New York Amsterdam News: Jan 18-24, 2024

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Vol. 115 No. 3 | January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

©2024 The Amsterdam News | $1.00 New York City

GUILTY AFTER PROVEN INNOCENT: THE CHALLENGE OF FIGHTING WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS

(See story on page 6)

1st Rikers Island Death of 2024 (See story on page 3)

City and State announce preliminary budgets (See story on page 3)

(05-03-22) NYS Senator Zellnor Myrie speaks at a press conference at the Million Dollar Staircase. Capitol, Albany, NY. (Photo courtesy of NYS Senate Media Services)

Bill Requiring Recording of Police Stops is About Accountability Urban Agenda by David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society of New York - See page 5

)

2 • January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024

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MLK WOULD HAVE BACKED A CEASEFIRE IN PALESTINE, DAUGHTER BERNICE KING MAINTAINS

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INDEX Arts & Entertainment �������������������Page 17 » Astro ��������������������������������������������Page 20 » Film/TV �����������������������������������������Page 17 » Jazz ����������������������������������������������Page 24 Caribbean Update �������������������������Page 14 Classified ����������������������������������������Page 33 Editorial/Opinion �����������������������Pages 12,13 Education ����������������������������������������Page 16 Go with the Flo ������������������������������Page 8 Health ����������������������������������������������Page 28 In the Classroom ��������������������������Page 26 Community ��������������������������������������Page 9 Religion & Spirituality ��������������������Page 30 Sports ��������������������������������������������� Page 40 Union Matters ����������������������������������Page 10 MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS INFORMATION U.S. Territories & Canada weekly subscriptions: 1 year $49.99 2 Years $79.99 6 months $30.00

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(GIN)—The many familiar words and deeds of Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most important and influential civil rights leaders in the United States, will be invoked this month by people of diverse ages, beliefs, and nationalities.

King also advocated on behalf of other oppressed groups, such as Black South Africans living under apartheid. His views on Palestine, while not explicit, were the subject of a 2019 New York Times column,

“Time to Break the Silence about Palestine,” by Michelle Alexander, author of “The New Jim Crow” and a visiting professor at Union Theological Seminary.

Alexander wrote: “There will be those who say that we can’t know for sure what King would do or think regarding Israel-Palestine today. This is true. . .[However] I find myself in agreement with [UCLA] historian Robin D.G. Kelley, who concluded that if King had the opportunity to study the current situation in the same way he studied [the war in] Vietnam, his unequivocal opposition to violence, colonialism, racism, and militarism would have made him an incisive critic of Israel’s current policies.”

Daughter Bernice King also weighed in on X more recently about her father’s views: “MLK denounced antisemitism and defended Israel’s right to exist and would have backed a ceasefire in Palestine if he were alive today.

“Certainly, my father was against antisemitism, as am I,” said King, a lawyer and theologian. “He also be-

News

lieved militarism (along with racism and poverty) to be among the interconnected Triple Evils.

“I am certain he would call for Israel’s bombing of Palestinians to cease, for hostages to be released and for us to work for true peace, which includes justice.”

On October 8, a relentless military campaign was launched by Israel against Gazans after an attack

by Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, on Oct. 7 that took 1,200 lives and 240 hostages. The Israeli war against Gazans has now taken 23,000 Palestinian lives. The South African legal team, critical of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, said the war includes all 2 million Palestinians who reside in Gaza.

South Africa presented a claim of genocide against the nation of Israel on December 29 before the U.N.’s International Court of Justice (ICJ).

While the case revolves around the occupied Palestinian territories, Palestinians have no official role in the proceedings because Palestine is not a U.N. member state.

All states that signed the Genocide Convention are obligated not commit to genocide and also to prevent and punish it. The treaty defines genocide as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.”

In its 84-page filing, South Africa said that by killing Palestinians in Gaza, causing them serious mental and bodily harm, and creating conditions of life “calculated to bring about their physical destruction,” Israel is committing genocide against them.

It lists Israel’s failure to provide essential food, water, medicine, fuel, shelter, and other humanitarian assistance to the Gaza strip during the more than three-month-old war with Hamas. It also points to the sustained bombing campaign, which has laid much of the enclave to waste, forced the evacuation of some 1.9 million Palestinians, and killed more than 23,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities.

“The acts are all attributable to See INTERNATIONAL on page 27

Black Cuban, U.S. ties need to strengthen, says Cuban ambassador

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff Years before she became a professor at Morgan State University, Ellen Irene Diggs was employed as W.E.B. DuBois’s research assistant.

In 1942, Diggs traveled with DuBois to Cuba to work with him to document Black people’s lives in the Americas. While there, Diggs found herself so impressed with how Afro Cubans had preserved African culture that she decided to make it a point to return to the island. When she did, Diggs began studying with Fernando Ortiz, an anthropologist who was one of the first to point to the positive contributions African culture had made in Cuba.

“Irene Diggs was the first African American to earn a doctorate in anthropology at the University of Havana,” Patricia Pego Guerra, Cuba’s former ambassador to Botswana, told the AmNews. “So of course, it was a precedent. They made an exploratory trip in 1941 to Havana’s Club Atenas with Fernando Ortiz.

Then she got Fernando Ortiz to be her mentor for her doctorate and she returned alone, without DuBois.

She came back, did her doctorate between 1943 and 1945, and became the first African American doctor in anthropology to graduate in Cuba.

Her thesis is in the national library.”

Diggs’s trajectory in Cuba—and her subsequent return to the United States to teach at Morgan State University (where her research papers remain on file in the Ellen Irene Diggs Collection (the Americas)––is an example of the kind of historic connections Afro Cubans and African Americans have had, Pego Guerra said.

It’s the kind of relationship she’s hoping to rekindle. As African Americans have broadened their cultural travel destinations (to nations like Benin, South Africa, Ghana, and Togo on the African continent, and to predominantly Black cities in countries like Colombia, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Dominican Republic, St. Martin, Mexico, and more), the Cuban ambassador is putting out a call for more people to visit Cuba and understand her nation’s contributions to the African diaspora.

City this past December 2023 and was able to visit Harlem, meet with locals, and spend time at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. She was only able to spend three hours at the Schomburg, she said, but was thoroughly impressed with the site, where she found documented information about Cuban greats like Mambi Army of Liberation General Antonio Maceo and the poet/journalist Nicolás Guillén.

The Schomburg even had an article about a Hotel Maceo, named in honor of the Afro Cuban general, that was once located in Manhattan at 213 W. 53rd Street.

Maceo remains a major connection point: Both Afro Cubans and African Americans carry the Maceo name. In the late 1970s, one of the groups that tried to bridge the political divide between Cuba and the United States designated itself the Antonio Maceo Brigade.

“We have many things in common, down to the blood that runs through our veins,” Pego Guerra said. “As a Cuban, you visit the United States–– Cubans visit the United States–– or an American goes to Cuba––and Americans go to Cuba we start talking in terms of the things Pego Guerra was in New York we have in common, and the mira-

Patricia Pego Guerra, Cuba’s former ambassador to Botswana (Karen Juanita Carrillo photo)

cle happens.”

Anti-Cuba propaganda keeps Black Cuban and Black American communities apart. Debates persist about whether Cuba’s socialist revolution, which overthrew the government of Fulgencio Batista, has been beneficial for its population. Thousands have left the island since the Fidel Castro-led revolution was initiated See BLACK CUBAN on page 27

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024 • 3

Chima Williams is the first person to die on Rikers Island this year

By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member Chima Williams, 43, died on Rikers Island on Jan. 4, confirmed the NYC Department of Correction (DOC) last week. The Black New Yorker entered custody at the end of 2023 and collapsed while playing basketball around 9:45 a.m. He was pronounced dead shortly after. He was held at the Eric M. Taylor Center.

An Office of the Medical Examiner spokesperson told the Amsterdam News the cause of death remains under investigation at press time.

“On behalf of the New York City Department of Correction, we extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Williams’s loved ones,” said DOC Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie in her email statement. “We are conducting a full investigation into this tragic event.”

Protesters staged a rally outside Foley Square prior to the NYC Board of Correction (BOC) monthly meeting last Wednesday, Jan. 10.

“Oftentimes, you will only hear the worst of the worst of the stories of who are those involved with the criminal legal system,

Dr. Victoria Phillips (front left) leads a rally protesting DOC after Chima Williams’ death in custody last week (Tandy Lau photo)

never the stories of despair, never the stories of those whose lives [are] completely lost and how it led to be that way,” said Dr. Victoria Phillips of the Jails Action Coalition. “We always hear the names and the numbers, but never the true barbaric situations that create each death, each absence of a heartbeat, that DOC was [in] care, custody and control over.

“As we start out here, today is the first Board of Correction meeting for 2024. And yet, we have lost another life last week in DOC custody, Mr. Williams.”

Phillips, who led the action, told the Amsterdam News she is in contact with Williams family but an attempt for her to connect them to the paper was unsuccessful at press time.

Assemblymember Harvey Epstein questioned why the city’s carceral system wasn’t protecting the most vulnerable New Yorkers. Additionally, he pointed to the significant population of detainees who were not convicted of a crime and held on pretrial detention.

“We have an opportunity here to do the right thing for fellow New Yorkers who are struggling,” he said. “So the question we continue to have to ask is why we’re not doing it now. Why are we not treating our brothers and sisters who are behind the wall, like we treat the rest of our family? They are human beings, and they deserve care and respect.”

Last year, nine people died in DOC custody. All but one was held on Rikers Island. The BOC announced a report on the four most recent deaths in 2023 before next month’s meeting.

Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member who writes about public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/ amnews1.

New York City and State announce prelim budgets, migrant crisis allocations

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member New York City and State announced their preliminary budgets for fiscal year 2025 (FY25) this Tuesday. Both Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams spoke about the financial impact of the migrant influx.

The state’s executive budget is $233 billion.

Hochul said she plans to invest in over $347 million in public safety, reduce gun violence, address retail theft; $7.9 billion for the MTA and $16 million towards the Second Avenue Subway extension in Manhattan; $4.8 billion for the mental health system; $35.3 billion in total school aid; and $35.5 billion for Medicaid, among other items.

“This budget makes it clear that fiscal discipline can co-exist with progressive, peopledriven policies,” said Hochul in a statement.

“I am committed to fight the right fights on behalf of New Yorkers, and to pursue the common good with common sense—by seeking common ground.”

mayoral control in a series of public hearings.

“Governor Hochul’s full-throated support for four years of mayoral accountability in our schools is yet another ringing endorsement of the work our administration has done and continues to do to drive test scores and enrollment up,” said Adams. “We are leading the way in reimagining how we teach our young people fundamental skills like reading, screening every student in our public school system for dyslexia, and preparing young New Yorkers for goodpaying careers in fast-growing fields.”

The city’s preliminary budget is $109.4 billion with an unprecedented $8.2 billion in reGov. Kathy Hochul presented her 2025 executive state budget in the Red Room at the State serves. Adams said there’s a $7.1 billion budget Capitol Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, in Albany, N.Y. gap due to the growing asylum seeker crisis, (AP Photo/Hans Pennink; Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.) drying up federal COVID-19 stimulus fundIn terms of the asylum seeker costs, Hochul releasing his own budget. He said, in a state- ing, expenses from labor contracts, and slowhas dedicated $1.9 billion over the past fiscal ment, that he was thankful for the Hochul’s ing tax revenue growth, which led to a citywide year to help the city out, and will increase state recognition of the city’s efforts in managing the hiring freeze and necessary budget cuts. support to $2.4 billion. This includes $500 mil- asylum seeker crisis and the state’s continued To date, the city said it has provided care for lion from the state’s reserves, which are intend- financial support, her housing production ini- more than 170,700 asylum seekers, with over ed for use during one-time emergencies, said tiatives, and her support for extending mayor- 68,000 currently still in the city’s care. The city the governor’s office. al control of the city’s public schools. The state began moving migrant families out of hotels Adams responded to the state budget before education board is currently working to review See BUDGETS on page 32

4 • January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024

Biden’s political pot is boiling over

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews President Biden’s political pots, domestic and international, have reached a boiling point.

Added to the usual ingredients, including the southern border problem and the conflict in the Middle East, now comes Senator Bernie Sanders’s call to halt military assistance to Israel (his resolution was defeated) and the intensified assaults from Iran on neighboring countries.

Central to these issues is the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, and the hostages caught in the throes of the battle see no end to their trepidation.

These issues and other pressing matters are sure to be on the agenda when Biden meets with congressional leaders on Wednesday. According to a press statement from the White House, he will urge leaders to pass a national security supplemental package that includes funding for Ukraine, Israel, border security, and more.

It’s hard to say what will be at the top of these issues, although it will be equally hard for him to set aside the spreading conflict in the Middle East, particularly with Iran becoming more belligerent and its proxy, the Houthis, stirring the pot of dissension.

On the latter point, the Biden administration will reportedly pursue a narrow definition of designating the Houthis as a terrorist organization, thereby minimizing labeling the Iranian-backed military group as a more extensive global terrorist organization.

Critical, too, is the continuing military and financial aid to Ukraine—for the U.S. to stop funding at this point would be an immense concession to Putin’s aim to destroy the country.

Adding to all of this, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reportedly underwent surgery without informing Biden, surprising given the mounting problems in the Middle East. The Houthis’ unrelieved chaos and mayhem are a global dilemma.

Many of the problems Biden faces can be resolved if Congress agrees to his request for $106 billion, but that’s a crapshoot and a high-stakes one.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Sen. Myrie, elections database bill honors Dr. John Flateau

Dr. John Louis Flateau funeral service was held at Bridge Street AWME Church in Brooklyn on Jan. 10, 2024.

(Ariama C. Long photos)

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member The New York State Senate passed and renamed a package of elections and voting rights bills this month to honor the late Dr. John Flateau. It was championed

by Senator Zellnor Myrie.

The Dr. John L. Flateau Voting and Elections Database and Academic Center of New York Act (S.657-A) would establish a centralized statewide voting and elections database and institute. Flateau, 73, was a professor and administrator at CUNY Medgar Evers College, as well as a districting commissioner for the city and state. He died suddenly on December 30, 2023, at his home in Bed Stuy last week.

He was described by friends and family as a brilliant mind and strategist who helped shape Brooklyn’s political landscape.

“It goes really without saying [that] anyone who has had any tangential involvement on voting and elections in this state—certainly, in the city in Brooklyn—knows the legend of Dr. John Flateau,” said Myrie, who chairs the senate election committee. “We are all grieving and praying for his family in this time of loss, but we are also celebrating his legacy. We worked with him very closely at Medgar Evers College, [which] I have the honor of representing.”

Myrie said that the two also worked closely on several pieces of legislation and the census count. He attended Flateau’s fu-

neral on January 10, and presented Flateau’s family, friends, colleagues, and elected officials with the proclamation during the services. “It would be a dereliction if we did not honor Dr. Flateau in this way,” said Myrie.

Among a slew of elected and city officials attended the services in droves were State Attorney General Letitia James, Mayor Eric Adams, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Chancellor David Banks, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, former Senator Velmanette Montgomery, and former Assemblymember Annette Robinson.

Some spoke passionately about Flateau’s legacy and the impact he had on their lives.

Dr. Brenda M. Greene, a professor at Medgar Evers, senior special assistant to the provost, and founder and executive director of the Center for Black Literature, knew Flateau since their days as undergrads at NYU. She spoke fondly about Flateau at the repast after the funeral service.

“Dr. Flateau was truly a force. At the core of his being, he was an activist who lived a purpose-driven life,” said Greene. “John’s work at Medgar College and in the community, New York City, and the state represents what the late [Congressmember] Major Owens called a ‘Communiversity.’ Owens deemed the Communiversity a well of qualified and dedicated…academicians and scholars who would not only provide a quality education for

After funeral services for Flateau, a repast was held for family and colleagues on Medgar Evers College campus.

matriculating students. They would also serve as a fountain of expertise over and beyond campus walls to assist in community problem-solving and neighborhood uplift. John supported this concept and embodied the essence of the Communiversity.”

Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman, who also attended the repast, said in a statement that Flateau embodied the values and characteristics of New York’s most esteemed citizens.

“As the Assemblymember representing the 56th District, I was privileged to call John a constituent, neighbor, mentor, and occasional sparring partner,” said Zinerman. “He embodied each title with the enthusiasm of a prize fighter defending his title. I will remember each lesson to stand firm in my convictions and stay laser-focused on the strategy that leads to the win. I am personally indebted to John for his wisdom, guidance, mentorship, and being pivotal in shaping my approach to public service. It was my honor to work with him in redistricting and drawing the 56th Assembly District map, reimagining the Marcus Garvey Armory, and educating the public about reparations, its implications to our lives, and how imperative it is for us to work in unity as people of African descent toward our freedom and liberation.”

This year also coincides with a presidential election and the 60th anniversary of the nation’s Civil Rights Act of 1964, which was

meant to extend political and legal rights to Black Americans and end racial segregation. The U.S. Senate passed the bill on June 19, 1964, by a vote of 73 to 27.

“I think we have to really grapple with the notion that our foundation of democracy of this republic is literally under attack, and we are having, I think, some delicate conversations heading into a presidential primary about valid access when you have redistricting and a number of other issues that are impacting the right to vote,” said Myrie. “I have been proud of what we’ve done in the Senate for the past five years in this space, and I look forward to rising up and meeting that challenge again.”

Myrie’s elections bill package includes legislation that covers protections against voter suppression, creates more transparency for public-facing websites that are operated by political committees, bans political spending by foreign-influenced business entities, establishes absentee ballot drop-off locations and portable polling places for early voting, and addresses ballot order.

Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member who writes about politics for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1.

January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024 • 5

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

NEW INC director Salome Asega melds art with tech Salome Asega headshot. (Jeremy Grier/Courtesy of NEW INC photo)

THE URBAN AGENDA

By David R. Jones, Esq

Bill Requiring Recording of Police Stops is About Accountability The whining and complaining began as soon as the New York City Council floated the idea of enacting new rules to check racial bias by the New York City Police Department which would entail logging the demographic information of everyone stopped by police.

As the Council approved the measure, the naysayers squealed that tracking low-level investigative encounters would undermine public safety, create a paperwork headache and overburden one of the largest and most influential police departments on earth.

Black

New Yorker

By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member Brooklyn-based creative Salome Asega turns STEM into STEAM by applying her Las Vegas technology upbringing towards her art. She was raised amongst a family of computer scientists and engineers, recalling how she was encouraged to tinker and engage with her in-home Silicon Valley.

“My natural inclination growing up in that environment was to rebel and do something a bit more ‘creative,’” said Asega. “What I learned kind of coming back to technology is that so much of how it develops and innovates and progresses is through play and experimentation, which is highly creative.”

She now leads the New Museum’s aptly named NEW INC program, an “incubator” program fostering a new generation of creatives. Asega herself is an alumna and prides herself on the initiative’s diversity: 70% of participants are people of color and 80% are women or gender non-conforming.

Asega’s own work travels far and wide, both literally and figuratively. Her mediums range from sculptures to virtual reality and she’s exhibited and presented everywhere from the Brooklyn Museum to Shanghai. So while others may fear the unknown—especially given emerging technology’s shaky history in communities of color—Asega embraces unexplored artistic frontiers in order to serve

artistically just purposes.

“There's a lot of healthy skepticism and fear of certain technologies because we’ve seen previously how things have been used to create harm or surveil vulnerable communities,” she said. “[At NEW INC], we don’t shy away from those conversations.

We don’t just welcome the shiny new tool because it’s shiny. We have critical conversations about emerging technology and find ways to make sure that we’re reifying the problem as artists or creative people when we adopt.

“Many of the people in our program are our early adopters, so trying to make sure that when we are experimenting and exploring a new tool that we’re also considering what the challenges are not, just the opportunities.”

As for future forays, Asega plans on exploring video games. The connection between creativity, storytelling and technology just makes sense to her.

“Building these worlds through games was always exciting for me,” said Asega.

“And [they] let me know that technology could be a medium for reaching audiences and reaching people.”

Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member who writes about public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1.

If all the grumbling and grinding of teeth is a sign, then the How Many Stops Act must have hit the bullseye. The Council took this step to put a check on police stops and the unconstitutional practice of stop-and-frisk.

This is a long time coming. I’ve said this before, and it bears repeating: No one is saying the NYPD should stop enforcing the laws. Just stop policing practices that single out Black and Latinx young men.

In passing the act and a separate ban on solitary confinement in city jails – both by veto-proof majorities – the Council is literally putting its foot down, drawing a line in the sand. Mayor Eric Adams, a former police captain, is critical of the bills and has declined to say if he will sign them.

I strongly support the How Many Stops Act, because it encourages the transparency of police actions by creating an empirical window into the benefits or drawbacks of policing policy. And at a time when police misconduct complaints have increased, consider stepped-up tracking of police encounters as correcting a glaring omission in CompStat, the crime database that drives NYPD’s policing strategies.

NYPD officers are already required by law to document Level 3 encounters, also known as stop-and-frisk or “reasonable suspicion” stops. The Council voted that police must also report Level 1 encounters, in which officers can approach someone not necessarily under suspicion of criminal activity, and Level 2 encounters, in which officers can approach civilians based on a founded suspicion of criminal activity.

We expect it will document what we already know to be true: Police presence is qualitatively and quantitatively different in predominantly white areas versus communities of color in New York City. No record of low-level encounters can be assumed to mask an even bigger problem about current stop-and-frisk policing practices in New York City.

For years, the NYPD has declined to do away with stop-and-frisk, or at least to dramatically curb the practice, which has been found to

target Black and Latinx people. It was a source of controversy during the terms of mayors Rudolph Giuliani, Michael Bloomberg, Bill de Blasio and, now, Adams. Enforcement should be based on criminal activity and public safety, not poverty and race and ethnicity.

Yet, stop and frisk tactics that target more economically disadvantaged communities of color harm any aspirations the city has of becoming a more economically and racially just place to live and work.

The practice has continued despite decades of public outcry about violations of constitutional rights. For example, the abuse of police power was so bad in 2010 that in Brownsville, Brooklyn, police that year made 93 stops for every 100 residents in the neighborhood, according to a study by Natalie Rosenblatt, a researcher at Wayne State University Law School. In 2013, U.S. District Court Judge Shira Scheindlin ruled the NYPD’s practices violated New Yorkers’ right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure.

Let’s not forget that Bloomberg publicly apologized after a 2015 tape surfaced in which he advocated throwing minority kids “up against the walls and frisk them.”

He also acknowledged that he continued to aggressively advocate the practice long after Judge Scheindlin ruled the tactic was a “form of racial profiling.”

In first three quarters of 2023, NYPD stopped more than 12,000 pedestrians, on pace to surpass the near-record number of 15,102 stopand-frisk encounters in 2022, according to the most recent data. Those figures compare to 8,947 in 2021. Last year’s numbers include a police surge in the subways to crackdown on fair beaters. It resulted in 1,900 more fare evasion arrests and 34,000 more summonses through September 2023, up roughly 250 percent and 160 percent respectively from 2022, according to Gothamist.

Yet, the outcome has not been worth the cost.

Transit police reported a mere two percent drop in “major crimes,” and the amount of police overtime pay, $155 million, dwarfs the potential $3.4 million in revenue from the additional $100 fair evasion summonses, if in fact they are paid.

As a member of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) board, I can say with certainty not as much attention is paid to mostly white fare beaters on MTA buses in Staten Island. For that reason, the subway crackdown appears driven in part by race as well as income inequity instead of sheer lawlessness.

The How Many Stops Act is about the only initiative in recent memory specifically intended to curb excessive policing tactics aimed at predominantly Blacks and Latinos.

It deserves our support.

David R. Jones, Esq., is President and CEO of the Community Service Society of New York (CSS), the leading voice on behalf of low-income New Yorkers for more than 175 years and a member of the MTA Board. The views expressed in this column are solely those of the writer.

The Urban Agenda is available on CSS’s website: www.cssny.org.

