New York Trend NYC: January 30 - February 5, 2020

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 30 ISSUE 5

Since 1989

January 30th, 2020 - February 5th, 2020

C E L E B R AT I N G HONORED WITH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT3AWARDS 0 YEAR

NYC JOINS LAWSUIT TO SAVE FOOD ASSISTANCE The Black Stars NewsF2015 O R Annual NEEDY AMERICANS Awards Dinner will honor Mayor

demonstrating that the area lacks sufficient New York City has joined a group 15 David Dinkins, Rep.ofCharles jobs for ABAWDs. States also were given a Attorneys General in a lawsuit to stop the Rangel, Rep. Yvette Clarke, limited number of one-month exemptions Trump administration from eliminating food R. Donahue Peebles, Barbara for individuals who would otherwise lose assistance for nearly 700,000 Americans.

The lawsuit, filed in D.C., Arnwine, Inezchallenges Barron,aSabrina benefits under the time limit and were United States Agriculture Lamb,Department Dr. Rudy of Crew, Stephen permitted to carry over unused exemptions (USDA) Byrd, rule thatAlia would limit states’ ability Jones, and the Centralto safeguard against sudden economic downturns. to extend benefits from the Supplemental Park Five survivors of gross injustice Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Over the last 24 years, Congress has onknown December from 6:00pm commonly as “food18 stamps,” beyond – maintained the criteria for states to a three-month period certain adults. 46 West 10:00pm atfor MIST Harlem, The lawsuit asserts that the rule directly 116th Street. undermines Congress’ intent for the food“Each honoree chosen stamp program, and that the USDA for violated the federal rulemakinghas process.

Further, recognition demonstrated they argue that the rule would impose exceptional leadership and vision in significant regulatory burdens on the states David Dinkins her or his respective profession or and harm states’ residents and economies. endeavor and some significant The coalition is urging theincourt to declare was a member of the New York hasissue contributed towards the rule measure unlawful and an injunction to City Council, representing the prevent creating it from taking effect.just society in this a more th

 Contradicts statutory language and Congress’s intent for the food-stamp program: When Congress amended SNAP and added the ABAWD time limit in 1996, it included a waiver process explicitly providing for relief from the time limit if insufficient job opportunities were available for ABAWDs and clearly indicating that states were best equipped to make this determination based on local economic and employment conditions. Congress has reaffirmed this

S!

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

Pioneering producers Stephen

and Alia Jones, harmingByrd state economies.

As USDAthrough their concedes in the rule, these Row impactsProduction, will be company Front most concentrated among brought “Cat onlower-income a Hot Tin Roof” communities of color. and “A Streetcar Named Desire”  Amends the law for arbitrary and with a multi-ethnic cast to capricious reasons: The APA requires Broadway.

In 2016 they bring agencies to offer a reasoned explanation “Eclipsed” Oscar Winner for changing long-heldwith policies and address why theLupita facts andNyong circumstances ’O to supporting Broadway. the prior policy should be disregarded. For the has so-called Central over twoHonorees, decades, USDA accepted Congress’s a state should Parkpremise 5, arethat collectively and define the geographic heroes. scope of its waiver individually They are requestsurvivors and support that request with a wide of one of the ugliest Charles Rangel range of data sources that are together best miscarriage of justice in New able to capture employment prospects for York’s “MANY history; having been railroaded majority. She now leads The ABAWDs. Yet the new rule strictly defines the A M E R I C A NJustice S ARE whichunjustly waivers may be sought convicted forand a crime Transformative Coalition. area forand rejects data beyond general unemployment they did not commit and for which Arnwine was for 26 years executive 40 council district in Brooklyn, STRUGGLING TO country,” says Black StarNew News figures without any justification.

“In the world’s wealthiest country, no they served long prison sentences director of the Lawyers’ Committee succeeding her mother, Una S. founder and topublisher Milton Yorker should be forced choose between the federal U T Rights F O O DUnder O N the Law.  Violates ranging from rulemaking seven years to 13 years for PCivil T. Clarke. In the current 114th putting food on the table and filling a process: The Administrative Procedure Allimadi. “Obviously much work before being exonerated when the Congress Clarke serves on prescription,” said Mayor Bill dehere Blasio.

H E TA B LE.” Inez TBarron, honoree, formerly aAct (APA) governs internal procedures for needs to be done and actual rapist confessed.

They are: “Denying food assistance to the thousands the Energy and Commerce State Assembly member, is nowfederal agencies, including rulemaking.  around the of New Yorkers who relyworld.” on these programs Among other requirements, agencies must Yusef Abdus Salaam; Raymond Committee, responsible for a New council membersolicit and consider public comments S O CYork I A L SCity ERVIC ES every day is agala targeted attack against our The starts at 6:00pm with a Santana Jr., Antron McCray, Kevin consumer protection, food MMISSION and C a Ochampion ofE Reducation for on the substance of a rule. USDA broke most vulnerable—and it’s one we will not cocktail hour to be followed by the Richardson, and Kharey Wise. safety, energy development, public STEVEN BANKS stand for.” our youth. from this process by issuing a final rule dinner and awards ceremonies. There health, communications, the that diverged from itsStar proposed rule in The Black News, which focuses SNAP has as the country’s primary by Honoree Imhotep Gary Byrd is significant ways. For example, while the willserved be musical entertainment environment, and interstate and on investigative journalism, has response to hunger since 1977, and a a legendary radio talk show host proposed rule maintained that a state could opera singer Cassandra Douglas international commerce. critical part of federal and state efforts to been featured as a result of some if and executive producer, radio DJ,receive a waiver if it qualified for extended and from harmonica phenomenon help lift people out of poverty. The program its news scoops, onDepartment CNN, The New R. Donahue Peebles, honoree, is unemployment benefits under songwriter, is providesWilliam access toGalison. nutrition forDavid millionsDinkins of obtain waivers and to carry over unused positionpoet, multiple times, most music recentlyrecording in York Daily News, The New York a leading developer and founder of Americans with limited incomes who would artist andnew producer, rapper, writerof Labor policies, the final rule eliminated honored for Lifetime Achievement exemptions. It has reauthorized the statute 2018. Yet USDA’s rule severely restricts this basis.

Thus, commenters did not receive Post, The Village Voice, and Brill’s The Peebles Co., the nation’s largest otherwise foodYork insecurity. states’ discretion over theseactivist. matters and and community He beganmeaningful opportunity to comment on the —struggle he waswith New City’s first four times without limiting states’ discretion Content magazine.

African American-owned real essentially While the federal government pays the full this for waiver his writes career asbasis a radio DJ inout Buffalofull extent of the agency’s changes.

African American mayor and alsoover these matters. House Republicans cost of SNAP benefits, it shares the costs of considered adding restrictions on billion waiversworthof the statute, in direct contravention of law estate firm with $3.5 Black Star News honorees at age 15.

For over 30 years, he’s DistrictPast welcomed Nelson Mandela to the administering the program on a 50-50 basis of Columbia AG Karl Racine and and carryovers in the 2018 Farm Bill, but a and congressional intent. Major aspects of properties under development have included: Gilare Noble (Like It been a talk showchanges host at WBLS and after his operate releasethe in program.

1990. with thecity states, which New York AG Letitia James co-leading bipartisan coalition expressly rejected them of the rule mirror proposed that or management — he was one Is), Rep. Maxine Waters, Soledad Congress amended SNAP in 1996 with WLIB radio in New York City. Hethis coalition, and are joined by attorneys in the final legislation.

