New York Amsterdam News October 30 - November 5, 2025 by AmsterdamNews

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Early voting brings New Yorkers out as campaign enters home stretch

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff

Early voting kicked off with a bang last weekend, bringing in an impressive number of voters in a few days compared to the 2021 mayoral election.

The top three mayoral candidates include Democrat nominee Zohran K. Mamdani, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams’ name still appears on the ballot, but he officially dropped out of the running in September. In terms of polling, Mamdani is still out front with Cuomo gaining in second.

“I’m extremely excited about the early turnout. The numbers are showing voters over 40 in particular are showing up,” said Ny Whitaker, a former White House senior advisor and founder of Project Nyne, LLC, who created the campaign group New York for Harris. “Finally New Yorkers are seeing the benefits and taking advantage of early voting.”

As of Oct. 28, two days of early voting counts have been completed. The “unofficial” tally of New Yorkers who cast their

See EARLY VOTING on page 44

Crossing the line? Islamophobia marks the NYC mayoral race

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff

With Election Day around the corner, New York City’s mayoral race swerved heavily into islamophobic rhetoric over the past several days with Republicans taking serious shots at mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani because of his Muslim identity.

The height of the city’s rash of islamophobia and hostility to New Yorkers who were visibly Muslim was after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack. Since then, the same climate of fear and vitriol targeting Muslim New Yorkers has cropped up from time to time as a political tactic. This has been a constant issue for Mamdani’s campaign since his launch last year.

“We know that in the city, a presumption of innocence is oftentimes only afforded to some,” said Mamdani at a sitdown roundtable with Black media on Friday, Oct. 24. “And this is also amidst the last 48 hours, which have come with some of the most shameful examples of islamophobia, racism, and bigotry that we’ve seen in this city’s recent political history.”

According to a report from the city’s Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC), there was a dip in hate crime complaints

Advocates including Councilmember Tiffany Caban (right) call for abolishing the gang database outside Brooklyn Borough Hall in 2022. (Tandy Lau photo)

Muslim Community Network (MCN) Executive Director Husein Yatabarry (at podium) at a rally against anti-Muslim rhetoric in October 2025. (Photo from Muslim Community Network (MCN).

Mamdani’s offer to retain Commissioner Tisch concerns some long-time proponents

By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff

Mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani wants Jessica Tisch to remain as NYPD Commissioner under his potential administration. He broadcast those intentions during the final debate last Wednesday, Oct. 22.

“Commissioner Tisch took on a broken status quo, started to deliver accountability, rooting out corruption and reducing crime across the five boroughs,” said Mamdani. “I have said time and again that my litmus tests for that position will be excellence, and the alignment will be of that position, and I am confident that under a Mamdani administration, we will continue to deliver on that same mission.

“And do so while creating the Department of Community Safety to ensure that mental health experts were the ones responding to the mental health crisis, because safety and justice is at the cornerstone of our pursuit of public safety, and in doing so, we will also be able to deliver our agenda for affordability.”

But nothing is set in stone. Mamdani will need to win first, of course. Not only that, but Tisch still needs to accept. Mamdani told CNN they had not spoken privately about the matter yet. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who he is facing in a post-primary rematch, is also reportedly keen on retaining her.

Less than a year ago, Mayor Eric Adams appointed Tisch following a revolving door of police commissioners throughout his administration. Her predecessor, Edward Caban,

stepped down last September after a federal corruption probe, but not before burying numerous police disciplinary cases during his tenure. His interim replacement, Tom Donlon, is currently accusing the NYPD of running a “coordinated criminal conspiracy” in a lawsuit against Adams and the city.

The administration’s first commissioner, Keechant Sewell, left after attempting to dock up to 10 vacation days from entrenched police chief Jeffrey Maddrey. The long-time Adams ally faced a substantiated misconduct complaint over interfering with the arrest of a retired colleague for allegedly chasing after teenagers with a loaded gun. He is also named in Donlon’s lawsuit. Sewell, the first woman to lead the NYPD, now heads security and guest experience for the New York Mets.

Tisch pushed out Maddrey soon after stepping in, following a sexual harassment allegation. She also replaced Chief of Internal Affairs Miguel Iglesias in her early days. But Tisch also promoted the now-retired John Chell — known for his pro-Republican outbursts and who is also named in Donlon’s lawsuit — to Chief of Department, the highest-ranking uniformed officer.

She’s since brought stability to the NYPD as she approaches a year as commissioner and earned a rep for tackling corruption from the likes of Mamdani. Prior to her appointment, Tisch headed the Department of Sanitation. She previously worked in the NYPD on the tech side, although she never served in uniform like her predecessors.

Still, Mamdani’s pick for the job remains a significant departure from his progressive policy platform and democratic socialist leanings. Tisch, a billionaire heiress, opposes key criminal justice reforms like bail reform and Raise the Age, supported by Mamdani and signed into law by Cuomo. Many left-wing advocates and civil liberties groups see her “quality of life” teams as stop-and-frisk 2.0 and blame the aggressive policing practices for a recent string of custody deaths. And her support of Israel may clash with Mamdani’s campaign promise for the NYPD to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over intentional law violations if he set foot in the Five Boroughs.

Brooklyn College Prof. Alex Vitale, who the Mamdani campaign enlisted to review the candidate’s Department of Community Safety plan, called the potential pairing a “fundamental mismatch.” He pointed to how Tisch’s family members donated hundreds of thousands to an opposing super PAC just days before the Democratic Primary.

“It is a bit concerning that Mamdani would want to bring someone into [one of] the most strategically important positions within his administration, who it appears, does not agree, not just with his views on public safety, but his larger agenda about making the city more affordable,” said Vitale.

The long-time police critic also mentioned concerns for how a hostile NYPD commissioner could sandbag the Department of Community Safety rollout, which would bring the city’s various civilian-led public safety ini-

tiatives under a single agency and significantly fund such programs. His proposal would then divert officers towards focusing on solving serious crimes like murder and rape. According to Vitale, the NYPD and Department of Community Safety could clash over overlapping duties. The B-Heard pilot currently exists to redirect mental health calls to non-police responses. But even qualifying calls, which do not involve the threat of violence, sometimes end with an NYPD deployment. Mamdani plans on overhauling B-Heard to ensure the program operates as envisioned. Earlier this year, he told the AmNews he drew inspiration from

See MAMDANI TO RETAIN TISCH on page 33

Disgraced lawyer Solny not sentenced yet for housing scams targeting Black New Yorkers

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff

Sanford Solny, the disbarred attorney convicted of stealing 11 properties from predominantly Black and Brown homeowners facing foreclosure, appeared in a Downtown Brooklyn courtroom on Oct. 22, for his scheduled sentencing but he has not been sentenced for his crimes — yet.

Sentencing was postponed until November 12. This latest delay is just one in a series of court holdups for Solny’s case, which has seen indictments linger in Queens and Brooklyn for more than a decade.

Solny, 68, is currently in custody for violating his probation in Queens, where he was convicted in 2018 for stealing 10 homes. His defense attorney tried to keep him from serving jail time by citing Solny’s age and health issues, and arguing that jailing him before the Yom Kippur holiday would be insensitive.

Deed theft victims who attended the Oct. 22 hearing said they were angry about Solny’s latest delay. They also voiced criticism of Brooklyn Assistant District Attorney Joseph DiBenedetto for advising them not to appear in court because the case was going to be postponed. When they showed up at court anyway, Samantha Barrow, an

advocate for deed theft victims, said they were “shocked to see the large number of people who had arrived to support Solny.”

Barrow, who is with the People’s Coalition to Stop Deed Theft, said, “We needed to be here because [the victims] needed to be on record with [their] statement.”

Oren Yaniv, communications director for Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, explained that this new delay in Solny’s case was necessary because a probation officer had not yet finished Solny’s presen-

tence report, which would give the judge information about Solny’s background and criminal history.

Courthouse confrontation

Dozens of men and women from the Orthodox Jewish community showed up to support Solny on Oct. 22. When they did, they found themselves in a standoff with Solny’s victims.

Solny’s supporters wore “I support Solny” badges and crowded into the hallway leading to the courtroom. At one point, they started singing and chanting. They were met by vocal members of the People’s Coalition to Stop Deed Theft, who — wearing T-shirts emblazoned with “End the cycle –Stop deed theft – It is a crime” — turned to them and began demanding, “Stop deed theft! Stop deed theft! Stop deed theft!” Court officers had to calm everyone in the hallway and warn that any outbursts in the courtroom would lead to removal from the building.

Inside the courtroom, Solny’s supporters outnumbered his victims. After Solny’s lawyer successfully pushed for his sentencing postponement, Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny K. Chun allowed at least one victim to deliver an impact statement. Lisa Abbott, who traveled from out of

In its sentencing letter to the judge, DA Gonzalez’s office pointed out previous court agreements in Solny’s case: “Under the Court’s earlier promises to the defendant, the maximum he now faces is a term of three and a half to seven years in prison. We acknowledge the Court is bound by its promises and will sentence the defendant accordingly. Absent these constraints, we would have emphatically recommended a sentence of seven to eighteen years in prison.”

Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani speaks after winning the democratic NYC mayoral primary this past June. (Tandy Lau photo)

Sanford Solny, who’s been convicted of stealing 11 properties, is led out of a Brooklyn courtroom on Oct. 22. (Karen Juanita Carrillo photos)

What to know as federal food help and preschool aid will run dry Saturday if shutdown persists

By JONATHAN MATTISE and GEOFF MULVIHILL Associated Press

A new lawsuit by Democratic state officials Tuesday seeks to uncork emergency money to help tens of millions of Americans keep buying food for their families after federal SNAP funding is expected to run dry Saturday due to the U.S. government shutdown.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, helps about one in eight Americans buy groceries. A halt to SNAP benefits would leave a gaping hole in the country’s safety net. Vulnerable families could see federal money dry up soon for some other programs, as well.

Funding for a group of Head Start preschool programs is set to run out Saturday.

Aid for mothers to care for their newborns through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC, could run out the following week.

Here’s a look at what would happen.

Democratic officials sue Tuesday’s legal filing from attorneys general from 22 states and the District of Columbia, plus three governors, focuses on a federal contingency fund with roughly $5 billion in it — enough to pay for the benefits for more than half a month.

President Donald Trump’s Department of Agriculture said in September that its plan for a shutdown included using the money to keep SNAP running. But in a memo last week, it said that it couldn’t legally use that money for such a purpose.

The Democratic officials contend the administration is legally required to keep benefits going as long as it has funding.

The agency said beneficiaries who use debit cards as part of SNAP to buy groceries will not have their cards reloaded as of Nov. 1.

With their own coalition, 19 Republican state attorneys general sent Democratic U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer a letter Tuesday urging passage of a “clean continuing resolution” to keep funding SNAP benefits.

SNAP benefits could leave millions without money for food

Most SNAP participants are families with children, more than 1 in 3 include older adults or someone with a disability, and close to 2 in 5 are households where someone is employed. Most have incomes that put them below the poverty line, about $32,000 in income for a family of four, according to an analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

The average monthly benefit is $187 per person.

People who receive the benefits say that without the aid, they’ll be forced to choose

between buying food and paying other bills. Food banks are preparing for a spike in demand that they’ll have to navigate with decreased federal aid themselves.

The debit cards are recharged in slightly different ways in each state. Not everyone receives their benefits on the first day of the month, though many beneficiaries get them early in the month.

States expect retailers will be able to accept cards with balances on them, even if they’re not replenished.

Some states seeking to fill void of SNAP benefit cuts

State governments controlled by both Democrats and Republicans are scrambling to help recipients, though several say they don’t have the technical ability to fund the regular benefits.

Officials in Louisiana, Vermont, and Virginia have pledged to provide some type of backup food aid for recipients even while the shutdown stalls the federal program, though state-level details haven’t been announced.

More funding for food banks and pantries is planned in states including New Hampshire, Minnesota, California, New Mexico, Connecticut, and New York.

The USDA advised Friday that states won’t

be reimbursed for funding the benefits.

The Trump administration is blaming Democrats, who say they will not agree to reopen the government until Republicans negotiate with them on extending expiring subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Republicans say Democrats must first agree to reopen the government before negotiations.

Early childhood education

More than 130 Head Start preschool programs won’t receive their annual federal grants on Nov. 1 if the government remains shut down, according to the National Head Start Association.

Centers are scrambling to assess how long they can stay open, since nearly all their funding comes from federal taxpayers. Head Start provides education and child care for the nation’s neediest preschoolers. When a center is closed, families may have to miss work or school.

With new grants on hold, a half dozen Head Start programs have already missed federal disbursements they were expecting Oct. 1 but have stayed open with fast-dwindling reserves or with help from local governments. All told, more than 65,000 seats at Head Start programs across the country could be affected.

Food aid for mothers and young children

Another food aid program supporting millions of low-income mothers and young children already received an infusion to keep the program open through the end of October, but even that money is set to run out early next month.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children helps more than 6 million low-income mothers, young children, and expectant parents purchase nutritious staples such as fruits and vegetables, low-fat milk, and infant formula.

The program, known as WIC, was at risk of running out of money in October because of the government shutdown, which occurred right before it was scheduled to receive its annual appropriation. The Trump administration reassigned $300 million in unspent tariff proceeds from the Department of Agriculture to keep the program afloat. But it was only enough for a few weeks.

Now, states say they could run out of WIC money as early as Nov. 8.

Mattise reported from Nashville, Tennessee. Mulvihill reported from Haddonfield, New Jersey.

(Pexels/Julia M. Camero)

Kai Cogsville and Defend Harlem are leading the charge against housing inequity

By JASON PONTEROTTO Special to the AmNews

Kai Cogsville was born and bred in Harlem’s Sugar Hill section. He’s seen the evolution of his neighborhood, and says there is no community in the world like it.

“It kind of felt like growing up in a big family, where people really rooted for you and were helping you and wanted to help you win,” Cogsville said, noting that the changes have been “scary” as time and development places a new face on the area. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without that community. It’s essential to me and it’s why we do the work we do.”

Now at age 34, he is passionate about addressing housing inequity in his community and is helping to lead the fight. He created the Defend Harlem online campaign for the New York Interfaith Commission for Housing Equity, where he serves as digital communications director.

Over the last three years, as a result of the campaign’s founding in 2022, the group has held several rallies and town hall meetings, often working with Harlem elected leaders and in partnership with other community organizations such as Parents Supporting Parents NY and United Black Caucus. Some of the meetings are held at venues such as Mount Olivet Baptist Church, in front of the State Office Building, and recently at Comedy in Harlem. The turnout

of young people is one thing Cogsville says gives him hope that solutions are out there. He’s even become an open speaker at some of these events.

“I think it’s important that people see someone like themselves that’s involved in these issues. I think it makes it more attainable and shows that these are issues everyone should be involved with,” Cogsville said.

Civic engagement is something that runs in Cogsville’s family. His father, Donald was founder and president of the now-defunct Harlem Urban Development Corporation.

The Interfaith Commission, which is made up of faith leaders across Harlem, was established in 2012 to tackle the displacement of Black and Brown Harlem residents as well as respond to Columbia’s growing encroachment of property in Harlem. As opposed to pushing for more “affordable housing,” Defend Harlem and the commission focus on addressing the housing concerns for people making a minimum wage to $65,000, which represents much of Harlem.

The main housing development where they are looking to address this affordability issue is the controversial One45 development on 145th Street. Other developments they are focusing on include the Lenox Terrace expansion and the Lincoln Correctional Facility site, noting that because it is state property and there are fewer burdens to contend with, the level of unaffordability of the proposed apartments is a “disgrace” — something State Sen. Cordell Cleare has also called out. This year, the commission acquired nonprofit status and is looking to expand to provide job opportunities at the start of 2026.

Over the last two years, as a result of the campaign, the group has held several rallies and town hall meetings, often working with Harlem leaders like Cleare, some of which have taken place at venues such as Mount Olivet Baptist Church. The turnout of young people is one thing

Cogsville

See BNY on page 35

Kai Cogsville leads the digital communications for the New York Interfaith Commission for Housing Equality and created the Defend Harlem social media campaign for the group. (Courtesy, Kai Cogsville)

Black Girl Ventures bringing crowdfunded pitch competition to NYC

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff

Omi Bell believes in Black women entrepreneurs. What’s more, she believes in making sure Black women entrepreneurs get the funding they need to start their businesses. So she is bringing her Black Girl Ventures (BGV) pitch event to New York City on November 7.

A computer scientist, Bell founded BGV nearly a decade ago to help small-business founders and entrepreneurs develop strategies for accessing capital. The BGV pitch event shows local entrepreneurs how to do this through its live crowdfunding competition — and also provides networking opportunities and a chance to win thousands of dollars in grant funding.

When she founded BGV in 2016, one of the organization’s first events was held in New York City. “We actually had a competition in New York,” Bell said. “And that was before we were capitalized. It was just me answering the question of why there are less than 1% of us who receive access to capital. That is still true today: It’s advanced a little bit, but not so much.”

Bell believes one way to get Black women entrepreneurs more funding is to crowdsource donations through a competition that could provide feedback to its contestants. The BGV pitch event follows that model. It features open applications, from which seven candidates are chosen. Those seven people participate in a live “Shark Tank”-style pitch competition like the one scheduled for New York on Nov. 7.

Following their pitches, the contestants have seven days to collect ratings and crowdfunding votes to support their business ideas. BGV’s algorithm, available on their platform, calculates the voting and donations: it divides the number of votes by the number of people and then divides the total amount of money raised by those people to determine a score. Prizes of $15,000, $10,000, and $5,000 are awarded to the top three highest-scoring contestants. Even those not selected to compete for the top prizes will benefit from participating in the BGV pitch event, Bell promises. “The reason to be in the audience is for education: it’s to hear how people are getting feedback,” she said. But the number one thing is networking.

“Right now, we know we’re living through a loneliness epidemic as a society, so imagine what entrepreneurs are feeling,” Bell said. “Suppose you have decided to take a risk on your idea or the thing that you’re creating, or you’ve been in business for a while and you’ve kind of navigated and maybe hit some walls. The thing that’s going to keep you in business while accessing financial capital is definitely

going to be your network: who you know, and who you surround yourself with to get answers on professional development, leadership growth, building your team, pitfalls, and lessons.

“So I think there are benefits to being in the audience, benefits to applying, and benefits to being part of the crowdfunding where you actually vote for someone with your participation.”

The Black Girl Ventures (BGV) pitch competition is free to attend and takes place on Nov. 7 from 6 to 8:30 pm at The Mezzanine by Liberty Church, 55 Broadway in Manhattan. For more info, visit www.blackgirlventures.org.

Stage view of contestants at a past BGV Pitch event. (Black Girl Ventures photos)

Judges at a past BGV Pitch event.

Contestant presents her idea at a previous BGV Pitch event.

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One-on-one: Zohran Mamdani makes his case for Black New Yorkers’ votes

By MARK WINSTON GRIFFITH Special to the AmNews

(Editor’s Note: This story has been edited for clarity and length)

If Zohran Mamdani, according to the demographic breakdown of the Democratic party primary, is struggling to win over Black voters in advance of the New York City general elections, it wasn’t immediately obvious on one particular sunny day on Nostrand Avenue, in the heart of largely Caribbean central Brooklyn. As Rep. Yvette Clarke — accompanied by local, state, and city-wide Black elected officials — formally announced her endorsement of Mamdani, passing drivers excitedly honked their horns and pedestrians walked by with approving smiles.

But this was September, less than two months before the general election, and Clarke’s late-hour endorsement reflected an ambivalence that older, mainstream, and moderate Black Democratic Party leaders have shown towards Mamdani’s candidacy since he first entered the race. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries got around to endorsing Mamdani on Oct. 24 — just last week.

An analysis from The New York Times reported that in neighborhoods where more than four out of five people are Black, Mamdani received less than 30 percent of the vote. And in a blow to Mamdani’s claim that he speaks to the interests of economically struggling New Yorkers facing displacement, Mamdani won two-thirds of the vote in the neighborhoods where the Black population decreased the fastest between the 2010 and 2020 censuses.

These data points, however, obscure a more complicated story. For instance, an exit poll by Vera Action showed that more than 70% of Black voters under the age of 50 voted for Mamdani. And Mamdani’s main competitor, Andrew Cuomo, is the beneficiary of Mario Cuomo’s legacy, which has enjoyed the loyalty of Black voters for generations.

In order to make better sense of all of this, I spoke to Zohran Mamdani last week while he was on his way to a mosque in the Bronx to make a major address to condemn Islamophobia.

AmNews: As a Democratic Socialist, do you get frustrated when people focus so much on race

instead of class? Do you feel as though there’s a deep enough understanding of how class works in New York City among policymakers and pundits alike?

Zohran Mamdani: I never get frustrated by a discussion of race, and that’s in part because of the phrase I’ve heard often: When America catches a cold, Black America catches pneumonia.

The affordability crisis that I speak of as a universal crisis across New York City is one that has a disproportionate impact on Black New Yorkers.

I say that as we are living through what has effectively become the reverse Great Migration, where our city has lost 200,000 Black residents in the last few decades alone.

And it is an impact that we are feeling across the five boroughs, and is generationally specific.

From 2010 to 2019, this city lost 19% of its population of Black children and teenagers, and to actually tackle this affordability crisis means also tackling the displacement that has been taking place for the last few decades.

AmNews: You’ve been famously walking around the city and talking to thousands of folks. What would you say you’ve learned the most about the lives of Black folks

in this city that you didn’t necessarily know before?

Mamdani: I think of a grandmother I spoke to at a senior center in Brownsville. She came up to me and told me that she’d been on the waiting list for eight years for senior housing.

And she told me she could not afford to wait any longer and that if she couldn’t get senior housing in the next few years she was going to leave this city.

And so often when I speak about the agenda that we have, the ambition at the heart of it is to actually match the scale of the crisis in front of us. I hear from other politicians about what we cannot afford. And they often speak about us not being able to afford to raise taxes on their donors. And yet what they lose sight of is that New Yorkers already can’t afford this city and that’s inaccessible.

I went to Mother Zion AME Church in Harlem. The pastor there told me to look out onto the pews. He said, you see how few people are here today for service? He said, it’s not because they don’t love Harlem or they don’t love New York City. They left because they couldn’t afford this city. And a lot of them now live in South Carolina.

And I’ll meet pastors who themselves have been priced out of

the most challenging barrier and communication between people who identify as Black and African American and those in New York who are one or two generations removed from a life in South Asia, or in your case, Uganda?

Mamdani: I think the history of what so many older Black New Yorkers have had to live through in this city and in this country is one that is critical to understanding whenever I’ve been met with any skepticism or questions as to our agenda.

And I say that because I know that I’m speaking to so many New Yorkers who have lived through so many promises from politicians, lived through much hope of a different life in an improved city, only to have been let down and to have been betrayed time and again.