6 • January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Guilty after proven innocent: the challenge of challenging wrongful convictions (Part I)

By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member “Natascha Tiger pleaded guilty but is innocent,” wrote Rowan Wilson, current chief judge of the New York Court of Appeals, in his 2018 People v. Tiger dissenting opinion. In fact, no crime probably ever occurred, but New York State’s highest court ruled Tiger, a licensed practical nurse, could not challenge her wrongful conviction plea on the basis of innocence without DNA evidence because the Orange County woman pled guilty to charges in 2012.

Tiger was finally cleared last August due to an ineffective assistance claim, but the Court of Appeals’ ruling set a legal precedent—known as case law—for how New York State would approach similar cases. Subsequently, New Yorkers cannot successfully contest a wrongful conviction by simply proving their innocence without DNA evidence if they have pled guilty.

The justice system isn’t logistically designed for every case to go to trial, even if it is a constitutional right, so defendants are often offered a bargain in return for admitting to having committed the crime. Professing to guilt provides more certainty for the defendant and deals usually come attached with shorter sentences than if someone is convicted in a trial.

“If you’re charged with a crime, you have to make a decision,” said Maurice Possley, senior researcher with the National Registry of Exonerations. “[If ] you think you can succeed in defeating the state’s case, whether you’re guilty or innocent, you have to make that decision. What are your odds? What do you feel is the likelihood that the state will lose and by that, mean that there will be an acquittal? And once you take that into consideration and the state makes you an offer, then you have to make a decision.”

Roughly 99% of misdemeanor convictions and 96% of felony convictions stem from guilty pleas. There are many reasons why innocent people plead guilty.

Possley said variables include expediting cases, coercion from attorneys, and the threat of longer sentences, often known as a “trial

Advocates from VOCAL-NY, one of the Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act coalition organizations, hold rally during the last legislative session. (Photo courtesy of VOCAL-NY)

tax.” Around 24% of National Registry of Exonerations entrants pled guilty to a crime they did not commit. Of those 838 people, more than half are Black and 26 were charged in New York, according to Possley.

“It’s really only in the last few years that we’ve had any kind of meaningful discovery [or] meaningful bail reform [in New York],” said Sergio De La Pava, New York County Defender Services legal director. “So you’re talking about decades of people incarcerated, being told [to] plead guilty, and [they’ll either] get out or [they’ll] get out a lot sooner than if [they] risk a trial.”

“Fixing” the case law stemming from People v. Tiger is one of the goals of the Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act, a comprehensive bill introduced by State Senator Zellnor Myrie that, among other things, would allow those who plead guilty to challenge a wrongful conviction with credible nonDNA evidence.

“We unfortunately have seen that New York is third in the nation in wrongful convictions,” said Myrie. “We don’t have the appropriate procedures to challenge those wrongful convictions, and they end up costing the state more money in the long run…so why don’t we, at the front end of the system, ensure that anyone who has been wrongfully convicted, even if they plead guilty, [has]

the mechanism to challenge [it]?”

This past summer, the legislation passed both the New York State Senate and Assembly, but last month, Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed the bill due to an “unjustifiable risk of flooding the courts with frivolous claims.” Myrie told the Amsterdam News he’s disappointed by the news but that he plans on renewing talks in this year’s session.

Rebecca Brown, who worked on the bill while serving as the Innocence Project’s policy director, echoed the state senator’s sentiments, pointing to the impact on real life people. But she pointed out the progress as a sign of the legislation’s growing appeal. “​​Every year we’ve made gains— the year before last it passed one chamber and then this year, the full legislature,” said Brown. “To me, that signals that this is something that lawmakers care about.

It certainly polled incredibly well as an issue, as a reform, across party lines. What is concerning to the coalition is that there has not been a true effort to get the parties to figure out how to move forward on this bill.”

While Tiger is synonymous with the 2018 ruling the bill’s sponsors hope to amend, Natascha Tiger represents many flesh-and-blood people affected by such a decision.

“She was facing years in state prison [and] pled guilty to reck-

lessly burning a child who was in her care,” said De La Pava. “Only because she was sued in the civil sphere following that conviction that it properly came to light that the injuries were actually the result of a medication the child was on. She was innocent. She was factually innocent in a way that maybe even she herself failed to grasp.”

Telling her story When Tiger recently met with the Amsterdam News in Newburgh, she was largely unaware of the Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act. She’s relieved that her case is over, but remains upset “about everyone else who can’t take back their guilty pleas.”

Her ordeal began around Thanksgiving 2011, while caring for a “severely disabled” 10-yearold girl. Tiger noticed the child’s skin broke out while bathing her. The girl was not submerged in water and instead placed on a mesh cot over a bathtub and washed with a hand-held shower hose. Medical providers initially theorized the condition stemmed from an adverse reaction to medication, but later deemed the red, peeling skin as a result of scalding water. The girl was treated for third-degree burns and given skin grafts.

Authorities investigated Tiger and at the time, she feared pro-

fessional consequences. Criminal charges were unfathomable, so she cooperated fully as someone completely unfamiliar with the justice system. Tiger even proactively arranged meetings with investigators, believing the process was a formality. While she initially knew she didn’t burn the child, the nurse second-guessed herself after the hospital’s analysis and graphic photos of the child’s injuries were shown to her by Child Protective Services. She confessed to not monitoring the shower water’s temperature and wrote an apology letter to the girl’s mother.

In April of 2012, police arrested and charged Tiger. In July 2012, Tiger pled guilty to the single charge of endangering the welfare of a disabled person.

“When she asked her original attorney, he said he didn’t find anything helpful, which is why she pleaded guilty,” said her current lawyer, John Ingrassia. “She wasn’t equipped with the necessary information to plead innocent… what’s really important is that she asked. It wasn’t like she made a decision without inquiring.”

After all, how could she dispute the charge without actually knowing the ailment’s cause? Tiger also faced a stiff trial tax, with up to seven years in state prison if she rejected the plea. She was told by her former attorney that medical experts who could prove her innocence were too expensive, according to court documents. Her only possible witness—the girl—was blind and non-verbal.

Tiger spent four months in jail for a crime that she did not commit. She also lost her medical license and subsequently struggled to find employment before landing a cleaning gig. The experience was traumatic.

While Tiger pled guilty to the criminal charges, a jury later ruled in favor of her and her employers in a civil lawsuit filed by the girl’s parents after evidence from the biopsy—which was available but not provided before the plea bargain—indicated the child’s outbreak was indeed from an adverse medical reaction, not hot-water burns. Tiger then enlisted Ingrassia to help her vacate the conviction under both actual innocence and ineffective assistance.

See wrongful convictions on page 36

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024 • 7

NOW HIRING Position Description Facilities Facilities Technician (Trade)

Reports to: Director of Facilities Uniformed: Yes Hours/Week: 40 OT Required: Yes FLSA: Non-Exempt Hudson River Park Trust (HRPT) seeks to fill a Facilities Technician position in its Facilities Department. The qualified individual will have a minimum of 4 years’ experience in facilities and equipment maintenance, inspection and repair.

Applicants should be “hands on,” well organized, knowledgeable of buildings and mechanical systems, have a positive work ethic, and be able to conduct themselves professionally as a representative of HRPT. Background: HRPT is a public benefit corporation created by act of the New York State Legislature. The mission of HRPT is to design, construct and operate a prominent, and very heavily used, 4 mile waterfront park on the west side of Manhattan. The park receives approximately 17 million user visits annually and HRPT hosts numerous special events, educational programs, and park compatible commercial activities.

Responsibilities/Duties: The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following: • Complete work orders and daily tasks as assigned; track time, resources and materials using HRPT’s Computerized Maintenance Management System.

• Use tools and supplies needed to inspect and repair life safety systems, electrical and mechanical equipment, locks and security systems, pavement, wood structures, and site furnishings.

• Perform electrical maintenance such as replacement or repair of fixtures, wall switches and outlets, incandescent and fluorescent bulbs and tubes, ballast, sockets, fuses, and minor appliances, using appropriate hand, power and specialty tools.

• Perform plumbing maintenance such as replacement or repair of leaks in drains and faucets, unclogging of drains, repairing pipe leaks, repair or replacement of flushometers, HVAC equipment, irrigation lines, trenching and laying new lines, participate in the winterization of buildings, fountains and underground piping.

• Perform building and/or masonry repair such as preparing cement, installing patching and finishing cement work, and replacing damaged masonry and pavers.

• Perform carpentry and painting work such as preparing surfaces and using brush, sprayer, or roller to apply paints, stains, and varnishes, hanging doors, fitting locks and handles, etc.

• Safely operate tools and equipment in compliance with all federal OSHA, state, and local safety requirements, including, but not limited to: trucks, off road vehicles (standard and automatic transmissions), specialized equipment (sweeper/scrubber, wheel loader, skid steer loader, etc.), small power equipment (generators, compactors, mixers, drills, saws, torches, pumps, vacuums etc.), hand tools (wrenches, hammers, floats, etc.), hydraulic and pneumatic systems, controls and tools and use proper personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Perform other duties as directed or required commensurate with need and incumbent’s level of skill.

Education & Experience: High School Diploma or GED and 4 years relevant work experience required. Certificates and/or degrees from an accredited technical training institution are preferred. Candidates with like experience in parks and public space operations and maintenance of site and building systems are preferred.

Special Requirements: • Willingness and ability to perform physical labor by lifting objects weighing at least 50 pounds consistently, squatting, bending, etc. are required, both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather.

• Be available to work some holidays, evenings and/or weekends, and “stand-by” work on a predetermined basis or as emergency response.

• Ability to interact with the public in a polite, friendly and informative manner.

• Be proficient in computer use, written and verbal communication and be able to communicate with immediate supervisor and other staff effectively in line with HRPT policies and procedures.

• Hold a valid driver’s license with a clean history is required and candidates with a CDL are preferred.

Compensation / Benefits: Competitive salary of $65,000 - $73,000 annually ($31.25 -$35.09 hourly) and excellent benefits package including paid holidays, vacation time, sick and personal time, medical, dental and vision insurance, and participation in New York State Retirement System. The position is covered under a collective bargaining agreement between HRPT and Local 30 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, AFL-CIO. Application Process: Interested applicants are to submit a resume and cover letter to the Director of Human Resources to: resumes@hrpt.ny.gov. Indicate Job Code: 2024 Facilities in the subject line of your email. No phone calls please.

More information on the Hudson River Park is available at: www.hudsonriverpark.org The Hudson River Park Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.

8 • January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024

G

O

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS W I T H T H E F L O

Go With The Flo Activist Viola Plummer dies at age 86 FLO

ANTHONY This time, there was no hashtag #EmmysSoWhite trending on social media about the lack of Black performers who received nominations at a Hollywood awards show. At this year’s Emmy Awards on Jan. 15., instead of performers of color being shut out, Black people in the entertainment industry were winners, presenters and reunion participants—including Anthony Anderson hosting the ceremony.

Winners included “Abbott Elementary” creator and star Quinta Brunson picking up her second Emmy in two years. This time she won for Best Actress, making her the second Black woman to win the prestigious trophy since 1981 when Isabel Sanford won for “The Jeffersons.” Ayo Edebiri picked up her third award this season once again winning Best Supporting Comedy Actress for “The Bear.” And, after being nominated four times, Niecy Nash-Betts won an Emmy for Supporting Actress (limited) as Glenda Cleveland in Netflix’s “DahmerMonster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.” Lastly, RuPaul extended his record as the mostawarded host and Black person in history by winning outstanding reality competition programs and host during the Creative Arts, reports Variety......

After the ceremony ended, Niecy Nash-Betts showed off her new Emmy at the Netflix afterparty. When the “Claws” actress left, along with her wife, Jessica, she reportedly went skinny-dipping to celebrate her monumental win. Nash-Betts said in a video posted on Instagram, “OK guys, as planned I am celebrating my Emmy win by skinny-dipping. I booked a hotel suite that has an indoor pool.

Now, I’m just waiting for my better half so we can get the party started.” Then, Jessica appeared in the water with Niecy and the coveted Emmy statuette........

“Xernona Clayton: A Life in Black & White,” Bounce TV’s original documentary which chronicles the extraordinary life of the iconic civil rights activist and Bounce Trumpet Awards founder, has been named a semifinalist in 14 distinguished film festivals. It has captivated audiences since it debuted this past Juneteenth on Bounce TV, earning nominations at prestigious events including: Atlanta Movie Awards, Chicago Filmmaker Awards, Denver Movie Awards, Hawaii International Film Awards, New York International Women Festival, London International Filmmakers Festival and more.......

Hollywood Television veteran Mattie C. Caruthers is back with “My Sisters and Me,” a half-hour comedy about three generations of ageless and vivacious Black sisters who must live under the same roof without killing each other. “My Sisters and Me” will be released on YouTube starting Thursday, Jan. 18., for 13 weeks, a new three-minute webisode will be aired. The show stars Ellia English, Stephanie Spruill, and T-Ann Snaer.....

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff With AmNews Staff Reports

Activist and chairperson of the December 12th Movement Viola Plummer has died. Her passing was announced on Monday, January 15, 2024. She was 86.

“This evening it is with a heavy heart that we announce the Black Liberation Movement’s loss of one of its most resolute and determined leaders, Cde. Viola Plummer, chairperson of the December 12th Movement,” a statement said.

A longtime civil and human rights activist, Plummer previously served as chief of staff to Brooklyn Assemblyman and City Council Member Charles Barron.

When Plummer’s passing was announced on social media, former Congresswoman and 2008 Green Party Presidential Nominee Cynthia McKinney commented, “WE ARE LOSING GIANTS; ARE WE CREATING MORE? Viola Plummer Joins the Ancestors.”

In a 2016 interview with the AmNews, Plummer said she had been a freedom fighter since 1954 and always believed that “our people should unite as one against our oppressors.”

At the age of 17, she joined the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) after witness-

ing what she called a racist, unjustified act by the United Nations.

“I didn’t just want to be a witness, I wanted to be a part of the movement,” she said. Her activism led to her involvement with the Urban League, the Black Panthers, the Sunrise Collective, the African Information Service, and the New York 8+.

In 1986, along with Sonny Abubadika Carson and many other activists, Plummer created the December 12th Movement (D12). After Carson died in 2002, Plummer became the head of the organization.

As a New York City-based human rights organization, D12 has been predominant in the fight to end sanctions against Zimbabwe, they lead the annual May 19 “Shut Em Down” marches in Harlem to celebrate Malcolm X’s birthday, and D12 took part in the historic United Nations World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa. Their record of attendance at the WCAR is recorded in the film “Durban 400.”

“She was a force among us! Loved her fiercely,” said an impassioned Zayid Muhammad of the Malcolm X Commemoration Committee. “In our bold reclamation of Malcolm’s legacy from the grassroots over the last 30-plus years, she was one of our fiercest warrior queens... From the epic fight to Save the Audubon, to our stepping to Spike

Lee, to the shutdowns of 125th street, to reclaiming our voices in the international human rights arena, and to the practice of Pan Africanism in its most radical expression, Viola was boldly out front on all of those points of challenges!”

Muhammad recalled a time when he worked as Plummer’s bodyguard: “My proudest confrontational moment was when the police attacked a May 19th march back in ‘92 we did to the UN. Big demo: several thousand easy. I’m trying keep to her behind me but she jumped out from behind me and tried to physically engage the situation. I had to pull her back and ‘engage’ for real. I and a number of others got taken in, but they didn’t get Vi... Not on my watch... Totally fearless; loved her dearly.”

“I am so glad that through the 62 years of being a freedom fighter, I meet people who still have the same views as me,” Plummer told the AmNews back in 2016.

“It is important for our young people to know that you have to fight for justice, and that they, too, have a role to play in securing our rights for self-determination.”

Funeral arrangements are still being prepared and members of the December 12th Movement stated they will inform the public about those schedules soon.

For further information call 718-3981766 and check the website D12m.com.

MLK Day observed in Harlem St. Stephen Community Church honored the Rev. Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. on what would have been his 93rd Birthday. Guest speaker Maurice Faucette,

Harlem born and raised and a graduate of North Carolina Central University, spoke to those who wanted a more indepth analysis of the nonviolence move-

Rev. Lizzie Crouel and guests (Bill Moore photo)

ment and why it worked. He spoke to young people who wanted to know, and older people who remembered. The program was hosted by Rev. Lizzie Crouel.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS O U T & A B O U T

NAN pickets billionaire Bill Ackman The National Action Network (NAN) recently held a rally in front of the office of hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman over DEI measures and the firing of Harvard Rally (Bill Moore photos)

University President Claudine Gay. NAN’s rally co-ordinator, Donald McHenry, leads the rally on Thursdays at 12 noon, at 11th Avenue and 54th Street in Manhattan.

Ronald McHenry

January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024 • 9

BAM hosts 38th Annual Brooklyn tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (L-R) Attorney General of New York Letitia James, United States Representative Nydia Velázquez, and Speaker of New York City Council Adrienne Adams pose backstage during 38th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at BAM (Jason Mendez/Getty Images for BAM/Brooklyn Academy of Music photos)

Protestors

Harlem Gospel Choir celebrates MLK The world-famous Harlem Gospel Choir NYC, where people from all over the world celebrated Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s were in attendance.

93rd birthday in concert at Sony Hall in

(Bill Moore photos)

On January 15, the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) proudly hosted the 38th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a deeply cherished event honoring the legacy of the civil rights leader. The gathering took place in the Howard Gilman Opera House and was accessible worldwide through a livestreamed broadcast.

Presented by BAM and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, this year’s event featured an empowering keynote speech by Freedom Reads founder Reginald Dwayne Betts. The program also featured a beautiful music performance by singer-songwriter Madison McFerrin. The award-winning Sing Harlem choir, under the direction of Ahmaya Knoelle Higginson, paid tribute to King through uplifting melodies, including soul-stirring performances of the Black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice,” and “We Shall Overcome.”

Influential civic leaders shared profound perspectives on King’s impact on the community and the ongoing pursuit of justice.

Speakers included BAM President Gina Duncan, BAM Chief Civic Engagement Officer Coco Killingsworth, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, Attorney General Letitia James, Senator Charles Schumer, Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, Speaker of NYC City Council Adrienne Adams, Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez, Councilmember for NYC District 35 in Brooklyn Crystal Hudson, and Commissioner of Cultural Affairs for the City of New York Laurie Cumbo.

Each speaker reflected on King’s legacy and the collective responsibility to continue the fight for justice and equality.

After the tribute, the community screening of the new Netflix biopic “Rustin” took center stage in the BAM Rose Cinemas, paying homage to the life of Bayard

Rustin, a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement. The in-person introduction

by Walter Naegle, Bayard Rustin’s reallife partner and executive director of the Bayard Rustin Fund, added a poignant and personal dimension to the event.

In addition, BAMkids Celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr.: Small Things in Great Ways was offered to families with young children. This program featured fun activities including music, movement, and crafts centered around family unity and positive change.

Backstage at 38th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at BAM Howard Gilman Opera House on January 15, 2024, in New York City are (l–r) Commissioner of Cultural Affairs for the City of New York Laurie Cumbo; Councilmember for New York City’s District 35 in Brooklyn Crystal Hudson; BAM Chief Civic Engagement Officer Coco Killingsworth; and BAM President Gina Duncan

10 • January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Unions Matter Dr. King: Keeping the dream alive

NYSNA, electeds speak against NYP Allen Hospital’s ending of midwife services

Gregory Floyd President, Teamsters Local 237 and Vice President at-Large on the General Board of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., observed annually on the third Monday of January (even though his actual birthday was January 15, similarly to how other holidays are celebrated under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act). The holiday celebrates the civil rights leader’s life and legacy.

Although King was assassinated more than 50 years ago in Memphis, Tenn., where he had joined striking sanitation workers, his selfless actions and inspiring words live on.

It is around this time of year that many people pause to consider the true legacy of Dr. King. Some will conjure up his nearly endless wisdom-packed, insightful, and prophetic words as evidence of his greatness: “You can kill the dreamer but not the dream,” “The impossible just takes a little longer,” or perhaps, in retrospect, his most chilling words, uttered at the Mason Temple in Memphis more than 54 years ago, where he spoke on behalf of striking sanitation workers who were protesting their meager wages of $1.65 an hour and deplorable working conditions. It was there that he said, “I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land.” He was assassinated the next day.

Indeed, civil rights, voters’ rights, and workers’ rights are intertwined. King knew this and ultimately died fighting for equality and dignity in the workplace. As we celebrate his birth and prepare for February’s Black History Month commemorations, we must consider the obvious question: How far have we really come in turning King’s momentous 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech at the National Mall into a reality?

Some would say the answer is just as obvious as the question: not far enough. Regrettably, there have been many telling examples of this through the years. One that stands out among them is the April 3, 2018, commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the assassination of King, when an adorable little 9-year-old girl came to the mic, standing on a box to reach it.

She was greeted with thunderous applause as an overflowing crowd waited to hear what she had to say. Little Yolanda Renee King, standing in the very same spot where her grandfather stood 54 years before, did not disappoint.

Referring to her grandpa’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, she told the crowd that she had a dream of her own. She said: “This should be See DREAM on page 31

Certified Nurse Midwife Patricia Loftman and members of NYSNA rallied to help save midwifery services at NYP Allen Hospital (NYSNA Facebook page photo)

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff Two weeks before this past Christmas, New York-Presbyterian (NYP) sent out letters stating it had plans to close its midwifery services at its NYP Allen Hospital.

The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) held a speak-out on January 11 to rally against the proposed closure.

Effective March 3, 2024, the NYP Allen Hospital, which serves the Inwood, Washington Heights, and Bronx communities, will end its midwife services program. CBS News reported that the jobs of seven national and state licensed certified nurse midwives are scheduled to be terminated.

“NYP’s decision to terminate these vital services at NYP Allen Hospital will contribute to health inequities that Black and brown birthing people already disproportionately face,” NYSNA said in a statement. “Most of the NYP Allen midwives live in the community where they work, and some have decades of experience serving this community.

“Eliminating experienced, community-based midwives will likely have a negative impact on quality care and health equity. [The] New York State Nurses Association is calling on the hospital to maintain these services.”

“This ain’t right, because midwives provide essential care to women from adolescence to menopause years,” one NYSNA member said.

New York State Senator Robert Jackson, who represents District 31, took part in the speak-out. Sen. Jackson

said he recognized the “importance of making sure that midwifery services at Allen flourish rather than [be] shut down or diminish[ed]. And for these reasons it is crucial, crucial that the parties come together and reach an agreement on the future of midwifery that has served our community...since 1955.”

Ingrid Deler-Garcia, who has worked as a certified nurse midwife (CNM) for 33 years, said she and other workers were shocked by the impersonal termination letter they received from NYP Allen. The letter was devoid of humanity, she charged, or any recognition of the role midwives have historically played in the community.

City Councilmember Carmen De La Rosa, who represents northern Manhattan, said this is a time when maternal health and infant mortality has to be prioritized. “The risk factors for the death of a birthing person––the death of a child––are extremely high because of the conditions in which we live,” De La Rosa said. “When we think about income inequality, when we think about the disparities in health care, when we think about environmental factors in this environmental justice community, we know why our mothers are dying.

The only way we can prevent birthing people from passing away during childbirth is preventative care. The only way we can ensure the life of that child is by making sure that, when that moment comes, there is someone there to support and help guide [the mother].”

Chants of “Save nurse midwives and the community they serve!” greeted

CNM Patricia Loftman when she approached the mic to speak to the gathering about the fact that when midwives are present, a birthing person is less likely to resort to having a C-section delivery.

Chances of having a pre-term birth also lessen with a midwife present, Loftman added. According to the Center for Disease Control, 1 of every 10 babies born in the United States is born premature.

“What’s so important about these midwives?” Loftman asked: “Why are we out here? Let me give you a global view: Maternal mortality around the world is less than in the United States of America—in spite of all the money that we pour into healthcare…What is so special about the midwives here at Allen Hospital [is that] this is a community hospital of mostly immigrant people.

We know the value of midwives in immigrant communities. Those of us who come from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic…those are the people we look for when the time comes, to take care of us and protect us and bring our beloved children into the world.”

