Guest Editorial

LINDA CALDWELL EPPS GUEST EDITORIAL

Linda Caldwell Epps is President & CEO of 1804 Consultants

Newark Honors Harriet Tubman

Downtown Park to be Renamed and New Monument Constructed

Thankfully and miraculously, the American public has entered another stage of recognition and ownership of its sin of promoting and celebrating Anglo capitalism at the expense of its Black and brown citizens. After the slaying of nine people in an historic Black church prompted permanent removal of the confederate flag in Charleston, SC, a chain of flag and monument removals throughout the country took place, increasing our attention to the sins of racism.

The removal of the Christopher Columbus statue in Newark, New Jersey’s Washington Park took place in June, 2020. A monument to honor Ms. Harriet Tubman designed by architect Nina Cooke John, along with stations within the park recognizing the efforts of disenfranchised citizens to free themselves from the historical dominance of the isms are part of the rededication of the park. Born into slavery in Dorchester County, Maryland in 1820 or 1821, Harriet Tubman became an abolitionist conductor on the Underground Railroad; a Civil War soldier, nurse, spy, and scout; and a social reformer who holds iconic status.

Her birth name was Araminta, but perhaps changing her name to Harriet was her first step towards taking her own freedom. Brave, bold, defiant, intelligent, and articulate, Ms. Tubman provided us with a perfect example of what is possible in a climate of national discord, racism, classism, and chauvinism—issues that still plague our society in 2022.

In 1849, Ms. Tubman made her escape to Philadelphia. She returned to Maryland the next year to free her sister and her sister’s family and over the next 12 years, returned to the South some 18 or 19 times bringing more than 300 people out of slavery.

During her early years as a freedom fighter, she took up residence in Cape May, NJ where she worked as a maid to pay for her freedom trips. Given NJ’s important and active participation in the Underground Railroad and the activism of abolitionists in Newark with its proximity to NYC, it is likely that Ms. Tubman did visit Newark. The passage of the Fugitive Slave Act necessitated she change her residence farther north to upstate New York and Canada—firmer abolitionist territory.

When not rescuing people from slavery, Ms. Tubman developed her oratorical skills and began speaking publicly at anti-slavery and eventually women’s rights meetings. With money she earned from her speaking engagements she purchased land in Auburn, NY and eventually rescued her parents and her brothers from slavery in Maryland. Remember, she did all of this while a fugitive with a bounty of $50,000 on her head—a huge sum of money for the mid-19th century.

She continued to lead expeditions out of the South right up to and during the Civil War. Never captured, during the war she served as a spy for northern military units. Known as the first woman in this country to actually lead a military raid, in July of 1863 she led troops on the Combahee River expedition, disrupting southern supply lines by destroying bridges and railroads and freeing more than 750 enslaved men and woman. This is the only military command in American history where a woman, Black or white, led the raid and under whose inspiration it was originated.

After the war Ms. Tubman’s public life did not end. She continued to lecture and became a businesswoman, selling home-baked goods and root beer while advocating for education and job placement for those freed after the Civil War. She continued publicly speaking on women’s rights and women’s suffrage and in 1896, Tubman spoke at the first meeting of the National Association of Colored Women, an organization that still exists. She died of pneumonia at her home in Auburn, New York in 1913.

Free long before she took her physical freedom, her example of mental freedom might be the most important part of her legacy. Resistance to her situation began as a small thought with no possibility, but she began

Coach Herbert Ruth and Niaja Troutman, KIPP Rise Academy

KIPP Newark Lab High School junior Ahnasia Jones-Hodges Coach Hope Whalen, KIPP Purpose Academy

KIPP NEWARK ATHLETICS: Female Athletes Make Their Mark in 2022!

