New York Amsterdam News Issue May 8-14, 2025

WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

Vol. 116 No. 19 | May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

©2025 The Amsterdam News | $1.00 New York City

THE HOUSING BARRIER THE STRUGGLE FOR HOME MODIFICATIONS (See story on page 14)

(Amanda Ulloa Illustration / AmNews)

Trump Student Loan Policies Will Financially Ruin Some New Yorkers Urban Agenda by David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society of New York - See page 5

2 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

New York State $254B budget deal (almost) finalized USPS 382-600/ISSN#00287121 2340 Frederick Douglass Boulevard New York, New York 10027 (212) 932-7400 / FAX (212) 222-3842

DIRECTORY EDITORIAL Executive & Investigative Editor – Damaso Reyes Damaso.Reyes@AmsterdamNews.com Managing Editor – Kristin Fayne-Mulroy KFM@AmsterdamNews.com Digital Editor - Josh Barker Josh.Barker@AmsterdamNews.com

STAFF WRITERS Karen Juanita Carrillo Karen.Carrillo@AmsterdamNews.com Shannon Chaffers Shannon.Chaffers@amsterdamnews.com Ariama C. Long Ariama.Long@AmsterdamNews.com Tandy Lau Tandy.Lau@AmsterdamNews.com DIGITAL, BRANDED CONTENT & HYBRID ADVERTISING MANAGER Ali Milliner (212) 932-7435 Ali.Milliner@AmsterdamNews.com DISPLAY & DIGITAL ADVERTISING CONSULTANT William “Bill” Atkins (212) 932-7429 William.Atkins@AmsterdamNews.com LEGAL, LLC & CLASSIFED ADVERTISING Ali Milliner (212) 932-7435 Ali.Milliner@AmsterdamNews.com CIRCULATION / SUBSCRIPTION Benita Darby (212) 932-7453 Benita.Darby@AmsterdamNews.com The Amsterdam News assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Photographs and manuscripts become the property of The Amsterdam News.

Published weekly. Periodicals Class postage paid at New York, N.Y. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to NY Amsterdam News, 2340 Frederick Douglass Blvd., New York, NY 10027.

MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS INFORMATION

U.S. Territories & Canada weekly subscriptions: 6 months $30.00 1 year $49.99 2 Years $79.99 Foreign subscriptions: 6 Months $40.00 1 year $59.99 2 Years $89.99

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff With additional reporting from TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member After weeks of delay, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she and the State Legislature reached an agreement on the budget for fiscal year 2026. State officials are voting on the budget bills this week, allowing for small changes still.

“Despite the chaos and uncertainty that’s just constantly emanating out of Washington, we still delivered for the people of New York. We still got it done, and I would not take that for granted. We worked through some really challenging issues [and] we refused to be drawn into the toxic divisive politics of the moment,” said Hochul. “We never lost sight of the people that we are sent here to serve, and we never strayed away from the issues they cared the most about.”

The budget is estimated at $254 billion. With a conceptual agreement in place, the State Legislature is expected to pass the bills necessary to make the budget official soon. Some “final details” still need to be hammered out by then, said Hochul. She added that President Donald Trump and his administration have already doled out over $1.3 billion in federal funding cuts and that tariffs are adversely impacting working families.

“There’s a possibility that we’ll have to come back later this year and update our budget in response to federal actions,” said Hochul. Among a laundry list of items, she was pushing for middle-class tax cuts, expanding Child Tax Credits, providing inflation refund checks of up to $500, free school breakfast and lunch for students, full repeal of the State and Local Tax deduction, monies for public safety and law enforcement initiatives statewide and in New York City.

Hochul’s bigger policy changes, that were holding up the budget, like involuntary commitment laws, which would impact street homeless individuals with mental illness; amendments to Kendra’s Law, which deals with individuals with serious mental illness mandated to outpatient treatment; and reforms to the state’s discovery law, which puts pressure on prosecutors to hand over evidence to defendants and their lawyer indiscriminately in court cases, were pushed through. There was also pushback against a statewide mask ban and a ban on cellphones in schools.

Most of the more controversial parts of Hochul’s agenda made it into the budget, including a $13.5 million “bell-to-bell” ban on smartphones and devices during the school day; a Class B misdemeanor for people wearing a mask while committing a crime; changing the discovery laws and investing $120 million into discovery law compliance for prosecutors and defense attorneys; and beefing up involuntary commitment laws.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced an agreement has been reached with legislative leaders on key priorities in the Fiscal Year 2026 New York State Budget.

(Darren McGee/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul photo)

The Legal Aid Society (LAS) said it will wait for the final language before providing a fullthroated analysis on the budget. But the public defense organization issued an initial statement on the discovery amendments.

“Regardless of these amendments, we will continue to vigorously litigate our clients’ cases to hold prosecutors accountable when they fail to meet their discovery obligations,” NY STATE BUDGET on page 39

Mayor Adams touts $115B budget, doubles down on not closing Rikers

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff New York City Mayor Eric Adams unironically dubbed this latest city budget the “Best Budget Ever.” He held a roundtable at Gracie Mansion last week with ethnic media to discuss what policies made it in.

“The record is clear,” said Adams. “So to really show the success of our fiscal management, we rolled out a budget that zeros in on children and families.”

This year, the city’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Executive Budget is $115.1 billion, with a $1.9 billion savings plan. The city also maintains a record $8.5 billion in reserves.

The budget focuses funding on improving public safety, clean city streets and parks, affordability, education, health, sustainability, transportation; and expands educational opportunities like early childhood education and universal after-school. Key initiatives include $500 million to combat gun violence, increased NYPD officers (aiming for 35,000 by 2026), support for mental health services for individuals with severe conditions, the Mayor’s City of Yes for Housing Opportunity plan, and $173.4 billion 10-year capital plan to build out city infrastructure, among other things.

Mayor Eric Adams hosts a roundtable discussion with ethnic and community media on the FY 2026 Executive Budget.

Gracie Mansion.

Friday, May 2, 2025.

(Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office)

Adams was especially proud of the early childhood education and universal afterschool initiatives. “That is huge for working class people. Children will be in a safe place.

Children will learn socialization skills and other academic skills. Parents will be able to go on with their lives…knowing that their child’s in a safe place,” said Adams. “This is all part of what we have done in this budget.”

His administration has been harshly criticized over the years for going back and forth on budget cuts to the city’s pre-K and 3-K programs, and many of his challengers in the upcoming mayoral race have built their platform around the benefits of uni-

versal after-school programs.

As this city budget relates to the state budget, Adams pushed back that the state had failed to include enough funding for immigrants and asylum seekers. “They’re giving us no asylum seeker funding at all, as though the problem has disappeared,” said Adams. “This is a state problem. We send more money to Albany, than we get back. We send more money to Washington, than we get back. At this point, we’re the economic engine for the state, and we’re the economic engine for the country. We should not be left to fight these issues on our own.”

NYC BUDGET on page 39

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 3

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Are Black, Latino families targeted by ACS?

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) has issued a new report that highlights a concerning trend: child abuse investigations by NYC’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) often target low-income Black and Latino women.

“Even ACS knows that they disproportionately investigate Latinos and Black folks,” states Washcarina Martinez Alonzo, a Legal Aid attorney and co-author of the report, “The Far-Reaching Impact of ACS’s Discriminatory Investigations on Women of Color and Survivors of GenderBased Violence.”

“For us,” Martinez Alonzo said, “it was really about drawing a line between those investigations and poverty –– the cycle of poverty.”

The report depicts ACS as focusing on Black and Latino families that live in high-crime/low-income neighborhoods. Targeting is the best way to describe their actions, Martinez Alonzo told the AmNews, because “I think, as a person who’s from the Bronx –– I grew up between the Bronx and Harlem –– it does feel like a target.

As a native New Yorker and as an attorney who tries to use their words carefully, I would point to that target of like over-investigating or disproportionate involvement, all happening in the same neighborhood.”

Residents in areas like Harlem, the Bronx, North Staten Island, East Brooklyn, and South Queens frequently have to deal with stopand-frisk policies, witness domestic and gender-based violence, and see people suffering from substance abuse issues. These are incidents that bring large numbers of police officers to their neighborhoods. And a persistent police presence also attracts other state authorities who end up monitoring how residents function.

The report’s authors connect a lot of the violence in these cases to poverty, writing: “ACS investigations involve poverty in the form of a lack of medical care, inadequate food/clothing/shelter, or malnutrition (i.e., neglect)... This disproportionality keeps people from attaining meaningful work, perpetuating the circumstances that may have brought about the investigation in the first place.”

When low-income parents are accused of child abuse, it can affect their employment opportunities.

Cover photo for LSNYC’s “The Far-Reaching Impact of ACS’s Discriminatory Investigations on Women of Color and Survivors of Gender-Based Violence” report.

(LSNYC photo)

“ACS investigations involve poverty in the form of a lack of medical care, inadequate food/clothing/shelter, or malnutrition (i.e., neglect)... This disproportionality keeps people from attaining meaningful work, perpetuating the circumstances that may have brought about the investigation in the first place.”

— from Legal Services NYC’s report on ACS Many workers in the care industry live in low-income neighborhoods, and care workers will lose their jobs when they have abuse claims on their records.

Racial disparities in child abuse reporting persist Martinez Alonzo, along with coauthors Caitlin Goldman, Esq., and C.C., produced their report utilizing ACS data from some 114,602 investigations closed between January 1, 2020, and July 31, 2022. ACS routinely receives tips regarding child abuse cases and issues reports to determine those accusations as “indicated” (suggestive of abuse) or “unfounded.”

LSNYC’s report notes that ACS found 38,182 (or 33 %) of its 114,602 investigations were in-

dicated but only moved forward with neglect petitions in 8 % of the cases. In the two and a half years after Jan. 1, 2020, 28 % of all ACS investigations were flagged for domestic violence, totaling 31,849 cases.

Statistics from 2024, provided to this newspaper by ACS, show that racial disparities in child abuse reporting persist. However, an ACS spokesperson says it has “dramatically reduced the total number of families experiencing an indicated investigation (down more than 40% over the last 7 years).

This means that the total number of families impacted by the child welfare system through investigations, as well as deeper engagement through supervision and foster care, has reduced.”

The agency said in a statement: “ACS is committed to building a safer, more just, and equitable New York City for children and families. Through methods like decreasing unnecessary child welfare involvement and promoting supportive services that better stabilize families, we work to reduce both racial disparities within the child welfare system and the number of families unnecessarily impacted by the child welfare system.

“We are reviewing the [LSNYC] report and will continue to listen, learn, and evolve our critical work to uplift New York’s children.”

LSNYC’s report aligns with several recent findings from other organizations. The New School’s Center for NYC Affairs wrote in

2019 that “Greenwich Village and the Upper East Side, which have among the lowest child poverty rates and proportions of Black and Latino residents of the city’s 59 community districts, had fewer than 10 investigations per 1000 children. Hunts Point, Morrisania, and Mott Haven, with among the highest child poverty rates and concentrations of Black and Latino residents in the city, each had more than 70 investigations per 1000 children.” In 2023, a report from the New York Civil Liberties Union declared that ACS data “exposes the alarming extent to which racism is baked into every stage of a family regulation case.” And last year, New York’s Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights noted that “Black children are more likely than other children to be removed from their families, and are also less likely to be reunified with their families. …

The New York State Bar Association found that when it comes to Black children and children of color, ‘reasonable efforts’ to preserve and unify families are not applied, creating further disproportionalities.

“ACS removes Black children from their families almost twice as often as Latino or white children.”

4 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

One Hundred Black Men kicks off listening tour in the Bronx

One Hundred Black Men, Inc. (OHBM) held a community session at Anne Hutchinson School (P.S. 78) in the Bronx to listen to resident concerns on Thursday, May 1.

(Ariama C. Long photos)

OHBM held a community session at Anne Hutchinson School (P.S. 78) in the Bronx to listen to resident concerns on Thursday, May 1.

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff

wellness, and economic empowerment programs. The organization was named by co-founder and late Mayor David Dinkins, The founding chapter of One Hundred the city’s first Black mayor.

Black Men, Inc. (OHBM) began its citywide “I believe that sometimes organizations, listening tour, inviting Black and Brown com- or people [who] feel that they have power, munity members across New York City to they sort of decide what the community weigh in on the unique challenges they face. is concerned about,” said Robert Brown, Founded in 1963, OBHM is a nonprof- president of OBHM of New York. “I never it centered around Black men’s collective understood that. I always thought that the focused on giving back to the community community had to tell the organizations, or through mentoring, education, health and the people who we give power to, what is important to us.”

In order to create a new THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN HOLIDAY! policy plan for 2026 that acCELEBRATING FAMILY, CULTURE, RESISTANCE, & SPRING curately reflects the community’s concerns, OBHM created the Committee of Addressing Problems (CAP).

“It’s no secret. We are at a turning point,” said Michael Cox, an OBHM leader.

“A couple of months ago, we had a meeting of 100 Black men. And during that conversation, what we realized was that not only are things changing, but maybe we can’t do business as usual.

FREE! That maybe the chaos, maybe the fear that’s being sowed in our communities, needs to be more carefully LIVE MUSIC | DANCE | AFRICAN DRUMMING examined.”

OYSTER SHUCKING | KIDS CRAFTS | GAMES The first gathering for the VENDORS | FREE MUSEUM ADMISSION listening tour was held at Anne Hutchinson School BLACK HISTORY EXHIBIT (P.S. 78) in the Bronx. Many The Afro-Dutch holiday of Pinkster gave of the residents spoke about enslaved people opportunities to connect hyperlocal issues conwith family, honor elders, pass down culture, cerning mental health and celebrate spring, and resist enslavement. access to services, homeFor full event schedule, lessness and the shelter directions, history, & more, visit: system, overcoming systemphilipsemanorhall.com ic trauma, fostering menor use the QR code at left. torship and community engagement, and reintegraSponsored by: tion into society for formerPhilipse Manor Hall State Historic Site | 29 Warburton Ave. Yonkers, NY ly incarcerated individuals.

Group photo of One Hundred Black Men (OHBM) members.

“I want to find a way that I can become a help and be of assistance, because I’ve harmed our community, and now I want to help our community,” said Rasheed Davis, a Bronx resident. “I served 23 years in prison, and I just want to be instrumental in reaching out and helping out change.”

“Mental health is something that affects every person in this room. If it doesn’t affect you personally, it affects someone in your family,” said one attendee. “I’ve seen, and I’m working in mental health, and I’ve seen where it affects families. Other races get the help that they need, and their people are working and living progressive lives. While, on the other hand, our people are left to wander the streets and be homeless.”

Several members of Stand Up to Violence (SUV), Jacobi Medical Center’s violence prevention initiative, spoke about bridging the generational gap between elders and the youth in the community as a method of preventing gun and gang violence.

“One of the biggest things that the youth is missing is correct guidance. They don’t have the proper guidance, and they’re looking for help. They are seeking help. That’s why they joined the gangs, because they’re looking for help…You know, Mom and Pop drop them off at school, maybe seven in the morning, and they may not come back until seven that night,” said Philip Erby, an SUV Outreach

Worker Supervisor. “A lot of our elders are scared of these kids. I understand that, but at the end of the day, we can’t lose them because we’re afraid. We have to embrace them.”

Former Bronx Councilmember Andy King, who helped organize the event, and current Councilmember Kevin Riley, were also in attendance.

Riley said that there was definitely a “lack of connection” that many of his constituents spoke to, and he has some legislation, like Bill Intro. 975 and Bill Intro. 82, in the works to address two issues that were raised in the session.

Bill Intro. 975, which Riley introduced last year, would establish an Office of Black Male Excellence. The office would analyze and provide recommendations relating to socioeconomic issues that specifically Black males face in New York City.

Bill Intro. 82 would create a three-digit emergency gun violence intervention hotline for the Office for Neighborhood Safety for people seeking assistance with mental health and supportive services.

OBHM said the goal is to have a listening session once a month in every borough. The details for the next meeting have not been finalized, but it will be located in Brooklyn this June. For more information about the Citywide Listening Tour, contact cap.committee@ohbm.org

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Joe Pressley: ‘Serving is part of my DNA’

BY RAYMOND FERNÁNDEZ Special to the AmNews

Black

Joe Pressley, 62, is a proud Black New Yorker gay man from Crown Heights, Brooklyn, with more than three decades of experience in public service. And retirement? That’s nowhere on the horizon.

“I love my city. I love Brooklyn,” he said. “New York keeps me young and healthy.”

Pressley currently serves as vice president of public policy and government relations at Amida Care, the largest Medicaid Special Needs Plan in New York City. The nonprofit health plan serves more than 10,000 New Yorkers, 90% of whom are Black or Brown.

“Care is about prevention,” said Pressley, whose work now focuses on advancing the health of New Yorkers. “About 3,800 of Amida Care’s members identify as transgender or nonbinary.” The plan also serves those experiencing homelessness and the children of enrolled members, regardless of HIV status.

His career in advocacy and public policy began at the New Joe Pressley (Contributed photo by Amida Care) York AIDS Coalition, where he worked as director of community organiz- asking. Years later, Pressley was a Revson ing and later as executive director. From Fellow at Columbia University, where Dinthere, he went on to hold leadership roles kins was one of his professors. at Harlem United, the New York City Coun“If the law ever changes,” Dinkins told him, cil, the Department of Homeless Services, “I want to marry you and your partner.” Just and the Hetrick-Martin Institute, where he weeks after New York legalized same-sex served as CEO. marriage, Dinkins fulfilled his promise.

“What drives me is the need to serve,” he Pressley’s work at Amida Care is focused said. “Serving is part of my DNA.” on advocating for AIDS education. Pressley That commitment to public service was emphasizes the nonprofit’s commitment instilled early. Pressley’s parents fled Jim to push back against attacks on gender-afCrow-era South Carolina in the 1960s, set- firming care and “fight cuts to Medicaid on tling in Brooklyn. His father often told every level,” especially under this second him, “you will be president,” a phrase that Trump administration. He said Amida is shaped Pressley’s understanding of leader- powered by a staff that is 80% people of ship, community care, and possibility. color, dedicated to protecting those most He recalled sitting in the living room vulnerable from these attacks, adding that with tears streaming down his face in Fort enrolled members are part of its advisory Greene when Barack Obama was elected council and have direct influence on policy the first Black president in 2008. He wishes and advocacy efforts. his dad had been alive to see that moment.

“We are doing everything we can against Pressley’s path to education was non-lin- these draconian measures,” he said, calling ear. He began college in 1980 and complet- the efforts “mean-spirited, homophobic, ed his bachelor’s degree in 2008 through the transphobic, and racist.”

CUNY Baccalaureate Program at Hunter Amida Care has joined coalitions of advoCollege. He later earned a master’s degree cates, media allies, and grassroots organizin urban policy from The New School. ers to resist federal cuts and discriminatory “I am a Black gay man … I’ve been chased policies. Pressley said the stakes are espeby the police, I continue to face racism and cially high for Black and Brown New Yorkhomophobia,” he said. “And I’m proud of ers who depend on Medicaid to receive HIV how diverse my family is — from those still treatment and health care coverage. in South Carolina to those in the greater “We are living in unparalleled times,” New York area. My family afforded me the he acknowledged. “But we have to stand opportunity to reach so many people.” strong, realize the victories we’ve had — One formative memory came at age 15, and the ones we will continue to have.” when Pressley met former Mayor David Pressley draws from his ancestral line and Dinkins at a municipal building. “How are the family members of his who survived you, young fellow?” he recalled Dinkins slavery, sharecropping, and Jim Crow.

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 5

THE URBAN AGENDA

By David R. Jones, Esq

Trump Student Loan Policies Will Financially Ruin Some New Yorkers After a five-year reprieve, the Trump administration resumed subjecting student loans borrowers in default to aggressive mandatory collections.

I cannot overstate how destructive this is to New York working people, families and our economy for the federal government to begin garnishing wages and withholding Social Security benefits, tax refunds and other federal payouts. It makes it difficult to buy a house, rent an apartment or get a job.

Thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, New York is ahead of the curve in protecting student loan borrowers from financial distress, but continued action is essential.

The governor’s 2025-26 Executive Budget included funding for the Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP) – the first-in-thenation student loan consumer assistance program, run by my organization, the Community Service Society of New York. It has become a vital resource for borrowers navigating complex repayment and forgiveness options.

As more borrowers exit pandemic-era protections and face mounting financial pressures, EDCAP’s support is more critical than ever. If you’re behind on your loan payments, take the first step toward stability. Call EDCAP at: 888-814-5004 or book an appointment online for free, trusted help.

Putting the Squeeze on Working New Yorkers We should all be horrified at the idea of the federal government unleashing its powerful debt collection machine on the record numbers of Americans behind on their student loan bills.

Cruelty is the north star of Trump’s second presidency, and dropping the hammer at this time is brutal, just as everyday Americans face price hikes for every day expenses, layoffs and a likely recession this summer as a result of Trump administration tariffs.

All of this is particularly rich coming from a president who doesn’t always pay his bills, went bankrupt six times and himself ran an unscrupulous for profit college.

The federal government kicked off the crackdown earlier this year by instructing its student loan servicers to start reporting to credit bureaus payers who are 90 days delinquent. The result: defaulted borrowers – as well as millions behind on their loan payments, but not in default – saw their credit scores plunge.

To add insult to injury, last week the Trump administration proposed a budget that would cut thousands more government jobs and slash funding for housing, food, and education. At the same time, House Republicans have proposed to eliminate income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, PLUS loans for graduate students and parents, and reduce overall aid through changes to the Pell Grant program. IDR plans have helped millions afford

payments and avoid default. Under the overhaul, the typical borrower with a bachelor’s degree would pay almost $3,000 more per year versus current government repayment plans, according to the Student Borrower Protection Center.

Across the state, 2,549,780 borrowers owe an average of $39,340 in student loan debt, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The delinquency rate is 11.1 percent, meaning that over 279,000 New Yorkers, many of them Black and brown, are at risk of default and collection activities.

Among the city’s indebted students, 13.6 percent owe less than $5,000, while 22.7 percent owe an average of $28,287, according to the Education Data Initiative. That may not seem like a ton of money, but it represents a huge burden on top of rent, childcare, food, commuting costs, health care and other daily necessities in New York City.

The student debt crisis has taken countless twists and turns, beginning with the Covid pandemic. The policy stopping the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) from sending accounts to collections first went into effect five years ago, during Trump’s first term. Repayments resumed in late 2023 after some loans were forgiven by former President Joe Biden.

Some of his forgiveness programs were overturned by the federal courts. Consequently, more than a few borrowers received incomplete, contradictory or confusing information about their loans.

How Borrowers Can Protect Themselves A defaulted loan is a loan that a borrower hasn’t made payments for 270 days. When the loan officially enters default, it becomes eligible for mandatory collections. Unlike other debt, there is no statute of limitations on the collection of student loans.

Here’s what you can do: Check the status of your student loans by logging into your StudentAid. gov or servicer account. If you have past-due statements, call your student loan servicer and request a retroactive forbearance.

To keep your loans in good standing, explore and enroll in a repayment plan that fits your budget.

If you cannot afford any repayment plan, you can request a deferment or forbearance as a shortterm solution.

If your student loans are in default, contact the debt collector or seek assistance. You can get out of default by consolidating your loans through StudentAid.gov. Your new loan will resolve the defaulted one. Another option is loan rehabilitation, which requires you to make nine monthly payments based on your income. Once completed, your loans will return to good standing.

No one wants to default on their loans.

Unfortunately, the White House attack on student loan holders is forcing some to choose between feeding their families or paying Uncle Sam.

David R. Jones, Esq., is President and CEO of the Community Service Society of New York (CSS), the leading voice on behalf of low-income New Yorkers for more than 175 years. The views expressed in this column are solely those of the writer. The Urban Agenda is available on CSS’s website: www.cssny.org.

6 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

A wait to end all waits? Public pressure persists for Flatbush Avenue bus lane

Riders Alliance organizers including Jolyse Race (center) rally in favor of a Flatbush Avenue bus lane. (Courtesy of the Riders Alliance)

By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member Can’t spell Flatbush without bus. So improving the B41 route remains a crucial issue for transit advocates in the Riders Alliance, who say the slow commute times disproportionately impact Black New Yorkers.

Brooklyn’s Flatbush Avenue remains one of the most congested roadways in the city, serving as a “spine” across the borough. The B41 route runs across the avenue from the upper Downtown Brooklyn down to the southeastern King’s Plaza, providing many connections to MTA subways and other buses, along with trains like the Long Island Railroad.

Due to traffic, the bus runs significantly slower than the citywide average, moving at just four miles per hour in some busier segments. Last summer, the city unveiled formative plans to paint a priority bus lane across Flatbush Avenue. But nearly a year later, proponents feel the wait is long enough — in more ways than one.

“The improvements that we’re looking to do on Flatbush Avenue is to redesign the street in a way that’s going to prioritize buses,” said Riders Alliance senior organizer Jolyse Race. “Which usually means adding bus lanes [and] bus ways to the streets. The [NYC] Department of Transportation is who would address that and so

and the mayor is in charge of the DOT… so our target is definitely the mayor — there is a law that went into effect called the Streets Plan law.

“It came into effect in 2022 and it mandates that the mayor put in 150 miles of bus lanes and busways throughout his administration.”

Otherwise known as Local Law 195, the legislation would allow the city to improve the Flatbush Avenue corridor which the Adams administration identified as a priority. Public pressure remains on the city to deliver, including in the form of protests from Riders Alliance organizers and City Councilmembers like Rita Joseph and Crystal Hudson over the recent months.

According to the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), the city has not installed the bus lane but will provide the local community with a design soon. Additionally, the efforts will begin in the northern segments by Downtown Brooklyn, where the traffic is the slowest but the residents are the wealthiest.

“We appreciate the support for faster and more reliable buses on Flatbush Avenue,” said a DOT spokesperson. “We have been refining our design proposal for the first phase of this project and look forward to sharing more soon with the local elected officials, community boards, and other stakeholders.”

An overall demographics survey by the DOT of the Flatbush Avenue corridor found

44% of the residents identified as Black and 59% of households lacked access to a car.

Roughly 985,000 people live in the coverage area.

Data developed by the Rider’s Alliance and Pratt Center for Community Development similarly recorded a significant Black ridership across Flatbush Avenue.

And they also found nearly all respondents dealt with negative consequences from bus delays, including more than half facing extreme weather conditions during prolonged waits. 32% said they lost pay, got reprimanded and/or got fired for lateness due to bus times.

The report author Sylvia Morse, the senior program manager for research & policy at Pratt Center for Community Development, told the Amsterdam News that the report stems from better understanding bus rider priorities. She points to Flatbush Avenue’s role beyond transit as a commercial hub, with many respondents telling her they rode the B41 to shop and eat out, and would increase spending habits if the bus ran more efficiently.

“In each neighborhood that Flatbush Avenue passes through, it’s a commercial corridor [and] a center of neighborhoods,” said Morse. “It’s not just like an artery that passes through. It doesn’t function like a highway. It’s a really complicated street.

“We get at this in some of the survey questions and the focus groups that we did, like

balancing that any city plans to address bus improvements on Flatbush Avenue take into account the many different ways that people are using the street.”

Retired nurse Anne Sookoo said she regularly rides the B41 and got involved with Riders Alliance’s advocacy thanks to her granddaughter. She takes the bus to medical appointments and shopping. “I started looking at Flatbush Avenue and tried to visualize a bike lane and I think this is the right time to do it.”

Danna Dennis, a Riders Alliance senior organizer, said New Yorkers are waking up to transit-related issues.

“Flatbush has always had traffic my entire life,” said the Brooklyn-born Dennis.

“I think that’s true of so many routes and so much service. The change you’re seeing now isn’t necessarily on how the bus is running. The changes now that people are fighting for better service more than ever whether it be in Albany, whether it be locally here in City Hall. [And] whether it be ridership saying, ‘hey, we are not going to accept this anymore.’”

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

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Home sweet yours

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 7

Our Community Homeownership Commitment1 can help. Get up to $17,500 when combining down payment and closing costs grants. (Restrictions apply.)

10,000

$

Up to $10,000 toward your down payment when combined with our 3% down mortgage 2,4

$

7,500

America’s Home Grant® covers up to $7,500 in eligible closing costs3

Learn more at bankofamerica.com/homeowner

What would you like the power to do?®

You are invited to apply. Your receipt of this material does not mean you have been prequalified or preapproved for any product or service we offer. This is not a commitment to lend; you must submit additional information for review and approval.

Down Payment program and America’s Home Grant program: Qualified borrowers must meet eligibility requirements such as being owner-occupants and purchasing a home within a certain geographical area. Maximum income and loan amount limits apply. Minimum combined loan-to-value must be greater than or equal to 80%. The home loan must fund with Bank of America. Bank of America may change or discontinue the Bank of America Down Payment Grant program or America’s Home Grant program or any portion of either without notice. Not available with all loan products, please ask for details.

2 Additional information about the Down Payment program: Down Payment program is available with one mortgage product. Program funds can be applied toward down payment only. Borrowers cannot receive program funds as cash back in excess of earnest money deposits. Down Payment Grant program may be considered taxable income, and a 1099-MISC will be issued; consult with your tax advisor. May be combined with other offers. The Bank of America Down Payment Grant program may only be applied once to an eligible mortgage/property, regardless of the number of applicants. Homebuyer education is required.