In a statement, NewYork-Presbyterian told the AmNews: “Our perinatal care teams at NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital – which will include midwives affiliated with our partners at Columbia – are focused on providing the highest standard of care, including the very best patient experience, to mothers and their newborns in our Northern Manhattan community. All of our team members have been given the opportunity to pursue other perinatal care positions within our system.”

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024 • 11

NOW HIRING Position Description Facilities Motorpool Mechanic

Reports to: Sr Director of Facilities Uniformed: Yes Hours/Week: 40 OT Required: Yes FLSA: Non-Exempt Hudson River Park Trust (HRPT) seeks to qualified Motorpool Mechanic to fill a position within its Facilities Unit. The successful candidate will have a minimum of 4 years’ experience in vehicle and equipment maintenance, inspection and repair. A qualified candidate for this job should have knowledge of vehicular and small and heavy equipment, including passenger vehicles, trucks, bobcats, bucket lifts, loaders; electric, diesel and gasoline powered utility vehicles. The individual should be well organized, have a proactive attitude, excellent work ethic, exhibit professionalism and conduct themselves professionally as a representative of HRPT. Background: The Trust is a public benefit corporation created by act of the New York State Legislature and a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The mission of the Trust is to design, construct and maintain a prominent, and very heavily used, 4‐mile‐ long waterfront park on the west side of Manhattan. The Park includes landscaped public piers and display gardens, lawn areas, ecological planting zones, athletic fields, esplanades, docks, public sculptures, an estuarine sanctuary, and other special features. The Trust covers its annual operating budget through parking revenue, rents from commercial facilities, permits, fees, grants, donations generated by a “Friends” organization, and other private sources.

Responsibilities/Duties: The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following: • Complete work orders and daily tasks as assigned; track time, resources and materials daily using HRPT’s Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) system.

• Diagnosis and repair faulty equipment.

• Perform work in the mechanic shop and in the field as needed on vehicles, motorized equipment, plows, tractors, loaders and other specialized equipment regardless of weather conditions.

• Maintain and repair engines, ignition systems, braking systems, cooling systems, steering and suspension systems, drive train and various other subassemblies.

• Maintain, diagnose and repair hydraulic systems for snowplows, loaders, skid‐steer and lift equipment.

• Implement and maintain fleet inspection and cleaning programs; record and maintain vehicle and fuel usage logs in accordance with agency policy and departmental guidelines.

• Install and maintain specialized equipment such as warning lights, misc. public safety equipment, attachments and two‐way communications systems.

• Safely operate tools and equipment in compliance with all federal OSHA, state, and local safety requirements, including, but not limited to: trucks, off road vehicles (standard and automatic transmissions), specialized equipment (sweeper/scrubber, wheel loader, skid steer loader, etc.), small power equipment (generators, compactors, mixers, drills, saws, torches, pumps, vacuums etc.), hand tools (wrenches, hammers, floats, etc.), hydraulic and pneumatic systems, controls and tools and use proper personal protective equipment (PPE).perform other duties as directed or required commensurate with need and incumbent’s level of skill which may include: inspection and repair of life safety systems, electrical and mechanical equipment, pavement, wood structures, and site furnishings; snow and ice removal; set‐up and break‐down of special events as needed.

• Research replacement parts and material needs for the purpose of obtaining quotes and or for upgrading equipment/fleet when directed.

Education & Experience: High School Diploma or GED and 4 years relevant work experience required. Certificates and/or degrees from an accredited technical training institution are preferred. Candidates with similar experience in parks and public space maintenance and repair of light and heavy equipment, public safety, and alternative energy vehicles, preferred.

Special Requirements: • A valid driver’s license with a clean history is required, CDL license preferred. ∙ Willingness and ability to perform physical labor by lifting objects weighing at least 50 pounds consistently, squatting, bending, etc. are required, both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather.

• Proficiency in computer use, written and verbal communications and the ability to communicate with immediate supervisor and other staff effectively in line with HRPT policies and procedures • Availability for “stand‐by” work on a predetermined basis or as emergency response. ∙ Availability to work on some holidays, work schedule may include evenings and/or weekends.

• Ability to interact with the public in a polite, friendly and informative manner. ∙ Proof of Covid‐19 vaccination required. As of January 6, 2022, all new hires must be vaccinated against the COVID‐19 virus as defined by the CDC, unless they have been granted a reasonable accommodation for religion or disability.

Compensation / Benefits: Competitive salary of $60,000 - $70,000 annually ($28.85 -$33.65 hourly) and excellent benefits package including paid holidays, vacation time, sick and personal time, medical, dental and vision insurance, and participation in New York State Retirement System. The position is covered under a collective bargaining agreement between HRPT and Local 30 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, AFL‐CIO. Application Process: Interested applicants are to submit a resume and cover letter to Human Resources at: resumes@hrpt.ny.gov. Indicate Job Code: 2024 Mechanic in the subject line of your email. No phone calls please.

More information on the Hudson River Park is available at: www.hudsonriverpark.org The Hudson River Park Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474‐6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.

12 • January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Opinion Save the mothers!

EDITORIAL

Some of you are old enough to remember Marvin Gaye’s fervent plea in his song “Save the Children”: “And if you want to love, you got to save the babies.” Yes, and we must save the Black mothers giving birth to the babies as we learn of the growing racial disparity in deaths here in the city.

Are the deaths of two Black women at Woodhull Hospital anomalies or more evidence of a maternal health system in need of a probing investigation and repair?

Three years ago, Sha-Asia Semple, a first-time mother, died of a botched epidural by the same Woodhull anesthesiologist involved in a series of such tragedies. Last year, Christine Fields, 30, died after giving birth, which prompted the New York State Department of Health to begin pulling medical files and interviewing doctors and nurses.

This is an ongoing investigation, but one thing is patently clear: Black women are nine times more likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth than white women in the city, which is much worse than the national disparity.

There is nothing new about this disparity—for years, Black maternal mortality has been a concern, even for healthy women such as the U.S. Olympic sprinter Tori Bowie, 32, who died from complications of childbirth last year.

Several recent studies have attempted to answer why maternal mortality is especially high among Black women. One report from Yale Medicine found there were 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births among Black women in 2021. According to the study, there are several contributing factors, including age—Black women tend to be older, overt and implicit bias from healthcare providers, and preexisting chronic health conditions.

Perhaps it is this amalgam of factors that has made Woodhull an epicenter of maternal mortality. Whatever the case, having it so close to our households here in the city sounds an alarm that has to be answered immediately.

Yes, Marvin, to some extent, we heeded your call to save the babies. Now we need to hear your clarion call for the mothers.

Elinor R. Tatum: Publisher Member

Alliance for Audited Media

and Editor in Chief

Kristin Fayne-Mulroy: Managing Editor Cyril Josh Barker: Digital Editor Damaso Reyes: Investigative Editor Siobhan "Sam" Bennett: Chief Revenue Officer and Head of Advertising

Wilbert A. Tatum (1984-2009): Chairman of the Board, CEO and Publisher Emeritus

Shifting the Cultural Climate: Kingian nonviolence, Roe v. Wade, and the ongoing struggle for reproductive justice

By SYLVIA GHAZARIAN As we approach what would have been the 51st anniversary of Roe v.

Wade, a landmark decision that secured the right to safe and legal abortions, the echoes of its impact resonate in the ongoing struggle for reproductive justice. This year, the commemoration takes on added significance, coinciding with the theme of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service: “Shifting the Cultural Climate through the Study and Practice of Kingian Nonviolence.” This reflection delves into the ongoing consequences of overturning Roe v. Wade, the transformative power of Kingian nonviolence, and the crucial work of organizations like the Women’s Reproductive Rights Assistance Project (WRRAP) in navigating the complex landscape of reproductive freedom.

On January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down the Roe v. Wade decision, recognizing an individual’s constitutional right to choose abortion. This groundbreaking ruling marked a crucial step toward reproductive justice, empowering individuals to make decisions about their bodies and lives. Yet, as we stand on the precipice of its anniversary, we continue to see the devastating consequences particularly impacting marginalized communities that also existed before Roe. The right of access to safe and legal abortion has continued to erode, disproportionately affecting BIPOC individuals and those with limited economic means. The consequences continue to manifest as a grave injustice in the lives of those denied the autonomy to make choices about their bodies. Yet, through recent elections, we see how individuals are committed to making sure that people have the right to make decisions about their reproductive healthcare without interference from politicians.

The theme for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, “Shifting the Cultural Climate through the Study and Practice of Kingian Nonviolence,” is an

opportunity to get involved. Kingian nonviolence, rooted in the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., emphasizes understanding, empathy, and strategic action in the pursuit of justice in our communities. As we continue to confront the fallout from overturning Roe v. Wade, incorporating these principles becomes paramount, since we need to continue down a path of change bigger than Roe to safeguard our human rights.

Kingian nonviolence challenges us to engage in open and respectful dialogue, fostering understanding even in the face

“As we continue to confront the fallout from overturning Roe v. Wade, incorporating these principles becomes paramount, since we need to continue down a path of change bigger than Roe to safeguard our human rights.”

Kingian nonviolence in action. By addressing the financial barriers that impede access to reproductive healthcare, WRRAP empowers individuals to make choices about their bodies without judgment or discrimination. This strategic and compassionate approach aligns with the principles of Kingian nonviolence, fostering a culture of justice and equality.

On this day of service, we are called to action to remember that it all starts with you. To honor the legacy of Dr. King and the fight for reproductive justice, we can: 1. Educate and Advocate • Spread awareness about the consequences since the overturning of Roe v Wade.

• Advocate for inclusive policies that prioritize reproductive freedom for all.

2. Support Organizations like WRRAP • Contribute to organizations that work tirelessly to eliminate financial barriers to reproductive healthcare.

• Volunteer time or resources to amplify the impact of these organizations.

3. Engage in Dialogue • Foster open conversations within communities to break down stigmas and misinformation surrounding abortion.

• Practice empathy and understanding to work towards sustainable long term solutions to all forms of injustice.

As we head into this new year, let us all think bigger than Roe and heed the call to shift the cultural climate through the study and practice of Kingian nonviolence. By incorporating these principles into our advocacy and supporting organizations like WRRAP, we can contribute to a future where reproductive justice is not just a legal right but a lived reality for all. In doing so, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of a just and equitable society.

of differing opinions. It calls for strategic, purposeful action that addresses systemic issues without resorting to violence. Applying these principles to the fight for reproductive justice enables us to create lasting change, promoting a culture that respects the autonomy and dignity of every individual.

Organizations like WRRAP stand at the forefront of the struggle for reproductive justice. Founded in 1991, WRRAP focuses on providing financial assistance to individuals who are unable to afford safe, legal abortions or emergency contraceptives. Our commitment to inclusivity extends to all ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender Sylvia Ghazarian is executive diidentities, and cultural backgrounds. rector of the Women’s Reproductive WRRAP’s work is emblematic of Rights Assistance Project (WRRAP).

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS O P I N I O N

Dr. King’s dream is within reach DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the New York Amsterdam News. We continue to publish a variety of viewpoints so that we may know the opinions of others that may differ from our own.

GREER, PH.D.

WILLIAMS

knowledging and being aware of our biases is a more realistic goal than achieving a perfect society devoid of human bias and prejudice. This is not to diminish the strides we’ve made since King’s era, because there have, indeed, been significant improvements in civil rights, societal awareness, and legal structures aimed at fostering equality. However, human beings will always have trouble judging a person only by the content of their character.

This generation is vastly different from my own, and certainly from that of my parents, where segregation in the South was the norm. Yet, there is a moment of realism where you recognize how close to King’s dream any society can ever truly get.

Even in homogeneous societies, there are issues, albeit those are often centered around religious differences, class, or even gender. Human beings have a seemingly incessant need to classify and group things, including ourselves, which seems to me to be innate.

Let’s get out and about CHRISTINA

ARMSTRONG We celebrate our heroes for the sacrifices they have made, but few receive the heights and acclaim as the late Rev. Dr. Martin L. King Jr. People quote him often on social media and during various news programs, specifically on judging people by the content of their character. This is perhaps his most quoted remark from his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered 60 years ago on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

However, as we reflect on King, his legacy, and the sacrifices he made, I often wonder if we’ve truly lived up to his dream. I think it’s fair to say we have made leaps and bounds toward it, but is it actualized, or can it ever be? Human beings are instinctively tribal, place themselves in categories, and surround themselves with people of similar beliefs and similar outward appearances. Obviously, I’m talking about race, so it makes you wonder if we can ever truly become a harmonious society.

I think there are limitations, and I believe ac-

January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024 • 13

Perhaps understanding that and figuring out how to deal with it in the most extreme instances is a better course of action than trying to eradicate that which can’t ever be dissolved. This should get us closer to King’s dream, which encompasses much more than just his famous quote.

The thing that separates us from segregation is a shift in our beliefs about how we treat others who are different from us. Yes, there is still racism and prejudice in the United States. Yes, there are still people who harbor and act upon these despicable ideals. However, a wide majority of us do not. The wide majority of us believe that, while we may look at others differently, we must treat them decently. Perhaps eventually, that which is different will begin to fade.

King’s dream was not just about ending segregation or overcoming racial prejudices; it was about creating a society where every individual has the opportunity to reach their full potential. This includes addressing economic dis-

parities, ensuring access to quality education and healthcare, and fostering a political environment where every voice is heard and valued. Progress in these areas requires not only policy changes but also a shift in societal attitudes. It involves recognizing the dignity and worth of every person, and actively working to dismantle the systems that hinder equal opportunities.

There are still many facets of society where equal opportunity does not exist— not as overt as the old days, but instead, manifested through the structures that have persisted since then. These are the barriers that we need to break down to truly see a society that fulfills the dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Armstrong Williams (@ ARight-Side) is manager / sole owner of Howard Stirk Holdings I & II Broadcast Television Stations and the 2016 Multicultural Media Broadcast Owner of the year. www. armstrongwilliams.co | www.howardstirkholdings.com

STAY UPDATED WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY VISIT WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

January is such an interesting month to me. On the one hand, I want to stay inside and reflect, but on the other hand, I want to get outside and explore.

Januarys aren’t as cold as they used to be, so my urge to hibernate is not as strong as it once was.

However, with the passing of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday celebration, I always seem to be torn between quiet reflection and the need to be outside doing service.

I do like to think of the month of January as an ode to Dr. King and think of ways I can incorporate community service into my daily life. Whether it is donating clothes to a local church or shelter, volunteering my time at a local food bank, or donating to an organization that is upholding the beliefs and principles of Dr. King, the first month of the year is a perfect time to recalibrate one’s priorities and think about how we can extend and expand his teachings into the 21st century.

I also think of January as a time to be out and about. I have a growing fondness for the New York Knicks and am trying to support my home team by going to games and experiencing what I call “collective joy.” It’s the Knicks, so we know that it’s not always collective joy at the games, but it is still so great to be with a cross-section of New Yorkers in one building, cheering and screaming as one.

I also think January is a perfect time to set intentions to see art exhibits

and plays throughout the city. Most people think of the theater as Broadway, but there are a myriad smaller (and less expensive) options across the five boroughs presenting shows with talented actors and playwrights.

There are also so many (free) museums in the city. Enjoying these resources is a great way to begin the year dedicating myself to appreciating culture and creativity.

I always remind myself that New York City is an expensive place to live and I should take advantage of the host of cultural opportunities right at my fingertips.

Whether you plan on doing community service or enjoying the cultural offerings of the city, let’s use January as a time to begin anew. Some people practice “dry January” and abstain from alcohol to clear their bodies and minds for the year ahead.

Whatever you decide to do, know that the spirit of Dr. King should compel us to be our best selves and work in community with others, in whatever way possible. There is no need to put pressure on ourselves—we can simply reflect on the wonderous road ahead.

Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream”; and co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC and host of The Blackest Questions podcast at TheGrio; and a 2023–24 Moynihan Public Scholars Fellow at CCNY.

14 • January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Caribbean Update

Former Surinamese president on the run from 20-year jail sentence

BY BERT WILKINSON Special to the AmNews Left with no more judicial options after an appeals court recently reaffirmed a 20year jail sentence for mass murder from 2019, former Surinamese military strongman and two-time civilian president Desi Bouterse is on the run from authorities after failing to report to a state prison last Friday to begin his sentence.

Bouterse, 78, and four other ex-soldiers who were convicted of participating in the execution of 15 government opponents while the military was running the country back in December 1982, were to report to the Santa Boma state prison on Friday. Only three of them, including an 82-year-old, reported to prison authorities. Bouterse and a fourth, who doubles as his bodyguard, simply disappeared from view and are in hiding and are believed, according to local media reports, to be somewhere in the Amazonian jungle in the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) nation.

The first real signs that the former head of state would not surrender to prison authorities emerged early Friday when his wife, Ingrid Bouterse-Waldring, told supporters and leaders of Bouterse’s National Democratic Party (NDP) that he would not be surrendering for various reasons, including that a 2012 amnesty approved by parliament had given him and the others immunity from jail. The court had dismissed the amnesty act as null and void.

“I don’t know, I don’t know. He is not going to register,” Bouterse-Waldring told the crowd.

Adding to the mystery and drama, Ramon Abrahams, vice chair of the Bouterse National Democratic Party (NDP), said Bouterse is safe and secure. “Don’t worry too much about the chairman; he is fine where he is,” said Abrahams, triggering speculation among authorities that the party is hiding and protecting Bouterse.

The 15, including four journalists, labor leaders, clergy, and academics, were executed by the military at a colonial-era fort

right next door to the presidential secretariat and a stone’s throw from the palace.

They had been accused of plotting with the country’s former colonizer, the Dutch, and other western nations to reverse the 1980 military coup.

Surviving family members have applauded the December 20 ruling that reaffirmed the 2019 jail sentences of Bouterse. The others got an average of five years fewer than Bouterse.

His disappearance and failure to register with prison authorities have turned attention to the state prosecutor’s office, which is now being accused of not properly monitoring the former military strongman in the days leading up to last Friday.

General elections are due in May of next year. The NDP, with 16 of the 51 parliamentary seats, is anxious to win it or form a governing coalition, because the next president could pardon all five of the former soldiers who participated in the 1980 coup and had been convicted of the mass murders.

Bouterse’s failure to show up has also triggered fears that he could be in the sights of Interpol, the France-based global police system that executes warrants and arrests for governments around the world.

The governing coalition and others who oppose Bouterse have made little secret of their desire to have him out of the way in time for the next general elections, but Abrahams said the remaining leaders will continue fighting with an eye on retaking the government next year. Representatives of a survivors group who had been monitoring the case for the past two decades say they hope Bouterse is nabbed and made to serve his sentence.

“I deeply regret that Mr. Bouterse was not present at the prison and is now on the run. This raises serious questions about the rule of law and respect for legal processes. I trust that the judicial authorities will do everything in their power to track down Bouterse,” spokesperson Sunil Oemrawsingh told reporters.

Blame the USCIS’ immigration backlog for NYC migrant crisis FELICIA PERSAUD

IMMIGRATION KORNER This month, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said the worker shortage in the U.S. “sees no improvement, (and) for every 100 job openings[,] there are only 71 available workers.” This sheds new light on the current “immigration crisis” that continues to unfold and affect major cities—not just at the southern border, but here in New York City.

As the Adams administration grapples with the crisis situation of migrants seeking shelter and social services beyond the 60-day limit, the main culprit in this crisis remains the growing backlog in processing immigration cases by the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services .

According to the Migration Policy Center, “approximately 1.6 million applications for employment authorization documents were sitting in a backlog at USCIS…more than double the 676,000 pending in March 2020”

as of October 2023.

These include, according to an article by Muzaffar Chishti and Julia Gelatt, “certain spouses of temporary workers, asylum applicants, humanitarian parolees, and beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) programs.”

That means many of the same immigrants waiting for their asylum applications to be handled who are now in limbo in NYC shelter spaces that are not a viable long-term solution.

The other applications in backlog are affected by delays in adjudicating renewals of many immigrants’ work permits, which has forced employers to terminate those immigrants’ employment or place them on furlough.

“Some workers had to endure months without income, even as the U.S. economy faced severe labor shortages, particularly in the immigrant-heavy healthcare and child-care sectors,” the Migration Policy Center said.

These are people who have paid hundreds in fees for their applications to be processed, and even those who have paid

for fast tracking.

The backlogs are also affecting immigration courts. According to TRAC, a nonpartisan, nonprofit data research center affiliated with the Newhouse School of Public Communications and the Whitman School of Management, both at Syracuse University, “a new record was reached in November [as the] Immigration Court backlog passed 3 million pending cases.”

As of November 2022, the backlog was 2 million. TRAC found that immigration judges now average 4,500 pending cases each. During just the last quarter of July to September 2023, the backlog jumped by nearly 400,000 cases at an average increase of 130,000 cases per month, the organization found. During October and November 2023, the monthly growth was even higher at an average of 140,000 per month.

At this rate, the current migrants seeking shelter in cities across the U.S. could be waiting for years. The same holds true for those waiting in Mexico, where the migrant crisis is also growing.

Until lawmakers in Washington can find real solutions to deal with the processing of immigration applications and clear the backlog to help solve the labor shortage, slow entry at the border by requiring applications only at consulates abroad and making paid applicants who have been in the U.S. a priority, the so-called immigration crisis will continue to be a political football, as it has been for decades.

It is time to focus billions of federal dollars not on helping to fight wars we have no business fighting, but in dealing with the crisis in the United States: the poor digital infrastructure at many government agencies in the era of AI; the lack of affordable housing and access to affordable health care; soaring inflation that is creating food insecurity in the Mighty USA; and the current labor shortage that is as real as the killing of so many innocent children, women, and men, and journalists in Gaza.

Felicia J. Persaud is the publisher of NewsAmericasNow.com, a daily news outlet focusing on Black immigrant issues.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024 • 15

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OR TEXT “BLACKLIGHT” to (202) 858-1233 amsterdamnews.com/blacklight-donate/

The Local Media Foundation/New York Amsterdam News Blacklight Project will shine a light on the problems plaguing our communities and highlight solutions. Donations to the Local Media Foundation for this project are tax-deductible to the extent of the law. No goods or services are provided in exchange for contributions. Please consult a tax advisor for details. The program is administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36-4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with the Local Media Association.

16 • January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Education Some Americans will get student loans canceled in February as Biden accelerates his new plan

By COLLIN BINKLEY AP Education Writer WASHINGTON (AP)—The Biden administration will start canceling student loans for some borrowers in February as part of a new repayment plan that’s taking effect nearly six months ahead of schedule.

Loan forgiveness was originally set to begin in July under the new SAVE repayment plan, but it’s being accelerated to provide faster relief to borrowers, President Joe Biden said last Friday. It’s part of an effort “to act as quickly as possible to give more borrowers breathing room” and move on from their student debt, the Democratic president said in a statement.

Borrowers will be eligible for cancellation if they are enrolled in the new SAVE plan, originally borrowed $12,000 or less to attend college, and have made at least 10 years of payments. The Education Department said it didn’t immediately know how many borrowers would be eligible for cancellation in February.

Biden announced the new repayment plan last year alongside a separate plan to cancel up to $20,000 in loans for millions of Americans. The Supreme Court struck down his plan for widespread forgiveness, but the repayment plan has so far escaped that level of legal scrutiny. Unlike his proposal for mass cancellation,

which had never been done before, the repayment plan is a twist on existing incomebased plans created by Congress more than a decade ago.

Republicans in Congress tried unsuccessfully to block the new repayment plan through legislation and a resolution last year.

The accelerated forgiveness drew fire from Republicans, who called it an attempt to win voters before the 2024 presidential election. North Carolina Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx, chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, said it will “dump even more kerosene on an already raging student debt fire.”

The new repayment plan offers far more generous terms than several other income-driven repayment plans that it’s meant to replace. Previous plans offered cancellation after 20 or 25 years of payments, while the new plan offers it in as little as 10. The new plan also lowers monthly payments for millions of borrowers.