And in understanding that history, you can begin to understand that skepticism. And I was proud to have won the support of a majority of young Black voters in the primary.

this city. There was a pastor who opened his doors of his church for a meeting with faith leaders and myself in Brooklyn. And as he walked in, he mentioned just by chance that he had driven two and a half hours to get here from his home.

For all of this discussion of whether billionaires will leave if we increase their personal income taxes by 2%, it loses sight of the fact that working-class New Yorkers are already leaving. The question is not whether or not we’ll have displacement; the question is whether we’re willing to stop it.

AmNews: There are a lot of Black people of a certain age who connect with you through your mother’s (Mira Nair) 1991 film, “Mississippi Masala.”

Mamdani: Great film.

AmNews: I agree. And it tackles some pretty complicated social and economic tensions between Black and Brown people, specifically immigrant Brown people.

So I know you’ve experienced a complicated relationship with Black voters as you’ve been campaigning over the past year, that is not just informed by the fact that you’re of Indian descent, but that you’re also an immigrant and identify as such.

So what do you think is

And so a recognition of the fact that we had more work to do with older Black voters and much of that work to me is also the work of introducing myself, because of what I recall when meeting with a pastor. In the primary, we sat down at his church, he endorsed Andrew Cuomo, and I asked him why, and he said, “I endorse Mario’s son.”

And he was referring to Andrew Cuomo’s father, whose name continues to carry a legacy for many New Yorkers, especially among many older Black New Yorkers.

And I did not begrudge the association. I know that my job, however, is to earn support by introducing myself as I am.

I also know that young Black voters have been critical to making that case because I’ve met many older Black voters in the last few months who’ve told me it’s their son, their daughter, their niece, their nephew, their grandchild, who introduced them to this campaign and explained that it is a campaign that seeks to finally deliver on so much of what has been spoken about for so long.

And even though there is such a temptation in our politics to describe everything as if it is the first, as if it exists in isolation, without any precedent, I’ve also appreciated the opportunity to explain how my identity as a Democratic Socialist is also one

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is endorsed by Rep. Adriano Espaillat in July 2025.

(Ariama C. Long photo)

Divine Nine News

The Stars of New York Dance are champions for children

As the curtain rises during The Stars of New York Dance competition, Cheryl Todmann hopes you will be in Brooklyn sitting in The Theater at City Tech.

When the 15th Anniversary Divine Nine Dance Off begins at 7 p.m. on November 14, Errol Louis, of Spectrum News NY1, will be the host and Laurie A. Cumbo, Commissioner of NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, will be honored. But children will be the beneficiaries of the competition.

Anticipate memorable moments infused with cultural and artistic expression as the National Pan-Hellenic Council is represented. A member of each Black Greek-Letter sorority and fraternity, from the Divine Nine, will take the stage with their professional dance partners.

According to Todmann, the executive producer of The Stars of New York Dance, “I totally believe dance and education go hand in hand. This is an opportunity for us to provide economic equity for local dance companies. The funds we raise are given directly to the dance company to pay for dance scholarships for youth. The winner of this year’s competition will win $10,000 and that will allow them to provide 10 children with a year of free dance tuition and training.”

Todmann founded The Stars of New York Dance, Inc. as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization to ensure children could experience the structure, creativity, discipline, and confidence that can come from consistent dance training. Todmann, who is also a marketing and communications executive in higher education, said more than 150 leaders and several organizations provide support. They eased the financial burden for families of more than 400 young people for more than 14 years. The list of Stars reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ list. Here are the names of this year’s Stars.

Todmann, who grew up in Harlem and resides in Brooklyn, was trying to clarify her vision

when she turned on the television and was inspired by Dancing with the Stars. “Every time we do this event, I’m always surprised at who says yes. They all sort of look at me and say, ‘Are you kidding me?’ ”

Enters Collette V. Smith, who is the first African American female coach in the National Football League and Honorary Member of Delta Sigma Theta So-

A. Thomas with framed photo commemorating historic ties between Clayton Powell, Jr. with former president Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays. Thomas, who will retire on June 30, 2025, spoke at Abyssinian’s HBCU/Divine Nine worship service, reflecting on how Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) inspire faith, education, and innovation for future generations. (The Abyssinian Baptist Church photos) To

rority, Inc. It took some convincing, but “As soon as I heard about scholarships for our children, for our community, I said okay, fine,” said Smith, founder and president of Believe in You, Inc.

At age 10, growing up in Queens Village, Smith remembers taking dance classes every Saturday at the Bernice Johnson Dance Studio at the suggestion of her Godmother who was a pro-

fessional dancer. Initially, “I didn’t think I could be graceful. I thought there was only one side of me. The side of me that I was comfortable in was being rough, running, climbing trees, and playing football. Dance really exposed other facets of me. Now when I talk at schools, to our children, I tell them about going against the grain and about being the leader they would follow. When you’re comfortable, you’re not growing. You always grow the most when you’re uncomfortable. I learned that by personal experience in dance without even realizing it.”

Smith, whose professional dance partner is David Robertson, of Edge School of the Arts in Jamaica, NY, admits experiencing the challenges of rigorous practices.

Brooklyn native Krystal Mackie understands. Mackie, a professional dancer who performed in the Emmywinning opening number at the 76th Annual Tony Awards also made her Broadway debut in the revival of “Bob Fosse’s DANCIN’” before joining the cast of “MJ the Musical on Broadway.”

David

KAYLYN KENDALL DINES, MBA

Check out the stars and the professional dancers for the Divine Nine Dance Off. (Photos courtesy of Cheryl Todmann)

See DIVINE NEWS on page 37

The Stars of New York logo

Cheryl Todmann, founder and executive producer of The Stars of New York Dance. This year Todmann is presenting the Divine Nine Dance Off edition.

Federal judge indefinitely blocks firing of federal employees during shutdown

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff

U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston has extended her order stopping the Trump administration from firing federal workers because of the government shutdown.

On Oct. 28, Judge Illston indefinitely extended her temporary restraining order against the Trump administration from enforcing any reduction-in-force (RIF) notices sent to federal employees. Her order prevents the administration from implementing any RIFs until the funding deadlock in Washington is resolved.

During the government shutdown, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought and Scott Kupor, director of the Office of Personnel Management, openly discussed plans to dismiss more than 4,000 federal employees. Before Judge Illston’s injunction, thousands of RIF notices had already been sent out, and Vought suggested that over 10,000 would eventually be sent.

President Trump has called these widespread layoffs a way to target “Democrat programs,” which he claims only benefit Democratic Party voters.

But on Sept. 30, unions the American Federation of Government Employees and AFSCME filed a lawsuit to stop the firings.

Judge Illston ruled in favor of the unions and stopped the firings. She later broadened her order to cover the 110,000 federal workers who are members of the National Federation of Federal Employees, as well as members of the National Association of Government Employees and the Service Employees International Union.

Democratic Rep. Brendan F. Boyle of Pennsylvania, the ranking member of the House Committee on the Budget, condemned the attempted firings as illegal.

“No statutory authority exists that allows or requires the president to conduct mass firings during a government shutdown,” Boyle said in a statement. “Contrary to existing law, OMB falsely claimed that programs whose funding has lapsed are no longer statutorily required to be carried out. However, a temporary lapse in appropriations does not repeal

an agency’s statutory duties or obligations. The president does not have the authority to unilaterally end programs that he disagrees with. That power — the power of the purse — lies with Congress.”

In a recent open letter to Con-

gress, AFGE President Everett B. Kelley emphasized the extreme financial hardship his members are now facing and urged politicians to end the spending standoff. Though the firings are halted, the shutdown continues to harm

federal workers and their families, he said.

“Were any other employer in the United States to treat its workforce in the same way, there would be a bipartisan outcry and demands that the offending employer reverse course,” Kelley wrote. He emphasized the urgent need for action, adding, “With less than a month before Thanksgiving, no federal worker should have to turn to a food pantry to help prepare the family table.”

In a recent open letter to Congress, AFGE President Everett B. Kelley emphasized the extreme financial hardship his members are now facing and urged politicians to end the spending standoff. (AFGE photo)

What’s after No Kings Day?

Of the 300 or more partner organizations that participated in the “No Kings” day demonstrations on Oct. 18, only a few have announced plans to continue opposing Trump’s authoritarian government. One of them, the longstanding Refuse Fascism group, has plans to continue the protests on Nov. 5 in the nation’s capital. They are right when they say a single day’s outpouring of disgust and anger is not enough to stifle the onslaught against our democratic rights.

“What’s needed is protest that is determined and sustained, protest that won’t stop until Trump’s regime is driven from power,” a statement from the Refuse Fascism declared.

The group is hoping that their call for a massive continuation of resistance will create “a political earthquake from below which impacts the sharp divisions among those in the institutions that run this country and those with ties to such people,” thereby creating a political crisis in this society so profound that Trump’s regime cannot go forward with its program.”

It’s a lot to hope for, and it’s worth pondering a moment about what happened in the past after monumental turnouts. The massive Civil Rights Movement in Washington in 1963 needed the march from Selma to Montgomery and several other follow-up demonstrations to achieve even minimal change. So the proposals by Refuse Fascism are certainly pertinent and called for.

Let’s see if their call reaches even a portion of the critical mass needed to sustain No Kings. The outcome of several key elections, particularly the mayoral race here in New York City may provide some impetus, especially if Mamdani is victorious. The fight against fascism and the Trump administration requires more than the current plans by Refuse Fascism, though there’s no denying the potential it represents.

Why freedom of speech matters

By OTIS D. ALEXANDER

When we think about free speech, we usually think about our right to share our thoughts, ideas, and beliefs, as long as we are respectful and not unfairly stopped by the government. Free speech is a basic human right protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. However, this protection is not unlimited. It covers many ways of sharing, like music, dance, art, talking in public or private, reporting the news, publishing, and joining parades or peaceful protests with official government permission when we feel we are being treated unfairly. These rights help people understand each other, work together, and trust one another.

However, if we spread lies that hurt someone’s reputation, act violently, or make threats, we go too far, because our actions can hurt others or make them feel unsafe. Lying about people, making threats, and saying things that put public safety in danger do not match the values of a free and open society.

When the normal rules change and we cannot share our thoughts calmly, societies often become less fair, less creative, and more likely to have fights and strict rules. We get upset and may protest quietly or with violence. People can feel powerless or left out, which can cause more social problems and sometimes violent protests or uprisings. When this happens, it clearly shows that no one is making sure leaders do the right thing, and this leads society toward unfair and undemocratic rule, letting harmful actions or rules continue.

When people see that leaders are deciding or changing what we are allowed to say, it becomes clear that we have lost our freedom to speak. These rules often unfairly hurt Black people, Latinos, people with less accepted sexual orientations, and people with less accepted opinions, like what is happening at one of Texas’s public universities, where talking about transgender topics or saying there are more than two genders is not allowed. People become scared to speak up, so many stay silent.

Elinor R. Tatum: Publisher and Editor in Chief

As media freedom gets worse and threats to journalists grow, they are often the first to be attacked, and people who go after journalists usually do not get punished. Just look at what happened when the government made people who disagreed with its political views look like enemies and threatened to punish them for not fully supporting Charlie Kirk,

the conservative free speech activist who was killed several weeks ago. The president went even further, indicating that after a certain point, criticizing him on TV is “illegal” and “no longer free speech.” This

people to share information and ideas without government control. This matters because the highest courts may not always do what is best for the people, making it hard to fight censorship and protect basic rights.

When people see that leaders are deciding or changing what we are allowed to say, it becomes clear that we have lost our freedom to speak. These rules often un-fairly hurt Black people, Latinos, people with less accepted sexual orientations, and people with less accepted opinions...

behavior broke the First Amendment. Because of this, divisions get worse because people cannot talk about their differences or fix problems in a healthy way. Our trust in the government, news, and other important groups can fall apart. All the things that help us improve may have to happen at other levels.

What can people do to get rid of this kind of unwanted, unfair, strict rule without being punished? First, strong pressure must be put on these strict governments. This can be achieved by establishing and supporting independent newspapers and various forms of media, such as podcasts, blogs, and small publishers, which enable

To get back freedoms, the community must keep working for honesty and openmindedness. Keep in mind and pass on what the great educator Booker T. Washington, founder of Tuskegee University, said more than a century ago, “A lie doesn’t become truth; wrong doesn’t become right, and evil doesn’t become good just because it’s accepted by a majority.”

Otis D. Alexander, PhD, is an Academic Advisory Board member and academic historian with Blackpast.org and an alumnus of the Harvard Graduate School of Education Leadership for Academic Librarians program.

Madison Gray: Executive & Investigative Editor

Damaso Reyes: Editor at Large

Kristin Fayne-Mulroy: Managing Editor

Cyril Josh Barker: Digital Editor

Siobhan "Sam" Bennett: Chief Revenue Officer

Igbo, Jim Crow, and Israel’s Law of Return

By TONNIE DARRON WALLS

Imagine this: It’s Election Day in America. You walk into the polling place, heart pounding, ready to exercise what is supposed to be your most basic right as a citizen — but before you can mark your ballot, a face lacking melanin puts a jar of jellybeans in front of you. You’re told to guess how many are inside. “If you get it wrong,” the face says with a grin, “no vote.”

Sounds crazy, right? Well, some could argue that Jim Crow advocates, while not the inventors of crazy, were among its pioneers in the Stolen Hemisphere, the so-called New World, where they took crazy to a whole new level. Their Wile E. Coyote-esque obsession for concocting schemes — in this case, a “literacy” test — to deny Black voters their 15th and 19th Amendment rights (i.e., keep the vote, like the front of the bus, the better water fountains, and anything halfway decent, stamped ‘Whites Only’).

On July 30, 2020, former President Barack Obama reminded us of this ugly

past at the funeral of Congressmember and civil rights leader John Lewis: “We may no longer have to guess the number of jellybeans in a jar in order to cast a ballot,” he said, “but even as we sit here, there are those in power who are doing their darndest to discourage people from voting.”

Now imagine you are among the Nigerian Igbo, whose Judaic traditions link you not only to the tribe of Gad, ancient Judea, and thus Israel, but also to centuries of peril, persecution, and pariahdom. Like other Jews, you would long to return to the safe harbor of a promised land. Yet, before you can set foot on that ancestral ground, promised through sacred covenant, you are told you must first produce proof that your forebears practiced Judaism before European colonization — the very system (along with its predecessor, the transatlantic slave trade) that emboldened Europeans to either steal or destroy such records. This is the dilemma facing Nigerian Igbo Jews.

The Jim Crow jellybean

test and Israel’s demand for “precolonial Judaic proof” may look like different tests, but beneath the surface, they are the same: exclusion disguised as procedure and those behind the schemes as innocent proceduralists. However, there’s nothing innocent in setting impossible conditions never meant to be met and denying rights that already exist: the right to vote in one case and the right to return in the other. These are tests of neither literacy nor faith, but of endurance in the face of cruelty.

Israel’s Law of Return (1950) promises citizenship to Jews worldwide, but in practice, a racialized double standard has emerged. Igbo Jews, widely identified as descendants of Gad — one of Israel’s lost tribes, are asked for precolonial documentation. This requirement ignores African oral traditions, ritual continuity, and the colonial record of suppression: Missionaries themselves documented how Hebrew prayers were replaced by English hymns, synagogues repurposed or destroyed,

and family genealogies erased from official registers. Baptismal certificates supplanted ancestral scrolls, severing legal recognition of Jewish continuity. That’s if the demand were legitimate, which, of course, it was not.

Consider the case of the Soviet aliyah. During the aliyah, more than a million immigrants from the former Soviet Union, many with tenuous or no Jewish ties at all, were welcomed into Israel under the Law of Return without such scrutiny. Consider the 2017 statement (since deleted from the Times of Israel website) in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel “does not recognize any lost tribes.” Together, these examples expose the disingenuity and duplicity in the demand for precolonial Judaic evidence and the double standards in the Law of Return’s application. Africans must “prove” what colonization destroyed; Europeans need only show up. The irony is painful. The modern State of Israel

See JIM CROW on page 42

As potentially the city’s first Muslim mayor, Mamdani is more than qualified

By HERB BOYD

There was a certain warmth and sincerity in my first meeting with Zohran Mamdani at the funeral services for Rep. Charles Rangel this past spring. Our second encounter last Friday, at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, amplified the earlier impressions. I was joined by several reporters and photographers, most notably my AmNews colleague Ariama Long, and Milton Allimadi, whom I have known and traveled with on our coverage of national and world politics.

It was interesting to witness the exchanges between Mamdani and Milton, two talented young

men born in Uganda.

Milton nodded in agreement when Mamdani mentioned the extent to which, during the recent days of his mayoral campaign, he had experienced some of the “most shameful examples of Islamophobia, racism, and bigotry that we’ve seen in the city’s recent political history.”

Milton expressed some of the concerns faced by vendors, noting that the city spends about $20 billion with them each year, but out of that money, “Black and Latino businesses get less than 2%.”

He said that if that could be rectified, it would resolve a lot of problems. Milton then picked up on Mamdani’s complaint

about negative campaigning and asked, “Can New York, can the country, withstand that amount of hatemongering?”

Mamdani seemed pleased with these assertions and scribbled down some notes. I was deeply gratified to see how in concert they were and wished that kind of camaraderie were more widespread and could be bottled for the future. Despite the rancor the race for mayor has aroused, Mamdani has been unflappable, maintaining the poise of a seasoned contender. Even when I attempted to make light of his name and referred to him as “Zodani,” compressing it and mocking how often people garble

Election Day is almost here – are you ready?

CHRISTINA GREER, PH.D.

Election season is here and in full effect. Whether you are excited about the candidates on the ballot or begrudgingly going to vote, it is important that you participate in your civic duty for the good of your own personal governance, as well as for your greater community.

myriad of races that would appear on the ballot.

it, a slight smile crept across his face.

I was curious about how he would react if I greeted him with the Arabic words “Peace be unto you,” and his reply was barely audible. Far more audible was his reply asserting the existence of Israel, disputing any claims otherwise. Generally, he tends to emit a gentle demeanor, but that should not be taken as submission.

A determined fighter quality looms below the unruffled surface. As the first Muslim mayor of New York City, which seems to be a certainty at this point (pending another October surprise), he’s going to need resolve and toughness unlike any in the past.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th, however, some New Yorkers have already participated in early voting, which began on October 25 and extends to November 2nd. I like to vote early, not just for the sticker rewarding me for doing so, but as the threat of the franchise gets greater and greater with each passing election, it is important for me to signal to our elected officials and especially the GOP that early voting matters and helps people who have complicated schedules participate over several days as opposed to just Election Day In so many states, Republicans are trying to take away early voting because it actually does help a more diverse electorate participate in their own democracy.

This year, there are six proposals on the back of the ballot. For me, the most important is Proposal 6, which asks whether or not we want to combine our city elections in the same year as the presidential elections. I disagree with this proposal very strongly and voted ‘No.’ I think it is hard enough for local candidates to get their messages out to voters, and I fear that if all of the elections were collapsed into one election year, many people would be overwhelmed and vote without doing their due diligence on the

Obviously, I care deeply about the Mayoral race and do not believe there is a need for disgraced electeds, who are more concerned with being in elected office than being a public servant. I am willing to think of newer leadership who is interested in thinking about New Yorkers and affordability. Now is not the time to harp on the past or have elected officials who have proven over and over again they are running to fill personal voids.

No matter how you feel about the current electoral field, it is imperative that you exercise your right to vote if you can. Elected officials do look at the participation numbers of communities when making hard choices. That is just a reality.

If you are unsure where your polling station is located, you can go to www.findmypollsite.vote.nyc to receive information about your particular voting location and the hours of operation.

If you are curious as to who is on your ballot (since the ballot differs depending on district and borough), you can go to www. vote.nyc to look at a sample ballot and do a little research before you get into the voting booth.

Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of the books “How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams” and “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream”; and co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.

Caribbean Update

Caribbean leaders ask to mediate U.S.-Venezuela conflict

By BERT WILKINSON Special to the AmNews

Giving clear indications that they think war between the U.S. and Venezuela is imminent, Caribbean leaders offered themselves as 11th hour mediators at the weekend, saying military conflict will seriously affect the region.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, head of government in Dominica since 2004, led the offer to be interlocutors between Washington and Caracas even as the heavily armed guided missile destroyer, the USS Gravely, docked in Trinidad on Sunday, sparking fears that the Caribbean Community (Caricom) nation has senselessly lined up behind the U.S. in a war that does not directly concern it.

The vessel, with more than 300 sailors, docked in Port of Spain, presumably for joint security exercises with the local military, but it also means that this is the closest known position of the U.S. warship to Venezuela since the threat of war and regime change broke out in recent weeks. The two nations are separated by the Gulf of Paria, a 7-mile

stretch of water used by the merchant marine, local fishermen, economic migrants heading for a new life in Trinidad, and those involved in illegal business among others.

Sharing a governing party platform with a visiting PM Skerrit, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley argued that war and military overreach are not the answer, but peaceful resolution to conflicts should be the route to take.

“We have to speak up. I believe that the time has come for us, therefore, to be able to ensure that we do not accept that any entity has the right to engage in extra-judicial killings of persons that they suspect of being involved in criminal activities. If there are conflicts and disputes that are in need of resolution, then the place that needs to be taken for such resolution is the UN and the methodology that must be deployed for the resolution is one of negotiation and peaceful actions taken in order to ensure that we can settle disputes,” she said.

Their remarks follow a plea by nearly a dozen former heads of government, asking the US to pull back from military action in an area that has long pa-

raded itself as a zone of peace.

“We are impelled to urge a pull back from military build up to avoid any diminution of peace, stability and development within our regional space that has the potential to pull the region into conflicts which are not of our making,” the leaders stated.

Contending that they are serious about mediating, Skerrit stated that “of course, we in Barbados and Dominica, and indeed the wider Caribbean, offer ourselves as intermediaries so that we can bring the two forces together and let us understand that there can be common sense and agreement, and disagreement — but we have to ensure that we do not have a situation of our region descending into turmoil.”

As hundreds of curious onlookers flocked to the port and discussed the implications of the warship in local waters, Venezuelan officials, including Vice President Delcy Rordriguez, hurled criticism against the administration of Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar for becoming an alleged puppet of the USA. Skerrit has openly welcomed the U.S. attacks on alleged drug-fetching vessels several times, saying that runway vio-

USS Gravely destroyer arrives to dock for military exercises in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Robert Taylor)

lent crime at home had quite a lot to do with the narco, weapons, and human trafficking trade. “Kill them all violently,” she said recently, irking regional colleague nations and Venezuelan authorities.

“The government has renounced the sovereignty of TT to act as a military colony subordinate to US hegemonic interests, turning its territory into a US aircraft carrier for the war throughout the Caribbean against Venezuela, Colombia, and all of South America,” a government statement noted. “By folding to Washington’s militaristic agenda, Persad-Bissessar not only intends to attack Venezuela — a country that has always maintained a policy

of energy co-operation, mutual respect, and Caribbean integration — and break our historic bonds of brotherhood.”