3 Additional information about the America’s Home Grant program: The America’s Home Grant program is a lender credit. Program funds can only be used for nonrecurring closing costs including title insurance, recording fees, and in certain situations, discount points which can be used to lower the interest rate.

The grant cannot be applied toward down payment, prepaid items or recurring costs, such as property taxes and insurance. Borrowers cannot receive program funds as cash back.

4 Maximum income and loan amount limits apply. Fixed-rate mortgages (purchases or no cash out refinances), primary residences only. Certain property types are ineligible. Maximum loan-to-value (“LTV”) is 97%, and maximum combined LTV is 105%. For LTV >95%, any secondary financing must be from an approved Community Second Program. Homebuyer education may be required. Other restrictions apply.

America’s Home Grant, Bank of America Community Homeownership Commitment, Bank of America and the Bank of America logo are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender ©2025 Bank of America Corporation. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. MAP7627169 | AD-BAAM3703100 1

8 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Union Matters Security workers want their union contracts reinstated

Security officers were joined by City Council Member Keith Powers in a protest outside of Narrow Security’s Manhattan offices at 600 Third Avenue on April 16. (32BJ SEIU photos)

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff Security service workers at two buildings leased by New York City service agencies are demanding the reinstatement of their union contracts.

Employees who previously worked for Allied Universal Security Services, a company that honored its contracts with 32BJ SEIU, say their new employer, Narrow Security Inc., shows little interest in recognizing the union.

Narrow Security, a registered Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) vendor, was hired some six months ago to fulfill the security contracts of the New York City Department of Probation. The company won assignments at the Bronx County Family Court building on 900 Sheridan Avenue and in Brooklyn at 345 Adams Street, where several Citywide Administrative Services are located.

At both locations, security officers were in the past represented by the union. But now, 32BJ representatives claim Narrow Security is refusing to agree to a process for union recognition of its workers and won’t hire some of the locations’ existing security officers. The

union asserts, “These changes eliminated family-sustaining union jobs, created uncertainty for the impacted officers, and disrupted their healthcare coverage.”

32BJ SEIU alerted the Amsterdam News before its NYC security officer members delivered a petition with over 2,000 signatures to Narrow Security’s offices in Queens on Friday, May 2. The petition’s signers called on the company to commit to upholding industry standards with its employees.

In mid-April, security officers were joined

by City Council Member Keith Powers in a protest outside of Narrow Security’s Manhattan offices at 600 Third Avenue. The union is making strong efforts to push Narrow Security into talking about organizing its workers.

A 2012 report from the Community Service Society of New York (CSS) determined that there was “a correlation between concentrated union activity and wage gains in the industry. The higher wages in the unionized sector also had the effect of boosting wages in the non-union sector.”

CSS said it found that unionized security officers were less likely to need to use Medicaid or turn to food stamps to maintain their households.

“We can’t stand by while companies lower our hard-won work standards,” said Israel Melendez, SEIU 32BJ vice president. “Even one contractor that offers lower standards can put the entire industry at risk. So, while we applaud the city’s commitment to supporting minority businesses, it can’t come at the expense of the industry’s overwhelmingly Black and minority workforce. We’re calling on the city to use responsible security contractors –– and for Narrow Security to commit to upholding industry standards.”

Emails and phone calls to Narrow Security’s office were not returned by press time. The Amsterdam News wanted to ask Narrow Security if the company has a specific policy regarding the hiring of unionized employees and what their labor standards are. At two separate points this past May 1, a Narrow Security representative called to ask why this newspaper wanted to speak with management about its employment goals. When told what we were calling about, the reps promised to have management call back and talk about the issue. As of this date, Narrow Security has not reached out to us again.

Ernestine Gilmore, a security officer and

32BJ SEIU member, said in a statement, “For years, I worked security at 900 Sheridan. It was a good, stable job, and I took pride in connecting with the young people at the juvenile probation center. We had a real community. I had been there for ten years and planned my whole life around my job. It allowed me to be there for my kids and my family. Then, one day, I barely got any notice that I lost the job. I even applied for it with the new company, Narrow Security. I never heard back. My new assignment has disrupted my homelife. I can’t pick up my kids from school anymore.

After dedicating so much of my life to my work, I think I deserve better.”

Alvin Carter, a lead security worker’s organizer at 32BJ SEIU, told the AmNews Narrow Security hasn’t specifically stated that they won’t work with unions: “I don’t think that that was actually said. But they’ve clearly said that they’re not working with us: they’re not working with our organization for it.

Even though they have armed officers at this location, 32BJ represents armed officers in the city as well. But there’s no roadblock to them having conversations with us, to become organized.”

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 9

The Links, Incorporated hosts the 48th Eastern Area Conference in the Big Apple

By KAYLYN KENDALL DINES Special to the AmNews

The Links, Incorporated recently presented its 48th Eastern Area Conference in Manhattan, attracting members from nine states on the East Coast, the District of Columbia, and the United Kingdom.

The event theme, “Elevating Friendship, Empowering Families,” highlighted the organization’s enduring commitment to community service, leadership development, and cultural engagement. The event took place from April 23 through April 27.

According to the conference website, The Links, Incorporated is “an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations committed to enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other people of African ancestry.” There are more than 17,000 members in 299 chapters worldwide.

Under the leadership of Eastern Area Director Lisa Loury Lomas, Ph.D., the Eastern Area comprises over 80 chapters and approximately 5,000 members across nine states, the District of Columbia, and the United Kingdom.

Honorees with awards with Lisa Loury Lomas, Phd, Eastern Area Director, & Ethel Isaacs Williams, JD, National President, L-R Deborah Enix-Ross, Esq, Eastern Area Chair, Evelyn Castro, EdD, BAC Co-Chair, Dr. Wendy Wilcox, MD, HHS Facet Honoree, Esmeralda Simmons, Esq, NTS Facet Honoree; Rujeko Hockley, Empowering Vanguard Award Honoree, Lisa Loury Lomas, Phd, Ethel Isaacs Williams, JD, National President, Lillie B. Crowder, Daisy Lampkin Unsung Hero Honoree, Erica Ford, STY Honoree, Nicole George Middleton, Arts Facet Honoree, The Honorable C. Virginia Fields, Big Apple Cluster (BAC) Quad Leader & Jamir R. Couch, Esq., Big Apple Cluster Chair (not pictured, Rachel Pittman, ITS Facet Award Honoree) (Bill Moore photos)

Ethel Isaacs Williams, JD., National President, West Palm Beach (FL) Chapter

Big Apple Cluster Quad Leaders - Front - l-r: Judy Chambers, Jackie Arrington, Hillary A. Fleming Other guests: Karla Jones Penn, Big Apple Cluster Protocol Co-Chair, Melissa Bonaldes, Esq. Back L-R - TH C. Virginia Fields, guest, Hon. Cheryl E. Chambers

Civic Luncheon Committee members with Eastern Area Director L-R: Deborah Enix-Ross, Esq, Evelyn Castro, Lisa Loury Lomas, PhD, The Honorable C. Virginia Fields, Jamir R. Couch, Esq. & Elinor Tatum

L-R: Pam Monroe, Esq., Eastern Area Program Chair, Lillie Crowder, Daisy Lampkin Award Honoree, Cheryl Wills, Awards Presenter, & Symone Sanders Townsend, Emcee

10 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Opinion Stand up to the bully in the It’s Time to Divest from Elon Musk’s Dangerous Agenda political pulpit!

By STATE SENATOR KEVIN PARKER

EDITORIAL

Reviewing Trump’s first 100 days in office is like watching the Titanic go down. Not a day from Jan. 20 to April 30 was the nation safe from a painful, extremely distressing executive order. Only Trump’s billionaire cohort was able to breathe without screaming for mercy. So far, despite the misery, most of us have survived, and with the past behind us, how do we endure the other 1360 or so days in front of us? Well, it won’t be easy but we must not despair, must not give in to the onslaught of tyranny and surrender to a despot — a makebelieve king and would-be Pope.

We know preparing for what is undoubtedly a relentless wave of executive orders, many of them illegal, immoral, and unconstitutional, will not be easy. But we must begin right away to gird ourselves for Trump’s shock and awe, erect a wall of resistance, and hope that the marginalized and dispossessed will soon be joined by the farmers and others suffering under unforgiving tariffs.

There is much talk about another impeachment of Trump but that will be no more successful than the others, especially given his control of the three branches of government, and too many spineless elected officials. And there are a few hopefuls who believe that Trump will be hoisted on his own petard, that he will ultimately be hurt by the very plans intended for others.

That may be true but let’s not wait for him to fall so completely on his face in defeat. Nor should we place too much hope on the midterm elections, or that the huddled

(Michael Vadon via Wikimedia)

masses will take to the streets and demand his removal from office.

At this stage of his so-called rule of law, where due process is done, Trump has done away with the traditional democratic guardrails. The checks have bounced and there’s governmental imbalance. When it comes to jurisprudence, he’s the judge, jury and executioner. And those who oppose better get ready for a one-way ticket to Venezuela or El Salvador.

Yes, there’s a grim scenario in the next more than thousand days, but we must not cave in, capitulate to this force of evil, a seemingly impregnable demon. Many of us have overcome slavery, the Holocaust, concentration camps, the Red Scare, and the KKK, and in this regard Trump is a lightweight. Tone up that political muscle and take on this bully in the pulpit.

Elinor R. Tatum: Publisher Member

Alliance for Audited Media

and Editor in Chief

Damaso Reyes: Executive & Investigative Editor 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

bility, corporate governance, and exposure to political, legal, and reputational risk” make it an unAs the state senator repre- worthy investment. senting Brooklyn’s 21st District Tesla’s stock has been on a and chair of the Senate Energy downward spiral, reflecting the & Telecommunications Com- company’s instability. As of April mittee, I have a duty to protect 1, 2025, Tesla shares closed at the interests of my constitu- $263.80, marking a substantial ents, especially the vibrant Hai- decline from previous highs. Antian community –– the largest in alysts predict further drops, with the United States –– that calls our Wells Fargo setting a price target district home. Recent actions by of $130 per share –– a potenElon Musk and President Donald tial 50% decrease from current Trump have posed direct threats levels. This decline is attributto these communities, and it’s ed to disappointing vehicle detime we address them head-on. liveries, declining earnings, and skepticism about future models.

Investing public pension funds in such a volatile company is not just fiscally irresponsible; it’s a disservice to the hardworking New Yorkers who rely on these pensions for retirement.

(Tesla Owners Club Belgium photo via Wikimedia)

Elon Musk: A Detriment to Our Values and Economy Elon Musk, once hailed as a tech visionary, has revealed himself as a figure whose actions and alliances are deeply troubling. Significant controversies, including union-busting tactics, racial discrimination lawsuits, and a blatant disregard for worker rights have marred his leadership of Tesla. These issues are not just ethical concerns; they have tangible economic repercussions.

That is why I joined my colleagues in the State Senate to call on Comptroller Tom DiNapoli to divest our state pension fund from Tesla and other Elon Musklinked companies. Our letter to Comptroller DiNapoli emphasized that “Tesla’s long-term sta-

Donald Trump’s Assault on Immigrant Communities President Donald Trump’s policies have consistently targeted immigrant communities, and his recent actions continue this harmful trend. The Trump administration’s decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals is a direct attack on families who have built their lives here.

This move threatens to uproot thousands, tearing parents from children and employees from their jobs.

The Haitian community in Brooklyn contributes immensely to our cultural fabric and economy. Rescinding TPS not only endangers their livelihoods but also destabilizes the local businesses and services that rely on their participation. It’s an inhumane policy that disregards the fundamental values of our city and state.

stances, aligns him with an agenda that seeks to marginalize and oppress communities of color and immigrants.

This partnership is not just political theater; it has real-world consequences. Musk’s amplification of Trump’s rhetoric fuels division and emboldens policies that harm our constituents. It’s an alliance that prioritizes personal gain over the well-being of everyday Americans.

Divestment: A Moral and Financial Imperative Given these developments, it is imperative that New York State and City divest from Tesla and any Musk-affiliated enterprises. Continuing to invest in these entities is tantamount to endorsing their harmful actions and unstable financial practices. Our public funds should reflect our values –– supporting companies that respect worker rights, uphold ethical standards, and contribute positively to our communities.

As the first candidate for New York City Comptroller to call for such divestment, I stand firm in the belief that our investments must align with our commitment to justice and equity.

We cannot, in good conscience, allow public dollars to support individuals and companies that actively work against the interests of our residents.

Standing in Solidarity with Our Communities The Haitian community, along with all immigrant communities in New York, deserves our unwavering support. We must oppose policies and figures that threaten their stability and wellbeing. By divesting from Tesla and condemning the actions of The Dangerous Alliance Be- Elon Musk and Donald Trump, tween Musk and Trump we send a clear message: New More alarming is the bur- York stands with its diverse comgeoning alliance between munities, and we will not fund Elon Musk and Donald Trump. their oppression.

Musk’s platform, X (formerly Twitter), has become a megaIt’s time for our state and city phone for far-right ideolo- to take a stand. Let’s align our gies and disinformation. His investments with our values open support for Trump’s pol- and protect the futures of all icies, including anti-immigrant New Yorkers.

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 11

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

Three freedom fighters: Malcolm, Fanon, and Lumumba

Happy Mother’s Day

By HERB BOYD Centennial celebrations of Malcolm X’s birth will be taking place all over the world, and on at least one occasion that commemoration is combined with Patrice Lumumba (July 2) and Frantz Fanon (July 20). The three men were all born in 1925. Malcolm was born in the U.S, Lumumba in Africa, and Fanon in the West Indies. These revolutionaries share more than a centennial: They were all anti-imperialist, anti-colonial, and anti-racist leaders who were relentless in their struggle for independence and liberation. Malcolm was the oldest of the three and lived the longest by four years.

The possibility of their coming together was difficult, given both geography and timelines. When Malcolm made his historic travel to Africa, Europe and the Middle East in 1964, both men were dead. If they had been alive, there is a good chance they might have met since Malcolm’s trips to Khartoum placed him in relative proximity to the Congo where Lumumba was; and his trip to Algeria put him even closer to meeting with Fanon. Fanon began an association with Lumumba after they both attended the All-African Peoples’ Conference in Accra, Ghana in 1958. A year later, Malcolm made his first trip to Africa and the Middle East, mainly to Egypt and Saudi Arabia, on a kind of reconnaissance trip for Elijah Muhammad’s visit.

While Malcolm often referenced Lumumba and the Congo in his speeches, there is no indication that he ever mentioned Fanon, nor did they cite Malcolm

CHRISTINA

GREER, PH.D.

(U.S. News & World Report Magazine Photograph Collection, Library of Congress)

in their books. This may have been because Malcolm’s international reputation was still in formation and not widely publicized until after he left the Nation of Islam. I am hoping to get a recording or video of the two-day affair at the Harlem State Office Building on May 2-3, where the three freedom fighters were discussed. Until then, check out the various centennial celebrations of Malcolm’s birth, which is quite enough to digest before moving on to deeper research.

Each Mother’s Day, I am reminded of just how grateful I am to still be able to celebrate my mom, Gloria Greer.

So many of my friends have lost their mothers in the past year, and their losses have made me so thankful for the ability to still call my mom on the phone, get a hug whenever I see her, or receive all of the little gestures of love only a mom knows how to give. This Mother’s Day and for the remainder of the year, I am going to genuinely try to remember just how thankful I am to be able to celebrate my mother.

My dear friends who have lost their mothers this year describe the waves of pain that roll through their entire bodies on any given day. The need and want to be able to pick up the phone and hear a reassuring voice or grab a piece of sage wisdom in between meetings are what many say they miss the most. I am trying to be a listening ear for my dear friends as they embark on this journey of grief, feelings of loss, and even profound feelings of gratitude for the time they had with their mothers.

When I think of my mom, I immediately think of all of the loving aunties and big sisters I also want to celebrate on Mother’s Day. These women have filled me with

a sense of confidence and calm as I navigate being a Black woman in this world.

It is these women who, along with my mother, have modeled what friendship and sisterhood could and should look like. Not just grand gestures to let someone know you are there, like flying across the country when a friend is in need, but the tiny little ways sister-friends show up by sending a small note or even a glance across the table.

There is something magical about surrounding yourself with powerful women in all facets of ones life, and I have my mother to thank for that. Being secure enough to surround myself with bold and unapologetically brilliant women is a gift from my mother that I am forever grateful for. It is my sincere hope that those reading have warm memories of their mother or mother-like figures in their lives. If not, I do hope we can look to our sister-friends and see the wisdom and guidance they pour into us in a myriad of ways.

This Mother’s Day, I will also take a moment to reflect on the love and wisdom of my late grandmother Lillian McCray, who was wise well beyond her years. For all of the mothers and grandmothers reading this, I am wishing you the best Mother’s Day to date.

Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of book “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 is co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.

NYC’s next mayor must reform our child welfare system

By RHONDA JACKSON She was 11 years old when the State took custody of her. They said it was for her protection. Today, at 15, she has given birth to two children — both while under the supervision of Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) — the very agency tasked with keeping her safe. And she’s only a decade older than her firstborn. If this sounds like the kind of tragedy that should spark public outrage, that’s because it is. It’s a systemic failure, negligence at the hands of city officials bankrolled by New York City taxpayers. But for many families across our city, especially Black and Brown families living in poverty, stories like this are all too common and yet equally ignored. Despite the benefits of kinship care, including better outcomes in adulthood for children, of the 6,728 children living in foster care in 2023, only 44% were placed with kin.

Now, as the city looks toward the next mayoral race, we must ask every candidate: what will you do to reform a child

welfare system that’s become complicit in the exploitation and abandonment of the children it claims to serve?

ACS is charged with one of society’s most sacred duties: protecting our children. But often, it becomes a pipeline to deeper trauma, rather than stability. In this case, this 15-year-old child was trafficked while living in a city shelter. She ran from an ACS-approved group home — only to be exploited, neglected, and ultimately abandoned by the bureaucracy that should have wrapped her in care and protection. And through it all, her mother begged for help, filed complaints, made calls, and pleaded for someone, anyone, to intervene.

No one did.

The child’s assigned advocate tried every network she could access: sending emails, digging through old contacts, and reaching out to every possible lead. But no one called back. No replies came. Now, her mother is entangled in red tape, trying to gain custody of her second grandchild, while already raising the first. She didn’t

ask to become a full-time parent a second time over. But she stepped up, after the agency punished her financial insecurity by seizing the daughter she was working to raise. Her household has become the refuge ACS should have been. It is time to hold the system accountable. Not just ACS, but every agency, every official, and every policy that allowed this to happen. We can’t spare the child welfare system from scrutiny for another campaign season.

More than 146,000 NYC public school students are experiencing homelessness, a number that only accounts for students actively enrolled. In reality, it means there’s an undisclosed number of children, somewhere in the hundreds of thousands, that ACS could technically make the case to place in foster care. But plucking children from parents who simply lack resources — not affection, patience, or a sense of duty — just isn’t a remedy. And families like this one can’t afford more silence. Had our city offered deeper, sustained services to help them find stable housing in the first place, See WELFARE REFORM on page 44

Rhonda Jackson (Courtesy photo)

12 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Caribbean Update Venezuela rejects World Court ruling on Guyana

By BERT WILKINSON Special to the AmNews

On May 25, Venezuela will hold elections for nearly 300 seats for deputies in the national assembly and one of those elected would be identified to govern or administer a large swath of land in neighboring Guyana that Venezuela has coveted as its own for decades.

With the clock ticking on the date, and with anxieties rising in Guyana, the Caribbean Community country recently approached the World Court in The Netherlands, asking it to make rulings denouncing plans by Venezuela to elect leaders who will run the Essequibo Region. Venezuela says the Essequibo is an “inalienable part” of the South American nation’s territory. Last week, international judges of the court ordered that “the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela shall refrain from conducting elections, or preparing to conduct elections, in the territory in dispute, which the Co-operative Republic of Guyana currently administers and over which it exercises control.”

But Caracas fired back defiantly, saying that the elections will not only go ahead, but Maduro administration’s plans to secure control over the Essequibo are proceeding apace.

Since the late 1940s, Venezuela has been telling the world that an 1890s

international boundaries commission had cheated it out of the mineral, oil, and gas-rich country that accounts for two-thirds of Guyana’s territory. It bases its contention on a letter written by a junior member of the then commission that had alleged that a conspiracy had occurred among Western colonial powers like Britain to cheat Venezuela out of the area. That member had decreed that his missive should not have been made public until he had passed away in the late 1940s. And once the letter was made public, the seeds of discontent about Venezuela being cheated began to foment, resulting in a series of territorial incursions and threats to invade Guyana in recent years.

The situation has not been any calmer, especially because Guyana, since mid-2015, has found a massive amount of offshore oil and gas.

Today, three oilfields deliver around 650,000 barrels of oil daily with plans to ramp up to one million in two years. U.S. supermajor ExxonMobil is the major player in the local sector.

So, with the election date creeping up, Guyana approached the court for an order telling Venezuela not to hold an election that has anything to do with Guyana. Caracas says it disagrees wholeheartedly.

“Nothing in international law allows the International Court of Jus-

Map showing locations of both Guyana and Venezuela. Light green is the disputed Essequibo Region. (Aquintero82 / commons.wikimedia. org/wiki/File:Guyana_Venezuela_Locator.png)

tice to interfere in matters that are the exclusive domain of Venezuelan domestic law, nor to seek to prohibit a sovereign act. The Essequibo is an inalienable part of the Venezuelan territory and a legacy of our liberators. Its defense is a historical, constitutional, and a moral mandate that unites the entire Bolivarian Homeland. No international pressure, judicial blackmail, or foreign tribunal will make us back down from this conviction,” the administration said in a statement following the court ruling.

To signal its determination and level of seriousness, Venezuela in

early March sailed a military vessel right in the middle of producing oil fields in Essequibo, telling personnel that they were operating illegally in a disputed area, even though the fields are located hundreds of miles away nearer the southeast border with Suriname rather than Venezuela. These two do not even share geographic borders.

To get Venezuela off its back and to cease it from scaring away investors by threatening to invade and take the Essequibo, Guyana had, back in 2018, approached the Court for a once and for all ruling. Hearings have

been held but no verdict is expected for at least another year.

And although it is participating in the trial, Caracas has persistently said it does not recognize the jurisdiction of the tribunal and will elect and appoint leaders to oversee the region in the coming months. Meanwhile, Guyana is leaving all of its cards on the table at the Court, as its military is severely inferior to Venezuela’s. It has had to depend on diplomacy in this battle because American companies like Exxon have vested interests in Guyana. Venezuela has also demanded bilateral talks to settle the dispute. Guyana says this is a waste of time and energy.

“The government of Guyana reiterates its unwavering commitment to the principles of international law, the peaceful resolution of disputes, and to the ICJ Process for a final, peaceful and lawful resolution of the controversy concerning the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award that determined the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela. The government of Guyana further calls upon the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to comply fully with the ICJ’s orders, which are legally binding, and refrain from any actions that violate Guyana’s territorial integrity or disrupt the peace and security of the Latin American and Caribbean region,” Guyana stated.

Meet the Trump-appointed judge whose ruling slammed the Alien Enemies Act

FELICIA PERSAUD

IMMIGRATION KORNER In a rare moment of judicial clarity and moral courage, a federal judge appointed by none other than Donald J. Trump has delivered a stinging legal and philosophical blow to the president’s immigration agenda. U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr., sitting in the Southern District of Texas, ruled that the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act (AEA) to deport Venezuelan migrants is not only misplaced — it is outright unlawful.

Yes, you read that right. A Trump appointee stood up for migrant rights, for the rule of law, and for the U.S. Constitution. Let that sink in.

In an age where immigrant scape-

goating has become routine political theater, Judge Rodriguez’s ruling is a breath of legal and moral fresh air. His decision not only blocked the administration from using the AEA to detain and remove Venezuelans, but also cleared the way for a class action lawsuit on behalf of the migrants wrongfully targeted under this archaic wartime statute.

As someone who watches these cases closely, I can tell you: this is no small deal.

So, who exactly is Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr.? And why should we be paying attention to him now?

Here are five things to know: 1: A Trump-appointed judge who thinks for himself Nominated by Donald Trump in 2017 and confirmed in 2018 with overwhelming bipartisan support, Rodriguez doesn’t appear to be anyone’s puppet. Despite being appointed by a president known for hardline immigration policies,

this judge just delivered one of the most far-reaching legal decisions challenging that very ideology.

2: A human rights warrior in robes Before donning the black robe, Rodriguez spent years fighting human trafficking in Latin America.

He ran field offices for the International Justice Mission in Bolivia and the Dominican Republic, where his leadership led to the rescue of over 110 child victims and 21 convictions of traffickers. The man knows what real justice looks like.

3: Ivy League brain, public service soul Rodriguez is a Yale graduate who earned his law degree with honors from the University of Texas. But it’s his early work that speaks volumes — teaching elementary school in Houston with Teach for America. That tells you his values didn’t start with the bench; they were built from the ground up.

4: A ruling with national implications While this case applies specifically to Venezuelan migrants detained in South Texas, the ruling sets a powerful precedent. Rodriguez made clear that the AEA, a law from 1798 meant to address military enemies during war, does not apply to asylum-seeking migrants fleeing political and economic collapse in Venezuela.

5: Defender of habeas corpus and due process In certifying a habeas corpus class action — a rarity in immigration law — Rodriguez reaffirmed one of the core tenets of American democracy: that every person has the right to challenge their detention. This ruling isn’t just a win for Venezuelans; it’s a win for anyone who believes in justice over politics.

Judge Rodriguez’s 36-page decision is a textbook case in judicial

integrity. He didn’t just poke holes in a legal theory; he dismantled a dangerous attempt to stretch presidential powers under a pretext of national security. He reminded us all that wartime laws shouldn’t be repurposed to wage war on vulnerable people.

So yes, Judge Rodriguez may have been appointed by Trump, but on this ruling, history will remember him for something else: standing on the side of the Constitution and upholding the dignity of immigrants in the face of feardriven politics.

Let’s hope more Trump-appointed judges — and elected GOP officials — find that kind of backbone.

Felicia J. Persaud is the publisher of NewsAmericasNow.com, a daily news outlet focused on positive news about Black immigrant communities from the Caribbean and Latin America.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 13

14 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

The Housing Barrier, Part 2: The struggle for home modifications SHANNON CHAFFERS Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member This is the second article in our series about housing challenges for gun violence survivors.

In January 2020, Porche Powell, 31, was shot in the back by her ex-boyfriend, leaving her paralyzed. After completing rehab, Powell moved back to her home in Rochester, New York, which was not accessible for her wheelchair.

“My sixteen-year-old brother would have to carry me to the shower, and when I was done, carry me back to my room. I was not able to access the stove and stuff in the kitchen,” she recalled.

After getting approved for a Section 8 voucher, Powell spent months trying to find a new apartment because the options for accessible housing were so limited, and landlords were wary of her need to make modifications.

“It was really hard. So it got to a point where I was like, you know, even if it has stairs, we’re just going to have to figure it out, because I need somewhere to go,” she said.

With the help of a social worker who was determined to find her an accessible apartment before her Section 8 voucher expired, Powell eventually found a place in Churchville, New York, that met some of her needs. But her unit is not fully accessible.

“I’m able to go in and out of the house by myself. But cooking in the kitchen is really hard. I know that they [make] handicap accessible sinks where I could slide under, but I don’t have that here, in my [kitchen or] bathroom. So I have to sit sideways, I can barely reach the sink,” she explained.

Powell has asked her landlord about making those modifications, but her landlord has not responded to her requests. Her landlord has also denied her requests to make smaller changes like screwing in grab bars in the bathroom or a door handle that would make her doors easier to open.

“If I could just have my sink in my bathroom and my sink in my kitchen properly fixed to where I could slide under and wash dishes, or slide under and brush my teeth, that would make my day, that would make my life,” Powell said.

The first article in this series highlighted the challenges that gun violence survivors face in finding affordable housing that is fully accessible. Given the difficulties in doing so, many survivors need to make home modifications — changes to the physical home or immediate outdoor environment — to improve accessibility.

Porche Powell wants to make modifications to her apartment, but her landlord has rebuffed her requests. (Photo courtesy of Porche Powell)

Research has found that these interventions can have positive health and social effects, such as reduced falls or injuries, enhanced social participation, and improved independence. The Fair Housing Act requires landlords to allow for reasonable modifications for people with disabilities. But some landlords, like Powell’s, refuse to do so, meaning that individuals often have to take legal action to secure their rights.

“It’s not an easy route. Sometimes you have to complain to the state or city

human rights division, sometimes you’ve got to write letters. It can be a challenging proposition,” said Joe Rappaport, executive director of the Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled.

Cost barriers make modification challenging The cost of making modifications also presents a barrier for many gun violence survivors, especially because many people with disabilities are on a fixed income through Social Security disabil-

ity benefits that fail to cover their cost of living. New York City is unique in that its laws require landlords to not only permit reasonable modifications, but also pay for them. But in many other municipalities, the tenant is on the hook for financing the modification.