Congress explicitly rejected in 2018.

Charles greater Rangel, also honored of the pioneering developerswho the goalRep. of encouraging workforce from California, (CNN),Connecticut, Ms. Camille Cosby, also has a Friday night radio talk general O’Brien  Raises healthcare and homelessness President Trump signed the for Lifetime Achievement, has Shortly after helped turn around and revitalize participation among beneficiaries.

The Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Voza Rivers (New Heritage Theatre), costs while lowering economic activity show on WBAI. Bill into law, USDA announced in Congress since 1971. He 2018 is Farm changesserved introduced a three-month time Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, the once-blighted Anacostia in the states: For SNAP recipients, losing Errol Louis (NY1 News), Amel a proposed rule seeking changes almost limit on aSNAP benefits unemployed Honoree Sabrina Lamb, founder Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and recipient offor The Bronze medal for benefits means losing critical access to food, neighborhood in rejected.

Washington, D.C. identical to those Congress USDA Larrieux (Entertainer), Dr. individuals aged 18 to 49 who are not Virginia, along with the City of New York.William of World of Money, is a champion raising the risk of malnutrition and other helping save soldiers behind enemyreceivedAmore champion of African-American than 100,000 comments Pollard (Medgar Evers College), disabled or raising children—"able-bodied was filed in United States effects. Studies have shown sheThe lawsuit ofhealth financial literacy for youth-line during the Korean War. in total—the majorityempowerment of which reflectedPeebles’ negative economic is adults without dependents” (ABAWDs).

District Court for the District of Columbia.

Herm Edwards (NY Jets), Nayaba that SNAP can counteract food about insecurity strong opposition from a broad range of teaches knowledge handlingThe States filed a Motion for Preliminary contemplating a possible run for NYC Congress understood statesiswere Rep. Yvettethat Clarke a Democratic Arinde (Amsterdam News), La-Verna and lower healthcare costs for recipients stakeholders. Regardless, USDA’s final money, budgeting and planning. best positioned to assess local of Injunction concurrently with the complaint to mayor in 2017. by about $1,400 per person—costs that member of the whether US House Fountain (Columbia University), rule went even further in restricting state economic conditions and labor markets enjoin the rule from going into effect on April state governments will likely bear in the Dr. Rudy Crew, honoree, is one of New discretion over waivers and exemptions thancivil Honoree Barbara Arnwine, providedRepresentatives ABAWDs reasonablefrom employment 1, 2020.Lillian Roberts (DC37), Desiree Dancy absence of SNAP assistance. Without SNAP th what it had initially proposed. the nation’s leading educators.

He’s York whose 9 district covers (New York Times), Greg Floyd (Local opportunities. As a result, the law allows a rights lawyer, is a champion of

benefits, many will be forced to choose “The de Blasio administration does what it state to much acquireof a waiver of the ABAWD Before time central Brooklyn.

237), Rev. Al Sharpton (National president of Medgar Evers College In the lawsuit, the states collectively argue protecting voting rights of ethnic between having food to eat or a place to takes to protect our most vulnerable New limit for entering areas where the unemployment administration’s rule: Congress in 2007,rate she that theminority Network), andaction manytoothers. live.

Their purchasing power will decrease, of The City University of New Yorkers,Action groups — the emerging and today we are taking is above 10 percent, or if it presents data

-- cont'd on Page 3

INSIDE T HIS IS SUE :

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

PAGE 2 Education FLY BLUE!pg.5

PAGE 2 REACHING RECORD HIGHS NewYorkTrendnyc

NewYorkTrendnyc

BluePage Sky EPIC pg.8LIKE YUH! 7 BAD

PAGE 6 OWN'S NEW SHOW PREMIERS

December 17, 2015 - December 23, 2015

January 30, 2020 - February 5, 2020

Page 11 NYC NEW YEARS!

PAGE 9 OPRAH'S "2020 VISION"

www.newyorktrendnyc.com

www.newyorktrendnyc.com

N AT ION AL NYC CHANCELLOR Announces RECORD HIGH GRADUATION RATE Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza has announced that New York City’s 2019 four-year high school graduation rate has reached a record high of 77.3 percent.

Since the start of the administration, the graduation rate has increased 8.9 percentage points, from 68.4 percent in August 2014 to 77.3 percent in August 2019.

“I have never accepted the status quo and I certainly won’t when it comes to the future of our children,” said Mayor de Blasio. “For the sixth year in a row our record graduation rate is proving that when you invest in equity and excellence for every student in every neighborhood, success follows.”

“New York City students continue to raise the bar and then exceed it. For the sixth consecutive year, we have achieved a record high graduation rate of 77.3 percent, and this year we are seeing that success grow across every borough and every demographic,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “This isn’t happening in a vacuum—college readiness rates and postsecondary enrollment rates continue to rise, and we’re on track to achieve our goal of an 84 percent graduation rate by 2026.

We’re going to continue to focus on narrowing the achievement gap and ensure that we are seeing both equity and excellence in action in our schools every day.”

THE GRADUATION RATE WAS 73.7 PERCENT FOR BLACK STUDENTS IN 2019, A 1.6 POINT INCREASE FROM 2018 AND A 9.9 POINT INCREASE FROM 2014.

Among the cohort of students who entered 9th grade in the fall of 2015, the graduation rate rose 1.4 percentage points compared to the year prior. For the sixth consecutive year under this administration, graduation rates hit record highs, graduation success is across the board, and the achievement gap continues to narrow:  The graduation rate was 88.2 percent for Asian students in 2019, a 0.1 point increase from 2018 and a 5.6 point increase from 2014.  The graduation rate was 73.7 percent for Black students in 2019, a 1.6 point increase from 2018 and a 9.9 point increase from 2014.  The graduation rate was 72.0 percent for Hispanic students in 2019, a 2.1 point increase from 2018 and a 10.6 point increase from 2014.  The graduation rate was 85.0 percent for White students in 2019, a 0.8 point increase from 2018 and a 4.4 point increase from 2014.

The graduation rate for Current English Language Learners (students who were identified as ELLs during the school year of their last enrollment) and Former English Language Learners (students who had been classified as ELLs and exited ELL status within the past two school years) increased by 4.3 percentage points, rising from 57.4% in 2018 to 61.7% in 2019.

When looking just at Current English

2 | NewYorkTrendnyc

Language Learners, the graduation rate increased by 6.2 percentage points since 2018, which is more than twice the gain made by the rest of the State.

There were also gains among students with disabilities, with a 2.1 percentage point increase, rising from 50.4% in 2018 to 52.6% in 2019. Since 2014, graduation rates for students with disabilities in New York City have increased by 12.1 percentage points, outpacing the gains made by the rest of the State over the past five years.

The largest improvement in graduation rates was in the Bronx, with a boroughwide record-high of 70.2%.

The improvements in graduation rates reflect larger improvements in postsecondary awareness, readiness, and access across New York City public schools. Earlier this school year, Mayor

career-aligned coursework – Computer Science for All brings 21st-century computer science instruction to every school, and AP for All will give all high school students access to at least five Advanced Placement courses. Along the way, they are giving students and families additional support through College Access for All, Single Shepherd, and investment in Community Schools. Efforts to create more diverse and inclusive classrooms, including Equity & Excellence for All: Diversity in New York City Public Schools are central to this pathway.

