New York Trend NYC: October 31 - November 6, 2019 by Teresa WIlliams

NEW YORK TREND Serving New York City, Nassau & Suffolk Counties

NYC

THE ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVE

$1.00

NEWMAYOR YORK TREND DAVID DINKINS, REP. CHARLES RANGEL, Serving New York City, Nassau & Suffolk Counties

newyorktrendnyc.com

THE ALTERNATIVE VOLUMEPERSPECTIVE 26 ISSUE 40

Since 1989 NYC $1.00 newyorktrendnyc.com

December 17, 2015 - December 23, 2015

VOLUME 29 ISSUE 29

Since 1989

October 31st, 2019 - November 6th, 2019

C E L E B R AT I N G HONORED WITH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS f o r T o Plans Unveiled S tat e H o l i d ay Honor 30 YEARS

Jet

The Black Stars News 2015 Annual Awards Dinner will honor Mayor David Dinkins, Rep. Charles Rangel, Rep. Yvette Clarke, The State of Arkansas is honoring one Entrepreneur Award recipients are Mr. open from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with R. Donahue Peebles, Barbara of its native sons, John H. Johnson, with Eddie and Mrs. Sherra Armstrong with an official John H. Johnson Day signing, Arnwine, Sabrina school participation and student an official holiday, Inez Friday,Barron, November Cannabis Capital Group. This year’s Lamb, Rudy Crew, Stephen activities, Museum tours and a book 1, 2019. JohnDr. H. Johnson Day was Journalism and Media Award recipients established 2019 and during and Mrs. Helaine Mr. Renarda Byrd,April Alia16, Jones, thethe Centralpresentation by Christian. are 92nd General Assembly. Johnson Williams with the Arkansas Democrat Dr. Barbara Lofton, Director of Park Five survivors of gross injustice published Ebony and Jet Gazette Newspaper. on December 18Magazines, from 6:00pm – Diversity and Inclusion, Sam M. and was the founder, publisher, 10:00pm at MIST Harlem, 46 West chairman and Street. CEO of Johnson John H. Johnson …. was the recipient of more than 30 honorary doctorate 116th

Founder

EBONY

and

Magazines

Publishing Company, once the largest “Each publishing honoree chosen forin the Black-owned company world. recognition has demonstrated

York and a former chancellor of the New York public schools system.

Pioneering producers Stephen Byrd and Alia Jones, through their be available for $25 at the John H. company Row City, Production, Johnson Museum Front in Arkansas brought “Cat on a Hot Roof” Friday, November 1, 9:30 a.m. toTin 2:30 and “A Streetcar Named Desire” p.m. Proceeds from the book sales will cast to supportwith JohnaH.multi-ethnic Johnson Museum’s Broadway. InJohnson 2016 they programs and John H. Day.bring “Eclipsed” with Oscar Winner John H.Lupita Johnson was born Nyong ’O intoArkansas Broadway.

City, Arkansas in 1918. His mother so-called moved Honorees, the family tothe Chicago afterCentral Park 5, are collectively Johnson finished the 8th grade. and individually heroes. They are Johnson achieved many distinctions survivors of one of the ugliest throughout his career. He was the Charles Rangel recipient of more than honorary miscarriage of 30 justice in New York’s doctorate degrees, among them: the history; having been railroaded majority. She now leads The Mellon University, Eastern and unjustly convicted for a crime Transformative Justice Coalition. Carnegie Michigan University, they did not Harvard commit University, and for which Arnwine was for 26 years executive University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, director of the Lawyers’ Committee they served long prison sentences University of Southern California and from seven years to 13 years for Civil Rights Under the Law. Wayne ranging State University. before being exonerated when the Inez Barron, honoree, formerly aHe was inducted into the WCOB’s actual rapist confessed. They are: State Assembly member, is nowArkansas Business Hall of Fame; Yusef Abdus Salaam; Raymond a New York City council memberChicago Journalism Hall of Fame Santana Jr., Antron McCray, Kevin and a champion of education for and Illinois Business Hall of Fame. Richardson, and Kharey He received the Presidential MedalWise. our youth. of Freedom; Harvard The Black StarUniversity’s News, which focuses Honoree Imhotep Gary Byrd is Distinguished Service Award; on investigative journalism, has a legendary radio talk show host American Advertising Federation’s been featured as a result of some if and executive producer, radio DJ,Lifetime Achievement Award; Horatio its news scoops, on CNN, The New poet, songwriter, music recordingAlger Award; Wall Street Journal Dow York Daily News, The New York artist and producer, rapper, writerJones Entrepreneurial Excellence Post, The Village Voice, and Brill’s and community activist. He beganAward, to name a few.

degrees, among them: the Carnegie Mellon University, Eastern Michigan University, Harvard University, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, University of Southern California and Wayne State University. exceptional leadership and vision in

The official holiday will unveil profession at two her or his respective or locations: John H. Johnson Museum and endeavor and in some significant Educational Center H. Johnson measure has(John contributed towards Museum), 604 President Street/ creating a more just society in this Courthouse Square at 10:00 a.m. in country,” says Black Star News Arkansas City; and Mosaic Templars founder and publisher Milton Cultural Center, 501 West 9th Street at Allimadi. “Obviously much work 5:30 p.m. in Little Rock.

needs to be done here and

the world.” Friendsaround of John H. Johnson Museum, curators of John H. Johnson Day, said The gala starts at 6:00pm with a November was selected for Johnson’s cocktail hour to be followed by the holiday because it was the month that dinner and awards ceremonies. There Ebony Magazine (Ebony) started. will be musical entertainment by “November 1, 1945 was the date Mr. opera singerEbony Cassandra Douglas Johnson launched and that’s the andtofrom harmonica phenomenon ideal date celebrate his legacy. His Galison. Dinkins is lifestyleWilliam magazines createdDavid positive imageshonored and content for not only Black for Lifetime Achievement America how White America —but hefor was New York City’s first should African see BlackAmerican America.” mayor and also

David Dinkins

was a member of the New York City Council, representing the 40th council district in Brooklyn, succeeding her mother, Una S. T. Clarke. In the current 114th Congress Clarke serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee, responsible for consumer protection, food safety, energy development, public health, communications, the environment, and interstate and international commerce.

