 At Riverside Church

Hundreds at Vaughn Harper's Magnificent Send-Off Services

BEACON,

July 14 - July 20, 2016

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By Don Thomas

undreds of loyal friends and fans of the legendary WBLS-FM 107.5 Radio Personality Vaughn Harper joined his devoted wife Sandra Ross-Harper a/k/a Sam and family me members at the Riverside Church on West 122nd Street in the Village, on Saturday, July 16, 2016, to say a final farewell, during a magnificent send-off memorial service for the popular Harlem Born and raised Harper. Vaughn 71, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 9, 2016 after a Valiant battle with Type 2 Diabetes. He was recruited to the radio field at WBLS and trained by the late program director Frankie Crocker. For more than two decades, millions of listeners have tuned in nightly to enjoy Vaughn’s smooth voice during his “Quiet Storm” music program. Harper once said, “The brightest part of my ‘BLS experience is being able to present the best music on New York radio every night and knowing it’s appreciated. It’s what radio should be about.” Prior to the send-off, Yours Truly and the throngs of people viewed Harper ’s stat- Legendary Vaughn Harper R.I.P. (March 1, 1946 - July 9, 2016) (Photo: Jim Carroll) uesque fashionably attired remains, which were surFollowing the Greeting and Valerie Simpson belted-out Church to it’s feet with a During the more than 2 rounded by beautiful bouquets Innovation by Rev. Dr. Amy a live version of “Remember thunderous standing ovation hours service remarks were delivered by the Rev. Dr. Al of flowers. K. Butler, Composer/Singer Me,” that brought the entire at its conclusion. Sharpton, and superb musical selections were rendered by Recording Artists Gerald Alston, Melba Moore, Alyson Williams and Regina Belle. A host of past and present WBLS air personality’s also delivered fond and heartwarming memories of knowing Vaughn and the good times they experience with him over the years. Vaughn’s daughter Dionnee Harper delivered a heartfelt family reflection of her Dad, that received several hardy-hand claps during and after her uplifting appearance. Bringing the “Going Home Service” to a close was WBLS/ WBAI popular Air Personality Imhopet Gary Byrd, who received several ovations during and following his superb Eulogy for Mr. Vaughn Harper. As the Recessional with Pallbearers Aaron Bush, Darryl Pearson, Marc Dorsey, Myles Matthew, Sam Penceal, Carlos Perkins, Harold Dow, Mark Jordan, Ray Hill, Tony Blades exited Riverside Church with the casket, the bold velvet voice of Vaughn Harper filled at atmosphere, bringing huge smiles and tears of joy on the faces of all in WBLS’ past and present Air Personalities and Staff Members gathered for group photograph prior to the Magnificent Send-Off ear-shot. Memorial Service for Vaughn Harper (Photo: Seitu Oronde)

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NEW YORK BEACON CALENDAR OF EVENTS AUGUST CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Compiled by Audrey J. Bernard, Lifestyles Editor

‘Harlem in the Hamptons’ celebrates Drs. Kenneth & Mamie Clark & the Northside Center for Child Development

he Harlem Cultural Archives will recognize the numerous accomplishments of Drs. Kenneth B. & Mamie Phipps Clark and the 70th Anniversary of the Northside Center for Child Development at their annual “Harlem in the Hamptons” event on August 13, 2016, noon-5 p.m. at the Eastville Community Historical Society Heritage House, 139 Hampton Street, Sag Harbor, New York 11963. The Clarks were the first African-Americans to obtain their doctoral degrees in psychology from Columbia University. Kenneth B. Clark was the first African-American tenured full professor at the City College of New York, the first African-American to be president of American Psychological Association and the first African-American appointed to the New York State Board of Regents. The Clarks opened their own agency in 1946 called The Northside Center for Child Development. This was the first full-time child guidance Thelma Dye, PH.D., CEO/Executive center offering psychological and Director, Northside Center

casework services to families in the Harlem area. There they also continued conducting experiments on racial biases in education. The Clarks were influential to the Civil Rights movement and their expertise allowed them to testify as expert witnesses in several school desegregation cases, including Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954. The mission of the Harlem Cultural Archives (HCA) is to create, maintain and grow a remotely accessible, online, interactive repository of audio-visual materials documenting Harlem’s remarkable and varied multicultural legacies, including its storied past as well as its continuing contributions to the City and State of New York, the nation, and the world. Dr. Elaine Shulman, a student who was mentored by Dr. Kenneth Clark will present a plaque to Northside CEO, Thelma Dye, PH.D. on behalf of the HCA and the Honorable Judge W. Franc Perry will present proclamations to Dr. Dye from several elected officials that represent

Harlem. For the past five years, the HCA has collaborated with “Harlem in the Hamptons” founders Jackie Vaughn, Beryl & Harry Banks and Gladys Barnes in celebrating the contributions of such achievers as Dr. R. Chester Redhead, Dr. Oliver Holder, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, the Harlem Hellfighters, Judge W. Franc Perry, and the Mid-Manhattan Branch of the NAACP. HCA’s Executive Board is comprised of Glenn A. Hunter, Co-Executive Director, Board Chair, Community Activist and Educator; Keith A. Hunter, MD, Community Health Advocate, Film Producer, Co-Executive Director and Board Member; and Ken Sargeant, Media Producer, Community Historian, Co-Executive Director and Board Member. For more info about the Harlem Cultural Archives: www.harlemcultural.org. For more info about The Northside Center for Child Development: www.northsidecenter.org

