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Judge rules against sending Bronx father Andre Brown back to prison
By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff
Andre Brown spent last Christmas Eve blindsided by an appellate court reinstating his previously overturned attempted murder conviction and potentially resuming the second half of a 40-year prison sentence. After a year of uncertainty, the Bronx father can now celebrate this year’s holiday season — on Dec. 1, a judge ruled to resentence him to time served, closing the door for any future reimprisonment.
“This year is going to be a joyful year of celebration,” said Brown, 48, in a phone interview with the AmNews. “It’s going to be one that we remember for a lifetime: where despair that had withered away and joy and great smiles and laughter [have] reentered into our home. And we are so looking forward to next year, when we’re able to really look behind and see what we really accomplished, because we’re taking this very slow on a daily basis.”
The decision does not exonerate Brown, who maintains his innocence. He remains guilty on paper for the attempted murder conviction stemming from a 1999 shooting. The incident left one teenager paralyzed and another with lifelong medical complications,
“including a bullet that remained lodged under the upper part of his left arm,” before dying prematurely this past March at age 44.
Back in 2022, a judge freed Brown from prison after serving 23 years due to an ineffective assistance claim. His previous attorney did not employ potentially game-changing medical evidence of Brown’s own gunshot wound in the leg, which would challenge whether he could run the way the perpetrator did from witness testimony.
But prosecutors from the Bronx District Attorney’s Office successfully pushed to reinstate the conviction last winter. They argued the previous lawyer’s decision not to intro-
duce his limp was strategic, not sloppy, to protect his client from highlighting his past drug dealing, which led to his injury. Brown paints a different story, saying the incident served as a wakeup call for him to turn his life around.
“I started off as a hustler, and then I changed my mindset and understood because I had gotten a severe life-threatening injury that could have killed me,” said Brown. “I got shot inside of my leg, and then I immediately changed my mind and said I could never be a street person again, and I started going to college. So it starts with a mindset, and that mindset transmuted with
City Council boils over with frustration at ICE and city agency cooperation
By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff
Despite the frigid cold, dozens of immigrant advocates showed up to rally support for four city council sanctuary laws, and hopefully end city agencies’ cooperation with federal law enforcement. This comes as the Trump administration ramps up Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations across New York City and pauses immigration processing nationwide.
President Donald Trump recently issued an indefinite “hold” on all processing of immigration paperwork for people from 19 countries, including Afghanistan, Haiti, and Venezuela, because of the shooting of two National Guard members in D.C. The hold stops green card applications, U.S. citizenship requests, prevents refugees and some others from getting or renewing work authorization, asylum applications, and delays ceremonies for naturalized American citizens.
“The Trump administration is using the recent shooting in D.C. as a pretext for a dangerous escalation of its attacks on immigrants that are rooted in racism and xenophobia,” said New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) President and CEO Murad Awawdeh in a statement. “Many of the immigrants affected by these policy changes have already undergone extensive vetting, often taking years, after having arrived in
A crowd of immigrant advocates gather in front of City Hall ahead of the council hearing on Monday, December 8, 2025. (Ariama C. Long photo)
America seeking security, stability, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.”
Meanwhile, several people were arrested in an unwarranted ICE raid on Canal Street in Manhattan on November 30. This led to protests and fights with local NYPD officers. Advocate groups have also reported ICE raids this December in Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island in which immigrant New Yorkers –– especially Black, Latino, and people of color — were targeted and detained by federal officials.
“We have seen New Yorkers violently kidnapped in the hundreds at regular court proceedings. We have seen people ripped from their homes, outside their schools, on streets, and beyond. Families have been torn apart.
Students and children have disappeared from their classrooms,” said Avilés, who chairs the immigration committee, at the rally on the steps of City Hall on Monday, December 8, 2025. “We are standing together in solidarity, and we will continue to do everything in our power, not only to reject this fascist government, but to protect New York.”
Avilés was joined by fellow Councilmembers Tiffany Cabán, Shahana Hanif, Chi Ossé, Crystal Hudson, Carmen De La Rosa, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. Advocate groups present included NYIC, Make the Road New York, ICE Out! NYC coalition, Shut Rikers Coalition, Common Cause, Immigrant Defense
See ANDRE BROWN on page 36 See CITY COUNCIL on page 36
Andre Brown’s legal team and wife greet him during his prison release. From left to right: Investigator Sabine Jansen, Tameka Brown, Andre Brown, Jeffrey Deskovic, Oscar Michelen.(Photo courtesy of the Deskovic Foundation)
Another political upstart? Darializa Avila Chevalier challenges U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat
By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff
East Harlem community organizer Darializa Avila Chevalier is campaigning for Rep. Adriano Espaillat’s seat in New York’s 13th Congressional district. But in a current field of no fewer than seven candidates challenging the incumbent, only time will tell if she will be able to defeat him.
“I, like so many people in the district, have felt abandoned by the political establishment here,” said Chevalier. “Seeing how our politicians haven’t stood up for us the way that we deserve. It’s been really infuriating. I think people are hungry for something different, and yeah, I’m excited to help deliver that.”
Chevalier, 32, grew up in Florida, but her family has always called the district home. Both of her parents are Dominican. In addition to being a community organizer since she was a teenager, she spent months canvassing for Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani this year. “I’ve been a long time organizer specifically here in this district, and I’ve been organizing around issues of policing, immigration justice, and Palestine,” said Chevalier.
A relative unknown among local political clubs, Chevalier has been endorsed by Jewish Voice for Peace Action and the Justice Democrats — a national Democratic organization backing candidates in multiple congressional races in places like Tennessee and Missouri. The Justice Dems also supported Mamdani and former Congressmember Jamaal Bowman. Bowman, in turn, officially endorsed Chevalier last week. However, Mamdani hasn’t made any endorsement and declined to directly comment on the race.
“We need champions in Congress fighting for us, not for the wealthy and well-connected,” said Bowman in a statement. “New Yorkers uptown and in the Bronx deserve a Representative who will do what’s right, not just what’s popular; a Congressmember who will stand up against genocide, and fight for solutions to the affordability crisis working people are facing nationwide.”
Espaillat, 71, previously undocumented, is the first Dominican-American to serve in Congress. He was first elected in 2016. His district encompasses East Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill, and parts of Harlem and the north-west Bronx. With the 2026 congres-
sional primaries several months away, many candidates are looking to challenge entrenched Democrats like him and capitalize on the “Mamdani effect.”
Chevalier is slamming Espaillat’s real estate funding and financial connections to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), much in the same way congressional candidate Michael Blake is criticizing Rep. Ritchie Torres’s adamant pro-Israel stance in the Bronx’s 15th Congressional District race. She added that since the district largely voted for Mamdani in this year’s primary and general election, that’s a good indicator that voters want a change.
But some political leaders don’t think it will be so easy to unseat Espaillat.
Raúl Reyes, president of the El Nuevo Caribe Democratic Club, said, “Take nothing for granted. Anybody has the right to throw their hat in to run. But my opinion is that he will not be beaten. His grassroots work in the community is well known.”
William Smith is a district leader for Part D in the 68th Assembly District of East Harlem/El Barrio. He said that, naturally, during an election season, challenges are expected and that a group like the Jus-
tice Dems is emboldened because of recent wins. He considers Chevalier a “positive young lady,” but thinks it would be unfortunate to lose Espaillat as the chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC).
Calls mount for emergency action to halt deed theft cases, including a U.N. intervention
By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff
A growing coalition, comprising Brooklyn homeowners, tenants, religious leaders, and legal experts, is forming to fight the deed theft epidemic that Black communities have been facing in the borough.
Evangeline Byars and members of the People’s Coalition to Stop Deed Theft are taking the lead in forming a new group that wants to create a task force that will be able to point to legal actions and provide intake forms for homeowners who need to report a case of deed theft.
Task forces are a common way for community members to create effective change. Governments may create their official frameworks, but grassroots community groups play a crucial role in forming and successfully operating task forces. They can bring together diverse perspectives from survivors, legal experts, mental health professionals, and community leaders.
Members of the homeowners group emphasize that relying solely on local authorities, including the district attorney’s office, has so far proven ineffective, so they are pushing for direct community action: “If we don’t take charge,” one group member said
during a recent virtual organizing meeting, “nothing will get done.”
“Due to what happened at 168-70 Patchen Avenue, yes, the politicians are now moving on this,” Byars told the AmNews.
A near-eviction with police protection
On Nov. 12, a construction crew arrived at the home of Florence Lichmore-Smith at 168170 Patchen Avenue in Brooklyn. In an incident that was recorded and widely shared on social media, NYPD officers from the 81st Precinct are seen standing guard outside the house. Officers are shown keeping LichmoreSmith and her supporters on the sidewalk outside the house while a man named Shai Ohana and his workers are inside.
“This is not the owner! He is not the owner!” the crowd shouts at the officers.
“You know better, your captain told you not to do this!” Lichmore-Smith’s near-eviction took place despite precinct orders that officers should not intervene in disputes at this location because the house was being contested in court.
In the recording, the real estate developer Shai Ohana is seen leaving the house.
Lichmore-Smith’s supporters say Ohana had shown fake Department of Buildings
See DEED THEFT on page 29
Headshot of congressional candidate for district 13th Darializa Avila Chevalier. (Contributed by Chevalier’s Campaign)
Florence Lichmore-Smith tries to prove she still owns her home to 81st Precinct police officers. ( Stop Deed Theft coalition)
Texas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett to make U.S. Senate run in big stakes election
By BILL BARROW and JOHN HANNA Associated Press
Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett launched a campaign Monday for the U.S. Senate in Texas, bringing a national profile to a race that may be critical to Democrats’ long-shot hopes of reclaiming a Senate majority in next year’s midterm elections.
Crockett, one of Congress’ most outspoken Democrats and a frequent target of GOP attacks, jumped into the race on the final day of qualifying in Texas. She is seeking the Senate seat held by Republican John Cornyn, who is running for reelection in the GOP-dominated state.
Democrats need a net gain of four Senate seats to wrest control from Republicans next November, when most of the seats up for reelection are in states like Texas that President Donald Trump won last year. Democrats have long hoped to make Texas more competitive after decades of Republican dominance. Cornyn, first elected to the Senate in 2002, is facing the toughest GOP primary of his
career against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt.
Crockett’s announcement came hours after former Rep. Colin Allred ended his own campaign for the Democratic nomination in favor of attempting a House comeback bid. She faces a March 3 primary against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico, a former teacher with a rising national profile fueled by viral social media posts challenging Republican policies such as private school vouchers and requiring the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
“It’s going to be a sprint from now until the primary, but in Texas you have to think about the voter base overall in November, too,” said Kamau Marshall, a Democratic consultant who has worked for Allred before and worked on other campaigns in Texas. “Who can do the work on the ground? After the primary, who can win in the general?”
GOP hopes to make Crockett’s style a liability Talarico raised almost $6.3 million in the three weeks after he formally organized his
primary campaign committee in September and had nearly $5 million in cash on hand at the end of the month, campaign finance reports showed. Crockett raised about $2.7 million for her House campaign fund from July through September and ended September with $4.6 million.
Crockett could test Democratic voters’ appetite for a blunt communicator who is eager to take on Republicans as Democrats pursue their first statewide victory in Texas since 1994. She did not issue a statement ahead of a formal announcement of her candidacy Monday afternoon in Dallas.
Republicans were quick Monday to try to turn Crockett’s penchant for public clashes with opponents into liabilities. Paxton called her “Crazy Crockett,” and Cornyn described her as “radical, theatrical, and ineffective.”
Talarico welcomed Crockett to the Democratic primary but pointed to his fundraising and said he has 10,000 volunteers.
“Our movement is rooted in unity over division,” he said in a statement.
See CROCKETT on page 29
University of Alabama suspends magazines focused on Black and women students
By ANDREA TINKER
Alabama Reflector via The 19th
This story originally appeared on 19thnews. org and appears here under a Creative Commons license.
Leftist Collective at UA, an organization who describes themselves on social media as “anti-capitalist, anti-racist and feminist,” organized a petition delivery in support of Alice, a magazine aimed at women, and Nineteen Fifty-Six, a magazine focused on Black lifestyle and culture, to Steven Hood, vice president of student life, and University of Alabama President Peter Mohler on Dec. 3.
“The purpose of this is to let [Mohler] and just generally UA’s administration know that this is not a popular move,” Omorose Emwanta, Leftist Collective at UA secretary, said in an interview. “We do not think the basis for this suspension is sound, and we want to reinstate it. I think they underestimated how valuable and popular these magazines are.”
On Dec.1, UA officials told members of Alice and Nineteen Fifty-Six that their publications would be suspended to remain in compliance with a summer memo issued by Attorney General Pam Bondi. The memo made non-binding recommendations on compliance with anti-diversity, equity, and
inclusion policies supported by the Trump administration.
Alex House, an associate director of communications at UA, said in a statement Tuesday that the suspension of both magazines was to “ensure all members of our community feel welcome to participate in programs that receive university funding from the Office of Student Media.”
Other student organizations have spoken out against the university’s decision to shut down the publications.
“Nineteen Fifty-Six is not just a magazine, but it is a beacon of light and one of the absolute greatest parts about our university,” the UA Afro-American Gospel Choir said in a statement posted to Instagram. “There are no words that truly encapsulate how we truly feel. But we are incredibly saddened by this news. Their work has been imperative in telling our stories and the work they’ve done in front and behind the scenes does not go unnoticed.”
While both magazines were focused on specific demographics, there were no restrictions on who could contribute and work for the publications. Bondi’s memo did not provide specific guidance on student-run media serving particular communities.
The news of the suspension has gained national attention and was featured in a The New York Times article.
A petition to reinstate the magazines was started on MoveOn, saying the suspension of both publications “is a testing ground for the government and the current administration to see how far they can push.” As of Dec. 3, it had over 2,100 signatures.
The University of Alabama has been removing spaces for marginalized groups on the campus for the past year and a half, following the passage of SB 129 in March 2024. The bill bans publicly funded diversity, equity, and inclusion programs as well as “divisive concepts.”
In August 2024, the university shut down the Safe Zone, a space for LGBTQ+ students and a dedicated space for the Black Student Union, citing SB 129. In a filing in a federal lawsuit brought against the university by UA students and professors over the moves, attorneys for the school argued that reopening the spaces would constitute “unlawful discrimination,” citing the Bondi’s memo.
Attorneys for students and educators challenging SB 129 rejected the assertion, saying the memo was non-binding and said the spaces were open to all students regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation.
House said in a statement Tuesday that staff at the university “hope to work with students to develop a new publication that features a variety of voices and perspectives to debut in
the next academic year.”
Emwanta said a new magazine isn’t what students want.
“A lot of people have cultivated audiences and communities, and creative teams around both magazines and scrapping them to make something new and different is just not something that people are really, honestly looking for,” she said.
Editor’s note: Andrea Tinker was an editor and writer for Nineteen Fifty-Six while a student at the University of Alabama.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett is throwing her hat in to make a Senate run.
(Stephanie Scarbrough/AP)
Student Center at the University of Alabama (Kai NeSmith/Wikimedia Commons)
How Harlemite Helen Taylor became NYC’s poster child for supportive housing
By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News staff
“My new life is going to cost me my old one,” recited Harlemite Helen Taylor in a poem she wrote about moving on. Today, her return on investment includes performing Shakespeare in the Park, displaying her work at MoMA PS1, and getting recognized as “Outstanding Neighbor of the Year” by the Supportive Housing Network of New York last month.
But what started in Harlem remains in Harlem. Taylor left her old life at the door when she entered Fortune Society’s transitional housing program for people returning home from incarceration. She ultimately moved into her first apartment, a supportive housing unit in the reentry nonprofit’s Castle Gardens development on 140th Street.
Taylor excelled under the model, which pairs permanent affordable housing with substance use treatment, mental healthcare, and other services tackling contributing factors to homelessness. She’s now regarded as Castle Garden’s “Mama Bear” and known for her motto, “love is love.” After all, she found her people. When Taylor contracted COVID-19, they picked up her groceries. They celebrate her birthdays. And now she’s paying it forward.
“Once I got my apartment, I wanted to reach out and help the ones that [are] still
incarcerated,” said Taylor over the phone. “So that when they come out, they would be fortunate to get what I got: supportive housing. So I started advocating.”
Consequently, Taylor became an unofficial spokesperson for supportive housing, speaking at rallies and city council meetings for policies and proposals to expand the practice across the Five Boroughs, especially for other formerly-incarcerated individuals who face a higher risk of homelessness. She participates in other criminal justice reform movements, including for closing the Rikers Island jails.
Earlier this year, Taylor campaigned for Int. 1100, a bill to include time spent in jail, prison, or court-mandated medical detention toward the qualifying threshold for supportive housing, which usually requires a consecutive year of homelessness. Her story played a significant role, and she testified how the housing model saved her life to the City Council. The legislation was passed in August.
She also got involved with Fortune Society’s arts programming — she’s a singer, actor, and poet. In 2023, Taylor took the stage in a high-profile adaptation of “The Tempest” at Central Park’s Delacourte Theater, where she proudly notes Denzel Washington once starred.
The Public Works’ production received a New York Times’ critics’ pick and featured the likes of Hamilton actress Renée
Black
Elise Goldsberry. Taylor says she’s come a long way from sleeping on park benches to performing Shakespeare in the Park.
“The streets was [sic] my life at one point,” said Taylor. “And today it’s not.
New Yorker YOU CAN’T REWIND A CRASH. USE THE CROSSWALK.
I want people who are coming out of prison to know that they do have a second chance because I’m a living proof, and I never thought that I would be where I am today.”
Helen Taylor (Sean Sime)
These Black entrepreneurs are waiting to welcome you
Harlem Holidaze: A few friendly faces that can’t wait to see yours
By MARIELLE ARGUEZA and TAAYOO MURRAY
Special to the AmNews
Holiday shopping in Harlem is more than a seasonal errand. It is an experience woven with culture, creativity, and community.
As Thanksgiving ends and December descends, the neighborhood transforms into a vibrant marketplace where local artisans, iconic institutions, and longtime small businesses shine. Whether you’re searching for handcrafted gifts, fashion with flair, holidaythemed experiences, or meaningful ways to support Black-owned shops, Harlem offers a festive blend of tradition and trend that makes every purchase feel like a celebration.
Here are a few profiles of the many Black entrepreneurs around Harlem who are welcoming shoppers and diners into their businesses.
The Original Cake Man Raven
201 W 135th St. (917) 202-7273
IG: @cakemanraven
The story of many chefs and bakers starts in their mom’s or grandma’s kitchen. It is no different for Raven P.D. Dennis III, better known to New Yorkers and everyone as “Cake Man Raven,” who is known worldwide for his famous Red Velvet Cake. Living in Lynchburg, South Carolina, he watched his grandmother bake cakes for Sunday dinner. “And my question was, why were they never decorated? And she said, “because y’all don’t let the cake sit on the counter long enough to decorate it,” shared Raven.
“I used to tell a lot of people that my grandmother was the one that did the cakes and not me, because, you know, most times boys didn’t do cakes back then,” explained Dennis.
At 15 years old, Dennis won his first blue ribbon for entering a nine-tier wedding cake. When his name was called, the secret was out, and the local paper published his name. He then got the name ‘Cake Boy.’ In 11th grade, Raven entered a competition that required him to write a business plan. He wrote a business plan for a bakery and won the local competition. He then went on to win at the state level in South Carolina and the national level in San Francisco.
After studying at Johnson & Wales University, he made his way back to New York, where he eventually started his own catering business on Riverside Drive in Harlem. He eventually opened a shop in Brooklyn, where he entered the Guinness Book of World Records in 2011 for the world’s largest sculpted cake. He closed that store in 2012 and after a short stint in South Carolina, he announced a new flagship store in Harlem, which opened in 2015.
Dennis attributes much of his success to being an active part of the community. He’s deliberate about decorating for Christmas and not having shutters on his windows.
“You walk down 5th Ave at night and there aren’t any shutters and bars. Everything is
open for you to see. Why should it be different in our neighborhood?” says Dennis. Even though he’s known for his cakes, the community also knows him for the time he puts into mentoring and training young men. This weekend he plans to start decorating his storefront. He’s inviting everyone to stop by and see and be a part of it. “It’s all about community and giving back.”
NiLu Gift Shop
191 Malcolm X Blvd. (646) 964-4926 shopnilu.com/
A couple, Mark Pinn and Katrina Parris, who have lived in Harlem since the 1990s, were tired of the inconvenience of having to go downtown when they needed a nice gift.
“We were a young family with two boys, and every time we needed something, or got invited to somebody’s house for a birthday, or whatever, we always would have to go downtown to get nice things,” shared Pinn. The couple had recently sold their florist business and had the empty shop space. The family’s need and that of the community birthed the idea of NiLu Gift Shop, named
for the couple’s boys, Nigel and Luke.
The gift shop sells items from candles to cards to household items. What’s special about NiLu is that they prioritize selling goods made by local artists, using a consignment model, so that both the gift shop and the vendors benefit. Popular items in store are the Grace Jones ornament, the pine scented candles, and the Harlem Renaissance calendar. The couple makes an effort to integrate with the community and showcase Harlem. “Most of the things that we sell are rooted in community, meaning that we’re supporting a lot of local makers of products,” says Pinn. “Our store is Harlem, not everything, but we try to do our best.”
Hats by Bunn
2283 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd #1 (212) 694-3590 hatsbybunn.com/
“I’m just a hat maker.” That’s a common phrase you’ll hear from the owner of Hats by Bunn in Harlem. When you ask for a first name, he responds with a laugh, “I’m Bunn, just like Prince. No one asks Prince for a first name.” Bunn has been in the hat-making
(Donjai Gilmore photo)
(Courtest NiLu Gift Store)
(Courtesy Hats by Bunn)
business for over 40 years. Before owning a shop space, he used to set up a table on the sidewalks and frequent festivals to promote his work. Like many start-ups, he worked in another job and made hats on the side. After going full-time, he shared a shop space with a friend in downtown Brooklyn for a while, but then moved because he thought the environment changed.
“Harlem has a vibe and an energy, literally anyone can walk in looking for a hat,” shared Bunn. Bunn credits his success to the shift from an industrial culture to a more individual look, especially in younger adults. He makes hats of all types and for all seasons, and regularly creates custom looks. Bunn invites everyone to stop by his shop and try on a hat. “A hat is the most personal thing you can wear. It’s what you see in the mirror,” says Bunn.