As we honor Women’s History Month, we’re putting our female student athletes and coaches at KIPP Newark in the spotlight! This year, the squeaks of sneakers on gym floors, the shriek of a whistle on the field, and shouts of encouragement from the sidelines are back as our student athletes return to programs at our schools across Newark. At KIPP Newark Lab High School, KIPP Newark’s newest high school, physical education teacher and athletics coordinator Ariel Smith is thrilled to see students getting back into athletics. “Having strong athletics programs is so important because many kids really rely on that as their outlet for energy. Sports build school culture—there’s nothing like cheering on your teammates and building that camaraderie. In high school, it’s everything,” said Smith. KIPP Newark Lab High School junior Ahnasia JonesHodges, a two-sport student-athlete who plays volleyball and basketball, is thrilled to be back on the court. “I missed having a crowd and people in the stands when you have someone cheering your name, it makes you want to work harder,” said JonesHodges, who aspires to play basketball in college as she pursues a degree in family therapy. KIPP Rise Academy eighth grader Niaja Troutman plays flag football and competes in track. “During quarantine, I found ways to stay active, like going to the park to get a run in or work on areas I struggled in previously,” she said. But mostly, the pandemic taught her to appreciate the role athletics plays in her life. “The challenges of last year, of not being able to be with my friends and play for fans, taught me to not take things for granted. I know so many families were isolated, and it was sometimes hard to keep up with school,” said Troutman. This year, she’s playing as many sports as possible. “My mindset for this year is to ‘go get it!’” she said. This year, KIPP Newark opened a new middle school KIPP Purpose Academy where student-athletes are supported by the leadership of coach Hope Whalen. Whalen, who coached soccer for years at the college level, is bringing as many female students into athletics as possible. “In a new school, sports offer the community so much,” said Whalen. “I believe there’s a place for everyone in athletics, whether students are in the crowd cheering on their classmates, helping out as athletics trainers, or recording statistics. There’s a way for sports to impact everyone in our community,” she said. KIPP Newark female athletes are following in the footsteps of athletes like wrestler Goodness Okoro, who made history in 2020 as the first wrestler from KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy to ever represent the school at the New Jersey State Wrestling Championship—where she finished in fourth place. We can’t wait to see where athletics takes our students at KIPP Newark!

KIPP Newark Public Schools are currently enrolling for the 2022-23 school year. You can learn more about applying to our schools at WWW.KIPPNEWARK.ORG

Community Award recipient Rev. Dr. DeForest B. Soaries Jr. Keynote Speaker: President of Kean University Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D

Executive Director NBCC Charles H. Debow III, AACCNJ’s John E. Harmon, Board Chairman NBCC President/CEO Illinois BCC Larry Ivory

Center: Gus Heningburg Award recipient, Founder/President National Black Farmer’s Association John Wesley Boyd Jr. President/CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce NJ John E. Harmon and friends

MTA Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Michael J. Garner, MBA and John E. Harmon AACCNJ’s John E. Harmon with Business Award recipient CEO SUEZ North America Nadine Leslie

AACCNJ Circle of Achievement Awards Gala

Some of the biggest names in Black business and politics showed up in their finest on February 17, 2022, at the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey’s (AACCNJ) 15th Anniversary Circle of Achievement Award Gala held at the Venetian in Garfield, NJ. The AACCNJ welcomed Governor Phillip D. Murphy, Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, and keynote speaker President of Kean University Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. Each year the AACCNJ honors business and community leaders. This year’s awardees included Rev. Dr. DeForest B. Soaries Jr., MTA’s Michael J. Garner, CEO SUEZ North America Nadine Leslie, and Chief Administrator Officer Delaware River Port Authority Toni Proffitt Brown. The Gus Heningburg Award was presented to Founder & President of the National Black Farmer’s Association John Wesley Boyd Jr. The AACCNJ also received an award. They received the Chamber of Commerce of the Year for 2021 from the National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC).

Want To Become A Homeowner In 2022?

These Steps Can Help You Get Started

The path to homeownership can be overwhelming, and current market trends (low inventory, rising rates) have created barriers that may make it even more challenging for potential homeowners to envision a future in which they can call a home their own.

For those striving to become a homeowner this year, wanted to share a few steps on behalf of Chase Home Lending that buyers can take to get prepared and make the homebuying process a little more seamless:

• Educate Yourself on The Process:

Consumers planning to buy a home this year, particularly first-time buyers, should start by educating themselves on the homebuying process. There are many avenues for this, including a homebuying course, online articles, etc. One resource prospective buyers can consider is the Beginner To Buyer podcast from Chase. The Beginner to Buyer podcast breaks down the homebuying process – what it means, where to start, how to deal with what seems like an overwhelming process and more. • Contact a Home Lending Advisor:

A qualified home lending advisor can help you better understand how much you can afford, what financing options are best, and where assistance is available. A real estate agent will also be vital to your home search and ensure you’re getting the best deal possible on your home. Surround yourself with the right network of people and you’ll be on the right path to achieving your homeownership goals. • Take Advantage of Down Payment and Closing Costs Assistance:

One of the main challenges for first-time homebuyers is the upfront cash – a down payment and closing costs. Chase offers down payment assistance for first-time buyers via its DreaMaker mortgage, with which you may qualify for as little as 3% down. There are also many local homebuyer grant programs available that may be able to help with upfront costs.

Chase also doubled its Homebuyer Grant program in 2021 to up to $5,000 to help more customers with closing costs and down payment assistance when buying a home in more than 6,700 minority communities nationwide.