Because the modifications that a disabled person needs differ based on their ability and the design of their home, these costs can vary widely. Some modifications tend to be lower cost, like adding grab bars to bathroom or kitchen walls, which is estimated to cost between $100 and $300. But more significant renovations can cost a lot more. For example, Kitchen and Bath Design Center estimates that the cost of creating a fully accessible bathroom can range from $9,000 up to $48,000.

“If you have to modify the bathroom to widen door frames and put in an accessible roll in shower, if the front of the house is substantially higher than the actual driveway, then you’re talking about a 25-foot ramp, that could cost well into the thousands or tens of thousand of dollars, the bathroom [modification], easily $20,000 [or] $30,000,” said Chris Hilderbrant, executive director of the Rochester Spinal Association, an organization that supports people with spinal cord injuries.

Jamie Morales encountered the difficulty of financing home modifications first-hand when her son, Quincy Brumfield, was shot and paralyzed in 2021.

Brumfield, who was 20 at the time he was shot, was treated at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. The hospital told Morales that she would have to install a ramp in her apartment so that Brumfield could move back home after completing his rehab rather than go to a nursing home.

But when Morales learned the cost for the ramp she needed was $8,000, she began to panic. She had about two months until Brumfield was set to be discharged.

“That was devastating, and so hard for me to figure out how I could get funds for that. Because I’m on [social security] myself, [so] financially, I could not afford a ramp,” she recalled.

To make matters worse, she was told that Brumfield’s insurance, a Medicaid managed care plan, wouldn’t cover the ramp.

“I couldn’t believe that insurance doesn’t pay for something like that,” she said.

The next option Morales turned to was victim compensation, a New York state program that provides financial assistance for victims of crime, including for home modifications in cases where

See story on next page

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 15

Continued from page 14

insurance doesn’t cover them. Statistics from the Office of Victim Services (OVS), which oversees victim compensation, show that between 2018 and 2024, OVS has paid over $1.6 million on 219 claims for home modifications. 102 of those claims were gun violence-related.

But Brumefield’s claim was denied because OVS determined he had not cooperated with the reasonable requests of law enforcement. The day before he was shot, Brumfield was involved in an armed carjacking attempt, which resulted in one person’s shooting death, and was later convicted of manslaughter.

Morales said she thinks the denial was related to the fact that he was not cooperating with the investigation of that shooting.

Whether a victim of violence should be denied aid because they committed violence in the past is a topic of contention as it relates to the state’s victim compensation program, which only provides assistance to those it considers to be “innocent victims” of crime. While people can still qualify for victim compensation if they have a criminal record, failing to cooperate with law enforcement, or being deemed to have contributed to your victimization, can bar you from receiving compensation. Danielle Sered, executive director of Common Justice, a victim advocate group that has campaigned for reforms to victim compensation, has criticized these regulations.

“It reflects a broader belief that we think there are some people who don’t deserve care; where, even if they’re hurt, their pain doesn’t matter to us. It’s not important to us anymore,” she told AmNews in our past coverage on barriers to victim compensation.

In December 2025, a new law will come into effect that allows victims to obtain documentation that they were a victim of a crime from a victim assistance program or medical professional in certain circumstances, as an alternative to reporting to the police.

Eventually, Morales said, the hospital decided to provide about $6,000 to pay for the ramp. She also created a GoFundMe, and raised the remaining $2,000 from friends and family.

Other sources of financial assistance As Morales discovered, most of the state’s standard Medicaid plans — which provide healthcare coverage to low-income residents — do not provide coverage for home modifications. Instead, people with disabilities who require home modifications can apply for one of a few specialized Medicaid plans, like a Managed Long-Term Care plan, or the Nursing Home Transition and Diversion Waiver. But these plans can take months to qualify for, and require a further application for the home modification specifically.

Jamie Morales had to find $8,000 for this ramp after her son Quincy was shot and paralyzed. (Photo courtesy of Jamie Morales)

Rebecca Antar, the director of New York Legal Aid’s Health Law Unit, said it is difficult for the average person to navigate the healthcare system to receive coverage for a home modification in a timely manner.

“If you’re not [already] in a plan that covers home modifications, you have a ton of delay built in already there. And then in a Managed Long-Term Care plan, you could very well get [a request for modification] denied,” she explained.

“Some of them are very expensive, so the

plan may very well say no. And then the person has to do an appeal.”

Access to Home and Access to Home for Medicaid Members are two other state programs that provide financial resources to low-income New Yorkers for home modifications. For each program, the state disburses money to program administrators (usually nonprofits) that then pay for home modifications for individuals. New York State Homes and Community Renewal, which oversees

both programs, awarded about $3.7 million for Access to Home and $750,000 for Access to Home for Medicaid Members in its 2024 funding round. The individual cap for modifications is set at $25,000.

Hilderbrant says that the program’s funding level does not match the community need.

“Access to Home is actually all in all fairly small,” he said.

The Access to Home program administrator See HOME MODIFICATIONS on page 16

16 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Home modifications Continued from page 15

for the nine-county Finger Lakes region where Rochester is located, was awarded $300,000 for the 2024 funding round.

For the 2024 funding round, New York City had two program administrators.

Rebuilding Together NYC was awarded $150,000 for Access to Home and $150,000 for Access to Home for Medicaid Members, and New York Foundation for Senior Citizens, Inc. was awarded $300,000 for Access to Home.

Non-governmental groups also provide financial assistance for modifications, a reality which suggests that some people are falling through the cracks in the state’s fractured safety net.

One of these groups is the Fair Housing Justice Center (FHCJ), which runs the Adele Friedman Housing Accessibility Fund. This fund provides financial assistance for an architect to assess a person’s dwelling and provide price estimates, and, in cases where the landlord is not obligated to pay, finances the modifications themselves. The Center can also help advocate for the landlord to allow modifications.

To qualify, applicants must be disabled, make at or below 165 percent of the New York state median family income, and not own their home or other properties. Within the last year, the Fund said it has assisted 21 people in their home modifications.

Cass Sicherer, FHCJ’s Disability Justice and Accessibility legal fellow, said they often hear from people who have gotten price estimates for the modifications they require, but cannot afford to pay them. Others have had a modification request rebuffed by their landlord.

“They’ll be living in New York City, [where] their landlord has a financial obligation to provide the modification.

There is no undue financial [or administrative] burden, but there’s been delays, or the process hasn’t started yet,” Sicherer explained.

In that case, the Fund will help the tenant write a reasonable complaint letter to the landlord to kickstart the process.

Europe offers solutions The United States is not alone in having inaccessible housing stock. But some countries make it easier for residents to get home modifications if they become disabled. In Sweden, for example, a national “housing adaptation” law requires municipalities to provide grants to residents with disabilities who need adaptations. To qualify, applicants just have to receive an assessment from a medical professional, usually an occupational therapist, confirming that they require the adaptation.

“The only determining factor is that you need this housing adaptation to be able to function in your house, be-

cause you have functional limitations or disabilities,” said Susanne Iwarsson, an occupational therapist and professor of gerontology at Lund University in Sweden.

In 2023, the Swedish Board of Housing, Building, and Planning reported that 53,943 housing adaptation grants were awarded throughout Sweden, which has a population of around 10.5 million people. The total cost of the program was SEK 951 million, or around $98.5 million.

Iwarsson said that the model faces some challenges: because grant decisions are made by municipalities, smaller municipalities have a smaller payment capacity, and one municipality’s deciding officer may be more strict or lenient than another’s. But having a single public program makes for a more streamlined and accessible system, compared to the piecemeal approach the U.S. takes. Iwarsson explained that the differences are reflective of Sweden’s more generous welfare state model, which emphasizes universal rather than means-tested programs.

“The housing adaptation law is only one piece in this jigsaw puzzle of a welfare state,” she said. For that reason, she

said implementing a housing adaptation program like Sweden’s could prove difficult in the U.S. “I’m sure it’s not an easy thing to do.

It needs another type of system, and another type of politics, another type of mindset, to really foster this kind of thinking that it’s important for everyone to function in the U.S. society,” Iwarsson explained.

Such an approach could also be more cost-effective for the state. In addition to reducing the likelihood of injuries and medical issues, home modifications can prevent some people living in inaccessible housing from being placed in a nursing home. The New York State Department of Fiscal Services reports that on average, one year of care at a nursing home costs about $159,000 per person, whereas the average annual cost for athome care is about $66,000 per person.

Much of these nursing home costs are paid for by Medicaid, as more than 70 percent of nursing home residents in New York are covered by Medicaid.

In addition, an analysis from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency found that every $1 spent on home repairs could save up to $19 on Medicare or

Medicaid costs, in part due to savings on nursing home costs.

For now, the reality is that some gun violence survivors do end up in nursing homes due to inaccessible housing, the topic of the final article in this series.

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

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 17

The Housing Barrier Part 3: One housing developer’s solution SHANNON CHAFFERS Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

This is the third article in our series about housing challenges for gun violence survivors.

That the United States is in the midst of a housing affordability crisis is no secret. But the crisis’s especially brutal impact on Americans with disabilities often goes unnoticed.

In the U.S., more than 25 percent of adults live with a disability, including 12% who have difficulty walking or climbing stairs. Yet less than 5% of homes are accessible to people with disabilities, and only 1% to people in wheelchairs. In addition, people with disabilities often struggle to afford the accessible housing that does exist, because many rely on fixed incomes through Social Security disability benefits, which have not kept up with the cost of housing. The first two articles in this series illustrated the particular impact this crisis is having on gun violence survivors with disabilities.

The dearth of accessible, affordable housing is the result of policy decisions — or lack thereof — that reflect how the needs of people with disabilities are often relegated to the sidelines, but one organization has taken the opposite approach, creating a pioneering model for developing affordable, accessible housing.

The Kelsey is a California-based nonprofit founded in 2018 that develops disability-forward housing and advocates for housing policy that can make their development model viable at scale.

“I co-founded the organization with my cousin Kelsey, who was a person who lived with multiple disabilities,” said Micaela Connery, The Kelsey’s CEO. “Our organization started after seeing the real gap that she faced with her own housing, and expanding that out to all people with disabilities, realizing that issue was not unique to her.”

The fruits of the organization’s efforts are most visible in their two housing developments in San Jose and San Francisco, Calif. The San Jose development, which opened in 2024, offers 115 units. The San Francisco development opened this April and has 112 units.

The Kelsey built these developments with three core principles in mind: affordability, accessibility, and inclusivity, Connery said.

“Folks with disabilities are disproportionately likely to be low- and extremely low-income, so there’s an affordability gap. Then people say, ‘Well, even if I can afford the housing, it’s not built or designed to meet my needs …’ And then if you solve for those two [factors], they also say there’s a lack of inclusion, so even when people can afford it, they can physically and structurally access it, they don’t have the services, support, or sense of belonging to really be happy, thriving, and healthy where they live,” she said.

In each development, rents are set for individuals with extremely low-income to middle-income (20% to 80% of the area median income); 25% of the units are reserved for people with disabilities who use support-

The Kelsey’s $75 million disability forward San Jose housing development opened in 2024 and offers 115 units. (Photo courtesy of The Kelsey).

ive services. The other 75% of units are unrestricted, but are still designed or can be adapted to accommodate people with disabilities. For example, they are built with wide doorways, removable cabinets, and walls that allow for installing grab bars.

Most residents are selected through a lottery system, but some are placed through referrals.

To promote inclusion, The Kelsey also created a unique position at the developments called an Inclusion Concierge.

“We developed [the role] in partnership with disabled folks who gave their feedback on what they thought they needed in terms of housing. The Inclusion Concierge (is) part service coordinator, part community connector, and part activities director, so they both connect residents to services, connect residents to each other, and connect residents to the broader community,” Connery said.

A housing solution that’s having an impact For Jake Fields, a 36-year-old with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair, moving to The Kelsey’s San Jose development has been transformative. At his last apartment, he was paying more than 60% of his income for a place that was not fully accessible. His family had to install a ramp to allow him to enter and exit the building, and he had to be physically transferred into the shower because it was not wheelchair-accessible.

At The Kelsey, he has a fully accessible apartment, and with the help of a Section 8 voucher, he pays $355 per month in rent — only 30% of his income.

In addition to the activities organized by the Inclusion Concierge, Fields said his favorite part of living at The Kelsey is its close proximity to a light rail station that heads into downtown San Jose. His previous apartment was not close to public transport, which meant he spent most of his time indoors.

“Having access to public transportation was very important,” he said.

Fields’ mother, Karen, said his move to The Kelsey has allowed him to focus on his future.

“I believe it has given him hope,” she said.

“When you get housing in place, all of a sudden, you are able to open up and become the person that you’re wanting to become.

It’s very difficult when you do not have stable and affordable housing.”

The Kelsey’s success so far has made waves in the state.

“They’ve had several successful buildings, which for a young organization is a huge success. It’s usually hard, especially for new nonprofits, to have built as many units so early in their tenure,” said Michelle Boyd, chief strategy officer for Terner Labs, a housing innovation nonprofit affiliated with University of California, Berkeley that worked with The Kelsey in 2022 through an accelerator program.

Boyd said The Kelsey’s success comes down to its clear mission and dedicated leadership.

“They’ve really put a spotlight on the issue of accessible housing for people with disabilities for people who weren’t paying attention to it, and weren’t prioritizing [it], and have done that really effectively because of their leadership [and] their ability to frame their organi-

zation with a really strategic mission,” she said.

Scaling up The total cost of the San Jose and San Francisco developments came out to $75 million and $88 million, respectively. How did The Kelsey finance these projects?

“Through a mix of philanthropy, tax credits, public subsidy, and private lending,” Connery said.

Philanthropic funding from individual donors and foundations, including the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, as well as lending from Google’s affordable housing fund, helped in the pre-construction phase of the San Jose project. This support gave The Kelsey a launchpad to secure public subsidies, which served as the majority of the funding they received to build the developments.

At the local level, The Kelsey secured funding through the City of San Jose and City of San Fransicso’s affordable housing funds. At the state level, they tapped into other funding streams, including a mixed-income housing program and a transit-oriented development program. Federal support came in the form of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, which motivates developers to build affordable housing through tax credits, and the Section 811 program, which provides funding to develop housing for people with disabilities.

Once the developments become operational, The Kelsey uses the rent from tenants See DEVELOPER’S SOLUTION on page 18

18 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Developer’s solution Continued from page 17

to cover the development’s operating costs, while the government and philanthropic subsidies are used to reduce debt from the upfront development costs and ensure longterm financial sustainability.

There is no doubt that there is a large demand for disability-forward developments like The Kelsey. Connery said they received more than 7,000 applications for 112 slots in the San Francisco development.

“What we’ve created here in San Francisco and San Jose both [serve] as an example of direct development that could make an impact, as well as the types of the developments that city policy could incentivize in the future,” she said.

Indeed, while The Kelsey believes they have developed a sustainable financing model by identifying a variety of subsidies to support disability-forward housing, another one of their missions is to make such housing possible on a larger scale.

Connery believes that local, state, and federal governments can play a significant role in providing incentives for or subsidizing similar disability-forward developments. Only one funding source they used — the Section 811 program — provided subsidies specifically for housing people with disabilities.

“Yes, some of our federal housing programs can be used, and we have used them at The Kelsey, to support housing for people with disabilities in community-based settings, [but] these programs were not designed in a disability-forward way,” Connery said.

For example, the LIHTC program, which is the main way the federal government funds affordable housing, was designed with no requirements for developers to build accessible units. It thus falls to states, which distribute the tax credits, to set their own guidelines — but an analysis by The Kelsey found that only 22 states require developers to construct accessible units.

The Kelsey has supported The Vital Act, which would add incentives to the LIHTC program for accessible housing. For now, though, they are focused on protecting the existing programs that help people with disabilities, like Medicaid and Section 811, which are under threat by the Trump administration’s push to cut government spending.

“Given where we are right now, I’d say our advocacy is a bit more focused on protecting some critical programs,” Connery said.

On the philanthropic side, The Kelsey encountered similar challenges. One of their funders — the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation — focuses specifically on housing for people with disabilities, but those focused more generally on affordable housing often did not view people with disabilities as a target population.

“Several we were able to educate and convince that actually, if they’re an affordable housing funder, they’re also a disability-forward housing funder, and they should be supporting The Kelsey,” Connery said.

See story on next page

A common space inside The Kelsey’s San Jose development. (Photo courtesy of The Kelsey).

Renderings of The Kelsey’s San Francisco development that opened in April. (Photo courtesy of The Kelsey).

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 19 Continued from page 18

The Kelsey has also provided technical assistance to other groups that want to build disability-forward housing. So far, they’ve consulted with 16 groups across the country, including the Collective for Housing Independence NYC (CHInyc), which is in the planning stages to build a micro-development in the city with 50 units, 25% of which would be set aside for people with disabilities with moderate to high support needs.

The group was started by parents of children with intellectual disabilities who are concerned about placing their children in group homes that have histories of abuse.

“The Kelsey has been a huge inspiration as far as what’s possible … and just thinking about new ways to create independence for people who have disabilities,” said Carrie Peterson, CHInyc’s director.

Connery says the neglect of disabled peoples’ housing needs in both the public and private sector stems from the fact that many programs focusing on generating affordable housing were created before both the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, and the 1999 Olmstead Supreme Court decision, which ruled that disabled people have a right to live in the community rather than institutions.

“Frankly, when [these programs] were designed, people were just assumed to live away, and either be at home with a family member, or in a hospital, or in an institution. It wasn’t even considered that these kinds of community housing funds would actually fund disabled people to live in community, because at that time, disabled people didn’t live in community,” Connery said.

Reforming these programs to encourage the development of accessible and affordable housing is a critical step toward actualizing the legal rights of people with disabilities that have gone unfulfilled for so long, Connery said.

“Disabled people have both a desired and a legislative right to live in the community of their choice, yet the housing system has not caught up to make that right a reality.”

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

Jake Fields, 36, in his apartment at The Kelsey’s San Jose development. (Photo Courtesy of Jake Fields)

20 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025

www.nysna.org @nynurses

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 21

Arts & Entertainment

A conversation with ‘Black Girl Magic’ poet Mahogany L. Browne

By MARIELLE ARGUEZA Special to the AmNews Mahogany L. Browne, Lincoln Center’s first poet-in-residence, is a woman of many talents, but is probably best known for her poem “Black Girl Magic,” published in 2018. The poem celebrates and uplifts the talents and strengths of Black women and girls, and is an ode to a rich history of role models — but also a conversation of young Black girls, just like she was once.

Ironically, she would have never come around to poetry had it not been for Urban Word, an organization creating a safe space for youth to explore and express themselves through poetry and other literary arts. Browne has been raising money for the organization since the release of her book through the annual Black Girl Magic Ball at the Lincoln Center, which this year will honor Maori Karmael Holmes, Nona Hendryx, and Sade Lythcott, among others.

The AmNews spoke with Browne ahead of the event, slated for May 13.

AmNews: Tell me about your upbringing in the [California Bay Area]. It seems you were very adamant in your younger years that you wanted to stay in the Bay Area. But then you had this summer residency at the Pratt Institute in the late ‘90s.

Mahogany L. Browne: I thought I was going to be a Cali girl forever. I went to high school in Sacramento, came back after graduation, and worked at the Children’s Hospital for Oakland, the Sprint telemarketing area for the operators in Alameda. I was everywhere, I just love [California]. It’s such a pleasant place to grow up, and you don’t realize how much of that feeds your curiosity and your nervous system.

I had no intention of staying in New York.

Cali people love Cali. It felt like that was, you know, like that little summer opportunity in New York. I’ll just come, do this journalism internship and then go back home and be their West Coast correspondent.

Even while doing all the things that I did in Oakland, I had never been in a position to just be an artist. I could be an artist who worked at the hospital. I could be an artist who could have another job, but I wasn’t just going to be paid to be an artist. [Employers in California] told me “no, no, no, that’s not what we’re paying you for.”

I found New York to be extremely attractive, because nowhere else in the world at that point — I think I was 23 — had I been given an opportunity to just think about what my art could do if given a chance.

AmNews: What was it about the time and place that made you stay?

MLB: My first week of interviews was like

muMs da Schemer, Lil’ Kim, and Method Man and Redman. And I’m listening to this music growing up, right? So for this to just be a Tuesday? There’s nothing like that in the world.

Even in L.A, I think it’s fair to say, you can’t have that same experience. New York had that energy when it came to quote, unquote, “realness.” In L.A. it’s a lot of putting on airs and you had to look a certain way to be invited to a certain place. It was weird and fake.

In New York, they respected you if you did the work. They respected you if you had skin in the game. I loved that I could just work hard and prove myself, and that would be considered worthy. So I think that’s what [New York] has over [California].

AmNews: So the Black Girl Magic Ball will honor five changemakers, leaders, and creatives, and an ally honoree. But I want to focus on the fundraising efforts of Black Girl Magic Ball, which will help fundraise for Urban Word. Tell me why Urban Word is special. Why was it established and who does it serve? And what are the origins of the Black Girl Magic Ball?

MLB: Urban Word is a space. Urban Word is a youth literary organization. It was originally the East Coast branch of Youth Speaks, but the organization broke off because of the way California moves, and the way New York has to move — it’s just very different. So they went their separate ways, but still share some things like the International Poetry Festival. But that’s how we get Urban Word.

I personally was intrigued by [Urban Word] because I came to poetry in high school, by hook or by crook — well, literally by crook. My AP Lit teacher said she would flunk me because she didn’t like the language that I used in the poetry assignment, and that was enough for me to be like, ‘Oh, I’ll never do this again!’

So to be part of Urban Word, it felt like a welcome home moment, because I got to fight for the little girl that I once was. I got to fight alongside these young people who are constantly being told whether how they speak makes their story valid or not. That’s Urban Word — that’s their fight. They’re on the front line of reminding the young people that they have a voice, that despite their age, they are still necessary, and we need them to speak the truth.

Black Girl Magic Ball began [in a] very small shop. It was my book release party, and I didn’t want to just do another book release party. I was artistic director at Urban Word, and that was my attempt to raise money for an organization that I had been working with and had loved for so long.

It made sense. I thought it would be a

I think for me to just realize that you don’t have to whitewash who you are. You got to find the organization that’s brave enough to work with you. So that was really a monumental moment, and it went from a threemonth opportunity to a five-year tenure.

AmNews: Hell, yeah!

MLB: Right? Never have I ever! I love it!

When I think about what an archive looks like, or what a legacy can look like, I want poetry to exist in all spaces of this campus.

So poetry beside the Philharmonic? Sign me up! Poetry as a response to ballet? Absolutely. Poetry libretto? I made one.

I just have been having a great time reminding the world that poetry is the epicenter of all things. We can create a poem that reverberates to the world as a play, as a film, as you know, a doctor dissertation, like academic research — it’s all of the things! It has capacity, yeah, all of those things.

Dr. Mahogany L. Browne (Anthony Artis photo)

one off. We did the event, we raised the money. We had great attendance. We also had people, like, that were really in love with the idea. And that’s when I realized, ‘Oh, we don’t really have a space for Black girls to feel safe.’ We asked so much of them. We asked them to be the blueprint.

We asked them to, you know, tell us how to do our hair and how to be funny and whatever else. But we’re also the butt of the joke as often as possible. And so what does it mean to just have a space where nobody is making fun of you or using you as a transaction? But that’s what the Black Girl Magic Space is.

AmNews: I want to talk about that a little more about that. You’re not just a poet, you are also helping run and lead these events.

You are also the Lincoln Center’s first poetin-residence. Being the “first” can be a double-edged sword firstly as a “woman” but more so as a Black woman. But I read that you wanted this event to be an affirming event and celebration. What does it mean to you to be the first poet-in-residence in such a huge cultural institution that’s recognized worldwide? And what helps you affirm your own work?

MLB: I think to be the inaugural anything is heavy, right? Because you don’t know what you don’t know. I was concerned [about the Lincoln Center] because like — well, do you know who I am? Are you aware that I speak like this at all times? And as long as you’re OK with that, I’m good. And they were, they were OK with that!

AmNews: If there are young Black girls out there, what pieces of your own work would you suggest for them to read to get to know you?

MLB: I would say, obviously the Black Girl Magic Ball is created because of the book.

The book is just centering Black women, celebrating them throughout the community. There isn’t any one way to show up and celebrate it — you being yourself is, that’s the celebration. So that’s obvious, but I think what I’ve just released feels very much like it’s in conversation with the “Black Girl Magic” theme, which is “A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe.” It’s a YA novel . It centers on young people in New York City impacted by COVID-19, and how they moved around, how they, you know, just from the foster care system to the, you know, to the shoe on Rikers Island, from being political speakers trying to raise funds and awareness during COVID. What did that look like and who was impacted?

And of course, the chorus throughout, the narrators are two Black girls, one Trini, one Jamaican. And that feels like a great amusebouche of it all.

AmNews: What suggested reading do you have for Black Girl Magic Ball attendees?

MLB: If I’m thinking poems, it’s always Sonia Sanchez, Patricia Smith, Nikki Giovanni. If it’s a play, I would say a play by Lynn Nottage or Lorraine Hansberry. If it’s nonfiction, I would say Imani Perry’s “Black in Blues.” If it is short stories, I would say Deesha Philyaw, “Secret Lives of Church Ladies.” Oh! And Jesmyn Ward’s “Salvage the Bones.” I think that covers most things.

For more info, visit mobrowne.com and blackgirlmagicball.org.

22 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 A

R T S

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

M

E

N

T

32nd New York African Film Fest: 2 billion people, 100 films, 3 reviews

By MARK WINSTON GRIFFITH Special to the AmNews No land is more prone to reductionist narratives than Africa.

Whether it’s the invisibilizing of thousands of ethnicities and languages, or its chronic depiction as a place of famine and war, it’s no secret that the Western World is trained to see Africa as a monolith of despair.

For that reason alone, it’s exhilarating when the African Film Festival comes to New York. Yes, once again, an entire universe of voice and imagination is crammed into a week-long event. But with 100 films from two dozen countries, the festival represents an opportunity to see the continent with at least entry-level complexity.

Among the festival’s featurelength offerings (it closes with women-centered shorts), three films in particular are getting some upfront love: “Freedom Way,” from Nigerian director Afolabi Olalekan, opens the festival. The “Memories of Love Returned,” directed

by American-Ugandan documentarian Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, and executive produced by Steven Soderbergh, is presented as the festival’s “centerpiece” film. And the festival organizers have made honorable mention of the New York premier of “Black Tea,” from the Mauritanian-born Malian director, Abderrahmane Sissako. Sissako’s 2014 film “Timbuktu” was nominated for an Academy Award in the Foreign Language Film category.

“Black Tea” is set in the so-called Chocolate City in Guangzhou, China, a not-quite melting pot of Anglo, Franco, and Lusophone expats from across the African continent striving for economic opportunity alongside leery Chinese neighbors. Among them is Aya (a luminous, but listless Nina Mélo), who has bolted her native Côte d’Ivoire and a cheating fiancé to resettle in Chocolate City and build herself in the art of tea making. Cai, her employer, tea guru, and slowburn boyfriend, is himself trying to reconcile a past that includes an exwife and a child from an extramarital relationship. “Black Tea” has the high production values and feel of a well-funded independent film, and Sissako clearly knows his way around a camera. The film’s crosscultural fluency is impressive, and

“Memories of Love Returned” (FLC Press photos)

“Freedom Way”

while there are obvious tensions and acts of racism dramatized in Chocolate City, the cultural exchanges between the characters are often seamless in a way that most Americans will find unrecognizable.

But what “Black Tea” gains in cosmopolitan flair, it loses with its arthouse affectation. The central animating relationship between Aya and Cai is frustratingly stilted and somehow manages to be both heightened with sexual possibility and devoid of it. The gaps in time,

plot points, and backstories are disorienting: How and when did Aya learn Mandarin? What’s up between Aya and Cai’s ex, and Cai and his daughter? In the moments Sissako seeks to be enigmatic, he is confusing at best, pretentious at worst.

“Freedom Way” is a far more scrutable exercise in filmmaking. Using a storytelling device in which seemingly disparate human stories — a couple of tech entrepreneurs, a ride-share mo-

torcyclist and his family, a doctor, and a police officer — converge with tragic consequences, “Freedom Way” is a lament on the destructive force of Nigeria’s notorious culture of corruption. Like a centrifuge at the center of the city, the police in “Freedom Way” project their grift onto the streets of Lagos until every corner of life is compromised. “Freedom Way” is several cuts above average Nollywood fare, yet struggles to rise above melodrama. Still, the situa-

tions and characters are sincerely drawn and are instantly recognizable for anyone who has spent 5 minutes in Lagos. Most importantly, its plea for social transformation will stay with you after the credits have rolled.

“Memories of Love Returned” is a more introspective and personal work.Through documentary footage spanning decades, Mwine brings us along on a journey to pursue dual, intersecting compulsions: To recapture his Ugandan family legacy and to salvage the work of a talented photographer in rural Uganda. Although Mwine’s project feels a touch frivolous and self-indulgent at first, the film eventually proves how any expedition can be insightfully consequential when pursued with a sense of wonder and the right set of questions. In Mwine’s case, he theorizes that his creative purpose as a photographer and pilgrimages to Uganda are prompted by the loss of family photos. Upon fortuitously stumbling into the studio of a talented portrait photographer, Kibaate Aloysius Ssalongo, in the Ugandan town of Mbirizi, Mwine launches a crusade to recover and catalogue thousands of Ssalongo’s photos, while making meaning of his own life.