"Congratulations to our students and teachers for all their hard work, and to the parents who partnered with us to make this happen," said Michael Mulgrew, President of the United Federation of Teachers. "From the success of the Community Health Academy of the

teachers, and families that worked together to attain these improvements. I know we still have a lot of work to do, such as making sure New York City students get their fair share of funding from Albany, but I am confident that we can overcome these obstacles together.”

"Congratulations to our graduates, who will lead our city and state into the future. I am proud that the Mayor and Chancellor Carranza chose to announce the city's increasing graduate rates in front of an educational jewel in my district, Community Health Academy of the Heights (CHAH). It is because of the support provided by schools such as CHAH, that not only improve students but improve families. We must continue to invest in our students to graduate and pursue higher education as well support families holistically," said Assembly Member Al Taylor.

“As graduation rates increase, we must thank Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza for their leadership on this issue. Education remains a top priority for me as the Council Member that represents Bronx Community School District 9 and I will continue to work with the administration to increase the graduation rate for all students in the Bronx,” said Council Member Vanessa Gibson.

de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza announced:  The highest-ever postsecondary enrollment rate – 62 percent. A recordhigh 48,782 students in the Class of 2018 enrolled in college, up approximately 8,000 students since the start of the administration and approximately 3,600 students compared to the year prior.  The highest-ever college readiness rate – 54.9 percent of all students, and 70.7 percent of graduates, in the Class of 2019 graduated high school on time and met CUNY’s standards for college readiness in English and math.  New York City students have now outperformed their New York State peers on State ELA exams for four years in a row, after doing so for the first time in 2016.

They have closed the gap with their New York State peers on State math exams, with 46 percent of students meeting proficiency standards in Math.

Together, the Equity and Excellence for All initiatives are building a pathway to success in college and careers for all students. Our schools are starting earlier – free, full-day, high-quality education for three-year-olds and four-year-olds through 3-K for All and Pre-K for All. They are strengthening foundational skills and instruction earlier – Universal Literacy so that every student is reading on grade level by the end of 2nd grade; and Algebra for All to improve elementaryand middle-school math instruction and ensure that all 8th graders have access to algebra. They are offering students more challenging, hands-on, college and

Heights - a high school we are celebrating today - we have shown we can make amazing strides on behalf of our kids when we work together."

“The record-breaking increase in graduation rates for Bronx schools is a true testament to what our students are able to achieve when we begin to invest in their success. Retaining talented educators and providing classrooms with sufficient resources are critical factors in improving the educational outcomes of the next generation. I will continue fighting for the future of our students to ensure we do our part to fully and equitably fund our Bronx public schools” said State Senator Alessandra Biaggi.

"High-quality education is an essential foundation for our children's lives, and at the heart of social and economic justice.

Today's announcement of record-high graduation rates for city-wide four-year high schools, especially here in the Bronx and for minority students, shows the tremendous progress of our city's schools, and the educators and students working hard to make it happen. While there remains much left to do, I commend the Equity and Excellence for All agenda, and Mayor De Blasio and Chancellor Caranza for their leadership and commitment to creating more diverse and accessible pathways to success for all our students," said State Senator Luis R. Sepulveda.

Assembly Member Michael DenDekker said, “I am glad that New York City’s upward trend in graduation rates is continuing. I am so proud of the students,

January 30, 2020 - February 5, 2020

“I am thrilled that graduation rates on NYC are on a steady incline, a testament to the dedication and effort of our city teachers and educators. Our inner city youth face systemic challenges at all levels, and continue to thrive in academic settings, which is a testament to overcoming obstacles and the excellence of our student body. So proud that our Black and Brown students in particular are graduating at record highs,” said Council Member Laurie Cumbo.

"New York City’s public school students are making great strides toward excellence," said Council Member Ben Kallos. "By pushing and working for equitable resources around the City, this administration has succeeded in guiding students towards higher graduation rates which is a key indicator for life-long success. The Equity and Excellence for All initiative is creating a generation of New Yorkers with a really bright future that includes a pathway to college and good careers. Thank you to Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza for prioritizing our kid's education."

“As today’s announcement demonstrates, our hardworking students are excelling on a path towards high school graduation.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Chancellor Richard A. Carranza deserve a great deal of praise for their tireless commitment to improving the quality of education in New York City. I firmly believe that New York City’s record graduation rates will have a positive longterm impact, both on the career paths of our students, and their families who have worked very hard to guide their children towards success. The continued growth of our student body will be influenced the strength of communitybased partnerships that encourage them to strive for a better future, and I am proud to be a part of that process,” said Council Member Mathieu Eugene.

www.newyorktrendnyc.com

NEWS THE Black Women’s HEALTH IMPERATIVE Unveils

First-Of-Its-Kind Policy Agenda Addressing HIV/AIDS Epidemic Among BLACK WOMEN Th e B l ac k W o m e n ’ s H e alt h Imp erat i v e (BWHI) released its

national HIV/AIDS policy agenda on Black Women’s Health titled The HIV/AIDS Policy Agenda for Black Women. The agenda also features contributions from other leading women’s health organizations, which include the Positive Women’s Network, AIDS United, SisterLove, Inc., and Women Organized to Respond to Life-Threatening Diseases (WORLD).

issues, which include prevention of future HIV infections and identifying research priorities, access to comprehensive treatment for all Black women living with HIV, and

and one of our goals is to ensure that a spotlight is placed on how to end the epidemic among cis and transgender Black women,” said Linda Goler Blount, President &

Black Americans have been disproportionately impacted by HIV and AIDS since the epidemic’s beginning, and that disparity has deepened over time. While representing only 12 percent of the United States population, Black Americans accounted for almost half (42 percent, or 476,100) of the estimated 1.1 million people living with HIV (PLHIV), both diagnosed and undiagnosed, and almost half (44 percent) of those diagnosed with HIV in 2016.

“We must continue to raise the health profile of Black women and the specific health-related needs and interests of Black women if we are to ever have a chance of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030,” said Valerie Rochester, Vice President for Program Strategy at AIDS United. “This policy agenda offers unique guidance on how legislators and policy makers can best ensure the needs of Black women are elevated.”

The HIV/AIDS Policy Agenda for Black Women covers several vital

the provision of essential supports, beyond medical treatment, that improve the emotional and physical wellbeing of Black women who are living with HIV. Under each key area, BWHI includes a thorough discussion regarding important policy issues facing Black women today.

“Black women must finally be a priority in policy directed towards the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections,

CEO of the Black Women’s Health Imperative. “We are excited to release this first-of-its-kind policy agenda, which offers our nation a framework for addressing some of the health inequities of HIV/AIDS for Black women and girls.”

The policy agenda was unveiled and discussed today during the National Organization of Black Elected Legislators (NOBEL Women) Annual Legislative Breakfast at the National Black Caucus of State Legislators

(NBCSL) annual legislative conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“The release of the HIV/AIDS Policy Agenda for Black Women today at our annual breakfast was monumental because our organization aims to remain at the forefront of evaluating, recommending and championing policy and programming solutions that will alleviate economic and health disparities in our communities,” said State Representative Karen Camper (D-TN) and National President of NOBEL Women. “We commend the Black Women’s Health Imperative for this important work and look forward to collaborating to combat this epidemic in our nation.”

The Black Women’s Health Imperative is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing health equity and social justice for Black women, across the lifespan, through policy, advocacy, education, research and leadership development. The organization identifies the most pressing health issues that affect the nation’s 22 million Black women and girls, like HIV/AIDS, and invests in the best of the best strategies and organizations that accomplish its goals.

The policy agenda is available for download here: http://bit. ly/HIVPolicyAgenda. For more information about the Black Women’s Health Imperative, please visit www.bwhi.org.