Entertain
AGM Theater Company
Most performances at:
The Basement of Dreams
130 Malcolm X Blvd. (917) 268-2590
https://agmtheatercompany.org/
The AGM Theater Company, a nonprofit founded in 2017, focuses on telling the stories of African Americans, particularly women of color, through educational, entertaining, and inspiring theatrical performances. “Our focus and our vision is to provide opportunities for women of color in the field of writing, directing, producing, [and] technical skills,” shares Founder, Executive Director, and Artistic Director Janet Mitchell. The theater tells the stories of Black people but its goal is to help Black women.
The company has produced 26 shows since its inception, with a season running from January to June. Most of their shows are presented at Basement of Dreams, with ticket prices at $25. They also give out free tickets to community members who cannot afford to buy tickets. After every show, they host a “talk-back” with the playwright to have a discussion with the actors about their process of putting together shows. “We are a community-based organization.
We’re a professional community theater,” explains Mitchell. AGM Theater wants the community to know, “if you’re a playwright who’s been writing plays, but never had a play produced, send your work to us, send a synopsis to us.”
Upcoming events include a virtual performance of “The Christmas Blessing” on December 14, which will be available on the company’s YouTube channel.
Dine
Melba’s
300 W. 114th St., Harlem, NY 10026 (212) 864-7777 melbasrestaurant.com
When people think about Harlem, they think about Melba’s. And when they think about Melba’s, they think about the famous Southern hospitality and comfort foods — and in particular, their fried chicken, which has been made famous all over the world. Since 2005, this restaurant, in the heart of Harlem, has been feeding the masses — not just locally, but globally. It has grown to become a top local and tourist destination, in no small part due to owner and chef Melba Wilson.
Wilson has earned her flowers and, more importantly, the respect of her community. Wilson was trained in one of the most famous and equally illustrious soul food restaurants, Sylvia’s, and grinded for her dream, famously saving a little over $300,000 in her mattress. From there, she snagged a James Beard Award nomination, authored the wildly popular cookbook “Melba’s American Comfort,” and has proven herself to be an ally to her neighbors by partnering with organizations like God’s Love We Deliver and helping guide restaurants all over the city through the pandemic as the former president of the New York City Hospitality Alliance. The best thing about being a Black entrepreneur in Harlem during the holiday season, she says, is being surrounded by her community.
“I’m born and bred in [the] village of Harlem so Harlem is home, it’s the epitome of Blackness so during the holiday season it goes to the 10th power. We level up like no other people.”
Chocolat Restaurant & Bar
2223 Fredrick Douglass Blvd. and 120th St., Harlem, NY 10026
(212) 222-4545
chocolatharlem.com
Indulgence is the theme at Chocolat Restaurant and Bar. For 15 years, Chocolat has occupied the corner of 120th and Fredrick Douglass Boulevard and has established itself amongst iconic Harlem restaurants, standing out from a landscape saturated with soul food offerings by adding a Caribbean twist and just enough decadence. Menu items like red snapper, oxtails, and the famous chicken and red velvet waffles are a few of Founder Leon Ellis’ favorites. But he also adds that they have “the best shrimp and grits in New York City, hands down,” he said.
But their longevity isn’t just explained away by good food. Ellis attributes the longevity not just to abiding by good business practices but also to building and maintaining rapport with the community. “Our resilience and sustainability comes from the community. We are connected to the people and the local organizations of our community, and we honor and respect that as fundamental,” he said. They hire from the community and give back whenever they can.
For Ellis, Chocolat is part of a rich cultural and economic tapestry in Harlem that isn’t so much about competition, but about spirit and adding new threads that enliven the neighborhood. “Harlem has a rhythm that’s really unmatched in music, art, food — everything sort of flows together,” said Ellis. “We work very diligently to creating a strong community connection through an entrepreneurial spirit, which is a fundamental part of Harlem.”
The Nephew Supper Club 219 West 119th St. Harlem, NY 10026 (212) 280-2248 the-nephew.com
Adriane Ferguson, owner of the Nephew Supper Club (once Billie Black), is probably the only bartender who can get a room full of cocktail connoisseurs to drink their greens … well, not really. But Ferguson’s signature ‘Got Kale’ cocktail did win the Uncle Nearest Mixologist Contest, which had pretty stiff competition from bars like Sugar Monk, BIXI, and the Victoria. The cocktail, which gets its shocking green color from matcha, is an innovative blend of Bourbon, Adriatico Bianco, vanilla bean syrup, and oatmilk. Equally cool and dressed-up cocktails like the ‘Duke’ and a classic Corpse Reviver pair well with a modern African Creole menu, which includes items like egusi hummus, gumbo, and Ferguson’s favorite, charbroiled oysters.
Since rebranding earlier this year, Nephew Supper Club has been leaning into the luxury, history, and culture of the Harlem Renaissance, all the while encouraging regulars in the now to celebrate the richness of the past.
To Ferguson, Harlem is “the culture that creates the pulse of the world.”
The best part about being in business in Harlem? “I get to help grow and propel the culture and diversity. I AM HARLEM,” Ferguson said.
Sylvia’s
328 Malcom X Blvd., New York, NY 10027 (212) 996-0660 sylviasrestaurant.com
In 1962, Sylvia Woods, a waitress with roots in South Carolina, bought the same luncheonette she had been working in from her boss. What came out of the kitchen was more than fried chicken and collards — although that’s definitely still on the menu. Sylvia’s became a generational family business and beacon of Southern Hospitality in the fast-paced midAtlantic. Today, Sylvia’s remains the oldest restaurant in Harlem and a cornerstone for gathering and local history in the neighborhood. “My mother and father were unique business people,” said current owner Kenneth Woods. “Hailing from the South, when you visit anyone, they’re gonna offer you a seat and something to eat. We’ve kept true to that.”
The values have stayed true, but some things have changed since the ‘60s. They offer grilled fish options, not just fried anymore, and they serve a lot more patrons. In fact, Woods said they go through so many collard greens, they’ve outsourced the bulk of the cleaning back to their purveyor. “Back then, we used to really scrub them,” Woods said with a laugh.
“It’s authentic, and we’ve advanced some. But everyone who comes and eats here feels like it’s theirs. And that’s important.”
Special thanks to the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce for helping to compile most of the entrepreneurs on this list.
(Courtesy AGM Theater Company)
(Courtesy GHCC)
(Courtesy Chocolat)
(Courtesy GHCC)
(Courtesy GHCC)
One45 development leaves community leaders asking questions at rally
By JASON PONTEROTTO Special to the AmNews
On November 20, Harlem community members and activists, led by Defend Harlem with several faith and political leaders, gathered at the corner of 145th Street and Lenox Avenue to demand that One45 for Harlem, the new housing development set to be built there, be made affordable to Harlem residents. Specifically, they called for a housing subsidy so residents making between $34,320 to $70,000 can afford to live there.
The push to ensure affordability of the project has been ongoing for more than four years. One45 is expected to influence the rates of future developments in the area and Harlem overall, which organizers say makes the decision to make it affordable so critical.
“You have the money to afford affordable housing,” said Rev. Dedrick Blue, ministerial director of the Northeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, in his remarks directed at city leaders. “It should not only be for those who earn over $70,000, but minimum wage workers who earn between
$35,000 and $65,000 ought to have a place to live in Harlem.”
One of the urgent issues protesters have pointed to is the current plan, approved by City Councilmember Yusef Salaam, for only 30% of the building’s 1,000 units to be affordable, but also the rate of affordability, which goes by the Average Median Income (AMI) and would only work for people making $120,000 a year, as opposed to the $45,000 that residents in the area’s ZIPcode 10037 actually make.
Defend Harlem is the campaign of the Interfaith Commission for Housing Equity, which has been a leading voice in the struggle over the new development. It comprises more than 30 faith leaders in the city. The campaign has significantly raised awareness of One45 with its social media presence, garnering a growing number of young volunteers and supporters.
Rev. Greg Merriweather of Mount Olivet Baptist Church asked about how the community is benefiting from One45.
“We don’t want to move out people that have created the culture while moving in people who
don’t have respect for our culture,” Merriweather said. “We are asking that the priorities be placed with the people of Harlem … Throughout many other boroughs, we see affordable housing being built, but what’s being done for Harlem?”
Negotiations with Teitelbaum
James Felton Keith, an activist and candidate running for the 13th Congressional District seat, along with leaders of the Commission, had a sit-down meeting with developer Bruce Teitelbaum in September. Keith said that Teitelbaum informed them that he would agree to 50% affordability if there is a housing subsidy fund of $25 million. A housing subsidy of this type could be achieved through funding from the mayor, governor, or U.S. Representative representing the district. That position is currently held by Rep. Adriano Espaillat, and is the seat Keith is running for in 2026. “Either listen to this developer and the people — these 36 representatives of the people — or you can keep doing whatever you want,” Keith said to political lead-
ers. “We will not let this particular issue go away. We will keep this issue as a part of our regular platform.”
Keith has called out Espaillat for ignoring the issue of One45 and said he has not responded to attempts by Teitlebaum to discuss the project and negotiate affordability.
“I don’t think (Espaillat) wants to do any projects below 155th unless they’re on the far east side (Spanish Harlem),” Keith said.
“Adriano doesn’t care about anything below 155th because no one makes him care about anything below 155th … As we lose population density here (Central Harlem), we lose our negotiating capability as well.”
A component that many point to as the reason why unaffordable (despite claiming to be) new developments continue to be built is that the AMI index used applies income rates from other areas, rather than an actual neighborhood.
“We deliberately do not have a database right now showing that we don’t make what they classify as affordable,” Keith said.
This is why Keith and others
support the ballot initiatives that allow for reclassifying AMI by redrawing the map by the Department of City Planning and the mayor, and opening the door for establishing what Keith said can be a more accurate “local median income” index.
“To validate it and defend it in a court of law, we’d have to have a reference point, so the data matters,” he continued.
Early in the discussions about One45, former City Councilmember Kristin Richardson Jordan negotiated with developers to make it at least 50% affordable, but that was eventually backed out of. Since Salaam took the seat, the new agreement was announced at 30% affordability plus a third building for low-income seniors.
“What we are fighting for … is simply for the majority of the units in this project to be affordable to the majority of residents in this district …we should not be approving projects that don’t have that,” Jordan said during the rally.
“I don’t think the current Council members should have approved this with the levels that it is at. That’s terrible.”
Former City Councilmember Kristen Richardson Jordan, Tanesha Grant, and Dr. Dedrick Blue share remarks at One45 affordability rally. (Jason Ponterotto photo)
By LUCIEN J. METELLUS, JR., General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Special to the AmNews
The dedication of “The History of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc: A Development In College Life” by Charles H. Wesley reads, “To the youths who march onward and upward toward the light. This volume is respectfully dedicated.”
And while Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., as the first and leading intercollegiate fraternity founded by African American men, has woven service, scholarship, and the development of courageous leadership for the communities we serve into its very fabric, at its core it has ultimately dedicated itself to the upliftment and development of youth since its founding in 1906.
Over the years, the Fraternity’s General Programs and national initiatives continue to make a real impact in communities across the country and around the world — particularly upon the youth, with Project Alpha, Go-to-High School,
Go-to-College, and its Leadership Development Institute (LDI).
Project Alpha: Empowering Young Men with Knowledge and Responsibility
Launched in partnership with the March of Dimes in 1980, Project Alpha is perhaps one of Alpha’s most powerful and personal outreach efforts. Designed for young males between the ages of 12 and 15, the program provides education, motivation, and skill-building on sensitive but vital issues: responsibility, relationships, teen pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases.
Alpha Brothers lead interactive workshops, often using role-play and open discussion, to help teens build self-esteem, make informed decisions, and understand the long-term consequences of their actions. According to local chapters, the goals of Project Alpha are threefold: sharing knowledge to counter ignorance, changing attitudes through honest conversation, and providing skills for real-life situations.
Across the U.S. and the world, many chapters observe “Project Alpha Week,” typically in October, to spotlight these critical issues at once.
Go-to-High School, Go-to-College: Education as a Path to Success
Rev. Dr. Kevin R. Johnson, Morehouse College alumnus and senior pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church, presents Morehouse College President Dr. David A. Thomas with framed photo commemorating historic ties between Abyssinian and Morehouse, featuring images of church and Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. with former president Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays. Thomas, who will retire on June 30, 2025, spoke at Abyssinian’s HBCU/Divine Nine worship service, reflecting on how Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) inspire faith, education, and innovation for future generations. (The Abyssinian Baptist Church photos)
One of Alpha’s oldest national programs, Go-to-High School, Go-toCollege, was officially adopted as a signature initiative in the early 1920s. The program underscores a simple but powerful message: completing high school and pursuing higher education is one of the strongest predictors of future economic success — especially for young African American men. Alpha men serve as role models and mentors, providing guidance on college applications, financial aid, and academic readiness. In some regions, chapters also run related mentoring tracks. For example, Rho Zeta Lambda Chapter’s Alpha Quest Mentoring Program targets middle-school boys, helping prepare them early for academic achievement and leadership.
To share your Divine Nine News, please contact us at d9@amsterdamnews.com and at amsterdamnews.com/d9news
Development Institute (LDI): Cultivating the Next Generation of Leaders
Alpha’s Leadership Development Institute (LDI) is its flagship youth leadership program — a national, regionally coordinated initiative aimed at high-school students, particularly sophomores through seniors. Since its early days in the Eastern Region in the 1980s, LDI has matured into a core program in all five of Alpha’s geographic regions. Over an intensive weekend or multi-day format, the Institute brings youth together on historically Black college campuses, where they participate in workshops led by Alpha brothers and civic professionals. The curriculum emphasizes:
See DIVINE NINE NEWS on page 31
Leadership
Leadership Development Institute Teen Ambassadors participate at an Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. regional convention.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Brother General President Lucien J. Metellus, Jr. addresses business session at the Fraternity’s 98th General Convention in Philadelphia. (Photos courtesy of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.)
Union Matters
N.J. Rep. Coleman introduces bill to require megacorps to share wealth with employees
By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff
New Jersey Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, who is preparing to retire at the end of her term in 2026, recently reintroduced a bill designed to shift a bit of economic power back to workers.
The bill, known as the federal “Employee Profit Sharing Encouragement Act of 2025 (H.R. 6418),” currently under review in committee, would require large corporations with annual revenue exceeding $25 million — companies like Walmart, Amazon, ExxonMobil, UnitedHealth Group, Apple, and CVS — to share at least 5% of their net profits with their full- and part-time employees. Companies that fail to create such a profit-sharing plan would lose their deductions for executive compensation.
“Approximately 51 percent of
American workers — about 65.4 million individuals — work for companies with revenue over $25 million and would benefit from profit-sharing,” a press statement from Watson Coleman’s office states. “The bill exempts 99.7 percent of American companies to ensure no small businesses are held to an unmanageable standard.”
One good reason for the bill, the congresswoman said, is that the wage gap between employers and workers is widening. She spoke about how corporations have been able to dole out increased profits to their executives and shareholders while keeping the wages of their regular workers the same. “Our tax code is riddled with giveaways for corporations,” Watson Coleman said, citing loopholes such as offshore borrowing and questionable manufacturing deductions. “It’s time for Congress to step in and
ensure that companies invest in their workers.”
If H.R. 6418 is approved, it could impact the tax laws that apply to employees and how businesses pay their staff. Employee profit sharing is when a business directly gives part of its profits to its staff, usually as a bonus or retirement benefit, based on how profitable the business is. The profit-sharing plans can be tied to retirement accounts, and the IRS currently limits contributions to $69,000 or 25% of an employee’s compensation in 2024. This bill closely resembles a previous one the congresswoman proposed, H.R. 2628 from 2023, which also attempted to link corporate tax breaks to worker benefits. H.R. 2628 was not enacted; it was introduced and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee but did not undergo specific committee markup or hearings during the 118th Congress.
SCOTUS Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson blasts Trump admin case over termination of non-loyalists
By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff
The Supreme Court heard arguments in the case of Rebecca Slaughter, who served for seven years as a member of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) until she received an email in March informing her of her termination due to her ideals being deemed “inconsistent with [the] administration’s priorities.”
The Trump v. Slaughter case looks at whether the Trump administration, or any future president, can dismiss a member of an independent federal agency without a specific, valid reason. But Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson balked at that notion.
“[H]aving a president come in and fire all the scientists and the doctors and the economists and the Ph.Ds and replacing them with loyalists and people who don’t know anything is actually not in the best interest of the citizens of the United States,” said Jackson as she criticized the potential consequences of a ruling in favor of the president during oral arguments. “This is what I think Congress’s policy decision is when it says that these certain agencies we’re not going to make directly accountable to the president.”
Slaughter’s lawsuit relies on the validity of the 1935 Humphrey’s Executor v. United States decision, when the Supreme Court unanimously said Congress had the authority to limit the presi-
dent’s power to remove officials from agencies that perform “quasi-legislative or quasi-judicial” functions.
Trump administration lawyers insist that presidential authority depends on the ability to fire independent officials. Solicitor General Dean John Sauer told the court that limiting the president’s authority creates a situation where government workers have power and control over individuals and businesses, and yet can’t be checked by the president. “That’s a power vacuum,” he insisted.
“The president is answerable to the voters. [The independent officials] have no boss. And regardless of what happens, when there’s a power vacuum, somebody is going to come into that power vacuum. So, is it Congress that many commentators have noted actually exercises substantial control over these independent agencies through budgetary functions and through oversight functions?
…The point is that power vacuums should not exist in our constitutional structure…”
The FTC commissioner’s attorneys, meanwhile, cited the country’s long history of limiting executive power and contended that this hasn’t undermined presidential authority. “It is simply implausible to say that presidents have been supporting these traditional independent agencies now for more than a century and a half, …for the entirety of American history, presidents of the United States have been complicit in giving up a vital executive power that is, according to petitioners, indispensable to their constitutional duty,” Amit Agarwal asserted.
The conservative majority on the Supreme Court seemed ready to look at Humphrey’s Executor v. United States again and possibly throw it out. This would mean that the White House would be in charge of agency power and hiring decisions, which could have an effect on regulatory oversight and the federal workforce as a whole.
The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to make its ruling in the case by July 2026.
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey recently reintroduced a federal bill that would return some economic power to workers. (WatsonColeman.house.gov photo)
The Supreme Court is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 17, 2024.
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
Tavarez President, Bank of America New York City
Garofalo President, Bank of America New Jersey
Alberto
José
Opinion
Could Black people be targeted by Trump’s birthright citizenship obsession?
The “birther movement,” launched in 2008 and most prominently promoted by Donald Trump, which questioned Barack Obama’s citizenship, has now been given a fresh spin with his assertion of “birthright citizenship” that children born to parents in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens.
In effect, he is giving impetus to his crackdown on immigration, and for the first time, this step is slated to be taken up by the Supreme Court. If the Trump administration succeeds on this measure, though there is no guarantee, it could, in the long run, theoretically eviscerate the 14th Amendment entirely.
That would completely overturn a constitutional right that has been in place for 125 years, granting the previously enslaved African Americans citizenship. Such a decision sounds incredible, but each day of the Trump administration presents some dramatically unheard-of illegalities.
Consider the fact that more than 80 people have been killed without justification or congressional approval, merely on the assumption that they are narco-traffickers. What’s to stop Trump from imposing a new law demanding African Americans prove they are citizens? There was no due process for those victims at sea, and there very well could be no due process for claimants with certification of their citizenship.
Under the Trump administration, things get more unreal, surreal, and terribly deranged, and it becomes increasingly complex to prepare ourselves for the next tumultuous turn.
Dred Scott, you are not alone!
Compassion is the courage we need right now
By BRENDA STARKS-ROSS
Across our nation, uncertainty is shaping how we see the world — and, sadly, how we sometimes treat one another. From long waits at the grocery store to being put endlessly on hold while urgently needing public assistance, people are more anxious, impatient, and on edge. I’ve seen it firsthand: neighbors who once greeted each other warmly now keep their distance; customers snap at service workers; people facing hardship lash out at the very helpers trying to lift them up.
As someone who’s spent more than three decades on the frontlines of compassionate care, I understand where this pain comes from. People are overwhelmed. They’re worried about their futures — about the cost of housing and food, about whether they’ll keep their health coverage, about how to care for their families when so much feels unsteady. This year has tested our collective resilience. But it has also reminded me that the most radical, and healing, thing we can do this holiday season is to show compassion.
At Alliance for Positive Change, compassion isn’t just a value; it’s the foundation of everything we do. Since our beginning in 1991 at the height of the AIDS crisis, we’ve been a haven for New Yorkers living with HIV, other chronic illnesses, substance use disorders, and the interconnected struggles of poverty and stigma. Today, our staff and trained Peer Workers reach more than 20,000 New Yorkers each year with life-changing services — connecting them to health care, housing, live-saving overdose prevention, recovery supports, and pathways to economic independence.
Every day, our counselors, case managers, housing specialists, and Peer leaders open their doors and hearts to people who are experiencing trauma, illness, and systemic injustice. They do so, recognizing that kindness is not always met with kindness. Tension can rise when someone feels unseen or unheard. But even in those moments, our teams respond with empathy. Why? Because connection can change lives.
Elinor R. Tatum: Publisher and Editor in Chief
Madison
Gray: Executive & Investigative Editor
Damaso Reyes: Editor at Large
Kristin Fayne-Mulroy: Managing Editor
Cyril Josh Barker: Digital Editor
Siobhan "Sam" Bennett:
Chief Revenue Officer and Head of Advertising
Wilbert A. Tatum (1984-2009): Chairman of the Board, CEO and Publisher Emeritus
We believe positive change begins with humanity. At Alliance for Positive Change, this means meeting people where they are, without judgment. Whether that’s offering a safe space to someone newly diagnosed with HIV, walking beside a person navigating recovery, or securing housing for an individual in crisis, compassion shapes
People are overwhelmed. They’re worried about their futures — about the cost of housing and food, about whether they’ll keep their health coverage, about how to care for their families when so much feels unsteady. This year has tested our collective resilience. But it has also reminded me that the most radical, and healing, thing we can do this holiday season is to show compassion.
how we listen, guide, and act. Compassion lights the path forward.
Over the years, I’ve learned that compassion isn’t soft; it’s strong. It takes real courage to look past someone’s anger and see their fear. It takes patience to serve others when your own plate feels full. It takes faith to believe that, despite the hardship before us, people can and do transform their lives when they’re treated with dignity.