The film crescendos when Mwine decides to create a pop-up museum of Ssalongo’s portraits, which document 70 years of Mbirizi life. The exhibit ends up gently shocking the system of the town: Village yarns are reconstructed, families are reunited, awkward interpersonal histories are dredged and confronted, and Mwine probes Sslongo’s sprawling paternity, which becomes a random subplot of its own. Like the film festival it’s nestled in, “Memories of Love Returned,” reminds us of the power of photographic image, whether still or moving, in marking the humanity of a people.

The 32nd New York African Film Festival is co-presented by Film at Lincoln Center and the African Film Festival. It features more than 30 films screening at Film at Lincoln Center May 7 through May 13, with 100 films in total as the festival continues through other venues throughout the month of May. For more info, visit africanfilmny.org.

A

R T S

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

M

E

N

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 23

T

Kiana Webb pens poignant memoir on overcoming trauma, embracing joy

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

being extremely tall at a very early age.

It led to endless teasing and self-esteem issues, but eventually became a source of Although she was living a life of privi- pride when she began playing basketball. lege, Kiana Webb (kianawebb.com) was Today she embraces her almost 6-foot-3 profoundly unhappy. In addition to per- height. A mother of three — a son and sonal traumas, she was dealing with gen- two daughters — when her first daughter erational trauma and the daily stress of was born, she was determined that her being a Black woman in America. Ad- daughter wouldn’t experience the uncerdressing psychological issues rooted in tainty of height. childhood sexual abuse led to a spiritu“It became a mission of mine to overal awakening and a new approach to life. come the challenges that my youth brought around being uncomfortable with being this In her new book, Kiana Webb shares her path to healing (Images height in eighth grade,” courtesy of Kiana Webb) Webb said. “I love being tall … and I think it’s really beautiful we are not all the same.”

Webb attained considerable success in business. She was the CEO of Webb Family Enterprises, a family business that included 17 McDonalds franchises among its many holdings.

“Witnessing suffering on people, especially the angst, stress, guilt and shame that I could see within my parents as well as my siblings and my cousins, I just got to point where — there’s this comedian from way back in the day, Moms Mabley, and she said, ‘I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired,’” Webb said. “I needed to be the change.

“The experiences that I had said, ‘Kiana, if you want to be happy, if you want to be free, then you have to go out and create that.’”

Webb paused from sharing her story to hug her 14-year-old daughter when she returned home from school. Always one to Webb describes her journey in her un- observe the behavior of others, an invitaflinchingly honest memoir, “A Glorious tion to the Landmark Forum, a personal Arising: A Journey to the Remembrance development program, helped her reflect of Me.” She admits that she had spent on her own life. In doing so, she saw how decades cut off from her emotions and she could become something different. describes how her spiritual awakening reWebb stepped away from her position integrated a splintered 5 year old into a as CEO, officially leaving in October 2024, woman of substance and purpose. but still maintaining a space in the office One of the issues Webb navigated was and the position of board chair of Webb

Investments. Before her father passed away last year, Webb and her two brothers agreed they could follow their own paths and interests. A business partner came in to take over the day-to-day.

She founded Glorious Arisings (gloriousarisings.com), a source of tools and resources to help people get to the next level of spiritual awareness and let go of what no longer serves them. Utilizing her leadership skills and principles as well as her entrepreneurial spirit, Webb has created a digital workbook with tools and tips people can use, and events are also being developed.

“My previous way of existence was all about my way of doing, and now it’s all about my way of being because who I am, how I feel, what I want to create and how I want to go forward in life stems from how I feel about everything that’s in existence within myself,” she said. “We focus on the beingness of us, so that no matter what we do we stay in harmony, alignment and we are centered. That creates a consistent, authentic and healthy loving experience for yourself and for others.”

Ten years ago, a woman told Webb that she would someday write a book. Two years ago, an artist friend encouraged her to actually do it, knowing that her story could make an impact on the lives of others. She connected with a publisher and met someone who could turn her story into the written word. The goal was for it to be the language of the heart.

“It was very important to me that people can witness what happened but not see judgment or blame,” Webb said about her story. “I hope people would see a whole bunch of love and see themselves in it and there is a pathway to healing.”

“A Glorious Arising” can be found on Amazon.com and at wordeee.com.

Webb is currently combining book signings with events that help people with their own healing. Sacred Ground: Finding Home Within the Unknown will take place at two venues in the New York area next week: on Tuesday, May 13, 6:30 p.m. at the Valley Cottage Library; and on Wednesday May 14 at Huemanbooks @ Ground Central Coffee Company in Manhattan.

DON'T LET TAX, WATER, OR HARGES COME BETWEE C R I A P N RE R U O P Y R O D P N E A R U T Y. YO If you owe property tax, water and sewer, emergency repair, or other propertyrelated charges, the City may sell a lien on your property in the upcoming lien sale.

Senior, disabled, and veteran homeowners, and not-for-profit organizations: Your property may qualify for an exemption that removes it from the lien sale. Visit www.nyc.gov/liensale to apply and to learn about other ways to avoid the lien sale.

If you have questions about the lien sale, or to confirm that your property is on the lien sale list, visit www.nyc.gov/liensale or call 311.

Do not delay. Respond today!

Department of Finance Preston Niblack Commissioner

Department of Environmental Protection Rohit T. Aggarwala Commissioner

Department of Housing Preservation and Development Adolfo Carrión, Jr. Commissioner

24 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 A

R T S

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

M

E

N

T

The Black Dandy’s triumph: The Met Museum’s ‘Superfine, Tailoring Black Style’

By MICHAEL HENRY ADAMS Special to the AmNews Searching throughout time and around the world, “Superfine, Tailoring Black Style,” is the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute’s newest exhibition. Through arresting images and actual attire, it valorizes Black men as dandies.

Juxtapositions can be dramatic. Depictions of enslaved Africans dressed exotically in silver and gold embellished liveries show objectified men whose very being was meant to advertise their “owners’” wealth and power. The artistry of this raiment is echoed by Black designers today with irony. There are lovely pieces on view

by Ozwald Boateng, Jeffrey Banks, Christopher John Rogers, and others. But whether sequin spangled, embroidered with precious metals or not, the clothes Black dandies wear now are an ultimate expression of the value of self-possession.

Met Gala co-chair Colman Domingo (Michael Henry Adams photos)

“Superfine” posits dandyism, not as foppish or effeminate, but instead as the purview of one engaged in an act of defiance, insists Nigerian-American photographer and performer Ikè Udè. “A dandy is someone who refuses to be limited by expectations, stereotypes or anything designed to impose how Black men must present ourselves…” My filmmaker-curator friend, Kirk Shannon-Butts, just showed me a letter he sent to the Costume Institute in 2017. In it, he urges that they produce a show like “Black Style Now,” the one I did in 2006 for the Museum of the City of New York.

In “Superfine,” one observes what might seem to be a host of omissions and some interesting, even odd selections; for example, Muhammad Ali is represented by his

satin trunks. But devoted dandies like Joe Louis, Jesse Owens, and Sugar Ray Robinson are not on view. Where was Col. Hubert Fauntleroy Julian, the ever elegant Black Eagle, Harlem designers Stefan Young and Willard Winter, or mega-dandy clergymen, like the Rev. Clarence H. Cobb or Prophet Jones?

These stylish giants of Black greatness were nowhere to be found. But, it does not matter.

A chief problem of America’s lack of either diversity, equity, or inclusion, is that given the opportunity to remedy the situation, one is tempted to try to squeeze whatever can be squished into a project like this.

Self-assured and self-controlled, the editing inherent in “Superfine” is quite remarkable. The first-ever Met exhibit of its kind –– devoted to Black sartorial splendors and imagination –– “Superfine” is the very embodiment of DEI, not the least quality of its considerable appeal and success.

In 1988, as a smartly dressed André Leon Talley happily strolled past Bergdorf Goodman, he was photographed by Arthur Elgort. With an expression of supreme contentment, the towering, longtime creative director and editor-at-large of Vogue Magazine, also wore a medium gray, panel-checked, wool suit, tailored

by Morty Sills. We’re told this by his dear friend and one-time employer, Anna Wintour. The by-now legendary editor-in-chief of Vogue recalls, “He understood that, especially as a Black man, what you wore told a story about you.” That being so, it’s no surprise that this photograph of Talley, his suit, and even an artfully arranged pile of the Louis Vuitton luggage he used, is among “Superfine”’s attractions.

“There are a number of ancestors,” in the exhibition, “including André Leon Talley,” relates Guest Curator, Columbia University’s and Barnard College’s Chair of Africana Studies, and acclaimed scholar Monica L. Miller. She wrote the book on which Superfine was based, “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity.” “Anna Wintour, calling to say they were thinking they’d like to turn my book into a Met exhibition, still seems like a dream come true.”

If Andrew Bolton, the Costume Institute’s director, speaks of Andrè Leon Talley as a dandy on the order of Balzac and Baudelaire, Ms. Miller stresses how much the adroit fashion authority’s legacy influenced this project. Talley’s style “exemplifies some of the aspects of dandyism we highlight. He gave us — the world of fashion and Black people ... so much. I hope the exhibition shows him just a little of the respect he is due.”

Ikè Udè is another person who influenced Miller’s vision. A dandy par excellence, the Nigerian-born, New York-based connoisseur-gallerist-photographer’s picture appears on her book’s cover. And he serves as “Superfine”’s Special Consultant.

Even as Miller and her colleagues have been hard at work assembling “Superfine” from myriad components and contributors, Ms. Wintour and her team were busy at Vogue. With the first Monday in May Met Gala in mind, with their May Issue, they devised what she calls, “a parallel effort: a tribute to the exhibition and a celebration of its themes of menswear, identity and history, the Black dandy in fashion, and his many expressions and forms.”

Because of his imposing stature, and following the escalating weight gain brought on by the death of his beloved grandmother, detractors (and the envious, said Hilton Als) often referred to Talley derisively as Queen Kong. Maintaining that he once fell in love with him, in 1994, The New Yorker’s insightful Hilton Als profiled Talley, pinpointing his elemental significance to the world of high fashion. He was, Als says, dedicated to an “image in his head of a woman looking at the page and imagining herself on it, unaware of all that André Leon Talley has contributed to her imagination…”

For his deft portrayal of Talley a generation ago, Daniela Morera, then a correspondent for Italian Vogue, told Als how his friend was privileged via proximity to power, because he was an assistant to and close friend of the Costume Institute’s founding curator, Diana Vreeland. “Black people were as segregated in the industry then as they are now. André enjoyed a lot of attention from whites because he was ambitious and amusing … He was successful because he wasn’t a threat.”

Today Talley’s fascination endures due to his exalted status, the position, says designer Michael McCollom, “that he cherished as much as he detested, of being the only one.” Als explains just what such tokenism meant, describing “the only one” as someone “usually male, always somewhat ‘colored,’ and almost always gay.”

For all his erudition, many say, that was Talley’s place.

Ability, race, and non-challenging charisma, still make all the “only ones” useful to employ. In Talley’s case, his associates becoming his friends proved problematic.

Just how much Als tells us, recounting a lunch party Talley hosted in his Paris flat.

Once wined and dined by their considerate host, even in those pre-camera phone days, it was determined that a commemorative group photo was in order. One guest, Roxanne Lowitt, instructed LouLou de La Falaise to stand behind their host. “I will stand there only if André tries not to look like such a n—-r dandy.”

“He knew everything about them and far more than [they] knew about the history of fashion. André used formidable knowledge, the way a dandy uses clothes and adornment, as a weapon and armor,” says Michael McCollom, the designer who took over Issa, to the praise of Bill Cunningham’s assessment, “Hot, Hot, Hot!”

Medium gray, panel-checked, wool suit, tailored by Morty Sills circa 1986

“Simultaneously admired and feared, his getting fat was their excuse to shame him and to be rid of the inferred criticism, his presence brought, that he knew, and they did not. It’s being aware, being woke, that most offends white supremacists about Blacks. I’m so glad this exhibition doesn’t resort to the ‘monkeyshines’ of White entertainment some resort to, to get ahead.”

It does not. And Black and White, more who are young and who love fashion, are destined to see “Superfine” and visit the Met, than since they mounted their “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” show.

(But that “Superfine” had the six separate galleries that that show enjoyed). In the U.S., more people than white men have been exceptional. Black history, Black fashion, like the history of women, Latinos or the transgendered, it’s all American History, including Black dandies.

Musing about the rapturous ecstasies Talley would have experienced curating “Superfine,” the Superfine Met Gala, her ensemble, the toilettes of her family and all their friends, the menu, the flowers, and entertainment, Ms. Wintour observed, “André never had an ounce of shame. I’ll be thinking of him on the night of the Met Gala, an evening made for him –– and one I can scarcely believe he will miss.”

Without André Leon Talley, and with this exhibition he would have liked to create, it has taken almost a decade and an army with “Superfine, Tailoring Black Style,” for us to learn just one small aspect of what he lived.

A

R T S

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

M

E

N

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 25

T

On view: ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’ at the Met

By RENEE MINUS WHITE Fashion & Beauty Editor At the recent press preview for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute’s Spring ’25 exhibition, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” members of the press, editors, and special guests were dressed in their best. For the press conference, actor and Met Gala co-chair Coleman Domingo donned an impeccably tailored purple suit with a hat to match. “My style was influenced by three men in my family,” he said during his remarks, where he paid special tribute to the fashion contributions of the late, great André Leon Tally.

“Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” an exploration of Black men’s style and the importance of that style to the formation of Black identities, will be on display from May 10–October 26, 2025.

“Every year, the Met Gala brings together distinguished cultural figures and style icons from across a wide array of fields to celebrate and support art and fashion,” said Max Hollein, the Met’s Marina Kellen French Director and CEO. “This spring‘s event will mark the opening of the exhibition ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,’ a profoundly scholarly showcase.”

“This exhibit offers 12 sections,” said Monica L. Miller, the curator and organizer of the “Superfine” exhibit. What made it all possible was translating Miller’s book, “Slaves to Fashion,” into an exhibition with the Met’s collection of high-style menswear, which served as a foundation for imagining and realizing this important sartorial histoDesigner Jeffrey Banks with his menswear

Exhibition curator Monika L. Miller. (Renee Minus White/A Time To Style photos)

ry. The show’s conceptual framework is inspired by Zora Neale Hurston’s 1934 essay “Characteristics of Negro Expression.”

Fashions are displayed on mannequins and platforms, high and low. The exhibit includes entertaining videos and photos hanging on walls, including images of W.E.B. Du Bois; a suit owned by Talley; an ensemble from the 2022 Polo Ralph Lauren line; and the white, crisply ruffled shirt worn by Prince for one of his performanc-

es, singing “Purple Rain.”

One section, “Beauty,” inspired by a 1969 poem by Nikki Giovanni, highlights the beauty, confidence, and sheer fabulousness of style and attitudes that began to emerge among Black males in the1970s and ’80s. After the social justice movement of the1960s, men’s fashion changed from strong and hard to featuring softer looks in leather, drapery, lace, and ruffles.

It was wonderful to reconnect with de-

signer Jeffrey Banks in front of the plaid coat and suit ensembles he designed.

Banks, who emerged in the ’80s as a prominent menswear designer, knew just how to design for Black men, and he was always an advocate for luxury menswear.

“I’m beyond excited to stand with my fellow host committee members in supporting rhe Met and celebrating the undeniable impact of Black creativity on fashion and culture for centuries,” said Sha’Carri Richardson. “Our style isn’t just what we wear; it’s how we move, how we own our space, how we tell our story without saying a word.

Fashion sets us apart, but it also brings us together, whether you’re shining on the track, commanding the stage, or just making the streets of New York your runway.”

Usher said, “I’m honored to be part of such a long-standing tradition with the Met’s Costume Institute. The theme this year is not only timely, but also speaks to our rich culture that should always be widely celebrated.”

This year’s Gala raised $31 million to benefit the Costume Institute.

Co-chairs in attendance included Lewis Hamilton, A$APRocky, Pharrell Williams, and Anna Wintour. LeBron James was among the honorary chairs.

Accompanying the exhibit is a catalogue featuring images by artist Tyler Mitchell and a story of Black men’s styles across generations. Sponsored by Louis Vuitton and others, the exhibition is in the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Exhibition Hall, Gallery 999, Floor 2. For more information, visit metmuseum.org.

Exhibition catalogue cover

26 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 A

R T S

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

M

E

N

T

‘They done made the Met Ball Black’

By MICHAEL HENRY ADAMS Special to the AmNews

learn that flowers tucked into the box wood “hedge,” were not real. But, the benefit dinner-dance raised a record $33 million. This The theme of the first Monday in May prompted Lawrence “Law” Roach, the ceMet Gala, “Tailoring for You”, was derived lebrity fashion stylist, best-known for his from the museum’s new exhibition “Super- work for Zendaya, Céline Dion, Anya Tayfine, Tailoring Black Style.” One gasped to lor-Joy and the like, to exclaim with jubila-

The bow of smiling, sprightly Olympic gymnast Simone Biles’ sleeveless blue Harbison Studio dress, metamorphosed into a bustle with a trailing train. There can be no accessory equal to the loving gazes she received from Jonathan Owens, her handsome, white suited husband, who wisely carried a silver-mounted stick to better maneuver the steep stairs and was swathed in furs against the cold night’s damp. (MIchael Henry Adams photos)

Her black silk dress draped with a short cape, articulated by intricately worked, diagonal stripes featuring cowrie shells, the woman of the hour, “Superfine” curator Monica L. Miller, was radiant!

Alton Mason, the first Black model to walk for Chanel, is an enigma of the type famously devised by Oscar Wilde. He cares about the value of everything and everyone and if it or they are important, hang the cost. That he is a beauty of nature, cannot be denied! But, that such perfection comes naturally and effortlessly, is belied by his gym regime. He always wears beautiful clothes, but he might remain equally arresting by taking them off. Wilde once said. “One must either be a work of art or wear a work of art!” Mr. Mason, unfailingly, does both.

tion at a pre-Gala party hosted at The Red Rooster’s Ginny’s Super Club, “They done f*$@ked up and made the Met Ball Black!”

While his pronouncement was an exaggeration, more than usual, it was time for our favorite white friends to experience what it’s like to be outnumbered. And

what’s more, Harlem, Brooklyn, and the Bronx showed up and showed out!

What a trill to encounter, at so short a distance, so many of the celebrated ones, who we worship from afar. It was a rainy night to remember on the flower-sprigged blue carpet.

After my phone died, I missed so many luminaries I could have cried: Madonna and her man; Whoopie Goldberg in unbecoming Thom Browne; and an unusually, unfortunately dressed Halle Berry, who I had thought too exquisite not to always look perfect. She escaped my camera as well.

But, sometimes you cannot miss.

And when Miss Diana Ross appeared, I was waiting, watching, and ready, with twenty-five percent power on reserve, to take her likeness and to be swept away.

All in white, her train as long as the stairs were steep, and her hat all edged by weeping ostrich plumes, her forehead and ears bejeweled, she was like no one else one sees today.

Perhaps, she reminded one a bit of “Hello Dolly”? But one where Pearl Bailey, Carol Channing, and Barbra Streisand are all rolled into one Miss Ross! The delicacy of each gesture, the utter charm of her laugh, the entire gift-wrapped picture she manifested, made it a night to remember always.

Alton Mason, the first Black model to walk for Chanel, is an enigma of the type famously devised by Oscar Wilde. He cares about the value of everything and everyone and if it or they are important, hang the cost. That he is a beauty of nature, cannot be denied! But, that such perfection comes naturally and effortlessly, is belied by his gym regime. He always wears beautiful clothes, but he might remain equally arresting by taking them off. Wilde once said. “One must either be a work of art or wear a work of art!” Mr. Mason, unfailingly, does both.

A

R T S

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

M

E

N

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 27

T

Tony nominations recognize Black and Latinx excellence on Broadway

By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews The long-awaited nominations are out for the 78th Annual Tony Awards, and Black and Latinx people are beautifully represented for this amazing season on Broadway. The musical “Buena Vista Social Club” has earned a whopping 10 nominations and is receiving a special Tony to be presented to the members of the Buena Vista Social Club band –– Marco Paguia, music director, conductor/piano; David Oquendo, associate music director, guitar; Renesito Avich, tres; Gustavo Schartz, bass; Javier Dias; Roman Diaz; Mauricio Herrera, percussion; Jesus Richardo, trumpet; Eddie Venegas, trombone; Hery Paz, woodwinds and Leonardo Reyna, piano.

Some of the nominations that “Buena Vista Social Club,” playing at the Schoenfeld Theatre on W 45th Street, received include Best Musical; Best Book of a Musical — Marco Ramirez; Best Direction of a Musical — Saheem Ali; Best Choreography — Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck; Best Orchestration — Marco Paguia; Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical — Natalie Venetia Belcon; Best Scenic Design of a Musical — Arnulfo Maldonado; and Best Costume Design of a Musical — Dede Ayite; along with Best Sound Design and Best Lighting Design.

Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald is nominated for best performance by an actress in a lead role in a musical for “Gypsy” playing at the Majestic Theatre. (Julieta Cervantes photo)

“GYPSY,” playing at the Majestic Theatre on W 44th Street is nominated for Best Musical.

Its star, Audra McDonald, who is a six-time Tony Award winner is up for her seventh Tony for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical; Joy Woods is nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical; Camille A. Brown is nominated for Best Choreography.

Jasmine Amy Rogers, making her Broadway

Beautiful representation seen in the 69th Annual Drama Desk nominations

By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews This is an exciting year on Broadway and Off-Broadway as there are a multitude of productions that occurred or are still playing that showcase the talents of many phenomenal people of color, many of whom were recognized with nominations for the 69th Annual Drama Desk Awards. The Drama Desk Awards always recognize excellence on and off-Broadway and are always extremely inclusive, which is amazing.

On Broadway, “Purpose” playing at the Helen Hayes Theatre on W 44th Street is nominated for outstanding play for playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, and Kara Young is nominated for outstanding featured performance in a play. “Gypsy”, playing at the Majestic Theatre on W 44th Street, which bought six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald back to Broadway in the lead role as Rose, is up for numerous Drama Desk nominations including and deservedly so, outstanding revival of a musical; Audra McDonald for outstanding lead performance in a musical; George C. Wolfe for outstanding direction of a musical; Camille A. Brown for outstanding choreography and Toni-Leslie James for outstanding costume design of a musical.

“BOOP! The Musical” playing at the Broadhurst Theatre on W 44th Street is up for a total of 11 Drama Desk Awards, including outstanding musical and Jasmine Amy Rogers for outstanding lead performance in a musical (she’s making her Broadway debut). The Broadway play by the late Samm Art Williams’ “HOME” that played earlier in the season is up for outstanding revival of a play. “Real Women Have Curves” playing at the James Earl Jones Theatre on W 48th Street has a nomination for Tatianna Cordóba for outstanding lead performance in a musical, she is also making her Broadway debut. “Pirates! The Penzance Musical” playing at the Todd Haimes Theatre on W 42nd Street earned a nomination for Joseph Joubert and Daryl Waters for outstanding orchestration. Dede Ayite is nominated for outstanding costume design of a play for “Our Town” which ran earlier in the season. Paul Tazewell received a nomination for outstanding costume design of a musical for “Death Becomes Her,” which is also up for outstanding musical and is playing at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on W 46th Street.

On the off-Broadway front “Liberation” which played at the Laura Pels Theatre, earned multiple nominations, including See NOMINATIONS on page 31

debut, is nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for starring in “BOOP! The Musical,” playing at the Broadhurst Theatre. James Monroe Iglehart received a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a musical for his brilliant work in “A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical.” The Latina-focused and delightful production, “Real Women Have Curves: The Musical,”

playing at the James Earl Jones Theatre on W 48th Street, is nominated for Best Original Score (music and/or lyrics) Written for the Theater — Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez.

Paul Tazewell received a nomination for Best Costume Design of a Musical for “Death Becomes Her,” playing at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on W 46th Street.

The dramatic production, “Purpose,” playing at the Hayes Theatre at W 44th Street received six well deserved Tony nominations, for Best Play — Branden Jacobs-Jenkins; Best Performance By An Actor In A Leading Role In A Play — Jon Michael Hill and Harry Lennix; Best Performance By An Actress In A Leading Role In A Play — LaTanya Richardson Jackson; Best Performance By An Actor In A Featured Role In A Play — Glenn Davis; and Best Performance By An Actress In A Featured Role In A Play — Kara Young.

The Tony Awards will take place at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 8 and will be televised on CBS Television Network and streamed on Paramount+. The production will run live from 8-11 p.m. ET and will be hosted by Tony, Emmy, and Grammy award winner Cynthia Erivo. It promises to be a memorable evening as viewers get to see samples of the nominated musicals and plays currently on Broadway or from earlier this season. For more info visit tonyawards.com.

DANCE MUSIC FILM ART OUTDOOR BAZAAR CLASSES

BAM

2025 MOVEMENT! MAGIC! MANIFESTATION!

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

MAY 23—26

PETER JAY SHARP BUILDING 30 LAFAYETTE AVE, BROOKLYN

718.636.4100

BAM.org /DanceAfrica

28 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 A

R T S

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

M

E

N

T

Leopoldo Fleming, pulsating percussionist, dies at 85

Leopoldo Fleming, the conguero and percussionist, and composer whose multi rhythms ignited the definitive sounds of Miriam Makeba, Nina Simone, and Harry Belafonte, died on April 28 in Paterson, N.J. He was 85.

His son Klzinga Fleming did not give a cause of death.

For six decades, Fleming’s magic was his effortless blending of African, Caribbean, and American musical traditions into a singular soul-stirring sound — he was a rhythm keeper of heritage and healing. In October 2007, Fleming led the 10-piece band of drummers and percussionists for the Memorial Dedication of the new African Burial Ground National Monument in lower Manhattan.

Leopoldo Fleming (Photo courtesy of the Fleming family)

His colorful rhythms allowed him to perform with a variety of renowned artists, such as Lonnie Liston Smith and the Cosmic Echoes, “Expansions” (Flying Dutchman, 1974); Leon Thomas, Kenny Barron, David Murray, Queen Esther Marrow, Archie Shepp, Symphony of the New World, and the World Bass Violin Ensemble. His percussive sound was pivotal on Native American tenor saxophonist Jim Pepper’s lively album “Afro-Indian Blues” (PAO Records 2006), along with multi-instrumentalist Amina Claudine Myers and bassist Anthony Cox. Although recognition eluded him during his prominent but understated career, Fleming was the international founder, leader, composer, and arranger of his Afro-Caribbean Jazz Ensemble with a New

York City lineup that featured flautist Karen Joseph, pianist Dinah Vero, bassist Bryce Sebastien, and drummer/timbales player Emilio Valdés (son of Chucho Valdés). He also led a working local ensemble by the same name in Denmark. His musical concepts were expanded with world-class musicians while working in Vienna between 1987 and 1997.

The master conguero was known for many aspects of his career, but will forever be acknowledged for his accompaniment of South African singer, songwriter, and activist Miriam Makeba. He became a member of her band after Makeba’s her then-husband, trumpeter Hugh Masekela, invited him to her rehearsal in 1965. Fleming’s tenure that lasted until the mid-1970s, helped Makeba popularize the genres of world music and Afropop, and he played on her two hit singles: “Click Song” (1963) and “Pata Pata,” which appears on the album “Miriam Makeba — Pata Pata — The Hit Sound of Miriam Makeba” (Reprise, 1967).

Makeba often introduced Fleming as “the man who can play almost anything and keeps us all together, the African via Puerto Rico,” as stated in the Bilingual News and Media JazzDeLaPena (2021).

The civil rights activist, singer-songwriter, and pianist Nina Simone referred to Fleming as “the man who made her dance” (JazzDeLaPena, 2021). He accompanied Simone for over a decade and made significant contributions to her sound on songs like “My Way” and “See Line Woman.” In 2013, he collaborated with saxophonist Chris Gonsior, and their joint album “Trato Común” was released under Alessa Records in Austria.

Leopoldo Francisco Fleming was born on Sept. 16, 1939, in Puerto de Tierra, a suburb of San Juan, Puerto Rico. His father, Leopoldo Leander Fleming, and his mother immigrated from the neighboring Saint Thomas Island.

In 1947, when Fleming was 8, his parents separated. His father then took him and his younger brother to Saint Thomas, where they lived for four years. In 1951, the family moved to New York and settled in Spanish Harlem. Fleming’s early signs of musical talent were inspired by his father, who played double bass, guitar, and Cuban tres. He performed with several well-known local bands, including Mon Rivera, Sonoreros de Oriente, and Son de la Loma.

At 15, Fleming launched his career as a professional musician playing percussion for Katherine Dunham’s dance school. He later joined the big band of saxophonist Red Dixon and trombonist Jesse Devore, whose repertoire was a mix of jazz, mambo, and calypso.

Instilled with his mother’s emphasis on the importance of African heritage, Fleming collaborated with political activist, poet, and musician José Carlos Schwarz.