Those who took out more than $12,000 will be eligible for cancellation, but on a longer timeline. Each $1,000 borrowed beyond $12,000 adds another year of payments on top of 10 years.

The maximum repayment period is capped at 20 years for those with only undergraduate loans and 25 years for those with graduate school loans.

The Biden administration will start canceling student loans for some borrowers starting in February as part of a new repayment plan. Cancellation was originally set to begin in July under the new SAVE repayment plan, but it’s being unrolled ahead of schedule to provide faster relief to borrowers. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

The Biden administration says next month’s relief will particularly help Americans who attended community colleges, which generally cost less than four-year universities. The plan aims to place community college students “on a faster track to debt forgiveness than ever before,” Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said.

CounterintuiDated: January 17, 2024 tively, those with smaller student loan balances DEMOCRACY PREP NEW YORK SCHOOL tend to struggle MEETING OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES more. It’s driven by millions of Americans who Pursuant to Section 104 Public Notice of the Open Meetings Law, this notice is to inform the take out student public that the board of trustees of Democracy Prep New York School will hold a board loans but don’t meeting on January 25th, 2024 at 6:30 pm., local time. Please join via the Zoom link: https:// finish degrees, us02web.zoom.us/j/87212048191?pwd=Z3ZIUjVjVjE4dDR5eExqbzdQa3J2UT09 leaving them with Video Location are as follows: the downside of debt without the Roger Berg: • 7538 Morningside Dr NW • Washingtaton, DC 20012-1506 upside of a higher income.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Republicans have railed against the new repayment plan, saying it helps wealthier Americans with college degrees at the expense of taxpayers who didn’t attend college. Some say it’s a backdoor attempt to make community college free, an idea that Biden campaigned on but that failed to win support in Congress.

Starting next month, the Education Department says it will automatically wipe away balances for eligible borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan. The department will email borrowers who might be eligible but have not enrolled.

Some of the plan’s provisions took hold last summer—it prevents interest from snowballing as long as borrowers make monthly payments, and it makes more Americans eligible to get their monthly bill lowered to $0.

Other parts are scheduled to

take effect in July, including a change to limit borrowers’ payments to 5% of their discretionary income, down from 10% in previous income-driven repayment plans.

The Biden administration is separately pursuing another plan for widespread cancellation. After the Supreme Court rejected Biden’s first plan, he asked the Education Department to try again under a different legal authority. The department has been working on a new proposal that would provide relief to targeted groups of borrowers. ___ The Associated Press’s education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find the AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Arts & Entertainment Film/TV pg 17 | Theater pg 22 | Jazz pg 24

January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024 • 17

Pg. 20 Your Stars

Jeymes Samuel’s ‘Book of Clarence’ is a bold, blasphemous biblical epic

Omar Sy (center) with LaKeith Stanfield and RJ Cyler

By MAGRIRA Special To the AmNews “The Book of Clarence” is brimming with profound ideas. It’s a biblical epic infused with action and impressive effects, all intended to provoke contemplation. Directed by British musician-turned-filmmaker Jeymes Samuel (“The Harder They Fall”), also known as The Bullitts, the film is a daringly unconventional messiah story that runs parallel to the life and death of Jesus, exuding a wonderfully blasphemous tone.

With a predominantly African American cast, the film’s opening scene—a wild chariot race along the cliffside dirt roads of Jerusalem, reminiscent of “Ben-Hur”— immediately establishes its brisk pace and packed narrative, which is teeming with daring concepts.

Set in 33 A.D., the story presents Mary Magdalene (Teyana Taylor) and Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield) helming the chariots.

Clarence, an underachiever compared to his morally ambiguous twin brother Thomas (also Stanfield), loses the race to Mary Magdalene and a significant bet to local gang leader Jedediah (Eric Kofi Abrefa).

Coincidentally, Jedediah’s sister Varinia (Anna Diop) is Clarence’s love interest. Desperate for money, he decides to capitalize on the trend of being a holy figure akin to

Teyana Taylor in “The Book of Clarence” (Photos by Moris Puccio, ©2023 Legendary Entertainment. All rights reserved)

Jesus, whom everyone is discussing. “How hard could it be to become the ‘new Messiah’?,” Clarence ponders.

With a wink and a nod, his friends Elijah (RJ Cyler), Zeke (Caleb McLaughlin), and Barabbas (Omar Sy) join as devoted followers. However, the vocal John the Baptist (David Oyelowo) remains unconvinced.

Clarence’s pseudo-divine actions swiftly gain attention and funds from the community, but his newfound fame also attracts Pontius Pilate ( James McAvoy) and the Roman army, determined to quash any semblance of miraculous figures—genuine or fraudulent.

Stanfield brings humor to Clarence’s

Alfre Woodard and LaKeith Stanfield in “The Book of Clarence”

character, exuding a charming aura that amplifies the potentially subversive ideas.

Samuel’s bold viewpoints on religion, particularly Christianity, are evident in the world he crafts, underscored by intriguing and humorous visual cues, such as the hookah café where patrons, intoxicated on exotic substances, literally float.

Clarence becomes a victim of persecution, but later undergoes a transformation, embodying Christ-like qualities. The film cleverly uses a non-white protagonist to encapsulate the essence of Jesus’s consciousness, lending an ironic tone to the narrative, aligning with the thematic significance of suffering in most religions.

Production designer Peter Walpole and cinematographer Rob Hardy should also be commended for their contributions.

Samuel has emerged as an eccentric and audacious filmmaker, positioning himself as a burgeoning cinematic force to watch.

“The Book of Clarence” is currently playing in theaters.

Starring LaKeith Stanfield, Omar Sy, Anna Diop, RJ Cyler, Caleb McLaughlin, Teyana Taylor, Eric Kofi Abrefa, Babs Olusanmokun, Nicholas Pinnock, Marianne JeanBaptiste, David Oyelowo, Micheal Ward, Tom Glynn-Carney, James McAvoy, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Alfre Woodard.

Direction, screenplay, and music by Jeymes Samuel.

18 • January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024 A

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THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS & E N T E R T A I N

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Black stories in the spotlight at Sundance Film Fest, Jan. 18-28

By MAGRIRA Special to the AmNews African-American brilliance takes center stage at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, running from January 18 through January 28, 2024). Here’s the lineup of films.

Story, Producers: Samantha Curley, Mars Verrone)—The Amazon Labor Union (ALU), comprising current and former Amazon workers in NYC’s Staten Island, takes on the colossal task of unionizing against one of the world’s most powerful companies. World Premiere. Available online for Public.

PREMIERES “The American Society of Magical Negroes” (Director/Screenwriter/Producer: Kobi Libii.

Producers: Julia Lebedev, Eddie Vaisman, Angel Lopez)—A young man joins a covert group of magical Black individuals dedicat- “The American Society of Magical Negroes” ed to easing the lives of white people. Cast in- (Photos courtesy of the Sundance Film Festival) NEW FRONTIER cludes Justice Smith, David Alan Grier, An-Li “Being (the Digital Bogan, Drew Tarver, Rupert Friend, Nicole “Suncoast” (Director/Screenwriter: Laura Griot)” (Lead Artist: Rashaad Newsome)— Byer. World Premiere. Fiction.

Chinn. Producers: Jeremy Plager, Francesca This groundbreaking experience invites auSilvestri, Kevin Chinoy, Oly Obst)—A teenager dience engagement through an artificial “Freaky Tales” (Directors/Screenwriters/ caring for her brother and audacious mother intelligence digital griot, fostering discusProducers: Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden. Pro- befriends an eccentric activist protesting a sions that unify and challenge. It incorporates ducers: Poppy Hanks, Jelani Johnson)—Set landmark medical case, drawing from a semi- a soundscape and movement rooted in data in 1987 Oakland, four interconnected stories autobiographical tale. Cast: Laura Linney, from Black communities, featuring insights follow the underdogs guided by a mysteri- Woody Harrelson, Nico Parker. World Pre- from bell hooks, Paulo Freire, Dazié Gregoous force: defending against Nazi skinheads, miere. Available online for Public.

Sykes, Cornel West, and others. battling for hip hop glory, seeking redemption, and settling scores. Cast: Pedro Pascal, MIDNIGHT: “Daughters” (Directors: Angela Patton, Jay Ellis, Normani Kordei Hamilton, Dom“I Saw the TV Glow” (Director/Screen- Natalie Rae, Producers: Lisa Mazzotta, Justin inique Thorne, Ben Mendelsohn, Ji-Young writer: Jane Schoenbrun. Producers: Emma Benoliel, Mindy Goldberg, Sam Bisbee, KathYoo. World Premiere. Fiction.

Stone, Dave McCary, Ali Herting, Sam Intili, ryn Everett, Laura Choi Raycroft)—Follow Sarah Winshall)—Owen’s mundane subur- four young girls preparing for a special Daddy “Luther: Never Too Much” (Director: ban life changes when he discovers a mys- Daughter Dance with their incarcerated faDawn Porter. Producers: Trish D Chetty, Ged terious late-night TV show that unveils a thers, part of a unique fatherhood program Doherty, Jamie Foxx, Datari Turner, Leah supernatural world beneath reality’s surface. within a Washington, D.C., jail. World PreSmith)—A documentary chronicling Luther Cast: Justice Smith, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Ian miere. Available online for Public.

Vandross’s rise from supporting acts to be- Foreman, Helena Howard, Fred Durst, Danicoming one of history’s greatest vocalists de- elle Deadwyler. World Premiere. Fiction.

EPISODIC spite personal struggles. World Premiere.

“God Save Texas: The Price of Oil” (Direc“Kidnapping Inc.” (Director/Screenwriter/ tor: Alex Stapleton. Executive Producers: “Power” (Director/Producer: Yance Ford. Producer: Bruno Mourral. Screenwriter/Pro- Lawrence Wright, Alex Gibney, Richard LinProducers: Sweta Vohra, Jess Devaney, Net- ducer: Gilbert Jr. Mirambeau, Screenwriter: klater, Peter Berg, Michael Lombardo, Stacey sanet Negussie)—Explores the evolution of Jasmuel Andri. Producers: Samuel Chauvin, Offman)—Houston, the energy capital, is a American policing and its embodiment of one Yanick Letourneau, Gaëthan Chancy)—A city shaped by the rise and fall of its oil indusword: power. World Premiere. Documentary. seemingly simple abduction task turns into a try. Alex Stapleton explores the impact on her political conspiracy for two hapless kidnap- family, from their arrival as enslaved people “Rob Peace” (Director/Screenwriter: Chi- pers. Cast: Jasmuel Andri, Rolaphton Mer- in the 1830s to building thriving communiwetel Ejiofor. Producers: Andrea Calder- cure, Anabel Lopez, Ashley Laraque, Gessica ties, now facing the human costs of Texas’ luwood, Antoine Fuqua, Kat Samick, Rebecca Geneus, Patrick Joseph. World Premiere. Fic- crative oil business.

Hobbs, Jeffrey Soros, Alex Kurtzman)—Based tion. on Jeff Hobbs’s biography, this film follows “Conbody vs. Everybody” (Director/ExecuRobert Peace’s journey from an impoverished U.S. DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION tive Producer: Debra Granik. Executive ProNewark upbringing to graduating from Yale “As We Speak” (Director/Producer: J.M. ducers: Anne Rosellini, Victoria Stewart, Jeff while leading a dual life. Cast: Jay Will, Mary Harper. Producers: Sam Widdoes, Peter Skoll, Diane Weyermann, Joslyn Barnes, JonaJ. Blige, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Camila Cabello, Mi- Cambor, Sam Bisbee)—Bronx rapper Kemba than Scheuer)—Over eight years, Coss Marte chael Kelly, Mare Winningham. World Pre- delves into how rap lyrics have become a develops ConBody, a gym rooted in workouts miere. Fiction. Available online for Public. weapon used by law enforcement in the U.S. from his time in prison and focused on emand globally, shedding light on their use as ploying formerly incarcerated trainers. The U.S. DRAMATIC COMPETITION evidence in criminal cases for years. World series highlights a community fighting recidPremiere. Available online for Public. ivism amid societal reentry obstacles. World “Exhibiting Forgiveness” (Director/ScreenPremiere. Documentary. Screening two epiwriter/Producer: Titus Kaphar. Producers: “Love Machina” (Director/Producer: Peter sodes. Available online for Public.

Stephanie Allain, Derek Cianfrance, Jamie Sillen. Producer: Brendan Doyle)—FuturPatricof, Sean Cotton) —A Black artist’s pur- ists Martine and Bina Rothblatt engage an “Me/We” (Director/Executive Producsuit of success is disrupted by an unexpected advanced humanoid AI, Bina48, in an at- er: Nzingha Stewart. Executive Producers/ visit from his recovering addict father, lead- tempt to transfer human consciousness into Screenwriters: Rob McElhenney, Keyonna ing to a poignant journey where forgiveness a robot, aiming to prolong their extraordinary Taylor. Executive Producers: Jackie Cohn, is easier than forgetting. Cast: André Hol- love story for eternity. World Premiere. Avail- Nick Frenkel, Jermaine Johnson)—Amaria land, John Earl Jelks, Andra Day, Aunjanue able online for Public.

“Yaya” Jones, a spirited teenager passionate Ellis-Taylor. World Premiere. Available online about dance, aims to convince her overprofor Public.

“Union” (Directors: Stephen Maing, Brett tective brother to allow her to walk to school

with her first crush. Yaya’s story celebrates life. Cast: Camryn Jones, Victor Musoni, Anji White, Travis Wolfe Jr., Nadirah Bost, Mike Sampson. World Premiere. Fiction.

WORLD CINEMA DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION “IGUALADA” (Director: Juan Mejía Botero.

Producers: Juan E. Yepes, Daniela Alatorre, Sonia Serna)—In Colombia, activist Francia Márquez challenges inequality by reclaiming the term “Igualada” in her presidential campaign, sparking national dreams in one of Latin America’s most unequal nations. World Premiere. Available online for Public.

“The Battle for Laikipia” (Directors: Daphne Matziaraki. Peter Murimi, Producer: Toni Kamau)—Climate change and unresolved historical injustices heighten tensions between Indigenous pastoralists and white landowners in Laikipia, Kenya, a sanctuary for wildlife conservation. World Premiere.

Available online for Public.

“Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat” (Director/ Screenwriter: Johan Grimonprez. Producers: Daan Milius, Rémi Grellety)—In 1960, the Global South triggers a political upheaval at the United Nations. Musicians Abbey Lincoln and Max Roach confront the Security Council, while Louis Armstrong, dispatched as a jazz ambassador to the Congo, deflects attention from America’s first African post-colonial coup. World Premiere. Available online for Public.

SPOTLIGHT “àma Gloria” (Director/Screenwriter: Marie Amachoukeli. Producer: Bénédicte Couvreur)—Six-year-old Cléo shares an unbreakable bond with her nanny, Gloria. When Gloria must return to Cape Verde to care for her own children, the two cherish their final summer together. Cast: Louise Mauroy-Panzani, Ilça Moreno Zego, Abnara Gomes Varela, Fredy Gomes Tavares, Arnaud Rebotini, Domingos Borges Almeida. U.S. Premiere. Fiction.

NEXT “Seeking Mavis Beacon” (Director/Writer: Jazmin Renée Jones. Producer: Guetty Felin)—Two DIY investigators hunt for the disappeared Haitian-born cover model of the ’80s educational software “Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing,” questioning digital security, AI, and Black representation in the digital realm. World Premiere. Documentary. Available online for Public.

“Tendaberry” (Director/Screenwriter/Producer: Haley Elizabeth Anderson. Producers: Carlos Zozaya, Matthew Petock, Zachary Shedd, Hannah Dweck, Theodore Schaefer, Daniel Patrick Carbone)—After her boyfriend returns to Ukraine to be with his ailing father, 23-year-old Dakota navigates her newfound independence in New York City. Cast: Kota Johan, Yuri Pleskun. World Premiere. Fiction.

Available online for Public.

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January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024 • 19

‘The Color Purple’ exceeds box office expectations while preserving sisterhood

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By BRENIKA BANKS -Special to the AmNews

. “All my life, I had to fight” and “I’s married ,now! I’s a married woman!” are classic lines amade popular in Black culture over decades gthanks to the 1985 film “The Color Purple.”

-The new version of the film, which opened fon Christmas Day, is still making headlines din the media and online. The film exceeded box office expectations with an $18 million domestic opening, which was the largest on eChristmas Day in over a decade, according ito Forbes. d Theatergoers should expect this version -to resemble the Broadway musical more ethan the 1985 original. Based on Alice Walkyer’s 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning book, the .story is told from the perspective of African American women in the South who deal with heartache and dreadful treatment /during the early 1900s. : A movie with depictions of sexual abuse epresents challenges for African Americans tand African descendants watching it on the big screen. People like Dr. Arthur Lewin, -Baruch College’s Black studies professor, aaren’t fans of the new film, inspired by the -Broadway play. “The play made it seem like -Black men are complete monsters,” said the eeducator. “And now they have made songs and dances to go along with it.”

Songs and dancing set the tone from the beginning of the 2023 movie. In contrast, ethe first few minutes of the original were -very disturbing, with the audience learning -the main character, Celie Harris, was about ato give birth at age 14 to her second child by nher father, Alphonso (it was revealed later rin the film that Alphonso wasn’t her biologaical father). Had he behaved toward Celie in ya manner more representative of an actual sfather figure, he might have prevented her from becoming the wife of Albert “Mister” Johnson. Additionally, Alphonso attempted to molest Celie’s younger sister Nettie. :Because of this, the two sisters dependyed profoundly on each other emotionally ethroughout the film. f Just like the original, the new “The Color nPurple” magnificently displays the strength -of Black sisterhood, including how Nettie lunfailingly wrote letters to Celie over nu-merous years. “I love you and I’m not dead,” Nettie said in a letter that finally reached Celie after many years.

- The story plays out with Mister’s mis-tress, Shug Avery, helping Celie find the letyters Nettie wrote to her, which Mister hid ,for years. (Shug, however, didn’t say her popular line from the original, “You sho’ is ,ugly,” in the remake.) Aside from Shug and dCelie’s sexual relationship eventually develaoping, they also exhibited a sisterhood. This .moved Shug to reunite Celie with Nettie through reading the letters, a reconnec-

Outside Magic Johnson movie theaters in Harlem on January 1. (Brenika Banks photos)

tion Celie desperately needed after years of abuse and brutal mistreatment from Mister. Celie even confessed to Shug that Mister “beat me for not being you.”

“I remembered watching the very first ‘Color Purple’ and it was traumatic for me,” said Tanya Weddemire, the Black Brooklyn gallery owner. She said that trauma is her reason for not yet watching the remake. “Maybe if I had more dialogue with my peers around it, [that] would change my perspective.” She did, however, give major congratulations to all involved in the remake.

The film’s climactic scene, where Celie ultimately confronts Mister during a group dinner, appeared more intense in the original. Regardless, Celie reading Nettie’s letters gave her the strength needed to persevere. In the culminating moments, both films portrayed Celie completely fed up with all the disgusting treatment from her husband during their entire marriage. Shug Avery looked on, visibly proud of Celie escaping her mental prison. She represented self-love for Celie.

This scene featured one of the most famous lines Celie said to Mister: “Until you do right by me, everything you think about is gonna crumble!” Mister’s life was on a steady decline after Celie left him to live elsewhere with Shug and her husband.

“I love the movie ‘Color Purple’ for what it is: the importance of sisterhood and

Movie poster of “The Color Purple” film inside of the theater.

having a support system when overcoming adversities and differences,” said Kirstin Laws, an up-and-coming Black business owner. She relates to Celie’s character in the remake for having her own custom, handmade apparel business; Celie eventually owned her own successful business, selling tailored pants after relocating with Shug. “I feel like the movie always taught us valuable life lessons, boundaries, confidence, strength, [and] independence,” said Laws.

Various life lessons and other more negative aspects have been discussed during the press run of “The Color Purple.” Star Taraji P. Henson and executive producer Oprah made headlines over an alleged feud after Henson publicly discussed unequal pay in Hollywood for Black women and production concerns on set. “They gave us rental cars, and I was like, ‘I can’t drive myself to set in Atlanta.’ This is [an] insurance liability, it’s dangerous,” Henson told the New York Times a few days ago.

Oprah responded some days afterward, on “CBS Mornings with Gayle King,” saying, “I personally called Toby Emmerich, who was, at the time, the head of Warner Bros., and he said, ‘That means we

have to do cars for everybody.’ Then I said, ‘Then we do cars for everybody.’” Oprah said she offered to pay for the cars personally for the cast out of her own money.

“The Color Purple” star Danielle Brooks confirmed in the same interview that all production concerns were handled. “I have just been the champion for everybody,” Oprah explained.

“When we first said that this movie was going to be a healing thing at CinemaCon, I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that people would try to break that down,” said the film’s star, Fantasia Barrino, during the same Gayle King interview. “Anything that has healing as a part of it, ‘they’ will do so.”

The women showed there is no beef and that some form of sisterhood authentically exists.

“The Color Purple” is currently in theaters.

Sources: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ conormurray/2024/01/08/how-the-color-purple-rollout-became-dominatedby-accusations-of-low-pay-and-poorconditions/?sh=401b3e0e7f42 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/05/ movies/taraji-p-henson-the-color-purple.html

20 • January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024 A

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HOROSCOPES BY KNOWYOURNUMB3RS

By SUPREME GODDESS KYA WWW.KYAFRENCH.COM | CONSULTATIONS 866-331-5088

Rebirth of A New Nation: Marvin Gaye has a song titled “Got To Give It Up” and January is a month to drop that unproductive habit like a hot plate. What are you allowing and willing to let go of that doesn’t serve any value in your life or bring value to your life to be your best? The full moon in Leo at 5 degrees brings things into perspective that occurred in days leading up to August 16, 2023. This moon at 5 degrees pulls on every subject in your life that may seem difficult—just take your time to resolve the matter with patience. Through patience you will see your strengths, discipline, growth, and your willpower to stay focused on the plan and mission. “The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” –Leo Tolstoy

Inner work and the behind-the-scenes work has great potential for

The story is finally playing out now that things have been put in place to see the bigger picture. Go to a quiet room or your favorite spot to chill, unwind, or relax. Now once you get there take a Dec 22 June 22 moves you mentally and intellectually, keep feeding that vibration to refew deep breaths until you can hear your heartbeat. Once you are Jan 21 July 23 ceive more outcomes in your daily affairs—it’s information with which there just relaxing in your own energy, everything you need early you can gain and develop yourself more. From January 18 around 3:12 this month will come to you. Sometimes sitting still helps instead a.m. until January 20 around 8:35 a.m., when you put in the work, speak things into ex- of chasing or running after it. Let it come to you. From January 22 around 4:51 istence and ask for what you need, it will come to you at an appointed time. Certain p.m. until January 25 around 2:15 a.m., when you are in the moment of silence meetings and conversations occur as a reminder to assist in your daily performance. with self what do you hear, feel, sense, smell or see? Write it down.

 progress and success. Continue to focus on the internal work which will Capricorn yield results and show you areas where you need to improve. Whatever

 Cancer

Where do you think you are going? There’s a familiar feeling, a sense of “done A message from the grapevine is on the way to you. This cycle this before, had this conversation before,” which may be the case. Beginning the week, some things you did last year in February and Novemevening on January 20, 2024, Pluto in Aquarius is here to remind you of what ber are showing up for you. Take heed of what comes through Aquarius occurred in your life from March 23 to June 10, 2023. It’s a second dose playing Leo for you. The information you received will give you a different Jan 22 July 24 out to get ahead, change, do things differently or simply take advantage of the perspective of the things you can do and how you can expand.

Feb 19 Aug 23 opportunities laid out for you. From January 20 around 8:58 a.m. until January Keep quiet of your plans and ideas; this intel is only for you to 22 around 4:45 p.m., keep climbing like the Capricorn goat in the mountain and be the revolu- know. In the days leading up to January 25, you are gone with the wind and the tionary Aquarius sun sign that brings new inventions and other creations to humanity. things around you are too. It’s a great indicator of the direction you are heading. Change is inevitable.