NYC JOINS LAWSUIT TO SAVE FOOD ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY AMERICANS (cont'd from cover) fight a callous and misguided attempt to remove a lifeline for tens of thousands of individuals in our city,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Raul Perea-Henze. “Healthy communities are built by creating opportunities for long-term and stable employment, not by denying SNAP benefits to New Yorkers who rely on this assistance to meet basic needs.”

“With this rule, the Trump Administration would add one more brick in the wall between the most vulnerable and everyone else,” NYC Corporation Counsel James E. Johnson said. "If left unchallenged, this rule will cut off basic food assistance for nearly 700,000 people and harm the economies of our cities and many states. In New York City alone, 50,000 women and men would lose over $90 million in SNAP benefits annually and our local economy would lose more than $161 million annually in economic

NewYorkTrendnyc

activity. This rule forces the most vulnerable residents to make the harshest of choices: choose food or choose other essentials of life, including housing and medicine. This would make long-term stable employment less likely, which is the exact opposite of the result the rule makers claim to desire.

With this rule, the Trump Administration casts aside our disadvantaged residents and does an end run around the will of Congress, which rejected the very measures the Administration now seeks to impose on its own. It is the duty of the City of New York to join the fight for the essential needs of its residents who depend on this vital program.”

“Since day one of the Trump Administration, this President has singled out vulnerable Americans on the basis of their socioeconomic status, threatening their health and well-being by taking away basic benefits and services, including taking food away

from New Yorkers in need,” said Department of Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks. “Today, together with a group of 15 Attorney Generals, we are fighting this latest unthinkable—and unlawful—proposal that would deprive hundreds of thousands of Americans and tens of thousands of New Yorkers of essential food assistance that they rely on every day. Our City intends to use every tool at our disposal, including taking Trump to court, to ensure that all individuals are treated with dignity, are able to live healthy, fulfilling lives, and can access the benefits to which they are entitled.”

“Many Americans are struggling to put food on the table. But, instead of helping those families, the White House wants to hand 700,000 of them an empty plate. The Trump Administration’s plan to slash SNAP is another cruel attempt to hurt Americans. We must do everything we can to stop him in his

January 30, 2020 - February 5, 2020

efforts to do harm. That’s why I’m so proud that New York City is part of this lawsuit to stop this Administration from preventing individuals from accessing food, one of our most basic human rights,” said Speaker Corey Johnson.

“The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a critical part of federal and state efforts to help the underserved community,” said Council Member Mathieu Eugene. "SNAP provides food assistance to thousands of hardworking Americans who require it to care for their families. I join my colleagues in requesting that the federal government refrain from limiting the state’s ability to extend these benefits to those who need them most. As elected officials, we must work together to prevent the disruption of government services intended to help those who struggle with food insecurity.”

www.newyorktrendnyc.com | 3

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE OF NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER’S SALE OF TAX LIENS ON REAL ESTATE Notice is hereby given that commencing on February 18th, 2020, will sell at public online auction the tax liens on certain real estate, unless the owner, mortgagee, occupant of or any other party in interest in such real estate shall have paid to the County Treasurer by February 13th, 2020 the total amount of such unpaid taxes or assessments with the interest, penalties and other expenses and charges against the property.

Such tax liens will be sold at the lowest rate of interest, not exceeding 10 percent per six-month period, for which any person or persons shall offer to take the total amount of such unpaid taxes as defined in Section 5-37.0 of the Nassau County Administrative Code.

Effective with the February 2019 lien sale Ordinance No. 175-2015 requires a $175.00 per day registration fee for each person who intends to bid at the tax lien sale.

Ordinance No. 175-2015 also requires that upon the issuance of the Lien Certificate there is due from the lien buyer a Tax Certificate Issue Fee of $20.00 per lien purchased.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Nassau County Administrative Code at the discretion of the Nassau County Treasurer the auction will be conducted online. Further information concerning the procedures for the auction is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at: https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/526/County-Treasurer Should the Treasurer determine that an in-person auction shall be held, same will commence on the 18th day of February 2020 at the Office of The County Treasurer 1 West Street, Mineola or at some other location to be determined by the Treasurer.

A list of all real estate in Nassau County on which tax liens are to be sold is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at: http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/DocumentCenter/View/17674 A list of local properties upon which tax liens are to be sold will be advertised in this publication on or before February 5th, 2020.

Nassau County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodations such as those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in all services, programs, activities and public hearings and events conducted by the Treasurer’s Office. Upon request, information can be made available in Braille, large print, audio-tape or other alternative formats. For additional information, please call (516) 571-2090 ext. 1-3715.

Dated: January 17, 2020 THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER Mineola, New York TERMS OF SALE Such tax liens shall be sold subject to any and all superior tax liens of sovereignties and other municipalities and to all claims of record which the County may have thereon and subject to the provisions of the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors' Civil Relief Acts.

However, such tax liens shall have priority over the County's Differential Interest Lien, representing the excess, if any, of the interest and penalty borne at the maximum rate over the interest and penalty borne at the rate at which the lien is purchased.

The Purchaser acknowledges that the tax lien(s) sold pursuant to these Terms of Sale may be subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or may become subject to such proceedings which may be commenced during the period in which a tax lien is held by a successful bidder or the assignee of same, which may modify a Purchaser's rights with respect to the lien(s) and the property securing same. Such bankruptcy proceedings shall not affect the validity of the tax lien. In addition to being subject to pending

bankruptcy proceedings and/or the Federal and State Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Acts, said purchaser's right of foreclosure may be affected by the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act(FIRREA),12 U.S.C. ss 1811 et.seq., with regard to real property under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation(FDIC) receivership.

The County Treasurer reserves the right, without further notice and at any time, to withdraw from sale any of the parcels of land or premises herein listed. The Nassau County Treasurer reserves the right to intervene in any bankruptcy case/litigation where the property affected by the tax liens sold by the Treasurer is part of the bankruptcy estate. However, it is the sole responsibility of all tax lien purchasers to protect their legal interests in any bankruptcy case affecting their purchased tax lien, including but not limited to the filing of a proof of claim on their behalf, covering their investment in said tax lien. The Nassau County Treasurer and Nassau County and its agencies, assumes no responsibility for any legal representation of any tax lien purchaser in any legal proceeding including but not limited to a bankruptcy case where the purchased tax lien is at risk.

The rate of interest and penalty at which any person purchases the tax lien shall be established by his bid. Each purchaser, immediately after the sale thereof, shall pay to the County Treasurer ten per cent of the amount for which the tax liens have been sold and the remaining ninety per cent within thirty days after such sale. If the purchaser at the tax sale shall fail to pay the remaining ninety per cent within ten days after he has been notified by the County Treasurer that the certificates of sale are ready for delivery, then all amounts deposited with the County Treasurer including but not limited to the ten per cent theretofore paid by him shall, without further notice or demand, be irrevocably forfeited by the purchaser and shall be retained by the County Treasurer as liquidated damages and the agreement to purchase shall be of no further effect. Time is of the essence in this sale. This sale is held pursuant to the Nassau County Administrative Code and interested parties are referred to such Code for additional information as to terms of the sale, rights of purchasers, maximum rates of interest and other legal incidents of the sale.