The revolutionary was one of the creators of “Music of Intervention” that was instru-

(Annette Blichmann photo)

mental in the freedom of former Portuguese colonies in Africa. He was also recognized as one of the most significant contemporary popular music creators in Guinea-Bissau. Fleming served as Schwarz’s sideman, and together they made the album “Diju di Galinha.” In 2013, Fleming collaborated with saxophonist Chris Gonsior, and their joint album “Trato Común” was released under Alessa Records in Austria.

Fleming used his authentic rhythms and warm melodies in a variety of arenas, such as the American Children’s television series “Vegetable Soup,” where his music enlightened and uplifted youngsters. He played an integral role with the prestigious Boys Choir of Harlem. His skills as an arranger and musical director received greater attention during his theater work with legendary singer and actress Eartha Kitt in the production of “Cowboy and the Legend,” at the Burt Reynolds Dinner Theater. He was given the opportunity to explore varied forms of jazz as musical director of the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s production of LeRoi Jones’ (Amiri Baraka) “Slave Ship” (1970), where he worked with the play’s director, Gilbert Moses, and performed with saxophonist Archie Shepp.

Fleming made his musical mark on Broad-

way and off-Broadway as musical director of the New York Shakespeare Festival’s Public Theater productions of “The Haggadah,” “Dispatches,” “Runaways,” and “Alice in Wonderland,” starring Meryl Streep.

For six decades, Fleming was a creative source who mentored generations of students and played a significant role as one of the world’s most influential percussionists, contributing to jazz, Afro-Caribbean, and African music.

“I am because he is the culture, an example of a relation through innovation of Sound. My first gig was with Leo at Minton’s in early 2000,” said dancer and spoken word artist Zakiyyah Modeste. “I never left him; he will never leave me. They say if you want to keep it, you have to give it away! He left us with an abundance of riches.”

Fleming is survived by his four children: Lenard Fleming, Monique Newman, Miguel Fleming, and Klzinga Fleming; his five grandchildren and three great-granddaughters; and his sister Carmen Void.

A memorial was held in Fleming’s honor at Harlem’s Patrick’s on the Hill. It was wellattended by his many friends, relatives, and a host of musicians who had performed with him on many occasions and played an extended jam session in his memory.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 29

In Trump’s first 100 Days, DEI is the target. These Black economic nonprofits are feeling the heat

By LEAH MALLORY Special to the AmNews In the first 100 days of his presidency, Donald Trump has targeted Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, signing several executive orders to ban DEI initiatives at federal agencies and businesses, and has even threatened to withdraw federal funding from schools that do not remove their DEI programs.

These orders have drawn severe backlash from institutions and the general public, leading to lawsuits against the administration, widespread protests, and even rulings preventing the enforcement of such orders.

At the local level, nonprofit organizations that engage in DEI or racial justice programming are concerned that the administration will come for them next.

“I don’t want to really think about the adverse impact that could happen, but sadly, if we lost all of our funding, obviously, we would have to close our doors,” said Lisa Ranglin, founder of RIBBA, a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating the wealth gap in Rhode Island through workforce development, job training, increasing access to capital and other resources.

To maintain their tax-exempt status, nonprofits require federal approval from the IRS. Some organizations even receive government funding to carry out their programming.

RIBBA receives federal funding and is taxexempt, so they frequently communicate with federal agencies. Langlin said that in December, they stopped hearing from their points of contact at the Small Business Administration (SBA).

“E-mails that we’ve sent have gone unanswered because those people that we were interacting with initially are no longer employed,” she said. “So it is very unsettling because it’s an unknown,” particularly in light of the mass layoffs of federal government employees..

Ranglin said that they have made small changes to prevent being targeted by the administration, but maintain their mission of mending economic disparity.

“Instead of saying the Rhode Island Black Business Association, we’re just going by our acronym RIBBA,” she said. “But we are not moving away from our core work.

The work that we do is in great demand.

The work that we do for the people that are walking through our doors every day, they’re counting on us.”

Other organizations like the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) are advising constituents to get their assets in order.

“Business is a very serious engagement, and if you are on the margins, you can be hit with a tsunami and be wiped out. This is not the time to go at this alone,” said Dr. John E. Harmon, Sr., founder, president,

RIBBA Scholarship Recipients (Photos courtesy RIBBA)

Young Adult Business Pitch Competition Winner

and CEO of AACCNJ. “So if you’re in business, this is not the time to say I don’t do politics, because if you don’t do politics, they’re gonna do you. So your relationships with government agencies, with legislators –– you need to shore that up.”

Attorneys like McGregor Smyth, who is now the executive director of the New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI), a community lawyering organization, suggest that nonprofits do internal assessments.

“What you want to do right now as a nonprofit is to look at your internal policies and practices and make sure that they’re consistent with the current law,” he said. “Mostly around the anti-discrimination statute, because that’s the best way to protect your organization and to also engage in [your] mission when it’s justice and equity related.”

Head of solutions development at Clientis Technologies and attorney, Shavon Jones, recommended that nonprofits review their mission.

“You have to think about whether you want to rewrite your mission to avoid being targeted, to kind of stay out of the fray,” she said. “ So that’s the first thing you should

do, is look at your mission statement.”

However, she said, the main problem that emerges from making these changes is that the administration hasn’t clearly defined what counts as DEI. “[The administration’s] refusal to say what it is that it considers illegal makes it difficult for anyone to know how to comply with the White House’s executive orders,” she said. “Whatever they’re saying in their executive orders, the language they’re using in their executive orders is just too vague for anybody to know how to apply it so that they don’t get into trouble.”

Ritu Mahajan Estes, the directing attorney of Public Counsel’s Community Development Project, which provides technical and legal assistance to nonprofits, said that despite the changes, civil rights law remains the same. So, for organizations struggling to reconcile the executive orders with changes to their mission, she said they may find some legal protection in the equal opportunity laws.

“We still have the civil rights laws that we’ve had for decades that ensure that entities are not engaging in discrimination,”

she said. “A lot of our clients who are engaging in racial justice programming, they’re not doing anything unlawful. They’re not violating any laws. They’re not discriminating by having a mission that centers Black and Brown people, or talks about discrimination, or talks about how important it is to provide equal opportunity and avenues for people to succeed.”

But she emphasized that the programs need to be inclusive.

“You want to make sure that you are not making decisions about who to include in your classes based on protected categories, such as race or gender,” she said. “So you can do outreach in certain communities, but it’s important for you to make sure that people from different communities participate in your classes. You want to make sure that you’re not setting up programs where it’s only limited to certain groups.”

Ranglin said she is unconcerned about the legal risks, stating that RIBBA doesn’t exclude anyone from their programming.

“We’re open to the public, we don’t exclude anyone. All of our programs are open to the general public,” she said. “Anyone can sign up for a program, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation... So no, we’re not worried about anything as it relates to legal ramifications.”

They are actively meeting with constituents to ensure they’re up to date with changes in the administration.

“We have lots of ways that we communicate with our clients. We have monthly meetings. We have one-on-one sessions, but we have emails, and we put stuff out on social media, ” she said.

In February, after being featured on WPRI, a local news station in Providence, Rhode Island, about uncertainty amid the DEI rollbacks, Ranglin said they faced enormous backlash.

“Some of them are racist, and some of the comments were that we weren’t good enough, we should go back to our country, and all this foolish nonsense. It was unsettling,” she said. “We actually did engage with elected officials to talk about the potential impact to us from the adverse impact as it relates to threatening phone calls and emails, and social media comments that we’ve received.”

Despite the hate and an unknown future, RIBBA and other organizations said they remain hopeful and committed to continuing their efforts to help build a more just and equitable country.

“If we stay the course and if we continue as one, Rhode Islanders, we will make it through this and we will see a brighter day,” she said. “There’s going to be challenges along the way, but we are committed to this movement. We’re committed to our neighbors and our clients, and our members. This work must continue, and we’re not running away from it.”

30 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Reading Partners commemorates 25 years of literacy gains with Run-DMC performing at Gotham Gala

Adeola Whitney dancing out the night with attendees who made the night special.

(Christian Spencer photo)

By CHRISTIAN SPENCER Special to the AmNews Reading Partners continued its work to mitigate the literacy crisis with its “One for the Books” 25th Anniversary Gala, held at Gotham Hall. The quarter-century anniversary celebration raised more than $1.1 million through a spirited donation auction, with hip-hop legend Darryl “DMC” McDaniels closing out the night with a live performance that had attendees on their feet.

Twenty-five percent of children are reading below grade level. However, with one-onone tutoring support for students like Masen, a Bronx student at PS 18 John Peter Zenger, he managed to overcome the odds and is on par with other children his age.

Since its launch in 1999, with a humble beginning opening the program in a single Reading Partners, it now has more than 3 million tutoring sessions nationwide, serving over 80,000 students with the help of 85,000 community volunteers. The New York region has played a salient role in that success, delivering over 21,000 one-on-one tutoring sessions during the 2023–2024 school year alone.

In New York, 91 percent of K–2 students mastered foundational literacy skills in phonics, vocabulary, and word recognition, while 89 percent of all students met their individualized growth goals. Culturally representative books were distributed to alleviate gaps and enrich students’ home libraries.

The gala brought together literacy advocates, educators, and supporters, including honorees Kwame Alexander, DMC with a hypeman from Run-DMC, and Alexis and Steve

Strongin, hosted by comedian and author Michelle Buteau. Stacey Abrams chaired the host committee. Among the night’s most poignant moments was Masen’s speech. A Reading Partners student in New York, Masen shared how the program helped him not only improve his reading, but grow more confident in school and beyond. “Reading Partners made books fun,” he said. His mother, Samantha, also attended, highlighting the emotional impact of accessible academic support for families. Masen’s story reflects the transformative power of individualized tutoring, reaching thousands across New York. “My school is going good. Myself, I’ve been reading a lot in school and at home. And like, I’m just being me. I’ll wake up for school.

My first teacher is Miss Wade. She’s math, science, and I think that’s about it,” Masen said, describing how Reading Partners helped build his skills and daily confidence.

“In first grade, the reason why [I joined] is because my reading was kind of low. And yeah, I was like on a, I think in first grade, or like an E or something. But like, she tested me, and then like, I was doing good. And then, when second grade came, I was doing good again. And then third grade, I met a lot of people too. And like out of a thousand people, they chose me instead.”

Alexander, who has written books to keep struggling readers of color engrossed and engaged, was honored by Reading Partners with the Pen & Purpose Award. “You know, awards really remind me that this work that I do in solitary, writing books, is important. It is meaningful. It’s significant. The real reward is when kids are excited to read my books or to read any book. So, I try to spend my life trying to write literature that I think is going

to engage and inspire, entertain, and empower young people. And so to be recognized

by Reading Partners is, you know, I’m grateful. I’m honored. And I find it a tremendous accomplishment.”

The region now includes 20 reading centers, powered by nearly 900 community tutors and supported by AmeriCorps members, according to Primo Lasana, Executive Director of Reading Partners New York City, who pointed out how deeply embedded the program has become in the city’s schools. “Every single student in our program is matched one-on-one with a volunteer who is a community member in New York City,” Lasana said. “I think it’s really important that the New York City community shows support for its youngest readers through tutoring with Reading Partners. We recruit from faithbased institutions, laundromats, local colleges, and high schools. We then give every tutor a two-hour orientation and a fully scripted curriculum, along with on-site support during each session to ensure success.”

Adeola Whitney, chief executive officer of Reading Partners, addressed the national outlook, pointing to innovation, partnerships, and a relentless focus on equity as the program’s next frontier. “Everyone benefits from transformative one-on-one relationships,” Whitney said. “People often come in thinking they’ll impact the student, but they leave transformed themselves. It’s incredible how much young people can teach us, help us grow, and change us. I hope we can actually eradicate this problem. I’d love for us to put ourselves out of business — meaning every child would have the skills they need to thrive. If we do that, it could change the

entire trajectory of this country.”

Across its 25-year history, Reading Partners has gained strong credibility within the education sector. 100 percent of NYC teachers surveyed said the program was valuable to their school, while 92 percent of principals reported noticeable improvements in student literacy progress. The organization’s “Powered by Reading Partners” partnership model has further extended its reach through training and curriculum sharing with community-based organizations.

As the national conversation around literacy intensifies with pandemic-related setbacks and growing resource gaps, Reading Partners continues to deliver efficacious results. The gala was both a celebration of past impact and a strategic moment to build momentum for the next generation of readers in this evolving paradigm of education. As the Amsterdam News previously reported, education equity and community investment remain urgent conversations across New York City, especially as K–3 education faces looming budget cuts.

Despite the cuts, the importance of reading in building community remains strong. “Education has always been about community. And we learn not just between the hours of eight and three in school, but we learn when we’re at home. We learn at church. We learn in the streets. We learn in our neighborhoods. And so bringing together all these folks tonight is about community. It’s about coming together in unity.

All of us intend on making reading enjoyable and inspiring kids to want to be a part of that joyful experience. So yeah, I think it’s important and it’s commendable,” Alexander said.

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 31

Raritan Valley (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Inc. hosts ‘Swing into Spring’ fundraising event

By KAYLYN KENDALL DINES Special to the AmNews

(From Left to Right) Raritan Valley (NJ) Link Carol Council; Link Dr. Stacie NC Grant, of the Greater Queens (NY) Chapter, is also the International President & CEO of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated; and Dr. Tiffiny Butler, vice president of the Raritan Valley (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Inc. (Raritan Valley (NJ) Chapter of the Links, Inc. photo)

ed. In 2026, during the next annual “Swing into Spring” event, the chapter will celebrate its 40th anniversary in recognition of four decades of friendship, service, and impact in the communities they serve.

Walker said, her chapter is already looking ahead to their annual Tycene P. Edd

Nominations

Cara L. Walker, President of the Raritan Valley (NJ) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated. (All Star Photography 1 photo)

M/WBEs STRENGTHEN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR NYC

Audra McDonald is nominated for outstanding lead performance in a musical for “Gypsy” playing at the Majestic Theatre.

COMPANY: Infrastructure Engineering Inc. NAME: Michael Sutton CONTRACT VALUE: $26,000,000

EA

yc

n

is nominated for her performance in BAM’s production of “A Streetcar Named Desire”.

“Medea: Re-Versed” performed at the Sheen Center for Thought and Culture, earned two nominations for Luis Quintero for outstanding lyrics and outstanding adaptation. The New Federal Theatre production of “The World According to Micki Grant” is nominated for outstanding revue.

RN MOR E

es

Continued from page 27

outstanding direction of a play for Whitney White; and Nikiyia Mathis for outstanding wig and hair. Mathis, in fact, has a second nomination in this category for her work in “Cats: The Jellicle Ball.” Speaking of “Cats: The Jellicle Ball” which played at PAC NYC, the nominations are steady and flowing— including outstanding revival of a musical; André De Shields for outstanding featured performance in a musical; Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch for outstanding direction of a musical; Arturo Lyon and Omari Wiles for outstanding choreography and Qween Jeans for outstanding costume design of a musical.

This season saw a splendid production of “Wine in the Wilderness”, which was presented by Classic Stage Company. The late Alice Childress play, is up for outstanding revival of a play and Olivia Washington, outstanding lead performance in a play. The category of outstanding featured performance in a play got nominations for many talented individuals and acknowledged some wonderful productions. Adrienne C. Moore is nominated for her performance in Lincoln Center Theatre’s production of “The Blood Quilt”; Michael Rishawn is nominated for his role in the MCC Theater’s production of “Table 17”; Jude Tibeau is up for Manhattan Theatre Club, Signature Theatre’s production of “Bad Kreyol” and Anjana Vasan

Golf Outing, which will be held on Monday, September 29, at the Neshanic Valley Golf Course in Neshanic Station, NJ. Walker added, proceeds from both events will support scholarships and community service programs. For more information, contact the chapter at rvc.nj.links@gmail.com.

L

An afternoon of elegance and purposedriven impact marked the annual “Swing into Spring” fundraising event that the Raritan Valley (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, hosted on Sunday, May 4, at The Marigold in Somerset, New Jersey.

According to Cara L. Walker, president of the Raritan Valley (NJ) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated (RVC), “This signature fundraiser supports the chapter’s scholarship fund, which has awarded over $200,000 to approximately 270 students,” over the years.

While acknowledging the dedicated efforts of the fundraising chair, event chair, and planning committee, Walker said, “Each year, Raritan Valley (NJ) Chapter members contribute more than 3,000 hours of volunteer service throughout Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties in New Jersey.”

Toya Beasley, a legendary radio and on-air personality, served as event chair.

The event was emceed by renowned radio personality Lenny Green, from The Quiet Storm on WBLS-FM. RVC was chartered on April 26, 1986, as the 213th chapter of The Links, Incorporat-

.gov/mwb

32 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Health Dr. Sharon Brangman on Geriatrics, Alzheimer’s disease and the Black community

By HEATHER M. BUTTS, JD, MPH, MA Special to the AmNews

generation of treatments might impact Black patients. Some of the major drugs that are currently available for treating Alzheimer’s disease were tested using clinical trials that had very low diversity [and a] small numbers of AfricanAmericans [and] Latinos.

A disease like Alzheimer’s disease impacts African-Americans twice as high as it does white counterparts. The risk is very high, but the participation in trials and information about how it might be different in different cultures or races ... we have very little information. So it doesn’t seem as though there’s a genetic difference, but it could be based on some of the social determinants of health that impact African-Americans.

Increased risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease could be relat-

Sharon Brangman, MD is the chair of Geriatric Medicine and director of the Upstate Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease at State University of New York Upstate Medical University. She spoke with the Amsterdam News about geriatrics, Alzheimer’s, and preventative care.

This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

AmNews: Can you give us an overview of your work and how you became interested in geriatrics?

Brangman: I became interested in geriatrics during my training. I did my training in internal medicine at Montefiore in the Bronx. I was working in a clinic in the South Bronx, and I noticed that my older patients had such a fierce determination to maintain their independence. I had all of these younger patients with minor medical problems asking me for notes so they could stay home from work, and my older patients who had all these problems were telling me how they wanted to maintain their independence. That was in the late 1980s when geriatrics was just becoming a specialty here in the United States.

I did a formal training in geriatrics, and I actually took the first boards that were offered in the specialty. I started out working as a medical director of a nursing home in Harlem, but I missed the academic environment so I moved up to Syracuse and it was a very small program that was getting started and I kind of dug in my heels and helped establish geriatrics at Upstate which included getting accredited to have a geriatric fellowship program and developing curriculum for medical students and residents as well as practicing physicians to get geriatric content into the nurse practitioner training programs and physician assistant training programs.

I had a lot of patients with dementia, and we started a program that was sponsored by the New York State Department of Health. At that time it was called the Alzheimer’s

AmNews: Is there anything else you want to tell Amsterdam news readers?

“Everybody interprets stress differently, but if you are subject to say economic stress or discrimination or racism for your lifetime, you may have higher levels of background stress that over time takes its toll on your body, so there’s a lot of reasons why they may be higher risks in African-Americans, but it has not been studied as closely as I think is appropriate.”

Dr. Sharon Brangman (Courtesy photo)

Disease Assistance Center, and that evolved over the years [into] what it is now a Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease because as a state, we help to set the standards of evaluation and diagnosis, and treatment. There are three in New York City, and the rest are scattered throughout the state. What we do is we help teach the next generation of health care providers.

From that, my interest in Alzheimer’s disease kind of expanded and I got involved with some national programs, and eventually that led me to start a clinical trials program here at Upstate. We have a clinical trials program that is part of our Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s disease, focused on bringing some of the potentially new treatments to people in Central New York because prior to that, they had to come down to New York City or go to Boston, and that was a big struggle.

propriate. There’s certainly not been enough participation in clinical trials so that we could know how medications might help. Part of this is due to so many different factors…What they’re thinking about is their everyday interaction with the health care system, and when they interact with the health care system, are they being treated fairly or are their needs being met? Are their problems really being addressed? After I saw how few African-Americans were in these big international trials for Alzheimer’s drugs, I worked with a colleague and we got a grant to address this, and this was in the middle of the pandemic.

—Dr. Sharon Brangman, MD, chair of Geriatric Medicine and director of the Upstate Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease at State University of New York Upstate Medical University.

AmNews: Could you talk a bit more about the clinical trials work that you do?

Brangman: One of my interests has been in ethnogeriatrics, and I helped start the Ethnogeriatrics Committee for the American Geriatric Society. That’s really the intersection of aging with race and culture, and one of the things I’ve noticed through my training is an increased incidence of certain diseases, especially Alzheimer’s disease in African-Americans. [I have been] trying to figure out why that is and why there may be delays in getting a treatment plan or a diagnosis, and certainly delays in participating in clinical trials so that we know about how the next

ed in part to some of the increased risk for chronic illnesses that we see, such as hypertension and diabetes. We know that it has a negative impact on brain function over time, being overweight, having a high cholesterol, having poor sleep habits, having stress, and we know stress is a huge issue.

Everybody interprets stress differently, but if you are subject to say economic stress or discrimination or racism for your lifetime, you may have higher levels of background stress that over time takes its toll on your body, so there’s a lot of reasons why they may be higher risks in AfricanAmericans, but it has not been studied as closely as I think is ap-

Brangman: I think just about everybody has been touched with somebody who’s had Alzheimer’s disease or some kind of serious memory problem and right now there’s no cure but there’s a lot of intense work going on to figure out what’s causing this disease and how we can either prevent it or treat it.

Since African-Americans have the highest risk of getting this disease, it’s so important for us to be participating in figuring out a solution.

To learn more about the Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease, please visit www.upstate.edu/geriatrics/healthcare/cead/

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 33

Garden of the Gods: A Black journalist’s journey through Colorado’s rocky wonder

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff

View of Colorado Springs from airplane.

(Ariama C. Long photos)

There’s something inherently dangerous about traveling alone across the country. America is wide, vast, and in many ways experiencing a constitutional crisis. Throw in the added layers of being female and Black while venturing into an assumedly ‘white’ activity, like hiking, and it’s enough to give most people pause.

But then I remembered that, firstly, more women are opting to travel solo across the globe, especially Black women, despite fears of being unsafe or unwelcome.

And secondly, when millions of Black people left the South in droves generations ago, they didn’t all just land in New York City and Chicago and LA. They made their homes in the West, mid-west, Texas, the tip of Minnesota, and everything in between. No matter where I go, what state, what town, I know I can find a little piece of my history waiting. Because, we too, are Americans.

So in the spirit of my fellow wanderers, and in the tradition of my grandmothers and greatgrandfathers, I set off from my apartment in Brooklyn at an ungodly hour in the morning with my hiking boots to catch a flight.

I had booked a nestled-in looking Airbnb cabin in Colorado Springs, some 1,842 miles away in the middle of the country, for the weekend. From there, the plan was to go hiking in the city’s Garden of the Gods park, which is known for its skyscraper-sized red-sandstone rock formations. The rest of the city lies at the foot of the Rocky Mountains and faces Pikes Peak, a behemoth of a mountain with an icy glacier on its 14,114-foot summit.

After a few hours in the air, my thoughts randomly strayed to what air traffic con-

Garden of the Gods Park entrance monument sign.

trol might look like in Colorado. Some of my friends are too nervous to fly right now out of fear that a panel or a loose door will land them in someone’s backyard, instead of their intended destination. I specifically avoided flying out of Newark airport for the sake of my sanity. But if we’re being honest, flying out of Jersey was hazardous, long before the President started slashing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) budget.

The views from my seat inexplicably quelled most of my fears. ​​I wondered at the flat and brown surface below the plane and pushed away the small voice of death possibly knocking on my window. The cotton ball clouds. The scattered houses and shiny dot roofs. The road lines, so wide and sharp, they look like they were precision drawn by a ruler until they hit the squiggly patterns of civilization etched into the ground. The trees, from up there, looked tall and skinny and dark and ashy green. It wasn’t until we touched down on the tarmac that I got to see the mountains, covered in a thick fog in the distance. It almost felt like home.

Towards baggage claim, a platoon of army boys all decked out in their uniforms, excitedly held up a welcome home sign. I assumed it was for the Black girl with the tight corn maze stitch braids, swooped baby hairs, and army fatigues, who was sitting in the middle seat behind me. I smile a little bit seeing them await her. I think I’m safe here, Black girls aren’t some mythical creatures to gawk at, here, we are soldiers in arms.

The next day, on the Rocky Mountain Food Tour I took, I learned that Colorado Springs is home to a number of military and air force per-

sonnel living on or near Fort Carson, Peterson Air Force Base, Schriever Air Force Base and the prestigious U.S Air Force Academy — which is usually open to visitors but was operating with limited public access as of January 4, 2025.

Some people scoff at tours being too curated or too cheesy. But if I’m by myself in an unfamiliar area, I consider the best way to get to know a place and its people quickly is through trying as much food as possible. The Rocky Mountain tour was three hours of stuffing my face and drinking, with a dash of a history lesson, that I was pleasantly surprised by.

Our tour guide, Behr, a native Coloradoan, breezily walked backwards down the wide, sunbleached sidewalks in the downtown area as he told us about the city’s history. It was founded by General William Jackson Palmer in 1869 (on the side of the Union, he hastily adds at my glance), but the territory at the base of the mountain was originally settled by the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes mainly.

The Ute named the mountain, Tavá Kaa-vi (or the Sun Mountain), but it would eventually be widely known as Pike’s Peak, after the white explorer Zebulon Pike.

Colorado Springs has an extensive Black History as well. In addition to building out his vision of establishing a resort town, Palmer integrated schools for Black families headed west during the Great Migration. He eventually donated land that one of the first African Methodist Episcopal (AME) churches was built on in 1897, called the Carter Payne. The town had its own Cotton Club, run by entrepreneur Fannie Mae Duncan in the 1950s and 60s. And was home to Ron Stallworth, the first Black detective

The Kissing Camel rock formation is a landmark in the northern section of the Garden of the Gods Park.

in Colorado Springs’ police force. In 1979, Stallworth successfully infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan and disseminated information to the community. His story was adapted into a film by Spike Lee, called the BlacKKKlansman.

I also learned that people don’t jaywalk in Colorado Springs. They just stand there, idly obeying the law while all but two cars drive down the street. Baffling and high-key funny as hell because I hadn’t even thought to cross at the light. Apparently, the best way to identify a New See GARDEN OF THE GODS on page 34

34 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Garden of the Gods Continued from page 33

Yorker is not by accent, but by how blithely they stroll into traffic.

The next morning, I woke up early to fog and misty rain outside. Not a drop of sun. The downside, it was cold and damp on the hiking trail. The upside, with only the bottom of the sand stones visible, it looked like the tops reached past the clouds like sleeping, floating giants. The rain kept most hiking crowds away, but there were a dedicated few out on the trails. I managed to snag at least one hiking buddy who was handy with a camera and seemingly impervious to the cold. I was enviously bundled up in my camo print hoodie and fur-lined sweats.

The elevation was an adjustment. Colorado Springs, like Denver, is over one mile above sea level, which makes it harder for us smog city dwellers to breathe. For comparison, New York City is a coastal city that’s an average of 33 feet above sea level. Due to the effects of climate change though, the boroughs are struggling with tidal flooding and worsening storms coming further inland as sea levels rise.

There’s also the added issue of the city’s infrastructure sinking under the weight of its buildings. So suffice it to say, I was used to a little rain.

We trekked and climbed about six miles over and through the park’s reddish boul-

ders, hills, and cliffs before the sun decided to grace the sky with its presence. Suddenly, the park very much felt like a dry, scraggly desert as I perched on a cliffside to strip off some layers. Scores of other hikers and cars appeared, as if summoned by sun magic. I snacked on almonds and fig bars while I sat on the cliff, and contemplated the possibility of stumbling onto honey ants, magpies or other wildlife nearby.

The top of the rocks, jutting out of the ground like jagged orange-red blades, and

the mountain were finally visible in the afternoon sun. The sky was blue and clear and empty. No buildings or constant noise.

I felt small. Not in the way looking at the Chrysler makes you feel, since at the end of the day, it’s man made. But small and connected to everything, in a way only nature can make you feel.

I sat there, feeling the gravel in my socks, the mud caked on my boots, the sweat trickling down my back, and the slight ache from carrying a heavy backpack. After some time passed, we found the map and compass to check where we were, and I headed back to the rental car a few miles away.

I’ve never felt more at home.

Photo of downtown Colorado Springs. (Ariama C. Long photos)

Server at Homa Cafe at Kinship Landing Hotel presents bowls of green chile chilli and sour cream.

Questions about herbs, vitamins, or dietary supplements?

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s About Herbs website can answer your questions on the proven uses, benefits, and side effects of more than 280 common herbs and dietary supplements, such as turmeric.

The active substance in turmeric is curcumin. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants protect your cells from damage.

Point your smartphone camera at the QR code and tap the link to learn more, and find us in Harlem at the MSK Ralph Lauren Center, located at 1919 Madison Ave.

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 35

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Education Non-citizen educators in NYC fear new Trump immigration policies

By ESTHER SUN Special to the AmNews When Evelyn first arrived in the U.S. on a F1B visa for her postgraduate studies, she hoped that the concentration of talent and resources in academia would allow her to pursue her passions: research and teaching.

Originally from Venezuela, Evelyn, who goes by a different name in this article due to uncertainty about her long-term status, is now a researcher and professor at a higher education institution in New York City.

She received Temporary Protected Status in 2021 when the Biden administration first began granting the status to Venezuelans and was able to re-register in 2023 to extend her status until this September.