R. Donahue Peebles, honoree, is a leading developer and founder of The Peebles Co., the nation’s largest Content magazine. African American-owned real his career as a radio DJ in Buffalo member the Alpha estate firm with $3.5 billion worth Past Black StarofNews honorees at age 15. For over 30 years, he’s An honorary welcomed Nelson Mandela to the Phi Alpha Fraternity, Johnson served of properties under development Dr. Margena A. Christian, author of have included: Gil Noble (Like It been a talk show host at WBLS and city after his release in 1990. on numerous boards including: Bell the book, Empire: The House That or management — he was one Is), Rep. Maxine Waters, Soledad WLIB radio in New York City. Heand Howell, Chrysler Corporation, Charles also honored John H.Rep. Johnson Built,Rangel, said recognizing of the pioneering developerswho O’Brien (CNN), Camille Cosby, also has a Friday night radio talk Continental Bank, DialMs. Corporation, November to honor Johnson is quite has for Lifetime Achievement, helped turn around and revitalize Voza Rivers (New Heritage show on WBAI. Dillard’s, Inc, Greyhound, TwentiethTheatre), fitting. “Mr. Johnson would always say He Walton served in Congress since 1971. is College of BusinessAnacostia (WCOB) at John H. Johnson Day events in Little the once-blighted Errol Louis (NY1 News), Amel November was his of golden Honoree Sabrina a recipient The month.” Bronze medal for the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville D.C. Rock and Arkansas City areLamb, free to founderCentury Fox, and Zenith Radio neighborhood in Washington, Larrieux (Entertainer), Corporation, among others. Dr. William Christian worked closely withbehind Johnson of World ofEventbrite.com Money, is a champion the Johnof H. African-American Johnson the public. RSVP at is helping save soldiers enemywill present A champion Pollard (Medgar Evers College), at his publishing in Chicago. Entrepreneur Award to a power couple required the Little Rock celebration offor financial literacy for youth-- she line duringcompany the Korean War. economic empowerment Peebles’ is Johnson was the first African American Herm Edwards (NY Jets), Nayaba Christian will be the guest speaker at who embodies the entrepreneurial due to teaches seating capacity. knowledge about handlingto appear on Forbes Magazine’s list contemplating a possible run for NYC Rep. Yvette Clarke is a Democratic Arinde (Amsterdam News), La-Verna the Mosaic Templars Culture Center at spirit of Johnson. Mr. Hosea Sanders, money, budgeting and planning. of 400 wealthiest Americans. For mayor in 2017. member theand US at House of 5:30 p.m. to 7:30ofp.m. the John Fountain (Columbia University), TV Anchor, ABC 7 WLS Chicago Empire: The House That John H. on John H. Johnson Dr.Built Rudy Crew, honoree, is one ofmore information H. Johnson Museum at 10:00 a.m. to Representatives from New Lillian Roberts (DC37), Desiree Dancy will present the John H. Johnson is $25 advance purchase Honoree Barbara Arnwine, civil Johnson Museum and York John Times), H. Johnson Day, visit(Local 12 p.m.York The whose Museum established the nation’s leading educators. He’s 9thwas district covers Journalism and Media Award to a power only at Eventbrite.com. Books will not be (New Greg Floyd rights lawyer, is a champion of www.johnhjohnsonmuseum.org. in 2004, with of Johnson attendance who excels voting in journalism the Little Rock commemoration. much centralinBrooklyn. Before couple protecting 237), Rev. Al Sharpton (National of Medgar Evers College rights and of ethnic sold atpresident at its grand opening. For this year’s John H. Johnson A limited number of this book will entering Congress in year’s 2007, she multimedia. This Action Network), and many others. of The City University of New minority groups — the emerging holiday observance, the Museum will be

INSIDE T HIS ISSUE: IS SUE : INSIDE THIS

PAGE 2 Education FLY BLUE!pg.5

PAGE 2 NYTREND FEATURED! NewYorkTrendnyc

NewYorkTrendnyc

BluePage Sky EPIC pg.8LIKE YUH! 7 BAD

PAGE 6 CELEBRATING HBCU'S

December 17, 2015 - December 23, 2015

October 31, 2019 - November 6, 2019

Page 11 NYC NEW YEARS!

PAGE 10 INFLUENZA KILLS!

www.newyorktrendnyc.com

N AT ION AL ROSS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE & OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY PARTNER To Increase U.S. Physician Diversity African Americans make up only six percent of U.S. physicians. With the goal of driving diversity among U.S. physicians, Oakwood University and Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) announced a new agreement to help more African Americans attend medical school. The agreement was signed Thursday, October 24, at Oakwood’s campus by Leslie N. Pollard, Ph.D., D.Min., MBA., president of Oakwood University, and William F. Owen, M.D., FACP, dean and chancellor of RUSM. Oakwood and RUSM are establishing an educational pathway program, making it easier for Oakwood graduates to study medicine at RUSM. Qualified Oakwood students who earn full acceptance into the medical school will receive a scholarship covering full tuition for the first semester.

Schools create pathway program for graduates of the HBCU to attend medical school. Oakwood University has consistently been a top producer of Blacks that are accepted and go on to attend medical school. Oakwood is currently the fifth ranking Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the U.S., according to the American Association of American Medical Colleges and as reported by the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. Oakwood is coupling the longstanding excellence of its pre-med program with its UNCF grant-supported Career Pathways Initiative to grow its relationships with institutions such as RUSM. Developing partnerships such as this will provide additional opportunities for continued student success and professional growth.

“We engage this hopeful relationship with Ross University School of Medicine on behalf of interested Oakwood students. Our students will join the generations that have been blessed through their work," said Oakwood University President Leslie Pollard. “African-American doctors are woefully underrepresented in the physician workforce, leading fewer African Americans to see a doctor,” said RUSM Dean and Chancellor, William F. Owen, Jr., M.D., FACP. “This has significant negative healthcare outcomes in communities already prone to high rates of chronic diseases. Working with Oakwood and other HBCUs, using novel student engagements, validated support programs and senior-level commitments to success, we’re working to address that long overdue challenge to increase the diversity of our nation’s physicians.” As part of its continued commitment to addressing diversity, RUSM’s parent company, Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE), signed on to the HBCU Partnership Challenge created by the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus, pledging to invest in creating strategic collaborations with HBCUs and working to increase diversity in key workforce sectors. Over the past year, RUSM has announced six similar agreements with minority serving institutions, including Charles R. Drew University, Dillard University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tuskegee University, Saint Peter’s University and California State University, Dominguez Hills. Having recently celebrated its 40th

anniversary, RUSM’s 14,000-plus diverse alumni practice medicine throughout North America and across all specialties, including a high percentage of graduates who enter the in-demand field of primary care. More than a quarter of RUSM students identify as black or Hispanic, with RUSM earning a 96 percent USMLE Step 1 first-time pass rate in 2018. RUSM also achieved a 92 percent residency attainment rate for first-timeeligible 2018-2019 graduates, and of the 647 RUSM medical students who attained residency in March of 2019, 82 were black and 61 were Hispanic. Oakwood University, a historically Black SDA institution of higher learning, offers quality Christian Education that emphasizes academic excellence, promotes the harmonious development of mind, body, and spirit, and prepares leaders in service for God and humanity. The school's motto, shared by faculty and students, is: Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve. In everything it does, it believes and practices God First, its current slogan. Consistent with its Mission

Statement, Oakwood University is in the business of transforming lives – both for now and, more importantly, for eternity. Founded in 1896, Oakwood University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC). More information about Oakwood can be found on their website at www.oakwood.edu. Ross University School of Medicine is an institution of Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE), a global education provider headquartered in the United States. The organization's purpose is to empower students to achieve their goals, find success and make inspiring contributions to our global community. Founded in 1978, RUSM has more than 14,000 alumni and is committed to educating a diverse group of skilled physicians. RUSM is accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions (CAAM-HP, www.caam-hp.org). For more information, please visit: www. medical.rossu.edu.

a l l y D o n at e s $ 1 M i l l i o n t o t h e S m i t h s o n i a n ' s NATIONAL MUSEUM of AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY & CULTURE Ally Financial announced a $1 million donation to the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture on Wednesday, Oct. 16, with a check presentation by Ally Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey J. Brown to interim director of the museum, Spencer Crew. The museum, located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., is the nation's largest museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history and culture, and its impact on the world today.

New York T rend NYC Owner & Publisher DR. TERESA TAYLOR WILLIAMS

has been featured in an article published on the Queensborough Community College website. 2 | NewYorkTrendnyc

This donation supports Ally's commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion through education, understanding and action. "Championing diversity and inclusion is a cornerstone of our culture at Ally and at the foundation of what it means to do it right," said Brown. "An important part of this includes education and an understanding of the rich fabric of diversity. The National Museum of African American History and Culture tells the story of America through the lens of black history and culture, and we are proud to be able to help support them in that mission."

Leadership Institute. TMCF is the nation's largest organization exclusively representing the black college community. Brown has been named CEO of the Year by TMCF and was honored at the 32nd Anniversary Awards Gala. Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a leading digital financial-services company with $180.4 billion in assets as of June 30, 2019. As a customer-centric company with passionate customer service and innovative financial solutions, we are relentlessly focused on "Doing It Right" and being a trusted financial-services provider to our consumer, commercial, and corporate customers. We are one of the largest

full-service automotive-finance operations in the country and offer a wide range of financial services and insurance products to automotive dealerships and consumers. Our award-winning online bank (Ally Bank, Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender) offers mortgage-lending services and a variety of deposit and other banking products, including savings, money-market, and checking accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Additionally, we offer securitiesbrokerage and investment-advisory services through Ally Invest. Our robust corporate finance business offers capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies.