As the region monitors developments, including the deployment of the largest and most powerful U.S. warship, attention is also being paid to neighboring Grenada. The U.S. has asked Grenada to allow it to set up a military radar station at the main airport, just about 100 miles from the Venezuelan mainland. PM Dickon Mitchell has promised an update to his nation, which the U.S. invaded back in 1983 this week. Nearby Antigua has said it would not allow any foreign military assets on the island.

Have lots of cash? It may soon be cheaper to get a green card

If you’ve got deep pockets, the Donald Trump administration has some good news for you. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has just published a new rule in the Federal Register that would make it cheaper for the rich to buy their way into America — through the EB-5 immigrant investor visa program.

The rule, published in the Federal Register on October 23, 2025, quietly lowers nearly every major EB-5 application fee, even as the administration continues to push mass deportations, detentions, and immigration crackdowns on everyone else.

The Fine Print

The EB-5 visa — often referred to as the “million-dollar green card” — enables foreign nationals to obtain permanent U.S. residency by investing in American businesses that create jobs.

The Trump DHS now wants to

reduce the filing fees investors and regional centers pay to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), claiming the cuts will “align fees with costs” and “enhance integrity.” But make no mistake: this is a major price drop for the world’s wealthiest, want to be US migrants.

That’s right — up to 61 percent off.

DHS says the changes are meant to “support integrity,” but the reality is simple: it’s now cheaper than ever to buy your way into America. Here’s how the numbers stack up:

Still A Millionaire’s Club

The rule doesn’t change the actual investment thresholds, however. Under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022, you still need to invest:

• US $1,050,000 in a standard U.S. business, or

• US $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (a rural or high-unemployment zone).

So, while the price of admission stays the same, the paperwork cost to enter the program drops sharp-

ly — a sweet deal for investors who can afford to play in the EB-5 arena.

The New “Integrity” Fees

However, while cutting up-front fees, DHS is also introducing these new charges:

• A $95 “technology fee” on every petition.

• A new Integrity Fund, financed by annual payments of $10,000 or $20,000 from each regional center to fund audits and site visits.

• Penalties for late payments, including up to 20% surcharges or termination after 90 days. So yes, it’s cheaper to file — Uncle Sam under Trump will still be collecting in other ways.

The Bigger Picture

Created in 1990 to attract foreign investment and create U.S. jobs, the EB-5 program has long been criticized as a “cash-for-visa” scheme that benefits the wealthy while millions of others wait decades in backlogged

family and employment visa lines. Now, under Trump’s DHS, the contrast couldn’t be starker:

• Cheaper access for millionaires.

• Harsher enforcement for asylum seekers, farm workers, and Dreamers. This isn’t immigration reform — it’s immigration for sale.

The Bottom Line

If you’re rich, congratulations: in Donald Trump’s America, your green card just got a discount. For everyone else, the door remains locked, the fees keep rising, and the message couldn’t be clearer: Welcome to the United States, where cash, not compassion, determines your path to residency and citizenship.

Felicia J. Persaud is the founder and publisher of NewsAmericasNow.com, the only daily newswire and digital platform dedicated exclusively to Caribbean Diaspora and Black immigrant news across the Americas.

By TAAYOO MURRAY Special to the AmNews

Jamaica is trying to keep people and property safe from further harm while the strongest hurricane to hit the Caribbean island in a generation leaves devastation in its wake. However, much of the island was spared the worst of the storm Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Oct. 28 as a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph. The hurricane landed on the southwestern section of the island, about 40 miles from Montego Bay, a major tourist destination. The slow-moving hurricane brought with it torrential rain, and tropical storm and hurricane force winds that were felt across the island. Officials in the country say 77% of the island is without power.

The death toll so far from Melissa is 25 in Haiti, three in Jamaica died preparing for the storm with another 13 injured, according to the Jamaica Gleaner. Three others in Haiti and in the Dominican Republic were also reported dead, the Associated Press reported. Officials in Jamaica say it is too early to assess the total amount of damage, but the death toll is expected to rise.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared the country a disaster area. The declaration was made under the Disaster Risk Management Act, a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister said.

In an interview with the AmNews, Floyd Green, minister of agriculture and member of parliament for St. Elizabeth South Western, said there is significant damage to homes and businesses across St. Elizabeth Parish, especially its capital Black River. “There’s extensive flooding across communities, with electricity and phone services presently down,” said Green.

Prior to the start of the hurricane, approximately 388 people in the Black River area were at shelters. Green shared that the Emergency Operational Center is functional, but community interventions cannot be done until it is safe to go out.

The Black River Hospital was severely damaged by the hurricane.

“The hospital has evacuated 50% of

International News

Hurricane Melissa strikes Jamaica leaving most of the island without power, unknown death toll

their patients, and moved others to higher floors,” said Green.

A major concern for the island is the devastation of St. Elizabeth, officially known as the “bread basket” of the island. Green said, “It is going to be a significant blow to the sector. The sector had just bounced back from Hurricane Beryl and this will take a major toll on farmers especially heading into the Yuletide season.” Green and the government are committed to starting the recovery process immediately.

The westward drift of the hurricane before making landfall allowed Kingston, the country’s capital, to be spared the worst of the ravages of the hurricane. “The wind has been crazy,” said Terri-Claude Anglin, a resident of St. Catherine Parish. “The rain hasn’t been too heavy, but it has been constant.”

Anglin told the AmNews his house lost electricity and running water. His entire yard is flooded, with some leaking of his roof.

Known as an international tourism destination, about four million tourists come to Jamaica each year, mainly staying at resorts

and hotels across the island. In a statement, tourism minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett said there are 25,000 tourists currently on the island. It is unclear if there are any injuries among them so far.

Officials say they will rush to reopen Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport by Thursday to facilitate international flights as the Sangster Airport in Montego Bay suffered infrastructural damage to the departure area among others and won’t reopen for a few days.

Local residents who work in the tourism industry are used to working during major storms.

“It’s a personal sacrifice being away from my family,” said Mitzie Smart, manager at a major hotel in Lucea, a coastal town located between Negril and Montego Bay. Smart was at work during her 19th wedding anniversary when Hurricane Beryl skirted the island in 2024, and is also on shift for Hurricane Melissa.

“With guests in-house, they take priority because we are really hosting them away from their real homes,” Smart explained. She also

shared that guests are scared, uncertain, and worried about being stranded. “As a manager, I also sacrifice so that team members can stay home with their younger children and secure their properties.”

Even though Hurricane Melissa has left the island, residents in Kingston are reporting heavier downpours and wind at night. “Melissa just a lift up her tail,” said Kimbrilee Henry, a Kingston resident.

As Jamaica tries to recover, The Bahamas and Bermuda are also preparing for impacts from Melissa

as she has already made landfall in Cuba, dumping significant rain and triggering destruction of the infrastructure in some areas. In The Bahamas, meanwhile, hundreds have abandoned homes and businesses in the southern part of the country — areas like Crooked Island and Acklins — that officials say would be seriously impacted along with Ragged Island, Long Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador.

Bert Wilkinson and the Associated Press contributed to this story.

To help with aid to Jamaica and other Caribbean islands impacted by Hurricane Melissa these organizations are taking donations:

• The American Red Cross — https://redcross. org/donate/donation.html

• World Central Kitchen — https://donate.wck. org/give/499865/#!/donation/checkout

• American Friends of Jamaica — https://theafj. app.neoncrm.com/forms/afj-disaster-relief-fund

High winds from Hurricane Melissa ripped through Jamaica leaving residents to clean up in its wake. (Jonathan Bamidele photo)

NYC 2025

amsterdamnews.com/election2025/

New York City chooses its future in an election with national impact

It’s time to cast your ballot, and AmNews wants you to be informed about the major races, ballot proposals, and the smaller community races that will affect

Black New Yorkers.

By AMNEWS STAFF

After a year of campaigning, speeches, emails, snail mail, punditry, media coverage, and head-scratching, the Five Boroughs are once again being asked to step up to the ballot box to decide who will lead its 8 million residents for the rest of the decade, what rules they will live by, and the overall direction the city will take.

The most talked-about mayoral campaign of the last generation is nearly over, and its impact crosses not only political lines but also racial and class divisions. While the 2021 race mainly focused on public safety in a city trying to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2025 race is all about affordability in a city where many can no longer afford the rent and where a lack of housing is squeezing families out.

Although elections are taking place nationwide, the entire country is watching what happens in New York City because so much is centered here economically, politically, and culturally, and as the largest city, it anchors America. This means it is being watched by other municipalities, and by a White House that has made clear how it wants the mayoral election to turn out.

But there are also races for Public Advocate, Comptroller, the presidencies of each of New York City’s boroughs, and numerous important city council campaigns in critical districts. AmNews is taking a look at these in this guide that will help our readers understand the races and make the best choices.

Mayor

Three major candidates are on the ballot, but there are other candidates whose names haven’t been in the news as much, and there are more running as write-ins. Mayor Eric Adams suspended his campaign on Sept. 28, leaving the three most well-known to compete.

The 34-year-old state assemblyman who represents Astoria, Ditmars-Steinway, and Astoria Heights surprised people in New York City and across the country when he won the Democratic nomination in the city’s primary earlier this year. His message of affordability — free bus fares, and opening city-run grocery stores resonated with much of the voting population, especially younger voters. But others, including President Trump, were alarmed at Mamdani’s socialist approach, not to mention the thinly-veiled bigotry toward him for being a foreign-born Muslim.

Since his primary win, Mamdani has led in the polls and gained support from multiple endorsers, including Gov. Kathy Hochul, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, City Comptroller Brad Lander (who is also part of his campaign), as well as others outside New York like Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Several unions, including 1199 SEIU, the Communications Workers of America, and the United Federation of Teachers, also support him.

Andrew M. Cuomo Independent

Prior to the June primary, Cuomo, 67, was expected to perform well if not win in Continued on next page

Zohran K. Mamdani Democratic

E A R LY VO T I N G OCTOBER 25 NOVEMBER 2

Continued from previous page

the crowded field of Democrats running. Just a few years ago, he was popular, locally and nationally, for steering the state as governor through the pandemic. He enjoyed great approval ratings, but only up to a point. Allegations of sexual harassment, which he has consistently denied, and mismanagement of the spread of coronavirus in state nursing homes began to follow him until he was forced to resign in August 2021.

But in 2025, he emerged as a strong candidate with a platform of tax incentives to promote the building of affordable housing, placing the MTA under city control (it has been a state agency since its founding in 1968), and his Five-Borough Economic Transformation Capital Fund, a proposed $1.5 billion initiative aimed at spurring job growth across the city. Apparently, however, that hasn’t been enough to change the minds of likely voters so far. Polls continue to show him trailing Mamdani by double digits.

Curtis A.

Sliwa

Republican

In his second run for mayor, the Guardian Angels founder, former radio host, and activist, has been vocal about his ability to run the city better than the other candidates. But it has not been enough to con-

vince a largely Democratic-leaning voter population to support him. Unlike the bitter 2021 Republican primary fight in which he defeated businessman Fernando Mateo, he ran unopposed in 2025 for the nomination.

Sliwa, 71, has also faced repeated calls by Mamdani’s critics to drop out so the race could be more focused on defeating him, to which he has responded negatively. Instead, he has touted his own platform, which includes encouraging investments in the four boroughs outside Manhattan, hiring 7,000 police officers, and getting rid of the “City of Yes” zoning law passed in 2024, and instead giving control back to residents. However, with not much time left, Sliwa has a lot of ground to cover compared to the other two major candidates.

Joseph Hernandez Quality of Life

The entrepreneur and founder of Blue Water Venture Partners says he wants to speed up affordable housing and provide more than 100,000 new housing units, hire 10,000 more police officers, and use AI to make city operations more efficient.

Irene Estrada Conservative

having previously run for City Council and state assembly. She decided to run on the Conservative Party ticket, saying that Democrats had gone too far left on public safety issues. She is for repealing bail reform, and is also against the “City of Yes” law, but wants to advocate for tenants’ rights.

Public Advocate

Jumaane Williams (I) Democratic

In the June primary, Williams took more than 71 percent of the vote to reclaim another term in office.

The former city councilman from Flatbush, Brooklyn, bested challengers such as state assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar and financial adviser Marty Dolan. He has stood steadfast against the NYPD’s stop-and-frisk policy, successfully passed legislation to protect employees from employers retaliation, and a Persons Without Homes Bill of Rights, among other legislation.

Gonzalo Duran Republican

Duran has been a critic of Mandani’s throughout his campaign and is seeking to connect Republicans and conservatives in New York City. He is seeking better regulations for developers building housing, giving tax breaks to local businesses rather than corporations, and addressing “food deserts” by making it more difficult for fast food companies and easier for supermarkets to open up.

Martin W. Dolan Unity

Like many Republicans, Dolan advocates no income tax on residents until age 26, restoring afterschool programs, and a plan for homeownership for families in NYCHA housing, along with better oversight of 20% of New York City’s budget outsourced to independent contractors. He also wants to eliminate the red tape that makes it harder to obtain permits.

Manhattan District Attorney

Alvin Bragg (I) Democratic

Although he is best known nationally for his prosecution of Donald Trump and winning a conviction in the Stormy Daniels case, Bragg has boasted successes such as a reduction in gun violence and other crimes, creating drug abuse and youth programs that encourage jobs and community service. But a continued emphasis on eliminating gun violence through measures like violence intervention remains a centerpiece of his platform.

Maud Maron Republican

The former Legal Aid Society Public Defender wants to crack down on recidivist offenders and end “revolving door” crime. She also wants to prosecute all crimes, including fare evasion and shoplifting, which is in opposition to Bragg’s “Day One Memo” which steps away from pursuing prosecution for low-level offenses. But like Mamdani, she also advocates for Mental Health and Public Safety Units.

Diana Florence Safer Manhattan

A former Manhattan Assistant D.A., and lifelong Democrat now running on a different ticket, Florence says that Bragg is hiding real crime numbers and says repeat offenders are being set free to commit more crime. She also stands against the “Day One Memo” and says he is not doing enough to seek jail time for dangerous offenders. She says “blanket policies” on crime do not work and has pledged to end them.

Brooklyn District Attorney

Eric Gonzalez (I) Democrat, Working Families

Gonzales is running unopposed in the 2025 Brooklyn D.A. race.

NYC 2025

Borough President

Manhattan

Brad Hoylman-Sigal Democratic, Working Families

Seson Adams Republican

Rolando Gomez The Unity

Brooklyn

Antonio Reynoso (I) Democratic, Working Families

Janine Acquafredda Republican, Conservative

Queens

Donovan J Richards (I) Democratic

Henry Ikezi Republican, United Alliance

Bronx

Vanessa L Gibson (I) Democratic, Working Families

Grace Marrero Republican, Conservative

Staten Island

Michael Thomas Colombo Democratic

amsterdamnews.com/election2025/

Vito J Fossella (I) Republican

Select City Council Races

District 7

Shaun Abreu (I) Democratic, Working Families

Jomo Williams Republican

Edafe Okporo West Side United

District 8

Elsie R Encarnacion Democratic, Working Families

Tyreek Goodman Republican, Conservative

Federico Colon The Unity

District 10

Carmen N De La Rosa (I) Democratic, Working Families

Louisa Flores Republican

Francesca M Castellanos The Unity

District 12

Kevin Riley (I) Democratic

Franchie M. Muniz Republican

James Washington-Ward Conservative, United Alliance

District 16

Althea V. Stevens (I) Democratic, Working Families

Emmanuel A Findlay Republican, Conservative

District 35

Crystal Hudson (I) Democratic, Working Families

Hector A Robertson United Alliance

Benny Rosenberger Conservative

District 41

Darlene Mealy (I) Democratic

Yehuda Shaffer The United Alliance Party

District 42

Chris Banks (I) Democratic

Davon L Phillips Freedom

District 45

Farah N. Louis (I) Democratic

Elijah Diaz Republican, Conservative

Hatem El-Gamasy Safe & Affordable

District 46

Mercedes Narcisse (I) Democratic

Athena A Clarke Republican

Dimple Willabus Conservative

District 49

Kamillah M Hanks (I) Democratic

John E Shea Republican

Sarah Blas Working Families, New North Shore

VOTER GUIDE BALLOT PROPOSALS

THERE WILL BE SIX BALLOT PROPOSALS ON THE BACK OF VOTER BALLOTS THIS YEAR, SOME OF WHICH ARE HOTLY DEBATED BETWEEN THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE TENUOUS ADAMS ADMINISTRATION.

An amendment to the state constitution’s Forever Wild clause to allow for development on upstate forest preserve land to expand the Lake Placid Olympic Sports Complex, a 1,039-acre ski park at the base of Mount Van Hoevenberg in Essex County. About 2,500 acres of new forest land will be added to offset the lost land.

Would change the city’s processes to “fast-track certain affordable housing projects” and speed up applications in 12 community districts that produce the least amount of affordable housing. It would keep the community board review and local borough president (BP) part of the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP).

Would simplify the review process of “modest amounts” or “minor” infrastructure projects and climate resiliency projects through an Expedited Land Use Review Procedure (ELURP). The process would be shortened to about 90 days.

This proposal establishes an Affordable Housing Appeals Board with the council speaker, local Borough President, and mayor. It would allow the three-member board to reverse the City Council’s decisions on affordable housing projects with a vote.

Would digitize paper maps and create a borough map office at the Department of City Planning (DCP) by January 1, 2028.

A state constitutional amendment and a citywide referendum that moves the city’s primary and general election dates to even-numbered years to match up with federal presidential elections on the ballot.

Ryan P.

Retail Banking Team Manager

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Arts & Entertainment

Misty Copeland’s farewell performance — and a career that opens doors

By ZITA ALLEN Special to the AmNews

Perhaps it was the fact that this was a historic event and Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall was filled with over a thousand excited and fidgety youngsters who had come to see the farewell performance of Misty Copeland, American Ballet Theatre’s (ABT) first Black female principal since it was founded in 1940, but the theater was electric. It didn’t matter to the youngsters that they were watching a simulcast of the actual event taking place in a larger theatre one block away. What mattered was that they were there to see, in real time, Copeland’s exquisite farewell performance with ABT’s Calvin Royal III in the lusciously romantic balcony scene from Kenneth MacMillan’s “Romeo and Juliet,” as well as her feisty charismatic work in excerpts from Twyla Tharp’s “Sinatra Suite” with ABT’s Herman Cornejo, and her brilliantly upbeat display of athleticism in Kyle Abraham’s “Wrecka Stow,” also with Calvin Royal III as her partner. There were also additional perfor-

mances by American Ballet Theatre and ABT Studio.

ble list of ‘Who’s Who’ in the arts that includes the event’s Honor-

event, all you had to do was glance at the jaw-dropping additional list

Among those responsible for this impressive farewell honoring a Black ballerina who is now the latest in a list of ballet’s Black trailblazers were ABT’s Susan Jaffe and Barry Hughson. They top a verita-

ary Grand Chairs Caroline Kennedy and Oprah Winfrey, and Grand Chairs Valentino Carlotti, Susan Fales-Hill, Arielle Patrick, and Daren Walker. And, if there was any doubt as to the significance of the

Social media is filled with photos of the beautiful people attending Misty Copeland’s farewell. They are decked out in their spiffy suits, fancy dresses, and floor-length gowns, and paid a hefty price, north of four figures, to fill the Lincoln Center theatre’s red velvet seats. But as theatre lights dimmed and the evening’s historic program began, the excitement of the audience in the main theatre was dwarfed by the shouts, cheers, and applause of the kids, a block away in Alice Tully Hall. Their seats were free and all they had to do was stand in line as early as 8 a.m. that morning, or attend as one of the students and/ or guests of the Misty Copeland Foundation and its partners.

Continued on next page

of chairs, co-chairs and honorary committee which included (but was not limited to) Debbie Allen, Lauren Anderson, Hannah Bronfman, Ayesha and Stephen Curry, Lee Daniels, Renée Fleming, Robert Garland, Thelma Golden, Derek Jeter, Virginia Johnson, Gayle King, Alicia Graf Mack, Audra McDonald, Kevin McKenzie, Zac Posen and Harrison Ball, Desmond Richardson, Martin Scorsese, Twyla Tharp, Charlize Theron, Lindsey Vonn, Lena Waithe, Alfre Woodard, and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Misty Copeland and Calvin Royal III at the curtain call for Copeland’S farewell performance with American Ballet Theatre.

Misty Copeland at the curtain call for her farewell performance with American Ballet Theatre. (Rosalie O’Connor Photography, photos courtesy of American Ballet Theatre)

Misty Copeland and Calvin Royal III in the pas de deux from Romeo and Juliet.

Debbie Allen and Misty Copeland at the curtain call forCopeland’sfarewell performance with AmericanBallet Theatre.

Eleven-year-old Coral Santiago, who was lucky enough to attend the simulcast with her mom, Laura, was one of the many young ballet students from The Misty Copeland Foundation’s BE BOLD and BE BOLDER programs who cheered enthusiastically as the lights dimmed in Alice Tully Hall, and the show began. “I was mesmerized. She looked like a fairy,” Coral said later, sharing how special the evening was for her. Laura loved the “Romeo and Juliet” main pas de deux. “Misty was so happy, you could see it in her face. And, Calvin was beautiful.” While Coral loved everything, the eleven-yearold particularly liked Kayle Abraham’s “Wrecka Stow.” But most of all they both love the ballet classes Coral is able to take through the Copeland Foundation’s program. Coral’s mother, Laura, says the impact of her ballet classes, which she started taking two years ago through Copeland’s BE BOLD and BE BOLDER program, is undeniable. “I’m grateful for the opportunity. I love that she gets to explore

this type of dance and to learn new things. And, for my daughter to be able to see Misty, to see her dance, was also very inspirational. Misty is a great role model. Coral never saw herself until she saw Misty dance. Now, she says, ‘Oh, I can be like that.’ I feel there’s a sense of pride that Coral feels. Misty shows that regardless of race, age, and circumstance, you can exceed everybody’s expectations. My daughter is trying to do better and she gets more out of her classes. She’s more interested, and as a mom, I’m really grateful to see my daughter get inspired like that.”

For such a special occasion as Copeland’s farewell performance, Coral says she and her mother shopped for matching outfits and both dressed up for the event, wearing dresses in matching colors and matching black ballet shoes, Coral says giggling. And, at the end of the evening, when Oprah Winfrey and the others came onstage and presented Misty with elaborate bouquets of flowers, Coral whispered to her mom, “I wish I could present her with flowers, too.”

Laurie A. Cumbo and Jody Arnhold attend the American Ballet Theatre Fall Gala at David Geffen Hall on October 22, 2025 in New York City.

Taye Diggs attends the American Ballet Theatre Fall Gala at David Geffen Hall on October 22, 2025 in New York City.

Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashād attend the American Ballet Theatre Fall Gala at David Geffen Hall on October 22, 2025 in New York City.