Wake up Pisces! Neptune is catching up from the time it went retrograde on June 30, 2023 until December 6, 2023. It’s time to act accordAs soon as you decide on something dear to your heart everyingly with your agenda, services, products, creations, or whatever it is thing else will come into place. The odd and the unusual will show Pisces you have to offer. It’s time to get serious before spring season arrives. up tapping you on your shoulders as an initiation to get you ready Feb 20 Virgo Decide on whatever you need to decide on to get you moving on FAITH for the upgrade. Whenever there is an adjustment in your life and Mar 20 Aug 24 due to you strongly believing in yourself to be and do it. From January things get switched around, it’s time for you to graduate. Another Sept 23 22 around 4:51 p.m. until January 25 around 2:15 a.m., slivers of results level has come for you to climb and maintain for elevation. From will show up to keep you inspired and motivate you to keep going even when things January 18 around 3:12 a.m. until January 20 around 8:35 a.m., you can sense the seem to go against you. That’s the energy of distraction trying to keep you comfortable change within you through the patterns and habits that show up. instead of getting uncomfortable to follow your dreams.

Can you feel and sense the magic in the air? It’s irresistible and Get in tune with yourself mentally, spiritually and emotionally, to put it makes you do things you normally hesitate to do. This energy your physical body into action to see change in your foundation or imgives you the courage and strength to face whatever it is that’s Libra mediate circumstances. A fruitful month is in store in the areas of writheavy in your heart with ease. Forgiveness is key and participatSept 24 Aries Oct 23 ing, traveling, public appearances, speaking engagements, and helping ing in gratitude aids in abundance. From January 20 around 8:58 Mar 21 family and friends, or vice versa. Things work better when you have a a.m. until January 22 around 4:45 p.m., what are the things you Apr 21 system in place and a team to allow freedom for every being involved to do for release to give you peace of mind? Begin a new regime, or something you play a role in your affairs. In the days leading up to January 25, check in on your health can commit to. Start small and then work your way up. and the plans you made as something odd and unusual may occur as a reminder to give you information or address something.

Release, let go, inhale the future, and exhale the past for the current transformation that is occurring. Focus on your health and as Romance, finance, home, and business affairs request your energy and you take a deep sigh listen to your body and the signals it sends Scorpio presence. Making public appearances be it speaking engagements or you. Sometimes the foundation needs to be torn down to build a Oct 24 meeting up with friends and family is ahead. It’s a great cycle to enroll in new foundation with purpose, based on truth and what inspires Nov 22 Taurus classes that will enrich your mental library.

Are you thinking about reloyou to follow your passion. Take some time to contemplate and Apr 22 cating or rearranging the home and making a solid investment? January write down what comes to mind when you deeply immerse yourself in silence.

May 21 is a preview month to your upcoming growth spurt within your business From January 22 around 4:51 p.m. until January 25 around 2:15 a.m., our blood and personal life. From January 18 around 3:12 am until January 20 around 8:35 a.m., flows like water yet where does it lead to? What are the main functions internal work towards your goals even if the ones you started are not yet finished. and external?

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Things are slightly up in the air within your daily agenda. There is Atlantic Starr has a song titled “Am I Dreaming.” Life keeps getsomething you need to know before you get on that connecting flight, ting better, revealing things through the simplest things such as end that phone call, or say another word. Once you have received the inSagitarius phone calls, conversation, messages, signs, symbols, and other Gemini formation, you can move on with your daily affairs. That pause is for you random events that take place in your place. Take heed of what Nov 23 May 22 Dec 21 to see things as they are, not as how you want to see them. Knowing what comes though in your dream state, and also the spiritual visual June 21 you know, you can now make that decision to enhance your life. From images you receive when you are awake. In the days leading up January 20 around 8:58 a.m. until January 22 around 4:45 p.m., do you prefer quality to January 25, this is not a mirage, it’s the real thing. Spiritual moments only over quantity or quantity or quality? last for a short period; the memory of the moment lasts forever.

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January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024 • 21

Angela Bassett among honorees at 14th Governors Awards

By MAGRIRA Special to the AmNews The Ray Dolby Ballroom in Los Angeles hosted an evening of prestige and admiration as the 14th Governors Awards, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, unfolded last night. The event drew luminaries from the cinematic world to honor outstanding achievements and pay homage to remarkable talents.

The event was a star-studded affair, graced by Hollywood’s finest. The evening’s highlight was the presentation of Honorary Awards, the cherished Oscar® statuettes. Angela Bassett received her award from Regina King, while Mel Brooks was honored by Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane.

Carol Littleton’s accolade was presented by Glenn Close.

Amidst the glitz, the gala acknowledged extraordinary humanitarian efforts with the esteemed Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, presented to Michelle Satter. Ryan Coogler and Chloé Zhao commended Satter’s remarkable contributions to humanitarian causes.

Bassett is known for her exceptional talent and powerful on-screen presence. She’s celebrated for her versatility and ability to embody a wide range of roles across film, television, and stage.

Bassett’s career breakthrough came in the early 1990s when she portrayed Tina Turner in the biographical film “What’s Love Got to Do with It.” Her stellar performance earned widespread acclaim, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture–Musical or Comedy.

Throughout her career, Bassett has Ariana DeBose and Angela Bassett

taken on diverse and impressive roles in both dramatic and action films, including “Malcolm X,” “Waiting to Exhale,” “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” “The Rosa Parks Story,” and the Marvel Cinematic Universe film “Black Panther,” where she portrayed Queen Ramonda.

Beyond film, Bassett has made significant contributions to television, earning multiple Primetime Emmy nominations for her performances in projects like “The Rosa Parks Story,” “American Horror Story,” and “911.” Her commanding presence and dedication to her craft have solidified her reputation as a formidable talent in the entertainment industry. Off-screen, Bassett is also known for her advocacy work and her commitment to various charitable causes.

Bassett has received numerous award nominations and has won several accolades throughout her illustrious career. Some of her notable wins include Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for her portrayal of Tina Turner in “What’s Love Got to Do with It” and NAACP Image Awards in various categories, including Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

Produced by Oscar-nominated producer Jennifer Fox, the event was meticulously executed, blending sophistication with deep respect. John Mulaney, the evening’s affable host, steered the proceedings with his signature charm and wit, infusing humor and warmth into the celebration.

The 14th Governors Awards was a testament to exceptional talent and

Angela Bassett at 14th Governors Awards at Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024 (Al Seib/ @ A.M.P.A.S photos)

remarkable contributions in the film industry, recognizing both artistic brilliance and humanitarian endeavors. It was an evening that will endure in Hollywood history, honoring those who have made an indelible impact on cinema and the world beyond.

The 96th Academy Awards will be televised live on March 10, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. EDT and hosted by Emmy Award winner Jimmy Kimmel, marking the late-night star’s fourth time fronting the show.

Additional information about the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Academy Foundation may be found at http:// www. oscars.org.

(L-R) Carol Littleton, Mel Brooks, Angela Bassett, and Michelle Satter.

Angela Bassett and Jon Batiste

Regina King and Angela Bassett

22 • January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024

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‘Hell’s Kitchen’ gives a taste of Alicia Keys’s story

By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys has created the music and lyrics for a brand-new musical called “Hell’s Kitchen,” which recently completed a successful run at the Public Theater at 425 Lafayette Avenue in Manhattan. The musical was picked up for Broadway and will be performed beginning March 28, 2024, at the Shubert Theatre.

The musical is loosely based on Alicia Keys’s life. Keys grew up in Hell’s Kitchen, in the artists’ building at W. 44th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues. Through the lead character Ali, who is the narrator, we hear her story from the age of 17, living with her single mother in a one-bedroom apartment on the 42nd floor.

While her mother, Jersey, works two jobs to take care of her, Ali has ideas about what she should be doing when her mother leaves the house each evening to go to work. Ali and her two best friends, Tiny and Crystal, find themselves drawn to street performers who play in front of their building. With Jersey always working, Ray the doorman tries to keep an eye on Ali and alerts her mother when Ali is doing things she should not be doing.

Ali is a teenage girl who is attracted to men and finds herself attracted to Knuck, one of the drumming street performers and much more. Ali is at a point in her life when she is

Maleah Joi Moon (foreground) and the company of the world premiere production of “Hell’s Kitchen” at The Public Theater. (Joan Marcus photo)

not sure what her passion is, what her talent is, what her path in life should be. Living in this building that houses performers, she is surrounded by creativity: from musicians to singers to painters to dancers to actors, she is in an atmosphere that is swirling with glorious creative energy.

The environment itself sounds incredible. This musical demonstrates the positive energy that someone can be around on their journey to making their dreams come true. Of course, they will run into obstacles,

but it is about what you do when you come up against them.

The storyline gives us Jersey’s friends Millie and Jessica, who also try to look out for Ali. Ali’s father Davis does not live with them and is barely in the picture. When he does come in, it’s learned that he is a musician and his life is focused on his next gig. As Ali tries to cope with feeling isolated in her home when her mother goes to work and feeling that her mother is trying to control her life, she hears Miss Liza Jane, an elderly, accomplished per-

former, playing the piano in one of the music rooms. That moment changes her life.

The musical is a vehicle for Keys songs, including “You Don’t Know My Name,” “Not Even the King,” “Un-thinkable (I’m Ready),” “Girl on Fire,” “Heartburn,” “Fallin,’” “Like You’ll Never See Me Again,” “No One,” and “Empire State of Mind.”

The performance I attended had a cast primarily of understudies, except for Shoshana Bean, who played Jersey; Brandon Victor Dixon as Davis (Ali’s father), who always stuns; Vanessa Ferguson as Tiny, one of Ali’s best friends and what a voice; and Jackie Leon, who played Jessica, Jersey’s friend.

The understudy cast members were talented and included Gianna Harris as Ali; Desmond Sean Ellington as Ray; Lamont Walker II as Knuck; Susan Oliveras as Millie; Badia Farha as Crystal, Ali’s friend; Crystal Monee Hall as Miss Liza Jane—this woman’s voice was on fire; Oscar Whitney Jr. as Riq; and Aaron Nicholas Patterson as Q. The musical has music and lyrics by Keys, a book by Kristoffer Diaz, choreography by Camille A. Brown, direction by Michael Greif, set design by Robert Brill, costume design by Dede Ayite, lighting design by Natasha Katz, and sound design by Gareth Owen.

I look forward to experiencing this musical on Broadway with the principal actors in their roles!

‘Prayer for the French Republic’ is stunning theater

By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews “Prayer for the French Republic,” playing at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on W. 47th Street, is one of the most stunningly written plays you will see on Broadway.

Joshua Harmon has created a story that takes the audience on a journey with the Salomon family, a Jewish family in France in 2016– 2017. He tells the story of four generations of the family and what happened to the grandparents and their children in 1944 as Jewish people in France were arrested just for being Jewish. The family owned a piano store, and took a great deal of pride in their work and the fact that their product bought people joy.

The play starts with Patrick, the son of Pierre and brother of Marcelle, recalling the story of his family and what occurred in their history in a racist France, which went from being a haven for Jewish people to being a place of persecution. Patrick, the play’s narrator, dramatically shares the stories of horror that his grandparents Irma and Adolphe faced in 1944, when their children and grandchildren were arrested and taken away. This was an act that resulted in only one son and one grandson returning to the grandparents.

The tragic story of what happened to the women in this family is also shared. The play transitions to showing the racist hatred that the family is surviving in 2016 in France as Daniel, Marcelle’s son, is attacked for wear-

“Prayer for the French Republic” (l-r) Molly Ranson, Nael Nacer, and Aria Shahghasemi (Jeremy Daniel photo)

ing Jewish attire. He refuses to conceal that he is Jewish. His mother Marcelle and his father Charles can’t get him to see that he puts himself in danger every time he walks out of the house. His sister Elodie suffers from depression and believes Daniel should be able to dress as he pleases when he walks the streets. Enter Molly, their young cousin, a student from America, who does not follow Judaism the way they do.

The way that Harmon intermingles the story lets the audience see that everything old is new again, no matter how hateful it may be.

Marcelle is a doctor, as is her husband Charles, but Charles finds that the attacks on their son are demonstrating that France is no longer safe for Jewish people. He finds himself afraid

and wants to move to Israel for safety reasons.

Marcelle does not want to uproot their lives and move to a country that neither she nor her children have ever been to.

Harmon gives the audience characters who represent different viewpoints in this play. On the one side, you have Elodie, who is very much pro-Israel and pro-Jewish, and feels that American Jews don’t know what it is like to feel unwelcome and therefore should not be giving their views about Jewish matters. In contrast to Elodie is Marcelle’s cousin Molly, who is from the United States: She is not a practicing Jew and does not support Israel’s treatment of Palestine, nor the American government’s support of Israel in this matter.

It is interesting to hear her view and see how

Elodie relentlessly attacks her, but then says that she dislikes people who don’t listen to other people’s views.

There is a gentleness, an urgency, and a poignancy as this three-hour drama unfolds. This is a family that takes on the role of wanderers to make sure that they keep their children safe from hatred. It is a family that does what they feel they need to do to find a more unthreatening way of life. It is moving how they connect this family to the Jewish people’s history of having to wander to find safety.

Prayer for the French Republic” has a very touching scene where the Jewish people are praying that they are safe in France, but this is also the moment that Charles realizes that to stay safe, you must do more than pray; drastic circumstances call for drastic measures.

What’s vivid about this play are the heartwrenching moments when the horrors that befell this family are revealed in detail. There was such a silence in the audience.

The cast of this drama is stirring to watch and includes Betsy Aidem as Marcelle; Nael Nacer as Charles; Francis Benhamou as Elodie; Aria Shahghasemi as Daniel; Anthony Edwards as Patrick; Molly Ranson as Molly; Richard Masur as Pierre; Nancy Robinette as Irma; Daniel Oreskes as Adolphe; Ari Brand as Lucien, Pierre’s father; and Ethan Haberfield as Young Pierre. The play has riveting direction by David Cromer.

For more info, visit www.manhattantheatreclub.com.

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New Black essays: Octavia Butler, Layla Mohamed, and more

By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the AmNews There are some voices in Black literature whose revival after near erasure from history is so welldeserved that every word should be accounted for and offered to future generations readers freely and generously.

Octavia Butler is certainly one of those writers, blending science fiction, African American lore, futurist prophecies, and her unreplicable imagination to create invaluable works of creativity. Her essay, “A Few Rules for Predicting the Future,” has been published in book form for readers to enjoy. Editors Layla Mohamed and Bibi Bakare-Yusuf compiled newly published essays from a plethora of bright Black writers for the forthcoming book “Outriders Africa.”

A Few Rules for Predicting the Future: An Essay by Octavia E. Butler; Manzel Bowman, (Illustrator) Illustrator Manzel Bowman accompanies Butler's brief yet inspiring essay with breathtakingly

vibrant images, making this compact work a thoughtful gift for any thinker, dreamer, or fan of Butler’s. First published in Essence magazine in 2000, the essay shares Butler’s insight, advice, and perspective on the importance of mining history so visions of the future can emerge. Organized into four sections, the essay advises revering the law of consequences and always being ready for the unexpected. This book is a wonderful addition to any literary collection.

Outriders Africa: Essays on Exploration and Return, edited by Bibi Bakare-Yusuf and Layla Mohamed “Outriders Africa” is an intriguing and provocative collection of essays, poetry, travel diaries, and letters written by 10 writers of African descent who embarked on journeys across Africa during the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020). Although there were challenges, the pandemic did not halt the writers’ journeys, curiosity, and enchantment as they traveled across the beautiful continent of Africa.

New novels offer stories of Black American queens

By JORDANNAH ELIZABETH Special to the AmNews Novels are the highest form of imaginative art in the realm of writing. An author must dig from their inner worlds and the content of their hearts to compel readers, explore their pain and failures to adhere to the human condition, and understand the characters they create with such intimacy that they become friends or foes to everyone who encounters their descriptive mannerisms, thoughts, and histories.

“The American Queen” by Vanessa Miller and “The Queen of Sugar Hill,” a novel inspired by the life of actor Hattie McDaniel

by ReShonda Tate Billingsley, are explorations of the Black American queen, illustrating that royal blood has never ceased to flow through the veins of our people, no where our feet touch the soil.

The American Queen, by Vanessa Miller “The American Queen” tells the story of Louella, an enslaved woman in the southern United

States whose pleas for freedom are granted, causing her to lead her community into a new life.

Traversing the perils of numerous oppositional forces, she still manages to become the queen of the Kingdom of the Happy Land on her journey to gain freedom for as many as humanly possible.

The Queen of Sugar Hill: A Novel of Hattie McDaniel, by ReShonda Tate Billingsley Bestselling author ReShonda Tate Billingsley weaves a fictional tale about the complexities of success and Black excellence.

With Hattie McDaniel as the harrowing protagonist, readers follow the first Black actor to receive an Academy Award through being unable to find work after her triumphant and historical win, and the battles of teetering between Black and white worlds, including surviving backlash from the NAACP and the belittling interactions with the white elite. Anyone who enjoys Hollywood history and Black history will devour this book.

24 • January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024

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Max Roach Centennial Celebrations RONALD E. SCOTT

Max Roach (Photo courtesy of the Max Roach Collection)

J A ZZ N OT E S On January 10, jazz enthusiasts around the world celebrated the centennial of drummer, composer and social activist Max Roach (1924-2007). He was not only a jazz musician, but was also a purveyor of great music, an innovator, teacher, and mentor. He embodied the source of the music from the ancestors and played the instrument of Mother Africa.

Roach captured the moans and groans of an enslaved people, the blues of an indigenous society whose government wrapped them in lies and promises, played the gospel of hope, and the fiery percussive riffing of the Black struggle for equality.

Martin Luther King, Jr. would have called him a “Drum Major for Justice.” He used his music to portray his feelings about injustice.

Listen to his international anthem “We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite” (Candid 1960), “Speak, Brother, Speak!” (Fantasy 1963), “Members Don’t Get Weary” (Atlantic 1968) and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” with the J.C. White Singers (Atlantic 1971), among others.

Prior to these recordings, Roach, disenchanted with major record labels, co-founded Debut Records with bassist Charles Mingus, in 1952. In 1960, Roach and Mingus protested the practices of the Newport Jazz Festival.

In 1962, the two musicians collaborated with Duke Ellington for the album “Money Jungle” (United Artists 1962) which is regarded as one of the best trio albums in jazz history. Earlier he, along with drummer Kenny Clarke were pioneers in the bebop style. He played on many of Charlie Parker’s albums including the Savoy Records sessions in 1945.

Years later during the 1970s he founded M’Boom, a collaborative multi-percussion ensemble that featured Fred King, Joe Chambers, Warren Smith, Freddie Waits, Roy Brooks, Omar Clay, Ray Mantilla, Francisco Mora, and Eli Fountain.

With an eagerness to expand his musical universe, Roach embarked on a duet series of avant garde recordings with Anthony Braxton, Archie Shepp, and Cecil Taylor.

He also recorded a duet with an

oration of the “I Have a Dream” speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. His duet recordings were galaxy journeys but his solo concerts in the early 1980s were enthralling movements in time. It’s difficult for me to recall any other drummer who has since attempted the solo platform. Moving forward, Roach expressed his music in performances with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Disregarding the limitations of musical genres, Roach wrote and performed with the Walter White gospel choir and moved on to work with such dance companies as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Dianne McIntyre Dance Company, and the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. He also played with his daughter, Maxine Roach, a Grammy nominated Violist. He later shocked the jazz police by performing in a hip hop concert featuring Fab Five Freddy and the New York Break Dancers. “There is a strong kinship between the work of these young black artists and the art I have pursued all my life,” Roach said at the time.

Roach leaves behind such a legacy of prolific work it will be interesting to see how his style and compositions will be reimagined by musicians celebrating his centennial.

The one centennial tribute I have seen to date was by the young drummer Kojo Melche Roney at the Blue Note, leading an impressive quartet with the iconic bassist Buster Williams, saxophonist Antoine Roney, and DJ Logic. The drummer offered original material and tunes by Roach with Logic inserting conversations and thoughtful words from Roach recordings/interviews.

Dancer/choreographer Nia Love’s modern dance movements articulated another realm of music just as Roach’s interpretations in the past with a legacy in the now.

On January 18, The Max Roach Centennial: The Drum Also Waltzes documentary film free screening and panel discussion will take place at Newark Museum of Art in New Jersey at 7pm. The panel discussion will include Raoul Roach, Max’s son

and the film’s director/producers Sam Pollard and Ben Sharpio.

The documentary explores the life and music of Roach through a series of creative peaks, struggles and personal reinventions from Jim Crow to the tumultuous civil rights era, surveying post-war modern jazz to hip hop and beyond.

Visit the website for reservations newarkmuseumart.org.

On January 26, the Centennial continues with the Freedom Now Suite concert at NJPAC/Prudential Hall in Newark at 8 p.m.

The revolutionary 1960s album “We Insist! Freedom Now Suite” was the musical soundtrack of those revolutionary times. The album will be reimagined and explore those same issues of social injustice and racial inequality that are still pertinent in 2024.

The concert will be led by musical director and drummer Nasheet Waits, featuring vocalist Cassandra Wilson, thought-provoking poets Sonia Sanchez and Saul Williams, saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, South African pianist Nduduzo

Makhathini, bassist Eric Revis, and Waits on drums.

“I am honored to be music director for Max’s centennial,” said Waits. “The Freedom Now Suite was a battle cry to free South Africa from apartheid and a definitive protest song during the Civil Rights Movement in America. It was one of the first jazz protest albums.” Waits has a direct link to Roach, as a former member of his ensemble M’Boom.

He is a second-generation band member—his father Freddie Waits co-founded the band with Roach.

“What Max offered to the music was a contribution to the world,” said Waits. “He affected the sound and spoke out for justice and equality for all humans on the planet.”

During an interview with Downbeat magazine Roach said, “We American jazz musicians of African descent have proved beyond all doubt that we’re master musicians of our instruments. Now what we have to do is employ our skill to tell the dramatic story of our people and what we’ve been through.”

For tickets visit the website njpac.org.

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January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024 • 25

Who’s at the core of CORE? Racial equity chair Linda Tigani

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member The NYC Commission on Racial Equity (CORE) is the city’s fledgling independent racial equity office. Chair and Executive Director Linda Tigani was appointed a few months ago. The office was established thanks to the racial justice ballots voted through in the Nov. 2022 election.

“As an organizer you have to have a degree of imagination and commitment to a new possibility in your world, and the commission I think represents a pathway to a new world, an equitable city government,” said Tigani. “We have done a lot of work to normalize racial equity and the voters overwhelmingly said that they wanted this work when they voted for it on the ballot.”

Under former Mayor Bill de Blasio, the city formed the racial justice commission in 2021 to focus on reforming the city’s charter, which is the bedrock of the city’s constitution.

They also conducted a series of public hearings over a ninemonth period to ask residents about the barriers to racial equity and how best to remove them. By 2022, the commission put forth three ballot proposals based on their research and engagement with the public that established a racial equity office, added a “preamble” or statement of foundational values to the city charter, and made an amendment to the charter that tracks the “true cost of living” in New York City.

CORE is meant to be an independent 15-member commission that centers civilians with marginalized voices and assesses the city’s racial equity planning process. It essentially is an oversight and accountability entity for the new Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ), also the byproduct of a city task force formed under de Blasio in 2020 to study the impact of COVID-19 on communities of color. The MOERJ is mandated to incorporate CORE plans.

“You can’t have strategy without an equity lens, and you can’t advance equity in an institution without strategy,” said Tigani.

A native Brooklynite, Tigani’s background is Sudanese and

Headshot of NYC Commission on Racial Equity (CORE) Chairperson Linda Tigani. (Ariama C. Long photo)

Ethiopian. Her mother raised her and her brother. After schooling, Tigani became a social worker assisting homeless families. She spent about eight months living overseas in Ethiopia during that time. She said she got her sense of community activism from the Black immigrant experience.