Brown was joined for the check presentation by 24 students from historically black colleges and universities who were invited by Ally to tour the museum. Prior to the museum tour the students participated in a learning session on the topic of design thinking that was led by Ally. The students are in Washington, D.C. for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) 18th Annual

October 31, 2019 - November 6, 2019

www.newyorktrendnyc.com

NEWS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of BLACK SOCIAL WORKERS Annual C onference A nno u n c ed

“Ma'at: African-Centered Values as Practical Healing Tools” THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK SOCIAL WORKERS invites you to Save the Date for the 52nd Annual Conference, April 14-18, 2020 at the

advocacy in the interest, development and strengthening of the Black community.

finance committee representatives will be supported through roundtables and workshops designed to provide support on the local and national level.

We invite you to join us in our 52nd year in this important discourse as warriors for social justice and civil liberties for people of Black African ancestry. We

Detroit Marriott – Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan. This year’s theme is “Ma'at: African-Centered Values as Practical Healing Tools.”

This is an educational conference that will feature prominent keynote speakers, and inspiring and motivational sessions. Instructional workshops will be conducted on practice, social policy and social justice issues that affect the everyday lives and destiny of Black individuals, Black families and Black communities. Chapter presidents and

Our conference location is Detroit, a comeback city which is on the rise with more than $24 billion invested in its revival. It offers numerous attractions outside of the conference for you to explore. Conference early bird registration will open in February, so put NABSW on your calendar!

want to hear your input as professionals and social work students as we seek to impart African-centered values as practical healing tools.

A personal invitation has been extended to you to take part in a broad array of workshops, institutes and symposiums; as well as celebrate 52 years of

For more information, visit the National Association of Black Social Workers website at www.nabsw.org or call (202) 678-4570.

DEBT RELIEF PROGRAM For WOMEN Launches A new program has been launched to assist women in the United States who are overwhelmed with debt. The program, Debt Help 4 Women, aims to help millions of single moms and others who struggle economically because of their financial obligations. According to USA Today, “women carry higher levels of debt than men across numerous categories.” They have higher amounts of student loan debt, higher credit card balances, and also owe more for their auto loans. This is in addition to the fact that women earn roughly $0.72 to $0.82 for each dollar that their male counterparts make. Obviously if women are earning

less, it takes them longer to repay their debts. For this reason, the Debt Help 4 Women program has been established to help women negotiate lower balances with creditors, consolidate their debt, and explore other options to ultimately eliminate their debt. The program is especially designed to help single mothers and other women who live in all 50 states, who are at least 25 years old. Married women and women with no children are also eligible to receive assistance. For more details and/or to get started, visit DebtHelp4Women.org

“……women carry higher levels of debt than men across numerous categories.”  USA Today

M E D I C A R E ’ S O P E N E N R O L L M E N T P E R I O D I m p o r ta n t Changes in Medicare that begin January 1, 2020 add special significance to this year’s Medicare Open Enrollment for area seniors. Open Enrollment begins on Tuesday, October 15 and runs through Friday, December 7. During this time millions of seniors are given an opportunity to reassess their coverage and consider options for the coming year.

“This is one of the most consequential Medicare Open Enrollment periods because of changes enacted by Congress that will impact many seniors already on Medicare.” - Nichelle Jones, RHU

NewYorkTrendnyc

“This is one of the most consequential Medicare Open Enrollment periods because of changes enacted by Congress that will impact many seniors already on Medicare,” explains Nichelle Jones, RHU an independent agent and agency owner of Jones Health and Benefits, LLC located in Atlanta, GA. “In 2015, Congress passed a number of changes to Medicare that received little notice at the time,” shares Jesse

October 31, 2019 - November 6, 2019

For

Seniors

Slome, director of the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance, a national trade organization. “There’s now a limited time left to get information, make a choice and act.” Among the changes are the elimination of Medigap Plans C and F, two of the more popular options among seniors. The Medicare prescription drug program created in 2003 will also be impacted with the closing of the infamous Medicare Donut Hole. “It’s important to act sooner rather than later because there’s no flexibility in the government’s deadline,” recommends Jones. To schedule a no-cost review and comparison of Medicare plans available, contact Jones at 770-6680797.

www.newyorktrendnyc.com | 3

C O M M E N TA R Y DOES YOUR

D O C T O R ’ S R A C E M AT T E R ? By Dr. Dina D. Strachan, MD FindaBlackDoctor.com is a free internet service that allows the public to locate U.S. based African-American physicians, as well as dentists, podiatrists, clinical psychologists, and other health care providers. It originally launched in 2005 to much acclaim as it was one of the first such directories. The website has been on hiatus since 2008. The demand for this reliable and user-friendly service has been expressed by many African Americans. Having built a popular, independent dermatology practice in the competitive New York City market Dr. Dina Strachan, the founder of the service, states little has changed since the initial launch in 2005 despite the increased popularity of doctor directories on the internet. She explains, “It seems like every day a new patient or someone on the phone expresses that they had been frustrated in not being able to find an African American doctor.” Dr. Strachan adds, “Research shows that MOST people don’t care if their doctor is the same race as they are. As many as 30%, however, have been reported to prefer, for a variety of reasons, that same-race doctors just like women often prefer female gynecologists.” Recent studies show that Black men

particularly have better health outcomes when their doctor is of the same race. Dr. Strachan felt it was time to bring the website back as the internet had gotten more sophisticated and she saw the continued need. “Despite the increasing ethnic diversity in the U.S., minority physicians, who are more likely to serve minority populations, are still under-represented in the healthcare work force. This can make them harder to find despite the internet,” she notes. “Patients also have an increased expectation of cultural competence.” Branding itself as a more exclusive site FindaBlackDoctor. com will only list licensed doctors and dentists practicing within the scope of their professional training. “The goal is not to necessarily have the biggest list but the most-high quality and accurate list. Visitors to the site shouldn’t have to sort through stale information such as incorrect addresses,” says Dr. Strachan. In addition to the traditional practice listing with the office contact information, there will be features not relevant in the past, such as social media links, credential links and more. The Docpedia page is a glossary

of terms helpful in understanding healthcare. “We are very proud of this new and improved version of a concept that was one of the first to market.” Dina D. Strachan, M.D. is an internationally recognized, Harvard and Yale educated, board-certified dermatologist, consultant, author and speaker who directs Aglow Dermatology, a private practice she founded using her personal credit cards. She has been listed on the “Top Doctors” list in The Network Journal and named a “Super Doctor” in The New York Times. Dr. Strachan is the author of the best seller Moxie Mindset: Secrets of Profitable, Independent Physicians Practice in a Competitive Market available on Amazon. Dr. Strachan is a popular source for the local and national media,

including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Dr. Oz Show, Crain’s New York Business, Essence, Ebony, Redbook, Rolling Stone, and Good Morning America. Dr. Strachan was one of the featured physicians in the BBC America promotion, “Female Doctors Are Heroes,” celebrating the casting of the first female actor in the cult series Dr. Who. Dr. Strachan holds a voluntary faculty position in the Department of Dermatology at New York University School of Medicine. She volunteers weekly at Bellevue Hospital where she teaches the next generation of dermatologists. Follow her on social media @drdinamd (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and Twitter). Follow Aglow Dermatology on Facebook @DinaStrachanMD

Owner/Publisher Executive Editor Editor-In-Chief Dr. Teresa Taylor Williams

Online Editorial Director Rachel Breton Hamlett

NewYorkTrendNYC Catalogued and displayed in the U.S. Library Congress.