Recently, I witnessed the power of compassion: a woman exploded at the Brooklyn ministry where I serve as a pastor and stormed off. Another parishioner ran after her, took her by the hand, and asked what she was going through. That empathy not only calmed her, but brought her back to the sanctuary.
My work at the ministry and at Alliance for Positive Change has shown me that compassion is a daily practice, a choice to connect rather than withdraw. It starts in small ways: a gentle response to a harsh word; a smile that acknowledges another’s struggle; a willingness to listen instead of judge. Those simple acts ripple outward, changing our communities in quiet yet profound ways.
This giving season, as we gather with loved ones and reflect on what matters most, I encourage everyone reading this to bring more compassion into your daily interactions. Consider the person behind the counter who might be working two jobs to stay afloat. The neighbor who seems aloof may be battling unseen grief or fear. The person who feels at the end
of their rope and seeks our support deserves our grace because they, too, carry the weight of our collective hardship. When we lead with compassion, we expand what’s possible. We create room for understanding, healing, and positive change. We move closer to the kind of world we all say we want — one grounded in mutual care and respect.
At Alliance for Positive Change, compassion continues to light the path forward. Each Peer who finds recovery and now mentors others, each client who finds stable housing, each staff member who has chosen patience over frustration — together they prove that compassion is more than an emotion; it’s an action, a resource, and a form of strength.
So, in this season of giving, let our contributions go beyond dollars; let’s give attention, empathy, and hope. We can all practice compassion at our jobs and in our homes and in our neighborhoods. When we do, we participate in healing others and ourselves.
Because kindness — particularly when times are hardest — is how we remind each other that we are in this together.
Brenda Starks-Ross is Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the Alliance for Positive Change, a New York-based nonprofit helping more than 10,000 New Yorkers annually living with HIV, and other chronic illnesses, or substance use challenges, find healing, stability, and purpose.
Because of an AI blunder, some authors could get a significant payday
By HERB BOYD
Recently, when I received a notice about a landmark $1.5 billion copyright settlement, I tossed it aside with all the other junk mail. A few days later, I saw a news story about the same settlement, indicating that Anthropic, an artificial intelligence company, was required to pay class members more than $3,000 per copyrighted work. It still meant nothing to me until I received another notification, along with one for Simeon Wright, my deceased co-author in our book, “Simeon’s Story,” which recounted his experience with his first cousin Emmett Till. It slowly dawned on me that I might be among nearly
half a million class members, since I was receiving these notifications. The possibility that we were among the authors was a long shot, but getting the book published was like a dream come true. Anyway, I opened the notice, which, to some degree, was like two other such settlements in which I was included as a member without prior knowledge. The first step in the process was to determine whether I was indeed on the list compiled by the legal team filing the class-action settlement. Not only was the book on the list that I authored with Simeon, but four of my other books were listed as well.
I decided to fill out the form for just two of them,
which were entirely mine and had no co-authors or publisher ownership. Once you are on the list, retrieving the various authentication numbers required is a breeze. Not so breezy, though, is the legal hassle still underway, most notably a judge’s decision back in the summer that found “that training AI chatbots on copyrighted books wasn’t illegal but that Anthropic wrongfully acquired millions of books through pirate websites to help improve its Claude chatbot.”
The lawsuit alleges that Anthropic infringed copyrights by downloading datasets containing copyrighted books in violation of the federal Copyright Act. Anthrop-
ic denies all allegations and claims it did nothing wrong, arguing that the downloaded datasets were fair usage.
An additional wrinkle occurred this week when the attorneys representing the Authors Guild and the Association of American Publishers asked a federal judge in California to award them $300 million in legal fees. Sometime before the month is over, another decision is forthcoming on this issue, and perhaps by then all parties will have a better understanding of the settlement’s status.
Meanwhile, if you are an author or know one who would like more information, visit www.AnthropicCopyrightSettlement.com.
To protect holiday cheer, fraud prevention must be a community effort
By TANISHA RITTER
As the holiday season approaches, many of us look forward to giving (and receiving!) gifts and traveling to spend time with family and friends. This festive spirit, however, hides a growing threat lurking just underneath the surface: financial fraud and scams.
The criminals who want to steal our hard-earned money are becoming increasingly sophisticated and, as a result, nearly one-in-three consumers fell victim to an online scam during the 2024 holiday season. New Yorkers alone lost $542.9 million to fraudsters and scammers last year, a sobering reminder that keeping your guard up is more important than ever. Scammers are acutely aware of the holiday rush. They exploit our busy schedules, our generosity, and our desire to find a deal on the perfect gift. From fake online shopping deals and fraudulent package delivery messages to phony charity outreach, the tactics are as varied as
they are convincing.
In other words, the holidays truly are a scammer’s busy season. The best defense? Knowing what to look for and how to respond before you fall victim.
This year, JPMorganChase launched the largest fraud and scam prevention initiative in our history. Just ahead of the holiday shopping season, we hosted more than 20 free educational workshops across the country, including three here in New York City, in partnership with local law enforcement and community organizations. These workshops were open to everyone — whether you bank with Chase or not — and are designed to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to protect themselves and their loved ones.
I had the privilege of hosting our workshop in Harlem, at our flagship Community Center Branch.
Our message was clear: stay informed, be cautious, and use the resources available to you. Our top tips included:
• When shopping online, stick to trusted retailers and scrutinize deals that seem too good to be true, especially on social media marketplaces.
• Always check that websites are secure — look for “https://” in the URL — and research unfamiliar vendors for complaints or reports of scams.
• Use payment methods that offer purchase protection, such as credit cards.
• And remember, legitimate organizations will never demand you buy gift cards and use them to pay, and requests for such payments are a red flag. Importantly, every individual who attended our program pledged to bring what they learned home with them, spreading our message across Harlem and the city as a whole. Education, however, is just one piece of the puzzle. JPMorganChase’s latest initiative is part of a multilayered approach that includes ad-
Make plans to see the arts, Black brilliance awaits
CHRISTINA
GREER, PH.D.
One of the many great reasons to spend money living in overpriced cities stems from love of the arts. There is always something going on at the theater, in museums, and even just on the street for everyone to enjoy. In New York this season, there are so many arenas where you can tap into an artistic space and see yourself in the creative expressions of others.
play of black-and-white photographs from mid20th-century Mali. Words cannot describe these photographs. I will just say you are doing yourself a disservice if you miss this show, which is at the museum until May 2026.
vanced security technology, dedicated support teams, and ongoing collaboration with law enforcement. We invest billions annually in cutting-edge solutions to safeguard customers’ financial well-being.
Last year alone, Chase successfully protected customers from losing $12 billion to fraud and scam attempts — a testament to the scale and seriousness of the challenge.
One of the most innovative features Chase is rolling out is a “Trusted Contact Person,” which allows customers to designate someone who can be notified about certain transactions on their account. This is especially valuable for older adults and vulnerable individuals, who are often targeted by scammers.
We also provide all bankers with specialized training from the AARP to help protect seniors from financial abuse and have a specialized Scam Interruption Team that reaches out to customers in real time, offering support
First things first: The newly renovated Studio Museum is a 21st-century marvel and the new crown jewel of 125th Street and Harlem more broadly. The vision of Thelma Golden, director and chief curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem, has given the community, New York City residents, and the rest of the world a new home to appreciate the brilliance of Black artists in a stunning new building.
Every December, I always make time to see Alvin Ailey (at least twice) at City Center during the month.
The Ailey season extends to January 4. Every year, there are new works — amazing new pieces with music that taps into the soul and/or our childhoods, and sheer elegance, strength, and creativity on full display. I always say that the Christmas season does not begin until I see the Ailey troupe and their signature closing performance “Revelations.”
Each night is a different combination of classics along with newer pieces, so check the calendar to see which date moves you.
I just recently went to the Brooklyn Museum to see “Seydou Keita: A Tactile Lens,” which was a positively breathtaking dis-
I have also already purchased my tickets for two plays in the spring. The first is “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.” This August Wilson classic is being directed by the legendary Debbie Allen, stars Taraji Henson and Cedric the Entertainer, and opens March 30. I am so sure those two will electrify the stage on so many levels. I am also looking forward to “Proof” with Don Cheadle and Ayo Edebiri (from the hit show The Bear), opening March 31.
I love seeing shows on Broadway with Black leads. I think it is important to support these productions, and the actors, so theater producers and funders know there is an audience and a desire to see these actors and productions on the big stage. However you choose to spend your winter season, it is my hope you will make a little time for art and the arts. There is so much Black brilliance surrounding us — we must absorb it and support it.
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of the books “How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams” and “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream”; and co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.
Caribbean Update
Caricom completes busy year for elections
By BERT WIKINSON Special to the AmNews
In the past week, the 15-nation Caribbean Community witnessed what was likely the last two of nearly a dozen general elections in the bloc this year with both being held within days of each other as voters returned identical results in the two.
In St. Vincent where Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves’ United Labor Party (ULP) had held power for nearly 25 straight years, the electorate told him that it had grown tired of his governance, wanted to end the era of the ULP and sent away all but one of his 15 members of parliament, some into retirement.
In neighboring St. Lucia, Prime Minister Philip Pierre’s Labor Party (SLP) improved on its previ-
ous outing, taking all but one of the 15 seats. Like St. Vincent where PM Gonsalves will be the only of 15 opposition lawmakers in the house, Allen Chastanet, the now resigned leader of the United Workers Party (UWP), will also be the only opposition legislator across the aisle from the SLP.
As the year closes, major preparations for general elections in The Bahamas and Antigua are underway, with the leaders of both only just recently ruling out setting a date for voters before 2025 ends.
As 2025 counts down, there are also political mutterings about Dominica’s long-serving Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit contemplating his Labor Party’s (DLP) future now that voters have shown the need to end the protracted governance of one party. Skerrit
has been PM since 2004 and was a close colleague of Ralph Gonsalves. The two were the longestserving leaders in Caricom.
For the year so far, governments have called elections in Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad, Belize, Bermuda, Anguilla, Suriname, Curaçao, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Cayman Islands, St. Vincent, and St. Lucia, making it one of the busiest ever on record.
But while poll watchers will be listening out for dates from PM Philip Davis in The Bahamas and Gaston Browne in Antigua in the coming weeks, encouraging signals have been emerging from strife-torn Haiti which has not held any general elections since 2016. This means that Haiti is functioning without any elected officials as mandates have all long
expired. To keep the country functioning, Caribbean leaders early last year helped to broker a transitional government, hoping it would stabilize a country wracked by gangland violence, mostly in the capital, and take it to fresh elections next year.
So, in recent days, the unelected interim administration gave encouraging signals about organizing elections in the last quarter of 2026, passing key pieces of legislation to enable fresh elections.
The council has so far published an electoral calendar with August 2026 as the date for new elections for local, municipal, parliamentary seats, and for the presidency. Providing details of its plans, the electoral council says it has already embarked on a massive recruitment drive for polling day and office staff, registering more than 200 political parties, inspecting and identifying possible polling stations, and securing broadcasting agreements with radio and television stations.
A second round of voting will take place in early December if no candidate secures 50% of the vote, according to the calendar published by the council.
The bloc’s most populous nation had been preparing for elections just around the time when gunmen, in early July 2021, stormed the private residence of President Jovenel Moïse, killing him and injuring his wife. That assassination has helped create serious chaos in Haiti with gunmen creating mayhem mostly in the capital and related areas, suggesting they need to take political power.
This holiday season, give a gift that actually matters
FELICIA PERSAUD
IMMIGRATION KORNER
As we rush toward Christmas and the end-of-year holiday frenzy, many Americans are once again preparing to boost Jeff Bezos’ bank account into the stratosphere, turning Amazon’s profits into another Blue Origin launch.
But this year — in the middle of unprecedented immigrant scapegoating, threats, arrests, intimidation, xenophobia, racism, and wholesale nastiness from the Trump administration — there is a better, more meaningful way to gift. Because, while millions are shopping for gadgets and gadgets-for-the-gadgets, thousands of immigrant families across this country are living in terror. They are fighting deportation, fighting to keep their children safe, fighting to stay out of detention facilities where rights evaporate, and fighting simply to be seen as human.
If there was ever a holiday season to turn our dollars toward justice instead of corporate profits, this is it.
Here are 13 organizations doing life-saving work on the ground every day — and they need support far more than Amazon needs another profitable quarter.
1: Advocates for Immigrant Rights (AIR) (airlegal.org)
AIR provides legal representation to people in ICE detention — the very individuals most vulnerable to abuse, neglect, and deportation without due process. A donation here can literally keep a family together.
2: United We Dream — DACA Renewal Fund (unitedwedream.org)
The largest immigrant youth-led organization in the nation, United We Dream operates a fund to help Dreamers pay the steep renewal fees that allow them to work, study, and stay in the only country they know. At a moment when the administration continues to undermine DACA protections, this fund is a lifeline.
3: Immigrant Justice Corps (justicecorps.org)
This groundbreaking program connects immigrants with accredited legal support — something desperately needed when even minor paperwork errors can mean detention or deportation.
4: ACLU — Immigrants’ Rights Project (aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights)
The American Civil Liberties Union has been at the forefront of legal battles against discriminatory detentions, unconstitutional enforcement, and anti-immigrant policies.
Dedicated to protecting immigrants caught in the criminal legal system, IDP fights the devastating “double punishment” that targets noncitizens for deportation even after serving their sentences.
6: Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) (ilrc.org)
The ILRC trains advocates across the country and plays a crucial role in defending immigrant rights through education, litigation, and policy reform.
7: National Immigration Project (NIPNLG) (nipnlg.org)
Provides critical legal assistance and technical support to communities under attack and is a core member of the Immigrant Justice Network.
8: Americans for Immigrant Justice (AI Justice) (aijustice.org)
A nonprofit law firm offering direct representation, impact litigation, and advocacy for children, trafficking survivors, and detained immigrants.
9: Florence Project (firrp.org)
Working in Arizona, where some of the harshest detention conditions exist, the Florence Project offers free legal and social services to detained adults and unaccompanied children.
10: New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) (nyic.org)
Representing more than 200 im-
migrant and refugee rights groups across New York, NYIC is a powerhouse for policy, advocacy, organizing, and rapid-response mobilization.
11: Catholic Charities (catholiccharitiesusa.org)
Catholic Charities agencies provide critical support to migrants and anyone in need — regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation. Their services range from legal assistance to emergency aid, helping immigrant families navigate an increasingly hostile system with dignity and compassion.
12: National Immigration Law Center (NILC) (nilc.org)
Founded in 1979, the National Immigration Law Center is one of the nation’s foremost advocacy groups fighting to defend and expand the rights of low-income immigrants. NILC works through litigation, policy, and public education to protect immigrant families and ensure opportunity for all.
The Haitian Bridge Alliance — known as “The BRIDGE” — is a Black-led, Haitian-rooted human rights organization providing humanitarian, legal, and social services to migrants. HBA centers the needs of Black immigrants, Haitians, women and girls, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and survivors of tor-
ture and abuse, while pushing for fair and humane immigration policies nationwide.
A Season Of Resistance, A Season Of Giving
This holiday season, while some political leaders use tragedy and mental illness to fan the flames of fear and hatred, we have the power to choose a different path — one rooted in solidarity, justice, and community. Instead of swelling Amazon’s profits, why not invest in organizations fighting for due process, dignity, and human rights?
Instead of another gadget destined for a junk drawer, give a gift that protects a child in detention … … that helps a Dreamer stay in school … … that keeps a family from being torn apart … … that reminds immigrants across this nation that they are not alone.
This year let’s give differently. Let’s give intentionally. Let’s give like justice depends on it — because for thousands of immigrant families, it truly does.
Felicia J. Persaud is the founder and publisher of NewsAmericasNow.com, the only daily syndicated newswire and digital platform dedicated exclusively to Caribbean Diaspora and Black immigrant news across the Americas.
National Park Service drops free admission on MLK Day, Juneteenth while adding Trump’s birthday
By DAVID KLEPPER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Park Service will offer free admission to U.S. residents on President Donald Trump’s birthday next year — which also happens to be Flag Day — but is eliminating the benefit for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth.
The new list of free admission days for Americans is the latest example of the Trump administration downplaying America’s civil rights history while also promoting the president’s image, name, and legacy.
Last year, the list of free days included Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth — which are on January 19 and June 19, respectively — but not June 14, Trump’s birthday.
The new free-admission policy takes effect Jan. 1 and was one of several changes announced by the Park Service late last month, including higher admission fees for international visitors.
The other days of free park admission in 2026 are Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Constitution Day, Veterans Day, President Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday (Oct. 27), and the anniversary of the creation of the Park Service (Aug. 25).
Eliminating Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, which commemorates the day in 1865 when the last enslaved Americans were emancipated, removes two of the nation’s most prominent civil rights holidays.
Some civil rights leaders voiced opposition to the change after news about it began spreading
over the weekend.
“The raw & rank racism here stinks to high heaven,” Harvard Kennedy School professor Cornell William Brooks, a former president of the NAACP, wrote on social media about the new policy.
Kristen Brengel, a spokesperson for the National Parks Conservation Association, said that while presidential administrations have tweaked the free days in the past, the elimination of Martin Luther King Jr. Day is particularly concerning. For one, the day has become a popular day of service for community groups that use the free day to perform volunteer projects at parks.
That will now be much more expensive, said Brengel, whose organization is a nonprofit that advocates for the park system.
“Not only does it recognize an American hero, it’s also a day when people go into parks to clean them up,” Brengel said.
“Martin Luther King Jr. deserves a day of recognition. … For some reason, Black history has repeatedly been targeted by this administration, and it shouldn’t be.”
Some Democratic lawmakers also weighed in to object to the new policy.
“The President didn’t just add his own birthday to the list, he removed both of these holidays that mark Black Americans’ struggle for civil rights and freedom,” said Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada. “Our country deserves better.”
A spokesperson for the National Park Service did not immediately respond to questions on Saturday seeking information about
the reasons behind the changes.
Since taking office, Trump has sought to eliminate programs seen as promoting diversity across the federal government, actions that have erased or downplayed America’s history of racism, as well as the civil rights victories of Black Americans.
Self-promotion is an old habit of the president’s and one he has continued in his second term. He unsuccessfully put himself forward for the Nobel Peace Prize, renamed the U.S. Institute of Peace after himself, sought to put his name on the planned NFL stadium in the nation’s capital, and had a new children’s savings program named after him.
Some Republican lawmakers have suggested putting his visage on Mount Rushmore and the $100 bill.
Grand Canyon National Park. (Pexels/Amber Stevens)
COMPANY: Molaprise NAME: Emmanuel Ola-Dake
Arts & Entertainment
How New York Historical brought the ‘Gay Harlem Renaissance’ back to life
By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff
Early 1900s Harlem — sans the cigarette smoke — greets New York Historical guests on the second floor of the Upper West Side museum and library until March 8, 2026. Titled “The Gay Harlem Renaissance,” the exhibit showcases the LGBTQ+ roots of the hallowed Black cultural movement that occurred roughly 50 blocks north and a century ago. Since the show’s doors opened on Oct. 10, folks seem to love it.
“It’s been overwhelmingly positive in my own experience giving tours in the gallery,” said the exhibit’s lead curator, Allison Robin-
son. “It’s been a range of emotional reactions, from just joy at discovering something new [to having] people tear up on my tours learning about this history … it means a lot to me that this has touched people in a really deep way, and particularly given the fact that we worked on this for years.”
The exhibit stems from Columbia University professor George Chauncey joining the New York Historical Society’s board of trustees just under three years ago. He boasted a trove of experience writing and teaching about LGBTQ+ history and suggested examining Black LGBTQ+ life during the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s and 30s, when he met
with museum president Louise Mirrer. Chauncey maintains that uptown’s “Black mecca” was the most gay friendly neighborhood at the time, despite the hallowed reputation of lower Manhattan’s Greenwich Village during the same period.
“Harlem was far larger,” he said over Zoom. “There were more clubs, more meeting places. The Hamilton Lodge Ball was the largest drag ball in the city. It was the largest drag ball on the whole East Coast, and had people traveling from up and down the East Coast to come to it. It was the boldest queer scene. [In] Greenwich Village, there were sometimes clubs where you’d see
male-identified people in dresses. In Harlem, you had people walking down the streets very well known in the community. It was a more vibrant scene.
“That’s really important for us to realize, and it’s one of the problems of the field of LGBTQ history: it’s primarily focused on white, middle-class people, and in fact, queer life in the ‘20s and ‘30s was much more diverse. As it [also] is today.”
New York Historical ultimately greenlit the idea and paired Chauncey with several curators, including Robinson. Early on, the project assembled an academic advisory committee with experts on Black, queer, and cultural his-
tory, along with Harlem’s past. Through such research, Robinson compiled a checklist of objects and photos held by roughly 25 different lenders across the country. Just one prop exists on display among the artifacts: a prize-winning dress worn by Black drag queen Bonnie Clark at the 1932 Hamilton Lodge Ball. A pencil drawing and a written description are all that remains of the gown’s existence. Based on them, fashion historian J. Leia Lima Baum reproduced the dress following months of meticulous research. The prop considers everything from the color scheme to how
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Gay Harlem Renaissance exhibit at New York Historical. (Tandy Lau photo)
the light would have hit the dress almost a century ago.
Robinson says Bonnie Clark’s gown plays a key role in recreating the impact of the annual Hamilton Lodge Ball, where drag kings and drag queens would preen and prance to massive uptown crowds.
But bringing the early 1900s to modern-day New York City meant accounting for how language around gender identity and sexuality changed from roughly a century ago. For example, the exhibit prominently features blues singer Gladys Bentley, who went by feminine pronouns but always felt tomboyish and once penned an Ebony magazine essay about her gender non-conformity. But terms like “transgenderism” and “transexuality” did not exist back then.
“There was a kind of sexual fluidity that is really important to recognize in this period,” said Chauncey. “It was one of the trickiest things that we tried to do, because these are very complicated issues, but it was something we did not want to ignore, that we wanted to engage with and get our visitors to think about.”
He says the exhibit’s capstone, an impressive period room drenched in smoky red light, fills in the gaps through a blues playlist played in the theater featuring songs highlighting LGBTQ+ themes. The music allows figures featured in the exhibit to speak (or more accurately, sing) for themselves, whether in celebration or bewilderment of the Gay Harlem Renaissance.