“My mom’s migration story and her story of life in New York City and as a Black woman, a single head household, have helped me understand all of the interlocking systems and connections between how racism in America is connected to inequity all over the world,” said Tigani. “Her experience raising us here really helped me understand how complex oppression is and how it can come from multiple sources.

You need a multi-campaign to push back and can’t just focus on one issue.”

Tigani was appointed by Mayor Eric Adams in Oct. 2023, and she was swiftly met with conservative backlash over old “controversial” social media posts from 2020 that had the phrase “from the river to the sea” in reference to Palestine.

The quasi political party and terrorist organization that

rules Palestine and its civilians known as Hamas had attacked Israel on Oct. 7, spiking racial tensions in the city and abroad. Groups even briefly called for her to be fired in the same manner that former President of Harvard University Claudine Gay was. Tigani did not comment on her social media about the attacks or Hamas and Palestine in 2023, but did put out statements later denouncing violence and accusations of antisemitism.

She has learned a valuable lesson about acknowledging “multiple truths” as well as incorporating “dignity and respect for every human being regardless of what they politically believe or who they support” into the mission of CORE. As chair, she said she’s committed to having all political voices, immigrant groups, and races and ethnicities in the city “at the table.” Once the commission is fully staffed and up and running, Tigani envisions putting forth policy proposals that center Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, LGBTQIA+ communities, the foster care system, and formerly incarcerated communities. She wants to build trust

on all fronts and knows it will not be easy.

“I truly believe that by putting CORE into the city charter this way that voters did something new,” said Jimmy Pan, a former colleague of Tigani’s at Thrive NYC. “In this country we’re just beginning to think about how community members can have a meaningful voice at the center of government, not just at the margins. I hope people, having voted for it, really appreciate that opportunity to show up. Hold CORE accountable, hold the Mayor’s office accountable. This is a first step for them.”

Pan said that it’s important that CORE be properly prioritized by the Mayor and funded by the city as well.

Tigani was a policy leader with Thrive NYC addressing mental health on the ground, and then worked as the executive director for the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) ‘Race to Justice’ team under Torian Easterling, former first deputy commissioner and inaugural DOHMH chief equity officer. The team was an internal reform effort to help close racial health gaps in the city’s

healthcare system initiated by former Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett back in 2014.

Easterling said that the team worked on equitably distributing vaccines in the city during the pandemic and eventually analyzed the hospital’s infrastructure as a part of the inception of the equity office model.

He wholeheartedly threw his support behind Tigani in her new role as chairperson of CORE. “She has always been a dedicated civil servant, and I count Linda among [those] who have sought to go into public service not just for a job but because she was clear eyed about the kind of change she could make as a civil servant,” said Easterling.

Amsterdam News reached out to MOERJ for comment but they couldn’t provide one by post time.

Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about politics for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a taxdeductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/ amnews1.

26 • January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024

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Dr. Sylvia A. Boone, Yale’s first tenured Black faculty member

ACTIVITIES FIND OUT MORE Yale Bulletins over the years have a trove of details about Boone’s activities on campus and elsewhere.

DISCUSSION There is very little available, at least in my limited research, about Boone’s early years in Mt. Vernon.

PLACE IN CONTEXT She lived just over a half-century but was, nonetheless, productive as a scholar and teacher.

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews Now that the clamor around Dr. Claudine Gay has somewhat subsided, it all brought to mind the extraordinary scholar Sylvia Ardyn Boone, the first Black woman given tenure at Yale University. In a similar way that Gay was a trailblazer at Harvard as the first African American president of the institution, Boone was an equal pioneer in the Ivy League, establishing the role of Black women in African art and women’s studies.

Born on September 30, 1940, Boone was a native of Mt. Vernon, N.Y., and attended Brooklyn College and Columbia University, where she earned her master’s degree in social sciences. After studying in Ghana, where she often conferred with several distinguished African Americans, including Maya Angelou, Shirley Graham Du Bois, and Julian Mayfield, Boone returned stateside and earned degrees in art history

from Yale University.

According to a wide-ranging tribute to her at Yale in 2001, Boone first came to Yale in 1970 as a visiting lecturer in the Afro American Studies Program before resuming her studies there, studying mainly with Robert Farris Thompson. Her Ph.D. dissertation, in 1979, “Sowo Art in Sierra Leone: The Mind and Power of Women on the Plane of the Aesthetic Disciplines,” won the Blanshard Prize. That same year, she joined the faculty as an assistant professor of the history of art. By 1985, she was a professor and became the first Black woman tenured at the university three years later.

Along with her teaching assignments, Boone was active in the struggle for women’s studies and later established the annual Black Film Festival at Yale. Her first book was “West African Travels: A Guide to Peoples and Places” (Random House, 1974). In her second book, “Radiance from the Waters: Ideals

of Feminine Beauty in Mende Art” (Yale Press, 1986), she delved deeply into a form of African art and philosophy that had not been widely discussed. “Mende has written almost nothing about their life experiences or about their concepts and ideas,” Boone noted. “They have the distinction of being one of the West African groups that invented its own ideographic and syllabic writing system. Despite this noteworthy development, little of what has been recorded in Mende script has ever become known to scholars.”

When she wasn’t amid a deep dive into African art, Boone was known as a popular teacher whose courses in African art, esthetics of female imagery in African Art, masquerading and masks, and women’s art always drew a crowd of students.

In 1989, she was a key member of

the nationwide commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Amistad Affair, a milestone in the fight to end slavery and an event that now has an annual celebration.

Boone was the recipient of numerous grants and awards, and, at one time, served as a consultant to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art and on the U.N. UNICEF committee that selected the organization’s annual greeting cards. She was also vice president and scholarship chair of the Roothbert Fund of New York City. She died on April 27, 1993, of heart failure. She was 53 or 54 and is buried in Grove Street Cemetery.

Each year, a Yale student receives the Sylvia Ardyn Boone Prize for the best graduate essay written for a course or seminar about West African or African American art.

THIS WEEK IN BLACK HISTORY January 14, 1916: Author John Oliver Killens was born in Macon, Ga. He died in 1987.

January 15, 1933: Writer Ernest Gaines was born in Oscar, La. He died in 2019.

January 16, 1927: Actress, dancer, singer Eartha Kitt was born in North, S.C. She died in 2008.

January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024 • 27

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

International than 1,800 families in Gaza have Continued from page 2

Israel, which has failed to prevent genocide and is committing genocide in manifest violation of the Genocide Convention,” the filing said, adding that Israel also failed to curb incitement to genocide by its own officials in violation of the convention.

South African lawyer Adila Hassim also weighed in. “For the past 96 days, Israel has subjected Gaza to what has been described as one of the heaviest conventional bombing campaigns in the history of modern warfare,” she began. “Palestinians in Gaza are being killed by Israeli weaponry and bombs from air, land, and sea.

“They are also at immediate risk of death by starvation, dehydration, and disease as a result of the ongoing siege by Israel, the destruction of Palestinian towns, the insufficient aid being allowed through to the Palestinian population, and the impossibility of distributing this limited aid while bombs fall.

“The first genocidal act committed by Israel is the mass killing of Palestinians in Gaza, in violation of Article II (a) of the Genocide Convention. As the U.N. secretary-general explained five weeks ago, the level of Israel’s killing is so extensive that nowhere is safe in Gaza.

“As I stand before you today, 23,210 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces during the sustained attacks over the last three months, at least 70% of whom are believed to be women and children. Some 7,000 Palestinians are still missing, presumed dead under the rubble.”

As a result, Hassim said that more

lost multiple family members and 85% of all Gazans have been forced to flee their homes.

“Palestinians in Gaza are subjected to relentless bombing wherever they go,” she continued. “They are killed in their homes, in places where they seek shelter, in hospitals, in schools, in mosques, in churches, and as they try to find food and water for their families.

“This killing is nothing short of destruction of Palestinian life. It is inflicted deliberately. No one is spared.

Not even newborn babies. The scale of Palestinian child killings in Gaza is such that U.N. chiefs have described it as a ‘graveyard for children.’

“They have been killed if they failed to evacuate, in the places to which they have fled, and even while they attempt to flee along Israeli-declared safe routes. The level of killing is so extensive that those whose bodies are found are buried in mass graves, often unidentified.

“In the first three weeks following October 7, Israel deployed 6,000 bombs per week. At least 200 times, it has deployed 2,000-pound bombs in southern areas of Palestine designated as safe. These bombs have also decimated the north, including refugee camps,” Hassim said.

South Africa’s delegation insisted that genocidal intent has been shown not only by the way Israel has launched its military campaign, but by comments from leaders like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other ministers and key figures that dehumanize Palestinians or refuse to distinguish between Hamas fighters and civilians.

ment memo, to deny “money and supplies to Cuba, to decrease monContinued from page 2 etary and real wages, to bring about hunger, desperation, and the overin 1959. “And Cubans are still flee- throw of [the] government”––as the ing, as they have since the revolu- main cause of their economic failings. tion’s inception,” the editorial board That means Afro Cubans are also of the Miami Herald noted this past not prospering…at least, not fiDecember 23, 2023. “In the past two nancially. years alone, 425,000 Cubans have migrated to the United States, more Cuba’s revolution and the realthan during any previous exodus,” ity of racism they wrote.

AfroCubaWeb.com, the web“Ironically,” the Miami Herald site with stories about Black life in added, “the original promise of the Cuba, notes that the most recent revolution was to end poverty on census count in 2012 found Cuba’s the island by equalizing wealth. population to be “white 64.1%, muNow, most everyone is poor, all latto or mixed 26.6%, Black 9.3%.” the buildings are decrepit, and few But census counts tend to underhave plenty. International figures count Black Cubans, AfroCubaWeb show 88% of Cubans live at the pov- states: “Since being Black in Cuba erty level, a jump of 13% from the carries a social stigma to this day, previous figures.” anyone with a drop of white blood Cuba’s government continues to can and does consider themselves point to the U.S.’s economic embargo mixed or white, as is common on their nation—designed, accord- throughout Latin America.” ing to an April 6, 1960, State DepartPego Guerra said, “The anti-Cu-

Black Cuban

South Africa urged the court to order an emergency injunction to protect the Palestinian people in Gaza, including calling upon Israel to immediately halt military attacks that “constitute or give rise to violations of the Genocide Convention” and to rescind related measures amounting to collective punishment and forced displacement.

In response, Israeli lawyer Tal Becker told the court that South Africa’s case hinges on a “deliberately curated, decontextualized, and manipulative description of the reality of current hostilities,” and that it intentionally ignored the role of Hamas in Israel’s military response.

“The applicant’s submissions sounded barely distinguishable from Hamas’s own rejectionist rhetoric,” Becker said of South Africa’s case.

Initial hearings for an emergency injunction were heard at the ICJ in the Hague on January 11 and 12.

South Africa’s case at the U.N. court in the Hague has drawn support from many human-rights organizations and other developed countries.

At a recent protest outside the U.S. consulate in Johannesburg, demonstrators, many waving Palestinian flags, said they felt proud of their government for seeking to end the Israeli military’s campaign in Gaza.

Speakers at the rally condemned the U.S. for continuing to supply Israel with weapons.

GERMANY TO DEFEND ISRAEL IN GENOCIDE CASE BEFORE TOP COURT (GIN)—Israel will have at least one ally as it faces the International Court of Justice in the Hague on a serious charge of genocide of Palestin-

ians leveled by South Africa.

That ally, a surprise to some, will be Germany—a country that carries the mark of genocide since the murder of 7 million Jews in World War II. Germany maintains its support for Israel even as warnings of a genocide committed by Israeli forces have mounted, wrote Denijal Jegic of Al Jazeera.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has not stepped back from this controversial friendship. “There is only one place for Germany” which is “side by side with Israel,” he recently said.

Scholz has not moved from this stance.

“The German government has not only provided wide-ranging political and diplomatic support for Israel, but has also fast-tracked arms exports to facilitate the Israeli slaughter of Palestinian civilians,” wrote Jegic.

Berlin will present its own arguments against South Africa’s allegation that Israel violated the Genocide Convention, intervening on Israel’s behalf as a third party in the case, said government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit.

Germany’s announced support for Israel brought at least one burst of outrage—from Namibian President Hage G. Geingob, who pointed to the genocide Germany itself perpetrated on Namibians in the early 1900s.

“The German government is yet to fully atone for the genocide it committed on Namibian soil,” Geingob’s office said on social media.

Known as the Herero and Namaqua genocide and recognized as the first genocide of the 20th century by Holocaust museums, German colonizers invaded and slaughtered

as many as 100,000 of the Herero people and 10,000 of the Nama people living in modern Namibia.

German soldiers raped thousands of Namibian women and Eugene Fischer, a doctor, conducted medical experiments on the children born from the rapes—later inspiring Nazi doctor Josef Mengele during Germany’s genocide of Jews and other groups in Europe.

“President Geingob expresses deep concern with the shocking decision communicated by [Germany]...in which it rejected the morally upright indictment brought forward by South Africa before the ICJ that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza,” Geingob’s office said.

The office also blasted the “genocidal and gruesome” acts perpetrated by Israel in Gaza and noted that Human Rights Watch and other advocacy groups have “chillingly concluded that Israel is committing war crimes.”

The president has asked Germany to reconsider its decision to intervene in the ICJ case as a third party.

Journalist Hebh Jamal penned the following note in a recent edition of Haaretz: “Germans are staunchly antiPalestinian to the extent that they are eradicating all mention of the word in the school textbooks and Palestinian students are told not to identify as Palestinian: they are Israeli.

“In other words, they support the cultural genocide of Palestinians.

Their intervention in the ICJ case offers an opportunity for Palestinians to highlight this point.”

Jegic wrote: “German support for Israel is used as a cover to ramp up racist anti-immigration policies and downplay homegrown antisemitism.”

ba narrative goes like this: Cuba is a racist country. Regardless of all the achievements that the Cuban revolution has in fact made on the racial issue, Cuba is still a racist country. We always use the premise that 60-odd years of Cuban revolution cannot be enough to put an end to a problem of slavery, of racism, of racial discrimination that dates back nearly 600 years. Both... the United States and Cuba have a common starting point, which is the arrival of the enslaved.”

Enslaved Africans arrived in Cuba in the 1500s and were brought to what would become the United States in the 1600s. The United States abolished slavery in 1865; in Cuba, it didn’t end until 1886.

In her own family, Pego Guerra pointed to a lineage that moved from the countryside to the city of Santiago de Cuba, where family members took on jobs as maids and servants. Her family was later able to move to Havana, where all the

children were encouraged to value their education.

Before the Castro-led revolution, some Afro Cubans worked in prostitution: they saw it as a way to survive. But once they were able to attend school, which had been reserved for privileged white people, they believed they could achieve more and live in a different society.

Cuba’s revolution created doctors, literacy programs, access to culture, and access to sports. “The idea was to eliminate all the disadvantages, all the elements that divided society, with an inclusive integral social project that eliminated poverty,” Pego Guerra said. It took time before the government realized that racial discrimination was its own unique problem that had to be solved with precise programs.

Cuba is not perfect, Pego Guerra admits there are problems in today’s Cuba, but she wants to encourage more African Americans to travel there and disregard the myths about

the island nation. Independent Afro Cuban organizations like the Red Barrial Afrodescendiente, Lo llevamos rizo, Seccion de Identidades y Diversidad en la Comunicación Social (SERES), La Cátedra Nelson Mandela, and more have sprung up in the last few years to promote their own agendas about how race is dealt with in Cuba. The ambassador insists that these are organizations African Americans can communicate with on their own. They are all independent groups that receive no government funds and can be contacted by anyone.

“They are in the communities, in Black neighborhoods, poor neighborhoods. You go there and they welcome you with open doors and they take care of you. They offer you what they have. You don’t toast with whiskey, for example, but they offer you a tea or a Cuban coffee.

They don’t treat you to a super-fancy lunch. They offer you what they have as poor, humble people.”

28 • January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Health A Black Angel brings hope to future nursing students

By SHERICA DALEY Special to the AmNews

“The biggest challenge I overcame is the ability to tell my story,” said 92-yearold Virginia Allen, the last surviving Black Angel from Sea View Hospital. She worked in the tuberculosis (TB) sanitarium at Sea View during New York’s tuberculosis outbreak, where a lung specialist developed isoniazid, the long sought-after treatment for tuberculosis.

Allen is an example of the living history featured in Maria Smilios’s bestselling novel, available on Amazon, “The Black Angels: The Untold Story of the Nurses Who Helped Cure Tuberculosis.” Smilios uncovers the story of this group of Black nurses and how they overcame the deadly TB breakout in a pre-antibiotic era. At that time, the isolated Sea View Hospital on Staten Island was one of the city’s few municipal hospitals that didn’t discriminate against Black nurses, along with Harlem, Lincoln, and Metropolitan Hospitals.

The TB sanitarium was understaffed after the majority of on-staff nurses quit to protect themselves from contracting the disease. TB was the leading cause of death in the nation in the 1940s. New York City started the Registration Law, a decree ordering doctors and nurses to report names and addresses of every person sick with TB to the Metropolitan Board of Health. After data was collected, Sea View’s TB sanitarium was created to hold more than 2,000 TB patients, and was condemned as “the pest house.”

There was a nursing shortage boroughwide in New York, caused by WWI. To win the war against TB, the city started recruiting Black nurses nationwide with the “rare opportunity” of on-the-job training and housing. One of these Black nurses was then 16-year-old Virginia Allen, who worked and lived in the nurses’ residence dormitory at Sea View from 1947 to 1957.

Allen and Smilios joined moderator Professor Heather Butts, an assistant professor at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and a contributor to the AmNews, in a discussion that explored the challenges highlighted in the book and what is being done to preserve this crucial part of African American history.

“This book was a way to preserve this almost-erased part of history,” said Smilios during her Q&A with current Columbia nursing students. Smilios explained how she is using her work to highlight an important part of history and celebrate the legacy

Virginia Allen at reception with Columbia University students and alumni. (Sherica Daley photo)

of the Black Angels. The book details their bravery and spirit in treating TB patients.

In 2015, Smilios was working as a freelance developmental editor for Springer Science+ Business Media and editing a book on rare lung diseases. She came across a line about Sea View and the creation of the cure for tuberculosis. The line led to the work of Edward Robitzek, the doctor who spearheaded the first TB drug trials with isoniazid.

Smilios reached out to Allen, and they met in a cafe in Harlem Hospital, where she listened to Allen’s powerful testimony.

Allen told Smilios there was no recorded history of the Sea View since it closed its doors in 1961.

“I was next invited into Ms. Allen’s home in Staten Island,” said Smilios. Allen lives in one of the former nurses’ residences, now

a private retirement home called Park Lane at Sea View. Her fourth-floor apartment is on the very same floor where she resided in the 1940s.

“Ms. Allen invited me over to her home numerous times, and I recorded hours of conversation for research for this book,” said Smilios. “I also contacted the son of Dr. Robtizek, John Robitzek. He would spend hours talking about his father—who he was as a person, and what he did for medicine.”

In the Q&A part of the discussion, Butts asked what came next in the story of the Black Angels. This led to the exciting announcement of an exhibition that is currently in progress at the Staten Island Museum (Snug Harbor).

The Black Angels are the basis for the exhibition, “Taking Care,” which will open for public viewing starting on Saturday,

Jan. 27, 2024, with a reception. The exhibition will display the legacy of the Black nurses at Sea View Hospital; Smilios is on the scholar advisory panel. The exhibition will feature films and art installations by artists Elissa Blount-Moorhead and Bradford Young, connecting the contributions the Black Angels made to Black healthcare.

Before ending the lecture with questions from the audience, Allen was asked if there was going to be a follow up book that she wrote. “I am 92, and lived a marvelous life!”

Allen replied. “After retiring from nursing in 1995, I moved on to working for the unions fighting for nurse’s rights, and many other jobs. I feel I could write a book in my own words, we’ll see…”

For more information about the exhibition and the opening reception, send an email to info@statenislandmuseum.org.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS H E A L T H

January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024 • 29

NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan’s 19-year-old daughter is fighting cancer

By TOM CANAVAN Associated Press The 19-year-old daughter of NFL Hall of Famer and “Good Morning America” (GMA) co-anchor Michael Strahan is undergoing treatment for brain cancer.

Isabella Strahan appeared on a prerecorded videotape segment sitting next to her father while discussing her diagnosis of medulloblastoma, a cancerous brain tumor, with GMA co-anchor Robin Roberts.

The segment was shot at the show’s studios in New York on Wednesday and aired Thursday during the broadcast of the morning news show.

Isabella Strahan said she was diagnosed in October during her freshman year at Southern Cal. She developed dizziness and headaches that grew progressively worse and, near the end of the month, woke up bleeding. Within two days, she had emergency surgery to remove a golf-ball–sized tumor at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

It was followed by four weeks of rehabilitation and several rounds of radiation treatment, which led to hair loss.

“I’m doing good. Not too bad,” Isabella

said. “I’m very excited for this whole process to wrap, but you just have to keep living every day.”

The next stage of her recovery will be chemotherapy at Duke University starting next month. Her twin sister, Sophia, attends Duke.

Isabella stopped during the interview several times to wipe tears from her eyes, particularly when she thought about going back to school and restarting that phase of her life.

“I literally think that in a lot of ways, I’m the luckiest man in the world because I got an amazing daughter and I know she’s going through it,” said her dad, the former New York Giants defensive end and Super Bowl winner. “But I know that we’re never given more than we can handle and that she is going to crush this as much as I need her. I don’t know what I would do without her.”

Strahan said the one thing he has learned the past few months is that he is not as strong as he thought and he needed support from the people around him to get through this.

Turning to Isabella, Strahan told her he loved her and said she is going to be around pestering people for years to come.

Michael Strahan, center, and his daughters Sophia Strahan, left, and Isabella Strahan arrive at the Kids’ Choice Sports Awards. Isabella, 19-year-old daughter of NFL Hall of Famer and “Good Morning America” host Michael Strahan, is under treatment for brain cancer.

(Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Cancer Straight Talk from MSK A podcast from MSK that brings together national experts and cancer patients to have straightforward, evidence-based conversations about cancer. Its mission is to educate and empower cancer patients and their family members.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

Point your smartphone camera at the QR code, and tap the link to learn more.

Find us in Harlem at the MSK Ralph Lauren Center and msk.org/RLC.

Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes, Host

30 • January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Religion & Spirituality U.S. pastors struggle with post-pandemic burnout. Survey shows half considered quitting since 2020

By PETER SMITH Associated Press Post-pandemic burnout is at worrying levels among Christian clergy in the U.S., prompting many to think about abandoning their jobs, according to a new nationwide survey.

More than 4 in 10 of clergy surveyed in fall 2023 had seriously considered leaving their congregations at least once since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began, and more than half had thought seriously of leaving the ministry, according to the survey, released Thursday by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research and conducted as part of the institute’s research project, Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations.

About a tenth of clergy report having had these thoughts often, according to the survey.

The high rates of ministers considering quitting reflects the “collective trauma” that both clergy and congregants have experienced since 2020, said Scott Thumma, institute director and principal investigator of the project.

“Everybody has experienced grief and trauma and change,” Thumma said. Many clergy members, in open-ended responses to the survey, cited dwindling attendance, declining rates of volunteering, and members’ resistance to further change.

“I am exhausted,” said one pastor quoted by the report.

“People have moved away from the area and new folks are fewer, and farther, and slower to engage.

Our regular volunteers are tired and overwhelmed.”

Some of these struggles are trends that long predated the pandemic.

Median in-person attendance has

steadily declined since the start of the century, the report said, and with fewer younger participants, the typical age of congregants is rising. After a pandemic-era spike in innovation, congregants are less willing to change, the survey said.

The reasons for clergy burnout are complex and have to be understood in larger contexts, Thumma said.