Art Director Jessica R. Doughty

New York Trend welcomes letters to the editor.

Assistant to Publisher, Administrative Zoie Williams

Emeritus Office & Subscription Manager Sophie Taylor

International Correspondent Ann Brown

Social Media Zoie A. Williams

Travel Editor Jim Weaver

Writers Ezra Mechaber Deardra Shuler Jim Weaver Anastasia Williams Justin Williams Teresa Williams

Contributing Editor Justin Williams Circulation Manager Robert L. Taylor

4 | NewYorkTrendnyc

14 Bond Street, Suite 176, Great Neck, N.Y. 11021 Tel (347) 551-1545 Fax (516) 626-3966 ISSN#1083-58 Email: NYTrend@aol.com Website: www.newyorktrendnyc.com “Like Us” on Facebook: www.facebook.com/newyorktrendnyc New York Trend is published by TTW Associated, Inc. which holds copyright to the content of this publication. ISSN: 1083-5822 Mail inquiries to: New York Trend NYC, 14 Bond Street, Suite 176, Great Neck, N.Y. 11021. New York Trend NYC is not responsible for the content of letters to the editor or opinions expressed by individual writers. New York Trend reserves the right to edit all letters to the editor. Photographs and manuscripts will not be returned.

VOLUME 29 ISSUE 29

October 31, 2019 - November 6, 2019

www.newyorktrendnyc.com

A home that exceeds expectations deserves a mortgage to match.

• Mortgage discounts with Relationship Pricing • Dedicated support every step of the way • Jumbo loan sizes up to $3 million—loan sizes up to $8 million available to well-qualified buyers who meet Citi’s High Net Worth requirements 1

We’ve got a mortgage to fit your needs. Call us today. Darrin Greaves Home Lending Officer 718-916-4586 darrin.greaves@citi.com citi.com/darringreaves NMLS# 921616

Evan Hilaire Home Lending Officer 718-908-9566 evan.hilaire@citi.com citi.com/evanhilaire NMLS# 18372

Terms, conditions and fees for accounts, programs, products and services are subject to change. This is not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit and property approval. Certain restrictions may apply on all programs. Offer cannot be combined with any other mortgage offer. This offer contains information about U.S. domestic financial services provided by Citibank, N.A. and is intended for use domestically in the U.S. 1 A Citibank deposit account and automated monthly transfers of the mortgage payment from a Citibank personal deposit account using automated drafting will be required to receive Citibank mortgage relationship pricing. Ask a mortgage representative for details on eligible balances and the qualifying closing cost credit or rate discount. Availability of the Citibank mortgage relationship pricing for Citibank account holders is subject to change without notice. 2 Available for clients with a minimum of $500,000 or more in investable post-close assets, and at least $50,000 in traditional assets must be on deposit with Citi at least 10 days prior to closing. This amount may be part of the $500,000 eligibility requirement. Real estate, loan proceeds, stock options, restricted stock and personal property will not be counted as part of the $500,000 or more investable post-close assets or the $50,000 in traditional assets. Net cash value of life insurance can be counted as part of the $500,000 but not part of the traditional assets. Investable assets are defined as deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market, Certificates of Deposit), unrestricted stocks, non-vested stock and restricted stock, bonds and retirement accounts held by the individual who is personally liable on the loan. These asset types held in revocable trust may be used provided the trust document meets the Trust Policy. 100% of the face value of all assets, except non-vested stock and restricted stock, may be used to calculate the amount of funds available to meet the eligibility criteria. For non-vested stock and restricted stock, the borrower must be 100% vested within 1 year of closing and a maximum of 70% of value may be used to calculate qualifying equity. Additional conditions apply. ©2019 Citibank, N.A. NMLS# 412915. Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. Citi, Citi and Arc Design and other marks used herein are service marks of Citigroup Inc. or its affiliates, used and registered throughout the world.

NewYorkTrendnyc NY Trend Magazine 09172019 v2.indd

October 31, 2019 - November 6, 2019

www.newyorktrendnyc.com | 5 9/17/2019 12:35:49 PM

ENTER TAINMENT

pepsiC o BEVERAGES & E S SENCE Launch "she GOT NOW" Celebrating HBCU’s

PepsiCo Beverages North America, in partnership with ESSENCE, introduced today "She Got Now" – a multitiered platform that celebrates, supports and honors young Black women aspiring to and attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country. The platform launch will commence with a multi-campus tour honoring the homecoming traditions unique to four major HBCUs, culminating with the inaugural Allen McKellar Jr. Internship Program, named in

Division, PepsiCo Beverages North America. "To be able to honor PepsiCo's very own Allen McKellar Jr., a remarkable individual in Black history, who reflects the values and ideals PepsiCo still holds today, and simultaneously honor these young women is incredibly special."

honor of one of the first Black professionals to enter the corporate workforce, through a job at PepsiCo.

to Alice Walker. As today's student body builds upon this legacy, we are excited to continue to empower the next group of emerging leaders," noted Michelle Ebanks, Chief Executive Officer, ESSENCE Communications. "'She Got Now' will serve as an extension of ESSENCE's nearly 50-year mission to celebrate and support Black women; and together, with PepsiCo, we will continue to deepen this commitment."

"We are honored to partner with ESSENCE to launch 'She Got Now,' a platform that celebrates the innate entrepreneurial spirit of young Black women and shines the spotlight on the fantastic culture of our nation's top HBCUs," said Hampton University graduate, Derek Lewis, President, South 6 | NewYorkTrendnyc

"For generations, HBCUs have served Black students – particularly Black women – having graduated trailblazing women from Oprah Winfrey

The "She Got Now" platform comes to life with a multi-campus tour starting this Saturday with a kickoff at Florida A&M University, followed by stops at Howard University on October 12, Hampton University on October 26 and the last stop at Norfolk State University on November 2. The tour will feature top DJs, and battle of the band competitions between opposing marching bands where fans can vote on who wins. Each stop will be hosted by Doug E. Fresh and feature a bevy of today's stars

across music and entertainment, including Saweetie, Gia Peppers, Rotimi, Terence J, Scottie Beam and DJ Envy. Starting mid-November, the "She Got Now" Allen McKellar Jr. Internship Program will be open to all young Black women aspiring to or attending one of the participating HBCUs. Applicants should follow Pepsi's and ESSENCE's Twitter pages for more information and updates on "She Got Now" platform.

October 31, 2019 - November 6, 2019

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $64 billion in net revenue in 2018, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, PepsiCola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that

generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales. Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Convenient Foods and Beverages by Winning with Purpose. "Winning with Purpose" reflects our ambition to win sustainably in the marketplace and embed purpose into all aspects of the business. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com. www.newyorktrendnyc.com

ENTER TAINMENT VIVICA A. FOX to H o s t 2 019 P R E S T I G I O U S A WA R D S Organizers of the Hollywood and African Prestigious Awards has announced the African king of comedy, Michael Blackson and Hollywood actress, Vivica A. Fox as hosts of its third edition. The event which is tagged Re-telling The African Story, will hold on November 3, 2019 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California to showcase the best of cultural heritage.

Ms. Tina Weisinger, Founder and Executive Producer of the Hollywood and African Prestigious Awards, said: "We welcome the world to an exciting and historic event, a 3-days activities that include the Fashion & Music Night, HAPA International Business Roundtable (HIBR) and the Award Show with a star studded After-Party celebration for all."

Vivica A. Fox brings to fore years of experience in entertainment, encompassing television and stage while Michael Blackson promises an electrifying comic style performance. Other top celebrities expected at the awards include Goya Robles, Gregg Daniels, Kelsey Scott, Vaughn Hebron, Rachael Oniga and Mercy Macjoe to mention a few.