In order to construct the theater, the curators connected with repositories for materials, and the museum’s exhibition design team brought the vision to life after much discussion. “In order to give our visitors a chance to think of what it would have been like to be in a club listening to Ethel Waters sing and perform, we created this theater to make that part really sink in and come alive for our visitors,” said Robinson.
Other interactive elements include a social media wall with dress-up costumes and a station to create rent party cards, which Black Harlemites used to advertise jamborees held to cover exorbitant housing costs enacted by racist landlords. They offer opportunities for younger guests to engage with the Gay Harlem Renaissance, as education on LGBTQ+ history remains under attack across the country.
“From the beginning, we were
working with our education department in our DiMenna Children’s History Museum to try to incorporate elements that would specifically make this show accessible to both younger audiences and also intergenerational families,” said Robinson. “Everything on the wall is content related to our blues queens, who are presenting themselves in terms of gender and sexuality in very different ways. We get a good sense of the range of ways to just express yourself in Harlem in the 1920s and 30s.”
“But by adding a social media wall with costumes, it gives children a chance to not only have that content be explained to them, but think about that as they’re dressing themselves and posing in front of a little microphone. And I’m happy to say that I have received a lot of very cute pictures of people and their children posing in front of that wall.”
Unidentified photographer Gladys Bentley (1907-1960), ca. 1940 Silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper (Collection of the Smithsonian, National Museum of African American History and Culture)
A modern replica of a costume worn by Bonnie Clark to win the prize for best dressed at the 1932 Hamilton Lodge Odd Fellows Masquerade and Civic Ball, held at the Rockland Palace. (Michael Henry Adams photo)
Theater room at the Gay Harlem Renaissance exhibit. (Tandy Lau photo)
Earth, Wind & Fire bring iconic funk and soul classics to Hard Rock in Atlantic City
By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews
Soul and funk icons Earth, Wind & Fire (EWF) recently took the stage in front of bright, multi-colored lights and a diverse crowd by age and more on two cold autumn evenings at Etess Arena in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. EWF remains one of the greatest groups in music history. The Chicago-based group, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, has inspired many not only
in America but worldwide, and they still perform their iconic hits.
Led by original members singer and percussionist Philip Bailey, bass guitarist Verdine White, and percussionist and singer Ralph Johnson, EWF took fans on a musical journey through time by playing many of their timeless classics, mainly from the 1970s and 1980s. All three original members played instruments and sang background vocals, including a solo by Bailey on the kalimba. Also onstage were three horn
players, a musical director on keyboards, a drummer, and two additional guitarists.
The show included classic uptempo EWF songs such as “Shining Star,” “Sing a Song,” “Let’s Groove Tonight,” “September,” and “Boogie Wonderland,” all of which got the crowd on their feet.
The six-time Grammy Awardwinning collective helped light up a holiday tree at Mohegan Sun before a performance on Sunday night. At that event, they performed some of their emo-
tion-stirring ballads, including “Devotion,” “That’s the Way of the World,” “After the Love Is Gone,” “Would You Mind,” and — with Bailey showcasing his still-superb falsetto vocals — “Reasons.”
They also performed “Serpentine Fire,” “Brazilian Rhyme (Beijo Interlude),” “Fantasy,” “In the Stone,” and a cover of the Beatles’ “Got to Get You into My Life,” written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
The late founding member Maurice White, Verdine’s older brother,
was honored and acknowledged. He would have turned 84 on December 19.
EWF will perform at the Beacon Theatre in New York City on Monday, Dec. 15, and Tuesday, Dec. 16.
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City will host “Mr. 305” himself — Pitbull — on Friday, Dec. 26 and Saturday, Dec. 27, and “Mike Tyson Presents: Return of the Mike” on Friday, Jan. 23, featuring the Brooklyn boxing icon. For more info, visit hardrock.com.
Founding Earth, Wind, & Fire members Verdine White and Philip Bailey perform at concert at Etess Arena in Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
Founding Earth, Wind, & Fire member Philip Bailey plays African drums at concert at Etess Arena in Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
Founding Earth, Wind, & Fire member Verdine White plays bass guitar during concert at Etess Arena in Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
Founding Earth, Wind, & Fire members Philip Bailey, Verdine White, and Ralph Johnson at concert at Etess Arena in Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. (Derrel Johnson photos)
The holidays are here again, and we are all looking for a gift or two. With so much to choose from, it can be difficult to find the best products for everyone on your list. Some things look good on paper or in a video, but get them home and they are not the quality you thought they would be. That’s why, for the past 12 months, we at the New York Amsterdam News have been testing all sorts of goodies, treats, toys, and gifts for you to give. These are some of the best products we have seen, eaten, played with, or smelled. We hope that you enjoy them as much as we have.
Smell the holidays
Rouge in the Mirror by Loruve, $98. The color of the jar is elegant while the scent is mesmerizing, with notes of vanilla, patchouli, peppercorn, dark rose, and plum. Also look for the Comfort of Belonging $138. www.loruve.com
Spiced Pomegranate by Scrumptious Wicks, $32. This hand-poured soy/ coconut wax candle has hints of cider, pomegranate, and currant. The candle burns for 50–60 hours. The elegant box makes it a serious gift. www.scrumptiouswicks.com
Tranquil by Us, You, Me, All 4+, $9. Spray the essential oils of peppermint, lavender, rosemary, and frankincense on most pillows, blankets, or towels for some fabric therapy. The soothing scent will help you relax and freshen up the room. Also look for their Tranquil Aromatherapy Roller, $18. www.UsSoapandBody.com
Sugar Daddy Candle by Nose Best, $24. This 8-inch soy wax candle burns for 40–50 hours. It has notes of moss, Frasier fir, cypress, musk, and lemon peel. www.nosebestcandles.com
If you are looking to give a gift this year that is in someone’s name, please consider donating to Sanctuary for Families (www.sanctuaryforfamilies. org). They help families who deal with domestic violence. You could also speak to your local clergy and see if a family is struggling in your community and could use a toy to give to a child. Gifts like these make NY stronger. Wishing you a healthy and happy holiday season filled with love, light, friends, and family.
Note: Prices are approximate. Prices shift de- pending on where you purchase and when.
The Santa Trap by the Librarians Candle Co., $24. With notes of cookies, milk, and vanilla, this 7-oz., small-batch handmade candle will have Santa rushing for your house. The relaxing scent makes you hungry. Also try their Love You Forever candle. The name just makes it a warm gift. www.thelibrarianscandleco.com
Terrific toys
Peeksville™ Learning Barnyard Playset, 18m+ Learning Resources, $39.99. Kids learn colors, numbers, fine motor skills with this playset that includes handheld toy animals that double as finger puppets. Also look for the Peeksville™ Jungle Safari Playset, 18m+, $39.99. www.learningresources.com
Hybrid 50002 Highway Challenge Track Kit 12+ Carrera, $239.98. Set includes two scale Porsche cars, track, and an app. Take your cars for the ultimate ride with this set. This sleek, smart, and fast set makes for many merry memories. www.carreraslotsicom
1a. Geo Genius 6+ Deep Purple Project, $40. The kit comes with a real amethyst cluster, guide, stickers, and stand. Learn all about this beautiful purple stone. www.deeppurpleproject.com
tumes, and fans can purchase additional outfits to enact scenes from the movies. www.americangirl.com
3c. Holiday Collection Dolls, 3+, Curls Poppin, $30. Choose from five beautiful Black dolls in holiday outfits that have amazing hair play. Also look for their Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Collection, $60. The website celebrates Black beauty. www.curlspoppindolls.com
Perfect plush
Special Edition 15-Inch Vermont Flannel Liberty Bear, 3+ Vermont Teddy Bear, $90. The special edition bear has red, white, and blue flannel cut-outs for a patriotic soft feel. Also look for their sweet 15-inch Love Your Heart Bear, 3+, $80.
4d. Slumber 17-inch Bear, 1+ Gund, $43.99. This happy big brown bear is a furry plush companion. Also look for their 5e. Oh So Snuggly Cookie Monster ,12.5 inches, $33.99. www.gund.com
Oh, what fun
Delightful dolls
book that describes the dark arts. Great Potter Gift. www.runningpress.com
6f. Modern Witch Tarot Deck by Lisa Serle, 13+, Serling Ethos, $35.99. 78 beautiful cards fill this tarot deck that has an introductory booklet. It is wonderful to see an image of a Black woman on the cover of the deck! www.hachettebookgroup.com
For the “Wicked” fan
Wicked Emerald City and Wicked Kiamo Ko Castle, 9+, LEGO, $79.95. The set allows fans to build both playsets, has 860 pieces, and includes minidoll Glinda, flying monkey, and Elphaba. Also look for their 9i. Welcome to Emerald City set that has 945 pieces, five minidolls, and special “Wicked” content, $99.99. www.lego.com
Christmas Countdown Candle by Arkaeologi, $28. Light this 13.5-oz. hand-poured candle that has notes of fir, moss, amber, evergreen, cedar, lemon peel, and cypress, and make your home smell of winter. The decorative glass jar makes the candle festive. In addition, look for their adorable Alfie the Alligator Holiday Edition Set, $26. www.arkaeologi.com
Tropical Bird Pack, 6+ Clixo, $44.99. This 22-pc set turns 2D pieces into exotic 3D toys to construct and play with. Kids build and then rebuild with this easy-totravel-with colorful kit. In addition, look for their Creator 40 Pack, 4+, $51.99, and their Space Mission 30-piece pack, 6+, $44.99. www.clixo.com
AG Sisters Wesley Doll from American Girl, 4+, $80. Wesley is from the new doll series. She is 14.5 inches tall and ready to go to school or on an adventure with her besties. In addition, look for 2b. The Witches of Oz, 6+, $295 each from American Girl. These dolls from the Collectors Series come with their dazzling traditional cos-
Harry Potter Dark Arts Mini Deck and Guidebook 7+Running Press, Hachette Book Group, $12.95. This mini set contains 70 cards and a mini but magnificent
7g. Lynx Rising 500-pc Puzzle, 7+, PaperBlanks, $22.95. Erica Williams is the artist who created the vivid picture to be created. The unique printing technique creates texture and enhances the design. Also look for their 1,000pc Celestial Planisphere Puzzle or the 500-pc Still Life by Van Gogh. In addition, the group publishes the most fantastic hardcover journals. 8h. The I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Maya Angelou lined journal is extraordinary for $19.95. www.paperblanks.com
“Wicked” Chess Set – Shiz vs. The Emerald City, 7+, The Noble Collection, $65. Play and display with this 32-piece set that brings the movie into the gaming world perfectly with flair. Also look for their Glinda’s Bubble Wand Prop Replica, $219. www.noblecollection.com
Beautiful for the body
10j. 5 Pack Variety Organic Lip Balm by Kind Lips, $20. Five Premium lip balms (Strawberry, Wild Cherry,
Unscented, Sweet Mint, Vanilla Lemon) designed to nourish and protect while tasting amazing. 20% of every product is donated to antibullying organizations because kindness and bullying can start from one’s lips. Also look for their 50 Unique Self Affirmation Post-It Notes, $5. www.kindlips.com
STEAM
AI Robot Miko 3, 5+, $150 . This safe, expressive robot that uses AI and is COPPA-certified, teaching children on a number of levels. Buying a subscription opens up premium content that kids will use both as tools to learn and for fun. It is a STEAM dream that encourages kids to interact with tech in a positive manner. www.miko.ai
or individual cool music pieces. The Super Bundle Kit that contains all the merry musical sets is $408. www.loopslab.com
iPad Pro 13-inch (M5) by Apple, $2,599. This iPad is versatile for work or play. Take pictures, stream movies, do work, or play games. Order it to fit your needs. It can have 2TB of storage, 16 GB of memory, nano-textured glass, True Depth camera system, four-speaker audio, 12 mp wide camera, and so much more. Order pen or magic keyboard to go with your new iPad for a price. Engraving is in the house. www.apple.com
PIXPRO FZ45, 12+, Kodak, $129.99. This is an easy-to-use first digital camera with zoom. It has red eye removal, face detection, 27 mm wide angle lens, and more. www.kodakpixpro.com
Perfect on paper
Rosie & Raven, An Interactive Animated Fairytale by Kayla Silber, $44.99. Beautifully illustrated pictures combine with Augmented Reality (AR) in this magical fairytale that will enchant readers of all ages. This is a keepsake book that kids will read again and again due to lyrical writing, enchanting pictures, and relatable story. www.elev8reality.com
I’m Very Busy by Oliver Jeffers, 3+, Philomel, $17.99. Life gets busy, but it’s never too busy for friends or birthdays. www.penguinrandomhouse.com
13m. Alana Gets Her Curls Back by Aston Martin, illustrated and designed by Leda Gabelli, 3+, $12.99. Alana the fairy makes her own healthy hair shampoo that will nourish her gorgeous locks. www.abyaston.com
The Curiosity Chronicles: Time Machine Troubles by Chris Ferrie, Byrne Laginestra, and Wade David Fairclough, 8+, Sourcebooks Explore, $14.99. This Pick-Your-Quest Adventure! takes readers through time and teaches them about testing hypotheses, physics, chemistry, optics, and more. www.sourcebookskids.com
Stocking stuffers
Oracle Wallet, 12+, Proof, $125. Made from carbon fiber and dark gunmetal, these wallets hold 25 cards and cash, and are RFID-blocking. They come with a lifetime warranty. www.carryproof.com
AirPods Pro 3 by Apple $249 The world’s best in ear active noise cancelling ear buds. All new heart rate sensing and calorie counting during workouts makes this product even better to give to older gift recipients. www.apple.com
Holiday-themed gifts
It’s Not Easy Being Santa Claus by Marilyn Sadler, with illustrations by Steph Laberis, 3+, Random House Books for Young Readers, $10.99. It may not be easy being Santa, but it sure is fun! www.rhcbooks.com
The Giving Flower: The Story of the Poinsettia by Ala P. Dobbs, with pictures by Emily Mendoza, 4+, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, $18.99. The history of the holiday flower told through art and a lyrical tale is a treasure. www.sourcebookskids.com
Eat, drink, and be MERRY!
puzzle activity sheets. No screens here!
Kids can use HandMoto alone or play together. Purchase additional packs as kids succeed with the original ones. www.handmoto.com
12l. Piano Prodigy Kit, 5+, Make Music Count, $149.99. This STEAM set comes with six workbooks, 49-key keyboard, and an app. Kids learn math and music at the same time with easyto-follow lessons. www.makeusiccount.com
Hairiette of Harlem: The Great Birthday Surprise! Book 1, by Tanya Wright, with pictures by Ashley Evans, 6+, Sourcebooks, $8.99. This wonderful book shows how powerful imagination can be. www.sourcebookskids.com
Desk Essentials Suite Bundle by The Planner Shop, $76. The set comes with two notepads, a vegan leather notebook, and a 24-hour planner pad to structure your day and tear off if needed. The set is fantastic to quietly organize anyone in your life. www.theplannershop.com
blend is said to boost energy and help heart health. This is a Black femaleowned establishment that is here to make your holidays healthier. www. bymodestine.com
Carmencita Seafood Paella Kit by Jesus Navarro, $54.32. Product of Spain that only needs your favorite seafood added to it. The kit contains a paella pan, dry stock, olive oil, and rice. The kit makes an incredible gift. Also look for their Paella Seasoning with Saffron, 5 Pack in Metallic Tin, $23.73. www.carmencita.com
Peaceful Dove Tequila Cocktail Kit, 21+, Bluestem Botanicals, $40 . The herbs grown for this great gift kit were by a herbalist. This bar kit for the craft drinks enthusiast includes Rose Geranium Simple Syrup, Spicy Bitters, Lemon Verbena, African Blue Basil, and a recipe card. www.bluestembotanicals.com
14n. Black Momma Peach Tea Vodka, $34.99. Support a Black female’s delicious brand. The vodka is infused with natural tea leaves and spices for a terrific taste. www.blackmommavodka.com
Hot & Spicy Flame Mulling Kit by Curio Spice Co., $9.95. This kit from their drink collection contains allspice, ginger, orange peel, coriander, cinnamon, clove, mace, chiles, cardamom, and black pepper. Add the fragrant mixture to cider or wine with some honey and cook. A gallon of warm brew with just a hint of heat is created for company. Summer Sangria Spice by Curio Spice Co., $9.50, is another great drink mix for holiday guests. This company is women-owned and mission-driven. The Sangria Spice is perfect to make entertaining easy and delicious. Also look for their Bonga Spice Ethiopianinspired green chile rub, $9.95. The spice mix contains cumin, garlic, parsley, coriander, chilies, koseret, besobela, turmeric, nigella, and black cardamom. It is ethically sourced and can be used as a rub or marinade with vegetables, meats, and poultry. It has mild heat with lots of flavor. www.curiospice.com
Smoked Maple Old Fashioned by Meliora Forever Instant Cocktails, $16. Making an Old Fashioned just got easy. Drop two of these cubes into hot water, add 2 oz of whiskey or bourbon, and serve over ice. The cubes contain fig extract, maple extract, Bitters Lab Fig and Black Walnut bitters, smoke compound, smoke extract, Demerara sugar, and Angostura Aromatic bitters. Also look for their delicious Expresso Martini cubes and Manhattan cubes www.MelioraForever.com
11k. MegaPack, 2–6, HandMoto, $35. This colossal educational kit comes with a dry erase board, markers, erasers, coloring, and math, spelling, and
Empowers music lovers to create their own music and sounds layer by layer without screen time. Use collectable pieces to place music on a board to engineer the sounds and melodies you are looking for. Collect all of the different sounding bands, $54.99 each
Signature Navy Collection Bundle by James Point, $162. This organizational bundle includes a Family Tasker, a Multi Tasker Double, a Daily Tasker, and a Productivity Pack. All are made on slightly textured 32-lb paper that is perforated for tearing easily. The bundle will help both youth and adults get organized. www.jamespointstationary.com
Chef’s Collection by Burlap & Barrel, $54.99. Six incredible spices that you need for your pantry, like Black Lime, Cloud Forest Cardamon, Wild Mountain Cumin, Euphrates Mint leaves. We love the “pay what you can” program that allows families to get real spices even if they are struggling. This company pays the farmers fairly and is all about the best quality. Their Spice Passport, $9.99, features eight spice pods from around the world that are put into a small book to easily carry your spices on the go. The pods can be resealed. Try spices like sundried tomato powder or royal cinnamon. www.burlapandbarrel.com
Sweet Love Chocolate Delight by Modestine, $19.50. This terrific tea
Wyoming-Style Steak Seasoning by Yellowstone Spice Co., $15. Garlic, mushroom, paprika, oregano, pepper, and salt combine to add a burst of flavor to your steaks or burgers. This American seasoning can be added to sauces as well. Look for their Spicy Carrot Hot Sauce to add zip to meats and poultry, $13. It also goes well with pizza. www.yellowstonespicecompany.com
Ego Nwodim to host 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards
By MAGRIRA Special to the AmNews
Film Independent has announced that Ego Nwodim — actor, comedian, and one of the defining voices of her generation — will host the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards. The ceremony, honoring the best in independent film and television, returns for its 41st edition on February 15, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium. Nwodim, whose seven-season run on “Saturday Night Live” cemented her status as a dynamic comedic force, greeted the news with trademark enthusiasm. “No stage celebrates the incredible work of these visionary artists and independent creators everywhere quite like the Spirit Awards,” she said. “I can’t wait to join Film Independent for an afternoon of fun, laughs, and a few surprises.”
“We are thrilled to have the brilliantly talented Ego Nwodim joining us to host the 41st annual Spirit Awards,” said Brenda Robinson, acting president of Film Independent. “Ego has entertained audiences with her sharp wit and genius comedic timing for many years, and we’re excited to make her a part of Film Independent history. We are looking forward to a day filled with hilarity and joy as we celebrate excellence in independent film and television on February 15th.”
Independent and IMDb’s YouTube channels and across social platforms beginning at 2 p.m. PT. The Spirit Awards serve as Film Independent’s primary annual fundraiser, supporting programs designed to elevate emerging filmmakers and advance diversity and inclusion throughout the industry.
Film Independent understands the importance and value of diversity, equity, and inclusion — not only in the creative community but in the entire entertainment landscape. When diverse voices are empowered and authentically represented, everyone benefits: Audiences gain a deeper understanding of the people who call this country home, and the culture itself becomes richer, more nuanced, and more interconnected.
Nwodim’s spans television, film, podcasting, and stage. Her recent screen credits include Peacock’s “Poker Face” (season two), HBO’s “It’s Florida, Man,” and Apple TV’s anthology “Roar.” Her film work ranges from Netflix’s “Players” to IFC’s “Spin Me Round” and Sony’s “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.” She also hosts the award-winning podcast “Thanks Dad,” featuring guests such as Randall Park, Kyle Mooney, and Bill Burr. Her upcoming slate underscores her wide reach: Mindy Kaling’s Hulu comedy “Not Suitable for Work”; Netflix’s “Little Brother”; the adaptation “Backyard Baseball”; and Disney and Pixar’s “Hoppers.” This fall, Nwodim made her Off Broadway debut at Lincoln Center with a one-woman comedy show as part of “The Comedy Series.”
Nominations for the 2026 ceremony were unveiled on December 3 in a video announcement. Winners will be revealed during the live broadcast, streaming on Film
Nwodim, a first-generation Nigerian American born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, brings this same spirit of representation to the 2026 Spirit Awards stage. A graduate of the University of Southern California and alumna of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, Nwodim’s comedic voice blends sharp wit, cultural insight, and a fearless approach to storytelling that resonates among audiences. Her heritage and journey, spanning sketch comedy, film, television, and live performance, embody the cross-cultural creativity that Film Independent celebrates.
To join and vote, visit filmindependent. org/join. Eligibility rules and regulations are available at filmindependent.org/spirit-awards/faq.
For more than four decades, Film Independent has championed autonomy in visual storytelling, supporting a global community of creators whose work embodies diversity, innovation, and singular vision. Its programs include artist development labs, grants, and Project Involve, the organization’s signature mentorship initiative for filmmakers from underrepresented communities.
‘Love & Basketball’ still scores: A 25th anniversary capsule reimagines a classic
By MAGRIRA Special to the AmNews
On December 5, 2025, a film that shaped a generation returned in a new uniform. The Love & Basketball × Playa Society 25th Anniversary Capsule, titled “First Quarter: Ball Better Than You,” arrives as a tightly edited collection that treats one of cinema’s most beloved romances as both archive and playbook, reframing it through the lens of women’s sports and streetwear. WNBA New York Liberty standouts Natasha Cloud and Isabelle Harrison lead the campaign, modeling the drop like they’re stepping out of a tunnel and into a cultural memory that never really left the court.