Furthermore, as to the bidding, 1. The bidder(s) agree that they will not work with any other bidder(s) to increase, maintain or stabilize interest rates or collaborate with any other bidder(s) to gain an unfair competitive advantage in the random number generator in the event of a tie bid(s) on a tax certificate. Bidder(s) further agree not to employ any bidding strategy designed to create an unfair competitive advantage in the tiebreaking process in the upcoming tax sale nor work with any other bidder(s) to engage in any bidding strategy that will result in a rotational award of tax certificates.

2. The tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) bid, will be arrived at independently and without direct or indirect consultation, communication or agreement with any other bidder and that the tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) to be bid, have not been disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder, and will not be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder prior to the close of bidding. No attempt has been made or will be made to, directly or indirectly, induce any other bidder to refrain from bidding on any tax certificate, to submit complementary bids, or to submit bids at specific interest rates.

3. The bids to be placed by the Bidder will be made in good faith and not pursuant to any direct or indirect, agreement or discussion with, or inducement from, any other bidder to submit a complementary or other noncompetitive bid.

4. If it is determined that the bidder(s) have violated any of these bid requirements then their bid shall be voided and if they were the successful bidder the lien and any deposits made in connection with said bid shall be forfeited.

Dated: January 17, 2020 THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER Mineola, New York

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 30 ISSUE 5

January 30, 2020 - February 5, 2020

www.newyorktrendnyc.com

If I could do one thing, I’d tell the world she counts.

A24097x03E_160-00035730_240u.tif

Communities are as rich and diverse as their needs.

That’s why completing the 2020 Census matters.

It’s a safe and confidential step toward having an impact on how public funds flow through our communities. That could mean more resources in your area for special needs. It’s within your control.

Learn more at:

2020CENSUS.GOV Paid for by U.S. Census Bureau.

B24097_37b_2019_Census_Braile_Newspaper_SizeC_9_8125x13_65.indd NewYorkTrendnyc 01.02.19 Epson

January 30, 2020 - February 5, 2020

www.newyorktrendnyc.com | 5

4C Newspaper - Size C

ENTER TAINMENT OW N SETS PREMIERE O W N : Oprah Winfrey Network has revealed the premiere date and official trailer for its new original anthology drama "Cherish the Day," created and executive produced

by Emmy winner/Academy Award nominee Ava DuVernay ("Queen Sugar," "When They See Us"). "Cherish the Day" is set for a two-night premiere on Tuesday, February 11 at 10 p.m. ET/PT and Wednesday, February 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Tuesday night's premiere will be presented with limited commercials

by Toyota Highlander. The eight-episode chapter will continue to air on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Chapter one of "Cherish the Day" chronicles the stirring relationship of one couple, with each episode spanning a single day. The narrative will unfold to reveal significant moments in a relationship that compel us to hold true to the ones we love, from the extraordinary to the everyday.

Xosha Roquemore ("The Mindy Project") stars as Gently James and Alano Miller ("Underground") stars as Evan Fisher. The couple meet and fall in love in Los Angeles, with the full season spanning five years in eight episodes.

OWN previously announced additional cast including legendary Emmy-winning actress Cicely Tyson, as well as Michael Beach, Anne-Marie Johnson and Kellee Stewart.

The DuVernay led series also recently

announced it achieved full gender parity with a production crew of over 50% women, including 18 female department heads.

Directors for the series are Tanya Hamilton, Blitz Bazawule, Aurora Guerrero and Deborah Kampmeier.

The series is produced for OWN by ARRAY Filmworks and Harpo Films in association with Warner Horizon Scripted Television. Ava DuVernay, Paul Garnes ("Queen Sugar"), Tanya Hamilton ("Queen Sugar," "Night Catches Us"), and Oprah Winfrey serve as executive producers.

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. Oprah Winfrey's heart and creative instincts inform the brand and the magnetism of the channel.

OWN is a leading destination for a premium scripted and unscripted programming from today's most innovative storytellers. OWN's original scripted series include "Queen Sugar," "Greenleaf," "The Haves and the Have Nots," "If Loving You is Wrong," "Ambitions," "David Makes Man" and "Cherish the Day." OWN's Saturday night unscripted programming lineup includes "Iyanla: Fix My Life," "Ready to Love," "Love & Marriage: Huntsville," "Family or Fiancé," "Black Women OWN the Conversation" and "Black Love." OWN connects with its audience wherever they

FOR

'CHERISH THE DAY'

are, inspiring conversation among a global community of like-minded viewers on social media and beyond. Launched on January 1, 2011, OWN is a joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery, Inc. The venture also includes award-winning digital platform Oprah.com. Access OWN anytime on WatchOWN.tv or across mobile devices and connected TVs.

that center around people of color and women of all kinds. Feature film and TV projects include "When They See Us," "13TH," "Queen Sugar," "Cherish The Day," "The Red Line," "Venus Vs," "Middle of Nowhere," "I Will Follow" and commercial and installation work for Prada, Apple and The Smithsonian. www.arraynow.com.

A division of the Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Horizon Scripted Television was founded in 2006 and is one of the entertainment industry's leading producers of dramatic and comedic programming for the cable and subscription/on-demand streaming marketplace. Series produced by Warner Horizon Scripted Television include "Animal Kingdom" and "Claws" for TNT, "Cherish the Day," "David Makes Man" and "Queen Sugar" for OWN, "The Flight Attendant" for HBO Max, "Fuller House," "Medical Police," "Special" and "You" for Netflix, "Pennyworth" for EPIX, and "The Right Stuff" for National Geographic.

ARRAY is a multi-platform media company and arts collective based in Los Angeles.

Founded in 2012 by filmmaker Ava DuVernay, the company currently operates a trio of branded entertainment entities: ARRAY Releasing, ARRAY Creative Campus, and ARRAY Filmworks. ARRAY Filmworks develops and produces stories

A BLACK MAN DID THIS

Mark Dean developed the first industry standard PC interface.

This Black History Month, we celebrate unknown and unsung Black innovators, inventors and contributors who have helped shape, change and improve our world.

Learn more at aarp.org/blackcommunity

6 | NewYorkTrendnyc

January 30, 2020 - February 5, 2020

www.newyorktrendnyc.com

ENTER TAINMENT

'AFRICA UMOJA  THE SPIRIT

A F R I C A U M OJA : The S pirit of To ge t he r ne ss a story of the African

continent and its unbreakable spirit is set to arrive in South Florida for its one and only USA appearance Tuesday, February 25th through Sunday, March 1st 2020 at the Miramar Cultural Center in celebration of Black History Month. Sponsored by Cox Media Group and Aetna the production is presented by and benefits The Embrace Girls Foundation, Inc.

decades.

Fueled by history, the cast of 33 young adults are arguably South Africa’s most versatile and dynamic singers, dancers and drummers, drawn from the myriad of cultures that compose their rural worlds. The

OF

TOGETHERNESS'

gospel singing, explosive drumming and heartfelt performances in an exciting tribute to South Africa and the Zulu heritage.

Africa Umoja also celebrates South Africa’s freedom and democracy through a tribute to Nelson Mandela. The production includes

“All children should have access to opportunities that will help them thrive academically and socially. The Embrace Girls Foundation fills this need in underserved and low-income communities, ensuring that the students they serve are exposed to important and meaningful academic, wellness and enrichment programs,” said Richard Weiss, Aetna’s market president in Florida. “Aetna is proud to support this organization, while building on our longstanding commitment to celebrate black history.”