Tamron Hall attends the American Ballet Theatre Fall Gala at David Geffen Hall on October 22, 2025 in New York City.

Iman (left) and Nardos Imam attend the American Ballet Theatre Fall Gala at David Geffen Hall on October 22, 2025 in New York City.

Alfre Woodard and LaTanya Richardson Jackson attend the American Ballet Theatre Fall Gala at David Geffen Hall on October 22, 2025 in New York City. (Photos by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for American Ballet Theatre)

‘Ragtime’ is spectacularly sublime!

By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews

“Ragtime” is a spectacular — and incredibly timely — musical story of three families going after the American dream at the turn of the 20th century, and what that dream looks like for each family. It tells of the struggles, cruelty, and abuse faced by Blacks at the hands of racist whites, and the hatred faced by immigrants who came to this country to be successful. This superb musical production is packed with one showstopper number after the next. The cast is stunning and will have you on your feet cheering. The musical features a book by Terrance McNally, music and lyrics by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, based on the novel “Ragtime” by E.L. Doctorow.

The cast will send you to the upper stratosphere as their voices soar to the heavens, which is also

where they take your heart and soul. The cast delivers their roles with passion, intensity, and conviction. This production is Broadway at its most powerful, relevant best, and will have you captivated and appreciative from the first song until the finale. It is nothing less than perfection before your eyes. Joshua Henry is nothing less than a gift from God. His presence on that stage as Coalhouse Walker Jr. will captivate your very soul. His deep, passionate voice will give you chills. Henry leads a company of actors that are just as accomplished, and bring their heart and soul to their characters. Nichelle Lewis, playing the role of Sarah, Coalhouse’s love interest and the mother of his child, has definitely come into her own in this role — one she previously performed at New York City Center opposite Henry. Her voice is magnificent. When Lewis and Henry sing, your heart soars. Their harmonies

are splendid. Their passion is palpable! They have a chemistry that is beautiful to behold. When they sing “Wheels of a Dream,” you will feel chills throughout your body. I know I did. Caissie Levy is compassionate and stirring as Mother, a white woman who thought her life was perfect, until she found an abandoned Black baby in her garden, and her life changed forever. Brandon Uranowitz is superb as Tateh, a Jewish immigrant who came to America with his daughter to find the American dream, but realized that it was not going to be as simple as he’d hoped. Colin Donnell is very jaded as Father, a wealthy, racist businessman who does not support his wife helping a Black baby. Ben Levi Ross is marvelous as Mother’s Younger Brother, a young white man who passionately defends Blacks and is willing to assist them in achieving justice, whatever that may entail. John

Clay III is captivating as Booker T. Washington, who wants to keep the peace, no matter what horrific actions whites take in attacking Blacks. Shaina Taub is phenomenal as Emma Goldman, a woman fighting for immigrants’ rights. Taub is mesmerizing in this role. Anna Grace Barlow is amusing as Evelyn Nesbit. Rodd Cyrus is engaging as Harry Houdini. Nick Barrington is delightful as The Little Boy, and Tabitha Lawing is memorable as The Little Girl. Kaleb Johnson was adorable in the role of Coalhouse Walker III, a role he alternates with Kane Emmanuel Miller. The ensemble on that stage is brilliant and includes Nicholas Barrón, Lauren Blackman, Allison Blackwell, Briana Carlson-Goodman, Jordan Chin, Billy Cohen, Rheaume Crenshaw, Ellie Fishman, Jason Forbach, Ta’Nika Gibson, David Jennings, Kaleb Johnson, Marina Kondo, Morgan Marcell, Kane Emman-

uel Miller, Tom Nelis, Kent Overshown, Kayla Pecchioni, John Rapson, Deandre Sevon, Jacob Keith Watson, and Alan Wiggins.

“Ragtime” is visually stunning and has wonderful choreography by Ellenore Scott, scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Linda Cho, lighting design by Adam Honore, sound design by Kai Harada, projection design by 59 Studio, and hair and wig design by Tom Watson. There is music direction by James Moore, original orchestrations by William David Brohn, and vocal arrangements by Stephen Flaherty.

“Ragtime” is a MUST-SEE! It is playing at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre at 150 W 65th St. It is what Broadway theater should be — powerful, relevant, and filled with heart-pounding singing performances that will make your heart soar and bring you to your feet as you experience performances to adore! For tickets visit lct.org.

Nichelle Lewis and Joshua Henry in “Ragtime” at Lincoln Center. (Matthew Murphy photo)

Peace on the Plaza

By BILL MOORE Amsterdam News Staff

The Harlem State Office Building was the site of a recent Day of Healing, a mass yoga and holistic meditation event, sponsored by WARM’s Stephanie McGraw and holistic expert Queen Afua with the support of elected officials, in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

(Bill Moore photos)

AmNews FOOD

Elevate soup season with a warming, inviting, and plentiful classic

By KELLY TORRES Special to the AmNews

With soup season upon us, it’s time to grab your favorite bowl and get ready to ladle out some deliciousness.

Here is a butternut and acorn squash soup garnished with mascarpone, bacon, chives, and truffle oil. When you invite your friends over for dinner, it’s only natural to want to serve a dish that is not only special,

but warming, inviting, and plentiful so that seconds can be enjoyed.

Because butternut squash soup is a familiar classic, the real excitement comes from the toppings. Crispy bacon pieces and creamy mascarpone make a nicely contrasting garnish for this velvety squash soup. Be sure to let the mascarpone sit at room temperature at the start of cooking to cut the chill and to allow for pretty swirls when you dip in your soup spoon. For vege-

tarians, you can simply leave out the bacon and use a vegetable stock base. What I love about squash soup, or any pureed vegetable soup, is that it gives plenty of room for a tempting array of interesting garnishes. Take liberty in jazzing up your soup with toppings like crispy shallots or toasted pepitas. To make it heartier, add 2 - 3 cheese ravioli, tortellini, or drop dumplings to each bowl. Truffle oil is used here because I absolutely adore the earthy

aroma that adds to the coziness of serving soup for friends. But truffle oil is not for everybody, so it can be easily swapped out for other finishing touches like garlic-infused oil, paprika oil, or even chorizo oil. There are innumerable ways to beautify an autumn soup that can yield scrumptious results. The best part is that this soup tastes just as great when made a day or two ahead, letting you focus on guests rather than cleanup. One pot, endless smiles!

Butternut & Acorn Squash Soup with Bacon, Mascarpone, Chives & Truffle Oil

Yields 8 - 10 servings

Ingredients:

2 butternut squash, large dice

2 acorn squash, large dice

1 stick of cinnamon

1 large yellow onion, large dice

5 cloves of garlic, rough chop

¼ teaspoon dried thyme

6 cups vegetable or chicken stock

2 teaspoons of vegetable or chicken bouillon (Better Than Bouillon brand)

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

Heavy cream, to taste

Salt & pepper, to taste

Mascarpone, as garnish

6 - 8 slabs of bacon, cut into thirds, pan-fried, as garnish

¼ cup chives, thinly sliced, as garnish Truffle oil, as garnish

Instructions:

In a large stockpot, add butternut, acorn squash, and cinnamon stick. Cover with cold water up to ½ inch over vegetables. Cook on high heat until rapidly boiling. Turn heat to a simmer. Boil for approximately 25 minutes, until softened and easily mashed with a fork. Remove the cinnamon stick. Strain water. Set aside. Keep the stockpot nearby to use for reheating the soup. In a nonstick skillet, saute onions, garlic, and thyme until aromatic and translucent. Set aside. Cook bacon. Set aside.

Heat vegetable or chicken stock. In a Vitamix, add pieces of butternut squash, acorn squash, onions, and garlic, and 2 cups of stock at a time. Process until fully pureed and smooth, with no visible chunks. Pour back into the stockpot. Do this in batches until all of the squash, onions, and stock are used. Begin to reheat the soup. Add the butter, the 2 teaspoons of vegetable or chicken bouillon, and heavy cream. Stir to fully melt the butter and bouillon. Taste and adjust seasoning

with salt & pepper and/or more heavy cream.

Assembly:

In warm soup bowls, ladle in the hot

soup, leaving 1 to 1½ inches away from the top of the bowl. Garnish with 2 dollops of mascarpone in the center of the bowl. It may sink, that’s okay. Tuck in 2 pieces of the bacon on the upper left side of the mascarpone. Sprinkle the bowl with chives. Carefully drizzle some truffle oil over the other garnishes and around the soup. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Butternut & Acorn Squash Soup with bacon, mascarpone, chives & truffle oil. (Kelly Torres photo)

Celia Cruz Centennial celebrates 100 years of the iconic singer at JALC

By JOHNNY KNOLLWOOD Special to the AmNews

The rhythms of Cuba and Africa fueled an enthusiastic audience who transformed the “house of swing” into a dance floor, reminiscent of the historic Palladium Ballroom in Manhattan where mambo was popularized, as virtuoso bassist Carlos Henriquez led his orchestra in a tribute to legendary singer and “Queen of Salsa” Celia Cruz at the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center October 17 and 18. Henriquez was joined by renowned percussionist Bobby Allende, and vocalists Aymée Nuviola, Alain Pérez, and Ariacne Trujillo Duran to celebrate 100 years of the iconic singer

with a career spanning set that included genre standards and mainstays like “Toro Mata,” “La Bemba Colora,” and “Quimbara.”

Celia Cruz was a monumental force in the world of Latin music, propelling Afro-Cuban music to new heights of popularity by lending her distinct and powerful voice to some of the genre’s most iconic works. Forced into exile during the Cuban revolution, Cruz found refuge in New York City, where she collaborated with other genre giants, including Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco, and Willie Colón, often using her art to address social issues and draw connections to her African and Cuban cultural ties. She died across the river in Fort Lee, New

Jersey, in 2003 and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.

“This is a special night,” Nuviola, a Cuban native who played Cruz in a telenovela adaptation of her life, proclaimed as she took to the stage to kick things off alongside Henriquez, Allende, and the orchestra. “This is a night to celebrate Celia!” Nuviola performed renditions of “Yerbero Moderna,” and “Toro Mata,” before being joined by Cuban vocalist and bassist Pérez for a duet rendition of “La Bemba Colora.” The duo had no problem prompting audience members to rise from their seats, leading attendees in dance and song. As Nuviola left the stage to a thunderous applause, Pérez took some time to

address the audience. “Vive la historia de una mujer que esta un inspirio,” Pérez said to the audience, which translates roughly to, “long live the history of a woman who is an inspiration.” Trujillo Duran followed Pérez before the three singers took to the stage for a final performance of songs that included “La Vida es un Carnaval.”

The lines between salsa and jazz, clave and swing, were increasingly blurred throughout the performance, as the virtuosity of the musicians and singers were on full display. The players explored the endless possibilities of each composition as they delivered fresh improvisational ideas over a rhythm section that was fiercely locked in. The horn section, consisting of

Jesus Ricardo, Manuel Ruiz, Xito Lovell, and Ben Romanow, pianist Osmany Paredes, and percussionists Marcos Lopez and Carlitos Padron backed Henriquez, Allende, and the vocalists as they delivered renditions of classic songs, maintained their shape without sacrificing the adventure and exploration of ideas that is a central tenement of jazz music.

The event was held as part of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 25-26 season titled “Mother Africa,” which “celebrates jazz and the African diaspora that brought it to life,” according to their website. You can stay up to date with their programming, learn about student discounts, and more at their website at jazz.org.

Jazz at Lincoln Center held a celebration of Celia Cruz’s 100th birthday, October 17-18 at the Rose Theater, featuring percussionist Bobby Allende and virtuoso bassist Carlos Henriquez leading an orchestra with guest vocalists Aymée Nuviola (pictured), Alain Pérez, and Ariacne Trujillo Duran. (Johnny Knollwood photo)

Legendary pianist-composer Herbie Hancock to perform at Bergen Performing Arts Center Oct. 30

By JOHNNY KNOLLWOOD Special to the AmNews

Herbie Hancock, the legendary pianist and composer who has continually blurred the lines between jazz, funk and pop, will bring his ensemble back to the tri-state area with a performance at the Bergen Performing Arts Center on October 30. The NEA Jazz Master will be joined by fellow Jazz Master and frequent Spike Lee collaborator Terence Blanchard on trumpet, longtime “Saturday Night Live” bassist James Genus, West African guitarist Lionel Loueke, and Jaylen Petinaud for an evening of expansion and exploration on a set of Hancock classics and more. Hancock kicked off his storied career as a part of Miles Davis’ Second Great Quintet that also featured bassist Ron Carter, late drummer Tony Williams, and saxophonist Wayne Shorter, whom Hancock has described as his “best friend.” Shorter passed away in 2023 at 89, but Hancock continues to honor his legacy, often perform-

ing a Blanchard-arranged rendition of Shorter’s “Footprints,” alongside Hancock-penned mainstays like “Chameleon” and “Actual Proof.” Hancock has continued to remain on the cutting edge of jazz throughout his roughly six-decade long career, pushing the genre into new territory by injecting soul, funk, and pop into the genre and fostering its mass accessibility while never sacrificing virtuosity, artistic prowess, or unabashed expression. Hancock’s ensemble, essentially a supergroup of undeniably unique and powerful voices, lend their talents to each composition, offering new takes on familiar pieces. While Hancock has typically performed tunes within a standard repertoire in recent years, the pianist and group keep things fresh, pushing the tunes into new and exciting territory with each performance. You never know where the night may take you. You can stay up to date with Herbie Hancock at his website at herbiehancock.com and get tickets for his show at Bergen PAC at ticketmaster.com.

Legendary pianist and composer Herbie Hancock performing with his group at Lincoln Center on March 26, 2024. He will bring his ensemble to the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood on October 30.

(Johnny Knollwood photo)

BrownstoneJazz, Ron Carter, Jazz Forum, Avery Sommers

For opening her ancestral brownstone to jazz, sustaining and enriching the musicians and listeners alike, the Jazz Journalists Association acknowledged Debbie McClain as the 2025 Brooklyn Jazz Hero. For the past 16 years Debbie McClain has run Brownstone Jazz at 107 Macon Street, Brooklyn. The featured group that evening included tenor saxophonist Patience Higgins, alto sax Justin Robinson, trumpeter Duane Eubanks, pianist Victor Gould, drummer Willie Martinez, bassist Eric Lemon, and guest vocalist Steve Cromity.

It’s very easy to stroll right past this unassuming 19th-century townhouse on a quiet, tree-lined block but on this JJA award presentation evening, so close to Halloween, McClain’s home possessed a scary air of haunting ghouls brightly colored in orange and yellow lights. Every weekend, McClain and her co-founder bassist Eric Lemons present live jazz infused with Brooklyn’s rich history of the 1940s though ‘60s where spots like Tony’s, Blue Coronet, and Club la Marchal, were performance spaces for such Brooklyn natives as Randy Weston, Max Roach, and Cecil Payne along with Miles Davis, and Roy Haynes.

McClain is a hands-on hostess, watching over the performances she curates with bassist and cofounder Eric Lemons. Together, they exchange witty banter and welcome audience responses. The intimate venue with its antique furniture and fixtures, transported visitors to that beautiful swing era when everyone was fabulously dressed. On this evening, McClain wore a gorgeous white-pearled dress. “The parlor of brownstones like mine were ballrooms in bygone days,” she said. “People gathered in elegance, and we look to continue that old trend. I am so happy to be acknowledged as a jazz hero for this work which is my passion and commitment to this music that we all love so much.” For reservations visit ticketweb. com brownstonejazz.com or call 917-704-9237.

Inventive, agile, and dexterous,

bassist Ron Carter is a composer, educator, and bandleader whose genius defies simple description. Within his six decades of artistry, he’s won three Grammy Awards and the title commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Appearing on more than 2,000 recording sessions earned him a place in the Guinness World Records as the Most recorded jazz

bassist in history. He voiced his melodic lines on Miles Davis’ “second great quartet” from 196368. Ron plays with a subtle stylishness that captivates audiences regardless of the configuration or genre from straight-ahead to classical music at which time he may pull out his cello.

The NEA Jazz Master returns to Birdland (315 West 44th Street)

after a recent triumphant engagement with his Foursight Quartet that included Renee Rosnes, Jimmy Greene & Payton Crossley.

On October 30-November 1, he appears with his Great Big Band. Carter’s varied bands suggest at the age of 88, he remains one of the most influential musicians in and out of jazz. He is an explorer in the music galaxy, always seeking

to extend the components of jazz. For more information and reservations visit birdlandiazz.com.

The Colombian harpist and composer Edmar Castaneda, offers mesmerizing sounds drawn from his native roots of Colombia and Venezuela. His most recent album is a collaborative effort with BEATrio with Bela Fleck on banjo, and drummer Antonio Sanchez.

On October 31-November 1, the harpist appears with his quartet in Tarrytown at Jazz Forum (1 Dixon Lane). The quartet includes tenor saxophonist, tabla Birsa Chatterjee (a former student of Jazz House Kids), drummer Julian Miltenberger (played with Paquito D’Rivera, Yosvany Terry, Boston Symphony Orchestra), vocals by Andrea Tierra, and special guest vocalist Zeudi Castaneda & Zamir Castaneda (shakers). Together they are a kaleidoscope of world music.

Castaneda’s varied music experiences have included performances with Lila Downs, Hiromi Uehara, Janis Siegel, Joe Locke, and Wynton Marsalis.

For info and reservations visit jazzforumarts.org.

Recently, Avery Sommers, known for her booming voice accented with emotional integrity that conveys her musical power, sparked a host of standing ovations, shouts and hollas after her performance at the local Broadway actors haunt 54 Below.

Sommers, a native of West Palm Beach, Fla, returned to the bright lights of New York City with her latest show, Showstoppers. It was a repertoire compiled from roles she performed during her national tour performances in Chicago and Best Little Whorehouse. She performed such songs as “This Joint is Jumpin’,” “Can’t Help Loving That Man of Mine,” and “I Know Where I’ve Been,” interspersed with her own showbiz story and television clips (from her various TV roles). Pianist Phil Hinton was her music director. Sommers is a creative vocalist, who stamps each song with her own unique interpretation. The talented actress of Broadway, film, and television when not on the road can be found in the classroom. Sommers is currently an acting and scriptwriting instructor, who teaches students to write and perform the scripts they write. She has been teaching this class for the past five years at Palm Beach Institute for the Entertainment Arts (PBIEA).

Debbie McClain with her Jazz Journalists Association 2025 Jazz Hero Award. (Ron Scott Associates photo)

CAN’T AFFORD TO WAIT

We have a historic opportunity to address our housing crisis by cutting red tape and fast tracking affordable housing so families can afford to stay here.

Prop 2: Fast track affordable housing reviews to build more quickly, at a lower cost, in every community in NYC.

Prop 3: Simplify reviews for small housing and climate resiliency projects.

Prop 4: Create an appeals board to ensure citywide affordable housing needs are met, while retaining community and City Council voices.

Prop 5: Modernize the city map.

NY LEADERS WE TRUST ARE VOTING ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Manhattan D.A. gun violence prevention grantees made good on funds last summer

By TANDY LAU Amsterdam News Staff

A $25,000 gun violence prevention grant from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office had positive results with its largely Harlembased youth recipients this past summer, participating organizations say.

Emergent Works and New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (NYAGV), two nonprofits, were among the 11 organizations to receive funding for stipends to encourage youngsters to participate in paid productive programming during the months when shootings are traditionally the highest.

“The grant for our youth was very inspiring,” said Emergent Works student coordinator LaiQuan DuBose. “It probably was the most money they received in our program in a short period of time. But it also allowed them to really focus on the work aspect … They understood that they’re getting paid to meet the deadlines.”

Zeek, a high school senior enrolled in Emergent Works’ programming, told the AmNews his stipend helped cover school supplies and winter clothes. Another participant, Dontay, says the money went towards groceries for his mom as well as better clothes for school.

But the grant aims to do more than provide summer spending money. Emergent Works launched during the pandemic to offer technical training and professional development for atrisk youth while working to close the racial wealth gap. Most of the staff, including DuBose, are justice-impacted or formerly incarcerated. The program supported by the grant, T.Rap, engages participants through music production and website design.

Over the summer, participants met at the Emergent Works offices on 54th Street to produce an eight-track album, “Don’t fall for the TRAP,” which they uploaded to Bandcamp while also developing a site about their work. “It’s a good environment,” said Zeek. “The people [at Emergent Works], they really help you grow. You can talk to them about anything.”

NYAGV dates back to the 1990s when Brooklyn parents organized for gun control after a deadly

Prospect Park shooting. The D.A.’s grant went towards the organization’s Miller mentorship program, which teaches gender and racial justice issues to participating teens, with alumni often serving as the mentors.

Like Emergent Works, NYAGV offered a safe space for participants to express vulnerability. Program Director Frank Teah hosts a masculinity focus group while deputy education director Andrea Gonzales runs a trauma focus group. “Gun violence typically involves young men and boys as perpetrators,” said Teah. “If we can reach them so that the ideas we’ve been conditioned to see being a man as one way [that] this isn’t the only way to be strong.”

Along with the education initia-

Mentor Priya Boyce, a former participant, recalled learning how issues like food scarcity and redlining — the discriminatory lending practice once used to keep Black Americans out of certain neighborhoods — contribute to higher rates of gun violence. Now, she teaches others. “I could see it clicking in the mentees’ and mentors’ heads how gun violence is embedded and intertwined, and the ways that we can kind of prevent it,” she said.

tives, the mentees also put together a magazine and a culminating block party this past August to showcase their creative projects and what they learned. The grant also helps reframe how participants, some who are justice-impacted, interact with prosecutors.

“Our young people in this particular program especially are rethinking what justice looks like,” said NYAGV Education Director Shaina Harrison. “When they see someone from the D.A.’s Office who is funneling money to communities that are disproportionately affected by gun violence to young people who might not necessarily fit the typi-

cal printout of what a good kid is, it changes things for them.

“We’ve had young people, whether from Harlem or from Queens talk about being written off because they made some bad decisions, and through this program, have found so much more power in who they are.”

The grants began when Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg took office in 2022 and since reached $295,000 in total annual awards stemming from money seized from white collar crimes committed by major banks. Since then, shootings in the borough have dropped by 45%.

Emergent Works programming participants. (Photos courtesy of the District Attorney’s Office of New York)

New Yorkers Against Gun Violence Miller Mentorship programming this summer.

Album cover for tracks created by Emergent Works participants.

You have power. Vote with it.

For your family, for your community, for our city — let’s light up the polls on November 4. Scan the QR code to find your polling site and other resources.

Education

Cuts to Pell Grants helped lower Black college enrollment, report says

By ALVIN BUYINZA Word in Black

Years of inconsistent funding for the Pell Grant and state budget cuts played a role in a nearly half-million drop in the number of Black students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities over the past decade, according to a new report.