Adeola Odunowo, CEO of Curve Communications and African Representative of HAPAwards, noted the event will continuously narrate unique values and contemporary cultures with rich heritage. The focus of the awards is to celebrate personalities, artists and talents who have made transformative marks of change in films, music, comedy and fashion.

The Hollywood and African Prestigious Awards (HAPAwards) celebrates outstanding individuals whose lives have been marked by extraordinary achievement and milestones. The platform www.hapawards.com connects talented Africans with the Hollywood entertainment industry and contributes to the development of several communities in Africa and across the United States.

Furthermore, Monica Omorodion Swaida, an executive of HAPAwards in America praised the support of His Royal Majesty, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi; Oluwo of Iwo Land, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, Virgin Atlantic, J.LOHR, EDELHISS for their contributions to development of African societies. Over the years, HAPAwards has honored His Imperial Majesty, The

Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi- Ojaja II; King of Swaziland, His Majesty, Ngwenyama King Mswati III; Former WBA Heavyweight Champion, Honorable Gerrie Coetzee; Reverend Mother Abimbola Ajayi and Todd Bridges along with select Hollywood & African Actors, Musicians, Comedians and Activists. The Hollywood and African Prestigious

Awards (HAPAwards) was founded in 2017 to bridge the cultural gap between Africa and the global community. The awards is organized in collaboration with The I Dream 4 All Foundation to promote creativity, showcase unique talents with rich African heritage, and honor outstanding achievements by celebrities, community leaders and dignitaries.

ÂŠ2019 New York Lottery

B L A C K T I T A N I U M I S B I G. $ 1 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 B I G.

PLEASE PLAY RESPONSIBLY.

You must be 18 years or older to purchase a lottery ticket.

Struggling with a gambling addiction? Call the HOPEline 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or text HOPENY (467369).* NYLResponsiblePlay.com *Standard text rates may apply.

NewYorkTrendnyc

October 31, 2019 - November 6, 2019

www.newyorktrendnyc.com | 7

ENTER TAINMENT BUSINE SS

FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN-OWNED WGA-WEST FRANCHISE OPENS The Jackson Agency has announced a new partnership with the Writers Guild of America – West. The Jackson Agency has been the home for underrepresented artists of color since its founding in 2014. Now as a WGA Signatory, this partnership will create more opportunities for writers of color, allowing for historically underrepresented writers to have Agency representation. Even amidst the diversity push by the industry, many people of color have lamented the slow transition and challenged industry norms on social media via the widely used #showusyourroom hash tag. "This is historic. To the best of my knowledge, The Jackson Agency is the first African-American owned agency to become a WGA-West Signatory," -- Jaia Thomas, Esq., Sports & Entertainment and IP Attorney; Founder of Diverse Representation. Brandon Miree, Writer & Producer states, "Bringing about a diverse change in Hollywood will take bold and fearless people like Tiauna who's working behind the scenes and willing to have those uncomfortable conversations." “I’m excited to play a part in bringing these deliberately ignored artists to the mainstream. Championing Diversity has been the heart and soul of this

agency,” Tiauna Jackson, founder of Jackson Agency.

“As a female writer of color, the barrier to entry into Hollywood can feel much higher than for others but having representation like Tiauna increases the odds of getting in front of the right people to allow my work to speak for itself,” says Danielle Motley, Screenwriter.

If you need assistance picking a rewarding

 A P OL I CE OF F I CE R It is a police officer’s duty to maintain order while ensuring the safety of the public. If you have a strong passion for the law, you could enjoy a rewarding career as a police officer, which will require you to patrol public areas, support crime and accident victims, and arrest people who are suspected of breaking the law. However, the job isn’t for the fainthearted, as you will put yourself in harm’s way every day to protect the public. If this sounds like the ideal occupation for you, you will need to pass various agility, strength and fitness tests, and complete police academy training.  A R E GI S T E RE D NUR S E Every day will be different should you decide to train to become a registered nurse, as you will meet new people, deal with patient challenges, and need to meet various targets. It can also be a rather flexible career choice, as you could work in a hospital, medical practice or another healthcare facility, and you could also choose a

8 | NewYorkTrendnyc

CEO and Agent, Tiauna was profiled by the New York Times along side ICM agents Lorrie Barlett and Andrea Nelson-Meigs. As the only boutique agent profiled, Jackson spoke truth to what it is like for lesser-known actors in Entertainment.

The benefits of this new partnership include:  Writers of color will have an opportunity to submit their materials for consideration.  Showrunners and Producers now have the ability to find writers of color for their staffing needs.  All artists of color have a highly visible champion of diversity in their corner.  Making history, Tiauna is currently the only known Black Literary Agent who owns a boutique agency.

specialty, such as:  Pediatrics  Critical care  Oncology  Surgery  Obstetrics

There will also be room to grow in the healthcare career, as you could train to become a family nurse practitioner, certified dialysis nurse, or a nurse educator. To become a registered nurse, you will need to obtain either an associate’s, bachelor’s or diploma degree, and you will need to sit the NCLEX-RN exam and obtain a state license.

occupation to work towards, here are some of the best careers for helping others.

representing artists of color.

“This agency is legit and honest in an industry that needs it. People of color need an agency founded by a person of color that understands their needs and how to navigate the industry,” Jeffery Thompson, Jr., Filmmaker/CEO of Epoch Media. “TJA is on the forefront of introducing the world to the works of writers of color,” M. LaVora Perry, Author, “TANEESHA NEVER DISPARAGING.”

BEST CAREERS for Helping Others If you want a job that provides a great sense of satisfaction every working day, you might be best suited to a career helping others. Thankfully, there are a wide variety of occupations to choose from in many industries, such as healthcare, teaching, law, and non-profits.

About Jackson Agency: Founded in 2014 after seeing a need for underrepresented artists to be given a voice through proper representation. The Jackson Agency exists for those who have been denied opportunities based on an aversion to diversity. The Jackson Agency works tirelessly to combat that by focusing on

 A S C HOOL COUNSEL OR If you are interested in a career in education, you shouldn’t overlook becoming a school counselor. It will be your job to support and prepare students for various academic, social and career challenges, which can lead to their success as an adult. Plus, you can provide support and advice to students who are struggling with a personal problem either inside or outside of school, and you can also offer tips on how young people can improve their listening and social skills. If this sounds perfect for your personality, find out more about guidance counselor online masters programs.  A P E RSONAL TRAINER If you want to help others take control of their physical and mental health, a career as a personal trainer could be right up your street. The profession will require you to develop customized workout plans to match a client’s specific needs and help them to reach their fitness goals. You can guarantee you will enjoy much job satisfaction when watching people lose weight, build muscle, improve their strength, or transform their general health. If this is the perfect avenue for you, you could boost your career prospects by securing either a degree in a health field or a personal training certificate.