Conceived by Todd Twala and Thembi Nyandeni and produced by Joe Theron, Africa Umoja was developed to educate a new generation of South Africans about their rich heritage and the power of unity (Umoja is the Swahili word for unity) by showcasing the glory days of South African music and dance, that persisted even during the country’s hardships. However, the show has become much more than either of its founders could ever have imagined, dazzling audiences and receiving standing ovations and breathtaking reviews in more than 50 countries across the globe over the last two

production will feature traditional love songs, lullabies, and internationally acclaimed choreography that narrates in passionate song and dance the moving tale of love and community that helped Black South Africans triumph during some of their country’s stormiest passages.

the song “Long Road to Freedom,” which was written in Mandela’s honor and performed to visuals of Mandela in jail on Robin Island and his release from Poslmor Prison in 1990. In addition, there is a jawdropping tribute to America’s civil rights legend, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Audiences will experience life in townships through authentic tribal dancing, joyous

Africa Umoja carries the audience on a musical journey right up to “Kwaito,” the

equivalent of American hip-hop in culture, fashion and expression that is the dynamic club climate of South Africa today.

The authentic pride spilling off the stage is utterly irresistible and a refreshing change to the norm of manufactured performances. Africa Umoja is a pulsating celebration of Black History from then until now, telling a story that every family anywhere can embrace.

The Miramar Cultural Arts Center is located at 2400 Civic Center Place, Miramar, Florida 33025. Multiple performances are scheduled as follows:  Evening performances are Tuesday through Sunday at 7:00 P.M.;  Matinee performances are Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 P.M.;  Group Performances Booked at embracegirlpower.org include:  Educational Student performances @ 10:00 AM designated days  Senior performances @ 10:00 AM designated days  Weekends from 11am – 4pm the Miramar Cultural Center will be transformed into the Africa Umoja Family Fun Village featuring master classes and a host of family friendly vendors and a ctivities.

All seats are reserved. Tickets are VIP Opening Night Gala: $100, $75 and $50; Weekday Nights: $60, $50, $25; Weekend Nights: $75, $65, $40; Educational Student Days: $15; Senior Days: $15. For ticket information call the Miramar Cultural Center Box Office at 954-602-4500 or visit www. miramarculturalartscenter.org, or www. ticketmaster.com.

©2020 New York Lottery

Make your day, week, month, or year with prizes up to $2,500,000.

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

January 30,IGS 2020 - February 5, 2020Print CAMPAIGN: NYL Make MY Comm

Recyclable Tickets

www.newyorktrendnyc.com | 7

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

2

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.

8 | NewYorkTrendnyc NY Trend Magazine 09172019 v2.indd

1

January 30, 2020 - February 5, 2020

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

HE ALTH

OPRAH WINFREY, Weight Watchers Launch ' 2020 Vision' Tour

OPRAH WINFREY and WW, formerly known as Weight Watchers, are teaming up on a new wellness tour.

Winfrey, 65, launched the 2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus tour in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., during Friday's episode of Today ahead of the tour's opening date in the city Saturday.

Winfrey said the motivational tour is meant to inspire people across the country to transform their lives.

"It's 2020. It's time to have your vision in focus and live up all the dreams you have for yourself," she said.

Winfrey stated her belief that "healthy is the new skinny" and said the tour is "all about" embracing wellness as a whole.

"Wherever you are in your weight loss journey, if you're focusing on mind, body and spirit and making yourself as well and whole as possible, then you're on the right path," she said.

Winfrey said in an Instagram video Thursday that singer and actress Lady Gaga will join her in Fort Lauderdale.

The video shows Winfrey singing the hit song "Shallow," which Lady Gaga performs in the film A Star is Born.

TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager with Oprah in Fort Lauderdale.

Dwayne Johnson, former first lady Michelle Obama, Jennifer Lopez, Tina Fey, Amy Schumer, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kate Hudson, Gayle King and Julianne Hough will also join Winfrey at different stops on the tour.

Winfrey initially announced the 2020 Vision Tour in September. On the tour, Winfrey will share the ups and downs of her personal wellness journey and help the audience to develop their own action plans for 2020. Winfrey first partnered with WW in 2015.

Here's the full list of dates for the 2020 Vision tour 

 Jan. 4 - Fort Lauderdale, Fla., at BB&T Center, featuring Lady Gaga  Jan. 11 - St. Paul, Minn., at Xcel Energy Center, featuring Tina Fey  Jan. 18 - Charlotte, N.C., at Spectrum Center, featuring Amy Schumer  Jan. 25 - Atlanta, Ga., at State Farm Arena, featuring Dwayne Johnson  Feb. 8 - Brooklyn, N.Y., at Barclays Center, featuring Michelle Obama  Feb. 15 - Dallas, Texas, at American Airlines Center, featuring Tracee Ellis Ross  Feb. 22 - San Francisco, Calif., at Chase Center, featuring Kate Hudson

Groundbreaking Held For BARBARA J. JORDAN WELLNESS CENTER The Jessie Trice Community Health System (JTCHS) is breaking new ground. The organization held its Groundbreaking Ceremony for the JTCHS Barbara J. Jordan Community Health & Wellness Center on Thursday, December 12, 2019.

“We are extremely excited to open our new wellness center,” said Annie Neasman, President/

CEO. “This center is part of our ongoing commitment to provide affordable and accessible quality healthcare to the community we serve. The residents of Miami Gardens and surrounding areas will have a new location to call their medical home.”

The center will be approximately 15,000 square feet of welcoming space and will deliver innovative care for the entire lifecycle.

Features of the center will include four exam rooms for Family Medicine/Primary Care, four exam rooms for Pediatrics, four operatories for Oral Health Care, a Behavioral Health Mental Health/Substance Abuse Services Laboratory, and a 4,000 square foot multi-purpose room that will be used for nutritional classes, healthy cooking demonstrations and other community-based activities.

The Jessie Trice Community Health System, Inc (JTCHS) is one of Miami-Dade County’s preeminent federally qualified community healthcare centers, governed by a remarkably dedicated Board of Directors (51% of which are users of the medical and dental services) and a diverse, incredibly talented, committed family of providers and staff. The 1st Federally Qualified Health Center in the state and 5th in the nation, Jessie Trice Community Health System, Inc. is a Florida 501 (c) 3, not-for-profit organization

NewYorkTrendnyc

January 30, 2020 - February 5, 2020

that has been serving MiamiDade County since 1967. JTCHS served its first patients from a trailer. Now, more than fifty (50) years after its founding, JTCHS owns and operates eleven (11) Comprehensive Primary Care centers, a 40 bed Women’s Residential Center for substance use, and are located in one (1) university and forty (40) schoolbased health suites.

JTCHS knows and specializes in comprehensive health, offering a myriad of services to improve the health of the community.

This includes: dentistry, family medicine, nutrition, HIV/AIDS, behavioral health, transportation, healthy start, obstetric & gynecological care, schoolbased health, community health promotions, health & wellness center, pediatrics, and ancillary services. For more information on the Jessie Trice Community Health System, call 305-8051700 or visit jtchs.org.

www.newyorktrendnyc.com | 9

BUSINE S S Becoming A Better Leader In 2020

by Joseph Ellick

When a new year comes, people around the world look forward to putting things in place and setting new goals to improve personally or professionally. The biggest challenge at times is knowing what it's going to take to make that desire a reality to apply to your success plan. One strong characteristic trait that many people try to build upon in their path to success is leadership. To become a great leader, first you have to understand what a leader is.

Leaders help themselves and others do the right things. They set direction, build an inspiring vision, and create something new. Leadership is about mapping out where you need to go to "win" as a team or an organization; and it is dynamic, exciting, and inspiring!