Health

ideas for wellness

L-R: NYPD Chief Jeff Maddrey, NY AG Tish James, President of One Brooklyn Health LaRay Brown, NY Assemblywoman Latrice Walker, and AACEO COO Divinah Dee Bailey

L-R: NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey, Brooklyn PS 5 Principal Lena Gates, NY AG Tish James, NY Assemblywoman Latrice Walker, NY Senator Roxanne Persaud, NYPD Chief Judy Harrison, AACEO COO Divinah Dee Bailey, AACEO President Rev. Dr. Waterman, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, US Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, NYC Councilwoman Crystal Hudson, NYC Councilman Che Osse, and US Attorney Breon Peace.

AACEO COO Divinah Dee Bailey and US Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

African American Clergy and Elected Officials (AACEO)

Recognize Black History Month and National HIV Awareness Sunday

The AACEO gathered at Antioch Baptist Church in Brooklyn to honor modern-day historians on the first Sunday of Black History Month. The AACEO honored those who have taken up the mantle to record and teach about the proud history of African Americans. Host Pastor and AACEO President Rev. Dr. Robert M. Waterman welcomed Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, who brought the word.

Healthy Habits

With the Aim of Lowering High Rate of Cancer Deaths, a Community Outreach Effort Promotes Positive Lifestyle Changes

A disturbing disparity has become increasingly evident in recent years: that residents of underserved areas suffer a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease and are also diagnosed with cancer—and die of the disease—at disproportionate rates.

“The two go very much hand in hand,” says Dr. Erica Phillips, the Jack Fishman Associate Professor of Cancer Prevention at Weill Cornell Medicine, “because the behaviors that increase adults’ risk for developing heart disease and cancer are actually more the same than they are different— such as excess weight, excess alcohol, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and low fruit and vegetable consumption.” In New York City, the first and second causes of death before the age of 65 are cancer and heart disease, respectively.

Dr. Phillips and colleagues at the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center have been working with community groups, faith organizations, and social service agencies in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan to strategize the best way to encourage lifestyle habits that lower the risk of cancer and heart disease.

“What we’ve generally heard from community groups is that individuals and communities are tired of being told by physicians and the healthcare system, ‘Don’t do this, don’t do that, or this bad thing is going happen,’ rather than truly talking about wellness and how to live healthier within your environment,” says Dr. Phillips, who is also associate director of community outreach and engagement at the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine and the Cornell Center for Health Equity, and herself a Brooklyn native.

For Donna Y., of St. George’s Episcopal in BedfordStuyvesant, it’s no mystery why people salt their food, drink sugary sodas and opt for that side of fries: it all tastes good. But when it comes to encouraging healthier choices, she agrees that a wagging finger is far less effective than solid education about why those dietary habits can

have negative consequences, and practical ways to make better choices. In response to this feedback, Dr. Phillips and her team have established programs to address the communities’ unmet needs. In 2021, the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement launched BWELL4LIFE, a curriculum that is taught to peer educators from faith-based organizations (and other community-based organizations) and educates individuals on cardiac health and cancer health. The peer educators are then tasked with teaching this curriculum to their communities. Scriptures from the Bible are interspersed throughout each chapter to connect body and spirit. As BWELL4LIFE classes begin to launch this year, the team looks forward to using learnings from HeartSmarts,New York-Presbyterian/ Weill Cornell Medical Center’s faith-based community education Dr. Erica Phillips and outreach program, which focuses on cardiac health, to guide their programming. For instance, food insecurity was found to be a significant indicator for participants not finishing the HeartSmarts program. Therefore, BWELL4LIFE participants who screen for food insecurity will be connected to resources made available thanks to a grant from the Cielo Foundation. Though adopting healthier habits remains one key factor in reducing cancer deaths, getting people screened through routine, age-appropriate testing such as mammograms, colonoscopies and prostate exams is another. Participants of the BWELL4LIFE who are identified as not being up to date on cancer screenings, will be contacted by the Office’s outreach navigators to assist with navigating them to care—a service that the Office is pleased to extend to any resident living in Queens, Brooklyn, and areas of Manhattan.

A man getting screened for prostate cancer

Dr. David Nanus

Protect your child

Learn about lead testing

Lead poisoning is a danger you need to know about. Although a child may not look or feel sick, lead could be in their blood. This could cause serious health problems such as slower growth and development, as well as learning and behavior problems. High levels of lead could cause seizures, coma and possible death.

Healthcare Central

NOW OPEN

Healthcare Central

NJ FamilyCare Guidance Center

Sign up for NJ FamilyCare Get assistance with finding a provider Understand the NJ FamilyCare renewal process Understand your Aetna Better Health® benefits

Hours of operation Monday – Friday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

All children are at risk for lead poisoning.

Every Medicaid-eligible and NJ FamilyCare child must be tested for lead at age 1 (12 months) and again at age 2 (42 months). Any child age 25-72 months who has not been tested previously should be tested immediately.