But after the Trump administration abruptly decided in February to end the TPS program for Venezuelans entirely, she was at a loss for what to do.

Over the first several months of Donald Trump’s second term, upheavals in federal immigration policy have created uncertainty and fear for hundreds of thousands of non-citizen immigrants across the country. Under the administration’s pursuit of mass deportations, fears of ICE raids have kept students from attending school and led schools to take measures to prepare students for such encounters with immigration enforcement. But these changes in immigration policy aren’t just affecting students in cities like New York, where four in ten foreignborn residents are not citizens. The changes are also affecting educators.

After the announcement of the TPS termination, the institution where Evelyn currently works agreed to sponsor her for a work visa until the end of her temporary contract. However, the policy change has given rise to immense uncertainty in her life as she looks toward the future.

“Every few months, I’m like, ‘Okay, maybe I have to pack my bags and leave,’” said Evelyn. “It doesn’t provide you with any kind of existential, emotional stability to really think of yourself as somebody who can make an impact long-term wherever you are.”

Filling a crucial gap The challenges that non-citizen educators like Evelyn face in

Non-citizen educators in NYC fear Trump’s new immigration policies. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

higher education and academia also permeate K-12 public education in New York City.

Sara Lopez Amezquita, an assistant professor of English at Queens College, oversees Queens College’s English Education program that trains and certifies English and Language Arts teachers for middle and high school. She is also a coprincipal investigator CUNY’s Initiative on Immigration and Education, which supports immigrant students and educators through training, resources, and policy advocacy.

“If we localize it only in Queens, 76 percent of our students in Queens have some type of immigrant origin,” Lopez Amezquita said. “So if we wanted to understand their context and how their life functions, it is really important that their teachers understand both their origins and then also how their immigrant experience may shape their lives, whether it is because they have immigrant parents, immigrant grandparents, or because they themselves are immigrants.”

According to New York state guidance, non-citizen educa-

tors who can receive permanent state certification to teach in NYC public schools include green card holders, DACA recipients, international teachers with work authorization, and other “lawfully present” residents.

Furthermore, although undocumented student teachers are unable to conduct fieldwork and student teaching in NYC public schools, they are allowed to do so in charter schools, private schools, and some schools outside of the city. They are also allowed to take state certification exams and receive initial certification, which is valid for five years.

For Professor Lopez Amezquita, the role that non-citizen immigrants play in K-12 education is especially important in light of the city’s urgent need for more teachers.

In 2022, city public schools saw the highest teacher attrition rate in the past decade, with the Independent Budget Office estimating that the city would need to hire nearly 18,000 teachers over the next five years to meet class size restrictions.

“On the one hand, we have this context of … a need for teachers,” Lopez Amezquita said. “There’s

this desire to have more teachers who understand our students and who understand our students from an early age. But then, on the other hand, there’s this significant amount of people who really are both aspiring teachers and who are already teachers in their communities.”

She pointed to members of the UndocuEdu team at CUNY-IIE and also community members in nonprofit community organizations such as Minkwon and Flamboyant that have literacy coaches.

“Sometimes these immigrant educators are not traditional teachers, and that could be partly because of their immigrant experience, and it can also be partly because they are better fit to meet the students where they’re at,” Lopez Amezquita said.

New fears under Trump In light of the Trump administration’s push for mass deportations, Lopez Amezquita said that in recent months, she has seen fear and a need for support among aspiring educators who are undocumented at Queens College.

She called the situation “heartbreaking.”

Just in the past few weeks,

she has had multiple students disclose their undocumented statuses to her after they had conversations about immigration in the classroom or email her about their need to secure a fulltime job due to their parents’ undocumented statuses.

“Every couple of weeks, I have [coordinators] from the Immigrant Student Initiative at Queens College messaging me and saying, ‘Hey, can you help this person?’” Lopez Amezquita said.

Students in the teaching program have also expressed fears to her about even attending classes for fear of ICE. While CUNY does not require students to disclose their immigration status, Lopez Amezquita believes based on her experiences that around 30 percent of the graduating class of teachers at Queens College may have noncitizen status or come from mixed-status families in a way that is “impacting their teacher education.”

For Lopez Amezquita, this proves to be a challenge in a city and state that greatly need these graduating educators. Queens College certifies the most public school teachers, counselors, and principals in the city out of any institution.

In response to a request for comment regarding the concerns of non-citizen educators, the United Federation of Teachers deputy press secretary Alison Gendar noted that city public schools are still off-limits to federal law enforcement under state guidance, which the union sent to all members in January.

“We have confirmed with state officials that the state guidance remains in place for our schools and has not changed since preCOVID,” she wrote. “ICE agents cannot enter a school with an ICE issued administrative warrant.

The only time they can enter is with a judicial warrant, which has to be signed by the courts. These warrants are rare.”

But even for Evelyn, who has legal status in the U.S., the recent changes in immigration policy and the uncertainty regarding her future status have made her role in higher education feel See EDUCATION on page 44

36 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Brooklyn dispensary, Yerba Buena, honors women entrepreneurs on Earth Day

By SAGE SWABY Special to the AmNews Brooklyn dispensary Yerba Buena hosted their Earth Day celebration, Women Who Give Un Chin Más, honoring women entrepreneurs who embody impact across cannabis, wellness, and community leadership.

The women-, minority- and familyowned cannabis business launched on March 6, led by founders Doralyn De Dios Brito and Diogenes Brito. The couple partnered with license holder, Jillian Dragutsky, to open their “hub of cannabis, culture and community.”

“Our brand is about intentional, moderate consumption, and giving back to the community. We thought, what better way to commemorate that than by celebrating Earth Day [and] Mother Earth?” said De Dios Brito. “We thought about just honoring women in celebration with Mother Earth, and who could those women be? Some of us have personal connections with some of the honorees that we have and have been following them for years and know the type of work they’ve been doing.”

Alongside honoring community leaders, the event included a Polaroid keepsake wall, a sustainable activation with Eaton Botanicals and a cannabis education corner led by Yerba Buena’s budtenders.

Honorees’ loved ones witnessed award acceptances and browsed the varied cannabis items displayed.

Honoree Leeann Mata received an Impact Maker award. Mata founded Brooklyn’s first Black women-owned dispensary, Matawana. The inspiration to start her business draws from her prior profession as a teacher with the inability to travel and do the things she wanted to for her children. “I had to tap into generational wealth, but I didn’t want to do it where I lost myself. That could have been any other business,” she said. “With cannabis, I understood it was an herb, I understood it was a healing plant, and my mother was also addicted to opioids. So it was about me helping myself and my community.” Mata constantly thinks of ways she can give back and serve her community.

Working alongside other women cannabis entrepreneurs is something Mata values. Joining together, they can rise above the widespread number of illegal shops in New York City. “Collaboration over competition,” she said. “They had all [those] illegal shops because the demand was there.

So why can’t we all thrive together? I think it’s more about building a community and giving back to the community. And that’s what makes us stand out from all these illegal shops.”

A recipient of an Impact Maker award as well is honoree Amy Chin. Founder of wellness platform Calm Better Days, Chin con-

LeeAnn Mata, Amy Chin and Danielle Hawkins pictured at Yerba Buena’s Earth Day event honoring them (Photo courtesy of Nick Pichardo)

sults those who are new to plant medicine on ways to consume effectively. Chin’s anxiety and postpartum depression led her to working with cannabis. As a long term THC consumer, she had no knowledge of CBD until her therapist suggested she look into it to manage her mental health. After having kids, Chin approached her health more holistically and did not want to take pharmaceutical drugs. She received a medical CBD card and the results blew her away. “I noticed the transformation in myself, going from an impatient, cranky, yelling mom, not the mom I wanted to be, and then to finally feel normal,” she said. “Once I felt that and felt the changes, I started looking into it more for myself, and [thought], ‘Why is this information not out there for everyone?’ So in 2019, I started my own company, Calm Better Days.”

With her business, Chin helps customers through the basics, understanding how CBD works in their body, different delivery

methods and how to find the optimal dose.

She customizes treatment plans to guide people to the right products to help their problems. “I curate from women-owned, BIPOC-owned brands, small-batch farms, because I also want that to be part of education,” she said. Chin has applied for a retail dispensary and while waiting, continues to serve her community through CBD education.

Honoree Danielle Hawkins shows up for her community as a housing advocate and coordinator of eviction prevention at Red Hook Community Justice Center. Recipient of the Community Champion award, Hawkins works parallel to cannabis, not directly. “I am involved in supporting the community, and working in partnership with anybody that’s looking to help the community. What we do at Red Hook Community Justice Center is it is actually a courthouse, and we do see low-level criminal prosecutions there,” she said. “Because

we are a justice center, we provide wraparound services on the scene, on-spot.”

Hawkins works specifically with the Housing Resource Center, connecting individuals to housing stability. Cases come from residents in Red Hook East and West who face eviction for nonpayment of rent or who need to address NYC Housing Authority. “They recognize me as a community partner, another finger on the same hand that’s reaching to support the community,” she said.

Honoree Jahmila Edwards was not in attendance to accept her Vision Builder award. A cannabis entrepreneur and policy advocate, Edwards founded Stash Queens, a women-led cannabis brand and is associate director of District Council 37.

A Dominican Spanish expression, Un Chin Mas means “just a little more,” De Dios Brito translated. “For us, it’s how we live, how we build and how we lead. These [four] honorees embody that through their work and their presence.”

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club reopens Lucile Palmaro Clubhouse in the Bronx after a $7.5 million renovation

By LEAH MALLORY Special to the AmNews The Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club reopened its Lucile Palmaro Clubhouse at a ribbon cutting ceremony last week, after a years-long capital campaign to transform the flagship building.

Kips Bay Program Director, Alberto Rodriguez, said the biggest challenge they aimed to address with the renovation was space limitations. “Our cadet program is for 6 to 9-year-olds. They are the biggest population. They were stuck in one classroom,” he said. With more space, they can now serve more children. Kips Bay Executive Director Daniel Quintero said that before the renovation, they served about 350 to 400 children daily, but now they can serve an additional 100.

“Our goal is always to keep our youngsters through the age of 18, so the more youngsters we can serve at an early age, the more we can impact them through the age of 18,” he said. He explained that the kids are enjoying upgraded amenities, including a new digital learning lab with a 3D printer, a performing arts center, and a culinary arts kitchen. Also, the connected layout makes it easy for students to move from room to room within the clubhouse, enhancing efficiency and security, he said.

11-year-old Joshua has been going to the flagship location since the pandemic, and said he liked the changes.

“I think they're nice because a lot of the older rooms had this brick, and it was like a weird vibe,” he said. “But now the paint looks nice, and it fits all the rooms. Also, there were chairs that looked really nice, and all the tables were set up nicely.”

The $7.5 million renovation was funded by public and private donations, including support from public officials like State Senator Nathalia Fernandez and Assemblymember Emérita Torres.

Assemblymember Torres shared that the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club was influential for her as a child. “My mother took me there when I was a young girl, and I also did my summer youth employment opportunity — my first ever — at this club,” she said. “So it is such a special part of my life, and to see the renovations — it's so bright and beautiful.” She said that before she held office and while in office, she pushed for the renovation, believing the clubhouse to be essential to youth development. “It just offers so many opportunities for young people, and it's exactly what we need in the Bronx to fight poverty, to fight inequity, and to make sure that young people have access to all the opportunities they deserve.”

Rodriguez emphasized a similar message, weighing in on the significance of the location.

“The children need a place, they need a safe haven. This community doesn’t offer too much of that, but Kips Bay does,” he said. “We're in the middle of several housing projects, so this is like Switzerland. This is a neutral place.

This is where they come and get to be children.”

For parents, the renovation is also significant, explained Quintero. “Parents look at this like, wow, not only are my children special, but they [feel] respected, and they feel like [their] family is special — that [they’re] special.”

Memberships are free for young people ages 6 to 18.

While the renovation was focused on their largest demographic of 6 to 9-year-olds, the amenities are also available to teenagers. “It's a simple equation: exposure plus opportunity equals endless possibilities, and that's what we want to provide these children with,” said Rodriguez.

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 37

NOTICE OF START OF CONSTRUCTION FOR HARLEM RIVER CABLE INSTALLATION FOR CHAMPLAIN HUDSON POWER EXPRESS Please take notice that, on or about June 1, 2025, CHPE, LLC and CHPE Properties, Inc. (collectively referred to as “CHPE” or “Certificate Holders”) intend to commence work on the Segment 20B, Harlem River Cable Installation, of the proposed Champlain Hudson Power Express (“CHPE”) Project, pursuant to the Environmental Management & Construction Plan (“EM&CP”) approved by the New York State Public Service Commission (“Commission”).

The Harlem River Cable Installation Segment EM&CP includes installation of approximately 6.2 miles of submarine cable in the Harlem River, beginning at an industrial parcel in the Port Morris neighborhood of the Bronx, and extending to the Hudson River, near the mouth of the Harlem River, several hundred feet west of the Spuyten-Duyvil Railroad Bridge.

On April 18, 2013, the NYS Public Service Commission (Commission) issued to CHPE a certificate of environmental compatibility and public need (Certificate), pursuant to Article VII of the Public Service Law (PSL), to construct and operate the CHPE Project. The Segment 20B, Harlem River Cable Installation EM&CP, was approved by the Commission on March 24, 2025. The Certificate requires that, prior to construction of any portion of the Project, CHPE disseminate construction notices to the public and obtain a Notice to Proceed with Construction from the New York State Department of Public Service staff.

Details of the planned work locations, including an overview map of the proposed route, are available on the Project website at: https://chpexpress .com/over viewof-public-documents/environmentalmanagement-construction-plan/.

Cable installation work will occur on a 24-hour, 7-day-per-week basis to facilitate timely and efficient installation of the Facility in the summer of 2025. Some other types of construction, such as the postinstallation/remedial work, will generally occur during daylight hours, though those activities may require extending into later hours as needed. Where nighttime work is needed, noise and visual impact mitigation measures will be employed as needed to reduce impacts to nearby sensitive receptors, such as residences.

K 0

1 Miles

Harlem Marine Segment

VT NH NY MA CT PA

RI

NJ

CHAMPLAIN HUDSON POWER EXPRESS

Harlem River Marine Segment Cable Installation EM&CP

Figure 1

Created: 1/13/2025

Data Sources: ESRI, NYGIS, TDI, TRC T:\1-PROJECTS\TDI\CHPEI\Harlem_Marine_Segment_Cable_Installation_8x11P.mxd

The full Commission docket for the Project (Case 10-T-0139) can be accessed via the Commission’s website at: h t t p : / / d o c u m e n t s . d p s . n y. g o v / p u b l i c / M a t t e r M a n a g e m e n t / C a s e M a s t e r. aspx?MatterCaseNo=10-T-0139 and electronic copies of EM&CP documents also will be available on the Project website at https://chpexpress .com/over view- of-pu blic- documents/environmenta lmanagement-construction-plan/ Paper copies of the EM&CP submissions are available for viewing at the following local document repository: Mott Haven Public Library, 321 East 140th Street, Bronx, NY 10454.

CHPE has established a toll-free number for questions regarding the Project: 1-800-991-CHPE (2473) Questions or requests for further information can be directed to publicoutreach@chpexpress.com

38 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Religion & Spirituality Fierce Love: Ubuntu and Just Love

I’m writing you from Nebraska –– where I was born –– on May Day, as we commemorate International Workers Day. Thinking about what my parents taught me about love, I spoke today on Ubuntu and Just Love. In my introduction, I said, “We are in a perilous time, one in which the answer to the question,‘Who are we to be?’ will have implications for generations to come. As we answer that question, we do so untethered from our innate spiritual resources and our best collective self. There is a perfect storm brewing that amplifies the power of divergent ideologies and leads to simplistic and often violent us-versus-them thinking. The best path out of the messiness in which we find ourselves is to embrace the inextricable bond between all of humanity and work for the common good.”

This web of mutuality is what the Zulu people call Ubuntu, a Xhosa word originating from a South African philosophy –– Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu, which means, a person is a person through other persons. I am who I am because we are who we are. This inextri-

cable connection is fierce love, a heart-transforming love that breaks through tribalism to help humans understand that the liberation, livelihood, and thriving of people and planet are tied up together.

This is the kind of love that has the power to transform our circumstances. It’s the kind of love about which Dr. King observed: “One of the greatest problems of history is that the concepts of love and power are usually contrasted as polar opposites. Love is identified with a resignation of power, and power with a denial of love.

What is needed is a realization that power without love is reckless and abusive and that love without power is sentimental and anemic.

Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.”

This just love is at the root of all the world’s major religions as a call to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Christianity urges us to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Islam teaches not to withhold from the neighbor what you need for yourself. Judaism encourages love of stranger because Jews were once strangers in a strange land. The Sikh tradition says do not do anything to break anyone’s heart.

Embedded in these teachings is our mutually beneficial web of connection, well-being, and love that starts with loving self. As Mungi Ngomane –– Bishop Tutu’s granddaughter writes, “Kindness is something we might try to show more of, but ubuntu goes much deeper. It recognizes the inner worth of every human being –– starting with yourself”.

Loving yourself is difficult when our national story is fraught with violence and oppression, which has wormed its way into all our stories, impacting our ability to love ourselves and each other. To create a more loving and just society, we’re going to have to dig deep

into our stories, sift through the good, the bad and the ugly, and build upon the moments when love won the day.

It takes courage to revisit our stories; there are cringeworthy moments, but also experiences that affirm the best of ourselves and our capacity for love of self and others. Accepting both, forgiving ourselves, building on the good –– this is our ubuntu journey toward just love.

At Robben Island, the South African jail where Nelson Mandela was, in a tiny cell for 18 of the 27 years he was imprisoned, he

filled story. If the environment in which we live is filled with violence, danger, unfulfilled needs, poverty, oppression, bias, fear, anger, racism, sexism, homophobia –– our spirituality and our health are impinged. Unable to fully love ourselves, we won’t love our neighbors. That’s why we must create a just society, in which justice corrects everything that stands against love.

We must create safer and braver environments in which love can grow, spaces of empathy, imagination, and play. We must live as though our choices –– where we

nizing our life stories toward love.

Remember what the Buddha said, “You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”

How do we love our neighbors more? We treat them as though they are kin. We treat them as though they are worthy of dignity and belonging. Why? Because we are worthy of such goodness, and so are they.

Rev Jaqui and her parents. (Courtesy photo)

discovered his inextricable connection to the humanity of his captors. Mandela wrote, “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion.

People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

Just love is not weak; it is the strongest force on the planet. Dr. James F. Loder defined love as a “non-possessive delight in the particularity of the other.” Love delights in the particularity of each individual, even in our own!

No human has an entirely love-

shop, where we live, what media we consume –– affect those around us, because they do. We must live our lives as though it matters that each of us has enough, and when we do, our shared environment will foster more love.

How do we learn to love ourselves more so we can love our neighbor more fully? Reflecting on our stories with a friend can help.

Make a date; go for a walk, make a Zoom/FaceTime connection.

Mourn the hurts, celebrate the resilience. I’m also a fan of therapy and counseling. Twelve-step programs, grief support groups, spiritual direction, and coaching are other helping sources for orga-

Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis is senior minister and public theologian at Middle Church in New York. Celebrated internationally for her dynamic preaching and commitment to justice, she champions racial equality, economic justice, and LGBTQIA+/gender rights. Featured on MSNBC, PBS, NBC, CBS, and NPR, she is the author of several books, including “Fierce Love” and the “Just Love Story Bible.”

Countless individuals and communities have been inspired by Lewis’ transformative work on her podcast, “Love Period,” in columns and articles; and on stages, in churches, on the street, and in digital spaces around the globe.

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 39

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

NY State budget Continued from page 2

said an LAS spokesperson. “The people we serve are entitled to see the full weight of the evidence pending against them, in a timely manner — a basic principle of fairness and due process, and the bare minimum necessary to ensure a zealous defense.

“Lastly, we are grateful that, despite a closed-door, backroom approach to policymaking in the budget process, the Legislature was able to fight back against the worst of the Governor’s proposals.”

Known as Kalief’s Law, for Kalief Browder, the current discovery laws went into effect in 2020. replacing the previous “blindfold” era when prosecutors could spring evidence and witness on a defendant shortly before trial. Overnight, New York went from one of the most regressive discovery sharing laws to one of the most progressive.

District attorneys’ offices now need to automatically share discovery in a timely fashion. Many local prosecutors have argued in favor of the amendments due to the stringent “speedy trial clock” to turn in evidence.

Criminal justice groups, like Center for Community Alternatives (CCA), also in-

NYC budget Continued from page 2

However, he did express support for Gov. Kathy Hochul’s changes to the discovery law (also referred to as Kalief Browder’s Law), for the involuntary removal of street homeless individuals with severe mental illness, and making a Class B misdemeanor for people wearing a mask while committing a crime.

“On the ground, people are tired of the recidivism in our system,” said Adams, referencing a recent police shooting in Brooklyn and a grandmother who was killed by a stray bullet in Harlem. “And so the discovery change is not to take away a person’s due process or right to get a fair trial, but it’s not to have these trials impacted because of the discovery rules. Albany has to fix the recidivism problem that they have.”

Adams promised that the involuntary removal process would not over-rely on medicating and releasing individuals hospitalized or taken in for treatment, which many in Black and Brown communities have expressed is a real concern. The budget indicates a $650 million plan to take on a more “comprehensive, well-rounded approach to mental health issues.”

Tying in to Adams’ now firm stance on ‘Not Closing Rikers’–– perhaps the most divisive position he could take going into a reelection campaign as an independent this November –– the Mayor said that “overwhelmingly” homeless Black and Brown men with severe mental illnesses are the ones occupying the streets and subways because of the lack of access to mental health

dicated support for strengthening earned time policies for incarcerated individuals.

“Our prison crisis didn’t start with the horrific, videotaped murder of Robert Brooks by a swarm of prison staff or the illegal walk-off by officers enraged at being held accountable,” said Thomas Gant, Community Organizer at CCA in a statement. “But those events laid bare the need for reforms to change the dangerous culture inside prisons. The data is clear that strengthening earned time programs will do just that, reducing violence in correctional facilities and orienting towards rehabilitation rather than perpetual punishment.”

Other areas of public safety in the state budget weren’t nearly as contentious. The Fair Access to Victim Compensation Campaign Steering Committee, for instance, commended Hochul “for including critical victim compensation reforms in the final budget.” The changes to the victim compensation law included raising the burial expense cap from $6,000 to $12,000, eliminating contributory conduct denials in homicide cases, and expanding compensation for crime scene cleanup and scam victims.

“The increase in the burial cap is especially meaningful for families navigating unimaginable loss. This is the first change to this benefit in decades and will provide

crucial relief for those struggling to lay their loved ones to rest with dignity,” said the coalition in a statement.

Other key items that made it into the budget: • A $1 billion tax cut for middle-class and low-income New Yorkers • Investing $47 million to make community college free for adult students pursuing associate degrees • An increase to the Child Tax Credit • Sending New York’s first-ever Inflation Refund checks, which will dedicate $2 billion to provide direct cash assistance to eligible New Yorkers with checks of up to $400 per family.

• Reducing the Payroll Mobility Tax for small businesses, and eliminating it for self-employed individuals earning $150,000 or less.

• Providing $340 million for free breakfast and lunch for every K-12 student.

• Expanding access to child care by investing $2.2 billion statewide, including a $350 million investment for child care subsidies for New York City families.

• Investing $77 million for police officers in New York City subways.

• Allocating $25 million for welcome

centers in city subways to connect homeless individuals with services and care.

• Investing $357 million in gun violence prevention programs.

• Banning private equity purchases within the first 90 days a home is on the market.

• Investing in Mayor Eric Adams’ “City of Yes” rezoning and prohousing plan.

• Investing $1 billion in climate and renewable energy projects.

• Investing $160 million in inpatient psychiatric beds in New York City.

• Funding the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA’s) proposed $68.4 billion 2025-2029 capital plan to build the Interborough Express, among other things.

As negotiations come to a close and final budget bills are voted on, a few more policy details may be changing that haven’t been thoroughly reviewed with the public, as reported by Politico.

At the top of that list is Hochul’s push to change the way lieutenant governors (LG) are elected since her not-so-secret falling out with LG Antonio Delgado and former LG Brian Benjamin, who resigned over campaign fraud charges but was later exonerated.

services at facilities, like Rikers Island. comes to people committing crimes, and face coverings for their crimes,” said Adams.

“We have criminalized mental health dis- the exclusion of a mask ban for medical pur- “You get that person on camera, it cuts the orders, and I say no to that,” said Adams. poses. “Too many people have been using investigation down.”

“We need to give people the services and support what they need.”

Adams said that the city’s Brooklyn detention center is going to likely be finished by 2026, and can include state-of-the art mental health facilities to help off-load Rikers. He also said that more psychiatric beds in hospitals will be made available, and clubhouses, which he invested $4 million into from the city budget, are crucial.

As of now, the city law, passed in 2019 under former Mayor Bill de Blasio, mandates that Rikers be closed by 2027 and replaced by borough-based jails. Adams has been slammed for “abandoning” the plan.

“As someone who has had loved ones detained at Rikers and has borne witness to the horrible conditions they’ve experienced while detained there, it is absolutely disgusting what Mayor Adams is doing,” said Ziyadah Amatulmatin, member of the Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice, in a statement.

“Throughout his term as Mayor, he has failed to address the crisis at Rikers, and under his watch nearly 40 people died in city jails. As this crisis continues to grow, he is now outright abandoning the city’s plan to close Rikers. He is laughing in our faces and completely disregarding the lives of the thousands of people currently detained at Rikers who are trying to survive it every single day. We’ve been sounding the alarms since day one that this Mayor is not committed to shutting down Rikers,” continued Amatulmatin.

Additionally, Adams said that he supports © 2024 Consumer Cellular Inc. Terms and Conditions subject to change. the state’s mask ban classification when it

NO HIDDEN FEES. NO HIDDEN ANYTHING. FREEDOM CALLS. Plans start at just $20/month.

888-609-1578

40 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

CLASSIFIED ADS 100 PUBLIC NOTICES RULES AND REGULATIONS CANCELLATIONS must be made in writing by 12 Noon Monday.

The forwarding of an order is construed as an acceptance of all advertising rules and conditions under which advertising space is sold by the NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS. Publication is made and charged according to the terms of this card.

Rates and regulations subject to change without notice. No agreements as to position or regulations, other than those printed on this.

Til forbid orders charged for rate earned. Increases or decreases in space take the rate of a new advertisement.

The New York AMSTERDAM NEWS reserves the right to censor, reject, alter or revise all advertisements in accordance with its rules governin g the acceptance of advertising and accepts no liability for its failure to insert an advertisement for any cause. Credit for errors in advertisements allowed only for first insertion.

CLASSIFIED • Classified advertisements take the regular earned rate of their classification. Four line minimum on all ads except spirituals and horoscopes (14 lines).

CLASSIFIED DISPLAY • Classified Display (boarder or picture) advertisements take the regular earned rate of their classification. Display (boarder or picture) advertisements one column wide must be 14 lines deep; two columns, 28 lines deep; 3 columns, 56 lines deep. Classified Display (boarder or picture) placed as close to classifications as rules and makeup permit.

CLASSIFICATIONS All advertisement accepted for publication is classified according to the standard classifications.

Misclassification is not permitted.

BASIS OF CHARGE Charges are based on point size and characters per line.

Upon reaching 15 lines the rate converts to column inch. Any deviation from solid composition such as indentation, use of white space, bold type, etc., will incur a premium.

In Case of error, notify the Amsterdam News 212-932-7440

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK. HNY CLUB SUITES OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC., BY AND THROUGH ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Plaintiff -againstSONYE MARIA ALLANAH, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated August 27, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on May 21, 2025 at 2:15 p.m. premises being an undivided ownership interest as tenant-in-common with other owners in the Timeshare Unit in the building located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY; known as The NYH Condominium. Together with an appurtenant undivided 0.0381% in common interest percentage. This a foreclosure on ownership 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 27, 2003 and November 3, 2003 as CFRN # 2003000442512 as recorded in the Office of the City Register, County, City and State of New York. The Timeshare Unit is also designated as Block 1006 and Lot 1302. *referee does NOT accept cash; only bank or certified checks payable to Bruce N. Lederman as referee*.

Said premises known as 1335 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, NEW YORK, NY 10019 Approximate amount of lien $23,048.53 plus interest & costs.

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

Index Number 850191/2023.

BRUCE N. LEDERMAN, ESQ., Referee DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590 DLG# 39352 {* AMSTERDAM*}

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK. 57TH ST. VACATION OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., BY AND THROUGH ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Plaintiff -against- YEANNETTE SALAZAR, ARTHUR M. SALAZAR, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated September 24, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on June 11, 2025 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, being an undivided ownership interest as tenantin-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 .009864% common interest percentage. This is a foreclosure on ownership 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 recorded 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 $19,946.34 plus interest & costs.

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

Index Number 850280/2023.

TOM KLEINBERGER, ESQ., Referee DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590 DLG# 39159 {* AMSTERDAM*}

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK. 57TH ST. VACATION OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., BY AND THROUGH ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Plaintiff -againstJOAN BAFALOUKAS, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated on August 27, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on May 28, 2025 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, being an undivided ownership interest as tenant-incommon with other owners in the Timeshare Unit in the building located at 102 West 57th Street, New York, NY. Together with an appurtenant undivided .009864% common interest percentage. This a foreclosure on ownership 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 recorded 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 $16,962.73 plus interest & costs.