The report, from the University of Alabama’s Education Policy Center for the Southern Education Foundation, uses data from the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Data System and 47 Pell Grant End-of-Year Reports published by the Department.

Pell Grant growth once boosted college access

Pell Grant funding grew from $14.7 billion to $33.6 billion between the 2007–2008 school year and 2011–2012 school year, according to the report. The number of people awarded the federal student aid skyrocketed from 5.5 million to 9.4 million. Colleges took advantage of the Pell Grant program and saw record-high enrollments and grant recipients walking through their doors. When Congress passed the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment

Act (ARRA), an economic stimulus package to combat the Great Recession, states were forced to maintain their spending on higher education to receive their share of ARRA funds. As a result, the average Pell Grant jumped from $2,648 to $3,555.

Aftermath of the Great Recession

According to the report, when Congress approved a new budget for fiscal year 2012 — one that ended ARRA funding, many states reduced funding for state colleges rather than raise taxes. In turn, state schools raised tuition, placing a financial strain on students, especially those from low-income households. Congress also didn’t provide any discretionary funding to cover the large number of students receiving Pell Grants between the 2006–2007 and 2011–2012 school years. In 2012, federal lawmakers also placed new restrictions on the Pell Grant, making it harder to qualify for.

Researchers found that the number of Black high schoolers who went to college dropped by 487,109 between 2011–2012 and 2021–2022. The steady drop can be explained by several factors, including inconsistencies in Pell Grant funding, lack of significant state funding, and slow economies.

Nearly half a million fewer Black students in college

“We do not conclude that the enrollment decline of nearly a half million for Black students was solely caused by the declining number of Pell awardees after the 2012 eligibility restrictions were imposed by Congress,” the report said. “However, the total amount of aid Congress allocates each year impacts how many students can access and benefit from a college education.”

Almost 60% of the decline seen in Black students’ college enrollment happened in the American South, where most of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities reside.

Southern HBCUs saw the sharpest enrollment declines

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in 17 Southern states — Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida — enrolled 23% fewer Pell recipients in the 2021–2022 school year than a decade before, according to the report. Community colleges in this area of the country also enrolled 46% fewer Pell re-

(Pexels/Pavel Danilyuk)

cipients than a decade ago.

“Nationwide, there are fewer eligible applications for Pell Grants today (9.2 million) than Pell Grant awards a decade ago (9.4 million),” according to the report.

A call for consistent federal and state investment

The report offered several suggestions for federal policymakers to fund the Pell Grant, including mandatory funding for the federal student aid program and requiring federal data reporting about the number of Pell awardees. The report also suggested that state policymakers collaborate with Congress to support stable federal Pell funding, expand their need-based state student aid programs, and tie Pell eligibility to the average Pell Grant rather than the maximum.

“While this report did not conclude a causal relationship between Pell funding and Black student enrollment loss, leaders of both political parties have long noted that the Pell program’s funding structure is among the most complex of any federal program. But the sheer complexity of the Pell Grant program is no excuse for inaction,” the report said. “The time to address the half-million slippage in Black students attending college is now.”

Mamdani to retain Tisch

CAHOOTS, an Oregon-based mobile response initiative that did not record a single death or serious injury through three decades and depended on buy-in from local law enforcement.

The city’s current Crisis Management System would also fall under the Department of Community Safety. The gun violence prevention strategy employs trusted community figures called credible messengers — many who are former gang members — to negotiate ceasefires and prevent retaliation. Significant shooting reductions in neighborhoods traditionally plagued by gun violence are well-documented where CMS organizations are active.

But the strategy often relies on removing police from the equation to prevent future shootings. “Other cities have tried to work out protocols between these teams and the police department, and Mamdani says that he wants to expand the teams [and] scope of operation,” said Vitale. “This is another area where a non-cooperative police department could interfere with efforts to create a seamless response to gun violence.”

In July, Tisch drew sharp criticism for refusing to terminate Lt. Jonathan Rivera over killing Washington Heights man Allan Feliz in 2019 despite the NYPD’s own ruling against the officer for fireable offenses. In the most serious misconduct cases, the police commissioner gets final say on the disciplinary action after going through a trial judged by a deputy commissioner.

For years, Mamdani called for Rivera to face discipline and signed a key letter against further delaying the disciplinary process back in 2023. This past March, he rallied outside 1 Police Plaza with Feliz’s family, where he mentioned Tisch’s willingness to root out corruption from the department’s top brass.

“That action needs to be extended to the entirety of the NYPD as an institution,” said Mamdani in March. “And that means the firing of Jonathan Rivera. We cannot have it that the same judge who ruled Daniel Pantaleo should be fired for murdering Eric Garner has now ruled that Jonathan Rivera should be fired for the killing of Allan Feliz, and then we ignore that ruling.”

Feliz’s long-time partner Julie Aquino criticised Mamdani, asking Tisch to remain as police commissioner. She, along with his brother, mother, and sister, filed a lawsuit against the NYPD earlier this month over the decision.

“It’s a slap in the face to our family for Mr. Mamdani to let Jessica Tisch keep her job after she refused to fire Lt. Rivera, and, if it happens, it will make this city less safe for Black and Latino New Yorkers,” said Aquino over email. “Tisch overturned her own deputy commissioner’s guilty verdict and ignored overwhelming evidence against Rivera from the NYPD’s own trial—there’s no justification for that. Her decision betrayed me, my son, and every New Yorker

who believes in accountability and justice.

“Tisch has already proven she cares more about protecting the NYPD and her own political power over protecting our communities. It’s mind-boggling how Mr. Mamdani can believe Tisch can be trusted to run his NYPD and deliver real public safety when she’s done the exact opposite.”

While the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), which investigates and prosecutes NYPD misconduct cases, butted heads with Tisch over the Rivera decision, an unnamed agency official told the Amsterdam News they broadly see a sizable improvement in police accountability under her leadership. The independent board does not comment on political matters.

Under Tisch, the discipline rate roughly doubled compared to her fellow Adams administration-appointed predecessors. There were particularly noticeable increases in concurrence, the metric for when the NYPD echoes the CCRB’s recommendations (the department can still dole out discipline out of lockstep with the board, which is recorded separately).

The CCRB official credited her for repealing a pandemic-era policy allowing the department to dismiss disciplinary cases brought by the agency within 60 business days of the usual 18-month statute of limitations, which allowed her predecessors to automatically throw out substantiated complaints months ahead of schedule. Last month, she notably served charges on time against the officers who killed Queens teenager Win Rozario during a mental health call.

Additionally, Tisch’s tenure bridged a less adversarial relationship between the NYPD and the independent watchdog. “She has fostered an atmosphere of respectful dialogue between the agencies,” said the unnamed CCRB official. “That attitude can be seen in the example she has set and in the team she brought into leadership.”

Councilmember and fellow democratic socialist Tiffany Cabán, who Mamdani previously worked for as a field organizer, says she remains excited about the Department of Community Safety when asked about the plans to retain Tisch. The NYPD critic lambasted the commissioner in August for overturning Rivera’s termination.

“We are all ready to leave behind the Adams Administration’s failures,” said Cabán. “I’m clear about what I will continue to expect from a Police Commissioner: transparency, accountability, and the abandonment of failed policies that target those who are poor, struggling with homelessness, substance use disorder, and mental illness. My mission is to reduce violence in our communities and improve health and safety outcomes.

“And I am hopeful that under the new administration we will see true investment in the care needed to keep New Yorkers safe –– investments that will relieve the NYPD of the task of responding to every societal ill.”

If you accepted or processed Discover credit cards between 2007–2023, you could be eligible to get a payment from a class action settlement.

YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO A SETTLEMENT PAYMENT

To receive a payment, file a claim by May 18, 2026

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT?

A proposed class action settlement has been reached in three related lawsuits. The lawsuits allege that, beginning in 2007, Discover misclassified certain Discover-issued consumer credit cards as commercial credit cards, which in turn caused merchants and others to incur excessive interchange fees. The misclassification did not impact cardholders. Discover denies the claims in the lawsuits, and the Court has not decided who is right or wrong. Instead, the proposed settlement, if approved, will resolve the lawsuits and provide benefits to Settlement Class Members.

WHO IS INCLUDED?

The Settlement Class includes all End Merchants, Merchant Acquirers, and Payment Intermediaries involved in processing or accepting a Misclassified Card Transaction during the period from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2023. To view the full Settlement Class definition, including defined terms and excluded entities, go to www.DiscoverMerchantSettlement.com.

WHAT CAN I GET?

To receive a settlement payment, with very limited exceptions, you will need to file a claim by May 18, 2026 and/or provide additional information to the Settlement Administrator. Under the proposed settlement, Discover will make payments to eligible Settlement Class Members who submit valid claims. Discover has agreed to pay between $540 million and $1.225 billion plus interest in connection with this settlement. Your settlement payment amount will be calculated based on a variety of factors.

YOUR OTHER OPTIONS.

You can file a claim for a payment by May 18, 2026 and/or provide additional information. Alternatively, you can exclude yourself from the settlement by opting out, in which case you will receive no payment under this settlement and retain any right you may have to sue Discover about the claims in these lawsuits or related to the Misclassified Card Transactions. If you do not exclude yourself, and the Court approves the settlement, you will be bound by the Court’s orders and judgments and will release any claims against Discover in these lawsuits or related to the Misclassified Card Transactions. If you do not exclude yourself, you can object to or comment on any part of the settlement. The deadline to either exclude yourself or object to the settlement is March 25, 2026. Visit the website for information on how to exercise these options.

Trump admin must restore mental health grants for schools, ruling says

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Trump administration must release millions of dollars in grants meant to address the shortage of mental health workers in schools, a federal judge ruled Monday.

Congress funded the mental health program after the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. The grants were intended to help schools hire more counselors, psychologists, and social workers, with a focus on rural and underserved areas of the country, but President Donald Trump’s administration opposed diversity considerations used to award the grants and told recipients they wouldn’t receive funding past December 2025.

The preliminary ruling by Kymberly K. Evanson, a U.S. District Court judge in Seattle, applies only to some grantees in the 16 Democratic-led states that challenged the Education Department’s decision. In Madera County, Calif., for example, the ruling restores roughly $3.8 million. In Marin County, Calif., it restores $8 million. The ruling will remain in effect while the case proceeds.

The Education Department under Democratic President Joe Biden first awarded the grants. Biden’s administration prioritized giving money to applicants who showed how they would increase the number of counselors from diverse backgrounds or from communities directly served by the school district.

When Trump took office, his administration opposed aspects of the grant programs that touched on race, saying they were harmful to students. In April, his administration said the grants were canceled because they conflicted with the department’s priority of “merit, fairness, and excellence in education” and weren’t in the best inter-

est of the federal government.

In her ruling, Evanson called that decision arbitrary and capricious, and said the states had made a case for real harm from the grant cuts. In Maine, for example, the grants enabled nine rural school districts to hire 10 new school mental health workers and retain four more — jobs the state said

would be lost if the funding ended.

“Congress created these programs to address the states’ need for school-based mental health services in their schools, and has repeatedly reaffirmed the need for those services over the years by reauthorizing and increasing appropriations to these programs,” Evanson wrote.

“There is no evidence the Department considered any relevant data pertaining to the Grants at issue,” and the department did not tell grantees why their work didn’t meet the “best interest” criteria.

An Education Department spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Housing scams

state to attend the hearing, told the court about the turmoil she faced when she lost her three-family Bed-Stuy home at 53 Van Buren Street to Solny.

She was trying to care for her mother and rent out part of her house for extra income but fell behind on her mortgage. Solny’s company was recommended to her as a place that could help her do a short sale on the house and avoid losing everything. But instead of signing papers for a short sale, Solny tricked her into signing over her deed, she said. Abbott remained liable for the mortgage while Solny rented out the property for income. Abbott’s credit was destroyed as the property went into foreclosure, and since she no longer had the deed in her name, she couldn’t stop the bank from taking the house.

She told the court it took time for her to recover from the emotional and psychological toll of Solny’s crimes, but now she was able to make a promise to Solny: “I stand here not as a victim, but as a survivor who survived your acts of evil,” she said. “What you took from me, I got it back. You took my peace; I got it back. You took my dignity; I got it back. You took my sleep; I got it back. You took my confidence; I got it back. I am standing here telling you you took all these things from me, and I got it back.”

BNY

says gives him hope that solutions are out there.

Culturally, Cogsville believes Harlem is in a great place but needs to be better monetized, noting popular attractions like Soapbox Presents are a great opportunity to create economic opportunity and support local businesses.

“I think we need to start leveraging our cultural impact for our community and create more jobs,” Cogsville said.

One of the major economic initiatives that the Commission has been pushing for is its “Harlem on the Hudson” plan, which would allow the Henry Hudson waterfront and West Harlem Piers to become an economic generator for the local Harlem community and be owned by a local Harlem development company.

“This wouldn’t just be an incredible win to celebrate the vast history and culture of Harlem and uptown, but also be a win for Washington Heights, for Edgewater, for the Hudson Yards, for Jacob Javits Convention Center, and a lot of other properties that are on the waterfront that would be connected through different entertainment and historical boats and cruises,” Cogsville said.

After Columbia purchased Fairway Properties in 2022, Cogsville says more ownership is needed to go to Harlem.

The Commission has built connections with entrepreneurs such as the owners behind Harlem Rocket, a Black-owned boat touring company that provides tours of Harlem on the Hudson River.

“This needs to be about maximizing the community and bringing immense tax dollars to the city to create as many local and business opportunities as possible,” Cogsville said. “The Harlem community and Washington Heights indictment deserve that immensely, especially what happened with Hudson Yards and how we lost out on that project. You know, we need our own development project.”

The Commission has worked with several local and state-wide officials, but they say it will require subsidies and partnerships with Empire State Development Corporation, and ultimately, passage from the governor. They have reached out to mayoral candidates Mamdani and Cuomo.

According to Cogsville, the direction of the Harlem community will rely entirely on the choices made by those in power and how these issues are addressed.

“It’s the Black Mecca, but it’s about our culture,” Cogsville said, thinking about Harlem and its future. “I think it shows the potential and how much further we can go, and how that influences a worldwide thing, but it hasn’t even come close to its potential in terms of economics and opportunities that it can build.”

DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX?

Religion & Spirituality

Black churches lead the charge on climate justice

The Truth Will Set Us Free

Hope in Hot-Mess Times

By REV. DOROTHY S. BOULWARE Word in Black

At this year’s Green the Church summit in Atlanta, the message was clear: The climate crisis is already here, and Black folks are bearing the brunt of its devastation.

“Early this year in Los Angeles, wildfires raced through and burned down most of those communities that were Black and Brown, that had been legacies for years. Phoenix, Arizona, had 100-degree weather over 200 days straight, and they found homeless people stuck to the sidewalk,” said Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., president of the Hip Hop Caucus of Washington, D.C., and preacher for the 2025 Green the Church Conference.

“Elders in Houston, Texas, died because it was just too hot, and across the pond in Africa, they had droughts and wildfires wiping out most of their resources. In India, they got so hot that 3- and 4-year-old children were drowning themselves in buckets trying to escape the heat.”

Yearwood also delved deeply into the worst of the news. “I do not want you to not understand that we are in the midst of a climate crisis,” he said.

Faith at the frontlines of the climate crisis

Founded 15 years ago by Rev. Dr. Ambrose Carroll, Green the Church is a national faith-based movement that empowers Black churches to lead in environmental justice, sustainability, and community resilience. The conference

14 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time, I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall ex ecute justice and righteousness in the land.16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”

One of the ideas I discuss in my book, “Fierce Love” is truth. Many of us have been taught that love means being nice. That being nice means being polite and not being offensive. That not being offensive means blurring the truth about injuries, frustrations, and the unkindness we endure. Love defined in this way means cloaking much of what we feel in lies.

That is not true.

Jeremiah 33.14-16 NRSVUE

Love means being honest; love carries the weight of candor to build intimacy and trust. In other words, love — true love — must handle the truth because the truth frees us to love.

stock and pets, gone are the fruits of the earth and the fruit of the wine.

with each of my parents as they were dying long deaths. We don’t have to wait until death is near to curate loving truth. We can do that right now.

Here is an excerpt from my book, on the loving truth-telling I had with my amazing mom, as she was dying. It’s redacted from a story about a childhood wounding.

Dying

There is no proof of life; the stench of death is strong in the air. And as was true for many ancient peoples, these people believe the only answer to “why?” is that they have displeased God and that God has punished them. They believed that when good things happened, God was responsible, as a reward for their goodness. AND when trouble came, God was responsible, giving them what they deserved.

On April 12, the day after her (80th) birthday (party), Mom had another crisis and was hospitalized; this time my dad signed a do not resuscitate order; they were both suffering from her suffering. This meant she was in hospice, this meant her days were numbered. I traveled from New York to Chicago to spend time in her hospital room, reading, watching her sleep, unless she was watching me.

Lewis calls an “unbounded now,” an eternal kind of time, to keep God’s promises. I think hope is also about hindsight. To be able to turn around and look over our shoulders — like a Sankofa — and see what God has been up to. See God healing broken systems, see God working with humans to ensure human rights. See God in the protests, in the community organizing, in the discovery of medications that cure diseases.

Hope is learning how to see. To see a Holy Partner at work in the world, moving against injustice with love, equipping authors, artists and activists; parents, poets and preachers to work with the power of Spirit to bring dead places back to life. To end wars and enmity. To cause justice to roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

Before those words above, the picture Jeremiah paints in this 33rd chapter of his prophecy looks like the destruction and devastation I see in my social media feeds. It looks like Gaza. It looks like Congo or Sudan. It looks like Haiti or Ukraine. It looks like California after fires and it looks like the Carolinas after storms. Where there has been dancing and laughter, now there is weeping and mourning. Where there used to be children playing in the streets, now they are climbing over the rubble, trying to find food, or remnants of their loved ones. Gone are live-

theme, “South to Power: Harvesting Resilience and Building Wealth and Preparedness in Our Communities,” reflected the organization’s commitment to equipping Black communities with resources and strategies needed to thrive amid climate and economic challenges.

This holiday season, I want to encourage truth-filled interactions. I don’t mean hurling violent words at each other, words stored up at times for generations. But I do mean being honest with each other as if these are our last moments , because we never know how much time is left in our lives. I mean being honest and vulnerable. Making amends. I had powerful experiences

Sadly, this theology permeates much of our modern understanding. And to be honest, I don’t believe that. If it were true, so many people doing despicable things, and causing harm to communities and the planet, would not be flourishing. They would be the ones searching for food on garbage heaps and they are not. If that theology were true, amazing humans doing incredibly loving things for their communities would not be struggling to make ends meet. Do you see what I mean? It is difficult to make a direct correlation between good people getting good things, and bad people getting bad things.

Mom, what are you doing? I’m watching you. Why aren’t you sleeping? I don’t want to miss seeing your face. You know my face. I want to memorize it, you’re beautiful. You are too, mommy. Do you know how much I love you? I do; do you know how much I love you? Yes, but I love you more.

The issue I am raising is theodicy: Does a good God allow bad things to happen to good people? Does a good God allow good things to happen to bad people? I’ve got lots of thoughts on this topic that I’ll continue to share in this space, some of it shaped by a book by Rabbi Harold Kushner, “When Bad Things Happen to Good People.”

Our words were in a loop, tumbling out over and over again. This was what it was like, to be with her, to watch her watching me, to catch her face in the eerie blue glow of her room, to pull out the sofa bed and make it up again. To hear her cough, to use the tool to suck the phlegm out of her mouth. To fight with doctors and nurses about feeding her, hydrating her, keeping her comfortable.

Green the Church works “to amplify the power of the Black Church in addressing climate change and building sustainable futures,” Carroll said in a statement. “This summit is a homecoming to celebrate progress. Atlanta stands at the crossroads of faith, history, and social transformation — making it the ideal setting for a national conversation about resilience, equity, and climate leadership. In the spirit of the Atlanta Compromise, ‘drop your buckets where you are,’ the Summit will challenge attendees to cultivate solutions rooted in their own communities.”

Black churches lead by example

“Cultivating Green Careers.”

something — each of us needed something — but I know best what I yearned for. It was her blessing, her understanding, her permission to be fully myself, to be a grown woman. It was her gentle nudge for me to finish becoming me. I needed her to hold the (childhood) hurt with me, so we could let it go. It was absolution for both of us, for any sorrow, any failure. It was getting it straight between us, getting the feeling out of each of us. While plugged into noisy machines that made her life possible, mom plugged me into her, for a little while, reconnecting to me as though through an umbilical cord, sharing air, time, truth. When she birthed me the first time, I came through her, picking up some of her biomes, and now she gave me more to keep me well. More than immune system boosters, she gave me super saturated love, a love transfusion. She spoke words of admiration, words of understanding and grace. She helped me see myself like she saw me. It was a healing, the liberating power of truth in the space between my mother and me. Every time mom said, “I love you more,” she was telling me the truth. She loved me fiercely, but she should have known, wish she’d known, yet didn’t know about what happened to me when I was a girl…Each time she said, “I love you more,” along with it were paragraphs about what she hoped for me. Here is the truth precious: Be you, Jac. You’re not too shiny, too strong. You didn’t deserve what happened to you and you didn’t cause it by being you. It was not your fault.

Building power and ownership

By focusing on theology, economic justice, and environmental innovation, the Green the Church Summit aimed to redefine how congregations think about climate and community care. As Rev. Dr. Gerald L. Durley reminded attendees, “When you’re a faith-filled person, everyone wins. When you’re greedy, no one wins.”

In Coastal Georgia, Black churches have begun feasibility studies for microgrids, solar installations, and battery systems, partnering with engineering firms and energy justice, the Current reported.

“We understand the importance of doing our part to assist our community in caring for what God has given us,” said the Rev. Thurmond Tillman at one such site assessment. “The Earth is the Lord’s, and those of us who dwell in it are responsible for making sure that the right thing is done.”

This is what it was like, to face the truth. Mom was dying, really, finally. Right before our eyes. She had been dying for a long time, but now? Now if you looked closely, you could see her leaving. There was something different about her eyes. They were receding, closing just a little bit at a time. They were knowing eyes, searching eyes, looking deeply into my soul, looking for something, saying something she was thinking but not saying. I’m hurting. I hurt you. I love you. I’m sorry I smoked. I don’t want to die. I’m afraid. I love you more, more than I can say.

For now, with Chaldean/Babylonian conquest, captivity and exile in the background, with desolation and the absence of human and animal life thriving, no matter how they got there, Jeremiah reminds these people of God’s covenant-keeping faithfulness. God will restore, God will repair, God will reclaim the people. God is a promisekeeper, Jeremiah is saying. And as sure as day follows night, humans should not doubt God’s intention, power and ability to not only repair what’s broken BUT to raise up people to partner with God to fix these broken things and make sure it stays fixed.

Living

Key speakers included Rev. Dr. Willie Francois III, Rev. Dr. Jamal H. Bryant, Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Thompson, Durley, and Atlanta’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Chandra Farley.