The collaboration pairs writer-director Gina Prince-Bythewood with Playa Society founder Esther Wallace, two women whose careers have centered on women’s ambition — in sports, in culture, and in storytelling. “I am so humbled by the enduring impact of the film on both ballers and non-athletes, who are inspired by characters who believe in themselves enough to fight for an impossible dream,” Prince-Bythewood said. “I have been enamored by the dopeness and swagger of Esther Wallace and her Playa Society brand, and knew I could trust her with the film’s legacy. It has
been an inspiring collaboration.”
This drop is the first of several planned collaborations between Prince-Bythewood and Playa Society, blending nostalgia, culture, and women’s sports in a way that honors the film while pushing its legacy forward.
The capsule itself is a focused lineup of hoodies, tees, headwear, and accessories, all available exclusively at playasociety.com while supplies last. The Love & Basketball Hoodie (also available as a Crop Hoodie) anchors the collection — a wearable celebration of the film that shaped an era. The Love & Basketball “Lil Monica” T-shirt pays tribute to what the team behind the capsule calls the first unapologetic depiction of a female athlete in film, honoring the confidence and determination of Monica Wright in the “First Quarter” of the story, as played by Kyla Pratt. A hand-drawn sketch captures her attitude in a single glance.
The “Ball Better Than You” tee — an immediate statement piece — leans into the iconic line that defines Monica’s competitive fire. With the quote printed in orange against a soft oat background, the design salutes the boldness of a girl who never apologized for her skill, and the woman who refused to shrink herself for anyone. For the film itself, the 25th anniversary is
more than a milestone: It is a reminder of how rare its achievement was and how quietly radical it remains. When “Love & Basketball” premiered in 2000, it gave American cinema something it had seldom seen: an African American woman athlete whose drive was treated not as a barrier to romance but as the engine of it. The film has since become a staple on lists of both the greatest sports movies and the most heartfelt romantic dramas — an unusual double distinction that reflects its insistence that ambition, desire, and self-belief can exist in the same story without compromise. Its influence has traveled far beyond the screen. For generations of girls who practiced under flickering gym lights, young Monica became a mirror. For women who found their voices later, “Ball better than you” became a compact mantra about claiming space without apology. The anniversary capsule translates those feelings into tangible pieces — fabric and ink that treat the film’s most resonant moments as living ideas that can still be worn, debated, and carried through city streets.
Prince-Bythewood’s own career echoes the film’s rise from sleeper hit to modern classic. As one of the
first African
Ego Nwodim, recently announced as host of the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards (Oriana Layendecker photo)
New York Liberty star Isabelle Harrison. (Courtesy photo)
AmNews FOOD
The holiday madness has its perks: Good, hearty, rich, comfort food
By KELLY TORRES Special to the AmNews
Whatever tradition you’re observing, it’s safe to say the holiday season is undeniably in full swing! As the colorful string lights outside get brighter and brighter, the days get colder and colder, and the nights get darker and darker, it only means one thing: the food
gets heartier and heartier. Bring on the chunky soups, all the casserole dishes imaginable, and the lively, boozy desserts designed to lift up your spirits! Here I have a pork ragu recipe that is slow-cooked and packed with flavor. Choosing a Duroc Heritage pork tenderloin for this ragu sauce ensures that the meat stays tender and juicy after an hour of stewing in a soffritto-en -
Mafalde with Duroc Heritage Pork Ragu
Yields 4 servings
Ingredients:
• 1.5 pounds Duroc Heritage pork tenderloin, silver skin removed, fat trimmed, cut into small pieces
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• Red chili flakes, to taste
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 carrot, finely minced
• 2 stalks celery, finely minced
• ½ onion, finely minced
• 3 tbsp garlic, finely minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1-28 oz can crushed tomatoes with basil
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 lb Mafalde pasta (follow cooking time on package)
• 4 tbsp Parmesan, plus extra for garnish
• Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Season pork with salt, pepper, and red chili flakes. Keep in the fridge until ready to use.
2. In a deep-set skillet, cook the soffritto (carrot, celery, onion, garlic) in olive oil for 20 minutes on medium to mediumlow heat, stirring every 4 to 5 minutes.
3. Add tomato paste, let cook in a small area in the pan (make space for it) for 2 minutes until it reaches a rusty color, then mix into the soffritto and cook for another minute, stirring continuously.
4. Add the pork, cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. In the meantime, heat up 1 cup of chicken stock on the side.
5. Add the can of crushed tomatoes to the pork and soffritto. Stir thoroughly, cover, and let cook for 2 minutes.
6. Add the chicken stock. Stir thoroughly. When the sauce starts to simmer, turn the heat to low and cook covered for 1 hour, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes.
7. In the meantime, bring cold, salted
water to a boil. Use a stock pot large enough to boil 1 pound of pasta.
8. When the water is at a rapid boil, add the pasta and set your timer to the cooking time instructed on the pasta package, subtracted by 2 minutes. Halfway through cooking time, reserve 2 cups of hot pasta water in a
riched tomato sauce. Italian soffritto differs from Latin-Caribbean sofrito, not only in the spelling of the word, but also in the ingredients used. This soffritto consists of finely minced carrots, celery, onions, and garlic, giving the crushed tomatoes a balanced backbone of flavor. This ragu goes especially well with tagliatelle or pappardelle pasta, but to shake things up, I chose mafal -
de pasta to kick off the holidays. Mafalde pasta is a pasta shape that resembles thin stretches of lasagna with its curly edges and ribbon-like texture, and holds up really well against thick, meat-based sauces. So, as holiday parties ramp up and shopping lists get longer, fueling up with delicious carbs like this pasta dish is key to sustaining your energy. There is an upside to the madness!
measuring cup.
9. When the timer goes off for the pasta, turn the heat up to the ragu sauce and strain the mafalde pasta.
10. Add the cooked Mafalde pasta and the parmesan to the ragu sauce and stir thoroughly but gently so that no sauce spills over. Add the hot pasta water
and stir. Set your timer for 2 minutes to finish cooking the mafalde pasta al dente in the ragu sauce, stirring thoroughly but gently so that you don’t break the pasta. Taste the sauce and adjust with salt & pepper, if necessary. Serve immediately. Garnish each plate with Parmesan. Enjoy!
Mafalde with Duroc Heritage Pork Ragu (Kelly Torres photo)
Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick reunite to celebrate 40 years of ‘La-Di-Da-Di’
By JOHNNY KNOLLWOOD Special to the AmNews
Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick reunited at Rough Trade Below in Manhattan on November 25 to celebrate 40 years of “La-Di-DaDi.” The duo were on hand at the Midtown record store to take pictures and sign vinyl copies of the single, which was hand-numbered and limited to 1,000 units.
The pair first released the landmark recording as a B-side to “The Show,” which appeared on Doug E. Fresh’s debut album “Oh My God!” The track cemented the duo’s respective places in hip hop history, propelling the pair and the genre to new heights of popularity and influencing culture for generations to come. The song has become one of the most sampled of all time and was famously reworked by Snoop Dogg under the title “Lodi Dodi.”
Fans lined up more than two hours early to meet the Barbadosborn “Human Beatbox” and “The Ruler” from London, who met at a
talent showcase in New York City in 1984. Advertisements leading up to the event stated that limited edition shirts depicting the same picture on the cover of the record were to be given to the first 100 attendees, causing some commo-
tion among attendees when Rockefeller Center security attempted to re-route the line, resulting in some disorderliness, argumentative shouting, and a few cutters who were able to sneak by staff. Nonetheless, it was all cheers and
smiles as Doug E. Fresh entered the store around 6 p.m., passing by the long line gathering outside –– Rick, fashionably late, followed about 20 minutes later, and the signing commenced. Rick and Doug took their time with fans who expressed their gratitude to the duo for their contributions to music and culture.
Few copies of the “La-Di-Da-Di” 40th Anniversary single remain; you can score one at fatbeats.com.
‘Sean Combs: The Reckoning’ lays bare the cost of power in a riveting Netflix docuseries
By MAGRIRA Special to the AmNews
If you don’t already have a Netflix account, get one just so you can watch the four-episode limited documentary series “Sean Combs: The Reckoning,” executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.
“Sean Combs: The Reckoning” is sharp as a tack: a deeply unsettling and undeniably gripping documentary series tracking the meteoric ascent and spectacular collapse of one of hip hop’s most influential hitmakers. Framed around Sean Combs’ 50-month federal prison sentence for the stark, unglamorous charge of transportation to engage in prostitution, the series turns his public reckoning into a coolly controlled study in power, image-building, and self-destruction.
Directed with clear-eyed precision by Alexandria Stapleton, the series could easily have played as a revenge piece. Instead, it lands as something more layered and unnervingly persuasive.
Stapleton structures the episodes around a steady accumulation of testimony — childhood friends, former employees, collaborators, and two jurors from Combs’ trial — who collectively sketch a portrait of a man whose charisma curdled into control, intimidation, and allegedly, escalating violence.
The filmmaking is disciplined and confident: interviews are tightly shaped, archival material is deployed for maximum context rather than shock value, and the series keeps a firm grip on narrative momentum over its four-hour running time.
The show does not flinch from the ugliest material. The now-infamous hotel corridor footage of Combs assaulting Cassie Ventura remains difficult to watch, and the series situates that video not as an anomaly but as part of a longer, chilling pattern of alleged abuse, manipulation, and exploitation.
Allegations of drugging and sexual assault, stories of demeaning “freak off” parties, and claims
of withheld payments to keep collaborators dependent all feed into a coherent, disturbing through line about entitlement and impunity. Did the filmmakers try to soften the impact of his admitted violence? It often feels that way. Instead of flattening Combs into a one-dimensional monster, they thread in details of a violent childhood, his father’s death, and a mother who reportedly urged him to “fight dirty,” adding psycho-
logical and generational shading without fully absolving him.
One of the series’ more intriguing tensions lies in its authorship.
That such a damning portrait of Combs is being delivered, in part, by 50 Cent — a savvy showman who has publicly vowed to oppose any future pardon — might suggest a built-in bias.
The surprise is how little the project feels like a score-settling exercise. Instead, it plays as a
modern morality tale with classical contours: a young man from modest origins rides talent, drive, and relentless self-promotion into rarefied cultural air, only to confuse adulation with immunity.
The doc is acutely aware of what it culturally and politically means, that this saga centers on an African American mogul who once symbolized aspiration for a generation. It sits with that discomfort rather than exploiting it.
“Sean Combs: The Reckoning” is, finally, less about one fallen star than about the ecosystem that enabled him — an industry, and a culture that looked the other way for years. As a piece of nonfiction television, it is taut, engrossing, and disturbingly effective: an intriguing watch that doubles as a case study in how power protects itself, until it doesn’t.
For viewers willing to spend four hours inside a world of corrosive glamour and mounting accusations, the series delivers both an engrossing narrative and a quietly damning verdict.
Fans gathered at Rough Trade Below in Manhattan to celebrate the 40th anniversary of “La-Di-Da-Di” with Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick, who were on hand to sign autographs and take pictures on November 25. (Johnny Knollwood photos)
Broadway’s ‘Chess’ makes all the right moves
By LINDA ARMSTRONG
Special to the AmNews
“Chess,” currently playing at the Imperial Theatre on W. 45th Street, is making all the right, precise moves to ensure its Broadway success as the first Cold War musical. Its strategy will have you thrilled and captivated as it combines the process of delivering an exquisite Broadway musical with elements of humor, brilliant acting performances, showstopping numbers, romance, and romantic conflict on their highest levels. “Chess” is a checkmate hands down for its extraordinary creative team featuring a splendid, methodical book by Danny Strong, stunning, gripping music and lyrics by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, and Tim Rice, based on an idea by Rice. Michael Mayer’s direction will have you shouting your appreciation. Lorin Latarro’s choreography is bold and marvelous, as are the original orchestrations by Anders Eljas, orchestrations by Eljas and Brian Usifer, and music supervision by Usifer.
The musical tells the story of the Cold War between the U.S. and USSR in the late 1970s and how these great powers both had the nuclear power to destroy the planet, but decided to prove their superiority through a chess championship. It was Communism vs. Capitalism, but through a game of mind and skill. The strategy by the Soviets was to exploit the weaknesses of the American champion. The musical unveils the political
games going on behind the chess matches and sets up an explosive love triangle in which true love, loyalty, and finding one’s happiness are all at stake.
The musical is exquisitely performed by its three main stars, Nicholas Christopher, Lea Michele, and Aaron Tveit. Christopher is absolutely phenomenal, moving, and inspiring in his multi-leveled portrayal of Anatoly Sergievsky, Russia’s best chess player, who has given up much of his life for the game and is now realizing that there are more important things than being a chess champion, no matter what it might cost him. Tveit brilliantly portrays Freddie Trumper, the arrogant, outspoken American champion, who also deals with the effects of sacrificing his life for the game. Lea Michele stunningly plays Florence Vassy, also a chess champion, Freddie’s second, and his lover. She has been by his side as a lover, protector, and advisor for some time
and has experienced his cruelty firsthand. She also has a romantic history with Anatoly, a married champion with children. Bryce Pinkham is the Arbiter who, as the narrator, guides us through this splendid musical. He is quite funny as he delightfully brings the audience up to speed as to what happened during these chess championships.
The musical also brilliantly details both governments’ involvement and interest in making sure that a particular side wins, as the games were also happening at the same time that political negotiations were going on for these powers to decrease their nuclear arsenals. The musical outlines how the results of the international chess championship would directly impact the arms race. Sean Allan Krill is captivating as Walter de Courcey, the CIA agent trying to work with Bradley Dean, who plays Alexander Molokov, the Russian chess coach and a member of the KGB. Hannah Cruz is amaz-
ing in the role of Anatoly’s wife, Svetlana. She is a married woman, who barely sees her husband, has lovers, and is raising her children but must deal with the pressure of whatever decision Anatoly makes about his life choices.
“Chess” has an incredible ensemble cast that includes Kyla Bartholomeusz, Daniel Beeman, Shavey Brown, Emma Degerstedt, Casey Garvin, Adam Halpin, Sarah Michele Lindsey, Michael Milkanin, Aleksandr Ivan Pevec, Aliah James, Sydney Jones, Sean MacLaughlin, Sarah Meahl, Ramone Nelson, Fredric Rodriguez Odgaard, Michael Olaribigbe, Katerina Papacostas, Samantha Pollino, Adam Roberts, Regine Sophia, and Katie Webber.
“Chess” is a breath of fresh air on Broadway! This musical tells an important story that holds your attention, and the voices — WOW, the voices! POWERHOUSE PERFORMANCES! It will make you believe in the power of bold originality, charm, humor, love, conflicts, and back-to-back chill- and thrill-inducing musical numbers that leave you energized, cheering, and shouting from your seats. Everything about this musical is a perfect move and that includes the scenic design by David Rockwell, costume design by Tom Broecker, lighting design by Kevin Adams, sound design by John Shivers, and video design Peter Nigrini. Hair, wig, and makeup design are by Luc Verschueren for Campbell Young Associates. Your next move should be to get tickets at chessbroadway.com.
‘Gruesome Playground Injuries’ is moving, poignant theater
By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews
When “Gruesome Playground Injuries,” playing at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street) through December 28, begins, an innocent, youthful energy emanates from the two actors on the stage. Kara Young’s Kaylene is delightful, curious, and adventurous, even though dealing with her personal demons. Nicholas Braun is funny, a daredevil, and accident-prone as Doug. These characters meet in the nurse’s office at their Catholic high school.
Our first encounter with these characters is engaging, funny, and a little gross, as Doug deals with a head injury he received after a very dangerous action. As the story — very poignantly written by Rajiv Joseph — moves along, we see how these two young people develop a relationship as best friends. We see their interactions in hospital rooms as Doug continuously gets hurt by purposely performing dangerous actions, and we witness Kaylene’s self-harming behavior. While these two vulnerable characters latch onto each other, it’s like the blind leading the blind. In this case, their dysfunction seems to uniquely bind them.
We move forward on Kaylene and
Doug’s journey and also in flashback scenes, in which we learn more troubling issues that these characters are handling. Kaylene’s mental health issues have built up due to her dysfunctional home life — she and her father were abandoned by her mother, and her father never felt she would amount to anything. As much as Doug wants to protect his friend, he cannot. He has his own issues of selfharm that he is dealing with, although his home life seems stabler than Kaylene’s. Their relationship is complicated. It is very interesting to watch as these vulnerable characters go through near-death
experiences — especially Doug — and move in and out of each other’s lives. The chemistry between Young and Braun is captivating to behold. Parts of this drama will have you in tears — I heard people around me crying during a number of crucial moments.
Young clearly demonstrates her versatility as an actress, as she effortlessly inhabits each stage of her character Kaylene, from the curious high school student to the adult acknowledging growing up in a troubled household, feeling abandoned at critical points in her life, and continuously practicing self-harm. Braun’s character at first seems to be just a daredevil who
does not see his actions as anything other than brave. As he grows older, he continues to put himself in dangerous situations, while seeming to believe that Kaylene has a power where she can heal his wounds by simply touching him. This is an interesting belief, to a point.
This play demonstrates how complicated people’s friendships can be, especially when there are factors in their lives that they feel are out of their control. It begs the questions of what are the factors that can lead a person to self-harm, and when does a friendship change into a somewhat toxic relationship?
There is an element of vulnerability that the actors share, as they change their clothes in view of the audience whenever the scene is changing. There’s something very touching about that. These actors deliver quite layered performances that leave you feeling you have experienced a very special play.
The production has scenic design by Arnulfo Maldonado, costume design by Sarah Laux, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, sound design and original music by David Van Tieghem, and makeup design by Brian Strumwasser.
For ticket information, visit lortel.org.
Lea Michele and Christopher Nicholas in “Chess” at the Imperial Theatre. (Matthew Murphy photo)
Kara Young and Nicholas Braun in scene from “Gruesome Playground Injuries,” playing at Lucille Lortel Theatre. (Emilio Madrid photo)
T.K. Blue to celebrate The Ladies In Jazz at Sista’s Place
The word jazz is far too narrow for the musicianship of multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator T.K. Blue. Over his four decades in the music scene, he has developed a distinct sound that encompass his Afro-Caribbean roots, straight-ahead jazz, African rhythms derived from his implementation of indigenous instruments — influenced by his touring with the great South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim — and his many years with genius pianist, composer, and Pan African Randy Weston (he was also Weston’s musical director), and his sweet blues melodies reflect his time as musical director for the incomparable balladeer Jimmy Scott.
“I learned so much from Randy, Jimmy, and Abdullah, not only music but the history and cultural heritage of our ancestors, which is so important. My role is to carry the music forward while always paying tribute to the ancestors,” said Blue during our phone conversation.
On December 13, Blue will celebrate The Ladies In Jazz and honor legendary trombonist, arranger, and NEA Jazz Master Melba Liston, at Sistas’ Place (456 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn), with two sets at 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Blue will be joined by an all-female band featuring trombonist Deborah Smith (age 22), bassist Kim Clarke, pianist Kelly Green, drummer Camille Jones, and Blue on alto and soprano saxophones, flute, and kalimba. His repertoire will glow with Liston compositions he’d previously recorded, like “Amour,” “Elpus,” “Insomnia,” a few he didn’t record, along with some of his originals dedicated to her, and some of Weston’s songs that she arranged.
Liston began collaborating with Weston in the late 1950s, arranging compositions (primarily his own) for mid-sized to large ensembles, including “Four African Queens” arranged for his sextet, and his groundbreaking “Uhuru Afrika Suite.” Their collaborative effort has been compared to the creative team of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. This association continued until Liston’s death.
“Melba caught hell as a woman musician and arranger, she explained to me, it was so bad that even as an only female band member of Dizzy Gillespie’s big band, her bandmates refused to play her compositions, Dizzy exclaimed, ‘this is my band, either you play her music or walk.’ Once playing, they found her arrangements well worth the effort and looked forward to more,” recalled Blue. The Kansas City
native was influential in the early days of the Motown Sound, credited for the string arrangements for the Temptations hit “My Girl.” She was responsible for the musical arrangements for the esteemed Boston Pops Symphony; she also worked with Quincy Jones, Clark Terry, Frank Sinatra, and Arthur Prysock. ‘I first met Melba through [pianist] Billy Mitchell, but I got to know her while I was working with Randy,” said Blue.
Liston will celebrate her 100th Centennial on January 11, 2026. “We are celebrating her centennial early, but there will be many more celebrations to come in her honor,” said Blue.
For reservations, call (718) 398-1766 or visit sistasplace.org.
Back in Manhattan on December 19, Blue performs two sets, 10:30 p.m. and midnight, at The Django (2 Ave. of the Americas) on the lower level of the Roxy Hotel, band members TBA. He will play music from his well-received current CD “Planet Bluu” (JAJA Records). This marks the saxophonist’s 16th outing as a leader, featuring a well-rounded intergenerational ensemble of rising stars like trumpeter Wallace Roney, Jr., pianist Davis Whitfield, bassist Dishan Harper, drummer Orion Turre, and the great contributions of trombonist and shells Steve Turre, pianist Dave Kikoski, and Blue on alto, soprano saxes, alto flute, and kalimba.
“Planet Bluu” is a colorful tapestry of 11
tracks composed by Blue, with the exception of “When It’s Time To Say Goodbye” composed by Hale Smith and Chessman’s Delight, composed by Randy Weston. This latter composition, arranged by Blue, has a big, bold brass sound with a big swing. Turre spouts trombone riffs as Roney and Blue play under and around; everyone gets mean on this one, strictly out of the hard bop zone: riveting saxophone and Whitfield’s piano spontaneity with a combustion of horn lines. “The Blue Sea of Our Tomorrows” opens with the kalimba laying grooves for jaunting brass, Whitfield’s piano conversing in Turre’s drum intensity, and the outer realm rhythms of alto sax. This fierce flow has become Blue’s trademark sound. The Hale composition “When It’s Time To Say Goodbye” is a beautiful ballad duo with Kikoski playing heartfelt notes in a concerto groove, with Blue just as mesmerizing on alto.