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One Hit Wonder

By Marc Rasbury

n the music world, the term one hit wonder generally has a negative connotation. However, when it comes to pitching in baseball, that phrase is something special. Jacob deGrom put on a clinic last Sunday when he shut down the Phillies in a one hit gem. The only negative in his performance was the fact that the most unlikely batter in the Phillies’ lineup got the lone hit. Lost in deGrom’s near perfect performance where the Mets defeated the Phillies 5-0 was that the fact the opposing pitcher, Zach Eflin, broke up the no hitter with a single in the third. Now Eflin is a decent batter for a pitcher. He owns a .231 batting average, but really. He is the only one that reached base besides a walk. Who knew that would be Philadelphia’s last hit of the afternoon. But it ruined what could have been a historic day in Mets’ history. When you consider the pitchers that took the mound for this organization, it is hard to believe that Johan Santana has the franchises lone no hitter. Tom Seaver came close twice. Doc Gooden flirted with one

during his hey day. You also had the likes of Jerry Koosman, John Matlock, Bob Ojeda, David Cone and Nolan Ryan donned the orange and blue over the years and none of these outstanding hurlers threw a no hitter in a Mets uniform. Now, Seaver, Gooden and Ryan have gone on to throw no hitters for other teams. As a matter of fact, Ryan went on to throw seven no hitters during his illustrious career. As a life long Mets fan, it was hard to watch Seaver throw his gem in that hideous Chicago White Sox uniform. The Mets starting rotation was supposed to be the heart and soul of the ball club this season, but each pitcher with exception of the weakest link, Bartolo Colon, has struggle during the course of the campaign. They lost Matt Harvey for the season with shoulder injury. Noah Syndergaard is dealing bone spurs in his pitching elbow and is pitching through the pain. Steven Matz is pitching with some discomfort in his elbow as well. So deGrom’s outing on Sunday was a breath of fresh air. Not only did he allow only one hit, he struck out seven

The opposing pitcher got the lone hit, REALLY!

and gave up one walk. This is the type of performance we expected to see from the Mets staring rotation after their stellar accomplishments in last year’s post season. Perhaps Sunday’s game was the Mets best all around performance. deGrom pitched a gem. The bats came alive. Jose Reyes smacked a double.

Juan Lagares added a triple and Curtis Granderson and Asdrubar Cabrera each went yard. For the Mets, it was good day. With the Mets existing starting rotation (when they get completely healthy) it is not for fetched to believe that deGrom will not be the only pitcher to throw a no hitter. Santana was

the last although his was tainted with a controversial foul ball. And many believe that he ruined his career by throwing over 140 pitches. On Sunday, the only controversy that arose was the opposing pitcher getting the lone hit. As Mets fans, we can only hope that there are more no hitters in the teams future.

Big Props to the Big Four David Tyree is Still

Reaching Out

By Marc Rasbury

was never so proud of any modern day athletes as I was of LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwayne Wade and Chris Paul last week. These outstanding basketball players stood in the front of the Nation and made a heart felt and dramatic plea to unite not only the country but the world. Traditionally, the opening monologue of the ESPYs is comedic based. However, this year it was the complete opposite. These four men decked out to the hilt, went before the world and pleaded with mankind to stop the nonsense. It was a call to arms without the arms. After the tragedies in France, Baton Rouge, Dallas, Chicago and Orlando, they felt it was time for all athletes to band together and speak out on the violence that is taking place all over the world. “Generations ago, legends like Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, John Carlos, Tommie Smith, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jim Brown, Billie Jean King, Arthur Ashe and countless others, set a model for what athletes should stand for. Said Paul, the Los Angeles Clippers’ star point guard, “so we choose to follow in their footsteps.” “The system is broken, the problems are not new, the vio-

By Marc Rasbury

a v i d Ty r e e i s b e s t known for that miraculous catch that propelled the New York Giants to victory in Super Bowl XLII. Now he is working with young kids and families who are living below poverty. Last week, he hosted a bowling event that raised money for his charity

foundation, The Children of the City. The event was held at Lucky Strike Bowling Lanes where they raised several thousand dollars. Most of us will remember the Giants WR for that catch but these kids will remember him for the investment in their futures. He used to reach out to snag catches. Now he is reaching out to help our youth.

James, Wade, Melo and Paul stood tall at the ESPYs

lence is not new, and the racial divide definitely is not new, but the urgency for change is definitely at an all-time high,” said Anthony, the New York Knicks star who has been outspoken in the wake of the high-profile shooting deaths last week of two African-American men and five Dallas police officers. The thing I was most impressed with was the fact that they looked at both sides of the issue. They did not just point the finger at the police for the epidemic of wrongful deaths across the country. But they, and especially Chris Paul,

emphasized that the mass majority of the police forces are good-hearted individuals who care about the communities they patrol. The Big Four also pleaded for the end of the retaliation incidents against the police that have occurred over the last month. I have a feeling that our children will be telling their children about what James, Anthony, Wade and Paul did at the ESPYs. It was a benchmark moment in sports history where the top notch athletes did not care about their brands, took a stand and said what needed to be said.

New York Giants and Children of the City Board Member David Tyree, with bowling team guests Justine Green, Arlene Whitman, Atiya Muid, Kordell Young, (David’s wife) Leilah Tyree, Brenda Clark, Ashton Peter, Fanisha Clark and kids at the 2016 David Tyree Charity Bowl for Children of the City at Lucky Strike.