Civil rights theologian, mystic and minister Howard Thurman wrote: Look well to the growing edge! All around us worlds are dying, and new worlds are being born; all around us life is dying, and life is being born. The fruit ripens on the tree, the roots are silently at work in the darkness of the earth against a time when there shall be new leaves, fresh blossoms, green fruit. Such is the growing edge! It is the extra breath from the exhausted lung, the one more thing to try when all else has failed, the upward reach of life when weariness closes in upon all endeavor. This is the basis of hope in moments of despair, incentive to carry on when times are out of joint and men have lost their reason, the source of confidence when worlds crash and dreams whiten into ash. The birth of the child — life’s most dramatic answer to death — this is the growing edge incarnate. Look well to the growing edge!

In his acceptance remarks for an award, Bryant turned attention to the intersection of ministry, ownership, and prosperity.

This is a rough friends. BUT see that growing edge incarnate? Hope is there.

writes to give hope to the people, even amid their sorrow.

Mommy and I had more than one of those moments over the eight years she was living and dying at the same time. We are all, loves, are living and dying at the same time. Is there a truth you need to hear or tell? A love-filled truth-telling — speaking the truth in love — might set you free and liberate your loved ones as well. It might be hard, but it might also be amazing!

For more thoughts on hope, listen to my podcast, Love.Period. https://cac. org/podcasts/hope-is-the-thing/

Students, youth, and ministry leaders took part in the inaugural Student and Seminary Immersion Experience, a credit-based program designed to empower the next generation of environmental and faith leaders to weave care for the planet into their ministry vision. Breakout sessions included “Let’s Go Solar,” “Urban Agriculture,” “Environmental Justice,” and

Mommy was dying, leaving us, leaving me. And while she was dying, she was giving me something to live with. She was birthing me some more, liberating me, pushing me that last little bit out of her. She willed herself to live until she gave it all to me. She knew I needed

How do we hope in hot-mess times? I think it is about learning how to see. Learning how to see in the distance, in the future; to be far-sighted enough to see the moral arc of the universe bending toward justice. To see and to imagine that God is faithful and has what C.S.

“It is significant that we have more degrees but we own less property, and take more high blood pressure medication than our parents did in 1965,” he said. “Black people are the only people on Earth who have housewarming parties for apartments, because we don’t know the value of owning our own property and then multiplying it, so I am grateful to be honored for our work around the [Target] boycott. We remind you [that] it’s the largest and most significant boycott since the Montgomery Bus Boycott. One of Dr. King’s greatest lamentations is that he never bought a bus at the end of the day.”

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 building a just society with fierce love, Dr. Lewis champions racial, economic, and gender/sexuality justice. The author of several books, including “Fierce Love” and the “Just Love Story Bible,” her work has been featured on NBC, CBS,

Bryant said the real mark of progress “is not how we become better consumers, but how we become better owners.”

Rev. Dr. Ambrose Carroll, founder of Green the Church. (Photo courtesy Green the Church)

that is following the example of the first DSA member to have been elected mayor of New York City, David Dinkins, who famously said, in the tradition of democratic socialism, that the accident of birth must never condemn a human being to poverty, sickness or lack of hope, and that it is part of a much longer struggle for dignity than is often understood in this city’s politics. AmNews: I’m going to ask this again and remove the factor of Cuomo and your candidacy and just talk about the relationship between ordinary people in this city. Again, where do you see the gaps in terms of politics and communication between Black folks and Brown immigrants in this city? Obviously, these are not monoliths of people, but there is undeniably a tension. I’m curious, what kind of insight have you come away with, as you’ve been walking this city?

Mamdani: I think a lot of this comes back to if you’re willing to do the work of actually making the case yourself, as opposed to believing the typical political impulse that

Divine News

Continued from page 9

When she was about six years old, Mackie was one of the children who performed a dance that was choreographed by Todmann. In the audience was the legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson. As an adult, she was on the national tour of “Hamilton the Musical” and she performed in the hit Broadway production “GYPSY.”

As one of the judges for The Stars of New York competition, Mackie offers contestants this advice.

“With judging, I am looking for not only the love and the passion behind the movement, I’m looking for storytelling and the overall arc (of expressing the narrative). Yes, there are technical aspects to it because you train and study. I want to feel something. I want to be moved.” Mackie hopes each dancing duo in the competition has fun, remembers to breathe, and is present in each moment. There will be one winning team.

When asked, ‘What would winning mean for your dance studio?’ Professional

you are owed that support.

I am not owed anything by any New Yorker. I have to earn their support. And earning their support means going to them to make the case directly.

And so it has been truly a pleasure to not only continue the church outreach that we did over the course of the primary, but in fact to double it and sometimes triple it, where church is no longer just on Sundays, it’s also on Saturday mornings with Seventh-day Adventists.

You know, when you’re speaking about the importance of tackling social justice, making it clear that without the inclusion of economic justice, it is akin, as has been said, to clapping with one hand.

I visited Cornerstone Baptist Church recently, understanding the deep history of the civil rights movement in this city, such that when I quote Martin Luther King, Jr. when he said, “What good is having the right to sit at a lunch counter if you can’t afford to buy a hamburger,” I’m also quoting a man who in 1958, after having been stabbed, recovered in the parsonage of the very church that I was in.

And I think there is also the recognition that, as a Brown immigrant in this city, there is also an understanding that the

struggles of fulfilling a vision of democracy that is true to its ideals is a struggle that existed long before I came to this.

And it’s a struggle that Black New Yorkers have been on the front lines of far longer than I’ve ever thought of the word “democracy.”

AmNews: You’ve been known for your big ideas, and many people have attacked you and these ideas for being unrealistic and unachievable, and for trotting out slogans.

And at the same time, critics relentlessly talk about how dangerous it is that you’re a Democratic Socialist.

So my question sort of falls in between. How far can socialism even go in New York City, which is arguably the capital of capitalism?

Rent freezes, free buses, universal childcare — those things are hard enough, but are you actually looking to disrupt and change the direction of the economic and social order of this city, and in four years no less?

Mamdani: My intent is to deliver on a politics that I have described as Democratic Socialist because it is a politics that believes in the dignity of each and every New Yorker

dancer Kevin A. Joseph, executive director of Purelements: An Evolution in Dance in Brooklyn, said, “First, I am so honored to be asked to be part of such a Brooklyn dance favorite. In this season of Purelements’ rebuilding and preparing for the buildup of our new space in 2027 and 2028, it would be the perfect mes-

sage for Brownsville and East Brooklyn. That art exists in all communities and fostering art should be a requirement to empower communities to see their way through the next milestone. To be able to provide scholarships to our 2nd inaugural class would speak volumes while they walk through these doors,

knowing it’s tuition-free. I’m super excited and, of course, I get to dance with Assemblywoman Latrice Walker, who represents Brownsville. It’s an exciting collage of pictures that seem to be coming together perfectly.” The Honorable Latrice M. Walker, Esq., NY State Assemblywoman, is a member of the Sigma

and the responsibility the city government has to deliver that dignity.

And as you said, the deliverance of it is not simply a question of fast and free buses or universal childcare or rent freeze, but it’s a continued fight for that which is necessary for New Yorkers to live a dignified life in the city.

And I’m confident, frankly, because of the fact that there are so many more New Yorkers who are in the struggle for those same things, who may not describe themselves in the same way.

And what I’ve often found in my conversations with New New Yorkers is they don’t tend to ask me how to describe my politics. They ask me if my politics includes them and what I’ve told them is, not only do my politics include them, [but] it’s in fact defined by them and their struggles. It was an older Black woman on the Bx33 who told me a few years ago, “I used to love New York, now it’s just where I live.”

That’s an example of how this city has taken so many people for granted, especially working-class New Yorkers. And that the time is now to deliver on this because, without it, what we are going to see is that these same New Yorkers are going to start to live elsewhere in this same country.

Kappa Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

If you’re picturing yourself in the audience when the dance off begins, Todmann said, your ticket awaits at starsnydance.org/ tickets.

WHEN: THURSDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2025 6:00AM EST - SATURDAY NOVEMBER 15 9:00PM EST WHERE: ONLINE TESTING ONLY

Cheryl Todmann expressed gratitude to these supporters of the 15th Anniversary Divine Nine Dance-Off of The Stars of New York Dance. (Photo courtesy of Cheryl Todmann)

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Brand Mystique LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/07/2025. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 251 W81 St 7E, NY, NY 10024 Purpose: Any lawful act.

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Formation of NEW YORK DENTAL COLLABORATIVE, LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 9/22/2025. Office loc.: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The address SSNY shall mail process to Arti Jagirdar, 17 W. 24th St., Floor 2, New York, NY 10010. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Due Processors LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 9/26/25. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 41 State St, Ste 112, Albany, NY 12207 Purpose: Any lawful act.

Gilded City Creations LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 6/10/25. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 255 W 108 St. 10A, New York, NY 10025. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Hunting Ridge Capital LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 6/23/2025. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 144 E 24th Street. APT 1A, New York, NY 10010. Purpose: Any lawful act.

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Zeanie B. LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 4/1/2025. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 261 West 136 Street, New York,NY 10030. Purpose: Any lawful act.

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SOUL ARTISTIC TRENDS ART COMPANY LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/21/2025. Office location: NEW YORK County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 950 EVERGREEN AVE, 2L , BRONX, NY, 10473. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Crystal Venning Law PLLC (TX PLLC; formed 4/26/22). App. for Auth. filed 7/15/25 w/ SSNY to transact NY Cty. SSNY desig. svc. of proc. agent; mail: 125 Park Ave, 25th Fl, NY, NY 10017. TX off.: 440 Louisiana St, Ste 900, Houston, TX 77002. PLLC Cert. w/ TX SOS, P.O. Box 13697, Austin, TX 78711. Any lawful purpose.

Valura LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/7/2025. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 2825 Snyder Ave, Apt 4B, Brooklyn, NY 11226. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Woven Audiobooks Llc Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 9/29/25. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 712 W 176th St, New York NY 10033 Purpose: Any lawful act.

Notice is hereby given that a license, serial #NA-0340-25131645 for beer, wine & liquor has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer, wine & liquor at retail in a restaurant under the ABC Law at 398 E. 5 2nd St., New York, NY 10022 for on-premises consumption; Adriano1981 Corp.

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Notice of Qualification of STEAMBOAT PROP ACQUISITION PARTNERS LLC

Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/09/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 08/06/25. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Michael Spizzuco, Esq., Brach Eichler L.L.C., 101 Eisenhower Pkwy., Roseland, NJ 07068. 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., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of TANAKA NYC LLC

Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/13/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/10/25. Princ. office of LLC: 428 Greenwich St., NY, NY 10013. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State of DE, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK

SAGA HOUSE CONDOMINIUM BY ITS BOARD OF MANAGERS, Plaintiff -against- HANNA JESIONOWSKA PRACTICE

L.L.C , et. al., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated September 8, 2025 and entered on September 10, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on November 12, 2025 at 2:15 p.m., in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY, or at such other location within the Courthouse as may be designated by the Clerk of the Court and/or the Office of Court Administration, the premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, known as Medical Unit No. 1 in the condominium building known as "Saga House Condominium" together with an undivided 6.19% interest in the common elements as described in the Declaration of Saga House Condominium. Block 1409 and Lot 1001. Said premises known as 157 East 74 th Street, Medical Unit No. 1, New York, New York. Approximate amount of lien $251,391.84 plus attorney’s fees and costs as awarded in the judgment, along with interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.

Index Number 156127/2024

JEFFREY R. MILLER, ESQ., Referee Levin & Glasser, P.C., Attorney(s) for Plaintiff, 551 Fifth Avenue, Ste. 1200, New York, NY 10176

{* AMSTERDAM*}

Lucy's Hot Dogs LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 5/29/25. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY 10228. Purpose: Any lawful act.

O'Rielly & Roche LLP Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 8/27/2025. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 1330 Ave. Of The Americas, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10019 Purpose: Any lawful act.

American Insight Operations LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 9/10/2025. Office location: 45 Rockefeller Plaza Floor 20 New York New York 10111 County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: American Insight Operations 45 Rockefeller Plaza Floor 20, New York New York 10111 Purpose: Any lawful act.

SUPREME COURT ‑ COUNTY OF NEW YORK. THE MURRAY HILL TER RACE CONDOMINIUM, BY ITS BOARD OF MANAGERS, Plaintiff ‑against‑ NICHOLAS M. CORITSIDIS, et al Defen dant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated July 25, 2025 and entered on October 6, 2025, I, the under signed Referee will sell at public auction in Room 252 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York, in the Build ing designated and described as Unit No. 12F in the Building known as "The Murray Hill Ter race Condominium" together with an undivided 0.684% per cent interest in the common elements. Block: 917 Lot: 1076 Said premises known as 201 EAST 36TH STREET, UNIT 12F, NEW YORK, NY Approximate amount of lien $67,486.72 plus interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 159055/2024. ALLISON FURMAN, ESQ., Ref eree

Schwartz Sladkus Reich Green berg Atlas LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 444 Madison Ave., 6th Floor, New York, NY 10022

{* AMSTERDAM*}

Notice of Qualification of ASPEN DOBBIN BORROWER LLC

Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/30/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 09/12/25. 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. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company ("LLC"). Name: Rangel PACT JV, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State ofthe State ofNew York (SSNY) on August 29, 2025. N.Y. office location: New York County. The SSNY has been designated as agent ofthe LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to Rangel PACT JV, LLC, c/o Genesis Companies, 745 Fifth Avenue, Suite 500, New York, New York 10151.

Purpose/character ofLLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity.

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York , WILMINGTON

SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE VERUS SECURITIZATION TRUST

2019-INV3, Plaintiff, vs. JOSEPH QUASHIE, ET AL., Defendant (s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on March 21, 2024 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 December 3, 2025 at 2:15 PM, premises known as 255 E 49TH ST, 16F, NEW YORK CITY, NY 10017. 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, Block: 1323, Lot: 1080 together with an undivided .0035010123000% interest in the Common Elements. Approximate amount of judgment is $572,847.96 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 850060/2023. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee's attorney, or the Referee.

SOFIA BALILE, Esq., Referee

Roach & Lin, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. TIMOTHY ANDREWS and NYC DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU, Defts. - Index # 850526/2023. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated September 3, 2025, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the NY County Courthouse located 60 Centre Street, NY, NY on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 2:15 pm, interests in two undivided 0.1505136467542480% and 0.0741276267592057% tenants in common interest in the timeshare known as Phase II of HNY CLUB SUITES located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York. Approximate amount of judgment is $116,295.38 plus costs and interest as of June 24, 2025. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Clark Whitsett, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

Notice of Formation of MARGARET NELL LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/26/25. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 325 East 79th St., Apt. 2A, NY, NY 10075. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Emily M. Bromley at the princ. office of the LLC. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

LEGAL NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE, Supreme Court – New York County, BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE PARKVIEW CONDOMINIUM, Plaintiff v. EDGAR HERNANDEZ, et al., Defendants, Index# 158090/2024. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale docketed on October 6, 2025, I will sell at Public Auction to the highest bidder in Room 130 of New York County Supreme Court, 60 Center Street, New York, New York 10007, on November 19, 2025 at 2:15 PM of that day, the premises known as 7 West 131 Street, Units A3 and AS3 , New York , New York 10037, Block 1729 Lots 1203 and 1206. Unit AS3 is a storage unit allocated to residential Unit A3. Unit A3 is approximately 1289 square feet with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The approximate amount of Judgment is $31,660.52, through and including April 2, 2025, plus interest, common charges, special assessments, advances, administrative costs, and expenses accrued from April 2, 2025. Premises will be sold subject to: (a) provisions of Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale docketed on October 6, 2025; and (b) the terms of sale. IF YOU ARE BIDDING AT THE AUCTION, YOU MUST BRING A CERTIFIED CHECK MADE PAYABLE TO THE REFEREE RONALD ZEZIMA , ESQ . IN THE AMOUNT OF 10% OF YOUR BID. If you have any questions, contact Attorney for Plaintiff: ANNA GUILIANO, BORAH, GOLDSTEIN, ALTSCHULER, NAHINS & GOIDEL, P.C., 377 Broadway, New York, New York 10013, (212) 965-2628.

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK. AXOS BANK, Plaintiff -against- HUDSON 805 LLC, et al Defendant(s). Index Number 850233/2022.

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated November 26, 2024 and entered on February 3, 2025 (the “Judgment”), I, the undersigned Referee will sell at a public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, New York on November 12, 2025 at 2:15 p.m. (E.T.) premises situate, all that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, known as Unit No. 805-06 in the building known as the Printing House Condominium. Together with an undivided 0.0124% interest in the Common Elements. District: Block: 601 and Lot: 1155 Said premises known as 421 HUDSON STREET, UNIT 805/806, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10014.

Approximate amount of lien $7,584,837.12 plus post-judgment interest & costs.

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

JEFFREY MILLER, ESQ., Referee Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, LLP

Attn: Benjamin O. Gilbert bogilbert@sheppardmullin.com

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112 (212) 896-0682

NOTICE OF FORMATION of VSM NY WAREHOUSE LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 8/26/2025. Office location: New York County.

CATEGORY: Ltd Liability Company, NY: New York AD Number:

NOTICE OF FORMATION of VSM NY WAREHOUSE LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 8/26/2025. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to DANIEL MCCARTHY, GENERAL COUNSEL, VILLAGE SUPER MARKET, INC., 733 MOUNTAIN AVENUE SPRINGFIELD, NJ, 07081, USA. Purpose: any lawful act.

DIVISION OF TRAFFIC OPERATIONS INVITATION FOR BIDS

Engineering Service Agreement (ESA) for Citywide Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) projects

Contract No. 84124MBTR644

NYCPIN: 84124MBTR644

EPIN: 84124P0011

84124P0011 - Engineering Service Agreement (ESA) for Engineering, Design Inspect on Services Citywide for ITS Related and Planning Projects.

The Department of Transportation is seeking qualified Consultants to provide engineering, architectural design, and inspection services for Citywide Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)-related projects.

This Request for Proposals (RFP)/RFx is released through PASSPort, New York City’s online procurement portal. Responses to this RFP/RFx must be submitted via PASSPort. To access the RFP/RFx, vendors should visit the PASSPort public Portal at https://passport.cityofnewyork.us/page.aspx/en/rfp/request_browse_public .To quickly locate the RFP/RFx, insert the EPIN, 84124P0011, into the Keyword search field. To respond to this RFP/RFx, vendors must create an account within the PASSPort system if they have not already done so.

A Pre-Proposal Conference has been scheduled for November 12, 2025, at 10:00 AM through Microsoft Teams.

Proposers who wish to attend the Conference meeting can access by using the meeting link provided in the "Prepare RFX" Section - SETUP Tab - Pre-Proposal/Pre-Bid Conference Section in PASSPort.

Any inquiries concerning this Proposals (RFP)/RFx should be directed by email to agency contact udommaraju@dot.nyc.gov, under the subject line 84124P0011.

The Consultant shall comply with the Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) goal for all Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funded projects. The DBE goal for this project is 0%.

Eric Adams, Mayor Ydanis Rodriguez, Commissioner

NEUTRALSMATTER LLC

Limited Liability Company

Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/01/2025. Office location: NEW YORK County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 301 WEST 110TH STREET, Ste 6U, New York, NY 10026 Purpose: Any lawful act.

Bonds Pilates, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on October 10, 2025. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 370 E 79th Street Apt C909, New York, NY 10021. Purpose: Any lawful act.

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that a license, number NYS Application ID: NA-0524-25-00303 for Beer, Cider, And Wine has been applied for by the undersigned to sell Beer, Cider, And Wine at retail in a Cafe under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 236 West 135th Street Store #5, NY NY 10030 , New York, New York County for on premises consumption. Now What? Mardi Gras! Inc. DBA, Featuring

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK INDEX NO. 850098/2025 COUNTY OF NEW YORK

U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST,

Plaintiff, vs.

WONWOO CHANG, if living, and if she/he be dead, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; HSBC BANK USA, N.A.; FIFTH PARTNERS LLC; NEW YORK CITY PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU; NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT ADJUDICATION BUREAU; PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

"JOHN DOE #1" through "JOHN DOE #12," the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Defendants.

Plaintiff designates NEW YORK as the place of trial situs of the real property

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

Mortgaged Premises:

189 EAST 7TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10009

Block: 390, Lot: 61

To the above named Defendants

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff ’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service. Your failure to appear or to answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you.

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT

Ka Ming Gordon Ngai, MD PLLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/04/2025. Office location: Manhattan County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 333 W 56th St, 2B, New York, NY 10019. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Wing & Root Management

Consulting LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/01/25. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 50 Park Terrace E Apt 4L, New York, NY 10034. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of TCB JV MEMBER LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/13/25. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 1411 Broadway, 34th Fl., NY, NY 10018. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

THE OBJECT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $3,400,000.00 and interest, recorded on October 10, 2019 , in CRFN: 2019000330101 , of the Public Records of NEW YORK County, New York. , covering premises known as 189 EAST 7TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10009.

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.

NEW YORK County is designated as the place of trial because the real property affected by this action is located in said county.

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 the mortgage company will not stop the 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: October 10 th , 2025

ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Attorney for Plaintiff Matthew Rothstein, Esq. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310 Westbury, NY 11590 516-280-7675

Contact

taxaceny.com for details.

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. SCOTT MOORE, KATHRYN MARIE

MOORE, NEW YORK SUPREME COURT, NY STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE, NYC ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD, NYC TRANSIT ADJUDICATION BUREAU, INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, Defts. - Index # 850370/2024. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated September 8, 2025, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the NY County Courthouse located 60 Centre Street, NY, NY on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 5,000/28,402,100 tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as Phase I of HNY CLUB SUITES located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York. Approximate amount of judgment is $21,915.96 plus costs and interest as of June 27, 2025. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges.

Ronald V. Zezima, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK JPMORGAN CHASE

BANK N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST ROOSEY KHAWLY, MARY THERESA KHAWLY, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered February 25, 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 November 12, 2025 at 2:15 PM, premises known as 15 West 53rd Street, Units 29A, 29F, and 30A, New York, NY 10019. 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: 1269, Lots: 1140, 1145, and 1146. Approximate amount of judgment $11,351,008.92 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850464/2023. Clark Whitsett, Esq., Referee Fein, Such & Crane, LLP 28 East Main Street Rochester, NY 14614 CHNC1631 87303

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NEW YORK COUNTY. WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE HOLDERS OF CD 2019-CD8 MORTGAGE TRUST COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2019-CD8, Pltf. vs. 63 SPRING LAFAYETTE, LLC, et al Deft. Index# 850042/2022. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered April 23, 2025, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on December 3, 2025 at 2:15 p.m. prem. k/a 63 Spring Street, New York, NY a/k/a Block 496, Lot 34. Approximate amount of judgment is $28,125,967.56 plus cost and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. ELAINE SHAY, Referee. BALLARD SPAHR LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 1675 Broadway, 19 Floor, New York, NY. #102567

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT ‑ COUNTY OF NEW YORK. 57TH ST. VACATION OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., BY AND THROUGH ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Plaintiff ‑against‑ CHARLES SANIDA, et al De fendant(s). Pursuant to a Judg ment of Foreclosure and Sale dated August 12, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Court house, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on December 3, 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 owner ship interest as tenant‑in‑com mon with other owners in the Timeshare Unit in the build ing located at 102 West 57th Street, New York, NY. Together with an appurtenant undivid ed 0.01972800000% common interest percentage. This is a foreclosure on ownership inter est in a timeshare unit, a studio penthouse on a floating use basis every year, in accordance with and subject to declara tions. 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 $22,613.73 plus interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 850184/2023. SOFIA BALILE, ESQ., Referee DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590 DLG# 39295 {* AMSTERDAM*}

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT ‑ COUNTY OF NEW YORK.