The Planet Bluu represents a life in the future, a life to strive for now amid such confusion and negativity. Blue describes the “Planet Bluu” thusly: “Planet Bluu lies just beyond the realm of our imagination. It’s a dream so fragile that if you whisper its presence, this magnanimous world might vanish into thin air. Planet Bluu is a place devoid of war, famine, systemic racism, gender discrimination, and religious intolerance.” It is a planet needed and desired at this moment in time.
For reservations, visit thedjangonyc.com or call 212-519-6649.
“The Lost Negroes of North America” has sparked conversation and immediate reflection by viewers, with rave reviews and critical acclaim from many historians (both Black and white), since it first premiered in Minneapolis in 2023. The independent journalist and documentary film producer Ralph L. Crowder III, based in Minneapolis, makes his way to New York to premiere his unique silent film on December 14 at Symphony Space (250 West 95th Street), 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
Crowder’s ”The Lost Negroes of North America” examines northern family and community life in South Minneapolis from 1945–1955. The decade following the conclusion of World War II is a rich period in American history and progress, but still, is also a time when African American contributions to family, education, social institutions, and collective wealth are often overlooked.
The silent film experience includes rare 8mm footage that captures an interesting visual irony in the same neighborhood as George Floyd’s death, generations later. One question raised by this timely look into history could be, was the Negro’s environment then more progressive than the present?
This silent film will be accompanied by a live jazz trio with a post-screening Q&A including Crowder and a panel of special guests. For tickets, visit symphonyspace.org.
T.K. Blue (Adam Z and Art Photo)
From the Brooklyn Bridge to the JPMorganChase Tower, we’ve invested in NYC for more than 225 years. And we’re proud to continue supporting the resiliency, creativity and drive that make this city and its people unstoppable.
NYC Mayor-Elect Mamdani visits Bronx Christmas Tree Lighting
By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff
The Christmas season is here, and Bronx Borough President (BP) Vanessa Gibson is decorating the borough’s holiday tree at this year’s annual Tree Lighting Extravaganza and Winter Wonderland event.
Bronx families full of the young, and young at heart, piled onto Lou Gehrig Plaza, near Yankee Stadium, enduring frigid temperatures, just to partake in the festivities. This year’s celebration featured the lighting of a 250-foot, 100,000 LED holiday tree, 29 decorated lamp posts, and five illuminated Bronx skylines stretching from 158th Street to 169th Street along Grand Concourse.
“At a time when many of our families are facing uncertainty, events like this remind us of the power of generosity and hope,” said Gibson. “Our Winter Wonderland celebration is about our community coming together and a reminder that we are stronger when we celebrate together, support one another, and create joyful moments for our children to enjoy and remember.”
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani was also a special guest this year. “What makes us so great are the people who call the city home and celebrate Christmas. Celebrating this holiday season with Bronxites, it’s a moment to reflect on what this year has been, and also the importance of rest, joy, family, at a time
like this,” said Mamdani.
The “cost of living crisis,” unfortunately, impacts struggling families as they try to buy gifts and food for their loved ones during this time of year, said Mamdani. This reality serves as a
Holiday fraud prevention
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and intervention during stressful moments when scams are unfolding. Digital tools like Chase Credit Journey® and account transaction alerts, combined with best-in-class training for branch bankers, create a robust safety net for customers.
With today’s rapidly evolving technology and our deeply interconnected financial landscape, however, no single institution can tackle this problem alone. Collaboration
motivating factor for the city government to prioritize improvements in housing, public transit, child care, utilities, and groceries, he said. Mamdani also promised to deliver for the Bronx in policy, practices, and funding.
is key, with banks, technology companies, social media platforms, and law enforcement all having an important role in disrupting scams. It’s on all of us to work together, share insights, and make it harder for criminals to exploit our communities.
As you prepare for the holidays, everyone should take advantage of the fraud & scam prevention resources and workshops available
“Time and time again, the Bronx ends up becoming a footnote when it should actually be at the foreground of so much of what we’re talking about. If we’re talking about the affordability crisis, if we’re talking about housing insecurity, if we’re talking about the difficulty of tenants to afford their rent, we find time and time again, some of the most prominent examples are right here in the Bronx,” said Mamdani.
There were electric musical performances by the Un Café Band and Shino Aguakate outside on the plaza, followed by a fun toy giveaway with Mr. and Mrs. Claus in the cozy warmth of Bronx Borough Hall.
Sponsors and event partners included Essen Health Care, Oresky, 161 Street BID, Bronx Terminal Market, SOMOS Community Care, CFSC, MetroPlus Health, EmblemHealth, Bally’s, the Transportation Workers Union of America, Brilla Schools, Verizon, The Home Depot, and Krispy Kreme, among others. The tree itself was lit up with a logo from Univision New York.
“For years, this annual toy distribution and Christmas tree lighting has been one of the most meaningful traditions we take part in. At Univision New York, we have the privilege of reaching millions — but events like this remind us that our greatest impact happens close to home,” said Roberto Yañez, regional president and general manager of Univision NY, in a statement.
and encourage their friends and family to do the same. Let’s make this season one of celebration — and not let the grinches steal our joy. For more information on fraud and scam prevention, go to Chase.com/security or visit your local Chase branch.
Tanisha Ritter serves as Community Manager at Chase’s Harlem Community Center Branch on West 125th Street.
Bronx BP Gibson was joined by Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the annual tree lighting in the Bronx on Dec. 5, 2025. (Ariama C. Long photos)
Local Bronx kids pose with Mrs. Claus at the annual Tree Lighting Extravaganza Winter Wonderland at Bronx Borough Hall.
Bronx BP Gibson’s Tree Lighting Extravaganza Winter Wonderland included a free toy giveaway at Bronx Borough Hall.
permits to the police and claimed that he now owned the property. While he and his crew were inside the house, they used sledgehammers and crowbars to rip out all the doors, and broke every toilet in the house. They also removed all the electrical meters and apparently damaged the water pipes. Lichmore-Smith was out front trying to prove to the police that she was the current owner and should be allowed back in.
After convincing the police officers that the construction crew had no right to be there, the police ordered the workers to leave. Lichmore-Smith regained access to her house and showed the extent of the damage inside. She plans to go to court to have the construction crew repair the damages they've caused, but in the meantime, the People’s Coalition to Stop Deed Theft is seeking donations at www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/stop-deedtheft to help Lichmore-Smith cover costs until she can rebuild her home.
Police officers don’t take part in evictions
Because the police played a key role in keeping Lichmore-Smith out of her home, local politicians and advocates were outraged. assemblymember Stefani L. Zinerman came by the house and toured the damage with Lichmore-Smith. “There is no DoB –– Department of Buildings from New York City ––sign on this door,” the assemblywoman noted as
she walked to the house’s front entrance, “That means there’s no construction, there’s no demolition, there is no reconstruction allowed on this property because it has not been sanctioned by the office of or the Department of Buildings.”
The assemblymember voiced concern about the damage done to the house and for LichmoreSmith’s safety, since she has been getting harassed by developers for quite some time now. She pointed out that police should not be taking part in helping to evict anyone, in this case or any other. Police officers don’t take part in evictions; marshals are called in for that task.
Zinerman has even written a letter to the United Nations regarding the ongoing spate of deed thefts targeting Black elders. She is asking to have the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights document how entire neighborhoods are being destabilized. In a statement to the AmNews, the assemblymember said, “Petitioning the United Nations was never about symbolism — it was about naming the systematic targeting of Black elderly homeowners in Central Brooklyn for what it is: a human-rights crisis. …”
“While the U.N. cannot intervene immediately, its framing strengthens the actions we are taking here at home. I have formally referred these cases to the New York City and New York State Commissions on Human Rights to pursue accountability and protections for our homeowners. And in Albany, I am advancing new legislation to ensure that deed-theft victims receive compensation and restitution — just as victims of any other crime do.”
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Crockett
Continued from page 4
Democrats see their best opportunity to pick up the Texas seat if Paxton wins the Republican nomination because he has been shadowed for much of his career by legal and personal issues. Yet Paxton is popular with Trump’s most ardent supporters.
Hunt, who has served two terms representing a Houstonarea district, defied GOP leaders by entering the GOP race.
Crockett is known for her viral moments
Crockett, a civil rights attorney serving her second House term, built her national profile with a candid style and viral moments on Capitol Hill. Trump has noticed and called her a “low IQ person.” In response, Crockett said she would agree to take an IQ test against the president.
She traded insults with Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who announced last month that she would resign in January, and had heated exchanges with Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina.
She also mocked Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott — who uses a wheelchair — as “Gov. Hot Wheels.” She later said she was referring to Abbott’s policy of using “planes, trains, and automobiles” to send thousands of immigrants in Texas illegally to Democrat-led cities.
Democrats’ best showing in a statewide race in the past three decades was in 2018, when former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke came within 3 points of ousting Republican Sen. Ted Cruz. It was the midterm election of Trump’s first administration, and Democrats believe next year’s race could be similarly favorable to
their party.
A former professional football player and civil rights attorney, Allred was among Democrats’ star recruits in 2018.
Allred lost to Cruz by 8.5 points last year. He is running for the House in a Dallas-Fort Worth area district under a new map approved this year by the GOP-controlled Texas Legislature to meet Trump’s call for more winnable Republican seats. The district has some areas Allred represented for six years before his run for the Senate in 2024.
Allred says he wants to avoid a bruising primary
An internal party battle, Allred said, “would prevent the Democratic Party from going into this critical election unified against the danger posed to our communities and our Constitution by Donald Trump and one of his Republican bootlickers.”
Marshall said Crockett is a “solid national figure” who has a large social media following and is a frequent presence on cable news. That could be an advantage with Democratic primary voters, Marshall said, but not necessarily afterward.
Talarico, meanwhile, must raise money and build name recognition to make the leap from the Texas House of Representatives to a strong statewide candidacy, Marshall said.
A winning Democratic candidate in Texas, Marshall said, would have to energize Black voters, mainly in metro Houston and Dallas, win the kind of diverse suburbs and exurbs like those Allred once represented in Congress, and get enough rural votes, especially among Latinos in the Rio Grande Valley.
“It’s about building complicated coalitions in a big state,” Marshall said.
Delayed care to 2 Black pregnant women highlights maternal health disparities Health
By FERNANDA FIGUEROA and JAYLEN GREEN Associated Press
Two pregnant Black women, nearly 1,000 miles apart, were ready to do what many do every day: welcome new bundles of joy, and just before the start of the holiday season. Instead, the health of both women and their babies was put at risk after hospital staff did not immediately provide the needed care.
One woman was discharged and delivered her baby on the side of an Indiana highway, while the other nearly gave birth in a Texas hospital’s emergency waiting room. Both women survived, but are still reeling from ordeals that have drawn national attention — in part, because they were captured on video and shared on social media.
Each instance highlights the long-standing and rising disparities in health outcomes for Black women, who die at a rate nearly 3.5 times higher than white women around the time of childbirth, according to a 2023 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.
While maternal mortality rates for white, Hispanic, and Asian women fell in 2023, according to the CDC report, the rate for Black women barely budged.
Now, the women’s families, health organizations, and civil rights advocates are urging the medical profession to address systemic racism that they say perpetuates Black women’s experiences.
‘I felt dismissed’
Mercedes Wells’ water had already broken when a nurse at Indiana’s Franciscan Health Crown Point hospital checked on her in triage, a room typically designated for women in earlier trimesters of pregnancy.
Wells, already a mother of three, knew the baby could come at any minute. The nurse did not believe she was going into labor, Wells recalled.
“She still suggested that I be discharged, and I begged, ‘No, I can’t be discharged. Please don’t discharge me because I am about to have this baby,” Wells, 38, told the Associated Press from her Chicago area home in Dolton, Illinois.
“I began to wail because I was in so much pain, and my feelings were hurt because that was happening to me. So I let out a cry, you know? The nurses showed no compassion, none of them,” said Wells, whose experience was captured in a now-viral video of her crying in pain as nurses pushed her toward the exit.
But she was out of time. Wells felt the baby coming.
Her husband, Leon, loaded her into their car and sped away, hoping to reach another hos-
pital. Thereafter, in the early morning hours of Nov. 16, he pulled over on a Lake County highway and delivered their daughter.
Wells said the nurses she saw were all white, and all assured her that concerns were relayed to the attending physician.
“I felt dismissed. I felt ignored, disregarded as a whole,” she said. “I’m dealing with this pain, and they’re all watching me from the nurse’s station as if it’s normal to send someone out in that much pain.”
Franciscan Health Crown Point said in a statement that both the nurse and physician involved in Wells’ ordeal were fired and that the hospital has mandated cultural competency training for all labor and delivery staff.
“We must fix what failed in our hospital so that no one experiences what happened to Mercedes Wells,” said Raymond Grady, the hospital’s president and CEO.
Several days before Wells’ ordeal, Kiara Jones and her mother received similar treatment at a Texas hospital.
On Nov. 10, Jones, in active labor at Dallas Regional Medical Center in Mesquite, was visibly distressed and screaming in pain, in a now-viral video shared online by her mother. Instead of immediately admitting her to labor and delivery, Jones’ family says, the staff left her in a triage area for more than 30 minutes.
“Y’all treat all your patients like this or just the Black ones?” Jones’ mother asks in the video.
Jones gave birth minutes after she was finally moved to a labor and delivery room.
“Ms. Kiara Jones’ experience during admission, labor, and delivery raises profound and disturbing concerns about Dallas Regional’s policies, practices, staff training, and culture with respect to obstetric care — particularly for women of color,” reads a letter to the hospital from Jones’s attorneys, the national civil rights firm Romanucci & Blandin, and the Dunk Law Firm.
The incident is under review by the hospital, which also said in a statement to AP that “the safety, dignity, and well-being of our patients are always our highest priorities.”
Texas State Rep. Rhetta Bowers said the hospital provided limited information after she asked for “full answers and real corrective action.”
“The outrage we’re seeing is not just about one horrifying incident; it reflects long-standing inequities in healthcare that Black families have endured for generations,” Bowers said in a statement released last week.
Postdelivery complications
Postpartum care is also an area where Black women face challenges.
Excessive bleeding, blood vessel blockages, and infections are leading causes of post-
partum maternal deaths. For Black women, not being believed when reporting postpartum discomfort or pain is often also a matter of life or death, advocates say.
Wells, the Illinois mother, was admitted to a different hospital a week after giving birth, after experiencing shortness of breath. Doctors there told her she was experiencing additional pain caused by sitting upright in the car during delivery.
“It was just, I guess, a setback. I was bent over. I couldn’t even walk,” Wells told the AP “The pain was so bad. I’ve never experienced anything like that, so we had to call the ambulance, and they had to get me out of bed.”
Although Wells was discharged 24 hours later, her husband told the AP he remains vigilant about the ongoing impact of her experience at the first hospital.
For Jones, in Texas, several medical tests were required for her and her newborn, according to local press accounts. In one account, her baby was stressed and had an in utero bowel movement, which her family has said was caused by the delay in care.
SisterSong, a southern U.S.-based national reproductive justice collective, found that regardless of income, education level, or how they presented themselves, Black women reported being treated differently from others at their doctors’ offices.
“We’ve seen the wealthiest of people to the most everyday Black woman just trying to live in this country, and unfortunately, their stories are the same,” said Monica Simpson, the
organization’s executive director. “They are not trusted or listened to.”
‘There needs to be a big change’
Following her experience, Wells says she distrusts the health care system. Both she and her husband say they now plan to do more research when going to a hospital to ensure “nothing like this or remotely close to this” happens again.
“And we’re going to document everything,” Leon Wells said. “We’re going to come in with expectations that we might be getting treated wrong, because we’re scared of it.”
Some of that fear reflects research showing that implicit bias, false assumptions about pain tolerance, and structural racism contribute to slower triage, delayed analgesia, and inadequate emergency response for Black patients overall, according to the National Black Nurses Association.
“The situations we see across the country are not accidents; they are symptoms of systemic failures in maternal care. Respectful, timely, lifesaving maternity care is non-negotiable. Hospitals must not only investigate these incidents; they must change,” said Dr. Sheldon D. Fields, the association’s president.
For the Wellses, it comes down to something even more fundamental.
“There needs to be a big change as far as people needing to show empathy,” said Leon Wells. “If you’re in this field of caring for others when they need you, care.”
Leon and Mercedes Wells hold their newborn daughter Alena at their home in the Chicago suburb of Dolton, Ill. (Mark Vancleave/AP photo)
Divine Nine News
Continued from page 9
• parliamentary procedure and public speaking
• conflict resolution and leadership models
• civic engagement and community service
• understanding social, economic, and cultural issues facing African Americans
• higher-education pathways, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
The objectives are ambitious but clear: to develop a cadre of positive, civic-minded leaders, to spark an appreciation for African American leadership, to encourage participation in democracy, and to link the Institute’s teachings with the fraternity’s broader missions — including those taught in Project Alpha and Goto-High School, Go-to-College.
Why These Programs Matter
Together, these three pillars of Alpha Phi Alpha’s programming and initiatives reflect a holistic
approach to youth development:
• Health & Responsibility (Project Alpha): By addressing sexual health and emotional maturity, Alpha helps young men make informed life choices
• Educational Advancement (Go-to-High School, Go-toCollege): The fraternity removes barriers to academic success through mentorship and guidance.
• Leadership & Civic Engagement (LDI): Alpha invests in the future by equipping young people with leadership skills and community commitment.
These programs underscore Alpha Phi Alpha’s broader mission: “Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. develops leaders, promotes brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities.”
*Internet sources and published reports contributed to this article.
Playa Society
Continued from page 22
American women to write and direct a feature for a major studio, she used “Love & Basketball” as a foundation for a body of work defined by emotional precision and genre range. Her films — “Disappearing Acts,” “Beyond the Lights,” and “The Woman King” — have earned critical attention, industry honors, and widespread recognition for focusing on women of color with depth and power. Awards from the NAACP Image Awards, the Athena Film Festival, and other institutions chart her evolution from rising filmmaker to influential auteur. “Love & Basketball” now reads as the opening chapter of a career dedicated to giving African American women full interior lives on screen.
For Wallace, whose Playa Society has become a favorite of fans who want women’s sports apparel with purpose, the collaboration feels like a natural extension of her mission. Her work with WNBA teams and athletes has always balanced streetwear appeal with insider meaning — merch that carries weight for those who know the game. Applying that
approach to a film instead of a franchise roster changes the medium, not the message: women’s sports and women’s stories deserve apparel that hits with the same precision as a crossover.
Cloud and Harrison’s presence quietly draws a line between the world Prince-Bythewood imagined and the league that thrives today. As Liberty players, they represent a WNBA era where tunnel walks, capsule drops, and digital storytelling are as much a part of the culture as box scores. Wearing pieces that nod to Monica Wright’s childhood bravado and adult resolve, they help position the capsule as an ongoing conversation between generations — the fictional athletes who lit the spark and the real ones who carry it forward.
If there is a thesis stitched into “First Quarter: Ball Better Than You,” it may be this: Some stories never fade; they evolve. The girl who once shouted that she could ball better than you now shows up on hoodies, tees, and the backs of fans who may not have seen the film in theaters but feel its pulse all the same. Today, 25 years later, “Love & Basketball” is still in motion — and this time, it’s moving with a new team. Visit playasociety.com for more info.
Brother Andre Council of Beta Eta Chapter leads a small group session as part of a Go-To-High School, Go-To-College session at Thornton Township High School in Harvey, IL. (Photo courtesy of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.)
Religion & Spirituality
In ‘Iron Forums,’ two Black women CEOs find a faith community
By REV. DOROTHY S. BOULWARE Word in Black
Given the responsibility of strategic and personnel decision-making, it’s often said that leadership of a company, a large organization, or even a small company can be lonely work. And given that most Csuite occupants and business owners are white, it can be even more lonesome if you’re Black.
But if that leader is also a person of strong faith, fellowship with like-minded people can seem even harder to come by.
Imagine the relief of Chrissy Thornton — a Black woman, the CEO of a Baltimorebased nonprofit and someone who grew up in the church — when she discovered Iron Forums, a gathering space for business leaders who are also people of faith. Her first meeting, she recalls, was a revelation, in more ways than one.
“I’m just blown away. I’m, like, ‘What’s happening here?’” says Thornton, the top executive of Associated Black Charities, a coalition of grassroots humanitarian organizations. “It was the first time I considered what it meant to be a leader and to unapologetically show up also as a Christian.”
‘Iron Sharpens Iron’
Founded in 2003 and named for Proverbs 27:17 — “Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend,” — Iron Forums describes itself as a community for “owners, entrepreneurs and ‘solo-preneurs’ who are humble, hungry and led by the Holy Spirit, or desire to be.”
Its website describes Iron Forum’s mission: “We’re a peer community of Christian business owners, Advisors, and seasoned leaders who come alongside each other with real experience, honest perspective, and prayerful support. No gurus. No pretense. Just leaders helping leaders so you don’t have to navigate growth alone.”
For many participants, the value is less about networking and more about shared experiences. It offers a space to connect as believers navigating the unique pressures of leadership, family, and faith-driven enterprise. Forum members are facilitators who are business leaders, advisors who are seasoned or semi-retired business executives, and members who are typically small-business owners. Finding balance in all areas is most important.
Leading With Purpose, Integrity
Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, CEO and publisher of AFRO News, says she was drawn by Iron Forums’ “intentionally Christ-driven” agenda, and its commitment to “supporting the whole woman—mind, body, spirit, family, and business.”
“Many women leaders’ needs are often overlooked — especially the need for a space that honors both strong leadership and sincere faith,” Draper says. Though the organization is grounded in faith, she says, “Iron Forums offers practical, actionable business counsel while also holding us accountable for what we say we want in our homes, our work, and our walk with God.
As an advisor to the newly launched Baltimore Women’s Forum, I can honestly say I get more than I give.”
With thriving groups in Atlanta and more forming, Iron Forums equips women to lead with purpose and integrity.
Draper introduced Thornton to the organization during its annual National Day of Prayer meeting in Baltimore. Now the facilitator of the newly formed Baltimore chapter, Thornton was excited to be invited into such a group she never imagined existed.
“I was blown away. There were 250 leaders in the room, people who I had seen in different places of leadership or people who sponsor [Associated Black Charities],” Thornton says. “And people I would have never stopped to think they were believers. Not because I thought they weren’t believers, but I had never even thought about it.”
The discovery of Iron Forums prompted Thornton to reevaluate the role of faith in her professional life.
“For me, someone who has spent, like, a lifetime in the church, in my mind, [faith] was something that needed to be separate from work,” she says. “And I have always kept it for the most part, in my work journey, completely separate.”