Black Entrepreneurs Starting STORAGE BUSINESSES As the population continues to rise exponentially, so does the need for personal and corporate storage. People will always need a place to store their belongings, and companies will always need a place to store their inventory. This inherent societal need represents a money-making opportunity for any ambitious entrepreneur who is willing to do a bit of research. More specifically, here are 4 reasons why many black entrepreneurs are gravitating towards the storage and warehousing industries: 1. High Demand and Relatively Easy Entry While founding a successful storage or warehousing company will certainly require an initial investment, other than covering the cost of buying or leasing the facilities, you won’t need to jump through many hoops to get started. You may want to use a platform like Utility Bidder to compare warehousing utility prices. That way, you can use real quotes to estimate your monthly operating costs. 2. Catering to an Underserved Market In an economic climate where black-owned businesses are often pushed aside (e.g. – the cause of the Byron Allen media lawsuit), establishing yourself as a local option for storage or warehousing can help you cater to an underserved market. Many black business owners prefer to deal with other black-owned businesses, so you’ll have that particular advantage. On the other hand, setting competitive prices is still paramount because we all know that a great deal overrides all other motivating factors.

starts to do well, you can accurately predict how much it will cost and how long it will take to scale up. This is a great perk for black entrepreneurs who only want to pursue the most sure-fire business models and simply don’t have the time for “maybes.” By knowing your average occupancy and how much you charge for each unit or space, you can estimate your returns with a fair amount of accuracy in comparison to other industries that are more “hit or miss.” 4. Easy Money Most entrepreneurs would prefer the fastest, easiest, and most abundant route to the money. The storage and warehousing industries provide that kind of convenience because the business can be turned into a turnkey endeavour with the hiring of a few employees. Getting the ball rolling can be as simple as bringing the right warehouse manager on board and letting them take care of the hiring process for the rest of the crew. Many Markets Aren’t Competitive If you’re looking in a major city or populous area, you might get the impression that there’s no need for another storage service or warehouse in your region. To find a real gem of an opportunity, you may need to expand your search into other geographical areas where there are fewer competitors. Fortunately, there are still many places where you can make a name for yourself by offering the most appealing rates.

3. Scalability and Profitability The straightforwardness of getting into this business means that there’s a certain amount of predictability in terms of where you set your pricing and how much profit you’ll be making. Once your first location

October 31, 2019 - November 6, 2019

www.newyorktrendnyc.com

BUSINE S S Directory

Profile BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES Nationwide

The new Directory of Black Owned Businesses and Organization (DOBOBO) is a national consumer driven web-based advertising and marketing business. Many times, consumers who will not do business with you and drive right by going to “other” people’s businesses, not knowing you are there right around the corner ready to serve them. The DOBOBO business model is designed to create a viewing audience that is reflective of Black communities while providing an online platform to support and publicize businesses and organizations in African American communities. The directory endeavors to provide Black-owned businesses and organizations with an opportunity to advertise, share resources, and promote cooperative economics through a mutually shared platform. Striving to “bring back Black,” DOBOBO will push to promote the creation of earning opportunities, increasing and recycling the flow of revenue within the Black communities, and expanding opportunities for Black businesses and

consumers. The agent referral system DOBOBO’s integrated Agent Referral System will reach every segment of the population by actively encouraging and financially rewarding consumers who help us identify qualified Black owned business for the directory through our Agent Affiliate Referral Program. Referral Agents can earn a 20% commission for each paid advertiser (new or renewing) referred by them to the directory. They may refer 1 or 100. There are no limits to the number of advertisers that may be referred (business owners may also participate). Although DOBOBO was developed with small and medium size Black-owned businesses and organizations in mind, we anticipate that this advertising portal will improve your businesses or organizations, regardless of size. Let us assist with increasing your business exposure while contributing to the empowerment of our communities. Black-owned businesses and organizations are encouraged to advertise in the Directory of Blackowned Businesses and Organizations

W h y S ta r t A n L LC ?

The American limited liability corporation deserves credit for being an incredible innovation. It is a way for people to limit their legal liability. It is also an option available to non-residents who want to do business in the United States. There have been a number of legal changes both in the United States and other nations that have altered the legal landscape. Let’s look at why starting an LLC in the US is a great idea in 2019.

CHANGING AMERICAN REGULATIONS The United States has increased its scrutiny of foreigners doing business in the United States both for tax purposes and out of terrorism concerns. This has made it much harder for foreigners to have private bank accounts in their own names in the United States. These same rules make it much harder to use a private bank account for commercial purposes too. The solution is to set up an American LLC. Then you can have almost unlimited commercial financial transactions. Furthermore, you’ll be able to open company accounts in just one visit, and you might be able to open American bank accounts entirely remotely. You could use an online incorporation service like Incfile that allows Europeans to easily set up an LLC and set up your business through a single portal. If we take from these glowing Incfile reviews as a fair sample, then the system is user-friendly and provides good customer service when issues arise. THE PRIVACY BENEFITS An individual opening an LLC only has to declare the assets held by the LLC, not their private wealth. Your LLC could control assets like investment real estate or stock. Note that your home country may have restrictions on the type of business you own abroad as well as a limit on the number of owners, however. A limited liability corporation certainly shields your personal assets from potential lawsuits. One point in favor of an American

NewYorkTrendnyc

LLC is that you don’t have to have American board members, though it gives you the ability to seek American investors or borrow from U.S. banks. The United States has laws that force banks to share all information on customers with the federal government. However, the U.S. doesn’t share information on business accounts with countries that have not entered into the CRS. This means you may be able to maintain privacy regarding financial assets in the U.S. from your own government. THE BUSINESS BENEFITS It is easier to do business with American firms when you have a U.S. bank or merchant account. Furthermore, they’ll consider an American mailing or office address a point in your favor. Conversely, you could open an LLC in a state that doesn’t require a physical office, though this requirement could be met by having a home-based employee in the state. There are potential tax benefits when you form an LLC in the United States. An American LLC may not have a “nexus” in the United States. For legal purposes, this means it is a disregarded entity and doesn’t have to pay U.S. taxes. A side benefit of setting up an LLC in the U.S. is that you can choose the state with the lowest taxes or simplest paperwork. Regulatory changes in 2016 and 2017 caused the number of LLCs set up in the U.S. to plummet. However, things have settled down, and it remains clear that there are many benefits to opening an LLC in the United States.

(DOBOBO) and consumers are encouraged to be agents supporting them and earning and income in the process. Regardless of your business or organization category, they are confident they can help increase your exposure. Let us assist with increasing your business exposure while contributing to the empowerment of our communities. - FREE LISTING The first 200 businesses and/or organizations that provide their listing information by November 30, 2019 will

receive a totally free one-year Silver listing in the directory with absolutely no obligation whatsoever. Just email the following information to info@dobobo.com:  Business Name  Business Contact Information (i.e. phone, email, and address)  Website address (if applicable)  Business Description (up to 1000 characters)  Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and/ or YouTube links (if applicable)  Special Offers (if applicable)  Business Hours

How to Improve Your NURSING CAREER To help you pass the boards, attend Valley Anesthesia so that you may better prepare for the exam and improve studying. Achieving your goal of becoming a registered nurse is a great one, but it is far from the end of your career. Yes, you will have spent years working up to this point, and it could feel good to relax finally and just breathe for a moment, but for the sake of your future and your dreams, you have to carry on fighting on. From becoming a midwife to a nurse anesthetist, there are so many great ways for you to focus your specialization in an area of medicine you feel passionately about. You will be able to make a change in the hospital and be well paid for your efforts. To help direct you to the right area of specialization, and

then being a nurse anesthetist is definitely the way to go. Apply for Further Education At this point, you know the drill. More complex theories and more advanced levels of education are necessary to take this next step in your career. The system is clear-cut and easy to understand, so as soon as you know which field is right for you it’s time to find a great local option or find an online degree you can take either part-time or at night. Tips to Help You Pass The Boards Graduating from a nursing degree is great, but as we all know, there is that pesky national exam to be taken after the fact. As most registered nurses won’t have the

to finally make the leap into that specialized field, you will want to follow these steps. Try to Work Around Different Departments See if you can work horizontally across the career ladder and see how you feel about working in different departments. This way, you can get hands-on experience, meet the people in the department directly, and get a realistic expectation of what life would be like. You obviously won’t be able to work in the position you are thinking of specializing in, but getting a good feel for the department alone is worthwhile. Focus on What Matters to You Another way to decide on what specialization to invest in is to simply focus on what matters most to you. If you love children, then helping families with a midwifery specialization can be your calling. If you demand more fastpaced, life-saving action in your day to day,

inclination or ability to stop work to attend school, the new information you have learned will have been spread over a large period of time. It is not feasible to retain this information if you are not yet allowed to use it, which is why a review course before the exam is a great way to increase your chances of passing. Any future nurse anesthetist continuing education, for example, will want to review the entire course before the exam, which is why Valley Anesthesia offers review courses for the NCE and helps you improve your chances of passing the first time. Specializing is how you take control over your career and put your hard work, knowledge, and years of experience to work in a field that you love. Being passionate and well paid is very possible, but only if you push past RN to further specializations.