SBT ADVANTAGE BANK, A DI VISION OF STERLING BANK AND TRUST, FSB, Plaintiff ‑against‑ YING MA, et al Defen dant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated July 18, 2025, I, the under signed Referee will sell at pub lic auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 2:15 p.m. prem ises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, known as Unit No. 3C in the building known as "The Iris Condominium" together with an undivided 1.39842% interest in the common elements. Block: 1198 Lot: 1117 Said premises known as 76 WEST 85TH STREET, UNIT 3C, NEW YORK, NY 10024

Approximate amount of lien $418,807.83 plus interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 850678/2023.

JEFFREY R. MILLER, ESQ., Referee

DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590 DLG# 39519 {* AMSTERDAM*}

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK.

BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE 130 WEST 30TH STREET CONDOMINIUM, SUING ON BEHALF OF THE UNIT OWNERS, Plaintiff -against- DAVID M. SIMON a/k/a DAVID SIMON; LISA D. GOODMAN a/k/a LISA GOODMAN, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated December 3, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 252 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street New York, NY on December 3, 2025 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan and County of New York, City and State of New York, known as Residential Unit No. 16A in the building known as 130 West 30th Street Condominium located at 130 West 30th Street together with an undivided 2.241% interest in the Common Elements. Block: 805 Lot: 1043

Said premises known 130 West 30th Street, Unit 16A, New York, NY 10001.

situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan and County of New York, City and State of New York, known as Storage Unit No. 11 in the building known as 130 West 30th Street Condominium located at 130 West 30th Street together with an undivided 0.079% interest in the common elements. Block: 805 Lot: 1060

Said premises known as 130 WEST 30TH STREET, STORAGE UNIT NO. 11, NEW YORK, NY 10001

Approximate amount of lien $113,708.03 plus interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 850614/2023.

ROBERTA E. ASHKIN, ESQ., Referee

Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 444 Madison Ave., 6th Floor, New York, NY 10022

{* AMSTERDAM*}

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME

COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee on behalf of HSI Asset Securitization Corporation Trust 2006-HE2, Plaintiff AGAINST STATE4RS LLC; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered January 18, 2024, 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 10007 on November 19, 2025, at 2:15PM, premises known as 262 Mott Street, Apt. 4RS, New York, NY 10012. The Condominium Unit No. 4RS in the building (hereinafter referred to as the "Building") known by the street number 262 Mott Street, Borough of Manhattan and State of New York, Block 508 Lot 1167. Approximate amount of judgment $521,552.09 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 850216/2022. Mark McKew, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 4304792 Dated: October 1, 2025 87487

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK

JG FUNDING CORP., Plaintiff -against- 1363 FIRST OWNER LLC; et al., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale dated October 4, 2024 and entered on October 15, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 at the portico of the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on December 3, 2025 at 2:15 p.m., the premises known as 1363 1ST AVENUE, NEW YORK, NY 10021; Block 1448, Lot 24 and 453 E 83RD STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10028; Block 1563, Lot 121 as more fully described in the complaint and Judgment. Approximate amount of lien $7,490,500.00 plus interest and costs

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

Index Number 850430/2023

ELAINE SHAY, ESQ., Referee MENASHE AND LAPA LLP, ATTORNEY(S) FOR PLAINTIFF

400 RELLA BLVD., SUITE 190, SUFFERN, NY 10901

DATED: October 30, 2025

SUPREME COURT ‑ COUNTY OF NEW YORK.

NYCTL 1998‑2 TRUST AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND CUSTODIAN, Plaintiffs ‑against‑ CLIFTON EDWARDS, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein on July 15, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Court house, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on November 19, 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 and designated as Block 1751 and Lot 66 on the New York County Tax Assess ment Map.

Said premises known as 14 EAST 127TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10035

Approximate amount of lien $28,613.51 plus interest & costs.

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

Index Number 151788/2024. TOM KLEINBERGER, ESQ., Referee

Phillips Lytle LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiffs

100 S. Clinton Avenue, Suite 2900, Rochester, NY 14604

{* AMSTERDAM*}

Notice of Formation of VISUALIZING HERBALISM, LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/14/25. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: Attn: Lillian Luu, 222 Riverside Dr., 3F, NY, NY 10025. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF FORMATION of VITRUVIAN MAN ENTERPRISES, LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 8/22/2025. Office location: NY county. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to 177 Duane Street, #6 New York, NY 10013. Purpose: any lawful act.

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK, U.S. BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR TRUMAN 2016 SC6 TITLE TRUST, PLAINTIFF, VS. MOSHE RAHIMI, ET AL., DEFENDANT(S). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order On Motion entered on February 15, 2024 and a Decision + Order on Motion entered on September 5, 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 December 3, 2025 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 635 West 42nd Street, Unit 15J a/k/a 627635 West 42nd Street, Unit 15J, New York, NY 10036. 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 1090 and Lot 1351 together with an undivided 0.12612 percent interest in the Common Elements. Approximate amount of judgment is $570,028.95 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850111/2020. Paul R. Sklar, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 201235-1

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York , Loancore Capital Credit Reit LLC , Plaintiff, vs . CF 1 Whitehall LLC , ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on October 9, 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 December 3, 2025 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 1 Whitehall Street, New York, NY 10004. 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 10 and Lot 23. Approximate amount of judgment is $80,000,000.00 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850394/2024.

Gregory Thomas Cerchione, Esq., Referee McCarter & English, LLP, 250 W 55th Street, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10019, Attorneys for Plaintiff

Notice of Qualification of CVTB LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/12/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 02/06/25. Princ. office of LLC: 100 Causeway St., Ste. 1120, Boston, MA 02114. 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 Secy. of State, Div. of Corps., 401 Federal St. - Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York, Nationstar Mortgage LLC, Plaintiff, vs. Steve Vassi, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on January 15, 2025 and a Decision + Order on Motion duly entered September 5, 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 December 3, 2025 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 520 East 81st Street, Apt 2M, New York, NY 10028. 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 1577 and Lot 1024 together with an undivided 0.433094 percent interest in the Common Elements. Approximate amount of judgment is $663,856.43 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #810060/2012. Elaine Shay, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 254207-1

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK U.S. Bank Trust, N.A., as Trustee for LSF9 Master Participation Trust, Plaintiff AGAINST Llewellyn C. Werner a/k/a Llewellyn Werner Individually and as the sole member of Hawkes AP, LLC; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered December 7, 2022, amended September 5, 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 10007 on November 12, 2025, at 2:15PM, premises known as 160 West 66th Street Unit 46-G a/k/a 160 West 66th Street, Apartment 46G, New York, NY 10023. The Condominium Unit (the Unit) known as Unit No. 46G the building (the Building) known as Three Lincoln Center Condominium and by the Street Number 160 West 66th Street, Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York, Block 1137 Lot 1272. Approximate amount of judgment $2,290,728.13 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 810045/2010. Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792 Dated: September 23, 2025 For sale information, please visit www. Auction.com or call (800) 2802831 87352

NOTICE OF QUALIFICATION of Derventio UW LLC. App. for Auth. filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/06/25. LLC formed in California on 01/31/24. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 33 Raven Rd. San Anselmo, CA 94960. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York , Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee for the Registered Holders of Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Securities, Inc., Multifamily Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2017-SB34 , Plaintiff, vs . RH 532 West 159 Street LP , ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion duly entered on June 3, 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 10007 on December 3, 2025 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 532 West 159th Street, New York, NY 10032. 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 2117 and Lot 20. Approximate amount of judgment is $3,174,348.32 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850547/2023. Christy M. Demelfi, Esq., Referee McCarter & English, LLP, 250 W 55th Street, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10019, Attorneys for Plaintiff

Notice of Qualification of MILES ON HUDSON, LLC

Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/16/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 04/25/24. 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 Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of GO LIC ADVISORY LLC

Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/09/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 05/07/25. 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 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, Div. of Corps., John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of HMG INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/14/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 06/12/25. 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 Secy. of State of DE, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of LESLIE-LOHMAN HOLDINGS LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/16/25. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, c/o Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP, Attn: Christopher Rizzo, Esq., 28 Liberty St. - 41st Fl., NY, NY 10005. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of Levittown SL OpCo LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/17/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 09/04/25. Princ. office of LLC: 745 Fifth Ave., 25th Fl., NY, NY 10151. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the princ. office of the LLC. DE addr. of LLC: Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808-1674. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 3, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of RBC MUNICIPAL CAPITAL, LLC

Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/17/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 12/02/24. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC:

251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, Div. of Corps. - John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St. - Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of SKYTON BEAUTY LLC

Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/30/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 09/03/25. 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 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 PATRIOT HYDRO FUNDING, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/22/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/27/22. Princ. office of LLC: 1700 Broadway, 35th Fl., NY, NY 10019. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of Levittown SL PropCo LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/17/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 09/04/25. Princ. office of LLC: 745 Fifth Ave., 25th Fl., NY, NY 10151. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the princ. office of the LLC. DE addr. of LLC: Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808-1674. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 3, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of MT 35HY HOTEL LLC

Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/25/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 09/17/25. 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 Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of MT 35HY LLC

Notice of Formation of SQUIRE VILLAGE PRESERVATION, L.P. Cert. of LP filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/07/25. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LP: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. Latest date on which the LP may dissolve is 12/31/2125. SSNY designated as agent of LP upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Name and addr. of each general partner are available from SSNY. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

PURPLE ARROW PRODUCTIONS LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/08/25. 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, 8333 Braesmain Drive, Apartment 1459, Houston, TX 77025. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

MTA REAL ESTATE Request For Proposals

RFP TG10272025: Opportunity to lease the retail unit located at LIRR’s Baldwin, Baldwin, New York 11510. For info on this RFP, please go to https://new. mta.info/agency/real-estate/

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF HEATHER STEPANEK PLLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/16/2025. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy to 165 Broadway, FL 23, New York, NY 10006. The principal business address of the PLLC is 165 Broadway, FL 23, New York, NY 10006. Purpose: the practice of law.

Notice of Formation of LIMA TOWERS DEVELOPER, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/13/25. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 6 Greene St., Ste. 500, NY, NY 10013. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. Purpose: To control the funds used to fund costs for acquisition and renovation of Lima Towers.

Notice of Qualification of WASABI ROLLOVER LLC

Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/30/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 05/06/24. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of LITTLE EGG PRODUCTIONS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/23/25. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 321 President St., Apt. 3, Brooklyn, NY 11231. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Rose Gendelman at the princ. office of the LLC. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of NothingBetter Health Group, PLLC. Application for authority filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 9/5/2025. Office Location: NY County. PLLC formed in Virginia (VA) on 5/4/2025. SSNY designated as agent of PLLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 10304 Eaton Pl., Ste 100, Fairfax, VA 22030. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

101 E 9 DEVELOPER LLC.

Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/16/25. 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 Peraino Malinowski LLP, 152 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10016. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 130 W 19th 8D LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with NY Dept. of State on 9/3/25. Office location: New York County. NY Sec. of State designated agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served, and shall mail process to 130 West 19th St, Apt 8D, New York, NY 10011. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of 1313 SIGN COMPANY LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/16/25. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 450 Seventh Ave., 45th Fl., NY, NY 11418. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of AHRENS CREATIVE LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/22/25. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 333 W. 56th St., Penthouse A N, NY, NY 10019. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of ANNIE'S NEW YORK LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/12/25. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of ASBURY PARK DEVELOPER, LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/07/25. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of ASBURY PARK PRESERVATION GP, LLC

Notice of formation of Catalyst 48 LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 9/21/25. Office location: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Erica Leone, 280 Park Ave S NY,NY 10010. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of DD GANSEVOORT LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/29/25. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 7 Penn Plaza, Ste. 600, 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. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of FARNER NARNER, LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/29/25. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 200 Park Ave. South, 8th Fl., NY, NY 10003. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Florihana Realty LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on August 23, 2025. Office location: Richmond County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 626 New Dorp Lane, Staten Island, NY 10306. Purpose: Lessor of real estate.

HEXAGON INVESTORS LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/11/25. 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 Shivam Agarwal, 959 1st Avenue, Apartment 8P, New York, NY 10022, which also serves as the Registered Agent address. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NH PROPERTY SERVICES

LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/16/2025. Office location: NEW YORK County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 28 W 38TH STREET, SUITE 8W, NEW YORK, NY, 10018. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Metamechanics Architecture PLLC. 6/24/2025. New York County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. 236 West 27th St Suite 1303, New York, New York 10001. 236 West 27th St Suite 1303, New York, New York 10001. Architecture.

Daniel Adam Goldstein LCSW PLLC filed w/ SSNY 8/26/25. Off. in NY Co. Process served to SSNY - desig. as agt. of PLLC & mailed to the PLLC, 424 E. 52nd St, #5C, NY, NY 10022. Any lawful purpose.

Pendenza LLC. App. for Authority filed with the SSNY on 9/26/2025. Office: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: The LLC, 445 Park Ave., Ste. 967, NY, NY 10022. Purpose: Any lawful act.

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Notice of Formation of ThrillHouse LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/14/25. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of WUNGOO HOLDINGS LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/22/25. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 300 E 64th St., Apt. 27C, NY, NY 10065. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice is hereby given that a license, serial #NA-0340-25103028 for beer, wine & liquor has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer, wine & liquor at retail in a restaurant under the ABC Law at 994 Columbus Ave., New York, NY 10025 for on-premises consumption; Limone LLC

NOTICE is hereby given that a license, number NA-0370-24135212 for liquor, wine, beer & cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, wine, beer & cider at retail in a bar/tavern under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 4371 3rd Ave; Bronx, NY 10457 in Bronx County for on premises consumption. Zion Restaurant and Lounge Corp d/b/a Zion Restaurant and Lounge

Notice of formation of Papilio Strategies LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 9/12/25. Office located in NY County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC at 7 Park Ave #116, NY NY 10016. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

THE Y3 COLLECTIVE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/01/2025. Office location: NEW YORK County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 188 LUDLOW STREET, APT. 20J, NEW YORK, NY, 10002, USA. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Notice of Qualification of IRC AIRBEL VENTURES LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/24/25. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 12/20/23. Princ. office of LLC: 122 East 42nd St., NY, NY 10168. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Jim Crow

Continued from page 13

grounds its legitimacy in biblical continuity, often citing verses such as Genesis 17:8 as deed and divine mandate. Yet, when it comes to descendants of Gad, Dan, or Ephraim who happen to be Black, the same Torah suddenly loses its evidentiary power.

Nooka Management LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/20/2025. Office location: New York County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 455 Main St, Apt 12A, New York, NY 10044. Purpose: Any lawful act.

Notice of Qualification of AP CREDIT SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS (AIV) II, L.P. Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/08/25. Office location: NY County. LP formed in Delaware (DE) on 12/26/24. Princ. office of LP: Attn: General Counsel, 9 W. 57th St., 43rd Fl., NY, NY 10019. 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 Partnership 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 The Secy. of State of the State of DE, Dept. of State, Div. of Corps., John Townsend Bldg., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Courtney Lemon Curd LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/07/25. Office location: NY County. SSNY has been designated as an agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail to: 303 E 37th St 5F, New York, NY 10016. Purpose: Any lawful act.

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This isn’t merely theological gatekeeping. It is spiritual apartheid — a system where European Jews are waved through the gates of return while African Jews are stalled outside, told to prove what colonialism itself destroyed. Apartheid is not only walls and checkpoints. It is also the bureaucratic weaponization of doubt against a people’s very identity.

To be clear, the Igbo are not alone. Ethiopian Jews (Beta Israel) were long denied recognition until Rabbi Ovadia Yosef’s 1973 ruling, and even then, they faced discriminatory treatment: segregated

schools, discarded blood donations, and obstacles to marriage. Similarly, the Lemba of Southern Africa, who preserve Israelite oral traditions and carry the Cohen Modal Haplotype, remain effectively ignored by Israel. Despite cultural continuity and genetic validation, they are denied recognition under the Law of Return. The message is clear: Even when Africans present more evidence than Europeans, it is still deemed insufficient.

Defenders of the current policy argue that requiring documentation protects Israel from fraudulent claims, but that defense collapses under scrutiny. No such proof was required of Soviet immigrants admitted under the Law of Return, nor was it demanded of Ethiopian Jews once rabbinic approval was granted. In practice, the “documentation” standard has been wielded selectively: rigorous for Africans, relaxed for Europeans.

If Israel truly believes in the Law of Return, it must abolish this precolonial requirement and treat oral tradition, ritual continuity, and even genetic evidence as valid.

Fairness also requires a reckoning: If hundreds of thousands of Soviet immigrants were admitted despite tenuous ties, the state must at minimum acknowledge that distortion. That doesn’t have to mean mass expulsions, but it does mean making space, in law, in policy, and in conscience (but not in Palestinian landgrabs) for the Igbo and others whose claims are as old as Israel itself. To deny rightful heirs while retaining mistaken beneficiaries is to compound injustice with hypocrisy.

As a diasporic Igbo, descended from America’s “Chosen People” (trafficked and enslaved Africans chosen to build young America and her wealth), I feel this wound personally. My people preserved what they could through centuries of displace -

ment, enslavement, colonial oppression, and wealth extraction. Some of us still pray in Hebrew. Some returned to rabbinic Judaism; others to Omenala, our ancestral faith. Some, like me, were raised Baptist but have always felt a connection to Judaism and a desire for conversion that we cannot fully explain.

Although I am not personally seeking Israeli citizenship, I support it for any Jewish Igbo who desires it. My role is advocacy: pointing out the unfairness in how the Law of Return is applied, and proposing solutions, because in the end, what is at stake is not just policy. It is dignity, belonging, and honoring the right of a people to return home. Anything less is just another jar of jellybeans.

Tonnie Darron Walls is a University of Oxford graduate, an English language educator, and a diasporic Igbo American writer based in Harlem.

Islamophobia

Continued from page 2

by 3% from 2023 to 2024. Even so, anti-Muslim hate crimes experienced a 69% increase. Additionally, anti-Jewish hate crimes have the highest number of complaints from 2024, followed by anti-LGBTQ, anti-Black, and anti-Asian complaints, said the report.

Just ahead of the beginning of early voting on Oct. 25, it seemed that the constant reference to Mamdani’s faith took a turn for the worse. While on the campaign trail in Brooklyn, Mamdani stopped at the Masjid At-Taqwa in Bedstuy. He was photographed with Harlem Councilmember Yusef Salaam, another practicing Muslim elected official, and Imam Siraj Wahhaj. Mamdani was immediately slammed by Republicans and Vice President JD Vance online as “terror linked.”

“This is the same Imam who campaigned with Eric Adams four years ago, and yet, when I meet him, it becomes the story of national significance,” said Mamdani. “One where Andrew Cuomo decided to join the ranks of those who would cheer for bomb threats on my car or call me a jihadist, like Laura Loomer, Elon Musk, JD Vance. And they do

this not because of who I met, but because of my faith, and that I am on the precipice of becoming the first Muslim mayor of New York City history.”

In 1991, Wahhaj became the first Muslim to lead an opening prayer before Congress. He testified as a character witness at the trial for Omar Abdel-Rahman, who was later convicted of the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. Wahhaj’s estranged son and grandson were also involved in a tragedy and felony charges in New Mexico. Wahhaj himself was never arrested, indicted, or charged, but has been labeled an “unindicted co-conspirator” since the 90s.

“This isn’t about one candidate. It’s about silencing a community,” said Husein Yatabarry, executive director of the Muslim Community Network. “Weaponizing Islamophobia right before an election is fear politics at its worst. Muslims belong in New York’s public life, and we’re not backing down.”

A week out from Election Day on Nov. 4, Mamdani is still the leading candidate, according to a new poll from Suffolk University. And despite the chaos, Mamda-

gaining ground with voters, especially with Jewish and Hispanic voters as well as Black voters over the age of 40, who see him as the “experienced” candidate. He has scored significant endorsements recently, like that of Mayor Eric Adams, who dropped his own campaign in September, and former Gov. David Paterson.

Cuomo was a guest of conservative WABC talk radio host Sid Rosenberg on Oct. 23. The host insinuated that Mamdani would celebrate another 9/11 terrorist attack. Cuomo chuckled but didn’t push back. Adams tried to draw a connection between “Islamic extremisms” overseas and Mamdani’s run for mayor in a separate interview for Fox News. Cuomo’s campaign also posted AI-generated campaign videos depicting “criminals for Zohran Mamdani” as racist caricatures, such as a Black man wearing a keffiyeh and shoplifting, a man abusing a woman, a pimp trafficking white women, and others.

“New Yorkers love the Muslim community,” said Cuomo in an interview with Spectrum News.

“Instead of engaging in real policy critique, there are politicians and media outlets that choose to use Islamophobic rhetoric, painting Muslims in a negative light simply because of their faith or associations ... There is a deep and troubling pattern of using a person’s faith as a political weapon ...”

—Dr. Jamel Coy Hudson, a doctoral lecturer of rhetoric and public advocacy at CUNY Baruch College

Muslim spaces.

Dr. Debbie Almontaser, senior advisor at Emgage Action, said she is “disheartened” by what’s happening and that many elections use the Muslim community and the Muslim vote as a “political football to fearmonger.” She refuses to let that fear dictate people’s right to vote, she said.

Dr. Jamel Coy Hudson, a doctoral lecturer of rhetoric and public advocacy at City University of New York (CUNY) Baruch College, said that the mischaracterization of Muslim leaders in politics reveals how prejudice against Muslims still shapes public discourse in the city today.

“Instead of engaging in real policy critique, there are politicians and media outlets that choose to use Islamophobic rhetoric, painting Muslims in a negative light simply because of their faith or associations,” said Hudson in a statement. “There is a deep and troubling pattern of using a person’s faith as a political weapon, and the attacks on Mr. Mamdani’s mayoral campaign have revealed how urgently we need to confront bias in our public life,” continued Hudson. “In a nation that asserts freedom of religion, we must protect every community and every person’s right to practice their faith without discrimination here in New York City.”

The Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR) Action Executive Director Basim Elkarra said in a statement: “Cuomo has crossed a moral line. This rhetoric is not only deeply Islamophobic — it’s reckless and lifethreatening to Muslim, Arab, and South Asian New Yorkers who still live with the trauma of the post9/11 backlash.”

Meanwhile, Mamdani’s reception in the Jewish community seems to be waffling.

ni scored a major endorsement from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries last week. He said that the two are focused on increased affordability for New Yorkers, and “on turning the page on an era of big money and small ideas” in the city and country.

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is

“He [Zohran] claims that he is the victim — the victim of attacks because he’s a Muslim. Nothing could be further from the truth. He is not a victim. He is the offender.”

Cuomo’s attack ad blitz on Mamdani’s faith has left a sour note with many in Black and

Over 1,000 rabbis from across the U.S. published an open letter to Mamdani, airing their grievances with his campaign and their denunciation of anti-Zionism on Oct. 28. On the opposing side, national Jewish groups, like Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, decided to endorse Mamdani for mayor. “These Jewish leaders are doing Trump and the MAGA movement’s work for them: dividing our pro-democracy movement at a time when we need to be united to beat back fascism,” said Rachel Laforest, chief campaigns officer for Bend the Arc, in a statement.

Harlem Councilmember Yusef Salaam, mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, and Brooklyn Imam Siraj Wahhaj on the mayoral campaign trail on October 19, 2025. (Photo from Muslim Community Network (MCN).

Early voting

ballots was 223,268, according to the New York City Board of Elections (BOE) via X. Manhattan and Brooklyn were competing for the boroughs with the most votes cast so far, with 67,110 and 67,729 respWWWectively.

At this time in 2021, two days into early voting, only 31,176 voters had been reported by BOE officials. Whitaker said that plenty of Black and Latino voters are going with “hopeful” Mamdani, while others are choosing Cuomo because of his “experience.” People unexpectedly found Sliwa funny and charming in the debates, even if they didn’t agree with his policies. Regardless, she believes it’s a two-man race at this point.

“I think people are trying to decide if they want substance over soundbites,” said Whitaker.

Whitaker said that registered unaffiliated voters are the biggest group that could sway the election because they are not often polled and they did not vote in this year’s primary.

In addition to electing city leaders, there are six important ballot proposals for voters to consider: one of the ballot proposals focuses on a statewide environmental issue; the bulk of this year’s proposals are about housing produc -

tion and land use due to Adams’ Charter Revision Commission (CRC); one is about digitizing a map for the city, and the last proposal is about switching all elections to even years.

Early voting polls will be open until Sunday, November 2. (Hours vary).

Voters may also cast a vote by absentee ballot, as long as it is postmarked no later than Nov. 2. Voters can also drop off completed absentee ballots at any early voting or Election Day poll site.

An assigned early voting location is different from your regular Election Day

poll site. To find your early voting and Election Day polling places, go to findmypollsite.vote.nyc/.

Election Day is on Tuesday, November 4, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. For questions and assistance, you can call or text: 1-866-Vote-NYC

From left to right: Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte, Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman, mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, and Councilmember Farah Louis with early voting canvassers in Flatbush, Brooklyn on Saturday, Oct. 25.

Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa campaigned with supporters on Saturday in Bay Ridge on Oct. 25. (Ariama C. Long photos)

UConn poised to defend women’s hoop Big East title with St. John’s on the rise

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

“I want to be a leader on and off the court, but my big goal is really just winning,” said St. John’s University senior guard Jailah Donald.

Winning requires tenacity and teamwork in the talent-stacked Big East Conference. Obviously, University of Connecticut, the reigning NCAA Division I Champions, took the top spot in the Big East Women’s Basketball Preseason poll. New Jersey’s Seton Hall University is picked to finish third, and St. John’s University in Queens, New York is slotted at sixth.

One of the notable returners for St. John’s is senior guard Skye Owen, one of only two New York City natives on the Red Storm. Owen said she has been taking more of a leadership role and engaging with the team’s six newcomers.

“This year, since I’ve been here for so long, it’s just sharing our culture with the newcomers,” said Owen. “The more we play with each other, the more comfortable we get. I think we adjust well. … I think we have high defensive intensity while also being able to score. We’re bigger at the guard position. We have a post presence this year too.”

Owen, a finance major, is looking forward to relishing her senior year and thriving in basketball. “I’m just looking to leave it all on the court,” she said. “I lead by example, but I also help put people in places at times. With so many new people, they don’t always know the correct order of things, and I can help them along the way.”

Being a native New Yorker from Staten Island, Owen said nothing is like playing in New

York when it’s your hometown, especially since friends and family can come watch you play. The last two seasons, the St. John’s women’s basketball team has played a game at Madison Square Garden. Currently, no games are scheduled for the storied arena, but there is much hope that a home game against UConn will take place at MSG. Owen said another opportunity to play there would be great. In the era where players are navigating questions of name, image and likeness, Owen promises to post more on social media, chronicling an exciting season. She would love a brand deal for eyelashes — hers are always on point — or something related to healthy eating.

The St. John’s season kicks off in Queens on Nov. 3 vs Le Moyne. “We’re continuing to play our game and grow each day,” said Owen.

Seton Hall women’s basketball brings fresh energy and high expectations

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

Seton Hall University women’s basketball kicks off its season tonight with an exhibition game on home court vs Thomas Jefferson. The 202425 season included postseason action in the WBIT, so this year’s goal is to do better and earn a return trip to the NCAA Division I Tournament.

Guard Savannah Catalon is excited for the season ahead. As a junior, she is a veteran, to which she is becoming accustomed. “We have a lot of new people (five freshmen), so meshing together hasn’t been easy, but I can say that we’re doing a good job at it,” she said. “We have a bunch of versatility throughout the team.”

The players have collective goals that they’re focused on achieving. Those include finishing top two in the Big East Conference and hopefully making it to the Big Dance.

“I feel I’m able to adapt,” said Catalon, a social and behavioral sciences major who is building her leadership skills.

“Some people take criticism

differently than others. So, learning from my teammates. I feel like I’ve done better at communicating, being more

vocal on the court, off the court. As far as individual skills outside of leadership, focusing on basketball, I can

say that I’ve worked on becoming a more efficient threelevel scorer.”

With NCAA rules evolv -

ing, there is much discussion around student-athletes capitalizing on their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Catalon hasn’t taken as much advantage as she would like, but promises to be more active on social media, sharing the story of the Seton Hall Pirates. Throughout the coming school year, she will enjoy the whole student-athlete experience.

“Student-athletes already are put at an advantage as far as making connections,” said Catalon, of meeting alumni and other supporters of women’s basketball. “One of my main goals is just making connections with different people and going to different work settings to see what is something I’m very interested in, so I have an idea of what I want to do after basketball.”

The Pirates have a West Coast road trip on tap for November, heading to California for two games. Catalon is looking forward to the bonding.

“This team has a lot of different personalities, which makes it fun to come into practice every day,” she said. “I feel like the team vibe is there.”

St. John’s women’s basketball team members and head coach at Big East Basketball Media Day. From left to right Skye Owen, Joe Tartamella, Kylie Lavelle, and Jailah Donald. (St. John’s Athletics photo)

The women of Seton Hall University at Big East Basketball Media Day (l-r) Jordana Codio, Jada Eads, Shailyn Pinkney, Savannah Catalon, and Messiah Hunter. (Photo Courtesy of Seton Hall Athletics)

Can the Jets build on their first victory of the Aaron Glenn era?

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

It was bittersweet for the New York Jets on Sunday. In the backdrop of their stress-alleviating first win of this season, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 39-38 on the road, the previous day’s announcement of the death of the revered former center Nick Mangold, at the young age of 41, due to complications from kidney disease, elicited collective sadness throughout the organization.

“One of the most iconic and beloved players in franchise history, Nick was the cornerstone of the Jets’ offensive line for 11 unforgettable seasons…but beyond the accolades and fierce play on the field, Nick was a leader, a teammate, and a friend whose impact extended far beyond the locker room,” the Jets expressed in a written statement.

Mangold was drafted by the Jets in 2006 out of Ohio State, with the 29th pick in the first round. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler and a two-time first-team All-Pro se-

lection. The Jets released Mangold after the 2016 season, and he officially retired on April 17, 2018, having never played for another franchise. Mangold almost assuredly will someday be posthumously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The current players and coaching staff honored Mangold by besting the Bengals after a week in which fans and analysts were calling for the demotion of starting quarterback Justin Fields and elevating 36-year-old, 15-year NFL veteran Tyrod Taylor to QB1. Head coach Aaron Glenn might have been trending in that direction after team owner Woody Johnson publicly ascribed significant blame for the Jets’ dilemmas to Fields.

“It’s hard when you have a quarterback with the {passer}rating that we’ve got,” Johnson asserted last week. “He has the ability, but something is not [jibing]. If we can just complete a pass, it would look good.” In theory, Johnson’s criticism was valid, but imprudent to share with the masses.

His blunt commentary came after the now 1-7 Jets’ October 19, Week 7, 13-6 loss at home at MetLife Stadium to the Carolina Panthers, in which Fields was benched at halftime by Glenn after going 6-12 for just 46 yards over the first two quarters.

“I understand the nature of the quarterback change and listen, we needed a spark,” said Glenn after the game. “At the time, I felt it was the right time to do it. It was my call.”

With Taylor unable to play against the Bengals because of a knee injury, Fields responded with his best game of the season, throwing for 244 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions, and rushing for 31.

“When I was on the field,” said the 26 year old from Ohio State, who is in his first season with the Jets, “I was damn near crying. Not because we won. But just how everything I’ve been through the past week, everything we’ve been through as a team these past seven weeks. Lots of ups and downs.”

The Jets will host the 2-6 Cleveland Browns at MetLife (1 p.m.) this Sunday.

Greg “Pooh” Harding becomes a defining voice of NYC basketball

By TYRESE ALLEYNE-DAVIS Special to the AmNews

In New York City, basketball has provided opportunities for countless players. Whether games are held in high school gyms, college arenas, or city parks, the sport has produced legends who keep its culture alive and pave the way for new generations.

Basketball holds a special place in the heart of Glenn “Pooh” Harding, standout high school player and member of the 1986 Abraham Lincoln High School City Championship team. Growing up during what he calls the “Golden Era” of New York City high school basketball, Harding played alongside standouts such as Greg “Boo” Harvey, Rod Strickland, Kenny Anderson, and Derrick “Band-Aid” Chievous.

That 1986 team also featured Sean Williams, Bernard Mitchell, Dwayne “Tiny” Morton, Dave Adebajo, and Peter Piere, names that still echo in city basketball history. Harding’s cousin, Cortez Jackson, played for Madison High School and Colorado State before becoming a comedian known as “The King of Snaps.”

For Harding, the game remains

a lifelong passion. His presence is valued in the community, and he has found new ways to contribute long after his playing days. In 2020, encouraged by peers Larry Timberlake and Hakim Donadelle, Harding saw that the city’s high school scene lacked the coverage it deserved. He founded Basketballheadzz to provide the community with a space where its voices and stories could shine and to educate the next generation about New York’s hoops history.

“One of the reasons why I started Basketballheadzz is to give these young athletes a chance to work on and build their media skills,” said Harding to the AmNews. “Being able to present yourself is very important not only in the world of basketball but in life. To see students be shy in front of the camera, one year, and then blossom with an interview the next year is definitely something I’m proud of.”

With over 21,000 followers on Instagram and more than 11,000 subscribers on YouTube, Harding highlights boys’ and girls’ high school basketball. He covers rivalry games, player interviews, and summer workouts while building

trust with schools for behind-thescenes preseason access.

The platform has helped overlooked New York City players gain recognition from college programs. Former Transit Tech player Ashton Reynolds and Thomas Jefferson High School senior guard Jahda Swann are among those who have earned increased exposure.

Harding also covers major city tournaments, including Kingdome, Rucker Park, Gersh Park, and the Breevort Basketball Tournament. He has played a key role in organizing the Breevort event each summer, showing his commitment to keeping New York City basketball vibrant and visible.

“I’m grateful to have a platform that everyone recognizes every day, no matter where I am on my daily walk, kids of all ages come up to me. They say, you’re the guy from Basketballheadzz. That recognition never fails to amaze me.”

Asked what advice he gives to people entering sports media, Harding’s message is simple: “Just start,” Harding advised. He tells creators not to worry about equipment, emphasizing that with passion and consistency, support will come.

Greg “Pooh” Harding is the founder and host of the popular podcast “Basketballheadzz.” (Photo courtesy of Greg Harding)

Jets quarterback Justin Fields smiles widely on Sunday after his team’s 39-38 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Harlem’s diverse senior Honeys and Bears just keep swimming

By TONY PAIGE Special to the AmNews

“It’s really a combination of team and family,” says coach Oliver Foote (Foo-tay). “Just like families, sometimes everybody feuds with one another, but at the end of the day, we all still love one another.”

Foote is not a pro coach though, for over 30 years, he has been at the helm of a very special team. He is the head coach of Harlem’s Honeys and Bears Synchronized Senior Swim Team. The team has been sashaying in the water at their home base, the Hansborough Pool on W. 134th Street since 1979.

As that building is being refurbished until March, the Milbank Pool on W. 118th Street is their pool away from home. The president of the team is a youngster of 65. “I’ve been president for 10 months,” states Carrie See Yuen.

“We have about 25 members with ages between 65 and 91.” On this sunny October morning, the group, which works out Mondays and Wednesdays for two hours, loosens up in the water to a thumping Mary J. Blige track.

“I heard your energy when I was downstairs,” states Coach Foote as the group laughs. It’s time to work, but for a reason. “Every single time I jump in the pool, I feel like a kid again,” reveals See Yuen. “It’s just such a great exercise. I don’t find anything else that just gives me so much lift. I enjoy just the purity of friendship, and it was just fun.”

While Foote barks out his orders for all the aquatic females (no men today) for their formations, the group is all on the same page. “We come here, we bond, we fight, we love, we dance, we do everything

…we float,” chuckles Barbara Bison-White, an 18-year vet of the Honeys and Bears who turns 90 in December. The team is the draw that brings her into the water. “It’s healthy. It’s wonderful.

“I was in the hospital four times in the last month, and I wasn’t coming today, but the water is therapeutic.” Former 20-year correction officer Debra Preston knows what this group means to her, and she passes the

message on to others of a certain age.

“Just get in the water,” exclaims Preston, a vibrant 71. “Water is everything. I will be in water the rest of my life as long as I can. It has done me good. I went down two dress sizes. My health is better. I eat better as a result of it.

“I live in Brooklyn. It takes me an hour and 15 minutes to get here by subway. Is it worth it? Yes, it is!”

Velma Elaine Goldwire, 74, is a Colum-

bia grad, a former social worker, and a breast cancer survivor who never slowed her drive. She had her surgery and went through chemo and radiation treatments back in April 2017. Less than two months later, she was back in the water.

“Right now, I’m in training for the Senior Games which is gonna be in June,” says the bubbly Goldwire. “I’ve qualified for Nationals, but I’ve never gone. The Nationals are going to be in Oklahoma City in 2027.”

She plans to be there. Besides the synchronized swimming, Goldwire and Preston are veteran Senior Games participants. Preston has captured many medals in the 50 (bronze), 100 (silver), and 200 (gold), among others.

Though “the backstroke is my favorite.”

Goldwire has racked up medals since 2016 in the 50-yard butterfly (gold), 100 IM (silver), and two bronze in the 50-yard and 100-yard breaststroke. She has a total of 15. For all that the team has accomplished, Coach Foote has another goal for the team. He wants them to “enjoy the rest of their lives.”

The team works hard while it grieves over the loss of Luther Gales, their long-time beloved assistant coach, who recently passed. “I enjoy the energy that I give them, and I enjoy the energy that they give me,” points out Foote. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but with these Harlem Honeys and Bears.

“These are my peeps.”

Harlem’s Honeys and Bears annual fundraiser is New Year’s Eve, Wednesday, December 31, 12-5 p.m. at Alhambra Ballroom, 2116 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. For ticket info, call 646-808-4123 (Luther) or 917-227-2639 (Zelle).

Highly anticipated UFC heavyweight clash prompts immediate rematch

By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews

In one of the most anticipated combat sports matchups of the year, UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall clashed with Frenchman Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 this past Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi — but only for four minutes and 35 seconds. After winning all but 25 seconds of the first round in the maximum five-round bout, Gane accidentally poked Aspinall in both eyes, and after the allotted five-minute period given to recuperate from the foul, Aspinall could not continue, resulting in a no-contest.

“Everybody knows … he starts very hard to surprise his opponent,” Gane said. “Defending the takedown, I touched him. We saw some blood on his nose, and it was a really great first round.”

While this is certainly a disappointing ending to the main event, it could turn out to be a blessing in disguise. With the UFC set to enter a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal with Paramount in 2026, which owns the CBS network, the MMA organization may be poised to book the rematch as the first

ship, which was recently vacated by Chinese competitor Zhang Weili.

In what is shaping up to be an exciting November in combat sports, Weili is moving up 10 pounds to 125 to challenge UFC flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko in a battle between two of the most accomplished women in combat sports history as the co-main event of UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden on November 15.

Jack Della Maddalena will make his first UFC welterweight title defense against Islam Makhachev in the main event of the organization’s annual stop at the World’s most famous arena.

Looking ahead to the following weekend, on Saturday, November 22, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, David Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) will defend his WBC light heavyweight title against Anthony Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs). Also on the stacked card, Devin Haney (32-0, 15 KOs) will take on WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. (27-3, 24 KOs), and WBC junior bantamweight champion Jesse Rodriguez (21-0, 14 KOs) will battle the WBA’s bantamweight title holder Fernando Martinez (18-0, 9 KOs).

Harlem’s Honey and Bears provides its participants a lifestyle element of mental and physical well being. (Tony Paige photo)

event of the landmark contract. Gane’s performance makes the impending rematch a must-see whenever it is resched-

uled. In the co-main event, Mackenzie Dern defeated Virna Jandiroba to win the UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion-

Ciryl Gane (right) strikes Tom Aspinall in their UFC heavyweight title match this past Saturday in Abu Dhabi. (Photo courtesy of UFC/Getty)

Sports

The Knicks encounter obstacles on their first road trip of the season

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

The road has been unkind for the Knicks to start this season.

After two impressive wins at Madison Square Garden to open the new campaign, a 119-111 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers and 105-95 against the Boston Celtics, the Knicks have dropped their two games away from MSG, falling to the Miami Heat 115-107 on Sunday and the Milwaukee Bucks 121-111 on Tuesday.

A familiar theme has emerged in first-year Knicks head coach Mike Brown’s offense, one that carried over from Tom Thibodeau’s system: point guard Jalen Brunson is taking the bulk of the shots. He’s led the 2-2 Knicks in scoring in three of their four games, including a 36-point performance against the Bucks, heading into tomorrow’s matchup with the Bulls in Chicago. Brunson has topped 30 points in three games, with the lone ex-

ception being his 23-point outing against the Cavaliers.

Conversely, Karl-Anthony Towns, who two days before opening night expressed he was uncertain about his role in the Brown’s offensive system, has by and large looked unsteady. He was just 2-12 for eight points against the Bucks and on the season is only averaging 17 ppg.

Last year, Towns earned All-NBA third team honors, and was a 24.4 point per game scorer.

But his early decline in points hasn’t affected his rebounding: he’s grabbing 13.5 and had 12 on Tuesday. On the other side of the court, Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, long subject to speculation about a possible move to the New York Knicks, has been producing videogame-style numbers — hanging 37 on New York on 16-22 shooting for 3-1 Milwaukee. Going into tonight’s matchup versus the Golden State Warriors, Antetokounmpo is averaging 36.3 points

Jordi Fernandez demands urgency from young Brooklyn Nets

By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews

In his second year as Brooklyn Nets head coach, Jordi Fernandez is tasked with setting the tone and culture for an inexperienced team that is bound to land in the 2026 NBA Draft lottery.

“Obviously, the energy that we’ve had at times — I need consistency and urgency, and that has to be something that we cannot decide if we are doing it or not,” the 43-yearold said after the Nets’ 137-109 loss to the Rockets in Houston on Monday to begin the season 0-4. “It is a matter of who we want to be,” he asserted of the league’s youngest roster, which has an average age of 23.3.

“It is just unacceptable to take an NBA game for granted, and our guys are trying. They just don’t know how much harder and focused they can do things, and you know I believe they will keep taking those steps,”

Fernandez added. “A lot of just lack of experience, but we are going to challenge them. The coaches are great, and we are going to find a way to challenge,to sustain the focus every possession. It doesn’t matter if you play 20 seconds, if you play 3 minutes, if you play 10 minutes; your attention to detail and your effort has to be there, and I know the guys will learn from it.”

One of three 19-year-old rookies selected by Brooklyn in the first round of last June’s draft, 6’ 6” point guard Ben Saraf, had started the first four games of the season heading into last night’s home game at the Barclays Center versus the Atlanta Hawks. The 26th overall pick, who was born in South Africa and raised in Israel since the age of 3, has struggled, averaging 4.0 points on 26% shooting and 3.8 assists in just under 18 minutes before facing the Hawks.

Egor Denim, who was the team’s

first selection in this year’s draft with the eighth overall pick, has played considerably better in the first week of the season. The 6’ 8” guard from Moscow, Russia, who played one season for BYU, shot 50%, averaging just under nine points in the first three games before sitting out Monday’s game for left plantar fascia tear injury management. The third first-round pick, Nolan Traoré, a 6’ 3” guard from the Paris region of France, scored a combined seven points in his first two games. Nets guard Cam Thomas is once again proving to be one of the NBA’s most prolific scorers early in the 2025–2026 season. The 6’ 3” 24-yearold, who averaged 24.0 points per game last season, playing just 25 due to left hamstring issues, is off to a sizzling start, scoring 33 points versus the

last

and 14.0 rebounds per game. Towns is still adapting to the Knicks offense, but his resume suggests he’ll soon approach or exceed his career scoring average of 23 points per game. One clear difference between Brown’s and Thibodeau’s rotations is depth: while Thibodeau rarely went deep into his bench, Brown has been doing so, giving guards Landry Shamet and Tyler Kolek, along with center Ariel Hukporti, meaningful minutes.

Hukporti has seen extended floor time in part because of the absence of center Mitchell Robinson, who has yet to make his season debut as the Knicks are being cautious with his twice surgically-repaired left ankle.

The Knicks will play sevenstraight home games in an extended homestand beginning on Sunday when they face the Bulls again. They will host the Washington Wizards on Monday and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.

Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas drives to the basket on Sunday against the San Antonio Spurs as his head coach Jordi Fernandez looks on. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

Knicks forward OG Anunoby defends the basket against Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo in New York’s 115-107 road loss last Sunday. (AP

Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

New York Amsterdam News October 30 - November 5, 2025

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Early voting brings New Yorkers out as campaign enters home stretch

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