I know what some of you are saying: “Leaders are born, not made.” Next time you hear this statement take note that this is completely false. I remember back in the high school where I played basketball, I stayed in the background letting everyone else do the talking for me although I knew I was the best player. Over time and with EXPERIENCE, you find yourself as a person and learn lessons in life that will put you in the position of leader by default because of your wisdom and knowledge.

In this article, we'll focus on six ideas to help get you started to become a better leader in 2020.  E stab lishi n g A Vi si o n Establishing a vision is the first and key idea to become a better leader. Without this step, people will not buy in to what you want to accomplish. In business, a vision is a realistic, convincing and attractive depiction of where you want to be in the future. Vision provides direction, sets priorities, and provides a marker, so you can tell that you've achieved what you wanted to achieve.

To create a vision, leaders focus on an organization's strengths to analyze their current situation. Leadership is proactive, problem solving, looking ahead, and not being satisfied with things as they are.

Once leaders have developed their visions, they must make them compelling and convincing. A compelling vision is one that people can see, feel, understand, and embrace. Effective leaders provide a rich picture of what the future will look like when their visions have been realized.

They tell inspiring stories, and explain their visions in ways that everyone can relate to.

Here, leadership combines the analytical side of vision creation with the passion of shared values, creating something that's really meaningful to the people they are leading.  Motivati n g p eople wit h in spir at io n A compelling vision provides the foundation for leadership. But it’s the leader’s ability to motivate and inspire people that helps them deliver that vision. For example, when you start a new project, you will probably have lots of enthusiasm for it, so it's often easy to win support for it at the beginning.

However, it can be difficult to find ways to keep your vision inspiring after the initial enthusiasm fades, especially if the team or organization needs to make significant changes in the way that it does things. I I’ve learned that the hard way on numerous occasions. Leaders recognize this, and

10 | NewYorkTrendnyc

they work hard throughout the project to connect their vision with people's individual needs, goals and aspirations. Once you do that to your best ability and people still decide not to follow don’t take it personal.

At the end of the day people have a hard time following a vision when it’s not theirs.

I’ve learned from successful mentors that effective leaders link together two different expectations:  The expectation that hard work leads to good results.  The expectation that good results lead to attractive rewards or incentives.

This motivates people to work hard to achieve success, because they expect to enjoy rewards as a result.

Other approaches include restating the vision in terms of the benefits it will bring to the team's customers, and taking frequent opportunities to communicate the vision in an attractive and engaging way. What's particularly helpful here is when leaders have expert power. People admire and believe in these leaders because they are an expert in what they do. They have credibility, and they've earned the right to ask people to listen to and follow them. This makes it much easier for these leaders to motivate and inspire the people they lead.

Leaders can also motivate and influence people through their natural charisma and appeal, and through other sources of power, such as the power to give people opportunities to make money or assign tasks to other people. However, good leaders don't rely too much on these types of power to motivate and inspire others.

Recognize all contributions, large and small Frequent recognition is one of the most important steps to becoming a better leader. Your team needs to know that you value their contributions, and this goes for everyone on the team, from the intern to the senior executives. Each contribution to the team is valuable, and taking time to express that value can have an amazing impact on engagement and retention. Team members who are putting in their best effort need to be recognized for that effort, otherwise you're denying them an incentive that is, for many, on par with payment.

Always make recognition easy. Avoid the head-on approach by using tools such as peer recognition. Peer to peer recognition allows your team to recognize one another, and be recognized for, all the great work and contributions that happens on a day to day basis. The people your team members work with most closely are more likely to see and feel the impact of those contributions.  B e a be t te r c o m m u n i c ato r You can't be a good facilitator if you're not a good listener, and any great director must express themselves clearly. Whether it's communication between you and your significant other or between you and your team, you'll never achieve your most ambitious goals without healthy communication. Two trucks can't cross paths in opposite directions on the same road, and two people can't effectively express themselves and listen at the same time. So make it a point to pull over regularly, and give others a chance to pass before heading around the next bend.

 Ta k e a r i s k a n d d o s o m e th i n g yo u f e a r This year will be the year of growth and

improvement, which means this is the perfect time to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. But not just something new, something you're a bit afraid to do. That idea that has been on your mind the entire year of 2019 but you was afraid of the response, or that company you wanted to reach out to but were scared of rejection, take that risk.

Once you've done something you're afraid of, you'll have less to fear. Although danger is real, fear is a mental construct and it's usually unwarranted. Facing your fears will help you to confidently guide others through the similar situations. The more times you face your fears, the more you'll realize that you held yourself back from opportunities.

There's only one way to improve here in this area, Just Go and Do It. I have broken so many barriers in my life by just reaching out and getting over that hump of anxiety that feeds your hesitation which adds fuel to your fear. You can’t be afraid to fail because that closes so many doors for you and the team you’re leading.

Find that one thing you've been avoiding and tackle it, don't give up until you walk away victorious. It can, but doesn't have to be work-related, the confidence you gain will translate either way. Maybe it's changing the tire of your car by yourself,

January 30, 2020 - February 5, 2020

wearing a style of clothing you never tried before, or doing your own taxes. Whatever it is, go do it, then find the next challenge.  Stay T ru e The last and MOST important idea to helping you become a better leader in 2020 is staying true to yourself, true to your team, and true to your team’s overall goals. When those things don't match up, it's very difficult for anyone to thrive. Your team needs a solid leader to rally around. If you're flip flopping like my father would say on decisions, and always changing how you feel on issues, it's going to eat away to that trusting relationship you've worked so hard to build.

Be that strong foundation your team can build on. This doesn't mean sticking to your decisions even when you realize they're bad decisions. It's more about upholding a positive and unwavering standard that others can look to for confidence.

As you start 2020, think about how you are developing you’re your leadership skills.

Make sure that your focus on leadership and your vision doesn’t stop with you, but trickles down within your team. Be a leader this new year who not only uses these skills well, but a leader who sets the bar for others to do the same.

www.newyorktrendnyc.com

ENDNO TE S

SPICE ISLAND BEACH RESORT Recognized With STAR DIAMOND AWARD Sir Royston Hopkin KCMG, chairman and managing director of Spice Island Beach Resort (www.SpiceIslandBeachResort. com), received two prestigious honours at his recent 75th birthday celebration – the 2020 Six Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (AAHS) for the 7th consecutive year and a Six Star Diamond Award from the organization for Oliver’s, a first-time recognition for the resort’s fine dining restaurant. Joseph Cinque, Chairman and CEO of AAHS, attended Sir Royston’s party to personally deliver the awards honouring Spice Island Beach Resort’s owners, management and staff members as Grenada’s premier all-inclusive luxury resort.

“We are very proud to start the New Year with news that Spice Island Beach Resort has been honoured once again with the AAHS Six Star Diamond Award for the resort as well as the first Six Star Diamond Award for Oliver’s restaurant,” said Sir Royston. “We constantly strive to achieve the excellence required in the luxury travel sector to earn these distinguished awards, which represent our dedication to providing the highest levels of customer satisfaction,” he added.

"Earning the Six Star Diamond Award for Oliver’s is a reflection of the gastronomic excellence we have developed along with Head Chef Jesson Church to provide a fine-dining experience that captures the local flavours, our family’s personal recipes and international cuisine in an extensive table d’hote menu,” said Sir Royston. The Six Star Diamond Award is one of the most prestigious honours of true excellence in service, hospitality, gastronomy, attitude, quality and cleanliness. The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences specializes in reviewing hotels, resorts, spas, airlines, cruise lines, automobiles, products, restaurants and chefs, and is most notably known for its Six Star Diamond Award.