October 31, 2019 - November 6, 2019

www.newyorktrendnyc.com | 9

HE ALTH

Medical Breakthrough Will Reduce Number Of PREMATURE BIRTHS

The briefing by Sonia Hassan, M.D., associate vice president of Women’s Health and founder of the new Office of Women’s Health at Wayne State University in Detroit, will be the first in the Wayne State University Capitol Series “Improving Health Outcomes for Minority Women and Their Children,” held in partnership with U.S. Reps. Brenda Lawrence and Rashida Tlaib. The vaginal gel, to be used topically, is for women found to have a shortened cervix. Studies show it decreases the rate of preterm births. “I am truly concerned with the idea that each year nearly 700 women in the U.S. die as a result of pregnancy or delivery complications, and the risk of pregnancy-related death is three to four times as high for black women,” said Lawrence, co-chair of the Congressional Women’s Caucus. “This series hosted in collaboration with Wayne State University will allow my colleagues and me to gather the information needed to create legislation that will help improve maternal health outcomes for more women of color and their children.”

“So many mothers and their children are depending on us to solve this crisis of high-risk pregnancies.” The continued rise in its preterm birth rate earned the U.S. a C grade on the March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card. In 2018, 30 states saw their rates decline compared to the previous year and 10 states received a worse grade. The rates are highest among African American women. “So many mothers and their children are depending on us to solve this crisis of high-risk pregnancies,” Tlaib said. “This is why the issue of preterm birth and pregnancy complications surrounding women of color deserves our full attention and resources. Our moms deserve to have safe and healthy pregnancies.” Dr. Hassan led the research effort that developed the findings at the National Institutes of Health’s Perinatology Research Branch (PRB), housed at Wayne State University. The research branch’s role, specified by Congress, is to conduct research into ways to reduce the national rate of preterm birth and

infant mortality as well as address the complications and causes of the ethnic/ racial disparities that exist in these adverse pregnancy outcomes. Dr. Hassan’s findings about the progesterone’s effectiveness led to the implementation of a citywide program in Detroit to educate and assist women at risk for preterm birth in delivering

preterm birth, with an annual savings of more than $500 to $750 million in health care costs for the U.S.,” Dr. Hassan said. “I hope to show Congress that its continued investment in this type of research pays a dividend in healthier mothers and children, while reducing the attendant costs of preterm birth.”

their babies to term. The program has been so successful in driving down the numbers of preterm birth that it is being implemented in other cities, including Flint, Mich. “Universal implementation of cervical ultrasound and vaginal progesterone is estimated to result in the prevention of

Special guest presenters include Kelle Moley M.D., senior vice president and chief scientific officer of March of Dimes, Nereida Correa, M.D., board member of the National Hispanic Medical Association and members of the Women’s Congressional Policy Institute’s board of directors.

THE FLU CAN KILL YOU – GET THE INFLUENZ A VACCINE Th e NYC H e alt h D e pa rt me nt is reminding New Yorkers that everyone ages 6 months and older should get a seasonal flu vaccine. It is especially important for adults ages 50 and older, pregnant people, children ages 6 months to 5 years, and people with chronic diseases to be vaccinated. “As New Yorkers, we look out for each other,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “And there is no better way to look out for your fellow New Yorker – especially those most vulnerable to the flu such as infants, people with compromised immune systems and the elderly – than getting vaccinated against influenza.” “Getting yourself and your child vaccinated as early as possible can help protect both of you from flu-related illnesses, reduce school absences for your child, and prevent the virus from infecting other children and family members,” said ACS Commissioner David A. Hansell. “The Administration for Children’s Services joins the Health Department in urging all New Yorkers not to wait to get a flu shot this season.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the last flu season was the longest in 10 years, lasting from mid-November 2018 through to mid-April 2019. Although influenza activity is currently low, one influenzarelated pediatric death outside of New York City has already been reported to the CDC. Despite the risk of severe illness, not enough adult New Yorkers are getting

10 | NewYorkTrendnyc

vaccinated. Last flu season, Health Department data showed that only 47% of people ages 18 and older received the influenza vaccination, while 74% of children under age 5 had been vaccinated. Disparities in flu vaccination coverage also persist. In 2018, only 50% of Black New Yorkers ages 65 and older were vaccinated, compared to 65% of Whites, 67% of Latinos and 73% of Asians in this age group. The Health and Human Services’ Healthy People 2020 goal for flu vaccination coverage is 70%.

fall and lasts throughout the spring. Since influenza activity can be unpredictable and influenza viruses can be found yearround, it is important to get the vaccine as early as possible, though it is never too late to be vaccinated. A flu vaccine is necessary each year because the vaccine provides protection for only one season. This year’s flu vaccine contains two new virus strains.

The NYC Health Map also includes pharmacies that are enrolled in the federally-funded Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, which provides flu vaccines for VFC-eligible children (including those on Medicaid and children without insurance) at no cost, although an administration fee may be charged if the child does not have insurance.

Influenza-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people, especially children, may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may also be infected with influenza and have respiratory symptoms without a fever. Ways to reduce the spread of germs like influenza:  Try to avoid close contact with sick people.  While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.  If you are sick with influenza-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)  Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. After using a tissue, throw it in the trash and wash your hands.  Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.  Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like influenza.

Influenza season usually starts in the late

“As the weather begins to get colder, it is

The flu vaccine is widely available for all New Yorkers, and serious reactions to the vaccine are extremely rare. The Health Department’s immunization clinic along with other City-run clinics and hospitals provide no or low-cost flu vaccines to patients and visitors. It is available at chain pharmacies, like CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Duane Reade, and independent pharmacies, many of which take most health insurance plans without charging a co-pay. Pharmacists can now vaccinate children as young as age 2. Check with your local pharmacy to confirm that they can vaccinate children and the age ranges they can serve. Many employers also provide onsite flu vaccines for their employees. New Yorkers can use the Health Department’s NYC Health Map or call 311.

October 31, 2019 - November 6, 2019

important to consider getting vaccinated against the flu, especially if you might be at risk of complications,” said Staten Island Borough President James Oddo. “I am happy to partner with Health + Hospitals for another year to bring Staten Islanders free flu shots, which will be available on November 7th from 11am-2:30pm at Staten Island Borough Hall. Getting a flu shot is the best way to protect yourself – as well as those around you – from this illness.” “To stay healthy during the annual flu season, you and your family should get a flu shot. Receiving the influenza vaccine protects you and all New Yorkers, especially elderly people and children who are particularly at risk,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the Senate Health Committee.