God and Leadership
The pilot Baltimore session was held in September with a room full of women entrepreneurs, Thornton says.
“We went through a lesson, part of the curriculum that comes from Iron Forums,” she says. “Then we do something called ‘snapshots,’ a process by which we rate our proficiency in areas that should be important to us.”
“But first and foremost is our relationship with God, with our spouse, partner, family members, children, and then in our business,” Thornton says. Iron Forums led to her first encounter with Ben Abell, a retired pastor and business executive, and an Iron Forums group facilitator.
When he asked about her current ABC challenges, Abell popped an obvious question: “Well, how have you invited God into your leadership?”
Thornton paused for a moment to think:
“I looked at him, because I had not,” she says.
Although Thornton acknowledges that incorporating faith into her business career was not a part of her vision, she had already found ways to blend the two, with ABC, whose founders included faith leaders. That blending led to the ABC Revival, an annual event.
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Notice of Qualification of FRED AT HOME, LLC
Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/18/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 11/13/25. 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 HANAOLIVIA LLC
Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/15/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Florida (FL) on 04/28/25. Princ. office and FL addr. of LLC is: 2895 Collins Ave., Ste. B, Miami Beach, FL 33140. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. Cert. of Form. filed with Cord Byrd, State of FL at Tallahassee, the Capital, 500 South Brough St., Tallahassee, FL 32399. Purpose: Adminstrative entity.
Notice of Formation of JOSEPHINE TOWERS PRESERVATION GP, LLC
Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/27/25. 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 122072543. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NEW YORK COUNTY. USALLIANCE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION BY MERGER WITH NEW YORK METRO FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, Pltf. vs.,
UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW OF JAMES MCCASKILL A/K/A JAMES MC CASKILL, HIS
NEXT OF KIN, DISTRIBUTEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES,
DEVISEES, LEGATEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CEDITORS, AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST, AND GENERALLY ALL PERSONS HAVING OR CLAIMING, UNDER, BY OR THROUGH SAID DEFENDANT WHO MAY BE DECEASED, BY PURCHASE,
INHERITANCE, LIEN OR OTHERWISE, ANY RIGHT TITLE OR INTEREST IN AND TO
THE PREMISES DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT HEREIN, ALL OF WHOM AND
WHOSE NAMES AND PLACES OF RESIDENCE ARE UNKNOWN TO THE PLAINTIFF AND CANNOT AFTER DILIGENT INQUIRY BE ASCERTAINED, et al Deft. Index
#850257/2022. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered August 12, 2024, I will sell at public auction in Room 252 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre
Street, New York on January 14, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. prem. k/a 61 West 126 th Street, New
York, NY 10027 a/k/a Block 1724, Lot 11. Approximate amount of judgment is
$180,402.84 plus cost and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale and the right of the United States of America to redeem within 120 days from the date of sale as provided by law. CHRISTY M. DEMELFI, Referee., MARGOLIN, WEINREB & NIERER, LLP., Attys. for Pltf., 575 Underhill Blvd., Suite 224, Syosset, NY.
#102646
PLAY WORLD USA LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/03/25. 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, 34 West 33rd Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT BRONX COUNTY PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff against ANGELA MCGHEE AS BENEFICIARY UNDER THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF STANFORD SHAW A/K/A STANDFORD SHAW, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Margolin, Weinreb & Nierer, LLP, 575 Underhill Boulevard, Suite 224, Syosset, NY 11791. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered October 15, 2018, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at the Bronx County Courthouse, Courtroom 711 at 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York on January 12, 2026 at 2:15 PM. Premises known as 4084 Wilder Avenue, Bronx, New York 10466. Block 4984 Lot 33. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Edenwald, Borough and County of Bronx, City and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $137,370.70 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 32231/2015E. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 12th Judicial District's Covid-19 Policies and the Bronx County foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. Charlane Brown, Esq., Referee File # 17-0930
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NEW YORK COUNTY VELOCITY COMMERCIAL CAPITAL, LLC, Plaintiff against PETER DAVIDSON, AS ADMINISTRATOR TO THE ESTATE OF MARY E. KAPLAN, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC, 28 Corporate Drive, Suite 104, Halfmoon, NY 12065. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered November 19, 2025, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at Room 252 at the Supreme Court, New York County, 60 Centre Street, New York, New York on January 14, 2026 at 2:15 PM. Premises known as 353 West 56th Street, Unit 9A, New York, NY 10019. Block 1047 Lot 1564. All that certain lot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $1,679,606.17 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 850124/2019. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 1st Judicial District's Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. Referee will only accept a certified bank check made payable to the referee. Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee File # 23-000633-01
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT ‑ COUNTY OF NEW YORK.
57TH ST. VACATION OWN ERS ASSOCIATION, INC., BY AND THROUGH ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Plaintiff ‑against‑ BRADLEY RAY WILL, CATHERINE SUE WILL, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated September 17, 2025, I, the undersigned Ref eree will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on Janu ary 14, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. prem ises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York, being an undivided ownership interest as tenant‑in‑common with other owners in the Timeshare Unit in the building located at 102 West 57th Street, New York, NY. Together with an appurtenant undivided 0.00986400000% common interest percentage. This is a foreclosure on own ership interest in a timeshare unit, a studio penthouse on a floating use basis every year, in accordance with and subject to declarations. Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions dated October 10, 2008 and October 31, 2008 as CFRN # 2008000426142 as re corded in the Office of the City Register, County, City and State of New York. The Timeshare Unit is also designated as Block 1009 and Lot 37. Said premises known as 102 WEST 57TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10019
Approximate amount of lien $18,314.89 plus interest & costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.
Index Number 850349/2023.
CHRISTY
M. DEMELFI, ESQ., Referee DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590 DLG# 39342 {* AMSTERDAM*}
SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK.
NYCTL 2021-A TRUST AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND CUSTODIAN FOR THE NYCTL 2021-A TRUST, Plaintiffs -against- EDDIE Z. CHEN a/k/a EDDIE CHEN, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein on April 15, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 252 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on January 14, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York, known and designated as Block 440 Lot 1301 on the New York County Tax Assessment Map.
Said premises known as 427 EAST 12TH STREET, #1A, NEW YORK, NY 10009
Approximate amount of lien $598,893.24 plus interest & costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.
Index Number 158480/2022.
PAUL R. SKLAR, ESQ., Referee Phillips Lytle LLP
Attorney(s) for Plaintiffs
100 S. Clinton Avenue, Suite 2900, Rochester, NY 14604
REFEREE'S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE
SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, Plaintiff - against - DAVIS BERGMAN, et al Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on January 9, 2025. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 252 of the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, New York 10007 on the 14th day of January, 2026 at 2:15 PM. All that certain piece or parcel of real property, situate and being a part of a condominium in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York. Premises known as 225 East 46th Street, Unit 12F, New York, NY 10017. (Block: 1320, Lot: 1723)
Approximate amount of lien $327,829.92 plus interest and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
Index No. 850049/2023. Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee.
Stein, Wiener & Roth LLP
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff
1400 Old Country Road, Suite 315 Westbury, NY 11590
Tel. 516-742-1212 BREGMAN-79220
Dated: November 17, 2025
During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. Auction Locations are subject to change
Notice of Qualification of 408 BWAY REALTY MEMBER, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/30/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/21/25. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to United American Land, LLC, 73 Spring St., 6th Fl., NY, NY 10012. 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.
M/WBE bids sought for 2115 Matthews Bronx, NY construction project. A scope meeting will be held on December 16 Contact bidding@taxaceny.com for details
SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK. 453 EAST 83RD FUNDING L.P., Plaintiff -against- 453 EAST 83RD STREET LLC, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision and Order on Motion dated July 9, 2024 and entered on December 16, 2024, the Decision and Order on Motion dated and entered on February 5, 2025, and the Decision and Order on Motion dated October 31, 2025 and entered on November 6, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 252 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY 10007 on January 14, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the Northerly side of East 83rd Street, distant 76 feet 6 inches Westerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the Westerly side of York Avenue (formerly Avenue A) with the Northerly side of East 83rd Street; being a plot 102 feet 2 inches by 20 feet by 102 feet 2 inches by 20 feet. Block: 1563 Lot: 121
Said premises known as 453 EAST 83RD STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10028
Approximate amount of lien $7,857,890.82 plus interest & costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 850183/2023. ELAINE SHAY, ESQ., Referee KRISS & FEUERSTEIN LLP
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 360 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1200, New York, NY 10017
{* AMSTERDAM*}
NOTICE OF QUALIFICATION OF CMFH LLC. CMFH LLC filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY): Application for Authority on July 6, 2022. Office Location New York County. LLC formed in Delaware on May 10, 2022. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. The Post Office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her is: Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, DE 19808. The principal business address of LLC is 2218 Broadway, Num 218, New York, NY 10024. Certificate of LLC filed with Secretary of State of Delaware located at: 401 Federal Street, Suite 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful act or activity.
Notice of Qualification of 261 MADISON AVENUE LLC
Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/19/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 11/05/25. Princ. office of LLC: The Sapir Organization, 261 Madison Ave., 17th Fl., NY, NY 10016. 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 Secy. of State of DE, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT: NEW YORK COUNTY. W FINANCIAL REIT, LTD, Pltf. vs. KEY HOTELS, LLC, et al, Defts. Index #850190/2024. Pursuant to consent judgment of foreclosure and decision + order on motion entered Nov. 18, 2025, I will sell at public auction in Room 252 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on January 14, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. premises k/a 129 West 46 th Street, New York, NY a/k/a Block 999, Lot 17. Said property beginning at a point on the northerly side of 46 th St. distant 450 ft. easterly from the corner formed by the intersection of the easterly side of Broadway (formerly Seventh Avenue) and the said northerly side of 46 th Street, being a plot 37 ft. 5 ½ inches x. 100 ft. 5 ½ inches x 37 ft. 4 ½ inches x 100 ft. 5 inches. Approximate amount of judgment is $21,567,309.60 plus costs, interest and other amounts. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed consent judgment and terms of sale.
SCOTT SILLER, Referee. JASPAN SCHLESINGER NARENDRAN, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 300 Garden City Plaza, Garden City, NY 11530. #102658
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF JOSEPH C. DANILCZYK, ESQ. PLLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/23/2025. Office Location New York County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. Post Office address to which SSNY shall mail copy of any process against PLLC served is: JOSEPH C. DANILCZYK, ESQ. PLLC 43 W 43rd Street, Suite 236 New York, NY, 10036, USA. Principal business address of JOSEPH C. DANILCZYK, ESQ. PLLC is 43 W 43rd Street, Suite 236, New York, NY 10036 USA. Dissolution date: PERPETUAL. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.
Notice of Qualification of ATEA 168 Holding LLC. Certificate of Authority filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/12/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). Limited Liability Company (LLC) formed on 11/06/2025. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to eResidentAgent, Inc: eteam@eminutes.com. Articles of Organization originally filed with Secretary of State (SOS). Secretary of State, 401 Federal Street, Ste 4, Dover, DE 19901 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Qualification of BREC PARENT GP, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/23/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 06/25/25. 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 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 Secy. of State, 401 Federal St. - Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK HNY CLUB SUITES OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC., BY AND THROUGH ITS BROAD OF DIRECTORS, Plaintiff, -against- UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF STEPHEN J. GRAFF, if living, and if they 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. 850265/2023 FILED: 12/3/2025 Plaintiff designates New York County as the place of trial pursuant to CPLR §507 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. The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant an Order of the Hon. Francis A. Kahn III, a Justice of the Supreme Court, of New York County, dated November 24, 2025 and entered November 24, 2025 Dated: November 21, 2025, 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 Registration of a Limited Liability Partnership
Atlas Solomon LLP filed a Certificate of Registration with the NY Department of State on November 25, 2025. The principal office of the registered limited liability partnership (“LLP”) is located at 11 Broadway, Suite 1168, New York, NY 10004. The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLP upon whom process against it may be served, and a copy of any process served upon him or her shall be mailed to 819 SW Federal Highway, Suite 301, Stuart, FL 34994. The purpose of the LLP is to engage in the practice of law.
Notice of Qualification of 22ND STREET 9DE LLC
Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/29/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/28/25. 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 19608. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State of DE, Corps. Divs., John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of Formation of JOSEPHINE TOWERS PRESERVATION, L.P. Cert. of LP filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/27/25. 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 12/31/2125. 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 SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR BNC MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2006-2, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-2, Plaintiff AGAINST REGINALD BORGELLA, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered April 1, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse in Room 252, located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on January 14, 2026 at 2:15 PM, premises known as 140 7th Avenue, Unit 7R, New York, NY 10011. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, County of New York, State of New York, Block 768, Lot 1203. Approximate amount of judgment $1,043,907.05 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850069/2014. Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 00-299477 87843
Notice of Qualification of 2GC MEZZ, LLC
Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/24/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 11/21/25. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Tarter Krinsk & Drogin LLP, Attn: Brian J. Beller, Esq., 1350 Broadway, NY, NY 10018. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
M/WBE bids sought for 2184 Muliner Ave Bronx, NY construction project. A scope meeting will be held on December 17 Contact bidding@taxaceny. com for details
Notice of formation of 3DR Entertainment LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 9/19/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to James Kuhn: 125 Park Avenue, New York NY, 10017. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Qualification of PEARL CARE 12, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/12/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 06/03/25. Princ. office of LLC: 220 5th Ave., 17th 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 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State of the State of DE, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of formation of SOFTBALL LG LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/10/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to JESSE WILLIAM GREEN: 115 CENTRAL PARK W. APT. 6CE. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of PATRICIA LANE LLC
Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/07/25. Office location: NY County. 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 122072543. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of formation of Dolce Cultural LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 9/30/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Daniel Cooperman: 214 W 82nd Street 5B, New York, NY 10024. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of WEQUONNOC VILLAGE PRESERVATION GP, LLC
Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/27/25. 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 122072543. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
ABINGTON VILLAGE LLC. App. for Auth. filed with the SSNY on 10/24/25. Originally filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on 10/22/25. 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, c/o Borah, Goldstein, Altschuler, Nahins & Goidel, P.C., 377 Broadway. New York, NY 10013. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of DAVIDSON GI, LLC
Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/07/25. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 24 W. 40th St., 16th Fl., NY, NY 10018. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Peter Davidson, c/o Aligned Climate Capital at the princ. office of the LLC. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of Formation of WASABI SUSHI BENTO 400 MADISON LLC
Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/19/25. Office location: NY County. 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 122072543. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Stillwater Mental Health Counseling, PLLC.
Arts. of Org. filed with NYSS on 09/19/2025.
Office:New York County.
NYSS designated for service of process;mail to 642 West 172nd Street #54 New York, NY 10032.
Purpose:Mental Health Counseling.
M/WBE bids sought for 1200 Franklin Ave Bronx, NY construction project. A scope meeting will be held on December 16. Contact bidding@taxaceny. com for details
Notice of formation of FIVE IRON GOLF WILLIAMSBURG LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/18/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to JARED SOLOMON: 883 Avenue of the Americas FL 3, NYC, NY 10001. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of GOLDEN LUCY HOLDINGS LLC
Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/18/25. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Ani Gabrellian, 450 E. 83rd St., Apt. 20B, NY, NY 10028. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of formation of Luxe Contracting Group LLC . Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/21/25. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Luxe Contracting Group LLC: 25 Joseph St Manalapan NJ, 07726. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of MELISSA STANGER LCSW, PLLC
Notice of Formation of EASTVIEW 400 LLC
Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/18/25. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Ani Gabrellian, 450 E. 83rd St., Apt. 20B, NY, NY 10028. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of formation of Flight 13 LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/16/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Dominic Palombo: 171 E 77th Street 5F New York, NY 10075. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
J AND J WARRIOR LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/27/25. 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, 872 Madison Avenue, #2A, New York, NY 10021. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of 5E44 ST PH PURCHASER LLC
Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/23/25. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Meister Seelig & Fein PLLC, 125 Park Ave., 7th Fl., NY, NY 10017. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of Formation of 4 CHEQUIT AVENUE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/17/25. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 14 Sutton Pl. South, Apt. 7B, NY, NY 10022. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of formation of Octavio Valdes Advisory LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/22/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Octavio Valdes: octaviovald@gmail. com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of formation of Inclusynth Consulting Group LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/24/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Christopher Schmidt: cschmidt@ inclusynth.com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/23/25. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of PLLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 5 East 16th St., 6th Fl., NY, NY 10003. Purpose: Licensed clinical social work.
Notice of formation of Five Iron Golf Shaker Heights LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/14/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Jared Solomon: 883 Avenue of the Americas, FL 3, NYC, NY 10001. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of formation of Wellbeeings LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/18/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to United States Corporation Agents, Inc.: 7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of formation of PIERRE AMOUR LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/20/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to PIERRE AMOUR LLC: 200 W 20th street, #212, New York NY 10011. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of WEQUONNOC VILLAGE PRESERVATION, L.P.
• February 20, 2025 - February 26, 2025
Notice of formation of Stahl Solutions LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/10/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Harry Stahl: 88 Lexington Avenue, Apt 804. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice is hereby given that a license, serial #NA-0340-25103028 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 994 Columbus Ave., New York, NY 10025 for on-premises consumption; Limone LLC
NOTICE is hereby given that a license, number NA-0370-24135212 for liquor, wine, beer & cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, wine, beer & cider at retail in a bar/tavern under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 4371 3rd Ave; Bronx, NY 10457 in Bronx County for on premises consumption. Zion Restaurant and Lounge Corp d/b/a Zion Restaurant and Lounge
Notice of Formation of JDJ LEGACY GROUP, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/07/25. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Julie Kessler LLP, 60 E. 42nd St., 46th Fl., NY, NY 10165. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of formation of James Lenox Partners LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/28/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to James Lenox Partners LLC: natan.shklyar@jameslenoxpartners.com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Cert. of LP filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/27/25. 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 12/31/2125. 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 TD FINANCIAL PRODUCTS LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/18/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 07/21/10. 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 Secy. of State of the State of DE, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of formation of Endo Exo Studio LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/24/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to United States Corporation Agents, Inc.: 7014 13th avenue, suite 202, brooklyn, ny, 11218. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Andre Brown
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me into the [carceral] system, and I continued to develop and hone those skills and gather more educational tools to saturate myself.”
He planned on surrendering himself this past spring to possibly serve out the roughly 17 years remaining on his sentence. At the time, New York state prisons faced a crisis following the murder of Robert Brooks and a statewide corrections officer strike. He received a stay just a day before he planned on turning himself in, but remained in limbo until this month.
Along with his innocence claim, Brown drew support thanks to his reputation as a model returning citizen. His proponents questioned what purpose nearly another two decades in prison would serve for a man who helps at-risk youth and has established a GED program since coming home. Additionally, they opposed ripping Brown away from his wife Tameka, son AJ, and his stepdaughter Trinity.
Throughout the year, organizations ranging from the Innocence Project to the NAACP New York State Conference beckoned Gov. Kathy Hochul to grant him clemency to prevent reimprisonment.
City Council
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Project, Afghans For a Better Tomorrow, La Colmena, Bronx Defenders, African Communities Together, and Mixteca, among others.
“Despite the cold weather, I’m here today because I’m deeply troubled by the harm that is being done by ICE in our immigrant community,” said Make The Road Action’s Manuel Ordonez, who spoke in Spanish at the rally. “It pains me to see how much xenophobia has created false narratives about immigrants. We bring so much to this city. We bring our culture, our food, our dreams, our inspiration, and make New York City what it is.”
Their four bills included Int. 214 (or the NYC Trust Act), which makes it easier to file a lawsuit when a city agency illegally shares data with ICE; Int. 1268, which mandates signage on city property telling people about their sanctuary rights when engaging with federal authorities; Int. 1272 (or the PEMDAS Act), which aims to keep work authorization and EVerify information safe from bad faith employers; and Int.1412 (or
She did not sign off.
In October, a judge agreed to resentencing. The Bronx District Attorney’s Office did not oppose despite standing by the conviction. However, the judge’s decision still hung in the balance. Brown could technically face the same sentence or even a longer one. Ultimately, those anxieties were for nought. The judge resentenced Brown to two concurrent 20-year sentences, halving his original two consecutive sentences totaling 40 years. His 23 years in prison counted as complete time-served.
“Finally, the D.A agreed with our position, which was that the 23 years that Andre had served were a sufficient punishment for the crime,” said Brown’s lead counsel Oscar Michelen. “The sentence Andre would receive if the crime occurred in 2025 would never be 40 years without parole. We now know those draconian [and] harsh sentences don’t reduce recidivism [and] support anything that society is interested in.”
“And it would serve no purpose societally for Andre to go back to prison. He had done all the rehabilitation he could have possibly done: he had taken classes, certificates, etc.”
Michelen and Brown’s other lawyer Jeffrey Deskovic boasts a decorated resume for successful-
ly fighting wrongful convictions and say they will continue working on proving his innocence after taking his case pro-bono years ago. Regardless of guilt, there’s an extremely tight window for what sentences can be reviewed and shortened. “I’m blessed, heavily, highly favored, because what Oscar Michelin [and] Jeffrey Deskovich pulled off,” said Brown. “It is 1%. I’m the 1% percentile.” But does he need to be?
In New York, judges can only resentence cases if the original punishment was illegal or unlawful, and leaves little recourse for most to face the overly harsh sentences unheard of in other “industrialized” nations outside the United States. Ironically, Brown would not have had the same avenue if he had adequate legal representation. There is no “interest of justice” provision, which allows judges to use their discretion to ensure fair outcomes.
The direct product is mass incarceration, with Black and Brown men bearing the brunt of these sentencing practices. CUNY Law Prof. Steve Zeidman says Brown’s case exemplifies the national Second Look movement to open the door for reviewing extensive sentences as a criminal justice reform.
“A case like Andre Brown’s shows twenty years [is] enough pun-
the Safer Sanctuary Act), which prevents a federal agency from setting up an office on NYC Department of Corrections property.
“I am a proud child of immigrants. A proud grandchild of immigrants. My family came to the US for an opportunity like so many others,” said Hudson, who supports the bills.
“Please know that Trump’s ICE is not just going to stop at disappearing and kidnapping immigrants. They’re coming for each and every single American who sees
ishment,” said Zeidman. “It’s especially enough punishment if someone has done everything they can [while] inside, in Andre’s case, the three years he was out, to show that they are a different person, not only they’re not a threat to public safety, but they have so much to offer their family and their community on the outside.”