Contact your child’s healthcare provider to talk about testing your child for lead. Your child’s healthcare provider can give you a doctor’s order for a lead test.

Our goal at Aetna Better Health® of New Jersey is to help you and your family maintain a healthy lifestyle. We know that keeping your child healthy and protected is important to you. As a member, lead testing can be completed in the comfort of your home by a trained technician. This is a covered service at no cost to you for your family. Results will be sent directly to your child’s healthcare provider.

For more information 959-299-3102 (TTY: 711) AetnaBetterHealth.com/NewJersey

HONORS

For more than 18 months, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our lives more than any of us could imagine, none more than healthcare professionals who consistently risk their lives to protect the lives of others. Facing unexpected challenges, limited staff, inadequate supplies, and dealing with double, often triple the number of patients needing immediate and intensive care, abiding by their sworn Hippocratic Oath to “…do no harm,” with courage and grace, they tackled any obstacle to serving or saving a patient.

Sponsored by Aetna, The Positive Community’s Healthcare Heroes campaign salutes the doctors, nurses, aides, EMT’s, cooks, janitors, hospital and healthcare executives and many more who toil in anonymity— selflessly serving… WE THANK YOU!

To read more about health care heroes visit: https://thepositivecommunity.com/healthcareheroes/

Newark Department of Health,Community Wellness and Immunization

L-R: Amanda Khight, RN (Former Immunization Nurse); Roslyn Goodwin, RN Immunization Nursing Supervisor; Velda Font- Morris, Former Immunization Coordinator; Yajaira Rivera, LPN, Immunization; Jessica Brobbey, LPN, Immunization Nurses of the City of Newark Health Department,at Hello Fresh to provide vaccinations: Sandra Bacley, LPN, lead nurse Kathy Schappa, Susie Collin, RN, NP, and Cornelia Goetschakckx, RN

The nursing staff at the Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness, Immunization Program's main goal is to increase community immunity against vaccine-preventable diseases in the City of Newark. Day to day, they do so much for the community. Since the covid vaccine became available, the department has had to work overtime every day, including Saturdays and staff has been reduced. The nurses here did not see covid patients, but despite facing long, sometimes disorderly lines of citizens hoping to get their vaccinations, they remained professional, courteous and kind and continue to be the hub for covid vaccinations in Newark.

Nurses were dispatched and will continue to travel to other locations to distribute vaccines. Reduced hours have begun, they only have one late night, but off-site clinics and a Saturday clinic are still in effect.

Even through fear, death, guilt, and so much sorrow, these healthcare sheroes kept showing up with hope and pride, even on the worst day of the pandemic.

Heart Attack: What’s different for women?

Chest pain is a common symptom, but women often experience less obvious signs.

Women and men don’t necessarily have the same heart attack symptoms. “Chest pain can be a symptom of a heart attack, but it’s not the main or only one,” says Gautam Visveswaran, MD, an interventional cardiologist at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (NBI). “For women, the symptoms may be harder to tease out. Because these symptoms are more subtle than sharp, sudden chest pain, many women ignore them or mistakenly attribute such signs to the flu, indigestion or just the aches and pains of getting older.” Risk factors for a heart attack include age, high blood pressure, Gautam Visveswaran, MD high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, smoking, excessive alcohol use, an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, having a family history of heart disease, cardiac issues related to pregnancy, and congenital heart issues. “The more information you and your doctors have about your risk factors and the state of your heart health, the more you can minimize your chance of having a heart attack,” says Dr. Visveswaran. “Women should seek preventive care early, especially if they smoke or have a family history of heart disease.”

Whoever your heart beats for, our hearts beat for you. To connect with a top cardiovascular specialist at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, call 888-724-7123 or visit

www.rwjbh.org/heart.

7 STEPS TO A HEALTHIER HEART

1. Visit your primary care physician for a yearly physical and risk factor assessment. Risk factor modification and preventive medications, particularly those aimed at cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes management, can greatly reduce the future risk of heart disease. 2. Go for a walk. Walking at a brisk pace for 30 minutes, five days a week can lower your risk for heart attack and stroke. 3. Get enough sleep. Adults need at least seven hours a night, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 4. Eat a healthy diet, one that’s rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains. Minimize red meat and processed meats, as well as saturated fats and sugar. 5. Avoid overeating. Heavy meals have been associated with heart attacks. 6. Brush and floss regularly, and see your dentist. Poor oral health has been associated with overall decreased nutrition and increased risks of infections, affecting heart health. 7. Quit smoking. After one year, you’ll have cut your risk of coronary disease by 50 percent. To learn about a free program to help you quit smoking, call 833.795.QUIT (7848) or visit www.rwjbh.org/nicotinerecovery.