“The NYC Health Department alert about the importance of getting a flu vaccine is a timely and proactive. Vaccines against the flu have proven effective, and are widely available to New Yorkers at low or no cost. That’s why I got my flu shot, as I do every year,” said Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried of Manhattan, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Health. “No one likes getting the flu but for many New Yorkers contracting influenza can be more than just a few days of missed work – it can be life-threatening,” said City Council Health Committee Chair Mark Levine. “It is vital that all New Yorkers get vaccinated against influenza as early in the flu season as possible to not only protect themselves from getting sick but to protect vulnerable people like infants and the elderly. The vaccine is widely available and it only takes a few minutes of your time to help prevent spreading the flu to vulnerable New Yorkers.”

www.newyorktrendnyc.com

ENDNO TE S

URBAN ONE, INC. HOSTS ITS ANNUAL URBAN ONE H O N O R S

The annual URBAN ONE HONORS Awards show is set for Thursday, December 5, 2019 at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Cathy Hughes, Urban One Founder and Chairwoman, along with Alfred Liggins, III,CEO, Urban One; Michelle Rice, General Manager, TV One; and Jeff Wilson, Senior Vice President, Radio One, announced the show today. The two-hour telecast will air on TV One, a division of Urban One, on January 20, 2020, the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. URBAN ONE HONORS is presented by TV One and Radio One's Washington D.C. market's cluster of radio stations: Majic 102.3 and 92.7; WKYS 93.9, Praise 104.1, WOL 1450, Spirit 1340, and The Team 980 and 95.9. The televised event will herald the accomplishments of individuals who have made extraordinary contributions in entertainment, media, music, fashion, sports, education, and the community. It will also pay tribute to the 40-year history of Radio One, the radio division of the company, and its extraordinary founder, Cathy Hughes. "I give praise and thanks to God from Whom all blessings flow for the opportunity to be of service to my community for these

40 years," said Hughes. "I always say that Radio One is my second baby next to my son and business partner, Alfred Liggins. I am immensely grateful for the men and women who have worked to help make Radio One a success. It started as a single radio station and is now a media family with two cable television networks and various digital media platforms. I look forward to celebrating this milestone and recognizing others who are doing phenomenal work in their industries." The program will feature a star-studded line-up of presenters and honorees as well as special musical performances. It will serve as an annual commemoration of the achievements of black and brown people and broadcast their contributions to our culture and global society. "African Americans have had a tremendous impact on society and culture, a fact that we're excited to celebrate with the telecast of the annual Urban One Honors on TV One," said Rice. "As we honor the 40thanniversary milestone of Radio One, Ms. Hughes' outstanding contributions as a media pioneer, and the impact of the honorees, we're proud to continue the network's mission to represent the richness of the black experience."

"Our team at Radio One DC is profoundly humbled to be a part of this historic presentation of Urban One Honors," stated Wilson. "It's not only a celebration of 40 years of broadcast history but also a tribute to some of the most luminary figures in our American culture." The inaugural URBAN ONE HONORS was held on December 9, 2018, at the Anthem in Washington, DC, and was hosted by REACH Media Syndicated Radio Host DL Hughley. The 2018 class of honorees included: Jermaine Dupri, April Ryan, DJ Khaled, Rotimi, Marvin Sapp, Brandy, June Ambrose, Doc Walker, Shaun King, Benny Pough, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Jade Novah, Dr. Nadia Lopez, Tracy Martin, and Sybrina Fulton. Featured presenters included: L.A. Reid, Ray J, Symone Sanders, Traci Braxton, Bryan Michael Cox, Da Brat, and Fred Smoot. The evening featured electrifying performances from Johnny Gill, Avery Sunshine, Elle Varner, and K-Ci of Jodeci. Tickets to the awards show are available to the public. Pre-sale tickets are available beginning Tuesday, October 15 at 10 AM ET using the Code: 40Years. General tickets are

FRANK OCEAN

PROFILE

Returns with a

RIKKI HUGHES MAGIC LEMONADE

N e w S i n g l e “DHL”

PRODUCTION COMPANY

- By Alex Ordonez

F R A N K O C E A N is best known for

his multi-platinum, grammy-nominating, albums of R&B/Pop music with major hip hop influence. What is not known is much of his personal life and what he does during the years between each album drop. Frank is known to be very quiet and cryptic on his social media platforms - with his Instagram recently being changed to “public” in 2018. His only active social media site was Tumblr before that was hacked in early 2019. Even with the minor social media presence, his cult-like fans have been scouring Internet forums and the streets of SOHO to get a glimpse of what the singer/songwriter might be up to since the release of ENDLESS and BLOND in the summer of 2016. In fact, he didn’t even plan a proper tour after the album had released, instead only appearing in a select amount of music festivals and a being brought out at Tyler the Creator’s sold-out surprise show at Webster Hall. Frank had been releasing standalone singles and merch on his website quietly mixed with a reissue of his BLONDED MAG magazine that was released with the original album back in 2016. Singles like Chanel, Biking, Lens, Provider, and Moon River have been quietly released through Apple Music with minimal marketing and future announcements coinciding with the releases. 2018 and 2019 have been relatively quiet, with only 2 singles in the 24 months leading up to the announcement of BLONDED RADIO 006. Blonded Radio is Frank Ocean’s own Beats 1 radio station that is streamed exclusively through Apple Music and is a curation

NewYorkTrendnyc

available beginning Friday, October 18 at 10 AM EST.

of music frank arranges into a playlist. The radio station, much like everything else Frank is affiliated with, is Cryptic and unpredictable, with announcements seemingly being last minute and at very odd hours of the night in certain cases. The last couple of singles that Frank released have been played on the end of these radio sessions but do not always occur, this keeps his fan-base and the media in the dark as to when we will actually get new music. The announcement for BONDED 006 came on Sunday, October 20th at around 6:02 PM and was accompanied by a snippet of a new song titled “Cayendo” Followed by the release of a new single “DHL”. DHL is a shipping company founded in the USA and has been prominent with international shipping and often overshadowed by the success of its competitor FedEx. Although a song not about the company itself the song references drug paraphernalia being passed around him like DHL. In the bottom corner of the album artwork for Frank’s new single, one can make out twelve silhouettes followed by one with inverted colors seeming to be the hi-lighted photo in the center of the album. There has been widespread speculation that these thirteen poses represent thirteen tracks on what is possibly a new album coming soon. This would be Frank’s third studio album since Blond in 2016.

Strategic Heights Media has been named the public relations agency of record for Rikki Hughes’s entertainment production company, Magic Lemonade. Hughes is a veteran EMMY® and GRAMMY® Award-winning film producer of comedy specials, award and television shows, and independent features. She has secured clients such as BET Networks, Comedy Central, Roc Nation, Def Jam, Netflix, HBO, and more. Strategic Heights Media will handle the overall public relations efforts and media strategy for Rikki Hughes and Magic Lemonade. This involves the development and implementation of media campaigns, media relations, and creating awareness around upcoming new projects. This partnership comes just in time for Magic Lemonade’s newest venture, the 2020 Bounce Trumpet Awards, which Hughes plans to move from its previous home in Las Vegas, to the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. Magic Lemonade has produced five of Dave Chappelle’s comedy shows, including the two most recent: Sticks & Stones and Epilogue: The Punchline. Other notable credits include: Hood Adjacent With James Davis, Dear Mama, Damon Dash’s The Next Big Thing, HBO comedy series All Def Comedy, BET Honors, ABFF Honors, and Katt Williams: It’s Pimpin’ Pimpin’. Strategic Heights Media (SHM) is a fullservice public relations and experiential marketing agency that specializes in building brand strategies and experiences that drive engagement with consumers and brands. The agency has been immersed in a variety of entertainment and lifestyle

October 31, 2019 - November 6, 2019

projects from music, film, television, fashion, publishing, sports and beauty; to brands and corporations; to nightlife and special events. Strategic Heights Media has provided media strategy to leading brands including: BET Networks, WEtv, IFC, TV One, ASCAP, smartwater, ESSENCE, 20th Century Fox, American Black Film Festival, SONY Pictures, Comcast Xfinity and Franklin Entertainment, among many others.

www.newyorktrendnyc.com | 11

THE ALL-NEW CHEVROLET BLAZER DRIVING HBCU TALENT INTO THE SPOTLIGHT

TYLA BARNES

SHARON JOY WASHINGTON

MIANA MASSEY

TEDARIUS ABRAMS

EMANI NICHOLS

ELAE C. HILL

DTU FELLOW 2019

Follow these DTU Journalism Fellows through their summer internships. See the stories theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve uncovered at nnpa.org/chevydtu. @ChevroletDTU

12 | NewYorkTrendnyc

October 31, 2019 - November 6, 2019