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

Index Number 850161/2023.

DORON LEIBY, ESQ., Referee DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590 DLG# 39125 {* AMSTERDAM*} Notice of Qualification of RCPRE I 729 7TH AVE LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/28/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 03/12/25. Princ. office of LLC: 590 Madison Ave., NY, NY 10022. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 3, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

SUMMONS AND NOTICE Supreme Court of New York, New York County, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company v. Yvonne M. Murphy and Beacon Eldercare, Inc., Index No.: 650816/2025. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Honorable Robert R. Reed, J.S.C., dated April 30, 2025 and duly entered on April 30, 2025 in the office of the Clerk of the County of New York, State of New York.

TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to serve upon the Plaintiff's attorneys an answer to the Complaint within 20 days after the service thereof, exclusive of the day of service, or within 30 days after service is complete if service is made by any method other than personal delivery to you within the State of New York. In case of your failure to answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

NOTICE OF THE ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT: The nature of this action is breach of contract. The relief sought is money damages and specific performance. Upon your failure to appear, judgment will be taken against you by default in the sum of $4,638,183, with interest, plus the costs and disbursements of this action.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

Notice of Formation of 160 EAST 84TH STREET ASSOCIATES LLC Cert. of Conversion filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/23/06, converting 160 EAST 84TH STREET ASSOCIATES to 160 EAST 84TH STREET ASSOCIATES LLC. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: The Feil Organization, Inc., 7 Penn Plaza, Ste. 618, NY, NY 10001. 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. The regd. agent of the company upon whom and at which process against the company can be served is The Feil Organization, Inc., 7 Penn Plaza, Ste. 618, NY, NY 10001.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY OF FOREIGN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY The Malin Chelsea LLC App. for Authority filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/10/2025. LLC formed in DE on 04/09/2025. Office location: New York County. SSNY desig. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 32 Mercer Street, 3 rd Floor, New York, New York 10013. The address of the office required to be maintained in the jurisdiction of its organization by the laws of that jurisdiction is 300 Creek View Road, Suite 209, Newark, Delaware 19711.

Cert. of Form. on file: DE SOS, Div. of Corporations, P.O. Box 898, Dover, DE 19903. Purpose: any lawful business.

Votes Of Confidence LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 4/7/2025. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 228 PARK AVE S #348233, NY, 10003. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Notice of Qualification of SIDEROFSKY LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/21/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 05/11/22.

Princ. office of LLC: 45 E. 82nd St. - Apt. 3W, NY, NY 10028.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. DE addr. of LLC: 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.

RAJAB COLLECTION LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/13/2025. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 172 W 127th Street, 705, New York, NY 10027. Purpose: Any lawful act.

MAKEUP BY T LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/14/2025. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 105 W 13 Street Apt 4E, New York, NY 10011. Purpose: Any lawful act.

101 LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT – COUNTY OF NEW YORK OCEANSIDE NYUC LLC, Plaintiff -against- MAJESTIC HOLDINGS (USA) LLC, et. al.

Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated January 31, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction in Room 130 at the New York County Courthouse, located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY, on May 21, 2025 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 as: UNIT: 825, Cipriani Club Residences at 55 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005 Block: 27 | Lot: 1085 Approximate amount of lien: $1,126,233 plus interest and costs.

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

Index Number: 850251/2021 MARK MCKEW, ESQ., Referee

Blood Dynamics, LLC. LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/20/2025. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 450 Riverside Drive, Apt 94, New York, NY 10027. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Craig Stuart Lanza, PLLC

MYSTIC POINTE 2805 LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/10/25. 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, Attn: Gennady Perepada, 345 East 46th Street, New York, NY 10017. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

600 WEST 52ND STREET LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/06/14. Latest date to dissolve: 05/05/2114. 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, 372 W. 36th Street, New York, NY 10036. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 44 Court Street, Suite 1207 Brooklyn, New York 11201 Phone: (347) 556-9795 Email: cslanza@gmail.com

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 41

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

101 LEGAL NOTICES STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NEW YORK NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR TRUMAN 2021 SC9 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, v.

ELI SHADIA, ET AL, Defendants.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of New York County on December 18, 2024, I, Paul R. Sklar, Esq., the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on May 21, 2025 at Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007, at 02:15 PM the premises described as follows: 150 West 51st Street, Unit 15-9 New York, NY 10019 SBL No. 1003-1244 ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York.

The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 850363/2023 in the amount of $379,247.03 plus interest and costs. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the Court System's COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale.

Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 Tel.: 855-227-5072 Notice of Qualification of SIXTAV VENTURES, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/14/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 03/14/25. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 20 Sullivan St., NY, NY 10012. DE addr. of LLC: c/o Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

IL BAMBINA VINTAGE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 2/27/2025. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 251 E. 2nd St., APT. PHA, New York, NY 10009. Purpose: Any lawful act.

MK WILKINS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/23/2025. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 482 E. 74th Street , 3D, New York, NY 10021. Purpose: Any lawful act.

101 LEGAL NOTICES

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BOARD MANAGERS COUNTYOF OF NEW YORK OF TOWERS ON THE PARK CONDOMINIUM, Plaintiff, BOARD OF MANAGERS OF against — TOWERS— ON THE PARK CONDOMINIUM, ROGER WILLIAMS, Plaintiff, — against — Defendants.

ROGER WILLIAMS, Defendants.

Index No. 152565/2023 PUBLICATION OF SALE Index No. 152565/2023 PUBLICATION OF SALE Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered December 18, 2024, as amended on January 2025. I, the Pursuant to a10,Judgment of undersigned sell at Foreclosure Referee, and Salewill entered public auction at theas New York December 18, 2024, amendCounty Courthouse RoomI,130, ed on January 10, 2025. the 60 Centre Street.

York, undersigned Referee,New will sell at New on theat4th of June publicYork auction theday New York 2025 at Courthouse 2:15 p.m. the premises County Room 130, known as Unit 12E of the York, Tow60 Centre Street.

New ers theonPark Condominium, Newon York the 4th day of June 301 Parkway, New 2025 Cathedral at 2:15 p.m. the premises York, (Block: 1846, Lot: known NY as Unit 12E of the Tow1191) amount of ers on Approximate the Park Condominium, lien $ 131,156.53 plus any ad301 Cathedral Parkway, New ditionalNY common asYork, (Block:charges, 1846, Lot: sessments, late fees,amount legal fees, 1191) Approximate of and interest that may accrue up lien $ 131,156.53 plus any adto the date of sale. ditional common charges, asPremises will befees, sold legal subject to sessments, late fees, provisions filedmay judgment and interestofthat accrueand up terms of sale to the date of and sale.subject to the prior mortgage record.

Premises will be lien sold of subject to Ronald Zezima, Referee. provisions of filedEsq., judgment and Edi Ebiefung, Kellner terms of sale and subjectHerlihy to the Getty mortgage & Friedman, Attorprior lien LLP of record. ney(s) for the Plaintiff, Park Ronald Zezima, Esq., 470 Referee.

Avenue South, Kellner 7th Floor, New Edi Ebiefung, Herlihy York, New York 10016LLP AttorGetty & Friedman, ney(s) for the Plaintiff, 470 Park Notice Qualification of New X11 Avenue ofSouth, 7th Floor, FIRST AVE LLC10016 Appl. for Auth.

York, New York filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/25/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/07/24.

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 DE Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

SMITTY SMARTYPANTS DAYCARE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/28/2024.

Office location: NY County.

SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 2186 5th Ave #5A, New York, NY 10037 . Purpose: Any lawful act.

PAMELA SOLE JEWELRY LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 1/09/2025. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 112 East 74th St. Apt 6N, New York, NY 10021. Purpose: Any lawful act.

TCC FARMS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/14/2025. Office location: ORLEANS County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 3710 TUTHILL ROAD, NEW YORK, 14411. Purpose: Any lawful act.

101 LEGAL NOTICESSUMMONS101 LEGAL NOTICES

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA SUMMONS COUNTY OF CLARENDON STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA Probate Court COUNTY CLARENDON IN THEOF MATTER OF Probate Court THE ESTATE OF INERNEST THE MATTER OF DINGLE THE ESTATE OF ERNEST DINGLE Jeri Dingle Johnson, Petitioner, v. Any unknown heirs of Ernest Dingle, and all persons unknown who are or might claim to be heirs at law of Jeri Dingle Johnson, Petitioner, Any unknown heirs of persons Ernest Dingle, Ernest Dingle, including but not v. limited to, any unknown in the and all forces persons unknown areoforAmerica, might claim be heirs law of armed of the Unitedwho States any to minors and at any perErnestunder Dingle, including of butany notkind limited to, any unknown persons inheirs the sons a disability or nature, all such unknown armed of the United of America, minors andand anyMary perand all forces such persons beingStates designated hereinany as John Doe sons under a disability anyRESPONDENTS kind or nature, all such unknown Doe, Respondents.

TO of THE LISTED ABOVE: heirs YOU and all such persons being designated herein as John andinMary ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to Answer theDoe Petition this Doe, Respondents.

TO THE RESPONDENTS LISTED ABOVE: YOU action, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, and to serve a ARE HEREBY SUMMONED required to Answer theatPetition in this copy of your Answer upon theand Petitioner(s) listed above the following action, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, and to serve a address(es): copy of your Answer upon Johnson the Petitioner(s) listed Jeri Dingle c/o Emily M.above Reichat the following address(es): 700 Huger Street, Suite 102 Columbia, SC 29201 Jeri Dingle Johnson Emily M.atReich Your Answer must be served on thec/o Petitioner the above address 700(30) Huger Street, 102 Columbia, SC 29201 within thirty days after Suite the service of this Summons and Petition Your Answer must be served onsuch the Petitioner at ifthe upon you, exclusive of the day of service; and youabove fail toaddress Answer within thirty within (30) days of thiswill Summons Petition the Petition that after time, the the service Petitioner(s) ask the and Court for a upon you,by exclusive of the ofdemand such service; if you fail to Answer judgment default for theday relief in theand Petition. the Petition within that time, the Petitioner(s) will ask the Court for a judgment by default for the relief demand in the Petition.

SUMMONS STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA SUMMONS COUNTY OF CLARENDON STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA Probate Court COUNTY CLARENDON IN THEOF MATTER OF Probate Court THE ESTATE OF IN THE MATTER OF VELMA H. DINGLE THE ESTATE OF VELMA DINGLE Jeri Dingle Johnson, Petitioner, v. H. Any unknown heirs of Velma H. Dingle, and all persons unknown who are or might claim to be heirs at law JeriVelma Dingle Petitioner, Anylimited unknown heirsunknown of Velmapersons H. Dinof H.Johnson, Dingle, including butv. not to, any gle,the and all persons who are or might claim toany be heirs at and law in armed forces unknown of the United States of America, minors of Velma H. Dingle, not kind limited any unknown persons any persons under aincluding disabilitybut of any or to, nature, all such unknown in theand armed forcespersons of the United States of America, minors heirs all such being designated herein asany John Doe and any persons under a disability of any kind or nature, all such unknown Mary Doe, Respondents.

TO THE RESPONDENTS LISTED ABOVE: heirs ARE and all such persons being and designated as John Doe and YOU HEREBY SUMMONED requiredherein to Answer the Petition in Maryaction, Doe, aRespondents.

THE RESPONDENTS LISTED this copy of whichTO is herewith served upon you, and toABOVE: serve a YOU ARE HEREBY and required toabove Answer in copy of your AnswerSUMMONED upon the Petitioner(s) listed atthe thePetition following this action, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, and to serve a address(es): copy of your Answer upon Johnson the Petitioner(s) listed Jeri Dingle c/o Emily M.above Reichat the following address(es): 700 Huger Street, Suite 102 Columbia, SC 29201 Jeri Dingle Johnson Emily M.atReich Your Answer must be served on thec/o Petitioner the above address 700(30) Huger Street, 102 Columbia, SC 29201 within thirty days after Suite the service of this Summons and Petition Your Answer must be served onsuch the Petitioner at ifthe upon you, exclusive of the day of service; and youabove fail toaddress Answer within thirty within (30) days of thiswill Summons Petition the Petition that after time, the the service Petitioner(s) ask the and Court for a upon you,by exclusive of the ofdemand such service; if you fail to Answer judgment default for theday relief in theand Petition. the Petition within that time, the Petitioner(s) will ask the Court for a judgment by default for the relief demand in the Petition.

Notice of Qualification of HERNOTICE OF SALE SUPREME METIC HOLDINGS LLC Appl.

COURT COUNTY OF NEW for Auth. filed with Secy. of State YORK WELLS FARGO BANK, of NY (SSNY) on 04/22/25. OfN.A. SUCCESSOR BY MERGfice location: NY County. LLC ER TO WELLS FARGO HOME formed in Delaware (DE) on MORTGAGE, INC., Plain04/15/25. SSNY designated as tiff AGAINST DOUGLAS E. agent of LLC upon whom proSEWER, INDIVIDUALLY AND cess against it may be served.

SURVIVING JOINT TENANT SSNY shall mail process to c/o OF JOSEPH K. SEWER, ET Corporation Service Co., 80 AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant State St., Albany, NY 12207to a Judgment of Foreclosure 2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 and Sale duly entered January Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 14, 2025, I, the undersigned 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Referee will sell at public aucSecy. of the State of DE, John tion at the New York County G. Townsend Bldg., 401 FederCourthouse in Room 130, loal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. cated at 60 Centre Street, New Purpose: Any lawful activity.

York, NY on May 21, 2025 at 2:15PM, premises known as 81 West 119 Street, New York, NY This is to announce that the 10026. All that certain plot piece next meeting of the Harlem or parcel of land, with the buildChildren's Zone Promise Acadings and improvements erected, emy II Charter School Board of situate, lying and being in the Trustees will occur in person on City, County and State of New Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 4:30 York, Block 1718 Lot 108. ApPM. The meeting will be held at proximate amount of judgment 245 West 129th St., NY, NY. $1,333,945.21 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold NUSYSTEM SERVICES LLC, subject to provisions of filed filed Articles of Organization Judgment Index #850001/2010. filed with the Secretary of Christy M. Demelfi, Esq., RefState of New York (SSNY) on eree Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 04/02/2025.

Location: New Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY York County SSNY designated 14221 00-161915 84298 as agent for service of process on LLC. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: 121A, Nassau Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11222 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

DOMINIQUE ANNAMARIE CONSULTING & STRATEGY MONTEVIDEO LLC Arts. of LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the Org. filed with the SSNY on SSNY on 10/18/2024. Office 3/27/2025. Office location: location: NY County. SSNY has NY County. SSNY has been been designated as an agent designated as an agent upon upon whom process against it whom process against it may may be served & shall mail to: be served & shall mail to: 418 228 Park Ave S #272012, New Broadway, STE R, Albany, NY York, NY 10003. Purpose: Any 12207. Purpose: Any lawful act. lawful act.

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

Notice of Qualification of SBOS FUND I GP LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/19/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 02/13/25.

Princ. office of LLC: 590 Madison Ave., 23rd Fl., NY, NY 10022. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez, 401 Federal St., #4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Investment management is purpose of entity.

Notice of Qualification of VELOCITY ELEVATE LP Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/23/25. Office location: NY County. LP formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/23/24.

Princ. office of LP: 1 Penn Plaza, Ste. 4420, NY, NY 10119.

NYS fictitious name: VELOCITY ELEVATE L.P. Duration of LP is Perpetual. SSNY designated as agent of LP upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to the LP at the princ. office of the LP. Name and addr. of each general partner are available from SSNY. DE addr. of LP: c/o Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of LP filed with Secy. of State of DE, Dept. of State, Div. of Corps., John Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of RCK9 LLC . LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 3/27/ 2025 . Office location: New York County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 196 Spring St, Apt 2, New York, NY 10012. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

SUTTON TOWER LIN HOLDING LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 4/3/2025. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 430 East 58th Street, Unit 41B, New York, NY 10022. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Tristate Healing Strategies LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 1/28/25. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 380 Malcolm X Blvd. #J7, New York, NY 10027. Purpose: Any lawful act.

SMZ International Group LLC LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/27/2025. Office location: New York County.

SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 2804 Gateway Oaks Dr # 100 , Sacramento, CA 95833. Purpose: Any lawful act.

42 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025

101 LEGAL NOTICES

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

INDEX NO.: 850417/2024 Date Filed: 03/10/2025 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS WITH NOTICE MORTGAGED PREMISES: 635 West 42nd Street, New York, New York 10036 BL #: 1090-1226 Plaintiff designates NEW YORK County as the place of trial; venue is based upon the county in which the mortgaged premises is situate.

STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NEW YORK JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Plaintiff, vs.

Yiping Zhou, and all the heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid defendants, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid classes of person, if they or any of them be dead, and their respective husbands, wives or widows, if any, and all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to plaintiff, except as herein stated; Huizhen Xia Zhou, and all the heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid defendants, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid classes of person, if they or any of them be dead, and their respective husbands, wives or widows, if any, and all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to plaintiff, except as herein stated; New York State Department of Taxation and Finance ; United States of America o/b/o Internal Revenue Service; Waterside Propco LLC; The Board of Managers of the Atelier Condominium; New York City Environmental Control Board; New York City Parking Violations Bureau; John Doe #1 through #6, and Jane Doe #1 through #6, the last twelve names being fictitious, it being the intention of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants, tenants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises being foreclosed herein.

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 attorneys for the Plaintiff within 20 days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York).

In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Amended Complaint.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE MORTGAGE COMPANY WHO FILED THIS FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT, A DEFAULT JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AND YOU CAN LOSE YOUR HOME. SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY OR GO TO THE COURT WHERE YOUR CASE IS PENDING FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON HOW TO ANSWER THE SUMMONS AND PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY. SENDING PAYMENT TO YOUR MORTGAGE COMPANY WILL NOT STOP THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure $129,195.00 and interest, recorded in the Office of the City Register of the City of New York on July 10, 2007, and as CRFN: 2007000350170, covering premises known as 635 West 42nd Street, New York, New York 10036, BL #: 1090-1226 The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. The Plaintiff also seeks a deficiency judgment against the Defendants and for any debt secured by said Mortgage which is not satisfied by the proceeds of the sale of said premises.

TO the Defendants, Yiping Zhou, and all the heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid defendants, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid classes of person, if they or any of them be dead, and their respective husbands, wives or widows, if any, and all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to plaintiff, except as herein stated; Huizhen Xia Zhou, and all the heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid defendants, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid classes of person, if they or any of them be dead, and their respective husbands, wives or widows, if any, and all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to plaintiff, except as herein stated the foregoing Supplemental Summons with Notice is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Francis A. Kahn, III, J.S.C. of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, dated and filed February 19, 2025.

Dated: March 29, 2025 /s/ Deborah M. Gallo Deborah M. Gallo, Esq. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLP 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, New York 10170 Phone: 347.286.7409 Fax: 347-286-7414 Attorneys for Plaintiff, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE SEND YOU THIS NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME. PLEASE READ THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT CAREFULLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE. The State encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure.

In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid office, there are government agencies and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process.

To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Banking Department of Financial Services at 1-800-342-3736 or visit the Department's website at www.dfs. ny.gov.

FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Be careful of people who approach you with offers to "save" your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner's distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services.

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Index NO. 850284/2024 Date Filed: 4/22/2025 Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, not in its individual capacity but solely as Owner Trustee of CSMC 2022-JRI Trust, Plaintiff, -againstYoung Sook Lee a/k/a Young S. Lee, if she be living or if she be dead, her spouses, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to Plaintiff; The Board of Managers of Chartwell House Condominium Homeowners Association; City of New York Environmental Control Board; City of New York Parking Violations Bureau; City of New York Transit Adjudication Bureau, and "JOHN DOE" said name being fictitious, it being the intention of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants of premises being foreclosed herein, and any parties, corporations or entities, if any, having or claiming an interest or lien upon the mortgaged premises, Defendants.

PROPERTY ADDRESS: 1760 2 nd Avenue, Unit 19B, New York, NY 10128 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 a notice of appearance on the attorneys for the Plaintiff within thirty (30) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint.

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Francis A. Kahn, III, a Justice of the Supreme Court, New York County, entered Apr. 18, 2025 and filed with the complaint and other papers in the New York County Clerk’s Office.

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure $220,000.00 and interest, recorded in the New York County Office of the City Register on March 10, 2004, in CRFN 2004000145956 covering premises known as 1760 2nd Avenue, Unit 19B, New York, NY 10128 a/k/a Block 1554, Lot 1087.

The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.

Plaintiff designates New York County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is situated.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT

BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE MORTGAGE COMPANY WHO FILED THIS FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT, A DEFAULT JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AND YOU CAN LOSE YOUR HOME. SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY OR GO TO THE COURT WHERE YOUR CASE IS PENDING FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON HOW TO ANSWER THE SUMMONS AND PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY. SENDING A PAYMENT TO YOUR MORTGAGE COMPANY WILL NOT STOP THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: March 11, 2025 Steven M. Palmer, Esq. Foreclosure Attorney LOGS LEGAL GROUP LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (585) 247-9000 Fax: (585) 247-7380 Our File No. 24-096679 #102286

DEEPAK CHOPRA, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/25/25.

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, 41 East 11th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10003. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of BLACKSMITH LANE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/04/25. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Jonathan Barzilay, 670 West End Ave. (8A), NY, NY 10025. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

101 LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT BRONX COUNTY JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff against NINA VAZQUEZ, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Fein Such & Crane, LLP, 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800, Rochester, NY 14614.

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered September 27, 2019, 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 June 9, 2025 at 2:15 PM. Premises known as 3609 Holland Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467-0467. Block 4661 Lot 21. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Bronx, City and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $599,659.45 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 380570/2008E. 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.

Jose C. Polanco, Referee File # XCAJN007

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST ALADRYN COPELIN, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered January 10, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse in Room 130, located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on May 28, 2025 at 2:15PM, premises known as 845 United Nations Plaza, Apt. 21F, New York, NY 10017. 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, County and State of New York, Block 1340 Lot 1118. Approximate amount of judgment $698,490.81 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850152/2022.

Allison M. Furman, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 22-000029 84398

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 43

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

STATE OF NEW YORK

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK

SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NEW YORK

POPULAR BANK FKA BANCO POPULAR NORTH AMERICA,

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Plaintiff, v.

LAWRENCE LEE, ET AL, Defendants.

NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of New York County on January 22, 2025, I, Elaine Shay, Esq., the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on June 4, 2025 at Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007, at 02:15 PM the premises described as follows: 100 West Street 58th 3A aka 100 West Street 58th #3A New York, NY 10019 SBL No.: Block: 1010 Lot: 1412 ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York.

The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 850431/2023 in the amount of $209,178.35 plus interest and costs. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the Court System's COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale.

Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 Tel.: 855-227-5072 NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York , Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, Not in its Individual Capacity but Solely as Trustee of MFA 2021-INV2 Trust , Plaintiff, vs . 414 East 115 LLC , ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on January 14, 2025 , I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at Room 130 of the New York County Courtroom, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on June 11, 2025 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 414 East 115th Street, New York, NY 10029. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York, Block 1708 and Lot 142. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,800,390.76 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850427/2023.

Tom R. Kleinberger, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff Firm File No.: 224262-2

-againstPATRICK REGAN A/K/A PATRICK B. REGAN, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of New York on January 21, 2025, wherein POPULAR BANK FKA BANCO POPULAR NORTH AMERICA is the Plaintiff and PATRICK REGAN A/K/A PATRICK B. REGAN, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the NEW YORK COUNTY CIVIL SUPREME COURTHOUSE, ROOM 130, 60 CENTRE STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10007, on June 4, 2025 at 2:15PM, premises known as 4260 BROADWAY, UNIT 306, NEW YORK, NY 10033; and the following tax map identification: 2164-1036.

THE CONDOMINIUM UNIT (THE "UNIT") KNOWN AS UNIT 306 IN THE BUILDING (THE "BUILDING") KNOWN AS "THE 4260 BROADWAY CONDOMINIUM" LOCATED AND KNOWN AS BY THE STREET NUMBER 4260 BROADWAY IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, COUNTY, CITY AND STATE OF NEW YORK, DESIGNATED AND DESCRIBED AS UNIT NO. 306 IN THE DECLARATION ESTABLISHING A PLAN FOR CONDOMINIUM OWNERSHIP OF SAID BUILDING AND THE LAND UPON WHICH IT IS SITUATE UNDER ARTICLE 9-B OF THE REAL PROPERTY LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (THE "NEW YORK CONDOMINIUM ACT"), TOGETHER WITH AND SUBJECT TO AN UNDIVIDED 0.8527% INTEREST IN THE COMMON ELEMENTS; THE PREMISES WITHIN WHICH THE UNIT IS LOCATED ARE MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, CITY, COUNTY AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 850663/2023. Elaine Shay, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. Notice of Qualification of ASSURED HEALTH GROUP LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/14/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Florida (FL) on 01/23/20. Princ. office of LLC: 18100 Von Karman Ave., 10th Fl., Irvine, CA 92612.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Cert. of Form. filed with FL Secy. of State, The Centre of Tallahassee, 2415 N. Monroe St., Ste. 810, Tallahassee, FL 32303.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of ELATEC GmbH Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/21/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Germany on 09/30/88. NYS fictitious name: ELATEC GmbH LLC. 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. Germany addr. of LLC: Zeppelinstr., 1 82178 Puchheim, Germany. Cert. of Form. filed with Deutscher and Industrie Und Handelstag, Breite Str. 29, 10178, Berlin, Germany.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

368 WEST 46 STREET, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/04/03. Latest date to dissolve: 12/31/2053. 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, 372 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK. L& L CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC, As Assignee of Preferred Bank, Plaintiff -against- 194 ORCHARD GROUP, LLC, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated January 16, 2025 and entered on January 22, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on May 21, 2025 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 southerly side of 80th Street, distant 200 feet westerly from the southwesterly corner of 3rd Avenue and 80th Street; being a plot 102 feet 2 inches by 25 feet by 102 feet 2 inches by 25 feet. Block: 1508 Lot: 45 Said premises known as 168 EAST 80TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY Approximate amount of lien $11,455,752.04 plus interest & costs.

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

Index Number 850124/2022.

MARK L. MCKEW, ESQ., Referee Rice & Bush LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 711 Third Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10017 {* AMSTERDAM*} This is to announce that the next meeting of the Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy I Charter School Board of Trustees will occur in person on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 4:30 PM. The meeting will be held at 245 West 129th St., NY, NY.

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR GSAA HOME EQUITY TRUST 2004-10 ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-10, -againstJACQUELINE MORROW A/K/A JACQUELINE CREIGHTNEY, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE AND EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF TYRONE MORROW, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of New York on February 6, 2025, wherein DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR GSAA HOME EQUITY TRUST 200410 ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-10 is the Plaintiff and JACQUELINE MORROW A/K/A JACQUELINE CREIGHTNEY, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE AND EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF TYRONE MORROW, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the NEW YORK COUNTY CIVIL SUPREME COURTHOUSE, ROOM 130, 60 CENTRE STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10007, on June 11, 2025 at 2:15PM, premises known as 301/311 CATHEDRAL PKWY, APT/UNIT 2 A/K/A 2 FREDERICK DOUGLASS CIR A/K/A 7 FREDERICK DOUGLASS CIR A/K/A 300/318 W 111 ST A/K/A 2031/2039 FREDERICK DOUGLASS BLVD A/K/A 301/311 W 110 ST, APT/UNIT 2V, NEW YORK, NY 10026; and the following tax map identification: 1846-1038.

THE CONDOMINIUM UNIT (THE "HOME”) KNOWN AS HOME NO. 2V IN ONE OF THE BUILDINGS COMPRISING TOWERS ON THE PARK CONDOMINIUM AND BY THE STREET ADDRESS OF 301 CATHEDRAL PARKWAY, BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, CITY, COUNTY AND STATE OF NEW YORK, SAID HOME BEING DESIGNATED AND DESCRIBED AS HOME NO. 2V IN A CERTAIN DECLARATION DATED MARCH 2, 1988, MADE BY FREDERICK DOUGLAS ASSOCIATES UNDER ARTICLE 9-B OF THE NEW YORK REAL PROPERTY LAW, TOGETHER WITH A .1349 PERCENT UNDIVIDED INTEREST IN THE COMMON ELEMENTS OF THE CONDOMINIUM HEREINAFTER DESCRIBED IN SAID DECLARATION. THE LAND UPON WHICH THE BUILDING CONTAINING THE UNIT IS ERECTED IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: PARCEL 1: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, COUNTY, CITY AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 850190/2019. Thomas R. Kleinberger, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. Notice of Qualification of FORTHILL AX HOLDCO, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/31/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 02/21/25. 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, Div. of Corps., John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St. - Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of GreshamQuant Trend Intermediary Fund, L.L.C Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/16/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 04/10/25. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to c/o Gresham Investment Management LLC, 19 Union Sq. West, 11th Fl., NY, NY 10003. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State of DE, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK. ST. REGIS RESIDENCE CLUB, NEW YORK INC., Plaintiff -against- 2423-0476 QUEBEC INC., et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated January 17, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on May 28, 2025 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 as Club Unit 0821 in the building known as "The Fifth and Fifty Fifth Condominium" together with an undivided 4/52 interest in the Club Unit's undivided 0.3507% interest in the common elements. Block: 1290 Lot: 1208 Said premises known as 2 EAST 55TH STREET, UNIT 821, NEW YORK, NY 10022 Approximate amount of lien $178,991.56 plus interest & costs.