AAHS receives a large number of possible recipients for the award from respectable sources around the world.

The selection is then refined by the Board of Trustees and the final evaluation is

(l-r) Joseph Cinque, Chairman and CEO of the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (AAHS), presents Sir Royston Hopkin KCMG, Chairman and Managing Director of Spice Island Beach Resort, with the 2020 Six Star Diamond Award during Sir Royston’s 75th birthday celebration.

Pictured with the 2020 Six Star Diamond Award during Sir Royston Hopkin’s 75th birthday celebration are (l-r) Hermian Griffith, Davina Mathew, General Manager Brian Hardy, Joseph Cinque, CEO of the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (AAHS), Sir Royston Hopkin KCMG, Chairman and Managing Director of Spice Island Beach Resort, Lady Betty Hopkin, Nerissa Hopkin-Duncan, Director of the resort, Carlana Williams and Fabian Mitchell.

Pictured with the 2020 Six Star Diamond Award for Oliver’s fine-dining restaurant are (l-r) General Manager Brian Hardy, Bar Captain Lyndonna Francois, Head Chef Jesson Church, Sir Royston Hopkin KCMG, Chairman and Managing Director of Spice Island Beach Resort, Joseph Cinque, CEO of the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (AAHS), Senior Sous Chef Brenda Joseph, Restaurant Captain Dellorna Andrews and Baker Radix Ross.

a visit by an anonymous inspector to review the destination and its services.

The presentation of the AAHS Six Star Diamond Award follows the announcement in November 2019 that the resort has received the highest honor from the prestigious AAA reviewers, the 2020 AAA Five Diamond Award, the fourth consecutive year the resort has been bestowed this honour. Tucked away on a spectacular stretch of Grand Anse Beach just 10 minutes from the airport, Spice Island Beach Resort encompasses 64 elegantly-appointed suites including three private pool suite categories as well

as luxurious beachfront accommodations which open directly onto the sand. The independent, family-owned property has garnered significant attention in recent years as Grenada’s tourism stature grows internationally. All suites are air conditioned and outfitted with spectacular five-star amenities including the softest and smoothest Italian Frette bathrobes and linens, Molton Brown bath and body amenities, chaise lounges and patio or balcony.

The award-winning Oliver’s has earned a reputation for gastronomic excellence by taking advantage of Grenada’s abundance

“E m a n u e l ” Documentary Premieres on STARZ The documentary E m a n ue l from executive producers Stephen Curry and Viola Davis, co-producer Mariska Hargitay and director Brian Ivie (The Drop Box) is a poignant story of justice and faith, love and hate, while examining the healing power of forgiveness. The doc will premiere exclusively on STARZ and the STARZ app on Monday, January 20 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Forty-eight hours after the Mother Emanuel church shooting in Charleston on June 17, 2015, in the midst of unspeakable grief and suffering, the families of the Emanuel Nine stood in court facing the killer and offered words of forgiveness. This act demonstrated by the

NewYorkTrendnyc

families influenced the healing process of a devastated community and calmed tensions in the city.

National headlines blazed the story:

Churchgoers Gunned Down During Prayer Service in Charleston, South Carolina. After a 21-year-old white supremacist opened fire in Emanuel AME Church, nine African Americans lay dead, leaving their families and the nation to grapple with this senseless act of terror.

From executive producers Stephen Curry and Viola Davis, Emanuel features intimate interviews with survivors and family members. This poignant story of justice and faith, love and hate, examines the healing power of forgiveness.

January 30, 2020 - February 5, 2020

of exotic spices and local fruits, as well as the resort’s on-property spice and vegetable garden for fresh, farm-to-table gastronomy. Oliver’s restaurant offers an extensive daily table d’hote menu with seven-course meals ranging from dietfriendly to decadent, served in an elegant, open-air, beach front environment. An unparalleled dining experience drawing inspiration from Sir Royston’s family cookbook and curated by Chef Church, Oliver’s features Creole and international cuisine beautifully presented to the highest standards for breakfast and dinner. Spice Island Beach Resort features the full-service Janissa’s Spa, a beachfront yoga pavilion, a fully equipped fitness center, Oliver’s beachside gourmet restaurant, the Sea & Surf Terrace for light lunches, the Sea & Surf Bar for refreshing cocktails throughout the day, a central swimming pool with swim-up whirlpool, an Omnicourt® tennis court, the Nutmeg Pod children’s activity center, the Gatsby Boutique and more. An allinclusive vacation at Spice Island Beach Resort features gourmet dining (daily breakfast, lunch and dinner) including premium cocktails and house wines; afternoon tea; oceanfront swimming pool and non-motorized watersports; island tours, scuba diving and sailing charters; access to the resort’s state-of-the-art fitness center; tennis, cycling and golf (greens fees at the nine-hole Grenada Golf Club included); full-day children’s activities program (ages 3-12); high speed Wi-Fi; and room service (delivery fee applies).In addition to the AAHS and AAA honours, Spice Island Beach Resort has been voted within the top luxury hotels in the Caribbean on TripAdvisor based on guest reviews.

In 2019, the premier property was ranked fourth out of 25 luxury Caribbean hotels in the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards. The resort has also been recognized as one of the “Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean” in a 2019 U.S. News & World Report.

The resort has received the 2020 Condé Nast Johansens “Best Hotel with a Spa” award, 2019 “Best Dining Experience” award and the publication’s 2016 “Best Service” award.

Spice Island Beach Resort is a proud member of the esteemed Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) collection, and a member of Virtuoso, Signature Travel Network and Green Globe. Sir Royston Hopkin KCMG, chairman & managing director for Spice Island Beach Resort, is the proud recipient of the Minister’s Outstanding Achievement Award from Hon. Clarice Modeste-Curwen, Grenada’s Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation as well as the prestigious Trail Blazer’s Award.

For more information, contact Spice Island Beach Resort toll-free at US 1-800-5018603 or UK 0808-1890088, tel: 473-444-4258, fax: 473444-4807, e-mail: reservations@ spicebeachresort.com, or visit www.

SpiceIslandBeachResort.com. Download hi-res images of Spice Island Beach Resort via www.spiceislandbeachresort. com/imagelibrary. Connect with Spice Island Beach Resort on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

www.newyorktrendnyc.com | 11

Depending on the plan, features may include:

Monthly Plan Premium Rx Deductible Copay for Generics Annual Dental Checkups

Cost-saving benefits, personalized care

for 2020 Fidelis Dual Advantage members

And..

•

•

•

•

Prepaid, over-the-counter card, with up to $100 for non-prescription, health-related items Discounts for hearing devices through TruHearing Access to money-saving discounts and services through My Advocate program Transportation...and much more!

For a complete listing of plans in your service area, contact the plan. The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information, contact the plan. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, premium and/or copayments/coinsurance may change on January 1 of each year. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. Out-of-network services may require more out-of-pocket expense than in-network services. Benefit restrictions apply. Fidelis Legacy Plan is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Fidelis Legacy Plan depends on contract renewal.

Call us today! 1-800-860-8707 TTY: 711

Monday–Sunday, 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. from October 1–March 31 Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. from April 1–September 30

www.fideliscare.org/medicare

12 | NewYorkTrendnyc

January 30, 2020 - February 5, 2020

H3328_FC 19206_M

www.newyorktrendnyc.com