A Second Look Act bill currently exists here in New York. If passed into law, the legislation would allow incarcerated individuals serving lengthy sentences to apply for a sentence reduction under an “interest of justice” provision. Several notable supporters include Chief Judge Rowan Wilson and mayorelect Zohran Mamdani, a current co-sponsor for the Assembly’s version of the bill. But there remains work to do in the state legislature.
“Incarcerated New Yorkers need real pathways for rejoining their families, repairing harm, healing, and contributing to society –– and the Second Look Act would provide precisely such opportunities,” said State Senate lead sponsor Julia Salazar in a statement. “The bill is a counterweight to overly harsh sentences, giving incarcerated New Yorkers hope for release, while granting judges discretion to determine readiness for reentry.”
Lead Assembly sponsor Latrice
“NYPD has worked with ICE on home raids, claiming they are part of joint task forces but resulting in people being arrested solely for civil immigration enforcement,” said Rosa Cohen Cruz, director of immigration policy for the Bronx Defenders. “The Department of Corrections allows ICE to walk into cells to take custody without a judicial warrant…We’ve often testified about the fact that DOC does what we call a ‘slow walk’ of our clients, where they delay administrative processes in order to buy time for ICE to arrive.”
Walker is a staunch proponent of Brown and showed up for his resentencing. Over a written statement, the Brooklyn-based lawmaker hoped people would take time this holiday season to think about the more than 32,000 people in New York state prisons and believed it was time “for a second look.” She also recounted the efforts working behind the scenes to draft letters of support and meet with key officials on behalf of Brown.
“This is the perfect Christmas gift for him, for his wife and their kids,” said Walker. “It is a victory for justice, although a delayed victory. Mr. Brown’s case underscores how important it is for us to fight for criminal justice reform in New York State. I have been in touch with the Governor’s office about his clemency application, as he fights to prove his innocence once and for all.”
“We have to keep up the fight until there are no more Andre Browns in our prison system.”
While excessive sentencing seems tied to the Crime Bill-era of decades past, Zeidman believes the problem persists. He still regularly sees young Black and Brown people in court facing “astronomical” sentences. “It’s still happening,” said Zeidman. “All the Second Look Act does is say you’re not destined to perish in prison.”
to testify in my personal capacity as a longtime immigrants’ rights advocate, as someone who came to this country as a five-year-old, grew up undocumented in this city,” said Castro at the hearing. “It is important for me to be on the record in support of all these bills, and in support of all of you, in making sure that the City Council finally passes these laws that I long championed.”
The council members were collectively disappointed, but appreciated that Castro showed up to face their ire in person.
themselves as a threat to Donald Trump,” said Ossé.
At the council hearing of the Committee on Immigration later that day, Avilés, Cabán, and Hanif railed against Mayor Eric Adams and his administration’s violation of the city’s sanctuary laws. Several public defenders testified how the NYPD, the Department of Correction (DOC), and the Department of Probation (DOP) frequently collaborate with ICE in its deportation agenda.
They also slammed the Mayor’s officials that refused to testify at the hearing and didn’t send representatives even though they were present in the building. Cabán confronted the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) Commissioner Manny Castro in the lobby of City Hall and demanded he testify on his own. About two and a half hours into the hearing, Castro decided to follow through with a testimony in support of the bills. He had been instructed not to by the Mayor’s office, he said.
“As you know, it is up to City Hall as to who is to testify on their behalf at this hearing. This is why I choose
“You have chosen to work with an administration that has thrown our communities under the bus over, and over again,” said Avilés, in response to Castro. “And it took courage for you to come up here, because we’ve been talking about you, one hundred percent. And this mayor, who we both know, has allowed our communities to sit with inadequate services, with inadequate funding, and with an office — the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs — that is muzzled, and is not going full tilt to protect our communities, and work in collaboration with this council. This Office has been an utter disappointment during this difficult time.”
NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams (at podium) joined a crowd of immigrant advocates at a City Hall rally on Dec. 8, 2025. (Ariama C. Long photo)
Columbia women’s basketball team builds on back-to-back NCAA tournament bids
By LOIS ELFMAN
Special to the AmNews
Columbia University women’s basketball team has established itself as one of the most successful programs among New York City’s Division I ballers. They have received back-to-back NCAA Tournament bids, making the big dance in 2024 and last season. They are striving for a trifecta in the new campaign.
In the first few minutes of Saturday’s faceoff against Wagner College of Staten Island at Levien Gymnasium on the campus of Columbia in the Morningside Heights section of Manhattan, it shaped up as a tough New York battle. Wagner stayed close for much of the first quarter and was down just 22-17 at the end of the period. But by halftime, Columbia was in control, holding a 46-24 lead, which they continued to grow in the second half. The game concluded with the Lions having dominated the Seahawks 82-42.
The victory improved Columbia to 6-4 before they met up with Seton Hall on the road on Tuesday. Wagner is 2-6 and will be at Rider in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, this Saturday. With a large lead in the second half and the game in hand, the Lions were able to clear their bench and get several players valuable playing time.
Freshman forward Alicia Mitchell logged five minutes and scored three points. “It meant so much, honestly,” said Mitchell. “Not just from my teammates supporting me on the bench, but my coach, know-
ing that she supports me and fully trusts me. It was really exciting; all the energy was contagious. It was just great being out there.”
While head coach Megan Griffith is glad players got playing time,
she said practice is the most important thing in a player’s development. “Game minutes are great, but practice is better,” she said. “They practice every day. I don’t care how many minutes you play in the game; to me, that’s just the show. If we’re getting better every day in practice, which I know they are, they’ll get rewarded in the games. It’s how we do everything, not just how we play in a game.”
Columbia sustained its intensity for most of the game. Griffith noted that the season’s early games — both wins and losses — were close. This was not the Lions’ first dominant performance. They defeated Manhattan University 84-38 last week. The coach noted that maintaining good habits while having a wide margin is important to her team’s collective improvement
“The more disciplined you can be now, the more disciplined you’re going to be later,” said Griffith. “Missed free throws and turnovers [are a problem]. That’s what good teams in March (NCAA Tournament time) are really good at. We’re going to get there, but you have to, no matter who is playing, understand the value of a possession.”
Monroe women’s basketball honors fallen teammate with ongoing excellence
By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews
Monroe University Express women’s basketball is currently undefeated in NJCAA Region 15 action and is ranked sixth in the country — social media posts proclaim the team’s winning record, 12-1 thus far this season. Head coach Damel Ling, said the winning is great, but he also appreciates the environment Monroe provides the student-athletes, balancing academics and athletics.
“We provide the platform for them to develop their skills on and off the floor,” said Ling, noting that he recruits players with ambitions in both areas. “I tell everyone when I recruit them that I’m tough and I’m going to be demanding on and off the court. I want players who are committed — somebody who’s willing to work.”
Ling has been coaching for 27 years — this is his third season with Monroe Express — and said this is probably the most connected group he’s ever had. “The fact that they genuinely like each other off the floor has helped them go really hard on the floor,” he said.
“Last
back much better,” said Ling.
Beverly discovered basketball in third grade and said sports have been an uplifting force in
her life. Studying business administration, she chose Monroe because of Ling. “I’ve never had this connection with any other coach before or any coach that was trying to recruit me,” she said. The Knicks are her favorite professional sports team. “It’s the energy of New York,” she said.
Salimah, also a business student, said she had to adjust to traveling to different places for games in her freshman year. “It’s helping me for the future,” she said. Now, she’s in a groove and hopes to continue playing with a four-year program next year. Her favorite player is Stephen Curry, and she’s studied video clips of him to improve her shooting.
The team’s spirit is inspired in part by tragedy: Violence handed the team a loss beyond basketball on November 22, when sophomore guard Amira McCleod was struck and killed by gunfire during an off-campus gathering in Long Island. “When you experience something like that, it brings you together,” said Ling. “This is a really resilient, connected group. That has allowed us to work through this together.”
The team’s top two scorers are sophomore guards Beverly Williams from the Bronx, who’s averaging 20.5 points per game, and
Salimah Williams from Jersey City, averaging 14.8 points per game.
year, they had some up and down moments, but they came
Monroe University’s sophomore guard Beverly Williams (No. 4) is averaging 20.5 points per game. (Monroe Express Athletics photos)
Salimah Williams, Express sophomore guard from Jersey City, N.J., has played key role in team’s 12-1 start.
Columbia turned in a dominant performance over Wagner. (Lois Elfman photo)
Eliminated from playoff contention, the Jets and Giants eye top draft talent
By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor
Another NFL season has brought what is seemingly perpetual disappointment for Jets and Giants fans. Hope once again faded to black for the fanbases of both franchises less than halfway into the season. By November 2, the Giants were 2-7 and the Jets, on their bye week, were 1-7. Although both teams were mathematically still capable of making the playoffs, realistically, neither was coming close to a postseason spot.
As they enter their Week 15 games, the Jets in Jacksonville to play the 9-4, AFC South leading Jaguars, and the Giants at home in MetLife Stadium to face longtime NFC East foe, the 3-10 Washington Commanders, there is a palpable feeling that the Jets and Giants leadership are deep into planning for next season as the Jets are 3-10 and the Giants 2-11. Yes, each has four more regular season games remaining and Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and Giants head coach Mike Kafka are endeavoring to keep their team in the present. But it is a chal-
lenging charge when the players and coaches are suffering from losing fatigue. For the Giants, many players naturally are viewing Kafka as a placeholder.
It doesn’t mean they don’t have his respect. But those who are certain to be back next season know the likelihood that he will be their head coach is minimal.
Kafka was elevated from offensive coordinator on November 10 when former head coach Brian Daboll was fired after a 20-40-1 record in three-plus seasons and one wildcard playoff appearance in the 2022 season.
Correspondingly, the job status of Giants general manager Joe Schoen is ostensibly also tenuous. Schoen and Daboll were by and large a package deal when they were hired by team owners John Mara and Steve Tisch in January of 2022. Schoen was the assistant GM for the Buffalo Bills and Daboll their offensive coordinator. A little over a week ago, Schoen addressed the media regarding the state of the team.
“Let me start off with two wins is not where we want to be right now, it’s good enough. I understand the frustration from fans,
ownership, [and] the people inside the building,” he said. “Nobody is more frustrated than myself; it starts with me, and I’m tasked with trying to get this organization going back in the proper direction.”
“…So, we’re going to look at everything. Free agency, the draft, coaching, finishing, execution on the field, whatever it may be. …As for the coaching changes we made earlier in the year. This is the first time I’ve spoken with you guys since we moved on from Coach Daboll and (defensive coordinator) Shane Bowen. Dabs and I have an extended history together professionally and personally, a difficult decision, but one we decided to make and he’s a great football coach and he’s going to be successful in whatever he does after the New York Giants.”
“As for the coaching search,” Schoen expanded, “we’re going to do everything we can right now to support (interim head coach) [Mike] Kafka. That’s our primary focus right now is to give Kafka everything he needs in order to succeed over these next four weeks, support him and his staff.
At the appropriate time, we’ll get into potential coaches research and we’ll do thorough collaborative research and come up with the best coach to lead the New York Giants going into the 2026 season.”
While the Jets’ and Giants’ share last-place standings in their respective divisions, their circumstances are dissimilar. While Schoen and the departed Daboll have had nearly four years to get the Giants headed on an upward trajectory, this is Year 1 for Glenn and Jets general manager Darren Mougey. The Jets are in desperate need of a quarterback who can drive them back to a competitive level. The Giants think they have secured their long-term QB1 in rookie Jaxson Dart, who they drafted last April in the first round, No. 25 overall, out of the University of Mississippi, more commonly known as ‘Ole Miss,’ also the alma mater of the franchise’s two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning.
The Jets, after trading defensive lineman Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys for a package that included a 2027 first rounder and a 2026 second rounder
and cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts, acquiring two first round pick in exchange, both dealt on November 4 at the NFL trade deadline, now possess an enviable trove of at least two first rounders in the April 2026 draft and a minimum of three first round slots in the 2027 draft to rectify their problematic quarterback position.
Maybe after an extensive evaluation, the Jets may target Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who is currently in New York City for this weekend’s Heisman Trophy ceremony as the frontrunner for the award. They can also wait until 2027 to use their draft capital on a QB. As for the Giants, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who many scouts have compared to Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed, would be a perfect fit to sure up their flawed secondary.
While the free agency period doesn’t begin until early March and the NFL Draft, this year being staged in Pittsburgh from April 23-25, is over four months away, they are pretty much all that Jets and Giants fans have to look forward to.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, holding the Big Ten Championship trophy on Saturday, and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, will be two of the NFL’s top draft picks next April. (Fernando Mendoza, AP Photo/AJ Mast; Caleb Downs, AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Roach and Cruz battle to a majority draw in WBA lightweight championship
By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews
Lamont Roach can’t seem to get his point across. Or at least get enough points from judges.
After a controversial majority decision draw versus Gervonta “Tank” Davis at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn in March in their WBA lightweight championship fight when Davis took a knee in the ninth round but referee Steve Mills did not rule it a knockdown, which would have given Roach a 10-8 round, he fought another questionable majority decision draw versus Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz on Saturday at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
The scorecards read 113-113, 115-111, 113-113 at the end of the 12-round interim WBC super lightweight championship bout. Cruz dropped Roach in the third round with a left hook and looked like he was possibly headed to a knockout victory, but Roach remained determined. A point deduction from Cruz for low blows in round seven nearly gave Roach a path to victory.
“I knew he would stand his ground and go toe-to-toe, but I know how to box too,” said Cruz (28-3-2, 18 KOs), who retained his title. “People don’t realize I can box.”
super featherweight champion O’Shaquie Foster dominated an unfocused Stephen Fulton Jr. in a 119-109, 118-110, and 117-111 unanimous decision to win the Interim WBC lightweight strap.
“The game plan was to stay smart, stay sharp, and get him out of there in the later rounds,” said Foster. “But he’s a damn good fighter and a veteran, and he knew how to survive.” Fulton (23-2-0, 8 KOs) was two pounds over the 130-pound weight limit.
At UFC 323 in Las Vegas on Saturday, Petr Yan became a two-time UFC bantamweight champion with a 49-46, 48-47, 49-46 unanimous victory over Merab Dvalishvili, who attempted to make history with a fourth title defense in a calendar year. In the co-main event, Joshua Van won the UFC flyweight title when Alexandre Pantoja suffered a severe arm injury just 26 seconds into the clash.
Roach’s reference to the drawing board foreshadows a 2026 rematch between the two.
“Absolutely, I’d do a rematch,” said Cruz, who complained about
“Hats off to ‘Pitbull,’” said Roach (25-1-3, 10 KOs), who had a 114114, 113-115, 114-114 draw against Davis. Cruz lost to Davis by unanimous decision in a close fight in December 2021. “He’s a great champion himself,” Roach said of Cruz. “I gave the fans a great fight. Back to the drawing board.”
Long Island hooper Kaylene Smikle assumes prominent role for Lady Terps
By LOIS ELFMAN
Special to the AmNews
Ranked in the top 10 nationally, the University of Maryland Terrapins are off to an 11-0 start this Division I women’s basketball season, and senior guard Kaylene Smikle from Bayshore has been a huge offensive presence as the team pursues a return to the Final Four.
“On Long Island, I grew up around a lot of basketball because all of my siblings played,” said Smikle, the youngest of four children. “I basically grew up around it.” Her brother also attends Maryland and is on the practice squad for the women’s team.
A graduate of Westtown High School, Smikle began her college career at Rutgers, but decided to transfer after her sophomore season. “On my visit to Maryland, the team showed me how much
they wanted me to be a part of this team,” Smikle said. “All the coaches are so supportive. I found a family environment.”
Her game has developed since Smikle came to College Park. The Terrapins’ style of play suits her, and she’s averaging more than 13 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. She is a preseason All-Big Ten honoree and was named to the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award watch list. Making an impact feels good.
“We’re feeling good and building chemistry every game,” said Smikle, a sociology major. “Every day, every practice, we’re continuing to grow, we’re continuing to learn each other and how each other plays. I feel like every game we’re going to be playing is more connected because we’re learning how we move with each other. Every game, we’re going to be playing better Maryland basketball because we’re continuing to learn
each other as the season goes on.”
Smikle is active on social media, building a presence as an influencer on Instagram and TikTok. She is open to name, image, and likeness opportunities, and is very into skincare. There is also an official shop with clothing collections. Maryland has been dominant this season in more than just the wins themselves, winning six games by more than 20 points, including a 95-38 victory over Hofstra at the Discover Puerto Rico Classic during Thanksgiving weekend. “We’re not looking to our opponent to try and change the way we play,” said Smikle, whose parents make the drive from New York to Maryland for all of her home games. “We want to stay consistent in how we play, which is rebound, run, and play in transition. We keep the pace. No matter the opponent, we don’t go softer.”
the judges and the referee in a fight he thought he won. Conversely, Roach had an opposing view.
“I think I should have won a close victory,” he said. “I clearly thought I won a close fight.”
In the co-main event, WBC
Looking ahead, January is shaping up to be a good month in combat sports. UFC 324 will see Justin Gaethje battle Paddy Pimblett for the interim UFC lightweight title. In the co-main event, arguably the greatest of all time, Amanda Nunes, returns to challenge Kayla Harrison in her first defense of the UFC women’s bantamweight strap.
Lamont Roach (right) and Isaac Cruz fought to a majority draw on Saturday night in San Antonio, Texas, in their WBC super lightweight championship. (Dylan Trevino/Premier Boxing Champions photo)
Bay Shore, N.Y., product Kaylene Smikle has helped drive University of Maryland Lady Terrapins to No. 7 national ranking. (Maryland Athletics photo)
Still a work in progress, the Knicks surge to the semifinals of the Emirates Cup
By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor
The Knicks are hoping the third time is the charm.
Since the inception of the Emirates NBA Cup in the 202324 season, which was formerly named the “In-Season Tournament,” the Knicks have been the only team to reach the event’s quarterfinals in all three years. Yet, they are still pursuing their first championship.
A 117-101 road win over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals moved them a step closer to that achievement. They will host the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden on Saturday (5:30 p.m.) for the second time in less than a week in the semifinals. The Magic defeated the Miami Heat 117-108 on Tuesday in their quarterfinals matchup.
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson established the Knicks’ intentions right out of the gate, netting 20 of his game-high 35 points in the first quarter. All five of the Knicks starters scored in double figures, including forward Josh Hart, who posted 21. With the exception of Brunson (3), everyone in the first unit - Hart, KarlAnthony Towns, O.G. Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges - had five or more rebounds, with Towns topping the team with 16.
The win was the eighth for the Knicks in their last nine games. They are an imposing 13-1 at the Garden. The Oklahoma City Thunder, which was 11-0 before facing the Phoenix Suns at home last night in the quarterfinals of the Emirates Cup, was the only squad with a better mark at home. Overall, at 17-7, the Knicks are in first place in the Atlantic Division
and second in the Eastern Conference behind the 19-5 Detroit Pistons, arguably the league’s most surprising team thus far in the 2025-26 campaign.
Despite laboring to adjust to the first-year head coach Mike Brown’s systems on both offense and defense, appearing disjointed and disconnected during stretches of games, and by and large for much of the opening month, this, after a shift from former head coach Tom Thibodeau’s schemes and principles, the Knicks are coalescing.
“We’re starting to figure out who we are,” said Brown after the win over Toronto on Tuesday. “Early in the season, we had a lot of injuries during the preseason, so I didn’t have a good feel for this team, or as good a feel as I needed to have, and that’s partly the reason we [have had issues] on the road.”
Indeed, in 10 road games, the Knicks are 4-6, a weakness they must improve on as they strive
for the franchise’s first NBA title since 1973 and first appearance since 1999.
The Armory set to host the iconic Colgate Women’s Games 50th year
By JAIME C. HARRIS
AmNews Sports Editor
tor Cheryl Toussaint, the legacy of Thompson, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 85 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease, is globally expansive.
“…The place is filled with mommies and daddies,” Thompson said to the New York Times in 1979 regarding the Games at Pratt. “I know guys who never get out of bed on a Sunday for anything else, but they were there to see their daughter run.”
The Nike Track & Field Center at the Armory in the Washington Heights section of Upper Manhattan, one of the most sparkling track and field facilities in the country, will host the numerous young ladies and women of varying ages that will continue a tradition that has seen a plethora of all-time great runners such as Toussaint, Diane Dixon, Ann Vazquez, Dalilah Muhammad, Natasha Hastings, and Nia Ali to name a few claim Colgate championships.
Preliminary meets will begin on December 28 and continue on January 4, followed by the semifinals on January 18, and culminating with the finals on February 7.
from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
What Thompson has built and Toussaint has masterfully curated is emblematic of their love of track and field and reflective of their journey of excellence. Thompson, an assistant Attorney General of New York State from 1967 to 1969, by then, was well into guiding the Atoms Track Club, which he founded in 1963, run out of a community center in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. In 1988 he was a coach for the United States Olympic team.
Toussaint, a Brooklyn native and graduate of Erasmus Hall, honed her skills in the Colgate Games ahead of winning a silver medal at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany, as a member of the United States’ women’s 4 x 400 meter relay team.
Fred Thompson’s vision has been more than realized. It has been lifealtering. In 1974, the Boys High School (now Boys and Girls High School), City College of New York, and St. John’s University School of Law graduates founded the Colgate Women’s Games with Pratt Institute being its first home.
As the nation’s longest-running track & field Series for girls and women prepares for its 50th staging under the leadership of meet direc-
With its decades-long support from consumer products company Colgate-Palmolive, the first Colgate Games finals were held in 1975 at Madison Square Garden. This year,
The meet is free to participate and attend, welcoming all girls in grades one and above who are enrolled in and attending school; in addition to women in college and those still competing after college. Registration is still open and this Saturday, the Student Union on the campus of Pratt Institute in Brooklyn will be the site for in-person registration
From left to right, John Kooyman, President, North America, Colgate-Palmolive; New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams; Colgate Games Meet Director Cheryl Toussaint; and 2022 world indoor champion Ajee’ Wilson. (Colgate Women’s Games photo)
The Knicks and forward Mikal Bridges, driving against the Orlando Magic’s Noah Penda on Sunday at Madison Square Garden, will face the Magic again on Saturday in the semifinals of the Emirates Cup. (AP Photo/John Munson)