“Oftentimes, the focus of attention is just on the congregation, when in fact, we should also be thinking about these bigger-picture things,” he said. A pastor and congregants, for example, might be frustrated with each other Congregants sit in largely empty pews during service at Zion Baptist Church, April 16, 2023, in Columbia, S.C. Post-pandemic when the larger burnout is at worrying levels among Christian clergy in the U.S., prompting many to think about abandoning their jobs, according to a new nationwide survey released Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski) context is that they’re in a struggling rural town that’s losing popThose thinking of quitting the difficult to compare those num- 40 denominations, including ulation, he said: “That has an effect ministry entirely were more likely bers directly because the earlier Protestant, Catholic, and Orthoon volunteering. It has an effect on to be pastors of smaller church- surveys were measuring shorter dox bodies. aging. It has an effect on what kind es and those who work solo, com- time periods since 2020.

The survey echoes similar postof possibility you have to grow.” pared with those on larger staffs The news isn’t all grim. Most pandemic research. A 2023 Pew About a third of clergy respon- and at larger churches. clergy report good mental and Research Center found a decrease dents were considering both leavMainline Protestant clergy were physical health—although some- in those who reported at least ing their congregation and the the most likely to think of quitting, what less so if they’re thinking monthly in-person worship atministry altogether, with nearly followed by evangelical Protes- of leaving their congregations or tendance, with Black Protestant another third considering one or tants, while Catholic and Ortho- ministry—and clergy were more churches affected the most. the other. dox priests were the least likely to likely to have increased than de___ Most clergy reported conflict consider leaving. creased various spiritual practices Associated Press religion coverin their congregations, but those The percentages of clergy since the pandemic began. age receives support through the considering leaving their church- having thoughts of quitting are The results are based on a AP’s collaboration with The Cones reported it at even higher levels higher than in two previous sur- survey conducted in the fall of versation US, with funding from and also were less likely to feel veys conducted by the institute in 2023 of about 1,700 Christian the Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is close to their congregants.

2021 and spring 2023, although it’s clergy members from more than solely responsible for this content.

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Dream

Continued from page 10

a gun-free world. PERIOD!” From the stage, she could see thousands of people, many of them not too much older than her. They carried signs reading “Enough Is Enough” and “Stop Killing Us.” She went on to lead the crowd in the roaring chant, “Spread the word. Have you heard? All across the nation, we are going to be a great generation.”

Later, in an interview on CNN, Yolanda was asked what her grandfather would have thought about other current protest movements, such as “Black Lives Matter,” “Me Too,” and “DACA.” She said her grandfather would be so amazed to see all these people coming together.

It is interesting to note that with all three major TV networks at the time (ABC, CBS, and NBC) airing King’s speech, and although he was already a national figure by then, it was the first time many Americans—reportedly including President John F. Kennedy—had heard him deliver an entire speech.

Kennedy was assassinated less than three months later, but his successor, Lyndon Johnson, would go on to sign the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law, marking the most significant advances in civil rights legislation since Reconstruction.

With so many challenges confronting us today, some new, others lingering for decades, an assessment of King’s true legacy is obscured and made even more difficult to accurately define. Obviously, hate and hostility have not gone away— some might even argue that they have escalated as a national norm. From political campaigns to school board meetings, vitriol is spewed with few or no recriminations. The old admonishment, ”We can disagree without being disagreeable,” seems no longer to apply.

There is, however, one theme of King’s teachings that does bind all his accomplishments together and serves as an important “next step” in the Civil Rights Movement: to inspire people to do what’s right when they have been wronged. He taught us to draw upon the best instincts of each generation and work past the noise and distractions.

Some forget, minimize, or ignore the fact that, while his actions and protests used civil disobedience and peaceful demonstrations to get their message across, violence was ever-present. Yet, people still came together and continue to do so today.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s inspiration keeps the dream alive. Yolanda was right.

He’d be amazed at how many people— from so many different backgrounds— are tuned in and turned on to trying to make the impossible happen.

January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024 • 31

8 kids a day are accidentally killed or injured by FAMILY FIRE. FAMILY FIRE is a shooting involving an improperly stored gun, often found in the home.

ENDFAMILYFIRE.org

DON’T PLAY WITH FIRE. IF YOU SMOKED, GET SCANNED.

G e t S a v e d B y T h e S c a n . o rg

32 • January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

A global day of protests draws thousands in Washington and other the U.S Capitol in the background, demonstrators rally during March on Washington cities in pro-Palestinian marches With for Gaza at Freedom Plaza in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024

By DANICA KIRKA, FATIMA HUSSEIN, and MENELAOS HADJICOSTIS Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP)—Thousands of demonstrators converged opposite the White House on January 13 to call for an end to Israeli military action in Gaza, while children joined a proPalestinian march through central London as part of a global day of action against the longest and deadliest war between Israel and Palestinians in 75 years.

People in the U.S. capital held aloft signs questioning President Joe Biden’s viability as a presidential candidate because of his staunch support for Israel in the nearly 100-day war against Hamas. Some of the signs read “No votes for Genocide Joe,” “Biden has blood on his hands,” and “Let Gaza live.”

Vendors were also selling South African flags as protesters chanted slogans in support of the country whose accusations of genocide against Israel prompted the International Court of Justice in the Hague, Netherlands, to take up the case.

Dan Devries, a New York resident, said he attended the protest because he wants to see a free Gaza, but that he wouldn’t vote for either Biden or possible Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

“I see this war as part of the U.S.’s drive to offset its economic decline by engaging in continual war,” said Devries.

Washington resident Phil Kline held up a sign calling for Pope Francis to excommunicate Biden.

“I know he’s a devout Catholic. Maybe he will take this issue seriously when the pope removes him from the church. There’s no justification for bombing civilians,” Kline said, although he added he still intends to vote for Biden in the November elections.

Medea Benjamin, a co-founder of the anti-

Budgets Continued from page 3

on Jan. 10 to unburden the shelter system by imposing a 60-day limit on shelter stays.

Adams said they have reduced the costs associated with the migrant crisis from $12.25 billion to $10.6 billion from FY23 through FY25.

“With responsible and effective management, we have been able to provide care for asylum seekers and balance the budget— without unduly burdening New Yorkers with a penny in tax hikes or massive service reductions, and without laying off a single city worker,” said Adams.

On Jan. 12, Adams announced the restoration of $10 million in funding to public schools and $80 million in the Summer Rising program.

Funding was also restored to the NYPD for new recruits, the FDNY to maintain firefighters on payroll who are not expected to be able to return to full-duty status, and to sanitation to manage

(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

war group CodePink, told the Associated Press that the moniker “Genocide Joe” will stick with Biden for a certain segment of the community because of his handling of the war in Gaza.

“I think the Democrats are playing with fire in many ways—playing with fire in that they’re supporting a genocide in Gaza but also playing with fire in terms of their own future,” Benjamin said.

Jake and Ida Braford, a young couple from Richmond, Virginia, who brought their two small children to the protest, said they were unsure about whether to vote for Biden in November.

“We’re pretty disheartened,” Ida Braford said.

“Seeing what is happening in Gaza, and the government’s actions, makes me wonder what is our vote worth?”

The plight of children in the Gaza Strip was the focus of the latest London march, symbolized by the appearance of Little Amal, a 3.5meter (11.5-foot) puppet originally meant to highlight the suffering of Syrian refugees.

The puppet became a human rights emblem during an 8,000-kilometer (4,970-mile) journey from the Turkish-Syrian border to Manchester in July 2001.

Nearly two-thirds of the 23,843 people killed during Israel’s campaign in Gaza have been women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

Israel declared war in response to Hamas’ unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7 in which the Islamic militant group killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 250 others hostage. It was the deadliest attack in Israel’s history and the deadliest for Jews since the Holocaust.

March organizers had said the Palestinian children would accompany Little Amal through the streets of central London.

“On Saturday, Amal walks for those most vulnerable and for their bravery and resilience,”

said Amir Nizar Zuabi, artistic director of the Walk Productions. “Amal is a child and a refugee and today in Gaza, childhood is under attack, with an unfathomable number of children killed. Childhood itself is being targeted.

That’s why we walk.”

London’s Metropolitan Police force said some 1,700 officers would be on duty for the march, including many from outside the capital.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said he had been briefed by police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley about plans to “ensure order and safety” during the protest.

“I back them to use their powers to manage the protest and crack down on any criminality,” Cleverly said.

A number of conditions were placed for the march, including a directive that no participant in the protest shall venture near the Israeli Embassy.

A pro-Israel rally was set to take place in London on Sunday.

The London march was one of several others being held in European cities including Paris, Rome, Milan, and Dublin, where thousands also marched along the Irish capital’s main thoroughfare to protest Israel’s military oper-

ations in the Palestinian enclave. Protesters waved Palestinian flags; held placards critical of the Irish, U.S., and Israeli governments; and chanted “Free, free Palestine.”

In Rome, hundreds of demonstrators descended on a boulevard near the famous Colosseum, with some carrying signs reading “Stop Genocide.”

At one point during the protest, amid sound effects mimicking exploding bombs, a number of demonstrators laid down in the street and pulled white sheets over themselves as if they were corpses, while others knelt beside them, their palms daubed in red paint.

Many hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Paris’s Republic square to set off on a march calling for an immediate ceasefire, an end to the war, a lifting of the blockade on Gaza, and imposing sanctions on Israel. Marching protesters waved the Palestinian flag and held aloft placards and banners reading “From Gaza to Paris. Resistance.”

garbage. Additionally, the city’s three library systems were exempted from further budget cuts to avoid impacts to services.

New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams added in a statement that it is vital for the city and state’s budgetary investments to match the urgency of the moment with equitable funding. She said that students need more support to recover from pandemic-era learning losses and that the city needs a more comprehensive approach to the housing crisis. She had similar sentiments about more funding for people seeking asylum and for boosting investment in the longterm health for New Yorkers.

Of course, immigrant advocate groups criticized the city and state for their budgets.

CARE for Immigrant Families said the state needs at least another $150 million added to the allocated $88 million for immigration legal services and to pass the Access to Representation Act (ARA), which is the right to legal representation in immigration cases. New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) Executive Di-

rector Murad Awawdeh commended Hochul’s budget but agreed that more funding for immigration legal services is needed to help people change their immigration status and attain work authorizations.

“Governor Hochul’s State of the State made scant mention of immigrant New Yorkers. But this FY25 budget proposal makes clear that even the Governor believes immigrants are key to New York’s economy, population growth, and future success,” said Awawdeh in a statement.

In contrast, Awawdeh said that Adams’s preliminary budget seemed like more of an “attempt” to boost his polling numbers than anything else. And he pointed out that Adams’s budget didn’t reflect the state’s allocations for immigration since it was released on the same day.

“According to the Mayor, this reversal of budget cuts from November was due to increased revenues, downward adjusted census projections for new arrivals, and anticipated cost-savings from things like renegotiating contracts with expensive no-bid shelter operators

and moving some social service delivery to nonprofit groups—both of which were solutions proposed by organizations like ours for the past year,” said Awawdeh. “It’s nice to see the Mayor seize on good ideas and make them his own. But it would have been better if he had co-opted another good idea: expanding access to housing vouchers to New Yorkers regardless of immigration status, saving the City $3 billion while getting people out of shelters and on the road to stability and independence.”

Awawdeh added that Adams’s “failure” to take responsibility for issuing 30- and 60-day shelter leave notices to immigrant families and children is harmful.

Kirka and Hadjicostis reported from London.

Associated Press TV producer Francesco Sportelli in Rome and AP writer John Leicester in Paris contributed to this report.

Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about politics for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https:// bit.ly/amnews1.

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January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024 • 33

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100 101 PUBLIC LEGAL NOTICES NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE, Supreme Court – New York County, Board Of Managers Of Morningside Parc Condominium, Plaintiff v. Jacqueline E. Pugh a/k/a Jacqueline De Veaux, et al., Defendants, Index #156822/2022. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on September 18, 2023, I will sell at Public Auction to the highest bidder in Room 130 of New York County Supreme Court, 60 Centre Street, New York, New York 10013, on January 31, 2024 at 2:15 PM of that day, the premises known as Unit 4E in the building located at 370 West 118th Street, New York, New York 10026, Block 1944 Lot 1120. The Unit is a one-bedroom apartment that is approximately 674 square feet. Approximate amount of Judgment is $63,127.14 plus interest, common charges, assessments, late fees accrued from March 1, 2023 to the date of sale of the Premises plus plaintiff’s attorneys’ fees and expenses allowed by the Court. Premises will be sold subject to: (a) provisions of Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered September 18, 2023; and (b) the terms of sale.

ALLISON FURMAN, ESQ., Referee. Attorney for Plaintiff: ANNA GUILIANO, BORAH, GOLDSTEIN, ALTSCHULER, NAHINS & GOIDEL, P.C., 377 Broadway, New York, New York 10013, (212) 431-1300 Ext. 628.

BARBO 906, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/05/23.

Office: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 165 West 73rd Street, New York, NY 10023. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

BARBO 908, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/05/23.

Office: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 165 West 73rd Street, New York, NY 10023. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice is hereby given that a license, serial #NA-0267-23152971 for beer & wine has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer & wine at retail in a cafe under the ABC Law at 1378 Lexington Ave., NYC 10128 for on-premises consumption; NTH NY Corp.

Notice is hereby given that a license, serial #NA-0340-23152208 for beer, wine & liquor has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer, wine & liquor at retail in a restaurant under the ABC Law at 485 Columbus Ave., NYC 10024 for on-premises consumption; Cilantro NYC LLC

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK MASPETH FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff -against- CALIMERO, LTD., et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated August 23, 2023 and entered on October 6, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on February 14, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the City, County and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the southerly side of 84th Street, distant 123 feet easterly from the southeasterly corner of Avenue A and 84th Street; being a plot 102 feet 2 inches by 25 feet by 102 feet 2 inches by 25 feet. Section: 5 Block: 1580 Lot: 47. Said premises known as 504 EAST 84TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY. Approximate amount of lien $716,258.71 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.

Index Number 850247/2022.

SCOTT SILLER, ESQ., Referee MASONE, WHITE, PENKAVA & CRISTOFARI Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 69-34 GRAND AVENUE, P.O. BOX 780569, MASPETH, NY 11378 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK HILTON RESORTS CORPORATION, Plaintiff, -against- MARCO ARTURO DEJESUS LAGUNES RUEDA, BEATRIZ SANSORES GARCIA, if living, and if he be dead, any and all persons unknown to Plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs-at-law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs-at-law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to Plaintiff, Defendants.

INDEX NO.: 850082/2013 FILED: 12/15/23 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the Plaintiff's attorney within 20 days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service or within 30 days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant an Order of the Hon. Francis A. Kahn III, a Justiceof the Supreme Court, of New York County, dated December 5, 2023 and entered December 7, 2023. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT: THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Timeshare Mortgage in the amount of $32,435.00, recorded in New York County Clerk's Office on August 9, 2011 in CRFN: 2011000280522 of Mortgages covering the .009864% undivided tenant in common interest of the Timeshare Unit which comprises a portion of the premises known as 102 WEST 57th STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019-3302. The relief sought in the within action is a final Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale directing the sale of the .009864% undivided tenant in common interest of the Timeshare Unit which comprises a portion of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage. New York County is designated as the place of trial on the basis of the fact that the real property affected by this action is located wholly within said County. Dated: October 31, 2013, Westbury, New York. Maria Sideris, Esq., DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC, Attorneys for Plaintiff, 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, New York 11590, (516) 876-0800. WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE 425 FIFTH AVENUE CONDOMINIUM, Plaintiffs -against- UNITED ENTERPRISES INTERNATIONAL INC., et al. Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated September 5, 2023 and entered on September 8, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY 10007, on Wednesday on January 31, 2024 at 2:15 pm premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York; known and designated as Block 868 Lot 1547. Said premises known as 425 FIFTH AVENUE, UNIT 25-C, NEW YORK, NY. Approximate amount of lien $46,778.62, through July 1, 2023, plus interest fees & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.

Index Number 656892/2021.

ROBERTA ASHKIN, ESQ., Referee Seyfarth Shaw LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiffs 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10018

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SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK HNY CLUB SUITES OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC., BY AND THROUGH ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Plaintiff, -against- UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF MYRNA D. WILLIAMS, if living, and if he be dead, any and all persons unknown to Plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs-at-law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs-at-law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to Plaintiff, Defendants. INDEX NO. 850107/2023 FILED:12/15/23 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the Plaintiff's attorney within 20 days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service or within 30 days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant an Order of the Hon. Francis A. Kahn III, a Justiceof the Supreme Court, of New York County, dated December 6, 2023 and entered December 6, 2023. Dated: December 5, 2023, Westbury, New York. Maria Sideris, Esq., DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC, Attorneys for Plaintiff, 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, New York 11590, (516) 876-0800 NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT – NEW YORK COUNTY – WEST 45TH RETAIL LLC, Plaintiff v. ALANDALOUS PROPERTIES CORP. f/k/a PEOPLES FOREIGN EXCHANGE CORPORATION, et al., Defendants. Pursuant to an Amended Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision and Order on Motion entered on September 29, 2023 (the “Judgment”), I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder in Room 130 of the New York County Supreme Court, 60 Centre Street, New York, New York, on February 14, 2024 at 2:15 p.m., the premises known as 24 West 45th Street, Unit C-1, New York, New York. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in New York County and State of New York: Block 1260, Lot 1001, as more particularly described in the Judgment. Approximate amount of Judgment is $1,632,632.61, plus additional interest and fees. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of Judgment and Terms of Sale.

Index #850207/2021. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 1st Judicial District's Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules.

Elaine Shay, Esq., Referee.

Andriola Law, PLLC, 1385 Broadway, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10018, Attorneys for Plaintiff Deborah's Beauty Spa, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/08/2023. Office: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 115 W. 142 St., Apt 6B, NY, NY 10030. Purpose: Any lawful act.

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK. THE BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE 812 RIVERSIDE CONDOMINIUM, SUING ON BEHALF OF THE UNIT OWNERS, Plaintiff -against- SOSEFIN MALINOWSKI, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated September 11, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on February 14, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, known as Condominium Unit No. 41 in the premises known as “The 812 Riverside Condominium”, together with an undivided 4.4133% interest in the common elements. Block 2136 Lot 1021. Said premises known as 812 RIVERSIDE DRIVE, UNIT 41, NEW YORK, NY 10031. Approximate amount of lien $55,372.43 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.

Index Number 151675/2022.

SCOTT H. SILLER, ESQ., Referee. Kagan Lubic Lepper Finkelstein & Gold, LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff. 200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016.

NOTICE is hereby given that a license, number 1345690 for liquor, wine, beer & cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, wine, beer & cider at retail in a restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 28-02 21st Street, Astoria, NY 11102, Queens County for on premises consumption. SNN FOOD CORP d/b/a Astoria Taco Factory

34 • January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024

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THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

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SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. KRISTINE M. GLEIN and DARYL P. GLEIN, Defts. Index # 850273/2022. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated October 23, 2023, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the NY County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, NY, NY on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 0.00986400000% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as 57th STREET VACATION SUITES located at 102 West 57th Street, New York, New York. Approximate amount of judgment is $32,039.15 plus costs and interest as of February 24, 2023. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Mark McKew, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. BARBARA G. HAMMERMAN, RAYMOND A. LAVINE, AMANDA G. HAMMERMAN, Defts. - Index # 850274/2022. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated November 27, 2023, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the NY County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, NY, NY on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 9,000/28,402,100 tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as HNY CLUB SUITES located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York. Approximate amount of judgment is $36,363.83 plus costs and interest as of February 24, 2023. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Christy M. Demelfi, Esq., Referee.

Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

CREEK CAPITAL, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/8/2023. Office: NY County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: 180 WATER ST APT 810, NEW YORK, NY 10038. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of GATES MILLS VILLA PRESERVATION GP, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/19/23. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK. THE BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE 251 CONDOMINIUM, SUING ON BEHALF OF THE UNIT OWNERS, Plaintiff -against- W89D5 LLC C/O NYLLLCO, LLC, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated September 6, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on February 7, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York, known as Unit No. 5D in the building known as “The 251 Condominium”, together with an undivided 1.5389% interest in the common elements. Block: 1237 Lot: 1040. Said premises known as 251 WEST 89TH STREET, UNIT 5D, NEW YORK, NY 10024. Approximate amount of lien $109,588.28 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.

Index Number 150779/2022.

CLARK A. WHITSETT, ESQ., Referee Kagan Lubic Lepper Finkelstein & Gold, LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. MONIQUE DUNCAN, Deft. - Index # 850425/2023. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated October 23, 2023, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the NY County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, NY, NY on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 0.1505136467542480% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as HNY CLUB SUITES located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York. Approximate amount of judgment is $65,658.34 plus costs and interest as of August 25, 2023. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Tom Kleinberger, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. BRIAN P. MOORE, DESIREE L. MOORE, NYC TRANSIT ADJUDICATION BUREAU, Defts. - Index # 850063/2023. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated August 24, 2023, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the NY County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, NY, NY on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 0.0519144314871446% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as HNY CLUB SUITES located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York. Approximate amount of judgment is $63,724.79 plus costs and interest as of March 29, 2023. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Jeffrey R. Miller, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY. SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. COLIN MILL and ERICA LYNN RANCE MILL, Defts. - Index # 850272/2022. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated September 28, 2023, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the NY County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, NY, NY on Thursday, February 1, 2024, at 2:15 pm, an interest of two undivided 0.0519144314871446% and 0.0135990382819495% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as HNY CLUB SUITES located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York. Approximate amount of judgment is $111,378.55 plus costs and interest as of March 29, 2023. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Mark McKew, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY. SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. DAVID GEORGE JOHNSON, NYC DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU, NYC ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD, Defts. - Index # 850064/2023. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated August 24, 2023, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the NY County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, NY, NY on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 0.00493200000% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as 57th STREET VACATION SUITES located at 102 West 57th Street, New York, New York. Approximate amount of judgment is $17,586.29 plus costs and interest as of March 29, 2023. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Jeffrey R. Miller, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY. SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK THE COLUMBIA CONDOMINIUM BY ITS BOARD OF MANAGERS, Plaintiff -against- IR 96TH ST HOLDING LLC, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated September 28, 2023 and entered on October 2, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on February 14, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, known as Unit No. 25F in the premises known as "The Columbia Condominium" together with an undivided 0.002716% interest in the common elements. Section 7 Block 1868 and Lot 1240.

Said premises known as 275 WEST 96TH STREET, APT. 25F, NEW YORK, NY. Approximate amount of lien $96,753.84 plus attorneys fees and costs as awarded in the judgment, along with interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.

Index Number 154633/2021.

ALLISON M. FURMAN, ESQ., Referee Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 444 Madison Ave., 6th Floor, New York, NY 10022

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SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. BOBBY D. PAYNE, JR. FREDERIKKA T. PAYNE, Defts. - Index # 850203/2021. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated September 6, 2023, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the NY County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, NY, NY on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 0.00986400000% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as 57th STREET VACATION SUITES located at 102 West 57th Street, New York, New York.

Approximate amount of judgment is $39,520.59 plus costs and interest as of May 18, 2023. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Christy M. Demelfi, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY. Notice of Qualification of MONACO RE LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/03/24. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 11/30/23.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Ilyse Dolgenas, Esq., Withers Bergman LLP, 430 Park Ave., 10th Fl., NY, NY 10022. DE addr. of LLC: c/o Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of the State, Div. of Corps., John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St. - Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NIROLA GOLF LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/14/2023. Office: NY County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail copy to: UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC., 7014 13TH AVENUE, SUITE 202, BROOKLYN, NY, 11228. Purpose: To teach golf or to engage in any lawful act.

Notice of Qualification of SOLTEC SOLAR CONSTRUCTION, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/26/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 11/29/23.

Princ. office of LLC: 6100 Waterford District Dr., Ste. 3700, Miami, FL 33126. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543, regd. agent upon whom and at which process may be served. DE addr. of LLC: CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 3, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of GATES MILLS VILLA PRESERVATION, L.P. Cert. of LP filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/19/23. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LP: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. Latest date on which the LP may dissolve is 12/31/2122.