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

Index Number 850438/2023.

RONALD ZEZIMA, ESQ., Referee STARR ASSOCIATES LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 220 East 42 Street, Suite 3302, New York, NY 10017

101 LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK, WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF J.P. MORGAN CHASE COMMERICAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES CORP., MULTIFAMILY MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2018-SB54, Plaintiff, vs. 174 W 137 LLC, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on January 30, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse, room 130, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on June 11, 2025 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 174 West 137th Street, New York, NY 10030. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York, Block 1921 and Lot 55. Approximate amount of judgment is $8,116,397.95 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850498/2023.

Clark Whitsett, Esq., Referee McCarter & English, LLP, 250 W 55th Street, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10019, Attorneys for Plaintiff Notice of Qualification of STANDARD POWER NOVA LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/25/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 02/13/25. Princ. office of LLC: 551 Madison Ave., Fl. 4, Ste. 450, NY, NY 10022. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

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

Notice of Qualification of THE GRESHAM GOLD FUND, L.L.C. Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/16/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 04/10/25. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Gresham Investment Management LLC, 19 Union Sq. West, 11th Fl., NY, NY 10003. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State of DE, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

LYYNC MEDIA LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/28/25.

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 Liu, Yiyi, 4357 Union Street, Unit 5C, Flushing, NY 11355. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

44 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

101 LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF SALE

Notice of Formation of WONSEOK JANG DENTISTRY PLLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/18/25. 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, 28 Bailey Rd., Millburn, NJ 07041. Purpose: Dentistry.

EL REY VENTURES LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/17/2024. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 136 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016. Purpose: Any lawful act.

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK, WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF J.P. MORGAN CHASE COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE SECURITIES CORP., MULTIFAMILY MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2018-SB54, Plaintiff, vs. 507 W 139 LLC, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on January 31, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on June 4, 2025 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 507 West 139th Street, New York, NY 10031. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York, Block 2071 and Lot 25. Approximate amount of judgment is $7,355,449.75 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850501/2023.

Elaine Shay, Esq., Referee McCarter & English, LLP, 250 W 55th Street, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10019, Attorneys for Plaintiff PARK AVE ELECTRICAL LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/02/25. 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, 2 Park Avenue, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10016. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

ACLM GROUP LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/13/2025. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 99 Wall Street, Ste 1020, New York, NY 10005. Purpose: Any lawful act.

101 LEGAL NOTICES

labeling them “unfit” because they’re in crisis or low-income.

We need mayoral candidates who aren’t afraid to speak up about this, and more importantly, who are willing to act.

To be clear: this is both a racial and gender justice issue. Candidates often talk about “public safety” and “the future of our children,” but none of that means anything if, while in office, they continue to enable a system that removes children from loving homes, only to place them in unsafe conditions with no real path toward healing or justice. Every New Yorker should be asking those in the running: will you

commit to dismantling policies that punish poverty? Will you invest in solutions that keep families safe and united?

Will you support community-driven reform, not top-down fixes that ignore the people most affected? Because until they do, families will continue to experience this trauma. Children will continue to land in shelters filled to capacity, only to age out of the system with deeper, more complex pain to untangle.

The next Mayor can’t just dodge this issue. They must confront, name, and promise to change it.

Rhonda Jackson is a lived experience community engagement consultant and Senior Fellow with the Family Homeless Coalition.

I knew how scary it was to talk about my experience, and I always try to think, like, never forcing a child to talk about their experience until they’re ready, but just creating those spaces where they belong.”

When she was in elementary school, Morales said, she did not have teachers who looked like her or had similar immigration experiences.

This changed later on in high school, when she had an English teacher who wasn’t an immigrant herself, but often talked about her family’s experiences immigrating to the U.S. and the struggles and triumphs that came along with that process.

“When she spoke about that, I felt this connection and I felt more open to talking in class,” Morales said. “I used to be a very shy student, but then in that class I felt like, ‘Okay, this person understands me. This person knows something about what it’s like to be an immigrant.’”

In the classroom, Morales works to include di-

verse experiences in her curriculum, using culturally relevant books and finding ways to discuss not just immigration, but a variety of experiences in an effort to foster empathy in her students.

At P.S. 212 in Queens, Lopez Amezquita said, second grade students decided to create a guide on how to welcome a new immigrant student. Her team at CUNY-IIE has shared this guide with education stakeholders at the federal and local level, including the state Department of Education.

“They’re like, ‘Oh, but it was the teachers, right?’” she said. “And we’re like, ‘No, it was the children.’”

It showed her how immigrant teachers were able to teach their students that talking about immigration is “normal and important” and that “sometimes it shapes their lives in ways that both impacts them positively and can impact somebody else positively.”

“If children are thinking so very deeply and so very critically about how to welcome a new immigrant student, they’re also taking the news very seriously,” Lopez Amezquita said.

Continued from page 11

this 15-year-old might have still been in classes, learning and growing with her peers, confident in the safety and comfort of her family’s home.

LUXWORA LLC Arts. of Real child welfare Org. filed with the SSNY on means investment in 4/02/2025. Office location: Ny County. SSNY has been Notice of Formation of OT22N, housing, mental health designated as an agent upon LLC care, family therapy, and whom process against it may Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. be served & shall mail to: 45 of State of NY (SSNY) on community-based supRockefeller Plaza, 20th Fl , 04/03/25. Office location: NY port. It means shifting New York, NY 10111. Purpose: County. SSNY designated as Any lawful act. agent of LLC upon whom profunding away from uncess against it may be served. necessary family surveilSSNY shall mail process to c/o The Board of Managers of the lance and overcrowded, 195 HELP WANTED Olympic Tower Condominium, poorly-run shelters, 641 Fifth Ave., NY, NY 10022.

Purpose: Any lawful activity. toward real, preventaAdministrative Specialist. tive support and eviNYC. Research, plan, implement & manage administradence-based practices. It tive activities for accounting DAR REALTY COLLECTIVE means transparency and 1 • February 20, 2025 - February 26, 2025 THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the firm; Answer calls & commuaccountability at ACS –– SSNY on 03/25/2025. Office nicate with clients; manage location: NY County.101 SSNY has 195LEGAL HELP WANTED LEGAL NOTICES 101 LEGAL NOTICES 101 NOTICES notWANTED just after harm has clerical staff; design account- 195 HELP been designated as an agent occurred, but before it ing intake forms & databases upon whom process Noticeagainst is hereby itgiven that a Notice of Qualification of AP Occupational Therapist Prifrom page 4 license, mail serial to: #NA-0340-25CREDIT SOLUTIONS HOLDmay be served & shall ority Caredoes.

Staffing. Full time.

And, itContinued means lisfor client 103028 for beer, wine & liquor INGS information; (AIV) II, L.P. Appl.prepare for 1 West End Avenue, Unitapplied 21F, for by the Bronx. 75,712/year (36.4/ has been Auth. filed with Secy. of State of monthly statistical reports in-hour) Evaluate teningpatients’ to families, not undersigned to sell beer, wine NY (SSNY) on 01/08/25.

Office New York, NY 10023.

Purpose:

Adams indictment

location: NY County. LP formed cluding cost (DE) analysis.

Req’d:conditions; Develop and in Delaware on 12/26/24. implement treatment plans; Princ. office of LP: Attn: General Associates degree Counsel, 9 W. 57th St., 43rd Fl.,busi-Demonstrate exercises to NY 10019. Duration of LP help relieve patients’ pain; ness,NY, accounting or related; is Perpetual. SSNY designated Evaluate results and progas agent of LP upon whom proknowledge principles ofress of occupational therapy cess againstof it may be served.

NOTICE is hereby given that a SSNY shall mail process to the Continued on patients; Educate care-from page 35 accounting cost license, number NA-0370-24Partnership & at the princ.accountoffice givers and family members Notice of Formation of OT22O, 135212 for liquor, wine, beer & of the LP. Name andinformation addr. of ing; accounting of clients on patient care. uscider has been applied for by each general partner are availLLC the undersigned to sell liquor, able fromspreadsheet SSNY. DE addr. of LP: pro-otjobs@prioritycarestaffing. systems; particularly insecure and Arts. of Org. filedwine, with Secy. beer & cider at retail in a c/o Corporation Service Co., com. under 251 Little auditing; Falls Dr., Wilmington, federal & of State of NY bar/tavern (SSNY) onthe Alcoholicgramming; unvalued.

Beverage Control Law at 4371 DE 19808. Cert. of LP filed with 3rd Ave; Bronx, NY 10457 in The Secy. of State of theorganizaState 04/03/25. Office location: NY NYS tax; business Bronx County for on premises of DE, Dept. of State, Div. of “It makes it hard someCounty. SSNY designated as consumption. Zion Restaurant John Townsend Bldg., tion &Corps., management; English Lounge proCorp d/b/a Zion Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any agent of LLC uponandwhom times to stay motivated Restaurant and Lounge lawful activity. M-F, 9-5. Salcomposition. cess against it may be served. and to really think of yourSSNY shall mail process to c/o ary: $44,054/yr. Send resume The Board of Managers of the self as somebody who can to Job #6, Hyton Accounting, Olympic Tower Condominium, 107 E Broadway, 2nd Fl., NY, contribute or can make a 641 Fifth Ave., NY, NY 10022.

NY 10002.

Purpose: Any lawful activity. change if you’re constantly

Any lawful act.

& liquor at retail in a restaurant under the ABC Law at 994 Columbus Ave., New York, NY 10025 for on-premises consumption; Limone LLC

Education

feeling like you’re not really welcome here,” Evelyn said. “‘We want your labor, we want you to do all this for us, but we’re going to keep you in this precarious situation so that you keep working harder.’”

Notice of Qualification of WEST 92ND STREET ASSOCIATES LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/18/22. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 02/02/22. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

FLYING LOTUS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/04/2025. Office location: Ny County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 287 Bleecker St, Apt 5R, New York, NY 10014. Purpose: Any lawful act.

101 LEGAL NOTICES

Welfare reform

To display your Legal, LLC, and classifieds ads contact: Ali Milliner (347) 350-4316 ali.milliner @ amsterdamnews.com

TO DISPLAY YOUR LEGAL, LLC, AND CLASSIFIEDS ADS CONTACT: ALI MILLINER  (347) 350-4316  ALI.MILLINER@AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

Or schedule your own Legal and LLC advertising OR SCHEDULE YOUR OWN BY by scanning the QR Code SCANNING THE QR CODE

“Spaces where they belong” The special ability for immigrant teachers to connect with immigrant students has been particularly true for Areli Morales, a second grade teacher in NYC. A DACA recipient, Morales was born in Mexico and immigrated to New York at the age of six. She is now the author of a children’s book, “Areli is a Dreamer,” about her immigration story.

“Because I’ve experienced being an immigrant, I know what it’s like to be in a child’s shoes,” Morales said. “Because I grew up undocumented,

Figure Skating in Harlem celebrates the past and looks to the future Figure Skating in Harlem board chair Tina Lundgren (l) and FSH founder/CEO Sharon Cohen (r) with some of the program’s current participants. (Lois Elfman photo)

This year’s Figure Skating In Harlem graduating seniors.

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

my sisters in the program have grown and become educators in the program. I’m really seeing that impact.”

For professional dancer, performing artist, current FSH skating coach and alumna Eliyah McKayle, FSH fueled her creativity. “I grew into myself as a leader in FSH,” said McKayle, who recently choreographed for a dance company. “I love working with the kids … and giving back in that way. I see myself in the girls.”

Graduating senior Zayda Rojas will be attending Marist University this fall. She looks back at her time in FSH with deep gratitude, emphasizing the impact of FSH’s

“It’s definitely amazing being in the room with these incredible people who make you want to skate every day,” said Adrianna Walker, one of the girls featured in “Harlem Ice,” a five-part docu-series about Figure Skating in Harlem (FSH) that premiered earlier this year. “FSH has enhanced my skating a lot, just being around the sister, hood and the program.”

Among the attendees at this year’s FSH x gala were the U.S. skaters who in March won gold medals at the 2025 World Figure Skat-

-

ing Championships: Ilia Malinin, Alysa Liu, and Madison Chock and Evan Bates. Olympians Emily Hughes, Alexa Knierim, Paul Wylie, Suna Murray, JoJo Starbuck, and Bradie Tennell were also in attendance. The evening solidified FSH’s push to raise the funds necessary to build its own indoor, year-round skating rink and learning center in Harlem.

In recent years, FSH alumnae have attended the gala and shared how the program impacted their lives. “I came back as a volunteer ice skating coach last year,” said alumna Kaylyn Abdul Jabar, now a clinical research coordinator and currently applying to medical school. “It’s amazing to see how some of

2023 trip to South Africa. “Being a woman of color in America and being able to go to the motherland where the ancestors have been … was something I wanted to accomplish. To do that with FSH was pretty amazing,” Rojas said.

Adriana Diaz, co-host of CBS Mornings Plus, served as master of ceremonies. The honorees included Vladimir Duthiers, featured host of CBS Mornings, whose coworkers, including Gayle King, came to cheer him on. Other award recipients were Candace and Bruce Matthews and Bloomberg Philanthropies/Erana Stennett, whose support for FSH goes back decades.

BMX star Nigel Sylvester connects biking and Mental Health Awareness Month

- By JAIME C. HARRIS - AmNews Sports Editor

-

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 45

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS S P O R T S

Nigel Sylvester has defied convention on his path to acclaim in the sport of biker motocross, more popularly known as BMX. The 37-year-old Queens, New York native became one of the most well-known global figures in BMX without competing in the biking genre’s largest North American leagues, USA BMX and BMX Canada.

Conversely, the product of the New York City Department of Education’s Benjamin N. Cardozo High School gained fame by creating spectacular cinematic content and maximizing the massive reach of social media. Eventually, Sylvester traversed the world as his magnetic biking skills and charismatic appearance opened the gates to the wider sports community, entertainment, and music, which he entered to form collaborations with numerous stars of those fields.

Yet, Sylvester has maintained strong ties to his roots. And his advocacy for Mental Health Awareness Month, which has been observed in May in the United States since 1949, is steadfast. Sylvester has connected biking and mental health, and espouses the efficacy of cy-

Queens, New York native Nigel Sylvester, a pioneering bike motocross (BMX) athlete, will host two events later this month in his home borough as part of his endeavor to further illuminate May as Mental Health Awareness Month. (Amy Harris/Invision/AP photo)

cling as an apparatus for positive mental health through physical welfare.

Since 2021, the Nigel Sylvester Foundation has celebrated National Bike Month.

For the entire month of May, the foundation gifts a bike every day to youth in underserved communities. Known as “Bike a Day in May,” the initiative honors young people who exemplify positive behavior, resilience, and community spirit.

Sylvester, in partnership with Hyper and New Era –– who have donated all the bikes and gear for the selected students –– will be engaging youth on Friday, May 16, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the YMCA located at 89-25 Parsons Blvd in Jamaica, Queens.

Then on Tuesday, May 20, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sylvester will return to his childhood elementary school, P.S. 132 Ralph Bunche, for the Jordan Brand Senior Award Ceremony at which he will honor students as they prepare for junior high school.

The evening will be highlighted by a giveaway of Jordan Brand merchandise to 50 graduating fifth-grade students.

Jordan Brand is the sub-brand of Nike inspired by and named after Michael Jordan, under which Sylvester has a line of sneakers. P.S. 132 is located at 132-15 218th St in Queens.

46 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS S P O R T S

Can the Knicks pull off an unlikely upset of the defending champion Celtics?

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor Monday night dramatically altered the strength of the lens through which many Knicks fans are viewing this season.

They see a team whose resolve has been hardened and an upsurge in their ability to seize the moment after winning a tough 4-2 opening round series against the Detroit Pistons and improbable 108-105 overtime road victory versus the Boston Celtics on Monday night in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinals matchup.

Despite the circumstances that led to the Celtics’ breakdown, particularly their starting center Kristaps Porzingis playing only 13 minutes due to an illness, the Knicks fought their way back from 20 points down in a show of unity and belief in each other that’s needed to make deep playoff runs.

“We told each other just keep believing. Just keep fighting and sticking together, and chipping away,” said Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, who was tied with teammate OG Anunoby for a game-high 29 points.

Howie Evans

Continued from page 48

their brilliance and Black excellence on full display for everyone in the newsroom to absorb.

I cherish the countless hours of oral history Evans imparted to me; my favorites his personal experiences — his affection for Joe Namath and the other New York Jets, and the raucously fun plane and bus rides they would have in a bygone era when players trusted reporters to keep their indiscretions secret. Reporters would abide by the honor code — Howie as senior editor, and Bryant Gumbel as managing editor, side by side, running Black Sport Magazine in the early ’70s.

Evans’ profound relationships with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jim Brown, comrades in the Black power and empowerment movements. Being monitored by federal agencies for his civil rights and social justice activism.

His contentious battles with

Heading into Game 2 last night in Boston, Brunson has been arguably the best player in the NBA thus far this postseason.

“There wasn’t going to be a 20-point shot, so we had to keep chipping away possession by possession,” he added.

The Celtics took an NBA playoff record 60 3-pointers and missed a record 45. It was an anomaly for them to shoot that poorly and the Knicks are acutely aware they will not deviate from their normal standard of play of hoisting volume 3-point attempts.

“They’re the defending champion. Until someone proves they can beat them, they’re defending their championship. We know that there’s a lot of work for us to do,” said Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau.

Boston forward Jaylen Brown expectedly maintained the battle-tested Celtics will not waver.

“We’re just looking forward to Game 2 … We feel like we let our home crowd down, but we’re looking forward to Game 2,” Brown emphasized following Game 1.

“You take a look at the game

and you learn what you can learn from it. Obviously we had a historic night of missed 3-pointers, we’ll take a look and see what the energy was. In reality you have

sportswriter Peter Vecsey as opposing coaches at the Pro Rucker.

Recalling his many conversations with the great Holcombe Rucker in Rucker’s kitchen. Hanging out with Wilt Chamberlain at the Big Dipper’s sprawling California house, one of the most mythological bachelor pads in the annals of celebrity cribs.

The authoritative certainty with which he would assert that playground legend Joe Hammond, whom he spoke of like a son, was one of the greatest to ever live in a classic “what could have been” tale. Attending Negro Leagues games at Yankee Stadium with my grandfather and witnessing the remarkable Satchel Paige in his prime work his magic on the mound.

He reminded me a time or two about how when I was a little kid, running around Wagner Center in East Harlem — where he was the director — with my siblings and cousins. He pointed out a troubled kid from the neighborhood

several years older with lightning hands and feet like a ballet dancer, whom he predicted would someday be a world boxing champion.

And damn if Hector Macho Camacho didn’t become just that.

But nothing in Evans’ life surpassed his joy in the achievements of his kids, those of us who are family and the innumerable he claimed as his own. His twin daughters Renee and Collete traveling the world. His son Joe forging his own career. My older brother, David Harris, and older sister, Juanne Harris, earning undergraduate college degrees from Harvard and Dartmouth, respectively. Me covering sports with him around the country. His players, students, writers, and interns.

He celebrated us more than his own massive attainments.

That was the essence of the imperfectly perfect man who had just one non-negotiable demand: that we pay it forward.

We gotcha, Unc! Rest in Power!

Knicks players Josh Hart (left), Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges celebrate the team’s 108-105 overtime win on Monday night versus the Boston Celtics in their Eastern Conference semifinals playoff matchup.

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

to have a short term [memory], throw it all away, get ready for Game 2. You don’t have time to let stuff carry over, you make adjustments, you come ready to play on

our home floor.”

Game 3 will be at Madison Square Garden Saturday at 3:30 p.m. with Game 4 in New York on Monday night at 7:30 p.m.

Still from CUNY’s African-American Legends inteview of Howie Evans on September 27, 2006.

May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025 • 47

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS S P O R T S

St. John’s Amarachukwu Obi transitions from the track to the business world

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews After earning her bachelor’s degree at the University of Alabama, sprinter Amarachukwu Obi still had NCAA eligibility remaining, and she has used it to continue competing while pursuing an MBA in business analytics and risk management at St. John’s University. The diversity of the St. John’s campus as well as New York City have proven edifying for her personally as she pursued her athletic and academic goals.

“I like how … you can move about the campus, whereas at my previous university you couldn’t walk it on foot, you had to take a bus,” said Obi. She praised St. John’s director of track and field/cross country Aliann Pompey for building an internationally diverse group of student-athletes. “You keep learning from this culture,” said Obi, who is from Nigeria. “We’ll do a food evening where everyone brings a different food from their own cultures. It’s a learning process. You learn about their traditions.”

Obi found her athletic calling in grade school when she dis-

“I believe the United States and NCAA have produced some of the best talents in track and that was a big factor [in coming here for college],” said Obi. “I know track and field is really big here in America, so it’s a dream to do this sport in the United States.”

She completed her NCAA eligibility with this year’s indoor season and now is focused on completing her MBA program and beginning her business career. This summer she will do an internship at Uncharted Ventures, a venture capital firm. Her experiences of traveling for competitions, coming to the U.S. and being a studentathlete have helped her prepare.

“As an international student, you have diverse perspectives and experiences,” Obi said.

“Coming to business school, you bring that knowledge into understanding different businesses and how they are able to grow in different nations. You understand that one business model that works in one counshe represented Nigeria at the college coaches. Over her col- try may not work in another.

Commonwealth Games and the legiate career, she’s qualified When you’re dealing with interAll-African Games in the 400 for the NCAA Championships national business, you have to meters and the 4x400 relay. That and won medals at conference understand the different stratbrought the attention of U.S. championships. egies needed to succeed.”

St. John’s sprinter Amarachukwu Obi thrives in St. John’s close campus community. (St. John’s Athletics photo)

played a clear gift for track. By high school, being a studentathlete was her identity and gave her a sense of purpose. Track introduced her to the world as

SimiSleighs Foundation announces 2025 Athlete Grant Program recipients

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews The SimiSleighs Foundation, founded by historymaking Olympian Simidele Adeagbo with the mission to build a better world for girls and women through sport, recently announced its third cohort of the Athlete Grant Program. With athletes across five continents, this is the largest cohort to date, marking a major step in the commitment to expand global access and opportunities for women in sport.

“Being part of this program means opportunity for me,” said South African skateboarder Boipelo Awuah, a 2024 Olympian. “It is a door that has been opened to bring me a step closer to reaching and achieving my goals and fulfilling my purpose as an athlete.”

At just 19, Awuah is South Africa’s top-ranked female

street skateboarder and the leading female skateboarder on the African continent since 2020. In addition to training and competing, she leads skateboarding workshops for girls in South Africa, using sport as a tool to foster confidence. She qualified for the Olympics in 2021 but was unable to compete due to injury. She considers her experience in Paris last year to be a blessing.

“My entire experience there was just breathtaking and unbelievable,” said Awuah. “Everything that I thought was impossible for me to be a part of and achieve was taking place every single day — from the moment I would wake up, at practice and when I would go back to the village.

My entire Olympic journey brought me closer to Christ and continues to do so. It’s a continuous reminder that the sky’s the limit and that anything is possible if you be-

lieve and work hard.”

Another grantee recipient is Alex Klein of Romania, a bobsledder and Olympic hopeful.

She is the founder of Group of Grit, set to launch in 2026 to empower young girls and women navigating personal hardships or autoimmune diseases, which Klein herself has battled. Eliana Mason of the U.S. is a two-time Paralympic medalist in goalball, a team sport for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Pragnya Mohan, a triathlete from India, is an IOC Young Leader dedicated to using sport as a tool for social change. Cindy Ouellet, a six-time Paralympian in wheelchair basketball from Canada, empowers others by sharing her story of resilience, leadership and purpose. Adriana Ruano Oliva is Guatemala’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in shooting, winning trap shooting at the 2024 Games in Paris.

South African Olympic skateboarder Boipelo Awuah is a recipient of SimiSleighs Foundation Athlete Grant Program. (Atiba Jefferson/Atiba Photo)

48 • May 8, 2025 - May 14, 2025

THE NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS

Sports The inimitable Howie Evans leaves unparalleled legacy

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor Howie Evans was a proverbial giant. Even though standing just 5-10, he was a towering sports and cultural icon. To me, he was a sage, mentor, coach, role model, father figure, and tough, nurturing uncle.

He was my mother Elaine’s oldest brother, and died last Thursday morning at 91 at the Longleaf Neuro-Medical Treatment Center in Wilson, N.C., where he was a resident since 2018,, dauntlessly surviving the collective symptoms of dementia.

The sports editor emeritus of this publication, Evans was raised in the South Bronx, growing into a multi-sport athlete at Morris High School. From Morris, he focused on basketball at HBCU Maryland State College in the mid-1950s, which became the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 1970. He returned to his alma mater as the head basketball coach from 1985 to 1987.

Evans’ list of firsts, Hall of Fame inductions, and honors and awards in education, sports, journalism, and activism are all too lengthy to note on this page. Working for the then-New York City Board of Education for more than 20 years, he was a charter member of its Chancellor’s Task Force on Academics and Athletics. He was a co-founder of the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame, as well as inductee, growing it with New York basketball luminaries like Bob Williams, Tom Konchalski, and Mel Davis. As a broadcaster for the New York Jets, he was the first Black journalist to be a member of an NFL franchise’s traveling press corps.

Evans was also the first African American to own a major professional sports franchise in partnership, co-owning and serving as president of the Garden State Colonials of the Eastern Professional Basketball League. However, those achievements merely illustrate what he did, not who he was.

(R) Howie Evans, New York Amsterdam News sports editor emeritus, with Bronx native and former University of Pennsylvania basketball star (L) Anthony “Tony” Price.

AM News

4/10/25

AM News

4/17/25 Evans began his journalism career in earnest in the mid-1960s and was the sports editor for the New York Amsterdam News for nearly 50 years. In conjunction with being a basketball coach, his writing and broadcasting became vessels for him to change the world. His imprint is everlasting.

He was analogous to an ancient scribe — a griot who recorded and interpreted history while simultaneously producing it.

His unwavering mission to have the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame committee elect some of his close friends — Black pioneers such as Bob Douglas, founder of the New York Renaissance, and ingenious coach John B. McLendon Jr., recognized as the first Black coach in any sport at a predominantly white university

(Cleveland State, 1966), is emblematic of his lifelong commitment to the social tenets of opportunity, merit, justice, and equality.

His friendship with tennis great Arthur Ashe had its connective tissue in their shared fight for the end of apartheid in South Africa. He vigorously advocated for women to be hired in positions predominated by men in numerous industries. And he led by example.

“In 2006, I approached Howie about becoming the paper’s WNBA correspondent. He said he’d give me a chance because he wanted a woman to cover women’s sports,” said current AmNews sports writer Lois Elfman. “After the New York Liberty season, he allowed me to delve into any sport I wanted to cover. His belief

in my writing has allowed me a now-19-year journey.”

Take a moment to process that Evans was a founder of AAU basAM News ketball, today estimated to be a $15 billion-plus behemoth. Back 4/24/25 in 1974, coaching the AAU Riverside Hawks along with Ernie Lorch, he took a group of 17- and 18-year-olds on a historic trip to the former Soviet Union. It was AM News the first-ever collection of high school players from the United 5/1/25 States to play in the USSR. “Howie taught me to be proud of who I was and let me know that I could do whatever I put my mind to as a young Black AM manNews growing up in the South 5/8/25 Bronx,” said former University of Pennsylvania star Anthony “Tony”

Price, a member of the aforementioned squad who would visit Evans during his final years of life at Longleaf. “He put me on my first airplane ride and took me to Russia as a 17-year-old in high school. He taught me to dream big.”

NBA and college players born on the African continent are commonplace today. Not in the late 1970s and early ’80s.

Evans was a vanguard in starting that migration when he recruited cousins Dud Tongal and Ed Bona from Sudan to Fordham University, where he was an assistant coach under College Basketball Hall of Fame head coach Tom Penders, having joined Penders’ staff in 1978.

Evans often expressed pride in Fordham alumni he knew when they were young students during his time at the Rose Hill campus who, decades later, ascended to the pinnacle of their professions, such as broadcasters Mike Breen and Micheal Kay, and communications executive Joe Favorito.

“Those are our guys,” he would reflexively gush when seeing them while covering a Knicks or Yankees game, or at some other event.

Some of his most noted and consequential work was with the awe-inspiring Hank Carter and the Wheelchair Charities. , the Citywide Boys and Girls Basketball League, and Kelsey Stevens at the Dunlevy Milbank Center of the Children’s Aid. Howie’s long association with powerful local politicians, including Charles Rangel, David Dinkins and Percy Sutton, enabled him to ensure that necessary resources were allocated to vital youth programs. His discussions with AmNews publisher emeritus, Wilbert A. Tatum, were masterclasses in various subjects,

01415

01416 01417 01418

See HOWIE EVANS on page 46

01419