SSNY designated as agent of LP upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Name and addr. of each general partner are available from SSNY. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of SUGAR FOODS LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/01/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 09/18/23.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of 40 MADISON HOLDINGS, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/20/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/23/23. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 140 E. 45th St., 43rd Fl., NY, NY 10017. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 820 N. French St., 10th Fl., Wilmington, DE 19801. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of TET FIFTH AVENUE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/05/23. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 6400 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22182. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: To own and hold real estate investments.

Bronx Creative Crafts LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/23/2023. Office: Bronx County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: United States Corporation Agents, Inc., 7014 13th Ave., Ste. 202, Bklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Shirty Words LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/04/2023. Office: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 28 E. 21st St, #1A, NY, NY 10010.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Studio Unfurl LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/16/2023. Office: NY County.

SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: Karen Wertheim, 44 W. 62nd St., Apt 15B, NY, NY 10023. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Notice of Qualification of STANDARD POWER HOSTING ULTRA COMPANY LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/14/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 12/12/23. Princ. office of LLC: 551 Madison Ave., Ste. 450, NY, NY 10022. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Jeffrey W. Bullock, DE Secy. of State, DE Div. of Corps., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of TRIPLE P SECURITIES, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/18/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 08/31/22. Princ. office of LLC: 640 Fifth Ave., 10th Fl., NY, NY 10019. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543.

DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808.

Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of CityCom Health, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/04/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/20/23.

Princ. office of LLC: 520 Broad St., Newark, NJ 07102. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: To sell ACA approved health plans.

Notice of Qualification of ECLAIR PARTNERS (GP) I, L.L.C. Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/15/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 12/01/23. Princ. office of LLC: 353 W. End Ave., Apt. 1, NY, NY 10024. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secy. of State - State of DE, Div. of Corps. - John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901.

Purpose: Investment management.

Notice of Qualification of BOSTON CHILDREN'S HEALTH NATIONAL, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/21/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Massachusetts (MA) on 08/09/23. Princ. office of LLC and MA addr.: 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of the Commonwealth of MA, One Ashburton Place, Rm. 1717, Boston, MA 02115. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of CROW HOLDINGS RENEWABLES GP, L.L.C. Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/18/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 02/07/23. Princ. office of LLC: 3819 Maple Ave., Dallas, TX 75219. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wimington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, Div. of Corps., PO Box 898, Dover, DE 19901.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

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Notice of Qualification of SIG RCRS D MF 2023 VENTURE LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/22/23. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 12/04/23. Princ. office of LLC: 220 E. 42nd St., 16 Fl., NY, NY 10017. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Dewy Dawn LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/16/2023. Office: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to: 89 Jewel St, Brooklyn, NY 11222.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of BSP SUMMER GP L.L.C. Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/06/23.

Office location: NY County.

LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 07/25/23. Princ. office of LLC: 345 Park Ave., NY, NY 10154. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. DE addr. of LLC: CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, Div. of Corps., John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St. - Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

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36 • January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Wrongful convictions

(05-03-22) NYS Senator Zellnor Myrie speaks at a press conference at Million Dollar Staircase, Capitol, Albany, NY (Photo courtesy of NYS Senate Media Services)

Continued from page 6

Despite the 2018 Court of Appeals decision preventing her from challenging her conviction with evidence proving she was innocent, an appellate court later ruled she could vacate her plea due to her first attorney failing to provide the child’s biopsy and expert testimony to inform her decision before pleading guilty. But Tiger risked prison time if she moved forward with a new trial. She says it was a no-brainer. This past August, all charges were dropped.

Tiger once believed “when people are exonerated, that is it.” Not anymore. She’s still figuring things out, although she knows she wants to return to nursing. Yet apprehension remains with how easily doing her job mutated into a wrongful conviction.

“I do want to get my license back, especially the way it was taken from me,” said Tiger. “I’m taking it day by day. I want to, but there’s a fear.”

Can’t change a Tiger’s stripes through CPL 440 The Challenging Wrongful Convictions would overrule the Tiger decision by amending Article 440 of the New York Criminal Procedural Law (CPL 440). Motions brought under it challenge a conviction or sentence’s legality. But avenues to exoneration on the basis of innocence currently provided by CPL 440 are reserved for people

convicted at trial due to the Tiger ruling and exclude those who plead guilty—the overwhelming majority of defendants. Yet the article clearly acknowledges the possibility of innocent people pleading guilty, because it specifically allows them to challenge their conviction with forensic DNA evidence.

When interpreting CPL 440 plainly, those who plead guilty can only challenge wrongful convictions on the basis of innocence if their exonerating evidence comes from DNA testing. Such a decision effectively kills most direct claims to innocence on procedural grounds long before the criminal justice legal system can determine their credibility.

In lieu of a 440 motion, wrongful convictions stemming from a guilty plea can be challenged through fledgling conviction integrity units. They’re usually led by prosecutors and operated out of a district attorney’s office. Most notably, Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg’s Post-Conviction Justice Unit helped clear Steve Lopez—the Exonerated Five’s co-defendant who spoke to the AmNews for the second part of this story.

While these prosecutor-led solutions often pose as small-scale, viable alternatives to 440 motions, the units are few and far between outside of New York City. According to VlOCAL-NY, 53 of the 62 counties do not have a conviction integrity unit.

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Of the nine that do, only two are outside of New York City and Long Island.

“There are people who are out there that have pled guilty, despite being innocent,” said Lopez’s lawyer Eric Renfroe. “I appreciate what Alvin Bragg did, in vacating Steve’s conviction…but if people have the evidence, we shouldn’t have to wait for that action. There should be another avenue be-

sides the grace of district attorneys.”

Tandy Lau is a Report for America corps member who writes about public safety for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1.

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January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024 • 37

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS S P O R T S

After a 4-1 start, St John’s drops two straight Big East games

By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews

of the first half (24-24) to 16:03 of the second half (52-27), when Glen Taylor hit a 3-pointer to finally break the drought.

Saturday’s game at Creighton was an opportunity for St. John’s to gain a signature win to put on their resume looking ahead to March when the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee selects the 36 best teams not otherwise automatic qualifiers for their conference to fill the at-large berths.

But they fell short after holding a 56-47 advantage with a little over nine minutes remaining in the game. Senior center Joel Soriano led the team with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Jenkins was the only other player in double figures, adding 11 points, but was only 5-17 from the field.

Pitino responded bluntly when asked if he felt good about his group playing Creighton down to the wire in a tough road environment.

“No, I don’t feel good when we lose, I f**king hate the world,” he said before apologizing for the expletive. “I’ve never felt goodwill in a loss. So I don’t feel good. I don’t believe in those valiant efforts on the road.”

From left to right St. John’s players Daniss Jenkins, Joel Soriano, and head coach Rick Pitino. (St. John’s Athletics photo)

The St. John’s Red Storm faced Seton Hall on Tuesday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, coming off of a gut-wrenching 66-65 road loss to No. 22 ranked Creighton on Saturday. The Red Storm had two last-second attempts for the win versus the Bulldogs but couldn’t convert either.

With head coach Rick Pitino sidelined recovering from COVID-19, associate head coach Steve Masiello led St. John’s against the Pirates. Unlike Saturday’s defeat, the Red Storm weren’t in contention in the closing minutes as Seton Hall won comfortably 80-65. After starting 4-1 in Big East play, unranked St. John’s is now 4-3 and fifth in the conference. They are 12-6 overall and will take on No. 17 Marquette, which is 12-5 and sixth in the Big East at 3-3, at Madison Square Garden this Saturday (12 p.m.).

Seton Hall (13-5, 6-1), coached by Shaheen Holloway, now in his second season at the helm, leads the Big East standings

and is on the cusp of breaking into the top 25 national rankings.

Senior guard Daniss Jenkins, who played for Pitino last year at Iona before both came to St. John’s, scored a teamhigh 17 points for the Red Storm versus the Pirates while Bronx native Dylan Ad-

dae-Wusu, a 6-4 guard who played the past three seasons for the Red Storm before transferring, paced the Seton Hall with 16. St. John’s shot just 25-61 (41%) from the field, including 7-21 on 3-pointers (33%). The Red Storm allowed Seton Hall to score 28 straight points from 4:33

Seton Hall makes a push to crack the top 25

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor Seton Hall sent a message to St. John’s on Tuesday night that while the Red Storm may be on the come up under first year Hall of Fame head coach Rick Pitino, their own head coach, Shaheen Holloway, is determined in his mission to elevate the Pirates to national prominence.

After piloting Saint Peter’s extraordinary 2022 postseason run, in which the Peacocks became the first No. 15 seed in NCAA’s men’s Division I tournament history to reach the Elite Eight, Holloway returned to coach his alma mater, where he was a three-time All Big East selection from 1996 to 2000.

Twenty-four years later, the Queens native has the Pirates sitting atop the Big East standings at 6-1 after a decisive 80-65 victory over St. John’s Tuesday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The loss dropped the Red Storm to fifth in the Big East at 4-3 and 12-6 in total.

East Player of the Week for the second straight week after averaging 22 points, 10 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.5 steals in a January 9, 74-70 Seton Hall win over Georgetown, and a 78-72 victory against Butler last Saturday, both on the road.

Richmond began his collegiate journey at Syracuse in 2020 before transferring to the South Orange, New Jersey campus. This is the senior’s third season playing for the Pirates and he has emerged as one of the best guards in college basketball.

In the MAAC, Saint Peter’s is in first place at 5-0 and 9-5 in all games, Iona has fallen in the post-Rick Pitino era after winning the conference and tournament championships last season. They are 7-9 overall and 2-3 in the MAAC. Manhattan is 1-5 and 4-11 on the season.

Seton Hall is 13-5 overall, in- Fox Sports 1) at the Prudential and 10-10 in the Big East last Fordham, playing in the Atlancluding 9-1 in home games, and Center would lift them into one season is former South Shore tic 10 Conference, was 8-8 and 2-1 on the precipice of entering the of the nation’s top spots.

High School star Kadary Rich- in the conference before taking top 25. A victory over No. 18 Spearheading the resurgence mond. On Monday, the Brook- on Davidson at home last night Creighton on Saturday (12 p.m., for a team that finished 17-15 lyn product was named the Big (Wednesday).

On Monday, Seton Hall senior guard Kadary Richmond was named the Big East Conference Player of the Week. (Seton Hall Athletics photo)

38 • January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS S P O R T S

CJ Stroud sets out to topple Lamar Jackson and the Ravens Rookie quarterback sensation CJ Stroud will be at the forefront of a Houston Texans team endeavoring to upset the Baltimore Ravens on the road this Saturday.

(Wikipedia, https://commons. wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:CJ_Stroud_ NFL_Combine_ (cropped).png)

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been the best offensive player in the NFL this season and will assuredly win his second MVP award when it is announced on February 10 in Las Vegas, the night before the Super Bowl is played in the glittery Nevada city.

Jackson, 27, the 2019 MVP, two-time First team All-Pro (2019, 2023) and 2016 Heisman Trophy winner, is aspiring to add the most meaningful accomplishment of his still budding yet already illustrious career: Super Bowl champion. The Ravens are the American Foot-

ball Conference’s No. 1 seed after attaining the best regular season record in the entire league at 13-4.

However, they will have to get past a player who is similar to Jackson and is already being characterized as a superstar.

Houston Texans quarterback Coleridge Bernard “CJ”' Stroud IV., commonly known as CJ, has lifted a franchise that was in disarray just one season ago and propelled them into a legitimate championship contender.

The hiring of first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans and the drafting of Stroud with the No. 2 overall pick last April has been transformative for the Texans, who ended last season with the second worst record in the NFL at 3-13-1. Twelve months later, winners of the AFC South division title at 10-7, they improbably find themselves in a second round divisional playoff match up with the Ravens this Saturday (4:30 p.m., ESPN, ABC) in Baltimore.

The 22-year-old Stroud, a native of Rancho Cucamonga, California, who played 28 games with 25 starts in three

seasons at Ohio State, has been sensational in his rookie campaign. In 15 games (he missed two due to concussion), the 6’3”, 220-pounder threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions.

His backstory and how he has evolved into arguably the most promising young QB in the sport is remarkable. Stroud is the youngest of four children. When he was a 13-year-old middle school student, his father, Coleridge Bernard Stroud III, a former pastor for Life Application Christian Center in Rancho Cucamonga pled guilty to a slew of felonies and is serving a sentence of 38-years-to-life in prison under California’s three-strikes law for robbery, carjacking and kidnapping relating to his battle with drug addiction. He won't be eligible for parole until he is 74.

Stroud, his mother Kimberly, and his older siblings battled adversity for many years following his father’s imprisonment but persevered. Today, CJ is a humble provider to those who helped him through immeasurable trials and tribulations.

Women’s professional hockey league launches in the U.S. and Canada

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews The first puck dropped on New Year’s Day and the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is now alive and skating in the U.S. and Canada. Six teams are part of this inaugural season—three based in the U.S. and three with their home ice in Canada. Regular season will go until early May followed by playoffs.

This is not the first attempt at a women’s professional hockey league. While these leagues had the best players, they were not comparable to other professional leagues, said Jayna Hefford, PWHL senior vice president of hockey operations, who played in three of the defunct leagues. The planning and financing behind the PWHL are targeted to make this a success.

“From the top, we have folks that are willing to make the necessary large commitment financially to make this work,” said Hefford, a four-time Olympic gold medalist for Team Canada. “They come with a lot of professional sport experience. … We have the ownership group that’s going to make sure this is a successful, long-term, permanent league for women to be part of.”

The six teams are Boston, Minnesota, Montreal, New York (plays in Connecticut and Long Island), Ottawa and Toronto. There are several Black players, including Sophie Jaques, a defenseman who led Ohio State University to its firstever NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey Champi-

Former Ohio State standout Sophie Jaques, now playing for PWHL Boston. (Ohio State Athletics photo)

onship, who plays for PWHL Boston.

While Canada is perhaps more passionate about hockey than the U.S., Hefford noted that some of the PWHL’s biggest stars are American. “It’s a heavy lift to start a professional league and to make sure it’s successful, but it was a priority for us all along to have teams in the United States,” said Hefford. “Our vision for this is something truly significant.

… When you look at the WNBA and the NWSL, those are leagues that we aspire to stand alongside.”

Players in the PWHL won’t only be from the U.S. and Canada. While those two countries have dominated the top two steps of the Olympic podium since the sport’s debut in 1998, there are other countries, such as Sweden and Finland, with excellent players. Hefford hopes

this will help grow the women’s game.

All PWHL games are available on the league’s YouTube channel. In the New York area, games are also broadcast on MSG Network.

Hefford said not enough people have seen women’s hockey at the highest level, and when they do, they’ll love it. “We want to show them what the best of women’s hockey looks like.”

January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024 • 39

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS S P O R T S

Hampton’s track & field team learns about the sport’s roots in NYC

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

Members of Hampton University track and field team at New-York Historical Society. (Lois Elfman photos)

Hampton’s coaching staff with student-athletes.

The day before the HBCU Showcase track and field meet at the Armory, student-athletes from Hampton University got to see a bit of New York City, including a visit to the New-York Historical Society, where they saw the “Running for Civil Rights” exhibit. The exhibit details the work of two African American track and field innovators: Ted Corbitt, the first Black athlete to represent the U.S. in the Olympic marathon, and Joseph Yancey, a cofounder of the interracial New York Pioneer Club in Harlem.

“We wanted to show the really rich tradition of track and running here in the city and the larger impact that it’s had on folks, the nation, and the world around us,” said Allison Robinson, co-curator of the exhibit, which opened in October and runs until February 25.

While the focus is on New York City, there are mentions of other activism in the track world during the decades covered (1936–’76).

Robinson said she hopes the Hampton student-athletes were in-

spired by seeing what came before them and the positive impact of sport. “They can carry that forward,” she said. “It’s important that people understand how much running has had an important place in both the Black community here in New York City and as a sport that brings people together across races.

It unites people.”

The Hampton Pirates in atten-

segregation while also bringing people together—that’s what track is,” she said.

Assistant coach Eric Smalls had heard about Yancey and Corbitt, and was pleased to learn more about them. He was also excited for the Hampton student-athletes to compete at the HBCU Showcase. “It’s always great when you can get a group of HBCUs in a

dance were both moved and impressed by the exhibit, particularly learning of Corbitt’s role in meticulously planning the five-borough route of the New York City Marathon. Nya Harmon, a thrower and a chemical engineering /material science major and pharmacy minor, said the exhibit made her appreciate the work others put in so she could compete. “To defeat

competition together. We’re always a family when we’re around each other,” he said.

Maurice Pierce, Hampton’s director of track & field, said the exhibit showed the student-athletes the importance of learning the sport’s history, particularly distance running. “Anytime we travel, we try to get some education out of it,” he said.

Skaters aim to make history at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews The 2024 U.S. Figure Skating Championships will take place next week in Columbus, Ohio.

Among the competitors are five Black skaters hoping to make their mark on the sport and even grab a piece of history.

The novice ice dance field includes Anaelle Kouevi and Yann Homawoo, who, should they win, will be the first Black team to garner a national ice dance title.

Regardless of placement, Joel Savary, founder of Diversify Ice Foundation, hopes that Kouevi and Homawoo will become Diversify Ice ambassadors.

Junior ice dancer Kristina Bland, who skates with fellow University of Michigan student Matthew Sperry, hopes to be the first Black ice dancer to earn a medal in the junior ice dance event since 1993. Bland recently joined Alpha Kappa Alpha (one of the Divine Nine Black sororities and fraternities). Already balancing school and skating, it took extra effort to make time to join the sorority, but

They have received good technical scores and are now honing their interpretation and presentation.

“We’ve been pushing hard in the components—(artistry), skating skills areas,” he said.

Senior women’s competitor Starr Andrews, who became the first African American woman since Debi Thomas in 1988 to earn a spot on the podium last year, is looking for another medal. Savary said it’s exciting that Andrews will skate to Beyoncé’s music for her short program.

In senior pairs, Mark Sadusky, a Diversify Ice ambassador, is seeking a podium finish with partner Nica Digerness and a spot on the U.S. team for the World Championships.

Savary is eagerly looking forward to seeing these competitors perform. “[In] skating, I think the landscape is changing,” said Savary. “Throughout the various ranks, we’re seeing more skaters she was inspired by the service ing at homeless shelters and food [this semester] and giving back to of diverse backgrounds entercomponent. pantries was really fulfilling. It put the community.” ing the qualifying events. That is “As I crossed last semester right me in a good spirit for the holiSperry said he and Bland are going to create a point where we before break, we did have 12 days day season. I’m looking forward looking forward to reaching their will start to see more diversity at of service,” Bland said. “Volunteer- to doing a lot more service events peak at the U.S. Championships. the championship level.”

Senior pair team Nica Digerness and Mark Sadusky.

(Photo courtesy of Mark Sadusky)

Junior ice dancers Kristina Bland and Matthew Sperry. (Jordan Cowan photo)

40 • January 18, 2024 - January 24, 2024

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Sports The Nets labor to find wins and dip in the standings

By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews

ed the game slow. So that’s where we were playing from behind. Even when we played them when I played when we came back from the big deficit, we started off slow, they got up big, and then this game, it was the third quarter.

“We started off slow in the third quarter. [Miami] got their rhythm, getting to the line, making threes, getting open threes. So probably say the way we start quarters, I’d probably say the first and third quarters.

Thomas also said his two consecutive 20-plus point efforts off the bench, 26 versus the Cavaliers and 23 against the Heat, is not an indication he feels more comfortable coming off of the bench.

As for Simmons, he spoke with the media in Paris and addressed his back injury. “It’s good, I’m getting there,” he said. “Progressing every day. I’ll be back soon.”

Brooklyn closes out a three-game west coast road trip against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, before returning to Barclays Center to host the New York Knicks on January 23. Vaughn said that Simmons will travel with the team.

Nets forward Royce O’Neale tries to dribble around a screen while head coach Jacque Vaughn attempts to rally his team in the midst of a tough stretch (Bill Moore photos)

After a gutsy road win over the Phoenix Suns on December 13, the Brooklyn Nets were a respectable 13-10 a little over a quarter of the way through the 2023-2024 NBA season, with three-time NBA All-Star point guard Ben Simmons only playing in six of those games.

Since then, the team has won only three of their past 16 games and only one of their last nine heading into last night’s (Wednesday) road matchup with the Portland Trailblazers after a tough overtime 96-95 loss to the Miami Heat at Barclays Center on MLK Day. They headed into last night’s game with a record of 16-23.

And Simmons still has not returned to the court as he recovers from a nerve impingement in his back. His last game played was on November 6 against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Nets dominated defensively early against Miami, allowing only 31 points in the first half, and led 47-31 with 10:50 in the third quarter. But scoring from the starting lineup continued to be subpar, with four of the five

starters combining for just 23 points. Questionable decisions in the final minutes of regulation and overtime led to the disheartening loss. Mikal Bridges scored a team-high 26 points, while Cam Thomas and Royce O’Neal, with 23 and 15 respectively, were the only other Nets players in double figures.

Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn made the decision to move shooting guard Thomas, at the time the team’s leading scorer, to the bench in a sixth-man role on December 29,

citing a lack of size in the starting lineup, inserting undersized power forward Dorian Finney-Smith into the lineup.

In a 111-102 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers last Thursday in Paris, France, fourtime NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell outscored the Nets starters 45 to 44.

After Monday’s defeat, Thomas detailed some of the Nets' issues.

“I’d probably say how we start,” he said.

“Like in Cleveland, like in Paris, we start-

The Knicks look to maximize a heavy home schedule JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor When the Knicks hosted the Houston Rockets last night (Wednesday) at Madison Square Garden, it was only their 17th home game this season while having played 24 on their road. They were 11-5 at MSG and 12-12 in opponents’ arenas.

Going into their game versus the Rockets, which were 19-20 and losers of four of their previous five games, the Knicks were 23-17 and had an identical record as the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference. They were coming off of a 98-94 defeat to the Orlando Magic playing on MLK Day this past Monday. It was just the Knicks’ 15th game at the Garden this season, the least amount of home games for any of the NBA’s 30 teams.

However, beginning with the Washington Wizards tonight, they will be in their own building for nine of their next 12 games. It is a favorable stretch for the Knicks to better position themselves in the playoff race with 42 regular season games remaining.

They let a potential win against Orlando slip away playing without starting point guard Jalen Brunson, who was sidelined for the second straight game with a

Miles “Deuce” McBride is thriving in his new role as the Knicks primary backup point guard to starter Jalen Brunson (Bill Moore photo)

bruised left calf. The Knicks led the Magic 78-73 after three quarters but were outscored 25-16 in the fourth. Brunson also did not play in the Knicks’ 106-94 win over the Grizzlies in Memphis on Saturday. He is the team’s leader in points per game (25.8) and assists (6.4).

“It’s more difficult [without him],” Knicks guard/forward Josh Hart said on Monday of Brunson’s absence, “and he’s someone who can control the pace of the game so obviously that’s difficult to replace and when he’s out we have to figure out our plays and positions to

proven veteran behind Brunson.

Since the Knicks traded former primary backup point guard Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett to the Toronto Raptors in the December 30 deal in which they acquired forward OG Anunoby, McBride has excelled in increased playing time. He scored a team high 20 points against the Magic.

“He played well and he played with confidence tonight,” said Hart about his teammate. “It’s a tough spot to fill but he is playing very well and we need him to continue to do that.”

Anunoby said that it’s a matter of seizing the moment. “A lot of it is an opportunity for a lot of guys in the league. Everyone is talented.” be successful—like playing fast and ahead of The Knicks will welcome back Quickpace. We obviously don’t know what his time- ley and Barrett to the Garden this Saturday line is but as a team we have to figure it out.” facing the Raptors and will then meet up In the loss, the continued development of with the Nets in Brooklyn next Tuesday. third year guard Miles “Deuce” McBride was encouraging for the future outlook and construction of the roster ahead of the February 8 NBA trade deadline. There have been reAM News ports the Knicks may pursue Portland Trailblazers 31-year-old point guard Malcolm 01/18/24 Brogdon, who was the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year last season playing for the Boston Celtics, to provide head coach Tom Thibodeau a

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